Any Groom Will Do by Charis Michaels
Series The Brides of Belgravia Genre Adult Historical Romance Publisher Avon Impulse Publication Date February 13, 2018
Lady Willow Hunnicut has always dreamed of living in London. With design talent and aspirations grander than London’s finest houses, she knows an unmarried heiress will never be allowed to live in the capital alone. But a married woman may come and go as she pleases. With a little imagination, a lot of courage, and one carefully worded advertisement, Willow concocts a plan to get everything she wants… even if she must take a husband in exchange.
Lord Brent Caulder, the Earl of Cassin, is destitute, his Yorkshire castle is crumbling, and his tenants are without work. He has an ingenious scheme that’s a surefire moneymaker—if only someone would invest. When he discovers an advertisement seeking adventurers to fund, he is determined to claim the money. But his world is turned upside down when the investor turns out to be a flame-haired heiress. The deal is simple: In return for marrying Willow, Cassin will receive her substantial dowry—and nothing else. All she asks is that after the wedding, each go their separate ways. But for all her careful preparation, the one thing Willow couldn’t have planned is the way she feels about Cassin… or the desire that threatens to enflame them both.
He thought a moment and said, “So I’m meant to suffer the indignity of poverty and, if I marry you, have all my troubles magically solved because of a wedding?”
“Countless men,” she said, “change their fortunes by taking rich brides.” “I did not leave Yorkshire to marry my way out of mean times. I intend to earn the money.” “And yet you deny your first viable investment.” She sat up. “Collecting your dowry is not an investment.” He followed her up. “It is £60,000 and complete freedom.” She swung her legs to the floor. “It is £60,000 and a wife,” he said, “who, apparently, I would never see.” “You’ve just said that you don’t want a wife.” “Yes, and you wish to become one tomorrow.” “No, I wish to marry tomorrow. Not be a wife.” He made a sound of frustration. “How, exactly, does that happen? That arrangement?” She opened her mouth to say something but hesitated. “I . . . beg your pardon?” she asked. “I’m curious,” he said, rolling to his feet, “how a married woman goes about her life as if she is ‘not a wife.’ ” “I’ll . . . I’ll do as I please,” she told him defensively. “I’ll answer to no one. I’ll be a bother and a burden to no one.” “Right, right, such isolation. That’s not what I mean, and I think you know it.” Tour Wide GiveawayTo celebrate the release of ANY GROOM WILL DO, we’re giving away one paperback set of THE BACHELOR LORDS OF LONDON series by Charis Michaels! GIVEAWAY TERMS & CONDITIONS: Open to US shipping addresses only. One winner will receive a paperback set of The Bachelor Lords of London series by Charis Michaels. This giveaway is administered by Pure Textuality PR on behalf of Avon Romance. Giveaway ends 2/17/2018 @ 11:59pm EST. Avon Romance will send the winning copies out to the winner directly. Limit one entry per reader and mailing address. Duplicates will be deleted. CLICK HERE TO ENTER!
About Charis MichaelsUSA Today bestselling author CHARIS MICHAELS believes a romance novel is a very long, exciting answer to the question: “So, how did you two meet?” It’s a question she loves to answer again and again with different characters, each time she writes a book. Prior to writing romance, she studied Journalism at Texas A&M and managed PR for a trade association. She has also worked as a tour guide at Disney World, harvested peaches on her family’s farm, and entertained children as the “Story Godmother” at birthday parties. She has lived in Texas, Florida, and London, England. She now makes her home in the Washington, D.C.-metro area. Author Links
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Published in 2014 - 2015 by Harlequin Intrigue
he never expected to see her old flame again. Or be kidnapped by him.
The wrong place at the wrong time; that's the only way Sophia Reardon could explain her predicament. She wasn't even an FBI field agent and now she was being taken hostage. By her ex-boyfriend Cameron Branson. The moment Sophia walked into his undercover operation, Cameron warned her that his employers would want to break her. So keeping her by his side, pretending not to have feelings for her, was the best way to maintain his role in the dangerous organization, and the only way to keep them both safe. Because if they got their hands on her, she could expose him and his secrets. And then they'd no longer have any reason to keep her around.
From the page one Infiltrator pulled me into the dark, edgy, and dangerous undercover world. The author's storytelling gifts come out in the captivating, additively smooth flow of the tale, with humorous and witty dialog bits, that makes you laugh out loud when you least expect it.
The fierce, energetic action kept its hold on me. The encounters with the criminal group, DS-13, are sharp and intense.The kind of confrontations that has a gut-wrenching effect, and makes you bite your nails off. The romance between Sofia and Cameron is at times so sweet and tender, while their attraction and passion for each other are distinct and scorching. So many swoon-worthy moments in the story, that made me smile, and are just adorable! The Bronson siblings are entertaining and boisterous. I can't wait for the rest of the series to come out and read their stories. Smart, charming, and delightful characters, with the edge-of-your-seat action ~ Five spoons all the way!
THE CLOCK WAS TICKING, THE ENEMY WAS WATCHING…
At first it looked like a glorified babysitting job: safeguard a scientist while she created a countermeasure to neutralize a dangerous weapon that had fallen into the wrong hands. But when Dr. Megan Fuller's life was threatened, undercover agent Sawyer Branson knew the enemy was closing in. Sticking by Megan 24/7 wasn't something he took lightly, even if Megan didn't seem to appreciate his constant presence. For a man used to getting any woman he wanted, Megan was a challenge he was coming to enjoy. Because beneath her boxy lab coat and pinned-back hair lay a brilliant and beautiful warrior. And before long, Sawyer's determination to save the world was matched only by the sudden need to make Megan his.
The intensity of the power of ten, mixed with steamy, yet tender and sweet romance.
The humorous, fun, charming Sawyer is easy to like. Megan is a bit shy and a mess in the social settings, as well as so smart, she is able to create something that could destroy the world as we know it. The way their attraction is described, slowly growing and intensifying, is alluring. Yes, there is hot passion, but mostly it is the tender caring that melts your heart, so sweet you can't help but smile. They are super adorable together. They make every moment together swoon-worthy, and when Megan says, after yet another attack on them, 'I think I might be broken' my heart totally went for her, and the devastation and defeat she must be feeling. The suspense is intense, in a typical Crouch way. The evil plan of DS 13 and the possible help from someone in Omega, is coming to the light. Life-threatening situation after another, the tension builds, it's tangible. I absolutely enjoy reading a story, where I feel I am right there in the scene, feeling what the characters are feeling, seeing what is happening, as the case is here. All the suspicion, deception, desperation, defeat, fear, and anxiety in the air kept the hold on me. Fantastic continues in the Omega Sector series where the war on terror continues, and the Branson siblings keep falling in love. Even though this story continues where Infiltration, Omega #1 left, it is a stand-alone novel. But the reader will get more out of the story, having that in the background. ~ Five spoons!
Posing as a married couple to save the world was easy compared to the very real feelings between them…
As Bob and Lisa Sinclair, Omega Sector agents Evan Karcz and Juliet Branson were a formidable couple—until a brutal attack left Juliet traumatized. But with a powerful crime boss selling military secrets, the safety of millions depends on the undercover operatives. It's up to Evan to rehabilitate Juliet…and not fail her as he did on the mission that still haunts him. Evan's strategy is to be near Juliet night and day to practice posing as a loving couple. But soon he realizes there's a sizzling passion between them. And it's being threatened by forces stronger than they ever realized. With a killer stalking Lisa Sinclair, her "husband" knows he'd risk his cover—and his life—to protect her.
Vivid and intense action mixed with red-hot romance, that left me breathless and there might have been some tears.
