Category: Kissing Books

Fake Dating, But Make It Real

Post author By P.N. Hinton
Post date July 7, 2021

Romance News

This July is the second annual is #JenkinsJuly, a month-long celebration of the career of Beverly Jenkins. This was started by Ana Coqui and celebrates the author’s twenty-seven year career that began with Night Song. In fact, eight of her books are celebrating milestone years. If you still haven’t read anything by her, they’re are a great spot to start from.

There was also a tweet floating around last week that touched on the subject of how one author approached writing about sex between two men and honestly, it was terrible. The author has since deleted her Twitter account but you can still see a screenshot of it here via this tweet from author Jack Harbon. There is a lot to unpack here, more than can be fit into a newsletter with a cap on word count but…this was not a good take.

Around the Web in Romance

Here’s a rundown of some of the must read YA romances coming out from now until the end of this year.

If you’re looking for a few good M/M romances to relax on the beach with, here is a list of contenders.

Here are a few books you might be tempted to marathon in one sitting. I can personally attest for how adorable and awesome How Sweet It Is was.

Here’s my plug to say I hope you took the When in Romance survey and if you haven’t, click here to get it done. It shouldn’t take too long depending on how prolific you want to be with your answers.

Recommendations

I recently had the realization that I am actually a bigger fan of the fake relationship/dating trope than I thought. When I began to look back on some of my well-loved books, it made sense since a lot of those fell into this trope. This leads me to today’s recommendations which are ones that have some thread of this trope. I think it’s a nice mix of historical and contemporary and the ladies mentioned here are some of my favorite authors. Hopefully you’ll find one you haven’t picked up yet, and have some beach reading options.

Jewel by Beverly Jenkins

Y’all know Mrs.Bev was going to make an appearance with it being #JenkinsJuly. Jewel and Eli are lifelong friends who tend to butt heads along the way. When Eli has to pretend to have a wife to help get his struggling newspaper back off the ground, Jewel agrees and it seems like it will just be a secret between them. As often happens in small towns, word of the arrangement gets out resulting in a real marriage and the associated feelings that come with that. You don’t want to miss this gem from Jenkins, if you’ll pardon the pun. Or not; I know I make them a lot and am not sorry.

Angel by Johanna Lindsey

Angel is a gunslinger known as the Peacemaker, tasked with helping Cassie get out of the mess she got herself into when someone he owes a favor to calls in his chip. This mess? Getting herself caught in the middle of a family feud that rivals the Hatfields and the McCoys. Of course his reputation precedes him so when the families realize who he is, she claims he is her fiancé to try to prevent any more trouble. This ends up in a real life shotgun wedding though and both are left in a position where they can legally (for the time) give into their desires.

That Kind of Guy by Talia Hibbert

Author Rae does not want to attend an upcoming awards convention where her ex-husband and his new wife will be in attendance solo. Her solution? Asking her friend Zach to pose as her boyfriend. He agrees thinking it will be an easy, breezy weekend but the desire both have been ignoring to avoid ruining their friendship rears its head in the close quarters. They both have to decide if they’re willing to take a risk. If you’ve read the rest of the Ravenswood books, this is a good wrap up one for everyone’s love story. Bonus points for the demisexual rep here!

First Comes Like by Alisha Rai

Beauty influencer Jai has been having an online correspondence with someone she thinks is Bollywood star Dev Dixit…until a face-to-face encounter proves she’s been catfished. She flees desperate to save face, which prompts Dev to follow her to make amends only for them to be caught in a somewhat compromising position. Damn that paparazzi. Both decide that a fake engagement is the best way to save face all around, but thanks to well -meaning but overbearing family members, it quickly becomes a very real marriage. Will they be able to overcome the initial rocky beginnings for a real chance at love?

That’s all for this week. I’ll be back next Monday to catch y’all up on the world of romance. In the meantime give me a follow over on Twitter under @PScribe801. Until next time!

Kissing Books

Conflict Resolution is Important

Post author By P.N. Hinton
Post date June 30, 2021

Around the Web in Romance

The latest episode of the When In Romance podcast is up for your listening pleasure! Among other things, Jess and Trisha discuss how their reading habits have changed over the last year. There is also a survey in the show notes if you want to chime in on how yours may have changed since last year.

Jess also did a nice round-up of contemporary romance novels that feature a visual artist and helped to add even more books to my TBR pile.

I agree with everything that author Harper St. George has on this list about favorite things in historical romances, with the exception of number four. I’ve got hips for days; I don’t need a huge ball gown to embellish them even more. Seriously; small children have bounced off my hip and flown three feet.

