If you are looking for an entertaining and interesting vacation read, take along a copy of Merry Holly’s romance, More Than I Wished For, and follow Noelle and Chase’s journey to happily ever after. The pair meet, fall instantly in love, and marry before they really know much about each other’s lives and ambitions. That’s when the fireworks begin. Holly’s snappy dialogue and noble characters enrich a low key but page-turning plot-- a welcome relief from some of the thrillers I’ve been reading. 

Reading novels set in the Victorian age have always frustrated me because back then women were perceived (and treated)by men as chattel. Yet, with A Convenient Pretense I found myself cheering on Emily in her struggles to live her life her way. Elaine Violette presents us with strong characters that go against the grain, as well as an accurate rendition of the strict mores of the era. In it, a feisty heroine who wants to be a poet instead of a wife and a noble earl who sees marriage as a future duty, scheme to avoid the influx of eligible men and women presented to them by pretending to court each other. Laced with original love poems, this beautifully written romance kept me riveted with the cat and mouse play between Emily and the Earl as they fight off admitting they love each other. Emily's father's serious illness coupled with an obnoxious cousin (the only male heir) who moves into her family home with plans to take over their estate adds drama and suspense to the story, making A Convenient Pretense a page-turning read.

In her novel, Fighting For It, Jennifer Fusco puts a new slant on the traditional romance with a one-two punch. In it, down-trodden prize fighter Jim Brady is called back to the mat by new owner and former girlfriend Daniella Chambers to win the bout that will make Jim champion and keep the failing gym as the home its always been for its regulars. Fusco portrays the boxing industry in all its grit and glory while teasing the reader with cat and mouse bouts between Jim and Daniella as they fall in love all over again while working toward a common goal. At first, I didn’t like Jim, but as the story moves forward uncovering what really happened when he lost and displaying his determination to make things right, he redeemed himself in my eyes and became a true hero. Often, I grow bored reading romances, but Fighting For It kept my interest. The characters are well developed and the plot is plausible. What I found most interesting was learning about the boxing industry.

Seasons of Love, a Box Set containing five delightful novellas by noted romance authors, is a perfect choice for times you need a break from the craziness of our world. Each story is different, yet compelling in its own way. In Wedding and a Promise by Merry Holly, a prospective bride is concerned when she realizes her fiancé is filthy rich and there’s so much she doesn’t know about him. In Bobbi Lerman’s Unexpected Match, a nurse hooks up with a restored coma patient to whom she’s revealed her innermost thoughts. Stacy Hoff had me craving chocolate in Love Delights, when coworkers compete for a promotion and end up you know where. Beachcomber Valentine is actually part of by Stephanie Queen’s Beachcomber Series, continuing the angst between two detectives who lust after each other but can’t quite get it together. I loved multi-published Gerri Brousseau’s English caper, Puppy Love. Two dogs, who are smitten, lead a wealthy Lord to find true love. All the stories in this volume are light and fun to read—a good reason to buy the book.