Review - - Wild Man's Curse

Wild Man's Curse
Wilds of the Bayou - Book 1
By Susannah Sandlin
Publisher: Montlake 
Release Date: April 5, 2016

  

The bones said death was comin’, and the bones never lied.

While on an early morning patrol in the swamps of Whiskey Bayou, Louisiana wildlife agent Gentry Broussard spots a man leaving the home of voodoo priestess Eva Savoie—a man who bears a startling resemblance to his brother, whom Gentry thought he had killed during a drug raid three years earlier. Shaken, the agent enters Eva’s cabin and makes a bloody discovery: the old woman has been brutally murdered.

With no jurisdiction over the case, he’s forced to leave the investigation to the local sheriff, until Eva’s beautiful heir, Celestine, receives a series of gruesome threats. As Gentry’s involvement deepens and more victims turn up, can he untangle the secrets behind Eva’s murder and protect Celestine from the same fate? Or will an old family curse finally have its way?

Celestine "Ceelie" Savoie left Louisiana as soon as she could, heading to Nashville to seek a career as a singer/songwriter. Unfortunately, that hasn't exactly gone as she'd hoped. She's unemployed, broke, and about to be homeless when she receives word that her great-aunt has been murdered and Ceelie is her only living relative. Whiskey Bayou is one place she thought she'd never see again but, once there, she begins to remember how much she loved spending time there as a child and the lessons she learned at Eva Savoie's knee. Life on the Bayou begins to cast its spell over her once again but someone wants her out of Eva's cabin and it appears that person will go to any lengths to make it happen...even murder.

Gentry Broussard is one of the good guys. He lives on the right side of the law which, unfortunately, put him in the position of having to make a split decision that tore his family apart. It haunts him still. He discovers Eva's body but, as a Wildlife officer, isn't officially attached to the case. However, what he witnesses at the scene has him wondering if he's seen a ghost and when Ceelie is threatened, he can't stay away. The more time they spend together, the closer they grow but Gentry is a man whose entire life in on the Bayou, Ceelie is a woman who only wanted to escape, and somewhere out there another person lurks who wants to see both of them dead.

Wild Man's Curse is the first book by Susannah Sandlin that I've read. I'm here to tell you, it will not be the last. Wow, what a ride! I wanted to read it slowly, savoring each word; absorbing the steamy, mystical, sometimes sensual, sometimes sinister life on the Bayou while at the same time, racing through the pages to discover what awaited around the next turn. Sandlin paints a vivid picture of life on the Bayou and the people who call it home. I could feel the cloying heat and humidity, hear the lapping of the water, the buzzing of insects, and the soft whir of trolling motors as the good guys - and the bad - navigate the waterways. She brings her characters to life as well; developing them with a deft hand and allowing readers to come to know them gradually, as one would in real life. Sexual tension sizzles between Gentry and Ceelie but the romance develops slowly, realistically, in a believable and emotional way that I enjoyed and appreciated. The secondary characters are also well developed, actively contributing to the story and setting the stage for future books in the series. And the villain? Well, let's just say I did not sleep easily after turning the final page of this book long after my bedtime. 

I highly recommend Susannah Sandlin's Wild Man's Curse and am anticipating future books in this series with great enthusiasm. I've already pre-ordered the next book, Black Diamond, scheduled for an October 2016 release.  

~PJ

Tell me about the last book that kept you up long past your bedtime.

I have a print copy of Wild Man's Curse for one randomly chosen person who leaves a comment on today's post. (US only) 

Wild Man's Curse Winner

The randomly chosen winner of a print copy of

Wild Man's Curse by Susannah Sandlin is:

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Today's Special - - Susannah Sandlin

It's no secret that I'm a fan of a good romantic suspense novel that grabs me from the beginning and won't let go. The first two books in Susannah Sandlin's Wilds of the Bayou series have both kept me reading way past midnight, eagerly turning pages through the twists and turns of her meticulously-plotted, action-packed, can't-wait-to-find-out-what-happens-next stories. If you haven't read them yet, I highly recommend starting with Wild Man's Curse (read my review here) then diving straight into her October 18th release, Black Diamond. I can't wait for her next visit to the Louisiana bayou to find out what happens next!

Find more information about Susannah Sandlin (who also writes as Suzanne Johnson) at her website and connect with her online at Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. 

Welcome, Susannah!  I’m addicted to your new suspense-filled Wilds of the Bayou series. What was your inspiration for these books?

Thank you! I fell in love with South Louisiana even before I moved there. The cultural gumbo, the music, the heritage, the language, the wildlife, and the terrain are unique. I love New Orleans, of course, but it’s in the rural parishes of South Louisiana where one finds the real blend of Native American, Acadian, French, Southern, and West Indies cultures. That’s why I wanted to set the Wilds of the Bayou series in the parishes west of New Orleans. ­

The second book in the series, Black Diamond releases October 18 and, as with Wild Man’s Curse, had me riveted to the story from beginning to end. What should readers expect from this book?

Black Diamond is a romance between two very damaged people who have to learn how to trust again and accept themselves. It’s a suspense story about people who make very bad choices in the face of desperation, and, yes, it has alligators in it—there are more than 1.5 million in Louisiana, even more than in Florida. I love alligators. (It’s not normal, I know. I even collect them. Well, not real ones…)

I was in Cole’s and Jena’s cheering section from the moment they met. Will we see more of them in future books in this series?

Absolutely! Because Cole and Jena have a lot of painful history to overcome, I didn’t want to push their romance as quickly as I normally might. So they will get some catch-up time in a future book. I always like to keep readers up to date on previous series characters.

You have a terrific secondary cast of characters in these books. I haven’t seen nearly enough of Jena’s temporary partner, Mac or senior agent, Paul Billiot. Do you have stories planned for either – or both – of these characters?

I have books planned for both Mac and Paul. Originally, I had planned for the next book to be Mac’s, but Paul keeps nagging me. He has a story and keeps whispering bits of it to me when I’m not expecting it. (Yes, stuff like that really happens—LOL.) So the next Wilds of the Bayou book will see our stern, obsessively neat Native American agent Paul Billiot finally meet his romantic match.

