Books like 'Striking a Balance'
Readers who enjoyed Striking a Balance by Jennifer Bene also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
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Grounded by R.K. Lilley
James and Bianca’s story draws to a close in the explosive conclusion to the Up In The Air Trilogy. After a short but earnest courtship, Bianca can no longer deny her feelings for James, and though she’s tried her hardest, she can’t help but see that he cares deeply for her, as well...Categorized as:
alpha male super rich hero bdsm possessive hero strong heroine anal sex tortured heroine bondage -
This is Who I Am by Cherise Sinclair
When trying to save a woman from slavers, Sam screwed up. Royally. Now Linda wants nothing to do with him. Or with BDSM. She won’t even admit she’s a masochist. As a dominant and sadist, he can give her what she needs, and when an opportunity arises, he slips into her life, intending to make amends. She’s everything he knew she would be…except for her bullheaded determination to be ‘normal’... -
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My Liege of Dark Haven by Cherise Sinclair
Threatened by university cutbacks, Professor Abigail Bern’s only hope is to publish a provocative research paper--soon. Planning to covertly observe behavior in the notorious Dark Haven BDSM club, she takes a receptionist job. When the owner calls upon her to assist in a demonstration, she’s appalled. Then fascinated... -
Behind the Hands That Kill by J.A. Redmerski
Rated: 4.48 of 5 stars · 32 ratings-Reading Order-. #1 - KILLING SARAI. #2 - REVIVING IZABEL. #3 - THE SWAN & THE JACKAL. #4 - SEEDS OF INIQUITY. #5 - THE BLACK WOLF. #6 - BEHIND THE HANDS THAT KILL. #7 - SPIDERS IN THE GROVE. ---. Even professional killers need vacations, but for Victor Faust, his vacation in Venezuela is about more than relaxation and time alone with Izabel Seyfried... -
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Once A Crime Lord by Mia Knight
It all ends here. It’s been two years since the Pyre family was ripped apart by a sadistic killer who will stop at nothing to take Gavin Pyre’s position as crime lord of the Las Vegas underworld. Lyla and Gavin’s relationship will be put to the ultimate test when her ex rolls into town and the killer decides to finish what he started by making his final play….Categorized as:
strong heroine possessive hero angst alpha male m-f cliffhanger suspense contemporary -
100: The Complete Series by Lara Adrian
Rated: 4.51 of 5 stars · 23 ratingsGet the complete 100 Series billionaire romance trilogy in this 3-in-1 ebook boxed set! FOR 100 DAYS she deceived him. FOR 100 NIGHTS he demanded her complete surrender. Now, after all of the secrets and lies and heartbreak, they'll have to decide if their love is strong enough to try again. .. FOR 100 REASONS... -
Buttons and Blood by Penelope Sky
Crow Barsetti knows about me—and he doesn’t like it. I know he’s paying his top guys to dig up every piece of dirt they can find, but I don’t care what he discovers. There’s nothing I’ve done that he hasn’t done himself. All that matters is I love his daughter—and he’s going to accept it. I get a call in the middle of the night while Vanessa is dead asleep—and it’s him...Categorized as:
alpha male possessive hero strong heroine m-f suspense contemporary sassy heroine forbidden love -
I Will Not Beg by Cherise Sinclair
She signed away her freedom. Starved for affection, young Piper Delaney surrenders her life to a Master. But there is no love—only abuse. She’s told she can’t leave; she signed the slave contract. Years later, beaten and starving, she hears an English Dom say the contract’s illegal. Unenforceable. And she runs. She reclaims her life and rises above the nightmare that was her past... -
Buttons and Devotion by Penelope Sky
If I don’t give her what she wants—I’ll lose her forever. When Sapphire became my muse, it was supposed to be a business transaction. We both got what we wanted—until she wanted something more. If I don’t give it to her, give her all of me, she’ll walk out of my life. My father already granted his approval—so he would be disappointed if I let her slip through my fingers...Categorized as:
strong heroine possessive hero alpha male m-f cliffhanger suspense contemporary dark -
Buttons and Betrayal by Penelope Sky
Conway paid off Knuckles to keep me—but he expects something in return. I belong to him exclusively, to fulfill every order he gives, personally and professionally. I’m more just his muse now. I’m his in every sense of the word. I live a life of luxury in his mansion, but he treats me like a servant. I can’t deny my attraction for him, but I despise the kind of man he is...Categorized as:
strong heroine possessive hero alpha male m-f suspense contemporary dark explicit-plentiful -
One Night With Him: Jonathan and Monica's Story by C.D. Reiss
Jonathan Drazen’s my billionaire boss. Or he was, until he fired me. Now he wants to make a bet. If I win, he’ll give me enough money to not care about this waitressing job. If he wins, I’m completely and utterly his for the night. I’m sworn off men, but I’ll take this wager. He’s hot enough to break some rules over. Besides, he’s still hung up on his ex-wife... -
King of Pain by Piper Stone
