Book picks similar to
Luke by Leigh Duncan


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His Pledge to Honor


Shanae Johnson - 2021
    But when an injured soldier shows up at her ranch, will she follow his lead down a trail of love? Though she’s the daughter of a general, Scout Silver is used to giving orders, not taking them. That's why horses thrive on the rehabilitation ranch she runs with her half-sisters. Over the years, her absentee father’s many divorces created a patchwork family, held together by their love of the ranch. But his last will is an order that threatens to rip their lives apart. As the leader of an elite group of soldiers run by the brilliant tactician General Abraham Silver, Lincoln Rawlings has set out on his final mission—to fulfill the dying wish of his commander by ensuring that the general's six daughters are taken care of. When Linc arrives on the Silver Star Ranch, he learns that what the Silver sisters need are husbands, else they’ll lose their beloved business. Instead of doing an immediate about-face, Linc's heart stands at attention under the assessing gaze of Scout, the eldest Silver. Unwilling to let her father once again interfere in her life, even from the grave, Scout has no plans to give in to the general’s demands. But when she meets the handsome and accommodating Linc, she has a hard time reigning in her heart. Letting down the general is not an option, but Linc is hiding a secret from Scout. And if she learns of the deep wounds he bears, he might lose everything—the ranch, his honor, and the woman he’s falling for. Find out if love can truly heal all wounds in this light-hearted, sweet romance of convenient arrangements that unfold into lasting love. His Pledge to Honor is the first in a series of marriage of convenience tales featuring Wounded Warriors who are healed with the power of love.

A Wish for Christmas


Michele Brouder - 2018
    After the death of her mother, the last two years have been rough and money is tight. A full-time nursing student, she feels her prayers have been answered with the temporary job of personal assistant to John Laurencelli. The billionaire is rumored to be demanding and difficult but India soon realizes there’s more to him than bad press and weapons-grade dangerous good looks. But with everything on her plate, she doesn’t have time to be falling for her new boss.John Laurencelli lives, eats, and breathes his business and making money. For his own reasons, he’s avoided Christmas for two decades. But it’s proving difficult this year when his new assistant wears vintage holiday aprons, hums Christmas tunes, and likes to spread good cheer. Despite his determination not to celebrate the season, it isn’t long before India opens his eyes to what’s missing in his life.Can they overcome their fears and misgivings to make it a truly wonderful Christmas for each other?Each book in The Happy Holidays Series is a standalone novel and can be read in any order.

The Bachelor


Carly Phillips - 2002
    Thanks to a coin toss, he needs to find someone to marry and fast. It shouldn’t be that hard in sleepy Yorkshire Falls where women fall over themselves to hook a Chandler man.But Roman only wants the one woman who got away.Charlotte Bronson is back home to put down roots and get her lingerie business off the ground. She’s not interested in her past or a man that chose to chase breaking news stories to the far corners of the earth over her. No matter how good they used to be or how combustible their chemistry still burns.It’s up to Roman to convince Charlotte he’s a changed man and here to stay.In honor of THE BACHELOR’s 20th Anniversary all three books have been updated and will be reissued with gorgeous NEW covers with the same content but modernized for your reading pleasure. The BACHELOR was the first book that Kelly Ripa chose for her Reading with Ripa Bookclub.

Thoroughbreds and Trailer Trash


Bev Pettersen - 2012
    But when the Thoroughbred Wellness Center experiences a hostile takeover headed by a charming but ruthless corporate shark, both her heart and career are in jeopardy.

The Cure


Parker J. Cole - 2017
    Yet, when Savannah’s niece is injured in a serious accident, the one man she can’t trust is the one she needs. Micah can barely contain his satisfaction when he sees Savannah’s message pleading for him to come to her side. Her disloyalty nearly cost his career and he’ll never forgive her for leaving him at the lowest point in his life. Despite her efforts to remain aloof, Savannah keeps seeing glimpses of the Micah she once loved behind his cool exterior. Micah fights an ongoing battle to not succumb to the sweetness of the woman he once cared for beyond anything else. But Savannah and Micah’s hearts remain sick with the pangs of betrayal. What, if anything, is the cure?

