• Best Contemporary Romance Novels

    Stealing Home by Sherryl Woods

    For the Sweet Magnolias, friendship lasts a lifetime…

    Maddie Townsend might live in a town called Serenity and have the best friends a woman could ask for, but her life is overturned when her husband leaves her for a younger woman. With her three children heartbroken from the change, Maddie has a lot to contend with. On top of it all, after years outside the workforce, she must dust off her business skills to take charge of her best friends’ newest project—planning the town’s only fitness spa for women.

    When her son’s developing anger issues begin to affect his passion for baseball, Maddie knows she must step in to help. She didn’t expect to develop feelings for her son’s coach, the handsome Cal Maddox, and to learn he has feelings for her, too. But gossip travels quickly in a small town, and Maddie and Cal’s relationship may threaten both their reputations and careers. Then again, he could be the one man in all of South Carolina who can help her find serenity after all.

    The author on writing dialogue:

    “dialogue has always been the easiest part of writing for me. I think that’s because of my background in journalism in general, and as a television critic specifically. As a journalist — in an era before we recorded every interview — I had to train myself to listen closely to the way people phrased things so I could quote their comments accurately. And over the years I heard a LOT of television dialogue.”

    Sherryl Woods

  • Best Gothic Romance,  Best Historical Romance Books

    Dark Prince by Eve Silver

    Dark Prince book cover

    Isolated and alone, Jane’s only companion is the man she dare not trust, the man who looks at her with heated desire that she both fears and craves.  

    Innkeeper’s daughter Jane Heatherington is sold into indentured servitude to cover her father’s debts, sold to Aidan Warrick, a man whose handsome face and form mock the rumors that skulk in his shadow, rumors that paint him a smuggler, a pirate…and worse.

    On the rainswept Cornish coast, Aidan’s business is carried out in the darkest hours of moonless nights, his secrets are many, and death follows in his wake. Isolated and alone, Jane’s only companion is the man she dare not trust, the man who looks at her with heated desire that she both fears and craves. As she finds herself ensnared in the twisted schemes carried out within the walls of Aidan’s looming estate, Jane must decide if Aidan Warrick is the dark prince of her dreams or a monster preying on the innocent…

    The author’s favorite poetry:

    ” love the poetry of Edgar Allen Poe. Yes, I know, very dark and tormented, but I see it too as full of beauty. The Raven, Annabel Lee, A Dream Within A Dream, all such beautiful works.”

    Eve Silver (Kenin)

  • Best Inspirational Romance Books

    The Billionaire’s Temporary Marriage by Tamie Dearen

    The Billionaire's Temporary Marriage book cover

    When a stranger with a lime-green mechanical hand drenches her in coffee, the last thing Brooke expects is a marriage proposal from a famous hot billionaire.

    A marriage of convenience… so tempting. Brooke Ponzio can’t argue against Cole’s flawless logic. The divorce settlement will solve all the money-troubles for Brooke and her unborn child. If only Cole wasn’t so mouth-wateringly delicious. Should she risk having her heart broken again?

    Cole Miller refuses to fall in love. Not ever! That’s why he chose Brooke to get him out of his ill-advised contract. All she wants is sole custody of her baby, so when the time comes, she’ll give him a stress-free divorce. Sure, they’ll have to make the marriage look real to their parents and the rest of the world. And they’ll need to forget all about that sizzling kiss they shared. Should be simple. What could possibly go wrong?

    Soon, their magnetic draw has them both battling to maintain their willpower. But Brooke slowly falls in love with the man who treats her better than any man ever has, while Cole’s attraction is purely physical. Or at least that’s what he tells himself. How will Brooke handle her sleazy ex-husband when he tries to cash in on her fame? What happens when Cole can’t protect Brooke from his crazed fans? Will he admit his feelings before it’s too late?

    The author’s thoughts on the perfect romantic hero:

    “He needs to care in a deep, self-sacrificing way. It’s always nice if your hero has a six-pack, but it’s more important for him to have a tender heart. It’s especially sweet when the guy doesn’t even realize how soft-hearted he is.”

    Tamie Dearen

  • Paranormal Romance

    Hope(less) by Melissa Haag

    Hope(less) book cover

    Freedom is so close Gabby can taste it.

    After years of meeting single werewolves and successfully dodging the mating bullet, she’s on her way to her last Introduction to say “No, thanks” one final time. As a human, she has no plans to attach herself to a werewolf. But, she didn’t count on meeting Clay. With a single look, Gabby knows Clay is the one. And, unfortunately, he knows it too. The silent, ruggedly-handsome werewolf is determined to win his mate by any means necessary. Gabby does what any sane girl would do and runs. Not only does Clay follow, but something truly dangerous does as well. 

    Now, hunted for the secrets she’s spent her whole life protecting, Gabby must turn to the one man she didn’t want for the help she needs. Time is running out to discover who or what wants her, and Gabby’s just starting to realize there’s more at stake than the heart and freedom of one human girl. 

    The author on her favorite characters in this book:

    “In all seriousness, each character holds a special place in my heart. Clay’s quiet perseverance has won many readers over. Emmitt’s patience and charm has instigated a few book boyfriend wars. Luke’s roguish ways and yummy accent tempt even the best good-girls. The list goes on…”

    Melissa Haag

  • Best Christian Romance Books,  Best Clean and Wholesome Romance,  Best Contemporary Romance Novels

    Heart of Clay by Shanna Hatfield

    It’s never too late to give love a second chance. . . even for a hard-working cowboy.

    Callan Matthews awakens one day to the realization her husband has taken a nose dive off the pedestal where he’s resided since the moment they met. As Clay unwittingly tugs at the last few threads keeping her from completely unraveling, she has to choose between walking away or running back into his arms.

    Easygoing cowboy Clay Matthews works hard and plays even harder. He’s the last person to wade into emotional turmoil, but he’s up to his neck in it trying to decipher his wife’s suddenly frosty feelings toward him.  When tragedy strikes and a life-altering secret is revealed, this tender, sometimes humorous sweet romance embraces the beauty of letting go of the past and daring to fall in love all over again.

    The author on writing Heart of Clay:

    “I began writing my first book, Heart of Clay, in February 2010. I’d been toying with the idea of the story for a while and I finally decided to sit down and see if I could write it!  The idea was one of a realistic couple struggling to hang on to their marriage instead of letting it go.”

    Shanna Hatfield