Best Books of 2018

By Cassandra O'Leary

When asked for the list of the best books of 2018, according to me, I admit I was stumped. Not because I didn't read...I read a total of 95 books last year going by my Goodreads list. But I tried mixing it up, reading across sub-genres and trying different, new-to-me authors to diversify my reading. 

So, thinking about 'best' is difficult when comparing apples and oranges, let alone apples and chocolate cake. Still, I did try! Not all of these books were new releases, since they may have been sitting on my to be read list for a while. 

Anyway, I hope you enjoy my slightly quirky list. Here goes...

Sweet and funny:

Pretty Face by Lucy Parker

This romance set in the world of the London West End theatre features Lily, a gorgeous actress known for getting naked on TV, and serious thespian, Luc. It's a classic enemies to lovers story with a fake relationship thrown in, when they have to play it up for the cameras. There's a simmering sexual tension in this book, plus believable theatre details that had me hooked. The course of true love never did run smooth...

Buy from Amazon

Compelling futuristic world-building:

Heart of Obsidian by Nalini Singh

I've been reading the complete Psy Changeling series by Nalini Singh, a futuristic, science fiction meets paranormal romance series. Heart of Obsidian is a stand-out in the series for me, because of the way the author handled the build-up of tension between factions in the outside world in this story, plus the tension between the bottled-up, emotion-less (apparently) trained killer, Kaleb, and the emotional, caring but highly intelligent woman who is his match. I'm soooo excited that Ms Singh will be a keynote speaker at the Romance Writers of Australia conference in August this year!

Buy from Amazon

Best Aussie contender:

Playing Dirty, Amy Andrews

If you've been following the Sydney Smoke rugby series like I have, you've probably been waiting to learn more about Val, daughter of the coach. We finally get to learn more about Val and her broken relationship with her well-respected but strict and bossy father. Well, we get to the bottom of this story, and it's a tear-jerker. Amy Andrews blends her ususal witty voice, sexy and fun banter and the more serious family issues in this great read.

Buy from Amazon

Addictive and sexy:

Wrong To Need You by Alisha Rai

I'd read a couple of Alisha Rai's books before this one and enjoyed them, but I think this is my favourite. Jackson returns to a small town where his family are a big deal, but he was accused of a crime (unfairly) many years before. He's in love with his brother's widow...and she may be falling for his strong, silent charm too. I loved the quiet chef who's actually a superstar overseas, but doesn't want the notoriety or fame. A great Beta hero and sexy, slow-burn romance. I recommend the whole Forbidden Hearts series.

Buy from Amazon

Oddball read...worth a go:

Nevermoor by Jessica Townsend

This is a kid lit book, aimed at roughly eight to twelve year olds. I read this one aloud to my two boys and they adored it, and I did too. For adults who enjoy fun fantasy in the style of Alice in Wonderland or Harry Potter, I'm sure you'll enjoy this one. Jupiter North is a fantastic ginger hero too!

Buy from Amazon

Best romcom read:

Dr Strange Beard by Penny Reid

I'd have to say Penny Reid's books are some of my favourite romantic comedies, and the latest book in the Winston Brothers series was a winner. Roscoe is one of the most unusual and sensitive romance heroes I've ever read -- he has a perfect, detailed memory of events from his childhood and emotional recall with total accuracy. This makes for an interesting problem...he won't let himself get close to anyone. Simone, his childhood best friend, is an exception. Sort of. Love, love, loved this pair and the classic Penny Reid humour.

About Cassandra O'Leary

Cassandra O'Leary is a romance, romcom and women's fiction author, communications specialist, avid reader and film/TV fangirl. You'll find her in Melbourne, Australia, drinking coffee, chasing her mini ninjas and buying shoes on the internet. Oh yes, and writing. 

Cassandra was the winner of the global We Heart New Talent contest, and also a finalist in contests run by Romance Writers of Australia and Romance Writers of America. Check out her romcoms, Girl on a Plane and Heart Note, plus shorter fiction on her website: cassandraolearyauthor.com 

FIVE DIAMONDS FROM THE LAND DOWN UNDER

Hi everyone!

It’s great to be back at Romancing the Genres. I hope you are all well and enjoying 2018 so far.

I’m back this month to introduce you to some of the fabulous authors we have Down Under in Australia. 

Just last month, the Rita finalists were announced. I’m proud to say that there were a few Aussies amongst those finalists. Aussies I know and respect when it comes to their writing. And then there are others I believe deserve recognition, despite not earning a mention in the Rita Awards to date.

