Review ~ BEAUTIFUL DECEPTION~ EMBER RAINE WINTERS

July 2, 2017Leave a comment

Seriously where do I even start with this book… This book sucks you in, into a story that will leave you with your jaw hitting the ground on several occasions and you shouting at your kindle in disbelief.
The story flows at a pace that grips and captivates and infiltrates you to the point that reality just doesn’t exist and the sheer pain of having to put it down to adult…. that pain is real.
Mac and Marty’s story is filled with Emotion, drama, suspense and angst, as secrets are revealed, life altering decisions are made, mistakes forgiven and Love winning the day, this book is action packed and will leave you with an ending that will frustrate the Hell out of you but in such a Good way.
I can’t wait to get my hands on the next book in the series a 5+++ Stars.

This is the third book in the Pride and Honor Series, but it can be read as a standalone

Marcy

He knows. He knows what I did and there is no way he will ever forgive me. That’s the least of my worries. Now, that secret, that little boy that holds my heart in his hands has been stolen from us. I’ll do whatever it takes to get him back. Even if it costs me my life.

Mac

Marcy had always been mine. I thought she always would be. A misunderstanding ruined that. Ruined any chance for us to be happy. She stole that chance… that life. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to forgive her. The truth is I never stopped loving her, and I’ll do whatever it takes to save her.

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2rNQmpb

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The plane ride had been over five hours so far, and it felt like the longest of my life. I didn’t know what was going on with Marcy and Kenzie, and worse, I had no idea where my son was, and that was killing me the most.

Twitch was doing his nervous twitchy thing and it had me on edge. “What’s the matter, brother?” I asked warily.

“I got a bad feeling about this.”

“Shit. Really?” I got up from my seat. I knew better than anyone what Twitch’s feelings resulted in. He had an uncanny sixth sense when things were about to go bad and fast. I couldn’t sit still any longer.

“Mac, it’s going to be okay, we will get him back,” Tasha said vehemently.

I nodded but continued pacing. There was nothing else I could do until we landed and saw what the situation was. Tasha was upset too. Marcy was her friend and Tasha’s dad, Barnes, was responsible for this mess. We all knew he was behind it, but we didn’t have one fucking detail yet.

The worst part of this whole shit show? That I was still pissed at Marcy, and I was feeling completely guilty about that. How could I be so angry with someone and still love her at the same time? It had been twelve years since she left me, and yet I still thought of little else. I should have fought harder. I should have stayed in Baltimore and made her talk to me.

The flight attendant came out and told us to put our seat belts on in preparation of our descent, so I sat down next to Tasha. I never stopped moving though. My knee was bouncing up and down burning off my nervous energy.

“You still love her don’t you?” Tasha placed her hand on my knee.

“It doesn’t matter.”

“Sure it does.”

“No, Tasha. It really doesn’t. She made her choice. She knew what her decision would do to me and she did it anyway. She knew how important having a family was to me and she stole that from me. So, no, the fact that I still love her makes no difference because she obviously never loved me.”

Tasha glared at me for all of five seconds before her tirade began. “That’s bullshit Mac and you know it. I could tell when you all rescued us from Doug’s basement that she was still in love with you. I could tell the day that Twitch proposed to me and she screamed in my face about Twitch ruining everything that she felt guilty for what she had done. I had no idea what it was at the time, but I could see it. You both need to get over your hang ups, stop being stupid, and just be together because everyone can see that’s what you both want.”

“Okay, babe,” Twitch said softly, seated on the other side of her. “That’s enough.”

She looked angry and I had no idea why. I had heard Marcy had freaked on Tasha that morning but I wasn’t sure why.

Even if I hadn’t found out the way I did, I would have found out eventually, especially now with all the craziness. I thought about that in silence the whole drive to Brock’s compound.

“Shit, is that smoke?” Griffin asked when we were about a mile away. Everyone started yelling at once.

“Go, go, go. You have to go faster,” I yelled at the same time Tasha said, “Holy fuck, holy fuck, that’s Brock’s compound.”

“Tasha, it’s okay. I’m sure they are fine. Brock has cameras everywhere. They saw it coming.” Twitch attempted reassurance while rubbing her shoulders. “They had to have seen it coming.”

He added the last part mostly to himself, but he looked at me with a grimace. I knew he was as worried as Tasha, but I was jumping out of my skin. Marcy had to be okay. She just had to be. There was no other option. I was not losing them both.

The gate was a twisted pile of burning metal and I thought the worst. The thick column of smoke got thicker and hung heavier in the air the closer we got to the house. Griffin was driving as fast as he could, but there was very little visibility. If we weren’t careful the smoke would cause an accident and we might never make it to Pix.

The bright orange flames engulfed the house. My heart nearly beat out of my chest when I saw it.

“Shit, what do we do?” Trey asked, panicked.

“Get on the phone with emergency services and leave an anonymous call about the fire. We will search the surrounding area for any sign of them,” Griffin commanded.

“If they were in the safe room, there is a possibility they are still in the house. How do we get in there to check?” I asked completely irrationally.

“We don’t.”

“Fuck that. I’m going in there and you’re not stopping me, Griffin.”

I jumped from the SUV and went around to the back. Grabbing my bag, I rifled through it and found a small hand towel and a bottle of water. After pouring some on the towel, I dumped the rest on my head.

“Bro, you can’t go in there,” Twitch said from behind me.

“Yes, I can, and I am.” I shoved past him towards the house.

“Mac, you can’t.” Tasha attempted to get in front of me.

“Don’t. He popped his shoulder out of place trying to get to you when you were locked in that basement.” I pointed wildly at my cousin. “He was a mad man when it came to looking for you. I will move you out of my way if I have to, Tasha.”

Thankfully, she stepped aside after that. The closer I got to the house the hotter it got. It looked like whoever had set fire to the house had busted the door down first. I got down low and held the towel over my nose and mouth and went inside. It was like a horror show in there. The heat was so bad I felt like my blood was boiling and my skin was searing off.

“Marcy,” I yelled through the towel over my mouth. “Marcy.”

Please God, let her be okay.

That was when I heard a slight tapping. A support beam had fallen and held the door to the saferoom closed from the outside. The tapping was faint, and I prayed that the room was air locked. If not she would have smoke inhalation by the time I was able to get to her.

The beam was on fire and blocking the door. Removing my jacket, I wrapped it around my hands and grabbed the only part of the beam that wasn’t burning and pulled. I used all my strength, but it refused to budge and I knew that I couldn’t continue my heavy breathing, or I would be dead in minutes.

A hand came out then, and grabbed another part of the beam. Trey and I lifted it together and moved it away from the door.

I pushed the door open and that was when I saw her. All five-foot-two beautiful Pixie laying on the floor. Her face was ashen, and I could tell she was barely hanging on. Picking her up, I cradled her to my chest and silently prayed.

Trey and I tried to move quickly, but the house was falling down around us. Every few steps, we had to dodge a board or a beam. The floor beneath was losing its integrity as well.

“Hurry Trey, or we’re gonna be buried alive,” I shouted just as the floor gave way beneath my foot.

“Mac,” Trey bellowed, not realizing what had happened. “Come on, man. We gotta go.”

