The Romantic Fiction Shelf

To Swoon and to Spar
Martha Waters
Atria Books
c/o Simon & Schuster
1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020
www.simonandschuster.com
Blackstone Audiobooks
www.blackstoneaudio.com
9781668007907, $17.99, PB, 336pp

https://www.amazon.com/Swoon-Spar-Novel-Regency-Vows/dp/1668007908

Synopsis: Viscount Penvale has been working for years to buy back his ances= tral home, Trethwick Abbey, from his estranged uncle. And so he's thrilled = when his uncle announces that he is ready to sell but with one major caveat=
-- Penvale must marry his uncle's ward, Jane Spencer.

When the two meet in London, neither is terribly impressed. Penvale finds J= ane headstrong and sharp-tongued. Jane finds him cold and aloof. Neverthele= ss, they agree to a marriage in name only and return to the estate. There, = Jane enlists her housekeeper for a scheme: to stage a haunting so that Penv= ale will return to London, leaving her to do as she pleases at Trethwick Ab= bey. But Penvale is not as easily scared as his uncle and as their time tog= ether increases, Jane realizes that she might not mind her husband's compan=
y all that much.

Critique: Author Martha Waters is a master of the Regency Era romance novel=
and with the publication of "To Swoon and to Spar" has once again demonstr= ated her decided and distinctive flair for writing humor laced period roman= ce, While her newest novel is unreservedly recommended for community librar=
y Historical Romance Fiction collections, it should be noted for the growin=
g legions of Martha Waters fans that "To Swoon and to Spar" is also availab=
le in a digital book format (Kindle, $13.99) and as a complete and unabridg=
ed audio book (Blackstone Audio, 9781797152240, $39.99, CD).

Editorial Note: Martha Waters (https://www.marthawaters.com) is the author =
of the Regency Vows series, which also includes "To Have and to Hoax", "To = Love and to Loathe", and "To Marry and to Meddle". She lives in coastal Mai= ne, where she works as a children's librarian by day.

Windswept Way
Irene Hannon
Fleming H. Revell Company
www.revellbooks.com
c/o Baker Publishing Group
http://www.bakerpublishinggroup.com
9780800742706, $29.99, HC, 340pp

https://www.amazon.com/Windswept-Way-Hope-Harbor-Novel/dp/0800742702

Synopsis: Buying a haunted house was never in Ashley Scott's plans, but whe=
n an intriguing opportunity drops into her lap after a major setback, she f= inds herself trekking cross-country to Hope Harbor on the Oregon coast to l= aunch a new life.

Wounded warrior Jonathan Gray isn't sure what to make of the attractive wom=
an on his reclusive older neighbor's isolated property, but her presence is=
none of his business -- until she enlists his help with an ambitious proje= ct. When Jonathan finds his interest in the new arrival becoming more perso= nal than professional, however, his defenses go up. There's no room in his = life (or his heart) for romance.

Yet, as these hurting people join forces to restore life, laughter, and lov=
e to a historic estate that has known too much sadness, they may also find = healing, hope, and happiness for themselves.

Critique: Another deftly crafted contemporary Christian romance novel from = author Irene Hannon, "Windswept Way" is a wonderfully entertaining, impress= ively original, wholesome romance, making it an ideal addition to community=
library Contemporary Romance Fiction collections. It should be noted for t=
he personal reading lists of the legions of Irene Hannon fans that "Windswe=
pt Way" is also readily available in a paperback edition (9780800741914, $1= 7.99), and in digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).

Editorial Note: Irene Hannon (www.irenehannon.com) is the author of more th=
an 60 contemporary romance and romantic suspense novels. In addition to her=
many other honors, she is a three-time winner of the prestigious RITA Awar=
d from Romance Writers of America. She is also a member of RWA's elite Hall=
of Fame and has received a Career Achievement Award from RT Book Reviews f=
or her entire body of work.

