New & Novel: Holiday Romance

It's never too late to brighten up the festive season with a holiday romance! Happy Ever After, a section of USA Today Life, mentions that holiday season romances start turning up in bookstores by the end of October.

The bad news is, of all the holidays celebrated at the end of the year, it's hard to find romances set during any festivities besides Christmas. We did find a list of books to read for Diwali, the Indian festival of lights in November, but very little for Hanukkah or Kwanzaa (the best bet being a Young Adult book we blogged about last year, My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories), a trend noted by romance bloggers like The Violet Femmes.

Nevertheless, we've put together a list of primarily Christmas romantic fiction which we hope will entertain you whether you are looking to heat up the season with steamy scenes or honor the enduring spirit of the holiday. Do you have recommendations? Let us know in the comments!

A Bad Boy For Christmas by Jessica Lemmon 

A Texas Christmas Wish by Jolene Navarro

All Wrapped Up by Kimberly Kincaid

A Christmas Kiss by Celeste O. Norfleet, Regina Hart, Deborah Fletcher Mello

The Christmas Cradle by Charlotte Hubbard

Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor by Lisa Kleypas

Holiday Sparks by Shannon Stacey [eBook]

Sleigh Bells in the Snow by Sarah Morgan

Starry Night: A Christmas Novel by Debbie Macomber   

A Christmas Prayer by Kimberla Lawson Roby 

Wish Upon a Snowflake by Christine Merrill, Linda Skye, Elizabeth Rolls 

What Happens Under the Mistletoe by Sabrina Jeffries et al.

The Mistletoe Inn by Richard Paul Evans

Sweet Silver Bells by Rochelle Alers

Baby, It's Cold Outside by Jennifer Probst et al. 

A Husband for Christmas by Gail Gaymer Martin

Texas Christmas: Six Romances From the Historic Lone Star State Herald the Season of Love by Ramona Cecil et al.

Do You Believe in Santa? by Sierra Donovan

The 12 Brides of Christmas Collection: 12 Heartwarming Historical Romances for the Season of Love by Amanda Cabot et al. 

A Grand Teton Sleigh Ride: Four Generations of Wyoming Ranchers Celebrate Love at Christmas by Elizabeth Goddard & Lynette Sowell 

Hot Christmas Nights by Farrah Rochon, Terra Little, Velvet Carter

Christmas at Tiffany's by Karen Swan 

Naughty or Nice by Eric Jerome Dickey [Kwanzaa] 

For more holiday romance, try a search of "Christmas stories" and "Love stories".
 

    

New & Novel: Military Romances

According our literary eResource NoveList, author Lindsay McKenna created the contemporary military romance subgenre in 1983 with her book Captive of Fate (though military heroes featured in Regency romance long before that). What is the appeal of the military romance?  NoveList suggests:

the appeal of  all romances, including military ones, may be described as character and plot driven with an intensifying pace as the relationship and sexual tension grows between the hero and heroine. Their tonal appeal elements vary, however, by time period, topic and setting, but most military romances are blends of romantic suspense with a suspenseful tone of high drama as a mission or rescue is carried out. Others deal with the experience of coming home, with loss or PTSD and obviously have a more bittersweet, emotionally intense or heart wrenching tone.

Author Lisa Marie Rice sums it up: "If you have a man who's stuck with you when bullets are flying, this is a man who will stick with you if you get breast cancer."

Navy SEALs have become popular military romance heroes.  Author Suzanne Brockmann started researching SEALs in 1995 - they are known for "their use of stealth and being able to slip into a location unnoticed; their tight bonds with teammates; the fact that SEALs are alpha males who prefer to take action, they are in topnotch physical shape, highly intelligent and top scholars, intensely motivated and highly driven"* and are typically depicted in romance fiction as

testosterone-laden, commitment phobic, smart, handsome "bad-ass" accomplished lover[s] with six-pack abs who [are] attracted to, protective of, and supportive but not controlling of, smart women heroine...giv[ing] the reader the literary satisfaction of watching a gigantic redwood fall.*

Are you a fan of military romances? We have some titles for you! Here are some of the newest books from the catalog in this compelling subgenre:

Breaking Danger: A Ghost Ops Novel by Lisa Marie Rice

Free Fall by Catherine Mann

Hell For Leather by Julie Ann Walker

Light Up the Night by M. L. Buchman

Breaking Point by Lindsay McKenna

Dangerous Games by Lora Leigh

Return to Glory by Sara Arden

Bad Nights by Rebecca York

Feeling Hot by Elle Kennedy 

Headed for Trouble by Suzanne Brockmann

Navy Husband by Debbie Macomber [eBook]

A Hero To Come Home To by Marilyn Pappano

Killing Time by Cindy Gerard

The Officer and the Secret by Jeanette Murray

Her Perfect Mate by Paige Tyler

Back to You by Jessica Scott


Link

There Are More SEALs in Romance Fiction Than in the U.S. Navy: The Appeal of Military Romances [NoveList]*

Six Reasons to Love Military Romances [Huffington Post]

Popular Military Romance Books [Goodreads]

The Ultimate List of Military Hero Romance Books [Maryse's Book Blog]
organized by military branch

Holiday Romances

Ah, winter holidays. Hanukkah! Winter Solstice! Christmas! Kwanzaa!  New Year's Eve! 'Tis the season for shopping,and gathering together for extravagant meals, and going to parties, and participating in winter sports.  A great time for...romance? Whether you want a little light reading by the fireside or something a little steamy to keep you as warm as a Snuggie despite winter's chill, we've got some reading suggestions for you!

