Sterling Heights Public Library
ROMANCE Reading Suggestions
Compiled by Margaret Hanes and Mary Lou Metzger

Books

Adair, Cherry. (AR) A good example of romance blended with an exciting adventure storyline. Most of her novels deal with male characters who are involved with the military or special forces.
The Mercenary. (OP)
Kiss and Tell. 2000
Hide and Seek. 2001
In Too Deep. 2002
Out of Sight. 2003
On Thin Ice. 2004
Hot Ice. 2005.
Edge of Danger. (Edge Brothers trilogy) 2006
Edge of Fear. 2006
Edge of Darkness. 2006
White Heat. 2007

Anderson, Catherine. (C, HR) Romance with a decidedly character-driven story. Her earlier books were historical, her most recent contemporary. The stories are quite sexy but in a charming and sweet way. Many of her early titles are now out of print and may have to be found at used bookstores.
Comanche Moon. 1991 (Comanche Series)
Comanche Heart. 1991 (Comanche Series)
Indigo Blue. 1992 (Comanche Series)
Comanche Magic. 1994 (Comanche Series)
Cheyenne Amber. 1994
Coming Up Roses. 1995
Keegan’s Lady. 1996
Annie’s Song. 1996
Simply Love. 1997
Forever After. 1998
Cherish. 1998
Baby Love. 1999
Seventh Heaven. 2000
Phantom Waltz. 2001
Sweet Nothings. 2002
Always in My Heart. 2002
Only By Your Touch. 2003
Blue Skies. 2004 (Coulter Family Series)
Bright Eyes. 2004 (Coulter Family Series)
My Sunshine. 2005 (Coulter Family Series)
Summer Breeze. 2006 (sequel to Keegan's Lady)
Sun Kissed. 2006

Andersen, Susan. (HR) Her books feature suspense, comedy, lust, and love. Andersen does romantic comedy with a twist of suspense. Some of her earlier books have been reissued with new covers. Check her web site for the whole list.
Present Danger. 1993
On Thin Ice. 1995
Exposure. 1996
Baby, I’m Yours. 1998
Be My Baby. 1999
Baby, Don’t Go. 2000
All Shook Up. 2001
Head Over Heels. 2002
Getting Lucky. 2003
Hot and Bothered. 2004
Skintight. 2005
Just for Kicks. 2006

Andrews, Mary Kay. (C, HR) The author claims to be a life-long garage sale addict and her novels reflect her love of decorating and collecting with ample doses of laugh-out-loud humor to keep her readers entertained.
Savannah Blues. 2001
Little Bitty Lies. 2003
Hissy Fit. 2004
Savannah Breeze. 2006

Arnold, Judith. (C) The Bloom series take place in Bloom’s deli in New York. Books are funny with great character development. Author says status of the series is unsure. Nominated for a RITA. She has also done over 70 category romances.
Looking For Laura. 2001
Love in Blooms. 2002 (Bloom series)
Heart on the Line. 2003
Blooming All Over. 2004 (Bloom series)
The Fixer Upper. 2005
In the Dark. 2006 (new series)

Banks, Leanne. (C) She is the queen of the sexy feel-good contemporary romance. Books are threaded together so it’s best to read them in order. She also writes category romances. Check her web site for the whole list.
Some Girls Do. 2003
When She’s Bad. 2003
Trouble in High Heels. 2005
Feet First. 2005
Underfoot. 2006

Berg, Elizabeth. (C, WI) Her book Open House was chosen as an Oprah Book Club Selection several years ago. She writes novels noted for giving readers astute insights into human relationships. Although not strictly what I would deem a romance writer, her stories often have strong romantic elements in each plot.
Durable Goods. 1993
Talk Before Sleep. 1994
Pull of the Moon. 1995
Range of Motion. 1996
What We Keep. 1998
Joy School. 1998
Until the Real Thing Comes Along. 1998
Open House. 2000
Never Change. 2001
Ordinary Life: Stories. 2002
True to Form. 2002
Say When. 2003
The Art of Mending. 2004
The Year of Pleasures. 2005
We Are All Welcome Here. 2006

Berg, Patti. (C) Some of her earlier titles are OOP. She writes sexy books with sassy heroines who are well drawn with interesting supporting casts. Characters and locales pop up in later books, so best to read them in order.
Looking for a Hero. 1998
Wife for a Day. 1999
Bride for a Night. 2000
Born to Be Wild. 2001
Something Wild. 2002
Stuck on You. 2003
And Then He Kissed Me. 2003
I’m No Angel. 2004

Bevarly, Elizabeth. (C) Like so many other romance writers, she started with category romances. The award winner has done several anthologies. Now doing single titles which are racy, light reading.
The Wedding. 1993
The Honeymoon. 1995
My Man Pendleton. 1998
Her Man Friday. 1999
How to Trap a Tycoon. 2000
He Could Be the One. 2001
Take Me, I'm Yours. 2002
The Ring on Her Finger. 2003
The Thing About Men. 2004
Undercover With the Mob. 2004
Just Like a Man. 2005
You've Got Male. 2005
Express Male. 2006

Bond, Stephanie. (C) She does romantic comedy and suspense. Not the usual romance, some really different plots. Sophisticated web site with lots of advice for writers. She’s one of those newly popular authors whose previous category romances are being reprinted in shiny new covers.
Our Husband. 2000
I Think I Love You. 2002
Kill the Competition. 2003
Party Crashers. 2004
Whole Lotta Trouble. 2004
In Deep Voodoo. 2005
Body Movers. 2006

