Book picks similar to
Forbidden by Faith by Negeen Papehn


romance
authors-18
contemporary-romance
contemporary

Hard To Love


S. Jones - 2017
     From that very moment when the stranger's hand takes her by the wrist, she is thrust into a world where she is flooded with feelings she cannot ignore. Torn between her head and her heart, she quickly realizes that fighting her attraction to Chase Newman is an impossible task. He's a man who always gets what he wants and with his sights set on Emily, she doesn't stand a chance. A one-night stand will never be enough though, when she wants so much more than that. When secrets and lies threaten to destroy the trust between them, Emily starts to question her own decisions. With doubt and suspicion plaguing her mind, is what they have worth fighting for? Or will the truth tear them apart?

The Brevity of Roses


Linda Cassidy Lewis - 2011
    Meredith Dahlberg-Lang hides behind a façade. In public, she's a wealthy socialite. In private, she's a lonely woman with a heart imprisoned by guilt after her husband's death. But she can't deny the longing she feels when a younger man seeks her attention. Jalal Vaziri, after years of trying in vain to win his father's approval, defies him by pursuing a new career. When he meets the woman of his dreams, his satisfaction is complete, but fate challenges his plan for a blissful future. Renee Marshall, matured beyond her years by a hard life, heads for a fresh start in Los Angeles. But when car trouble detours her to a village on the central coast, she enters the life of a man whose fierce denial of the need to be loved matches her own.

Kiss Me Like You Mean It


J.R. Rogue - 2018
    His kiss is mine. “The first time he saw me I was shattered glass, and he was a shadow. If I had stayed, he would have just faded away.”It’s strange how easy it is to tell our stories to a stranger’s eyes. The truth about Connor Stratford and I had always been a sad tale. Over ten years of chasing, tears, lies, vows, and leaving. Two people who never loved each other at the same time, but couldn’t let each other go.Now here I was telling our story over drinks midday in an airport bar with my old diary clutched in my hand. Telling some version of our story, anyway.I left him once with no goodbye. Now I was returning home to give him what he needed to move on.“It’s important. It’s what you’re thinking.”I knew what his message meant, sent in the middle of the night after I woke from a fever dream. He was finally ready, and so was I. I just needed to finally give him the kiss he begged for. The one that meant goodbye.

Moonstruck at Midnight


Alejandra Andrade - 2021
    A night of dancing, wine, and a chance encounter with a handsome Princeton athlete, is a near-perfect send-off.When Billie’s dad gifts her the keys to her own NYC apartment, she embraces the chance for a fresh start in a new city, even if she has to remain under the watchful eyes of her caretaker and bodyguards, including Caleb, who may be more than just a protector and friend.Within days of her arrival, Billie senses a change in Caleb, who’s suddenly apprehensive about her rekindled relationship with Thomas—the handsome American, her wealthy new friends, and the beguiling (and not to mention gorgeous) Swedish family upstairs. He’s been over-protective of her since the mysterious death of her mother years ago, but lately, he’s been acting like there’s more at stake than ever before.As Billie steps into an eye-opening world of wealth and secrets—where everyone may not be who they seem—she’ll have to navigate her volatile new relationships and the mysteries of her past—to find her path forward.

Private Lessons


Cynthia Salaysay - 2020
    Claire likes herself best when she plays his old piano, a welcome escape from the sadness — and her traditional Filipino mother’s prayer groups. In the hopes of earning a college scholarship, Claire auditions for Paul Avon, a prominent piano teacher, who agrees to take Claire as a pupil. Soon Claire loses herself in Paul’s world and his way of digging into a composition’s emotional core. She practices constantly, foregoing a social life, but no matter how hard she works or how well she plays, it seems impossible to gain Paul’s approval, let alone his affection. Author Cynthia Salaysay composes a moving, beautifully written portrait of rigorous perfectionism, sexual awakening, and the challenges of self-acceptance. Timely and vital, Private Lessons delves into a complicated student/teacher relationship, as well as class and cultural differences, with honesty and grace.

Lies We Keep


Danielle Rose - 2019
    A broken man haunted by a deadly mistake, James reluctantly accepts a position as Miss Tate’s private security and finds himself a pawn in her game of seduction.When their worlds collide, Jezebel and James must decide how far they’ll go to escape the sins of their pasts.

Not Another Love Song


Olivia Wildenstein - 2018
    Now a high school senior, she has an opportunity to break into Nashville's music scene via a songwriting competition launched by her idol, Mona Stone. Discouraged by her mother, who wishes Angie would set more realistic life goals, she nonetheless pours her heart and soul into creating a song worthy of Mona.But Angie's mother is the least of her concerns after she meets Reedwood High’s newest transfer student, Ten. With his endless collection of graphic tees, his infuriating attitude, smoldering good looks, and endearing little sister, Ten toys with the rhythm of Angie’s heart.She’s never desired anything but success until Ten entered her life. Now she wants to be with him and to be a songwriter for Mona Stone, but she can’t have both.And picking one means losing the other.

Made to Love


S.M. West - 2020
    Now divorced by choice, I’ve reinvented myself, pouring my heart into my business. Then Samson Beaulieu walks into my life and turns everything upside down. Instead of running, I indulge in him. He’s delectable and fun and that’s all we can ever be. Because there’s no doubt this younger, sexy man will break my heart. I’m what you’d call a reluctant celebrity. Cooking is my passion, but fame is a constant with foodies flocking for selfies and autographs. Then Olivia Cassidy walks into my restaurant and turns everything upside down. She gives me a chance, but not her heart. And that’s not good enough. I want her more than any restaurant or TV deal. Walking away isn’t an option.

The Bistro by Watersmeet Bridge


Julie Stock - 2019
    When her father finally puts his trust in her and sends her to a failing restaurant in Devon, she’s confident she can prove herself capable of doing the job.Finn Anderson is about to lose his beloved seaside bistro, unless the bank can find a buyer to dig him out. When George Fuller offers Finn a deal, he has no choice but to accept if he wants any chance of getting his bistro back one day. And then the new manager arrives…Even after meeting the prickly chef and discovering his complete lack of business skills, Olivia is confident she can turn the struggling business round. But as Olivia and Finn start working together, a mutual attraction develops between them, and soon, nothing is going according to Olivia’s plan. When there’s a real chance that the bistro might be sold off, Olivia and Finn determine to fight for it, united by their hard work and their growing feelings for each other.But can they save the bistro and be together, or does destiny have a different path in mind?A feel-good contemporary romance set in a bistro beside the sea in Devon.

Every Deep Desire


Sharon Wray - 2018
    Now, this deadly soldier has returned to the sultry Georgia swamps to reunite with his brothers, and take back all he lost. But Juliet must never know the truth behind what he's done...or the dangerous secret that threatens to take him from her forever.It took Juliet Capel eight long years to put her life back together after her husband was taken from her. Now Rafe is back, determined to protect her at any cost, and it's not just her heart that's in danger. The swamps hold a secret long buried and far deadlier than either of them could have imagined...

Surviving Eden (Surviving Series Book 1)


Virginia Wine - 2018
    Theodore Grant worked hard his entire life to achieve his goals. He was a prominent, renowned psychiatrist. He had it all: wealth, prestige, respect. Or so he thought. When tragedy unexpectedly struck, he was forced to help his best friend’s daughter. She needed him. What he didn’t know was that he needed her, too—like his own breath. How could he know it would all go so terribly wrong? That he would cross the line? He fought the desire leading him astray with everything he had, but in the end, he wanted only one thing: her. To hell with what was right. Losing everything never even factored in his decision. All he wanted to do was live in the moment. Her moment. She found his demons and slayed them with her innocence. The answer was clear now: he had done the right thing. He was certain of it. People would believe what they wanted to believe. His notion of right and wrong was discarded the day Eden Barnett walked into his office. What he didn’t know was that it would be the day his life truly began. The day he followed his heart, and it lead him into the garden… of Eden. *Content warning: Contains adult content, language, and scenes that may not be suitable for all audiences. Intended for 18+ audience. *

