Category: Contemporary Romance

An Unexpected Christmas by Shannon Richard

Posted December 4, 2018 by Marsha in Christmas Romance, Contemporary Romance, Series / 0 Comments

BAH-FREAKING-HUMBUG

Adele James’s favorite time of year has always been Christmas, but this year she’s in no mood for the holiday season. Thanks to her famous A-list actor boyfriend cheating on her! Now that her photo is splashed all over TV, the internet, and tabloids her number one goal is to get away. She heads to her family’s cabin to be alone, but there’s another occupant when she arrives: none other than the frustratingly sexy Jace Kilpatrick… the man she’s been avoiding falling in love with for the past six years.

Jace Kilpatrick has never been the biggest holiday guy, and after three months of the NHL being on lockout, celebrating is low on his priority list. Getting the keys to his best friend’s family cabin was supposed to be about being alone. But those plans are foiled by Adele James who brings the mother of all snowstorms with her.

Adele is gorgeous, funny, and fiery, but she’s also his best friend’s sister, aka, completely off limits. But when the cabin loses power in the middle of the storm, Jace forgets the rules and spends the Christmas days and nights with Adele wrapped in his arms. Once the snow thaws, they’ll call things off, no harm, no foul… if they can agree to keep their hearts out of the equation.

Titles in the Take The Shot series include: An Unexpected Christmas –

The Cottage on Rose Lane by Hope Ramsay

Posted December 4, 2018 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Series / 0 Comments

Jenna Fossey’s life is about to change. An unexpected inheritance and the chance to meet relatives she never knew existed has her heading to the charming little town of Magnolia Harbor. But as soon as she arrives, long-buried family secrets lead to even more questions, and the only person who can help her find the answers is her sexy-as-sin sailing instructor.

Nothing makes Jude St. Pierre feel more alive than racing on the open sea – at least, not until Jenna comes strolling down his dock asking for sailing lessons. But it feels wrong to be attracted to her – especially when he learns why she came to town. Jude knows she deserves the truth but can he help her discover it without losing her and the family he’s come to think of as his own?

Includes the bonus story “A Wedding on Lavender Hill” by Annie Rains
When an event planner is asked to create the perfect wedding in just three days, she must turn to the last person she wants to ask for help – the infuriating owner of the house on the hilltop.

The Cottage on Rose lane is the first story in the Moonlight Bay series.

Preorder Gems: Best Man for the Wedding Planner by Donna Alward & The Rancher’s Homecoming by Anna J. Stewart

Posted December 1, 2018 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Harlequin, Series / 0 Comments

Preorder Gems is a new feature here at Keeper Bookshelf – I’m test driving it a bit early as I originally intended this for the New Year. I don’t often place preorders for books unless it’s a favorite author in a series I don’t want to miss. Usually that’s because I work on a book budget, and I know that many authors have that first week of publication special prices on their titles, so I wait to see what it’s going to cost me. In other cases I know from the beginning that a particular publishing house never, ever discounts a title during that first week – the price is what the price is forever, unless maybe a special code that’s across the entire line. And… admittedly, sometimes I’m contacted by an author for a book review request and I make the decision to purchase my own copy or not…. and honestly, that depends on the book budget, and whether it’s a series that I believe I’ll follow through to the end especially in a multi-author series.

So, this morning I just received two preordered books, both from Harlequin. One is the next book in a series I’ve followed, the other is the start of a brand new series. Let’s check them out:

My Forever Home by Debbie Burns

Posted November 27, 2018 by Marsha in Christmas Romance, Contemporary Romance, Series / 0 Comments

Vet school drop-out Tess Grasso dreams of having her own pet therapy business, but she meets one disastrous obstacle after another. There’s no denying she has a way with animals, so in the meantime she puts her skills to use at a local no-kill shelter. Between helping her furry companions and a budding relationship with fellow dog lover Mason Redding, Tess begins to find fresh confidence…

What Tess doesn’t know is that Mason is recovering from an accident, hoping to get back to his pro-baseball career. He’s afraid the truth will ruin everything-and he’s right. But in the midst of hurt and betrayal, a free-spirited stray Husky enters their lives, and teaches them a few things about faith, love and forgiveness.

