The randomly chosen winner of an
e-book copy of the What a Day! Collection is:
Annette N
Congratulations!
Please send your email address to:
theromancedish (at) gmail (dot) com
Thursday, April 14, 2022
Winners - - Jess Michaels
The randomly chosen winners of an e-book copy of
The Daring Duke by Jess Michaels are:
Cheryl C
Martha Lawson
Congratulations!
Please send your email address to:
theromancedish (at) gmail (dot) com
Tour Review - - Summer at the Cape
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Summer at the Cape
by RaeAnne Thayne
Publisher: HQN
Release Date: April 5, 2022
Reviewed by PJ
Summer at the Cape is the fourth original hardcover from New York Times, USA TODAY, and Publisher's Weekly bestselling author RaeAnne Thayne. With the emotional pull of Debbie Macomber, Barbara Delinsky, and Susan Wiggs, RaeAnne tells the story of the Porter sisters, Cami and Violet, who come together to mourn the death of Violet's twin, Lily. Over the course of the summer, the sisters must make peace with each other and also individually with their free-spirited, outspoken, activist mother who left their father two decades earlier.
As the older sister to identical twins Violet and Lily, Cami Porter had always been the odd sister out. The breach became even stronger when her parents split up—while the twins stayed in Cape Sanctuary with their free-spirited activist mother, Rosemary, fourteen-year-old Cami moved to L.A. with her by-the-book attorney father, Ted. Nearly twenty years later, when Cami gets the tragic news that Lily has drowned saving a child, Cami returns to her childhood home—her mother and Violet need her.
Lily had spent her entire life looking for something to be passionate about, and in leasing a property from neighbor Franklin Rafferty and setting up Coastal Pines Glamping, she was about to see her dream realized. Following her death, the sadness and grief Rosemary, Violet and Cami feel is compounded by Jon Rafferty, son of the neighbor whose land Lily had leased. Jon, who hadn't seen his father in years, is stunned to learn that his father is in the early stages of Alzheimer's Disease, and he worries that the Porter women took advantage of him. But Jon can see that the Porter family is in mourning, and agrees they can keep the land through the summer, and then they'll need to shut the glamping site down.
Then there's Violet—the child Lily saved, Ariana Mendoza, is the daughter of Violet's former high school sweetheart, Alex Mendoza. She could never forgive him way back when for cheating on her, but she is so grateful that his adorable little girl is okay. Alex still has feelings for Violet, but he is overcome with grief and gratitude at the same time for the loss of Lily, who died saving his child.
PJ's Thoughts:
RaeAnne Thayne writes with compassion and empathy, never failing to take me on an emotional journey. In Summer at the Cape, she explores the dynamics of the Porter family as they each deal, in their own ways, with the emotional consequences following the death of one of their own. It's a story of forgiveness, healing, strength, and new beginnings, both as individuals and as a family.
Thayne pulled me into the story of this family from the start and kept me engaged throughout. I enjoyed the push and pull among Violet, Cami, and their mother as they confront past hurts, redefine present relationships, and move forward as a unit. Family dynamics, especially those with emotional cracks, create greater depth in a story. Thayne is a master at writing them and, in this book, not only for the Porters. There are other families facing emotional reckonings of their own which are woven seamlessly into the events surrounding the Porters. I found the situation surrounding Jon Rafferty and his father especially poignant. And there are facets of Alex and Ariana Mendoza's story that were quite the surprise.
While this book is primarily focused on the journeys of Cami, Violet, and Rosemary, there are also strong romantic threads for all three women that I very much enjoyed. Thayne blended the women's fiction and contemporary romance elements together in a heartfelt story that checked all of my happy reader boxes. She created fully-developed, multi-layered characters who engaged both my mind and my heart, taking them on a journey that made me laugh, sigh, and shed more than a few tears. Then she brought them together in an epilogue that was hopeful, healing, life affirming, and sparkling with three happily ever after relationships that made my heart sing.
I highly recommend adding this one to your summer reading list.
Buy Links:
Social Links:
Twitter: @raeannethayne
Facebook: RaeAnne Thayne
Instagram: raeannethayne
Wednesday, April 13, 2022
Cover Reveal and Giveaway - - The Reluctant Countess
The Reluctant Countess
by Eloisa James
Publisher: Avon
Release Date: November 2022
Giles Renwick, Earl of Lilford, has never made a fool of himself over a woman—until he meets Lady Yasmin Régnier. Yasmin is ineligible for his attentions in every way: not as a wife, certainly not as a mistress (she is a lady!), nor even as a friend, since they vehemently dislike each other. Her gowns are too low, and her skirts are dampened to cling to admittedly lovely thighs. She loves to gossip—and giggle.
