Best of
Contemporary-Romance

1996

Kiss an Angel


Susan Elizabeth Phillips - 1996
    Arranged marriages don't happen in the modern world, so how did the irrepressible Daisy find herself in this fix?Alex Markov, as humorless as he is deadly handsome, has no intention of playing the loving bridegroom to a spoiled little feather-head with champagne tastes. He drags Daisy from her uptown life to a broken down traveling circus and sets out to tame her to his ways.But this man without a soul has met his match in a woman who's nothing but heart. Before long, passion will send them flying sky high without a safety net... risking it all in search of a love that will last forever.

The MacKade Brothers: Devin and Shane


Nora Roberts - 1996
    Sheriff Devin MacKade watched -- patiently, painfully -- as the woman he secretly cherished suffered through a less-than-perfect marriage. Now pretty Cassie Connor was free . . .but vulnerable. Devin knew he'd have to tread slowly, all the while wondering if The Heart of Devin MacKade could ever claim the woman he loved. The youngest MacKade, Shane, was a man of the land, so the last woman he expected to catch his eye was a Ph.D.-toting academic. But Rebecca Knight had caught much more than that. One beautiful lady didn't mean The Fall of Shane MacKade from bachelorhood was a sure thing. But it was definitely a possibility . . .

Shades of Twilight


Linda Howard - 1996
    But everyone expected Webb to marry their ravishing cousin, Jessie. When he did, Roanna's desire became no more than the stuff of dreams -- until the night Jessie was found bludgeoned to death. After the shocking murder of his wife, Webb left for Arizona, abandoning the legacy that he had once believed was all he wanted. But then an all-grown-up Roanna walked into a dingy bar in Nogales to bring him home; the mischievous sprite he had known ten years earlier was no more. Gone, too, was her fire. In its place was ice that melted at his touch. Webb is drawn back to Davencourt, to Roanna, and to the killer that once destroyed his life and waits only for the chance to finish the job....

Montana Sky


Nora Roberts - 1996
    Now his three daughters—each born of a different mother, and each unknown by the others—are gathered to hear the reading of the will. But the women are shocked to learn that before any of them can inherit, they must live together on the ranch for one year. For Tess, a screenwriter who just wants to collect her cash and get back to Hollywood, it’s a nightmare. For Lily, on the run from her abusive ex-husband, it’s a refuge. And for Willa—who grew up on the ranch—it’s an intrusion into her rightful home.They are sisters…and strangers. Now they face a challenge: to put their bitterness aside and live like a family. To protect each other from danger—and unite against a brutal enemy who threatens to destroy them all…

Midnight Sons Volume 3: Falling for Him / Ending in Marriage / Midnight Sons and Daughters


Debbie Macomber - 1996
    The third volume in the Midnight Sons collection by a #1 New York Times-bestselling author features two classic books--Falling for Him and Ending in Marriage--and a special bonus story, Midnight Sons and Daughters.

The Calhouns: Catherine, Amanda and Lilah


Nora Roberts - 1996
    Especially not handsome hotel magnate Trenton St. James. For Trent, this was strictly business, but C.C.'s mix of fire and fury led his mind in an unexpectedly different direction!A Man for Amanda - A slow drawl was all Amanda Calhoun heard when she walked into the wall of denim and muscle that was Sloan O'Riley, the architect hired to renovate the Towers. Amanda found Sloan's easygoing manner infuriating. But his smile just might change her mind...For the Love of Lilah - Adrift in a storm, Professor Max Quartermain must have hallucinated the beautiful mermaid who came to his rescue. But Lilah was no mystical creature - she was a woman of flesh and blood, and undeniably attracted to the intense and mysterious stranger.

Jackson Rule


Dinah McCall - 1996
    Now he was starting over-or trying to. Once he laid hungry eyes on his new employer, though, his resolve to lead a simple, solitary life deserted him, replaced by yearnings for fierce, forbidden passion. WHAT COULD HE GIVE HER BUT TROUBLEPreacher's daughter Rebecca Hill was raised to give folks the benefit of the doubt--though maybe this time she'd taken charity a bit too far. True, Jackson Rule had paid his debt to society, and was a hard, honest worker. What threatened to undo her was the sheer burning desire she felt in his presence, and the sinking feeling that her heart would be his captive forever.

The Bridal Path: Sara


Sherryl Woods - 1996
    So she challenged Jake to a bucking bronco contest. If she lost, she agreed to be his bride… Jake knew Sara didn't stand a chance at winning their wager. But he sure admired her determination. Sparring with the feisty, sultry Sara was the most fun he'd had in ages! Now Jake was even more determined to win the contest…and Sara's hand! Watch as three sisters fall in love with the men of their dreams and walk down THE BRIDAL PATH.

The Cowboy and the Cradle


Cait London - 1996
    But then, the sexiest single mother in Amen Flats, Wyoming, decided to change the hardened cowboy's mind. So she brought the cradle to Tallchief Mountain...The Tallchiefs:One family finds the kind of love that legends -- and little ones -- are made of.

