Cover Reveal…Learn Your Lesson by Kandi Steiner

Kandi Steiner has revealed the gorgeous covers for Learn Your Lesson!

Releasing: April 19, 2024

Model Cover Design: Kandi Steiner

Photographer: Ren Saliba

Discreet Cover Design: Staci Hart, Quirkybird Designs

My mother only wanted me to learn one lesson growing up…

Men are trash.

Her father left her, and then my father left us. Being raised by her and my grandmother, I was surrounded by the reminder to be independent and guard my heart. 

After my one and only experience with a boy in college fell flatter than a pancake, I realized they were right — and I was content to live the life of a twenty-six-year-old cat lady.

Until Will Perry blew my quiet world to smithereens.

Starting goalie for the Tampa Bay Ospreys and the kind of hot that scrambles your brain, all I was ever supposed to be to him was his daughter’s kindergarten teacher. Then, in a twist of events, his temporary nanny.

But temporary turns to permanent, and when I move into his pool house, everything changes.

He’s impossibly grumpy and focused on only two things: hockey, and taking care of his daughter. I’m only focused on using this new income to pay back my student loans. 

But in that house, I feel his heated gaze beneath that permanent scowl, the way it lingers and warms my skin. And though I know my mother would lose her mind if she knew, my dreams have become midnight fantasies about my long-haired, muscle-lined mystery of a boss.

When the tension becomes too much, we break, and we make a deal. 

He still needs a nanny. I still need a paycheck and for my matriarchy to not disown me. But Will agrees to teach me everything I’ve always wanted to learn, and I’m all too eager to be his student.

I can do this. I’m a grown woman. I can explore my sexuality with the hottest goalie on earth and still remain one-hundred percent professional. And I can definitely do it all without catching feelings. 

I have to.

Otherwise, I’ll end up heartbroken in my mother’s arms while she shakes her head and asks me if I’ll ever learn my lesson.

___________________________________________

TROPES:

Pro Hockey Romance

Single Dad/Nanny

Forced Proximity

Spicy Lessons

Grumpy Sunshine

Age Gap

Opposites Attract

Found Family

___________________________________________

Learn Your Lesson is book three in the Kings of the Ice series: a series of interconnected standalones following a team of professional hockey players and the women who bring them to their knees. They do not need to be read in order, but you will gain glimpses of future characters/couples in each book.

Pre-order your copy today!

https://geni.us/learnyourlesson

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3UG4U8i

Meet Kandi


Kandi Steiner is a #1 Amazon Bestselling Author and whiskey connoisseur living in Tennessee. Best known for writing “emotional rollercoaster” stories, she loves bringing flawed characters to life and writing about real, raw romance — in all its forms. No two Kandi Steiner books are the same, and if you’re a lover of angsty, emotional, and inspirational reads, she’s your gal.

An alumna of the University of Central Florida, Kandi graduated with a double major in Creative Writing and Advertising/PR with a minor in Women’s Studies. Her love for writing started at the ripe age of 10, and in 6th grade, she wrote and edited her own newspaper and distributed to her classmates. Eventually, the principal caught on and the newspaper was quickly halted, though Kandi tried fighting for her “freedom of press.”

She took particular interest in writing romance after college, as she has always been a die hard hopeless romantic, and likes to highlight all the challenges of love as well as the triumphs.

When Kandi isn’t writing, you can find her reading books of all kinds, planning her next adventure, or pole dancing (yes, you read that right). She enjoys live music, traveling, hiking, yoga, playing with her fur babies and soaking up the sweetness of life.

Connect with Kandi

Website:  www.kandisteiner.com

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7319216.Kandi_Steiner

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Kandi-Steiner/e/B00JDJOINE 

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

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/kandilandks/

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KandiSteiner

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kandi-steiner

Verve: https://ververomance.com/app/kandisteiner

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@authorkandisteiner

Pinterest: pinterest.com/authorkandisteiner

Kandi Steiner may be coming to a city near you! Check out her “events” tab to see all the signings she’s attending in the near future: www.kandisteiner.com/events

Cover Reveal…The Knockout by Bella Matthews

Bella Matthews has revealed the gorgeous covers for The Knockout!

