Book picks similar to
Chicago's Best by Katharine E. Hamilton
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What Would It Take
E.L. DuBois - 2019
He was the football star and I was just another invisible teenage girl. Now, he is a famous quarterback and the bane of my existence. And by bane, I mean his presence has brought back ten years of secrets. Ones I'd thought I'd dealt with. The minute he walks back into my life I become that bumbling teenage girl all over again. I’m not having it! Even if the quarterback only has eyes for me. He's irresistible, too handsome for his own good, cocky, and carrying baggage no one wants. Saxton Crawford has spent years trying to find his mystery girl. Turns out, I'm that girl. I guess I wasn't invisible after all. Bam! Happily ever after right? Nope, not for me. Not with his demons and mine. It’s going to take every ounce of my will power to resist him. So, what would it take to get him to leave me alone? Do I want that? Maybe I should be asking myself… What would it take to win his heart?
Love & Order
Elsie Davis - 2019
Garrett Bradley commands the attention of some of the most influential clients in the country as one of the leading corporate attorneys in New York City, but one phone call changes everything. He must return home to Hallbrook, NH, where he soon discovers he’s responsible for three young kids and one monster-size Saint Bernard. April St. James, the social worker assistant assigned to the children’s case before Garrett’s mother adopted them, was staying with the children until Sarah Bradley’s prodigal son returns home to take up his responsibilities. Unfortunately, it puts her own job in jeopardy. A powerhouse in the business world but clueless when it comes to children, Garrett turns to April with an offer she can’t refuse, enticing her to come to the city as a temporary nanny. The deal will allow her to finally pursue her dreams once the job is done. But three kids, a dog, a nanny, and an uptight attorney don’t mix well in a fancy NYC penthouse. And when Garrett makes a mistake at work, he realizes somethings got to give before the situation destroys his reputation, the company, and most importantly—his new family. Find out if Rufus can help this mismatched pair realize their love is the perfect glue to hold their newfound family together! This sweet tale of family, trust, and total chaos is one you won't want to miss. Order your copy and start reading today!
Know You More
Jan Thompson - 2015
When Heidi Wei becomes his strongest supporter in his church planting ministry, how does Diego show his interest in her without her getting the wrong idea? Does she see him as potential husband material or just the pastor of their church? Heidi has suspected that Diego is sweet on her, but he seems to believe that his divine calling prevents him from acting on it. If it isn’t meant to be, she’s not going to push for it. Yet every time they are together, something happens between them. Have they moved beyond the platonic relationship they have enjoyed the last nine years to something more personal? When a crisis hits Heidi’s family, Diego has to balance pastoring his congregation and ministering to Heidi without losing either one. Falling in love while planting a new church is difficult for him to juggle. Which path is more important to him? Which one should he focus on? KNOW YOU MORE is the first book in Jan Thompson’s SAVANNAH SWEETHEARTS series of contemporary Christian novellas celebrating faith, hope, and love.
The Bodyguard
Jolie Day - 2017
Ex-convict. Aloof. Since Jack was released from prison a month ago, he is keeping his head above water with the odd job here and there. His probation officer convinces him to accept a job with Simon Beauchamp. The influential politician is expecting positive PR from helping ex-prison inmates start over. Jack, on the other hand, wants only one thing: to forget. Abigail Beauchamp Politician’s daughter. Obedient. Searching. Abigail is living up to all of the expectations her wealthy father places on her. Nobody knows that her first and last attempt to escape from this gilded cage almost ended in disaster. Ever since that experience five years ago, she has been desperately trying to find the one who rescued her. When she meets Jack Sinclair, it’s all over for her. But Jack remains tough and dismissive. When Abigail is in danger, he has to decide if he will bank on safety or rise to the challenge. The Bodyguard is an alpha male bad boy romantic suspense short story with NO cliffhanger. WARNING: Contains mature themes and language.
Endgame
Dee Davis - 2005
FBI criminal profiler Madison Harper understands dangerous minds. Tough, tenacious, with nerves of steel, she’s the best of the best. So is her new partner, Gabriel Roarke, a crack CIA operative who likes to do things his way. When the two are forced to jointly head up a task force investigating murder in high places – it’s no surprise that sparks begin to fly. As they race through a shadow world of power, politics and deadly secrets, the passion that simmers between Madison and Gabriel soon ignites. But a clever killer at the top of his game has challenged Madison to play to the very end. Now all she can trust is her instincts—and Gabriel, the one man reckless enough to keep her alive... Rio Award winner, Endgame is the first novel in Dee Davis's newly re-released Last Chance Series. Don't miss the other books in the series: Enigma and Exposure.
