During this episode of “The Romantic Side of Suspense” podcast, you’ll hear from six authors about their romantic suspense books available this month. Here’s the list of authors and books for March 2025, with the book’s release date if not available now.
Small Town Harmony by Milla Holt — Faith, fame, and family collide as a Christian music power couple hides a secret discord. (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)
Only You Can Love Me by Carolyn Miller — Dr. Jess Martin–Doc Martin to her local community–might be used to solving the veterinary problems of rural south east Washington, but she can’t solve the problems of her lonely heart. Cooper Reilly never pictured himself as finding his future or contentment on a ranch. But when a corporate reshuffle sees him kicked to the curb, he finds himself right back where he started. And right back to trying to convince a certain pretty vet to give him a second chance. But she’s not playing, convinced she’s found her Dream Match already. Can these two friends look past previous mistakes and find a future? (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)
An Overdue Match by Sarah Monzon — If the covers of every romance book ever published didn’t convince librarian Evangeline Kelly that she isn’t heroine material, her fiancé calling off their wedding when she lost her hair to alopecia did. But what’s a girl head over heels for love to do when her feelings are unrequited? Matchmake, that’s what. Armed with library patrons’ check-out histories, she’s determined to make at least one love connection–even if it’s not her own. (Contemporary Romance from Bethany House Publishers)
Winning the Twin’s Heart by Rebecca Reed — College rodeo roper Yoani Alliegro can’t stop looking over her shoulder despite, or maybe because of, her recent success. She longs for family––the one she lost, and the one she hopes to have. When rejection shatters Yoani’s sense of belonging and sends her running in search of truth, will it lead to the family she’s dreamed of and freedom from her past, or will she discover she’s left all that in Montana? Bull rider Chantz Nannenga is caught between following his dream of teaching and upholding tradition by managing the family ranch. Should he settle for less than his dream or push forward when conquering his regrets could prevent him from winning Yoani’s heart? (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)
Where I Found You by Betsy St Amant — Will the treasure hunt lead them to find a prize worth more than gold, or will the longstanding family feud continue for yet another generation? (Contemporary Romance from Sunrise Publishing)
The Nature of Love by Toni Shiloh — Dr. Erykah Kennedy, a renowned orthopedic surgeon, finds herself at a crossroads in life. At forty, she’s achieved remarkable success in her career, yet when it comes to her love life, she is feeling fractured. But when she meets Christian Gamble, a passionate wildlife conservationist, an unexpected bond forms between them despite their contrasting worlds. Despite his passion for saving the planet, Chris has yet to find someone to share his adventures with. But as his friendship with Erykah begins to blossom, he finds himself falling for her in every way. When tragedy strikes and Erykah suddenly becomes guardian to her nieces, Chris helps her pick up the pieces. With their lives turned upside down, finding their way to a lasting love while putting their faith in God may be the biggest challenge they’ve ever faced. (Contemporary Romance from Bethany House [Baker Publishing Group])
Uneasy Street by Becky Wade — A wealthy, cynical CEO who has everything except love. An etiquette expert set on helping her niece solve the mystery of her birth. Equally matched in a battle of wills with their hearts on the line, they’ll have no choice but to confront their history – and the undeniable spark between them – while living side by side on uneasy street. (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)
Contemporary Romance Novella:
Pets Amore by Amy R Anguish, and Linda Fulkerson, and Heather Greery and Beth E Westcott — Four romantic comedy novellas with a bit of matchmaking help from the pets. (Contemporary Romance Novella from Scrivenings Press)
Contemporary Women’s Fiction:
The Promise by Pat Nicols — For Erica, Wendy, And Amanda, there are old wounds, and new challenges. Will they have the courage to face them all? (General Contemporary from Armchair Press)
Biblical Historical:
Dawn of Grace, Mary Magdalene’s Story by Jill Eileen Smith — Bound to the demons within her and incapable of freeing herself, Mary Magdalene walks in shadow–until one day she encounters a healer, a rabbi who is radically different from the religious leaders and family members who could do nothing to help her. One touch from Jesus and Mary is never the same. Now Mary’s one mission in life is to serve the one who freed her. She is determined never to leave his side, fearing that if she loses him, she’ll return to her former bondage. Even when the unthinkable happens and her savior is arrested and sentenced to execution, she cannot abandon him as so many others did. On the brink of despair, Mary is about to discover that while the life of faith is never perfect, perfect love casts out fear–and Jesus makes all things new. (Biblical from Revell)
Historical Romance:
Heart of Beauty by Danielle Grandinetti — Discover the origin of Crooked Tooth Ranch in this 1870s western retelling of Beauty and the Beast. (Historical Romance from Hearth Spot Press)
Tides of Healing by Sandra Merville Hart — A Southern belle fights to reclaim her home, but will her spying destroy the Union officer she never meant to love? (Historical Romance from Wild Heart Books)
Mail-Order Hotelier by Edwina Kiernan — California, 1860. A disillusioned woman must gain a mail-order husband or lose her beloved hotel. (Historical Romance from Moliant Publishing)
Snow and the Seven Brothers’ Circus by Megan Miles — Upon her twenty-first birthday, Catherine Penner is set to inherit her late parents’ vast estate and thriving coal mines, if she can make it to her birthday. An undiagnosed wasting disease threatens to steal her life, leaving her parents’ legacy in the hands of her cold guardian. As Catherine wrestles with the hopeless meaning of her short life and her fragile health, it becomes clear that something sinister is playing with her future. Will she find enough hope to push through to a promising future? Or will her life fade away like her beautiful memories? (Historical Romance, Independently Published)
Redeeming Rupert by Susan Pope Sloan — Hannah and Rupert must navigate the challenges of a marriage of convenience and learn to fight for each other as they protect their family legacies. (Historical Romance from Wild Heart Books)
Midnight on the Scottish Shore by Sarah Sundin — Desperate to escape the occupied Netherlands in 1941, Cilla van der Zee agrees to become a spy in Britain. But her plans to betray the Germans and work for the Allied cause are derailed when a suspicious Royal Navy officer finds her on the shores of his Scottish home. (Historical Romance from Revell)
The Bandit’s Redemption by KyLee Woodley — A holdup gone wrong, a reluctant outlaw, and the captive she’s sworn to guard. (Historical Romance from Wild Heart Books)
Crime Mystery:
Chilled to the Bone: A Jake Sledge Mystery by BD Lawrence — A prominent attorney is found murdered outside his River City office. Jake Sledge and his partner, Bobo Johnson, are drawn into a case that quickly spirals out of control. They uncover chilling connections to frozen evidence, shadowy underworld figures, notorious neo-Nazis, and a dangerous game involving the high-stakes casino industry. The lawyer’s death is only the beginning. (Crime Mystery, Independently Published)
Western Romance:
Whispers of Fortune by Mary Connealy — In 1875 California, Brody MacKenzie arrives at Two Hearts Ranch on a mission to find his runaway brothers, worried they may have fallen into harm. Instead, he finds them thriving at the ranch’s school and orphanage under the care of Ellie Hart, a woman with a heart as resilient as the land she calls home. When the boys show him a mysterious journal that has been guiding their travels and may hold the key to a lost treasure, Brody and Ellie are captivated by the possibility of a thrilling adventure. With winter approaching, Brody and Ellie race against time to decipher cryptic clues and unearth the hidden fortune. (Western Romance from Bethany House [Baker Publishing Group])
Speculative Fiction/Allegory:
Whispers and Flame by Demi Griffin —
A new generation haunted by their parents’ legacy must find a way to save their world. A new generation was poised for leadership in Everlasting. Secrets kept by their parents hindered what should have been a seamless transition. When Everlasting faces destruction through a massive flood, the newly chosen Sentinels must decide how to respond. Would they transition into their destined roles or adapt to present circumstances? When the king of the water domain becomes a threat of epic proportions would the next generation be equipped to defend the foundations of Everlasting? (Speculative Fiction, Independently Published)