Releasing: April 11, 2024

From USA Today and Amazon Bestselling Author Bella Matthews, comes a hot, new, hockey romance between a broken ballerina and the forbidden bad boy who saves her.

Full blurb to come.

Pre-order your copy today!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3I6MPIV

Amazon Worldwide: https://mybook.to/TheKnockout

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3T04RSz

Meet Bella


Bella Matthews is a USA Today & Amazon Top 50 Bestselling author. She is married to her very own Alpha Male and raising three little ones. You can typically find her running from one sporting event to another. When she is home, she is usually hiding in her home office with the only other female in her house, her rescue dog Tinker Bell by her side. She likes to write swoon-worthy heroes and sassy, smart heroines. Sarcasm is her love language and big family dynamics are her favorite thing to add to each story.

Connect with Bella

Website: www.authorbellamatthews.com  

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20795160.Bella_Matthews 

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B08NFK9K4M?ingress=0&visitId=8b4845c0-1ab8-467b-ac2a-4ddf36d673fd   

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bella.Matthews.Author   

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bellamatthewsgamechangers   

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bellamatthews.author/   

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bellamatthewsauthor  

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/bella-matthews   

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

Cover Reveal…Stay by Willow Aster

Willow Aster has revealed the gorgeous covers for Stay!

Releasing: April 11, 2024

Cover Design: Emily Wittig Designs

Photographer: Regina Wamba

When a judge falls for his younger nanny, can their love overcome the possibility of scandal?

As I drive into the picturesque small town of Landmark Mountain after the whirlwind of college, I could never have expected a simple job opportunity would lead me to the deliciously sexy Sutton Landmark. But fate, it seems, wants to send my plans sideways.

Judge Sutton Landmark, a man whose gorgeous face, charisma, and chocolate brown eyes could charm the pants off of anyone. He needs a nanny for his son, Owen, and I need a break from textbooks and exams…and some time to figure out what I really want to do with my life.

However, one heated look from Sutton, and everything inside me ignites.

As I spend time with Sutton, I find myself falling for him. There’s a spark between us and a connection that simmers and dances in the air whenever we’re in the same room.

But Sutton’s prestigious position and the age gap between us casts a looming shadow over our happiness. Despite our hearts’ desires, fear and indecision hold us back from taking that leap of faith.

I want to believe that, despite the obstacles, anything is possible…

Even love against all odds.

I guess I’ll just have to jump in headfirst and stay to find out.

Pre-order your copy today!

https://geni.us/StayLM

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/49qjzZD

Meet Willow

Willow Aster is a USA Today Bestselling author and lover of anything book-related. She lives in St. Paul, MN with her husband, kids, and rescue dog.

Connect with Willow 

Website: www.willowaster.com

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6863360.Willow_Aster

Amazon: https://bit.ly/WillowAster

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

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/870978829643191/

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/WillowAster

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@willowaster1

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/willow-aster

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/WillowAster/_created/

Cover Reveal…Nine Month Contract by Amy Daws

Title: NINE MONTH CONTRACT

Author: Amy Daws
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Release Date: April 11th, 2024

Cover Designer: Cat at TRC Designs

Cover Photographer: Wander Aguiar Photography

Cover Model: Jack Atherton

We live by different rules on the mountain…

🐐 🪓🐐 🪓🐐
Preorder: https://geni.us/NineMonthContract

Add to your TBR:  https://bit.ly/NMCGoodreads

E-BOOK & PAPERBACK EDITION

ALTERNATE PAPERBACK COVER EDITION

From Amazon #1 bestselling author Amy Daws, comes an all-new small town, spicy romance sure to hit you in the gut with laughs, feels, and mountain man grunts.

