Book picks similar to
Trace of Darkness by R.B. Hilliard


paranormal
vampire
suspense
paranormal-romance

Wait for Me


Alexis Noelle - 2015
    I get what I needed from girls but that’s where it ends. At least that was how it is supposed to be. Until that one night with Nicole changed everything. She is the only girl who has ever made me want more, and I hate it. I have wanted more of Jason since the one night that we spent together. He has occupied my every dream and invaded my every though. He just needs to let me in and stop fighting it so much. I’m determined to show him exactly what he is missing. I’ll wait for him, but not forever. What do you do when your whole world is turned upside down? When everything comes crumbling down around you, will you have the will to fight and break down the wall?Wait For Me was originally Breaking Through The Wall and part of the Guarded Hearts Series. The story has been changed a bit and re-edited to make it a standalone novel.**Wait For Me is for mature audiences only—strong language, and explicit sexual content are apparent.**

For the Taking


Sam Crescent - 2019
    He watched his boss murder his pregnant wife in cold blood for a stupid mistake. Left for dead, Riley vows to kill the man who took everything from him—and intends to die in the process. Meghan Short doesn’t want to get tangled up with one of the most dangerous men in the city. When she rejects him, she knows she has to skip town. She makes one mistake and is taken, beaten, and being prepared for much worse when Riley comes to her rescue. He saves her. Helps her. Then of course, he leaves her. It’s the story of her life. When someone is sent to kill Meghan again, Riley is there. He couldn’t walk away from her. He was supposed to. His life wasn’t meant to have complications, but … now he has Meghan to protect. He was supposed to die to get his revenge, but Meghan has gotten under his skin, and he can’t imagine living without her, let alone dying for someone else. Will Riley kill the person who took from him, or finally find peace and love with the woman willing to risk everything just for him?

Blood & Bone


C.C. Wood - 2017
    I have unfinished business here and it seems there are shifters who will do whatever it takes to keep me from learning the truth. Lach I lost my mate nearly two years ago and I wanted to die with her.But Chloe dragged me back from the brink.Now, she’s the one in danger and I’m discovering that I want more than her friendship. I want everything she has to give.Especially her heart.*Though this book features characters from the Bitten series, it can be read as a standalone. If you enjoy Chloe and Lach's story, you can read more starting with Bite Me (Bitten, #1) which is currently free!

Blow


Lucy Fall - 2017
     He was athletic, smart, gorgeous, muscular, and charismatic. I worshipped him too, only I did it from afar. I was nobody, a regular girl who wasn’t anywhere near Hunter’s league. But my feelings for Hunter grew as each month passed, until one day, I sat down and wrote him a letter. It was full of every secret fantasy, every dirty thing I wanted to do to him and have him do to me. How I wanted him to touch me, how I wanted him to take my virginity, how I wanted to love him and make him love me back. It contained all of my longing, my heartache. And then I did the dumbest thing of all. I sent it to Hunter Rhodes right before he enlisted in the military and went overseas. I knew he would never respond and he never did. But it wasn’t just because he didn’t know or care about me. Hunter Rhodes went to combat and disappeared. He was presumed dead and the entire town mourned for him. I did too. But at least I knew my horrible secret had gone away with him. Until one day, Hunter Rhodes came back home. Escaped from a year of captivity, he came back a changed man. He was no longer the charismatic Hunter Rhodes everyone knew. He was still sexy as hell, but now he was dark, damaged, full of scars and wounds he refused to talk about. And along with those deep scars and dark wounds, Hunter came back with my letter, and a devastating plan to make me act out everything I’d written. All of my deepest, darkest fantasies and desires would be made real. Even if it cost me everything…

Untamed Magic


Alexis Calder - 2019
    Who knew? When I somehow summon fire in an act of self defense, I’m given two choices by the magic cops: attend some stuck-up magic school, or go to magic jail. Well, shit. There go my plans for the next year. Apparently, I have Untamed Magic, whatever the hell that means. And I’ve got a year to get it under control at this magic academy that’s basically a finishing school for the elite. Everyone here is somebody important. And rich. Except for me. Which paints quite the target on my back. Being the token poor kid is bad enough. Throw in that I somehow form a mating bond with four of the school’s most eligible bachelors. Oh yeah, and add in the fact that someone is trying to kill me. FML.Publisher’s Note: Academy of the Elites is a reverse harem fantasy series meant for mature readers who want action, magic, and steam.

