Book picks similar to
A Bird in the Oven by Kata Čuić
romance
novella
contemporary
christmas-stories
Love at First Date
Susan Hatler - 2012
. .Ellen’s figured out that finding the right guy is all about compatibility. That’s why she signs up for Detailed Dating—the local online dating scene in Sacramento. They ask men the hard questions, compare their answers with hers, then she filters through the profiles of each provided “match.” After numerous email exchanges, she narrows it down to two promising candidates she’s excited to meet in person. When Ellen’s best friend asks her for a favor, dog-sitting leads to disaster and Ellen ends up at the local vet where she meets a man she can’t get out of her mind. Henry isn’t a logical choice, but she finds herself paying for dog obedience class to spend more time with him. Ellen knows that in order to have a lasting relationship, she should take the safe route and go for one of the pre-screened guys. But, how can she think with her head when her heart keeps begging her to give Henry a chance?
OMG Christmas Tree
Stephanie J. Scott - 2021
The biggest and best tree in the lot should make her mom and her new stepdad happy–and forget how she’s neglected to visit them in their tiny town of Crystal Cove.Three nights before Christmas, and all Nick Bennington needs to do is to pick up a Christmas tree. The one saved for him that he should have picked up weeks ago for the charity event at the historic mayor’s mansion on Christmas Eve.That task his mother, Mayor Bennington herself, entrusted him with. Now the biggest and best tree in the lot is gone.After a slip off the icy roads sends Megan, her car, and her prized tree into the ditch a rescuer in the form of Nick Bennington quickly arrives. A rescuer with ulterior motives, Meghan discovers, as he angles to take the pesky tree off her hands.Falling for the country boy is not part of her holiday plans. But for Nick, stumbling upon this city girl might be just the wake-up call he needs.
Love Handles
Gretchen Galway - 2011
She hates the gym, is nice to everybody, and shops at Ross Dress for Less. When she's not teaching preschool, she's wearing yoga pants... to nap in. So when she inherits her estranged grandfather's fitnesswear company in San Francisco, nobody expects her to keep it. Fite Fitness needs a heartless suit to save it from bankruptcy, not a thirty-year-old woman who cries when her students leave for kindergarten.Someone like Liam Johnson. A former Olympic swimmer, Liam is Fite's executive vice president. Unlike Bev, he's devoted his life to Fite's success. Managing one little preschool teacher — and his attraction to her — shouldn't be an issue. Right?But Bev's tired of being underpaid and underrated, and refuses to step aside as an obedient figurehead. To everyone's shock and horror, she moves up to San Francisco, sets up an office, and dives into the business. Nothing — not mockery, not exercise, not sabotage, not a disastrously hot night with her aggravating VP — is going to scare her away.As Liam realizes she's tougher than she looks, he discovers that losing Fite might not be nearly as bad as losing her...A story about the pursuit of love, happiness, and the perfect yoga pants, Love Handles will speak to anyone who's ever had to face the thing that scares her most.Warning: contains at least two loves scenes and a happy ending.
Waves of Love
Lori Ann Mitchell - 2014
She owns her own bookstore, in sunny Florida, and loves her work so much she lives in the apartment above the store. Then one day a young surfer strolls in, cadging free coffee and donuts from her little café. His name is Derek Chambers, and he’s no regular surfer: he’s an author of a series of surfing travelogues, eager to do a book-signing or two at Sage’s store. She goes him one better by offering to host a series of writing workshops, with Derek as the star. In return, Derek offers to teach Sage – who’s never learned – how to surf. Will the two find love in the waves?
The Royal Treatment
Melanie Summers - 2017
But that won’t be enough now that the Royal Family is about to be ousted from power once and for all. When Prince Arthur has to rely on the one woman in the kingdom who hates him most, he must learn that earning the love of a nation means first risking his heart. Twenty-eight-year-old Tessa Sharpe, a.k.a. The Royal Watchdog, hates everything about Prince Arthur. As far as she’s concerned, he’s an arrogant, lazy leech on the kingdom of Avonia. When he shocks the nation by giving her the keys to the castle, Tessa has no choice but to accept and move in for two months. It’s lust at first sight, but there’s no way she can give in to her feelings—not if she wants to have a career or a shred of pride left when her time at the palace ends… Can two natural enemies find their forever in each other’s arms, or will they ruin each other to save themselves?
