The Poseidon team are hard-bodied, fiercely competitive navy SEALs. But when a sensitive mission goes disastrously wrong, three of the team's finest will have to trust their hearts and instincts to uncover the truth… 

"No man left behind" is inscribed in the DNA of every SEAL and Lieutenant Diego Torres is no exception. But with a team member killed—and the body missing—Diego's honor is sorely tested. Now his career and reputation are on the line, and a traitor is hiding among them. Diego wants answers…and only one woman has them. 

Single mom Harper Maclean has two priorities—raising her son Nathan and starting a new life. Her mysterious new neighbor may be impossibly charming, but Diego asks too many questions about her past—and about the father of her child. Questions she fears will reveal her burning attraction for Diego, and ultimately put them all in danger's path.

Call to Honor is a seductive tale of secrets, suspicion, and yearning passion turning into a tender adoration. 
I liked how the team Poseidon was introduced, their tight brotherhood is admirable, their skills and proficiency making them the best of the best. They are willing and able to step in as needed and to sacrifice their lives if meant to be. Yet a betrayal by a team member was not something they were prepared for. 
Lieutenant Diego Torres has come over the odds that were against him from the start of his life and bettered himself for a brighter future. His dignity, honesty, and love for rules, regulations, and routines make him an ideal soldier, his honed ability to control his temper a better man than most. He loves action, he loves to work out, but waiting and being still, opening up to new people, and dating aren't part of his better skills. 
Harper Maclean is tough, smart, and sweet single mom, whom also has come over the odds and made a good, safe life for his son. She has spunk and courage, she is passionate about life, and there is nothing she wouldn't do for her son. Nathan is absolutely adorable, smart as a whip, caring, sweet boy who looks after his mom. I loved Harper and Nathan, the mother/son connection was truly strong and loving, making me smile constantly. 
Diego and Harper were hot together, the passion between them is scorching, the developing deeper feelings are obvious, no matter how much and how often they try to convince themselves that it is only about the sex. 
The main focus in the story was the failed mission, the assumedly dead SEAL member, his betrayal of the team and the country, and the necessity to find out what happened, and who is behind it, and who was helping him. I liked the intensity the suspense and the investigation gave to the story, the action towards the end picked up the heart rate. At the beginning, the plot moves on rather slowly, Diego and Harper don't even meet until about 20% into the tale. But when the story picks up, it comes addictive and engaging, the luscious craving Harper and Diego have for each other steaming up the pages, and the hunt for the treasonist members of the team heightening the tension. Not all the questions regarding the investigation were completely answered, raising up the curiosity towards the continues of the series even more, if the attractive Poseidon team hadn't already done that. 
Sizzling hot romance in a middle of a vigorous investigation introduces the gorgeous, intriguing members of the Poseidon team and opens up the doors to a new, promising series that I will keep my eye on!
~ Four Spoons

Heartbreaker
Filthy Dirty Love #1
By: Stacey Kennedy
Releasing January 31, 2017
Self-Published

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Handcuffs aren’t just part of their job in this sizzling new standalone novel by USA Today bestselling author, Stacey Kennedy.

Veteran cop, Maddox Hunt, is all about the job. Sure, there are women—lots of women, truth be told—but there’s no one special. Until a one-night stand from his past, rookie Joss O’Neil is assigned to his division. Suddenly, all he can think about is her. The scent of her. The taste of her. 

Fresh out of field training, Joss has thrown herself into her job, determined to kick-start her career. And while police work has its thrills, her gorgeous new boss is what really gets her pulse pounding. Too bad he’s nothing but a distraction. Especially since he’s as devastatingly handsome as she remembers, and his sexy smile arrests her heart.
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Now that Joss is back in Maddox’s life, he has a plan: satisfy her fantasies and fulfill his every dark desire. Nothing is off limits. Her pleasure is the endgame . . . but even the best-laid plans have a way of falling apart. Despite his best attempts to keep his distance and have things remain only about the pleasure, Maddox soon finds himself breaking the only law he’s set for himself. Don’t fall in love.

STACEY KENNEDY is the USA Today bestselling author of the Dirty Little Secrets and Club Sin series. She writes deeply emotional romances about powerful men and the wild women who tame them. When she’s not writing sensual stories, she spends her time in southwestern Ontario with her real life hero, her husband, their two young children, and her other babies: a mini labradoodle named Jax and a chocolate labrador named Murphy. Stacey is a proud chocolate, television show, Urban Barn, and wine addict. She likes her heroes in her books like she likes her coffee . . . strong and hot!

Author Links:   WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS

We’d vowed to love each other ‘til death do us part...

New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Kristan Higgins’s new novel ON SECOND THOUGHT is a moving and emotionally raw tale of two sisters struggling to rebuild their lives in the wake of heartbreak.

Thirty-nine-year-old Kate has almost given up on dreams of love and motherhood when she meets Nathan—a man who is almost too good to be true—and marries him after a whirlwind romance. But before the blush of newly wedded bliss has had a chance to wear off, Nathan dies unexpectedly in a freak accident, and a shattered Kate finds herself more alone than ever before. Barely a bride and now suddenly a widow, Kate must reckon with survivor’s guilt and the revelation of her late-husband’s secrets while confronting her own fears and hopes for the future.

In the midst of Kate’s grief, her half-sister Ainsley is dealing devastation of a different variety after her boyfriend of 11 years dumps her on the night she was expecting him to propose. To make matters worse, his blog post detailing their break-up goes viral. With her perfectly-planned future of domestic harmony dashed in one fell swoop, Ainsley is forced to reevaluate her life and learn how to be alone for the first time in over a decade. As she navigates this new terrain, Ainsley takes solace in supporting Kate through her period of mourning and finds time to exasperate her seemingly heartless boss, who, Ainsley will discover, may have a pulse after all.
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From the wreckage of tragedy and heartbreak, Kate and Ainsley will learn to lean on each other and discover a closeness and intimacy they haven’t previously known. Together, these two sisters will find the strength to start over and the courage to believe in second chances.​

