Must-read romances: 'Destiny's Captive,' 'This Holiday Magic,' 'Love Embraced'
Join me every week as I share a few shout-outs on romance author goings-on, related events and recommended reads.
Interview with Beverly Jenkins, author of Destiny's Captive
Michelle: What is an interesting research fact that you'd like to bring to your readers' attention?
Beverly: The most interesting thing was the high percentage of Afro-Cubans that participated in Cuba's fight for independence from Spain during the 19th century. (See the author note.)
Michelle: Do you recall any historical romance with pirates that you loved?
Beverly: First pirate crush: Errol Flynn in Captain Blood. 1935 film from Warner Bros. Based on the book by Rafael Sabatini. Published in 1922.
Michelle: Did you have any writing rituals/traditions to help you get in the mood while you were writing this story?
Beverly: Only ritual for me was surfing Amazon for the books I needed to fill in the holes on my knowledge of the Cuban revolution. I also watched a bit of the PBS series Black in Latin America hosted by Dr. Skip Gates.
Michelle: Thanks, Beverly.
Readers can find out more about Beverly and her books at www.beverlyjenkins.net and on Facebook.
RECOMMENDED READS
Destiny's Captive by Beverly Jenkins
Destiny's Captive is a solid romance with meaningful life lessons and endearing themes. In addition, this masterfully written book is also a sweeping saga of a period in history and its contributors not usually featured in the historical romance genre. Jenkins uses Cuba with the backdrop of the late 1800s rebellion movement and the Afro-Cubans who risked life and freedom to fight against Spanish rule.
Once again, readers are in for a treat. There is meaty stuff with a hero who is physically and mentally tested to human limits. A heroine steps up from the beginning pages to prove worthy as his equal. Their lives approach each other like two oncoming freight trains that, upon collision, you know are bound to have extreme consequences that will set certain actions in motion.
Juicy elements of intrigue, suspense, danger, redemption and the exciting, sensual romantic dance between hero and heroine turn this book into a keeper. Enjoy this final book in the series, but if you haven't read the happy after ending of Logan and Drew, also read Destiny's Embrace and Destiny's Surrender to continue enjoying these men who are intelligent, passionate and have hearty souls to endure the times of the day.
What it's about (courtesy of Avon):
Noah Yates fully believes in the joys of a happy family and a good wife. But that's not the life for him. No, he would much rather sail the wild seas in search of adventure, not tied down. But then the unthinkable happens . . . he finds himself literally tied down. To a bed. By a woman.
And Pilar isn't just an ordinary woman. She's descended from pirates. And after giving him one of the worst nights of his life, she steals his ship! Now Noah is on the hunt, and he'll stop at nothing to find this extraordinary woman . . . and make her his.
This Holiday Magic anthology
By Celeste O. Norfleet, Janice Sims and Felicia Mason
Each week I've been lucky enough to uncover a Christmas anthology. These three stories are a wonderful sample of these multipublished authors' works.
Celeste O. Norfleet's A Gift From the Heart, Janice Sims' Mine By Christmas and Felicia Mason's A Family for Christmas were a pleasure to read. Life and circumstances shaped these characters' lives, sometimes taking them from the person they loved, but also bringing them together for another chance at love. Family (blood related and otherwise) and friends influence the courtships with wonderful support, honest counsel and helpful machinations to bring these sweet romances to fruition. As we approach this special time of year, themes of hope and forgiveness are valuable components of each story, reminding us of what is important.
Serenity Inn 2: Love Embraced by Nikki Walker
Nikki Walker's Serenity Inn 2: Love Embraced continues the love story of Lindsay and Chad. After the courtship and bloom of romance, real life steps in to test those bonds. A strong cast of characters enters and departs center stage with their imperfections and insecurities to add a bit of spice to the mix. As Lindsay and Chad are challenged, they must dig deep for what is important. Walker keeps the drama high enough to keep the pace steady and the story one of satisfactory enjoyment.
What it's about (courtesy of the author):
When Lindsay and Chad met at Serenity Inn, there was immediate chemistry, but the timing for love was all wrong in the face of what they had both just gone through. They decide to go their separate ways, but they keep in touch. Now the two have agreed to meet, this time on Dr. Chad's luxurious home turf, with the feisty Cook along for the ride.
The couple find that they not only still have feelings for each other, but those feelings have grown as though they'd never spent time apart. Their elation is short-lived; however, as they realize that with their burgeoning love comes a new challenge: Chad's sister-in-law, Eleanor, who makes it abundantly clear that Lindsay is beneath Chad's station in life. Is Eleanor's assessment valid or does she have an ulterior motive for tearing Lindsay down?
While Chad deals with Lindsay's unstable feelings, Walter, who has stepped into Chad's shoes back at Serenity Inn has had his eye on Elaine for a while. She's distrustful and secretive, but he still feels drawn to her. She pulls on the protector in him. When she finally begins to open up to him, her past comes crashing into her present and lays bare right at Walter's feet. Will Walter continue to pursue Elaine, even in the face of her ugly past, which could put them all in danger and disturb their serenity?
Check in to Serenity Inn 2: Love Embraced and see what new drama awaits you!
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Michelle Monkou writes for Harlequin Kimani, Evernight Publishing and Boroughs Publishing. Her website is michellemonkou.com. You can also connect with her on Facebook.