Beyond Control
Karice Bolton - 2013
With a brilliant job in the corporate world, glamorous parties, and a beautiful condo overlooking Seattle, she is thrown into a world she doesn't want to claim. It's not until Jason crashes into her world that she realizes she's not really living. Facing his own demons, Jason attempts to piece his life back together after a personal tragedy. Damaged by his ghosts, Jason finally begins to forgive himself whenever Gabby's around. She makes him feel--alive, something he hasn't felt for a long time.It's only as their love grows and secrets are revealed that they realize a devastating connection from their past might actually tear them apart.------Dear reader:I hope you enjoy reading Gabby and Jason's story as much as I loved writing it. This is a completed story of Jason and Gabby and is the first in a new series. However, the book does end with a new story just beginning surrounding another couple, who I've gotten the joy of writing about. Their story continues in Beyond Doubt and is out now!Again, thank you for taking the time to read the first in the Beyond Love Series, and I hope you enjoy!~Karice
Some Call it Love
Sarah Peis - 2017
A mistaken arrest, an unpaid debt and a trip to Vegas. Rock-bottom, meet Willa. One thing I learned this week: Never choose an essay topic based on the movie Thor and Chris Hemsworth’s abs. Another—probably more important—thing I also learned: Drooling when staring at Jameson Drake is not a good look. I thought my week was as bad as it would get, until I find out my dad owes Jameson a lot of money. And I’m supposed to pay it off by working for him. Now I have a new job, a huge debt to pay off and a hot boss who takes broody alpha to a new level. When I find myself on my way to Vegas to bail my dad out, Jameson insists on coming along. Things go from bad to worse, as they usually do when my family is involved, and Jameson turns into my savior. Now I’m faced with a choice: Keeps things professional or explore the chemistry between us. But honestly, who can resist a knight in shining armor? This romantic comedy is the first book in the Some Call It Series and can be read as a standalone.
Finding Destiny
Christa Simpson - 2014
He has never strayed from those rules. And yet Destiny has him breaking every last one of them. Destiny was looking forward to a bit of solitude in the north. She figured surrounding herself with her two besties, at an expensive spa retreat, would beat away the winter blues. That was the plan. Destiny liked plans. But plans don’t always work out the way you want them to. Skylar never expected to find three ladies trudging through the snow. But after finding them stranded, in the middle of nowhere, during the biggest snow storm of the year, he’s forced to invite Destiny and her friends back to his cabin. Though he tried to ignore what was subtly unraveling between them, he couldn't discount their attraction. The way Destiny could read into his thoughts and the way his jealousy raged at the thought of his brother taking her to his bed, he knew he had better stake his claim. But when tragedy strikes, torn from her arms at lightning speed, Skylar’s left to wonder whether he would ever find his destiny.
Christmas Alpha
Carole Mortimer - 2014
Stories of dark and compelling ALPHA men, who are used to taking what they want when they want it, and the strong and determined women who have no intention of being taken. Unless it’s on their own terms... Finn Devlin is being stalked by his ex-girlfriend, and the last thing he wants or needs is to find himself stranded in a blizzard, four days before Christmas, with a woman he’s only just met but already knows he wants in his bed. Underneath him. On top of him. Any way he can get her! Eva Shaw has no idea why Finn Devlin would choose to live alone in such a remote place miles from his nearest neighbors. One thing she does know, however—she isn’t the woman he’s mistaken her for. The woman he ‘hired’ from an ‘agency’... While the blizzard continues to rage fiercely outside, the passion inside the house becomes even hotter and unstoppable. Taking Finn and Eva to new and undeniable heights of raw sensuality and desire. While someone outside watches and waits... Author’s Note: The novellas and full-length novels in the ALPHA series have sexier situations and more adult language than my other books.
Naughty Girls Do: A Red Hot and BOOM! Story
Jodi Redford - 2014
Tired of being treated like his kid sister, it’s past time for her to play dirty. She has her work cut out for her though when it comes to the sinfully sexy yet incredibly frustrating man.As far as Ash is concerned, Lexie is strictly off limits. Not only are they friends, her dad just happens to be the sheriff, and years ago the man steered Ash away from a life of crime. No way is he repaying that favor by giving into his wicked fantasies of Lexie. But when the little vixen strolls into his tattoo parlor and requests a very naughty piercing, Ash’s honorable intentions are tested to their limits.Now that Lexie’s hammered the first chink in Ash’s defenses, and he’s sweating bullets, there’s no chance in hell she’s settling for his hands off policy. Even if it means some flirty strip tease action and late night skinny dipping to convince him that this newfound naughty girl will do whatever it takes to get her man.
Wild Homecoming
Liza Street - 2017
Her butthole ex stole her credit info and the resulting legal battles have pretty much thrown her off guys forever. She gets along just fine with her online friend, Jackson, with whom she exchanges messages nearly every day. He’s safe because he’s always on the road and they’ll likely never meet in person.Mountain lion shifter Jackson Jaynes is willing to risk everything, even his relationship with his siblings, to return to the Dark Pines territory and meet the woman who sends him those funny, flirty messages. But when his return sparks a new wave of violence, he’ll have to decide whether to fight it out, or leave home again, in order to keep Summer safe.Content Warning: This shifter romance stands alone and has an HEA. It contains liberal usage of naughty language and sexytimes and is intended for adults.
