Title: Sweet Southern Heat
Series: Magnolia Grove Series
Author: Ashley Cade
Release: September 12, 2024
Genre/Tropes: Small Town Romance; Ex’s Older Brother; Enemies-to-Lovers; Grumpy/Sunshine;
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/202618032-sweet-southern-heat
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/sweet-southern-heat-by-ashley-cade
Blurb:
Kissing your enemy is never a good idea, especially when he’s your ex’s surly older brother. But in my defense, he kissed me first.
Landon Crawford has always blamed me for the accident that stole his brother’s future, but he doesn’t know what really happened that night. I’ve hidden the ugly truth from everyone for six long years, but in a small town like ours, secrets don’t stay buried forever.
When I unexpectedly inherit my grandmother’s bakery, I find myself back in Magnolia Grove and Landon’s orbit. I try to avoid the grumpy mechanic, but fate is hellbent on throwing us together, and the more time I spend with him, the more the line between love and hate starts to blur.
The moment we give into our feelings, tragedy strikes again, leaving Landon with an impossible choice: fully give his heart to me or cling to what’s left of his crumbling family.
*Sweet Southern Heat is a complete standalone set in the Magnolia Grove Series. It’s a small town, enemies to lovers, grumpy/sunshine romance with plenty of steam, lots of tension, and a guaranteed HEA.
Buy Links (Kindle Unlimited):
Amazon Universal: https://mybook.to/SweetSouthernHeat
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CNQF77PV
Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0CNQF77PV
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CNQF77PV
Amazon AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0CNQF77PV
Excerpt #1:
“This can’t happen,” he proclaimed as though trying to convince himself. Nothing could happen between us. He hated me. Just because he found me attractive didn’t negate the fact that he’d always blamed me for ruining his brother’s life.
“Never,” I agreed, my voice trembling with anticipation.
“There can never be anything between us.” Despite his proclamation, he drew closer. My bikini-clad breasts brushed against his chest as my breath heaved in and out.
“You’re right,” I whispered just before his lips crashed down on mine. His kiss swallowed my shocked gasp, and for a brief moment, I let him kiss me. It felt good to be in his arms, better than it ever had with his brother. With that thought, I pushed against his chest and broke our kiss. I stared up at him in wide-eyed surprise, panting as I tried to catch my breath. His heated gaze scorched me, the look of desire burning in his eyes igniting something inside me I didn’t know existed.
Without another thought, I wound my arms around his neck and pulled his lips down to mine again. He pressed into me, wrapping his arms around my waist and lining up our bodies. His arousal dug insistently into my belly. I let out a soft moan when his hips flexed, letting me know just how badly he wanted me. Correction: just how badly his body wanted mine. This was nothing more than physical need fueled by mutual attraction. He didn’t like me, and I didn’t like him, but there was no denying our explosive chemistry any longer.
He ground into me, his tongue exploring my mouth as I wove my fingers through his hair. I scraped my nails over his scalp, and a growl rumbled up his chest. He nipped my bottom lip in warning, and I smiled into his kiss.
I was contemplating wrapping my legs around his waist so I could feel him against my needy core when he suddenly pulled away. His gaze fixed over my shoulder, and he took several steps back. He ran a frustrated hand over his face and shook the water from his hair. Turning his back to me, he cut to the right where the steps led to the shallow end. Voices filtered through the air, and I looked over my shoulder to find Lucy coming down the steps, her bag slung over her shoulders. Shit, we almost got caught. Magnolia Grove was a small town, and if anyone saw Landon and me making out, the entire population would know by tomorrow morning.
Landon casually strode across the patio, no sign of his unease save for the tense set of his shoulders. He didn’t spare me a single glance as he grabbed a towel and ran it over his body before heading inside.
Excerpt #2:
I couldn’t keep my eyes off Olivia. And I hated myself for it. Even with Honey Beaumont—who was arguably one of the most beautiful women in Magnolia Grove—sitting next to her, I couldn’t make myself look away from the woman I swore to loathe until I took my last breath. She was the flame, and I was the moth, destined to be burned by her if I couldn’t resist the pull.
Even worse, I’d been caught. Stopping just long enough to wipe the perspiration from my face from working in the unforgiving sun, I snuck another peek at her in that scrap of temptation she called a bathing suit. It was too much, too hard to resist. Her long legs were on full display, and her tits were barely covered by two triangles that did little to hide her body’s reaction to catching me watching her. Her chest heaved with each breath she took, and her mouth parted in a little “O” of surprise. And all I could think about was filling that circle with my cock.