Titles in the Rescue Me series include: A New Leash on Love – Sit, Stay, Love – My Forever Home –

Doctor for Christmas by Patricia Fischer

Posted November 21, 2018 by Marsha in Christmas Romance, Contemporary Romance, Series / 0 Comments

Nurse Shelly Westbrook has returned home to Marietta hoping to give her son and niece a Christmas holiday to reboot a disappointing year. Christmas is magic and Marietta is the perfect place for them all to start over.

Dr. Peter Davidson has never indulged in the Christmas spirit, but he thinks he’s hallucinating when he reaches the city limits and sees a sleigh driven by a white bearded man in a red suit. The minor collision is inevitable, as is his slight concussion. His obsession with the beautiful angel of a nurse who stops to render aid is unexpected, but just what the doctor ordered.

Can two people nursing broken hearts find love in a quiet mountain town that has always promised new beginnings?

Titles in the Marietta Medical series include: Resisting the Doctor – Challenging the Doctor – Doctor for Christmas –

Unspeakable by Elisabeth Naughton

Posted November 20, 2018 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense, Series / 0 Comments

All his siblings have moved on from their troubling pasts, but Rusty McClane can’t leave his behind. Not even when his freedom is in jeopardy.

Legal investigator Harper Blake can sense a bad boy. She’s drawn to them—like she is to her mysterious and brooding new client. The police believe that Rusty is involved with the case of a missing underage girl. Harper’s job is to find evidence to defend him. But is her sexy suspect a predator…or something else?

If Rusty is guilty of anything, it’s of stirring something primitive in Harper. The closer they get, the harder it is to believe the worst of him.

But in an underworld filled with sex trafficking, kidnapping, and murder, Harper will need to be cautious about whom she trusts. Because Rusty isn’t the only one with secrets.

Titles in the Deadly Secrets series include: Repressed – Gone – Protected – Unspeakable –

Christmas With You by Heidi McLaughlin, L.P. Dover, Cindi Madsen, R.J. Prescott, Amy Briggs

Posted November 20, 2018 by Marsha in Christmas Romance, Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Bestselling authors Heidi McLaughlin, L. P. Dover, Cindi Madsen, R. J. Prescott, and Amy Briggs invite you to celebrate the holidays in small-town Friendship, Massachusetts, where a mysterious newcomer decides to play matchmaker for five lucky couples.

Snowflake Lane Inn by L. P. Dover
The owner of a picturesque inn gets a holiday surprise when a well-known fashion designer comes to stay and redesigns his future.

Runaway Christmas Bride by Cindi Madsen
Making a new life in Friendship certainly wasn’t the plan, but the spirit of Christmas – along with the rugged local sheriff – leads to a change of heart for this runaway bride.

Christmas Lights by Amy Briggs
A visitor to Friendship learns the true meaning of Christmas from a single dad and his young daughter.

Christmas Encounter by R. J. Prescott
A famous Formula One driver finds all roads lead to Friendship -and love – this Christmas.

It’s a Wonderful Holiday by Heidi McLaughlin
A workaholic finds just the right Christmas magic to remind him about the most important thing in life: spending time with his wife and family.

The Date Dare by Tara Sue Me

Posted November 19, 2018 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Who knew three words held such destructive power? No, not THOSE three words. I’m talking about the evil word trio that’s my own personal kryptonite, that stole my best friend, and took away the only woman I’ve ever loved:
I dare you.

I was six when Darcy Patrick moved next door. By the time we were eight, we were best friends.

At fifteen, I gave a classmate a black eye for calling her names. At sixteen, she talked me through asking my crush to prom.

I helped her get over her first heartbreak at nineteen. Two years later, she returned the favor.

It wasn’t until I was twenty-nine I realized I loved her. And because I was too stupid to do anything about it, at thirty, I lost her for good on a dare.

