Inseverable
A Carolina Beach Novel (Book One) 
By: Cecy Robson 
Releasing June 21, 2016
Self-Published

How can you imagine forever with someone who's leaving everything behind? 

Callahan, a former army sniper, wants to make an escape from his past and everything he experienced at war, but most of all, just not feel. Feeling leads to pain and he's suffered enough. When he inherits a house on South Carolina's Kiawah Island, he packs his bags, lured by the peace and seclusion he thinks it will bring. But, Callahan never counted on meeting anyone like Trinity . . . 

Trinity has always been the cute, and funny one, who most guys overlook inpursuit of her "hot" friends. She became used to being everyone's pal, until the day the young man she was attracted to, was drawn to her in return. He became her first great love, and first crushing heartbreak when she found him in bed with one of her closest friends. 

To move forward, and to carry out her commitment to helping those in need, Trinity enlists in the Peace Corps, but not before returning to Kiawah for one last memorable summer. She just never imagined it would be so unforgettable. 

Callahan doesn't want to get close to anyone-let alone Trinity. He finds her perkiness insufferable and her attempts to entice a smile distracting. After all, he's in Kiawah to leave all feelings behind. But when it comes to Trinity, who feels everything, it's hard not to feel something. 

Neither expected to fall in love. And no one could have predicted how inseverable they'd become.

Prologue 

Callahan 
​
Three days. 
That’s all I have left until this shit ends. 
Three days shouldn’t feel like forever, not compared to the eight years I’ve bled to the Army. Thing is, good men have been killed in less time. In as quick as a blink, a squeeze of a trigger, or a small breath right before a grenade blows is all the time it takes to shove someone right out of life and well into death. 
That’s what makes three days as long as it is. Three days is plenty of time to die. 
My eyes tear when the wind picks up and shoots grime through the small hole of my lookout point. This blown out piece of cinderblock is only big enough to allow me a view of the street below, but not so small I don’t get smacked in the face with more filth. The tarp flaps above me as I spit out another layer of the dirt-sand mix spackling my teeth. Christ Almighty, I need a swig of the water resting near my elbow. But my thirst, like everything else has to wait. 
I have a job to do. 
I adjust my hips against the cracked cement of my bed, bathroom, and home all rolled into one, thankful that the agonizing ache stretching over the lower half of my body has settled into a now familiar numbness. 
Out of all the points I’d scouted, and all the accumulated years spent in this position, I should be used to it. And in a strange way, it should almost be home. Yet nothing ever has been home. 
But in three days, maybe something finally will be . . . 
I shove my thoughts away and breathe as my fellow Rangers stalk along the street. It’s then I see them, a mother and daughter walking straight toward my team. Less than one city block separates them from the men counting on me to keep them alive. 
The hell? How did they get past the other sniper unreported? Rogers is new on watch. But the quick paces these two are taking should have clued him in that something’s up. I train my scope on their faces; their expressions are blank, unreadable. ‘Cept that’s not what keeps my attention. 
The little girl can’t be more than five. So why the fuck isn’t her mother holding her hand? I lift my radio and bark a warning, dropping it beside me as I lock my scope dead center on the woman’s head. 
The radio crackles and Modreski chimes in, yelling at his team to hold their positions. He asks me what my plan is, knowing if something’s caused the short-hairs on my neck to rise, he and the boys damn well need to listen. But I don’t hear him, with a breath and a squeeze of the trigger, I leave a kid without a mother. 
Just beneath the sleeve of her abayah―the dress completely covering her body―I see it, a detonator that would trigger the explosives likely strapped to her chest. A few Rangers I 
know―Simons and Boreman, rush forward. I start to mutter a curse, pissed at her for making me shoot her in front of her kid. But the curse lodges in my throat when I see the kid isn’t looking at her mother lying next to her dead. 
She’s watching my advancing team as she lifts the detonator clasped tight in her hand.

CECY ROBSON is the New Adult and Contemporary author of the Shattered Past series, the O’Brien Family novels, and the award winning author of the Weird Girls Urban Fantasy Romance series. A self-proclaimed professional napper, Cecy counts among her talents a jaw-dropping knowledge of useless trivia, the ability to make her hair big, and a knack for breaking into song, despi4e her family’s vehement protests. A full-time writer, registered nurse, wife, and mother living in the South, Cecy enjoys spending time with her family and silencing the yappy characters in her head by telling their stories. 
 
Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads ​

Tommaso
Immortal Matchmakers, Inc. #2 
By: Mimi Jean Pamfiloff 
Releasing May 24, 2016
Self-Published

SOMETIMES, HOT MEN CAN BE REAL MONSTERS… 

Tommaso Fierro is used to the finer things in life—nice suits, nice car, nice house. Okay, his past isn’t so nice, but that’s in the past. Or at least it was until he blacked out after meeting the woman of his dreams. 
Annnd possibly capturing her. 
Annnd possibly terrorizing her before she got away. 
Annnd discovering that he’s turning into a horrible creature he loathes with all his heart. 

Luckily, there’s a cure. Unluckily, it will require him to track this woman down and convince her to give him a second chance. But if he finds her, will she ever believe that he’s really not a monster?

