Book picks similar to
Mermaid's Ground by Alice Marlow


beta-male
heroine-is-older-than-hero
musicians-life
older-contemporary-romance

Nisse Desire: The Leprechaun King's Diamond


Marcelle Sixx - 2019
    King of the Leprechauns. With a successful chain of restaurants underneath his belt and an amazing social media presence, one would think that his life was complete. Not exactly. Luck had always been on his side whether he was in rags or after he gained riches. But there's one thing he just can't have. Diamond. The bright and bubbly sister to the Dutchess of Lycan breeds, Diamond was always a hard worker and a constant beam of positivity. Being able to work closely with Jerome and hold the title as his best friend, somehow she misses the special privileges, the longing gazes, and the mouthwatering redhead before her. It's only because her sights are set on a worthless loser who uses her in an attempt to disguise it as real love. Underneath her will to force a relationship are her thigh-trembling fantasies about the lean, handsome and wealthy man known as Jerome. Jerome hopes for a window of opportunity to show Diamond that she is worth more than he's ever accomplished, but he'd need more than the luck of the Irish to undo Diamond's blinders and lock from her constantly broken heart. He must show her that she belongs to him and only him.

Mr. Grinch's Secret Love (A Very Alpha Christmas Season 2, #2)


L. Loren - 2020
    He had a year to prove to the Board that he can keep his hands to himself or he’ll find himself replaced as CEO. His safe bet is to hire a plus size woman. That should do the trick.When the curvy goddess named Rhys Reid greets him in his office and introduces herself as his new assistant, Mason knows he is in trouble. Instead of hitting on her, he forces himself to be mean, hoping it will make her hate him. What he didn’t count on was Rhys liking his gruff demeanor. Unable to resist their attraction, the lovers must hide their affair from the prying eyes of their co-workers.Things come to a head at the office Christmas Party when Mason sees Rhys dancing with another man. Will he be able to stifle his rage before exposing their secret or will he risk everything for the love he desires? Find out in this BWWM LoveRotica Christmas Tale.

Holiday Hijinx


Shara Azod - 2016
    Her partners and best friends were determined to make this year's office Christmas party the best one ever. So leaving the two to do their worst, which could be extremely bad, she set out to give the presentation of a lifetime to Ty Lafitte, the most sought after investor in all of Silicon Valley.  Who knew a man worth billions could strip like he was a pro? Who knew a lap dance could lead to forever?   Excerpt: “Dude! You are late! Your costumes were delivered like an hour ago. Come on you can get ready on my office.” Ty wasn't exactly sure what the hell was happening. There hadn’t been time to step off the elevator before a tiny termagant of a human was pulling him along then pushing him into an otherwise empty office, shoving a gym bag in his hands. “Hurry up!” the little woman hissed at him, actually stomping her foot. “Dana will be here in five minutes, the one I sent you a picture of. You remember what she looks like right?” Not giving him time to answer she launched into instructions. “It doesn't matter, she will be the only one seated, I will be standing right behind her. I’m Kimmi by the way, the one who hired you. Just make sure you give her one hell of a show before working the room. We’ve already paid you double so that shouldn’t be a problem, right? I mean, you are bound to get a lot of tips out there. Oh and you are bi right? The guys that are into this kind of thing - you know- you shaking it all over them or whatever, will be up front. Leave the dudes hanging back alone. Are we clear? Good! Now hurry up and get those buns out there. As soon as I see you enter I will start the music.” There was no time to tell the diminutive general who he really was. As soon as she finished talking she was gone, closing the door with authority despite doing so quietly. Yep, he was definitely investing in this company. Hell, he was prepared to give them twice the capital they were asking for. What he couldn’t figure out was whether he was going to march out of the office he was currently standing in the middle of like he had lost every available brain cell in his head, or have a little fun and go out there and play the role. There was a reason Ty kept a very low profile despite his unprecedented success in business. Truthfully, he just didn't want to be bothered with questions and have an exposé done on his background, the Louisiana swamp he crawled out of, or the fact he put himself through college by stripping. This situation would be funny if it was so eerie. It just so happened he could go out there, shake it like they had never seen before, then surprise the three partners with his identity. It would be a great prank. But as Ty began hastily disrobing, he knew the real reason he was doing this. It was Dana. The straight talking, serious pitch woman had piqued his interest beyond her company’s potential growth. As he watched her deal with Dale and Dallas, he found himself fascinated by her. And yeah, he was more than a little interested. His cock had gotten hard by the way she continually slapped down Dale’s insinuations that maybe the apps she was presenting weren't so unique, or that maybe Dana and her partners needed assistance in supervising a growing company. Dale hadn’t even realized how thoroughly she had slit his throat with witty, accurate comebacks. Some flew right over Dale’s head. Dallas had simply sat there and let his counterpart be torn apart rhetorically speaking. Sirens was a company that didn't need Ty, they wanted him. That made a business deal desirable.

