This Rec League comes from Cyndy. Thanks, Cyndy!
I love suspense/thriller romances but have gotten pretty disillusioned with the military and police for all the reasons you’d might expect. I’ve gotten by with some books about ex military groups or non government entities and I can apparently suspend my disbelief enough in those circumstances to have a good time (think Adriana Anders’s Survival Instincts series, which I LOVE).
I’d appreciate if there are recs along this line, or perhaps other books that might scratch the same itch (teams working together against a common enemy, tension from being pursued by a “bad guy,” high level of competence from both leads).
Sarah: Ok so hear me out: a lot of mid 2000s paranormal will be this exact thing: romantic suspense, likely with shifters, but no cops or government bureaucracy.
But that isn’t exactly what this request is seeking.
Pamela Clare’s I-Team series would qualify. Journalists and activists, surely but not police unless my memory is faulty (and it often is)
Some Nora Roberts suspense novels do not feature cops – especially the earlier ones like Honest Illusions. ( A | K | G | AB )
Amanda: I thought I-Team has government and politics.
Sarah: And Katie Ruggle’s Search and Rescue series would definitely work.
It has some government but not law enforcement to my recollection.
Elyse: Bodyguard romance maybe? But I’m drawing a blank.
Sneezy: If it’s okay for police to be Background man 1 and 2, the webtoon My Second Husband might fit the bill. Although one of the leads was/becomes a judge, that’s not part of the story because it’s a time regression story and all the action takes place during the leads’ uni days.
Only Hope is similar, and also has time regression elements.
My Second Husband is complete, while Only Hope’s translation of the second season is just coming out. I wouldn’t wait for Only Hope to finish though, because Line Webtoon puts completed stories behind Daily Pass, where you only get one free chapter per day if you don’t want to buy them and sometimes makes the final chapters of a series pay only. It really adds up for longer series, and Only Hope is already over 50 chapters! Even if you don’t mind the cost, you might be like me and find starting a webtoon with 100+ chapters intimidating.
I think Only Hope does a better job with the romance parts of the story, but both are stressful in the way of suspense stories and has competent leads
Shana: I haven’t read it, but what about Iron and Velvet by Alexis Hall? It’s about a queer private investigator.
Also, Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer ( A | BN | K )
Sarah: Was it Katherine Center who wrote the female bodyguard romance? It’s pink and peach on the cover…along with 6,823,725 other covers I know
Amanda: The Bodyguard lol ( A | BN | K | AB )
That one wasn’t too suspenseful if I remember correctly.
Which books would you recommend? Let us know in the comments!
BAD JUDGMENT by Sidney Bell is an m/m featuring two characters working for an evil arms dealer: one as a bodyguard, the other as assistant and sex partner. While the guy who is the assistant/lover is Not Who He Appears To Be, I’m pretty sure he is not law enforcement; he is there for Revenge. The other guy is ex-military. It gets pretty dark, so much trigger warning including sexual assault (the arms dealer is vile), but I remember really loving it when I read it a few years ago, and I think it was a recommendation from the Bitchery, so thank you guys!
There’s one or two non-romance psychological thrillers that I’ve read that had a satisfying romantic subplot (at least imho) involving characters who weren’t even ex-military, but I don’t think I can recommend them without spoiling them, unfortunately. I’d love to read romance-proper versions of those though, so I will be following this Rec League with great eagerness!
Anna Hackett has several romantic suspense series with ex military groups. The series include Treasure Hunters Security, Team 52, Norcross Security, Sentinel Security, and the current one is Unbroken Heroes.
Also, Rebecca Zannetti has the Sin Brothers, Blood Brothers and Deep Ops series.
As a disclaimer, this is very much not my category, maybe it’s worth weighing in because the cop thing is a sticking point for me too.
I enjoyed the hell out of the Kate Kane series but idk how suspenseful I would consider them (*because* I enjoyed them, they can’t have been too tense). The plot clips along but it isn’t at all the point. They’re very referential, and hilarious especially if you can embrace how meta they are, and you have been annoyed by various detective conventions and especially by Twilight and its ilk.