PROLOGUE 


Lying in bed, I sifted through the darkness with my tired eyes, in search of the strange noise coming from… 
Holy crap! It’s above me! 
The dark figure came into focus, and I let out a yelp that should’ve been a terror-filled scream. What in the name of fuck is that? I thought, feeling my entire body turn ice cold with fear. 
In the yellow light of my alarm clock, I saw the monster’s face hovering over mine, its eyes pits of glowing crimson swirling with black. 
Oh shit. Oh shit. What is that? I opened my mouth to finally deliver that scream, but the beast quickly slapped its sickly hand over my lips to muffle the noise. 
Oh, God. Help me. He smelled like death and evil. He smelled like desolation and despair—everything bad in this world mixed together. 
Knowing I was about to die, I felt my eyes begin to tear. 
“Please,” I mumbled through the gaps in its sticky fingers, the unmistakable smell of dried blood filling my nostrils. “Please don’t kill me.” 
Slowly, it dipped its head, allowing me to see its face up close. 
Christ. He’s human. Or something humanlike, resembling a man covered in black soot and the stench of death. 
“Please, I’m begging you—just let me go,” I whimpered. 
The man slid his hand from my mouth, studying me. Then there was a flash of something I didn’t expect in their depths: fear. 
“Save. Me,” he mumbled in a deep gargle. “Please…save…me…” 
What the…? I was the one who needed saving! 
“I think it’s the oth-other way around,” I stuttered and then reached for the reading lamp to my side and swung. He stopped it inches from his face, and an icy rage replaced any semblance of kinder, gentler emotions. 
He roared and then grabbed me by the hair, dragging me from my bed. 
“Let go!” I yelled, and he did. He tossed me to the floor as if I were completely weightless. 
Oh, God. He was so strong. 
I yelled for help, but no one was coming. I lived alone out in the middle of the desert. 
Looking pleased by my fear, he reached into the waistband of whatever he wore as clothing and drew a buck knife or machete or something one might use to murder an innocent twenty-six-year-old golf instructor who lived ten miles outside of Palm Springs, liked to binge on crunchy food, and owned two Jeeps, a cat that hated her, and four rescue chickens. Yeah. It was that kind of knife. A really, really big fucking knife. 
“Oh, God. Please no. Please…I’m sorry,” I cried. “Whatever I did, I’m sorry!” Of course, I wasn’t sorry. I was simply terrified and wanted to live. Unfortunately, the odds were not in my favor. 
I watched in terror as the blade barreled down toward my face.

MIMI JEAN PAMFILOFF is a USA Today and New York Times bestselling romance author. Although she obtained her MBA and worked for more than fifteen years in the corporate world, she believes that it’s never too late to come out of the romance closet and follow your dream. Mimi lives with her Latin Lover hubby, two pirates-in-training (their boys), and the rat terrier duo, Snowflake and Mini Me, in Arizona. She hopes to make you laugh when you need it most and continues to pray daily that leather pants will make a big comeback for men. 
 
Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads 

All Taylor Brand wanted was a baby of her own 

But at nearly forty and recently divorced, embarking on a "solo" trek on the Continental Divide Trail, her time was tight and her options slim. Maybe the curt cowboy who'd been charged with watching out for her was her best shot. After all, Clint McAllister was shadowing her on a high-country horseback trip for the money. Would he be up for being hired for something else? 

Classy ladies like Taylor didn't normally give a rough rodeo-rider like him a second glance…much less ask him to father a baby. And while Clint didn't need an excuse to take Taylor to bed, he did wonder if this plan was perhaps the wisest. Who knew what would happen once he got to taste the forbidden?

An incredible story, a story about life, the joy and pain, the love and loss you can encounter in one lifetime, not to mention in a one unexpected year. The story takes the reader into the deep emotions, the feelings of utter loneliness you face with a loss and sorrow, leaving the reader raw, and gasping. But it also shows the beauty and delight of life, the humbleness the nature, the wildlife leaves with us, the glee of falling in love, the awe you feel when your deepest dreams comes true, and you hold your child for the first time. 
The characters are not the normal, 'cookie-cutter' cast of romance novels. Clint and Taylor both are middle aged, they have seen some good times in their lives, but lately, nothing is going on either of their favor. But they find a tune together, they first and foremost form a friendship, as they get to know each other. I adored how the story is more focused on the development of the fragile friendship they are forming, instead of being head over heals attracted to each other. And they take their time to get to know each other, the bond between them getting stronger and more involved. 
This story took me by surprise, by the depths of the life, and loss, it took me. It is nothing like a typical category romances are, it is so much more, not just by the subject matter, and the characters,  but the events in the plot are so life like, and not everyone get's the expected happily ever after. 
The author pulled me into the story, I was there every moment of it, rejoicing with love, laughter, life, and wonder, and mourning, with the loss, sadness, and loneliness, of those empty hours of silent tears. I am completely emotionally spent, but it was worth every moment of it, this is one of those stories, those rare ones, that will stay with you, and you will process it for awhile, and ponder on it, and you will learn from it, and cherish the moments you spent with it. 
~ Five Spoons

Shattered Pieces 
By: Christie Corbin 
Released May 20, 2015
Self-Published

Struggling to mend a broken soul can be more painful than leaving it shattered. Just ask Tori Blair. 
To most people, Tori has the perfect life. She has a great job, great friends. But looks can be deceiving. 

Behind closed doors, she battles the demons haunting her from a previous relationship. No matter how hard she tries to break away from the past, it keeps holding her down. 

Chandler Ashby thought joining the army to follow in his dad’s footsteps was what he wanted. After realizing military life wasn’t for him, he left and became a firefighter. A new career in a new city was exactly the fresh start he was looking for. 

But a chance encounter reunites him with the high school sweetheart he left behind. He soon realizes that the carefree girl he once loved is now a woman fighting to overcome fear and anxiety caused by another man. 

Will Chandler be able to save Tori from her demons, or will they both go down in the fight?

