“A sexy, fun romance from an author who always delivers.” —Kirkus Reviews
Beauty and the Baller, an all-new moving and smoking hot fake relationship standalone romance from Wall Street Journal bestselling author Ilsa Madden-Mills is available now!
An NFL quarterback turned small-town coach gets sacked by a Texas beauty queen in this swoony, passionate romance from Wall Street Journal bestselling author Ilsa Madden-Mills.
Gorgeous, talented, and brilliant, NFL quarterback Ronan Smith has the world in his hands. But after losing his career and his fiancée in a car accident, he falls into a pit of grief and bad choices. When a mysterious girl shows up to his party, he feels drawn to her and makes her his…for one night.
Former beauty queen Nova Morgan is on a mission. Scantily clad as a princess from a galaxy far, far away, she sneaks into a high-profile party to capture the attention of her favorite quarterback. But her hopes crash after an awful one-night stand.
Fast-forward two years. Broke and desperate, Nova returns home to Blue Belle, Texas, where, by a cosmic twist of fate, her broody neighbor is none other than Ronan, the shiny new football coach everyone adores. But he has no idea who she is.
The booster club keeps shoving women at Ronan to keep him in town. His solution? He proposes fake dating to Nova. But things heat up for real under these Friday-night lights when he realizes she’s the one who slipped away.
Has this jaded beauty found her forever baller, or will his past keep them apart?
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About Ilsa Madden-Mills Wall Street Journal, New York Times and USA Today best-selling author Ilsa Madden-Mills is best known for her angsty new adult romances and romantic comedies.
Eight of her eleven novels have placed in the Amazon Top 10 Best-seller List: Dirty English #1; Fake Fiancée and I Dare You #2; I Bet You, Filthy English, and Very Bad Things #6; Boyfriend Bargain #8; The Last Guy, her collaboration with Tia Louise, #4.
A former high school English teacher, she adores all things Pride and Prejudice, and of course, Mr. Darcy is her ultimate hero.
She’s addicted to frothy coffee beverages, cheesy magnets, and any book featuring unicorns and sword-wielding females. Feel free to stalk her online.
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The world took everything from us. And we would stop at nothing until we took it all back—forever.
The Difference Between Someday and Forever, the much anticipated and stunning conclusion to The Difference Trilogy from USA Today bestselling author Aly Martinez is now live!
The world took everything from us.
As survivors of not only a plane crash, but two other impossible tragedies, we’d more than earned a life of peace. But time and time again, we were shown that fate had no intention of giving that to us.
Remi and I were soulmates. Plain and simple. Our love should have died in the depths of our darkness, but the sun still exists even when it’s not shining.
The secrets of our past threatened to destroy us at every turn, but for Remi, I would never stop fighting for our future.
The world took everything from us. And we would stop at nothing until we took it all back—forever.
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Excerpt from The Difference Between Somebody and Someone
“Sorry, is my mood killing your buzz?” I asked. Her blue eyes sparkled in the glow of the airplane reading light. “It really is.” I shook my head and went back to mindlessly flipping the pages of a magazine I’d bought at the terminal back in Colorado. I’d picked it up with hopes it would be a distraction from the cyclone raging within me on our way back to Atlanta. The minute she ordered that drink, I’d known it was a lost cause. Her hand came across the armrest and landed on my thigh. “Bowen, stop. It’s not a big deal.” It was the truth. Compared to everything we’d been through, our house could have been swallowed by a sinkhole and it wouldn’t have been considered a big deal. Honest to God, I was lucky to still have her at all. It had only been nine months since we’d met, but we’d lived a thousand lives in that time. Unfortunately, that also meant we’d died almost as many deaths. Terrifying, tortuous, agony-filled deaths. We’d also found love though—immeasurable amounts of it. I stared down at her engagement ring. I’d cashed out a huge chunk of my savings account and still had to open a line of credit with the jewelry store to buy the three-karat princess-cut ring. The payment was roughly the same as I paid for my truck each month, but the tears in her eyes as she’d sat in her hospital bed, clutching it to her chest the day I proposed, made it all worth it. She was worth it. Every day, every tear, every worry-filled minute shaved off my life. I’d do it all again. If only I weren’t so helpless to save her. I loved that woman. Whole heart. Whole soul. Bend me, break me, crack me open and she would have been there. No matter how bad it got, she was always a part of me. I wasn’t sure anymore if she could say the same. “Bowen,” she whispered, just as she’d done so many times before. It was a plea. One she knew I’d answer no matter the situation. No matter how mad I got. No matter how much I feared losing her again. My gaze instinctively lifted to hers. She smiled and the sight caused an ache in my chest. It was a lie. God, I missed her smile. “Baby, I’m okay.” She tilted her head to her drink. “I hate flying. That’s all this is.” That was a lie too. My shoulders fell and