Monday 12 October 2015

Miranda's October Musings


Let's talk about NOVELLAS! So PERFECT for your busy life!


Spring has sprung here in Oz, darlings. Beautiful blossoms abound, and the beaches and swimming pools look sparkly and inviting... Perfect to sit beside and read, yes?

So, do you like novellas? Have you ever thought about reading any? Novellas are sometimes vastly under-rated, dismissed because they're 'not long enough' (snort) - and yet often are just so incredibly fabulous they become a Discovery Doorway to that author's body of work. It's like, wow, yes, I love this so much, who knew how terrific this short length could be, what else can I read by her/him?!?!?!?! Getting goosebumps just thinking about it.

I read some gorgeous novellas in the past month, the perfect length because I was busy. With Christmas (gasp!) just around the corner, what better way to keep romance reading in your busy schedule than by indulging in some novellas? So here's some recommendations, with much love from me to you.


Photo credit: www.goodreads.com

The Seduction of Lord Stone by the always delicious Anna Campbell was absolutely un-put-downable. I sat down to read it, and whatever I was going to do that afternoon was not done until I finished reading. You have been warned. Anna's gorgeous hero and heroine, Lord Stone, and Caroline, Lady Beaumont, simmered and prowled around each other, trying to deny and ignore everything they felt (which was pretty hot stuff, let me tell you). The tension mounted, and I was about to yell 'Kiss the girl!' when he suddenly did. And then things got really interesting (ooh, ooh). This is the opener for Anna's new series, The Dashing Widows. Bring them on! And oh my, that stunning frock on the cover...to die for.



Photo credit: www.amazon.co.uk


 
Photo credit: maggiandersenauthor.com





Paris For One by Jojo Moyes was another charmer, a chick-litty, optimistic novella in the City of Light (and who doesn't love Paris?). A terrific quick read about a romantic weekend that goes from dire to delightful. Jojo Moyes is a fresh and realistic writer, and weaves magic reader spells to keep you hooked. I swear she does, and so yes, I'm looking for more books by her. And, did I mention Paris For One is set in, you know, Paris? No need to say anything more, really, except that I adored revisiting some of my favourite Paris sights. Eating croissants by proxy. Drinking coffee. Being romantic in Paris... Ooh la la. Le sigh.






Maggi Andersen's terrific novella At The Earl's Convenience  was my first read by her, and it's sent me straight to her back list (as I predicted). Just look at that cover. Doesn't the kiss make your heart melt? And another sumptuous frock in rich ruby red to lust over. What is it with these Regency dresses? Always so lovely. The story is a little bit different from the usual Regency 'marriage of convenience' fare. I'm so hooked on the marriage of convenience trope, it's pure romance catnip to me, so I dived into this with great expectation - and was transported. Selina is a wonderful, strong heroine, and the somewhat elusive hero Giles, the earl of the title, has quite a few surprises up his sleeve. I love a good earl story (of course), and this one has a fair bit of mystery to unravel, so it's great reading.  




 
Have I convinced you to try a novella, darlings? Oh go on, have a go, they are Such! Fun! To! Read! Sit down with a drink and a couple of hours, relax, and you'll be so rewarded and refreshed. Really, you owe it to yourself; novellas are like a big de-stressor pill. Consider them therapy. Or medication. Convinced yet? Yes? Good! And do comment to let me know what you discover? Can't wait to find some more to enjoy.
 
Till next time,
 

Miranda xx

 

Love to Love... 

Paris! I've only been there once and it was the most magical week of my life. What about you?

Love to Laugh...

With fun, optimistic plots. Paris For One certainly did the trick.

Love to Learn...

What all you beautiful people are reading. Really, it fascinates me...so tell all!


16 comments:

  1. Miranda, I'm thrilled you enjoyed At the Earl's Convenience! I love that cover too! Thanks so much for featuring my novella on your lovely blog. I love reading the shorter stories. There's so many great novellas to choose from, including the two here which I am off to buy.

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    1. Maggi, I'm so delighted you've popped in to say hi! Yes indeed, your cover is absolute magic, and it was such a pleasure to read. Readers, here's where you can find some other Maggi Andersen books - your only trouble will be deciding which one...or take all of them! http://maggiandersenauthor.com/ . Love, love, love the choices we have as romance readers. Enjoy the other two novellas, Maggi!