You excel at creating a sense of place in these books as well as creating characters who are complex and authentic – from gator hunters to game wardens to drug addicts to PTSD recluses. What kind of research was required for this series?

I’m an obsessive researcher. I came up with the idea of building a series around wildlife agents (i.e., game wardens) after Hurricane Katrina. I was living in New Orleans at the time, and LDWF agents were first on the scene, plucking people out of the floodwaters. I didn’t know until then that wildlife enforcement agents are the state’s first responders in search and rescue, but it makes sense because Louisiana has so many waterways, swamps, and marshes. So I read biographies of game wardens, learned about their training and structure, talked to law enforcement officers from South Louisiana, subscribed to a survivalist magazine to see how far I could take my hero off-grid, visited some South Louisiana marshes….I want my readers to feel as if they’re really in the story! And, of course, I spent much of my adult life on that stretch of I-10 between Houston and New Orleans.

Your descriptions of the gators in this book remind me of why I don’t spend a lot of time in gator-infested waters. Have you traveled the waterways of the bayous? Ever had an up close and personal encounter with a gator?

I find alligators fascinating! They have been around for more than 180 million years, making them contemporaries of dinosaurs…except they’re still here. (When we’re all gone, I’m convinced only cockroaches and alligators will survive.) I do have a healthy respect for them, however, so I have only traveled the bayous as a tourist. My up-close experience with alligators has come through friends—there are two herpetologists in my local writing group, both of whom have worked extensively with alligators—one even has the scars to prove it! So they’re my go-to sources for things like how long it might take a gator to digest something and how fast gators can move in the cold waters of early spring. I did stump them by asking how an alligator might react to a hallucinogenic drug, though.

Your bio says you’re a longtime resident of New Orleans. What are your three favorite things about living in southern Louisiana?

I had to move away from NOLA for family reasons a few years ago, but I’m pondering my return. I love the eccentricity of the place—people accept others for who they are, and every time you leave the house you can’t predict who or what you might see. I love the architecture, the history, and the marshes and swamps. The sound of ships’ horns echoing on the river. And did I mention the food? South Louisiana is the home of my heart, and always will be, no matter where I live.

What’s next? Will there be more books in 2017?

Definitely! I’d love to see both Paul and Mac’s books in the Wilds of the Bayou series out next year, as well as beginning a new suspense series I’m working on. I’ll be transitioning out of the day job next spring so I’ll be able to devote myself wholly to writing.

Thank you for visiting with me, Susannah! Would you like to ask our readers a question?

Thanks so much for having me! Here’s something I always want to ask readers.

Do you like a “slow burn” in your romantic suspense, or would you prefer to see the hero and heroine make their commitment early on?

Wild Man's Curse
Wilds of the Bayou - Book 1
On sale for Kindle @ $1.99
Read FREE on Amazon Prime

The bones said death was comin’, and the bones never lied.

While on an early morning patrol in the swamps of Whiskey Bayou, Louisiana wildlife agent Gentry Broussard spots a man leaving the home of elderly Eva Savoie—a man who bears a startling resemblance to his brother, whom Gentry thought he had killed during a drug raid three years earlier. Shaken, the agent enters Eva’s cabin and makes a bloody discovery: the old woman has been brutally murdered.

With no jurisdiction over the case, he’s forced to leave the investigation to the local sheriff, until Eva’s beautiful heir, Celestine, receives a series of gruesome threats. As Gentry’s involvement deepens and more victims turn up, can he untangle the secrets behind Eva’s murder and protect Celestine from the same fate? Or will an old family curse finally have its way?

Black Diamond
Wilds of the Bayou - Book 2
Release Date: October 18, 2016
On sale for Kindle @ $3.99

For some people, the untamed beauty of the bayou is a place to hide. For Louisiana wildlife agent Jena Sinclair, it’s a place of refuge—one where she can almost forget the tragedy that scarred both her skin and her soul. But when the remains of yet another fisherman turn up, Jena realizes that Bayou Pointe-aux-Chenes is not safe for her…or anyone else.

The mysterious deaths aren’t her only problem. A dangerous drug known as Black Diamond is circulating through Terrebonne Parish, turning addicts into unpredictable sociopaths. Jena’s investigation leads her to Cole Ryan—a handsome, wary recluse struggling with his own troubled history—who knows more than he’s willing to admit. If they want to stop the killer, Jena and Cole must step out of the shadows of their pasts and learn to help each other…before the evils lurking in the bayou consume them both.

Today's Special - - Kris Kennedy

Fan Girl moment here...

I'm so excited to have Kris Kennedy blogging with us today.  I'm a huge fan of medieval romances and those written by Kris are among the best I've read in recent years.  Her debut book, The Conqueror recieved good reviews, her most recent book, The Irish Warrior was on many Top 10 lists of 2010, including mine, and I can't wait to read her upcoming release, Defiant (April 26th).   In fact, when you read this, I'll be sitting on the beach with Defiant in my (hopefully) hot little hands! Please join me in giving Kris a very warm welcome to The Romance Dish! 
~PJ






What Appears A Blessing may Be A Curse...


...and vice-versa.

I think this is one of my (many) favorite elements of fiction, and it’s used to great effect in romance fiction.

This is the time when the hero thinks everything’s going his way, and he couldn’t be happier. I mean, his plans are unfolding precisely as he wanted, right? What a confidence-booster.

Then wham—he suddenly realizes/learns/discovers it’s all terribly wrong. (Note: This is the most fun when it’s due to the heroine. )

The flipside is when the heroine has been dragged down further and further into, oh, let’s say some pit of despair. (Because pits of despair are fun in fiction.) When every attempt at problem-solving has resulted only in digging herself in deeper, when everything is going absolutely, positively wrong. (Note: This is most enjoyable when the hero is either the cause of the bad stuff, or the consequence of them—i.e. She has to spend more time with him.) Which, of course, will turn out to be the very best thing that could have happened.

