Book picks similar to
Keep Your Friends Close and Enemies Closer: Love, Lies & Loyalty by Belleza
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Strict Professor
Mia Luxe - 2017
He exudes complete dominance in the classroom that has me fantasizing about how strict he is in bed. He’s so sure of himself, and he’s exactly the kind of guy I need to avoid. When the stress of my first year at college overwhelms me, I ruin everything with a humiliating outburst. In front of the entire class. Professor Harrison sends me to his office and tells me he’s going to teach me to control myself. He says he’s going to teach me some discipline. I don’t know if I’ll be able to control myself when I’m alone with him… This is a standalone novel with a HEA!
Lady Harriet's Unusual Reward
Em Taylor - 2015
Her brother, the Earl of Oldbeck is running amok. That would not normally be her problem, but the ton consider the earl to be an imbecile. Since her father died, he has had no one to guide him and he will no longer listen to Harriet. And now that Mary the kitchen maid is carrying his child, Harriet sees no other option but to marry. And there is only one man for the job. Two years ago Lord Stephen Charville, a widower and second son of a duke, promised Lady Harriet that he would do her any favour she asked him as thanks for saving his daughters life when she nearly drowned. He did not expect her to turn up at his townhouse and ask him to marry her and set an example to her brother. There is nothing wrong with Lady Harriet and he’s not averse to helping out her brother, he just has no inclinations to marry again. And for the record, he’s no tragic hero, pining away for his lost love. The problem is that Harriet begins to burrow her way into his affections. When Lord Stephen offers without marriage to help the earl to learn the ways of the world, Harriet is still determined that the only way to do the job properly is for them to marry but she agrees to do it Lord Stephen’s way. No one is more surprised than Harriet when she begins to have feelings for the dissolute second son or when he begins to ignite passions in her she’d never dreamed existed, all the while trying to keep her errant brother out of trouble and way from scandal. This book contains scenes of an adult nature
The Gypsy Hill Murders
P.J. Thurbin - 2012
J. Thurbin, a new writer to the fictional crime scene. He has a unique and fast moving style that will appeal to the reader who likes mysteries that are in the genre of those by John Grisham and M.C. Beaton. His book has all the ingredients that one would expect to find in a classic murder mystery. It is centered on an ivy covered Victorian house set within the campus of a modern University just outside London. A group of five academics find themselves embroiled in a series of vicious attacks that are linked to incidents that took place 100 years earlier. The main character, Ralph Chalmers, a Professor of International Business, attempts to unravel the links between a 100 year old skeleton found on the site and a series of recent attacks in the University, while at the same time courting an old flame from his days as a student at Cambridge University. Inspector Linham and his Sergeant Wilson also strive to apprehend the villains and lend an air of authenticity to the investigations. As the plot thickens, various members of the academic staff are seen to have motives that would also implicate them in the events that unfold. The atmosphere of jealousy and mistrust is stimulated by the character of the head caretaker, Jack Welsh, a retired army Master at Arms who has compelling reasons for wanting to unravel the mystery. The book is fast moving in that the plot moves to Australia, France, Monte Carlo, and the world of diamond trading, while delving into the backgrounds and lives of the main characters. A final twist will leave the reader surprised at how greed and desperation can result in tragedy. Thurbin manages to entertain by depicting the frailties of his main characters in all too familiar ways, while at the same time adding just enough intrigue to keep the reader turning the pages. This novel is for anyone who likes the thrill of a good mystery with plenty of action coupled with the element of surprise. -------------------------------
The Tudor Heresy
Samantha Burnell - 2017
Enjoy either as a short read on its own, or as an introduction to the Mystery Trials Series. A gripping Historical Adventure set in 16th Century Tudor England. Elizabeth Tudor needs a hero. Murder, Mystery & Intrigue with a Splash of Romance. Based on actual historical events, an epic tale of a young Tudor nobleman’s courage as he tries to keep his future Queen safe in one of England’s most turbulent eras. If you enjoy Tudor Fiction by Phillipa Gregory and Alison Weir then 'A Queens Spy' is perfect for you. A fascinating insight into Tudor England and the life of Elizabeth I before she sets foot on the steps to the throne. The story unfolds in 16th Century Tudor England Richard Fitzwarren is a Tudor nobleman with a dubious past who takes risks for a living. His close friendship with Princess Elizabeth leads to his banishment to France, but when he returns he remains loyal to her. At his side is Jack, his bastard sibling, and their relationship is a troubled one due to a family secret and their opposite personalities. Will he keep the future Queen safe?
