Author: P.N. Hinton

Happy Valentine’s Day

Post author By P.N. Hinton
Post date February 10, 2023

Sponsored by

Hello and welcome (back) to the Kissing Books newsletter. I’m PN Hinton, here to give you the rundown on the world of romance, including new releases, recommendations, and other entertaining ways to pass your time.

Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day, y’all! I know that most people think of this as a love it or hate it holiday but I’m fairly ambivalent, which, considering that I write about romance, may be surprising. I mean, I did hate it at one time when I was younger, but I’ve since come to the conclusion that while it may not be for me, that doesn’t mean I should steal other people’s sunshine. Whatever or however you choose to celebrate or not, I hope that it brings you satisfaction.

We’re not doing anything on our end because hubby works. To be fair, neither of us would have ventured out to celebrate anyways because crowds are a real thing. So, while he works, I’ll likely be reading which is probably a good plan since I currently have six in my rotation. I should probably start focusing on getting that whittled down.

Bookish Goods

Magnetic Valentine’s Bookmarks by CarleyDesignsCo

I couldn’t resist sharing these in honor of tomorrow’s holiday. If the saying goes “you can’t have too many books,” then it should go without saying that you can’t have too many bookmarks. These are priced at either $5 per bookmark or $13 for all three.

New Releases

Take the Lead by Alexis Daria

Gina is determined that this season will be the one where she makes it to the final episode of The Dance Off and thinks Stone is the perfect partner to get her there. When they find out that they’re being set up for a showmance, neither is overjoyed at the prospect of faking it for the cameras. But, between their chemistry off and on the cameras, both are also left wondering if there is a chance to make it a true romance.

Okay yes I know that this has already been previously published, but with all the new things that were added, it deserves a shout out!

My Valentine’s Gift by Reba Bale

Colleen’s had rough luck with love and the most recent heartbreak involved her girlfriend breaking up with her in public on Valentine’s Day. As if that wasn’t bad enough, her high school rival Victoria was at the next table and had a front row seat. Unbeknownst to her, Victoria has harbored a lot of regret over how she treated Colleen and sees this as an opportunity to show the other woman that it is possible to go from rivals to friends and then lovers.

For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter.

Riot Recommendations

In honor for tomorrow, today’s recommendations are going to be Valentine’s related. What can I say? While my own feelings on the holiday may be lukewarm, I still love reading about all holidays and February 14th is no different.

My Nerdy Valentine by Vicki Lewis Thompson

Between earning her degree and holding down two jobs, Amanda has no time for love. When she beings to receive creepy Valentine’s on her desk, she accuses stockbroker William of being the stalker behind the gift. He, of course, is not the culprit, but agrees to help find out who is by doing the only logical thing: posing as her live-in boyfriend. However, the close quarters lead to real feelings and heat developing between the two, all while Amanda’s actual stalker watches and waits.

His Only Valentine by Katrina Jackson

Spy Kenny and Black cam girl Maya are both determined for their first Valentine’s together to be perfect, even when their plans change last minute and they have to fly to Hong Kong to protect a foreign diplomat. During the travel, they begin to realize that the reason their relationship feels so good is because it is actual true love instead of lust, and it’s better than any song, poem, or book could dream up.

Honorable mention to Jackie Lau’s Not Your Valentine which is a Kobo exclusive.

And here are some more books to consider curling up with for some Valentine’s Day vibes.

Would you say yay or nay to these celeb Valentines?

And that’s all I have for you today. I’ll be back in your inboxes on Thursday with fresh newsletter and in the meantime you can find me posting over on Twitter under @PScribe801. Until then, happy reading and stay hydrated.

Kissing Books

That Good Slow Burn…

Post author By P.N. Hinton
Post date February 8, 2023

Sponsored by

Hello and welcome (back) to the Kissing Books newsletter. I’m PN Hinton, here to give you the rundown on the world of romance including new releases, recommendations, and other entertaining ways to pass your time.

Well, here we are again, looking down at the impending arrival of another weekend. I’m ready for it because last week felt like it dragged on forever, likely due to the ice and having my son home all week. Cabin fever is a real thing. That said, I am also very aware that we were extremely fortunate since we didn’t experience any outages and unfortunately not everyone in my city can say the same thing.

This weekend, I have the Romance Social at one of my local libraries to look forward to and it’s in person this year. While I’ll admit that part of me is still cautious about public places, I am looking forward to it since I always have a good time there with my romance-reading bestie. And I also always walk away with some swag, which is always nice.

Speaking of the day of love, are you still looking for the perfect gift for the bookish friend or paramour in your life? If the answer to that was yes, then look no further than Tailored Book recommendations. After a quick survey detailing their likes, dislikes, and reading goals, our professional book nerds, also known as Bibliologists, or Bibs for short, will get to work selecting books for them. TBR has plans for every budget. Surprise your bookish boo with Tailored Book Recommendations this Valentine’s and visit mytbr.co/gift.

Bookish Goods

Slow Burn Tarot Card by lylajuneco

I know that some readers may not have an affinity for slow burns like I do. And I’m not saying that I want every book to be that way. However, there is something to be said about a nice slow build up that you know is going to end with a satisfying climax….Sorry for the double entendre, but I just couldn’t pass it up. This is priced at $3.50 and also has a black and white option if that is your preference.

