Book picks similar to
Going Up? by Whitney Dineen


romance
giveaways
shelf-d-authors
short-story

Accidental Bride and Groom


Iris Abbott - 2012
    Here the weather is hot and the cowboys and ranchers are even hotter! Something must be in the water, because a rash of weddings is about to hit the good folks of Rancher's Bend!Emma hasn’t had the easiest life. An abusive and alcoholic father taught Emma to guard her heart. She doesn’t do relationships. She doesn’t believe in commitment. And she doesn’t give her trust easily. One of the very few people to earn her trust and friendship is Lynn James.Now Emma’s best friend is getting married in two weeks. Emma returns to the James family ranch to assist with last minute wedding details. The first sign that things might not go as planned occurs when the bride meets Emma at the airport. The bride and groom are going to Mexico City as part of an earthquake search and rescue mission. That leaves Emma, and Lynn’s older brother to handle any wedding issues.Well-laid plans quickly deteriorate. Lynn and Bruce are incommunicado. Emma and Landon are forced to spend more and more time together as they try to salvage Lynn's wedding plans. Now thanks to fate and a series of small disasters, the wedding is becoming custom made for Emma and Landon.The chemistry between Emma and Landon is explosive, and they fight the rising attraction. Both have avoided serious relationships for very different reasons. That's about to change. The more time they spend together, the closer they become. Will they be able to overcome their insecurities and lack of trust? Do they love each other enough to become the accidental bride and groom?

Blue Harmony (My Day Book 1)


Mary Kelly Reed - 2018
     MY DAY IS A SERIES - HOWEVER EACH BOOK CAN BE READ AS A STANDALONE NOVEL Amy is tired of sabotaging all of her relationships because of Ethan. He broke her heart years ago, and she let him get away unscathed. It’s time for her to confront him and rewrite the past. Determined to set things right, she flies away with her friends for the blue skies of Santorini to carry out her plan; a plan that begins to collapse as soon as she crosses Ethan’s gaze. Surprise guests and an idyllic romantic setting will further complicate her designs. Is she right to insist, or will stirring up the past prove to be a dangerous game? EXCERPT “Good morning, Zoe, Allison ... Amy.” Why does a shiver go through me when he utters my name? It’s like he … “You look like you didn’t sleep well. I hope it wasn’t because of me.” “I don’t see why it would be because of you. Your kiss didn’t perturb me to the point of staying awake all night.” “I just wanted to make sure our walk didn’t get you too worked up to sleep, but I see the answer is quite different.” I try to picture him as a Greek statue, made of stone and unable to speak, and in my distraction I miss something Zoe asks me. “Excuse me?” “Ethan just offered to show us around the island. He knows it better than we do, and I think it’s a good idea. What do you say?” “I don’t think so,” I reply dryly.

Ephemeral


Andie Andrews - 2017
     It’s into this white-gloved arena that Clarissa Stamos, a reclusive, midlife romance writer is thrust when she decides to write a country-western romance. The only problem is—she’s never been on a horse. Clarissa signs up for riding lessons and finds relief from her troubled marriage and her darkest secrets in the company of horses who offer an intoxicating sense of freedom and daring. Before long, she impulsively buys an ex-rodeo horse who spurs her to take charge of her own destiny—or wind up in the dust. Complicating matters is an intriguing, Argentinian dressage trainer with secrets of his own. One part romance novel, one part literary fiction, one part love-affair-with-horses, Ephemeral is told from the viewpoint of a quirky, old cow horse who not only invites you into his world, but also shares his sensible and soulful outlook on human hearts and the meaning of true horsemanship.

Safe With Me: The Complete Series


Shaina Richmond - 2012
    Themes: Graphic sex, intense emotions, flawed characters, jealous hero, illegal drug use, anti-heroine, promiscuous behavior.When Tyler Campbell meets Susie Lombardi in a coffee shop, he doesn't expect to sleep with her that night. He also doesn't expect to fall in love. But Susie doesn't want a boyfriend. She lives alone in a house full of locked doors and combination safes, unwilling to answer Tyler's questions about her past . . .or her future. Susie gives Tyler her usual excuses, intent on crushing his hope of a future together. But she doesn't know that when the right guy finds you, he won't give up. How far is Susie willing to run from love? And how far is Tyler willing to chase her?

