Book picks similar to
Getting the Down by Daphne Loveling


sports
freebie
romance
contemporary-romance

Taming Mad Max


Theresa Ragan - 2011
    Believing his life will be cut short, Max tries to live every moment to its fullest. For this reason, Max shies away from forming close relationships. What would be the point of falling in love and starting a family only to leave them as his father left him and his sisters? When Max discovers he has a thirteen-year old daughter though, it throws all his years of planning and preparation for an early death into a tailspin.Nutrition expert, Kari Murphy, used to think Max Dutton, aka Mad Max, was to die for, but she’s older and wiser now. The last time Kari reacted with her heart instead of her brain, she conceived the thing she loves most in life…her daughter, Molly. As much as she dislikes Max Dutton for taking her declaration of love and throwing it in her face fourteen years earlier, she knows that if it wasn’t for him her life would be meaningless. And that really ticks her off, especially when she’s hired by the NFL franchise to follow Max around for a couple of weeks and give him healthy-eating advice, foolproof facts about carbohydrates and tasteful tips on cooking and shopping smart. Kari doesn’t want to be anywhere near the man, but what choice does she have? Her career is on the line.Taming Mad Max finaled in RWA’s 2008 Golden Heart competition under the title, Better Late Than Never.

Breaching His Defenses


Allyson Lindt - 2014
    A chance encounter in a karaoke bar should have been just a fling for Jared Tippins and Mikki Elford. A smoking hot, memories last forever fling, but still just a fling. Except she works for the competition, and the competition has been up to no good. This fun contemporary romance is book one in Allyson Lindt's sexy new Love Hack series. Years ago, heartbreak corrupted Jared Tippins’s outlook on love. He spun the betrayal into a rapid climb up the corporate ladder, and swore off any relationship with a morning after. Luckily, the playful siren who rescues him from singing a duet alone in a karaoke bar doesn’t want anything long term. If only he could stop fantasizing about ways to make her moan. Sure, she could’ve mentioned he works for the competition. At least she’s not behind the security concerns that have plagued his company for almost six months.If she were, he’d be screwed on a whole new level.Mikki Elford is determined to have the fun she missed out on when she fast-tracked her way through college. But school had its upside, too. She’s qualified to legally hack corporate networks. Best job ever. She also gained an appreciation for the legends in computing — Gates, Jobs, and Tippins. When she meets Jared Tippins and realizes he’s sexy and fluent in programming languages older than she is, no consequence will dissuade her from an impromptu fling. Fortunately, he doesn’t mind that six months ago she compromised his network to land her job.Oh, crap! He doesn't know.

#Nerd


Cambria Hebert - 2014
    He wants to stay on the team. An awkward alliance doesn't even begin to cover Rimmel and Romeo's relationship.But that's about to change.It starts with a dare. An initiation. A challenge.Quickly, it turns into more. But when you're a victim of your status, there is no room for anything real. The rules are clear and simple.Stick to your circle.And never fall in love with anyone on the outside.

Seaside Sweets


Melissa Chambers - 2018
    He's got a big one.After her ex runs up her credit card, clears her bank account, and gets her fired, Seanna Perry makes her escape to the quaint beach town of Seaside, Florida. The houses are pastel, the ocean air heaven, and the men hot as the Gulf Coast sun…one in particular. But while paying the price, literally, for the last man she trusted with her heart, she’s not interested in any sort of beach romance, or so she keeps reminding herself.Living in the idyllic coastal paradise of the 30A area hasn’t eased Blake Evans’ guilt over what went down three years ago. He can’t stop blaming himself, and certainly none of his wonderful friends can ever find out what happened. Blake’s done a good job of keeping romantic feelings toward any women at bay, and he needs to keep it that way. But when Seanna begins to show him how to live again, he finds himself struggling to keep his guard up. Seaside Sweets is book one in the Love Along Highway 30A series, which features beautiful beach communities, a circle of unique and amazing friends, and romances that will have you cheering on the couples and fanning yourself from the heat. All books are standalone and can be enjoyed in or out of order.

The Alex Drake Collection


Lexxi James - 2020
    Too Many Secrets.“The storyline is the bomb! It is chock full of intrigue, action, suspense, steam, and answers to all those burning questions! This series is definitely one of my favs! A must read! –J. Bishop, Amazon Reviewer“F-bomb worthy twists . . . be ready for extreme emotions as Lexxi James certainly can pull them out in spades.” –J. Pierson, Amazon Top 1000 ReviewersMeet Alex Drake.Billionaire CEO. Engaged ex-womanizer. And a man with one hell of a past.Madison Taylor never imagined the whirlwind her life would become after meeting Alex Drake. He’s not just interested in this small town girl in Manhattan. Some might say he’s obsessed. But with so much to unravel, can she chase the truth through an obstacle course of buried secrets, corporate schemers, an old flame, and her brother’s death?This box set includes the trilogy: Access, Exposed, & Burned.Warning: Full Steam Ahead. Lexxi James Books are seductive, suspenseful romances filled with fun, sensual, and sizzling high heat love scenes.

Intrigued


Z.L. Arkadie - 2019
    He was the abyss, the dark sea and buried in his depths were treasures, wonderful beautiful treasures." Get Christmas all year long… I thought I would end the holiday season as I had every year, alone in my bed, binging on my favorite seasonal TV shows while feverishly working to find my next article to write. That was until I received a call from an old friend, who made me a proposition I couldn’t afford to refuse. And so this year, I was spending Christmas with the Christmases. When I arrived at the mansion, Bryn, the one who invited me, was nowhere to be found. It was her older brother, Jasper who welcomed me with un-opened arms. Jasper Christmas was a beautiful but dark angel. He was intense, brooding and the epitome of sexy; danger dripped from his pores. Bryn’s proposition would put me at odds with this mysterious being, who guarded their family's secrets with his flaming sword. So soon I found myself passionately entangled with Jasper Walker Christmas. I’m now worried that our encounters will make me betray the reason Bryn invited me here in the first place.

