Romantic Suspense | Contemporary Romance | Printable Booklist

All books that are part of a series can be read as stand-alone novels.

Lethal Legacy
(Book 3 —Guardians of Justice)
Revell, ©2012, ISBN 978-0-8007-3458-9

The police say her father’s death was suicide. Kelly Warren says it was murder—and she has new evidence to prove it. Detective Cole Taylor doesn't put much credence in her claim, and nothing in his case review suggests foul play. But when Kelly ends up in the ER with a life-threatening medical condition, Cole digs deeper—and discovers a startling secret that links her to a long-ago crime. Is history repeating itself? And does someone want Kelly silenced?

DEADLY PURSUIT
(Book 2 —Guardians of Justice)
2011 Booklist Top 10 Inspirational Fiction
Revell, ©2011, ISBN 978-0-8007-3457-2

As a social worker with the Department of Social Services, Alison Taylor has a passion for protecting children and seeing that justice is served on their behalf. But now it seems she needs protecting. Someone is making harassing phone calls and sending her bizarre gifts. When her tormentor’s attentions take a violent turn, she calls in reinforcements. Her brother, Cole, comes to her aid, along with his new partner, Detective Mitch Morgan. As her relentless stalker turns up the heat and the danger intensifies, Mitch takes a personal interest in the case. Because protecting Alison has become more than a job; his future depends on keeping her safe.

FATAL JUDGMENT (Book 1, Guardians of Justice)
Revell, 2011; ISBN 978-0-8007-3456-5
Deputy Marshal Jake Taylor has seen plenty of action as a member of the U.S. Marshals Special Operations Group, including a recent stint in Iraq. But he’d much rather go back to that hotbed of trouble than deal with his next assignment: providing protection for federal judge Liz Michaels. His antipathy toward her is just as strong as it was five years ago, when her husband—his best friend—died in a possible suicide. But as Jake works to keep Liz safe, he discovers she’s not a cold-hearted workaholic wedded to nothing but her job, as he expected. Forced to reevaluate his opinion, he also finds himself grappling with a growing attraction. And when it becomes clear that an unknown enemy may want her dead, the stakes go up. Because now both her life—and his heart—are in danger.

IN HARM'S WAY (Book 3, Heroes of Quantico)
RITA® Award
Daphne du Maurier Award Finalist
Revell, 2010; ISBN 978-0-8007-3312-4
FBI special agent Nick Bradley has seen his share of kooks during his fifteen years with the Bureau, from the guy who insisted he’d been abducted by aliens to the woman who claimed God had told her to assist the FBI by acting as His intermediary on difficult cases. But Rachel Sutton is an enigma. She seems normal when she shows up at the FBI office in St. Louis—until she produces a tattered Raggedy Ann doll she found and tells him it gives her bad vibes. Nick dismisses her—only to stumble across a link between the doll and an abducted infant, setting in motion a chain of events that uncovers startling connections…and puts Rachel’s life on the line.

AN EYE FOR AN EYE (Book 2, Heroes of Quantico)
RITA® Award Finalist
Daphne du Maurier Award Finalist
Booksellers’ Best Award Finalist
Revell, 2009; ISBN 978-0-8007-3311-7
As a member of the FBI’s Hostage Rescue Team—the nation’s most elite civilian fighting force—Mark Sanders is used to danger. Psychologist Emily Lawson isn’t. Yet danger abounds when a determined killer shatters their unexpected reunion. But who is the target? And why? As they search for answers, the peril escalates. Will they find the killer before he can complete his mission? Or is this new chapter in their long-ago summertime romance destined to have an unhappy ending?

AGAINST ALL ODDS (Book 1, Heroes of Quantico)
Daphne du Maurier Award
RT Book Reviews Reviewers’ Choice Award
Revell, 2009; ISBN 978-0-800-73310-0
For FBI Hostage Rescue Team member Evan Cooper and his partner, dignitary protection duty should have been a piece of cake. Unfortunately, Monica Callahan isn’t making it easy. Estranged from her diplomat father, who is involved in a sensitive hostage situation in the Middle East, she refuses to be intimidated by a related terrorist threat back in the States…until a chilling warning convinces her that the danger is very real—and escalating. As Coop and his partner do their best to keep her safe, David Callahan continues his work—triggering an abduction that puts his daughter’s life at risk. And with every second that ticks by, Coop knows that the odds of saving the only woman who has ever managed to breach the walls around his heart are dropping. Because terrorists aren’t known for their patience—or their mercy.