a loud breath tore from my burning lungs, but I let myself pretend, my mind going back to a time when it could have been the truth. I thought of the nights we’d shared multiple bottles of wine and made love, laughing and moaning under the covers until the sun crept across the horizon. She’d rested peacefully in my arms. No nightmares. No crying in her sleep. No insomnia. Just even breaths, her head on my shoulder, and her body wound around mine so tightly it was like a second skin. But that was the past. The unreachable, insurmountable past. The plane jerked, forcing me back to the present. “Shit.” She moved her hand off my thigh to grasp her drink as it sloshed all over her. “Crap, crap, crap,” she chanted, using a cocktail napkin to dry the dark-red pool of tomato juice on her white pants. For a moment, I sat there and watched her struggle. It wasn’t the most chivalrous thing to do, but I was all out of grand gestures. She unbuckled her seat belt and lurched to her feet, her phone along with a handful of ice cubes from her lap falling to the floor. “Damn, this is going to leave a huge stain.” The plane jerked again and she stumbled forward, crashing into the seat in front of her before I could catch her arm. “Dammit, sit down before you get hurt.” Ignoring me, she bent over to fish her phone from under the seat. “Hit the button for the flight attendant. I need some club soda and a lemon. STAT.” “No, what you need is to sit down.” I gave her arm a tug and dragged her down to the seat. Using the tip of my boot, I swept her phone toward her. Aforementioned lack of chivalry aside, I was no contortionist; leaning over to pick it up was out of the question. She folded her upper body over my lap and blindly patted around the floor. I fought the urge to run my fingers through the back of her hair. In the beginning, it would have been a no-brainer. I’d have curled forward and suggestively whispered in her ear, “Since you’re already down there…” She would have grinned up at me, her whole face filled with mischief as she traced a finger over my zipper, ignoring anyone who dared to watch her as she replied, “You mean down here?” I’d have grabbed her hand and made her stop even though I was the one who had started it. She had no filter. She always took it one step too far. I’d loved that about her when we’d first met. It was fresh and exciting, a far cry from the stuffy women I’d dated in the past. But now, she was in the past too. We were in the past.
A trilogy like no other!!!
The Difference Between Someday and Forever is the final book in Aly’s The Difference Trilogy.
This book starts off exactly where book two ended and readers are right back to gripping the edge of their seats.
All of Aly’s readers know how addictive her characters and their stories. However, this trilogy hit differently and shows immense growth in her talent.
This conclusion was dramatic and emotionally intense. While books 1 and 2 gave readers a intense, heart-pounding suspense, this final book was just as intense but in a completely different way.
TDBSAF was still intriguing and intense but on a more emotional and mental level. Aly brings a different intensity to this story that’s just as compelling and has readers waiting with bated breath.
Remi and Bowen’s story is one for the ages. It’s a rollercoaster of emotions and keeps readers engaged from start to finish.
This trilogy kept me on my toes to the very end. Aly delivers a few unexpected surprises in this final installment and still gives readers the story of a lifetime.
About Aly Originally from Savannah, Georgia, USA Today bestselling author Aly Martinez now lives in South Carolina with her four hilarious children. Never one to take herself too seriously, she enjoys movies that can surprise her with a twist, charcuterie boards, and her mildly neurotic golden retriever. It should be known, however, that she hates pizza and ice cream, almost as much as writing her bio in the third person. She passes what little free time she has reading anything and everything she can get her hands on, preferably with a glass of wine by her side.
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TASTE, an all-new sexy, stranded enemies-to lovers rom com from USA Today and #1 Amazon bestselling author Melanie Harlow is live now!
The last person on earth I want to be stranded with is Gianni Lupo.
But thanks to the blizzard of the century, I’m trapped in a roadside motel room with that cocky bastard for two straight days.
With one small bed.
Some women might thank Mother Nature for delivering a polar vortex that maroons them with six feet of solid muscle, those deep blue eyes, that sexy grin–but not me. I’ve known Gianni Lupo all my life, and he’s never brought me anything but bad luck and trouble.
So when the tension between us explodes with enough fiery heat to melt my icy defenses, I should have known what the disastrous end result would be–
A big fat plus sign.
After the snow melts, I’m left with more than just memories of the night we spent keeping each other warm. And he might be a rising star on the culinary scene, but he’s got no idea how to handle this bun in the oven.
He says he wants to do the right thing, but I’m not about to spend the rest of my life feeling like someone settled for me.
But just when I think I’ve got Gianni Lupo all figured out, he gives me a taste of the man he could be, of the family we could become, of the way he could love me if I let him.
I’m terrified of falling for him.
But one taste might be all it takes.
