Book picks similar to
Brief Encounters by Phillipa Ashley
contemporary
contemporary-romance
historical
short-stories
Past Forward: Volume VI
Chautona Havig - 2013
When Willow Finley awakes on a hot summer morning, she is unprepared for the grief that awaits her. Jerked from a life of isolation with her mother, Willow learns what alone really means when she finds her mother still in her bed, never to awaken again in this life. From the moment Willow arrives in the police station with her startling announcement, Chad Tesdall fights the friendship he knows he can't avoid. Follow Willow's life, Past Forward. The many changes that have taken place over the past few years slowly reverse as Chad and Willow find a comfortable groove for their little family. But amid the good and wholesome, something--or someone--foreboding lurks in the shadows, threatening the tranquility of their home and lives. When Becca feels threatened, Josh wants something done and now. In the weeks before Becca's wedding, Willow finds her life turned upside down by a very pregnant Aggie and her nine children--yep. Nine! Overwhelmed by the sheer volume of people and work, Willow finds herself struggling with more than just the excess dishes and laundry. Amid all of life's upheavals, the changes at Walden Farm continue, but when tragedy and loss arrive, they help the Tesdalls determine what is most important to their family, bringing Chad and Willow closer than ever. Volume 6 is the final volume in the Past Forward Series. Look for more about Chad and Willow in its sister series, HearthLand. Past Forward is a serial novel originally released in individual episodes.
Captive of the Cattle Baron
Irene Vartanoff - 2015
Baron's vast, isolated ranch is only one of his many attractions, but he's awfully domineering and she can't possibly give in to their growing attraction while she's virtually his prisoner, can she? Baron sees the situation differently. Forced to drop his geology career and take over the family ranch, he's frustrated by too many people saying no to him. Isn't he in charge? Why is Addie so mysterious about her past and her commitments to another man? Why won't she give in to Baron, when every time they touch, they catch fire? It's a battle of wills—with neither one backing down. Addie can tame the wildest stallion, but taming her own growing attraction to the high-handed rancher and keeping him from breaking through her defenses requires all her strength—and some help from unexpected sources. Praise for Captive of the Cattle Baron from the judges of the Touch of Magic Contest: "Full of life and real people with distinct, believable voices and personalities." "Love your voice! This was so easy to read. I love it when the author disappears and the story comes to life. Few are able to carry that off well—you have that talent." "Enjoyed the read! You have a great story!" From the judges of The Write Stuff Contest: "Addie’s likeable and she’s acting in a believable manner, so good job there." "The dialogue is quite natural and compelling. Great job!" "I loved the premise of the story." "Your opening scene was great! I love how it started with your two characters meeting each other in not the best circumstances." "I love your characters; both have something they need to redeem in different ways." "From your voice, to your characters, and plot you have an amazing story here." "Great western feel and classic fish out of water story." From the judges of the Emily Contest: "I think you’re a truly talented writer." "I like that you got right into the story, introducing the characters and giving the readers enough back story to pique their curiosity." "Great story. Congratulations!" "It was very clear that Baron and Addie would be an excellent match (beyond their initial physical attraction)." "Very good! Very intriguing and likeable characters. I would totally go horseback riding with Addie."
Fire Me Up
Alicia Street - 2019
Not that quiet schoolteacher Marni Ross has an easy time forgetting him either. But she knows a handsome hunk like him would never be interested in someone like her. When Harper loses his fiancée to a rich Wall Streeter and seeks a new start in a sleepy village on the North Fork, he runs into the same woman who once again surprises him, this time shaking up his world like never before.
Introduction to Love and Self
Joan Vassar - 2006
Their interaction had a profound effect on them both. When Lisa is sent to live with relatives, the two are sure they will never see each other again. Eighteen years later, Seven often wonders what happened to the girl who lived down the hall. He never forgot her or the objectionable circumstances under which they lived. Lisa, now twenty-six, realizes that she has lived in a cocoon for years, putting her life on hold to care for her grandmother. Upon her grandmother’s death, she has no regrets, only an eagerness to begin anew. Lisa throws herself back into life, but after years of abuse, she shies away from romantic connections. Fate steps in at the Plaza Hotel in Manhattan, bringing Seven and Lisa face to face with the past—and possibly their future. Seven is still scarred by his childhood—his father’s absence and his mother’s prostitution—and Lisa has never experienced true intimacy. Will they be able to take their lives in a new direction? Introduction to Love and Self tells the passionate tale of a man and woman who share an indelible connection. Follow them as they embark upon a tantalizing sexual journey, seeking the trust and love that each desperately craves.