Some of the best storytelling tension, the best humor, the best sensual tension comes from these reversals or switches of expectation/desire and outcome. Some of the best kiss scenes, some of the best clues to solving the mystery, to getting the bad guy, to facing the inner demons, to resolving the core story questions—almost always, some of the best ones come directly from this.

I think this is because this same phenomena happens in our everyday lives, very, very often.

Something happens to us that seems terrible. Perhaps we made a mistake, or maybe we missed the exit. Somehow, we lose out on an opportunity we think was the Very Best Thing and, furthermore, Exactly What We Needed.

But a lot of time, later on--maybe an hour, maybe ten years--we realize that Very Best Thing would have been all wrong. Maybe it would have closed off an opportunity that could lead to something we now cherish. Or maybe something wonderful came out of the ‘mistake’ or the loss, something we can’t imagine our lives without.

Perhaps some (most?) of this attitude, “Hey, it’s Actually A Good Thing!” is just our human capacity for storytelling, our drive to create narratives that explain the world, our desire to find meaning and make sense of the world. It’s a hard-wired thing. So, who knows, maybe we’re just making up these “Hey, it’s really a good thing now!” stories to make ourselves feel better.

But you know what? Most of the time, I don’t think so.

I remember once turning down a job offer that was pretty demanding and inflexible about how I put in my time. Almost immediately after I turned it down, I began second-guessing myself, berating myself for passing up the (not insignificant) increase in pay and prestige. I had a rough few months of it, especially as I was constantly encountering the person who took the job instead. I kept seeing what ‘could have been.’

But . . . a few months later, I re-discovered writing, and you know what? I needed that time, to not only to re-discover writing, but then to stay up until 2am writing, to flex my schedule so I could fit in the obsessive, 23-hours-a-day writing I was sometimes doing. I needed time to be inspired. I needed time to get it all down. Time I’d never have had with the other job.

Turns out, turning down the job was the best thing I could have done.

I’m not (necessarily) saying that things happen for a reason. Maybe they do. Maybe they don’t. I’m just saying that often, if we keep an open mind, (or have one forced upon us—oh, hello Romance Hero) a lot of times, the thing we wanted turns out not to be essential at all. And the thing we dreaded, that error in judgment, turns not to be an error at all. It’s not only not as bad as we dreaded, but it might just expose opportunities we could never have dreamt of.

This kind of irony is fabulous fodder for dramatic tension in stories. I think that’s because it resonates somewhere deep inside us, because we see it in our lives, every day.

In my May release, DEFIANT (Pocket Books), the hero and heroine upend each other throughout the opening scenes of the story. Each time the heroine upsets the hero’s carefully laid plans, every time the hero boxes the heroine in, each time there’s a reversal of fortunes, it makes them more desperate, more angry, and more committed to their original goal.

But what it really does is drive them closer together (all I’ll say is, in DEFIANT, there are ropes involved. . . .) And that, of course, is the best thing that could ever have happened.

So, what are some of your favorite stories / moments in stories, where the best thing turns out to be the worst thing, or vice-versa? Or, even in your own life?


One person who shares their story will win a copy of my upcoming May release, DEFIANT!


And below, for anyone interested, is my paltry re-telling of a Chinese proverb that speaks this notion of reversals, and the value of adopting a mindful, accepting embrace of life as it comes, because we never, ever know what lies around the bend:


A humble man in a village owned the most magnificent horse in the countryside, a powerful, beautiful stallion. All the villagers told the old man how blessed he was. But he would always reply, "Maybe so, maybe not. What appears a blessing can be a curse, and what appears a curse can be a blessing."


Now it happens that one day, the stallion ran away, and the villagers lamented for the man, saying now that he must be cursed. And he replied, "Maybe so, and maybe not. What appears a curse can be a blessing, and what appears a blessing can be a curse."

A few days later, the horse returned, and had a whole line of beautiful wild horses following behind. By the law of the land, this made them all the old man's. His neighbors exclaimed at how truly blessed he was. As always, he replied, "Maybe so, and maybe not. What appears a blessing can be a curse, and what appears a curse can be a blessing."


A few days later, the man's eldest son was out riding the stallion, and got thrown. He broke his leg. Now the villagers all cried, "Ah, how cursed you are." The old man replied, "Maybe so, and maybe not. What appears a curse can be a blessing, and what appears a blessing can be a curse."

The next day, the army came through the village, conscripting all able-bodied men for their campaign, a war being fought for no reason other than to satisfy the emperor's greed. The army took every young man and boy in the village, but they left the old man's son behind, because his leg was broken. All the men and boys of the village who went were killed in terrible battle, but the man's son, being home, lived.


Now, that’s certainly not what you’d call a romance, and to my mind, the village menfolk had to suffer pretty horrifically in order to make the point, but at its core, the story speaks to reversals of fortune. In fiction and in life, this is pretty compelling stuff.

So, let me hear your stories, either fiction or real life!

Kris Kennedy writes sexy, adventure-filled medieval romances for Pocket Books. Visit her website  and sign-up for the newsletter, read exclusive excerpts, or just drop Kris a line saying Hi!

Celebrating our 7th Anniversary

On November 2, 2009, the Romance Dish opened its doors and here we are, seven years later, still sharing our love of romance and having fun doing it. Some of you have been with us from the beginning while, for others, we're a recent discovery. I hope you enjoy the time you spend here and want you to know all of you are appreciated! 

Year #7 at the Romance Dish was filled with new adventures, new discoveries, and plenty of fun. Here are a few of my personal highlights...

Sweetest Scoundrel by Elizabeth Hoyt was our first Top Dish review of Year #7 and is one of my favorite books in Hoyt's Maiden Lane series. The book went on to be a finalist for the 2015 RITA® in the Historical Romance:Short category.

Debut author Marnee Blake joined us in December for a Q&A about her debut New Adult/Sci-Fi Romantic Thriller, Altered. This book blew me away and I was so excited when it was announced as a finalist for the 2015 RITA® in the Best First Book category. Altered is currently on sale for $3.99 in ebook format.

