Heroines in Romance Novels

HISTORICAL: Historical Mystery Romance
SETTING: England and Spain 1819
SERIES: Book One in the Charles and Melanie series
HEROINE: 26 year old married mother

On a cloud-shrouded night in November 1819, six-year-old Colin Fraser vanishes from the safe cocoon of his family's Berkeley Square home. For his father Charles, an idealistic MP, former intelligence agent, and grandson of a duke, and mother Mélanie, a beautiful war refugee and society's most charming hostess, it is a tragedy that will rip their extraordinary marriage asunder and force them to question everything they believe in. Colin's captors are demanding a bizarre ransom: an exquisite ring surrounded by the promise of power. The search for it will pull the Frasers into a maze of intrigue that winds through the lowest and highest levels of London secrets -- revealing layer upon layer of deception and betrayal, and a shocking truth that binds Charles and Mélanie inextricably together ... even as it threatens to destroy them both.

CATEGORY: Bantam Loveswept
SETTING: Contemporary US
HEROINE: 36 year old divorced Yale professor and actress with children

The moment she spies the rugged hunk in the faded jeans at the airport, Ellen knows she should run for cover. Instead, she throws caution to the wind and plunges into a sizzling affair with the gorgeous cop. Between romantic dinners, sensual limo rides, and a perfect night of passion, Ellen is living every woman's fantasy. Until she's caught in the sights of a deranged stalker, and the divorced single mother is suddenly turning to N.Y.P.D. detective Sam Schaefer for her very survival.…

Soon Sam's taking a bullet meant for Ellen, and racing against time to stop a killer from hitting his target. Keeping Ellen safe will take everything he's got. Earning her trust could be a mission impossible, as two wary hearts team up for a summer they'll never forget - and a sizzling adventure that could get them both killed…or give them everything they've ever wanted.

HISTORICAL: American Historical Romance
TIME PERIOD: Modern era
SETTING: US 1941
HEROINE: 25 year old pregnant widow with children

In town, they called her "Crazy Widow Dinsmore." But Elly was no stranger to their ridicule--she had been an outsider all her life, growing up in a boarded-up old house under the strict eye of her eccentric grandparents. Now she was all alone, with two little boys to raise, and a third child on the way.

He drifted into Whitney, Georgia, one lazy afternoon in the summer of 1941, hoping to put his lonely past behind him. He yearned for the tenderness he had never known, the home he'd never had. All he needed was for someone to give him a chance.

CATEGORY: Harlequin Romance
SETTING: Contemporary Italy
HEROINE: 38 year old divorced television producer with a son

Intelligent, sensible Della Hadley should have known better than to embark on an affair with a playboy Italian six years her junior, but vibrant and sexy Carlo Rinucci was just too hard to resist.... Della knows that a fiery passion so quick to ignite should be fast to die out, despite Carlo's vow that their love is forever. But Carlo is Italian through and through, and determined to win his woman--and make Della his bride before the sun sets on their affair.

CATEGORY: Silhouette Intimate Moments
SETTING: Contemporary US
HEROINE: 30 year old attorney with a son

Injured, weary, Duncan McClain had come home to forget . . . to forget his last mission, and the friend who died. This should have been a time of healing for the haunted soldier, a time of peace. But then she walked in.

She was Gwen Van Allen, a fragile, sophisticated beauty--who also happened to be the mother of his brother's secret son. She'd come to Highpoint to introduce little Zach to his father. Duncan had to do what was right; he had to stay away. But as his brother got to know the boy, Duncan spent time with Gwen. And soon forbidden passion began to rise. Dare he risk the love of his brother for the love of a woman?

CATEGORY: Harlequin Romance
SETTING: Contemporary US
HEROINE: 36 old school art teacher

Would the most precious gift of all save their marriage? Reese Newcastle and her husband, Duncan, used to be able to finish one another's sentences. Now, neither is sure what the other is even thinking. Years of trying for a baby has driven a wedge between them. But Reese has a chance to make her long-cherished dream of motherhood come true--by adopting a little baby. Duncan has never stopped loving Reese, and will do anything to make her smile again. Could this adorable baby help heal their hearts and remind them why they first fell in love?

