Books like 'Running on Empty'
Readers who enjoyed Running on Empty by Colette Ballard also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
contemporary romance mystery realistic crime
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Ripple of Secrets by Denise Grover Swank
Rated: 4.44 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsRose Gardner novella #6.5 in the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling series.After her assistant DA boyfriend’s near brush with death, Rose Gardner hopes to make it through the holiday season with a minimal amount of drama. But she can’t forget the promise she made to the king of the Fenton County underworld in exchange for Mason’s life... -
Picking Up the Pieces by Denise Grover Swank
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 16 ratings**Novella following Thirty-Two and a Half Complications in the USA Today bestselling Rose Gardner Mystery series** While Rose might be reeling from the news that Joe’s ex-girlfriend is pregnant, she’s got bigger issues to deal with... -
The Last Exchange by Charles Martin
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 18 ratings“Here’s the catch—even if I make it out of here alive, I need a reason to breathe again.”When MacThomas Pockets finished his last tour as part of the Scottish Special Forces, he was hired to consult for a film director to finesse some scenes that weren’t working. In a twist he never saw coming, he ended up moving to L.A. to work as the bodyguard for movie star Maybe Joe Sue... -
Midnight Reckoning by Rebecca Deel
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsHer sister was a world-class jewel thief. But she crossed the wrong person and now Sophie's baby may pay the price. Sophie Valero has spent her life living down her last name. In a family of murderers, thieves, and con artists, she's the black sheep... -
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Lost in the Wind by Calle J. Brookes
Rated: 4.42 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsShe had survived. She could survive. She would survive again. After a brutal assault and cancer as a teenager, Dr. Nikkie Jean Netorre wouldn’t let herself be called a victim. Nikkie Jean wasn’t a victim. She was a survivor. Now a pediatric surgical resident at the best teaching hospital in Texas, Nikkie Jean knows there’s nothing she can’t make it through if she just keeps going... -
The Grift of the Magi: a Heist Society novella by Ally Carter
Rated: 4.36 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsKatarina Bishop is a thief. To many it wouldn’t matter that she now uses her considerable skills to resteal valuable works of art and return them to their rightful homes. She’s still a thief. So that’s why Kat’s surprised when an Interpol agent comes to her one snowy evening, asking for her help... -
Sweet on You by Becky Wade
Rated: 4.36 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsBritt Bradford and Zander Ford have been the best of friends since they met thirteen years ago. Unbeknown to Britt, Zander has been in love with her for just as long.Independent and adventurous Britt channels her talent into creating chocolates at her hometown shop. Zander is a bestselling author who's spent the past 18 months traveling the world... -
Deadly Pursuit by Irene Hannon
Rated: 4.31 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsAs a social worker, Alison Taylor has a passion for protecting children and seeing that justice is served on their behalf. But when she starts getting harassing phone calls and bizarre "gifts," it seems she may be the one in need of protection... -
Kidnapped by Dee Henderson
Rated: 4.28 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsSomeone snatched his cousin's wife and son. FBI agent Luke Falcon is searching for a kidnapper and sorting out the crime. He's afraid it's the work of a stalker. He's afraid they're already dead. And he'll do anything required to get them back alive . . . but he didn't plan on falling in love with the only witness... -
A Distant Shore: A Novel by Karen Kingsbury
Rated: 4.28 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsThe #1 New York Times bestselling author and “inspirational fiction superstar” (Publishers Weekly) presents this high stakes love story of danger, passion, and faith.She was a child caught in a riptide in the Caribbean Sea. He was a teenager from the East Coast on vacation with his family. He dove in to save her, and that single terrifying moment changed both of their lives forever... -
Sam's Letters To Jennifer by James Patterson
Rated: 4.16 of 5 stars · 41 ratingsGrief-stricken by a recent tragedy, Jennifer returns to the resort village where she grew up to help her beloved grandmother. There, Jennifer will discover new meaning in life and experience not one, but two of the most amazing love stories ever... -
The Eyewitness by Dee Henderson
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 25 ratingsSara's terrified. She's falling in love. And if that's not bad enough, it's with former pro football player Adam Black, a man everyone knows. That fact could cost Sara her life... -
Trapped by Irene Hannon
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsWhen librarian Laura Griffin's sixteen-year-old sister disappears on a frigid February day, leaving only a brief note behind, Laura resolves to do whatever it takes to track down the runaway teen. That includes recruiting ATF agent turned PI James "Dev" Devlin to help. But the deeper he digs, the more he begins to suspect that something sinister is at work in the girl's disappearance... -
