12 Romantic suspense novels you'll LOVE (even if you're not a fan of romantic suspense)

5/4/2018

So, I’ve been pretty hard on romantic suspense in the past. It’s just not my jam. But even I will admit that there have been some exceptions to that rule—some books that even I, a person who once considered breaking up with romantic suspense, adore. Here are my picks for the top 12 romantic suspense reads that even I enjoyed. You’re welcome.

Going Deep by Annie Calhoun

SHE’LL ROCK HIS WORLD
After weeks on a sold-out tour, singer Cady Ward is coming home for the holidays. But after one too many episodes of fan-craziness, Cady’s manager decides that she needs protection—in the form of muscled cop Conn McCormick. Longing for peace and quiet to prepare before her next album drops, Cady doesn’t need a bodyguard just to deal with some vague email threats…though she can’t deny that close proximity to Conn’s body is a very nice place to be.

Conn is in the midst of a career scandal when his boss assigns him to pop-star guard duty. It’s a poor use of his skills, even though Cady’s feisty nature proves the perfect distraction for Conn while Internal Affairs investigates his case. What begins as a sizzling attraction becomes something deeper than either Conn or Cady could have expected. But when Conn uncovers the sinister plan behind the threats to Cady, he’s faced with a professional dilemma: To save her life, will he risk having a future with the only woman who’s ever touched his soul?

Under Fire by Scarlett Cole

Hot, hard-bodied Sixton Rapp is a former SEAL who’s raring to begin his brand-new civilian life. He and his Navy “brothers” start a security firm that offers the kind of services only a team of military-trained professionals can provide. But nothing prepared Six for his new client: an innocent woman on a mission to improve thousands of lives. . . unless someone takes hers first.

Dr. Louisa North knows time is against her as she tries to create a “miracle” medical treatment for a disease with no known cure, until she creates a sample so powerful that the wrong people want to use it as a chemical weapon. At first, Six is unwilling to accept Louisa as his client. But soon he realizes that the danger is real and that there’s much more to this plain-Jane scientist…including a burning passion between them that neither of them can resist. And now that an enemy is on Louisa’s trail, Six will do whatever it takes to protect her—or die trying.

NOTE: You can check out our 5-star review of Under Fire here!

Fast Justice by Kaylea Cross

Sacrifice is a requirement of the job.

Rowan Stewart walked away from the love of a lifetime to focus on the demands of her job as Assistant US Attorney. Now she’s working on the biggest case of her career, prosecuting one of the Veneno cartel’s most notorious members. Except the case presents unexpected challenges—including the man she can’t forget…and a threat she could not foresee.

But this time, it could cost her life.

Special Agent Malcolm Freeman is FAST Bravo’s point man. On an op he’s the first one through the door, leading the way for his team. Professionally, he’s at the top of his game. His personal life is a different story. After Rowan ripped his heart out a year ago he closed himself off to any relationships. When fate throws them together he steps up to ensure she’s protected, even though it might mean getting his heart broken again. But protection isn’t enough. The enemy is determined to use Rowan to get what they want. With her life hanging in the balance, Malcolm and his team race to find her before it’s too late.

He lost her once. He can’t lose her now. This time, failure is not an option.

The Heartbreak Sheriff by Elle Kennedy

Single mom Sarah Connelly can’t believe the man she used to be in love with is throwing her in prison! Sheriff Patrick “Finn” Finnegan keeps assuring Sarah he’ll get her out of this mess, but her trust in him was annihilated long ago. Still, just being in his larger-than-life presence sets Sarah’s pulse racing….

Finn knows in his heart Sarah is innocent of murdering Teresa Donovan. But he can’t ignore the overwhelming evidence against Sarah—nor the desire he still feels for her. Somehow, he’s got to find the real killer and convince the only woman he’ll ever love to give him a second chance.

Into the Night by Cynthia Eden

Two FBI agents are caught in a merciless vigilante’s crosshairs in New York Times bestselling author Cynthia Eden’s electric Killer Instinct series.

