|
Coming August 1st Add to your Goodreads shelf now. Or pre-order exclusively via iBooks HERE Bestselling author Devon Hartford brings you another scorching hot and scandalous standalone romance. SOME SECRETS ARE TOO HARD TO KEEP The night the EMTs rolled Lion Maxwell into my ER turned my life upside down. Although he was bloody and battered from defending his title as the WMAA’s reigning cruiserweight champion, his cocky grin lit up the room. And every cell in my body. Our fiery chemistry was off the charts. The ER staff sensed it. Lion’s entourage and his drooling groupies sensed it too. If the two of us had been alone, I might have done something entirely unprofessional and completely unethical right there in the exam room. But I was his attending physician. A sexual or romantic relationship with him was grounds for my termination or worse, revoking my medical license. I wouldn’t risk my career on a moment of passion. It didn’t stop that arrogant caveman from doing everything he could to get me into his hospital bed. After denying his advances for weeks, the last thing I expected were the wild nights he would be spending in my bed. It was supposed to be nothing more than a secret fling. I knew it couldn’t last. He was still my patient. What we were doing was wrong. If anyone found out, it could ruin my life. But we couldn’t let go. We were bound to each other on some primal level that consumed us. Sometimes love is tragic. Sometimes two people aren’t meant to be together. But sometimes, two people overcome all adversity and build a love that lasts forever. I knew deep in my heart that Lion Maxwell could be my happily ever after. As long as we kept our love a secret. I wish I’d known that some secrets are too hard to keep… Chapter 1
BRIGID
I didn’t have time for men. As an attending physician at the busy Los Angeles Central Hospital, I had too many responsibilities. Caring for my patients was always my top priority. For me, dating was an afterthought. But I wasn’t a robot. I noticed men all the time. For example, several of the EMTs who wheeled patients into the Emergency Care Unit every night were to die for. The boys in blue were just as yummy, ember-eyed Officer Noah Murdock being the yummiest. The firemen from the LAFD were even more gorgeous. My favorites were Troy and Rick from Station 10. Both were regulars here in the ECU. Both were also smoking hot and known not only for saving lives and putting out fires, but for starting fires—in women’s panties, and not just mine. Ask any of the women on the ECU team (and some of the men). Troy and Rick were also known for appearing topless in the LAFD Firefighter’s calendar hanging in our team break room. In it, both men sported oiled-up abs and bulging shoulders while looking rugged and sweaty and deadly sexy in their suspiciously low hanging firemen’s pants. Troy was Mother’s Day May and Rick was I wish me a Merry Christmas December. Yes, I skipped ahead to check. Several times a week. Like I said, I noticed men all the time. But I was too busy doing my job to date any. When I wasn’t here at the hospital, I was the on call physician and had to come in at the most unexpected times. Not ideal for dating. Most weeks it seemed like I lived here. After setting a broken arm in exam room 102, I walked out to fill out the relevant paperwork before taking my next patient. Latisha Brown, the charge nurse, fell into step beside me and said, “Girl, you gonna wet yourself when you get a look at the fine man in 109. Mmm, mmm, mmm.” She muttered it in a low voice as we walked toward the nurses station. Latisha and I gossiped about hot men all the time. It helped keep things light when they got too serious. “Man brought a whole entourage with him.” I glanced over at the door to 109. A dozen people crowded the entrance. More were packed inside the room. “Is he somebody famous?” “Not that I know. But he oughta be a model, the way he looks. Or an actor. Or my next hookup. Mmm, mmm, I’m telling you, girl.” Her eyes glimmered with desire. “I had to change my drawers after helping Allison check his vitals.” “Why?” I snickered. “On account of my lady parts was perspiring.” She winked. “He can’t be that hot.” “You ain’t seen him yet. The way he looks, that boy must live in a gym. Allison’s hands were shaking so bad when she tried to slide the blood pressure cuff up his arm, I had to do it for her.” “I’m sure you hated every second of it.” “Every last one.” She chuckled. “Do you have his medical record?” Now I was curious. She reached over the counter of the nurses station and grabbed a chart off the rack. “Here you go. Before you go in, I should warn you about the python in his pants.” “Python? An actual python?” From time to time, patients came into the ECU with the strangest things attached to or inserted inside themselves. The obvious: nipple clamps, cock rings, dildos, vibrators, anal beads, condoms, tampons. The not so obvious: fruits, vegetables, latex gloves, flashlights, a toy car, a glass light bulb. Yes, an actual light bulb. When I extracted it, Latisha was on hand. I held it up and said, “This gives me an idea.” Latisha struggled not to laugh. The patient was half passed out on muscle relaxants (we were worried about shattering the lightbulb) and he lay face down on the bed. The light bulb was a first for everyone on staff that night. But top of the list for Latisha and me went a step weirder. Two summers ago, we performed a Rectal Foreign Body Removal of a smallish garden gnome, complete with red pointy hat, from a male patient. The man had said he “fell on it” while gardening. By “fell” he meant “sat down.” On purpose. Multiple times. After discharging him and sending the man home with his gnome, I warned him to be more careful while “gardening” in the future. In private, I’d asked Latisha if she thought the man did his “gardening” in the nude. She said no, he probably wore assless chaps at the very least, so as to protect him from thorns and thistles. I had said, but not from gnomes? We had both broken into laughter at that point. “You remembering that nasty ass gnome, ain’t you?” “Sadly.” I chuckled. “Don’t worry, the python in 109 is warm blooded. But I’ll get you the anti-venom kit, just in case.” “Tisha, pythons aren’t warm blooded and they don’t have venom.” “This one does.” Her eyes flared for a moment before she swallowed a ticking snicker, doing her best to maintain a professional demeanor. It wasn’t working. “And it spits like a cobra if you get it all riled up.” We both giggled naughtily. “When was the last time you got any? You sound completely desperate.” “More recently than you. And that ain’t saying much.” “Don’t remind me.” I groaned while flipping through the man’s chart. I read his name out loud. “Lion Maxwell? That can’t be his real name.” “I think it is.” “Who names their child Lion?” “Shoulda named him Snake,” she said seriously. I glared at her and struggled not to laugh as I walked toward the crowd outside 109. It consisted of several men wearing matching gold on black T-shirts emblazoned with a roaring lion and the slogan #TeamLion - FEEL THE BEAST. Why did that sound vaguely sexual? The other men standing outside wore suits or blazers and slacks. There were also a few women best described as trashy strippers: tight micro skirts, flashy bedazzled tops with too much cleavage, fake boobs, spray tans, garish makeup, etc. I’m sure a significant portion of the male population found women like these highly desirable, but to me they looked like sparkly clowns. One of the strippers had a strategically messy pile of dark hair on her head that was the largest I’d seen since the late 1980s. On her, somehow it worked. Her eyes raked over me with obvious judgement and a hint of a challenge, like she saw me as competition. Competition for what, I wasn’t sure. She sneered, “Who are you?” I wanted to say, Was the stethoscope and white lab coat not enough of a giveaway? But I was a professional and kept it to myself. “I’m the doctor.” “Oh.” “Mind if I see my patient?” “Whatever,” she huffed and turned her back to me. I squeezed past her into the exam room. More burly men in #TeamLion T-shirts filled the room. Latisha was right. One look at the nearly naked man reclining on the hospital bed said it all. He made my favorite firefighters Troy and Rick look like regular Joes. Lion Maxwell was in another league. He was dangerously gorgeous. Emphasis on danger. Thick dark hair and equally dark eyes added a brooding quality. A number of contusions and cuts were scattered over his face and torso, but on him it looked good, like