Lois Dyer

There’s something intriguing and exciting about the high-powered world of the very rich that makes it a perfect fit for romance. We’ve picked three novels with billionaire heroes challenged by beautiful, smart heroines—perfect for reading on your (fantasy) private jet.

OFF LIMITS IN THE OFFICE
Former criminal prosecutor and New York Times best-selling author Virna DePaul delivers a tale of a sizzling office affair in the world of high finance in Filthy Rich. Wall Street analyst Cara Michal reluctantly attends a business party and kisses a mysterious, seductive stranger. The moment is so outside her normal, workaholic routine that she can hardly believe it happened. When the same man appears at her office the next day, she’s stunned to learn that Branden Duke is her new boss.

Branden knows Cara should be off-limits—he’s her employer. But neither of them can resist the powerful attraction that draws them together. Soon, they’re caught up in a full-fledged affair and falling in love. However, they’re both keeping secrets about their pasts that have the power to destroy the deep connection that binds them. Evil stalks them, threatening their very lives, and only their faith in each other may let them survive.

Filthy Rich boasts a detailed mystery plot and hot love scenes that scorch the page. The smart, honorable hero and heroine are supported by a strong secondary cast of characters who add depth and warmth to an already solid story.

HOT FOR TEACHER
Best-selling New Adult author Penelope Douglas makes her adult romance debut with Misconduct, a steamy tale of forbidden love. When business mogul Tyler Marek kisses a beautiful masked stranger at a Mardi Gras ball, he can’t forget her. Unfortunately, he can’t find her, either. It isn’t until he meets his son’s new teacher that he realizes his search has ended.

New teacher Easton Bradbury left behind a stellar career in professional tennis for college and a teaching credential. She’s enthusiastic, committed and determined to reach her students. The powerful attraction she feels for Tyler Marek could get her fired, but she can’t seem to stay away from him. Tyler feels the same, and before long, they’re caught up in an affair that shakes the foundations of their lives. Neither were looking for love, and both have issues with trust. Given the obstacles they face, is there any hope for a happy ending?

The lovely, fascinating city of New Orleans is the setting for this well-written story that pairs an equally stubborn and complicated hero and heroine. Add in a troubled teenager, suspicious friends, an ex-lover and a political team, and the result is a very satisfying read.

BAYOU BILLIONAIRE
Prolific, best-selling author Katie Lane launches a new series featuring billionaire heroes with A Billionaire Between The Sheets. Handsome Louisiana bayou resident Deacon Beaumont becomes an instant billionaire when his estranged uncle dies and leaves him a third of his lingerie company, French Kiss. His step-cousin, Olivia Harrington, has spent her life working at the San Francisco company and offers to buy out Deacon and his brothers. Something about the situation bothers Deacon, however, and he flies to California to look into the business.

It doesn’t take long for Deacon to realize that the company is in trouble on several fronts, and without his management expertise, French Kiss may very well go under. He decides to stay. Olivia has mixed feelings about his decision, especially since she’s trying desperately, and failing spectacularly, to keep Deacon out of her bed.

The two form an uneasy alliance, but when both face revelations from their pasts, their romance is shaken and may be destroyed forever.

There’s something about a bayou boy, a good girl and silky French lingerie that shrieks sexy romance.  Lane doesn’t disappoint and delivers an entertaining, seductive, all-out terrific read with this latest novel.

Lois Dyer writes from her home in Port Orchard, Washington.

Nothing says romance like dodging life-threatening bullets with a really hot guy, right? Or perhaps not, but love comes in many guises. Let’s celebrate that this Valentine’s Day with three romantic suspense novels!

HE DOESN’T DO ROMANCE
New York Times bestselling author Elle Kennedy delivers the latest in her Killer Instincts series with Midnight Revenge. This much-anticipated story features Derek Pratt, the enigmatic mercenary who has long been considered a stone-cold killer and the most intimidating man in his black ops organization. Derek doesn’t do dating, and he doesn’t do emotion. Despite knowing Derek’s aversion to all things emotional, Dr. Sofia Amaro is drawn to him. When the sexual tension between them blazes out of control, consequences are inevitable. But when Sofia goes looking for Derek after their sizzling encounter, she’s pulled into a field operation that quickly careens off track. Now she might die at the hands of a killer, and only Derek can save her. If they can survive, is there a future for these two?

