• Best Christian Romance Books,  Best Historical Romance Books

    Kari by Miriam Minger

    A sweet Western historical romance series that reminds us angels are near and love is where you least expect to find it…

    Still grieving the loss of her mother, Kari Hagen leaves her younger siblings behind and travels to Walker Creek, Texas. She promised to deliver a letter to her mother’s first love, so now she just has to find him. Should she accept an offer of assistance from that tall cowboy who’s as handsome as any man she’s ever seen? The sooner she gives the letter to Mr. Caleb Walker, the sooner Kari can start earning money as a seamstress for train fare back to her family in Minnesota. Seth Davis isn’t expecting any surprises when he meets the train. He plans to pick up his uncle’s new racehorse and head back to Walker Creek Ranch. Yet what about that pretty little miss standing alone on the platform…all honey-gold curls, blue calico, and no taller than his chin? Is she lost? He’s never seen her before, though she looks oddly familiar, something telling Seth that his day just got a whole lot more interesting.

    A 5-star review:

    “Kari really touched my heart. It was about the overcoming of prejudices, forgiveness, acceptance, and pure love that happened. You have to believe in the possibility off angels and just plain Christian romance. Its suspense is great and keeps you on the edge but also with so many other emotional aspects too this book; it’s too much to describe. Reading it will give you a warm homey feeling of love and courage with strength that you never thought possible. I loved it.”
    Shamika L. Bland  – Goodreads

     

     

  • Best Contemporary Romance Novels

    The Patriot by Jennifer Millikin

    I’m a soldier. A cattle rancher. A Hayden.

    My family’s legacy is spread out in front of me, just waiting for me to seize it. If it weren’t for one outdated rule, I’d be the owner of the Hayden Cattle Company and my aging father could retire. When Dakota Wright shows up to buy and develop twenty acres of Hayden land, I see more than a pretty mouth and strawberry blonde hair. I see a way around the decree keeping me from getting what I want. And, as luck would have it, Dakota has a big problem of her own. We strike two deals: one for the land, and a second that’ll make both our problems a distant memory. It isn’t too long before I realize I’m in over my head. I’ve convinced myself the ends should justify the means, but everything begins to fall apart when my birthright is no longer all that I’m after. I never thought there’d be anything I could love more than my ranch and my country. I was wrong. Turns out, I want it all. Including her.

    A 5-star review:

    “Throughout the whole book, I could see a change in both Dakota and Wes gradually and see this beautiful relationship evolve from the hurt and anger of being left alone to something inseparable and worth fight for! I highly recommend this fast paced story about second chances and taking risks in life.”
    Lauren frm Lala’s book reviews

     

     

  • 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

     

     

  • Best Christian Romance Books

    Leaving November by Deborah Raney

    There’s one thing she’s vowed to never abide in a man… could the horrible rumors be true? Is her life repeating itself?

    Eight years ago, Vienne Kenney moved away from Clayburn and all its gossip to pursue a law degree in California. But now she has failed the bar exam again. Is she destined to be stuck forever, a failure—just like her father—in this tiny Kansas town? Nine months ago, Jackson Linder left Clayburn with no explanation to anybody. Now he, too, is back. He isn’t sure he’s ready to face the rumors and well-meaning questions of the town’s busybodies. Yet he’s determined, once more, to make his art gallery a success—despite the secret that haunts him every day… The author’s faith in her writing process:

    “I love that my research is often like a Bible Study, as I try to discover what God’s Word says about the situations my characters find themselves in. In addition, as a writer of Christian novels, I’ve become friends with other Christian writers who enrich my life immensely with their perspective on spiritual matters. Very often, writing feels more like worship than work. And that is a blessing beyond words.”
    Deborah Raney

     

     

