The 10 Must Read Romance Novels of 2014
Choosing what I consider to be the ten best romance novels published in 2014 is a hard task. Most “Best Of” lists are subjective. In my case, these ten novels feature memorable characters with stories that tug at the heart by authors who have incredible skills with the written word. I also feel these books are ones any romance novel fan can enjoy.
Here are my top ten favorite romance novels of 2014.
Apples Should be Red by Penny Watson
Apples Should be Red by Penny Watson. Beverly is a fifty-nine year old straight laced, widow who’s forced to stay with her daughter's crude, crotchety father-in-law, Tom for the Thanksgiving holiday. Tom is a sixty-two year old widower who smokes, curses like a truck driver, drinks like a fish but likes to garden. Tom loves to annoy Bev, but in the three days they’re in each other's company, they begin to understand each other better.
Soon Tom wants to liberate Bev in ways he would have never even imagined before, which means a lot of kissing, among other things that lead to the bedroom.
Penny Watson proves that romance is sexy after fifty-five with this adorable novella about two opposites attracting. Regardless of what age you may be, you'll get a kick out of Apples Should Be Red. (Self-Published)
Play (Stage Dive #2) by Kylie Scott
Play(Stage Dive #2) by Kylie Scott. Malcolm, the drummer of the band, Stage Dive is snarky and doesn’t have a filter, but is a happy go lucky type of guy, or so he shows the world. He’s the total opposite of Anne, who’s dealing with an emotionally unstable mother while helping her younger sister pay for college. Mal is so loveable, and very cheeky that Anne can’t say no to him. He also wants to protect Anne because she’s very caring, and people take advantage of her because it.
Anne doesn’t know where she stands with Mal because he hides his true self that not even his friends can touch, that is until he allows Anne to break down his emotional walls.
Mal is a swoon-worthy hero who will grab hold of you and won’t let go. If you love contemporary romance with delicious rock star hero, Play is a must read. (St. Martin’s Press)
Reclaiming the Sand by A. Meredith Walters.
Reclaiming the Sand by A. Meredith Walters. This is a poignant story about a young woman who used to bully a man with Asperger’s Syndrome when they were in high school. Ellie was brought up in the foster care system and always felt alone. She surrounds herself with bad influences and thinks she’ll amount to nothing. At sixteen she did an unspeakable crime and was sent away. Now at twenty-two the consequences of her actions still haunt her.
She works at a dead end job and is still friends with her rebellious crowd from high school. But then one day someone from her past comes back into her life. It’s Flynn, who has moved back into the house he lived with his mother when he was in high school. Flynn has never forgotten Ellie and still thinks of her as his friend, which confuses her. Ellie is still ashamed what she did to Flynn as a teenager, among other things, including a dark secret that if Flynn found out, may ruin what they now have. But she needs Flynn in her life because he’s stable, kind generous and sees the good in Ellie when she doesn’t.
Meredith’s writing here tugs at your heart and makes your throat clog with emotion. You feel as if Flynn and Ellie’s souls are merging with one another. Reclaiming the Sand will claim your heart in its beauty that are Flynn and Ellie. (Self-Published)
The Lucky Charm (Portland Pioneers #1) by Beth Bolden
The Lucky Charm(Portland Pioneers #1) by Beth Bolden. Izzy lives and breathes her work as an assistant to a producer at a sports network.. When her loving boss has a heart attack, she’s forced to become an on-air sideline reporter for the Portland Pioneers, a baseball team that’s expected to have a bad year. She doesn’t want to be in front of the camera at all, but has no choice, or she’ll be unemployed.
Jack, the star of the Pioneers is so smitten with Izzy, and even though she blocks his attempts at romance, he’s willing to be friends with her. Even though he acts like a gentleman the entire time, he lusts for her badly. Jack ends up giving Izzy the confidence she needs to do her job, as well as learning to stand up for herself in the process.
The Lucky Charm is a great read for teens and adults. A must read for any contemporary romance fan. (Self-Published)
Vixen in Velvet (The Dressmakers #3) by Loretta Chase
Vixen in Velvet(The Dressmakers #3) by Loretta Chase. Leonie, a seamstress, lives and breathes fashion by creating beautiful dresses. One day at an art museum and she is awestruck by a painting, owned by Simon Blair, Marquess of Lisburne. She bumps into Lisburne literally, and from that they start a friendship of sorts. Lisburne is very attracted to Leonie and thinks they can have fun together, since they're both single.
But Leonie is too involved in making beautiful dresses for the ladies of the Ton, specifically Lisburne's cousin who dresses poorly. She makes a bet with Lisburne that she can make his dowdy cousin a gem of the Ton, and some offers for her hand in marriage. If Leonie wins, she gets Lisburne's painting. If she loses, she must spent two weeks with Lisburne, in any way he wants, which means in his bed.