Sea Foam
Natalie C. Penna - 2014
Now mute, and afraid of the water, Lana is sent away to spend the summer with her aunt and uncle by the sea. There she meets Ezekiel, a young surfer with a bad reputation. Can Lana learn to love the water again? And will she find her voice?
Mountain Man's Virgin
Claire Angel - 2018
It could not have come at a better time. I distracted myself with work and even welcomed the chance to work somewhere else to help out. I enjoyed staying busy… Hallie I never expected to meet Colton when I went back for a short but necessary trip to Chester. He wasn’t here before, just memories that I wanted to forget. He was gorgeous and rough around the edges. A Mountain Man. Colton was going to be the death of me. Every moment that I spent with him, I grew more addicted. Once I gave in to him, I wasn’t sure if I’d ever be able to walk away. Would he be worth the risk? Could I walk away from this stunning mountain man? Colton I didn’t think I’d meet Hallie, the woman that changed my world the second I saw her. It was complicated as hell, but I wanted her. I wanted a future with her. Were a few weeks enough time to decide on your future? Was it worth taking the chance? Could I trust my feelings? ***Mountain Man's Virgin is 15,000-word full-length standalone Mountain Man Romance. No cliffhanger, plenty of steam and a guaranteed HEA! Steamy Bonus Romance Stories Included Just For You.***
Tempting Secrets (Tempting Nights Romance #1)
Michelle Windsor - 2018
Or at least, it’s the name my clients call me. I work for the elite escort agency, Temptations, and for a price, I’ll be whatever you want and need me to be. I have the body, I have the looks, and I have a smile that makes any woman swoon. But It’s just a job. A necessary evil to help fund my dreams of becoming a doctor. I’m simply a robot, performing my required tasks. Until the night I’m hired to seduce Charlotte Harvey and remind her how good a man can make her feel. I didn’t expect her beauty to spark a desire in me long buried. I didn’t expect her smile to turn that spark into a flame. And I definitely didn’t expect her passion to ignite that flame into an inferno. I should have walked away without looking back, but she started a fire in me that I can’t seem to tame. Tempting Nights is the first book in the Tempted Nights Romance Series. Each book can be read as a stand-alone and features a happily ever after.
Hurricane Beach (Southern Storms #1)
Lexie Nicholas - 2020
They were also convinced they were soulmates—until the breakup. Can a hurricane threatening the Georgia Coast reunite the once high school sweethearts?
With her disgruntled teenage daughter in tow, Anna, a recently divorced paramedic, has moved back to her hometown of Magnolia Hill to start over. Her priority is to heal the emotional wounds her now ex-husband had caused. She also needs to prove to herself that she is capable of providing for herself and her daughter on her own. Only by facing her inner demons and the people who’ve told her she's not worthy can she make room in her heart to love again.Two years after the fatal car accident that claimed his wife, Chief Meteorologist Jason Morrison is still grieving. However, when he collides with Anna at a community event, memories of his senior year resurface, and he can’t get her out of his mind. He invites Anna to tag along on an opportunity of a lifetime—to cover Hurricane Gerard’s landfall at Tybee Island—just as friends. Nothing ever goes as planned, though. Spending time together rekindles the familiar feelings they had for each other when they dated in high school nearly two decades ago. But they can't be together. He’s made a sacred promise. She has to learn to trust again. Will they find a way?
If you enjoy clean romances with charming characters and a small-town feel, stories about second chances, and the excitement of stormy weather, then you’ll love Lexie Nicholas’s debut novel.
Home Behind Her, Hope Ahead: Cowboy Romance Novel
Serenity Spacey - 2020
She is cooking and cleaning and hiding something. She meets Paul, the new equestrian teacher, who does cowboy rodeo events and seems entirely uninterested in the school, except when it comes to getting by with the minimum amount of work. Rachel discovers that Paul is recovering from a fire that happened on his ranch. Rachel doesn’t want to get too familiar with him or anybody since she has a secret, which has to do with being the witness at a trial long ago. Rachel is afraid all the time, and it’s unclear why. Paul begins to fall for her but isn’t sure he will ever get to the bottom of what’s troubling her. Can they find happiness? A standalone short story ending Happily Ever After and unlimited reading with Kindle Unlimited!
