Favourite reads: Jan 2018

Welcome to our Favourite Reads for January. Each month some of ARRA’s members will tell you a little bit about one of the books they’ve recently read and loved.

These are not full reviews of the books, just honest opinions on why they enjoyed the book so much. Hopefully one of these will strike a chord with you.

So, we asked our members to tell us about some of their favourite reads for January …

The Beach Cafe by Lucy Diamond (chick lit) (The Beach Cafe #1)

I recently enjoyed this book on the recommendation of a friend. Brit women’s fic/chick lit/romance, about Evie taking stock of her life and making a bold (if trepidatious) move to change it. Good writing, interesting and likeable characters, an entertaining story and a feel-good ending. There’s a nice romance, but it isn’t centre stage. The story is more about female friendships and taking chances, with a few chuckles along the way. I’m planning to glom the rest of her books. [Anne, Vic]

Marry in Scandal by Anne Gracie (historical romance) (Marriage of Convenience #2)

I had the extreme good fortune to receive an ARC of this absolutely delightful book. Loved it! This story centres on Lily Rutherford, the youngest sister with the soft and forgiving heart, the sister who struggles to read and write but has a clear mind, keen intellect and excellent memory. As you might guess from the title, Lily marries the flummoxed Edward Galbraith to avert a scandal. He hides deep wounds from the war that Lily must plumb before their marriage can succeed. I really love the occasional glimpses we’re given of the characters from Marriage of Convenience (book 1) and the Chance Sisters from Anne’s previous series. [Malvina, NSW]

Leader Lion by Zoe Chant (paranormal romance) (Protection, Inc #5)

This installment in the shifter series features a charming lion shifter hero, trying to pretend he’s not lonely as he watches his colleagues with their mates, and a rather quirky, ambitious non-shifter heroine, who has recently vowed not to fall for any more charming men. Of course, they are meant for each other <g>. The romance is sweet and hot, there is humour and suspense, and the previous couples in the series are all very enjoyably present. I’m really looking forward to the next book in the series. [Deb, NSW]

Bittersweet by Jacquie Underdown (contemporary romance) (Brothers of the Vine #1)

This is such an emotional, moving and beautiful story. I could barely put it down once I picked it up and did have a very late night. Yes, there were tears (and I’m still thinking about this one) but there was joy and happiness, as we get to know Amy Jenkins and Tom Matthews and the Matthew’s family in a fabulous setting on a vineyard in the Victorian countryside. This is a very well written rural romance, one that I can highly recommend. It is the first of Ms Underdown’s that I have read but it won’t be the last. [Helen, NSW]

Third Time Lucky by Jennie Kew (erotic romance) (Bennett’s Bastards #1)

Jennie Kew writes hot, erotic romances. I’ve read some of her shorts and loved them. In this book, Abby belongs to the family clan locally known as the Bennett’s Bastards. Wolf is an author on a deadline. Both have been unlucky in love but from the get-go their attraction steams up the pages. Their D/s relationship is an intense, emotional rollercoaster ride as they discover what they mean to each other. Abby’s story tugs at the heartstrings and Wolf is one, hot alpha Dom who helps her to discover that he’s the one for her. A great read and the first in a new series—can’t wait for the next one. [Kylie, NSW]

Mind Magic by Eileen Wilks (urban fantasy) (World of the Lupi #12)

I have been hoarding the latest books in this series for a while, and finally found the time to read them. I certainly wasn’t disappointed with this story. It is a very complex and twisty story, opening with Lily being asked by Sam (the black dragon) to undertaken a secret task for him. Meanwhile Rule has been very convincingly framed for a crime. It is an action-packed story as the main characters struggle to understand what is going on. Some interesting new characters in Demi/Danny and the brownies (and baby dragons!) [Debbie, ACT]