I could sense the darkness and despair of Juliet, the emotions shadowing and tormenting her, after the past opp ending terribly. The self-doubt, angst, and fear constantly present with her. Evan's guilt and regret are palpable, with the feelings of failure, and responsibility for the attack towards Juliet. It doesn't take long, when the new operation starts, that the intensity and danger of the work Omega Sector do, step in. The action is thrilling, the threats to their lives real, and the risk of exposure constant. Not only do they have to deal with the dangerous opp at hand, but the monsters of Juliet's past were taunting her with threatening emails, bringing even more jeopardy to the already tense situation. The unity, support, teamwork and protectiveness of the family is a delight. I loved visiting with the siblings from the previous books in the series. The connection between Evan and Juliet is beautiful, tender, and fragile. The trust, devotion, kindness, and care are adorable, the zeal and fervor of their passion unmistakable. I loved to see the development in Juliet, as she leaves the nightmares of her past, and finds her inner agent again, one step at the time. The story has a beautifully crafted plot, where all the pieces of the puzzle fit into the place at the end, with elements that keep the reader guessing. The tension in the story is built up brilliantly, and the attraction and passion between Evan and Juliet is constant smoldering fire, that burst into flames at the right moments. The images of the event are vividly painted, lively in the mind of a reader. The final climax of the story took my breath away, and yes, there were tears in my eyes. Can't wait for the next installment of the series, Dylan's story, thankfully out already next month. All the stories in the Omega Sector are easily read as stand-alone novels, but I think you will get more out of the story if you have read the previous ones. Untraceable is another home run from Janie Crouch, truly recommend for all romantic suspense fans ~ Five Spoons!!
He'd been hired to transport precious cargo--and it put a beautiful twist in his solitary life
Former operative turned pilot Dylan Branson has one mission: deliver vital codes to Omega Sector before millions of lives are lost. Surprisingly, the codes reside in the photographic memory of Shelby Keelan, a beautiful computer expert who's so far survived two murder attempts. Used to doing things solo, Dylan will get Shelby to Washington, DC, then walk away. So he's stunned to discover she's as much a loner as he is--and how much that appeals to him. Now, with both their lives in danger after his plane is sabotaged midair, Dylan no longer thinks of Shelby as just a job. Or that he'll be able to let her go once it's over.
I love this series! And I have to admit, Dylan and Shelby just got to me, they are characters that are easy, for me, to relate to. Shelby has some quirks that made me smile with understanding, the need to be alone, needing your space, being too direct and not a fan of chit-chat, and loving numbers, having sass... She is amazing!
Dylan is a bit of a grouch, saying the wrong thing at the wrong time, protecting himself from getting close to people, since his wife and unborn baby died. But he does redeem himself in the story, and there are several swoon-worthy moments, that just made me sigh. Dylan's better qualities come through loud and clear as well, his loyalty, protectiveness, caring and wanting to fix things for other. The other Branson siblings from the previous stories also play a part in this book, and Sawyer & Megan have a moment that just melted my heart. This book is easy to be read as a stand-alone, but I highly recommend also the previous books in the series. The story has a flow that caught me from the start and certainly kept it until the end. The build-up in the tale is smooth, from the moment Dylan and Shelby meet, the connection is there, the chemistry is in place, and they just click, feel comfortable, at home, within each other's company. Then the suspenseful tension takes a hold of the story and keeps building up, as Dylan and Shelby found themselves again and again in life and death situations on their way to DC, and end up at the mercy of the wilderness. All the events and murder attempts prove, that Omega Sector does have a mole, and he is most likely high up in the hierarchy. It takes all the Branson siblings, with the help of Megan and Shelby, to risk their lives while fighting against the horrid terror attack about to happen. I was swept away by this story, both times I read it. It has fast action, slowly building terror, fascinating and charming characters, and some of the best romantic scenes, that even with the second reading left me in tears! ~ Five Spoons!
From New York Times bestselling author Tara Sue Me, writing as Tara Thomas,
comes an explosive new romantic suspense series.
Welcome to the sultry streets of Charleston, where simmering desire and dark danger rule...
Forbidden love never felt so good... She’s got a killer to catch. He just might be it. Undercover detective Janie Roberts needs to find out for sure if Brent Taylor is a murderer. Handsome, wealthy, and sexy-as-sin Brent Taylor. She’s got to get close enough to learn his secrets. But getting this close is dangerous in more ways than one… Expected publication: February 6th 2018 by St. Martin's Paperbacks
I am super excited about this series because the prologue novella did its job and did it well, in my opinion.
I knew before starting to read the novella that it is a prelude to what is to come and not even necessary to be read to follow the series. But since Tara Thomas is a new author to me, I wanted to test the waters, so to speak, and now I am enthusiastic about what's to come... The novella definitely whets my appetite towards the series. There was a sizzling hot attraction between two intriguing characters, that I am looking forward to getting to know better. There were intense moments of suspense, action, and death. There were human interest aspects of the homeless man, drama at the workplace when Janie brakes the rules, and the budding relationship between Janie and Brent. Janie is an established police officer and on an undercover assignment to solve the mysterious disappearance of several young women while she meets the town's notorious playboy, Brent Taylor. They are immediately drawn to each other, and even though Brent is the perfect candidate to be the kidnapper/killer, Janie can't resist the temptation of the attraction. Brent and Janie's ardent hookup has consequences neither of them expected, and the story ends with a cliffhanger of murder, drama, and desire. The novella is a scary, naughty, sweet, dramatic and intriguing start to the series. It might be a bit predictable, but it does set the scene for more excitement to come and does it well. ~ Four Spoons with the teaspoon on the side
Tara Thomas’s love of books and writing started as a child and though she wanted to be an author, she decided a degree in science was more practical. After fifteen years in the pharmaceutical industry, she returned to her first love and hasn’t looked back since.
She writes erotic romance as Tara Sue Me. Her Submissive Series novels have been on both the New York Times and USA Today Bestseller lists. Her novel THE MASTER earned a starred review from Publisher’s Weekly, was awarded Best Romance of 2016 from Best Book Awards, and is a 2017 RITA Finalist for Best Erotic Romance.
Murder & Mayhem in Goose Pimple Junction
Goose Pimple Junction Mysteries Book 1
by Amy Metz
Genre: Cozy Mystery
253 pages
When Tess Tremaine starts a new life in the colorful town of Goose Pimple Junction, curiosity leads her to look into a seventy-five-year-old murder. Suddenly she’s learning the foreign language of southern speak, resisting her attraction to local celebrity Jackson Wright, and dealing with more mayhem than she can handle.
A bank robbery, murder, and family tragedy from the 1930s are pieces of the mystery that Tess attempts to solve. As she gets close to the truth, she encounters danger, mystery, a lot of southern charm, and a new temptation for which she’s not sure she’s ready.