Author KJ Charles wrote this blog post about conflict in romance articles and it is a really good read, especially coming from someone who used to edit for Mills & Boon.

Recommendations

Reading KJ’s article got me thinking about how the idea of conflict in romance has evolved since its early days. Nowadays, it’s more of a misunderstanding rather than an outright conflict. More likely, it’s a small omission that comes back later to bite someone in their rear and requires scrambling to resolve and fix.

Personally, I like the misunderstandings that are easily resolved through open communication. Some may feel it’s a bit anticlimactic, but I don’t need a huge dramatic situation followed by an equally dramatic resolution. Conflict resolution is one area where I don’t mind the lack of a huge climax in my romances (wink wink).

We all know that the key factor in all of these is communication. But it’s easier said than done. This is something that couples have been struggling with since the dawn of time. I know a lot of people sneer that romances wouldn’t have as much of a conflict if the two ‘simply communicated’ but that’s hard to do, especially in the newness of a relationship. That kind of cavalier attitude comes after years in a relationship. And yes, when the open communication happens, a simple resolution normally follows.

That leads me to today’s recommendations. I’m going to include some of the romances that I enjoyed for the story as well as how easily the resolution was resolved. In some cases it was communication; in others it’s just a matter of people knowing more than they let on. In any case, they are still good reads and the ‘conflict resolution’ had me smiling with how easy-peasy it ended up being. I will endeavor to not give spoilers on any of the titles listed though, so the synopsis will be super short.

The Duke Who Didn’t by Courtney Milan

This is one of the sweetest books I’ve ever read. It’s a slow burn from friends to lovers that is just delightful. Chloe and Jeremy’s interactions were super sweet, even when she was mad at him. However, there is ‘the secret’ that is looming over the story and the build up on that is intense. The actuality of it had me literally bursting out laughing when I read it. It’s a Milan so you’re guaranteed a treat no matter what.

The Secrets of Sir Richard Kentworthy by Julia Quinn

Okay so I know that the ‘secret’ in this one is a bit divisive in Romancelandia, but I appreciated the accuracy of how a situation like this would play out if it were to happen in real life. Plus, I felt that Richard cared about his family and Iris and was trying to make the best of the situation that they found themselves in. And the way it ended was as even keeled as it could be.

Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert

Everyone has heard of this book by now and for good reason. I loved everything about it so much that when we got to the misunderstanding I actually said, “No, no, no” out loud in my car. Side note: I was listening to the audiobook I wasn’t reading while driving. I don’t do that…much. Anyways, the resolution for that misunderstanding wasn’t as drastic as it needed to be, but it was still sweet and they ended up with their HEA which is always a winner in my book.

I know that there are others out there which have misunderstandings that are easily resolved but here are the few that stand out to me.And that’s all for now. I won’t see you next Monday since Book Riot is off for the Fourth of July holiday in America. If you’re off that day, enjoy your long weekend. Give me a follow over on Twitter @PScribe801. Until next week!

Kissing Books

Sex ‘Reality’

Post author By P.N. Hinton
Post date June 25, 2021

Romance World Recap

Recently, Andrea of the Shelf Love Podcast tweeted about how romance novels shouldn’t be a substitution for sex education. And she’s correct; they shouldn’t be. Some people’s beef with romance is that it portrays an inaccurate view of sex and relationships. However, I will counter by reminding that these are fiction novels and they’re not intended to depict reality. Not every murder mystery gets solved; so by that mindset, there should be just as much pushback against mysteries and thrillers.

Part of the draw is that the sex is always good. Is it sometimes unbelievable? Sure, especially in the olden days of romance. But again, every other genre has a quality or two that in real life would be unbelievable such as cozy hamlets that have a new murder mystery every other month. In real life there wouldn’t be a plucky amateur sleuth. In real life, the town would be on a watch list and most people would get the hell out of dodge.

In real life, sex isn’t always great. Kids interrupt, you’re too tired, you’re not in the mood…the list could go on. And there’s nothing wrong with that because, in my opinion, when you’re in a committed relationship, whether it’s monogamous or polyamorous, you should feel comfortable enough with your partner(s) to have that type of honesty. Sex is not the foundation of a relationship nor does it a relationship make. It can be an enhancer but not always because there are asexual people in very happy relationships that don’t include sex. And that’s perfectly fine.

And not every single romance novel has a fireworks inducing first sex scene. In Jennifer Crusie’s Faking It, the first time Minerva and Davy hook up, she is…well faking it, prompting Davy to stop mid-stroke and say, “You’re not getting anything out of this are you?” Now, the next time is much better, but the first time wasn’t anything to write home about. Intentional bad sex scenes can happen in romance novels too. I make that distinction because unintentional bad sex scenes are a completely different kettle of fish.