they belonged there. This man was a warrior and he’d obviously been in a fight. Even lying down, he exuded a masculine energy that said Do not mess with me or I will destroy you. Add to that his perfect body that was hard and scarred and chiseled in the extreme. Exactly what you would expect from the king of the beasts. A wave of desire rained down from my head to my toes. I pushed it away. I was here to work, not languish in his good looks. My eyes focused on his splinted knee. The EMS team had already stabilized the knee joint with orange board splints and stretch bandages. Lion’s chart had said dislocation of the joint with possible torn ligaments and/or tibial avulsion fracture, which meant the kneecap tendon contracted so hard it tore off a chunk of bone from the lower leg. The swelling was bad enough it could be any or all of those things. Only an MRI would reveal the full extent of the injury. “Who ordered the foxy doctor?” Lion said from the bed, relaxed and amused. His voice was deep and slightly gravelly. It shook me out of my diagnostic train of thought and did things to me that were entirely inappropriate. The men surrounding him all turned to face me like a pack of jackals. All had hungry eyes. Welcome to the lion’s den. I’d never felt so much testosterone in one room. Most of it came from Lion and made me feel like a piece of meat, the kind that gets hunted down by ravenous carnivores on the plains of the Serengeti. Lion’s dark and dangerous eyes roamed all over me. “Please tell me you’re my doctor.” His men chuckled approval. Obviously, Lion was the king of these beasts. But I needed to get this situation under control. Not a problem. I was in my element. “I’m Dr. Flanagan. What happened to you, Mr. Maxwell?” “Call me Lion. Everybody does.” That voice. It oozed confidence and resonated in my chest like he was invading me. If he kept talking in that sexy voice of his, I was going to be the one doing the oozing. I needed to stay focused. I was a doctor, not a giddy teenager. So I took a moment to collect myself in case I started babbling like one. Lion smirked at me. A hungry sexy smirk. I offered a curt smile and swallowed hard. The giddy teenager in me wanted desperately to bat my eyelashes at this gorgeous man. More chuckles rumbled from Lion’s men as they watched me trying to hold it together. One said, “Go easy on her, Lion.” Another: “She looks fragile. You don’t wanna spook her.” Spook me? What, like I was some kind of dainty deer wandering through the forest, scared of the big bad mountain Lion? Not even close. I was the opposite of fragile. Lion said, “What’s the matter, Doc? Cat got your tongue?” I smirked. “Very funny, Mr. Maxwell. I was just taking a moment to ignore your arrogance in hopes that it would go away. But we all know wishful thinking never works.” “Don’t worry. I’ve got more where that came from.” More what, I didn’t want to know. Mainly because I was afraid I would like it, whatever it was. One of the other men said, “Don’t mind him. He’s always like this with the ladies.” Lion laughed easily. “You trying to make me look bad, Cahill?” Cahill chortled. “When it comes to looking like a tool, you don’t need any help from me.” “But if I did, you’d be the first man I’d ask for lessons.” The men laughed again. Cahill laughed too. Clearly, this group was the best of friends. Or frat brothers. All they needed was a keg and a stack of plastic cups to get this party started. “So, Mr. Maxwell. About your knee.” I said it loud enough to get everyone’s attention. “Can you tell me what happened?” “Busted it up in the cage tonight.” “Championship fight,” Cahill added. The nice thing about having an entourage of your own was that they could parade your ego around for you, so you didn’t look arrogant. I wasn’t fooled. They were on his payroll. Being polite, I said, “Did you win?” “Do you have to ask?” Lion cocked his bad boy grin. Had there been any women in the room, the sound of panties dropping would’ve been overwhelming. Obviously I was wrong about him needing his men to parade his ego around. He was more than happy to do it himself. I was over it. “I take it you won. But your knee looks like the biggest loser tonight, Mr. Maxwell.” “You afraid to say my name, Doc?” “I just did.” Hoots from the men. One said, “She bad, Lion. Watch out she don’t bite you.” Lion stared at me, eyes locked on mine. “She can bite me all she wants.” He shifted on the bed and let his uninjured knee fall to the side, opening his legs. He wore only skin tight gold lycra shorts. Otherwise, he was entirely naked. I kept my eyes locked on his. I didn’t have to look directly to see he was packing. His huge bulge practically filled the room. Latisha hadn’t been exaggerating about him having a python. “Like what you see, Doc?” I wasn’t taking the bait and I wasn’t going to look. But I was going to stare him down. More muttering from the men as they watched our staring contest. I was aware that nothing was going to get accomplished if I didn’t put my foot down and stop this frat party. In a strong voice I said, “Gentlemen! Do I have to clear the room?!” They looked shocked. Lion was as cool as a cat. “You trying to get me alone, Doc?” “No. I’m just trying to do my job, Mr. Maxwell.” “You don’t have to deny it, Doc. I could tell you wanted me the second you laid eyes on me,” Not anymore, I don’t. And, could you be any more cocky? I mean, aside from the python in your pants? And did he really think using sexually suggestive words like “laid” was going to work on me? Was that his idea of hypnotism? Did he really think it would make me imagine having sex with him? Hardly. Hard. A few of the men started tittering like this was middle school and I was their pushover substitute teacher, the one who didn’t know how to herd the class clowns into their pens when they misbehaved. Wrong. I clapped my hands together and barked, “That’s it! All of you, out! Now! This isn’t a locker room. This is my house and we play by my rules! The exit is that way, gentlemen.” Like a football referee, I swung both arms around and pointed out the door. Too bad I didn’t have a referee whistle to blow in their faces. I hid a smile. Game, set, and match. “Want me to leave too, Doc?” The innocent look on Lion’s face was completely fake. I glared at him. “Are you always this defiant?” “Always.” And proud of it, no doubt. “If you weren’t my patient, I would throw you out with the rest of them. Unfortunately, I devoted my life to helping the sick and injured, no matter how annoying they may be.” His men laughed and hooted. I wheeled on them. “Zip it! All of you! Were you not able to find the door?” Considering the room was twelve by twelve feet, even an earthworm could find its way out. Then again, the average earthworm probably had a higher IQ than all these men combined. Lion smiled at me, the wheels behind his eyes turning, no doubt wondering what other thing he could do to harass me. I arched my eyebrows, daring him to speak. Finally, he chuckled. “Better do what the doctor says, fellas.” Cowed, the men shuffled out of the room, grumbling as they went. It infuriated me that they obeyed him and not me. Not that it mattered. Mission accomplished. Divide and conquer. Never fight the enemy all at once if you can take them down one at a time. At least they left. Order restored, I closed the door, but left it open a crack. Now it was just me trapped in this cage with Lion. Somebody get me a chair and a whip. Scratch that. Make it a tranquilizer rifle. I swear I’ll put this animal down if he tries anything. And someone call the taxidermist. Lion’s head is going up on my office wall on a plaque. Which reminds me, I’ll need to get a photo of me standing with my shoe on his head to commemorate the kill. The picture can go right next to the taxidermy head. I repressed another smile. “What’re you smiling about, Doc?” “Oh, nothing.” “Anybody ever tell you you got an iron fist?” I wanted to say, Yes, and I’ll use it on you if you don’t behave. But it was time for me to get to work, so I kept my mouth shut. “I like that in a woman.” “Is that so?” I was trying to be polite. His taste in women was not my concern, but I was slightly flattered he didn’t consider me a bitch. Slightly. I had never been afraid to stand up for myself even if it meant being labelled a bitch. “Yeah. I can take control all day long. I do every time I step in the cage. I think that’s why I like a woman who doesn’t take shit from anyone.” “That’s me. But I make an exception when asking my patients for stool samples. Then I will take their shit with