Working Arrangements


Ellen Wolf - 2011
    After four lonely years following the tragic accident that took the life of her fiancé, Joshua, she is finally ready to embark on a new journey, accepting a marriage proposal.The only obstacle in the way of her happiness comes in the person of Luke Manning, her boss and Joshua’s life long best friend. Luke rejects her engagement for more than one reason.Torn and unable to shake her opinion of her boss as a brilliant yet unreliable womanizer, Laura goes ahead with her engagement party, choosing safety and predictability in her life.Only the evening goes terribly wrong ...

Kade (Wyoming Brothers Book 1)


Deann Smallwood - 2017
     Lied to and taken to the cleaners by a beautiful blonde, Kade has learned a hard lesson and slams the door to any possibility of a woman in his life. Aren’t they all liars? And Hope, with her lie of omission about her background, unknowingly fits that description. Kade isn’t about to give her a chance to win his love and to convince him of her innocence. His beloved Double K ranch is doing just fine with the help of his seventy-eight-year-old Gran—the only woman he can trust. He sure doesn’t need Hope Jackson, a recently returned brother and baby girl, and three abused boys complicating things and resurrecting feelings long dead.

A Chance Encounter: A Sweet Contemporary Romance (Standalone Romance Novels)


Paul Haedo - 2022
    Her life was uneventful; she hated the monotone existence that she had to deal with, where each day blurred into the one before. She dreamed of the day where this would change, the day when she could finally begin to live her life.But when a mysterious young man from out-of-town visits Boutiques with Coffee, Meghan is overwhelmed with emotion. Young, attractive, and more mysterious than a Top-Secret military document, this man by the name of William quickly changes Meghan’s life. Whether the changes were good or bad, she did not yet know.Would this man be good for Meghan? Is he the answer to the boring and uneventful life that she was currently living? Or will the mysterious man break her heart, and make her wish that she had never met him?

One Last Summer


Jo Noelle - 2017
    She doesn’t believe in marriage, and she’s learned to only count on herself. At her Uncle Walter’s insistence, and a little emotional blackmail, she returns to Misty Harbor Cottages to help him for one last summer in a place that's really the only home she’s ever known. Cole Zamora has worked at Misty Harbor for more than half of his twenty-three years, and imagined someday owning the place. He met Jenna when they were ten-years-old, and his young heart fell hard for her, relishing every summer she came back. That is, until two years ago, when she broke his heart and never returned. Uncle Walter proposes a challenge between the two, with the winner becoming the new owner of Misty Harbor. Now, there’s a real chance Cole could lose his heart and his home. Jenna isn’t sure which worries her more—a summer of rivalry or romance? One Last Summer is a 100-page novella in the clean & wholesome romance category.

It's All Greek to Me


Maggie Aldrich - 2018
    In a downward spiral of misfortune, she’s lost everything she holds dear—her parents, her job, her home…even her cat. Falling through the porch of the decrepit sorority house at which she now works is only the icing on the cake. And then she meets Michael, with those deep blue eyes...Determined to start over, Emily throws herself into her new life. While learning the finer points of adulting, such as how to live on a budget and how to get a man that’s not gay, Emily begins to unravel the mystery surrounding her parents’ untimely death—the catalyst of her own misfortune. But as she gets closer, Emily must ask herself if she’s willing to risk her own life, and a new chance at love, to learn the truth. Because sometimes, digging up the past can have deadly consequences.

Becoming Hank


Maggie M. Lily - 2021
    But, long before parenthood, they were in love.Take a step back in time to meet a young Henry "Trip" Trellis before he met Darla and changed the course of his destiny.Haven't read the Building the Circle series? No worries. This short read will introduce the family and leave you hungry for more!

The Spanish Letter


Kate McCabe - 2014
    The pair are the envy of the Dublin social scene and it looks as if Sandy's future is bright. But when her mother's health declines and she has to be hospitalised, Sandy discovers a letter in her mother's personal belongings, which unleashes a long-hidden family secret that forces Sandy to question everything she once took for granted.As Sandy sets out on a voyage of discovery that takes her from Dublin to the Costa del Sol in search of her true identity, nothing can prepare her for what lies in store...

