August 31, 2017

EXCERPT REVEAL: Blood Guard (Mission #1)


If you haven't heard by now, let me be the first to fangirl all over you when I tell you that Megan Erickson has a new vampire book releasing in just a few short weeks. She only recently crossed into the paranormal world with her Silver Tip Pack series, and I have to tell you - if she does vampires half as well as she does shifters, we're all in for a real treat.

Today I have an excerpt for you from the first book in her Mission series, BLOOD GUARD.

Blood Guard (Mission #1), by Megan Erickson
Publish Date:
September 12, 2017
Publisher: Loveswept
Genre: adult paranormal romance
To Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

(Synopsis) Tendra: One minute, I’m a bartender in gritty Mission City; the next, I’m whisked away by a vampire named Athan who tells me that I’m the lifeblood of his clan. It sounds unbelievable, but he’s got evidence I can’t deny. Turns out, Athan belongs to an underground society of vampires who feed only on humans with their consent. Their enemies have no such qualms, and they want me dead. The only thing standing in their way is strong, sexy Athan. And the closer we get, the more tempted I am to let Athan feed. . . .


Athan: How could I have known when I snatched this snarky, beautiful human off the streets that she would change mydestiny? As a loyal soldier, I must deliver Tendra to our future king—my brother. Empowered with the blood of ten generations of the Gregorie breed, she is fated to rule as our queen. But there’s something between us that’s so intoxicating, so carnal, I can’t help wanting Tendra for myself . . . even if it’s treason.

The panic welled in my chest. I was trapped in a strange apartment with a strange man who probably outweighed me trifold. I opened up my mouth to scream but he held up his hand and said in a deep voice. “You scream, and I’ll just put you to sleep again.”

My jaw snapped shut. I focused on breathing. In and out. In and out. I wanted to thrash and yell, and holler, but he’d somehow knocked me out before and I would be useless if he did it again.

I glanced around. The only light was from a small, dim bare bulb above us. The rest of the room was in shadow. There was nothing I could use for a weapon, not even my shoes. I focused back on the man in front of me. “How’d we get here?”

“I carried you,” he answered, his voice a rumble that I felt down to my bones.

Something moved in the corner of my vision and I peered into the dark. A form materialized, and I must have been dreaming still because Brex was there. He stalked toward me, rubbed against my leg, then sat down by my feet like a feline guard. I tried to be calm, but I was close to losing it. I didn’t date. Was this how people dated now? Maybe it was a thing. “Why is my cat here?”

My captor didn’t move, and half of his face was in shadow. “I brought him.”

“I don’t keep my ID on me, so how’d you know where I live?”

“I didn’t need your ID.” His eyes narrowed slightly. “I’ve been watching you.”

Oh, just fucking great. A stalker. I’d be lucky if I made it out of here without him wearing my skin like clothes and my head in a freezer. “Okay, cool. Well, uh, hi. I’m Tendra. I applaud you for your unconventional, um, greeting. Want to untie me? We can go for a drink. I make a mean screwdriver.”

Confusion flickered over his face, then his scowl deepened, like uncertainty angered him. “No.”

I didn’t want to make him mad, but I’d never been great at keeping my mouth shut. Sometimes me opening my mouth was the reason we had to move. “Do you want money? Because I’m sorry to say, you kidnapped the wrong girl. Especially because I just paid rent. I’m eating peanut butter out of the tub for the next week.”

Again with the angry confusion. He rubbed his forehead. “I don’t want your money.”

I gritted my teeth. “Well, now you have me here. What do you plan to do to me?” The panic was slowly switching over to anger, the fight instinct my mother instilled in me strong as ever. If he was going to kill me, maybe I could piss him off enough that it would be quick. “Because I’ll tell you right now, I will fight you to my dying breath and then come back from the dead and haunt you until I convince you to cut your own dick off.”

His expression didn’t change. “Charming.”

I was signing my death warrant, but I couldn’t resist getting a shot in. “Fuck you, you creeper.”

His chest rose as he inhaled sharply. “Right, so let’s have it out. I’m your guard, because you’re destined to be delivered to my older brother in order to make our clan stronger.”

I didn’t move. Not an inch. Because holy shit, not only was he a creepy stalker, but he was out of his gourd, too. I couldn’t just have an evil stalker. Oh, no, I had to have a lunatic one, too. Zero of what he said made sense, so I focused on one thing at a time. “Excuse me? Clan? What are you, cavemen?”

I thought he’d take offense, but instead he just looked bored. “No, not cavemen. Vampires.”

I blinked.

And blinked again.

But nope, he was still there. This was still happening. Only me. If I made it out of here alive, what a story I’d have to sell about my stalker who thought he was a vampire. I had visions of the guy trying to bite my neck with his blunt teeth. Which made a giggle bubble up in my throat, which turned into a laugh, which turned into me throwing my head back in hysterical laughter until tears streamed down my cheeks.

When I dropped my head and focused on him through my tears, he was watching me carefully, that impassive expression still on his face.

He reached down and picked up Brex by the scruff of his neck, which immediately ceased any and all amusement on my part. “If you hurt my cat, swear to God—“

Brex yowled and swiped a paw across the man’s face. A thin line of scarlet bloomed on his cheekbone before the man dropped Brex, who scurried off to hide under a small table near an old couch. “Good job, Brex!” I shouted after him. “Now come back and finish the job!”

I turned to my stalker, and whatever I was about to say died in my throat. I watched as the cut sealed up and vanished before my eyes.

Gone.

No mark, no blood. No nothing.

And those dark eyes were still trained on me.
Megan Erickson is a USA Today bestselling author of romance that sizzles. Her books have a touch of nerd, a dash of humor, and always have a happily ever after. A former journalist, she switched to fiction when she decided she likes writing her own endings better.

She lives in Pennsylvania with her very own nerdy husband and two kids. Although rather fun-sized, she's been told she has a full-sized personality. When Megan isn't writing, she's either lounging with her two cats named after John Hughes characters or... thinking about writing.

