Book picks similar to
Beneath the Surface by Cat Johnson
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Chances & Choices
Helen Karol - 2013
to her new job as senior feature writer at Choices L.A., but most of all to the security and comfort of her best friend Julian West. To her, he’s the nice guy she can turn to for advice and comfort – the uncomplicated friend she can count on. Only he no longer feels that way. For months before she went to New York, he fooled her, playing the platonic friend when in fact he wants nothing more than to take her as his lover – and more, much more. But he can’t do that – he can’t let those emotions overtake him – not again. But on her first night home he blows his cover. And suddenly Claire sees him in a whole new light.
Getting to the Church On Time
Erin Nicholas - 2015
Also, there are spoilers! So, if you want to take a holiday trip to Sapphire Falls for the first time, check out Getting In the Spirit, the first Sapphire Falls Christmas novella! Happy reading! * * * It’s just days before Christmas, almost a year since Levi Spencer and Kate Leggot accidentally fell in love in Sapphire Falls, and they want to make it official. Surrounded by friends and family in their adopted hometown, Kate and Levi will marry and celebrate in the town square where they shared their first kiss. It will be absolutely perfect… Except for the massive snowstorm about to hit town. Now, thanks to Jack Frost and multiple flight cancellations, Levi and Kate are separated by hundreds of miles. It looks like all the wedding preparations will go to waste. But Sapphire Falls always looks on the bright side. And they don’t cancel a perfectly good party, even for Jack Frost. There will be a wedding… the only question is who will be walking down the aisle?
The Executive's Decision
Bernadette Marie - 2011
He was her boss. When that turbulent relationship ended, she swore she’d never again date someone she worked with. That was before she literally fell into her new boss’s lap.Zachary Benson is the head of a successful empire and used to getting what he wants in the boardroom and outside of it – and what he wants is Regan Keller. He’s determined to convince Regan that even though he’s her boss, they can share a life together.However, when Regan’s past threatens to destroy the architectural firm Zach has invested his entire career in, he has to make an executive decision whether to choose his business or fight for the woman he loves.
Texas Cowboy's Family (Don't Mess With Texas Cowboys #7)
Barb Han - 2019
He doesn’t want to be drawn to the newcomer in town who shows up with a newborn and a dangerous secret. Emery Young will do what it takes to protect her sister and her niece, even when it could cost her everything.
Murder in the Mix Boxed Set
Addison Moore - 2019
One too many suitors. And a killer. Living in Honey Hollow can be murder. Three books! My name is Lottie Lemon and I see dead people. Okay, so I rarely see dead people, mostly I see furry creatures of the dearly departed variety, aka dead pets, who have come back from the other side to warn me of their previous owners impending doom. And that horrible scenario happens to be playing out at the moment where I see a beautiful long departed pooch hovering around a questionably two-timing Santa and all his naughty-hottie elves. Quite frankly, it’s a terrifying sight considering the fact the fantastic phantasm is an ominous harbinger for its previous owner. So when I find my sister’s boyfriend face down in the snow with a handful of my tasty gingerbread treats I’m not only sorry for him, but I’m very sorry that I had a blowout with him in front of the entire town of Honey Hollow. And just like that, I get the one thing for Christmas I did not ask for—a number one spot on the suspect list. I have a feeling this is going to be one Christmas I’d rather forget. Lottie Lemon has a brand new bakery to tend to, a budding romance with perhaps one too many suitors, and she has the supernatural ability to see dead pets—which are always harbingers for ominous things to come. Throw in the occasional ghost of the human variety, a string of murders, and her insatiable thirst for justice, and you’ll have more chaos than you know what to do with. Living in the small town of Honey Hollow can be murder. From the NEW YORK TIMESand USA TODAYbestselling author, Addison Moore—Cosmopolitan Magazine calls Addison's books, "...easy, frothy fun!" Gingerbread and Deadly Dread (Murder in the Mix 4) Seven-Layer Slayer (Murder in the Mix 5) Red Velvet Vengeance (Murder in the Mix 6)
Poggibonsi, An Italian Misadventure
Dan Alatorre - 2017
