Book picks similar to
The Art of Dust by Mel A. Rowe


romance
contemporary
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When We Left


Elena Aitken
    He needs her to see how he’s changed. Can time really heal everything and make a second chance at love possible? Reeling from a painful divorce, and with a teenager in town, Cam’s returned to her hometown to heal. Not only is Timber Creek the only place that’s ever felt like home, her best friends are there...and the first boy she ever really loved. Evan has only ever loved one woman. Sixteen years ago he knew he wasn’t good enough for her, but now she’s back, and time has a way of changing things.Cam’s got her hands full trying to come to grips with her new life. The last thing she needs is to get involved with Evan again. But their attraction is impossible to ignore, and the connection that existed between them so many years ago is still very much alive.This could be the second chance they’ve always wanted, but there are years of hurt and misunderstandings between them. Never mind the truth of the past and the reality of the present that could once again threaten to pull them apart. This time for good.

Snow-Kissed Love Complete Box Set: Books 1-5


Violet Vaughn - 2018
    Landing a job skiing every day, Casey finds Blaine - a wish come true. A hunky surfer turned ski instructor, he checks off every requirement on her list. Except for the one she forgot to add. Blaine has a secret. A secret so big it keeps intimacy smoldering when Casey needs fire. No matter how hard she tries, the embers won’t ignite. Can she live without passion to get the family she craves? When Jason comes to town, Casey questions everything she wished for. Their consuming love threatens to explode, leaving her with the choice between a family and the love of her life. Lease on Love Skater Lori was USA’s golden girl, headed for the Olympics and destined for a medal. But when her coach's abuse forces her to give up the opportunity, her world spins out of control. Their perilous love affair is discovered and plastered all over the tabloids. Three years later, Lori is ready to move on. New to skiing but determined, she reinvents herself as a ski instructor and moves to Breckenridge. Driven to rebuild her life Lori isn’t prepared for the likes of sexy Kaleb. One look from the sensitive snowboarder unchains her heart and she explores love without fear. When the past returns to haunt her, Lori's new found freedom is at risk. What’s lurking in the shadows is worse than she could have imagined. She fears for more than her safety when she realizes Kaleb is in danger too, and they may end up paying the ultimate price. Rush for Love Olympic hopeful Gretchen doesn’t do love. Men exist for sex and a good time. Snowboarding is her main priority and a clingy boyfriend will only get between her and a spot on the Olympic team. Dark and dangerous Derrick is all for the physical approach. His carefully guarded heart likes it hard and fast. Meeting an adrenaline junkie like Gretchen suits his sexual needs just fine. But when a steamy relationship races out of control toward love, tragedy is inevitable, and hearts aren’t the only collateral. Their accidental love threatens Gretchen’s chance for gold, and the destruction changes everything. Fierce in Love Ex-model Dannika knows she’s spoiled and when her brother abandons her, she’s desperate for another man in her life. Flirting for keeps, she gets one. The wrong one. While the guy who challenges her in every way keeps her in the friend zone. Financial whiz Christian moved to Breckenridge to escape the rat race and mend his broken heart. Intent on a year as a ski bum and casual dating, everything changes when he meets Dannika. Suddenly he’s back in business, with a girl that that tempts him to be more than a professional partner. A family death makes Christian rethink his move and leave Colorado behind, along with Dannika. Forced to fend for herself with a prosperous business, but not the guy, Dannika learns to trust herself. When Christian returns she must decide if he’s worth trusting too. Ready for Love Ruby swore off men after her high school relationship with a reckless ski racer ended in an unplanned pregnancy. Heartbroken, she buried herself in her fashion design where any mistake can be recycled and torn-out stitches easily replaced. But then sizzling hot entrepreneur Neal enters her life with a business proposition. He wants a partnership to launch her clothing line -- but he has a reputation for intimate proposals too. After years on the race circuit, Trevor moves to Breckenridge to teach skiing and settle down. He stumbles on Ruby -- the one who got away. Even discovering she kept their child a secret can’t make him forget their steamy connection.

