• Best Christian Romance Books,  Best Romantic Suspense Books

    A Carol for Kent by Hallee Bridgeman

    A Ruthless Serial Killer Seeks to End a Love Song Eight Years in the Making.

    Assistant Commonwealth Attorney Carol Mabry heads up an investigation into a string of stranglings in Virginia’s capital. The serial killer known as Richmond Red remorselessly snuffs out beautiful young women with violin strings before ritually enshrining their lovely lifeless bodies inside a pentagram of blood red candles. Country music superstar Bobby Kent makes an unscheduled return trip to his Virginia home for the first time in years. To his shock, he discovers that he and Carol have a young daughter, Lisa. His parents have kept Lisa hidden from him her entire life while simultaneously deceiving Carol about Bobby’s interest in fatherhood.

    Angry and hurt over the deception, Carol and Bobby strive to cope with this newly discovered reality. They struggle to overcome harmful secrets and years of lies to decide whether they have a future. Neither of them realize how every waking moment they move closer to the serial killer who harbors an unnatural and deadly obsession. With the beautiful Carol locked in Richmond Red’s sites, the clock is ticking down to her destruction. Will the two find love, or is their sonata striking a dangerous final chord?

    The author on her emotions while writing the novel:

    “I’ve realized as I was writing A Carol for Kent that, whenever I wrote the serial killer scene or wrote in the journal of the serial killer, I was kind of done for the day. I started analyzing that and trying to decide why and I think that the reason is because the the way that I write when I am writing a scene I’m completely immersed in that scene. So it’s like I hear it, I see it, I taste it, I smell it. Where the characters are is where I am also… and so I guess that there’s a part of me that also emotionally dives into the character too, because in A Carol for Kent that serial killer was the darkest character I have ever dug into in the point of view. I’ve had bad guys, but never like a truly evil point of view.”

    Hallee Bridgeman

  • Best Christian Romance Books,  Best Romantic Suspense Books

    An Aria for Nick by Hallee Bridgeman

    The Only Man who can Save her Life Has been Dead for a Decade…

    Raised in a loving home, Aria Suarez dreamed of becoming a professional pianist happily married to her high school crush. After the only boy who ever caught her eye dies a hero’s death and her wrist is shattered along with her future plans, she turns her brilliant musical mind to nuclear engineering and solving mysteries of science. Abandoned to an abusive father at five, Nick Williams grew up dreaming of escape; of enlisting in the Army and leaving his wretched life behind; of proving himself worthy of the girl he loves. But the crucible of combat offers only the escape of death.

    A decade later, Aria uncovers a nuclear plot that threatens the heart of our very nation. Sinister forces surround and threaten her when, out of nowhere, the man who reportedly died so many years before returns as if from the grave — intent on protecting her.
    Has God finally joined them together?
    Or is Aria doomed to mourn Nick twice?

    The author on her character Nick Williams:

    “Nick is such a deep character who has suffered so much in life that you just find yourself rooting for Aria and him to be together so that maybe some of his demons will quiet.”

    Hallee Bridgeman

  • Best Christian Romance Books,  Best Romantic Suspense Books

    A Melody for James by Hallee Bridgeman

    Solitary strangers meet during a stormy stopover. Hours later, their hearts hum a harmonious duet.

    Melody Mason has the hottest female voice in the country music scene. But the cheers of throngs of adoring fans mean little in the absence of the handsome stranger who rescued her years before. Widower James Montgomery has never forgotten her. He prays God can bring her back. Incredible events finally bring them face to face again. Together at last, they realize the bond between them has miraculously risen to a crescendo, melodiously marrying them like strong symphonic chords. Uncannily, they learn they share more in common than they could have ever imagined. They know God reunited them for a purpose.

    Sinister forces threaten to destroy their new found happiness. The couple must work in close concert, placing all their faith in God as they solve the deadly mystery that ties their lives inexplicably together. Fire, loss, and bloodshed cannot shake their faith in God to see them through as they face a percussive climax that leaves hearts and lives forever changed.

    The author on her character James Montgomery:

    “The main character in aMelody for James, James Montgomery, is autistic. I never say it in the book, and I’ve had five people call me out on it, but it’s not at all in any way shape or form part of the book other than that’s who he is and his personality. A friend of mine a couple weeks ago was all excited because I had normalized an autistic character without making it be like this thing–this label,this negative space.”

