Book picks similar to
Dancing with the Enemy by Christiana Jones


romance
contemporary
heroines-reputation-is-on-the-line
ir-romance

Love on a Lark: an Italian love story


C.L. Donley - 2019
     African American savant Lark Chambers is young, beautiful and brilliant, an interpreter formerly trained by the United Nations. Fluent in seven languages, she's at the top of her game at Linguistics, Interpreting, Sign and Translation (LIST), the company that assigns her to Dario DiRossi, a multi-billion dollar textile heir, and currently her devastatingly handsome boss. DiRossi is no threat to her self control, however. As a product of the foster care system, Lark doesn't know the first thing about getting close enough to a man to trust him with her heart. But when a handsome stranger christens her first night in her favorite city of Florence with lovemaking, Lark finds herself confronting the turmoil behind her put- together exterior. And her latest assignment just might put her over the edge.

Beautiful Exiles


Meg Waite Clayton - 2018
    Headstrong, accomplished journalist Martha Gellhorn is confident with words but less so with men when she meets disheveled literary titan Ernest Hemingway in a dive bar. Their friendship—forged over writing, talk, and family dinners—flourishes into something undeniable in Madrid while they’re covering the Spanish Civil War.Martha reveres him. The very married Hemingway is taken with Martha—her beauty, her ambition, and her fearless spirit. And as Hemingway tells her, the most powerful love stories are always set against the fury of war. The risks are so much greater. They’re made for each other.With their romance unfolding as they travel the globe, Martha establishes herself as one of the world’s foremost war correspondents, and Hemingway begins the novel that will win him the Nobel Prize for Literature. Beautiful Exiles is a stirring story of lovers and rivals, of the breathless attraction to power and fame, and of one woman—ahead of her time—claiming her own identity from the wreckage of love.

Rose's Dark Contract


R.B. O'Brien - 2016
     Through meticulous planning and iron-clad contracts, Thorne has managed to maintain a modicum of balance, control, and happiness by employing personal assistants to aid him in all aspects of his professional and personal life. Sex with no strings attached. Obedience without questions. An arrangement of mutual benefit. No mess. No love. No expectations. Nothing beyond a signed contract. But when Thorne meets recent music grad, Victoria Rose, the shy and beautiful down-on-her-luck waitress, obsession replaces his carefully constructed thinking. He becomes so fixated on having her, without a full understanding of who she is, that he rushes her contract, making mistake after mistake before the ink even dries. His once neat and controlled existence becomes blurred and smudged. Can the mistakes he makes be erased from Rose’s dark contract? Or will the damage leave an indelible mark that nobody could have seen coming?

Happy Endings


Chantel Rhondeau - 2015
    Making his family's island resort a success is all that matters to this workaholic. Everything changes when he meets the beautiful new massage therapist ... Larissa Benner may have survived cancer, but its aftermath left plenty of problems besides the ever-looming fear of relapse. Her family nearly went bankrupt paying for her previous treatment. She desperately needs the full-time therapist position on the island and the benefits that come with it. The last thing she wants is problems with her boss, or a complicated office romance. It’s hard for her to resist Quinn’s charms — or his passionate side. However, Quinn is married to his job. The choice between love and work is tough for him to juggle, and has Larissa scared. If the cancer recurs, could she count on him to be there for her? Or would he leave her to face it alone, ending her relationship in tragedy?

7 Miles High


Leslie Pike - 2020
    Trust issues from ex-husband? Check.Meeting my soulmate on a plane to Cancun? Not what I expected. This bachelorette weekend was all about letting loose and having fun, not finding the man of my dreams. Guess you can’t pick when you find your soulmate. Oops. I’m not ready for another commitment, but Parker drives me crazy. One wild weekend in the tropics later, and I’ve found Parker’s the man that stands out from all the boys I’ve had before.But can we really last once this trip is over? I have my doubts, but Parker wants to take our relationship sky-high...ParkerI’m not a guy that likes to get serious. Flings are more my thing, and I know exactly how to satisfy any lady that crawls into my bed. But Natalie offers something more, and with one look at her, I know this bachelor’s getaway just became a romantic quest to chase down the girl of my dreams. We’ve got a strong connection, but Natalie’s trust issues have forced us to remain distant. I could never break her heart like her ex did. And I’m about to prove it.In all the right ways. The party’s just gotten started, but what Natalie and I have… it’s forever.I just have to convince her of that. ***The first novel in the Easy Street series, 7 Miles High is a contemporary romance of finding your true love on a plane, then never letting them go. Adventurous, funny, and full of heart, this love story by author Leslie Pike will have readers flying into an emotional rollercoaster of passion and new beginnings.

Just in Time


Veronica Maxim - 2015
    So I traded in my cheating husband for a one-way ticket to the land of gondolas, cobbled streets and…. sexy daring Italian men kissing me in doorways? Just one…one in particular… LUCA I’m used to it. Fast cars, glitzy galas and a few knockout supermodels on each arm. What I’m not used to is the bronze beauty I caught reveling in the sunlight. There’s something about the way she clings to me when I save her that makes me never want to let her go… Passport ready? Follow Kerry and Luca to Venice in Veronica Maxim's new billionaire romance series! A FREE BONUS copy of Falling For You, another Take Me To Europe Series book INCLUDED in this ecopy! Both are standalone books with no cliffhangers. This romance contains mature language and themes intended for 18+ audiences.