A thin beam of moonlight streaming across the end of my bed is the only thing I can see in the darkness of my bedroom. The light starts to creep up the wall of my room as the door opens wider. I struggle to catch my breath as fear begins to overtake me and adrenaline races through my body. My heart is pounding so hard in my chest and my ears are ringing from the pressure building up in my head. A tall, dark figure is standing in the corner of the room and I immediately start gasping for the air to fill my lungs. I feel like I am suffocating. The figure begins to move closer to the bed. My lungs are frantically working to draw in the air they need to expand and my body begins to shake uncontrollably. 
“I told you that I would not let you go,” a deep, raspy voice says. I know the voice. This is a voice that I have heard thousands of times over the last two years. The voice of a man I have loved and trusted with my heart. 
“Liam?” I ask breathlessly. “What are you doing? I manage to get out past the lump in my throat. 
Liam lets out a deep, throaty laugh as he makes his way over to the bed. He stands over me holding a single red rose. His sinister eyes glare down at me and I realize this is not the man I fell in love with. That man is gone. A total stranger has replaced him. 
“I told you I would never leave you alone. I made you a promise and I intend to keep it.” Liam begins pulling something out from behind his back and the unmistakable sound of a gun cocking fills the air. 
“NO!” …

Books have always been a passion of mine but after going to nursing school and reading way too many textbooks, I quit pleasure reading for a while.  I started reading again a few years ago and I haven’t stopped since.  After attending an author signing, I became inspired to write my own novel.  I’m an author in the Contemporary Romance genre. 
I reside in Georgia with my husband and son.  Born and raised in Georgia, I consider myself a true southern girl.  I love my sweet tea and football!  When I am not working as a nurse or writing, I enjoy spending time with family and friends.   
 
 
Author Links:  Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads ​

I am super excited that author Christie Corbin agreed to talk about both books and food with us today! I asked her to tell us about her favorite meal to cook/bake/eat, and about her go-to snack while on deadline -

Hahaha! My husband will love this. I don't cook. He is the cook in our family. I can bake though, so I would have to say brownies are my favorite food to bake. My favorite meal to eat is steak. I do make a great tater tot casserole called Cowboy Casserole. It's on Pinterest. I get most recipes from Pinterest.

My go-to snack is chocolate! I've been on a Reese's kick lately.

Shadow
Assassins Club #1 
By: Alexa Dawn 
Releasing May 23, 2016
Young Ink Press

MADDOX KING
CODE NAME: SHADOW
AGE: 27
WEAPON OF CHOICE: PISTOL
​JOB: KILL SCARLET DANIELS 

The first rule in the assassins club is simple: every job comes with a price. 
Shadow has been given countless jobs since joining the club, and all of them have been carried out, no matter the price. 
Killing Scarlet Daniels, the heiress to the world’s biggest electronics company, should be no different… 
Or so he thought. 

You are cordially invited to join the Assassins Club, but once you enter, there is no turning back.

He looks peaceful, Scarlet thought, her stomach tightening into knots. Out loud, she asked, “Do you get paid well? To kill people, I mean.” 
Shadow snapped his eyes back to her and looked at her suspiciously. 
“I’m just curious,” she added, her voice small. She was afraid she had upset him. 
His posture had stiffened, and he regarded her carefully before answering. “Sometimes.” The softness in his voice was gone. 
“I’m sorry I asked.” Scarlet grabbed her now-empty plate and took it to the sink, eager to be out of his piercing eyesight. He joined her a minute later. 
“I’m sorry,” he apologized quietly. “I’m not used to discussing my profession in such a casual tone with someone… normal.” 
“It’s okay.” Scarlet shrugged, not looking at him. “I shouldn’t have pried. I’m sorry.” 
Shadow nodded awkwardly. “I need to take a shower.” 
Scarlet kept her back to him as she nodded, and Shadow walked away. She didn’t dare move until she heard the water running, and then she tiptoed quietly toward the front door. This was her chance. She needed to leave, and now was the time to do it. 
Unlocking the door, she slipped outside. She took a long breath to steady her nerves and stop her shaking as she slipped on the jacket she had grabbed on her way out. Then she ran down the stairs and driveway, not daring to look back. 
Following the dirt road, she kept her pace, her heart pounding in her chest and the wind 
roaring in her ears. She had gone about half a mile before she heard it: the sound of a car barreling down the road behind her. She ran into the trees, tears fighting their way into her eyes. 
The vehicle screeched to a stop, and she heard the unmistakable sound of a car door being slammed shut, but she didn’t stop to look. She just kept running. 
Then she saw him standing about one hundred yards in front of her. His arms were folded across his chest, and she could see a glare on his face, even from that distance. 
She skidded to a stop and began racing in the other direction, though she knew it would be useless. Shadow had at least a foot on her, and his long strides would easily catch up to her, but she kept going. 
She sensed him behind her a split second before he encircled her waist with one arm, pulling her against him. She struggled, trying to kick, elbow, or claw at any part of him she could reach. 
“Let me go! Let me go!” she screamed as she fought. 
He snaked his other arm up and grabbed around her shoulders, pulling her off the ground. It was no use. He was too strong. 
She went limp in his arms, exhausted, as sobs began to rack through her body.

I have been reading and writing since I was a child, and after falling in love with romance, I realized I have a story to tell; and by God, am I going to tell it! Welcome to the world of Alexa Dawn. Good luck... You're going to need it. 
 
Author Links:  Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads

Hostage
Predators MC #3 
By: Jamie Begley 
Releasing May 23, 2016
Young Ink Press

The Enforcer’s Oath: Protect the club at all costs.
Jackal made an enemy out of Penni when he kidnapped her years ago. He let her go, never imagining she would take a piece of his soul with her. Now protecting Penni against a former brother will force him to place the club against her once again.

She may be the Hostage, but he’s the one held captive by the lust she refuses to admit binds them together.

​She thinks The Last Riders and another man will be all the protection she needs to end the tug of war between them. However, he’s never lost a battle, especially against a tiny blonde with an attitude, begging him to teach her that her place is under him. To end the battle, he’s going to have to reclaim the piece of soul she stole from him or claim a part of her soul as prisoner. When a predator takes you hostage, you’re his forever.