Tales From The Crib


Jennifer Coburn - 2006
    She and her husband Jack have been trying to get pregnant for years throughout their rocky marriage. But before she can tell him the big news, Jack has something he needs to announce – he wants a divorce!Rather than split up, Lucy and Jack decide to live together as friends. This way, they can share expenses and parenting responsibilities. Co-parenting is a fine deal for Jack who is back in the dating scene by Lucy’s third trimester of pregnancy, but is a frustrating one for Lucy who has unfulfilled sexual fantasies about every man from restaurant delivery boys to puppeteers. Meanwhile, Lucy’s mother is taking over her life. The grand dame of Planet Earth, Anjoli frequently visits her daughter to share her own brand of maternal wisdom. As Anjoli leaves her Drama Queen bookstore to “help” Lucy with baby Adam, the new grandmother has an affair with baby’s pediatrician, hosts two weddings (including cousin Kimmy’s wedding to herself), and constantly frets about which kind of pie to serve guests. With a cast of family and friends from Lucy’s Jewish aunts to Junior League neighbor, Candace, Tales From the Crib is the story of how one baby can bring people together – so they can drive each other nuts!

Cowboy For Sale


Janet Wellington - 2013
    There she runs smack into Jared Dillon. Tall, dark, and definitely handsome, Jared is the kind of man any woman would want to date--and he's perfect for the bachelor auction. Too bad he's married... Or is he? Single dad Jared loves his young daughter more than anything, and has worked hard to create an idyllic life on his alpaca ranch, just the two of them. The last thing he needs is to get involved with another single-minded career woman used to the big city lights instead of star-filled skies. Pretty Lacey's the kind of woman who is off limits for more reasons than he can count. But why can't he stop thinking about her? Nope. She's just not for him... Or is she? When one of the bachelor cowboys is a no-show at the charity auction, Jared steps in at the last minute and gallantly saves the day. One thing leads to another and Lacey and Jared are off on a romantic Dream Date Weekend at a mountain getaway designed for cozy evenings by the fire and luxurious nights in a four-poster bed.Trouble is, Lacey's not looking for a man, let alone a much-too-hot cowboy. Her career is right on track and she's finally bouncing back from a bad breakup. No matter how he makes her feel, Jared definitely doesn't fit her logical list of "must haves." There's sizzling chemistry, for sure, but she's vowed she'll never fall for another single father again. Losing at love is one thing, but losing the love of a child...that's quite another...and a heartbreak she won't go through again.But....add together: champagne, a hot tub, a dangerous game of twenty-questions, a romantic fire and two lonely hearts...and the delicious trouble begins. Jared knows falling for Lacey isn't the right thing for him or his little girl...but how's a cowboy supposed to resist?

The Cowboy's Gamble


Mia Porter - 1998
    But now the sexy, smooth talking cowboy is on her doorstep, with a legal document that laid claim not only to McAllister property but to Josie, as well.Learning that her father had gambled away not just the family ranch, but Josie's future on one game of cards has her fighting to safeguard her home, along with protecting her daughter from a past filled with painful secrets between her and Seth.But this cowboy is determined to claim what is now rightfully his, and Josie has a difficult choice to make. She can either give up her home to her family nemesis, or marry a man she'd taught herself to hate….Mia Porter’s books are sweet, classic romances set in small towns, featuring sexy heroes and the women who bring them to their knees (in the very best way!). All books are full-length, stand-alone novels that can be read in any order.

River's End


Leanne Davis - 2014
    After her mother’s suicide, Erin has no choice but to seek out her brother where he works as a ranch hand, as she is left penniless, homeless and for reasons she will share with no one; without the basic skills to navigate her life.However, no one distrusts her motives or dislikes her more than widower Jack Rydell.But unforeseen circumstances leave Erin nearly destitute on the ranch, and finally reveals the secret Erin has desperately hidden. And only then, does Jack finally begin to know the woman whose presence has so altered his life. Eventually, Erin finds a job, and starts to work with Jack and his horses in order to repay the debts she feels she owes him. But the longer Erin is there Jack begins to wonder if he can resist the woman he now knows, despite everything that stands between them.Binge read this contemporary, western romance series, full of hot cowboys and family entanglements that is based around the Rydell River Ranch brought to you by small-town romance author Leanne Davis…Recommended Reading Order for River's End Series:River's EndRiver's EscapeRiver's ReturnRiver RoadRiver on FireRiver's LostRiver of ChangeRiver's DestinyRiver's RescueRiver's WinterContinue with the Second Generation in The Rydell River Ranch Series:River in DarknessRiver in LightRiver in the MountainsRiver at the RanchRiver to the OceanRiver from the CityRiver Through the ValleyEach book is a standalone with a happily-ever after, but the journey getting there? Never easy and always epic! You’ll get to check in with beloved characters in this interconnected, standalone series.