One of my favorite posts from Janga during Year #7 was her two-part feature on the Enchanting Stand-Alone Novels of Eloisa James. As Janga notes in Part One of her feature, one definition of "enchanting" is "to delight to a high degree." That definition applies not only to James' novels but to Janga's posts here at the Dish as well. I'm so very delighted and thankful that she is part of the Romance Dish team!    

There's always a bit of trepidation when I turn the first page of a book that I've waited years (five to be exact) to read. Such was the case in February when Roxanne St. Claire finally published Barefoot With a Bad Boy, the long-awaited and highly-anticipated story of Gabriel Rossi (a secondary character in St. Claire's Guardian Angelinos series). This is one of those stories that reaches into your soul and doesn't let go. The suspense is riveting, the descriptions, vivid, and while the story is deeply emotional there is also a fair amount of humor sprinkled throughout. I may have gushed a bit in my 5-star review but this bad boy deserved it. 

March brought a new book from a new-to-me author with The Saints of the Lost and Found by T.M. Causey. This southern gothic suspense thriller grabbed me from the start and absolutely refused to let go. I was excited to have the opportunity to question the author about this haunting story that I'm still thinking about months later.

April brought another new-to-me author to the Dish with my Q&A with Laura Florand and her contemporary romance, Chase Me. I adored everything about this book. As I told Ms. Florand in our Q&A, finishing Chase Me left me with a "huge smile, teary eyes, and a happy heart." Can't ask for much more than that! 

I love celebrating debut authors, especially when I've followed their journey to publication, which is why I was excited to host Lenora Bell when her sparkling debut, How the Duke Was Won was published in April. I thoroughly enjoyed both Bell's debut as well as her August release, If I Only Had a Duke and am looking forward to more from this talented new author. 

In May, popular historical romance author Julie Anne Long made the transition to contemporary romance with the release of Hot in Hellcat Canyon. Those of us who adored her historicals had been holding our breath in the hope that we would not be disappointed by her present-day writing voice. As you can tell from Janga's Top Dish review, Long didn't miss a beat. As Janga says in her review, Hot in Hellcat Canyon is "smart, sexy, and heart-melting." It immediately secured a spot on both of our Best of 2016 book lists. Note: In a triumphant farewell to her beloved Pennyroyal Green historical romance series, Long's It Started With a Scandal won the 2015 RITA® in the Historical Romance:Short category.

Another new-to-me author, Susannah Sandlin took us to the Louisiana bayou with the thrilling first book in her new Wilds of the Bayou romantic suspense series, Wild Man's Curse. I wanted to read it slowly, savoring each word; absorbing the steamy, mystical, sometimes sensual, sometimes sinister life on the bayou while at the same time, racing through the pages to discover what awaited around the next turn. This is one of those books that kept me reading way past my bedtime!

Laura Trentham took us to the Deep South with her heartwarming Cottonbloom contemporary romance series. The second book, Then He Kissed Me, captured my heart and secured a spot on my Best of 2016 watch list. I've fallen in love with this quirky southern town and am so excited by the announcement that more Cottonbloom books will be coming our way. 

Katie Ruggle, a new and exciting voice in romantic suspense, grabbed a place on my auto-buy list with her debut Rocky Mountain Search and Rescue quartet. Action-packed, deeply emotional, and with a continuing mystery that had me eagerly anticipating each new book, this series was a highlight of my summer/fall reading. Read more about Katie and the series in our August Q&A. 

Vanessa Kelly's August book, My Fair Princess introduced readers to one of my all-time favorite heroines, Gillian Dryden and the always enjoyable fish-out-of-water trope. The illegitimate daughter of an English prince, Gillian grew up in Italy, has a finely honed sense of justice, isn't hesitant to speak her mind, and is armed at all times, even in the middle of a London ballroom. Her oh-so-proper hero, tasked with transforming her into an acceptable English society miss, has no idea what he's in for! Kelly talked about the musical inspiration for this story in her guest post. My Fair Princess is currently on sale at only $0.99 in ebook format. 

Another WOW reading highlight for me came with the release of Because I'm Watching by Christina Dodd. This Top Dish suspense thriller is filled with fascinating, complex characters who absolutely refused to let me walk away until I had read every word of their compelling story. Filled with compassion, intrigue, anguish, mystery, hope, murder, forgiveness, redemption, twists and turns aplenty, and a love that heals two broken souls, Because I'm Watching is, in my opinion, one of the best books Dodd has ever written. 

September brought my favorite historical romance of the year: Do You Want to Start a Scandal by Tessa Dare. I've been reading Dare since her debut and print copies of all of her books grace my keeper shelves but this story, that marries her Spindle Cove and Castles Ever After series, is special. I grinned from the first page to the final one - all three times I've read it - and, still, all it takes is someone mentioning Charlotte and Piers and all I want to do is curl up on the couch and lose myself in their world once again. Is it any wonder  Do You Want to Start a Scandal earned my Top Dish rating?

Of course, a big highlight for me this year was attending the inaugural Historical Romance Retreat in Spokane, Washington and hanging out with the fabulous Anna Campbell. It was such a special treat. We hadn't seen each other in six years! You can read about the trip and browse some of my photos here. 

What have been your highlights over the past year? 

Have you taken any special trips?

Have you discovered any new authors that have rocked your reading world?

What's a celebration without gifts, right? So here's what's up for grabs!

Two $10 Amazon e-gift cards. 

One autographed copy of IF I ONLY HAD A DUKE by Lenora Bell. (US only)

One autographed copy of NEVER SEDUCE A SCOUNDREL by Sabrina Jeffries plus swag from the Historical Romance Retreat. (US only)

Autographed copies of MAD ABOUT THE MAJOR and THE KNAVE OF HEARTS by Elizabeth Boyle. (US only)

One autographed copy of SEVEN NIGHTS IN A ROGUE'S BED by Anna Campbell plus swag from the Historical Romance Retreat. (US only) 

One autographed copy of MAD FOR THE PLAID by Karen Hawkins. (US only)

One autographed copy of DARLING BEAST by Elizabeth Hoyt plus swag from the Historical Romance Retreat. (US only)

Deadline for comments to be entered in the giveaway is 11:00 pm (EST), November 4, 2016. 

