Book picks similar to
Lawfully Freed by Ginny Sterling
contemporary
abuse
kidnap-capture
first-only
Too Close to Home
Alison Stone - 2012
If you do, better watch your back. Ten years ago, after her father’s gruesome death was ruled a suicide, Kathryn McNabb left her hometown, vowing never to return. And never to let anything—business or personal—break her heart. Now an overachieving manufacturing engineer, she thrives on order, control and solitude. But an unexpected inheritance makes her the co-owner of the company her father founded, forcing her to face the ghosts of her past. Including Ben Nowak, childhood friend, secret crush, and son of the man who ruined her father. Ben hadn’t planned on returning home either, but with his own father’s death it falls to him to continue the family legacy. When he learns Kathryn plans to sell the plant out from under him, his quest takes on new urgency—Midport Industries is the main source of jobs in town. Butting heads strike sparks of attraction that entangle business and pleasure into a hopeless knot. And someone is watching. Someone with a darker reason to prevent the deal from going through. Someone desperate enough to kill…Product WarningsBeware of the shadows, disgruntled employees, and childhood crushes all grown up.
Hands of Grace
Brenda S. Anderson - 2020
Her heart surgeon boyfriend has hinted at proposing, along with letting her sickly mother live with them once they're married.But then she learns her boyfriend isn't a doctor at all, but a drug trafficker who's involved her in his scheme. Not only did she get love wrong, but she's unwittingly placed both her and her mother's lives in danger.Love is the last thing on Officer Daniel Winter's mind. Twice-burned, he's locked up his heart for good. But when he goes undercover as a handyman to protect the cute and quirky Rita Dunlap, he discovers he's not only guarding her and her mother, but his heart as well.Rita wants to trust Daniel, wants to believe his work around her house doesn't come with a price, but she'll need to let go of her past mistakes to open her heart to the future.
The Cellar
Natasha Preston - 2014
No family or police investigation can track her down. Spending months inside the cellar of her kidnapper with several other girls, Summer learns of Colin’s abusive past, and his thoughts of his victims being his family…his perfect, pure flowers. But flowers can’t survive long cut off from the sun, and time is running out….
Wildflowers and Kisses: A love story
Jaclyn M. Hawkes - 2014
Even when she spritzes him with her florist water at their first meeting, Skye is the most refreshing thing that has ever happened to Dr. Gage Garrison. Confident, successful, and seriously disillusioned, when Gage meets Skye one evening at her shop she is like a shot of pure, sweet oxygen to his spirit. So he pesters her until she agrees to go out with him. But later, when he realizes that her dog is a guard dog, that Skye has a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, and is an expert with a handgun, he begins to wonder what scars she’s hiding behind that beautiful, sweet smile. And what is she so afraid of?
This Side of Midnight (Tildas Islands #4)
Tamsen Schultz - 2021
But when tourists start dying under suspicious circumstances, she never imagines that the biggest battle she’d have to fight is within her own department. That is, until her friend, Dominic Burel, and the FBI Task Force he’s a part of, prove she’s right to be concerned.As an FBI agent and former PJ with the elite Air Force Pararescue Unit, Dominic Burel has been happy to move through life solely focused on work. But when a family visit leaves him shaken, he realizes his friendship with Anika could, and should, be so much more. Now he has to change her mind about them and he’s not above using his investigative skills to finagle his way into her case—and life—to do it.As Anika and Dominic hunt a killer, they quickly realize they’ve uncovered something much more sinister. The simple murders aren’t so simple and there’s a much grander plan at play. And when they find they aren’t the only ones hunting, it will take everything they have to stay out of the true killer’s crosshairs.If you revel in escaping into a story, this friends-to-lovers romantic suspense will keep you turning the pages.
A Promise to Keep
Melony Teague - 2020
But a promise to her late husband has her attending her dreaded twenty-year high school reunion, drinking ghastly punch, and taking desperate measures just to keep her vow, even if she has to hide behind the décor to do it.Once a reckless troublemaker, Michael McCann fled town after graduation. Now a professional technical rescuer, he’s back for the reunion, but on his trip down memory lane, he soon comes face to face with unresolved issues, namely Savannah.Before the night is over, a pact between these two old friends will lead them on an adventure into uncharted emotional territory where Michael must confront his past regrets and find the courage to reveal the truth. But can Savannah fly from her sheltered nest and risk her heart on a real-life hero?
