Top Contemporary Romance Novels

This is *two* books in one. Welcome to Temptation and Bet Me. Turn Left at Small Town Secrets Sophie Dempsey is content living a quiet life filming wedding videos until an assignment brings her to Temptation, Ohio. From the moment she drives into town, she gets a bad feeling; Sophie is from the wrong side of the tracks and everything in Temptation is a little too right. And when she has a run-in with the town's unnervingly sexy mayor, Phineas Tucker, making a little movie turns out to be more than a little dangerous. Yield to Oncoming Desire All Sophie wants to do is film the video and head home. All Phin wants to do is play pool with the police chief and keep things peaceful. They both get more than they bargained for when Sophie's video causes an uproar and the proper citizens of Temptation set out to shut them down. Welcome to Temptation As events spiral out of control, Sophie and Phin find themselves caught in a web of gossip, blackmail, adultery, murder, and really excellent sex. All hell breaks loose in Temptation as Sophie and Phin fall deeper and deeper in trouble ...and in love. Bet Me: Minerva Dobbs knows how to work the odds. Calvin Morrisey always plays to win. But when they face off, neither one is prepared. Because when real life meets true love, all bets are off. . . . Minerva Dobbs knows that happily-ever-after is a fairy tale, especially with a man who asked her to dinner to win a bet, even if he is gorgeous and successful Calvin Morrisey. Cal knows commitment is impossible, especially with a woman as cranky as Min Dobbs, even if she does wear great shoes and keep him on his toes. When they say good-bye at the end of their evening, they cut their losses and agree never to see each other again. But fate has other plans, and it's not long before Min and Cal meet again. Soon they're dealing with a jealous ex-boyfriend, Krispy Kreme doughnuts, a determined psychologist, chaos theory, a freakishly intelligent cat, Chicken Marsala, and more risky propositions than either of them ever dreamed of. Including the biggest gamble of all---true love.

It was her father's dying wish that Samantha Elliot search for her grandmother, who'd disappeared from Louisville when she was a baby. So here she was, in big, dirty New York City...her parents were dead, her divorce was final, and she was all alone.... Michael Taggert was Samantha's landlord, and he was easily the most beautiful man she'd ever seen. He was charming, too -- his zest for life was so contagious that in his presence Sam bloomed like a flower after the rain. Yet Mike could only get so far with her -- when he tried to get closer, it was like running into a brick wall. But Mike wouldn't give up. As they probed her grandmother's past, he was slowly uncovering the joy and affection Samantha had buried long ago -- and leading them closer to the dangerous truth about a bloody spring night in 1928, and a seductive blues singer named Maxie....

A scholar specializing in ancient manuscripts, Grace St. John never imagined that a cache of fragile, old documents she discovered was the missing link to a lost Celtic treasure. But as soon as she deciphers the intriguing legend of the Knights of the Templar - long fabled to hold the key to unlimited power - Grace becomes the target of a ruthless killer bent on abusing the coveted force. Determined to stop him, Grace needs the help of a celebrated warrior bound by duty to uphold the Templar's secret for all eternity. But to find him - and to save herself - she must go back in time. Summoning the magic of an arcane ritual, Grace steps back into the barren hills of 14th-century Scotland, enduring the perils of an untamed land to confront Black Niall, a fierce man of dark fury and raw, unbridled desire. Driven by a mix of fear and passion, Grace enlists this brazen knight to join her in a search for a modern-day killer. In their quest to protect a timeless secret, they uncover a love for all time - and a deadly duel of honor that risks everything they love.

Passion, wealth, and murder come together in this unputdownable thriller from the New York Times bestselling “queen of romantic suspense” (Booklist) Linda Howard. Roanna Davenport grew up a wealthy orphan on her grandmother’s magnificent estate, Davencourt. There, she wanted for nothing—except to be loved by her cousin Webb. When he marries another, Roanna is devastated but life at Davencourt takes an even darker turn when Webb’s new wife is found bludgeoned to death. After the shocking murder, Webb leaves for Arizona, abandoning the privileged life that he had once believed was all he wanted. Years later, a grown-up Roanna walks back into his life to bring him home. He’s shocked that the mischievous sprite he had known in childhood has disappeared. Gone, too, is her passionate fire; in its place is ice that melted at his touch but Webb can’t help but be drawn back to Davencourt, to Roanna, and to the killer that once destroyed his life and waits only for the chance to finish the job. With Linda Howard’s signature “fast-paced, intricately detailed romantic suspense” (Fresh Fiction), Shades of Twilight will keep you riveted until the last page.