Brandt, Beverly. (HR) She writes funny, feel-good romances with a little suspense thrown in. Great characters in unusual circumstances. Sometimes even laugh-out-loud funny. Also writes as Jacey Ford.
True North. 2002
Record Time. 2002
Room Service. 2003
Dream On. 2004
The Tiara Club. 2005
Match Game. 2005
Dating Game. October 2006

Bretton, Barbara. (C) Published in paperback. She writes a contemporary romance story that features good characters and old-fashioned story-telling. Her website gives a full list of all her titles, including those which are being reissued. So far she has only been published in paperback Included here is a list of her contemporary mainstream novels.
Maybe This Time. 1995
Guilty Pleasures. 1996
Sleeping Alone. 1997
Once Around. 1998
The Day We Met. 1999
At Last. 2000
A Soft Place to Fall. 2001
Girls of Summer. 2003
Shore Lights. 2003
Chances Are. 2004
Someone Like You. 2005

Brockmann, Suzanne. (RS) She is a perfect example of a category author going mainstream - big time. Two series, The Troubleshooter and Tall, Dark & Handsome, feature Navy Seal type characters with women who are equally strong. Sometimes has two threads running in a book, either with a secondary character or a historical back story. Best to read in order to get a handle on the characters and relationships. Some of the older books are being reprinted with slightly different titles, although the covers say "originally published as . . .".
Prince Joe. 1996 (reissued 2002)
Forever Blue. 1996 (reissued 2003)
Frisco’s Kid. 1997 (reissued 2003)
Every Day Average Jones. 1998 (reissued 2004)
Harvard’s Education. 1998 (reissued 2004)
It Came Upon a Midnight Clear. 1998 (reissued as Hawken's Heart 2005)
The Admiral’s Bride. 1999
Bodyguard. 1999 (reissued 2004)
Hearthrob. 1999 (reissued 2004)
Get Lucky. 2000
Identity Unknown. 2000
The Unsung Hero. 2000 (reissued 2003)
The Defiant Hero. 2001 (reissued 2003)
Taylor’s Temptation. 2001
Over the Edge. 2001
Out of Control. 2002
Into the Night. 2002
Nightwatch. 2003
Gone Too Far. 2003
Flashpoint. 2004
Hot Target. 2004
Breaking Point. 2005
Into the Storm. 2006

Brown, Sandra. (C, RS) The one thing almost anyone can say about Sandra is that she is prolific. Her career started in the Harlequin type format, branched out to mass market, and went hardcover. She has since changed her focus from traditional love stories to romantic thrillers. To complicate things even more the publishing industry has reprinted many of her earliest category romance paperbacks in hardcover. Listed is a selection of some of my personal favorites. Her website is a good source for a complete list.
Mirror Image. 1990
Texas Lucky. 1990
Texas Chase. 1991
Texas Sage. 1991

Caldwell, Laura. (CL) Her books are described as fun, snappy reads. The heroines are young (30ish), professional women. Part of the Red Dress Ink imprint of so-called “chick lit” with “bad job, bad boyfriend, sort-of-happily-ever-after”.
Burning the Map. 2002
A Clean Slate. 2003
The Year of Living Famously. 2004
The Night I Got Lucky. 2005
Look Closely. 2005
The Rome Affair. 2006

Carroll, Leslie. (CL, HR) Fresh, funny and fast-paced, yet filled with cutting-edge wit, irony and human foibles. She’s now moving into the chick-lit category.
Miss Match. 2002
Reality Check. 2003
Temporary Insanity. 2004
Play Dates. 2005
Spin Doctor. 2006

Carroll, Susan. (H, PR) A favorite historical author. She mixes a lot of different elements in her stories including magic, time travel, and reincarnation, but pulls it all together in a fascinating trilogy. 
The Bride Finder. 1998
The Night Drifter. 1998
Midnight Bride. 2001

Civil-Brown, Sue. (HR) The author, also known as Rachel Lee, has won numerous awards. She uses this pseudonym to write lighthearted contemporary romances. This series takes place in Paradise Beach, Florida. Familiar characters pop-up in each book. More about characterization than lust.
Carried Away. 1997
Letting Loose. 1998
Chasing Rainbow. 1999
Catching Kelly. 2000
Tempting Mr. Wright. 2000
Next Stop, Paradise. 2001
Breaking All the Rules. 2002
The Prince Next Door. 2005
Hurricane Hannah. 2006

Cook, Claire. (C, HR) Her books are a delight. I have never recommended them to anyone who didn’t love them. Humorous and insightful, they deal with family and romantic situations we can all relate to.
Ready to Fall. 2000 
Must Love Dogs. 2002 (Now a movie)
Multiple Choice. 2004
Take It or Leave It. 2006

Coulter, Catherine. (C, H, RS) She does it all and has been publishing since 1978 and has won numerous awards. Currently she does one contemporary suspense and one historical romance a year. I like her FBI suspense series better than the historicals. Best to check her website where she has her titles categorized. She is being reissued, too.
The Cove. 1996
The Maze. 1997
The Target. 1998
The Edge. 1999
Riptide. 2000
Hemlock Bay. 2001
Eleventh Hour. 2002
Blindside. 2003
Blowout. 2004
Point Blank. 2005