First Crush
Ashley Elizabeth Ludwig - 2016
The search to learn more about her birth family drives Natalie to renovate the dilapidated chateau into a stylish bed-and-breakfast complete with wine tastings amongst beautiful vineyards. But danger awaits her around every corner of the aged home and every lush row of grapes. For twenty-five years a serial killer has left a trail of bodies in his wake. Now the Lakeview Slayer has his sights set on Natalie. Nick Hardaway never recovered from his sister’s murder—a victim of the Slayer. When news of the killer’s latest murder breaks, Nick grows more determined to make amends for his sister’s death, and joins Natalie in her renovations of the chateau. Natalie may hold the key to capturing the Lakeview Slayer before he kills again, but first the pair must decide if their newfound love is worth dying for.
Dreaming of Her Cowboy's Kiss
Jessie Gussman - 2020
A decade of unrequited love. A hopeless, one-sided romance. Except sometimes, if you’re patient, God writes your love story.
Ethan Shuff had spent a miserable childhood with an abusive father and a mother addicted to drugs and men.No one had ever even pretended he wasn’t in the way, or that he was wanted.Not until Race and Penny Steiner opened up their home and their lives to him. When they adopted a group of six siblings, Ethan stayed on the farm to help and to be a good example for the kids. He never intended to fall in love with the oldest sibling, Ruby.Ruby Barclay became responsible for her siblings at age sixteen. She fought the state, social workers and anyone else who stood in her way until she had her brothers and sisters reunited and together under one roof.With that mission accomplished, she will let nothing stand in the way of her next dream – becoming an accomplished surgeon. Maybe with more competent medical care, her parents wouldn’t have died.She doesn’t have time to mess around and she’s not interested in silly boyfriends. If she gets married, it’s going to be to someone who shares her dream of saving lives.But the dark eyes of the boy who’d fought for her when she was a teen haunt her nights, and maybe under her drive and ambition, she could admit that she still dreams of her cowboy’s kiss.Books in the Cowboy Mountain Christmas series:1. Dreaming of Her Cowboy's Kiss2. Dreaming of His Convenient Kiss3. Dreaming of Her Secret Santa's Kiss4. Dreaming of His Snowed In Kiss5. Dreaming of Her Best Friend's Kiss6. Dreaming of His Pen Pal's Kiss
Decoy (Elliot Kings #1)
Joy Ohagwu - 2016
Nor for her to become the only eyewitness and sole suspect of his murder. As the town pushes for a speedy trial to preserve its reputation, one person isn't convinced that she did it-David Kings Jr., the victim’s son. And the only man who ever said he loved her. With time running out, everyone wants to know, is Rose innocent or guilty? But there was a huge problem. She couldn't remember what happened.DECOY is a brand new, top hot release in Christian Romantic Suspense on Amazon Kindle you don't want to miss. Preorder yours now. Thank you!DECOY is Book One of the Elliot-Kings Christian Suspense Novella series. The ELLIOT-KINGS Christian Suspense Novella Series is a spin-off of UNBOUND HOPE ( Book Two of the PLEASANT HEARTS suspense series).
Bestselling Christian Author Joy Ohagwu writes Contemporary Christian Fiction twined in hope, faith, and love. Visit joyohagwu.com to read a story for FREE for a limited time.
Love to the Highest Bidder
Rachel Ann Nunes - 1998
Jared is a buyer for an exclusive New York gallery. Sparks fly as the two come head to head in a bidding war for a hideous but very expensive Indian Buddha from the Kushan period. Each is determined to win the statue, but others also want the Buddha—at any cost. Thugs, art forgers, the FBI, or Jared’s beautiful and alluring boss . . . who will end up with the statue? During a string of hair-raising exploits, Cassi and Jared are forced to develop a tentative friendship that deepens into romance. Will they survive long enough to see it through? Best-selling author Rachel Ann Nunes has crafted a wonderfully intriguing and romantic drama in this fast-moving novel, bringing two idealistic young people together from opposite edges of the continent and allowing them, in their own way, to find an unexpected connection. In the end, their very lives depend on the trust they’ve developed. If you love romance and excitement that you're not embarassed to share with your daughter or your mother, you’ll be captivated by A Bid for Love.
