Spotlight – Entangled

Tags

Entangled, J.S. Scott

I absolutely  LUH-UV a second chance romance and this one looks like it is going to be a humdinger of a good one!

*****

Entangled

by J.S. Scott

Release Date: April 30, 2019

Publisher: Montlake Romance

Blurb:

Aiden Sinclair was a commercial fisherman before he suddenly came into his billionaire inheritance—not that he’s complaining. Being a Sinclair does have its perks. But things were simpler before the money. He may have been dirt poor, but he loved his job and fully intended to always come back from the sea to his girlfriend, Skye Weston, so they could move toward something more permanent. Or at least that had been the plan . . . until he returned from a two-month fishing trip to discover she had moved away and was marrying somebody else. It tore his world apart.

Now Skye’s back in town after nearly a decade. She’s a single mother and just as beautiful as ever. However, for some odd reason, she appears to hate him, when it should be Aiden who wants nothing to do with the woman who dumped him. Unfortunately, more than nine years of separation have done nothing to put a damper on their white-hot chemistry. But even if those feelings are real, Skye has been keeping secrets. The truth of the past is about to come to light, and there is so much more at stake than just Aiden’s heart.

 AMAZON (US) | AMAZON (CA) | AMAZON (UK) | AMAZON (AU) | GOOD READS

*****

Excerpt:

My heart sank as I realized there was only one seat available at the dinner table.

That’s what I get for running late.

Every chair was taken except the one next to him.

Aiden Sinclair.

The man I’d been trying to avoid ever since I’d come back to Citrus Beach, California, permanently with my daughter, Maya.

He was the thorn in my side.

He was the only part of moving home after almost a decade away that I hated.

He was dangerous.

And I never let myself forget that for even a moment.

I sighed in resignation as I looked around the enormous table—like I was suddenly going to see another vacant place.

Not going to happen. My timing and my luck had never been all that good, so why should that change now?

“Come sit next to Aiden, Skye,” my best friend, Jade Sinclair, requested from her spot next to her billionaire fiancé, Eli Stone.

Jade and Eli were the reason I was here. The only reason. We were two weeks away from their wedding ceremony, and this was an impromptu get-together for everyone involved in planning the festivities or included in the wedding party. Eli’s home in Citrus Beach had been the logical place to meet up since his house was bigger than Jade’s.

Honestly, almost everyone here had the last name of Sinclair except for Jade’s fiancé, Eli’s mother, and Jade’s twin sister, Brooke, since she was wedded to Liam Sullivan now, and … me.

I was still Skye Weston, even though I’d been married and divorced. I’d changed my name back to my maiden name soon after my ex-husband had been put in prison for life.

I looked around the table again, amazed that one family could take up so much space. I was the only child of a mother who had been a single parent, so the Sinclair family was so different from my own.

I’d been an only child, a lonely kid.

Even now, my daughter was really all I had.

How could a family this size not take up a lot of room? Jade had four brothers, and a twin sister. Her half-siblings, cousins, and a bunch of other family hadn’t even shown up yet from the East Coast, and the large dining room was full.

I started making my way slowly down the table reluctantly after I shot a fake smile at Jade. I didn’t want her to know that sitting next to Aiden would be torture for me.

“Sorry I’m late,” I said in a voice loud enough to carry to my best friend. “I got hung up at the restaurant.”

When wasn’t I delayed by work at the Weston Café? I’d put every available moment and penny I had into getting the little diner I’d inherited from my deceased mother to turn a profit.

The only thing more important than work was my daughter, Maya.

I finally sat my ass down, and smiled at Seth, another one of Jade’s older brothers, who was sitting on my left.

I completely avoided looking to my right since I was determined to ignore Aiden.

“How are you doing, Skye?” Seth queried politely.

“I’m good,” I lied.

I’d be doing a lot better if I wasn’t forced into sitting next to Aiden.

*****

Author Info:

J.S. “Jan” Scott is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of numerous contemporary and paranormal romances, including the Sinclairs and the Accidental Billionaires series. She’s an avid reader of all types of books and literature, but romance has always been her genre of choice—so she writes what she loves to read: stories that are almost always steamy, generally feature an alpha male, and have a happily ever after, because she just can’t seem to write them any other way! Jan loves to connect with readers. Visit her website at www.authorjsscott.com.

Website: http://authorjsscott.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorjsscott

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorJSScott

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2777016.J_S_Scott

*****

Giveaway:

$25 Amazon Gift Card and Digital Copy of J.S. Scott’s ENTANGLED

https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/07c2363f224/

*****

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Spotlight – Hide and Seek

Tags

Hide and Seek, Mary Burton

Who else loves a good romantic suspense?!?

*****

Profiling FBI Profiler Macy Crow

Special Agent Macy Crow is 33-years-old and is an accomplished FBI Agent.  She’s worked a series of high profile cases across the United States and isn’t afraid to take chances. When her father was murdered, she headed to Texas to investigate the crime. Following clues left behind by her father, she was closing in on the killer when she became the victim of a hit and run accident.

Most would have died from the injuries Macy sustained or would have been permanently disabled. However, Macy channeled her extreme ability to focus into her recovery. Though her fit muscles have softened during her recovery, she is regaining strength each day and is now laser-focused on returning to the  FBI as a field agent. Before her accident, she had shoulder length blond hair but the brain surgeons who saved her life cut off all her hair. She now proudly sports a pixie cut.

When Macy returned to Texas, she learned a startling fact about herself. She has an identical twin—medical examiner Dr. Faith McIntyre. Though adopted by different families, the sisters already have a strong connection.

Macy’s adoptive parents split when she was two and she moved from Texas to Alexandria, Virginia located outside of Washington, D.C. Over the years she remained close with her father and spent many summers with him helping repair old cars on his auto salvage lot. In Alexandria, she and her mother lived in a large apartment complex. When she was young, a neighborhood girl was murdered. That tragedy had a very profound affect on Macy, who discovered she wasn’t afraid of the police and FBI agents swarming the apartment complex. Instead, she was fascinated by their work and not only watched law enforcement in action but also walked the actual crime scene herself in search of clues.

Macy has never been married and has no children. For a long time, she considered herself married to her job and it wasn’t until she met FBI Special Agent Mike Nevada that she reconsidered her single status. However, her accident cut short their romance. Nevada is now the sheriff in a small Virginia town in the Shenandoah Valley. He understands Macy’s need to reclaim the FBI job she has always loved so much. In the last year, he has never forgotten her and is committed to helping regain her old life. When the two are paired on a cold case murder investigation in Nevada’s district, they become an unstoppable team.