The Do-Over
Suzanne Park
Avon Books
c/o HarperCollins Publishers
www.harpercollins.com
Blackstone Audiobooks
www.blackstoneaudio.com
9780063216051, $16.99, PB, 368pp

https://us.amazon.com/Do-Over-Novel-Suzanne-Park/dp/0063216051

Synopsis: Bestselling author Lily Lee is on a short deadline to deliver her=
new career guide, "How to Land the Perfect Job", and she's been interviewi=
ng at all the top companies around town. But when she's offered a coveted p= osition at her dream company, the employer's background check reveals she n= ever actually finished her college degree. -- Unbelievably, her worst night= mare has come true.

Lily returns to her alma mater to relive her senior year of college, after = walking across the stage at graduation a decade earlier. Just as she starts=
getting used to the idea of being a student again, things get even more we= ird and chaotic when she discovers her computer science TA is her old colle=
ge boyfriend, Jake Cho.

As Lily and Jake reconnect, she sees that her late-blooming ex has done wel=
l for himself: the handsome, charming grad student appears to have his life=
together, while Lily's on the brink of losing her reputation and her book = deal.

Critique: Told in present day with glimpses of the past, and a thoroughly f=
un read from beginning to end, "The Do-Over" by talented novelist Suzanne P= ark is a delightfully warm and hopeful story about second chances in life a=
nd love, and how the future might not be a straight line, but we still end =
up exactly where we're supposed to be. Especially commended to the attentio=
n of readers with an interest in multicultural and comedic romance, "The Do= -Over" is unreservedly recommended for community library Romance Fiction co= llections. It should also be noted that "The Do-Over" is also available for=
personal reading lists in a digital book format (Kindle, $10.99) and as a = complete and unabridged audio book (Blackstone Audio, 9798212212830, $41.99=
, CD).

Editorial Note: Suzanne Park (https://www.suzannepark.com) is a Korean Amer= ican writer who was born and raised in Tennessee. In her former life as a s= tand-up comedian, she appeared on BET, was the winner of the Seattle Sierra=
Mist Comedy Competition, and placed as a semi-finalist in NBC's "Stand Up = For Diversity" showcase in San Francisco. She currently resides in Los Ange= les with her husband, female offspring, and a sneaky rat that creeps around=
on her back patio. In her spare time, she procrastinates.

When Tomorrow Came
Hannah Linder
Barbour Publishing
www.barbourbooks.com
Oasis Audio
www.oasisaudio.com
9781636094403, $15.99, PB, 320pp

https://us.amazon.com/When-Tomorrow-Came-Linder/dp/1636094406

Synopsis: Nan and Heath Duncan are siblings abandoned by their papa and abu= sed by their guardian. They have no choice but to survive on the London str= eets. When a kind gentleman rescues Nan from such a life, the siblings are = separated and raised in two vastly different social worlds.

Just when both are beginning to flourish and years have healed some of thei=
r wounds, their long-awaited papa returns and reunites them -- bringing dem= ands with him. Nan is expected to marry a rich suitor she's never liked, an=
d Heath is expected to forsake his gentle spirit and become the hardened ma=
n his father always was.

Dangers unfold, secret love develops, fights ensue, and murder upsets the w= orlds Heath and Nan have built for themselves. They've waited their whole l= ives for their papa to return, for tomorrow to come--but now that it has, w= ill they be able to see through to the truth and end this whirlwind of a ni= ghtmare before it costs one of their lives?

Critique: Especially commended to the attention of readers who prefer clean=
and wholesome romance and historical novels written from a Christian persp= ective, "When Tomorrow Came" by novelist Hannah Linder is a fun and pleasan=
t read with its memorably crafted characters and abundance of unexpected pl=
ot twists and turns. While unreservedly recommended for community library H= istorical Romance collections, it should be noted for personal reading list=
s that "When Tomorrow Came" is also available in a digital book format (Kin= dle, $9.99) and as a complete and unabridged audio book (Oasis Audio, 97816= 85923419, $37.99, CD).

Editorial Note: Hannah Linder (www.hannahlinderbooks.com) writes Regency ro= mantic suspense novels. She is a two- time 2021 Selah Award winner, a 2022 = Selah Award finalist, and a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (A= CFW). Hannah is also a Graphic Design Associates Degree graduate who specia= lizes in professional book cover design. She designs for both traditional p= ublishing houses and individual authors, including New York Times, USA Toda=
y, and International bestsellers.