Around the Web in Romance

Over on Book Riot, Erika gave recommendations for book about Black Love, something we’ve discussed before, and Isabelle gave some for witchy romances.

If you’re still looking for LGBTQ books, romance or otherwise, peruse this list.

Here is a gathering of some of the most eagerly anticipated romances hitting the shelves this summer.

New Releases and Deals

Some of this week’s new releases include An Extraordinary Lord by Anna Harrington, Paws and Prejudice by Alanna Martin, American Fairy Tale by Adriana Herrera, and Surprise Double Delivery by Therese Beharrie. There are a lot of new releases this week, including re-issues from Linda Lael Miller and the Bridgerton series, so get thee to a bookstore to see them all.

As for deals, Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall, Play it Again by Aidan Wayne, and The Love Song of Sawyer Bell by Avon Gale are all currently $1.99. You can also pick up The Forbidden Man, His All Night, and Her Kind of Man all by Elle Wright and all for $0.99.

And that’s it for today. I’ll be back Thursday with another edition. As a heads up, there will not be a new one next Monday for America’s Fourth of July holiday. Give me a follow over on Twitter @PScribe801. Y’all have a great week!

Kissing Books

Coffee is Love and Life

Post author By P.N. Hinton
Post date June 23, 2021

Sponsored by Carina Adores – For Readers Who Love Love.

Discover Carina Adores – Modern, romantic love stories where LGBTQ+ characters find their happily-ever-afters.
Learn more and download a FREE ebook today at CarinaAdores.com!

Hello again, romance readers. I’m PN Hinton, your companion for the world of romance. I hope your spirit is doing well today. 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.

By the time you’re reading this, I’ll have started my four-day birthday celebration weekend. So far a BBQ is all that’s planned, but the week is still young. I kinda want to do a book shopping spree. But, I’m well aware of the amount of unread books I have already. So, I may try to be responsible…

But then again it’s my birthday. So, I may still do it. I’ll be sure to catch you up on my purchases next week if it happens.

World of Romance

I am getting increasingly frustrated with the misconception of what actually constitutes a taboo romance. Some people seem to think that it’s a Cole Porter song and anything goes. Proof in that pudding is this Tweet I found the other day, which referenced the latest ‘taboo’ romance. When that user looked it up, she found out it was about a romance between a girl and her biological father.

Yep. You read that right.

As per the normal I’m not going to state what the book is, since we don’t want to even more of a light on it. Books like this do nothing to help work against the stigma that the romance genre already has.

A taboo romance is one between a professor/student of legal age, or a sibling’s ex, or a best friend’s parent. It’s not a parent and child, or brother and sister. That’s not taboo; that’s illegal in most states and it’s a whole lot of *shudder*.

To paraphrase Regina George; stop trying to make incestuous romance happen. It’s not gonna happen.

All that said, I can’t give a lot of recommendations for taboo romance…yet. However, you can check out this list for some books to pick up if it is your cup of tea.

Recommendations

Roughly eight years ago, I gave up Pepsi on a whim. And oh my sweet giddy aunt, it was HELL. I had massive mood swings, headaches, feeling hungry all the time. After all that, I decided to cut caffeinated sodas out completely, and haven’t had one since. I still drink Sprite and the occasional energy drink though.

However, at the time I was still working nights with a two-year-old at home who I was still responsible for during the day. I needed something to keep me awake and coffee became my new best friend. Now, I had been a coffee drinker already. Since cutting out sodas though, my love for the beverage has grown. I’m one who loves flavored coffee, iced coffee, blended coffee, etc.

And I’m not alone here. It’s estimated that one billion people worldwide drink coffee. It was the central focus hang out location on Friends. I know it sounds like a T-shirt, but coffee is life. That’s why, for today’s newsletter, I’m going to focus on books that feature coffee or a coffee shop.

The Coffee Agenda by Jackson Tyler

Seth and Tyler are brought together by fate and friends when the latter receives a surprise inheritance. They decide to open up a coffee house called Agenda for the LGBTQ community. When they begin to fall in love with each other, it makes starting a business trickier than normal, especially with them being complete opposites. This is currently a duology, so if you find yourself falling in love with the characters and the coffee shop, you can pick up the follow-up, High on the Agenda.

Wrong by Jana Astor

Sophie’s luck with love is lackluster to say the least. So she keeps her expectations low for reality even though her fantasies are another story. After fantasizing about a regular customer in the coffee shop where she works, she is embarrassed to find out on her next visit to the student clinic that he is the doctor there. This is also the first in a four book series that seems to center around the same coffee shop so, again, you can linger with the characters a bit. It would likely be classified as New Adult and fairly steamy, so keep that in mind going in.

