• Best Historical Romance Books

    Highland Promise by Alyson McLayne

    When forced to choose between duty and honor, this Highland Laird will find a way to have both.

    Darach MacKenzie vowed never again to let a woman near his heart after his betrothed betrayed him. It sparked an intense feud between his clan and the Frasers. With all-out war on the wind, Darach can’t be distracted—not even by a sweet and charming lass who desperately needs his help.

    When Darach rescued Caitlin MacInnes from the clutches of vile Laird Fraser, she vowed to never let men or misery rule her life again. With Darach and the MacKenzie clan, Caitlin finally feels safe. But when Laird Fraser shows up to claim what’s rightfully his, or go to war, Darach will have to use all his brawn and brains to protect Caitlin—even if it means losing his heart.

    The author’s inspiration for this novel:

    “I first started writing HIGHLAND PROMISE about 10 years ago after reading ALL of Julie Garwood’s Highlander romances. I LOVED them—the resolute Highland laird and the kind, somewhat quirky, heroine who worms her way into his heart. IMHO, they are the funniest, sweetest, and best warm-fuzzy- inducing books ever written. I think HIGHLAND PROMISE captures that same tone and spirit”

    Alyson McKlayne

  • Best Historical Romance Books

    MacFarland’s Lass by Glynnis Campbell

    A woman on the run…a man on the hunt. 

    He has forty days to earn her trust. She has forty days to win his heart. They have forty days to outwit their enemies.

    When Florie Gilder, the once-respected jeweler to Queen Mary, claims sanctuary in an abandoned church for a crime she didn’t commit, huntsman Rane MacFarland, a local hero of the common folk, vows to protect her. But when his overlord charges him with preventing the fugitive lass’s escape, Rane finds himself torn between duty and desire when he begins to fall for his spirited captive. And when powerful foes conspire to turn Rane and Florie against each other, they need courage, wits, and, most of all, love, to survive.

    The author on why she bases her books in Scotland:

    “I’ve always been excited by medieval tales of noble knights and sweeping adventure. When I met my husband, we were both in high school, and once I found out he had Scottish roots, I became fascinated with that location. When I first visited Scotland, I fell in love with the rugged but beautiful landscape, the fierce but kindly people, and I was fascinated by the idea that women could wield power over clans.”

    Glynnis Campbell

  • Best Romantic Suspense Books

    To Die For by Linda Howard

    She was a dead ringer. Now she’s just dead. . . .

    Blair Mallory lives the good life. She’s pretty, confident, and the owner of a thriving up-scale fitness center. But in the shadow of success, a troubled member of the club develops a strange fixation on Blair, imitating her style and dress. Matters take a darker turn when the look-alike is shot dead—and Blair witnesses the horror.

    As the media speculates on the tawdry details of the homicide and pushes Blair into the harsh spotlight, she locks horns with police lieutenant Wyatt Bloodsworth. He wants to lead an investigation without interference, while Blair is determined to probe the dead woman’s life on her own. But when someone begins to menace Blair with mounting threats, Wyatt takes notice: Was this murder indeed a lethal case of mistaken identity–and was Blair the intended victim?

    Writing the main character, Blair:

    “Blair was fun, period. I was never a cheerleader, and my friends call me “the queen of logic.” That’s when they aren’t saying that I think like a man. So Blair is nothing like me, and if I didn’t channel a cheerleader I’d like to know what the heck that voice is chattering away inside my head??? Her family never underestimated her, but men did. And she had fun with it. She was so cheerfully ruthless, and so intelligent and sharp, that she used her personna as a means of getting her way. If someone underestimated her, she blithely rolled over them. When I was writing To Die For I spent a lot of my time sitting in front of the computer laughing like an idiot.”

    Linda Howard

  • Best Historical Romance Books

    The Duke of Seduction by Darcy Burke

    Lady Lavinia Gillingham prefers rocks and dirt to marriage…

    Her passion is science, and she’s determined to marry if—and only if—she finds a man who supports her interests and intellect. So far, she’s managed to avoid attention on the Marriage Mart, but when the Duke of Seduction pens anonymous letters singing her praises, she suddenly becomes the toast of the ton and matrimony seems imminent.

    William Beckett, Marquess of Northam possesses the reputation of a rake but is secretly a romantic. Spurned at sixteen and knowing his sister was victimized by Society, he uses music and poetry to fill the void in his soul. As the Duke of Seduction, he uses his skill to help Lavinia, never anticipating she has no desire for assistance or that she could be the balm he needs. But when she’s on the verge of becoming engaged, can Beck beat back the shadows of the past and open his heart again?

    The author’s background in writing:

    “I’ve considered myself a writer most of my adult life. I’ve done technical writing for banks and software companies, written marketing creative, and written and edited for a variety of non-profit publications. I started writing romance with a goal of publication about six years ago.”

    Darcy Burke

  • Best Clean and Wholesome Romance,  Christmas Cheer

    The Christmas Compromise by Susan Hatler

    Will Morgan’s sadness and fear pull them apart, or make her realize Dallas has always been her heart’s true safe harbor?

    Morgan Reed is excited to return to her hometown of Christmas Mountain, Montana and open her beauty salon, but when she arrives to her rented business space she’s shocked to find it already occupied by Dallas Parker—her brother’s best friend, the guy she had a childhood crush on, and the one her mom blames for their family’s greatest tragedy.

    With their landlord out of the country and unreachable, Morgan and Dallas must open their businesses together. As they work together, Morgan tries to keep her emotional distance but time and off-the-charts chemistry soon turn a childhood friendship into a blossoming romance. Unfortunately, just when their relationship develops into something deeper, an unexpected crisis reopens her family’s old wounds and the blame is on Dallas once again.

    The author’s view on writing:

    “I once read that a writer has something to say to the world.  I think it’s my characters that have something to say and I’m the conduit who gets that info to readers.  A writer is a major part of who I am, so that’s what I do and I love it.”

    Susan Hatler