Book picks similar to
First Crush by Ashley Elizabeth Ludwig


romance
christian-fiction
contemporary
suspense

Vigilant


Sara Davison - 2019
    Neglected by her parents for most of her life, Nicole Hunter keeps everyone, especially men, at arms’ length. So when Attorney Gage Kelly walks into the diner where she is waiting tables one evening, she fights her attraction to him with everything she has. Gage and his brother Holden grew up in an abusive home, and Gage has baggage of his own. But the connection between him and Nicole is too strong to ignore, and Gage manages to convince them both that their relationship is worth the risk. Then children begin disappearing in the night.When Detective Daniel Grey starts to close in on the child snatcher, and enlists Nicole’s help, she faces her deepest fear. Everything and everyone she has clung to so tightly could be ripped from her, leaving her completely alone. Except for one.

Decoy (Elliot Kings #1)


Joy Ohagwu - 2016
    Nor for her to become the only eyewitness and sole suspect of his murder.  As the town pushes for a speedy trial to preserve its reputation, one person isn't convinced that she did it-David Kings Jr., the victim’s son. And the only man who ever said he loved her.  With time running out, everyone wants to know, is Rose innocent or guilty? But there was a huge problem. She couldn't remember what happened.DECOY is a brand new, top hot release in Christian Romantic Suspense on Amazon Kindle you don't want to miss. Preorder yours now. Thank you!DECOY is Book One of the Elliot-Kings Christian Suspense Novella series. The ELLIOT-KINGS Christian Suspense Novella Series is a spin-off of UNBOUND HOPE ( Book Two of the PLEASANT HEARTS suspense series). Bestselling Christian Author Joy Ohagwu writes Contemporary Christian Fiction twined in hope, faith, and love. Visit joyohagwu.com to read a story for FREE for a limited time.

The Hitman's Mistake


Sally Brandle - 2018
    But can she find him in time?The last person Grant Morley expects to discover on his annual supply run to a Montana mountain hermit is alluring Miranda Whitley, nearly dead from a bullet wound in her side. An accidental witness or the cold-blooded accomplice to would-be assassins?Miranda must convince Grant of her innocence, evade the killers intent on preventing her testimony, and fight her unwanted attraction for the agent…an attraction which seems to be mutual. Fortunately, love thrives in Emma Springs. If you love sizzling chemistry, Montana’s mountain landscape, and fast-paced action, then you’ll love Sally Brandle’s galloping thriller, The Hitman’s Mistake.