Cash is King
Shanna Handel - 2022
He's an elusive billionaire, hiding secrets behind those captivating blue eyes. He's a member of a powerful chosen family who runs the city from behind closed doors. He's as forceful and demanding as he is gorgeous. And...he's my boss. I'm suddenly whisked away to his secret, glamorous world. He has me sign a contract making him not only my boss but my...dom. I thought that kind of thing only happened in movies but here I am shaking in my stilettos every time I step into his office. Cash has bosshole tendencies and I have to obey every shameful command. Or, risk facing humiliating punishments that leave me blushing for days. His love is harsh; he leaves his mark on my skin. He wants me. All of me. He's made it clear to everyone...I'm his and his alone. Afterall...
This is his world and Cash is king.
My Sister's Detective
T.J. Jones - 2018
Now it's twenty years later, he's back from the Navy and investigating the death of their childhood friend. Turns out, he needs her help. What Private Investigator doesn't want a beautiful, sarcastic redhead for a partner? Together they have to unravel the secrets of the wealthy inhabitants of Point Road and their feelings for each other. As they grow closer, Maggie and Slater follow a trail of deception and murder, hoping to prove their dead friend innocent of what they fear most. No one is safe and the people involved will stop at nothing to cover their trail, a trail that leads the pair into the twisted world of child prostitution and exposes the darkest secrets of Point Road. A wry, romantic dramedy with a mind-blowing conclusion!
Undercover Honeymoon
Kari Iroz - 2019
After their adventurous beginning, the happy couple finds the relative calm leading up to their big day a huge relief. Unfortunately, it seems the peace and quiet were too good to last. As they embark on their honeymoon, a weeklong cruise, Jack can’t shake the feeling that something is off with her new husband. When she stumbles upon a secret plot—one in which her husband is a key player—she realizes this getaway will be anything but smooth sailing. When she delves into the shady happenings aboard the ship, Jack realizes Damon’s involvement is just the tip of the iceberg—she has become an unwitting player in a deadly conspiracy, and in such close quarters, there is no escape. Now, Jack has no choice but to work with her new husband to unravel the truth before their happily ever after—and their lives—are ended all too soon.
Forgotten Secrets
Robin Perini - 2016
Fifteen years later, she’s channeled the pain of her past into a career as an FBI profiler. Riley devotes her life to bringing violent criminals to justice…and secretly uses government resources to search for her sister, who was never found.When Riley gets a call from the only man who’s ever swept her off her feet with a killer two-step and dangerous smile—ex-Navy SEAL Thayne Blackwood of Singing River, Wyoming—it stirs up dark memories. Thayne’s sister, Cheyenne, has been kidnapped. There are no leads, and the only witness is the victim’s Alzheimer’s-afflicted grandmother.Desperate to find Cheyenne, Thayne needs Riley’s expertise. With time running short, they delve into dangerous small-town secrets while fighting against an increasingly ruthless adversary. But when her past and his present collide in a shocking revelation, can they overcome the secrets that have kept them apart?
Unspoken
Dee Henderson - 2013
The fact she was found less than three miles from her home, had been there the entire time, haunts them. She's changed her identity, found a profession she loves, and rebuilt her life.She's never said a word--to the cops, to her doctors, to family--about those four years. A family legacy has brought her back to Chicago where a reporter is writing a book about the kidnapping. The cops who worked the case are cooperating with him. Her options are limited: Hope the reporter doesn't find the full truth, or break her silence about what happened. And her silence is what has protected her family for years.Bryce Bishop doesn't know her past, he only knows she has coins to sell from her grandfather's estate--and that the FBI director for the Chicago office made the introduction. The more he gets to know Charlotte, the more interested he becomes, an interest encouraged by those closest to her. But nothing else is working in his favor--she's decided she is single for life, she struggles with her faith, and she's willing to forego a huge inheritance to keep her privacy. She's not giving him much of an opening to work with.Charlotte wants to trust him. She needs to tell him what happened. Because a crime cops thought was solved, has only opened another chapter...