Java Frost by Courtney Hunt

Apparently, I’m just feeling the series vibes today because this novella is also the first in a series of books that focus around a place called Cupid’s Coffeeshop. In this one, serious single dad Ben hires carefree preschool teacher Amy to teach him how to let loose and have fun with his daughter. This is a novella so it’s a short one, and the series appears to lean more towards sweet than steamy.

Mating the Huntress by Talia Hibbert

Werewolf Luke wanders into Chastity’s family coffeeshop looking for his mate. Chastity sees Luke as a way to show her family of monster hunters that she is more than capable of taking up the mantle. From that premise and the fact that it is Talia, you know you’re in for a great time with this story. While he is already over the moon for her, it takes a bit more convincing for chastity to realize that there’s more to this wolf than meets the eye. I love the cinnamon roll aspect of Luke in this, and of course their chemistry practically sizzles off the page. You can’t go wrong with this one.

And that is all for today! I hope that y’all enjoy your weekend. I know I will and I will see you Monday with the next edition. In the meantime give me a follow on Twitter under @Pscribe801. Until next time.

Kissing Books

Romance vs Romantic

Post author By P.N. Hinton
Post date June 18, 2021

World of Romance

It seems there was another shakeup in the Romance side of Twitter about whether or not a book can be called a romance if it doesn’t have an HEA/HFN. The discourse happened about Heart & Seoul, which I mentioned a few weeks back as being a new release. Full transparency; I haven’t read the book. I don’t read all the books I talk about here simply because, as much as I may want to, I don’t have the time. I do have a day job and, unfortunately, it’s not reading.

The dissonance seems to be that there isn’t an HEA or even HFN in this one; nor is there any indication that it is a series. As such, many are upset it’s being labeled as romance when it’s really not. Which I understand. I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again, and I will die on this hill; if there isn’t an HEA or an HFN, it’s not a romance novel. It can be a romantic novel, though, which is different. One of the articles from Romantic Reads day listed a few romantic books where the couples broke up; but the article was very careful to call these romantic reads as opposed to romances. This may seem like splitting hairs, but that fine line is there.

Romantic books are books with romantic elements or a romantic theme. But romance isn’t the driving force behind the story like it is with a romance novel. From what I’ve gathered, Jen Frederick’s book is a more of a romantic book. There’s nothing wrong with that, but be honest with the readers. We are a loyal group, but we also do not like literary bait and switches. Don’t try to trick an entire group of readers to make sales because when word of the trickery gets out, it will be hard to get that reputation back.

Around the Web in Romance

Jess talks here about the allure of slow reading and I have to say I agree; there is something to be said about savoring a read. I am taking my time with a few of the books I’m currently reading, including Kennedy Ryan’s Reel.

As if you need another reason to read The Queer Principles of Kit Webb, here are a few more.

Harlequin beat Hallmark to the punch with an LGBTA holiday romance story with the announcement that Roan Parrish will be writing the very first gay romance novel in a series line. It’s slated to come out this September and looks like it has all the warm holiday feels you could want. I’m not going to lie, I’m super excited for how sweet this book looks. I’m not a holiday person anymore, so I rely on movies and books to help me not be a Grinch and this looks like a great candidate for the job.

Here are some pairings of princesses and romance novels.

New Releases & Deals

Some of this week’s new releases include The Next Mrs. Russo by Jana Aston, Love is All: Volume 4, an anthology of LGBTQ romances, Jock Royal by Sara Ney, and Love Your Life by Sophie Kinsella (which, being a Kinsella, may be a romantic book). It also looks like quite a bit of Ms. Bev’s back list is getting the audiobook treatment, including Something Like Love and Wild Sweet Love. So, if you’re more of an audiobook reader, that may be more your jam.

As for your deals, The Champion’s Desire by Marie Lipscomb and The Only Man by Rochelle Allers can both be snagged for $0.99. If you’re having a bit of wanderlust, the roadtrip romance Dine With Me by Layla Reyne is available for $1.99, as are New Ink on Life and Inked with a Kiss by Jennie Davids.

And that is all for now. I’ll see you Thursday with another edition. Until then give me a follow over on Twitter @PScribe801.

Kissing Books

Dad Related Romances

Post author By P.N. Hinton
Post date June 16, 2021

Sponsored by Bloom Books, an imprint of Sourcebooks.

