Book picks similar to
Protecting Esme by Josie Kerr


romantic-suspense
detective
siblings
erotic-romance

SEAL's Harmony (Red Falcon Team, #1)


Lynne St. James - 2021
    Ry soon finds himself smitten by this accident-prone beauty. But issues from his past still linger, and he doesn’t know how far he’s willing to take things.Bank manager Harmony Taylor is used to falling, but not so hard or fast as she has for Ry Purcell. Half the time she wonders if it’s the man or his dog that she’s crazy about. Since she grew up with a controlling father, the sexy SEAL’s alpha tendencies make her wary. But when Ry rescues her from a scary situation at the bank, she sees him in a whole new light.Ry is positive that Harmony is in more danger than she believes, and it’s escalating. He brings in the members of his Red Falcon team, but will it be too late to save the woman who has stolen his heart?

Watery Grave


Sharon Hamilton - 2021
    Inside, lies the remains of SEAL Team 3 friend and former gym owner, Joseph “Gunny” Hoskins. Their mission was to release his ashes upon the deep blue sea, but their cruise was interrupted by a terrorist takeover of the ship, thwarted by the SEALs on board.But when the ocean returns him to San Diego in Christy’s cosmetic bag, a new adventure is hatched to give Gunny eternal rest.Kyle, Christy and their three children embark on another memorial cruise mission, along with several other SEAL families. In paying tribute to the life of a fellow brother-in-arms, they usher in the dawn of a bright new future for them all. As the past is finally buried amid the dangers of the present, the ocean’s giant wheel—the Circle of Life—lives on.In honoring the irreverent life of one, the bond and commitment of the brothers who remain is strengthened to do battle.SEAL Brotherhood: Legacy Series is about the original couples in Sharon's popular SEAL Brotherhood Series. It furthers the stories of these couples ten years later, after marriages, children and separations. These are stand alone books, but readers who are unfamiliar with the series would enjoy reading the background stories first.Recommended reading order: Accidental SEAL, Cruisin' For A SEAL, Watery Grave.

Kace


Barb Han - 2018
    Hours before his flight, he learns the woman he had a fling with a few months ago—and can’t get out of his thoughts—is missing.The small town of Blushing has a dark and dangerous secret. One that tried to kill Bree Burke and will come for her again. Kace puts his out-of-state move temporarily on hold to ensure Bree’s safety while law enforcement searches for the killer dubbed, Gingerbread Man.When Kace learns the baby Bree is carrying very much belongs to him, he’ll put everything on the line to save mother and child.

Mae Day


Anne Conley - 2017
    The hot custodian isn’t anything to sneeze at, either. But when home-grown terrorists try to blow up her company, the quiet hottie’s lightning-fast reflexes take over, showing her a side of him she’s never seen. Jason is a Marine trying to fit into his new civilian role. He doesn’t want to be anything more than a productive member of society, and maybe a little more to the woman who stays late every night. When he saves her, they realize there’s so much more to what they want than either of them realized. When her life is endangered by a man who shouldn’t even be in their lives, Delta forces are called in to help. Jason has to find a way to get through this so she can be his forever.

Charlotte


Angela Rush - 2019
    She meets a group of Marines at the airport prior to leaving. She hasn’t even considered dating since the death of her husband, but when she meets the tall, dark, and handsome Marine, she begins to reconsider her celibacy, however she won’t ever see him again, right? She doesn’t even know his name.
 Jordan “Hawk” Jackson is a 46-year-old Marine Special Ops soldier and leader of his team. He has been burned badly in his first marriage being left to raise his son on his own 16 years ago. He had felt something was missing in his life but couldn’t put his finger on it until he met a beautiful stranger in an airport café while traveling for a new mission. He suddenly wanted to have this woman, but he didn’t even know her name. He wouldn’t ever see her again anyway, right?
 Destiny had other plans. While raiding a suspected compound of an evil drug lord in the Columbian jungle, Hawk finds Charlotte beaten and bound lying on a jungle path, thrown out like trash. His protective instincts kick in and he is determined to keep her safe no matter the cost.
 Can Hawk protect her from the forces that would keep them apart and drag her back into Hell? Only time will tell if Destiny will let them find the happily ever after they long for.

