Celebrating our 7th Anniversary

On November 2, 2009, the Romance Dish opened its doors and here we are, seven years later, still sharing our love of romance and having fun doing it. Some of you have been with us from the beginning while, for others, we're a recent discovery. I hope you enjoy the time you spend here and want you to know all of you are appreciated! 

Year #7 at the Romance Dish was filled with new adventures, new discoveries, and plenty of fun. Here are a few of my personal highlights...

Sweetest Scoundrel by Elizabeth Hoyt was our first Top Dish review of Year #7 and is one of my favorite books in Hoyt's Maiden Lane series. The book went on to be a finalist for the 2015 RITA® in the Historical Romance:Short category.

Debut author Marnee Blake joined us in December for a Q&A about her debut New Adult/Sci-Fi Romantic Thriller, Altered. This book blew me away and I was so excited when it was announced as a finalist for the 2015 RITA® in the Best First Book category. Altered is currently on sale for $3.99 in ebook format.

One of my favorite posts from Janga during Year #7 was her two-part feature on the Enchanting Stand-Alone Novels of Eloisa James. As Janga notes in Part One of her feature, one definition of "enchanting" is "to delight to a high degree." That definition applies not only to James' novels but to Janga's posts here at the Dish as well. I'm so very delighted and thankful that she is part of the Romance Dish team!    

There's always a bit of trepidation when I turn the first page of a book that I've waited years (five to be exact) to read. Such was the case in February when Roxanne St. Claire finally published Barefoot With a Bad Boy, the long-awaited and highly-anticipated story of Gabriel Rossi (a secondary character in St. Claire's Guardian Angelinos series). This is one of those stories that reaches into your soul and doesn't let go. The suspense is riveting, the descriptions, vivid, and while the story is deeply emotional there is also a fair amount of humor sprinkled throughout. I may have gushed a bit in my 5-star review but this bad boy deserved it. 

March brought a new book from a new-to-me author with The Saints of the Lost and Found by T.M. Causey. This southern gothic suspense thriller grabbed me from the start and absolutely refused to let go. I was excited to have the opportunity to question the author about this haunting story that I'm still thinking about months later.

April brought another new-to-me author to the Dish with my Q&A with Laura Florand and her contemporary romance, Chase Me. I adored everything about this book. As I told Ms. Florand in our Q&A, finishing Chase Me left me with a "huge smile, teary eyes, and a happy heart." Can't ask for much more than that! 

I love celebrating debut authors, especially when I've followed their journey to publication, which is why I was excited to host Lenora Bell when her sparkling debut, How the Duke Was Won was published in April. I thoroughly enjoyed both Bell's debut as well as her August release, If I Only Had a Duke and am looking forward to more from this talented new author. 

In May, popular historical romance author Julie Anne Long made the transition to contemporary romance with the release of Hot in Hellcat Canyon. Those of us who adored her historicals had been holding our breath in the hope that we would not be disappointed by her present-day writing voice. As you can tell from Janga's Top Dish review, Long didn't miss a beat. As Janga says in her review, Hot in Hellcat Canyon is "smart, sexy, and heart-melting." It immediately secured a spot on both of our Best of 2016 book lists. Note: In a triumphant farewell to her beloved Pennyroyal Green historical romance series, Long's It Started With a Scandal won the 2015 RITA® in the Historical Romance:Short category.

Another new-to-me author, Susannah Sandlin took us to the Louisiana bayou with the thrilling first book in her new Wilds of the Bayou romantic suspense series, Wild Man's Curse. I wanted to read it slowly, savoring each word; absorbing the steamy, mystical, sometimes sensual, sometimes sinister life on the bayou while at the same time, racing through the pages to discover what awaited around the next turn. This is one of those books that kept me reading way past my bedtime!

Laura Trentham took us to the Deep South with her heartwarming Cottonbloom contemporary romance series. The second book, Then He Kissed Me, captured my heart and secured a spot on my Best of 2016 watch list. I've fallen in love with this quirky southern town and am so excited by the announcement that more Cottonbloom books will be coming our way. 