Chapter 1
We've Howdied But We Ain't Shook Yet May 2010 “You are dumber ‘n a soup sandwich, Earl.” “Oh yeah? Well, you’re a hole in search of a doughnut, Clive.” Tess Tremaine walked into Slick & Junebug’s Diner, past the two gentlemen arguing at the counter, and slid into one of the red vinyl booths. The old men were arguing good-naturedly, and she imagined they were probably lifelong friends, passing the time of day. Tess smiled as she looked around the diner. She was happy with her decision to move to this friendly town. Everyone greeted her cheerfully and went out of their way to be nice. It was a pretty place to live, too. Every street in the small town was lined with decades-old trees in front of old, well kept homes full of character, just like the citizens. She was confident she’d made the right choice. This was a good place to heal from her divorce and start a new life. A raised voice at the counter brought Tess out of her thoughts. One of the old men spoke loud enough for the whole diner to hear. “If I had a dog as ugly as you, I’d shave his butt and make him walk backwards,” he said, jabbing his index finger at the other man. A waitress appeared at the table. Tess hadn’t seen a beehive hairdo in person until she saw this waitress. With her pink uniform dress and white apron, she looked like she jumped out of a page from the sixties. Her name tag said “Willa Jean.” “Don’t mind those two old coots.” Willa Jean hitched her head in their direction. “They’re about as dumb as a box a hair, but they’re gentle souls underneath. Their problem is one of ‘em’s always trying to one-up the other.” She got her pad and pencil out of her front apron pocket, ready to take Tess's order, but she stopped and cocked her head, staring hard at Tess, and smacking her gum. "Anybody ever tell you, you look like Princess Di? I just loved her, didn’t you?” She bent her head slightly to the side to look at Tess’s legs under the table. "'Cept you look a might shorter 'n Di was. How tall are you?" "Five-five." Tess couldn’t help smiling at the compliment. "Yep. What we have here is a mini Diana. And your hair color is a reddish-blond instead of a blonde-blonde like my girl Di. Other 'n that, honey, you could be her clone." "Thank you. You just earned a big tip." Tess’s smile lit up her face. The waitress winked at Tess. “What can I gitcha?” “I think I’ll just have a Coke and a ham sandwich, please.” “Anything on that? Wanna run it through the garden?” “Run it through the...” Tess’s brow furrowed. “Yeah, you know...lettuce, tomato, and onion. The works.” “Oh! Just mustard, please.” Willa Jean nodded and hollered the order to the cook as she went towards the kitchen. “Walkin’ in! A Co’Cola and Noah’s boy on bread with Mississippi mud.” Tess smiled and looked around the diner. The front counter was lined with cake plates full of pies covered in meringue piled six inches high, cakes three and four layers tall, and two-inch thick brownies. Six chrome stools with red leather seats sat under the counter. The walls were packed with framed snapshots from as far back as the fifties. From the looks of it, they started taking pictures when poodle skirts were popular and never stopped. They were running out of wall space. The top half of the big picture window was covered with a “Henry Clay Price For Governor” banner. Tess spotted similar signs throughout the restaurant, and she’d noticed the waitress was wearing a campaign button. The diner was only half full with about twenty people at various tables and booths. A few tables away, a mother was having trouble with her child. Tess heard the mother say, “I’m fixing to show you what a whooping is all about!” When the little boy whined some more the mother added, “I mean it son, right now, I’d just as soon whoop you as hug you.” She looked up to see Tess watching them and said, “I’ll swan—raising kids is like being pecked to death by a chicken.” Tess laughed. “I know what you mean. But you just wait. In ten years time, you’ll be wishing he were five again. The time goes by so fast.” "How many you got?” "Just one. My son's twenty-five now, but it doesn't seem possible." "You married?” the woman asked boldly. "Divorced," Tess answered. “Here’s your Co’cola, hon,” Willa Jean said. “It’ll be just a minute more on the sandwich. You visiting or are you new in town?” She propped a hand on her waist. “Brand new as of a week ago. I've been unpacking boxes for days. I guess you could say this is my debut in Goose Pimple Junction.” “Well, all Southern Belles have to have a debut. And we're mighty glad to have you, sugar. Lessee...did you buy the old Hobb house on Walnut?” “My house is on Walnut, but I believe the previous owner’s name was York.” “Yep, that’s the one I’m thinking of. Houses ‘roundcheer are known for the families that lived in them the longest. Them Hobbs had the house for over seventy years, up until old Maye Hobb Carter died a few years back. It was her late husband's family home and then hers, even when she remarried. She was a sweet old soul, bless her heart. We all hated to lose her, but it was her time. She had a hard life, and I reckon she was ready to meet her maker. Her daughter still lives in town, but she and an older sister are all that’s left of the Hobbs ‘round here. Mmm-mmm—the things that family went through.” “Willa!” the cook behind the counter yelled. “Order up!” “Hold your pants on, Slick,” she yelled and then turned to Tess. “Be right back.” Willa hurried off to get the order and came bustling back with Tess’s sandwich. “It was nice talking with you, hon. I’ll leave you to eat in peace. Holler if you need anything else.” A few minutes later the door to the diner opened, and almost every head turned to see who came in. Tess noticed everybody, except for her, raised a hand up in greeting, and a few said, “Hidee, Jackson.” The man’s eyes caught Tess’s and held them a little longer than normal. He sat down at the counter with his back to her and ordered iced tea. Willa waited on him, and Tess heard her say, “You don’t need ta be any sweeter than ya already are, Jackson. I’ma give you unsweetened tea.” She leaned across the counter looking up at him adoringly. “Don’t you dare Willa Jean or I will take my bidness elsewhere!” he said with a big smile. Big flirt, Tess thought. He was a good-looking man who looked to be in his early to mid-fifties, Tess guessed, but she wasn’t in the market. Being newly divorced, the last thing she needed was to get involved with another man. As far as I'm concerned, they're all Martians and are to be avoided at all cost. Men Are From Mars, And Women Are From Venus wasn’t a best seller for nothing, she thought. The door to the diner opened and a middle-aged man of medium height, dressed in a conservative suit and tie stuck his head in. “Vote for Henry Clay Price for governor, folks,” he said, with a wide politician’s smile. “You know it, Henry Clay. You’re our man. We’re proud as punch to have you running,” Willa Jean said. Other than the smile, Henry Clay didn’t look like a politician. He had thinning auburn hair that was almost brown, and he wore round wire-rimmed eyeglasses on a round face. He reminded Tess a little of an absentminded professor. “You gonna let out all the bought air?” Slick grumped, and Henry Clay waved and closed the door, then ambled on down the sidewalk. Tess finished eating and walked to the counter to pay her bill. Willa gave her change and said, “Nice meeting you, hon. Don’t be a stranger, now!” As she closed the door she heard one of the men at the counter tell the other, “You're so slow, it would take you two hours to watch 60 minutes!” “I love this town," she whispered to herself.
Heroes & Hooligans in Goose Pimple Junction
Goose Pimple Junction Mysteries Book 2
299 pages
Goose Pimple Junction is just recovering from a kidnapping and a murder, its first major crimes in years, when trouble begins anew. Life is turned upside down in the quirky little southern town with the arrival of several shifty hooligans: A philandering husband intent on getting his wife back, another murderer loose in town, a stalker intent on frightening Martha Maye, and a thief who’s stealing the town blind of their pumpkins, pies, and peace. Together, they’re scaring the living daylights out of the residents and keeping the new police chief busier than a set of jumper cables at a redneck picnic. Suddenly, he has his hands full trying to apprehend a killer, stop a stalker, and fight his feelings for the damsel in distress.
