Review - - Scoundrel of My Heart

Scoundrel of My Heart

by Lorraine Heath

Once Upon a Dukedom - Book 1

Publisher: Avon

Release Date: March 30, 2021

Reviewed by PJ

She is desperate to wed a duke…
Lady Kathryn Lambert must marry a titled gentleman to claim her inheritance and has finally gained the attention of a duke. Yet she is unable to forget the scandalous second son who aided in her achievement—or his betrayal.
He wants what he can never possess…
Lord Griffith Stanwick is tormented by the bitter truth that as a “spare,” he will never be able to give Kathryn what she yearns to possess. But when his father is found guilty of treason, Griff detours into the dark and dangerous corners of London, haunted by memories of the woman lost to him forever.
Love not to be denied…
As the duke’s courtship intensifies, Kathryn discovers Griff has become a man to be reckoned with. When old passions flare and new desires ignite, she must decide if sacrificing her legacy is worth a lifetime shared with the scoundrel of her heart.

PJ's Thoughts:

If you follow my reviews you know how much I loved Lorraine Heath's Sins for All Seasons series, especially the final book, Beauty Tempts the Beast. I was intrigued by the glimpse readers were given of heroine Althea's brothers, Griff and Marcus, in that book and happy to hear Heath planned to write stories for them but, to be honest, I doubted she would be able to surpass my love for Beast and Althea. Boy, was I wrong.

This book is about as close to a perfect read as I could want. I wouldn't change a thing about it. Exquisitely written, beautifully nuanced, each word, look, and gesture conveys depth, intent, and a full range of emotions. Griff and Kathryn showed me anger, devotion, joy, retribution, love, hopelessness, and yearning - oh my gosh, the yearning - so clearly and so deeply that I couldn't help but feel their emotions to my core. Heath gives us fully developed, multi-layered characters who continually evolve throughout their journey. I adored them. I want to be friends with Kathryn. I want to dance with her on the beach and bask in the glow of her joy. And Griff. There are so many scenes I'd like to quote to highlight the ways in which he captures Kathryn's heart - and mine - but each reader should have the opportunity to discover those on their own. Suffice it to say, he's set the new standard for my book boyfriends. 

And then there's the duke, the character who most surprised me in this book. I was prepared to heap my full disdain upon his head. I mean, really, the man actually placed a notice in the paper inviting women to submit applications detailing why they should be chosen for the position of his duchess. Plus, he was standing between Griff and Kathryn. But, the Duke of Kingsland holds his cards close to his chest and I was very pleased with the twists his character arc took, especially as pertains to my favorite couple. He's up next as the hero of book two and I cannot wait to discover what Heath has in store for our single-minded, workaholic duke and his uber-efficient secretary, Penelope Pettypeace. The Duchess Hunt will release September 28, 2021. I already have it on pre-order. 