Help Wanted: Grumpy Mountain Man seeks baby momma. Job is an incubator position only. Surrogate must be impervious to grunting in the form of communication and nosey brotherly neighbors. Rustic mountain range housing available upon request.

I wanted to pummel my irritating brothers when they posted their own version of a wanted ad to help me with my life.

But I can’t fault the results once the right woman lands on my lap.

Becoming a single father is not a decision I made lightly. In fact, it’s the biggest decision of my entire life.

Which is why when I interview Trista, I know she’s perfect.

She’s wild, she’s opinionated, she wears cowboy boots. Even my pet goat loves her…

She’s the exact type of person I was holding out for.

And to my great horror, I realize on our first night of attempting this baby making dance…when the lights are low, the cheap wine is flowing, and the home insemination supplies are laid out on the kitchen counter…

I want to do a lot more than just make her my surrogate.

I want to make her mine.

BINGE THE SERIES

If you want to see where these brothers first appeared, check out Last on the List or binge the full Wait With Me Series while you wait for release day! Nine Month Contract is a spin off of Last on the List featuring the main character’s brothers!

Binge the Series | Check out the Alternate Paperback Covers | Dive right into Last on the List!

GIVEAWAY

For a chance to win a signed copy of Nine Month Contract, check out my cover reveal posts on Facebook and Instagram: www.facebook.com/amydawsauthor

Number 1 Amazon Bestselling author Amy Daws writes spicy love stories that take place in America, as well as across the pond. She’s most known for her footy-playing Harris Brothers and writing in a tire shop waiting room. When Amy is not writing, she’s likely making charcuterie boards from her home in South Dakota where she lives with her daughter and husband.

Follow Amy on all social media channels, including Tik Tok under @amydawsauthor

For more of Amy’s work, visit: http://www.amydawsauthor.com

STALKER LINKS:

Website/Newsletter: http://www.amydawsauthor.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/amydawsauthor

Facebook Fan Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/AmyDawsLondonLovers/

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/amydawsauthor

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@amydawsauthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/amydawsauthor

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/amy-daws

Book and Main: https://bookandmainbites.com/amydaws

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/amydawsauthor/

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/author/amydawsGoodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/amydawsauthor

Cover Reveal…Love Hard by Monica James

Title: Love Hard
A Memoir
Author: Monica James
Genre: Creative Non-Fiction
Cover Design: Sommer Stein
Perfect Pear Creative Covers
Photographer: Michelle Lancaster
Release Date: May 15, 2024
BLURB

If love is an addiction, your first love is the first hit.

How many of you remember your first love?
Because falling in love for the first time…I remember that. And that’s the thing about your first love—we all have a love story.
But this isn’t a love story.
This is a life story.
The good.
The bad.
The heartache.
It’s all here.
Love is truly a battlefield…
Love is scary, and anyone who tells you otherwise is lying. When you love someone wholeheartedly, you leave yourself open to being destroyed…and that’s what I did, what I still do even though I know better.
But it doesn’t make a difference.
The best kind of love doesn’t make sense. But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt.
This one-in-a-million story is mine, and if you take anything away from this book, it would be to never be afraid to love.
So, let me introduce myself. You may call me Z.
Buckle up, besties, because this will be a bumpy ride.
Love hits you when you least expect it.
Are you ready for the fall?

PRE-ORDER LINKS
AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU
Coming soon to other retailers

PLAYLIST

AUTHOR BIO

Monica James spent her youth devouring the works of Anne Rice, William Shakespeare, and Emily Dickinson.

When she is not writing, Monica is busy running her own business, but she always finds a balance between the two. She enjoys writing honest, heartfelt, and turbulent stories, hoping to leave an imprint on her readers. She draws her inspiration from life.
She is a bestselling author in the U.S.A., Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Israel, and the U.K.
Monica James resides in Melbourne, Australia, with her wonderful family, and menagerie of animals. She is slightly obsessed with cats, chucks, and lip gloss, and secretly wishes she was a ninja on the weekends.

AUTHOR LINKS

Cover Reveal…All My Kisses For You by Monica Murphy

Monica Murphy has revealed the gorgeous cover for All My Kisses For You!

