Mar 26 2010
My Top Ten List by Sammy, Romantic Suspense
My name is Samantha Bumbico, and I would like to introduce myself to the Dear Author Community. I've been reading romance novels for over 20 years. My first foray into the Happily Ever After was Silver Angel by Johanna Lindsey. Since then I have read the many sub-genres of Romance, everything and anything from Sci-fi, Fantasy, Paranormal and my favorite Romantic Suspense. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to share some of my favorite Suspense Novels that are all about the romance.
- Out of Control (Troubleshooters, Book 4)
by Suzanne Brockmann (Book 4 Troubleshooters)
- Unlawful Contact (I-Team Series, Book 3)
by Pamela Clare (Book 3 I-Team Series)
- Fade to Black: A Black CATs Novel
by Leslie Parrish (Book 1 Black Cat Series)
- Waking Nightmare (Mindhunters)
by Kylie Brant (Book 1 The Mindhunters)
- Rescue Me
by Christy Reece (Book 1 Last Chance Rescue Trilogy)
- Death Angel
by Linda Howard
- Whisper No Lies (Black Ops, Book 3)
by Cindy Gerard
- Hunt Her Down (Bullet Catchers)
by Roxanne St. Claire (Bulletcatchers)
- Show No Fear (Navy SEALs)
by Marliss Melton (Book 7 Navy SEALs)
- Naked in Death
by J.D. Robb (Book 1 In Death Series)
(What’s this? We are doing a new series of top ten favorites from editors, publicists, authors, and readers. Send yours in!)
Send to Kindle
Mar 26, 2010 @ 11:36:45
Sammy, thanks so much for sharing your list with us. I’m a big fan of Out of Control and Naked in Death. I think the first three books in the Robb series are so good. I’ve never read Brant and keep wanting to. Once you get behind in a series, it is hard to jump in.
Mar 26, 2010 @ 11:47:30
Thank you for having me Jane.
I agree with you about getting behind in a series. Suzanne Brockmann and J.D. Robb would be hard to jump into the middle but the other books I mentioned are definitely stand alone novels.
Mar 26, 2010 @ 13:07:00
I’ve been looking for some new romantic suspense authors to try. Thanks for sharing!
Tweets that mention My Top Ten List by Sammy, Romantic Suspense | Dear Author: Romance Novel Reviews, Industry News, and Commentary -- Topsy.com
Mar 26, 2010 @ 13:43:51
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Louisa Edwards and Maili, dearauthor. dearauthor said: New post: My Top Ten List by Sammy, Romantic Suspense http://bit.ly/9g20is [...]
Mar 26, 2010 @ 14:32:55
Your welcome.
I have your book Spider’s Bite in my TBR Kindle pile, working my way to it.
Mar 26, 2010 @ 14:47:33
Hey, thanks! I just posted about this somewhere else.
I burned out on RS when so many Romance authors moved to RS and lost their romance edge. What I want in a RS novel is a Romance that happens in suspenseful circumstances. I love the old Mary Stewart novels where the plot is as much about the heroine finding love as it is about solving the problem.
Seeing a book described as “a thrilling, romantic suspense” actually turns me off of the book. Does DA have a “Romantic Suspense that’s all about the Romance” list?
Mar 26, 2010 @ 15:10:29
I’m working my way through the I-Team books, Unlawful Contact is up next. I just discovered Pamela Clare, her newest, Naked Edge is SO good, one of the best books in RS that I have ever read.
Mar 26, 2010 @ 15:20:46
@ Jen X
I love Pamela Clare books. Unlawful Contact is a book I find myself re-reading. I have Naked Edge in print and on my Kindle but I’m saving it for when I get into a reading slump because I know she’ll take me right out of it.
@ MaryK
I completely agree with you and I have a big pile of DNF’s for that reason. I think it’s a hard balance in Suspense books but in the right Author’s hands they always leave me satisfied.
