• Best Christian Romance Books,  Christmas Cheer

    The Mechanics of Mistletoe by Liz Isaacson

    He can be a teddy or a grizzly. She’s a genius with a wrench. Can the pretty mechanic tame this cowboy’s wild side, or will they both be left broken-hearted this Christmas?

    Bear Glover always thought he’d be just fine working his generational family ranch and going back to the homestead alone. But he’s had a crush on Samantha Benton for a while now, and he’s decided it’s time to do something about it. But his first date with Sammy is a spectacular disaster. But when three tornadoes hit Three Rivers, his first thought is of the beautiful woman he’d really like a second chance with.

    Sammy feels like she has to be the strong one in her family. Ever since her sister and her husband died, Sammy’s taken care of Lincoln, her sister’s son, and her aging parents. And three tornadoes? They’ve only added the weight of the world to Sammy’s shoulders. School’s been canceled, and she has nowhere for her eight-year-old to go.

    Bear knows exactly what to do with an eight-year-old boy on a ranch, and he offers to take Lincoln up to Shiloh Ridge Ranch with him every day. Bear has an answer for everything—which only makes Sammy feel weak. And she hates nothing more than feeling weak. Can Sammy realize that the Lord may have given her Bear so she doesn’t have to be strong all the time? Or will she sabotage their relationship this holiday season?

    A five star review of the book:

    “They’re both so strong and more than a bit stubborn. She especially thinks that accepting help shows weakness; she can’t quite bring herself to understand that supporting one another is not a weakness but is a strength that buoys both… The hero, Bear, is an especially complex character, having to be so strong for his family for so long and being so tough on the outside, but he has a tender heart and a way with the heroine’s adopted son that was so heartwarming… Such strong characters who deserve love and the person that matches their good hearts. You just wanted them to each get it together on a personal level and then just get together as a couple. A wonderful romantic read, whether you read it at Christmas or any other time.”

    Jamie Jack on Goodreads

  • Best Christian Romance Books,  Best Historical Romance Books

    Marrying Miss Marshal: Wild Wyoming Hearts by Lacy Williams

    She’s no lady… And he’s on a quest for revenge.

    Danna Carpenter is town marshal. And a darn good one. Even if she has to handle saloon brawls and rustlers alone. Who needs deputies anyway? All right, she’d welcome the help if any of the men in town would offer it. When a bank robbery goes bad, she has no choice but to accept the help of a city slicker…

    Chas O’Grady came West in search of cattle rustlers and found himself on the trail of a killer–one who took everything from him. Crossing paths with the pretty marshal was happenstance, but he can’t leave her deputy-less when she’s facing such grave danger.

    Everything changes when Chas and Danna are stranded together in a snowstorm. The town council forces a marriage. And attraction turns to something more… Will Chas give up his quest for revenge? Or will he lose the woman he loves forever?

    The author on the struggles of women in her novel:

    “Marrying Miss Marshall is about a woman town marshal in the Wild West. It is loosely based on to real life stories of women in law enforcement in the 1920s. One was a town marshal and one was a County Sheriff. As you can imagine these women faced a lot of obstacles in their careers. They had a really tough time doing the things that they needed to do because they were women, and that was
    something that I wanted readers to be able to experience in my story. My heroine faces a lot of challenges, including prejudice from the people that she’s trying to protect, and really the only person who will help her and come alongside her is the hero who is a tenderfoot from the big city.”

    Lacy Williams

  • Best Christian Romance Books

    For the Love of Joy by Janet W. Ferguson

    Is he married or isn’t he?

    Years ago, a Dear John letter and then an IED explosion overseas rocked Davis Donnelly’s world and left him unclear about his marital status. He’d signed divorce papers, but broken mentally and physically, he’d never bothered to find out if his marriage actually ended. Now that he’s about to start a new position as an outreach minister, it’s time to settle things once and for all. At the moment he tracks down his wife—or former wife?—she takes a tumble while chasing a little boy. Her son. And that’s when life flips upside down. 

    Joy Jennings Donnelly made her share of mistakes. But one thing she never considered a mistake was her child, and she’ll do anything to protect him. Even keep his paternity a secret. When she’s suddenly injured with not a soul to help her or her son, Joy is forced to rely on the man who has the most reasons to hate her. 

    What the author has learned through writing this novel:

    “My heroine Joy has a lot of mommy-guilt, the feeling where you feel you’re trying so hard to be a good mom, but are still failing your child. I realized I’ve had and still have a lot of that guilt even though my kids are in their mid-twenties. I know I could have done better at some things, but through writing this novel, I learned (am learning) that I have to give that to God, forgive myself, and just try to do the best I can with the days I’m given now.”