Connect with Megan:

Website: meganerickson.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authormeganerickson/
Twitter: www.twitter.com/MeganErickson_
Bookbub: http://bit.ly/2wlessh
Newsletter: http://bit.ly/2voYMHc

August 29, 2017

RELEASE DAY REVIEW: Disorderly Conduct (The Academy #1)


Disorderly Conduct (The Academy #1), by Tessa Bailey
Publish Date:
August 29, 2017
Publisher: Avon
Format: e-ARC, provided by the publisher via Edelweiss
Genre: adult contemporary romance
To Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Rating: 4.5 STARS


(Synopsis) You don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone…


Police academy cadet Charlie Burns can’t believe his luck when the gorgeous blonde he meets in a bar murmurs those magic words: “Nothing serious, ’kay?” Mind-blowing, no-strings sex with Ever Carmichael—it’s the holy grail of hookups for a guy who’s too busy following in his law enforcement family’s footsteps to think about getting serious. Charlie’s all about casual…that is, until Ever calls it quits and his world tilts on its axis.


Ever knows that when you control the relationship game, you can’t get played. But for the first time, she wants more than short-term satisfaction. Step one: end her fling with commitment-phobic Charlie. Step two: sacrifice herself to the ruthless NYC dating scene. Yet everywhere she turns, there’s Charlie, being his ridiculously charming self. No online match or blind date compares to the criminally hot cop-in-training, but they’re over. Aren’t they?


If love is a four-letter-word, why does the idea of Ever seeing someone else tie Charlie up in knots? Now he’s desperate to win her back…and a little date sabotage never hurt anyone, right?

Disorderly Conduct has Tessa Bailey stamped all over it from the dirty talking NYC cop-in-training to the ball-busting chef that he can't seem to quit. Tessa has taken us back to the law-enforcing alpha males that she does so freaking well, and I've never been more happy about getting all up in a cop's business. 

Disorderly Conduct sort of flips the standard romance formula around a bit. Charlie and Ever make an instant connection in a bar and follow it up with an amazing night of no-strings sex. Both of them are total commitment-phobes and are perfectly happy with frantic quickies for a limited time only. But, then Ever's mother turns her life upside down when she gives her some words that convince her to try finding a lasting, loving relationship. No matter how much Ever likes Charlie, he's made it clear he's married to his job, and everyone else comes second. So, she calls an end to their fling so that she can find a nice, permanent man to settle down with. 

All that happens in the first 15% or so of the book. The stage is set as Ever creates an online dating persona in her attempts to find Mr. Right. And Charlie, for some inexplicable reason is determined to thwart her every attempt so that he can keep his favorite hook-up girl available whenever he wants her. Now I know - Charlie sounds like a total douche. But, the ways he goes about trying to convince Ever that a relationship - especially with the guys she's looking at - is not what she wants is kind of adorable. And the fact that he has no idea he's doing all this because he likes her more than just a one-month stand is frustratingly funny. 

Thankfully, we get to be in Charlie's head for half the book, so we can bear witness to the turmoil going on within him over his antics. He doesn't want to hurt her, but he doesn't want to leave her. He doesn't want to date her, but he doesn't want to stop sleeping with her. He doesn't want to get to know her, but when he learns things about her, he realizes he is fascinated by her. 

Ever is a tough-as-nails chick. She's starting a new catering business with her BFF and has left a long string of "just sex" relationships in her wake. It's all she knows. She can admit to herself that a real relationship with Charlie is really what she wants, but she also knows that he doesn't want that. She does the right thing and cuts him loose so that he can go be a lieutenant on the police force like his brother and his father, without the complications of a girlfriend. She's brave, and I loved that about her. 

Poor Charlie doesn't know what he wants. He thinks he knows, but all that changes when he meets Ever. And it takes him a good long time to get his head on straight and see what he really wants. Unfortunately, by that time, things have sort of gotten out of his control. So, of course, that's when it really gets interesting. 

We meet the side characters that will make up the books in the rest of The Academy series, and I'm already looking forward to reading all the HEAs of theses academy recruits. 

August 25, 2017

REVIEW: Rule Breaker (Rules of Engagement #1)


Rule Breaker (Rules of Engagement #1), by Sienna Snow
Publish Date:
November 1, 2016
Publisher: Forever Romance
Format: e-ARC, provided by the publisher
Genre: adult crime/suspense romance
To Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Rating: 4 STARS


(Synopsis) She controls a technology empire. He controls her.


At just twenty-eight years old, Arya Rey has become queen of the tech world. While she is highly respected as a philanthropist and fearless businesswoman, no one would suspect that beneath her controlled exterior simmers a private passion. A desire never spoken of in Boston’s elite social circles. A need for submission, for satisfaction, for the kind of exquisite pleasure that can only be provided by one man . . . her billionaire ex-lover Maxwell Dane.


It’s been five years since Max and Arya last met. Five years that they’ve longed for the feel of each other’s skin. Max always takes what he wants, and he wants Arya back. But it’s more than the memory of her broken heart that makes her resist. During their time apart, Arya has collected secrets of her own. She can give Max her body, but can she give him the truth?

I love getting sucked down the rabbit hole of a new-to-me author. It was like that for me with Sienna Snow. Rule Breaker was suspenseful and glitzy and so super sexy, and as soon as I was done, I had to read more. And not just because it was obvious that the story arc introduced here wasn't over yet, but because I found myself fully invested in the characters that were introduced.

The characters in the Rules of Engagement series are not your typical 20- and 30-somethings. They are all rich. Like, CRAZY rich. Billionaire with a B rich. And they're all brilliant, too. But, Rule Breaker drives home the point that, even though our main characters are beautiful and rich and smart, that does not mean that they can't still be idiots and do dumb things when it comes to love and relationships.

Rule Breaker is a second-chance love story. Arya and Max had a very intense relationship five years earlier until Max ended things abruptly and broke Arya's heart. Arya threw herself into her tech and security work and between she and her two best friends, she hid herself away from Max in an attempt to forget. Five years later, Arya and her friend Milla's company was just merged with another company in a billion-dollar deal - and the company it is now intertwined with is Max's. He's spent this time planning how to get her back, and it's time to set his plan in action. 

Max is absolutely a force of nature. He is determined and possessive and alpha to the millionth degree. And dominant doesn't even cover it. In ALL ways. Initially, when I learned of his and Arya's back story, I was totally in favor of Arya blowing him off forever. Or at least making him grovel. A lot. But, Max isn't the groveling type, so I remained firmly in Arya's corner for a long time as she continued to try and deny that she still loved him. 

But, Max does apologize. And through his actions, he won me over. Completely. Yes, he's overbearing and steamrolls Arya half the time, but his motivation was clear. Everything he did was done out of love and concern for Arya. And Arya definitely deserved his concern, since she has some really dangerous people after her for what's inside her brain. 

