SEPTEMBER 2021

OCTOBER 2021

DECEMBER 2021

THE AFTER PARTY - A. C. Arthur Montlake Publishing BUY (16 November) Reviewer:  Brenda Larnell | Rating: A ROMANTIC SUSPENSE

Venus McGee, Draya Carter, and Jackie Benson are coworkers with a lot in common. They’re smart, independent, driven, and deserving of recognition—certainly more than they’ve been handed by a demoralizing boss. He’s the topic of conversation at their impromptu get-together after the company holiday party, where the threesome fantasizes about a life without him. There has to be an alternative to taking a deep breath and sucking it up. There is. It’s just not the one they expected.

CLAIMING HIS CHRISTMAS INHERITANCE - C. J. Carroll Harlequin Love Inspired BUY (26 October) Reviewer:  |  Rating: CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN ROMANCE

Some inheritances have strings attached. This one requires him to get married…In her last matchmaking attempt, Zed Evans’s late aunt stipulated he must find a wife—or lose his childhood home. Fortunately, the resolute bachelor needs to be married for only three months. Now he just has to convince Tasha Jenkins to be his holiday wife in exchange for funds to get her dream business started. It’s the perfect plan…until love makes an unexpected appearance.

A KISS AT THE MISTLETOE RODEO - Kathy Douglass The Real Cowboys of Bronco Hill (Book #5) Harlequin Special Edition BUY (26 October) Reviewer:  Brenda Larnell | Rating: A CONTEMPORARY ROMANCEE

Rodeo superstar Geoff Burris is adored by legions of female fans, but life on the road makes him shun commitment. During a rare hometown visit to Bronco for a holiday competition, he’s sidelined by an injury—and meets Stephanie Brandt. She’s a local nurse who is not dazzled by his fame—and prefers to keep out of the spotlight! Geoff is captivated by the no-nonsense introvert. He’d never planned to put down roots, but when Stephanie is in his arms, all this cowboy can think about is forever…

HOW TO MARRY KEANU REEVES IN 90 DAYS - K.M. Jackson Berkley Publishing Forever BUY (2 November) Reviewer:  Brenda Larnell | Rating: A CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE

Bethany Lu Carlisle is devastated when the tabloids report actor Keanu Reeves is about to tie the knot. What?! How could the world's perfect boyfriend and forever bachelor, Keanu not realize that making a move like this could potentially be devastating to the equilibrium of...well...everything! Not to mention, he's never come face to face with the person who could potentially be his true soulmate—her.

MIXED TIDINGS: A Danjuma Christmas - Unoma Nwankwor The Sons of Ishmael Series KevStel Publications BUY (26 November) Reviewer:  Brenda Larnell | Rating: A CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE

The Danjuma brothers prepare for the perfect Christmas getaway. Their marriages may very well depend on it. With days left to departure, Amari Danjuma shows up at their door. Canceling to sort out this family situation, isn’t an option. With the women in their lives appealing to their sense of family, the brothers decides to take Amari along. Despite their promises, the brothers really don’t give the young Danjuma a chance. Especially considering who he is. An unexpected incident with the kids only solidifies their resolve.

	THE ILLIGITMATE PRINCE - Empi Baryeh The Royal House of Saene (Book #7) Love Africa Press BUY (25 November) Reviewer:  |  Rating: CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
Kalahari Asanti has one goal.  Bringing retribution to the man he holds responsible for his mother’s death — King Ibrahim Saene, the father he has never met. He has no desire for the entanglements of a relationship. Until he comes face-to-face with the only woman he’s ever loved. Now, the illegitimate son is determined to reclaim everything the Royal House of Saene took from him, including her.

JUST FOR THE HOLIDAYS - Adriana Herrera Sambrano Studios (Book #2) Harlequin Desire BUY (26 October) Reviewer: Cheryl McNeil | Rating: B+ CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE

She’s snowed in at Christmas…with a man she must resist! Casting director Perla Sambrano knows Gael Montez is the perfect actor for her new film project. As long as she forgets his oh-so-tempting allure and keeps her heart out of it. Because their chemistry’s no act and she needs to be careful. The Montez men hurt the women they love. Or so Gael believes. Keeping things professional with Perla is the only way to protect her. Until a snowstorm strands them together...

STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL - Donna Hill The Grants of DC (Book #3) Harlequin Desire BUY (26 October) Reviewer: Shirley Fleming  |  Rating:  A CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE

To save her family business, Lexi Randall joins professional forces with Montgomery Grant, careful to conceal why she desperately needs this project. Fortunately, the real estate developer shares her vision for their Washington, DC, community—but keeping their hands off each other becomes a losing battle. When an unwelcome blast from Monty’s past shows up, Lexi knows it’s only a matter of time before her secret is no longer strictly confidential.

STAND BY ME - Pat Simmons Family is Forever (Book #3) Sourcebooks Casablanca  (2 November) BUY Reviewer: Jennifer Copeland |  Rating: A CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN ROMANCE

When it comes to being a caregiver, Kym Knicely has been there and done that. Then she meets Charles "Chaz" Banks and soon learns that every caregiving situation is different. Chaz takes care of his seven-year-old autistic granddaughter, Chauncy. Although Kym's attraction to Chaz is strong, she has to decide whether a romantic relationship can survive and thrive between two people at different stages in life. It's a journey with a different set of rules that Kym has to play by if she and Chaz are to have their happily ever after and the faith and family they envision.

THE HOOKUP DILEMMA - Constance Gillam Entangled Publishing/Amara BUY (16 November) Reviewer:  Cheryl McNeil |  Rating:  B CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE

Rashida Howard has never been a one-night-stand kind of woman, but she has good reason for making an exception with Elliott after meeting him in a bar. Cliché? Yes. Utterly amazing? Absolutely. Regrets? None. Elliott Quinn is a workaholic. The one night he decides to break his routine, he has an encounter with the woman of his dreams. But no matter how amazing they are together, work will always come first.

	RARE DANGER - Beverly Jenkins Montlake Publishing BUY (16 November) Reviewer:  Brenda Larnell | Rating: A ROMANTIC SUSPENSE
For Jasmine Ware, curating books for an exclusive clientele is her passion. Until an old friend, a dealer of rare books, goes missing and his partner is murdered. Linked to an artifact smuggled out of the ancient library at Timbuktu, the mystery draws Jasmine deeper into a plot that could cost her her life.

	CHRISTMAS IN EVERGREEN: BELLS ARE RINGING - Lacey Barker Hallmark Publishing BUY (2 November) Reviewer:  |  Rating: CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
Life is going great for Hannah, really. She has fallen in love with her best friend, her brother is getting married, and she is looking forward to another festive Christmas in Evergreen. Still, between her job, taking charge of the choir, and being the town’s Jill-of-All-Trades, she is feeling totally uninspired…especially when Elliot starts to question his own role in the town.

S.I.B.s: THE SOCIETY OF INTELLECTUAL BEINGS - Iris Bolling Siri Austin Entertainment BUY (16 November) Reviewer:  Brenda Larnell | Rating: A SCIENCE FICTION

Network Executive, Wade Tyson gets a story that is a little too close to home. His biological parents, who were convicted of multiple murders thirty years ago, die suspiciously within 24 hours of each other. Wade investigates their deaths which leads to questions surrounding the original crime. During the investigation, Wade opens the door to a multiple generational experiment to create a community of exceptionally intelligent humans