Book picks similar to
The Bartender's Secret by Caro Carson


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The Travel Auction


Mark Green - 2012
    But with just days to go, he’s dumped by his girlfriend, Kate Thornly. Even worse, a life-threatening allergy means he can’t travel alone. Unable to change the name on the spare ticket and fast running out of time, Jonathan resorts to desperate measures. He advertises on eBay for a travel companion with the same name as his ex-girlfriend. The problem is, it’s a complete lottery who he’ll end up with.Kate Thornly (the second) is aware of the unusual eBay auction, but she can’t be persuaded to bid. Enter Maria, her best friend, who secretly applies on her behalf. With her nursing credentials and erotic photo, Kate seems like the perfect travel companion. But there’s just one small detail Maria’s conveniently left off Kate’s bid… Told from both Jonathan and Kate’s perspectives, The Travel Auction is a funny, page-turning, roller-coaster ride around South America.

Eight Years


Donna Schwartze - 2021
    An overly protective man. When their clashing wills put her quest in danger, will she sacrifice her love or her life?Millie Marsh is obsessed with finding the truth. Still mourning her beloved father’s passing, the fierce CIA agent has poured all her energy into solving the mystery of her real mother’s identity. So when she’s saddled with a designated protector on a dangerous mission that could finally give her the answers she’s sought, the driven woman barely spares the handsome man a second glance.Mason Davis doesn’t do relationships. But the jaded Navy SEAL’s latest assignment watching the back of a sweet, smart, and strong-willed operative has him ready to break his own rules. And undeterred by her apparent lack of interest, the relentless alpha male channels his strategic training into breaking down her defenses.Focused on the payoff of her years-long quest, Millie desperately tries to ignore her attraction to her companion’s well-muscled frame and hidden tender heart. And Mason fears that as they zero in on a terrorist cell, the first woman to touch his soul will fall to enemy fire.Will the duo’s red-hot chemistry scar them for life, or will they surrender to a happy ending?Eight Years is the thrilling first book in The Trident Trilogy of romantic suspense novels. If you like free-spirited heroines, smoldering tension, and edge-of-your-seat action, then you’ll adore this passionate page-turner“High heat and nail-biting suspense!!!!! I was sucked into Millie and Mason’s world within minutes! Brilliant storyline and such likable characters that you can’t help but fall in love with! Mason is just the right amount of tough alpha hero and a soft squishy heart that just might have met his match in Millie! Outstanding read!” Amazon Review“It’s been a while since I found a book that I couldn’t put down. Loved the storyline, the characters and the writing are very well done. I can’t wait to finish the series. Definitely recommend!” Amazon Review“This book deserves so much more then 5 stars. I literally couldn’t stop turning the pages. I had to know all about Millie’s life, how everything was going to turn out. I went right on to the second book. Such a nice escape.” Goodreads Review

Everywhere, Always


Jennifer Ann Shore - 2021
    When Avery Miller wakes up in her hospital room, it’s to a life she didn’t expect, want, or ever imagine for herself.She’s barely given time to mourn the death of her mother as she’s introduced to her new family—a father she never knew existed, a stepmother she didn’t want, and a brother who gave himself the job of being her enthusiastic best friend and overbearing protector before they even met.All it takes is one car accident to change the trajectory of seventeen-year-old Avery's life forever, ripping her from the brink of poverty in Pennsylvania and tossing her into a new life in a penthouse apartment in the middle of New York City.The visible marks on her skin are a tangible reminder of the pain she’s gone through, but it’s Ethan, the guy who lives one floor below and has a Shakespeare quote for every occasion, who helps her overcome loss, find herself again, and fall in love.

The Librarian


Philip Wilson - 2017
    Assaulted, framed and sent to prison to ensure her silence, Sarah discovers a fierce will to live and a startling capacity for violence that enables her to survive the harsh prison environment. On her release, Sarah learns her father died alone and her old life is gone forever. Heartbroken and enraged, Sarah devises a chilling revenge for the men who destroyed her world. As she prepares, she meets Paul Taylor, an ex US navy seal, who teaches her the skills she needs; but also shows her love and the promise of a new life. As Sarah begins her hunt, the cops’ disbelief turns to terror as they realize they are being stalked and killed by a librarian.

