When all you thought you ever wanted isn’t at all what you need.
When Mieka Young breaks her arm in a freak accident, her dance company takes it as an opportunity to not renew her contract, calling her “too old” to dance for them. Now, literally broken and jobless, she retreats to her sister’s ranch in Colorado for a little rest and relaxation, along with some much-needed clarity.
However, the ranch is not all horses, goats, and newborn foals. There, Mieka must face a part of her past that still holds a tender space in her heart. She must figure out where Nate fits in her world, if at all. Ranch life isn’t for her, no matter how hard he tries to convince her otherwise.
Nate Harris falls in love every Friday night and falls out of it every Saturday morning. However, one hot night last summer everything changed when he and Mieka finally succumbed to their chemistry. Then she vanished, returning to work dancing on cruise ships, and living her best life. Only, now, Mieka is back at the ranch and Nate’s determined to show her the love, purpose and beautiful future she’s searching for.
“I absolutely loved Nate and Mieka’s story! They were great together! The banter between them was very entertaining! Nate loved ranch life, but Mieka thinks that she needs the hustle and bustle of big city life. Will he be able to convince her to stay with him? Second Chance with the Rancher is a great story with amazing characters, wonderful chemistry, lots of emotions and many amazing animals! Fumble the escape artist goat was hilarious! This story is a fantastic addition to the Young Sisters series! ~ cynthia618147 (Bookbub Review)
“Nate and Mieka’s story was everything! It made me laugh (freaking Fumble! ), cry more than once, and just had me turning the pages yet not wanting it to end. Another great read in this series and I am looking forward to more.~ bluedakota06 (Bookbub Review)
“The chemistry between Mieka and Nate is intense. I fell hard for Nate, there is so much more to him than what he shows the world, and I loved the witty banter and connection that he shared with Mieka.
“It was good to see some familiar faces throughout the story; it added an added to my enjoyment of the story. Second Chance With The Rancher was an entertaining well written romantic love story that ticked the boxes for me.” – Erin Lewis (Goodreads Review)
“Without spoiling the story it has humour love and drama. Loved the stubborn cat references lol .A great love story that gives a lovely HEA ending. 911Jayne (Amazon Review)
Excerpt:
Nate had given her a lot to think about on their drive, and no matter how much Mieka tried not to, her eyes kept drifting to his finger. Yeah, that finger as it gripped the steering wheel. Then, when she’d realize she was staring at his hands—particularly that finger—she’d move her gaze elsewhere, and of course, her eyes drifted down to the front of his jeans where a big peg apparently lived.
Damnit, she was in a dry spell. Like a major dry spell. Her stubborn cat was starting to pace and meow and demand attention. Not to mention those horny hornets in her belly that buzzed every time Nate smiled at her, or she imagined those big hands of his holding onto her hips as he plowed into her from behind over a hay bale.
Even though she’d been sleeping with that bartender back on the ship, it’d been over a month since they’d done anything, mostly because their shifts didn’t align. And when they did do things, he’d been mediocre at best. The man had no tongue skills, and zero stamina. Most of the time, Mieka had to get herself off after he came.
Yeah, Nate was right. A gentleman should always let the woman come first so she’s not riding a soft dick, limping her way to her own finish line.
Staring out the window, determined not to look at his finger or crotch anymore, she wasn’t even aware of the fact that she was chewing her nails until Nate’s voice broke her out of her trance. “I didn’t know you had ADHD,” he said. “When did you get diagnosed with that?”
She spun around to face him, but then dropped her eyes to her hands and the horrible chewed, red and tender fingertips. “When I was five.”
“And dance helps?”
“It keeps my mind focused and my body busy. I’m also medicated, which helps, too.” She shrugged. “It’s just a part of my life and who I am.” Her gaze slid to his. “But it’s also responsible for my fidgetiness, mood swings, impulsiveness and how my self-esteem can quickly take a massive nose-dive in a literal second.” Heaving a big sigh, she balled her sore hands into tight fists. Well, she did it with one hand and attempted to with the other. “I just do the best I can. Every day is a struggle. Just some days are more of a struggle than others.”
