Book picks similar to
Just Between Friends by Joann Baker


romance
contemporary
the-cowboy-connection
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The Forgotten Child


Lorhainne Eckhart - 2011
    But what he got was a woman who shook his lonely bitter world upside down, and touched him in a way no other woman could. Emily Nelson, a courageous young mother, ends a loveless, bitter marriage and strikes out on her own. She answers an ad as a cook and live-in caregiver to a three-year-old boy on a local ranch. Ranch owner Brad Friessen hires and moves in Emily and her daughter. But Emily soon discovers something's seriously wrong with the boy, and the reclusive, difficult man who hired her can't see the behavior and how delayed his son is. So Emily researches until she stumbles across what she suspects are the soft signs of autism. Now she must tell him, give him hope, and help him come to terms with this neurological disorder-to take the necessary steps to get his child the help he needs. As their lives become intertwined, their attraction is unavoidable-a connection sparks between them. But just as they're getting close, Brad's estranged wife, Crystal, returns after abandoning the family two years earlier. Among the shock and confusion is one disturbing question Brad can't shake: How does Crystal know so much of his personal business, the inner working of the ranch, and Emily's relationship with his son? Crystal must've had a plan, as she somehow gains the upper hand, driving a wedge in the emotional bond forged between Brad, Emily, and the children. The primary focus for care and therapy of three-year-old Trevor is diverted. The lengths to which Crystal will go, the lies, the greed, just to keep what's hers, are nothing short of cold and calculating. Emily's forced out of the house. Brad fights to save his boy, to protect what's his, and struggles over his greatest sacrifice-Emily, and the haunting question: Has he lost her forever?THE OUTSIDER SERIES: The Forgotten Child (Brad & Emily) A Baby And A Wedding (An Outsider Series Short) Fallen Hero (Andy, Jed & Diana) The Search (An Outsider Series Short) The Awakening (Andy & Laura) Secrets (Jed & Diana) Runaway(Andy & Laura) Overdue (An Outsider Series Short) The Unexpected Storm (Neil & Candy) The Wedding (Neil & Candy) Or grab The Outsider Series: The Complete Omnibus Collection which includes all the books and short stories in this in this romantic saga. THE FRIESSENS: A NEW BEGINNING: The Deadline (Andy & Laura) The Price to Love (Neil & Candy) A Different Kind of Love (Brad & Emily) A Vow of Love, A Friessen Christmas

Strong Silent Type


Lorelei James - 2009
     Libby McKay knew when she married the gruff, laid-back cowboy that he wasn’t prone to blathering on about his feelings. But three months have passed and her stubborn-as-a-mule husband is still living by himself in the horse trailer. It seems he’d rather hold onto his pride than hold onto her. When Quinn realizes Libby is determined to move on if he doesn’t change, he offers her one weekend of uninterrupted sexual decadence to rekindle their love life and to hash out their differences. Reigniting the passion is easy. The hard part comes after the sheets have cooled and they find out if what remains is strong enough to survive past mistakes…

Kissing Mr. Mistletoe: Christmas in Napa


Kate Kisset - 2016
    Mistletoe is the first novella in a brand new series from Kate Kisset:Ever since his last remaining relative died, Country music star Trace Montgomery has avoided California, specifically his home town, Napa Valley. Trace can’t stand the memories. But seven days before the holiday, he’s forced to return to wine country to sell the St. Helena Christmas tree farm he inherited from his uncle. With his sidekick guitar Lola nearby, a past love, the one that got away, falls into his arms while trying to turn a vineyard bunny sculpture into a reindeer. Now, Trace can't stop thinking about her. He's making up naughty lyrics to Christmas songs.Single mom, Monique Jacobson doesn’t have time for a bath, never mind a romance. She’s working hard to secure a promotion and pay raise from Santino Winery that will allow her and her daughter to move out of Nana’s little B&B.St. Helena and Napa Valley hotels are booked for the holiday, and Monique finds Trace hold up with her and her daughter at her gran's Napa B&B for a Christmas in wine country. Will they rediscover the love they lost and rekindle Christmas magic under the mistletoe?Special note to fans of Kate Kisset’s (Single Girls Wine Club) Napa Vineyard romance series: The ladies of Bella Villa and Napa Valley’s Santino brothers return early 2017 in the second book of the Napa Vineyard series, Napa Crush.*Kissing Mr. Mistletoe is a standalone read. Although you may recognize some of the names, this Christmas gem features its own cast of loveable and sexy characters.

