Bad Breed by Amanda Heartley
Series n/a; standalone Genre Adult Contemporary Romance & Biker Romance Publisher Cheeky Books Ltd. Publication Date February 2, 2019
If you love dirty-talking, bike-riding, gun-toting hotties, Bad Breed is a full-length, standalone MC romance with no cheating, no cliffhangers, and a happy-ever-after! 
About Amanda Heartley
USA Today bestselling author, AMANDA HEARTLEY, writes heart-warming steamy romance, featuring strong, sexy bad boys and feisty, sensual women. Her stories take you on an emotional ride of enduring love and steamy sex that always end with a happy-ever-after, and her evocative characters will stay with you long after you’ve finished the book. You can join in the fun in Amanda’s reader group to talk about love, life, books, and share a little man-candy. Newsletter | Website | Facebook | Facebook Reader Group | Twitter | Instagram | Amazon
This promotion is brought to you by Pure Textuality PR.
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Actress Lauren Marie Woods just witnessed her agent’s murder. Now his killer is after her and the police are sure she pulled the trigger. More alone than ever in Hollywood, Lauren needs the kind of help only the elite Guardian Agency can provide.
Mike Stone is beyond jaded when it comes to actresses and Hollywood. But one thing is immediately clear: rising star Lauren Marie Woods will end up dead without his help. The real question is whether or not the former Navy SEAL can guard his heart from the beautiful actress. Lauren must give the performance of her life to survive and help Mike catch the killer. But what will it take to crack the tough shell of the man who makes her want far more than his protection? Author note: Previously published as Too Far Gone, this novel has been updated and revised for your enjoyment. 
With an energetic, fast-paced plot with constant twists this story of Mike and Lauren Marie flows effortlessly off the pages, with such smooth ease, it was a pleasure to read.
I absolutely adored Mike and Lauren Marie. They had this tangible sizzling chemistry between them from the start, but not only the physical attraction, they genuinely seemed to like each other, respect and admire each other's gifts and talents, smarts and personality. And Lauren Marie is a delightful heroine, making a difference with her intelligence and bravery. She jumps in, to help to capture the villains, yet there is not one single TSTL moment -- she listens to the experts, she does what she is told to do, keeping herself safe without compromising the case. Mike has a bit of a chip on his shoulder from his military days, yet it is a tiny chip, nothing that he will let come on the way of the case, nor does it put Lauren Marie into a harms way. He is a good guy, a true alpha with highly protective, commanding side, but he has a good heart, he has a sense of humor, he is smart, kind, loyal, and capable. The attraction and romance are moving on lightning speed, even though they do not have that many opportunities to get to truly know each other. Yet somehow it is believable, or should I say suitable, for Mike and Lauren Marie. The dialog is brilliant, the banter between Mike and Lauren Marie is filled with puns and humor, flirting and play. It managed to make me smile in spite of the heinous, dreadful crimes, and the fact that Mike and Lauren Marie are doing everything they can just to stay a step ahead of the criminals - and alive. The vivid, intense, constant danger present in the story is alluring, making the book unputdownable. Add to that the enticing attraction between the hero and the heroine, that burst into an all-consuming inferno, and you get the best kind of entertaining romantic suspense. ~ Four Spoons with a teaspoon on the side 
IT HAPPENS The Bear Bottom Guardians MC Book 6 By Lani Lynn Vale Release Day: Feb 12th 
Zee + Annmarie and Tan + Jubilee.
Forever. No exceptions. They were to have the picture-perfect life together. Everything was all planned out. Jubilee was to marry Eitan and Ezekiel was to marry Annmarie. That’s how it was always supposed to be from the moment that they met. Textbook, right? Wrong. Eitan and Annmarie die in a freak accident that never should have happened, leaving the two survivors reeling. Sixteen years later, Jubilee and Zee can’t even be in the same room with each other before things begin to deteriorate. Too many memories. Too much pain. Not enough forgiveness. They’re like hellfire and holy water, and neither one of them is willing to admit that they’re wrong. Then one day things change, and all of a sudden, they’re looking at each other like maybe they aren’t each other’s enemies after all. 
Lani Lynn Vale is a USA Today Bestselling Author of over thirty titles. She is married with three children, two dogs, two cats, a donkey, and a couple (a couple also meaning over twenty) chickens.