*****

Hide and Seek

by Mary Burton

Release Date: April 23, 2019

Publisher: Montlake Romance

Blurb:

Special Agent Macy Crow is a survivor. After a vicious hit-and-run nearly kills her, she gets right back to work, and now she’s gunning for a spot on the FBI’s elite profiling team. As an audition, she offers to investigate the recently discovered bones of Tobi Turner, a high school girl who disappeared fifteen years ago.

While investigating with local sheriff Mike Nevada, a former colleague and onetime lover, Macy discovers a link between Tobi’s case and several others that occurred around the same time as her disappearance. As Macy interviews victims and examines old cases, she uncovers a sinister picture of a stalker who graduated to sexual assault—and then murder.

Macy and Nevada race to put this monster behind bars before he can come out of hiding. But the murderer’s had years to hone his skills, and soon Macy herself becomes a target. She’s no stranger to pain and terror, but will Macy’s first profiling case be her last?

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Blio | Books A Million | Audible

*****

Excerpt:

Vivid blue sky, white clouds, and golden fall leaves blanketed the Blue Ridge and Allegheny mountains and created a picture-perfect day in the valley. In Macy’s book, the beauty was wasted. If she had God’s ear, today would have been cold, overcast, and damp. Save the pretty days until she caught this killer.

As she drove south down I-81, Macy mentally replayed her ten minutes of regional research. In the last couple of decades, the Shenandoah Valley’s population had ballooned thanks to a growing university, its proximity to Washington, DC, and a thriving tourism trade peddling vineyards, Civil War battlefields, and railroad museums. Filling in the economic gaps were warehouse distribution centers, chain hotels, and strip malls.

The voice of Macy’s GPS cut through AC/DC’s Back in Black blasting from her playlist and instructed her to take the upcoming exit toward Deep Run. As she rolled onto Route 250, a sign for her go-to fast-food eatery gave her an excuse to stretch her legs before driving the remaining ten miles to the crime scene.

Parking, she gingerly rose up out of the car. Her leg hurt. Stretches weren’t optional any more. She grabbed her ankle and pulled until the bunched muscles in her thigh released. After a quick walk around the lot, she made a beeline for the restaurant bathroom.

She glanced into the mirror as she washed her hands. Even after five months, she still didn’t recognize the woman with the short hair and thin face.

Nevada was in for a rude awakening.

She wiped her face with a paper towel. “Macy Crow, you’re above ground and headed in the right direction. That’s what counts.”

At the counter, she ordered a supersize bucket of fries and a large soda. It wasn’t that she loved the food—okay, maybe she did love the fries—but the chain restaurant’s predictability and sameness was comforting after so many life changes.

A few fries later, she was in her car and backing out of her space when her phone rang. Nevada’s number appeared. She cleared her throat and sat a little taller.

“Agent Macy Crow,” she said.

“Ramsey tells me you’re on your way. Where are you?”

He was direct, rarely charming, and she always knew where she stood with him. “Fifteen minutes from the barn.”

“I’m here now.”

The transition back into a working relationship appeared effortless. Whatever they had was over and done. No hard feelings.

“See you soon,” she said.

En route on the interstate, she ate her fries and drained her soda. There were no guarantees on when the next meal would be.

The last few miles took her down smaller roads until she spotted the driveway marked by stacked stones. Gravel crunched under her tires as she passed a freshly cleared field. Over the rise of a hill, she saw the old barn encircled by yellow crime scene tape.

When she had been researching the area, slogans such as “Best Quality of Life” and “Raise Your Family in Deep Run” popped up on her computer screen. As she had read about the area, she had kept glancing toward her open case file filled with images of Tobi Turner’s scattered bones. Recent pictures had captured the barn surrounded by dozens of state and local law enforcement vehicles crammed side by side in the grassy field.

Now as Macy parked, she noted that all the vehicles were gone expect for a lone black SUV. She grabbed her Glock from the glove box, holstered it, and stepped out of her car. Her worn hiking boots sloshed in the damp muddy soil. She tugged on an FBI windbreaker and draped her FBI credentials around her neck. As a stiff breeze blew a lingering chill and autumn scents, she checked her pockets for latex gloves, sunglasses, a small pocketknife, and pendant light.

Edginess and excitement fused as she strode toward the stretch of yellow tape and searched for Nevada. She ducked under the tape and stepped inside the barn.

*****

Author Info:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling novelist Mary Burton is the highly praised author of twenty-six romance and suspense novels and five novellas. She lives in Virginia with her husband and three miniature dachshunds.

Website: https://www.maryburton.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maryburtonfanpage

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MaryBurtonBooks

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15020.Mary_Burton

*****

Giveaway:

$25 Amazon Gift Card and Digital Copy of Mary Burton’s HIDE AND SEEK

https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/07c2363f222/

*****

Spotlight – Stay with Me

Tags

K.L. Grayson, Stay With Me

I think I’d do just about anything those eyes asked of me …!

*****

Stay With Me

by K.L. Grayson

Blurb:

Stay with me.

Three simple words.

One impossible request.

I’ve loved Allie McCallister for as long as I can remember. Her happiness and well-being mean more to me than anything else, which is why when the opportunity of a lifetime presented itself, I had to take it. Three months was such a short amount of time to be apart to provide the financial stability we needed to start our lives.

It wasn’t supposed to catapult my band to stardom, and it sure as hell wasn’t supposed to set off the chain of events that pushed my relationship with Allie to the brink. Our hearts were shattered, our love tested, and when everything fell apart she begged me to leave.

Eight years ago, tragedy broke us. Now we’re back in the same little town where we once dreamed of building our future.

She’s a divorced, single mom.

I’m a damaged country music star.

There are a hundred reasons for us to stay apart.

But all it takes is one look, one touch, one kiss to know our story isn’t over. Now I have to convince her to let me stay.

Download your copy today!

Amazon: http://mybook.to/StayWithMeKLGrayson

Amazon Worldwide: mybook.to/StayWithMeKLG

AppleBooks: https://apple.co/2H1Q1au

Nook: https://bit.ly/2H4hPev

Kobo: https://bit.ly/2IEWBX6

Add to Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2H4TWmW

*****

Excerpt:

“Can we talk?” Mason whispers. “Last time Mom said if I talk too much I would scare away the fish, but I get bored if I can’t talk.”

“What do you want to talk about?”