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.

Why Now?


Carey Heywood
    He's everything I've ever wanted.I should be happy.But there's one problem.My fiancé.

Mad About Matt


Theresa Paolo - 2017
    Life is good until someone breaks into her shop,making her question if the life she left behind in New York followed her.As the local sheriff, Matt is keeping a close eye on the place and an even closer eye on the beautiful owner who refuses to take the break in seriously. Two conflicting personalities that burn bright on their own become down right explosive when thrown together. But in order to move toward a future together, they will have to let go of their past and accept the mistakes they made.***Welcome to Red Maple Falls, a small town filled with big personalities. Nestled in the White Mountains of New Hampshire it is home to the Hayes siblings, three brothers and three sisters, all awaiting their happily ever after.Book 1: Mad About Matt (Matt and Shay) Book 2: Crushing on Kate (Kate and Caleb) Book 3: Moments with Mason (Mason and Cassie)Book 4: Catching Cooper (Cooper and Sarah) Book 5: Hung Up on Hadley (Hadley and Sam)Book 5.5 A Bride for Sam (Hadley and Sam) Book 6: Dreaming of Daisy (Daisy and Nick) (Coming 2/19/18)

Catch Me, Cowboy


Jeannie Watt - 2016
    The woman he still loves. Horse trainer Shelby O’Connor truly believes she’s over Ty—until he shows up on her family ranch and turns her world upside down. Shelby isn’t a big one for second chances, but she’s all about proving that she and Ty are done. But when she discovers that Ty plans to head back out on the rodeo circuit, despite his injuries, she has to come to terms with the fact that maybe she isn’t as over him as she thought she was. And now she has to decide what to do about that. Will history repeat itself, or will Ty and Shelby get another chance at love?

Jase


M.J. Fields - 2013
    He can't seem to get the beautifully innocent, blonde college girl out of his head. So what she's the cousin of a friend who does not approve? Jase has never exercised self-control when it came to getting a woman, and he wasn't going to start now.After tricking Carly into “fake dating," it turns out the joke's on him, as Jase falls hard and fast for her. But as painful secrets from his past come to light, Jase will have to man up and bare it all to Carly, even if the ugly truth could tare them apart forever.JASE is book 1 in the bestselling erotica series MEN OF STEEL by MJ Fields.

A Place To Call Home


Lacey Black - 2017
    She left everything behind: her parents, her brother, and the love of her life, Aiden Hughes. Now, Colbi must return home in the wake of her brother’s unexpected death in Afghanistan where she’s about to come face-to-face with her old demons. Aiden has been left unsettled since his one true love left him for something else in the Big Apple eight long years ago. After the unexpected death of his oldest friend, who was serving in the Army, Aiden finally comes face-to-face with the woman who stole his heart and has haunted his dreams. What happens when old lovers reunite in the midst of tragedy? Is it finally a happily ever after, or will their dreams tear them apart once more? *This novella is 23,000 words and was first published in May 2016 as part of the Honor Anthology.

The Boys of Summer


C.J. Duggan - 2012
    She wants nothing more than to forget the past haunts of high school and have fun with her best friends before the dreaded Year Twelve begins.To Tess, summer is when everything happens: riding bikes down to the lake, watching the fireworks at the Onslow Show and water bomb fights at the sweltering Sunday markets.How did she let her friends talk her into working?After first-shift disasters, rude, wealthy tourists and a taunting ex-boyfriend, Tess is convinced nothing good can come of working her summer away. However, Tess finds unlikely allies in a group of locals dubbed ‘The Onslow Boys’, who are old enough to drive cars, drink beer and not worry about curfews. Tess’s summer of working expands her world with a series of first times with new friends, forbidden love and heartbreaking chaos.All with the one boy she has never been able to forget.It will be a summer she will always remember.