What a Lady Needs for Christmas by Grace Burrowes

A Gift to Remember by Melissa Hill

Cowboy Boots for Christmas (Cowboy Not Included) by Carolyn Brown

Huckleberry Christmas by Jennifer Beckstrand

All He Wants for Christmas by Lisa Plumley

Christmas Brides by Suzanne Enoch... [et al.]

Season for Desire by Theresa Romain

A Highland Wolf Christmas by Terry Spear

Clara's Wish: An Amish Christmas Romance by Beth Shriver

A Very Merry Temptation by Kimberly Kaye Terry, Pamela Yaye & Farrah Rochon

Hot Christmas Nights by Farrah Rochon, Terra Little, Velvet Carter

Where Treetops Glisten: Three Stories of Heartwarming Courage and Christmas Romance During World War II by Tricia Goyer, Cara Putman, Sarah Sundin 

My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories by Holly Black ...[et al], edited by Stephanie Perkins [Young Adult]

Swoon Reads: Publication By Crowdsource

The Swoon Reads site could be the cheeriest site we know. "Swoon" means "to be overcome by joy", and Swoon Reads seems bursting with joy already,  from the opening tagline "Fall in love with falling in love" to "Thank you for visiting Swoon Reads.  We hope you found something that made you swoon!"

What is Swoon Reads, you ask?  It's a novel idea from Macmillan: a crowdsourced romance imprint for teens. It's a community of writers and readers; both can make a Swoon Reads account and sign in, either to upload their manuscript to the site or to read uploaded manuscripts. Submissions should be 50,000-70,000 word romances written for readers aged 14 and older, in any sub-genre (historical, dystopian, mash-up, etc.), and gay and lesbian romances are welcome. Readers can rate (0-5 hearts, from "Did Not Finish" to, you guessed it, "Swoon-Worthy") and comment on the manuscripts they read, and the submissions that have the highest ratings will be passed to an editorial board - if the board concurs that the manuscript is "SW♥♥N-worthy", it gets published!

Swoon Reads' first title, A Little Something Different: Fourteen Viewpoints, One Love Story is in the library catalog, so place your holds now! Written by Sandy Hall, a librarian from New Jersey, it's a romance with an interesting twist - the novel's 14 viewpoints don't include the love story's protagonists, Lea and Gabe! Instead, the reader learns about their "meet-cute" and all that follows from viewpoints that include a roommate, a professor, a brother, a classmate, a friend, a barista, a bus driver, a squirrel, and a bench. Reviewers have called it "a sweet, quick romance" [VOYA Reviews] and a "good choice for reluctant readers" [School Library Journal]. "Swoonworthy Extras" include "A Coffee Date" with the author and editor,  discussion questions, and a short preview of the next title to be published. Watch for more from this new imprint!


Links

Swoon Reads: The Next Romance Bestseller, Selected by You [NPR]

Swoon lets YA readers choose which books get published [CNN]

Quote Roundup: A Little Something Different by Sandy Hall [Mac Teen Books]

Swoonworthy Manuscripts Selected for Publication [Swoon Reads]

Zombie Romance

We run through trends so fast these days, don't you think?  Vampires are passé, werewolves barely got off the ground, witches and fairies are old hat.  Zombies are where it's at. 

With shows like The Walking Dead, and movies like Warm Bodies (in theatres now) and World War Z (coming out June 2013), zombies are the paranormal prom queen.  Zombies are so much more than the lurching, disentegrating wrecks from Night of the Living Dead.  Now they are fast, smart, and have love interests?

What may surprise you, for it certainly surprised me, is the burgeoning sub-genre of Zombie Romance.  Why not sink your teeth in something a little different this Valentine's Day? 

Warm Bodies: A Novel by Isaac Marion
I Kissed a Zombie and I Liked It by Adam Selzer
The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan
Married with Zombies by Jesse Petersen
Breathers: A Zombie's Lament [eAudiobook] by S.G. Browne
Dearly, Departed by Lia Habel
My Life as a White Trash Zombie by Diana Rowland
My Zombie Valentine by Katie MacAlister et al.
Kiss Me Deadly: 13 Stories of Paranormal Love edited by Trisha Talep

Romantic Movies and More for the Season

There are so many great romantic movies, and this is the time of year to curl up with a glass of wine, some chocolate, and watch them!  These are the best escapist movies, the ones that have you believing in love at first sight, in never having to say you're sorry.

Here is a short list of some of these romantic movies we have available at the library.  Put your holds on them now, to have them available to watch on Valentine's Day!


Gone With the Wind

It Happened One Night

Casablanca

Adam's Rib

Born Yesterday  (Not the library catalog, but a wonderful romantic comedy!)

Roman Holiday

An Affair to Remember

Sabrina

The Apartment

Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?

