Book picks similar to
Love in the China Sea by Fran Baker


contemporary-romance
tough-as-nails-heroine
erotically-inclined
exotic-locale

Alien and the Wedding Planner


Lizzie Lynn Lee - 2017
    Or at least, she hopes to get a reasonable client. That is why she's excited when a pair of insanely gorgeous men come to her shop for a consultation. But no, they aren't a couple and they ask weird questions. Things escalate when one of them decides to kidnap her and bring her to his home planet . . . This alien feeling in the alien's heart Lord Ice Silverkiller is a renowned scientist on his home planet, Crimea. His planet is dying and it seems his people don't want to procreate. His emperor orders him to find a solution. Ice and his crew then embark on the first expedition to Earth. They want to know the secret behind the humans' explosive population growth. But when he sees Alana, science is the farthest thing in his mind. And the chemical reaction between them is sizzling Like other Crimeans, Ice is even-tempered and relies on logic rather than his heart. But there's nothing logical about this crazy urge to possess this curvalicious human female named Alana. Suddenly, he is hit by all kind of feelings he's never experienced before. To make love to her. Always worry about her. To protect her and keep her safe. To make her his. Ice wonders if he finally feels what the humans called love? Because this newfound love and Alana might be the keys to save their dying race...

Moon Lust


Sherri L. King - 2002
    A man whose secrets and unquenchable hunger will change her life forever...

Rumors on the Red Carpet / The Talk of Hollywood


Carole Mortimer - 2013
    Suddenly this innocent waitress is propelled from her quiet English life into the glittering world of New York's scandalous elite and the glare of paparazzi flashbulbs. Catching the eye of internationally renowned business mogul Lucien Steele, Thia knows she's about to learn a thing or two about life and love in the fast lane! For once in her carefully ordered existence she will take not what is safe, but what she really wants.

Time Shutter - Time Travel Romance


Elyse Douglas - 2020
    Her criminal half-sister, Lizzie, and boyfriend close in, guns drawn.At the last moment, Cate snaps their photo and, in a bright flash, her attackers vanish to 1890.Seeking revenge, Caitlin sends herself back in time, hoping to find Lizzie and bring her to justice. But nothing goes as planned.She's tossed into a dangerous adventure of life and death, revenge and love. The time camera holds the power to get her back home to 2020, but what happened to it?​Can she trust the handsome, irresistible and clever gambler, Jack Flint?

The Mulberry Tree


George Mournehis - 2013
    Marcus wants nothing more than to indulge in drink, drugs and women.But when he meets the plot-holders on the Butterfly Lane allotments--Sophia, a charming, but troubled, woman in the midst of a spiritual crisis; Alex, his fiery, Greek neighbour, who covets both Marcus’s plot and a mysterious book that belonged to his grandfather; and Benjamin, a shadowy recluse--the reason for his inheritance becomes clear.

The Break-Up Psychic


Emily Hemmer - 2013
    But when Sam James, the oh-so-hot bad boy Ellie has sworn to stay away from, keeps turning up like a bad penny, she’s going to need more than her psychic senses to see what’s coming her way.

Caught


Lolita London - 2016
    Thomas Winterbourne's blood like nothing else. Unwed, and desperately lonely, he's rejected the idea of marriage due to his singular desires. A Thief Jenny Marks feels no pity for the wealthy doctor who has more comfort than she has ever found in her nineteen years. She takes a job as his maid, intending on taking anything of value from him and any other upper class people that she can. Caught When Dr. Winterbourne finds her pilfering his mother's jewels, he decides upon punishing her in the most scandalous of manners, unknowingly tying their fate together.

