Book picks similar to
Hard Time by Hope Conrad


romance
contemporary
contemporary-romance
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Texas Twosome


Debbie White - 2018
    Love kept her there...When Rebecca Parsons's new assignment brings her to Steam, Texas to cover the anniversary of an unsolved missing person's story, she's more than up to the task. Then she meets Kyle, a striking man with charisma who takes a hold of her in ways she'd never imagine.Kyle is carrying on the family tradition of law enforcement. When he's asked to show the out-of-town reporter around, he's happy to do it. There's not much excitement in Steam and they don't get many out of town visitors. Something about this big-city girl intrigues him so he asks her to stay a while. Soon Becca and Kyle find themselves enthralled in a slow-burning love connection neither of them saw coming.Book 1 - Texas TwosomeBook 2 - Kansas KissedBook 3 - California CrushBook 4 - Oregon ObsessionBook 5 - Florida Fling (Coming Soon)

Set the Pace


Kim Karr - 2016
    He protected me. Shielded me. Kept me safe. And I would have done anything for him.Fate tore us apart—leaving a world between us, and both our hearts broken.Now Jasper is Detroit's white knight, a reckless rogue turned sexy savior, pulling the city and himself out of destitution.Everything he does is fast. He talks fast, f*cks fast, and drives fast.I know I should keep my distance. That I should stay away. There's too much history between us. Too much left unsaid.Yet I can't resist him.Just being near him is a thrill—his perfect body, our incredible explosive chemistry, the enticing danger that follows him everywhere he goes.But then the city turns against us, and we can't hold on. When it’s us against the world—will our love survive?

Jaden


Shayne Ford - 2017
    She follows her own rules and never lets anyone get close to her. Fiercely independent, she has her deepest, most intimate desires fulfilled in the most practical way while she keeps her heart and secrets locked away.Jaden Taylor is a man with two lives, a well-guarded heart, and a body made for sin. Life events force him into making hard choices so that he can protect the people that he loves. He can give Senna what she wants, but there's a price to pay, and it's more than a chunk of money.When their paths crossed, the chemistry is off the charts, but the road to each other heart's is far from easy.Two strong people with broken hearts, teetering on the cusp of darkness, sucking in the other people in their lives. Two warriors that fight to turn their lives around, and walk a path of light.Expect steamy encounters, other people, questionable choices, twists and turns, and cliffhangers.Nothing is off the table. Dark tones and situations present.

The Bones of Others


Vickie McKeehan - 2013
    Not this one.Brutalized as a young girl by a vile sexual predator, Skye Cree is a survivor. Guided by the visions of her mystical spirit guide to the whereabouts of abducted girls, she uses her unique abilities to turn her horrifying past into a positive force for justice. Fighting the demons that have haunted her for years, she trusts only in herself—until she falls hard for a man for the first time in her life. Now, discovering her abductor is back with a vengeance, she becomes locked in a deadly race against time to stop the horrors of an evil human-trafficking ring that threatens to tear her world, and her newfound love apart.

A Date with Fate


Tracy Ellen - 2012
    She’s twenty eight, owns a bookstore, and is one determined, control freak of a woman. She’s decided to take the entire weekend off to have some fun. Except Anabel’s unapologetically single and perfectly uncomplicated life is suddenly upside down with problems! The cheating love of her life is back in town. Her family is meddling in her personal business. An adulterous wife of a good friend has gone missing. She’s been targeted for death by a homicidal serial rapist. An evil aunt has gone fanatic. Her sociopathic cousin has stolen her gun. The macho police chief is driving her nuts. And one not-too-tall, deliciously dark, and definitely not handsome stranger is enticing her to break all her ironclad rules on dating in the most intriguing of ways. Strange things are happening in Northfield, Minnesota. But Anabel’s never met the challenge she won’t stare in the eye while daintily spitting sideways in the dirt. Will Anabel begin to believe that life is never simple, some rules are meant to be broken, and a certain mesmerizing complication may be worth the trouble--even if it kills her? (Adult Content)

Unmasked: Volume One


Cassia Leo - 2014
    I have a night job that pays the bills. Every night, I put on my mask and walk to work.Then one night, I hear and see something that will change my purpose in life... forever: a murder that will bring him to me.He says he wants to protect me. And, through a series of events I can’t fully make sense of, I find myself believing him. But our nightly visits are always cloaked in darkness. I don’t know his face and he will never know mine. I was born into this world unwanted. I will leave this world unmasked.

