A Fairytale Bride
Chapel of Love #0.5 By: Hope Ramsay Releasing June 7, 2016 Forever Yours
A CHAPEL OF LOVE SHORT STORY
After a very public career disaster, journalist Jeff Talbert-Lyndon wants to escape from the world. Picturesque Shenadoah Falls, Virginia, seems like the perfect place to relax and regroup before heading back to real life. But when he discovers the charming bookstore Secondhand Prose - and its lovely, slightly overwhelmed owner- he finds a part-time job and a very tempting reason to stay... Melissa Portman is fighting a losing battle when it comes to saving her grandmother's store - and selling the historic building may be her only option. Yet when a handsome stranger wanders in one day, she wonders if her very own fairytale is just beginning...
Melissa Portman almost laughed in the man’s face. He was most definitely not the teenager Grammy had been searching for when she’d put the “Help Wanted” sign in the window three months ago.
He was a grown man, probably her age or a little older, in his late twenties or early thirties. He wore clothes that branded him as someone who came from way, way out of town: a brown tweed jacket with elbow patches, a striped button-down shirt, and a pair of skinny jeans that showed off his muscular thighs. All in all, he gave the impression of a hot college professor. He also had dark, soulful brown eyes, too-long black hair that curled over his forehead like a sensitive poet’s, and a well-groomed scruff of beard that Melissa found way too attractive for her own good. To top it all off, he held Hugo in his arms like a man who knew something about cats. In fact, just watching his long fingers stroke the cat was vaguely erotic. No question about it. He was delicious eye-candy. And she wasn’t stupid enough to believe that he needed a job. The guy was flirting. Wow, that hadn’t happened in, like, forever. She arched her eyebrow the way Grammy used to when faced with the utterly absurd and said, “You want to work here? Really?” She invested her voice with just the right tone of skepticism. His mouth quirked and exposed adorable laugh lines that peeked through his GQ-style stubble. “Really,” he said. “I appreciate literature.” His voice was low, deep, and had just the right hint of tease in it — like he might be calling her out for the book she’d hidden beneath the counter. Had he seen the title? She hoped not. “Seriously,” he said, “I’m interested in the job.” “It’s minimum wage,” she said. “How much is that? I’m new around here.” No kidding. “$7.25 an hour.” She managed to say this with a straight face. The professor’s eyebrows lowered. “That’s not very much, is it?” Obviously Mr. Professor had been spending all his time in ivory towers or something. “Right,” she said, nodding. “And that’s why we only hire high school students. You’re a little old for that.” He continued to stroke Hugo as he gazed at her out of those impossibly hot brown eyes. “I know, but I need the work. I recently lost my job.” Something in the set of his broad shoulders suggested that he was telling the truth, even if he was also flirting at the same time. A momentary pang of sympathy swelled inside Melissa. She was in the same boat. She’d given up a good job with the Fairfax County Public Schools in order to take care of Grammy, and now she’d be out of a full-time teaching job until next September. She didn’t know how she’d pay her bills. Unless she sold the historic building that housed Secondhand Prose. The Lyndons were willing to pay a fortune for it—enough to pay all of Melissa’s bills, cover the property taxes, and give her something left over to invest. But selling out to the Lyndons was the last thing Melissa wanted to do. In her heart of hearts, she wanted to keep Secondhand Prose’s doors open. But that was just silly, wishful thinking. “I could be very helpful,” Mr. Professor said, breaking through Melissa’s financial worries. “I’m good at organizing things, and I have other experience and qualifications that could be valuable to you.” She eyed the cat and then his handsome face. “Aside from charming killer cats?” His mouth twitched again. “I’m an avid reader.” She rolled her eyes. “Aren’t we all? But really, there is no job.” “But the sign. And you’re clearly short—” “The sign has been there for a while. My grandmother put it up before she died. I’m sorry, but there’s no job available here.” “Oh. I’m so sorry about your grandmother.” For an uncomfortable moment, their gazes caught, and the kindness and concern in his eyes surprised her. “Grammy was pretty old,” Melissa said, her voice barely hiding the sorrow that had hollowed out her insides. “So let me ring these books up for you, okay?” Melissa picked up the books he’d laid on the counter while Mr. Hottie Professor continued to lean his hip into the counter, his mere presence disturbing the atmosphere and making Melissa adolescently self-conscious. “That’ll be $25.00 for the books,” she said in her best customer-service voice. She expected him to hand over a credit card, but instead the guy pulled out a money clip that held a big wad of bills. He sure wasn’t a professor, not carrying cash like that. He had to thumb through several hundred-dollar bills to find a five and a twenty. So who was he? She was suddenly dying to know. He put Hugo down, but the damn cat continued to circle his legs. “Nice cat,” he said. “His name is Hugo — well, his full name is Victor Hugo — and he’s not friendly.” “Could have fooled me.” The cat meowed as if he knew they were talking about him. What was Hugo up to? He never made friends with strangers. She handed the guy his bag. “So, where are you staying?” she asked, hoping she might prolong this conversation and get his name, email address, or even his profile on Match.com. He took his bag and broke eye-contact. “I love your store. Next time I’m going to make friends with the cat in the window.” “Ha, I don’t think so. Dickens is half-wild.” “I already figured that out. Have a nice day.” And with that, the guy turned and strolled down the aisle toward the door, looking amazingly like the hero in the romance novel she’d been reading when he’d first arrived.
Hope Ramsay is a USA Today bestselling author of heartwarming contemporary romances. Her books have won critical acclaim and publishing awards. She is married to a good ol' Georgia boy who resembles every single one of her Southern heroes. She has two grown children and a couple of demanding lap cats. She lives in Virginia where, when she's not writing, she's knitting or playing her forty-year-old Martin guitar.
Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads
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Let Me
The O’Brien Family Book Two By: Cecy Robson Released April 19, 2016 Self-Published
Once he was broken beyond repair. Now this MMA contender is fighting to be a better man—for her. RT Book Reviews proclaims that the O’Brien Family series from award-winning author Cecy Robson “has the hottest brothers ever!” And in Let Me, it is Finn’s turn to discover how love can heal the deepest wounds.
A mixed martial arts star on the rise, Finn O’Brien dismantles his opponents with brutal precision. And yet beneath his fierce persona, Finn is raw from a trauma he’s buried for years . . . until the day his deep-rooted rage erupts and lands him in court-mandated therapy. Finn’s not one to bare his soul, but if talking it out means meeting beautiful women like Sol Marieles, he’ll give it a shot. Sol is working toward her master’s degree in psychology, and already she feels like she’s in over her head. With an important internship on the line and a scary family situation demanding her attention, the last thing Sol needs is Finn around to distract her. The man is ripped and seriously sexy yet it’s his troubled side that warns her to keep her distance. But their attraction is intense, and he clearly has the heat to see how far and fast their passion takes them. Alone, Finn and Sol have been fighting to find happiness in their lives. Together, there’s no stopping them as they face their greatest challenges—not in the ring, but in their hearts.
The heavy door to the lobby opens with a loud smack, drawing attention to those waiting to be seen. The counseling center is private and held in high regard. The majority of our clients come from money, but a few of our therapists work pro bono, counseling those from working class backgrounds similar to mine. Some are like Loretta, suffering from eating disorders and mild anxiety issues. But the majority are severely damaged individuals with suicidal tendencies. I catch sight of one of our more heartbreaking cases sitting in the corner beside his father. Poor kid, he can’t be more than fifteen. And there he waits with his wrists bandaged down to his elbows.