This story pulled all the emotions from me to the front and center and it mesmerized my mind. I was so connected to the characters I couldn't put the book down, reading it until the wee hours of the morning, and not being ready to let them go as 'the end' was in front of me. I know it is only the end of January but I believe this will be one of 'the' books for me this year because this story made me think, it made me evaluate, it made me feel, and it made me want to change some things. It lured its way to my heart and made itself comfortable there, and I know I will carry it with me for a long time. 
The story is told in the first person (I know, not my favorite, but it really works here) from both of the sister's point of view. It also is written in a little retrospect at the beginning, giving away the tragedy about to hit the characters, yet it still comes as a sort of a surprise, that just telling you how well the story was crafted. 
The constant flow of subconscious thoughts, the awkward thoughts, the forbidden thoughts, those thoughts that we are never going to act upon or say out loud, as the sisters fumble with life and try to survive, those are the once to carry the tale forward and made it so easy to relate to them, to understand them, to love them like they are your own sisters. The thoughts are morbid, sad, hysterical, humorous, loving, horny, and angry and everything else you can imagine and feel. They take the reader into the journey the ladies are on, the journey to learn about love, life, themselves, their family, their relationships, their destiny in life, their career goals, their friendships, everything that is important to grow to be you in the fullest sense of the word. 
Kate's struggle to understand that the man of her dreams, whom she married only four months ago and has known less than a year, is dead, it is heartbreaking yet liberating in an odd way. Her relationship with her in-laws, the struggle to accept that most everyone in town knew more about her dead husband than she did, and would naturally, most likely, mourn for him much longer than she would, was an uphill battle filled with guilt, worry, and fear. The way the author paints the mind of a person in mourning was eye opening and intense, from the mismatched shoes to crying in the closet, the hysterical laugh at the most inappropriate times, to the moment when you finally are ready to let go and accept your grief, it is a raw and emotional road, but it is drizzled with such delicate and tender humor, the angst level doesn't eat you up but you end up smiling when life finally wins. 
Ainsley has sought acceptance since she was a little girl. She never fit in with the family, so she made sure she would be unreplaceable part of her boyfriend's life. Or so she thought until the very public breakup after eleven years. She is lost, with herself, her career, her life, her direction, her family, life, in general, is a mess. Yet from that absolute zero moment in her life, she builds something solid, something beautiful, something that works for herself. She grows, she flourishes, she matures, she learns to accept herself and stand up for herself, and embrace the person she is. 
The new chances with life, love, and family the sister get are beautifully twined into the tale, into their lives, from the ashes of their old life they thrive and gain something different, lasting, beautiful, and unexpected. 
I am still in awe, and feeling a bit raw, with this story and from the life and love filled transformation it has on the characters, and on myself as I read it. From the effortless flow of the tale to every single feeling, the step forward and then three back, to the change and revelation of life, the story made a lasting impact. Definitely a book I wish every woman had a chance to experience! 
~ Five Spoons!

New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author and two-time winner of the Romance Writers of America RITA® Award, Kristan lives with her family in a small Connecticut town that boasts a wonderful library, a great agricultural fair, a really good ice-cream stand and not much else. She is the mother of two lovely kids and the wife of a brave firefighter who is also (perhaps more important) a fantastic cook. Previously a copywriter, Kristan began writing fiction when her children graced her life with simultaneous afternoon naps. Writing, she found, was infinitely more satisfying than folding laundry, and so began her first novel. Kristan holds a BA in English from the College of the Holy Cross, which means she can identify dangling participles, quote many great novels and play a mean game of Scrabble. Kristan is an award-winning baker, devoted fan of he New York Yankees and an avid reader. She and her crew spend as much time as possible at the family home on Cape Cod, where they shiver in the Atlantic, ride bikes, swat horseflies and don’t catch any fish.

Carnal Obsession: His Heart’s Prisoner
Carnal Series
By: Reily Garrett
Releasing January 30, 2017
Self-Published

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Life on the street molds emotional athletes.

Three years ago, her brother’s death marked the beginning of Kendra’s new life, an existence with no home, no family, and no friends. Time in the underground byways toughened her emotional shell with the loose association of like-minded street rats where survival meant compromise and constant vigilance.

Before he died, Billy had sent her a package in care of his teammate, Conner. For Kendra, re-entrance into polite society comes with a deadly price, as betrayal comes from both sides of the grave.

Conner Crofton owns the BDSM club Ambrosia. After failing to protect his teammate on their last covert mission, penance takes form as a promise to safeguard Billy’s little sister, a girl he’d unknowingly remanded to a world of darkness and uncertainty, deception and psychopathic stalkers.
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The past will always haunt us. Each must earn forgiveness and trust as passion, guilt, deception, and betrayal, interweave a destiny formed long ago. A romantic suspense with a twist.

“You? You own this animated horror show? Conner, what happened to you?” A decade ago, he and Billy had filled her head with fantasies only an innocent could dream, back when sex in a t-shirt carried the easy grace of a natural predator and filled her delusions of eternal love. Time had lent fuel to her imagination. Like a boiler that continued to build up too much pressure, her thoughts skated along the razor’s edge of a volcano. The age-old longing persisted despite current reality’s intervention and the memory of how Conner had led Billy into the military, to his death.

“Hello, Kendra. I’m glad you and your band could make it tonight. I look forward to hearing you sing again.” That sweltry intonation could curl an iron bar, yet there dwelt a deep sadness, as if memories pulled him down a road too often traveled.

An audible gulp. Her mouth opened and closed several times without issuing a sound.
She couldn’t look at him, not when her face flamed with the memories of first infatuation. The disappointment invading her mind now stung the back of her eyelids. “When did you turn into a pervert?” It was too much to bear. She needed the quiet and peaceful white noise of the street, wind chimes on someone’s front porch, a car backfiring, a breeze sifting through the trees and blowing the road’s detritus in small dust devils.

“Nice place you have here, Mr. Crofton.” Daeron, ever the peacemaker, stepped forward to shake Conner’s hand.

“Yeah, all it needs is some spider architecture, pointed hats, and magic wands. Oh, and I think you’re missing a vat of boiling oil.” Mumbled words lost the bite of her intent.

“Can’t say spiders do much for me, but we do have plenty of oil and violet wands. Most women think of them as magic.” Conner’s husky laugh scorched the knot in her throat like melted sand, changing its consistency until acid threatened to spew forth.

“Looks damn interesting.” Daeron’s comment would earn him an all-out brawl later.

Freaking traitor. Men always stick together.

After a moment, Conner’s words sank in. No!

“Violet? You’re gay?”

It seemed bystanders thought her a comedian or imbecile, their laughter creating more blazing heat to encompass her face.

Marc, brother of her current tormentor, took pity as he stepped forward. “Hi, Mackendra. It’s been a long time.” Sympathy radiated from him in waves to envelop her in a maelstrom of cloying, sickly sweet flashbacks she couldn’t handle. Of the four brothers, he’d been the nice one.

“Hi, Marc. Let me guess, you’re also part of this zoo?” Regardless of his intended sincerity, she couldn’t rest her gaze on either man. “This den of perverts?”

“You got it, hon. You ready to work? I’ve missed hearing your zany and spirited songs.” Marc stepped forward to offer a hug yet stopped short of contact.

No! She couldn’t abide the company of men whose lives had been twisted by pain and despair, the last men to see her brother alive. Conner’s presence ushered Billy’s last words to fill her mind before he ditched her for another military stint, his final tour. “You’re being selfish, mongrel. I need to do this, protect my brothers. You’ll be safe here, yet they won’t be unless I go back. When I return, we’ll start a new chapter in life, together.”

Well that sure as hell happened. Just not the way I’d planned.

The physical ache in her heart wasn’t relieved with the pressure of fist against chest. She turned and ran, just as she always did when the agony of memories washed over her. She would never again allow anyone to witness her suffering.

