Book picks similar to
Lighting the Flames by Sarah Wendell


romance
contemporary
contemporary-romance
holiday

A New Tradition


Tonya Kappes - 2012
    . .…tiara tiaras and all.Holly's biggest client insists on having a Skype call on Christmas day to secure a deal of a lifetime, which is fine with her, because this year she's going to make a new tradition. ; Celebrating Christmas alone with her cat at her snowy remote family cabin as family and friends go their separate ways to celebrate the holiday.When things everything start starts to go array, Holly has to call on her hunky neighbor for help in order to secure the her deal of a lifetime. Will it all work out or will Holly pull the quilt over her head waiting for Christmas to be over?

Santa Wore Combat Boots


Barbara Witek - 2011
    Three years later she’s doing the best she can for her children and moving through life on autopilot. She doesn’t believe true love can happen twice in a lifetime. As a matter of fact, she doesn’t believe in much anymore. Putting her trust in one honest man might be just what she needs to move forward.Bound by duty Jake Nicklaus never imagined he’d cross the line and fall in love with the woman he swore he’d watch over. If only he’d died on that chopper instead of her husband, she wouldn’t be hurting. The only way to heal her heart is to show her how to live again. Finding the magic in Christmas is the perfect way to start.Will one kiss under the mistletoe change their lives forever?

The Naughty List


Ellie Mae MacGregor - 2020
    Kate isn’t sure if Nikolai is the real deal, but this silver fox with big hands and thick thighs might just make her believe in Christmas miracles.See if Kate has been naughty or nice in this light, fun, and steamy 15,000 word holiday romance with a guaranteed HEA.“I devoured this… It’s like a cup of cocoa, but if the tiny marshmallows were shaped like Santa boners” –Sierra Simone

Last Chance Christmas


Joanne Rock - 2015
    Seeking quiet for the holidays, Shea returns to the snowy mountains where she grew up to make peace with her past and spend time with her estranged family. She never expected old flame J.C. Royce—now a hockey star—would return to their hometown, too. After weathering a tough year, J.C. sees Shea's arrival in Cloud Spin, Vermont, as a holiday miracle after the way he broke things off with her long ago. JC hopes that Shea will give him another chance to explore the chemistry still simmering between them. When two hearts with a history have a chance to reconnect at Christmas, will love get one last shot?

If I Return


Sawyer Bennett - 2013
    At least, that’s what her sister tells her when she drags her off for an impromptu Christmas getaway in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Hope’s plans to keep her nose in a book the entire vacation are thwarted when she meets Jack Freeman, the gorgeous and enigmatic Army helicopter pilot staying at the same resort. What was supposed to be a quiet Christmas holiday turns into a life changing event for Hope and Jack. The only problem? Jack is headed off to war, and there is no guarantee he will come back.

Comfort Crossing Holiday Collection


Kay Correll - 2017
    (Books 2.5 & 3.5) THE CHRISTMAS COTTAGE A story of love, moving on, and a dog named Louie Veterinarian Holly Thompson accepts a temporary position in Comfort Crossing in an effort to escape all things Christmas. What she finds is a small town that embraces all things Christmas and a handsome neighbor with a small son who both capture her heart. Add to that their adorable pup, and she knows the holidays are not going to be what she planned. At all. Steve Bergeron is quite content being a single father. He’s not willing to risk his heart — or his son’s — on another woman who is sure to leave them. It’s quite clear Holly will be gone by the new year. But he finds himself willing to do anything to chase away the sadness that lurks in the depths of Holly’s eyes. This isn’t part of his carefully laid out plans. At all. When an accident on Christmas Eve forces them both to question their choices, can the magic of the season warm their hearts and bring love and joy back into their lives? THE CHRISTMAS SCARF Sometimes, Christmas wishes bring their own special magic… Missy Sherwood has always wished for one thing, to be a country singer. After trying to make it for years in Nashville, she returns to her hometown of Comfort Crossing, Mississippi, feeling like a misfit and a failure. But there’s no use in telling anyone the truth just yet—she’s here for longer than the holidays, she's home for good. Right? Dylan Rivers is glad to see his old friend return to town, not only to help him with the children’s Christmas pageant, but because her homecoming sparks long-forgotten but never acted upon feelings. But there is no use in acting on those feelings, she’s soon to head back to her fabulous career in Nashville. Right? Then a stranger comes to town and has Missy re-examining her dreams. She gets one final chance at stardom, and her life-long wish is within her grasp. Is there really magic in the stranger’s scarf, or is it in the power of knowing her heart’s true wish?

