Category: Contemporary Romance

Dangerous Game by Sandra Owens

Posted March 31, 2026 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Harlequin, Harlequin Romantic Suspense, NetGalley, Series, Sexual Content, Trilogy / 2 Comments

She just revealed that he’s a father… And his child is missing.

Within moments of discovering that his unforgettable one-night stand years ago resulted in a baby, Cooper Devlin learns his daughter has been kidnapped.

Cooper and his two friends are the Phoenix Three, an organization specializing in finding missing children. Kendall Hart has contacted him because she needs his expertise to save their child.

Then the kidnapper communicates that Kendall is the next target.

As Cooper’s love for Kendall and their child deepens, his mission to capture the kidnapper and keep his family safe becomes the most important one of his life.

Titles in The Phoenix Three series include: Dangerous Secret* ~ Dangerous Affair* ~ Dangerous Game^ ~

This story may contain language, violence, and/or sexual situations intended for an adult 18+ audience.

Trigger Possibility: Kidnapping & PTSD

Fallen Hero by Riley Edwards

Posted March 31, 2026 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, NetGalley, Romantic Suspense, Seasoned Romance, Series, Sexual Content / 0 Comments

Former Navy SEAL Mason Hughes locked his heart away years ago after a devastating betrayal. Now his iron control serves him well on dangerous missions…until a high-stakes operation in Dubai brings him face to face with the enigmatic Calista Ventura.

Calista is on a mission for vengeance, and the last thing she needs is the tempting distraction of the infuriating yet irresistible Mason. But when their missions become dangerously entangled, she finds herself relying on his lethal skills to stay alive.

As they work to expose an international trafficking ring, the heat between them becomes impossible to deny. Mason’s protective instincts war with Calista’s need to handle things alone. But in a world of deadly secrets and powerful enemies, trusting the wrong person could be fatal.

When Calista’s past catches up with them both, they’ll have to decide if the chance at love is worth risking everything they’ve fought to protect.

Titles in the Downrange series include: Fixed Asset ~ Fallen Hero ~ Direct Action (9/2026) ~

Trigger Warning

This story may contain language, violence, and/or sexual situations intended for an adult 18+ audience.

The Final Storm by Fern Michaels

Posted March 31, 2026 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Kensington Books, Mystery, Romantic Suspense, Standalone, Women's Fiction / 0 Comments

In her award-winning wildlife photographs, Charlotte Gray captures all the beauty and wonder of the natural world. Far better to focus on breathtaking landscapes than to turn the lens on her own painful childhood and the uncaring mother she left behind in Florida. Piece by piece, Charlotte has built a new, independent life, one she’s eager to protect.

A chance encounter on assignment in Las Vegas sparks an intriguing relationship, and for the first time, Charlotte impulsively follows her heart. But along with love and fresh beginnings comes a trove of secrets about her new husband. And someone in his past is determined to upend Charlotte’s happiness by threatening what she cares about most.

After everything she’s weathered, Charlotte is about to face the task of rebuilding her life yet again. But this time she’s doing it with hard-won strength, experience, and the wisdom to know when to forgive, when to let go, and how to walk into the sunshine and claim the support and love she deserves . . .

~Standalone~

This story may contain language, violence, and/or sexual situations intended for an adult 18+ audience.

Springtime in Bayberry by Jennifer Faye

Posted March 18, 2026 by Marsha in Booksprout ARC, Contemporary Romance, No Spice Romance, Series, Small Town Romance, This one's a Keeper / 0 Comments

She’s excited about her best friend’s upcoming wedding. He’s attempting to stop it.

Abby Clark, owner of the Steaming Brew coffeeshop, can’t imagine living anywhere but in Bayberry, Vermont. Her family, friends, and business are all there. At the moment, her small town life appears idyllic. Then the door to the coffeeshop opens, and the most annoying man enters…

Brad Pearson is co-owner of Rumor Quill Media. When he learns that his best friend, as well as his business partner, is uprooting his life in Chicago to move permanently to Bayberry, Brad jumps on the next plane.

He has to talk some sense into his friend. However, his plans get waylaid by the most exasperating barista.

It’s definitely going to be a chaotic journey to “I do” as sparks fly between the best man and maid-of-honor!