I think KJ Charles is brilliant at suspense, as at everything. The Darling Adventures are like old pulp thrillers, only the status quo is not what we’re fighting to preserve. Or the Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen duology has smugglers as protagonists. So with Charles there’s not alphaholes saving the system by being above the law problems, but it’s grounded in real politics – there’s not an AU in which the powers that be are benevolent or ignorable.
Cat Sebastian generally writes like, the opposite of thrillers, but The Queer Principles of Kitt Webb and the follow up could qualify? Or the Page novels are like Agatha Christie with the politics fixed. Oh but she and Charles for that matter only do historical if that matters.
Pretty sure Suzanne Brockmann has books that feature journalists or even random civilians caught up in disaster, as well as the better known ones with seals. For that matter The Troubleshooters are or become ex-military but I think they’re too invested in the system to qualify. But her plots were always so tight and well paced, and her couples so well done, I found myself sucked in even tho thrillers are Not my thing.
Jennifer Crusie had some where the protagonists were on the wrong side of the law. Not sure if they hold up, and they were more screwball caper than thriller, but you might start with say, Faking It, and see.
I used to read Sandra Brown and Linda Howard but that was many decades ago and speaking of I suspect they wouldn’t hold up well, they didn’t hold up at the time lol. I was in it for the wtfery not the suspense, or the romance.
@sneezy I actually love a Daily Pass because I get one per, that’s it – but then I don’t run out so fast! I don’t have any romantic suspense ones though.
Mary Stewart. Her 1950’s-60’s books would qualify, though they weren’t published as such. I’m not sure romantic suspense was even a thing back then.
She’s often classified as gothic, but her heroines are competent, and don’t sit around waiting to be rescued. And not a cop or Navy SEAL in sight, though one hero turns out to be a secret agent.
Elle Kennedy’s Midnight series has competing groups of secret agents. Some are prior military, but the books involve more Mission Impossible type operations against drug lords and terrorists. There’s a good amount of action and the female characters are as badass as the men.
The first series that came to mind was HIDDEN LEGACY by Ilona Andrews. Paranormal, but focused around FMCs who work for a family investigative agency, set in contemporary America with magic users. Lots of action and great tension between the FMC and MMC.
@Sandra I loved Mary Stewart as a teenager in the 70s. I re-read The Moon-Spinners a few years ago, and I would class it as suspense with some romantic elements, but my goodness I couldn’t get over the smoking! It was ridiculous how much it stood out. In the 70s that was normal I guess, but seeing the characters smoking all the time really took me out of the story.
I think a lot of the Nora Roberts romantic suspense would fit this bill. In some the main characters are law enforcement, but there’s definitely plenty where they’re not. Black Hill, Chasing Fire, Montana Sky – there’s so many to choose from.
Dark Waters by Toni Anderson features an average woman whose ex-con father gets mixed up with the mob and she runs to his former cell mate. I think the hero’s brother is a cop, but neither of the main characters are.
Katee Robert’s O’Malley series about the mafia might also fit the bill (depending how you feel about the mafia).
Several of the I-Team books have military or LEO MMCs – Hard Evidence, Naked Edge (well, park ranger), Breaking Point, Skin Deep, Striking Distance and Seduction Game. But the first book has a politician MMC and he’s a good guy.
There are several books by Rachel Grant that could work for this: all the following books have archeologist FMCs (Grant started out in that field). As for the MMCs, Concrete Evidence features a computer/cellular security specialist, and the next book in the series – Body of Evidence – has a US Attorney. In the Fiona Carver books (Dangerous Ground and Crash Site) the MMC is a wildlife photographer. Most of the Evidence books have MMCs who are former military but now work in the private sector/in other fields.
Whiteout by Adriana Anders.
I think quite a few of Jayne Ann Krentz’s works qualify as romantic suspense and none that I can recall feature heroes in law enforcement or the military. Some are alph-holes though. Another writer of romantic suspense from the late 20th century is Elizabeth Peters/Barbara Michaels. Peters’s Vicki Bliss and Jacqueline Kirby series as well as–then contemporary–standalones including Legend in Green Velvet and Michael’s non-paranormal standalones, especially The Sea King’s Daughter would all count as romantic suspense though mostly they were marketed as mysteries.