Rated: 4.41 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsMy vows didn't make me his. My body did. Diego Santos may be wealthy, powerful, and sinfully gorgeous, but his slick veneer doesn't fool me. I know his true nature, and I had planned to end this arranged marriage before it even began. But it wasn't Diego waiting for me at the altar... -
A Peek Beyond the Consequences by Aleatha Romig
Rated: 4.36 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsNo longer available: Previous available in BREATHLESS - An Anthology. Due to reader request. .. this novella has been expanded (tripled in length) and will be release in January of 2015 as Beyond the Consequences. Anthony Rawlings is a man most women love to hate or hate to love... -
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Beautiful Devil by Piper Stone
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsI made my name and my fortune carrying out every hit with absolute precision. But this time it wasn’t a job, it was personal, and something went horribly wrong. This time there was a witness. -
A Reckless Note by Lisa Renee Jones
Rated: 4.19 of 5 stars · 22 ratings“I can chase you, and I can catch you, but there is nothing I can do to make you mine. ”. ― Morrissey. It all started with a note, just a simple note hand written by a woman I didn't know, never even met. But in that note is perhaps every answer to every question I've ever had in my life. And because of that note, I travel thousands of miles. I look for her, but find him... -
Claimed as Revenge by Piper Stone
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsA Dark Mafia Romance. I claimed her to send a message. I'll keep her for my pleasure. Valencia Rivera was given to me for a night to seal a deal offered to me by her father, but after that pact was broken I decided she was mine to keep. She thought she had a say in the matter, but she found out otherwise when the first stinging lash of my belt landed on her beautiful bottom... -
The Mercer Curse by Pepper Winters
Rated: 4.18 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsQ Mercer from Tears of Tess meets his half-brother Henri Ward from Ruby Tears for the first time. .. ………. I’ve fought a curse all my life. A curse inherited by my sick father. There is no cure. No antidote for what I am. For years, I existed alone. Fighting the urges, doing my best to stay good. Until Esclave 58 entered my life and I didn’t have to fight so hard... -
Hawke by Anise Storm
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsPreviously published in 2019, "Hawke" has been updated with a new POV and some expanded scenes. Arrogant. Sexy. Reminiscent. I felt all three about my newest client. The moment I met the sexy club owner in need of a party planner, I soon realized why. He was the one responsible for the most mortifying night of my life just one year earlier...Categorized as:
alpha male super rich hero bdsm contemporary dark length-medium first-in-series standalone-first -
Meet Fifty Shades Continued - Fifty Shades Freed by G.E. Griffin
Rated: 4.18 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsConverted to ebook format, Cover Updated. Fifty Shades Freed from Christian's POV. Get inside Christian Grey's mind, as you read the complete Fifty Shades trilogy retold from his point of view, carrying on where E L James left off at the end of 'Fifty Shades. -
Meet Fifty Shades Continued - Fifty Shades Darker by G.E. Griffin
Rated: 4.18 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsConverted to ebook format, Cover Updated. Fifty Shades Darker from Christian's POV. Get inside Christian Grey's mind, as you read the complete Fifty Shades trilogy retold from his point of view, carrying on where E L James left off at the end of 'Fifty Shades. -
The Forever One by N.O. One
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsHell hath no fury like a scorned mafia queen. They couldn't have my blood so they went after my husband. Their mistake was underestimating me. Controlled by my past and the responsibilities my true heritage bestows on me, I’m driven to make decisions I never once considered... -
Mafia King by C.D. Reiss
Santino is my king. My lover. My husband. He’s the head of the Cavallo crime family and the moment he choked my vows from me, my life was bound to his. I’m done fighting my fate, until I hear two rumors, and I’m shaken to the core. One rumor about the past—that I wasn’t the first bride Santino took. Another about the future—a new bride is about to be taken... -
Tower by Measha Stone
When Azalea meets Peter Titon, she’s sure it was a one-time chance meeting. But when her over protective mother leaves for a work trip, and the men left behind to protect her fail- she’s taken by Peter in the dark of night with no explanation. Peter isn’t one to explain his motives, and taking Azalea is no exception. He takes what he wants... -
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Love Me by W. Winters, Amelia Wilde
From USA Today best-selling authors W Winters and Amelia Wilde comes a sinful romance with a touch of dark and angst that will keep you gripping the edge of your seat … and begging for more. He was mine. My protector, my lover. My second start at life. The man who promised me there was more than this. He gave me hope. Until my world fell apart again. It was bound to happen... -
Vital Sign by J.L. Mac