Darcy Patrick is tried of watching her best friend, Elliott Taber, date the wrong kind of woman. When his latest flavor of the month walks out on him, she dares him to let her find his next date. Elliott agrees, but only after Darcy agrees to allow him to do the same.

The dare is on.

The dates take place on the same night. One is an epic fail. The other is just plain epic.

Elliott isn’t prepared for the onslaught of emotions hitting him as Darcy seemingly finds everything she ever wanted with the man he set her up with. He should be happy for her. He should leave her alone.

But he can’t. So he makes one more dare…

Season of Love by Jill Sanders

Posted November 18, 2018 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Series / 0 Comments

Lilly Stevens didn’t have time to flirt anymore, and that was a real shame since the man of her dreams was right next door. Opening a boutique, Classy and Sassy, with her cousin has taken all of her free time, and her spending money. Still, it’s hard to say no to the sandy-blonde haired man with sexy green eyes and a killer smile. Not to mention, the man could make her laugh, which was one of the most important items on her list of potential loves of her life.

Corey and his twin, Carter have finally achieved their lifelong dreams of being on their own. Finally, they can have a normal life, even if their shared dark history has forced them to be leery of letting anyone in. But the little town of Pride has a way of shedding light in the darkest corners. Now, the sexy girl-next-door has caught his eye, but she’s too perfect for someone with his history, even if her crystal slate eyes and lush pouty lips demanded his attention.

Titles in the Pride, Oregon series include: A Dash of Love – My Kind of Love – Season of Love – Tis the Season –

Chasing Shadows by Catherine Bybee

Posted November 18, 2018 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Series / 0 Comments

Avery Grant doesn’t date. Her first marriage was a mutually beneficial contract that gave her the financial freedom she needed to step away from her controlling parents. Wealthy and single, the last thing she’s looking for is love sneaking in to mess up her life plans. And after a brutal attack, she’s determined to never be vulnerable again, even if the new man in her life helps her feel safe.

Mesmerized from the moment he sets his eyes on Avery, Liam is driven to learn everything about this tough, sexy, challenging woman. Breaking down her defenses won’t be easy, but Liam refuses to be pushed away. All he needs is a tiny crack in Avery’s armor to wiggle his way into her heart.

But when a terrifying lie about her attacker’s fate comes to light, Avery’s past returns to haunt her. Now she’s willing to put herself in danger to get the answers she needs. That means jeopardizing the best thing that’s ever happened to her: Liam.

Titles in the First Wives series include: Fool Me Once – Half Empty – Chasing Shadows – Faking Forever

The Cowboy’s Christmas Baby by Jennifer Hoopes

Posted November 16, 2018 by Marsha in Christmas Romance, Contemporary Romance, Modern Western Romance, Series / 0 Comments

Stranded in the middle of the road in big sky country, Wyoming, at eight months pregnant isn’t exactly what Sofie Pennington had planned when she decided to pack up and surprise her sister. Fly Creek is a fresh start for her, one where she’s finally free from her controlling ex and can figure out this whole single parent thing. First, though, she needs to get there. To her shock, her rescuer comes in the form of a frustratingly handsome cowboy.

Dan Rigby is on his way out of town—for good—when he stumbles across a very pregnant Sofie. She’s the most obstinate, exasperating woman he’s ever met…and the most appealing. She drives him crazy, in more ways than one. When her sister suddenly has to leave, and Dan becomes Sofie’s welcoming committee, they find themselves growing closer despite their desire for conflicting things. Can Dan convince Sofie that Christmas miracles do happen?

Titles in the Fly Creek series include: Her Cowboy’s Promise – Her Cowboy’s Homecoming Surprise – The Cowboy’s Christmas Baby –

Mistletoe in Mayhem Boxed Set by L.E. Rico

Posted November 16, 2018 by Marsha in Christmas Romance, Contemporary Romance, Series / 0 Comments

Travel to the quirky town of Mayhem, Minnesota, with these two companion novellas that prove love, and sisterhood, will always save the day.