Most of the others that come to mind are even older–50s-70s. Even though the current terminology for various genres and sub-genres may not have existed in the 60s & 70s, certain authors definitely fit the bill. Mary Stewart has already been mentioned and was a favorite of mine. I just thought of her stuff as romance/adventure. I would include Helen MacInnes who wrote spy thrillers usually featuring female leads. Another writer of the era was Charlotte Armstrong. I would consider her books to be romantic suspense–leaning heavily toward mystery.
Some of these authors may not have aged well for those with a low tolerance for antique conventions from heavy smoking and drinking to passive heroines. With the exception of Krentz, all of them end the smooching action at the bedroom door, though Peters/Michaels does make it clear that her heroines have healthy love lives that encompass the old vo-dee-o-do.
Pamela Clare’ A-Team adjacent series, Colorado High Country, features a search and rescue volunteer team/ranchers, so it may fit the bill.
Lucy Score’s books generally start out rom/comish, but halfway will have a tonal change to a more suspense driven plot. If you can get used to the whiplash, they’re pretty good reads.
Then there’s Jayne Ann Krentz. She’s been throwing in a lot of paranormal aspects, her last three hearken back to her traditional romantic suspense roots and where also very readable. Full disclosure though: I have been reading her for more than 40 years, so I’m inclined to give her all the likes.
Kelley Armstrong’s Rockton/Haven’Rock series flies in the face of the no law enforcement, but the set up is so unique it might work.
Rachel Grant’s series…the women do not lose brain cells!
For Mary Stewart fans, might I recommend Phyllis Whitney. I enjoyed her gothic suspense historicals, set in 19thC America. Sea Jade has a broody sea captain and a penniless young woman. The Quicksilver Pool has an ex-nurse and a Union soldier with complicated family dynamics.
@Star
I LOVED Bad Judgment!
I can agree with Kelley Armstrong. Casey in Rockton is a former cop, but they are not pro police by any stretch. The MMC is called sheriff, but he’s not really. Same with her Nadia Stafford trilogy. She’s ex law enforcement turned pro killer. It takes all three books for the romance though. Cainsville is technically urban fantasy but it’s not high magic. Liv’s a socialite who becomes a PI working for a shady lawyer. That one takes all five books. There are some not-really-triangles, if that’s a deal-breaker.
Can confirm that Katie Ruggle’s Search and Rescue is mostly law enforcement and military free. MMC in the first book is an ex marine but he doesn’t have a bunch of army buddies or anything. The MMC of the fourth is a sheriff’s deputy. I didn’t find it pro law enforcement though. He’s just such a nice guy who is super supportive of the FMC who is agoraphobic. One thing I love about her books is that the characters (who aren’t the baddies) are really kind. No toxic alphas.
I came to mention Rachel Grant and am pleased to see several commenters have got there first! Many of hers definitely fit the brief
Doubling down on Kelley Armstrong’s Rockton series and Nadia Stafford series. Both were great. Latest Rockton book just came out.
Second or third or fourth the recs for Mary Stewart, Helen MacInnes and Barbara Michaels (aka Elizabeth Peters). I am a big fan of the Jacqueline Kirby series, since she is a librarian turned romance writer. The third and fourth books focus primarily on the romance writer aspect of her character and I remember them as very funny.
Another author that came to mind is Anne Stuart and her “Ice Series.” That was more secret agent, secret society focused. Some of her male characters may have had military or law enforcement background, but the one that I remember most was a Japanese man involved with the Yakuza. These were written I believe in the late 1990s or early 2000s, so may not hold up well. If I recall correctly, some of Stuart’s historicals are very gothic, but might also be described as suspense.
I second the Rebecca Zannetti Deep Ops series. I am forever #TeamRoscoe. Roscoe is a dog with an alcohol problem.
Seconding or thirding the Nora Roberts recommendation. The majority of Nora Roberts’s romantic suspense (certainly the last 20 years or so) has rarely if ever involved cops or military personnel as either of the two main characters, and the books are excellent. Cyndy, if you are willing to let go of the “team” aspect, you will get varying amounts of suspense plus plenty of competence p*rn from her romantic suspense novels.
I also love Mary Stewart, though again, the level of suspense varies from book to book, and there are some aspects that are dated.