Reily Garrett is a West Coast girl transplanted to the East Coast. Past employments as an ICU nurse, private investigator, and military police officer has given her a host of different environments to add a real world feel to her writing.
Though her kids are her life, writing is her life after. The one enjoyed…after the kids are in bed or after they’re in school and the house is quiet. This is the time she kicks back with laptop, surrounded by her shepherds, to give her imagination free rein.
 In life, hobbies can come and go according to our physical abilities, but you can always enjoy a good book. Life isn’t perfect, but your imagination can be. Relax, whether it’s in front of a fire or in your own personal dungeon. Take pleasure in a mental pause as you root for your favorite hero/heroine and bask in their accomplishments, then share your opinions over a coffee with your best friend (even if he’s four legged). Life is short. Cherish your time.

Author Links:   WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS

At Brodie Operations Security Service, Inc., following your instincts is company policy . . .
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M. Cassidy—Luke Brodie had heard the name before, some novice bounty hunter working Seattle, catching tricky skips with more success than a newcomer should expect. But the dark curls, sparkly top, and impressive cleavage were not what Brodie had pictured.

Emma Cassidy is tough and smart and sexy as hell. She’s also popping up a step ahead of him every time he’s close to the capture he wants most . . . and there’s no room for learning on the trail of this monster.

Emma has idolized Luke Brodie, the bounty hunter who can bring anyone in. The big man in the soft shoes, with a face like a fallen angel and a reputation for breaking hearts. Watching him in action is intoxicating. But her fight with Rudy Vance is fiercely personal. If he gets too close, Brodie will find out just how ferocious she can be ...

Exciting and action filled continues to the BOSS Inc series where the mighty Luke Brodie meets his surprising match in the bounty hunters world and puts his personal life in turmoil. Could it be that this notorious ladies man and serial one-night-stand-man can consider a longer relationship or will the past actions and quiet nightmares be too much to deal with? 
From the start, the story takes off into a fast, bloody, and furious action where no mercy is shown and where the bounty hunters put their own lives to risk to fulfill their duty and deliver the goods. The thrill and drama are impressive and the appeal of the story high, I just wanted to immerse myself into their dangerous world and take the perilous ride with them. 
Luke Brodie has made appearances in the previous books in the series, his reputation as a deadly force on the field is known, his fame with the ladies even more so.  The ladies men are not my favorite hero type, just don't feel the appeal to the type. At first, Luke comes off a bit abrasive and arrogant, even old fashion with some of his thoughts,  but as the story unfolds, the deeper side of Luke is revealed, the tender, vulnerable, caring man with inner battles, doubts, and concerns. He managed to get under my skin with his vulnerabilities and his adoration of Emma Cassidy won my heart. 
Emma has experienced more loss and sorrow in her young life than most do through their lives. She took the latest tragedy in her family and made it her motivation and force to work as a bounty hunter with only one goal in mind - to capture the man torturing her niece. She learns the trade, she hones her skill, she is facing the trouble full frontal and not showing any fear. At times I wasn't sure if she was brave or reckless as she marches on and walks into unpredictable situations without looking back or backup. She has idealized Luke, admired him, made him into her role model, and now working side by side the attraction is overpowering and unavoidable. 
The story is very detail oriented as Luke and Emma research the case and hunts for the culprits and clues. Also, the relationship developing between them is detailed, the story including series of disclosed sex scenes between them, their physical attraction burning hot and heated, their yearn for each other relentless. Honestly, in my opinion, some of that could have been wrapped in a little tighter package, because not all the simple or heated details added into the development of the plot. 
There's a secondary romance interest developing on the side between Emma's sister and an agent that also shaved off some of the building intensity in the main storyline. 
The action is gory and crimson, the culprits know no mercy. The violence is cruel and the desires of the hunted man are sick and twisted. The fear for survival is evident as is the fear for the deeper feelings that are developing in Luke and Emma. The closer they come to find their man the closer the loom of doom in their relations comes. 
At times long-winded, but mostly thrilling, treacherous, risk-filled suspense story with ardent and heartfelt romance, engaging characters that lure your mind and charm your heart with the enthralling stories of their destinies
~ Four Spoons 

PRETEND IT’S LOVE
Behind the Bar #2
Stefanie London
Entangled Lovestruck

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One fake relationship shaken not stirred…

Bar manager Paul Chapman is sick of his family’s traditional ideals. Marriage, babies, and a white picket fence? Not his gig. But now that his ‘golden child’ big brother is tying the knot, Paul’s screwed. His ex will be there…and she’s having his cousin’s baby. Unless he wants to show up to the wedding alone and face his family’s scrutiny, he needs a girl on his arm. Now.


Cocktail specialist Libby Harris has spent her life earning the nickname Little Miss Perfect, all to win the love of her wealthy, controlling father. But she deviated from his plan, and now her business is on shaky ground. If it fails, she might as well kiss his respect-and her dream-good-bye. Her only hope? Convince the hottest bar in town to take on her product.
    
Luckily for her, the owner’s brother is sexy as sin and in need of a perfect girlfriend…

A voracious reader, USA Today Bestselling author, Stefanie London has dreamed of being an author her whole life. After sneaking several English Lit subjects into her very practical Business degree, she got a job in corporate communications. But it wasn't long before she turned to romance fiction. She recently left her hometown of Melbourne to start a new adventure in Toronto and now spends her days writing contemporary romances with humour, heat and heart.



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Website  Facebook  Twitter  Goodreads

Trust the enemy? 

Desperate to escape her kidnappers, Kody Cameron can turn to only one man…and he's holding a gun. Outnumbered and trapped in the deadly Everglades, she has little recourse, but something in this captor's eyes makes her believe she can trust him. Does she dare to take the risk? 

Undercover agent Nick Connolly has met Kody before and knows she might very well blow his cover. Though determined to maintain his facade, he can't let Kody die. He won't. And his decision to change his own rules of law and order are about to make all hell break loose. ​

Law and Disorder start with a chaotic hostage situation at the old mansion in Miami. A group of bandits masked as famous robbers of the history is after a treasure hidden for decades. Convinced that Kody Cameron, with her extended research on the matter, is the only one who could ever find it, they kidnap her to find the treasure for them. 
One of the bandits is an undercover FBI agent Nick Connolly, who months ago met Kody in New York and is afraid she will blow his cover, and so the whole operation, to capture one of the top ten most wanted criminals in the country. 
I love the author's work, Heather Graham writes mind-blowing suspense stories with some romantic aspects in them. Law and Disorder has an extended background story to it, the history of the treasure, the history of the mansion, the history of the famous robbers, the history of the bandits, the history of Nick and Kody's connection and meeting... There is a lot of information in the first quarter at the book, and it does get a bit overwhelming. 
But after the scene is set the story picks off and the intensity of the suspense grows rapidly as the hunt for the treasure change locations. 
I liked the characters, both Nick and Kody. While at the mansion Nick is doing his best to keep everyone alive and keep his cover. The dance between the tasks isn't easy, and at times it seemed nearly impossible that no one picked up on his duplicity. Nick is a fair, humble and kind man, he loves his career and the work he does. His instant attraction to Kody months ago in New York let to nothing but now he maybe has a new chance to make a move, if they all just survive the coop. 
Kody is an actress, a bit flamboyant, but with a heart of gold, and always putting others first. She is a passionate, brilliant, and brave, though she sometimes let her mouth go before her thoughts. 
The action is vivid and violent, the leader of the bandits doesn't have much value for a human life, yet has an interesting code of conduct that spikes up at the most unexpected times. The twists in the plot are unforeseen, the constantly growing intensity puts the reader to the edge as the characters slosh around the swamps fighting against the wildlife as much as the insane, murderous leader of the bandits.
With lot of history and scenery from the Everglades, the unpredictable tale of deadly and dangerous action takes the reader for a hunt of a lifetime where human life doesn't have much value, where precarious nature is adding into the hardship, yet a surprising, wonderful, tender feelings take root and a priceless treasure of heart is found. I'm looking forward to this new exciting series from one of my favorite authors! 
~ Three Spoons with a teaspoon on the side