New Releases

Shades of Love Anthology

This limited edition box set features 18 stories from some of the well-known names in contemporary romance. You’ll find a variety of heroes and heroines in this collection, along with multiple tropes, sometimes even in the same story!!

A Life Worth Living by Monica McCallan

Despite both being successful Philadelphia real estate agents, Nora and Gray couldn’t be more different. While Gray is extremely extroverted, bubbly, and open, Nora is introverted, self-reliant and closed off to the outside world. As their paths continue to cross though, they find out that they may have more in common than either one initially thought and wonder if there is a chance at a different type of life for them together.

For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter.

Riot Recommendations

I have been reading a lot of practically insta-love romances lately. Don’t get me wrong; I’m not opposed to them. But with those, there isn’t a lot of development about what turns the tides for the main characters, especially when it comes to enemies to lovers.

That is one of the reasons that today’s bookish good was related to the slow burn trope. Every now and then, i really crave the pining, the longing, and the hand flexing. It’s nice to read about and see because I feel the build up helps makes me appreciate when they finally kiss or do more. So with that in mind, today’s recommendations are slow burn romances.

Love, Chai, and Other Four Letter Words by Annika Sharma

Kiran is determined to not repeat her sister’s mistake in matrimony by vowing to never fall in love with someone who disappoints her parents. All is going well until she meets her neighbor Nash. After growing up in a family that has taught him to expect abandonment, Nash doesn’t put much stock in love…that is until he meets Kiran. Then, both of them are left questioning if they should keep to their paths or take a chance at love.

Perfect Rhythm by Jae

After her father suffers from a stroke, pop star Leontyne returns home to help him during his recovery. When she meets nurse Holly, she is pleasantly surprised to discover the other woman is underwhelmed by her fame. A tentative friendship begins to blossom between the two. But between Leontyne’s fame and Holly’s asexuality, both are wondering if they will be able to navigate the treacherous landscape that dating can be.

Here is a list of current and upcoming queer romcoms to add to your TBR. NGL…a lot of these are already on mine.

Take this quiz to see how well you know your cinematic weddings.

And that’s all I have for y’all today. I’ll be back in your inboxes Monday with a fresh edition and in the meantime I can be found floating around on Twitter under @PScribe801. Until then, happy reading and stay hydrated!

Kissing Books

Even More Snowed In Romances

Post author By P.N. Hinton
Post date February 3, 2023

Sponsored by

In what is fast becoming the trend for February, we had our annual ice storm last week. This resulted in a few days off from school for the Teenager and us pretty much staying indoors. I still worked though since that is one of perks of WFH for businesses, so at least I didn’t have to commute anywhere. I know I should probably be used to it by now since, again, it has been happening for the last few years. In my defense, though, the years that we have been having these ice storms don’t account for even half of how long I’ve been alive, so I’m giving myself some grace.

Are you looking for the perfect gift for the bookish friend or paramour in your life? If the answer to that is yes, then look no further than Tailored Book recommendations. After a quick survey detailing their likes, dislikes, and reading goals, our professional book nerds, also known as Bibliologists, will get to work selecting books for them. TBR has plans for every budget. Surprise your bookish boo with Tailored Book Recommendations this Valentine’s and visit mytbr.co/gift.

Bookish Goods

Blak Girl With Books Plush Blanket by Neferkrafti

With the visit from Old Man Winter we had during the majority of last week, staying warm and cozy was at forefront of my mind. Then I saw this absolutely gorgeous blanket and knew I had to share it. I mean come on…just look at it! The price for this beauty begins at $30.

New Releases

Suitors and Sweethearts: An African Romance Box Set

This collection of six contemporary short stories that highlight African joy and love will take you to places like Nigeria, Ghana, and Lagos, and features some of your favorite tropes. A perfect way to kick off the month of love!

Taking a Chance by Emerald B.

Chance and Sage have both had life experiences that have resulted in them hardening their hearts and not willing to take any chances with it. When their paths cross again, will they be willing to revisit their history for a new chance at love or will the hurts of the past stop them from taking the leap?

For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter.

Riot Recommendations

As mentioned earlier, we experienced an ice storm here last week which resulted in my son being off from school for most of the week. We also had a few scares with branches that fell off the tree outside the window to his room. Don’t worry! He’s fine, he was just startled for the most part.

The day after this happened, I braved the elements to check the mail and then took him on a drive around the property to look at all the fallen branches. Seeing what passes as a winter wonderland for us got me to thinking again about the draw of snowed in romances. Again, it’s the forced proximity, the tendency to have there only be one bed, the tension…all of those are the perfect ingredients for hidden passion to explode, or in some cases, reignite. So, today’s recommendations are even more snowed in romances.

Never Too Late by Brenda Jackson

As the end of her marriage looms in the distance, Sienna returns for one last trip to the cabin she shared with her soon to be ex-husband Dane. Imagine her surprise to find him there as well. Even more surprising is the knowledge that Dane never stopped loving her and doesn’t want their marriage to end. When the estranged lovers get snowed in, they’re forced to face their feelings and decide if they both really want their marriage to end. This snowed in romance is also a second chance/marriage in trouble one so it has a lot of appeal for those readers who love all the tropes!