“Then you better start. The Road Kingz aren’t like the Predators; they don’t give a damn that King ordered Henry and the Predators to watch out for you.” 
“I don’t—” 
“Shut up!” 
The sound of Jackal’s boots striding across the floor had her backing up to the wall. 
Jackal braced his hand on the wall near her head. “The only reason those men haven’t already gang raped you is because of Hennessy.” 
Shocked speechless, Penni reached for her own throat. 
“Instead of using your head and bargaining with them, what did you do? You fucking told them you could identify who took off with their money and drugs!” 
“How was I supposed to know?” Penni interrupted another long-winded rant then quickly changed her mind at the contemptuous sneer that reminded her of Shade when he was angry. 
“That know-it-all brother of yours should have warned you!” 
She trembled as Jackal ran his hand down the curve of her cheek, coming to a rest on the curve of her breast. 
He lowered his head, placing it next hers. “I swore I would let you get out of this mess 
yourself.” 
“Why didn’t you?” she whispered.

Jamie Begley grew up in a very small, and a very rural town in Kentucky. Growing up poor was hard but she would go back if she could just to get that feeling of going to the corner and popping open a soda.  
 
For now her days are spent writing, writing, and writing.  
 
She would like all her fans to know one thing, “All my books are written for one purpose- the enjoyment others find in them, and the expectations of my fans that inspire me to give it my best.”  
 
Author Links:  Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads ​

There are certain words that have always described Cam Brantley: Town bad boy. Soldier. Protector. But never, ever dad. Until he returns home from his latest military tour to discover the girl he had one smoking-hot night with is now mom to the adorable two-year-old Zoey. Who has his eyes.

Plenty of words could describe Emma Walker these days. Mom, dutiful granddaughter, budding designer, the town’s golden child. But when her longtime crush Cam Brantley comes back to town, she knows the perfect word to describe herself: screwed.

Cam and Emma are both shocked to discover he truly wants Zoey in his life. But Cam’s not sure he’s ready to be a dad, and Emma can’t gamble her daughter on maybes. As the long-simmering heat between Cam and Emma reaches a boiling point, he’ll have to work past his demons in order to be the man both girls need. 

Daddy duty might be his toughest mission yet…

Adorable story about second chances, about finding your home, your place in the world, learning to see all the possibilities we have within ourselves, and not to judge ourselves, or another by our history. 
Because history in the small town of Hope Springs Cam and his family had. History, that he, and the other members of his family, would rather leave behind, but also history, that made Cam to swear, he would never enter into a serious relationship, and never father a child. 
Emma's parents gave up their dreams of a better and brighter future, to get married and raise her, and stay in the small town they grew up in. Until they couldn't any longer, and Emma's grandmother took care of her. Now some were afraid, history was repeating itself. 
What I loved about the story, was that even though it handles some big issues like abuse and anger issues, and huge emotions like being a parent and falling in love, as well as future plans, it had a very real, kind of raw feeling to it. Cam is still recovering mentally from his discharge from the military. He is trying to build the new business with his brother, and deal with his dad, and now daughter, and Emma... It all is just overwhelming, and so much, and still he handles it well, not perfectly, but well. And they get to know each other, take the time they need in this new situation, and try to fit as well as possible into each other's worlds. 
The feelings between Emma and Cam come later, but are powerful, intense, and real. The attraction is filled with passion, and it shows, yet the author doesn't need detailed sex scenes to show this. I loved the tone, the flow, and the rhythm of the story, all making it easy to take in and digest. 
Charming, attractive characters, in the midst of a small town living, where there's the perfect balance of meddling and gossip in between taking care of each other when the need arise. Cute as a button little princess, that captures everyone's hearts, and a family of a heart and blood, that finds a way to live with each other, and support each other, on the path they each choose. An entertaining story filled with friends, family, love and laughter, and one very important basket auction
~ Four Spoons

Her Texas Protector 

Bodyguard Boone Wilder isn't keen on his latest mission: watching over a pretty politician's daughter. Boone is from quiet Texas Hill Country, and Kayla is a showy city gal. But once safely settled at the Wilder Ranch, Boone watches Kayla enjoy cooking with his family, caring for his relatives and bottle-feeding calves. There's more to her than he ever knew. Still, the former soldier's wounds are way too deep to let Kayla close. But when he discovers that someone wants to hurt Kayla, Boone must risk his heart to protect what he cares about most.

Engaging and gentle love story, with big meddling families, little danger and drama on the side, and one former military hero trying to hold onto a promise made to a fallen friend.
This book is part of a series, and the previous characters are involved in this story as well, also there are hints and mentions of the past events in the series. I believe reader could get much more out of the story if the previous books were read before this one. 
The writing style is very light in this book, it nearly seems that the events are just 'let to happen' as they unfold, without plotting, or planning beforehand. I got this expression because of the rambling kind of progression of the tale. 
Often in Love Inspired stories, the faith of the characters are at the center of the book, and a faith based message presented to the readers. In this story, it was assumed fact, nearly as an afterthought, and presumed from the actions of the characters, like going to the church on Sundays and blessing your food before eating, that many people do just as a habit. 
Boone and Kayla have great energy between them. The banter is light and entertaining, and even though they have lived such opposite types of lives, they seem to understand each other, and enjoy each other's company. 
The bodyguard business Boone is running with his friends seems unorganized, and I was surprised that a professional bodyguard would take his client to his parents' house to hide. 
The big families on the both sides were entertaining. With so many references to them, and the past of the characters, I missed an organized, well thought out history of where Boone and Kayla were coming from. I hope this was more clear to the ones who have read the whole series so far. 
Sweet and clean romance between the rich girl and her bodyguard, that takes time to develop, while on the run from her stalkers. Lots of family interference, cowboy references, and a dog that saves the day
~ Three Spoons

Sign divorce papers and sell the house…check 
Road trip to Sapphire Falls…check 
Fall in love… 

Sara Kellan was ready to start the next chapter in her life. With two little ones, the blue-eyed beauty had no choice but to find her way again. What she didn't know was that she would find something more in Sapphire Falls. 

Visit family in Wishing Well...check 
Return to Sapphire Falls to settle B&B business…check 
Meet the love of his life… 

Austin Stone was finally ready to step up as the owner of his late grandparents’ B&B. After serving his country, the sexy Marine knew that he had to face his past in Sapphire Falls. What he didn't know was that he just might meet his future there, as well. 