I gritted my teeth and looked away. It didn’t matter how badly my body wanted hers or how satisfying it would be to fuck that pretty little lying mouth. Olivia Duprey would always be off limits. She was my brother’s ex and the woman who shattered all his hopes and dreams the night she stole the bright future that was just within reach.
Shaking away those thoughts, I continued with my work, losing myself in the sound of my drill and scent of fresh lumber. When the sound of the back patio door sliding open registered in my ears, I stood and turned to find Olivia coming through it. Strange, I hadn’t heard her go inside nor had I noticed her absence. She must not have been gone long considering how often my eyes drifted to her as she lounged poolside with her friend.
She gently closed the door behind her and turned to find me watching her every move. A shy smile curved her lips, and she held out her hand. In it was a tall glass filled to the brim with fat ice cubes and yellow liquid that could only be lemonade. Condensation beaded on the outside of the glass, and my mouth watered. I was parched from working in the sun and had long since drained the bottle of water I’d brought with me.
“I thought you might need a drink,” Olivia said hesitantly.
I closed the distance between us in two long strides and reached for the glass. My fingers curled around the cool glass, brushing against her skin ever so slightly. The brief contact shot an electric pulse up my arm. She must’ve felt it too because she quickly jerked away and clasped her hands together.
“Thank you,” I said with an appreciative nod.
“You’re welcome,” she muttered quickly and tried to back away, but her foot caught on a small pile of wood I’d stacked next to the rail. I thought it was far enough out of the way, but in her attempt to give me a wide berth, she tripped over it. Her body pitched backward, and she let out a yelp as she careened toward the deck. Instinctively, I shot out my free hand and caught her around the waist, my arm wrapping around her middle. I tugged her toward me, holding her tightly so she wouldn’t fall and crack her head open. Her body pressed against mine, her back arched as her arms flailed, searching for purchase. Wide, frightened eyes peered into mine as she finally realized she was no longer falling. Her palms flattened against my chest as she regained her balance.
Her touch sent a shockwave of awareness through my entire body, and I nearly released her. The sensation was jarring, though not unpleasant. I wanted more of it. My cock stirred to life behind my zipper as my gaze dropped to her full parted lips, then lower to where her breasts were pressed against my chest. Could she feel the pulse thundering against my ribs as I held her, her entire body plastered to mine?
It must’ve been the adrenaline rush from having to save her from certain demise. She could’ve been seriously injured had she fallen, especially with the steps so close behind her. And it would’ve been my fault.
I swallowed hard, hating the idea of her getting hurt because of my negligence. Dean would certainly get sued and then fire me. My stomach knotted at the prospect. I told myself it was only because I couldn’t afford to lose my side gig and not because I cared what happened to Olivia.
Clearing my throat, I loosened my hold on her.
“Are you okay? Can you stand?” I asked, more than ready to be rid of her. But if I released her too soon, before she regained her balance, she could still fall.
“I-I think so,” she replied shakily. I slowly uncurled the arm wrapped around her middle, my fingers grazing the silken skin of her back as I attempted to steady her while she found her footing again. Every inch of my skin that connected with hers sparked with something I refused to acknowledge.
“Thank you for catching me. That could’ve been bad.”
I nodded my reply, afraid if I opened my mouth, I’d say something stupid like, “I’m glad you’re okay,” or “my boss would fire my ass if you got hurt because of me.” Both were true but were better left unsaid.
“I guess I should stay out of your way until you’re done,” she offered with an embarrassed chuckle.
“That’s probably for the best.”
Author Bio:
Ashley is a USA Today Bestselling author who likes her small town romance extra spicy with a touch of angst and a splash of humor. Her swoon worthy heroes will melt your kindles (along with your undergarments). She resides in Ohio with her husband and two sons where she pens emotionally gripping love stories about imperfect people who find their happily ever after.
Social Media Links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorashleycade
IG: https://www.instagram.com/authorashleycade
TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@ashleycade_writes
Newsletter: https://bit.ly/AshCadeNewsletter
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/ashley-cade
Website: https://www.authorashleycade.com
Available Now/Coming Soon in the Series:
>> Series Buy Link → https://mybook.to/MagnoliaGrove
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Blurb & PreOrder: https://mybook.to/SweetSouthernHeat
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