Book picks similar to
Christmas on Maplewood Mountain by Elizabeth Bromke


romance
contemporary
tbr-freebies
love-at-first-sight

Married to the Assassin Boss


Coco Shawnde - 2020
    

One Christmas aboard the Grand Islander


Amie Denman - 2017
    His life runs on a neat, orderly schedule until he re-unites with Allison Worthy. She was just a kid when Thurman left for life on the high seas. Now, she’s a vivacious and beautiful woman who threatens to turn his world upside-down. And the worst thing is…he has to work with her. Allison, cruise director on the ship’s maiden voyage, takes one look at grown up Thurman Swain and swoons. He’s become exactly what she’s looking for in a man, except he might be a little too concerned about what others think. The intimate confines of a ship at sea soon brew a romance between the captain and the cruise director. They conduct a clandestine love affair until Allison wants to bring their love out into the bright southern sun. When former lovers meet again on a holiday cruise, are they ready to face their past and their future... Murphy Gilbert has few regrets. His family owns a luxurious small cruise ship line, and he’s on the maiden voyage of the newest ship doing what he loves. As the company photographer and digital media specialist, the Christmas cruise on the Grand Islander should be just the right combination of work and play. However, as the ship leaves Charleston, he discovers a woman from his past on board. Losing her is one of his few regrets, but resisting her on a two-week cruise may be wonderfully impossible. After graduating from college with an art degree, Cecelia took off to Europe to study with the masters. She left behind her best friend Murphy, but not before a passionate but unwise fling with him the week before graduation. Now four years later, her work takes her aboard the Grand Islander and into the path of the dark-eyed man she hasn’t been able to forget. Letting herself fall for him means revealing a secret that will hurt them both, and Cecelia must risk everything before New Year’s Eve.

Angel Falls


Tess Thompson - 2019
    He walks straight into the life of Magdalena Morales, a proud, headstrong woman trying to keep her family’s centuries-old legacy out of the hands of a ruthless enemy. An enemy who isn’t afraid to kill to get what he wants. Magdalena was raised lovingly by her great-grandmother, Bella Morales, a psychic and tarot reader. When Bella invites the rugged, intense stranger into their lives, Magdalena reluctantly agrees. She decides to trust Bella’s judgment this time because ignoring Bella’s advice in the past came with a high price. Russell resists becoming involved in the lives of an old witch woman and a dark-haired Hispanic beauty. He prefers to be left alone and to get as far away from any reminders of his past as possible. Despite his best intentions, Magdalena and Bella draw him into a life he has never known, and he vows to protect these women at any cost. Trust develops between them, and with Russell’s help, Magdalena’s future looks bright. Then, an unimaginable truth from Russell’s past confronts her, and she is forced to choose between the man she loves and the cold hard facts.

Hidden Heart


Measha Stone - 2014
    He’s a man with determination.And after one evening with Jessica, he’s determined to claim her as his. Jessica is perfectly content keeping relationships casual. She’d rather fall in lust than love. And one glance at Royce- she’s definitely in lust. But Royce doesn’t kiss and bail. Jessica may try to hide behind a thick wall, but he senses the fires burning hot. If he has to break through kiss by kiss, he will.

Before You: Standalone Contemporary Romance


Eve Cates - 2015
    Stay with me. Just until I don’t need you anymore…’ When Willa Henderson flew to Chicago, she was just supposed to pack up her brother’s apartment and ship everything inside it back to LA. That included packing up his roommate's things up as well. It was a big ask, but Dave was her big brother, so Willa agreed. The last thing she was expecting was to run into said roommate - the intense German named, André Bauer, a photojournalist who was supposed to be in Afghanistan working for the next few weeks - on her first night there. She also wasn’t expecting him to throw her out on her a** without even trying to let her explain who she was and why she was there. Let’s just say it was…hate at first sight. From the moment they met, they didn’t like each other, and neither of them really had any interest in changing that fact. But one thing they did know, was that they were unequivocally attracted, and it didn’t take too long for them to collide. With both of them screwed up by their pasts, neither of them could handle a relationship if they tried - André is a self-confessed a**hole. Willa is a self-confessed commitment-phone and gets angry whenever she feels. Then there's Willa’s brother, who could very well kill André if he found out he’d slept with his sister. But, when desires go unchecked, there’s little that can change the outcome, and eventually Willa and André agreed to give in – just until they got each other out of their system. They expected it would take a week, maybe two. Then they could walk away without anyone getting hurt. Before each other, that arrangement might have worked out, but there was something there - an intensity they couldn't explain. As layers are peeled back and secrets are revealed, they find themselves in a state of need that neither was prepared for... Before You is a standalone contemporary romance with no cliffhanger and its own HEA.

