Recommendations based on "Ray of Heart"

Luke Garrison is a hometown hero, a member of the National Guard ready to deploy again. The last thing he's looking for is a woman to ruin his solitude. When the wildly beautiful Harper stumbles into his life, though, he realises she's the perfect decoy: a fake girlfriend to keep his family off his back until he's deployed.Harper was on her way to starting a new life . . . again. But something about Luke makes her want to settle down in this small town and make his house a home.Luke never thought he'd feel this way about a woman again. But he knows that he can't tell her the truth about his dark past. And she can't reveal what she's running from.At least this isn't a real relationship. It's only for a month. It's only pretend. Until it isn't . . .

USA Today BestsellerIn the irresistibly sexy series from #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout, two free spirits find their lives changed by a one-night stand…Some things you just believe in, even if you've never experienced them. For Stephanie, that list includes love. It's out there. Somewhere. Eventually. Meanwhile she's got her job at the mixed martial arts training center and hot flings with gorgeous, temporary guys like Nick. Then a secret brings them closer, opening Steph's eyes to a future she never knew she wanted—until tragedy rips it away.Nick's self-assured surface shields a past no one needs to know about. His mind-blowing connection with Steph changes all that. As fast as he's knocking down the walls that have kept him commitment-free, she's building them up again, determined to keep the hurt—and Nick—out. But he can't walk away. Not when she's the only one who's ever made him wish for forever . . .

From acclaimed author Katie McGarry comes an explosive new tale of a romance forged in the fast laneThe girl with straight A's and the perfect life—that's who people expect Rachel Young to be. So the private school junior keeps secrets from her wealthy family…and she's just added two more to the list. One involves racing strangers down dark country roads in her Mustang GT. The other? Seventeen-year-old Isaiah Walker—a guy she has no business even talking to. But after the foster kid with the tattoos and intense gray eyes comes to her rescue, she can't get him out of her mind.The last thing Isaiah needs is to get tangled up with a rich girl who wants to slum it on the south side for kicks. But when their shared love of street racing puts their lives in jeopardy, Isaiah and Rachel will have six weeks to come up with a way out. Six weeks to discover just how far they'll go to save each other.

A forbidden friends-to-lovers rock star romance...Malka Fischer has a bad reputation.Jasper Antonio is the nice guy of rock.They've known each other for years, but neither has looked beyond the surface. To Jasper, Malka is his best friend's on-again, off-again girlfriend. To Malka, Jasper is the squeaky clean bassist in her ex's band.One night fueled by grief and alcohol changes it all. They finally see each other for who they really are and a connection is uncovered between them that can't be denied.Even though it should be, since not denying it could destroy everything.(Although this is a standalone story, some of the timeline of this book overlaps with Times Like These. You'll enjoy it a lot more if you read that one first! Also, there is NO cheating and NO love triangle in this book!)

𝗝𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗲In one moment, I found the man of my dreams. In another moment, I lost him.Without Cooper, my world was fractured, and I made sure his twin brother knew it. I unleashed all my pain onto Caiden, ignoring the fact that he wasn't to blame. Afterwards, I spent three years pretending I’d moved on, pretending that I’d left the past behind me. I became so good at it. No one saw the heartbroken man behind the mask.Until one phone call brings Caiden back into my life. Seeing him again opens old wounds, forcing us both to be painfully honest and making me question everything I believe about love.𝗖𝗮𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻Cooper isn't just my twin, he's my best friend and a better person than I could ever be.I regret all the choices I made that hurt him, but none so much as the ones that led to the worst night of our lives. For three years, I punished myself until it all became too much, and I made a decision that I hoped would bring me closer to him. Instead, it only brought Jamie Durand back into my life.I’ve tried to hate him - ever since he and Cooper fell hopelessly in love - but I never could. Because secretly, even though it made me a terrible brother, I wanted Jamie to look at me the way he did Cooper. Now he’s back in my life, and there’s something between us that neither of us can deny.Only, it’s very possible we’ll both end up hurt again, and I’m not sure either of our hearts can take that.