She isn’t dignified, or polite, or even truly British, given that her father’s French ancestry clearly predominated. Not to mention the fact that her mother had been one of Napoleon’s mistresses, a fact she makes no effort to hide.
So what—in heaven’s name—possesses him to propose?
And what will he do if she says yes?
Have you read the first book in Eloisa James' new Would-Be Wallflowers series yet? How to be a Wallflower was released March 29th and is garnering rave reviews, including Santa's 5-star review here at The Romance Dish (click to read).
Today, it's my pleasure to share with you the beautiful cover for book two in the series: The Reluctant Countess. Aren't those colors gorgeous? And just look at Yasmin, our next heroine. She's lovely!
The Reluctant Countess will be released in November but is currently available for pre-order at your favorite online book buying site.
~~~~~~
Have you read How to be a Wallflower yet?
Do you pre-order books you want to read or wait until publication day to buy?
One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, April 15 will receive a signed, hardback copy of Wilde Child by Eloisa James.
*U.S. only
*Must be 18
*Void where prohibited
Monday, April 11, 2022
Review & Giveaway - - Weather Girl
Weather Girl
by Rachel Lynn Solomon
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: January 11, 2022
Reviewed by Nancy
Ari Abrams has always been fascinated by the weather, and she loves almost everything about her job as a TV meteorologist. Her boss, legendary Seattle weatherwoman Torrance Hale, is too distracted by her tempestuous relationship with her ex-husband, the station’s news director, to give Ari the mentorship she wants. Ari, who runs on sunshine and optimism, is at her wits’ end. The only person who seems to understand how she feels is sweet but reserved sports reporter Russell Barringer.
In the aftermath of a disastrous holiday
party, Ari and Russell decide to team up to solve their bosses’
relationship issues. Between secret gifts and double dates, they start nudging
their bosses back together. But their well-meaning meddling backfires when the
real chemistry builds between Ari and Russell.
Working closely with Russell means allowing him
to get to know parts of herself that Ari keeps hidden from everyone. Will
he be able to embrace her dark clouds as well as her clear skies?
Nancy says:
We meet Ari Abrams when she goes to see her station’s first billboard featuring her. Naturally, a bid has “decorated” it. I say naturally because things do go that way for Ari at various times in the book. She’s with her brother when she sees the billboard. Her ability to take the billboard disaster with humor, the warmth of the siblings’ relationship and her obvious affection for her brother’s husband and their children make Ari likeable off the bat. It’s easy to root for her.
As we go through the book, we learn she suffers from depression, which she handles by being as positive as possible. This way of dealing with it keeps the character from seeming mopey despite the consequences it has had at various times in her life.
The hero, Russell Barringer, comes across as a genuinely nice guy. He and Ari bond when commiserating after a disastrous holiday party that highlights both the desire and the antipathy between their bosses. Russell, too, has challenges. He’s on the heavy side, which nearly cost him his job as a sports reporter because the boss didn’t like the optics of that. He also has a young daughter he co-parents with his ex. But his relatively even emotional keel nicely counterbalances Ari’s depression. My only complaint about Russell is that while he says the station manager thought he was fat, Ari only ever describes him as a big guy. This left me wondering whether he’s carrying a little extra weight or a lot. Or something in between. It doesn’t matter in terms of his character, but not knowing distracted me.
As Ari and Russell scheme to throw their bosses together, they are also growing closer. Their families move in and out of the story, and their dynamics were pleasant. Russell, his ex, and her new husband all seem to like each other, Russell’s daughter is a gem, and Ari’s brother and his family are lovely and supportive. The only downer is Ari’s mom, whose struggles with depression and resulting lack of support for her children when they were small have left Ari with a sour feeling about her mom. The relationship evolves in a sympathetic and believable way as the story unfolds.
I was initially put off by the way Ari’s boss, who had mostly ignored her before, suddenly became so chummy. There’s a reason for that, though, and the revelation makes perfect sense.
Ari
grows and learns more than Russell does, but that fits the way they’re
established. Both learn something about themselves as they move forward. It’s
an emotional journey leavened with humor, and the story moves at a good pace.
Highly recommended.
~~~~~~~~
Tell me what you're reading this Monday.