In the Night


Melissa Sinclair - 2017
    She fought her way out of the hands of a sadistic madman and struggled to safety, nearly dying in the process, only to have her world shattered once safely home. Fleeing her family home and the only person who loves her, she tries to start over, but distance does not heal all wounds. Kara goes home seeking closure and gets sucked into a murder case that sounds eerily familiar. But the similarities must be a coincidence, because the person responsible all those years ago died in a fiery crash. With her life in turmoil Kara meets a man she can start a life with. But will it be too late? With the help of Detective Caleb Montgomery, Kara races to find the killer before he finishes the job that was started all those years ago.

The Billionaire Guest


Cathy Blossom - 2018
    Theo is focused on his billionaire business. Neither has time for love - or so they think. Lilly Franklin has won a stay at The Royal Quinton Hotel. She intends to stay in her room and use room service for everything she needs. She’s trying to forget how an evil ex-boyfriend changed her life beyond recognition. Theo Myerscough is also staying at The Royal Quinton. He’s there strictly on business. His job is to provide his father with a detailed report on the ancient hotel. Once Theo has done this, his father can begin his hostile takeover of the property. The hotel is not up for sale, but that isn't going to stop the ruthless Myerscough family from proceeding with their plan. Lilly and Theo literally collide with each other in the hallway of the hotel. Theo is surprised at his instant attraction to Lilly, and all thoughts of business flee his mind. When Lilly’s mum later asks a favour of him, he immediately agrees as it means spending a lot of time with Lilly. Lilly is not so sure about Mum’s plan. While she likes Theo, she doesn’t want to be dragged away from the safety of her hotel room. However, Mum insists, and Lilly reluctantly agrees to her plan. As Lilly begins to fall for Theo, she’s unaware of the secret he’s keeping from her. The secret which will break her heart.

Love Letters & Home


Danni Roan - 2017
    Inheriting her ancestral homestead seems like a dream come true but she is unprepared for the changes it will bring not only her life and her heart? Chase Haven swore he'd never return to Wyoming, but when his oldest friend asks for his help, offering him a chance to rebuild his families fortune along the way, he can't say no. The Broken J Ranch has seen better days but a twist of fate may give it a new lease on life. Can a heritage of love, truth and faith bring wondering hearts home to find what they didn’t know they had lost?

Good Girl Gone Plaid


Shelli Stevens - 2013
    In high school Sarah fell for her best friend’s older brother—one of the sexy, Scottish McLaughlin boys. But a painful betrayal showed her she’d been a fool to give her heart to a bad boy. At least it made it easier to leave him and move halfway around the world when her Navy dad got stationed in Japan. Eleven years later, the death of her grandmother has forced Sarah back to Whidbey Island for a month. It’s the length of time she must stay in her inherited house before she’s allowed to sell it, take the money and run. But when she sees Ian, bad as ever and still looking like sin on a stick, she can’t keep her mouth from watering. One look at Sarah stirs up the regret lingering in Ian’s heart—and never-forgotten desire lingering in his body. He should walk away, especially since divorced single mothers aren’t his style. But when she starts showing up at his family’s pub, he can’t resist a little casual seduction for old time’s sake. One thing quickly becomes clear, though. The heat between them is causing an avalanche of secrets and betrayal and nothing will ever be the same.Product Warnings: A bad-boy hero who’s good with his hands, a heroine who’s trying to be good. Contains liberal consumption of Scotch whisky, a Highland Games competition, men in kilts wielding large poles, and a potential Sarah McLaughlin of the non-musical kind.

The Sheriff's Baby Bargain


Susan Lute - 2020
    Marshal-turned-Sheriff Taylor James can trace her family back to the original thirteen Marshals appointed by George Washington. She’s good at her job, but once they find out she’s the local law, she can’t get even one of her dates to stay past the appetizers. Her plan? Convince good friend and hot neighbor Dr. Gabriel Adams to give her dating lessons since his dance card is always full.A survivor of childhood leukemia with no guarantee his remission will last, Gabe lives by two rules: Don’t get emotionally involved and don’t let his well organized life spiral out of control. When he’s given a baby, with his name on her birth certificate, he needs Taylor’s help. But dangling dating lessons in exchange? If that will get the dedicated sheriff to lend a helping hand, could it be a bargain worth making?