Book picks similar to
Beneath the Surface by M.J. Fredrick
romance
contemporary
romantic-suspense
fiction
First Response
Allie K. Adams - 2013
TREX Special Agent Spencer Allen has been waiting to take the lead since he first started with the covert agency. He's earned his place as his team’s CO and is given a mission that could make or break his career. The night before he deploys, he decides a little R&R is in order. He meets the CEO of the search and rescue group TREX contracts with, takes her home, and they have an unforgettable one-night stand, despite TREX's strict policy not allowing agents to get involved with members of competing agencies. The response is everything... Kat Davis didn't expect to be swept off her feet by a member of the egotistical men-in-black agency that orders her agency around on searches. He says all the right things, touches her in all the right ways, and makes it impossible to resist him. It's only one-night, she reasons. She's not ready to commit to more than what they've already had together and quickly retreats, leaving Spencer confused and angry. Spencer completes his mission and has a decision to make--one that could give him an ounce of happiness, the other the right thing to do. Will he do the right thing? Or do what's right? "If you are looking for nonstop, heart-racing action and sizzling romance, look no further. Allie K. Adams will take you there—and more!" —Lucy Monroe, USA Today bestselling author
Not a Whisper
Donna B. McNicol - 2013
She thought her biggest issue would be adapting to life in the middle of a National Forest, so very different from her upbringing in the deserts of Arizona.But that was before she met State Trooper Fire Marshall Jamison "Jazz" Maddox at the scene of a mysterious fire. As they both become acquainted with the close-knit Klondike residents, things get complicated as Cherie and Jazz find themselves in the middle of a local crime wave where arson, kidnapping, embezzlement and a decades old murder are just the tip of the iceberg.Be sure get your free copy of the Klondike Kompanion from the author's website and read the "Meet the Characters" interviews
Bagels & Salsa
Lara Reznik - 2018
As the Son of Sam and a scorching heat wave plague New York City, Laila Levin, a Jewish sociologist from Long Island, meets Dr. Eduardo Quintana while giving a speech on the epidemic problem of teenage pregnancies. Laila is relationship-shy after a disastrous marriage, and Eduardo has never completely recovered from his high school sweetheart’s desertion. He is finishing up a residency in New York City and plans to open a family practice near his hometown in New Mexico.The unlikely pair share strong family values and an interest in helping prevent teen pregnancy. Their mutual passion is so intense it stuns them both. After a brief courtship, Eduardo persuades Laila to accompany him to his family ranch near Española, New Mexico, a rural area with one of the highest teenage pregnancy rates in North America. Once in New Mexico, Laila is blatantly rejected by Sylvia, Eduardo’s controlling mama. Sylvia desperately wants Eduardo to marry Violet, his high school sweetheart. Violet has just returned to New Mexico after a failed flight attendant career, and a walk on the dark side of Hollywood. Her mama and Sylvia cook up a plan to get rid of Laila and reunite their children. The Quintanas hold a large pig roast and invite a menagerie of tattooed cousins, rodeo stars, and mariachis, where the drop-dead gorgeous Violet makes a grand entrance.In the midst of the pandemonium that results, a shocking family secret is revealed, and Laila and Eduardo’s love for each other is severely tested. Can their relationship survive the fierce clash of cultures, the murderous intentions of a Son of Sam copycat who has stalked Laila from New York City, and their own uncertainties about the upheavals that their union will cause in their lives?