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Excerpt
I sat at the foot of the bed and dialed Winnie’s number. She picked up immediately. “Ellie?” “Hey.” “Thank God! You guys okay?” “We’re fine.” I watched Gianni unwrap a candy bar and lean back against the headboard. “We found a motel with a vacancy.” “You mean you’re staying in a motel room together?” she asked, loud enough for Gianni to overhear. “Yeah. And there’s only one bed.” She laughed. “How’s that going?” “Fine.” “You guys are getting along?” Gianni made a lewd gesture involving his fist, his tongue, and his inner cheek. I gave him the finger. “As well you’d expect.” “I can’t wait to hear about it.” “We’re going to try to get out of here as soon as we can in the morning. I’ll let you know when we’re on the road.” “Sounds good.” She laughed again. “Sleep tight.” “Oh. We will.” I eyed the length of the bed. “We have no choice.” After ending the call, I opened the Truth or Drink app on my phone and picked up my wine. “Ready to play?” “Hit me.” I scrolled through the options. “Do you want to play normal mode, party mode, or dirty mode? Gianni looked at me like I was crazy. “Duh.” I sighed and reached for my wine. “Okay, fine. I feel like I’m going to regret this, but dirty it is.” “Can I take my pants off?” “No. What’s your age range for a one night-stand?” “Hmm.” Gianni thought for a moment. “Please say at least eighteen.” “No teenagers. I’ll say twenty to forty-five.” “Forty-five? Really?” He shrugged. “I think mature women are hot. But I can’t go near fifty because that’s my mom’s age and then it would be weird.” “Right.” “So what about you? Same question.” “I’d have to say . . . thirty to forty.” He looked offended. “Why thirty? You’re only twenty-three.” And so was he, which was why I’d said it. “I know, but I think older men are just better in bed.” (I’d actually never been with anyone over twenty-eight.) “In what way?” “Just . . . more patient. More knowledgeable. More generous. Guys in their twenties think they’re all that just because they have younger bodies, especially if they’re—you know—well-endowed. But it’s not just the size of the boat. It’s definitely the motion of the ocean.” He harrumphed. “You’ve been in the wrong boats.”
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Another, right down the middle read for me.
Taste is Melanie’s next book in her Cloverleigh Farms series. I have not read any of the other books in this series and easily read this one without any previous knowledge.
This was my third enemies to lovers book in a row and each one was written differently by each author. This book had a few other tropes thrown in (close proximity and surprised pregnancies) that made it not fit the norm.
Ellie and Gianni grew up together as their parents were very close. They weren’t exactly hateful to another but they also were not nice either. And it seems as though that animosity has continues on into their adulthood.
These two find themselves stranded in a hotel room due to a snowstorm and that is where things get interesting. These two find themselves slinging insults and then their bodies at one another. Then they find themselves in another predicament.
Melanie tried showing readers the past between Ellie and Gianni to get a better understanding, but I wanted more of that. I felt that their story was rushed – we got some of their past, then for most of the book, it was them stuck in the hotel for two days, then return home to drop the mother of all bombs on their parents and then it’s the end. Gah! Just too fast for my liking.
Overall, it’s a good story. I just wanted more depth and growth from the two of them and for their story to be more than 50% romps in a a hotel bed.
About Melanie Harlow
USA Today bestselling author Melanie Harlow likes her martinis dry, her heels high, and her history with the naughty bits left in. When she’s not writing or reading, she gets her kicks from TV series like Ted Lasso, Schitt’s Creek, and Fleabag. She occasionally runs three miles, but only so she can have more gin and steak.
Melanie is the author of the BELLAMY CREEK series, the CLOVERLEIGH FARMS series, the ONE & ONLY series, AFTER WE FALL series, the HAPPY CRAZY LOVE series, and the FRENCHED series. She lifts her glass to romance readers and writers from her home near Detroit, MI, where she lives with her husband, two daughters, and pet rabbit.
Connect with Melanie
Facebook: http://bit.ly/2RPwr51 Amazon: http://amzn.to/1NPkYKs Bookbub: http://bit.ly/36kL7yB Instagram: http://bit.ly/2NW3UtA Pinterest: http://bit.ly/2sVOz55 Facebook Reader Group: https://bit.ly/3mYzBBo Stay up to date with new releases and sign up for Melanie’s mailing list: http://bit.ly/2P7MATT Website: www.melanieharlow.com
From New York Times bestselling author Penelope Ward, comes a new standalone novel.
Reasons why I should not be drawn to Troy Serrano.
Number one: He’s obnoxious.
Number two: He and I were enemies over a decade ago in high school.
Number three: He’s my friend’s ex-boyfriend.
I could go on and on, really.
When my boss gives me an unwanted assignment and tells me it involves spending time with the grandson of one of our residents—the grandson turns out to be Troy. He’s now as successful as he is undeniably handsome.
Lucky me. Four hours a week of having to deal with his insufferable personality and unsolicited advice.
The only consolation is getting to stare at his annoyingly gorgeous face in between our many arguments.
Eventually, though, we slowly warm to each other and our outings become something I actually look forward to.
What’s happening to me?
Apparently, I misunderstood the assignment, because it certainly didn’t include thinking about Troy when I close my eyes at night, imagining what it would be like with him—just once. All the while hating myself for fantasizing about a guy who’s all wrong for me. A guy whose car I keyed back in the day. (Long story, but he deserved it.)
That’s all this is—a fantasy.
Well, until that one night at the bar.
The night Troy and I run into each other, and all of our pent-up frustration comes barreling out.
Still, I refuse to accept that it means anything.
There’s no way the guy I’m supposed to hate is also the one I can’t live without.
Penelope Ward is a New York Times, USA Today and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author of contemporary romance.
She grew up in Boston with five older brothers and spent most of her twenties as a television news anchor. Penelope resides in Rhode Island with her husband, son, and beautiful daughter with autism.
With over two million books sold, she is a 21-time New York Times bestseller and the author of over twenty novels. Her books have been translated into over a dozen languages and can be found in bookstores around the world.
