Book picks similar to
Guarding Her Heart by Laura Haley-McNeil
romance
mystery
suspense
contemporary-romance
A Texas State of Mind
Ann DeFee - 2005
But it gets even more hectic when she's hit by a double whammy– dead drug dealers floating ashore and Christian Delacroix, an undercover cop sent to investigate the murders. She doesn't need Mr. Tall, Dark and Dangerous on her mind–or messing with her lust-meter–while she's dealing with mayhem. On their first meeting Lolly makes quite an impression by zapping Christian with a taser–talk about shocking! Her dream is to meet a quiet, respectable man, not someone who wears a gun and deals with the dregs of society. Christian, on the other hand, is cozying up to Lolly's white picket fence kind of life with kids and a black shaggy dog. Set in a small beach town with an eccentric cast of characters, A Texas State of Mind is a fast-paced, fun story of love and family relationships. And BTW, who is that villain? "A Texas State of Mind is sexy, it's sassy, it's full of action and outrageous characters. The perfect summer read!" Debbie Macomber, New York Times bestselling author
Leverage
Jessica Wilde - 2014
That's all Aislinn 'Ash' Brannock wanted in her life. Her dad and two brothers - all cops - got to see it all, but their over-protectiveness made her feel like she had been locked away in a tower with three fire breathing dragons watching her every move. Yes, it was that bad. The only silver lining? Lucas Shade. Her brothers' best friend growing up, and apparently the only man she will ever love because let's face it, none of the others even come close. After an unfortunate mistake lands her back in her father's home, her world is turned upside down and Lucas is there in a tightly wrapped package of serious with a big red bow on top. Life just got interesting, but it comes with a price, one she never wanted to pay.Detective Lucas Shade never had a real family, but the Brannocks took him in as one of their own and he never took it for granted. Ash was a big reason for why he stuck around, but in order to save himself the beating of a lifetime from her two older brothers, he kept his feelings for her hidden. When the case he has been working on for months takes a turn, Ash could become the leverage the bad guys have been waiting for, but keeping her invisible may destroy everything Lucas has worked so hard for. Good thing Ash is the only person he would give up everything to protect. For readers 18+ due to language and sexual situations.
Asher's Mark (New Adult Contemporary Romance)
Amy Durham - 2014
When she was sixteen, he became her hero, and she fell head over heels for the boy with a ring through his eyebrow, a big heart, and an unending sense of justice. But two years ago he left for college without a backward glance, leaving Grace to wonder if she'd imagined everything. With no reason to wait for Asher to return, Grace moved on, and Asher's brother, Adam, stepped in to help her pick up the pieces. But Asher never left her thoughts... or her heart. Now, two years later, tragedy brings Asher home and back into Grace's life. The boy who left her behind is now very much a man - a licensed tattoo artist, much to his parents' dismay, and still carrying a major torch for Grace. But two years apart has changed them both, and the things that happened during their separation may create a divide that can't be crossed. Asher and his brother both left their mark on Grace's heart. Will Asher's be able to stand the test of time? * This is a New Adult Contemporary Romance featuring characters who are 18 years or older. However, this title does NOT carry a warning for readers younger than 18.
New York In Love
J.B. Pettry - 2019
. . or is it?After two years of providing juicy material for her aunt’s popular relationship column, Violet Monroe decides it’s time for her career as a serial blind dater to come to an end. That is until her aunt talks her into accepting one last date . . . 1700 miles away. Future heir to his family’s media company, wildly handsome Sawyer Quinn knows what’s expected of him, but longs to break free of his overbearing mother and her suffocating expectations. When his uncle hands him an interesting opportunity, he’s pleasantly surprised when it leads to a young woman unlike any he’s ever met before, but there’s a problem—his meddling mother.
New York In Love
is a full-length sweet, swoony romance with a HEA.
Warranted Pleasures
Shannon Nemechek - 2017
But whenever I look into his eyes, I lose my ability to think straight. He’s a Chief Warrant Officer, and I’m a mere Non-Commissioned Officer. But that doesn’t stop me from thinking about him every night, dreaming about how my body would react to his touch. But I won’t allow myself to be another notch on his bedpost. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep our relationship professional—especially since we are teamed up to investigate a terrorist organization. There’s no margin for error. I can’t allow my midnight fantasies to jeopardize my day job, to discredit my reputation. But there’s one major problem. Raleigh Fitzgerald is known to get what he wants, and right now…that’s me.
All I Want For Christmas
Tracey Mayhew - 2018
Three years on, she returns to help Holly Richards, her best friend and business partner, through her own rough patch and quickly finds herself falling back into village life as if she’s never been away. But a chance meeting with a handsome stranger soon has Jess confronting her own ghosts of Christmases past and she finds herself accepting his offer to help her rediscover her Christmas spirit. Can friendships, both old and new, help restore Jess’ faith in Christmas and will she find love along the way? Discover the wonder of Christmas with this endearing romance, perfect for fans of Carole Matthews, Debbie Macomber, Trisha Ashley and, of course, all things Christmas!
Smolder
Desiree Douglas - 2017
She is preparing to begin her dream job when she's called home to help her estranged mother, a hoarder, clean out her mess or risk losing her house. Reluctantly returning home, nothing prepares her for the shock of coming face to face with her first love. Brody Finch may have been Greenshade's glorious football legend, but he is also the man who deserted her a decade ago, when she needed him the most. As Scarlett attempts to handle her combative mother, she's forced to come to terms with airing her family's dirty laundry on the reality TV show, Packrats. Community members with agendas of their own rally to help, harm, or just plain gawk. Unexpectedly, the cold case murder of her sister comes back into focus, and Scarlett finds her own life in danger as she struggles to discover the truth about what happened so long ago. In the midst of this chaos, a serial arsonist brings the small town to its knees. Where there's smoke, there's fire. Can Scarlett and Finch find the love they once shared and lost? And if they do, will she live through the process?
