Getting Lost in a Book, and Finding the World

I was a reader long before I became a writer. I was read to as a child, and it didn’t take long for me to qualify as a bookworm. I later became an English teacher so reading could be part of my profession. (I also like working with young people, so it was a natural fit.) And I still read as many books as I can fit into my schedule. I love getting lost in books.

A good book can carry the reader along to a different life. She can learn what it’s like to walk around in someone else’s shoes, or learn about a different place or time. I’ve learned about so many things, from building medieval cathedrals to Chinese cooking, thanks to books. But most importantly, I’ve been able to understand people better. I’ve had a glimpse of what it means to live as a Latina teen, or an African American female pilot, or a hundred other lives, thanks to reading. That ability to see through someone else’s eyes is the greatest gift of books. It can change lives for the better. And with enough lives and over time, it will make the world a better place.  

Here are a few of the books I’ve read in the last year that I recommend the next time you want to get lost in a book:

YA: The Ocean in My Ears by Meagan Macvie, Outrun the Moon by Stacey Lee, The Game of Love and Death by Martha Brockenbrough

Adult: How To Be a Woman by Caitlin Moran, Caught by You by Jennifer Bernard, Tiffany Girl by Deeanne Gist

Have you read a book you’d like to share with us? Please add a comment.

Lynn Lovegreen has lived in Alaska for almost fifty years. She taught for twenty years before retiring to make more time for writing. She enjoys her friends and family, reading, and volunteering at her local library. Her young adult/new adult historical romances are set in Alaska, a great place for drama, romance, and independent characters. See her website at www.lynnlovegreen.com. You can also find her on Facebook, Goodreads, and Pinterest.

Book Recommendation: Sarah MacLean's The Day Of The Duchess

by Michelle Monkou

Sarah MacLean's The Day of The Duchess (Scandal & Scoundrel, Book III) is here and waiting for your undying love and attention. Not a hard order to fill. What's not to love with the perfect ingredients:

• A perfectly matched duke and duchess whose lives are ripped apart by their fear and vulnerabilities, limiting conventions of the time, and heartbreaking tragedy. They push each other's buttons and test each other's limits with such wonderful intensity that the pacing never flags. MacLean makes it pretty difficult to put down this book for the quick break.
• A battle of wills that mirrors a political campaign, for better or worse, is awesome to read/watch play out. There is no wilting heroine who lacks a spine. There is no grim lord of the manor shaking sense into his woman. Intelligence and gut instinct are what's relied upon, along with a good dose of emotional appeal to let us know that they are flawed but beautiful as ever. 
• A love story that never stops being about winning the heart of the other. At the end of the day, regardless of the time period, it's a romance and what a beautiful journey it is with its worthy hero and heroine to make it memorable and have us cheering to the sweet (grab the hanky) end.

(Avon Romance Back Cover Blurb)

The one woman he will never forget…

Malcolm Bevingstoke, Duke of Haven, has lived the last three years in self-imposed solitude, paying the price for a mistake he can never reverse and a love he lost forever. The dukedom does not wait, however, and Haven requires an heir, which means he must find himself a wife by summer’s end. There is only one problem—he already has one.

The one man she will never forgive…

After years in exile, Seraphina, Duchess of Haven, returns to London with a single goal—to reclaim the life she left and find happiness, unencumbered by the man who broke her heart. Haven offers her a deal; Sera can have her freedom, just as soon as she finds her replacement…which requires her to spend the summer in close quarters with the husband she does not want, but somehow cannot resist.

A love that neither can deny…

The duke has a single summer to woo his wife and convince her that, despite their broken past, he can give her forever, making every day

Happy Reading!

Book Recommendations: Authors Kathleen A. Flynn & Sophie Jaff

by Michelle Monkou

The Jane Austen Project by Kathleen A. Flynn is Perfect for fans of Jane Austen, this engrossing debut novel offers an unusual twist on the legacy of one of the world's most celebrated and beloved authors: two researchers from the future are sent bak in time to meet Jane and recover a suspected unpublished novel.

In a nutshell, The Jane Austen Project is a time travel adventure story wrapped in a literary style as if Jane Austen or her contemporaries wrote about this unusual and intriguing encounter.

Author Flynn takes her time with the world of 1815 England from the eyes of its back-in-time traveler. Staying in character or true to character, the flavor of the period rings with authenticity to make any desire to go back in history one that may elicit excitement, but also give pause for the things we take for granted--gender roles, rules of society, technology, illness, injury, and mortality, etc.

