• Book cover of It had to be a Duke
    Best Historical Romance Books

    It Had to be a Duke by Vivienne Lorret

    A sparkling romance about a spinster, a duke, and a fake engagement that blurs the lines between enemies and lovers…

    Verity Hartley always tells the truth. Well, mostly. However, when her snooty neighbor returns to their small hamlet to brag about having a grand Season, a plethora of ballgowns, and so many suitors that she cannot possibly decide which one to marry, Verity tells a lie. She claims to be betrothed. To a duke. Who happens to be her family’s sworn enemy. But what are the odds that he would ever learn of this one, little, harmless falsehood? Magnus Warring, the Duke of Longhurst, is on the precipice of marrying an heiress to save his estate from financial ruin. At least, he was. Until he hears an unbelievable rumor that he is already betrothed. To the daughter of a liar, cheat, and swindler! Needing to protect his reputation, he hunts down the culprit. And when he finds the untamed beguiler, she has the audacity to ask him to lie for her. To pretend to be her fiancé! One week, that’s all Verity needs. Then Magnus can return to his life. But nothing is ever that simple. Sometimes it doesn’t take that long to fall in love, even with the enemy. The author inspiration for the series:

    “The family is led by parents who were part of a theater troop, and I guess it kind of goes back to the playwriting days where I wanted the mom and the dad to be really colorful characters. Then I started thinking about who their kids would be and just the Liars Club just sort of came to me. Then I thought, ‘Well I’m gonna name the kids after the virtues that the parents didn’t really possess.’”

    Vivienne Lorret

     

     

  • Book cover of Another Charge
    Best Contemporary Romance Novels

    Another Charge by Alexa Padgett

    He’s sexy as sin… and if someone doesn’t check me fast, I’m gonna fall for the single dad hockey coach.

    Having poured my heart into caring for my previous charges, bidding them farewell left an indelible ache that I couldn’t bear to repeat. The idea of restarting as a nanny didn’t excite me in the least…until I crossed paths with Beatrix, a frightened and angry little girl who tugged at my heartstrings. Determined to help this vulnerable child who craves affection, I find myself drawn to her uncle, the irresistible Silas. His magnetic eyes, capable of holding me captive, promise to fulfill the dreams I’ve long held dear. Silas, scarred by a troubled past, knows next to nothing about raising children or creating a loving home. That’s where I step in. They call me a “fixer” in the world of hockey. Yet, I question whether I can mend the fractures between uncle and niece. Despite my doubts, the life we could build together beckons me. The catch? Taking a chance on this single dad might land my heart in the penalty box for good… The author on her writing style and goals:

    “I write deep stories about real people. Some of my books are angsty, some are emotional, all are about family, acceptance, and growth. I love all the feels.” Alexa Padgett

     

     

  • Book cover of A Summer in Nixie
    Best Contemporary Romance Novels

    A Summer in Nixie by Kathryn Jeanne

    A tale of young summer love, friendship, and family

    Still reeling from her dad’s betrayal, Ava and her mother head to a small cottage on Nixie island to get away from gossipy neighbors back home. Ava’s last summer before college is quickly hijacked by a best friend she didn’t know she needed, back porch conversations with her mom–and a guy she doesn’t want to get involved with but can’t get out of her head. In an effort to get over his ex, Chris finds himself on the island that defined his childhood. Though he distracts himself with parties, old friends, and future plans, he can’t stop thinking about the new girl who doesn’t want anything to do with him. And when his ex comes back into the picture, he has to make a decision–the familiar past, or a future that’s full of possibilities. The author on her writing journey for this novel:

    “Young Adult summer romance books have always been my favorite… I would read them all year round and loved the feeling of transporting to these quaint beach towns where the stories would take place. At 18, I had a week off in college… I actually spent the first half of the week reading and decided I want to try to write a book like this. I wrote an outline and got about 15 pages of the way in before other things picked up and life got busy. Years after graduating, I found the outline again and thought it would be a fun side project. As I got further and further into the story, I realized I loved writing more than I even knew and it became more than a side gig and more like my passion project. After working with some great editors and designers, I decided to release it!” Kathryn Jeanne  

     

     

  • Book cover of Hearts in the Crosshairs
    Best Christian Romance Books,  Best Romantic Suspense Books

    Hearts in the Crosshairs by Susan Page Davis

    Shots fired at the State Capitol!

    Newly elected State of Maine governor Jillian Goff has arrived for her inaugural address. But what she ended up doing was dodging bullets! Jillian can’t begin to understand why anyone would want to kill her, but whoever the assassin was got close. Way too close. Dave Hutchins is a member of the state’s Executive Protection Unit, and now he’s a man with a very important mission—he must protect the governor and find the would-be assassin. Bodyguard rule #1: Do not get emotionally involved with your client. Dave is one of Maine’s finest. He knows the rules, and he’s trying hard to stay emotionally detached. But the more time he spends with Jillian, the less he can imagine ever leaving her side. Not with her life—and his heart—caught in the crosshairs. A note about the story and the author:

    “This is a story of faith and romance. Most of Susan Page Davis’s books are set in small towns, many of them in Maine, where she grew up.”

     

     

  • Book cover of Going Home
    Best Contemporary Romance Novels

    Going Home by Haven Saunders

    Can two childhood friends navigate their complex past to forge a future together… or will the past be too much to overcome?

    Cloverton police officer Melanie Hart juggles the demands of her job and raising her two young daughters alone after her husband abandoned them years ago. Mel isn’t complaining, though having great kids and a few close friends doesn’t do much to ease her loneliness. Dean Gorman never thought he’d return to Cloverton after creating a successful career as a photojournalist. However, he is drawn to his hometown to document the loss of their biggest employer, Cloverton Lumber, and the ripple effect it has had on the town. While exploring the vacant building, he is nearly arrested for trespassing by Mel, his childhood friend and the woman who broke his heart. Despite his determination to move on and leave Cloverton in the past, Dean doesn’t know if he can walk away from love once again. Can Melanie and Dean navigate the complexities of their past to forge a future together or will the past be too much to overcome? A note from the author:
    “As someone who grew up in the Midwest, I absolutely love small-town romances. Toss in a second chance at love for the main characters, and I’m all in!”
    Haven Saunders