Sponsored by Bombshell by Sarah MacLean.
New York Times bestselling author Sarah MacLean returns with a blazingly sexy, unapologetically feminist new series, Hell’s Belles, beginning with a bold, bombshell of a heroine, able to dispose of a scoundrel—or seduce one—in a single night. Someone has to keep Lady Sesily Talbot from tumbling into trouble during her dangerous late-night escapades, and maybe close proximity is exactly what Caleb Calhoun needs to get this infuriating, outrageous woman out of his system. But now Caleb is the one in trouble, because he’s fast realizing that Sesily isn’t for forgetting…she’s forever. And forever isn’t something he can risk.
Welcome to the Kissing Books newsletter y’all. I’m P.N. Hinton, your guide to the world of romance novels. I hope your spirit is doing well today. Whether it’s a backlist, new release, or an under the radar delight, I aim to help you find a book or two that you can get lost in. If you’re new to the Kissing Books newsletter, welcome and enjoy your stay. If you’re a long-time reader, welcome back; it’s good to see you again.
So, I finished The Heart Principle and found it beautiful. Maybe it’s because I resonated with Anna a lot. It could be because we’re both musicians, although I played the (vastly superior) viola to her violin. Maybe it’s because I spent most of my life doing what everyone expected of me. Whatever the reason, I think it may be my favorite in the trilogy. Which isn’t to say the others aren’t good. But, given the option, this is the one that I could see myself wanting to re-read over and over. And, this isn’t to disparage anyone who felt differently because everyone is entitled to their own opinion. But, it was a big yes for me.
I hope that you found a fun way to support your local indie on Bookstore Romance Day last weekend. I went to my local one and got to meet Sherry Thomas (for a second time!!) getting a signed copy of Not Quite a Husband in the process. I also picked up Sweet Tea by Piper Huguley and When Katie Met Cassidy by Camille Perri. Much excitement for these books!
Book Riot Romance
Don’t forget to listen to this week’s episode of When in Romance! I’m fairly confident I too had a Dolphin Trapper Keeper and I’m not going to lie; I’m tempted to go buy another one for nostalgia purposes.
Isabelle takes on the different types of points of view in a romance novel.
Amanda’s discusses why she doesn’t particularly enjoy romance series
Around the Web in Romance:
Oh, look, romance novels are still booming. Alexa, play “I’m Still Standing.”
I don’t know where this trend of pairing celebrities and/or shows up with romance covers came from but I’m here for it. Here’s one that Jackie Barbosa did matching up John Boyega with romance covers
Here even more Greek mythology romance retellings.
Seeing the cover reveal for Marie Lipscomb’s upcoming holiday romance, Santa Claus Is Going to Town On Me, written M.L. Eliza, gave me the biggest grin this weekend. And the title y’all…
There was also a cover reveal for Rake I’d Like to F… I don’t know about y’all but that cover model is looking at me is giving me feelings.
And, finally, there is a lot of scary truth in this Tweet that touches on OnlyFans cracking down on sex workers. Something like this can be a slippery slope. What’s to say that this won’t branch out to censoring romance and erotica books, and what genres or tropes can be published. It could be an easy jump to make and Romancelandia should be more concerned with this.
Recommendations
Following the last news snippet mentioned above, I wanted to highlight a few romance where a sex worker is part of the couple for this week’s recommendations. This type of work is nothing new to our society. It’s a career that women, men, and nonbinary folks all partake in. And there should be no shame in it, especially when it is between consenting adults. While I did not set out to make it this way, as happenstance would have it, they’re all different types of sex workers in the books mentioned. Unintentional as it may be, it works out since it shows just how much of a field this type of work covers.
Hotline by Quinn Anderson
Zack becomes a phone sex operator to help make ends meet when real life obligations began to loom over him. He does a pretty good job of rolling with the punches and thinking on his feet with his various clients, no matter what they may want until smooth-voice baritone John begins to call. As the two men begin to talk more, Zack wonders how wrong it would be to meet in real life. When Fate presents this opportunity to them, both men give in, but find it harder than they planned going back to the way things were before this chance encounter. This one sounds very interesting because it is a man who is the phone sex operator rather than a woman. This unique take will definitely make for a steamy and wonderful read.
Treasure by Rebekah Weatherspoon
College freshmen Alexis is surprised to find that her new roommate is also the stripper who was at her sister’s bachelorette party. Trisha (stage name Treasure) is equally as surprised but delighted to run into her again. Will the two women be able to overcome their fears and insecurities and embrace the new love they found?
The Intimacy Experiment by Rosie Danan
Ex-adult star Noami and Rabbi Ethan come together in a business partnership of convenience to help bring Noami’s dream of taking her sex-positive platform to higher learning. As they work on the Modern Intimacy seminar series, the attraction between them builds until it can no longer be ignored.
And that’s it for this now. I hope that your upcoming weekend is fantastic, restful, and gives you the boost you need to kick butt next week. As always, feel free to follow me on Twitter under @Pscribe801. Until next time.