Chapter 1
Marry in haste, repent in leisure. ~Southern Proverb Lenny drove to his neighborhood bar with the windows wide open and Johnny Cash blaring on the radio, but he was oblivious to both. He was thinking about the phone conversation he’d just had with his ten-year-old daughter Carrie. It made him crazy the way her mother’s family called her “Butterbean.” What kind of a name was that for a child? But today he was crazy for a whole new reason. Jealousy and anger tore through him faster than small-town gossip. His daughter had spilled everything, and just when he thought he’d finally gotten a break, she said, “Mama kinda had a boyfriend but not anymore.” And: “Mama was kidnapped, but she’s back now.” He pulled into the parking lot of the bar thinking, Boyfriend? We literally aren’t even divorced yet and she had a boyfriend? He pounded his fist against the steering wheel. He knew she’d been cheating on him. And now she’d done it right in front of their daughter. No doubt about it, he was going to have to do something about this Martha Maye situation. Pulling into a primo spot at the front door, he looked up at the old rusty sign that had been over the entrance for years: Teetotalers ain’t welcome here. He winced at the loud screech announcing his car door opening, followed by the same screech when he slammed it shut. He glanced around the parking lot and saw the same cars that were there every night. His feet crunched on the gravel as he walked, and he remembered waking up three months earlier and slowly realizing his wife and daughter weren’t there. The familiar bacon and coffee smells were gone. Cartoons weren’t blaring on the TV. His wife’s clothes were missing, along with his daughter’s, her teddy bear, and her dolls. The bookshelves were dotted with bare spots where Martha Maye’s favorite knickknacks and paddywhacks had been. And then he saw the note on the kitchen table that said she was divorcing him and that he shouldn’t try to find them. The realization that she’d left him in the middle of the night and taken their daughter seared through him like a red-hot poker. Pretty stealthy for a woman who could literally be outwitted by a jar of marshmallow fluff. If she thinks she can literally run out on me and then humiliate me by going out with some scumbag before we’re even divorced, she has another think coming. I’ll show her. I’ll put on the charm and win her back. Country music blasted as he opened the door, turned his head, and spit in disgust. She literally can’t be let her out by herself. Just look where it got her: kidnapped and almost killed. His daughter had told him they’d been staying at his mother-in-law’s house. He should have figured. He’d always known Louetta to be a meddlesome old biddy. She lied to me when I called looking for my wife and daughter. She aided and abetted a woman leaving her husband. She allowed nefarious suitors to court my wife. Both of them must have literally stopped to think and forgotten how to start again. And then there was his no-account, good-for-nothing brother who, upon learning of the impending divorce, wanted to know if Lenny would mind if he dated Martha Maye. Boy, I’m gonna slap you so hard, when you quit rolling your clothes’ll literally be outta style. My baby brother and my wife. Yeah. Over my dead body. How could he even ask such a thing? Both of them were nothing but a bunch of backstabbing traitors. He hitched up his jeans under his overflowing beer belly, swaggered into the bar, and ordered a Colt 45. The jukebox was playing, “I Want a Beer as Cold as My Ex-Wife’s Heart,” and he thought that was pretty darn perfect for his life at the moment. Looking around the room, he spotted a hot blonde giving him the eye. He sucked in his gut—a move that didn’t yield the desired result—and looked back, waggling his eyebrows suggestively. She brazenly smiled back at him. How dare Martha Maye leave me? I can literally get any woman I want. And two on Saturday. A football star in high school, homecoming king, and voted best looking his senior year, Lenny was used to women coming onto him, not leaving him. He put the bottle to his lips and downed half of it. That woman was literally lucky to have me. Sure, I’ve put on a little weight, but only in the gut. I practically have to fight women off with a stick. Looking around the room again, he saw female eyes on him from several tables in the room. Yessirree, sir, I still got it. Lenny started to lift his bottle to his mouth again but halted midway when two men sat down heavily on barstools on either side of him; they looked capable of eating their young. Both men were muscular and tough. One was as tall as a telephone pole. One was as short as a gnat’s tail. The taller man had black eyes under bushy eyebrows, and the other man wore aviator sunglasses on a flat, wide nose. He pushed the glasses to the top of his head to give Lenny his best glare. “We’ve been looking all over Hell and half of Georgia for you, boy.” Eyebrows scooted his stool in close, crowding Lenny. “Shoot.” Lenny’s hand automatically moved to his ankle holster, checking for his knife. “That don’t surprise me none. You literally couldn’t find oil with a dipstick.” “Solly says he’s had about enough of you,” Eyebrows said. “Yeah,” Mr. Gnat joined in, “he’s had about enough of you.” Lenny snorted. “You can tell Solly to blow it out his butt,” Lenny said boldly, more boldly than he felt. He shelled a peanut, popped it in his mouth, and threw the shell into Mr. Gnat’s face. “Solly says not to let you off the hook this time.” “Yeah, not to let you off the hook.” Mr. Gnat’s left eye twitched. “What’s with Mr. Echo over here?” Lenny pointed his thumb at the short man. The telephone pole ignored him and said, “Solly says you’ve screwed him over for the last time.” “Yeah, the last time.” “I didn’t screw him over the first time.” Lenny drained his bottle. He felt like his mouth was full of cotton. “Solly wouldn’t tell the truth to save his life from dying.” Lenny tried to stand up, but the men had him penned in. “You can’t talk about Solly that way.” “Yeah, not that way,” Mr. Gnat echoed. Eyebrows looked behind Lenny to his friend. “This boy has the mental agility of a soap dish, Joey.” “Yeah, a soap dish.” Lenny leaned in real close to Joey, who said, “Whatta you think you’re doing?” “Just wondered if I got close enough if I could literally hear the ocean.” “Boy, what you need is an education,” Eyebrows said. “Yeah, an edj-ee-cation.” Gnat strung the word out. The men grabbed Lenny’s arms, lifting him off his stool. The song on the jukebox had ended, and Lenny heard the crunch of peanut shells as the men propelled him toward the door. “Boys, y’all best not be messing with me,” Lenny snapped, trying to break free. “That’s mighty big talk for a punk like you.” They stepped aside as someone came through the door, and then they threw Lenny through it. He landed on the ground but sprang right back to his feet, his dukes up, ready to fight. Eyebrows was fast. He knocked Lenny to the ground again with a left hook. Joey followed up with two kicks to the ribs. Lenny pulled himself into a ball, both to protect himself from further harm and to have better access to his ankle holster. But Joey saw the knife and kicked it away as Lenny drew it from his pants leg. The men both grabbed Lenny by an arm again, pulling him upright, and Eyebrows punched him in the gut, causing him to double over. They double-teamed him and left him on the ground bloody and beaten, as cars whizzed past on the road in front of the bar. Right before Lenny passed out, he thought: Tomorrow I’ll pack up and head for Goose Pimple Junction to reclaim what’s rightfully mine. I’ll literally be a devoted husband and father and get my family back. I ain’t gonna let that woman leave me. Nobody leaves Lenny Applewhite.
Short & Tall Tales in Goose Pimple Junction
Goose Pimple Junction Mysteries Book 3
127 pages
This is not your average Southern town. With a hint of mystery and a lot of laughs, you'll catch a glimpse of everyday life in Goose Pimple Junction in this short story compilation. Five short stories, one novella, and three recipes will give you more of the unique charm of Goose Pimple Junction, make you laugh, and have your mouth watering. If you want a feel-good read, you've come to the right place. Grab some sweet tea and escape to Goose Pimple Junction.
Talk of the Town
He may be good-looking, but good-looking won't put food on the table. ~Willa Jean Coomer Downtown Goose Pimple Junction was bustling the next morning when Johnny parked his car and walked a block to the diner. The yellow tickets that were stuck under windshield wipers on some of the cars vaguely registered with him because Ima Jean’s abduction was on his mind, and he didn’t have room to think of much else. Periodically, he thought about Martha Maye and how pretty she looked when she’d brought him fried chicken, home fries, macaroni salad, and a slice of apple pie. But he forced his mind back to Ima Jean and how he was going to go about finding her. The diner was crowded but went deadly silent when he walked in. Everyone stopped talking, and all heads turned his way. He met a few people’s eyes, nodded a hello, mumbled “Morning,” and sat down at the counter next to a man who looked older than Moses. “You’re mighty brave to bring yourself in here today, Chief. I myself don’t hold no ill will, but then again, I ain’t got a car, so it’s no skin off my nose.” “Come again—” Johnny started to say, but Willa Jean interrupted him. “What can I getcha, Chief?” She put an emphasis on “Chief” but the word was dripping with disdain. Johnny wondered if it was his imagination or was she glaring slightly at him? He put a hand to the back of his neck as he craned his head around, finding several other people giving him the same expression. Curious. “Coffee, a fried egg, and cheese grits, please.” He flashed her his best grin, but she didn’t seem to notice. She turned on her heel without another word, calling to Slick, “A deadeye and mystery in the alley, Slick.” Johnny noticed the old man cackling to himself and wondered what was so funny. He seemed to be a regular. Surely he was used to diner lingo. Moses turned to the man next to him and mumbled something that sounded like, “I haven't had this much fun since the pigs ate my brother.” Willa Jean came back with a cup and saucer and a pot of coffee. As she poured the brown liquid into the cup, a good amount spilled into the saucer. She looked up at Johnny and deadpanned, “Oops,” but she walked away, making no attempt to clean it up. Conversation had started again in the diner, but it was in hushed tones, not the loud chatter that Johnny had heard when he first came in. Once again, he looked around the restaurant and noticed furtive glances coming at him. A few words and bits of sentences wafted his way: “a lot of gall, arrogant, outsider, amateur, dumb as a fencepost . . . ” He considered asking the gentleman next to him if this was normal townsfolk behavior, but Willa Jean came back and set a plate in front of him. His gaze went from the plate to her eyes, which seemed to hold a challenge. “Um . . . ma’am . . . this looks right tasty, but it also looks like poached eggs and hash.” Willa put all her weight on her right leg and propped her hand on her hip. “Least your eyes work.” “Well, see . . . I could be mistaken, but I thought I ordered fried eggs and grits.” “You’re mistaken.” She flung a towel over her shoulder and walked away. Johnny looked at Moses and said, “I’m late to the party. Wanna tell me what’s going on?” “Oooh, law,” the man drawled. “That was almost as ugly as Uncle Moody’s divorce.” He swiveled off his stool, saying, “’Scuse me. I have to see a man about a horse,” and he made his way to the restrooms.
