Book picks similar to
The Widower's Girlfriend by Marika Ray


romance
contemporary-romance
contemporary
contemporary-fiction

Empowered


Cynthia Dane - 2017
    He’s the bonus. One bad decision destroys not only Sarah Clayborn’s life, but nearly costs her a lucrative job as the chief executive assistant to the city’s most powerful player. She’s lost her unborn child, her twin brother’s admiration, and any shred of decency her British-born mother instilled in her. To cope with the trauma, Sarah creates a persona – Angel. She’s the one who goes out on weekends and gets into trouble. She’s the one who seduces half the world’s rabble-rousers. She’s the one who meets Lucas Blackbourne. Sarah’s encounter with Lucas was supposed to be a one-time affair. A tenuous balm on her frigid heart that refuses to heal. But when she returns to work Monday morning and discovers that Lucas is helping her boss for the foreseeable future? Two halves start to become whole again. And it’s not pretty. What does Sarah want? Choice. A future. A sense of belonging in a world often too cruel to bear. To be empowered. But she can’t reclaim her life on her own. -Excerpt- “You presume to know my greatest regrets yet.” A growl powered through the undercurrent of his voice. Still, he did not look away from her eyes. “No. I presume to know what you desire, sir.” “Because…?” He was fishing for the perfect answer. If Sarah failed to supply it, she could kiss this encounter goodbye. “Because I want you just as badly.” Lucas eyed her with careful consideration. He sucked one of his cheeks into his mouth before looking away. He crossed his legs. She kept her grin of triumph to herself. “You don’t even know me, Angel.” “That’s supposed to be my line, Lucas.” He stood up behind her. His presence enveloped her, inviting her back against his chest, arms wrapped protectively around her. Sarah caught the eye of the server who had brought her the scotch. The woman smiled in approval and flashed the number four in her direction. Room 4 is available. Good to know. “This whole night is so backward. Next you’ll be telling me you want to be on top.” “Actually,” she said with a happy sigh, “I’d much rather you take the lead on that. If you don’t mind.” “This has got to be some kind of trap.” Lucas bit his knuckle, as if he could barely restrain himself from grabbing her and hauling her off to the nearest bed. What’s stopping you? I don’t have all night. “What’s your story, Angel?” “Don’t you know the story of any angel, sir?” Sarah stepped away, her hand lingering against his chest. His hard, devilish chest that was a greater siren song than that warm voice echoing in her ears. “Once we’re doing shit like this on Earth, we’re considered fallen goods.” “A fallen angel hasn’t done anything good with her existence.” “If you don’t consider doing this something good,” she began, walking in the direction of Room #4, “then I don’t know what to tell you. You either want me or you don’t, Lucas. No strings attached. Should be a dream for you.” She winked at him. He followed her.

Pretend I'm Yours


Vivian Wood - 2018
     Heartbroken, destroyed, and on the edge of despair. That’s how I felt for two years after my wife died, leaving me all alone with our baby. I sucked it up and kept going for my little girl… but I wasn’t living. I was only existing. Then I met Larkin, my gorgeous blonde neighbor. She’s got curves that my hands ache to hold, and toffee-colored eyes that beg me to do unspeakable things to her. I don’t want to want her. I don’t want to look at her, and I definitely don’t want to long for her. I want to avoid her. Except… I can’t. Everywhere I go, everything I do, I am brought back to Larkin. And when we finally cave, falling into bed together... It’s f**king explosive and passionate and deep. It feels as essential as breathing. I’m starting to fall in love with Larkin… but it was never supposed to turn into this. If I want a future with Larkin, I have to figure out how to let go of the past. And nothing has ever felt so good and hurt so bad. This full length, standalone novel is approximately 52,000 words. For a limited time, I've included some bonus content for you!