Royal Coconut Beach Lunch Club
Diane Bergner
Meridian Editions
9781959170037, $19.95, PB, 382pp

https://www.amazon.com/Royal-Coconut-Beach-Lunch-Club/dp/1959170031

Synopsis: Julia Wild was thrilled to trade her legal briefcase for stiletto=
heels and a glam wardrobe when she accepted the position as a high society=
fundraiser at a prestigious performing arts center. The Addison Center is = supported by mega-donations from the ultra-rich in Royal Coconut Beach, but=
the gala lifestyle is a minefield.

As if the punishing schedule isn't enough, Julia's boss is having an affair=
with an important donor (is this what it takes to get big donations?) and = someone is trying to sabotage her job. Even as she begins to doubt her new = career choice, she weakens to the seduction of elite social circles and the=
allure of becoming a fundraising rainmaker.

But what really matters are the fascinating and strong-willed women who bec= ome her confidantes. They meet regularly for lunch, gossip, subtle lessons,=
and cocktails -- while they dissect the wealth-fueled dynamics of the rich=
and powerful.

The deeper Julia is drawn into this world, the more reality and fantasy blu=
r, and fault lines in her marriage surface. When she meets a debonair Argen= tinian billionaire, moral ambiguities and temptations are stirred. Will thi=
s fascinating man push her to her limit? Will she listen to her new compani= ons who offer their smarts and feminist sensibilities?

It is only when a suspicion caused by an untimely death blows up the carefu= lly constructed glittering mask of the moneyed set that Julia realizes she = must decide whose side to take - and how willing she is to risk everything.

Critique: Featuring the compelling and narrative driven storytelling style =
of novelist Diane Bergner, "Royal Coconut Beach Lunch Club" is a fully enga= ging and riveting read that will have a special attraction for readers with=
an interest in contemporary romance and women's friendship fiction. While = also readily available for personal reading lists in a digital book format = (Kindle, $0.99), "Royal Coconut Beach Lunch Club" is especially impressive = considering that it is author Diane Bergner's debut as a novelist. Simply s= tated, "Royal Coconut Beach Lunch Club" is an unreservedly recommended addi= tion to community library Contemporary Romance collections.

Editorial Note: Diane Bergner (https://www.dianebergner.com) is vice presid= ent of Development at the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts =
in West Palm Beach, Florida. She is a member of The Writers' Academy of the=
Kravis Center and was the runner-up in the Best Writer in Palm Beach Count=
y, hosted by the Palm Beach Book Festival.

Sushi and Sea Lions
Rachel Corsini
Creative James Media
https://creativejamesmedia.com
9781956183528, $12.99 Paper/$4.99 Kindle

https://www.amazon.com/Sushi-Sea-Lions-Rachel-Corsini/dp/1956183523

Sushi and Sea Lions is a study in romantic comedy that literally opens with=
a hilarious bang: "I glanced over at... Billy? I think his name was Billy.=
If it was, he'd be the third one since the walking boot came off. Like the=
Three Billy Goats Gruff. Trip trap, trip trap right into my bed. Especiall=
y after one too many Pinot Grigios."

Injured prima ballerina Daniela Verdi fills her newly-vacated days and life=
with a series of distractions that lead her away from what her dream life = has become -- until she encounters Vincent LaBate, who harbors his own reas= ons for avoiding his vastly revised life and any possibilities of romance. = The two begin a relationship that is both healing and extraordinary as it e= volves new possibilities and reveals the chinks of old patterns that come b= ack to haunt each of them.

Rachel Corsini's novel represents a delightful romp through vastly revised = possibilities and worldviews that take each character on a sentimental jour= ney through failed dreams and new circumstances. Vincent and Daniela are we=
ll aware that their lives are different, but what is less apparent is what =
is needed to effect permanent revisions in how they approach the future and=
romance.

As life is viewed through Daniela's first-person confessions, readers recei=
ve an examination that is candid and vividly realistic: "I used to be alive=
, filled with fire, consuming the world like tomorrow might never come. I r= elished a good love story, the exertion of leaping across a ballet studio, = the sighs a piece of art could emit from me. Since the injury, since my hea= rtbreak, I'd lost my desire. It was time to find it again and the Billys we= ren't doing the trick."

