Book picks similar to
One Last Try by Michelle Alstead


contemporary-romance
contemporary
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Liliana's Letter


Alina K. Field - 2015
    If only the young lady’s starchy hired companion would move out of the way. The MatchbreakerHired to launch an heiress’s society debut, seemingly straitlaced spinster Liliana Ashford’s future as a professional chaperone depends on the girl’s successful marriage. But Liliana had her own close encounter with a scoundrel years ago, and she won’t let her charge be forced into marriage to the same kind of rogue, no matter how hard the man’s widowed uncle tries to woo Liliana around to the match.Secrets and a Scandalous Murder A shadow from Liliana’s past appears bearing an unfortunate letter she wrote long ago, and then the earl is murdered, evoking the scandal of the season. While she scrambles to make a respectable match for her charge before her own past can be exposed, Grigsby sets about finding his nephew’s killer—and Liliana’s secrets.

Tristan Finch: A Novel


Jacqueline Spencer - 2014
    The Royal Family is the lead story in every newspaper and on all television channels as the world watches with great anticipation, captivated by this terrible story. Will Prince James survive? American Jennifer Dressen, 28, is living in London working for a large British daily paper. One evening, her elderly neighbor insists on speaking to her. “I'm dying. And I have to tell the truth about something. Something that happened many years ago. Something so big, it will....” Her voice trailed off. Then she seemed to gather what strength she had left and announced, “I can't die like this. With no one knowing what I know. I have to share it. It is vitally important.” Jennifer's dream is to be an investigative reporter and, after hearing the old woman's story, she thinks this could be the one that gets her there. As she begins her research to find out if the woman's fantastic tale is true, she meets the man's of her dreams - a handsome solicitor who lives with his younger sister, a woman with special needs. In short order, Jennifer finds herself deeply in love. But fate deals her a challenging blow during her research when she is forced to take measure of herself and answer a simple question: is she willing to sacrifice happiness in her personal life for success in her professional one? Because the story she is about to break will rock the world with new revelations about the Royal Family. And forever change the life of the man she loves.

The D.E.V.I.N. Series #1-3


Katina Gavin - 2018
    The mountains brought them love… Angel has just one assignment left. After burning out from years with the SEALs and the DEA, he's ready to settle down and start a new chapter in his new life. When the investigation of a double homicide leads him to Lindsey's door, he knows that she's the one. But eight years after burying her husband, can Lindsey learn to let go and try again? One Step Closer - Joe Running Deer has spent the last thirteen years in the SEALs and loved every minute. He has also loved Sydney Wheeler for almost as long. She’s turned down all his marriage proposals, but that hasn’t stopped him from loving her. He’s decided to give her what she wants but when he returns from his last mission, she’s gone. Sydney’s on the run and Joe’s gut is telling him she’s in trouble, it’s time to bring her home so he can protect her. Sydney has run to Ireland for a very good reason, the man hunting her is determined to end all ties between them. Constantly looking over her shoulder for threats has taken its toll, she’s tired, but the thought of involving anyone in her mess keeps her from reaching out. Joe is constantly on her mind but she knows there isn’t a chance of rekindling the relationship they once had, not after what she’s done... When Love Takes Over -A virtuous, heartbroken marine. A romance-hungry virgin. Do they have to pick and choose between love… and lust? Cameron Savage is brave on the battlefield but not in matters of the heart. The marine’s last girlfriend left him wounded, and he feared he’d never fall in love again. But the new girl in his life is special, and he’s not going to let anything ruin their connection… Between her studies and her career, Kim never had time for romance. With her life in order, she hopes the shy, brawny marine could be her one true love. Little does she know that Cameron has vowed to protect her virtue and virginity until their wedding night… As Cameron’s newfound abstinence keeps Kim from getting the intimacy she craves, their relationship takes a turn. Is their love strong enough to make it to the honeymoon?

