Must-read romance: 'Making It Real,' 'Drawn That Way,' 'Just Her Type'

Join me every week as I share a few shout-outs on romance author goings-on, related events and recommended reads.

Making It Real by Synithia Williams

Making It Real by Synithia Williams is a hip, cool and uplifting story about second chances. From the beginning, Kareem pops off the page as a once-troubled soul who paid his dues but now seeks redemption. His strength and focus, along with a sexy and cocky attitude, solidify his place on the keeper shelf. Not to be outdone, Neecie is the perfect opposite with her own emotional secrets, but equipped with a brash outer shell to take on her world.

Making It Real is written without fluff and empty scenes. The twist and turns, the surprises and "oh, snap" moments are well done. The read is edgy, enjoyable and definitely entertaining.

About Making It Real (courtesy of Crimson Romance):

After five years in prison, Kareem Henderson is starting his life over. Though business is good at his barbershop, his goal is to open a high-end gentlemen's salon. But the road back is rough, and he needs connections in the society he once snubbed to make his dream a reality. He just never expected his second chance to come from the sexy female barber he hired last year.

Patrice "Neecie" Baldwin escaped the pressure of being the perfect daughter in one of North Carolina's most prestigious families to live life on her own. When family responsibilities call her home, she fears going back will expose her to the pressures that nearly ruined her. Neecie needs a shield, and tall, handsome, bad boy Kareem seems impenetrable. So she offers him a deal: If he'll pretend to be her fiance, she'll introduce him to all of her well-connected relatives.

But the more time they spend together, the more the irresistible attraction between them builds. They're from such different worlds, but can this fake relationship make the cut and become something very real?

Drawn That Way by Bronwyn Green

Drawn That Way by Bronwyn Green is a page-turning, sexy, romantic read. Tristan and Rory are characters on equal footing, despite the outer trappings of employee and boss. They are emotionally mature to have the office fling that morphs into a heated romance.

Thanks to Green's ability to home in on the emotional journey necessary for either character, she artfully makes them endearing. Writing sexy is definitely in abundance with sensual H-O-T encounters that are woven into the storyline as part of the characters' development and not for arbitrary scene fillers. Get the oven mitts, it's a scorcher.

About Drawn That Way (courtesy of the author):

Tristan Weaver, accountant for a successful video game company, is in way over her head. Honestly answering a company-wide survey and criticizing the sexist stereotypes used in the company's games was enough to catch her boss' attention. But speculating on his sex life within his earshot has unexpected consequences when her hot, but nerdy, boss invites her to model for him.

Owner, artist and lead developer of Brecken Games, Rory Brecken, has a strict no fraternizing with employees rule. However, when he overhears Tristan's conversation with her friend about his rumored kinks and begins to suspect her curiosity about the submissive side of sex, he's more than a little tempted. When her interest is undeniably confirmed, he suggests a onetime only, colleagues-with-benefits hook-up.

Though neither want a relationship, once isn't enough for either one of them. As their encounters become more intense, Rory makes a huge mistake that may cost him the woman he's coming to love.

Just Her Type by Reon Laudat

Just Her Type by Reon Laudat has that hip contemporary vibe like a Bridget Jones's Diary. This multipublished veteran author always brings her A-game to her stories and we're the better for the experience.

I love quest stories where one character, in this case the heroine, is focused on everything but a romantic relationship. When written well, like Just Her Type, the journey is fun and engaging, taking us along for the ride.

As an added bonus, we have the hunky hero who is well suited for the challenge. With a touch of humor, the game toward romance and love gets underway. We can cheer these two on to the very end.

About Just Her Type (courtesy of author):

One woman's quest for Mr. Right, the Great American novel, and the perfect knit stitch

When literary agent Kendra Porter loses her heart, she has a tendency to lose her head. She's impulsively accepted three bended-knee marriage proposals. But this flighty fiancée has never made it to the altar. Her MO is to return the rings with heart-rending breakup speeches. No more! For long-term relationship success, she adopts a more pragmatic approach to dating in hopes of clicking with a different type of guy.

Rival literary agent Dominic Tobias is a sexy, charming, hipster sort, in other words, Kendra's usual type to a tee. While he induces the best kind of tingles, he also triggers her flight response.

The last few women Dominic pursued banished him to that guy purgatory of no return– the Friend Zone. His laid-back, no-pressure courting style has been lousy for his love life as of late. With Kendra, he tries the opposite approach—a full-court-press strategy.

A fierce pull draws Kendra to Dominic, but she can't fight unnerving déjà vu when he gets too close.

Will they prevail over the "cute couple" curse, spooky synchronicity, suspicions of client poaching, and double-wide competitive streaks to achieve their happily ever after?

Can Kendra conquer her fear and trust off-the-charts chemistry one more time? Does Dominic want to win Kendra's heart?

Or does he just want to win?

OUTLANDER ON HEA

Check out the recap of Outlander's harrowing season finale, by Michelle and fellow contributor Mandi Schreiner.

Michelle Monkou loves writing her sexy, complex heroes. Her website is michellemonkou.com. You can also connect with her on Facebook.