New York Times and USA Today best-selling author Heather Graham majored in theater arts at the University of South Florida. After a stint of several years in dinner theater, back-up vocals, and bartending, she stayed home after the birth of her third child and began to write, working on short horror stories and romances. After some trial and error, she sold her first book, WHEN NEXT WE LOVE, in 1982 and since then, she has written over one hundred novels and novellas including category, romantic suspense, historical romance, vampire fiction, time travel, occult, and Christmas holiday fare. She wrote the launch books for the Dell's Ecstasy Supreme line, Silhouette's Shadows, and for Harlequin's mainstream fiction imprint, Mira Books.

Heather was a founding member of the Florida Romance Writers chapter of RWA and, since 1999, has hosted the Romantic Times Vampire Ball, with all revenues going directly to children's charity.

She is pleased to have been published in approximately twenty languages, and to have been honored with awards frorn Waldenbooks. B. Dalton, Georgia Romance Writers, Affaire de Coeur, Romantic Times, and more. She has had books selected for the Doubleday Book Club and the Literary Guild, and has been quoted, interviewed, or featured in such publications as The Nation, Redbook, People, and USA Today and appeared on many newscasts including local television and Entertainment Tonight.

Heather loves travel and anything have to do with the water, and is a certitified scuba diver. Married since high school graduation and the mother of five, her greatest love in life remains her family, but she also believes her career has been an incredible gift, and she is grateful every day to be doing something that she loves so very much for a living.
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For more information, check out her websites: TheOriginalHeatherGraham.com, eHeatherGraham.com, and HeatherGraham.tv. You can also find Heather on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

He can protect anything except his heart

Leese Phelps’s road hasn’t been an easy one, but it’s brought him to the perfect job — working for the elite Body Armor security agency. And what his newest assignment lacks in size, she makes up for in fire and backbone. But being drawn to Catalina Nicholson is a dangerous complication, especially since it could be the very man who hired Leese who’s threatening her.
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What Catalina knows could get her killed. But who’d believe the sordid truth about her powerful stepfather? Beyond Leese’s ripped body and brooding gaze is a man of impeccable honour. He’s the last person she expects to trust — and the first who’s ever made her feel safe. And he’s the only one who can help her expose a deadly secret, if they can just stay alive long enough...

If you are regular followers of the website, you might have caught on the fact that I read about 90% of my books 'blind', not knowing how the cover looks like and who wrote the book, just open the file with the book's name and get going. This said to explain that I had no idea this was Lori Foster's work at the beginning, but soon recognized the characters from the MMA series, that this is a spin-off, and silently cheered with high expectations of the coming events.
I loved the characters, they had a rare originality to them, distinct qualities, that were easy to recognize and relate to. Leese Phelps, who's story started in the previous series, is tough, protective, capable, and intimidating as a bodyguard, yet caring, loving, and so tender when it came to Catalina Nicholson. 
Cat was a bit more complex character to know. She is in a tough spot, her life is in danger, the culprits after her are merciless and brutal. She managed to hide for six weeks on her own, and now, just in time, Body Armor security agency steps in to help. Yet she is aware of the fact that one wrong move and her loved ones are in danger for their lives, as well. Trust is hard to come by in that situation, it is a tightrope she has to balance on, she is exhausted after her run and hiding on her own, yet to let lose and give up all the information she has could put everyone around her in danger. In this situation, in my mind, she had a lot of room to be difficult, whiny, or clingy, yet she shows a backbone and desire to stand for herself, and fight for the justice to be done. All her life she has been told she is different and doesn't fit in, and finally, she finds people who accept her, embrace her, and care for her just as she is. 
Cat's attraction to Leese is immediate, she is burning for him and not about to hide it. The temptation is great to Leese since his adoration toward Cat has been just growing inside of him the more he gets to know her. The connection, understanding, the awe between them is palpable and glowing with heat, the love scenes between them are scorching hot yet filled with tender, loving warmth. 
The secondary characters were drawn with distinct lines, especially Justice. There were intrigue and humor to them in just the right doses to wake the interest and have me craving to find out about their destinies. 
The suspense builds up through the tale, with surprising twists taking the plot into new directions. The crescendo at the end is filled with fierce, cruel, and ruthless, on the edge action that comes to a heroic, sudden ending. 
This story is a delightful mix of intense suspense, deadly action, and cherished romance with a compelling plot with curious twists, and fascinating characters that allured my mind, promising an energized and exciting series to come! 
~ Four Spoons with a teaspoon on the side

This Piece of My Soul
Clearing the Ice #2
By: Robyn M. Ryan
Releasing January 24, 2017
Self-Published

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They believe love conquers all.

One of pro-hockey’s golden couples, Andrew and Caryn Chadwick live in the limelight reserved for elite professional athletes. On their second anniversary, Andrew receives an unexpected contract offer to join the Tampa Suns. As they look forward to a new adventure, neither foresees an event that challenges their love and threatens their marriage.

Until it doesn’t. 

A sudden and senseless accident threatens Andrew’s life and inexplicably drives a wedge between the couple. Shattered by the incident, paralyzed by fear that it could happen again, Caryn finds herself at odds with her husband and unable to provide the support he needs—at the time he is most vulnerable.
As their perfect world crumbles, each makes choices that take Andrew and Caryn further apart. Distrust, fears, and secrets construct walls. This Piece of My Soul follows the joint and separate paths the couple navigate as each hopes to rediscover the love that can conquer all.
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Although This Piece of My Soul is the second book in the Clearing the Ice Series, it can be read as a standalone novel.