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  2. Miranda, aren't you a darling? Thank you so much! I'm absolutely thrilled you loved The Seduction of Lord Stone - Silas in particular was a fun character write.

    Like you, I find novellas absolutely fit the bill when I'm busy (well, other times too, but particularly when I'm busy). I want that hit of romance delicious and I want it now! Love the sound of the Jojo Moyes - haven't read her before, but hey, Paris! And Maggi's is on my Kindle already. LOVE that cover.

    When it comes to recommendations for novellas, I loved This Wicked Gift by Courtney Milan. It's a Christmas story and it's absolutely brilliant. I also loved both Annie West's Hot Italian Nights novellas, Back in the Italian's Bed and Bought by the Italian - they feature some great conflicts, some hot love scenes, and some really meaty conflict. You wouldn't think you're only reading a novella!

    Waving madly to the Breathless girls and saying thank you, thank you, thank you!

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    1. Anna, big hello and waving back! Thanks so much for dropping by! The BITB girls love, love, love your books, and personally, I just gobble them up. You are an auto-buy. So I hope that heaps of other people enjoy you, too. Here's Anna's website to find some more delish reads: http://annacampbell.com/ - with, I notice, another novella, A Pirate For Christmas - coming up. Oh the joy. I've also just tucked Courtney Milan's This Wicked Gift onto my Kindle - that's two Christmas stories I can't wait to read. And I share your delight in Annie West's hot Italians. She is a total fave writer for me. So much to read, so much fun!

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    2. Miranda, thanks for the shout-out for Pirate. I'm having a lot of fun with it - there's something really lovely about reading/writing Christmas stories, isn't there? Let me know what you think of Courtney's story. She was up for a RITA for it - and the accolade was well deserved, I think. And yum to the West Italians! More delish than tiramisu!

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    3. Adore Christmas stories. Something about the season...

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  3. Hi Miranda. With the world so busy today and time precious, my reading is often cut down to 1-2 books per month. That's because the books I'm reading tend to be the longer ones. With the shorter word length novellas are looking very attractive to me right now. To date, my novella intake has been Nora Roberts writing as JD Robb. She has an In Death series novella published each year. Of course, being the avid Nora Roberts fan, I've read each one. But now I'll be sure to look out for other authors. Your recommendations sound great.

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    1. Ah yes, the '...In Death' series. Let me just say: ROARKE, and thousands of readers will sigh... Do have a look at the others, Enisa, I think you'll enjoy them. And let me know?

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  4. These are all great recommendations Miranda. I haven't read Jo Jo before so she's on the list. Maggi and Anna are always auto buys for me. Keep up the good work girls! Novella's appeal to me for many reasons but I think the length still lends favourably towards a good meaty story.

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    1. Cassandra, you are right. A good writer can 'do' a terrific story, no matter what the length is. Bigger isn't necessarily better. And it was because of you I enjoyed Maggi's novella, so thankyou!

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  5. Hi Miranda! I'm almost afraid to admit that I've never read a novella (don't tell anyone :) ) but with these wonderful recommendations how can I put it off any longer??? I've enjoyed both Anna's and Maggi's longer stories so a novella next up, it is.

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    1. Gasp! Never, Marilyn? Well, I do hope I've made a convert out of you. Report back, we're all agog to hear what you think...

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  6. Hi Miranda, you are very convincing in your descriptions of how great it is to read Novella's. You should write one yourself... I have to admit I have never read one. Not for any reason other than I just haven't. The three you have suggested sound so fantastic I may just have to read them myself. Thanks for a great post.

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  7. Thanks Karen. I confess novellas are my go-to reading when life gets hectic. A terrific way to keep that romance hit in my life when I've got a hectic schedule. I hope you can read some, they are great.

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    1. Miranda, I'm so with you about novellas being the perfect hit of romance when you don't have time for a lot of reading. It's like a bit of chocolate instead of a roast dinner - small and delicious!

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  8. Hi Miranda,
    I also haven't read a novella. Thank you for your recommendations. "At The Earl's Convenience" is now on my Kindle. I'm looking forward to reading it. There are so many great books out there!

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