A Valentine She'll Remember


Mimi Barbour - 2018
     LOVE OF MY LIFE by Mimi Barbour - A story about abandoned puppies, a controversial businessman and a woman who bought her very first home only to find she’s sharing the duplex with a hero whose heart is as mushy as a young girl’s dream. "A very cute little story about coincidences, in our lives, that sometimes, turn into great happenings! The rough and tumble combination of two adversaries, coming together, in more ways than one, made for a delightful read!" DROP DEAD GORGEOUS by Patricia Rosemoor - Sasha Brozynski arrives at the chapel for her best friend's Valentine's Day wedding, but the bride disappeared without a trace. Nick Donatelli, son of a crime boss, had a reputation as a ladykiller. Was he drop-dead gorgeous or drop-dead guilty? "Drop Dead Enjoyable! Great story, believable characters, and I wanted more ... my heart was racing with the romance and the mystery, and danger!!!" WHEN A MAN LOVES A WOMAN by Taylor Lee - They call her the Blonde Barracuda. The press loves her, the politicians fear her, and the mob is out to get her! "A DOUBLE WOW! Lexie and Jake without a doubt are sexiest special agents ever." SOMEONE LIKE YOU by Suzanne Jenkins - Life gets in the way as upstate NY sisters, Marley and Abigail cling to each other and their young children. But a babysitter introduces them both to Jay Malik, a medical student from India, who becomes their lifeline to happiness, forgiveness and healing. "A tale of two sisters who have been through the ringer of emotions . After reading you feel you know them intimately and find yourself cheering for the sisters. Awesome!" TWO HEARTS UNBROKEN by Tamara Ferguson - Honorably discharged from the Air Force, wounded warrior Sarah Benton accepts a position retraining wounded warriors. When Lieutenant Brand Reardon discovers her cowardly fiancé broke up with Sarah because he couldn’t deal with her injuries, Brand decides to do what he’s wanted to do from the moment they met, and make her his. But can he break through her wounded heart before Valentine’s Day, when he’ll be reassigned? "Her plot is compelling and real, especially those parts concerning the care and rehabilitation of wounded veterans, and her romantic passages are sensitive, caring and tasteful. Each of her stories is inspiring" LOVERS IN TRAINING by Alicia Street - When private fitness trainer Shannon meets her hot new client, loving her job takes on a whole new meaning. "After reading one book by this author, I had to read them all!" ROAD TO REDEMPTION by Natalie Ann - Can the nurse heal the doctor? They say opposites attract, but is Cori’s over the top personality too much introvert Dr. Max Hamilton? “Sometimes love is slow and heartwarming then other times it's fast and fun. This book and this story will amaze you.”

From Prejudice to Love


Aria Norton - 2019
    Being a tenacious girl, she chose to take education into her own hands after losing her father. So, from a very young age, she has been working her way up in educating younger children. But little does she know that her life is about to change drastically when she gets interviewed by a handsome Earl for the position of the new governess for his orphaned nephews. Will she deny the tender feelings she will start having for her charming employer, fearing they could complicate her work? Or will she let her heart decide what is the right choice?Richard Langley is the Earl of Hawkscombe and lives a peaceful life until he receives word that his twin sister and her husband have perished in a tragic accident. When he surprisingly learns that their two boys made it alive, he considers it his duty to take them as his own. However, he could never expect that choosing to hire the Irish governess he initially looked down upon would make him question his own values like no one has ever before. Will he let his prejudice aside, look deep into the lady's beautiful soul and accept her unconventional methods? Or will he decide that his perfect match should fit into society's standards and rules?Just when Molly and Richard start getting closer to each other, Molly's sophisticated former employer is about to arrive at the estate, and things will get truly complicated. Who will eventually succeed in capturing the Earl's heart?

Her Best Friend (Love Off Limits)


Hannah Jo Abbott - 2021
    But that plan didn’t include moving home after college, single with no job. And it definitely didn’t include falling for her best friend.Travis never asked out the one girl he wanted to in high school. But it’s against the rules to date your best friend.Hoping things can be different now, Travis jumps at the chance to hire Julie at his store. But his plan to spend time with her is foiled when she tells him she signed up with a dating app.As Julie goes on dates that are epic failures in every way, Travis is the one she shares the stories with. He’s more and more sure she’s the girl for him. But admitting his feelings might scare her away.Will their friendship turn into something more, or will fear end their relationship forever?

Shattered Heart : The Heart of Christmas Series


Patti Stafford
    She plans to start the new year off as a full-time career woman.What she doesn’t expect is for her brother’s friend, Kyle, to show up and steal her heart. But, after a bad breakup, can she ever trust another man with her heart?Kyle is charming, mature and well-mannered, too good to be true. Will her shattered heart find healing or does she risk having it shattered again?