Primal Obsession
Susan Vaughan - 2008
After hitting rock-bottom, he needs to prove he can pull himself out of the bottle and succeed at something. He can't let himself be distracted by an ambitious, obsessed female, even if she's sexy, witty and smart.Investigative journalist and confirmed urbanite Annie Wylde embarks on the canoe trip to keep a promise to her murdered friend. She intends to use the outing to study her notes on the notorious killer called the Hunter. She banters with Sam but rebuffs his advances, considering him just another egotistical jock.But when Annie realizes the killer has followed her into the woods, she learns there's more to Sam than testosterone and dimples. And Sam faces the challenge of his life to keep Annie safe and defeat the Hunter.
Running On Empty
Christy Reece - 2014
That was before she watched the love of her life die before her very eyes. Brokenhearted, her emotions on lockdown, she finds purpose and hope as an LCR elite operative rescuing victims from some of the most volatile places in the world.As a covert ops agent, Declan Steele was used to a life of danger and distrust, but when the one person he trusted and believed in above all others sets him up, he’ll stop at nothing to make her pay. Finally rescued from his hellish prison, Declan has one priority—hunt down Sabrina Fox and exact his revenge.Trusting no one is a lonely, perilous path. Sabrina swears she’s innocent and Declan must make a decision--trust his heart or his head. As memories of their life together returns, he realizes just how treacherous his torture had been and the target of his revenge shifts. But when Sabrina is taken, retribution is the last thing on his mind. With the assistance of Last Chance Rescue Elite, Declan races to rescue the only woman he has ever loved before it’s too late.
Deadly Commitment
Kathy Harris - 2019
As days go by, she becomes convinced the homeless man outside her building is stalking her. But after learning the real identity of the intimidating stranger, she faces something even more threatening--the truth about her fiancé. Deadly Secrets is a new fiction series with southern charm and big-city twists. Set in the author's hometown of Nashville, Tennessee, it is filled not only with intrigue and suspense but subtle glimpses into how God is at work in the lives of ordinary people doing ordinary jobs . . . or maybe they aren't so ordinary after all.
Under the Maui Sky
Kellie Coates Gilbert - 2021
Readers will laugh and shed a few tears as Ava Briscoe and her children discover what it means to be loved, supported and accepted by the people who mean the most… even in the face of deep betrayal.Ava Briscoe wants nothing more than for her children and the family’s pineapple business to flourish. When a dark secret comes to light, more than her steadfast resilience is tested.Christel is picking up the pieces after a painful divorce. She’s found solace in the family business. But a bitter discovery soon shakes the once-steady foundation under her feet.Katie is a wife and mother with a full plate. She yearns for purpose but her efforts to make her dreams come true falter when she learns nothing is at it seems.Aiden makes his living rescuing people on the island of Maui. When facing life’s changes, can he rescue his own family when it matters most?Shane believes life is a party, but sometimes life hands out more than a good time—fun crashes to an end and growing up is no longer an option.Come along on the journey... with all the messy wonder, humor, pain and ultimate hope of this heartwarming family as they grapple with an uncertain future and learn they can face anything, as long as they do it together.A heart-grabbing story, perfect for Robyn Carr and Susan Wiggs fans.
Love Bound
Rebecca Ryan - 2020
As head of Colton Security I should have seen it coming, been able to protect them. But I didn't. It’s taken me years to find love again, to trust my heart and soul to another woman. And now, he's after her too.
"If he's right, then I’m in danger—in danger of losing myself. I've only been in love twice before." -- Claire Russo
I lost my parents at nineteen and was forced to raise my sisters and brother. I barely made it through vet school. Maintaining my practice is about all I can handle while nursing a broken heart. And then along comes Finn Colton. He bought our family inn, the place we all grew up, and stole my heart in the process.Set on the Maine coast, this small town, security-hero love story is just the first in a series about the Russo sisters and their brother. Meet them all in their debut story.
Crossroads Serenade: A Novel
Laurie Adair Grove - 2012
But no matter how much time passes, she can’t forget Pete, the only man she’s ever loved. Meredith wonders how she can move on, when just looking at her little boy so painfully reminds her of everything that's happened.Her son is five when Meredith returns to Crossroads to claim The Serenade—a popular hotel, bar and restaurant—which she inherits from a dear friend who treated her like family when her own family did not. A single mother from a rough background, Meredith knows life is not all roses, and that she will have to work even harder than ever with her new responsibilities. But she has no idea of the obstacles that she must overcome, now that she has moved back home to claim her inheritance and hopefully reunite with Pete.
Reed
Madison Stevens - 2013
All of that is threatened when her brother drags her back into the seedy world of greed, violence and corruption she’s tried desperately to flee.Private security contractor Reed Allen isn’t about to let a burning attraction rope him in again. He’s already felt the sting of letting his heart rather than his head lead him. He’s just there to do the job and get paid, even if a certain spunky beautiful librarian has him feeling things he thought long since buried.Keeping Olivia safe is the easy part. Resisting their passionate urges could prove to be much harder.They’ll have to mend their broken hearts and move on from their painful pasts for a chance at a future.
The Watcher
Jo Robertson - 2011
Working with a single-minded tenacity, she sets out to prove it.Deputy Sheriff Ben Slater hides his personal pain behind the job, but Kate's arrival in his county knocks his world on its axis. He wants to believe her wild theory, but the idea of a serial killer with the kind of pathology she proposes is too bizarre.Together they work to find a killer whose roots began in a small town in Bigler County, but whose violence spread across the nation. A Janus-like killer, more monster than man, he fixates on Kate. The killer wants nothing more than to kill the "purple-eyed girl again."