Romantic Novelists' Association

New Releases: October 2022

30 September 2022

Tracy Baines: The Women of Fisher’s Wharf

Saga
Boldwood
All formats

Can you leave the past behind and embrace the future?
Great Grimsby, 1912
After the death of his father and brother, newlywed fisherman, Alec Hardy makes a fresh start with his young wife Letty, and moves from Lowestoft to the thriving fishing port of Grimsby. With Alec at sea for weeks on end and with her grieving and bitter mother-in-law as her only companion, Letty seeks escape among the streets of Fish Dock Wharf.

 

 

 

 

Nancy Barone: Starting over at the Little Cornish Beach House

Romcom
Head Of Zeus
Kindle, Print, Audiobook
May 12th, 2022

Sometimes moving out isn’t enough to move on… Having grown up in foster care, Faith Hudson wants a place to call home. So when Gabe, her ex, asks for a second chance and suggests she move back into his old beach house, she agrees to renovate it and start anew.
But will a fresh coat of paint be enough to give their relationship a makeover? Especially when Gabe doesn’t want to get his hands dirty and local contractor Henry, offers a helping hand.

 

 

 

Nancy Barone: Snow Falls Over Starry Cove

Romcom                                                                                                                    Head of Zeus
Kindle, Print, Audio
Sept. 1st, 2022

Emmie Weaver has it all – a handsome fiancé and students who love her. So why does she feel so lost? When Emmie’s estranged grandfather dies, leaving her a barge in Starry Cove, it’s a welcome chance to hit pause. But as soon as she arrives in the Cornish village, it’s clear this won’t be the relaxing break she was expecting. Her grandmother wants nothing to do with her and Jago Moon, a handsome yet hostile town bad boy, is inexplicably determined to not let her boat touch water.Christmas is fast approaching and so is her wedding date. Can Emmie stay long enough to see snow fall over Starry Cove? And will finding out about her past help her decide her future?

 

 

 

 

Nancy Barone: The Husband Diet, 

Wimfic/ Romcom
Head of Zeus
Kindle, Print, Audiobook
June 23rd, 2022

Book 1 of The Amazing Erica series.

Erica Cantelli feels weighed down, and has nothing to do with the extra pounds she’s trying to lose. Juggling a career, two children, and a deadweight husband, is she biting off more than she can chew? So when her husband jokes about trading her for a size 0 model and the only man who shows her any affection is her gay best friend, Erica knows something has to change.

 

 

 

Nancy Barone: MY BIG FAT ITALIAN BREAK-UP

Wimfic/ Romcom
Head of Zeus
Kindle Print, Audiobook
July 21st, 2022

Amazing Erica Book 2: After her divorce, Erica has finally made it to Italy with her two children and her dreamy fiancé Julian Foxham.The plan was for Erica to run a country B&B, but two years in her business is failing miserably, while Julian’s career as a novelist is soaring, taking him all over the world with his gorgeous agent. When her sexy Italian chef Alberto offers a shoulder to cry on, Erica needs to decide. Will their wedding cake hold together or are she and Julian skating on thin icing?

 

 

 

Sarah Bennett: Happy Endings at Mermaids Point

Contemporary Romance
Boldwood Books
Ebook, Paperback, Audio, Large Print Paperback, Hardback
3rd October 2022

Music sensation Aurora Storm finally has her career back on track, but then she’s caught up in a media storm. Desperate to distract from the story, she enlists the one man she trusts to pretend to be her boyfriend. Meanwhile, in the small seaside village of Mermaids Point, Nick Morgan never expected to see Aurora again. When she calls out of the blue needing his help, he agrees at once, and he’s determined to make the most of it. Aurora joins Nick and the rest of his family for their festive celebrations and, as the snow falls, Aurora finds herself caught up in the romance of Christmas. But having tasted worldwide fame, can she ever be content with village life?

 

 

 

 

 

Sharon Booth: Winter Wishes at The White Hart Inn

Contemporary Romance
Green Ginger Publishing
E-book (paperback to follow)
25.10.22

 

When you’re in the friend zone, can you ever get out? Rafferty’s hoping his wishes come true this Christmas, but with a ghost from Sally’s past on the scene, will it be a bleak midwinter at The White Hart Inn?

 

 

 

 

Lottie Cardew: One Last Dream for December

Romantic comedy / magical realism
Cloverdilli House Press
eBook and paperback
3rd October

For years, Esme Blythe has never fitted in anywhere. But when she moves in above Percival’s, a charming old toy shop, it seems the village of Pebblestow is about to weave its signature fairy-tale magic when single dad Seth and his little autistic daughter enter her life. Esme is openly autistic too, and her mysterious benefactor Mr Percival seems to see the talent and potential Esme has buried for so long. But is it already too late to change her mind… and heal her heart?