The Maze
Jennifer Lowery - 2014
That mission led to her imprisonment, torture, and ultimate retirement, along with her loss of faith in the man she’d trusted with her life.Brings his vengeance…Former Navy SEAL, Noah Kincaid, bears the responsibility of Attie’s imprisonment and blames himself for not protecting her from drug lord Carlos Santiago. This time he won’t fail her.In a deadly game of survival.Santiago has resurfaced and set up an elaborate plan to exact his revenge on Attie by taking her brother hostage. The only way to save him is by revisiting the darkness of her past and relying on a man she can’t trust. In a battle of life or death, Noah and Attie are put to the test. They must face challenges to overcome the past and accept their feelings for each other before the danger that tore them apart separates them forever.Content Warning: Sexual content
Breaking the Silence
Katie Allen - 2008
His safe routine is blown to pieces when the daily sight of an unknown woman walking her dog sends his heart into a tailspin. Jenny Fitzgerald’s love life is at a definite low. Her only potential date in sight is her annoying and creepy coworker, Evan—until a stunning man appears before her like a gift from some kindly sex god. Who is she to turn down what’s offered to her on a hunky blond platter? Will and Jenny’s friendship develops as their hunger grows into love. Meanwhile, a jealous Evan watches, his rage building until it explodes in a brutal act of violence that tears Jenny’s life apart. Will struggles to help her rebuild her courage and sense of self as his own demons and fragile memories threaten their chance at happiness—but perhaps they can learn to heal each other. Reader Advisory: This book contains a realistic, violent near-rape scene.
Dangerous Kisses
Trish Milburn - 2011
The type of information that could have saved her mother. And now that a killer seems to be targeting young women in Nashville, that information is more important than ever.Standing in her way is homicide detective Jake Radley, who has been burned by sharing too much case information before. When he meets Sydney, he sees the stereotypical journalist who just wants to make a name for herself. It isn't until the killer targets Sydney and Jake makes it his mission to protect her that he learns there's way more to her than he initially thought.As Sydney and Jake spend more time together, they learn about each others' pasts and how they shaped the people they are now. And as they learn more, an initial physical attraction grows into more than either of them ever expected.
Open Secret
Fiona Quinn - 2019
The FBI focuses its secret weapon, ex-Army Ranger Rowan Kennedy, at the crisis.With a PhD in propaganda, Kennedy puts everything on the line to expose the wealthy and high-powered schemers threatening our way of life……and to protect Avery.To beat the enemy at their own game, Rowan and Avery must break the rules.It only complicates things that they’re falling in love.The game is on. The set is in play. Who will win the match?Grab your copy now and join the race for the finish line in this friends to lovers, military romance action adventure thriller filled with spies, conspiracies, and political corruption.
Singe
Aly Martinez - 2017
Every time I closed my eyes, I watched her fall into that inferno. Over and over, I failed to save her.I hadn’t been able to reach her, and the guilt only burned hotter over time. Four years later, I was the unreachable one.Heroes aren’t always saints. Sometimes, we’re nothing more than jaded sinners driven by sleepless nights and hearts full of darkness.And then I met her. She was a dreamer who managed to soothe my scars and heal my wounds.But, as the flames closed in around us, I feared I wasn’t the right man to save her. That is until I realized she was the one woman I’d burn the world down to protect.
Gnome On The Range
Jennifer Zane - 2011
A job in a small Montana town's only adult store, two busy young boys and one dead husband. Everything except a little excitement--a little zing. But that changes one summer morning at a garage sale when her kids buy some garden gnomes.Now someone wants those gnomes and will let nothing get in their way. Including Jane. This new excitement for Jane spells trouble for a relationship with new neighbor--and hot fireman--Ty Strickland. Can Jane and Ty handle a relationship meddling mother-in-law, crazy kids, and stay alive while trying to solve the mystery of the garden gnomes?
Lola Carlyle Reveals All
Rachel Gibson - 2002
Then the private yacht she's blissfully napping on is "commandeered" by some man who says his name is Max Zamora, and that he works for the government.It sounds crazy, but Max is telling the truth--his cover's been blown, he's on the run, and now he's confronted by a very angry--and beautiful--woman. He's seen Lola before--barely clothed on covers of fashion magazines. But she's more beautiful in person. From the top of her pert blonde head to the tips of her little painted toes, Max finds her sexy, curvy... and a pain in the butt. And that's before she blows up the ship!Now, the unlikely pair is stranded in the middle of the ocean, it's getting very hot--not just from the sun--and Lola is about to reveal it all...