A Perfect Escape by Maddie James
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsA changed identity. A secluded beach. A sniper. Megan Thomas is running for her life. From Chicago, from the mob, from her husband. She runs to the only place she feels safe-a secluded cottage on an east coast barrier island. Smyth Parker is running from life. From work, from society, from a jealous ex-wife-his only consolation the solitude of Newport Island... -
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Pleasure, Pain or Purpose: Book One: Pleasure by Al Daltrey
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsPleasure, Pain or Purpose is the story of three best friends. When everything seems perfect, that’s when a curve ball is likely waiting around the corner. Biljana Stevens’ blissful life is derailed after the sudden death of her cherished David. Now a lonely submissive, she travels the world with a crushed heart... -
Locked by Eva Morgan
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsWhen eighteen-year-old Irene Adler meets her new neighbor, the gorgeous, brilliant, and arrogant Sherlock Holmes, she never expects him to be the one to make her feel like life is worth living again. Ever since her sister's death, she's been addicted to risk-taking as a way to deal with her depression, and Sherlock quickly becomes the biggest risk she's ever taken... -
Maverick by Jodi Burnett
Rated: 4.44 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsMaverick will release sooner than the posted date! Stay tuned.Small Town Thriller!While on a run in the mountains, K9 Renegade finds a red high-heeled shoe. He and his handler, Deputy Caitlyn Reed, locate its twin — on the foot of a dead woman floating face down in Moose Lake... -
The Survivor (Crime Scene: Houston) by DiAnn Mills
Rated: 4.30 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsKariss meets Dr. Amy Garrett, who survived a brutal childhood attack in which the assailant was never found. Now Dr. Garrett wants her story written in a novel. Kariss wishes she could seek the advice of Special Agent Tigo Harris, but she broke off the relationship a few months prior and seeing him again would be too painful... -
Lightning Lingers by Barbara Freethy
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsFrom #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Barbara Freethy comes the second book in a new romantic suspense trilogy: Lightning Strikes. In these connected novels, lightning leads to love, danger, and the unraveling of long-buried secrets that will change not only the past but also the future… Katherine Barrett, a dedicated young doctor, receives a terrified phone call from her brother, TJ... -
Waiting by Calle J. Brookes
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsEveryone made mistakes, but some were far more dangerous than others… Fin McLaughlin wanted nothing more than to make a difference in his work with the FBI. Headhunted by the deputy director of the Bureau to head up a new division located in St. Louis, Fin was determined to make amends for the mistakes he’d made six years earlier that had almost cost him his career—and his life... -
9 Bodies Rolling by Stephanie Bond
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsRound and round we go... Carlotta Wren is still reeling over her parents' return after a ten-year absence. After putting her life on hold for so long, she's not sure how to move forward. Her new reality isn't exactly what she thought it would be, especially considering the altered circumstances of the three men in her life. Until we all fall down.. -
Every Word by Ellie Marney
Rated: 4.21 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsRachel is still getting used to the idea of Mycroft being her boyfriend when he disappears to London with Professor Walsh. They're investigating the carjacking death of the rare books conservator, which appears to be linked to the theft of a Shakespeare First Folio from the Bodleian Library... -
Dirt Nap by Carolyn Elizabeth
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsThough still suffering side effects from the injuries she sustained in a serious fall, Corey Curtis is off restricted duty and back at work in the morgue. Within hours of cutting the cast off her arm with a bone saw she’s asked by her former mentor to assist on a body recovery. Now she’s elbow deep in decomposing human remains and a suspicious death that hits far too close to home... -
Justice (Southern Comfort .7) by Lisa Clark O'Neill
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsWaking up next to a dead stranger with no memory of how he got there should be the worst day of Caitlin Cavanaugh’s life. However, what seems to be a clear case of self-defense soon puts Caitlin on the defensive, as evidence left behind at the scene doesn’t match up with her story. But proving her innocence becomes the least of her problems.. -
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Deception by Lisa Clark O'Neill
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsSamantha Martin’s carefully reconstructed life is teetering on the edge of disaster. After surviving an abusive childhood, Sam is only months away from completing her hard-won college degree when she gets devastating news about her brother. Donnie, her protector and best friend, lies in a coma in a Charleston hospital... -