Gritty and sometimes heartbreaking, Midnight Revenge pulls no punches as it deals with the dark underbelly of the modern-day slave trade. A strong cast of secondary characters support the hero and heroine of this novel, and readers will cheer for these two honorable, damaged souls.

WARRIORS IN LOVE
Author and pilot M.L. Buchman returns to the military world of the Night Stalkers series with By Break Of Day. A Brooklyn native stationed in the Mediterranean, Captain Kara Moretti commands an elite squad that flies helicopters and drones. Fiercely committed to her job, all her focus is on her work, but she can’t resist the appeal of Captain Justin Roberts and his lazy Texas drawl. Soon, the two forge a strong bond as teammates and an equally powerful bond as lovers. When a black ops crew is stranded in dangerous territory, only Kara and Justin’s brilliant partnership is able to save them.

A second foray into the sector, however, goes horribly wrong. If Kara’s plan to rescue Justin doesn’t work, he will die. Neither of them will accept defeat, but despite their determination, they may lose everything to fate and bullets.

This nonstop rollercoaster ride of military ops and danger is well balanced with a romance that’s both steamy and sweet. With well-developed characters and fascinating details about flying, this novel is certain to gain Buchman many new readers and satisfy diehard fans.

STALKED BY OBSESSION
Award-winning author Lynette Eason debuts her new Elite Guardians series with Always Watching. Olivia Edwards is part-owner of the Elite Guardians Bodyguard Agency, which has an all-female staff. When the agent guarding radio talk-show host Wade Savage is nearly killed, and Wade is attacked and drugged, Olivia takes over the case. Someone is stalking Wade, and the danger is escalating. Whoever the obsessed fan is, they’re determined to get his attention, even if he dies in the process. Olivia is using all of her expertise to keep her client alive, even as the attraction between them grows stronger. But secrets and hidden agendas are swirling around them, and neither may survive the multiple threats.

With tightly written prose that moves the story forward at breakneck speed, the plot twists, turns and delivers a surprise ending. This is a stellar beginning to what promises to be another terrific series from this inspirational author.

Lois Dyer writes from her home in Port Orchard, Washington  

Sexy guys with guitars—there’s a reason romance readers love them, and we’re covering three titles out this month that illustrate why rock stars make readers swoon. Put your hands together for Brennan, Calix and Jake and prepare to fall in love.

ARTISTIC DIFFERENCES
New York Times bestselling author Julia London takes readers to the lakeside resort town of East Beach, New York, for her latest novel, Suddenly In Love. Struggling artist Mia Lassiter reluctantly returns home to East Beach when she loses her job in Manhattan, but fortunately, her aunt offers her a position in her interior design shop. Working on a renovation project at a historic mansion on the shore of Lake Haven is a welcome challenge for Mia’s talents. Unfortunately, the owner’s reclusive son is in residence, and their first meetings are more hostile than friendly.

Guitarist Brennan Yates is stunned when he realizes pretty Mia has no idea that he’s really Everett Alden, lead singer of legendary rock group Tuesday’s End. Mia prefers Bach and rarely listens to rock ’n’ roll. Having a woman treat him no differently than any other guy is refreshing after 10-plus years of stardom, and he puts off telling her who he really is. He’s hiding out at his mother’s new house while he struggles to come to grips with stardom-burnout and a band member’s overdose. All too soon, however, he’s discovered, and the fallout from not being honest with Mia will have repercussions that shake both their worlds.

The sexy, reclusive rock star and passionate artist make a wonderfully romantic pair; both are wary after past disappointments, and both have artistic career choices to make. The bucolic setting of Lake Haven, crazy paparazzi and coping-with-fame moments, plus charming secondary characters, all add to the reading experience. This is the first installment in the Lake Haven series, and readers will surely be impatient for the second.  

COOKING UP TROUBLE
Erika Kelly serves up a delicious romance in Take Me Home Tonight, the third novel in her Rock Star Romance series. The daughter of a well-known restaurant owner, Mimi Romano desperately wants her father to hire her for his elite team of chefs. To prove her worth, she auditions for a spot on a reality-TV cooking competition. While she’s waiting to be accepted—or rejected—she stays with her best friend and works as chef for the rising rock band Blue Fire.

