• 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 Moose Be Love
    Best Clean and Wholesome Romance,  Best Contemporary Romance Novels

    Moose Be Love by Jacqueline Winters

    Moose Be Love book cover

    A fun cast of characters, a quirky small town Alaskan setting, the town’s favorite moose, and a swoony-romance with all the feels.

    When I travel to the small town of Sunset Ridge for the reading of my great aunt’s will, I have no idea that my sisters and I are about to inherit a lodge. Or that my rugged Alaskan neighbor is the caretaker I’ll be spending all my time with. Falling for Ford Harris would be unwise. I’m supposed to get the lodge listed for sale and leave. Not to mention that he hasn’t dated anyone since his wife died four years ago. The little sister he’s super protective over let it slip that he swore off ever falling in love again. But he’s cooking me dinner, showing me around town, and saving me from getting trampled by the town’s favorite moose. Don’t even get me started on the way my brain short circuits when I catch him shirtless and towel-drying his hair. The truth is? I’m falling hard, and I wish I didn’t have to leave.
    A 5-star review of the novel:

    “Very nice first book in a series. The characters are small town folks who make you wish you could be their neighbors. No violence and no malicious schemes — just day-to-day life and just what I needed in this often unpleasant world. Looking forward to reading more of this series.”

    JGH

     

     

  • Book cover of Rise Up to Love
    Best Clean and Wholesome Romance,  Best Contemporary Romance Novels

    Rise Up to Love by Jill Haymaker

    Rise Up to Love book cover

    What if the past catches up with you just when you’re starting a new life?

    Lorelei Grant, recently widowed, can’t believe that her best friend Charlotte wants to leave their hometown in Kansas and move to Aspen Ridge, a tiny, mountain town in Colorado and buy a gift shop. Is she crazy? Despite her hesitation, Charlotte wears her down, and they make the move. Remington Hunt has always been a loner, content to live out his life in the mountains with his dog, Grizwold. That is until two ladies buy the gift shop next to his own gun shop. There’s just something about the redhead that has him reconsidering his hermit lifestyle. Just when these two unlikely people start to put aside their differences and develop romantic feelings for each other, a past that Lorelei isn’t proud of catches up with her. People she’d put behind her from over thirty years ago, suddenly become real and threaten everything she’s started to build. Can Lori overcome past mistakes and find a way to not only love, but also forgiveness? Sometimes the person who is the hardest to forgive is yourself.
    The author on writing seasoned romances:

    As a reader I have been discouraged by the lack of good romance novels about people older than 20 or 30. I wanted to show that even people on their 60’s can be romantic and have a great love story to tell. 

    Jill Haymaker