Seaside Reunion
Steeple Hill, 2012; ISBN 978-0-373-87715-5

After surviving a devastating tragedy, combat reporter Nate Garrison returns to the only place that ever felt like home: Starfish Bay in the lush Pacific Northwest. But his reunion with childhood friend Lindsey Collier is nothing like he’d imagined. The sad-eyed widow who runs Starfish Bay Mercantile was once the girl who made young Nate dream—of a future, of family ties and of deep roots. Now Lindsey avoids love, loss…and Nate, wanting nothing more than to live a quiet existence.  But a storm is brewing in peaceful Starfish Bay, one that could change the character of the town forever. As she and Nate join forces not only in the fight to preserve a place they both love but to help a grieving little boy, will they take a leap of faith and discover the healing power of love?

Child of Grace
Steeple Hill, 2011; ISBN 978-0-373-87649-5

After giving up a high-powered corporate job, Kelsey Anderson heads north to Michigan, settles into the lake house left to her by her beloved grandmother and follows her secret dream to open a quilting shop—all the while struggling with a traumatic secret. War-weary ex-Army doctor Luke Turner doesn’t want anything to do with the unwed pregnant woman next door. With scars and demons of his own after witnessing too much carnage in the Middle East, he intends to walk a wide circle around his neighbor, who clearly has problems. Besides, he’s only in town for a few weeks, to fulfill a promise he made to a dying comrade. But when he suddenly finds himself in charge of supervising his 17-year-old sister, life gets complicated. Clueless about how to deal with an adolescent girl, he’s grateful when she and Kelsey click. Unfortunately, that makes it harder for him to keep his distance. Especially when he discovers that Kelsey’s public relations background is just what he needs to make sure a young soldier is not forgotten. But can he pull off his plan without losing his heart to the beautiful mom-to-be?

A FATHER FOR ZACH (Book 4, Lighthouse Lane)
Carol Award
RT Book Reviews Reviewers’ Choice Award Finalist
Steeple Hill, 2010; ISBN 978-0-373-87591-7
After serving 10 years for armed robbery, Nathan Clay comes to Nantucket, at last a free man. Having found his way to the Lord while in prison, he’s determined to build a new life—one he hopes will someday include a wife and family. But he knows it will take a special woman to overlook his prison history. Unfortunately, he finds himself falling for Catherine Walker, who has hired him to help her remodel the B&B she’s just bought. While the green-eyed beauty and her endearing six-year-old son quickly capture his heart, he knows the odds against a relationship are high. Because Catherine lost her husband to an armed robber two years before. Yet as he repairs walls within her house, the ones around her heart begin to crumble...and he allows himself to hope that a future might be possible for them. Until a startling accusation disrupts their world and threatens to destroy their dreams of a happily-ever-after.

THE DOCTOR’S PERFECT MATCH (Book 3, Lighthouse Lane)
Steeple Hill, 2010; ISBN 978-0-373-87572-6
After Dr. Christopher Morgan’s one serious romance ended in tragedy, he moved to Nantucket where he’d spent so many happy childhood summers. Almost two years into his new life, he’s beginning to make peace with his past. But no way is he ready to even consider a new relationship. His solitary existence suits him just fine—until Marci Clay enters his life one rainy night and manages to breach the walls around his heart. Blue-collar Marci, however, has no interest in the Boston blue blood doc. A bad experience with the upper crust soured her on rich folks years ago, leaving her with secrets, regrets and tattered self-esteem. Yet Christopher doesn’t conform to her rich-boy stereotype. He rides a bike to work, puts in long, dedicated hours at his job and goes out his way to help his elderly neighbor. Still, nothing can change the fact that they come from two different worlds. With God’s help, can they find a way to reconcile their divergent backgrounds and build a future together?

