Book picks similar to
Hard Target by Rhonda Laurel


romance
interracial-romance
sports
ll

Perfect Curves


Lanee Lane - 2018
    Her mother is sure to remind her. She lets her crazy best friend Noel talk her into joining a gym. What she didn’t expect to find was Reed. Her new personal trainer is fit, sexy, and everything she isn’t looking for. Reed loves his women with curves. When he first lays eyes on Penelope he wants to explore her delectable body. He’s more than just a handsome face and rock hard abs, and he’s ready to open up and let the right woman in. Penelope is that woman. When a woman from Reed’s past re-enters his life he’s torn between obligation and love. With lies being told and boundaries being crossed, Reed has to choose. Loyalty to his past could have him losing the best thing for his future.

Marco


Raven St. Pierre - 2016
    By day he’s a tattoo artist who took the plunge and started his own business, but by night… He’ll be whoever you want him to be—a wet dream in the flesh. Brynn Palmer was content, enjoying her low-key life, one that rarely sprouted surprises. That is, until she crossed paths with the force better known as Marco. It was only one night, but that one night changed everything. ~ *To the guys, Indecent Exposure is more than just their place of business; it’s a place where they make women’s fantasies come true… and have a ton of fun doing it. “Marco” is the first standalone in “The Men of Indecent Exposure” series, so kick back and enjoy, but don’t get too comfortable. You never know when you’ll need to have your singles ready!*

Run This Town 1


Sadie Black - 2015
    Ciara Simmons takes her journalism degree and her knife-edged ambition to New York City, where she goes undercover on former playboy Luka Belmonte's mayoral campaign. She soon learns Luka's darkest secret: to run the city, the charming, seductive son of one of NYC's most famous politicians will have to get in bed with the mafia. Just like his father did. Exposing him would be a public service, and guarantee her reputation as a rising star of journalism. There's just one problem ... she'd rather ride him than ruin him. *** Luka is determined to shed his party-boy image and ascend to the pinnacle of NYC politics. He'll do whatever it takes, even deal with mobsters. The one thing he didn't count on was smart, stunning Ciara. Her refusal to throw herself at his feet only makes her sexier. He knows she's a threat, but all he wants to do is take her for his own—and protect her from harm. With danger on every side, Luka and Ciara must decide whether to honor old loyalties ... or forge new ones that could cost them everything **Be the first to learn when the second novel in this mafia romance comes out by signing up to Sadie Black's newsletter, the link is in the book.**

Fumble Baby


Bella Grant - 2017
    She’s a recent college grad stuck working the checkout lane of her hometown grocery store. For all she knows, love will never find her … until she gets a friend request from the hot football player who bullied her in high school. Someone she swore she’d never talk to ever again. Travis is a pro football star and enjoys the advantages of that life: money, women, fame. But deep down, he’s missing something – the nerdy hot girl he had been mean to in high school. When he sees her picture on social media, he only hopes she’ll forgive him and give him a chance to show her how much he’d always wanted her - how much he needs her now. PUBLISHER'S NOTE: FUMBLE BABY is a standalone happily-ever-after romance story with no cliffhangers

Score


Shay Violet - 2020
    Great-Uncle Wren’s goofer dust really got me good this time. When Aras sits in my section at Sadie’s BBQ, I don’t know that he’s a hotshot Australian footballer. All I know is that I’ve got a serious reaction to this player down under. His accent. His rugged good looks. His...uh…well, let’s just say he’s got some skills on and off the field. I’m not the kind of girl who wears her heart on her sleeve, but Aras is definitely the kind of guy who always offers a woman his coat. Soon, we threw caution to the wind. And also our clothes. Love isn’t supposed to happen this fast. Be this intense. But Aras is a player who’s looking to score. And he doesn’t just want me for just one night. When this MVP falls in love, it’s forever. And he’s not stopping until he’s given me a ring...and a baby.

