Book picks similar to
Tainted Desire by Wendi Hulsey


contemporary-romance
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romance
cliffhanger

The French Detective's Woman


Nina Bruhns - 2012
    Jean-Marc's by-the-book superiors are convinced his unorthodox methods make him a loose cannon...but he refuses to let the slippery master-of disguise get the better of him. So he starts hunting the man on his own time. "Lovers by Night..." Little does Jean-Marc realize that the ghostlike man is really a woman-Ciara Alexander, a stunningly seductive American art student whose accidental but sizzling stumble-upon at a nightclub leaves him breathless and hungry for more. That very night, their dangerous game of cat and mouse deepens...determined enemies chasing across Europe by day, intimate strangers by mask of night. That is, until the awful moment when Jean-Marc realizes the truth about Ciara, and must make the terrible choice between honor and duty...and the notorious woman he has unwittingly come to love.Former titles: The Paris Caper; The French Detective's Woman

Undeniable Attraction


J.B. Heller - 2015
    She’s also in love with her boss, Gabe. When Ivy started working for him at his private investigation firm three years ago she was instantly drawn to him.He’s everything she’s not and everything she wants— rough, gritty, sexy and impulsive.Ivy decides to make some changes in order to gain Gabe's attention, but in doing so, she inadvertently draws the eye of an unwanted admirer.Gabe is forced to take her and her rambunctious cousin, Tessa, into his home for their protection. But with Ivy in such close quarters Gabe’s resolve to stay away from the once shy beauty begins to dissolve at a rapid pace.

Dirty Angels


Karina Halle - 2014
    Please see the bottom of this description to see if this is the kind of book that you'll love or piss you off**For Luisa Chavez, a twenty-three year old former beauty queen, a better life has always been just out of her reach. Sure, she’s had men at her feet since she was a young teenager but she’s never had the one thing she’s craved – security. Having grown up in near poverty, her waitressing job in Cabo San Lucas can barely let her take care of herself, let alone her ailing parents. Every day is another unwanted advance, every day is a struggle to survive.When Salvador Reyes, the depraved leader of a major Mexican cartel, takes an interest in her, Luisa is presented with an opportunity she can’t afford to pass up. She’ll become Salvador’s wife and exchange her freedom and body for a life of riches – riches she can bestow upon her deserving parents. But Luisa quickly finds out that even the finest wines and jewels can’t undo the ugliness in her marriage, nor the never-ending violence that threatens her every move.Soon, Luisa is looking for an escape, a way out of the carefully controlled life she’s leading. She finally gets her wish in the worst way possible.As it is, being the wife of Salvador makes her an ideal target for rival cartels and there’s one particular man who needs Luisa as part of his cartel’s expansion. One particular man whose quest for power has destroyed lives, slit throats and gotten him out of an American prison. One particular man who will stop at nothing until he gets what he wants.That man is Javier Bernal. And he wants Luisa. He wants to take her, keep her, ruin her.Unless she ruins him first.***WARNING*** This book deals with drug cartels and as such it contains a lot of sex and violence and some violent sex. It can get pretty ugly, pretty dark and pretty crazy. There is drug use, abuse, a bit of torture and dubious consent. The hero is not a hero and the villains...well, they're even worse. If this sort of thing bothers you, PLEASE DO NOT READ IT. This ain't no cupcake farting unicorn kind of book. If you are even a bit squeamish about violence, brutality and rape, this is your warning to stay away from a book that you certainly will not like (and why read books that you know you won't like?)******While this is a spin-off of The Artists Trilogy, prior knowledge of the books is not needed. DIRTY ANGELS is the first in a trilogy, however each book can standalone and follows or introduces different characters***

Melting Steel


C.M. Seabrook - 2017
    Stuck up. Arrogant. The kind of guy who hasn't had to work for a damn thing his entire life. Even his name, Henry Caldwell III, reeks of privilege.And me? Well, let's just say I come with more baggage than a 747 and enough bullsh*t to fuel it.The problem is I want him. Crave him. It's the kind of pure, all-consuming, panty-soaking lust that can make a girl forget why she swore off men to begin with.He thinks I need saving. But this isn't a Cinderella story, and he's no Prince Charming. At least not mine. I learned long ago that trusting any man with my heart isn't just dangerous - it can be deadly.HENRYEmotionally crippled, smart-mouthed, and sexy as sin, the woman is nothing I need and everything I want.Despite her hard edges, tattoos, and reckless spirit, I know she craves more. More from life, more from love, more from me.She thinks I'm just a trust fund brat and maybe she's right. But I've got secrets of my own. I know what darkness is. I've lived it - faced the pit of hell and barely survived.The question is, am I strong enough to face it again? Because if I'm ever going to break through the steel wall she's placed around her heart, it'll mean facing demons we both thought were long dead and buried.