The Sound of Music

Love Story

Annie Hall

When Harry Met Sally

Pretty Woman

Princess Bride

Sleepless in Seattle

Titanic

Shakespeare in Love

Amelie

The Notebook

Waitress

He's Just Not that Into You

The Five Year Engagement

Hope Springs


This is but a few wonderful romantic movies.  Let us know if your favorite romantic movie didn't make it onto our list in the comments section.  Or check out these links that claim to list the greatest romantic movies of all time:

The 50 most romantic movies of all time (Time Out)

50 Greatest Romantic Movies (AMC)

The Top 15 Greatest Romantic Comedies (TCM)


These books of love poems, love letters, and love memoirs are fun to look through this time of year:


Will You Marry Me?: Seven Centuries of Love edited by Helene Scheu-Riesz

The Vow: The True Events That Inspired the Movie by Kim and Krickett Carpenter

Door Wide Open: A Beat Love Affair in Letters, 1957-1958 by Jack Kerouac and Joyce Johnson

Two Rings: A Story of Love and War by Millie Werber and Eve Keller

Love Letters: An Anthology of Passion compiled by Michelle Lovric

The 100 Best Love Poems of All Time edited by Leslie Pockell

The Erotic Spirit: An Anthology of Poems of Sensuality, Love, and Longing edited by Sam Hamill


I love novels about people falling in love that are not paperback romance novels.  Here is a short list of my favorites:

Forty Rules of Love: A Novel by Elif Shafak

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford

The Lover by Marguerite Duras

Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

The Art of Hearing Heartbeats: A Novel by Jan-Philipp Sendker

He Reads, She Reads, Teens Read: Romance Recommendations for Skeptics

Romantic fiction has a bad reputation in some quarters.  While many are devoted readers of romances, there is much scorn out there for the modern romance, particularly the kind with the lurid "bodice-ripper" picture on the cover.  However, no less than the illustrious Jane Austen is considered a pioneer of the genre, and romantic fiction comes in many forms.  Booklist's Kaite Mediatore Stover suggests that "Unexpected love in unusual places with unlikely people can make for fine romance and rewarding reading" and another Booklist writer, David Wright, asserts that "most guys enjoy a good love story, especially if it doesn’t proclaim itself too blatantly, sidling in under cover of some other topic or milieu, such as war, history, or humor".  Here's a list of some Booklist recommendations of recent romantic fiction that you might not have considered for men, women, & teens.  Give them a try - you might actually enjoy yourself!


He Reads

The Coldest Night by Robert Olmstead

The Various Flavors of Coffee by Anthony Capella

The Song is You by Arthur Phillips


She Reads

The English American by Alison Larkin

The Memory Palace by Mira Bartók

Fragile Beasts by Tawni O'Dell

The Scrapbook of Frankie Pratt by Caroline Preston


Teen Reads

The Boy on Cinnamon Street by Phoebe Stone

Chopsticks by Jessica Anthony

Every Day by David Levithan

Keeping the Castle by Patrice Kindl

The Story of Us by Deb Caletti

Why We Broke Up by David Handler

Featured Author: Christina Skye

Christina Skye is a romance writer who began writing Regency romances in the 1990s but in the Noughties transitioned to contemporary fiction.  She is probably best known for her Code Name series, but she also has a passion for knitting which has led her to collaborate with Debbie Macomber, and she also has a Chinese connection, since she has a doctorate in Chinese language and literature. Her interest in China led Skye to work in cultural and translation positions at various corporations in China during the 1980s, and when she returned to the U.S. she wrote 5 books about Chinese art and culture, in addition to working as a consultant for the National Geographic Society and the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.  All this and novels too!  Here's a roundup of some of her works in the library catalog:

 

The Code Name series

 

A sequence of romantic thrillers that includes Code Names Nanny, Princess, Baby, Blondie, & Bikini.  Each book features a different heroine (from dog trainers to pastry chefs and then some) and the locales range from desert islands and cruise ships to Los Alamos, but  the heroine is always romantically entangled with a Navy SEAL.  Fictionwise says "Christina Skye's Code Name books deliver fast-paced thrills with sizzling romance."

 

 

 

The Draycott Abbey series

 

 

Another series which features a variety of protagonists linked by Draycott Abbey, a beautiful English abbey.  Treachery, ghosts, stories set in the age of chivalry featuring knights and ladies, ex-Royal Marines, and mysteries around every corner...you'll find it all at Draycott Abbey!  To Catch a Thief is just one book in this long-running series.

 

 

 

The Knitting Diaries

 

 

Macomber, Mallery, & Skye each contributed a story to this uplifting anthology. Her story, "Return to Summer Island", inspired Skye to begin her next series!  Knitting patterns are included! 

 

 

The Summer Island series

 

Christina Skye has written two books so far in this series, A Home By the Sea and The Accidental Bride.  Skye has said she loves her new series because of the "wonderful opportunities to revisit continuing characters and explore the powerful bonds of friendship."   Read more about Skye and the Summer Island series in Booklist magazine's article "Story Behind the Story: Christina Skye's The Accidental Bride".

Christina Skye's website