MAY 2022

JUNE 2022

AUGUST 2022

SWEETER THAN HONEY - Joy Avery Honey Hill (Book #2) Montlake Romance BUY Reviewer: Brenda Larnell |  Rating: A CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE

A talented baker and a small-town sheriff forced into a fake relationship decide whether to take a chance on love in this delectable romance from Joy Avery.. Baker extraordinaire Rylee Harris has a recipe for everything—except love. It’s been five years since she lost her husband, but romance is still a struggle for Rylee. In her small hamlet of Honey Hill, North Carolina, Rylee knows she’ll be the talk of the town when she finds someone new.

KNOT AGAIN - Kwana Jackson Real Men Knit (Book #2) Berkley BUY (26 July) Reviewer:  |  Rating: CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE

Hoping to attract more customers to his family’s knitting shop, Lucas Strong participated in an FDNY charity calendar and accidentally became a local celebrity. The only place he can find solace is Scrubs—a 24/7 laundromat where he can disappear for a couple of hours. But Lucas’s soapy sanctuary is shaken by an inquisitive little girl with a late-night interest in knitting, whose mother is his old school crush.

	COMMITTED - Sharon C. Cooper Atlanta's Finest (Book #8) Amaris Publishing BUY Reviewer: Brenda Larnell |  Rating: A CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
Lazarus “Laz” Dimas made plenty of enemies as an Atlanta police detective. Now that he is a security specialist and married with a family, he does everything by the book…mostly. It’s not until someone threatens his family does he fall back into his old, lethal, behavior and resurrects his former mantra, By Any Means Necessary.

AN OFFER FROM MR WRONG - Niobia Bryant Cress Brothers (Book #3) Harlequin Desire BUY Reviewer: Jennifer Copeland |  Rating: A CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE

As the recently discovered secret heir to the Cress Dynasty, chef Lincoln Cress isn’t exactly fitting in with his new family. A girlfriend for hire would help, and private investigator Bobbie Barnett, who discovered his Cress connection, fits the bill. It’s a simple deal that has nothing to do with her wavy hair, full lips or how she incites his wickedest appetites. Now Lincoln’s risking everything—including the Cress family’s reputation—on a proposal that has nothing to do with business…and everything to do with pleasure.

AFTER HOURS TEMPTATION - Kianna Alexander 404 Sound (Book #3) Harlequin Desire BUY Reviewer: Shirley Fleming | Rating: A CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE

Renowned sound engineer Teagan Woodson prides herself on maintaining her professionalism. But guitarist Maxton McCoy challenges all her self-imposed boundaries. He’s too talented, too sexy…and too off-limits! Which is only confirmed when their innocent flirtation becomes an all-consuming affair and emotional demons from their past are resurrected. Soon Maxton’s fear of losing Teagan the way he tragically lost his sister threatens everything—including their album. Are they destined to become hip-hop’s latest power couple…or just a one-hit wonder?

RIVALS AT LOVE CREEK - Michelle Lindo-Rice Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (Book #1) Harlequin Special Edition BUY (28 June) Reviewer: Jennifer Copeland |  Rating: A CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE

Shanna Jacobs has ambitions to be the next superintendent. But when a cheating scandal rocks her school, she’s put under the supervision of her sexy ex, Lynx Harrington. Also a school principal, Lynx has his eye on the same job. Working to clear an accused cheater’s name—albeit a beautiful one—only complicates the plan. But their attraction is undeniable. And Shanna’s kisses are a perfect ten. Maybe their fledgling partnership will make the grade after all?

	CAN'T RESIST HER - Kianna Alexander Independently Published BUY (19 July) Reviewer:  |  Rating: CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
After years away from home, Summer Graves is back in Austin, Texas, to accept a new teaching position. Of all the changes to the old neighborhood, the most dispiriting one is the slated demolition of the high school her grandmother founded. There’s no way she can let developers destroy her memories and her family legacy. But the challenge stirs memories of another kind.

	AN UNLIKELY ALLIANCE - Toni Shiloh K-9 Companions (Book #7) Love Inspired Romance BUY (28 June) Reviewer: Jennifer Copeland |  Rating: A CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE (Inspirational)
With her emotional support dog at her side, Jalissa Tucker will do whatever it takes to ensure the survival of the local animal rescue—even ally herself with her nemesis, firefighter Jeremy Rider. As working together dredges up old hurts, putting the past aside could be the key to their future joy. But can Jalissa resist falling for the man she’s always considered the enemy?