Keyboardist Calix Bourbon knows he should leave Mimi alone, but everything about her draws him like a magnet. She’s talented, intense, compassionate smart, and beautiful. But he has commitments to family that he can’t turn his back on, and he can’t make promises he knows he won’t be able to keep. Still, their mutual attraction in undeniable, and before long, both are swept up in a relationship that’s surely guaranteed to break both their hearts.

Intensely emotional and passionate, this latest entry in the series does not disappoint. Readers will fall in love with this couple as they struggle to deal with family issues and survive the obstacles thrown in their way.

ROCK STAR AND THE RESTAURATEUR 
Music and cooking are mixed together yet again in the first in fan-favorite Kristen Proby’s Fusion series, Listen to Me. Five best friends realize their dream when they open Seduction, a hot new restaurant in Portland, Oregon. The restaurant is beautiful ex-model Addison Wade’s main focus, and she has no time for other interests. But her friends decide to add live music to the restaurant when Jake Keller walks through the door. Addison has always adored Jake’s music, but the instant attraction she feels has her unsure if they should hire him.

Jake doesn’t need the money; he’s a sought after songwriter. He walked away from the glitz, glamour and deadly lifestyle of touring and rock stardom, however, he misses playing his music for a live audience. When he meets Addison, he immediately wants the gig at Seduction—he’ll have a chance to play again, and it will give him an excuse to get to know the beautiful restaurateur. Jake has a past that haunts him, however, and just when he can see a future with Addison, his history drives a wedge between them.

The backdrop of the world of rock music and the restaurant business is engaging, and the heat between Jake and Addison is off the charts, but the emotional connection that binds them is even stronger. 

Lois Dyer writes from her home in Port Orchard, Washington

There’s something breathtakingly sexy about a hot guy who can fly a fighter jet, ride a motorcycle or drive a fast car. We’re highlighting three titles that feature all of the above, plus lots of wonderfully steamy romance. Sit back, buckle up and enjoy the ride.

ACE-HIGH STRAIGHT
Attorney and author Chanel Cleeton launches her Wild Aces series with Fly With Me. When 31-year-old Jordan Callahan lands in Las Vegas for her sister’s bachelorette party, she isn’t expecting to meet the love of her life. But then F-16 fighter pilot Noah Miller asks her to dance, and she quickly realizes he’s not like any other guy she’s dated. He’s handsome, sexy, smart and intense. They spend their few vacation days wrapped up in each other, but all too soon, they must return to normal life—Jordan to Florida and her successful boutique, Noah to the Oklahoma Air Force Base where he’s stationed.

Neither are ready to say goodbye for good, however, and Jordan flies to spend weekends in Oklahoma as often as she can. The Air Force is a mistress that rules Noah’s life, while Jordan can’t give up her beloved shop and Florida hometown. With their lives and careers so far apart, being together is complicated. They want to find a way to plan a shared future, but when Noah receives unexpected orders, their plans may go up in smoke. They are still struggling to resolve deployment issues when disaster strikes, sending them both reeling. Now Jordan will have to decide how much she’s willing to surrender to stay with Noah, while he must weigh the cost of their love.

The details of military life create an intriguing setting for this romance that begins with off-the-charts sexual attraction and progresses to an equally intense emotional connection. Starring a sexy, smart heroine and her match in a gorgeous, hot hero, fans of contemporary romance are going to love this novel.

SAVED BY A BIKER
New York Times bestselling author Laura Kaye delivers the first novel in a spinoff from her popular Hard Ink series with Ride Hard. Haven Randall has fled her abusive father and found sanctuary with the Raven Riders, a motorcycle club that protects the vulnerable. Haven had been a virtual prisoner in her father’s home, and as a result, she's not only emotionally wounded but also astonishingly innocent.

The Rider’s club president, Dare Kenyon, knows he’s far too jaded for Haven, but the attraction between them is instant and hot enough to singe each time they’re together. Falling in love isn’t something either of them planned, but they’re drawn together like lodestones. Protecting Haven may mean Dare has to let her go, however, and finding a way to a happy ending might prove impossible, especially when her father is willing to kill to reclaim her.