Lucie’s Billionaire Cowboy Grace: Sweet Cowboy Billionaire Novels (Seven Billionaire Cowboy Brothers at Christmas Wilmont Lodge Book 1)
Brenda Clemmons - 2020
Sweet Billionaire Romance Box Set: Books 1-8
Emilia Hattington - 2019
And don’t look back.My best friend told me to run, and I listened.My name is no longer Emily.I changed it to Emma and ran as fast I could.I found paradise with a little dash of family.I began rebuilding my life from the ashes.Then Liam walked into my new life.He was kind, smart and downright sexy, but trust wouldn’t come easy to me anymore.He said we could just be friends, but I know he wanted more.I wanted so much to lose myself in him.I wanted so much to forget.But some things can’t be forgotten.Some people can’t be banished.All I could hope is that by the time my past caught up with me, those I loved would be safe and sound.I had the worst luck in love.Women only saw my bank account when they dated me.I had a long sad history with gold diggers, and I was done.But then I saw Emma laugh.Her beauty struck deep within my tired soul and I knew I had to possess her.But I could tell she had a secret.I just never knew how dangerous that secret was.Now it is up to me to save her.If she will let me….When pain and misery litter the pages of our past, can we afford the price of love?Book 2: Lucky EncounterFive years ago, he broke my heart.I was a struggling waitress, down on her luck.He was rich, successful, hot, and charming. How could I keep saying no?But I was a fool to think he cared.When I got pregnant with his child, and he abandoned his responsibilities with a callous note, I vowed to remake myself and never be stupid enough to trust somebody like Noah Pryce again.Now our daughter is four, and I’ve worked my through grad school to build us a better life.When I get a job working at a high end security company for more money than I’ve ever seen, I think Bella and I have it made.But they didn’t tell me it’s Noah’s company.They didn’t tell me the man who abandoned us would be my boss.Somehow I’ve got to keep things professional and work for the bastard who almost ruined my life.Noah’s still gorgeous, still charming, and sometimes I think he might have changed.But for my daughter, I’ve got to keep my head on straight.Noah Pryce may have may have fooled me once, but I’m a different woman now.Book 3: Unexpected AdventureDeep in the Amazon Rainforest is the answer to all of her questions...Megan James has hated wealthy bad boy Andy Saxon ever since an accident that happened years ago.But, when Megan’s sister goes missing in the Amazon, Andy is the key to getting her back.Together, the unlikely duo concoct a plan to save the day.A fake wedding, a private jet, and a hidden heart of gold...Will Megan be able to overcome the past and learn to trust Andy?Will Andy ever find someone who loves him for more than his money?Can they rescue Megan’s sister from the jungle in time?What happens in the Amazon, certainly doesn’t stay in the Amazon...Book 4: Baking for the BillionaireA baking competition show isn’t exactly my thing. But when I find myself strapped for cash, that grand prize proves too hard to resist.Derek is charming, rich, and for some reason, interested in me.I know I should keep my distance, a contestant dating the show’s producer could be the ultimate scandal. Too bad I find the guy irresistible.As the competition heats up, so does our relationship, and I find myself falling head over heels for the man. But he’s got baggage in the form of a selfish ex-wife and I’m facing sabotage on the set.Can we move past our obstacles and find the recipe for love?Book 5: Keeping Her SafeI have a knack for finding trouble.This time, it’s landed me in the witness protection program.Now, I have a new name and a new life in Biloxi, Mississippi.I’ve barely settled in when a hurricane comes along to stir things up.I find myself stranded in the storm, desperate for shelter.Enter Ethan Kincaid.Sexy, rich, kind. He’s the total package.Suddenly, being stuck in the path of a tropical storm while hiding from a deranged killer doesn’t seem so bad.But I can’t forget about the danger that brought me here in the first place.And I can’t tell Ethan who I really am.Between the rain, the secrets, and the ever-lurking danger, I have a lot on my plate.Can I make room for love as well?It looks like I’ll have to, because I lost my heart to a billionaire while the storm raged.Book 6: My Perfect MatchMy trust in men had been destroyed by my previous employer.I wanted never to be a nanny again.But the story of a broken little girl caught at my