    Hallee Bridgeman

  • Best Historical Romance Books

    Three Weeks to Wed by Ella Quinn

    Meet the soon-to-be Earl and Countess of Worthington in the first book in a dazzling series…

    Lady Grace Carpenter is ready to seize the day—or rather, the night—with the most compelling man she’s ever known. Marriage would mean losing guardianship of her beloved siblings, and surely no sane gentleman will take on seven children not his own. But if she can have one anonymous tryst with Mattheus, Earl of Worthington, Grace will be content to live out the rest of her life as a spinster. 

    Matt had almost given up hope of finding a wife who could engage his mind as well as his body. And now this sensual, intelligent woman is offering herself to him. What could be more perfect? Except that after one wanton night, the mysterious Grace refuses to have anything to do with him. Amid the distractions of the Season he must convince her, one delicious encounter at a time, that no obstacle—or family—is too much for a man who’s discovered his heart’s desire . . .

    The author on how she discovers her characters:

    “My characters discover me! It started with my first book. I’ve followed my characters ever since. They literally come up and introduce themselves to me.”

    Ella Quinn

  • Best Romantic Suspense Books

    Overflow by Brynne Asher

    There’s nothing like getting caught in the middle of an FBI raid to change your life…

    That’s what happens to Gabrielle Carpino. Just when she forced herself to move on with life after tragedy touched her family, she finds herself thrown into a tailspin so swift, she can’t find her bearings. Being cuffed and patted down by Special Agent Jude Ortiz is enough to wake anyone up. With his dark chocolate eyes and commanding ways, Gabby can’t resist. And between battling criminals, flooded basements, fantasy football drafts, and her crazy Italian family, Jude also finds himself unable to resist her charms.  

    That doesn’t mean he isn’t wrestling feelings he hasn’t allowed in years. Nightmares that are his reality have paralyzed him from living a full life. Yet, he can’t help himself when it comes to her and Jude moves in to watch over Gabby. But just when life seems to be settling down, demons surface from the past. Horrific ones that carry a vengeance so evil, no one saw them coming.

    The author on three characteristics of her writing style:

    “My heroines are very important to me. I hope they are all strong in their own way, yet still feminine.I love secondary characters–they add so much to a story… Finally, a book that has a balance is important to me. I like angst, drama, humor, and suspense. But too much of one thing in a book can drag it down.”

    Brynne Asher

  • Best Romantic Suspense Books

    Shattered With You by J. Kenner

    Charismatic. Dangerous. Sexy as hell. Meet the elite team at Stark Security.

    Quincy Radcliffe has fast become a key asset at the newly formed Stark Security. A former British agent with lethal skills and criminal connections, it’s a no-brainer for him to rise through the ranks. But Quincy isn’t the man he appears to be. And one woman could expose all his secrets. Once, he worshipped Eliza Tucker. He adored her body and then broke her heart. But now she needs help, and he’s the only man that can do it. Quincy knows he must either turn his back on her or risk revealing his dark past to the one woman who can—and will—tear open his old wounds.

    For years, Eliza has tried to forget the man who shattered her. His smoldering good looks had drawn her in; his British charm had enchanted her. But it was the wildness of his seduction and the ferocity of his passion that captured her. She’d given herself to him—and he’d destroyed her. Now, he’s the only person who can help find her missing sister. She’ll use him because she has to. She’ll pay anything he demands, whether in the bank or the bedroom. She won’t fall for him again. But what if it isn’t her choice to make?

    The author on writing damaged male leads:

    “Oh, I could get all psychoanalytical, but I think the bottom line is that the classic story that love heals. Your hero (or your heroine or both) is damaged. Broken. But once they find their other half – once they find the person who completes them – then they’re healed and they can make their way to their happily ever after. Love conquers all …”

    J. Kenner

  • Best Christian Romance Books

    Shade of Blue by Karen Kingsbury

    A fairytale future. A Checkered past. A decision awaits.

    In between a checkered past and a fairytale future, a decision awaits. Brad Cutler, twenty-eight, is a rising star at his New York ad agency, about to marry the girl of his dreams. Anyone would agree he has it all—a great career, a beautiful and loving fiancée, and a fairy tale life ahead of him … when memories of a high school girlfriend begin to torment him.

    Lost innocence and one very difficult choice flood his conscience, and he is no longer sure what the future will bring except for this: He must go back to the shores of Holden Beach in search of his first love, and a forgiveness neither of them has ever known. Three people must work through the repercussions of a decision made long ago before any of them can look toward a new future.

    A Snippet from her interview of the novel on YouTube:

    Shades of Blue is a story that I’ve been wanting to write for several years. I realized that I could not write a book about healing and forgiveness after abortion without being honest about my story.”