Katie Ruggle, a new and exciting voice in romantic suspense, grabbed a place on my auto-buy list with her debut Rocky Mountain Search and Rescue quartet. Action-packed, deeply emotional, and with a continuing mystery that had me eagerly anticipating each new book, this series was a highlight of my summer/fall reading. Read more about Katie and the series in our August Q&A. 

Vanessa Kelly's August book, My Fair Princess introduced readers to one of my all-time favorite heroines, Gillian Dryden and the always enjoyable fish-out-of-water trope. The illegitimate daughter of an English prince, Gillian grew up in Italy, has a finely honed sense of justice, isn't hesitant to speak her mind, and is armed at all times, even in the middle of a London ballroom. Her oh-so-proper hero, tasked with transforming her into an acceptable English society miss, has no idea what he's in for! Kelly talked about the musical inspiration for this story in her guest post. My Fair Princess is currently on sale at only $0.99 in ebook format. 

Another WOW reading highlight for me came with the release of Because I'm Watching by Christina Dodd. This Top Dish suspense thriller is filled with fascinating, complex characters who absolutely refused to let me walk away until I had read every word of their compelling story. Filled with compassion, intrigue, anguish, mystery, hope, murder, forgiveness, redemption, twists and turns aplenty, and a love that heals two broken souls, Because I'm Watching is, in my opinion, one of the best books Dodd has ever written. 

September brought my favorite historical romance of the year: Do You Want to Start a Scandal by Tessa Dare. I've been reading Dare since her debut and print copies of all of her books grace my keeper shelves but this story, that marries her Spindle Cove and Castles Ever After series, is special. I grinned from the first page to the final one - all three times I've read it - and, still, all it takes is someone mentioning Charlotte and Piers and all I want to do is curl up on the couch and lose myself in their world once again. Is it any wonder  Do You Want to Start a Scandal earned my Top Dish rating?

Of course, a big highlight for me this year was attending the inaugural Historical Romance Retreat in Spokane, Washington and hanging out with the fabulous Anna Campbell. It was such a special treat. We hadn't seen each other in six years! You can read about the trip and browse some of my photos here. 

What have been your highlights over the past year? 

Have you taken any special trips?

Have you discovered any new authors that have rocked your reading world?

What's a celebration without gifts, right? So here's what's up for grabs!

Two $10 Amazon e-gift cards. 

One autographed copy of IF I ONLY HAD A DUKE by Lenora Bell. (US only)

One autographed copy of NEVER SEDUCE A SCOUNDREL by Sabrina Jeffries plus swag from the Historical Romance Retreat. (US only)

Autographed copies of MAD ABOUT THE MAJOR and THE KNAVE OF HEARTS by Elizabeth Boyle. (US only)

One autographed copy of SEVEN NIGHTS IN A ROGUE'S BED by Anna Campbell plus swag from the Historical Romance Retreat. (US only) 

One autographed copy of MAD FOR THE PLAID by Karen Hawkins. (US only)

One autographed copy of DARLING BEAST by Elizabeth Hoyt plus swag from the Historical Romance Retreat. (US only)

Deadline for comments to be entered in the giveaway is 11:00 pm (EST), November 4, 2016. 

6th Anniversary Who's On Your Keeper Shelf Winner

The randomly chosen winner of the autographed tee shirt is

Tamara LeBlanc

Please send your full name and mailing address to

theromancedish (at) gmail (dot) com

** If this giveaway is not claimed by November 12, 2015 a new winner will be drawn.

 Please include your screen name and the prize you've won in your email.

6th Anniversary Color My World Winners

The randomly chosen winner of the 

OFFICIAL OUTLANDER COLORING BOOK is

Trish Milburn

The randomly chosen winner of the

OFFICIAL GAME OF THRONES COLORING BOOK is


dstoutholcomb

Please send your full name and mailing address to

theromancedish (at) gmail (dot) com

Please include your screen name and the prize you've won in your email.

