Book picks similar to
Betting on Love by Cheris Hodges


romance
african-american-romance
woc-author
lovey-dovey

Toy's Story


Brenda Stokes Lee - 2012
    She’s an independent woman who does not need anything or anyone except an occasional friend with excellent benefits to keep her bed warm on a cold winter night. After falling off the Pretty Boy tree repeatedly Zatoya had given up on finding a man of her own. Unfortunately she would soon discover that friends with benefits are not always there when you need something other than sex. Stranded over two hundred miles from home, on a snowy winters night, she does the unimaginable. Zatoya accepts a ride from a handsome stranger. A Stranger who redefines everything she thought she knew about men. A stranger who sets her heart, body and soul on an emotional roller coaster ride that liberates her to let down her guards and give love and commitment just one more try. Captivating, funny, and oh so sexy the saga of Zatoya Waters and the rich, handsome stranger that challenged her to take another look at love is a sassy, funny but sweet erotic treat. An intriguing look at love, sex, and crazy grown folks’ drama awaits anyone who dares to curl up with this Urban Fairy Tale.

Chances Are


Donna Hill - 1998
    Years later, through hard work and sheer force of will, she had provided a good life for her daughter and started a successful home for teenage mothers and their babies. But from the moment television producer Garrett Lawrence began a story on the teen center, Dione's hard-won confidence was shaken. How could a man she found so attractive and intelligent be so cynical about unwed mothers? Battling her conflicted emotions, Dione would have to defend the work she believed in - even if it cost her a love that promised a lifetime of happiness.Garrett didn't think much of "irresponsible" teen mothers. He knew firsthand the misery of being given away and searching for the acceptance he never could seem to find. Although he found himself drawn closer and closer to Dione because of her independence and passionate determination, his painful past kept getting in the way. Now Garrett and Dione must find their way to each other through a search only the heart can undertake—and only love can bring.

His Love Match


Shirley Hailstock - 2014
    She's just given up finding her own dream man. Until an internet dating site matches her up with her ideal mate. Too bad he's someone she already knows…. In college, Scott Thomas was the big man on campus—arrogant and full of himself. So why is one kiss from the high-flying bachelor making Diana's toes curl? A failed trip to the altar has cured Scott of believing in storybook endings. So he's stunned when someone meets his unattainable requirements for romance. The brainy bookworm he knew has morphed into a beautiful, desirable woman. But Diana isn't ready to trust him. And then Scott unveils his secret. Now Diana wonders if she'll forever plan strangers' weddings and never her own….

Laid Over


S.E. Hall - 2018
    If he insists that she travel to him, when he’s the one who gave up, the one who cheated, then the least he can do is pay for her to fly in comfort.But Lily soon learns, the bigger seats and ample leg room aren’t the only things that are better beyond that classing curtain. The company’s more than worth every extra cent.****Trevor Kinkade always flies first-class… on his private jet. But the one time he finds himself aboard a commercial flight, he also finds Lily.Not that he had to look very hard; she’s sitting right beside him.****They’re nothing alike, from two very different worlds, except for one huge, perhaps serendipitous, similarity — they’re in the same place, where neither have ever been before, at the same time — because of two, perfectly aligned off-chances.Or, could it be the chance for both of them to find what they’ve always wanted?**** Originally featured, in part, in Pick Your Pleasure, this is Laid Over- Lily and Trevor’s story- in its entirety, with refurbished scenes, new scenes, and of course… its HEA.******** Not your usual S.E. Hall book… hot, fun, and an over-the-top “what if” to sweeten your dreams! Just enjoy!!!****

When The Night's Over


Chelsea Maria - 2019
    He didn’t care that it was rude and borderline stalkerish to follow me to my hotel room. He didn’t care that I was afraid to love him. All he asked for was one night, and one night was all I had to give. He’d lied to me. He said one night, and one night turned into five. And then, he left me. Only to come back and shatter my world by revealing his connection to the past that I’ve run away from. Him She told me she didn’t know the first thing about love, and I promised to hold her hand through the motions. When it became too much for her, she gave me one day to rid her out of my system. Greedy after one taste, I took five days, and her heart along with it. She blamed me for being dishonest. I blamed her for doubting my love for her. I only needed her to trust me. To trust that my actions corresponded with my words. To trust in my love instead of a jealous family member from her past.