When she’s not writing, you can find her curled up in her favorite chair reading. Lani is married with three children and lives in the Great State of Texas. Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | BookBub 
Romancing His Rival by Jennifer Shirk Series Accidentally Yours Book Three Genre Adult Contemporary Romance Publisher Entangled Bliss Publication Date February 11, 2019 
Hopeless romantic Elena Mason doesn’t often hate people, but she hates her ex-fiancé’s insufferable best man, Lucas Albright III. She just knows Lucas is the one who talked her ex out of getting married—so Lucas is clearly the cause of all her problems.
And now she’s expected to work with him? Oh, heck no. Lucas Albright wants nothing more than to make partner at his advertising firm, and he knows he works best alone. But then Elena ends up as his partner on an account that could win him a promotion. He had a great reason to end her engagement, not that she’d ever believe him. Still, he’s willing to try working as a team. Unfortunately, his new “partner” wants him dead. Elena knows she’s going to have to give in and work with her nemesis, though nobody said it had to be easy for him. But what happens when fighting starts feeling a whole lot like falling in love? 
Chapter One
After dashing through the snow in a three-hour car ride up the mountains with “Feliz Navidad” playing in what seemed like a continuous loop on the radio, Elena Mason was officially done with Christmas. And it was only December first. She finally pulled into the condo parking lot, and of course, there were no spots near her unit. The lot was most likely jam-packed with would-be skiers, so she had to park two rows away. Good thing she planned ahead and wore her snow boots. Her good friend and wedding planner, Arden Roberts, had just organized a wedding for a woman who was on her way to Aruba this week on her honeymoon. In thanks, she had given Arden full access to her condo in the Pennsylvania Pocono Mountains. Arden had meant well, granting Elena the use of the condo because she knew she needed a getaway. Or at least, she’d insisted Elena needed one. Elena wasn’t so sure. Right now, she was ready to just go home. But then again, she wasn’t the type to look a gift condo in the mouth, so she pulled on her mittens and readied herself for a hike through the snow. At least Elena had brought her sketch pad to help her relax. Arden had suggested she try ice skating (not likely) or do some skiing (even less likely) or just simply relax to get her mind off her canceled wedding, which would have been December twenty-first (still working on that one). Seven months and fifteen days ago, her fiancé, Scott, had suddenly called off their wedding. It still tore Elena up to think about it. She and Scott were so good together. She’d been so happy. And why wouldn’t she have been happy? She was finally going to have the kind of perfect marriage her parents had. Scott was handsome, caring, and a financial planner just like her dad had been. He even proposed in the same way her dad had proposed to her mom: on top of the Empire State Building. Coincidence? She thought not. Scott was the perfect man. Actually, everything had been perfect. Right down to her dress, reception, and home they were going to buy together. Until the best man—Lucas Albright III—and his big fat opinionated mouth had to go and ruin her life. The cad. If she never saw him again in her lifetime, it’d be way too soon. Lucas had planted some kind of crazy notion in Scott’s head that she wouldn’t make a good “executive wife.” He trusted Lucas more than anyone, which was why Lucas had Scott all of a sudden questioning their compatibility and then eventually their engagement. So what if she didn’t have a college degree or couldn’t talk finance? The wind stung her cheeks as she lugged her belongings across the parking lot and up to the icy doorstep. Snow was still falling pretty hard, which made the trek all the more precarious with her hands full. Once she reached the door, she set down her bags and pulled the house keys from her pocket, double-checking the address written on the keychain. This was the place all right. Hmm…not bad. But based on the “Happy Easter” wreath adorning the door, she assumed the condo hadn’t been used in quite a while. She prayed the heater worked. Not quite the vacation getaway she or her friends envisioned, but a lot of her money was still tied up in down payments she’d placed for her wedding, so she didn’t have a lot of options as far as vacations went this year. Unfortunately, she still held onto hope that Scott would realize how much he couldn’t live without her, which was why she hadn’t been fighting too hard yet to get her money back. She took a deep breath then nudged the door open, bracing herself for what she’d find inside. Whew. At least it didn’t smell funky. Tossing her belongings into the foyer, she then shook the snow from her boots before walking into the living room and having a look around. And for the first time in almost eight months, Elena actually wanted to smile. The place was charming. A large comfy-looking sectional with lots of furry throw pillows filled the sitting area. A wall of windows offered a lovely view of the snow-covered ski slopes and—bonus!