6th Anniversary Barbara Devlin Winners

The randomly chosen winner of a 7" Kindle Fire is

 girlygirlhoosier52

Please send your full name and mailing address to

theromancedish (at) gmail (dot) com

** Winner must have a U.S. mailing address. If winner lives outside the U.S. a $50 Amazon gift card will be substituted for the Kindle Fire. 

If this prize is not claimed by November 12, 2015 a new winner will be drawn.

The randomly chosen winners of a Brethren of the Coast Boxed Set (Kindle copy) and

Lone Wolfe: a World of de Wolfe Pack Novella (Kindle copy) are

Donna

cathie veres

bube

Please send your email address to

theromancedish (at) gmail (dot) com

Please include your screen name and the prize you've won in your email.

6th Anniversary Heartsong Cottage Winners

The randomly chosen winners of a print copy of

Heartsong Cottage by Emily March are

 patoct

Laura L

Pamela Devereux

deerdoe69

hope


Please send your full name and mailing address to

theromancedish (at) gmail (dot) com

Please include your screen name and the prize you've won in your email. 

6th Anniversary Falling in Love with Historical Romance Winners

THE WINNERS OF A PACKAGE OF SIGNED HISTORICAL ROMANCES ARE

kipha

(Package #1)

erin

(Package #2)

traveler

(Package #3)

Please send your full name and mailing address to

theromancedish (at) gmail (dot) com

THE WINNERS OF A KINDLE COPY OF

HER PIRATE FROM THE PAST BY CARO CARSON ARE

Julianne

Louisa Cornell

Lil

Please send your email address to

theromancedish (at) gmail (dot) com

6th Anniversary Welcome Winners

The randomly chosen winners from the 6th Anniversary Welcome Post are:

A PACKAGE OF BOOKS FROM MY PRIZE STASH

Debbie Meredith

gamistress66

Glenda

Please send your full name and mailing address to 

theromancedish (at) gmail (dot) com

A KINDLE COPY OF A PIRATE FOR CHRISTMAS BY ANNA CAMPBELL

Annie

Serenissima

Savannah

Kathleen O

LSUReader

Please send your email address to 

theromancedish (at) gmail (dot) com

6th Anniversary Celebration - - Who's On Your Keeper Shelf?

Double RITA Finalist, Patience Griffin signing the shirt

How many author signatures can you fit on a tee shirt? You don't know? I do! How, you may ask, would I know the answer to such a random question? By running hither and yon during the 2015 RWA National Conference in New York City last summer, asking authors to please sign my "Who's On Your Keeper Shelf" tee so that this week, in celebration of The Romance Dish's 6th Anniversary, I could give that shirt to one of you!

Jo Beverley, Cara Elliott & Joanna Bourne signed! 

That's right, fellow romance lovers. One of you lucky readers is about to become the owner of an awesome tee autographed by more than 125 amazing published authors! We're talking some big name authors here. There's Lisa Kleypas, Robyn Carr, Eloisa James, Sarah MacLean, Virginia Kantra, RaeAnne Thayne, Mary Jo Putney, Julia Quinn, Jodi Thomas, Sherry Thomas, Karen Hawkins, Meredith Duran, Sabrina Jeffries, Elizabeth Hoyt, Vicki Lewis Thompson, Stephanie Laurens, Carolyn Brown, Julie James, Tessa Dare, Teresa Medeiros, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, and more, more, more!


And here's the finished product!

Front of the shirt

But there's more.

Here's the back!

So, dear readers, tell me...

Who's on your Keeper Shelf?

What will you do with the Keeper Tee if you're the winner?

Whose autograph would you most like to have?


One randomly chosen person leaving a comment on this post no later than 11:59 pm (EST) Thursday, November 5th will be the new owner of this awesome, autographed Keeper Shelf tee.  