HEATED - Niama Simone Burned Inc. (Book #1) Montlake Publishing BUY (5 July) Reviewer: Shirley Fleming | Rating: A CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE

Why? Because people break up—and sometimes they should. But when I learn that entertainment attorney Cyrus Hart is someone else’s mistake, I can’t believe it. He’s smart, successful, and sexy as hell. When a chance encounter with Cyrus turns into something more, I can’t help but fall for him. Our chemistry is undeniable. But his ex used my company to send him that letter—and that’s a problem. Especially since he doesn’t know I own the company

THE PRINCESS HE MUST MARRY - Jadesola James Passionately Even After (Book #8) Harlequin Presents BUY Reviewer:  Brenda Larnell |  Rating: A CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE

Spare heir Prince Akil Al-Hamri’s plan is simple: conveniently wed Princess Tobi Obatola, gain his inheritance and escape the prison of his royal life forever. Then they’ll go their separate ways. It’s going well, until he finds himself undeniably attracted to his innocent new bride! But claiming his freedom means letting Tobi go…When disaster strikes, Akil becomes king and requires his queen by his side. But after he abandoned their chemistry on their wedding night, will Tobi agree to be his wife…for real this time

SUMMER ON BLACKBERRY BEACH - Belle Calhoune Mistletoe, Maine (Book #2) Berkley Forever BUY (28 June) Reviewer: Brenda Larnell  | Rating: A CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE

Teacher Stella Marshall’s summer break has just began, but the gossip is already sizzling: Luke Keegan’s back in town! Stella’s high school crush is all grown up and smolderingly sexy. She might even consider a fling with the former Navy SEAL, if she hadn’t already sworn off all romantic entanglements. But there isn’t a single thing she can do to stop the rumor mill whispering about her and Luke being together—unless . . .

HAPPY IS ON HIATUS - A. C. Arthur Montlake Publishing BUY Reviewer: Brenda Larnell |  Rating: A WOMAN'S FICTION

When Rita McCall discovers her husband’s affair, there isn’t a lick of surprise—not a single tear or broken heart. Just a wife and mother who’s over it and ready to watch her twenty-three-year marriage go up in flames. Sticking close, thick as thieves since childhood, Rita’s unfailingly loyal cousins Jemel and Sharae become her lifeline. They stand beside her as she contemplates a new career and navigates the murky waters of being a preacher’s daughter disgraced by scandal.

SMOKE - Aja The Enigma Series (Book #1 She Loves Words Publishing BUY Reviewer:  Brenda Larnell |  Rating: A CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE

Mystery, crime, and grit surrounded his family, often bringing power-hungry enemies right to his doorstep. Never one to back down from any opposition, he often stood victorious. But this new threat is something different and not at all one he is prepared for until an old love comes to save him. Elijah Lewis aka "Smoke" has to decide what to do with the gift of knowledge he's received. Does he deliver more pain to the people responsible for trying to take him out, or does he take well-meaning advice and get out of this line of work?

THE HOUSE ON BLUEBERRY LANE - Brenda Jackson Catalina Cove (Book #6) HQN Books BUY Reviewer: Brenda Larnell |  Rating: A CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE

The biggest mistake of Jaye Colfax’s life was letting Velvet Spencer leave him. For three years, they were together exclusively - and it was great. But Jaye wouldn’t commit to anything more. He just didn’t believe in falling in love or marriage. When Velvet left him without so much as a good-bye, Jaye realized he’d been too foolish to see he loved her. But it was too late. His stubbornness had cost him the love of his life.

ALONG THE SHORE - Rochelle Alers The Book Club (Book #3) Kensington Books/Dafina BUY Reviewer:  |  Rating: CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE

Cherie Renee Thompson is finally ready to dive into change. After two summers vacationing on Coates Island, she’s now a permanent resident, studying to be a teacher, and has formed invaluable friendships with two remarkable women, Kayana and Leah. Their summer book club, which meets weekly at the Seaside Café, has taught Cherie to seize the day. And as the ex-mistress of a powerful politician consistently unable to commit, Cherie is determined not to waste any more time—or try romance again…

A CHANCE FOR GENEVIEVE - Parker J. Cole Last Chance Brides (Book #9) Independently Published BUY Reviewer: Brenda Larnell |  Rating: A HISTORICAL ROMANCE (Inspirational)

A nun on the run. An engineer with a dream. When secrets are revealed, will friendship develop into a forbidden love? Genevieve Bailey is hiding in Last Chance. She sees the drought-ridden town as an opportunity to live her truth or hide away from the world and keep her secrets safe. Meeting a handsome engineer stirs up forbidden longing and the more she gets to know him, the more their association threatens to unravel the threads binding her broken heart and expose the secret that could destroy her faith.