Book picks similar to
Holding Back by Helen Pollard


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Cupcakes and Cowboys


Lindzee Armstrong - 2016
    She can’t stand actors, movies, or anything resembling the guy who ruined her life. So when Jase—best friend of her ex and A-list actor—shows up at the ranch to research an upcoming role, ignoring her past becomes impossible. Jase is desperate to escape Hollywood, and ranch life gives him a temporary reprieve. But ranching is starting to feel less like preparing for a role and more like the life he’s always wanted. And he can’t help envisioning Cassidy as his co-star. Can Jase convince this stunning cupcake shop owner that he’s really a country boy at heart? Devour this deliciously sweet romance today!

Love's Composure


Priya Grey - 2016
    A musical genius with more money than I could spend, and more women than I could I sleep with. I had everything I wanted, except what I needed. Until I met you. You were a simple girl from a very different world. But we had something in common. We were both lonely, in desperate need of a connection. When a random encounter brought us together, a spark ignited that changed our lives forever. You became my lover, my wife, the mother of my child… You became my greatest joy… And my greatest heartbreak. This is the story of our love. This is the story of our sacrifice. Ozlo and Priya Grey, the bestselling authors of Healing Melody, weave a timeless, erotic love story that spans decades into the future. Love’s Composure will tug at your heartstrings while you contemplate love’s greater purpose. Enjoy this inspirational and scintillating tale, intended for mature adults only.

The Popcorn Prince


Johanna Evelyn - 2018
     Amy has officially put dating on the back burner after a string of noncommittal relationships. But when she accidentally brushes her hand against a handsome stranger's one night at a movie theater, her heart decides it has other plans—until she realizes her handsome prince brings a new girl to the theater almost every weekend. This doesn’t stop her from admiring him from afar, while she and her twin brother make up outlandish stories about him every time he comes to the theater. But when their worlds collide, she needs to decide if she will open her heart and take another chance on a man, or push him away after she’s done with his services. Steven has waited months to ask out a girl he’s only had a few brief interactions with. But every time he tries, she runs away from him. His coworkers step in with a plan to put his bachelor days behind him. But the fun and games come with a price tag, as his Cinderella stands to lose something much more valuable than a glass slipper. Other titles by this author: The Billionaire Club Series The Billionaires Secret The Billionaires Conflict Excerpt from this book: “She moved to the edge where the prince was still standing. His eyes were bright as she stepped next to him then her mind went blank as panic set in. This man was on a date with another woman. She was crazy. She stood awkwardly trying to form a coherent sentence. He smiled down at her and her heart skipped at the satisfaction in his eyes. “I left your hot sauce at home,” he said, breaking her awkward silence. She gasped at his unexpected words, shifting uncomfortably. She needed to pull it together. She felt like an awkward teenager. “Didn’t I see you with someone?” she asked, grasping at anything her brain could find in her muddied state. “She’ll be back in a minute.” He glanced back to the restroom and Amy followed his gaze. “I’m sorry about that,” Amy said the next thing her scattered mind thought of. He lifted an eyebrow at her, a smile playing at the edge of his lips. “That my date will be back.” She laughed out loud before cupping her hand to her mouth. She dropped her hands in embarrassment. “No, sorry. I’m sorry for throwing popcorn at you.” “That was definitely unexpected.” She bit her bottom lip, unsure of what she should ask next. If she ever needed saving, now would be perfect timing. Too bad she didn’t have twin telepathy.”

Mail-Order Christmas Brides Boxed Set: Mail-Order Mistletoe Brides\Mail-Order Holiday Brides


Jillian Hart - 2014
    Enjoy three romances of adventure and faith in one great bundle! A little girl longs for a new mother for Christmas so she convinces her single father to advertise for a mail-order wife, whose arrival offers them the chance to forge a real family. A would-be bride discovers her intended groom has abandoned her before she even arrives but then she unexpectedly falls for the groom's brother. A gruff rancher's marriage offer to a widowed single mother is based solely on convenience…until it becomes a matter of the heart. This bundle includes: MAIL-ORDER CHRISTMAS BRIDES MAIL-ORDER HOLIDAY BRIDES MAIL-ORDER MISTLETOE BRIDES

Cowboy Walking Away


Jessie Gussman - 2022
    His wife left him and he’s ready to come home and settle down.But he needs a caregiver and the one that seems to have fallen into his lap is his Dating Game partner and also the woman he’s agreed to “fake-date.”Only neither one of them are good liars and their straw house could never survive the wild North Dakota wind…or could it?Do they have the character and faith to face their problems and build a solid foundation together?Books in the Coming Home to North Dakota Series:Cowboy Walking Away Cowboy Coming HomeCowboy Finding Love

