I decided to list my favorites too in the hopes that this might inspire a good conversation about what makes a romance your favorite, which genres are you favorites and of course, which books I’m missing or you’ve read that you think should be on the list.

Please note with each genre, I’ve listed only ONE book by each author (even though many of these authors have multiple books on my keeper shelves) and only ONE book in a series. It should also be noted that although these books are numbered, they are not in any particular order and are not ranked in order of my favorites.

Contemporary Romance

1- Smooth Talking Stranger by Lisa Kleypas – This is Lisa’s latest contemporary novel, and it replaces Sugar Daddy, which had been my favorite Kleypas-contemp. Why do I love this story? Jack. Only Jack. He is one of my all time favorite hero types, the caregiving alpha. He is dominant and aggressive, but also a total caregiver and willing to go the extra mile in all ways to make his woman happy. It’s a heady thing, I think.

2- See Jane Score by Rachel Gibson – I remember the first time I read this book, I was enthralled by the professional athlete angle, and the tension between the hero (the athlete) and the heroine (a reporter). Full of funny scenes, comical interactions and very hot sexual tension, this book is an annual re-read for me.

3- Holding the Dream by Nora Roberts – This is the second in the Dream trilogy and features another of my favorite types of characters, the neurotic heroine. Kate is an accountant and has been given a leave of absense for suspected embezzlement. In the mean time, she’s met the delicious Byron, who works for her family’s hotel. He is another caregiving alpha, and one of my favorite Nora heroes ever. He just works stubborn, difficult Kate around until she realizes that she can’t do without him. I love to watch the way super-smart Kate’s brain works and I appreciate the way Byron just keeps at it, maneuvering her into love. You guys know I love Nora’s books, but this is the one I re-read the most.

4- To Die For by Linda Howard – I know that Blair Mallory doesn’t work for a lot of people. But as someone who lived in the South for a number of years and knew plenty of women like her, I loved her. She’s smart and sneaky and manipulative. Yes, she throws a dandy hissy fit, but you’ve got to love how Wyatt, her hero, just dominates her. I love the ongoing struggle between the two of them for power. Blair makes me laugh every time. But I get that this book isn’t for everyone.

5- Practice Makes Perfect by Julie James – What a gold mine Julie is! Sparkling dialog, hilarious settings, and most of all smart, fiesty heroines who always seem to get the last word. What’s not to love about Peyton and JD? They’re in a battle for partnership and the “hatred” they think they have is more like combustable chemistry and attraction. Julie is absolutely a rising star in romance and I can’t wait to read more from her.

6- Virgin River by Robyn Carr – OK, I’ll admit it. Overall her Virgin River series gives me a toothache, but quite simply, I love this book. I consider it like a warm and fuzzy blanket. It’s a sweet romance full of too good to be true hero-guy and damaged heroine. And the scene where Mel mourns for her husband brings me to tears every time.

7- Fallen from Grace by Laura Leone – The story of Ryan a male prostitute, and Sara, his next door neighbor. The books is emotionally gripping, ridiculously sweet (but not toothache inducing) and a lovely story. It’s not a book for everyone, but it’s such a wonderful, touching story and one that I just love sinking into.

8 – Paradise by Judith McNaught – I love McNaught. I know her writing doesn’t work for a lot of people, but I cut my teeth on her books, and they just work for me. I love an autocratic dominant hero, and Matthew Farrell epitomizes that. He’s got a short temper, makes ridiculous assumptions and in general behaves like an asshat. But man, when he apologizes, he does it well. This book is a bit of a guilty pleasure for me, but I loves it.