The Wedding Crasher and the Cowboy by Robin Bielman is coming out in one week! Check it out and be sure to grab your copy today!
Title: The Wedding Crasher and the Cowboy
Author: Robin Bielman
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Blitz: October 26th
About The Wedding Crasher and the Cowboy:
Kennedy Martin is shocked when her ex calls days before his wedding, expressing serious second thoughts. Doesn’t he see his fiancée’s actually the glaze to his doughnut? Now she’s got no choice but to crash his wedding and convince the man he’s with the right woman.
Instead, she crashes into the absolute last man she ever wanted to see: Maverick Owens, her old college nemesis. Maverick is still as awful, infuriating, and just The Worst as ever—even if he looks way too sexy in his cowboy hat. And of course he’s convinced she’s actually at the seaside ranch to ruin the wedding.
Now the only way to get some face time with the groom and save this marriage is to participate in all sorts of pre-wedding events…with Maverick. Stuck on a canoe, making small-talk at cocktail hour, and even a hoedown with her worst enemy? This just might be the longest week of her life…
He caged her in with his body, one hand going to her waist, the other to her chin to tip her face up exactly where he wanted it. Their first kiss had been tentative. Their second kiss would leave no doubt to how much he desired her. He may never admit it, but he could show her, hidden under the pendulous branches of the weeping willow while the sound of the rain trilled its sweet yet powerful tune, he could show her how much he craved her.
“Mav,” she whispered. She’d never called him Mav before.
About Robin Bielman:
USA Today bestselling author Robin Bielman lives in Southern California with her awesome family and her very cute dog, Harry. She writes both sweet and sexy contemporary romances with one goal in mind: to leave you with a smile on your face. When not attached to her laptop, she loves to read, go to the beach, and frequent coffee shops with friends. She also dreams of traveling to faraway places and loves to connect with readers. Keep in touch on social! Xoxo
A brand new firefighter series from USA Today Bestselling Author J.H. Croix!
He’s my new roommate. I can’t stand him, and he can’t stand me.
Russell Dane thinks he’s all that. Maybe’s he’s so hot he should come with a too-hot-to-handle sign, but he drives me crazy. Not the good kind of crazy either.
He thinks women shouldn’t be firefighters, he’s obnoxiously overprotective, and I can’t stand him. Unfortunately, my body is not getting the memo, but I’m stronger than a few confused hormones. Right?
It wouldn’t be so bad if we didn’t have to work together, and if he wasn’t my boss. It definitely wouldn’t be so bad if he hadn’t gone and kissed me.
Russel & Paisley’s story is perfect for readers who love small town romance, hotshot firefighters, sassy tomboy heroines, roommate romance, frenemies to lovers, hate to love, slow burn, emotional romance with a dash of angst, plenty of steam and swoon, and a broody, protective hero.
USA Today Bestselling Author J. H. Croix lives in a small town in the historical farmlands of Maine with her husband and two spoiled dogs. Croix writes steamy contemporary romance with sassy women and rugged alpha men who aren’t afraid to show some emotion. Her love for quirky small-towns and the characters that inhabit them shines through in her writing. Take a walk on the wild side of romance with her bestselling novels!
Title: The Baby and the Blueblood Series: Eastport Bay Billionaires #3 Author: Tru Taylor
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She’s risen from the ashes of heartbreak…
As a single mom, I’m not looking for Prince Charming. The last time I fell for a handsome, sophisticated, wealthy guy, he left me at the worst possible time without a look backward or even a word of explanation.
He did leave me with a lovely parting gift though… which arrived nine months later.
With no way to reach him, I picked up the pieces of that shattered glass slipper and moved on. Now I’m running my own business—the Fairy Godmother Cleaning Agency. My hands—and all my hours—are more than full managing my employees (including my two hapless stepsisters) and keeping my four-year-old son happy, healthy, fed, and clothed. It’s not easy doing it all on my own, but I have zero interest in a new relationship.
And who has the time? My high society clients expect their Eastport Bay, Rhode Island mansions to be sparkling—on schedule—come hell, high water, or hurricane.
So when a flu epidemic sweeps through my agency the day before the royal family of Aubernesse is to arrive in Eastport Bay, I put on a uniform and pick up the slack, working furiously to make sure their gorgeous vacation home is immaculate and ready for the elaborate ball they’re planning to throw.
He’s looking for the perfect fit…
I’m back in Eastport Bay for the first time in five years—and not exactly happy to be here. There’s a reason I’ve stayed away so long.
The place lost its magic for me long ago—the night the only girl I’ve ever loved proved beyond a shadow of a doubt she didn’t feel the same.
But this trip is non-negotiable, a matter of duty. I’m planning to fly in, attend the ridiculous ball my mother is so insistent upon, then get back to my life in Europe as quickly as possible.