Our Favorite Romances of 2016

We're almost halfway through December and 2017 will soon be here. Seems like a good time to chat about those books published in 2016 that touched our hearts, tickled our funny bones, kept us peeking over our shoulders late into the night, and gave us heroines to admire and heroes to fuel our dreams. Janga, Manda, Nancy, Hellie and I have worked hard to whittle our lists down (and, believe me, it wasn't easy!) and bring you our favorite romances of 2016. 

Janga’s Favorites

Hot in Hellcat Canyon by Julie Anne Long

I’ve known for years that JAL was one of the best historical romance writers around, and this year she proved that she is also one of the best contemporary romance writers around as well. I loved this book. It was a win-win-win for me— Hot in Hellcat Canyon was the best romance of the year, Britt and J. T. are my favorite couple of the year, and Hellcat Canyon is my favorite new series of 2016. And if anyone starts a list of the best quote from a romance novel in 2016, J. T.’s wedding speech gets my vote. All this plus a second book, Wild at Whiskey Creek, that is a stellar follow-up to JAL’s contemporary debut. Read our review.

My American Duchess by Eloisa James

One of the many reasons that I am a major Eloisa James fan is her ability to take even the tiredest conventions of historical romance and make them fresh and uniquely hers. I love her use of several tropes in My American Duchess, ranging from favorites like marriage in trouble and an American in London to some I’m kind of meh about such as love at first sight and twins to one I try to avoid, the love triangle. I ended up loving them all in MAD as Merry and Trent made their complicated way to an HEA—and I’ll never look at a pineapple again without thinking of this book. Read our review.

Do You Want to Start a Scandal? by Tessa Dare

A Week to Be Wicked is still my favorite Tessa Dare novel, but it is only a hair ahead of Do You Want to Start a Scandal? Charlotte Highwood is a thoroughly likeable character, intelligent and witty and self-aware despite her youth. I am so glad she said yes to her marquess. Piers Brandon, the Marquess of  Granville, is competent and confident, and he is also that too rare hero with a great sense of humor. Their story made me smile, giggle to myself, and chortle in seeming stereo, but it also had some poignant moments, including a surprisingly different look at Charlotte’s embarrassing, managing mother. Read our review.

The Summer Bride by Anne Gracie

Anne Gracie is another of my never-fail authors, and she proved why she deserves that status with the conclusion to her Chance Sisters series. As much as I love romances filled with lords and ladies, I also cherish those that offer atypical characters. Gracie does just that with Daisy, a cockney foundling who grew up in a brothel, and whose highest ambition now is to establish her independence as the most fashionable dressmaker in London, and Patrick Flynn, a handsome Irishman who earned a partnership in a shipping company through native ability, hard work, and luck. I love a self-made hero, and Patrick is a charmer who won my heart. This was a wonderfully satisfying end to a terrific series. Read our review.

Play by Karina Bliss (in the You Had Me at Christmas anthology)

I’m in love with Bliss’s Solid Rock series, and Play is my favorite novella of 2016.  When it’s done well, marriage in trouble is one of my favorite tropes, and it is done superbly in this story. Jared and Kayla’s love is real, but so are their problems. Bliss mixes humor, heartache, and all the tangled connections in a long and loving relationship in this story—and she avoids simplistic fixes. I laughed out loud at times, and I wiped away tears at others. Even though the story is short, I never felt cheated. I give this novella practically perfect marks for excellence across the board. Read our review.

Temptations of a Wallflower by Eva Leigh

I have a deep affection for historical romances that feature writer heroines that I trace back to my favorite heroines of girl books—Jo March, Anne Shirley, and Betsy Ray. I also love the wallflower trope, vicar heroes, and lucid, lyrical prose. Temptations of a Wallflower gave me all these things in one book. I described it in my review as “a gem of a book that blends feminist themes, engaging characters, and sensual romance that succeeds on multiple levels.” I added it to my Best of 2016 list when I first read it in April. A later, second reading reaffirmed my conviction that it belongs on this list. Read our review.

Secrets of a Soprano by Miranda Neville

Neville is one of those authors who always give her readers something a bit different. In this novel, she creates not only a wonderfully rewarding romance but also a look at the world of opera at a time when the public’s fascination with the stars of opera paralleled contemporary obsession with rock stars and top box-office draws. Neville honors the unwritten contract with her readers and gives Tessa and Max their HEA, but their journey to a blissful reunion is a fraught one—and Tessa’s celebrity is a realistic complication and a reminder that ours is not the first age to create and destroy idols. This is a fascinating and intelligent novel, so no surprise that it is one of my top reads of the year.

Good Dukes Wear Black by Manda Collins

There is something particularly sweet about seeing a friend whose unpublished manuscripts showed she had the spark produce a book that clearly places her among the best writers of her subgenre. Ophelia is an amazing heroine—intelligent, compassionate, and believable in her independence and risk-taking. Piers falls in love with her for all these qualities and supports her rather than trying to change her. Added to this superb characterization is an ideal balance of romance and mystery. Good Dukes Wear Black is on my list because of its merits, but my cheers are especially hearty because the author is my friend. Read our review.

First Star I See Tonight by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

It has been more than twenty years since I first read It Had to Be You, the book that introduced the Chicago Stars series by Susan Elizabeth Phillips. I knew on that first reading that I had a keeper to which I would return many times. I felt the same way when I read the eighth entry in the series. With its rule-bending heroine who hides her vulnerabilities and arrogant alpha athlete hero, First Star I See Tonight is vintage Phillips; but it also has a fresh, twenty-first century appeal with its private-investigator heroine and its hero whose heart proves to be as big as his ego. The snarky banter showcases SEP’s genius, and the humor hits the mark every time.