Nobody Else But You


Claire Marti - 2022
    She doesn’t care how gorgeous he is––she wants him gone after he threatens to pull her family back into the paparazzi filled world they escaped from over a decade ago.Holt knows Sam hates him on sight and the feeling is becoming mutual. But his entire career is riding on a favor from Sam’s legendary film director father. No way will he allow one irritating, sexy redhead to stand in his way.Sam intends to fight him at every turn…if only her heart didn’t race when they’re together. Holt does his best to steer clear of her…except all he wants to do is hold her close. The sizzling attraction between them is either going to burn up the sheets or burn down the ranch…

Planning for Love


Christi Barth - 2012
    She won’t let anything burst the perfect bubble of happiness she creates for her clients. So she’s immediately on guard when a reality television crew appears to tape one of her weddings. Tall, blonde and sexy, the cameraman’s a relentless flirt, and Ivy follows his easygoing charm straight into the bedroom.Ever since a scandal ended his career as a news videographer, Bennett Westcott is relegated to filming reality catfights and bridezillas. His latest assignment comes with the bonus of a gorgeous wedding planner. But Ivy ruins their one-night stand by turning too serious too quickly. Although a big fan of lust, Ben’s allergic to love. He rejects her and everything she holds dear, leaving her brokenhearted.The network builds a reality show around Ivy, Planning for Love. She signs the contract before learning the man who shredded her heart into confetti will spend the next three months filming her. Suddenly Ben has to spend every day with the woman he knows he shouldn’t be with, but can’t resist. And Ivy’s stuck wondering, how do you plan for happily ever after when the guy you want doesn’t believe in it?

The Lies You Tell


Ruth Mancini - 2012
    Which is quite fitting really, given what happened.'Cambridge, 1992.For Lizzie Taylor, one moment changes her life forever. When she accidentally steps out in the path of an oncoming car, an old friend comes to her rescue and everything she thought made her happy starts to unravel: the long-term boyfriend no longer feels like her soulmate and her job isn't fulfilling anymore.Lizzie starts to make drastic changes, not knowing that a terrible betrayal will rip apart the new life she's built. Set in the early 1990s in Cambridge and London, it's a story of love, friendship, divided loyalties and the moral choices we face everyday.What readers are saying about The Lies You Tell:'The story is both entertaining and enlightening in equal measure. There is a poignancy which tugs at the heart strings ... I hope to be able to read more from this talented author in future novels' Jo Barton, Amazon Top 500 Reviewer.'A thought-provoking, intelligent read, that I wholeheartedly recommend' Bookworm.'I enjoyed the way it was written and found it really easy to read – in fact I couldn't put it down and finished it within 24 hours! I felt like I quickly got to know and love the characters – especially Lizzie. This is Ruth's first novel and I'm definitely looking forward to the next!' Esther Willis.'This is a beautifully written story and one that I would highly recommend. Ruth Mancini has a great talent and I will certainly be looking to read more by this talented author in the future' Torrenstp.

Something Worth Having


C.K. Carr - 2014
     But she may have just made the biggest one of her life. She's agreed to go on a road trip with hunky Aidan Walsh, the Irish bloke she's been lusting after since the day they met. Problem is, Aidan isn't single. Never has been and probably never will be. So, as much as his smile may make her stomach flutter, she most definitely cannot go there. It'll be okay. It's just one week. She can restrain herself for seven days. Really, she can. The bigger problem will be keeping from Aidan— who's possibly her best friend and the only one who will "get it"— the fact that she may just have the same cancer that killed her mother. No biggie. She's just on the verge of a complete and total meltdown and can't turn to her best friend for support. It'll be fine. Really. It will. Now if only she could believe that...

Love Letters from a Billionaire


Beverly Farr - 2018
    Nilsson. I'm the woman who cleans his penthouse apartment, but I had never met him face-to-face. Until today.Love Letters from a Billionaire is a clean romance where anything is possible.

How to Knit a Wild Bikini


Christie Ridgway - 2008
    For personal chef Nikki Carmichael, it could be the softest place to land if her new job falls through. Working for magazine writer Jay Buchanan has come with some strange conditions—like pretending to be his girlfriend. As for Jay, he finds himself drawn to the kitchen, where he's intrigued by his sexy cook's ability to withstand the heat between them. And now he thinks it's time to turn up the flames.