Releasing in the US on June 4, 2024

Available in the UK/Commonwealth on May 23rd in ebook & print

Monica Murphy goes back to Lancaster Prep with a new generation of Lancasters, kicking it off with the daughter of Crew and Wren from the BookTok sensation A Million Kisses in Your Lifetime…

Everyone loves Willow Lancaster, and every girl wants to be her. She’s the perfect student. Stylish, kind to all and always flashing that beautiful smile.

After spending her junior year studying in Europe, she returns to Lancaster Prep, eager to kick off being a senior with her friends and maybe even start something up with her old crush?

But everything has changed. Her supposed best friend is dating her crush, new cliques have formed and everyone is OBSESSED with the new guy on campus.

Rhett Bennett is gorgeous. Lethally charming. Absolutely full of himself. He’s also the star quarterback of the football team and suddenly everyone on campus is a sports fan.

He is everything Willow should never want yet…he’s all she can think about. And when she realizes Rhett might feel the same way about her, she’s desperate to throw away her good girl reputation and do bad things.

Only with him.

Pre-order your copy today!

https://geni.us/ghiEu0V

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3HYWQYS

Meet Monica


Monica Murphy is a New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling romance author. Her books have been translated in almost a dozen languages and have sold over two million copies worldwide. Both a traditionally published and independently published author, she writes young adult, new adult and contemporary romance.

A native Californian, she lives on fourteen acres in the middle of nowhere with her husband, son, their goofy dog, and three cats. When she’s not writing, she’s thinking about writing. Or reading. Or binge watching something.

Connect with Monica

Website: http://monicamurphyauthor.com

Goodreads:  http://bit.ly/MonicaMurphyGR

Amazon:  http://amzn.to/1YUl0Vm

Facebook: http://bit.ly/MonicaMurphyFB

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/monicamurphyreadergroup/

Instagram: http://bit.ly/MonicaMurphyIG

Twitter: http://bit.ly/MonicaMurphyTW

Bookbub: http://bit.ly/2ZAthV1

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

Verve Romance: https://ververomance.com/app/monicamurphy

Cover Reveal…My Dark Desire by L.J. Shen & Parker S. Huntington

L.J. Shen, Parker S. Huntington have revealed the covers for My Dark Desire!

Releasing March 10, 2024

From Wall Street Journal bestsellers Parker S. Huntington and L.J. Shen comes a tantalizing forbidden romance between a broken Prince Charming and a disgraced Cinderella.

The task was simple.

Sneak into Potomac’s most heavily guarded manor.

Steal back my pendant. Slip out.

Problem number one?

America’s most unattainable bachelor caught me.

Problem number two?

He decided to keep me. As the help.

Zachary Sun’s winter may be the coldest I’ve ever felt,

but he makes my skin burn.

Reserved, calculated, and savagely cruel,

he thrives on the weaknesses of others.

Little does he know, he just met his match.

He may be American royalty.

But this peasant will rise to become Queen.

Preorder your copy today!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3SMJuE5         

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/48iSWWb 

Meet L.J. Shen


L.J. Shen is a Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Washington Post, and #1 Amazon bestselling author of contemporary, new adult, and young adult romance. Her books have been translated in over twenty different countries, and she hopes to visit all of them.

She lives in Florida with her husband, three rowdy sons, and even rowdier pets. She enjoys good wine, bad reality TV shows, and reading to her heart’s content., Parker S. Huntington is a stay-at-home dog mom from SoCal, where she discovered her allergy to rain. In spite of her shoddy attendance record and strong aversion to homework, she earned a B.A. in Creative Writing from the University of California, Riverside and an A.L.M. in Literature from Harvard. When she’s not writing or exchanging food pics with her friends, she’s binge-watching an unhealthy amount of Netflix while curled up with her dogs.