No Way Out


Amy McKinley - 2021
    I share their bloodline. They just don’t know it yet. In time, they will. My goals were clear: punish those who have wronged me while protecting Liliana Brambilla, my mentor’s granddaughter. Then everything changed when we came face-to-face, and I knew I would never walk away. She thinks I’m her enemy. The truth is, I’m her savior.

Mission: Believe


Stacy Eaton - 2019
    Shane Logan is lucky to have come from a privileged family, and after losing both of his legs in the war, he now has the best prosthetics that money can buy. While he is trying to move forward with life, he struggles with the past and the way people react to him and his disability. Dr. Lauren Falcone works tirelessly to help veterans deal with the trauma and pain of their deployments. Her unique virtual approach to therapy keeps her busy, and the assistance she provides to service members as they recover mentally helps her resolve her own anxieties. When Shane meets Lauren at a fundraiser for his father’s organization, he wonders if there just might be a chance for him to get his dream off the ground and maybe find a normal life with someone who can look past his flaws and see the man he is inside. Shane and Lauren are drawn to each other by their hope to make life easier for veterans, both physically and emotionally. Their goal is to build Shane’s dream organization, Rise Again Warrior, that will assist veterans to integrate more easily into society and have the opportunity to receive state-of-the-art technology and therapy. Now, if they can only have faith in themselves, learn to deal with their own demons, and believe in each other, they might find a way to bring this dream to fruition. The second book in the series will be released in May to coincide with Memorial Day.

Charcoal


J.E. Rowney - 2012
    She left the rural Yorkshire village where she grew up for life as a family lawyer in London, but what secrets did she take with her?When a familiar voice telephones her with tragic news, Anna knows that running away is no longer an option, and that she has to return to face her demons.What led Anna to flee from her home, and what is it that causes her to return?"Charcoal" unfolds a dramatic sequence of events that demonstrate the consequences of desires.

Charm School After Dark


Lynn Garcia Carmer - 2015
    Who goes to charm school anymore? Solution to the problem: teach naughty, adult classes to keep the doors open. Caelen has to instruct the first class on Oral Instruction. Oral, what? Does that mean ((gulp))... mouth hugs? Next problem? She needs a temporary guinea pig to help her research the delicate subject matter even though she's sworn off men. She needs someone reliable, dependable... and boring enough that she'll never get attached. So why can't she get her bull-headed, arrogant, and sexy-as-sin arch nemesis out of her mind? He absolutely tortured her as a kid-why should she give him the time of day?Firefighter Dare Lagos has been in love with Caelen since middle school. One game of Seven Minutes in Heaven, years ago, and he'd fallen hard. As a member of the elite Hotshot crew, he fights for what he wants-and he wants Caelen. He has one chance to make this relationship last a lifetime. If she needs a volunteer to test her sexy techniques, he'll make sure the only name on her short-list... is his.

Her Ex-boyfriend's Werewolf Lover


Cassie Alexander - 2014
    Undoubtedly, incontrovertibly, with the fire of a thousand suns.But before me? He loved Max. The man who broke his heart, and the reason he had a wolf print tattooed upon his chest.I didn’t expect Vincent to get gunned down, but Vincent knew he was in danger -- and he knew only one man could save me from dying too. He threw me into Max’s strong arms from beyond the grave.Max and I both want to avenge Vincent, more than anything -- and Max is capable of it because he’s a freaking werewolf.The only problem is, he needs a mate, and I’m just human me.Her Ex-boyfriend’s Werewolf Lover is a sizzling werewolf shifter romance with a strong woman and a strong man who has a man in his past, who are willing to do anything for love.

Instamom


Chantel Guertin - 2021
    . .It’s the influencer’s golden rule: know your niche. Kit Kidding has found hers on Instagram, where she gets paid to promote brands and share expertly curated posts about her fun, fabulous, child-free life. Kit likes kids just fine, but she passionately believes that women who choose not to become mothers shouldn’t have to face guilt. Or judgement. Or really hot chefs who turn out to be single dads. Will MacGregor is aggravating, sexy, persistent, averse to social media, and definitely a bad idea. As soon as Kit learns his parenting status, she vows to put their scorching one-night stand behind her and move on. But Will and Kit are thrown together on an Instagram campaign, and the more time she spends with him—and his whip-smart, eight-year-old daughter, Addie—the more difficult it is to stay away, much less sustain what Will so cleverly calls her “Resting Beach Face.” Kit’s picture-perfect career path is suddenly clashing with the possibility of a different future—messy, complicated, and real. Which life does she truly want? Will she have to re-invent herself? And will love still be waiting by the time she figures it out?