  • Best Historical Romance Books

    One Wylde Night by Chasity Bowlin

    A wallflower, a man trying to ferret out a blackmailer, and a fake betrothal… 

    Branded a wallflower along with her twin sister and her cousins, Miss Felicity Wylde has set out for London under the less than watchful eye of her eccentric aunt for one final season and one last chance to catch a husband. But her sister has convinced her it’s also a last chance for adventure. Goaded into attending a scandalous party, Felicity soon realizes her mistake. The women present are not ladies and men, though titled, are far from gentlemen. Closeting herself in the study, she hides there only to find herself trapped when a quarreling couple invade that space. Lord Phinneas Merrick attended Lord Hadley’s bacchanal as a means to an end. His entire relationship with the notoriously hot tempered cyprian, La Belle Rose, had been a carefully crafted ruse to gain entree to a particular set and ferret out a blackmailer in their debauched midst. But when he discovers a shockingly innocent young woman hiding in the study where his entanglement with the infamous demirep has come to a crashing end, he knows that the first order of business must be to remove her from that house before the unthinkable happens. But he can’t wash his hands of her so quickly. Not when the blackmailer has them in his sights. With her reputation and his honor hanging in the balance, Phin must convince her to a very public and very fake betrothal. There’s only one problem… the longer their fake betrothal lasts, the more he desperately wants to make her his.

    A 5-star review:

    “Another great book by Chasity Bowlin, One Wilde Night, kept me thoroughly entertained. I love Chasity Bowlin’s books and her feminine characters. Felicity is a woman hoping for some more adventure in her life but that desire leads her into trouble. Phinn is a character with an intriguing sense of honour and I really appreciated the relationship that developed between the two. Book 1 in a new series is an intriguing mixture of romance and suspense and I am really looking forward to book two.”
    Anne–Goodreads

     

     

  • Best Contemporary Romance Novels

    The Island House by Elana Johnson

    Charlotte Madsen’s whole world came crashing down six months ago with the words, “I met someone else.”

    Thirty-seven, recently divorced, and childless. That’s Charlotte when she disembarks from the plane in Getaway Bay. She thought the best way to do that was to buy a run-down house overlooking the bay. She’s hoping as she overhauls the house, she’ll get a life makeover too. She was not expecting a tall, handsome man to be under the kitchen sink when she arrives at the supposedly abandoned house. And she certainly wasn’t expecting her heart to be well enough to feel anything for anyone. But former Air Force pilot, Dawson Dane, has a charming devil-may-care personality, and Charlotte could use some carefree laughter in her life. But everything with Dawson isn’t sunshine and unicorns. He’s estranged from his family, though he does speak to one of his brothers. And he’s never committed to anything except his career, even choosing flying over an engagement years ago. Can Charlotte navigate the healing process as she renovates the island house? Can Dawson finally make a commitment to a woman? Or will he and Charlotte decide a relationship is just too hard?

    A 5-star review:

    “This was such a sweet story about starting over when the life you knew is no longer yours… I really enjoyed watching this pair as they healed from those old open wounds and learned to trust one another and themselves. Remember, no matter where you go, there you are. You may be able to run from your life and problems for a time, but you can’t hide from yourself forever.”
    Kristen Lewendon–Goodreads

     

     

  • Best Historical Romance Books

    The Commander’s Desire by Jennette Green

    She must decide: betray allegiance to her kingdom–or her enemy who is quickly claiming her heart.

    Princess Elwytha wants revenge on the monster who murdered her brother. In a false exchange for peace, she offers herself in marriage to the enemy Prince. The plan? Kill the Prince’s battle-scarred Commander–the man who ended King Thor’s life with one filthy sword thrust through the back. To her horror, the Commander agrees to take Elwytha as his bride. Worse, the wedding date will be sooner than expected. Not all is lost, however. Now she has more opportunity to be alone with him–and exact justice. But the deed is not so easy now. Fighting her innate sense of honor, she begins to see the ironclad integrity of the man behind the scars. And with this knowledge comes doubt. Did he slay her brother? What exactly is the new king’s plan? Whom can she trust? Elwytha must decide well, for more than her life is at stake. Soon she must betray either allegiance to her kingdom–or the man who is quickly claiming her heart.