“Take her and get out of here. As soon as I get my leg out I will be right behind you.”

Trey started to argue, but the look I gave him was lethal. He grabbed Marcy and headed stealthily to the door.

When they cleared the front door, I covered my mouth with the edge of my shirt to get a breath of air and then attempted to get my foot out of the floor. Every time I pulled, a searing pain shot through it. I gritted my teeth and tried again, but I was already coughing from the lack of oxygen in the room. I laid my head down to give myself a moment and try to catch a breath, but it was useless. Just before everything went black, I felt a pair of hands pulling me back towards the flames.

About the Author:

Ember-Raine Winters lives in sunny California with her two beautiful kids and a wolf. Also known as Apache her pure white Siberian Husky. She loves writing romance and reading just about anything she can get

her hands on. And, football! She loves watching football and going to games. It’s one of her favorite ways to unwind. She dislikes the super-hot temperatures in her city and exercise. She hates to exercise but somehow her sister still gets her to do it every day. She also thinks it’s completely awkward talking about herself in third person.
Ember loves connecting with readers so don’t be afraid to stalk her and drop her a line on social media.

Author Links:

Facebook Author Page: http://www.facebook.com/authoremberrainewinters

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ember_winters

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15140261.Ember_Raine_Winters

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Ember-Raine-Winters/e/B01DOHYQ50/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1

Website: http://emberrainewintersbookblog.wordpress.com

Facebook Reader Group Ember’s Beautiful Babes: https://www.facebook.com/groups/245150635945571/

Review – The Director and the Don Juan by Katy Regnery

June 30, 2017Leave a comment

Oh, this story felt so good!

I have always like Alice Story. She’s a hard working, tough as nails broad who stood up to her sexist tyrant of a father and made herself a success. She loves her sisters and wants nothing more than to take care of her family. Even Elizabeth who has chosen for whatever reason to remain attached to her clueless father. The only person that Alice has truly had to turn to is her assistant, Carlos. This brave beautiful man chose to take a chance and left with Alice to begin her import business. Over the years of working so closely together, they have formed such a bond. They work well together, think in the same ways, see business the same way. Still, clearly they have way more than business between them, and fight though she may, Alice Story definitely wants Carlos to be far more than her executive assistant. Far more.

Carlos Vega is determined to have it all – career, family and Alice. This Latino Adonis has no doubts about his devotion Alice Story, and he firmly believes that he can make her happy. He knows that Alice has insecurities – the biggest being the seven years between them. To Carlos, though, the numbers mean nothing, and he proves it by doing what he has been doing everyday – taking care of Alice. Oh, Carlos is so sexy, so alpha! He leaves no doubt who’s in charge when reminds Alice that she may run the boardroom, but he is fully in charge in their bedroom. Wow! He had me with his romantic gestures, sexy Spanish and burning hot dance moves. His love of his family and his culture is so endearing. He is just one great guy.

My trips to Blueberry Lane make me wish for more always. This long running series just keeps getting better with each family that Katy highlights. It’s getting harder and harder to pick a favorite family. I don’t think I want to! The Director was a welcome distraction with a nice side trip to the Caribbean. Great job, Katy.

5 Latin Lover Stars!

From New York Times bestselling author Katy Regnery comes a brand new series set on Blueberry Lane!

The Director and Don Juan is the second of four books about the Philadelphia-based Story sisters who are all on the look-out for love.

Heiress Alice Story left her father’s company three years ago in a blaze of glory, inviting all of his employees to jump ship and join her, but only one accepted her offer: mail room clerk, Carlos Vega.

While Alice spent the next three years getting her own company off the ground, Carlos became her indispensable right-hand man — executive assistant and office manager, loyal counsel and trusted co-worker.

And all the while, they were quietly falling in love with each other.

When Alice is offered a lucrative business deal in Puerto Rico, island-born Carlos is the perfect person to accompany her on her trip as translator. But as they travel together from Philadelphia to Santo Domingo to Ponce, two unlikely co-workers will discover that their feelings for each other have grown far deeper than they ever could have guessed.

And though business-minded, proper Alice will try her very best to ignore the longings of her heart, scorching hot, insanely sexy Boricua, Carlos, has no intention of letting her go.

FREE with Kindle Unlimited!
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Don’t forget to preorder The Flirt and the Fox!
RELEASE DATE: September 21st

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New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Katy Regnery started her writing career by enrolling in a short story class in January 2012. One year later, she signed her first contract and Katy’s first novel was published in September 2013.

Twenty-five books later, Katy claims authorship of the multi-titled, New York Times and USA Today Blueberry Lane Series, which follows the English, Winslow, Rousseau, Story, and Ambler families of Philadelphia; the six-book, bestselling ~a modern fairytale~ series; and several other standalone novels and novellas.

Katy’s first modern fairytale romance, The Vixen and the Vet, was nominated for a RITA® in 2015 and won the 2015 Kindle Book Award for romance. Katy’s boxed set, The English Brothers Boxed Set, Books #1–4, hit the USA Today bestseller list in 2015, and her Christmas story, Marrying Mr. English, appeared on the list a week later. In May 2016, Katy’s Blueberry Lane collection, The Winslow Brothers Boxed Set, Books #1-4, became a New York Times E-book bestseller.

In 2016, Katy signed a print-only agreement with Spencerhill Press. As a result, her Blueberry Lane paperback books will now be distributed to brick and mortar bookstores all over the United States.

Katy lives in the relative wilds of northern Fairfield County, Connecticut, where her writing room looks out at the woods, and her husband, two young children, two dogs, and one Blue Tonkinese kitten create just enough cheerful chaos to remind her that the very best love stories begin at home.

Author Links:

Website/Newsletter Signup: http://katyregnery.com/
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Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/katharineregner/

Review – Redemption by Stephie Walls

June 26, 2017Leave a comment

Redemption by Stephie Walls

Two things!

Omg HOLY FREAKING EMOTIONS.

Omg DAN!

If you have never read a Stephie Walls book before you are MISSING OUT. Stephie has this magical ability to rip out your heart and tear it to pieces while breathing life into your soul. Her books are emotional, so, so emotional. They touch on every nerve ending, they make you feel almost as much as the characters do. Her words are like poetry formed in breathtaking verses that sing. Her passion to not only her words but her characters and their stories is clearly visible at all times. How Stephie writes these books I’ll never know but I urge her to never stop.

From the start of Redemption we are thrown into heartbreak and devastation. The suspense of the past claws at you while reading, it pulls on every internal string, enveloping. The flashbacks make you wonder and hold your attention so vividly. And when it all becomes clear it’s a shock. So brutal and it makes you fear for Lissa’s future.

Meshed in with this past is the present. A stunning, highly charged present filled with hope and love and redemption. Dan & Lissa are truly mesmerizing, they come together so well and they are HOT. They are raw, carnal and intense. They breathe hope into the most broken parts. They are amazing. Dan is amazing. A love that fierce is what every person dreams of having.

Through it all, the pain, the past, the love and the present, something fierce grabs onto you and DOES NOT LET GO. Everything pounds into you and just holds you captive.

Redemption is a raw tale of life becoming what you make it. There is always love, always hope. You just have to go out and find it.

