Book picks similar to
Burning by C.S. Jones


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Private Eye


Jason Collins - 2019
     As a librarian, I spend all day around novels, so I know the rule: when a mysterious, sexy stranger comes to your rescue, you fall right into his arms. But Hawthorne isn’t just my savior—he’s a PI on a case, and I’m his next point of interest. Someone wants me to sell my childhood home so they can build fancy condos in its place. I’m not moving. So they’re trying to force me out, and I’m feeling the heat. Nobody believed me until Hawthorne, and he’s stepping up to be my knight in suit-and-tie. Those handsome features and sculpted body come with a sharp mind—and a dirty one. Hawthorne’s going to save my home, and he won’t stop until I’m satisfied. I’m innocent, but this PI might change that. HAWTHORNE: This case is in my hands, but I can’t keep them off James. I don’t usually end up rescuing librarians while on a stakeout. Of course, James isn’t your typical librarian—he’s anything but quiet once we’re in the bedroom. I can’t take my eyes off him, and not just because he’s got a face to die for. James might be the key to the case I’m investigating. I’m hunting the crook who ruined my brother—the same guy who wants to steal James’s house. He can’t get James to sell, so his tactics have turned underhanded and illegal. But James won’t be coerced. Not while I’ve got his back. I’m usually reserved, but James and I are electric together, and not just when he’s under my sheets. As the pressure builds, so do my feelings for him, and that pressure needs to be released—soon. I’m leaving no stone unturned, and no shirt unripped. This is the first book in the Hightower Heat series. It can be enjoyed as a standalone with no cliffhanger. Readers can expect an extra spicy MM romance with several steamy scenes. Heat level: 10.

Saving Kane


Michele Micheal Rakes - 2014
    The one time Kane threw caution to the wind, he was left with a wired jaw and a tracheostomy. He can’t take much more hurt. But with his attacker’s promise to return, Kane lives in a constant state of fear, and with the ever-present paramedic, arousal.Garrett Young struggles with the question of his sexuality, unable to get Kane out of his mind even as he fights against the demise of his long-time engagement with his girlfriend Amanda. Every day is complicated by his ongoing battle with PTSD and alcoholism, compounded by his fear for Kane’s life.

Sleeping Stone


Alexa Snow - 2007
    But the course of true love never runs smoothly. Just as they seem to find solid ground to stand on, Jazz's former lover Richard shows up, strewing an already rocky road with gravel. When Jazz has a serious motorcycle accident that threatens to end his life, Chris and Richard try to carry on without him. Can they find common ground of their own?

Wild Horses


D. River - 2010
    He has his own show and a gorgeous girlfriend, so he thinks his life is complete. Then Corey Grant, lead singer of the rock band "Wild Horses" storms into his life and turns everything upside down. Soon, Travis finds himself seduced into a world of wildly erotic gay sex and submission that at once frightens him and entices him.

Down on One Knee


Sage Kingsley - 2021
    He needs his inheritance to pay for his brother’s cancer treatment, but thanks to a clause in his parents’ will, he won’t be able to access it unless he gets married before he turns 30.And his birthday is less than a month away.His solution? Ask his tall, tattooed, and sexy-as-hell best friend, Rook, to marry him. Sebastian doesn’t do relationships, as a rule: he’s certain he has nothing to offer a romantic partner, and if there’s any simmering tension between him and Rook, he’s been doing just fine ignoring it so far. After a year of marriage, Sebastian will inherit, they’ll get divorced, and no one—including Sebastian’s meddling relatives—will be the wiser.Cameron Rook has a problem. He’s been in love with his slender, snarky, sharp-tongued best friend, Sebastian, for as long as he can remember. But the one time Rook tried to confess, Sebastian shot him down. Hard.At least that’s how Rook remembers it.So when Sebastian asks Rook to marry him just for show—and offers a generous amount of money as compensation—it’s the last thing Rook expected. But he would do anything for Sebastian. Even when living in close quarters only fans the flames of the irresistible pull between them, and Rook is in serious danger of falling into Sebastian’s bed...After all, there’s no way this can go wrong. Right?Down on One Knee is a 62,000 word fake relationship, best friends to lovers, standalone romance novel with a little angst, a whole lot of heat, and a cat named BJ. HEA guaranteed.