—there were two built-in bookshelves overflowing with books. Elena quickly noted a few written by Nora Roberts on the shelf and decided that maybe this little getaway was turning out much better than she’d anticipated. Before she could check out the other rooms, her cell phone rang and she raced to the foyer to answer it. Maybe Scott has finally changed his mind! No such luck. But she still smiled when she saw Arden’s picture pop up on the screen. “Oh, I’m so glad you answered,” Arden rushed out. “Kinsley and I have been worried sick about you traveling in this weather. We heard there’s a winter storm warning in effect.” Elena unwound the scarf from around her neck as she spoke. “Aw, you two are so sweet. I’m perfectly fine, but it sure is nice to be worried about nowadays.” Sad, but true. At this point in her life, she’d never felt so alone. With both her parents gone, being an only child, no fiancé, and now the holidays rolling in, getting through the month that should have been her honeymoon was going to be a complete bear. Thank goodness she had her friends. “Hush, girl. We’re always concerned about you. And not just because of what Scott did. You’re a wonderful, beautiful person who will find love again. You just need to be patient.” Mm-hmm. Says the woman who recently married her high school crush. Elena shook her head, even though she knew her newly married and completely over-the-moon-in-love friend was trying to be supportive and upbeat. “I don’t want to find love again. I already found love. And quite frankly, I just want it back.” Oops. She’d said it out loud. Yes, poor, pathetic Elena was still in love with and wanted the man back who, without warning, had broken her heart along with their engagement. But it was the truth. She desperately wanted Scott back. She wanted that part of her life back. She hadn’t been truly happy since. Arden let out a sigh. “Honey, it’s been a while. I don’t think you and Scott—” “Anyway, I don’t really want to talk about it right now,” she said, carrying the grocery bag of food she’d brought with her into the kitchen. It was depressing to hear the pitying tone in her friend’s voice. But the truth was, Arden didn’t understand. None of her friends did. They hadn’t grown up in a household of love like hers with such wonderful and nurturing parents. Was it wrong to want that kind of life for herself? She hadn’t realized how happy her life had been—until they’d been in a terrible parasailing accident while they were on vacation. She was left utterly alone at the young age of twenty-two, and her life had begun to head in a downward spiral of depression and emptiness. Until six months later, when she’d met Scott. A time in her life when she needed him most, so because of that, she’d always think of him as her savior. Scott Coban had come to town for a coworker’s anniversary party. And he just so happened to be staying the weekend at the Harbor Light where she worked. Before that moment, love at first sight was just something she’d read about in her romance books. But it was real. She had experienced it firsthand. Scott had charmed her and asked for her number right away. That night he’d ended up leaving the party early and immediately called her to meet him for a drink which she’d readily accepted. And the rest was history. Until she became history. No thanks to Scott’s friend and would-be best man, Lucas Albright. “I’m sorry,” Arden said, breaking into Elena’s morose thoughts. “I just don’t want you getting your hopes up for no real tangible reason, that’s all.” “I’m not getting my hopes up.” My hopes are already up. “I mean, sure, I guess it’s possible you two could get back together. But, honey, the reason we wanted you to take this vacation was to get your mind off Scott. You know, like a Scottcation.” Elena pulled out a bottle of red wine, then another for good measure, and nodded. If that failed, she had plenty of chocolate and tequila as a backup. “I will try my best.” “Great! And while you’re at it, try not to think of that Lucas Albright either.” The wine almost slipped from Elena’s hand. “Now why on earth did you have to go and mention his name?” “Oops, sorry. It’s just that…well, I didn’t want to mention this before, but the condo you’re staying in kind of belongs to his sister, Michelle.” Elena sat on the nearest chair, fearing her legs would give way. Of all the places she could have gone, it would have to be tied to a man she wanted nothing to do with ever again in her life. “You were smart not to mention that to me before. I would have never come.” “Before you go torching the place in a fit of vengeance,” Arden lectured, “please just try to remember that his sister happens to be a very good client of mine and a sweet person.” She snorted. “Yeah, too bad she’s related to the Spawn of Voldemort,” she grumbled back. “Honestly, Elena, I’ve met Lucas, too, at her wedding, and I have to say, I can’t imagine him being the kind of person to break up anyone’s engagement.” “Well, he did. Scott told me so himself. And whose side are you on anyway?” “Yours! Always yours. I’m just playing devil’s advocate.” “Are you finished playing?” “I suppose so.” “Good,” she said, ripping open the bag of marshmallows she’d brought and popping one in her mouth. “Because let me tell you something about Lucas Albright III. I don’t know what kind of snow