Book picks similar to
A Texas State of Mind by Ann DeFee


romance
contemporary-romance
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contemporary

A Killing Tide


P.J. Alderman - 2006
    But now a man is dead, an arsonist has set the Anna Marie ablaze and her brother is missing, accused of both crimes. How much more can she take?THERE'S FIREMichael Chapman knows how to take the heat-- as the new fire chief of Astoria, Oregon, he's dealt with more than his share. No way can he afford to get involved with the sister of a suspect. But the scorching attraction between him and Kaz burns out of control and when someone takes a shot at her, his protective instincts kick in. Whatever happens, he can't allow another woman to die because of him.

Sapphire Falls Collection (a flirty, dirty small town rom com collection): Books 1-3


Erin Nicholas - 2014
     WARNING: Read only if you like fun, small-town contemporary romances where they talk dirty… and act even dirtier. Book 1: Getting Out of Hand Genius scientist Mason Riley can cure world hunger, impress the media and piss off the Vice President of the United States all before breakfast. But he’s not sure he can get through his high school class reunion. Then he meets the new girl in town. Adrianne Scott loves Sapphire Falls. The sleepy little town has been the perfect place to escape her fast-paced, high stress lifestyle. Her only plans now include opening her candy shop and living a quiet, drama-free life. Until Mason Riley bids four hundred dollars just to dance with her. Mason sure doesn’t look—or kiss—like a genius scientist geek. In fact, he makes Adrianne’s heart pound like nothing she’s ever experienced. Passion like this with a guy who travels the world and parties at the White House should probably be a red flag for a girl who wants a simple boring life. Good thing no one falls in love in a weekend.. Book 2: Getting Worked Up Phoebe Sherwood is in love with the perfect man. Well, except for the fact that he’s in love with someone else. But Phoebe isn’t the type to let a little detail like that keep her from getting what she wants. And as she’s plotting how to get him back, she meets the perfect solution—Joe Spencer. The city boy is in town to retrieve his sort-of fiancé—the woman who stole Phoebe’s man— and when he hears Phoebe’s plan to reclaim their respective soul mates, he’s in. Bright and sparkly. That’s Joe’s first impression of Phoebe. He’s always been attracted to sparkly things—like neon casino signs, sequined evening gowns and Porsches. In fact, his affinity for those things, and the trouble they can cause, are exactly why he’s determined to change his habits and settle down. But if he’s going to win his girl back, he’s going to need to learn a new way of life. Country line dancing, guzzling homemade moonshine and getting rid of his custom-made suits are what it takes to fit into Sapphire Falls… and he’s got some work to do. Thank goodness Phoebe is the perfect coach. And everything will be just fine… as long as they can keep their hands off of each other and remember which hearts they are trying to win over. Book 3: Getting Dirty Travis Bennett is exactly the kind of guy Lauren Davis has been avoiding for the past nine years. Religiously. Stubbornly. Successfully. She knows too well how easy it is to let lust ruin perfectly laid plans. And a small town farmer with no ambitions beyond the borders of his own cornfield is not going to change her mind. She’s got important stuff to do. Her company is literally working to stop world hunger. Her plans are much bigger than Sapphire Falls. No matter how hot those farmers might be. The problem is—Lauren is falling in love. With Sapphire Falls. To kick her sudden desire to buy a welcome mat and start baking pies, she asks Travis to help her get over her crush. She wants him to show her what life in the small town is really like behind all the sweetness and sunshine and remind her that there’s no place for French manicures and Gucci heels on the farm.

Never Is a Very Long Time


Donna McDonald - 2017
    Of course finding one for herself might be nice, but creative bill paying is for college students—not for accomplished doctors in their forties. Satisfied customers keep the electricity on.  But wait, according to all the magazines the forties are the new twenties. Now if only she felt twenty… 

Everything in Dr. Mariah Bates’ life was perfectly fine until the moment she quit her celebrity radio job to start a dating business. Two years, a cheating ex, and a very ugly divorce later, she’s suddenly homeless and living with her mother. Not exactly how she’d envisioned her life working out. Not that her mom isn’t great, but come on. 

With her cop ex-husband doing everything he can to ruin her business, she’s at her wit's end. Throw in another cop who makes her believe in love at first sight—or at least lust—and life is a mess. Interesting, fun and tummy tingling, but a mess. Especially since another cop is the last thing she needs.

Despite a very persistent, want-to-be beau who insists he's protecting her, it’s time for Mariah to take control of the game her ex has been playing. Punt or pass, she’s due for a touchdown.  Everyone deserves the perfect date—even her.