    Janet W. Ferguson

  • Best Christian Romance Books,  Best Romantic Suspense Books

    Night Fall by Susan Sleeman

    She faces dangerous situations all the time, but she has no idea what lurks in the shadows…

    Olympic downhill skier, Harper Young, knows what it’s like to look danger in the face. After all, she does it every time she races down a ski slope. She’s fine with that danger and even excels under the pressure, winning Olympic gold. And as a governor’s daughter, she’s familiar with receiving threats from the general public. But when a stalker turns his sights on Harper, she possesses zero skills to protect herself.

    Former Navy SEAL and ATF Agent, Aiden Byrd of Nighthawk Security is well versed in protection skills and knows the dangers she faces. Problem is, there’s an instant attraction between Aiden and Harper, and as Aiden and the Nighthawk team contract to protect her, he has to fight to remain professional. When the stalker grows bolder and tries to end Harper’s life, Aiden’s only hope in keeping her safe is to deny his feelings. Something that borders on impossible.

    The author on writing romantic suspense novels:

    “I write romantic suspense books because I love to read romantic suspense novels. Plots in the books I write usually come from news stories that peak my interest. I start thinking about the stories and ask myself questions until I can come up with an interesting plot filled with twists and turns. This all inspires me to create characters who will be conflicted over the main plot and soon their personalities are formed in my mind.”

    Susan Sleeman

  • Best Christian Romance Books,  Best Romantic Suspense Books

    A Harmony for Steve by Hallee Bridgeman

    Harmony and Steve draw closer and spiritual war wages when heaven meets hell.

    Christian contemporary singing sensation, daughter of Christian radio and media family counselor icons, Harmony Harper, has spent her entire life serving God. From teen sensation to celebrated adult Christian contemporary music artist, she regularly plays sold-out concerts everywhere she goes. Nearing thirty, and nearing burnout, Harmony heads to her mountain cabin hideaway to commune with Christ and compose some new music.

    Hard rocker Steve Slayer faces an ultimatum: keep rocking life the hard way and watch his organs fail due to addictions, or, sober up – for real this time – and live. Hiding out in the mountains of Oregon, he spends weeks detoxing. Finally strong enough to venture into town, he comes face to face with Harmony. Over the next several weeks, the two become unlikely friends as Steve learns to love and trust God, and mutual attraction surprises them both.

    Once news of their budding romance reaches the world, no one is happy. Not her people – not his people. Then letters written in blood start arriving. An attack on a concert threatens more than just their lives. Harmony and Steve realize the threats might just be real. Can Harmony and Steve discover who wants to destroy them, or will the enemy bring their house down in a dissonance that strikes at their very souls?

    The author on her emotions while writing the novel:

    “I was writing A Harmony for Steve, and… the antagonist is actually a satanic cult and so there’s a couple of really dark people in that cult… So, I started writing it and found myself writing darker and darker and darker even though I’m writing this, you know, Christian romantic suspense. But my writing got darker, and my personal countenance got darker, and I had to stop writing it. I put it aside wrote the Virtues and Valor series… then went back to a Harmony for Steve and shored myself up with prayer. Like, I know that this is the book I need to write, I know what has to be in it. I need the shield of these emotions as I’m writing it so that I can not drag myself into the darkness with it, and that worked! I was able to punch out the book and it was a really good book. It’s one of my favorites.”

    Hallee Bridgeman

  • Best Christian Romance Books,  Best Romantic Suspense Books

    A Carol for Kent by Hallee Bridgeman

    A Ruthless Serial Killer Seeks to End a Love Song Eight Years in the Making.

    Assistant Commonwealth Attorney Carol Mabry heads up an investigation into a string of stranglings in Virginia’s capital. The serial killer known as Richmond Red remorselessly snuffs out beautiful young women with violin strings before ritually enshrining their lovely lifeless bodies inside a pentagram of blood red candles. Country music superstar Bobby Kent makes an unscheduled return trip to his Virginia home for the first time in years. To his shock, he discovers that he and Carol have a young daughter, Lisa. His parents have kept Lisa hidden from him her entire life while simultaneously deceiving Carol about Bobby’s interest in fatherhood.

    Angry and hurt over the deception, Carol and Bobby strive to cope with this newly discovered reality. They struggle to overcome harmful secrets and years of lies to decide whether they have a future. Neither of them realize how every waking moment they move closer to the serial killer who harbors an unnatural and deadly obsession. With the beautiful Carol locked in Richmond Red’s sites, the clock is ticking down to her destruction. Will the two find love, or is their sonata striking a dangerous final chord?

    The author on her emotions while writing the novel:

    “I’ve realized as I was writing A Carol for Kent that, whenever I wrote the serial killer scene or wrote in the journal of the serial killer, I was kind of done for the day. I started analyzing that and trying to decide why and I think that the reason is because the the way that I write when I am writing a scene I’m completely immersed in that scene. So it’s like I hear it, I see it, I taste it, I smell it. Where the characters are is where I am also… and so I guess that there’s a part of me that also emotionally dives into the character too, because in A Carol for Kent that serial killer was the darkest character I have ever dug into in the point of view. I’ve had bad guys, but never like a truly evil point of view.”

