Sponsored by Vying for the Viscount by Kristi Ann Hunter
A thrilling new Regency romance series from Kristi Ann Hunter. When a strange man appears to be stealing horses at the neighboring estate, Bianca Snowley jumps to their rescue. And when she discovers he’s the new owner, she can’t help but be intrigued—but romance is unfeasible when he proposes they help secure spouses for each other. Will they see everything they’ve wanted has been there all along before it’s too late?
It’s Monday again, and we’ve got stuff to talk about. Also, between “WAP” and my regular Sunday night viewing of P-Valley, I am definitely jonesing for some romance featuring Black ladies with moves. Maybe I’ll just read Treasure again.
News and Useful Links
Jasmine Guillory dropped some special news during an appearance on The Today Show: Reese Witherspoon has optioned her first three books!
Did you know that CL Polk’s three Witchmark books side by side make the bi pride flag?
You’ve still got a few days to explore the Summer of Black Love Virtual Book Fair!
The good folks at Thirst Aid Kit did a whole episode about romance!
NPR did a full-length review of You Had Me At Hola. When does that happen?
And Olivia Waite’s first romance review column in The New York Times is live!
So much happening virtually this week:
- Chat with Katrina Jackson about A Princess in Theory
- Spotlight on Contemporary Romance with Belmont Books
- Bookstore Romance Day at Gathering Volumes
- Romance Awareness Month celebration with Milwaukee Public Library
- Cocktails and Covers
- Bookstore Romance Day at Love’s Sweet Arrow
If you want to see the full schedule of official events on Saturday, check out the Bookstore Romance Day website. There are lots of other events, though, so see what your local indie might be doing. Or your favorite one across the country.
And I’m moderating one of the Harlequin Bookstore Romance Day discussions! I’ll be chatting with Reese Ryan, Synithia Williams, and Roan Parrish.
Deals
Do you love stories about there being…only! one! bed!? Well you might want to make sure to grab Only One Bed: A Steamy Romance Anthology, featuring stories by Lucy Eden, Rebel Carter, Renee Dahlia, and more! There are countless situations that could lead to two or more people suddenly having to share a bed, and I am always down to see what’s on offer this time around. So get several stories for just 3.99 (or read it free with a Kindle Unlimited subscription).
Recs
When I was in high school, I latched onto what many at the time would have called “women’s fantasy”. Jennifer Roberson, Melaine Rawn, Mercedes Lackey—series fantasy that often had a romantic element to it on top of strong female characters at their center. Then, I went a long time without reading much fantasy—I don’t like sword and sorcery very much, and folks like Robert Jordan and GRRM didn’t hold any appeal to me. And I was reading more urban fantasy and paranormal romance for a while. I’ve only recently begun to explore the new crop of fantasy romance, and I think I might be venturing back into high fantasy again, worldbuilding and all!
A Heart of Blood and Ashes
Milla Vane
When I first learned of this book, I hesitated to pick it up. It was…a chonker. And then I read the first several pages and was plopped right down into a battle scene in which the enemy civilization were referred to as savages. It was probably late May and I just…could not. But a couple of weeks ago I needed a new book to listen to in the car and came across this one, ready and available. I thought, well, I’ve been trying to listen to audiobooks that I wouldn’t always pick up in print. So this is perfect.
Maddek is a warrior who must now be a king. His parents have been murdered, but he is not allowed to take his vengeance upon those who are responsible. When he learns the murderer has a hidden daughter, his plan is to kill her instead. But Yvenne has just as much grievance against her father and brothers, and they forge an agreement: marriage. And as they travel towards a safe location, their antagonism shifts into something else.
CW: battle violence; dubious consent regarding non-penetrative sexual activity; murder by stabbing; revenants; discussion of pregnancy; discussion of rape—not of or by either protagonist
(Note: I haven’t yet finished this book, so there might be some CWs I haven’t yet reached. There is a full list on the author’s website.)
I’ve talked about some other fantasy romances in the past, like Lord of the Last Heartbeat by May Peterson and Dithered Hearts by Chace Verity. And I’ve got a bunch of others on my list to read.
And then there’s the fact that I’m not sure I’ve read a fantasy romance by an author of color that isn’t Earth-based. If you know of one that qualifies as high fantasy, I’d love to know about it. And throw any urban fantasy by authors of color my way, too, as long as there’s a romance involved.
As usual, catch me on Twitter @jessisreading or Instagram @jess_is_reading, or send me an email at wheninromance@bookriot.com if you’ve got feedback, bookrecs, or just want to say hi!