The Assignment is a lovers to enemies romance and I devoured this so quickly.
Penelope Ward truly knows how to give her characters depth and growth.
Troy and Aspen have a history and now as grownups they get to reflect on their past. But they also show their growth and explore this new chance they’ve been given.
I enjoyed the banter between Troy and Aspen – it added another layer to their story. There’s no denying the chemistry between the two of them.
The Assignment is written in dual POVs and I that really helped in understanding each character a bit more. There were some scenes that I could have done without, but they were not enough to ruin the book for me.
Overall, another beautifully written story from Ward.
From New York Times Bestselling Author, Kristen Proby, comes Spells, the next installment in her gripping Bayou Magic series…
As a powerful hedgewitch and psychic, there isn’t much I can’t work to my advantage and finesse with a spell. Love, fortune, and even the perfect cup of coffee are all possible with the snap of my fingers.
But some things are utterly beyond my control.
Like the powerful and broody warlock who’s been a part of my life for as long as I can remember–and even the lifetimes I often can’t. Things almost as dangerous as Lucien Bergeron’s hold on me and the breathtaking smiles only I get to see.
Or the evil still stalking the streets of New Orleans that beckons to me to see. To feel. To die.
With everything riding on a razors-edge, and things that have been portended coming to fruition, threatening both me and those I love, I’m not sure if I’m strong enough to resist my fate. Or his charm.
If I work with Lucien, it could mean the end for both of us.
If I don’t, those I love most will pay.
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Kristen Proby has published more than forty titles, many of which have hit the USA Today, New York Times and Wall Street Journal Bestsellers lists. She continues to self publish, best known for her With Me In Seattle and Boudreaux series, and is also proud to work with William Morrow, a division of HarperCollins, with the Fusion and Romancing Manhattan Series.
Kristen and her husband, John, make their home in her hometown of Whitefish, Montana with their two cats.
Be My Brayshaw can be read as a complete standalone.
I read the first book this series and went no further (many reasons on why). When I was given the option review this book since it was a standalone within the series, I figured I would give it a go.
First off – I definitely wouldn’t recommend reading this book without reading the prior ones. The Brayshaw boys are too connected to be left out of each other’s stories and that proves true in this book. Yes, this book evolves around Captain mostly, but you need to have an understanding of their dynamics to know why. As for Victoria, it’s just as though she is there out of nowhere (obviously introduced in early book) and it felt like I was thrown into a story that had already started and was playing catchup as I read along.
As for the story itself, once I felt like I had somewhat of an understanding as to how Victoria fit in, things began to make more sense and the story got more interesting. It’s definitely a slow buildup plot and things unravel at a decent pace most of the time. There is one particular thing that I felt was built for no reason because the outcome was somewhat of a letdown. (If you wish to know what, they’re hidden as a spoiler on my review on goodreads).
The tension between Victoria and Captain was another addition to the plot. While I can’t say there was any love between them, there was definitely lust. They both challenged one another so that push and pull added to things but I was not sold on them being together for love. But they definitely make things hot even when they are tangoing between the sheets. So that’s a plus.
Overall, while there were parts that annoyed me and there was parts that I really enjoyed. It was good enough for me to finish, even though lit took longer than normal. Those who read the first three books and loved them, I have no doubt will love this one. Those who haven’t read the books at all, may be a tad confused at the beginning but should stick it through and finish it because it’s an entertaining read, even if there’s a lot of drawn out angst and overused dramatics.
Will I read the next one?? More than likely because these boys are entertaining. 🙂
Even the town’s black sheep needed a friend sometimes
Southern Storms, an all-new, small town second chance romance from Brittainy C. Cherry, is available now!
All I wanted to do was run away, I never expected to crash into his arms…
After leaving the city life behind to escape my loveless marriage, I moved to small town Havenbarrow for a fresh start.
What I didn’t expect was to find myself drawn to the town’s black sheep.
They called him troubled. Cold. A man with a dark past.
What everyone seemed to miss about Jax was the splashes of light in his eyes. The random acts of kindness he performed when no one was watching. The way he made me smile and laugh.
Jax helped unpack the baggage I’d been carrying around with me. He was patient with my pain and gentle with my scars. He was the stillness during my hurricane.
Yet when both of our pasts come back to haunt our present days, we realized quickly that sometimes love stories didn’t end the way we’d hoped.
Sometimes you were left with only the damage from the storm.