You are cordially invited to the wedding of the decade, when Christian Grey will make Anastasia Steele his wife. But is he really husband material? His dad is unsure, his brother wants to organize one helluva bachelor party, and his fiancée won’t vow to obey… Their passion for each other burns hotter than ever, but Ana’s defiant spirit continues to stir Christian’s darkest fears and tests his need for control. As old rivalries and resentments endanger them both, one misjudgment threatens to tear them apart. Can Christian overcome his childhood nightmares, and save himself?

Hello again romance readers. I’m PN Hinton, your companion for the world of romance. 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.

I’ve talked briefly before about my somewhat recent and new obsession with TikTok and how I can lose myself in it for hours. Most of the time it’s funny or bookish related, which is always something I enjoy. But every now and then, there will be something that I need, which will really resonate with me.

There’s one TikToker called mx.deran that I particularly enjoy. At the beginning of most of their PoV videos, they ask the question, “How’s your spirit?” And it struck me this last weekend how utterly thoughtful that question was.

When you ask someone how they’re doing, you’re likely going to get a very surface answer. Normally the answer is that they’re some variant of doing fine, even if they’re not. I know I do that. When I’m being honest, my normal answer tends to be, “I’m here…that’s about all I can commit to.” or “Not well, but I’ll make it.”

But, when you ask about someone’s spirit, you want a more in depth answer. Because you’re asking about their emotions, their will to keep on keeping on, etc. If someone asks me how’s my spirit, I feel they’re more invested in an honest answer; and I may just give it. No matter what my answer may be, it shows a more genuine interest in the other person.

So, Reader, let me just say I hope your spirit is doing well. And if it’s not I hope that you do whatever you need to do to help make it better.

Around the Web in Romance

After a brief hiatus due to the Memorial Day holiday, Jess and Trisha are back with the latest episode of the When in Romance podcast. I especially enjoyed the part about F/F romance novels, including the next book club pick, Wrong Number, Right Woman.by Jae.

If you like reading about librarians in love, you’re in luck with this list from Jess.

If you’re looking for some M/M romances to celebrate Pride month with, this list has a few good ones for you.

Recommendations

Sunday is Father’s Day. Like Mother’s Day, it’s always a bit bittersweet for me since I lost my father ten years ago. Last year, right before the pandemic hit, my beloved father-in-law also passed away very unexpectedly. I know I’m lucky because, including them, I have had multiple paternal figures in my life. I’m fortunate to have another one who has known me most of my life who is still alive.

I think, sometimes, dads get the short end of the stick. In sitcoms they’re bumbling oafs who barely know how to function, let alone be a parent. Or they’re completely absent. This treatment tends to be prevalent in romance novels as well, which seems a bit unfair to me. Whether he’s a background character or the hero finding romance, it’s always nice to see a good strong father figure (cue George Michael) in a romance novel. With that in mind, here are your recommendations for this week.

The Roommate Risk by Talia Hibbert

Both Jasmine and Rahul had good dads, which I just love. The story opens with Jasmine’s dad taking the parental reins and kicking her terrible mother (because she was) out of her life. And then he doted on Jasmine. And Rahul was striving to be as good a man as his father was, due to having experienced a recent loss when the story takes place. All in all, there are two great fathers in this book and I’m here for it. This is also another winner from Talia, so I mean you really can’t go wrong either way.

Charming the Prince by Teresa Medeiros

Lord Bannor is known for his sexual prowess and is said to have multiple children who are all housed in his castle with him. When he realizes he needs someone to help with the children, he sends out his steward to find a suitable candidate and gets Willow, a woman who is determined to win over not just the children, but Lord Bannor as well.

A Nanny for Nate by Lisa Worrall

When widower Parker decides that a live in nanny for his son Nate is the next best step after his regular childcare provider moves away, he sets about interviewing acceptable candidates. When Jake shows up at his door after a mix-up and awakens feelings that Parker hasn’t felt since his husband passed away, he gives the job to another candidate in a panic, despite Jake’s qualifications. This is on the shorter side, so expect everything that goes with that, including a bit of a rush on the story overall. Still, it is a great option if you’re looking for a sweet romance about a dad getting a second chance at love.

I know not everyone had a good father or may be suffering from that type of absence in their life, so if you are, my heart goes out to you. But if you still have your father and have a good relationship with him, hug him extra tight for me this Sunday, please?

That’s all for today. I hope that, whatever you do this weekend, it is relaxing, rejuvenating, and recharging for you. Give me a follow on Twitter @PScribe801. Until next week.