5 emotional, intense, inspirational stars!

One decision.

One horrific mistake.

One lifetime of hell.

Everything I got was justified, and all I lost warranted. No matter where I went, the hell of my past followed. There was no forgiveness, no reparation—I would spend the rest of my days trapped in purgatory. His pain was mine.

And then came Dan.

Followed by hope.

And possibly redemption.

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Review – All I Am by Jodi Ellen Malpas

June 26, 2017Leave a comment

All I Am by Jodi Ellen Malpas

Being back in the This Man world is always something to be excited about. I mean anyway to get more Jesse is a winner with me but DREW is something else! This NEW man eclipses any that Jodi has written before. Even though All I Am isn’t full length the story we get is still intense and addictive. All I Am & Drew OWNED me like any true alpha male does. And I loved every second.

Once again Jodi’s exquisite story telling allowed for me to be swept of my feet, tied up in words, emotions and feelings. The connection between Drew & Raya is HOT! I got PRICKLES and BUTTERFLIES every time they came together. These two are dirty, raw, primal and so freaking exceptional! Annnd if that’s not enough, Drew is a single dad people!! Cue major SWOON ALERT!

I’m never surprised by anything Jodi delivers because each and every book blows me away. All I Am may not have been full length but it gave me everything and then some!!

A NEW NOVELLA IN THE THIS MAN SERIES!

You don’t need to read the series to enjoy this story. But if you’re already a Jesse Ward fan, just wait until you see the advice he gives Drew about falling in love.

I thought I had control. I was so, so wrong…

I don’t need a relationship. I have Hux, a decadent club where I quench whatever raw desire I choose. I take pleasure and I give it – no strings attached. So when Raya Rivers comes in asking for someone cold, emotionless, and filthy… well, no man ever takes his wicked pleasure quite the way I do.

Only Raya is different. Vulnerable. And carrying some deep sorrow that gets past all my carefully constructed walls and inexplicably makes me care. Now craving controls me. Ice has given way to red-hot need.

But Raya has no idea about my other life – my real life. That I’m daddy to an adorable little girl. My two worlds are about to collide with the force of a supernova. Once Raya knows the truth, will she be able to accept all I am?

🇺🇸
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REVIEW ~ LOST LOVE By KELLY ELLIOTT

June 26, 2017Leave a comment

This book has evoked a storm of emotion that has literally possessed me, one minute the tears are streaming and my heart is breaking over the words that pour from the pages to the next breathe it breathes life into you and warms your heart. There are not many books that have actually succeeded in reducing me to a sobbing mess and I mean big fat ugly tears that steal your breath away so Ms Elliott I bow to you.
Steed and Paxtons story will pull at your heart strings, push your emotions to the very edge, a story that is bittersweet, romantic and simply beautiful, if Steed and Paxton don’t win your heart then Chloe will steel the show. The story flow is effortless and the supporting characters leave you with a hunger for more.
An amazing start to the new series, a series I can’t wait to get lost in.

Lost Love

(Book 1 – Cowboys and Angels)

By Kelly Elliott

Release Day – June 27, 2017

Moving back home to my parents’ cattle ranch in Texas was the last thing I thought I’d be doing.

But, here I stand … in front of my high school girlfriend. A beautiful, confident woman has replaced the young girl I once knew and loved. Hell. I’m still in love with her.

Yep. Paxton Monroe was my first love and the one girl in town who now hated my guts. So much so, Paxton swore her revenge on me if it took her until the day she died. The last words she spoke to me were a vow to cut my dick off and shove it down my throat.

The fight between my heart, my head, and last, but certainly not least, my dick starts tonight. Because all I can think about is how I want to be buried so deep inside Paxton she won’t remember how I broke her heart, or how I left her when she needed me the most.

But who will win? My heart is too broken to listen to my head. And my dick, yeah it’s not listening to anything or anyone. Not until it gets what it wants and what it wants is Paxton Monroe.

Lost Love is book one in the Cowboys and Angels Series

“Whatcha doing?”

I nearly jumped out of my skin as I spun around and clutched at my chest.

“Jesus, Amelia! Why would you sneak up on me like that?”

She tried to hide her smile and failed. Lifting her brows, she glanced past my shoulder. “Were you watching Steed and Chloe?”

My cheeks heated. “What? No! Are they here? I haven’t seen them. Why would you say that?”

When her eyes moved back to mine, I knew she saw right through my blunder of lies. “Uh-huh. I know I was little when you and Steed dated, so we really don’t know each other all that well.” She smiled. “But I can already tell you’re a terrible liar, Paxton.”

I dropped my head then peeked up at her. “I wasn’t spying.”

Amelia held up her hands. “I didn’t say you were.”

Chewing on my lip, I sighed. “Okay. I was spying. I’m lost, Amelia.”

With a soft sympathetic grin, she glanced at her brother. “So is he, Paxton. His eyes are so sad. Earlier this morning we all had breakfast together as a family and both Mom and I noticed it.”

“The family was all together?” I asked.

She nodded with a grin. “The boys have been working the ranch the last two days so they’re all staying at the house. It’s been nice having Steed home again. Dad’s thrilled he’s back and digging deeper into the business side of the ranch. The idea of having another son run day-to-day operations has him all kinds of happy.”

Guilt hit me square in the chest. It was my fault he left. I told him to leave.

He left his family and stayed away because of me.

“I’m so sorry he left town,” I said.

“Paxton, you didn’t keep him away all those years. That was his decision. A poor one, but his nonetheless.”

I shrugged. Turning, I glanced back at Steed and Chloe. “He’s such a good father.”

The sadness in my voice caused Amelia to put her hand on my shoulder and gave it a squeeze.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34441171-lost-love

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Kelly Elliott is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling contemporary romance author. Since finishing her bestselling Wanted series, Kelly continues to spread her wings while remaining true to her roots and giving readers stories rich with hot protective men, strong women and beautiful surroundings.
Her bestselling works include, Wanted, Broken, Without You, and Unconditional Love, to name just a few.
Kelly has been passionate about writing since she was fifteen. After years of filling journals with stories, she finally followed her dream and published her first novel, Wanted, in November of 2012.
Kelly lives in central Texas with her husband, daughter, and two pups. When she’s not writing, Kelly enjoys reading and spending time with her family. She is down to earth and very in touch with her readers, both on social media and at signings.
To find out more about Kelly and her books, you can find her through her website.
http://www.kellyelliottauthor.com

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Review- Trusting You And Other Lies by Nicole Williams

June 24, 2017Leave a comment

My rating is 5 out of 5 stars

I don’t typically read YA books, but for Nicole Williams, I’ll give anything a try. I was sucked into this story and taken back in time to those high school years where things were so less complicated to us now as adults but were considered end of life issues for teenagers. Lol.

What I wouldn’t give to go back to that moment in time and have those be the type of issues that were plaguing my life. I did feel for Phoenix. Finding out her parents were hiding major secrets was a huge blow to her heart. How could she trust anyone else if she couldn’t even trust her parents?
She’s forced into going to family camp for the summer and is so beyond angry about it. This trip, however, changes her life in the best way teaching her there’s more to life than she thinks.
We get to watch her grow and mature before our eyes. We also get to witness young love. There’s nothing like it. Nicole did an excellent job with this book. I would definitely be up for reading anymore YA that she writes.