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Kennedy Joy Jones was quite the character to take in. That morning, when the sun came up, she walked outside to her front porch and sat down in her rocking chair with a smile on her face and a large cup of coffee. A few of my nosy visitors told me that it was a daily routine for her. Her silver-dripped hair was tossed up in a messy bun being held together with two knitting needles, and her thick-framed, vibrant-orange glasses sat on top of her head. She wore a vibrant bow in her hair that matched her dress for the day, and she always greeted everyone who passed by her house, even when they didn’t speak back to her. Everyone in town called her Crazy Joy, even though she was the kindest person. Her only odd quirk was that she never left her property. I wondered how she managed, though. I wondered how she kept living without stepping foot outside of her home. It seemed she hadn’t any children and she didn’t have a caregiver who came to aid her, from what I could tell. Later that morning, my questions were answered as a blue pick-up truck pulled in front of the house. Needless to say, my jaw dropped to the ground when I saw Mr. Personality step out of the vehicle. He walked his way straight toward Joy’s front porch with his arms filled with grocery bags. He proceeded to greet Joy. She stood from the rocking chair as he set the bags down on the porch. Then, he hugged her. He hugged her! I wouldn’t have thought someone as grumpy as Mr. Personality had the ability to hug someone. The two of them walked inside to put the groceries away, leaving me completely baffled and unable to return to my scheduled reading. It took a lot to break me away from a book. And by ‘a lot,’ I meant a lot. My house could’ve been on fire, aliens could’ve beamed me up, and I would’ve still been trying to get in that one last page. When my own love story was broken, I turned to story books to heal the cracks of my broken heartbeats. When my world fell apart, the story books still believed in happily ever afters. Those books saved me on the days I felt my soul falling victim to the hardest of storms. Yet, Mr. Personality pulled me away from the words against the page. He made me curious about him walking into Joy’s house. Watching him chat away with her had my mind racing. A few minutes later, when the two of them walked back outside with two glasses in their hands—one with wine, the other with some dark liquor—whiskey, I assumed—I couldn’t stop myself from glancing over to them. Joy kept talking, and Mr. Personality kept responding. Even though I couldn’t hear what they were saying, Joy looked beyond smitten with whatever was being said her way, which forced my own heart to skip a few beats. Well, I’ll be damned. The town’s asshole made me swoon.
Southern Storms is the first book in Brittainy C Cherry’s newest series and she definitely delivers an emotional romance. All these books can be read as standalones and will definitely grip your heart strings.
“Every day is a new opportunity to try again.”
Southern Storms is Jax and Kennedy’s story and it’s an emotional one. They were best friends after their first summer camp together as kids but when circumstances pulled them apart unexpectedly, they never head from each other again. Until they find one another unexpectedly and without looking.
Kennedy is going through a really rough time in her life when she runs into Jax. However, neither realize who the other is immediately and it’s quite a treat when the knowledge becomes known to them later in the novel. And the story gets even more emotional from there.
” ‘The day I realized it was you, it turned back on.’
‘What turned back on?’
‘My heart.’ “
I really enjoyed how Brittainy wrote Jax and Kennedy’s story. It is told from both POVs and flips from past to present. Usually, it can get either confusing or hurt the flow of the story but Brittainy delivers the story beautifully and never misses a beat. I truly loved these character so much. Not just Jax and Kennedy but the secondary characters helped round everything out.
“Never in my life had I known silence could feel so good until I sat beside Jax Kilter.”
Southern Storms maybe a romantic story but it’s not a sweet one. It’s riffled with a lot of grief, healing all the emotions in between. It will make you tear up and smile all at once. This book will reach your soul and brand you.
About Brittainy
Author Brittainy C. Cherry is an Amazon #1 bestselling author.
She has been in love with words since the day she took her first breath. She graduated from Carroll University with a Bachelor Degree in Theatre Arts and a minor in Creative Writing.
Her novels have been published in 18+ countries around the world. Brittainy lives in Brookfield, Wisconsin with her fur babies.
I’m Evan Cook—billionaire tech entrepreneur and widower. Professionally, I’ve got it all. But since my wife died, my personal life has fallen apart. Remarrying seems like the obvious answer, so I place an ad. I’m not asking for much. The ideal woman only needs to be smart, organized, pretty, and helpful—both in and out of bed—without expecting romance. I never thought to look right in front of me…but it turns out that Nia Wright, my sexy, sassy assistant, just might be the perfect candidate.
After an unexpectedly hot night together, I’m ready to stop interviewing strangers and simply marry her. On paper, she ticks every box on my list. Best of all, she’s far too sensible to fall for me. I didn’t see the flaw in my logic until it was far too late. I never thought I’d lose my heart for the first time. And I definitely never imagined that she could consume me until I more than crave her. But she’s harboring a secret that could tear us apart—just as I’m finally putting myself together.
I charge down the hall toward what might be the stupidest mistake of my life.
I move through the sea of bodies, shrugging past the Latina dancer, a few of the French maids, then bump into my assistant’s handsy dance partner. I stare him down. He looks at me blankly. One thing I realize instantly? My gaydar is absolutely silent. He’s every bit as straight as I am.
As he hovers protectively around Nia’s dressing room, I snarl and shoulder my way past him.
He grabs my arm. “Where do you think you’re going?”
“To see Nia. Let go.”
His eyes narrow. “Is she expecting you?”
No. In fact, I’m about to shock the hell out of her. I don’t know if I’ll be unwelcome, but I’m going to test Bas’s theory that she wants me. If he’s right…this could get messy really fast.
I shake him off, barrel inside the room, and shut the door. Behind me, I immediately hear the asshole jimmying the knob. I throw my weight against the portal to keep him out and lock it behind me.
Nia whirls to the sound of my intrusion, dressed in an inch of stage makeup, a silky white robe—and nothing else.
The moment she recognizes me, her mouth drops open. Shock spreads across her face. “E-Evan?”