I want to walk over and give him and his dad a hug. Both look like they could use one. Those people on the street who offer free hugs to strangers? I’m one of them. I always have been. Today though, I refrain, staying focused on Loretta. “Good job,” I tell her, knowing how hard she’s trying. “I’ll see you next week.” “Sol?” I turn my head. I know that voice. Loretta doesn’t bother with a goodbye, leaving me instead with a “Mm, yummy” when she sees who called to me. “Yummy”. Yes, that about sums up Finn. Finn O’Brien, damn. You know those cute guys . . . those really hot kind of cute guys? Finn blows them away. I’m not typically attracted to redheads, but I make the exception for Finn. Oh, and Jamie from Outlander. Finn has the whole bad boy thing going on, tats crawling along his muscular arms, hair buzzed on the sides and short on top. A modern Mohawk, it think that’s what it’s called. Oh, and don’t get me started on that dimple on his right cheek that appears when he grins, just like he’s doing now. “Hi, Finn,” I say. His brother is with him, the one that looks the most like him. He’s older by a few years, handsome, polished, perfect. Well, if you like that sort of thing. Me? Did I mention how sexy Finn is? His light blue eyes sparkle as I pass Zorina, the poor girl trapped in her own world following a brutal assault on the train. She pretends to play instruments that aren’t there, reality slipping so far from her grasp, it’s almost out of her reach. I tilt my head in the direction of Finn’s brother because by now it’s obvious I’m gawking at Finn. “You’re Seamus, right?” I ask. “No, I’m Declan,” he answers in a deep voice. Oh, right. The district attorney. “Sorry. I know that Finn has a few brothers,” I offer. I should be impressed seeing how Declan has made quite a name for himself in the political arena, and I am. But Finn is who lures my attention and keeps it, despite my best efforts to appear more relaxed. “What are you doing here?” I ask. He shrugs. “Waiting for you.” Declan sighs, moving away from us and reaching for his phone. I grin even though I’m sure Finn is feeding me a line. The last time I saw him was at my cousin Sofia’s wedding. I’d brought my friend Alex as my date and Finn, well, he showed up with some girl with big breasts and very little clothes. And funny enough, I still had a hard time keeping my eyes off him. “Really?” I ask. “Yeah. Really,” he answers, leaning back on his heels and making a show of checking me out. “Don’t forget, you still owe me a kiss.”
Cecy Robson is a new adult and contemporary author of the Shattered Past series, the O’Brien Family novels and upcoming Carolina Beach novels, as well as the award-winning author of the Weird Girls urban fantasy romance series. A 2016 double nominated RITA®finalist for Once Pure and Once Kissed, Cecy is a recovering Jersey girl living in the South who enjoys carbs way too much, and exercise way too little. Gifted and cursed with an overactive imagination, you can typically find her on her laptop silencing the yappy characters in her head by telling their stories.
Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
Into the Whirlwind
B.O.S.S., Inc. #2 By: Kat Martin Releasing May 31, 2016 Zebra
A bodyguard, a bounty hunter, a private investigator, no one can handle the heat like the men of BOSS, Inc.
Megan O’Brien is at her wit’s end. Her three-year-old son has been kidnapped. No police, says the ransom demand. Fearing for her son’s life, Meg has no choice but to turn to her former bodyguard, Dirk Reynolds. Dirk’s never forgiven Meg for the way she left him after their brief affair. But with bounty hunter Luke Brodie on his side, Dirk knows he’s got to help Meg rescue her son. The few clues they’ve gathered send them spiraling into a murky world of big banking and international crime. Meg may be way out of her depths, but she’s seeing a side of Dirk she never suspected—one no woman could possibly resist.
Breathtaking action, terrifying suspense, that keeps you on the edge, scorching hot romance with tender, broken hearts, still aching from the pain from the past, Kat Martin knows how to build a story that takes an addictive hold of you, a tale that you want to inhale at once, while savoring it immensely.
The story takes the reader on a wild ride. The plot is filled with ups and downs, sharp turns, and unexpected hindrances. The action is brutal, harsh, and deadly. The chilling suspense, the greed and callousness of the culprits test the human limits, setting a merciless tone to their actions. The BOSS Inc works as a seamless team, they support each other, protect each other, and are willing to put their lives on line for those they care about. The chemistry between the characters is entertaining, managing to bring humor and laughter to the darkest moments of the hunt for the criminals. What Megan and Dirk had before, was rare and real. She just didn't have enough faith in them, and their feelings, to make it work, breaking both of their hearts in the process. Dirk is determined to never again fall in love, never again give himself completely to a woman, never again fall for Megan. But being so close together again, having their lives in danger, facing the threats and danger, bring those feelings back to the surface. The heartbreaking and raw pain from the past is exchanged with fear and dread of survival. The intense desire they have for each other, is filled with affectionate, tender, gentle loving. Slowly, they start to see each other in a different light, as they again and again face deadly conditions. There's numerous things still to work out, but right at the moment, all they can do, concentrates on survival. The story, even though easily can be read as a stand-alone novel, continues the great series about the men of BOSS Inc, the women they love, and the trouble they run into. The series have captured my mind, the characters won my heart, and the hair-raising suspense spiked my adrenaline, it is no wonder I already look forward to the next installment of the series. Suspenseful, terrifying action that will spike your heart rhythm, ardent, desirous love story that will touch your heart, and one little, brave boy that will steal your heart away ~ Five Spoons
“Ms. Megan, thank God you’re home! It’s . . . it’s Charlie. I can’t find little Charlie.”
Meg’s heart took a leap as she stepped into the house, nearly colliding with her housekeeper, Rose Wills. “He probably woke up and wandered off somewhere. He has to be here someplace.” But even as she said the words, worry jolted through her. Telling herself not to panic, Meg hurried toward the stairs. “I put him down for a nap an hour ago,” Rose said, hurrying along behind her. “When I went back to check on him, he was gone.” “You know how he likes to hide. He’s just found a new place.” But fear had her pulse kicking up, and her stomach started to churn. At the top of the landing, she turned and ran down the hall to her three-year-old’s bedroom, the housekeeper close behind her. Charlie wasn’t in his small white youth bed. “Charlie! Mama’s home. Charlie! Where are you, sweetheart?” Meg ran to the closet and pulled open the door, searched through the stuffed toys and games on the closet floor, but found no sign of her son. Her heart was hammering now, her stomach balled into a fist. Meg told herself to stay calm. There were dozens of places a little boy could hide in a two-story house. “Charlie! Charlie, where are you, sweetie?” Rose’s higher-pitched, worried voice chimed in. “Charlie! Come out now. Your mommy wants you.” They searched upstairs, but he was nowhere to be seen, went downstairs and searched the floor below. “God, Rose, where could he be? You don’t think he went outside?” “I always keep the doors locked and the chain on. There’s no way he could have gotten out.” They checked all the doors, but Rose was right. No way could her little boy have gotten out of the house. Meg ran back upstairs. She returned to his room, walked over to the bed to see if the covers still held a trace of warmth. Reaching down, she touched the soft blue blanket with the sailboats on it, but none of Charlie’s heat remained. Instead, she spotted an envelope protruding from the folds, her name in ink on the front. “What did you find?” Rose came up beside her. “It’s a letter.” Her hands shook as she tore the envelope open. “I didn’t see it before,” Rose said. “Oh, dear Lord.” She started to tremble, her breasts heaving as the implication sank in. She was a big woman, nearly as tall as Meg’s five-foot ten-inch frame. “What . . . what does it say?” Meg read the note and her heart clutched, then turned to stone. “‘We have your son. He’ll cost you ten million in cash. You’ve got three days or he’s . . . he’s dead. No police.’“ Meg swayed on her feet. She gripped the headboard, afraid she might faint. Dear God, my baby! She turned, let Rose pull her into a hug, and her eyes welled with tears. They clung to each other, both of them crying. The housekeeper straightened away. “We have to call the police. They’ll know what to do. They’ll get Charlie back.” Meg shook her head. “No police. If we call them, they’ll kill him.” Rose crossed herself. “What are going to do, Ms. Meg?” Meg closed her eyes and prayed for strength. Her dad was extremely wealthy. He loved his grandson. Her father could get the ten million dollars they needed to pay the ransom. But her dad was also extremely controlling. And he believed money was the solution to everything. What if the kidnappers took the money and still killed her baby? She thought of Charlie’s father, Jonathan Hollander, the man she had married to please her dad. Yes, he was hand-some. She couldn’t deny she’d been attracted to his dark good looks and charming smile. Her father hadn’t been able to see past Jonathan’s impressive Harvard education and his family’s lofty position in society. Meg thought what a no-good, lying cheat he had turned out to be. She couldn’t go to Jonathan. Another man’s image came to mind. Smart. Loyal to a fault. Strong. Tough. Reliable. The one man she would trust with her precious son’s life. “I know someone.” Strength seeped through her as determination set in. “I know a man who can bring Charlie home.” Megan O’Brien parked at the end of the gravel driveway and quietly got out of her white BMW X1 compact SUV. Through the trees, she could hear the roar of a chainsaw, hear hammers banging away, see two-by-fours of golden-yellow