The ending is scary and suspenseful and exciting. And, although Arya's and Max's story of getting together reaches a conclusion in Rule Breaker, it's clear that the danger isn't over - it just gets transferred to her BFF and business partner Milla. 

Arya, Max, Milla, Lex, Carmen and Thomas are all compelling characters with so much story to tell. In addition to the romantic suspense, there's also a very rich BDSM thread woven in (Max also owns a BDSM club - I mean, what billionaire wouldn't?). Rule Breaker has a little bit of everything to thrill a wide variety of romance lovers. Be prepared for an exciting and steamy ride. 

August 22, 2017

RELEASE DAY REVIEW: Love Another Day (Masters and Mercenaries #14)


Love Another Day (Masters and Mercenaries #14), by Lexi Blake
Publish Date:
August 22, 2017
Publisher: DLZ Entertainment
Format: e-ARC, provided by the author and InkslingerPR
Genre: adult crime/suspense romance
To Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Rating: 4 STARS


(Synopsis) A man born to protect 


After a major loss, Brody Carter found a home with the London office of McKay-Taggart. A former soldier, he believes his job is to take the bullets and follow orders. He’s happy to take on the job of protecting Dr. Stephanie Gibson while the team uses her clinic in Sierra Leone to bring down an international criminal. What he never expected was that the young doctor would prove to be the woman of his dreams. She’s beautiful, smart, and reckless. Over and over he watches her risk her life to save others. One night of pure passion leads him to realize that he can’t risk his heart again. When the mission ends, Brody walks away, unwilling to lose another person he loves.

A woman driven to heal

Stephanie’s tragic past taught her to live for today. Everything she’s done in the last fifteen years has been to make up for her mistakes. Offering medical care in war-torn regions gives her the purpose she needs to carry on. When she meets her gorgeous Aussie protector, she knows she’s in too deep, but nothing can stop her from falling head over heels in love. But after one amazing night together, Brody walks away and never looks back. Stephanie is left behind…but not alone.

A secret that will change both their lives

A year later, Stephanie runs afoul of an evil mercenary who vows to kill her for failing to save his son. She runs to the only people she trusts, Liam and Avery O’Donnell. She hasn’t come alone and her secret will bring her former lover across the world to protect her. From Liberia to Dallas to Australia’s outback, Brody will do whatever it takes to protect Stephanie from the man who wants to kill her, but it might be her own personal demons that could destroy them both.

I was really looking forward to reading Love Another Day, because Brody has always tripped my trigger. Steph was a bit tiresome at times, but on the whole, this was a fantastic addition to this dangerously sexy series.

At the beginning of the book, I was totally on Team Steph. Brody did what she asked and gave her one amazing night together. But, when she became pregnant and tried calling and emailing and texting him, Brody never responded. It wasn't that he didn't get her messages - he did. He just chose to ignore them for... reasons. But, he never stopped thinking about her. 

So, when word gets to him that Steph is in danger and has asked McKay-Taggert for help protecting her, he immediately leaves London and comes to Texas to take on the task personally. And, of course, he discovers a surprise in the form of his infant son Nate when he arrives. 

I love how, in the M&M series, Lexi Blake always finds a way to weave in levity into the constant dangerous situations and the seriously heavy sexual tension. The grief that Adam, Ian and the rest of the team give Brody over Steph's new "companion" is absolutely hilarious and perfectly timed. And Ian's unique way of dealing with both his employees and his enemies is always good for a smile and a laugh. And all of that is much needed. Because outside of those moments, it is literally one dangerous or lusty moment after another. 

Although Brody wasn't my favorite person in the beginning, the way he was with his son and the way he constantly tried to make up for his mistakes with Steph very quickly won me to his side. But, it's like, the more awesome Brody because, the more irritating Steph got. Because of a tragic event in her past, she's always felt this overwhelming need to atone, but it's never enough. She has a seriously huge martyr complex, and now that she has a son and a man who loves her, that made me ridiculously angry. And not just me. 

Brody and Steph have this great connection. I felt like Love Another Day brought us back to the series' BDSM roots. There was a lot more of that type of exploration and play in here that seems to have been missing from recent books. And Brody was a great master. But, despite that, Brody still gets angry with Steph when all she wants to do is sacrifice herself in some noble way. It's got to be exhausting for him to keep an eye on her to make sure she doesn't do something stupid. It's not good for trust-building in a new relationship, for sure. So, while the sex is phenomenal, everything else is constantly up in the air.

The new recruits that Ian has brought on board will surely give us plenty of new fodder for the M&M series. After all - there are 26 Bond movies, so there are lots more titles out there to choose from. 

August 21, 2017

RELEASE DAY BLITZ: Drunk Dial

 Go get it!

Drunk Dial, by Penelope Ward
Publish Date:
August 21, 2017
Publisher: self-published
Genre: adult contemporary romance
To Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

(Synopsis) It seemed like a good idea at the time. Look up Landon Roderick, that boy from childhood whom I’d never been able to forget—even though he so easily forgot about me—and call him.

Then again, anything sounds like a good idea when you’ve had a little too much wine before bed, right? It was supposed to be just a quick, meaningless, prank call. Instead, I went off on him—unloading thirteen years of pent-up emotions.

I didn’t think he’d call me back.

I certainly could never have anticipated the weeks of sexually tense phone conversations that followed as I got to know the man he’d become.

Turned out, Landon had never really forgotten me, either. That special connection we had was still there. I opened up to him, but there were also things about me he didn’t know. And he had his own secrets.

Over the countless hours we talked on the phone, I wondered what would happen if we actually saw each other. One night, I did something impulsive again. Only this time, I went to the airport and booked a ticket to California. We were about to find out if one phone call could bring two lost souls together or if my drunk dial really was all just a big mistake.


Penelope Ward is a New York Times, USA Today, and #1 Wall Street Journal Bestselling author. She’s a sixteen-time New York Times bestseller. Her novels are published in over a dozen languages and can be found in bookstores around the world. Having grown up in Boston with five older brothers, she spent most of her twenties as a television news anchor, before switching to a more family-friendly career. She is the proud mother of a beautiful 12-year-old girl with autism and a 11-year-old boy. Penelope and her family reside in Rhode Island.