That is until I arrive at the family estate early and catch the cleaning crew still at work.
And get a look at the woman beneath that coating of dust, ash, and spiderwebs…
The Baby and the Blue Blood is a small-town rom com take on Cinderella, filled with heart, heat, and secret baby/second chance/royal billionaire romance fun!
My long-time friend shoved her phone toward me. On the screen was a photo of Alexander Wessex, smiling in a suit and tie, his thick, dark hair windblown perfection, walking beside an equally handsome guy the caption identified as his brother Cameron. “What am I missing here?” Kristal said. “He’s gorgeous, single, worth a zillion dollars, and oh, yeah, a literal prince. What is the problem?” As I was trying to be “out of the office” as much as possible today, I’d asked Kristal to meet me for lunch at Nookie’s Diner, one of our favorite places. I was buying, of course, to thank my friend for watching AJ Friday night. The instant I’d told her who Alex, my long-lost love, really was, Kristal had pulled out her phone and done a search for him. “That is the problem,” I said, using my fingers to count off the reasons I couldn’t have dinner, coffee, or even a Tic Tac with Alexander Wessex. “He lives in a foreign country, he lied about his identity—well he didn’t lie, but he hid the truth from me. He’s not who I thought he was. And he’s way out of my league. He’s in your league. He’s an aristocrat.” I left the biggest reason off the list. I was too terrified to even think it, much less say it aloud.
#2
I laughed lightly and sank deeper into the steamy bath, enjoying the feel of the warm heat on my skin and muscles, relaxing fully now that Alex had left the room. When the water had begun to turn tepid and my fingers had pruned, I wrapped the heavy, soaked towel around my body again, tucking the top edge tightly under one arm and pulling the lower edge down to cover my thighs. I’d actually have to hold that in place because the water kept floating it up. With my good foot I kicked the lever to release the drain mechanism then called for Alex. He opened the door so quickly I suspected he may have been waiting outside it after all. “Have a nice bath?” he asked as he approached the tub. I didn’t answer right away. I couldn’t. Alex was shirtless. His feet were bare, and he wore only a pair of black running shorts. As he’d mentioned earlier, we’d seen each other in bathing suits nearly every day of that long-ago summer. But it had been long ago. I’d been in the company of very few shirtless men since then, and none of them had looked like this. Even Alex hadn’t looked like this back then. He’d always had an attractive physique, tall and broad-shouldered with great muscle tone. But he’d been thinner then, lanky as young men often are. Now, at age thirty, he was a male in his prime. His arms and chest were filled out with firm muscle, as were his legs. His stomach was… oh good God I was staring. I needed to look away from all that tanned skin and segmented muscle, or I wasn’t going to be able to handle it when he— Too late. Alex lifted me and held my dripping wet body against him, and now my warm skin was pressed against his, and that amazing scent I’d detected earlier was right there, and, and… Mind on the game. Off the hot man. On. The. Game. Say something. Make conversation. “Were you… exercising?” He barked a short laugh. “No. Why do you ask? Do I smell like a locker room or something?” “You… took off your clothes.” He grinned widely. “This is my mermaid-retrieval uniform.” When I gave him a dazed look, he explained in a tone of voice one would use with a small child. “I don’t have that many changes of clothes here, and we can’t exactly hang things outside to dry. I knew I was bound to get soaked while fishing you out of the tub.” I craned my neck to see water running down Alex’s long legs and pooling on the bathroom floor around his feet. “Oh. Right. Sorry about that.” “No worries. I just wanted to be prepared.” He set me on the bathroom rug and gestured toward the shorts. “These will dry off pretty quickly in front of the fire. When you’re dressed, I’ll take you there too, so your hair can dry and you don’t catch a chill.” He held up a finger. “Which reminds me…” Alex left the bathroom and came back a moment later with a large man’s bathrobe. “I couldn’t find anything left in Janey’s room, but I did find this hanging in the master closet. It seemed like a better option than the pajamas you had on or your clothes from yesterday. The house is a bit chilly.” I took it from him gratefully. “Yes. Thank you. It’s perfect.” Anything to get you and your sexy, shirtless self out of my line of sight as soon as possible.