Andrew Chadwick jerked awake as the phone vibrated on the bedside table. He glanced at the screen as he quickly pressed “ignore.” He slipped from the bed, hoping the noise and movement didn’t wake his wife. His eyes adjusted to the darkness and satisfied that Caryn still slept, he grabbed clothes and headed downstairs. Don Wilson calling in the middle of the night can only bring news I don’t want to hear. When he got to the kitchen, Andrew quickly texted a response to his agent, then dressed and splashed cold water on his face. He grabbed a Coke and quietly opened the door to the courtyard patio. He sat in the predawn Toronto light, staring at the phone a few minutes before he returned the call. 
 “Sorry to call so early.” Don apologized before Andrew could speak. “I know you’re headed out today and had to catch you before you two fall off the grid.”
“What can’t wait ten days?” Andrew twisted the bottle cap and took a long drink.
“Tampa sent an offer sheet an hour ago.”
“Hudson signed with Chicago?”
“Late last night.”
Andrew sighed. “How much?” He closed his eyes and his agent relayed the amount and terms. Not what I want to deal with today. “The Blues’ response?”
“Just got off the phone with Jenkins. Andrew, if you sign the sheet, the Blues can’t match the offer without making some quick moves. This totally blows up their salary cap.”
“No indication they’re interested in a deal?”
Don barked a laugh. “Oh, they might sign the deal we discussed last month.”
Andrew’s fingers drummed against the table. “Your take on their lack of interest up to now?”
“The Blues can’t afford you long-term; you’ll be traded before your current contract expires.” Wilson waited a beat. “The Suns are a contender right now, Andrew. They want you to fill a huge hole in the starting line. This may be the offer you can’t refuse.”
“How long do I have?”
“Obviously, the Suns would like your answer as quickly as possible. They’re willing to fly us down, so we can discuss this face-to-face, and you and Caryn can look at the area. I can hold them off a while, but probably not ten days.”
Andrew stood and walked across the patio. “No, I don’t want this hanging over our heads that long.”
“If you tell me your trip plans, I will rebook it out of Tampa.”
“Good try, Don, but no, I’ll take care of that.” He laughed a little. “Give me a few hours. I need to discuss this with Caryn and think things through.”
Slipping his iPhone into his pocket, Andrew stepped back inside. Way too early to wake Caryn. His thoughts drifted to the trip they were scheduled to begin that morning. An anniversary tradition that began with their honeymoon two years earlier. Destination his secret and Caryn packing according to his ambiguous suggestions—casual or formal, warm or cold, passport just in case. Despite her best efforts to pry information from him—even during their most intimate moments—Caryn never knew the destination until they arrived at the airport. Even then, he might insert a plane change mid-route. 
Last year, she thought they were going to California’s wine country, but when the plane landed in San Francisco, he took her hand and led her to another gate. He laughed softly as he remembered her expression of delight, mixed with pure panic at the thought of getting on another plane that would take them over the Pacific Ocean to reach the final destination, Fiji. He’d pushed her to her limit…well, beyond her limit, despite the unforgettable ten days in the lush secluded villa. He carefully planned this year’s trip to minimize her fear of heights and air travel.
Andrew leaned against the counter and gazed out the kitchen window, the darkness slowly retreating. Tampa’s offer cast a shadow over their plans, not just the anniversary trip but the upcoming move back to St. Louis before training camp. Caryn’s made St. Louis a second home, her client list managing corporate and individual social media accounts expanding monthly. Not to mention that her best friend Lauren just landed a marketing job in St. Louis and plans to move from Vancouver in just a few weeks.
He pushed away from the counter and wandered to the living room, sitting down in a chair and closing his eyes. It’s a no-win situation. If I sign the Suns’ offer sheet, the Blues will either decline to match—or worse, trade teammates to keep me. 
His ambitions had never included owning one of the highest contracts on a team. But, if he didn’t sign the offer sheet, his agent’s prediction very likely would play out. Come March, he’d find himself playing on a different team—worst-case scenario traded to one of the teams in the midst of rebuilding.
The Suns were a contender now. They’d made it to the Stanley Cup Final last season. They couldn’t re-sign the league’s leading scorer, but extended the offer sheet to the Blues last night. The offer catapulted him into an entirely new level, both in terms of money and the pressure of replacing the team’s leading scorer. Andrew knew he could fill the slot—on the ice at least—but at what cost to Caryn, their friends in St. Louis, and the chemistry that existed among his linemates? 
He didn’t hear Caryn approach until her hand rested on his shoulder. “You’re up early, Drew. I planned to surprise you with breakfast in bed.” She pressed her lips against the top of his head. “Happy second anniversary.”
Andrew slipped his arm around her waist and drew her onto his lap. “My favorite day of the year,” he whispered before her kiss chased all thoughts of Tampa from his mind.
“Shall we just skip the breakfast part?” Her voice purred in his ear. 
He closed his arms around her, his mouth finding hers. He shifted his body until he could stand with her locked in his embrace. He stepped across the room and gently placed her on the sofa, breaking the kiss with a soft curse as his phone vibrated in his pocket. He sat on the edge of the sofa as he pulled the phone from his pocket and glanced at the display. Don. Again. Now what? 
“You’ve got something?” He caught Caryn’s questioning look at the impatient tone in his voice as he stood and began to walk across the room.
“Just spoke with Jenkins again. Wanted to see if they are open to revisiting our contract negotiations before you decide anything.”
“And?” He stopped for a moment, anticipating the response.
“He said their offer is on the table.”
“Take it or leave?” Andrew felt Caryn’s hand grasp his shoulder, but he shrugged it off as he continued pacing.
“More or less. You owe it to yourself to talk with the Suns. The Blues’ best offer is two years only. You could be looking at a long-term deal with Tampa.”
“Yeah. Give me a little more time. I’ll call you back.” He ended the call and tossed the phone across the table before turning toward the door. The mounting frustration threatened an angry release.
“Drew?”
He held up his hand. “A couple minutes, Cary. I need to clear my mind.” Without waiting for her reply, he jerked the door open and stepped outside, closing it firmly behind him.

**Release Week Price: $1.99 through January 31, 2017** (Reg. $3.99)

*RELEASE WEEK SPECIAL*
Get This Piece of My Heart, the first book in the series for just .99 sale (regularly $2.99) through January 31, 2017.
"This Piece of My Heart delivers a sweet love story that still sizzles -- a must-read for anyone looking for the perfect happily-ever-after.” - Cara Lockwood, USA Today bestselling author
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By the time she was an eight-year-old tomboy growing up in the suburbs of Chicago, Robyn M. Ryan definitely knew what she wanted to do when she grew up—play major league baseball or write. She wrote throughout elementary and high school, first composing novels featuring favorite TV and music personalities, and then venturing into sports writing.
Attending UGA’s journalism school launched her career in public relations, which included an internship with the Atlanta Flames NHL hockey team. With the encouragement of a writers group on twitter—WritersThatChat—This Piece of My Heart, a hockey romance, and the first book in Robyn’s series Clearing the Ice was published May 2016. The second book in the series, This Piece of My Soul, introduces the Tampa Suns professional hockey team.
Besides writing, Robyn’s passions include following the New York Rangers, NASCAR, and the Atlanta Braves; splitting time between homes in Atlanta and Palm Coast, and visiting Paris as often as possible. Two brilliant Westies rule both homes.
As do many writers, Robyn chooses to write using a pseudonym—hers is a combination of her sons’ names, a contribution from her youngest nephew.

Author Links:   WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS

Blood Money
NYPD Blue & Gold Series
By: Tee O'Fallon
Releasing January 23, 2017
Entangled: Select Suspense

​

NYPD Detective Gray Yates has major trust issues. Protecting a serenely beautiful woman hiding enough secrets to take down an entire city wasn’t something he bargained for. She’s a loving single mother, hot as hell, and protecting her will test every ounce of his resolve.

