Book picks similar to
Masque of Red Death by Kenya Wright


interracial
romance
romantic-suspense
suspense

Caged


D.H. Sidebottom - 2016
    After an extensive search he was never found. Twenty-one years after a random call out, Judd is found chained and beaten in the basement of an old rundown farmhouse where he has lived the life of an animal for the last twenty-one years. Kloe Grant is assigned as Judd’s personal therapist. It’s her job to rehabilitate him, to guide him back to normal life. But as Judd’s only emotion is rage, Kloe finds it both heart-breaking and challenging mending a soul that’s not only broken but caged inside him by the demons of his past. However, when Kloe’s relationship with her patient raises some eyebrows, Kloe can’t fight against the powers that want to see her fail, and with an arm behind her back, she walks away, leaving behind a man who has come to live life again for her. Four years later Judd, now known as Anderson Cain, the darkest and most formidable cage fighter in a world where violence and crime are the only way to keep breathing, Judd finds there’s not a lot in life that can abate the rage that still twists and prowls beneath his skin. Not until a chance encounter brings him to her door. To the woman with the bluest eyes and the most stunning smile, the woman who took his hand in the darkness and led him through the door into the sun. But Kloe Grant left him when he needed her the most. She took the only shred of hope and trust he had left and annihilated it. She starved his belief, and she fed his fury. She owes him. And he’s going to make sure that this time, she pays. In blood. In lust. In pain. And with her soul.

Hate Me


Ashley Jade - 2021
    The bully you can't run away from. I'm the tormentor who makes your life a living hell. The villain you love to hate.I'm the vicious stepbrother sleeping in the next room.The one who knows all your secrets. And I'll stop at nothing to make you pay.WARNING: This book is recommended for mature readers due to graphic language, sexual content, and dark elements.

Cloak and Dagger


Nenia Campbell - 2012
    When a hacker breaks into their computer's mainframe, they send Michael out to finish off the loose ends. But so far, there's just one lead to go on. The hacker's daughter, Christina Parker.Christina seems like any other high school senior. And she is — until she gets kidnapped by a group of people who think she's the key to the malicious code that has infected their mainframe system and she is plunged into a world where the lines between right and wrong are blurred beyond all recognition and terror knows no bounds. What do you do when the odds are against you, and the stake is your life?As she quickly learns, there are good guys and there are bad guys. Sometimes Michael's one, sometimes he's the other--but usually he's both. And right now he's the only one who can save her.Cover design by Louisa.

Eyewitness


Phoenix Daniels - 2016
    She was disgruntled, not because she didn’t love her job, but because she was fed up with the slippery politics associated with the department. Yet, she donned her uniform every day, wearing it with pride, and patrolling the dangerous streets of The Windy City. Her life was fairly simple until she encounters Victor Creed, the sexy, stop your heart, drop-dead gorgeous Governor of Illinois. The moment they laid eyes on one another, there was a fiery attraction that they were unable to suppress. Victor and Taylor contemplated the possibility of pursuing a relationship. Unfortunately for the couple, there was no shortage of enemies. Due to the unforeseen and unconstitutional shooting of an unarmed man, Taylor must make the choice between telling the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, at the risk of being ostracized by the very people that she depended on for backup, or go along with the program and lie. Will the governor run in order to protect his political career? Or will he stand with Taylor as she battles the department, the media, and other unknown enemies?

Trapped in You


Nia Arthurs - 2020
    Except the main lead isn’t supposed to fall for an extra.The harder Hawk pursues me, the more the movie changes, bringing dire consequences and painful revelations.​Time is running out but, when I find a way to escape that world, I make a startling discovery. I've fallen for Hawk.Now, I'm faced with a heartbreaking choice. Do I stay or do I go?Trapped In You is a standalone BWWM science fiction romance, featuring a cocky hero and a fiesty black woman who charges through him like a hurricane.

Distorted Love


T.L. Smith - 2018
    Hated him from the age of eighteen. He disappeared at the age of nineteen. We started off as enemies, then fast became lovers. But our story isn’t a happily ever after. It was a story of a king and a peasant. Can you guess which I was? I knew we weren’t meant to be. You see, he fell in love with her first. He loved me last.I'm not someone's second choice.Not even for the boy who stole my heart. I'm someone's first. Now, I just have to remember that.