If you enjoy historical romance, Scoundrel of My Heart is a book you won't want to miss. Both Griff and the book are in the running for my favorites of 2021. 

~~~~~~~~~~

Have you read Lorraine Heath's books yet? Do you have a favorite book or series?

Kathryn loves to start her day with a joyful dance on the beach. How do you start your day? 

One randomly chosen person posting a comment before 11:00 PM, March 31 will receive a print copy of Scoundrel of My Heart. 

*Must be 18

*U.S. only

Winner - - Wilde in Love

 

The randomly chosen winner of a print copy of

Wilde in Love by Eloisa James is:

Lil

Congratulations!

Please send your full name and mailing address to:

theromancedish (at) gmail (dot) com

Review - - Duchess if you Dare

Duchess If You Dare

by Anabelle Bryant

Maidens of Mayhem - Book 1

Publisher: Zebra Books

Release Date: March 30, 2021

Reviewed by PJ

 

From the glittering ballrooms of the ton to the city's grittiest corners, London has no shortage of wrongs in need of righting--and the Maidens of Mayhem are prepared for the challenge. United by secrecy and sisterhood, these daring women from all walks of life aim to fight injustice wherever it takes them--even into the arms of unexpected love.

Scarlett Wynn's tragic childhood taught her that life can be cruel to women with little power. So when a local seamstress disappears, Scarlett vows to find out why. Armed with a weapon and her courage, Scarlett scours London for clues--and crosses the unlikely path of Ambrose Cross, the Duke of Aylesford, at an unlikely place: an upscale brothel. The Duke is trying to solve a mystery of his own, and Scarlett is sure they can help each other--if she can resist the attraction that draws them together...

As Duke of Aylesford, Ambrose is duty-bound to protect his family name from scandal no matter the cost. But Scarlett's fearless spirit forces him to look beyond his world of privilege. Scarlett is as intoxicating as she is dangerous, igniting a fire in him like no other. When the pair learn both mysteries they're trying to solve are tied to a string of missing women, the tangled scheme they uncover may put their lives, and their growing love, in mortal danger--and lead them to search their hearts like never before...

PJ's Thoughts:

I really enjoyed Scarlett. She's fearless, good-hearted, and determined to help those less fortunate who are conveniently forgotten or ignored by London society and law enforcement. She's risen above her beginnings to become a force to be reckoned with,  clever, committed, and capable of protecting not only herself but those around her, a savvy chameleon who can cross classes with ease but is always aware of her place - or lack of one - in society. I loved how she went toe-to-toe with the hero who, quite honestly, was way too used to having his own way in everything. 

It took me a while to warm up to Ambrose, a stuffy duke who's pulled unwillingly into a dangerous investigation with a woman he desires, doesn't fully understand, and tells himself he can't have. He has a lengthy growth arc which I do believe was necessary for his character. He's not used to following another's lead, especially when that person is a both a commoner and a woman, and learns the hard way to listen to the person who, in this case, knows more about the workings of the grittier parts of London than he. As for his unexpected emotions, he may want to follow the direction his heart is leading him but he's held back by a lifetime of indoctrination into the rules of society as well as the duty and responsibility of his position. Capitulation that came too quickly or easily would not have been believable. In the end, I was confident in their feelings for one another and the decisions they each made regarding their future. 

The mystery/action/danger portion of the book was also enjoyable. I clued in to the main villain pretty early on though it took me a while to figure out exactly what the full scope of the mystery was. There was also a twist near the end involving a secondary character that I didn't expect (love that) but we never find out what happens to that character which was disappointing. I wanted a more detailed explanation as well as closure for Scarlett. 

If you enjoy cross-class, historical romance with a dash of action, mystery, and danger, give Duchess If You Dare a try. I think it's a promising start to this new series and am looking forward to the other maiden's stories in future books. 

Review - - Wilde Child

Wilde Child

by Eloisa James

Wildes of Lindow Castle - Book 6

Publisher: Avon

Release Date: March 30, 2021

Reviewed by PJ

He wants a prim and proper duchess, not the Wildest of the Wildes!

Already notorious for the golden hair that proves her mother’s infidelity, Lady Joan can’t seem to avoid scandals, but her latest escapade may finally ruin her: she’s determined to perform the title role of a prince—in breeches, naturally.

She has the perfect model for an aristocratic male in mind: Thaddeus Erskine Shaw, Viscount Greywick, a man who scorned the very idea of marrying her.

Not that Joan would want such a dubious honor, of course.

For years, Thaddeus has avoided the one Wilde who shakes his composure, but he’s horrified when he grasps the danger Joan’s putting herself in. Staring into her defiant eyes, he makes the grim vow that he’ll keep her safe.

He strikes a bargain: after one performance, the lady must return to her father’s castle and marry one of three gentlemen whom he deems acceptable.

Not including him, of course.

PJ's Thoughts: 

I've been reading Eloisa James books for years but the last few books in her Wildes of Lindow Castle series are among my favorites. I've enjoyed their lightness of spirit, sparkling wit, sizzling chemistry, sense of humor, and feel-good emotion that warms my heart. 

I really had no idea what to expect from Wilde Child. Both Joan and Thaddeus had appeared in earlier books but I had only come to know them at a surface level. There had been no attachment formed and my first opinions of Thaddeus were not all that favorable. That all began to change as I read their story and the layers behind the masks both presented to society were slowly peeled away. The evolution of Thaddeus's character was significant, and anticipated, but what surprised me more was the evolution of Joan. I had not expected her growth nor the direction it took. Watching both of them discover their true selves as their relationship progressed was pure pleasure. They made me laugh, made me sigh, and filled me with their joy. In these two, James has created interesting, fully-developed, sensual, loyal, caring, multi-layered characters who though, at first glance, seem completely wrong for one another, are actually the missing puzzle pieces that make one another whole. I adored them. 

This is (possibly) the final book in the Wildes of Lindow Castle series. Fans are still hopeful that eldest brother, Horatius lives. His family believes he died eleven years ago but as his body was never recovered from the bog, that door remains slightly ajar. Whether James will resurrect him remains unknown though there are many tidbits scattered throughout Wilde Child that could be followed if she decides to return him to his family and share his story. Whether that occurs or not, Wilde Child is a fitting conclusion to the series and a tribute to this fiercely loving and unapologetically loyal family. 

Though Wilde Child is the sixth book of this series, it can absolutely be read on its own. However, once you meet the other family members (and there are many featured in this final book), you'll most likely be eager to read their books as well. 