The Queensbay Box Set, Books 1-4


Drea Stein - 2015
    The box set contains 4 FULL-LENGTH novels in Drea Stein's Queensbay small town contemporary romance series.  Travel to Queensbay, a quaint New England town where love is in the air.  Meet the couples of Queensbay as they live, laugh and find their happy ever afters. DINNER FOR TWO - BOOK 1 Sean Callahan was big shot chef with his own restaurant and a tv deal - until one mistake had him back scrubbing pots. Now he has a second shot at doing what he loves and he's not about to let anything get between him and his dreams - including the beautiful but fiery Darby Reese. Darby Reese secretly quit her big city job to take over a struggling cafe. Now she has just one chance to make it work. When these two passionate chefs meet sparks fly - but is their chemistry kitchen magic or a recipe for disaster? ROUGH HARBOR - BOOK 2 Will Caitlyn Montgomery and Noah Randall be able to give first love a second chance? Noah Randall was Caitlyn Montgomery’s first love. But he left Queensbay ten years ago and broke her heart. And then when her beloved grandfather died amid scandal, Caitlyn left too, vowing never to return. After a bitter break up and career set back in London, Caitlyn has returned to Queensbay to work for Maxwell Randall, an old family friend. So far, bit by bit, Caitlyn’s been rebuilding all she lost after her ex fiancé humiliated her …and tried to ruin her professional reputation. But her past comes back to haunt her when Maxwell unexpectedly turns up dead. Not only does Caitlyn find her career in jeopardy but her heart is too, when Noah, Maxwell’s son, returns to Queensbay. Once, Caitlyn was sure Noah was the one for her…but the tragedy of her grandfather’s suicide and Noah’s decision to leave town left her bereft…and determined never to trust him again. Over the past decade, she’s managed to do her best to forget about Noah Randall. But now she can’t help wondering, what if? What if Noah really was the one? THE IVY HOUSE - BOOK 3 Phoebe Ryan is Hollywood royalty, the grand-daughter of the infamous screen siren Savannah Ryan. All of her life, Phoebe’s been a California golden girl. But when Savannah dies and leaves her penniless, Phoebe finds her life going down faster than a sinking ship. Before she knows it, she’s been dumped, fired and evicted. All of sudden the glamour of Hollywood is starting to wear a little thin. So when Phoebe discovers Savannah has left her a run-down house on the New England coast, she eagerly hops on a plane. The rundown cottage isn't what she expected. And neither is Chase Sanders, the one man whose past is linked inextricably to her own. Can a big town girl find love with a small town guy? Or is Chase only interested in her because of her famous last name? Phoebe knows that all that glitters isn't gold, but will Chase be able to convince her that his love for her is the real thing? CHASING A CHANCE - BOOK 4 For Lynn Masters, life is pretty swell. She has a job she loves, a new apartment and good friends. So she hasn’t had a date in awhile, but despite what her hormones are telling her, she’s ok with that. Then Jackson Sanders comes to town.

Vegas Nights : A Billionaire Sweet Romance (Billionaire Pact, #1)


Unoma Nwankwor - 2020
    

Sweet Curvy Mountain Soulmate


Sara Hazel - 2019
    But we’re safe and warm in here. We’ve got nowhere to go and nothing to do but enjoy each other’s company… Nick:She's come to my mountain--My cabin. Sent here by my sister, Ellie,who just loves to play matchmaker.But this woman is different than all the othersEllie has tried to push my way.One look at Amelia and I knowshe is my forever.Will I be able to make her see that? Amelia:I needed a vacationand my best friend promised meher family's empty mountain cabin.Quiet seclusion is what I need to get back on track,but instead--I'm forced to share the cabin during a blizzard with Nick Wellington,Ellie's brother turned Mountain Man.But I think Ellie knew what she was doingsending me up here to keep Nick company...and now I'm not so sure I'll ever be able to returnto my old life. The way he looks at me says it all.He wants me and nothing will stop himfrom getting what he wants... This short story romance is steamy, sweet, and might make your heart race, so be careful! It's filled with hot love scenes, sweetness, over the top romance, and two people with a deep love connection. It might be a little "cheesy", but that's how I like it! Instalove is lots of fun :).  Sara Hazel is the Queen of curves who brings you several new romance stories a month.--BBW Romance--Steamy / High Heat--Mountain Man Romance

King: Black Cossacks MC


Evelyn Glass - 2016
     ABBIE I thought I knew what I was doing. But that before King claimed me. Under his chiseled, tattooed body lies ruthlessness I can’t even comprehend. But when he stares into my eyes… I can practically hear him snarl. Feel his rough hands on my curves. Scarred body pinned against mine... Hard voice echoing in my ears: “Never forget. You are MINE” I’M THE LAST THING SHE NEEDS. KING But I'm her only chance at getting out of this alive. I didn’t plan to bring Abbie into my life, but now that she’s here, I’m not letting go. She has no idea about the storm on the horizon. No idea how much danger she’s in. She can try to run. She can try to hide. But she needs to understand: I will find her and drag her back. Lash her to my bed. And make her MINE. KING is a full-length, standalone romance novel with steamy hot sex, NO CHEATING, strong language, a happily every after ending and NO CLIFFHANGERS. Contains dark and disturbing themes, and over the top sexiness that may be uncomfortable for some readers. Perfect for fans of Joanna Blake, Alexa Riley, Devon Hartford, Sabrina Paige, Winter Renshaw, Vanessa Waltz, Emilia Kincade and Melanie Harlow

Unforgettable Christmas Joy: Hope and Promises (The Unforgettables Book 20)


Mimi BarbourSuzanne Jenkins - 2020
    

I Like Me Better


Susan Renee - 2021
    Stabilize the family bakery business following the death of my father, and then get back to the city. It would have gone flawlessly had I not run smack dab into Hadley Hutton on my first night back. That spit-fire competitive girl was my college nemesis, always one-upping me, until she mysteriously didn’t return for our senior year.So, imagine my surprise when I’m introduced to the bakery’s newest manager and it’s her! Now I have to work closely with her nearly everyday. Words fly and tempers flare between us, just like they did in college, except something is different about her now. There’s more to Hadley Hutton than her sweet looks and salty attitude.Maybe if I can figure her out, she’ll see I’m not the jerk she thinks I am.Or maybe I’m just creating a recipe for disaster.This book is a full-length interconnected standalone! The books in the Bardstown series can be read in any order as each one features a different brother in the Fox family. These books are adult in nature and should only be read by those 18+ years old.