Ruby Slips and Poker Chips: A Modern Day Wizard of Oz Romantic Comedy


Heather Kindt - 2017
    . . until Dottie’s given a free trip to Las Vegas. Second-grade teacher Dottie Gale lives in the tiny town of Quandary, Kansas, which is pretty much smack dab in the middle of nowhere. No mountains. No ocean. No life. Her ex-boyfriend and current school board member, Corbin Lane, cheated on her, making school functions more than a little awkward. But worst of all, a tornado named Maxine Westward rips through Dottie’s school as the new principal and has made her life at work a living hell. When Dottie is chosen to go to a teacher’s conference in Las Vegas, she knows her life is going to change. Driving from Quandary to Vegas, three strangers enter her life. Through a string of situations involving poppies, flying monkeys, and a life-size sculpture of an iconic rock star the four soon become inseparable. So, when Westward arrives on her broom in Vegas, Dottie is ready for battle. Her boss black mails her with stories of incarceration, thievery, and a steamy relationship with her travel companion, but Dottie knows that those who hurl insults shouldn’t hold secrets of their own. Editorial Reviews "I had so much fun reading this and spotting all the clever twists, it was very entertaining. In fact I’m tempted to re-read it, to find more of the subtle hints. I’ve also been to a few of the places mentioned in the book which meant an extra thumbs up for me. I would definitely recommend to readers who enjoy a modern take on a good original oldie." Roses are Amber

Dark Cherries


Eve Bradley - 2020
    Or maybe that was the drink and drugs clouding my vision. I really can’t tell you. All I can tell you is that he took me back to a mansion in the hills overlooking LA instead of returning me to my camp in tent city.Yeah, that’s right. I’m homeless.But everything that haunts me takes a backseat because the morning after, I’m confronted by a Russian male model and a bad boy with shades. They say they are my savior’s “roommates.”Hah. As if I believe that for one second.I doubt them all, and I would have left…I really would have. If it weren’t for the offer he made.Shawn Van Doren, as I come to know him, is a billionaire. He owns the world’s most renowned chain of hotels and seeks control like it’s his drug. When he offers me ten-thousand dollars to pose as his socialite girlfriend…I say no.Sike. I said yes. You think a hungry homeless girl would turn that down? Not in a million years.But this choice proves to be my deal with the devil. This choice seals my fate. This choice is what catapults me into a world of danger, money, mobs, and lies.But I’ll tell you a secret…I have nothing to lose. No home, no family, nothing. I don’t fear them, and I don’t fear death.I’m not the innocent little girl that they think I am, and this? This is exactly what the wicked girl inside me craves.Dark Cherries is a full-length reverse-harem billionaire romance and may have triggering themes for some. Audience should be 18+

Resilience


Marcia D.M. - 2018
    Until one day she’s rescued, she thought her nightmare was finally over only to find out that her torturer was also her savior posing as a double agent ready to spring her free.She thought her simple and normal life was hell while captive, but now, out here, back in society, she’ll have to face tougher situations. Such as finding love in dark and forbidden places.Sometimes love; terror and desire wear the same mask.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------A New Adult Dark Contemporary Romance, not suitable for people sensitive too hard to read subjectsThis book contains strong language, violence and nudity intended for mature audiences.Reader discretion is advised.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Review:“Resilience by Marcia DM is an exciting dark romance story filled with intrigue, suspense and emotion. I was captivated from the very first chapter and turned the pages quickly to find out what would happen next. This book has a very original storyline that readers will be enthralled with. There are twists and turns that kept me fully mesmerized. Author, Marcia DM, weaves together the characters with the plot in an intelligent brilliant attempt to entice readers from beginning to end. It truly is one of the most unique narratives that I have read in a long time. I can’t stress it enough-this book is a must read.”- Chick Lit Café Blog."What a ride! What a read! this author has a unique voice that somehow defies all rules and makes new ones”.- Amazon Reader.“I literally could not put it down.” – Amazon reader.“Fast-paced dark read with plenty of drama, suspense and emotion. The characters are amazing and the story has you hooked from beginning to end. Can’t wait or more!” –Amazon Reader.

Sea of Love


Sharon Cummin - 2014
    He needed some time away to relax, when he decided to take a vacation with four of his closest friends.Becky had just ended a seventeen year relationship with a man who refused to commit. She packed up and moved for a fresh start in a new town and scheduled a wonderful seven day cruise to kick off her new life.When Gavin saw Becky on the ship, he was immediately intrigued. They found that they were both there to relax and renew, before jumping back into everyday life. They agreed to a full week of fun in the sun, with no strings attached. The deal was no detailed conversation, just steamy romance, fun, and relaxation for the length of the cruise. When the trip was over, they would both walk away knowing nothing personal about the other.Would it be as easy as they thought to let each other go?When something happened to force their paths to cross again, would they be able to handle it?Would they be able to walk away from their feelings a second time, or would the pull that they felt for each other be too strong to fight?Sea of Love is a complete, stand-alone novel.