Lord Dashwood Missed Out by Tessa Dare

A heartbreak from the lord next door and a bit too much sherry inspires Nora to pen the love letter Lord Dashwood Missed Out for other young misses in her position. Imagine her surprise when it ends up becoming a hit! On the way to a speaking engagement in Spindle Cove, she is stranded when snowy weather hits with the object of her affection and scorn. As one can expect, he isn’t happy to be painted as a villain and challenges Nora to show to him exactly what he missed out on.

Pick some Valentine’s candies and get your favorite trope!

Here is another list of some of the romance novels headed our way this year. A good portion of these are on my TBR or have already been read.

I’ve been a victim of this too…

I am unsure if I ever heard of this phrase before this TikTok but I’m sure as heck going to use it now!

And that’s all I have for y’all today! I’ll be back in your inboxes on Thursday with a brand-new edition. In the meantime, I can be found posting on Twitter under @PScribe801. Until then, happy reading and stay warm and hydrated!

Kissing Books

Hello February!!

Post author By P.N. Hinton
Post date February 1, 2023

Sponsored by

It’s February y’all! It may be the shortest month of the year but, between holidays and birthdays, it is a super busy month for me. In fact, my son’s birthday was yesterday! Last weekend, he got an actual phone as his ‘big’ gift. Naturally, he was over the moon to finally have one of his own. For many reasons, I held off on it for as long as I could. But with the way school works now, it’s practically an unofficial school supply. As an added bonus, I also got a new phone which was very much needed since it had been almost five years for me.

Speaking of gifts, if you’re looking for the perfect one for the bookish friend or paramour in your life, look no further than Tailored Book recommendations. After a quick survey detailing their likes, dislikes, and reading goals, our professional book nerds, also known as Bibliologists, or Bibs for short, will get to work selecting books for them. TBR has plans for every budget. Surprise your bookish boo with Tailored Book Recommendations this Valentine’s and visit mytbr.co/gift.

Bookish Goods

Smutsville University by SweetGsts

Typically, I don’t do two of the same product types for bookish goods in one week. What can I say, I like variety. However, this shirt made me smile so hard when I saw it, so I knew that it had to be the one that I mentioned today. It comes in five sizes and colors and is priced at $40

New Releases

Mister Teacher by B. Love

When Tyreek meets Janae at his brother’s Vegas wedding, he quickly determines that he wants to know everything about her. But pains from their past threaten to doom their relationship before it even has a chance to get firmly rooted, especially when a client from Tyreek’s past re-emerges with threats of blackmail unless Tyreek helps him one last time with a huge request.

Love on the Catwalk by Laura M. Baird

Things are looking up for fashion designer Kayli, and this boost to her career gives her the courage to act on the attraction she has for model Summer. Unbeknownst to her, she hasn’t gone unnoticed by the the object of her affection, who is hoping to be more than work acquittances with the talented tailor.

For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter.

Riot Recommendations

Don’t worry; I didn’t forget about the statement I made in Monday’s newsletter, regarding today’s recommendations!

If you keep up with me over on the bird app, you may have seen me posting last week that I was reading two different romances where the male lead had the same name, the books in question being Lunar Love and an ARC of Best Served Hot. Not only that but, as I read more into the latter, I found that a secondary character shared a name with one from the former. And both were contemporary. So…yeah. That’s an interesting experience to have and it’s the second time that I can recall it happening.

That leads to today’s recommendations which are two books I was reading the first time I remember this happening. In this case, it’s the lead heroines who had the same name. I know that I’ve mentioned one of these before in the past but it was just too perfect of an opportunity for a theme to pass up.

Breathless by Beverly Jenkins

Portia’s early years were spent in an environment that was not suitable for a child. That all changed when her mother shipped her off to live with her aunt and uncle. There, she and her sister were raised in a loving and warm household. Despite that change, Portia still remembered her early years and, as such, was not willing to settle down for just any man and risk losing that stability. However, when old family friend Kent rides back into town, she can’t deny the handsome man who gave her the nickname ‘Duchess’ so long ago tempts her to take a chance on him and love.

A Duke by Default by Alyssa Cole

Determined to prove to her family that she’s more than just a flighty screw-up, Portia takes on a blacksmithing apprenticeship in Scotland to learn how to make swords. Her mentor, Tavish, is less than thrilled to be teaching an American this trade, especially one that sparks a strong feeling of attraction in him. When it comes to light that Tavish is a duke and he becomes Portia’s latest social media protect, the close working quarters makes it even harder for both of them to deny the attraction any longer.

Pick some Valentine’s sweets and get a romance trope!

Here is a short list of just a few of the amazing romances headed our way this year.

And that’s all I have for y’all this week! I’ll be back in your inboxes Monday with a fresh edition and in the meantime you can always give me a follow over on Twitter under @PScribe801. Until then, happy reading and stay warm and hydrated.

