Book picks similar to
Venerable by Laura B. Martínez


dark
freebie
contemporary-romance
romance

The End of Me


Tara Brown - 2013
    Now widowed and left to raise her children alone, Evie is prepared for anything. Well, almost anything. There are actually two things she isn't prepared for. The first being a sexy young man named Coop, a CI operative who is thrust into her world as her protector and handler. The other is an arms dealer named Servario, who the military has decided she must gain the trust of. But the world she left behind has changed and unfortunately, so has Evie. The minivan-driving mother of two couldn't be further from the woman she once was and she doesn't have time to catch up. At every turn there seems to be a secret or betrayal awaiting the inexperienced spy. But Evie has a secret too, she just doesn't know it yet. This hot, sexy ride is filled with espionage, secrets, and twists you will not see coming.Adult 19+

Deceit in Bloom


Jennifer Michael - 2017
    The sister of a whore. The fool who fell for the wrong guy. Paisley James is all too aware that sometimes fairy tales just don’t exist.There is no telling where hearts belong or loyalties lie when deceit is in bloom.Author Note: Deceit in Bloom is book one of a series and ends in a BIG, dramatic cliffhanger (No joke). The story continues in book two, Vengeance in Bloom.

Power


Victoria Woods - 2020
    My biggest adversary is out to take everything from me. My family. My business. My power.I have sworn to make him pay for his deceit, but first I must track him down.I own the biggest tech company in the world as a front for my criminal ways, but she has something I am missing.Amelia Becker.Brilliant. Beautiful. Brave.I am drawn to her. I cannot keep away. She consumes me.I want her to find him, but I need her to find me.TRIGGER WARNING:Subject matters like rape that may be dark and disturbing to some readers is included in this book.

Beware the Snake


Samantha Cade - 2017
    Violent intimidator. Ruthlessly loyal. And I never question orders.Until Jess.After what I saw Jess do, I should put a bullet in her head and dump her body in the desert. That’s what the oath I took demands of me.But I don’t want to kill her. I want to keep her for myself. I want to own every inch of her creamy skin and soft curves. She’s a very dangerous plaything. A savage like me can't resist.So I stalk her. I follow her every move, creeping closer and closer until I’m sharing her bed. The more she resists, the more my obsession rages, the more I’m determined to slither my way into her heart.Owning her body comes with a price. If the Mariano’s find out who she is, and that I didn’t kill her, we’re both dead. It’s a deadly game we’re playing. The kind of action I live for. I’ll probably die for it too.Beware the Snake is a dark romance about a hot mafia dude who stalks a vengeful babe. Watch these two bitter enemies become steamy lovers.ADVISORY: Contains violence, dark themes, and graphic love scenes. Intended for adults only.

Provocative


Lisa Renee Jones - 2017
    They change us, mold us, maybe even save us. But some are darker, dangerous. If we allow them to, they control us. Seduce us. Quite possibly even destroy us. The moment I walked into Sonoma’s Reid Winter Winery and Vineyard and made eye contact with Faith Winter for the first time was one of those moments. Provocative because I know at least one of her secrets, of which, I suspect she has many. Provocative because she believes I was a stranger to her when we met, but I am not. Provocative because I sought her out, with no intention of touching her. But now I have. Now I want her. Now I have to have her. But that changes nothing. It doesn’t change why I came for her.

Black Desire


C.J. Thomas - 2017
    But he was the reason I stayed. Criminal defense lawyer, Kelly Black, came into my life as I was on my way out. He was infuriatingly handsome, except the Madam said I couldn’t have him. And no matter how many dates I had to keep my mind off of him, Mr. Black was the man who dominated my thoughts. Then it happened. Ignoring the warnings that he was dangerous, I let him into my life not realizing that his touch would be the reason my broken past resurfaced. Determined not to lose the man who turned my life around, it was up to me to let him know who I truly was. But when he presented me with a demand of his own, I wasn’t sure I was ready to agree to his terms. Submitting was never my strong suit. *Black Desire is intended for mature audiences only.

Toxic


Nicole Blanchard - 2017
    A criminal.As a prison nurse, I knew the rules: do my job, don’t get involved, and never let a prisoner get under my skin.I broke all three.My passion, my obsession, my addiction. I risked my entire life so we could be together.I thought helping him escape from prison would be the hard part.It turns out when you fall in love with a villain, you also turn into one.

His to Hold


S.L. Sterling - 2019
    But that was about to change. Getting dumped at the start of my much overdue vacation was not how I planned to spend my time off. Neither was running into someone from my past. It was the last thing I expected.... but just what I needed.My brother’s best friend was headed home when our paths collided at the airport during a massive storm. Twenty years of chemistry crackles around us like lightning, and we give in to what’s been a long time coming. From stranded old friends to insatiable lovers, spending a week together at his lake house, I'm reminded what it’s like to live in the moment. When I realize I didn’t really know him at all, I can’t help but think... I might have been his to hold, but could I be his to keep? Bryce I guess there are worse things than being forced into taking a vacation. I can think of a few. But being fresh out of a bad relationship, and in the middle of a huge merger, is not the ideal time to be jetting off for two weeks. One week in, I decide to cut my trip short, only to end up stranded at the airport. Just my luck. Everything changes when I run into my best friend’s little sister. Twenty years later, she’s all grown up and very much available. One thing leads to another, and we find ourselves back at my place riding out the storm and reconnecting in ways I never imagined. Feelings that had been delayed are finally able to take flight. The girl who held my attention all those years ago is now the woman holding my heart. I’m falling fast, but when we end up face to face in the boardroom, will our vacation romance go from pleasure to business?