 

 

 

 

Jeevani Charika: Picture Perfect

Romantic Comedy
HQ Digital
Ebook
21 October 2022

Niro is a photographer who’s lost the joy of taking photos. She’s in desperate need of inspiration. Vimal is determined to win back his ex-girlfriend. When he hears she’s bringing her new boyfriend on a group holiday, he impulsively declares that he’s bringing a plus one too. Niro pretends to be Vimal’s new girlfriend for the holiday. Imagine the incredible photographs she could take in the Swiss alps… She’s not thinking about love. He’s thinking about someone else. Can they fake a picture-perfect relationship – or will real feelings get in the way?

 

 

 

 

Sue Cook: Murder at the Abbey

Historical Romance
My Weekly
Pocket Novel
27/10/22

Wenstone Abbey is closing. The abbot wants to save the infirmary; the cook wants to marry the abbot. But after a commissioner dies in strange circumstances, can either of them succeed?

 

 

 

 

Nicola Cornick: The Winter Garden

Timeslip
HQ Stories
E-book, print, audio
27th October 2022

When Lucy Brown returns to her childhood holiday home to recover from a life-changing illness, she finds herself drawn into the mysterious story of Katherine Catesby, wife of Robert Catesby, the ringleader of the Gunpowder Plot, and the garden she created at Knightstone. With the help of Finn, a taciturn Scottish garden historian, Lucy sets out to uncover both the lost garden and Katherine’s secrets.

 

 

 

Tania Crosse: The Convent Girl

Saga
Joffe Books
ebook and paperback
17th October

Raised as an orphan in a Catholic convent in Ireland, Maisie O’Sullivan’s world is turned upside down when, at the tender age of twelve, she discovers that her background is not what she always believed. Uprooted from the only life she has ever known, she is transplanted to the bustling city of Plymouth. As the years pass, she struggles to reconcile her faith with the outside world, and later the horrors of World War Two and the Plymouth Blitz – when she is driven by love and duty to commit a desperate act. But what will the consequences be?

 

 

 

Helena Dixon: Murder on Board

Cozy historical mystery
Bookouture
ebook, audio and paperback
20/10/22

Kitty Underhay is catering a 21st birthday party for the Chief Constable’s daughter aboard a luxury paddle steamer. Her heart sinks when she steps below deck to discover a man dead in the engine room. One of the party must be responsible for his demise, but who, and why?

 

 

 

 

Anita Faulkner The Gingerbread Café

Romantic Comedy
Little, Brown (Sphere)
Ebook, paperback, audiobook
27 October 2022

A warming, festive tale about friendship, love, and the magic of community. When Gretel inherits half of her favourite Christmas-themed café, she has no idea what to do. When she discovers the other half is owned by stern chef Lukas, who wants to sell the café’s soul to the highest bidder, she has her work cut out to preserve her memories. Will it take a Christmas miracle to melt the ice between them?

 

 

 

 

Kate Johnson: Hex Appeal

Witchy romcom
One More Chapter
Ebook & paperback
1st October

It’s just a bunch of hocus pocus…
Essie Winterscale lives in a huge and ever-changing house in the village of Good Winter, in deepest, darkest Essex. She lives with various witches, one of whom is still a bit salty about having been burned at the stake in 1635, one keeps accidentally casting fertility spells, and one knits things that create the future. All Essie ever wanted was to have a normal life, but found herself drawn back to Beldam House because she just can’t stop her witchiness, (although the ability to instantly chill wine is pretty awesome.) Into this coven of chaos stumbles gorgeous Josh, their new landlord…

 

 

 

 

Leonie Mack: Twenty-One Nights in Paris

romantic comedy
Boldwood Books
All platforms
6 October 2022

An heiress on the run from her overbearing family after a public break-up causes an accident on the streets of Paris and meets an everyday guy. A series of mishaps brings them together, and she realises he could help take the pressure off by pretending to be her boyfriend. But as they get to know each other, the ruse becomes real and brings with it a whole host of new problems, because her family will never approve.