Rogues & Rascals in Goose Pimple Junction
Goose Pimple Junction Mysteries Book 4
246 pages
Sweet Southern belle Caledonia Culpepper and hit woman in training Wynona Baxter come up against crooked lawyers, restless husbands, a teenage hoodlum . . . it seems there are rogues and rascals everywhere you look in Goose Pimple Junction. When their paths cross, they prove there isn't a rogue or a rascal who can keep a good woman down. Mama always said there'd be days like this . . .
Chapter 1
A Unicorn And A Hit Woman Mama always said . . . most people deserve each other. Early June, Atlanta, Georgia Sipping sweet tea and browsing Facebook on her iPhone, Wynona Baxter sat with her partner, Zeke, at a table outside a coffee shop. With her toned and tanned bare legs crossed, her left foot—clad in Jimmy Choo black four-inch-heeled sandals—bobbed up and down to a silent beat known only to her. “Here he comes.” Zeke adjusted his sunglasses and inclined his head toward the street. There he was—their mark—right on time, wearing his JC Penny ugly tan blazer and brown polyester pants set right underneath his paunch. He ran a hand through his thinning red hair, but demonstrating the man’s definite need for a haircut, a long patch in the front dropped right back down over his right eye. Wynona muttered, “Get a haircut.” Then to her partner, she said, “His confidence has to be ill-gotten. Zeke harrumphed. “Just like everything he has in life.” Over the rim of her glass of sweet tea, she casually watched as he crossed the street, speaking to a few people along the way. His gut preceded the rest of him by a good ten inches. Why on earth a man with no outwardly redeeming qualities—and from what she’d heard inwardly too—could strut like a rooster was beyond her. Wynona put her glass down and ran her finger along the condensation. “I’ll tell you one thing. It’s obvious from the way he carries himself that there isn’t any conceit in his family: he got it all. Zeke sat back and propped a leg over a knee. “Yeah, but brains are another question.” “You reckon he has any of those?” Wynona’s foot continued to bob up and down. The duo had been watching him, and after a week, they knew his routine. Wynona looked at her iPhone. “He’s right on time and headed for the Dizzy Duck as usual.” Zeke nodded. “If he hadn’t made someone very angry, this wouldn’t have to be his last visit there.” “Okay. So he’ll spend thirty to forty minutes in the bar and then head for home.” Wynona put the phone in her purse. Zeke stood. “Where we’ll be waiting for him.” She took one more gulp of tea, shook the ice in the glass, and set it down hard on the table, shooting a look that would put frost on a snowman to the guy a few tables away who’d been leering at her for the better part of an hour. Leisurely standing, she smoothed the front of her short linen skirt. As she left the coffee shop, she was aware of the eyes on her . . . well, she could only guess which body part his eyes were on. Wynona preferred to be unobtrusive, but that was nearly impossible with her looks. But no matter, by tomorrow she’d appear totally different anyway. She thought she might enjoy being a redhead next. The hot Atlanta sun beat down on them as Wynona and Zeke walked across the street in the opposite direction from the person they’d tailed for almost a week: Mr. Sleazy, as she’d come to think of him. They had been sitting at the outdoor table for over an hour waiting for their mark to leave his office building. Feeling like she was melting, bored half out of her skull, and glad to be on the move again, she got into their rented Lexus ES300 and turned the ignition key. She set the air conditioning to full blast and leaned her head against the headrest. The cool air blew across her face, which glowed with perspiration. She glanced at the dashboard and groaned. “Is it really 104 degrees out there?” Zeke adjusted the vents. “Considering the humidity is at least in the eighty percent range, it feels more like 150.” Taking a lace hankie from her purse on the passenger seat, she blotted her face so as not to ruin her makeup. She fluffed the bangs of her brown wig and slipped on her oversized sunglasses before adjusting the air conditioning vents to point straight at her. After putting the car into drive, she eased out onto the road and secretly offered Mr. Googly Eyes an unladylike hand signal. Wynona maneuvered the Lexus down the curvy shade-dappled country lane while singing along to Garth Brooks’s “Friends in Low Places” on the radio. She pulled off to the side of the road, stopping just in front of a black mailbox with white lettering that spelled “Reid.” The box stood to the right of a long driveway leading to a large colonial two-story house. This wasn’t Mr. Sleazy’s house but one just down the road from his ticky-tacky run-of-the-mill ranch house. After a few minutes, she was impatient. “Come on, you know this road has hardly any traffic. We’ve only seen a handful of cars in the six days we’ve been tailing Polyster Man. Zeke cracked the car door, waited, and listened. The only sound was the rat-a-tat of a woodpecker. Convinced no cars were near, he hurried to the rear of the car as she popped the trunk. He pulled out a duffle bag and slid back into the car, laying the bag on the floor in front of the passenger seat. “Now watch, Wynona. You might need to know how to do this some day. Pay attention.” Reaching under the clothing inside the bag, he pulled out the pieces of a Glock .40 caliber semi-automatic. Grabbing the slide, he took the barrel and slid it in, put in the guide rod and spring, keeping his thumb over it. With the weapon in his other hand, he said, “Make sure there are no obstructions, match the male/female grooves, slide it on, lock it to the rear, and put down the takedown lever at three o’clock.” He quickly snapped the pieces into place and screwed the silencer on. Wynona recoiled a little when he opened his bag of tricks, as he liked to call his knife set. Her mind went over the different ways she’d seen him use each one in the past. A slow and torturous death was his specialty and why people asked for him. Wynona glanced at the time on the dashboard. “I reckon we’ve spent five minutes cooling off after leaving the coffee shop and fifteen driving here. It should also take Sleazy fifteen minutes to get here—after his usual thirty minutes in the bar.” Wy reached in the bag, pulled out a CD, and popped it into the player. “If I Had Shot You When I Wanted To, I’d Be Out By Now” came over the speakers, and she tapped her fingers on the steering wheel as she sang along. Zeke watched and said, “I love a girl with a sense of humor in this line of work.” Twenty-five minutes later, she turned off the engine. They got out of the car, and he raised the hood. Zeke crouched in front of the car, while she leaned against the Lexus to wait. She heard it before she saw it. “Showtime,” Wynona said. “Do your stuff, Wy.” Zeke shifted slightly in the gravel. She leaned in under the hood from the side of the Lexus that faced the oncoming car so that her long thoroughbred legs would have a chance to work their full magic. She heard the pop of gravel and an engine slowing as he eased his car to the side of the road. “What’s the problem?” Mr. Sleazy asked as he approached her. Holding the gun in his right hand, Zeke rose to his full height, walked past her, and pointed the weapon at Sleazy. “Honey, you’re the problem.“ Wynona cocked her head. “But we’ve got the solution.” She noticed his Adam’s apple bob up and down; hers did too. Walking toward him with the gun aimed at his chest, Zeke said, “You’ve made someone awfully mad with your low quantity of moral fiber. You pretended to be someone you’re not. You took advantage of people. You stole money from them. They said to make it a . . .” he stretched out his words, “. . . slow, painful end to your time here on earth.” Zeke’s smile reflected his intentions.