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.

Long Road Home


Mary Jane Morgan - 2015
    Leaving college, she returns home to find her younger sister mute with shock, her mother too depressed to function, and their beloved Thoroughbred horse ranch on the verge of going under. She’s barely arrived when she’s forced to accept help from Brett Dawson—the man who once broke her heart—when a marauding mountain lion threatens one of the prized horses they depend on for survival. Brett would rather be anywhere but the Swearingen ranch. Caught between his feelings for Megan and the powder keg of the ongoing feud between their families, he feels his only choice is to help Megan, regardless of the consequences. If it weren’t for Brett’s father, Megan’s dad might still be alive, and she wouldn’t be here now sacrificing her future to save her family’s ranch. As the long-simmering attraction between Megan and Brett resurfaces, it is threatened almost before it begins by dark family secrets swirling around them—secrets that turn to danger and could very well destroy not only their new beginning, but the lives of everyone they both love.

Perfectly Imperfect Mine (Garrison Brothers Book 1)


Amelia Shea - 2018
    Bounty hunter Trey Stone is in the small town of Cedar Bluff on a special assignment. The plan is to complete the job and head back home…until he meets Sadie.From the moment Stone comes into the diner where she works, she is obsessed. Their first encounter leaves her fearing for her life. A dead body and her own abduction have Sadie steering clear of Stone.They both try to resist their need and desire for one another, which proves too strong to deny.When Stone stakes his claim, the night is filled with intense passion and fulfilled fantasies. What began as primal lust has culminated into a deeper connection. As Sadie and Stone begin to fall in love, secrets still stand between them. Stone’s refusal to discuss his work has Sadie wondering what he’s hiding. Her curiosity leads her to look into Stone’s business, and the discovery of a side to his life Sadie may not be able to accept. When the truth comes out, she will have to decide.

About That Night


Scribble XO Books - 2016
    With his son's testimony tomorrow that's exactly what I expect will happen. What I'm not expecting is the stranger I met in the garden last night. He was everything I've ever wanted. But why did he disappear so suddenly? Shane Sure, I knew exactly what I was doing in that garden and I've always known I wanted her… When I agreed to testify against my father I knew that this would be a chance for me to finally get one night with her. I wonder what she'll think whens he finds out what I have in mind? ______ HIS LOVE Camilla I’ve heard the phrase “absence makes the heart grow fonder,” more times than I can count. But in his absence, I tried to move on. I’ve come to terms with my secrets. I've come to terms with my past. But coming face to face with Colin McShannon and those piercing blue eyes…it all came tumbling back…Is he sorry that he let me go? Would he still be if he knew my secret? Colin Camilla was the only girl I ever loved. When we were sixteen, our breakup shattered my world. I was so bitter I couldn't show her I cared. I threw myself into the only world I knew, one dominated by the sins of my father. My life was filled with money, crime and more women than I could count. I had no attachments, no responsibilities…and sadly, no future. When I see her tonight I'll make sure she knows I'm still hers - body and soul. ______ HIS PASSION Kiara The last thing my son and I needed were distractions. Patrick McShannon seems like everything a woman could ever want. He’s gorgeous and kind and rich…and my son adores him. But even with all of that going for him he has one thing going against him that I can’t ignore…he’s a man, and in my world, men mean trouble. As much as I want him I what if my ex finds out? Patrick I’m the oldest son of Braden McShannon, Boston’s most notorious crime boss. My father’s business has done its best to tear my family apart. I’ve had to be the strong one. I’ve had to be the one that held us all together. Now my father’s in jail and my brothers have met the women they want to spend their lives with and it’s finally my turn. When I met Kiara I knew almost instantly that she was the woman I’d been waiting for. But the past keeps on catching up - for both of us. ....and TWO more interracial bestsellers included! This collection is sure to keep you up at night! They are standalone stories. No cliffhangers. BONUS GIFT INSIDE! Intended for mature readers only.