Songbird: A Small-Town Romantic Comedy


Caroline Tate - 2018
    He’s a career-focused charmer whose greatest appeal is his nerdy sense of humor. Ellie Stone’s only goal this summer is to get the Southport Music Festival off the ground without a hitch. But when she randomly meets Mason Matthews at a concert in Wilmington, they instantly connect on an honest, soul-stirring level.As they head their separate ways after sharing an almost-night of pure lust, Ellie is ready to focus all of her attention back on festival prep. When plans nosedive and the feature band pulls out of the lineup, she decides to get scrappy and take action, no matter who it involves.After an ego-shattering scuffle with Mason in the middle of town, Ellie has to swallow her pride in exchange for his help promoting the event. But Mason, Editor of the Southport Anchor, swears his hands are tied.While his feelings for Ellie continue to grow, are they strong enough that he’ll risk breaking company policy just to help promote her dream? Or will he leave her hanging on the very last note?

Her Billionaires


Julia Kent - 2013
    That's what she really wanted to write. By the time her best friend, Josie, edited and clicked "Send," her personals ad was more fantasy than reality.OR WOULD SHE GET MORE THAN SHE BARGAINED FOR?When two different guys -- Dylan Stanwyck and Mike Pine -- replied within two days, she seemed doubly blessed. After a first date with model-turned-firefighter Dylan that ended in bed -- and with a huge misunderstanding -- Laura came home from her Walk of Shame to an invitation for a hike with ski instructor Mike. The Great Outdoors became the setting for so much more...Caught between two men -- literally -- who turned out to be roommates and secret billionaires, Laura makes a startling discovery about her own capacity for passion.And, maybe, long-term love in an unconventional romance with two men that pushes every boundary.Including her own.This 122,000 word/450 page boxed set includes all four parts of the Her Billionaires series (Her First Billionaire, Her Second Billionaire, Her Two Billionaires, Her Two Billionaires and a Baby).

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.

Carved in Ink


Marissa Farrar - 2018
    Meet the men of London tattoo studio, Carved in Ink. Art Fletcher has made his London tattoo studio his life, so when he learns the building he rents has changed hands, he’s immediately wary.When petite, curvy Tess turns up at his door, and announces she’s flown over from her home country of America because she’s the one who’s inherited the building, Art’s emotions and sex drive are thrown into turmoil. Even worse, she moves into the flat above the shop, hikes up the rent, and gives him attitude at every encounter.Tess isn’t going to be won over by his muscles, tats, and sexy British accent. As things get heated and sparks fly, the pair can’t decide if they hate or love each other. But maybe Art will be the one to heal Tess’s scars for good... if she’ll let him. *Please note, each of the ‘London Inked Boys’ stories follows a different couple and can be read as a standalone, but they’re probably best read in order.

Love, Lies & Consequences


Natasha D. Frazier - 2015
    He tells her everything that he thinks she wants and needs to hear—including his desire to marry her! Rico’s smooth manner challenges Raegan’s character and puts to the test what she says she believes. Just when she thinks that Rico could be the one, Caleb, her old college love, returns to her life. And now that he’s back, he has no intent on being without her. Raegan gets caught up in a whirlwind romance, filled with Love, Lies & Consequences that will turn her world upside down.∞Meanwhile, Raegan’s good friend Tammy has choices of her own to make. Tammy filed for legal separation from Joshua, NBA rookie, who was sure to have a promising career, only one year after they got married. Joshua loved basketball and Tammy felt like there was no room in his life for both her and his career. Life has now given them a second chance to reunite. Has she matured beyond her selfish ways? Is Joshua ready to pursue both basketball and his wife? It just may take a brush with death to remind them that it is high time to become the husband and wife they vowed to be.

Long Dance Home


Julie Mayerson Brown - 2012
    But on her 29th birthday, her grand plan begins to unravel, and the disciplined, former ballerina’s life is turned upside down. Newly unemployed and devastated to learn she and her boyfriend are not on the same page, Cece returns to Clearwater, her hometown in Northern California wine country, hoping to find comfort for her broken heart with her family. Being back in Clearwater only adds to her stress, however, when she reluctantly agrees to help rescue a small-town production of The Nutcracker. Having once been the ballerina that would make Clearwater famous, Cece’s return attracts attention, inspires gossip, and forces her to examine a decision she made years before at the most vulnerable time of her life. As old wounds are opened and secrets revealed, long-held beliefs about Cece’s childhood are challenged, leading her to question everything she thought she knew about family, love, and herself.As Cece struggles to accept the truth, she lets go of one dream and discovers a new one, opening her heart to a purpose and a future she had never imagined. “A perfect, cozy read for the holidays. Delving into the topics of loss and regrets, this book is full of surprises. Heartwarming and poignant.” Lisa Manterfield, author of A Strange Companion.

