Book picks similar to
Pillar's Fall by Ben Larken


horror
contemporary
first-reads
mystery-thriller

Thirteen Degrees: 13 Scary Stories and Tales of Horror


Brenden Dean - 2015
    Bring a blanket, huddle around the fire, and try to keep warm as you encounter psychotic abductors, deadly spirits and demons of the woods. When They Come Alone - One man's Halloween ritual is far more vicious than it seems. His playful prank is a mask for something more. A Monster in his Closet - A boy is troubled by something in his closet. But, as we will soon see, there is no monster in his closet. Eat Your Heart Out - A quarreling lesbian couple's camping trip goes awry. They may not survive the night when something intrudes in the night. Meet Me at the Looking Tree - A tragic tale of two boys, a towering tree, and a new pair of binoculars. When one of them goes missing, the other's life will never be the same. The Deer Cam - An avid hunter's first hunt of the season turns horrific when noises send him running home. The terror is not over when noises accompany his sleep. What Mustn't be Seen - One night, a boy hears his next door neighbor's home being invaded. But what he witnesses is much worse than a couple of thieves. He Who Waits - Ever since childhood, a girl is constantly watched by a suited man just outside her home. Nobody else can see him. Later in life, a tragedy shows the man's dreadful intentions. The Orb - A metallic, glowing sphere lands in a small town, and those who come close to it are flooded with euphoric visions. Those who touch it disappear in a flash. But unknown horrors await them on the other side. The Way of the World - A wealthy man invites a beggar over for dinner, but the menu may not be to his liking. You Should've Opened the Door - A lonely woman hears news of an escaped killer. That night, the strange knocking begins. Forgetful - A man awaits much needed sleep. But he soon realizes he has forgotten a few routine things. One of which may cost him his life. Sensations - A little girl enjoys spending the night at her grandparents, save for the fact that something visits her at night. Soon, she will learn the horrid truth of the sensations she feels at night. A Stranger's Approach - A distraught woman is having enough trouble affording life when a stranger begins to follow her. Quickly, the stalking becomes too much, and a fateful climax ensues. What people are saying about Brenden Dean's works - “Beautifully written. Absolutely amazing.” –David B. “Holy s***. That was amazing.” -Jacob S. “Now that’s how you write a f****** twist.” -Stefan T. “There’s a lot of good stories out there, but [When They Come Alone] is great.” -Fredrick H. “. . . It's very well written and personable. High praise.” -R. Bowers “F****** amazing. I love it.” -Paula M. “Oh, this is the first thing I’ve read on /r/NoSleep that actually freaked me out. Good job. Good f****** job.” -Cassie A. “Wow. Holy s***. . . The ending really got me.” -Bradley S. "This is probably the saddest story I’ve ever read on /r/NoSleep. God damn, made me cry even.

The Bequest


B.E. Baker - 2021
    After their husbands both pass away within a year of one another, they have no reason to interact. Their connection drops to an awkward phone call on birthdays and an exchange of holiday cards.Until an eccentric uncle of their husbands' leaves a massive cattle ranch to the women's minor children. . . if they work the ranch themselves. A ranch that's located near a small town on the Wasatch front that isn’t too keen on outsiders.They're both going to turn the bequest down, clearly. It’s not like either of them could properly raise their kids or find love again in a backwater province like Birch Creek. But when things at home change dramatically—for both moms—they decide to give it a try. . . just for the summer.What could possibly go wrong in a mere three months? (Or more importantly... what might go right?)Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author Pamela Kelley said, "B. E. Baker takes you right to the heart of the small town that two widowed sisters-in-law land in very unexpectedly. Can they survive the year they need to spend there to keep it? I really enjoyed reading Bridget's romantic women's fiction debut."

