Book picks similar to
The Runaway & The Russian by Helen Bright


mafia
1st-in-series
later-sale-free
age-diffrence

Scarred


J.S. Cooper - 2013
    His acceptance to Notre Dame came as no surprise but when he chose to enlist in the army instead everyone was shocked.Lexi Jones was the quiet girl in school and kept to her small group of eccentric friends. She had no connection to any of the popular kids except for one incident on Prom Night when her path crossed with Bryce's.When Bryce enlisted Lexi was the only one that wasn't disappointed and decided to send him anonymous letters as a way to feel connected to him. She stopped after a year because she felt there was nowhere for their relationship to go.Fast-forward four years and Bryce is back in Jonesville and once again he and Lexi cross paths. Only he's no longer the seemingly perfect man and Lexi's no longer the quiet girl. This time their relationship is quite different but both of them have secrets from the past and friends that threaten to ruin their chance at happiness together.

Guarding Suzannah


Norah Wilson - 2010
    She is currently being stalked, but is reluctant to report it to the police, whom she half suspects of being the perpetrators of the low-level harassment.Detective John (Quigg) Quigley has always had a bit of a thing for Suzannah Phelps. When he learns of the harassment, it gives him the perfect opportunity to interact with her. They've struck sparks off each other in the courtroom, and he's determined to find out if the chemistry is just as combustible outside of work. But when the stalker ups his game, Quigg knows it's not a case of disgruntled cops razzing her. It's deadly serious, and he's determined to protect her. To do that, he must pose as her boyfriend, but the closer they get, the more the lines between pretense and reality blur.Norah Wilson is a USA Today bestselling author, a three-time finalist in Romance Writers of America's Golden Heart contest, and winner of the New Voice in Romance award (2003).Book Junkie says: Explosively sexy, the chemistry between the two is hot, sensual and sweet all at the same time!

Once Upon A Time: Billionaires in Disguise: Flicka


Blair Babylon - 2018
    ONCE UPON A TIME, there was a beautiful princess, Flicka von Hannover, who lived an enchanted life. She jetted around Europe staging charity events with friends, had married a handsome prince in the most spectacular royal wedding of the 21st century, and should have lived happily ever after. But then she found the handsome prince in bed with a duchess. And then a coffee shop barista. And then her own goddamn secretary. Finally, the beautiful princess had had enough of the cheating prince, and she ran away. The prince didn’t want to let her go. He couldn’t take his throne without her and sent henchmen to take her back to the castle. Her worried royal brother sent people to look for her, too. The prince threatened her. He said that if the princess contacted her brother or any of her friends for help, he would kill her brother and her brother’s new, pregnant wife. So the princess ran to the only person she could trust, a man who was frankly not a handsome prince. Dieter Schwarz had been Flicka’s bodyguard for years. He had protected her from assassins, kidnappers, and high school dates who got too handsy after a few drinks. He was a sharp-witted, sharp-jawed, hard-muscled former Swiss Special Forces operator who had started his own private security firm, Rogue Security, and had no past that he spoke of.No one knew that he had been her first lover and had broken her heart.And he’s the only person who can save her.

Chasing Bullets


Suzanne Cass - 2022
    Then she ran away from him in the ultimate act of betrayal. Two years later, Tara Hunter’s easy life in Byron Bay is turned upside down when David Cooper, her ex-police partner, appears and their chequered past comes back to haunt her. Coop is in town on an undercover mission to prevent a possible terrorist plot. While he’s recovered physically from the bullet wound, mentally he’s still scarred by her act of deceit. Reluctantly, Tara is drawn into Coop’s operation to track down a group of extremists hiding in the jungle wilderness, where she soon finds the illicit desire they shared two years ago is back, stronger than ever. But will she be able to find the courage to tell him she loves him and save him from the brutal terrorist gang? Suzanne Cass writes a thrilling romantic suspense in this game of hide and seek, full of passionate romance and heart stopping choices. Pick up a copy of Chasing Bullets today and get lost in this world of romance and deception.

Mafia Boss's Fearless Lover


Leslie North - 2014
     In the wake of her parents’ death, Katya’s search for answers reveals her family’s deep ties to the Russian Mafia. Now, determined to get revenge and take her place at the top, she’ll let no one stand in her way. Not even dark, brooding mafia boss, Nikolai, whose tantalizing good looks tempt her like never before. Bratva mafia boss Nikolai Tsarsko is used to having whatever he wants, until a headstrong strawberry blonde becomes an intriguing challenge. Katya may be the key to reuniting the organization, and with that comes danger from every direction. To protect and possess her, Nikolai will have to use his most wicked ways. In an underworld filled with unexpected enemies, Kat tries to take her rightful place, Nik fights to keep her safe, and a powerful passion ignites that may bring them both to their knees…

Becoming Hank


Maggie M. Lily - 2021
    But, long before parenthood, they were in love.Take a step back in time to meet a young Henry "Trip" Trellis before he met Darla and changed the course of his destiny.Haven't read the Building the Circle series? No worries. This short read will introduce the family and leave you hungry for more!