Long Road Home


Mary Jane Morgan - 2015
    Leaving college, she returns home to find her younger sister mute with shock, her mother too depressed to function, and their beloved Thoroughbred horse ranch on the verge of going under. She’s barely arrived when she’s forced to accept help from Brett Dawson—the man who once broke her heart—when a marauding mountain lion threatens one of the prized horses they depend on for survival. Brett would rather be anywhere but the Swearingen ranch. Caught between his feelings for Megan and the powder keg of the ongoing feud between their families, he feels his only choice is to help Megan, regardless of the consequences. If it weren’t for Brett’s father, Megan’s dad might still be alive, and she wouldn’t be here now sacrificing her future to save her family’s ranch. As the long-simmering attraction between Megan and Brett resurfaces, it is threatened almost before it begins by dark family secrets swirling around them—secrets that turn to danger and could very well destroy not only their new beginning, but the lives of everyone they both love.

Dirty Blue


N.E. Henderson - 2018
    A badge. A life. A promise to walk the thin blue line clean. Nowhere in the academy was I prepared for the consequences of falling for the enemy. DRAGO ACERBI I've known his name a long time. You'd have to live under a rock not to know of the heartless and cruel reputation the Acerbi family has established. They are monsters cloaked in suits and ties, or so my colleagues in blue have said. Being on the job, you quickly learn to watch your back, trust no one, and as much as I hate to admit this, sometimes that includes a fellow badge. But to want to kill your own child for being born? Now that's monstrous. Unjust. And something I will not stand for. I'll take him down before I allow an innocent to be harmed. Even if that means not only taking on the most dangerous family in Southern California but bringing down the drug lord they're in bed with too. From author N. E. Henderson comes a contemporary, emotionally captivating and thrilling, romantic suspense trilogy. Start Bri and Drago's intense story today! ♥♥♥ This is not a standalone and the saga does not conclude until the third book. ♥♥♥

Gone Country


Katrina Marie - 2021
    And, it’s not as easy as I thought it would be.My car? Ends up in a ditch.A hot shower? Interrupted by a snake.Not to mention the quiet. How do people fall asleep without background noise?The only good thing about Asheville is the mechanic that comes to my rescue and offers to fix my car. He’s playful, kind, and promises he’s not looking for a relationship, which is great since I won’t be here long. He can show me everything this town has to offer, including “other activities”…with no strings attached.But how can I keep my eye on the prize when he’s looking at me like I’m his?

The Real Thing


Diana Fraser - 2017
    There is no way she’s going to get involved with a commitment-phobe again.Guy takes the concept of a commitment-phobe to a whole new level—but with good reason. He’s been running from his emotions since his wife’s death. But their lives become entwined when Lucia proves his ‘forgery’ is genuine and reveals a mysterious past from which neither can escape…The Real Thing is the first book in The Mackenzies series.—The Mackenzies—Book 1—The Real ThingBook 2—The PA's RevengeBook 3—The Marriage TrapBook 4—The Cowboy's CravingBook 5—The Playboy's RedemptionBook 6—The Lakehouse CaféYou've met the Connelly family in The Lakehouse Café, read their stories in my new series—New Zealand Brides.—New Zealand Brides—Book 1—Yours to GiveBook 2—Yours to TreasureBook 3—Yours to Cherish

The Beginning


Patricia McLinn - 2013
    . . and then they part . . . Forever?Before the bestselling and award-winning Wyoming Wildflowers series, there was another love story, one that laid the foundation for all those that came after.Ed Currick’s and Donna Roberts’ worlds couldn’t have been any more different – a rancher from Wyoming and an up-and-coming Broadway musical actress on a national tour. What could have been a momentary encounter sparks desire . . . and more. But can there be anything but heartbreak ahead when they have only days before their dreams pull them apart?Enjoy the entire Wyoming Wildflowers series. Get this much-anticipated prequel by USA Today bestselling author Patricia McLinn now!

Whole Lotta Love


Amity Cross - 2018
    As lead singer of the hot as sin rock band, Beneath, he’s got the world at his feet but he wants out. He’s done with the empty relationships, the one-night stands, and the consequences of his wild celebrity lifestyle. Unable to break free of the darkness taking over his soul, he disappears, sending the media, his record label and the world into a frenzy. When small town girl Juniper Rowe meets a sexy, brooding guy on an isolated Australian beach, she's shocked to learn he's missing bad boy rock star Sebastian Hale. Drawn together by fate, they find solace in their shared darkness, unable to resist the passion their tortured souls ignite in one another. But when the reality of Sebastian’s life is revealed, Juniper learns a hard lesson. Rock ’n’ roll will save your life…but the fame will kill you. ROCK STAR HEARTS follows the tumultuous romance between small town woman Juniper Rowe and bad boy rock star Sebastian Hale. Will love conquer all? Or will the price of fame be too hot to handle?