Meet Parker S. Huntington



Parker hates talking about herself and is (also) allergic to social media, but you can catch up with her in her newsletter at www.parkershuntington.com. Occasionally, she’ll post a TikTok video, which you can find at @parkershuntington.

Connect with L.J. Shen, Parker S. Huntington

Website | https://www.authorljshen.com/ 

https://www.parkershuntington.com

Goodreads | https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13531492.L_J_Shen

https://www.goodreads.com/goodreadscomparkershuntington

Amazon | https://amzn.to/41KqHgC

https://www.amazon.com/author/parkershuntington

Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/authorljshen

https://www.facebook.com/parkershuntington

Facebook Group |  https://www.facebook.com/groups/813953952051284

https://www.facebook.com/groups/Parkerettes

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

https://www.instagram.com/parkershuntington

TikTok |  https://www.tiktok.com/@authorljshen

Twitter |  https://twitter.com/lj_shen

Bookbub |  https://www.bookbub.com/profile/l-j-shen

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/parker-s-huntington

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

Newsletter |  https://bit.ly/3LhsIrb

https://parkershuntington.com/pages/the-vip-list

Series Cover Reveal…The Perfect Game Series by J. Sterling

⚾ 𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐒 𝐂𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑 𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐀𝐋 ⚾

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐞 Series by New York Times bestselling author J. Sterling is rereleasing on March 28th!! We are thrilled to share the NEW COVERS for the series with you!

Get the series before release here: https://geni.us/ThePerfectGame

Add the series to your GR TBR: https://www.goodreads.com/series/92944-the-perfect-game

𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐞:

He’s a game she never intended to play.

And she’s the game changer he never knew he needed.

The Perfect Game tells the story of college juniors, Cassie Andrews & Jack Carter. When Cassie meets rising baseball hopeful Jack, she is determined to steer clear of him and his typical cocky attitude. But Jack has other things on his mind… like getting Cassie to give him the time of day.

They’re both damaged, filled with mistrust and guarded before they find one another (and themselves) in this emotional journey about love and forgiveness. Strap yourselves for a ride that will not only break your heart, but put it back together.

Sometimes life gets ugly before it gets beautiful…

Covers designed by: Murphy Rae

Find more books by J. Sterling here: https://www.jsterlingbooks.com

𝐁𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐔𝐩: https://forms.gle/SexFeF9sC7WqphTs5

Sneak Peek…The Surrogate by Penelope Ward

Title: The Surrogate
Author: Penelope Ward
Genre: Standalone Contemporary Romance
Tropes: Age Gap/Widower/Found Family
Forbidden/Enemies to Friends to Lovers
Release Date: February 26, 2024
BLURB

From New York Times bestselling author Penelope Ward comes a new, STANDALONE novel…

ABBY:

I’m falling for the father of the baby I’m carrying.
The problem is: it’s not my baby.
And the broody widower is not looking for a long-term partner.
As a surrogate, the deal was that I’d only be in England long enough to give birth.
At first, the man seemed as pretentious as his name: Sigmund Benedictus.
He and I butted heads.
Sig challenged my intentions, accused me of just wanting to do this for the money.
Gradually, he learned to trust me.
He even became protective.
Over time, our heated animosity turned into fiery chemistry.
I was falling in love with him.
But my time here had a limit.
I needed to protect my heart from the devastatingly gorgeous older man who’d end up breaking it.

SIG:

When my in-laws told me they wanted to use my dead wife’s eggs to conceive a grandchild, I wasn’t immediately on board.
They swore that on her deathbed Britney told them it was what she wanted—but only if I fathered the baby. Her parents insisted they would be the ones to raise it.
Against my better judgment, I agreed.
I vowed to keep my heart out of it, though.
I’d continue to pretend it wasn’t happening and live the empty, single life I’d become accustomed to the past five years since Britney died.
And despite the fact that a certain younger American named Abby Knickerbocker had awakened things inside me that I thought were long dead…
I most certainly wouldn’t fall in love with the surrogate.

