Category: Book Spotlight

2023 Romantic Christmas Book Releases | A Book List

Posted December 1, 2023 by Jana in Book Spotlight, Bookish Little Christmas / 2 Comments

I LOVE Christmas romances, and I spend the entire year anticipating when I will see the first announcement of an upcoming Christmas release from a publisher or author (and immediately begin creating this list)! As always, this list is very heavy on the contemporary romances. I wish there were more historical romances set at Christmastime! It just feels a little more magical to me!

This is by no means an exhaustive list. I could not possibly find them all, so if you’ve got one you’re excited about and you don’t see it here let me know in the comments!

Contemporary Romances

26 Ways to Come Home for the Holidays by Jennifer Joy
All’s Fair in Love and Christmas by Sarah Monzon
Almost Like Being in Love by Sariah Wilson
Along Came Holly by Codi Hall
Bright Lights, Big Christmas by Mary Kay Andrews
Cabin Crush by Kasey Stockton
The Christmas Café by Eliza Evans
Christmas at Corgi Cove by Annie England Noblin
Christmas at the Cat Café by Jessica Redland
The Christmas Letter by Emily Stone
The Christmas Wager by Holly Cassidy
Claus and Effect by Piper Rayne
The Christmas Orphans Club by Becca Freeman
The Christmas Promise by Lindsay Gibson
A Christmas to Remember by Beverly Jenkins

Cocoa Kisses by Melanie Jacobson
Confessions of a Christmasholic by Joss Wood
A December to Remember by Jenny Bayliss
Emergency Contact by Lauren Layne
The Ex-Mas Holidays by Zoe Allison
Faking Christmas by Kerry Winfrey
A Festive Feud by Maren Moore
Five Gold Rings by Kristen Bailey
Frosty Proximity by Liz Alden
The Holiday Exchange by Jordan Millsaps
The Holiday Mix-Up by Ginny Baird
The Holiday Prize by Megan Reinking
Holiday Star by Melissa Dymond (there’s both a closed-door and a spicy version of this one!)
Holiday Vibes by Sarah Brenton
Holly Ever After by Laura Ashley Gallagher

A Holly Jolly Ever After by Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone
The Holly Jolly Heartthrob by Kelly Bright
Holly vs. Mr. Ivy by Amanda P. Jones
It Happened One Christmas by Chantel Guertin
Highlands Christmas by Amy Quick Parrish
Highlands New Year by Amy Quick Parrish
It’s a Fabulous Life by Kelly Farmer
Jingle Bell Jilt by Mindy Burbidge Strunk
A Kilt for Christmas by Tricia O’Malley
Love, Holly by Emily Stone
A Little Christmas Faith by Kathryn Freeman
A Little Magic by Lindsey Lanza
Meet Me at Christmas by Jenny Hale
Merry Kismet by Anneka R. Walker
Midnight at the Christmas Bookshop by Jenny Colgan

Mingle All the Way by J.P. Sterling
My Ex-mas Emergency by Jennifer Peel
One Small Secret by Esther Hatch
One Sweet Holiday by Lucy Day
On My Naughty List by Julianne Baclayanto
That Festive Feeling by Heidi Swain
The Rules of Mistletoe by Taylor Epperson
Second Chance Snowmance by Caroline Frank
Snowed In by Catherine Walsh
Snowed In for Christmas by Jaqueline Snowe
Solo for the Season by Martha Keyes
Three Holidays and a Wedding by Uzma Jalaluddin and Marissa Stapley
The Trouble With Tinsel by Juliet Giglio and Keith Giglio
The Twelve Months of Christmas by Sheila Roberts
Unleashed Holiday by Victoria Schade

A Very Complicated Christmas by Melissa Baldwin
You Can Count On Me by Fae Quin
You Make It Feel Like Christmas by Toni Shiloh
A Winter in New York by Josie Silver
Witchever Way You Go by Anne William
Wrapped with a Beau by Lillie Vale
Wreck the Halls by Tessa Bailey

Historical Romances

A Christmas Miracle for the Frosty Marquess by Sally Forbes
Christmas in a Castle by Samantha Hastings
The Duke’s Christmas Scandal by Carrie Lomax
A Duke’s Christmas Secret by Bridget Barton
Mistletoe and Christmas Kisses by Tracy Sumner
Yule Be My Duke by Darcy Burke

I’ve already read several of these, and have loved a few!
Are you planning on reading any of these? Have you already?
What titles am I missing?