Winter's Secret


Lyn Cote - 2004
    Smashed heirlooms, ripped upholstery and rifled drawers--who is breaking into homes--stealing and vandalizing? And targeting the most vulnerable--the seniors of the small town? As the new sheriff, Rodd Durand, home again to small town Steadfast, Wisconsin, takes on the Snowmobile Burglar. In the course of her duties, Wendy Carey, the home health nurse, discovers each new break-in. The small town reels as the burglar eludes capture and steps up his crimes. A vindictive woman and a secret baby heighten the suspense. When Wendy and Rodd begin to fall in love, family complicates matters. But the real stumbling block to their love lies within. Can they break through their own insecurities over the past?Note to readers:This series (Winter's Secret, Autumn's Shadow, Summer's End) came out a decade ago from Tyndale House Publishers in trade paperback and large print. This is the revised and updated edition. In the intervening years since this series first debuted, I wrote another thirty books. When I looked over the pages of the original books, I realized that I like how I write now better. PLUS technology (ie cell phones, etc) has changed so much that these books needed sprucing up. Besides when an author writes a story, it feels like her child. And I want my "children" to look their best as I send them out into the reading world once more. So I hope you'll enjoy these books in their second improved edition. Caront reviewed Winter's Secret (Northern Intrigue #1) A fun read! March 5, 2012"I love Lyn Cote's writing, so I was excited when I saw her new book Winter's Secret. She didn't let me down, in fact, I had a hard time putting it down! ... Seriously, if you're looking for a hard core mystery or a romp, that's not Lyn's style. But if you're looking for a book that has great characters, a sweet romance, a mystery that will keep you guessing, this is for you, I know you'll enjoy it!!""Lyn Cote has the ability to write about a snowstorm with such delicious description that I can get shivers in the middle of August. In Winter's Secret, she portrays a small Wisconsin town filled with characters of depth and substance, while leading us deeper into their collective past." Hannah AlexanderWinter's Secret, book one in the Northern Intrigue series, is an excellent suspense story with a good hook and an interesting twist sure to hold a reader's interest. Ms. Cote continues to hone her craft and gain fans. Reviewed By: Bev Huston, Romantic Times ReviewsbioAn award-winning author of both contemporary and historical inspirational romance, LYN COTE has been a 2006 RITA finalist as well as a finalist for the HOLT Medallion and the National Readers Choice Award, and in 2011 a winner of the prestigious American Christian Fiction Writer's CAROL Award. Lyn lives with her husband and four cats in the northwoods of Wisconsin.Lyn has published two more romantic suspense series. If you enjoyed this one, drop by her website and Click "Buy Books" and then "Suspense" to find them listed. All are for sale on Kindle. Or look for Dangerous Season, Dangerous Game, and Dangerous Secrets, the "Harbor Intrigue" series Also His Saving Grace, Testing His Patience and Loving Constance in "Sisters of the Heart" series.

Safe by the Marshal's Side


Shirlee McCoy - 2013
    marshal Hunter Davis has protected witness Annie Delacorte and her toddler daughter. But now, someone is determined to stop Annie from testifying against the men who killed her husband. To guard Annie, by-the-book Hunter will have to break a promise to himself: to not get emotionally involved. After all, he already cares more deeply than he ever imagined for the sweet family of two…a family he'll do anything to keep safe and sound by his side. Witness Protection: Hiding in plain sight

One Night Years Ago


J.R. Pace - 2020
    Now, Fowler’s back in town.When he was twenty, Hunter Fowler made a huge mistake. He’s spent the last twelve years in prison paying for it. When he gets out of prison, the last thing he wants to do is go back to Sharp’s Cove, but he has no choice.Natalie Bowmann isn’t a frightened young woman anymore. She’s the town’s sheriff now and she’s not going to let Fowler’s return destroy the life she’s built for herself. But when another young woman is attacked, Natalie realizes two things: that twelve years earlier an innocent man was sent to prison and, most importantly, that a monster is loose in their peaceful coastal town.Will Hunter and Natalie be able to find him before he strikes again? What will they do with the growing attraction between them?This suspense romance book is intended for adult readers. Each book in the series can be read as a standalone romance.Warning: one of the characters was assaulted years earlier, and remembers the assault at several points during the story.

Saving Ariel


Ellie Masters - 2021
    His focus is on raising his daughter as a single dad, and keeping his offshore oil rig crew safe. As his crew evacuates in advance of Hurricane Julian, a category five monster barreling down on the gulf, disaster strikes. Two of his crewmen are critically injured. He needs to get them to safety before the hurricane hits. When the aeromedical rescue helicopter pilot turns out to be a woman, he’s surprised. When she falls into his arms, his entire body takes notice. The tough, gorgeous, pilot is everything Aiden thought he’d never have—or want—again. Can Ariel be the one? His second chance at love?Too bad the storm seems to have other plans for them…Ariel Black doesn’t believe in love.With a category five hurricane barreling down on the Gulf, helicopter pilot, Ariel Black, is on a mission to evacuate wounded men from an oil rig. When the massive storm arrives ahead of schedule, it grounds Ariel’s helicopter, trapping them on the oil rig. She and her men, along with Aiden and his wounded, must ride out the storm. It’s the worst possible time to fall in love, but she does. Ariel falls hard…right into the installation manager’s arms. Aiden Cole makes her heart race, her pulse pound, and the butterflies in her stomach soar. Could he be the one?Will the storm of the century destroy Aiden and Ariel’s chance at happily ever after? Or does fate have something else in store?Saving Ariel, a steamy, second chance, contemporary romantic suspense, about love at first sight. It features a protective hero and the smart, feisty heroine who steals his heart.Get your copy today and let the binge-reading begin.(Saving Ariel was previously published as 'Aiden.')