HOT Pursuit
Lynn Raye Harris - 2013
He broke her heart. He's the only one who can save her life...Evie Baker hasn’t seen Matt Girard in ten years. Not since the night she gave him her virginity. Now the Black Ops soldier is back in town and looking to make things right. Too bad she doesn’t believe a word he says. But when her sister goes missing and Evie’s suddenly a suspect in a murder, Matt’s the only man she can trust to keep her safe.Matt knew Evie wanted forever ten years ago, but all he wanted was escape. He’s older and wiser now, and he knows what matters. He’ll do whatever it takes—break any rules necessary—to protect Evie and find her sister. And then he’ll do everything he can to win his best friend’s heart and prove he’s the man she needs him to be.
Bad Medicine
J.D. Faver - 2012
Rafael never gave up hoping for Chloe’s return. She inherits her father’s shrimp boat and irascible crew, enabling her to make a living. Rafael’s passion breaks down her emotional barriers, but her impetuous nature draws her into a cruel vortex where she runs afoul of old and new enemies. Previous rivalries emerge, pitting Rafael against the heir-apparent to a crime dynasty. With the body count rising, Rafael and Chloe battle an infatuated but vicious drug lord, kidnappers, and a twisted curandero (Mexican healer). Will they survive the violence and be able to forge a life together?
Love, Lies & the D.A.
Rebecca Rohman - 2014
Days later, she’s on a trip that she intends to be relaxing and a prelude to her fresh start, when she runs into the rude, obnoxious, but gorgeous Jonathan Kole.Jonathan Kole is San Francisco’s newest District Attorney. When he finds himself deeply attracted to a stunning beauty, he has no idea that she’s about to get into BIG trouble with the law—and he’ll be the one presiding over her trial. To make matters worse, his father is the lawyer representing her in the high-profile case.When a series of events force them together over New Year’s weekend, Jonathan’s feelings and ethics will come into question, while Jada comes to terms with the fact that she is falling for the man that will be responsible for attempting to put her behind bars… Little do they know, they're both about to fall into a whirlwind so deep, it will send both their lives spiraling out of control.
Broken Build
Rachelle Ayala - 2012
He doesn't need blood on his car, threatening phone calls, and Jen wrapped in broken code and blackmail.A gang of thugs hunts Jen, and she takes refuge in Dave’s protective arms. Together, they must thwart a killer and rescue an innocent victim from their past. Love blossoms, but a damaging revelation points straight at Jen, threatening to tear them apart forever.Content advisory: language, sexual situations
Forever Never
Lucy Score - 2021
Especially when they’re all the same woman.Under Brick Callan’s mile-wide chest beats a loyal heart with a few cracks in it. He’s the steadfast, overprotective type. Especially when it comes to the one woman he can never have. It’s a long, complicated history punctuated by fights, friendship, family, and an attraction that strains his iron willpower.When Remi Ford returns to Mackinac Island in the dead of winter with a secret, Brick makes it his mission to find out what put the shadows in those green eyes. Even if it means breaking down the walls he’s built between them. Even if it means falling for the one girl he’ll never get over.The free-spirited artist just needs to lay low for a few weeks so she can figure a way out of this nightmare. She’s definitely not staying. Not when the man who broke her teenage heart into splinters keeps showing up at her parents’ dinner table. Remi doesn’t need broody, bearded Brick riding to her rescue…again. Not when it will put them both in danger, costing them much more than their hearts.Author’s Note: Frenemies-to-lovers. Opposites attract. Slow burn. Girl in danger. Glorious, glorious banter. Fighting as foreplay. Small-town shenanigans. Big, grumpy, pining, overprotective hero. Wild-child, trouble-finding heroine who keeps on pushing the hero’s buttons. Steam Level: Lava. Suspense: Nail-biting. Feels: Big time.