Most of Jayne Ann Krentz’s recent work has involved paranormal elements — not paranormal creatures like witches and werewolves, but extremely strong psychic abilities. If you don’t want to get into that, take a look at SECRET SISTERS, ALL NIGHT LONG, RIVER ROAD, on the Cutler, Sutter, & Salinas trilogy. I also like the Whispering Springs duology (LIGHT IN SHADOW and TRUTH OR DARE), though there is a bit of a psychic element in those two. Her characters, both male and female, tend to be very competent in at least some aspects of their life and work; however, they’re not always great about talking about their feelings.
Amazon Lily by Theresa Weir – Highly recommend. Janet Elizabeth Henderson has a series called Benson Security that I greatly enjoyed. I describe it as romantic suspense light. Against the Dark by Carolyn Crane (on Mt. TBR, I haven’t read it). I’m pleased to see this Rec League, and to be reminded of Helen Macinnes’ books. It will be interesting to see if they are still available at the library.
Cynthia Eden’s got some entertaining RS where they are all part of a private agency that helps provide protection.
And Kimberly Kincaid’s Station Seventeen is firefighters who work with other first responders and get caught up in suspenseful situations. She also has an Intelligence Unit series that is a special police unit that works with other departments. I would consider her an exception simply because her work is so well written and researched.
@Star, I also loved Bad Judgement. It was such a good mix of character building with a mystery/thriller tone and the banter between the two MCs was a clever contrast to the dark themes. And I really enjoy Sydney Bell’s writing style.
But yes, huge TW – lots of difficult scenes on page.
Her Woodbury Boys novels are good too.
@Wendy: Yes, I came here to recommend WHITEOUT by Adriana Anders. Lots of competence porn and the setting (Antartica) is its own adversary.
I’ve also enjoyed some historical romantic suspense series:
VERONICA SPEEDWELL series by Deanna Raybourn
LADY DARBY MYSTERIES series by Anna Lee Huber
WREXFORD & SLOAN series by Andrea Penrose
Yes, The Will Darling Adventures by KJ Charles!! (Which were mentioned above.)
They are my absolute favourite romances, and I think they’re also excellent as thrillers/mysteries.
Not my preferred genre (I tend more towards mysteries), so these may be more low key than you’re looking for.
Amanda Quick’s Lavinia and Tobias series (starts with Slightly Shady) are historical mystery romances. Lavinia believes she has paranormal powers. In the first book, her shop in Rome is torched, so she flees back to England. Tobias is a private investigator who’s hired to find something he believes Lavinia has.
Kerrigan Byrne’s Victorian Rebels series are historical romances that are on the wrong side of the law. The first book is The Highwayman. Usually some suspense. (Goode Girls series follows this one, but I think they’re less suspenseful.).
Eden Finley’s Pop Star involves a singer with a stalker and the bodyguard he hires (m/m). The rest of this series iOS about a boy band reunion, but Finley spins off a separate series about the bodyguard company, Mike Bravo Ops (I haven’t read these). Beth Bolden’s Full Speed Ahead also involves a stalker and a bodyguard, but the person being stalked is a food truck chef. (I think she has a few more with bodyguards, but they’re scattered throughout different series.)
Do prosecutors count as law enforcement?
If spies are okay, the Lauren Willig Pink Carnation series has a lot of suspense. For old skool, Victoria Holt. Maybe Joanna Bourne’s Spymaster series?
I’m going to mention Julie James whose books feature lawyers, often U.S. attorneys, and FBI (?) agents. Yes, I know it’s law enforcement, but the characterizations are pretty nuanced and avoid macho stereotypes. Also James writes wicked banter.
Also, the absence of any lovin’ for Charlotte Armstrong makes me feel like Old Deuteronomy. Just sayin’.
My recommendations for bodyguard/security romance:
Moonlighter by Sarina Bowen
Loverboy by Sarina Bowen
Practice Makes Perfect by Sarah Adams
Girl Gone Viral by Alisha Rai
My Killer Vacation by Tessa Bailey
Early Laura Griffin might work. Her later books do have a lot of police/military. One Last Breath has a journalist heroine and a PI hero, though I think he may be a former policeman.
The Rachel Grant books are good- I second/third/fourth the recommendations!
Rebecca Zanetti’s Anna Albertini series could also work, there is some romance and some suspense, though the suspense is also a bit slapstick at times.