Looking for a Cowboy by Donna Grant
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsA cowboy finds love in the most unlikely place in New York Times bestseller Donna Grant's newest Heart of Texas novel, Looking for a CowboyA beautiful stranger has come to Clearview, asking questions that are nobody’s business. Cooper Owens also wasn’t born yesterday. He knows that this out-of-towner is hiding a dark secret of her own... -
Edge of the Heat Series Box Set by Lisa Ladew
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsBooks 1-4 of the Edge of the Heat Series - romantic suspense box set - bundle Emma Hill fights for her life, and the life of her new boyfriend against an evil, scheming, dirty cop. Her new boyfriend has some secrets of his own to bring to the fight, both for their lives, and for Emma's heart... -
Seized by Suzanne Ferrell
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsThey hit a rocky patch Dave and Judy Edgars have always loved each other – they’ve been married ten years and have three kids. But ever since Dave, a SWAT team member, was shot on duty Judy can’t control the intense fear that grips her every time he heads out to work. It puts a strain on their relationship. Dave knows she’s scared, but damn it she knew he was a cop the day they met... -
Delirium by Katie May
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 8 ratings<b>Ellie and her boys return in the next installment of Kings of Grove Academy! <br><br><i>This is book four of five. Release date WILL be moved up... -
Every Waking Moment by Brenda Novak
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsSometimes you have to risk it all. Emma Wright has finally escaped the dangerous man who's controlled her every move for the past six years. Taking her five-year-old son, she has fled across the country -- seeking freedom, safety, and a fresh start. But Max's father isn't giving up so easily. Preston Holman understands the lengths a parent will go for his child... -
Our Happy Time by Gong Jiyoung, Sora Kim-Russell
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsAlready a wildly popular bestseller in South Korea, this gripping and passionate debut novel is a death row love story of crime, punishment, and forgiveness&#8212;vividly told by the exquisitely talented Gong Ji-young.Yu-Jung, beautiful, wealthy, and bright, is lying in her hospital bed, recovering from her third suicide attempt, when she receives a life-changing visit... -
Deadly in High Heels by Gemma Halliday
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsNew York Times and USA Today Bestselling series! When fashion designer Maddie Springer is invited to help style contestants in the Hawaiian Paradise Beauty Pageant, she jumps at the chance! The fantastic publicity coupled with a weeklong vacation with her best friends Marco and Dana, is a win-win. But trouble follows her to paradise when one of the beauty queens winds up dead... -
Homicide in High Heels by Gemma Halliday
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsNew York Times, USA Today, and #1 Kindle Bestselling series! It's springtime in California! The flowers are in bloom, the fashion week runways are fierce, and fans of America's favorite pastime are filling the baseball stadiums to root for their favorite team. But when the girlfriend of the L.A... -
Lock & Key by Traci Hunter Abramson
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsAfter years of hiding from her criminal family, Carina Channing is ready to start a new life in Virginia Beach. But cutting ties with the past proves impossible thanks to a mysterious key she received from her imprisoned father. After a warning visit from her uncle, Carina and her boyfriend, Navy SEAL Jay Wellman, begin an urgent search to discover the key's purpose before their enemies intercede... -
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Bad Penny by Sharon Sala
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsThe scar across her neck ties her to the past. Cat Dupree would love nothing more than to settle down and build a life with fellow bounty hunter Wilson McKay. But Soloman Tutuola — the man who murdered her father and slashed her throat when she was thirteen — haunts her even from the grave... -
The Disappearance of Sloane Sullivan by Gia Cribbs
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsNo one wants me to tell you about the disappearance of Sloane Sullivan.Not the lawyers or the cops. Not her friends or family. Not even the boy who loved her more than anyone. And most certainly not the United States Marshals Service... -
7 Brides for 7 Bodies by Stephanie Bond
Rated: 4.14 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsCarlotta Wren's life has taken a startling turn — she's not sure what's going to happen next. So when her retail job temporarily plants her in the world of wedding planning, she's happy for the distraction — at first. Because the happily-ever-after setting only heightens the stress surrounding the decisions she faces about her romantic life... -
Catherine Coulter - FBI Thriller Series: Books 3-4: The Edge, The Target by Catherine Coulter, Robert Lawrence