PRE-ORDER LINKS
**No Amazon e-book preorder.
Both the Kindle version and man-cover paperback will go live on/around release day. 
The current paperback preorder is for the special-edition cover only.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT

AGE GAP

WIDOWER
BRITISH HERO
FOUND FAMILY
SLOW BURN
FORBIDDEN
ENEMIES-TO-FRIENDS-TO-LOVERS

EXCERPT
Copyright © 2023

By Penelope Ward
My phone rang, and I looked down to find it was Lourdes, a woman I’d hung out with over a year ago. She’d been texting me lately to get together, and I’d been ignoring her messages. I silenced the ringer.
“Who was that?” Abby asked.
“Someone named—none of your business.”
“A woman? Is that why you’re in such a rush to get back to London?”
“Trust me, I haven’t met anyone worth rushing anywhere for.”
“Well, excuse me, Mr. Picky.”
I rolled over a bit to face her, resting my chin on my hand. “You think it’s odd to be selective?”
“I don’t think you’re being selective. I think you’re closed off to everyone. There’s a difference.”
“You seem to have me pegged, but what about you? Why are you single?”
“I had a bad experience, as I think I’ve mentioned, and haven’t felt like having my heart toyed with again.”
“How long ago was that? The guy who broke up with you…”
“Nearly three years now.”
“But you’ve dated since that breakup.”
“Yeah. There’ve been a few brief…”
“Hookups?” I arched a brow.
“I guess I can admit that now that you’re not actively assessing my character.”
“Why would I judge you for that? Sex is natural—necessary for survival, if you ask me.”
“You just don’t want to have anything to do with the women after.”
Unable to deny it, I shrugged. “There haven’t been that many women since Britney. At least nothing compared to when I was younger. Most of the time, I meet someone and decide not to go through with anything. But of the encounters I have had, yeah, it’s never mattered whether I saw them again.”
“What was different about Britney? I mean, when you met her? How did you know she was the one?”
My chest constricted. “I’d love to be able to give you a less cliché answer—because I hate clichés—but I just knew. After about an hour together, I never wanted to be apart from her.”
“Fair enough. They say that’s what happens sometimes. You just know.”
“You’ve never experienced that?”
“Nope.” Abby shook her head. “Still waiting for it to happen to me.” She smiled. “Anyway, for the record, I don’t just hook up with people randomly, like some people.” She elbowed me. “I have to know them first.”
“Knowing you, Abby, I can’t imagine you not asking someone a million questions before you sleep with them.”
“Well, yeah. I need to know who I’m dealing with. I’m not going to waste my time with anyone who’s not a good person—even if I’m wildly attracted to them.”
“Sometimes less is more,” I mumbled.
“This from the man who interrogated me the first time he met me.”
“Well, I need to know a bit more about someone who’s going to be carrying my child than I would someone I’m merely going to…”
“F*ck?” She finished my sentence.
The word on her tongue gave me an unwanted thrill. I wouldn’t have minded hearing her say it a few more times, which probably meant I needed my head checked.
“You wanna go?” she asked.
Somehow I’d forgotten my urgency to leave. I’d become pretty comfortable in this spot on the hay. It wasn’t about the hay at all, though, was it?
“Well, now you’ve made me lazy. You’re a bad influence, Knickerbocker.”
She leaned her head on her hand. “Why don’t you just sleep at the inn tonight? Lavinia loves your company.”
“She’ll be conked out by the time we get back there, but I suppose you have a point. At this hour, I might as well just drive into London with you in the morning.”
“You keep work clothes at The Bainbridge, right?”
“Yes. I have everything I need in my room.” I looked out through the barn door. It was now completely nightfall. “Now that it’s dark, you need to be careful driving back.”
“You’ll be behind me anyway, in case I run into trouble, right?”
“Well, you won’t find me driving in front of you ever again,” I teased.
“Good one.” She laughed as she stood and brushed off her dress. “Can you turn around for a minute?”
I narrowed my eyes but did as she asked. “Okay…why am I doing this?”
A few seconds passed. “All good now.”
“What was that all about?” I asked.
“You promise not to make fun of me?”
“No. But tell me anyway.”
“I had a piece of hay stuck in my underwear.” She flashed a goofy smile.
And then…I laughed for what felt like the first time in years.