Flynn, on the other hand, doesn't delay the start of the adventure with its first line: What kind of maniac travels in time? by its heroine who isn't afraid to use her heart and brain to solve the problems of the day, navigate the unpredictable path of her feelings for two men, but also to challenge the assumptions and expectations about the mission against her own code. Here we see (through the heroine's eyes) her interaction with various women in their stations of life, including Jane Austen. Her modern disposition and privilege contrasted, but at times, empathized with their 1815 identities.

By the end, I'm glad that Flynn didn't gloss over the effects of researchers going back in time. There are consequences and every interaction casts another ripple through reality, which should always be the big problem to solve or acknowledge about in any time travel story. As a result, I'm not disappointed with the (surprise) ending.  I'm quite pleased actually that Flynn with her careful considerations stayed true to "every action has a reaction" theory to the end.

_______________________

Sophie Jaff's Crown Of Stars is a heady mix of the supernatural, thriller, and mystery elements. Book two of The Night Song Trilogy will delight her fans with the dual stories that are connected by a dark prophecy. Sacrifice and betrayal motivate and yet tear apart the characters' souls.

The dark worlds, well-written and wonderfully detailed, will grab the reader and take her on a winding and satisfying ride. Jaff drops in the creepiness in steady doses to push the urgency and pacing of the plot.

Although we are guaranteed a third installment,  Jaff is never lazy with  this unique tale making sure to challenge her complex characters to the bitter end. She closes on a high note that will keep our anticipation for book three on simmer.

In the sequel to the critically acclaimed cult favorite novel Love Is Red, CROWN OF STARS, the past and present collide in a stunning, suspenseful, supernatural saga of revenge that will enrapture fans of Karen Marie Moning, Susanna Kearsley, and Anne Rice.

Katherine narrowly escaped death at the hands of a notorious serial killer, but in saving herself she destroyed her relationship with Sael, the man she loves. However, she’s pregnant—and he doesn’t know. She’s already adopted Lucas, the son of her murdered roommate and plans to raise him and the baby on her own, until a chance encounter with Sael forces them to confront their future. He asks them to come with him to London, where he’s starting a new job. Still deeply disturbed by the events of the past few months, Katherine agrees to a new start abroad.

Hundreds of years earlier, a young English girl named Margaret witnesses her mother’s vicious murder in the woods surrounding their village. A strange, dark-eyed child, Margaret already attracts suspicion and her miraculous survival only stokes rumors of witchcraft among the neighbors. When her father remarries a much younger, hostile woman, Margaret knows she must leave for good. Her fight to survive on her own reveals she has inherited her mother’s extraordinary gifts.

Katherine begins her new life in London, and Margaret also gets to start over—as an alewife in a local lord’s castle. Even though Margaret’s is a medieval world, separated from Katherine’s by centuries, both women struggle with loneliness, the pain of being misunderstood, and the consequences of a passionate love affair gone wrong. And as their stories converge, an electrifying narrative builds towards a climax that forces Katherine to confront her destiny and that of her child, which are intertwined with Margaret’s own troubled fate.

Enjoy the read!!

Michelle

Have You Read Beverly Jenkins' Breathless?

by Michelle Monkou

Breathless was released this month (actually, January 31) and coincidently it's also the author Beverly Jenkins's birth month -- HAPPY BIRTHDAY.

So back to my question, have you read Breathless?

Yes? Wonderful. Be sure to share your thoughts and recommendation with friends.

No? Then hopefully I can sway you to hop right into Beverly's book for an epic romantic journey steeped in history, blended with suspense, and underscored by a beautiful courtship.

Romance Writers of America (RWA) recently asked the question on Twitter: Why do you read romance?

My answer: Breathless! When a great romance is built on a robust, meaty plot, with complex and compelling characters, and driven by really interesting historical details that enhance, but also provide dark conflict, these elements are all the reasons I celebrate reading a romance book.

As such, Author Beverly Jenkins once again has written another romantic masterpiece.

This historical romance, second book in the Rhine Trilogy, set in the Old West with its tarnished hero--Kent Randolph--and career-driven heroine--Portia Carmichael have reunited after many years. She's all grown up and is serious about what she wants in life.

For her, there is no room for relationships and she won't trust the shaky ground of falling in love. Meanwhile Kent has a checkered past, as a ladies' man, college dropout, and a former prisoner making him an ineligible bachelor for any respectable young woman like Portia.

Trademark of Jenkins' stories is the wonderful all-encompassing family structure that bolsters the main characters. She throws open the doors and welcomes you in to celebrate with the family, friends, and even neighbors and citizens of the towns and cities of her characters' worlds.