So, let’s take a look at five amazing Australian authors whose work I love, and I hope by doing introducing them to you today, you’ll discover some new favorite authors to love and enjoy too.

1. AMY ANDREWS

 

Amy Andrews is an award-winning, USA Today best-selling author who has written sixty plus contemporary romances. Her books bring all the feels from sass and quirk and laughter to emotional grit to panty-melting heat. For many, many years she was a registered nurse. Which means she knows things. Anatomical things. And she’s not afraid to use them! 

Her extreme bull rider story, Troy has just been announced as a finalist in the 2018 Rita Award. 

Cocky, young Aussie bull rider Troy Jensen has been busted down to the pro-circuit. He needs wins and points to get him back into the big league and a shot at being crowned champ but an injury forces him off the circuit and into the arms of the woman fate keeps putting in his path.

The first time local Doc Joss Garrity meets Troy, she’s brandishing a lug wrench. The second time, he’s dragging her delinquent teen son home. The third time, he’s in her ER. How he ends up convalescing at her house she’s not quite sure. But it does make it hard to ignore him and their simmering attraction.

As Troy gets to know Joss, he starts to see a life after bull riding for the first time. But can Joss risk her heart on another man who may not come home one day?

2. AVRIL TREMAYNE

Avril was born into a big, chaotic, Italian/Irish family that was heavy on the laughs. She writes sexy, funny, modern romances, featuring strong, successful heroines who refuse to swoon, and heroes with enough alpha in them to make swooning a clear and present danger. Her hallmark is fast-paced, witty banter, which can tend toward the screwball, delivered with a strong emotional punch.

Avril's novel The Dating Game has been announced as finalist in the 2018 Rita Award. 

You need to learn the rules, fast!

Book two in the new steamy romance duet from Avril Tremayne!

Sarah’s brother Adam has been educating her best friend Lane in the arts of the Kama Sutra for weeks, all in the pursuit of Lane’s real target, David Bennet. So when Sarah finds herself alone with David at an exhibition, weeping over her own terrible dating history, they strike up a conversation. A budding artist, he wants to paint her, so she agrees in return for a guarantee that he’ll find her a relationship that can last more than three weeks (her rather dismal personal best).

She reassures herself that she isn’t betraying Lane. After all, Sarah wants marriage and 2.4 kids, and David has made it more than clear he will never want that. Plus he’s going to sleep with Lane any day now. Isn’t he?

3. P J VYE

PJ Vye lives on the plains of central Victoria where the sun shines nearly every day, even when it’s freezing. Her passion – when she’s not writing witty, off-the-wall romance – is gardening and transforming her six acres into a writer’s sanctuary.

Her debut novel, The Hermit Next Door, won Australia’s Emerald Award in 2015.

Smart, sassy and drop-dead insensitive, Pip Lessis has learned the only way not to upset colleagues is to work alone. She's completely unsuited to a job in the service industry, and yet when she inherits a funeral home, she figures it’s a good fit for her personality type. Dead people don't require small talk, right?

Pip discovers her new small town business can't prosper without the support of the community, and when she starts accusing the town folk of a murderous conspiracy - well they'd rather invite a serial killer in for tea and toast than trust an outsider.

Jaimes Everest, her largest competitor, seems determined to strike a deal, but when he reveals a surprising truth about his deceased wife, Pip believes he might be slightly unhinged. And why is it, slightly unhinged seems so damn attractive to her?

With one foot in the grave and one foot in her mouth, can Pip find a niche market in the funeral business, uncover a killer and find friendships worth risking everything for…without having to join the netball team?

I Bury Dead People is a cosy tale with a touch of romance, a touch of mystery and a hearse load of laughter.

4. STEFANIE LONDON

Books that make you laugh a little, and love a lot.

Stefanie London is the USA Today bestselling author of over fifteen contemporary romances and romantic comedies.

Originally from Australia, Stefanie now lives in Toronto with her very own hero. She frequently indulges in her passions for travel, good coffee, lipstick, romance novels and anything zombie-related.

Everybody's talking about the hot new app reviewing New York's most eligible bachelors. But why focus on prince charming when you can read the latest dirt on the lowest-ranked "Bad Bachelors"—NYC's most notorious bad boys.

If one more person mentions Bad Bachelors to Reed McMahon, someone's gonna get hurt. A PR whiz, Reed is known as an 'image fixer' but his womanizing ways have caught up with him. What he needs is a PR miracle of his own.