Sunrise Song


Kathleen Eagle - 1996
    Now a tragic crime has brought Michelle Benedict into his life. A beautiful woman seeking the truth, it is her courage and indomitable spirit that rekindle the lost fire in Zane's heart — drawing them into a decades-old mystery of a lost boy, a dark place, and a daring passion. For in the beautiful, terrible secrets of a shrouded past, another love holds the key to their destiny together — and to a promise of devotion, desire, and honor that must stand for all time.

Daring to Dream


Nora Roberts - 1996
    But it was Margo whose dreams first took her far away . . . Margo Sullivan had everything a young woman could ask for. But while growing up along the rocky cliffs of Monterey, she couldn't help but dream of bigger things. The daughter of the Templeton's stern Irish housekeeper, Margo had been treated like a member of the family. Deep down, she knew that money could not buy the thing she craved most -- her mother's acceptance. Maybe things would be different if she could be sweet like Laura -- or had Kate's shrewd head for business. But all Margo knew how to do was be Margo, and that meant doing things her own way -- no matter what the consequences . . .

Callie's Honor


Kathleen Lawless - 1996
    Until a handsome stranger arrives on the scene. If it’s not bad enough he’s there, her life is further complicated when someone drops an infant at her door.Not the drifter he pretends to be, Rafe Millar is a man with a mission, seeking revenge for his brother’s death. Callie’s ranch is the perfect location to carry out his plans and then he’ll be on his way.Except something about Callie’s proud, defiant green eyes makes him care more than he wants to or should. ‘Specially when her home goes up in flames and it’s his fault.Everyone Rafe has ever loved has died. But can he leave Callie to the mercy of her unscrupulous neighbor? Not to mention there’s the baby to consider.This one has it all. A marriage of convenience, a secret baby, a reluctant hero and plenty of sexual tension. Grab it now!“A tantalizing western adventure set in rural Oregon, 1868.” Rawhide and Lace“This heart-warming Western adventure demonstrates convincingly that love is always a risk worth taking.” Romantic Times

The Mackenzie Collection: Mackenzie's Mountain / Mackenzie's Mission / Mackenzie's Pleasure


Linda Howard - 1996
    When she meets Wolf Mackenzie, a man with a chip on his shoulder the size of Wyoming, she sets out to convince the whole town he's a man worth loving. But Wolf's not sure he's for the taming of Wolf Mackenzie. MACKENZIE’S MISSION Night Wing—the revolutionary test plane with a top secret weapons system—is Colonel Joe "Breed" Mackenzie's number-one priority—and weapons expert Caroline Evans his number-one distraction. When someone on the inside sabotages Night Wing, Caroline's late hours and expertise come under suspicion, forcing Joe to choose between allegiance to his country…and love for his prime suspect. MACKENZIE’S PLEASURE No mission had ever gotten the better of Navy SEAL Zane Mackenzie...until now. Barrie Lovejoy needed a savior, before the terrorist group holding her hostage lost patience and silenced her forever. Rescuing Barrie would be the most important mission of his life. For he would sooner die than let the enemy harm the mother of his child.

Secrets


Angela Arney - 1996
    . . and Daniel – bound together by invisible ties. For LOUISE being in love with Robert was the most perfect secret she’d ever had. But she didn’t realize that everyone around her had their own secrets to keep: MICHAEL had married Louise because he loved her . . . or so he claimed. So why was he still seeing: VERONIQUE – she might be Michael’s ex-wife, but she still seemed to have a powerful hold over him, even though she desperately wanted: DANIEL – innocent and irresistible yet he was the force that controlled all of their lives. Could ROBERT break the threads which held all these people together without losing Louise, the woman he loved? Only he could decide – and perhaps the solution was the most dangerous secret of all… Secrets is a thrilling family saga in which everyone has something to hide. Angela Arney has been a published romance author since 1984. She’s had a varied career, which has included working as a verbatim shorthand writer, cabaret singer, a teacher, hospital administrator, caterer and finally a full-time writer. Angela is interested in the theatre – she writes for and directs local amateur companies.

If Only You Knew


Carla Fredd - 1996
    When she learns she must have a baby now, or risk never having children, she takes the biggest risk of her life: persuade Ric to be the father of her child. Ric Justice’s abusive childhood taught him many hard lessons and now he uses his wealth as a shield between him and the rest of the world. He can only let down his guard with his best friend, Anna May. But when she proposes to him, he can’t refuse, even though he fears losing her friendship forever. What begins as a marriage of convenience quickly turns into a fiery passion. Is it strong enough to melt Ric’s steely control? Will Anna May’s love make him question everything he’s believed about family, friendship and love?

Tall, Dark and Bad


Charlotte Hughes - 1996
    . . Bad Boy Cooper Garrett answers the call. He swaggers into Summer's High Society Life oozing testosterone. He's hardly what Summer expected, the man straddles a mean looking motorcycle, for Pete's sake! But Summer is stuck with him for the time being, even though her pulse skyrockets each time he steals a kiss. Cooper willingly plays the doting fiancé, but he has one thing on his mind: Bedding the proper Miss Pettigrew! And although Summer is tempted to take a ride on the wild side, she fears it will lead her down a road to heartbreak.

Home Fires


Layle Giusto - 1996
    Divorced, and laid off from her job, now Terry is forced to take a position as a live-in housekeeper to businessman and single father, Mark Holden. They are determined to keep things purely platonic--until an arrangement of mutual convenience sweeps them away.