Did you know that romance novels generate over $1.4 billion in revenue--making romance the highest earning genre of fiction?  Romance novels sold more than 39 million print copies in 2023, which represents a 52% increase over the previous year.  Sales of romance novels MORE THAN DOUBLED over 2021 sales, and last year was the third consecutive year of increasing romance sales.  Meaning: romance readers, we know you're out there, and we've got the book club for you!

Join Julie Iatron, romance devotee, for "Between the Sheets: A Romance Book Group."  We'll gather on Tuesday, June 9th at 6:30 PM in the conference room to discuss "Warrior Princess Assassin" by Brigid Kemmerer.

"WARRIOR. King Maddox Kyronan's fire magic has earned him a ruthless reputation on the battlefield, but now his land is slowly burning. Ky's only chance to save his people is to enter a marriage alliance with the neighboring nation of Astranza, and hope that their royal family's power to manipulate the weather will help his kingdom flourish once more. He just needs to ensure no one finds out how this blaze began. PRINCESS. With enemies advancing on Astranza, Princess Jory's home needs the protection of the fearsome warrior king, but she is hiding a dangerous secret: her family's magic is fading. Tempting as it is to reject her duties and run away with her childhood friend, Asher, Jory knows that she is the kingdom's last hope. When she meets her intended, Jory is surprised to discover that beneath Ky's daunting exterior is a compassionate and sharp-witted man who sets her heart aflame. But what will he do when he realizes she's deceiving him? ASSASSIN. Asher's done what he must to survive, even if that means getting his hands dirty. Once a young nobleman in Astranza's palace, where he and Jory caused mischief together, now he's part of the Hunter's Guild, employing much darker skills. When a lucrative job comes his way, Asher can't say no--until he discovers the targets. Someone wants Jory and Ky dead. With the Guild watching, Asher must decide what he's willing to do to protect the woman he loves and the maddening king who keeps getting under his skin".

"WARRIOR. King Maddox Kyronan's fire magic has earned him a ruthless reputation on the battlefield, but now his land is slowly burning. Ky's only chance to save his people is to enter a marriage alliance with the neighboring nation of Astranza, and hope that their royal family's power to manipulate the weather will help his kingdom flourish once more. He just needs to ensure no one finds out how this blaze began. PRINCESS. With enemies advancing on Astranza, Princess Jory's home needs the protection of the fearsome warrior king, but she is hiding a dangerous secret: her family's magic is fading. Tempting as it is to reject her duties and run away with her childhood friend, Asher, Jory knows that she is the kingdom's last hope. When she meets her intended, Jory is surprised to discover that beneath Ky's daunting exterior is a compassionate and sharp-witted man who sets her heart aflame. But what will he do when he realizes she's deceiving him? ASSASSIN. Asher's done what he must to survive, even if that means getting his hands dirty. Once a young nobleman in Astranza's palace, where he and Jory caused mischief together, now he's part of the Hunter's Guild, employing much darker skills. When a lucrative job comes his way, Asher can't say no--until he discovers the targets. Someone wants Jory and Ky dead. With the Guild watching, Asher must decide what he's willing to do to protect the woman he loves and the maddening king who keeps getting under his skin"

Join Julie to unpack this MMF fantasy and talk characters, happily ever afters (or happily for now), and alllllll the romance tropes!  Copies of "Warrior Princess Assassin" are available at the Borrower Services desk and as an eAudiobook and eBook on the Libby app.  For more information or questions, email jiatron@chelmsfordlibrary.org.  See you on June 9th at 6:30 PM!