pine going up to form the sides of the house under construction. The garage was already finished, undoubtedly full of Dirk’s toys, including a Harley and a custom Dodge Viper. In the summer, he kept a boat docked on the lake below the house. Though two other men were hard at work, her gaze went straight to Dirk. Hammer in hand, carpenter’s belt dangling low on his waist, he was shirtless, though the January air was chill. Hard muscle flexed across his back and shoulders as he pounded in a nail with an ease that said how many times he had done it. Long, sinewy muscles outlined by the soft fabric of his jeans stretched and moved as he worked on his house. Meg’s gaze went over the familiar dragon tattoo that wound over one shoulder and inched up the side of his neck. The colored ink seemed right with the sexy, short-cropped horseshoe mustache that framed his mouth and curved down to his jaw, making him look like the hard, tough man he was. Even her terrible fear for her son couldn’t block the memories of how it had felt to lie with him. Couldn’t lessen the yearning that burned through her body just at the sight of him. Meg had met Dirk Reynolds five months before when she had been preparing for the La Belle fashion show tour. Meg, one of their top models, worked for the chain of expensive lingerie stores. She glanced back at Dirk. He and his friend, Ethan Brodie, did private investigation and personal security for Brodie Operations Security Services, Inc., the company that had been hired to protect the models after one of them was murdered. Dirk had been her bodyguard, and though every instinct had warned her not to get involved with him, the fierce attraction between them had been impossible to resist. Once the models returned home, Meg had ended the affair. She and Dirk weren’t right for each other. Dirk lived fast and hard. He rode a motorcycle, drove a car that could go two hundred miles an hour. Dirk Reynolds was wild and fierce, while she was a single mother with a son to raise. She couldn’t have Dirk Reynolds. She had a responsibility to her little boy. With a failed marriage behind her, she couldn’t risk failing again. But she had never gotten over Dirk. Meg steeled herself and headed along the gravel driveway toward the house Dirk was rebuilding after the fire that had nearly killed him five months ago. One thing she knew, Dirk Reynolds was a hard man to kill. Which was the reason she had swallowed her pride and her heartache and come to him. She needed him, trusted him as she never had any other man. Her little boy’s life de-pended on gaining this man’s help. This man she had loved and rejected. She stepped out of the foliage-covered driveway into the open area around the house he was rebuilding. She had called his office looking for him. Nick Brodie, one of the other PIs at BOSS Inc., had reluctantly told her where to find him. Maybe it was the tears he heard in her voice when she had said how important it was. That it was a matter of life or death. With Dirk’s usual keen senses, he turned, alert that some-one was there, though the buzz of the saw had hid the sound of her footsteps. For several long moments, he just stared, watching as she walked toward him. He was six-two, his body lean and sculpted. Wavy dark brown hair curled at the nape of his neck. She forced herself to keep walking, even as his jaw locked and a fierce scowl darkened his face. Dirk grabbed a faded blue work shirt and shrugged it on, covering most of his amazing chest. He didn’t bother fastening the buttons, just strode toward her, blocking her view of the house. He stopped right in front of her. “What are doing here, Meg?” “I need to talk to you. It’s . . . it’s urgent.” “You’re trespassing. What do you want?” She swallowed, fought to stay strong. He didn’t want her there. She had known he wouldn’t. Known he thought of her only with contempt. She wished he would hold her the way he used to when she was afraid. “I . . . I want to hire you.” The corner of his mouth edged into a ruthless half smile. “What for? Stud service?” She wanted to cry. She wanted to beg his forgiveness. Tell him she had never forgotten him. That she never would. She knew it wouldn’t matter to Dirk. Not anymore. All that mattered now was saving her son. She looked into those hard hazel eyes and for the first time wondered if she’d been wrong to think he would help her. Dear God, what would she do if Dirk refused? A sob wedged in her throat. She fought desperately to hold on to her courage. “It’s Charlie. He’s been kidnapped. They left a note. It says they’ll . . . they’ll kill him if I go to the police.” Something shifted in those hard, condemning eyes. For a moment, the old Dirk appeared. Concerned for her, determined to protect her at any cost, even his life. “I’ll take you down to the office. Ethan’s out of town with Val. I’ll get Nick to work with you. Or Luke. They’ll help you find your boy. They’ll help you get him back.” They were all private investigators and they were the best. But they weren’t Dirk Reynolds. Meg started shaking her head, couldn’t stop the tears that leaked onto her cheeks. “It has to be you. I know in my heart you can save Charlie. Only you.” His jaw went iron hard. “Jesus, Meg.” “Please, Dirk. Please help me.” “Do you know what you’re asking?” She knew. There was a time he had loved her. He had begged her to stay with him, give them a chance. Meg had refused. “He’s just a little boy. I know you can save him. You won’t give up until you do.” “Jesus.” He raked a hand through his heavy dark hair. She remembered the exact silky feel of the strands between her fingers. “The note says they want ten million dollars,” she said. “They’ll kill him if they don’t get it.” He took a deep breath, released it slowly. “How much time did they give you?” “Three days.” “Ten million. That’s a helluva lot of money.” “My father can get it.” His gaze remained on her face. “But you don’t trust him to get your boy back. That’s smart, Meg, because money doesn’t always work.” She swiped at her tears with the back of her hand. “Will you help me?” His eyes went dark. “You knew I would when you came here.” “I prayed you would. I wasn’t sure anymore.” He gazed over her shoulder through the trees, spotted her small white SUV. “You okay to drive?” “I’m all right.” “I’ll follow you back to your house.” His mouth barely curved. “I think I can remember where it is.” Meg turned away from him. Three days. In three days Charlie would be safely returned. Dirk would go on with his life and she would go on with hers. Three days. The pain didn’t matter. Charlie was all that mattered. Meg had no other choice.
New York Times bestselling author Kat Martin is a graduate of the University of California at Santa Barbara where she majored in Anthropology and also studied History. Currently residing in Missoula, Montana with her Western-author husband, L. J. Martin, Kat has written sixty-five Historical and Contemporary Romantic Suspense novels. More than sixteen million copies of her books are in print and she has been published in twenty foreign countries. Kat is currently at work on her next Romantic Suspense.
Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads
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City Love #4 By: Belinda Williams Releasing May 26, 2016 Momentum
COULD THE WRONG MAN ON PAPER BE THE PERFECT MAN IN REAL LIFE?
Cate Harmon likes lists. While this may serve her well as a financial planner, her girlfriends think that creating a checklist for her ideal man is going a step too far. But she has one, and she’s sticking to it. Cate has always dreamed of starting a family and settling down and yet she’s the only one of her close knit friendship group still unattached. But that doesn’t mean she’s going to lower her standards. Enter Dave, a reformed bad boy with gorgeous hair and eyes the wrong color. Dave doesn’t tick any of the boxes on Cate’s list. It’s unthinkable that she would develop feelings for him, and yet … Cate finds herself being drawn to Dave in a way she’s never felt before. Will Cate confront the reasons behind her list? Or will she risk losing a man who could be better than any list she could ever dream up?
I heard a low whistle, and realized I’d been staring at Dave’s backside while he retreated. I looked in the direction of the whistle.
Scarlett’s eyebrows were raised in appreciation and she was focused on Dave, not me. “Is that your plumber?” “That’s my plumber.” “Nice.” She sat down in the seat next to me. “Did you get his number?” “Scarlett!” “Oh right. You already have his number. He’s your plumber. Well, that makes it easy.” “Easy? I don’t know what you’re talking about.” “I saw you staring at his butt. You know exactly what I’m talking about.” “He’s my plumber!” I protested. “So? It’s not like a doctor-patient confidentiality thing. He’s looked at your drains. Big deal.” “But—” “But?” Scarlett crossed her arms and gave me a stern look. I blinked, flustered. “He’s my plumber.” “Yes, Cate. He’s your plumber. What’s the problem?” “He’s not my type,” I said quietly. Scarlett leaned in, arms still crossed, and waited until I met her dark eyes. “He’s not on your list, is he?” “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I shot back, alarmed. “You know exactly what I’m talking about. You’re very specific about your type.” “So?” I wasn’t going to go the effort to deny it. Scarlett could be exhausting when she put her mind to something. She eased back into her seat and uncrossed her arms, satisfied with my reluctant honesty. “Maybe you could loosen up a bit.” “And go out with a plumber?” I said, not trying to hide the disbelief in my voice. Scarlett placed her hands on her cheeks in mock shock. “Oh my God. He uses his hands for living. How uncouth.” Her expression turned sly. “In my experience, men who are good with their hands are good in other areas.” “Scarlett! What would John think?” She snickered shamelessly. “He doesn’t care, because he knows I eat at home.” I shut my mouth, silenced once again by my friend’s brazenness. She shrugged. “Seriously. He was hot.” “There’s a lot more to a successful and rewarding relationship than chemistry,” I replied primly. She grinned at me. “Chemistry is a good place to start though.” “Fine. Chemistry is important,” I allowed, “but there’s still a lot more to it than that.” “And I’m sure you’ve got it listed and color-coded in a spreadsheet somewhere, don’t you?”