Men Like Air


Tom Connolly - 2016
    Nineteen-year-old Finn has just arrived in the city with his irrepressible and volatile girlfriend, Dilly, determined to even the score with his older brother Jack for abandoning him in the UK in the aftermath of their parents’ deaths. Across town, successful gallery owner Leo Emerson is haunted by loneliness, unsettled by the contrast between his life and that of his brother-in-law and oldest friend Isidor, who is enviably contented in his faith and his marriage. When Finn wanders into Leo’s gallery, a series of unexpected and interconnected events unfold, changing the lives of all four men, for better or worse. Leo and Isidor’s settled existences are overturned by events outside of their control, while Jack and Finn’s complex relationship reaches its long overdue showdown. Beautifully orchestrated and richly comic, Men Like Air explores the romance and solitude of cosmopolitan life, the transformative power of art, and the impact we have on one another’s lives—and what happens when the ties that bind us are tested or broken. It is an intense and uplifting story of growth and renewal, mapping the complex workings of the human heart across the streets of New York City.

Small Town Alpha Heat


Amber Adams - 2020
    Pour yourself a glass of wine and settle in to be romanced by these 10 hot alpha men. As they work to win the hearts of their strong and curvy women be prepared for:Ups and downSurprisesChallengeSexy heatMisunderstandingsAdventureChemistryConnectionMistakesTrust gainedTrust lostLove wonUnforgettable nights of passion and...10 HAPPILY-EVER-AFTERS!++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Heroes of Hope CountyOnce you take that first step across the county line into Hope, you'll find things are about to heat up!At first glance, Hope County appears a simple, sleepy place, but once you venture inside, you'll be welcomed into a place of thriving, hot excitement and luscious, heart-stopping drama with the perfect places for love and happily ever afters. A mansion with suspense and seduction; a dance club with all the right moves and curves; a record shop that will send you spinning. Drive around and see for yourself if fiery passion is enough to turn into instant love.Take a trip with our steamy, alpha-male cast in this five part, stand-alone romance series as Myles, Graham, Miguel, Josh and Andre fall hard in love for their curvy counterparts. They'll stop at nothing to win their hearts and make their own happy endings.++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Swanford Coast SeriesGet your romantic fantasies revving with Jake, Robert, Lincoln, Ben and Kai!They’re heating it up on the shores of the small town of Swanford Coast!But, just because they turn all the female heads in town, doesn’t mean that love comes easy for these yummy alpha men.Grab your beach chair and pull up some sand & discover...♥ Will Jake be able to live down his false reputation and win Amanda's heart?♥ Robert finally broke through to Victoria but has he dropped the ball and lost her now for good?♥ Lincoln is able to be private about his colored past but Jenny's not so lucky. Can he and Jenny ride the tumultuous waves of her's and not have the town shame her into running away?♥ Ben, the ex-military alpha... turned baker. Will the secret he's hiding cause Wendy to lose respect for him and leave him broken-hearted?♥ Kai doesn't like the beach so why the hell is he in Swanford Coast? He even wonders himself, until he meets Alanna. What she does is about to changes everything.These 5 hot, steamy, insta-love stories will leave you, not only dreaming of your own seaside romance, but also believing in true love and happily ever afters.Love really CAN change everything.(And it certainly doesn't hurt when your hero is a drop dead alpha stud of sizzling hotness.OMG!)

Murder On The Caledonian Queen (A Helen & Martha Murder Mystery #5)


Sigrid Vansandt - 2020
    

Smörgåsbord of Musings


Rathnakumar Raghunath - 2020
    People living happy lives, some not-so-happy lives, people in love, hopeless romantics, people dealing with heartbreak, the ones who believe life is better with a bit of whimsy, this book, hopefully, has a little something that resonates with everybody, lets the reader find the silver lining when needed and discover the joie de vivre even when times are hard.

Penny Green Volume 3, #7-9


Emily Organ - 2020
    But she’s not seen it all yet, each investigation brings its own surprises. Penny is also close to the resolution of a personal mystery: the disappearance of her father. And as marriage beckons, Penny’s life is changing. Could solving a riddle be her very last case?Read The Penny Green Series: Books 7-9 today to continue this entertaining Victorian mystery series.

