Happy weekend! Let's read a new romance

Here are the romances that HEA's contributors recommended this week.

Beauty's Kingdom by Anne Rice. I really enjoyed reading Beauty's Kingdom. The language is very similar to that in the first three books, but Beauty made the changes I wished were in the first book. This ultimately changed the entire tone of the book for me. Instead of the secret terrifying trysts between the slaves, there was recreation time and, oh my, the lead pony? No longer did I feel guilt reading about the stables, but rather contentedness that all the ponies wanted, really wanted, and volunteered to be there. There will be some readers who may be disappointed with the change of tone in the story, and of course, the language won't be for everyone. This is a highly erotic book, like every-page erotic. Come into Beauty's Kingdom with the knowledge that there are slaves, ponies, puppies, kittens and a whole lot of open loving between everyone … oh, and whips, paddles, turntables and harnesses. (Recommended by Jessie Potts)

Broken Juliet by Leisa Rayven.Broken Juliet has a fair share of angst and heartbreak, but the dialogue is sprinkled with sharp, witty, absolutely hilarious banter, which assists in giving dimension to the story. The previous book, Bad Romeo, concluded with a cliffhanger, but happily, Broken Juliet ties off the story arcs in fine fashion, leaving this reader very satisfied. What Ethan does to win Cassie back is definitely sigh-worthy — he proves he's the good Romeo she deserves. If you enjoy a heartwarming unique New Adult romance, Broken Juliet is highly recommended. As Broken Juliet is a continuation of the first story, it is important to read Bad Romeo first. (Recommended by Lea Franczak)

Be Afraid by Mary Burton.Be Afraid is vintage Mary Burton. You will be drawn into a complex, riveting story with more than one plot line, surprises and white-knuckle suspense with a capital S. Her characters are wicked smart, but it becomes clear early on in the narrative that they are dealing with an insane, diabolical serial killer. Readers will be on tenterhooks waiting to see if Rick and Jake will be able figure out the killer's next move and protect his next unsuspecting victim. A romance evolves between heroine Jenna and Rick, but this novel is best defined as a crime fiction/thriller with romantic elements. (Recommended by Lea Franczak)

Echoes by Laura Curtis. Laura Curtis has written a multipronged, riveting storyline that includes a very scary sociopathic serial killer whose victims suffer an extremely gruesome death. Readers will become even more intrigued by the introduction of a high-tech security company that is out to thwart a group of very evil international baddies with ties to the resort. Yep, get ready for murder and mayhem. As the danger escalates, things heat up between Callie and Mac, so you can look forward to romance along with the suspense. (Recommended by Lea Franczak)

For Your Love by Beverly Jenkins. Once again, Beverly Jenkins does her literary magic to celebrate the benefits of community and the bonds of family. As we learn more about the citizens of the community of Henry Adams, Kansas, we fall ever deeper in love with this town and its citizens. Everyone fits together like a colorful quilt adding their own flavor to the landscape. For Your Love is rich with its life lessons. Through the eyes of the mayor and his family, our hearts are touched with the bitter and the sweet intertwining around these lives. It's this special place that offers a refuge to be renewed in faith and love. A story that is heartwarming and belongs on the keeper shelf. (Recommended by Michelle Monkou)

Silent Praise by Michelle Lindo-Rice. Book three in the Able to Love series has at its core a Christian inspirational message, by way of a very enjoyable romance. The relationship between Chase and Melanie grows from a place that could be barren and hostile, if their past histories overwhelmed their lives. The horror and disappointment are realistically written with great visual and sensory scenes that immediately pulled me in and held me in place to the end in one sitting. (Recommended by Michelle Monkou)

Follow Your Heart by Ruth Kaufman. Book two in the Wars of the Roses Brides series, opens with the injustice of a witch burning. From there, the story's momentum doesn't slow down, as we are dropped into the unhappy circumstances of the handsome and conflicted Adrian Bedford. His secret combined with its torturous burden make Bedford that more appealing and lovable. And Joanna is no wallflower, which gives her high marks in my book. Kaufman can certainly write an entertaining suspenseful romance and brings us a happy sigh-worthy story in Follow Your Heart. (Recommended by Michelle Monkou)

When Clouds Touch by Ey Wade. This one goes outside the box from choosing to write about the aesthetically perfect heroine. As such, the story is richer and more meaningful for the effort. The lessons about finding strength and beauty from within are delivered with delicacy and courage through characters who love and live with purpose and joy. Wade stays true to her fresh approach from beginning and certainly to the end. Expect the heartstrings to be pulled and the emotions to be stirred for the powerful connection between Paisley and Malachi. A romance with an emotional twist. (Recommended by Michelle Monkou)

The Start of Me and You by Emery Lord. It's been a long while since I've read a contemporary YA romance that struck me as so real, so tender, and so much bigger — emotionally — than the majority of its shelf mates. The Start of Me and You is a story that invites the reader into friendship with the characters and then forcefully and beautifully impacts that reader's full range of emotion, without wringing the heart dry. Instead, you leave this story tearful, but brimming with hope and the satisfaction that you've just experienced something unutterably ... true. (Recommended by Serena Chase)

Soaring Through Stars by Rajdeep Paulus. It is the rare author who can end an emotionally compelling trilogy with the same resounding truth from which it was formed, but turned inside out. In Soaring through Stars, book three in the Swimming Through Clouds series, Rajdeep Paulus does exactly that. Crafting her characters' inner growth at a believable and often heart-wrenching pace across the series, this final book extends an exquisite peace to hearts where extreme fear used to dwell. The tenderness with which this talented author approaches the subjects of abuse, isolation, escape and the healing power of love will not leave you unmoved. Soaring through Stars is a beautiful, perfect ending to a truly exceptional series that will take up much more space in your heart than it does on your keeper shelf. (Recommended by Serena Chase)

Summer by Summer by Heather Burch. Combining the heartfelt prose of her bestselling contemporary romance One Lavender Ribbon with the YA-savvy pace of her Halflings series, Heather Burch has penned a harrowing contemporary adventure, forcing two vastly different people to grow up fast — or die trying — as they fall in love. Highly recommended! (Recommended by Serena Chase)

Nobody's Hero by J. Leigh Bailey. This is a story with a good dose of angst, but it is tempered by some well-placed humor. J. Leigh Bailey is a new-to-me author, but I am definitely now a fan, looking forward to reading more of her work. I highly recommend this New Adult story to anyone who enjoys seeing the awkwardness of the late-teenage years blossom into young adulthood and the love for another that will not be denied. (Recommended by Becky Condit)