a straight face.” It was a dumb joke. But it just slipped out. He snorted. “You’re clever, Doc.” I was surprised he found that funny. “You got a man?” I saw where this was going and I didn’t want to encourage him. His injured knee was my focus. I wanted to get the paperwork started for an MRI so I could move on to other patients. So I ignored his question. “Let’s get these bandages off so I can get a better idea of what’s going on.” I started to carefully unwrap the splint. “You didn’t answer my question.” I didn’t respond. I wasn’t going to get sucked back into flirtation. Since we’d already established that he found my iron fist a turn on, I needed another approach to keep him in line. The next best strategy was re-direction, a tactic that worked well with toddlers. That meant it would probably work well with Lion. “Can you tell me what happened when you injured your knee? What I mean is, did it twist more than normal? Were there any popping noises? Anything you can tell me will help.” “I’ll make you a deal, Doc. For every question of yours I answer, you gotta answer one of mine.” I smiled. “No deal.” “Then I’m not talking.” Ahhh, toddlers. They can be so stubborn. He folded his muscular arms across his equally muscular chest. Everything bulged magnificently, even his bulge, which I was still ignoring. But I couldn’t miss his charming grin. It had gone from ferocious to adorably playful. Sometimes, the best way to let a man down was with a compliment. “Mr. Maxwell. I’m flattered that you’re interested. I mean it. You’re a handsome man with a sense of humor. If we’d met under different circumstances, who knows. But we didn’t, and I need you to understand one thing.” “What’s that?” “It’s against the rules for a doctor to date a patient.” “What rules?” “The rules set down by the Medical Board of California and this hospital. Dating patients is considered unethical and therefore strictly verboten.” “Who needs rules?” “Let me ask you something, Mr. Maxwell.” “Shoot.” “You’re what, a boxer?” “Mixed martial arts. Cage fighter.” I ignored the fact that the term cage fighter conjured up all kinds of sexy images of him, me, a gloomy torch-lit cage that vaguely resembled some kind of sexual torture chamber (in a good way), and both of us sweating. A lot. While naked. Him grunting. Me moaning. Excessive amounts of bodily fluids would be exchanged as sexual organs shamelessly filled all relevant orifices with said bodily fluids. The orgasm count would be in the triple digits. “You okay, Doc?” “Yes.” I cleared my throat, trying to block out the onslaught of images. I needed to re-direct my own giddy teenaged train of thought. What had he just said? Something about rules? Oh yes, rules. “Are you allowed to hit your opponent in the eye or the groin during a cage fight?” “No. Eye gouges and groin strikes are off limits. If you do it on purpose, you’ll get disqualified, automatically lose the fight, and get fined by the judicial board.” I arched an eyebrow. “Imagine that. And, have you ever hit anyone in the groin during a fight? I mean, on purpose?” Why did I say groin? Groin groin groin. I pushed the thought away. “No way. That would be against the—” He stopped short. “The what?” He refused to answer, but his adorable grin returned. “Sounds like you follow the rules, Mr. Maxwell. When it suits you.” The slightest hint of a blush reddened beneath his tan skin. He chuckled. “You got me, Doc.” “Rules, Mr. Maxwell. We all follow them, often when we don’t want to.” “So you’re saying you would date me if it wasn’t against the rules?” “I said maybe. And we all know maybe means no. Ask any kid, they’ll tell you.” He chuckled. “Right.” Why did I feel like I was flirting again? I swear, that wasn’t my plan. The truth was, I really was flattered he was interested in me. Men of his caliber rarely spoke to me let alone threw themselves at me. But technically it was too late. I would be remiss if I didn’t follow my own rules. The ECU wasn’t my own personal singles bar. It was my place of work. As far as I was concerned, every patient who walked through the front doors was off limits, no matter how attracted I was to them or vice versa. “I’m very sorry, Mr. Maxwell. You’re my patient. That’s not going to change.” “Okay. Then I won’t be your patient. You haven’t done anything yet so get me another doctor. Please.” I almost bristled at his order. Nobody told me what to do. But the please he added at the end stopped me short. As did his adorable smile. “I did unwrap your bandage. See? It’s too late.” “Shit, I coulda unwrapped it. You gonna tell me if you put a Band-Aid on a guy, he’s your patient?” “Yes. If it happens here in the ECU, definitely.” “That’s ridiculous.” “That’s a rule. And we all know rules are sometimes ridiculous. But most aren’t.” “Just get me another doc, Doc.” “I wish I could, Mr. Maxwell. Unfortunately, we’re busy tonight and we’re short staffed. You would be doing everyone a favor if you just let me treat you.” “I don’t know, Doc. Any doctor can fix my knee. But something tells me you’re the only doctor in the world who can fix a broken heart.” What should have been corny came off charming because he delivered it with such sincerity. “I wish I could help you, but I’m not a cardio thoracic surgeon.” “Huh?” “Sorry. Doctor humor. A heart surgeon. I’m orthopedics. I don’t do hearts. But I am eminently qualified to fix your knee. So let’s focus on that, okay?” “What’s your first name?” I sighed. “If I tell you my first name, I’ll still be your doctor.” “You’re too damn smart for you own good, you know that? That’s what I like about you, Doc. I mean, Ms. Flanagan.” He was looking at my name tag. “Since you’re not my doctor anymore, I’ll have to call you Ms. Flanagan until I know your first name.” “How do you know I’m not a Mrs.?” “I don’t see a ring.” “Maybe I left it at home.” “Don’t see a tan line.” “That’s because I’m always here working and don’t have time to get one.” I had to admit, his persistence was endearing. And he complimented me for being smart, which was the way to my heart. But it wasn’t going to work. “Try as you might, Mr. Maxwell, I will not be dating you. I’m sure one of the nice women waiting outside for you would be happy to take on that responsibility.” If they haven’t already. Everything about his demeanor suggested that he was an accomplished manwhore, which likely meant his telling me I was smart was just a trick to get me into bed. I didn’t do tricks. I’m sure the strippers outside would be happy to turn all the tricks he could ever want. “Them? Nah. They’re just fight groupies. But you? You’re my kind of woman. You’re a boss and a badass and smart as hell.” Tricks, more tricks! “Not to mention your red hair and those mint green eyes make me rock fucking hard.” Tricks, tricks, tricks!!! My eyes aren’t even mint green! They were just plain green. Mint. Pfft. He’s not fooling anybody. Except… me. I finally broke down and stole a glance at his cock. He wasn’t exaggerating. His python was wide awake and straining against his tight lycra shorts. I could see the shape of the head and the shaft through the fabric. When it pulsed, I almost lost my cool. Almost. There was a reason they called me Dr. Freeze in the ECU. I could deal with rude patients, gunshot wounds, and the chaos of trauma all day long. But this was different and that was one long python… “You’re blushing, Ms. Flanagan.” I was also staring. It was a fact that some snakes hypnotized their prey before going in for the kill. I tore my gaze away before his snake ate me. Or I ate it. If I hadn’t been hypnotized, I would’ve been embarrassed by my utter lack of professionalism. But it was the snake’s fault. “You sure you can’t find me another doctor, Irish?” “How did you know I was Irish?” “Flanagan is Irish, isn’t it?” “Yes. But don’t call me Irish.” “Why not? Is it racist or something?” “No, just don’t call me that.” Nicknaming me makes me sort of like you, so stop. “Then tell me your name.” His dark eyes smoldered with the promise of forbidden pleasure, the kind of pleasure that took place in his torchlit caveman’s cage where I could scream out every orgasm he gave me without worrying about waking the neighbors. I hadn’t had an orgasm with a man in ages. And never with a man this magnificent. Like I said earlier, I wasn’t a robot. I had my limits. Apparently, Lion was it. So I caved. I let down my guard and muttered: “You don’t even know me, Mr. Maxwell.” “But I will.” Again with that commanding voice. Low and dangerous and oh so delicious. Ooze. Latisha had been right about the anti-venom kit. I needed one to break the spell that Lion Maxwell had cast over me. If something didn’t break it soon, I was going to make a terrible mistake. Devon Hartford is a dude who writes romantic comedies because he likes to laugh as much as he likes to love. Join Devon's mailing list and you'll receive teasers of his upcoming books before anyone else, exclusive freebie short stories and novellas, and no spam. Copy and paste this link into your web browser to sign up: http://eepurl.com/B7crf Author Links Twitter Facebook Goodreads Amazon
