A Good Thriller discussion
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Fifty Shades of Grey
Types of Thriller Novels
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Romance: Tips and Examples
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Karen Rose has several Romantic Suspense series. I've read the four books in the New Orleans Series that starts with Quarter to Midnight
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The actress and now author and director.
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JD Robb also known as Nora Roberts.
Some of her books are romance but also good thrillers.
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A Good Thriller
Books mentioned in this topic
The House of a Thousand Lanterns (other topics)On the Night of the Seventh Moon: The Classic Novel of Romantic Suspense (other topics)
Quarter to Midnight (other topics)
Mackenzie's Mountain (other topics)
Tregaron's Daughter (other topics)
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A mystery or danger plot with a core love story. Blending elements that include a developing, passionate relationship (often involving protection, such as bodyguards or cops) set against a backdrop of crime or danger, culminating in a guaranteed happy ending.
Key characteristics of a romance thriller:
Intertwined Plots: The suspense and romance are inseparable
High Stakes: Characters often face life-or-death situations
Protective Themes: One character protecting the other from danger
Character Development: The true nature of the characters, enhancing their bond
Emotional Journey: Combines the tension of a thriller with the emotional depth of a romance novel
Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver: A dark romantic comedy/thriller about rival serial killers who form an unlikely bond (Trilogy)
Cold Cruel Kiss by Toni Anderson: An FBI romantic thriller where a negotiator must work with a seemingly low-level assistant with a hidden life to find a kidnapped ambassador's daughter
Movie: Rebecca (1940/2020): Based on the 1938 novel, it follows a young woman haunted by the memory of her husband's first wife.
Really Outstanding and Unknown Reads
The Spy Coast by Tess Gerritsen (2025): A gripping, fast-paced thriller featuring a retired CIA agent who gets pulled back into a dangerous world, blending mature characters with intense suspense.
Rescuing Kenna by PJ Fiala: A "steamy, small-town, protector romance" where a GHOST operative rescues a process server caught in a dangerous local feud. It is described as a high-stakes, action-packed read.
Solace Island by Meg Tilly: A romantic suspense novel set in a Pacific Northwest island village, where a woman recovering from a broken engagement finds herself entangled with a mysterious neighbor after a murder attempt.
Malicious Intent by Lynn H. Blackburn: A fast-paced, critically acclaimed, and intense romantic suspense novel that combines a high-stakes investigation (sabotage of a new medical technology) with a "sizzling" romance.
All the Little Raindrops by Mia Sheridan: A romantic thriller noted for its deep emotional connection and high-stakes tension.
The Garden Girls by Jessica Patch: A popular choice in the romance thriller genre that often flies under the radar of mainstream bestseller lists.
Edge of Collapse by Kyla Stone: A thrilling, fast-paced story often recommended for those who love intense, action-packed, and high-tension romance.
Tregaron's Daughter by Madeleine Brent: Known for a blend of historical romance, adventure, and suspense.
Tasting Fear by Shannon McKenna: An erotic romance-suspense, full of high-stakes, action-adventure, and intense, passionate, "sizzling" scenes.Dark/Steamy Romance
Trail Marked by Heather Hambel Curley: A chilling, supernatural thriller following a woman with fire-wielding powers fleeing an ancient evil with a mysterious man who claims to know her from a past life. Paranormal/Mid-Life Romance
These books are frequently recommended for their fast-paced, "can't-put-down" nature, high-intensity romantic chemistry, and suspenseful, often unexpected, twists.