~~~~~~~~~

Have you read any of the Wildes of Lindow Castle books?

Do you have a favorite Wilde couple?

In Wilde Child, Joan has dreams of being a stage actress. Have you ever performed on stage? What were your early dreams? Did you achieve them? 

One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, March 27 will receive a print copy of Wilde in Love, the first book in the Wildes of Lindow Castle series. 

*Must be 18

*U.S. only

Review - - A Rogue to Remember

A Rogue to Remember

by Emily Sullivan

League of Scoundrels - Book 1

Publisher: Forever

Release Date: March 9, 2021

Reviewed by PJ

After enduring five interminable seasons, Lottie Carlisle has had enough of shallow London society, her boring little life, and her uncle Alfred's meddling. When he demands she accept a proposal by the end of next season or else he will choose a husband for her, she devises a plan: create a scandal shocking enough to make her unmarriageable and spend her spinsterhood far enough away in the countryside where no one will ever recognize her.

Alec Gresham hasn't seen Lottie since he left his childhood friend without a word five years ago. So he's not surprised to find her furious when he appears on her doorstep. Especially bearing the news he brings: her uncle is dying, her blasted reputation is still intact, and Lottie must return home. As they make the journey back to her family estate, it becomes increasingly clear that the last five years hasn't erased their history, nor their explosive chemistry. Can Lottie look past her old heartache and trust Alec, or will his secrets doom their relationship once again?

PJ's Thoughts:

The first thing that drew me to this book is the fact that it's set in Italy. Any book set in Italy is going to set my heart to happy dancing, especially when written by an author who, through her words, immerses you in this unique, richly atmospheric setting. The scenes in Venice, in particular, are very authentic, especially at night when the back alleys and canals of this city by the sea can take on a mysterious, slightly sinister tone. She brought it all to life and put me right back in that country that speaks to my soul. 

I also enjoy a friends-to-lovers trope and this one, with a reunion/second chance plot added in, was right up my alley. Both Lottie and Alec are well-developed characters who pulled me into their stories. I was in Lottie's corner the whole way, cheering her on in her bid for independence from her controlling uncle. I loved her intelligence, her wit, her determination, and her hard-won self confidence. Alec, on the other hand, had to work for my approval, as well as Lottie's. I understood his reasons for the decisions he made years earlier, the ones that broke Lottie's heart, but I wasn't going to forgive him too easily. I enjoyed his evolution, hurt for him when certain details of his early life were revealed, ached at his yearning for Lottie and celebrated when he finally realized what was most important in his life. 

