As soon as we’re alone, the air shifts. Shadows dance across the tabletop. Megan’s jasmine perfume scents the air, and my body temperature rises.
I struggle to remember our conversation yesterday. I remind myself that my child—the same one that occupied the seat next to me a minute ago—is my priority. Over and over, I replay all the reasons why I can’t afford to get off track.
Why I can’t touch Megan Kramer.
My muscles tighten in my stomach and across the back of my neck as I lift my gaze from the tabletop to her.
She grins. It’s simple, but when coupled with the heat in her eyes, there’s nothing sweet about it. “That was fun.”
I hold her gaze, unable to look away.
This is the first day, Chase. Twenty-nine more to go. Don’t blow it already.
I smirk and push away from the table.
I need to put some distance between us before things get really fun.
BLP REVIEW – Tracy
4.8* – love, Love, LOVE an Adriana Locke book….
Chase and Megan were awesome. Their initial meeting was not great (though Meg’s complaining about him in the bar later that night was amusing) and then the next day Chase was not ready for Megan to turn up on his doorstep (quite literally, she was not the person he was expecting to arrive to help with his daughter – but his mother didn’t tell him about a change in plans!!)
Megan had returned home after her dream job ended but after her mum suffered an accident she agreed to help out with her mum’s best friend’s grand-daughter, Kennedy, for the summer. The night before she’s due to start she gets a bit lost and a grumpy but hot guy stops to help her – the not so great interaction. Their conversation and thoughts here gave you an idea of how explosive they could be together….
Chase’s biggest problem and the reason why he was so reticent to Meg helping with Kennedy was the strength of his attraction to her. Megan, once things were decided that she would stay with Chase and Kennedy, tried to quell her attraction to him but after a bit neither of them could deny how they felt and they stop fighting the connection.
I really loved how Meg bonded with Kennedy and that she jumped in to stand up and protect her, listening and doing the right thing where Kennedy was concerned. This is where it missed 5* for me. I got that chase was tired and all when he got the story of what had happened but his reaction and words completely p’d me off.
I loved Chase’s brothers and I’m looking forward to their books and heading back to Peachwood Falls.
Adriana always hits the mark and ‘More Than I Could’ is another fab example of her great characters, funny banter, and the angst, emotion and heat she writes for her MCs.
USA Today Bestselling author, Adriana Locke, writes contemporary romances about the two things she knows best—big families and small towns. Her stories are about ordinary people finding extraordinary love with the perfect combination of heart, heat, and humor.
She loves connecting with readers, fall weather, football, reading alpha heroes, everything pumpkin, and pretending to garden.
Hailing from a tiny town in the Midwest, Adriana spends her free time with her high school sweetheart (who she married over twenty-five years ago) and their four sons (who truly are her best work). Her kitchen may be a perpetual disaster, and if all else fails, there is always pizza.
I’m slightly nervous as I follow him into his kitchen. I gasp when I get a good look. His kitchen is my dream. Stainless steel appliances, cabinets painted a dark gray that almost pulls blue in the darkness coming through the back windows. White marble countertops are spotless and inviting. Contemporary lighting provides enough where it’s needed, and softens where it isn’t. “You have a pot filler,” I gasp with jealousy.
He laughs. “I do. When Dad and I were designing this place, he said I’d appreciate it if I were ever going to make dinner often. Since I do, I use it all the time.”
“You make dinner a lot?” I’m learning so much about him tonight.
“When I decided to buy this place and gut it, I didn’t have a ton of money. Still repaying college loans too,” he shrugs. “So while I do go out with my friends to the bar, I don’t spend a ton as I’m paying down stuff. Dad helped me more than he should’ve, but he wasn’t able to take care of everything. The amount of free labor and construction work he gave me for this place was well into the hundreds of thousands. My friends helped too, which is why they hang out here all the time when we aren’t working or at Monroe’s.”
The scent of whatever we’re going to eat permeates the room. “What else are you going to surprise me with tonight?” I tilt my head to the side.
“Hopefully everything you never imagined I would be.”
Our eyes meet, and I get lost in the green depths of his. I’ve seen them in many different situations and they tend to change colors depending on what’s happening. It runs the gamut from very light to dark, like the luscious floor of the rainforest. “I don’t really know you at all do I?” My voice is quiet as I observe him. “Does anyone really know you?”
He scratches the back of his neck, ducking his head down. “There are very few people who do, and I prefer it that way.”
“Why? You always seem so open with everyone.” I’m beginning to realize many of us have secrets.
“It’s complicated.”