THE HERO NEXT DOOR (Book 2, Lighthouse Lane)
Steeple Hill, 2009; ISBN 978-0-373-87541-2
When two fellow officers die in a sting operation set up by undercover cop Justin “J.C.” Clay, he heads to Nantucket Island on a leave of absence, figuring that working there as a beat cop during the summer tourist season will give him a chance to decompress and regroup. But he hadn’t counted on falling for Heather Anderson, owner of The Devon Rose tearoom. That’s a complication he doesn’t need…or want. Nor is Heather interested in the town’s newest cop—or any man. After experiencing the destructive and far-reaching effects of infidelity, she’s written off romance. But when her well-ordered world is turned upside down by family difficulties and J.C. steps in to help, she begins to believe he’s a man of integrity, honor and principle—and to wonder if he might be the exception to her rule…and a man worth loving.

TIDES OF HOPE (Book 1, Lighthouse Lane)
Steeple Hill, 2009; ISBN 978-0-373-87529-0
After fourteen years as a Coast Guard search and rescue specialist, followed by a three-year stint at headquarters in Washington, Lieutenant Craig Cole has been assigned to command the Coast Guard station on Nantucket, where he hopes to quietlyfinish out his career. It’s as far away as he can get from Hawaii, where he lost his family to the sea. But his peaceful existence is shattered when he clashes with feisty red-haired charter fishing boat captain Katherine MacDonald. A descendent of a famed Nantucket whaling family, Kate doesn’t take kindly to a safety violation citation after the new hot-shot Coast Guard commander beefs up inspections. Since being widowed four years ago while pregnant with her daughter, life has been difficult enough, and she determines to give a wide berth to the by-the-book lieutenant. But once his young daughter arrives and it’s clear he’s a fish out of water when it comes to winning her heart, Kate steps in to help. Sparks fly—but neither wants to take the risk of loving again. Yet it seems God has other plans for them…if they can find the courage to put their trust in Him.  

APPRENTICE FATHER
HOLT Medallion Finalist
Steeple Hill, 2009; ISBN 978-0-373-87515-3
A man wary of commitments finds himself responsible for two young, emotionally fragile children when his sister dies under tragic circumstances. Help comes in the form of a physically handicapped woman whose deep, abiding faith turns off the anti-religion hero, but whose kind and loving ways begin to melt the ice around his heart. As he works with her to heal the children, he learns much about love’s transforming power—from a special woman, from two innocent, dependent children, and from the Lord…who leads him home.

WHERE LOVE ABIDES (Book 3, Heartland Homecoming)
RITA® Award Finalist
Steeple Hill, 2008; ISBN 978-0-373-87479-8
From his first meeting with organic farmer Christine Turner on a rain-slicked highway, Sheriff Dale Lewis is intrigued. But Oak Hill’s newest resident wants nothing to do with men in general—and sheriffs in particular. When Dale begins to uncover the secrets of her past, he, too, approaches with caution. He married one emotionally troubled woman, and he has no desire to repeat that experience—even if his five-year-old daughter is enamored with Christine and views her as a mommy candidate. Yet when he discovers that she’s been wronged, his passion for justice compels him to help her clear her name. In the process, love comes calling for both of them. But can they find the courage to trust that the Lord has brought them together for a purpose…one that includes building a new life together?

A DREAM TO SHARE (Book 2, Heartland Homecoming)
Steeple Hill, 2007; ISBN 978-0-373-87467-5
As the fourth- generation editor of the Oak Hill Gazette, Abby Warner has vowed to carry on the paper's proud tradition despite increasing financial problems. But big-city publishing heir Mark Campbell wants to take the paper away from her—and as fast as possible. In a situation rife with tension, sparks fly. But when Mark finds a new purpose for his life in the Podunk town he derided, and Abby begins to realize that there’s more to the playboy heir than she first thought, sparks of a different kind start to fly. Can these two people from very different backgrounds open their hearts to each other and find the courage to embrace the surprising and unexpected opportunity God has sent their way?