The Firefighters of Darling Bay, Books 1-3


Lila Ashe - 2014
    She's good at it, too—she’s all about health and healing. Tox Ellis, on the other hand, is the hazmat expert at the Darling Bay Fire Department. Why can't he seem to stay away from Grace, the woman who seems to think he needs fixing? Is Darling Bay ready for the chemical reaction Grace and Tox generate whenever they're in the same place at the same time? And who will be standing by to put out the flames? Fire at Dawn: Lexie Tindall knows a few things about herself. She's a great fire dispatcher. She looks good in cowboy boots. And she'll never date a firefighter. Coin Keefe has been in love with Lexie since he first met her in dispatch when he was still a rookie firefighter. Now he realizes he can tell her everything except the truth—that he can't think about anyone else. When Lexie and Coin make a bet on love with a tropical island vacation as a reward, who will win big and who will lose everything? Fire at Dusk: Samantha Rowe’s never scared of anything, even when she should be. Now she’s opening a martial arts classroom in tiny Darling Bay, helping women protect themselves from attack, she’s fearless in everything except love. The only thing she really needs is an attacker to help her train the students. Hank Coffee is way more used to putting on a fire helmet than a padded one, but when Samantha needs help with her new business, he’s willing to be kicked and hit in the name of helping someone stay safe. How will Samantha deal with this full-frontal assault on her heart? And will Hank find a way to make Sam follow the rules of the game?

Travess Blood


Quinn Larson - 2017
    It is a story of good versus evil--of two brothers who are mortal enemies--but its main characters do not fit typical hero-villain molds. Clint Travess, Sheriff of Trenton County: a man dedicated to the law but plagued by guilt, and tormented by desire for another man's wife. Troy Travess, his brother: an ex-convict possessed by hate and a vow of revenge against the lawman who sent him to prison, but capable of loving the memory of a girl--and the son she left him. Matt Gustafson, wealthy rancher: a man who has nothing in common with Troy--except a vow to see Clint Travess dead. Ann Stuart Gustafson, Matt's wife: a woman who has everything she ever wanted, and would gladly trade it all for the man she loves. Mark Travess, Troy's son: a child caught in the middle of a deadly war between the two men who share his Travess blood. Will good triumph over evil in the end? Perhaps. But not without pain. Not without suffering. Not without the shedding of Travess blood. Click "Look inside" for a preview of this unusual western novel.

The Wrong Todd


Donna McDonald - 2014
    This is especially true for favors that involve spending large sums of money and buying men whose last names she doesn't even know. In twenty bachelors, Sabine maybe expected to find several Davids, Mikes, or Johns. But what were the odds of two Todds? And now what is she going to do on a very expensive date with the wrong one?This light-hearted contemporary romance will make you laugh from the beginning and leave you smiling when you are done.

No One But You


Jillian Hart - 2012
    With every good deed done, and helping hand offered, we are making the world a better place. The dedicated women selected as this year's recipients of Harlequin's More Than Words award have changed many lives for the better, through their compassionate hearts and unshakable commitment. To celebrate their accomplishments, bestselling authors have written stories inspired by these real-life heroines.In this book, Jillian Hart honors the work of Mary Byberg, a committed volunteer for Nellie's Shelter for Women and Children in Toronto, Ontario.We hope More Than Words inspires you look inside your heart and to get in touch with the heroine inside of you.

Pink Slips and Glass Slippers


J.P. Hansen - 2012
    Her widowed father did his best to raise his baby girl to be a strong-minded business woman. Then she found Tanner. Just when her world seemed perfect, everything turned upside down.Following Tanner’s tragic death, Brooke joins a start-up company that is developing a cure for the disease that killed the love of her life. Just before the treatment is ready to market, the company is gobbled up by a giant conglomerate. She moves to the acquiring company as its youngest VP and becomes enamored with CEO Chase Allman—only to be betrayed by him.Brooke rebounds again and sets out on a personal journey to discover what will truly make her happy. Sparks fly when she and Chase cross paths again in an unlikely way. Now, they need each other to find an abducted child and save thousands of people.

Before the Wreckage


Melissa Collins - 2015
    One night she's in his dream and the next she's in his reality. This is a short story (6,500 words) prequel to From the Wreckage, originally published in the ONE anthology.