That’s right. Here are at Authors18, we’re adding binge reading to the list of things moms want for their big day. What goes great with breakfast in bed, a new scarf, or a nice bottle of wine? How about a sexy romance, a cozy mystery, a yummy historical, or even a great urban fantasy?
I checked in with Authors18.com this week to find out what they thought would make for a great binge read this Mother’s Day. Here’s what they had to say. — Diana A. Hicks
Contemporary Romance
Lynn Turner’s Pas De Deux: A Dance For Two (released May 11) is a beautifully written contemporary romance that’s sure to warm Mom’s heart this Mother’s Day. Turner has crafted a beguiling love story, featuring two of the most perfectly imperfect characters I’ve read in a long time. I use the word craft here in the literal sense – you can feel her passion for her art in the way she writes – how 
painstakingly she has chosen every word, how keenly she felt every emotion experienced by Zack and Mina, and her faultless attention to detail. The result is a well-paced, slow-burn love story, with just the right amount of dramatic and sexual tension to be both realistic, and achingly hot. Like the male protagonist’s Broadway show, this book is a tour de forcedestined for big things. Bravo! — MV Ellis, (CATCHING LONDON)
When I think of a mother, I think of unconditional love. It’s the moment we decide as women, to hand our hearts over to another human being for safe keeping, while watching them grow into adulthood and wishing we could protect them forever. I would recommend Kristin Hannah’s Nightroad, for mother’s day. It’s a story of a parent’s fierce love and how loss and redemption change her. Anyone with a child will get lost in the author’s master storytelling, and experience every bit of the emotional roller coaster ride. It will bring you to tears, but definitely a must read! — Negeen Papehn (FORBIDDEN BY FAITH)
For Mother’s day, I’m giving mom a new boyfriend, a new book boyfriend, that is. (sorry, dad). Pricilla Olivera’s “Her Perfect Affair” is book 2 in the Matched to Perfection series. The series follows the Fernandez sisters and the men who love them. I love this series for its portrayal of Puerto Rican culture, an interracial couple, and of course, a hot affair complete with a happily ever after. A binge worthy read. — Diana A. Hicks (LOVE OVER LATTES)
Historical Fiction
Bookstore events and book festivals are the perfect places to pick up a book autographed by the author with a personalized note to your mom. Don’t tell my mom, but this year I got her a signed copy of My Dear Hamilton, by Stephanie Dray & Laura Kamoie. My mom’s a huge fan of Hamilton: An American Musical, so I know she’ll love this epic story about Eliza Schuyler Hamilton. — Jennifer Klepper (UNBROKEN THREADS)
One Goodreads reviewer said: “Who She Is offers a superb opportunity for Baby Boomer grandmothers, aunts or mentors, and their granddaughters, nieces or younger generation friends to read together. A fine story with heart.” This is a book about female friendships, family secrets, and the 1968 Boston Marathon. — Diane Byington (WHO SHE IS)
My mother and maternal grandmother each read extensively, often devouring a book a day. I’m proud to follow in their footsteps. I have a penchant for books about women in the arts (thanks to my paternal grandmother, an artist), so this Mother’s Day I’m settling in with Portrait of a Conspiracy, The Competition, and The Flames of Florence, the Da Vinci’s Disciples Series by Donna Russo Morin, books in which female painters in Renaissance Florence are assisted by Leonardo da Vinci. Then maybe I’ll attempt a watercolor of my orchid with its purple blooms. — Suanne Schafer (A DIFFERENT KIND OF FIRE)
What mom doesn’t need an escape now and then? And what better escape than a Regency romance among the aristocrats, where everyone has beautiful manners and all children have nannies? I 
recommend Julia Quinn’s Smythe-Smith Quartet Series, which has the benefit of humor as well. — Dianne Freeman (A LADY’S GUIDE TO ETIQUETTE AND MURDER)
For moms who enjoy Shakespeare but wish the women in his comedies had more opportunity to speak their minds–and show off their wit–I recommend Finding Kate by Maryanne Fantalis. Here, she retells Taming of the Shrew from Kathryn’s point of view, and it’s a beautiful first installment in her Shakespeare’s Women Speak series. — Willa Ramsey (EVERYTHING BUT THE EARL)
Urban Fantasy
When it comes to a great escape for Mother’s Day, I’m all about escaping through fantastical stories! If they can whisk me away to other worlds, explore the possibilities of the unknown, or make me think outside the box, I’m in! This read is one of my all-time favorites and if you love romance AND fantasy, it’s worth giving
Nora Roberts’ Circle Trilogy a try. —
Carolyn M. Walker (IMMORTAL DESCENT)We mom’s empower our children daily to be the best version of themselves–to overcome their fears, and pursue their passions. But it’s important that our kids see us not only teaching these valuable lessons, but demonstrating them as well. Reading stories filled with empowered women carving out their place in supernatural worlds is a fabulous way for mom to take a little relaxing break and feel empowered herself. One of my favorite empowered female characters is Mercy Thompson in the urban fantasy novel, Moon Called by Patricia Briggs. — Rachel Pudelek (FREYJA’S DAUGHTER)
Women’s Fiction/Memoir
When I think of perfect stories to read for Mother’s Day, I always come back to two of my favorites: One Plus One by JoJo Moyes is a story of a mother wrestling with financial issues, a deadbeat husband, and romance while managing one gifted child and one depressed teenager. It will melt any mother’s heart. 
We’ll Always Have Paris by Jennifer Coburn is a book that will take you on an adventure with a mom/daughter pair. If it doesn’t make you pack up and book your ticket to Paris right away, at least it will give you an excellent escape for a few days. — Elena Mikalsen (WRAPPED IN THE STARS)
Mystery
Moms love creating order from chaos, which is often an impossible task. So mysteries are just the thing to give them for Mother’s Day. If it doesn’t happen in their real life, at least they can have order in their literary life. I just had the pleasure of meeting Louise Penny at the mystery convention Malice Domestic and cheering for her GLASS HOUSES when it won the Agatha Award for Best Novel. It’s the newest in the Armand Gamache series, and I think your mom will love curling up with it. If she’d rather have more order in her life, then you can start with the first book in the series, STILL LIFE. Either way, you can’t go wrong! — Becky Clark (FICTION CAN BE MURDER)