I walk over to him, and grab his hand in mine. “We’re all complicated, but can I put it out there I would love to get to know your complications.” I’m never this forward, but there’s something about him standing in this amazing kitchen, telling me little snippets that make him the person he is. I’m taking them all and putting them in my pocket – pieces to the puzzle that make up this man.
He runs a palm over his stubble. “You’re probably just about the only person I’d let do that.”
Blurb:
A year worth of flirting comes down to this kiss…
Abel
I’ve eaten more tacos the past year than I have my entire life. It’s not because I love those little handfuls of goodness (although I do). It’s because of the woman who runs the local food truck Let’s Taco Bout It. Seeing her makes my day, and while I can’t admit my feelings, I can at least see her smile.
Until Halloween. When a man gives her attention she doesn’t want, she pretends we’re together, and lays a kiss on me that I’ll never forget.
Kara
I’ve spent the last year watching the hottie in the constantly torn and dirty jeans eating shyly walking up to my food truck and ordering the same thing each time. I’ve done my best to drag him out of his shell, but nothing works until a night of unwanted attention forces me to make a move.
Now? He’s hanging around even more, and when his husky voice calls me his girlfriend? I melt into a puddle, and he’s the only one who can pick me up and put me back together again.
Abel is book two in The Broken Falls Series: a series of interconnected standalones following a group of friends who have become family in small-town West Virginia, and the women who bring them to their knees. You do not have to read them in order, but each book builds upon the relationships of the last.
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 (the Travel Coordinator) and an adorable dog named Gus.
Text LARAMIE to 88202 to join the new release list!
Title: Reluctantly Royal Series: Royals Gone Rogue #1 Author: Erin Nicholas writing as Erin Nicolle
Genre: Contemporary Romance Tropes: Royal/Commoner, Marriage of Convenience Age Gap, Woman in STEM, Opposites Attract Release Date: March 14, 2024
BLURB
A marriage proposal from a deliciously handsome and wickedly charming prince sounds like a fairytale.
But for a nerdy scientist with severe social anxiety, it’s a horror story.
Prince Torin O’Grady, with his mischievous blue eyes and cocky grin, is always in the spotlight. And he needs to marry me to inherit the crown.
But we have nothing in common. He’s a future king. And I’m perfectly happy slogging through mud in my work boots.
So why can’t I stop thinking about him?
Maybe because he won’t stop texting me. And sending me gifts. And making me feel like everything I find awkward and weird about myself is special and amazing.
And there’s also that little detail of him offering me my dream job and telling me that together we can change the world.
Well, I could probably 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬 for him.
And if I have to marry him temporarilyto get what we both want, then fine. It’s for the greater good.
It has nothing to do with the way he kisses me. Or that dirty mouth. Or the royal treatment he gives me in the bedroom.
Fine. Maybe it does. Still, it’s only a year. Then I can turn in my tiara and come back to my normal, boring, behind-the-scenes life.
But Torin is determined to turn me from reluctantly royal to royally his.
“We will announce the engagement in six months. Do what you need to in order to prepare.” I bite back the first four things I want to say and consciously work to make my tone calm, almost bored. “You mean, tell Samuel to get my best suit dry cleaned? Get a haircut? Hit the gym? That kind of thing?” “I’m not in the mood for your jokes today.” The thing is, my grandfather is never in the mood for my jokes. He doesn’t find me amusing in the slightest. I assume he finds humor in something, but hell if I know what it is. The man hasn’t smiled in my presence since I was about thirteen years old. I’m now thirty-two. “So, then I assume you mean that I should actually discuss this with a woman? You know, propose to someone so that there’s an engagement to announce?” Now my tone is much less bored and calm. There’s a definite edge to it. He appreciates my sarcasm even less than he appreciates my humor. He turns from the tall window behind his desk and clasps his hands behind his back. The man standing in front of me is wearing a light blue button-down shirt and navy blue pants. He’s not wearing a tie or a jacket. He’s not wearing a crown. But I have no question that I am talking to King Diarmuid. Not my grandfather. He’s not scowling at me, however. He’s giving me a look I hate even more. He looks at me with a condescending lift of one eyebrow as he says, “That’s not really necessary. That was taken care of years ago. She’ll be ready.” I grind my back teeth together. She is Lady Linnea Olsen, the eldest granddaughter of the late Alfred Olsen. He was a billionaire, a duke, and my grandfather’s best friend. And favorite man to sit across from at a poker table. She’s been my sort-of fiancée since I was five. When my grandfather lost me in a poker game.
Erin Nicolle is the new pen name for NYT and USA Today Bestselling romance author Erin Nicholas. While Erin Nicholas is known for her blue-collar book boyfriends and big, boisterous found families in small towns, Erin Nicolle writes rich and royal rogues. But they both love a dirty talking cinnamon roll, a grump who is reluctantly wrapped around a feisty finger, and a gruff, protective guy who falls first and hard.