Mar 26, 2010 @ 18:39:38
“Fade to Black: A Black CATs Novel by Leslie Parrish (Book 1 Black Cat Series)”
This is a great kick-off to a series which does a good job balancing romance with suspense.
Mar 26, 2010 @ 19:58:35
I love Pamela Clare’s books too. I am reading Naked Edge now, of course it’s excellent. For anyone who likes Pamela Clare’s contemporary romantic suspense books, try her historical romance books Surrender, Untamed and Ride the Fire for some amazing sexy stories set in the American colonies during the French and Indian War (a very welcome change from the typical historical setting).
Other romance-heavy romantic suspense I like are Dream Man, Heart of Fire, Kill and Tell, Open Season and Mr. Perfect by Linda Howard. Also Lucky’s Lady by Tami Hoag is a great romance set in the Louisiana bayou.
Mar 27, 2010 @ 05:28:24
I loved Pamela Clare’s I-Team series and I’m reading the first Bullet Catcher book by Roxanne St. Claire. And I loved Tami Hoag’s older romantic suspense (Still Waters, Lucky’s Lady, Cry Wolf, Dark Paradise, Night Sins).
Mar 27, 2010 @ 06:24:16
@ Melissa
I actually have Pamela Clare’s historicals in my TBR, just haven’t gotten around to them yet. I also love Linda Howards back list too!
@Melissa & MicheleKS
I absolutely loved Lucky’s Lady & Still Waters, I wonder if I re-read if I would still feel that way? I’ll have to dig them out.
Mar 27, 2010 @ 06:53:42
@Sammy: Cool. I hope you enjoy it.
Mar 27, 2010 @ 16:53:13
For the Pamela Clare fans, there’s a novella called Heaven Can’t Wait, a short I-Team story that is available in e-book format. It was once a part of an anthology. I just found this out myself and bought it earlier this week. It’s more chick-lit but so humorous. I am laughing myself silly now! Just FYI.
Mar 27, 2010 @ 18:21:41
I just went to Pamela Clare’s site ( http://pamelaclare.blogspot.com ) to find out what anthology that story was in. She has a hilarious pic on yesterday’s blog.
OT – I cannot figure out how to use the xhtml tags above the comment box. Is there a cheat sheet somewhere?
Mar 28, 2010 @ 01:01:47
Samantha – wonderful list with lots of great romantic suspense books! Several of my very favorites are on your list.
By the way, MaryK, Pamela Clare’s Heaven Can’t Wait appears in the anthology entitled Catch of the Day. It’s a fun read and well worth tracking it down.
Christy Reece’s LAST CHANCE RESCUE series is one of the best romantic suspense series available. Her skill is in creating amazing stories with captivating characters. Romance is always front and center; however, there is always plenty of suspense to keep you on the edge of your seat. I find myself devouring her books as fast as my eyes can read. Christy Reece’s books are pure reading pleasure for anyone who loves romance and suspense.
And Pamela Clare – her books are in a realm by themselves. Her writing talents come alive on the pages of her books. Every book is edgy and sensual. Great detail is paid to every subject matter PC tackles in both her I-Team contemporaries and her historicals.
One other author I would like to mention is Nina Bruhns. Her Dangerous Passions romantic suspense series is outstanding. There are two books on the shelves now and the eagerly anticipated third due on April 6th. Bruhns first series debut started off strong and was a reader’s delight. She’s an author I’m looking forward to following.
Apr 10, 2010 @ 02:18:22
I am also always on the lookout for new romantic suspense authors but have often been disappointed lately as the balance between romance and suspense is not always so good. I do have Christy Reece’s four books in my TBR piles so I need to get to her and I have Leslie Parrish on my to-buy list as I have read very good things about her.
I am a huge Pamela Clare fan, and if you have her historicals do read them. They are fabulous!
I am at the moment reading J D Robb’s Imitation in Death – I am slowly making my way through the series but each book is great. I love her writing style.
For those who like their suspense gritty I have two other suggestions – Karen Rose and Beverly Barton. Fantastic authors – try them.