See No Evil


Ivy Fox - 2020
    They have been sentenced. All that remains is their execution.No one goes unpunished. We’ll make sure of it.We are The Society and all who dare cross us will find their miserable end by our hand.Don’t be fooled. This is not their story.It’s ours.FinnAs long as I can remember, I’ve played by the rules.On and off the football field, I’ve done everything that has been expected of me.Until that fatal night.Now my life and the lives of my best friends hang in the balance, hung there by a sadistic sinister shadow forcing us to do their will.And it’s just my damn luck that I’m the first to be put on their butcher’s block.I must prove my worth by eradicating a certain pebble in their shoe.The order is simple.To save ourselves, I must ruin another—a life for a life.Meaning Stone Bennett’s life is about to be forfeited in exchange for my own.The poor girl never stood a chance.StoneHe’s all American perfection.I’m the poster child for this country’s rejects.He’s old Asheville money and privilege.I’m the Southie eyesore people stay clear from.He’s caviar dreams and champagne wishes.I’m the trailer trash his momma probably warned him about.I doubt it can get any further away from the elitist’s social spectrum than the two of us.So why the hell is Finn Walker, Richfield’s football god, suddenly all in my face wanting my attention?Nothing good can come from this.I can feel it.*The Society is an Enemies to Lovers, New Adult College Romance.*Each book can be read as standalones. However all four books in this series have an entwined subplot, that will only be resolved in the final book.*Recommended 18+ due to mature language and situations.

Silver-Tongued Devil


Rosalind James - 2016
    No more wild side. Blake Orbison’s pro football career with the Portland Devils may have come crashing to an end, but not calling the signals anymore just gives him more time to devote to his business enterprises, including the latest and greatest: the opening of the Wild Horse Resort in scenic north Idaho. And that other one, too. Blake’s on the marriage track now, and he’s got a game plan. But when he runs into a trespasser leaping from his shoreline boulders into his lake, what’s a good ol’ boy to do but strip down and join her? Dakota Savage is nobody’s temporary diversion, least of all the man responsible for her family’s semi-desperate circumstances. Some people may think she has a piercing too many, but she’s had more than enough of being called trash in this town. She’s come home to Wild Horse to run her stepfather’s painting business, and any extra time she has goes into creating her stained glass. An overpaid, entitled, infuriating NFL quarterback is no part of her life plan, no matter how sweet he talks. No matter how slow he smiles. No matter what.

Perfect Pitch


Mindy Klasky - 2014
    All she has to do is follow the pageant's rules - no smoking, drinking, or "cavorting" in public.That's fine, until D.J. Thomas - God's gift to baseball - throws her a wild pitch. He slams her in an interview, and the video goes viral. Sam's no shrinking violet. She parlays D.J.'s apology into a national T.V. appearance - and a very unexpected, very public kiss.Soon, paparazzi catch the couple in a steamy make-out session, and Sam's music program is on the block. The blazing hot relationship is threatened even more when D.J.'s son begs to trade in Little League for music class.Can Sam and D.J. sizzle past the sour notes and find their perfect pitch?

Heart's Conquest


Andromeda* - 2017
    Forced to find a way to survive in this savage world, her world changed when she discovered a great hidden power. A power she tried to run from… Alrik was the son of the most powerful Jarl in their land, and he's set to become his father’s heir. However, when a foolish decision was made, the family that he knew was ripped apart which forces him to leave with his mother. We always return to where we come from… Rashida and Alrik swiftly discovered that no matter what they did, no matter who tried to get in their way; the gods were always in control. From heart stopping passion, to bloody battles, to the call of vengeance that thundered in their ears, they are forced to confront their worst fears, and greatest desires. A new era is coming to their world. A world where Fire and Blood shall reign...where powerful Magic shall come alive.

Come


Becca Jameson - 2014
    Unfortunately, one of the firm’s partners has been pressuring her for a date. She has no interest in sleeping her way up the corporate ladder, but he won’t take no for an answer, and he’s following her. His Lexus is in the parking lot of her uncle’s gym when she steps outside. In a split-second decision, she plasters herself to the sexy man leaning casually against the wall outside the gym. Rafe Wesson is stunned by one look at the woman so totally out of place at the gym. His plan is to casually run into her outside and ask her out. And then she catches him off-guard with a kiss that rocks his world. Katy isn’t Rafe’s type. She’s far too innocent. But two dates don’t dampen his desire. Rafe has personal rules against sleeping with a woman before she is fully informed about his preferences. However, Katy is persistent. She wants him, but he fears he’ll lose her when she finds out about his lifestyle. Rafe tries to step away from her, but he can’t ignore the unknown threat that haunts her, and time is running out. Someone wants Katy dead. And Rafe wants Katy...very much alive.