USA Today and New York Times bestselling author Nicole Williams delivers a seductive summer romance worth swooning over. Perfect for fans of Sarah Dessen and Stephanie Perkins.

Phoenix can’t imagine anything worse than being shipped off to family summer camp. Her parents have been fighting for the past two years–do they seriously think being crammed in a cabin with Phoenix and her little brother, Harry, will make things better?
On top of that, Phoenix is stuck training with Callum–the head counselor who is seriously cute but a complete know-it-all. His hot-cold attitude means he’s impossible to figure out–and even harder to rely on. But despite her better judgment, Phoenix is attracted to Callum. And he’s promising Phoenix a summer she’ll never forget. Can she trust him? Or is this just another lie?

It felt like hardly any time had passed at all before the bike slowed when we made it into Flagstaff. Callum took a sudden turn that led away from the main part of the city, and we weren’t on that road long before it opened up into a parking lot.
My arms tightened around him when I scanned the parking lot. Other than the bike’s headlight, I couldn’t make out any-thing else.
“Okay, we’re stopped now. Think you could ease up your death grip on me before you crush my liver?” He parked the bike and turned off the engine.
It was so quiet out here. Scary quiet. “Where are we?” I loosened my grip, but I didn’t let go.
He glanced at me over his shoulder. “Don’t you like a surprise?”
“Not when I’m in the middle of some dark parking lot late at night.”
Callum fought a smile. “It’s barely eight. Not quite the witching hour.”
An owl hooted from somewhere in the woods. I jumped. “Where the hell are we?”
He stopped ﬁghting his smile. “The Lowell Observatory. Perfectly safe and nonthreatening, I swear.”
“What are we observing?”
Callum waited for my arms to drop at my sides before sliding off the bike. “Pretty much anything you want to up there.” He tipped his head and looked up at the sky.
My head followed. “The stars? That’s what we’re going to be looking at?”
“Stars, moons, planets. Take your pick.” He helped me undo the helmet’s chin strap after I fought with it on my own for a few seconds. “This is one of my favorite places.”
“In Arizona?”
“Anywhere,” he answered, pulling a small ﬂashlight from his pocket and turning it on. He pointed it in the direction of a sidewalk and started toward it, making sure I was close beside him.
“How many times have you been here?” I asked.
“I come a few times every summer, more when I was coming here with my family.”
I kept my focus on the light in front of us. With that bright beam, the black didn’t seem so thick around us.
“So are you into astronomy?” I asked.
“You could say that.” When another owl hooted, I didn’t leap out of my boots. This time I barely ﬂinched. Callum’s presence calmed me. “But I didn’t know it the ﬁrst time I came. I only started getting into astronomy a few years ago.”
“Why did you ﬁrst start coming here?” We were getting closer to what I guessed was the observatory, but nothing about it screamed tourist attraction.
“It was Ben’s idea, I guess. He knew about the trouble my brother was getting into at home and that I was following in his footsteps. He has this freaky way of looking at a person and knowing what they’re feeling or what they’re thinking. Those ﬁrst couple of summers at camp he used to be able to take one look at me and know when I was about to do something I’d probably regret.” He paused and shook his head. “I really hated Ben at ﬁrst.”
“And now you love him.” I nudged him as we approached a doorway.
“And now I respect him. I appreciate what he’s doing and why he does it.” He turned off the ﬂashlight and held open the door for me.
“So your mom would bring you here to look up at the sky and your problems were solved?”
He chuckled softly. “That’s what Ben tried to sell. He said there was nothing like looking up at the universe to make my problems shrivel into nonexistence.”
“Is that doubt I’m detecting in your voice?”
“That’s I- know- better- from- experience in my voice.” Callum
waved at a lady sitting behind a counter at the front and led me inside. It was dark in here, too, which made me shift a bit closer to Callum. “Ben tried really hard to sell me on the perspective thing, but, I don’t know, looking up at the stars or thinking about the size of the universe didn’t make my issues seem any smaller or less signiﬁcant. They were still the exact same size when I walked out of this place.”
“Then why did you keep coming back?” I asked as he stopped behind the biggest telescope I’d seen in real life.
“Because it got me out of my head, you know?” he answered immediately. “It got me to focus on something else for a while, and even though I’d leave here with the same problems I walked in with, they felt more manageable. More like I could handle them.”
I hadn’t expected him to open up like that. That was becoming a trend when it came to Callum. One minute he came off as the most closed- off person I’d ever met, and the next he could spill his guts. “And then you fell in love with the stars,” I said, watching him as he looked through the telescope, making a few adjustments on the dials.
“And then I did.” He made one last adjustment before motioning me to look. Even though it was dark, his eyes were glowing. I’d seen him in his element this summer, but never like this. If this wasn’t passion, I wasn’t sure I’d ever seen it.
“So you’re saying this place has played a totally insigniﬁ-cant role in your life?” I smiled at him as I moved up to the telescope.
“Completely insigniﬁcant.” He stepped aside to give me room to look.
I wound my hair around one shoulder, closed one eye, and leaned over so I could peek through the eyepiece. I could have been looking at a star just as easily as I could have been looking at a planet or a moon. I didn’t feel my problems drifting away from me by the masses, disappearing into the Milky Way, but just like Callum had said, somehow they felt less overwhelming. Less powerful.
The longer I stared up there, the stronger I felt down here. “I get it,” I whispered after another minute, feeling like the entire universe was staring back at me as I gazed into it.
He took a step closer. “I knew you would.”

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Nicole Williams is the New York Times and USATODAY bestselling author of contemporary and young adult romance, including the Crash and Lost & Found series. Her books have been published by HarperTeen and Simon & Schuster in both domestic and foreign markets, while she continues to self-publish additional titles. She is working on a new YA series with Crown Books (a division of Random House) as well. She loves romance, from the sweet to the steamy, and writes stories about characters in search of their happily even after. She grew up surrounded by books and plans on writing until the day she dies, even if it’s just for her own personal enjoyment. She still buys paperbacks because she’s all nostalgic like that, but her kindle never goes neglected for too long. When not writing, she spends her time with her husband and daughter, and whatever time’s left over she’s forced to fit too many hobbies into too little time.

Nicole is represented by Jane Dystel, of Dystel and Goderich Literary Agency.

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Review – The Knocked Up Plan by Lauren Blakely

June 23, 2017June 23, 2017Leave a comment

The Knocked up Plan by Lauren Blakely

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Before I even opened The Knocked Up Plan, I’d like to attest that I think I got knocked up from this cover because PANTY … MELTING … HOT. I was DONE!!! Could a cover make me pregnant?!? Leather, six-pack abs, hand on the belt buckle, and smoldering look…hmm…maybe. I think I did feel some flutters down there from The Knocked Up Plan. I seriously considered 5-staring this story from the thigh-clenching cover alone. Who was I kidding?!? A Lauren Blakely rom-com is a GUARANTEED 5-STAR DELIGHT.