Blowing Off Steam


Joy Lynn Fielding - 2015
    Well, maybe not literally, but even when he’s lost everything else in his life, he’s always had her. But now her place in his heart has been unexpectedly challenged. Her new driver, Ryan Saunders, is the embodiment of all Sam’s fantasies.Ryan has written off Sam as just another geeky trainspotter—until the moment Ryan sees him without his usual shapeless hoodie, and realizes that for a nerd, Sam’s pretty built.When Ryan overlooks Sam’s awkwardness long enough to suggest a hook-up, Sam seizes the opportunity—and Ryan—with both very eager hands. Finding common ground in their shared love of Bess, their time together is better than Sam ever dared dream.But there’s a reason Ryan never talks about his past. And when Ryan's job is threatened, Sam’s well-meaning intervention puts both Ryan and Bess in deadly danger.Product Warnings:Contains train geekery, bed-hogging, a hero with no experience and another with plenty to spare, and a spider called Mabel.

Second Star to the Right


A.F. Henley - 2014
    When another lonely holiday seems like too much weight to shoulder, Mason gives up on romance and seeks out the next best thing—rented company. Jack is everything a person could want in an escort: willing, hot, and built like an angel. Mason can't resist. After all, who wouldn't be interested in a guy who loves kid's movies, is a self-professed Peter Pan, and has no problem throwing caution to the wind at a moment's notice. But then interest quickly blooms into a whole new emotion—an emotion that Mason knows far too well, especially when Jack has no interest in returning it, preferring to keep his heart safely tucked away in Neverland.

Unprotected Hearts


Rachel Kane - 2016
    He never wanted to be a bodyguard again, never wanted to risk losing another person. But when he was asked to protect Trent Sinclair, a witness to an awful crime, he had no choice but to accept. Now Trent is with him in his isolated mountain cabin, with no one around for miles. What neither of them realized was that as danger pushed them together, they would find themselves growing closer. At first it was just physical, the way their bodies reacted to having another man nearby. But as the danger deepened, so did their emotions, until they had to admit what they felt for one another. But there are forces that will do anything to keep Trent from testifying to what he witnessed, even if that means ripping the two of them apart. Now Jace will have to delve into his painful past--into the secrets of the only client he ever lost--to discover what it takes to rescue Trent and keep him safe. This 54,000 word suspenseful contemporary MM romance has an HEA, no cliffhanger, and no cheating.

Bound to Fall


Jaime Samms - 2015
    With so many fences between them and happily ever after, two men wonder if it’s worth opening the gate. Ten years ago, Eddie Crane, an actor on the rise, loved his costar and dreamed of the day they could be together. But his love, with his submissive nature, couldn’t handle fame, and before Eddie could help him, he died in a car accident—with Eddie at the wheel. Now, scarred and guilt-ridden, Eddie buries himself in bad decisions and prays that a stunt—on or off camera—will go wrong. Teenaged fantasies about the actor on his wall distracted Arthur Pike from real life—his dead father, runaway mother, gruff grandparents, and his unrequited love for his cousin’s straight husband. Now grown and off the farm, Pike is a horse stuntman hired to teach a reluctant Eddie to ride. Pike is drawn to Eddie’s dominant nature despite the sadness clinging to the actor. Eddie let one lover down, but in Pike’s submissiveness, he sees the possibility for redemption.

Silver Foxes


Grant C. Holland - 2017
    As the years unfolded, he realized that Gage Barlow found true love instead. Byron's life unfolded successfully by almost anyone's standards. He was the successful owner and designer of BF, a top level fashion design firm, and he lived in a stunning condominium overlooking the city of San Francisco. He had everything but a man at his side.Gage's life was much more modest, but he was happy and fulfilled until tragedy struck just one year ago. His husband Ross fell victim to cancer leaving Gage grief-stricken and alone with the couple's rescue dog Durango. When his thirty-year college class reunion arrived, he knew that Ross would want him to attend.Decades have passed, but the attraction is still strong when Byron and Gage cross each other's paths again at Wilson Ridge State College. Can love strike twice for Gage, and can Byron be given a second chance?Silver Foxes is a stand-alone second chance, friends to lovers gay romance novel with steamy scenes, no cliffhangers, and a happily ever after ending.