After putting everyone else’s needs in front of her own, will Sara finally be able to let someone else take the wheel? Discover the magic of Sapphire Falls in Going To Find Temptation!

You want to have a smile on your face, you want to feel the magic of falling in love, you want to have the joy, cheer, and the giddiness of when life finally lighten your load, and you want to dance on the street for the pure bliss of life?! 
This is what I felt through the story, while I was reading it, inhaling it, the joy of life and love, and family and friends, it all is just pouring out of the pages, and it is contagious, it is a delight, and I want more of it, because this has been just SO perfect, fairytale, a dream come through kind of happiness. 
There was not one negative thought through the tale, it is purposely, and effortlessly filled with happiness, finally, after all the tough times are behind Sara. Austin, well, he is just perfect for her, in every way she needs him to be. Together they are pure magic, the team they make from the first moment they meet, the way they have to communicate with each other, how Austin is so patience with her, how much he loves the kids. I mean, even Sara's ex isn't a bad guy, but life wasn't just meant to be between them. 
There's humor, smiles, laughter, love, friends, family, and fairgrounds. And there's hot, steaming, smoldering adults only fun between Austin and Sara, that made me sigh. 
I don't know if  I have ever read another story that put me in such a great mood, took the rainy day away with it, and just filled me with cheer and jubilation for all that is good, fun, and joyful in life! 
~ Five Spoons

One Night with the CEO
Suits Undone #2 
By: Mia Sosa 
Releasing May 3, 2016
Forever Yours

After some disappointing dates, Karen Ramirez has concluded that great sex is for other people. Especially since medical school won’t leave her much time for romance anyway. Then she runs into tall, dark, charming, and ridiculously wealthy Mark Lansing—and quickly reconsiders celibacy. Adding to temptation? Mark will be the best man at her sister’s wedding and the nuptial destination is sultry Puerto Rico. Now this trip might just be sensory overload—or the perfect chance for Karen to find the groove she’s never had. 
​
For CEO Mark Lansing, his perfect match would be smart, sweet, and funny, with long legs and silky hair the color of dark chocolate. In short, someone a lot like Karen. But Mark’s looking to settle down, while a relationship is the last thing on Karen’s mind. So Mark proposes a plan: he and Karen will use their weekend in paradise to sizzling advantage—before downshifting to friendship. The only problem? Karen is all Mark can think of when he gets home. Now his most challenging negotiation will be for the one thing money can’t buy . . .

Well, that had escalated quickly. 
Mark’s mouth captured hers. She tasted salt and a hint of sweetness on his lips, a heady combination that made her moan in appreciation. She arched into him, wanting—no, needing— to feel his body against hers. He responded by snaking his hand under her hair and caressing her neck. Seconds later, he wrapped his other hand around her middle and stroked her back. Mark’s kiss promised a full-body experience, and she shivered in response to all the points of contact. Finally, he drew back, gulping in air. Oh, right. She needed to breathe. Funny how easily he made her forget a minor inconvenience like breathing. 
She pressed her face against his chest and held on to the lapels of his suit jacket as she took in air. “What’s happening?” 
He brushed his fingers against her hair. “I’m sorry for acting like an ass.” 
She looked up at him then. “That’s your version of an apology?” 
He stepped back and ran a hand through his hair. “No, that’s my version of being selfish. What I should have done was apologize for being a jerk to you. You didn’t deserve it.” 
She nodded. “You’ll get no argument from me there.”
He stepped toward her and reached for her hands. “I wanted to kiss you, but I didn’t think it would be a smart move, so I took my frustration out on you.” 
“And the kiss?” 
He dropped her hands and shoved his own in his pockets. “The kiss is harder to explain.” 
“Um, unless I’m missing something, the phenomenon is called attraction. Your pheromones and my pheromones are sending chemo-signals to each other. Totally normal.” 
He gave her his trademark half smile. “Totally not a good idea, either.” 
She didn’t disagree with him. Doing anything with Mark didn’t figure in her plans, no matter how much he’d nearly owned her with a single kiss. “Again, you’ll get no argument from me. Still, that kiss was pretty freaking hot.” 
Mark closed his eyes and raised his head to the night sky. “Stop doing that. I’m relying on you to be the voice of reason in this situation.” 
Ha. That was cute. But she’d oblige him anyway, because she needed to put the kiss in its proper place: a momentary lapse in judgment not to be repeated. If she didn’t, he’d consume her thoughts, and she couldn’t afford the distraction. “Mark, look around. We’re in Puerto Rico. You look hot. I look hot. It’s hot, period. And we’re standing in front of a garden. You hear that?” 
“What?” 
“The coquis.” 
“What’s a coqui?” 
She resisted the urge to roll her eyes. “Only one of the most important cultural symbols of Puerto Rico.” When he stared at her blankly, she continued. “The tiny frogs, Mark. You must have seen them everywhere at the airport. T-shirts, mugs, hats, you name it. Listen.” 
They faced each other in silence. “That’s their mating call,” she told him. “They’re practically begging us to lock lips. You can’t be faulted for wanting to kiss me under these circumstances.” 
He bridged the distance between them. “What if I told you I’ve wanted to kiss you every single second I’ve been in your presence? Can you explain that?” 
She gulped. “Well, that’s a little harder to explain.” 
He pressed his hand against the back of her neck and pulled her flush against him. “And I’ve never wanted to stop at kissing. I want us to do more than that. A lot more.”

Mia Sosa is an award-winning writer and 2015 Romance Writers of America® Golden Heart® Finalist. She writes contemporary romances that are funny, flirty, and a little dirty. Ahem. Her first book, Unbuttoning the CEO, was published by Grand Central Publishing in December 2015 and garnered a starred review from Library Journal, which called it “a sparkling romance debut.” 
 