Title: Killing Booth Series: Welcome to the Circus #6 Author: Lani Lynn Vale
Genre: Romantic Suspense Tropes: Enemies to Lovers/Sports Romance Release Date: February 27, 2024
BLURB
Every single thing you want is going to require you to be uncomfortable.
Those words had been shared with her by the one man she didn’t think she could take a chance on. She just didn’t know that he was right, or that he was going to be the one making her uncomfortable.
Nash Wilder Christopherson was the world’s golden boy.
For fifteen years, she watched Nash race from the safety of her phone. Every single race, PR event, ESPN interview—she was there for it. He was the one thing that kept her sane while having to live the life her father forced her to.
That was all he’d ever be to her, though. A face on the other side of the screen.
Until he showed up at her apartment complex, carried her sister down hundreds and hundreds of stairs during a fire, and changed her opinion of him.
Nash Christopherson was Mean. With a capital M. And he couldn’t stand her.
***
He thought he had everything under control. Then he met her.
Nash knew from the moment he saw Zip waiting in her apartment, looking panicked, that she was going to damage him. She was going to pull him in, chew him up, and spit him out.
What he didn’t know was just how much damage he could take.
Nearly a year passed as he tried and failed to stay away.
A full year of her smiles, her playful jabs, her teasing, her eyes on him.
Then he got news that changed his life, and she finally took matters into her own hands, forcing herself into his life and pretty much giving him everything he ever wanted.
Everything was great, until it wasn’t. Life smacked him hard, and when the dust settled, she was gone. The only sign that she was ever there was the cracked and bleeding heart, half beating inside his chest, that yearned to hold her one more time.
Lani Lynn Vale is an American author of humorous romantic suspense novels. Born in the Great State of Texas, she has lived the majority of her adult life in East Texas where most of her novels are based. She’s married to her high school sweetheart whom her readers refer to as “LLV’s Bearded Half.” She published her first novel, Boomtown. in the summer of 2013 after the birth of her third child. She’s gone on to publish over 100 novels, with most of them going on to become USA Today Bestsellers.
What can mend a marriage in trouble? Two meddling kids, one grandfather, and a mischievous puppy.
Nothing But It All by Adriana Locke is now live!
From USA Today bestselling author Adriana Locke comes a warm and romantic novel about a marriage in trouble, two conspiring kids, and the meaning of long-lasting love.
After twenty years, the cracks in Lauren Reed’s marriage are showing. She and her husband, Jack, feel more like roommates than a loving couple. What they have in common are two wonderful teenagers, Michael and Maddie, and the same wistful question: When did it all go wrong? Now that Lauren’s decided to get on with her life—alone—divorce is inevitable.
Not to the kids. They aren’t giving up so easily.
Michael and Maddie have conspired with their grandfather to bring everyone together for a vacation in the family’s favorite summer getaway, a rustic lakeside cabin in Story Brook, Ohio. Awkward? Yep. A little deceptive? Sure. But as far as traps go, Lauren and Jack agree—the meddlers couldn’t have set one that was more scenic or filled with so many bittersweet memories.
This trip is going to be life-changing for the whole family. Fourteen days of hope, heartbreak, and unexpected possibilities—like maybe falling in love all over again.
Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited
USA Today and Amazon Charts Bestselling author, Adriana Locke, writes contemporary romances about the two things she knows best—big families and small towns. Her stories are about ordinary people finding extraordinary love with the perfect combination of heart, heat, and humor.
She loves connecting with readers, fall weather, football, reading alpha heroes, everything pumpkin, and pretending to garden.
Hailing from a tiny town in the Midwest, Adriana spends her free time with her high school sweetheart (who she married over twenty years ago) and their four sons (who truly are her best work). Her kitchen may be a perpetual disaster, and if all else fails, there is always pizza.
A single dad sheriff doing his best to protect his town. A gorgeous stranger caught trespassing. A love never expected…
So, it turns out the town sheriff is a total cinnamon roll. A big, burly, grumpy, hot as sin, cinnamon roll. He found me hiding out on private property. Trespassing. I lied and told him I was only there because I was out of cash and had to sleep in my car.
I thought he’d give me a ticket and send me on my way.
Instead, he insisted that I stay at his guest house—right next door to him and his three kids.
I know better than to let them get close. I’ve been betrayed too many times to put my trust in anyone.
Too bad the air crackles every time he comes near, and I feel like I’m going to burn up every time I look at him.