FROM THIS DAY FORWARD (Book 1, Heartland Homecoming)
HOLT Medallion
Steeple Hill, 2007; ISBN 978-0-373-87455-2
After a violent attack ended his surgical career and his marriage shattered, Dr. Sam Martin left Philadelphia for a new life in Oak Hill. Determined to win back the love of his wife, he invites her to his home to recover after she’s involved in a robbery/murder at the restaurant where she works as a chef. Cara accepts, desperate to find a way to conquer the panic attacks that are paralyzing her. But she wants to no part of the husband who betrayed her. Yet deep in America’s heartland, she discovers a changed man. With God’s help, can Cara and Sam find a way to let go of the past and build a new future from the ashes of their past?

RAINBOW’S END
RITA® Award Finalist
National Readers’ Choice Award Finalist
Steeple Hill, 2007; ISBN 978-0-373-87415-6
Broken, empty and alone after a cross-country search for answers, Keith Michaels takes refuge with reclusive artist Jill Whelan when a sudden storm strands him on Orcas Island. Scarred by her own tragedy, Jill expects the disturbing stranger to leave the next day. But Keith finds unexpected solace on her isolated property, and his one-night stay turns into an extended visit when he agrees to build a studio for her. As these two lonely people join forces to help a little boy in need, will they reconnect with life—and find healing, hope and love at Rainbow’s End?

THE FAMILY MAN
Steeple Hill, 2006; ISBN 0-373-87392-1
They’d been childhood sweethearts—Amy Hamilton, eldest daughter in a family publishing dynasty, and Bryan Healey, son of an immigrant from the opposite side of the tracks. He’d wanted marriage; she’d wanted a career first. Unable to reconcile her ambitions with his desire for a home and family, they’d parted. Now, 10 years later, he’s back in town—a widower with a young son in tow…working for the very woman he’d once loved. Neither is ready for the long-buried sparks that flame to life. But can they make peace with their rocky past and forge a future together?

ALL OUR TOMORROWS
HOLT Medallion Finalist
Steeple Hill, 2006; ISBN 0-373-87381-6
When journalist Caroline Trent lost her fiancée, gifted photographer Michael Sloan, in a suicide bombing in the Middle East, she was overwhelmed not only with grief, but with guilt and resentment for the role both she and Michael’s brother, David, played in his death. When David unexpectedly reenters her life two years later, Caroline is jolted by the surprising—and unwelcome—attraction that begins to simmer between them as they work to help a gifted yet troubled high school student. But along the way, they learn a lesson of their own about the healing power of love.

THE UNEXPECTED GIFT (Book 3, Sisters & Brides)
RT Book Reviews Reviewers’ Choice Award Finalist
Steeple Hill, 2005; ISBN 0-373-87329-8
Workaholic Morgan Williams doesn’t see how she can take four days off from work—let alone four weeks—to claim her half of Aunt Jo’s cottage. Nor is she enamored with her disapproving co-heir, Grant Kincaid. But when circumstances change and Morgan finds herself in Maine, adrift professionally and spiritually, she begins to see Grant in a different light. As they work together to save a camp for troubled kids, Morgan is forced to reexamine her priorities—and radically change her lifestyle. While the new Morgan appeals to Grant, she also scares him. Because now he, too, must make some changes and put his past to rest before they can ever hope to build a future together.

GIFT FROM THE HEART (Book 2, Sisters & Brides)
HOLT Medallion Finalist
Steeple Hill, 2005; ISBN 0-373-87317-4
To claim her inheritance, Clare Randall must assist Dr. Adam Wright with his eleven-year-old daughter, Nicole. As Clare strives to help the troubled youngster, she discovers that the girl’s father needs just as much help as his daughter. Love blossoms as she encourages the two of them to become a family—one that she yearns to join. But can she overcome the tragedy in her past and find the courage to take a second chance on love?

