• Best Romantic Suspense Books

    Inheritance by Nora Roberts

    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

     

     

  • Best Contemporary Romance Novels

    The Last Honest Woman by Nora Roberts

    The widow of race car legend, family secrets and a mysterious past, and handsome journalist that wants to get to the bottom of this mysterious woman of integrity…

    Abigail O’Hurley Rockwell’s husband was a racing car legend behind the wheel, winning championships with a fearless skill and speed that claimed his life in a tragic and—some would say—reckless crash. Heartbroken, Abby wants nothing more than to raise her two sons in peace, but journalist Dylan Crosby is penning a book about her infamous husband’s life, determined to expose the man’s hidden past. But Abby is not a spoiled trophy wife Dylan can easily charm. She is a woman of integrity and mystery desperate to keep him at arm’s length—even as their desires for one another are on an unalterable collision course. How the author honed her talent:

    “I imagine every teacher helped. I joke about the nuns, but the fact is the discipline that they drum into education sticks. You can have all the talent in the world but if you don’t have the discipline to sit down and write on a regular basis, you’re not going to write or publish any books.”
    Nora Roberts

     

     

  • Best Contemporary Romance Novels

    The Pride of Jared MacKade by Nora Roberts

    For Jared, would it be cold pride – or warm bride?

    Jared MacKade always fights for what’s right. As a kid he was competitive, and that spirit has continued in his career as an attorney. So when a challenge arrives in the form of stubborn single mother Savannah Morningstar, Jared won’t be deterred by her cool and defensive attitude—quite the opposite. Jared is drawn in by the strong woman, and though Savannah is prepared to keep her guard up, Jared knows what he wants. Not only is he interested in Savannah, he’s grown to love her son too. The former bad boy has always longed for a family of his own, and now that he’s found the one woman he wants to come home to, Jared is ready to shed his pride and take a chance on love.

    A 5-star review:

    “I loved this book and it was all because of Savannah. Usually the heroines in romance books are indirect and too willing to be led by the man. When the hero is the one directing all the action because he makes the moves, initiates things, and so on, I get tired of the heroine. Savannah wasn’t that kind of heroine. She was determined, bad tempered at times – but also warm . The balance between her being temperamental and reasonable enough to apologize was excellent.”
    Kelly Kleeb – Goodreads