Forget Me Not


Willow Winters - 2017
     I was only a small girl. Scared and frightened, I was taken from my home and held against my will. His father hurt me, but he protected me and kept me safe as best he could. Until I left him. I ran the first chance I got and even though I knew he wasn’t behind me, I didn’t stop. The branches lashed out at me, punishing me for leaving him in the hands of a monster. I’ve never felt such guilt in my life. Although I survived, the boy was never found. I prayed for him to be safe. I dreamed he’d be alright and come back to me. Even as a young girl I knew I loved him, but I betrayed him. Twenty years later, all my wishes came true. But the boy came back a man. With a grip strong enough to keep me close and a look in his eyes that warned me to never dare leave him again. I was his to keep after all. Twenty years after leaving one hell, I entered another. Our tale was only just getting started. It’s dark and twisted. But that doesn’t make it any less of what it is. A love story. Our love story.

Until Kayla: Happily Ever Alpha World


C.C. Monroe - 2018
    I didn't know it could happen. Until Jase. Jase Riding I felt desolate and alone when I lost the best part of me. I didn't know where I would find someone to mend the broken parts in me. That was... Until Kayla. We met, and with a brief hello and a hushed profanity, we were hooked. I swear we heard thunder when our eyes met. Boom. And our lives were changed forever.

Weak for Him


Lyra Parish - 2014
    Bright lights. Sex.Jennifer is made an offer: sell her virginity to the highest bidder and transform into one of Finnley's girls. But she finds herself weak for him, and doesn't fully realize what she's agreed to until it's too late.Will she rise to the challenge and play by the rules in a land where money is king and love is prohibited? Or will she lose herself and values in the attempt?Weak for Him has unlady-like language, adult subject matter, and s-e-x-ual situations. There is resolution at the end but the story does continue on to Weak Without Him.

Forever Innocent


Deanna Roy - 2013
    On what should have been one of the happiest nights of her life, she and her boyfriend Gavin watched a nurse disconnect the ventilator from their seven-day-old baby. During the funeral two days later, Gavin walked out and never returned.Since then, her life has been a spiral of disasters. The only thing that has helped is her ability to black out whenever the pain gets too hard to bear, a habit that has become an addiction.When Gavin shows up in her astronomy class four years later, he is hell-bent on getting her back, insisting she forgive him. Corabelle knows she can’t resist the touch that fills the empty ache that has haunted her since he left. But if he learns what she has done, if he follows the trail back through her past, her secrets will destroy their love completely. And once again, she’ll lose the only person who always believed she was innocent.New Adult Contemporary Romance

Blood Red Rose


Fawn Bailey - 2018
    I'll make you." Stolen. Kidnapped. Taken. He snatched me off the street, ending my dream of becoming a dancer. Now, I'm locked away in a mansion with girls who've met the same fate. My captor is always rough, rarely kind. He punishes me for every little mistake. He's training me. Preparing me. Getting me ready. Slowly, my body is starting to break. Obey. Bend to his will. Time's ticking. My body is learning to submit. I've almost stopped fighting. Almost given in. Still, the promise of something darker hangs in the air. The real monster is lurking. And soon, he will come for me. Cover reveal for Blood Red Rose coming February 2018.

Lifers


Jane Harvey-Berrick - 2014
    He is the local pariah, shunned by everyone, including his own parents. But their hatred of him doesn't even come close to the loathing he feels every time he looks in the mirror.Working odd jobs for the preacher lady, Jordan bides his time before he can leave this backwards town. But can distance erase the memories that haunt him? Trapped in the prison of his own mind Jordan wonders if the pain of living will ever subside?Torrey Delaney is new in town and certainly doesn't behave in a way the locals believe a preacher’s daughter should. Her reputation for casual hook-ups and meaningless sex is the talk of the town. Add that to her budding friendship with the hardened ex-con handyman, and the good Reverend is less than thrilled with her estranged daughter’s path.As friendship forms, is it possible for two damaged people who are afraid to love take their relationship to the next level? Can Torrey live with Jordan’s demons, and can Jordan break through Torrey's walls? With the disapproval of a small town weighing heavily on them, will they find their place in the world? Can they struggle against the odds, or will their world be viciously shattered?Is love a life sentence?Due to scenes of a sexual nature, not recommended for under 18.