The Magic of Starlight


Anita Stansfield - 2021
    With only her few possessions, she flees her former life with no thought of returning. What she discovers upon her arrival at Rookhaven Hall, however, is quite different from what she anticipated. When the enigmatic Lord Edmond Rookburne returns from his long travels in India, the handsome widower shocks the household with the addition of three young children. They are not his lordship’s own blood but are Indian orphans left in his care. As their nanny, all Elsie sees is the desperate need of the traumatized little ones. She sets to work enveloping them in love and concern, and Edmond is immediately drawn in by Elsie’s exceptional warmth. Working together as unlikely caretakers, they forge a genuine friendship. But when they find themselves spiraling toward a forbidden romance, both Edmond and Elsie know that a life together would be impossible. For Edmund, the constraints of Society are absolute. But for Elsie, it is the secret of her past that ensures their love can never be.

Savage King: The Mafia King Series


V.L. Silva - 2021
    Confident.His Viking blood made him a conqueror.He dominated my senses.He planned to rule my body as well.I didn’t have a chance at keeping my heart.AXELHer name said it all.Hope.She came to me in my darkness.The compass that would guide me out of the storm.The goddess, Freyja.She’s with me as I fight Hel, the enemy that took everything from me.I am at war now, but the moment the dust settles I’m taking Hope as my prize.She’s a challenge. Resistant.Catching her will be like catching the wind.But my people were sea wolves. We know how to tame the wind.And I’m a patient man.Victory is my only option.

A Hand Me Down Heart


Becki Willis - 2019
    Even as children, Hope was always the talented one and Grace the smart one. Hope received the attention, the boyfriends, and the beautiful clothes; Grace received the hand-me-downs. The leftovers never bothered Grace, until it came to one boy. Her sister went through boyfriends and their affections like she did her clothes, carelessly tossing one aside in favor of another. Often left to stall her sister’s adoring public, Cruz Colton was the one boy Grace never objected to entertaining. As their friendship grew and Grace found herself falling for the boy with the quiet sense of humor, she began to imagine he really came to see her, and not her sister. But one fateful night changed that perception, and she realized his was only a hand-me-down heart, after all. Long ago, Grace banished thoughts of Cruz from her mind, even if her heart was reluctant to let his memory go.Ten years later, their paths cross again. Grace is living her dream as a registered nurse, Hope is a brilliant concert violinist, and Cruz has a distinguished career in the military. Recently discharged from service, Cruz checks in at Texas General Hospital where Grace works. And just like that, Grace’s heart picks up where it left off.She tells herself she’s over him. These sparks between them are nothing but leftover embers from bridges burned, a decade past. The adult Cruz is a changed, hardened man. The shadows in his dark eyes speak of hidden secrets and the horrors of war. Is Grace strong enough to help him battle his inner demons? And with Hope back in town, can Grace stand up to her sister’s domineering presence? Grace may have been content in the shadows as a girl, but she’s a woman now, and she knows what she wants. It’s time to let her own light shine, because Cruz Colton’s is definitely a hand-me-down heart worth fighting for.From the best-selling author of Texas General Cozy Cases of Mystery, The Sisters, Texas Series, and Forgotten Boxes, don’t miss this first book in the series!

Christmas in Pine Ridge


Holly Stevenson - 2018
    . . will a little Hope and a Christmas miracle mend their troubled hearts?Hope Sullivan’s popular yoga channel leads her to teach at an exclusive mountain resort in Pine Ridge, Colorado. Her goal is to help others relax, but when she’s confronted by a stalker during class, the situation is more than just uncomfortable—it’s dangerous. Before Hope can call security, a handsome stranger defuses the situation by pretending to be her bodyguard boyfriend.As a former Marine, Owen Davis is used to rescuing others. But in his effort to help Hope, he signs himself up for a week of work on his vacation. Scarred by the trauma of his life and convinced he’s a broken man, he tries to keep her at arm’s length to protect her from the demons of his past.As the lines between real and pretend begin to blur, their growing attraction for each other is undeniable—but can they overcome his broken past and her guarded heart? It just might take a Christmas miracle . . . and a little bit of Hope.**This title was previously published as Hope for Christmas.