Secondary characters, as well as Alec's occupation, add a bit of suspense and action to the story that devolves into danger for Lottie. There's a twist near the end that took me by surprise as well as a mea culpa and forgiveness that seemed a bit too easy considering the pain and heartache the person's actions had caused. I would have liked to have seen that facet expanded a bit but it's a small quibble in the overall scheme of things. 

I enjoyed my first Emily Sullivan novel and am looking forward to seeing what this debut author brings readers next. I hope it will be more action, adventure, and romance in continental Europe. Another book set in Italy would be just fine with me. 

Review - - The Accidental Fiancé

The Accidental Fiancé

by Christi Barth

Love Lottery - Book 1

Publisher: Tule

Release Date: February 23, 2021

Reviewed by PJ

When former hotel manager Alex Kirkland, his sister and their best friends pooled their money for an unusual lottery prize—a historic, dilapidated inn on the Maryland shore—as a last-ditch attempt to escape rotten circumstances, they never expected to win. But they’re all looking for a fresh start and a second chance, so Alex convinces everyone to move in and repair the building in time for the spring wedding season.

Sydney Darrow never planned to return to her hometown. But her family needs her and Sydney can endure anything for 90 days—including making sandwiches and serving coffee with a smile until she returns to her jet-setter career. When her grandma mistakes a handsome customer for the “fiancé” Sydney created when she thought her grandma was on death’s door, well...Sydney will do anything to keep her spirits up during treatment. She can persuade him to keep up the charade for a few months, right?

But when Alex agrees to play along, will they both fall for their own fiction?

PJ's Thoughts:

What a thoroughly charming story. Christi Barth has created a welcoming community of intriguing characters on the Maryland shore that have me wanting to return again and again. 

At the heart of the story are Alex, his sister, Amelia, and their two best friends, Everleigh and Teague. I really loved this small family of the heart. It was fun to watch them come together to create a place that will hopefully secure their future as well as become their home. Their relationships are realistic, heart-tugging, and not without their issues but their love for, and support of, one another is solid. Sometimes, too solid for those who would like a little more independence from well-meaning but over-protective siblings. I'm looking forward to getting to know all of them in more depth and follow their individual journeys in future books.

Sydney may not hold any love for her hometown but her loyalty to her family is bone deep. It's that family love and loyalty that causes her to propose a fake engagement to a stranger and Alex's own family history that leads him to agree. These two are so sweet together. I really enjoyed their journey from strangers to friends to so much more. There's a twist in their story that I did not see coming and though some might find it a bit beyond the realm of believability, I was willing to buy into it and the conflict it caused. It gave both Alex and Sydney the vehicle they needed to look deeply into their own hearts and evaluate the importance of their hopes, career dreams, and personal desires in order to determine what was most important to them. Without that twist, I would not have been as confident in the staying power of the love that was developing between them. 

If you're in the mood for a sweet, charming, contemporary romance with heart, humor, likeable characters, and one feisty grandma, give Christi Barth's The Accidental Fiancé a try. I'm already gearing up for book two, Definitely Not Dating, featuring Everleigh (whose bad dating choices usually leave her holding the short end of the stick) and Police Chief, Matt Halliday (a great guy who's keeping a secret that may put everyone at risk). It's available for pre-order and will be released May 4. 

Review - - Wicked All Night

Wicked All Night

by Jeaniene Frost

A Night Rebel Novel - Book 3

Publisher: Avon Books

Release Date: February 23, 2021

Reviewed by Nancy

 

Wicked All Night wraps up, at least for now, the story of vampire Ian and vampire hybrid Veritas. It ties up all the plot threads nicely, has plenty of action, and threads a passionate, dangerous romance through it all. This book could be read as a standalone, but the conflict and the character development are best understood by starting with Book 1, Shades of Wicked. 