Kissing Books

So Long January…

Post author By P.N. Hinton
Post date January 27, 2023

Sponsored by

It’s the last Monday of January 2023 y’all and…wow. I can’t believe the first month of the new year is already almost over. Overall, I would say it was a mixed bag. Naturally, I don’t love periods of all the lows because no one really does. However, periods of all the highs also put me on edge. That is because being the person that I am, I’m left in a perpetual state of waiting for the other shoe to drop. When there’s a mix of things, I feel it helps the day-to-day feel easier and you learn to appreciate the small things more. Of course, February is also an emotionally conflicting month for me due to it being a mix of birthdays as well as death anniversaries; so, we’ll see how that all unfolds.

You know what else is in February? Palentine’s AND Valentine’s Day! If you’re looking for the perfect gift for the bookish friend or paramour in your life, look no further than Tailored Book recommendations. After a quick survey detailing their likes, dislikes, and reading goals, our professional book nerds, also known as Bibliologists, or Bibs for short, will get to work selecting books for them. TBR has plans for every budget. Surprise your bookish boo with Tailored Book Recommendations this Valentine’s and visit mytbr.co/gift.

Bookish Goods

Sleep is Good But Books Are Better T-Shirt by CottonCanTee

The accuracy of this shirt resonates so much with me. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve stayed up late to finish a book and happily suffered the consequences of my actions the next day. This comes in 16 colors, multiple sizes, and prices start at $20.00. Plus, it has an owl, which is like one of the only birds that I actually like so that makes it a winner in my book.

New Releases

Sorry Bro by Taleen Voskuni

Shortly after a break-up following a rejected proposal, Nareh’s mother guilts her into attending the Explore Armenia event, hoping she’ll meet a nice Armenian man. However, it is Erebuni who catches Nareh’s interest and the two grow close as they go through all the scheduled events together. As they spend more time together, Erebuni helps Nareh to see the beauty in everything she is. As the end of the event looms, Nareh digs deeply to find the courage to proudly embrace everything she is: Armenian, bisexual, and head over heels for Erebuni.

Commanded by Night by Zelda Knight

When shifter zoologist Veronica Lycan’s partner discovers a rare blood-borne disease found only in shifters, she knows that the only person who can help them out is vampire heiress Jessica. The only snag there is Jessica is also Veronica’s ex and she’s not looking forward to that reintroduction, even though she knows it’s the only way to find a cure. Will Veronica be strong enough to avoid the temptation that is her ex or will she give into the craving she can’t deny?

For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter.

Riot Recommendations

We’re not even a full month into the new year and I’m already feeling like I’m slacking on my reading. I know, I know! It’s not a contest and even if it were one, my competition is me. I get that. But I also have a bad habit of starting multiple books at once and then getting distracted by other books and starting them, too. This is how I end up with five books on my “Currently Reading” shelf at one time.

Now, that can get tricky. Especially in situations where two of the books have characters with the same name. But more on that in Thursday’s recommendations. Regardless of outliers like that and feeling overwhelmed, I still enjoy it and am constantly adding more to TBR pile.

With that in mind, today’s recommendations are books that are follow-ups to ones I’ve read in the past and thoroughly enjoyed and hopefully will get to “soon.”

Sabbatical by Katrina Jackson

Dr. Toni Ward is really looking forward to the summer break before her sabbatical year and turning everything university-related off in her brain. As the week before said season begins, she begins to notice that her colleague Mike was acting strangely around her and that she was finding herself becoming increasingly attracted to him. Over the summer, she discovers that Mike has just been waiting to show her he was so much more than the lovable cornball she previously knew him as, and that there may be a non-work related future in store for them.

First book: Office Hours

The Dating Playbook by Farrah Rochon

Personal trainer Taylor needs a regular, well-paying gig that will allow her to pay all the bills that have been piling up around her. When former football player Jamar comes to her for training to help get back into the NFL, it seems like a golden opportunity. The only catch is that no one can know what they’re doing. So when they’re erroneously outed as a couple, they lean into those roles only to find out that fake dating only works if there are no real feelings hiding underneath.

First book: The Boyfriend Project

And that’s all for today. I’ll be back in your inboxes on Thursday with a fresh new edition. In the meantime, you can find me floating around on Twitter @Pscribe801. Until then, happy reading and stay hydrated.

Kissing Books

Unexpected Developments Aren’t All Bad

Post author By P.N. Hinton
Post date January 25, 2023

Sponsored by

As you’re reading this, I am starting a four-day weekend and I cannot articulate how excited I am. It’s been a rough couple o’ weeks, full of emotional highs and lows and I know that, in some aspects, that’s only going to get a bit more challenging. So, allowing myself this breathing room is something that Future Me is going to really appreciate.

I have book club this weekend which I am really looking forward to as well. We’re going to have brunch which will be fun. I just hope our table neighbors don’t get too bothered by our discussion since we tend to get very passionate whether we loved or loathed the book in question.

If you’re looking for the perfect gift for the bookish friend or paramour in your life, look no further than Tailored Book recommendations. After a quick survey detailing their likes, dislikes, and reading goals, our professional book nerds, also known as Bibliologists, or Bibs for short, will get to work selecting books for them. TBR has plans for every budget. Surprise your bookish boo with Tailored Book Recommendations this Valentine’s and visit mytbr.co/gift.