A Day Like Any Other


Isla Dewar - 2021
    You can only use the experiences you live through to make your future better, wiser. Anna and her best friend George meet every week to remember, to sigh, to laugh, to reminisce about their moments of glory, guilt and mischief and share their sorrows over a glass or three of wine. The things they've done still make them blush. Anna wanted to be a poet - a famous poet. George left home in a childish rage and years later returned with her baby.When Anna is asked to look after the boy across the road for a few hours each week, she isn't sure. She doesn't really do children. But she takes the job on and, gradually, a child's view of her world shows her a different place.George remembers a flat she stayed in when she ran away from home. It had the kitchen of all kitchens and, oh, how she'd love to see it again. Anna sets out to see if it still exists and discovers a cookbook full of recipes, intimates notes and drawings from George's life.Does all this mark an ending or the beginning of something new and marvelous for Anna and George?

The Love We Find: An Enemies to Lovers Story


B. Love - 2018
    After being left by countless men for not making them a priority, she decides to bring in the new year with a new outlook on love. Deciding to give the next man that approaches her a genuine chance, Frankie doesn't expect that man to be her ex, Sanchez Moore. Sanchez Moore regrets only one thing in his life - being unfaithful to Frankie. In the moment, cheating at nineteen didn't seem like a big deal. There was supposed to be plenty of other fish in the sea, but none of them had been able to compare to Frankie over the years. When Sanchez is given the opportunity to work with her and her band, he vows to make the most of the opportunity… professionally and personally. She wants his help with the band. He wants her heart. Who will be satisfied, and what will be broken in the end? Please note: This is a 23,000-word novella. It is book two of "The Love" series. Every book in the series is a standalone and can be read in any order, but it is recommended to read each book in order for maximum understanding and enjoyment.

Shattered Lives 3


T.M. Pigatt - 2017
    I’ve done everything to survive. I’ve been running for so long... but no more. It’s time to stand up and fight. I will fight for my life. I will fight for the love and the passion that Charles has awaken. I won’t let them take that away from me. Charles.... From the moment I saw Samantha, I felt a connection. I knew that I was going to have to make her mine. Now, I won’t let anyone take her away from me. Doesn’t matter who I have to battle. Even if it’s Samantha herself, or a ghost waiting in the shadows, I'm NEVER letting go!

Calloway Cove


Tia Souders - 2020
    Can the promise of happily ever after keep her there?Andi is tired of merely existing. She’s ready to live. So she jumps at the chance to honor her mother’s dying wish and finally pursue her dream of becoming a published author. And what better place to do that than Bayshore Beach? Discovering that literary legend Ford Delaney is in town and in need of an assistant feels like proof she’s doing the right thing.But achieving her dreams might not be as easy as she’d hoped.Because it’s not long before Andi’s unsupportive boyfriend arrives to stir up trouble (along with her emotions), she realizes her best friends are in crisis, and her attraction to her new boss starts feeling anything but professional.Can Andi get everything she wants out of her new life without making painful sacrifices along the way? Or will she learn that some relationships—and some dreams—were never meant to be? Calloway Cove, book one in the Bayshore Beach series, is a clean, lightly angsty, romantic women’s fiction read featuring a heroine running towards a new future, a hero running from a troubled past, and all the friends who help them along the way.

Dying To Love Her


Tina Martin - 2014
     CEO of Rockwell Computer Components, his company is on the verge of the biggest merger in its twelve-year history. However, his attention is soon diverted from company matters after a chance meeting with Ava, a young woman he met on vacation two years ago – the one that got away. And he can’t help but notice that the little boy beside her looks just like him. Andre begins to juggle the complexities of work while seeking answers from Ava – wanting to know why she chose to neglect telling him about his son. Angry and confused, he also needs closure regarding her disappearing act two years ago and demands to know the reason why she never called him after the week they spent together in paradise. But he’s not prepared for her answer... Ava knows she shouldn’t have kept Andre’s son a secret from him. But she couldn’t find it in herself to tell Andre the reason she cut off ties with him – that she’s in failing health. When he finds out the truth, Andre must decide what’s important to him – his company or his family. Will he walk away from Ava and his newly discovered son to grow his business? Or will he find forgiveness in his heart for wrongs that had been committed against him. Will love ultimately prevail?

When Hannah Played Ragtime


Vera Jane Cook - 2021
    It is a man who finds her far too beautiful to marry God.Hannah turns her back on the church and she and Wade settle in Jacksonville, Florida, where the world holds the promise of sunshine. They have two wonderful children before life changes and Wade insists that Hannah abort her third child. When Hannah refuses, light turns to darkness and fate unfolds before Hannah with the cruel consequences of her choices.A story told against the backdrop of the Depression, Hannah struggles with anguish and despair highlighted by brief moments of triumph, lost love returned, deep friendship and the cruelty of laws so unfavorable to women.