Blake Landon is a man who has everything-wealth, good looks, and the love of Erica Hathaway. The power couple has been through hell and back, and when life has torn them apart, somehow they have always found their way back to each other, more in love and stronger than ever. Erica has never been more ready to say I do. On the verge of making the ultimate commitment, she uncovers an unsettling chapter of Blake's history. As she makes peace with her own past and the family who left her behind, she presses Blake to tear down the last walls between them. Determined to know the man he once was, she opens a door to a world beyond her wildest imagination-a world that has her questioning the limits of her own desires. As danger lurks and dark secrets come to light, will the past destroy their promise of forever?

Jackson Steele and Sylvia Brooks are back in the powerful finale of a provocative, sizzling-hot trilogy set in the world of J. Kenner’s beloved Stark novels: Release Me, Claim Me, and Complete Me. He’s the only man I’ve ever loved, and the one man I can’t bear to lose. Jackson Steele is my light in this world. Charismatic, bold, and always in control, he knows what he wants and how to get it—and absolutely nothing stands in his way. His hold on me is magnetic, his claim on me complete, his kiss my ultimate escape. We both harbor dark secrets that could tear our lives apart. Though we’ve tried to bury our pasts, there are certain people who won’t let us forget. But the closer danger comes, the brighter the fire between us burns—our ecstasy consuming and soothing us both. There’s no telling what lies ahead, but I know that Jackson never gives in without a fight. I’d do anything he wants to keep him safe, give him anything he needs. And now that we’re in deep, nothing can make me run. Praise for Under My Skin “Intense . . . blistering in its sensuality . . . Fans of [J.] Kenner’s sizzling and emotional Stark International trilogy will find plenty to savor in this finale, as her troubled and passionate protagonists battle to save each other from the darkness that threatens to tear them apart.”—RT Book Reviews “Red-hot and angsty . . . Kenner keeps readers guessing about who was responsible for Reed’s death until the very end, punctuating the story with hot and explicit sex scenes, questions about who’s trying to destroy the resort project that could make Sylvia’s career, and a red herring or two.”—Publishers Weekly “Kenner does a wonderful job of displaying both Jackson’s and Sylvia’s secrets, pains, insecurities and the mechanisms they use when the stress is overwhelming. . . . A great series about determination, strong personalities, perseverance and standing strong under adversity. . . . A wonderful read!”—Fresh Fiction “This trilogy has everything readers look for in a series. . . . It’s loaded with intrigue, mystery, conflict, and a powerful cast of supporting characters. At the same time it is a tender, beautiful romance between two people that have struggled with their pasts. . . . This book was intense, heartbreaking, emotional, and a page-turner.”—Smut Book Junkie “Filled with all of the drama and seduction I have come to expect and love from J. Kenner, Under My Skin was a crazy-hot story that left me completely satisfied with our characters’ HEA.”—Harlequin Junkie “Amazingly well written with detailed and complicated characters who are full of raw emotion, passion, and intensity . . . When Jackson and Sylvia are intimate, their passion is explosive and filled with wild desire. . . . The Stark International Trilogy is a must-read!”—About That Story “This story has all the passion, love, heat, and nitty gritty, provocative sex you have come to love from the first two books.”—Itsy Bitsy Book Bits “Kenner mixes a hot alpha man with a murder accusation, sabotage and sex so hot you’ll fall to your knees. . . . And throughout it all a thread of heat sizzles just underneath every single scene.”—Obsessed with Myshelf