job he laid on you, but I know for a fact that he is a cold, insensitive man and a liar—not to mention a terrible friend. And you can rest assured that nothing and no one could ever possibly change my opinion about him.” … Lucas’s life motto could easily be summed up like this: when a person gets stressed, that person gets to skiing. Which was how he found himself traveling late at night in the middle of a snowstorm to his sister’s condo up in the mountains. Although the weather wasn’t doing anything to calm his nerves, it did manage to make him forget he was past due on his marketing deadline at work. The advertising campaign he’d been assigned was supposed to have been completed before Halloween. Two extensions later and they were still way behind on the Christmas ad season. His only saving grace was that a bulk of the marketing could be done online and would be rolled out rather quickly once he had the design and slogan down. The problem was he had nothing yet. Nada. Zilch. And if he didn’t come up with an idea fast, he’d also have no job. Lucas turned up the heater in his SUV and breathed in slowly. He could do this. He had to do this. Relax and focus. Once he got to the condo, he’d start a fire, grab a beer, and get to work. His sister’s place had always been like a balm to him. Even after his divorce, he found a lot of comfort in the brisk mountain air and its remoteness. A man could do a lot of life thinking and prioritizing up there. And now, he hoped, a lot of creating. He pulled into the parking lot and noted that most of ski buffs already had the same idea as him, knowing there were going to be great conditions with all the new snow predicted to fall. It was accumulating quickly, and it looked as if the snow plows couldn’t keep up, since the snow already reached his shins as he made his way across the street. Just a few lights were on in the buildings. It was late. Almost eleven o’clock, but he was wired enough from the drive to be able to fit in a few hours of work. He couldn’t spare the time anyway. He had to bring something to his clients by Monday. Lugging his two bags, he reached the doorstep. He stuck his spare key into the door, but realized rather quickly that it wasn’t necessary. The door was already unlocked. Weird. And very unlike Michelle. His senses went on alert. Had someone broken in? He carefully turned the knob and nudged the door open, but waited a few beats before taking a step in. One light in the living room was on, and everything appeared neat and tidy. He quietly placed his bags on the floor and glanced around. No evidence of a robbery or a break-in. But something seemed off. He took a step forward and sniffed the air, smelling something that resembled…burnt marshmallows? Again, weird. His sister was on her honeymoon, and his parents were still in Cape Harmony. That’s when it hit him. Literally. He stumbled back as something spongey yet firm smacked up against his face again. His head shot back and it slammed against the wall. Pain shot through his skull. He raised his arms to protect himself and cracked one eye open, then caught a glimpse of his assailant. Surprise and relief struck him at once. Thank God. Not exactly a friendly face, but much better than a robber. “Elena,” he said, holding his palms up in surrender, “it’s me, Lucas Albright.” Before he could regain his balance, he was hit with another swipe to the face. “Hey!” He rubbed his jaw. Damn, that hit packed an even stronger punch. What kind of woman knew how to use a pillow as a weapon? “Elena, stop. I said it’s me, Lucas.” Unsmiling, Elena slowly lowered the pillow. “I heard you.” “Jeez, then why’d you still hit me?” he asked, moving his jaw and checking for loose teeth. Did she have a crowbar wedged in the stuffing? She gave a small shrug. “Sorry. My hands must have slipped.” He narrowed his eyes. Yeah. Right. Obviously, Elena Mason held a small grudge against him. Not that he totally blamed her. “What are you doing here?” he asked, hiding a grin as he took in her pink pajama bottoms that had pictures of chocolate chip cookies and the words “Tough Cookie” all over them. Otherwise, she would have made an intimidating figure for sure with her long brown hair spilling over her shoulders, cheeks flushed, and brown eyes blazing. “I was invited.” She walked back into the living room and tossed the pillow onto the couch. “What are you doing here? You gave me a heart attack, sneaking in like you did.” “I didn’t sneak in. The door was open and I walked in. And--you were invited?” Elena whipped her hair off her shoulders like a regal debutante and nodded. “That’s right. Invited. And I was specifically told I would be alone. So you better run along now.” He cracked a half smile as he began unbuttoning his coat. He didn’t remember Elena being this feisty when she was engaged to Scott. But damn, if she didn’t wear her temper extremely well. And damn, if that didn’t make him want to stir it even more. “I’m not running along anywhere,” he told her matter-of-factly. “What? But you can’t stay here. Not with me, anyway.” “I can and I will. With you. This is my sister’s condo, and she lets me use it whenever I choose. And I happen to choose now.” Her mouth dropped open. “Oh my gosh, after everything you’ve done to me, I can’t believe you have the