Another Leap Year February is about to begin, giving St. Valentine another day to do his thing … and the rest of us more time to explore the ever-burgeoning world of romance literature.
Until five years ago, the romance section was usually a single bookcase in the back of the store. Then came Colleen Hoover, BookTok and a wave of talented new authors with compelling new stories. Today, romance is the fastest-growing genre in American literature.
If you haven’t already, February is the perfect month to explore the newly enlarged romance section. Luckily, Jessica Pryde of the Pima County Public Library is here to help. By day, Pryde selects novels for the library’s central collection. By night, she recruits authors to the Tucson Festival of Books. Here, she said, are some recently released books that show the breadth of modern romance.
“The Duke Gets Desperate” by Diana Quincy introduces us to Raya Darwish, an Arab-American woman who inherits a castle in the English countryside. Not surprisingly, this does not go over well with the family, and sparks fly when she is confronted by the handsome young duke who thinks the estate should be his. This is the first book in a new Victorian series by Quincy, who will attend the Tucson Festival of Books March 9-10.
“Technically Yours” by Denise Williams was released last month and quickly reminded readers why Williams is one of our favorite storytellers. Eight years ago, Cord Matthews fell hopelessly in love with Pearl Harris. Back then, the circumstances were also hopeless, but now Pearl is back in his life. Professionally, at least. Again, things are complicated. Can they make it work this time?
“The Return of His Caribbean Heiress” by Lydia San Andres is a Harlequin romance that was released last week. Leandro Diaz isn’t the same man he was five years ago, when he kissed a girl on the night before she left for Europe. Now hardened by life, he tries not to notice when Lucia returns. They are from different worlds. But danger brings them together anyway, closer than ever before.
“Teacher of The Year” by M.A. Wardell features a kindergarten teacher who feels the need to succeed to win a “Teacher of the Year” award to help his school survive. But Marvin Block finds himself distracted by the father of a new student. Now is not the time, right? Right?
“Bride” by Ali Hazelwood will arrive in bookstores Feb. 6 and may be out of stock by Feb. 7. Hazelwood, who will be in Tucson for the book festival this spring, is one of the most popular authors in the romance field today. In “Bride,” she explores new ground. It is a paranormal love story featuring a vampire wife and an alpha werewolf. Now, there’s a book we can sink our teeth into.
“The Seven Year Slip” by Ashley Poston is a feel-good romance featuring Clementine, an overworked publicist still mourning the loss of her Aunt Analea. Two of her aunt’s rules: Never wear your shoes in the house and never fall in love if you want to be successful. Clementine has been following both when, one day, she returns to her aunt’s apartment to find a strange man there … and Clementine realizes she has walked into a scene from seven years earlier.
“Witch of Wild Things” by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland. Long, long ago, a Flores woman offended the gods and the family was cursed. Ever since, every woman born in the family has been “gifted” with a touch of magic in one way or another. Sage Flores’ late sister brings her coffee. Another sister can fill the sky with lightning. Sage’s gift is an ability to communicate with plants. When she finds herself working beside an old flame, she feels a different kind of magic.
“That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Demon” by Kimberly Lemming is a warm, fuzzy and funny fantasy about monsters … and romance. Cinnamon is a spice trader who just wants a quiet life, maybe with a cat. Instead, she finds herself teamed up with a demon on a quest to destroy an evil witch.
“Hunt on Dark Waters” by Katee Robert is a paranormal romance with sea monsters, pirates and swashbuckling adventure. It begins when Evelyn, a witch, steals from her vampire ex and falls into another realm. What happens next? Ask Robert herself when she visits Tucson for the book festival in March.
“Lizards Hold the Sun” by Dani Trujillo is the story a Mexican archaeologist, Xiomara Chavez, who has been selected to create the first Bunchberry Tribal Museum in Canada. She is a long way from home — in a culture totally new — relying on a tight-lipped local architect. This is his first major project, and his family needs him to succeed. Clearly, this is no time for a workplace romance … is it?