6th Anniversary Celebration - - Color My World

Remember the days when you would spend hours sitting at the kitchen table or curled up in a bean bag chair with a coloring book and a box of crayons or colored pencils? Well, those days aren't as far in your past as you may think. Inspired by Diana Gabaldon's bestselling books and the STARZ original series, Outlander (who doesn't love Jamie?) and George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire and HBO's Game of Thrones, Penguin Random House has published two beautiful coloring books designed just for us!

THE OFFICIAL OUTLANDER COLORING BOOK (Bantam Trade Paperback - Oct. 27, 2015 - $16.95) is a beautifully bound 10 x 10 inch book containing 45 original black and white illustrations inspired by scenes from Outlander. Accompanying each illustration is description of  - or passage from - the scene depicted.

THE OFFICIAL A GAME OF THRONES COLORING BOOK (Bantam Trade Paperback - October 27, 2015 - $16.95 also contains 45 exclusive illustrations depicting scenes from the popular HBO series. Drawn by world-renowned illustrators, this will be a treasured keepsake for fans of George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire as well as HBO's Game of Thrones.


The illustrations in both coloring books are incredibly beautiful and detailed, including pictures ranging in coloring skill level from beginner to I-need-an-art-degree-to-do-that. So, no matter how skilled - or unskilled - you may be, there's something for you in each of these books. The list price is $16.95 but if you're an Amazon Prime member, the price is $10.17. Considering the quality of both the illustrations as well as the construction of the book itself, it really is a worthy purchase at either price.

Do you enjoy coloring?

Are you a beginner (like me) or are your coloring projects worthy of framing?

Are you counting down the days until the return of Outlander?

Do you think Jamie should be required to remove his shirt in every episode? (Yeah, I do too.) *grin*


One randomly chosen person leaving a comment before 11:59 pm (EST) Thursday, November 5th will receive the Outlander coloring book and a second person will receive the Game of Thrones coloring book. 

Many thanks to Penguin Random House for the giveaway copies!

6th Anniversary Celebration - - Barbara Devlin's World of the Brethren

Barbara and PJ

Have you discovered Barbara Devlin's bestselling World of the Brethren? Filled with adventure, suspense and sizzle, Devlin's first series, the Brethren of the Coast brings us the stories of sexy Nautionnier Knights and the women who capture their hearts. There are six books in this series, with the seventh, Love With an Improper Stranger due to be released November 16th. Each book is written to stand alone so you can jump in at any point. If you'd like to give the series a try, check out the Brethren of the Coast: Volume 1 boxed set, currently on Kindle sale for only $0.99. The set includes the first three books in the series plus a prequel novella (descriptions from Devlin's website below).


BRETHREN OF THE COAST: VOLUME 1

Enter the Brethren - Book 1

Fate brings them together in a dimly lit cabin. He was looking for revenge and she was taking a bath.

Heartbroken and desperate to escape another London season, Caroline Elliott stows away aboard a friend's ship, never dreaming she'll be mistaken for a courtesan and abducted by a handsome mariner with wounds as deep as her own.

Trevor Marshall, sixth Earl of Lockwood, is a battle-hardened sea captain out to settle a score. But the inexpressibly gentle heart and unschooled passion of his beautiful captive weaken his resolve, and soon the seducer finds himself seduced by an unbridled desire unlike any he's ever known.

My Lady, the Spy - Book 2

Can the mind forget what the eyes have seen?

L'araignee, the Spider, is England's most notorious spy - and Lady Rebecca Wentworth's alter ego. After her partner in espionage is killed in the link of duty, Rebecca returns to London, only to discover a traitor has compromised the war effort from the highest levels of the vaunted Counteribntelligence Corps. To lure the villain into the open, Rebecca embarks on a new mission, acting as prey for a dangerous enemy. But it is the handsome former Navy captain tasked with her safety that presents the greatest threat, when she falls in love.

