Book picks similar to
Seeking Nirvana by V.L. Brock
dark
romance
abuse
freebie
Very Bad Things
Ilsa Madden-Mills - 2013
And why wouldn't they? Valedictorian of her class and a Texas beauty queen, she's well on her way to Princeton after kissing everyone goodbye at graduation.Until the day she cracks wide open in front of the entire school.Leo Tate is a tattooed bad boy who's sworn to never fall in love, especially with a high school girl.But she keeps showing up at his gym, wearing short skirts and tempting him with her list of bad things.He wants to resist her, but with one touch of her lips, forbidden love has never tasted so sweet.Welcome to Briarwood Academy . . . where sometimes, the best things in life are Very Bad Things.*Mature Content**Author’s note: Each book in the BW series is written as a stand-alone love story following a new couple, but you’ll enjoy reading the other titles and seeing familiar faces return.1: VERY BAD THINGS (Nora and Leo)2: VERY WICKED THINGS (Dovey and Cuba)3. VERY TWISTED THINGS (Violet and Sebastian)
Darkness Lurks
J.L. Drake - 2014
It’s not easy, but Emily finally has the life she wants. She’s an A student at Orange University and has a comfortable home and a great circle of friends. She’s also in love with handsome Orange PD officer Seth Connors. He doesn’t seem to return her feelings, though, so she tells herself his friendship is enough. Jimmy Lasko is a psychopath, and Emily is his greatest obsession… Lasko knows what he wants—what he deserves—and has the deadly skills and unending patience to get it. What he wants is Emily, and he is watching and waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike. That time is coming soon; he’ll make sure of it. A sense of unease settles on Emily, but is the danger real or imagined? When Emily begins hearing noises and suspects someone has been in her house, Seth urges her to get a roommate. But after a search, she realizes a certain attractive cop would be the perfect choice, and Seth moves in. Seth loves Emily, but fears his feelings might make it difficult to protect her. In all areas of his life, Seth sees himself as a protector. He’s determined to keep Emily safe, but he pushes the captivating blonde away in an attempt to stay objective. However, after her stalker makes a failed attempt to capture her, Seth can no longer deny his feelings. With help from Seth’s police colleagues, he and Emily set out to identify the person hunting her before it’s too late. But is it worth the risk to bait the trap with what he wants most?
Wrong
L.P. Lovell - 2015
I knew exactly what I wanted and where I was going, until I was thrust into his world and ripped from mine. In the blink of an eye everything shattered, proving to be nothing more than a cheap illusion. Now I’m living in this twisted form of hell, where enemies and friends are one and the same. I thought I wanted perfection. Now I don’t know what I want - perhaps not even my own freedom. Jude I'm the definition of wrong. I'm violent, I'm greedy, and I stop at nothing to win. I'm a notorious bookie and in my game paying with your life is not just a figure of speech. You lose, I collect. I take whatever you have. She’s collateral for a debt, and if that debt's not paid someone will die. This should be just business, so why can’t I kill her? Everything is not always as it seems. Lust. Blood. Lies.Nothing this wrong should feel so right.
Macyn's Letter
S.L. Stacker - 2013
Falling into the lap of a sexy stranger may persuade her to change her mind, but before Macyn realizes what's happening, a second potential love interest is vying for her affections. When a threatening letter turns up in her mailbox, Macyn realizes choosing between two guys is the least of her worries. Abduction, violence, and rescue by an elite squad change the course of her life forever. When she seeks revenge on those who hurt her, she has to decide if she can trust the ones who vow they love her. Will Macyn be able to overcome her past and use their aid in her vendetta, or will she take matters into her own hands?
Hansel, Part One
Ella James - 2014
One boy. Mother calls him Hansel. One girl. Mother named her Gretel. Locked in little rooms, in the mountainside mansion of a crazy woman. Until he saws a hole into the wall dividing them. Then at least, they have each other’s hands. It doesn’t end well at Mother’s house. Everything gets…broken. Ten years later, they meet again in an exclusive Vegas sex club. Whips. Chains. And most of all, a mask. What happens to love when it gets twisted? Fairy tales are cautionary tales, remember?
Fading
E.K. Blair - 2013
About to graduate college and pursue her dreams of becoming a professional ballerina, Candace decides it’s time to let go and have a little fun. But fun is short-lived when a brutal attack leaves her completely shattered. The memories that consume and torment Candace are starting to destroy her when she meets Ryan Campbell, a successful bar owner. He feels instantly connected and tries to show her that hope is worth fighting for. But is Ryan harboring his own demons? As walls slowly begin to chip away, the secrets that are held within start to become painful burdens. At what point do secrets become lies?
(17+) This book contains mature subject matter that is not suitable for those under the age of 17.
Wraith
Joy Blood - 2018
Sex. Abduction. From childhood, the men who bought me from my drugged-out mother have been prepping me for what I became—a stone cold killer who auctions women to the highest bidder. She was my reward for completing my training. She opened my eyes and made me fight for what was right. That’s when shit went downhill fast. I thought I was saving her life...until I took it. He killed me. Took what was mine and discarded me like yesterday’s trash. I thought he was different from my previous “owner,” but I was wrong. Now, I’m out for blood... Revenge will be mine. Wraith is a Hell's Riders spin off but can be read as a stand alone. Warning: may cause triggers due to sensitive material. Reader discretion strongly advised.