Plus check out these recent additions to Fiction Finder published within the past month:
A Hundred Magical Reasons by Laura DeNooyer — This split-time novel (early 1900s and 1980) is a whimsical and poignant story rooted in a girl’s childhood friendship with The Wizard of Oz Author, L. Frank Baum, and his influence across four generations. (Literary Historical)
For No Apparent Reason by SK Derban — A calloused murder, a chance discovery – two unplanned events become the catalyst that proves: “in all things, God works for good…” (Legal Mystery)
Bronze and Brokenness-Midianites by Christine Dillon — Reuel rejected all the gods, and Jael followed his lead. But is what she has all she’ll ever have? Why does her sister, Zura, find such hope in the God of Israel, even though she remains blind? All are broken, but can they, like bronze, be recast? (Biblical Historical)
The Seed’s Price by Erin Greneaux — A special seed might help Everly find her lost cat, but is she willing to pay the price? (Children’s/Middle-grade)
Uncovering the Truth by Carol J Post — When Alyssa Anderson stumbles upon her ex-boyfriend’s illegal art theft operation, she goes on the run—and narrowly escapes a drive-by shooting. With the help of her high school sweetheart, Spencer Cavanaugh, and his service dog, Apollo, Alyssa tries to stay one step ahead of her ex who will do anything to find her. (Romantic Suspense)
Mara: The Unseen Battle by Blossom Turner — Mara holds a secret she must bury…if she wants to survive. A story of faith and the power of the unseen.. (Supernatural Suspense)
During this episode of “The Romantic Side of Suspense” podcast, you’ll hear from six authors about their romantic suspense books available this month. Here’s the list of authors and books for February 2025, with the book’s release date if not available now.
Multi-published author Jennifer Chastain recently stopped by my blog to share some about her writing life.
Why did you start writing romantic suspense novels? That is a very good question! I saw a story on the news about a federal agent who had been killed in the line of duty. His life was cut short at a young age, and I wanted to give him his “happily-ever-after.” From there, the story kind of took on a life of its own. I’ve always loved to read across multiple genres, and I realized that I really like to write romantic suspense. Well, that and a little bit of encouragement from the acquisitions editor who suggested that romantic suspense might just be a better fit for my writing style. Who knew? I was set on writing contemporary romance but I love the intense drama and mystery surrounding my characters. And I think it’s interesting how God has nudge us in a different direction from what I originally intended.
What’s the hardest part of writing romantic suspense? For me, the hardest part of writing romantic suspense novels is trying to find new ways to kill off my characters (LOL), all while creating a believable yet intricate story plot.
When do you find time to write? Since I work full time outside of the home, my writing time is limited. I try to write two to three weeknights for about an hour. The weekends are when I’m able to write in big chunks.
How do you come up with titles for your books? Some books are just easier to name than others. My first book, Lethal Intentions, was supposed to be named “Targeted for Elimination.” It was to be a stand-alone book. The publisher liked the story so much that they asked if I could develop this into a series. So we titled the series Targeted for Elimination and my editor suggested each title have the word “deadly” or “lethal” in it. I think the word lethal in the three book titles conveys the danger of each plot.
What’s your go-to when you need a pick-me-up to keep writing? I’m a big Diet Coke fan! Well, that and dark chocolate.
Why do you like writing romantic suspense? Writing romantic suspense is super challenging and I love it! Besides that, the research can be fascinating. I love the elements of surprise and suspense added to the romance portion of my books. I feel like this is when my characters learn to depend on the Lord.
What’s the weirdest way someone has died or been killed in your novels? In Lethal Pursuit, I had someone poisoned by eating castor beans baked into a pan of brownies. This is the plant they we get castor oil from. The bean covering is poisonous but not the oil. I thought that was super interesting.
Where do you get the inspiration for your plots? I watch a lot of true crime shows such as Dateline or Snapped!, because, as everyone knows, truth is stranger than fiction. I incorporate elements of certain true crimes into my plots.