Belinda is a marketing communications specialist and copywriter who allowed an addiction to romance and chick-lit to get the better of her. She was named a top ten finalist in the Romance Writers of Australia Emerald Award in both 2013 and 2014.
Her other addictions include music and cars. Belinda’s eclectic music taste forms the foundation of many of her writing ideas and her healthy appreciation for fast cars means she would not so secretly love a Lamborghini. For now she’ll have to settle with her son’s Hot Wheels collection and writing hot male leads with sports cars. Belinda lives in Sydney and blogs regularly about writing and reading at www.belindawilliamsbooks.com Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads
Blood Lust
The Sentinels #3 By: Alexandra Ivy Releasing May 31, 2016 Zebra
Blessed and cursed by their hidden abilities, the Sentinels have no choice but to live, and love, on the edge of humanity…
The Sentinel assassin, Bas, is facing the greatest challenge of his outcast existence. His young daughter, Molly, has been kidnapped. But her disappearance has brought the return of her mother, Myst, whom Bas has never forgotten--or forgiven. Haunted by a vision that she's destined to create a weapon that will destroy thousands, Myst was never impulsive--until she met the irresistibly handsome Bas. But with the Brotherhood, the enemy of the high-bloods hunting for her, Myst had to stay on the run, to keep her child, and the world, safe. Now, with the most important thing in both their lives at stake, she and Bas must embark on a treacherous journey to save Molly, to confront the truth of Myst's fate--and to face their fierce desire for one another.
He looked . . . offended.
“You didn’t tell me you were a telepath.” She shrugged. “You didn’t ask.” “You applied for a job. I assumed you would have shared your complete resume.” He leaned down, wrapping her in the scent of clean male skin and scotch. “Or were you keeping secrets even back then?” His lips brushed the top of her ear, sending streaks of lightning through her body. Danger, excitement, and pure lust twisted her stomach into a knot. Dammit. She’d spent the past four years isolated in the bowels of a Russian monastery. She wasn’t prepared to deal with the cascade of sensations. She struggled to suck air into her lungs. “I wasn’t a telepath when I applied for the job,” she said in hoarse tones. He frowned, his fingers resuming their absent path up and down her arm. Was he even aware of what he was doing? Her skin shivered with delight. “Is that supposed to be a joke?” he demanded. She grimaced, understanding his annoyance. High-bloods were born with their mutations, even if some didn’t reveal themselves until after puberty. Most people only had one, but a rare few could claim a combination. Like Bas, who’d been born with both the magic of a witch and the superior strength of a Sentinel. And even more rare were those powers that appeared later in life, seemingly out of nowhere. None of the healers had an explanation. It simply happened. “The talent didn’t reveal itself until I was pregnant,” she grudgingly confessed. He lifted his head, genuine amazement in his eyes. “A spontaneous manifestation?” “Yes.” He studied her with a searing intensity. “Fine. You should have told me you were in contact with Molly.” She forced herself to hold that raptor gaze. Bas was a natural leader with a male confidence that easily intimidated others. In other words . . . an arrogant ass. He would run her over completely if she didn’t try to stand her ground. “As I said, you’re not my boss.” “No, but I am Molly’s father.” “I know that—” she started to snap, only to bite her tongue. Well, hell. He was right. “And?” he prompted. She grimaced. It was true he was an arrogant ass, but he’d taken in a baby that he hadn’t known existed, without question and without hesitation, and surrounded her with the sort of love every little girl deserved. As much as it might pain her to stroke his bloated ego, she owed him her eternal gratitude. “I’m truly appreciative that you’ve done such a wonderful job with Molly.” She managed to force the words past her stiff lips. “She’s a very special little girl and I know that you had a very large part in that.” He blinked, a flare of color staining the sharp line of his cheekbones. Had she managed to knock him off guard? Amazing. Then his lips abruptly thinned. “You’re very good at deflecting my questions,” he accused. She dropped her gaze to his thousand-dollar Italian shoes. “Then stop asking them.” “Myst.” His finger curled beneath her chin, tilting her head up. “Why didn’t you let me know you were in contact with my daughter?” A fresh pain sliced through her heart. “Our daughter,” she corrected in fierce tones. His lips parted, but before he could deny her right to be a mother, Molly’s plaintive voice interrupted their tense confrontation. “Daddy, I want Mommy to tell the story.” Myst glanced toward the tiny girl who was perched on the edge of the bed before returning her wary gaze to the predator who was nearly vibrating with the urge to toss her through the nearest window. “Let me go to her, Bas,” she said in low tones. “Please.” Frustration tightened his stark features, but dropping his hands, he forced himself to take a step back. “Tell her the story. Then we talk,” he warned, turning his head to send his daughter a smile that held uncomplicated affection. “Good night, pet.” Bas stalked from the room, his phone pressed to his ear as he reached the main room of the suite. “Kaede,” he snapped as soon as his enforcer picked up. “I need you in Kansas City. I’ll explain when you get here.” He shoved the phone back into his pocket and paced to the bank of windows that overlooked the Kansas City skyline. Unfucking believable. After five years of paying a fortune to trackers, witches, and even a human private investigator to hunt down Myst, she waltzes into his penthouse as if she had every right to be there. Worse, he discovered that she’d been in constant contact with Molly. A short, humorless laugh was wrenched from his throat. No, that wasn’t the worst. The worst was the undeniable fact that he found her just as damned exquisite as the first time she’d sashayed that tiny body into his office. His fingers had twitched with the urge to run through the moonlit silk of her hair. To yank off her pretty sundress and explore the pale ivory skin that had haunted his dreams. To crush the soft curve of her lips until they parted in help-less surrender. Emotions are the enemy. He’d been taught that by the monks who’d honed him into the perfect killer. But Myst managed to shatter a lifetime of training, stir-ring his passions with an ease that was frankly terrifying. He needed her gone. Now.
Alexandra Ivy graduated from Truman University with a degree in theatre before deciding she preferred to bring her characters to life on paper rather than stage. She currently lives in Missouri with her extraordinarily patient husband and teenage sons. To stay updated on Alexandra’s Guardian series or to chat with other readers, please visit her website at www.alexandraivy.com.
Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads
From This Day Forward
The Wedding Belles #0.5 By: Lauren Layne Releasing June 6, 2016 Pocket Star
Up-and-coming wedding photographer Leah McHale’s career is on the rise–thanks in no small part to the Wedding Belles, the elite New York wedding planning agency that always throws top-tier business Leah’s way. So when one of the Belles asks Leah to fill in at the former First Daughter's wedding, Leah is overjoyed to say yes–until she finds out who she’ll be working with.
Jason Rhodes is the one man who was able to capture Leah’s heart and, once he had it, promptly stepped all over it and left her broken. Now he’s working side-by-side with her at the biggest wedding of the season and Leah is determined to give him the cold shoulder. Despite his persistence, she is not going to fall for his charming, impish ways again. Not even if he still has that killer, irresistible smile...
“Do you have any plans for your unexpectedly free weekend?” Alexis asked as she perused the menu.