0 Comments
 27 Truths: Ava’s Story (The Truth About Love, Book 1)
Author: MJ Fields Release Date: July 31st Blurb: From USA Today Bestselling author, MJ Fields, comes a gripping story of love and it's many truths. Once upon a time, Luke Lane loved a little, stubborn, delusional girl, and that little girl was me. My fairytale happy ever after always included my black-haired, blue-eyed, knight in shining armor, and that knight was Luke Lane. Then I grew up and convinced myself that it wasn’t a fairytale after all. It was Fate. I twisted Fate to make her story come to life, but Fate fought back, and now I am looking at a man I still love, but he doesn’t feel the same. I have to walk away. Not just for me, but for him. And not for the version of him who broke my heart, but for the version who was truly a knight in shining armor to the little girl I was, so many fairy tales ago. Buy Links: Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2a6A1Tg Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/29SVAHi iBooks: http://bit.ly/27truthsiBooks Nook: http://bit.ly/27truthsnook Goodreads: http://bit.ly/29iLVHH About the Author: USA Today bestselling author MJ Fields love of writing was in full swing by age eight. Together with her cousins, she wrote a newsletter and sold it for ten cents to family members. She self-published her first contemporary, new adult romance in January 2013. Today she has completed seven self-published series, The Love series, The Wrapped series, The Burning Souls series, The Men of Steel series, Ties of Steel series, The Rockers of Steel series and The Norfolk series. MJ is a hybrid author and publishes an Indie book almost every month, and is signed with a traditional publisher, Loveswept, Penguin Random House, for her co- written series The Caldwell Brothers. Hendrix, Morrison, and Jagger. All three books in the series are published. The Caldwell brothers don’t grow into alphas, when their mother passes away they become her legacy, her good in the world of bad. MJ was a former small business owner, who closed shop so she could write full time. She lives in central New York, surrounded by family and friends. Her house is full of pets, friends, and noise ninety percent of the time, and she would have it no other way. Author Links: WEBSITE: http://www.mjfieldsbooks.com FB: facebook.com/MJFieldsBooks TWITTER: @mjfieldsbooks INSTAGRAM: Instagram.com/mjfieldsbooks TUMBLER: mjfieldsbooks.tumblr.com PINTEREST: Pinterest.com/mjfieldsbooks Sign up for MJ’s monthly newsletter with giveaways: http://bit.ly/mjupdates  
Title: Obsession
Series: Seven Deadly Sins #2
Author: Shantal Tessier
Genre: Romantic Suspense Standalone
Release Date: July 26
I have lost those who I have loved.
I have bled for those I hate.
I have lied to those who are honest.
What am I?
You're a sinner dressed in white.
You’re a ghost in the night.
You're the demons that I fight.
Who are you?
Both of us were sinners. She was hell-bent on revenge, and I was determined to let her have it. She was a beautiful sin that alone would be my damnation. And for her, I was willing to dig my own grave. She took what little pride I had left and made me look like a fool. I lusted for a taste of her darkness, for it was the same color as mine. I envied the way she was able to say no, as if she really meant it. I will endure the wrath of having her no matter the cost of my greed. But I have always been a glutton for punishment without any propensity of sloth. She became my obsession and like any other drug, she took all the pain away but brought me to a new level of low. Too bad falling in love with her brought on a different kind of hell that I wasn’t sure we would live through. We were both running from a past that was going to tear apart out future. What I thought was going to be a beautiful beginning turned out to be a torturous end.
I lower my head down to hers and her eyes search my face. The smell of something sweet hits my nose and I inhale sharply. Her eyes wide and breathing heavy. What will he do to me? Is what is running through her mind right now. “Do you want me to attack you like the man downstairs did, or are you gonna point it at me?” I demand keeping my voice even. How stupid she was to let me see her up to her apartment. She’s too trusting. All I had to do was mention Tiffany and she forgot everything else. Even her own safety. This woman needs me.
She gasps and her green eyes harden as her nostrils flare. “Let go of me.” She growls, trying to pull her hair free of my fist. I take a quick look at the gun, she still has it pointed away from me. It’s not gonna happen. She’s only gonna hurt herself.
“Make me.” I say with a smirk. Let’s see what she has to work with. Let me see how well she can fight her way out of a life or death situation. Because I have a feeling that her friend didn’t have a chance. But then again not many women do. The ones who do, are just pure lucky.
She lets out of huff and then lifts her knee. I let go of her hair and I fall to the floor like a boulder falling off a cliff. Bent over and unable to breathe I feel as if I am about to puke on her living room floor.
She kneed me in the balls.
Join Shantel’s three day release party going on July 29-31!RELEASE PARTY 
AMAZON *AMAZON UKAMAZON AU * AMAZON CA 
AMAZON * AMAZON UKAMAZON AU * AMAZON CAB&N * KOBO
Shantel is a Texas born girl who now lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma with her high school sweetheart, who is a wonderful, supportive husband and their six year old little princess. She loves to spend time cuddled up on the couch with a good book
She has published five books in the Undescribable series and 2 books in the DASH series. She considers herself extremely lucky to get to be a stay at home wife and mother. Going to concerts and the movies are just a few of her favorite things to do. She hates coffee, but loves wine. She and her husband are both huge football fans, college and NFL. And she has to feed her high heel addiction by shopping for shoes weekly.
Although she has a passion to write, her family is most important to her. She loves spending evenings at home with her husband and daughter, along with their two cats and dog.
Hosted By:
Title: Refresh
Author: S. Moose
Genre: New Adult/Romantic Suspense
Release Date: July 25, 2016
Blurb
What's left when perfection is gone? Perfection slipped through Caroline Spencer's fingers. One moment she had it all, and then it was gone. All she has left are her memories, her pain, and her close friends. And Mason Ryan was not part of her plan--wasn't even on her radar. After all, he was her husband's best friend. But now that her husband is gone, he's the only person who understands her, feels what she feels, and knows her inside and out. Together, they try to rearrange the shattered pieces of their pain. Sharing their grief pulls them closer together--closer than either of them want to admit and Mason won't allow himself to fall for his best friend's widow. Ultimately, he's holding the one secret that will destroy Caroline--a secret he cannot even bear himself. Will they find a way to refresh their lives when the pain of the past won't dissolve? 
Purchase Links
Excerpt
"Let me add," she says with a smirk, "sex and Mason are like desserts."
"What?" I burst out laughing. "Now listen to me. Sex and Mason are like desserts. There are many sides of Mason and sex consists of different positions all of this like dessert. You see a dessert case and there's everything from fruit tarts to red velvet cake to brownies." "I'm getting hungry now, thanks." "Oh shut up," Tonya laughs and continues with her ridiculous explanation. "These two things go hand in hand. So you can take your time and look at these yummy desserts the way you look at Mason and sex and then when you're ready you'll pick the best most delicious dessert and boom, you and Mason will be having boom boom time." "I can't even with you." I laugh and wipe my tears from laughing so hard. "You're too much."
"Dessert equals Mason and sex. Remember, variety and different tastes!"