Signed Copy of Just Like Magic by Sarah Hogle + Hughes & Co. Greeting Cards Giveaway (USA)

Posted December 2, 2022 by Jana in Book Spotlight, Giveaway / 7 Comments

Today I’m featuring one of the most whimsical Christmas books I’ve ever read! I’ll read anything Sarah writes, and Just Like Magic is so sweet and pure and stars the man whose picture is in the dictionary under the words “sunshine”, “festive”, and “wholesome”. I love Hall (short for holiday, naturally) and Bettie so much, and I’m so excited to offer up a signed copy of this festive, pepperminty hug of a book to one of my readers!

Just Like Magic by Sarah Hogle
Published by Putnam on October 4, 2022
Genres: Contemporary Romance — Christmas
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From the author of Twice Shy comes a sprightly Christmas novel, a rollicking romp through the absurdity of family holidays and the hope of new love.

Bettie Hughes once knew the comfort of luxury, flaunting a ridiculous collection of designer shoes and a stealthy addiction to CBD oils. That is, until her parents snipped her purse strings. Long obsessed with her public image, Bettie boasts an extravagant lifestyle on social media. But the reality is: Bettie is broke and squatting in Colorado, and her family has no idea.

Christmas, with its pressure to meet familial expectations, is looming when a drunk Bettie plays a vinyl record of “All I Want for Christmas Is You” backwards and accidentally conjures Hall, an unexpectedly charming Holiday Spirit in the form of a man. Once the shock wears off, Bettie knows she’s stumbled upon the greatest gift: a chance to make all her holiday wishes come true, plus a ready-made fiancé.

But as the wiles of magic lose their charm, Bettie finds herself set off-kilter by Hall’s sweet gestures. Suddenly, Bettie is finding her heart merry and light. But the happier she gets, the shorter Hall’s time on earth grows. Can Bettie channel the Christmas spirit and learn to live with goodwill toward all men? Or will her selfish ways come back as soon as the holidays are over?

With this book comes a set of Hughes & Co. Greeting Cards that Sarah Hogle has designed in honor of Bettie! I’ve seen some of these cards, and they’re amazing. I’m so jealous of whoever wins the set! Here’s what Sarah has to say about these cards: “In Just Like Magic, Bettie Hughes rediscovers an old hobby from her youth: designing niche greeting cards that nobody would ever ask for or expect to receive. Bettie enjoys pairing innocuous covers with weird sentiments inside, for the sheer pleasure of bewildering people and making them say, “But why??” I’ve brought a few fictional Hughes & Co. cards to life; this giveaway includes four greeting cards, one postcard, and one invitation.”

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Floating On Air by Syrie James – On Sale Now Through Valentine’s Day!

Posted February 9, 2022 by Jana in Book Spotlight / 3 Comments

When Syrie James reached out to me recently about her Struck By Love series, which is set in the 80’s, I couldn’t resist jumping at the opportunity to read them! Both books in this series are inspired by the romance between Syrie and her late husband, which makes them even sweeter in my opinion.

I’m currently reading the first book, Floating On Air, and it’s a whirlwind romance between a radio deejay and the man who calls into her show. It’s a fun, breezy, quick read that mentions many 80’s tunes that I love! And good news for you, it’s on sale now through Valentine’s Day. And really, you might as well grab Two Week Deal while you’re at it. It’s about a graphic designer and takes place in Lake Tahoe during the holiday season!

Floating On Air by Syrie James
Series: Struck By Love #1
Also in this series: Two Week Deal
Published by Context Literary Agency on November 7, 2021
Genres: Adult Fiction – Contemporary Romance
Add to GoodreadsBuy from Amazon

A siren called. He answered.

A successful radio deejay embarks on a thrilling, long distance love affair with a charismatic entrepreneur, a relationship that plays havoc with her carefully controlled life—and heart.

On a hot summer’s day in 1986, Southern California radio deejay Desiree Germain is hosting a contest on the air when she’s entranced by the deeply masculine voice of caller number twelve.