Leah’s eyes narrowed on her friend. Alexis Morgan might be the queen of poker face, but Leah had known Alexis for close to a decade now. She knew when she was being handled, and right now, Alexis was definitely working up to something. Instead of answering the question, Leah took a sip of her mimosa and waited. When Alexis’s brown eyes flicked up to hers, Leah merely lifted her brows. Waited some more. With a sigh, Alexis set the menu aside and folded both arms on the table, leaning toward Leah. “I need a favor.” “Anything,” Leah said automatically, meaning it completely. Her relationship with Alexis may have started as a business arrangement—they’d both arrived in the city ten years earlier with big dreams of pursuing their dream careers. But somewhere along the way, Alexis and Leah had transitioned from sometimes business associates to friends. Alexis had been there for Leah when she’d needed her, and Leah fully intended to repay the favor any way she could. “I need you to work the Preston wedding.” Leah blinked. “The Preston wedding. As in, the wedding of the former First Daughter we were just talking about? The one this weekend?” Alexis nodded. Leah sat back, stunned. “Holy crap, Lex. That’s not really me doing you a favor, hon. More like the other way around. This would be the opportunity of a lifetime for me. For any photographer.” “I know, but I still hate asking last minute like this. If it were up to me, I’d have recommended you from the very beginning, but Kylie’s college roommate and her husband are a two-person photographer team, and Kylie wanted to give the opportunity to her friend.” “So what happened? They had a falling-out?” Alexis shook her head. “They live in San Francisco and she’s a few months pregnant. There was some complication; she’s been put on bed rest. Nothing serious, just a precaution, but ergo . . . she’s certainly not going to be flying to New York any time soon, and certainly can’t be photographing a wedding.” “Ugh. That sucks,” Leah said sympathetically. Alexis smiled. “This is why I knew you were right for the job. You get it. You get people.” Leah rolled her eyes. “You hardly have to sweet talk me into taking a job that’s likely to be the highest-profile wedding of my career.” Alexis glanced down at her Bloody Mary, stirring a pickled green bean. “Well there is one tiny thing I haven’t mentioned.” “Bring it.” Alexis looked up. “It’s a huge wedding. One photographer’s not going to cut it.” Leah waved her hand. “Oh please. My ego’s not so big I can’t handle a little teamwork. Who else you bringing in?” Alexis bit her lip, and Leah tensed at the rare unease she saw on her usually confident friend’s face. Alexis leaned forward and touched her arm. “Leah, you have to know how impossible it is to book one good photographer on short notice in June, much less two, and I’m counting myself lucky because two of the best happened to be available, but . . .” “But what?” Leah asked, her heart pounding faster as she somehow knew what her friend was trying to say. Knew whose name Alexis was terrified to say. Alexis’s gaze cut away from hers and fell somewhere over Leah’s shoulder, even as Leah felt the shiver of awareness that someone else had stepped into her personal space. Alexis glared at the newcomer. “You’re early, Rhodes.” Leah’s heart stopped, just for a moment. Slowly, she turned around and glanced up into the dark brown eyes of Jason Rhodes. He pulled a toothpick from his mouth and gave her a slow, sexy once-over. “Hiya, Red. Long time.” Leah could only shake her head. It had been a long time, but not nearly long enough. Not only was he the one man on the planet she could absolutely, positively not work with. He was the one man who Leah had let in close enough to break her heart.
Lauren Layne is the USA Today bestselling author of more than a dozen romantic comedies. She lives in New York City with her husband (who was her high school sweetheart--cute, right?!) and plus-sized Pomeranian.
In 2011, she ditched her corporate career in Seattle to pursue a full-time writing career in Manhattan, and never looked back. In her ideal world, every stiletto-wearing, Kate Spade wielding woman would carry a Kindle stocked with Lauren Layne books. For a list of all her works, please be sure to check out her official website! Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads The Wedding Belles Site Instagram Pinterest
Bound by a Child
Pony Express rider Jacob Young is a man of action, which is why when he sees a little girl caught in the middle of a stampede, he races to her rescue. And he soon discovers the child is the half sister he hadn't known he had. The more time Jacob spends with adorable Daisy and her beautiful guardian, ranch owner Lilly Johnson, the more he realizes they're filling all the lonely corners of his heart. Wary Lilly can't deny the cherished feelings that overcome her when Jacob vows to protect her and Daisy from any harm. And she can't help but hope that maybe they can put their past hurts aside and forge a future together as a full-fledged family.
An unexpected family, life on the ranch, danger and threats, and the sweetest budding love story made this story a one that was hard to put down, once I started to read it.
Jacob is such a good man, the first book in the series proved it, and this one confirms it. His caring, protective manners, his hard working attitude, and fairness towards fellow man makes him very likable. His search for his biological mother is heartbreaking, you just want all the best for him. The sisters, Lilly and Daisy are adorable together. Daisy is so full of energy, a little sunshine indeed. Lilly is working hard, she is fair, sweet, and kind person. She does have a hard time trusting Jacob, but Jacob also holds an untrusting heart, because of his mother's actions. The life at the ranch is interesting, the power struggles, the routines, the little joys, and shared burdens, all parts of life. The mysterious attempts to harm little Daisy, the incidents at the ranch, missing livestock, all put the characters on their toes, and gives more spice to the tale. Both Jacob and Lilly, with all their positive attributes, have one negative thing in common, they don't trust easy, they are not looking for a relationship, to fall in love. But in each other they see something, that makes them build new dreams and hopes, and as they get to know each other, they form a team, a unit, and deeper feelings take root, and hope for something much more comes to alive. With little faith, a lot of prayer, guidance and forgiveness, hope for the lighter, brighter, love and family filled future, just might be possible for Jacob and Lilly. ~ Four Spoons
Working in a morgue, medical examiner Kristin Alberghetti hardly expects a living, breathing man to walk through the door and make her heart pound. So she's floored when gorgeous playboy Malloy Cavanaugh is her partner on a new case. The cold-case detective has a rep for charming the clothes off every woman…except her. And it's tough to keep her eyes on the prize as the two investigate recently excavated, long-buried bodies at a cacti nursery.
Malloy has no plans to change his bachelor lifestyle, until reclusive Kristin catches his eye. Something about this case—and his beautiful colleague—touches his heart. But can a flowering romance survive the rigors of a brutal case and its infinite dangers?
Fun and flirty, pensive and puzzling, passionate and devoted, insatiable and keen, the story is all that, while being immensely entertaining.
The twenty year old serial murder case gives the story a mystifying ambience. It is a baffling and difficult crime to solve, since the clues are non existent. Both Kristin and Malloy are hard at work on the case, but mostly it stays in the background, as Kristin and Malloy are getting to know each other, and the developing relationship takes the center stage. Malloy, the famous playboy of Aurora, is so over the top flirtatious, that it is hilarious and fun. He is easy going, caring, has the old gentleman ways, despite of his reputation. He is easy to like, since he makes you smile. Kristin, the complete opposite of him, is uptight, cautious, and uneasy with new people, to the point of being rude. She constantly assumes the worst of Malloy, and reacts to her own assumptions, she desperately wants him, and judges all his actions on the presumption, that he wants her as well, and overlooks all his sweet and kind gestures towards her as hitting on her. Also, this behavior is so over the top, it comes humorous, if not charming. The burgeon Cavanaugh family is assuredly present, helping to solve the mystery, and pushing Malloy and Kristin together, as if that would have been needed. An absolutely terrific story, a bit addictive, and largely reminded me of the first episodes of the Bones' television series, so if you are a fan of Bones, you are going to love the story. ~ Four Spoons
Montana Hearts: True Country Hero
Montana Hearts #3 By: Darlene Panzera Released May 17, 2016 Avon Impulse
In the third heartwarming installment of Darlene Panzera’s Montana Hearts series, a hot-shot rodeo star tries to win the tender heart of his biggest critic
For Jace Aldridge, the chase is half the fun. The famous rodeo rider has spent most of life chasing down steers and championship rodeo belts, but after an accident in the arena, his career is put on temporary hold. When he’s offered a chance to stay at Collins Country Cabins, Jace jumps at the opportunity to spend more time with the beautiful but wary Delaney Collins. Between trying to make her family’s business a success, raising her daughter single-handedly, and volunteering at the local wildlife shelter, Delaney doesn’t have time for love. Even though she’s determined to not let the handsome cowboy under her skin, Delaney can’t deny how much she looks forward to every day with him. She's determined to be friends with the handsome cowboy, nothing more, even though Delaney's heart flutters every time he draws near. But all is not well in Fox Creek and when a violent poaching ring escalates out of control, Delaney must trust that Jace is the true country hero she hopes he is.
From MONTANA HEARTS: TRUE COUNTRY HERO by Darlene Panzera. Copyright © 2016 by Darlene Panzera. Reprinted by permission of Avon, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.
