Christmas anthologies and cozy(?) murder mysteries
♫ These are a few of my favorite things! ♫
OK, in spite of me saying that I wasn’t going to do this every time, I DO want to kick things off by offering a quick thanks to everyone who has offered feedback, said a kind word, passed on the link to a friend, or subscribed to this newsletter since its inception. Y’all give me a positive feeling about the internet, especially since some days it can be flooded with plain old garbage.
This week, I wanted to drop some recs that are seasonally themed for those of you who are so inclined to embrace some cute winter and/or holiday mood via your fiction — but, at the same time, I couldn’t help but mention a series that may not necessarily be suited for this time of year but is equally entertaining to snuggle up with.
Before we get to the recs this week, though, I wanted to shine a little light on a romance bundle that’s just been released in order to crowdfund some help for a member of Romancelandia. If you’ve been involved in the romance community at all, chances are you’re at least familiar with the name Kit Rocha (and if you’re not, allow me to direct you to the amazing Beyond series, erotic stories set in a post-apocalyptic society that will bowl you over in the absolute best of ways). But Kit Rocha is actually the pseudonym for co-writing partners Bree and Donna, both of whom are lovely humans and wonderful representatives of Romancelandia on social media. Recently, Donna received some rough health news and will have to undergo emergency surgery before the end of the year — so in order to help defray the costs, 23 romance authors pitched in with a ridiculously awesome number of e-books in support. It’s a pay-what-you-can collection, but honestly, the titles you get in this bundle are MORE than worth it — and it’s all for a good cause! So check out the Feel Better Bundle (seriously, this is such an awesome thing) and consider supporting one of our own. Any additional money raised will be paid forward to various Romancelandia community members in need, to local food banks, and used to buy books for Title I schools in underserved communities via Donor's Choose.
A Christmas Gone Perfectly Wrong by Cecilia Grant
(historical romance)
Up until a couple of years ago, I wasn’t all that invested in the idea of winter-themed romances, especially ones that take place during Christmas. I’m one of those people who firmly stand by the belief that you can’t start celebrating the holiday until Thanksgiving is well and truly over, but the thing about Christmas romances is that they tend to start popping up before Thanksgiving (well, Thanksgiving in the States, that is). But I started reading this novella in the waning days of November and couldn’t actually stop until I’d consumed it in one sitting — which is, as it turns out, the same way I enjoy my turkey and sides. Andrew Blackshear has the intention of purchasing a hunting falcon for his sister’s impending marriage, but he doesn’t plan for the woman he encounters: Lucy Sharp, the falconer’s dark-haired, unsettlingly independent daughter. Of course, he’s swept into her orbit, and when he begrudgingly agrees to escort her to a house party on his way out of town, an unplanned snowstorm and a carriage mishap strands the pair miles away from their destination — with only one room available between the two of them. This is my first Grant experience and it definitely won’t be my last; her prose is sweeping and gorgeous and the story ticks a lot of my favorite trope buttons, including “oh no, there’s only one bed” AND two people forced to fake a marriage.
How the Dukes Stole Christmas by Tessa Dare, Sarah MacLean, Sophie Jordan and Joanna Shupe
(historical romance)
I first read this anthology last Christmas when it released a year ago, but I’m thinking of making it my yearly reading tradition because it’s JUST THAT GOOD. My first readthrough happened when I was only familiar with about half the authors who had contributed stories (even though I recognized all of them), but I definitely have it to thank for introducing me to the talents of some new-to-me names and prompting me to dive into some of their full-length books in 2019. And I love anthologies for exactly that reason, which is one of the reasons why I’m recommending this personally. Now that the year is coming to a close, I’ve picked up a copy of this in paperback too and plan to enjoy it all over again with a hot cup of tea. There’s a clever throughline that unites these four stories together (a surprisingly difficult-to-master recipe for shortbread that may or may not have a love effect on those who consume it), not to mention the perfect blend of sweet, cozy, angsty, sexy and ultimately heartwarming across the book.
Naked in Death by J.D. Robb
(mystery/sci-fi with a romantic element)
Now, I know what you’re thinking: what part of a murder mystery that takes place in a slightly futuristic society sounds warm and cozy? But just hear me out. J.D. Robb (a writing pseudonym for the wildly prolific Nora Roberts) writes mysteries the way I like my romances — full of plot twists and intrigue, but with an ultimately satisfying resolution by the end. Regardless of what happens, you just know that Detective Eve Dallas is going to get her man (or lady, because, as we all know, murder is equal-opportunity). The series, which is set in New York City in 2058, follows the aforementioned investigator; after ten years on the police force, she’s seen it all, and her shrewd deductive skills make her formidably good at her job. But when a murder case crosses her desk, she crosses paths with mysterious Irish billionaire Roarke (singly-named, like Cher or Prince), and even while she tries to resist that temptation, she realizes she can’t necessarily rule him out as a suspect either. This long-running series (which is poised to hit book #50 early next year!) is one I constantly refer to as my security blanket read, full of characters I love returning to over and over again — and Eve and Roarke’s romance is so satisfying to follow as it evolves over the course of these books.
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