Sheltered in the shadows of the Smoky Mountains is the suspect who’s summoned FBI agent Macey Night’s fears to the surface. Every day that the “Profiler,” a vigilante serial killer, escapes justice is another day she’s reminded of what it is to be a ruthless predator’s prey. Capturing him is a craving deeper than anything she’s felt in a long time. But Agent Bowen Murphy, equal parts sexy and volatile, seems hell-bent on changing that. Working together—needing, living and breathing each other—they’re entwined to distraction.

Bowen’s used to operating on impulse: act, don’t feel. Now Macey and the controlled terror behind her beautiful eyes have him rethinking everything, including his rule to never get close to a colleague. He’s willing to fight for a future with Macey, but the consequences of love could be deadly.

Touch of Red by Laura Griffin

When crime scene investigator Brooke Porter arrives at the home of a murdered woman, the only thing more shocking than the carnage is the evidence that someone escaped the scene. But where is this witness now? A thorough search of the area yields more questions than answers, and before Brooke even packs up her evidence kit, she’s made it her goal to find the witness and get them out of harm’s way.

Homicide detective Sean Byrne has seen his share of bloody crime scenes, but this one is particularly disturbing, especially because Brooke Porter is smack in the middle of it. Sean has had his eye on the sexy CSI for months, and he’s determined to help her with her current case—even if it means putting his attraction on hold so he and Brooke can track down a murderer. But as the investigation—and their relationship—heats up, Sean realizes that keeping his work and his personal life separate is more complicated than he ever imagined; especially when the killer sets his sights on Brooke.

Deadly Intent by Pamela Clare

Secrets buried in the sand…
Former US Army Captain Mia Starr has built a new life for herself in Denver, far away from camel spiders and sand—and the terrible secrets of her first deployment to Iraq. She isn’t looking for a relationship, especially not with an intrusive photojournalist. Joaquin Ramirez might be sexy, but in her experience, photojournalists only want to make a buck off other people’s suffering. Still, the universe must have a sick sense of humor because it keeps throwing her together with Joaquin, making the desire she feels for him harder and harder to resist.

An undeniable attraction…
As a Pulitzer Prize-winning news photographer, Joaquin has everything a single, straight guy could want—except the right woman. When he meets Mia while shooting a crime scene, he immediately sees beyond her cold exterior to the vulnerable woman beneath. Though the police consider her a suspect, he’s sure she’s innocent. Someone is killing soldiers—and trying to pin the blame on her. Unable to resist the pull between them, Joaquin stands by her, only to find himself snared in the killer’s net as well.

A twisted soul hungry for revenge…
Mia can’t help it when the heat between her and Joaquin melts away her preconceptions. As their passion explodes, danger draws ever closer. When it becomes clear that Mia is the killer’s true target, she must trust Joaquin with a secret that could ruin her … or risk losing the love of a lifetime.

Red Stone Security by Katie Reus

Protecting His Witness
Seven years ago she broke his heart… Former SEAL Vincent Hansen never got over Jordan and the way she left him without a trace. When she reappears he’s furious at her deception. But after she’s targeted in a series of deadly attacks, he realizes he’s never stopped loving her. Now he’ll do whatever it takes to keep her safe and convince her that she was always meant to be his.

Sinful Seduction
As an heiress from a prominent family, Mina knows the pain of living under a microscope. Which is why she loves her sleepy Key West home where nobody knows her name. She’s determined to make her way without being coddled—and no mugging is going to change that.

Former Marine and newest Red Stone Security employee Alexander Blue has seen enough bloodshed to last a lifetime—or ten. He’s ready for civilian life, but when he sees a mysterious brunette attacked by a mugger, his need to protect kicks into overdrive. Mina, the sensual artist he saved, brings him home and bandages him up, but her gaze cuts clear to his soul. An intense connection isn’t all Blue feels—there was something strange about that mugging. He’s convinced Mina is in danger and needs his protection. Just one problem: Mina doesn’t want saving.