Crusie, Jennifer. (HR) She’s cornered the market on the new and very popular trend of humorous and slightly wacky romances. Her stories have plenty of secondary characters and situations. Sometimes she borders a bit on the ridiculous but you can’t help but be entertained by her sheer enthusiasm.
Tell Me Lies. 1998
Crazy For You. 1999
Welcome to Temptation. 2000
Fast Women. 2001
Faking It. 2002
Bet Me. 2004
Don't Look Down. 2006

Dart, Iris Rainer. (C) Remember the tearjerker Beaches with Bette Midler? It was based on a book by Iris. She hasn’t written much lately but her books are still worth tracking down.
Beaches. 1985
Till the Real Thing Comes Along. 1987
I’ll Be There. 1991 (Also called Beaches II)
Stork Club. 1992
Show Business Kills. 1996
When I Fall in Love. 1999
Some Kind of Miracle. 2003

Delinsky, Barbara. (C) Part of a growing group of writers who may be labeled woman’s fiction instead of romance. Her stories deal with contemporary women facing a variety of challenges and demands from their husbands, children, or careers. Another author with a history in category romances that you may find reissued in a paperback or hardcover format. Some titles.
Heart of the Night. 1989
Facets. 1991
A Woman Betrayed. 1992
The Passions of Chelsea Kane. 1992
Suddenly. 1993
More than Friends. 1993
Outsider. 1993
For My Daughters. 1994
Together Alone. 1995
Shades of Grace. 1995
A Woman’s Place. 1997
Three Wishes. 1997
Coast Road. 1998
Rekindled. 1999
Lake News. 1999
The Vineyard. 2000
The Woman Next Door. 2001
Uplift: Secrets from the Sisterhood of Breast Cancer Survivors. 2001 (nonfiction title)
The Summer I Dared. 2004
Looking for Peyton Place. 2005
Family Tree. 2006

Dodd, Christina. (H, C) She does both category romances and stand alone titles. Primarily known for historicals but Lost Texas Heart is a contemporary series. Web site has a list broken down by series.
The Runaway Princess. 1999 (Princess Series)
Someday My Prince. 1999 (Princess Series)
Governess Brides Series. (6 titles)
Scandalous Again. 2003 (Switching Place Series)
One Kiss from You. 2003 (Switching Place Series)
Just the Way You Are. 2003 (Lost Texas Heart Series)
Almost Like Being in Love. 2004 (Lost Texas Heart Series)
Some Enchanted Evening. 2004 (Lost Princesses Trilogy)
Close to You. 2005 (Lost Texas Heart Series)
The Barefoot Princess. 2006 (Lost Princesses Trilogy)

Feehan, Christine. The Drake Sisters - Seven sisters, all witches, live in a seacoast town where everyone accepts them for what they are, and even rely on their magic. Their mother, one of seven sisters, has handed down the family prophesy which says each sister will marry in order. Author writes other series including the Dark series.
1. Magic in the Wind. 2003, reissue 2005. (Sarah)
2. Twilight Before Christmas. 2003 (Kate)
3. Oceans of Fire. 2005 (Abigail)
4. Dangerous Tides. 2006 (Libby)

Feldman, Ellen. (C) An interesting writer who never achieved a huge following but she is well worth exploring. Her novels range from straightforward love stories to tales with a good share of suspense.
AKA Katherine Walden. 1982
Conjugal Rites. 1986
Looking for Love. 1989
Too Close for Comfort. 1994
Rearview Mirror. 1996
God Bless the Child. 1998
Lucy. 2003
The Boy Who Loved Anne Frank. 2005

Fielding, Joy. (C, RS) Her titles combine a romantic element with a mystery or suspense driven plot. Similar to Mary Higgins Clark but with more emphasis on character development.
Kiss Mommy Goodbye. 1980
The Other Woman. 1982
Life Penalty. 1984
The Deep End. 1986
Good Intentions. 1988
See Jane Run. 1991
Tell Me No Secrets. 1993
Don’t Cry Now. 1995
Missing Pieces. 1997
The First Time. 2000
Grand Avenue. 2001
Whispers and Lies. 2002
Lost. 2003
Puppet. 2005
Mad River Road. 2006

Fox, Elaine. (C, H, PR) She did time travel and historicals before starting on lighthearted contemporary romance in 2001. Won a RITA award. I find the quality a little uneven but still an enjoyable read.
Traveler. 1996
Untamed Angel. 1997
Pray, Love, Remember. 1998
The Imposter. 1999
Compulsion. 2000
Maybe Baby. 2001
Man At Work. 2002
If the Slipper Fits. 2003
Hot Stuff. 2004
Special of the Day. 2005
Guys and Dogs. 2006

Freedman, Benedict and Nancy. (H) A “classic” and a good example of a book that will entertain young adults and grandmothers at the same time. Engrossing and timeless storytelling.
Mrs. Mike. 1947

Gabaldon, Diana. Outlander Series - A compulsively readable time travel saga concerning a nurse from the 1940s who ends up back in the 16th century.
1. Outlander. 1991
2. Dragonfly in Amber. 1992
3. Voyager. 1994
4. Drums of Autumn. 1997
5. Fiery Cross. 2001
6. Breath of Snow and Ashes. 2005

Gaffney, Patricia. (C) Another writer who made the leap from Harlequin type category romance paperbacks to mainstream hardcover novels, although for some reason she has not enjoyed the best selling recognition of Nora Roberts.
The Saving Graces. 1999
Circle of Three. 2000
Flight Lessons. 2002
The Goodbye Summer. 2004