Harvest Wishes


Jessica Anne Renwick - 2021
    No job. A looming court date to face her abusive ex-husband. Worst of all, she’s had to move back in with her parents. But just when Madison Talbot thinks things can’t get any worse, she bumps into her high school sweetheart—literally. Romance is the last thing Madison needs, especially with the man who once left her high and dry—so she keeps telling herself.Dylan Stewart returned to Cedar Lake to be with his family after an unimaginable tragedy and is set on staying for good. When Madison moves back to town, he’s got one more reason to make his work-from-home arrangement stick. As the guy who broke her heart first, can he help her see him in a new light?After reconnecting over festival planning at the Starlight Inn, old feelings between them spark to a flame. But between family meddling and the wounds from Madison’s traumatic past, the ties between them soon begin to unravel.Can these two learn to face the world together, or are they doomed to repeat their past mistakes?

Different With You


E.H. Lyon - 2022
    I’m slowly putting the mess of my soon-to-be divorce behind me. Not to mention figuring out how to juggle being a single dad. But when I accidentally nearly kill my parents’ dog, the dog isn’t the only one with a whole new dilemma, because I come face to face with the woman I once kissed during my hormonal teenage years.It just so happens that veterinarian Dr. Abby Call is also riding the post-divorce train. What started off years ago, as a teenage crush, could easily become something much less innocent between two newly single adults. Now we just need to find out if we’re nothing more than each other’s rebounds or if this is our second chance at love.Throw in my four-year-old son, my meddling mother, and an overprotective Labrador, and our budding romance is only about to get more complicated. Different With You is the first sweet and sexy standalone novel from the Matchbox series. Readers who love small town, single parent, and friends to lovers romance may just fall for Lucas! This story is low on angst and a feel-good romance ideal for your beach read list.

The Broke Billionaire / The Billionaire's Brother / The Billionairess


Ann Omasta - 2018
     The Broke Billionaire: Despite rolling in cash, Trey Donovan feels broke in the ways that truly matter… friendship, loyalty, desire, passion, intimacy, and love. Will Ellie Thorne change that or break him for good? The Billionaire’s Brother: Sparks fly when Trevor Donovan meets the dynamic woman who can help him run his brother’s empire. Will these two be able to resist a forbidden office romance, or will they choose love over money? The Billionairess: Selena Chase is strong, smart, sexy, rich, and… lonely. What if having it all isn’t enough? Can an ordinary guy help Selena find the happiness she craves? Trey, Trevor, and Selena aren’t stereotypical dominant, power-hungry billionaires. Underneath their bristly outer shells, they are sweet, sensitive, and utterly alone. Will they be able to find love––the one thing money can’t buy them? Or will they remain broke billionaires forever? Find out NOW in The Broke Billionaires Club ~ Three sweet billionaire romance reads.

Love at Coco Bay


Kirsty McManus - 2021
    With a recent promotion from receptionist to co-assistant manager—not to mention the ongoing opportunity to live and work with her best friends—everything is perfect.Well, except for one tiny thing. Sasha has never had much luck in the boyfriend department, and the only guy she’s ever been interested in is event planner Dash, a Channing Tatum lookalike who is oblivious to her affections.But when a resort guest insists that Sasha work with Dash on an upcoming wedding, they are suddenly thrust into a three-month-long high-pressure environment. Sasha can no longer hide from Dash, and Dash has no option but to get to know Sasha.As expected, things get off to a rocky start, and when a mystery investor arrives at the island, the situation only gets worse. Sudden changes in the corporate hierarchy and bizarre managerial decisions mean that not only the wedding, but the entire resort’s future is in jeopardy.Can Sasha survive the chaos, make the wedding a success, and end up with her dream guy?She’s going to try.

Her Billionaire Co-Nanny (Candyman Sweet Family Billionaires, #1)


Shanna Delaney - 2021
    Her new job as a summer nanny to the ultra-wealthy could make all the difference.Richard manages international relations for his family’s massive candy company, and coming back to the family’s New Hampshire lake house for the summer is like coming home. But this time the house contains more than just family—his sister has brought along a nanny. A cute nanny.When circumstances pull Richard’s sister back to the West Coast, Richard and Emma agree to share responsibility for the kids.As attraction flares, Emma and Richard have to face their differences and decide: Is this just a summer sizzle, or can they each change perspective enough to make whatever’s between them last?