SINGLE TITLE: Contemporary romance
SETTING: Contemporary US
SERIES: Book One in the Fast Track series
HEROINE: 32 year old widow with children who works as a sociology teacher

Independent single mother Tamara Briggs wanted to find a new, sexy, no-strings-attached man - just not one as young as NASCAR driver Elec Monroe. But he sure does get her heart racing. And after she's tricked into a blind date with him, Tamara gives in to her passion. Things screech to a halt, though, when he asks to meet her children. Whatever happened to wham-bam-thank-youma'am? Suddenly Tamara has to decide how much risk she's willing to take to experience the power of true love.

HISTORICAL: European Historical Romance
SETTING: England 1823
HEROINE: 30 year old married mother

Sophie, the Duchess of Calton, has finally moved on. After seven years mourning the loss of her husband, Garrett, at Waterloo, she has married his cousin and heir, Tristan. Sophie gives herself to him body and soul. . . until the day Garrett returns from the Continent, demanding his title, his lands-and his wife. Now Sophie must choose between her first love and her new love, knowing that no matter what, her choice will destroy one of the men she adores. Will it be Garrett, her childhood sweetheart, whose loss nearly destroyed her once already? Or will it be Tristan, beloved friend turned lover, who supported her through the last, dark years and introduced her to a passion she had never known? As her two husbands battle for her heart, Sophie finds herself immersed in a dangerous game-where the stakes are not only love . . . but life and death.

CATEGORY: Silhouette Special
SETTING: Contemporary USA
HEROINE: 31 year old widow with a daughter and she works as a massage therapist at a spa

My mom hasn't had it easy the past few years. She's spent so much time taking care of me, and now I want to take care of her. When she mentioned that she was out of shape, I decided to get her a personal trainer. Kieran O'Brien's supposed to be the best, and he's even been helping me with my softball! I think my mom likes him, and Kieran can't stop smiling when she's around. They seem like a perfect pair. I just want my mom to be happy - and I wouldn't mind a daddy, either. Who knows? Kieran might just be the guy we've both been searching for..

HISTORICAL: European Historical Romance
TIME PERIOD: Georgian era
SETTING: Scotland & England 1765
SERIES: Book Four Legend of the Four Soldiers series
HEROINE: 31 year old mistress with two children

Reclusive Sir Alistair Munroe has hidden in his castle ever since returning from the Colonies, scarred inside and out. But when a mysterious beauty arrives at his door, the passions he's kept suppressed for years begin to awaken. Running from past mistakes has taken legendary beauty Helen Fitzwilliam from the luxury of the ton to a crumbling Scottish castle . . . and a job as a housekeeper. Yet Helen is determined to start a new life and she won't let dust-or a beast of a man-scare her away. Beneath Helen's beautiful façade, Alistair finds a courageous and sensual woman. A woman who doesn't back away from his surliness-or his scars. But just as he begins to believe in true love, Helen's secret past threatens to tear them apart. Now both Beast and Beauty must fight for the one thing neither believed they could ever find-a happy ever after.

HISTORICAL: Regency Romance
SETTING: England 1813
HEROINE: 37 year old French aristocrat widow a son,

Broken-hearted years ago by Adam Ashworth, Fabienne Argonac Craigmont finds solace in the works of a popular British gothic novelist. But when Fabienne begins an intimate correspondence with her idol, she has no idea that the pseudonymous author is her long lost love.

HISTORICAL GENRE: European Historical Romance
SETTING: England 1876
HEROINE: 37 year old retired courtesan with a son

Once, a long time ago, Coco Wild learned to never allow a man's kiss to move her, for that way led to downfall. A slender beauty with alluring eyes, she built impregnable defenses around her emotions. The men who came to adore her, fought to conquer her and learn her mysteries, made her the toast of London, but none were able to rouse her passions. But that hard-taught lesson is about to unravel because of Sir James Stoker. Back in England with a treasure of gold from his adventures, newly knighted by Queen Victoria herself, and feted everywhere, the handsome explorer has the world at his feet. He's exactly the man Coco might have dreamed about when she was young: a tall, fair hero with a charming smile. Now he's turned his energy toward winning her, the most desirable and the least attainable woman he knows; and Coco's aft-aid James may just find his way past the thorns that have so long protected her from the world, and awaken her slumbering heart...with just one kiss.