    Karen Kingsbury

  • Best Contemporary Romance Novels

    Forever This Time by Maggie McGinnis

    Snowflake Village might hold more than just ghosts from the past. It might hold the possibility of a second chance at love…

    Boston therapist Josie Kendrew specializes in helping other people mend their broken hearts, but her own heart is another story. After years of putting distance between herself and her childhood home, she’s forced to rush back to Echo Lake, Vermont when her father has a stroke, but once she arrives, painful memories threaten to send her driving right back out of town. Between her sweet “little sister” and Ethan Miller, the boy she left behind, Josie finds herself face-to-face with a pain she’s not sure she can endure. Ethan is now—wow—all man, and he’s sitting in the CFO chair of Snowflake Village, her family’s Christmas-themed amusement park … a place noted by journalists as charming and sweet and festive, but a place she’s derisively called Camp Ho-Ho forever—or at least since she was old enough to watch the twinkly lights and endless hours destroy her parents.

    Ethan Miller never set out to be the one left behind, but when Josie blew out of town ten years ago with no explanation, suddenly that’s who he was. After a week spent mostly in a Jim Beam haze, he tucked her engagement ring in a drawer and set out to make a life for himself, though their history gnaws at him every day he walks the pathways of Snowflake Village. A lot has changed since Josie fled, so when she drives back in, a mixture of angry, scared, and sad, he has no idea whether she’ll stay … or leave him shattered once again.

    A review on the novel:

    “Launching the Echo Lake contemporary series, McGinnis weaves an engrossing and uplifting tale of enduring love.”

    Publishers Weekly

  • Best Contemporary Romance Novels

    If I Never Met You by Mhairi McFarlane

    If faking love is this easy… how do you know when it’s real?

    When her partner of over a decade suddenly ends things, Laurie is left reeling—not only because they work at the same law firm and she has to see him every day. Her once perfect life is in shambles and the thought of dating again in the age of Tinder is nothing short of horrifying. When news of her ex’s pregnant girlfriend hits the office grapevine, taking the humiliation lying down is not an option. Then a chance encounter in a broken-down elevator with the office playboy opens up a new possibility.

    Jamie Carter doesn’t believe in love, but he needs a respectable, steady girlfriend to impress their bosses. Laurie wants a hot new man to give the rumor mill something else to talk about. It’s the perfect proposition: a fauxmance played out on social media, with strategically staged photographs and a specific end date in mind. With the plan hatched, Laurie and Jamie begin to flaunt their new couple status, to the astonishment—and jealousy—of their friends and colleagues. But there’s a fine line between pretending to be in love and actually falling for your charming, handsome fake boyfriend…

    The author on the genre of chick lit/romantic comedy novels:

    “I’m not sure I’m placed to say it’s evolving. I definitely want it to feel like feminism is a thing, but those two things shouldn’t be separate. I mean, you write about women’s lives, why isn’t feminism inherent? I hope Twilight and Fifty Shades are a blip and we get back to spirited, confident, intelligent women. The trouble with romantic comedy is obviously: how does the girl get the guy? That’s the plot, but you’ve got to be very careful that the girl doesn’t get defined by the bloke.”

    Mhairi McFarlane

  • Best Gothic Romance,  Best Historical Romance Books

    Seduced by a Stranger by Eve Silver

    When Catherine Weston journeys to Cairncroft Abbey, she meets Gabriel St. Aubyn and must decide if he is a monster or a man she dares to love.

    Destitute and desperate, Catherine Weston accepts the summons from her childhood friend Madeline St. Aubyn to attend her at Cairncroft Abbey, a place of secrets, lies, and murder. Madeline’s health is in a poor state and she is terrified of her cousin, Gabriel. But Gabriel has quite a different effect on Catherine, stirring longings and desires she believed long buried.

    Gabriel St. Aubyn is haunted by the horrors of both his past and his present, horrors he conceals behind a remote, unapproachable facade. He is drawn to Catherine but is determined to protect her from the tragedies that yet have claws sunk deep in his soul. 

    Then a young woman is found dead, and Madeline’s ravings point to a link between this horrific crime and Gabriel—and Catherine must decide if he is a man worthy of her love or a sinister stranger determined to make her his next victim.

    A review on Seduced by a Stranger:

    “Eve Silver’s talent for formulating a gripping story is in a class all its own…Her tales are going to have you at the edge of your seat in wonder, and her heroes will undoubtedly cause your heart to pound in more ways than one”

    Barbara, 123 Books