This is a riveting tale of the true meaning of family, loyalty and bravery. The well-written sexual tension enhances the romance, and fans will be delighted with this stellar beginning to the author’s latest series.

BODY SHOP BAD BOYS
Bestselling Oregon writer Marie Harte lures readers to Seattle in Test Drive, the first in a hot new contemporary series. Handsome and charming, mechanic Johnny Devlin fell hard for beautiful Lara Valley the first time he saw her pouring drinks behind the local bar. He immediately asked her out, but she won’t say yes to a date, even though he asks again each time he sees her.

Full-time nursing student and part-time bartender Lara knows a playboy when she sees him, and she won’t say yes to Johnny, despite being crazy attracted to him. Besides, she doesn’t have time to date, what with school, her job and her role helping her divorced sister with her two adorable kids. Lara barely has time to breathe, let alone chance dating a guy she instinctively knows could rock her world.

Then Lara is assaulted late one night at the bar, and Johnny comes to her rescue. Lara can no longer deny him or their attraction, and when she finally says yes to dating, she discovers there’s much more to Johnny than facile charm and compliments. In fact, she’s teetering on the brink of falling in love with the warm, caring, funny, intelligent guy beneath the sexy exterior. But the path to love is strewn with obstacles, and before Johnny and Lara can plan a future together, they’ll each have to face their own fears and insecurities.

This charming, sexy tale of two people falling backwards into love is pure fun. The love scenes are steamy, the family interactions endearing,and their struggles to mesh busy lives intriguing.

Lois Dyer writes from her home in Port Orchard, Washington

Contrary to accepted wisdom, revenge is not always a dish best served cold. In the three romance novels we’re highlighting this month, revenge is a decidedly hot and steamy affair.

PAYBACK WITH A BROGUE
The Beast of Clan Kincaid from Texas author Lily Blackwood is a riveting tale of vengeance set in 1380s Scotland. Beautiful Elspeth MacClaren is the eldest daughter of her clan’s laird. Her father needs to shore up the clan’s military strength through a marriage alliance, and Elspeth accepts her duty, willingly considering suitors. But things are complicated when a renowned mercenary known as the Beast rescues her from drowning in a river and captures her heart. He’s everything she wants and can’t have, for she’s the laird’s daughter, and he is a landless soldier.

What Elspeth doesn’t know is that the Beast is actually Niall Braewick, son of the Laird of Kincaid. He’s spent the last 17 years becoming a hardened warrior, bent on revenge, determined to destroy Elspeth’s father and take back the Kincaid lands stolen from his clan. Falling in love with his enemy’s daughter wasn’t in Niall’s plans, but he won’t give her up, nor will he betray his clan and family. How can these two passionate, fiercely honorable people find a way to live happily together? With Elspeth’s life endangered, Niall must choose between his thirst for vengeance and his heart’s desire.

This excellent novel has engaging and complex characters, a wildly beautiful setting, 14th-century Scottish life depicted with historical accuracy and enough heat between the hero and heroine to satisfy the most demanding of romance readers.

BOUND BY VENGEANCE
New York Times bestselling author Lexi Blake begins her new contemporary series, Lawless, with Ruthless. As children, the four Lawless siblings barely escaped the arson fire that killed their parents. Now they’re all grown up and focused on taking down the business partners that destroyed their family. One of their enemies is dead, but his daughter, Ellie Stratton, holds his shares of StratCast, the company built with the computer code the Lawless patriarch was murdered for.

Riley Lawless has one objective—gain Ellie Stratton’s confidence, seduce her and gain access to the company’s information. He didn’t plan on falling in love with her, but the pull of attraction between them is compulsive. Ellie is smart, beautiful and so warm and caring that she breaches the thick walls surrounding Riley’s heart.

The Lawless siblings may have misjudged the villain’s capacity for evil, however. When Ellie discovers Riley has deceived her, more than her heart is put at risk. If Riley and his brothers aren’t careful, Ellie may pay for their revenge with her life.

The twisty plot is enhanced by complicated characters and sizzling hot romance. Readers will impatiently await the next novel in this intriguing new series.

DUELING HEARTS
Bestselling author Johanna Lindsey delivers her 53rd novel with Make Me Love You. When Lord Dominic Wolfe is wounded in his third duel with an earl’s son, the Prince Regent orders the two combatants to end their fighting by joining their families in a marriage. If either party refuses, their lands and title will be forfeited to the Crown.