If I wasn’t already knocked up by the ovary-combusting cover, the The Knocked Up Plan SYNOPSIS sank the deal. This buyer didn’t need the full sales pitch…ALREADY SOLD!!!

There are three little words most guys don’t want to hear on the first date. Not those…I mean these…”knock me up.”

Knock me up?!? Oh hell yes…please do!!! I had to pretend I was the heroine because I was claiming Hot Cover Boy as MINE. Oh this gal wants a baby daddy. If it’s Hot Cover Boy with his hot name of Ryder, then color me green with envy because I would jump into this book and volunteer as a tribute.

There are four words every guy wants to hear on the first date—”your place or mine.”

Mine…ALL MINE. Did I say MINE enough?!? I’m claiming Hot Cover Boy as mine before I even read his story.

This woman. She’s going to be so fun to play like a violin.

Did Ryder say PLAY?!? Oh yes can this hot alpha with his piercing blue eyes, dark hair, tall, and muscular body can play. He plays HARD and FAST.

The chemistry between Ryder and Nicole is COMBUSTIBLE!!! They are magic together. I admit…I was a bit jealous.

I will say this about Ryder Lockhart: he has a world-class tongue. He’s a champion with his mouth, and he treats me like a dessert.

Ryder started out as Hot Cover Boy because I may or may not have eye-stalked the cover long and hard before diving into this delicious story. Then he was Involuntary Thigh-Clenching Co-worker. Finally he was…don’t want to give the spoilers…HEART-THUMPING PERFECTION!!! I ADORED this alpha with an enormous heart!

Ryder BURNS those panties right off. Just forget wearing any. He is a pleaser, and his DELIVERY is ON POINT. ACCESS ACCEPTED.

This man is obsessed with my pleasure. It’s his drug, his addiction, and I want to give him his fix. I want the fix too.

As much as Ryder has mad skills delivering the HEAT, he is so attentive and SWEET. I MELTED into a puddle of goo because SWEETNESS.

He drops a kiss to my forehead. Tingles spread everywhere—all over my body, to the tips of my toes and the ends of my hair.

“Do that again,” I command as the world falls away and all I feel are his lips, his tenderness, and his warmth.

“As you wish.”

Ryder is the ultimate Prince Charming who is PURE PERFECTION.

In one of her hottest and heartwarming books ever, Lauren Blakely blasts the both the heat and heart in The Knocked Up Plan. I cried ALL THE HAPPY TEARS. The Knocked Up Plan knocked so much sizzle and sweetness into me that I was both SMOLDERING and SWOONING! I was ENAMORED with every ounce of this story. So much LOVE!!!

The Knocked Up Plan is a FRESH, FUN, and FEEL-GOOD FAIRYTALE of a love story where you can’t help but float all the way to Cloud Nine!!! I. Can’t. Stop. Floating!!! Prepare to be WOWED as you bask in the Lauren Blakely magic! Laugh-out-loud, heart-stopping sexy, and swoon-worthy, The Knocked Up Plan is the perfect punch to the heart.

💋💋💋💋💋 fire-hot and float-on-clouds kisses

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There are three little words most guys don’t want to hear on the first date. Not those…I mean these… “knock me up.”

This single gal has had enough of the games, the BS and the endless chase. I know what I want most, and it’s not true love. It’s a bun in the oven, and I’m not afraid to hit up my sex-on-a-stick co-worker to do the job. Ryder is gorgeous, witty and charming — and he’s also a notorious commitment-phobe. That makes him the perfect candidate to make a deposit in the bank of me.

I won’t fall for him, he won’t fall for me, and there’s no way baby will make three.

Right?

There are four words every guy wants to hear on the first date — “your place or mine?”

When my hot-as-sin co-worker makes me a no-strings-attached offer that involves her place, my place, any place — as well as any position — I can’t refuse. Besides, I’ve got my own reasons to take her up on her deal even with her one BIG condition.

There’s no way I’ll want more from one woman than any position, any where, any night? Except . . . what if I do?

Yanking open the door, I head inside. I stride to the small cafe where Ryder said he’d wait for me.

My chest falls. The man is known for punctuality. I scan the white bakery case and the five round iron tables, but he’s not here. When I spin around and survey the bookshelves, my heart nearly leaps from my chest.

He’s in the . . .

Oh my fucking God, he’s waiting for me in the . . .

I bring my hand to my mouth, and I want to run, to leap into his arms. When he sees me, his blue eyes twinkle with mischief.

I am a teapot about to whistle. I am a dog dancing before dinnertime.

He taps the shelves and holds up a book.

A pregnancy guide.

He’s ten feet from me. But I sprint anyway, and I grin like a fool. I stop two inches from him and clamp my hands on his broad shoulders. “Is that a yes?”

“Yes—”

I tackle-hug him before he can say anything more. I knock the breath from him in an oomph as I rope my arms around his neck and crash into him.

“But I have one condition,” he says, embracing me back.

I’m crying tears of happiness, so I don’t care. “Anything. Name it.”

“You better hear it before you agree.”

The moment screeches to a halt. He’s going to want visitation rights. He’ll want lots of money. He’ll want summers, or weekends, or evenings out.

I unwrap myself from the warmth of his strong chest and swallow. “What’s your condition?”

“I thought it would be best to present it in the form of a column.”

“A column?”

“Top five list and everything.”

I groan inside. He has five conditions? Maybe my mother was right. Maybe asking for baby-mix from someone you know is a big mistake. Anonymous donors request nothing but greenbacks.

I steel myself as he fishes in the back pocket of his jeans. The paper is square, folded in quarters. He hands it to me. “Open it.”

I unfold it then read the headline out loud. “‘Top Five Positions for Getting a Woman Pregnant’?”

I blink and stare at him. The cogs turn slowly in my brain. I part my lips to speak.

He raises a hand to silence me. “Hear me out. You explained how it worked. The room, the cup, the magazines, the videos. The whacking off in a fucking public place. The cost. But most of all . . . the wait.

You’d have to wait for an appointment for me, for the testing, for the jerking off, then for your special date with the turkey baster.” He cups my cheek. His hand is big and warm. “What if we did it the

old-fashioned way?”

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A #1 New York Times Bestselling author, Lauren Blakely is known for her contemporary romance style that’s hot, sweet and sexy. She lives in California with her family and has plotted entire novels while walking her dogs. With fourteen New York Times bestsellers, her titles have appeared on the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestseller Lists more than eighty times, and she’s sold more than 2 million books. In June she’ll release THE KNOCKED UP PLAN, a standalone contemporary romance. To receive an email when Lauren releases a new book, sign up for her newsletter! laurenblakely.com/newsletter

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Review- Strong Enough by Melanie Harlow and David Romanov

June 23, 2017Leave a comment

My rating is 5 out of 5 stars

5 sinfully delicious stars for Melanie and David. This book was great from beginning to end. It is angst filled, steamy, frustrating, and fulfilling.
Maxim traveled to Russia with nothing but a carry on and wasn’t picked up by his friend. After waiting hours, he decides to get in a cab and go into the city where he will eat and get a hotel for the night. He winds up in the right place at the right time, even though his belongings are stolen right out from under his feet. The bar owner feels awful and calls her brother to help amd put him up for the night.
Derek reluctantly gives into his sister and picks up Maxim. Being around Maxim is making all those feelings he’s suppressed for years come to the surface. He tries so hard to fight the attraction, but a man can only take so much.
The road is rocky. The road is long. The road is painful. The road is sinfully delicious. In the end, the road is perfected and all is right in the world of Maxim and Derek.