“Stuff.” He shrugs, his chubby hand reeling his line in. He tosses out another cast. It’s perfect for a little guy and when his lure hits the water he tilts his head and looks at me. “Are you Anna’s daddy?”

Crap. I knew this was coming. I take a deep breath and look for Allie because this isn’t the type of conversation I want to have without her. She’s now on the other side of the pond and when she sees me look at her, she waves.

My God, she’s beautiful.

I wave back.

“Are you?” Mason asks again, this time nudging me in the leg.

Looks like I’m on my own for this one. Honesty is always the best policy, right? Even with kids?

“Yeah, I was her daddy.”

He nods and looks at the water while I look at him. Say something, kid. Anything. When he doesn’t, I nudge him back.

“Do you want to talk about it? Do you have questions?”

Mason shrugs. “Maybe.”

“Okay,” I say laughing. “Well, you think about what you want to ask, and I’ll just sit here and wait.”

A few seconds pass before he looks at me. “Why are you Anna’s daddy, but not mine?”

“Well, because you have a different dad.”

“Richard,” he sighs. At that exact moment his line goes taut. “I got something!”

I set my pole down, wrap my arms around him, resting my hands over his, the way a father would with his son. Except Mason isn’t mine and I need to remember that. “Give it a little tug,” I say, flicking our wrists. The fish splashes out of the water and yanks the pole. “Nice and easy. Just like that. You’re doing great.”

I let him go but stay crouched behind him in case he needs help reeling the fish in, but he doesn’t. Allie hoots and hollers, her pole bobbing on her shoulder as she runs toward us. She makes it to our side just as Mason pulls out the tiniest bass I’ve ever seen and pride surges through me. Luckily the hook comes out with ease.

“You did great, buddy. Hold the fish up just like this”—I show him how to hold the fish and he reaches for it like a champ—“and I’ll take a picture of you and your mom.”

Mason holds up the fish, a proud smile on his handsome face and his mama’s arm around his shoulder. They smile for the camera and then Mason turns to Allie.

“Will you take one of me and Jam?”

Allie pulls out her phone while I kneel down. Mason situates himself between my knees and half sits on my leg with the fish dangling from his fingers.

“Say fish sticks!”

Mason and I laugh and repeat Allie. “Fish sticks!”

“Okay, little dude. Let’s toss him back before he dies.”

“We can’t keep him?” he says, walking toward the water.

“Why would you want to keep him?”

“To eat him. Duh.”

*****

Author Info:

K.L. Grayson resides in a small town outside of St. Louis, MO. She is entertained daily by her extraordinary husband, who will forever inspire every good quality she writes in a man. Her entire life rests in the palms of six dirty little hands, and when the day is over and those pint-sized cherubs have been washed and tucked into bed, you can find her typing away furiously on her computer. She has a love for alpha-males, brownies, reading, tattoos, sunglasses, and happy endings…and not particularly in that order.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BooksbyKLGrayson/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/booksbyklgrayson/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/booksbyklgrayso/

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/k-l-grayson

Website: www.klgrayson.com

*****

Book Review – Riding Hard

Tags

Bennett Boys Ranch series, Book Review, Lauren Landish, Riding Hard

Riding Hard

Bennett Boys Ranch, Book 2

by Lauren Landish

A city girl reins in the cowboy of her hottest dreams in Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author Lauren Landish’s wild romance.

As the eldest brother, the responsibility for the family ranch now rests on Mark Bennett’s broad shoulders. He wouldn’t have it any other way—he loves being in charge. Working hard on the land helps him stay focused and keeps him from noticing what’s missing in his life—what he’ll never allow himself to have for fear that one small taste will break his careful control.

But a sweet blue-eyed blonde has just arrived in town, and the attraction between them is undeniably hot. So Mark tightens the reins around his heart—how can he tell her what he really wants?

Events planner Katelyn Johnson’s new gig is the wedding of a rodeo superstar. Right now, it’s tough not to focus on the rider’s tempting older brother. So far, getting beneath Mark’s gorgeously gruff exterior has been a pleasure.

What she needs to do is go a little deeper. But the closer they get, the more Mark pulls away. Katelyn’s not afraid of a challenge, though. Whatever deep desires he’s hiding, she wants in on his secrets.

All she has to do is get past his legendary reserve. With all her body, heart, and soul, there’s nothing she can’t handle.

(I didn’t read the first book in the series and, while I’m curious how Mark was portrayed there, I didn’t really feel like I missed anything.)

Damaged by an early relationship, Mark’s held himself back for a lot of years, considering himself to be unlovable.  And definitely too dark for someone as sweet as Katelyn.  As we begin to understand why Mark is the way he is, we fall a little more for the stand-offish cowboy who is so dedicated to his family but secretly dislikes himself just as much.  It’ll take a special woman to get through to him and make him realize that he’s worthy of love … and he’s just met his match.

I loved how everyone considered Mark to be cold and reserved but Katelyn was able to see below the surface to the real him.  She shows a lot of perseverance and grit pushing for what she wants, especially when what she wanted was Mark.  It’s a very adult thing to not turn tail and run at every bump in the road, even when that bump is as big as this particular cowboy, and Landish does a great job of giving us a heroine (and a hero) that we can get behind.

Riding Hard has just a little extra heat, a whole lot of understanding, and a hero who finally finds his perfect match.  I’m looking forward to seeing what she has in store for the next Bennett brother 🙂

Spotlight – The Summer Retreat

Tags

Moonlight Harbor series, Sheila Roberts, The Summer Retreat

Who’s already looking for that perfect summer read?  I have one that definitely needs to be on your list!

*****

The Summer Retreat

A Moonlight Harbor Novel

by Sheila Roberts

Publisher: Harlequin/MIRA

Pages: 384

Genre: Women’s Fiction/Romance

Blurb:

Celeste Jones has plans for a perfect summer with her boyfriend (and hopefully soon-to-be fiancé)—until he dumps her to be with the woman he’s had on the side for months. Heartbroken and furious, Celeste resolves to move on. When the going gets tough, the tough…okay, the not-so-tough go to the beach.

As soon as school lets out for the summer, she waves goodbye to her first-graders, packs up her bikini and heads for Moonlight Harbor, where she knows her big sister, Jenna, will receive her with open arms. Jenna could probably use some help at the Driftwood Inn, and Celeste is happy to do chores around the place in exchange for a relaxing summer escape. She just needs something—or someone—to distract her from her troubles.

