• Best Romantic Suspense Books

    Secret Obsession by Jill Sanders

    November 1, 2024

    Fame, politics, and love collide in this captivating novel.

    Being the son of the famous Senator Rhodes thrust Blake into the limelight from a very young age. After surviving a kidnapping when he was eight years old, he knew that he wanted to follow his father into the political arena. But bumping into a beautiful starlet at a charity event turns his life upside down, all because of a stolen kiss. Robin is at the top of her career. So it’s only natural that she wants to enjoy her success. But with that success come the standard creeps and stalkers. After rumors of a relationship between her and a young congressmen go public, things take a much darker turn. A 5-star review:

    “Wow! Blake and Robin meet in Paris and the fireworks explode! Instant attraction! But someone isn’t happy about it! Follow the drama and suspense that surrounds their relationship. This is a must read by a fabulous author! Another hit in her Secret Series series!! Each one of these books are amazing, and you need to add them to your TBR list! Even better…..move them to the top of your list!”

    Penny Stone – Goodreads
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  • Best Contemporary Romance Novels

    The Cowboy’s Texas Rose by E. Elizabeth Watson

    October 18, 2024

    They’ve found exactly what they weren’t looking for…

    Archaeologist Rosalinda Morales is focused more on what’s in the soil and caves of the famed Legacy Ranch, rather than what’s on it—the sexy and charismatic cowboy heir. As a single mom to her special needs son, she knows what it’s like to struggle, so even though Toby Dixon has charm pulsing through his veins, she’s determined to resist.

    Despite trying to mend bridges, Toby Dixon’s brothers have no interest in coming home, so he’s taken the reins of his family’s historic cattle ranch. Having vowed to his dying mother to settle down, he’s still considering how to move the company forward when Dr. Morales, armed with a sense of humor, a keen intellect and love for adventure, arrives with her team of students. Suddenly Toby begins to see more possibilities for his family’s ancient land and his future.

    Toby can’t flirt his way into Rose’s life. He’ll need to up his game and earn the trust of the woman who isn’t just excavating his soil, but digging into his heart.

    The author’s inspiration for achaeologist characters:

    “Before I discovered my love of writing fiction, I had written a couple journal articles based on my archaeological research, and was pursuing degrees and a career in archaeology. I love archaeology, and studying the human past. I love history, too. I also love studying how history shapes the present.”

    E. Elizabeth Watson
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  • Best Historical Romance Books

    It Had to be a Duke by Vivienne Lorret

    October 4, 2024

    A sparkling romance about a spinster, a duke, and a fake engagement that blurs the lines between enemies and lovers…

    Verity Hartley always tells the truth. Well, mostly. However, when her snooty neighbor returns to their small hamlet to brag about having a grand Season, a plethora of ballgowns, and so many suitors that she cannot possibly decide which one to marry, Verity tells a lie. She claims to be betrothed. To a duke. Who happens to be her family’s sworn enemy. But what are the odds that he would ever learn of this one, little, harmless falsehood? Magnus Warring, the Duke of Longhurst, is on the precipice of marrying an heiress to save his estate from financial ruin. At least, he was. Until he hears an unbelievable rumor that he is already betrothed. To the daughter of a liar, cheat, and swindler! Needing to protect his reputation, he hunts down the culprit. And when he finds the untamed beguiler, she has the audacity to ask him to lie for her. To pretend to be her fiancé! One week, that’s all Verity needs. Then Magnus can return to his life. But nothing is ever that simple. Sometimes it doesn’t take that long to fall in love, even with the enemy. The author inspiration for the series:

    “The family is led by parents who were part of a theater troop, and I guess it kind of goes back to the playwriting days where I wanted the mom and the dad to be really colorful characters. Then I started thinking about who their kids would be and just the Liars Club just sort of came to me. Then I thought, ‘Well I’m gonna name the kids after the virtues that the parents didn’t really possess.’”

    Vivienne Lorret
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  • Best Contemporary Romance Novels

    Another Charge by Alexa Padgett

    August 29, 2024

    He’s sexy as sin… and if someone doesn’t check me fast, I’m gonna fall for the single dad hockey coach.

