What's Coming in 2020 from Hallmark Publishing?
Since starting in 2017, Hallmark Publishing has released an impressive number of titles to their catalog, which includes both novelizations of their popular movies and original stories. This year will bring us at least TWELVE new titles and I couldn't be more excited to read these new offerings.
This is by no means a comprehensive list, aka these were the only ones I could find via Amazon, so if you have heard of anything else coming this year that's not mentioned, please send me a message or let me know on twitter and I'll add it and give you a shout-out of thanks!
Country Hearts by Cindi Madsen
Release Date: January 21, 2020
From Amazon:
Laid off from her teaching job in the city, Jemma Monroe takes a job teaching in a tiny town and rents a house on the outskirts. A visitor soon shows up at her door—a horse. His owner, a handsome neighbor in boots and a cowboy hat, comes by to collect him.
When single dad Wyatt Langford meets Jemma, it’s the first time he feels interest in a woman since his wife left. But she’s his daughter’s new teacher, so they both know they should keep their distance.
Nonetheless, Wyatt keeps finding excuses to spend time with Jemma, and Wyatt’s daughter becomes more and more attached to her. With them, Jemma discovers the good things about country life, from starry skies to s’mores cooked over a fire. But she still misses her past life in the city. Is there any reason for them to dream of a future together?
Forbidden relationship with a cowboy?? Who also lives next door? Yep. I'm in.
The Story of Us by Teri Wilson
Release Date: February 4, 2020
From Amazon:
Jamie always adored True Love Bookstore and Café, and now she’s the owner. But businesses are struggling in her small town, and her beloved store is threatened by a new retail development scheme.
Sawyer, Jamie’s former high school sweetheart, startles her when he comes to town for the first time in fifteen years. She soon learns he’s the architect of the proposed development. Sawyer had no idea that Jamie had bought the bookstore and if he takes it over, he’ll break her heart a second time.
Jamie’s discovery of a box of old love letters and valentines might hold the key to saving her shop. And after all this time, could love be in the cards for Jamie and Sawyer, too?
The Story of Us was one last year's Countdown to Valentine's Day movies and Hallmark couldn't have picked a better writer than Teri Wilson to expand on this story. I can't wait to see what she does with Jamie and Sawyer.
A Simple Wedding by Leigh Duncan
Release Date: March 10, 2020
From Amazon:
Jenny always dreamed of getting married at Heart’s Landing. But when she finally visits the charming small town, she’s there to make wedding arrangements for someone else: her cousin, who also happens to be her boss and a famous movie star. To keep the event secret and avoid a media circus, Jenny pretends she’s the one getting married.
Nick is intrigued by this bride-to-be who starts visiting his bakery every afternoon for sweet treats and conversation. He has to keep reminding himself that she’s already spoken for.
As Jenny deals with her cousin’s ever-changing demands, she tries to hide her attraction to Nick. Planning this wedding couldn’t be more complicated…and what will happen once the truth comes to light?
AH! Secret identities and forbidden romance. I WANT THIS NOW. Also, this seems to be part of a series, as you will see below. I'm ready.
In Other Words, Love by Shirley Jump
Release Date: April 21, 2020
From Amazon:
When Kim’s agent gets her the job of writing Trent’s autobiography, she almost balks. The charismatic founder of his own outdoor clothing company dumped her when they were in college. But she needs the money.
Trent’s been so busy lately, he completely forgot he was supposed to be writing a book, and the draft is due soon. He wants Kim as the ghostwriter: she’s experienced, and she was always smart and hard-working. They can keep things professional, right?
In funny and touching ways, the project gives them a fresh perspective on the past. But will they both have the courage to start a new chapter in life?
I'm not normally a second-chance romance person, but I am loving the premise of this one. I'm hoping for a lot of tense banter and secret looks, with a final dramatic confession of love. Okay, maybe I do like second-chance romances.
A Cottage Wedding by Leigh Duncan
Release Date: June 2, 2020
From Amazon:
Tara Stewart’s boss at Weddings Today magazine sends her to Heart’s Landing to debunk its romantic legends. This could devastate the many local businesses who cater to weddings, from Forget Me Knot Florist to Dress for a Day.
The locals convince Jason Heart, the handsome descendant of the town’s founder, to show Tara around the town. But can he persuade her to believe in the romance?
This is Book Two of the Hearts Landing Series, the first being A Simple Wedding, detailed above. Stories featuring "save the _____" are not really by jam, but I'd be into this if we get to meet these characters in A Simple Wedding.
Sailing at Sunset by Cindi Madsen
Release Date: July 7, 2020
From Amazon:
Josh tells himself he’s the luckiest guy in the world. Living on his sailboat and taking tourists on occasional chartered trips, he’s not tied down to routines and responsibilities. He even named his sailboat “Solitude,” because that’s what he enjoys much of the time.
Danae just got promoted at her boat manufacturing company, and she can’t wait to put all her plans into action. However, her boss directed her to set up a week-long sailing trip with her work team as a bonding experience.