HERO Force Box Set


Amy Gamet - 2018
    Gripping action and spicy romance meet heroism and intrigue. Complete series! Six books and two novellas. Stranded with the SEAL - A runaway bride with amnesia is stranded with a Navy SEAL bent on revenge. Sheltered by the SEAL - A secret baby story with a smoking hot twist. Harbored by the SEAL - All she wants is a fling with her brother's best friend, but their cruise ship is wired to explode. Married to the SEAL - He's hired to be her husband, but can they keep their relationship strictly platonic? Justice for the SEAL - A one-night-stand with an older woman turns out to have dramatic consequences. Targeted by the SEAL - A journalist disappears into a cult and only her ex can rescue her. Kidnapped by the SEAL - A SEAL in desperate need of medical attention is forced to kidnap a doctor and her son in the middle of a hurricane. Forever with the SEAL - A wedding novella featuring the couple from HERO Force book one, Stranded with the SEAL.

Hot Quit


Kathryn Roberts - 2013
    As a major player in the high-stakes world of corporate restructuring, she’s learned how to handle many different people and problems, but one thing she doesn’t know how to handle is a horse. Enter Jackson Morgan, a trainer who specializes in the Western event of cutting, in which a horse and rider work to separate a single cow from the herd. Alexandria hires him to teach her how to ride, so she can curry favor with Everett Covington, a crusty Texan whose trucking business Alexandria desperately needs to purchase in order to pull off a lucrative deal—and whose passion happens to be cutting horses.The consummate city slicker, Alexandria gamely goes about learning the sport of cutting, but things get complicated when she starts to fall for the cowboy who’s teaching her. Soon she discovers that in order to acquire the trucking company she’s been chasing, she’ll have to rein in her emotions.

Keeping the Playboy's Baby


Ava Storm - 2021
    

Spotlight Investigations: The Complete Series


Harper Maguire - 2019
    But there he is, sexy as ever, sitting at her table. He’s even got a pretty impressive job; security guard to the stars. Wishing her writing career that she always dreamed of had ever taken off, Rachel concocts a plan. What if she can use some of Jayden’s insider information to write a bestselling book? She’ll only have to use him a little bit to get what she needs, what harm can there be? Except she never expected to begin to fall for him again…when she does can she still go through with her plan? Part 2 Max is the carefree younger brother of broken hearted Reid. He tries to keep his sarcasm in check and his jokes on point. Very little could ever get in the way of his jovial mood. Except the assignment Salvatore just gave him. Max’s new long term job is to work security for a pop-up fashion boutique series, which doesn’t sound all that bad if the pop-ups weren’t being opened by the one person he can’t stand - Reid’s ex-girlfriend Hannah. As he expects the two can’t seem to get along, there’s fireworks as usual when they’re around each other as they fight. But soon those fireworks turn from fighting into passion and something that could ruin his relationship with his brother forever. Part 3 Heartbroken after his breakup with Hannah, and confused by his brother’s new relationship with her, Reid has decided that romance isn’t in the cards. Not unless it's truly real. But does that even exist? He’s challenged by his new job from Spotlight, guarding the infamous and gorgeous Jennifer White from her wreck of an ex-boyfriend, also infamous Ian. How can Reid keep her protected from her ex when she is required to keep up appearances with Ian for publicity of their new movie? And what is he supposed to do when he believes that what he feels for her is real, but she’s too tied up with another man? Part 4 As the only female guard at Spotlight, Ireland has her work cut out for her among the boys, but this girl can hold her own. Her newest job is to help protect child star Kelly while she’s at school as there seems to be a stalker on the loose. Until she’s safe, Ireland will be reporting to elementary school every day to watch this spunky little girl. It seems like an easy task, though reliving the memories of her childhood feels haunting, Ireland tries to stay focused. But it’s hard to stay focused when Kelly’s newly single father is just so irresistible. Part 5 Salvatore has never recovered from the pain of his little sister’s unsolved murder when he was only a kid, and that’s why he began Spotlight to begin with. As new information comes to light for the police, her cold case is reopened, and with it all of Salvatore’s wounds. One misstep has landed him in court ordered counseling where he can’t stop fighting with his perky, perfect blonde counselor Ginny. Salvatore has a past he has to deal with and a future he needs to begin to make. If only he could stop fighting with, or kissing, his counselor, maybe he could find a way to work through his pain and see there’s more to the world.