Her Hopes and Dreams by Terri Osburn

Heroines who are recovering from domestic abuse and heroes who struggle with PTSD populate the pages of contemporary romance with a regularity that threatens to dull reader sympathies, but Terri Osburn proves in Her Hopes and Dreams that a gifted author can still take these characters and present them with a power that packs a stunning emotional punch. Carrie Farmer and Noah Winchester give these social problems working-class faces and a painful reality that makes their hard-won happiness incredibly satisfying. That letter scene is one of my favorites ever. (I must have read it at least six times.) And, as with Good Dukes Wear Black, I’m waving two flags for Her Hopes and Dreams, one for splendid authorial achievement and one for joy in a friend’s success. 

I promised PJ that I would whittle my much-longer list of much-loved books of 2016 to just ten, but I have to award Honorable Mention to The Wicked Duke by Madeline Hunter, Once a Soldier by Mary Jo Putney, Sunset in Central Park by Sarah Morgan, When We Were Sisters by Emilie Richards, and The Earl by Katharine Ashe. 

Manda's Favorites

It’s been a weird reading year for me. I haven’t had as much time as usual to read and what I did read ended up being gloms of older books or rereads of old favorites. Even so, the new books I did read were outstanding. So Here’s my, admittedly subjective, list:

Wicked Sexy Liar by Christina Lauren

Every time I think the writing team of Christina Lauren can’t get any better, or that they’ve bitten off more than they can chew, they prove me wrong. A sexy, emotional story about two people who don’t think they’re together for the long haul, who end up falling hopelessly in love.

Carolina Dreaming by Virginia Kantra

I love everything I’ve ever read by Virginia Kantra (and I’ve read almost all of them) but this story really got to me with its ex-con determined to do the right thing hero and abuse-survivor heroine who wants to do right by her child. I especially loved the slow build romance, and Gabe’s relationship with Jane’s son, but it’s ultimately the decency of the hero—and indeed all of Kantra’s heroes—that will keep me coming back as fast as she can write. Read our review.

Deep Dark by Laura Griffin

Whenever I think of authors who write long series set in the same world, I somehow forget about Laura Griffin. I think it’s because every book in her long running Tracers series feels like an individual. They might be set in the same world, but each of the characters and crimes is different enough that it’s all new and exciting every time. In Deep Dark, she teams up a former computer hacker turned Cyber Crime investigator for the Delphi Center and a world weary police detective who can’t help but be drawn to the gutsy techie with pink hair and a smart mouth. The mystery was satisfyingly complex and the romance was smoking. Can’t get much better than that!

Lost Among the Living by Simone St. James

There’s a secret at the heart of Lost Among the Living, so I can’t say too much about the romance other than that this pair broke my heart, then put it back together again. St. James’ books are hard to categorize since they’re part mystery, part romance, part horror, but her excellent, lyrical prose and inventive storytelling made this not only one of my favorites of the year, but of all time. She’s just that good. If you are at all interested in the period between WWI and WWII, or you’re a Downton Abbey fan, these books are for you.

Steadfast by Sarina Bowen

Sarina Bowen published several wonderful books this year (Rookie Move, I love you!) but Bittersweet is the one that I’ve thought about the most since I turned the last page. You see a lot about the opioid epidemic in the news, but not so much in romance fiction—even in romantic suspense, which seems like it would be be a good fit. And when you hear that the hero is fresh from a stint in prison AND an addict you might think this isn’t the book for you. That would be a mistake. Bittersweet is gritty, it’s true, and some of the aspects of Jude’s life aren’t pretty (he’s broke, and there’s no billionaire on the horizon to bail him out or set him up in a new life) but it’s also a wonderful story about recovery and survival and how love can survive even the most traumatic circumstances. And heroine Sophie is tough despite her good girl exterior, making her Jude’s perfect match.

First Star I See Tonight by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

By now you might expect SEP to rest on her laurels, but with First Star I See Tonight, she’s proved she’s still got “it”—whatever “it” may be. It’s got a quirky heroine and a smooth-talking football player hero, and there are as many laughs as you’d expect from the author who introduced us to the “cereal killer”. But it also has a mystery plot, which, you know me, I LOVED. This book was just what I needed this year, and I was thrilled to spend a little time with some of my other favorite characters from The Chicago Stars series. Just happy sighs all around.

Nancy's Favorites

One particular writing project and months of remodeling have consumed much of my year.  I found myself reading some new books along with older ones I’d had for years, meaning to read them but never getting to them.   

Once a Soldier by Mary Jo Putney  
A soldier earl meets an unconventional woman in the mountains of Portugal at the end of the Napoleonic Wars.  As they defend her friends’ castle against marauding French troops, they’re drawn to each other. She thinks she’s too unconventional to appeal to a man, but can he convince her otherwise? Nice mix of romance, history, and action.  
Read our review.

Magic in the Stars by Patricia Rice
When an astrologer brings dire warnings to her cousins, they brush off her concerns. Theo, the hero, is an astronomer and has no use for astrology.  Still, Aster is determined to save Theo’s brother.  As she works to convince Theo of the threat, his knowledge of astronomy offers a chance to change her own star-crossed destiny.
Read our review.

Magic Binds by Ilona Andrews
The latest installment in the Kate Daniels urban fantasy series has Kate and her fiancé, the former Beast Lord, planning their wedding while battling the usual assortment of vampires and other paranormal beings.  A worse problem is that Kate’s father is interfering in Atlanta. As though that weren’t enough, prophecies predict that Atlanta will be doomed if Kate and Curran marry. 

Bay of Sighs by Nora Roberts
This second book in the Guardians Trilogy is my favorite.  Annika, a mermaid, has a sweet nature that sometimes masks her steely determination and courage.  Magical traveler Sawyer, a vagabond at heart, is drawn to that sweetness. But Sawyer, too, has steel at his core.  The quest for the second star turns ugly when Nerezza’s minion captures Sayer and Annika. The final battle shows just how much each will risk to save the other. Read our review.

The Kill Sign by Nichole Christoff
Private investigator and security expert Jamie Sinclair goes to Mississippi to see Lt. Col. Adam Barrett, her military policeman boyfriend, after a long separation, only to have the reunion disrupted by a bomb. Working to find the bomber, she realizes her relationship with Barrett, complicated by a DEA Agent who’s attracted to her, is going in a direction she isn’t sure she wants. The events of the story bring clarity on a couple of points as well as a resolution to the plot.