Beautifully Broken Pieces


Catherine Cowles - 2019
    Taylor is looking for peace and quiet away from the memories of all she’s lost. A small mountain town where no one knows her seems like the perfect escape.A man battling the ghosts of his past. Walker loves his life just the way it is. His town, his family, his brothers in blue. Everything simple and easy—until a chance encounter changes it all. When Taylor’s solitude is interrupted by the rugged cop, they find that the very thing they were avoiding might be just what they both need. As their iron wills clash and passion flares…a killer lurks. And you never know who might be caught in the crosshairs.

Knotted


Pam Godwin - 2018
    It’s impossible. Growing up together, Conor and I shared all our firsts. First love, first kiss, first… Not all our firsts. We were sixteen the night she was violently assaulted while I helplessly watched. I’ll never forget the sounds of her suffering. Or my inconsolable agony when she left Oklahoma. Years later, she returns to honor our teenage pact. Except the boy she loved is gone, replaced by a ruthless cattle rancher knotted with secrets. She doesn’t know my dark cravings or the trails of sin that lead to her. I don’t deserve her, but one truth remains. She’s mine. TRAILS OF SIN series (HEAs with no cliffhangers - must be read in order): Knotted #1 Buckled #2 Booted #3

Hidden


Lexie Ray - 2014
     At twenty-five and living on the mean streets of Brooklyn, I’ve gotten wise on how to score anything from pills to cash to men. It’s called surviving, and I've learned how to make the rules up as I go. But, deep down, I know it’s only been a means to forget my disturbing past. I would do anything to forget… But when I return home one night and discover that song playing on the stereo, the song they used to play to torment me, I know they've finally found me, they've come for me, they’re already here. If they capture me this time, there will be no chance of escape. I am not about to let that happen. My new neighbor from down the hall, Ash has been watching me and I know he likes what he sees. He’s caught my attention as well. But there’s something about his smoldering good looks and brooding gaze I don’t trust. Then again, I don’t trust anyone. Will he complicate my plan to protect myself? NOTE: This is a three part story and, due to the nature of its content, is not suitable for very young readers.

Halfway Hidden


Carrie Elks - 2013
    Spending her time as a bartender in an isolated West Virginia town, she hides behind dark hair and an assumed name. She exists from day to day, trying not to let her past overwhelm her.When a tall stranger walks into the bar at closing time, her attempts at hiding turn to dust. Muscled and intense, he is attractive enough for Rachel to ignore her instincts and listen to her baser desires. As a storm brews in the skies of West Virginia, confusion builds in Rachel’s mind. What begins as flirtation explodes into a darker, more primal passion, leading her to question everything she thought she knew. While snow blankets the outside world, they are forced to remain inside, confronting their demons and the sizzling attraction between them. Submitting to their urges is easy; learning who to trust is anything but.This 30,000 word novella contains references to past abuse and rough, consensual sex.

Ashes Book 1


Leslie Johnson - 2015
    He's the fire. Both are independent, hot headed, and strong. Neither want a relationship or to be tied down in any way. But outside forces have other ideas.When Beth is confronted by an old demon, she can't imagine the danger she's in. She's too stubborn to ask for help, but will she have a choice? How do they fight an evil that can't be seen or understood?Don't miss the first book in the Stoking the Embers steamy spin-off series, Ashes. If you loved Beth and Gage in Stoking the Embers, see what happens next in Ashes, a romantic suspense series.

Always Mine


Ruth Cardello - 2015
    From the moment Emily walks into his office and challenges him, winning takes on a whole new meaning. The only thing standing between Emily Harris and her goal to open a museum for the blind is an arrogant, sexy as hell billionaire, who thinks sleeping with her will not complicate the situation. He won’t change. She won’t back down. But together they sizzle. **This is book one of a spin off series from The Legacy Collection and The Andrades. You fell in love with Dominic Corisi and Gio Andrade—come meet the rest of the family. All new couples with cameos from many of your favorite characters. Love reading books set in the same world? Watch for Jeannette Winter's release, One White Lie. Her series will mirror my time line. It won’t be necessary to read hers to enjoy mine, but it sure will enhance the fun.