When Reed strolls into Darcy Greer's workplace offering to help save the struggling library, she isn't buying it. The prickly Brooklynite knows Reed is exactly the kind of guy she should avoid. But the library does need his help. But as she reluctantly works with Reed, she realizes there's more to a man than his reputation. Maybe, just maybe Bad Bachelor #1 is THE one for her.

5. SHANNON CURTIS

Shannon Curtis was born and raised in Sydney, Australia.

She’s always enjoyed reading mysteries. In primary school she hid her Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden books behind her textbooks in class, and her teachers just thought she was being studious. 

When she was old enough to realize boys didn’t have ‘germs’, she became interested in romance and used to ‘borrow’ her mum’s books and read them in her room while she pretended to clean it (Ahhh, the subterfuge!).

Then she discovered romantic mysteries, and an entire new world opened up to her. How could she not write a genre that encompassed her two loves: romance and crime? 

She'll do whatever it takes to track this killer ...

Harmony Talbot's world is destroyed when she arrives home and discovers her cousin's dead body, left with a single white rose as the killer's calling card. Lightning shouldn't strike twice, but this is the second unsolved murder in Harmony's family. Harmony is determined that this time there will be justice, even if she has to track down the culprit herself.

Homicide detective Bern Knight is good at catching criminals. Though meaningful, his work leaves little time for relationships, and the last thing he needs is a beautiful, bumbling amateur sleuth getting herself into trouble. Whoever committed this crime is no ordinary murderer; he's a ghost, leaving behind no evidence until more bodies with the same sadistic markers start turning up.

As a digital forensic investigator, Harmony has a special set of skills that she's fully prepared to use, no matter how much the stern detective is against her interference. Tracking the killer is no easy feat, but Harmony lures him out of hiding. Except now she's the one in the killer's crosshairs…

And there you have it, five fab Aussie authors with five fabulous stories.

I hope I’ve introduced you to one or more authors who may just become one of your new go-to’s or favorites. If so, I’d love to know, no matter how far down the track J

Have you heard of or read any of these books? Do any intrigue you more than others? Have you read any other Aussie-authored novels that you’d recommend? I’m always looking to expand my horizons J

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Michelle xx

 

Michelle Somers is a bookworm from way back. An ex-Kiwi who now calls Australia home, she's a professional killer and matchmaker, a storyteller and a romantic. Words are her power and her passion. Her heroes and heroines always get their happy ever after, but she'll put them through one hell of a journey to get there. 

Michelle lives in Melbourne, Australia, with her real life hero and three little heroes in the making. And Emmie, a furry black feline who thinks she’s a dog. Her debut novel, Lethal in Love won the Romance Writers of Australia's 2016 Romantic Book of the Year (RuBY) and the 2013 Valerie Parv Award. 

You can find out all about Michelle, her adventures and her books at www.michelle-somers.com

Please pop by and say 'hi' 😊

Get Lost in a Romantic Comedy Book

Sometimes you need to escape in a funny, light-hearted book without the angst. The world news is getting the better of your peace of mind and you don’t want any more dark, tragic reads. So, it’s time to turn to romantic comedy. The only problem is, the best romcom books can be hard to find. 

When is a romcom not a romcom? When it’s labelled as chick lit, women’s fiction or a romance novel, of course. It doesn’t really matter what category or genre it’s labelled under, in my humble opinion, if it has these essential elements:

-   At least one main character who is ‘played for laughs’ with a funny voice, witty dialogue or hilarious internal monologue

-   A central romance or love story (other stuff can also be happening)

-   A happy ever after (HEA) or happy for now (HFN) ending – ‘everybody dies’ books are not welcome here…

Wacky plot details and accidental misunderstandings are entirely optional! So without further ado, here’s a few of my favourite romcom books, or whatever you want to call them.

Marriage of Inconvenience by Penny Reid

 

Penny Reid has become one of my favourite romantic comedy authors over the past year or so. I stumbled across recommendations of her writing from a few sources, including the fabulous Kylie Scott, so I thought I was on a winner. This book is the last (probably?) in the outstanding Knitting in the City series. I have been hanging out to read this one, so much that I tried to pre-order it twice. Take my money, Ms Reid!

Anyhow, Marriage of Inconvenience is the story of Kat and Dan, secondary characters in some of the previous stories. Kat is a secret heiress to a big pharma company and Dan The Security Man is well, a security man! It’s an opposites attract set-up with characters from two different worlds who nonetheless have a real connection from the first time they see each other. Kat has to marry Dan to secure her company and her freedom, fighting off her terrible cousin who’s just after the family fortune. 