“Jace!” Gavin McKinley called. “You should have come with us. One of our guys got himself an eight-point buck with the first draw of his bow.” “That’s impressive,” Jace said, giving the man a nod as if interested. “Let me introduce you to Alicia,” Gavin said, coming up beside them with another rider. “She’d like to be your personal trail guide.” “I sure would,” the voluptuous blond bombshell purred. “How about tomorrow, cowboy?” Delaney stiffened and glanced at Jace. Was he attracted to this blatantly seductive woman? It was clear from Gavin’s expression that he hoped so. She thought of the dresses, jewelry, makeup, and magazines Bree and Sammy Jo had brought over. They’d been right. She was going to need every advantage she could latch on to in order to keep Jace from giving his endorsement to someone else. Oh, if only she knew how to flirt! By some miracle, Jace shook his head. “Maybe some other time. I promised Jed and Luke Collins I’d go out hunting with them tomorrow.” What? She couldn’t let them, but silenced her tongue. For now, all that was important was that Jace had rejected the rival’s offer. She had several hours available to come up with a plan to stop Jace from hunting with her own family. “That’s right, Gavin,” she said, backing up Jace’s decision. “My father is a hard man to refuse.” Gavin grimaced. “But, Jace, we’re talking about big game here, with a beautiful woman by your side. What more could you want?” Jace gave the man a level look and nodded toward Delaney. “I’ve already got a beautiful woman by my side. Promise me something no one else can and maybe I’ll come along on a hunt with you.” “Playing hard to get, are you?” Gavin let out a hearty laugh. “Okay, Jace, I’ll wait to talk to you in private, when there aren’t so many others around.” The outfitter nodded in her direction, making it clear he meant when she wasn’t around. How dare that man! And what about Jace? His words inferring she was as beautiful as Gavin’s sexy blond gave her an unexpected jolt of warm pleasure, but what about what he said after that? “Promise me something no one else can”? Was Jace insinuating he might be interested in going after some illegal kills with this guy? Her stomach squeezed tight, just like it did when her friend, Carol, from the animal shelter asked her to speak at the rally. Nauseating bile rose into the back of her throat and she feared she might be sick again. She squeezed her eyes shut, took a few deep breaths, and after a moment got it under control. And to think she’d actually considered that maybe Jace wasn’t so bad. Men. She couldn’t trust any of them. She wouldn’t have anything to do with them if she could get away with it, but she remembered the promise she’d made to her family. No matter what she thought of Jace, she had to be nice to him and somehow make him believe her ranch was better than anyone else’s. Gavin signaled for his group to move on, and as he rode his horse past her, he smirked, and taunted softly so only she could hear, “You don’t have what it takes to keep him.” Alicia blew Jace a farewell kiss off her hand and with a sinking feeling Delaney feared the rival outfitter might be right.
DARLENE PANZERA writes sweet, fun-loving romance and is a member of the Romance Writers of America’s Greater Seattle chapter. Her career launched when her novella “The Bet” was picked by Avon Books and New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber to be published within Debbie’s own novel, Family Affair. Darlene says, “I love writing stories that help inspire people to laugh, value relationships, and pursue their dreams.” Born and raised in New Jersey, Darlene is now a resident of the Pacific Northwest, where she lives with her husband and three children. When not writing she enjoys spending time with her family and her two horses, and loves camping, hiking, photography, and lazy days at the lake.
Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads
A Common Scandal
The Grantham Girls #2 By: Amanda Weaver Releasing May 30, 2016 Carina Press
Finishing school taught Amelia Wheeler how to put on a well-mannered performance—when she’s not bored and looking for trouble. Lady Grantham’s is behind her and now it's time for Amelia to keep her promise to her dying mother: marry a title and leave her wild days behind.
That promise would be much easier to keep if Nate Smythe hadn’t just reappeared in a London ballroom. The son of an impoverished sailor, Nate—Natty, as he used to be called—has grown up to become handsome, rich and polished. He claims to be looking for a proper bride who can advance his business interests, but that doesn’t stop him from seeking out Amelia every chance he gets. Challenging her. Kissing her. Suddenly, struggling against her simmering passion is the least of Amelia's problems—one of her titled suitors is hiding a desperate secret that could stop Amelia from pleasing her parents or finding happiness with Nate. As a weeklong house party threatens to derail her hard-won future, Amelia must decide: fight against disaster or act like the lady she's promised to become?
Despite knowing the sort of marriage she was destined for, she’d resisted making a choice for so long because she’d hoped in time she might encounter a suitable man who sparked some kind of fire in her. But not once, in all her forays into Society, had she met a man who raised more than mild curiosity. She’d read about flaming passions and heated kisses in the lurid, forbidden novels she had traded with Vic and Grace, but her blood had never been stirred by a flesh-and-blood male. She’d begun to think those passions were the invention of novelists and no man could ever make her feel that way. And now one had, and he was hopelessly out of her reach. It was wretched, wanting something she couldn’t have.
“What’s the verdict? Does Cheadle love you madly or not?” She didn’t trust herself to look at Natty, knowing her insides would plunge in an unwelcome, delicious way. When he came near her, it was as if her whole body stretched luxuriously and unfurled. Terribly unhelpful, when she was determined to send him packing and behave. “I’m sure the answer will always be ‘not’, regardless of the state of the petals and irrespective of whatever he might proclaim. Isn’t Lady Julia waiting for her glass of punch or something?” “Pardon?” “The lovely Lady Julia Harrow. I saw you sitting with her. Surely she’s missed you by now.” “Somehow I doubt it,” he muttered. “And what of Cheadle? Surely he’s climbing the walls pining after you.” She sighed and turned to face him, tossing the last of the ruined flower to the ground and brushing her gloved fingers together. “You know he’s not, Natty. Men don’t pine after me, only my money. The only reason anyone at these things speaks to me is because of my fortune.” “I’m speaking to you and I have my own fortune, thank you very much.” “You only speak to me to tease me.” “You used to like it when I teased you.” “I’m not a child anymore.” “Obviously.” The word hung between them for a moment, rife with meaning. He might have only meant she was all grown-up and out in Society, except his eyes made a lightning- fast perusal of her body as he said it, so fast, he was likely unaware he’d done it. In a rush, it broke over her that Natty was aware of her in the same way she was aware of him. Not as an old playmate from his childhood. As a woman. He was as affected as she was, even if he was spending his evening paying court to Julia Harrow. His eyes made their way back to hers and they both held the gaze. This newly discovered knowledge sizzled through her body. Her skin flushed and her breaths grew shallow. Natty’s eyes stared into hers. His lips parted slightly, as if he, too, was baffled by this sudden shift in the air. The atmosphere around them felt charged, the way it did when thunder began rattling the windows and lightning lit the night sky, but still the rain refused to fall. At any minute the clouds could collide and deluge the world, but until then, all the energy of the universe danced on the breeze. She wanted to tease and flirt with him to see how far things would progress. She wanted to see the skies open up. She wanted to be drenched by the rain.
Amanda Weaver has loved romance since she read that very first Kathleen E. Woodiwiss novel at fifteen. After a long detour into a career as a costume designer in theatre, she’s found her way back to romance, this time as a writer.
A native Floridian, Amanda transplanted to New York City many years ago and now considers Brooklyn home, along with her husband, daughter, two cats, and nowhere near enough space. Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads
SETTLE DOWN, COWBOY!
His family's Arizona cattle ranch is just the place for Cole Dempsey to hang his hat before he heads back to the rodeo circuit. That is, until Violet Hathaway makes Cole think twice about his future when the livestock manager delivers her game-changing news: she's pregnant! One passionate mistake could cost Vi her job at Dos Estrellas. And whatever growing feelings Cole and Violet have for each other, she knows the professional cowboy hadn't planned on settling down in Mustang Valley. When he hits the road again, he'll take her dream of them making a life together. Or is a rancher's legacy about to come full circle?
Drama and turmoil at the ranch, as Vi and Cole are trying to decide, if future together, is what they should be aiming for.
I have enjoyed the Mustang Valley stories, they are so full of life, real feelings, and true troubles. Nothing is painted as 'romance novel pink' but the characters struggle with real issues, their arguments, hurdles, and disappointments are like straight from the real life, and they have to stop, think, grow, and make compromises, before things could work out. But not only their own life issues, Vi and Cole have to face their parents' issues as well, and when middle aged parents act like teenagers, it isn't easy to keep the ship going straight. The bond between the brothers is slowly, but surely, growing and deepening. They are not only getting to know each other better, but learning to trust each other's as well. Stress and pain from the past makes a mess of the present, and Vi and Cole both make mistakes, that they have to admit, correct, and ask forgiveness for. True family drama at the ranch, that is forcing the brothers to evaluate life, focus their goals, and built new and better, brighter dreams for themselves and to those they love. Truly enjoying the series! ~ Four Spoons
Shameless
Playboys in Love #1 By: Gina L. Maxwell Releasing May 30th, 2016 Entangled: Scorched
People say I’m shameless. They’re right.
I like my work dirty and my sex even dirtier. It takes a hell of a lot to tilt my moral compass, and dancing as a private stripper for horny suburbanites doesn’t even register. Neither does hooking up with them afterward whenever the mood strikes—it’s one of the bennies of the job—but it’s always a one-and-done. I don’t do repeat performances. Ever. Until I meet the one girl in all of Chicago not interested in dry humping my junk. She’s all I can think about, and that’s a problem, because I made sure she wants nothing to do with me. But I’ve seen her deepest secrets, her darkest fantasies, and they match mine to a fucking T. I want her. Bad. Now I need to show her how good it can feel…to be shameless.
