Book picks similar to
A Minute to Smile by Ruth Wind


romance
widower
catagory
pre-goodreads

The Sinner


Molly O'Keefe - 2010
    Evidence I believe Savannah O'Neill is hiding behind the crumbling walls of her mansion and her cold untouched beauty. So, I pretend to be the broke handyman she needs in order to get close to her. But I never expected Savannah to be so…vulnerable and sweet. Or the chemistry between us to be so hot. I use both to seduce her secrets from her. And soon it's my heart that’s in jeopardy. When all my sins are revealed is the damage I've done to Savannah's heart too much to be repaired?

Forbidden: Student teacher romance


Amelia Gates - 2018
    Right now, I want her. What I didn’t expect was that right now, would turn into forever. That my want for her would develop into an obsession. There’s only one problem. There is a secret in my house, and when you’re dealing with a Turner, secrets can be devastating. My father may be a Turner, but…SO…AM…I. If there is one thing we know how to do, it’s get what we want. This time, unfortunately, what he wants and what I want are at odds with each other. Kim Loving him is the easiest thing I’ve ever done. Behind closed doors. Where no one can see us. In the open. When no one’s watching. Our love is the biggest secret I’ve ever had to keep. The darkest, most forbidden, feeling I’ve ever had to digest. But secrets do what secrets never should. They break barricades of silence and destroy everything on their way into the limelight. And love? Love does what love should. It muscles up and fights, holds on for dear life, only giving up when strength and hope and perseverance have dimmed to complete darkness. I am his teacher. He is my student. Taboo, I know. But in this teacher student romance, the roles have been reversed. There is nothing I can teach Zayne Turner that he doesn’t already know… and that includes me.

Christmas Fantasy


Janelle Denison - 1999
    Then he met Teddy Spencer. She was smart, sexy...and terrified of commitment. But she also needed him--to play the role of her lover at the company Christmas party. Austin was willing to take the job...as long as he could convince her to make it a full-time position!

The Secretary's Secret


Michelle Celmer - 2007
    He was her boss! And since they had crossed the line, she had to make some rules and stick to them. One night was all they would ever have. His assistant's passion had astounded him, and now Nick knew one night with Zo� would never be enough. Yet, with his track record, he couldn't chance ruining the only relationship that meant anything to him. Then his secretary revealed a little secret....

Innocent Secretary...Accidentally Pregnant


Carol Marinelli - 2009
    Plain and prim Emma Stephenson might not look like a tycoon's assistant, but for Luca D'Amato--a playboy who likes to play-- breaking through her no-nonsense exterior is his favorite new game!Sensible Emma thought all they'd be sharing was an office--not a "bed!" But she's learning fast about what being Luca's "personal" assistant really means!Now he's standing there offering her a promotion, and she's trying to find the words to tell him...she's pregnant!

The Malone Brothers: Filthy Sweet / Dirty Cute


Frankie Love - 2021
    This duet offers more than a tune up— it’ll make you fall in love all over again!Get ready baby cakes, it’s time to rev your engine!FILTHY SWEETWhen Moxon sees Millie on the side of the road, he’s determined to get under her hood.She’s not just curvy and creative—she’s also filthy-sweet.And exactly the kind of woman this mechanic has been dreaming of.DIRTY CUTEWhen Clementine walks into Mike’s auto shop he has plans to change her oil.She’s not just innocent and intelligent—she’s also dirty-cute.And this single-dad mechanic is looking to do more than get under her hood—he wants a place in her heart—permanently.

The Lost and Found Series


J.M. Madden - 2017
    As always, there are ups and downs. Readers need to be aware that I deal with PTSD issues, suicide, and miscarriage, amputations, and a wide range of other things. But, as always, there is a happy ending for every book!!! The Embattled Road In the harrowing prequel to The Lost and Found series, three embattled Marines must deal with their devastating physical and emotional injuries in a world that seems to have turned against them. When the rescue helicopter crashes into his convoy in Iraq, Marine First Sergeant Duncan Wilde struggles with the loss of men, his career and the use of his body. Then his fiancée decides she has to move on with her life, and that of her unborn child by another man. Sergeant Chad Lowell knew when he went to war that it would come with a price. And it did. A young Marine under his command is killed by a landmine. Chad's left with one less leg and a mountain of recriminations. That doesn't mean he wants to be a pitied by every female he comes in contact with. Gunnery Sergeant John Palmer is furious at the hand he's been dealt. He's served his country faithfully, for many years. Now they're turning him out like a relative who has overstayed his welcome. And, since he's not even a real man anymore, maybe it is time to move on permanently. Can these wounded warriors use a friendship borne out of adversity to form a partnership rescuing others? And can they find real love in spite of their challenges? Embattled Hearts John Palmer hasn’t felt like a real man since he was injured during combat in Iraq. Though not content with his new life, he is mostly adapting, just like the other vets at the Lost And Found Investigative Service. When Shannon Murphy is hired on as the new office manager, life suddenly gets a lot more interesting. Before long, John finds himself wondering if he could ever be the kind of man Shannon needs. Shannon Murphy wasn’t really looking for love when she hired on at LNF, but finds herself hopelessly attracted to the sex-on-wheels former Marine, John Palmer. The man is grumpy and nearly impossible to work with, but his brand of masculinity appeals to her on a basic level. Soon Shannon is wondering just what it would take for John to want her the way she wants him. When an old enemy tries to settle a vendetta against Shannon, John insists on protecting her. Will the connection that they’ve found survive when they’re thrust into a fight for their lives? Embattled Minds Zeke Foster has little to no experience with women over the past couple of years, after being injured in Afghanistan. Brutally scarred, he has no expectation that he’ll ever find a woman capable of accepting him the way he is. But he can’t help but be enamored of Ember, the waitress of a local watering hole. Ember Norton’s life has turned into one devastating catastrophe after another. When the scarred soldier with the kind eyes brings some security to her life, she’s afraid to trust her luck. She’s been self-sufficient for a long time. But his wounded soul calls to her and she finds herself falling for him. In spite of the secrets he continues to keep. Embattled Home Failure is never an option regardless of circumstances. Chad needs to stop Lost and Found's deranged client from using the information he gathered to stalk and abuse his ex. Falling in love with the broken woman in the middle of rescuing them is definitely not the best timing. But it's also inevitable. Embattled SEAL When Preston Harper finds himself flat in a hospital bed after a botched op, he’s okay with dealing with the fallout.Embattled Ever AfterWARNING- This is the fifth book in the Lost and Found series and as always, there are ups and downs. Readers need to be aware that I deal with PTSD issues, suicide, and miscarriage. But, as always, there is a happy ending!!! Duncan Wilde has avoided long-term relationships very well since his fiancée left him wounded in the hospital years ago. That one harsh lesson—that he needed to guard his heart—has stuck with him for years. Besides, he's a beat up old Marine well past his time for love. The fiery young doctor from Kansas City seems to think otherwise, though. Too bad she's so damn young.Alex Hartfield grew up as a military brat, but she sees something in Duncan that makes her think of permanence and starting a family. She wants someone to come home to every night and love, and he's the first man that makes her guarded heart race with hope and excitement. Now… as they try to understand the dangerous incidents going on around them, they fight to find common ground. But it seems as if fate has some tricks up her sleeve.

