Hello, Lovelies. Anna here, with some fabulous news. Melva’s newest nonfiction book, Thanks For the Memories, is now available in both Kindle and paperback.
I will never forget the moment I found out about the diagnosis of Melva’s own real life romance hero. We were in Melva’s car, on the way to a reginal RWA conference, chatting about our lives and getting up to date on domestic details. I said something about us having our real life Prince Charmings. Melva agreed that we did and added that her prince had Alzheimer’s.
Oof. That hit hard. I can’t count the times that Jerry welcomed me into their house, his sharp wit, warm regard, and obvious love for Melva. I love when my friends’ spouses are gaga about them multiple years down the road, and Jerry was definitely this. Seeing the two of them together was always something special, and now there was an unwelcome intruder in the form of something that would take little bits of him away at a time.
Many of the stories Melva shares about her own experience in caregiving, I heard first in real time. Glimpses into the cafe itself gave me even more insight. One of the many things Melva and I have in common is experience caregiving for loved ones with memory issues. For me, my father. For Melva, it was more than only one family member. Some fires can only be described by those who have walked through them. All of the emotions in these stories are raw, honest, and real.
To say that I am proud of Melva, for walking that road with her beloved in sickness and in health, is an understatement. I am proud of her for making her first step into indie publication, and her versatility. Thanks For the Memories is not a romance, nor is it a novel, but it is a love story, and one I highly recommend.
Hello, lovelies. Anna here. Can you believe it’s August already? Things are hopping around here, as Melva and I are both getting ever-nearer our first respective solo indie releases, and are in the very very very earl stages of working on our first collection of contemporary holiday romance novellas.
For the as yet unnamed collection, Melva will write one, I will write one, and then we will write one together. For that one, we are having the best time throwing as many tropes as possible at the wall and seeing what sticks. For Melva’s story, she is learning about chandlery and the modern art of scented candles. For my story, I am researching luxury vehicles and winter survival. Also, there are Italian Christmas cookies.
That’s the news. Now for the FAQ’s. If you have a question that isn’t here, please feel free to ask in the comments, or email me at anna@melvaandanna.com. Please note, the images below are cover concepts, not the actual covers of any books real or imagined.
Love by the Book overview/FAQ:
What is Love By the Book?
Love By the Book is a contemporary romance novel series written by Melva Michaelian and Anna Carrasco Bowling. It is set in the world of romance publishing. Here, you’ll find not only readers and writers, but agents, publishers, and more. You’ll never know who you’re going to meet next but you will get a Happily Ever After in every book.
How Many Books Are Written Already?
So far, three. Here are the first three, in recommended reading order:
Chasing Prince Charming
Drama King
Queen of Hearts
How Many Books Will There Be in Total?
Hopefully, lots! I (Anna) am working on a comprehensive resource so Melva and I can get down to business ASAP.
How Spicy are these books?
“Spicy” is a big umbrella. There’s cinnamon and there’s ghost pepper. While the emphasis is on the romantic relationship between the two leads, there are adult activities on the page, so we recommend these books for adult readers.
Can I Read In Any Order?
We are not the reading police. We hope you’ll want to read all three, and beyond, but reading in publishing order will probably provide the best experience.
cover depicts The Wild Rose Press original edition
Chasing Prince Charmingsets the stage and introduces readers to the world of Stewart House publishing. Dominic Stewart is the publisher and CEO, determined to woo author and romance skeptic Meg Crawford both professionally and personally. We’re not disclosing anybody’s portfolio, but if you like a CEO hero and a heroine who will do anything to care for those she loves, here you go.
This title will soon be out of print in this edition, but will be reissued independently.
Love by the Book #2 Coming Soon!
Drama King follows Meg’s cunning agent, Kelly Nolan, (whom you’ll meet in Chasing Prince Charming) who can find a solution to any client’s publishing woes, but when it comes to her personal life, that’s a different story. Jack Barnes is an actor who is not taking his fallen star status at all well, but Kelly, of course, has a plan. Fans of grumpy/sunshine and fake dating tropes, this one’s for you.
Love by the Book #3 coming soon
Queen of Hearts features Dominic’s sister, Heather, newly divorced and coming into her own as an editor. Her male best friend, Rob, has been in love with Heather since nursing school. Will Dominic and Meg’s wedding provide the stage for a full-blown romance? Friends to lovers fans, and those looking for anxiety representation, you’re welcome.
Will Secondary Characters Become Future Leads?
Of course! That’s part of the fun.
Are There Diverse Characters?
Yes! We believe contemporary romance should reflect the world in which we live.
Melva And Anna 