nerve.” “Everything I’ve done?” “Don’t play dumb, Lucas. Scott told me everything you said about me.” Her breath caught and she paused. “You know, just because I don’t have a college degree doesn’t mean I’m not executive wife material. I…I have a lot going for myself.” Although her words lacked the confidence to be effective, Lucas still didn’t doubt that for one minute, which was why he had never said a single one of those things to Scott about her. Scott had created that reasoning all by himself. Truthfully, from the several times Lucas had spent in her company while she’d been engaged to his friend, he’d found her to be smart, engaging, trusting, and loyal. Not to mention incredibly pretty. And, if he were being even more honest, incredibly sexy. Not that Scott or Elena would appreciate hearing that last bit. He hung up his coat and slipped out of his snow boots. “Look, Elena—” “Oh, no, don’t get comfortable,” she said, pointing to his socked feet. “You’re not staying.” He sighed. “I know you’re not thrilled to see me right now. I get that. But I only pointed out things to Scott about my own marriage that he already knew. As his best man, I owed him that. If Scott happened to take that information and form his own opinions on what does or doesn’t make a great relationship, well, I can’t be held responsible. Maybe what it comes down to is that you and Scott really weren’t meant for each other.” She gasped. “How can you say that? Who made you the Be-All-End-All Relationship Guru? Just because your marriage didn’t end well doesn’t mean my and Scott’s marriage would have ended poorly too. He loves me.” “I don’t doubt that he cares for you or even loved you, but that doesn’t always hold a marriage together. Trust me, I know.” He sure did know. Once upon a time he’d thought his marriage to Catherine was one for the romance textbooks. Everything he’d thought a good, loving relationship should be. At least on paper. They even had the house in the suburbs of North Jersey with the yard meant for a dog and several children. But after a few years, Catherine missed city living and the entertainment New York could bring and often traveled into the city to shop or meet friends for lunch. He’d learned later that one of her friends had been a male coworker from her old job—and more importantly, that they weren’t just meeting for lunch. It was his own fault, he knew now. He wasn’t meant for marriage. In fact, when he was born, he should have been slapped with a “does not play well with others” label. Still, failures hurt, which was why succeeding in his career felt like a balm for his soul. He could “win” at something, at least. “Save it, Lucas,” Elena spat, folding her arms defiantly. “Don’t even try to pretend you had my best interests at heart when you convinced Scott not to marry me. You’re… You’re… You’re deplorable.” He banked down his own frustration. He’d hardly convinced anyone to do anything. But he’d admit he was glad of the outcome. She and Scott never really made sense to him. She obviously was hurting, though, and Scott still seemed confused about his feelings. So, better she think Lucas was the villain in this situation. After all, he’d probably never see her again after this weekend anyway. “I am sorry,” he offered. He truly was. Sort of. Scott was a decent guy, but a little selfish in the relationship department. While Elena deserved… She needed a man like… Hell, what did he know what kind of man she should be with? But to be honest, he really couldn’t picture her with anyone specific. She turned away, but not before he’d seen the tears in her eyes. “Just go. If you are sorry, then the best thing you could do for me is leave. Please.” As soon as he saw the tears, his chest felt as if a gorilla had collapsed on it. But the whispered please she’d tacked on at the end nearly brought him to his knees. The last thing he wanted to do was make her cry. In fact, he’d been trying to save her from heartbreak. How did this get so complicated? “I…I can’t go anywhere.” Her shoulders stiffened, then she glanced back. “Well, then I’ll leave.” But before she could storm away, he took hold of her arm. It was a knee-jerk reaction. He wasn’t thinking beyond the fact that he couldn’t let her go out there alone in that weather. But touching her like that had him immediately pulling back and standing stock-still as if his fingers had been seared. He cleared his throat. “I don’t think you understand. You’re not going anywhere either.” “What? Why?” He guided her to the nearest window and raised the shade. “That’s why.” “Oh my gosh!” She pressed her nose up against the glass and blinked at the thick white flakes swirling from the night sky like a shaken snow globe. “Yeah, it’s really coming down,” he told her. “I was lucky to make it here when I did. There’s no way you’d go fifty yards before getting stuck in that mess. I heard on the radio there’s a special storm warning in effect from midnight until five in the morning.” Elena backed away from the window and looked at him in horror. “So, what are you saying?” “I’m saying what you’re not willing to hear. Like it or not, sweetheart, it seems we’re stuck with each other for the night.”
Tour Wide GiveawayTo celebrate the release of ROMANCING HIS RIVAL by Jennifer Shirk, we’re giving away for a $25 Amazon gift card!