Close Encounters


Sandra Kitt - 2000
    Carol Taggart is a newly single professor. Their lives collide one night when Carol is caught in the crossfire of an undercover drug sting gone south. Shot and seriously wounded, she finds an unexpected friend in Lee . . . unaware that the man she’s falling for could be the shooter.Twenty years on the street do nothing to prepare Lee for the night that changes his life. Determined to make amends, the special-operations lieutenant finds himself irresistibly drawn to Carol. But Lee soon faces a new threat. With his career and heart on the line, he races to prevent Carol from becoming a victim once again.Passionate and bold, Close Encounters shatters myths about race, gender, and love.

The Girl of His Dreams


Amir Abrams - 2013
    And never, ever, catch feelings.That's the motto 17-year-old heartthrob Antonio Lopez lives by. Since his mother walked out, Antonio's father has taught him everything he needs to know about women: they can't be trusted, and a real man has more than one. So once Antonio gets what he wants from a girl, he moves on. But McPherson High's hot new beauty is turning out to be Antonio's first real challenge.Miesha Wilson has a motto of her own: The thrill of the chase is not getting caught. Game knows game, and Miesha is so not interested. She's dumped her share of playboys and she's determined to stay clear of the likes of Antonio Lopez--until his crazy jealous ex aggravates her. But when she decides to play some games of her own, Miesha and Antonio find themselves wondering if love is real after all. . .."Hot and poppin' with drama and life lessons. The world of teen lit has never seen anything like this before!" --Ni-Ni Simone, author of No Boyz Allowed, on Crazy Love

Not Quite Darcy


Terri Meeker - 2015
    Tasked with mending a tear in the timeline, she’s trying desperately to fit into 1873 London. But dang it, mucking out a fireplace while looking like the lunch lady from hell is hard.If she can just keep from setting the floor on fire and somehow resist her growing attraction to the master of the house, she’ll be fine. All she has to do is repeat her mantra: “He’s nothing like Darcy. He’s nothing like Darcy.”William Brown has always taken pride in his mastery of English decorum, but his new maid is a complete disaster, has thrown his household into chaos…and he finds her utterly captivating.Though he’s willing to endure extreme physical discomfort to keep their relationship in proper perspective, her arrival has brought out a side of him he never knew existed. And Eliza has an innocently erotic knack for coaxing that decidedly ungentlemanly facet of himself out to play…Warning: A modern girl who knows bupkis about nursing and maiding in the 19th century, a gentleman poet with a repressed wild side, and inappropriate use of a pair of pantaloons.

The Spanish House


Cherry Radford
    One Spanish summer. One huge family secret.Juliana makes a modest living as an 'ethnic' TV/film extra – even though the only connections with her Spanish heritage are her cacti, Spanish classes, and some confused memories of a Spanish mother she hasn't seen since she was seven.When her beloved Uncle Arturo offers her the chance to discover her roots while housesitting his coastal home in a quiet corner of Andalusia, Juliana can't believe her luck. Especially when he reveals that the house will be hers if she fulfills ten life-enhancing 'Conditions' within 90 days.Redecoration of the house and a visit to the old film studio where her mother used to sew costumes seem ridiculously simple tasks for such a wonderful reward. But little does Juliana realize that there are family secrets and inherited rivalries awaiting her in sunny Spain, and the condition that she has to 'get on with the neighbors' – who include a ruggedly handsome but moody artist – may be harder than she thinks.The perfect escapist read for fans of Rosanna Ley, Jo Thomas, and Sue Moorcroft.

On the Right Side of a Dream


Sheila Williams - 2005
    I just didn’t expect to get so many.When Juanita Lewis arrived in Paper Moon, Montana, courtesy of a Greyhound bus, she was just looking for a brief respite. Instead, she found a home, friends, and a man to love. But this leave-your-attitude-by-the-door woman made a promise to herself–one that she intends to keep. Now that she’s got a place to come back to, Juanita wants to see the world.A trip out West with her eccentric trucker friend, Peaches, leads to a cooking stint at a new age spa for skinny celebrities. Crazy, but its here that Juanita decides to take her talent for cooking to a new level . . . and make it her dream. She also learns something about life: It does turn out the way you planned it–just be ready to change the plan a few times along the way.Just as Juanita’s journey begins, she’s called back to Paper Moon, having inherited an old, slightly haunted B&B, as well as a mountain of decisions. There’s her self-centered, irresponsible daughter, insisting that she get some sense and come back home to Columbus, and a son who’s doing things Juanita can’t bear to think about. So how does a middle-aged black woman from the projects follow her heart when it’s heading in so many different directions? By asking the right questions, then listening with her soul.

