From the bookstore in the center of Grand Central Station in the center of New York City . . .
The Romance section of Posman Books offers a respite from the outside, whether it’s the constant snowstorms and icy weather or the news of economic trouble that directly hits the regular customers. They come in to peruse, to read and enjoy our selection of titles. And because of them, I gain an interesting perspective into what’s popular among readers, even though it might not be the latest trend.
January began with feverish anticipation for two big books. Hours and days were counted down until Call Me Irresistible by Susan Elizabeth Phillips and Shadowfever by Karen Marie Moning were released. Some customers went and reread Moning's and Phillips’ related backlist titles while they waited. Shadowfever is the fifth in a series, and Moning connected four of her previous backlist titles as well; Call Me Irresistible is also related to four of Phillips’ backlist titles. Predictably, both Shadowfever and Call Me Irresistible sold very well.
But, since these two powerhouses were released, customers from both the paranormal side and the contemporary side have been flocking to historicals. Thankfully for them, February is an amazing month for this particular subgenre. There are new releases from authors across the board! Among the bounty, we find:
Eloisa James has the new book in her fairy-tale series, When Beauty Tamed the Beast. Fabulous banter, a great heroine, and a bear of a hero make this book a great choice.
Sabrina Jeffries has the new book in her Hellions of Halstead Hall series, How to Woo a Reluctant Lady, where heroine and Gothic novelist Minerva finds love in the most unexpected of places.
Delilah Marvelle releases the second book in her Scandal series, Once Upon a Scandal, involving a courtesan . . . hero and his estranged wife.
Courtney Milan has her series opener, Unveiled, where captivating hero Ash Turner must decide between revenge and love.
Cara Elliot ends her Circle of Sin trilogy with To Tempt a Rake, about an American who has returned to England and disapproving relatives, and the Italian count who attracts her attention.
One particular customer has been waiting with breathless anticipation for Nicole Jordan’s To Desire a Wicked Duke, the finale of her Courtship Wars series. It finally comes out this month.
And for those readers who are looking for contemporary? Deirdre Martin returns with Icebreaker, a book that combines her fan-favorite New York Blades series with her recent Wild Heart series. There’s also Loose Ends, the long-anticipated (and completely unexpected) Steele Street series closer by Tara Janzen.
Of course, for those readers who can’t decide between historical and contemporary, there’s The Orchid Affair, the most recent in Lauren Willig’s Pink Carnation series.
But in the face of such wonderful historical and contemporary titles, paranormal readers have not been left in the cold. Michelle Rowen starts a brand-new series with Nightshade, about a young woman who is drawn into the dangerous war between humans and vampires. We also find Nalini Singh’s third book in her Guild Hunter Series, Archangel’s Consort.
Later this month will see the release of Kresley Cole’s newest installment in her Immortals After Dark series, Dreams of a Dark Warrior, the story of Regin the Radiant and her reincarnated berserker . . . who is fated to die once he rediscovers his memories of her.
For those readers who can’t decide which paranormal series they want to investigate, there are two anthologies released in the early part of this month. On the Hunt features Jessica Andersen, Deirdre Knight, Shannon K. Butcher, and Gena Showalter; and Primal features Lora Leigh, Ava Gray, Jory Strong, and Michelle Rowen.
So what’s next? My prediction is that J.R. Ward is going to take over March. We'll see what happens . . .
Books mentioned:
Call Me Irresistible—Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Shadowfever—Karen Marie Moning
When Beauty Tamed the Beast—Eloisa James
How to Woo a Reluctant Lady—Sabrina Jeffries
Once Upon a Scandal—Delilah Marvelle
Unveiled—Courtney Milan
To Tempt a Rake—Cara Elliot
Icebreaker—Deidre Martin
Loose Ends—Tara Janzen
The Orchid Affair—Lauren Willig
Archangel’s Consort—Nalini Singh
Nightshade—Michelle Rowen
On the Hunt—Jessica Andersen, Deirdre Knight, Gena Showalter, Shannon K. Butcher
Primal—Lora Leigh, Ava Gray, Jory Strong, Michelle Rowen
Dreams of a Dark Warrior—Kresley Cole
Stacey Agdern, @nystacey