Connect with Penelope Ward:

Facebook Private Fan Group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/PenelopesPeeps/

August 17, 2017

COVER REVEAL: Cuffed (Everyday Heroes #1)


From the New York Times bestselling author, K. Bromberg, comes a new series about three brothers, the job that calls them, and the women who challenge them.

I think I'm going to need this book.



Cuffed (Everyday Heroes #1), by K. Bromberg
Publish Date:
October 23, 2017
Publisher: JKB Publishing, LLC
Genre: adult contemporary romance
To Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

(Synopsis) “I hate you. I never want to see you again.”

Grant Malone is not the reason I moved back to Sunnyville—at least that’s what I tell myself. Yet, those parting words I said to him back in third grade, ring in my ears every time a townsperson brings up one of the Malone boys. I thought time had healed my wounds. I was wrong. Nothing could have prepared me for how I felt when I finally saw him again.

Twenty years does a lot to turn a boy into a man. One who hits all my buttons—sexy, funny, attractive, and a police officer. But Grant is off limits because he knows too much about my past.
But I’m drawn to him. That damn uniform of his doesn’t hurt either. It’ll be my downfall. I know it.

What’s one night of sex going to hurt . . . right?

***
I’ve always loved Emmy Reeves.

That’s why I’m shocked to see her all these years later. The shy girl I once knew is all grown up.

Adventurous and full of life, she owns my heart now, just as much as she did back then. Convincing her of that is a whole different story.

I’ll give her the one night she asks for—like that’s a hardship—but when it comes to letting her walk away after, she has another thing coming. There’s no way in hell I’m letting her go this time without a fight.


New York Times Bestselling author K. Bromberg writes contemporary novels that contain a mixture of sweet, emotional, a whole lot of sexy, and a little bit of real. She likes to write strong heroines, and damaged heroes who we love to hate and hate to love.

A mom of three, she plots her novels in between school runs and soccer practices, more often than not with her laptop in tow.

Since publishing her first book in 2013, K. has sold over one million copies of her books and has landed on the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestsellers lists over twenty-five times.

She loves to hear from her readers so make sure you check her out on social media or sign up for her newsletter to stay up to date on all her latest releases and sales: http://bit.ly/254MWtI

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon Author | Driven Group

BLOG TOUR REVIEW, EXCERPT & GIVEAWAY: The Beauty of Us (Fusion #4)


Another one bites the dust - Riley's in love! Check out my review of THE BEAUTY OF US and an excerpt from the book. Don't forget to enter the giveaway at the end!

The Beauty of Us (Fusion #4), by Kristen Proby
Publish Date:
August 22, 2017
Publisher: William Morrow
Format: e-ARC, provided by the author and InkslingerPR
Genre: adult contemporary romance
To Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Rating: 4.5 STARS


(Synopsis) Riley Gibson is over the moon at the prospect of having her restaurant, Seduction, on the Best Bites TV network. This could be the big break she’s been waiting for. But the idea of having an in-house show on a regular basis is a whole other matter. Their lives would be turned upside down, and convincing Mia, her best friend and head chef of Seduction, that having cameras in her kitchen every day is a good idea is daunting. Still, Riley knows it’s an opportunity she can’t afford to pass on. And when she meets Trevor Cooper, the show’s executive producer, she’s stunned by their intense chemistry.


Trevor’s sole intention is to persuade Riley to allow Best Bites TV to do a show on her restaurant. But when he walks into Riley’s office, he stops dead in his tracks. The professional, aloof woman on the phone is incredibly beautiful and funny. But can he convince her that he’s interested in Riley for himself? Or is he using the undeniable pull between them to persuade her to agree to his offer?

I've so enjoyed reading Kristen Proby's Fusion series. The story arc surrounding Seduction and its five owners has seemed real and organic. In the first book, the restaurant was brand new and trying to carve out its own niche. The success was evident in the second book as the restaurant expanded into new space. In the third book, the girls started offering Seduction as part of city tour groups. And now, in the fourth book, a popular television show wants to do an episode on the success these five beautiful women have found in the restaurant business. And, that's where Riley and Trevor's story begins. 

The big drama in The Beauty of Us isn't in the "will they or won't they" between show producer Trevor and Seduction marketing guru Riley. They are very honest about the fact that they are very attracted to each other, and despite the show, they get together fairly quickly and easily. No - the big question here is, how can a new relationship survive when the two people involved have lives in different states. 

It's a very real concern - Trevor's got an established career in Los Angeles and Riley and her restaurant are in Portland, Oregon. Despite how hot and heavy they are for each other while he's in Oregon, they're only together a few weeks before he has to return home and they have to learn how to do the long-distance thing.

There's no denying that Trevor and Riley are perfect together. Despite her lack of Star Wars knowledge, they have a mutual understanding of the publicity business, and she's definitely willing to learn all she needs to about Star Wars, Star Trek, video games and all Trevor's other loves. The one thing Riley does NOT like is the drama that seems to follow Trevor around. He has an ex-wife who has decided she made a mistake and an online gaming friend who has decided to go a little psycho possessive. Those two women plus the distance push Riley to her limits of tolerance, despite what she feels for Trevor, and it's up to him to find the solutions. 

I love that we get time with all five women in The Beauty of Us. We do get a little more Mia time than anyone else, since she's the last one to get a book in this series, and it's coming up next. In fact, that Seduction success arc I was talking about earlier stays on track as we head into Mia's book, and it's pretty awesome that it's related to Trevor and Riley's story. Be prepared for a pretty big surprise in the last few paragraphs of the book in relation to Mia. 

I love the stories that have come out of this awesome restaurant owned by five best friends. Each one has been fun and sexy and special. And now, there's only one left.

Preorder THE BEAUTY OF US, fill out this form, and receive an email with a sneak peek of the cover and first chapter from CHARMING HANNAH, the first book in Kristen Proby’s upcoming Big Sky series!

~TREVOR~

“So, THIS WAS a good date,” Riley says later as I drive her home. She rode to work with Addie so I could take her home after our date.

“I’m glad you approve,” I reply, and kiss the back of her hand. “Now, I won’t be calling or texting for three days.”

“Why?”

“Because that’s how it’s done.” I sigh and shrug, as if to say, What can I do? Riley chuckles.

“Well, then I’ll text the girls ‘I hate this guy,’ and then you’ll text and I’ll be all, ‘Never mind. He just texted.’”

“Yes, I believe you’re familiar with how this works.”