Justifiable Deceit


Mikael Carlson - 2020
    A year later, he has become the country’s leading gun control activist and a media darling.When Ethan teams up with a powerful senator to push an extreme gun measure through Congress, a divided America watches the political fireworks in Washington. As both sides of the debate mobilize for an epic showdown, the public is about to discover that everything they know about the massacre that launched this movement may be wrong.Journalist Tierra Campos and FBI Special Agent Victoria Larsen begin questioning the official investigation into the shooting and find themselves caught in the political crossfire. Despite public condemnation, covert activities, and physical violence meant to stop them, they remain undaunted in their quest – but at what price? With their careers threatened and livelihoods at stake, they must race to unlock the secrets behind this horrible mass shooting before the truth disappears forever. Amidst the maelstrom of political agendas, personal vendettas, and brash cover-ups, the push to uncover the real motives behind the tragedy will have devastating consequences. When the dust settles, a shocked nation must make a fateful judgment: do the ends justify the means in politics, or is there no such thing as Justifiable Deceit?

Snowbound in the Earl's Castle


Fiona Harper - 2012
    Faith might try to hide her true self behind a facade of feistiness, yet to Marcus she's as transparent as the glass she studies. What's more, the vulnerable woman in hiding is frighteningly appealing.Marcus and Faith don't believe in fairy tales, but being snowed in together over Christmas feels like magic. And the best gift of all would be discovering that happy-ever-afters really can come true….

Jingle Bell Jam


Pamela Kelley - 2021
    He's been indulging more often than he should lately, turning to comfort food and focusing on work to keep his mind off a recent breakup. When he injures his back, his doctor reads him the riot act, and he agrees to see a personal trainer to get in shape. When he meets Melanie, he thinks she is great, but knows there is no way the pretty new personal trainer would ever look at him twice.But she does. Melanie isn't put off by Bryan's teddy bear figure at all. He's handsome and nice and she wants to get to know him better. But his ex, Amy, is a new member at the gym and she doesn't hesitate to point out that it's against the rules for staff to date clients. And when Melanie hires Bryan to design her a house, it becomes even more impossible because Bryan has the same policy for his clients. Can they find their way to happiness somehow?

The Astronaut and the Star


Jen Comfort - 2022
    But after a PR disaster, Reggie is off the list for a lunar mission. To rehabilitate her reputation with NASA, she agrees to a different kind of assignment: astronaut “training” with a Hollywood action hero.Jon Leo is a charmer. With credits that include an underperforming sitcom and a campy action flick called Space Dude, his upcoming role in a prestigious movie could prove he’s a star. But Jon isn’t just big muscles and an otherworldly smile—he’s also a total space nerd. He’s pumped about his own personal space camp…until he meets ice-cold Reggie.Although Reggie and Jon are polar opposites, their mutual attraction is undeniable, and it only takes a few weeks in close quarters for them to give in to its magnetic force. Jon is set on convincing Reggie this is a match made in the heavens, but her future is in space, and his is among stars of the Hollywood kind. The odds of successfully launching a real relationship outside the confines of the training base are anything but optimal.Reggie, content with keeping things casual, is forced by a sudden turn of events to confront the possibility of losing Jon forever. Now, she’ll do whatever it takes to win both the man and the moon.

Loving Yasmine: Robert & Yasmine


Ana E. Ross - 2015
    A believer in happily ever after. What could possibly go wrong?Robert Carter survived an abusive upbringing from an alcoholic father to become a self-made millionaire and CEO of the most successful medical supply company in the country. Now, financially secured, he’s ready to settle down and raise a houseful of kids to prove to himself that he can be a better father than the one who raised him. But the one woman he desires to make his dreams come true has other ideas about love and marriage. As a little girl, Yasmine Reynolds fantasized about raising a family with Robert, her best friend’s older brother. Now all grown up, and in-demand as one of Boston’s best divorce attorneys money can buy, Yasmine realizes that love and marriage isn’t the bed of roses she imagined it would be. She becomes even more cynical when a relationship she thought strong enough to weather any storm unravels before her eyes.Is Robert’s unwavering love enough to convince Yasmine that Happily Ever After does exist? Or, will her persistent fears about marriage, and the secret she has been hiding from him, send this hunk of a man tumbling into the arms of another woman?