Kissing Books

Ice Planetary ‘Discoveries’

Post author By P.N. Hinton
Post date June 14, 2021

News From the Romance World

Apparently TikTok just recently discovered the Ice Planet Barbarians series and have been raving about it. Which is interesting, considering the first one came out in 2015. There have been discussions before about the effect of TikTiok on the book world, specifically how books can experience a revival when an influencer “discovers” them, and how they then spread like wildfire. And while I’m sure the authors appreciate the boost in sales, longtime fans have a more cynical approach to the event, which I can also understand.

The thing about situations like this is when someone stumbles upon a new-to-them book, they act like it’s brand new. Ice Planet Barbarians has been an established and beloved series in Romancelandia for a long time. These influencers didn’t find the next big thing; they just became aware of something that was already popular in the romance genre.

And this isn’t to say I expect book related influencers to be aware of every single book that has been published. But I do appreciate a little bit more honesty from them in these situations, especially when it comes to genres that are new to them. In my opinion, it’s better to say they have been sleeping on a particular book or genre. That shows that the book just hadn’t entered their personal orbit yet, rather than making it seem like they personally brought it back from the brink of obscurity.

All of this is to say welcome to the family; but, remember, we’ve been here a long time.

Around the Web in Romance

Last Friday was Romantic Reads Day over on Book Riot. It was awesome to open up to the front page and see the many different articles dedicated to the genre. If you missed it, be sure to head on over to the stream and catch up.

Are you ready to rock with some romance novels? If so, Rioter R. Nassor has some recs for you!

Last time I talked a bit about clinch covers, and then I stumbled across this Twitter page. It’s romantic kismet!

Author Bolu Babalola recently sat down with NPR to talk about her recent release Love in Color: Mythical Tales from Around the World, Retold. It’s about a 30-minute listen, so, depending on your work commute if you have one, should make for good listening.

If you’ve somehow never managed to read Alyssa Cole, here are a few good books to start with.

The Ripped Bodice will have signed copies of Helen Hoang’s highly anticipated The Heart Principle ready to pre-order up through September 10th.

If you’re looking for a little more erotica in your life (and who isn’t) here are some of the more popular reading sites out there.

New Releases & Deals

If you’re looking to pick up a new read when you next head to your local bookstore, this weeks’ releases include Very Sincerely Yours by Kerry Winfrey, The Effing List by Cherise Sinclair, The Layover by Lacie Waldon, and Wicked by Elisabeth Naughton.

As for deals, you can pick up An Unexpected Gift by Ajay K. Pandey and Leather and Lace by Rebel Carter for $2.99. Where Souls Collide by Stefanie Worth is currently $1.49 while Dangerous Lady by Amanda Scott and Sweet Tea and Second Chances by Dylann Crush are both $0.99. Not bad at all.

And that is all for this week. I hope that this weekend is the recharge that you need. Follow me on Twitter @PScribe801 if you want snippets of me between the editions. See y’all Monday!

Kissing Books

Coming Through in a Clinch

Post author By P.N. Hinton
Post date June 9, 2021

Around the Web in Romance

I don’t know about y’all, but I really enjoyed this visual timeline of the cover changes for Johanna Lindsey’s Tender is the Storm. I find the changes to be a de-evolution; if you’re going to go clinch, go all the way with it.

Author Cameron Lund wrote on some of their favorite romance tropes and recommended a few of her favorites in each one.

I have a confession to make… I’ve never actually seen You’ve Got Mail all the way through. No worries! I’ll fix it soon. In the meantime whether you’re in this boat with me or a long time fan, check out some of these books that give the same vibe.

There’s still time to sign up for this Avon Love Panel event, scheduled for next Friday, the 18th!

Sadly, if not surprisingly, Hallmark recently announced their holiday movie line-up for this year, and none of them feature an LGBTQ+ storyline. Look, personally I enjoyed The Happiest Season. But, it was very light on the actual romance aspect. I would love to see an LGBTQ+ couple fall in love against the backdrop of small town holiday magic. Get with it, y’all.

Recommendations

I spoke earlier on clinch covers and the specific timeline for one of the more popular ones. It’s interesting how they all have changed over time. The fact remains that, whether you love or hate them, clinch covers are an essential facet of romance novel history. Now me? I’m a fan. Fellow contributor Silvana had this to tweet the other day, and I am completely on board with it. Here are some of my favorite clinch covers out there for this week’s recommendation.

Captured by Beverly Jenkins

When he commandeers a British frigate, Privateer Dominic finds himself stowing an unexpected passenger in the form of Claire, an enslaved woman. In a high seas indecent proposal, he offers Claire one passionate night of bliss. While believing him to be just a rogue, Claire agrees to one night, not realizing that it won’t just be one night or lust for the two of them. What I really love about this cover is the slight homage it pays to Johanna Lindsey’s Gentle Rogue. Plus it’s another LeVeq novel, arguably Jenkins’s most popular family out of all her books.

