Happy new year to all the Australian Women Writers Challenge enthusiasts. It is with pleasure that I bring you the final 2017 round up for Erotica, Romance and Romantic suspense, for the month of December. There was a fantastic last minute surge in reviews in December and the stats are an indication of this impressive response to the romance genre. In December, we had 33 reviews submitted for romance, of 31 books from 29 authors. Eleni of Eleni’s Library is our top reviewer this month, submitting an astounding 19 romance reviews.

The festive season saw a lot of interest in romance reads featuring a Christmas backdrop. The most popular book reviewed this month was a new release by Laura Greaves titled, Two Weeks ‘Til Christmas.  Lauren Keegan had this to say about this short but perfect beach bag accessory:

Two Weeks ‘Til Christmas is a light, fun seasonal read with a frustratingly strong protagonist and a soft-hearted hero. I read it in a weekend!

Over at my own blog, Mrs B’s Book Reviews, I also gave Two Weeks ‘Til Christmas my full blessing:

After a heavy weekend filled with Christmas preparations, Laura Greaves’ new novel was just what I needed to curl up with at the end of a busy few days. At this time of year, with all the commitments, events and shopping expeditions, a romantic Christmas themed second chance love story is exactly what I needed. Two Weeks ‘Til Christmas is a light, fluffy and quick read. It is a book that I guarantee will appeal to the hearts of romance readers and those who appreciate a good Aussie setting.

Another romantic and sexy Christmas read enjoyed in December by Eleni was Mistletoe Not Required by Anne Oliver.

Still on Christmas, fans of short stories or novellas with an appealing festive theme may like to check out Christmas Wishes by Rhian Cahill, which was reviewed favourably by Eleni.

Moving away from Christmas, through the reviews of two of our challenge participants, Elizabeth Fitzgerald and Eleni, I immediately put Alison Goodman’s Lady Helen and the Dark Days Club on my reading wish list. This is a book fans of paranormal and historical romances shouldn’t miss!

If you are looking for a rural romance to enjoy over the summer holidays, then one of these titles reviewed by our readers this month may pique your interest.

The Baby Doctor by Fiona McArthur was a pleasant surprise for Lauren Keegan.

Carolyn Scott delighted in the humour and good fun of quintessential road trip novel, Amber and Alice by Janette Paul.

Brenda delved into one of Mandy Magro’s back list titles, Driftwood. Brenda thoroughly enjoyed the mix of history and romance.

The last book I would like to showcase to readers who enjoy romance novels, with a touch of suspense and mystery, is self published author, Phillipa Nefri Clark’s follow up to her heartfelt first novel, The Stationmaster’s Cottage, Jasmine Sea. Here are my thoughts at Mrs B’s Book Reviews on this new romance release:

Phillipa Nefri Clark presents her readers with a full bodied narrative. Jasmine Sea combines a beautiful, romantic and slightly complicated love story, with a strong line of suspense. I enjoyed the suspense and crime scenes very much in this novel, which were well written. There are plenty of secrets to shake up this narrative and to keep your eyes continually glued to the page, for the entire length of this novel.

That’s all I have to bring you this month but thank you for all the wonderful romance reviews, I am positively overwhelmed by the response for December. May the enthusiasm continue into 2018! Happy new year, happy reading and don’t forget to sign up for the 2018 challenge.


About me: I am a mum of two young boys, an early childhood teacher, dressaholic, second hand book stall owner, book reviewer and self confessed book geek. In 2016, I turned my passion for reading into my own blog, Mrs B’s Book Reviews. I blog daily and love nothing more than to showcase books by our talented crop of Australian women writers, especially rural romance, along with a number of other genres. Check my reviews out at the following sites, Mrs B’s Book Reviews, Facebook, Goodreads, Instagram and Twitter.