Gibson, Rachel. (C) Gibson’s writing style is confident, humorous and sexy. She finds a nice middle ground between screwball comedy and poignant melodrama. Her 4th book won a RITA. On my list of reads.
Simply Irresistible. 1998
Truly Madly Yours. 1999
It Must Be Love. 2000
True Confessions. 2001
Lola Carlyle Reveals All. 2002
See Jane Score. 2003
Daisy’s Back in Town. 2004
The Trouble With Valentine's Day. 2005
Sex, Lies, and Online Dating. 2006

Goldsmith, Olivia. (C, HR) She died last year at 54 from complications of elective cosmetic surgery. Her most famous book is probably The First Wives Club but my personal favorite is Switcheroo.
The First Wives Club. 1992
Flavor of the Month. 1993
Fashionably Late. 1994
Simple Isn’t Easy. 1995 (Her only nonfiction title.)
The Bestseller. 1996
Marrying Mom. 1996
Switcheroo. 1998
Bad Boy: A Novel. 2000
Young Wives. 2000
Pen Pals. 2002
Dumping Billy. 2004

Grace, Carol. (C) After many category romances, she’s now doing single titles. The books are superficial and corny, but despite that, they are pleasant escape books, perfect for the beach or the lunch hour. Yes, That’s Amore does sound like the movie French Kiss.
That’s Amore. 2003
An Accidental Greek Wedding. 2004

Graves, Jane. (RS) Her books are fast-moving with the first four featuring the DeMarco brothers who are all cops. She uses the “on the run” theme in the series. Have a feeling there are more relatives and books on the horizon. She does category romances under the name Jane Sullivan.
I Got You Babe. 2001
Wild at Heart. 2002
Flirting With Disaster. 2003
Light My Fire. 2004

Grayson, Kristine. (PR) I really like this series about mages, the Fates, and magic. The stories are threaded together so read them in order. The author is actually Kristine Kathryn Rusch who is an award-winning mystery, romance, science fiction, and fantasy writer who uses various names
Utterly Charming. 2000
Thoroughly Kissed. 2001
Completely Smitten. 2002
Simply Irresistible. 2003
Absolutely Captivated. 2004
Totally Spellbound. 2005

Greene, Jennifer. (C) She’s a 3-time Rita Award Winner and member of the RWA Hall of Fame with more than 70 books to her name. She’s done mostly categories with a few single titles which are set in Michigan. She writes with a frankness that’s vivid, fresh, and often funny.
The Woman Most Likely To. 2002
Where is He Now? 2003
Blame It On Chocolate. 2005
Blame It On Cupid. 2007

Gutcheon, Beth. (C) Heartfelt and entertaining stories dealing with a variety of challenges women face.
The New Girls. 1979 (reissued 1996)
Still Missing. 1981
Domestic Pleasures. 1991
Saving Grace. 1995
Five Fortunes. 1998
More than You Know. 2000
Leeway Cottage. 2005

Hannah, Kristin. (C, WI). A writer known for thoughtfully developed characters and absorbing stories dealing with a variety of human relationships. The romantic element is sometimes secondary to the main focus of the story. Her books have great cover art.
Once in Every Life. 1992
The Enchantment. 1992
If You Believe. 1994
Waiting for the Moon. 1995
Home Again. 1996
On Mystic Lake. 1999
Angel Falls. 2000
Summer Island. 2001
Distant Shores. 2002
Between Sisters. 2003
Things We Do for Love. 2004
Comfort & Joy. 2005
Magic Hour. 2006

Heller, Jane. (HR). Comic novels written with an often sarcastic and witty view of current culture.
Cha Cha Cha. 1993
The Club. 1995
Internal Affairs. 1996
Prince Charming. 1997
Crystal Clear. 1998
Sis Boom Bah. 1999
Name Dropping. 2000
Female Intelligence. 2001
Secret Ingredient. 2002
Lucky Stars. 2003
Best Enemies. 2004
An Ex to Grind. 2005
Some Nerve. September 2006

Hendricks, Judith. (WI). Only 3 books to her credit, this author is a wonderful discovery.
Bread Alone. 2001
Isabel’s Daughter. 2003
The Baker’s Apprentice. 2005

Hoffman, L. F. (C). Cats have made their presence felt in mysteries as well as romances. This time out a bachelor’s reluctant adoption of a stray kitten leads to love. Another example of a good read for teens as well as readers who like so called nice books.
The Bachelor’s Cat. 1997

Holm, Stef Ann. (C, H) She’s done plenty of historicals - the covers could be the prototype for Fabio with flowing hair, etc. Her contemporary books are set in small towns with rich characterizations and gentle romance.
Weeping Angel. 1995
Portraits. 1996
Crossings. 1996
Forget Me Not. 1997
Harmony. 1997
Hooked. 1999
Honey. 2000
Hearts. 2001
Runaway Heiress. 2002
Girls Night. 2002
Undressed. 2003
Pink Moon. 2004
Leaving Normal. 2005
Lucy Gets Her Life Back. October 2006

Isaacs, Susan. (HR, C) Bright, witty, and compulsively readable her novels are original in the characters and plots that she develops. Several have been made into films.
Compromising Positions. 1978
Close Relations. 1980
Almost Paradise. 1984
Shining Through. 1988
Magic Hour. 1991
After All These Years. 1993
Lily White. 1996
Red, White, and Blue. 1998
Long Time No See. 2001
Any Place I Hang My Hat. 2004

