Before I penned this post, I never thought about my top five romance novels,
because my favorites change fairly often. I have my one-click authors, the
authors I donโt even think about downloading a sample because their body of work
has never or rarely disappointed me. Some are simply books that encouraged me to
write my own stories. After writing down my top books (letโs just say for right
now), I realized a common denominator are opposites attract, unrequited love and
hero/heroine transformation. IT'S BEEN YOU, Book #2 of
the Crush on You series
has a little bit of everything of the things I love. I hope you like my list.
Kristen Ashley is a one-click author. I LOVE her voice. Her heroes are uber
Alpha, and the women are a range from super sweet to hot and spicy. I was first
introduced to her via the Rock Chicks Series (Rock on!) and moved on to the
Colorado Mountain Series. Sweet Dreams is about a woman who leaves after her
husband cheats on her with her best friends. She picks up and moves on to a
small town in Colorado and goes from Corporate America to a job as a waitress in
a biker bar. Tatum Jackson, who is initially rude to Lauren because of his
initial bias based on her โsuburbiaโ looks. They are complete opposites, much
like Tiana and Nathan, my hero and heroine in Itโs Been You, and of
course, once they get over the โhateโ things explode... in a good way! Also,
what makes this one of her best books (in my humble opinion) is the confidence
the heroine gains. She transforms and finds happiness in a simpler life.
New York Timeโs and USA Today Bestselling authors are just a few of Brenda
Jacksonโs accolades, and she has published over 100 novels. Iโve probably read
most of them. However, my favorite book is The Midnight Hour, a
romantic thriller about an ex-Marine turned CIA agent Sir Drake Warren who lost
his fiancรฉe during a military mission. Her death shapes him, and five years
later he is bitter, a bit reckless and hell-bent on revenge. However, he
eventually finds out that his fiancรฉe Sandy Carroll (now Agent Victoria Green)
hadnโt died in the mission. This book is a part of a larger Madaris series, and
Iโve enjoyed every book.
If you love a good unrequited love story, Francis Rayโs Dreaming of You
will not disappoint. The heroine, Faith McBride has loved the hero, Brandon
Grayson since she was a shy kid in high school. Years later, she is determined
to win his love when she finds out his successful matchmaking mother has Brandon
in her crosshairs. In the process of trying to โwin her man.โ she transforms and
gains confidence in herself.
This story is yet another unrequited love story, my favorite. Nora is a rock
star and is one of the most successful romance authors to date. She is a master
at storytelling, and when I read her books, particularly like Tears of the
Moon, set in Ireland, you cannot tell me I canโt navigate myself around the
villages of Ireland like a native. Iโve read countless Nora Roberts novels, but
what makes this story at the top of the heap is the weaving of magic, lost love,
a very practical and tomboy heroine and a musically-talented dreamer hero.
Let me just take a moment to fangirl here a bit. I know the Sookie Stackhouse
Series is typically categorized as a mystery, and yes, I agree, but I love the
beginnings of Vampire Bill and Sookie, and Iโm a super fan of vampires and
werewolves. The setting, the dialogue. *Sigh* Bon Temps felt real. I dodged a
lot of calls, had a bunch of sleepless nightsโฆI was a literal bookworm for this
series.
If you havenโt read some of these books โ take a chance! Theyโre fun, thrilling,
sexy, and well-written!
If you have read them, Iโd love to know what you think. Drop me a line on Twitter or Facebook.
Rina Gray returns with IT'S BEEN YOU, an all new Crush on You novel
from Crimson Publishing. When the opportunity to land a lucrative deal and
promotion results in a friendly competition that then erupts into an all-out
battle of desire, Tiana Holliday and Nathaniel Lawson will straddle the line
between love and war in this steamy must read Fall title releasing November 7,
2016!
Marketing manager Tiana Holliday just landed her dream job at an
award-winning agency in New York City. Thereโs just one problem: cocky playboy
Nathaniel Lawson, her old grad school nemesis, is her new officemate.
As the firmโs rising star, Nathan never had to compete for prime clients until
all-work and no-play Tiana strutted into his workspace. When an opportunity
arises to manage a lucrative sports car account and nab a big promotion, he
challenges her to a wager: Loser does the winnerโs bidding for one month. But
their friendly little competition suddenly threatens to erupt into an all-out
battle of desire.
As they straddle the line between love and war, they just might discover that
challenging each other outside the boardroom is even more satisfying than
advertised.
Romance Contemporary
[Crimson Romance, On Sale: November 7, 2016,
e-Book, ISBN: 9781507202180 / eISBN: 9781507202180]
Sports journalist Melanie Foster has achieved most of her goals: Bomb.com
jobโcheck. Tomboy-to-smoking-hottie makeoverโcheck. Convince her best friend,
Damien Richards, to slide a ring on her finger and father her two-point-five
kidsโnot so much. When she activates Operation: Iโm Gonna Make You Love Me, she
never imagines her BFF already has plans to stroll down the wedding aisle with
another woman.
Damien is in the middle of crisis mode. The non-profit for young athletes at
which he volunteers is in financial trouble. Heโll pull out all the stops to
rescue the organization that saved his life after his career-ending injuryโeven
if it means sacrificing his personal happiness.
But when he finally wakes up to love and the very non-friendly feelings heโs
long held for Mel, it might just be too late. Damien must convince her that heโs
worth the risk and turn the tables to show her heโs the one ready to be a fool
for love.
Rina Gray is one of the newest African American romance writers on the rise. She
is also a digital marketing professional who discovered her love of writing in
2012. Writing has always been Rinaโs passion, though initially, she tried to
deny it. In college she served as the copy editor for the entertainment magazine
and newspaper. During her tenure, she had the opportunity to interview various
talented entertainers including Chris Rock and the cast from Reno-911.
Rina has always been an avid reader, sneaking to read her motherโs books she had
no business reading i.e. Stephen Kingโs The Stand, It, and Anne Riceโs various
vampire series. As a pre-teen, she received a load of romance novels from a
family friend and from that point on, she devoured any book related to romance
or horror. When sheโs not writing, she can be found with her head stuck in a
book, kickboxing, or dominating game night with friends and family. Rina resides
in Atlanta with her husband.
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