Want your heart ripped out of your chest and then put back together again? Read Long Shot. The heroine has an interesting backstory as a “designer baby,” whose genius IQ has disastrous consequences.

Sorry, RomSus readers! But at least it’s from Nora Roberts. This is the only romantic suspense offering on the list. It also has some evident Cinderella story elements to the romantic pairing. The first in a series, this historical romance has an illegitimate heroine who hides her lineage by passing as white. Subsequent books follow different couples in the same world. Penelopeĭo not sleep on Penelope’s prose! This fantasy romance is wonderfully detailed and meticulously plotted, with some swooniness between an “earthsinger” and a spy. I credit this one for revitalizing my love of sci-fi romances! Two people on the run-a space princess and the most wanted man in the galaxy-uncover a dangerous plot that would send Earth into war. Do check out her other, equally imaginative fantasy and paranormal romances. However, McMaster does a wonderful job creating an alternate London. Though this is a steampunk romance between paranormal and supernatural beings, I’d say the steampunk elements are rather light. LopezĪn engaging contemporary romance that flips the billionaire/millionaire trope! We have a wealthy heroine, a princely hero desperate to save his kingdom and wine growing business, and a marriage of convenience. Klune is working to get the rights back for his books published with them. I do want to note that this is published by Dreamspinner, who hasn’t paid royalties to their authors for some time. Klune is a master at writing emotionally complex and tender romances, whether they’re contemporary or feature shifters. He also has some altruistic Robin Hood vibes. Book one in the Lords of Essex series has one of the most infuriatingly smarmy romance heroes I’ve ever read.

Kiss of Steel by Bec McMaster