Book picks similar to
Tempting Fate by Maria VickersShannon Nemechek


contemporary-romance
past-tragedy
short-stories
angst

Road Trip


Evangeline Kelly - 2016
    Her cousin Chloe’s wedding is the following day and she needs to get from Northern California to Los Angeles. Unfortunately, she doesn’t have enough money to fix her car, much less buy a bus ticket. When Jake Bellomy, the hot Biology lab partner from last semester, offers to give her a ride home, she takes him up on his offer, even though she knows things are bound to get tense since he traded her for another partner in their Biology class. Kendra knows he’s a jerk, but what she doesn’t realize is that God has a way of revealing that people aren’t always what they appear to be.

Buying the Virgin Box Set Three


Simone Leigh - 2017
     Explicit Adult Content - For Mature Readers Only

Anonymous Bidder


Robin Roseau - 2015
    Violetta's agreement is reluctant, sure the only women who might want have a screw loose. She feels her suspicions are confirmed when it is an anonymous bidder who wins the date, and things go from weird to weirder after that. This is a novella of 30,000 words.

Saugatuck Summer


Amelia C. Gormley - 2014
    At least, that’s what I keep telling myself. But let’s get real. Walking the fake-it-til-you-make-it road to independence and self-respect isn’t easy. Especially since my mom’s a deadbeat alcoholic, and most of my family expects me to turn out just as worthless. Oh, and I’m close to losing my college swimming scholarship, so let’s add “dropout” to the list.My BFF has invited me to stay at her beach house on the shore of Lake Michigan. That’ll give me one summer to make money and figure out what I want to do with my life. So of course I decide to have an affair with my BFF’s married, closeted dad. Because that always works out.Now I’m homeless, friendless, jobless. Worthless. Just like my family expects, right? Except there’s this great guy, Jace, who sees it differently. He’s got it all together in ways I can only dream of—he’s hot, creative, insightful, understanding. He seems to think I don’t give myself enough credit. And if I don’t watch out, I may start to believe him.

From Out in the Cold


L.A. Witt - 2012
    Grief, guilt, and PTSD have ruled his life since a terrible crime tore his world apart last year, and he’s dreading a holiday visit with the family he simultaneously needs and resents. Then someone from his past shows up and rattles that shaky foundation right out from under him. First a war nearly destroyed Jeremy Kelley, then his family threw him out when he needed them the most. Now he’s barely holding on emotionally. He spends his last dollar to get to Chicago and prays his former best friend won’t leave him out in the cold. Neil and Jeremy spend the holidays with Neil’s family in their hometown of Omaha. They struggle to deal with families, flashbacks… and feelings that haven’t even begun to fade since their last failed attempt at more than friends. As they try to repair their fractured psyches and rebuild damaged bridges, they rely on each other more than ever, but they can’t deny the mutual attraction that’s existed since before they were both emotionally battered and scarred. If they couldn’t make it work back then, how in the world can they pull it off now? This book was previously published and has been lightly revised.

Sweet Curves


Mia Brody - 2021
    But as a famous curvy singer, I’m tired of being used by guys that just want to further their career.I need a man who doesn’t know my true identity. One who can fall in love with the real me, not the woman on stage.Now I plan to search for love on a dating app where I can stay anonymous. I figure there’s no harm in chatting with the hunk who goes by “hometown hero”.BenI’m here to help my sister fix up her mountain lodge resort. Not have her sign me up for a silly dating app. But everything changes when I get that little ping.I’ve been matched to a woman who won’t show me her real face. But our late-night conversations are intriguing and the more I get to know her, the more I want to meet up in real life.When she shows up at the lodge, I’m determined to convince her we’re meant to be together forever.Searching for your soulmate? Welcome to Curve Connection, a brand-new dating app developed by curvy women for curvy women and the men who love them. Whether you're into executives, sports stars, blue collar workers, rockstars, or billionaires, we deliver guaranteed happily-ever-afters. Swipe left or right to start searching for your soulmate today.

Sweet Romance


Erika EverestMeredith Deichler - 2020
    Love, laughter, and occasional tears - no need to turn on the Hallmark Channel this winter. Snuggle up with this feel-good anthology instead!Warning: reading this anthology may cause cravings for cider sugar donuts, French toast, pimento cheese, cherry cola, and maple syrup ice-cream, as well as happy ever afters

Pent Up


Damon Suede - 2015
    What begins as executive protection turns personal working for a debonair zillionaire who makes Ruben question everything about himself.Watching over financial hotshot Andy Bauer puts Ruben in an impossible position. He knows zero about shady trading and his cocky boss lives barricaded in a glass tower with wall-to-wall secrets and hot-and-cold-running paranoia. Can the danger be real? Is Andy for real?What’s a bullet catcher to do? Ruben knows his emotions are out of control even as he races to untangle a high-priced conspiracy and his crazy feelings before somebody gets dead. If his suspicions are right, Andy will pay a price neither can afford, and Ruben may discover there’s no way to guard a heart.

Shivaree


Cara McKenna - 2010
    A glow beyond the trees and a haunting melody lead her to what she hopes is salvation.The Shivaree is more than a bar. It’s a mysterious oasis where people go to escape into a cold drink and lose themselves against a warm body on the dance floor. Gabriel is its resident musician, gifted with unnerving talent and intoxicating sexual charisma. The only thing standing between Natalie and the perfect rebound is Gabriel’s possessive and domineering lover, and Natalie’s not afraid of a bully. Certainly not one built like Shane Broussard. She’s ready to discover the perfect remedy for heartache—two hot male bodies, one long, sultry, southern night.