Although Mia once dreamed of being a professional singer, practical considerations (read: the need to generate income) led her to take the law school admissions test instead. She practiced First Amendment and media law in the nation's capital for ten years before returning to her creative roots. Now she spends most of her days writing love stories about smart women and the complicated men who love them. Okay, let's be real here: Mia wears PJs all day and watches more reality television than a network television censor--all in the name of research, of course. She lives in Maryland with her husband and two daughters and will forever be on the hunt for the perfect karaoke bar. 
 
Mia is represented by Sarah E. Younger of the Nancy Yost Literary Agency. 
 
Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads

USA TODAY bestselling author Julie Miller's new series launches with a lawman and social worker who team up to safeguard a baby 

After a near-fatal shootout at his sister's wedding, third-generation lawman Niall Watson comes home to a baby in distress. The abandoned newborn in his neighbor's apartment sends the Kansas City PD criminologist into rescue mode once again. 

Social worker Lucy McKane will do whatever it takes to protect the infant boy entrusted to her care. The tall, sexy ME next door may be clueless about her feelings for him, but Niall's the only one who can keep them safe. As a vengeful killer targets them, desire draws Lucy and Niall dangerously closer. Together, can they find justice and safeguard their newly created family?

I don't know if I have ever 'met' a couple, that are as perfect for each other, than Niall and Lucy are. So completely opposite, but complement each other. Niall, so smart, so brilliant, bright, and organized, logical, but so little human skills. And Lucy, she has the biggest heart, but in her own way, is as awkward as Niall is. But together they just melted my heart. 
And how they take care Tommy, like he was their own baby. There are scenes with Niall and Tommy, that I didn't know if wanted to laugh out loud or sigh with adoration. 
Yes, I am in head over heals with the characters in this new series. They are charming, witty, and charismatic. The humor is impeccable, the banter between the brother cracked me up, they are all very much different, with clear characteristics, but yet they all have the love for family, loyalty to their own, and caring for those who are dear to them. 
The suspense builds up through the tale, the tension and danger accentuated as the clues come to light, and the culprits are narrowed down. The action is bloody, deadly, and brutal, but the brothers are doing what they can, to keep Lucy and Tommy safe, and find out what is going on. 
Fantastic, alluring setting for the new series, with amiable characters, a murder attempt gone wrong, and edgy action. 
~ Four Spoons with a teaspoon on the side

Between Midnight and Dawn 
By: Cheryl Yeko 
Releasing May 19, 2016
Soul Mate Publishing

Kyle Wade has spent over half his life seeking justice for his mother’s brutal murder at the hands of the serial killer known as C.H.K. His efforts lead him to Nicole Chambers, a woman he quickly develops strong feelings for. 
​
Now he’s torn between keeping Nicole safe, or using her as bait to capture the monster stalking her.

Nicole paced nervously, waiting for Kyle to return. She’d thrown on her workout clothes; a black pair of Capris, a long purple T-shirt with large cut-out armholes, and a black sports bra that peeked out from underneath. She was covered practically from head to foot, so why did she get so nervous thinking about Kyle seeing her in the outfit? 
Because he’ll be touching me, that’s why. And though not as daring as what a lot of the women wore at the club, it still showed far more skin than Nicole was used to, except when she was working out. Did this qualify? 
This is a bad idea. 
Her doorbell rang out. 
She took a steadying breath. Too late to back out. 
When she opened the door and Kyle saw her, his eyes lit with a smoldering fire. But all he said was, “Ready?” as he moved past her, greeting her dog, “Hey, Charlie. 
Taking a moment to close the door, and calm her jittery nerves, she turned back to him. The desire she’d so clearly recognized in his heated stare, had lessened to a more neutral expression. 
He nodded toward the living room, where she’d pushed the furniture out of the way, clearing a large spot in the middle. “You should have waited for me to help.” 
Nicole rolled her eyes. “Please. I do vacuum, you know. The furniture doesn’t move itself.” 
A slightly crooked smile curved Kyle’s lips as Charlie headed over to his dog bed for a nap. “Suppose not.” 
Her stomach fluttered. He was too damn charming for his own good. How in the hell was she supposed to resist him? No men rule, remember. Gah! What a dumb rule. What had she been thinking? 
Maybe that your taste in men is crap, and you needed a good long break after the last guy you dated almost killed you. 
Oh, yeah. That was it. 
Kyle moved to the center of the room, looking all too fine in a pair of tight jeans that hugged his ass. He waved her over with two crooked fingers. Her cheeks flamed, hoping he hadn’t caught her checking him out. But by the smirk on his face, she figured he had. 
“Now,” he said as she approached, his tone shifting to all business. “If someone tries to grab you, whatcha gonna do?” 
“Um. Run away?” 
He nodded. “That might work. But, let’s say he manages to get ahold of you. What then?” 
She licked her dry lips, nerves rolling around in her stomach. “Is this a trick question?” 
The smile that split his face stole her breath. Gone was the serious tenant-slash-police officer from her backyard cottage. The man who stood before her now was a total, flat out, hands-down, no-question-about-it, hottie. His sex appeal exploded into the room like an atomic bomb filling up every nook and cranny. 
And in just a minute or so, he was going to put his hands on her. 
Ohmygod. Trouble. Seriously. 
Maybe this really wasn’t such a good idea— 
Nicole screamed when she was suddenly grabbed and her back brought up against Kyle’s chest. One arm clamped around her waist, the other across her throat. 
Her natural instinct was to struggle, but he had one leg wrapped around her shins, totally immobilizing her. The heat from Kyle’s body burned her up, and she wasn’t unaware of the rising bulge against the small of her back. Excitement tickled through her. 
Charlie let out a little bark, but only lazily watched them. She scowled at him. Some guard dog! 
Mouth pressed against her ear, Kyle murmured in a seductive drawl, “If I were the bad guy, sweetheart, your pretty little ass would be mine right now.” 

My writing career began in 2011, after my wonderful husband bought me a Kindle for Christmas and changed my world. I started reading romance novels, and fell in love with them. I decided to write one myself, and disappeared into my room over a long Wisconsin winter and wrote my debut novel, PROTECTING ROSE. I submitted to a few publishing houses and was offered a contract with Soul Mate Publishing, which I quickly accepted.  
 
