Monday 3 February 2020

Smothering the Breathless Authors with Love!

Miranda's February Musings


Wow, December/January in Australia! So many super hot days, so many horrendous fires, so much heroism and so many sad losses. Keep donating (thankyou), keep praying, the fires are still burning in some places. We will get back on our feet, but as we do we salute the heroes who've saved so much, even as some lost their own lives. Such humbled thanks. Thankyou. Thankyou. Thankyou.

Words are simply not enough. We need to celebrate our own, our friends and family and loved ones, and hug them tight and just smother them with love. 

So as February begins I'm celebrating my fellow Breathless in the Bush authors, precious people to me. And, {{{shrug}}}, I'm totally biased about them and I don't care! So with no further ado, let my smother-them-with-love CELEBRATION begin! 

We love having KRISTINE CHARLES on board at BITB, and I've just read the anthology LOVE SABRE featuring her novella, A Mutual Thing. The book totally sends up the purple prose that used to dominate romance in yesteryear, but in such a creative way it's taut and terrific, sassy and sexy. (See what I did there? Thank goodness we've moved on.) But seriously, this book romps along with such fun. And not so much of the purple prose after all. These authors have created quick-to-read stories that are very energetically entertaining. (18+ warning for the *cough* love sabre...)


Image courtesy of amazon.com


Our beloved JAYNE KINGSLEY blows me away with her stories - and you'll find her Christmas novella A Kiss For Christmas Eve reviewed by yours truly here; sheer delight. Her full-length novel LOVING LUCAS made it onto my January read list, and I have to say that the always popular office romance trope - and friends-to-lovers - makes a wonderful appearance (I love these so much). Miranda is the boss's daughter, and Lucas doesn't know how he can work with her - because, so much temptation. OOH. And, that cover. 💋


Image courtesy of amazon.com


I actually knew ALYSSA J. MONTGOMERY before she was published. As soon as I read her first unpublished manuscript I knew Romancelandia had a powerhouse author about to explode on the scene. I am fairly smug I called it, heh, and her star continues to rise. I read her wonderful book SEDUCED BY THE STRANGER  over January and, wow. I love me a good amnesia plot, with a pregnant-by-I-don't-know-who plot also tossed in! So gripping. Go, Alyssa!


Image courtesy of amazon.com


The marvellous CASSANDRA SAMUELS is someone who knows just so much about Regency times, I'm impressed. Never try and get away with anything but true facts about the Regency period around her, she is spot on! I adore Regency romances, so enthusiastically dived into COLLECTOR OF HEARTS in January. My only concern was - why had I waited so long to read this?! Silly, silly me. I totally loved her hero, Robert Mallory, Marquis of Sheldon. To cope with something absolutely appalling in his life he became, well, a 'Collector of Hearts' - but then tossed them aside. I knew it was going to take someone very special to collect his heart... I laughed at Cassandra's wit and sparkling dialogue, and then, oh my, I cried. Such an outstandingly beautiful story. ❤ 


Image courtesy of amazon.com


Magical MARILYN FORSYTH creates beautiful stories in exotic settings, and I can't wait to read whatever she publishes next. If you haven't already, fall on her last book, FALLING IN LOVE AGAIN. I've never been to the Australian opal fields and possibly never will, so reading about the amazing opals, a mystery about a fossil, and a stunning romance - is, like, win win win! I adored this story. In fact, when I visited the Australian Museum in Sydney, there was a certain opal exhibit that entranced me...and which Marilyn assures me is the inspiration for this story! Intrigued? Oh, do read the book, it is so wonderful. You'll never look at opals the same way again. Or fossils! 


Image courtesy of amazon.com


ENISA HAINES and SHARON BRYANT are special stars in our special Christmas anthology A VERY AUSSIE CHRISTMAS.  I was so thrilled to read it, and each story is so very unique. Enisa's story is Endings, Beginnings and Sharon's is Desert Fire. Why wait until next Christmas to read them? It's still hot here in Oz, go back and get some blazing Christmas spirit in your year right now. 😍 


Image courtesy of amazon.com


So, ta-dah! I give you The Breathless Girls, who I celebrate! Perfect to pop on your reading list!

With love until next time,

Miranda xxx


Love to Laugh:

At the charm and wit in those ravishing Regencies, like Cassandra's!

Love to Love:

My BITB authors. Always and forever, girls! Mwuh. 

Love to Learn:

Which of the above have you read? Is there a special author you celebrate? 

12 comments:

  1. Hi Miranda! Thanks so much for this wonderful post! I've read everyone's stories (and loved them all), and it was lovely to be reminded of what a great group of writers we have in BITB. xx

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    1. So true, Marilyn! Sometimes it is nice to be reminded of the wonderful talent here.

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  2. Wow, we are such a talented bunch. Thank you so much Miranda for your lovely words about Collector of Hearts.

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    1. Heartfelt and complete truth, Cassandra. I was just delighted with Collector of Hearts, such a wonderful read. x

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  3. Hi there, Miranda. Thank you so much for your oh-so-positive views about the BITB bloggers. Lovely to know our stories are loved.

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    1. The stories are loved indeed by this eager reader. Always ready to enjoy my fellow bloggers when they write!

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  4. Hi Miranda, Thank you for your lovely words. I'm so glad you enjoyed SEDUCED BY THE STRANGER. I don't believe I'd be a published author without all the support and encouragement I've received from my fellow Breathless in the Bush members. Thanks ladies! x

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    1. Isn't it marvellous to have this lovely group? And I thoroughly enjoyed Seduced by the Stranger - what a fabulously emotional read. Thanks Alyssa!

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  5. Hi Miranda, thanks so much for your kind words. I'm looking forward to rereading some of the work of my BITB colleagues.

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    1. It's always just the BEST thing to read something friends have written, isn't it Sharon? Just so wonderful, I love it, and I was glad to blog about it this week!

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  6. Oh how did I miss this blog!!! Miranda - THANK YOU! You've made my day with your beautiful and kind words :) We are such a talented bunch ;) and I'm so thankful to be included in this list xx

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    1. Dear Jayne, as if I could ever leave you out. xxxxx I'm so thankful you're in this list too! Keep writing and I'll keep reading! Mwah.

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