Finding The One can be tricky, and Jenna is determined to make sure Celeste gets it right this time around. Not that Jenna’s an expert. She’s still trying to sort out her own love life. But if both sisters listen to their hearts, eventually they’re bound to discover that life—and love—is good at the beach.

ORDER YOUR COPY

Amazon | B&N

*****

Excerpt:

Celeste Jones had kissed so many frogs looking for her prince, she should have turned green and grown warts on her lips. But she’d finally gotten it right in the man department. Emerson Willis was strong and smart. And sexy. Masculine and excitingly alpha. And a spectacular dancer. And sexy. And a cop. Did it get any sexier than that? They’d been together a year, and what a great year it had been. He’d spent so much time at her place, he might as well have moved in, but he felt it wouldn’t look good, with her being a teacher and all. As if first-graders knew anything about the birds and the bees or cared what their teacher did in her off hours. As if anyone cared what anyone did with anyone else these days. It had been sweet of him to think of that, though, and she loved him all the more for it.

Still, why not make what they had official since it was so great? “We’re having a good time,” he was always saying. “Relax and enjoy the ride.”

She could do that. Spring had come, and she was looking ahead to a summer of off-roading, trips to Eastern Washington to visit the wineries, hitting the The Summer Retreat, Sheila Roberts

*****

Author Info:

Best-selling author Sheila Roberts has seen her books published in a dozen different languages and made into movies for both the Hallmark and Lifetime channels. She’s happily married with three children and lives in the Pacific Northwest. When she’s not hanging out with girlfriends, speaking to women’s groups or going dancing with her husband she can be found writing about those things near and dear to women’s hearts: family, friends, and chocolate.

Her latest book is the women’s fiction/romance, THE SUMMER RETREAT.

Website Address:  http://www.sheilasplace.com

Twitter Address:  http://www.twitter.com/_Sheila_Roberts

Facebook Address: https://www.facebook.com/funwithsheila/

*****

Book Review – Needing to Love You

Tags

Book Review, Erin Rylie, Houston's Finest series, Needing to Love You

This one has to have one of my favorite endings I’ve read in a while.

*****

Needing to Love You

Houston’s Finest #2

by Erin Rylie

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Blurb:

Carlos Ramirez has always prided himself on two things: being damn good at his job on the Houston police force and being able to land any woman he wants. When a devastating car accident leaves him crippled and in excruciating pain, he begins to rely too heavily on his prescription painkillers. The only person who can help him heal is the only woman who has ever rejected him—and on more than one occasion. Living with Kelsey while he works through physical therapy wasn’t anything he ever expected to happen, but it might just be what he needs.

After a divorce that left her doubting her ability to love, Kelsey Byrne wants nothing to do with relationships. Unfortunately for her, the only man she could see herself loving needs a place to live and help while he recovers. She had a hard time pushing him away after a one-night stand, so how can she possibly keep him at arm’s length when he’s in her house every day, playing with her son, cooking her meals, and leaving her cute notes every morning? Carlos may be working his way into her heart one sweet gesture at a time, but can she give him everything knowing that she’s more than a little broken inside?

Grab Your Copy on Kindle Unlimited Today!
Amazon

*****

Review:

Warning: Some possible spoilers below

I feel bad because this is going to seem like a very negative review, but there were definitely highlights (like Carlos’s relationship with Kelsey’s son, his sweet wooing of her, and the strength it took to finally face up to their issues).  It’s just that these things really bugged me.  I think part of it was because I didn’t get the book I was expecting.  Based on the blurb, I thought the biggest problem would be Carlos’s addiction to pain but that played such a minor part to their personal issues with relationships and commitment.  Looking back on it, I can see where I got what they said they’d give me, but I’d decided it was going to be different and that’s hard to let go 🙂

This is the second in the series and it can stand on its own but maybe if I’d read the first book I’d understand Carlos better.  While he’s described as a happy guy but to me he’s just a smart ass that only has jokes and doesn’t try to connect with anyone.  Not even his partner and best friend.  This is addressed a bit at the end (the part I absolutely loved) but I felt like it needed to maybe be worked up to a bit more in the rest of the story.

I’m also NOT a fan of the whole manwhore thing – it’s gotten old.  From the very first Carlos talks about his feelings for Kelsey but he’s sleeping with just about anyone who will have him.  Sometimes intentionally to get a reaction out of her.  That is not an attractive feature for me and definitely doesn’t convince me of the depth of his feelings & commitment to a real relationship.  Once he moves in and they spend time together, his behavior does show more of that but sleeping around is just not my idea of a romantic hero.

It also surprises me that Kelsey talks about breaking him.  That seems to be a pretty big assumption about her importance and power over him, especially with his bed-hopping.  I do understand why she’d be hesitant to get involved again based on her recent divorce (and what I later find out are her own issues with letting people in), but it just struck me as weird all things considered.  Maybe after they’d spent some time together and he’d shown himself to be more dedicated but at the beginning it seemed a bit much.

I can see where Carlos’s brand of charm would be pretty hard to resist, though.  He’s sarcastic, but full of fun and he definitely displays a great amount of understanding.  He pays attention to Kelsey and tries to be what she needs.  It’s hard to resist someone that makes you smile and doesn’t give up.  And while Kelsey is reserved, she’s also a bit quirky and a good foil for Carlos’s silliness.  The two of them together just seemed to work.

Needing to Love You has humor, heat, and an ending that made me happy enough to forget any grumble I might have had.  While the epilogue sets readers up for the next story, the last 3 chapters provides the sweetness and closure that made for a satisfying HEA ending, leaving me a happy camper.

*****

Author Info:

I’m a Montana born, Texas raised New Jersey transplant with a degree in hospitality. At 29 years old, I decided it was finally time for me to pursue my real passion in life – writing. I’ve been writing princess stories and LOTR fan-fiction since I was in middle school, so the transition into romance has been fun!

When I’m not writing, I’m reading (fantasy, sci-fi and romance are my genres) or working. I’m currently obsessed with Brooklyn Nine Nine which should tell you all you need to know about my sense of humor.

Finally, I am 100% an old cat lady. My cats Socks and Kaz are little weirdos and I love them more than most people.

Instagram | Facebook | Newsletter | Website
Amazon Author | Goodreads | Amazon

*****

 

 

Spotlight – Fade

Tags

Ashley Munoz, Fade

Another one getting fabulous reviews!!!

*****

Fade

by Ashley Munoz

Release Date: April 5, 2019

Genre: 2nd Chance, Contemporary Romance

Blurb:

Laney

Jackson Tate and I are over. Done. Finished.