If you’re new to the Knitting in the City series, I recommend starting with Neanderthal Seeks Human. You’re in for a treat reading about brilliant and eccentric Janie, purveyor of useless but fascinating facts. 

The Hating Game by Sally Thorne

I read this one a few months ago and absolutely loved it. The Hating Game is the debut novel from Australian author, Sally Thorne, and she absolutely nails the enemies to lovers trope. It’s very funny, from the moment the two lead characters appear on the page, glaring at each other across the partitions in their fictional publishing office. 

The white water rafting, corporate team-building scene is particularly memorable in a cringe-worthy 'how embarrassing' way. Highly recommended! I can't wait for her next book...

Playing House by Amy Andrews

 

This is an unusual Aussie choice from one of my favourite authors, Amy Andrews (who I’ve shamelessly fan-girled at the Romance Writers of Australia conference more than once). 

Playing House is the latest instalment in a series of romantic comedies set in the world of Australian rugby. I absolutely adore her writing, which is both super funny and super sexy. Playing House has a wonderful blend of light-hearted humour around a virgin heroine with a Mr Darcy fixation, a one-night stand and a best friend’s brother trope, and more serious issues which totally snuck up on me -- yes, I cried when reading this one. You have been warned! 

Don’t be put off if you’re not a fan of sports-themed books or if you don’t really know anything about rugby (Who does? Not this little red hen!) because this is all about the tough guy heroes who have it all in a wordly sort of way, with fame and fortune, but who need love in their lives. The interconnected stories are great fun and easy reading, but start with Playing By Her Rules if you want to read the entire series. 

Content warning: this book contains a pregnancy loss/miscarriage that may be difficult reading for some. 

**NEWS FLASH** -- Amy Andrews has just been announced as a double RITA Award finalist! Congratulations, Amy!

Lingerie Wars by Janet Elizabeth Henderson 

 

An ex special forces operative, Lake Benson, buys a lingerie shop in a remote Scottish town. Because of course he does! There’s a goregeous ex-lingerie model to compete against, and tactics get dirty. I love all the wacky characters in the town who add a great fun element to this book. There are tartan undies and a hilarious fashion show attended by the whole town. 

I’m going to continue reading this whole series by New Zealander (from a Scottish background) Ms Henderson, and I’m really looking forward to it. 

Girl on a Plane by Cassandra O'Leary

 

Yes, I included my own book. Shameless self-promotion alert! I've been inspired by many awesome chick lit and romance writers and of course, romcom movies. There are quite a few references to these in Girl on a Plane. Careful readers will spot the When Harry Met Sally and Love Actually references, but can you spot more? 

I loved playing with the balance of humour and emotion in this book, and also the themes of travel and finding home. My Irish flight attendant character, Sinead, is played for laughs. Mostly. Aye, there's a bit of the craick. And some sexytimes. 

Romcoms to be read...

I've got a huge To Be Read list already, but let me know your romcom recommendations in the comments below!

About Cassandra O'Leary

**Winner of the global We Heart New Talent contest run by HarperCollins UK. Nominated for BEST NEW AUTHOR in AusRomToday 2016 Reader's Choice Awards for excellence in Australian romance fiction**

Cassandra O’Leary is a romance and women’s fiction author, communications specialist, avid reader, film and TV fangirl and admirer of pretty, shiny things. Her debut novel, Girl on a Plane, was published in July 2016. 

Cassandra is a mother of two gorgeous, high-energy mini ninjas and wife to a spunky superhero. Living in Melbourne, Australia, she’s also travelled the world. If you want to send her to Italy or Spain on any food or wine tasting ‘research’ trips, that would be splendiferous. 

Read more or sign-up for Cassandra's newsletter at cassandraolearyauthor.com

Book Recommendations: Reading Is Way More Fun Than Back-To-School Preparations

By Michelle Monkou

With my children well on their way to the land of adulthood, my back to school experience is not the usual mad dash to buy uniforms, sign up one child or the other in a team sport, or assist with the long summer reading list that they are only beginning to tackle before school starts.

Instead, I have one child off to graduate school in London, England. I'm...or I should say, she is....knee deep in paperwork, travel arrangements, and all the other things that you don't think about until the last minute. It's quite hectic.

So I'd like to make a few reading recommendations to offset the harried times that surrounds back-to-school time with K. M. Jackson's The Betting Vow, Tessa Dare's The Duchess Deal, and Tessa Bailey's Disorderly Conduct.

