Why am I passionate about this?

I love a little humor from romantic trysts or tales of woe of that one love that got away. Divulged conversations and gossip on the therapy couch can be fascinating (massage work relaxes the body and mind). Clients worldwide find choosing their ideal partner a lottery. Inspiration struck me to look more closely at how marriage choices are made through the heart or the mind. We all search for the perfect soul mate. Learning how others met was intriguing by chance or manipulated. Clearly showing, fate did seem to be at play in most cases. I love creating escapism to let your wild romantic dreams be a possibility.


I wrote...

Rekindling Connections: A Bittersweet Journey of Lust, Love and Choices

By Nicky Abell-Francis,

Book cover of Rekindling Connections: A Bittersweet Journey of Lust, Love and Choices

What is my book about?

This is a story of addictive love. How we crave what is ultimately not good for us or acceptable to…

Shepherd is reader supported. When you buy books, we may earn an affiliate commission.

The books I picked & why

Book cover of The Christmas Party

Nicky Abell-Francis Why did I love this book?

This story was a fun journey of eavesdropping on several characters' romantic partnerships. They look wonderful on the outside but not so ideal on the inside, but they are more comfortable shall we say. Our past lovers may not be ideal either. Did they fail for a reason? We sometimes never know the truth unless fate comes back to tell us. 

This novel leads you through a short time period leading to Christmas when relationships can be fraught. Speckled with some humorous scenarios of most work parties at this poignant time of year. All the while running in the background the personal frustrations of love and career-damaging great relationships. Why do we put work before our personal connections? We just have to have faith that the right person will match our work ethic. It will just feel right. For who you will have to read on and indulge.

I enjoyed not knowing what may happen next with one finale incident that rocked the storyline. Each chapter transported me to another relationship as it ran alongside another.

By Carole Matthews,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Christmas Party as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Louise Young is a devoted single mother whose only priority is providing for her daughter, Mia. Louise has a good job in a huge international corporation and she's grateful for it. The only problem is her boss who can't keep his hands to himself, but Louise can handle him. What she really doesn't have time for is romance - until she meets the company's rising star, Josh Wallace.

Louise usually says no to evenings out but she's decided to let her hair down tonight. It's the office Christmas party, she has a pretty dress to wear and she's looking forward…


Book cover of The Perfect Hero

Nicky Abell-Francis Why did I love this book?

Adored this novel. Set in Dorset within the film industry, this is one story that, if you like a romantic genre, it's endearing. Highlighting every situation in life comes down to stereotypical characters. The drama queen, the hopeless romantic, the dashing hero. It looks at how our self-esteem and parenting affect us so much in terms of communication skills later in life.

When romance is involved, we always think we know best for ourselves and others. The obvious is never on our radar. This demonstrates the ethos of friendships: how the hero we aspire to and fall for can come in many disguises. 

For Jane Austen fans, this will intrigue you as you step into the creation of some of her characters within the storyline. It is a relaxing and enjoyable read for romancers amongst us. Lyme Regis may well be deluged with visitors. 

By Victoria Connelly,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Perfect Hero as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

'Have not been able to put this novel down! A lovely story brought to life with characters you want to meet. Loved every page.' Reader review

The sparkling follow-up to A Weekend with Mr Darcy from Victoria Connelly - set to become the Richard Curtis of the chick-lit world!

Die-hard romantic, Kay Ashton, uses her inheritance to open a B&B in the seaside town of Lyme Regis and is dumbstruck when the cast and crew of a new production of Persuasion descend, needing a place to stay. Kay can't believe her luck - especially when she realises that heart throb…


Book cover of Something from Tiffany's

Nicky Abell-Francis Why did I love this book?

Romance themes are easy for readers, but the escapism and scenarios are vast. This novel, set in the Big Apple, New York, hits the mark well. Some twists and turns, never knowing the final outcome. How random situations happen can make you think of serendipity at play.

Does fate have more control than you think? An intriguing concept. Thrown into the mix of engagements and weddings, tempers can flare. The stubbornness of characters with some excellent scenes where you feel the emotion and are in the midst of the story. Travels from the USA to Dublin, the story has a homely, feel-good vibe for romantic lovers. 

I found the writing tone tight and to the point in places, and I never quite knew how things would pan out for the key players.

By Melissa Hill,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Something from Tiffany's as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Doesn't every girl dream of getting... something from Tiffany's?

On 5th Avenue in New York City, two very different men are shopping for gifts for the women they love.

Gary is buying his girlfriend Rachel a charm bracelet. Partly to thank her for paying for their holiday-of-a-lifetime to New York. But mainly because he's left his shopping far too late.

Whereas Ethan's looking for something a little more special - an engagement ring for the first woman to have made him happy since he lost the love of his life.