Death Angel


Linda Howard - 2008
    In Death Angel, bad girls can wake up and trust their hearts, bad guys can fight for what’s right . . . and dying just might be the only way to change one’s life.A striking beauty with a taste for diamonds and dangerous men, Drea Rousseau is more than content to be arm candy for Rafael Salinas, a notorious crime lord who deals with betrayal through quick and treacherous means: a bullet to the back of the head, a blade across the neck, an incendiary device beneath a car. Eager to break with Rafael, Drea makes a fateful decision and a desperate move, stealing a mountain of cash from the malicious killer. After all, an escape needs to be financed.Though Drea runs, Salinas knows she can’t hide–and he dispatches a cold-blooded assassin in hot pursuit, resulting in a tragic turn of events. Or does it?Left for dead, Drea miraculously returns to the realm of the living a changed woman. She’s no longer shallow and selfish, no longer steals or cheats or sells herself short. Both humbled and thrilled with this unexpected second chance, Drea embraces her new life. But in order to feel safe and sound–and stop nervously looking over her shoulder–she will need to take down those who marked her for death.Joining forces with the FBI, supplying vital inside information that only she can provide, Drea finds herself working with the most dangerous man she’s ever known. Yet the closer they get to danger, the more intense their feelings for each other become, and the more Drea realizes that the cost of her new life may be her life itself–as well as her heart.

Illusion


J.S. Cooper - 2014
    Cooper introduces the Swept Away series—three new, dark and sexy romances about a woman marooned on a desert island with a mysterious stranger—but is he friend or foe?The day started like every other day... Bianca London finds herself kidnapped and locked up in a van with a strange man. Ten hours later, they’re dumped on a deserted island. Bianca has no idea what’s going on and her attraction to this stranger is the only thing keeping her fear at bay. Jakob Bradley wants only to figure out why they’ve been left on the island and how they can get off. But as the days go by, he can’t ignore his growing fascination with Bianca. In order to survive, Bianca and Jakob must figure out how they’re connected, but as they grow closer, secrets are revealed that may destroy everything they thought they knew about each other.

Bully King


J.A. Huss - 2020
    And the secret society that meets deep in the woods is even more exclusive. Only a select few will get in during the summer rush--and Cadee Hunter wants to be one of them. Too bad it's Cooper Valcourt's mission to make sure she fails. Bully boys.Arrogant tyrants.Blue-blood bastards.Call them whatever you want.Around here, we just call them Kings.Fancy boats.Lakeside mansions.Luxe watches and bespoke suits.The Kings of High Court College act like Gods.And Cooper Valcourt is the worst of them.He is the bully king.His family owns everything.And his mission is to put me in my place and send me packing.But Cooper and I have a history filled with secrets.And everyone knows that power doesn’t come from having money.It comes from holding secrets.And I’m holding one of his.A very dark secret that can bring him to his knees.***** Bully King is new-adult, dark, bully romance from New York Times bestselling author JA Huss featuring boys with power and girls at their mercy. It’s a campus shrouded in lies and a summer rush into an elite society that can propel a poor girl straight into the ruling class.If… she’s willing to pay the price.

Perfect


Eve Vaughn - 2018
    Having survived a traumatic childhood, she takes life one day at a time. Never expecting much, she counts each accomplishment she achieves as a victory. The last thing she expected was to find herself the object of a sexy doctor’s dark affections. All he knew was darkness… To the outside world, Dr. Asa Stansfield’s life was perfect but behind closed doors, he hides a killer secret. When he lays eyes on Jamie, he sees a kindred spirit. And he’ll stop at nothing to have her. But when Jamie learns of Asa’s monster secret, will she let it tear them apart or will she allow the darkness of his love to consume them both?