PROTECTING ROSE went on to win the 2012 Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence in the romantic suspense category. Well, I was hooked. 
 
Today, I'm a multi-published, award-winning author, and live in Wisconsin with my husband Patrick. I love to read, play piano, and spend time with family and friends. I enjoy novels with fast-paced action and steamy romance, protective alpha men and strong heroines. I belong to several writing groups, including Romance Writers of America (RWA) and Sisters in Crime.  
 
Please sign up for Cheryl’s Newsletter, with her two BFF’s, Char Chaffin and Callie Hutton.  
http://www.thepowerof3cs.com/ 
Char and Cheryl also write together under the pen name, CiCi Cordelia, Writing From The Heart.  Find us on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Cici-Cordelia/e/B01AJ5EM90 
 
Cheryl is also an Acquisitions Editor for Soul Mate Publishing. As an Editor, she welcomes Romantic Suspense, Paranormal, Sci-Fi, Contemporary, and Erotica. You can reach her at Cheryl@SoulMatePublishing.com 
 
Author Links:  Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads ​

Change of Heart
Healing Harts #5 
By: T.J. Kline 
Releasing May 10, 2016
Avon Impulse

The fifth and (for now) final book in TJ Kline’s Healing Harts series. 

Leah McCarran has never had anything but bad luck in her life, with the exception of her dream job, working as a therapist for at-risk youth at Heart Fire Ranch. But when her car breaks down on the side of the road and she finds herself stranded, the playboy who shows up to help, seems like the last person she can count on. 

Gage Granger has risen above the circumstances of his youth, enough that people believe he has the Midas touch, especially in business. But when one costly mistake could send his reputation and his company into ruin, he needs some time to get his head on straight before he makes a decision that could affect hundreds of lives and heads to see his brother, near Heart Fire. The last thing he expected to find was a feisty therapist who needs his help, even if she won’t admit it. 

Leah doesn’t want friends. There was only one person she let close - her high school counselor and the mentor who not only took her in but changed her life, and then she died. Leah doesn’t want that kind of hurt again so it’s easier to remain distant. But Gage is making it difficult. And finding out that he staying next door at Heart Fire Ranch isn’t making it any easier to avoid the kind man who is worming his way into her heart. 

Gage sees the pain Leah’s trying so adamantly to hide but neither can help the attraction that begins to develop as they rescue two abandoned kittens and find they have far more in common than they believed. Gage helps her to move past her nightmarish past and she helps him realize that one mistake doesn’t define his worth.

​What an incredible, emotional journey this story is, this whole series has been really, so real and raw, and getting to you at the core of your being. 
Leah is doing her best to hold it together, to move on, to find a home, and to make something of her future, something different, something that will count. The way she goes about it, keeping everyone on the arm's length, and holding her emotions deep inside, makes it hard to understand, relate, or at times even like her. She is defensive, surly at times, and uptight most of the time. Until she puts her doctor face on, then she is confident, brilliant, and sure of her way. But Gage sees through all of the facade, pretend, and doesn't give up on her, even when it hurts. 
And he tries hard, and goes beyond and further than anyone would expect, he proves his good intentions again and again, hoping Leah will open up her heart and mind and let him in. 
I adored those two together, the story goes far and wide, the past Leah has, is not easy to understand or accept that it could and would happen. But the growth in her, in both of them, as they help each other to find their place in the world, find their courage to claim their place, and take that step, and make a difference, is astonishing.  
This whole series has been both adventure and crusade to the darker, deeper side of emotions for me. The way this group of characters has touched my heart, and made me want to make a difference, with their example, isn't a lesson easy to be ignored. Sometimes a group of characters becomes your book friends, and I am glad I met this lively family of the heart and blood. This series is something not to be missed, I highly recommend it, and not just romance fans either, but to anyone who dares to let stories touch your heart and mind, and shape the way you see your world
~ Five Spoons!

“We should start over.” Gage held out a hand. “I’m Gage Granger, your neighbor. It’s nice to meet you.” 
Leah bit the corner of her lip as the horse nudged her hand. “Don’t do that,” she said quietly. She rubbed her hand over the animal’s face the way Jessie had told her they liked. “We’re both old enough that we don’t need to pretend we get do-overs in life.” 
“Ah, another cynic.” He reached out and patted the horse’s neck. The second horse seemed to take notice and ambled slowly in their direction. 
“A realist,” she corrected. “Another?” 
“Like my brother, or at least, he used to be one.” Gage shrugged but looked back at her, curiosity clear in his dark eyes. “So, you don’t think you can forgive and forget? There’s no starting over?” 
“Not really. You can forgive, but it’s a conscious choice. Forgetting something ever happened? That’s impossible. It’s like saying there’s such a thing as love at first sight.” 
“Next you’re going to tell me you don’t believe in happily ever after either.” He clucked his tongue and shook his head with a grin tugging at the corners of his full lips. “What kind of therapist are you?” 
She didn’t return his smile. “A good one. One who knows what I’m talking about and uses hard facts to get through to people who’ve see far too much reality in their daily lives to believe in fairy tales.” 
She leaned one elbow on the railing and faced him. “The people I work with don’t need illusions. They need coping skills because life isn’t some kind of fantasy. Most people you meet aren’t good, and they don’t want to help you.” 
Gage narrowed his eyes, trying to see more than what she would allow anyone to see. Leah wondered for a moment if she should have just kept her mouth shut. There was something about this man that made her usual calm, reserved demeanor take a vacation and made her tongue run away without her brain. If she wasn’t careful, she’d end up telling him her life story, and no one deserved to bear the weight of that nightmare.