Kagan, Elaine. (C, WI) Kagan has been an actress and written for the movies and televison. Her books are smart and stylish.
The Girls. 1994
Blue Heaven. 1996
Somebody’s Baby. 1999
No Good-byes 2001
Losing Mr. North. 2002

Kantra, Virginia. (C). So far she writes only in the category format but her stories are done with well developed characters and could easily be mainstream novels with the right marketing behind her.
The Passion of Patrick MacNeill. 2000
The Reforming of Matthew Dunn. 2000
The Comeback of Con MacNeill. 2001
Mad Dog and Annie. 2001
The Temptation of Sean MacNeill. 2001
Born to Protect. 2002
All a Man Can Ask. 2003
All a Man Can Be. 2003
All a Man Can Do. 2003
Her Beautiful Assassin. 2003
Guilty Secrets. 2004
Stolen Memory. 2005
Close-Up. 2005 (mainstream)

Kauffman, Donna. Glass Slipper Series - Writes “chick-lit”, category romances, and is in anthologies with a theme. Some of her earlier titles are now being re-released. Characters move back and forth in her series, so best read in order. This series is loosely about three “fairy godmothers” who help with romance.
1. The Big Bad Wolf Tells All. 2003
2. The Cinderella Rules. 2004
3. Dear Prince Charming. 2004
4. Sleeping With Beauty. 2005
5. Not-So-Snow-White. 2006

Kenner, Julie. (C, PR) She does a mix of category and free standing titles. Check her web site since there are “loose” relationships between some of the titles. Her use of supernatural characters is quite believable. Her books are fast-paced with snappy dialogue. She has quite an imagination.
The Cat’s Fancy. 2000
Aphrodite’s Kiss. 2001
Aphrodite’s Passion. 2002
Aphrodite’s Secret. 2003
Nobody But You. 2003
Silent Confessions. 2003
Aphrodite’s Flame. 2004
The Spy Who Loves Me. 2004
The Givenchy Code. 2005
Carpe Diem. 2005 (title may vary)
The Manolo Mix. 2006

Keyes, Marian. (CL) Brit chic lit - thank you Bridget Jones! Her stories are rich with humor and you really care about the characters.
Lucy Sullivan is Getting Married. 1999
Last Chance Saloon. 2002
Angels. 2002
Sushi for Beginners. 2003
The Other Side of the Story. 2004
Further Under the Duvet. 2005
Anybody Out There? 2006

Kingsbury, Karen. (IR) A good example of inspiration or Christian fiction romance. Kingsbury has almost 30 novels to her credit including series titles and stand alone books. Listed below are examples.
Tuesday Morning. 2004
Beyond Tuesday Morning. 2005
(The Red Glove Series have several projects or suggestions in the back for Christian service to the homeless, elderly, etc. They are published in a smaller hardcover format with an identifiable red glove on the cover.)
Gideon’s Gift. 2002
Maggie’s Miracle. 2003
Sarah’s Song. 2004
Hannah’s Hope. 2005

Kinsella, Sophie. (CL) Kinsella has endearing heroines, crazy workplace antics, good and evil flatmates, appealing romance and gobs of humor. You do need to read them in order as the characters grow and change. Sort of....
Confessions of a Shopaholic. 2001
Shopaholic Ties the Knot. 2003
Can You Keep a Secret. 2004
Shopaholic and Sister. 2004
The Undomestic Goddess. 2005

Krentz, Jayne Ann. (C, HR) Rounding out what I would call the Big 3 of romance writers Krentz also originally started writing in the harlequin or category romance format, followed by hardcover. She also writes a historical series as Amanda Quick. Her website does a nice job of listing all her books under several pseudonyms and different series. She used to be a librarian.

Landvik, Lorna. (CR, WI) With titles like these how can you not be tempted to try this author?
Patty Jane’s House of Curl. 1995
Your Oasis on Flame Lake. 1997
The Tall Pine Polka. 1999
Welcome to the Great Mysterious. 2000
Angry Housewives Eating Bon-Bons. 2004
Oh My Stars. 2006

Connie Lane. (RS) Also writes as Constance Laux and Connie Deka. She’s done Regency Romances and category titles. Her new series is funny and fast-paced. A good description is madcap contemporary.
Reinventing Romeo. 2000
Romancing Romeo. 2002
Guilty Little Secrets. 2003
Dirty Little Lies. 2004

Lewis, Sara. (WI). An author who deals more in human relationships than she does romance. These are enlightening and entertaining stories. An undiscovered gem.
Trying to Smile and Other Stories. 1992
Heart Conditions. 1994
But I Love You Anyway. 1996
The Answer is Yes. 1998
The Second Draft of My Life: A Novel. 2002
The Best of Good: A Novel. 2003

London, Cait. (C, RS) Also writes as Cait Logan. See her web site for a complete list of category titles, the best known of which is the Tallchief series. Her stand alones deliver taut suspense with gripping emotion. Her last two books are set in Michigan. Not light reading.
Three Kisses. 1998
It Happened at Midnight. 2000
Leaving Lonely Town. 2001
When Night Falls. 2002
With Her Last Breath. 2003
What Memories Remain. 2004
Hidden Secrets. 2005
Flashback. 2005
Silence the Whispers. 2006

MacPherson, Suzanne. (C, RS) She writes funny books with quirky characters. Each book seems to improve. Her web site is pretty funny, she says she’s like everyone else, telling her family she’s busy - make your OWN dinner.
Risky Business. 2002
Talk of the Town. 2003
In the Mood. 2004
She Woke Up Married. 2005
Switched, Bothered, and Bewildered! 2006

