• Book cover of Montana Creeds Logan
    Best Contemporary Romance Novels

    Montana Creeds: Logan by Linda Lael Miller

    Descendants of the legendary McKettrick family, the Creeds are renowned in Stillwater Springs, Montana—for raising hell.

    After years of wandering, Logan Creed, a cowboy with a dusty law degree, has returned home to Stillwater Springs, Montana. To put down roots and reconnect with his brothers, to restore his family’s neglected ranch . . . to have kids of his own. Divorced mom Briana Grant has heard all the stories about her very attractive new neighbor and his less-than-attractive reputation. So Logan’s kindness to her young boys is a welcome surprise, especially when her ex reappears and an unknown enemy vandalizes her home. That’s when Logan shows Briana—and the people of Big Sky country—just what he’s made of.

    The author on her favorite part of the writing process:

    “Once I’ve picked up speed and really gotten to know the characters, the story seems to fly along, and I have to hurry to keep up. I love it when the story becomes real to me — I often say it’s like watching a movie in my head and writing down what I see.”

    Linda Lael Miller

     

     

  • Book cover of Inheritance
    Best Romantic Suspense Books

    Inheritance by Nora Roberts

    Inheritance book cover

    1806: Astrid Poole sits in her bridal clothes, overwhelmed with happiness. But before her marriage can be consummated, she is murdered, and the circle of gold torn from her finger. Her last words are a promise to Collin never to leave him…

    Graphic designer Sonya MacTavish is stunned to learn that her late father had a twin he never knew about—and that her newly discovered uncle, Collin Poole, has left her almost everything he owned, including a majestic Victorian house on the Maine coast, which the will stipulates she must live in it for at least three years. Her engagement recently broken, she sets off to find out why the boys were separated at birth—and why it was all kept secret until a genealogy website brought it to light.

    Trey, the young lawyer who greets her at the sprawling clifftop manor, notes Sonya’s unease—and acknowledges that yes, the place is haunted…but just a little. Sure enough, Sonya finds objects moved and music playing out of nowhere. She sees a painting by her father inexplicably hanging in her deceased uncle’s office, and a portrait of a woman named Astrid, whom the lawyer refers to as “the first lost bride.” It’s becoming clear that Sonya has inherited far more than a house. She has inherited a centuries-old curse, and a puzzle to be solved if there is any hope of breaking it…

    The author, responding to the apparent divergence ” from the real-world challenges women are facing in ways that maybe [her] earlier books didn’t”:

    “I’m not writing about current events. I’m writing fiction. And in Inheritance, the main female character also starts her own business. She has to go out on her own, has to meet challenges. And certainly living in a haunted house is a challenge.”

    Nora Roberts–New York times

     

     

  • Book cover of Grace
    Best Historical Romance Books

    Grace by Beverley Watts

    In this Regency romantic comedy series, the Shackleford sisters descend on a Regency society that doesn’t know what’s hit it…

    Reverend Augustus Shackleford’s mission in life (aside from ensuring the collection box was suitably full every Sunday) was to secure advantageous marriages for each of his eight daughters. A tall order, given the fact that in the Reverend’s opinion they didn’t possess a single ladylike bone in the eight bodies they had between them. Quite where he would find a wealthy titled gentleman bottle headed enough to take any of them on remained a mystery and indeed was likely to test even his legendary resourcefulness. Grievously wounded at the Battle of Trafalgar, Nicholas Sinclair was only recently returned to Blackmore after receiving news of his estranged father’s unexpected death. After an absence of twenty years, the new Duke was well aware it was his duty to marry and produce an heir as quickly as possible. However, tormented by recurring nightmares after his horrific experiences during the battle, Nicholas had no taste to brave the ton’s marriage mart in search of a docile obedient wife. Never in his wildest dreams did Reverend Shackleford envisage receiving an offer for his eldest daughter from the new Duke of Blackmore. Of course, the Reverend was well aware he was fudging it a bit in describing Grace as respectful, meek or dutiful, nevertheless, he could never have imagined that his eldest daughter’s unruliness might end up ruining them all. A 5 star review:

    “Although this book is sad and moving at times, it is also hilariously funny. Grace and Nicholas’ story is charming even if the path to true love is filled with potholes! Augustus has me in stitches as he really doesn’t get his part in what goes wrong. His curate, Percy, well and truly has a cross to bear! Really enjoyable!.”

    Shirley Hamlod–Goodreads

     

     

  • Book cover of Never Let Me Go
    Best Contemporary Romance Novels

    Never Let Me Go by Elena Aitken

    He’s not looking for love, but she’s the sunshine to his grump and six months is a long time to deny his desire.

    Chase never fit in with his big tight-knit family. Always on the outside looking in, as soon as he could, he left small-town life—and his family—behind. Now, a clause in his father’s will has forced him home for Six. Long. Months. Sunshiny and oh-so-sexy, Annie is just the distraction that Chase needs until he can put his hometown in the rearview for good. The last thing he expects is to develop any actual feelings for her, or the young boy she’s raising, but the longer Chase stays in town, the more attached he becomes. All too soon, time is running out, the stakes are high, and Chase can’t decide what’s more dangerous. Leaving for good. Or staying.

    The author on her goal as a writer:

    “My number one goal has always been to be able to reach someone with my stories. It’s always my hope that someone can pick up my book and be totally immersed in the story that they don’t want to put it down. But it’s when I hear that my story touched them in someway or made them think, or even opened a dialogue with someone they care about, that I know I’ve achieved my goal.”

    Elena Aitken

     

     

  • Book cover of The Next Mrs. Blackthorne
    Best Contemporary Romance Novels

    The Next Mrs. Blackthorne by Joan Johnston

    Who will she be?

    A lavish summer wedding is being planned at Bitter Creek ranch. In one month, Clay Blackthorne will wed socialite Jocelyn Montrose. But when she hears stirrings of a corporate takeover by the family’s arch rival, North Grayhawk, Jocelyn covertly heads to North’s ranch to offer a valuable commodity—herself—if North will call off his plans. Striking a deal to spend the summer with the steely, seductive North, Jocelyn fails to see that her sacrifice to protect the man she loves may have dire consequences. Stunned by his fiancee’s rejection, Clay, a newly appointed federal judge, begins presiding over an incendiary terrorism trial, which brings him face to face with his first love, Libby Grayhawk. As tensions mount, forces beyond Clay’s control threaten the women most precious to him in the past and the present. And only in a daring act of sacrifice will he know which woman will become the next Mrs. Blackthorne. The author on why her Bitter Creek series is so popular:

    “The Bitter Creek series is about feuding families, the rich and powerful Blackthornes against the poor and struggling Creeds. I have written three historicals, and five modern-day novels in the Bitter Creek series, all involving the same families and their ancestors… I think people enjoy reading about the ongoing characters, how the feud got started, and what happens to the families next.”

    Joan Johnston