Make no mistake, this is not a romantic fluff story. Not in the least, the backdrop of the times, its limitations, its complexities, its opportunities are expertly woven through this tight quilt of lives.

From the first page of the Prologue, we climb aboard. We become invested. We care about these people, their circumstances, and their future. Danger is always present, sometimes fully in the couple's lives pushing them in one direction or another, maybe even away from each other.

The tiny bud of love that is so natural and beautiful between them must push through all the obstacles that can stifle and allow it to wither and disappear. Jenkins' writes bold and imperfect souls who can be fearless, yet humble and strong, yet compassionate. And despite all stories coming to an end with the last page and its last words, we can't stop caring about Kent and Portia.

We don't want to stop caring and celebrating for them.

"In romance novels, love always wins" -- RWA

Breathless (back cover synopsis):

A strong-willed beauty finds herself in the arms of the handsome drifter from her past, in this second book in the sizzling series set in the Old West, from USA Today Bestselling Author Beverly Jenkins

As manager of one of the finest hotels in Arizona Territory, Portia Carmichael has respect and stability—qualities sorely missing from her harsh childhood. She refuses to jeopardize that by hitching herself to the wrong man. Suitors are plentiful, but none of them has ever looked quite as tempting as the family friend who just rode into town…and none has looked at her with such intensity and heat.

Duchess. That’s the nickname Kent Randolph gave Portia when she was a young girl. Now she’s a stunning, intelligent woman—and Kent has learned his share of hard lessons. After drifting through the West, he’s learned the value of a place to settle down, and in Portia’s arms he’s found that and more. But convincing her to trust him with her heart, not just her passion, will be the greatest challenge he’s known—and one he intends to win…

(First book in the Rhine Trilogy)

Weaver’s STRYOFOAM CORPSE Delivers Reader’s Trifecta: Mystery, Romance, Laughs

By Linda Lovely

A heroine-in-hiding who hasn’t lost her sense of humor—at least until she’s the prime suspect for killing her sleazy peeping Tom neighbor. A strapping sheriff who faints at the sight of a corpse. The sheriff’s life-long buddy, an attorney, who lusted for our heroine long before learning she was the sheriff’s secret girlfriend. A politician who plays dirty as he tries to replace the sheriff with his nincompoop son.  

In her newest romantic mystery, STYROFOAM CORPSE, author Robin Weaver weaves these characters in and out of a plot that’s full of surprise twists and turns. It’s a perfect summer read for folks like me who enjoy mysteries entwined with romantic complications and seasoned with humor and snark. By the way, those are trademark signs you’re reading a mystery written by Robin (Snark-is-her-middle-name) Weaver, one of my favorite authors.

Here’s a quick synopsis.

Sheriff Casey Randolph suffers from necrophobia, e.g. the sight of dead bodies makes him weak in the knees and weaker in the stomach. Casey’s crazy about Shannon Summers but keeps their relationship secret for two reasons. He’s running for re-election and he’s sure his opponent, Butchie Blackwell, would twist the relationship into something ugly since Shannon, while separated, is still married. Also she’s hiding from her bullying husband while waiting for her divorce to become final.

Shannon’s neighbor, Timothy Welch, a lecherous peeping Tom, calls the sheriff’s office to report a woman stabbing a man to death and the address he gives is Shannon’s. A frantic Sheriff Casey speeds over, but soon finds the dead body in Shannon’s pool is actually a Styrofoam dummy. She acted out stabbing the centerpiece decoration for her Halloween party just to play a mind game on the peeper. The sheriff visits Welch and warns him to quit bothering Shannon.

After her Halloween party, Shannon awakens poolside and groggy to discover that her Styrofoam corpse has been replaced with a real dead body—who is soon identified as peeper Welch. Shannon’s the prime suspect since she’s verbally threatened Welch, and she’s alone with the body inside her gated, locked home. Initially Sheriff Casey wonders if Shannon might have been under the influence of illegal drugs contributed by party guests, and thinks it’s possible she could have killed Welch in self-defense.

The sheriff calls on his life-long buddy, Parker Daniels, to help Shannon since he can’t publicly do so. He doesn’t realize Parker and Shannon know each other, but hadn’t acted on a mutual attraction. Oops. Jealousy enters the scene.

 

This is just the START. The twists and turns include political shenanigans, illegal bugs, kidnapping, and an array of suspects who had good reason to kill Welch. Will let you discover how it all turns out! Click here  to buy STYROFOAM CORPSE.