Outside


Michelle Mankin - 2015
    No longer under the thumb of her domineering father, she’s made a simple quiet life for herself and her fluffy fourteen pound Havanese pup running a surf shop in her hometown of OB. Long ago she gave up her dreams for a future with Linc.But now the notorious lead singer of the Dirt Dogs has returned, and Simone is reluctant to admit that she’s still vulnerable to his killer dimpled smile and easy charm. She finds that although she’s stowed away the mementos, it hasn’t been as easy to erase the memories of their epic summer love.It seems he hasn’t forgotten, either.Is the recording contract he’s offering merely a pretense?Or does he have something more in mind?Does he really believe that they can just pick up where they left off, despite all the bad luck and heartache?And is she willing to risk everything again for one last chance at love?

Lovin' Las Vegas


Kathy Ivan - 2017
    Meet these strong, independent couples, willing to risk it all on finding their happily-ever-after with the one that got away. IT HAPPENED IN VEGAS One little wager. What could go wrong? That's what Charlie King thinks when her friends dare her to reach out to the one man she's never forgotten. There's just one catch—he's the older brother of her former fiancée. Rodeo star Jared Drake is in Vegas for the Grand National finals when he spots Charlie. Their chemistry is instantly off the charts. There’s just one problem—his role in her broken engagement. This time around, can they beat the odds to happily-ever-after or will secrets from the past keep them apart forever? CRAZY VEGAS LOVE It's party time in Las Vegas when four former college roommates and best friends converge on Sin City. Add in a crazy drunken bet about finding "the one that got away" to see if there's a spark still burning after all these years—how bad could it be? The next day, after coming to her senses, Gloria Valenzuela had no intention of going through with the bet. Not until one of the other women played fairy godmother and arranged things so Gloria had no choice but to meet up with her ex. A world famous country music star, Kyle Greenwood had everything he'd ever wanted except for the one thing he'd left behind—Gloria. Then fate in the form of his matchmaking manager lends a hand and brings Gloria back into his life. Before the night is over, a simple practical joke escalates into more than either anticipate. Secrets from their past begin to unravel and threaten their last chance at happiness. Can they overcome their obstacles and hold onto their happily ever after? MARRIAGE, VEGAS STYLE It's party time in Las Vegas when four former college roommates and best friends converge on Sin City. Add in a crazy drunken bet about finding "the one that got away" to see if there's a spark still burning after all these years—how bad could it be? When Cynthia "Cyn" Evans finds herself without access to cash and credit cards, she tempted to cave in to her mother's demands to return home and become engaged to someone who's earned the family approval. That is, until she runs into Noah Cochran in the hotel lobby. What are the odds the one man she decided not to look for is right here in Vegas? Noah Cochran can't believe his luck. The consortium deciding on the contract for the brand new casino complex has narrowed its choices down to five contenders, and his company is at the top of the list. But he's the only unmarried businessman in the running, and if he wants to make a good impression, he needs a fiancee—fast. A fake engagement seems the ideal solution, until things spiral out of control. Will outside forces pull them apart when they've just found each other again, or can they hang on tight for their own happily-ever-after?

A Cowboy and a Promise


Pam Crooks - 2019
    She’s good at what she does, and the ghost town vacation resort would look great on her resume, but it means tangling with the ex-military cowboy who is determined to stop her as soon as she arrives. Beau Paxton needs to sell the land and ghost town to save his family’s struggling ranch. He’s a formidable enemy to Ava’s determination, but the harder she works, the more his attraction for her grows. He doesn’t want to set aside his plans so she can succeed at hers, yet he finds himself doing just that... Will a promise bring a city girl and a sexy cowboy together? Or will a broken one drive them apart?

Make Me Lose


Ember Leigh - 2019
    We’re enemies. Born minutes apart on the same day in the same hospital, our parents thought this meant we were somehow destined to be together. We knew were we just destined to beat each other. Competition boiled over until junior year, when the cold war turned into an unexpected peace offering. Maybe my hormones allowed me to notice his broad shoulders, stormy gray-blue eyes, and soccer star’s chiseled frame. But after I fell for him…he stomped all over my heart. Ten years later, I’m at the top of the realty game in Bayshore and Grayson is just a distant memory. Until he shows up from NYC, his ego bigger than a skyscraper, and asks me to sell the house he recently inherited.It’s easy to say no. Even though I want to climb him like the jungle gyms we used to dangle from in strong arm battles.But I forgot that Gray doesn’t take no for an answer. And that he isn’t content unless he’s defeating me. He butts into my evenings on the boat. Ropes me into water skiing battles. Even shows up at the bar and creates a scene when I’m scouting a date to the upcoming Bicentennial Ball.It’s almost like he’s gunning to win me. But if he wins, that means I lose.And I’m not ready to cede victory just yet.