Deep Purple
Parris Afton Bonds - 1982
Some say she haunted that area of Cristo Rey because she was a tormented wraith looking for the lover denied her in life. And others say she rode the area, its barren deserts and rock-clad mountains and lush, grassy valleys, because her soul was condemned to wander Cristo Rey until the fifty thousand acres—and the Stronghold—were at last returned to her heirs. Of course, I preferred to believe the latter . . . perhaps because at that young age my childish mind could not conceive of a love so great that it would transcend time and space. I had yet to taste of love’s binding passion. But in all likelihood I chose to believe that version of the tale because even then I knew, like my Ghost Lady, my soul would know no peace until I possessed what rightfully belonged to me . . . Cristo Rey.
Slow Burning Lies
Ray Backley - 2012
The last waitress goes to lock up.But a man appears at the door, desperate to talk to her, to tell her Patrick’s story. He says she is the only person he can trust.The waitress decides to let him come in, and he tells her a twisting tale of a man driven to the edge of madness by evil dreams in which he commits unspeakable acts.But just who is Patrick? Some poor demented soul still suffering somewhere?Or the man sitting in front of her?(Previously released under the pen name Ray Kingfisher)
The Body Next Door
Gay Yellen - 2016
Now there's a dead man next door, and his wife is holed up in the apartment where Samantha is staying. Dragged into the incriminating murder investigation, Samantha catches the attention of a suspicious homicide detective. To make matters worse, a mysterious stalker is haunting her balcony. Could it be the real killer?The investigation thwarts Samantha's chance at a new television career and instigates a fresh conflict with Carter. Sifting through conflicting theories posed by the aggressive detective, an overbearing defense attorney, and a nosy neighbor, she's confronted with more than one alarming reality. Stymied by fear and uncertainty, she begins to question the assumptions she's made about her past and her future as she navigates a minefield of secrets to redeem her reputation and reclaim the life she wants to live.A luxury high-rise condominium in the bustling city of Houston, and a ranch in the nearby HIll Country of Central Texas provide the main settings for Samantha's attempts to discover what really happened next door.Awards:Finalist, Writers League of TexasShort List, Chanticleer Mystery & Mayhem
The Cowboy's Hope (A Second Chance Romance Novel)
Aubrey Michelle - 2017
One will. A marriage and a baby, or we lose everything. I’d taken care of Ben Winston during his final days, and was there for him when his own family deserted him so why did he punish me during the reading of his will? The lawyer said that I have to marry his grandson, Curt, within three months of the reading of the will for the two of us to inherit half of the land. After that, we have to have a baby within one year to secure the other half of the estate; if we don’t, we both lose everything to charity. He was my first kiss. My first boyfriend. My first….everything. We both need the money for different reasons so we decide to play house just long enough to get what we both need, and then we can divorce, right? The problem is, I never thought Curt Winston could make me fall in love with him all over again. I should’ve known he’d play for keeps, especially once I was carrying his baby. The Cowboy's Hope is a full-length second chance romance novel. It contains sexy scenes, no cheating, and a happily ever after. For a limited time, I've included FREE bonus content for your enjoyment!
Geronimo's Bones
Darrell Bryant - 2018
Days later, a young, highly decorated Marine corporal named Frank Kidd learns of Geronimo’s death. Kidd’s real name is Chaco, and he is Geronimo’s nephew. Orphaned at birth, Chaco was toughened by the cruelties of the white man’s Indian school, battle-hardened by guerrilla warfare, and severely wounded in the 1906 Cuban Pacification Campaign. Chaco returns to Fort Sill’s Apache POW camp to find his adoptive mother dying and his sister trapped in a brothel. Long-held secrets are soon revealed: Chaco is the old warrior’s last son, and his father’s final wish was to be buried “in the country that knows my name.” To honor that request, Chaco must rescue his sister and liberate Geronimo’s bones from the Apache Cemetery. During the escape, two white men end up dead. Once an honored hero, now a hunted outlaw, Chaco races west with his sister in a stolen motorcar. As the last Apache warrior, he must pay the price with blood in one of the largest manhunts of the 20th century.
Dangerous Play
Romi Hart - 2017
I’m a fu@king animal, a predator on the field and off the field! I wasn't looking for a prey but the moment I laid eyes on Amanda Shannon, that hot blonde in her tight blue jeans, I knew I wanted to make a touchdown. She’s a quiet country girl, but I want to make her scream my name out. But Ms. Amanda Shannon doesn’t respond to me like all the other girls I’ve been with. She doesn’t throw herself at me. She’s tempting me more than ever to come closer. I accept the challenge! I think she’s forgetting who I am. I am Nate Jiggur and I score ALL THE TIME. No matter what, I’m going to make her mine. I’m a man of my word and I’ve decided to rock her world with all I've got. I’ll show her how I play the game….My Dangerous Play!