Sinner
Katheryn Kiden - 2014
A woman who lives on the streets and wears short skirts in public must be a sinner. A woman who attends church every week must be a saint. However, everything is not always as it seems. In fact, it rarely is. Police chief’s daughter, Danielle Beckett, grew up knowing two things. One: anything worth having was worth hiding from her father, and two: she wanted to be the best at what she did. Her business, Sinners & Saints Modeling Agency, does well for itself but what happens behind the scenes does better. As an exclusive high priced call girl she has everything she wants while keeping everyone in the dark. Life is great until her employees start being picked off one by one. Danielle starts missing days and everything falls apart. As her life unravels around her, she is forced to not only choose between her safety and her business, but between her business and the one thing she never saw herself wanting. How can she keep her business and herself alive, when she knows one story, but the police know another? **Warning: If you're looking for something to leave you feeling warm and fuzzy, this is not the book for you. The worst thing you can do going into this book, is go in thinking you know how it's going to end. This book is intended ONLY for those over the age of eighteen.
Wanted
Demelza Watts - 2015
Although she is open to love, she wants to be sure the man she finally sleeps with is the One. She envisions a perfect union; just like her parents. She isn’t worried and she certainly isn’t looking. She is free now and has plenty of time. Or so she thought. Then she goes to work for Theo Steele and her life is turned upon its head... Theo is an arrogant American, bursting to take the London market by storm. He plays by the rules… his rules. Only his rules. People could either live with them or go. He doesn't care. Until he finds himself toe to toe with a beautiful blonde. All he knows it that he wants her… now. Join Beth and Theo as they navigate the treacherous journey of love in Wanted, the first book of the Love in London Series. This is a complete novella with no cliffhangers. The following novellas will feature friends and family who weave into each other's lives. Please note this is written by an English author so there may be some phrases different to that in the US.
Love the Way You Lie
Skye Warren - 2015
Except give him up. When he looks at me, I forget why I can’t have him. He’s beautiful and scarred. His body fits mine, filling the places where I’m hollow, rough where I am soft.He’s the one man who wants to help me, but he has his own agenda. He has questions I can’t answer. What are you afraid of?You.
Bought (The Owned Series Book 1)
Derek Masters - 2018
The men from my past have proven this time and time again. I have no reason to think this one will be any different. One minute, I’m having dinner with my father and the next, I’m locked in a dark room waiting to be sold to the highest bidder. I can only imagine what kind of hell my life is about to become. Reed I am what I am. A sadist with a soul as dark as night. I’ve accepted this long ago. I wasn’t always like this. A man can only see so much evil until it changes him, haunts him, and clouds the way he views the world. I swore to never let anyone get close to me, but there’s something about Hannah. She intrigued me. I wanted her. I needed to know what lies beyond that broken spirit. I had to have her...so I bought her. Bought is book number 1 in The Owned Series. It does end on a light cliffhanger but I promise it is SO worth it! As a special thank you, I'm including bonus content that will only be available during launch week! Enjoy!
Tempt Me
Nina West - 2015
Owner of the luxury hotel chain, and an undeniably beautiful but cold, hard man who is quick with demands, slow with apologies.And is my new boss.Worse? I think he’s toying with me. He enjoys watching me squirm beneath his penetrating gaze. He relishes in messing with my mind. He seems to know that my body betrays me when he’s near.And I’m beginning to think it’s only a matter of time before my job description expands to include tasks I can never talk about.Tempt Me is the first book in The Wolf Hotel series. Henry and Abbi's story continues with Break Me, Teach Me, and Surrender To Me.
Never Have I Ever
August Clearwing - 2013
Between completing a Master’s degree at Caltech and beginning her fruitful career at a local observatory she has little time for socializing. Until she attends one specific party that is.There, Piper is introduced to a drinking game called Never Have I Ever, and she finds herself admitting to a secret fantasy which challenges her friends’ views of her otherwise prudish nature. Her confession piques the interest of one man in particular, Noah; a handsome stranger with a darkly boyish charm.The resulting spiral of rapture and torture that follows is threatened by the demons of both their pasts. Piper's inability to give her heart to anyone, and Noah's guilt over the death of his former lover claw to the surface to tear Piper away from not only the one man who has ever made her feel like she does not have to be in control of her desires, but also the newly collected list of Nevers they both want to turn into reality.*Contains strong BDSM themes*
Monster
Julia Sykes - 2013
The night I was taken. I saved a man's life, but at what cost to myself? Can I convince him to save me in return?I hate him for what he's done to me. But the longer I'm trapped with him, the harder it is to cling to that hatred. He is an enigma of a man, one who is shockingly arrogant, sweetly contrite, and frighteningly aggressive by turns. And the pain in his eyes is a mirror for my own.The longer I remain in his grip, the more confused I become.Is my freedom worth betraying him?Warning: This series contains strong language and scorching sex scenes involving light BDSM.
Underestimated
Jettie Woodruff - 2013
She's never had anyone to look up to or help guide her in the right direction. She had it rough and never dreamed that it could get worse. However, she finds that it can and it does.She learns what real hell is when she meets the husband that she doesn't want to marry but isn't given a choice. Can she escape? She can and does, only to wake up and find herself right back at square one._____________Warning! This is not your everyday fall in love romance. This book contains disturbing situations, strong language, graphic, sexual content - some forced, some not. If it's a happily ever after love story that you are looking for, you should probably move on. If you are up for the ride, stick around and it may just turn into a love story after all.