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Welcome to November! For those of us in the USA, this is a month to give thanks. I have much for which to be thankful this year, including all of you wonderful reader friends who stop by the blog to say hello, share your love of books, and support me in this blogging adventure. A few of you have been here since the very first post: Monday, November 2, 2009. Who would have thought back then that I would still be here sharing my love of books FIFTEEN YEARS later? I sure didn't! As I reflect on the past decade and a half, I would like to express my gratitude to some special people.
Special thanks go to the three extraordinary women with whom I began this adventure back in November 2009: Gannon, Buffie, and Andrea. They have all moved on to other adventures over the course of the past fifteen years but their immense contributions to the blog - and the fun we had bringing this dream to life - will never be forgotten.
Special thanks to all of the incredible women who helped us breathe life into the blog back when we had no idea what we were doing. We really were blessed with a plethora of supporters within the Romance community. Thank you, all! A special thank you to Anna Campbell and Trish Milburn who both went above and beyond to lend their names, humor, and thoughtful posts on a regular basis.
To current reviewers Hellie, Santa, and Nancy, thank you for sharing your views on many, many books over the years in thoughtful and entertaining ways. Thanks to all the authors who have visited the blog, reviewers who have graced us with your thoughts along the way, and publishers who give us the opportunity to read books early and discover new - and new to us - authors.
A very special thank you to Janga, a woman I was honored and blessed to call friend. Everyone deserves a book friend like Janga. Fittingly, we met on an internet site because of a shared favorite author: Eloisa James. Janga created many of the most insightful, thoughtful, most beautifully written reviews I've ever read and introduced me to some of my favorite authors, including Julie Anne Long and Anne Gracie. Writing the blog's Just Between Us feature with Janga was the most fun I've had on this fifteen-year journey. I wish we'd had time to do more of them. She's with the angels now but still lives in my heart and through her beautiful posts in the blog's archives.
Finally, thank you to you, the readers who choose to stop by the Facebook page, Instagram, and/or the blog each day. You're the reason I do this. I love sharing my love of the written word, especially written words filled with hope, love, and happy endings. So, thank you to those who have stuck with me since the beginning and thanks to all of you who have hopped on the train along the way. Here's to many more years of good books, good fun, and good friends!
We kick off the month on Monday, November 4 with Nancy's review of A Tribute of Fire by Sariah Wilson, book one in Wilson's epic fantasy The Eye of the Goddess series.
Wednesday, November 6 brings a review of Second Chance Season by Emily March. This third book in Emily March's Lake in the Clouds series brings family drama, heartwarming hopefulness, and all the feels.
Don't miss my review of The Asheville Christmas Tradition by Hope Holloway and Cecelia Scott on Thursday, November 7. I have a special giveaway to go along with my review of this heartwarming, uplifting fourth book in their Carolina Christmas series.
What's more fun than puppies? Join me on Friday, November 8 for a review and giveaway of Puppy Love at Mistletoe Junction, a second-chance romance by Shannon Richard.
Monday, November 11 takes us back to medieval times with a review and giveaway of All the Painted Stars, a queer historical romance by Emma Denny. The first book in this series, One Night in Hartswood, really touched my heart (click to read my review).
Lizzie Shane wraps up her heartwarming Pine Hollow series with a new story about frenemies who go head-to-head in a reality cooking show with bragging rights - and possibly their hearts - on the line. I'm looking forward to sharing my thoughts about Like Cats & Dogs on Tuesday, November 12.
Hellie joins us on Monday, November 18 with a review and giveaway of Her Knight at the Museum by Bryn Donovan. I'm eager to hear what Hellie has to say about this medieval knight brought to life in present-day Chicago.
Stop by Thursday, November 14 for a tour review of A Skye Full of Stars by Sue Moorcroft. This second book in Moorcroft's The Skye Sisters Trilogy has me ready to book a holiday trip to Scotland!
Don't miss our next Coastal Magic Spotlight on Friday, November 15 when I host western romcom author Dakota Lacoy! I just finished reading My Bold Texan, book one in Lacoy's The Bradford Brothers of Honky Tonk, Texas series. Humorous. Heartwarming. So much fun!
