Read Something Amorous

Maybe it’s Bridgerton, or the promise of Spring; Valentine’s Day, or the promise of vaccination day, but more and more readers these days are discovering the wondrous and diverse world of romance fiction. Ever one of the most popular genres around, last year saw rising numbers of romance readers, with more expected in the year ahead, and while the Romance publishing industry has been justly called out for its traditional lack of diversity, there are encouraging signs that this is changing as we speak, in many ways. The happy ending: this is an exciting time to be a romance reader! So whether you’re a diehard fan, or just beginning to explore the literature of love, this week we turn over the card inviting you to Read Something Amorous!

Shelf Talk has long been a friend to literary lovers, (just click on the tags on this post if you don’t believe me), so to get things started, here are a few stellar romance titles representing the genre’s range:

How to Catch a Queen, by Alyssa Cole. Shanti Mohapi finds out that life as a queen isn’t all it is cracked up to be, when her new husband – King Sanyu of Njaza – barely seems to know she exists.

If The Boot Fits, by Rebekah Witherspoon. Amanda Queen danced the night away with cowboy turned Hollywood superstar Sam Pleasant, but was it really just a fling?

The Love Proof, by Madeleine Henry. Physics prodigy Sophie Jones knows all about how the universe works, but when she meets Jake she finds life has mysteries left to solve.

Written in the Stars, by Alexandria Bellefleur. Freewheeling astrologer Elle meets buttoned-down actuary Darcy hardly seem destined for love, but Venus is rising, and opposites do attract.

The Marriage Game, by Sara Desai. Layla Patel is seeking love and success, and grouchy CEO Sam Mehta is standing in her way – or is he the way?

The Lost Manuscript, by Cathy Bonidan. Anne-Lise Briard could never have predicted just where that unpublished manuscript she found in a hotel would lead, or what grander story she herself would be a part of.

Better Than People, by Roan Parrish. Shy Simon Burke has always preferred animals to people, but a job walking dogs for Jake Matheson, laid up with a broken leg, just might change his mind.

A Lady’s Formula for Love, by Elizabeth Everett. Combine one sophisticated bluestocking with her brooding bodyguard, and let simmer.

Wild Rain, by Beverly Jenkins. Seeking a new life on her Wyoming ranch amidst the tenuous promise of Reconstruction, Spring Rain finds still more hope in the attentions of newspaperman Garrett McCray.

A Rogue to Remember, by Emily Sullivan. When the scandalous plot you hatch to make yourself unmarriagable winds up leading straight to the altar.

Fairy Godmothers, Inc., by Saranna DeWylde. Lucky Fujiki brings her magical gifts to bear to help lovers find happiness in the town of Ever After, Missouri.

Bears Behaving Badly, by MaryJanice Davidson. You know what they say: some days you get the bear, and some days the bear gets you, and some days the shapeshifting bear/humans get each other.

House of Earth and Blood, by Sarah J. Maas. Half-fairy post-grad student Bryce is out for revenge – and romance – in this steamy paranormal romance.

It’s Getting Scot In Here, by Suzanne Enoch. Oh come on, you know we’re going to include at least one “Scot” pun romance. Runners up include Hit Me With Your Best Scot, Scot Under the Covers, A Scot in the Dark, and Too Scot to Handle.

More posts from the Read Something deck, here.

     ~ Posted by David W.