Into Temptation


Skyla Madi - 2016
     A good Catholic girl would never use church on Sunday to lust over the Father's son. A good Catholic girl would never pulse between her thighs and lose her breath over the boy who recites the closing prayer - even if his voice is low and sinful enough to make her toes curl in her shoes. A good Catholic girl would never allow herself to be led into temptation by dirty, blond hair and dark eyes... And a good Catholic girl would never use Bible study as an excuse to be used and abused. But, like I said, I'm not a good Catholic girl... And he's FAR from a good Catholic boy. Caleb Andrews is everything I don't need, but he's everything I want... God help me.

Beautiful Pain


J.M. Walker - 2015
    If you deal with triggers, please read this book with caution. Material consists of adult content and BDSM. I was sent away for protection. Pulled from a world and forced into another, I lost myself on the way. No emotion. Only walls to hide feelings that were now masked behind a barrier. Matteo Santos opened my eyes. He helped me see through the darkness that consumed my soul. He breathed life into my lungs, gripping my heart until it beat again. With a darkness of his own, it haunted him, turning him into a beautiful Master of seduction and pain. Through trust and love, we would battle our pasts together. Before they took control...completely. "Not everything is as it seems." ~ Beautiful Pain

Beautifully Broken


Alex Grayson - 2014
    A place to take a deep breath after months on the run.What Bailey didn’t count on were the people welcoming her with open arms. Making her feel safe and protected for the first time in her life.Especially Jaxon Walker. The tattooed bar owner who’s determined to get under her skin and force her to reveal her deepest secrets. Even if it puts everyone she cares about in danger.Just when Bailey finds the love she’s been searching for her whole life, her past blazes its way into the dream world she’s been living in.Will Jaxon save Bailey before it’s too late? Or will the evil that is her husband finally finish her off?

Brick


Jen Davis - 2019
    During the day it’s mud and grime on the construction site. At night…it’s the blood I spill. A drug lord’s enforcer does what needs to be done. It’s my obedience, my loyalty to the boss that keeps my family alive. I know I’m teetering on the edge. I’m losing my humanity, I can feel it. It’s changing me, and it’s only a matter of time before the darkness takes over.Then I meet her. Liv. The only person who sees past my busted knuckles and brutal exterior. She sees…me. But being with me will get her killed. The only way I can keep her safe is by staying away. Until her own actions catapult her into the center of my world—a world which will swallow her whole. Now I’m forced to be the ruthless bastard I’ve been for so long. Only this time it’s not to destroy…but to defend.

Never Close Enough


Anie Michaels - 2013
    At her greatest moment of need, a protective and sexy Porter Masters comes to her rescue. Ella takes a holiday week at the coast to discover herself and finds her attraction to Porter potent and undeniable. Uncertain of their future together, Ella struggles to open her heart to trust again. Porter Masters takes care of his own: his single mother, his company, and now he’s compelled to protect the beauty that walked into his world. Never one for relationships in his past, Porter discovers that he was waiting all along for Ella. As their time together comes to an end, will Porter fight for the woman who stole his heart? Porter will find a way to keep her, despite the obstacles.

Where the Sun Hides


Bethany-Kris - 2016
    Violet Gallucci and Kazimir Markovic have grown up in the same city, but on opposite sides of the game they call life—Violet, an Italian principessa della mafia, and Kaz, a Russian Bratva heir. Lines have been drawn, and they know not to cross them. Their paths crossed once, a long time ago, but when they meet again, the territory and rules set out by their families that have kept them separated seem to bleed away. She's more than her last name … He’s more than a Russian … But secrets from the past—and the people determined to keep them hidden—have other plans for Violet and Kaz. Rival families. One city. Star-crossed lovers. They should be enemies. It could mean war. This is just the beginning … From authors Bethany-Kris (The Chicago War) and London Miller (Volkov Bratva) comes a thrilling, sexy new series—Seasons of Betrayal. Where the Russians and Italians clash in culture, mafia … and love.Coming June 2016

TouchStone for play


Sydney Jamesson - 2013
    United by Fate. Saved by Love... Charismatic and sexy Ayden Stone is a multi-talented media mogul by day and playboy by night, seducing and discarding women, seeking only sexual pleasure without commitment. He is looking for the love of his life, but is settling for stand-ins … then Fate intervenes.A chance meeting with shy school teacher Elizabeth Parker triggers a passionate reaction in him that he cannot explain. Unable to help himself, he is drawn to her by a kind of gravitational force. Up close, he recognises her charm and beauty and is consumed by the idea that they have met before.Unschooled in the art of seduction, Elizabeth begins her journey of sexual awakening, allowing Ayden to steer her towards deep and dangerous waters, unaware of their fateful connection. With great passion comes heartbreak, threatening their relationship and testing its limits. A dangerous figure from Elizabeth’s past returns, desperate to take back what is 'his'. Elizabeth Parker is about to be found, but will she be bound by her destiny or by her demon … The Story of Us is an epic story of love, loss and redemption. A modern day fairy-tale full of passion, unspeakable secrets and suspense.148,000 words of seduction and suspense.