Alone in the Dark by Karen Rose
Newspaper publisher and former Army Ranger Marcus O’Bannion meets a troubled young girl in an alley, only to have her shot before she can tell him her situation.  The homicide detective who responds to the call, Scarlett Bishop, and Marcus have met before.  There was a connection between them then, and working to solve the mystery of the young woman’s death, which ties into a human trafficking ring, brings them closer together.  Action, suspense,  dominate, but the romance is strong. 

Though these four books weren't published in 2016, Nancy read them for the first time this year and wanted to give them special mention: The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie by Jennifer Ashley, Mr. Impossible by Loretta Chase, Shadow's End by Thea Harrison, and His First and Last by Terri Osburn. 


Hellie's Favorites

I narrowed my list to 5 because I wanted to focus on the MOST memorable for me, though I loved so many more books and there will be books on everyone's lists where I'm all, "Oh, I loved that!", but these have sat with me, even after I've read them (thought WAWC is rather new, I think it's going to sit with me a long time.)

Hot in Hellcat Canyon by Julie Anne Long

My thoughts as gushed on The Romance Dish were: “I just finished reading it tonight--and the black moments were SO BLACK and the groveling was so ROMANTIC and that speech he gave. *swoon* I cannot wait for further books in this series and am STOKED that the next book will have the sheriff and the girl at open mike night. But I want books for Casey and Kayla and even Franco--I really want one for Franco. *LOL* I even want a book for Truck. This is going to be as brilliant a series as the Pennyroyal Green series. I want to read it again; I want to highlight my favorite passages; I want to write odes to Julie Anne Long.” Read our review.

Wild at Whiskey Creek by Julie Anne Long

My thoughts as gushed on The Romance Dish were: “OH MY GOD. I loved this story. It was so RAW and emotional and there were so many times I wanted to drunk text Julie and go, "OMG, how do you know my friends? Did I introduce you?" because seriously that sheriff and arresting the "blood" thing SO HAPPENED in my life. That whole dynamic was just freaky to read. I swear Julie and I MUST be cousins or something. We must know the same people. And yes, the thousand little details that Julie uses that CREATE the world of Hellcat Canyon, the language, the visuals--it's just...I'm amazed and excited to read such genius and learn from someone who is such a master at this craft. The layers. The quirks. The emotion.”  Read our review.

Do You Want to Start a Scandal by Tessa Dare

This book is on my keeper shelf because the opening scene is so damned hysterical, I wheezed all the way through it and my lunch co-workers were concerned for my health. When the heroine keeps trying to reassure the hero she has no designs on him for marriage (et al) and thus they must avoid each other at all costs. Why their marriage would be “an existence marked by tedium and punctuated by misery”, to which he says, “We’d be forced to base our entire relationship on sexual congress.” I then continued wheezing throughout the book.

Read our review.

The Earl Takes All by Lorraine Heath

This one nearly killed me. The hero is actually the younger twin brother-in-law of the heroine, and he promised his dying brother he would pretend to be him until the heroine has delivered their child safely. Clearly this is problematic in historical England because you can’t marry your brother’s widow, and we all know by the end of the book, they’re going to be madly in love with each other. How could a happy ending possibly work out? Oh, the angst! So, so lovely and romantic.

Love, Lies, & Spies by Cindy Anstey

This one is actually a YA Regency Romance. It’s more romp and sweet rather than sexy. A bit like the regency romances of old where you didn’t have sex until you were married—that sort—but you don’t miss it because you’re too busy cracking up at the antics and banter between these characters. Read our review.

If I were at add a 6th book, it wouldn't be a romance, but it's called "F*ck That: An Honest Meditation" by Jason Headley. I assure you it's brilliant and you'll want to add it to your keeper shelf. I think I've read it at least 12 times already.


PJ's Favorites

There were so many wonderful books published this year. I freely admit that narrowing my selections was extremely difficult but I managed to whittle my list down to eleven. Here are the books - in no particular order - that have continued to linger in my mind long after the final page was turned. 

Hot in Hellcat Canyon by Julie Anne Long
Janga and I have had many conversations about this book. I wholeheartedly agree with everything both she and Hellie have said in their summaries above. Julie Anne Long is an extraordinarily talented wordsmith who didn't miss a beat in transitioning this year from award-winning historical romance to contemporary romance. She brings readers a hero and heroine we can cheer for, quirky secondary characters, laugh-out-loud humor, and heart-tugging emotion in a sigh-worth story that stays with me still, more than six months after I turned the final page.  Read our review.

Then He Kissed Me by Laura Trentham
Laura Trentham is quickly becoming one of my go-to contemporary romance authors. In Cottonbloom, a town divided by a river, a state line, and a long-simmering feud, Trentham brings readers a second chance romance featuring long separated childhood best friends: Nash (now a sexy, book-loving college professor) and Tally (a dyslexic heroine with a battered self-esteem who hides her vulnerability behind a mask of bravado). She infuses her books with humor, emotion, quirky characters, and heartwarming romance, bringing it all - including the town of Cottonbloom - to vivid life through her words. Read our review.

Do You Want to Start a Scandal by Tessa Dare
I've been a fan of Dare's work since her debut and she has often been on my 'best of' lists but this book just may be my all-time favorite of everything she's written. I loved everything about it. I think I grinned from beginning to end. I'm grinning right now, just thinking about it. In this story, Dare pairs an adorably charming heroine with a thirst for adventure, no interest in marriage, and a determination to outwit her matchmaking mama with a sigh-worthy former diplomat (and secret spy) who discovers his perfect match in the most unlikely of places and circumstances. (Warning: Do not drink or eat anything while reading the first chapter of this book. Yes, it really is that funny!).  Dare perfectly balances humor and emotion along with her superb storytelling skills to deliver an all-encompassing, heart-tugging, feel-good romance that will elicit tears, laughter, and much joy. Read our review.