At first, Danae isn’t completely on board with Josh’s laid-back approach to the tour. But over days of deep-sea fishing and visits to quaint New England towns, she and Josh start to see each other’s true colors…and Josh begins to question his solitary life.
There is absolutely zero chance that I won't think of Chris McNally the entire time I'm reading this. I blame Sailing Into Love.
Christmas in Bayberry by Jennifer Faye
Release Date: July 21, 2020
From Amazon:
Kate Taylor knows what she wants in life: to one day run her family’s candle business, which is at the heart of the close-knit community of Bayberry, Vermont. But the company isn’t doing well.
Wesley Adams is on the fast track to be an assistant vice president at his financial firm in Manhattan. Before the promotion is announced, he’s sent to this small town from his past to do an analysis of the candle company.
He doesn’t expect to bump into his childhood crush, Kate, and when he does, sparks fly. As he spends time in Bayberry, he falls for the town’s Christmas traditions—and for her. But he has a responsibility to submit an honest report. Will it extinguish Kate’s dreams…along with any chance they have for a future together?
Second-chance romance AND "save the _____"?? Meh. But in fairness it's written by Jennifer Faye, who's last name is almost identical to mine, so I trust her implicitly. This will end up being a favorite, I can guarantee it.
Behind the Frame: A Shepherd Sisters Mystery by Tracy Gardner
Release Date: August 11, 2020
From Amazon:
Savanna Shepherd, an art expert turned elementary art teacher, is planning the Art in the Park festival for her hometown of Carson. But apparently, someone isn’t happy that Carson got to host the event: the beloved statue in the park is destroyed. Not long after, Savanna finds the dead body of one of the people on the planning committee.
Savanna and her sisters are convinced that the arrested murder suspect didn’t do it, despite strong evidence to the contrary. With the help of Dr. Aidan Gallagher, Savanna’s new romantic interest, they uncover hidden resentments and intrigue. Several people in Carson had a motive for the murder. Can they find out which one of them is behind the framing of an innocent person?
EEP! Y'ALL- THE SECOND BOOK! I loved the first in the series and am so excited to be with the Shepard Sisters again. Also, DR. GALLAGHER.
Christmas Charms by Teri Wilson
Release Date: October 6, 2020
From Amazon:
Ashley’s supposed to be having the Christmas of her dreams. After four years of working at an upscale jewelry store in Manhattan, she’s finally going to get a little velvet box of her own—from her boyfriend Jeremy, who’s taking her on a romantic trip to Paris. What could go wrong?
Well, everything.
Ashley heads home to Owl Lake instead, falling asleep on the train ride there…and waking up with a beautiful antique charm bracelet on her wrist. Soon, she realizes that each silver charm predicts an event that happens in real life. What does this mean for her and Jeremy…or her and Aidan, her former high school boyfriend, who’s now a local firefighter? Is there still a chance that she could have the perfect Christmas?
OMG. Can we just go ahead and declare Teri Wilson the Queen of Hallmark Books?? This sounds DEVINE and I can't WAIT!!
Dead End Detective by Amanda Flower
Release Date: October 20, 2020
From Amazon:
Darby Piper is in shock. Samantha Porter—her mentor and business partner at Two Girls Detective Agency—has died in a car crash, and it doesn’t look like an accident. In fact, evidence is pointing toward Darby.
Darby had expected to inherit Samantha’s half of the agency, but Samantha had recently changed the will to leave it to Tate Porter, her nephew, who returns to town.
Tate is no P.I. He’s a veteran, a world traveler, and something of a mystery himself. But as he helps Darby delve into secret histories and real estate development plans, he does seem to have a knack for the job. Will the agency have a future…even if Darby can prove her innocence in time?
Hallmark Publishing has been knocking it out of the park with their cozy mysteries so far, so I have no doubt this will be another fun read. My only complaint is that I have to wait until October (!!) to read it.
Wrapped Up in Christmas Joy by Janice Lynn
Release Date: October 27, 2020
From Amazon:
When Sophie Davis sorts through a box of donated books to her church, she’s surprised to find a soldier’s journal. As the daughter of a veteran who watched her father struggle over the years, she feels a deep connection to the man who wrote the emotional entries.
Former Marine Cole Aaron battled to find peace after returning to civilian life. He’s always needed to protect others. Now, fighting fires helps him put out the demons within him. He’s embracing his life in Pine Hill, Ky, and strives to call a truce with his past. When Sophie shows at the fire hall with his journal from when he’d first returned stateside, Cole can’t believe it was in the box he’d donated. The book is old news and he tells her to trash it.
Sophie and Cole are drawn together as they both volunteer for their community, but it’s hard for Cole to let down his guard, and he doesn’t need anyone’s pity. After all he’s been through in the past, can he find faith in a more hopeful future…one touched by joy?
This is sure to make me cry, aka I will LOVE it.