Titles in the Bayberry, Vermont series include: Christmas in Bayberry ~ Valentine’s in Bayberry ~ Rumors in Bayberry ~ Springtime in Bayberry ~

This is a no-spice romance, perhaps with closed-door or fade-to-black scenes. Tension and kisses might be involved.

Make Me Yours, Cowboy by Kristine Lynn

Posted March 17, 2026 by Marsha in Booksprout ARC, Contemporary Romance, Modern Western Romance, Montana (Tule), Series, Sexual Content, Small Town Romance, Suspense, Tule Publishing / 0 Comments

Jace Michaels, Hollywood’s favorite cowboy, may have been born with dust on his boots, but he never expected his return to Banberry, Montana, would mean more than selling the family ranch. But a shadowy real estate investor is threatening to transform his hometown with soulless commercial projects, and Jace surprises himself by staying to fight for Banberry’s future—and teaming up with the last person he expected.

Aurelie Gardinier has built a new life in Banberry, working as a nurse practitioner for pregnant women, but a visa glitch threatens to send her back to her Caribbean island, where a threat from her past awaits. Jace is willing to say “I do” to a marriage of convenience to protect her, but what starts as a practical arrangement turns into a partnership neither of them saw coming. Together, they battle to protect both the town—and their hearts.

Can a leading man with a cowboy’s heart help Aurelie find the courage to fight for her future, or will both of them lose the roots—and the love—they’re just beginning to find?

Titles in the Cowboys of Elks Ridge, Montana include: Take Me Away, Cowboy ~ Any Cowboy of Mine ~ Make Me Yours, Cowboy ~

This story may contain language, violence, and/or sexual situations intended for an adult 18+ audience.

A Texas-Sized Fake Out by Michele Dunaway

Posted March 4, 2026 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Harlequin, Harlequin Special Edition, NetGalley, Series, Sexual Content, Small Town Romance / 0 Comments

In a high-stakes game of fake it…

Will they make it?

Wyatt Larrabee thought adopting twin boys and moving back home to Legacy Canyon, Texas, would be tough. Turns out, fending off unwanted attention from women after a TV interview about his adorable new sons is even tougher.

And now a random blind date? Between daddy duty, ranch chores, and his job, love is not in the cards for Wyatt.

Pediatrician Madi Brennan agrees to another date to appease her matchmaking grandmother before Madi must eventually return to Boston. But when she meets Wyatt, a plan forms: pretend to date to discourage nosy meddlers.

Spending time together to keep up appearances, Wyatt and Madi realize their attraction is very real. With two hearts at stake, will love call their bluff with a full house?

Titles in the Legacy Canyon series include: A Texas-Sized Fake Out ~ Inheriting a Rodeo Cowboy ~

This story may contain language, violence, and/or sexual situations intended for an adult 18+ audience.

Buried Lies by Kathleen Donnelly

Posted March 2, 2026 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Harlequin, Harlequin Trade, NetGalley, Romantic Suspense, Series, Sexual Content / 0 Comments

When the man she loves is framed for murder, Maya Thompson and her K-9 will follow every trail to track the real killer down.

U.S. Forest Service law enforcement officer Maya Thompson and her K-9, Juniper, are both ready for a break. Ever since moving to Colorado, it’s been one investigation after another. Murder, arson, kidnapping…they’ve handled it all. Now that her boyfriend, Undersheriff Josh Colton, is coming home, Maya is looking forward to spending some quality time together.

Until she and Juniper find the body of a woman in a pile of forest debris meant to burn, that is. Then Maya’s just looking forward to having Josh’s help in solving the crime.

But when the victim turns out to be Josh’s volatile ex-fiancée, and all signs point to Josh as the main suspect, Maya and Juniper must dig into Josh’s past to uncover the truth…before the killer, fixated on revenge, finds them.

Titles in the National Forest K-9 series include: Chasing Justice ~ Hunting the Truth ~ Killer Secrets ~ Buried Lies ~ Deadly Revenge ~

This story may contain language, violence, and/or sexual situations intended for an adult 18+ audience.

A Texas Soldier’s Vow by Julie Benson

Posted March 2, 2026 by Marsha in Booksprout ARC, Contemporary Romance, Modern Western Romance, Series, Sexual Content, Small Town Romance, Tule Publishing / 0 Comments

A soldier looks for a new beginning. A small-town single mom veterinarian faces danger. A young daughter plays matchmaker…

Since being discharged from the military following an injury, former soldier Luke Sawyer has traveled the West, taking photographs. When he’s contacted by his pen pal, Samantha Reardon, he can tell something’s wrong. Her clinic’s been robbed, terrifying her young daughter. Luke travels to Service, Texas.