 

 

 

Sheila McClure: The Break-Up Agency

RomCom
Lake Union Publishing
Paperback/Audio/EPub
October 4th

Ellie Shaw loves love. Unfortunately, she’s also an expert in break-ups. When a friend needs help with her ‘too nice to dump’ boyfriend, Ellie agrees to help. What she doesn’t expect is for American Dan to be kind, caring, to love dogs and look like a Disney hero. She lets him down with grace and, encouraged by her friends, sets up Softer Landings, offering kinder, gentler break-ups. A year later, American Dan reappears in her life. With a new girlfriend. One who also decides he’s not the one for her. The team hatch a plan to let Dan down easy, but while Ellie attempts to lead him gently away, real sparks start to fly. There’s just one big problem she can’t ignore. Can Ellie reveal that their romance is the result of an elaborate con without it feeling like a huge betrayal? Or is she about to star in the most awful dumping of all time?

 

 

 

Fiona Marsden: A Country Christmas

Contemporary Small Town Rural
Tule Publishing
Ebook and Print
4th October 2022

Moira O’Brien and Gio Tsiarkas met briefly at the worst time in his life. A year later, he and his daughter are starting a new life in Moira’s hometown. When love and attraction come up against parental responsibility, will Gio and Moira have to make all the sacrifices? Or will a reluctant twelve-year-old discover Christmas can be about creating new families as well as holding onto the old?

 

 

 

 

Phoebe MacLeod: Fred and Breakfast

Romantic Comedy
Boldwood Books
Kindle/Paperback/Audiobook
14 October 2022

Daisy’s life is going nowhere, but that’s just how she likes it. Unable to move on from the tragic accident that killed her parents, she’s living each day as it comes. After all, what’s the point of plans and dreams if one random event can rip them all from you? When she and her sister inherit a run-down café from a distant relative, her first instinct is to sell it. However, chef Matt has other ideas, and it’s not long before his infectious passion for the place rubs off on her. Will she be able to save the café, or will the café end up saving her?

 

 

 

 

Jill Steeples: Snowflakes Over Primrose Woods

Contemporary romance
Boldwood Books
Ebook, paperback, audio
4th October 2022

Winter has arrived in Primrose Woods bringing with it new loves, new adventures and warm hugs on cold days.
Abbey Carter, her boyfriend Sam and their trusty canine companion Lady, relish living in the picturesque village of Wishwell. The woods are full of activity as the festive season approaches. Lizzie Baker is flat out at the Treetops café, serving winter warmers, festive goodies and lashings of hot chocolate. And when her daughter and grandchildren arrive to stay, the run up to Christmas is set to be magical. Rhianna West has found the perfect man – if only Luke wasn’t moving away in the New Year. As the snow falls on Primrose Woods, and the village of Wishwell sparkles with Christmas lights, could this be the year that every wish comes true for the three friends?

 

 

 

 

Heidi Swain: A Christmas Celebration

Commercial fiction
Simon and Schuster
Paperback, ebook, audiobook
October 13th

When Paige turns up unannounced at Wynthorpe Hall, she discovers the place she knew when she was growing up has changed beyond all recognition. She’s only planning to stay for a short time, but is quickly pulled into local life. One night while driving home after delivering library books and shopping to residents, she stumbles across an isolated cottage and meets Albert, its elderly and rather grumpy owner. She quickly realises there’s more to Albert than meets the eye and the same can be said for the other man she can’t seem to help running into, handsome but brooding Brodie. All three of them have a secret and a desire to hide away from the world, but with Christmas on the horizon, is that really the best way to celebrate the season?

 

 

 

 

Daisy Wood: The Forgotten Bookshop in Paris

Dual timeline/historical fiction
Avon Books
Paperback
27 October 2022

Jacques, owner of a bookshop in Montmartre, risks losing everything when the Nazis invade Paris in 1940. By nature a peacemaker, the horrors of life under occupation eventually prompt Jacques into action, no matter how high the cost. Eighty years later, Juliette’s dream holiday in the City of Light turns into a nightmare that makes her question everything she thought she knew. Tracing her French grandmother’s heritage, she discovers a dusty, abandoned bookshop with an extraordinary history and learns it’s never too late to start again.

 

 

 

 

Jenny Worstall: Face the Music

Romantic Comedy
Ulverscroft
large print paperback
1st October 2022

Dazzlingly talented orchestral violinist Allegra is travelling to Spain for a concert tour when she bumps into the last person on earth she wants to see: her ex-fiance Zack. But love might just find a way to give their relationship the second chance it so richly deserves! However, there will be plenty of drama – including a stolen violin, secrets from the past, mysterious photos and an unexploded World War Two bomb – before Allegra finds her happy ever after…

 

 

 

 

 

Sheila Riley, author of the Reckoner’s Row and Dockside series, brings you New Releases every month. Published by Boldwood Books, Sheila’s next heartwarming series of family sagas starts with Finding Friends on Beamer Street, out on November 16th, and is available to pre-order.