Unmasked by the Marquess by Cat Sebastian

Robert Selby has a secret; she’s actually a housemaid named Charity Church. She took up the persona to help her friend be successful on the marriage market and, once that is done, Robert will disappear forever. At least, that was the plan until Alistair, who is trying to bring honor back to his family name, uncovers Robert’s identity. Together, two of them work to find a resolution that solves both problems, even if it turns out to be different than either planned. That cover though…*fans self*

A Reunion of Rivals by Reese Ryan

In order to get her career back on track, Quinn must team up with ex-lover Max, which is easier said than done when the two keep butting heads on the best business strategy. Both are struggling to forget the heat of their past affair and focus on the needs of the business, but long office hours alone make it easier said than done. The clinch here is amazing with the office set up and desk aspect. This is one that shows that these covers aren’t just intended for historical romance novels.

That’s all for now, friends. I hope you enjoy this upcoming weekend and get a lot of rest, relaxation, rays of the sun variety, and reading done. If you want, give me a follow at Twitter under @PScribe801. See ya Monday!

Kissing Books

Happy Pride Month!

Post author By P.N. Hinton
Post date June 7, 2021

Sponsored by The In Between by Marc Klein, published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.

Seventeen-year-old Tessa Jacobs doesn’t believe she deserves love. But everything changes after a chance encounter with Skylar, a senior from a neighboring town who’s a true romantic. Tessa starts to believe she might be deserving of a happy ending after all. When tragedy strikes, Tessa wakes up in the hospital with no memory of how she got there. And Skylar has passed away. As Tessa searches for answers, Skylar’s spirit reaches out to her from the other side. Desperate to see him, Tessa must unravel the pieces of their relationship — and the truth might lead her into the afterlife itself.

I am coming off the first week of no school and when I tell you what a difference it makes, I’m not exaggerating. My kiddo is happier, I’m happier…it’s a win/win all around. My workday is noticeably less stressful without having to remind him to stay on task. Now he just has to work on being quiet when I’m a meeting, and I have to make sure that I don’t have total ‘Mom’ face during them.

Happy Pride Month! I know that last year it was celebrated a bit differently than in years past, as we were at the height of the pandemic then. This year, I have been seeing news and reports that some parades were going to return. This will mean members of LGBTQ+ community, or the Alphabet Mafia as they’re known on TikTok, will be able to march together. I’m sure there will be a lot of excitement this year.

Romance News

Oh, Twitter. You never fail to entertain.

In the span of a couple of days, a few people questioned Beverly Jenkins’s uplifting of Black men in history. This prompted Ms. Bev to post the following tweet, which is what drew my attention to the matter. From there, I noticed other comments especially on the one she posted about Hiram Young. While most rightfully came to her defense, there were still critics trying to clog up her timeline.

A lot of us romance readers enjoy historical romance. I know that historicals were my introduction to the genre. As I’ve gotten older though, I’ve realized that the research that goes into a historical romance is not equal and that inaccuracies abound. As a result, there are only a few authors who I don’t question on their accurate depiction of history.

Some of these authors include Courtney Milan, Vanessa Riley, and, of course, Beverly Jenkins. Each author puts in extensive research for their novels. Beverly was the first romance author I read who had recommended reading and an appendix in one of her books. So, for her to be questioned or worse criticized for her continued work in uplifting Black history?

Miss me all the way with that, ally or not.

She puts noticeable and consistent effort into educating everyone on the contributions that Black Americans have made. And her work is not unappreciated because we all know that we’re not getting that from public education. And if we do, it’s relegated to February, which, even during leap years, is the shortest month of the year.

I would also like to add that our Founding Fathers were hugely problematic. Washington and Jefferson had enslaved people a-plenty. Alexander Hamilton is considered to be the first politician with a sex scandal, and he has whole Tony award-winning musical (that I still regularly jam out to) about him. The list could go on.

History is messy and complicated, and as long as we have to continue to learn about the names mentioned above, we should learn about the Black people who also had a hand in America’s history.

Around the Web in Romance

If you are wanting to celebrate Pride with some romance (and who wouldn’t?) here are some options for you.

I didn’t get to talk about new releases last week, which is a shame since there were a lot of good books that came out. Check out this list focusing on all the LGBTQ releases from then. Be sure to also sign up for our latest newsletter, Our Queerest Shelves, which is also penned by Danika.