When Nautionnier Knight Dirk Randolph is sent to evacuate spies from the Continent, he is shocked to discover a beautiful noblewoman in service to the Crown. A no-nonsense man accustomed to a ruthlessly ordered life, his world is upended when he is paired with the intriguing operative and must act the part of smitten suitor. While he protects L'araignee, he does not guard his heart. But can he accept that his ladylove and the spy exist as two sides of the same coin? 

The Most Unlikely Lady - Book 3

Woo a gently bred young lady with a fishing rod and a bucket of worms? Oh-so dashing, but untitled, Everett Markham seeks a bride, and he has charged the field of Miss Sabrina Douglas, a woman who prefers trout to truffles. But, sometimes, even when both hearts are engaged, happily ever after isn't so smooth a journey.

Unabashed and unapologetic, Sabrina sets her cap for a second son, one who will smile patiently when he comes home to find she's misplaced the children. But marriage changes her in ways she could never have imagined, as the awkward debutante surrenders to a very real, very womanly, all-consuming love.

An irresistibly handsome English rogue, Everett plots his future with ruthless detail, but his chosen bride is anything but predictable, resulting in the zaniest courtship London society has ever seen. When a family tragedy upends his life, on his wedding day, no less, he must chart a slippery course with his most unlikely lady - as the new Earl and Couness of Woverton.

Loving Lieutenant Douglas: A Brethren Coast Novella (prequel)

If you've read the Brethren of the Coast series, then you know Admiral Mark and Lady Amanda Douglas as the patriarch and matriarch of the Nautionnier Knights. Would you like to know how they fell in love? Take a trip back in time, to 1785, when Horatio Nelson was a new captain.

It is the Age of Sail, England is on the brink of war with France, and Royal Navy First Lieutenant Mark Douglas is not looking for a wife. As is so often the case, fate has other plans, and Mark sets his sights on a fiery society miss with a spirit to match his own. But can he redeem himself after inadvertently insulting his prospective bride?

Lady Amanda Gascoigne-Lake is at first smitten with and then disappointed by the impeccable naval man. After all, is it not a woman's perogative to change her mind? When a soldier disparages her reputation, Mark defends her honor and wins his lady. What happens when her father rejects Mark's suit, and an ancient brooch with mystical powers portends doom? 

(This novella also appears in the anthology A Jewel in Time.)

In addition to the Brethren of the Coast, Devlin is also writing books for the five original Templar Knights: Arucard, Demetrius, Morgan, Aristide, and Geoffrey in her new Brethren Origins series. The first book, Arucard (Brethren Origins Book 1) was released in July. 

For more information about Barbara, her Templar Knights, and Nautionniers, visit her website. Connect with Barbara online at Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.

Barbara is also one of the authors participating in Amazon's first historical Kindle World:The de Wolfe Pack, contributing her novella, Lone Wolfe. But more about that tomorrow!

Are you reading Barbara's books? Do you have a favorite?

Do you enjoy adventure in your historical romances?

Ever been on a sea voyage? A cruise? Tell us about it!

Who else has fantasized about being taken captive by a sexy sea captain? (I can't be the only one!)

Giveaway:

Three randomly chosen people leaving a comment will each receive the Brethren of the Coast boxed set (Kindle copy) and Lone Wolfe: a World of de Wolfe Pack novella (Kindle copy).

One randomly chosen person leaving a comment will receive a Kindle Fire, 7". (U.S. only) (If winner lives outside the U.S. a $50 Amazon gift card will be substituted for the Kindle)

Deadline for comments to be entered in giveaway is 11:59 pm (EST) Thursday, November 5th.

Many thanks to Barbara Devlin for her generous giveaway!

Readers, be sure to check out the other 6th Anniversary posts and Giveaways while you're here! 

6th Anniversary Celebration - - Falling in Love with Historical Romance

I'd wager many of us were introduced to happily-ever-afters through historical romance. My introduction came courtesy of Victoria Holt and Mary Stewart, whose enthralling novels I discovered when I sneaked into the adult section of my small-town public library at the tender age of thirteen. I never looked back!