    5 Star Reviews

    “A very nice play on my favorite Beauty And The Beast theme, THE COMMANDER’S DESIRE pairs a beautiful warrior-princess with an ugly giant… It is a touching and wonderful tale.” – Stephie, Cupid’s Library Reviews
    “The Commander’s Desire is a historical novel that reaches you deep down to your soul….Simply stated, I loved this book.” – Cindy K. Green, WRDF Reviews

    Historical background for the novel, from the author:

    “This sweet (rated PG-13) historical romance takes place in 715 A.D. in Galwyddel, which is modern day southern Scotland. The 6th to 8th centuries were a time when many small Briton kingdoms warred for preeminence in this area, although Northumbria, a giant power to the east, ruled them from afar. In this book, Elwytha’s kingdom and the Commander’s land have been at war for almost a century, and distrust of the enemy has been bred deep into her soul.” – Jennette Green

     

     

  • Best Contemporary Romance Novels

    I Want to Hold your Hand by Marie Force

    For the Abbott siblings, the Green Mountain state has always been an idyllic place to call home. But it isn’t until they open themselves up to love that they’ll truly discover how fulfilling life can be…

    Almost seven years after losing her husband in Iraq, Hannah Abbott Guthrie isn’t sure she’s ready—or able—to move on, but the attentions of a lifelong friend are making her think about it for the first time. The memory of the sweet kiss she shared with Nolan Roberts hasn’t strayed far from her thoughts, but she also fears that pursuing something with him would mean betraying her husband’s memory. Nolan has loved Hannah for years, but he’d been giving her the space she needed to heal from her devastating loss. Now, when an opportunity arises to show her how he feels, Nolan can’t resist, but he knows earning her love will take more than a kiss. Somehow he has to prove to Hannah that finding love twice in a lifetime is possible—and well worth risking her heart. The author’s favorite inspirational quote:

    Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.
    Calvin Coolidge

     

     

  • Best Christian Romance Books,  Best Romantic Suspense Books

    Secrets at Cedar Cabin by Colleen Coble

    Her mother lied about her identity and her husband wasn’t who she thought he was. Can Bailey even trust herself anymore?

    Running for her life in the wake of her mother’s murder, Bailey Fleming escapes to the only place she can think of—a remote, dilapidated cabin in Lavender Tides. Intending to finally get to the truth behind the lies of her past, Bailey only finds more questions when bodies are discovered near her cabin hideout along with traces of a dangerous human trafficking ring. In an unlikely partnership with FBI agent Lance Phoenix, Bailey races to understand the mystery surrounding her life and circumstances before the murderer tracks her down. Meanwhile, Lance is determined to rescue his sister, Ava, who was abducted after running away from home as a teenager. An unexpected lead brings him to the remote cabin, and he wonders if Bailey—with her suspicious past and strange connections to his sister’s case—is really who she claims to be and if she can somehow lead him to Ava.

    A five-star review on the novel:

    “From beginning to end, Coble’s conclusion to the Lavender Tides series kept me riveted and riding the action-packed suspense. I loved that all the characters from previous books appeared in this book, and many of the loose story plots were brought to wonderful conclusions.”
    Loraine –Goodreads

     

     

  • Best Historical Romance Books

    Not Like a Lady by Judith Lynne

    She could lose everything if she can’t behave. She can’t behave.

    Letty’s lost everything but one friend, and her horse. She desperately needs to convince the fierce baronet to buy any horse but hers. Now she’s causing her own problems, because she cannot stop touching a man she’d been prepared to hate.

    The only way Sir Michael Grantley knows how to be the baronet of Roseford is to do what his father did. But he’s not his father, he’s a salty ex-sailor who lost half a leg in the war and has a far worse temper than his father ever did. Struggling to fill his father’s role, he’s desperate to get outdoors again – but for that he needs a biddable horse he can ride. He’s not prepared for the horse to come with a woman who wants her own life… and who decides that the key to her future is helping him ride again.

    Letty has never been anything even close to a lady. Sir Michael imagines that the lady of Roseford Manor will be like his mother: calm and elegant. Neither of them can resist the one person they ought to refuse.

    The author on the character Sir Michael:

    “Some people’s fantasies may include men who are mean, or transforming men who are mean, but mine don’t. Michael is never mean. When he’s thoughtless or dumb, he corrects himself. And he shows with his actions every day that his gruffness hides a big goofy heart.”
    Judith Lynne