THE BEST GIFT (Book 1, Sisters & Brides)
Steeple Hill, 2005; ISBN 0-373-87302-2
When free-spirit A.J. Williams is paired with no-nonsense, buttoned-up Blake Sullivan as co-owner of Aunt Jo’s book store in St. Louis, Turning Leaves, it is not a partnership made in heaven. But as they work together to fight an unexpected threat to their inheritance, they both learn an important lesson: Never judge a book by its cover.

CROSSROADS
Steeple Hill, 2003; ISBN 0-373-87231-3
Tess Lockwood, struggling alone to raise her troubled teenage son, finds an unexpected ally in high-school principal Mitch Jackson. As he works with her to help her son overcome his problems, she finds herself falling in love. But how can she get involved with Mitch without alienating her son, who considers the principal his enemy? Besides, the scars from her marriage run deep, leaving her afraid of another relationship. Mitch, too, has his secrets—and his fears. Yet he is also falling in love. Can Mitch and Tess find the courage to face the demons from their past, put their trust in God, and take a second chance on love?

NEVER SAY GOODBYE
RITA® Award
Steeple Hill, 2002; ISBN 0-373-87182-1
When a tragic accident takes the life of her four-year-old daughter and sends her husband to prison for vehicular manslaughter, Jess Mitchell’s world crumbles. And when her faith provides no answers—or comfort—she abandons it. Now Scott Mitchell has returned, determined to win back the woman he loves. With renewed faith and trust in the Lord, he sets out to convince Jess that he’s a changed man. But can Jess find it in her heart to let go of hate—and the past—and open her heart to love once again?

THE WAY HOME
RT Book Reviews Reviewers’ Choice Award
Steeple Hill, 2000; ISBN 0-373-87118-X
Successful broadcast journalist Amy Winter thought work was all she needed to make her happy—until prosecuting attorney Cal Richards walked into her life. With his abiding faith and solid sense of priorities and values, he suddenly had her questioning everything she believed in—and everything she’d stopped believing in. As their paths begin to cross, animosity gradually gives way to respect, then friendship—and finally love. But can they reconcile their differences and find a future together?

ONE SPECIAL CHRISTMAS
RT Book Reviews Reviewers’ Choice Award Finalist
Steeple Hill, 1999; ISBN 0-373-87077-9
Dr. Eric Carlson had learned long ago that marriage and medicine don’t mix. And Kate Nolan had already had her once-in-a-lifetime love. But as Christmas approached, could they learn to let go of the past and open their hearts once again to the gift of love?

IT HAD TO BE YOU
Steeple Hill, 1999; ISBN 0-373-87058-2
Maggie Fitzgerald had loved Jake West since their first teenage kiss. But then tragedy struck and he left her alone on the eve of their wedding to raise two orphaned nieces. Now, 12 years later, he’s suddenly appeared by chance at her remote inn. Romance blossoms anew, and Jake makes it clear he is eager to make amends. But Can Maggie find the courage to trust again?

Reissued as The Heart Remembers in 2011 as part of the Harlequin Heartwarming program (ISBN 978-0-373-36418-3).

A FAMILY TO CALL HER OWN (Book 3, Vows)
Steeple Hill, 1998; ISBN 0-373-87025-6
When Rebecca Matthews saves an injured stranger, she doesn’t realize her life will change forever. For disillusioned reporter Zach Wright, Rebecca is a refreshing—and appealing—reminder that goodness still endures. But a secret from her past makes Rebecca afraid to get too close—until a little girl in need unexpectedly enters their lives and changes everything.

A GROOM OF HER OWN (Book 2, Vows)
Steeple Hill, 1998, ISBN 0-373-87016-7
Gregarious, outspoken Sam Reynolds and minister Brad Matthews are an unlikely pair—until romance breaks down the barriers between them to reveal surprising common ground. But is their love strong enough to allow Sam to move beyond—and Brad to accept—a devastating secret from her past?

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS (Book 1, Vows)
Steeple Hill, 1997, ISBN 0-373-87007-8
When architect Nick Sinclair is forced to work with unknown landscaper Laura Taylor, he resents her. But not for long. For neither can deny their mutual attraction. But as friendship blossoms into love, can Laura find the courage to overcome her painful past and take a second chance on love?