Slow Burn


E.B. Walters - 2011
    She pretends to have moved on, is a successful artist and photographer, until the morning she opens her door to a stranger she assumes is a model and asks him to strip to his briefs . He wants to expose the truth.... Wealthy businessman Ron Noble has the body, the jet, the fast cars and the women, but he hides a deadly secret. His father started the fire that killed Ashley’s parents. Now someone is leaving him clues that could exonerate his father and they lead to Ashley’s door. Blindsided by the blazing attraction between them and a merciless killer silencing anyone who was there the night of the fire, Ron dare not tell Ashley the truth. Yet the answer he seeks may very well tear them apart. While a demented arsonist...SLOW BURN(s)...and plots his ultimate revenge.

She Belongs to Me


Carmen DeSousa - 2011
     Charlotte police officer Jordan Monroe is used to being in control. Ever since his father died, he has provided for his mother and sisters and even hired his two brothers-in-law to help run his successful construction company. On a chance business trip, however, he meets the one person who throws his life into a whirlwind--Jaynee.Jaynee has lived a tragic life and has sworn off all men. That is until a rugged southern gentleman lands in her seating area, refusing to take no for an answer. From the moment they meet, Jordan sweeps her off her feet, assuring her that happiness exists. But can she really escape her past?Five years later, Jordan finds Jaynee on their back porch with a gunshot wound to the head. While Jaynee lies in a coma, Jordan has to go back to their beginning and figure out what went wrong. Did he push his wife to the edge, or has her past come back to haunt them? ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "You'll be swept off your feet along with Jaynee as she discovers the man of her dreams. You'll be drawn into the drama. And you'll flip the pages fast as Jordan must desperately figure out the truth in time. I was and did!" -- New York Times bestselling author Jaime Rush⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "SHE BELONGS TO ME is definitely a good suspenseful read. Ms. DeSousa is a talented author and I had no problem in connecting with the characters. The story displayed a realistic relationship between Jordan and Jaynee." -- The Romance Reviews

The Redemption of Caralynne Hayman


Carole Brown - 2013
    So when her husband, a founding member of the cult, suffers a massive heart attack, Caralynne allows her husband to die. Caralynne’s secret seems safe until Dayne MacFarland returns, determined to learn the truth about the cult. His investigation and his rekindled love for Caralynne lead the pair toward a confrontation with the group’s elders. Can Dayne’s love for Caralynne bridge the gulf of anger and bitterness that divides the community? Or will Caralynne’s deadly secrets prove too high a price for her redemption?

Hidden Danger (When Darkness Falls Book 3)


Barbara Warren - 2017
    On a dimly-lit park bench, Carley's friend fumbles in her handbag for her phone. She has a picture of a couple arguing, a picture of a woman who was later found dead in a ditch. Before Carley can examine the picture her friend took of the secretive encounter, a dark SUV stops near the bench. The window rolls down. A gunshot rips the silence. Carley's friend tumbles from the bench, dead. No need to wait for the second shot. Carley's on the run, now, with a target on her back. Wounded Army vet, Blake Richards, recuperates stateside while awaiting new orders. He doesn't want to jeopardize his recovery or risk further injury, but at the sound of gunshots, his training kicks in. Blake ducks behind a tree and drops to one knee, scanning the area around him. A shadowy figure darts down a path. A woman nervously looks back over her shoulder. Hunkered down, he waits until the last second and then grabs her by the waist. With his hand clasped over her mouth, he pulls her to safety. Blake doesn't need to get involved with any woman, particularly one as beautiful and intriguing as Carley Sutherland. But he may be Carley's only hope of staying alive. And she may his only hope of finding peace and healing amidst hidden dangers. Written for the General Market (G) (I): Contains little or no; sexual dialogue or situations or strong language. May also contain content of an inspirational nature. Amazon customers who purchase the print version have the option to purchase the Kindle eBook at no charge.