As Vinny moves into her life and heart, Daniela comes to realize the potent= ial for a very different life, complete with new possibilities and goals. C= orsini's ability to juxtapose the evolving growth both between the romantic=
partners and their individual experiences and special interests creates a = well-crafted romance replete in intimacy, sexual exploration, and emotional=
growth. Vivid food descriptions even conclude with recipes. There are plen=
ty of steamy sex scenes for romance readers who like their stories hot, but=
also many insights into the couple's interactions not just with each other=
, but family and friends around them. These contribute to a tale as fully v= ested in exploring the patterns of developing relationships as it is to des= cribing the physical attractions that develop between two already-strong ch= aracters.

Readers seeking the perfect special blend of humor, growth, romance, and dr= eams altered and realized will find Sushi and Sea Lions a fine study in gre=
at expectations, unexpected endings, and new beginnings.

Althea's Awakening
Maggie Sims
The Wild Rose Press, Inc.
https://wildrosepress.com
9781509249527, $5.99 ebook

https://www.amazon.com/Altheas-Awakening-School-Enlightenment-Book-ebook/dp= /B0BT5TTL9S

Althea's Awakening adds a third book to the School of Enlightenment series =
of steamy romance novels, expanding the characters and attention to romance=
cultivated in prior books by Maggie Sims. Here, Lady Althea Egerton is loo= king to enlarge both her business and her love life. Both would be easy if = she could find a rich suitor, but having been in thrall in too many ways in=
one relationship, she is loath to compromise her newfound independence wit=
h another marriage. An investor seems a more appropriate choice; especially=
if he comes with added benefits.

Women often chase the Earl of Cheltenham: he's seen as the perfect suitor. = Sexually, intriguing, strong, and rich, he'd match Althea's own strengths a=
nd pursuits...if she'd have him. Maggie Sims creates a story that is vivid =
in its inspection of social, political, and personal ambition. Like most me=
n, Lord Cheltenham wants "full control" over his destiny and his women. He'=
s in for a surprise, because if ever a woman were committed to not giving i=
n, it's Althea. Even if it means enjoying a form of sexual pleasure she's b= een unable to achieve in the past.

Steamy sexual scenes weave nicely into a story of a strong man and woman wh=
o find they are both colliding and joining their shared ambitions and lives=
.. The tie between sexual and business explorations is intriguingly made as = the duo dance to a very different tune than either anticipated from their l= ives.

Sims profiles the propriety of the times in evocative scenes which set the = stage for exploration and realization. The result is another vivid romance = both adding to the School of Enlightenment series and creating characters t= hat bend to the power of their social status while remaining true to their = ambitions and dreams.

Libraries and readers seeking titillating Regency romances and intersection=
s between personal lives and business pursuits will find Althea's Awakening=
a delightful story that approaches growth and discovery from very differen=
t vantage points than most Regency reads present.

EDITOR'S NOTE:

The Midwest Book Review is an organization of volunteers committed to promo= ting literacy, library usage, and small press publishing. We accept no fund=
s from authors or publishers. Full permission is given to post any of these=
reviews on thematically appropriate websites, newsgroups, listserves, inte= rnet discussion groups, organizational newsletters, or to interested indivi= duals. Please give the Midwest Book Review a credit line when doing so.

The Midwest Book Review publishes the monthly book review magazines "Califo= rnia Bookwatch", "Internet Bookwatch", "Children's Bookwatch", "MBR Bookwat= ch", "Reviewer's Bookwatch", and "Small Press Bookwatch". All are available=
for free on the Midwest Book Review website at www (dot) midwestbookreview=
(dot) com

Anyone wanting to submit books for review consideration can send them to:

James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive
Oregon, WI 53575-1129

To submit reviews of any fiction or non-fiction books, email them to Frugal= muse (at) aol (dot) com (Be sure to include the book title, author, publish= er, publisher address, publisher website/phone number, 13-digit ISBN number=
, and list price).

James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review

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