Romance Novels Offering Hope and Inspiration to Women And Children Victims of
Domestic Violence
Compiled by Melinda Rucker Haynes
I am proud to support the worthy activities of
DAWN, Domestic Violence Women's
Network. My interest in this fine organization began when I was
the publicity chair for the Seattle RWA's Emerald City Writer's 2003/2004
Conferences. Greater Seattle Romance Writers had selected DAWN to receive a
portion of our conference bookfair proceeds. When I met with the executive
director of DAWN, she said that she had never read a romance, and, while she
was pleased that we women writing for women were interested in helping women
and children victims of domestic violence, she didn't quite understand the
relationship between romance novels and real women's issues.
Consequently, I have tried to discover romance titles that have dealt with
domestic violence (DV). As you will see, it's quite a list that I've compiled
from suggestions of readers and authors. Readers told me how inspired they've
been by these DV-themed romances in every romance sub-genre and authors have
shared the poignant letters from readers and victims of DV who said the books
gave them hope that their lives could change, too.
On a personal note, you will see that my second and third novels, BREACH OF
TRUST and ESSENCE OF TRUST, in my paranormal romance series for Five Star
Publishing has a main character who was the victim of DV throughout his
childhood that continues to negatively impacted his life until Love is
"reborn" and his life is transformed.
The LIST is constantly being updated. Please send new titles appropriate for
The List to Melinda.
Click here to read authors' comments about their DV-themed books and letters
from readers.
Printable List (will open in a blank window): PDF
| ROMANCE TITLE | Author | Publisher/Imprint |
| A DADDY AT HEART | Deb Kastner | Steeple Hill Love Inspired |
|
A HERO TO HOLD | Linda Castillo | Silhouette Intimate Moments |
|
ANNIE AND THE CONFIRMED BACHELOR | Patricia Kay | Silhouette Special Edition |
|
AVENGING ANGEL | Justine Dare | NAL |
|
A WOMAN'S HEART | JoAnn Ross | MIRA |
|
A WORTH TO BEHOLD | Patricia DeGroot | Avalon |
|
BLACK AND BLUE | Anna Quindlen | Dell |
|
BREACH OF TRUST | Melinda Rucker Haynes | Five Star Publishing |
|
CALL ME MOM | Sherry Lewis | Harlequin Superromance |
|
COME LIE WITH ME | Linda Howard | MIRA (Reprint) |
|
COMING UP ROSES | Catherine Anderson | Harper |
|
COWBOY WITH A SECRET | Pamela Browning | Harlequin American |
|
CRUMBS IN THE KEYBOARD:
Stories from Courageous Women Who Juggle Life & Writing Anthology | Contributors | Echelon Press |
|
ENCHANTED AFTERNOON | Susan Wiggs | MIRA |
|
FIRST FAMILY OF TEXAS Series | K.N. Casper | Harlequin Superromance |
|
FRIENDS TO THE END | Trudy W. Schuett | CyberManBooks.com |
|
GOT YOUR NUMBER | Stephanie Bond | St. Martin's Press |
|
HEART OF DEVIN MCKADE | Nora Roberts | Silhouette Special Edition |
|
HEARTBREAKER | Linda Howard | MIRA |
|
HIS SHELTERING ARMS | Kristi Gold | Silhouette Desire |
|
ICE PRINCESS | Catherine Snodgrass, Bryndis Rubin | Amber Quill Press |
|
KEEPING HER SAFE | Sherry Lewis | Harlequin Superromance |
|
LEGENDS LAKE | JoAnn Ross | Pocket Books |
|
LONE WOLF | Sheri Whitefeather | Silhouette Desire |
|
MAD DOG AND ANNIE | Virginia Kantra | Silhouette |
|
MAGNOLIA MOON | JoAnn Ross | Pocket Books |
|
MARTHA'S MADNESS | Mary Taffs | Awe-Struck eBooks |
|
MONTANA LEGACY | Roxanne Rustand, Harlequin Superromance |
|
MONTANA SKY | Nora Roberts | Jove |
|
ONCE FORBIDDEN | Terri Brisbin | Jove |
|
OUR LIZZIE | Anna Jacobs | St Martin's Press |
|
OUTLAW | Elizabeth Lowell | Silhouette Desire |
|
PERFECT PARTNERS | Karen Drogin | Zebra |
|
POWERFUL MAGIC | Karen Whiddon | Lovespell |
|
PUBLIC SECRETS | Nora Roberts | Bantam |
|
QUANTUM ROSE | Catherine Asaro | Tor Books |
|
RAISING THE STAKES | Sandra Marton | Harlequin |
|
ROSEWOOD | Cherrie Kimbrough | Stylerwriter-Publications.com |
|
SAVING GRACE | Julie Garwood | Pocket (Reissued) |
|
SAINT OR SINNER | Cheryl St. John | Harlequin Historical |
|
SCANDALS | JoAnn Ross | Harlequin Temptation |
|
SEPARATE BEDS | LaVyrle Spencer | Putnam |
|
SISTER WIFE | Natalie R. Collins | Zumaya Publishing |
|
SWEET REVENGE | Nina Bruhns | Silhouette Intimate Moments |
|
THE BURNING POINT | Mary Jo Putney | Berkley |
|
THE DOCTOR'S DAUGHTER | Judith Bowen | Harlequin Superromance |
|
THE DOCTOR'S WIFE | Cheryl St. John | Harlequin Historical |
|
THE GREEK'S ROYAL MISTRESS | Jane Porter | Harlequin Presents |
|
THE GREEK TYCOON'S ULTIMATUM | Lucy Monroe | Harlequin Presents |
|
THE NANNY'S SECRET | Monica McLean | Silhouette Intimate Moments |
|
THE NIGHT REMEMBERS | Kathleen Eagle | Avon |
|
THE SAVING GRACES | Patricia Gaffney | Harper |
|
THE SULTAN'S BOUGHT BRIDE | Jane Porter | Harlequin Presents |
|
THE THIRD VICTIM | Lisa Gardner | Bantam |
|
THE THREE SISTERS ISLAND, Trilogy:
Dance Upon the Air, Heaven And Earth, Face The Fire | Nora Roberts | Jove |
|
THE WEDDING RING, Trilogy:
Marrying Jake, Loving Mariah, Saving Susanah | Beverly Bird | Silhouette Intimate Moments |
|
TRUST IN ME | Kathryn Shay | Berkley |
|
VELMA STILL COOKS IN LEEWAY | Vinita Hampton | Wright Broadman & Holman |
|
WHEN VENUS FELL | Deborah Smith | Bantam |
|
WHISPERS | Lisa Jackson | Zebra |
|
WILD ABOUT A TEXAN | Jan Hudson | Silhouette Desire |
|
WINTER FIRE | Elizabeth Lowell | Avon |
|
YESTERDAY'S PROMISE | Eden Robins | Wings ePress, Inc. |
|
YOURS IN BLACK LACE | Mia Zachery | Blaze |