Freeing Her


A.M. Hargrove - 2014
    the story of two people who were meant to be together. Why? Because unknown to them, they shared terrifying pasts and the cruel circumstances of their births doomed both of them to a life of hell. Two strangers ... one night ... one accidental meeting that changed their lives forever. Gabriella Martinelli, Manhattan psychiatrist had only one goal in life—to help abuse victims avoid the horrors she’d experienced herself. She worked late, volunteered, and donated her services to anyone who needed them. Life was good ... until her nightmare resurfaced. He found her, and began stalking her, and she knew he wouldn’t stop until he destroyed every ragged piece of her.Kolson Hart, Manhattan’s most eligible bachelor, was ruled by his dark past. He liked control, from the boardroom to the bedroom and didn’t care to be involved with someone whose life was just as screwed up as his was. But one look at Gabriella short-circuited everything. Want ... desire ... need ... will sometimes drive a man to do things he swore he never would.He freed her from a life of fear ... When he couldn’t even save himself.

Night with a SEAL


Cat Johnson - 2014
    But when navigating military red tape begins to present more challenges than the enemy it makes Jon question his future. So does Alison Cressly, the woman who doesn’t do one-night stands or SEALs but who broke both rules with Jon the eve of his deployment to Afghanistan. He can’t get her out of his head — not while away and not now that he’s back. When Ali’s life is threatened and military rules won’t allow him to intervene, Jon decides it’s time to take back control. The question is what would a SEAL do as a civilian? Jon’s got skills, drive and an idea, as well as a few teammates willing to cover his six. And he’s got the hope of more with Ali. A team of sexy SEALs, a terrorist threat, and an attraction that can’t be denied... it all comes together in this launch of the Hot SEALs romantic suspense series from New York Times and USA Today bestselling contemporary romance author Cat Johnson.

Ask For It


Selena Blake - 2013
    Now she’s back in his life and he’s not going to miss the opportunity to show her just how good they could be together.Words may be JJ’s tool of trade, but when it comes to the bedroom, words escape her. Trevor’s an excellent teacher and before she knows it, she’s asking for what she wants.But when outside forces threaten to expose dark secrets from Trevor’s past, can he overcome his suspicions and trust the woman in his bed?

Devil's Lake


Aaron Paul Lazar - 2014
    Like the rest of her family, Boone has never given up hope that Portia would return. But when she turns up battered, skinny as a twelve-year-old boy, afraid of everything and unable to talk about what happened, he does the only thing he can—try to help her heal. He summons the town doctor and Portia’s parents, and sets out to put this beautiful, broken woman back together again. Through her family's love and Boone's gentle affection, Portia gradually comes back to herself, and starts to fall for her old friend in a whole new way. But one thing threatens her fragile hope for recovery: The man who took her promised that if she ever escaped, he'd kill her. Slowly. And someone is definitely watching her...waiting to make his next deadly move.

Rogue


Laura Marie Altom - 2016
    He wooed Maisey into believing their whirlwind romance was the fairy tale she'd searched her whole life to find. Pregnant, she couldn't wait to marry him. Life was idyllic until she witnessed her beloved murder in cold blood, then discovered he's already married to a woman who's unable to conceive. Maisey tried running to police, but found herself locked in a gilded cage. Vicente plans on keeping her alive long enough for her to give birth to his son, then he wants her permanently out of his family picture.When Nash attempts a middle-of-the-night solo rescue at Vicente's remote compound, the mission goes horribly wrong. Suddenly, Nash is left with no choice but to hide deep in the Everglades, running from Vicente's trigger-happy hired guns with the eight-month pregnant woman he's fought years to forget.When the exertion and stress send Maisey into early labor, the clock is ticking for Nash to save her and her child from not just lethal swamp creatures, but the man who wants her dead.

Beautifully Wounded


Susan Griscom - 2014
    is to take a leap of faith.What would you do if you had no place to go and no one you could trust?"The lyrics are about you, Lena," he confessed, and I watched his mouth as the tip of his tongue moistened his lips before he leaned his head down. Then those beautiful lips were on mine, soft, tender at first, then his tongue glided over my lips, breaking the seal. My pulse throbbed and quickened as his tongue swirled around mine. Taking and controlling, and... and I wanted this, needed his touch. I went limp in his embrace, and the heat rose under my skin, my body vibrated against his strong powerful one. Was this really happening?" Jackson Beaumont prides himself on being a nature-loving, guitar-strumming, carefree sort of guy. When the mysterious Lena Benton walks into his bar looking scared and defeated, it's not something he can ignore. He's immediately consumed by concern for her and driven by his desire to help. She's just so beautiful. So wounded. After being shuffled from one foster home to another growing up, Lena Benton dreamt of finding her prince charming. When the captivating Troy Harington sweeps her off her feet shortly after high school graduation, she's certain she's found her happiness. Unfortunately, Troy's true colors surface shortly after their marriage and things turn ugly. Lena only has one choice. She has to leave him. She has to run... Lena's escape has brought her to Jackson, and he clearly wants to be there for her, but can she trust anyone again after what she's gone through? And will Jackson be able to help her heal without losing his heart?18+ due to sexual content and mature subject matter.