Manhattan Cinderella


Kate O'Keeffe - 2019
    An heir to a music kingdom. A chance for a fairy tale ending.22-year-old New Yorker Gabriella Davis aspires to be pop music's next big thing. Desperate to protect her kid sister, she's got to succeed. But first, she needs to get away from her narcissistic stepmother who has her working her butt off as assistant to her band.Super-hot singer Cole Grant is a country boy at heart, so when he leaves his native Tennessee for New York, he's about as comfortable as a deer on ice. He's determined to make the most of this chance of a lifetime, but with the explosive family secret Cole needs to keep, this is one opportunity that might just blow up in his face.A taxi, a lost shoe, and a chance meeting bring Gabby and Cole together. Their attraction is instant. But with so much at stake, neither one is in the market for love.When City meets Country and fame and fortune beckon, can they open their hearts to one another? Or will the secrets they hold keep them from finding their happily ever after?Manhattan Cinderella is a sweet and sexy contemporary romance retelling of the Cinderella story for fans of Lauren Layne. This book is a little sexier than my other "chick lit" titles, such as the Cozy Cottage Café series, but with my same light-hearted, feel-good tone.

Before CE"O": Includes the Complete CE"O" Trilogy


M.T. Stone - 2017
    The first twenty one years of my existence consisted of one single minded obsession, to be an NFL quarterback. It was about to come true when I was blindsided in the most important game of my life. In an instant, the entire world as I knew it crumbled. When my therapist asked about my other talents or interests, the only thing that popped to mind was... women. I've always been good with women, but it's not like you can make a living with that skill set. Well, as it turns out you can make a damn good living in what they refer to as the world's oldest profession. I've definitely got the equipment for it. Maybe I'll give it a try. At this point, I feel as if I have nothing to lose. After all, what can go wrong when you're trying to keep a bunch of spoiled rich girls happy? * Before CE"O" is a 47,000 word prequel to CE"O" and CE"O" Baby. For a limited time this Trilogy edition includes all three stories. If you enjoy steamy stories with a healthy dose of humor and drama, you will enjoy the journey of Rex Hastings.

Family Affairs


Pamela G. Hobbs - 2015
    The chance to take her mind off what still feels so raw, so recent in her screwed-up life. Filling her time with lots of things to do but no thinking time – that had to be good. But then there’s the gentle reminder of those dreaded emails, the feeling of being watched.Never far away, pain is always lurking beneath the surface. A random shooting? Unlikely . . . And it’s only a matter of time before she’ll have to face it, grieve for her losses and deal with the constant fear that follows her. But is she ready to go there? Can she really be responsible for his death? Something prickles her memory, her fears very real . . . Then the penny drops. A shared past.Her stomach jumping like a grasshopper on speed and used to faking it, her past fears come back to haunt her, having witnessed something no child ever should. Their relationship fiery and strained, can she learn to trust Dev? Always relied on to be the one who centres her, he throws her off-centre completely. A complication she really doesn’t need, will the cold light of day become her great leveller? Or will she succumb?As for Dev, photographer at large – pals? Who is he kidding! His affection for Frankie goes much further . . . her voice an arrow to the groin. But will she ever think of him as anything but a “brother”? Or is he doomed to remain just a shoulder to cry on?Murder, sex and intrigue, this book will keep you guessing.

Wild Card


Karina Halle - 2017
    Rough, raw & rugged.As the man in charge at Ravenswood Ranch, Shane Nelson has never been afraid to get his hands dirty. His sculpted physique isn't the product of a gym, but of years of hard labor under a relentless sun. His straightforward, alpha tendencies come from a man who knows what he wants and goes after it.And what he wants is Rachel Waters.He's never stopped wanting her.They were childhood best friends, then teenage lovers who evolved into soulmates. But on one fateful night, Shane made a grave mistake, breaking both their hearts in the process.Now, after six years, Rachel is back in the small, wild mountain town of North Ridge, BC.Ready to face her past.Ready to face Shane.Ready to face his dark secret.But is a second-chance at a one true love in the cards? Or will their wild hearts be broken once again?WILD CARD is a complete standalone novel and the first book about the Nelson brothers of North Ridge.