All it takes is one reckless night to completely spiral into the bliss of the man and his big, capable hands. One dinner with his little family to completely fall.
Only I never told him why I really came to Time River. Now I have to choose to trust him with my secret before it’s too late for both of us…
Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited
A.L. Jackson is the New York Times & USA Today Bestselling author of contemporary romance. She writes, sexy, heart-filled stories about boys who usually like to be a little bit bad.
If she’s not writing, you can find her hanging out by the pool with her family, sipping cocktails with her friends, or of course with her nose buried in a book.
Falling for Mr. Bad by Melissa Foster is now live!
She’s a badass musician with no patience for overinflated egos. He’s a billionaire tasked with wrangling her into submission. Going head-to-head has never been so much fun. Especially since neither one is afraid to play dirty.
Sable Montgomery loves her single, do-as-she-pleases small-town life. She sees family often, spends her days working in her auto shop and many evenings playing at a local pub with her band, Surge. She has no desire to settle down or let any man tell her what to do. When Surge is offered what most people would consider the chance of a lifetime to tour with and open for Bad Intentions, the hottest rock band of the decade, her bandmates are all in, but she’s determined to walk away. Sable has no patience for glitz, glamour, or overinflated egos, and that includes the infuriatingly hot billionaire sent to wrangle her into submission.
Taking over as manager for his brother’s band wasn’t on business mogul Kane Bad’s agenda last year, much less negotiating with the stubborn and beautiful lead singer for Surge, but there’s nothing he won’t do for family. Including trying to stifle his desire for Sable. He needs to convince her to accept the contract, but he’d rather wrangle the sexy, headstrong, boot-wearing, tough-talking musician into his bed.
Loyalties are tested, lies are told, and greedy pleasures are satisfied. Are they just a chorus between chaotic verses, or will falling for Mr. Bad be Sable’s greatest love song?
Melissa Foster is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, & USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of more than 100 novels. She writes sexy and heartwarming contemporary romance and women’s fiction with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Melissa’s emotional journeys are lovingly erotic, always family oriented, and feature fiercely loyal heroes, smart, sassy heroines, and complex relatable issues. Melissa enjoys chatting with readers and book clubs. Send her an email invitation to your next event!
Falling for Mr. Bad by Melissa Foster is now live!
A BAD BOYS AFTER DARK CROSSOVER NOVEL
Releasing February 21st, 2024
World Literary Press
Blurb
She’s a badass musician with no patience for overinflated egos. He’s a billionaire tasked with wrangling her into submission. Going head-to-head has never been so much fun. Especially since neither one is afraid to play dirty.
In FALLING FOR MR. BAD…
Sable Montgomery loves her single, do-as-she-pleases small-town life. She sees family often, spends her days working in her auto shop and many evenings playing at a local pub with her band, Surge. She has no desire to settle down or let any man tell her what to do. When Surge is offered what most people would consider the chance of a lifetime to tour with and open for Bad Intentions, the hottest rock band of the decade, her bandmates are all in, but she’s determined to walk away. Sable has no patience for glitz, glamour, or overinflated egos, and that includes the infuriatingly hot billionaire sent to wrangle her into submission.
Taking over as manager for his brother’s band wasn’t on business mogul Kane Bad’s agenda last year, much less negotiating with the stubborn and beautiful lead singer for Surge, but there’s nothing he won’t do for family. Including trying to stifle his desire for Sable. He needs to convince her to accept the contract, but he’d rather wrangle the sexy, headstrong, boot-wearing, tough-talking musician into his bed.
Loyalties are tested, lies are told, and greedy pleasures are satisfied. Are they just a chorus between chaotic verses, or will falling for Mr. Bad be Sable’s greatest love song?
No cheating, no cliffhangers, and happily ever afters guaranteed to leave you breathlessly in love with the fiercely loyal and wickedly naughty characters in the Love in Bloom series. All Love in Bloom books are written to stand alone or be enjoyed as part of the larger series, so dive right in and enjoy the ride!
I’ve said it before, I’m not a huge fan of Billionaire Romance stories, BUT there is a tiny handful of authors who write this trope that I will read without hesitation…. Melissa Foster is up there in the top 2 of these authors!!!!
Sable & Kane’s first meeting was entertaining. I knew at that point that I was gonna love her but I wasn’t entirely sure I was gonna feel the same about him. I really should know better by now though; Melissa always writes MMCs that I end up loving. I adored Sable’s snark and in all honesty, Kane’s arrogance didn’t annoy me like I thought it might.
This pair were definitely two peas in a pod. Emotional walls higher than Mount Everest, both avoiding relationships and commitment but they’re all in when it comes to their family and friends who were important to them! Their stubbornness to not get involved or attached then their hesitation to admit their feelings when they were falling had my heart going out to them and made me like them even more…. especially when the reasons behind their emotional lockdowns were revealed.