Vixen in Velvet is a charming tale. The sexual tension between Lisburne and Leonie crackles, and their love scenes have the right amount of sexuality for those who like heat in their historical romances. (Avon)
The Kraken King (The Irons Seas #4) by Meljean Brook
The Kraken King(The Irons Seas #4) by Meljean Brook. The Kraken King was originally an online eight part serial featuring Zenobia Fox, an author of daring tales based on her brother’s adventures. On her latest trip, marauders try to take over the airship she’s on. She escapes, seeking protection on a nearby ship belonging to the Kraken King, who also goes by Ariq. He finds Zenobia to be a distraction, but will accompany her on her travels to protect her, even though he finds himself becoming enamored of Zenobia to the point he doesn’t want to let her go.
The Kraken King is another example of Meljean Brooks’ outstanding storytelling skills. Not many authors can write fiction set in the fantastical world of Steampunk with such finesse that includes humor, action packed adventure and a sublime romance. (Berkley)
Shield of Winter (Psy-Changeling #13) by Nalini Singh
Shield of Winter(Psy-Changeling #13) by Nalini Singh. Vasic, a Psy Arrow is sent to protect an E-Psy, Ivy, who acts more like a human than a Psy. Ivy wears her feelings on her sleeve, and she has a great support with her adorable dog, Rabbit who ended up saving her when she thought all hope was lost. When Vasic enters her life, she's in for a world of adventure, danger and an incredible passion they both can't ignore.
Shield of Winter is a thrilling ride with a couple who find one another against all odds. (Berkley)
The Saint (The Original Sinners: White Years #1) by Tiffany Reisz
The Saint(The Original Sinners: White Years #1) by Tiffany Reisz. Eleanor is a rebellious fifteen-year-old who feels confined at her Catholic School That changes the moment the older, debonair, Father Soren Stearns arrives. Eleanor has Father Stearns in her sights, testing his beliefs and his patience. He waits until Eleanor is much older and has matured for his ultimate plan. Over the next few years, their relationship transforms into an unbreakable bond that leads to a heart stopping, almost brutal love affair that will test both their limits and spanning two decades.
The Saint is a titillating prequel to The Original Sinners series. The powerful love Soren, the masochist priest has for his one true love and submissive, Nora, the future erotic romance author and dominatrix is written with incredible insight, regarding their tumultuous forbidden love. (HQN)
The Understatement of the Year (The Ivy Years #3) by Sarina Bowen
Six of Hearts by L.H. Cosway. Jay Fields had a horrible childhood because of an abusive father, and then after his house burned down with his mother and brother inside, his uncle from America takes him in, but also treats him horribly. Jay becomes a runaway, and by pick pocketing, builds up his skill as an illusionist, so much so he becomes famous and rich. He travels back to Dublin for a very specific reason.
It appears he wants to sue a tabloid paper that wrote a libelous article about him. He needs a lawyer, and that's when he walks into Matilda's life. She works with her father in his law office. Matilda lost her mother in a home invasion when she was a girl, and was left with scarring on her face and neck because she was thrown into a mirror. She’s soon star stuck by Jay because he seems so perfect. Matilda is very special to Jay but he holds her at a distance. She can't understand why. But then his real reason for returning to Dublin is revealed and it changes everything Matilda thought she knew about Jay, and even herself.
Jay is a delight as he spends his time practicing his tricks, while wooing Matilda. The chemistry between these two is off the charts. Six of Hearts is absolutely engaging. (Self-Published)
The Understatement of the Year(The Ivy Years #3) by Sarina Bowen. Michael Graham and John Rikker were good friends in middle school and high school. They were so close that their feelings for one another become more than friendship. At fifteen, they finally acted on their attraction for one another and started a relationship they kept hidden because of their fear of being ostracized by their fellow students and parents.
That comes to an end when they’re caught by a homophobic group who attacks the boys. Six years later, Graham and Rikker come in contact again. Graham is a major player on the hockey team at Harkness College. Rikker transfers there and will play on the same hockey team. Graham and Rikker slowly become comfortable with one another again. Graham can’t deny he wants Rikker, but he’s so afraid. Rikker wants Graham, and he’s even willing to keep things a secret again between them, but it might come at a big cost for both.