Alex Romano is being blackmailed by the Pyramid—an elusive international organization of assassins every cop in the world is after. When Alex tries severing ties with them they refuse to let her go. The darkly dangerous detective she’s irresistibly drawn to is her only hope of staying out of jail. He just might be her savior…or her downfall.
​
Despite efforts to maintain his professionalism, Gray can’t deny the fiery passion Alex ignites in him. In an explosive confrontation, Alex’s lies are revealed and Gray is faced with the most important decision of his life: trust the woman he’s falling in love with, or arrest her.

An exciting story, filled with tense suspense, fear, danger, misgivings and trust issues all well balanced with the cutest kid and two mistreated hearts trying to find a way to happiness with all the possible roadblocks on their way. 
The story immediately took my interest and pulled me into the world of terror and secrets. Alex Romano is an intelligent, independent woman who is used to take care of things by herself and not rely on anyone's help or support. Her son Nicky has a rare form of leukemia, and she is willing to do anything to protect her son, to keep him safe, and to get him healthy. 
Gray Yates was betrayed by his former love interest while in Afganistan resulting in the deaths of children, comrades, and his best friend's girlfriend. The guilt, the regrets, the remorse is something he is used to carrying with him until Alex caught his eye and he felt maybe there was a chance of happiness for him as well. 
I loved the connection between Gray and Alex. The chemistry was hot, and their lust-filled thoughts were melting the pages. Both of them had something they were hiding from the world around them, but no one expected the extension of the lies and deception Alex had built around her and Nicky. The story unfolds rapidly, the continues twists and revelations keeping the tension high and the feelings raw. There came a point where I wanted to shake Alex, as it seems there's always something more, starting to feel as suspicious and tired of her lies as Gray was. Alex and Gray put each other's trust and honesty to test again and again until the drama filled crescendo. 
Constant conflicts and action, violent battles with the terrorist, mixed with gorging hot romance with serious trust issues, and one adorable young man, that will steal your heart, with a mother who is willing to sacrifice everything for her son's life and health. Buckle up, it is a high-speed, explosive, and highly entertaining tale!
~ Four Spoons 

Alex still couldn’t believe the two men actually tried to kidnap her baby.
She took a breath to steady her nerves. It didn’t work, far from it. All it did was make her even more aware of the man sitting a foot away. Every inhalation brought with it his wonderful aftershave. Woodsy, yet fresh and clean.
“I have to call Nicky’s school.” Anything to get her mind off thinking about last night. Despite her words to the contrary, she’d wanted Gray to finish what they’d started. But that was a bad idea, one she had to let go of.
Easier said than done.
Since giving birth to Nicky and having to take care of a child alone, sex wasn’t something she thought of very much these days. But she was thinking a lot about it now. The truth of the matter was, she began thinking about it the day she started working for the NYPD.
The day she met Detective Gray Yates.
Alex hadn’t stayed with Nicky’s father long after the physical violence started. She wasn’t the kind of woman to stay in a bad situation. But after what she’d endured, she hadn’t wanted another man to make love to her. Now the only one she wanted to touch her was the last man who ever would. And the last man she should ever let touch her. There was too much between them. She may have hurt him, but he’d been fully capable of inflicting the same level of pain. And he did.
She turned to watch Gray’s handsome profile. Part of her understood his viewpoint. He was one of the most principled cops in the department. Even she’d picked up on that trait right away—and it was one of the things she admired about him. It didn’t matter what her reasons were. The bottom line was that she had spent money received from a Pyramid assassin, and he thought she’d been paid to sleep with him and get confidential police intel.
Now she was nothing more to Gray than someone he and the NYPD would use to take down a band of ruthless criminals. What happened between them in her bedroom was nothing more than a mistake, a latent reminder of feelings they may have had for each other. Feelings she still had. Ones he didn’t.
“Tell the school—” Gray stopped, obviously realizing Alex had been staring at him for some time. “What’s wrong?”
Aside from the obvious?
“Nothing.” She pulled her cell phone from her coat pocket. There was no sense telling him the truth. He might be sitting right next to her, but as far as anything personal went they were a thousand miles apart.
“Wait.” Gray tipped his head toward the phone in her hand. “Tell them you’re taking Nicky out of school for a couple of weeks, but don’t tell them why. The Pyramid has resources sophisticated enough to tap into your personal bank account, so we have to assume they can break into any database. If you tell the school Nicky is sick, they’ll check all the hospitals. When they don’t find him, they’ll come after him again at your apartment.”
“Then isn’t the best story to tell them he’s home sick?” Alex shifted in her seat to face him. “He won’t be there, so what does it matter if I say that?”
“Nicky won’t be there, but you and I will.” Gray paused to look at her. “The last thing I want is for them to break into your place again.”
Alex widened her eyes. “What do you mean, you and I will be at my apartment?”
Gray’s gaze flicked to the side-view mirror before answering. “Until this is over, you have a roommate.”
“No.” She crossed her arms and shook her head. “That isn’t possible. I won’t allow it.”
Because I don’t trust myself to be alone with you ever again.
Gray chuckled. “You don’t have a say in the matter, babe.”
She turned to face him. “The hell I don’t. And don’t you dare babe me.” Last night was sheer torture. There was no way she could live in her tiny apartment with a man she wanted more desperately than she wanted to breathe.
“Too late,” Gray said in a cold voice. “It’s done.”
She grabbed his shoulder. “I do so have a say in this. I’ll talk to Lt. Frye.”
“Negative.”
“Negative?” Alex shouted. She lowered her voice so she didn’t wake Nicky, who was still sleeping comfortably in the car seat. “And don’t speak to me like I’m one of your cop cronies. Why does it have to be you?”
“Because not only won’t the department pay for your protection, but I don’t trust anyone else to keep you safe.” He briefly met her gaze, and there was anger there, but Alex couldn’t decipher the source of it. He shouldn’t care about her, and he shouldn’t care about protecting her.
Ah, she thought. He’s not protecting me, he’s protecting his cooperator.

Tee O'Fallon has been a federal agent for twenty-two years, giving her hands-on experience in the field of law enforcement that she combines with her love of romantic suspense. Tee's job affords her the unique opportunity to work with the heroic and sexy men in law enforcement on a daily basis. For Tee, research is the easy part!

Author Links:   WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS

WHAT SECRET LIES DOWN SQUASH BLOSSOM ROAD? 
​
Cowgirl Reba Cahill’s schedule is full. Save the family ranch. Free her mom from a mental institute. Solve a murder and kidnapping. Evade a stalker. Can she also squeeze in romance?

Reba Cahill focused on the duties of the ranch, along with her widowed grandmother. But a crippled Champ Runcie returns to Road’s End in a wheelchair and seeks revenge for the accident that put him there. He blames Reba's horse. Meanwhile, a letter from her estranged mom forces her and Grandma Pearl back on the road: I can leave now. Come get me. Love, Mom

When they arrive in Reno, her mother issues a demand and refuses to return to Idaho. They head west instead. In California, Reba’s friend Ginny’s marriage is on the rocks. The family business is threatened. And squabbles turn deadly.

Reba digs deep to find the courage to forge a relationship with her mom and escape a crazed man’s obsession. She also hopes for a future with a horse trainer who offers her a new horse to replace the one she lost in the accident. But why does he have a photo of a pretty woman on his wall?