“If I’m doing anything to exacerbate that struggle, please let me know.” The sincerity in his blue eyes and his voice was touching.
“You’re not,” she said. “You’re keeping me distracted from wallowing… for the most part. So, thank you.”
They were already back at the ranch, so he turned off the road and rumbled the big truck and horse trailer down the laneway. A quick glance at the clock on the dash said it was just after five-thirty, so of course the petting farm would be closed to the public by now, which explained the empty yard and parking lot.
Nate exhaled. “I know it brings in money, and it was my idea, but fuck, it gets claustrophobic when we have the petting farm open. People, big and small, are everywhere.” He pulled the truck up in front of the barn, put it in park, and turned off the engine before hopping out.
Mieka did the same and met him behind the trailer.
“Feel free to go do what you need to do, Minx. I’ve gotta get this stuff out of the trailer and into the corresponding crates.” He grinned wide at her. “Good thing you were organized enough to color code everything ahead of time so I know which chair goes to which cabin.” He opened the trailer door to reveal boxes piled up to the ceiling. The bed of the truck was full of bedding, kitchen stuff, décor and everything else. The furniture was in the trailer and even then, not everything fit, so they paid for express shipping and the rest would arrive by tomorrow.
And just like he said, she had given each cabin a corresponding color code and put a big sticker of that color on the appropriate furniture. She wasn’t always this organized, but she was really passionate about this project, and appreciative of the trust Nate and Asher had put in her, so she was determined not to mess it up.
“I can help,” she said, watching Asher and Triss come down the front steps of the house.
“You’ve already done so much,” Nate replied. “It’s all good. Besides, we don’t want to hurt your arm.”
Asher sidled up beside his brother and whistled when he looked inside the trailer. “Don’t want to know what this cost us.”
“Then don’t ask,” Nate chuckled, hauling out a huge box that was part of a bed frame.
The two men went to work removing everything from the trailer and truck, while Mieka grabbed her leftover lunch and followed Triss inside.
“How was your day?” Triss asked, gauging Mieka carefully.
“It was good. We got everything we needed.”
Triss’s eyes fell to the fast-food bag. “Ah, you stopped at Gus’s. I take it you’re not hungry, then?”
Mieka puffed out her cheeks and shook her head. “I still haven’t even finished this. But it’s so freaking good.”
“I know. I’ve gone to Denver with Nate a few times and he always stops there. It’s good, but it’s definitely a treat. I’m like a snake after I eat there. That’s my meal for the week.”
“You’re okay that I’m going to skip dinner?”
Triss lifted a shoulder. “You’re an adult and free to do as you like. It’s why I haven’t put the meat on the barbecue yet.”
“The day here was good?” Mieka asked, pulling out the rest of her burger, taking a seat at the table and diving in. “We feel bad. We left when it was so busy.”
“Great day,” Triss said, taking up an abandoned spot at the counter to continue preparing a salad. “It was busy, but everyone had a good time. Fumble escaped again, so that was fun. Asher is so close to barbecuing that goat, I swear it.”
Mieka chuckled. “Apparently Ray’s auntie has a great recipe for jerked goat.”
A Canadian West Coast baby born and raised, Whitley is married to her high school sweetheart, and together they have two beautiful daughters and a fluffy dog. She spends her days making food that gets thrown on the floor, vacuuming Cheerios out from under the couch and making sure that the dog food doesn’t end up in the air conditioner. But when nap time comes, and it’s not quite wine o’clock, Whitley sits down, avoids the pile of laundry on the couch, and writes.
A lover of all things decadent; wine, cheese, chocolate and spicy erotic romance, Whitley brings the humorous side of sex, the ridiculous side of relationships and the suspense of everyday life into her stories. With single dads, firefighters, Navy SEALs, mommy wars, body issues, threesomes, bondage and role-playing, Whitley’s books have all the funny and fabulously filthy words you could hope for.
From USA Today bestselling author Ava Harrison comes a steamy standalone romance about a grumpy talent agent and the gorgeous business rival who can’t stand him.
