I believe every story must have an affair of the heart in order to be a memorable tale.

We who write spend most of our time reading.

I read all kinds of genre.

I may write thrillers and historical fiction, but I’m fascinated with romance novel. I believe every story must have an affair of the heart in order to be a memorable tale.

In no particular order, these are the five most intriguing romance novels I’ve read this year.

Which romantic stories would be on your list.

This Time Forever

By Patricia Paris

Sparks fly when Delaney Brannigan and Blake Morrisson meet at the Glebe Point annual costume dance. Known only to each other that night as the leopard and the Lone Ranger, Delaney discovers soon afterward that the cowboy she thought had ridden off into the sunset never to tempt her again, is none other than the man she came from New York to find and discredit. Against her will, she is drawn into an overwhelming attraction to Blake, an attraction she can’t give in to if she wants to keep the one thing she values more than anything else.

During a chance encounter with an old friend, Blake discovered he has a son he never knew existed. Finding the boy has been the only thing he cared about for months—that is until Delaney Brannigan came to town. Now the bewitching woman has him thinking about settling down—but then he discovers Delaney isn’t who she appeared to be, and Delaney’s hopes and dreams are shattered as the truth threatens to uproot her world.

Will these two lovers lose one another in a web of deception, or will the small town boy and the girl from New York find a way to trust their hearts and discover a once in a lifetime happiness?

 

Mail Order Groom

By Dana Wayne

“Find a husband in thirty days or lose the ranch when I die.”

Emma Marshall is stunned by her dying father’s ultimatum. With Twin Oaks to run alone, she delays dealing with it, unaware of the advertisements he placed seeking a groom for her.

One by one, prospects arrive, spurred by the promise of control of a prosperous ranch and a beautiful bride. Angry, embarrassed and heartbroken by her father’s tactics, she fights for her independence.

Tyler Roundtree acts on a request from his best friend and accepts the job of temporary foreman at the Marshall place. Surprised to find his new boss is a beautiful, jean-wearing, gun-toting woman with enough grit to go bear hunting with a switch, he happily accepts the job.

Distracted by persistent suitors and a dangerous man intent on getting control of her ranch, Emma is totally unprepared for the instant attraction to Ty. Thrown together by chance, she can’t help but wonder if he may be the answer to her problem. However, it soon becomes clear she knows everything about running a ranch, and nothing about being a woman.

A world-weary Southern gentleman, a fiery, independent woman—a marriage of convenience was only the beginning.

Two More Miles

By Jan Romes

Ophthalmologist secretary, Ava Beckenridge goes overboard on the exercise regimen and passes out at the gym. Dr. Keith Miles, OB/GYN stages a rescue when she falls. There’s an undercurrent of animosity between them from a spat they had earlier over a treadmill, but now there’s something else to go with it – an attraction neither one wants. He’s cocky.

He’s cocky.

She’s stubborn.

Their pasts keep them guarded and causes trust issues. In the midst of all that madness, they both claim to see something that may or may not be there – she says he has severe eye strain, he says he can see she’s with child.

The humor is plentiful. The path to happiness is rugged. Will two more Miles fix everything?

That One Moment

By Patty Wiseman

Ricki Sheridan traveled a long way to seek refuge at Wolf Den’s Lodge high in the mountains after a devastating betrayal. Heartbroken, she signed up for a survivalist backpacking trip to live off the land and forget.

An injury on the first day puts her in the capable hands of the handsome trail boss, Kory Littleton. The attraction is instant, mutual, and terrifying. She trusted her emotions once and vowed never to make the same mistake again.

Kory’s heart, trampled and bruised, is unprepared to ever love again, until his unexpected reaction to Ricki reveals some things are worth taking a chance on.

When evil finds its way back into Ricki’s world, their fragile bond is tested, forcing them to face their greatest fear: can a wounded heart ever trust anew?

Betrayal. Desire. Revenge. Which one prevails?

 

Why the River Runs

By JoAnna Grace

Some call this river a taker of souls, a reaper. Sanguine is the Spanish word for blood and God knows plenty has been spilled in its murky depths. As Tina floats on her back, she couldn’t help but feel its more of an artery, giving life to its limbs.

Not everyone would agree.

Tough as nails, Tina Foster, doesn’t have time for a relationship. She’s far too busy running her family construction company. Tina’s take-charge attitude may intimidate some, but to others, she’s a rock, a woman with a plan. Taming a heart this strong will take a man up for a challenge, and so far, there haven’t been too many contenders worthy of her time.

Bo Galloway is returning to Riverview after a rough few years. He’s home to take care of his grandmother and prays for a chance at redemption and a fresh start. Untrusting of most women, he doesn’t know what to think of his new boss. He definitely didn’t expect to admire Tina Foster. Bo’s only shot at getting Tina to notice him is to be as strong as she is.

Just like the waters of the Sanguine, Bo and Tina must find their flow. Will the waters sweep away their only chance at true love, or nourish a relationship as steady as the river itself?