Sponsored by Grand Central Publishing.
From the author of The Notebook and The Return comes a novel about the enduring legacy of first love and the decisions that haunt us forever. Renowned travel photographer Maggie Dawes is unexpectedly grounded over Christmas, struggling to come to terms with a sobering medical diagnosis. Increasingly dependent on a young assistant, she finds herself becoming close to him. And as they count down the last days of the season together, she begins to tell him the story of another Christmas, decades earlier—and the love that set her on a course she never could have imagined.
Welcome to the Kissing Books newsletter. Hope your spirit is doing well. I’m P.N. Hinton, your companion through the world of romance. Whether or not this is your first time or you’re a regular I’m glad to have y’all here.
Hopefully the ‘extra hour’ of sleep that y’all got yesterday was a good one. Personally, I think that all states should do away with Daylights Savings Time because it honestly makes no sense. We’re no longer farmers, even if some people think we may be moving back to that soon with how the world is going. Still, as of right now, there’s really no need for it. I think one of the reasons that I have such bitter feelings towards DST is because for two years I was a toddler teacher. And I gotta tell you, when they ‘lose’ that hour in the spring and their internal clock is thrown off? It’s not fun to witness or experience. It, like being stuck in a room with ten toddlers with cabin fever, should really be a layer of hell.
I started reading The Ex Hex and can attest November is still a great time for a witchy romance. Of course that’s true of any month of the year. Oh, and my partner finished Ice Planet Barbarians and while he thought it was okay isn’t likely to finish the series. He did notice The Book Boyfriend in our Kindle family library and was drawn in by the cover. So, he actually started that one before I did.
Romance Reflection
Despite my best attempt at getting my Nancy Drew on, I couldn’t find out what author or book this was in reference to. However, from the tone of that tweet, I’m guessing it was yet another dismissal of everything in the genre, except of course their own book. Because I don’t think an innocent comment would have caused this level of snark and clapback.
I want to state upfront that it’s perfectly okay to want a break from your job, which is one way to look at this type of statement. I don’t imagine that professional chefs want to go home after long hours during the holidays and be expected to also cook the holiday familial meals. That’s their job and it makes sense to want a break. When I was at the daycare, it used to annoy me to the highest of heavens that my family and friends would think I was okay watching their kids (for free, no less) on my off time. Because that was a hard pass.
But, given the mood this evokes, it seems to be a swing in the other direction. One of the consistent misconceptions out there is that it’s easy to write romance. And, it’s really not. Truthfully, it’s not easy to write in any genre; it’s just that romance is the one that people seem to think that any Tom, Dick, and Harriet can do. It’s still a craft that you have to practice and hone because if you don’t and you’re terrible then your books won’t sell.
And it wouldn’t hurt to read at least one or two before you put your own pen to paper to write on. I mean it’s not like you’re going to develop a lifelong addiction or anything like that.
Book Riot Romance
Here is an awesomely robust list of some of the best genre-blending romances out there, courtesy of Rioter Silvana.
Around the Web in Romance
Speaking of Ice Planet Barbarians, there’s still time to pre-order a signed copy of the new print edition.
Okay, so I promise that I really do respect the Turkey. But this J.Crew ad with Jodie Turner-Smith and Joshua Jackson is giving me strong “I need this holiday movie” vibes. I’m also digging the silver fox that Jackson is becoming. *fans self*
But if you’re one who chooses to start winter holiday celebration earlier, then here’s a nice well-rounded list of romances to help further set the mood.
Sarah Ferguson, aka Fergie, aka The Duchess of York is launching a historical romance book club.
There is also The Unusual Historical Romance Book Club if you’re looking for romances that may be a bit more outside of the box.
The Last Date Night with Alyssa Cole is scheduled for Friday, November 12th. So there’s still time to sign up.
There’s apparently going to be a Reese Ryan Bourbon Brothers Experience book box and I’m here for it.
New Releases & Deals
Here are some of the new releases hitting the shelves this week. Again, with the way supplies have been working I’m unsure if any of these got pushed back or not; but the dates specified were the ones reflected when I was writing today’s edition.
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A Winter’s Earl by Annabelle Greene (11/9)
The Geek Who Saved Christmas by Annabeth Albert (11/9)
Never Fall for Your Fiancée by Virginia Heath (11/9)
Just Haven’t Met You Yet by Sophie Cousens (11/9)
The Donut Trap by Julie Tieu (11/9)
The Alien’s Veterinarian by Skye MacKinnon and Arizona Tape (11/10)
Kiss Me, if You Dare by Alyssa Clarke (11/10)
Unforgettable Nights by Tiye Love (11/12)
And these are some of the deals that I found this week. The prices listed here were the ones that were displayed as of the writing of this newsletter.
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Lord of the Last Heartbeat by May Peterson ($1.99)
The Marriage Code by Brooke Burroughs ($1.99)
How to Find a Princess by Alyssa Cole ($2.99)
One Night of Scandal by Teresa Medeiros ($1.99)
Just Like This by Cole McCade ($1.99)
The Highland Fling by Meghan Quinn ($1.99)
Just Say the Word by Tiffany Patteson ($0.99)
Love by Chance by Blake Allwood ($0.99)
That’s all I have for y’all today. I’ll be back on Thursday with more updates and recommendations. If you’re not already, give me a follow over on Twitter under @PScribe801. Until then stay warm, hydrated, and well-read.