Then again, how do you end something that never really started?

Now, three months later we’re being thrown back together for the sake of an investigation and forced to coexist.

I thought falling in love with someone who didn’t want to be loved was hard but going into witness protection with the man who ignorantly took my heart? Yeah, that was going to be impossible.

Jackson

Time and distance were what I needed to forget Laney Thompson. A Jack and Jill bathroom and the bedroom next door was what I got instead. Witness protection on her family’s farm? I was skeptical too, especially with our icy reunion. But the longer I was around her the more I realized how much I needed her.

With her, it was easy to forget.

Forget about my life and who I was, and why we needed things to fade between us in the first place. All I needed was one tragic reminder.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Fade-Ashley-Munoz-ebook/dp/B07NMP39YZ
**Available in KU**

*****

Excerpt:

“So, how have you been these last few months?” Jackson asked with a slight pitch in his voice.

I tried not to let out a big fat sigh. I really didn’t want to talk about how miserable I had been or how many times I had cried myself to sleep. So instead. I said, “Good but busy. How about you?”

He did let out a big sigh and readjusted his hands on the steering wheel. “Rough… They’ve been rough.” He trailed off with a strong tick in his jaw.

So many parts of my heart wanted to hear why his last few months were rough and ask if he missed me. But asking why his last few months had been rough would eventually lead us back to the topic of the breakup, and I wasn’t ready to broach that yet.

So, I changed the subject. “So, are you ready to be on a farm? Want any pointers?”

Jackson let out a small laugh and dug into his can of almonds which was his version of road trip food. Mine, however, was a bag of Funyuns, Cheez-its, Red Vines, and trail mix.

“I don’t think I will ever be ready for the farm, but I would love some pointers.” Jackson tilted his head and looked over at me, the bill of his hat tipped back just a fraction, making him look like he really did belong on a farm.

I sifted through the pile of trail mix for the M&Ms and started in.

“So, first thing you need to know is no one will respect you right off the bat. You’ll need to be willing to put in the work and earn it,”

I dumped the rest of the trail mix back into the bag. Jackson noticed and chided, “Stop it. You know I hate it when you only eat the M&Ms.”

I shrugged and started hunting for more.

“You’ll probably be asked to clean up horse poop and collect eggs, maybe even move a few hay bales.”

Jackson carefully peeked at me before watching the road again. I was sifting through another pile of trail mix when he ripped the bag out of my hands.

“No! Jackson don’t!” I yelled, trying to reclaim the bag.

He had it shoved in between his hip and his door, out of my reach, and even if I could reach it, I’d have to get really close to him to do it.

“Give it back,” I held out my hands expectantly.

He was still watching the road as a smile crested his face. “Not until you promise to eat some almonds.” He was always trying to get me to eat healthier, which was discourteous because it wasn’t like I was pushing my artificial flavors or processed sugar on him.

“No. It’s mine. Give it back,” I demanded again. Jackson peered at me again and gave me a grin that said he was going to like what he was about to say way more than I was.

“Come and get it.”

I knew it.

I fucking knew he was going to turn this into some game. I let out a sigh and crossed my arms.

“Forget it. I’m not in the habit of feeling up man-whores.” It was a low blow but so was finding out he took someone else to Italy.

*****

Author Info:

Born in Nebraska. Raised everywhere under the sun but grew roots in Central Oregon. Married to the shy guy from high school who grew up to be hot as hell. Four kids, three of which are little women and one little princeling. My life is full, fun, and amusing. I became a writer to fund my expensive reading habit.

Website: http://www.ashleymunozbooks.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ashleymunozauthorpage/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AshleyMZAuthor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashleymunoz_author/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18233596.Ashley_Munoz

*****

Book Review – Mad About Moon

Tags

Book Review, Mad About Moon, Melissa Foster, The Whiskeys series

I can’t say enough about this oh-so-awesome series!  (Just check out my reviews for the other books in this series 🙂 )

*****

Mad About Moon

The Whiskeys series

by Melissa Foster

Blurb:

Fall in love with Jed and Josie in this emotionally captivating, sexy standalone romance by New York Times bestselling author Melissa Foster.

The perfect love story for those who enjoy fiercely loyal and insanely sexy alpha heroes, smart, sassy heroines, strong family bonds, bikers, babies, and more!

Can true love strike twice in one lifetime?

Josie Beckley refuses to believe there is a limit on happiness. A decade after she escaped her abusive parents and lost touch with her siblings, the death of her husband leaves her and her son homeless. But Josie has never been one to wallow in sadness, and when she takes a chance on reconnecting with her siblings, a sinfully handsome bright light from her past shows up and offers to help her find a way out of the darkness.

Most people wouldn’t see Jed Moon as someone to look up to. He’s been in and out of jail and has lived a less-than-stellar lifestyle. But years ago one woman saw through his bullshit, and he’s never forgotten her. Now she’s back in his life, and as a prospect for the Dark Knights motorcycle club, Jed promises to keep an eye on the sassy, sexy single mother who has never stopped lighting his fantasies on fire.

Jed and Josie’s combustible connection is stronger than ever. Having Josie and her son in his life brings out all of Jed’s protective instincts-and visions of a future he never imagined having. But when a shocking revelation knocks the insatiable lovers to their knees, it forces them to make choices that could change their lives forever.

**CONTENT WARNING: Due to mature content, recommended for readers aged 18+**

Amazon | Amazon UK | Barnes & Noble | KOBO | iBooks | GPlay | Paperback

*****

Review:

As always with the Whiskeys, the latest book packs an emotional punch. There isn’t a lot of drama between Moon and Josie, which I appreciate in a romance, but their lives have not been easy and they have to face a lot from their pasts.

Josie was able to escape her abusive parents and find a happy life but seeing her siblings again means that she needs to decide if she’s willing to address old wounds.  Even here it is handled with depth but not melodrama – the past comes calling but it doesn’t run their lives.  I appreciate that a lot as Josie comes to terms with what she thought she knew about her past.

Jed has managed to come to terms with his own past and the things that he’s done, thanks to his friends, family, and the Dark Knights.  And now that he’s got a chance to reconnect with Josie and make a better life for himself, he stumbles over a couple of kids that are pretty much him as a teen.  Being able to help others is such a huge part of who Moon is and Foster works that in so perfectly here, finding a way for him to have a purpose he can embrace.