GIVEAWAY TERMS & CONDITIONS: Open internationally. One winner will be chosen to receive a $25 Amazon gift card. This giveaway is administered by Pure Textuality PR on behalf of Entangled Publishing. Giveaway ends 2/15/2019 @ 11:59pm EST. Entangled Publishing will send one winning prize, Pure Textuality PR will deliver the other. Limit one entry per reader and mailing address. Duplicates will be deleted. CLICK HERE TO ENTER!
About Jennifer Shirk
USA TODAY bestselling author, JENNIFER SHIRK, has a bachelor degree in pharmacy-which has in NO WAY at all helped her with her writing career. But she likes to point it out, since it shows romantic-at-hearts come in all shapes, sizes, and mind-numbing educations. She writes sweet romances (some even funny!) and won third place in the RWA 2006 NYC’s Kathryn Hayes Love and Laughter Contest with her first book, The Role of a Lifetime. Recently, her novel Sunny Days for Sam won the 2013 Golden Quill Published Authors Contest for Best Traditional Romance. She’s a board member for Straight Ahead Ministries, an organization involved in helping spread the gospel and aiding medical and pharmacy students in Russia. She’s also a board member of the Ocean City Library Board of Trustees. She resides in a beach resort in NJ, and when she’s not involved in all the above, she’s taking care of her most treasured possessions: her husband, daughter, guinea pig (Rocco), puppy (Sox) and four hermit crabs. Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon
This promotion is brought to you by Pure Textuality PR.
Her mother lied about her identity and her husband wasn’t who she thought he was—can Bailey even trust herself anymore?
Running for her life in the wake of her mother’s murder, Bailey Fleming escapes to the only place she can think of—a remote, dilapidated cabin in Lavender Tides. Intending to finally get to the truth behind the lies of her past, Bailey only finds more questions when bodies are discovered near her cabin hideout along with traces of a dangerous human trafficking ring. In an unlikely partnership with FBI agent Lance Phoenix, Bailey races to understand the mystery surrounding her life and circumstances before the murderer tracks her down. Meanwhile, Lance is determined to rescue his sister, Ava, who was abducted after running away from home as a teenager. An unexpected lead brings him to the remote cabin, and he wonders if Bailey—with her suspicious past and strange connections to his sister’s case—is really who she claims to be and if she can somehow lead him to Ava. 
With the third full-length novel to the intriguing series, the author untangles the web of lies, crimes, secrets, and consequences of choices made, delivering a story that allured the mind, and was difficult put down until the destiny of the cast of characters were revealed.
With several subplots going on simultaneously, and all the characters, from the heroes to the culprits, getting their chance to tell their side of the story, it took an effort to keep all the lines untwined. As some of the points of the plot have been following the series from the beginning and for the number of people introduced in the tale, I would highly recommend reading the previous books before starting this one. Yes, it is mentioned in the blurb that this is a stand-alone novel, but I dare to disagree with that after reading the three books. Even though some twist of the plot left me wondering and questioning the relatability, human trafficking comes across as very realistic, the way they hunt the prey, the way they treat them, and how they sell them, it is cruel, horrid, and brutal, giving me chills as I read through the experience of Ava and the other victims of the traffickers. Bailey Fleming and Lance Phoenix were likable characters, who I grew to care for and cheer for as the story progress. Some of the past and current events in Bailey's life were on the edge of my imagination and understanding and even after finished reading the book I was left wondering with some questions. But the growing attraction between Lance and Bailey was not one of the questions in my mind, it seemed authentic and tangible, something that had future potential as well. The romance between them doesn't have a major part in the tale, but it clear that the feelings in their hearts taking root were more than just friendship. There is so much going on in the book, both on the human interest aspect and on the criminal, suspense aspect, that the only way for me to read the story was completely immersing into it, and get lost in the pages of the tale of forgiveness, family loyalty, and finding your true self and staying true to it. The folks at Lavender Tides will solve another tangled web of crimes while trying to move on with their own lives. With thrilling suspense and piquant lives, loves, and destinies of the protagonists the author tell an arresting and alluring tale, part of a series, that I can highly recommend. ~ Four Spoons 
Just For Him by Talia Hibbert Series Just For Him - Complete Series Genre Adult Contemporary Romance Publisher Nixon House Publication Date October 31, 2018 
The boss. The ex-con. The sports star.
Three wealthy heroes face the defiant heroines who’ll bring them to their knees. When a harsh CEO meets a passionate career woman, he mixes business with pleasure for the first time... and is rejected for the first time, too. It's hate at first sight between a misunderstood ex-con and a strong-willed ballerina... until blackmail forces her to seduce her worst enemy. A reckless sports star finds the woman he wants above all others... but the most she'll agree to is being his fake girlfriend. Enjoy three steamy and suspenseful stories set against the grit and glamour of the United Kingdom. This boxed set includes Bad for the Boss, Undone by the Ex-Con, and Sweet on the Greek. 