Voices never matched faces. Desiree knows that better than anyone. As KICK’s hottest radio host, she has a sultry voice that leads people to expect a tall, voluptuous bombshell. Petite in every sense of the word, she hardly lives up to that image.

To Desiree’s surprise, caller number twelve turns out to be Kyle Harrison, a handsome, wealthy businessman from Seattle. Kyle has come to claim his prize—and her heart.

They are soon involved in a whirlwind love affair that makes Desiree’s heart sing. Is it worth the risk? All the rules say that long-distance romance and radio don’t mix. But a man who is answering a siren’s call doesn’t care about rules.

This novel can be read as a standalone … or enjoy the series!

Newly revised edition, previously published as Songbird.

A note from Syrie James:

I hope you enjoy my Struck By Love novels as much as I enjoyed writing them! To keep up with my book news and blog posts, please visit my website, sign up for my newsletter, and follow my blog! I blog about the inspiration for my books, all kinds of historical topics of interest, and I post reviews of my favorite books. For a fun blast from the past, check out my blog “8 Things I Love About the 80s!”.

Syrie: pronounced like the App, but spelled better.

SYRIE JAMES is the author of thirteen critically acclaimed novels of historical fiction, romance, and young adult fiction that have been international, USA Today, and Amazon bestsellers and won numerous awards. Her books are published in more than twenty languages. A research and story structure maven, Syrie is committed to taking her characters on challenging journeys of growth and discovery.

Syrie’s novel The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen sold at auction to HarperCollins in a bidding war between three major publishing houses, became an instant bestseller, and was a Library Journal Editor’s Pick of the Year (starred review). Syrie explores Jane Austen’s real-life romance as a teenager in Jane Austen’s First Love, also a Library Journal Editor’s Pick. The Missing Manuscript of Jane Austen (starred review, Kirkus) offers the ultimate Janeite fantasy: the discovery of a long lost Jane Austen novel.

The Secret Diaries of Charlotte Brontë won the Audiobook Audie Award and was named a Women’s National Book Association Great Group Read. Nocturne was an Amazon bestseller, Barnes and Noble’s Romantic Read of the Week, Best Novel of the Year by Suspense Magazine and Romance Reviews, and Bookbub’s Best Snowbound Romance.

Syrie’s contemporary romances Floating on Air and Two Week Deal, which she recently re-branded as the Struck By Love series, are set in the awesome 80s and are dear to her heart, because they’re inspired by her real-life romance with her late husband.

Syrie’s interest in the paranormal inspired her romantic thriller Dracula, My Love and the young adult series Forbidden which she co-wrote with her son Ryan James. Syrie’s love of all things English led to a Victorian historical romance trilogy including the #1 Amazon bestsellers Duke Darcy’s Castle and Runaway Heiress.

A Writer’s Guild of America member, Syrie has sold scripts to film and television and adapted bestselling books to screen. Syrie’s work as a playwright has been produced off-Broadway in New York City as well as in California and Canada. A member of the Historical Novel Society of North America and the Jane Austen Society of North America, Syrie has addressed dozens of organizations, universities, and literary conferences across North America and in England.

Syrie lives in Los Angeles, where she is currently writing her next book.

 Connect with Syrie: Website | Author Facebook | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads


A New Romantic Comedy Written by R.S. Grey, Enemies Abroad, is Out Now!

Posted January 21, 2022 by Jana in Book Spotlight / 1 Comment

I discovered R.S. Grey last year when I read and loved Hotshot Doc and then started binging as many of her other books I could get my hands on. Date Me Like You Mean It is another favorite of mine (read my review here). I also highly recommend Anything You Can Do, The Allure of Julian Lefray, and The Fortunate Ones. She’s am amazing writer, and I love her romantic comedies so much. I’ve been playing close attention to when she would be releasing another book, and it came out yesterday! I’ve been so excited for Enemies Abroad since I read the synopsis and saw that it takes place in Rome! I love Italy and I love travel romances. If you’re looking for a weekend read that’s sure to be wonderful, perhaps downloading this would be a good idea. I cannot wait to get my hands on this book!