Strong Enough, an all-new sexy standalone from USA Today Bestselling author Melanie Harlow and David Romanov is available now !

Strong Enough

by Melanie Harlow & David Romanov

Genre: Contemporary MM Romance

Publication Date: June 19, 2017

I wasn’t looking for Derek Wolfe.

I wasn’t looking for anybody. All I wanted was to start a new life in America. But when I found myself stranded here with no place to go, he came to my rescue, offering me a place to stay.

He’s smart, successful, and sexy as hell—I can barely sleep knowing he’s right down the hall. And when the chemistry between us explodes one night with fierce, fiery passion, it’s hard to deny there’s something real between us.

But he does.

He says he was drunk. He says it was a one-time thing. He says he’s not into guys and what we did meant nothing.

He’s lying. Because it happened again, and again, and again. And it’s better every time.

I know we could be good together, and I want the chance to try, but I’m done hiding. If he’s not strong enough to admit the truth, I’ll have to be strong enough to walk away.

Figuring I’d had enough booze to blunt his effect on me, I rolled up the sleeves of my black button-down shirt and moved next to him. “I’ll help you.”

“Okay.”

I caught him trying to not to look at my wrists and forearms, and it made me smile. How does it feel to want someone and have to hide it? “You wash, I’ll dry?”

“Sounds good.”

We worked in silence, shoulder to shoulder, and I found myself increasingly—and disturbingly—pleased at the thought of him being attracted to me and being forced to conceal it. It was fucking horrible of me to take pleasure in his discomfort, but I liked being secretly wanted. Being illicitly desired. Being the object of his covert glances and maybe even his darkest, dirtiest thoughts. I let our arms touch more than necessary, as thrilled by the physical contact as I was by the thought of what it might be doing to him.

For there is no man who does not sin.

My dick started to get hard, clearly unbothered by the whiskey that was breaking down my inhibitions, pushing past all my defenses, and letting my imagination run wild.

What’s in that gorgeous head of yours, Maxim? What’s behind those cobalt eyes? What would you do to me, if I let you? What would you let me do to you?

“Carolyn is so nice,” he said, handing me the last serving dish left to be dried.

What? He was thinking about Carolyn right now? He wasn’t supposed to be thinking about Carolyn—I was, goddammit!

But I wasn’t. “Yeah.”

He turned off the water. Rested his wet hands on the edge of the sink. “I didn’t realize you had a girlfriend.”

And I heard it in his voice—the slightest edge of jealousy, so faint I might never have noticed it had I not been so hyperaware of everything about him right now. I fucking loved it.

“She’s not my girlfriend.”

“Oh.” Now there was confusion. “I guess I misunderstood.”

“She wants to be my girlfriend.”

Silence.

Of course there was silence. Maxim would never ask what the problem was. But I wanted to tell him. I wanted him to know. I wanted to share the impossible longing I felt with one person who might understand it.

“The problem is me.”

He was completely still. Before I could stop myself, I covered his right hand with my left. “Sometimes I don’t know what I want.”

He yanked his hand from beneath mine and we faced each other.

For the first time tonight, I looked him right in the eye. Nothing around us existed for me anymore. I heard only his breath. Smelled only his skin. Saw only his guarded expression.

I had to have him.

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Melanie Harlow writes sexy, emotional romance about strong, stubborn characters who can’t help falling in love. She’s addicted to bacon, gin martinis, and summer reading on the screened-in porch. If she’s not buried in a book or binging on Netflix, you might find her running, putting a bun in someone’s hair, or driving to and from the dance studio. She lives outside Detroit with her husband and two daughters.

Melanie is the USA Today bestselling author of the HAPPY CRAZY LOVE series, the FRENCHED series, MAN CANDY, AFTER WE FALL, IF YOU WERE MINE, and the sexy historical SPEAK EASY duet, set in the 1920s.

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Website: http://www.melanieharlow.com

About David:

For David Romanov, STRONG ENOUGH is to a great extent autobiographical. Born in Russia and raised in Europe, he landed in the United States at the age of 24, where he learned a lot about cultural differences between East and West. David firmly believes in ‘The One’ and learning through love. When he isn’t traveling or educating Melanie in Russian culture, he enjoys books and the company of his husband and dog in Los Angeles.

Connect with David:

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Review – Tycoon by Katy Evans

June 21, 2017Leave a comment

Tycoon by Katy Evans

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

People who are meant to be together find their way back. They may take a few detours, but they’re never lost.

There is no love story as special to me as a second-chance romance…my absolute favorite!!! Soul mates who have always loved each other are granted a do-over. There is no greater love like second-chance love, this special love that finds its way back to two often broken souls.

Second-chance romances speak to the soul like no other love stories, and oh did Tycoon by Katy Evans speak to mine. This story of soul mates who found each other again was EVERYTHING!!! Tycoon, this spellbinding and spine-tingling second-chance romance, was my heart…my soul…MY KRYPTONITE.

I sank myself wholeheartedly into Tycoon from the start, this story saturating me, giving me no choice but to succumb to its power. I DEVOURED Tycoon and it devoured me. Its MAGNETIC PULL held me captive. Nothing else mattered. Tycoon ENGULFED me where I clung to every word, unequivocally ENAMORED with this raw romance.

These characters held my heart from the start!

Beautiful Bryn is so strong and sassy. She has been through hell and persevered. I felt her grow up so much in this story.

Like Katy Evans’ other highly-addictive heroes, Aaric Christos has an animal magnetism and radiates power. Devastatingly handsome. Chiseled. Commanding. Caring. Unwavering. This ALL ALPHA…this Greek God OWNED EVERY OUNCE OF ME. So incredibly intense and dominant, Aaric is a man who fights for what and who he wants. He is a man of honor who I LOVED SO HARD. Aaric is PURE PERFECTION.

Aaric and Bryns’ paths again cross after many years.

“You look like a boy who thinks he’ll get to kiss me.”

My eyebrows rise. “I’m not a boy.”

She clears her throat, bristling and turning around. “No, but you’re kind of a jerk.”

I grab her wrist, smiling as I turn back. “I will kiss you though.”

I wanted Aaric to kiss me. LE SWOON. The chemistry is COMBUSTIBLE, so HOT it should be lethal. I MELTED, morphing into a puddle of goo from Aaric’s commanding words that wield power and passion.

“You make me want to protect you and at the same time you make me want to break you. I want you to stop thinking and just f**king feel me. Feel this.”

I FELT EVERY WORD STREAM THROUGH MY SOUL, LIGHTING MY HEART ON FIRE.

“Can you see how much I want you, bit?”

Tycoon BLEEDS ANGST, as two childhood friends fight the MORE.

A relationship is a risk that neither broken soul may be able to afford to take.

“Promise me you’ll forget me.”

“No, bit. I promise you I never will.”