Prince Charming Undercover
Debra Salonen - 2018
Their Gypsy fortuneteller mother predicted each would marry a prince…of sorts. She’s a princess with more to lose than her dowry. Las Vegas restaurateur Grace Parlier doesn’t gamble, but she’s risking her dowry on a new business with her late father’s friend because casino owner Charles Harmon has what she wants: location, location, location. The money may have been earmarked for a wedding, but everyone knows Grace has terrible taste in men. Look at the way her heart races every time her family’s latest Romani rescue comes close. But how could an ex-con from Detroit possibly be the prince she was meant to marry? He’s a Detroit cop with no skin in the game—or so he wants to believe. Nick Lightner goes undercover in Vegas for one reason only: to take down scumbag Charles Harmon. Does he believe Lucky Chuck is a human serpent threatening his birth father’s family? Hell, no. Nick knows who he is and where his allegiance lies. Certainly not with a sexy “princess” who makes the few drops of Romani blood in his veins run hotter than a winning streak at the craps table. His heart maintains a safe distance…until the princess takes a bullet meant for him, then all bets are off. PRINCE CHARMING UNDERCOVER is Book 1 in the Betting On Love series. If you're a fan of romance with a side of suspense, you'll love this action-packed story that introduces you to the kind of family Debra Salonen--winner of Romantic Times Reviewer's Career Achievement "Series Storyteller of the Year" award in 2006--is known for. “Debra Salonen captures reader attention with multifaceted characters, layered conflict and fast pacing.”
—Pamela Cohen, Romantic Times Buy PRINCE CHARMING UNDERCOVER--the perfect "staycation." Visit Las Vegas without leaving home. But remember, when your heart's on the line, there’s no such thing as a safe bet.
Cupid's Quest
Natalie Ann - 2020
She considers herself a successful realtor now and loves that she is doing her part to put people in their forever home. Commitment issues often remind her she may never find what she always wanted as a little girl even if she secretly dreams of love and romance, happy ever after and prince charming...that forever home of her own. Josh Turner lived through the horrific murder of his parents while he hid in the closet as a young child. He’s an investigator now sworn to protect, but those he loved...he couldn’t bear the thought of life without them. He’d lay his life on the line and make sure they never felt as scared and lonely as he had that one night. When Ruby ends up as his realtor, he realizes that she is the one he never wants to lose, if only she’d let him in.
False Memory
Meli Raine - 2018
Not the best way to wake up, right? I work in a flower shop. I know a funeral arrangement when I see one. I know a killer when I see one, too. And one is standing in my hospital room right now, straight behind the man who saved my life. I can’t tell anyone the truth, because that’s the fastest way to really die. So I do the next best thing. I “lose” my memory. I fake my amnesia. Pretending not to remember a brutal attempted murder has its perks. The killer is backing down, spending less time around me, loosening the noose. The less I claim to recall, the more my rescuer, Duff, works to help me “remember.” I hate lying to him. But he doesn’t understand that my memory is dangerous. To me. And to him. Fooling everyone isn’t easy. It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Except it’s starting to look like I’ve been fooling myself. In more ways than one.
The Inheritance
Irina Shapiro - 2011
The Will stipulates that Katie must travel to Scotland to claim the inheritance in person. As her stay extends from weeks into months, she unearths long buried family secrets, unravels a 250 year old mystery surrounding the disappearance of the Laird’s young wife from the castle shortly after the Battle of Culloden, and finds a love she never expected.
Sweet Christmas Kisses 5
Beate BoekerRoxanne Rustand - 2018
Sweet Christmas Kisses 5 brings you contemporary romances that celebrate the joy of the season around the world, including snowy Maine and the sun-kissed skies of Florida, the mountains of Colorado to small-town Illinois and Virginia, New York to San Francisco, and even the glittering lights of Paris and the old-world charm of Florence. Sweet Christmas Kisses 5 features nine all-new, standalone novellas that will make you smile and warm your heart with the Christmas spirit.