Royally Matched


Mckenna James - 2020
    I have little dealings with women in general, so I hire a matchmaker to vet some candidates.Then one evening, in a room filled with suitable future queens, I discover her.Lisabet Olinescu.The haunting notes emanating from her cello, that gorgeous mane flowing wildly down her back, those deeply expressive eyes—they awaken something in my soul.She brings colors to my world I’ve never seen before, and I know I must have her.The fact that she’s not interested in becoming a queen is but a minor detail.I’ll stop at nothing to make her mine.And who knows? Maybe she is fiery enough to melt my stone cold heart.

The Practice Proposal


Tracy March - 2013
    Not from a charity-auction date she didn’t even bid on and especially not with Nationals first baseman Cole Collins, the guy she obsessed over as an awkward teenager. She won’t get involved with a notorious player, no matter how attractive Cole is. Cole Collins is up for contract renegotiation, but after too many late-night parties, he’ll need some positive publicity before he can make the roster. His agent, Frank, pitches Liza as the perfect prop…only Cole didn’t account for Liza no longer being just a teenager with a crush. She’s gorgeous and smart and he’s instantly hooked. When Frank makes Liza a deal she can’t refuse—a bet she will fall in love with Cole or a cool half mil goes to charity—the game is on. But neither bet on the real feelings that surface. Could a fake fling turn into an official forever?

Undercover Billionaire


Amy Andrews - 2020
    Brooding billionaire Ari Callisthenes, heir to a Greek shipping line, goes undercover as a regular Joe passenger on one of his own cruise ships to find out why it's underperforming. His standards are impossibly high and he isn't willing to leave anything to chance but unexpected chemistry with a sexy cocktail waitress has him reassessing his priorities. And his rules.Australian Kelsey Armitage lets her guard down for the first time in a long time despite a romance with the mysterious passenger being strictly forbidden. Just this once, however, Kelsey is prepared to break all the rules....and have a lot of fun doing it.But Ari's subterfuge puts everything that Kelsey has worked for at risk. Can she ever forgive the tycoon for his deception?

Sinners of Hawthorne University Complete Series


Eva Ashwood - 2021
    It contains violence, dark subject matter, and high steam.**

Made for Me


Kathryn R. Biel - 2016
    While her meddling family questions how she can end up in this predicament, at the age of 29, and single to boot, Michele doesn't want to admit the truth. All she wants to do is sew. Faced with the prospect of moving back into her parents' house, Michele throws a Hail Mary pass and applies for a TV design contest, Made for Me. In order to win the contest, Michele will have to compete with nine other contestants to design the new wardrobe for Duchess Maryn Medrovovich, who's about to marry Prince Stephan of the United Republic of Montabago. While in the seclusion of the show, Michele starts to realize where her focus in life should be, and what's truly important to her. However, a dashing competitor might just cause her to lose her focus once and for all. Can Michele keep her eye on the prize while being true to herself?

Logan


Violette Paradis - 2020
    I don't do these kinds of things.But I would never have a chance to date him otherwise and the money is nice.Our contract says our relationship is strictly platonic.But the kisses feel so real.And deep down I wish it was something more...LoganEveryone thinks I'm a rebel, a bad boy, a guy who can't keep it in his pants...The tabloids make all their money off the disaster that is my personal life.If only they knew the real me.There's only one thing to do to get the public back on my side : put on a show.But things get too real when Riley turns out to be everything I want in a woman.She's smart, sexy, and she loves hockey.But this is all for show... right?I'm willing to risk it all to find out.

Perfect Pitch


Mindy Klasky - 2014
    All she has to do is follow the pageant's rules - no smoking, drinking, or "cavorting" in public.That's fine, until D.J. Thomas - God's gift to baseball - throws her a wild pitch. He slams her in an interview, and the video goes viral. Sam's no shrinking violet. She parlays D.J.'s apology into a national T.V. appearance - and a very unexpected, very public kiss.Soon, paparazzi catch the couple in a steamy make-out session, and Sam's music program is on the block. The blazing hot relationship is threatened even more when D.J.'s son begs to trade in Little League for music class.Can Sam and D.J. sizzle past the sour notes and find their perfect pitch?

Brooks


Savannah Rylan - 2021
    Prison food sucked.But now that I'm finally out, There's only one dish I'm looking for...A dark-haired beauty named Raven.She was my best friend's girl.But he's gone now.And it's all my fault.It's only right that I should take care of her.But once I lay eyes on her again,I know I want to do more than comfort her.I don't know if I can control myself.And then there's the f*ckin club.Things have gone to sh*t since I got locked up.I can barely take care of myself...But now Raven,And the club?F*ck.Prison was easier.

Coming Home to You


Claire Raye - 2014
    Not even when he left her ten years ago to become the now hardened Boston detective.But life has come full circle because he finds himself back in his hometown, bound and determined to protect her.Kelsey Walters never imagined she’d get a second chance with the love of her life, but he reappears when she needs him most.Stalked and tormented by an ex-boyfriend, she just longs to feel safe again and knows Beck is willing to risk his life to give her that.As their sexual tension builds, they both realize it may not be enough to rekindle what was once lost.Coming Home with You is the first book in the Rockport Beach series. While each book can be read as a standalone, it offers so much more if read as a series. HEA guaranteed with each book!