But romance gets derailed by head colds, constant bickering, and assaults from ankle-breaking cobblestone streets. Their daughter develops a gelato addiction. Mike’s Italian partner has a coronary. And as for amore . . . Mattie tells Mike to handle things himself—and storms back to America. Mike is trapped. Leaving Italy will blow a promotion; staying might cost him his wife and family. While reeling from Mattie's frantic departure, a replacement liaison is assigned—a top-notch, beautiful young Italian woman who is instantly smitten with Mike and determined to reveal the passions of her homeland—whether he wants to see them or not! Normally immune, Mike is tempted—but is headstrong, voluptuous Julietta worth the risk? “Funny, Sexy, Heartbreaking, Hilarious” In Poggibonsi, Dan Alatorre tells a compelling and hilarious story while giving its serious and heartfelt themes fair treatment. Protagonist Mike Torino is a hard-working family man who is struggling in his marriage, and when temptation looms on a business trip in Italy, he can't help but indulge. His winding and sometimes bumbling misadventure leads him on a journey that ends only when he discovers what is truly important to him. Funny, sexy, and at times heartbreaking, Poggibonsi is much more than a riotous romp. It's an exploration into what makes us human and drives us through life. - Allison Maruska, The Fourth Descendant and Project Renovatio trilogy “Outrageously funny” Poggibonsi is disarmingly charming; a laugh-out-loud, bumbling romp through lust and love in central Italy. Alatorre captures the breathtaking romance of the novel’s namesake perfectly, peeling back each layer of story until all that remains is genuine, raw emotion. An outrageously funny, guilty pleasure of a read. - J. A. Allen, Old Souls
Crossed
Lacey Silks - 2015
Dating has proven tiresome and worthless, so she’s decided to put her efforts into her work at the salon she owns.In search for evidence against a crime family, Hunter Reeve stumbles upon a woman who may be the key to solving the case. Except she’s unaware of the lurking danger. His growing attraction to the spunky hairdresser complicates the relationship further.As enemies weasel into Grace’s life, Hunter is forced to make a choice between his work and Grace. And the wrong choice could have consequences neither one is ready for.Warning: Intended for mature audiences
Rough Hard Fierce
Skye Warren - 2014
A statistic. A victim. A single teenage mother from the poor part of town. Most of the time I'm too busy working and struggling to care what people think. Survival doesn't come easy.I have a dark secret, a pressure valve, a rare moment just for myself. On these nights I visit a club. There I find men who give me what I need.Men like Colin.But he wants more than a few stolen hours. He demands more than my body. He wants my heart and soul--my happily ever after. I never thought I'd be Cinderella. I never thought a man that rough could be my prince.HARD (Book Two)What Colin doesn't know can't hurt him.At least that's what I tell myself about the secrets I keep. I don't have a choice, not if I want to keep my daughter safe. And keep him Colin safe too. There are enemies in the shadows waiting to strike from all sides. I'm holding them out with my bare hands, but it's hard not to get crushed in the process.And the truth has a way of coming out.If I'm not careful, the past I've been working so hard to hide, the pain I've been fighting so long to outrun, will wipe out the man I love.FIERCE (Book Three)I'm torn between what I want and what I need. Between the men in my past and the man by my side. Colin has tried to control me, to use me. But he also guards me so fiercely my heart aches.Raincheck. Business. Don't wait up. --CThat's the note he leaves for me, as if I could sit around while he fights my dragons. As if I could let himself get killed in some vain attempt to protect me.There's no protection left for me. No redemption either.This is my battle, and I've already lost.Boxed sets in the Chicago Underground series:Rough Hard Fierce - Colin and Allie's storyWild Dirty Secret - Luke and Shelly's story
Club Alpha
Marata Eros - 2015
May contain triggers.Francisco “Paco” Castillo is a bilingual billionaire with unconventional ideas about love, sex and possession. He believes there is no other half to make him whole. Paco dreams of experimenting with a dangerous reality not of his own making. Club Alpha owner, Zaire Sebastian, can make Paco's vision a reality—for a price.Greta Dahlem is an extreme sports executive whose ambition masks a terrible secret. When her mentor Gia Township, sponsors her as a player in Club Alpha, Greta's unsure she can survive the inherent risk of the game Zaire weaves. But in her heart, Greta yearns for a man who will complete her, and erase the brutal tragedy of two years ago.As the fantasy progresses, Greta comes to realize she is the loose string in a plot of murder and deception that begins to unravel. Without knowing who to trust, Greta must decide between two men. When the three are thrown together, the lines of reality and fantasy blur.Is there any way for her to know what is real?Cliff-hanger freeStandalone novelHEAPsychological Dark Romantic Suspense.
