Lea recs small-town romances by Dee Tenorio, HelenKay Dimon

I've read a few very enjoyable small-town contemporary romances lately that introduce a strong, masculine hero matched with an independent, savvy heroine. If this type of story appeals to you, you may like to give any or all of these reads a try.

Trust in Me by Dee Tenorio

Dee Tenorio knocks one out of the park in her story about drop-dead gorgeous Locke, the patriarch of the Jackman clan, and fiercely independent but vulnerable Susie Packard, who is haunted by a traumatic past. Locke falls hard for Susi, but earning her trust proves to be challenging. Susi is determined to avoid romantic entanglements, but her resolve falters when she allows Locke to step into her life and her bed. Our heroine is very private, keeping her secrets close to her chest, including the fact that she is carrying Locke's baby.

Raising his brothers and sisters required Locke to put his wants and needs on the back burner for a long time. He worked hard, set a good example for his siblings and now that the younger Jackmans are grown and responsible for their own lives (for the most part, lol), he is ready for a committed relationship. When Locke finds out that Susie is pregnant, he has to curb his protective instincts and need to take control so as not to scare off the skittish woman.

Tenorio delivers a heartwarming story about hope, trust and tough love, and you can't help but fall in love with Locke. This guy is comfortable in his own skin, stoic, charismatic and fiercely protective of those he loves. Susie does test Locke's patience to the limit, but he pulls out all the stops to earn her trust. Along with a secret-baby trope, Tenorio adds a suspense subplot to this memorable romance.

No Turning Back and A Simple Twist of Fate by HelenKay Dimon

Living in the shadow of their conman father proved tough for the Hanover brothers. Due to dear old dad's swindling and the resulting destruction of his victims' lives, the boys have been undeservedly painted with the same brush and have endured a major dose of ridicule and rejection.

No Turning Back is book one of the Hanover Brothers series, and HelenKay Dimon introduces siblings Beckett, Declan and Callen Hanover, who return to Sweetwater, Ore., when their grandmother wills her estate, Shadow Hill, to the three brothers. As a recently discharged Army veteran, Declan has led a nomadic existence and is ready to settle in one spot and make a home. The plan was always to sell Shadow Hill and for the brothers to split the proceeds, but despite the place being a carpenter's dream, Declan has a change of heart and decides it might be just the place to put down roots. Despite the fact that Charlie (Dad) is now deceased, his legacy continues to haunt his sons. Charlie defrauded a number of Sweetwater residents out of their life savings, so the boys are less than welcome by the townspeople.

Leah Baron's father is one of the folks taken to the cleaners by Charlie, and one of the assets he lost was Shadow Hill. Leah's father is a bitter, manipulative old man who wants the house back at all costs. He has brainwashed his daughter regarding the Hanovers, causing her to do some pretty crazy stuff in an effort to prove the boys are like their no-good father, and she is obsessed with getting Shadow Hill back. The trouble starts when Declan informs Leah that he and his brothers are keeping the old estate.

Declan and Leah have amazing chemistry and despite the baggage standing between them, he turns on the charm to win her over. Leah, of course, has no intention of getting involved with a Hanover, but Declan gradually earns her trust and her heart. However, when he learns that Leah's obsession with all things Hanover has caused her to go "a little" overboard in investigating the brothers, more distrust and hurt are added to an already overflowing caldron of angst.

A Simple Twist of Fate

As the lawyer of the family, Beckett has taken the lead in dealing with the mountain of lawsuits, which is only one part of the carnage left by Charlie. Beckett does tend to get distracted due to his attraction to seemingly shy and winsome Sophie, the housekeeper the brothers inherited along with the estate. The odd thing is that she doesn't seem to be much good at housekeeping, and she is found with an empty bucket and scrub brush in hand in the oddest places.

Sophie's aunt was one of Charlie's victims, and he stole something very personal from her that she desperately wants back. Sophie is convinced her aunt's keepsake is hidden somewhere in the house or on the Shadow Hill estate, so she uses her housekeeper status to snoop. Beckett's older brother Callen knows in his bones that Sophie is deceiving them as to why she is hanging around and doesn't trust her as far as he could throw her. Callen issues an ultimatum: Either Beckett finds out what the object of his desire is up to or Callen will. As Beckett and Sophie become romantically involved, more than one secret is revealed, promises are broken and his ability to trust her is tested to the limit.

Callen plays a pivotal secondary role in A Simple Twist of Fate, so we get to know the enigmatic eldest Hanover brother a little better. And, there is this FBI agent snooping around — what the heck is he up to?

I'm totally invested in the Hanover Brothers series; Dimon delivers two emotional stories that have no shortage of humor, and I loved the sarcastic comebacks that fly between the brothers. As well, we are tossed a couple of surprising reveals and there is the mystery regarding what Charlie did with all of the money and belongings he swindled over the years. The fruits of Charlie's labor are nowhere to be found. Where did he hide it all? Was their grandmother in on his cons? The Hanover brothers have wounded souls, but they are formidable, passionate and downright hot.

I'm looking forward to the next Hanover Brothers story. I have no idea whom HelenKay Dimon has in mind for Callen's heroine. One thing is for sure: She will have to be made of tough stuff. : )

Lea Franczak cannot remember a time when she didn't have a book in her hand. She's read and enjoyed multiple genres but is especially partial to contemporary and erotic romance, dark gritty romantic suspense, paranormal romance and has recently become a New Adult junkie. Lea also writes reviews at Book Lovers Inc. and is active on Goodreads. Lea is HEA's Tweeter Extraordinaire. Follow HEA on Twitter (@HEAusatoday).