Bookish Goods

Wooden Cozy Coffee Lover Bookmark by EveroseWoodcraft

Wood burned art is something that has always fascinated me. So naturally, I was drawn to this beauty of a bookmark. It also helps that I actually do love all these things if they’re combined together, although I would also accept a nice glass of red wine or tea, preferably Lady Grey or Gunpowder. $12

New Releases

Top of the Key by Avery Grey

Fifteen years ago, Drew made the biggest mistake of his life when he broke Melanie’s heart and left her to go pursue his NBA dreams. In response, she told him she never wanted to see or hear from him again. However, in the present, he needs her help to reel in his newest client Quinn, who reminds him too much of himself at that age. Will Drew be able to right the wrongs of the past and convince Melanie to give him another chance as well as help to set Quinn up for a long lasting and successful future?

Do I Know You? by Emily Wibberley

Five years into the marriage, the spark seems to be gone for Eliza and Graham and neither are really looking forward to their trip away for their anniversary. That is until another guest at the same resort mistakes them for singles and introduces them to each other as potential dates. This unexpected opportunity for roleplaying reignites their spark and they begin to remember why they fell in love. However as the end of their vacation nears, both are left wondering: will the passion still be there when they’re back at home?

For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter.

Riot Recommendations

Last week I watched The People We Hate at the Wedding with my spouse because they had time off and I was in a mood to watch a movie, two things that almost never happen at the same time. I’m a huge fan of Kristen Bell and Allison Janney so I expected to enjoy it and laugh a few times, but I ended up liking it more than I thought I would and for different reasons.

To say it wasn’t what I expected would be an understatement. From the previews I saw, it seemed to be your typical raunchy rom-com with more than a few cringe moments. Kirsten Bell’s character has to go to her ‘perfect’ sister’s wedding and ends up causing all the chaos just because it follows her.

And, yes, there were moments of that. But overall? There was also a lot of emotion, more than I was expecting there to be. It focused on the entire blended family, not just her character which I did not expect from the preview, and you get to see their challenges and how they overcome them. I do recommend it, just go in with the expectation that there’s going to be a lot of feels to be had.

That got me to thinking of books that have hit me like that, where I went in expecting one thing and ended up with something completely different. Which isn’t to say that is a bad thing, but it can require some expectation adjustments as you’re consuming the material. So those are the recommendations for today. Rather than give a summary, I’m going to say why it was unexpected, without having spoilers.

The Duke Who Didn’t by Courtney Milan

I have enjoyed all of Courtney’s books that I read but let’s be honest: they’re not what one would call light or fluffy. They take on hard topics and call out the unfairness of the world to marginalized people. And while there are still touches of that here, overall? It’s very cozy. I was very surprised with how sweet and cozy it was and even the Big Secret ended up not being that way. Highly recommend because it is like a warm hug which is nice sometimes.

The Ex Talk by Rachel Lynn Solomon

There was a lot that was unexpected about this for me. I expected the ‘hatred’ to be more two-sided than it was when it was actually mainly on the heroine’s side and internal. It also dealt a lot with grief and the struggle we all go through when life changes happen. While I’m sure we all know that they are inevitable, it doesn’t make them easier and this tackles that head on.

If you’re looking for more cowboy romances, here are some worthy nominations for your TBR pile.

I am always here for sexy short stories.

And that’s all I have for y’all today. I’ll be back in your inboxes Monday with a fresh new edition and in the meantime you can see me floating around on Twitter under @PScribe801. Until then, happy reading and stay hydrated.

Kissing Books

Happy Lunar New Year!

Post author By P.N. Hinton
Post date January 20, 2023

Sponsored by

Happy Monday y’all and welcome, or welcome back, to the Kissing Books newsletter. It’s the start of another week and I am determined to try to make this a better one. Despite Sunday being awesome with family time, the rest of the week was, to say the least, challenging and took more than a little bit of patience and grace to get through. So, I’m putting it out in the universe that it will be just cause I needs it.

Luckily, I also have some long weekends and half days coming up which will help with recharging. This will also allow me to catch up on reading since I haven’t “officially” finished a book this year. By that I mean that I haven’t gotten through anything I’m tracking on challenges or the spreadsheet, although I have already DNFed one. And I also managed to get Spring Break off as well, so that is a gift that Future Me is very much looking forward to.

Speaking of gifts, if you’re looking for the perfect one for the bookish friend or paramour in your life, look no further than Tailored Book Recommendations. After a quick survey detailing their likes, dislikes, and reading goals, our professional book nerds, also known as Bibliologists, or Bibs for short, will get to work selecting books for them. TBR has plans for every budget. Surprise your bookish boo with Tailored Book Recommendations this Valentine’s and visit mytbr.co/gift.

Bookish Goods

Book Tropes Canvas Tote Bag by CloudCandyCastle

Who couldn’t do with more totes to haul books around in? Plus, this one lets you represent your love of romance tropes. $19

New Releases

An Unsuitable Boy by Sinclair Jayne Sawhney

When Asha’s arranged marriage gets canceled days before the vows are set to be exchanged, she is humiliated and figuring she will live the rest of her life alone, and so decides to settle back into her calm routine. Then firefighter Dhruv rescues her from a kitchen fire, and the experience awakens a side of her that she is suddenly eager to explore more of. Soon the two embark on a secret relationship that leaves them wondering if, despite their differences, this could be more?

