I used to be a hardcore historical romance fan. Nowadays, not so much. Out of the twenty-seven 2010 releases I’ve read so far this year, only four are historicals. In contrast, eighteen are contemporary romances.
When I was updating my list of upcoming releases, I noticed there are several contempories and Women’s Fiction titles I’m looking forward to reading.
Among them is the first book in Lisa Kleypas’ new Friday Harbor series, which bears the rather uninspired title of Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor. It will be released in the US on the 26th of October and in the UK in November. So far, I can only find the UK cover:
Here’s the description provided at Amazon UK (Note to Lisa Kleypas: please, pretty please, update your website!):
The Friday Harbor series of contemporary romance/women’s fiction novels is set in San Juan Island just off of the Washington State Coast. The San Juan Island setting is romantic and varied, with rocky shores, sandy beaches, rich woodlands and pasture land, and the prosperous Friday Harbor area. The series is centered around the Nolan family, consisting of two brothers and a sister, the owners of an island vineyard and restaurant. The Nolans’ mother Jessica has just passed away, and a mysterious stranger attends the funeral. He reveals that he is an illegitimate child Jessica had given birth to, and given up for adoption, before she married. This family secret leads to many new questions and challenges, which test the bonds of love and loyalty, and ultimately show the Nolans what family is all about.
I thoroughly enjoyed Lisa Kleypas’ first two contemporary romances, although I was ambivalent about the third. I definitely plan to give this new series a go.
Another contemporary romance series I’m looking forward to is Jill Shalvis’ upcoming Lucky Harbor series. Yes, this is another series set in Washington. Simply Irresistible will be out on the 28th of September. Here’s the cover and a short description courtesy of Jill’s website:
Maddie Moore’s whole life needs a makeover.
In one fell swoop, Maddie loses her boyfriend (her decision) and her job (so not her decision). But rather than drowning her sorrows in bags of potato chips, Maddie leaves L.A. to claim the inheritance left by her free-spirited mother–a ramshackle inn nestled in the little coastal town of Lucky Harbor, Washington.
Starting over won’t be easy. Yet Maddie sees the potential for a new home and a new career–if only she can convince her two half-sisters to join her in the adventure. But convincing Tara and Chloe will be difficult because the inn needs a big makeover too.
The contractor Maddie hires is a tall, dark-haired hottie whose eyes–and mouth–are making it hard for her to remember that she’s sworn off men. Even harder will be Maddie’s struggles to overcome the past, though she’s about to discover that there’s no better place to call home than Lucky Harbor.
Based on the blurbs, I have to say the Jill Shalvis book looks more interesting. What do you think?
♥ In other news, Publishers Weekly is reporting that author Janet Evanovich is threatening to leave her current publisher, St. Martin’s Press, unless she receives a $50 million advance on her next four novels. I’m curious to see how this one pans out. Love it or loathe it, the Plum series is a major moneyspinner for St. Martin’s Press, and it’s likely to be worth even more once the film version of One for the Money is released.
♥ When I was looking up the link for the Evanovich news item, I also noticed this one. Apparently, Romance Writers of America have cancelled all Dorchester events at the upcoming RWA conference in Orlando. The reason: Dorchester is allegedly behind in honouring payments to its authors. Ouch!
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Didn’t know about the new Kleypas series! Thanks for the heads-up. I’m looking forward to the Jill Shalvis series!
Not my dorchy!!
Really don’t want them to be in trouble, they are oddly enough one of my all time fave rom publishers. They have published some really interesting stuff.
I’m looking forward to ANYTHING but Lisa K! Thanx for the reminder. I’d heard about this awhile back. And I love me some Jill Shalvis too.
I’m torn on the Evanovich story because while I understand why she’d ask for more money, with so many people out of jobs, it just irritates me that someone can demand that kind of money. More power to her, but it’s hard to sympathize with her plight when I know so many people out of work.
@Edie: I know! They’ve published some great authors.
@Pearl: I hope they’ll be good.
@Stacy ~: I also found it ironic that the two stories ran one after the other at Publishers Weekly. On the one hand, you have a mega author demanding $50 million for books she has yet to write, and on the other you have authors not getting paid for books they’ve already written because their publisher is struggling financially.
Eeep! Had not heard the Dorchester news. Come ‘on Dorchester, get it together! I rely on you and Harlequin Historical to keep me in westerns – and yes, it IS all about me.
I’m having a hard time thinking any fiction author is worth $50 million for four books. I know Evanovich still sells a butt-load of titles, and yes, the movie will likely generate more interest (assuming it will be watchable – which frankly, I have my doubts) – but $50 mil?! I’m having a hard time wrapping my mind around that….
Since I have never read anything by Evanovich, I can’t really comment. $50 million though? I remember a while back sonomalass mused about how many mid-range authors could support themselves if some of this largesse was spread around. Word!
I’m in the mood for these back to the roots books too. The new JoAnn Ross sounds like that a bit — hero returns to hometown and rehabs parent’s establishment. Maybe it’s nostalgia but setting things straight and re-connecting with childhood passions sounds enticing.
Historical/contemp, I’m still mostly historicals but that may be shifting slightly. There was an historical reviewed yesterday on AAR that got a B rating. Lusty romps through stately homes with no side effects (reputation, pregnancy, nada!) … not a slut to be shamed in sight *LoL — not making any judgments!* … if that’s the historical trend, stuff that’s more acrobatics and less plot, dressed up in pretty dresses with maids and butlers, I’m not interested. I’m not an historical purist but some of these plots are ludicrous and not worth exercising my suspend disbelief muscle!
Great blog Sarah!
@Wendy: I’m curious to see how it will all pan out. I hadn’t realised Janet Evanovich’s son is also her agent.
@Janet W: I’ve been reading some older historicals recently and they were definitely angstier and meatier than most of those being published today. Obviously, wallpaper historicals sell, but it’s tough for those of us who want more accuracy.