Operation Date Escape
Lindsey Brookes - 2013
An easy task considering the kind of men her matchmaking mother and her best friend, Nanci, keeps setting her up with. She allows them to set her up, knowing their hearts are in the right place and that there is no risk of her letting any man close enough to hurt her again. Her growing experience in ways to slip out of those ‘dates from hell’ prompts her to start writing a bad date survival guide. One aptly titled - OPERATION: DATE ESCAPE. And it’s during one of those escapes that sexier than sin firefighter Cole Maxwell comes to her rescue. Cole isn’t sure what to think when the sexy redhead he’s just ‘rescued’ from a bad date informs him that he’s too ‘perfect’ to date. That’s a first. He’s had relationships end because the women couldn’t handle the risks that go along with his chosen profession, but never because he’s too perfect.When his crew gets called out to rescue someone who is stuck in a tree, Cole finds himself once again coming to Kelsie’s rescue. This time he’s not about to let her get away without agreeing to give him a chance, even holding her high heels hostage to make it happen. She finally gives in and things heat up between them like a 3-alarm fire. But there’s more than passion between them and Cole sets out to prove to Kelsie that he’s nowhere near ‘perfect’, but he is the ‘perfect’ man for her. Can he get past the wall she’s built up around her heart? Or will he end up being just another chapter in her book of men she ran from?*Operation: Date Escape was a Romance Writers of America Golden Heart finalist as well as a finalist in the American Title III Competition put on by Romantic Times and Dorchester Publishing.*
Cowboys & Starlight
Jacqueline Winters - 2018
She doesn't plan to stay. Ronnie Ross has spent the past three years working unthinkable hours as an interior design assistant. With a promotion one important project away, an ill-timed mistake costs her everything. Hoping to lay low for a couple of weeks, she takes her brother up on his invitation to visit him in Starlight, Wyoming. This could be the break she needs -- until an irritatingly handsome cowboy gets in the way. Colten Livingston swore he'd never fall for another city girl who'd leave his broken heart in her dust trail. Not after returning home two years ago when his dad fell ill cost him the wife who couldn’t handle country living. Now that his dad’s gone and his mom plans to sell the family home, there's nothing holding him back from returning to his dream job at Glacier National Park. Except the alluring city girl his mom's hired to complete the renovations. Best friend’s little sister or not, she’s definitely hiding something. Colten's determined to uncover her secret before she returns to Chicago. Which would be easier to do if a single touch from Ronnie didn’t make his pulse race. The last thing he thought he wanted might be the very thing he needs the most. Heat Level: Sweet/Mild Other Sweet Romances By Jacqueline Winters Starlight Cowboys Series 1. Cowboys & Starlight 2. Cowboys & Firelight 3. Cowboys & Sunrises 4. Cowboys & Moonlight 5. Cowboys & Mistletoe 6. Cowboys & Shooting Stars (Coming Soon) Sunset Ridge Series 1. Moose Be Love (releasing Feb 25th) 2. My Favorite Moosetake (coming soon) 3. Annoymoosely Yours (coming soon) Standalones 1. Hooked on You
Surviving Eden (Surviving Series Book 1)
Virginia Wine - 2018
Theodore Grant worked hard his entire life to achieve his goals. He was a prominent, renowned psychiatrist. He had it all: wealth, prestige, respect. Or so he thought. When tragedy unexpectedly struck, he was forced to help his best friend’s daughter. She needed him. What he didn’t know was that he needed her, too—like his own breath. How could he know it would all go so terribly wrong? That he would cross the line? He fought the desire leading him astray with everything he had, but in the end, he wanted only one thing: her. To hell with what was right. Losing everything never even factored in his decision. All he wanted to do was live in the moment. Her moment. She found his demons and slayed them with her innocence. The answer was clear now: he had done the right thing. He was certain of it. People would believe what they wanted to believe. His notion of right and wrong was discarded the day Eden Barnett walked into his office. What he didn’t know was that it would be the day his life truly began. The day he followed his heart, and it lead him into the garden… of Eden. *Content warning: Contains adult content, language, and scenes that may not be suitable for all audiences. Intended for 18+ audience. *
A Beautiful End
Ashley A Quinn - 2020
It’s just her luck, though, that it’s Sebastian Archer who investigates the murder. Having known the man since childhood, she’s always been the annoying tagalong. Even though she finds him drop-dead sexy, that’s a ship that can never sail now that she’s guardian to her niece and his goddaughter.Two years ago, Seb moved home to take the position as local sheriff, ready for a slower pace and to be closer to his family. That included his best friend’s sister, London. The beautiful innkeeper had held his heart since they were young, but the timing never felt right to start something. When a serial killer murders a woman in his jurisdiction who bears a striking resemblance to London, Seb realizes he could lose her before they ever get a chance.Will London’s reluctance to date the handsome sheriff deliver her into the hands of a psychopath?
A Lady's Mysterious Origin
Bridget Barton - 2019
However, with her parents being a dark mystery and nothing to look forward to, she feels condemned to a dull life for the rest of her years. Her life will soon take a strange turn though, when the nephew of the Duchess will take an interest in her, leaving her strangely unsettled and making her heart beating faster. But how could a romance between a girl of no origin and a nobleman ever flourish?Leonard, Viscount of Hethersett, is a man who knows his duty to his family. His return to London has secured him a marriage, but he would rather spend time with the lovely companion of his cousin than obey his parent's wishes. However, he will soon face a dilemma that will question his very values. Will he decide that his own feelings are more important than what society demands? Will he choose love over duty?Sometimes, even the best of intentions tend to go all awry. And just when Leonard has started winning Joanna's trust, everything will be on the verge of collapsing. How will he make it up to her and her broken heart? Will the mystery of Joanna's origin ever be solved?