That Night with My Best Friend's Brother


J.S. Cooper - 2015
     Aiden Taylor is my best friend's brother. He's sexy, charming and drop dead gorgeous. He also doesn't know I exist as anything other than his little sister's best friend. However, I'm determined to change that. I'm Alice Waldron. Twenty-two, spunky, and adventurous. I'm willing to do whatever it takes for Aiden to notice me. And Liv, my best friend, is determined to help me as well. The only problem is that I have a small secret. A secret that could make my getting together with Aiden Taylor very complicated. A secret that could make more than one night with Aiden nothing more than a dream. NOTE: This novella is a free prequel to the full-length standalone novel Falling For My Best Friend's Brother, that will be released at the end of February. This novella will also be included in the full-length book when it is released, so you can read it first as a free download or you can read it as part of the novel on release day.

His to Take


Katee Robert - 2015
    Her blossoming career on Broadway tanked, forcing her to crawl back to home to Wellington. The icing on her failure cake? Her former on-again, off-again fling is in town, and the sexy Marine is taking up way too much space.Warren Davis always knew Erin was special, which is exactly why he can't have her. A girl like her deserves something permanent--something neither of them wants. But now that they're both back in town and she's right there in front of him, a challenge in her eyes he's never been able to resist, he's questioning everything.That challenge quickly escalates into an epic game of Truth or Dare. Erin's sure she's got him on lock, but as the night progresses, Warren's dares intensify, drowning her in lust. But with the past still breathing down their necks, there's no way either of them can win…

Beauty and the Geek


Sidney Bristol - 2016
    Monster. Disgusting. Gross. It's all he's ever known. Relationships suck when his date won't even go out in public with him, which is why he hasn't bothered. That is until her. The woman on the internet who gets his every quirk. He's hooked on a person he's never met. The way she gets his jokes, the uninhibited sexuality and…just talking to her. She's everything he's ever wanted, only she's a stranger. Unless he can convince her they should unplug and take their virtual relationship off-line. Tamara Roh has heard all the insults from slut to whore and they bore her. She refuses to let other people define her. Life's tough in the gaming industry, and if she can't handle a few insults the haters will chew her up and spit her out. Her only haven is with her friends and in one very explicit chat room. On-line she can be anyone she wants to, even the normal girl-next-door who just happens to get off on dirty talk, erotic gifs and video chats from the neck down. She might not be able to trust guys in real life to see past the Hot Asian Girlfriend stereotype, but with her internet beau anonymity is her safety net. The only problem is…she's falling for a man who thinks she's someone else.

You Can't Ruin Christmas


Olivia Noble - 2019
    He's going to volunteer his services as my personal trainer, so I can get a revenge body and make my ex regret leaving me. But during our long, sweaty sessions at the gym, I find myself becoming more and more attracted to Sven.His muscles are enough to make any girl swoon. He is sweet and caring with a panty-melting smile.Did I mention he's my ex's brother?Ignoring that, Sven might manage to save my Christmas from being an utter disaster, after all.Note: These are steamy Christmas rom-coms to bring some heat to your cold December. Filled with lots of giggles and super happy endings. Bite-sized reads that can be enjoyed quickly during the busy holidays!

Keeping Cole for Christmas


Tuesday Embers - 2018
     When Abigail’s childhood friend, Cole, comes back into town with a charming smile and the energy of a hurricane, Abigail’s frills-free life and carefully-made plans get very, very complicated. With Christmas around the corner, Abigail realizes that the uneventful path she planned for herself might not be the one she needs. After learning that her fiancé isn’t the man she hoped he’d be, leaving her meticulous life in shambles, Abigail starts to wonder if Cole’s spontaneous approach might lead to something far more spectacular.