“Well,” she says. “I’m not really much of a drama girl. You should just go ahead and call or text whenever you want to.”

“Really? You’re not one for drama? I seem to remember someone barging into my apartment last night, yelling at me, because her date didn’t go well.”

I’m only human, Trevor,” she says with a smile. “I never claimed to be perfect.”

I laugh as she points out her driveway and I pull in, then escort her up to her door.

“I had fun,” she says.

“You sound surprised.”

“Pleasantly surprised,” she says. “Do you want to come in?”

“yes,” I reply, and cage her in against the door. “But I’m not going to.”

She swallows hard. “You aren’t?”

“No.” I kiss her forehead.

“Why not?” It’s a whisper now.

“Because this is the first date,” I remind her, and kiss her cheek. “So I’m going to be a gentleman and say good night right here on your porch.”

“Well, damn.”

I grin and nudge her face up to mine, and let myself sink into her, our lips tangled. She fists her hands in my shirt at my sides, holding on tight, and giving back as good as she gets. She lifts up higher on her toes and presses her breasts to my chest, and fuck me, it’s all I can do not to scoop her up., take her inside, and fuck her into the mattress.

Instead, I pull back gently, regretfully.

“Thank you for tonight,” I murmur, and watch with humor as she struggles to open her eyes. The attraction is definitely not one-sided.

“Okay,” she says, and touches her lips with her fingertips. “I mean, you’re welcome. And thank you.” She smiles, opens her door, and slips inside.

And just like that, she’s gone.

But I can faintly hear her say, “Holy shit,” on the other side of the door.

No, she’s not immune to me either.

Kristen was born and raised in a small resort town in her beloved Montana. In her mid-twenties, she decided to stretch her wings and move to the Pacific Northwest, where she made her home for more than a dozen years.

During that time, Kristen wrote many romance novels and joined organizations such as RWA and other small writing groups. She spent countless hours in workshops, and more mornings than she can count up before the dawn so she could write before going to work. She submitted many manuscripts to agents and editors alike, but was always told no. In the summer of 2012, the self-publishing scene was new and thriving, and Kristen had one goal: to publish just one book. It was something she longed to cross off of her bucket list.

Not only did she publish one book, she’s since published close to thirty titles, many of which have hit the USA Today, New York Times and Wall Street Journal Bestsellers lists. She continues to self publish, best known for her With Me In Seattle and Boudreaux series, and is also proud to work with William Morrow, a division of HarperCollins, with the Fusion Series.

Kristen and her husband, John, make their home in her hometown of Whitefish, Montana with their two pugs and two cats.

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August 16, 2017

BLOG TOUR REVIEW: Royally Endowed (Royally #3)


Royally Endowed (Royally #3), by Emma Chase
Publish Date:
August 15, 2017
Publisher: self-published
Format: e-ARC, provided by the author and InkslingerPR
Genre: adult contemporary romance
To Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Rating: 5 STARS


(Synopsis) Logan St. James is a smoldering, sexy beast. Sure, he can be a little broody at times—but Ellie Hammond’s willing to overlook that. Because, have you seen him?? 


Sexy. As. Hell.

And Ellie’s perky enough for both of them.
For years, she’s had a crush on the intense, gorgeous royal security guard—but she doesn’t think he ever saw her, not really.

To Logan, Ellie was just part of the job—a relative of the royal family he’d sworn to protect. Now, at 22 years old and fresh out of college, she’s determined to put aside her X-rated dreams of pat-downs and pillow talk, and find a real life happily ever after.

The Queen of Wessco encourages Ellie to follow in her sister’s footsteps and settle down with a prince of her own. Or a duke, a marquis…a viscount would also do nicely.

But in the pursuit of a fairy tale ending, Ellie learns that the sweetest crushes can be the hardest to let go.
***Logan St. James grew up on the wrong side of the tracks, in a family on the wrong side of the law. But these days, he covers his tattoos and scars with a respectable suit. He’s handsome, loyal, brave, skilled with his hands and…other body parts.

Any woman would be proud to call him hers.

But there’s only one woman he wants.

For years he’s watched over her, protected her, held her hair back when she was sick, taught her how to throw a punch, and spot a liar.
He dreams of her. Would lay down his life for her.

But beautiful Ellie Hammond’s off-limits.

Everybody knows the bodyguard rules: Never lose focus, never let them out of your sight, and never, ever fall in love.

Everyone knows I'm a total sucker for royal books. They are my jam. So, of course - OF COURSE - this entire series has been nothing but heart eyes and swoony sighs for me. In book 1, Prince Nicholas fell in love with a New York diner girl. In book 2, Prince Henry fell for the quiet, awkward girl. And present through all of it was royal guard Logan St. James. He's in sort of a "always a bridesmaid, never the bride" type of situation. He's witnessed his charges find the loves of their lives, and because of his job and having to remain detached and preferably unattached, Logan has never thought he could find his. 

Then there's sweet, girlie Ellie, sister to the aforementioned NY diner girl. She has loved Logan from afar ever since he was assigned to guard her as well when she was only 17. For five long years, she's carried this torch for him with almost no hope of having her affections returned. Talk about dedication to the cause. Logan has been a singular presence in her life for some of the most momentous occasions - high school and college graduation, the marriage of her sister, her boyfriends and hook-ups and everything in between.

Royally Endowed is truly the story of Logan and Ellie. It backs up the timeline to near the beginning of the events that unfolded in Royally Screwed (book 1). Ellie was only 17 then, so of course a relationship with Logan who is in his early 20s would've been a little inappropriate. But, it was so important to begin at the beginning, so I'm so happy that Emma Chase took the time to take us back so we could see how this relationship evolved. 

And it absolutely evolved. Certainly there was physical attraction from the beginning, but what Ellie and Logan build over five years of being together - even as bodyguard and charge - goes so far beyond lust or objectification. They learn each others' secrets, help each other through tough times, and celebrate each others' victories. Every time we jump ahead a few months or a few years, we're taken to a point in their relationship that seemed significant as their attraction grew for each other. Until finally we find ourselves at present day when Ellie returns to Wessco for the summer. 

Ellie is now in her early 20s and Logan just can't keep his hands to himself anymore. And thank freaking goodness for that. As you can imagine, the sexual tension ramps up and up and up until you are practically DYING for them to just kiss already. But, it's against Logan's moral code and could endanger his job - one that he truly loves - if he gives in. It's a big deal. And it makes that moment when they finally throw caution to the wind so much more amazing.