Wrapped in You
Kate Perry - 2014
She doesn't take vacations, and she especially doesn't go anywhere during the holidays. But her boss insists it's the price she needs to pay to become a full partner in his new private investigation firm. She'll do anything to become partner--even subject herself to love, peace, and Christmas music.Trudy figures it's no big deal: she'll hole up in a hotel in Laurel Heights, drink gin, and watch action movies until she can return to London. Only her tyrant boss gives her a holiday list of to-do items, for which she must email picture proof of completion.It's impossible... Until she meets Mason, who proposes a deal: he'll help her with the list if she's his date to his office holiday events, to show his edgy tech employees that he's more than a nerd from Iowa. From the moment she agrees, Trudy gets more than she bargained for, but she refuses to be corrupted by the magic of the season--or love.Be sure to check out the rest of Kate's Laurel Heights Novels: Book 1: PERFECT FOR YOU Book 2: CLOSE TO YOU
Book 3: RETURN TO YOU Book 4: LOOKING FOR YOU Book 5: DREAM OF YOU
Book 6: SWEET ON YOU
Book 7: TAMED BY YOU Book 8: HERE WITH YOU Novelette: ALL FOR YOU Book 9: MAD ABOUT YOU Book 10: LOVED BY YOU And get to know the Summerhills...Book 1: SAY YOU WILLBook 2: LOST IN LOVEBook 3: LET'S MISBEHAVEBook 4: STAY THE NIGHTBook 5: ONCE UPON A DREAMBook 6: HOW SWEET IT ISBook 7: GIVE A LITTLELike strong independent women and the sexy alpha heroes who love them? Are you a fan of the greats like Bella Andre, Kristan Higgins, and Marie Force? Then try Kate's quirky romances. We think you'll love them, too.REVIEWS:"Kate Perry is on my auto buy list." –Night Owl Romance"Hot! Recommended!" –Bookpleasures"Kate's brilliant, as evidenced by the fact that she married me." - the Magic Man, Kate's husband"I can't help the ear-to-ear smile I have plastered to my face when reading any of Kate's books… She makes me laugh out loud, even on a crowded bus!"–Donna, Public Transit Romance Reviewer"Perry's storytelling skills just keep getting better and better!" –Romantic Times Book Reviews"Kate's writing is fluid, with a touch of sexiness and loads of romance, just what you need to relax after a long, hard-working day."–Gabby, Romance Reader Extraordinaire"Kate writes books?" –Kia, Kate's brother"Kate Perry's Laurel Heights series is of my most guilty pleasures. ;) Keep on keepin' on and kickin' ass!" –R, Closet Romance Fan"Reading Kate Perry's books is my favorite way to spend an afternoon (well..okay, my second favorite way, the husband insists I clarify...)" –M.W., Bedroom Enthusiast"A winning and entertaining combination of humor and pathos." –Booklist
Baby, It's Cold Outside
Kait Nolan - 2018
He needs to rest, recharge, and stay the hell away from people, while he wrestles with ghosts from his past and figures out his future. Neither includes a snowbound rescue of his favorite author.A runaway writerIvy Blake is on a deadline. Her hero is MIA, and she's desperate to find some peace, quiet, and inspiration to get her book—and her life—back on track. She doesn’t plan on driving off a mountain. Or the mysterious stranger who shows up to save her.Who’s rescuing who?When Winter Stormageddon traps them together, Ivy finds the inspiration she didn’t know she needed in her real-life hero. As more than the fireplace heats up his one-man cabin, they both find far more than they bargained for. This intuitive author just might have the answers Harrison's looking for, but will their newfound connection survive past the storm?
One S'more Summer
Beth Merlin - 2017
She knows it’s wrong and it has to stop, but she hasn’t been able to let go ever since they all met on the bus to summer camp back when they were 7 years old. The same week that her best friends finally announce their wedding date, Gigi loses her high-profile design job. With all of her dreams unravelling, she runs to the last place she remembers being happy.Taking the Head Counselor position at Camp Chinooka, Gigi hopes to reclaim the joy she felt as a camper, but the job isn’t all campfire songs and toasting marshmallows. Gigi’s girls are determined to make her look bad in front of the boys’ Head Counselor—the sexy but infuriating Perry—and every scrap of the campground is laced with memories.When Gigi finally realizes she can’t escape the present by returning to her past, she’s forced to reexamine her life and find the true meaning of love. But will she be able to mend fences and forgive herself before she loses her one real shot at happiness?The Campfire Series1. One S’more Summer—Releases May 30, 2017!2. S'more to Lose—Coming December 2017!
Mirror
Cassia Leo - 2012
When Brina Kingston is hired by Luke’s competitor as a corporate spy, Brina successfully works her way into a position as Luke Maxwell’s new executive assistant. What Brina doesn’t expect is to find herself in a compromising position in his bed.Brina thinks she has the savvy to see past Luke’s cunning intellect and extract the trade secrets she was hired to acquire. But she soon finds herself falling for his charms and risking the most important assignment of her career and, possibly, the greatest relationship of her life.This is the first installment in the LUKE Series.