Rated: 4.08 of 5 stars · 20 ratingsI used to have a great life. My little world was bright. I had no complaints. My perfectly simple life made the fall from grace that much more devastating. I plummeted from the heavenly little bubble that I shared with Jake. I fell fast and hard straight into the fiery pits of hell. The knowledge of how things used to be is a bittersweet torture that refuses me even one moment of respite...Categorized as:
tortured heroine possessive hero angst m-f contemporary tortured hero dark length-medium -
Broken by His Hand by Piper Stone
Rated: 4.15 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsShe will be mine, but first she must be broken. Sophia Russo tried to keep away from me, but just thinking about what I would do to her left her panties drenched. She tried to hide it, but I didn’t let her. I tore those soaked panties off, spanked her bare little bottom until she had no doubt who owned her, and then took her long and hard... -
Lord of Retribution by Piper Stone
He didn't ask me to become his bride, someone else did. It became an offer I couldn't refuse. Down and out. Broke. Two cents to my name. That was m life. A waitress. A store clerk. A struggling actor. Three jobs and I still couldn't pay my bills or take care of my terminally ill mother. I prayed for an intervention. It came in the way of a multimillion dollar offer... -
Unholy Night by J.S. Cannon
Rated: 4.40 of 5 stars · 5 ratingsA blanket of snow covers the ground. The world is silent under the moonlit sky. All is calm, except for one thing. Someone is watching me. This Christmas Eve will be an Unholy Night to remember. Unholy Night is a 5k Dark Romance Christmas Short that will warm you up on a cold winter’s night. -
Irish Reign by Alix Key
Rated: 4.40 of 5 stars · 5 ratingsThe Irish Mob is at war with the Mafia, and I’m trapped in the middle. By day, I’m a strong, independent woman. By night, I submit to my Irish brute of a husband. I crave his rules. I glory in wearing his collar. But now my private mistakes have been made public. I have one last chance to sacrifice my independence, my reputation, my career—all to save my mob-boss husband...Categorized as:
m-f bdsm alpha male possessive hero super rich hero mafia length-medium contemporary -
Buttons and Revenge by Penelope Sky
My brother didn’t pay his debts—and now I’m on the hook for it. They already killed him, so I know they won’t hesitate to do the same to me. With nowhere to run or hide, I buy a one-way ticket to Milan to audition for Barsetti Lingerie in the hope I can start a new life. Conway Barsetti chooses me as his next model—but then he wants more...Categorized as:
possessive hero super rich hero alpha male slavery strong heroine m-f contemporary suspense -
The Ingénue by Tiffany Reisz
A Siren prequel. Events take place approximately six months before The Siren – stars Sheridan & Kingsley. -
Ryker by Briana Michaels
Placate her, play with her, then break her…. There’s nothing I haven’t done to claw my way to the top of my dark and dangerous world. Now, no one can touch me. Or so I thought, until Tara Reed, a member of my elite club, the Monarch, exploits my only weakness to get her way. And I let her... -
Deliverance by A.J. Adams
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratings“I’m sending you a girl. ” “What? ” “She needs sorting out. I’m talking Exit Strategy. ” Exit Strategy. That’s what we call deprogramming these days. You might call it brainwashing. It’s one of my skills. Give me a man whose idea of heaven is a suicide vest, and I can turn him into a peace loving hippy wannabe. “She’s a white widow? ” “No. Human trafficking victim turned sex slave and mule... -
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BIG BURLY KILLER by Erin Havoc
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 5 ratingsThe biggest, burliest, most handsome man ever is staring at me. I give him my number, then find out he was not looking at me, but at the woman behind me. A woman who shows up dead the next morning. I tell myself it couldn’t be him. It’s all just a coincidence. Then he shows up at my doorstep. Just my luck the first man to call me back is a hitman. Hired killer or not, I can’t deny the attraction... -
What He Demands by Hannah Ford
Rated: 3.96 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsIntroducing WHAT HE DEMANDS, book three in the hot and sexy new WHAT HE WANTS series by Hannah Ford. .. Twenty-one-year-old law student student Charlotte Holloway isn’t the type of girl to lust after things she can’t have. But when she starts working for the sexy and mysterious Noah Cutler, Charlotte can’t help but dream about the gorgeous billionaire, even though she knows it’s just a fantasy... -
Kept Bride by Alta Hensley
My history is forbidden. My story, dark and twisted. My future decided. I know I don’t belong in this decadent world—his world. Money, power, and dark secrets surround me now. I submit to it all to be his perfect obedient wife. They stalk my every move, watching me, judging me. I'm in the same prison just with different guards. But all I care about is him. His eyes, his touch, his hold over me...Categorized as:
super rich hero anal sex class difference tortured heroine m-f cliffhanger dark mystery -
Hard Daddy by Megan Michaels
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsMace Cardelli is not the kind of man who stands by while a woman is in danger, so when he sees a mobster threatening an innocent college student he doesn't hesitate to intervene. But gunning down a member of a mafia family won't go unnoticed, and the girl will need his help, whether she wants it or not... -
