• 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

     

     

  • Book cover of Seal's Target
    Best Romantic Suspense Books

    SEAL’s Target by Makenna Jameison

    SEAL's Target book cover

    Surviving her plane’s hijacking was only the beginning…

    Navy SEAL Wyatt “Wildcard” Miller hasn’t forgotten the beautiful blonde he rescued in Manila. Singled out by terrorists, she endured the unthinkable. The last place Wyatt expects to see her is on the shores of Oahu. The instant spark they both felt is still there, but he senses she’s hiding something. Travel blogger Callie Spencer saw more than she should have when terrorists took control of her flight. Traumatized, she flees to Hawaii, hoping the tropical island will soothe her frayed nerves, but her world jolts back to life when she runs into Wyatt. Callie starts to remember bits and pieces of her ordeal—a face, a new terror plot. The man haunting Callie’s nightmares knows who she is—and he’ll track her down at all costs. Can Wyatt keep her safe a second time and also make her his?
    A 5-star review of the novel:

    “Great characters, excellent storyline, great writing. Definitely keeps you engaged. I really enjoyed this one. Will definitely finish the series. Enjoy!!”

    Deb — Amazon

     

     

  • Book cover of The Wolf and the Witch
    Best Historical Romance Books

    The Wolf and the Witch by Claire Delacroix

    The three sons of a notorious mercenary should never have met…but now that they are sworn allies, the Scottish Borders will never be the same…

    Denied his rightful legacy, Maximilian de Vries devised a plan to avenge himself upon his father and see his own future secured. Allied with his two half-brothers, he descends upon ancient and mysterious Kilderrick, determined to seize the keep once promised to him, regardless of the price. A woman rumored to be a witch is the sole one bold enough to defy him but Maximilian has a solution—he will take her to wife, whether she be willing or nay, and seal his claim.
     
    But this powerful warrior has yet to match wits with Alys Armstrong, a maiden with a thirst for vengeance and a fury that might exceed his own. Alys has no intention of capitulating to the proud and powerful rogue who stole everything from her—no matter how seductive his touch might be—and she does not share his compulsion to fight fair.
     
    Bitter enemies from the outset, Maximilian and Alys’ match is a battle of wills. When passion flares, will either of them be able to resist temptation? And when Kilderrick itself is in peril, will they join forces to save the holding they each prize—and the unexpected love they value above all else?
    A positive review of the novel:

    “Author Claire Delacroix’s writing style and story-writing ability in her Medieval Historical Romances has always charmed me. Even though this is Maximillan and Alys’s story, her character building of the supporting characters is not stagnant. Rather, there are changes afoot for them all. I eagerly await the next book in the series.”

    Eileen Dandashi

     

     

  • Book cover of The Floating Amsterdam Flower Shop
    Best Contemporary Romance Novels

    The Floating Amsterdam Flower Shop by Annabel French

    The Floating Amsterdam Flowershop book cover

    One fresh start. One unexpected encounter. Can love bridge the gap?

    When Rosie leaves behind her ordinary life in England to open a flower shop on Amsterdam’s water, she expects nothing less than a fairytale. Max, her handsome but brooding new neighbour, prefers to keep the world at arm’s length – and living on the houseboat next door, he’s not too thrilled about the new company. As Rosie’s business blossoms, so do her feelings for Max. But Rosie isn’t sure she’s ready for a relationship, and Max is still nursing a broken heart. When a rival in the flower market threatens her dreams, Rosie discovers that the most beautiful things can bloom when you learn to go with the flow – and allow someone to stand by your side. Will Rosie and Max allow themselves to be swept away by love, or is their relationship doomed to sink before it can swim?
    A review of the novel:

    “It was a joy to be transported to The Floating Amsterdam Flower Shop, and I adored every moment I spent with Rosie, Max and their blossoming community. I recommend this to anyone who wants to feel their heart lifted.”

    Kate Storey

     

     

  • Book cover of The Snowman's Sweetheart
    Best Christian Romance Books,  Best Clean and Wholesome Romance,  Christmas Cheer

    The Snowman’s Sweetheart by Shanna Hatfield

    The Snowman's Sweetheart

    Will a winter whirlwind romance result in a forever love?

    After a Christmas Eve catastrophe that left her heart encased in ice, Sierra Goodwin detests anything to do with winter and the holiday season. To take her mind off her troubles, her best friend talks her into a weekend spa getaway to a town she’s never heard of. Her bestie’s boyfriend tags along like a bumpy third wheel, and things go from bad to worse when they arrive in town to find a winter fest in full swing. Then Sierra runs into a handsome stranger, a man everyone calls Mr. Snowman, and discovers her heart might not be a frozen fortress after all. Kylan Snow loves his life, his Christmas tree farm, and the town of Pinehill where he was raised. There’s nothing he enjoys more than a beautiful winter afternoon spent outside in the crisp, fresh air, or time spent with friends and family. When he unexpectedly encounters a dimple-cheeked woman in need of a little hope, he has no idea one weekend with her with completely alter his world. Will their winter wishes for a forever sweetheart come true? Find out in this sweet romance brimming with laughter, snowmen, small-town charm, and love.
    The author on how she develops her characters:

    “As for developing characters, when I first started writing I tended to draw quite a bit from people I knew. Now, though, I let the characters blossom as I write. Each character is so unique and different, but I usually start by thinking about their personalities and go from there.”

    Shanna Hatfield