Author Bio
S.Moose is a New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author, living in Webster, NY with her family, friends, and shorkie, Charlie. A 2011 St. John Fisher graduate, S.Moose loves to read and write. She enjoys getting lost in the fictional world and creating a place where readers can fall in love and swoon over the cute boys she brings to life. When she isn't in her room in front of her computer or a book, she is with her family and friends being silly and enjoying life. She's romantic at heart and loves anything with a happily ever after.
Author Links
Giveaway
Title: Mistrust
Author: Margaret McHeyzer
Genre: Young Adult
Release Date: July 29, 2016
Blurb
From New York Times bestselling author Margaret McHeyzer....
I’m the popular girl at school. The one everyone wants to be friends with. I have the best boyfriend in the world, who’s on the basketball team. My parents adore me, and I absolutely love them. My sister and I have a great relationship too. I’m a cheerleader, I have a high GPA and I’m liked even by the teachers. It was a night which promised to be filled with love and fun until…something happened which changed everything. 
Purchase Links
Trailer
Excerpt
Dragging myself out of the gymnasium and down the hall, I try and get to the side double-doors. But with no one here to help me, it's difficult. I need to sit for a moment out on the steps leading to the back field and gather myself.
My legs become heavier as I get to the doors. The cyclone happening inside my head is growing thicker while my vision is so unclear I can barely make out any objects. Stumbling down the first step, I barely recognize where I am. “What’s happening?” I think I say. There’s a cacophony of dense sounds; a combination of white noise, mumbling, and a beat which doesn’t make sense.
My eyes are now so heavy I can barely open them and my legs are completely weighted as I attempt to make my way down the stairs. I think I’m going to pass out.
Author Bio
There's something about the written word that is pure magic. Possibly it's the fact there are 26 letters in the English alphabet, and they can create something so beautiful or so empowering they're capable to change our lives. How important is it that we break suit and stretch our minds? I like to think of myself as 'unique'. My stories aren't for everyone, and sometimes I may push what you believe to be 'normal'. Normal is subjective. I prefer to be known as a person who's never been 'bound by custom' but is 'unique by choice'. I hope you do read and enjoy my stories.
Author Links
Title: Refresh
Author: S. Moose
Genre: New Adult/Romantic Suspense
Release Date: July 25, 2016
Blurb
What's left when perfection is gone? Perfection slipped through Caroline Spencer's fingers. One moment she had it all, and then it was gone. All she has left are her memories, her pain, and her close friends. And Mason Ryan was not part of her plan--wasn't even on her radar. After all, he was her husband's best friend. But now that her husband is gone, he's the only person who understands her, feels what she feels, and knows her inside and out. Together, they try to rearrange the shattered pieces of their pain. Sharing their grief pulls them closer together--closer than either of them want to admit and Mason won't allow himself to fall for his best friend's widow. Ultimately, he's holding the one secret that will destroy Caroline--a secret he cannot even bear himself. Will they find a way to refresh their lives when the pain of the past won't dissolve?
Purchase Links
Excerpt
"Let me add," she says with a smirk, "sex and Mason are like desserts."
"What?" I burst out laughing. "Now listen to me. Sex and Mason are like desserts. There are many sides of Mason and sex consists of different positions all of this like dessert. You see a dessert case and there's everything from fruit tarts to red velvet cake to brownies." "I'm getting hungry now, thanks." "Oh shut up," Tonya laughs and continues with her ridiculous explanation. "These two things go hand in hand. So you can take your time and look at these yummy desserts the way you look at Mason and sex and then when you're ready you'll pick the best most delicious dessert and boom, you and Mason will be having boom boom time." "I can't even with you." I laugh and wipe my tears from laughing so hard. "You're too much."
"Dessert equals Mason and sex. Remember, variety and different tastes!"
Author Bio
S.Moose is a New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author, living in Webster, NY with her family, friends, and shorkie, Charlie. A 2011 St. John Fisher graduate, S.Moose loves to read and write. She enjoys getting lost in the fictional world and creating a place where readers can fall in love and swoon over the cute boys she brings to life. When she isn't in her room in front of her computer or a book, she is with her family and friends being silly and enjoying life. She's romantic at heart and loves anything with a happily ever after.
Author Links
Giveaway
Title: Carter
Series: The Harlow Brothers #1
Author: Brie Paisley
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: July 22, 2016
Blurb
Carter
She was the one for me.
The one that I knew would be mine forever until I made the biggest mistake. I pushed her away and I’ve regretted that decision ever since. I’ve tried to move on, tried to put the memory of her behind me, but she’s always consuming my thoughts. Now, she’s back in our hometown, trying to rebuild a new life. I know she’s keeping secrets. She tries to hide them from me, and I will do whatever it takes to prove that I’m the one she needs. Because Shelby Ross is the other part of me that I can’t live without and I refuse to let her go again. Shelby
He broke my heart.
I never thought I would be able to pick up the pieces he left behind. When he let me go, I ran away from it all, thinking it was the easiest thing to do. But, running has a price and I’ve paid it in full for years. Now, I’m back where it all began, back to putting my life together and starting over. It should’ve been easy, but Carter Harlow is reawakening long buried emotions that I thought were gone. He wants to make me his again. I can’t let that happen. He ruined me, broke me, and I’m afraid I’ll never survive it a second time around.
Purchase Links AMAZON US / UK B&N 
Excerpt
Prologue
Shelby It seems like a lifetime since I first met Carter Harlow. We lived in the same small town where you couldn’t go anywhere without seeing a familiar and friendly face. I was five years old and he was six. I remember that day, perfectly. We were at school, playing outside during recess. The school year was almost up, and it was a hot sunny day. The kids in my class played chase, or were in the sandbox making sandcastles. I was sitting on the swing, in my own little world. I didn’t know how to swing yet without someone pushing me. My legs dangled, and I kicked the pebbled rocks with the tip of my shoes. I watched the other kids playing, seeing they all had a playmate. It made me sad and envious that I didn’t have that. All I wanted was someone to push me on the swing. I didn’t have any friends back then, and maybe Carter knew what a lonely little girl I was. Looking back, I didn’t understand why my Mom didn’t want anything to do with me, or why my Dad always smelled funny. But, Carter didn’t make fun of my dirty clothes, or say anything about how I hadn’t bathed in a week. He walked right up to me, touched my hand holding tightly onto the chain of the swing, and looked right at me. “I’m Carter. What’s your name?” I squinted my eyes at him, wondering if he was about to comment on why I was alone. Most kids made fun of me because I didn’t have any friends. They would tease me relentlessly, but it seemed like Carter wasn’t like the other kids at school. “Shelby.” He stared at me for a moment, then asked, “Can I push you?” I smiled brightly and nodded eagerly. All I wanted was a friend, someone to play with me. Carter took his hand off mine, and walked behind me. He grabbed a hold of the chains, and began to push me. I remembered laughing loudly, loving how high he pushed me. I also remembered holding on tightly to the chains, and looking around the playground at the other kids. They didn’t pay us any mind, and I told Carter to push me higher and higher. He did as I asked, laughing right along with me. I finally had someone to play with, and I felt happy. For the first time in my life, I felt just like all the other kids. I felt normal. I remembered how in just a short amount of time, I felt accepted. When the bell rang for us to go back inside, Carter slowed me down, and helped me off the swing. He held my hand as we walked back into the building, and I started to dread him letting my hand go, and heading back to his class. I didn’t want him to leave me. “Don’t worry, Shelby. I’ll see you after school.” He told me once we stopped at my classroom. I grinned, and nodded at his promise. That one simple promise meant the world to me, and even if I didn’t have any friends in my class, I knew I gained a new friend with Carter. When he met me right outside my classroom at the end of the day, I knew at the tender age of five, Carter would always keep his promises. Even though we’d just met, we shared a bond, something special. Thinking about it now, I was way too young to understand the connection we had. There was just something about that sweet, young boy. He quickly became my best friend, and there was hardly any moments when we weren’t together. Now that I’m older, I still don’t understand the connection we had back then. Even when Carter and his family opened their arms and home to me when I needed them the most. I still didn’t understand why he wanted to be around me. No one else in my family cared anything about me, and it was inevitable for me to fall head over heels in love with him. It didn’t happen suddenly. It happened slowly over the years, slowly changing our relationship into something I couldn’t live without. There are so many things I still look back on, and I try to figure out why Carter and I were so drawn together. Why, after everything we went through, he could just … let me go. I thought what Carter and I had was special, one of a kind. But, everything changed once Carter left for college. When Carter Harlow broke my heart, I did what I knew best. I ran. 
