• Book cover of June First
    Best Contemporary Romance Novels,  Best Romantic Suspense Books

    June First by Jennifer Hartmann

    book cover for June First

    Are you ready for a heartbreaking forbidden love story that will leave you breathless? A slow-burn, taboo romance about the kind of love that defies rules—and changes everything.

    Want to know what happens to a man who barely claws his way out of a tragedy, only to fall right into the arms of the one girl in the world he isn’t allowed to love? Another tragedy, that’s what.

    When Brant was six years old, his father made a choice that altered the course of his entire life. Because of what he did, the only girl Brant ever loved became the only girl he couldn’t have. Though in a lot of ways, he did have her… He had her first steps, her first words, her first smile. He had her milestones, her heartbreaks, her dreams. He had her heart so woven in with his, he didn’t know where she ended, and he began. Only, as the years pressed on, lines became blurred—and the blurrier the line, the easier it is to cross.

    They say tragedy comes in threes. For Brant, that was true. The first one changed him, the second one broke him, and the third one healed him. But at the center of all that tragedy, there is a love story. And at the center of that love story, there is June.

    A 6 star review of the novel:

    “An astonishing tale of family ties, loss, and forbidden love comes alive through Jennifer Hartmann’s sublime writing and deeply human characters in a novel that is so beautifully written and thought out, you’ll want to reread it almost as soon as you reach the end.”

    Natasha is a book junkie

     

     

  • Book cover of Someone to Believe In
    Best Contemporary Romance Novels

    Someone to Believe In by Kathryn Shay

    book cover for Someone to Believe In

    He’s a Senator and believes in the rule of law. She’s trying to get kids out of gangs…by any means.

    Bailey O’Neil, aka, the Street Angel, has been the arch enemy of Senator Clay Wainwright since he was a district attorney and she a young, idealistic social worker. He put her in jail for harboring a teen offender and never looked back. Eleven years later, she’s a thorn in his side as an anti-gang specialist trying to get kids out of gangs. While Clay wants to put them in jail, Bailey is determined to help these troubled teenagers make good lives for themselves. But when Bailey and Clay are thrown together on the mayor’s task force, the impossible happens—they’re attracted to each other. Their passion erupts early on, and only grows stronger the further they get into a relationship. When they fall deeply in love, their conflicting views drive a wedge between them.Can the Street Angel and the Senator find a way to deal with their differences and make a life together?
     
    A high review of the novel:

    “Once again, Shay shines in this starkly realistic story of gang members and people involved in prevention and intervention programs. Shay pulls no punches when describing brutal events, and secondary characters . . . are especially well developed. This powerful story will stay with readers long after they finish the book.”

    Shelley Mosley, American Library Association

     

     

  • Book cover of Leaving Home
    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

     

     

  • Book cover of Dreaming of Provence
    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

     

     

  • Book cover of Azalea
    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