Every month that passes seems crazier than the month before, so once again I am thankful to writers—romance writers in particular—who give us a safe place to relax and luxuriate in the certainty that at least in the pages of a book there really can be a happily ever after.
I must start my paeon to writers, however, with a shoutout to the phenomenally talented T.J. Newman. Her new book, WORST CASE SCENARIO, came out this month, and it is most definitely not a romance. Is there love involved? Oh, most definitely, beautifully, and poignantly. While I tried to read with my eyes shut and my ears plugged (I had a hard copy and an audio copy) out of sheer terror, by the end, the tears streaming down my face were in acknowledgement of the abundance of love contained in this thriller. Here’s the horrifying plot in a nutshell: a plane crashes into a nuclear power plant and its staff must find a way to prevent a nuclear disaster that would make Chernobyl look like a picnic. Definitely NOT a book any sane person would want to pick up. But do so anyway. Stick it out. Then drop me a note telling me I was right.
But on to romance: Lauren Layne has a new book out this month (hurray!), and we can always rely on her skills to bring us a toe-curling romance and a darn good story. If you’re accustomed to her glitzy Manhattan-based, high society romances, MIRANDA IN RETROGRADE will be an unusual but delicious surprise. Who’s Miranda? She’s a super driven, top-notch scientist from a family of superior beings who’s just been denied an expected university tenure position. Why? Because she’s proven too popular on her tv spots where she explains science to the masses, and her snobby academic bosses are affronted. Shell-shocked, Miranda decides to throw logic to the wind and spend a year immersed in astrology. And NO, as she has to repeatedly insist, that’s ASTROLOGY and not astronomy. Sadly, (!) in her retreat from the world, she finds herself living next door to a cranky, judgmental, artist. Yes, you can probably guess how this will end, but on the way, Lauren Layne treats us to a fascinating crash course on astrology, complete with a list of resources for further investigation. And so, while glowing with joy from the perfectly wonderful happily-ever-after, you might just find yourself looking up your birth chart!
Back to earth, we can all immediately bring to mind the classic Disney romances that have played in the background of our world over the decades. Now those talented mouse minders have enlisted romance authors to put a new version of their stories out to readers. The always talented Christina Lauren stepped up to the plate, and their TANGLED UP IN YOU is absolutely delightful. A play on Rapunzel, there’s a beautiful, intelligent, lonely young woman, an escape from a sheltered (metaphorical) prison, a road trip, a resentful playboy scoundrel who just might turn out to have a heart of gold, and perhaps (!), another gorgeously satisfying happily-ever-after. This is a Disney production, however, so the talented writers kept this volume remarkably “sweet,” and yes, that means even on a road trip with forced proximity, we’re allowed to witness none of the authors’ characters’ normally entertaining bedroom escapades. This hardened cynic found the absence a bit unrealistic, but the story was magical, so it’s going on my keeper shelf.
BEFORE AND AFTERMATH, the third installment in the “Aftermath” series from up-and-coming romcom author, Pru Warren, is another magical escape. The series tracks a rock band (called Aftermath!), but readers can jump in anywhere and feel right at home. Archer, Mal, and Ian comprise the band, but Charlotte, their scene-stealing Great Dane, will keep a smile plastered on your face, and you’ll be hard-pressed not to find yourself nodding in time to the music and lyrics the author so creatively translates into prose. In this volume, drummer Mal faces childhood demons while sharing time and space with a childhood sweetheart. Which will win out, despair or love? It’s a romcom, silly, but come along for the ride. You won’t be sorry.
And for anyone like me who craves a good mystery but feels bereft without an accompanying love story, the incomparable Sherry Thomas gives us her eighth Lady Charlotte volume, A RUSE OF SHADOWS. Moriarty’s offscreen, his accomplice is locked up, and yet first Charlotte’s sister is kidnapped and then Charlotte herself is accused of murder. Can you jump right in at number eight? Yes, probably. But don’t. Go back quickly and read them all, and then come settle down for the best one yet, as A RUSE OF SHADOWS left me with maybe even a deeper glow than the earlier stories. Lord Ingram is the 19th century’s Roark, and spending time with either of them can only bring joy to a reader’s heart. (I’ll be talking more about Roark next month, in case you’re the one reader out there not sure who I’m going on about!)
Finally, the end of July and the beginning of August let us all escape, if only for minutes at a time, to Paris, the city of light and love, courtesy of the Olympics. And if you, like me, are feeling the loss of that brief get away, allow me to recommend the wonderful “La Boheme” series, by Alix Nichols, starting with WINTER’S GIFT. Or try her series “The Darcy Brothers,” starting with FIND YOU IN PARIS. All of her books include sigh-worthy romance and characters you’ll want to invite home, but the author convinces you that you’re right there in the city of light. When you lift your head from the page, you’ll be confused not to see the Eifel Tower out your window, and so like me, you’ll dive right back into the next book. A bientot, mes amis, and happy reading!
Meg's friends during her high school years all expected her romance novels to hit the shelves decades ago, but she foolishly allowed "serious pursuits" to get in her way. Now that her beloved children can feed, clothe, and most importantly, support themselves, she's free to turn her attention to her first passion - putting words to paper that capture your attention and make your heart sing in quiet joy. Her stories tell most frequently of second chances--in life, love, and sometimes even at rediscovering a soul-mate from a previous life.
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