The Billionaire's Kiss Boxset


Lizabeth Scott - 2019
    Relationships she usually kills from neglect so she’s taken herself off the market. An unexpected assignment to evaluate a potential project in upstate New York has Reed leaving the Victorian she’s working on to meet with the client. Reed finds Mason charming, tempting and top grade hot! An early snowstorm dumps an irresistible woman at Mason Tate’s door. As beautiful and enticing as he finds her, career focused Mason doesn’t do entanglements of any type. So he proposed that while snow falls outside, they make their own heat inside and then go their separate ways with only pleasant memories of their time together. No emotions, just a pleasurable good time. They both agreed. They’d be like two snowplows meeting in the night. At least that was the plan. Until that kiss. They both agreed. They’d be like two snowplows meeting in the night. At least that was the plan. Until that kiss. Chased by the Billionaire USA Today Bestselling Author Lizabeth Scott takes us on an atonement cruise with yacht builder Greyson Anderson who has a lot of making up to do because Gemma is back...and he wants her! Greyson Anderson couldn't believe that the gorgeous woman with the adorable...ponytail, was none other than the girl from high school - the one all of the guys noticed for all the wrong reasons. No longer! Gemma was smokin' hot, owned a fitness center and was one of the toughest women he'd ever charmed. But this time, there was more. Maybe too much more? Gemma intrigued him in ways that he couldn’t resist. However, his past mistakes may prevent any type of second chance. The Kissed Series Standalone Lineup Includes: Snow Kissed by the Billionaire Chased by the Billionaire Sun Kissed by the Billionaire (not included) French Kissed by the Billionaire (not included)

Dissident


Cecilia London - 2015
    After losing her husband, she is raising two small children alone while trying to navigate the tricky and sometimes shallow halls on Capitol Hill. A string of nasty speeches has her scrambling to apologize to any number of candidates, including newly elected Republican Jack McIntyre. Falling in love again is the last thing on her mind.Jack McIntyre might have a reputation as a playboy, but he has his sights set solely on his new colleague. Can he break through Caroline’s grief and capture her heart? Told mostly in flashback and set against a chilling fascist backdrop, Dissident is a rollercoaster ride of political intrigue, passionate contemporary romance, and undying love. For readers 18+. Ends in a cliffhanger. The first part in a six book saga.

Unauthorized Series: The Complete Collection


Lisa Ladew - 2015
    All romantic suspense. Jen, the heroine of the first book, is Jerry's sister from the Edge of the Heat Series. Unauthorized Affair - Twenty-six year old Jen Mansko finds out the hard way that she's too trusting. Her apartment ransacked, her bank account emptied, and her heart broken, Jen has had enough and high-tails it to the only place she can think of where she will be welcomed – her brother's house. Anxious for a fresh start, Jen does something completely out of character and decides to become a cop. Soon, the athletic beauty with the striking-pink locks captures the attention of ex-navy seal Police Sergeant Hunter Foley. When she is vetted for an undercover assignment, Jen dares another feat and quickly wins the approval of the powers that be. Once embedded in the covert operation, yet another unlikely suitor is drawn to her. With two men on opposite sides of the law vying for her attention, Jen is forced to make a choice or risk having all she's worked so hard for ripped away from her. Unauthorized Deception - When blackmailing leads to leaving it all behind, Ivy is desperate for the truth. The man she'd come to love suddenly disappears, leaving a note on her bedside table, Ivy's world is shaken to the core. The man she knew wanted nothing more than to be a cop. He wouldn't have thrown it all away. It will be up to Ivy to find the answers, but the journey she embarks on is full of twists and turns. This sadistic game of cat and mouse will lead to a very unlikely source and familial bonds will be tested. After working so hard to learn to love and trust, Ivy must gather her resolve and push past the deception. Will Ryker still be the same man once the web of lies is destroyed? Unauthorized Obsession - Officer Kara Price has recovered from her injury and is back doing what she loves best, patrolling the streets of Westwood Harbor, praying that she never hears from her stalker again. But when her neighbor sees a man lurking outside her home, her partner finally forces her to take the case to the detectives. Her attention is distracted by a confident, cocky, gorgeous business owner who sets his sights on her and won't take no for an answer. Within days, her stalker turns from slight annoyance, to imminently dangerous, pulling her attention back to her current crisis. When the investigating officer suspects her new boyfriend is her stalker, Kara balks immediately. But when what they uncover in the investigation lands him in jail, Kara is torn between her heart and her safety. As her life spins out of control she holds tight to the hope that both of them will make it out of this alive and out from under suspicion. Unauthorized Return - Coleton, our handsome and rich poet from book 1 returns, battered, bruised, and a little more bitter than before. But when the Sgt. Aria Gale, the police officer assigned to protect him is the twin sister of the most recent woman to crush his heart, he wonders if standing and fighting is even worth it. When Coleton's car blows up, he has no more choice. He and Aria go on the run. But how will she react when she finds out about Coleton's involvement with her sister? Especially once he finds himself falling in love with her.