T. J. Kline  was raised competing in rodeos and Rodeo Queen competitions since the age of 14 and has thorough knowledge of the sport as well as the culture involved. She writes contemporary western romance for Avon Romance, including the Rodeo series and the Healing Harts series. She has published a nonfiction health book and two inspirational fiction titles under the name Tina Klinesmith. In her very limited spare time, T.J. can be found laughing hysterically with her husband, children, and their menagerie of pets in Northern California. 
​
Author Links: Website | Facebook| Twitter | GoodReads ​

Bodychecking
Game On in Seattle #7 
By: Jami Davenport 
Released April 30, 2016
Cedona Enterprises

As the wild child of the family, Bellani Maxwell isn’t interested in settling down. Between a fledgling party crashing business, teaching self-defense at a martial arts studio, and hitting the bar every night, she has her hands full. She doesn’t need the added responsibility or commitment of a relationship. 

Hockey star Cedric Pederson has all the puck bunnies he could ever want, but a chance encounter eighteen months ago leaves him with eyes only for the gorgeous, free-spirited Bella. Too bad she isn’t interested in what Cedric has to offer beyond frequent hookups, and he’s grown tired of their on-again, off-again non-relationship. He wants to be all-in or all-out. 

When a brutal attack leaves Bella in need of comfort, protection, and healing, the only person she wants is Cedric. But once she’s living in his condo, Bella is confronted with a decision she’s been avoiding—can she finally commit to Cedric, or will she let him go one last time? 

CONTENT WARNING: Contains graphic and potentially disturbing descriptions of an assault.

Hugging the sweatshirt tight to her body, Bella hurried past a boarded-up building looming darkly across the cracked sidewalk. The gloomy brick façade gave her the creeps, and she trotted down the street, cutting across to the other side. She’d be soaked before she got to her car. 
Miserable and desperate to get out of the rain as soon as possible, she decided to take a shorter route back, ignoring the detour, which would take her two to three blocks out of her way but along well-lit streets. Instead, she veered around the corner and into the construction zone, ignoring the “Do Not Enter” signs. She’d cut through here before but not alone. It was exactly the type of area she would’ve told her self-defense students to avoid as unsafe. 
Only Bella was savvy and well-trained in martial arts. She could take care of herself. She had absolute confidence she’d battle her way out of any situation. Even so, a little chill slid down her spine, and she shuddered. Shrugging it off as unfounded, she attributed her nerves to the rainwater dripping down the back of her neck. 
She had very little room to maneuver as she navigated along a sawhorse-lined path made of plywood and concrete with partially demolished buildings on one side and deep utility trenches on the other. She could barely see even with the flashlight on her cell phone. 
“Admit it, Bells, this wasn’t one of your smarter moves,” she muttered to herself. 
She frowned as she swore she heard a noise. Only, how the fuck could anyone hear anything over this incessant rain? 
There it was again. Splashing. Like boots slapping against water-laden concrete and plywood. 
Her heart rate accelerated, and she increased her pace, wishing she’d brought her purse with her Mace in it. Instead, she’d grabbed a small pocketbook. She refused to glance over her shoulder, even as her senses went on high alert. 
She definitely heard footsteps, and they were gaining.

While all books in this series can be read as standalones, you'll most likely enjoy reading the other books in the Game On in Seattle sports romance series: 

Book 1--Skating on Thin Ice (Seattle Sockeyes Hockey) 
Book 2--Crashing the Boards (Seattle Sockeyes Hockey) 
Book 3--Crashing the Net (Seattle Sockeyes Hockey) 
Book 4--Love at First Snow (Seattle Sockeyes Hockey) 
Book 5--Melting Ice (Seattle Sockeyes Hockey) 
Book 6--Blindsided (Seattle Steelheads Football)

USA Today Bestselling Author Jami Davenport writes sexy contemporary and sports romances, including her two new indie endeavors: the Game On in Seattle Series and the Madrona Island Series. Jami's new releases consistently rank in the top fifty on the sports romance and sports genre lists on Amazon, and she has hit the Amazon top hundred authors list in both contemporary romance and genre fiction multiple times. Jami ranked Number Seven on Kobo's Top Ten Most Completed Authors, an honor bestowed on the year's "most engaging" authors based on an average page completion rate by their readers. 
 
Author Links:  Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

A SPECIAL COWBOY 

Cissy Henley is stranded in rural Georgia with her two orphaned nephews, no money and no job. When they're rescued by a white knight in a Stetson, Cissy knows their stay at Dominic Slade's family ranch is temporary…even if her growing feelings for the wandering cowboy aren't. 

Raintree Ranch was supposed to be a pit stop before Dominic hit the road again. Instead, Cissy and her pint-size twin boys are tempting the champion bull rider to reconnect with his roots and his family. But can he give up the life he knows to be the loving husband and father Cissy deserves?

Adorable story, about finding your place in life, about growing up to be the person you are meant to be, about learning to love, and be loved, about life, with some hardship, with little luck, and lots of love. 
I admit, I got emotional while reading this story. There are scenes, that just shoot directly to your heart, takes a hold, and squeeze it hard. Because just like with Cissy in the story, sometimes things happen in life, that you have no power over, and it is hard, and life will test your endurance, and stubbornness, and will to survive. I admire how Cissy took the responsibility, had the courage to fight for the boys, and stand for what she believed was the best for them, and for what she wanted for them. 
And Dominic, his patience with the boys, acceptance, his helping heart and attitude, his willingness to stand for his needs, strength to ask for what he needed. The relationship he has with Cissy, and the boys, they were just instant family, a unit, without any effort, they fit together well. 
The struggles they have, both Cissy and Dominic, at the crossroads of their lives, they were realistic and real. The choices they made, made me admire them both. The story has heartache, pain, growth, and battles, but it also has joy, humor, laughter, and love. The secondary cast all has their places in the tale, and bring more depth to it, giving the story even more spice, and waking an interest to their stories as well. 
A wonderfully crafted tale, with strong characters, deep emotions, and two cute five year old boys, that will just melt your heart
~ Four Spoons with a teaspoon on the side