Sweet on the Greek
He found the source of his small-scale meltdown in the hotel’s breakfast buffet, her platinum hair smoothed back into a little ponytail, her attention focused on the piles food in front of her. When Nik saw her, he stopped in his tracks. Looking at this woman felt like stepping out of an air-conditioned building into the heat of summer; like being smacked by a wall of heat. But this heat had little to do with the temperature, and everything to do with the sight of her bare legs beneath the table. Nik sent up a quick prayer of thanks for the invention of short shorts. Then he stared some more. She looked up, obviously feeling his gaze, and scowled. Which was not the reaction Nik typically received from people he’d kissed. It certainly wasn’t the reaction he wanted from the woman he appeared to be obsessed with, but life was not for the faint-hearted. He made his way over to her table and sat down. She gave him a flat stare while chewing on a croissant. He briefly fantasised about licking off the smudge of scarlet jam hovering at the edge of her lip, then decided that would be coming on too strong. “Found you,” he said. She swallowed her mouthful. “Whoopee.” Ouch. But he was pleasantly distracted from that sting when her tongue snaked out to lick away the smudge of jam he’d been eyeing. Watching her do it was almost as good as doing it himself. He imagined. But enough of his imaginings. He wasn’t good at talking to people, not romantically. He had no practice, since he typically didn’t have to try. This conversation, therefore, would require all of his concentration. “Good morning,” he said, offering his most charming smile. All of his smiles were charming, according to his agent, but this one was definitely the best. She nodded, a sort of jerky head-tilt that only went up, rather than down. “Hi.” He was surprised she’d responded at all, considering the extra-strength aura of fuck off she was giving out. Truthfully, after last night’s kiss, that aura might as well have been a dog whistle. When it came to her, he was definitely a fucking dog. “I’m sorry to intrude on your breakfast,” he began, “but I wanted to thank you for what you did yesterday. It was kind of you to help me when we are strangers.” Aria sighed as if considering a great tragedy. “I don’t know what I was thinking, to be honest.” “I believe you must be softer at heart than you’d like.” She glared at him. Nik shifted subtly in his chair and decided that later, he’d take a moment to examine why her glares made him hard. Right now, though, he’d just have to go with it. “You’re a very impressive woman. I’d like to get to know you better.” She rolled her eyes and picked up a bunch of grapes. “I’ve heard that before.” His lips twitched. “I bet.” The array of dishes before her was so massive, it covered his side of the table as well as hers. It was as if she’d made her own little buffet within the buffet. Since he was always starving, courtesy of his unholy metabolism, Nik reached for a slice of cheese as he spoke. “Really, though. I think—” “Wooooah,” she said, reaching out to slap his hand. “Don’t touch my food, man.” He gaped. “Are you serious? You have an absolute mountain on this table. You’re never going to eat this.” “It’s my mountain. And you don’t know what I can eat. If I see your hand on this food again, I’ll stab it.” She raised her fork, apparently serious. “I know where all the important tendons are.” He must be fucked up, because the sight of Aria waving a fork with violent intent was making him want to smile. He really had no idea why people apparently found her intimidating. She was adorable. And lickable. And funny. And so, so lickable. He dropped the cheese. “Good boy,” she said, slicing into her eggs. “Now, since you’re taking all fucking day to spit this out, let me speed things up.” Oh, wonderful. She was going to cut right through his strange brand of social awkwardness. They really were made for each other. “You’re after a repeat of last night’s avoidance routine,” Aria said. “Right?” He blinked. “I beg your pardon?” She gave him an arch look. “Keynes told me all about you. Apparently, you really are drowning in genitalia of all sorts. He reckons you’re too nice to say no to people.” Well, that was arguably true. But… “That’s why you think I’m here?” She raised her brows, looking genuinely confused. “Is that… not why you’re here?” “I just…” He paused, considering. He couldn’t run his mouth as usual, not in this situation, not with her. He needed to tread carefully, to find out what she thought. “It wouldn’t be unreasonable for you to assume that I came to find you with a different goal in mind, would it? A more personal goal.” A look of horror crossed her face. “You’re not asking me out, are you?” she demanded. “No,” he said quickly. Because he certainly fucking wasn’t, not if the prospect made her look like that. “Oh.” She rolled her eyes, almost at herself, and smiled slightly. “Sorry. Keynes did tell me that you don’t date.” Keynes talked too fucking much. “That’s true. I don’t.” But if you’d like to change that, feel free. “Cool.” She took a moment to chew on a few bites of egg, her expression thoughtful. Meanwhile, Nik sat in silence and tried to figure out how to keep her with him at all times, forever-and-ever-amen, if she wouldn’t even let him take her out. He may have to get creative. That was okay. He worked best under pressure. Finally, she swallowed, took a huge gulp of orange juice, and focused on him again. “So, you want, like, an escort?” Ah, yes. His quest for a human shield, which she had somehow invented entirely on her own. “Are you an escort?” How much did escorts charge? Could he conceivably hire her for… the rest of his life? “Never done it before,” she said cheerfully, “but everyone starts somewhere, right? No, I’m actually a tattoo artist.” She raised one heavily inked arm, waving it about like a prop rather than a limb. “And, you know, a walking cliché.” “There is nothing cliché about you,” he murmured. As soon as the words left his mouth, he realised he’d said them all wrong. They were too fervent, too earnest, too fucking obvious. But her self-deprecation made him want to outline her perfection in detail. With his tongue. Between her legs. Just an idea. 