Historicals have had a rather rocky relationship with critics over the years. Remember the "death of historical romance" a few years ago when contemporaries and paranormals were on the rise? Of course, those of us who love the sub-genre knew then what we've always known. If you write it, we will buy! I'm happy that so many talented authors are doing exactly that. In fact, I'm happy for every well-written book that's published, regardless of the sub-genre. There's a diverse audience of readers in the book-buying universe who appreciate books that speak to their particular area of interest. I read and enjoy many different sub-genres!

My pup with one of her favorites by Anne Gracie!

But back to historicals. I've discovered some wonderful groups and initiatives celebrating historical romance lately. Did you participate in yesterday's #fallbackintime historical romance celebration? Here in the United States we turned our clocks back one hour yesterday. Tying into that, the Historical Romance Network (a Facebook community) asked readers and authors to post photos of themselves on social media with a favorite historical romance novel, using the hashtag #fallbackintime. It's a fun way to promote the books we love and discover new books to add to our "must read" lists. I don't know about you but my list is huge!

If you've been around a while (like I have), you may have cut your romance reading teeth on the old-school romances of the 70's and 80's. Or maybe you didn't but would like to explore more of the books from that era. In that case, come along with me to Sarah MacLean's Old School Romance Book Club, a Facebook group of more than 2,000 lovers of historical romance who are warm, friendly and welcoming to new members.






Have you heard about the Historical Romance Retreat being held in Spokane, Washington next September? As stated at the HRR website:

 "In a magical historical hotel setting, this weekend retreat is a book lover's dream come true. Join some of the world's most celebrated authors of historical romance coming together for an intimate gathering that gives every guest a chance to mingle and play. Dress in your favorite era, enjoy historical foods, games and music while surrounded by the glamour of a hotel that was once only enjoyed by the elite."

Check out the video invitation made by a fellow historical romance lover who will be attending the retreat. Thank you, TSpreck and Designs by BMB.

Some of the authors on board for the retreat are Victoria Alexander, Katharine Ashe, Mary Balogh, Anna Campbell, Tessa Dare, Lorraine Heath, Elizabeth Hoyt, Rose Lerner, Sabrina Jeffries, Julie Anne Long, Cathy Maxwell, Linda Lael Miller, Miranda Neville and more. For more information about the retreat and a full list of authors, visit the Historical Romance Retreat website. If this inaugural retreat is successful, the organizers have plans to take the show on the road, holding a retreat every two years in different parts of the U.S. Also, if you're not into costumes, never fear. There will be many attendees not dressing up.


What book or author was your introduction to romance?

Are you a lover of historical romance?

Who are your go-to historical romance authors?

What upcoming historical romances are you most looking forward to reading?


Three randomly chosen people who leave comments before 11:59 pm (PST) tonight will each receive a package of signed historical romances. (U.S. only) (list of books below)

Three randomly chosen people who leave comments before 11:59 pm (PST) tonight will each receive a Kindle copy of Her Pirate from the Past:A Time Travel Romance Novella by Caro Carson. (I discovered this story last week and fell in love!) 
(open to everyone)

Readers, be sure to check out the other 6th Anniversary posts and Giveaways while you're here! 


Package One:
Worth Any Price by Lisa Kleypas
The Scandalous Secret of Abigail MacGregor by Paula Quinn
Never Seduce a Scoundrel by Sabrina Jeffries
Passionately Yours by Cara Elliott

Package Two:
The MacLean Groom by Kathleen Harrington
The Prince Who Loved Me by Karen Hawkins
When the Marquess Met His Match by Laura Lee Guhrke
Rogue Spy by Joanna Bourne

Package Three:
Desperate Hearts by Rosanne Bittner
The Accidental Duchess by Madeline Hunter
No Good Duke Goes Unpunished by Sarah MacLean
Too Dangerous for a Lady by Jo Beverley

6th Anniversary Celebration - - Review & Giveaway of Heartsong Cottage

Heartsong Cottage

By Emily March

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press

Release Date: November 3, 2015

Shannon O’Toole is beginning to feel at home in Eternity Springs, Colorado. Between flipping houses, teaching yoga, and operating the only pub in town, she stays busy, a good thing since it leaves her less time to think. Even so, she has made some good friends and grown comfortable in the small, friendly town. But Shannon is a woman with secrets, a woman who must live her life poised on ready. The wrong phone call or peace-destroying message can send her running for her life once again. For Shannon, safety is an illusion, even in Eternity Springs.