Author Bio
Brie Paisley is a small town gal from Mississippi. She always wanted to write at a young age and was always filling journals with her thoughts and short stories. Brie started with the idea of Worshipped a year ago and with the encouragement of her husband and sister in law, she was able to write her first book. When she is not writing, you can find her reading a good book, painting, scrapbooking, or watching a good movie with her husband and her boxer.
Author Links
WEBSITE / NEWSLETTER / FACEBOOK
FAN GROUP / GOODREADS / TWITTER PINTEREST / INSTAGRAM / GOOGLE+ QUOTES RAIN / AMAZON 
Giveaway
Coming August 16th Pre-Order now Amazon US Amazon UK Amazon CA Amazon AU Nook Kobo iBooks Although More Than Miles can be read as a stand-alone, the first book in the series, Slow Burn, is currently free and the second book, Corrupting Cinderella, is on sale for .99cents. SLOW BURN (Lost Kings MC #1) CORRUPTING CINDERELLA (Lost Kings MC #2) Blake “Murphy” O'Callaghan, Road Captain of the Lost Kings MC, has the world by the balls. Everything he wants…except the one girl who’s off limits. The only girl he’s ever loved. His best friend’s little sister, Heidi. Now that she’s eighteen, it’s time to claim her as his. Problem is, she’s in love with her high-school boyfriend, Axel, a prospect for the Lost Kings MC. Can Murphy convince Heidi that all the hard roads they’ve traveled lead to their happy ending, or is he destined to ride the open road alone?
Autumn prefers to write her romances on the classy side of dirty, and she's a sucker for a filthy-talking, demanding alpha male hero. The bigger the better. She believes true love stories never end. Some of Autumn's favorite hobbies include reading, writing, acting, music and horror movies. When she's home, her faithful Pug is always by her side. She's an active member of her local chapter of Romance Writers of America. Autumn was born and raised in upstate New York. She still enjoys all four seasons there with her very own alpha hero and their three rescue dogs. You can find Autumn on Facebook and she always loves to hear from readers at: AutumnJLake@gmail.com.
Author Links
Twitter Facebook Web Goodreads Amazon Page Instagram
Title: No Regrets
Series: Bomar Boys #1
Author: Jess Bryant
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Cover Design: Romanced by the Cover
Release Date: August 23, 2016
Blurb
Every small town has that one family that’s more savage than civilized. The ones that are more myth and legend than man. In Old Settlers, Oklahoma that’s the Bomar boys. Wild, reckless and vicious, they skirt the line of criminal and trip over it more often than not. They are their own punchline: white trash but proud beyond compare. Dirty and dangerously sexy, it’s best to steer clear of them or else risk your life… and your heart. These are their stories. Jemma Buxton was running scared. She’s running home. But she had no idea she was running straight into his arms. Fleeing an abusive relationship, she left everything behind. Her life. Her hopes. Her dreams. But not her heart. She wants to move on, start over and love again, but can she trust the first boy she ever loved with her bruised heart when he’s already broken it once? Cash Bomar never thought he would see her again. Never thought she would come back to their tiny, backwoods town. Not after he cruelly and purposefully broke her heart and all but sent her away five years ago. Seeing her again is the surprise of a lifetime and the fact that she needs his help is the second chance he never expected to make things right. All his life he’s been told he was nothing but bad, worthless and white trash, but she makes him want to be better. Can he convince the only girl he’s ever let close, ever loved, that she was always meant to be his? They both have pasts they wish they could change. A history together they’ll have to overcome. Can they build a future together without a lifetime of regrets? *No Regrets is the first book in the Bomar Boys series but can be read as a stand-alone. Each book features one couple and a HEA but will build on each other so they are best read in order. **Warning** - This book contains explicit language, sexual scenes and violence. Though not depicted, mentions of domestic violence are key to the story and can be a trigger for some. 
Pre-order Links
Author Bio
Jess Bryant has always been a writer. As a little girl she spent hours in her room putting pen to paper and creating stories. She’s been reading and writing romance novels since she first stole a book from her aunt’s Harlequin collection when she was thirteen years old. She earned a degree in Public Relations from the University of Oklahoma. When she’s not writing, Jess can usually be found curled up with a glass of wine and a good book or yelling at the television during sporting events with friends and family. For more information on Jess and upcoming releases, contact her at JessBryantBooks@gmail.com.
Author Links
GOODREADS AMAZON 
Title: Keagan
Series: This Is Our Life #2
Author: F.G. Adams
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Cover Design: LJ Anderson, Mayhem Cover Creations Photographer: Reggie Deanching, RplusMphoto Model: Alfie Gordillo
Release Date: August 25, 2016
Blurb
A powerful storm brews between Them… Keagan Fontneau gave up on life after returning wounded from his last tour of duty
Jocelyn Blackwood only exists to protect those who can’t help themselves
He left Lakeview on a mission
She ran from the haunting memories
He remembers her smile
She never forgot him
He’s in business with danger
She’s in the wrong place at the right time
He’ll stop at nothing to keep her safe
She’ll resist him at every turn
His nightmares won’t end
Her pain understands
He craves a future with her
She despises a past without those she loved
He wants her
She needs him
Thunder rumbles in His fractured Soul
She believes Lightening Strikes only once…until him
Can Her battered heart shelter him from the raging winds or
Will the Tempest’s path of destruction shred their fragile bond?
Also Available
AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU
F.G. Adams writes contemporary and paranormal romance about sexy alpha heroes and feisty-mouthed heroines. The wonder twin sisters forming F.G. enjoy a healthy obsession of reading that started at a young age. Their books reflect an avid imagination that was cultivated by their grandmother who taught them the mind has no limits and to use both hands when reaching for the stars. Partners in writing, they both thrive on creating unique storylines for you, the reader to enjoy.
When not writing, you can find them on a beach with their significant other enjoying the waves or riding a Harley on a country road somewhere in the USA.
Author Links
READER GROUP 
Title: Rounding Third
Author: Michelle Lynn
Genre: New Adult
Release Date: August 8, 2016
Blurb
I was destined for stardom. From the age of seven, I was an all-star. Parent’s praised me, coaches worshipped me. As I got older, girls begged for me. I was Beltline’s baseball God, guaranteed to put this small town on the map. Then, after one night, that future vanished. The legend was laid to rest. I gave up my scholarship. I fled from Beltline. I left behind the girl. Now, I’m back. 
Pre-order Alert
If you'd like an email when Rounding Third goes LIVE,
please fill out this FORM
Excerpt
As a sea of women disperse, a tall figure stands, and my heart hammers against my chest wall, like I’m standing on a wire, high in the sky, between two skyscrapers.
