K-Drama Vibes + Family Secrets = Trouble | Year of the Dog Excerpt

Year of the Dog has less suspense than my other books. It’s a romantic comedy suspense more on par with The Lone Rice Ball and Single Sashimi. Here’s a snippet that I wrote:

***

Mari Mutou wouldn’t have rammed her SUV into the sleek, expensive-looking Audi if her brother-in-law hadn’t been cheating on her sister. Really, it wasn’t her fault.

And if she’d been running late, as she usually did, she wouldn’t have even noticed the fire-engine red Corvette parked on the edge of the real estate agency parking lot, much less the two people in it. She’d have sped past it on her way to meet her potential dog training client.

But for once in her life, she arrived early for her appointment with Jim Tong, who had asked her to meet him at his workplace during his lunch hour. Her SUV hustled into the lot, looking for a shady spot under a tree or, barring that, next to a new-ish luxury car, whose owner would be less likely to ding her new teal-green paint job.

She found a good spot all right. Good viewing spot for the couple smooching in the Corvette. She couldn’t see the face of the blonde woman, but she got an eyeful of the forty-ish man macking in the middle of the day in plain view of everyone. Really, some people had no shame about PDA …

Wait a minute. She knew that man.

That man was William. Her brother-in-law. Her sister’s husband of fifteen years.

What was he doing with that woman?!

Crunch! The truck jerked as if she’d run into something.

Oh, no. She had.

Her stomach clenched like a wrung-out rag. She was going to be sick.

She had hit a really nice car, from what she could see of its back end. Black racing-type. Expensive. And an extremely irate owner.

“What are you doing? Weren’t you even looking?” The man had barely any of the local pidgin accent in his crisp voice. He had Asian features (Japanese maybe? Or Korean? She wasn’t very good at being able to tell) but his short, softly waving hair was so dark a black it almost looked blue. Average height, but broad shoulders and a lithe, athletic grace as he walked—no, stomped toward her car. His hazelnut-colored eyes were irked and flashing, and a muscle pulsed in his strong jaw. In fact, he reminded her of a certain K-drama star ...

“Hello? Anybody home?”

“Huh?” She blinked, and visions of a painfully beautiful Korean movie star with his hair blowing in an artful wind dissolved into the angry real estate agent (she guessed—this was a real estate agency parking lot) who was making his immaculately tamed locks stick up at wild angles from pulling at it with long-fingered hands.

Oh, right. Fender-bender. Focus, Mari.

***

Year of the Dog released in the anthology Danger in the Shadows on May 13, 2025. Buy on Amazon or read on Kindle Unlimited!

You Can Find Good RomComs...On Netflix by Kristin Wallace

“It is truth universally acknowledged that RomCom movies are not popular and never get made.”

Pardon me for stealing from Jane Austen. I’ve heard plenty of complaints over the years about the lack of romantic comedy books and movies. About how hard they are to sell, and that audiences don’t go see them. With few exceptions this might remain true on the big screen. However, that’s not the case on Netflix, where romantic comedies are not only plentiful but also very successful. 

Since we’ve all been stuck at home, we all have more time to catch up on Netflix movies. I’ve watched many romantic comedies so I thought I’d share some of my favorites in case you missed them.

Always Be My Maybe

What’s it about?

They were childhood sweethearts. Now they live in different worlds. The chemistry’s still there but will the timing ever be right?

This movie is absolutely hilarious and put a spin on the popular “billionaire” trope that is still popular in romance. In this instance, the billionaire is a woman. It stars Ali Wong and Randall Park and both are amazing. Plus, you'll love a scene stealing cameo by Keanu Reeves.

To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before

What’s it about?

When her secret love letters somehow get mailed to each of her five crushes, Lara Jean finds her quiet high school existence turned upside down.

This movie is based on a popular YA series. The story is original while still being a familiar tale of the awkward/shy girl who suddenly catches the eye of the popular boy. Lana Condor (Lara Jean) is fantastic and perfectly captures the spirit of teen angst. 

Set It Up

What’s it about?

In desperate need of a break from the office, two beleaguered assistants team up to trick their workaholic bosses into falling in love. Of course, they might also end up falling for each other. 

This is a fun and engaging movie with some good performances. I especially loved Zoey Deutch as aspiring sports writer, Harper, and Lucy Liu as her demanding boss, Kirsten.  

Love Wedding Repeat

 

What’s it about?

Different versions of the same day unfold as Jack juggles difficult guests, unbridled chaos and potential romance at his sister’s wedding.

Screw ball comedy with some great performances. Jack’s sister’s ex shows up and threatens to ruin her wedding. She wants Jack to give him sleeping pills. But what happens if the wrong person (or several wrong people) accidently takes them? The best part is narration by the impeccable Judy Dench. 

Sweet Magnolias

What’s it about?

Lifelong friends lift each other up as they juggle relationships, family and careers in the small Southern town of Serenity. The women team up to renovate an old home and turn it into a ladies only spa. 

This is a series rather than a movie so prepare to binge watch. It’s based on a book series by Sherryl Woods, which I didn’t realize until I saw her name in the credits. Maddie Townsend (JoAnna Garcia Swisher) is a mom of three who is reeling after a divorce from her cheating husband; Dana Sue Sullivan (Brooke Elliott) is a single mom and the chef/owner of restaurant who’s dealing with a rebellious teen daughter; and Helen Decatur (Heather Headley) is a tough as nails attorney who seems to be part of love triangle involving her first love and a possible new romantic interest with a chef at Dana Sue's restaurant. There’s also some nice eye candy in the form of Cal Maddox (Justin Bruening), a former pro baseball player who is now the coach of Maddie’s son’s high school team. Not awkward at all!

So there are my suggestions...have you seen any good RomComs I should catch? 

Kristin Wallace is the USA Today Best Selling Author of inspirational romance and women’s fiction filled with Love, Laughter and a Leap of Faith. She is the author of the three best selling series, Shellwater Key Tales, Palm Cove Tales, and Covington Falls Chronicles.

Building a Dream - by Magdalena Scott

Do you love romantic comedy? I do! It's fun to watch the hero and heroine of a book or movie strike sparks off each other. A few of my favorite romantic comedy movies are YOU'VE GOT MAIL, ROMANCING THE STONE, SABRINA, ROMAN HOLIDAY, and AMERICA'S SWEETHEARTS.

Chloe McClain and Greg Andrews 

have some of the best chemistry of my characters. 

For a limited time, I'm offering BUILDING A DREAM, Book 4 of The McClains of Legend, Tennessee Series, for just 99 cents. Want to know more about this book bargain?

Chloe McClain needs a classy art gallery, ASAP. She’s invested years of her life, and everything she owns, in the upcoming event that can make or break her career, and possibly give her beloved hometown a much-needed boost. Everyone says the handsome new builder in town is the best one to hire for the job. Once they meet, she wonders how his reputation is so good. The man's personality stinks.

Building contractor Greg Andrews thinks Chloe’s pile of bricks should be put out of its misery. But he's forced to take on the project, or get on the wrong side of the McClain family. His decision has nothing to do with the way Chloe’s eyes sparkle when she’s excited, or the view when she stomps away from him in her snug jeans. Women like her are bad news–he learned that the hard way.

iBooks: http://apple.co/2gIWw2c

Kindle:  http://a.co/cm7yHN8

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2iil47R

Nook: http://bit.ly/2hb7dLo

Would you like to read the first chapter free?

Just click here to go to my website.

Happy reading!

Magdalena

USA Today Bestselling Author Magdalena Scott writes sweet romance and romantic women’s fiction. A lifelong resident of Small Town America, she invites readers into her world to find out what’s hidden just below the surface of those tiny dots barely visible on the map. Romance, mystery, and the journey to be one’s best self are all part of a day in her neighborhood. Readers have commented that they’d like to move to the imaginary towns Magdalena writes about, which she takes as high praise indeed.

Magdalena is a practicing minimalist, having downsized from a 3,000 square foot house to a studio apartment, where her Giant Closet continues to resist taming. When not writing at home or spending time with family and friends, she loves to travel–carry-on baggage only–and is always pleasantly surprised at the kindness of strangers.

Visit her website: www.magdalenascott.com

And don't miss her Free Books page. You can download a series starter (The McClains of Legend, Tennessee and Serendipity, Indiana) from your favorite vendor by clicking here.

Remember to join all the authors of Sweet Romance Reads at the Sweet Romance Reads Cafe on Facebook!

Coming Soon! The Encore Bride by Denise Devine

Do you like romantic comedies? My next release is a sweet story about Jenny Landon, a woman who is never going to get married again because she "doesn't believe in happy endings."

This story is part of a boxed set titled "Wedding Pets and Kisses" coming this April, but I've decided to start celebrating it now! I'm giving away a 6" x 9" wire bound notebook (same size as the future paperback) with the full-sized cover of the book on the front to one lucky poster who leaves a comment below. And if you don't win it, you'll get another chance to win one at the Sweet Romance Reads Valentine Party on February 9th!

~   ~   ~

 

~     ~     ~

 

 

Click here to be magically transported to the Valentine's party page! Be sure to save it in your favorites to join us on that day!

 

 

Want to get in on the latest information of Sweet Romance Reads? Then sign up for our newsletter here.

 

 

 

Lyn Cote Reviews Beste Boeker's Mischief in Italy

Here's another sweet romance by one of our own 

Sweet Romance Authors, Beate Boeker! 

  Mischief in Italy by Beate Boeker

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What fun! Mischief in Italy is a romantic romp at its best. A father who has not reentered life after losing his beloved wife. And a son who is living fast and heedless. The father begins to chide the son about his lifestyle and his son turns the tables on him.

And it all takes place on a beautiful lake in sunny Italy. Misunderstandings and secrets abound and a romance that is light--a refreshing escape. Beautiful scenery, lively interesting characters and a happy ending after the explosion when the truth comes out!

View all my reviews

To purchase, click here. Mischief in Italy by Beate Boeker

Do you enjoy a romance where the two generations interact?--Lyn

PS-Don't forget to our newsletter. Have you subscribed yet? If you do, you receive a copy of this 

Tell your friends!

Of Eye-Patches and Pirates by Melinda Curtis

I write in many romance genres, but one of them is romantic comedy. In these stories, I try to balance real issues with a comedic take on life and bring the characters to some kind of growth at the end of their journey.

Recently, I completed a novella about a war vet who'd lost an eye in service (this is one of the most common injuries of the modern war). I gave him an eye-patch and immediately made a list of other heroes and cultural references to characters with eye-patches, such as:

1.Nick Fury, The Avengers
2.Snake Plissken, Escape from New York
3.One-Eyed Willy, the pirate from Goonies
4.Mad-Eye Moody, Harry Potter
5.Pirate costumes galore

I was thinking there was a lot of comedic value in an eye-patch. And then the writing became harder, because comedy is a tricky thing, and nothing was funny about what I was putting on the page. I didn't want to be insensitive, but once I got to the end of the story, it wasn't funny. It wasn't even fun!

It took a few days of noodling for me to crack the code and make some serious revisions. My hero, Mike Romero, resented his eye-patch the same way someone might resent their prosthetic leg. He thought it made him less of a man. He was big on overcompensating for his loss by being macho (and a bit sexist). His journey needed to be one of acceptance and he needed a strong woman to make him loosen up about his appearance and his attitude, not by treating him with kid gloves, but by treating him like one of the guys.

I find humor to be healing. I have a bump on my nose where it was fractured by a line drive softball (the dangers of pitching). Every once in awhile my husband catches me running my finger down my nose over that bump. He always tells me my nose has grown over the years and he can hardly tell the bump is there anymore. LOL!

We've all got an eye-patch or a bump in our nose, but love and humor seem to find us anyway and make everything feel better. Have you ever had someone use humor to help you accept something that you were struggling to deal with?


Melinda Curtis is a USA Today bestseller who writes light-hearted sweet romances and sweet romantic comedies. You can read about Mike's journey in Rescued by a Bridesmaid, Book 3 in the Bridesmaid series, coming in June. Follow her on Facebook or sign up for her newsletter to be notified of the release date.

If you haven't signed up for Sweet Romance Reads' newsletter, you can do so in the sidebar. You can also visit us at the Sweet Romance Reads Cafe on Facebook for great book discussions, fun daily games, book sales, and prizes.

Christmas Cruising - A Yearly Tradition

Nearly every year my husband, Steve, and I take a cruise in December. It’s our Christmas present to each other. We usually settle on a five-seven day cruise in the Caribbean, but this year we decided to do something different. We went to the Panama Canal and South America on the Island Princess.

The trip included five days at sea and five ports of call—Aruba, Cartagena, Panama Canal and Colon, Limon and Ocho Rios.

Our favorite stop was the Panama Canal and a trip through the Panamanian rainforest. Early in the morning, special canal pilots boarded the ship to steer it through the locks. As our ship entered the Gatun locks (there are three), Steve and I stood on the balcony of our room and watched the process while the sun came up. It was an interesting scene. The canal is 50 miles long, connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans through the Isthmus of Panama, but once we went through the locks, our ship only traveled as far as Gatun Lake. The port lecturer on the ship provided a running commentary over the loudspeaker as we passed through, giving us plenty of detail.

Once we entered Gatun Lake, we left the ship and were tendered to shore to meet our tour bus for our trip to the rainforest. This is a view of the Gamboa rainforest (inside the Soberania national forest) from the main balcony of the Rainforest Resort, looking out at the Chagres River. We stopped there for a few minutes on the way to the aerial tram that took us across the jungle canopy (where we saw sloths sleeping in the trees and listened to toucans calling each other). The view of the rainforest is amazing! Panama has set aside one quarter of their country as protected lands so there is plenty to see.

At the end of the tram ride through the jungle canopy we encountered a visitor, just hanging around, waiting for nice tourists to provide free treats.

This little guy is a “Coati,” a mix of raccoon and anteater. He was quite the little extrovert, standing on his haunches to reach up as I fed him a chunk of banana.

By the time we finished the tour, it began to rain steadily. I grabbed my umbrella and spent a couple minutes just strolling around. I figured I might never experience a shower in that rainforest again and I wanted to enjoy it while I could. Perhaps one day I’ll be fortunate enough to see the Amazon rainforest. I certainly hope so.

~ ~ ~

 

 Denise Devine is a USA TODAY bestselling author who has had a passion for books since she discovered Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder in second grade. She wrote her first book, a mystery, at age thirteen and has been writing ever since. Merry Christmas, Darling is a light romantic comedy and the first book in the "Counting Your Blessings" series. She's currently hard at work on book two. To find out more about Denise, please visit her at www.deniseannettedevine.com