AUTHOR BIO

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 forty books. Her novels have been translated into over a dozen languages and can be found in bookstores around the world.

AUTHOR LINKS
OTHER BOOKS BY PENELOPE WARD

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Cover & Excerpt Reveal…Broken Ice, Mended Hearts by Ryan Taylor & Joshua Harwood

Cover & Excerpt Reveal

BROKEN ICE, MENDED HEARTS

Bethesda Barracudas Hockey #6

by Ryan Taylor & Joshua Harwood

Release Date: March 20, 2024


Cover Design:

Story Styling Cover Designs
Photo:
Wander Aguiar Photography
Model: Tristan


Genre: M/M Hockey Romance Standalone

Trope: Second chance, age-gap, found family, college professor/student, HEA



Synopsis

PIERRE (“GAGS”)

My life is complicated.

Hell, I’m complicated.

I don’t know a life beyond how I’m perceived. After a devastating divorce, it looked like I never would.

Can a hockey fight change your life?

I may not understand my attraction to Sven Holmer, but I can tell you my obsession with kissing him started in the middle of a fight. When we met again, the conversation was easy, the banter effortless. Once stolen glances gave way to secret touches, I was more confused than ever. How the hell am I supposed to handle it when everything I’ve always believed about myself no longer fits?

Things are great… until they aren’t.

Our connection deepens with every minute we spend together, but like me, Sven is no stranger to betrayal and heartache. Between my stubbornness, his reservations, and the start of a new season, how can we survive months apart?

When tragedy strikes, all bets are off. I just hope it’s not too late.

Broken Ice, Mended Hearts features two thirty-something hockey players hardened by heartbreak. This compelling, angsty book includes a bisexual awakening, hurt/comfort, found family, first times, high heat, and a hard-earned HEA. Though it is part of the Bethesda Barracudas Hockey series, it can be read as a standalone.



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Excerpt

PROLOGUE

Gags

The sharp grind of skates cutting through the ice blended with the thunderous roar of twenty thousand Barracuda fans, drowning out all but the adrenaline-fueled rush toward the goal. Todd Cleever, my D-partner, had the puck, and his breakaway had caught everyone off guard. Twenty feet from our goal, a Congressman had tried to send a pass to his teammate, but Cleevs intercepted the puck and streaked away toward the Congressmen’s zone.

Sven Holmer, one of the Congressmen’s defensemen, had been shadowing Cleevs, and he proved to be the only player able to keep up with him. I chased our center, Nick Johnson, down the ice, hoping to give him cover. After crossing the blue line, Cleevs banked left toward the goal, giving Holmer the angle he needed to block his way. Nick and I approached from the opposite side, and when Nick called for the puck, Cleevs turned to make the pass. Holmer, recognizing the threat, changed course and headed in our direction.

Nick caught the pass and unleashed a shot on goal. Before the crowd could react to the puck finding the net, Holmer crashed into Nick. As the horn sounded, my vision turned as red as the goal light. I pushed off with mayhem on my mind, and by the time our teammates caught up with Nick for the celly, I was already in Holmer’s face. “You dumb shit,” I yelled. “He’d already made his shot.”

“Fuck you! I was doing my job.”

“Your job’s gonna get somebody hurt.” I shoved him backward. “Maybe you.”

“Motherfucker!”

“Eat shit, dumbass!”

He dropped his gloves and lunged at me, but the momentum nearly toppled him, and he grabbed me to keep from falling. As we teetered, I flung off my gloves and wrapped my arms around him to steady us both. When I was sure we weren’t going to fall, I let go with my right hand and pulled my arm back. I landed a powerful punch, and the impact resonated with the sickening thud of flesh against flesh. Intent on retaliating, Holmer struggled to break free, but his strategy shifted after I punched him again. Clutching me with both arms, he refused to let go.