It’s simple: Noah Peterson and I are enemies. Our fellow teachers know it, our friends know it—even the Starbucks drive-through lady knows it since every Monday she scrawls the name A. Hole for me on Noah’s cappuccino when I pick up the weekly group order.

The shrill whine of the school bell announces the start of each day’s no-holds-barred grudge match. Since neither of us is looking to get fired or thrown in prison, we war with our words and our wits. We prefer banter that bites. All day, I’m on edge, looking around every corner, expecting him to do his worst. Just when I think I can’t take the sight of his (regretfully) handsome face for one more minute, the school day is done.

Summer usually offers the sweetest relief—a two-month Noah detox—but not this year.

“We need two volunteers to chaperone a group of eighth graders in Rome” becomes a game of chicken neither one of us is willing to lose. We both want that bonus check.

“Back out,” I tell him.
“Scared?” he taunts.

No one thinks it’s a good idea for us to go to Rome together, least of all me. Taking this battle abroad will only lead to mayhem and misery.

DING. Ladies and gentlemen of flight UA447 with service to Rome, fasten your seatbelts.
We’re bound to have a bumpy ride.

Buy from Amazon!

About R.S. Grey

R.S. Grey is the USA Today bestselling author of over twenty novels. She lives in Texas with her husband and daughter, and can be found reading, binge-watching reality TV, or practicing yoga! Visit her at rsgrey.com


Lovebug by Erin Mallon | Book Spotlight

Posted March 1, 2021 by Jana in Blog Tour, Book Spotlight / 2 Comments

Lovebug by Erin Mallon | Book Spotlight

Welcome to my stop along the blog tour for Lovebug by Erin Mallon, hosted by Social Butterfly PR.! Erin is one of my very favorite audiobook narrators ever, so it’s fun that she’s started writing her own books as well. Lovebug is the second book in the standalone contemporary rom-com series, Natural Selection. Read more about the book below, and see what others are saying about it! I’m currently in the middle of it myself, and am excited to see how it turns out. Mabel is super quirky and unbelievably sweet! She’s definitely a character to root for.

Lovebug by Erin Mallon
Series: Natural History #2
Published by Erin Mallon on February 24, 2021
Genres: Adult Fiction — Contemporary Romance, Romantic Comedy
Add to Goodreads
Amazon Kindle | Amazon Worldwide | Apple Books | Nook | Kobo | Amazon Paperback | Audible Audiobook

My name is Mabel, the girl who “wouldn’t hurt a fly.”

Of course I wouldn’t.
I’m an entomologist for goodness’ sake.
I work in a nature center.
Bugs are my jam.

It’s the humans in my life who are starting to get me down. I’m used to them calling me sweet and innocent. I can even handle them calling me naive. But when they lie and keep secrets from me? That’s when my proverbial pincers want to come out.

Trouble is, I’m not the girl who fights back.

Not until a handsome groundskeeper with a dirty mouth and secrets of his own shows up and lights all sorts of fires in me.

In the bug world, the female is always the fiercest. The praying mantis doesn’t worry about being a “good girl.” Nope, she follows her instincts no matter how crass or crude they may seem to others.

Turns out I could learn a thing or two from her.

I’m not necessarily looking to tear anyone’s head off, but after decades of being nice, it’s high time for me to return to nature and unleash my wild side.

Excerpt

I check to make sure all kids and counselors are settled safely and the craft is underway, then start a slow walk to where the man is crouched down and working with a wrench.

I have absolutely no idea why I choose this approach, but I whip around the water fountain in a sort of sneak attack, and shout, “Hi!”

His body jerks as though I’ve startled him. Because clearly, I have. I smile and wave. Even though he’s right in front of me.

He turns and looks behind us as if he’s unsure I’m actually speaking to him. I’m noticing this happens a lot when I greet people. Calliope told me once that I approach strangers with “unearned familiarity,” and it freaks them out. Friendliness freaks people out? I’m not sure what to do with that information.

“Yes you, silly!” I say.

His full attention is trained on me, but he doesn’t say a word. I’m starting to think the kids were right, and this guy actually doesn’t speak.

“Hey you,” I breathe.

