Book picks similar to
The Permanence of Pain by Desiree Lafawn


romance
contemporary-romance
free
contemporary

Live By The Team


Cindy Skaggs - 2016
    SSgt. Ryder was born, bred, and enhanced as a warrior, but when he returns home to his new wife--exiled from the Army along with the rest of his disgraced team--he faces mounting anger and paranoia. Something shady followed Ryder back from the desert, and he disappears to protect his wife, but his departure leaves a vacuum filled with intrigue.Lauren Ryder married thinking she had finally found stability, until her new husband disappeared. In six months, she's lost everything that mattered, and now a madman has her in his sights. Ryder's return lands her in deeper danger from a formidable enemy. As the threats escalate, so does the heat, but even if Ryder can save Lauren from the forces mounting against them, will they survive what he has become?"The chemistry between Lauren and Ryder jumped off the pages. Exactly why we read romance." (Beth Rhodes)Military trained, medically enhanced, designed to kill. The Team Fear novels are fast paced, with twists and turns and a side of steamy. The surviving members of Team Fear are out of the military and in a world of secrets, lies, and cover-ups in this new romantic suspense series by Cindy Skaggs.

Dragon Blue: A Lie That's True


Macy Babineaux - 2016
    Her life will change when a mysterious female customer leaves an ornate necklace in lieu of paying her check. Later, alone in her trailer, she tries on the necklace and is transported to a strange land full of people who can shift into other creatures, including fearsome dragons. And everyone thinks she's someone she's not. Corban Everfrost leads the clan of blue dragons and rules the Icelands after the mysterious disappearance of his father. While investigating the appearance of strange interlopers from another world, his sister informs him that he is to be wed to the daughter of the Wildfire clan who has been in exile on Earth since she was an infant. Corban wants nothing to do with a new bride or the Wildfires. But when he sees the dark, fiery woman brought to his world via a magic necklace, she stirs something within him. At first, Miranda thinks Corban is a jerk. He thinks she's an outcast from a clan he despises. But soon they will learn each other's secrets, and as they learn to love each other their relationship may be the key to saving all of Xandakar from dark forces from another world. Dragon Blue is the first book in a planned 5-book series, The Dragonlords of Xandakar. It contains lots of fast-paced action, VERY steamy love scenes, and a happy ending.

Saddler's Secret


Nicole Rodrigues - 2019
    Heartbreaking circumstances thrusts me into motherhood, and on the plane ride home, I break down, kissing a total stranger and the angel offered me a solution; Saddler Enterprises. I've climbed the ladder and worked my ass off for months, and in walks, Adam, our intern. I try to keep things professional but all of a sudden, I start to find him funny and charming. His kiss electrifies me but that's precisely when shit really hits the fan.Suddenly, I'm on the mysterious Machlin Saddler’s radar. Big, bad CEO that never makes his way to our floor, now makes it his new stomping grounds. He lights my body on fire like no one has before. He's alluring and gorgeous and I'm being pulled in two different directions. Only the new intern isn't who I think he is. He's the perfect stranger from the plane I took to start my new life with Kenzie. The perfect stranger I kissed. The perfect stranger I hate.Genevieve LangstonThe breathtaking woman I haven't been able to keep my mind off of, has been my downfall. I need her like a lion needs prey but I can't screw up the plan. She'll hate me, hell she already does, but the line between love and hate is very, very thin.

Trusting Jake


Lauren Giordano - 2015
    In need of a jumpstart. Tired of playing by other people's rules, the widowed single mom guards her new freedom by keeping her deadbeat husband alive... in name only. But meeting Jake Traynor gives her hope and makes her question the merits of lying. Will he break down the fortress around her heart? Love under construction: Falling for a married woman was never in the blueprint. The definition of responsible son, executive Jackson Traynor is driven to prove his father right. Jake runs the family construction company. The workaholic millionaire is all business. No pleasure. Until assisting a beautiful redhead with her broken down car reminds Jake what he wants. But what if the only person you want is the one you can never have? Battling their deepening attraction, Jake must question everything he's ever believed -- because Jen and her kids are the family he's always dreamed of. Jenna must choose between a safe life and the one of her dreams. When Jake's company is threatened, she will risk everything to protect him -- even if it means exposing old secrets.