“Get off, you son of a bitch,” I yelled, unable to break his vise-like grip. When we were on the verge of toppling over, I had no other option but to wrap both arms around him again. Locked in an awkward, hateful hug, we balanced each other as our enraged curses colored the air. While the crowd bayed for blood, I desperately tried to break free.

When we inevitably crashed to the ice, I found myself on top of him, poised for the advantage. I clenched my fist, ready to deliver another blow. My focus shifted abruptly when his brilliant blue eyes captured my attention. They shimmered under the unforgiving arena lights, looking as deep as the ocean. The fight’s urgency waned, and I froze in place, staring down at him. While I struggled to decide the exact shade of blue in his eyes, the game receded into the background.

His scent enveloped me, an intoxicating blend of sweat and testosterone, and I leaned closer. As I lowered myself, he molded his body against mine, the sensation reminiscent of a lover’s embrace. I tore my gaze from his eyes, only to be entranced by his pouty, pink lips, stained with a telltale hint of blood from one of my punches.

He ran his tongue over them, sending a surge of desire rippling through me. Incredibly, I longed to kiss him and relish the lingering traces of our battle. As he angled his head back and moved his hips against me, my dick thickened inside my cup. Shit, please tell me I’m not getting hard in the middle of a game.

Drawn by an inexplicable force, I lowered my head, grappling with the reality that I was about to kiss a man on national TV. My heart raced as he smirked—a daring challenge or an invitation to continue?—and a wisp of his hot breath caressed my cheek. Holmer’s eyes widened when a ref began tugging on my jersey and calling our names. We clung to each other, not wanting the moment to end.

“Break it up, guys. On your feet.”

We didn’t budge, and the officials struggled to lift me off him. After they dragged us both upright, a ref passed sentence: “Five minutes each. Fighting.”

Our eyes met again, and Holmer quirked an eyebrow. Just before a linesman swiveled me toward the sin bin, Holmer worked his lips into a small smile.

My heart hammered the entire time I was in the box. What the actual fuck? That was the damnedest fight I’ve ever had. One thing’s for sure, I need to get laid tonight.

BROKEN ICE, MENDED HEARTS: Copyright © 2024 Ryan Taylor & Joshua Harwood. All rights reserved.


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About the Authors

Ryan Taylor met his husband and co-author, Joshua Harwood, in law school. They live in a suburb of Washington, DC, and share their home with a big, cuddly German shepherd. Ryan and Josh love to travel. In addition, Ryan also enjoys swimming, and Josh likes to putter in the garden whenever he can. They began writing to celebrate the romance they were so lucky to find with each other, and the sharing soon developed into a passion for telling stories about love between out and proud men.


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Cover Reveal…Shattered Vows by P. Rayne

P. Rayne has revealed the gorgeous cover for Shattered Vows!

Releasing: May 9, 2024

Cover Design: Regina Wamba

Once upon a time, elusive billionaire and former special ops soldier, Kol Voss, thought

he’d found his happy ever after. Until she ruined it all.

He’s been on the hunt for four years, searching for Rapsody, and he’s finally found her.

They say revenge is best served cold, and Kol agrees, planning the perfect revenge by

kidnapping Rapsody on the day she intends to marry another man.

Then he quickly realizes she still has him under her thrall and he’s susceptible to falling

for her again. But if she didn’t want him all those years ago, she definitely wouldn’t want

the damaged, corrupted version of him now.

SHATTERED VOWS is a contemporary, dark romance, retelling of Rapunzel. 

Full blurb to come.

Pre-order your copy today!

https://books2read.com/svpr

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/4bDsJnl

Meet P. Rayne


The darker side of USA Today Bestselling Author, Piper Rayne. 

Connect with P. Rayne 

Website: https://piperrayne.com/p-rayne

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3Gzm5B3

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/P.-Rayne/author/B0BR8M62DL

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/P-Rayne-Dark-Romance-Author-101312172854095

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

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@praynedarkromance