Life + Style

Suddenly Sexy: History, HEA and Beach Haven, NJ

Romance readers pining for HEA (a romance novel acronym for happily ever after) are sure to find one in Suddenly, at Beach Haven a new historical romance novel by local author K.H. Miller who combines love, history and a few blushes book lovers are sure to fall head over heels with.

Of course, it isn’t only romance fiction readers who are head over heels about historic romance novels like Suddenly, at Beach Haven. The publishing industry is too and there’s a good reason why.

Their happily ever after has to do with the big bucks being made in today’s bodice ripper business. As the number one commercial fiction genre in 2026, romance novels are a publishing powerhouse responsible for generating over one billion dollars a year in book sales.

It’s a figure made possible with today’s tech platforms that make it easier than ever to get those novels into the hot little hands of romance readers.

Traditionally bookstores and book clubs were what generated romance book sales. Today social media and the internet have created a myriad of new marketing opportunities that help the romance novel industry not only survive but thrive.

“Social media has really helped amp up sales in the romance industry,” said Miller. “E books, Facebook, Instagram, Bookstagram, book review videos on BookTok, TikTok, online book clubs, pod casts, book influencers that have thousands of followers are all very popular right now. The accessibility is there. I wasn’t good with social media. I didn’t understand what attracting followers had to do with my ability to write a book. But I’m on there now and I feel like that has been helpful.”

Currently historic romance isn’t topping the fiction food chain. (Romantasy and dark romance are what’s trending right now.) But the genre still has enough of an appeal to keep a large audience of romance readers swooning.

John Martosella, the owner of LBI Book Swap, a bookstore in Beach Haven, NJ said romance fiction is what his customers are clamoring for this summer.

“No doubt about it,” he said. “Romance fiction is by far the leading seller this summer. “The Calamity Club, by Kathryn Stockett is very hot right now.”

The Heart and Soul of Historical Romance

“You have the mainstream hits for sure,” Miller said. “But people will always be drawn to history, and they want a romance story that is accurate. What it comes down to is that romance is primal. It’s a feeling people connect to. Just about every single person knows what it’s like to pine or fall in love or have your heart broken. Heart and accuracy are what I aim for.”

About Suddenly, at Beach Haven
Fleeing Philadelphia for the sanctuary of Beach Haven, spirited socialite Marguerite Thorp craves nothing more than the lure of her island and fading into obscurity. She’s about to be betrayed twice over. To her vexation, Marguerite catches the attention of an intrepid sea captain. Even civility is off the table as she resists him. But when tragedy strikes in the surf, her calloused heart is drawn to the alluring stranger. The trouble is that a suitor outside of the Philadelphia aristocracy is no suitor at all according to Marguerite’s mother. As more victims are claimed by the sea, Marguerite and the rest of the summer visitors will be faced with questioning perception, and what they’re willing to drown for.

Research is a big part of writing historic romance. Accuracy can make the difference between a good romance novel and a great one. Miller believes good historic romance fiction needs to be tied to concrete facts about the history of the time. That takes time.

“I don’t mind,” Miller said. “I love doing research and LBI has so many great resources for that. I spent a lot of time in the Beach Haven Public Library and the NJ Maritime Museum going through their archives. Thankfully they have a lot of stuff and gave me access to everything. They were so supportive.”

Deb Whitcraft, President and Treasurer of the New Jersey Maritime Museum said Miller really did her homework when she combed through their research material.

“What was really impressive about her was that she wanted things to be right,” Whitcraft said. “She was so meticulous, so dedicated to make things as accurate as possible. Many writers don’t take that approach. She’s to be commended for that. She would send us chapters of the book for us to check for accuracy and with very few exceptions she was right on the money. She was perfect.”

Romance writers of all genres are not only authors and artists. Today many in the industry are also businesspeople as they turn to self-publishing, sometimes out of necessity. Miller said that while she is happy with the choice she made to self-publish, she isn’t clear whether this is where the future of the romance industry is heading.

“I had a literary agent,” Miller said “It isn’t an easy thing to do, and I thought ok I’ve got the agent, cool, I’m going to get traditionally published. The book died on submission. My agent said historic romance is not selling right now. So, I thought alright I love this story so much to just let it go so I am going to self-publish and put it out there myself. You must work very hard at self-publishing. You don’t have the kind of support that a publisher would give you in terms of editing and promotion but at the same time you feel a real sense of accomplishment because you’re the one doing all the leg work.”

Miller said hard work has left her with one piece of advice for any aspiring romance novel writer.

“Don’t ever give up that’s the big one,” Miller said.” I was demolished when my book died on submission. I thought this was it. I’m glad there was something in me that said no this is not the end. There’s a lyric to a song that I listen to that says, “The story isn’t over when the story is good.”

K.H Miller’s next book signing will take place on Friday, August 21, 2026 from 12 pm – 3 pm at the New Jersey Maritime Museum, located at 528 Dock Road in Beach Haven, NJ

Suddenly, at Beach Haven by K.H. Miller is available on Amazon. On Long Beach Island, NJ her book is available for purchase at the Long Beach Island Historical Museum, the New Jersey Maritime Museum and at Beach Reads Bookstore in Surf City, NJ

Images supplied by K.H. Miller

Contact Information

K.H. Miller

Suddenly, at Beach Haven

khmillerauthor.com
Instagram: @khmillerauthor

Beach Haven Public Library

Beachhavenlibrary.org

219 N. Beach Avenue

Beach Haven, NJ 08008

609-492-7801

Instagram:@bhpl1924

Beach Reads Bookstore