Claiming Her by Kris Kennedy
If you enjoy an exquisitely written Medieval romance with an intelligent, determined heroine, a sensual, equally determined hero, action, intrigue, romance, and sizzling passion, then you won't want to miss this book. While Lady Katarina battles to hold the Irish barony of Rardove for the English Queen, our hero, Aodh is committed to reclaiming the family lands that should rightfully be his, not by force but by wooing both Katarina and the people of Rardove to his side. Though, in the end, Aodh may be the one who is wooed. And me. I was thoroughly wooed. I've enjoyed all of Kennedy's books but this is my favorite. I admired Katarina, was immersed in the story from start to finish, and yes, seven months later I am still dreaming about Aodh. ::Sigh::

Because I’m Watching by Christina Dodd 

From beginning to end, this is a story that refuses to let go. Dodd uses every facet of her creative mind to expertly guide her characters – and the reader – through this compelling, edge-of-your-seat thriller. Filled with intrigue, anguish, forgiveness, hope, enough twists and turns to keep me constantly guessing, and a love that heals two broken souls, this unforgettable story earned my highest recommendation.  Read our review.

Wild Man’s Curse by Susannah Sandlin 

I forced myself to read this book slowly, savoring each word, absorbing the steamy, mystical, sometimes sensual, sometimes sinister life on the Louisiana bayou when what I really wanted was to race through the pages to discover what awaited around the next turn. In this first book of her Wilds of the Bayou series, Sandlin paints a vivid picture of life on the bayou, the people who call it home, the sizzling sexual tension and gradually developing romance between the hero and heroine, and a chillingly depraved villain who threatens it all. Wild Man’s Curse is one wild ride and I enjoyed every minute of it.  Read our review.

Deception Island by Brynn Kelly

This dark, unrelenting journey of non-stop action, passion, and suspense sucked me in and left me breathless. Thrown into the center of soulless villains engaged in murder, kidnapping, extortion, and human trafficking, my heart raced with fear for anyone in their sights and ached for those in their grasp. While the villains made my heart ache, it was Kelly’s flawed hero and heroine who surprisingly captured it. I was in this unlikely couple’s corner the whole way; gasping at the seemingly insurmountable obstacles they were forced to overcome, sighing at the unexpected, tender moments, delighting in the verbal swordplay, and clueless as to how Kelly was going to pull off the impossible, happy ending they deserved. It’s one heck of a ride from an exceptionally talented debut author. Wherever Brynn Kelly decides to take readers in her next book, you can count me in! Read our review.

Her Hopes and Dreams by Terri Osburn

Terri Osburn has been my friend for many years. I have watched her evolution as a writer with pride and pleasure. I've enjoyed all of her novels but Her Hopes and Dreams is special and with this book she's taken her writing skills to a new level. Like Janga, I appreciate the everyday characters in this book. They aren't rich, successful, or powerful. They are hard-working individuals who could easily be our neighbors and they have not led privileged nor easy lives but I have rarely met two characters who deserve happiness more. Osburn digs deep into the emotional scars carried by both as she expertly guides them through the tumultuous journey to their happy ending. 

Barefoot With a Bad Boy by Roxanne St. Claire

This long-awaited story of former CIA agents, Gabe Rossi and Lila Wickham is one of those books that reaches into your soul and doesn't let go. While deeply emotional, there's plenty of humor, riveting suspense, passion, and enough twists and turns to keep me guessing until the very end. It's the story of love lost, love changed, and love found - deep familial love, life-changing parental love, and the slowly evolving, ever challenging, soul-filling love between a man and woman that must overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles for a chance to grow, solidify, and give this couple the happy ending they so richly deserve. It's deep, complex, heart-stopping, heartwarming, and, in my opinion, one of the best books St. Claire has written. Read our review. 

My American Duchess by Eloisa James

After reading this book (the first time), I tried to think of a word to describe my emotions. That word is joy. This story - these characters - filled me with such joy. Trent and Merry are one of my favorite couples of the year. I love their humor (traditional, smitten, English duke vs outspoken, effervescent, American miss), their intelligence, kindness, and definitely their passion. I want to be their friend, to hang out at their estate, digging in the garden with Merry and playing with George, their adorable puppy. I want to read their story over and over...and over again. This standalone historical romance is Eloisa James at her finest. I adored it.  Read our review.

The Study of Seduction by Sabrina Jeffries

I've been a fan of Sabrina Jeffries' work for many years and many of her books have spaces on my keeper shelves but even among the keepers, The Study of Seduction holds a special place. This poignant, suspenseful, and sensual story touched my heart, keeping me entertained from beginning to end and landing Edwin and Clarissa a spot among my favorite Jeffries couples. Both Edwin and Clarissa are deeply affected by violent events in their pasts that had a significant role in shaping who they have become as adults; events that are deftly handled by Jeffries with a delicacy and sensitivity that are deeply appreciated. She brings a depth to their relationship, granting them the necessary time to gradually deepen their friendship and trust of one another while carefully navigating the desire that blossoms between them. The Study of Seduction is one of my favorites from an author whose books litter my keeper shelves.  Read our review.

Oh, come on. You had to know I wouldn't be able to stop at eleven! Honorable Mention goes to: My Fair Princess by Vanessa Kelly, The Rebel Heir by Elizabeth Michels, Magnate by Joanna Shupe, Stone Cold Cowboy by Jennifer Ryan, Good Dukes Wear Black by Manda Collins, A Date at the Altar by Cathy Maxwell, Fan the Flames by Katie Ruggle, Wild at Whiskey Creek by Julie Anne Long, A Duke to Remember by Kelly Bowen and, though it isn't technically a romance, The Saints of the Lost and Found by T.M. Causey (one of the best books I've read in years).

So those are our favorites. Have you read any of them? Did any of our titles make your 'best of' list?

Tell us about the books published this year that you loved. 

One randomly chosen person who leaves a comment before 11:00 PM (PST) tonight will receive two of my favorites:a print copy of Wild at Whiskey Creek and a container of my handcrafted chocolates (includes nuts). U.S. addresses only