Pierced


Sydney Landon - 2014
    I’m twenty-nine, rich and single. Impressive right? I’m also a favorite target for every hungry socialite looking to land the uncatchable catch. Maybe it sounds vain, but the fact that I’m a God between the sheets doesn’t hurt my stock any. What these women don’t know though is that I’m completely screwed up and damaged beyond repair by my past. The only part of me I’ll ever willingly give them is the hour it takes to make them scream…several times. Then I saw her…I’m Lia Adams and I’m in my last year at St. Claire’s University in North Carolina. I grew up with an abusive mother, and a twisted stepfather who was worse…so much worse. I’m so close to escaping from my past and making my dreams come true. I’ll do anything necessary to survive, even work as an escort to help pay for my college expenses. The men that I accompany to various events as an escort for Date Night are mostly harmless and just want an attractive woman on their arm for an evening. It has never gone further than that…until him…Circumstances bring two people that should have never crossed paths together and in the days and weeks ahead, they grow close quickly, each seeing a kindred soul in the other. As ghosts from their past rise to haunt them, they cling to each other as their lives start to spiral out of control. Soon, they realize that they’re both damaged possibly beyond repair. Will their love be what saves or destroys them?This book is meant for mature readers who are 18+. It contains explicit language, and graphic sexual content.**Book 1 of the Lucian & Lia Trilogy.**Words: 73,770

Cherry Grove (Redemption Hwy 1) ( The Woods Family Book 1)


Leaona Luxx - 2019
    He reeks of old money and is sexy as sin. He saunters into my life and pulls me like the undertow. I'm not looking for love. I'm really not looking for sex either but One has a way of making me think otherwise. I came here to start over and it seems easy until it's not. Fate always has a way of creeping in, making us choose what's worth fighting for. Lea Lloyd - the sassy newbie in town who just booked me to renovate her new place. She's hotter than hell and tough as nails. And isn't interested in anything I have to offer. She's guarded and has every reason to be, making me want so much more. Until, my past comes back to haunt me and nearly takes us under. Thinking I've found the whole truth, I soon find out, it's anything but. Will we survive the current or will the undertow hold us down? This is not your everyday love story but then again, what love is?

Seek


Clarissa Wild - 2014
    Not all secrets will be spilled yet in this prequel. Don't let this stop you from reading, though, because this series will be one heck of a ride. So open your mind and let me take you on a journey of delirious passion, unbendable trust, frightening illusions, dangerous secrets, shocking revelations, and disturbingly dark mind games. * When illusions come to life, how do you tell what’s real?My life ended when I came back from vacation. Death was at my doorstep. Everything ceased to exist. To protect myself, I pushed the memories away.All I remember is him: Sebastian Brand, my savior.I trust only him.I am obsessed with him.But all I know about him is his name.Stuck in this mental institution, I try not to think about the terrible memories that lurk deep inside me. Sebastian is the only one who can help me forget. I don’t care that they say he doesn't exist, I need Sebastian and I will find him, no matter the cost.This is a prequel to the Delirious Series, which consists of 3 Volumes and this prequel. These books should be read in order.WARNING: This series contains very disturbing situations, strong language, drugs and alcohol, and graphic violence.

Invincible


Alana Albertson - 2014
    Sure, the media tries to brand every Navy SEAL as some kind of Batman dressed in cammies. There’s even a line in one of our cadences: Superman is the man of steel, he ain’t no match for Navy SEAL. You’ve seen the movies—we’re infallible, invaluable, invincible. But that night, the one you read about in the papers … all I really wanted to do was get laid. One harmless fuck with an Aruban whore, no strings attached. I picked her out of a lineup—wild, dark hair, long legs and a crooked smile. After she sucked me off, I relaxed back onto the creaky, cum-stained cot, thankful for the blissful moments she gave me when I actually forgot for a second the faces of my buddies who died because I made the wrong call, the tears of the children I couldn’t save, and the eyes of the enemies I slaughtered during their last seconds of life. But before I left, her hazel eyes peered into my soul. She whispered in a distinct Californian accent, “My name is Annie Hamilton. I’m an American citizen. I was kidnapped on spring break five years ago. You’re my last hope. Please save me.” One desperate plea. This wasn’t a Hollywood blockbuster or a New York Times best-selling thriller. I knew this time there was no room for excuses, no margin for errors. I had one chance to put on the cape and be her hero.

It's Kinda My Thing


K.S. Thomas - 2014
    You know the kind, sugar and spice and everything nice? That was Rumor. Until the day she met Brody Holmes…. One unhappily ever after later, and Rumor is living in Sin City with a music career at death’s door and all that was sweet and nice thrown out the window. Rumor spends her days delivering singing telegrams and spends her nights enjoying all the party city has to offer, usually in the company of her roommate and best friend, Shaun Penny. Once upon a time Brody Holmes was a bad, bad boy, collecting the hearts of girls left and right. When he encountered the rarest edition of all, she slipped straight through his fingers. One near happily ever after later, Brody is standing at the altar with his bride, about to cash out his collection of hearts in exchange for just one, when a familiar voice begins to sing from somewhere in the crowd…. ** CONTENT WARNING - ADULT LANGUAGE **