May showers bring hot new romance books
As you get into the weekend, check out some new romance books that are worth reading, recommended by Happy Ever After's contributors:
Shadows and Lies by Eden Butler. "Go be a hero and let me be a crook." That line perfectly sums up these two wounded souls who are brought together under Shadows and Lies by Eden Butler. Butler provides a gritty, suspenseful and very romantic tale. Whether through Alex's distrustful eyes or Neil's measured approach with life, the intertwining viewpoints are realistic mirrors of these central characters. The unlikely couple has many mysteries to solve, dangers to avoid and enemies to fear. None of it would have been so enjoyable to read if the suspense hadn't been expertly inserted, and steadily built with each revelation. (Recommended by Michelle Monkou)
Baby Love by Suzette Riddick. Suzette Riddick delivers her short romantic story Baby Love as a message of love through life's trials and tribulations. With the spotlight on this romantic couple, each phase of their journey together reveals the deep issues that will rip them apart. Riddick takes an important issue to test the bonds of a relationship with an emotional and honest perspective. Baby Love is an impactful lesson. (Recommended by Michelle Monkou)
Are You There, God? by Theresa Campbell. Lessons of faith are constant and from the various viewpoints of a wide cast of characters, with Dupree at the heart. With Campbell's easy style, the story is equally entertaining and engrossing with her spot-on descriptions of Jamaican life, a woman's faith and emotional journey to self-awareness, and the drama of small-town living. For book clubs, there is much to be discussed. Campbell doesn't let up with the burdens that hit at a steady pace through the story. The hypocrisy and imperfections of people, in the church and those outside of the circle, heighten the injustices that have been done to Dupree. With an exciting ending, it's good to know that the next book, God Has Spoken, is available with possible resolutions. (Recommended by Michelle Monkou)
Some Kind of Normal by Juliana Stone.Some Kind of Normal is exquisite, compelling and real. Juliana Stone shows talent and sensitivity in writing a heartrending tale about how a former teenage bad boy and a straight-laced pastor's daughter and their families cope and adjust to traumatic life-altering events. It's evident that Stone spends time with teenagers, because the dialogue is age appropriate and fun. You'll laugh, cry and cheer as Trevor and Everly fall in love, adjust to their new "normal" lives and find happiness. (Recommended by Lea Franczak)
Sweet by Tammara Webber.Sweet is a touching, friends-to-lovers romance about a rebellious bad boy and good girl from different social spheres who have shared a special bond for most of their lives. Tammara Webber's descriptive prose is so vivid and lyrical, it's like being immersed in beautiful music for hours. As with any relationship, it has not always been smooth sailing. Even soul mates weather rough patches, and Webber gives us plenty to chew on as Boyce and Pearl face a new set of challenges. Webber turns up the heat in this one, so look forward to passion and a dirty-talking hero. (Recommended by Lea Franczak)
Glimmer by Beth Kery. When I think of a Beth Kery book, I think sophistication, enticing alpha male hero and erotically charged love scenes. Glimmer offers all these features and more. Alice is guarded and suspicious, and as they begin a clandestine affair, Dylan soon learns that earning her trust will be challenging. Glimmer, part of a duology that continues with Glow in December, is one of Beth Kery's best, and once you start it, you won't want to put it down. (Recommended by Lea Franczak)
Tessa Ever After by Brighton Walsh. What makes Tessa Ever After extraspecial and unique is heroine Tessa's 4-year-old, Haley. Walsh gives Haley spirit and sweetness, and it's easy to understand why she and her mom become hero Jason's whole world. The love scenes in this one are smoking hot and passionate, so expect fairly explicit eroticism. Tessa Ever After is a delight: womanizing college party guy falls for single mom and her daughter. Brighton Walsh has written a winner. (Recommended by Lea Franczak)
Trust by Ella Frank. This book, No. 3 in the Temptation series, has the perfect mixture of hot steamy bedroom scenes and hard angsty perfection. I love that we get to see each hero through both Logan's and Tate's POV. This allows readers to really understand and connect with both heroes and really "feel" their struggles and fears. Though Ella says Trust is the final installment, I hope we'll see more of Tate and Logan, even if it's a cameo in another series. I'm not ready to see their banter, their flirtations and their chemistry come to a close! I definitely recommend this series for romance fans who are looking for major heart and great writing. (Recommended by Jessie Potts)
