Must-read romances: 'Every Heart Sings,' 'Thirty Days to Win His Wife'
Join me every week as I share a few shout-outs on romance author goings-on, related events and recommended reads.
CHATTING WITH …
Mackenzie Lucas, author of Every Heart Sings
Michelle: Hi, Mackenzie, jumping right in, would you share the current and next two romances in your TBR pile?
Mackenzie: I just blew through J.A. Huss' Social Media series. It's a seriously hot, compelling erotic romance series. I'd never read J.A. before. Wow! I love her voice. Amazing. Life interrupted on Monday before I finished the series. So I'll be pushing through the rest in short order. Can't wait!
Michelle: You love dragons. Who are some of your fave authors of dragon-shifter stories?
Mackenzie: Keri Arthur got me started on dragon shifters — Mercy Burns and Destiny Kills. Yes, I adore them. I've started a series of my own called the Dragon Shifters of Derkesthai Academy. Hunky alpha hero dragon shifters at a grown-up Hogwarts for maladjusted shifters. Michelle Sagara's dragon lords also inspired me from her Cast In series.
Michelle: Is your writing linear or do you write scenes and then move pieces around until they fit?
Mackenzie: I do write pretty linear. It's the way I think. From point A to point Z. Sometimes I wish I could jump around a little more. But we work with what we've been given and claim our process along the way. My newest process component is to fast draft a version to understand the arc of the story. Then, go back in and flesh it all out.
Michelle: What TV series has your full and undivided attention or loyalty?
Mackenzie: OMG. I love Gotham. Can you say BATMAN girl? That's me, totally. All the way. Always have been. No wonder I'm writing a dark, broody millionaire in my newest erotic romance novella, The Dom of My Heart, published in Hot Encounters. I adore Gotham because I get all my usual suspects, but I get them earlier in life so that I begin to see and understand the motivation behind their actions. The good, the bad and the ugly. It's a pretty awesome concept.
Michelle: Thanks, Mackenzie. For more information about Mackenzie, visit www.mackenzielucas.com.
MUST-READ RECS
Every Heart Sings by Mackenzie Lucas
I vote that we put Serenity Island, this small-town paradise, on the map. I'm ready to take the ferry and land on its shores, hobnob with the locals and soak up the magic to revitalize the soul.
Lucas continues to spin her magic with characters perfectly paired for their romantic journey. They've got grit and guts to tackle the problems and demons that haunt them.
I especially loved that their conflicts aren't over the top and are delivered in a way that reveals what is true to those characters' beliefs. For a perfect win, the ending is great and has the perfect awww moment.
About Every Heart Sings (courtesy of Soul Mate Publishing):
Josh Nicodemus is a rock star at the top of his career who is weary after a year-long road tour that has sucked his songwriting dry. Past his album deadline, he sneaks away to the remote island of Serenity after a chance encounter with Tony, a teenage boy at his concert who reminds Josh of his roots and the musician he longs to be.
Looking for a temporary home, Josh walks into The Down Dog Café, owned by former child star in hiding Jordan Drake. Known as J.D. on the island, she's all grown up now and living a quiet life. But when talented, music-crazed Tony turns out to be Jordan's nephew, sparks fly between the hero and heroine.
Jordan Drake is totally opposed to her nephew, Tony, following in his father's musical footsteps because she's afraid he's too young to handle the success and he'll make the same mistakes she made. The Miley Cyrus of her day, Jordan has worked hard over the past ten years to clean up her life and find her equilibrium. But when the frontman for the band Nicodemus arrives in Serenity, all her hard-won peace is knocked for a loop and everything she values is threatened. She's in for the fight of her life when Josh agrees to mentor Tony during his stay on the island.
Thirty Days to Win His Wife by Andrea Laurence
Best-friends-turned-lovers never grows old. Andrea Laurence's Thirty Days to Win His Wife starts the clock ticking for love to be realized. Sweet, dependable Tyler is willing and able to go all-out to convince his best friend, Amelia. His efforts to prove his worth are sexy and endearing, making him a wonderful guy — Mr. Right.
Heartstrings are tugged in a good way with this sensual romance in which the real thing is better than the fantasy. And lessons are taught that opportunities shouldn't be wasted looking for a mythical ideal, when the truth is right in front of you. From beginning to end, Laurence successfully recruited me as a cheerleader for Tyler and Amelia.
About Thirty Days to Win His Wife (courtesy of Harlequin):
Even with a baby on the way, Amelia's holding out for the perfect husband. Tyler has thirty days to prove he's the one.
Best friends Tyler Dixon and Amelia Kennedy eloped to Vegas on a whim. But before they can deal with their quickie divorce, she confesses: she's pregnant. Now there's no way Tyler will agree to go their separate ways. He wants them to stay married, raise their child together, share a house—and a bed.
Yet Amelia has always dreamed of a perfect marriage…and she doesn't think this self-made millionaire is lifetime material despite their friendship. She's given him just one month to prove her wrong…
Sentinels: Alpha Rising by Doranna Durgin
Danger sets the tone for this intense paranormal romantic thriller with a strong hero and heroine who are motivated by their opposite purposes. As a result, the intense conflict is robust with the outside threat from dangerous enemies, along with the characters' private battle with each other. The usual push and pull between hero and heroine is handled creatively with powerful emotional labor to get to the point where happy ever after can take hold.
Suspense is effectively woven throughout the story with twists and turns and revelations. Fans of the Sentinels will not be disappointed. If you're a newbie, it's not too late to jump on board and enjoy the Sentinels vs. The Core.
About Sentinels: Alpha Rising (courtesy of Harlequin):
Time is running out for the Alpha to seduce his reluctant houseguest…Holly Faulkes's entire life had been spent in hiding, steering clear of the Sentinels. But now she is their prisoner, kept by Lannie Stewart, an undeniably sexy alpha wolf determined to initiate her into their world. Lannie's special gift of influence has never failed him, until Holly.
The full-blooded field Sentinel, though, can sense her untapped power. It is a power he is deeply drawn to, a power they all desperately need. For a new enemy has risen, one determined to destroy their kind. Holly can reveal this danger, but only if Lannie can convince her to accept…to embrace…to release, what she really is.
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Michelle Monkou writes for Harlequin Kimani, Evernight Publishing and Boroughs Publishing. Her website is michellemonkou.com. You can also connect with her on Facebook.