Macon


Marie James - 2017
    Sing country music, go on tour, top the charts—with my popularity growing every day, I was on my way.All it took was a gust of wind that blew up your skirt, and those white cotton panties had me hooked. I didn’t know your name, and you turned down every attempt I threw your way. But I knew you were different, even though you told me I was the same.“Just friends” is what you offered, and I played by your rules, but, Adelaide Hatfield, you have to know, from that day, it was only you.I just hope I can make you see how much you mean to me before we both drown in the sorrow of what heartbreak will bring.

The Dream Jumper's Promise


Kim Hornsby - 2012
    Months after signing the death certificate, she pulls herself from the emotional wreckage and trades mourning for saving her Maui dive shop from bankruptcy. When war hero, Jamey Dunn, walks back into Tina's life, things take a strange turn. Lifelike dreams have the dive instructor questioning her sanity and leaning heavily on Hank's best friend, Noble. Jamey and Noble clash at every turn, both desperate to help Tina. When the dreams uncover clues to Hank's disappearance, Jamey must reveal his strange ability to enter dreams. But for Tina, trusting the man who betrayed her years before, doesn't come easily, and the decision to let Jamey enter her subconscious has a price she isn't sure she can pay. As Noble, Tina and Jamey get closer to solving the mystery of Hank's disappearance, grave danger sets in to reveal that one person is flirting with insanity, one is a traitor, and one is an impostor.

All She Ever Wanted


Christina Butrum - 2016
    She wasn’t about to make the same mistake twice. Twenty-eight-year-old Leah Adams is content with her life. Living with her best friend in the big city and working as a receptionist at the doctor’s office, she doesn’t allow herself much time to think about falling in love and starting a family. Until the night her ten-year high school reunion not only brings her to Levy’s, but face-to-face with Jake. Leah is faced with feelings she cannot ignore. She has to make a decision that is in her best interest – no matter who gets hurt. She’ll have to decide if risking another heartbreak is worth it for all she’s ever wanted.

Wildest Dreams (Hollywood Nights Book 1)


Savannah Kade - 2017
    He's definitely Mr. Right Now. So when Mr. Right comes onto the market, Jenn is ready to jump in. Clark Fuller is perfect-hot, stable, and suddenly he wants Jenn.On the surface, Walker knows he's not what Jenn is looking for. She's worked so hard to shed an unstable past and build her own a safe, steady life. Walker is anything but safe.Choosing Walker could mean having the real love she's found, but it might mean losing everything she's worked so hard for...Wildest Dreams in a steamy, emotional romance. The first in the Love Found Us series, this friends-to-lovers story will sweep you along to a deeply satisfying happily ever after. Grab this swoon-worthy romance now!

Mr. Rook


Mimi Jean Pamfiloff - 2017
    Rook's Island, a Sexy, Dark, Romantic Suspense.~~~~~He's Enigmatic, Dangerously Handsome, and COMPLETELY OFF-LIMITS...The women who vacation on Mr. Rook's exclusive island are looking for one thing and one thing only: to have their wildest romantic fantasies come to life. Pirates, cowboys, billionaires--there's nothing Rook's staff can't deliver.But when Stephanie Fitzgerald's sister doesn't return after her week in paradise, Stephanie will have to pose as a guest in order to dig for answers. Unfortunately, this means she'll need to get close to the one thing on the island that's not on the menu: the devastatingly handsome and intimidating Mr. Rook. And he's not about to give the island's secrets away.

Reckless


Vi Carter - 2019
    Reckless is a short Novella about the boys’ parents and how they came to be. Michael At fourteen I learned from the best. Soon, I became the best. Running the streets and keeping the trade alive was my purpose and my pride. I had it all but the thing I wanted most – Margret. Margret Some things in this world that are forbidden. Like my mother’s apple tart. The only day we are allowed some is a Sunday. Prayers before bed are a must, and to be seen with any of the O’Reagan’s or his crew is the deepest sin of all. One that I committed not really understanding the price.

A Reason to Live


Matthew Iden - 2012
    Twelve years later, the victim's daughter begs for help: the killer is stalking her now. But Marty has retired to battle cancer. A second shot at the killer - and a first chance at redemption - Marty has A Reason to Live.

Nineteen


E.S. Carter - 2015
    Can she keep focused on the light when life keeps surrounding her in darkness?Polar opposites, will love be the thread that binds them or will circumstances beyond their control, tear them apart?*Suitable for readers Age 18+ due to some disturbing scenes and sexual content*

Sex, Lies & Sweet Tea


Kris Calvert - 2013
    Coming home to bust a white-collar crime ring, Mac intends to execute his usual practice with work and women¬ – get in, get it on and get out. Instead, he finds himself unexpectedly drawn to the legacy of his family, his plantation, and the charms of a Southern girl. Samantha Peterson possesses everything he needs in a woman, including the evidence to wrap his case. As the investigation heats up, so does their passion and a dangerous game ignites. But, then again, everything’s hotter in the South.