Adam
Jennifer Ashley - 2015
He settles in to heal at his family's ranch, where his four brothers, famous trick riders, train horses.Adam is stunned to find Bailey Farrell working there—she was the shy girl who'd helped Adam graduate high school so he could run off to Hollywood. Except the budding Bailey, with whom Adam had a brief but intense affair, has blossomed into a beautiful woman. Now the sparks that had once ignited between them threaten to explode.Adam is beaten-up, broken-down, and has lost his nerve—the stunt that injured him also killed his best friend. The only one he can turn to is Bailey, but will Bailey, who has come back to Riverbend to lick her wounds after a painful divorce, be willing to help him again?Book 1 of Riding Hard. A 230-page (approx) novel—20 chapters, plus bonus sneak peek at Grant's book and a recipe for Mrs. Ward's Harvest Pie.
Falling Into You
Maureen Smith - 2008
She’s there to explore the risqué world of strippers, not her own sexuality. But when wickedly sexy Vince Gray orders a drink and a private audience with her one night, Rebecca soon finds herself having the hottest sex of her life. Unbeknownst to her, Vince has been lying about his true identity. Will Rebecca’s discovery of his deception spell the end of their scorching love affair?Falling Into You is a 26,000 word erotic novella that was originally published in 2007.
An Indecent Proposition
Stephanie Julian - 2013
Two men. One night. Half a million dollars.Julianne is in debt up to her eyeballs due to her mother's illness and her job as a catering waitress will never be enough to make ends meet. But a mysterious offer could solve all her problems. The only catch: She has to have sex with a stranger.Erik and Keegan are business partners whose friendship nearly ended when an explosion in their lab nearly killed Erik and left him with physical and psychological scars. Work is his only refuge and he uses it as a shield against the world. Keegan has watched his best friend retreat from the world for too long. He'll do whatever it takes to bring Erik out of the darkness.Their perfect plan is perfectly indecent.Erik proposes that Keegan make love to Julianne so he can watch. Keegan is shocked...and secretly thrilled. He wants Julianne just as much as Erik does.Julianne takes the money, but she never expected to be so excited by the illicit arrangement or to fall for the quiet Keegan and the scarred Erik. And when one night becomes an ongoing affair, will Julianne be able to draw the men out of the shadows and into the light?
Find Her, Keep Her, A Martha's Vineyard Love Story
Z.L. Arkadie - 2015
It's addictive romance reading that gets more satisfying as you journey further into these characters experience. Book one of the LOVE in the USA series features Daisy Blanchard and Belmont (Jack) Lord. Don't be surprised by the hot and fast start, Daisy and Belmont have a lot to learn about love, and here is where their education begins. It was one intense week in late October. I probably should've slowed our pace but I wasn't thinking clearly. I had just learned my boyfriend and best friend were engaged via a Facebook post, which left me heartbroken and wrestling with ghosts from my past.But Belmont Lord was so convincing and uninhibited, unlike me. He also had demons of his own. We threw caution to the wind. Could fate had picked a more perfect time and place for two people to meet?Yes, it was one steamy and surprising week, but was it long enough to make us last forever?Find Her, Keep Her: A Martha's Vineyard Love Story is the first sexy, sensual and addictive contemporary romance in the LOVE in the USA series by author, Z.L. Arkadie.This manuscript has been updated as of 6/18/2017. Sex scenes are still frequent but they are no longer written in graphic detail. Also, some of the details that were hard to swallow have been made palatable. Although, do realize that I had chosen to write two imperfect human beings. In later books, as they choose to make their relationship work, they also choose to resolve their personal issues. After all that is the theme of the LOVE in the USA series--true love, real love is another catalyst in life which helps evolve two people for the better. So I write love stories more than romance, and from book one through twelve of this series, you will be able to read the difference. Visit zlarkadiebooks.com to learn more about the author.