One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, April 13 will receive a print copy of Weather Girl.
*U.S. only
*Must be 18
*Void where prohibited
Friday, April 8, 2022
Winners - - Coming Attractions
The three randomly chosen winners of
a package of books are:
Trish J
Ina
Bonnie K
Congratulations!
Please send your full name and mailing address to:
theromancedish (at) gmail (dot) com
Winner - - Robyn Carr
The randomly chosen winner of the
Robyn Carr Virgin River books is:
Robin B
Congratulations!
Please send your full name and mailing address to:
theromancedish (at) gmail (dot) com
Spotlight and Giveaway: What a Day!
What a Day!
Short Stories by Southern Authors
Publisher: Heart of Dixie Fiction Writers
Release Date: April 5, 2022
Southern hospitality is alive and well. In this anthology you may find a little old, a little new, and perhaps some mysterious doings. How about a ghost — or was it a ghost pepper? Was that a witch, a sprite, an elf, or a seer? You may be looking for a beautiful garden, a mint julep, or a jazz festival. Come on down! Bless your heart, you may never want to leave.
What A Day! is a collection of stories about special, memorable days in the lives of an eclectic, quirky mix of characters. You'll enjoy fantasy, romance, historical, and more by best-selling authors like Linda Howard and Linda Winstead Jones as well as newer authors, none of which you'll want to miss! Come laugh, cry, gasp, and smile your way through these fun, light-hearted, suspenseful, and intriguing stories.
PJ's Thoughts:
You all know how much I enjoy the opportunity to sample new authors' stories. It's why there are so many anthologies tucked into the folders on my Kindle. The newest one is the brain child of the Heart of Dixie Fiction Writers, a group of Southern writers who are bringing the fun to this new collection of short stories. Each contribution is a quick, but satisfying, story that introduces readers to that author's writing style; a chance to take their characters for a test drive (so to speak) before buying their full-length books. Some of these authors' works are already familiar to me but others are new discoveries. I've already begun checking out backlists and making purchase lists. ;-)
Included in the What a Day! collection are the following authors and stories:
Mystic Matchmaker by Linda Winstead Jones
A Harvest Moon to Remember by Crystal R. Lee
Red Clay Blues by Tom Winstead
Poppet by Leslie Scott
The Perfect Birthday Gift by Betty Bolté
Friday at Maple Hill by Bonnie Gardner
Kidnapped for a Day by Carla Swafford
Remy's Reunion by CS Ward
Reviewing the Situation by Marilyn Baxter
Founders Day Surprise by Jannette Spann
Beer and Caviar by Linda Howard
Who's the last author you discovered through an anthology or short story collection?
Are you familiar with any of the authors listed above? If so, do you have a favorite of their books or one you would recommend to other readers?
One person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, April 9 will receive an e-book copy of the What a Day! collection.
*U.S. only
*Must be 18
*Void where prohibited
Thursday, April 7, 2022
Spotlight on Jess Michaels - - Guest Post & Giveaway
There's something special about discovering an author at the beginning of their publication journey. We get to watch their writing skills grow, see them push the boundaries of their comfort zones, branching out to explore new horizons, and, in the case of today's guest, we have the special joy of celebrating a big milestone, one many authors never achieve. I've been following Jess Michaels' career - and reading her books - for almost twenty years. I've had the pleasure of spending time with her in person at romance conferences over those years. I'm delighted to welcome her today as she counts down to the release of her 100th book.
Welcome, Jess!
~~~~~~~~
Hi everyone and thanks so much to The Romance Dish for
having me as a guest today! If you don’t know me, I’m Jess Michaels and I write
historical romance…very spicy historical romance. And I write a lot of it
because my 100th book will be out in just about a month (100 Nights
with the Duke). The crazy thing is that I’ve known PJ from The Romance Dish for
almost the entire span of that career. So when we started talking about this
feature, we couldn’t help but talk about this milestone in terms of how it
started and the path it took.
I started writing full-time in 1999 and sold my first two
novellas to Red Sage Publishing, a now defunct small press, in 2003. In 2004, I
sold my first full-length novels to HarperCollins (Avon) under my Jenna
Petersen name, which is when I met PJ. Back then, there wasn’t really a
structure for indie publishing (you could sell books from the back of your car,
essentially) and none of my first few books even had eBook versions. But
Scandalous, my debut with Avon, did really well and I was excited about my
career and its trajectory.