“Nia.” I can’t find more words. I can’t do anything except stare and put one foot in front of the other. I certainly can’t defuse the anger and possessiveness I know I have no right to feel.
“What are you doing here?”
“That’s my question for you,” I growl. “Why the fuck are you taking your clothes off for strangers?”
She rears back and blinks at me. I don’t think she’s ever heard me curse. I keep the office professional, totally aboveboard. But I can’t manage decorum now when she’s breathing hard and her nipples are poking her thin robe.
She raises her chin and glares at me. Everything about her demeanor is like waving a red cape in front of a bull.
“It’s burlesque, not stripping,” she snaps. “I don’t do this for money. I do it because I enjoy dancing.”
“Yeah? You enjoy that asshole’s hands all over you, too?” Even though the logical side of my brain tells me I’m way out of line, I point at the door behind me and stalk closer to her. “You enjoy sex standing up with him?”
Her nostrils flare. Her mouth presses into a firm line. “Last time I checked, boss, I don’t have to justify my personal life to you.”
The fact she’s right only pisses me off more. “You do when your behavior reflects badly on Stratus Solutions.”
She shoots me a quelling glare. “You’ll have to do better than that. No one in the audience knows who I am. I never take off my mask and I never use my real name. Nothing I do on stage can taint your reputation.” Arms crossed over her chest, she saunters closer. “Why don’t you be honest and tell me what’s really bothering you? I know you’re not this mad simply because I was dressed a little risqué and gyrated on stage with Kyle?”
I debate the wisdom of blurting the truth. The rational part of my brain tells me to shut up, leave, and act on Monday like nothing happened tonight. Every other part of me knows that ship has sailed. My cock is especially eager to lay my cards on the table, grab Nia in my arms…and not worry about what happens next.
“You’re right. I’m mad because I think you’ve fucked him.”
She jerks as if I’ve slapped her. “Not that it’s any of your business, but we haven’t been together in almost two years. Thanks for letting me know you think I’m a whore.”
Hearing I was right royally pisses me off. Having her put words in my mouth kills what’s left of my patience, stripping away anything resembling professional civility.
I try not to squeeze her arms as I drag her close. “I never said that. Or thought it. I’m telling you that I can’t stand knowing he’s touched you. I don’t like the fact you still have anything to do with him. I don’t even understand why I’m here yelling and angry. I’m just…”
How the hell do I put the storm raging inside me into words? No clue, but I need to get it all out somehow or I’m going to explode.
“Jealous?” Soft surprise crosses her face.
Something about her confusion rips the confession from me. “Yes.”
“Because you…want me?”
I grit my teeth and try again to think through the wisdom of spilling all this to her. But I can’t keep it in. The softness of warm silk and hot woman under my palms almost undoes me. “Yes. I know I shouldn’t. I’ve spent forty-eight hours telling myself what I’m feeling is ridiculous and I can’t allow this—whatever it is—into our perfectly comfortable, efficient working relationship. But I can’t turn it off. I can’t fight it. I can’t pretend it doesn’t exist.”
“Is that what you’d rather do? Bury your head in the sand and not feel it?” She looks hurt.
Her expression makes me feel like an asshole. Nia always asks insightful questions. Why should now be different?
I shake my head. “For the first time in months—maybe years—I feel alive.”
Nia stares at me in silence, her gaze fused to mine. I swear I see a hundred thoughts whip through her head. For once, I can’t read a single one.
“Say something.” If she doesn’t soon, I don’t know what I’ll do. I don’t even know if I can be responsible for what happens next.
“Have you been drinking?”
“Not enough to drown out how much I want you.”
“In spite of your opinion about my sexual past? And what about our working relationship?”
She’s not wrong, but they’re barbed questions. I have to maneuver around them carefully. “Nothing matters to me except touching you right now.”
Before Nia can chew on my answer and remember all the reasons she should say no, I pull her against me. She gasps. The instant her soft body makes contact with my hard, aching cock, I groan and hold her tighter, cupping her face and lowering my mouth to her parted lips.
Shayla Black is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than sixty novels. For nearly twenty years, she’s written contemporary, erotic, paranormal, and historical romances via traditional, independent, foreign, and audio publishers. Her books have sold millions of copies and been published in a dozen languages.
Raised an only child, Shayla occupied herself with lots of daydreaming, much to the chagrin of her teachers. In college, she found her love for reading and realized that she could have a career publishing the stories spinning in her imagination. Though she graduated with a degree in Marketing/Advertising and embarked on a stint in corporate America to pay the bills, her heart has always been with her characters. She’s thrilled that she’s been living her dream as a full-time author for the past eight years.
Shayla currently lives in North Texas with her wonderfully supportive husband, her teenage daughter, and two spoiled tabbies. In her “free” time, she enjoys reality TV, reading, and listening to an eclectic blend of music.
Keeper of the Bees
by Meg Kassel
Genre: YA Paranormal
Release Date: September 4th 2018
Entangled Teen
Summary:
“Beauty and the beast like you’ve never imagined!” —New York Times bestselling author Pintip Dunn
KEEPER OF THE BEES is a tale of two teens who are both beautiful and beastly, and whose pasts are entangled in surprising and heartbreaking ways.