A lot happens in Royally Endowed. Like, A LOT. We witness major events in the lives of all three couples in the Royally series. And each event is incredible in its own right. The epilogue puts the perfect final touches on this series that has held me captive from the very beginning. This series will go down as one of my all-time favorites.

Ellie

But then the mood shifts, as if the air becomes thicker, weighted, more . . . sultry.

Because slowly, Logan sinks down to one knee in front of me—looking in my eyes the whole time. In this position, I could touch his shoulders, comb my fingers through his thick, dark hair. He’s the perfect height for me to bend down and kiss his mouth—the perfect height for him to kiss me back . . . in a lot of places.

My breath hitches. And I wonder he feels it too.

There’s a sound of tearing Velcro, and Logan takes something off his ankle—a holster, with a small silver knife, about three inches long.

“Keep this on you all the time,” he says seriously. “Just in case. If you wear a skirt, the strap will fit around your thigh.”

And I almost laugh. Most girls get a ring from a guy on his knees. I get a murder weapon. But still, it makes me feel safe . . . watched over. Like I’m something precious that deserves to be protected.

I take the knife from him, testing the surprisingly solid, heavy weight of it in my hand. I press my index finger to the tip.

Logan grabs my wrist tightly. “Careful. It’s sharp.”

There’s a small, painless nick, a tiny bead of blood, so I put my finger in my mouth, sucking.

And Logan’s watching me again.

Watching my mouth.

His chest seems to rise just a little faster, and his throat ripples when he swallows. He bends his head, curves his strong back, and then I feel his hands on my ankle, securing the strap. His touch is warm and self-assured. It’s the way he always moves—confident and experienced. Logan knows his body and he knows how to use it, in every way possible.

I almost moan. The sound is in the back of my throat, but I keep it trapped. I never knew the ankle was an erogenous zone, but it sure as hell is now. A hot pulse of pleasure streaks from Logan’s fingers on my bare skin, up my thigh, between my legs.

And I throb there, growing swollen and heavy as he keeps his hands on me.

Can he tell? Does he know? He’s so aware of everything, always so attuned, I wonder if he can sense my arousal . . . feel it in the air that clings between us.

Emma Chase is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the hot and hilarious Tangled series and The Legal Briefs series. Emma lives in New Jersey with her husband, two children and two naughty (but really cute) dogs. She has a long-standing love/hate relationship with caffeine.

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August 15, 2017

BLOG TOUR REVIEW: The Soul Mate (Roommates #4)


Opposites attract in Kendall Ryan's latest addition to her Roommates series.

The Soul Mate (Roommates #4), by Kendall Ryan
Publish Date:
August 14, 2017
Publisher: self-published
Format: e-ARC, provided by the author and InkslingerPR
Genre: adult contemporary romance
To Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Rating: 4 STARS


(Synopsis) The smoking-hot one-night stand I was never supposed to see again? 


Yeah, well, I might be pregnant, and he’s my OB-GYN.

Like all the other installments in Kendall Ryan's Roommates series before it, The Soul Mate was a fun, sexy, easy read. Sometimes you just need a book like that - one that captures your attention right away, isn't too heavy or drama-laden, and isn't tome length so that you can finish it in one lazy day. Every book in this series is like that, including The Soul Mate. 

Bren is a woman that I took turns loving and being incredibly frustrated with. I love her job as a zoologist. She's awesome with animals, and I enjoyed when she would tell Mason all these interesting facts about the animals she takes care of. But, conversely, she has serious commitment issues that cause her to miss all the wonderful things that are right in front of her. 

She's not opposed to one-night stands. Hence - her one amazing night with Mason. But, as you can imagine, when she suspects she might be pregnant a few weeks later, she reaches epic freak-out levels. This is way more commitment than she ever wanted. Luckily, there's no chance she can hide it from Mason (which is a HUGE bookish pet peeve of mine), since a weird chance of fate makes Mason her OB-GYN. 

Where Bren might be completely opposed to creating ties to another person, but Mason is convinced his one perfect person is out there, and he wants to find her. In fact, after his one night with Bren, he's sure it's her. When she shows up at his practice wanting a pregnancy test, he's even more positive. But, she throws up roadblocks left and right, and Mason looks for any way possible to get to know her. 

Bren's commitment to being commitment free got on my nerves at times. Mason was so amazing and incredibly patient with her. He's sweet and attentive. Even when things in his own life get distracting, he stays the course when it comes to Bren, but she is such a tough nut to crack. I get why she has the hangups she does, but how many times does one person need to show you kindness and goodness and sexiness before you learn to trust?

Despite my frustrations with Bren, I loved how her relationship with Mason developed and how they slowly learned to trust each other with the good stuff and the hard stuff. It was a good way to spend my day. 

A New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of more than two dozen titles, Kendall Ryan has sold over 1.5 million books and her books have been translated into several languages in countries around the world. She's a traditionally published author with Simon & Schuster and Harper Collins UK, as well as an independently published author. Since she first began self-publishing in 2012, she's appeared at #1 on Barnes & Noble and iBooks charts around the world. Her books have also appeared on the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists more than three dozen times. Ryan has been featured in such publications as USA Today, Newsweek, and InTouch Magazine.

Visit her at: www.kendallryanbooks.com for the latest book news, and fun extras

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August 14, 2017

BLOG TOUR REVIEW & EXCERPT: Illegal Contact (The Barons #1)


Illegal Contact (The Barons #1), by Santino Hassell
Publish Date:
August 15, 2017
Publisher: InterMix
Format: e-ARC, provided by the publisher
Genre: adult m/m contemporary romance
To Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Rating: 5 STARS


(Synopsis) New York Barons tight end Gavin Brawley is suspended from the team and on house arrest after a video of him brawling goes viral. Gavin already has a reputation as a jerk with a temper on and off the field—which doesn’t help him once he finds himself on the wrong side of the law. And while he’s been successful professionally, he’s never been lucky when it comes to love.


Noah Monroe is a recent college grad looking for a job—any job—to pay off his mounting student debt. Working as Gavin’s personal assistant/babysitter seems like easy money. But Noah isn’t prepared for the electrifying tension between him and the football player. He’s not sure if he’d rather argue with Gavin or tackle him to the floor. But both men know the score, and neither is sure what will happen once Gavin's timeout is over…

I have never loved Santino Hassell more than I did after reading Illegal Contact. Before this book, I was in a m/m contemporary romance slump. I love them, but most of the ones I had read recently were either not well plotted or not well written or so super cheesy, I found myself rolling my eyes more than swooning - not a good sign. But then this book came along about a grumpy football star who falls for his adorkable new personal assistant, and I swear to you, it felt like coming home again. 