Everywhere She's Not


N. John Shore Jr. - 2019
    I highly recommend you read this book; you will thank me later. — Jon Mayes, Advance Reading Copy David is a brilliant young man living alone in an old seaside motel in San Francisco in 1979. He has just destroyed the life that he and his live-in girlfriend Kate spent two years building together.He has no idea why he did the terrible thing he did. All he knows is that he’s appalled he did it, and desperately wants Kate back.Fat chance. Kate, who loves David, is many things. Stupid isn't one of them.

The Missing Mariner: A Sherlock Holmes and Lucy James Mystery


Anna Elliott - 2021
    

STIFF (Ten Book Box Set)


Olivia Chase - 2017
    That’s how he wants me… It was supposed to be a one-night stand. One night with some guy I picked up at a bar. Totally unlike me, but a girl’s got to have some fun, right? He was hot as hell, all broad shoulders and brooding stares. He whispered dirty words when he took me back to his house and made me his. I thought I’d never see him again, so I told him some lie about how I was an office manager instead of a college student. And then I got to class the next day and found out he’s my professor.  My professor was the hot guy who’d given me the best orgasm of my life. I try to pretend nothing happened, even though I’m dying inside. But then he tells me to come to his office.  He tells me to bend over his desk, because that’s how he likes it… If anyone finds out, he’ll lose his job. And I’ll lose my reputation.  But before that happens, he’s determined to teach me everything I need to know. About pleasing him. Submitting to him. Letting him take what’s his… Even if it ends up costing us everything. Rough Hand by Olivia Chase A standalone romance with a guaranteed HEA from bestselling author Olivia Chase... LEVI I’m no good for her. And she’s probably no good for me, either.  But hell if I don’t find myself wanting her right now. My c*ck is slamming against my zipper at the thought of thrusting my tongue in her mouth, swallowing her moans… She’s so pure that I can almost see the glow of white around her. I’m too wicked, too dirty to touch her.  But there’s something about the way I can feel her emotions pouring from her, like she’s a broken dam spilling over, that makes my chest tight.  I can’t let her break me apart, not when I’ve worked so hard, so long, to keep myself glued together. To be strong and impenetrable.  No, I’ll just keep my distance. Surely that won’t be a problem. Even if she does live right across the street from my shop.  ALEXA I’ve never had this feeling before, this burning need to be around someone as much as I can. When we touch, I want to keep on touching.  When he’s inside me, our limbs tangled together, our sweat-slicked bodies connected in the most intimate way possible, I feel like I’ve found my other half. He’s so scared to open up to anyone. So scared to dig into the things that hurt him in his past. I just want to help him be happy. If only he’d drop all his walls and talk to me, he could let it go and move on. Will I ever be happy with Levi? Right or wrong, I need more.  Jackson by Paige North Meet the Croft brothers. Filthy rich, devastatingly handsome, and sexy as all hell… JACKSON I don’t do slow and easy.  I do fast and hard. I don’t do dates. I do … arrangements.

The Beginning


Ed Nelson - 2019
    Starting in the summer before his freshman year it follows him through high school and beyond. He finds wealth as an inventor and fame in Hollywood as he searches for a girlfriend. Wealth and fame prove easier than girls. The first book titled, ‘The Beginning’ sees the handsome young Rick on a cross country trip, hitchhiking from a small Ohio town to California. Along the way there is a bank robbery, bull riding in the rodeo, a movie with John Wayne and rustlers among other events. After the summer his first year in High School starts. From the excitement of summer to the dullness of school Rick is followed as he proves that school need not be dull. For the young this is a coming of age adventure, for those who lived it a trip down memory lane, and for those with a search engine Easters Eggs galore. This tongue in cheek saga is all true, give or take a lie or two.