When last we left Ian and Veritas, Ian was deathly ill after escaping from a magical trap. The current story opens with Veritas’s efforts to save him. He’s wasting away before her eyes. She has help from her demon half-brother, Ashael, but their combined efforts aren’t enough. When the golden deity Phanes turns up, he brings an unexpected offer of help, but for a price. Veritas was betrothed to him without her knowledge. He says he’s willing to end the betrothal but wants her to pretend they’re betrothed for a short time to help him save face. Veritas reluctantly agrees and travels to Phanes’s realm with him. 

Nothing there is what she expected, and there are complications she isn’t aware of. In order to free her, Ian takes drastic steps that increase his magical abilities—again at a steep price. Those abilities, however, allow him to enter Phanes’s realm and force a reckoning. 

Phanes has other tricks to play, though. He cons Ian and Veritas into helping him rescue two other deities, Morana and Ruaumoko, from the Netherworld. Ruaumoko has devastating seismic abilities while the Morana can freeze everything in a wide area. They plan to seize what they believe is rightfully theirs, dominion over the planet. 

The quest to stop them takes Ian and Veritas through emotional twists and turns involving the vampire council, the ghouls, other allies, and their own hearts. Old legal issues with the vampire council come to crisis points and resolution. So does Veritas’s understanding of her powers. I’m being vague to avoid spoilers, but it was a pleasure to see Cat, Bones, Mencheres, Spade, Denise, and Vlad join in the struggle. 

Overall, the story moves at a great pace. Both the emotional conflict and the magical plot twist and turn, with the romance sometimes heart-wrenching as these two beings struggle to be together. This is a satisfying resolution to Veritas and Ian’s story. 

Highly recommended. 

~ Nancy

Review - - FEARLESS: A Less Than Zero Rockstar Romance

FEARLESS

by Kaylene Winter

A Less Than Zero Rockstar Romance - Book 3

Publisher: Rockstar Romance LLC

Release Date: March 17, 2021

Reviewed by PJ

Family is everything, I protect mine with my life..
Connor McGloughlin had it all, a great family, a college scholarship and music.
Tragedy forced him to grow up too fast.
When his life finally is on track, Ronni Miller appears like a dream.
Kindred spirits in the most unlikely of circumstances.
There's only one thing in the way--
Her dark past he's determined to protect her from.

When your innocence is stolen, trust is a precious gift..
Actress Ronni Miller tasted fame at a young age.
But her path to stardom was riddled with tragedy.
She never imagined falling for Connor McGloughlin, a rogue, Irish rock star.
The thing is? Ronni's got revenge on her mind.
Regardless of the risk or the consequences--
Or losing the one thing in her life that makes her feel alive.

Connor has only ever asked Ronni for one thing: her heart.
But when her bravery is couched in lies?
She risks losing the man who would do anything for her.
Will she realize being fearless means trusting true love?

PJ's Thoughts:

While I've always enjoyed music, I was never one to go crazy over a band or individual musician. No posters plastering my bedroom walls, no fan letters, no getting up in the middle of the night to try to score concert tickets. None of the musicians I enjoyed ever inspired me to those heights. But, Connor? For him, I would definitely let my inner fangirl out to play. 

With her Less Than Zero series, Kaylene Winter has created a world in which I have become completely immersed. It's real, raw, and so authentic that it's sometimes easy to forget these are fictional characters. I love the depth of emotion, the evolution of the flawed, complex characters, and the fact that the journeys the author puts them on play out over a course of years, rather than a few weeks or months. By the end of the books, I've seen them through highs and lows, triumphs and tragedies, and I'm confident that the relationships they've formed will stand the test of fame and time. 

Though I thoroughly enjoyed the first two books of the series, Ronni and Connor are my favorite couple so far. Both of them have faced heart-wrenching issues in their lives. I appreciate that Winter didn't downplay the gravity of what either experienced but used it as a catalyst to propel them forward in the choices they each made in their lives. I loved Connor's good heart, his loyalty, his patience, and his protective nature. He's the gentle (sexy) giant I would happily take into my life. I would love to be Ronni's friend. I so admired her strength, courage, and commitment. Even when her choices regarding Connor frustrated me, I understood why she did what she felt she had to, why she put others before herself. I loved the chemistry between these two - so hot - but also the quiet times and the sweetness. They were so real to me. I still half expect to hear about them on entertainment shows/social media. I'm confident they're together, devoted to one another, and living their best lives, both professionally and personally. 