Mandel, Sally. (C) Her titles vary in quality but her most recent was one of my favorite books.
Change of Heart. 1979
Quinn. 1982
Portrait of a Married Woman. 1986
A Time to Sing. 1989
Out of the Blue. 2000
Heart and Soul. 2002

Maxted, Anna. (CL) Anna Maxted lives in London with her cats, Disco and Natasha, her husband Phil and their son Oscar. She is a freelance journalist and in her spare time she writes really funny chick lit.
Getting Over It. 2000
Running in Heels. 2001
Behaving Like Adults. 2003
Being Committed. 2004
A Tale of Two Sisters. 2006

Michaels, Kasey. (HR) She’s done over 80 books and is also known as Kathryn Seidick and Michelle Kasey. She is a talented and versatile author who does family sagas, angst-filled Regency historicals , and really funny books. My favorites are the funny ones that have characters from other books, so read them in order.
Waiting for You. 2000
Someone to Love. 2001
Too Good to Be True. 2001
Love to Love You Baby. 2001
Be My Baby Tonight. 2002
Then Comes Marriage. 2002
Maggie Needs an Alibi. 2002
Maggie By the Book. 2003
This Must Be Love. 2003
The Kissing Game. 2003
This Can’t Be Love. 2004
Maggie Without a Clue. 2004
Stuck in Shangri-La. 2005
High Heels and Homicide (Maggie Kelly book). 2005

Melton, Marliss. Navy Seal Series - A relatively new author very reminiscent in plot and characters to the Suzanne Brockmann Navy Seals series. (PB Fic Melton)
1. Forget Me Not. 2004
2. In the Dark. 2005
3. Time to Run. 2006

Milofsky, David. (C) Wrote a beautiful book about a marriage faced with the challenge of dealing with a debilitating illness.
Playing from Memory. 1980

Montague, Dan. (C) Written by a man with a male main character which makes for a different viewpoint.
White Wings. 1997
Second Chance. 1998

Neggers, Carla. (C) Very prolific author with many category romances which are listed on her site. Her single title books are well researched and suspenseful. Not flashy reads, more substantial.
Outrageous Desire. 1982
Dancing Season: Finding Mr. Right. 1983
Claim the Crown. 1987
Mistrals's Fire. 1990
Wisconsin Wedding. 1992 (Tyler Series)
Tempting Fate. 1993
A Rare Chance. 1996
Finding You. 1996
Just Before Sunrise. 1997
Night Scents. 1997
White Hot. 1998
Kiss the Moon. 1999
On Fire. 1999
The Waterfall. 2000
The Harbor. 2003
Cold Ridge. 2003
The Rapids. 2004
Dark Sky. 2005
Breakwater. 2006

Ortolon, Julie. (C) I really like these books. The first two are stand alones, the next three make up the Pearl Island trilogy. They are of the screwball romantic comedy sort but you really get the know the characters and want to find out what happens.
Drive Me Wild. 2000
Dear Cupid. 2001
Falling for You. 2002
Lead Me On. 2003
Don’t Tempt Me. 2004
Almost Perfect. (triology, releases Sept. Oct. Nov. 2005)
Just Perfect. 2005
Too Perfect. 2005

Marilyn Pappano. (C) Her later books are set in Bethleham, N.Y. which is populated with regular folks and angels. Her books are described as sweet (there are angels, after all). She also continues to do category romances.
In Sinful Harmony. 1995
Passion. 1996
Suspicion. 1997
Season for Miracles. 1997
Some Enchanted Season. 1998
Father To Be. 1999
First Kiss. 2000
Getting Lucky. 2001
Heaven on Earth. 2002
Small Wonders. 2003
Cabin Fever. 2003

Phillips, Carly. (RH) Another author who has “arrived” thanks to Kelly Ripa. The Bachelor (first in the 3 Chandler brothers stories) was Kelly’s pick. Some of her earlier category romances are being reissued with splashy new covers. Also wrote as Karen Drogin.
Simply Sensual. 2001. reissued
Simply Sinful. 2000. reissued
Simply Sexy. 2002. reissued
Simply Scandalous. 2003. reissued
The Bachelor. 2002
The Playboy. 2003
The Heartbreaker. 2003
Under the Boardwalk. 2004
Hot Stuff. 2004
Stroke of Midnight. (anthology) 2004
Summer Lovin'. 2005
Hot Number. 2005
Body Heat. 2006

Phillips, Susan Elizabeth. (HR, C) This lady writes books that are outlandish, over the top, and extremely explicit. She has some stand alone titles and a series that deals with, of all things, a pro football team.
Fancy Pants. 1989
Hot Shot. 1991
Honey Moon. 1993
It Had to Be You. 1994 (Chicago Stars Football Series)
Heaven Texas. 1995 (Chicago Stars Football Series)
Kiss An Angel. 1996
Nobody’s Baby But Mine. 1997 (Chicago Stars Football Series)
Dream a Little Dream. 1998 (Chicago Stars Football Series)
Lady Be Good. 1999
First Lady. 2000
This Heart of Mine. 2001 (Chicago Stars Football Series)
Breathing Room. 2002
Ain’t She Sweet. 2003
Match Me If You Can. 2005