Hard to Resist


Lauren Landish - 2019
    hard to resist ... * * * * *The Bad Boys Next Door series ... All in ONE Volume!TEMPTEDI lived my life with no regrets ... Until she showed up ...It started with her old man. That stubborn bastard set me up. He knew what he was doing, and I fell for his daughter before I even heard her voice.What was he thinking, trying to set her up with a prick like me? She's too good for me. I should've walked away, but every time she told me no, it only made me want to chase her more. I shouldn't have brought her into my life. I'm trouble, that's all I am, and I brought that to her doorstep. But I can't let her go now, even if she hates me for it. She tempted me; now she's mine.* * * * *INKEDLittle Miss Goody-Two-Shoes just moved in next door.She's a good girl, the kind I want to ruin. The problem is, she knows I'm bad news. I've always been trouble. That's why she keeps pushing me away, even with her curvy body pressed against mine and those soft moans spilling from her lips. Now that she's my neighbour, it's only a matter of time before I'll have her in my arms and clinging to me the way I need her to. I may not deserve her, but I want her more than I've ever wanted anything. She's not getting away from the bad boy next door.* * * * *MR. CEOI'm used to dominating the boardroom and getting what I want. But I've never wanted anyone like her.Even though I have the world at my beck and call, it no longer excites me. Nothing does. Until she comes along. My Rose. Her deep blue eyes. Her tempting curves. They call to me, consuming my thoughts like nothing has in years. I should walk away, but the soft sighs spilling from her plump lips are addictive. I've never felt such desire. I've never wanted like this. I shouldn't fall this deep and I know it. There's a reason I keep everyone away, and I need to remember that. But now that I have her in my grasp, I can't let her go.

The Savage Mountain Men Romance Collection: Books 1-4


Mika Lane - 2020
    I broke it anyway.Why’d I do it? Because I'm a nosy brat.Sharing a cabin with 4 brawny mountain men?Yeah, it was as about as hot and dirty as you’d expect it to be.The RunawayI was a hunted woman. Taken in by 4 mountain mercenaries. Accepting their help was a mistake.Why? Because mercenaries trust no one.And now they won’t let me go.The Pursued4 hot mountain mercenaries charged with protecting me.So was I a houseguest?Or a prisoner?Because I sure felt trapped, even if they were keeping me alive.The PrizeWhen four mountain mercenaries learned about the creeps who used me in their quest to get ahead—who lied, stole, and tossed me aside like a piece of human garbage, they set out to exact revenge.My enemies became theirs.My body became theirs.And my heart became theirs.If you love outrageously naughty stories as a way to indulge your not-so-secret bad girl side, this 4-book set is for you.

Salvage


Con Riley - 2013
    Believing it was broken beyond repair, Gabe and his best friend Jamie Carlson left Minnesota behind for San Diego sunshine and college. Now another crisis brings Gabe home to help his ailing father, and he finally has to face the guilt that kept him away for so long.Scott Stark also returns to Minnesota, with his young niece and nephew in tow, shouldering new family responsibilities. While Gabe comes to grips with his past, Scott struggles to accept his present role as a substitute parent, caring for two children, each with different needs. As Gabe and Scott get to know each other, reclaiming family life almost seems possible. Only two things stand in the way of love: Gabe’s unresolved relationship with Jamie, and Scott’s plan to leave Minnesota as soon as he can. Both men will have to accept past mistakes if they want to salvage a future together, and time is running out.

All These Hidden Scars


Avril Ashton - 2015
    One of the reasons he rejected his privileged family and joined the FBI. But those dangerous assignments take something from him every time, leaving him a mess, unfamiliar even to himself. As he struggles to shed the skin of his latest op, he finds solace in the most random of places.Bar manager, Carter Renault’s only intention was to escort the lonely stranger out of his place before he locked up. Yet somehow they end up in an alley, Carter’s pants around his ankles. Their encounter is intense. A onetime thing. Except months later Sullivan is sneaking through Carter’s window, appearing and disappearing at random. The blistering-hot sex doesn’t hide the obvious torment Sullivan is going through, but Carter doesn’t want to be caught in the middle.Just when he thinks he’s seen the end of that undercover life, Sullivan gets pulled back in. But this time, his identity is no longer a secret, and the aggressive need he has for Carter could get the other man killed. To set everything right, Sullivan has to face the one man he loves and hates in equal measure… his twin.

Christmas Outing


A.E. Wasp - 2016
    Except for the part where Troy's family doesn't know Dmitri exists. Troy's been out of the Army for almost a year, and except for a few short weeks, hasn't been back to West Virginia at all. Now Christmas is coming, and his mother can't be put off any longer, not unless Troy wants to break her heart. But Troy's biggest fear is that going home, new boyfriend and service dog in tow, is going to break his Momma's heart just as much.

Letting Go


C.J. Anthony - 2013
    Every time I try to pick myself up, another setback blindsides me. I need to learn to let go and start again. I just don’t know if I can.Photo Description: The photo is very crisp and detailed, shot in black and white— super zoomed-in close-up shot of a hand, palm facing the camera. The palm is scarred and rough, meant to make a statement, to show struggle. There are black words written across the palm— “It’s time to let go… (it will be okay)”This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love Has No Boundaries" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.