Defending Sophie


Desiree Holt - 2021
    They were fighting men, trained to protect, guard, extract and rescue. Sitting around being bitter about it only made things worse but what the hell was out there for them? An invitation to join the Colorado division of Brotherhood Protectors gave them an unexpected opportunity to show the world what they could continue to do.For Bodie Jackson, leader of Team Trojan, who only knew a life of service in the military, the invitation was a lifeline. As he listened to the founder of Brotherhood Protectors, former SEAL Hank Patterson, he realized the military may have done him a favor. He now had a place where he could still use his knowledge and skills to serve others and keep his team intact. The one thing he didn’t have, and at the moment wasn’t worried about, was a woman in his life. Then a photographer with deep blue eyes and honey brown hair blew into his life.Sophie Hart came to Fool’s Gold, Colorado, hoping to distance herself from a bad relationship that had turned into a nightmare that almost destroyed her. Accepting her close friend’s invitation to do the photography for her wedding was exactly the change she needed. Lots of girl time and lots of fun. That is until she photographed a killing in a ghost town. And met Bodie. All her good intentions to avoid men flew out the window when the tall, hunky, sexy guy became her defender, along with Team Trojan.Try as they might, they couldn’t fight the blaze of attraction consuming them. But first they had to find the killers who were searching for Sophie.

Shielding Jolene


Jen Talty - 2021
    Now all she has to do is hit number one with the next one and she has just the story to do it with: The Alleyway Strangler. And the woman who brought him down is willing to give her a once-in-a-lifetime interview. Jolene boards a plane heading for Texas where she meets a well-meaning emergency room doctor who happens to be her biggest fan. Except, this isn’t any ordinary fan. He’s connected to her past. And now history might repeat itself.While forced into a little mini vacation, Michael “Cannon” Santoro is asked by a fellow Delta Force soldier to pick up Jolene up at the airport and keep an eye on her while she interviews his wife. Cannon doesn’t hesitate. Jolene is like no one he’s ever met, and he finds himself in uncharted waters. Only, he’s about to uncover a sinister plan that will bring both their pasts on a collision course with the future, and it isn’t bright.

Fake Boyfriend


Miley Maine - 2020
    She showed up in my life when I wanted time off.And it ended up being the biggest roller coaster ride. I met Loren at the airport.Sat right next to her on the plane while barely being able to keep my hands to myself. She’s irresistible. She’s also inexperienced. Maybe that’s why I’m attracted to her. Loren is innocent, and I’m a ruthless Army Ranger. But there’s something about her that makes me want to stay.That makes me want to play the perfect fake boyfriend for her. To protect her when she’s in trouble. I’ll give her my everything. And I bet she’ll forget that our relationship is fake. But will I be the one to remind her that it is?

FRANK: REAPER-Patriots: Book Twenty-Three


Mary Kennedy - 2022
    

Ranger Loyalty


Layla Chase - 2018
    Remembering the intense man who prepared to help during the robbery often calms her fears. Previously outgoing, she became reclusive and fearful of being in the company of strangers. After a month of therapy sessions, she still has panic attacks over the painful incident. On her therapist’s recommendation, she investigates getting a therapy dog and is thrilled at the identity of the dog trainer. To keep others safe during the same bank robbery, experienced dog handler Tag Redmond laid low--a difficult task for an ex-Army Ranger. A month later, he struggles with how he failed to stop the pretty blonde from being abducted. Running into her following a line-up of possible suspects gives him the chance to introduce himself, only to discover someone is following Malin. This time, Tag vows he’ll be there to help and convinces Hank Patterson that Malin should be his first assignment for Brotherhood Protectors. Learning how to handle her new therapy dog means Malin spends days near this mountain of a man with a soft heart for canines. Just when she’s emerging from her shell, she discovers her cabin has been broken into, throwing her life into chaos. Determined not to let Malin pull away, Tag enlists her help on a rescue mission of his own. In close proximity on a road trip, they give in to their fierce attraction. When the remaining suspects attempt to silence Malin for good, will Tag thwart the abduction and save the woman who has stolen his heart?

Protecting Secrets


M.J. Nightingale - 2017
    Things they preferred to keep in the past. Things that bring painful memories and nightmares. But the past won't stay there. It never does. Having been through hell and back, all survivors, they come together in Riverton to open a new rape crisis center. But little do they know that the grand opening will bring danger to their door. The past will come hurtling back with a vengeance. With their women in horrible trouble, will Victor, Patrick, and Hunter be able to save them? Or this time, will they be able to save themselves before it's too late? Only one thing is for certain . . . danger lurks when you try to protect your secrets.