White Boys Packing Too (#2)


Soulja Choc - 2019
     Steven works overtime to prove to Imani that she is the only one for him and he whisks her off to Vegas. Meanwhile, Imani discovers that someone close to her has eyes for Steven. Just when Raina thought everything was smooth sailing for her and Jason, his ex-wife partnered with his mother and dropped a bomb on the happy couple. Will this break Raina and Jason apart or will it only solidify the love they share for each other. In this sequel of White Boys Packing Too, the couples are tested to see if what they have is the real deal when there are others out to tear them apart.

Eddie's Cinderella (Found Love #8)


Vivian Rose Lee - 2015
    That was until she picked up a drunken Eddie Smith, an all-star linebacker for the Atlanta Bueto’s. Never in her wildest dreams would she have ever imagined that instead of a routine pick up and drop off, she would be leaving his home the next morning… and with only one sneaker. The events of last night may be one big blur, and his memory may be slowly coming back to him in drips and drabs, but Eddie remembered being with a beauty woman last night, and he will never forget the night of unbridled passion that they shared. He may have tied one on, but the pink sneaker in his hand was proof that what happened last night actually did happen, and wasn’t just some dream. Unfortunately, he had a few minor problems. He didn’t know her name, he couldn’t get her out of his mind, and he had absolutely no idea where to start looking for her.

Secrets of Sunshine Inn: Prequel (A Crystal Coast Series): A Clean Mystery Romance


Annie Diamond - 2022
    

Ride Your Heart 'Til It Breaks


Deborah Hawkins - 2014
    But now Stan knew he didn’t want to be the shallow bad boy Marilyn had described. He wanted to be the man Carrie Moon had loved. Loving him was all that had kept her alive. The emptiness of her marriage had made the ache of lost love burrow deeper into her heart and soul. Carrie stood transfixed between worlds: life, but emotional death if she left alone as he wanted, or death in all forms if she stayed, and the fires reached them. On a cool October evening in 1994, attorney Karen Moon enters an enchanting little jazz club, in San Diego and unexpectedly falls hopelessly in love with the star attraction, trumpeter Stan Benedict. Although Stan is a world class flirt, who has every woman in the audience longing to go home with him, Karen hears a deeper truth in his music. Behind the performer’s confident, shallow mask is a vulnerable, lonely man longing to be loved. Karen risks her chance of partnership at Warrick, Thompson by secretly crossing ethical boundaries to save the club from destruction by her client, Waterfront Development. She and Stan begin a tumultuous affair that culminates in an unplanned pregnancy and a hasty marriage. But their relationship is increasingly threatened by the demands of Karen’s job as a highly paid securities lawyer and by the rising crescendo of Stan’s frequent infidelities. Through mounting heartbreak, Karen struggles to hold on to Stan until they are swept apart by a tide of personal and professional loss. Thirteen years later, longing for forgiveness, Stan reappears in Karen’s life. Now a superior court judge and married to Warrick, Thompson partner Howard Morgan, Karen is faced with Howard’s threats to destroy her if she leaves their marriage. Ride Your Heart ‘Til It Breaks is an unforgettable, intricately woven tale of passion, loss, self-discovery, and redemption.

Summer on the Turquoise Coast


Lilac Mills - 2018
    Nina likes her life exactly as it is. Happy(ish) in her job, and with no love interests on the horizon she knows she can’t get hurt if she doesn’t rock the boat. But Nina’s octogenarian grandmother, Flossie, has plans to drag Nina kicking and screaming from her comfort zone.Arriving on the turquoise coast Nina’s plans for a quiet holiday are blown out of the water by the sheer amounts of vodka, adult games of "pin the tail on the donkey" and tabletop dancing - and that's just her gran! Join Nina and Flossie for Summer on the Turquoise Coast as they learn to let go, enjoy the time they have and maybe even find love in the process.

Garden of Lies / Thorns of Truth


Eileen Goudge - 2013
    When they wed eight years ago, the country was in the throes of the Depression, and she thought she’d made the right choice. She wants to please her new husband, and bear his children. But no matter how hard she tries, she cannot give him her whole heart. She thinks something is wrong with her until Nikos, the earthy Greek handyman, shows her what real passion is—and gives her a child. Sylvie knows Gerald will never accept the newborn, who looks nothing like him, and she despairs until a fire in the hospital gives her a way out. In the confusion she switches her daughter for another’s, a bold act that resonates through the decades and culminates in one of the most passionate love stories portrayed in contemporary fiction.In Thorns of Truth, Sylvie Rosenthal is dying, and her one great mistake still weighs on her soul. The lives of her natural-born daughter, Rose, and her adopted one, Rachel, are once more turned upside down. In this sequel to the blockbuster Garden of Lies, the two women, bound forever by a secret that only one of them understands, must both find the courage to face the truth.