[Note from Frolic: We’re so excited to have author Lizzie Shane guest posting on the site today. She knows just which romance characters would make the perfect party. Take it away, Lizzie!]
Now that we’re getting out and having parties again, I don’t know about you, but I’ve found my socialization muscles are a little rusty. Luckily, I’ve been reading a lot of great contemporary romances with characters whose special skills would add life to any party, and today I have the invite list for the ultimate (fictional) festivities. (And some excellent book recommendations for those nights when you’d rather stay home.)
Blitzed by Alexa Martin
Ever since I started reading the Playbook series about professional football players falling hard for some fierce, driven women, I have wanted to visit HERS – the (sadly fictitious) female-focused bar owned by the heroine of Blitzed. So of course, I would have to invite Brynn to handle the cocktails at our party – and hopefully she would bring the rest of the Lady Mustangs with her. This entire series is filled with fabulous female friendships, sparkling banter, and delicious drama. Not to be missed!
The Happy Ever After Playlist by Abby Jimenez
What’s a party without music? The Happy Ever After Playlist by the always funny and heart-tugging Abby Jimenez features a musician hero who is equally comfortable on a stage in front of thousands of screaming fans or sitting with his guitar at a backyard barbeque, so whatever our venue he would be the perfect musical guest. And hopefully he would bring along his adorable dog, Tucker, who was the canine matchmaker in this lovely romance that tackles love and loss but delivers that all-important HEA.
Take the Lead by Alexis Daria
If there’s music, there’s bound to be dancing, and that means we have to invite Gina from Take the Lead. The entire Dance Off series features characters who burn up the floor on a Dancing-with-the-Stars-esq reality dance competition – and also heat up the pages with their sizzling chemistry. This series launches when Gina is paired with an Alaskan reality show outdoorsman she really wishes she could resist…both on and off the dance floor.
Battle Royal by Lucy Parker
Let them eat cake! (And by them, I mean us.) I’m a huge Lucy Parker fan and I can’t wait for this upcoming release featuring two rival pastry chefs, both enjoying some royal favor—and stiff competition—in the new Palace Insiders series. If it’s good enough for royalty, we absolutely must have these two providing the desserts for our fictional soiree. (And if you can’t wait for August to get your Lucy Parker fix, be sure to check out her phenomenally charming London Celebrities series.)
Once Upon a Royal Summer by Teri Wilson
And to keep the kiddos entertained, we’ll need to invite Lacey (AKA Princess Sweet Pea) from Once Upon a Royal Summer. In this cotton-candy sweet romance, Lacey has tons of experience charming the children at the theme-park where she hosts tea parties as Princess Sweet Pea and she would be perfect for the kid-friendly portion of our party…provided we can tear her away from her handsome European prince and his adorable daughter.
Once Upon a Puppy by Lizzie Shane
And since the heroine of my new book is a princess party planner, I had to sneak in one more invite. Who better to help Lacey keep the kiddos entertained than a professional birthday party princess? In my new small-town romance, Once Upon a Puppy, Deenie is a free-spirited princess party planner-slash-dog trainer who finds herself sucked into helping type-A lawyer Connor train his rambunctious Irish wolfhound. And in return she might enlist him to be her prince charming – both at parties and in real life.
That’s it for our party invite round up. I hope you have a wonderful summer and enjoy the parties – whether real life or fictional. Happy reading!
About the Author:
Lizzie Shane is the author of the Pine Hollow series, where every happily ever after begins with adopting an adorable dog. She is a three-time finalist for RWA’s RITA® Award and now writes for Forever and Hallmark Publishing, but her favorite claim to fame is that she lost on Jeopardy! She is currently based in Alaska and can (occasionally) be found on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, gushing about her favorite books…and her favorite dogs.