We're back in the bakery with Jamie Wesley's second book in her Sugar Blitz series: A Legend in the Baking. I thoroughly enjoyed Wesley's debut (Fake it Till You Bake it - click to read my review) and am looking forward to this new one. Football players in the kitchen? Making cupcakes? Yes, please! Join me for my review of A Legend in the Baking on Wednesday, November 20.
Santa returns on Thursday, November 21 with a review (and giveaway) of The Muse of Maiden Lane by Mimi Matthews, book four in Matthews' Belles of London historical romance series.
Friday, November 22 brings a review of Duchess Material by Emily Sullivan, a second-chance historical romance with a touch of intrigue.
A spicy, time-travel, hockey, marriage-of-convenience romance? Sign me up! Join me on Monday, November 25 for a review of Puck and Prejudice by Lia Riley. I cannot wait to dive into this one!
Rounding out the month on Tuesday, November 26 will be Hellie's review of Fortune's Holiday Surprise by Jennifer Wilck, a western, Hanukkah romance.
What are you thankful for this month?
What books are you looking forward to reading?
What types of romances do you read? Historical? Contemporary? Paranormal/Fantasy? RomCom? Romantic Suspense? Women's Fiction? Inspirational? Sports? Queer? Inquiring minds (me) want to know.
Also, just because I'm curious, when did you discover The Romance Dish?
Five randomly chosen people who post a comment before 11:00 PM, November 6 will each receive a book from my book stash.
One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, November 6 will receive a $15 Amazon gift card.
*U.S. only
*Must be 18
Congratulations!! I just found out my daughter who was never having kids is going to have one! At the moment i'm into thrillers although i still enjoy a variety. seems like i've been coming here forever and that's a good thing!!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the upcoming grandchild. I love thrillers too. Any recommendations?
DeleteI don't know why this came up anonymous - i must have forgot to do something. oh so many i don't know where to begin. Also i've been reading fantasy which also keeps you guessing. Last thriller was Before She was Found by Heather Gudenkauf. Sarah J. Maas has a wonderful series going. jeanne sheats - catslady5
DeleteAs always, thankful for family. There's a new Rhys Bown Royal Spyness book coming out Nov 19th that I look forward to. I also need to start that Emily March Lake in the Clouds series. I read all sorts of books but prefer romance with an HEA - preference for historical (medieval & regency in particular) and contemporary small town. I've been following The Romance Dish for many years - Thank you for all your hard work to spread the word on books.
ReplyDeleteI like cozy mystery and Contemporary. And I found you by a friend a few years ago! I love the info you give out on books old and new here. I'm looking forward to Her Knight at the Museum and Delicious Dilemma.
ReplyDeleteI'm a big fan of historical and contemporary. I found the blog approximately 4 years ago during the Christmas season when I went down the rabbit hole after I started liking a set of blogs when they popped up one after the other - i just clicked like on all of them and I've been a fan of this one ever since.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy historical, contemporary and women's fiction as well as cozies, and mysteries. The month of November is special since it is my son's birthday. I found The Romance Dish and thank you for all of the beautiful posts, and reviews. My favorite place to visit. I am thankful for good health which is what is vital.
ReplyDeleteI’m really looking forward to All the Painted Stars by Emma Denny, glad to see you’ll be reviewing it here! I think I first found this blog 1-2 years ago after Forever promoted either a review and giveaway you hosted. I’ve been a dedicated blog reader ever since :)
ReplyDeleteI discovered The Romance Dish a few years ago.
ReplyDeleteRose Ward
rmward92@yahoo.com
Happy Anniversary!!
ReplyDeleteThe Happy Anniversary! Was from me
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary. Nice to meet you in Eloisa James chat today!!
ReplyDeleteDo you have a newsletter or a site, group link to join? I'm trying to find something before this chat ends.
Thank you.
Lyndrose
Oh I just realized I was trying to speak to pj. Lol nm
DeleteThat's okay, Lyndrose! In addition to the blog, you can also follow The Romance Dish on Facebook (I have a page - not a group) and Instagram. Links are in my introduction to today's Coming Attractions post.