The earl’s daughter, Lady Brooke Whitworth, views marriage to Dominic as an escape route away from her unloving family. She doubts her brother’s enemy will welcome her, but she’s determined to win over Lord Wolfe. She hadn’t anticipated Dominic would be quite so handsome, nor is she aware that he is determined to make her reject the union. As the two spend time together, however, the attraction growing between them threatens to blaze out of control. When family objections, the pressure of societal expectations and unexpected adventure turn dangerous, Dominic will have to reassess his feelings on the matter of marriage.

This lighthearted Regency tale boasts a strong hero, smart heroine and endearing secondary characters. Add a bit of swashbuckling adventure and longtime fans and new readers of Lindsey alike will thoroughly enjoy this latest novel.

Lois Dyer writes from her home in Port Orchard, Washington

Cooler autumn days and the Halloween holiday mean it's the perfect time to curl up and read stories filled with warm romance and spooky mysteries. Life is short—savor the variety in these three wildly different romance novels.

TICK-TOCK LOVE
Utah author Nancy Campbell Allen delivers a unique take on a classic fairy tale with Beauty And The Clockwork Beast. In a steampunk version of Victorian England, intrepid botanist Lucy Pickett takes a much-deserved break from her research at London’s Botanical Aid Society to visit her cousin. The newly married cousin Kate is struggling to adjust to life at Blackwell Manor, the home of her husband’s older brother, Miles Blake, Lord Blackwell. When Lucy arrives, she finds her cousin suffering from a mysterious ennui and fearful of a ghost in the Manor. There have been two recent deaths in the family, both violent, and gossip implies Lord Blackwell was somehow responsible. When Lucy meets Miles, however, she finds him intriguing rather than frightening, and she’s drawn to his intelligence and caring heart, which is hidden beneath his brooding, abrupt manner.

When the evil threatening Blackwell Manor escalates, the two must join forces to unravel a complicated web of secrets, lies and hidden agendas. In the process, Lucy and Miles fall in love, but Miles has a secret, and a happy future may not be in the cards for the couple.

This wonderful novel is filled with romance, action and adventure. The story boasts a strong hero and heroine, a darkly atmospheric setting, intriguing steampunk details and the mystery of a few spooky ghosts, vampires and werewolves. Readers will eagerly await the next novel in what promises to be an excellent series.

SECRETS THAT DON'T STAY BURIED
Yasmine Galenorn heads to the Pacific Northwest in Shadow Silence, the second in the Whisper Hollow series. Spirit shaman Kerris Fellwater has returned to Whisper Hollow, a small lakeside town on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington that’s steeped in magic and strange happenings. Aided by Bryan, her guardian and lover, Kerris works diligently to fulfill her destiny and send the undead to the afterlife.

Too often, however, the voraciously hungry Lady of the Lake lures Whisper Hollow residents to their watery deaths, making Kerris' job all the more difficult. But the Lady goes too far when she almost takes Kerris’ best friend, Peggin. Now Peggin is under a curse, and the restless spirits of the Unliving are determined to reclaim her. Kerris refuses to lose Peggin, and aided by Bryan, she sets out to break the curse and free her friend. But their efforts lead to them to long-buried secrets, and if the two can’t resolve the mystery, all of Whisper Hollow may be lost.

Galenorn has created an intriguing world, with legends, ghosts, a moody atmosphere and specters aplenty—read this one with the light on.

AN ENCHANTED COTTAGE
Kate Angell, Jennifer Dawson and Sharla Lovelace collaborate on a trilogy of romantic stories in The Cottage on Pumpkin and Vine. All three stories are set during the magical month of October at Rose Cottage, a charming bed-and-breakfast in Maine.

In Kate Angell’s “Charmed By You,” party decorator Grace hires handsome Cade Maxwell’s moving company to help her set up the extensive Halloween decorations at her beloved godmother’s bed-and-breakfast. Grace and Cade have known each other since kindergarten, but something about getting up close and personal while stringing lights and arranging pumpkins, witches and scarecrows has the two getting hot and bothered. Local legend says that couples fall in love at the annual Rose Cottage Halloween party, but could it really be happening to them?