OMEGA agent Maggie Sinclair has her hands full impersonating the vice president, and she's paired with OMEGAUs mysterious director Adam Ridgeway. For years she'd dreamed of breaking down Adam's aristocratic reserve to get at the hot-blooded man she knew lurked underneath. Now she may get her chance. Reissue.

Head of a multimillion-dollar company, Sam decides Desdemona would make the perfect no-strings-attached, stand-in wife, never dreaming how she will drive him crazy with desire. But when someone breaks into Sam's secret computer files, sinister intrigue swirls around the unlikely pair. Now they must discover the real appeal of unbreakable faith.

He is an expert with the latest technology...a madman with the mind of a genius and the heart of a killer. He quietly stalks his prey. Then he haunts the police with cryptic riddles about the crimes he is about to commit—always solved moments too late to save his victims' lives. Police lieutenant Eve Dallas found the first victim butchered in his own home. The second lost his life in a vacant luxury apartment. The two men had little in common. Both suffered unspeakable torture before their deaths. And both had ties to an ugly secret of ten years past—a secret shared by none other than Eve's new husband, Roarke.

Plunged to the depths of despair by an arranged marriage to a mystery man who whisks her away to the circus, Daisy Devreaux turns the tables on her would-be tamer and soars with him to new heights.Wedding Day

As the daughter of a world-renowned magician who is equally accomplished as a jewel thief, Roxy Nouvelle inherits her father's genius. Dashing escape artist Luke Callahan also possesses a gift for relieving the wealthy of their valuables. Brought up together, Roxy and Luke are partners first in illusion, then in crime, and finally in passion. But the shadow of his past stalks Luke, forcing him to vanish or see his loved one ruined. Years of hollow fame and lonely affluence pass before Roxy and Luke reunite to execute the most daring heist of their careers and to exact sweet revenge.

Ripley Todd just wants to live a quiet, peaceful kind of life. Her job as a sheriff's deputy keeps her busy and happy, and she has no trouble finding men when she wants them--which, lately, isn't all that often. She's perfectly content, except for one thing: she has special powers that both frighten and confuse her--and though she tries hard to hide them, she can't get them under control... Distraction soon arrives in the handsome form of MacAllister Booke--a researcher who's come to investigate the rumors of witchcraft that haunt Three Sisters Island. Right from the start, he knows there's something extraordinary about Ripley Todd. It's not just her blazing green eyes and her sultry smile. There's something else. Something he can detect, but she'll never admit. Fascinated by her struggle with her amazing abilities, he becomes determined to help her accept who she is--and find the courage to open her heart. But before Ripley and Mac can dream of what lies in the future, they must confront the pain of the past. For Three Sisters shelters centuries of secrets--and a legacy of danger that plagues them still...

SOMETIMES LIFE's TOUGHEST LESSONS HAVE THE GENTLEST TEACHERS.... A small Wyoming town is about to learn a few lessons - from a new schoolteacher with the courage to win the heart of a man who swore he had nothing to give. Mary Elizabeth Potter is a self appointed spinster with no illusions about love. But she IS a good teacher - and she wants Wolf Mackenzie's son back in school. And after one heated confrontation with the boy's father, she knows father and son have changed her life forever. Still paying for a crime he didn't commit, Wolf Mackenzie has a chip on his shoulder the size of Wyoming. But prim and proper Mary Elizabeth Potter doesn't see Wolf as the dangerous half breed the town has branded him. Somehow she sees him as a good, decent, honest man. A man who could love. Wolf's not sure he - or the town of Ruth, Wyoming - is ready for the taming of Wolf Mackenzie.