DeleteLooks confusing to do what needs to be done to be able to post with my name popping up (under gmail). Any easy way to get it done. I have no idea how to check my browser configuration. I know I can post anonymously and add my name which I have been doing, but would like to be able to post like I used to. TY if you can help. Patoct
DeletePatoct, I'm going to respond to this via email.
DeleteCongratulations on your 15 year anniversary!! I am really excited this month for the new Nora Robertand Janet Evanovich books! I have a few books to finish up and then I will start reading Christmas books. I hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, PJ! I think I have followed your blog from the beginning! I've won a bunch of books and been introduced to a bunch of new authors through your blog! I appreciate you so much! I primarily read historical and contemporary romance, romcom, some paranormal and lots of sports romance (mostly hockey!) I have a lot of books on my radar to read in the upcoming month. I'm thankful for having been able to take some vacations this year, to see my kids and also to meet my book club friends and authors. I was so happy to see you in person in March!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on 15 years of helping us find great books PJ! I honestly cannot remember when I found The Romance Dish, but I know I was hooked when I did. :-) Thank you for all the wonderful books and authors you've shared! I read a bit of everything but mostly historical, romcoms, and contemporary. I'm very thankful for you and your team of reviewers. I'm also thankful that my kids are living close enough to celebrate the holidays again this year.
ReplyDeletecongrats on the blog. i found abut 5 years ago . love romance books.
ReplyDeletethank you
kimh.
Congrats on your 15 years!! I believe Rocki introduced us years ago at RWA in Orlando. Been following your blog ever since. I love reading contemporary romance. Family is everything to me. I’m excited to read Catherine Bybee’s new book, The Forgotten One.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on 15 years. I am thankful for my family and my faith this month. Both have gotten me through some truly difficult times. I found this blog less than 2 years ago and I have discovered some new to me authors thanks to it. I love to read paranormal, fantasy and contemporary romances. I also love cozy mysteries, romantic suspense, and the occasional historical. I am really looking forward to reading the Thanksgiving books and then the Christmas ones I have on my reading pile.
ReplyDeleteHappy 16th Anniversary!
ReplyDeleteThankful for family and friends.
Looking forward to HER KNIGHT AT THE MUSEUM.
Love Historical and contemporary.
No idea how long I've been around.
denise
Wow, Congrats to a long time run. I have enjoyed your blog for a long time, maybe the entire time, not sure. And this is some lineup of books. I read contemp romance, Sports and Christmas Romance, Rom. Suspense, Women's Fiction and some plain old suspense. Looking forward to my Granddaughter's Sweet Sixteen party in a few weeks and was very very happy my Dodgers won the World Series and what a wonderful series it was, they won it in 5 games and every game was a back and forth except the one game that they lost was a blowout. Very Very exciting. Of course looking forward to many many books and at some point will have to figure out how to post again with my email. There are so many many books on my wish list, but here are some I am interested in from this post: Made 4 Mistletoe, 2nd Chance Season, The Ashville Christmas Tradition, A Skye Full of Stars, My Bold Texan and A Legend in Baking. The "Puppy" book is on its way to me. Thank you for all you do. Patoct.
ReplyDeleteFifteen years - you must be so very proud. I am proud of you and all who have gone before. I am not certain how long I have been reading Romance Dish, but it is several years. I read varied types of stories it is simpler to say what I don't enjoy - paranormal and science fiction are not on my list of favorites. My choices are based on authors. Who I have already read and who are favorites of friends and some blogs. I have enjoyed this site for quite awhile and I appreciate what yo do. Take care. And at least 15 more years.
ReplyDeleteCongrats, PJ, and thank you for hosting such an entertaining and informative site. I have been here since the beginning. I followed you from EJ's site. I count you as one of my online friends whom I am fortunate enough to have met in person.
ReplyDeleteI read so many different genres- historical, contemporary, suspense, sports, and fantasy. I am a lifelong reader, and I don't see that ever changing.
I am thankful for all the blessings in my life. Family and friends are at the top of the list.