The books in this series all intertwine and though you could read FEARLESS on its own, for maximum enjoyment and understanding of the characters I strongly recommend beginning with ENDLESS, then LIMITLESS, before continuing with Connor and Ronni's story in FEARLESS. There's one more band member waiting for his story and I can't wait to find out what Winter has in store for Zane. Wherever she leads him, it's sure to be another emotional, sizzling, deeply immersive journey. 

~~~~~~~~~

Have you ever lost your fan-girl heart to a rock star or other musician?

Whose posters were on the walls of your teenage bedroom (if any)?

Review - - Just For Kicks

Just For Kicks

by Tracy Solheim

Milwaukee Growlers Football - Book 1

Publisher: Sun Home Productions

Release Date: March 15, 2021

Reviewed by PJ

 

 

Andi Larsen learned early on there is no such thing as fairy godmothers. A childhood spent in foster care will do that to a girl. She’s working her way through night school and is on the cusp of establishing her own business without help from anyone, thank you very much. But when her deadbeat ex steals her identity, amassing a staggering debt in her name, her fairy godmother appears in the guise of a spunky, Fireball whisky-wielding septuagenarian. The older woman’s solution for Andi? Tie the knot with a kilt-wearing, moody jock whose legs look sexier in a skirt than hers do.

Declan Fletcher never intended to be a place-kicker for a professional football team. But fate had other plans. Exiled from his beloved Scotland a decade ago, Dex is now a superstar athlete known throughout the league as the “Man with the Million Dollar Leg.” But when a mix-up in his immigration paperwork threatens to send him home before the season begins, he’ll do anything to avoid deportation and facing his greatest mistake. Even if it means marrying a pink-haired waif of a lass with eyes that seem to see everything he’s determined to keep hidden.

PJ's Thoughts:

Anyone who has known me for half a minute knows how much I love football. Combine my favorite sport with a marriage-of-convenience romance between the most unlikely of couples, written by one of my go-to authors, and I'm going to be all over that puppy.

I thoroughly enjoyed this first book in Solheim's new Milwaukee Growlers Football, contemporary romance series. It's filled with snappy banter, deep emotion, realistic conflict, well-placed humor, and a sigh-worthy happy ending. 

Andi and Dex are both fully-developed characters who easily gained my affection and support. I loved Andi's determination and spirit, her refusal to give up even when faced with seemingly insurmountable odds. I was drawn to her as strongly as many of the secondary characters in the book are and more than ready to ride to her defense during those times when people tried to take her down. Dex is a complex character who most certainly does not fit the stereotypical "dumb jock" stereotype. This kilt-wearing Scot, with the sexy brogue, broody demeanor, and golden leg, is actually a highly intelligent man carrying a heavy burden who needs someone to shake him up and help him find his way home. 

The secondary cast, both two and four-legged, add richness to the story, helping move the plot forward, and a certain little girl steals more than a few hearts, including mine. I'm already intrigued by several characters and looking forward to discovering what Solheim has planned for them. 

Whether you're a sports fan or simply someone who enjoys a well-paced contemporary romance with humor, heart, emotional depth, and happy endings, I recommend you give Just For Kicks a try. 

Review - - Moments Like This

Moments Like This

by Anna Gomez and Kristoffer Polaha

From Kona With Love - Book 1

Publisher: Rosewind Books

Release Date: March 9, 2021

Reviewed by PJ

Book One in the From Kona with Love series depicting multicultural romance, love, loss, and redemption woven into a family saga set in the beautiful islands of Hawaii. Though connected, each installment can be read as a standalone.

After Andrea “Andie” Matthews chooses her career over a marriage proposal and then loses a promotion she worked so hard for, she jumps at the chance to take a break and help run a friend’s coffee shop.

Alone in Hawaii, Andie befriends the staff and quickly grows to care for them, making her determined to revive the company.

As luck would have it, she meets the mysterious Warren Yates on Christmas Eve. They share a cup of coffee, some conversation, and even a moment, which leads to many more in the coming weeks.

