SINGLE TITLE, OR SERIES?

Miranda's February Musings

Darlings, what happened to January? My stars. Over! Too! Soon! 

So here is a February question for you all while you hibernate from the crazy polar vortex in the northern hemisphere (whaaaat?!), and boil in the record temps Down Under, phew. 

What do you prefer to read? A single title romance, OR a series which can give the same hero and heroine or secondary characters their stories, and prolong the love in the community? 

For example, the amazing Nora Roberts AKA JD Robb began her In Death series waaaay back in 1995 with Naked in Death. This first book introduced prickly NY police detective Lieutenant Eve Dallas - and she meets intriguing Irish billionaire Rourke in the course of her investigations. Huh. Fourty-eight books later - yes, 48! - Eve and Rourke are still fresh, fabulous and intriguing enough for millions of readers to hang out for every new story, with the 49th book scheduled to be released later this year. In hardcover! This is truly a monumental series success story. JD Robb, we are in awe of you! Have you read any Eve and Rourke, and are you keen for more?

Picture credit: amazon.com

A different series called Outback Brides brought joy to many reader hearts in 2018. Beloved Australian authors Kelly Hunter, Victoria Purman, Cathryn Hein and Fiona McArthur gifted us four different brides, all divinely romantic and lovely and absolutely scrumptious. You simply must read on and enjoy each different bride's story, especially as they pop into the previous books. Yes please, I can cope with that very easily: a finite series of 4 books with a different H&H in each one. Can you? 

Picture credit: amazon.com

Hands up the stand alone book readers? Those who really love carving time out to read one romance and that's-enough-for-now-because-it's-so-fabulous? Late 2016 (omigosh that sounds so long ago!) I read The Hating Game by Sally Thorne. Totally loved it, laughed all the way through, went looking for another book by her and... eek! Had to wait! Imagine my thrill when her next book 99% Mine, which I pre-purchased months ago, fell into my Kindle last week! I cannot tell you how that sent me into an excited spin, but I need to finish the (fabulous) book I'm reading to get to it... I am sure that, like The Hating Game, reading 99% Mine will be - enough. Something to linger over and enjoy. Hopefully with some laughs and tears, like last time. No pressure, Sally Thorne! I have faith in you. ❤❤ But, YAY for a stand-alone book!

Picture credit: amazon.com

One favourite stand-alone romance is Molly Cooper's Dream Date by Barbara Hannay. Apparently I'm not alone in loving this book; I've heard a whisper it's about to be made into a film, oh my. Bring it on! I could read this book again and again. Actually, I already have... It never loses its charm, and I love it anew every reread. Have you read it? It's actually a lovely armchair travel read for London, part of the appeal for us Aussies, and a luscious romance. Win, win.

Picture credit: amazon.com

So, my pick for Single Title or Series is - BOTH, depending on my mood! I'm happy to read a series or a stand alone; they both have their place. What about you?

Love from Miranda xxx

Love to Love:

A new book from a fave author. And a new book in a series I love!

Love to Laugh:

At my teetering, tottering, Read-Me pile of books. I think it multiplies in the dark at night...?!

Love to Learn:

About all the new romances coming out. I know, I know, I've got a mountainous TBR, but there will be a new gem in the newies somewhere. For sure. 

The Breathless List 2019

Every year at this time, we Breathless ladies have the unenviable task of nominating our favourite Aussie romance read of the previous year. This year, with so many wonderful books published in 2018, it was an almost impossible task! 

The good news is: we did it!

And here they are...

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Miranda: A Baby in His In-tray by Michelle Douglas

This book is hands down gorgeous, my happy pick for The Breathless List. It has a twin swap - which Michelle absolutely nailed, a suddenly dumped baby, and a befuddled businessman trying to figure out if the baby is his - or related to him somehow (cue lots of family conflict). 

It is truly a sweet and lovely romance as Liv and Sebastian find themselves, find each other, and find out what a family really means. The most lovely thing about this book was the nice, decent and fair way Liv and Sebastian treated each other. Sometimes this is forgotten: H&Hs can go all conflict-icky with each other and behave less than splendidly. 

Here, despite all the dramas and disasters, their beautiful characters shone through. Plus, cutest cover ever! Bravo, Michelle! 

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Alyssa J Montgomery: Shock Heir for the Crown Prince (Book 1 of the Four Kings series) by Kelly Hunter

I’ve always loved Kelly Hunter’s voice and this second chance, secret baby plot romance ticked all the boxes for me. I loved Ana—a strong heroine who attained her career goal, supported by her parents, despite becoming a single mother. I also loved that her mother was a strong woman and that they had a close bond. Even Ana and Casimir’s child is no pushover!