Dresden is cursed. His chest houses a hive of bees that he can’t stop from stinging people with psychosis-inducing venom. His face is a shifting montage of all the people who have died because of those stings. And he has been this way for centuries—since he was eighteen and magic flowed through his homeland, corrupting its people.
He follows harbingers of death, so at least his curse only affects those about to die anyway. But when he arrives in a Midwest town marked for death, he encounters Essie, a seventeen-year-old girl who suffers from debilitating delusions and hallucinations. His bees want to sting her on sight. But Essie doesn’t see a monster when she looks at Dresden.
Essie is fascinated and delighted by his changing features. Risking his own life, he holds back his bees and spares her. What starts out as a simple act of mercy ends up unraveling Dresden’s solitary life and Essie’s tormented one. Their impossible romance might even be powerful enough to unravel a centuries-old curse.
She closes her eyes. Her breath hitches. Then, she does the improbable and throws herself against me, wrapping her arms around my waist.
I am paralyzed. Motionless, breathless in my first embrace in a millennium. To be touched… My eyes close as I tremble from head to toe. The pain is glorious, excruciating.
“Thank you,” she breathes against my chest. “You calm my mind. Why is that?”
“I don’t know.” Speech takes an unbearable effort. I’m overwhelmed in every single possible way—destroyed on a level she can’t begin to comprehend. My arms hover, uncertain how to return her embrace and unsure if I should. Unable to push her away. I feel as though I will shatter if I move, but my arms slowly close around her. One of my hands falls on her hair, where her elastic has loosened. The thin band slips from her hair and falls into my hand. My fingers close around it.
Meg Kassel has another smashing hit on her hands!!
This is a companion novel to Black Bird of the Gallows. They can be read separately and not in order and I loved each of these book equally as they very unique in their stories.
Keeper of the Bees is a YA fantasy novel about Dresden who is cursed as a beekeeper and Essie who is bound with her own curse.
As a beekeeper, his life curse is too infect those who have been marked with a bee sting and then once they pass, he takes on their face – sounds creepy but it is quite interesting.
Essie’s curse is one that has been passed down through he family for generations. And it’s only considered a curse because it a condition only affects select members within her family.
I love the whole vibe of this book – fantasy and mystery with a bit of romance tied in. The whole aspect of how Essie’s family curse began and what has happened over the decades with them is very interesting and how Dresden plays into it all makes for quite the entertaining read.
The characters, the writing and the the mystery of what is going on in the town; how the Harbingers, Strawman and Beekeepers play into everything – it’s ever element playing their intricate part to make up a this amazing fairy tale. I couldn’t stop reading this book.
Meg has definitely made a name for herself in the YA fantasy genre an I cannot wait to see what she brings us next!
About the Author
Meg Kassel is an author of fantasy and speculative books for young adults. A graduate of Parson’s School of Design, she’s been creating stories, whether with visuals or words, since childhood. Meg is a New Jersey native who lives in a log house in the Maine woods with her husband and daughter. As a fan of ’80s cartoons, Netflix series, and ancient mythology, she has always been fascinated and inspired by the fantastic, the creepy, and the futuristic. She is the 2016 RWA Golden Heart® winner in YA and a double 2018 RITA® finalist for her debut novel, Black Bird of the Gallows.
What will happen… when Jenn learns the truth that has been brewing deep inside me?
…when she learns my desires have been restrained?
…when containing them is no longer possible?
Will she flee when there’s no place to run?
Traveling to the isolation of a tropical island, we agree to lay our marriage and our future on the line. It’s the only way to face the demons—my demons—that threaten our life together.
For us to make our marriage work, we must break down barriers, reveal the hidden places, and shine light where darkness has taken root.
This reprieve from life is meant to be about us, our marriage, and our future.
It is…until the unexpected happens…
Will our marriage survive? Will we?
This suspenseful, steamy stand-alone novella follows Paul and Jenn Masters, characters previously introduced in the novella UNCONVENTIONAL. This quick, spicy story may be read completely on its own or even before UNCONVENTIONAL.
If you enjoy a fast and furious, heart-thundering ride that leaves you breathless and perhaps a bit hot and bothered, check out New York Times bestselling author Aleatha Romig’s THE VAULT novellas: UNCONVENTIONAL and UNEXPECTED.
I close my eyes and allow my body to simply react.
It’s been too long.
It seems as if recently I’ve overthought everything—every action…word…everything—between Paul and me. The process is exhausting, and I’m too tired to continue. I don’t know what will happen over the next ten days. All I know is that I want what’s in front of me.
Forget that.
I want what’s intoxicating me—my husband’s embrace, the spicy scent of his skin, the way his erection probes my tummy through our clothes, and the sweet sensation of his kiss.
Sex may not save our marriage, but damn, right now as our kiss deepens, I’m on fire. Like a field of grass that’s withstood a drought, the flames grow. Small explosions detonate throughout my body—tiny flares roaring to a blaze and blasting our world. Each is a reminder that there’s been only one man who has ever made me feel completely and utterly loved, worshipped, and satisfied.
The one man who is with me now.