Jennifer Dawson gives readers a friends-to-lovers tale in “Mesmerized By You,” in which best friends Chloe and Jack plan a weekend getaway to Rose Cottage over Halloween, where the magic of the Rose Cottage Halloween party has them rethinking whether they’ve ever been “just friends.”

In “Enchanted By You" by Sharla Lovelace, attorney Sidney Jensen heads to Moonbright, Maine, for work, where she never expected to run into Sawyer Finn, the boy who broke her heart many years ago. Will Sawyer and the Rose Cottage revelers be able to convince her to give him a second chance and stay forever with him in Moonbright?

This delicious anthology has all the elements romance readers love with the added pleasure of a touch of magic. The small-town setting, the charming owner of the bed-and-breakfast and three sets of very different heroes and heroines make this collection a keeper.

Lois Dyer writes from her home in Port Orchard, Washington

With holidays approaching, we dedicated our December romance column to novels set during the Christmas season. But for those of us who have had enough Christmas cheer, we bring you three romance novels with plenty of heat and love, sans the holiday spirit.

CONTRACT AFFAIR
Award-winning Texas author Lorraine Heath wraps up her Hellions of Havisham series with The Viscount and the Vixen. Viscount Locksley, better known as Locke, is shocked when his reclusive father announces at breakfast that he has plans to marry that very day. When a beautiful young woman, many years his father’s junior, arrives on the doorstep of isolated Havisham Hall, Locke is determined to stop the marriage. But widowed Portia Gadstone has a contract guaranteeing a wedding, and when Locke objects, his father demands that Locke himself honor the legally binding document. Desperately in need of the security of wedlock and with no alternative plan, Portia has no choice but to agree. Both Portia and Locke have vowed to never fall in love, but both are in for an unexpected lesson in life’s vagaries. When secrets from Portia’s past are exposed, the couple must face betrayal and heartbreak. Will love be enough to survive scandal and lies?

This compelling Regency romance employs unconventional subject matter to its advantage and features a compassionate, kind heroine and a strong hero who balances her perfectly. The depth of emotion and passionate connection, paired with a solid English historical setting, is certain to delight readers.

SPACE SEAL
Anne Elizabeth delivers a thrilling romance in The Soul of a SEAL, the fourth in her West Coast Navy Seals series. Beautiful and brilliant Dr. Kimberly Warren has spent her career working on a super-secret space project. Just as her dream is about to be realized, the spacecraft inexplicably malfunctions and two Navy SEAL members on her team are murdered. Top brass in the Navy want answers, and they send in their best warriors, Captain Bennett Sheraton and his friend Melo, to solve the case. Bennett and Kimberly have instant chemistry, and while both worry that their connection will be a distraction, they soon realize they make excellent partners. Aided by Melo, Bennett and Kimberly move quickly to analyze data and untangle the complicated conspiracy that threatens their mission. However, just when the trio believes the saboteur has been neutralized, they discover the enemy has a last card to play. This time, Bennett may be the one to die if Kimberly can’t find a way to save him.

Fans of well-researched technical detail will thoroughly enjoy this novel. The nail-biting scenes with lives hanging in the balance are sure to keep readers on the edge of their seats.

SOUTHERN SUSPENSE
New York Times bestselling author Karen Harper begins her new South Shores series with Chasing Shadows. A forensic psychologist who suffers from a neurological disorder, Claire Britten has a unique ability to read people and discover the truth. Her skills and “razor sharp intuition” make her a powerful expert trial witness. After high-powered attorney Nick Markwood loses a case due to her brilliant testimony, he’s impressed, and he hires Claire to investigate a case involving a mysterious death. They travel to Shadowlawn, a magnificent plantation house near St. Augustine, Florida, that looks as if it is straight from Gone With the Wind. The beautiful old house hides secrets, however, and a killer stalks the portrait-hung halls. When Nick and Claire believe they’ve solved the case at last, a surprise twist throws their world into danger yet again. A happy ending is by no means guaranteed, for evil lurks close by.

With a strong cast of characters, lots of red herring clues and a wonderful Southern setting, this novel will have readers clamoring for the next installment.

Lois Dyer writes from her home in Port Orchard, Washington.