Lovers Lane: 10 Christmas Romances


Sandra Edwards - 2017
    This boxed set includes nine ALL-NEW tales from New York Times Bestselling Author Sandra Edwards, USAT Bestselling Author Regina Duke, and featuring Bestselling Author Colleen Ladd.About Our Books:CHRISTMAS PAST by Sandra EdwardsThe holidays are turned upside down at the posh resort Serenity Pines when Liz Stephens receives a letter--more than forty years late in this newest installment in the Joseph's Point Romance series.CHRISTMAS PRESENT by Sandra EdwardsThe holiday chaos continues at Serenity Pines after Lily decides to stay in Seattle over the winter break from college, and inadvertently learns the secret her grandmother is hiding.CHRISTMAS FUTURE by Sandra EdwardsAs the holidays come to a close, the dust settles while the ladies of Serenity Pines receive a special gift--and just in time for Christmas. Join NYT & USAT Bestselling Author Sandra Edwards as she revisits Joseph's Point in this trilogy about love, loss, and second chances.THE CHRISTMAS APP by Regina DukeCan a Christmas app help Camryn Talbott step out of her sister's shadow and find what her heart really yearns for--true love!THE CHRISTMAS BEAU by Regina DukeWhen Holly falls for Tanner at the Christmas Circuit, he's surrounded by glamorous females, leaving Holly to wonder if she can compete. Will she end up with her Christmas Beau?THE CHRISTMAS SWEETS by Regina DukeTatum Price allows herself to splurge during the holidays, but Braydon Farmer's prize-winning sweets contain more than chocolate...and maybe more than Tatum bargained for. Is the secret ingredient true love?THE CHRISTMAS LIGHT by Regina DukeHanna Gordon's life is a mess and there is no room in her heart for Christmas spirit. Then she meets Trevor Gatlin and things are looking up, until her hopes are dashed. Can a Christmas tree heal her heart? Find out in this lovely offering by USA Today Bestselling Author Regina Duke.THE CHRISTMAS CARNIVAL by Colleen LaddPullman Siding's annual carnival turns truly magical when Carey Langley meets skijorer Hunter Cameron. But Pullman is Carey's home, while Hunter's always chasing the next race. It'll take a little extra magic to ensure a truly special Christmas.THE CHRISTMAS CHAMPIONJamie Drake is used to taking care of herself. But when her car breaks down in the snow and her new job turns out to be a dud, she finds herself with a champion, whether she wants one or not.CHRISTMAS MAGIC by Sandra EdwardsA down-hearted woman gets a magical candy bar from a sidewalk Santa that transports her into an alternate reality in this enchanting tale from NYT & USAT Bestselling Author Sandra Edwards.

Trust Me


Blake O'Connor - 2016
    Finally heading home to the ranch he inherited, Brendon McMahon has a lot on his mind. He’s tortured because he needs to tell complete stranger, Allison Hartley, that he was the one responsible for her husband’s death. As he is heading home, he saves a starving dog at a lonely rest stop. It’s a pivotal decision that will change not only his life, but others. Allison Hartley has finally made peace with the past, living through her own tragic events. She has built a new life with her son, and she now owns a successful local business. Staying busy fills her time, but not her heart. When she meets Brendon, her fluttering heart tells her he could be the one.As their love intensifies so does the secret that Brendon holds, causing old demons to surface – ones that Brendon thought he had extinguished. Will the secret tear them apart or will they be able to weather the firestorm coming their way? A richly textured story with emotion and unexpected twists, Trust Me is a reminder of how fragile and precious life is, how life is a journey filled with love and despair, and how true love can inspire the hero within all of us – even the four legged kind. OTHER AWARD-WINNING BOOKS BY BLAKE O'CONNOR:Unspoken BondMiracle on Wolf Hollow Lane

Key West Drop


Mike Pettit - 2013
    Key West Drop is a suspense filled rampage of murder, money, greed, betrayal, white slavery, and drugs. Jack Marsh goes toe to toe with the Israeli Mafia to save a shipment of captive women destined for the Mideast slave market. The I.M.’s first mistake was to snatch Jack’s best friend because he knew of their planned shipment, their second mistake was that they threatened to kill his friend if he didn’t back off. Their third mistake was to underestimate an adversary that would stop at nothing to bring the gang down. The action rolls through the Florida Keys, Key West, Miami, and a final fight on the tempest torn waters of the Florida Strait. The climax will leave you stunned.MP