Chapter One
Jane If such a thing as a Landlords of Chicago Convention existed, and said convention had an award for Worst Landlord of a Multi-Unit Building, mine would win by a landslide. A freaking landlord landslide. Cursing his name for the umpteenth time in the last half hour, I wrap a Band-Aid around the cut in my thumb I’d acquired trying to unclog the pipes under my bathroom sink. God forbid Walter would actually do his job and call a plumber for me. Since I’d moved into my small apartment in the South Shore area, my hot water heater, oven, and window A/C unit had all taken a crap at one point or another—just a few of the perks of living in a building so old that it predates the invention of the elevator—and each time it had taken Walter weeks to get them fixed. But I’m nothing if not independent and self-reliant—traits born of being the child of workaholic parents. I’d managed to repair my garbage disposal and replace the tank assembly in my toilet by browsing the almighty Google and ignoring all my girly squeamishness at the ick factor of both. Neither instance had been pretty, but it wasn’t anything a hot shower and the satisfaction of a job well done couldn’t wash away. Unfortunately, my stupid bathroom sink pipes aren’t going to be added to that list of accomplishments anytime soon. I don’t know if the slip nuts (thank you, Google Images) had been screwed on by the Incredible Hulk or fused in place by the lesser known supervillain Rust Man. Either way, those suckers aren’t budging for a mortal female with minimal experience handling a pipe wrench. (Feel free to insert dirty joke here.) I glare at the standing water in the sink, hands on my hips, willing it to magically go down. I’m so focused on trying to Jedi-mind-trick the bastard into submission that I jump when my phone rings. Jogging into the living room, I snatch up the cell and answer as I plop onto the couch. “Hey, you,” I say, greeting my best friend Addison Paige. “Aren’t you supposed to be burning the midnight oil?” “It’s only seven p.m., but I’m sure I’ll still be here when midnight rolls around,” Addison says wryly. “You writing your paper?” I laugh. Calling my masters thesis on social work a paper was like calling the Taj Mahal a chapel. I’ve been working on it for two years, and I’m almost—almost—done. Turning it in is the last step in getting my dual degree. Then I can finally get a job in my field and start making some real money instead of the piddly-ass wages I make as an intern and part-time waitress. (And then move.) “Surprisingly, no,” I say. “I’m still trying to fix the clog in my bathroom sink, but all I’ve managed to do is pinch my thumb. Luckily, I managed to staunch the flow before I bled out all over the floor.” “Damn good thing, because if you die before I get my fun friend back, I’ll kill you myself.” “You know what I love about you?” I ask, laying the sarcasm on thick. “It’s that you make complete sense when you threaten me. I think it’s what makes you the best lawyer ever.” “And I love that you love that about me. And also that you repeatedly tell me I’m the best lawyer ever instead of acknowledging my pathetic peon status. This boys club of a law firm isn’t going to give me my own cases anytime soon.” “Nonsense. It’s only a matter of time before they see your brilliance and make you a partner,” I say with confidence. “Wait—since when am I not your ‘fun’ friend? I’m fun.” “Seriously? When was the last time you went out? For fun. Not for school or work or any other life-sucking activity. Like, to a dance club or a bar or a fucking baseball game? I don’t know…anything.” I open my mouth to respond with a list of all the things I’d done recently that qualified—because surely there is a list—but came up with nothing. I honestly can’t remember the last time I’d gone out to be social. I’ve hung out with Addison, but that was more lunch dates and Netflix than clubbing and cavorting. “Um…” “Exactly,” Addison crows. Okay, so she’s not wrong. It’s been a while since I’ve had a social life and an even longer while since I’ve had a sex life, which makes me grateful she didn’t bring that particular nugget up. My recent hermit status may have slipped my notice, but I’m painfully aware of how long it’s been (for-freaking-ever) since I’ve been satisfied by someone other than myself. Completing my masters coursework in two years instead of three, and then replacing school hours with work hours, doesn’t leave me with any time to invest in a relationship. I’m all for casual flings or even one-night stands, but the handful of forays hadn’t been worth shaving, much less the Brazilians I’d splurged on. After my last underwhelming sexual rendezvous, I decided that I wouldn’t drop trou for anyone else unless I’m positive it’ll be worth the pain of getting my pubic hair ripped out by the roots by a sadistic woman armed with strips of hot wax. If you’ve ever subjected yourself to that particular brand of cosmetic torture, you know that’s setting the bar for sexual excellence pretty high. So while I wait for Mr. Mind-Blowing-In-The-Sack, I bought a Hitachi Magic Wand—God bless the misguided man who thought he designed a great neck massager—and became a frequent purveyor of internet porn. That’s right. I’m a closet porn addict. Don’t judge me. It gets the job done. With the right video, I can be turned on in minutes. Then, depending on my mood, I’ll either watch several to build the anticipation, or simply dive right in and get myself off in what I call an “express O.” Bing, bam, boom, done. But like I said, it’s not something I’m ready to share with the class. Not even with Addison. Not because I think she’ll judge me—that girl is all for owning your freak flag and letting it fly—but because I’d inevitably have to answer questions about how often do I watch it (several times a week), and what kind do I like (the rougher, the better), and do I have a favorite porn star (hands down, James Deen). I’d just rather not get into the gory details of how I take the edge off my sexual frustrations, thank you very much. “What’s it called when the lawyer is being an obnoxious asshat?” I ask my best friend. “Is it contempt? I find you in contempt of court, and I object. Your argument is erroneous. I don’t need a good time right now, I just need someone to fix my pipes.” “Yeah, your lady pipes,” she jokes. “Things are probably just as rusted shut down there as they are under your sink.” Actually, since I don’t use a dildo of any kind, it’s highly likely. “Okay, that’s it,” I say, laughing in spite of myself, “I’m hanging up. You need to get back to work, and I need to do anything other than talk to you at the moment.” Sighing dramatically, Addison acquiesces. “Fine, killjoy. Does this mean you don’t want the number of a handyman who came highly recommended to me?” I sit up a little straighter, perking up at the words “highly recommended.” Growing up in the digital age as I have, you’d think that I would trust online reviews of products and services. But things on the internet can be bought or faked. I’d much rather take the word of someone I know, and I’m ready to cry “uncle” and be done with this whole situation. “Who recommended him?” “Rebecca, one of our paralegals. She said he’s worth every cent and more. I believe her exact words were ‘the best ever.’” That sounds promising, so I grab the pen and pad of paper from the side table. “Okay, what’s the number? I’ll give him a call tomorrow.” “One sec, I’ve got another call coming in. Hang on.” And with a click the line went silent. I lean back on the couch, staring at the spidery ceiling paint, following the bigger cracks and admiring how they fan out with reckless abandon. Of course, they probably knew what I knew: no way was I standing on a ladder and painting upside down to fix them. When Addison clicks back over, I tell her, “All right. I’m ready for the number of my miracle plumber.” “No need,” she replies. “I just called and paid in advance. Consider it an early birthday present. He’ll be there in about an hour.” “What? It’s too late for anyone to be making house calls on a Friday night.” “Riiiiight. Because everyone’s shit only breaks between the hours of eight and five on weekdays.” Addison is just as fond of sarcasm as I am. It’s one of the reasons we make such great friends. “Point taken, but you still shouldn’t have called.” I hate it when she tries to pay for things. Peon or not, she makes a good living as a lawyer and likes to make up dumb reasons why I should let her pick up the tab on stuff. “My birthday’s not even for another six months.” “So then it’s a half birthday present. Hasn’t anyone ever told you not to look a gift-friend in the mouth? Have some wine, read a book, tweeze your eyebrows. I don’t care, as long as you let the man do what he’s hired for when he gets there, okay?” “Yes, Mother,” I say with the tone of an audible eye roll. But then I add a sincere, “Thanks, Addie.” “You’re welcome, babe. Oh, and make sure you call me tomorrow and tell me all the juicy details. Ciao!” Before I can comment on the ridiculousness of anything involving a middle-aged man with plumber’s crack being “juicy,” she hangs up. Belatedly, I realize I never even got the name of the guy or his business. I almost call her back to ask, but figure it’s not a big deal. The odds of someone showing up coincidentally under false pretenses as a handyman in disguise are pretty much nil. It’s been a long week, and that glass of wine Addison mentioned is suddenly calling my name. Blowing out a deep breath, I stand and head to the kitchen where I have an open bottle of red. For once, I’m going to take my friend’s advice: enjoy a glass of wine and a book while I wait for the “best ever handyman” to arrive and do his thing. Now that I know help is on the way, I’m really looking forward to getting my pipes fixed.