The one thing that I couldn’t quite get on board with for a bit was BDK, especially Kane calling himself ‘Big Daddy’… but the story of the origins of the name won me over.
I loved seeing this pair fall. Reading about them finding out more about each other, realising they were nothing like they initially thought, then seeing them grow together as a couple while dealing with the difficulties and concerns they faced was awesome.
There was so much emotion, some heartache, heat that was OFF THE CHARTS, surprising sweetness at how determined Kane was to take care of Sable and no third act break-up (which always makes my heart happy!!) as well as loads of interactions and great banter with family and friends.
The angst Sable faced was just enough – and entirely understandable – and how Kane supported her throughout was fab.
Can I just say grand gestures!!!! 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻
I would honestly read a shopping list if Melissa wrote it, I just adore her books, characters and worlds.
I’m so looking forward to more from Ms Foster and cannot wait to find out what’s going on with Kane’s sister, Aria.
This is definitely on my reread list and a solid 5 🌟 recommended read.
Melissa Foster is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, & USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of more than 100 novels. She writes sexy and heartwarming contemporary romance and women’s fiction with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Melissa’s emotional journeys are lovingly erotic, always family oriented, and feature fiercely loyal heroes, smart, sassy heroines, and complex relatable issues. Melissa enjoys chatting with readers and book clubs. Send her an email invitation to your next event!
Title: Pretty Drunk Series: Pine Village #3 Author: Lacey Black
Genre: Contemporary Romance Tropes: Small Town/Surprise Pregnancy Forced Proximity/Enemies to Lovers Cover Design: Sarah Paige, The Book Cover Boutique Photographer: Regina Wamba Photography Release Date: March 19, 2024
BLURB
Hallie
No one pushes my buttons the way Logan Johnson does. I’ve spent most of my adult life trying to ignore him, which isn’t easy when you live in a small town and share the same friends.
So, when I have a little too much to drink and need a place to crash after our friends’ wedding, it would figure I find myself at Logan’s house. What I’m not expecting is ending up in his bed. With him. Naked. More so, I wasn’t anticipating enjoying myself as much as I did, anxious for a repeat, which is why I’m not surprised when it happens again.
The problem is those drunken nights have resulted in something unplanned. Something monumental. Something that will change our lives forever.
Logan
Being attracted to someone who drives you completely crazy is its own form of hell. Hallie Rhodes is entirely infuriating, yet so damn beautiful it makes me ache.
There’s a fine line between love and hate, and we’ve been blurring it for as long as I can remember. So, when a late, drunken night turns into something it shouldn’t, all bets are off. Plans change and futures are cemented, despite having no idea what really comes next. All I know is the more time we spend together, the more I realize having her in my life is paramount.
Now my biggest challenge of all presents itself. Proving to Hallie we’re better together than we ever were apart.
USA Today Bestselling Author Lacey Black is a Midwestern girl with a passion for reading, writing, and shopping. She carries her e-reader with her everywhere she goes so she never misses an opportunity to read a few pages. Always looking for a happily ever after, Lacey is passionate about contemporary romance novels and enjoys it further when you mix in a little suspense. She resides in a small town in Illinois with her husband, two children, and three rowdy chickens.
My best friend is the king of the Niagara Falls underworld. There is no one I am more devoted to. Until she catches my eye and changes everything.
Aldo Ricci Right hand to Roman Costas. Enforcer. Loyal. Alone. Happy to stay that way. Until she walks into his life. Violet Nelson Unexpected. Alluring. Off-limits. But he can’t stay away. The last thing he expected from her was the one thing he’d never sought. Redemption.
A thrilling romance duet from New York Times Bestselling author Melanie Moreland
Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited!
New York Times/USA Today bestselling author Melanie Moreland, lives a happy and content life in a quiet area of Ontario with her beloved husband of thirty-plus years and their rescue cat, Amber. Nothing means more to her than her friends and family, and she cherishes every moment spent with them.
While seriously addicted to coffee, and highly challenged with all things computer-related and technical, she relishes baking, cooking, and trying new recipes for people to sample. She loves to throw dinner parties, and also enjoys traveling, here and abroad, but finds coming home is always the best part of any trip.
Melanie loves stories, especially paired with a good wine, and enjoys skydiving (free falling over a fleck of dust) extreme snowboarding (falling down stairs) and piloting her own helicopter (tripping over her own feet.) She’s learned happily ever afters, even bumpy ones, are all in how you tell the story.
Book Loving Pixies 