Amy Metz is the author of the Goose Pimple Junction mystery series. She is a former first grade teacher and the mother of two sons. When not writing, enjoying her family, or surfing Pinterest, Amy can usually be found with a mixing spoon, camera, or book in one hand and a glass of sweet tea in the other. Amy lives in Louisville, Kentucky and loves a good Southern phrase.
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After her husband, Jack, dies in a climbing incident, Shauna has only her five-year-old son and her helicopter charter business to live for. Every day is a struggle to make ends meet and she lives in constant fear of losing even more than she already has. When her business partner is murdered, his final words convince Shauna that she’s in danger too. But where can she turn? Zach Bannister was her husband’s best friend and is the person she blames for his death. She’s barely spoken to him since. But right now he seems her only hope for protecting her son. Zach is only too happy to assuage his guilt over Jack’s death by helping Shauna any way he can. But there are secrets involved dating back to Shauna’s childhood that more than one person would prefer to stay hidden. In The View from Rainshadow Bay, suspense, danger, and a longing to love again ignite amid the gorgeous lavender fields of Washington State. An intense, harsh, and inspiring story that took my breath away with the instant, 'in-your-face' type of deadly action. The author hits from the very start with brutal attacks that kills some of the major players in the story, where no one is safe from the villains, the clues are minimal, and the danger and fear are constant companions. Shauna and Zach are trying to solve several mysteries, some dating back all the way to Shauna's childhood, that suddenly seems to have some common denominators. This story kept me on the edge from the start to finish. The relationship between Shauna and Zach is volatile because of the past. Zach is a good man, he is honest, caring, protective, and generous. He is a venturesome man who loves to take risks and test his limits. But the risks he has taken since his best friend died have had a new kind of edge to them. The guilt is eating him inside out, and the vedge between him and Shauna and her son is slowly breaking his heart. Shauna lost her husband in a rock climbing incident. She has blamed Zach for the death of Jack, kept her son away from his godfather, and made it clear to everyone in town that she hates what Zach had done by daring her husband to climb the mountain that killed him. She is a feisty woman, passionate and capable. And she is devastated that the only person who can help her and protect her from the killer is the one she wanted to stay away from. The themes of acceptance, forgiveness, and falling in love are well twined into suspense and action that kept the story going. The muddled relationships, the gossip of the town, the questions, and suspicions, the lingering anger from the past, it all build a sharp and strong story with intriguing and appealing plot twists. Even though the character's faith in God is a known assumption, it is not the main focus of the tale, but it is the main force guiding the characters actions and thoughts. I enjoyed the mystery in the story, it kept me guessing to the very end. I might have had my suspicions but needed my confirmations when it came to the culprits. The romance between two longtime friends was tastefully yet passionately and ardently done. I loved the relationship Zach had with Shauna's son, there were so much admiration and trust in between them. The whole story was build up with very realistic and rational way, that made it dangerously lifelike and alarmingly realistic. On the edge of your seat suspense with multiple layers of danger and threats mixed with sweet and clean yet amorous romance, family drama, and small-town issues, a story that took my breath away with its intensity and had me staying up late to find out whodunnit. ~ Four Spoons with a teaspoon on the side
Hello. I’m author Patricia Davids and I have a little Valentine’s Day story for YOU. Imagine this, its February 14th and the ground is covered in a thick blanket of snow. Your day starts with a hand-written note that comes in the mail. Not by text or e-mail, but an old-fashioned envelope. You open it and pull out a pretty card. It makes you smile. Okay, we all like to get cards. What does it say? Who is it from? It’s from HIM. You know who. The card says, Will You Be My Valentine? Below his signature are two lines. I’ll pick you up at seven. Bundle up warm. Bundle up? What does that mean? So much for wearing your pretty new blue dress. Does that rule out dinner at a nice restaurant? You watch the clock impatiently. Seven o’clock finally rolls around and your man pulls up in front of your house in a horse-drawn sleigh. An honest to goodness horse-drawn sleigh, jingling bells and all. He holds the reins like he knows which end of a horse is which and he’s wearing a black flat-topped hat tipped at a rakish angle over his pretty gray eyes. You love how they light up when he catches sight of you. He doesn’t care that you’ve got your winter coat over that pretty dress and leggings underneath it. He’s happy just to see you. Your breath catches in your throat as he takes your hand to help you in and tucks a warm quilt over your lap. The night air is cold and clear. Your breath rises in a white mist each time you exhale. Stars twinkle overhead like diamonds in the inky darkness as you leave the lights of home behind. Soon you realize there is another sleigh ahead of you. When you catch up to them you see your best friend and her date snuggled close against the cold. Soon, four more couples converge on you. All friends of yours. The parties turn off the road into a field. The horse’s feet sink deep into the unplowed snow. He kicks up a cloud of it that stings your face as he trots forward but you don’t care. It gives you an excuse to bury your face against HIS shoulder as he pulls you closer. Up ahead you see lights and realize your destination is the skating pond. Lanterns glow around the perimeter. At one end a fire crackles merrily in a firepit surrounded by straw bales for seating. HE produces your skates. How did he manage to get hold of them? With some sly help from your sister of course. Even your family likes HIM. Who wouldn’t? Hot chocolate, smores and laughter start the evening but soon couples move off together, the blades of their skates hissing with each stride. Before long you and he move away from the lights to the far end of the pond. One sweet kiss sends your heart racing. “You haven’t answered my question,” he whispers against your temple. “Will you be my Valentine, for all time?” “Yes, oh, yes, but only if you kiss me again.” And so, one perfect Valentine’s date comes to an end. Wouldn’t you love to have a Valentine’s date like this? If so, you might be Amish. By now you’ve guessed that I write Amish romances. And you thought the Amish weren’t romantic. Well, you might be right. My new release, An Unexpected Amish Romance has a young woman falling for the least romantic man in Holmes county. Thank goodness for cinnamon rolls, her nutty aunt and a matchmaking dog. So, tell me about a Valentine’s date that lives in your cherished memories. Or one that went horribly wrong, or your best or worst gift ever. I told you a story. Share one with me. My strangest Valentine’s Day gift was a dozen arrows. Would you like to hear that story? New beginnings. New job. New love? Amish Bachelors are full of surprises… After a broken engagement, Helen Zook is embracing her independence—starting with a new job working for carpenter Mark Bowman. Sparks fly as Helen immediately butts heads with her handsome yet gruff boss, whose complicated past makes him hesitant to plant roots in Bowmans Crossing. But Helen’s eccentric aunt and a matchmaking basset hound have their own plans for Helen and Mark’s future… Expected publication: February 20th 2018 by Love Inspired
“Love is a responsibility. Love is a promise. Love is a life sentence.” – Grandpa Doug
Hotshot Evan Bishop was taught at a very early age that love was something to be taken seriously. The thirty-four-year-old alpha firefighter had only loved one woman his entire life, his childhood sweetheart who just told him she was engaged to another man. So when he locks eyes with a blue-eyed, blonde bombshell who has him falling fast at first sight, his instinct is to deny it, ignore it, and resist it. Actress Shayne Fox was taught at a very early age that love was a luxury that she couldn’t afford. From growing up in foster care to working in Hollywood, the beautiful ingénue's only concern was survival not love. So when she locks eyes with a tall, dark, and sexy stranger who has her wanting something that she never allowed herself to feel, her instinct is to dismiss it, suppress, and avoid it. He was used to being in control of all things at all times but would he be able to control his heart? She was used to life giving her lemons but would she recognize it when it gave her love? Sometimes the path of least resistance is the one that is the hardest to take. Stand-alone Hope Falls romance, complete with HEA—and plenty of heat and heart along the way!
