Must-read romances: 'Now That You're Here,' 'A King Undone,' 'Beautiful Curse'

Now That You're Here by Amy K. Nichols

What it's about (courtesy of Knopf Books for Young Readers):

In a parallel universe, the classic bad boy falls for the class science geek.

One minute Danny was running from the cops, and the next, he jolted awake in an unfamiliar body — his own, but different. Somehow, he's crossed into a parallel universe. Now his friends are his enemies, his parents are long dead, and studious Eevee is not the mysterious femme fatale he once kissed back home. Then again, this Eevee — a girl who'd rather land an internship at NASA than a date to the prom — may be his only hope of getting home.

Eevee tells herself she's only helping him in the name of quantum physics, but there's something undeniably fascinating about this boy from another dimension... a boy who makes her question who she is, and who she might be in another place and time.

Why you should read it: I have read so many parallel universes lately and love each author's twist on the genre and the science behind it. Eevee and Danny are one of my new favorite YA couples. They are both smart, Eevee viciously so, and the way Danny describes her, how he sees her, just makes my heart melt. Watching them fall in love is a treat. Since we get to see each character in alternating chapters, it's easy to feel the pull between these two. I'm also super excited about the sequel because I hear it will be about the "other" Danny and Eevee. That's so interesting to think about. Danny's world is nothing like Eevee's, and those two will have a really cool story. I have already put it on my TBR list!

What Amy K. Nichols has to say …

What would your parallel universe look like?

Amy: It's fun to think about various decision points in my life and how things would be if I'd made different choices. There could be a parallel universe out there where I'm a professional musician in a major metropolitan symphony. Another where I pursued medicine. Another where I became a professor of medieval paleography. The possibilities are endless. And there could be the flip side, too, where choices I made didn't turn out well. Maybe in another universe, I didn't survive that car accident, though that's not very pleasant to consider. All in all, I'd say that, despite all the problems in the world and my own ups and downs, I'm grateful to be living the life I have here, now.

What are you currently working on?

Amy: I recently finished up final edits on the follow-up book, While You Were Gone, which will be published in summer of 2015, and now I'm fleshing out ideas for other books. I have them lined up like horses at a starting line and I'm anxious to see which one takes the lead. Right now I could write any of them and be terrifically happy.

Epic one-liner from Now That You're Here?

Amy:

A butterfly in the Congo flaps its wings and causes rain to fall in Belgium. A boy shows up at my door and shatters everything I understand of the universe. And my place in it.

A King Undone by Cooper Davis

What it's about (courtesy of Samhain Publishing):

In a world where gentlemen openly court and marry fellow noblemen, the threat of scandal still lurks behind every velvet drape for kings and princes. Such has been the fate for King Arend Tollemach, forced to sacrifice his heart on the altar of regal duty.

Now that his wife is dead and his royal obligations are at an end, he s ready to take an unthinkable risk. King Arend seeks a concubine from Temple Sapphor, a secretive, gated world where he will finally shed his virginity as least as it pertains to making love to a man.

Julian never thought he d spend ten years on the temple shelf, passed over again and again. Just when he despairs of ever finding placement in a nobleman's bed, Arend walks into the temple. A lonely eyed, beautiful king who could easily steal his heart.

Arend discovers he has no problem opening his bed to the exquisite concubine. The problem lies in finding the key to his long-shuttered heart.

Why you should read it: I'll admit to wanting to read this because I was intrigued by the courtesan left on the shelf for 10 years, just watching everyone find homes while he was passed over. I expected a light and enjoyable read and at first that's exactly what it was. Then the King met Julian, and the wit and sass that are exchanged back and forth had me warming to both characters instantly. As the story (and their relationship) progressed, I felt like I was in the middle of a historical simmering romance. Arend and Julian are courtly gentlemen, and as they clash … words … hah! I fell more and more into the story. And when it ended, I wanted them to get their HEA so bad. Hopefully, we'll get a sequel that will give readers exactly what we want! A King Undone is perfect if you're in the mood for aloof (or trying to be) kings, witty courtesans and kisses that will melt your e-reader.

