Book picks similar to
The Cask by Danielle Allen


romance
authors-of-color
black-literature
contemporary

Just One More


Jodie Slaughter - 2020
    The bright colors, giant hearts, and sugary sweet coating that seems to cover the world on February 14th make her feel all kinds of warm and fuzzy inside. She may be more festive than the average person, but her plans for her long weekend off are pretty tame. As long as she gets to stay in her bed, marathon a ton of romantic movies, and eat at least three of her favorite pink heart cupcakes, she’ll count it as a win. The very last thing she expects is for a handsome stranger to get in the way of that. The only thing Victor Grant enjoys more than being a barber is Valentine’s Day. For him, it’s all about the experience of romance and the possibility of forever. The man loves love and he’s determined to be apart of his own great love story someday. Even if that means taking a few losses along the way when things don’t work out. Just when he thinks his Valentine’s Day has turned into a total bust, a beautiful stranger crashes into his life and suddenly makes his long weekend a lot more interesting.A near-disastrous first meeting brings them together, but with both chemistry and desire running high, one sexy night together doesn’t feel nearly enough like true satisfaction.

Into the Flames


Liz Bradford - 2021
    Conflicting evidence puts him at odds with others on his team—especially the newest team member, his brother’s ex-girlfriend, Jacq Sheppard. As the case heats up, so does Dylan’s affection for Jacq. She's independent, adventurous, spunky. All the qualities he could hope for. But exactly the ones that his mother opposes. Living up to her standards is hard enough, especially in his brother's shadow, but tying his life to Jacq means existing as a disappointment to his mom forever. Sparks fly and disastrous choices are made as Jacq and Dylan fight to save the vulnerable girl from human trafficking. When the situation explodes, Dylan must douse his fears and go into the flames.You aren't going to want to miss this novel, the first in a four book (plus a prequel) series!

Kiss Me (Fairlane #2.5)


Harlow Layne - 2019
    He rescues a beauty from the side of the road and never expected one night would change his life forever.Gabi needed an escape from her world in LA. When her rescuer found her and her wrecked vehicle, she thought he was an angel. She quickly discovers she can rescue him back in a different way.A holiday power outage still manages to shine light upon what matters most to Gabi and Jax—the people and the moments that define us.One accident.A one-night stand.Two hearts.And...some mistletoe. What happens when the ball drops on New Year’s?Kiss Me is a stand-alone in the Fairlane series. The series has crossover characters from each novel. It is not required to read the books in order but it is recommended to enhance the reading experience.Fairlane Series:1. Hollywood Redemption (Luke and Alex)2. Hollywood Fairytale (Luke and Alex)3. Unsteady in Love (Holden and Prue)4. Kiss Me (Jax and Gabi) *Previously in the Spiced Holiday Kisses Anthology.

Beautiful & Dirty


Katrina Jackson - 2020
    Ditch him in Rome. 2. Take the train to Naples for pizza. 3. Let the attractive older man you’ve just met buy you a drink. 4. Flirt a little (or a lot) while ignoring his wedding ring.5. Let him bend you over a table. 6. Break up with your boyfriend. --SalThere are a lot of ways to respond to the news that your wife is trying to kill you. I have sex with the young American who stumbles into my restaurant. And then I get revenge.Content warnings: assassination attempt (gunshot)maimingtorturediscussion of murder

Delivering Her Gift


Beverly Evans - 2019
    The gift that came as a result was a surprise we didn’t see coming. Logan Ambrose, a gorgeous surgeon with a broken past. A hero, a savior, and the charming doctor that stole my heart. I gave him my v-card and he crept into my heart as quickly as he left. Seeing Logan again and finding out I'm pregnant at the same time? Insane. "Logan you're going to be a dad." How do I begin to tell him this life changing news? I mean, a drunken one-night stand shouldn't be this complicated. I definitely didn't expect what came next... That he would be the doctor that’s delivering our baby!

Romancing Rachel


Cindy Kirk - 2019
    Returning home to small town Iowa, she built a satisfying life for herself. Jay Nordstrom couldn’t wait to leave Millville for bigger and better. He worked hard and his network anchor star was shining brightly until an accident left him scarred and broken.Forced to recuperate at his parents’ farm, Jay finds himself enchanted by “nurse” Rachel. It isn’t long before he’s fallen hard. Jay can’t imagine his life without her in it. And Rachel has found the love she’s been waiting for…When the time comes for Jay to return to Los Angeles, he and Rachel must look at what sacrifices they’re willing to make for love. Will they find a way to meet in the middle? Or will this sweet interlude simply be another summer romance that ended far too soon?

Dirty Kisses


Kenya Wright - 2018
    He was the boss. He walked like one, like he owned the ground his feet stepped on. Like he owned the air that we all breathed in. Like he could eat up the universe, if he wanted to. Someone killed Rumi, the Russian Mafia's top washer in New York. Kazimir, the head of the Bratva, has come to NY to find the murderer. They call him The Russian Lion, known for having over two hundred kills. By the age of twenty, the FBI placed him ten steps away from Usama Bin Laden on the Most Wanted List. To kill his washer begins a dark and deadly war. Unfortunately, Emily falls on Kazimir's radar. Her brother is suspected of being involved in the murder. To save her brother, she is forced to launder Kazimir's money; but she's a perfect fit for the job. Known as a con to others, called a hustler by many, she's the best washer in Harlem, keeping low-key gangsters on their toes. At first, Kazimir and Emily have a tricky arrangement based on fear and danger. Her working for him is like balancing on a tight rope. He's a monster wrapped in a gorgeous package. Still, there's an air of sensuality around him that makes her forget sometimes how terrifying he can be. Sexual tension heats up between the two, but one violent night changes everything, pitting everyone against each other--Russians, Jamaicans...anyone in Harlem with a gun. Kazimir and Emily must somehow learn to trust each other before they end up being one of the dozens of dead bodies left on the streets of New York.But there are hidden secrets and twists intertwined with Rumi's murders. When the truth comes to light, Kazimir's money won't be the only thing that's dirty. And, unfortunately, their rising attraction may not survive.From the Erotica Bestselling Author of No Ordinary Love, Filthy Lies, and Power. Steamy sex and mind-blowing suspense collide in this BWWM Romance of a Russian mafia boss and the one street smart woman he can't control.