Going back to Hope Falls is like going home to me, and I enjoy my visits there immensely. There is something special and magical about this series, with each book delivered with a fresh story, that has unique characters finding love, home, and their destinies. There's the circle of friends and neighbors that truly care about you and wants the best for you, and are willing to do whatever it takes for you to reach your potential.
Hotshot Evan Bishop and Actress Shayne Fox set the stage on fire like rarely seen. The connection between them is like a third main character in the tale. It is sizzling hot, it is dominating, it is tender, raw, and most of all it is real and lasting if their dare to give it a chance. I loved Evan, this man with his death stare, his loyalty, his brutal honesty, and his kindness won my heart over. Yes, he might come off as standoffish at the first glance, but there is so much more to this man, layers upon layers that are slowly revealed but only to Shayne and then even slower to his family. There were scenes with Evan interacting with his mom and with his ex that showed the light into this man's soul, that even now brings me to tears because of the beauty of his character. Shayne grew up in the system, lost her brother in the process, and suffered mobbing and bullying because of dyslexia and living situation. She learned early on to hide her true self, to keep the walls up, and only let her two besties in to see the true Shayne who was delightfully patience, kind, considerate, wild, determined, and daring person. The physical attraction between Evan and Shayne broke some inner scales that I have with its sizzling hotness. The love scenes between them are amazing, detailed yes, yet such an important part of the plot and so exquisitely done that they took my breath away. A lot of the mental connection, them getting to know each other is developed off the pages, and I do wish there would have been more of that included, as well as the consequences of the changes with Shayne's career management. But that's just because I can't get enough of this couple who absolutely won my heart over with their vulnerability, with their strength, and beauty of their souls. The Hope Falls series are built with standalone novels but these are keepsakes to me, books to be re-read and cherished. A charming tale that is delightfully naughty yet tastefully romantic and beautifully meaningful, a story that captured my heart and mind ~ Five Spoons!
Two FBI agents struggle with desire in the shadow of a killer, in the third installment of Aces & Eights.
Nate Gentry has been a rock for his two younger brothers since the day their mom walked out and left them with their abusive father. Now that they’ve grown up, he’s watched Alex and Court fall in love and settle down. But Nate isn’t made for romance. He keeps his relationships casual. And getting casual with his partner is a fantasy he can’t shake… Taylor Collins has feelings for Nate, too—and though they run hot, her best friend on the team is strictly off limits. Until a spark in his eyes says, Go for it. But reaching out could prove to be a bad move now that they’re working closer together than ever, and on the most dangerous case of their careers. An investigation into a brutal series of murders is stirring up bad memories for Taylor, and neither she nor Nate can imagine how close to home it’s going to hit. When it does, Nate will risk everything—including his heart—to keep Taylor safe.
The Gentry brothers have certainly charmed me over the series, but I have to admit that Nate managed to take me by surprise with the sensitive, caring, tender, even romantic insides to this notable man of toughness, protectiveness, and dominance.
Nate had so many layers in his personality and each one of them intrigued me in an equal manner. There is the big brother who has always looked after his younger brothers, protected them, took beatings for them, loved them and guided them to be the men they are today. There is the FBI agent who has worked undercover for years, who is best of the best, sees the bigger picture, who pays attention to the smallest of details and leads the others by example. He is all about teamwork and everyone being equal, and he is not afraid to let the others shine. Actually, one of my favorite moments was when Taylor Collins shoots the snake before he has a chance, and instead of feeling like that was 'a man's job' to protect the lady, he only thought how capable and hot Taylor was in action. *swoon* And Taylor is equal to all the men in the team, despite being the only female. Taylor is a lot like Nate, the tough law enforcement outer shell covering the caring, loving woman who has six foster children. Taylor and Nate were in all possible ways so well suited together, they took my breath away. Mentally, physically, professionally, sexually... they were in tune like you rarely see, even in romance novels. And Henry, and Henry Too - Nate had me swooning and sighing with his romantic gestures, with his relationship with 'the girls', and how he helped to take care of them. The suspense in the story comes up close and personal to the FBI team, and in the creepy, scary, in your face way that gave me chills. I enjoyed watching the team work together to protect their own and find solutions, clues, and conclusion into this complex case. Taylor and Nate had their moments of pure bliss, yet both of their childhoods being less than ideal they had many obstacles in their minds to overcome to be able to build a lasting relationship. The back and forth between them was frustrating and even aggravating at times since I was so emotionally invested in the story. Yet, each step they had to overcome was understandable from the point of view of their past. With the romance and suspense so well intertwined together, I could not tell you which of them stood out more, I admit Ace of Spades stole my heart and got into my feelings and emotions like few stories do. I had to wait a couple of days to actually write this review, because all I could think about was 'I loved them, oh, I loved them so much' -- Sometimes I feel like my expectations from my favorite authors are higher than from the most, and I am not sure if that is fair, but Ms. Owens delivers each and every time, so I am not so worried about that right now. Y'all, Aces & Eights is a must read emotion filled intense romantic suspense series that I can only highly recommend ~ Five Spoons!
Moonlight Sins by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Series de Vincent Series #1 Genre Adult Contemporary Romance Publisher Avon Books Publication Date January 30, 2018
Set in the heart of New Orleans MOONLIGHT SINS, the first book in the all-new de Vincent series by #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout, invites readers to enter the world the de Vincent family.
Julia Hughes has always played it safe until she had her heart and confidence shattered by her manipulative ex-husband. For the first time in her life, she’s making major changes– new job, new town and a new opportunity to forget the past. But starting over in the Louisiana bayou isn’t exactly what she thought it would be… Lucien de Vincent – the wildest, most unpredictable brother - is having a bad week. His father has been found dead in the most suspicious circumstances. His older brother is bribing the police to avoid a scandal. And the more he spends time with, Julia the new nurse taking care of his troubled sister, the more he can’t imagine being without her. Lucien may be the unrepentant bachelor of the family but there’s something about Julia that makes him want to lay himself bare. But family secrets are starting to emerge. And the past could not only bring down a dynasty but destroy Julia in the process. Julia knows better than to get wrapped up in Lucian. He’s from a world she can’t relate to. Plus, he’s her employer. But his wicked touch and sensual promises are too much to deny. What starts with a kiss ends with so much more.