THE BETTING VOW
By K. M. Jackson

Leila Darling is past done with the supermodel thing, especially the mega-parties and high-profile flings that have done nothing but leave her alone and jaded. She’s got the talent to be a serious actress, but the industry sees her as a high-maintenance, impulsive party girl with a reputation for leaving men in the dust—especially TV producer Carter Bain. 
 
Carter’s had his eye on Leila for years, so when a bet gives him a chance to get close to her, he accepts. With the goal of getting Leila the image makeover she needs and Carter the star he desires, the game is on. Get married and stay married for six months. If Leila lasts, she gets her pick of his A-list roles. If Carter wins, she’ll take the hot sidekick part he’s offered. 
 
But as their “I do” turns up all kinds of heat, Leila and Carter find they have more in common than they ever imagined. Are these two prepared to put business aside and surrender the ultimate prize, their hearts?

I love that K. M. Jackson starts The Betting Vow by getting out of the way with any author intrusion. Immediately Leila Darling starts off her story, in her way, with a bit of pragmatism, a good dose of inner grit, and a side of vulnerability that invites us to care about her, her goals, her dreams to win. 

And of course, career driven Carter Bain, hero extraordinaire, is the perfect match for Leila. Neither knows this or wants to trust in the powerful connection, but I was in this for the long haul. In the words by Tyra Banks, in full meltdown scream, "I was rootin' for you (them)." Every step of the way. And K. M. Jackson didn't disappoint with this gem.

THE DUCHESS DEAL

By Tessa Dare

Since his return from war, the Duke of Ashbury’s to-do list has been short and anything but sweet: brooding, glowering, menacing London ne’er-do-wells by night. Now there’s a new item on the list. He needs an heir—which means he needs a wife. When Emma Gladstone, a vicar’s daughter turned seamstress, appears in his library wearing a wedding gown, he decides on the spot that she’ll do.

His terms are simple:

- They will be husband and wife by night only.

- No lights, no kissing. 

- No questions about his battle scars. 

- Last, and most importantly… Once she’s pregnant with his heir, they need never share a bed again.

But Emma is no pushover. She has a few rules of her own:

- They will have dinner together every evening. 

- With conversation.

- And unlimited teasing.

- Last, and most importantly… Once she’s seen the man beneath the scars, he can’t stop her from falling in love…

What a beautiful story! Really, I'm not being overly enthusiastic. The plotline is endearing, uplifting, and just really swoon-worthy. From beginning to end, we care about these two strangers who come together for his/her own cause.

We care about them from the very start because of Tessa Dare's writing. Talk about emotionally laden scenes. Pick any scene to read and immediately you're pulled into the time period, to the situation, to the conflict, and to the resolution.

If you haven't figured it out, I truly enjoyed The Duchess Deal. Read it. Trust me, you won't be disappointed.


DISORDERLY CONDUCT
By Tessa Bailey

Police academy cadet Charlie Burns can’t believe his luck when the gorgeous blonde he meets in a bar murmurs those magic words: “Nothing serious, ’kay?” Mind-blowing, no-strings sex with Ever Carmichael—it’s the holy grail of hookups for a guy who’s too busy following in his law enforcement family’s footsteps to think about getting serious. Charlie’s all about casual…that is, until Ever calls it quits and his world tilts on its axis.

Ever knows that when you control the relationship game, you can’t get played. But for the first time, she wants more than short-term satisfaction. Step one: end her fling with commitment-phobic Charlie. Step two: sacrifice herself to the ruthless NYC dating scene. Yet everywhere she turns, there’s Charlie, being his ridiculously charming self. No online match or blind date compares to the criminally hot cop-in-training, but they’re over. Aren’t they?

If love is a four-letter-word, why does the idea of Ever seeing someone else tie Charlie up in knots?  Now he’s desperate to win her back…and a little date sabotage never hurt anyone, right?

Let's talk dirty. Let's talk sexy. Let's talk about Tessa Bailey's Disorderly Conduct which is a sensual and emotional ride that you don't want to end. Bailey casts the perfect couple to bring together and challenge each other with their philosophies on life and relationships.

While definitely a sexy read, and the scenes are a scorcher, Disorderly Conduct doesn't get bogged down by the voracious sexual appetites of Charlie and Ever. Instead their dogged approach to stay their course with each other is enhanced by how (sincerely) hungry they are for each other. What does torment their relationship are pulled from their lives and fears giving authenticity to the story. At the end of the day, this hunky romance read will have you rooting for this couple's happy ever after ending. Who doesn't like a hero who writes love letters?

Happy Reading!!