After divorcing her cheating husband, Samantha has worked hard to build a new life for herself and her daughter. Her practice is thriving, but she’s short-handed. Having served as an army medic, Luke offers to help, and, camping on the property, he can ensure their safety, but Samantha is wary of trusting again.

Soon, a white-hot attraction sparks, leading to an emotional connection. But Luke fears putting down roots, and Samantha refuses to rely on a man again, especially a younger one. Can a pint-size matchmaking daughter bent on creating a happily ever after family, concoct a plan to keep these two strong-willed adults together?

Titles in The Men of Service series include: A Texas Soldier’s Love* ~ Deal with the Texas Soldier ~ A Texas Soldier’s Vow ~ Forbidden to the Texas Soldier ~

This story may contain language, violence, and/or sexual situations intended for an adult 18+ audience.

Nurse’s Night Before Valentine’s by Louisa Heaton

Posted March 1, 2026 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Harlequin, Harlequin Medical Romance, NetGalley, Sexual Content, Small Town Romance, Standalone / 0 Comments

There’s no cure for Cupid!

For locum nurse Cass, a temporary contract on a Scottish island is a breath of fresh air.

After suffering a terrible loss, she’s lived on the go, never allowing anyone close.

Except for the warm welcome from her new boss, single-dad GP Lachie, who has her wondering if she can finally put down roots…

Sharing patients leads to sharing heartaches late into the night, when their spark threatens to turn into a blaze!

As Valentine’s Day approaches, will Cass find a home where her heart is?

~Standalone~

This story may contain language, violence, and/or sexual situations intended for an adult 18+ audience.

Chasing Justice by Kathleen Donnelly

Posted March 1, 2026 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Harlequin, Harlequin Trade, Mystery, NetGalley, Owned, Romantic Suspense, Series, Sexual Content / 0 Comments

After losing her military K-9, former Marine Maya Thompson swears she’ll never work with dogs again. But when she returns home to Colorado and accepts a job with the US Forest Service law enforcement, fate brings K-9 Juniper into her life just as another tragedy unfolds.

Juniper, a beautiful two-year-old Malinois, isn’t the only new addition to Maya’s life. Josh Colten, the local deputy sheriff, insists on helping with her new case. Handsome and mysterious, he’s all anyone in town can talk about, but Maya can’t let herself like him, let alone trust him.

When Maya’s grandfather goes missing amid a growing drug war, Maya must put her faith in Josh, and her own battered instincts, to find him. But there’s a web of secrets tying her grandfather to the tragedy that brought Juniper into her life—secrets someone would kill to keep hidden.

Titles in the National Forest K-9 series include: Chasing Justice ~ Hunting the Truth ~ Killer Secrets ~ Buried Lies ~ Deadly Revenge ~

This story may contain language, violence, and/or sexual situations intended for an adult 18+ audience.

The Cowboy’s Forbidden Bride by Megan Crane

Posted February 18, 2026 by Marsha in Booksprout ARC, Contemporary Romance, Marietta, Marietta Montana, Modern Western Romance, Montana (Tule), Owned, Series, Sexual Content, Small Town Romance, Tule Publishing / 0 Comments

Wilder Carey has always enjoyed living up to his name. When he spots pretty Cat Lisle in the seediest bar around, he ignores the bad blood between their families to step in. But his uncharacteristic good intentions scatter when she kisses him—and this unrepentant heartbreaker faces three uncomfortable truths:

He’s been nursing an attraction to an innocent.
He’s not a man built to resist temptation.
And Cat is not only not the little girl he’s been pretending she is, but she might also be the one woman worth the trouble.

Cat’s over being well-behaved, but thanks to her grumpy and overprotective older brothers, she’s had no choice. Now that she’s ready to ruin her reputation, she lucks into an encounter with the cowboy of her hottest fantasies. Cat knows she’s supposed to avoid the Carey family, but Wilder is everything deliciously naughty and if she doesn’t take her shot, she’ll regret it forever…

Soon Wilder is secretly teaching her every sexy trick he knows, and Cat is falling in love… but what happens when sworn enemies want to go public?