Escorting the Billionaire
Leigh James - 2015
except everything.When billionaire mogul James Preston hires an escort as a date for his brother's wedding, he knows he's taking a risk. One thing he won't be taking? The escort's clothes off. He just wants a date--not a girlfriend. Not a relationship. No strings. No ties. No games. No sex. He has his reasons. He lost someone he loved, and isn't interested in trying again. Too many opportunities for mistakes or worse, heartbreak.Audrey Reynolds became a high-end escort to keep her brother in his expensive group home. James Preston is the client of her dreams--he's offering to pay her more money for two weeks than she's ever made before. But James is...difficult. He's gorgeous, troubled and all too human for Audrey's business-like tastes. Determined to complete her assignment and collect the money, Audrey tries to play by James's rules. But before she knows what's happening, he's rewriting the contract.When Audrey ends up in James's bed, he realizes that she's everything he's wanted...and everything he's been running from.Escorting the Billionaire Part 2Two weeks is all they have... is it enough?High-end Escort Audrey Reynolds opened herself up to real feelings for James Preston, the billionaire who hired her. And then he turned on her. Now she's back on assignment and guarding her heart.All Audrey wants is to finish the assignment; she needs to make enough money to keep her brother safe. That's what she keeps telling herself, anyway.James is determined to earn back Audrey's trust. When Audrey's mother threatens to expose that her daughter is a prostitute to his family and the press, James takes matters into his own hands. Unfortunately, his own mother is much more difficult to manage. Carefully guarding her family fortune, James's mother is beginning to see Audrey as a real threat to the Preston name.And she doesn't even know the half of it.Escorting the Billionaire Part 3She's an escort... but is she a sure thing?High-end escort Audrey Reynolds is determined to protect billionaire James Preston from anything that could hurt him--including her.Everything changes when James tells her his real feelings.When James's mother steps in, Audrey has to decide if being with James is worth the risk. She wants to protect him, and James wants to be with her, but can they find a happily ever after together--and in one piece?
The Bradens at Weston, CO
Melissa Foster - 2015
Make sure you have all night, because once you start you won't want to stop reading. Every book's a winner!" New York Times Bestselling Author Brenda Novak 3 AWARD-WINNING CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE NOVELS in 1 GREAT BOXED SET LOVERS AT HEART (The Bradens, #1) DESTINED FOR LOVE (The Bradens, #2) FRIENDSHIP ON FIRE (The Bradens, #3) Sneak Peek: SEA OF LOVE (The Bradens, #4) --- LOVERS AT HEART SILVER MEDAL WINNER, Readers' Favorite Awards, Contemporary Romance Handsome, wealthy resort owner Treat Braden is used to getting what he wants. When Max Armstrong walked into his life six months earlier, he saw right through the efficient and capable façade she wore like a shield, to the sweet, sensual woman who lay beneath. She sparked an unfamiliar desire in him for more than a one-night stand, leaving his heart reeling and his blood boiling. But one mistake caused her to turn away, and now, after six months of longing for the one woman he cannot have, he's going home to try to forget her all together. Max Armstrong has a successful career, a comfortable lifestyle, and she's never needed a man to help her find her way--until Treat Braden caught her attention at a wedding in Nassau, causing a surge of emotions too reminiscent of the painful past she'd spent years trying to forget. Max will do anything to avoid reliving that pain--including forgoing her toe-curling, heart-pounding desire for Treat. When a chance encounter turns into a night of intense passion, Treat realizes that the mistake he made six months earlier may cause him to lose Max completely. He will do everything within his power to win her heart forever--and Max is forced to face her hurtful past head on for the man she cannot help but love. --- DESTINED FOR LOVE BRONZE MEDAL WINNER, Readers' Favorite Awards, Romance Sizzle Love hot cowboys? Rex Braden is wealthy, hard working, and fiercely loyal. Sweat at his brow, he works the family ranch by day, then kicks back at night with part time lovers who require nothing more than his physical presence a few times each week. But that was before. Before Jade Johnson, the daughter of the man his father has been feuding with for over forty years, moves back into town. After ditching a horrific relationship--and her veterinary practice in the process--Jade Johnson returns to the safety of her small hometown and finally finds her footing. That is...until her horse is injured and Rex Braden comes to her rescue. The last thing she needs is a bull-headed, too-handsome-for-his-own-good Braden complicating her life. Despite the angry family history, sparks fly between Rex and Jade, and attitudes follow. Fifteen years of stifled, forbidden love stirs a surge of passion too strong for either to deny--and the rebel in each of them rears its powerful head. Loyalties are tested, and relationships are strained. Rex and Jade are about to find out if true love really can conquer all. --- FRIENDSHIP ON FIRE SILVER MEDAL WINNER, Readers' Favorite Awards, Romance Sizzle Small-town overachiever Riley Banks has finally scored her big break--working in Manhattan as a fashion design assistant for her childhood crush, Josh Braden. She enters her new job hoping to make a name for herself and--just maybe--explore the romance that slipped through her fingers way back when. Josh Braden has models at his beck and call, a staff that never says never, and an elegant clothing line for the holiday season. When he hires Riley Banks, he expects her to learn the business from the ground up.