Daniel Garrett is one of the walking wounded. Ten years ago, his young son was kidnapped and killed, and a few months later, his wife, broken by the loss of her child, committed suicide. Leaving his job as a Boston cop, Daniel became a private investigator, specializing in searching for missing children. He is very good at his job, but too often it is bodies he finds rather than a living child. And each time that happens, the experience carves another hole in Daniel’s heart. He first came to Eternity Springs after his friend Hope Montgomery, now Hope Romano, moved there (Miracle Road, Eternity Springs 7). Since then, he has been a frequent visitor, finding at least a measure of peace and healing during his visits.

Most of the population of Eternity Springs gathers for the much-anticipated wedding of Gabi Romano and Flynn Brogan (Dreamweaver Trail, Eternity Springs 8). It is there that Shannon and Daniel meet, drawn together by a spark of attraction that flames into one memorable night together. However, it is more than passion that these two survivors share, and they are soon more involved than either of them expected. But the past casts long shadows. Can they move past their fears to find a family and a future together in the place where they began to heal separately?

Heartsong Cottage, the tenth book in March’s popular Eternity Springs series, is both heart-wrenching and heartwarming. Shannon and Daniel both have suffered devastating losses, but they found the strength not only to keep going but also to contribute to life. They are likeable and inspiring characters. As always, Eternity Springs is a wonderful place to visit. It is a place filled with warmth and hope and romance—continuing, beginning, and promising to ignite at some future date. Celeste Blessing is again a beneficent spirit whose prescience and power suggest that the wings she bestows on those who win their battles are not the only ones in her possession.

Clearly readers who have followed the series will recognize beloved characters and enjoy attending Gabi and Flynn’s wedding and celebrating a new baby with Sage and Colt Rafferty in a way that new readers will not. As a long-time reader of Emily March, aka Geralyn Dawson, I also loved the way the Callahans—not just Eternity Springs resident Gabe--are integrated into this book. Nevertheless, the book can be read as a standalone or as a gate into the series.

Readers should take note that, despite the presence of Celeste and the conclusion that stays true to the expectations of most readers of romance fiction, this tenth book is perhaps the darkest of the series. Some of the plot points—kidnapping, murder of children, twisted stalkers, etc.-- may be triggers for some readers. There is a bit of the thriller mixed with conventional small-town romance here. It is well-done, and some readers may like the higher intensity. I confess, wimp that I am, I prefer a little less action and a little more talk (with apologies to Toby Keith). The five stars reflect my objective admiration for Ms. March’s skills, but my personal preference would place this one behind some of the earlier, less angsty books. However, I loved these characters, and I never miss an Eternity Springs book. I’m already primed for Lori and Chase’s reunion story (my favorite trope). It is appropriately entitled Reunion Pass and scheduled for release April 5, 2016.

~Janga

Readers, do you enjoy some darkness in your books or, like Janga, do you prefer more talk, less action?

Are you a fan of the Eternity Springs books? Do you have a favorite?

I like reunion romances and am looking forward to Lori and Chase's book. Do you enjoy reunion stories?


Five randomly chosen people who leave a comment before 11:59 pm (EST), Thursday, November 5th will receive a print copy of Heartsong Cottage. Many thanks to St. Martin's Press for the donation of the books. (U.S. / Canada only)  

Readers, be sure to check out the other 6th Anniversary posts and Giveaways while you're here!