#3
Alex tensed. “What are you saying? You’ve changed your mind about allowing me to see him?” “No. I won’t stop you from seeing AJ, but the fact is you live in Aubernesse, and we live here. You have to go home sooner or later. I don’t want AJ to… to come to rely on you… to love you… when you can’t really be there for him.” “You’re asking me not to tell him I’m his father.” I had to compose myself before continuing. “I’m asking you to protect him—his little heart. Think carefully before you make promises to him you can’t keep, before you say and do things that will make him love you and then turn around and leave him.” Alex’s eyelids narrowed in an assessing gaze. “I see what’s going on here. Is it AJ’s heart you’re trying to protect? Or is it you who’s afraid to rely on someone and risk your heart?” I ignored his astute question. “You can have visitation with AJ. I’ll make sure the days and times are reasonable and generous. Just… have your assistant or whoever contact me, and we’ll set up some kind of arrangement.” “No,” Alex said. His face was a contorted mask of pain and frustration. He gripped my shoulders, the pressure firm but not bruising. “I don’t want an arrangement. I want a family—with you, with our son.” The words ripped my heart out. How I’d longed for us to be a family. When AJ was a newborn, I’d dreamed of Alex sweeping back into my life and telling me he missed me, that he wanted us both. But that was then—before I knew the whole truth about him. Before I realized how impossible that dream really was.
I really enjoyed The Baby and the Blueblood. A modern take on Cinderella it was a good read.
Set over a fairly short span of time, I got why Cinda reacted the way she did to the arrival and presence of Alex when she met him again after the years apart. Both had hurt feelings and acted out of character but it made for fun reading. When they did get together they were just as compatible as they were when they were younger, maybe more so given they were a little older and wiser.
Some family angst, a little lack of full truths and misunderstandings looked to throw a number of spanner’s in the works for this pair and you had to wonder if they’d manage a future together……
I’m looking forward to the next instalment, especially after being introduced to the main characters at the end of TBatB….. Book four is gonna be interesting, that’s for sure!!!!
AUTHOR BIO
Award-winning romance author Tru Taylor writes romantic comedies to make you swoon, smile, and snort with laughter.
She runs on Coke Zero and dark chocolate, lives for lunches with her girlfriends, and drives to the town beach several times a week to watch the sun set over the water.
She loves LOVE and will attempt to turn any show or movie she’s watching into a romance whether it is one or not. Star Wars? A romance. Lord of the Rings? Clearly a romance. The Expendables? Okay, well not even Tru can redeem that one.
When she’s not writing, Tru enjoys watching movies and reading books with happy endings, spending time with her husband and two kids, and sneaking Hershey’s Kisses from the top shelf of the freezer throughout the day. (Top shelf because… two kids. Enough said.)
Tru is the author of the Eastport Bay small town rom com series and loves living in a small New England town where she’s surrounded every day by the beautiful coastal setting you see brought to life in her books.
This book is an emotional roller coaster of a romance read. There are beautiful highs and gut wrenching lows that will keep you glued to your kindle. ~ JudyAnnLovesBooks
Have you read the start of the VanRyan Family? Check out The Contract series: https://amzn.to/3rZcKZc
Want to start with the original BAM? Binge read the Vested Interest series: https://amzn.to/2Nl3XBZ
Available with Kindle Unlimited
Did you miss the second generation coming onto their own HEAs? Read the ABC corp series: https://amzn.to/3pO3szq
About the Author
New York Times/WSJ/USAT International 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 downstairs), 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.
Bookeverlasting Blog – “Age of Ava by Melanie Moreland is an EPIC read that will join the ranks of the BIBLIO-ARISTOCRACY!!!”
Goodreads Review – “This was an entertaining, emotional read, from the first chapter to the last I was drawn into the story that Ms. Moreland wove and had a hard time putting it down when real life got in the way.”
Goodreads Review – “I loved everything about Age of Ava, I was intrigued by the blurb and I fell hook, line and sinker for Ava and Hunter.”
Carol’s Review – “The chemistry between Ava and Hunter was electric.”
Excerpt:
As we got to the top of the bluff, the dog raced ahead of me, wagging his tail. I stood for a moment to catch my breath, and he stopped, as if waiting. I cocked my head to the side, studying the large black truck in front of me. It was familiar. My stomach clenched as I moved toward it, recalling why it was familiar.
Intense fire-and-ice eyes came to my mind. Strong arms and a wicked, passionate mouth that was possessive and gentle poked at my memories.
I rounded the back of the truck and stopped, the dog sitting down beside me.
There he was.
Hunter.
He didn’t see me at first. I didn’t interrupt him.
He was too busy dancing. I was too busy staring.
His jeans hugged his ass. His T-shirt was stretched tight across his back and arms. His hair glinted in the sunlight.
And his hips moved. Gyrated. His torso bent and swayed. His arms rose and fell with the beat of the music. He sang, his voice rich and deep, his feet and body keeping perfect rhythm with the song. He spun on his heels and froze. Our eyes locked and held.
And, unexpectedly, he smiled. Wide and carefree. He held out his hand.
“Dance with me, Little Dragon.”
I found myself taking his hand. Joining him under the sun. Letting him lead me, spin me around, pull me to his hot, sunbaked chest as we moved. He crooned in my ear, making me laugh. He joined me, the sound of our shared amusement fading away as the song ended and we broke apart. Slowly, carefully, as if neither of us wanted this moment to end.