    Having poured my heart into caring for my previous charges, bidding them farewell left an indelible ache that I couldn’t bear to repeat. The idea of restarting as a nanny didn’t excite me in the least…until I crossed paths with Beatrix, a frightened and angry little girl who tugged at my heartstrings. Determined to help this vulnerable child who craves affection, I find myself drawn to her uncle, the irresistible Silas. His magnetic eyes, capable of holding me captive, promise to fulfill the dreams I’ve long held dear. Silas, scarred by a troubled past, knows next to nothing about raising children or creating a loving home. That’s where I step in. They call me a “fixer” in the world of hockey. Yet, I question whether I can mend the fractures between uncle and niece. Despite my doubts, the life we could build together beckons me. The catch? Taking a chance on this single dad might land my heart in the penalty box for good… The author on her writing style and goals:

    “I write deep stories about real people. Some of my books are angsty, some are emotional, all are about family, acceptance, and growth. I love all the feels.” Alexa Padgett
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  • Best Contemporary Romance Novels

    A Summer in Nixie by Kathryn Jeanne

    August 2, 2024

    A tale of young summer love, friendship, and family

    Still reeling from her dad’s betrayal, Ava and her mother head to a small cottage on Nixie island to get away from gossipy neighbors back home. Ava’s last summer before college is quickly hijacked by a best friend she didn’t know she needed, back porch conversations with her mom–and a guy she doesn’t want to get involved with but can’t get out of her head. In an effort to get over his ex, Chris finds himself on the island that defined his childhood. Though he distracts himself with parties, old friends, and future plans, he can’t stop thinking about the new girl who doesn’t want anything to do with him. And when his ex comes back into the picture, he has to make a decision–the familiar past, or a future that’s full of possibilities. The author on her writing journey for this novel:

    “Young Adult summer romance books have always been my favorite… I would read them all year round and loved the feeling of transporting to these quaint beach towns where the stories would take place. At 18, I had a week off in college… I actually spent the first half of the week reading and decided I want to try to write a book like this. I wrote an outline and got about 15 pages of the way in before other things picked up and life got busy. Years after graduating, I found the outline again and thought it would be a fun side project. As I got further and further into the story, I realized I loved writing more than I even knew and it became more than a side gig and more like my passion project. After working with some great editors and designers, I decided to release it!” Kathryn Jeanne  
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  • Best Christian Romance Books,  Best Romantic Suspense Books

    Hearts in the Crosshairs by Susan Page Davis

    July 19, 2024

    Shots fired at the State Capitol!

    Newly elected State of Maine governor Jillian Goff has arrived for her inaugural address. But what she ended up doing was dodging bullets! Jillian can’t begin to understand why anyone would want to kill her, but whoever the assassin was got close. Way too close. Dave Hutchins is a member of the state’s Executive Protection Unit, and now he’s a man with a very important mission—he must protect the governor and find the would-be assassin. Bodyguard rule #1: Do not get emotionally involved with your client. Dave is one of Maine’s finest. He knows the rules, and he’s trying hard to stay emotionally detached. But the more time he spends with Jillian, the less he can imagine ever leaving her side. Not with her life—and his heart—caught in the crosshairs. A note about the story and the author:

    “This is a story of faith and romance. Most of Susan Page Davis’s books are set in small towns, many of them in Maine, where she grew up.”
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  • Best Contemporary Romance Novels

    Going Home by Haven Saunders

    July 5, 2024

    Can two childhood friends navigate their complex past to forge a future together… or will the past be too much to overcome?

    Cloverton police officer Melanie Hart juggles the demands of her job and raising her two young daughters alone after her husband abandoned them years ago. Mel isn’t complaining, though having great kids and a few close friends doesn’t do much to ease her loneliness. Dean Gorman never thought he’d return to Cloverton after creating a successful career as a photojournalist. However, he is drawn to his hometown to document the loss of their biggest employer, Cloverton Lumber, and the ripple effect it has had on the town. While exploring the vacant building, he is nearly arrested for trespassing by Mel, his childhood friend and the woman who broke his heart. Despite his determination to move on and leave Cloverton in the past, Dean doesn’t know if he can walk away from love once again. Can Melanie and Dean navigate the complexities of their past to forge a future together or will the past be too much to overcome? A note from the author:
    “As someone who grew up in the Midwest, I absolutely love small-town romances. Toss in a second chance at love for the main characters, and I’m all in!”
    Haven Saunders
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  • Best Historical Romance Books,  Best Romantic Suspense Books