When Andie learns who Warren really is—and what he actually wants—she is torn between her feelings and his deception.

But will Warren be able to win her heart back?

PJ's Thoughts:

I'm not sure exactly how to categorize this debut collaboration between Gomez and Polaha. It doesn't really fit into one particular type and I guess that's part of its appeal. It's a blend of family saga, women's fiction, and travelogue, with a closed-door, romantic thread woven throughout.  

Though there are other characters who take their turn in the spotlight, this book really is Andie's story. Her character is the one with the most to lose, and the most to gain. She evoked deep emotion in me from the beginning of her journey and kept me fully invested from start to finish. I appreciated her flaws and the fact that the authors gave her no easy answers but allowed her to stumble, pick herself back up, then grow and learn from each experience along the way.

In Chapter 34, the viewpoint of the story suddenly switches from Andie to Warren. Though I had been wanting to dig deeper into his character, and am glad for his viewpoint, the switch is abrupt and disruptive of the flow of the overall story. I eventually got back into the rhythm but I think it would have been more impactful if his story had played out alongside Andie's as they got to know one another. For me, telling their stories separately, to the reader, rather than the characters opening up to one another, lessened the emotional connection between them and while I liked them, individually and together, I wanted that deeper connection.

In many ways, this book is a love letter to Hawaii and that is where it really shines. The island breezes, pounding surf, the misty mornings, dense rainforests, glorious sunsets, welcoming people, and cultural traditions. I especially enjoyed the inclusion of hidden spots and local treasures off the tourist track. The Aloha spirit is alive and well in this book, taking me back to one of the most enjoyable trips I've ever taken. If you've been to Hawaii, the pictures these authors so beautifully paint with their words will immerse you in vivid memories of those mystical, magical islands. If you haven't, reading this book will almost certainly have you checking out vacation opportunities for when travel is safe again. 

Overall, while I wanted a bit more depth from the romance, I enjoyed this first book from Gomez and Polaha and am looking forward to more stories in the From Kona With Love series. 

Today's Special - - Ten First Dates with Abigail Sharpe

I'm pleased to welcome contemporary romance author, Abigail Sharpe to the blog today. Her books are comfort reads for me, filled with charm, humor, and feel-good, happy endings, so when I found out she was part of a new anthology, I knew I'd want to check it out. Abby graciously agreed to stop by to tell us a bit about the anthology and share a few of the anthology authors' real-life, first-date stories.  

Welcome, Abby!

 

Thank you, PJ, for inviting me to post today!

Pop quiz – what do all readers of The Romance Dish have in common?

Answer: We love our romance novels!

I was a romance reader long before I became a writer. And books that had more than one story?  Romance reading gold. Fewer trips to the bookstore!

That’s one of the reasons why I wanted to participate in Ten First Dates, an anthology of TEN (shocking, right?) full-length romance novels that will hit your funny bone and introduce you to some great authors.  I’m proud to be among them.

And just to tie into the theme, some of these wonderful writers and I decided to share real-life first date stories, some of them even with the happy ending!

I’m Abby (Abigail Sharpe) (www.facebook.com/abigailsharpebooks), and I write passionate and playful contemporary romance. Moonshine and Magnolias is my story in Ten First Dates.

It was the end of this particular first date, and we were nearing The First Kiss. Slowly he leaned in....slowly I joined him... and then we were kissing.  And he somehow sucked my lips into his mouth. I couldn't breathe.  I couldn't tell him I couldn't breathe, because he had my mouth hoovered.  I finally freed myself, and there was a thin line of saliva connecting our lips, grossing me out so completely that if not being able to breath hadn't warranted a second date, that would have definitely killed the deal. 

I still get grossed out thinking about it.