A Game of Secrets by Zuri Day

Jake is determined to live his life without being tied down. That is until he meets a mysterious woman at a masquerade ball that seems to be everything he wants. When the masks comes off, he is beyond shocked to find Sasha, his best friend’s sister and the woman he’s supposed to protect is beneath it. Both of them know that an affair would be wrong for multiple reasons, but they also can’t deny that it feels so right, too…

For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter.

Riot Recommendations

Yesterday was the Lunar New Year and we are now in the Year of the Rabbit, which means that we can expect a lot of longevity, peace, and prosperity this year. I sincerely hope that this proves to be true, since the world as a whole could use all of those things, especially after the last couple of years.

Jumping off from that, I’ve noticed there are more than a few romance novels, both Adult and YA, getting released this year that are centered around the Lunar New Year. This seems like a relatively new trend since there are still not as many books surrounding the holiday like there are for others. Still, in the last two weeks, we’ve seen the release of Lunar Love, a book that is currently in my reading stable, and The Year of Cecily.

Part of me hopes more is on the way because I love the representation these books bring, as well as how they allow for more romances to be centered around zodiac signs, which is one of my jams. So, here are a few more romance novels that center around or feature the Lunar New Year and/or the Chinese Zodiac.

A Fake Girlfriend for Chinese New Years by Jackie Lau

Nick is determined to dodge his family’s attempts at matchmaking and asks his friend Jo to pretend to be his girlfriend for the upcoming dinner to celebrate the Lunar New Year. Of course, since they’re from a small town, they have to set the stage by going out on pretend dates beforehand so the public can see them out and about. This leads to some kisses on said dates, just to get the grapevine buzzing. Of course, as often happens, these performative kisses lead to very real feelings leaving both willing to risk opening their hearts up once again.

Trancing the Tiger by Rachael Slate

When the Red Death decimates the world, humanity’s only hope are 12 Warriors who are the living embodiments of the Chinese Zodiac. Two of these Warriors are Leah, who is the Rabbit, and leader Sheng, who is the Tiger. When their paths cross in Malaysia, Sheng informs Leah about her destiny, expecting her to meekly submit to his authority. Much to his surprise, she instead challenges and undermines it at every turn, which in turn leads to the romantic tension between the two of them increasing.

If you’re looking for a feel-good romance to curl up with this winter, check some of these out.

This list has a few good reads if brother’s best friend is your go-to trope.

And that’s all she wrote for today. I’ll be back in your inboxes on Thursday with a fresh new edition and in the meantime you can find me occasionally floating around the Twitter-sphere under @PScribe801. Until then, happy reading and stay hydrated.

Read Harder

Read Harder 2023 Task #13: Read an Author Local to You

Post author By P.N. Hinton
Post date January 19, 2023

When I was younger, I always envisioned authors having a super glamorous life. I blame the movie She-Devil for this and Meryl Streep’s amazing portrayal of Mary Fisher.

Now that I’m older, I’m very well aware that they’re just like every body else. Some have day jobs in addition to writing which means that their days are filled with those tasks and they manage to sneak in writing when they can. Which is something I completely understand. Still, I admit that I get a giddy thrill whenever I find out about a local author. I can’t help it; it’s interesting to think that someone whose book I just finished also shops at the same local grocery store as me.

That said, and as you likely already anticipated, this list may not be applicable to you unless you happen to also live in the Austin,TX area. So, a bit of research will need to be done to find options for you that fit this prompt. There are a few ways that this can be done, such as checking an author’s webpage or even looking to author blurb on the back of a book. Libraries are also a good source of this information, both from themed displays and the always help staff. And let’s not forget indie bookstores, especially the ones that will let authors sign their books when they come in and then proudly display them.

In doing that research you may be surprised to find how close one of your favorite authors may be to you. Which isn’t to say to go look for their actual physical addresses, because that would be very Annie Wilkes, something I do not recommend.

For this list, I included authors that live in a city close enough that I could drive there and back in one day. Enjoy!

A Studying Scarlet Women by Sherry Thomas

Genres: Adult Romance, YA, Romance, Fantasy, Mystery

Best Known for: Lady Sherlock series, which A Study in Scarlet Women is the first of. In this book, we’re introduced to Charlotte Holmes who takes up sleuthing to clear her father’s and sister’s names after they’re accused or murder. The series follows her and the other mysteries she solves.

Tall, Dark, & Deadly by Kharma Kelley

Genre: Paranormal Romance.
Fun Fact: Community Founder of the Inclusive Romance Project

When Chloe’s former vampiric gang draws her unwillingly into a plot to open up a mysterious box, she is caught between her old life and her new one. Further complicating this is her handsome boss Ethan and the mutual attraction they are unable to ignore.

More Than You’ll Ever Know by Katie Gutierrez

Genre: General Fiction

This gripping novel is told in alternating time lines. In 2017, true-crime writer Cassie finds herself drawn into the story of Lore, a woman who, in 1985, had two different lives, husbands, and families. She managed to keep these lives separate until her secret is discovered and one husband is arrested for murdering the other.

The Devil Takes You Home by Gabino Iglesias

Genre: Barrio Noir
Fun Fact: Accredited with the creation of the aforementioned genre

After a tragedy changes the trajectory of his life, reluctant hitman Mario agrees to one final job to hijack a cartel’s cash shipment. This job could leave him dead or with $200,000 dollars, but he isn’t in a position to turn it down. As he and his two other partners go on their journey, their motives and hidden secrets become apparent, ensuring that none of them will return the same.