​GINNY GEORGE’S FAVORITE     EASY BAKLAVA
Given to her by Uncle Thodoris
both characters in Down Squash Blossom Road
Book 2, Trails of Reba Cahill Series
by Janet Chester Bly
www.BlyBooks.com
“Awesome dessert for a crowd”

HOMEMADE BIG HUNK CANDY
A favorite food of Quigley,
a character in Down Squash Blossom Road
Book 2, Trails of Reba Cahill Series
by Janet Chester Bly
www.BlyBooks.com

Janet Chester Bly is the widow of Christy Award winning western author Stephen Bly. Together they published 120 fiction and nonfiction books for adults and kids.

Janet and their three sons finished Stephen’s last novel, Stuart Brannon’s Final Shot, a Selah Award Finalist.
Down Squash Blossom Road is Book 2 in the Reba Cahill contemporary western mystery series. Book 1 is Wind in the Wires.
​
Find out more at www.BlyBooks.com
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Having a father is a big responsibility. 
​
And finding him a wife is a challenge eight-year-old Becky Jones takes seriously. Ex-rodeo cowboy Taggart Jones is adamant. No marriage. Been there. Done that. 

Not even if Becky's dream candidate is her beautiful, blonde teacher, Felicity Albright, who knows about barrettes, patching up scrapes, and hates carrots as much as his daughter. Taggart’s still not interested. Much. 

What's a daughter to do? Becky’s nothing if not ingenious, and she’s determined to convince a stubborn Taggart and a bemused Felicity that they really have met their match.

This heartwarming story has a unique touch as part of it is told by Becky Jones's point of view. The kid has a lot to say, she is wild and free, yet respectful and loyal. She knows what she wants and her friend is teaching her how to get it. The shenanigans are on and her father of her teacher have no mercy as they try to find out what it is that they themselves want from each other.
Taggart Jones is not only a world champion bull rider, he is an excellent dad who has a warm, loving relationship with his daughter. They get along and understand each other better than most and the adoration is visible in both of them. When it comes to the women in his life, he avoids them. At any cost. He believes being damaged goods since his divorce and has no desire to walk into that direction again in his life.
Felicity Albright is a young, beautiful teacher, a widow for two years. She is all about the small town living since moving to Montana from LA. She is innovative with her teaching, she is passionate about her profession and reaching the kids and their minds and engaging them in the learning in the best possible way. 
As the story progress, the point of view changes between the three. The story is adorable, with Becky doing her best to take care of her dad, and Taggart doing his best to avoid Ms. Albright. But the attraction is there and it is unavoidable, especially with the little help from Becky and the snowstorm. With some old-fashioned tunes at times, the story is good, light reading, it does dwell on the different teaching styles and their benefits, has some hairy bull riding moments, but mostly it is built of the charming romance developing and Becky's hand in the mix. A pleasant and pleasing tale
~ Three Spoons with a teaspoon on the side

Good Girl
A Love Unexpectedly Novel
By: Lauren Layne
Released May 17, 2016  
Loveswept

​

New York Times BESTSELLER • Lauren Layne brings all the unpredictable heat of Blurred Lines to an all-new cast of characters! Country music’s favorite good girl is hiding away from the world—only to find herself bunking with a guy who makes her want to be a little bad.
 
Jenny Dawson moved to Nashville to write music, not get famous. But when her latest record goes double platinum, Jenny’s suddenly one of the town’s biggest stars—and the center of a tabloid scandal connecting her with a pop star she’s barely even met. With paparazzi tracking her every move, Jenny flees to a remote mansion in Louisiana to write her next album. The only hiccup is the unexpected presence of a brooding young caretaker named Noah, whose foul mouth and snap judgments lead to constant bickering—and serious heat.
 
Noah really should tell Jenny that he’s Preston Noah Maxwell Walcott, the owner of the estate where the feisty country singer has made her spoiled self at home. But the charade gives Noah a much-needed break from his own troubles, and before long, their verbal sparring is indistinguishable from foreplay. But as sizzling nights give way to quiet pillow talk, Noah begins to realize that Jenny’s almost as complicated as he is. To fit into each other’s lives, they’ll need the courage to face their problems together—before the outside world catches up to them.

Lauren Layne’s USA Today bestselling Love Unexpectedly series can be read in any order:
BLURRED LINES
GOOD GIRL

Jenny
A week ago, I had my first burrito baby.
I mean, I didn’t know I was even pregnant. Thank God I have the tabloids to tell me these things.
It happens that way sometimes, at least in Hollywood, land of the flat bellies.
See, if your belly isn’t completely flat, if maybe you’ve put on a few pounds courtesy of a penchant for extra guacamole on your Chipotle burrito . . .
Bam. You’re at the grocery store buying tampons and M&M’s and you glance over, and there you are, all over the rag mags. Pregnant.
Or at least accused of it.
Because the tabloids don’t seem to care that it’s been quite some time since a guy’s been near my . . . ahem. Apparently in Hollywood you don’t need a guy. All it takes to get “knocked up” in L.A. is a tortilla the size of a hubcap and an avocado or four.
Let me be clear: I am not pregnant.
I just like to eat. A lot.
To be honest, up until last week, when I naïvely ordered extra sour cream while wearing a tight-fitting T-shirt that apparently accentuated the fetus that wasn’t there, I hadn’t really thought a lot about Hollywood beauty standards.
I mean, for starters, I’m not Hollywood. At all.
I live in the Hollywood Hills, yes. I rent a Hollywood director’s home, yes. Even did a tiny cameo in a movie a few months back.
But I, myself, am Jenny Dawson.
A country singer.
Don’t.
Roll.
Your.
Eyes.
I get that country music can be polarizing, I do, I really do. But I swear I don’t twang about dead dogs and dusty highways. I just write songs about real life. My life. And then I sing them.
Formerly in the shower, and now on the radio.
Where was I going with this?
Oh, right. Hollywood. And how I’m not it.
It’s not that I hate Los Angeles. Sure, the traffic sucks, and the women of SoCal have more than their fair share of silicone between the shoulders, but the city’s got its good points too. The weather. The ocean. The shopping.
But the paparazzi thing has been getting under my skin.
I’m not one of those girls who moved here to get famous. I was already famous, courtesy of All of Me going double platinum last year.
When my agent and label suggested that some time in L.A. might be good for maintaining my “mainstream” popularity, I didn’t really fight it. See above points about weather and ocean.
But I wasn’t counting on being quite so center stage all the time.
I certainly wasn’t counting on the fact that I’d be embracing the homemade smoothie revolution. And actually, embracing is a strong word. Let’s just say I had to actually read the instructions before I knew how to work the fancy blender. And yes, I may have allowed my weight gain, and the tabloids’ notice of it, to shame me into the land of kale and quinoa.
And there you have it. The backstory of why I’m currently standing in the kitchen of a rented house, wearing yoga pants and a pink sports bra, and trying to work up the courage to ingest the green goo in front of me.