Titles in The Careys of Cowboy Point series include: The Cowboy’s Mail-Order Bride* ~ The Cowboy’s Forbidden Bride *~ The Cowboy’s Secret Babies* ~ The Cowboy’s Best Friend* ~ A Christmas Baby for the Cowboy ~

This story may contain language, violence, and/or sexual situations intended for an adult 18+ audience.

The Bachelor’s Winning Bid by Nicole Flockton

Posted February 17, 2026 by Marsha in Booksprout ARC, Contemporary Romance, Marietta, Marietta Montana, Modern Western Romance, Montana (Tule), Series, Sexual Content, Small Town Romance, Tule Publishing / 0 Comments

Sunflower “Sunny” Bloom has always been an introvert, happier working in the family flower farm than talking with people, but it’s time to step out of her comfort zone.

With her sisters blissfully partnered, Sunny enters a Valentine’s Day bachelorette auction, dreaming of her own shot at love. Worst decision ever. She doesn’t know what to wear or how to do her hair and makeup, and only one person bids on her after endless seconds of silence. Mortified, Sunny flees.

Burned-out architect Thorne Westbrook traded corporate grind for his own firm and a balanced life, but blueprints can’t fill the void. At the auction, on a whim, he bids high on the wide-eyed beauty no one else wants. She vanishes before hello, so he chases her to small-town Marietta, Montana, hungry for that date…and maybe more.

Defenses crumble over dinner confessions, fascination blooms, and passions ignite. But can two wary, guarded people trust each other to finally get it right?

Titles in The Bloom Sisters series include: Headstrong Cowboy ~ The Firefighter’s Christmas ~ The Bachelor’s Winning Bid ~ The Cowboy’s Unexpected Family ~

This story may contain language, possible violence, and/or sexual situations geared to an adult 18+ audience.

Title: The Bachelor’s Winning Bid
Series: The Bloom Sisters #3
Author: Nicole Flockton
Published: February 10, 2026
Publisher: Tule Publishing
My Rating: 4.5 stars

We continue The Bloom Sisters series with Sunny’s story in The Bachelor’s Winning Bid. I am enjoying this series so much, especially since it is set in my favorite fictional town, Marietta, Montana. We’ve met Sunny before, and her quiet personality, completely wrapped up in her love for the flower farm, runs deep. It was such fun to see her find her own happily-ever-after.

Sunny had decided to step outside of her comfort zone. She’s watched her sisters find their perfect match and, even if she is shy and content creating new flower hybrids at the flower farm… still, she’d love to have someone special in her life, too. She’ll take a risk, and enter a Valentine’s Day auction… and immediately begins to second-guess her decision. When the silence stretches uncomfortably long, and a table full of arrogant men starts to make comments about her, Sunny simply wants to sink into the floor. Until a bid is made, a very unreasonable high bid is made. She’s not hanging around to find out who did such an outrageous thing, convinced that she’ll just be a laughingstock to the bidder, Sunny flees home and vows that her romantic notions are firmly behind her. Romance is just not for her. Until that bidder tracks her down and insists on their date… perhaps that risk was worth it after all.

Thorne is burned out. Simple. Burned by life, by romance with a disastrous marriage now behind him. He needs a reboot, a fresh start, and never could have expected that helping out a friend by going to that Valentine’s Day auction would be the step that could lead him into a far different future. He could see how uncomfortable that lovely young woman was up on that stage, and he could hear the rude comments from a table full of idiots. Did he intend to bid? No. Yet that impulsive action is about to change lives, and if winning the charmingly shy Sunny takes a bit of time, it’s certainly an enjoyable experience.

I loved Sunny and Thorne’s romance (and I got a bit of a chuckle at a pun I saw in this hero’s name since Sunny had just created a new rose hybrid). Both are wounded in different ways, both are looking for something, someone who truly gets them, understands them, and could love them just exactly as they are. Their story is well-written (I expect that from this author), full of emotions from tears to laughter, the shenanigans of the residents of one quirky small town, and the love of family, even when they can be annoying. If you love a well-crafted romance with relatable and believable characters, then you’d enjoy this one. I’m definitely looking forward to continuing the series with The Cowboy’s Unexpected Family, due out in June of 2026.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the author or the author’s team via Booksprout, and I sincerely thank them for their trust. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