The Understatement of the Year is what a true New Adult embodies. Real life college issues are front and center here. Graham and Rikker have emotional problems because of how they love, and who they want to love, but it doesn’t rule over them. The way Sarina handles the two male protagonists’ attraction for one another is well written and everything a romance should be. (Self-Published)
Choosing what I consider to be the ten best romance novels published in 2014 is a hard task. Most “Best Of” lists are subjective. In my case, these ten novels feature memorable characters with stories that tug at the heart by authors who have incredible skills with the written word. I also feel these books are ones any romance novel fan can enjoy.
Here are my top ten favorite romance novels of 2014.
Apples Should be Red by Penny Watson
Apples Should be Red by Penny Watson. Beverly is a fifty-nine year old straight laced, widow who’s forced to stay with her daughter's crude, crotchety father-in-law, Tom for the Thanksgiving holiday. Tom is a sixty-two year old widower who smokes, curses like a truck driver, drinks like a fish but likes to garden. Tom loves to annoy Bev, but in the three days they’re in each other's company, they begin to understand each other better.
Soon Tom wants to liberate Bev in ways he would have never even imagined before, which means a lot of kissing, among other things that lead to the bedroom.
Penny Watson proves that romance is sexy after fifty-five with this adorable novella about two opposites attracting. Regardless of what age you may be, you'll get a kick out of Apples Should Be Red. (Self-Published)
Play (Stage Dive #2) by Kylie Scott
Play(Stage Dive #2) by Kylie Scott. Malcolm, the drummer of the band, Stage Dive is snarky and doesn’t have a filter, but is a happy go lucky type of guy, or so he shows the world. He’s the total opposite of Anne, who’s dealing with an emotionally unstable mother while helping her younger sister pay for college. Mal is so loveable, and very cheeky that Anne can’t say no to him. He also wants to protect Anne because she’s very caring, and people take advantage of her because it.
Anne doesn’t know where she stands with Mal because he hides his true self that not even his friends can touch, that is until he allows Anne to break down his emotional walls.
Mal is a swoon-worthy hero who will grab hold of you and won’t let go. If you love contemporary romance with delicious rock star hero, Play is a must read. (St. Martin’s Press)
Reclaiming the Sand by A. Meredith Walters.
Reclaiming the Sand by A. Meredith Walters. This is a poignant story about a young woman who used to bully a man with Asperger’s Syndrome when they were in high school. Ellie was brought up in the foster care system and always felt alone. She surrounds herself with bad influences and thinks she’ll amount to nothing. At sixteen she did an unspeakable crime and was sent away. Now at twenty-two the consequences of her actions still haunt her.
She works at a dead end job and is still friends with her rebellious crowd from high school. But then one day someone from her past comes back into her life. It’s Flynn, who has moved back into the house he lived with his mother when he was in high school. Flynn has never forgotten Ellie and still thinks of her as his friend, which confuses her. Ellie is still ashamed what she did to Flynn as a teenager, among other things, including a dark secret that if Flynn found out, may ruin what they now have. But she needs Flynn in her life because he’s stable, kind generous and sees the good in Ellie when she doesn’t.
Meredith’s writing here tugs at your heart and makes your throat clog with emotion. You feel as if Flynn and Ellie’s souls are merging with one another. Reclaiming the Sand will claim your heart in its beauty that are Flynn and Ellie. (Self-Published)
The Lucky Charm (Portland Pioneers #1) by Beth Bolden
The Lucky Charm(Portland Pioneers #1) by Beth Bolden. Izzy lives and breathes her work as an assistant to a producer at a sports network.. When her loving boss has a heart attack, she’s forced to become an on-air sideline reporter for the Portland Pioneers, a baseball team that’s expected to have a bad year. She doesn’t want to be in front of the camera at all, but has no choice, or she’ll be unemployed.
Jack, the star of the Pioneers is so smitten with Izzy, and even though she blocks his attempts at romance, he’s willing to be friends with her. Even though he acts like a gentleman the entire time, he lusts for her badly. Jack ends up giving Izzy the confidence she needs to do her job, as well as learning to stand up for herself in the process.
The Lucky Charm is a great read for teens and adults. A must read for any contemporary romance fan. (Self-Published)
Vixen in Velvet (The Dressmakers #3) by Loretta Chase
Vixen in Velvet(The Dressmakers #3) by Loretta Chase. Leonie, a seamstress, lives and breathes fashion by creating beautiful dresses. One day at an art museum and she is awestruck by a painting, owned by Simon Blair, Marquess of Lisburne. She bumps into Lisburne literally, and from that they start a friendship of sorts. Lisburne is very attracted to Leonie and thinks they can have fun together, since they're both single.
But Leonie is too involved in making beautiful dresses for the ladies of the Ton, specifically Lisburne's cousin who dresses poorly. She makes a bet with Lisburne that she can make his dowdy cousin a gem of the Ton, and some offers for her hand in marriage. If Leonie wins, she gets Lisburne's painting. If she loses, she must spent two weeks with Lisburne, in any way he wants, which means in his bed.