Foster knows how to deliver depth and dimension to her characters, their lives, and how they connect with,  love, & support those around them – you truly feel the family that they’ve created, regardless of blood, and it makes you want to be a part of their community.  Packed with humor, heat, and complex relationships, Mad About Moon once again allows readers to fall into a story just brimming with emotion.

*****

For more hot Whiskey love, check out Melissa’s other Whiskey novels.

TRU BLUE (Reviewed)
TRULY MADLY WHISKEY (Reviewed)
DRIVING WHISKEY WILD (Reviewed)
WICKED WHISKEY LOVE (Reviewed)
MAD ABOUT MOON
TAMING MY WHISKEY

And don’t miss RIVER OF LOVE, the first story in which the Whiskeys were introduced!

“Melissa Foster is synonymous with sexy, swoony, heartfelt romance!”New York Times Bestseller Lauren Blakely

“You can always rely on Melissa Foster to deliver a story that’s fresh, emotional and entertaining. Make sure you have all night, because once you start you won’t want to stop reading. Every book’s a winner!” NYT Bestselling Author Brenda Novak

“Melissa Foster writes worlds that draw you in, with strong heroes and brave heroines surrounded by a community that makes you want to crawl right on through the page and live there.” – New York Times bestselling author Julia Kent

In TRU BLUE…
There’s nothing Truman Gritt won’t do to protect his family–Including spending years in jail for a crime he didn’t commit. When he’s finally released, the life he knew is turned upside down by his mother’s overdose, and Truman steps in to raise the children she’s left behind. Truman’s hard, he’s secretive, and he’s trying to save a brother who’s even more broken than he is. He’s never needed help in his life, and when beautiful Gemma Wright tries to step in, he’s less than accepting. But Gemma has a way of slithering into people’s lives and eventually she pierces through his ironclad heart. When Truman’s dark past collides with his future, his loyalties will be tested, and he’ll be faced with his toughest decision yet.

**CONTENT WARNING: Due to mature content, recommended for readers aged 18+**

Amazon | Amazon UK | B&N | KOBO |iBooks

In TRULY, MADLY, WHISKEY…
Eight months is a long damn time to have the hots for a woman who keeps a guy at arm’s length. But Crystal Moon is no ordinary woman. She’s a sinfully sexy, sass-mouthed badass, and the subject of Bear Whiskey’s midnight fantasies. She’s also one of his closest friends.

Just when Crystal thinks she has her life under control, scorching-hot, possessive, aggressive, and fiercely loyal Bear pushes all her sexual buttons, relentless in his pursuit to make her his.

The more Bear pushes, the hotter their passion burns, unearthing memories for Crystal that are best kept buried. But there’s no stopping the collision of her past and present, catapulting the two lovers down an emotionally charged road that has them questioning all they thought they knew about themselves.

**CONTENT WARNING: Due to mature content, recommended for readers aged 18+**

Amazon | Amazon UK | B&N | KOBO | iBooks | GPlay | Paperback

In DRIVING WHISKEY WILD…
Special Forces veteran and Dark Knights Motorcycle Club member Bullet Whiskey lives to protect his family, their bar, and the residents of his small hometown. He’s rough, unapologetic, and haunted by a secret, painful past. He’s also a master at keeping people away, and when his sister hires gorgeous and sweet Finlay Wilson to help expand their biker bar, he knows just how to get rid of her.

After losing her boyfriend and her father, Finlay moves back to her hometown to be closer to the little family she has left. She needs her temporary job at Whiskey Bro’s to get her catering business off the ground, and she’s determined not to let the gruff, arrogant mountain of a man Bullet Whiskey scare her off.

Finlay is everything Bullet has never wanted. She’s afraid of his dog, afraid of motorcycles, and sweet enough to give him cavities, but as she weaves her way into the hearts of everyone around him, he’s powerless to resist her charms. Passion ignites, but trust doesn’t come easily, and when their pasts collide, Bullet finds out the true meaning of protecting those he loves.

**CONTENT WARNING: Due to mature content, recommended for readers aged 18+**

Amazon | Amazon UK | B&N | KOBO | iBooks | GPlay | Paperback

IN WICKED WHISKEY LOVE…
After escaping abusive parents and, later, an abusive relationship, Sarah Beckley has spent a lifetime watching snakes shed their skin. With two small children to care for and another on the way, she’s finally found a home in Peaceful Harbor with the brother she hasn’t seen in more than a decade. She’s still searching for her sister, but life is good. If only she could stop thinking about the sinfully sexy doctor/biker who has taken to her children like a loving uncle–and to her like a hungry man.

Trust doesn’t come easily for Sarah, but Bones Whiskey is patient and protective, amazing with her children, and he looks at her like she is the only woman he could ever want–and more. With two little ones underfoot, Sarah expects him to move on quickly, yet with every tender kiss and each trying moment with the children, Bones surprises her. But will the fiercely loyal biker stick around when Sarah’s worst secret is revealed, or will he shed his skin, too?

**CONTENT WARNING: Due to mature content, recommended for readers aged 18+**

Amazon | Amazon UK | B&N | KOBO | iBooks | GPlay | Paperback

IN TAMING MY WHISKEY…
Get ready for a wild ride as Dixie Whiskey finds forever love in TAMING MY WHISKEY, a funny, sexy, and emotionally riveting standalone romance by New York Times bestselling author Melissa Foster. The perfect love story for those who enjoy fiercely loyal and insanely sexy alpha heroes, smart, sassy heroines, strong family bonds, bikers, babies, and more!

**CONTENT WARNING: Due to mature content, recommended for readers aged 18+**

Releasing 6th November! Available to pre-order from …

Amazon | Amazon UK | B&N | KOBO | iBooks | GPlay | Paperback

*****

Author Info:

Melissa Foster is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling and award-winning author. She writes sexy and heartwarming contemporary romance and women’s fiction with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Melissa’s emotional journeys are lovingly erotic and always family oriented–perfect beach reads for contemporary romance and new adult romance lovers who enjoy reading about loyal, wealthy heroes and smart, sassy heroines with complex relatable issues.

Melissa also writes sweet romance under the pen name Addison Cole.

Melissa enjoys chatting with readers and book clubs. Send her an email invitation to your next event!

Never miss a brand new release, special promotions or inside gossip again by simply signing up to receive your newsletter from Melissa.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Goodreads | Bookbub
Amazon Author Page

Click to get your FREE Love in Bloom Series Reading Order

Also make sure you sign up for the Ladies Who Write Newsletter!  Your one-stop shop for heart-pounding romance!