A moan escapes my lips as Paul reaches for the hem of my sundress and lifts it over my head. Just as quickly, he tugs off his own shirt, and I’m surrounded by his strong arms. His wide chest smashes against my breasts, and our hearts work together, the presence of the other increasing their rhythm. The faint taste of the salt air lingers on my lips as I kiss his neck, chest, and torso.
Unexpected is exactly what you get with this novella. It is short, hot with an unexpected twist.
It is a standalone and a great insight into what Aleatha’s “darker side” of her writing entails. If you have never read anything by her, this would be the perfect opportunity to see what all the excitement is about with her books. And for those of you who already read her books, this is quick and sexy read to hold you over til her next novel releases.
I won’t give you any more information than what the blurb tells you because this is such a short novella. I will tell you that I love how they are trying to save their marriage and in doing so, are willing to air out all their secrets.
It may be a quick read, but it is packed with some hot and steamy scenes along with a twist to keep your held in suspense til the end.
This is how novellas should be written!!
Aleatha Romig is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author who lives in Indiana, USA. She grew up in Mishawaka, graduated from Indiana University, and is currently living south of Indianapolis. Aleatha has raised three children with her high school sweetheart and husband of over thirty years. Before she became a full-time author, she worked days as a dental hygienist and spent her nights writing. Now, when she’s not imagining mind-blowing twists and turns, she likes to spend her time a with her family and friends. Her other pastimes include reading and creating heroes/anti-heroes who haunt your dreams and bring your imagination to life!
Aleatha released her first novel, CONSEQUENCES, in August of 2011. CONSEQUENCES became a bestselling series with five novels and two companions released from 2011 through 2015. The compelling and epic story of Anthony and Claire Rawlings has graced more than half a million e-readers. Aleatha released the first of her series TALES FROM THE DARK SIDE, INSIDIOUS, in the fall of 2014. These stand alone thrillers continue Aleatha’s twisted style with an increase in heat.
In the fall of 2015, Aleatha moved head first into the world of dark romantic suspense with the release of BETRAYAL, the first of her five novel INFIDELITY series that has taken the reading world by storm. She also began her traditional publishing career with Thomas and Mercer. Her books INTO THE LIGHT and AWAY FROM THE DARK were published through this mystery/thriller publisher in 2016.
In the spring of 2017, Aleatha released her first stand-alone, fun, and sexy romantic comedy with PLUS ONE, followed by the sweet stand-alone, ONE NIGHT.
Aleatha is a “Published Author’s Network” member of the Romance Writers of America and PEN America. She is represented by Kevan Lyon of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.
Today we are celebrating the release of the first book in The Truth Duet by Aly Martinez. The Truth About Lies is now live and part of KindleUnlimited! The second title in the duet, The Truth About Us, will be releasing on September 13th! You can pre-order it from Amazon now.
Truth: From over a thousand miles away, I watched on the screen of my phone as two men murdered my wife. And I was helpless to save her.
Consumed by hate and rage, I spent four years running from my memories.
Until a shattered woman gave me a reason to stop.
Cora lived in a nightmare, but through sheer force of will, she’d turned it into something beautiful. She had a smile that could pierce the darkest soul. And with one glance, she shredded mine.
Lie: I was only there for a fresh start.
Lie: I had no idea what I was getting myself into.
Lie: There was nothing I could do to save her, either.
But that’s the thing about lies—you never know who to believe.
Aly Martinez – you have upped your writing game big time!! This story sucked me in and never let me go.
“One In. One Out.”
Let me just say that I was not expecting any of what I got from this book. The blurb gives you one minuscule insight as to what this book is about, but nowhere near touches what you fully get and I freaking love it!!
Penn and Cora are living their lives in their own set of tragedies. These two have a connection that they both try to deny but in the end, they just can’t. However, that is only one piece of this tragic tale.
“The world is an ugly place. It’s filled with more sinners than saints. More hate than love. More chaos than kindness. And that’s not because the world is filled with bad people. It’s because the good ones stay silent.”
Cora is a strong and fierce woman, who is determined to never let Dante and Marcos Guerrero take away her spirit. Penn tried to keep himself away from Cora – he already lost everything in his life and was not about to another person into his burning inferno.
This story was so much more than I expected. From the characters, to the eye-opening life style this story is played out in, to the unimaginable scenes that we experience. But mixed in with all the deep and raw moments, are some very hilarious comments and the banter between Penn and Cora.
“I’m not sure if you’ve touched the decorative ornament hanging between your legs recently, but you’re still a man.”
Aly has grown exponentially with her writing. From the depth of her characters, to the perfect blend of romance, suspense and humor in this book, I am in awe of her. My review may be very vague, but this book is perfect with only knowing what the blurb says and diving right in. After you read this, you will understand completely.
I am so looking forward to book two and what Aly brings us next.
Originally from Savannah, Georgia, USA Today bestselling author Aly Martinez now lives in South Carolina with her four young children.
Never one to take herself too seriously, she enjoys cheap wine, mystery leggings, and baked feta. It should be known, however, that she hates pizza and ice cream, almost as much as writing her bio in the third person.
She passes what little free time she has reading anything and everything she can get her hands on, preferably with a super-sized tumbler of wine by her side.