Tru: Guardian Group Security Team Book 1


Bree Livingston - 2021
    The truth could tear them apart.Desperate to prove herself, Kayleigh Kingston will do anything to keep her job at Beacon Art Gallery. When her boss gives her an ultimatum—retrieve an artifact and escort it back to New York safely, she’s determined to do whatever it takes to succeed.Thaddeus Tru hates lies, but his love of justice outweighs it. His newest assignment? Get cozy with a woman who’s smuggling relics and willing to murder if it means keeping her freedom. Sounds cut and dry—until he meets her.The lie becomes a tangled web when feelings begin to pull Tru and Kayleigh closer together. Once the truth is out, will the deception wither all hope for love, or will it be strong enough to build a future together?

Fight For Us


Jolie Vines - 2019
    She needs to save them both. Sharpshooter Kit never planned on joining the military, but her mom’s expensive medical care leaves her no choice but to sign up. Not that it matters. Her dream of a future with her childhood sweetheart is long over, and she’s on her own.Until years later when she receives orders to save his life.Green Beret Nate has Kit’s name tattooed across his skin and his soul. When he sees her face in a God-forsaken hellhole, he knows she’s walking into a trap, but damn if he can let her. Even if rescuing her destroys his best chance to avenge his murdered father.When Nate is sent back to the US before he can carry out his self-ordered mission, Kit has no illusions. He isn’t planning on staying. Helping him return becomes her priority, though it means risking her career and her heart. But love burns brighter than vengeance, and saying goodbye for good will be far harder this time around. --Fight For Us is a standalone steamy second-chance romantic suspense featuring one trigger-happy heroine and a warrior hero. The story centers on a childhood romance, intrigue, and betrayal, but naturally, it ends with a HEA.Buy this military romance now!

Hot SEAL, Single Malt


Kris Michaels - 2018
    He meant to surprise Pops with the news he’d retired and was home to stay. It didn’t exactly work to plan. Pops had hired a tiny fireball by the name of A.J. Erickson. Before she’d even learned his name, A.J. managed to sic the local police on him, drown him in dirty mop water and crush his privates, and to his chagrin, she wasn’t going anywhere. Pops had sold her twenty percent of his bar. After she healed enough to leave the east Texas hospital and testify against her ex-boyfriend, A.J. packed up and drove west. Answering Silas Kincade’s help wanted ad seemed an answer to a prayer. The old gentleman needed her skills and it didn’t hurt they got along like a house-a-fire. She settled in and made Half Moon Bay and the Walrus her home. After the physical abuse she’d suffered in Texas, she’d honed her ninja skills and though tiny, she stood her ground and defended the Walrus from a trespassing, six-foot-four, muscle-bound, hulk. When Silas introduced the hunched over male, the one cradling his balls, as his son, Gunner, she about died from mortification. Things went downhill from there. What’s an ex-SEAL to do when a diminutive fireball worms her way past all the bruises she’s inflicted and into his unwilling heart?

SEAL Obsessed (A Navy SEAL Romance) (SEAL Alliance #2)


Ivy Jordan - 2018
    When he got word of his father’s passing, he dreaded making the trip from his now home in Miami, Florida, to the island of Molokai, Hawaii. What others would view as a paradise, Elijah viewed as a personal hell, surrounded only by bad memories.When Elijah arrived on the island, much of the place hadn’t changed, with the exception of Taylor Madden. His fallen brother from the SEALS, and childhood best friend’s younger sister had blossomed into a beautiful young woman, one that Elijah immediately sought after to make his time on the island more tolerable.Taylor Grant had the perfect family, a loving father, a protective older brother that she looked up to, but suddenly she found herself pulled from her busy life in New York, and dropped back on the small island in Hawaii where she grew up, in the same house, but without either of the men in her life.The struggle to overcome the guilt of her father’s passing, and the desire to learn details about how her brother had fallen while serving their country overwhelmed her with grief. When a familiar face, Elijah Grant appeared on the island, she thought he could give her the answers she was looking for, but he ended up giving her much more than she ever expected.SEAL Obsessed is an 70,000 word Navy SEAL romance with a HEA and no cheating.