I WAS WRECKED. My HEART HURT. My SOUL WAS SLAYED.

Katy Evans turned my world around again, tilting the axis to Tycoon, where I did nothing but BASK IN BOTH THE BROKENNESS AND BLISS OF THIS BOOK. Tycoon, this INTENSE and INCREDIBLE tale, thoroughly INTOXICATED ME. I was so DRUNK on this romance, savoring every word like smooth and sweet whiskey. I LOVED TYCOON TO THE MOON AND BACK!!!

I LIVED and BREATHED Tycoon. Its words BLED straight to my heart, leaping out of my chest, as they beat for this book. I cried happy and heartbreaking tears, as Tycoon STOLE MY SENSES, entangling around every emotion. This roller coaster of a romance owned every emotion…OWNING ALL OF ME.

My heart leapt out of my chest. My throat gulped. My pulse pounded. My smiles morphed into tears. My tears morphed into sobs. I did not expect Tycoon to TEAR ME TO SHREDS. I did not expect to FEEL ALL THE FEELS, but damn if I didn’t revel in the whirlwind of EMOTIONS THAT ENGULFED every bit of me. TYCOON both tore my heart apart yet made it soar to the sky.

Heart-stopping sexy and seductive, Tycoon is a second-chance romance—fueled by fate—that burns the body and seizes the soul. Undeniable. Unstoppable. Unputdownable. Unequivocally MINE.

“Some what ifs, some you never get to do over.”

“Sometimes you get another try.”

💋💋💋💋💋 ‘Lil Bit’ of Heart-Stopping Kisses

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He wasn’t always this rich. This hot. This difficult.

Aaric Christos was a guy who protected me. Wanted me. Maybe even loved me.

That man is gone.

In his place is the most powerful real estate tycoon in the city.

He’s a cold, ruthless, aggressive businessman.

The only one who can save me and my startup from ruin.

It takes every ounce of courage to put my pride aside and ask for his help.

I didn’t expect him to offer it easily.

And he doesn’t.

Instead, he vets me harder than he’s vetted anyone.

Don’t invest in what you don’t know, he says.

He’s assessing every piece of me, to the point I’ve never felt so bare.

I yearn for the boy I once knew, whose touch once craved me.

Putting it all on the line will be worth it, I tell myself.

Until I realize—too late—that some risks are not worth taking.

I hop off the train and walk several walks to his building.

It’s a brownstone in Park Avenue, one of the most elite of the elite spaces in town.

My lungs feel a little bit overworked from awe as I head up the steps to the double doors, grateful that I came dressed to kill in a little black dress, a jacket, and pumps. Simple, but effective.

See, I may be feeling a little awkward, but at least I don’t look it.

I’m greeted by his maid. She’s dressed in black and white, her hair drawn back in a neat bun, her expression stoic and formal as she leads me down the hall to a gorgeous study.

I catch my breath when I notice all the books and shelves.

It’s like a reader’s paradise in here. There’s a sleek chrome bar, a modern mahogany glass-topped desk, and two huge whiskey-colored leather chairs that almost swallow me up when I’m instructed to wait in one.

I drum my fingers, inhaling the scent of leather and wine, remembering a guy I knew with his mechanic navy-blue uniform, black streaks on his jaw, his big nose always the first thing you’d see, which was a pity because he had beautiful eyes and a really sinful pair of lips.

He’s living in luxury now. Wow. Good for him.

I hear footsteps approaching and the little hair on my arms prick at attention. My head turns as a tall, dark figure steps into the room, and the most intimidating guy I’ve ever seen enters and crosses the room toward the desk. He walks like he’s the shit…his strides proud and composed, elegant and powerful.

Christos, I hear myself breathe in surprise.

He’s so tall now…six three, at least. Dirty-blonde hair, gold-green eyes, chiseled jaw, and a gorgeous profile.

All in black, he looks very much a New Yorker.

He’s wearing a black jacket, black pants, and a black turtleneck beneath the jacket…

I stare at him, my jaw hanging a little bit open. The man is….all man. Testosterone. Muscles. Height. Width. My chest hurts all of a sudden because I realize…

The boy you knew is gone.

I force myself to stand. “Thank you for seeing me.”

He heads to the bar to pour two drinks, then he prowls over, takes the whiskey leather chair across from mine and leans forward, pushing a glass of cognac with one finger across a small table, toward me.

And he waits.

In silence.

But my stomach dips as if he’d said something ultra-sexy and decadent.

“You might not remember me, I’m sorry to be reaching out like this,” I say, nervous.

“What do you want?”

There’s a pleasant shiver as he speaks. Recognition of his voice, even though it’s far deeper than I remember.

“I was told you sometimes invest in startups.”

“I’d say more than sometimes.” He raises his eyebrows as if I should’ve done my homework better.

Ugh, Bryn! Focus! Be SMART! Make yourself and your business irresistible! A silence settles as he eyes me, slowly setting his drink down as he leans forward and finally, unexpectedly, smiles. At me.

It’s just a smile.

But the world tilts under its impact.

“Hello, little bit.” Amusement touches his gaze as he tilts his head and watches me. “You know, I’d think you’d have grown up the ten-plus years since I last saw you. At least an inch.” He leans back in his seat, seemingly displeased. Wow, this guy is not the lanky kid I knew once. This guy oozes danger.

Every ounce of “boy” is gone. Oh God. For a moment I wish that we could go back in time and I could discuss my startup with the guy I knew before.

But time travel is not really my talent, and it seems like I have yet to see if I even have any special talents at all—depending on what this guy thinks.

“I grew two in width,” I shock myself saying.

He laughs then, his eyes drinking me in openly.

“Shame on you, you’re not trying to see if it’s true?” I ask him, frowning now.

He shrugs casually, his lips curved at the corners. “I can’t help it. Something has to have changed.”

“Why?”

“Because nothing good ever lasts. Even you, little bit.” A smile touches those unforgettable gold-green eyes.

A shiver runs through me. Because…

Christos recognized me.

“I can tell you’re as incorrigible as ever.” I shake my head, but I’m smiling, truly just relieved that he recognized me.

“I try to be,” he purrs dangerously.

I’m feeling warm all of a sudden. I can’t believe I’m staring at him so much, but it’s like I cannot take my eyes away. He looks achingly familiar, but at the same time, so different I cannot help but stare and track the differences in his features. The way his jaw squared out even more, the way his body filled out with hard, lean muscles that shift and ripple beneath his expensive designer clothes. I cannot believe that this is a guy I knew once.

He seems to silently be taking in my changes too, his keen stare allowing me to see that he seems to approve of it all. Even the dress I’m wearing. “You changed enough for the both of us,” I blurt.

“Really. How so?” he asks.

“You grew into your nose.”

“Really?” He chuckles as if despite himself.

“Width and height too. Quite a bit,” I add.

“Anything else,” he prods, one eyebrow rising.

“You learned how to dress.”

He looks down at his black suit. “This old thing?” He grins, then shifts forward, sobering up. “What can I do for you, Bryn? Considering I’m rather surprised to see you here, I’m eager for you to satiate my curiosity.” His stare becomes keen.