Picoult, Jodi. (WI) Not really a romance writer but she is so good, I just couldn’t keep her off this list. Her books, like Berg’s titles, are more about human interaction and conflict in families. Her plots are very unusual and extremely thought provoking often involving a current social issue such as medical ethics. Great titles for a book club choice with their compelling storylines.
Songs of the Humpback Whale. 1992
Harvesting the Heart. 1993
Picture Perfect. 1995
Mercy. 1996
The Pact. 1998
Keeping Faith. 1999
Plain Truth. 2000
Salem Fall’s. 2001
Perfect Match. 2002
Second Glance. 2003
My Sister’s Keeper. 2004
Vanishing Acts. 2005
Tenth Circle. 2006

Ray, Jeanne. (C, HR) Ray didn’t start writing until she was almost 60-years-old and her novels reflect that perspective as she pens endearing comedies about the angst filled love lives of senior citizens. Her third book Eat Cake is not to be missed.
Julie and Romeo. 2000
Step Ball Chain. 2002
Eat Cake. 2004

Rice, Luanne. (C, WI) Her earlier books seemed deeper and more intense than her later titles but she has earned herself a well established place in the woman’s fiction genre with more than 17 novels to her credit. She writes both hardcover and paperback originals.
Angels all over Town. 1985
Crazy in Love. 1988
Stone Heart. 1990
Secrets of Paris. 1992
Blue Moon. 1993
Home Fires. 1995
Cloud Nine. 1999
Follow the Stars Home. 2000
Dream Country. 2001
Summer Light. 2001
Firefly Beach. 2001
Safe Harbor. 2002
True Blue. 2002
Beach Girls. 2003
Perfect Summer. 2003
Dance With Me. 2004
Secret Hour. 2004
Silver Bells. 2004
Summer's Child. 2005
Summer of Roses. 2005
Sandcastles. 2006

Rice, Patricia. (C, H) Bless her heart, her website lists all of her earlier category romances on a “related series” link. She’s a great storyteller with magic and more in her 39 books. She does both historicals and contemporaries.
Impossible Dreams. 2000
Merely Magic. 2000
Nobody’s Angel. 2001
All a Woman Wants. 2001
Almost Perfect. 2002
Must Be Magic. McCloud's Woman. 2003
The Trouble with Magic. 2003
Carolina Girl. 2004
This Magic Moment. 2004
California Girl. 2004
Much Ado About Magic. 2005
Small Town Girl. 2006

Ridway, Christie. (C) She writes funny books, usually set in California. There's sizzle and drama and then there's the suspense of discovering how two people can find their happily-ever-after. Like others, she started with category romances.
Wish You Were Here. 2000
This Perfect Kiss. 2001
First Comes Love. 2002
Then Comes Marriage. 2002
Do Not Disturb. 2003
The Thrill of It All. 2004
An Offer He Can’t Refuse. 2005
The Care and Feeding of Unmarried Men. 2006

Rivers, Francine. (IR) She used to write old-fashioned and somewhat sexy historical love stories during the late 80s and early 90s. In 1993 she entered the Christian or Inspirational fiction market. Some of her titles are stand alone books, others are part of a continuing series. All have strong religious themes.
A Voice in the Wind. (Mark of the Lion Series 1) 1993
An Echo in the Darkness. (Mark of the Lion Series 2) 1994
As Sire as the Dawn. (Mark of the Lion Book 3) 1995
The Scarlet Thread. 1996
The Atonement Child. 1997
The Last Sin Eater. 1998
Leota’s Garden. 1999
The Shoe Box. 2000
Unveiled. (Lineage of Grace Series 1) 2000
Unashamed. (Lineage of Grace Series 2) 2000
Unshaken. (Lineage of Grace Series 3) 2001
Unspoken. (Lineage of Grace Series 4) 2001
Unafraid. (Lineage of Grace Series 5)2001
And the Shofar Blew. 2003
The Priest. 2004
The Warrior. 2005
The Prince. 2005

Roberts, Nora. (C) Nora Roberts IS romantic fiction. Even her reissued titles make it to the New York Times bestseller lists. She does stand-alone titles, family series, and even has developed a pseudonym, JD Robb, to write a futuristic police procedural. To keep the series straight, try The Official Nora Roberts Companion. Some of her most recent titles include:
Key of Light. 2003
Key of Knowledge. 2003
Key of Valor. 2004
Blue Dahlia. 2004
Black Rose. 2005
Red Lily. 2005

Ross, JoAnn. (RS) She has written 90 novels and is on the RWA's Honor Roll of best-selling authors. Often does family sagas so check the web site to get them in order. Many early titles are being reissued like the Callahan Brothers trilogy.
The Callahan Brothers Trilogy. 2004 reissue
Southern Comforts. 2004
Out of the Mist. 2003 (Stewart Sisters Trilogy)
Out of the Blue. 2004 (Stewart Sisters Trilogy)
Out of the Storm. 2004 (Stewart Sisters Trilogy)
Blaze. 2005
Impulse. 2006

Sala, Sharon. (RS) Another author whose previous titles are now being reissued. She writes romantic suspense and has a predilection for controversial topics. Also writes as Dinah McCall. Check the web site for a complete list.
Snowfall. 2001
Dark Water. 2002
Out of the Dark. 2003
The Amen Trail. 2004
Missing. 2004
The Chosen. 2005
Dark Water. 2006

Skye, Christina. (C, H) Better known for her earlier historical titles including the popular Draycott Abbey series (which is being reissued), she’s now doing contemporary romance. Her books feature sizzling romance and suspense in fast-paced stories. Check her website for earlier titles.
2000 Kisses. 2000
Going Overboard. 2001
My Spy. 2002
Hot Pursuit. 2003
Code Name: Nanny. 2004
Code Name: Princess. 2004
Code Name: Baby. 2005
Code Name: Blondie. 2006