“I want to know about you,” he spoke before she could, and then shifted closer, his knee
pressed into her thigh once more. “I have questions. I’m made of them.” <p> She gave a little laugh as she shook her head. “There’s nothing more to know about me than what you already know.” <p> “There’s literally everything to know about you,” he insisted. “Where did you go to school? <p> What really made you take a job like this one where you leave everything behind?” <p> “I went to Shippensburg University. You’ve probably never heard of it.” Like she’d ever answer that last question. Finishing off her tea, she smiled faintly. “It’s really late and I do need to get to sleep. Thank you for the tea. I think it will work.”<p> “But I haven’t asked you the most important question.” <p> Slipping off the stool, she let her hair fall forward, past her breasts. “And what is that?” <p> “How can you be here and be the most beautiful creature I’ve ever seen?” <p> Julia’s head swung to his so fast she thought her it would fall right off her shoulders. <p> Everything about the tone of his voice and the slightly wide eyes of his said he was being genuine, but he couldn’t be serious. <p> Her gaze sharpened. Was he drinking something harder than chamomile? Because there was no way in the world that he truly believed that she was the most beautiful creature he’d ever seen. <p> The question burned to the tip of her tongue. If he thought she was so beautiful then why did he walk away from her that night in her apartment? She swallowed the question so she didn’t have to swallow her pride. <p> At the end of the day, she knew who Lucian was. <p> He was the kind of guy who couldn’t go a weekend without getting laid. They existed. She’d met a few while in college and when she did her stint at the hospital. They weren’t exactly particular when it came to who’d they be with. Pretty much came down to whoever was available at the time. <p> Which meant she wasn’t going to be impressed with stray compliments that were tossed out as often as the trash was. <p> Lucian leaned and then spoke in a low voice, “There is another reason why I didn’t tell you who I was.” <p> The change of subject rattled her and she whispered back. “Why?” <p> He tilted his head so his mouth was directly above her ear. “Because I knew the moment you’d figured out who I was, you wouldn’t have let me come back to your apartment.” <p> Exhaling roughly, Julia knew she needed to pull away and stop this conversation. That was the professional and mature thing to do, but she didn’t move. She was frozen on her stool, her heart thumping in her chest. <p> He wasn’t done yet. “I knew that if you realized who I was, you would’ve never let me get my hand between those pretty thighs of yours and I would’ve never known how soft and slick you felt against my fingers.” <p> A bolt of red-hot lust blasted through her veins as heat poured into her very core. Those words created a storm inside her. A tremble rocked her body. <p> “So, yeah, that’s another reason why I didn’t say who I was.” His lips brushed the lobe of her ear, sending an illicit shiver across her skin. <p> Pulse pounding, she drew back. She felt unsteady as Lucian straightened on his chair, and she felt so close—too close to do something irrevocably reckless. Like hopping off her stool and into his lap. “You’re not supposed to bring that up,” she reminded him. “You promised.” He tilted his head to the side. “I didn’t promise that.” She opened her mouth. “I didn’t,” he insisted, and when she dragged the conversation back through her thoughts, she realized he was right. He hadn’t. Her eyes narrowed. “Even so, it would be the appropriate thing for you to do.” “And I think you already know how I feel about doing the appropriate thing.” She shook her head. It was way past time to end this conversation. “Thank you for the tea, Lucian, but—” A gasp cut her off. Lucian rose and was in front of her so quickly that she was startled. “Say it again.” Confusion swamped her. “Say what?” “My name.” They were close, and he towered over her by a good foot. Julia reached out, gripping the edge of the island. “Why?” “Because I asked?” he offered, his lips curving up at the corners. “And because I like the way it sounds coming from your lips.” Her heart did a weird little jump. She had no idea how to respond to that request. None whatsoever. But then he moved. He reached into the small place between them, catching the piece of her hair that had fallen across her cheek. Before she could move away, the back of his hand dragged across her cheek as he tucked the hair behind her ear. Her stupid, stupid body immediately responded once more. Tour Wide GiveawayTo celebrate the release of MOONLIGHT SINS, we’re giving away a paperback copy of TILL DEATH by Jennifer L. Armentrout! GIVEAWAY TERMS & CONDITIONS: Open to US shipping addresses only. One winner will receive a paperback copy of Till Death by Jennifer L. Armentrout. This giveaway is administered by Pure Textuality PR on behalf of Avon Romance. Giveaway ends 2/12/2018 @ 11:59pm EST. Avon Romance will send the winning copies out to the winner directly. Limit one entry per reader and mailing address. Duplicates will be deleted. CLICK HERE TO ENTER!
About Jennifer L. ArmentroutJENNIFER L. ARMENTROUT is the #1 international and #1 New York Times bestselling author of over 40 books, including the Wait for You, Lux series, the Dark Elements series, and Til Death. She is published with Tor, HarperCollins Avon and William Morrow, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion, Harlequin Teen and writes steamy and fun New Adult and Adult romance under the pen name J. Lynn. Jennifer is also the founder of Apollycon, a yearly reader event that brings in over 1400 readers and authors together each year. She currently lives in West Virginia with her husband and two dogs, Loki and Diesel. Author Links
About That Kiss by Jill Shalvis
Series Heartbreaker Bay Genre Adult Contemporary Romance Publisher Avon Books Publication Date January 23, 2018
When love drives you crazy . . .
When sexy Joe Malone never calls after their explosive kiss, Kylie shoves him out of her mind. Until she needs a favor, and it’s a doozy. Something precious to her has been stolen and there’s only one person with unique finder-and-fixer skills that can help—Joe. It means swallowing her pride and somehow trying to avoid the temptation to throttle him—or seduce him. the best thing to do . . . No, Joe didn’t call after the kiss. He’s the fun time guy, not the forever guy. And Kylie, after all she’s been through, deserves a good man who will stay. But everything about Kylie makes it damned hard to focus, and though his brain knows what he has to do, his heart isn’t getting the memo. … is enjoy the ride. As Kylie and Joe go on the scavenger hunt of their lives, they discover surprising things about each other. Now, the best way for them to get over “that kiss” might just be to replace it with a hundred more.
With witty characters helplessly fumbling into a relationship, adorable puppy stealing the attention, and the family and friends meddling in all affairs About That Kiss proved to be an entertaining and enjoyable read.
Kylie and Joe were delightfully well paired and sexy as all get out. Both being alpha by nature, controlling, protective, stubborn, and bossy, there were sparks flying both mentally and physically. They both had survived challenging childhoods, made a good life for themselves where the love for the family was in the center, and taking care of those surrounding them a priority. They both had their own quirks and challenges, but that made them even more likable and easy to relate to. I really liked them together, they got each other, they argued but had those difficult talks about feelings, they accepted each other as they were and to understand that it might have been the biggest challenge in between them. The story has a touch of romantic suspense in it with the investigation Joe is helping Kylie with, but without the sharp edges and intensity, the genre is associated with. The sharpness of the story comes from the clever banter between all the characters, sarcasm and jibing the main forms of communication. Each chapter in the book starts with a cliche in a hashtag. I have seen that done by a couple of times, and I admit it is coming to be a pet peeve of mine. I have noticed that the hashtag at the beginning of the chapter is like letting all the air out of a balloon when it comes to the build-up from the previous chapter in the story. The cliche also sells the upcoming chapter cheap keeping the expectation lower than they need to be. With the ideal balance of humor and emotion, angst and adoration, past information and present character development, all embedded into the vivid images and lovely natural flow of the well-written story, About That Kiss was an engaging, endearing, and amiable story. ~ Four Spoons
“What kind of a kiss?” he asked. She was momentarily bewildered. “I don’t know. It was a kiss. A normal kiss. A nice kiss.” She cocked her head at him. “How many kinds of kisses are there?”
He just looked at her for a long moment before coming toward her. He backed her to the wall and pressed his big hands on either side of her head. “There are many kinds of kisses,” he said. Her breath had backed up in her throat, where her heart had lodged, pounding wildly. “S-s-such as?” “Such as this one.” And then he leaned in and covered her mouth with his. Only when he’d thoroughly plundered and pillaged and left her boneless did he lift his head and look into her eyes. “Wow,” she whispered, fully aware she was still holding on to him like he was a lifeline, but the bones in her legs had liquefied. “I mean . . .” She shook her head. “Wow.” He nodded. “Yeah. So to be clear, that wasn’t ‘a normal kiss’ or even ‘a nice kiss.’ It was a ‘wow’ kiss. Any questions?” Tour Wide GiveawayTo celebrate the release of ABOUT THAT KISS, we’re giving away one paperback copy of the book! GIVEAWAY TERMS & CONDITIONS: Open to US shipping addresses only. One winner will receive a paperback copy of About That Kiss by Jill Shalvis. This giveaway is administered by Pure Textuality PR on behalf of Avon Romance. Giveaway ends 2/5/2018 @ 11:59pm EST. Avon Romance will send the winning copies out to the winner directly. Limit one entry per reader and mailing address. Duplicates will be deleted. CLICK HERE TO ENTER! |