TALIA HIBBERT is a Black British author who lives in a bedroom full of books. Supposedly, there is a world beyond that room, but she has yet to drum up enough interest to investigate.
She writes steamy, diverse romance because she believes that people of marginalised identities need honest and positive representation. Her interests include makeup, junk food, and unnecessary sarcasm. Talia publishes independently via Nixon House and is represented by Courtney Miller-Callihan at Handspun Literary. 
Nursing a broken heart while everybody around him seems to be drowning in happiness has Grant Cutter wondering whether staying with Engine 59—or even Boston Fire—is in his future. It’s tempting as hell to pack up what fits in his Jeep and hit the road. But then a 911 call brings the woman who shattered his heart back into his life, and he knows he won’t ever be able to fully leave her in his rearview mirror.
For a few months, Wren Everett had thought the nightmare of her past was behind her and she might live happily ever after with Grant. Until she got the phone call letting her know the time her ex had spent in jail for assault hadn’t cooled his temper or determination that she belonged with him. Cutting ties with Grant was the hardest thing she’d ever had to do, but it was also the only way to keep him safe. Now that Grant is back, he’s not letting Wren push him away again. And even with the trust issues between them, Wren dares to hope she and Grant might have a future together after all…if they’re willing to fight for it. 
With a dramatic start of the story, the second chance romance between Grant and Wren trigger all the feels from the readers, while trying to understand the reasons behind Wren running away previously, breaking Grant's heart.
I'm a huge fan of Shannon Stacey's writing, there's so much to love about the regular people she writes about, whose lives and loves we get to know through her stories. There are tight families and friends who are closer than brothers, there are mature feelings, life challenges, and romance that is easy to relate to and believe in because of the life-like nature of it. The Boston Fire series has been a great addition to her resume, filled with passionate, vivid, true to life love stories. Grant and Wren are both old acquaintances to the readers of the series. The puzzling way Wren disappeared from Grant's life in the previous book baffled my mind and I was eagerly waiting for them to get a second chance to work things out between them. Grant is such a sweetheart of a hero, commanding alpha when needed, yet caring, loving, deeply feeling man, who is not afraid to talk about emotions and feelings and showing how much he cared for Wren and how broken he was when she left without any explanation. I loved him, felt for him, and cheered for him to find his happiness again. His close relationship with his family, as well as with the men in the firehouse, shows his characters and his values, the kind of man he is, and what he wants from life. His ability to forgive and move on from the hurt was the best part of the story, his willingness to give a second chance to Wren confirmed everything we had learned about him previously. Wren had made some bad choices in her past that had caused sorrow and pain to others as well. Some of her actions were truly just reactions to fear, and the author demonstrates Wren's reasons well and clearly, in a way that makes them understandable. Wren is such a beautiful person, she feels deeply, she cares passionately, yet all the brokenness inside her has left her reeling, in need of solid friendships and some who believes in her to be able to heal and feel complete, love freely, without fear of being left behind or punished for her feelings. Together, Grant and Wren were truly two parts of a whole, they belonged together, they had seamless chemistry with each other, they got each other, understood and accepted each other in a way that made them the perfect match for each other. The epilogue gave the impression that this might be the last book in the series, I hope not, as I have loved hanging out with guys and girls of the Boston Fire series, as it has been an entertaining, emotional, true to life type of series that has captured my heart. ~ Four Spoons 
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