Trusting the Betrayed


Emilia Hartley - 2020
    He doesn’t have time to meet new women. His clan leader has sent him and a couple of other misfits to retrieve his heir from the little mountain hamlet where the man has been hiding out for weeks. He must convince his once best friend to come back home—or drag him back if it comes to that—before their leader decides to put them both down.Casey knows he shouldn’t be wasting time rescuing damsels in distress in the produce section of the grocery store. But he can’t help it. And the more he tells himself it can’t be permanent, the more he wants the ethereal creature he met between the pomegranates and the bananas.Evangeline’s grandfather raised her and taught her how to make a living as an artist—by inking her designs on people’s skin. He would be so proud of her for opening her own shop—and for finally dumping her abusive boyfriend. If the scumbag hadn’t stolen her grandfather’s ring, she’d never see him again. As it is, she meets him in public to demand he return her property, but when he shows up, she only escapes him dragging her into the parking lot for another beating when a giant, brooding man chases him away.Evangeline tries to thank the stranger, but he won’t even give her his name. He says he’s not sticking around town long and doesn’t want ties here. She tries to convince herself that it’s a good thing he’s leaving. She’s attracted to the guy, and given her taste in men, that’s a sure sign the stranger is no good for her. Which is too bad. Even though she doesn’t know who he is, Evangeline is half in love with him already.Trusting the Betrayed is the first book in the Rogue Dragons series by Emilia Hartley. Like all Emilia’s books, this steamy romance has a sexy alpha male, a strong female lead, and a satisfying happily-ever-after.

Entitled: A Bad Boy Romance


Danielle Slater - 2016
    But that's just because I always get what I want. And now I want her. Devlin Masters has spent his entire life in the service of his family's business empire, working his way up from the mailroom to the boardroom of Masters In Style. As C.E.O. and heir to the billion-dollar hair-care company, Devlin's life is consumed by his work. But when a rival orchestrates his downfall, Devlin must rehabilitate his image or lose control of his cherished company. Then he meets Ayron. He instantly wants her curvy body. He soon appreciates her mind just as much. But what if she wants his heart? His father hired me to help him. He’s not supposed to know about this deal. I can't fall in love with him. I've got to be heartless. Community therapist Ayron Winters loves helping people more than she craves a big paycheck. But when faced with losing her office space—and her beloved assistant's huge medical bills—Ayron knows she needs money, and a lot of it. Fast. When the founder of the famed Masters In Style hair care corporation wants to hire Ayron to counsel his impulsive, bad-boy son, she's intrigued. When she finds out how much he's paying, she thinks it's a godsend. But the devil's in the details: she can't let Devlin Masters know she's a therapist. In order to gain his trust, she must post as his friend. His confidant. But what happens if he wants more? What happens if she does? Ayron can't lose her heart to Devlin. But more than anything: she can't let him find out who she actually is. **This is a STANDALONE bad boy romance novella with NO cliffhanger, NO cheating. Has a HAPPY ENDING. Intended for audiences 18+**

Motormouth


Courtney Lynn Rose - 2020
    A mercenary all my life, I wouldn’t trade it for anything. After the death of my mentor, I assemble a team to continue his work in protecting the citizens of Hollow Ridge. But The Lady Depot Club is about to bring a lot more trouble than some egotistical strippers. In my line of work, love is the last thing I’m looking for. But that doesn’t stop the new club DJ from catching my eye. Chris “Preacher” Boseman is a walking wet dream . . . and despite trying to ignore his advances, I’ve got no problem getting on my knees to pray in front of this guy. Even though I should be used to secrets, the one Preacher is keeping doesn’t just have the power to destroy us, but everything I’ve worked my life to build. When lines are drawn the truth comes tumbling out, everyone has to pick a side— but my choice might be the one that gets us all killed.

Five Minutes Longer


Victoria Sue - 2016
    Finn has battled all his life. His selfish mother, his father's suicide, his homophobic brother, and finally his undiagnosed dyslexia stopped his dream of joining the FBI before it could even start. His one chance--his only chance--is joining an experimental group and partnering an enhanced human with lethal abilities that wants him to fail. Saving the world might be doable. Losing his heart will be impossible.

Wilder


G.K. DeRosa - 2015
    When she meets the gorgeous and mysterious Constantin brothers her senior year of high school, she gets much more than what she had bargained for. As they introduce her to an exciting supernatural world that she never imagined existed, she makes a startling discovery about her own family legacy and is forced to make a decision that will change her life forever.

How to Vex a Vampire


Alice Winters - 2020
    The unit has never had a human in it, and Marcus—or as I like to call him, Fangy McFangface—would really prefer to keep it that way. He’s grumpy, short-tempered, and broody, but I have a way with words and I know he’s starting to like me, even if he swears he’s not. But what he doesn’t know is that I didn’t join the unit because I was tired of being a homicide detective, I joined because there is someone after me. They’ve already taken enough from me and I’m afraid they’re going to take all of me if I don’t find someone to help. That’s all Marcus was supposed to be, but now, he’s so much more and I can’t imagine my life without him. Marcus The moment the pesky human walked through that door, I knew I had to get rid of him. He’s charming and almost everyone else instantly loves him, but he doesn’t understand how risky it is being part of this unit as a human. But as I get to know the stubborn man, I learn that perhaps he’s not as naive as I once thought. And maybe he’s what I needed to realize there is more to life than just work and my dog. A group arises who is threatening to disrupt the alliance between the humans and the vampires, but Finn is the one who shows me how strong that alliance can be and reminds me why it’s worth protecting. When threats hit closer to home, I realize I would do anything for Finn because he’s brought so much joy to my life—and because he’s mine. This 105k word book contains: A creative use for undergarments, unintentional splits, a wolfhound who just wants to be a part of things, a vertically challenged human who still manages to wrap every vampire he meets around his little finger, the best date ever, possessiveness, really awkward dancing, some workplace revenge, and just a bite or two. Or three.