“Cinderella,” he says, his voice shallow, but sure of himself. “Don’t call me that,” I respond, my feet frozen in place. “Who is that?” Jen asks from behind me. “That is Ella’s first love, Crosby Lynch.” “I thought Liam was her first boyfriend?” Jen questions, her voice slowly fading to background noise. Crosby breaks the small distance between us, and I swallow the large lump in my throat. My body screams for me to run or to pinch myself out of this dream, but his eyes still mesmerize me into submission. “No, she and Crosby are destined.” I hold my hand up in the air to stop Brax from rehashing history. Crosby is still breathtakingly gorgeous. His dark hair is shorter and messy, and those hazel eyes still hold a glint of the devil in them. The cocky smile plastered on his face as he shoves his hands in his pockets, almost has me jumping in his arms and thanking him for coming back for me. But one question overrides my body. “How long are you here?” I ask, bitterness lacing my voice. He tilts his head. “Until graduation.” He glances to Brax. “My guess anyway.” That cocky smile grows as the lump in my throat shrinks. Quickly, the room starts spinning, and my breathing becomes more labored. He’s the new baseball player I heard Coach Lipton talking about. “Oh my God.” My hand lies over my heart, and I close my eyes, trying to find my bearings, but the room continues to spin. “Get her to the damn couch, Boy Dreamy!” Jen hollers. Crosby grabs my elbow. His touch is so warm, so comforting, so safe. He guides me to the couch, but instead of setting me down, he places me on his lap. My eyes float around the room. Girls’ eyes are now glowering at me, Brax’s eyes are studying me, and Jen’s eyes show her pure ignorance to how serious tonight just became. As my eyes circle back to Crosby, I see he’s smiling again, his thumb brushing along my hip bone, as though we’d warped back to our senior year of high school. “You okay?” he asks, his voice snapping me out of the haze. I fall from my abrupt movement to flee from his lap, but spring up to my feet. “I’m fine. Fine. Why wouldn’t I be?” I ramble, fiddling with my hands while tapping my toes. “I mean, you’re here. In Ridgemont. Playing baseball and living in this house.” My vision shoots to Brax. “With Brax. Why would I not be okay?” I look over to Jen, who’s finding way too much amusement in my predicament. “Man, whoever you are, you’ve unglued Miss Perfect, and I love it.” She smiles wide at Crosby and then places her hand out in front of him. “I’m Jen, this crazy girl’s roommate.” Crosby takes her hand. “I’m Crosby, perfect girl’s soon-to-be boyfriend.” He shakes her hand, his eyes on me. “Ha. I love it. You are perfect for her.” She turns to me as I swallow down my anxiety, glaring at a still shirtless Brax. Maybe he could have been more specific at the door. Then again, who am I kidding. I’d give up my envied internship for a chance to see Crosby. “You need to dump the fucktard and take this man up on his offer.” She thumbs toward Crosby. I throw my hands up in the air. “You have a boyfriend?” Crosby’s voice is low and has lost the confidence it held moments ago. My fidgeting stops, and our eyes lock. Hurt floods out of his eyes and most likely mine as well. “I need a drink.” I spin around, knocking into a dancing couple. I straighten myself and determinedly head toward the kitchen. “A boyfriend?” His deep voice rings out above the music. I grab a cup and start filling it up with beer. The room quiets, and all eyes are on him. It’s like déjà vu. Eyes have always lingered on Crosby, his whole life, when he was the star baseball player in high school and even when he wasn’t. His charismatic personality mixed with his talent give him a presence in any room. The damn tap is only pouring foam, and in frustration, I smack it on the pile of ice, dumping the Solo cup on top of it. His strong hand picks up the cup, and he grabs the spout. The muscles in his forearm flex while he’s pumping the tap. Unable to gain the composure I need to look at him, I stare down at his hand pouring me the perfect beer. Our fingers brush in the exchange of the cup, and my whole body tingles, aware that my first love is back. Needing to brace myself, I lean against the wall, acting nonchalant by bringing the cup to my lips. Even if this isn’t my typical college night, I sure as hell need to act like I’m not facing the only guy to make my heart ricochet against my chest wall. “I’m sorry. I have no right to be angry,” he says, standing to my right with his back to the wall. “You left me,” I whisper, relieved that the noise level has picked back up. I’m not even sure I want him to hear my admission. His arm is no longer pressed to my shoulder, and I calculate he’s moving. Then, his shoes come into my view of the floor. “What are you talking about? We left each other. That was the point.” He rolls back on his heels. “You’re right. That was the point. Why are you here?” We made a pact, an agreement, that we would not contact one another. “Can we please go somewhere else to talk?” he whispers back. His hand reaches out, and I sway forward. My body heats up, the closer his hand grows to my cheek. He’s a millimeter away when he retracts, only igniting a burning in my flesh for his touch. “Yeah.” He nods his head in the direction of the living room but says nothing. When he heads toward the staircase, I stop walking. “Not upstairs.” He halts on the first step and peers around to find somewhere else. There are bodies everywhere, each corner already occupied with a couple or a cluster of girls. The house is not an option, and I wish the hope of being alone with him wasn’t so prevalent. “Walk?” he asks. I nod and down my beer, needing something to numb the pain in my body.
As we leave the baseball house, the situation is eerily similar to two years ago—when we intentionally hurt each other.
Author Bio
Michelle moved around the Midwest most of her life, transferring from school to school before settling down in the outskirts of Chicago ten years ago, where she now resides with her husband and two kids. She developed a love of reading at a young age, which helped lay the foundation for her passion to write. With the encouragement of her family, she finally sat down and wrote one of the many stories that have been floating around in her head. When she isn’t reading or writing, she can be found playing with her kids, talking to her mom on the phone, or hanging out with her family and friends. But after chasing around two kindergarteners all day, she always cherishes her relaxation time after putting the kids to bed.
Author Links
Title: The Masterpiece Trilogy Boxed Set
Author: Nikki Lynn Barrett
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: July 28, 2016
Blurb
Twenty years ago, they survived a plane crash.
One boy, one girl. He was twelve; she was eight.
A bond forms when all they have is each other and a fight for survival on their hands. Their story is one of friendship, danger, secrets and terrifying truths. For the first time ever, the Masterpiece Trilogy is bundled up in one boxed set. A Masterpiece Of Our Love, A Masterpiece Unraveled, and A Forever Masterpiece are full of twists, turns, suspense, and a love like no other. Also included in this set is a new, never before published prequel. 
Purchase Links
Author Bio
I'm an avid lover of books. I've been writing as far back as I can remember, completing my first "book" by fifth grade in one of those one subject spiral notebooks. I have a passion for music, photography, jewelry and all things creative. I live in Arizona with my husband and son, but dream of being somewhere much colder and stormier. For now, I'll have to live that life through my characters and stick it out with the summer heat.