A Christmas Wedding In Mayhem
You’re cordially invited to the wedding of the century! Please join bride-trying-not-to-be-a-zilla Hennessy O’Halloran and her prince-in-shining-snow-boots as they finally say, “I do.” Unless a rogue wedding planner and a blizzard that takes out the entire Midwest can stop them, these two will get married on Christmas. The town of Mayhem will make sure of it.

A Surprise Baby In Mayhem
The town of Mayhem, Minnesota, is about to have a population explosion…and the Whiskey Sisters are getting more than they expected! While newlyweds Henny and Bryan are anxiously awaiting not one but two little bundles of joy, Jameson and Scott are focusing on planning their own perfect wedding, with only one troublesome toddler in tow. But babies have a way of arriving on their own schedules…and fate has a way of intervening in this quirky hamlet. Now, the couple finds themselves scrambling to beat the clock—and the odds—to their own happily ever after before their unexpected special delivery arrives.

Titles in the Whiskey Sisters series include: Blame It On The Bet – Mischief and Mayhem – Mistletoe in Mayhem (boxed set) –

A Christmas Miracle for the Doctor by Victoria James

Posted November 16, 2018 by Marsha in Christmas Romance, Contemporary Romance, Series / 0 Comments

Children’s bookstore owner Addie Mayberry believes in the magic of Christmas. Or at least, she used to. So when a young customer needs some seasonal optimism, Addie sets out to give the vulnerable, heartbroken little girl the best Christmas ever. Which means helping the hottest man in Shadow Creek, Bella’s surgeon father, find his holiday spirit. Addie’s up to the challenge, but between tree decorating and late night talks, she realizes she’s starting to fall hard for the one man she definitely shouldn’t.

Drew Barrett drastically changed his fast-paced life when he moved back to Shadow Creek, but it was all worth it to give his daughter a better life. He wasn’t exactly winning dad-of-the-year awards before, so he’s determined to make it up to Bella. And with Addie’s help, he’s slowly repairing his relationship with his daughter. The last thing he wants is to fall in love, since that road only leads to pain, but he can’t stop thinking about Addie. Not only is she gorgeous, sweet, and great with Bella, she fills something in him he never knew was missing. But Addie wants forever, which is more than Drew can offer…

Titles in the Shadow Creek, Montana series include: Christmas with the Sheriff – The Baby Bombshell – The Doctor’s Redemption – Baby on the Bad Boy’s Doorstep – The Firefighter’s Pretend Fiancee – A Christmas Miracle for the Doctor

Wedding at Mistletoe Chalet by Dani Collins

Posted November 15, 2018 by Marsha in Christmas Romance, Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Eager for a home-style Christmas while she considers a career shift, Kristen Benz leaps on the temporary job at Mistletoe Chalet. Soon she’s wrapping presents, trimming the tree, and helping her new boss’s tween daughter plan a Christmas Eve vow renewal for her parents. The holiday is imbued with a magical glow—especially when Kristen’s high school sweetheart appears on the doorstep.

After years of medical school, Finn Garrett has promised his parents he’ll be home for the holidays. His detour to see his first love is supposed to provide closure, not rekindle their long-ago romance.

Can a matchmaking tween and the magic of Mistletoe Chalet spark the happily ever after that eluded them in the past?

At the Heart of Christmas by Jill Monroe

Posted November 7, 2018 by Marsha in Christmas Romance, Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Hiring him could be her best idea. Or her worst mistake.

Quinn has inherited the farm and workshop that once housed the famous Hardwick Ornament Company. She invests everything in reopening her family’s business and hires glass artist Nolan Vesser, whose family used to design ornaments for hers, to work his creative magic.

After an accident burned Nolan’s studio to the ground, he thought he’d lost everything. But when he looked in his safety deposit box for his renter’s insurance, he came across an overlooked piece of paper that changed everything.

As Nolan spends time with Quinn, she sparks his artistic inspiration. But when she learns about his secret, can their new romance survive?