Ninety-Nine Signs


Elisheba Haxby - 2019
     A breakdown strands her in Vancouver, Washington on the corner of 99th and Highway 99. Across the street is the Highway Ninety-Nine Diner where she lands a job as a waitress—however starting over is hard with all the broken trust. Joe Phillips, the diner’s short-order cook, is rugged, handsome, sweet, and is determined to push past her walls—but he has secrets of his own. Tamara finds comfort in his friendship as she struggles with a past that haunts her, and a darkness she cannot shake. She could give her heart to Joe, if not for the fears that plague her. Their friendship deepens and Tamara begins to hope again until she’s forced to make a choice no woman should ever have to face. Then the signs reappear, and lead her down her darkest path yet.

Melting His Heart


Kris Pearson - 2013
    Might the advertisement seeking a ‘Superwoman’ be her answer? Short-listed, she’s flown to the vibrant winter tourist resort of Queenstown at her prospective employer’s expense. Snow is dusting the mountain tops as the jet glides in, and she’s shocked to be collected by tall, dark internet billionaire Matthew McLeod. Where is the woman she spoke with on the phone? Kate is driven first to hospital to meet his injured sister, and then to their magnificent home to stay the night. Lottie is a world-famous painter, and Kate craves the job as her assistant, but she’s totally unsettled by charismatic Matthew who teases her unmercifully. Knowing she’s dangerously attracted, she vows to refuse the job, should it be offered, and run like hell. After a disastrous first marriage, Matthew has lived in a freezing void. His duplicitous ex-wife chose him for his money, and when she tried to blackmail him he swiftly divorced her and swore off future entanglements. He’s buried himself in his work to keep the demons at bay, but now there’s a potent new threat tearing at his resolve. Although she’s plainly diving for cover, job-seeker Kate is dragging his ruthlessly suppressed emotions back to the surface. Temptation he’s easily shrugged off in the past now eats him alive. Can he persuade her to stay long enough to fan the smouldering sparks between them until they burst into white-hot flames?

Hundred Reasons


Ali Parker - 2018
     Declan Gamble cares about two things–his daughter and his company. Nothing can compete with the devotion he shows to both. Until the day Alex Tanner appears in his life. Struggling to keep her late father’s repair shop afloat, Alex doesn’t have time for anything else. When she isn’t repairing motorcycles, she’s dreaming up ways to continue doing so. She won’t let anything stand in her way. Failure is not an option, and she’s determined to make things work without asking for help from anyone. So, when Declan Gamble saunters into her shop, she can’t possibly prepare for the impact he will have on not only her business, but her life. The man is too sexy for his own good. ** Please note that this is book 1 of a trilogy. There is a cliffhanger, and you will have to purchase book 2 and 3 to complete the story. Book one is on us to make sure you like the story before continuing.

Carter


Adrienne Bell - 2015
     Ally Weaver is used to following the story, but she’s never had a lead blow up on her before…literally. Now one of her confidential sources has been murdered, and she’s determined to find out why. But Ally can’t risk drawing anyone else into this violent mess…no matter how skilled--or gorgeous--he may be. But a girl can’t always get what she wants. And when the pair find themselves thrust into the crosshairs of a corrupt politician who would do anything to stay in power, they must work together to expose a deadly conspiracy before they become the next victims. But while both Ally and Carter are willing to put their lives on the line to discover the truth, neither is prepared for the danger the other poses to their heart. *** Part romantic comedy, part thriller, and filled with plenty of intrigue, CARTER is the first novel in the Sinner Saints contemporary romance series. ***

Red Wine and Roses


S.J. McCoy - 2017
    He’s the CEO of Hamilton-Groves, one of the largest wine producers and distributors in the country. He lives a charmed life. Admired for his skills in the boardroom – and the bedroom—he works hard and plays harder. He’s not looking for a wife, he’s too busy living to want to settle down. Piper Reynolds is at a crossroads in her life. She’s just moved to California to take a job flying a private jet. After years flying cargo and believing that was as far as her career would go, her new job and new life are a dream come true. It couldn’t get any better – or could it? She isn’t looking for a man, but as Maid of Honor for her old friend Laura, she’s paired with best man Cameron Hamilton. He’s irresistible, but she’s trying to resist – at least at first.

Deposition and a Dare


Evelyn Adams - 2018
    Naked is my super power, and I work it like a boss. In New Orleans, pleasure is a public service and I’m happy to do my part. I know what women crave, and I help their men learn to give it to them-- with plenty of kinky window-dressing and an air of delicious command. It’s just a game men and women play, one that leaves everybody satisfied. Until the day I’m dragged into court on a ridiculous charge. Now I’m playing the game with Erik Jensen, Esq., the man who looks more like a sexy pirate than an attorney. Suddenly, the stakes are higher than I could ever have imagined. Because Erik isn’t the man I thought he was, and neither is the game. If I win, I keep it all: my business, my reputation, and my formerly invulnerable heart. If I lose…well, I won’t let that happen. But it’s getting harder to tell which one of us is being mastered and before long, a safe word is the only thing standing between happily ever after and a pair of broken hearts.