Book picks similar to
Burdens by Laura Susan Johnson
smashwords
4th-in-series
dnwtr
gay-and-lesbian
Taking the Babysitter
Tia Fox - 2018
She needed a real man. Then they meet... Erik - Balancing a demanding job with college and taking care of a kid leaves Erik exhausted and stressed. So much, that even that hot coworker told him he needed to get laid. When Krista showed up at his door to babysit, he didn't realize yet just how much pressure she'll take off him... Krista - Single life in college is tough when no guy seems good enough. Until she meets Erik - the hot man in her building she used to watch from afar. She's only supposed to watch his kid, but when she sees him naked, she can't help but want more... Taking the Babysitter is a standalone short story featuring an older man (31) and a younger woman (19), fast-paced and full of suspense and action that you can't help but devour it in one sitting. No cheating and a happy end with satisfaction guarantee. Taking the Babysitter is part 1 in the Babysitter Romance series.
Waiting Under the Mistletoe
Elsie James - 2020
She’s a Christmas miracle, but she’s also his best friends little sister. Can he earn her trust or will he be left waiting under the mistletoe?NoelSpending my time indulging in all things Christmas brings joy to my world.I never thought I’d move back to my small town, but an offer to turn my blog into a holiday baking show is one I can’t refuse.When my older brother’s best friend turns out to be the production manager, all is merry and bright.He’s tall, handsome, and I want to deck his halls.But can I learn to trust him?NickAfter losing my mom, I’ve always been a bit of a grinch during the holidays.But producing a holiday baking show means playing Santa and hiring new talent.When my best friend’s little sister finds her way onto my lap, I’m sure to be on the naughty list.Noel is curvy, sexy, and makes me believe in holiday magic.But can I convince her that my love is real or will she leave me waiting under the mistletoe?
Christmas Magic 1959
Kathryn Meyer Griffith - 2016
This story is about one of my most cherished childhood Christmases…in 1959 when I was nine years old. After my beloved musician/singer/songwriter brother Jim passed away in 2015 from cancer I felt an intense need to write this short story about that special Christmas Eve I shared with him, my other siblings, mother, father and grandparents, and put it out there for everyone to read as a tribute to him and my family. This is my story, part of my childhood, and some of my fondest memories. Note: in the late 1970’s I did a series of illustrated (by me, because I’m an artist, too) short stories for my local newspaper and I’ve used one of my old article drawings from that newspaper from 1977 for the first page of this short story.
Micah Goes On a Date: A Micah Reed Thriller Short Story
Jim Heskett - 2018
Beef Stroganoff? Micah Reed finds himself in a fancy restaurant, in a suit and tie, waiting on a blind date. Should be in for a good time, right? A nice, quiet evening? If you know Micah Reed, you know things usually aren't what they seem. Micah might not survive the night... A FREE short story in the award-winning Micah Reed series. Grab this quick, fun thriller now to read it all in one sitting!
All We Lack
Sandra Moran - 2015
Maggie is a funeral director from Indiana who lives a double life. Bug is a ten-year-old boy in the Pennsylvania foster care system who is sent to live with an aunt he doesn't know. Jimmy is a former paramedic and prescription drug addict on his way to meet a woman he met online who thinks he's a successful doctor. Helen is a Chicago insurance investigator who is leaving her marriage in search of the woman she wants to be. Four strangers, all traveling to Boston in search of better lives, are tied together in ways they don't even realize. Each are trying to fill the void of what's missing in their lives. Sometimes it takes a tragedy to overcome all that we lack.
Dead Man and the Lustful Spirit
Lou Harper - 2014
It's not as exciting as it sounds. They don't even get to dress the part, unless it's New Year's Eve and they've been invited to a costume party. Denton is happy to let his hair down, but coaxing the reclusive Bran out of his shell is hard enough without a demonic spirit crashing the party.Convincing the spirit to return whence it came from will call on Denton's special skills, but not in necromancy.