What do you wish readers knew about the romantic suspense genre? There are so many different elements to the romantic suspense genre. Mine are more mystery with a lot of romance while others might be more of a psychological thriller within this genre. Others have more police procedures with less of the romance thread. Romantic suspense is not a one-size-fits-all cookie cutter type of genre.
Which of your books is your favorite and why? I think each book is my favorite while I’m writing it! Seriously, I fell in love with Travis Beckett (hero of Lethal Connections) when he was a minor character in my first book, Lethal Intentions. I kept saying to myself, there’s more to this guy than meets the eye. He pops up in book two, Lethal Pursuit, as well. I had to really dig to figure him out and it was totally worth the effort. Even my readers kept telling me that Travis needed his own story, and I’m so glad I was able to write his HEA.
About Jennifer Ever since she was a little girl living in her small town in New York, Jennifer has been a voracious reader. As a teen, she dreamed of embarking on epic adventures and exploring the world, just like all the characters in her favorite books. Instead, she writes suspense-filled romantic adventures. A northern transplant, she has grown to love the grace and charm of the South. In fact, she even married a native Charlottean. Jennifer is a member of ACFW, ACFW-Charlotte, Blue Ridge Reader Connections and Novel Academy. During the day, she works for a research center at the University of North Carolina Charlotte. But on nights and weekends, she is a writing ninja, cramming in as many words as possible. A hopeful romantic, Jennifer loves dark chocolate, Diet Coke, and a good rom-com. She and her husband have been married for over thirty years and are permitted to reside with their rescue cat.
Lethal Connections by Jennifer Chastain Being a Marine prepared him to fight, but not for his heart.
Travis Beckett has perfected the surfer guy persona with a devil-may-care attitude. He lives simply, but he longs for more. Forced into the Witness Protection program five years ago, he had no choice but to walk away from the only woman he’s ever loved, and he was positive he’d never see her again—but then she shows up in Hawaii, and now, they’re both in danger.
Five years is a long time to mourn for a man who left her at the altar.
When Kaitlyn Daniels flies to Hawaii to attend a medical convention, she expects a relaxing week spent furthering her career. Instead, she escapes a fire at the hotel, gets shot at, and discovers her supposed-deceased fiancé is alive and living in Hawaii. Together, they barely escape all the danger, and she’s more than ready to go home.
Trouble comes knocking on her front door.
As a new Christian, Kaitlyn’s faith is tested to its limits when the trouble from Hawaii follows her home to Providence, NC—so does Travis. Now, a more sinister danger lurks behind every shadow, and if she and Travis can’t work together to find out who is behind the violent attacks, and why, they can both say goodbye to their second chance.
On this episode of “The Romantic Side of Suspense,” my guest is Jennifer Carr, who’s a wife, homeschooling mom, baker, part-time farmer, social media addict, and an avid reader. She also loves coffee, music, learning, animals, and writing. Jennifer has a degree in psychology, a master’s in marriage and family counseling, and certifications in life coaching, health and wellness coaching, and am a certified brain health professional. She also taught high school AP psychology for several years. Then she wrote a book… and her world shifted on its axis.
In March 2023, she launched a podcast in hopes of cultivating a community geared toward creatives—authors, musicians, artists, etc. Her goal has been to foster a platform where they can share ideas, support one another’s work, and create a network of resources creatives need along their journey. She writes new adult clean contemporary romance and romantic suspense.
“I am a romance junkie—any kind of romance,” Jennifer said. “But if I’m going to sit down and watch a show, it’s always been a mystery, a murder, a crime. There’s going to be something that needs solving. So when I started writing, … I realized writing romantic suspense is just as fun as watching it on TV.”
Listen to the podcast for more from our interview, plus an excerpt from No Matter What by Jennifer Carr. Excerpt and back cover copy read by Janda Sample of Janda Sample Storytelling.
About Jennifer
Lethal Connections by Jennifer Chastain
Connect w/Jennifer