Finding Aaron


Gigi Kern - 2015
    Between his severe Learning Disabilities, ADHD and past trauma, every day is a struggle. Three years ago, Aaron's world got a whole lot brighter thanks to his new best friend, Ryan Foster and his family. The Fosters have taken him into the fold. That is, everyone except for Ryan's Uncle TJ. When Aaron and TJ meet, sparks fly. TJ, 31, can't stand his nephew's flamboyant, in your face, blue-haired, rainbow loving, best friend. He knows he shouldn't be so judgmental but after spending five years in Iraq and Afghanistan, his patience is buried under a mountain of guilt and loss. TJ's animosity toward Aaron always stresses Aaron out going home to the Foster's for the holidays but they are the only family he has. He just needs to put up with TJ. He can do that, right? When something happens that neither one wants to acknowledge, it may just be the catalyst needed for the sparks to explode. What happens when TJ lets himself see the real Aaron? And, can Aaron let TJ past his defenses, when he's barely holding on. ~ 33,000 words – gay romance, heat level low.

The Lord of Twink's Bottom


Danni Keane - 2013
    Tracy Richards has no idea what to expect when he takes the job of caretaker at the mysterious village of Twink's Bottom. The locals are happy to tell him about the part he will have to play in the annual erotic topiary event, but when it comes to the reclusive lord living in the dilapidated manor house on the hill, they are far more reluctant to talk. Lord Reeves lives an isolated life, only venturing from the grounds of Twink's Bottom Manor to walk his beloved dog, Reggie. But Lord Reeves has a vision—a beautiful, majestic topiary phallus soaring towards the sky from the top of Twink's Bottom Hill. He believes its creation will lay old ghosts to rest, and bring him the peace that has alluded him for so many years. Could Tracy be the man to bring Lord Reeves' phallus to life, and by working together will they finally reclaim Rory's rightful place as The Lord of Twink's Bottom?

Dancing on Ice


Reegan Ellis - 2017
     To Charles Shaw, skating is all that matters. He doesn’t need other people; all he needs is a sturdy pair of boots and fresh ice beneath him. After being out of the game for two seasons due to injury, Charles is ready to return to the competitive figure skating scene in a big way. There’s just one little problem: Jamie Morales, owner of a pair of gorgeous dark eyes and a shimmering smile that manages to thaw even the most stubborn parts of Charles, no matter how hard he tries to freeze Jamie out. But Charles needs to focus--gold medals are the only things he should have his eyes on, not his handsome, charming rival. They’re both fighting tooth and nail to win… But when hearts get involved, they may just discover that gold medals aren’t the only things up for grabs. Dancing on Ice is a 57,000-word standalone gay romance novel with no cliffhanger and a HEA.

Exposed


Skylar M. Cates - 2013
    Now that he’s landed a job at a Miami newspaper, he’s hungry for success. His goal? A blistering exposé on closeted PGA golfer Daniel Andrews. Rafe will stop at nothing to get the scoop—even if it means going undercover on Daniel’s private yacht. Daniel is used to being in the spotlight, but his reputation for being cold and unfriendly hasn’t made him very popular. Still reeling from his mother’s death and his ex-boyfriend’s engagement, he hides out on his yacht to escape the press hounding his every step. His instant attraction to Rafe, his new crew member, is a problem he can't ignore. When Rafe and Daniel begin a steamy affair, Rafe knows it’s only a matter of time before Daniel discovers his betrayal. Now he has to choose: confess and hope Daniel can swallow his pride and forgive him, or put his ambition ahead of his heart and follow the story

Taking the Chance


Trina Lane - 2010
    Robert Lansing is at the top of his game in the competitive arena of mixed martial arts. He has a loving and supportive family, but no one to call his own. Justin Floyd has no family and a number of 'friends'. When they cross paths their engines rev and sparks fly. Love and lust unite these two men searching for that which completes them. Has the search ended or will it all backfire?