October 2020 saw our romance reviews climb compared to previous months. We have a very thorough representation of all different types of romance over the October 2020 round up period. It was impossible to include everything in this round up, but I have tried my best to provide you with an overview of the key trends that defined October 2020. It gives me great pleasure to deliver the final results for this past month which reveal, 41 reviews of 24 books, of 24 authors in the general category of romance.
Romantic Suspense
Climbing Fear (CoalCliff Stud 1) by Leisl Leighton (2 Reviews, 1 Interview)
Climbing Fear heralds the first issue in Leisl Leighton’s CoalCliff series. A generous serving of romance and a side of suspense runs through this homecoming tale. Two torn souls, haunted by loss, reconnect under the skies of this spectacular rural horse farm. A story of grief, misunderstandings, confusion, trauma, togetherness, support, recovery and healing defines Leisl Leighton’s Australian romantic suspense offering.
Rural Romance
Second Chance Lane by Nicola Marsh (1 Review, 1 Interview)
I have been looking forward to catching up with the fabulous characters I made friends with in The Long Way Home who live in Brockenridge, a small country town in Victoria and Nicola Marsh did not disappoint at all, I do love that in this series we get two romances at a time, this time we get to see Tash get a second chance at love and Jane reclaim her reputation and find love. I do hope that you come to Brockenridge and get to know these lovely characters.
Family Stories in Romance
A Letter for Rosie by Kelly Cameron (1 Review)
This three-generational tale crossing three timelines and coming together beautifully is a story of family and survival on the land.
Series Based Romance
Matilda Next Door by Kelly Hunter, Maeve’s Baby by Fiona McArthur, Serenity’s Song by Cathryn Hein and A Nanny Called Alice by Barbara Hannay – Outback Brides Return to Wirralong (4 Reviews)
What kept me reading each of the subsequent books has been the sense of community, the friendships and yes, the romance in each book. I have also really enjoyed watching the town be slowly rejuvenated thanks to the wedding business that was established in the first series. Since then the town has grown with beauticians, hairdressers, beauticians and more taking their place amongst the farmers, medical staff and police that normally populate small towns.
The Adventures of an Intrepid Reader
Historical Romance
The Highlander’s Forbidden Mistress by Anna Campbell (1 Review)
I do love a good historical, a rake who can be reformed and a heroine who is beautiful on the inside and out. You can’t go wrong with an Anna Campbell story, this author has a magical way with words and knows how to pull a reader in and bring the characters to life on the pages.
Mature Age Romance
The Life She Wants by Maggie Christensen (1 Review)
Just when I believed this series couldn’t get any better, along comes The Life She Wants. I simply can’t seem to get enough of this series (Granite Springs). Aussie Author Maggie Christensen is one gifted lady who really knows how to draw her readers in.
Medical Romance
Montana (Lyrebird Lake #1) by Fiona McArthur (1 Review)
Lyrebird Lake seems to have a healing vibe and it is not long before Andy and Montana are together. This story filled me with so much joy the emotions flow through the pages and not only are Montana and Andy fabulous all of the other characters are just such wonderful people who add so much to this story. There were tears in this one a lot of happy tears.
Paranormal Romance
Hell’s Bell (Lizzie Grace #2) – by Keri Arthur (1 Review)
Continuing on the heels of book 1, we continue to follow Lizzie, Belle and Aiden as they are confronted with a new threat. The story builds more on the relationship between Lizzie and Aiden. We learn more of the world, and see more of the special bond between the witches. It’s go from the first page and Keri Arthur fans will not be disappointed. I definitely wasn’t.
LGBTQI Romance
It’s Been a Pleasure, Noni Blake by Claire Christian (3 Reviews)
I’m writing this review two weeks later, and I’ve been thinking about the book all this time. The idea of a woman taking control of her life and making choices on the fly and not worrying about what people might think… I’m trying to embrace that these days and seeing a character who also struggles with it but learns to really lean into her own desires and wants… that was very inspiring!
Past Pleasure
The Paris Time Capsule by Ella Carey (2 Reviews)
Paris Time Capsule is a captivating story from Ella Carey, taking the reader back to the grand times of the Belle Epoch and the dangerous and uncertain times of the Nazi occupation. Not only does she deliver a heart warming romance, but also an intriguing mystery and a plausible explanation for the abandonment of this treasure-filled apartment.
That’s a wrap! Happy romance reading until next time, Mrs B.
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.
Some good books there I’ve still to read.
Thanks for the shout out!