Casimir is also strong but has the weight of his kingdom pressing down on him. His father was an unyielding man and Cas is determined to be a better ruler. Casimir has definite visions for his kingdom, an unshakeable sense of duty and loyalty but will listen to advice—up to a point! Only Ana is able to get him to lighten up.

As is Kelly Hunter’s usual style, there’s lots of humour in the dialogue where the heroine gives as good as she gets and even has Cas on the ropes at times. The royal advisor Rudolpho is also a great character. He’s wise and possesses a droll sense of humour.

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Sharon Burke: The Laird’s Willful Lass by Anna Campbell

Fergus Mackinnon is used to being in command and in unquestioning obedience from his servants and tenants. He became Laird of Achnasheen when he was only a child, and people have met his autocratic expectations ever since. Fortunately, his decisions are always correct, and people understand this. When he marries, he will naturally require the same level of deference from his wife.

Marina Lucchetti is a well-known artist in Florence.  She has achieved success, admiration, and independence even though she is competing in a man’s world. Marina is passionate about her art and vows to remain single. No man will stand in the way of the career she loves.

When Marina’s father is injured in a carriage accident, she agrees to remain at Achnasheen and paint the beautiful estate scenery while he recovers.

Fiery desire battles with good sense as both hero and heroine are swept away by irresistible passion, while recognising they can never fully commit to each other.

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Marilyn Forsyth: Three Gold Coins by Josephine Moon

One wonderful memory from my travels around Europe in my twenties is a magical night when I threw a coin into the Trevi Fountain. So, from the moment Laura Foxleigh tosses her gold coins into that fountain, stating ‘I am in Rome’, I was hooked by this book. The vivid details of the Italian people, their culture and the landscape (plus cute goats, plus cheese-making!) brings the story to life in the loveliest way.

I loved the vulnerability of sweet and sexy Matteo, goat farmer, and the bravery of Laura, who leaves Australia for Italy to escape an abusive ex. That both characters have what many consider disabilities (no spoilers) is what draws them together.

The book is sensual without being overtly sexy. It also has a dark edge to it that kept me turning the pages. If you enjoy romance, armchair travelling, and books that deal with ‘real-life’ issues, you’ll love this one.

(And in case you’re wondering, yes, I did go back to Rome.)

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Cassandra Samuels: Bittersweet by Jacquie Underdown

I really enjoyed this novel and remember being quite embarrassed that I was tearing up on the plane on the way to see my daughter in Brisbane. 

There is a lot of emotional turmoil in this book but the heroine Amy uses her skills as a chef to keep her friend’s cupcake bakery open while also trying to support her friend's husband. I won't tell you why as it will ruin the book. The hero Tom is a fly-in-fly-out contractor who has shunned his part in the family vineyard, but with Amy holding the fort he feels the need to be there for his brother and for her. 

This is a book about love, family and friendships.

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Enisa Haines: Maggie’s Run (Outback Brides Book 1) by Kelly Hunter

Maggie’s Run is the first in the Outback Brides series and, wow, it’s magic! 

Maggie Walker is riddled with self-doubt and her sleep plagued with nightmares ensuring she’ll never forget her traumatic past. When she inherits Wirra Station, her cold, austere great-aunt Carmel’s home and never really hers, she doesn’t want it, but her visit there brings her back in contact with Max O’Connor. The one person she feels close to yet she fights to keep those feelings back.

Max, owner of the property next door, wants to buy Wirra Station, but he also wants Maggie, the girl he’d long-ago lost his heart to, to know what she’ll miss by selling. Can he convince her to stay?

Witty humour, secrets and intrigue, romance both tender and sensual, and the so-so-beautiful happy ending Maggie and Max very much deserve. Thank you, thank you, Kelly Hunter! 

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Jayne Kingsley: The Trouble with Choices by Trish Morey

Set in the beautiful Adelaide Hills, The Trouble with Choices follows the story of the three Faraday sisters, Hannah, Beth and Sophie. All carry romantic baggage and are hiding secrets from each other. Each has a choice to make that will direct their futures. 

It's a beautiful and heartfelt story that had me laughing, sighing and wishing it would never end. 

Was your favourite amongst our top picks? If not, leave a comment mentioning which Aussie romance published in 2018 you absolutely loved. We're always looking for great Aussie authors to read and support. 

Love to Love Aussie romance authors and their books.

Love to Laugh Full stop.😄

Love to Learn that the next book in the descriptive thesaurus series is The Emotion Thesaurus Second Edition! This new edition has added 55 more emotions, bringing the total to 130 and almost doubling it in size! You can check out the full list of emotions (and some sample entries) HERE.

If you’d like to pre-order, you can find it on Amazon, Kobo, Apple Books (iBooks) and Indiebound.

Also, Angela & Becca are giving away a free webinar recording of one of their popular workshops on Emotion, so head over if this is an area of struggle for you.