Was that my voice I just heard? I don’t say “hey you” in that shouty way people do when they’re trying to get your attention outside the grocery store for leaving your cart abandoned in the lot instead of in the assigned cart area—not that I would ever shout at someone or leave a cart abandoned in a lot. No, the “hey you” I give him is that breathy sort. That shy, smiley sort. The kind of “hey you” people say when they know you so deeply and truly that they almost never say your actual name because they don’t need to. Who else could they possibly be speaking to at that moment except… you. You. You. Wonderful, precious, irreplaceable you. Not that I’ve ever been the recipient of such a “you.”

“Did you need something?” he asks.

He speaks! Oh wow, he speaks!

His voice is… gruff. That’s the only way to describe it. Is he annoyed? Nah, it’s probably just his voice. I’ve heard of perpetual bitch face. Maybe he has a perpetual bitch voice? But he’s a guy, so I guess to be accurate, it would be called a perpetual bastard voice?

“Before we begin, let it be known that I don’t think you’re a bastard. Or a bitch.”

“Excuse me?”

“I was just thinking that you sound like a bastard, but I bet that’s just the way your vocal cords operate. They’re probably just prone to a gruff, bastardy tone.”

“No. You had it right the first time. I am a bastard.”

“Gotcha! So. How are you? Your name is ‘The Wall’? I mean, they call you ‘The Wall’? What is that short for? Walter? Walton? Wallmeranian?” I rattle off some suggestions.
“Wallace,” he huffs.

“Gotcha. Big fan of Wallace and Grommit?” I ask.

“No.”

“Gotcha. Can I call you Wally?” “No.”

“Gotcha. Hey, do you think I say gotcha too much?”

“Yes,” he says definitively.

“Gotcha. Thanks for the feedback. I’ll work on that. Hey, wanna hear something silly?”

“No.”

“Cool, here I go. My kids… not my biological kids—though I do hope to have some of those one day, how about you? Sorry, don’t answer that. That’s an invasive question. See those teenagers over there who are completely unrelated to me?” I point in April and Dante’s direction where they are decidedly not focused on their kids and are instead “hiding” behind a pavilion post watching my flailing interaction. I wave to them. “Hey, guys!” They ignore me and look off in random directions as if they’re suddenly fascinated by all the glorious nature around them. “I’m training them as CITs this summer. That’s right, I’m chief of staff this year! I mean head counselor. And well, the thing is, they’re… well… they’re afraid of you.”

Silence.

He goes back to working on the fountain as if he’s giving up on his conversation with me.

“Isn’t that ridiculous?” I start giggling uncontrollably. “Fine by me,” he says.

“What’s fine by you?”

“That they’re afraid of me.”

“Oh.” I feel my head jerk back. “Really? But if they’re afraid of you, they’ll keep avoiding you and making up stories about you instead of taking the time to really get to know you.”

“Perfect. Love that plan,” he says and swipes some sweat off his brow.

“Oh.”

I’m not sure how to respond to this man.

“Besides,” he continues, “you’re afraid of me too.”

What others are saying about Lovebug

“Erin Mallon has a fresh and authentic comedic voice in her writing that completely immersed me with giggles!”
— Amy Daws, Amazon bestselling author

“A pitch-perfect rom-com and that manages to create a swoon worthy romance with substance.” – Books On Stereo

“Lovebug was a quirky and outlandish romcom with great characters and a storyline that wasn’t just all laughs.” – Reading Til the Break of Dawn

“I am still chuckling hours after finishing this book. Mabel and Wallace’s story is a complete breath of fresh air.” – A Bibliophile’s Desire

“This story is full of so many wonderful themes, great characters, warmth, witt and heart that it was a complete winner and oh so much fun!” – Patricia on Goodreads

About Erin

Erin Mallon‘s debut romantic comedy novel, Flirtasaurus, releases in July 2020. She is an award-winning narrator of over 450 books and an accomplished playwright and producer in New York City. She has written over 40 plays, which have been produced Off-Broadway and all over the country, including These Walls Can Talk, a raucous theatrical love letter to the romance audiobook community. She lives in a little yellow house on the outskirts of NYC with her husband and Three J’s.

Find her: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Goodreads |  Bookbub
Stay up-to-date with Erin, sign up for her mailing list.