heart.I accepted the job and made one unbreakable rule for myself -don’t ever let the boss get too close.Too bad this boss lived to break rules.I didn't want him. I didn't trust him.But he really didn't care.Loving him would mean risking the child who needed me.But how could I hate him when he made me feel so special?How could I resist the passion he was offering?If I throw caution to the wind, can we all come out the other side happier than we’ve ever been? Or will the flames burn everything to the ground? Book 7: Loving PursuitMy Hawaiian vacation turned into the perfect getaway when I met Marie.It only took one hot night for her to get under my skin.But I woke up alone the next morning.All I know is her name and the town she’s from.It’s enough to track her down, but should I bother?I can’t seem to help myself.I want her in my bed again. And again. And again.Before I know it, I’ve developed real feelings for her.But we come from different worlds.I’m a Beverly Hills billionaire. She’s a small-town princess.My father would never approve.Then, we get a shocking surprise that could change everything.Will we embrace change and come stronger on the other side?Is love enough to conquer all?Book 8: Return to MeOlivia Jacobs is the one that got away.It’s been ten years since life pulled us in different directions.In that time, I’ve become a billionaire with women falling at my feet.But none of them measure up.When an accident lands me in the hospital, I’m shocked to see Olivia there in scrubs.Sparks fly between us, but is it enough to reignite an old flame?Between my crazy ex and an opportunity that threatens to tear us apart again, there’s plenty to get in the way of happiness.Can we push through the obstacles and find a love that was always meant to be?
The Cowboy's Fate
Janalyn Knight - 2019
Caleb has searched for his one true love and come up dry – until he hires beautiful ranching consultant, Eve Owen. Following their glorious nights together, a bereft Caleb must say goodbye to Eve as she disregards the shocking result of their final loving and returns to her beloved Dallas-based business. Sent from the sweeping expanse of his isolated West Texas ranch, Caleb’s deeply romantic love notes keep Eve’s heart in turmoil. She loves her desert cowboy, and his sensual, heartfelt words tempt her to abandon everything she’s worked a lifetime for. It appears a straightforward choice until a newfound secret throws her life into turmoil. This sweet spicy love story will have you burning the midnight oil.
Cowboy Wedding Mix-up
J.T. Schultz - 2014
To add to craziness she agrees to help plan the wedding of her childhood friend. No one told CJ the bride is pregnant or the wedding date is just over a week away. Not a problem, she’s a toughie, except she wasn’t counting on the chaos or her high school crush growing into a very hot cowboy.Who the hell does Dalton Scott think he is being all sexy and kissing her ruthlessly? After the wedding from hell, facing the lies of her family, and admitting she is never getting over Dalton, she is going away. Well, that’s the plan anyway.Dalton is sure his twin brother’s wedding is going to be one to remember—and not in a good way. Providing people stop mistaking him for his brother and accusing CJ of kissing the groom. After spending time with the beauty and some hot encounters all he has to do is convince the pretty CJ to give up planning weddings long enough to have one with him.
'Tis The Season
D.F. Jones - 2018
‘Tis the Season hits the spot with romance readers looking for a light and sweet holiday read. Small Town Rural, Magical Midnight Rides, and First Kisses bringing joy, happiness, and unforgettable romance with this group of award-winning and talented authors.
Ready or Not
Carol Schede - 2011
They grew up together. They still lived next door to each other. So why after thirty-some year were they suddenly sneaking around, trying to have an affair? Both were unattached and the timing seemed perfect, at least in Sam's mind. But Ginger was wary, afraid that when the passion had faded—as she was confident it would--Sam would no longer be her friend. Their friendship was more important to her than a quick fling, which seemed to be all Sam was looking for. Fate chose to side with Ginger, preventing Sam from achieving his goal. Ultimately, no match for Sam's perseverance, Fate finally gave up, stepped aside and declared "have at it" but not without throwing some obstacles in their way. Just when it all seemed to be working so well—that deafening thud they heard was the sound of everything falling apart.