*****

Giveaway:

Win a River of Love ebook
Two Winners, Ending on Sunday 5th May at 11.59pm EST
Open Worldwide

Enter Below & Good Luck !!

https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b25fc618444/

*****

Click on the banner below to check out the rest of the tour and our host, Beck Valley Books!

Spotlight – The Perfect Dress

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Carolyn Brown, The Perfect Dress

Carolyn Brown has been a well loved author for years and her newest is getting lots of love.  And I’m so happy she’s here today to tell us all about it!

*****

Hello, everyone and thank you for inviting me to your site today!

My granddaughter is getting married this fall, and she’s not one of those size six girls who can walk into wedding dress store, try on a dozen dresses and find the perfect dress—especially when she has her heart set on a black lace dress for her wedding. When we began to shop for her dress, I wished for a custom wedding shop that catered only to women who wore a size fourteen or larger. So I created one called The Perfect Dress and set it in the little town of Celeste, Texas. This summer I plan to bring my old Singer sewing machine out of retirement, and make my granddaughter’s black lace wedding dress—just the way she and I will design it!

The Perfect Dress is not a real place so don’t go to the local doughnut shop in Celeste and ask about it, but the town, the characters and the shop were all very real to me while I was writing about it.

Speaking of characters let me introduce you to Mitzi. She’s and her two plus sized friends, Paula and Jody, have dreamed of putting in their own plus-sized wedding dress shop for years. Now it’s a reality. They’ve bought an old two story house at the edge of Celeste and hung out their shingle.

Jody is a thin vegetarian now, but when the girls were in high school, she was a big girl just like her friends. She’s living proof that a woman will do anything for love, but when love goes awry, she’s sure glad that she’s got Mitzi and Paula to support her.

Paula is carrying a big secret. The three women have shared everything since they were little children, but she can’t talk about her secret, not when both her friends are in the middle of drama themselves. She has to be the strong one to share Jody’s sorrow and Mitzi’s happiness.

Fanny Lou, Mitzi’s grandmother, is an eccentric old gal with lots of advice that she’s not one bit shy about spreading around. She’s the mother role for all of them, constantly popping into the shop with a box of doughnuts, or the local gossip.

Lately Mitzi has been feeling like maybe her ‘perfect family’ is missing someone… perhaps the perfect man. She hasn’t seen him since high school, but that doesn’t mean that Mitizi’s heart doesn’t go pitter-patter for this awesome single dad. Graham towers above Mitzi, who is almost six feet tall. He has twin girls, who are also plus sized. He feels the sparks, too, but questions whether Mitzi could ever love some big guy who already has teenage daughters.

There is definitely a gap between the teenager girls, who help out in the shop, and Fanny Lou, the granny, and the three best friends. But true friendship knows nothing about age—it’s love, support, and unflinching loyalty towards each other, no matter what the age.

*****

The Perfect Dress

by Carolyn Brown

Release Date: April 16, 2019

Publisher: Montlake Romance

Blurb:

In the small town of Celeste, Texas, Mitzi Taylor has never quite fit inside the lines. Nearly six feet tall, flame-haired, and with a plus-size spirit to match every curve, she’s found her niche: a custom wedding-dress boutique catering to big brides-to-be with big dreams. Taking the plunge alongside her two best friends, she’s proud they’ve turned The Perfect Dress into a perfect success.

Just when Mitzi has it all pulled together, Graham Harrison walks back into her life, looking for bridesmaid dresses for his twin daughters. A still-strapping jock whose every gorgeous, towering inch smells like aftershave, the star of all Mitzi’s high school dreams is causing quite a flush.

For Mitzi, all it takes is a touch to feel sparks flitting around her like fireflies. She can just imagine what a kiss could do. Graham’s feeling it, too. And he’s about to make that imagination of Mitzi’s run wild. Is it just a hot summer fling, or are Mitzi’s next designs for herself and seeing her own dreams come true?

Amazon | Kindle | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound | Books-A-Million
The Book Depository UK | Amazon Canada

*****

Excerpt:

Mitzi rushed back to the sewing room, where the hum of two sewing machines filled the air. “Graham Harrison just came in the shop to set up an appointment for his two daughters. He said they only live a few houses up the street from us. He looked like a bull in a china shop sitting on that pink sofa. And of course he didn’t even recognize me, but I sure knew him the minute I laid eyes on him.”

At the mention of that name from the past, work jolted to a halt.

“All the girls in high school swooned over him, including Mitzi, but she hasn’t told us if he’s still as sexy as he was back then.” Jody took a bowl of salad from the fridge along with a plate of vegetables that she stuck into the microwave to heat.

“He’s aged very, very well, and I’m having cookies,” Mitzi said.

“Smart girl,” Fanny Lou said. “Life is short. Eat dessert first. So you had a little crush on Graham?”

“Everyone did,” Mitzi answered.

“Not me. I was always in love with Lyle,” Jody said.

“Well, according to what I heard at the church bake sale today, Graham moved his daughters here to Celeste because they were being fat shamed down in Greenville. One of them knocked a girl on her butt, blacked both eyes, and bloodied her nose with one punch. It was the last day of school and they said they were going to suspend her for the first two weeks of next year for fighting,” Jody said.

“She should get a medal, not suspended,” Mitzi fumed.

Fanny Lou took a gallon jug of sweet tea from the fridge. “Who all wants a glass?”

Three hands went up.

She filled four glasses with ice and then tea and carried them to the table. “I remember when he went to work for his dad at the Cadillac dealership—right after he and Rita got married. His dad gave him a job on the lowest level, and he had to work his way up. Rita was furious because she thought they’d get a big house and a new Caddy every year. Stupid woman figured since his folks had money that he had an open bank account.”

Paula took the ham and cheese containers from the fridge while Mitzi pulled a loaf of bread from the cabinet. “You eating with us, Granny?”

“I’ll eat with you and Paula, but I don’t want any of that stuff Jody is having. I don’t eat fake meat. I’ll eat what I want and die when I’m supposed to. Slice some of them tomatoes I brought in here earlier. And I’d rather have bologna instead of ham and mustard instead of mayo,” Fanny Lou answered.

“Me, too,” Paula said. “I want one like hers.”

“I was thinking the same thing.” Mitzi set about making three sandwiches.

So Graham was divorced and raising girls on his own. Bless his heart for getting them away from a school that bullied them because of their size. Mitzi could relate to the girls. But then, so could Jody and Paula. She’d always figured that Jody adopted her own modern-day hippie style to combat those feelings of insecurity. Paula had retreated into superstition. Mitzi had just plowed her way through emotions and other kids, spending a lot of time in the principal’s office for fighting.