But when the two men's shopping bags get confused, and…


Book cover of Good at Games

Nicky Abell-Francis Why did I love this book?

I love the humor in writing or reading. A subject can be related to when we see the funny side of a situation in real life. This is there in spades in the first sentence. Not for the prudish.

Suzy and her capers are spot on, shocking at times, but always plausible. The dialogue is well-written. Not roses and chocolates but the real capers of relationships and the bedroom. The conversation between her conquests and friends is perfect. I couldn’t stop smiling.

If you want sweet hearts and polite, formal wooing, this is not your book. However, the realistic reality and hazards of life that jump on us are all part of this story. A modern romp to make you think your love life isn’t that bad after all.

By Jill Mansell,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Good at Games as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Jill Mansell's hugely entertaining bestseller GOOD AT GAMES is perfect for you if you love reading Cathy Kelly, Milly Johnson and Lucy Diamond. Reviewers love Jill Mansell: 'A lovely uplifting read' Good Housekeeping

Suzy fell for Harry the moment she showed him her husband's sperm sample. It didn't really belong to her husband, though, because she wasn't married. It wasn't a sperm sample either, it was a drinks carton containing the dregs of her milkshake. But when you're trying to get off a speeding charge you just have to improvise, don't you? And it wasn't actually love at first sight.…


Book cover of The Beach Hut

Nicky Abell-Francis Why did I love this book?

A great book that whisks the reader into holiday mode. I was intrigued to delve further and delicately write with several characters' interweaving stories. Some are more prominent in the storyline than others. Written with sophistication where intimacy was portrayed.

This is hard to do, either very graphic or very tame and, in some cases, overly romantic or embarrassing cringe-worthy. Veronica sets the tone easily where it is required. The novels underlying theme for me was that nobody really knows how someone feels, emotions are so often hidden. Words are unsaid. The story dips from the past to the present time. As we eavesdrop into the varied personal lives of the beach hut owners. I love the variety of storylines. Some may need less characters to follow wanting a deep investigation of each one, for me speed and movement of a story line is key.

Her writing was exciting, natural to general life I found myself easily transported to being there feeling the breeze on my face, the taste of the sea salt on my lips. I was one of the fans wanting more, and I know there are some for future perusal.

By Veronica Henry,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Beach Hut as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

On Everdene Sands, a row of beach huts holds the secrets of the families who own them - secrets of unrequited love, plain old-fashioned lust, childhood dreams and long-forgotten hopes...

'FOR SALE: a rare opportunity to purchase a beach hut on the spectacular Everdene Sands. "The Shack" has been in the family for fifty years, and was the first to be built on this renowned stretch of golden sand...'

Jane Milton doesn't want to sell her beloved beach hut, which has been the heart of so many family holidays and holds so many happy memories. But when her husband dies,…


Don't forget about my book 😀

Rekindling Connections: A Bittersweet Journey of Lust, Love and Choices

By Nicky Abell-Francis,

Book cover of Rekindling Connections: A Bittersweet Journey of Lust, Love and Choices

What is my book about?

This is a story of addictive love. How we crave what is ultimately not good for us or acceptable to others could be the making of our character. The book explores the hidden secrets we hold deep inside, however close we think we are.

Love is uncontrollable and driven by desire. The choice of lover for approval cannot break the invisible thread that binds us to past relationships.

You might also like...

The Flower Queen: A 1970's Suspense Romance

By Kay Freeman,

Book cover of The Flower Queen: A 1970's Suspense Romance

Kay Freeman Author Of Hitman's Honey

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

Author Retired art professor Tequila aficionado Weightlifter Owned by Standard Poodle Blues lover

Kay's 3 favorite reads in 2023

What is my book about?

It began with a dying husband, and it ended in a dynasty.

It took away her husband’s pain on his deathbed, kept her from losing the family farm, gave her the power to build a thriving business, but it’s illegal to grow in every state in the country in 1978.

It even brings her first love from high school back; the only problem is that he works for the FBI. Will their occupations implode their romance, or will the opposite happen?

A second chance at love, opposites attract, rags to riches heroine trope story.

The Flower Queen: A 1970's Suspense Romance

By Kay Freeman,

What is this book about?

It began with a dying husband and it ended in a dynasty.

It took away her husband’s pain on his deathbed, kept her from losing the family farm, gave her the power to build a thriving business, but it’s illegal to grow in every state in the country in 1978. It even brings her first love from high school back; the only problem he works for the FBI. Will their occupations implode their romance or will the opposite happen? A second chance at love, opposites attract , rags to riches heroine trope story.


5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in romantic love, Jane Austen, and presidential biography?

Romantic Love 897 books
Jane Austen 99 books