Romance
New Arrivals
Inheritance
by Nora Roberts

In 1806, Astrid Poole is murdered on her wedding day, leaving behind a promise to her intended, Collin. Fast forward to the present day, graphic designer Sonya MacTavish discovers she has an unknown uncle, Collin Poole, who bequeaths her a Victorian house on the Maine coast. To inherit, Sonya must live there for three years. Recently single, she embarks on uncovering the mystery of her family's past. Upon arriving, she encounters Trey, a young lawyer, who admits the house is haunted by "the first lost bride," Astrid. Strange occurrences intensify, revealing a centuries-old curse tied to Sonya's inheritance. The unfolding puzzle becomes a quest for Sonya to break the curse and unearth the secrets hidden within her newfound legacy.
The Long Game
by Elena Armas

Adalyn Reyes, dedicated to her routine at Miami Flames FC, faces a drastic change when a viral video leads her father, the team's owner, to send her to North Carolina. Tasked with revitalizing the struggling local soccer team, the Green Warriors, Adalyn encounters unexpected challenges – tutu-clad players, pet goats, and frightened nine-year-olds. Complicating matters is Cameron Caldani, a talented goalkeeper with a mysterious presence. Despite a rocky start involving a rooster, Cam's leg, and Adalyn's bumper, she is determined to turn the team around for redemption. The road to success is hindered by Cam's resistance, but Adalyn remains steadfast, seeing the children's team as her path to salvation, whether or not Cam joins her efforts.
Too Far
by Sylvia Day

Sequel to So Close.

Lily Black was presumed dead for years. 
Now, she's back in the unquestioning arms of her loving husband, Kane. Where she's been remains a mystery, but her past sins haunt her and bring deadly danger into the lives of the family.

Meanwhile Aliyah, Kane's mother, has worked hard for her position of power. She has never believed Lily is who she says she is, and will stop at nothing to expose her. 

Amy, Kane's sister-in-law, has always been a pawn in the dangerous games this family plays. But she knows she deserves more, and will do anything to claim the biggest prize.

Three women fight to outrun their pasts. But could they have more in common than they think?
Christmas in Painted Pony Creek
by Linda Lael Miller

Tessa Stafford will do anything for her daughter, Isabel…even stay on the run to protect Isabel from her narcissistic grandmother. But when her car breaks down in Painted Pony Creek, Tessa gets caught up in the warm embrace of the town and feels safe enough to build a home—and a life—for them both. Love is the last thing on her mind until rugged cowboy and lawyer Jesse McKettrick’s sexy smile and easy way tempt her into imagining more. But can she trust this handsome stranger with her heart?

When Tessa and her adorable daughter blow into town, Jesse McKettrick is smitten—by both the little girl and her beautiful mother. He’s always wanted a family of his own. Maybe this Christmas, his wish will finally come true. But the walls around Tessa are impenetrable, and when Tessa’s past threatens their newfound future—and the family he’s come to love—Jesse won’t let them go without a fight.
The Boyfriend Candidate
by Ashley Winstead

Shy librarian Alexis Stone, determined to break out of her meek shell, embarks on a one-night stand with Logan, a bold and audacious stranger she meets at a hotel bar. Their plans take an unexpected turn when a lightning storm causes a fire in the hotel. Logan, carrying Alexis to safety, becomes the center of attention as paparazzi capture their escape. It's revealed that Logan is a political candidate, and the scandal threatens both his career and Alexis's job. To salvage the situation, a solution is proposed: they must pretend to be in a relationship until the election day in two months. The stage is set for a whirlwind of unforeseen challenges as Alexis and Logan navigate their fake relationship amidst the spotlight of politics and public scrutiny.
The Little Flower Shop
by Lori Foster

Since her divorce, Emily Lucretia—affectionately known as the flower lady to the people of Cemetery, Indiana—has been focused on her flower shop and taking care of her aging aunt and uncle. Her love life is hardly the centerpiece of her busy days. 

Saul Culver, the town’s favorite bachelor and owner of the local barbecue joint, has been interested in Emily for a while. But as much as Emily knows about flowers, she can be a little oblivious to her own appeal. Saul is determined to show her just how special she is.

Saul isn’t the only one trying to get Emily out of her shell. Well-meaning locals have started tagging photos of Emily with #theflowerlady on social media—and now the entire town is involved in finding her Mr. Right. Saul won't give up easily. He’s  finally  caught her attention, and he's determined to convince Emily—and the town—that this is the real deal and not just some passing trend.
Icebreaker 
by Hannah Grace

Anastasia Allen has worked her entire life for a shot at Team USA. It looks like everything is going according to plan when she gets a full scholarship to the University of California, Maple Hills and lands a place on their competitive figure skating team. Nothing will stand in her way, not even the captain of the hockey team, Nate Hawkins.

Nate's focus as team captain is on keeping his team on the ice. Which is tricky when a facilities mishap means they are forced to share a rink with the figure skating team--including Anastasia, who clearly can't stand him. When Anastasia’s partner gets hurt, Nate finds himself swapping his stick for tights, and one scary coach for an even scarier one.

The pair find themselves stuck together in more ways than one, but it’s fine, because Anastasia doesn’t even like hockey players…right?
The Duke Gets Desperate
by Diana Quincy

Anthony Cary, Duke of Strickland, anticipates restoring his family castle upon inheriting his father's title. However, shockingly, the castle is left to his detested American stepmother in a secret disentailment. When she dies mysteriously, rumors swirl, casting suspicions on Strick. Meanwhile, Raya Darwish unexpectedly inherits her cousin's English castle and clashes with Strick, who claims it rightfully belongs to him.

The two cannot stand each other, but mutual disdain soon gives way to desire. When questions arise about how her cousin died, Raya cannot help wondering if Strick's sudden unbridled passion for her is part of a scheme to get his castle back...
Much ado about Nada
by Uzma Jalaluddin

Nada Syed, approaching thirty, grapples with unmet expectations, residing with her family in Toronto's Golden Crescent. Despite her engineering job, Nada's tech start-up, Ask Apa, fell short due to betrayal by a business partner. Feeling like a failure, Nada resists her mother's pressure to marry and struggles to break free from the past. 

Nada's best friend Haleema is determined to pry her from her shell...and what better place than at the giant annual Muslim conference held downtown, where Nada can finally meet Haleema's fiancé, Zayn. And did Haleema mention Zayn's brother Baz will be there?


What Haleema doesn't know is that Nada and Baz have a past--some of it good, some of it bad and all of it secret. At the conference, that past all comes hurtling at Nada, bringing new complications and a moment of reckoning. Can Nada truly say goodbye to once was or should she hold tight to her dreams and find their new beginnings?
Wilde Love
by Jennifer Ryan

When Lyric Wilde’s not whipping up the best food in town at the Dark Horse Dive Bar, she’s making a name for herself as a rising singer-songwriter. And if any of her online followers cross the line from friendly to fanatical, well, Lyric figures it goes with the territory—and she can take care of herself. But there’s one fan she wants to get to know better—a silent, sexy biker named Viper. A man who makes her think mine every time she looks at him. But who exactly is “Viper?”

Undercover FBI special agent Mason Gunn has been hiding in plain sight and alone for far too long. And while he fantasizes about a peaceful life with beautiful Lyric by his side, he knows that until his mission—to take down a murder-for-hire network—is accomplished, his dark world is no place for her. But when frightening encounters and threatening text messages from a stalker bent on keeping Lyric all to himself and his most wanted criminal target his sultry songbird, he will stop at nothing to protect the woman he loves…
Winter Craft Table. December 22-January 6. Crafts for children of all ages at all HCPL branches during regular hours.