These 12 authors like Linda Howard each bring that same addictive mix of romance, danger and emotionally charged storytelling that keeps you glued to the page long after midnight.
If you love fierce heroines, complex heroes and plots that pull you in with heart-pounding suspense and irresistible chemistry, then these writers deserve a spot on your reading list.
Each one offers something a little different but all capture that thrilling blend of love and intensity that Linda Howard fans crave.
12 Authors Like Linda Howard
1. Susan Andersen
Writing Style & Themes:
Andersen writes emotionally rich contemporary romances filled with sharp-witted dialogue, slow-burning tension and a strong sense of place.Â
Her stories often feature spirited heroines, charming but rugged heroes and plots that balance humor and heat much like Linda Howard’s irresistible blend of sass and suspense.
Notable Books/Series:
- Baby, I’m Yours
- Coming Undone
- Cutting Loose
Why Readers Will Love Her:
Andersen delivers that addictive mix of humor, heart and heat.Â
Her characters feel flawed, funny and fiercely lovable and the chemistry she builds between couples will keep readers smiling, swooning and turning the pages late into the night.
Susan Andersen’s Website: https://susanandersen.com
2. Beverly Barton
Writing Style & Themes:
Barton’s romantic suspense is steeped in emotional intensity, danger and passion.Â
Her stories often center on protective heroes, courageous heroines and dark secrets that unravel with high stakes very much in tune with Linda Howard’s emotionally driven thrillers.
Notable Books/Series:
- The Fifth Victim
- Dead By Midnight
- Close Enough to Kill
Why Readers Will Love Her:
Her stories blend raw emotion and gripping suspense, pulling readers into chilling mysteries with just the right touch of romance to keep hearts racing.
Beverly Barton’s Goodreads Profile: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/87506.Beverly_BartonÂ
3. Fiona Brand
Writing Style & Themes:
Fiona Brand crafts suspenseful romances that move at a thrilling pace.Â
Her heroines are resourceful, her plots are filled with action and twists and the romantic tension is always front and center which mirrors Linda Howard’s adventurous style.
Notable Books/Series:
- The Heiress’s Pregnancy Scandal
- Killer Focus
- The Blackmailed Bride’s Secret Child
Why Readers Will Love Her:
She combines mystery, romance and emotional stakes in a way that makes her books impossible to put down.Â
Fiona Brand’s Goodreads Profile: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/175139.Fiona_BrandÂ
4. Suzanne Brockmann
Writing Style & Themes:
Brockmann is known for action-packed romantic suspense with military themes, strong heroines and deeply human characters.Â
Her writing has a cinematic quality rich in tension, realism and heart which echoes Howard’s intense storytelling.
Notable Books/Series:
- The Unsung Hero
- Out of Control
- Breaking Point
Why Readers Will Love Her:
She builds layered worlds where danger, romance and loyalty collide with Navy SEALs high-stakes missions and unforgettable chemistry.
Suzanne Brockmann’s Website: https://suzannebrockmann.com
5. Tara Janzen
Writing Style & Themes:
Tara Janzen’s romantic suspense is action-packed and filled with sizzling chemistry.Â
Her stories are fast-paced featuring bold heroes, daring heroines and intense situations with a focus on high stakes and sensual tension, much like Linda Howard’s thrilling yet steamy narratives.
Notable Books/Series:
- Crazy Hot
- Crazy Cool
- Crazy Wild
Why Readers Will Love Her:
She mixes fast-moving plots with electrifying romance.Â
Her characters are fearless and the passion between them is undeniable, keeping readers hooked from start to finish.
Tara Janzen’s Website: http://tarajanzen.comÂ
6. Michelle Jerott (also writes as Michele Albert)
Writing Style & Themes:
Jerott blends contemporary romance with adventure and emotional insight.Â
Her books balance humor and sensuality offering witty dialogue, smart heroines and layered relationships similar to Linda Howard’s character-driven storytelling.
Notable Books/Series:
- Absolute Trouble
- Tough Enough
- Getting Her Man
Why Readers Will Love Her:
She brings depth and charm to her romances, weaving emotional growth and sizzling attraction into every page.