ON SALE FOR $0.99

Lauren Layne is the New York Times bestselling author of more than a dozen romantic comedies. She lives in New York City with her husband (who was her high school sweetheart--cute, right?!) and plus-sized Pomeranian.
In 2011, she ditched her corporate career in Seattle to pursue a full-time writing career in Manhattan, and never looked back.
In her ideal world, every stiletto-wearing, Kate Spade wielding woman would carry a Kindle stocked with Lauren Layne books.
For a list of all her works, please be sure to check out her official website!


Author Links:   WEBSITE   |   FACEBOOK  |   TWITTER  |   GOODREADS

Former Army Ranger Stone Mitchum doesn’t have time for sex. Since starting a company with his brother and two buddies, he’s had more important things on his mind. Like transitioning veterans back into society. But when his curvy new tenant falls into his arms—literally—his libido snaps to attention.

Jovy Larson has four weeks to prove she’s worthy of taking over the family business. Her challenge? Sell gluten-free, vegan food—in the middle of cattle country, Texas. It’s a tough task, but not half as tough as fighting her attraction to her sexy, surly landlord. 

Before she knows it, Jovy’s tangling sheets with the hot cowboy, stalked by a jealous cow, and strategizing ways to help Stone’s ranch. But by the time her lease runs out and the test is over, she’s faced with a new challenge…competing against Stone’s sense of duty to win his heart.

This story is a great mix of laughter and loving, and tragedy and hardship. It made me smile and sigh, and it made me want to take action to make the world a better place for so many veterans still suffering in different age groups, in different countries, and barely surviving. 
Stone Mitchum is a saint. His heart is as big as Texas, and his aim to save and rescue and take care of as many veterans, or people he cares about, as possible. He is such a perfection with his imperfections that it was easy to fall in love with him, cheer for him, and wish him only the best. 
Jovy Larson was a perfect match to Stone since her generosity, kindness, positivity, and pure joy of life without being ditzy was the half that made him whole. They are hot as you can't believe it, yet there's such an awe and joy and tenderness in their earth-shattering lovemaking, constant, detailed, lovemaking that it made me sigh. Yes, there are several detailed sex scenes through the story, Jovy and Stone are very affectionate and burning for each other. 
The veteran part of the story was uplifting and encouraging because it gave hope. The author managed to mix great, real information about veterans care and suicide numbers into the story without making it sound like the stats were being listed. I admire the brotherhood and the desire to work together to make it better for as many as possible. 
Jovy and Stone were both battling an uphill journey with starting the businesses. They helped each other where they could and worked seamlessly together. Some of the business side of the story made me smile. After years of working in the food industry, I would love to meet the cafe owner that makes 'several thousand dollars' profit during the first month in business, not to mention in just a few days with an odd concept in small town Texas. But I can only wish it would be so in reality as well. 
Overall the story left me smiling and with a hopeful mind. The characters are engaging and charming, people you want to know more about, and support and cheer for. With the serious undertone, it was a feel-good, lively, and sexy novel that made an impact yet was delightfully entertaining. 
~ Four Spoons

Dear Agony
By: Georgia Cates
Releasing March 1, 2017
Self-Published

​

Dear Agony,
You've been my shadow, following me through childhood—filling my days and nights with terror and uncertainty. You cleverly disguised yourself as some form of pain or suffering as I grew into a young woman. We were unwavering companions … until I severed our ties.

I traded homelessness on the streets of New Orleans for a luxurious bed covered by the finest linens.
I traded dumpster diving for dinner in the finest restaurants.
I traded myself to a stranger—Bastien Pascal.
I have a good life within my platonic and mutually beneficial companionship with Bash.
He’s my friend. My mentor. My roommate.
Until everything changes.
I’m not supposed to get goosebumps when his hand brushes my skin.
I’m not supposed to be eager for his soothing touch following one of my nightmares.
I’m not supposed to think about what might happen if I reached out to him in the darkness.
Falling in love with him? Preposterous . . . unavoidable.
Agony, why are you back with a vengeance to rob me of this life I’ve come to love so dearly?
I’m finally happy. Don’t ruin this for me.
Always yours,
Rose
​
In this epic love story, Dear Agony forges a connection between an unlikely pair—a beautiful rose entwined in barbed wire and a shipwreck sinking into the darkest depths of the ocean. This agonizing romantic novel poses some gut-wrenching questions: What does a woman do when the man she loves is planning his own demise? And how far will she go to give him something to live for?

Bastien wasn’t lying. The man snores. Loudly.
I was awake for hours after he came to my bed. I had far too many thoughts whirling around in my head to doze off.
I’m proprietor of a sadness I hold so tightly, it’s penetrated my very being. It has wrapped itself around my heart in the form of barbed vines, warning people away. I’m buried chest deep in filth—the filth of my vile past. I’m the captain and my pain is forever my first mate.
I wake to find myself held by his strong arms. Encased in his comforting touch. Strangely, even though I’m clinging tightly to the arm wrapped around my waist, I feel . . . safe in the arms of a man. This man. It’s a first for me.
Bastien is still sleeping, his snoring proof he is unaware of our entanglement. I’m glad. I want to savor this close encounter for a while longer before I pull away.
I steal this moment like a thief, permitting myself to study his face and body without his knowledge.
His chest under my head is hard, as is his stomach beneath my hand. There’s sparse hair between his pec muscles but he has a small patch on his abdomen trailing down into the front of his pants.
I gently lift my head so I can see his face. Long, thick, dark lashes rest against his lower lids. Strong, square jawline—covered in dark whiskers, and a few sparse silver here and there, a little thicker this morning than last night. A tiny dimple in the center of his chin. Full, pink lips with a deep cupid’s bow. Straight nose, slightly asymmetrical to the right side of his face. Hmm … I haven’t noticed that until now. I bet it’s been broken. Probably playing football.
Even in sleep, Bastien’s face doesn’t completely relax. His brow remains wrinkled, the shallow crowfeet around his eyes slightly crinkled.
Lines and all, he’s handsome. Extremely so.
And stirring.
I quickly pull away and roll onto my side, my back turned to him before he fully awakens. I don’t want that awkward moment of waking and coming to face to face, forced to discuss what led him to my bed last night.
Minutes later, there’s a brief dip in the mattress and then I hear the soft click of my bedroom door closing.
He’s gone without a word.
I roll to my back and run my hand along the spot where he was lying. Still warm. Scooting closer, I press my nose into his pillow. Mmm. Woodsy. Earthy spice. Masculine.
Savoring the warmth and smell that remains in my bed after Bastien’s departure is something I shouldn’t enjoy … but I do. Very much.
Liking these things isn’t part of our agreement.
Bastien has clearly stated he doesn’t want a romantic relationship. In fact, he’s very much against it, especially with someone my age. And I refuse to ruin what we have. I like him. I think we can be very good friends.

Georgia Cates resides in rural Mississippi with her wonderful husband, Jeff, and their two beautiful daughters.
She spent fourteen years as a labor and delivery nurse before she decided to pursue her dream of becoming an author and hasn’t looked back yet.
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When she’s not writing, she’s thinking about writing. When she’s being domestic, she’s listening to her music and visualizing scenes for her current work in progress. Every story coming from her always has a song to inspire it.

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