Identity of the Heart


Mary Crawford - 2015
    After being confronted about dates she’s never experienced, she hires an identity theft expert whose investigation leads to a mystery and a hunky tattoo shop owner.When Marcus Brolin meets his apprentice’s lookalike, he wonders if Ivy will see through his “bad boy” tattoo artist image.Despite her tough exterior, Rogue Betencourt intrigues software mogul Tristan Macklin. His company, Identity Bank, is a raging success, but Rogue catches his interest because she seems to see more in him than dollar signs.Rogue has no use for a rich man with big-time goals. She cherishes her independence. Yet there’s something about Tristan that tells her he has integrity and heart as well as brains.Together, the four of them set out to discover the truth. As the mystery unravels, both couples join forces and search for the true identities of their hearts.Identity of the Heart is the first standalone novel in the Hidden Hearts clean and wholesome contemporary romance series. If you like wholesome stories, deeply drawn characters, and delightful twists and turns, then you’ll appreciate Mary Crawford’s engaging tale.

Survive The Fall


Julia Bright - 2018
    Every day, the weight of her father and brother's deaths wear another notch in her soul. She won't last if she doesn't act soon. Flashbacks hit Adam hard, knocking him out of the Army, but he isn't done with revenge. The sexy siren who point blank asked for sex his first night in Wyoming now needs his help. He isn't sure how deep she is, but he knows something isn't on the level with her. Adam was only supposed to be one night of mindless sex to help her forget, but he's the man she'd taking overseas to protect her while she goes in to kill the one terrorist who wrecked her family. If you like Special Forces, you'll love Julia Bright's fast paced series. Buy Survive the Fall and get into the action and romance.

Brewer


Zahra Girard - 2021
    Lethal. Deadly.She's too pure for a monster like me, but my black heart beats only for her.She still prefers flower crowns to leather cuts.But I’ll do whatever it takes to make her mine.There’s just one problem - the devil from our past who wants her dead.Natalie wants to run again, to disappear.But there’s no way I’m losing her.So I take her captive.I'm keeping her. Safe. Mine. Forever.And I'll kill anyone who tries to take her from me.

Wild


Lexi Whitlow - 2018
    I'm crazy to try to save her... Because it's my story she's chasing. She wants the headline: "MISSING BILLIONAIRE FINALLY FOUND." But there's a reason no one has seen me. It's because I don't want to be found. Until she turns up with her gorgeous curves and coy smiles. Smart, adventurous, brave. And damn gorgeous even wearing my old t-shirt. The heat between us is threatening to thaw my resolve. She thinks she can tame me. I might be ready to let her. I'll make her mine, over and over again. Wild is an 80k steamy standalone billionaire romance with tons of hot scenes, twists and turns, drama, action, adventure, and a fantastic HEA. Enjoy!

Take a Chance on Me


Jaqueline Snowe - 2017
    Their relationship had always been easy. Both of them loyal to a fault, they had been there for each other through everything: heartbreaks, hangovers, and tragedy. So when Kate needs a place to stay for three months, Brody doesn’t think twice about agreeing. After all, they had known each other forever. What could go wrong living with his closest and oldest friend? Apparently, everything. Three months in a small apartment becomes more than complicated. Brody shouldn’t be attracted to his dorky best friend…he most definitely shouldn’t. That would be absurd. She’s a relationship girl and he’s more a one-night-sans-clothes kind of guy. One drunken dare of strip poker changes everything. Suddenly, two people with too much to lose play a dangerous game. The unapologetic playboy and the girl-next-door have a choice to make, if only their pasts didn’t keep getting in the way of their future.

The Story of You and Me


Pamela DuMond - 2013
    I planned on college, keggers, and cute frat guys—not MS. I told a few people, but they started treating me differently, so now I keep it secret. I probably have many more years to live with this disease, but my grandmother does not. So I traveled thousands of miles to L.A. to look for healing: stem cell studies, acupuncture, shamanic vision quests. Some therapies were dangerous, but I’d try anything. I’d risk it all because I was fighting for our lives—but I didn’t have the luxury of dating, let alone falling in love. My first night in L.A. I landed in the middle of a campus bar fight. The most beautiful man I’d ever met, Alejandro, a complete stranger, rescued me. He took me to the ER, drove me to my new home, and even washed my beer-drenched hair. On my second day I got lost in a dicey part of town and was attacked by gang-bangers. I escaped—this time. So I hired Alejandro to drive me to my appointments; be my bodyguard. He made me laugh again. He sheltered me. My heart started cracking open… I wish I had told him my secret. When I discovered—he hadn't yet told me his...