Creole Kingpin


Meghan March - 2020
    That’s exactly what I am, but I can’t stay away from Magnolia Marie Maison for one more day, let alone another year.We’ve already got fifteen of those between us.As it stands, she’ll want to kill me as soon as she lays eyes on me. And knowing her, she’s completely up to the task.But I’m a man on a mission, and I’ve got everything riding on this.So, here I come, Magnolia. This ghost is ready for whatever you got.After all, there’s only one way I want this to end—’til death do us part.

The Land Where Sinners Atone


V.F. Mason - 2020
    Mine to destroy. I used to have it all. Successful career. Loving husband who adored me. A future full of possibilities. A perfect fairytale nothing could break. Until one day, life as I knew it was crushed into tiny little pieces. I was charged with a murder I didn't commit. And no matter how much I begged for justice, no one believed me. Least of all the man who promised to stand by me through anything. And the husband of the woman I allegedly killed? He vowed for me to live in a hell on earth–and even then it wouldn’t be enough to atone for my sin. His words rang in my ears every single day as life became an endless nightmare.With time, I grew to hate him so much my heart burned from it. Until three years later new evidence was found. And everyone believed my truth. I might be free but I’m still part of a twisted game the monster is playing. And the only way I can survive in it? Trust a man who I promised to hate till my last breath.

His Private Dancer


Karyn Langhorne - 2021
    On the run from that disastrous relationship, the last thing Sahara needs is another billionaire bad boy... but Fate has other plans. When an anonymous fling with a quirky stranger turns into something more, Sahara is shattered to learn that her mystery man is none other than Hugh Lindsay the eccentric tech billionaire—a man, even richer and more powerful than the last one.Can Hugh convince her to look past all that money and love him for himself, or will Sahara’s fears about the power of billions keep her from the joys of performing for an audience of one?

Reinoso (El Rey Book 1)


Brooklyn Knight - 2020
    He’s hard, he’s ruthless and has sealed the fates of many in the bloody streets of his city; but when he lays eyes on la hermosa Fallon Thurgood, he recognizes that she’s everything he’s never had.And he must have her.When threats present themselves from even the most unexpected angles, El Rey finds himself entangled in a web of deception, all to protect the woman he loves from a sinister truth.Sometimes, lies must be told to keep what you want, and Andres will do anything to keep his Falloncita; because losing her is not an option.

My Addiction


S.K. Lessly - 2015
    Oh, I've wanted him since forever. He's just amazing. He's that perfect man you can't help but dream about. He has an amazing heart. He'll do anything for you. He has a smile that will make you melt where you stand. He has a body that's sheer perfection. And his eyes, oh man, they can look through your soul and strip you bare until you have no choice but to give yourself to him. It's a power he's had over me since the first day we met. Hands down, ladies, he's fine as hell. Oh, and his lips, goodness, I can't forget those. Let me tell you, the moment he touches you with his lips, you instantly cream. You can't help it. The feeling he generates is like no other. With just the simplest touch, he can make you soak with a need that only he can satisfy. He can effortlessly bring nothing but sweet ecstasy and pure desire all through your body.Do you see why I want him? He's my addiction, and I crave him with every second I draw breath.So why can't I have him? It's simple; I don't deserve him. You see I've had an opportunity to make him mine forever, and I blew it. I blew it so bad that I don't know if he'll ever give me another chance. But, oh, if he does, I promise you; I won't waste it.Brad...I've never met anyone like this woman. She had me the first day I laid my eyes on her. She's beautiful. No doubt about it; she's a goddess. She has curves that I can't keep my hands off of. Her skin is smooth like melted chocolate on your fingers. She has an unbelievable spirit and fierce loyalty that you'd want in your corner. Did I say she's sexy as shit? She turns me on with just the sheer thought of her. My favorite part of her are those lips of hers. Damn, I want to kiss her all the time. I can't get enough of her taste. She's made for me, I know this... I'm not denying that.I've been in love with her since before I even knew she existed. She's my best friend. I can't live without her. I just don't know if that's enough, if my love for her is enough. I want to give her a second chance, but I don't know if she's ready. They say that you only give second chances if a person has learned from their mistakes. What if she hasn't?What do you do when the one you love has an addiction stronger than you? Do you fight for her or do you let it consume you both? Life is about second chances. The question is can we survive?