Destiny


Taylor Brent - 2018
    I wanted adventure. What I got was two men, one giant town secret and enough passion to light me on fire- literally!I moved to Utah to find myself, to find my destiny.What I found was love.I fell in love with the town, the people and two unbelievably sexy men.Roger was sexy and sweet.From the moment we met, he swept me off my feet.He impressed me, seduced me, and melted my insides.If you could bottle romance, the label would say Roger.But something was missing.I didn’t know what, until Luke.Tall dark and handsome, he sizzled my blood with just one look.He showed me his world.Roger swept me off my feet, but Luke saved me from myself.So who do I ride off into the sunset with?Romance or Passion? They tell me I have to choose.But I have to wonder- Why can’t I have both?Adventure and Fire. Romance and Passion. Secrets and Lies. Who said small towns are boring?

The Black Dog Series


Hailey Edwards - 2015
    DOG WITH A BONEHalf-bloods with Thierry's skill set are given two options. They can join the conclave's marshal program, or they can pack their bags. Turn down the job offer, and you've just shredded your residency pass for the mortal realm and booked yourself a one-way ticket to Faerie.Texas is the only home Thierry has ever known, and she's not going anywhere. Even if it means following in her notorious father's footsteps as a peacekeeper. But pinning on the badge opens her eyes to the fact sometimes fae need protection too, and that sometimes humans are the real monsters.HEIR OF THE DOGThierry Thackeray is having the worst week ever. Her ex is back in town, death omens are camping out on her mother's lawn and her estranged father has gone missing. Then there's the small matter of the High Court requesting her presence in Faerie.Now the wrong fae has answered her summons, and she's stuck with a not-so-charming prince who offers to fix all her problems...for a price. She can't afford to tell him no, but with her luck, she might not survive saying yes.LIE DOWN WITH DOGSWith tentative peace established in Faerie, Thierry returns to her job as a conclave marshal in Texas while the countdown to her coronation begins. But what happens in Faerie doesn't always stay in Faerie. A crown wasn't Thierry's only souvenir from her trip. Her new husband, Rook, is scheming again, and this time his plans are invading her dreams.When her best friend throws a beachside going-away party, Thierry is grateful for the distraction from Rook...and from Shaw. But her presence in Daytona rouses an old evil, one who wants the future queen as the crown jewel of his private collection.

Christmas to the Max A Return to Welcome Novel


Bonnie Edwards - 2020
    (Return to Welcome)Max Whyte moves to Welcome WA to live closer to his daughters after their mother remarries. He wants to fix up an old home, settle into his new position at an IT firm, and try not to think about turning forty alone.Burned by a single mother in the past, he vows not to get tangled with another woman with children. When he saves the life of a small boy, he finds himself tangled in more ways than he could imagine.When the boy’s mother turns out to be the perfect person to do his renovations, Max has trouble keeping his personal feelings out of their employer/employee relationship.Kaylin Simpson has returned to Welcome to give her boys the kind of home she wanted as a child. She needs a fresh, stable start and wants to run her own business. Her three-year-old twins keep her hopping, but after she finishes the renovations for Max, she hopes to have her life well in hand.Max is drawn to Kaylin and her adorable twin boys. Her wit and feisty spirit pull at his heartstrings until he realizes being a stepfather is never what he wanted.Christmas in Welcome can be a time to heal and move forward and Max and Kaylin must set aside their old hurts to allow love to blossom.