Dangerous Play is a standalone 30,000+ words novella with a guaranteed HEA, no cheating, and no cliffhanger!
Warning: 18+ only
Perfume Therapy
Kirsty McManus - 2016
Sure, she’s leaving behind an office that doesn’t seem to be able to run without her, and Mia has invited a bunch of her narcissistic friends along to join them, but a holiday is a holiday, right? Wrong. Pickpocketed on her first night and separated from everyone, Chloe soon finds herself stranded in the back streets of Bangkok. Fortunately, her saviour arrives in the form of charismatic perfumer Daniel Richards, whose Scottish accent and amiable nature immediately put her at ease. With Daniel’s help, Chloe is soon back on the metaphorical horse. But with several more unfortunate events befalling her over the following days, she is forced to rely on Daniel again and again to help bail her out. Throw in a jealous absentee boyfriend, a wild neighbour with the propensity to meddle, and a strangely aggressive staff member at Daniel’s perfumery, and Chloe finds herself on the trip of a lifetime. It’s not quite the one she was expecting, but it might just be the shake-up she needs.
Summer Escape
Peyton Banks - 2017
She deserved more in life than a loveless relationship and a cheating fiancé’. Without a thought, she packed her bags and escaped far away to a private island to plan her new life. Sun, fresh air, and sandy beaches proved to be just what she needed. One thing she hadn’t plan on, was spending the day with one Gage Marks. He helped awaken a part of her that she thought was long forgotten. Her summer escape proved to be more than she could ever imagine, but her time with Gage would come to an end soon.Their steamy night together would not be enough for either Marina or Gage. Marina is excited for what the future may hold, but will her past let her go?
Crowned: The Return of a Savage
Deshon Dreamz - 2017
Crowned Queens, an organization that Ashura and Nacobi created when they were freshmen in college, had turned into a lucrative empire right before their very eyes. Young, successful and content with life, Ashura implements the necessary changes to put that lifestyle behind her, but with the power that she’s gained comes a slew of enemies prepared to snatch everything that she has worked for. Nacobi has always been there for Ashura. Her rider to the point of no return and that will never change. When Ashura gets fed up with Crowned Queens, Nacobi reluctantly follows suit in getting things shut down. However, what they don’t know is that the enemy who is out to get them is closer than either of them would expect. With love found, love betrayed, and love tainted, the savage that Ashura has fought tooth and nail to keep suppressed is threatening to rear its ugly head. Unbeknownst to the enemy, if the beast is released, they will soon learn why she’s the diva who was Crowned Queen.
Fyast Life
Lola Bandz - 2014
Meet Imani a college girl with ambitions that reach the sky and a yearning for love. Living in a world where her dreams are unattainable she hustles by day when shes done with the books. One night at the club she meets a smooth, loving gangsta by the name of Jake. Jake is surviving in this world of snakes and rats, trying to stay out of the dope game is his objective In life but it seems as though he will get roped back in with the help of his little brother . Once he lays eyes on Imani he sees his future clearer. Wanting to build an life with this beauty is consuming his mind. Come join this couple on their journey in the Fyast Life. A 2 part series.
Sand River
James Vaughan - 2017
He grew up at a wild time and did what he had to do to survive. The law took one view of it; he took another. And the law wouldn’t get off his back. He did time, broke out of prison. He went north, hoping to leave the past behind. But the past followed him. And now there were murder charges. Whichever way he turned, trouble was right there. This is his account of what happened. Jack was born in Charleston in 1861. His parents died early of cholera and his guardian died when he was fifteen, leaving him penniless and alone. He went west and got work as a cattle drover. He shot an outlaw who was trying to rob him. Another outlaw, named Ibbetson, got away alive. Later, he ran across a cowboy called Skeeter on a cattle drive. They met again in a saloon and Skeeter asked him to help drive a herd of horses. Jack didn’t know they were stolen. He was arrested, went to jail. During his trial, he broke out of the courthouse with another inmate, who shot a courthouse constable. After that, a rope was waiting. He went north and got work on a ranch called Sand River. For a while it looked like he’d outrun trouble. He did the job and stayed clean. But up there, range wars were being fought. Ranchers hired range detectives to handle trouble. To some, they were hired killers. One of them was Ibbetson. When they met again, Jack knew it wouldn’t end well. His past had arrived.