• Best Contemporary Romance Novels

    Leaving Home by Samantha Skye

    Book cover for Leaving Home Boston Billionaires

    I’m the most dangerous date in town. But what he doesn’t know can’t hurt him…right?

    When you’re the daughter of a top mobster, you get used to a certain pace of life. Hiding out, moving cities, dodging arranged marriages… My fight-or-flight response gets a workout, that’s for sure. Sebastian has always had my back, like the overprotective big brother he is — which is why I’m hiding out with him in Boston while I wait for this arranged marriage debacle to blow over. I’m not supposed to be making friends, but when Marco Marshall’s goofy golden retriever literally bowls me over, I can’t help but flirt a little with its handsome owner. He’s as rich as any one of my dad’s crusty old friends, but Marco has a heart as golden as his bouncy canine. I know he can’t handle the life I lead, but it’s hard to remember that when I’m in his arms. Problem is, we don’t have anyone’s blessing — and in my family, if you break the rules, you’ll get broken too.
    A 5 star review of the novel:

    “An enjoyable read and the first title I’ve read in this series. The plot of a mob daughter and a billionaire was interesting and well paced, especially with the dual point of view aspect. … I look forward to reading more from this series.”

    Brenda Hiatt

     

     

  • Best Contemporary Romance Novels

    Dreaming of Provence by Jennifer Skully

    dreaming of Provence book cover

    Some loves don’t let go. They just wait.

    Julia Bellerman thought she was done waiting. A trip to the lavender fields of Provence was supposed to be the end of it. The goodbye she never got. The closure she finally chose for herself. Then Ryder shows up. Her closest friend. Her first great love. The one she’s never fully stopped wanting. They’ve held the line for years. Kept things clean. Kept things safe. Buried what they used to be under something that almost feels like friendship. But Provence strips all of that away. Late nights. Warm wine. Too much honesty. Every look lingers. Every touch lands where it shouldn’t. The feelings aren’t gone. They never were. But going back means risking the one person she can’t afford to lose. And this time, if they get it wrong, there may be no way back. Will they finally choose each other, or spend the rest of their lives wondering?
    A positive review of the novel:

    “Dreaming of Provence is an incredible and poignant book that stands out amongst its genre, and one that captivated me from start to finish with ease!”

    Aimee – Red Headed Book Lover

     

     

  • Best Historical Romance Books

    Azalea by Brenda Hiatt

    Azalea book cover

    ‘Tis better to have loved and lost . . . or is it?

    To safeguard her future, orphaned Azalea’s grandfather arranges her marriage—in name only, of course, as she is not yet of age—to the son of his oldest friend, Lord Glaedon. Azalea, however, falls head over heels in love with her handsome new husband with all the impetuousness and romanticism of her youth before he sails back to England mere days after the wedding. When she learns of his death at sea, she is devastated.
     
    Six years later, Azalea honors her grandfather’s dying wish by sailing for England herself to recover her inheritance. Once there, she is stunned to discover that Christian, the beloved husband she has believed dead all this time, is quite definitely alive . . . but seems to have no memory whatsoever of their marriage, or of her! Even worse, he is betrothed . . . to her cousin. Can Azalea possibly force Christian—now the illustrious Earl of Glaedon—to remember the truth? Or must she somehow win him away from her dazzlingly beautiful cousin to prevent him from committing bigamy—and breaking her heart again?
    The author about this novel:

    “Azalea was the first book I ever wrote, though it received a lot of revision before finally seeing print as my seventh published book! Harlequin published it in 1994 as half of a 2-in-1 volume, Regency Diamonds, so I was delighted to finally give Azalea a chance to shine on its own!”

    Brenda Hiatt

     

     

  • Best Historical Romance Books

    Diamond of the Season by Tamara Gill

    Diamond of the Seasons book cover

    She should be choosing a husband…not aching for the duke who can never be hers.

    Lady Rosalind’s focus for the Season is clear—marry well and secure her sisters’ future. Yet every glance from the dangerously irresistible Duke of Ravensmere turns her resolve to ash. Nathaniel tries to keep his distance, but a single stolen kiss spins into temptation neither can control. As secrets unravel and jealousy sparks danger, Rosalind must decide how much she’s willing to risk for forbidden passion—and for the duke who holds her heart.
    The author on how she started writing:

    “I started writing when my second son was only about a year old and I was still home on maternity leave, not looking to go back to work since I had two small children. During that time, I started to read historical romance and just fell in love with the genre. I wasn’t a romance reader prior to this, but as soon as I opened my first Stephanie Laurens book I was a goner.”

    Tamara Gill

     

     

  • Best Christian Romance Books,  Best Clean and Wholesome Romance

    Marry Me, Cowboy by Willow White

    Marry Me, Cowboy book cover

    “Uh … a pregnant woman in a wedding dress just drove her truck into the side of our barn.”

    Minutes before walking down the aisle, Olivia realizes that she can’t marry a man she doesn’t love. With nowhere to go, she drives and drives until she crashes into a barn, waking Wyatt Honeywood from a sound sleep. With the rain plastering Olivia’s gown to her body, Wyatt can tell right away that she’s pregnant—but she isn’t. Olivia is determined to have a fresh start at life, and West Hope seems as good a place as any, especially with the handsome Wyatt around, but Wyatt is doing his best to ignore his simmering feelings for Olivia as he tries to reunite her with the nonexistent baby’s father. If Wyatt doesn’t confess his feelings soon, Olivia is going to ride off into the sunset. And the weirder Wyatt acts, the more Olivia is tempted to do just that—no matter how handsome and charming he is.
    A 5 star review for the novel:

    “I love this story! It is cute and funny with the right amount of feels! … Looking forward to reading about the brothers”

    Amazon