“So am I. I didn’t expect to be here,” I admit, and for a moment when I look into his eyes, all I see is someone I’ve seen before. Someone who belonged in my life long ago. “You know when you had that misplaced crush on me and told me one day I’d know what it felt like to throw pebbles at someone’s window wanting them to open? I’m sort of throwing rocks here.”

“Not to sing me a love song,” he says flatly, his eyes shuttering.

“No. Well, you know that was never….I mean…” Don’t bring up your rejection of him, Bryn! “It’s for something better. Business.”

“Go on.”

“I knew that’d get you.” I smile privately. “So it’s true your love is money now.”

“She gives back what I put in. Though her ass isn’t as juicy as I like,” he says nonchalantly.

“Wow. No matter how polished you look, your mouth is still as crude as ever.”

“Thank you,” he purrs, his eyes grinning at me.

I laugh. Then I sober up and realize he’s waiting for me to speak. “I’m looking for money for my startup,” I say.

“How much.”

“One hundred thousand.”

“I don’t invest less than a million.” He twirls his whiskey in his glass, eyeing the liquid.

“Well then, I’ll ask for a million.”

He raises his brows, setting his glass down. “It’s not how much you want to ask for, it’s how much the company’s worth.” Eyebrows up, he skewers me with a cold, intimidating look.

“It’ll be worth more than a million, trust me,” I bluff.

“Good for you. Except…” he leans back with a rustle of clothes, every athletic inch of his black-clad body flowing sinuously like a feline with the move, “considering that has yet to happen and I’ll need to trust you on that, my trust needs to be earned.”

This version of Christos is even more intimidating than the old one, unfortunately.

I try to hide it, keeping my voice as level as possible. “How does one earn your trust?”

“I’d tell you if I were interested, but I’m not exactly sure that I am.” He eyes me as if debating in silence.

This guy is the only guy in the world that unnerves me in this way, and I can’t seem to slow the fast pounding of my heart in my chest as I try to remember what I came here to say.

“I have a full presentation for you. I’m not taking no for an answer.” I reach into my briefcase.

“Darling. Are you ready?”

I start at the female voice and glance at a gorgeous woman striding into the study. Christos continues looking at me as he stands and reaches for the cell phone the woman extends out.

“We’re done here,” he answers her as he pockets the phone, his gaze remaining on me.

“I’ll wait for you in the car.” She leans up and kisses his jaw, her hands proprietary on his chest, then sends me a woman-to-woman claiming look, before she swishes away, all glittering jewels and lean body.

There’s a silence as he approaches, and for a second all I can hear is the sound of a toilet flushing, taking my only opportunity with a possible investor away.

“I’ll think about it,” he says.

“Christos.”

“I said I’ll think about it,” he says from the door.

“Please do,” I say as he exits the room. I cup the sides of my mouth, “I’ll be back tomorrow. Same time?” I say jokingly.

I’m surprised when I hear footsteps returning. He pauses when our eyes meet. “I’ll make contact,” he says, raising his eyebrows meaningfully, “If I’m interested in hearing more.” He nods. “Nice to see you, Bryn.”

“Nice to see you. Christos.”

Well, that went sort of awful.

A MUST-CLICK ROMANCE!!!

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Katy Evans is a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author. Her debut REAL shot to the top of the bestselling lists in 2013 and since then 9 of her titles have been New York Times bestsellers. Her books have been translated into nearly a dozen languages across the world.

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Review- Too Close To Call by Tessa Bailey

June 21, 2017Leave a comment

My rating is 5 out of 5 stars

As usual, Tessa Bailey delivers a 5 star read. This book was the perfect blend of spicy and sweet. First loves that get a second chance. I absolutely love those stories more than any other.

Bree bolts when it’s time for Skyler to move on to college and she decides to stay home to take care of her family. She’s essentially put her life on hold to do what’s best for her dad and sister. She is the epitome of a true sweetheart. She avoids Kyler at all costs when she knows he’s in town for a visit. That changes quickly when he shows up unannounced and has no intentions of leaving until Bree is his again.

I absolutely love these two. They have good old fashion values but boy does Kyler blow us away when he lets that alpha side out. It was a quick fast paced read that I couldn’t put down.

From New York Times bestselling author Tessa Bailey comes TOO CLOSE TO CALL, a novella in her Romancing the Clarksons Series published by 1001 Dark Nights! Grab your copy today!

About TOO CLOSE TO CALL:

All-American wide receiver Kyler Tate’s life is about to change. A fairytale college career skyrocketed him to the NFL draft. Adoration and opportunity are thrown in his direction wherever he goes, thanks to being chosen in the first round by the Los Angeles Rage.

None of the accolades mean anything, though, without his high school sweetheart, Bree Justice, by his side. Four years ago, she walked away from Kyler, choosing a quiet life over the flash and notoriety his career would someday bring.

Now he’s back in their Indiana hometown, refusing to leave for Los Angeles without her. Demanding she give their life together a shot. Her heart never stopped bleeding for the love of her life, but Bree’s decision was final. Too bad their wild attraction has only been amplified by their separation, and Kyler won’t quit until Bree is wearing his ring.

“Whoa there,” Bree whispered shakily. “This is a church dance.”

Her words seemed to bring him back from whatever land he’d been teleported to. “Right,” he rasped. “We’re supposed to be setting an example.”

“Yes.” 

“So I should definitely stop thinking about sucking on your lower lip.” 

Bree’s thighs pressed together, her gasping inhale shivering all the way down into her tummy. Lower. “Stop that right now.” 

His gaze remained zeroed in on her mouth. “Stop thinking about it or saying it out loud?” 

“Both.” Trying desperately to remain indignant in the face of that face—and that drawl, those muscles, his familiar scent—Bree warned him with a look. “You said we were going to be friends. There’s nothing the least bit friendly about lip sucking.”

“I don’t know.” He hummed in his throat and tightened his hold around her waist. “Seems like letting me do it would be mighty friendly of you.”

Bree tamped down a laugh. “Friendly or stupid?” 

“Stupid?” Kyler frowned. “Why?” 

“Because we both know where it leads.” Shit almighty. How had it come to this? She was plastered against her ex-boyfriend—whom she’d yet to shake completely. He looked delicious enough to eat, and now they were having a conversation about sex. And—and—she was wearing her feel- good dress. The one she wore when her hair was down and everything was shaved and waxed. Had she primped because Kyler was back in town? It was too infuriating to speculate on.

“You’re getting pretty worked up down there, supergirl.” 

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Tessa Bailey is originally from Carlsbad, California. The day after high school graduation, she packed her yearbook, ripped jeans and laptop, driving cross-country to New York City in under four days.

Her most valuable life experiences were learned thereafter while waitressing at K-Dees, a Manhattan pub owned by her uncle. Inside those four walls, she met her husband, best friend and discovered the magic of classic rock, managing to put herself through Kingsborough Community College and the English program at Pace University at the same time. Several stunted attempts to enter the work force as a journalist followed, but romance writing continued to demand her attention.

She now lives in Long Island, New York with her husband of eight years and four-year-old daughter. Although she is severely sleep-deprived, she is incredibly happy to be living her dream of writing about people falling in love.

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