A Fearless Governess For The Forsaken Duke


Emma Linfield - 2020
    Her silver lining comes in the form of a governess position in the employ of a Duke.Still traumatized by his wife’s accidental death, Benedict De Clare, Duke of Tradegrove, has become obsessed with collecting perfect portraits of women that resemble her. That is until he finds himself falling in love with the most disheveled governess he has ever met.With the Duke slowly mending his relationship with his estranged son, Lucretia and Benedict’s blossoming love bridges the social chasm between them.However, as tensions rise among the staff and Lucretia finds herself on the receiving end of vicious threats, up-until-then hidden clues are tied to the late Duchess’ accident. And the only person who can save Lucretia's life has no tongue to speak…Emma Linfield's 25th book is a historical Regency romance novel of 80,000 words (around 400 pages). No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a sweet happily ever after.

Love at Coco Bay


Kirsty McManus - 2021
    With a recent promotion from receptionist to co-assistant manager—not to mention the ongoing opportunity to live and work with her best friends—everything is perfect.Well, except for one tiny thing. Sasha has never had much luck in the boyfriend department, and the only guy she’s ever been interested in is event planner Dash, a Channing Tatum lookalike who is oblivious to her affections.But when a resort guest insists that Sasha work with Dash on an upcoming wedding, they are suddenly thrust into a three-month-long high-pressure environment. Sasha can no longer hide from Dash, and Dash has no option but to get to know Sasha.As expected, things get off to a rocky start, and when a mystery investor arrives at the island, the situation only gets worse. Sudden changes in the corporate hierarchy and bizarre managerial decisions mean that not only the wedding, but the entire resort’s future is in jeopardy.Can Sasha survive the chaos, make the wedding a success, and end up with her dream guy?She’s going to try.

Meatloaf And Mistletoe


Katie Mettner - 2018
    They’ve spent years ignoring their feelings for each other, but this Christmas, the townspeople of Bells Pass, Michigan have a plan. It won’t be easy, but they’ll work together to teach Ivy and Shep to stop ignoring their hearts’ desires and explore their love. It will take an old spinster, an infamous diner, a mysterious man, and a hefty dose of Christmas wishing to get them under the mistletoe. Once there, they’ll let a dash of good old Christmas magic do the rest.

When A Thug Has Feelings


Senoj - 2017
    When her parents found out, they decided to uproot them to another city. After losing contact with Dreon, she experienced her first heartbreak and decided to shift her focus back on her education. Now twenty-three, Niya is in her final year of law school, but over the years she continued to experience the short end of any relationship she was in, including the relationship with her parents. She finally accepts that her heart has never fully healed, but that all changes once she sees Dreon again. She doesn’t know how he will feel about the secret she’s been keeping from him. Dreon Carter was known for the havoc he wreaked growing up. But after being abandoned by his mother on his grandmother’s steps, he was angry and released that anger on other kids. Sometimes, even letting Niya tag along. Barely graduating high school, due to poor attendance, he went into the streets full time and was now known by the street name Menace. He ended up serving some time in prison, but now at twenty-five, he is the king of the dope game in Cleveland, running the streets with his right-hand man, Renzo. He has a two-year-old daughter by a crazy baby mama who’s set on being a pain in his ass and causing friction between him and Niya. Along with running the streets, he’s trying to run his home, but with the streets and his home life trying to cross, he runs into problems. The bond of Menace and Niya is undeniably unbreakable, but is Niya strong enough to be the woman of a thug, going against everything she’s about, and dealing with the drama that comes along? Can Menace avoid the pressures of the street life and be the man Niya wants him to be, while also not giving up his streets, or will it all be too much?

His Shock Baby


Holly Rayner - 2021
    

Christmas at Holly Wreath Inn


Rachael Eliker - 2019
    She slammed the door in his face. Only their mutual dislike of Christmas will bring them together. Billionaire Ethan Wilder has a lot of reasons to hate Christmas, but being dumped by his cheating fiancée and ending up in Holly Wreath, Wyoming to hide out is currently the biggest. The next person on the receiving end of his bad attitude is the waitress serving him cold diner food.Olivia Campbell hates waitressing but has to do something to pay the bills when customers at her bed and breakfast are slow. She puts on a happy face for her daughter, but after her husband walked out on them right before Christmas five years earlier, the season holds painful memories. To make matters worse, she opens her front door to discover her new houseguest is the cantankerous man from the diner with the gorgeous hazel eyes.Living in close quarters should be unbearable, but as they share some of the simple pleasures of the holidays together, Olivia and Ethan find themselves enjoying Christmas for the first time in a long time—but when Olivia discovers just who Ethan is, they’re reminded they come from two very different worlds. Will this Christmas produce a miracle that will keep them together? ★★★ Includes Olivia's secret hot chocolate recipe at the end of Ethan and Olivia's happily ever after★★★