She pushed all that to the back of her mind, put the sandwiches on plates, and carried them to the table. “Y’all know that this job for Ellie Mae could turn into a big thing. I bet her older sister will be the maid of honor and her mother will want a fancy dress.”

“That’s what you’re in business for, isn’t it?” Fanny Lou said. “Man, this brings back memories. Friday night was bologna sandwich night when I was a kid.”

“Why?” Jody asked.

“Because Mama always cleaned house on Friday, and she didn’t have time to make a big meal,” Fanny Lou answered.

“Funny how an hour of beading takes forever and our noon hour goes so fast.” Jody pointed to the clock.

“Good Lord!” Fanny Lou finished off her sandwich and grabbed a cookie. “I’ve got an appointment with my CPA at one and it’s a fifteen-minute drive to Greenville. See you girls later. You have my permission to flirt with Graham, Mitzi.”

Mitzi’s cheeks began to burn. “I had a teenage crush on him. I’ve grown up since then.”

Fanny Lou winked as she headed for the door. “Paula, since you live with Mitzi, I’m putting you in charge of being sure she takes her birth control pills every morning.”

Mitzi felt even more heat in her cheeks. “Granny!”

“When you get old you get to say whatever the hell you want to.” Fanny Lou closed the door behind her.

*****

Author Info:

Carolyn Brown is a New York Times, USA Today, Publisher’s Weekly, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author and a RITA finalist with more than ninety published books. Her genres include romance, history, cowboys and country music, and contemporary mass-market paperbacks. She and her husband live in the small town of Davis, Oklahoma, where everyone knows everyone else, knows what they are doing and when . . . and reads the local newspaper every Wednesday to see who got caught. They have three grown children and enough grandchildren to keep them young. Visit Carolyn at www.carolynbrownbooks.com.

Website: https://www.carolynbrownbooks.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carolynbrownbooks 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13554.Carolyn_Brown 

*****

Giveaway:

$25 Amazon Gift Card and Digital Copy of Carolyn Brown’s THE PERFECT DRESS

https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/07c2363f221/

*****

Spotlight – Before We Fell

Over 100 reviews on Goodreads and most of them 5 stars … I’m thinking Lynn’s newest is a must read!

*****

Before We Fell

by Stacey Lynn

Blurb:

For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. The horror that rocked my small town last winter also brought Noah Wilkes into my life. The first almost broke all of us, but the second changed everything.

He stomped into my classroom all angry scowls and rudeness, the big-shot lawyer who was always too good for this small town. But the moment his smile softened toward his niece, it was me that melted.

The heartbreak that brought him back also brought me closer to him, to the man he hides from the world behind his swagger and aggression. The man I couldn’t help but fall for.

But life has a way of throwing a curveball when you least expect it, and this one could cost me everything–even him.

Turned out, our fates were written in the sky before we ever met—

Before we fell.

Download your copy today!
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2HICJ2W
Amazon Universal: mybook.to/BeforeWeFell
Apple Books: https://apple.co/2FoCqYE
Nook:http://bit.ly/2FwSxoc
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2UahMok
Add to Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2FhBZAi

“An emotional, angsty story of two soulmates torn apart by circumstances beyond their control. You’ll laugh, cry and root for them all the way. Stacey Lynn hits it out of the park!”  ~ Carly Phillips NY Times Bestselling Author

“Sexy, gripping, and heartwarming. With a hero that made my book-boyfriend all-stars list and a fast-paced plot that had me turning pages way past my bedtime, Before We Fell is a top 2019 read for me!” ~Author P. Dangelico

*****

Excerpt:

It was the darkness covering us, shadowing everything except us. It was the tease of her all night. It was her laughter. Her scent. It was her.

I did exactly what I just said I shouldn’t. Couldn’t. My hand went to her cheek. I slid my fingers beneath her ear, brushing my thumb against the warmth of her skin. “Lauren.”

Her hand curled around my wrist. She didn’t push it away. She didn’t pull me toward her. She gaped at me, mouth parting, lip sliding along her bottom lip. Her pulse pounded against my fingertips.

“We shouldn’t,” she whispered. “You’re right. I’m Riley’s teacher. I don’t want to make things any harder for her than they already are.”

She was right.

The problem was I was harder than I’d ever been and what about my needs? It was selfish, but thirty-five years of selfish living wasn’t easily kicked to the curb despite my efforts.

“Okay,” I whispered back. “I understand.”

I leaned in anyway, dropping my head, and as I moved like I was going to kiss her, her breath caught, and her eyes fluttered closed. Tempting. So damn tempting.

It took a larger force of will than I normally used with women, but I ignored her mouth, moved to her cheek, but instead of kissing her cheek, I pressed my lips to my thumb on her. I tasted her flesh without touching her, lingered there while her muscles tensed and she inhaled a sharp breath. Her shoulders went tight and her scent invaded me so deeply I knew I’d need more from her.

And I’d take it when the time was right.

“Goodnight, Miss Frazier,” I said, grinning against my thumb, wishing she’d tell me to kiss her.

She didn’t. She pressed on my wrist, pushing my hand away from her. I let her go reluctantly, stepping back and licking my own lips.

“Goodnight, Mr. Wilkes.” Her grin shook. Like we shared a secret joke.

We definitely shared a secret. I admitted I wanted her.

She didn’t tell me she didn’t feel the same…just that we shouldn’t.

Which wasn’t close to being the same as couldn’t.

Or wouldn’t.

My lawyer-sharp mind found the loophole. Someday I’d figure out a way to exploit it.

*****

Author Info:

When Stacey Lynn isn’t conquering mountains of laundry and fighting a war against dust bunnies and cracker crumbs, you can find her playing with her children, curled up on the couch with a good book, or behind closed doors, imagining the next adventures she’ll soon write.

She lives off her daily pot of coffee, can only write with a bowlful of Skittles nearby, and has been in love with romance novels since before she could drive herself to the library.

Stacey Lynn lives with her husband and children in North Carolina.

If you would like to know more about Stacey Lynn, follow her here:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/staceylynnbooks

Twitter: @staceylynnbooks

Instagram: www.instagram.staceylynn.author

Website: http://www.staceylynnbooks.com

Stay up to date on Stacey’s latest news! Subscribe to her Newsletter today! http://www.staceylynnbooks.com/contact

*****