Santino Hassell gives good romance. All the hallmarks of a good one are present in Illegal Contact. Because Noah works for Gavin, you have the whole forbidden aspect, and that creates some delicious sexual tension. The two guys do eventually become friends, after a bit of a rocky start (thanks to Gavin not really wanting Noah there to begin with, but resigning himself to the fact that he needs his help), so that adds another wonderful layer to their relationship. They share stories and secrets and each starts to feel protective of the other. And I so love when friendship morphs into something else. 

The warmth in my chest and butterflies in my gut made it plaintext's as day that my miserable ass really fucking liked him. In the hand-holding kind of way, not just the ass-pounding way. Although I wanted to do that too.

And that "something else" is just... wow. You wouldn't think that this big, mean football player would be anything close to compatible with a recent college grad looking to make some money to pay off his loans. But, when Noah and Gavin finally cut the crap and finally get together, it's freaking magical. They are sexy and hot and passionate and exactly what each other needs. 

Before Illegal Contact, I was already resigned to reading anything Santino Hassell writes. He's so brilliant with his words and how he uses them to convey real situations and feelings. But, after Illegal Contact, not only am I convinced he's a new addition to my "one-click list," but I'm determined to get him on everyone else's list too. Illegal Contact isn't just your typical jock romance book. It's got depth and substance and a lot of memorable moments. This is one of those books that I will choose to read a second and a third time just because it makes me happy. 

"Football isn't the only thing that's held me together. And it's not the only thing that I love."
Gavin

Somewhere in the past couple of weeks, right around the time I’d watched Noah’s face light up as he threw himself into philanthropic planning schemes and he’d warned me about Joe being a nosy scumbag, I’d lost my mind. Evidence? Me wanting to smack my closest friend for putting the moves on him.

At first I’d thought I was being overprotective. Not even a week ago, I’d had this whole talk with Noah about him feeling safe, and I’d taken it seriously. As a foster kid, I’d never felt safe. Especially in the homes of people who’d temporarily taken me in. I’d been constantly reminded of my precarious position in their houses, and how they could put in a thirty-day notice with my social worker at any point. And they’d used that leverage against me.

I wasn’t about to step into the shoes of bastards who’d worked hard to ensure I would end up distrusting and despising people for the rest of my life.

He was my employee. I was his boss. He obviously didn’t trust me but had agreed to shack up in my house for two reasons only—money to help his father and to catch up on his debt. He didn’t really want to be here, but he had to be. The least I could do was respect his wishes. The same for my friends, but Simeon was laying it on thick.

As he’d run his hands all over Noah, I’d justified each jolt of discomfort by saying Simeon was shitting all over my promise. But Noah agreeing to fan day and whatever else? That had turned discomfort into outright jealousy. Especially since he hadn’t even known my damn name after meeting me at the interview, but he knew all sorts of random facts about Simeon. Simeon, who was in full-throttle, charming superstar QB mode. I was over it.

Regardless, my jealousy was a complete anomaly. Had never happened before. But it was happening right the fuck now, and I was furious with myself. Who cared if Noah was cute and a smartass who wasn’t afraid to tell me to go fuck myself? And so what if that turned me on? Who cared if he was proving to be helpful and loyal enough to warn me about Joe? He was still my employee. I wasn’t supposed to care that he was more interested in my best friend.

Fuck. Whose idea had it been for me to be someone’s boss? I had zero clue what I was doing. Why had I ever listened to Joe?

I returned to the game room and paced the mostly empty space. I’d just seen that anger-management person a few days ago, and every tip and suggestion had flown out of my mind. All I could think about was how pissed I was at myself, and how I needed to go down to the gym and beat the shit out of a punching bag to work it out of my system. The last time I’d been this mad at myself had been when I’d trusted a journalist who’d invented a fake backstory for himself to get me to respond to his prying questions. Then he’d blasted my childhood across the front page of the newspaper.

Gavin Brawley Blames His Out of Control Temper on Hardscrabble Past.

Every word out of context. Bits and pieces of my identity twisted to fit the story he’d wanted. After that, I’d vowed to never talk to a reporter again. I hadn’t expected my emotional thermometer to blast through to enraged over Simeon coming on to Noah. And now I had nothing to use as an outlet. I could work out from morning to night, but after a while it was monotonous. Energy being expended but not going anywhere, and I felt like it circled the air and absorbed right back into my shoulders every goddamn night.

“You’re being real extra right now.”

Marcus’ calm voice did nothing to settle me down. “Shut up.”

“Nah.” Marcus yawned and plopped onto one of the sofas. “Fuck, dude, I’m ready for nap time. Your cagey, jealous shit is ruining the vibe.”

“Who says I’m jealous?”

“Your white ass gets so flushed when you’re mad that it would be impossible to miss. I thought you were going to jump Simeon when he made that comment about giving ole boy a ride.”

“Yeah, well, what can I say?” I stopped pacing. “I didn’t invite you assholes over here to give my employee a hard time.”

“Your employee.” Marcus threw his muscular legs up onto the couch and stretched out. “Don’t even front like you don’t want to smash him.” “I don’t.”

“Bullshit. You were staring them down the whole time we were downstairs. I mean, hey, no judgment. He just looks like a typical white-boy hipster to me, but whatever floats your boat, man. You may want to lay it down for Simeon if you’re serious, though. He most definitely wants to tap that ass.”

I ground my teeth together and tried to remember the last time I’d felt possessive over anyone, but I came up short. Then again, I didn’t normally hang out with the people I had sex with for more than ten minutes after we both came.

“I don’t want Simeon fucking him, and it has nothing to do with me being jealous.”

“Oh yeah? What’s it got to do with?”

“Him not pissing off the only person I can stand to have in my house for six months,” I snarled.

“Simeon can stick his dick in someone else until Noah is finished here.” “And then you’d be cool with it?”

“Yeah, then I’d be cool with it.”

Marcus snickered. He knew I was full of shit.

“Let me ask you a question, Gav.”

“Is that a question or a warning about the fact that I can’t stop you from asking even if I wanted to?”