A Christmas Collection


Patrice Wilton - 2016
    Car trouble lands them in a magical town called Heaven, PA. Everything about this sweet place seems too good to be true, especially Nick Ryan, a local chef with a heart as big as her own. His sensual smile tempts her from mourning the loss of her dear husband, to look into the future. Can her dreams of finding happiness again come true, or will her heart hide safely in the past? SOMEONE TO LOVE --Allison Cornwall was forced to leave her hometown in Connecticut and live life on the run from an ex-boyfriend turned stalker. She changed her name and hunkered down in Heaven, PA. The small, idyllic town was— a safe haven where no one could find her. And yet, after a year and a half of peace, he did. Police Chief Ian Brown is determined to keep crime out of Heaven. When Ally fears for her life, he's there to protect. Recently divorced, he's not looking for love, but this innocent young woman touches his heart. Can they put their pasts behind them and open themselves to the miracle of Christmas—learning once again to trust and to love? KISS ME SANTA --Widowed teacher, Cindy Harris, takes her son to meet Santa at the mall, but instead of jolly Saint Nick, they get grumpy Brad Williams. He’d stepped into the red suit to help out his brother, not promise the impossible, like deliver a daddy by Christmas. Brad is the new real estate agent Cindy hired to sell her family home, and sparks fly between them. Will the magic of Christmas open their hearts, and offer the best gift of all: love?

His Love Got Me On Lock


Tay Mo'Nae - 2017
    When the abuse from her foster father begins to escalate, Dynasty has to leave the situation. Out in the streets, naïve and on her own Dynasty’s situation goes from bad to worse when she is rescued by Dymitri. For five years, Dynasty is trapped in a mentally and emotionally abusive dead end relationship. Besides her best friend Miracle, Dynasty feels alone in a cold, cruel world. After being setup for a murder he didn’t commit and spending the last five years in jail, Safaree is ready to get his life back on track. Upon his release from the penitentiary he jumps head first back into the streets; his ultimate goal is to take down the man who set him up. When Dynasty and Safaree meet the vibe between the two of them is undeniable. Dynasty starts to feel whole again with someone other than Miracle by her side and Safaree sees Dynasty as not only a blessing but a means to an end. The only problem is Safaree has a secret that will have Dynasty questioning everything. Miracle has her own struggles in life and vows to never fall in love after everything she’s been through in the past. If she was to even consider falling in love, a man in the streets would not be her ideal mate. Ryan however is looking to change Miracles way of thinking. His focus has always been on his daughter and making money in the streets after spending is whole life in foster care but now he is trying to add Miracle to his priority list. The danger of Ryan’s street dealing may be more than Miracle can handle though. Will Safaree’s secret be big enough to push Dynasty back into Dymitri’s abusive arms or will she finally walk away? Will Dymitri even allow Dynasty to leave or will she pay the ultimate price? Can Ryan convince Miracle to give street love a chance even if it can be dangerous? Find out as these couples experience the highs and lows of life and relationships in His Love Got Me on Lock.

Frost Bite: A Cold Love After All


Tyanna - 2021
    

Well...THAT Was Awkward


Megan Montgomery - 2020
    Medallion!John and Em meet on the boardwalk as the moonlight dances off the Chesapeake Bay.She thinks he’s gorgeous and comes down with a case of instalove.He thinks she’s a panhandler and gives her five dollars.The embarrassment is enough to send Em running for a life makeover. The only problem is, she’s spent the last decade looking after everyone else in her little town and now she’s totally forgotten how to self-care.Adding to that garbage heap of a situation is tonight’s blind date.Of course it turns out to be the man who mistook her for homeless. And, of course, he’s a Navy test pilot stationed a stone’s throw away from her antiques shop. All the whiskey and chocolate in the café can’t help the awkwardness between Em and this cold and stoic modern-Mr. Darcy.Fortunately, their tiny, tight-knit community won’t let one (or two) bad nights come between what everyone knows might just be an uncannily perfect couple.When they both let down their guard, Em and John’s chemistry creates more sparks than a jet's afterburners, but there’s a lot to lose if she tries—and fails—at this relationship.Unless she decides to trust John to help her navigate, Em might be stuck circling the runway in a loveless holding pattern.