The Darkest Day
K.E. Saxon - 2012
They must be read in sequence in order to understand the story.PART ONE: A life-changing event leads Daniel on a quest.Set in the turn of the thirteenth century Scottish Highlands, this is the story of Daniel MacLaurin, a handsome, rugged warrior-laird haunted by his past, and Maryn Donald, the beautiful, high-spirited lass destined to help him find his heart's ease.After his mother and grandfather, the only family he has ever known, are viciously murdered in a surprise invasion when he is a lad of 13, Daniel spends years focusing on training as a warrior and rebuilding his fortress, determined to control the world around him so that nothing like it will ever happen again.Maryn Donald is a wild child; a lass who, as the only offspring of her widowed father, has been indulged in her high-spiritedness. So much so, that she takes matters into her own hands when she sees that the neighboring clan is mistreating their horses. She impetuously steals them and then, as recompense for her crime, must wed the powerful, wealthy young laird about whom she's heard such disturbing rumors: Daniel MacLaurin.HIGHLAND VENGEANCE is a steamy adventure romance, but it is also a family saga. It's the story of how a man overcomes the horror of his past to find love, connection, and contentment once more.
In the Arms of the Billionaire
Synthia St. Claire - 2012
William Battle, the ultra-wealthy and ravishingly handsome heir to the Battle Loan & Trust fortune, invites her to meet at his mansion wearing the sexiest outfit she can find.Will her hot little body be enough to satisfy the urges of the man who has everything?
The Wedding Dress
Ellie Keaton - 2012
And nothing would stop her. Not the fact that she’d be the youngest one in the history of the company. Or the fact that she’d be the first female Director. And especially not a man.Then she met Tyler, and everything changed. It was like they were destined to be together. The attraction was immediate, and the follow-through was more passionate and amazing than she could have ever hoped for.But Tyler was gone now. She could barely bring herself to think about their brief time together. As she stared at her wedding dress, she reflected on the fact that almost everything would be in place: a perfect gown, a perfect venue, a perfect ceremony. But not her perfect groom.15% of profits donated to Tuesdayschildren.org to help kids affected by 9/11 and other acts of terrorism.
Dirty
Clare James - 2016
After a heartbreaking loss, this broken man spins out of control until he begins a whirlwind friendship with a stripper named Tash. With Tash at his side, he heads out on a crazy tour of the underground world of pleasure. Yes, he’s gone into a deep, dark, and dirty world that he never really knew existed. And surprisingly, he discovers he likes it. Quite a lot. But the reserved entrepreneur soon realizes that hanging from the chandeliers every night is not all it’s cracked up to be. Well, it is … but it’d sure be a lot more fun if it meant something. This steamy novella is a stand-alone story. It can also be read as an introduction to the bestselling Quick and Dirty Series, or to learn more about the gorgeous Gabe Shannon anytime during the series. DIRTY is not a mandatory read, but you may enjoy the Quick and Dirty books more after you roam around in Gabe’s, er, head, a bit. DIRTY tells the story of how Gabe began exploring his dirty side, came to own Club Venus, and met the crazy beautiful Stevie Sinclair. Each book in the Quick and Dirty series is a self-contained story and does NOT end on a cliffhanger. #0.5 DIRTY, on sale now #1 DIRTY LITTLE LIES, on sale now #2 DIRTY LITTLE TRICKS, available now #3 DIRTY LITTLE SECRETS, available April 2016
Head Over Heels
Evie Snow - 2020
Every year, she watches her almost-prom-date-turned-famous-actor jog along the same beach where she writes her resolutions. But she never expected to actually have to talk to him…Cal Greyson’s acting career just took a sharp turn for the worse. After losing his bid to star in a blockbuster flick, his steady job at a soap opera is cut short in the most embarrassing way possible. It’s the cherry on the sundae when he falls down during his annual jog through his hometown beach. As the onlookers start recording with their smartphones, he’s rescued by the most surprising person imaginable…The former high school classmates hide out in Madeline’s house until the coast is clear. As they revisit the past, a little white lie Madeline spread about Cal in her youth may keep them from fantasizing about their future…
Nothing But Trouble
Lisa Mondello - 1999