Had she finally met the man she longed for...or was she dreaming? Marlie Keen was trying to lead a quiet, ordinary life. She thought the knowing -- the clairvoyance that allowed her to witness crimes as they happened -- had been destroyed in the nightmare of her past. Then one night it returned with a vengeance, and she desperately needed to find someone to make it stop. Detective Dane Hollister of the Orlando police department had never met anyone like Marlie. He had doubts about her clairvoyance, but there was no doubt how much he desired her. Her soft, sweet scent set his blood afire, and he wanted to wrap her in his arms and chase the sadness from her eyes. To Marlie, Dane was all heat and hard muscle, and he made her body come alive as it never had before. But not even she could foresee where their passion would lead: a hungry quest for the elusive, dreamy ecstasies of love...and a dangerous journey into the twisted mind of a madman who would threaten their happiness and their lives....

A DESPERATE YOUNG MOTHER Rachel Stone's bad luck has taken a turn for the worse. With an empty wallet, a car that's spilling smoke, and a five-year-old son to support, she's come home to a town that hates her. But this determined young widow with a scandalous past has learned how to be a fighter. And she'll do anything to keep her child safe--even take on.... A MAN WITH NO HEART Gabe Bonner wants to be left alone, especially by the beautiful outcast who's invaded his property. She has a ton of attitude, a talent for trouble, and a child who brings back bad memories. Yet Rachel's feisty spirit might just be heaven-sent to save a tough, stubborn man. DARE TO DREAM Welcome to Salvation, North Carolina--where a man who's forgotten what tenderness means meets a woman with nothing to lose. Here two endearing lovers will set off on a funny, touching journey of the heart...to a place where dreams just might come true.

Enter the enchanting world of the Carpathians, where dark adventure, mystery, and love await, and the desires of two daring hearts unite in one irresistible passion. A telepathic hunter of serial killers, Raven Whitney helps catch some of the most depraved criminals. But her work keeps her from getting close to others, and has drained her body and spirit. In need of rest and rejuvenation, she embarks on a vacation far from home. Mikhail Dubrinksy is the Prince of the Carpathians, the powerful leader of a wise and secret ancient race that thrives in the night. Engulfed by despair, fearful of never finding the mate who can save him from the encroaching darkness, his soul cries out in loneliness. Until the day a beautiful voice full of light and love responds, softly soothing his pain and yearning. From the moment they meet, Raven and Dubrinksy are helpless to resist the desire that sparks between them. But just as fate unexpectedly brings these life mates together, malevolent forces threaten to destroy them and their fragile love. Yet even if they survive, how can these two lovers – Carpathian and human – build a future together? And how can Dubrinksy bring Raven into his dark world without extinguishing her beautiful goodness and light?

On Wednesday, Quinn McKenzie changes her life. On Thursday, she tries to get somebody to notice. On Thursday night, somebody does. Quinn McKenzie is dating the world's nicest guy, she has a good job as a high school art teacher, she's surrounded by family and friends who rely on her, and she's bored to the point of insanity. But when Quinn decides to change her life by adopting a stray dog over everyone's objections, everything begins to spiral out of control. Now she's coping with dognapping, breaking and entering, seduction, sabotage, stalking, more secrets than she really wants to know, and two men who are suddenly crazy . . . for her.

*Three modern sisters bound by the timeless beauty of Ireland...* The eldest Concannon sister, Maggie, is a reclusive, stubborn and free-spirited glassmaker—with a heart worth winning. Margaret Mary is a glass artist with an independent streak as fierce as her volatile temper. Hand-blowing glass is a difficult and exacting art, and while she may produce the delicate and the fragile, Maggie is a strong and opinionated woman, a Clare woman, with all the turbulence of that fascinating west country. One man, Dublin gallery owner Rogan Sweeney, has seen the soul in Maggie’s art, and vows to help her build a career. When he comes to Maggie’s studio, her heart is inflamed by their fierce attraction—and her scarred past is slowly healed by love...

A young girl from the wrong side of the tracks secretly adores the son of the richest man in town who is also her mother's lover. After her family is run out of town, she turns her life around. She later returns to her home town, but in an area outside of he town so that no one can tell her what to do. The boy, now a man, who she has adored all of her life tries to get her to leave town again, but ends up falling in love with her and protects her from those who still don't want her there.

A sweeping tale of cruel fate, irresistible love, and the path that connects them, this "glorious love story that spans centuries, worlds, and souls" (Chicago Daily Herald) is sure to resonate with longtime Deveraux fans and new ones alike. New Afterword by the author.