Candleglow and Mistletoe


Josie Riviera - 2016
    Augustine to fill in at her ailing aunt’s candle shop. A few weeks in Snowing Rock will help her get past the humiliating memory lapse that ruined an important piano concert—and, ultimately, her marriage to her overbearing duet partner.She’s mentally rehearsing for her comeback performance when the bus she’s riding in slides off an icy mountain road.And one deep, calming voice emerges from the confusion to slow her racing heart—right before his ruggedly handsome face kicks it back into allegro.Gabe Waters is usually prepared for anything—as a professional stuntman, his life depends on it—but nothing prepared him for Noelle, the unattainable high school crush whose bravery saved him from more than just a bully’s flying fist. There’s no hint she recognizes him, but Gabe knows that face, those eyes…and he sees something that wasn’t there before. Distrust and apprehension.Their unexpected attraction kindles something as warm and sweet as a holiday candle. But the weight of their pasts could turn the promise of love to ashes.

King's Ransom


Sharon Sala - 1992
    And there was only one place left for Jesse to go -- the Double M ranch, the only safe haven she had left. But it had been a long time since she'd returned to the rugged terrain where she'd been raised -- the place where she had first fallen in love with King McCandless.... King offered her the shelter of his home, gave her the promise of his protection. But now that Jesse was a grown woman and in desperate danger -- she needed much more from him. She needed to know that this time, King would be hers forever....

Mr. (Not Quite) Perfect


Jessica Hart - 2013
    She's pitched a story to her boss--how to transform a not-so-perfect man into Prince Charming--and now she has to deliver! But where is she going to find a man willing to take part in a makeover?Time to blackmail her roommate, Max....But Allegra's cunning plan backfires spectacularly when Max refuses to be "perfected"! He's a guy who knows what he likes, and he's going to enjoy proving to Allegra that there's nothing hotter than a man who's a little rough around the edges....

A Royal World Apart


Maisey Yates - 2012
    It’s not long, however, before the beautiful and imprisoned Eva entices him to leave his bonds of duty and honour behind.Whilst their chemistry reaches fever-pitch, Makhail knows he knows he must deny his desire—for Eva is promised to another man…

The Greek Tycoon's Disobedient Bride


Lynne Graham - 2008
    But soon she realized Lysander didn't want her- he wanted her property and her body. But marry him she would, because she had no choice if she wanted to keep what she cherished most. And disobedient she would be, because her new husband had no intention of loving her...

Scandalized!


Lori Foster - 1997
    Reprint.

Tempted By Trouble


Christa Wick - 2019
    Sure, she’s taken a few risks to try to stop the expansion of Skipjack Bay. And yes, okay, the first time she met with Austin to plead her case, she’d technically been trespassing. But this? His bed, his rules, his massive, let’s just say confidence. Not to mention his uncanny ability to make her come... completely undone. It’s all beyond crazy. Still, the chance to help the families in her hometown is something she can’t turn down. So, she agrees to his terms. Total surrender. Hers. To him. A simple business deal where they both get what they want. The absolute last thing Gina expects is for Austin to want her to surrender her heart to him, too. Previously published as Black Gold 1 & 2, (c) 2012 & (c) 2014 revised throughout with newly added content and an extended ending. Story Note: This steamy standalone includes cameos by a few characters from Tempted Beyond Reason (formerly titled Waking Up Her Curves, which has similarly been republished with revisions and new content), but not to worry, both stories are completely independent from each other.

Henry


Andria Large - 2013
    He expected HR to hire someone older, more experienced, maybe even with gray hair. Who he got instead was the beautiful, young, single mother - Claire Russell. A woman who he is having a hard time keeping his eyes off of...Claire never expected her new boss to be the most gorgeous man she's ever laid eyes on. She also never expected him to be sweet to her two year old son, Ethan. But Henry is her boss and there is no future with him. Or so Claire thinks...Will Henry and Claire be able to fight the obvious attraction between them? Will Henry's overbearing mother come between them? Or will a freak accident change their perspectives on life and what's most important.