Book picks similar to
Embattled Christmas by J.M. Madden


romance
military
contemporary
contemporary-romance

Between Then and Now


Zoe York - 2013
    He's juggling the family farm and a second job, his kids are a crazy handful and every time he gets close to his wife, she snaps at him. Their relationship started with a sizzling physical connection, and he needs to find a way to leverage that into reconnecting on a deeper level.Their marriage wasn't chosen for love...Carrie knows she's being too hard on her husband, but eight years ago she had a one-night stand that turned into a lifetime of diapers and dinners. She can't shake the feeling that she wants more, or the fear that her husband won't understand.But they still chose each other...time and again

First Surrender


Katie Reus - 2013
    The dangerously sexy, tattooed ex-SEAL is one of the best friends she’s ever had—and the main star in her wildest fantasies. But he doesn’t see her that way. And she’d die of embarrassment if he found out she was still a virgin. And he’s about to make his claim… Hayden’s struggled to keep his attraction to the beautiful, dark haired casino chef a secret. He’s not good enough for her. But when an attacker targets Sierra, Hayden’s protective instincts go into overdrive. With the attraction between them burning out of control, he’ll do whatever it takes to protect her and convince her they’re meant to be together. The Serafina: Sin City Series, #1 Length: novella Serafina: Sin City Series 1. First Surrender 2. Sensual Surrender 3. Sweetest Surrender 4. Dangerous Surrender

Stuffed: A Thanksgiving Romance


Jessica Gadziala - 2016
    A couple days before I leave to head home, I am informed that my brother's best friend, and also my huge, obnoxious adolescent crush, will be there as well.So among a shaky work situation, a newfound potato chip addiction, and the usual stress of heading home for the holidays, I have a sudden urge to prove that I was no longer the mumbling, bumbling girl in Hogwarts robes and her nose in a book.Not that anything was going to happen between us. Those hopes had died around the time I headed off to college.But maybe....** This is a quick romance full of sweet moments and enough steam to keep you turning the pages.

Leonardo


Melissa Schroeder - 2013
    It is the way to live a well-ordered life. He never planned on dealing with the hardheaded physical therapist who is taking care of his friend. He definitely never planned on being so totally infatuated with her.Maryanne Johnson doesn't have time for a romance—especially with a military man. Sure, Leo is drop dead sexy, but more than one man in a uniform had hurt her before. Unfortunately, she can't seem to resist him or his kisses. It doesn't help that the man is as sweet as he is sexy. Falling for him is easy, but she does her best to keep herself from admitting it to him.Leo knows she wants to keep things simple but when a Santini is in love nothing will stop him from achieving his goal—even the hardheaded woman he loves.

If the Fates Allow: A Short Story


Rainbow Rowell - 2021
    Maybe a little too easily. She’s always liked people better from afar. But Reagan doesn’t want her grandpa to be alone for Christmas this year—he’s already spent too much time on his own in 2020. So she heads back to her hometown with a dish of holiday Jell-O salad, hoping they can have a little normalcy. Hoping it will be safe…She isn’t expecting to run into the boy next door. Mason is all grown up now. He’s considerate. He’s funny. He doesn’t mind how prickly Reagan is—he maybe even likes it. And it makes Reagan feel like her defenses are falling. She needs her defenses, doesn’t she? In a time when six feet is close enough, how long can they keep their distance?

Kit & Ivy: A Red Team Wedding Novella


Elaine Levine - 2014
    When his work brought him back to his hometown, and he learned she was still single, he pursued her with a relentless focus. Now, in just a few weeks, they're set to lock things down permanently on their big day.With the wedding looming, Ivy's working tirelessly to create the perfect menu and orchestrate their dream wedding. However, Kit has one last secret to reveal--and it might just be a deal breaker. Will Ivy see the truth behind Kit's actions? Or will she call the whole thing off, this time for good?Ages: 18 & up (story contains sex and profanity)

On Edge


Rebecca York - 2013
    While in rehab at the Naval Medical Center, Navy SEAL Frank Decorah has a paranormal experience that sets the course for the rest of his life.

Love Unleashed


Lori Foster - 2012
    After a frightening encounter with a patient, Evan insists Cinder stay with him until the culprit is caught. Will these two become something more with a little nudge from their four-legged friends?Originally published in 2013

Dream of Danger


Maggie Shayne - 2013
    Their shared secrets drove them apart. But now they're together again in this riveting novella that begins where New York Times bestselling author Maggie Shayne's Sleep with the Lights On ended.She may have been blind for twenty years, but Rachel's always had an uncanny gift for seeing through people—and she distrusts her assistant's new boyfriend at first sight. Amy isn't interested in Rachel's misgivings, though. She's too eager to celebrate Thanksgiving by introducing her family to the new man in her life.Then Amy doesn't show up for the holiday….Desperate to find her missing friend, Rachel has no choice but to turn to Mason. Their investigation into Amy's disappearance takes them ever deeper into danger—and reignites the attraction that they've both sworn to resist. Now it's a race against time as these reluctant partners fight to stave off passion and save a life.