He’s the hotshot agent who hates my guts. I’m the (almost) one-night stand turned business rival.
Imagine my surprise when Paxton Ramsey shows up across the boardroom table. Gone is the sexy smirk, replaced by open hostility with a side of taunting.
His overbearing, grumpy attitude makes my blood boil. But I can’t forget the taste of our kiss. The thrill of his touch.
Our clients expect us to work together. I can’t even stand being in the same zip code.
Surely, I can survive one week trapped on an island with my nemesis? Until one week turns into two. Then three. Then four.
When he flaunts his power to make my career dreams come true… It takes everything in me not to ruin his.
Paxton Ramsey thinks he’ll be the death of me. But I just might teach him how to live in the process.
Title: Paint with Me Series: Fellside Mountain Rescue #3 Author: Dani Elias
Genre: Contemporary Romance Tropes: Age Gap/Small Town Release Date: May 12, 2023
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Fellside Mountain Rescue’s volunteers help those that are lost in the mountains. But who will help them when they fall for their women? Meet the British hunks who risk their lives for others and risk it all when it comes to love.
Paint with Me – Book 3 in the Fellside Mountain Rescue Series
Nick is battling his past demons when he meets the woman he has been waiting for all his life. Now he needs to convince her that they are meant to be. Following a messy divorce, Charlotte is weary of men. She has convinced herself that she is past her sell-by date. Why a significantly younger man is pursuing her is beyond her. Should she listen to her heart or trust her gut feeling that something is wrong?
Nick I have many faults. I tend to rub people up the wrong way, and I know it. I have hurt people in the past, but I am trying to become a better man. Never more so than when I meet her. I am sent to rescue a woman who isn’t really lost. Instead of thanking me for saving her life, Charlotte tells me off for interrupting her creative flow. With her feisty attitude, she captures my heart. I need her in my life, but my reputation and our age difference are a deal-breaker for her. So what if she is a little older than me? I am determined to show her I have changed and how good we are together. I need help and have to ask the one person I don’t want to ask.
Author Dani Elias loves writing about British working-class hotties and the women who are their happily-ever-after. Her stories are short, sweet & steamy.
As the EMT for Bradford Station, I see a lot of things I’ll never be able to forget. One of those things was my wife walking away from our marriage.
Two years later, I don’t expect to respond to a vehicle entrapment, only to find her there with a toddler who looks exactly like me.
Questions are asked, but the answers aren’t what I’m looking for. I want my family back, no matter what it takes. Even if it means potentially giving up the job I love so much.
About Laramie:
Laramie Briscoe is the USA Today and Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author of over 30 books, with sales of over half a million copies.
Since self-publishing her first book in May of 2013, Laramie has appeared on the Top 100 Bestselling E-books Lists on Apple Books, Amazon Kindle, Kobo, and Barnes & Noble. Her books have been known to make readers laugh and cry. They are guaranteed to be emotional, steamy reads.
When she’s not writing alpha males who seriously love their women, she loves spending time with friends, reading, and marathoning shows on Netflix. Married to her high school sweetheart, Laramie lives in Bowling Green, KY with her husband.
Genre: Steamy Instalove Romance Tropes: Forbidden Age Gap/Forced Proximity Romance Release Date: May 11, 2023
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Riley
Hell hath no fury like a woman who’s been cheated on… again and again. I’ve had it. I dated Alex for six months, and he cheated on me… with my roommate. Now, I’m over him. And to finally avenge his stupid behavior, I’m about to do some misbehaving of my own… with his hot dad. Of course this won’t be a sacrifice… Rhett is about the sexiest man who’s walked Earth. He’s also my boss—and the man I’ll gladly hand my V-card to.
Rhett
When an unexpected guest arrives at my doorstep during my trip abroad, I didn’t expect her to be Riley, wearing shorts that make me drool. I see Riley at work, where she’s always dressed appropriately. This is supposed to be my time. Every year, I take a week off to celebrate my birthday. And now, because of a misunderstanding, I have to share my space with this young, hot girl who forgot the basic rules of modesty. Lucky for her… so have I. She has a dirty birthday celebration planned for me… and I’ll pay her in kind. Once the weekend is over, we’ll see who gets the better gift.
Cassie Cassell writes short dirty romance about characters who can’t keep their hands off each other. She favors mini-stories with low angst, high steam, and fun times—the type to give you a delicious rush of adrenaline on your commute to work or late at night in bed.
She lives in Central Texas with her family.
When she’s not writing, she’s reading thrillers or books that definitely make you blush.
If petting random dogs was a sport, she’d be an Olympic Gold Medalist.
She loves to hear from readers. Connect with her online:
Title: HOT Limit Series: Hostile Operations Team Strike Team 2 #7 Author: Lynn Raye Harris
Genre: Military Romantic Suspense Tropes: Bodyguard/Single Mom/Military Hero Release Date: May 9, 2023
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HOT soldier Ryder “Muffin” Hanson didn’t plan on diving into a frigid lake on a freezing day, but finding an unconscious woman in the water leaves him no choice.
Single mom Alaina Montgomery does the best she can to take care of her six-year old son, working as a cleaner in a women’s crisis center. It doesn’t pay a lot, but it’s enough to keep them going.
Until someone brutally attacks her and leaves her for dead.
Now, Alaina is terrified to be alone and fearful for her son’s safety. When Ryder offers her a place to stay, she can’t refuse. He’ll protect her and her child, plus he’s the kind of man her little boy can look up to. As the feelings between her and Ryder grow, she finally lets herself believe the future looks bright.
But the danger isn’t over yet. Someone is watching and waiting. And when the time is right, they’ll strike again…
Lynn Raye Harris is a Southern girl, military wife, wannabe cat lady, and horse lover. She’s also the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the HOSTILE OPERATIONS TEAM Ⓡ SERIES of military romances, and 20 books about sexy billionaires for Harlequin.
A former finalist for the Romance Writers of America’s Golden Heart Award and the National Readers Choice Award, Lynn lives in Alabama with her handsome former-military husband, one fluffy princess of a cat, and a very spoiled American Saddlebred horse who enjoys bucking at random in order to keep Lynn on her toes.
Lynn’s books have been called “exceptional and emotional,” “intense,” and “sizzling” – and have sold in excess of 4.5 million copies worldwide.
To sign up for Lynn’s VIP Reader List – where you’ll be kept up to date about all of Lynn’s books – go to http://bit.ly/LRHNews.
Title: Whiskey Series: Dark Water #2 Author: J.L. Drake
Genre: Military Romance Release Date: May 9, 2023
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Major Ty Beckett
I was born for a life in the military. When gunfire and RPGs become a way of life, you know exactly what your purpose is. But it was all taken away. When I returned to US soil, I lost myself in hatred but was given a second chance to become something more. When I accepted a position as team leader at a safehouse in Montana, I had no idea what kind of fight I was in for or what kind of brotherhood I was about to join.
With the good comes the bad. I just didn’t think the two would tangle like they did.
Dr. Ivy Knight
Helping soldiers who suffered from PTSD was my area of expertise until a dangerous situation changed everything. For my safety, I agreed to be taken to an unknown location to work with a group of soldiers. But these men fight a whole different kind of war. With my own problems hot on my heels, I tried to focus on my new job, but that was harder than I ever imagined. I found myself in the arms of someone who lit a fire inside me like nobody ever had.
Maybe I need to take the risk and let the dice roll.
*May contain triggers, cliffhanger, intended for 18+.
Bestselling author J. L. Drake was born and raised in Nova Scotia, Canada, later moving to Southern California where she lives with her husband and two children.
When she’s not writing, she loves to spend time with her family, travelling or just enjoying a night at home. One thing you might notice in her books is her love for the four seasons. Growing up on the east coast of Canada the change in the seasons is in her blood and is often mentioned in her writing.
An avid reader of James Patterson, J.L. Drake has often found herself inspired by his many stories of mystery and intrigue.
She hopes you will enjoy her stories as much as she has enjoyed writing them.
Title: Cherry Picked Series: The Sunday Brothers #3 Author: May Archer
Genre: MM Romance Tropes: Brother’s Best Friend/Age Gap Release Date: May 2, 2023
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Never ask your brother’s best friend to… pick your cherry.
When I asked Jack Wyatt to help me lose my pesky v-card, I didn’t expect him to keel over in shocked disapproval and nearly tumble us down a mountain.
You might think a guy who’s been reading romance novels his whole life would’ve figured out a smoother way to broach the subject, but in my defense, I’ve been pining for Jack for seven long years, just waiting for him to notice me. Jack sees me as sweet, shy Hawk Sunday: his Pride and Prejudice-obsessed hiking buddy; his dependable employee; the honorary little brother he’s determined to protect, not…deflower. But to me, Jack is everything a romantic hero should be: tall, gorgeous, kind, and brilliant. Or at least I thought he was brilliant… until he started getting so many things so boneheadedly wrong.
Like refusing to do the deflowering himself, but also, erm… blocking any other potential plant-lovers from getting all up in my garden. And like continuing to see me as someone who needs protecting, rather than a man who needs possessing…
A man who’s determined to get his cherry well and truly picked this summer, whether Jack Wyatt likes it or not.
May is an M/M author who lives in Boston. She spends her days raising three incredibly sarcastic children, alternating eating Jax and Tostitos, planning beach vacations, avoiding the gym, reading M/M romance, and occasionally writing it.
I had a perfect life—married to my high school sweetheart and preparing for our new baby. Then tragedy struck.
I could have moved us back to have the support of our parents, but home isn’t where you come from, it’s where you want to be. And I want to be here in Balsam Ridge.
So I begin anew, a single mom with a fractured heart. Determined to rise above the grief and grasp the joy that still bubbles inside of me every time I look into the eyes of our baby girl. Starting with a job at the local hemp farm.
Weston Tuttle is a walking contradiction. Playful yet ambitious. Soft yet strong. Wisecracking yet caring. A beautiful man with a sexy smile and big heart, and a blessing to me and my daughter.
This may not be the life I planned, but it could be the life that I was always meant to live.
ABOUT AMBER KELLY
Amber Kelly is a romance author that calls North Carolina home. She has been an avid reader from a young age and you could always find her with her nose in a book completely enthralled in an adventure. With the support of her husband and family, in 2018, she decided to finally give a voice to the stories in her head and her debut novel, Both of Me was born.
Title: So Comes the Darkness Author: Arabella Holmes
Genre: Dark Monster Romance Tropes: Erotic Horror/BDSM Release Date: May 5, 2023
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Vanessa Evans hates her dad’s new girlfriend, Lisa. She thinks Lisa is evil and longs for the day her father realises what a huge mistake he’s made. When circumstances force Lisa to move into Vanessa’s home, she isn’t prepared for the unimaginable events that follow. Lisa unleashes a secret weapon: her scorching-hot son, Shay.
The moment Vanessa meets him, the attraction between them is undeniable. She tries to fight her feelings but cannot help being drawn to him. When he moves into the bedroom down the hall, Vanessa knows she’s in trouble. How will she cope having him so close?
Soon, Shay begins to pursue her, and it becomes clear he will not rest until she has submitted to his carnal S&M lust. Will Vanessa escape the clutches of her gorgeous house guest? Does she want to? And what will she do when he finally reveals his deep dark secret?
So Comes the Darkness is a standalone monster romance with elements of erotic horror, for those who like their spice on the dark side.
Warning: Contains triggers. Please read the author’s note carefully for further details. For readers over 18 only.
Arabella Holmes grew up in Wandsworth, south London. From a young age she developed a great love of horror films and gothic romances. Her favourite director is Paul Verhoeven and her favourite authors include Charlotte Bronte, Jim Thompson, Mark Edwards and Sarah Waters. Her favourite movie genre is Film Noir and includes classics such as Double Indemnity, Body Heat and Jagged Edge. When she isn’t writing, Arabella enjoys directing short films for the festival circuit and looking after her cat. An avid tea drinker, Arabella can be found hanging out in cosy London cafes in search of new brews to tease her taste buds.
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