Playing Santa


H.Y. Hanna - 2014
    until a house-sitting vacation in Australia rekindles the magic of Christmas. When she rescues a litter of abandoned puppies and meets a handsome veterinarian who captures her heart, she finds herself tempted to give up everything for a chance at love.The last thing billionaire Dr Nick Forrester expected when helping out at the animal hospital was to meet this pretty American. He knows that they belong together - but with malicious gossip and culture clash coming between them, can he convince Holly that all he wants for Christmas is her?* EACH NOVELLA CAN BE READ AS A STANDALONE, or read them in order for more fun! Characters you loved from past books often return to delight again in this sweet romance series set in Summer Beach, Australia.- Playing for Love (Summer Beach Vets #1) ~ Sara & Craig - Playing to Win (Summer Beach Vets #2) ~ Ellie & Dan - Playing by Heart (Summer Beach Vets #3) ~ Pippa & Matt- Playing the Fool (Summer Beach Vets #4) ~ Charlie & Todd- Playing Santa (Summer Beach Vets Christmas Special) ~ Holly & Nick

Fit


Rebekah Weatherspoon - 2014
    What she hates is her expanding waistline. Determined to drop the pounds, Violet hatches a plan to kick start a fitness regimen. But when her determination isn’t enough to get her through even one intense group class without breaking down into tears, she knows she needs a new approach and possibly a new trainer—one with a lighter touch.Grant Gibson has always managed to mix business with pleasure, but now this trainer by day, and Dominant by night, is bored. Bored and lonely. Even though he owns one of L.A.’s hottest private gyms, his personal life is sorely lacking. After his last submissive tried to kidnap his dog and the contents of his bank account, he’s in no hurry to take a new lover under his wing. Not until the voluptuous Violet falls into his lap.She may be wary of his unorthodox approach of using sexual gratification as a reward, but even before her initial weigh-in Violet can’t seem to stay away from the sexy fitness god. She may have to let Grant show her there’s more than one way to get in shape…

The Clause in Christmas


Rachael Bloome - 2019
    Especially this year. No job. Flat broke. And an ex most definitely on the naughty list.But the unexpected inheritance of a Victorian cottage in the idyllic town of Poppy Creek may be the miracle Cassie needs. Except for one problem: a clause in the will. Cassie must complete a series of festive tasks for each day in December leading up to Christmas. Overseen by the disarmingly handsome, Christmas-loving lawyer, Luke Davis. Luke is as strong and steady as the bespoke furniture he crafts as a hobby. He has to be. Stepping into his late father's shoes as the town lawyer comes with a sleigh full of responsibilities. Which means the alluring stranger collecting her inheritance is a distraction he can't afford.As the unlikely pair works together to complete the daily tasks, fighting their attraction becomes more futile than putting good ol' St. Nick on a diet. But when Cassie's ex reappears with the offer of a lifetime, she'll have to choose between love and the life she always wanted. Curl up with a cup of hot chocolate and visit a town that feels like home. This endearing, sweet romance will warm your heart and fill you will hope. A "must-read" year after year.

Kidnapped for Christmas


Evangeline Anderson - 2008
    She got all the common sense and her little sister Sabrina got all the skinny genes. When Sabrina plans a custom kinky kidnapping as a Christmas present for herself, Jillian tries to talk her out of it but her ditzy sister won’t listen. Muscular and intense, Kyle Stephens is a Dom who is looking for a permanent sub—a curvy woman who can submit in the bedroom but still think for herself. He takes Sabrina’s file but mistakenly ’naps the wrong sister, grabbing Jillian instead of Sabrina. Now Jillian is bound and gagged in a dungeon, learning to submit to the man of her dreams who has her...Kidnapped for Christmas. **This book was previously released with another publisher about 10 years ago. Since I have my backlist back from them, I am re-releasing it with a tasty new cover and the first chapter of my next Kindred Tales novel, Instructing the Novice. Hugs and Happy Reading, Evangeline 2018**