Other fun reads by Robin Weaver include BLUE RIDGE FEAR and FRAMING NOVERTA.Click on the titles for links to her books.

Pass That Book Along: Recommended Titles by Kristin Holt

by Kristin Holt
www.KristinHolt.com

I'm a voracious reader. Bet you are too, as you're interested in a blog called Romancing The Genres.

TWO REASONS I READ NONSTOP:

1. "Hiding in Fiction" is my favorite entertainment--and distraction.

2. Stephen King granted permission.

THREE TITLES FROM MY KEEPER SHELF

So many books, so little time.

Recommendations for quality, worthwhile reading material can go a very long way. If someone else enjoyed it, I just might love it.

Jim Butcher's The Dresden Files, a 15+ paranormal urban fantasy series cemented my love of Fantasy. Given I pretty much only read romance (of various sub-genres), I credit Butcher with broadening my horizons and making me fall hard and fast for wizard Harry Dresden, an unlikely hero whose moral compass sees him in more trouble with vampires, witches, the Fae, goblins, ghosts--and the writing is superb. If you've not yet discovered this series, the really great news is 1) the series is long enough to hold you a while, and 2) they only get better and better [as every author truly should improve in their craft with experience].

Maybe it's cheating to lump the Inheritance Cycle series by Christopher Paolini into one book recommendation. I don't remember why I started reading the series, but once I finished book 1, I was hooked. As one who primarily identifies as a romance reader, I'm surprised how this Teen / YA / Fantasy-Action and Adventure-Magic series grabbed me and refused to let go. They're long, in-depth, superior, and captivating. Consider the audible editions for a family road-trip.

Ah, historical romance. Deanne Gist is a master of the genre. Set at the The Chicago World Fair (1893), Fair Play is a wholesome romance with historically accurate detail. Reading it put me squarely in the middle of a female physician's challenges in 19th century Chicago, and I felt the rush of excitement surrounding The Fair...and fell topknot over button-up shoes for Texas Ranger on loan to The Colombian Guard. While a Christian historical romance, the religious elements are minor; I completely forgot it was categorized as Christian fiction while reading. I listened to the audible edition many months (and dozens of books) ago, and elements still echo through my memory. It was that good.

From Pinterest

Hi! I'm Kristin Holt.

I write frequent articles (or view recent posts easily on my Home Page, scroll down to mid to lower) about the nineteenth century American west–every subject of possible interest to readers, amateur historians, authors…as all of these tidbits surfaced while researching for my books. I also blog monthly at Sweet Americana Sweethearts (first Friday of each month) and Romancing the Genres (third Tuesday of each Month).

I love to hear from readers! Please drop me a note. Or find me on Facebook.

Sweet Romance Appropriate for All Audiences

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Something for Everyone by Lynn Lovegreen

Like Paty Jager, I am also an eclectic reader. It’s not unusual for me to read a mainstream romance, a young adult novel, and an old classic in the same month. So picking which books to recommend in this post was hard for me! Here are a few Alaska books from different genres so everyone can find something she’d like. 

Chapter Book: Both middle grade readers and older ones will enjoy Sweet Home Alaska by Carole Estby Dagg. Dagg's extensive research is evident, but it doesn't overwhelm the engaging characters. The setting (1930s Alaska) gives you an interesting look at history, but the heartwarming story will carry you through the book.

Biography: Wealth Woman by Deb Vanasse is about Kate Carmack (or Shaaw Tláa, her Tagich name), best known as the Native wife of George Carmack, the supposed discoverer of the great Klondike gold strike. Vanasse paints a vivid picture of the woman and her times. This book is a compelling biography, but also more, an analysis of the cultures and personalities in the years before, during, and after the Klondike gold rush.

Young Adult Historical Romance: My own novel Gold Nuggets is on sale right now, so I’ll give you part of a review by Victoria Pitts Caine: “Charlotte, who loves her Alaskan home, isn’t sure where her future will take her, but wants to become a writer and to accomplish that she must either find a job in Fairbanks or go to college in the East. While the family is preparing for Charlotte’s sister’s wedding, they have an unexpected visitor, Henry, who passes through their small town.

He has heard about the land at the foot of Denali and he wants to visit. He is enthralled by what he sees and has aspirations to become part of the political movement to save the land and its wildlife by with the creation of McKinley National Park.”

Whatever you like to read, hope you find a good book in Romancing the Genres this month! :-)

Lynn Lovegreen grew up in Alaska, and still lives there. Her young adult/new adult historical romances are set in the Alaska Gold Rush, a great time for drama, romance, and independent characters. See her website at www.lynnlovegreen.com.