So she strikes a deal. She has to spend a full month in the Wyoming wilderness and show her father she can handle being in a remote area while managing her Type 1 diabetes before he'll agree to fund the expedition to Africa and allow her to go. But her daddy isn't the only one convinced she'll fail... But she's not about to let any man underestimate what she can do. Especially not the sexy rodeo cowboy she's hired to help get her through the month in the wilderness.Yes, he knows what he's doing. But so does she! Yes, he's ruggedly handsome...well, he can't help that, can he? But no sexy cowboy is going to keep her down!Stoney Buxton needs to raise cash fast to save the family ranch after a barn fire injured his father and left the family finances in ruin. Re-entering the rodeo circuit seems like the best way to get the money he needs. That is until Melanie Summers shows up at his ranch flashing easy money. To everyone else, Melanie's offer seems like the answer to all his prayers. But one look at her long legs and pouting lips and Stoney knows this high society gal is going to be nothing but trouble...for his cowboy heart.Excerpt:His jaw tightened. Yes, there was something definitely wrong here. And money had nothing to do with it. It had everything to do with this beauty standing in front of him, who was clueless about what she was getting her pretty little hide into. "No," he replied tersely."Mr. Buxton, I need your help.""Tourist season is in full swing. I'm sure you'll have no trouble finding someone else." He turned his back to her and began walking along the fence toward the barn, almost forgetting... Abruptly, he glanced up and saw the charred remains of the barn. The place where all his troubles had started just one year ago. It hadn't taken but a second for him to hear her boots digging into the dusty gravel behind him, jarring him from his thoughts."Then I'll do it myself," she said to his back.His whole body stiffened. He angled back to read her face, to see if she was just being a spoiled rotten rich kid, trying to get her way, or if she was actually serious. Seeing her head held high and her arms crossed in front of her, he realized she was dead serious. And dead she'd be if she stepped one boot into those mountains alone."You'll do no such thing." Frustration flaring, he lifted his dusty hat and forced his fingers through the thick crop of black hair before returning the hat to his head. "You just don't get it, do you? You're not asking me to take you on a theme park ride where you'll get to see the wonders of the world at a nice safe distance. This is God's country. The creatures that live up there don't know civilization, and you are no better than them. You could--probably will--get killed if you go out there alone." His lips twitched, taking a good long appraising look at the woman in front of him. "You might even chip a nail on that pretty hand of yours."
The Old Ranger: A Texas Ranger Short Story
Donald L. Robertson - 2014
Chuck Nielson hung up his six shooter and retired from the Texas Rangers ten years ago, at one time the fastest draw west of the Mississippi. He loves two things, his wife and his ranch. Now the Sunset Kid is in town. He’s killed seven men—all seven died with the sun in their eyes. Chuck is number eight and the Kid has sent word for him to be in the town street at sunset. If Chuck meets the Kid, he risks everything; if he stays home he loses his self-respect, and the Kid goes on killing. This is a short story by Donald L. Robertson, the author of Logan’s Word: A Logan Family Western - Book 1.
Jane by the Book
Pepper D. Basham - 2018
Predictable and quiet, the inn helps Jane find a place to heal and celebrates her strengths, where she is promoted to head housekeeper. But an unexpected visit to Bath, England, upsets Jane's plans and sends her out of her comfort zone, directly into the harrowing path of historical detective author, Titus Stewart.The only plans Titus sticks to are family holidays and the ones that send him careening into his story worlds, but when an uptight and nervous innkeeper stumbles into his life - and his latest novel - nonfiction begins to take on a much more interesting gleam. As the unlikely pair delve into the mystery behind a one-hundred-and-fifty-year-old letter, will they both uncover a romance that stands the test of time?
Sigma Protocol
Michael Penmore - 2018
A killer on the loose. A woman without memory. Can she escape with her life - and answers? Disoriented and alone, Sigma wakes from enforced sleep with questions that need to be answered. Who is she? Where is she? How did she end up in this place? With only a cryptic message from the ship’s AI to guide her, the determined survivor sets out on a race against time to uncover the desperate story of Starship Copernicus and its crew. Sigma Protocol is the fast-paced first episode in the Jane Poole Genesis describing the beginnings of Jane Poole, aka Sigma. Breakneck-speed action, mysterious identities, shadowy conspiracies, starships, AIs, droids and adventures among the stars abound in this explosive short introduction to Michael Penmore’s page-turning series. Scroll up and click to engage the Sigma Protocol.