Fast-forward to my 30th book. That was A Scoundrel’s Surrender and it was my last book with Avon. I’d published 18 of those 30 books with them, under both Jess Michaels and Jenna Petersen. But it was time to shift. The industry was changing, I had different options and the working relationship there no longer allowed me to thrive. I moved on, first to Samhain Publishing (which closed in 2015) and then to indie publishing.
Which brings me to book 50. The Scoundrel’s Lover (funny
that 30 and 50 were both Scoundrel in the title LOL). This was my second book
after I’d gone completely indie (I’d dipped my toe in before but this was all
in). This book is really special because I introduced my sexy Regency
underground club, the Donville Masquerade and it features a fan favorite hero,
Marcus Rivers. I felt the turn in my career right about here. The realization
that indie publishing was a much better place for me as an artist and human. And
I hit the USA Today with the next book in that series (The Widow Wager).
By book 75, I’d hit that same bestseller list 10 times. The
Last Duke marked the end of my most popular and well-loved series, the 1797
Club series. When people ask me where to start on this very massive list of
mine, I always point them to The Daring Duke (1797 Club 1) because this is the
series I seem to be most well-known for.
And now we’re here, or almost here. 100 Books. And I have to
tell you, I’m so excited for this one to come out on May 10. 100 Nights with
the Duke was something I wrote very intentionally to speak to the roots of my
Jess Michaels career. It’s very sexy, it features a courtesan heroine who is
extremely sex positive and a duke hero who absolutely worships the ground she
walks on. I wrote all the desperate longing, all the “it can’t be” goodness
that I think people like about what I do. And if it’s the only book people ever
read of mine, I think it will be a good punctuation point on who I am as a
writer.
And so now I look forward to the future. I’m not young in my
career by any stretch, but I’m still pretty young in my life (46 this year). I
have a long time to keep writing and creating. And I’ve already got the next 50
books and ten years planned…some of it written down, some of it just floating
around in my head. Seeing that path laid out before me and turning around to
look at the long and lovely path behind me…well, that’s just icing on a
delicious cake. Thanks to all of my readers who have taken and keep taking the
walk with me.
~~~~~~~~
Thanks for sharing your journey with us, Jess. I'm eager to read 100 Nights with the Duke and wish you continued success with your next 100 books!
Readers, have you read Jess's books yet? Do you have a favorite?
Two randomly chosen people who post a comment before 11:00 PM, April 8 will each receive an e-book copy of The Daring Duke.
*U.S. only
*Must be 18
*Void where prohibited
Wednesday, April 6, 2022
Spotlight on Sunflower Season: A Charitable Collection of Historical Romances
I'm delighted to shine The Romance Dish spotlight on a very worthwhile endeavor today. Over 70 historical romance authors (yes, you read that right...SEVENTY) have joined forces to create a collection of stories for humanitarian relief in Ukraine. This is a project I hope we will all get behind.
The anthology is currently available for pre-order (click here for pre-order links).
All monies earned will be split between:
1. Sunflower Peace https://www.
2. CARE: Immediate aid, including food, water, hygiene kits, support services, and direct cash assistance, prioritizing women and girls, families, and the elderly.
Only $7.99 for more than 70 stories is a small price to pay to make a huge difference in the lives of people in desperate need.
Sunflower Season
A Historical Romance Anthology for Ukraine
Release Date: June 7, 2022
SUNFLOWER SEASON is a charity collection featuring stories (some never-been-published and some old favorites) by over 70 -- that's right -- SEVENTY of your favorite Historical Romance authors. ALL royalties will be donated to humanitarian relief in Ukraine. This set will be released on June 7, 2022 and will only be available for a limited time. Preorder now and enjoy a summer of historical romance!