Under His Protection
Lingerie shop owner Julieta Mederos has worked hard to get her business off the ground. Now she’s looking forward to some quality time with her friends and her big, boisterous family. But explicit texts from random phone numbers and vandalism at her shop makes it clear someone dangerous has fixated on her. Without any solid leads, the police can’t help her and she’s forced to turn to the last man she wants to depend on.

Former Army Ranger and newest Red Stone Security employee Ivan Mitchell has gotten used to being alone in the world. He never even thinks about it anymore—until he meets sexy, independent Julieta. She’s everything he could ever want…but she seems determined to keep him at arm’s length. Until now. Maybe the cops can’t do anything to protect her, but he can. When things escalate faster than even he expected, he finds himself pulling out his most extreme combat skills to protect her. He’ll do what it takes to save her life—and prove to her she belongs in his.

Say You're Sorry by Melinda Leigh

After the devastating loss of her husband in Iraq, Morgan Dane returns to Scarlet Falls, seeking the comfort of her hometown. Now, surrounded by family, she’s finally found peace and a promising career opportunity—until her babysitter is killed and her neighbor asks her to defend his son, Nick, who stands accused of the murder.

Tessa was the ultimate girl next door, and the community is outraged by her death. But Morgan has known Nick for years and can’t believe he’s guilty, despite the damning evidence stacked against him. She asks her friend Lance Kruger, an ex-cop turned private eye, for help. Taking on the town, the police, and a zealous DA, Morgan and Lance plunge into the investigation, determined to find the real killer. But as they uncover secrets that rock the community, they become targets for the madman hiding in plain sight.

Love and Protect by Lori Ryan

A woman with no one to trust.

A man hell bent on making sure he never lets her down.

The monster Laura Kensington married is dead, but that doesn’t mean she's escaped his family. The ruthless and powerful Kensington clan consider the baby she’s carrying to be their own. Desperate and determined, she flees to Evers, Texas, taking refuge on the ranch of Cade Bishop, a man who firmly believes in second chances.

Drawn to the strong man who has dedicated his life to the rescue of neglected animals, Laura finds his oh-so-tempting ways are more than she can resist, but she fears he sees her as merely another needy case.

She’ll need more from Cade than the passion he brings out in her and his understanding heart when her past resurfaces, bringing grave peril into her world once more. Relentless enemies, anticipated and unexpected, are drawing closer by the day, ensnaring her in a deadly web of deception, betrayal, and murder. And her only hope of breaking free lies in Cade’s powerful, loving heart.

Protected by Elisabeth Naughton

Up-and-coming designer Kelsey McClane is on the cusp of success. Recently divorced, she should be enjoying her newfound freedom and glamorous future. Instead, she’s living in fear of the past. When she returns home to Portland on a press tour, danger creeps closer than ever. As threatening messages from her bitter ex-husband leave her vulnerable, a new man in her life makes her feel protected.

Former Army Ranger turned security professional Hunter O’Donnell is hired to guard Kelsey. When a shattering explosion rocks her world, Kelsey’s ex is the prime suspect, but Hunter speculates there’s more to the situation than Kelsey’s letting on. Intent on keeping her safe, he delves into Kelsey’s past. As the two work together to unmask her stalker’s identity, a fire ignites between them that they both struggle to contain.

While the investigation proceeds, it draws them closer not only to each other but also to a lethal plot that’s been in the works behind their backs. And with each new secret unveiled, it’s not just temptation putting them at risk—it’s a madman who will not stop until Kelsey is dead.

The Maiden by Celia Aaron

I joined the Cloister to find the truth. But I've discovered so much more, and the darkness here is seducing me, pulling me down until all I can think of is him. Adam Monroe, the Prophet's son, a dark prince to an empire that grows by the day. He is tasked with keeping me safe from the wolves of the outside world. But the longer I stay at the Cloister, the more I realize the wolves are already inside and under the Prophet's control. If Adam discovers the real reason I'm here, he'll bay for my blood with the rest of them. Until then, I will be Delilah, an obedient servant of the Prophet during the day and Adam's Maiden at night.

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