Fighting Irish


Katy Regnery - 2018
     ...but it's been a long time since their childhood summers at Summerhaven. The Havens weren't the children who attended exclusive Summerhaven Camp in Center Sandwich, New Hampshire. They were the children of the owners, expected to “pull their weight” and absolutely forbidden to fraternize with the paying guests. But that didn't keep Rory from having a quiet, unrequited crush on gorgeous, popular, insanely-rich, Brittany Manion for three tortuous summers. When all-grown-up, recently-engaged Brittany books the off-season summer camp for her upcoming spring wedding, she immediately recognizes Rory as the scorching-hot boy who wouldn’t give her the time of day. Meanwhile, Rory, who senses that Brittany’s nuptials are less about Mr. Right and more about Mr. Right Now, launches the fight of his life to win the heart of the girl he’s always wanted.

The Light We See


J. Lynn Bailey - 2019
    From Carpinteria, California, we left.In Arizona, we barely spoke.In New Mexico, I gave him a promise that I knew I couldn’t keep.In Texas, we slept under the stars.In Oklahoma, he told me a story I wouldn’t soon forget.In Louisiana, he gave my soul a voice.Between Arkansas and Mississippi, we took full advantage of an opportunity.In Tennessee, I studied his face.In Kentucky, he introduced me to his parents.In Ohio, he found my heart.In West Virginia, we drank whiskey and told ourselves that truths are better left untold.In Maryland, we felt the weight of the night.In Pennsylvania, his wife called.And in New York, I asked myself one question:Would he be able to let me go when it was time?

Forbidden Love


Ainsley St. Claire - 2018
    Then I met Dillon. I feel the pull, but I can’t let myself get distracted. Not now.He has eyes of the hunter, and when he looks at me, I know I'm the prey.He's dangerous and all wrong for me. I thought I could stay strong and resist him.I was wrong.Dillon:Women have always been simple for me. Seduce her, bed her. Repeat. Until I met Emerson. She was off limits. No problem, I had plenty of discipline. I could handle mind over matter.When I recognized the brains inside the seductive package, she became my personal black hole.With her I was losing the battle. I don’t know if it was hormones, or pheromones, or black magic.No matter what the rules said, I couldn’t pull away.Damn the rules.Forbidden Love is the first standalone book in the Venture Capitalist series of steamy romantic suspense. If you like heartthrob bosses, sexy-and-smart heroines, twist-filled plots, then you’ll love Ainsley St Claire’s too-hot-to-handle tale.Buy Forbidden Love to slip into a scandalous romance today!

After the End


Natasha Preston - 2018
    .One fatal mistake changes Tilly and Linc’s lives forever.After the tragedy, Linc and his family fled a town they were no longer welcome in.Still grieving the death of her brother, Tilly’s world is rocked again when, three years later, Lincoln Reid has to come home.Linc tries to stay away from Tilly, but once he sees her fighting feelings for him, he can’t stay in the shadows.

The Perfect Man


Lynn Dare - 2021
    Yes, definitely his jaw.But I, Ellie Amore, have a problem. It’s big, gigantic, and not in the good way.None of these men are real. And that version of me? More fake than an author calling herself classy while drinking boxed wine in her yoga pants.Me, that author is me.I dream of hot men. Perfect men. Fictional men. These men go into my books, and it’s all I need for my messy cat-lady-living-above-a-bookstore life. Really.I don’t need my brother’s best friend checking up on me. The man who brings me tacos. The one who is decidedly not perfect—as his enemy cat would tell you—but somehow might just be perfect for me.I’m not sure how it all started or when he decided I was more than a favor to his friend.All I know is Cruz is not a man from my dreams. This time, it’s different.This time, he’s real.The Perfect Man is book one in the Perfect Man romantic comedy series. Dive in for plenty of swoons, lots of laughs, and a guaranteed HFN ending.