February is the month of love and Boone County Public Library staff members share their favorite Romance novels.

 
Kathleen Piercefield, Circulation Assistant, recommends Outlander by Diana Gabaldon (which she read long before it was made into a television series).  It not only has a wonderfully romantic love story, but also the romance of historical events, a remote and beautiful landscape, fascinating characters  … and time travel!  Who could ask for more?
 
 
 
Julie Bockstiegel, Collection Services, recommends One Day in December by Josie Silver.  A recent popular read, this title was written up in several reviews toward the end of 2018.  Despite the mention of December, it is not really a “Christmas” story.  The plot deals with a woman who briefly sees a guy at a bus stop, and for some reason she has a jolt that he could be “the one”. She looks for him and months later finally meets him – as the new boyfriend of her best friend!  Years go by, and people come and go in their lives.  But rest assured, there is a happy ending.
 

 
Julie also recommends A Nantucket Wedding by Nancy Thayer.  As a widow makes preparations to get married again; there are romantic complications among her grown daughters and future step children. The story has appealing characters and keeps you interested in who they will end up with and how they will resolve their problems.
 
 
Carrie Herrmann, Director, recommends Montana Sky by Nora Roberts.  Jack Mercy has died, leaving his ranch to his three daughters.  In order to inherit the ranch, the three sisters must live together on the ranch for one year.  Each daughter has a different mother and are as different as three women can be ranging from one living on the ranch, one escaping an abusive relationship and one with a job in Hollywood.  It’s a story about the three women learning to be a family while dealing with love-of-their-life relationships as well as a serial killer that is wreaking havoc in the small community. It is a wonderful mix of romance, mystery and women’s fiction.
 

 
Karen Helmle, Page Supervisor, occasionally enjoys reading a romance novel, but ends up feeling as if it was formulaic. However, every now and then a romance novel comes along that really grabs her. Ransom by Julie Garwood was one of those novels. There is humor, mystery, and the main character was brave and strong.  She didn’t try to prove herself and there wasn’t created conflict for the sake of making the story more dramatic. This historical romance was so much fun.
 

Caron Ward recommends Precious Bane by English author Mary Webb. Featured in a Masterpiece Theatre presentation, Precious Bane is set in the 18th century countryside of Shropshire. In a time when people were superstitious, being born with a disfigurement could cause a lifetime of judgement. Prue, who wants to be loved and has more character than most women of her time, is pursued by Kester Woodsheaves, an itinerant weaver whose intellect and character are immense enough to be the perfect match for Prue.
 
Jennifer Cheek, Public Relations Specialist, is not much of a Romance reader, but says everyone should read the children’s picture book The Ballad of Valentine by Alison Jackson and illustrated by Tricia Tusa.  The story is written to the rhythm of Clementine about a man who goes to great lengths to ask a lady to be his Valentine.  The illustrations show that the lady continuously misses the signs from her admirer as everyday tasks keep her too busy to notice.  The book is hilarious, a great read for all ages and impossible to read without singing to the tune.  Jennifer’s favorite line from the book is “Now you’re my –al–n–ine.”