Wildfire


Suzanne Cass - 2020
    Who'll be next?Cat Lawson loves only two things. Her freedom and her motorcycle. When she's called back to Stargazer Ranch by a hard-to-refuse job offer, the very first person she comes across is the very last person she wants to see.Levi Wilson, the local park ranger, rues the day he ever met Cat; she's the most stubborn, infuriating woman he's ever known. He can't forgive her for running away six months ago; commitment never was one of her strong points.But on the very day of Cat's return, one of the luxury cabins is set on fire and it seems the arsonist targeting the ranch is back. The police suspected Clayton, an ex-ranch-hand but he hasn't been seen since the last fires, six months ago. Instead, Cat becomes suspect number one.Against all her better instincts, Cat finds herself irresistibly drawn to Levi, again. Then Cat is caught in a wildfire; someone is trying to burn her alive. Can their passion save them from the inferno, or will everything they love go up in flames?

Reckless


Maggie Shayne - 1993
    When his two killers see her witnessing their gruesome work, she runs, but she doesn’t get far. FBI agent Nick Manelli has to keep his cover intact and keep the sexy witness alive, and there’s only one way he can think of to do both. He has to kidnap her. RECKLESS (formerly Reckless Angel) was the first published novel of romance superstar Maggie Shayne’s stellar career. This romantic thriller, a RITA Award nominee that garnered raves from RT Book Reviews, has been completely revamped for today’s readers.  Maggie Shayne writes wonderful romance with page turning thrills that have a permanent spot on my keeper shelf.” ~New York Times Bestselling Author Karen Robards Don’t miss Book 2 of THE SHATTERED SISTERS series, FORGOTTEN.

Cabin by the Lake


Desiree Douglas - 2016
     A bonfire is lit when she moves to her aunt's lake house in rural Georgia in need of a fresh start. There she meets hunky backpacker, Mike Rodgers, seeking shelter from a storm. As lightning flashes, so does their chemistry. A man is the last thing Lydia needs in her life, but working alongside Mike to renovate an old guest cabin, the two are drawn together with an irresistible pull. In the woods nearby, someone is watching--and waiting. When she realizes that her past has caught up to her, Lydia knows she has to leave to protect her aunt, and keep Mike from learning her history! Little does she know that Mr. Perfect has secrets of his own...

Failsafe


Traci Hunter Abramson - 2015
    . . or so it seems. In truth, the rural locale provides the perfect front for the father-daughter NSA operatives as they expertly carry out their mission: using a high-tech computer system, they protect a team of undercover agents. Some would kill to have access to this system, and it makes Charlotte and her father prime targets. It was only a matter of time before this nightmare unexpectedly crashed down on them, and only Charlotte escaped with her life. Before Dwight Martin died, though, he initiated the failsafe lockdown, and now Charlotte's the only one who can access the system.Writer Jake Bradford left the serene Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia for the hustle and bustle New York to pursue his dreams and never looked back. Until now. Entrusted with his ailing grandmother's care, Jake knows he needs help and he can't believe his luck when a lovely young woman providentially appears on his doorstep. Charlotte creates a new persona for herself and quickly develops a bond with Jake's grandmother. But it's the connection she feels with Jake that makes it almost too easy to lose sight of her reality: she is being hunted by men who will stop at nothing to access the intelligence she protects. With time running out, can the couple find a future together, or will Charlotte's secrets tear them apart?