Ruthless River


Lindsay Cross - 2017
    Her ex-husband, who just happened to be a cop, had a penchant for violence and, after Laney took their daughter and ran, he had a promise for revenge. She'd made a new life with a new name and had plans to stay hidden forever, but even the best laid plans go wrong… Forced to rush her daughter to the hospital Laney's location is revealed. Laney had vowed to never seek help from the man again, until Riser’s 200 pounds of packed muscle made her his own personal mission. He vowed to protect her and her daughter from her ex, but could she trust him with their lives when she'd been burned so badly in the past? Riser Malone was an admitted adrenaline junkie whose distraction on a crucial mission last year had resulted in complete failure of his objective: protect the girl. Unable to face his failure, Riser accepted every mission put before him, but a lull in the terrorist tempo left him with too much time on his hands back home. He needed a distraction, and he needed it badly. And that distraction showed up in the form of Laney and her daughter. With an abusive ex bearing down on her, Riser saw his second chance at redemption. And after one night with her, Riser knew his bachelorhood was over, but if he ever had any hope for a relationship with Laney in the future, he'd have to make sure her abusive ex-husband would never harm her again. *This book was previously published as Riser's Resolve.*

Night with a SEAL


Cat Johnson - 2014
    But when navigating military red tape begins to present more challenges than the enemy it makes Jon question his future. So does Alison Cressly, the woman who doesn’t do one-night stands or SEALs but who broke both rules with Jon the eve of his deployment to Afghanistan. He can’t get her out of his head — not while away and not now that he’s back. When Ali’s life is threatened and military rules won’t allow him to intervene, Jon decides it’s time to take back control. The question is what would a SEAL do as a civilian? Jon’s got skills, drive and an idea, as well as a few teammates willing to cover his six. And he’s got the hope of more with Ali. A team of sexy SEALs, a terrorist threat, and an attraction that can’t be denied... it all comes together in this launch of the Hot SEALs romantic suspense series from New York Times and USA Today bestselling contemporary romance author Cat Johnson.

Unwanted Danger


Olivia Jaymes - 2015
     His FBI career in ruins, Caleb Faulkner is back in his hometown of Applewood to lick his wounds and start again. Years ago, he’d left the little town for the excitement of Chicago and the chance to build a career. Unfortunately it also meant leaving behind Michaela Adams, the woman he loved and adored. Michaela gave up her chance at a lifetime with Caleb to stay and nurse her dying sister and care for her infant nephew. She doesn’t regret her decision but sometimes in the middle of the night she thinks about what might have been. In a tiny hamlet like Applewood, they aren’t going to be able to avoid each other. When Caleb runs into Michaela it’s agonizingly awkward and more emotional than he’d expected. She wants nothing to do with him, which is probably for the best. After all, he doesn’t plan to stick around town for long. Funny how plans can change… Could these two lonely souls have a second chance at true love?

Edge of the Season


Trish Loye - 2015
     E.D.G.E. Security is a covert international organization that handles jobs most governments won’t. The operators are the elite of the elite, soldiers and spies, chosen for their skills and secrecy, and their ability to go beyond the edge. Ex-hacker, Danielle Everett and her Navy SEAL boyfriend Jake ‘College’ Harrison have worked together at EDGE Security, the covert international organization for the last year. It’s been one of the best years of Dani’s life. But when Jake wants to bring her home to New York, to meet his family, Dani is reluctant. Christmas might mean food, fun and family to Jake, but to her it’s always meant loneliness and heartbreak. Jake can’t understand Dani’s opposition to his family, but he’s sure that spending the holidays with them will help change her mind. He’s got something special planned and he’s determined to make their first Christmas together unforgettable. There’s only one problem, an old enemy has decided that all he wants for Christmas is Dani—dead. He’s hired an assassin who will stop at nothing to get the job done. Can Dani and Jake overcome the holiday mayhem and work together, or will this be Dani’s last Christmas?

A Starstruck Kiss


Lauren Blakely - 2014
    A STARSTUCK KISS was previously available as a limited time prequel novella. It is now ONLY available in the book STARS IN THEIR EYES. You will not find A STARSTRUCK KISS on any retailers. You will find it in the book STARS IN THEIR EYES.Celebrity photographer Jess Leighton is pitted against her rival William Harrigan in a high-stakes Hollywood chase. She can't trust him, but she can't resist him either. Can they work together and will their intense attraction get in the way? Book 1 in the new adult series Wrapped Up in Love...

The Navy SEAL's Promise


Soraya M. Lane - 2012
    So when heavy snowfall closes JFK airport and she misses her connecting flight, she’s devastated. Until Navy SEAL Luke Gray offers to keep her company… and then personally finds a way to get her home. Luke is back in the US on leave, waiting to hear the details of his next mission, and Saskia proves to be a pleasant distraction. And when he hears that she needs to get home to see her son, he’s prepared to do anything to help the sexy single mom. Trouble is, he hadn’t planned on falling for anyone, let alone a beautiful soldier about to return overseas.