He knows how to win her surrender ...She Wants What He's Got . . .Valerie Parker is desperate to win the affection of her emotionally distant father and land a promotion at his advertising firm. Her biggest obstacle is junior partner Steven Crennell, a dazzling former NBA star who scores all the big accounts. But Valerie's attempt to outshine her charismatic rival unexpectedly leads her straight into his arms.She's Everything He Needs . . .Steven hopes to dispel the playboy stereotype left in the wake of his NBA career. Between battling his ex-fiancée and focusing on his work, finding his soul mate isn't on the agenda - until he meets his match in Valerie. And when competition leads to explosive passion, he learns that the game of life - and love - involve a very different set of rules.Praise for Heated Rivalry"The age-old romantic conflict of opposing lovers is fresh and exciting in the skillful hands of Patricia Sargeant. Heated Rivalry steams the page from the beginning to the satisfying end." - Donna Hill, Essence best-selling author"When ex-NBA star Steven meets advertising executive Val, The Taming of the Shrew never read so well - or so sexy." - Shirley Hailstock, best-selling author"Patricia Sargeant not only touches the heart, she touches the soul of the reader." - Karen Kelley, USA Today best-selling author"Heated Rivalry sparks with sexual tension." - Janice Maynard, USA Today best-selling author"An absorbing ... emotional journey with broad appeal." - Publishers Weekly"Heated Rivalry by Patricia Sargeant lives up to its title with a riveting plot and memorable characters." - Romance In Color"Drama with a hint of humor is rife in Sargeant's latest. Readers will savor this right to the end." - RT Book Reviews"There were several storylines happening simultaneously, and Sargeant does a great job of weaving them all together." - Urban Reviews"HEATED RIVALRY is a treat and worth the read for the true romantic." - The RAWSISTAZ ReviewersExcerpt: Heated RivalrySteven finished his burger. "Tell me about volunteering at Miami Children's Hospital."Valerie placed her napkin on the table. "What do you want to know?""Everything. What do you do there?""I volunteer in the recreation room. I'm the Crayon Lady." Valerie laughed and her features lit up. Her full lips parted, showing perfect white teeth. Her eyes twinkled and danced.A warm feeling started in the pit of Steven's stomach. He could listen to her laughter and gaze at her smile for years. "Let me guess. You draw with them.""Once or twice a week since high school.""When I was in high school, I went to every basketball camp in Miami-Dade County.""I saw you when you played for the Miami Waves. You were like art."Steven watched Valerie return her dishes to the cart. He stood to do the same. "I don't think anyone's ever said that about me."Valerie turned, almost bumping into him. She was caught between his body and the cart. Steven held his ground. Her heat drew him closer. He breathed her scent, lavender and vanilla. He wanted to bury his hand in her ebony hair. Her eyes mesmerized him. Steven reached around Valerie and laid his dishes on the cart."What type of art?" His voice was husky. He hadn't intended it to be. What was she doing to him?"Modern." She answered without hesitation. "Bold and powerful. Full of energy and contrasts.""Funny. That's what I feel around you. Restless energy and conflicting reactions."She searched his gaze. "What conflicting reactions?"He couldn't resist any longer. Steven reached out and filled his hands with her hair. It was soft and warm. "Your vulnerability draws me closer, but your temper makes me want to run and hide."Her smile teased him, tempted him. "Do I frighten you?" She reached out and squeezed his left bicep. "A big, strong professional athlete?""Sweetheart, you bring me to my knees."Steven leaned in and pressed his lips to hers.

What kind of person falls into a relationship with several men? Now I know the answer. Me.I've finally realized that and I've come to terms with it. But it seems that fate has one last challenge for us to overcome. Theodora "Teddi" Vandersen, otherwise known as Grayson's mother, has apparently been following me for weeks now. She thinks it's my fault that Grayson's done with her. Whether it is or not, all I know is that the wealthy socialite will stop at nothing to tear Grayson away from me and the guys. He just found his home with us. I'm not going to let her destroy that. If it means I have to go against her, myself, and risk everything, then...So be it.

From USA Today bestselling author Rebecca Yarros comes a small town, single parent romance.Nine years ago, Weston Madigan saved me. I came to Colorado penniless, heartbroken, and pregnant, searching for a fresh start. Weston gave me a job at his family's resort, then left the next day and never returned, not even to visit.Then I stumble in on Weston cooking breakfast shirtless-gloriously, inappropriately shirtless-in the shared kitchen of my duplex in employee housing. Given the shock on both our faces, he wasn't expecting a roommate either, let alone two.The growly pilot is only home to start his family's new heli-skiing operation. I can handle being his temporary roommate, right? Chemistry and attraction aren't impossible to ignore when you agree on ground rules. Besides, even with those gorgeous, brooding brown eyes, the guy is a walking thundercloud...until my daughter, Sutton, makes him laugh and he smiles at me. Then everything changes. Cue inconvenient heart flip.This is only temporary.I can't fall for Weston.I. Will. Not. Fall. For. Weston.But rules go out the window when you're a little too close.