Smith, Robert Kimmel. (C) This author is better known for his numerous children’s books and Sadie Shapiro mystery novels. Jane’s House was made into a TV movie starring James Woods and Anne Archer in 1994.
Jane’s House. 1982 (reissued 2000)

Sparks, Nicholas. (C). The movies Walk to Remember, Message in a Bottle, and The Notebook have only increased the popularity of this author. You can argue that romances should guarantee a happily-ever-after ending, which some of his titles do not have, nevertheless they are very popular with romance readers. 
The Notebook. 1996
Message in a Bottle. 1998
A Walk to Remember. 1999
The Rescue. 2000
A Bend in the Road. 2001
Nights in Rodanthe. 2002
The Guardian. 2003
The Wedding. 2003
Three Weeks with My Brother. 2004 (Nonfiction)
True Believer. 2005
At First Sight. 2005

Spencer, LaVyrle. (C) Wrote a dozen best sellers and then retired to enjoy her grandchildren. Her books are still keepers by many readers. Sweet, sensitive, and touching. They represent old fashioned storytelling with a lot of well written secondary characters and plotlines.
The Fulfillment. 1979
The Endearment. 1982
Forsaking All Others. 1982
Hummingbird. 1983
A Promise to Cherish. 1983
The Hellion. 1984
Sweet Memories. 1984
Twice Loved. 1984
Separate Beds. 1985
Spring Fancy. 1985
A Heart Speaks. 1986
Years. 1987
The Gamble. 1988
Morning Glory. 1989
Vows. 1989
Bitter Sweet. 1990
Forgiving. 1991
Bygones. 1992
November of the Heart. 1993
Home Song. 1995
That Camden Summer. 1996
Small Town Girl. 1997
Then Came Heaven. 1997

Thayer, Nancy. (C) Some of her early titles are a bit dated but she writes stories that often reflect the dilemmas facing women today.
Three Women at the Water’s Edge. 1981
Bodies and Souls. 1983
Nell. 1985
Spirit Lost. 1988
My Dearest Friend. 1989
Morning. 1989
Everlasting. 1991
Family Secrets. 1993
Belonging. 1995
An Act of Love. 1997
Between Husbands and Friends. 1999
Custody. 2003
The Hot Flash Club. 2004
Hot Flash Club Strikes Again. 2005
Hot Flash Holidays. 2005
The Hot Flash Club Chills Out. 2006

Thompson, Vicki Lewis. (HR) Thanks to Kelly Ripa’s beach reads, this author has arrived. She’s doing a Nerd series that features humor and brainy guys (who all look pretty fabulous under their pocket protectors.) Check her web site for the large list of her earlier category romances.
Nerd in Shining Armor. 2003
The Nerd Who Loved Me. 2004
Nerd Gone Wild. 2005
Gone With the Nerd. 2005
Talk Nerdy to Me. 2006

Victor, Cynthia. (RS, C) Several of her earlier titles are out of print but still might be found at used bookstores. Her books are a capable combination of romance and suspense.
Consequences. 1989
Relative Sins. 1992
Only You. 1995
What Matters Most. 1997
The Secret. 1997
The Sisters. 1999
The Three of Us. 2002

Ware, Ciji. (PR) Her books are a mix of history and contemporary life. She carefully researches the backgrounds of her books and the stories have an element of fact. The books are long, saga-types but those who enjoy time travel romances will probably like them.
Wicked Company. 1982
Island of the Swans. 1989
Cottage by the Sea. 1997
Midnight on Julia Street. 1999
A Light on the Veranda. 2001

Weiner, Jennifer. (CL) One of the Gen X writers. In Her Shoes has been made into a movie. Has funny contemporary characters. Stories are somewhat based on the author’s life and loves, for example, she’s a new mom, so Little Earthquakes is a about today’s new moms and how their lives change.
Good in Bed. 2001
In Her Shoes. 2002
Little Earthquakes. 2004
Goodnight Nobody. 2005
The Guy Not Taken: And Other Stories. August 2006

Wiggs, Susan. She writes contemporary and historical fiction. Her books have romantic sentiments and sympathetic characters. Her tales of frayed loves mended will strike a responsive chord in a maturing audience. Her earlier historical books are being reprinted. Check her web site for a complete listing.
The Charm School. 1999
The You I Never Knew. 2001
The Firebrand. 2001.
Halfway to Heaven. 2001
Passing Through Paradise. 2002
Enchanted Afternoon. 2002
Home Before Dark. 2003
A Summer Affair. 2003
Home Before Dark. 2004
The Ocean Between Us. 2004
Summer by the Sea. 2004
Table for Five. 2005
Lakeside Cottage. 2005

Williamson, Penelope. (HR) Her first two titles dealt with the American West. Long saga-like novels with lots of characters and plotlines.
Heart of the West. 1995
The Outsider. 1996
Passions of Emma. 1998
Wages of Sin. 2003
The Accident. 2005

Wilson, Susan. (C, WI) I discovered Wilson a few years ago. Her titles are all stand alone books and do a nice job of mixing a strong romantic theme with a mixture of small town life and conflicted characters.
Beauty. 1998
Hawke’s Cove. 2000
Cameo Lake. 2001
Fortune Teller’s Daughter. 2002
Summer Harbor. 2003

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