Sorry, couldn’t resist.
Oh hey, it’s the last Monday in September. There are plenty of things going on in the world, and thank goodness we have distractions like romance novels. And romance people doing things we like.
News and Useful Links
Have you read The Duke Who Didn’t yet? Well, if you have, you definitely want to check out Courtney Milan’s food glossary for the book. Eat first.
Beverly Jenkins teased us with an announcement that there would be a hardcover release of Vivid in celebration of its 25th anniversary. But of course, we have to wait for more information.
Two for one deal: Priscilla Oliveras cover reveal.
We’re getting at least one audio novella from Mia Sosa.
And Tracey Livesay is giving us more to read, too.
This is a great article about indie publishing.
And a great rundown on Slate about Alyssa Cole.
How much do you know about the Browne Popular Culture Library at BGSU?
And here are some upcoming virtual author events:
And Romance Sparks Joy collected some other interesting tweet threads and conversations from the past week.
Deals
And speaking of Beverly Jenkins, Indigo is currently available for 2.99. I’m not sure if it’s set at that price or marked down for a brief amount of time, so I definitely recommend getting it while you can. Her books aren’t often on sale and when they are, it’s not all of them, so if you’re a kindle reader, always keep an eye out for lower Ms. Bev numbers. This one is a kind-of-standalone about a woman who was once enslaved but now owns property in Michigan and the Railroad conductor (of the underground kind) who she takes in after he’s betrayed. (Also, this isn’t the cover on the ebook, but I couldn’t help but use it. I mean, look at it. It’s impossible to find a used copy because everybody wants to keep it.)
Recs
I’ve been reading Jen DeLuca’s Well Played in snatches when I can, and even though so far only the beginning has been set at Faire, it’s made me think about books to read when you’re missing a type of gathering or destination. I managed to sneak a visit to our Renn Faire before there were any COVID cases in Arizona, but I doubt I’ll be headed to the next one. And then there are concerts and vacations. Obviously if you feel like you’ll be negatively affected by reading about places we can’t go and things we can’t do, read with care.
(These are all books I’ve discussed before in some capacity.)
Meet Cute Club
Jack Harbon
You know what I’ve been missing? Book clubs. Sure, I’ve still been leading a couple for work on Zoom, but god, those silences that you leave for people to figure out what they want to say? They’re so much worse on a computer. But a book like Meet Cute Club is like a warm hug version of life as we knew it. Where people read romances together and let the conversation flow. (And the snacks. And maybe the wine.) This one has the benefit of also featuring some amazing shade and a pretty low level of angst.
Writing Her In (and the rest of the Plot Twist trilogy)
Holley Trent
This whole series is full of fun: concerts, work retreats (okay, maybe not the work part but the retreat part), book signings, and of course, hooking up with your favorite couple while you’re visiting Los Angeles for work. If I was a rereader, this trilogy would be on my regular rotation, just because it’s hard to figure your shit out when you’re starting a relationship with one people, let alone a couple.
(See also: Harbor by Rebekah Weatherspoon, which is a little darker than these two, but has some great scenes out on the water.)
The Changeup
Nicole Falls
Sure, baseball is on television, but if you’re not a cardboard cutout or an MLB employee, you’re not getting into one of those games. So why not enjoy a developing relationship between a ball player and a sports journalist who just can’t get along. Or is there something else brewing?
(See also: Intercepted by Alexa Martin and Off the Ice by Avon Gale and Piper Vaughn.)
Syncopation and the rest of the Twisted Wishes series
Anna Zabo
Rock concerts are the best, aren’t they? Sure, you don’t get to hear the music when you’re reading about it, but Anna is great at invoking the feeling of making music and seeing it performed. In all three of these books, there is something about being part of a family, of either touring or recording, and of creating music. They’re also just amazing reads.
(See also: Riven by Roan Parrish, Feels Like Summer by Six de los Reyes, and The Chai Factor by Farah Heron because my dorky behind would totally go to a barbershop quartet competition.)
One True Pairing
Cathy Yardley
I don’t go to cons a lot, but I miss the option to do so (lolsob). More often than not, I’m at library conferences which are similar on the exhibit floor but not really anywhere else. But One True Pairing is a delightful famous fling story about a TV superstar at a small con a-la Supernaturalcon and the local baker who ends up pretending to be his girlfriend for the duration.
Do you read for destination while we can’t do anything? Or do you read as internal/non-contemporary as possible?
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!
(Note for transparency: Beverly Jenkins and Jack Harbon are working on a project I’m leading, among others not mentioned in this issue of Kissing Books.)
I’ll leave you with this picture of my adorable little reading buddy! He spent most of the afternoon curled up on my lap purring away while I read. My heart!
