Helyce’s Recommended Summer Reading List:
This was a much more difficult task than I imagined it would be. I’ve read so many books over the last few years that there were hundreds to wade through and it’s so hard to just narrow it down to ten. So, I studied my keeper shelf and came up with the following in no particular order:
Contemporary Romance
Virgin River Series by Robyn Carr
Robyn Carr’s series is by far my favorite contemporary series and I look forward to each and every release. Nearly 20 books strong, I know that may seem daunting, but if you like small town I guarantee you will enjoy this series. I recommend that you read the first three books first (Virgin River, Shelter Canyon, Whispering Rock) to truly get the feel of the town and its inhabitants.
Vacation, North Carolina Series by Lori Foster
The Vacation series by Lori Foster also takes place in a small town and is 5 books long. I loved this series which starts with Say No To Joe?. Once I read that one, I could not wait to read the rest. The good thing about this series is it’s an older one and you don’t have to wait months for the next one!
Paranormal Romance
Eternal Guardians Series by Elisabeth Naughton
I love Elisabeth Naughton’s Eternal Guardians which has four books out at this time: Marked, Entwined, Tempted and Enraptured. I recommend reading in order if you choose to give them a shot.
Goodreads, Amazon ($1.99 right now)
Ghostwalkers by Christine Feehan
The Ghostwalkers by Christine Feehan is an existing series as well. Start with Shadow Game to get the complete introduction to the series.
Erotic Contemporary
Dirty, Broken, Tempted and Stranger by Megan Hart
I love Megan Hart. That. Is. All.
Romantic Suspense
I-Team Series by Pamela Clare
Pamela Clare’s series is full of action packed adventure, hot sexy men and strong women. I love this series!
M/M Romance
Keeping Promise Rock by Amy Lane
This was probably the hardest genre to narrow down and I still don’t think I got it right. I found it interesting that I easily could have listed ten books or series in this category alone. I have read so many great books by wonderful authors in this genre. I picked Amy Lane because she was one of the first author’s I read in this genre and I love the realistic and gritty approach she uses in each of her stories.
Shades of Gray by Brooke McKinley
Brooke McKinley writes a wonderful story of two men brought together by circumstance who fall in love.
Coda Books Series by Marie Sexton
Marie Sexton’s Coda Books are just fantastic. Strawberries for Dessert will touch your heart and break it at the same time, but you might want to start with Promises which is book one.
Florida Books Series by K.A. Mitchell
Lastly, K.A. Mitchell’s Florida Books. So good; at minimum you need to read Collision Course. You will fall in love with Joey. I dare you not to!
I love the Florida Books, and Collision Course is one of my favorite re-reads. I love Joey and Aaron!!! Great recs!
Oh yes! Love Joey! I’ve read more than once and can’t wait for the next one!!!
I’ve read Keeping Promises Rock and Promises and those are fantastic recommendations, loved them both. Amy Lane’s new one Chase In Shadow is so dark that I hesitate recommending it for summer reading, maybe during a stormy week but I highly recommend it for angst fans.
I’ll have to add those others to my list as it seems like we have similar taste.
Hi Laurie, thank you! I recently reviewed Chase in Shadow here at Smexybooks. You’re right, much too dark for a summer rec, but it is definitely one of my favorites by Amy Lane. I hope you enjoy the others!!!
Thx, Helyce, there are some of my favorite, too… I was thinking for some time to try Elisabeth Naughton series…
Oh, you give me idea for I-Team reread…!
I have enjoyed each and every one of Naughton’s books in this series! Love the world she’s created! Hope you like!
I bought the first I-Team book this morning when formatting this post :)
I LOVE Marie Sexton and KA Mitchell.
I also have Virgin River because of you. SIGH. ;) Nice list.
Yes, we certainly share the Sexton and Mitchell love! I’m very intrigued by the next Mitchell-Aaron’s brother? They both seemed so homophobic in Collision Course, I can’t imagine it.
BTW, you enable me PLENTY; it’s about time I return the favor!
I love, love, love the I-Team books. Actually, I love pretty much all the books on your list, haven’t read the PNR’s, though, so I’ll be buying those! Thanks for the recs.
Hi Brie-if you’re a fan of Kenyon’s Dark Hunters or the BDB, I think you’ll like Elisabeth Naughton’s books. Very different world, of course, but similar in that it’s premise is a group of guardians who protect the humans in secret and are finding their HEA. I’ve enjoyed all four books, but 3 & 4 were fab!
I love Robyn’s Virgin River books & have read all of them! She has very sexy hero’s!
Yes, absolutely agree! I wan Virgin River to be real and I want to visit!
I bought DIRTY. You girls are a terrible influence on my 1-click habit.