Burn


Suzanne Wright - 2015
    That changes overnight when she discovers that her psychic mate, or ‘anchor’, is a guy who’s rumored to be the most powerful demon in existence. Compelling, full of secrets and armed with raw sexuality, Knox Thorne is determined to claim her as his anchor, creating a psychic bond that will prevent their inner demons from ever turning rogue. The billionaire also wants Harper in his bed. She’s not so sure she wants either of those things. No one seems to know what breed of demon Knox is, only that he’s more dangerous than anything she’s ever before encountered. But he refuses to walk away. And when an unknown danger starts closing in on Harper, it seems that Knox is the only one who can keep her safe. As Prime of his Las Vegas lair and a successful businessman, Knox Thorne is used to being in control. He’s also used to people fearing and obeying him. Harper does neither, which unexpectedly amuses him. Unpredictable, elusive, and complex, she draws Knox and his inner demon like nothing ever has. Knox is used to getting what he wants, and he wants Harper. He’ll have her, and he’ll keep her safe from the threat that looms over her. Because Knox protects what’s his. He won’t allow anyone to take her from him. Even if it will mean letting the demon inside him rise and wreak the havoc it was created to make.

Vampire Vacation


C.J. Ellisson - 2010
     Meet Vivian. She's a 580-year-old vampire who exudes sensuality, has a talent for drama, and is passionate about two things: her human husband, Rafe, and their resort for the undead. Her ability to project physical illusions has created the perfect vacation spot—a dark, isolated Alaskan hideaway where visitors can have their wildest fantasies come true. Vivian knows the best performance requires perfect timing, but the powerful vamp is put to the test when she discovers a corpse in a locked guestroom minutes before the next arrivals. Always cool-headed, Rafe hides the body, convinced he and Vivian can find the culprit without disturbing their guests. Juggling the increasingly outrageous demands of their customers while tracking a killer isn't easy. Will their poking and prodding give them the answers they need, or will it uncover secrets Vivian would kill to protect? The V V Inn, in reading order: Vampire Vacation, Book 1 The Hunt, Book 2 Big Game, Book 3 Death Times Two, Book 4 ~ A Grim Reality and V V Inn novel co-authored with Boone Brux Blood Legacy, Book 5 Sharpen the Blade, Book 6 Blood Reckoning, Book 7 (late 2017) Prequel Stories: Death's Servant, Before the V V Inn Book One (Jon's Tale)

Cursed


S.J. Harper - 2013
    He's damned. Together, they make one hell of a team. Emma Monroe is a Siren, cursed by the gods and bound to earth to atone for an ancient failure. She’s had many names and many lives, but only one mission: redemption. Now that she works missing persons cases for the FBI, it could be just a rescue away. Unless her new partner leads her astray. Special Agent Zack Armstrong just transferred into the San Diego Field Office. He’s a werewolf, doing his best to beat back the demons from his dark and dangerous past. As a former Black Ops sniper, he’s taken enough lives. Now he’s doing penance by saving them. Emma and Zack’s very first case draws them deep into the realm of the paranormal, and forces them to use their own supernatural abilities. But that leaves each of them vulnerable, and there are lines partners should not cross. As secrets are revealed and more women go missing, one thing becomes clear: as they race to save the victims, Emma and Zack risk losing themselves.

Spider's Bite


Jennifer Estep - 2010
    I'm the most feared assassin in the South — when I'm not busy at the Pork Pit cooking up the best barbecue in Ashland. As a Stone elemental, I can hear everything from the whispers of the gravel beneath my feet to the vibrations of the soaring Appalachian Mountains above me. My Ice magic also comes in handy for making the occasional knife. But I don't use my powers on the job unless I absolutely have to. Call it professional pride.Now that a ruthless Air elemental has double-crossed me and killed my handler, I'm out for revenge. And I'll exterminate anyone who gets in my way — good or bad. I may look hot, but I'm still one of the bad guys. Which is why I'm in trouble, since irresistibly rugged Detective Donovan Caine has agreed to help me. The last thing this coldhearted killer needs when I'm battling a magic more powerful than my own is a sexy distraction... especially when Donovan wants me dead just as much as the enemy.