What Cooper Davis has to say …

Why do you like writing about noble kings and concubines?

Cooper: I love writing about noblemen in a m/m context because I'm a huge fan of both historical romance *and* m/m romance. I've been reading authors like Lisa Kleypas, Julia Quinn, Loretta Chase and Mary Balogh for years. I also obviously love m/m romance, which I have been writing since 2009. I took a writing hiatus for a few years to focus on my family, and when I chose to write again, I wanted to lose myself in a true fantasy escape, and for me that was the ultimate combination of m/m with the drawing-room-style romance so familiar from classic historical romance. As for why I enjoy writing about concubines, well, in a way Julian and Arend are the classic "arranged marriage." Or as I like to refer to them ... Pretty Woman in an alternative early Victorian realm.

What are you working on now?

Cooper: Right now, I'm working on the sequel to Julian and Arend's book, A King Awakened, and then the third book in the Noble Pleasures, A Gentleman Revealed (Alistair Finley's story.)

Epic one-liner from A King Undone?

Cooper:

"Take comfort in the fact that you, at least, managed what I did not. You kept your clothes upon your person, a feat which was apparently quite beyond me."

Beautiful Curse by Jen McConnel

What it's about (courtesy of Swoon Romance):

Sixteen-year-old Mya Jones is cursed.

She is, hands down, the most beautiful creature on earth. But beauty can wound, and Mya finds herself reviled and shunned by her peers. If there is even a chance that she could start over, Mya longs to take it, no matter the risks.

So when the strange Mr. Merk offers her a new life away from home, Mya is hesitant but hopeful. Only she didn't count on the mysterious Ross, or her feelings for him.

Beautiful Curse is a contemporary retelling of the myth of Psyche and Cupid.

Why you should read it: Retelling of myths is one of my favorite genres, and I have always loved Psyche and Cupid's story (I adore Greek mythology). Plus, the cover caught my eye, and I had to immediately have it. This book is chock full of plot and characters, and many of the secondary characters have such life and personality of their own that I'd love to see a story or novella about them in the future. Having said that, there are some plot holes that are left dangling that would be such a cool second installment. Our heroine, Maya, has also left her brand in my mind. She is completely easy to identify with, and I was rooting for her from beginning to the end. Now Ross … ah, Ross … Because Maya couldn't see him, readers fall in love with his character, and hopefully, readers will take this lesson into their lives. If you're a fan of Greek mythology and fun, easy retellings, you won't be disappointed.

What Jen McConnel has to say ….

What are some of your favorite myths?

Jen: There are almost too many to count! I'm a huge fan of myths from all over the world, but I'd have to say my favorite Greek myth (other than Cupid and Psyche, of course!) is the story of Demeter, Persephone and Hades. I love the story of the mother-daughter relationship, not to mention the uneasy balance between love and family, and I think there's a lot more to the myth than the traditional story of abduction.

Another favorite myth for me is the Egyptian myth of Isis and Osiris, probably because I love, love stories that are strong enough to last through life and beyond.

What are you currently working on?

Jen: I just wrapped up my NaNoWriMo project, a VERY rough draft of a contemporary NA paranormal inspired by Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre, and I'm also in the midst of editing a number of projects that will be coming out next year (including Gods of Chaos, the sequel to my YA paranormal novel Daughter of Chaos). I'm busy, and I love it!

Epic one-liner from Beautiful Curse?

Jen:

I would find a way to win his affection again, I resolved, and this time, there wouldn't be any room for secrets.

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Jessie Potts, also known as Book Taster, adores books in all forms. She also does reviews for RT Book Reviews magazine and works in the submissions department at Dreamspinner Press. You can follow her on Twitter (@BookTaster).