Hard Love


Peyton Banks - 2018
    Legendary quarterback. A champion. Reiner Strickland had led his team to three national championships and playing a knight in shining armor was all in a days work for the NFL star quarterback. Only his damsel in distress had no idea who he was, and it threw him off his game. He was the face of his organization and was used to everyone recognizing him. Her innocence, charm, and beauty captivated him. It wasn’t until after they parted ways that he realized that he never got her number or even her last name. Jada Dalton had no idea who her sexy knight in shining armor was, but knew that she’d probably never see him again. She was focused on building her business and didn’t have time for love. Just because she was determined to become a successful businesswoman, it didn’t mean she couldn’t dream about her sexy as sin rescuer. Another chance meeting brings the two together and this time, Jada discovers who exactly Reiner is. She learns quickly what goes along with dating a football legend and is not sure she can handle it. Reiner refuses to let Jada go. He’ll have to dig deep and call out the most important play of his life to ensure that Jada Dalton remains on his team.

About Her


T.M. Pigatt - 2020
    My life blew up in my face when the love of my life, Q, died. Now someone strolls into my office to tell me that it might have all been a cruel lie, but it can’t be. She wouldn’t do that to me,... to us. Our love was too strong to allow that to happen. Not only did our bodies connect in an epic way but so did our hearts. A love like that can’t be faked.There’re so many questions and only the dead seem to have the answers. I pray I'm strong enough to handle the truth, or it just might destroy me." - Knox

Win by Submission


Melynda Price - 2015
    They say it’s a miracle he can walk, if that’s what you call his crutch-dragging limp. Unwilling to give up on him, Cole’s manager sends the injured fighter to the best physical therapist he knows: his niece, Katie Miller. When Cole arrives in the small town of Somerset, Wisconsin, he quickly discovers his sly manager may have had reasons other than rehab for sending him to this frozen tundra.After a year of running from an abusive ex-boyfriend, Katie has returned to her hometown to care for her father, who’s recovering from a stroke. When Uncle Marcus calls in a favor, she reluctantly finds herself taking on a rancorous MMA fighter, broken at the height of his career. He’s insanely sex-on-a-stick hot—and everything she loathes in a man.If Cole thinks his fighting days are over, he’s dead wrong. To save Katie from her past and to win her heart, he’ll be in for the fight of his life.

Sucker Punch


Eva Logan - 2018
     His big dreams have left him at rock bottom and when you’ve lost everything, losing becomes easy because there’s nothing to fight for. The love of his life left him for a life he couldn’t give her and now she’s engaged and on top of the world while he claws his way out of the hole he dug when she left. Lotus Shaw plays the role of the media’s darling, and dutiful fiancé to a man only her parents approve of. She should be on top of the world, but she left her heart on the floor of a fight gym. Now, she’s got to get it back. One little secret from the past is keeping her from the future. When they come face to face again, nothing could’ve prepared them for the sucker punch love was about to land. Nothing worth having comes without a fight.

Talk to Me


Clare James - 2014
    The young, handsome, high-scoring player quickly became a fan favorite. He had everything going for him: fame, fortune, a promising career, and his pick of women. But when he made an abrupt exit from the NHL last spring, everything changed and he’s been in hiding ever since.Casey Scott plans to find out why.After interning for free all summer at the top television station in the Twin Cities, Casey lands an on-air gig. Trouble is, the new role is Sports Girl—which means reporting from local bars and tailgating parties to create excitement for the hometown heroes. All while wearing tiny team jerseys that are so tight they leave little to the imagination.But she has a plan. Uncover the biggest sports mystery of the decade, and she’ll be on her way. Question is, how far will she go to get the story?*Caution: This story contains explicit sex scenes with an alpha hockey player … who gives an entirely new meaning to the term Body Checking. *