The Spite House by Johnny Compton (February 2023)

Genre: Horror

Eric and his two daughters are on the run from their former life. Not being able to give references makes it hard to find a job, so when Eric hears about a caretaking position for the allegedly haunted, he sees it as the perfect opportunity to make some money; that is if the paranormal activity doesn’t drive him and his family mad.

Star Gazers by L.P. Hernandez

Genre: Horror

Fun Fact: This book was the first novella released in Cemetery Gate’s My Dark Library series.

When a forum post about someone’s neighbor staring at stars all night is made, it’s quickly dismissed as bad fanfiction. Then the nocturnal activity begins to spread worldwide leaving the “stargazers” changed the next day. When it affects Henry’s city, the war veteran must use all his skills to save his family from this new and unknown danger.

The Ghost Tracks by Celso Hurtado

Genre: Horror

Fun fact: Takes place near San Antonio’s famed haunted train tracks.

Erasmo lives with his beloved grandmother who he just found out has cancer. In a desperate attempt to help pay for her medical expenses, he sets up a paranormal investigation business and quickly finds out there is more to his home town than meets the eye.

Hell Hath No Sorrow like a Woman Haunted by R.J. Joseph

Genres: Romance, Horror

Fun Fact: Co-host of the Genre Blackademia podcast

This collection of short stories all feature Black women and their brushes with the supernatural. Sometimes they’re the victims. Sometimes they’re the monsters. And oftentimes, they’re both.

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As with all my other lists, this is by no means comprehensive because there are a lot more local authors, both indie and traditionally published, in my area. But that just goes to prove that once you start trying to find out which authors live in your area, you will be overwhelmed with what you find. And, even if you can’t use this list for this specific task, I hope that it helps to fulfill others. Good luck on knocking this year’s Read Harder Challenge out and, as always, happy reading and stay hydrated!

Click here for the full Read Harder 2023 task list, and for previous recommendations, click here.

Kissing Books

Revenge Spiced Romances…and Maps!

Post author By P.N. Hinton
Post date January 18, 2023

Sponsored by

Hello and welcome (back) to the Kissing Books newsletter. It’s me, PN Hinton, here to update you on world of romance. I hope that the week so far has been kind to you and that, if it hasn’t, at least you will have the opportunity this weekend to recharge and get ready to take next week on.

Personally, the thing I’m looking forward is doing the least amount of driving possible. I went to Houston and back in one day, a drive that I normally would not take in that amount of time. But it was my Aunt’s 80th birthday party, which is a pretty big deal. So, of course I was going to make it happen. And, since we haven’t really seen each other en masse since December of 2019, it was really nice to see a lot of my extended family members.

As a matter of fact, I was more social last weekend than I have been in a very long time. I had dinner with a friend Friday night at a local gaming tavern. I had breakfast at Waffle Love with another friend Saturday morning which was followed by some shopping at Barnes & Noble where I picked up Jayci Lee’s One Night Only. Then the party on Sunday. So yeah…looking forward to a little bit of down time.

Speaking of beloved family and friends, if you’re looking for the perfect gift for the bookish friend or paramour in your life, look no further than Tailored Book recommendations. After a quick survey detailing their likes, dislikes, and reading goals, our professional book nerds, also known as Bibliologists, or Bibs for short, will get to work selecting books for them. TBR has plans for every budget. Surprise your bookish boo with Tailored Book Recommendations this Valentine’s and visit mytbr.co/gift.

Bookish Goods

Scenic Romancelandia Map by LetsGetLitStudio

This map is an adorable digital print that sets up multiple tropes as places to visit on a map. It very much reminds me of vintage maps from amusement parks and the like and is sure to jazz up any library. You can purchase and print out on your end and there are five different sizes to choose from. The toughest part will be figuring out exactly where to display it. But honestly at only $4, you can afford to get multiples if you’re so inclined.

New Releases

Love Report by Shelle Marie

Kendra is a celebrity news reporter and Dan is a professional baseball player. They had a romantic encounter in the past that ended less than pleasantly for either one of them. When Kendra reaches out to interview him for a story, she is determined to guard her heart against his flirting. Dan, on the other hand, is determined to make up for his wrongs from the past and try to win another chance at her heart.

A Guide to Being Just Friends by Sophie Sullivan

Neither Wes or Hailey are looking for love which is why when they happen to have a disastrous meet cute, it’s more embarrassing than anything else. However, Wes still feels compelled to reach out to apologize for his behavior, and from there a friendship blooms and both are determined to keep it that way. After all, neither is looking for more…right?

For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter.

Riot Recommendations

I mentioned in one of the last newsletters that I recently finished Legends & Lattes and when I read the last page, I sighed out loud and told my spouse that the book satisfied my needs for coziness, Sapphic love, and revenge. His eyebrow arched a little at the last bit, but I said what I said and I stand by it.

Now to be fair, the revenge was a very small part of the resolution. Still, I’ll be honest in that I’m perpetually petty. My motto is “I stay petty so I don’t have to get petty” and if pushed far enough, I am vengeful as hell. That side is not something I let come out very often because, despite what I may say in passing, I’m not that far gone into my villain arc.