There’s still time to sign up for this virtual event sponsored by Carina Press and the Ripped Bodice. It’s hosted by Adriana Herrera, with guests Hudson Lin, Roan Parrish, and Penny Aimes. That sounds like a winner all around.

Happy Birthday to Love’s Sweet Arrow, the second romance exclusive bookstore in America. Give them a follow on Twitter (same name) if you’d like, or just peruse the inventory digitally via their website and support small businesses.

If you’re looking for a supernatural book but don’t necessarily want a monster, here’s a list of romance novels with angels included.

National Donut Day was June 4th. If you missed it or you’re like me with the mindset that every day can be donut day, here is a list of equally sweet books to curl up with as you eat the delectable treat.

There are quite a few exciting releases happening this week! The Queer Principles of Kit Webb by Cat Sebastian is coming out along with the much anticipated Reel by Kennedy Ryan. Friends With Benedicts (love that title) by Staci Hart is also releasing and Meghan Quinn has a new one, The Perfect Catch.

As for deals, you can snag Once Ghosted, Twice Shy by Alyssa Cole, The Love Study by Kris Ripper, Julie Garwood’s The Bride and for $1.99. If you’re looking for a sort of slow burn marriage of convenience, LaVyrle Spencer’s Separate Beds can be snagged for $2.99.

That’s all for now friends! Hope this week treats you well. If you want to give me a follow on Twitter, I can be found under @PScribe801. See y’all Thursday.

Kissing Books

Summer Readin’, Had Me a Blast….

Post author By P.N. Hinton
Post date June 2, 2021

Around the Web in Romance

Here are some recaps from the last week in Romancelandia, in case you missed them!

Beverly Jenkins announced in her newsletter that Indigo will get its own 25th Anniversary Edition hardcover re-release! Do I already have this e-book? Yes. Will I still buy this hard copy? Also yes. This was the first book I read from Ms. Bev, so it will always have a special place in my heart. I introduced her books into our household, and my sister and father enjoyed them as well.

The Read Bliss channel closed down on Monday, May 31st. It was dedicated to all things romance, with a diverse list of Romance BookTubers regularly contributing. They will be moving over to the Harlequin Books’ channel, so just head on over there to continue to see more of their recommendations.

If you’re looking for books like The Kiss Quotient, then this list is for you!

Katee Roberts shares her love of the Hades and Persephone mythos and gives some of her favorite retellings. Neon Gods, her spin on the tale, was released this last Tuesday.

Casey McQuiston’s One Last Stop also debuted this week, and here is one reviewer’s take on the engaging new novel.

Recommendations

I know that technically the first day of summer isn’t until June 20th. But in the south it feels like it’s already arrived. A lot of us here are already making our plans for the summer. As much as I would love to go to the beach and sit in the sand to read for a couple of hours this summer, it won’t happen.

One reason is that work is going to be pretty busy all summer, so vacation time is limited. I was lucky to get my birthday off. Also, I anticipate the beaches being especially crowded this year, with the vaccinated and otherwise. And that’s just too much for me.

So, I’m going to have to be content with reading by apartment pools this year. Which is fine since I can still read, get in the water, and get my drink on. If you’re like me and the beach is not on your Summer Bingo card, here are a couple of books to help channel those beach vibes.

Second Chance on Cypress Lane by Reese Ryan

After an accidental scandal almost derails her career, reporter Dakota decides to regroup in her small hometown of Holly Grove Island. Fate proves to have a funny sense of humor when she winds up having Dexter, the first man to break her heart, as her new boss. Will this second chance at romance be a winner for these two? Or will the past threaten to doom their possible future. This gives me beach vibes because…well…there’s a beach on the cover.

The Spinster’s Guide to Scandalous Behavior by Jennifer McQuiston

Lucy is determined to become a spinster and believes that the diary and cottage that was bequeathed to her by an elderly aunt is a step in the right direction. Lord Thomas is equally as determined to get Lucy to sell the cottage to him and goes about wooing her to do so. Of course, love has other plans. I’ll be honest; I don’t know if this takes place in the summer or not. But cottages always make me think of summer for some reason, so here we are.

Perfect Pairing by Rachel Spangler

Hal is a food truck owner and enjoys all the freedom that comes with the career. Quinn is an investment banker who recognizes the potential in Hal and offers her a brick and mortar location; which she promptly turns down. Will the women’s different approaches to life and business equate to a difference in love? Or will their mutual attraction still lead to a happily ever after? Food trucks scream summer to me, especially since you can find many on the beach. This sounds like the perfect match-up.

And that’s all she wrote for now! I’ll be back again next Monday and if you want more in the meantime, give me a follow over on Twitter @Pscribe801. Have a great weekend!