    A Heartless Design by Elizabeth Cole

    June 25, 2024

    An enigmatic woman, a determined spy, and a design that could shake the foundations of England…

    “Heartless” Cordelia Bering refuses every marriage offer she receives. Yet men still try to win her, drawn by her sharp wit and intoxicating green eyes. But Cordelia knows a marriage could reveal her deepest secret and truly endanger her life. Besides, she hasn’t met a man worth considering, until… Sebastien Thorne, a spy in the service of Crown. One of the elite agents in the group known as the Zodiac, he comes to London determined to solve a mystery with roots on the Continent. He won’t let anything distract him. But is Cordelia a distraction, or the key to the mystery? As he learns more about the “heartless” woman, he becomes embroiled in secrets, plots, and a design that could change the future…and Cordelia is at the center of it all. The author’s on her inspiration for the novel and the series:

    “I came up with the name of the Zodiac and the concept of twelve agents who use the signs as their code names. I also have some secret pasts for characters that I’m taking my time to tell… I just love reading romances set in the Regency period, and I love mysteries, so I guess putting them together made sense. That’s why there’s a mystery element to each story. The spies are all working to uncover plots or conspiracies, which is how they keep running into my fabulously intelligent and stunning heroines!”
    Elizabeth Cole
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  • Best Contemporary Romance Novels

    What Are Friends For? by Patricia McLinn

    June 21, 2024

    Best friends always, lovers once … and now?

    In rural Drago, Illinois, Zeke came by his “the Geek” nickname honest, more comfortable in the world of algebra and algorithms than high school’s social hallways. Though that didn’t keep him from longing for the unattainable prom queen, Jennifer. The one person who did understand his out-of-the-box brain was Darcie, his best friend. After their high school graduation, Zeke and Darcie for one night jolted from friends to lovers. And then he left town, and she knew he couldn’t look back. What he didn’t know was the depth of Darcie’s feelings for him. Now it’s 17 years later, and Zeke’s a self-made billionaire founder of a tech security firm, Darcie’s a local cop and Jennifer’s a divorced mom of a tween girl. And their little town is flagging. At Darcie’s urging, Zeke returns to Drago to boost its economy. Will his new wealth attract the still-beautiful Jennifer? Or will Darcie, the one girl who always made him feel at ease, show him that true love knows no boundaries? The author’s writing advice:

    “[M]y biggest writing advice is, all writing advice is a buffet. It’s not a fixed menu. Pick and choose and try it. And if it works for you, great. You want to go back and get more, terrific. You want to not try it ever again, that’s terrific too. You can, you know, a year later, you can go back and go, “Oh, you know, that person said this and this and maybe I will try that.” Just—but recognize that it’s not a one shot, I have to do everything right, right now, or I’m never going to have a career. That’s not true. I’ve done so many things wrong… And I look back at those books that I wrote then, and they became the core for my indie start, the start of my indie career. So I thought it was a mistake. I kicked myself a lot for it. And then it turned out being really good.”
    Patricia McLinn
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  • Best Christian Romance Books,  Best Clean and Wholesome Romance,  Best Historical Romance Books

    A Stormy Season by Melanie Dickerson

    May 24, 2024

    Nothing but the deepest love will induce Jane Gilchrist to marry, even when asked by the young and handsome widower with whom every other girl is in love.

    Luke Watley lost his wife to a tragic accident. But when he discovers it was no accident at all, he must solve the mystery behind her murder, or he—and anyone close to him—is in danger of becoming their next victim. Jane Gilchrist is maddeningly opinionated, annoyingly high-spirited, and . . . more appealing than any woman has a right to be. He seems to lose all rationality when she is near. But if he lets her get too close, she might be the next person to be killed because of his faithless first wife. But when her reputation is at stake, in an effort to do the right thing as a gentleman, he asks her to marry him. But when she agrees only to a pretend engagement, sparks of every kind begin to fly. Jane is disgusted by the way women fawn all over the newly widowed Mr. Watley. She can’t decide if she should hate him for being so sought after, feel sorry for him for losing his wife, or kiss him when no one is looking. Whatever she decides, it’s sure to be a stormy season! The author’s message to her readers through her novels:

    “That God is good and He has a good plan for all of us. Each novel has at least one special lesson that I hope the reader can take away with them.”
    Melanie Dickerson
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