Gina L. Maxwell is a full-time writer, wife, and mother living in the upper Midwest, despite her scathing hatred of snow and cold weather. An avid romance novel addict, she began writing as an alternate way of enjoying the romance stories she loves to read. Her debut novel, Seducing Cinderella, hit both the USA Today and New York Times bestseller lists in less than four weeks, and she’s been living her newfound dream ever since.
When she’s not reading or writing steamy romance novels, she spends her time losing at Scrabble (and every other game) to her high school sweetheart, doing her best to hang out with their teenagers before they fly the coop, and dreaming about her move to sunny Florida once they do. Author Links : Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Instagram | Pinterest
An undercover agent falls for a beautiful target and could pay the ultimate price…
From his first glimpse of her, Luke Renfro can't forget reporter Morgan Westfield…or anyone she came in contact with. The FBI agent's photographic memory for faces—and instant attraction to Morgan—creates trouble for all of them as his team searches for a terrorist in Colorado. And to make matters worse, Luke suspects Morgan's estranged brother may be the target they're looking for. Falling for a criminal's sister could jeopardize his career. And both their lives. Still, resisting the beautiful journalist is almost as impossible as forgetting a face. With the clock ticking, Luke must focus on his assignment in order to protect the innocent—and have any chance of seeing more of the woman he's falling for.
Fast paced, intensifying action, palpable fear, and possible terrorist attack only days away, with the suspects at large.
I was fascinated with Luke's ability to remember faces, and how the unit worked. The level of anxiety rises, as the days go by, and the suspects manage to slip away again and again. The plot was well built, and the doubt of Morgan and her brother Scott being involved in the attacks keeps coming up, as new evidence is coming to light, keeping the intrigue strong and puzzling. I admire how well Scott's mental challenges were dealt with in the story, how real and realistic the author made the problems and symptoms, and at the same time, respectfully giving out some of the challenges the whole family faces, when dealing with a mental illness. From the very first time Luke sees Morgan, he feels connected to her. And as they get to know each other, they find out they have much in common. They are at ease with each other, trusting and protecting each other from the very start. The chemistry and attraction is undeniable, but there's more to it, they also form a friendship, share their stories with each other, as their feelings and emotions takes them for a fast ride towards the forever kind of commitments. I loved the maturity they projected, the easy way they were with each other, and the honest and straight forward attitude they had towards their budding relationship. The story captivated my mind, the characters pique interest in the future books in the series, and the disappearance of Luke's twin brother, Mark, is something that I am craving to find more about. Solid entertainment ~ Four Spoons
Closer To Sin
By: Elizabeth Squire Releasing April 15, 2016 Escape Publishing
Elizabeth Squire brings a fresh voice to historical romance in this tale of intrigue and passion.
Liliane Desailly travels to Napoleonic France after receiving a plea for help from her French cousin. She learns she is the key to fulfilling her grandfather’s legacy, but to do so she must masquerade as a spy and courier secrets on behalf of the British Admiralty. Sinclair Charlcroft is the British Admiralty’s last hope. Napoleon’s Grande Armée is poised to invade Britain, an English spy is missing and a traitor has infiltrated the Admiralty’s intelligence network. Pursued by Napoleon’s agents, Liliane and Sinclair cannot reveal their true identities until they unlock the secrets of the legacy—and only then can they unlock the secrets in their hearts.
Chapter 1
France, February 1805 Liliane sat opposite her cousin Solange, gingerly sipping a mug of honey mead. Around them the air was thick with smoke, layered with the pungent smell of onions, hops and sweat. The local village inn was loud with the lunchtime patronage of local farmers and fishermen whose conversations were punctuated with raucous laughter and ribald jokes. One of the men nudged his companion and gestured towards her. She fidgeted self-consciously and tucked her blue woolen shawl more securely across her shoulders. Goodness, they behaved like they'd never seen a woman in here before. A hush momentarily descended upon the room. Solange leaned towards her and whispered. ‘Be ready, ma petite. He's here.’ Liliane glanced over her shoulder. As her gaze swept the room she was arrested by the sight of a figure silhouetted in the doorway. Heavens above. She momentarily closed her eyes, his image imprinting upon her brain. Now this man was definitely no fisherman. Even in the crowded noisy tavern his presence was imposing. Mesmerized, she studied him further. His body was encased in a white linen shirt and buff breeches, while ink black hair fell across his brow, drawing her attention to hooded eyes and a firmly set jaw. He stepped into the room and casually looked around the tavern, running his hand through his hair to push it back from his face. Her fingers tingled, and she lifted her own hand to her hair, twisting the sable strands between her fingers, wondering if his hair would feel as soft and silken. Liliane froze. Oh Lord, he was watching her. The loose tendrils that tangled about her fingers singed as though she had been caught running her hands through his hair. The air around her seemed to ripple and she felt, rather than saw, the moment he decided to move. Holding her gaze, he moved from the doorway and light flooded back into the room. Her breath caught in her throat. It was incongruous that a man of his height could move with such surety and grace, almost a menacing prowl. Although one thing was certain, there was absolutely nothing dandified about him. As he made his way through the tavern his commanding posture induced the inn's patrons to step aside in deference. He drew closer and she jerked back around to face Solange. How mortifying to have been caught staring at him. She flicked a look of uncertainty towards her cousin. Surely he wasn't the man they were here to meet? This man didn't accord with the image she'd painted in her mind. She wasn't sure what she'd been expecting—perhaps someone older, less imposing. Someone safe. Not someone whose very presence drew the attention of every person in the room. And certainly not someone who, with a single glance, could induce her to forget precisely why she was on the wrong side of the Channel, drinking mead and speaking in French, instead of shopping on Bond Street.
Elizabeth Squire’s love of writing romance couldn’t be further from the life she had carved out for herself. Raised in outback and rural Australia, Elizabeth was determined to live a life vibrant with passion, travel, adventure and discovery—other than the one she had already lived through the pages of the innumerable she read and loved. And so, turning her back on a life in the bush, she invested a lot of years chasing her dreams—she enjoyed a career as a commissioned in the Royal Australian Navy, and counts white-water rafting the Zambezi River, travelling by safari truck through Africa, and back-packing through Eastern Europe with her young family as just a few of her many adventures.
But amongst the adventure, the urge to write intensified as story lines and dialogue continued to materialize from the recesses of her mind. She finally accepted that the voices in her head were really characters enmeshed in the tumultuous Georgian and Regency periods, vying for life on paper. After a nomadic lifestyle, Elizabeth has now settled into her own home and loves nothing better than bringing her passionate heroines and daring rakes to life. She lives with her own hero and one true love, two beautiful daughters and two delinquent miniature long-haired dachshunds. Closer to Sin is Elizabeth’s debut novel. Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads
Waking Eden
Eden #3 By: Rhenna Morgan Releasing July 26, 2016 Self-Published
The only hope of saving their race is to surrender their hearts.
With a long foretold and annoyingly vague prophecy warning of immense change for Eden, Ramsay Shantos is forced to hunt words and legends instead of rebels. For a man of action, it’s the worst kind of agony. Until he encounters a sexy librarian who bears the fated prophecy’s mark. A mark no human should possess. Tortured by her mixed heritage, Trinity Blair has enjoyed little human touch in her life, let alone intimacy. Even the most innocent contact fills her mind with a person’s deepest, darkest secrets—except for Ramsay. Her immunity to his thoughts sparks a fragile hope that she might finally experience the passion of her Dark Spiritu brethren…unless he’s the dangerous crossroads her father predicted. When knowledge of Eden goes viral in the human realm, Trinity is Ramsay’s only hope for quelling mass panic. Can he risk revealing the secrets of his race to the guileless ray of sunshine? Or is she the unknown source of Eden’s destruction?
Pre-Order for a reduced price of $2.99 (back to $4.99 on release day)
Rhenna Morgan writes for the same reason she reads—to escape reality.
Yes, her life rocks—two beautiful little girls, a great husband, a steady job, and the kind of friends that would take you out back if you hurt her. But, like most women, she’s got obligations stacked tight from dusk to dawn. So, when the world gets her down, she slips into something…less realistic. Romance is a must. So is a steamy romp (or four). Nothing thrills her more than the fantasy of new, exciting worlds, strong, intuitive men, and the sigh of, “Oh if only that could happen to me.” So, if you’re picking up one of her books, expect portals into alternate realms and men who’ll fight to keep the women they want. Romantic escape for the women who need it. Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads |