Written by: Jaylin Emond-Hardin | Entertainment Editor
While Hallmark is well known for its movies, outside the realm of children’s books, the company has no printed publications — perhaps meant to distract from its lucrative greeting card and ornament business. As the world waits for a Hallmark romance book, here are some that have the same cozy, sugary sweet vibes as their films.
“Virgin River” by Robin Carr —
Following Melinda “Mel” Monroe as she moves to the remote mountain town of Virgin River, California after responding to a help wanted ad, Mel hopes that it will be the perfect place to escape the heartache of her husband’s passing and to refuel her love for her nursing career. However, when she arrives in the small town, she finds the roads are treacherous, the cabin she is supposed to be staying in is run down and the local doctor she is meant to be assisting wants nothing to do with her. Prepared to leave the next morning, Mel’s plans change when a baby is abandoned on the doctor’s front porch and former marine Jack Sheridan cements them further into place. The first in a 25-book series. “Virgin River” is also now a Netflix special TV show.
“Welcome to Fae Cafe” by Jennifer Kropf —
Kate Kole never meant to kill the fae assassin, she just wanted to teach him some manners. Now she has the four deadliest assassins, one of whom is the Crown Prince Cressica, from the North Corner of Ever hot on her tail for breaking a fairy law — one she didn’t even know about. However, things go sideways once the assassins arrive in the human realm. Three of the assassins get roped into running Kate Kole’s cafe and are forced to blend in by learning to do everyday tasks like doing the dishes, driving without road rage and participating in book clubs without getting into Alpha Male fights over what they’re reading. Meanwhile, Prince Cressica is determined to get revenge on Kate Kole, only to find himself enchanted with her in more ways than one. When the dark powers of the Ever Corners enter the human realm, he must make a choice that could change everything. The first in the “High Court of the Coffee Bean” series.
“Reserved” by Bridget L. Rose —
Adrian Romana should be focusing on one thing: the Drivers’ Championship. When it was snatched from him in the last race of the season, he vowed history wouldn’t repeat itself, which means no distractions — all until he meets Nevaeh Fuchs. When Formula One’s Playboy meets the shy, quiet journalist, he finds himself drawn to her more and more, even when Nevaeh is declared off-limits. Now, he’s determined to make her his, just as much as he’s become hers. The fifth of the “Pitstop” series, but can be read as a standalone.
“Where the Heart Is” by Billie Letts —
Isn’t seven supposed to be a lucky number? For Novalee Nation, it’s the exact opposite. Just an hour ago, the 17-year-old was headed to California with her boyfriend. Now, she’s stranded at a Wal-Mart in Sequoyah, Oklahoma, seven months pregnant and with just $7.77 in change. But what she ends up discovering is the small Southwestern town is full of people who would do anything to help the single mother. Between Bible-thumping Sister Thelma Husband and Forney Hull, the town’s eccentric librarian, Novalee finds people who love her even more than she loves herself. This book is a novel and has a movie based on it starring Natalia Portman and Ashley Judd.
Contact the author at howlentertainment@mail.wou.edu