Rated: 4.14 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsTHE EDGE Baffled by a seemingly supernatural connection to his critically injured sister, an FBI special agent heads to the Oregon coast in search of a more plausible explanation for his sudden ESP, only to discover more puzzling mysteries. FBI agent Ford MacDougal?"Mac"?is recovering from a terrorist car bombing when his sister appears to purposely drive her Porsche off an Oregon cliff... -
The Dying Game by Beverly Barton
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsPlay To Win... It's the ultimate game--the adrenaline surge of the hunt, the thrill of victory, the agony of defeat. For in this game, the rules are simple: To win, you only have to kill. To lose, you will have to die... Play To Scream... The victims are former beauty queens found with a single rose beside their bodies... -
Dead Silence by Brenda Novak
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsThere's a body buried behind a Mississippi farmhouse. Grace Montgomery knows who it is, and she knows why it happened. She was only thirteen the night it all went wrong. And now, like then, she has no choice but to keep her mouth shut. Grace left the town of Stillwater thirteen years ago, trying to forget, trying to make good. As an assistant D.A... -
Revelation by Kate Brian
Rated: 4.11 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsThe biggest mystery of all...and Reed is dying to learn the truth. Two months after Cheyenne Martin was found dead in her Billings House dorm room, exclusive Easton Academy is rocked by another stunning revelation: Cheyenne was murdered. No one knows who the killer is, but everyone agrees that Reed Brennan, who took over Cheyenne's role as Billings's president, gained the most from her death... -
Clean by Juno Dawson
Rated: 4.11 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsI can feel it swimming through my veins like glitter ... it's liquid gold.When socialite Lexi Volkov almost overdoses, she thinks she's hit rock bottom.She's wrong. Rock bottom is when she's forced into an exclusive rehab facility.From there, the only way is up for Lexi and her fellow inmates, including the mysterious Brady... -
Accidental Heroes by Danielle Steel
Rated: 4.10 of 5 stars · 20 ratingsA decorated former Air Force pilot. A pregnant flight attendant. A dedicated TSA agent. The fates of these three, and many others, converge in Danielle Steel's gripping new novel--a heart-stopping thriller that engages ordinary men and women in the fight of their lives during a flight from New York to San Francisco. On a beautiful May morning at New York's John F... -
The Rise by Shari King, Shari Low
Rated: 4.22 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsWhen we bury our secrets, they always come back to haunt us...Their rise was meteoric.Only a few years before, they had been three friends from Glasgow, just trying to survive tough lives of danger and dysfunction.But on one Hollywood evening in 1993, they were on the world’s biggest stage, accepting their Oscar in front of the watching world.That night was the beginning of their careers... -
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A Bend in the Road by Nicholas Sparks
Rated: 4.03 of 5 stars · 41 ratingsMiles Ryan's life seemed to end the day his wife was killed in a hit-and-run accident two years ago. Missy had been his first love, and Miles fervently believes she will be his last. As a deputy in the North Carolina town of New Bern, Miles Ryan not only grieves for Missy, but also longs to bring the unknown driver to justice. Then Miles meets Sarah Andrews... -
Payback by Kristen Simmons
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsThe unpredictable truth will be revealed in Payback, the stunning conclusion to Kristen Simmons’ Edgar-nominated thriller series that started with The Deceivers...Brynn Hilder has conned a lot of people. From the spoiled rich kids of Sikawa City to her mom's loser ex-boyfriend, from a motorcycle gang to a senator's son... -
Seductive Secrecy by Marni Mann
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratings“We were two broken souls who had found each other in a world of shadows. We were held together by a connection of secrets, dark and fearful and reluctant to leave. Their depth was seductive and overwhelming, an endless ocean of black that threatened to cover the brilliance we kept reaching for with each other... -
The Widow and the Will by J. Thomas-Like
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsTess Kingston is a young bride suffering the worst tragedy imaginable. Just as she is finally piecing her life together again, long-kept skeletons come clawing out of the closet and she finds herself at odds with her once-beloved in-laws and in the cross hairs of the police... -
Unlawful Attraction Vol. 1 by M.S. Parker
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsI'm not a selfish person. I mean, I'm thrilled that my friends are doing so well with their new jobs and their love lives. I just thought I'd be joining them, at least in the job department, now that I'm working for the DA. Unfortunately, nothing seems to be going like I planned... -
Untapped: A Bad Boy Crime Novel by Weston Parker
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsSome desires are better left uncovered… Erik Bertinelli is the son of the vilest mob boss in all of New York’s underbelly. He’s the enforcer, the hitman for the syndicate, and the type of guy who doesn’t mind getting his hands dirty. His hideaway is as unconventional as they come… the New York Public Library...
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