Welcome, before I launch into the very full round up for the romance genre this month, I would like to acknowledge the efforts of those that received an Australian Romance Readers Award. Held last weekend in Sydney, the notable winners were:

• The Favourite Paranormal Romance for 2018 is Ocean Light by Nalini Singh.
• The Favourite Sci-Fi, Fantasy or Futuristic Romance 2018 is Cursed by Keri Arthur.
• The Favourite Historical Romance 2018 is Marry in Scandal by Anne Gracie.
• The Favourite Contemporary Romance 2018 is Chaser by Kylie Scott.
• The Favourite Short or Category Romance 2018 is Maggie’s Run by Kelly Hunter.
• The Favourite Romantic Suspense 2018 is Dark in Death by JD Robb.
• The Favourite Continuing Romance Series 2018 is Outback Brides by Kelly Hunter, Victoria Purman, Cathryn Hein and Fiona McArthur.
• The Favourite Debut Romance Author of 2018 is Laura Boon.
• The Favourite Australian Romance Author 2018 is Kylie Scott.

The Members’ Choice award winners were:

• Favourite 2018 romance that made me cry: the winner was Maggie’s Run by Kelly Hunter.
• Favourite 2018 romance with laugh-out-loud moment: the winner was Chaser by Kylie Scott.
• Favourite Australian romance of 2018: the winner was Maggie’s Run by Kelly Hunter.

Congratulations to all the winners. I know I will be adding many of these titles to my wishlist.

Following that exciting romance news, it is time to focus on the latest romance round up of 2019.  Our official February 2019 stats are impressive, we had a big spike in romance reviews submitted this month.  We logged in 50 reviews, of 35 books, of 31 authors. This tells me that we are very passionate about our romance books!

Popular and new

The most popular book in February 2019 is a brand new title, the much anticipated second book from Esther Campion. The House of Second Chances appeared six times in our round up this month. Two insightful interviews were added by Theresa Smith Writes and Mrs B’s Book Reviews. There is also a great selection of reviews from Brenda, Helen Sibbritt, Mrs B’s Book Reviews and Bree from 1girl2manybooks.

Another author we continue to show our love and support for is Charlotte Nash. I featured Saving You, Charlotte’s new release last month, but I just had to mention it again as it continues to log in more gushing reviews. Ashleigh from The Book Muse, Jenny Mustey and Mrs B’s Book Reviews all added Saving You this month.

During February I had the pleasure of interviewing Beth Prentice and Kim Petersen.  Beth Prentice and Kim Petersen, along with Catherine Evans collaborated on a brand new romance anthology titled, Untamed Destinies. Featuring three romance themed short stories, this anthology has already been well received by early readers such as Claire Holderness.

A sensational new pre release book review popped up this month for one author I absolutely adore, Rebecca Raisin. Rosie’s Travelling Tea Shop was given the thumbs up by Claire Holderness. I can’t wait to hold a copy in my hands!

Series

In February, many readers turned to romance books that were part of a series. So if you are on the hunt for a new romance themed book series, I have some great recommendations for you based on the books our challenge participants read in February.

• The Secret Son’s Homecoming by Helen Lacey reviewed by Veronica of The Burgeoning Bookshelf (Cedar River Cowboys #7)
• Chocolate and Old Lace by Kaz Delaney (Rosie Hart Mystery series #1) reviewed by Helen Sibbritt
• The Saint by Allison Butler (book #3 Highland Brides) interview by Mrs B’s Book Reviews
• Whispers at Wongan Creek, Secrets at Wongan Creek and Shadows Over Wongan Creek (Wongan Creek series) by Juanita Kees, reviewed by Claire Holderness
• Purple Hills and The Round Yard by Alissa Callen (Woodlea series) reviewed by Claire Holderness
• Lone Star Protector by Jennie Jones (book #2 in the Calamity Valley series) reviewed by Claire Holderness
• Her Guilty Secret by Clare Connelly (book #1 Guilty as Sin series) reviewed by Claire Holderness
• Valor by Karrie Roman (Until You #4) reviewed by Claire Holderness

In February we saw another surge in interest in books that were previously introduced in past round ups.

• 99 Percent Mine by Sally Thorne reviewed by Mrs B’s Book Reviews and Helen Sibbritt
• Lawson’s Bend by Nicole Hurley-Moore reviewed by Bree of 1girl2manybooks and Mrs B’s Book Reviews
• The Cafe by the Bridge by Lily Malone reviewed by Sharon Hill and Helen Sibbritt
• The Last Days of the Romanov Dancers by Kerri Turner reviewed by Mrs B’s Book Reviews
• The Wrong Callahan by Karly Lane reviewed by Sharon Hill
• Two Heartbeats by Rhonda Forrest reviewed by Mrs B’s Book Reviews

Older releases

We had an increase in these books during February. It is good to see that we enjoy selecting both new titles and older romance books to read. This month the pre 2018 titles we explored included:

• Under the Spanish Stars by Alli Sinclair, published in 2016, reviewed by Brenda
• Flame Tree Hill by Mandy Magro, published in 2013, reviewed by Brenda
• A Letter from Italy by Pamela Hart, published in 2017, reviewed by Nicole
• Daughter of the Sky by Michelle Diener, published in 2013, reviewed by Claire Holderness
• Dangerous Deeds by Beth Prentice, published in 2017, reviewed by Claire Holderness

Erotica

It is great that we read so widely within the romance genre in February. This month I have two titles that fall into the Erotica category. The D.I.L.F. by Amy Andrews was reviewed twice over February by Helen Sibbritt and Claire Holderness. Renee Dahlia also released her self published title in this category, Betrayed, which was enjoyed by both Helen Sibbritt and Claire Holderness.

I hope you enjoyed the extra romance news and I was able to help you find a new romance read, or a new series to add to your reading pile. I will return early next month, with another set of romance books to share.

About me: I am a mum of two young boys, an early childhood teacher, dressaholic, 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.