My Ten-Year Crush


Olivia Spring - 2021
    Could a second chance lead to love?English teacher Bella isn’t having much luck with her love life. No matter who she dates, no one seems to measure up to Mike: the ex-bestie she shared a drunken kiss with ten years ago, which led to the end of their friendship…When Bella comes face-to-face with Mike at their university reunion, sparks fly. He’s smart, funny and even hotter than before, and despite trying to fight her feelings, Bella still can’t get him out of her head.But after what happened the last time she stepped out of the friend zone, Bella isn’t in a hurry to be rejected all over again.Should Bella risk more heartache by telling Mike how she really feels? Could the attraction be mutual? Or is it finally time to put her past behind her and say goodbye to a second chance at love, forever?My Ten-Year Crush is a fun, sexy, friends-to-lovers romcom about second chances and stepping out of your comfort zone. Ideal for fans of Beth O’Leary, Mhairi McFarlane and Lindsey Kelk.Order now and join Bella on her rollercoaster romantic adventures!

His Contract: An Age Gap Anti-Hero Romance (A Bad Man Book 1)


Kelli Callahan - 2021
    Aggressive. Dangerous. Are you ready to fall in love with a BAD man?There is only one rule to being a hitman. No witnesses.I was hired to do a job.Eliminate a threat to her.Josephine KotovUntouchable.Off limits.No matter how bad I want her.I accepted it.I moved on.But fate threw us together again.The job was going as planned.Until she walked in,And ruined everything.The rules are the rules.What she saw means she's supposed to be next on my list.But can't do it...She knows my secret,but this is one trigger I can't bring myself to pull.Even if I am a very bad man.

Wet and Wild


Olivia T. Turner - 2019
    Obsessing over her.She's too innocent and pure for what I have planned, but I can't help it.It's beyond me now. My obsession is growing within me like a wildfire that can't be stoppedIt's a fireman's job to put out the flames and that includes her's.But first, I'm going to stoke the fire within her until it's burning and growing into a wild inferno that only I can put out.And I definitely won't be putting any protection on this big hose when we get wet and wild!Don't expect this Over The Top fireman to put out your flames. He'll get you hotter than a white-hot inferno as he becomes completely obsessed with claiming his one and only! All my books are SAFE with zero cheating and a guaranteed sweet HEA. Enjoy!

Georgia Clay


K.G. Fletcher - 2018
    An incredible talent in his own right, Clay has always hesitated to step into the spotlight on his own for fear his debilitating childhood secret will rear its ugly head. Katie Parker is a workaholic Southern beauty who’s first love is her career. It’s not just her knowledge of the cut-throat insurance business she has skillfully navigated over the years, but her tenacity and gumption in climbing the corporate ladder. The musician and career woman run into each other in the heat of the Atlanta summer at their ten-year high school reunion and unexpectedly end up in the bed of his pickup truck talking till dawn. As they forge ahead in a passionate long-distance relationship, can Clay admit to Katie she had his heart a long, long time ago? Will her drive and encouragement finally be the reason Georgia Clay takes a chance on his career…and love?

Happily Ever Afters


Mila Nicks - 2020
    But there's a problem. A family secret is revealed that threatens to ruin everything. With the help of a good friend, Juliette is determined to make the wedding happen, slowly arriving at an ending she's never expected: a happily ever after of her own.

Toxic Whispers : A Collateral Damage Novel Book Three


Candice M. Wright - 2022
    Once there was a girl.That’s where her story ends.She has no family, no home, no name.No chance,Until he pulled her from the dark.Once there was a man.That’s where his story starts.He’s rich, handsome, powerful.Lonely,Until she dragged him into the light.Two people whose lives should never have crossed,Find themselves irrevocably tied to each other.And they both lived happily ever after.Except this is no fairytale,The girl is no princess,The man no prince.Once there was a girl.Once there was the man who bought her.

The Time Shared


Endiya Carter - 2020
    Sayi Mathis; left after twenty years of marriage. Two people left by the people they pledged to spend the rest of their lives with, were mistakenly checked into the same condo on vacation with their families and friends. Yuliana, nor Sayi were thinking about meeting someone on a trip that was supposed to pull them out of the bad space they were in, but one thing about love is that it sneaks up on you when you least expect it.

Priceless


Miranda Silver - 2020
     Maybe you like the dark more than you think. I just quit the cheer squad. I’m about to dump my musician boyfriend. I’m partying harder than ever. I let money run through my fingers because I’m done reaching for standards I’ll never meet. Soon, I’m broke. And I don’t want anyone to know. The more you hide your true self, the more you’re going to let it out with me. I'm bubbly and outgoing. He's icy and alone. I stay away. I touch myself, thinking of him. When I finally seek out Patrick Caruthers, he has a proposition. Mind games. Humiliation. Control. Schedules. Him. Me. I think you’re going to be the perfect playmate. I'm not perfect. I'm not stunning or noble. I’m not a heroine. You’re priceless. I'm just a girl . . . You were made for me. And he’s a cold bastard Who is paying me for sex.