Vixen in Velvet is a charming tale. The sexual tension between Lisburne and Leonie crackles, and their love scenes have the right amount of sexuality for those who like heat in their historical romances. (Avon)
The Kraken King (The Irons Seas #4) by Meljean Brook
The Kraken King(The Irons Seas #4) by Meljean Brook. The Kraken King was originally an online eight part serial featuring Zenobia Fox, an author of daring tales based on her brother’s adventures. On her latest trip, marauders try to take over the airship she’s on. She escapes, seeking protection on a nearby ship belonging to the Kraken King, who also goes by Ariq. He finds Zenobia to be a distraction, but will accompany her on her travels to protect her, even though he finds himself becoming enamored of Zenobia to the point he doesn’t want to let her go.
The Kraken King is another example of Meljean Brooks’ outstanding storytelling skills. Not many authors can write fiction set in the fantastical world of Steampunk with such finesse that includes humor, action packed adventure and a sublime romance. (Berkley)
Shield of Winter (Psy-Changeling #13) by Nalini Singh
Shield of Winter(Psy-Changeling #13) by Nalini Singh. Vasic, a Psy Arrow is sent to protect an E-Psy, Ivy, who acts more like a human than a Psy. Ivy wears her feelings on her sleeve, and she has a great support with her adorable dog, Rabbit who ended up saving her when she thought all hope was lost. When Vasic enters her life, she's in for a world of adventure, danger and an incredible passion they both can't ignore.
Shield of Winter is a thrilling ride with a couple who find one another against all odds. (Berkley)
The Saint (The Original Sinners: White Years #1) by Tiffany Reisz
The Saint(The Original Sinners: White Years #1) by Tiffany Reisz. Eleanor is a rebellious fifteen-year-old who feels confined at her Catholic School That changes the moment the older, debonair, Father Soren Stearns arrives. Eleanor has Father Stearns in her sights, testing his beliefs and his patience. He waits until Eleanor is much older and has matured for his ultimate plan. Over the next few years, their relationship transforms into an unbreakable bond that leads to a heart stopping, almost brutal love affair that will test both their limits and spanning two decades.
The Saint is a titillating prequel to The Original Sinners series. The powerful love Soren, the masochist priest has for his one true love and submissive, Nora, the future erotic romance author and dominatrix is written with incredible insight, regarding their tumultuous forbidden love. (HQN)
The Understatement of the Year (The Ivy Years #3) by Sarina Bowen
Six of Hearts by L.H. Cosway. Jay Fields had a horrible childhood because of an abusive father, and then after his house burned down with his mother and brother inside, his uncle from America takes him in, but also treats him horribly. Jay becomes a runaway, and by pick pocketing, builds up his skill as an illusionist, so much so he becomes famous and rich. He travels back to Dublin for a very specific reason.
It appears he wants to sue a tabloid paper that wrote a libelous article about him. He needs a lawyer, and that's when he walks into Matilda's life. She works with her father in his law office. Matilda lost her mother in a home invasion when she was a girl, and was left with scarring on her face and neck because she was thrown into a mirror. She’s soon star stuck by Jay because he seems so perfect. Matilda is very special to Jay but he holds her at a distance. She can't understand why. But then his real reason for returning to Dublin is revealed and it changes everything Matilda thought she knew about Jay, and even herself.
Jay is a delight as he spends his time practicing his tricks, while wooing Matilda. The chemistry between these two is off the charts. Six of Hearts is absolutely engaging. (Self-Published)
The Understatement of the Year(The Ivy Years #3) by Sarina Bowen. Michael Graham and John Rikker were good friends in middle school and high school. They were so close that their feelings for one another become more than friendship. At fifteen, they finally acted on their attraction for one another and started a relationship they kept hidden because of their fear of being ostracized by their fellow students and parents.
That comes to an end when they’re caught by a homophobic group who attacks the boys. Six years later, Graham and Rikker come in contact again. Graham is a major player on the hockey team at Harkness College. Rikker transfers there and will play on the same hockey team. Graham and Rikker slowly become comfortable with one another again. Graham can’t deny he wants Rikker, but he’s so afraid. Rikker wants Graham, and he’s even willing to keep things a secret again between them, but it might come at a big cost for both.
The Understatement of the Year is what a true New Adult embodies. Real life college issues are front and center here. Graham and Rikker have emotional problems because of how they love, and who they want to love, but it doesn’t rule over them. The way Sarina handles the two male protagonists’ attraction for one another is well written and everything a romance should be. (Self-Published)