Featuring novellas, stories and novels by Sabrina Jeffries, Christi Caldwell, Amalie Howard, Virginia Heath, Caroline Lee, Golden Angel, Mimi Mathews, Nicole Locke, Natasha Blackthorne, Royaline Sing, Lenora Bell, Sabrina Jeffries, Amy Quinton, Janna MacGregor, Annabelle Anders, Rachel Ann Smith, Eva Devon, Sandra Sookoo, Tabetha Waite, Diana Bold, Sadie Bosque, Cheryl Bolen, Erica Monroe, Kate Bateman, Cara Maxwell, Tracy Sumner, Jenna Jaxon, Jane Charles, Eliza Knight, Mariah Stone, Robyn DeHart, Wendy LaCapra, Hildie McQueen, Madeline Martin, Amy Rose Bennett, Ava Bond, Kristin Vayden, Piper Huguley, Fenna Edgewood, Kathryn Le Veque, Caroline Linden, Nancy Yeager, Dawn Brower, Celeste Barclay, Lauren Royal, Michele Pollock Dalton, Glynnis Campbell, Rose Pearson, Erica Ridley, Sydney Jane Baily, Deb Marlowe, Rebecca Paula, Amanda Mariel, Christine Sterling, Ava Stone, Lauren Smith, Sawyer Quinn, Caroline Warfield, Jessica A Clements, Jude Knight, Anna St. Claire, Tamara Gill, Gina Conkle, Charlie Lane, Terri Brisbin, Bronwen Evans, Emmanuelle de Maupassant, Merry Farmer, Tammy Andresen, Cecelia Mecca, Meredith Bond, Christine Donovan, Lana Williams, Carrie Lomax, Eve Pendle, Bethany Bennett, Bianca Blythe, Maggie Dallen, Samara Parish, Anna Campbell and more????
Again, ALL proceeds will be donated to Ukrainian relief efforts. We are not affiliated with any charities but are only doing what we can to provide help for the innocent people who've lost so much as a result of this senseless tragedy.
Tuesday, April 5, 2022
Coming Attractions & Giveaway
It's April! Wow, how did that happen? It's another busy month here at The Romance Dish and an even busier month for me offline. Hence, the five-day delay in posting April's Coming Attractions. Things in the PJ household are a bit topsy-turvy at the moment. I've been in my condo nine years now. That seems to be the point where I start opening myself to new adventures and - yep - here we go again. In the past three weeks I've decided to move closer to family, signed a sales contract on my condo, traveled to Florida for two weeks to scope things out, and am now back in North Carolina, busy packing and preparing for a closing and a move back to Florida the beginning of May. You know those hamsters running run non-stop on their wheels? That's going to be me for the month of April. And most likely half of May. So you may not see me commenting as much as I typically do. Don't worry. I'm still here working on reviews and other posts for you but the rest of the time my head will probably be in boxes, drawers, and cabinets. I'm guessing this will be my last move. Of course, I said that nine years ago so who knows? LOL! Anyway, that's enough about me. Here's what's on the Dish schedule for the month of April.
The month launched with a review of A Moment of Faith by Martin Svaneborg on Friday, April 1. Read PJ's review here.
Tuesday, April 5 brought a review of A Family Affair, a new standalone women's fiction novel by Robyn Carr. Read PJ's review here.
Stop by Wednesday, April 6 to learn about Sunflower Season, a historical romance anthology featuring more than 70 authors which will benefit humanitarian organizations in Ukraine.
Don't miss Thursday, June 7 when we celebrate the upcoming100th published novel of Jess Michaels. Jess will join us with a guest post commemorating this amazing achievement.
Friday, April 8 brings a review of What a Day, an anthology of short stories by Southern authors.
I'll be sharing my thoughts about Delores Fossen's Summer at Stallion Ridge, the third book in her Last Ride, Texas series, on Saturday, April 9.
Reviewer Nancy joins us Monday, April 11 with a review of Weather Girl by Rachel Lynn Solomon.
We're heading to the beach with a tour review of Summer at the Cape by RaeAnne Thayne on Thursday, April 14.
Diana Quincy continues to shine with the third book in her Clandestine Affairs historical romance series. Join me for a review of The Marquess Makes His Move on Friday, April 15.
Lorraine Heath takes readers to WWII Texas with Girls of Flight City. Stop by Monday, April 18 for a review of this new historical fiction novel. *Moved to May.
On Wednesday, April 20, I'll be shining the spotlight on Hope Holloway's new Shellseeker Beach series. Stop by to read my thoughts about Sanibel Dreams and Sanibel Treasures.
Hellie returns on Thursday, April 21 with a review of romcom Birds of California by Katie Catugno.
Sheila Roberts takes readers back to Moonlight Harbor with the sixth book in that series. Drop by Friday, April 22 to read my thoughts about Sand Dollar Lane.
Tuesday, April 26 brings a review of Rules for Engaging the Earl, book two in Janna MacGregor's The Widow Rules series.
We wrap up the month on Thursday, April 28 with Santa's review of Wedding Season by Michelle Major.
What are you looking forward to this rainy month of April?
Three people who post a comment before 11:00 PM, April 7 will each receive a package of books.
*U.S. only
*Must be 18
*Void where prohibited
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