Karen Grey (https://bit.ly/KarenGreynews) goes old school, inviting us to escape back in time with her retro romcoms.  Her contribution to Ten First Dates is What I’m Looking For, and her first date incident led to one of those You’re Going Into My Novel moments. 

There's what I call a "juggler incident" in What I'm Looking For. It's one of those events that probably seems unrealistic, but it's based on a real (accidental) first date I had. I met a guy in Harvard Square and we ended up bonding when we were aggressively berated by a street performer. He and I ended up going the "just friends" route after only a couple of dates, but in a roundabout way, meeting him was just the first in a series of steps that led me to my husband of 20+ years, so I'm very happy things turned out the way they did!

Mary Frame (www.authormaryframe.com) writes quirky romantic reads, and added Imperfect Chemistry to Ten First Dates. 

I wish I could tell you a funny anecdotal first date story, but I don't know if I have one! I've been with my husband for almost twenty years, and I think I may have repressed everyone prior to him. There were a few, but they were pretty unmemorable (clearly).  The first date with my now husband, was just dinner and drinks. I tried to get him to come into my apartment with me after, and he wanted to wait. He was playing hard to get, but I nabbed him in the end ;)  

Yay for happily ever afters!

 

Jill Brashear (http://www.jillbrashear.com) writes whole-hearted romance and contributed Love, Lacey Donovan to Ten First Dates. Her first date story is definitely NOT romance novel-hero material!

My early years of college included a lot of first dates that went nowhere. One of the most memorable ones was with a sexy older guy who often ate lunch at the bar where I worked. When he asked me out, I was flustered and flattered. All the girls I worked with thought he was a hunk, but he’d singled me out. I was ecstatic, and then apprehensive when my date took me to a lonely road near the airport to “watch the planes land.”

He’d brought a bottle of red wine and some sandwiches, so maybe it was kinda sweet. Maybe he wasn’t a creep. I wasn’t old enough to drink, so I guess it made sense that he hadn’t taken me out to dinner or a bar. 

Things were going okay until I spilled a little wine. He reached over me to grab a napkin from the glove box, and a photograph fell out into my lap. I picked it up and managed to catch a glimpse before he ripped it out of my hand.

“Who’s that?” I asked. The photo had featured my hunky date with a woman and a blonde-headed toddler. “Your sister? Nephew?”

He cleared his throat awkwardly and admitted, “That’s my wife.”

Sarah Peis (www.sarahpeis.com) is the mastermind behind our anthology (thank you, Sarah!), and wrote Some Call it Love.  She laughs, flirts and swoons her way to a happily ever after.

I was on a first date with a guy I'd met through a friend of a friend and things were going well. As we were saying goodnight, he leans in and instead of the expected smooch, he tells me that he likes me, but we'd have to keep it quiet that we're seeing each other because he has a girlfriend. I don't know what I was more shocked about, the fact he just told me straight out or that he went on a date with someone even though he had a girlfriend.

This is where I’d invite you to share your first date story for a chance to win a copy of Ten First Dates, but guess what?  Everyone’s a winner, because it’s FREE!  But I’d still love to hear your story. Romance authors are always looking for new sources of inspiration for our next anthology.

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Meet the sassy ladies and their hunky heroes in this free romantic comedy anthology.

Whether you’re in the mood for enemies to lovers, second chances, small town romance, billionaires, strong females or opposites attract, we’ve got you covered.

All novels are full-length standalones and first in a series. This anthology will be available for a limited time only.

Go on ten first dates with these laugh-out-loud romantic comedies:
Loved You Once by Claudia Burgoa
What I’m Looking For by Karen Grey
Love Under Construction by M.C. Cerny
Mixed Signals by Mia Heintzelman
On The Rox by Kat Addams
Moonshine and Magnolias by Abigail Sharpe
Too Tempting by Bethany Lopez
Love, Lacey Donovan by Jill Brashear
Imperfect Chemistry by Mary Frame
Some Call It Love by Sarah Peis

Download Ten First Dates:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Apple Books