Unforeseen Riot


Karen Renee - 2018
    Friends tried to get Mallory to get back into the swing of things; but it isn’t until she meets Riot MC biker, Cal Robertson, when Mallory begins to live again. The chemistry between Mallory and Cal is volatile from the beginning, and when Cal offers her a ride on his motorcycle, Mallory cannot refuse. Soon after meeting Cal, Mallory’s home is burglarized. Police attribute it to teenage gang activity, but Cal Robertson finds out about the home invasion and insists on helping Mallory put the pieces back together. Mallory agrees to a date with Cal, which goes awry when Cal must take Mallory to his club’s compound so he can fulfill his duty as the club’s Sergeant at Arms. Even though Mallory is physically attracted to Cal, she knows she doesn’t fit in with his biker lifestyle. Mallory’s relationship with Cal has a rough start, but the two of them cannot stay away from one another. After an attempt by a rival MC to abduct Mallory she finds herself all but living with Cal. There are many things she doesn’t understand about his lifestyle and his world, but she understands she’s quickly developing feelings for this over-protective alpha male. Cal “Callous” Robertson has been a patched member of the Riot MC for the past nineteen years, and the Sergeant-at-Arms for the last eight. He’s fascinated by the spunky brunette, Mallory Pierce, who is one of the only women to push his buttons. He doesn’t believe the police explanation of teenagers being behind the burglary, mainly because after eleven years in the foster care system he knows about being a troubled teen. He thinks Mallory’s mother-in-law is behind the break-in, but at such an early point in their relationship Cal keeps that to himself. When a member of a rival MC shows interest in Mallory, Cal can no longer deny his attraction to her. Cal is determined to protect Mallory, and get to know her better along the way. The more he finds out, the more he wants her in his life. Permanently. When Mallory is abducted from Bike Week right under Cal’s nose, he finds he cannot live without this spitfire woman in his life, and he’ll do whatever he has to in order to get her back.

The Blame Game


Tracie Delaney - 2019
    Especially when you fall for the one you set out to destroy.Indie Monroe was supposed to ruin Jax. Not fall for him. But his family has to pay for their sins, regardless of her heart.Jax Brook lost everything—his parents, his place at Juilliard, and his identity. For twelve years, he set aside his own happiness for the sake of his family. Finally, his time has arrived, except the gorgeous, seductive Indie Monroe isn't what she seems.Beneath the professional façade, Indie is hiding a secret that will forever change the course of Jax’s life. Possibly even end it.But as she and Jax grow closer, Indie begins to have second thoughts about the path she is destined to walk.Which course will she choose? And will Jax’s love be strong enough to forgive her?The Blame Game is a complete standalone and part of a series. Buy your copy today, and step into the world of the Brook Brothers.The Brook Brothers SeriesThe Blame Game – Jax and IndieAgainst All Odds – Calum and LaurellaHis To Protect – Cole and MillieWeb of Lies – Nate and Dex

Perdition House: Part 1


Bonnie Edwards - 2007
    Previously published under the title Midnight Confessions... Ghost stories are not always frightening. Sometimes they’re cheeky, naughty and often erotic… When Faye Grantham inherits Perdition House, her family’s secret shame, she expects to sell the property for millions and marry her long time fiancé. But the spirits who still reside in the mansion have other ideas. Trapped in the bordello, the women who lived and worked there wait to tell their stories to Faye. The “girls” don’t just hang around waiting. They control Faye’s libido, influence her decisions and drive her into the arms of two very different men. Liam Watson wears comfort like most men wear cologne. With an interest in adventurous sex, he’s more man than he first seems. Mark McLeod is a strong, decisive businessman who was not meant to be more than a hot one-night stand. But Mark is in no hurry to end their liaison, and hopes to continue Faye’s lessons in sensuality. As Faye becomes enthralled with the mansion, she’s embroiled in a life-changing situation that has her re-examining her engagement, her business decisions, and her beliefs about herself. As the spirits reveal themselves one by one, Faye learns their stories: how they came to Perdition House, why they joined the women there and some of the secrets that only a high-class bordello could hold. But can decades-old secrets affect Faye’s life today?

Guarding Light: Book 1 of the Dark Series trilogy


Cate McKoy - 2013
     Jack Gard and Catlyn Lyte’s budding romance begins in high school. Although Jack cares for Catlyn, he refuses to get into a relationship with Catlyn because of her age. Then Catlyn is assaulted, and her world is torn apart when Jack sides with his best friend, giving him an alibi. Devastated, Catlyn flees Newburgh, NY. Twenty-five years later, someone is assaulting and killing young, African-American women in Chief of Detectives Jack Gard’s hometown. Working against an escalating killer, Jack requests help from a special division of the FBI. Enter Supervisory Special Agent Catlyn Lyte. She has always done her job well but is wary of working with someone she doesn't trust. Nevertheless, Sparks fly between the two officials as Catlyn puts herself in the path of their quarry. Can two ex-friends try to bury their differences to solve, not only the mystery of the Newburgh Slasher, but also the mystery that ruined their budding romance twenty-five years ago?

Mollie McQueen is NOT Getting Divorced


Lacey London - 2018
     Her marriage to Max was the first thing to come under scrutiny and on one sexless night in May, Mollie decided that their relationship was over. However, when a grouchy divorce lawyer convinces Mollie there’s a chance she could bow out of this life being eaten alive by a pack of cats, she starts to search for an alternative. Opening the can of worms that is her marriage makes Mollie realise she might not be as blameless as she initially thought… Will Mollie be able to rescue her marriage or has the lure of a life without wet towels on the bed turned her head? One thing is for sure… Mollie McQueen is NOT getting divorced. Praise for LACEY LONDON... "One of my favourite books of the year!" "An eye-opening, thoroughly enjoyable and very relatable read." "I honestly couldn't put this book down!" "Entertaining, sometimes desperately sad, very often uplifting and hugely life-affirming." "Another magnificent achievement for Lacey's remarkable pen. I'll never forget it." "A highly addictive roller coaster ride!"