Run to You by Kandice Michelle Young
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsHe wanted my complete surrender, I wanted his everything. .. Sebastian Black came into my life like a storm in the peak of the night. Dark. Raging. All-consuming. And, guaranteed to leave destruction in his wake. From the moment our eyes met, he had a hold on me. I wanted, craved, and needed him like nothing I had ever desired before. The problem was he needed total submission... -
The Lies We Tell: A Standalone Forbidden Romance by Kathy Lockheart
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsDive into love's dark side in this thrilling collection of two stand-alone romances, where secrets, deception, and heart-stopping twists will keep you glued to the pages. The Lies We Tell includes two full-length, tension-filled romances in the Secrets and the City series: Deadly Illusion and Fatal Cure:. from DEADLY ILLUSION:...Categorized as:
m-f tortured heroine possessive hero angst new adult contemporary suspense length-epic -
Darkest Before Dawn by Lee Savino
For years I’ve dreamt of my own death. Not any details, just the feel of an explosion, of sparks and smoke blasting into my face. Pain and the sensation of falling. Love feels like that. Maybe not for everyone, but to me, it feels like dying. As I face my death, I hold onto that. My life may be bookended by pain and tragedy but there was a moment when I was loved and I loved in return... -
Required Surrender by Piper Stone
He placed the winning bid, but he didn't own me. Or so I thought. .. My first mistake was agreeing to participate in a charity auction. My second was believing I could walk away from the commanding billionaire with a brogue accent and dazzling green eyes. It was supposed to be one date, but a man like Lachlan McKenzie plays by his own set of rules... -
Lies by Aleatha Romig
The twisted and intriguing storytelling that you loved in Consequences and Infidelity continues with an all-new alpha anti-hero in the dark romance series Web of Sin, by New York Times bestselling author Aleatha Romig. I am. .. That’s no longer an easy statement... -
True Beginnings by Willow Madison
Rated: 3.89 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsA DARK EROTIC ROMANCE. True Beginnings is the second book in a series that includes two alternative endings. See for yourself why fans are saying this makes all the other dark romances look like greyed out shades of fairytales. MORE OR ENOUGH. Max is all about being in control. It's the only way he knows how to be. There’s never been a question in his mind about what he wants... -
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Trained by the Trillionaire by Emily Tilton
Rated: 3.88 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsWhen nineteen-year-old Cynthia Hall falls asleep in the middle of an act of self-pleasure, she is shocked to be awoken by a stern, handsome man standing over her bed, scolding her for her wanton behavior. Within moments, Cynthia has been stripped bare, intimately inspected, and soundly spanked... -
Plaything: Volume 2 by Jason Luke, Jade West
Rated: 3.85 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsThe clock is ticking. I'm holed up in Hell, destined for sale as a rich man's plaything. They've beaten me, they've bullied me, but they haven't broken me. Not yet. There's only one man standing between me and a life of misery. The man they've instructed to train me. .. to make me willing. .. to make me a good product. .. Robert... -
Plaything: Volume One by Jade West, Jason Luke
Rated: 3.84 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsI’ve been sold. That’s what he tells me. Sold as a rich man’s plaything to the highest bidder. I’m to be shipped to the other side of the world, where I’ll disappear without a trace. I’ve nobody coming after me, nobody who’ll even know I’ve gone. But I’m no plaything. I’ve already been rejected for sale once. Not fit for purpose. Too fiery, too uncouth. Two choices remain. Submit or perish... -
Cherry Auction by Stasia Black
She stole his life. Now he’s bought hers. But in a game of lies and obsession, who will break first? I paid fifty million dollars for a woman who doesn’t even know her name. Or claims not to. She calls herself Brooke now, spinning some wild tale about amnesia and a fresh start. But I know better. I know exactly who she is...Categorized as:
super rich hero bdsm alpha male angst spanking dark from hate to love age difference -
Bound by Lorelei James
FIRST IN A NEW SERIES. In the new Mastered series by New York Times bestselling author Lorelei James, a woman’s desire to shatter her inhibitions leaves her unprepared for where that erotic journey will take her . Former small-town girl Amery Hardwick is living her dream as a graphic designer in Denver, Colorado...Categorized as:
bdsm super rich hero bondage alpha male strong heroine tortured heroine possessive hero m-f -
Anguished by T.L. Smith
It wasn’t meant to be this way—she shouldn’t have fallen for my brother and left me for him. But she did. And now I’m left to pick up the pieces of my shattered, broken heart. And to top it off, they want me to come to their wedding. Do they think I’m a pushover? Do they think of me as a joke? The old saying stands true, ‘Why have enemies when you can have family. ’...
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