“Probably the last one.” Marcus propped his feet up on the arm of the couch, making himself nice and comfy. “If you’re having jealous temper tantrums over this kid after a month, how the fuck are you gonna act in another two or three? He’s gonna be here all the time, dude. Showering in your bathroom, sleeping in your guest room, jacking it in bed a few thousand square feet away . . .”

“For fuck’s sake, Marcus.”

“Am I right or am I right, though?”

He was right. But I refused to admit it.

“I already told you I’m not jealous. Do we get along? Yeah. We do. And you know that’s a miracle when it comes to me. Half the Barons can’t stand my ass because I won’t laugh at their stupid jokes, but at least they respect me. Most people think I’m a piece of shit.”

“And your boy?” Marcus pressed, looking truly intrigued. “What’s he like?”

“He’s . . .” How was he? What was it about him that had even clicked with me enough to make me want to guarantee he not walk out of the oversized front door and not come back? To become desperate and throw in that huge bonus so he wouldn’t have to keep commuting? “He’s a smartass, but he’s a good person. And he gets me.”

Marcus raised an eyebrow. “How’s he get you? He doesn’t even like football.”

The disgusted tone drew a smile out of me. I plopped down in one of the armchairs and tilted my head back. “He didn’t grow up like me, but . . . he gets it. And he’s not phony. He’s straight up with his opinions and isn’t afraid to tell me them.”

“So he’s not scared to say . . . ‘Gavin, you’re being a dickhead.’”

“Basically. He talks almost as much trash as I do, which is probably why we managed to get along. Also, he keeps trying to make me look good to Mel. Gave me credit for all this shit that he came up with. I don’t get it, since I was a total douchebag to him, but I appreciate it. He’s a good dude.”

“Huh.” Marcus slowly nodded, analyzing me with his big dark eyes. “Aiight, I’ll talk to Simeon.”

“About what?”

“Him keeping his greedy hands off your boy.” Marcus winked. “But if you’re keeping on with this whole I’m-trying-to-hold-on-to-my-employee bullshit, I’d recommend getting laid. From where I’m sitting, you just look like a jealous, horny bastard.”

“Done.”

Marcus rolled off the sofa and sprang to his feet. He arched his back with a jaw-cracking yawn. “You mind if I catch some sleep, dude? I’ve been having nightmares every night for the past few days.”

“What kind of nightmares?”

“Eh. Stress shit. Getting injured before the season even starts. Moe getting hurt messed me up, man.”

“You spoke to him?”

“Yeah.” Marcus sobered. “His agent isn’t feeling too good about his contract since this is his last year, and he’s had four fucking surgeries during the life of it. Remember what I said earlier? About them saying he was injury-prone? I wasn’t making it up. His career may be over, man. Or maybe they’ll trade him to some douchebag team like the Predators.”

The Predators were infamous dickholes. It seemed to be a requirement for signing with them. Even their cheerleaders were mean as fuck. The Slytherin of the NFL. The only time I could play a game without everyone mentioning my shitty reputation was if we were playing the Predators. They, as a whole, had a shittier reputation than me.

“You won’t get hurt.”

Marcus arched a brow. “You a prophet now?”

“Yeah. And I prophesize your ass winning the Super Bowl this year.”

“Without you and Moe? Nope.”

I scoffed. “Yeah, right.”

“For real, man. I love Phil, but he’s no Brawley. He’s small and lean enough to run circles around D-men after a reception, but he has none of your force or bulk. They’re changing everything to account for you and Moe not being there. Fucking sucks.”

It did suck. Even more so because I was now facing the reality that my team was short not one but two starters. If I’d controlled myself better, I’d be there to support them. All of this stress and anxiety about how the season would roll out wouldn’t be on their shoulders, although in my opinion Moe was more of an asset to the team. He was one of the best wide receivers in the league. Even so, I wanted to be there to step up. But I was stuck. Because of my need to escalate shit five times past where it could have ended.

“All right, bud. I’m gonna go talk to Simeon, and you figure out how to get laid.”

I nodded, watching him go, and actually listened to the tip. Between Simeon and Noah, the shit about Moe, and now the news that my replacement wasn’t rising to the occasion of starting for the Barons? I needed an outlet. It was either time to get in a monstrous fistfight or take out the brimming frustration on someone’s ass.

I went for the latter.

Santino Hassell was raised by a conservative family, but he was anything but traditional. He grew up to be a smart-mouthed, school cutting grunge kid, then a transient twenty-something, and eventually transformed into an unlikely romance author.

Santino writes queer romance that is heavily influenced by the gritty, urban landscape of New York City, his belief that human relationships are complex and flawed, and his own life experiences.

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August 10, 2017

COVER REVEAL: Inked Memories (Montgomery Ink #8)

Did you catch the cover of the newest - and final - Montgomery Ink book? It's going to be SO hard to say goodbye to this family, but I have a feeling Wes' story will take us out with a bang...


Inked Memories (Montgomery Ink #8), by Carrie Ann Ryan
Publish Date:
October 31, 2017
Publisher: self-published
Genre: adult contemporary romance
To Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

(Synopsis) Wes Montgomery watched his entire family fall in love, and now finds himself ready to settle down. Except the one person he seems to find chemistry with is not only his twin’s ex, she also works for Montgomery Inc. But when the two find themselves in one compromising situation after another, Wes realizes he’s having second thoughts about the dynamic woman who’s burst her way into his life. Sure she sets off his temper, but she also makes him hot in every other way possible.


Jillian Reid never loved her best friend like everyone thought she should, so she pushed him away so he could have his future. Now, despite fighting it, she finds herself attracted to the one man she shouldn’t. When her father’s health takes a turn for the worse, and a danger no one saw coming show its face, she’s forced to turn to Wes for help. The two of them have fought off their attraction long enough, and each cave to the desire. But this enemies-to-lovers tale might have an ending no one ever dreamed of.

Carrie Ann Ryan is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary and paranormal romance. Her works include the Montgomery Ink, Redwood Pack, Talon Pack, and Gallagher Brothers series, which have sold over 2.0 million books worldwide. She started writing while in graduate school for her advanced degree in chemistry and hasn’t stopped since. Carrie Ann has written over fifty novels and novellas with more in the works. When she’s not writing about bearded tattooed men or alpha wolves that need to find their mates, she’s reading as much as she can and exploring the world of baking and gourmet cooking.

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