This title is available at Amazon

Dr. Alaska by Jullian David

Posted February 14, 2026 by Marsha in Booksprout ARC, Contemporary Romance, Series, Sexual Content, Small Town Romance, Tule Publishing / 0 Comments

Grey’s Anatomy, meet Northern Exposure…

Lee Tipton, MD, takes running from her past to an extreme, hotfooting it from Georgia to a temporary position at Yukon Valley Hospital in chilly Alaska. Her newly purchased winter gear may protect her from the elements, but no amount of insulation can protect her from her deep-seated fear that a romantic partner will once again use her for personal gain. Despite the hospital staff’s matchmaking efforts, Lee swears she has no interest in the town’s cocky lead paramedic, even if his sexy smile sets off palpitations.

Maverick Steen learned his one simple rule of romance the hard way: no dating outsiders. That includes the hospital’s newest fish-out-of-water doctor, whom he finds himself paired with as they navigate critical care cases and snowmobile accidents. Yet when Lee embraces the beauty in the Alaskan interior and cottons to his sled dog team of misfits, suddenly, Maverick’s heart—and his bed—feel a whole lot warmer.

The problem? Lee’s assignment ends in three months. Can they risk everything for a love that might not survive the winter?

Titles in the Yukon Valley, Alaska Hospital series include: Dr. Alaska ~ Paging Dr. Breakup* ~ Five Alarm Love ~

This story may contain language, violence, and/or sexual situations intended for an adult 18+ audience.

The Hope We Keep by Megan Jacobs

Posted February 5, 2026 by Marsha in Booksprout ARC, Contemporary Romance, Kindle Unlimited, No Spice Romance, Series, Women's Romance Fiction / 0 Comments

A fire that changes everything.
A coastal ranch in danger.
Three sisters risking everything for truth, for family, for love.

When Charley Garrett wakes to the smell of smoke, flames are already climbing the walls of her parents’ ranch house. By dawn, her father is in a coma, her mom is reeling, and their home is gone. With Shorelight Ranch hanging by a thread, Charley has to hold everything together. To do that, she will have to lean on Ray, the loyal foreman she has kept at arm’s length, and admit she cannot face this alone. She will need her sisters.

Vicky built an impressive corporate career in Manhattan, but after her divorce and a sudden dismissal, raising two teenagers with no job is more stressful than she will ever admit. In Portland, Nicole is trying to hold things together as a reporter and mom while her marriage slowly falls apart.

Now they’re back in Lighthouse Landing, where tensions flare, and unexpected sparks make everything more complicated. With an official report blaming their mother for the blaze and their father’s future uncertain, the Garrett sisters must stand together to uncover what really happened that night, or risk losing the ranch, the truth, and their own second chances for love.

Titles in the Lighthouse Landing series include: The Hope We Keep ~ The Summer We Stayed ~ The Love We Find ~ (6 titles in the completed series)

This is a no-spice romance, perhaps with closed-door or fade-to-black scenes. Tension and kisses might be involved.

His Cabin, Her Christmas by Stephanie Tyo

Posted February 2, 2026 by Marsha in Booksprout ARC, Christmas Romance, Contemporary Romance, Sexual Content, Small Town Romance, Standalone / 0 Comments

A heart-bruised city girl. A rugged mountain loner. One Christmas blizzard that melts every defense.

Clara Bennett escapes to the Bavarian-style village of Evergreen Falls, hoping to outrun a collapsing career and a painful breakup. Instead of peace, she collides with Griffin Kane—a brooding, off-grid mountain man whose gruff charm is impossible to ignore.

Their spark flares instantly, and when a sudden blizzard traps Clara near his remote cabin, she has no choice but to accept his reluctant shelter. Firelit nights, shared chores, and accidental touches turn tension into temptation as their emotional walls begin to crumble. One near-kiss leaves them both shaken—and wanting more.

As snow deepens, so does their connection. A breathtaking kiss beneath swirling flakes exposes both desire and fear. Clara struggles to trust again, and Griffin resists opening his guarded heart, even as Christmas draws them closer.

When the storm peaks, passion finally breaks through in a steamy, unforgettable moment by the fire. But once the skies clear, reality returns: Will this spark fade with the season, or grow into something real?

~Standalone~

This story may contain language, violence, and/or sexual situations intended for an adult 18+ audience.