7 Romance Authors Writing Thrillers That Will Keep You Hooked
Some authors know how to write love stories that make your heart race—and others take that literally. If you love romance but also crave suspense, these romance authors writing thrillers have mastered both genres, blending swoon-worthy chemistry with high-stakes tension.
From psychological mind games to action-packed mysteries, these writers have gone from crafting love stories to delivering page-turning thrillers. Whether you’re looking for a domestic suspense novel with a hint of romance or a full-blown crime thriller, this list has you covered.
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Romance Authors Who Have Made the Leap to Thrillers
Nora Roberts / J.D. Robb
💘 Romance: Contemporary & Paranormal (The Bride Quartet, The Cousins O’Dwyer Trilogy)
🔪 Thriller: In Death series (as J.D. Robb)
Nora Roberts is the queen of romance, but under her J.D. Robb pen name, she delivers futuristic crime thrillers with a side of slow-burn romance. Her In Death series follows tough-as-nails homicide detective Eve Dallas as she takes down criminals in a gritty, high-tech New York City. Bonus: her husband, Roarke, is the ultimate morally gray billionaire.
Grab the first book on Amazon: Naked in Death
You may also like: Start reading the series! Join us for the In Death Read-a-long. Get all the details here.
Rebecca Zanetti
💘 Romance: Paranormal & Romantic Suspense (Dark Protectors, Sin Brothers)
🔪 Thriller: You Can Run, No Way Out
Zanetti’s romances are already packed with suspense, but her Laurel Snow series is full-on crime thriller territory, following an FBI profiler tracking serial killers in snowy, isolated settings.
Grab the first book on Amazon: You Can Run
Alessandra Torre (aka A.R. Torre)
💘 Romance: Erotic & Contemporary (Hollywood Dirt, Moonshot)
🔪 Thriller: The Girl in 6E, Every Last Secret
Alessandra Torre, under the pseudonym A.R. Torre, delves into suspenseful storytelling. The Girl in 6E features a protagonist with dark urges, leading to a narrative filled with tension and unexpected developments.
Grab this book on Amazon: A Familiar Stranger
Victoria Helen Stone (aka Victoria Dahl)
💘 Romance: Contemporary & Historical (Talk Me Down, Real Men Will)
🔪 Thriller: Jane Doe, Problem Child
Victoria Dahl, known for her engaging romances, adopts the pen name Victoria Helen Stone to explore darker themes. In Jane Doe, a woman meticulously plots revenge, presenting a chilling narrative of deception and retribution.
Grab the first book on Amazon: Jane Doe by Victoria Helen Stone
Darby Kane (aka HelenKay Dimon)
💘 Romance: Romantic Suspense (Bad Boys Undercover, Games People Play)
🔪 Thriller: Pretty Little Wife, The Replacement Wife
HelenKay Dimon, a seasoned romance author, writes suspenseful thrillers under the name Darby Kane. Pretty Little Wifeintroduces readers to a small town filled with secrets, where a husband’s disappearance raises unsettling questions.
Grab this book on Amazon: Pretty Little Wife
Alyssa Cole
💘 Romance: Historical & Contemporary (An Extraordinary Union, Reluctant Royals)
🔪 Thriller: When No One Is Watching
Alyssa Cole, acclaimed for her diverse romances, presents a gripping thriller in When No One Is Watching. The novel tackles themes of gentrification and paranoia, unraveling a suspenseful and thought-provoking story.
Grab this book on Amazon: When No One Is Watching
Nalini Singh
💘 Romance: Paranormal & Contemporary (Psy-Changeling, Rock Kiss)
🔪 Thriller: A Madness of Sunshine, Quiet in Her Bones
Best known for her steamy paranormal and contemporary romances, Nalini Singh takes a turn into dark, atmospheric thrillers with A Madness of Sunshine, a slow-burn murder mystery set in New Zealand, and Quiet in Her Bones, a gripping psychological thriller.
Grab this book on Amazon: Quiet in Her Bones
Who says you have to choose between romance and suspense? These romance authors writing thrillers prove you can have both—passionate love stories wrapped in gripping mysteries.
Are you a fan of authors who genre-hop between love and danger? Have a favorite thriller written by a romance author? Let’s chat in the comments! And don’t forget to subscribe for more mystery and thriller recommendations.
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