The Fill-In Boyfriend by Kasie West. I'm not usually a big teen contemporary reader, but Kasie West always sucks me in and has me cheering for her awesome heroes and heroines. I love that heroine Gia is a typical girl in high school. She has a college boyfriend, a frenemy, a best friend and worries about getting into college and, of course, how her friends perceive her. Gia's character arc also grows perfectly and transforms her into something much more than a shallow girl. Hero Hayden is great, a bit nerdy, a whole lot of sweet, and interested in helping this random girl. Perfect for readers looking for a light and enjoyable read with a bit of angst. (Recommended by Jessie Potts)
The Isle of the Lost by Melissa de la Cruz. When I heard that Melissa was writing the prequel to Descendants, a Disney Channel Original Movie coming out in spring 2015, I knew I had to get my hands on this. The characters are by far some of the best, and the majority of the first half of the book is introducing them and getting the readers invested in all these "villains." I had a ball reading it and can't wait to see what's in store next, maybe a little more romance, a little more plotting and of course all those villains! (Recommended by Jessie Potts)
Acute Reactions by Ruby Lang. Ian Zamora is extremely allergic to his girlfriend's beloved cat, and since he spends countless hours at the restaurant he owns, he feels like the least he can do is go to the doctor and get some allergy relief. This is how he finds himself in the office of doctor Petra Lale. Petra is a recent medical school graduate who took her father's money and decided to open her own practice. Ian and Petra have great chemistry (Ian breaks up with his girlfriend), but there is that whole pesky doctor/patient relationship that gets in the way. This story has such cute and smart banter. Sexy and funny. (Recommended by Mandi Schreiner)
Taken by Charlotte Stein. Although the blurb makes this book sound dark, this is actually a light and very funny book. Oh, and sexy! Rosie may have tried to vandalize Han's rare-books store, but that's only because he gets angry if she touches anything. So when Han catches her vandalizing, he overreacts, drags her to the basement (where his apartment is located) and handcuffs her to his bed. Rosie realizes Han is actually a big softy who is now completely panicked that he is going to be charged with kidnapping. Rosie assures him if he just lets her go, she will be on her way, but then he can't get the handcuffs off. All the while, Rosie starts to flirt and say very naughty things to the very sexy Han, eventually leading to a romantic relationship. Charlotte Stein has a great voice in the erotic genre. She writes passionate romances that also make me giggle. (Recommended by Mandi Schreiner)
The Duke and the Lady in Red by Lorraine Heath. Rosalind Sharpe has recently moved to London with her brother, and she is on the hunt. For what exactly, it's hard to tell, but you know it will involve a wealthy gentleman. She gets an exclusive invite to a gaming hell that now allows women, and it's there she meets the Duke of Avendale. Avendale can't take his eyes off Rosalind, which is a new feeling for him. This book starts with such great chemistry and sexual tension between Rosalind and Avendale. When the reader learns of all of Rosalind's circumstances, the book changes. I became so invested in a supporting character and, by the end, Avendale's selfless romantic gestures had me smiling hard. At the very end, I even choked up. A really well-done story. (Recommended by Mandi Schreiner)
Gypsy Love by Stormy Glenn and 24 others. 100% of the proceeds from this incredible, think-outside-the-box project is going to charities that serve homeless LGBTQ youth. Kudos to everyone involved in this full-length novel, with each chapter written by a different author. They made it work. The timeline for the story is short, but the plot flow is smooth, which is astonishing for a book with so many cooks in the kitchen. All of these authors write sizzling sex in their own books so it's no surprise that aspects of the book could set wallpaper on fire. Even better, and important to me for any book I read, the characters are fun to read about and it's easy to root for an HEA outcome for them. (Recommended by Becky Condit)