    Hallee Bridgeman

  • Best Christian Romance Books,  Best Romantic Suspense Books

    An Aria for Nick by Hallee Bridgeman

    The Only Man who can Save her Life Has been Dead for a Decade…

    Raised in a loving home, Aria Suarez dreamed of becoming a professional pianist happily married to her high school crush. After the only boy who ever caught her eye dies a hero’s death and her wrist is shattered along with her future plans, she turns her brilliant musical mind to nuclear engineering and solving mysteries of science. Abandoned to an abusive father at five, Nick Williams grew up dreaming of escape; of enlisting in the Army and leaving his wretched life behind; of proving himself worthy of the girl he loves. But the crucible of combat offers only the escape of death.

    A decade later, Aria uncovers a nuclear plot that threatens the heart of our very nation. Sinister forces surround and threaten her when, out of nowhere, the man who reportedly died so many years before returns as if from the grave — intent on protecting her.
    Has God finally joined them together?
    Or is Aria doomed to mourn Nick twice?

    The author on her character Nick Williams:

    “Nick is such a deep character who has suffered so much in life that you just find yourself rooting for Aria and him to be together so that maybe some of his demons will quiet.”

    Hallee Bridgeman

  • Best Christian Romance Books,  Best Romantic Suspense Books

    A Melody for James by Hallee Bridgeman

    Solitary strangers meet during a stormy stopover. Hours later, their hearts hum a harmonious duet.

    Melody Mason has the hottest female voice in the country music scene. But the cheers of throngs of adoring fans mean little in the absence of the handsome stranger who rescued her years before. Widower James Montgomery has never forgotten her. He prays God can bring her back. Incredible events finally bring them face to face again. Together at last, they realize the bond between them has miraculously risen to a crescendo, melodiously marrying them like strong symphonic chords. Uncannily, they learn they share more in common than they could have ever imagined. They know God reunited them for a purpose.

    Sinister forces threaten to destroy their new found happiness. The couple must work in close concert, placing all their faith in God as they solve the deadly mystery that ties their lives inexplicably together. Fire, loss, and bloodshed cannot shake their faith in God to see them through as they face a percussive climax that leaves hearts and lives forever changed.

    The author on her character James Montgomery:

    “The main character in aMelody for James, James Montgomery, is autistic. I never say it in the book, and I’ve had five people call me out on it, but it’s not at all in any way shape or form part of the book other than that’s who he is and his personality. A friend of mine a couple weeks ago was all excited because I had normalized an autistic character without making it be like this thing–this label,this negative space.”

    Hallee Bridgeman

  • Best Christian Romance Books

    Shade of Blue by Karen Kingsbury

    A fairytale future. A Checkered past. A decision awaits.

    In between a checkered past and a fairytale future, a decision awaits. Brad Cutler, twenty-eight, is a rising star at his New York ad agency, about to marry the girl of his dreams. Anyone would agree he has it all—a great career, a beautiful and loving fiancée, and a fairy tale life ahead of him … when memories of a high school girlfriend begin to torment him.

    Lost innocence and one very difficult choice flood his conscience, and he is no longer sure what the future will bring except for this: He must go back to the shores of Holden Beach in search of his first love, and a forgiveness neither of them has ever known. Three people must work through the repercussions of a decision made long ago before any of them can look toward a new future.

    A Snippet from her interview of the novel on YouTube:

    Shades of Blue is a story that I’ve been wanting to write for several years. I realized that I could not write a book about healing and forgiveness after abortion without being honest about my story.”

    Karen Kingsbury

  • Best Christian Romance Books,  Best Historical Romance Books,  Best Romantic Suspense Books

    In the Shadow of Croft Towers by Abigail Wilson

    Croft Towers holds more than its share of secrets . . . and Sybil is determined to uncover them all.

    When Sybil Delafield’s coach to Croft Towers was robbed by highwaymen, she should have realized that her new position as companion to old Mrs. Chalcroft would be no ordinary job. Upon Sybil’s arrival, Mrs. Chalcroft sneaks into her room in the dark of night, imploring her to relay messages to town that are to stay hidden from the rest of the family. Who exactly is she working for and what do the messages contain?

    When fellow passengers of the robbed coach are later murdered, Sybil’s hunt for the truth takes on a new urgency. The only person she can rely on is Mr. Sinclair, Mrs. Chalcroft’s godson, but under all his charms he too leads a double life. Sybil must decide if he is the one honest voice she can trust, or if he is simply using her for his own advances.

    A lesson God taught the author while writing the novel:

    “At the heart of my novel is the theme of trust. The heroine, Sybil, must make several difficult decisions where she learns to trust her inner voice, which is sometimes at odds with the seemingly obvious choice. God used this story line and character arc to remind me that answers in my own life may not always be easy or quick or tied up in pretty pink bows, but that I needed to trust him—with everything!”

    Abigail Wilson