The Love Triangle


M.S. Parker - 2019
    After I gave my heart - and my virginity - to Jarek Rockwell, I realized my father was right. How can I trust Jarek when all evidence points to a huge lie? But who is the real bad guy, Jarek Rockwell or Amaury Michaud, the high-class respected socialite who has been courting me? One wears a mask of deception – the other is fighting for my love. Alicia Bonnaire, Princess of Belgium is caught in a vicious, no-holds-barred love triangle. The pro-athletes, Jarek and Amaury must compete for Alicia’s heart. Find out what happens in The Love Triangle (Filthy Rich Royals).

A Blooming Garden Full of Love


Carol Colyer - 2019
    Her life has definitely not been a fairytale so far, but she had found a man to respect her and share the same values. As the ranch is mortgaged to the hilt, and being rather desperate, she accepts Logan's, her husband's brother's proposal without second thoughts. Soon enough though, her decision to get married to a familiar stranger will give her sleepless nights. Can she finally live happily ever after and create the family she craves for?Logan Reeves has always looked up to his older brother and slightly envied him for both his professional and personal achievements. Now, he feels like he has betrayed him in the worst way possible. Not only did he think about it, but now he is married to his brother's wife. He has been in love with her from the very first moment he set his eyes on her, but will he be able to deal with all the challenging responsibilities he has committed himself to?Even though they have both agreed that this is a marriage of convenience, life will once again catch them off guard. An unexpected event will help them understand and confess their true feelings to each other. They won't survive apart, but can they really survive together? Could love bloom under the pressure of mourning and revenge??"A Blooming Garden Full of Love" is a historical western romance novel of approximately 80,000 words. No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after.

Bethany's New Reality


Rachel John - 2016
    Although finding love would be nice, she's mostly looking for a fun distraction. Bethany thinks she's prepared for aggressive cameras and competitive flirting, but this is a show like no other. The provided wardrobe is a collection of the worst fashion trends of all time, and even more disturbing, they've brought on everyone's exes, including Todd, her most recent dating mistake. He's the last person in the world she wants to mingle with while sporting 'mom' jeans. Things aren't all bad. Her new buddy Tyson has her back, and Bethany can't keep her eyes off the gorgeous and mysterious Carter. She knows right away she'll have to protect her heart, because on a show like this, the worst thing might actually be falling in love.

Soul Deep


J.J. Cobban - 2015
    I was prepared for all of that. Hell, I was looking forward to the distraction! Anything was better than returning to my pitiful life just outside of Oregon. What nobody bothered to tell me though was just how damn tempting some of the scenery could be! Jace Benson should have come with a warning label. A big, red sticker that warned me not to get too close. The dirty-talking, smart mouthed rocker is all kinds of trouble that I don’t need in my life. Trouble that could chew me up and spit me out without a second’s hesitation. Now I’m faced with two problems. Problem one – Jace isn’t used to hearing the word no and the more I say it, the more determined the bassist becomes. Problem two – The more determined he becomes in his attempts to get me, the less determined I am to say no! Now we've been thrown together in the city of Sin and I'm about to learn that what happens in Vegas, doesn't always stay in Vegas. It's going to change our lives forever and I'm not sure it's going to be for the better. Is this just a lust fuelled whirlwind romance or could it be something more meaningful? And if it is the latter, do I have the guts to hold on to it?

The Things We Do for Love


Alice Peterson - 2015
    . . January Wild loves her daughter, her dog Spud and her childhood home by the sea. Single parenting is tough, but January has no regrets. She has a job she loves, a happy home, and the support of her beloved grandfather. The arrival of a new boss, however, threatens to shake up January's safe world. Ward Metcalfe loves great sales results and a well-run office. Everyone at her office agrees: Ward is a soulless, corporate slave driver. Even Spud, the company mascot, dislikes him. A secret stands between them. Yet over time January realises first impressions aren't always right. Slowly she unravels more and more about her new boss, things she couldn't possibly have imagined, nor expected...

Hannah's Home (Quinn Valley Ranch series Book 26)


Pamela M. Kelley - 2019
    She's eager to move home to Quinn Valley and live a quiet life, writing music and teaching workshops and classes at the local kids' center. But there's also another reason she doesn't want anyone, especially the media, to know where she is. David Quinn is the last of Marcia Quinn's five children to settle down and he doesn't seem to be in any hurry to find love. The very last person on his list would be Hannah Keane, who seemed to look down her nose at him the last time she saw him, like she did back when they were in high school. But as he begins to realize that maybe he was wrong about Hannah, he also starts to worry that something else is going on, something that Hannah is running from and that she won't be able to stay in Quinn Valley after all.