That said, I still love a good revenge plot, which is one of the reasons I liked the resolution of the aforementioned book and Two Wrongs Make a Right so much. Which leads me to my recommendations for today which are romances that feature a revenge plot.

Unveiled by Courtney Milan

Ash Turner is determined to right the wrongs that were done to his family in the past and resume his rightful dukedom. Lady Margaret is the daughter of the man Ash is taking his revenge on; she infiltrates the house disguised as a maid to spy on him and help restore what her family has lost. They are drawn to one another and soon find themselves conflicted with their mission to restore honor to their family or start a new chapter for both sides that is rooted in love.

Deceptive Innocence by Kyra Davis

Bell’s mother died in jail, serving a sentence for a crime she didn’t commit. Once she grows up, Bell vows to take vengeance on the family and infiltrates their close fortress by setting out to seduce Lander, the youngest brother. However, as she gets deeper into the game, she realizes that there is more to Lander than what the surface shows and then he may be more ally than enemy. This is a duology, so you will need to pick up the second one, Dangerous Alliance, to get the resolution to Bell and Lander’s story.

And that’s all she wrote for today y’all. I’ll be back on Monday though and in the meantime, I can be fond floating around on Twitter under @PScribe801. Until then, happy reading and stay hydrated.

Kissing Books

Second Opportunity and Unexpected Chances Romances

Post author By P.N. Hinton
Post date January 13, 2023

Sponsored by

Welcome (back) to the Kissing Books newsletter. I hope that this Monday morning finds you as well as can be for…well…a Monday morning. I know that those can be challenging just because they are what they are but, hey, at least we have coffee right?

While coffee has always been my friend, in the last couple of weeks it’s become even more of a staple in my life. Between my spouse and I, we got a lot of coffee over the holidays. So, there is a variety of flavors to choose from. Which is nice since the reason I tend to go to coffee shops is for a change of pace. Don’t get me wrong, occasionally I do still treat myself. But mostly I make do with the brew at home, something my bank account is grateful for.

In “currently reading” news, I’m still working on Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute and Back in a Spell. I also started Lunar Love as well as The Gentlemen’s Book of Vices.

Bookish Goods

Probably Reading Romance Candle by BookedCandles

Now, I do actively try to read a variety of genres outside of romance, save for a few that I just can’t get into. And in the year of 2023, I am not making myself read anything that doesn’t bring me joy. That said, this would still be a fairly accurate candle for me to light when I’m relaxing and reading since chances are I am probably reading a romance. $23

New Releases

The Year of Cecily by Lisa Lin

Determined to take charge of her life, Cecily comes up with a list of resolutions to tackle after she celebrates the Lunar Year with her family. One thing that isn’t on the list is forgiving Jeffrey, the ex who broke her heart a decade ago. Now a successful screenwriter and regretting the way he ended things years before, Jeffrey is determined to convince Cecily that there is a second chance in store for them.

Her Enticing Muse by Violet Cowper

Aspiring artist Maria runs away from an arranged marriage and heads to London to beg accomplished portraitist Stella to take her in as a protégé. Against her better judgement, Stella agrees and soon an attraction begins to develop between the two women. However, the differences in them are numerous and when Maria’s blunt nature threatens Stella’s otherwise calm life, will she be willing to risk it all for a chance at love?

For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter.

Riot Recommendations

We’re halfway through January already, which is a statement in and of itself. I know that the beginning of this month is the time most people make their resolutions, and thanks to the “diet culture” that shows up every couple of years, most of these tend to be related to eating better, losing weight, and working out. Which is great…if you’re doing it for you. If you’re doing it because someone told you should, well…that changes things.

One thing I am gradually coming to terms with as each year passes is that the way you look is not going to be pleasing for everyone. There is just as much hate for people who seem “too skinny” as for those who are considered “too big.” I have friends in my life on both sides and skinny people get told to eat a hamburger just as often as plus-sized people get told to put it down. There will always be people in the world who are gonna hate on you no matter what. This is typically because they’re so miserable in their own lives that their only joy is tearing others down. And to them I saw with all of my chest:

Jog. On.

With that stated, I am plus-sized and while I still have occasional concerns about the weight I “should” be, overall, I am happy with how I am. And with that in mind I wanted to highlight books that had plus-sized love interests in romance novels.

Game of Hearts by Cathy Yardley

When Kyla is offered the chance of a lifetime that will help get her cosplay business off the ground, she’s ecstatic. That is until she is informed that she has to find a replacement to help in the auto shop she works at, which leads to her reaching out to her brother’s best friend, Jericho. When he shows up to help, he is taken aback at how grown up…and sexy…Kyla is now.

Their Troublesome Crush by Xan West

When metamours Ernest and Nora start planning their shared partner’s birthday party, they’re surprised at the feelings of attraction that begin. Neither want to upset the balance of their relationship but neither can they ignore what they’re feeling.

Here are just some of the exciting romances headed our way in 2023.

And that’s all I have for y’all today! I will be back in your inboxes on Thursday and in the meantime you can find me floating around on Twitter. Until our paths cross again, happy reading and stay hydrated.