On this first week of December, I am delighted to bring you all the latest trends in romance literature. Our romance readers are in the festive spirit already, as a number of yuletide books made an appearance in the round-up this month. There are also some old favourites and plenty of new titles to add to your Christmas readings lists. The November edition of Erotica, Romance and Romantic Suspense reveals some very healthy looking stats. Over the last month we received 33 reviews, of 28 books and 24 authors. A great final effort!

Popular and new

The recipient for the most popular book this month is a brand new release penned by Penelope Janu, titled On the Same Page. This book clocked in three separate reviews, which is wonderful to see. On the Same Page was the winner of the XO Romance Prize in 2017 and as a result, it received a lucrative publishing contract. The response to this book has been one of admiration across the board from Claire Holderness, Mrs B’s Book Reviews and Beauty & Lace Book Club. I love this review from Michelle of Beauty & Lace:

I loved this book for a lot of reasons but I think the main thing I loved about it was the spotlight Janu shines on the validity of the romance genre. It has long been known that many people turn their noses up at the genre, they demean the literary merit and refuse to take it seriously. These are attitudes that romance authors the world over have to face on a daily basis, even though the genre is bestselling and makes millions of fans happy. I LOVE that Janu has woven this into her story as an integral part of the narrative.

Another book that seems to have captured romance readers again this month is Dressing the Dearloves by Kelly Doust. I can personally attest to adoring this novel. It received two lovely reviews this month via Nicole and Jenny Mustey.

Our third popular title this month was a book I introduced you to in the October round-up. It is great to see readers getting on board and supporting the work of self published author Mel A. Rowe, with her book, The Football Whisperer. New reviews on this aussie rules inspired romance can be found by visiting Mrs B’s Book Reviews and Helen Sibbritt.

Lily Malone was a name that cropped up a couple of times this month, which put a big smile on my face. It was such a pleasure to finally meet Lily in person at last month’s West Coast Fiction Festival. Theresa Smith gave us a sneak peak of Lily’s next title, The Cafe on the Bridge, via an in-depth author interview. This accompanies a review from Claire Holderness of His Brand of Beautiful, a book Lily Malone wrote in 2013.

A book that was also featured in last month’s round up, Out of Mind (Maximum Exposure #2) by Kendall Talbott, received two very positive reviews. I’m inclined to seek this one out for myself after reading glowing reviews from Claire Holderness and Helen Sibbritt. These two ladies are prolific reviewers, so I know if a book has received their endorsement, it must be good!

Further highlights this month include the much anticipated third novel from writer Phillipa Nefri Clark. I have really enjoyed this series, so I look forward to sinking my teeth into this one. The Secrets of Palmerston House: A Christie Ryan Romantic Mystery (River’s End Book 3), was covered in a five star review from Helen Sibbritt.

Rural romance queen Mandy Magro returns just in time for Christmas, with her long awaited  sequel to her debut novel, Rosalee Station titled, Return to Rosalee Station. Brenda’s review was so enticing, I’m going to add this one to my pile of essential holiday reads. 

If you are a fan of romance in the short story form, look no further than Destination Romance. This is a highly accessible romance collection from a range of Australian women writers. The brainchild of Serenity Press, the stories all revolve around the same travel agency, J’Adore Travel Boutique. It is a great armchair travel read, with plenty of romance for those who like nothing more than a happily ever after. A review can be found by visiting Mrs B’s Book Reviews.

Returns

In November there was a welcome return for the following favourite titles:

• The Lost Pearl by Emily Madden reviewed by Marg
• Hope Springs by Shannon Curtis reviewed by Helen Sibbritt
• A Whole New Ball Game by Lauren K. McKellar reviewed by Helen Sibbritt
• A Model Wife by Maggie Christensen interviewed by Mrs B’s Book Reviews

Pre 2018 releases

Those lovely romance reads that were published prior to 2018 continue to dazzle our readers. In November we saw a handful of older titles pop up, reminding us that we must seek them out!

• In the Spotlight by Shona Husk reviewed by Claire Holderness
• Only We Know by Victoria Purman reviewed by Brenda
• The Dark Rose by Denise Rossetti reviewed by Eleni
• Fortune’s Son by Jennifer Scoullar reviewed by Mrs B’s Book Reviews

Self Published

My pick this month is something a little different. Claire Holderness reviewed The Vampire’s Covenant by Georgia Carter Mathers. In her review, Claire stated this was a vampire story with a difference, containing plenty of romance and chemistry. I always appreciate meeting new authors through the round-up process, especially self published writers. Thanks Claire!

Festive Reads

As it is the holiday season, now is the perfect time to indulge in some festive reading. This month we have a good selection of Christmas themed romance novels. The sub genres of these picks range from historical romance, to sweet love stories, through to those with a touch of heat. I can recommend the following titles to you:

The Little Bookshop on the Seine by Rebecca Raisin reviewed by Mrs B’s Book Reviews
The Laird’s Christmas Kiss by Anna Campbell reviewed by Helen Sibbritt
The Season to Sin (Christmas Seductions #1) and Bound by Their Xmas Baby (Christmas Seductions #2) by Clare Connelly reviewed by Helen Sibbritt
Tinsel in a Tangle by Ainslie Paton reviewed by Helen Sibbritt

On that festive high note, I’m going to close off for this month and sign off for 2018! It has been a truly magical year, filled with so many wonderful romance themed books, penned by our talented Australian women writers. I am going to find it extremely hard to pull together my best of 2018 book list, wish me luck! Until then, I wish you all a safe and happy Christmas. I hope your stockings are blessed with some great romance reads! I will be returning in 2019, with the next romance round-up due January 7th 2019.

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.