Author Links
GOODREADS BOOKBUB AMAZON STREET TEAM/REVIEW CREW 
Giveaway a Rafflecopter giveaway 
The First Taste by Jessica HawkinsSeries: Slip of the Tongue #2 Release Date: August 4th, 2016 Genre: Contemporary Romance
Synopsis:Andrew Beckwith has already devoted his life to one girl—and as far as he’s concerned, she’s all he needs. The rough-around-the-edges bad boy left his reckless ways behind six years ago when his daughter Bell was born. To the female population’s dismay, he’s unapologetically single. When Bell’s mother walked out on them years ago, he vowed never to let another woman close enough to hurt them again. Amelia Van Ecken isn’t just another woman. She’s an independent, smart, and savvy businesswoman who doesn’t have time for sex, much less love. In the midst of a drawn-out, bitter divorce, all she wants is to bury herself in work. But when sharp-tongued Amelia and stubborn Andrew cross paths, sparks fly—and burn. Two things are obvious in an instant: they want each other, and they’re from different worlds. It’s the perfect formula for an off-the-charts one-night stand. After all, it’s not as if opposites ever attract. The First Taste, a standalone spin-off of the Slip of the Tongue.Excerpt:“What’re your plans tonight?” She scoffs. “It’s Friday night. What aren’t my plans? I have drinks with friends in an hour, then a late dinner, and who knows after that.” “Cancel them.” She gapes at me. “Cancel my plans? Why would I?” “Come out with me. Sadie says there’s a place around here with great pizza.” She laughs, tilting her head and exposing the smooth column of her throat. “First, I don’t eat carbs, so there’s no way you’re getting me to do anything with the promise of pizza. Second, I just told you—I don’t date.” “And neither do I.” “Then why are you asking me out?” she asks. “Because despite what you may think, I am a gentleman, and it’s only good manners to buy you dinner first.” “First?” she asks, wrinkling her nose. “What’s second?” We stare at each other. I let her figure it out on her own. It’s rare to meet a woman like me, someone who truly has no interest in finding a partner. I’ve heard that claim from enough girls to know when they’re bullshitting me, and unless Amelia is a Grade-A con artist, she definitely isn’t looking to get serious. When she understands, the wrinkles on her forehead ease, and she parts her lips. I answer with a knowing smile. Suggesting sex within half an hour of meeting someone might normally get me slapped, but I get the feeling Amelia appreciates a more direct approach. “I don’t date,” I say, “but I’m still a man with eyes.” She makes no secret of looking me up and down. “You’re not my type either,” she warns. “I like men who carry a briefcase and see a barber regularly.” I run my hand through my black hair, which I know is too long. “How’s that working out for you?” She narrows her eyes. “Fine. Perfect.” “I have some tattoos too,” I say. “And ride a motorcycle. Since that’s normally how I get most girls, I suppose those are turn-offs for you.” “They are,” she says immediately, straightening her shoulders. “I’ve never understood the appeal of a bad boy.” “Then tonight, we’re a match made in heaven, aren’t we? It shouldn’t be hard for either of us to say goodbye afterward.” She bats her eyelashes a few times, not because she’s flirting but because she’s thinking. Considering. Which means it’s basically a done deal. I’ve never gotten this far with a girl only to have her walk away. “Why even bother with dinner?” she asks. I take a moment to study her, her shoulder-length, perfectly coifed blonde hair. Her defined red lips that look like a heart when pursed, which is often. Yeah, based on the fact that I’m noticing details—something I try not to do anymore—I know I’m feeling her tonight. Most guys would jump at the opportunity to skip the small talk, but that doesn’t really appeal to me. I like women, always have. Just because Shana fucked me in the head doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate them. Doesn’t mean I don’t want to spend time around them—just so long’s it’s surface stuff. I don’t want to scare her off by suggesting I might want to have a conversation with her, so I just shrug. “Because I’m starving.” “I’m not hungry.” “Indulge me then. I need my energy.” “For what?” she asks. I arch an eyebrow at her. I’ll definitely need my energy for a night with her. She reads my expression and her cheeks redden. “Oh.”Add to GoodreadsAbout the AuthorJessica Hawkins grew up between the purple mountains and under the endless sun of Palm Springs, California. She studied international business at Arizona State University and has also lived in Costa Rica and New York City. To her, the most intriguing fiction is forbidden, and that’s what you’ll find in her stories. Currently, she resides wherever her head lands, which is often the unexpected (but warm) keyboard of her trusty MacBook.Facebook / Goodreads / Twitter / Website
Seaside Lovers (Love in Bloom Novel)
Author: Melissa Foster
Genre: Adult Steamy Romance
Release Date: July 20, 2016
In SEASIDE LOVERS...
After months of long-distance communication, actress Parker Collins and artist Grayson Lacroux finally plan to reconnect in the seaside town of Wellfleet, Massachusetts. But Parker never shows, and weeks pass without a word, leaving Grayson to believe he's misinterpreted their budding relationship.
Parker has been running on autopilot ever since she lost her friend, mentor, and the only family she's ever known, Bert Stein. Armed with junk food, tequila, and her big, lovable dog, she's prepared to hole up and mourn--and determined to mend a fence Bert had never been able to with his estranged and bitter brother. But Parker didn't count on the sinfully hot artist she's been fantasizing about for nearly a year walking in on her grief-induced drunken night.
When Grayson stumbles across Parker, he has no idea what to make of the gorgeous blonde who blew him off despite the heat sizzling between them. But that doesn't stop him from feeling protective of the woman who's consumed his thoughts for months, and when he learns of Parker's plans to confront an angry old man, he refuses to leave her side. As Parker's past unfolds, they're led on an unexpected journey of discovery. Their connection deepens, and late-night fantasies become passionate realities, until good intentions spark painful secrets, threatening the love they've found.
***
Seaside Summers is part of Melissa Foster's bestselling Love in Bloom series. All Love in Bloom books may be enjoyed as stand-alone novels, or as part of the series.
Seaside Dreams (Bella)
Seaside Hearts (Jenna)
Seaside Sunsets (Jamie)
Seaside Secrets (Amy)
Seaside Nights (Sky)
Seaside Embrace (Hunter)
Seaside Lovers (Grayson)
Seaside Whispers (Matt)
   
    
"Trust me?” Grayson asked.“Trust a guy who hauled me over his shoulder and kidnapped me?” She looked toward the bar.“Yeah, trust that guy.”“I do trust you.” She poked him in his chest. “But if I end up on the front of some rag magazine, I’m hiding out in your basement. With Christmas, chocolate, and a boatload of horror movies that you have to watch with me.”“Sweetheart, if you move into my house, you won’t be watching movies or hiding out in the basement. You’ll be lucky if you make it out of the bedroom. In fact”—he slid his hand to the nape of her neck, causing her eyes to glaze over with desire—“maybe I should take a few of those pictures and make that happen.” He’d taken a chance, saying something so brazen and holding her like this in the cab of his truck, but he couldn’t hold back. 
Melissa Foster is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling and award-winning author. She writes sexy and heartwarming contemporary romance and new adult romance, contemporary women’s fiction, suspense, and historical fiction with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Her books have been recommended by USA Today’s book blog, Hagerstown Magazine, The Patriot, and several other print venues. She is the founder of the World Literary Café and Fostering Success. When she’s not writing, Melissa helps authors navigate the publishing industry through her author training programs on Fostering Success. Melissa has been published in Calgary’s Child Magazine, the Huffington Post, and Women Business Owners magazine.
Melissa hosts an Aspiring Authors contest for children and has painted and donated several murals to The Hospital for Sick Children in Washington, DC. Melissa lives in Maryland with her family.
Visit Melissa on social media. Melissa enjoys discussing her books with book clubs and reader groups, and welcomes an invitation to your event.
      
HOSTED BY:
Title: Lest We Aren't Forgiven
Author: Railyn Stone
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: September 2016
A three month cross country trek has led Chris Carlisle back to a place he’s not so sure he belongs...home. Without his wife and daughter, nothing makes sense and he is determined to put distance between him and anyone who reminds him of his previous life; namely his family. Kori Tagliotti has just moved to Glanville, California and it is the perfect place for her to leave her abusive past and move on to a better life. However, she soon realizes sharing her painful history may be therapeutic for both her and Chris. Drawing on her own strength, she helps him rebuild his life and heal his heart. Unfortunately, external forces challenge Chris’ newfound stability and their relationship gets caught in the crosshairs of people who mean them harm. Manipulation, greed and lies are about to destroy everything they hold dear, and may even cost someone their life.
 Railyn Stone, author of The Christmas Tree Guy and A Secret to Keep, lives in North Carolina with her husband. When she's not behind the screen of her laptop, she's usually enjoying time with her family. The only child of two educators, she learned early on just how magical words can be.
|
Author: JaniceBBBf-sizzlereads-bestbookboyfriends & L.A.B.B Archives
March 2019
Categories |
RSS Feed