Michelle Jerott’s Goodreads Profile: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/727257.Michelle_Jerott
7. Catherine Mann
Writing Style & Themes:
Catherine Mann writes emotionally charged romantic suspense often centered around military heroes.Â
Her stories are high-stakes and heartfelt with heroines who hold their own and heroes with depth.
She’s a great match for fans of Linda Howard’s bold romantic thrillers.
Notable Books/Series:
- Wingmen Warriors: Taking Cover
- Defender
- Elite Force: Hot Zone
Why Readers Will Love Her:
She masterfully balances danger and desire with emotionally satisfying endings and strong admirable characters who fight for love.
Catherine Mann’s Website: https://catherinemann.com
8. Shannon McKenna
Writing Style & Themes:
McKenna writes high-stakes romantic suspense with dark undertones and intense passion.Â
Her books are often gritty and raw, featuring alpha heroes, fearless heroines and emotional depth.Â
Like Linda Howard, she doesn’t shy away from danger or desire, creating stories that are bold and unforgettable.
Notable Books/Series:
- Behind Closed Doors
- Standing in the Shadows
- Extreme Danger
Why Readers Will Love Her:
She blends danger, desire and deep emotion in a way that keeps readers engaged. Her stories are intense, both romantically and emotionally.
Shannon McKenna’s Website: https://shannonmckenna.com
9. Karen Robards
Writing Style & Themes:
Karen Robards weaves romantic suspense with gripping plots, compelling characters and just the right balance of romance and danger.Â
Her stories often include smart strong heroines and heroes with a mysterious edge, hallmarks of Linda Howard’s style as well.
Notable Books/Series:
- The Last Victim
- Shattered
- Guilty
Why Readers Will Love Her:
She keeps readers on edge with fast-paced thrillers that never lose sight of the emotional connection between characters.
Karen Robards’s Website: https://www.karenrobards.com
10. Nora Roberts
Writing Style & Themes:
As one of the most prolific voices in romance and suspense, Nora Roberts delivers layered plots, emotionally rich characters and heroines who stand strong on their own.Â
Her books often mix romance with mystery, danger and the kind of emotional growth Linda Howard fans appreciate.
Notable Books/Series:
- The Witness
- Northern Lights
- The Obsession
Why Readers Will Love Her:
She writes with heart and depth, delivering strong satisfying stories with just the right blend of suspense and soul.
Nora Roberts’s Website: https://noraroberts.comÂ
11. Annie Solomon
Writing Style & Themes:
Solomon writes emotional suspense-driven romance that focuses on characters overcoming trauma, secrets or betrayal.Â
Her storytelling is intimate and gripping with a strong emphasis on emotional healing and romantic intensity which is something Linda Howard readers often look for.
Notable Books/Series:
- Dead Ringer
- Tell Me No Lies
- Like a Knife
Why Readers Will Love Her:
She creates deep personal stories filled with suspense and second chances, making readers root for love even in the darkest moments.
Annie Solomon’s Goodreads Profile: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/205783.Annie_SolomonÂ
12. Catherine Coulter
Writing Style & Themes:
Coulter blends romance, mystery and high-octane suspense into stories that are clever, fast-paced and full of twists.Â
Her FBI thrillers feature the kind of clever plots and emotional tension that fans of Linda Howard’s romantic suspense will enjoy.
Notable Books/Series:
- The Cove
- The Maze
- The Target
Why Readers Will Love Her:
She delivers suspenseful stories with just the right touch of romance, keeping readers guessing and fully invested until the last page.
Catherine Coulter’s Website: https://www.catherinecoulter.com
Last Word on Authors Similar To Linda Howard
The above authors similar to Linda Howard offer a thrilling blend of romance, suspense and unforgettable characters that fans of her work will no doubt appreciate.
From the gripping psychological twists of Sandra Brown to the emotionally charged storytelling of Nora Roberts and the intense romantic suspense crafted by Karen Rose, each writer brings a unique flavor to the genre while echoing the tension, heart and heat that Linda Howard is known for.
Whether you’re drawn to the gritty realism of Lisa Jackson or the high-stakes passion in Julie Garwood’s novels, this list provides a perfect roadmap for readers craving stories that balance danger and desire.
These 12 authors like Linda Howard continue to deliver the kind of page-turning experiences that keep us up late at night.