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.
Melanie is represented by Flavia Viotti at Bookcase Literary Agency. For any questions regarding subsidiary or translation rights please contact her at flavia@bookcaseagency.com
Title: Dawn Unearthed Series: Ravenwood Coven #1 Author: Carrie Ann Ryan
Genre: Paranormal Romance Release Date: August 19, 2021
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NYT Bestselling Author Carrie Ann Ryan begins a new witchy paranormal series where a magical town keeps its secrets, but those in it must find a way to keep themselves safe.
The moment Sage Reed makes her way to Ravenwood, she knows the small town lives up to its mystical lore—even if she doesn’t believe that she’s a witch. After losing her husband, she’s ready for change, and her aunt’s bookstore affords the perfect opportunity.
Rome Baker has secrets of his own—even some that he’s kept from the town he calls home. But when a striking and intriguing stranger saves his life the moment she steps into his path, his inner bear knows that she’s the one for him. However, with the town under fire, he worries he might run out of time before he can show her what they can have together.
A new enemy is on the horizon, one who hides in the shadows, whose history is steeped in lies. And if Sage and Rome aren’t careful, Sage’s new powers won’t be the only thing that spirals into flame.
Carrie Ann Ryan is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary, paranormal, and young adult romance. Her works include the Montgomery Ink, Redwood Pack, Fractured Connections, and Elements of Five series, which have sold over 3.0 million books worldwide. She started writing while in graduate school for her advanced degree in chemistry and hasn’t stopped since. Carrie Ann has written over seventy-five novels and novellas with more in the works. When she’s not losing herself in her emotional and action-packed worlds, she’s reading as much as she can while wrangling her clowder of cats who have more followers than she does.
Tempted (Two Marks) by Vanessa Vale & Renee Rose is now live!
We see a female, we want her. We scent a female, we claim her. We touch a female, we give her two marks. Because in our pack, shifters share. Two cowboys for every mate.
Renee Rose and Vanessa Vale are back with more steamy shifter cowboys! Be sure to read Wolf Ranch, then swing by Two Marks, Wyoming. Because you know it’s going to be hot. Possessive. Wild. Times two. Everything you want in romance… and more.
Download today on Amazon, Apple Books, Google Play, Kobo, Barnes & Noble!
Vanessa Vale is the USA Today bestselling author of sexy romance novels, including her popular Bridgewater historical romance series and hot contemporary romances. With over one million books sold, Vanessa writes about unapologetic bad boys who don’t just fall in love, they fall hard. Her books are available worldwide in multiple languages in e-book, print, audio and even as an online game. When she’s not writing, Vanessa savors the insanity of raising two boys and figuring out how many meals she can make with a pressure cooker. While she’s not as skilled at social media as her kids, she loves to interact with readers.
USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR RENEE ROSE loves a dominant, dirty-talking alpha hero! She’s sold over a million copies of steamy romance with varying levels of kink. Her books have been featured in USA Today’s Happily Ever After and Popsugar. Named Eroticon USA’s Next Top Erotic Author in 2013, she has also won Spunky and Sassy’s Favorite Sci-Fi and Anthology author, The Romance Reviews Best Historical Romance, and has hit the USA Today list nine times with her Chicago Bratva, Bad Boy Alpha and Wolf Ranch books and various anthologies.
Check out the gorgeous new contemporary romance, and grab your copy today!
Title: Sweet Sexy Heart
Author: Melissa Foster
Genre: Contemporary Romance
About Sweet Sexy Heart:
Discover the magic of New York Times bestseller Melissa Foster’s writing and see why millions of readers have fallen in love with the fiercely loyal and sassily sexy characters in the Love in Bloom big-family romance collection. All Love in Bloom books can be enjoyed as stand-alone novels or as part of the larger series.
Amber Montgomery is perfectly happy with her quiet life, running her bookstore, taking long walks with Reno, her Labrador retriever seizure-response dog, and spending time with her close-knit family. She’s never needed thrills the way some of her sisters have. In an effort to control her epilepsy, she tries to avoid anything that creates too much excitement or stress—including relationships. When Amber hosts a book signing for famed-athlete-turned-author Dash Pennington, he’s everything she’s spent her life avoiding: loud, aggressive, and far too handsome, as proven by the hordes of women who surround him everywhere he goes. Amber can’t ignore the sparks flying between her and Dash, but this is a no-brainer for her: Ignore their chemistry and hold her breath until he leaves town.
Dash Pennington has spent his life running. Running the ball in for a touchdown, running from town to town to appease his public relations reps, and running into the arms of too many women to count. He’s also an expert at protecting—his reputation, his sisters, and lately, his sanity. But he’s ready to make a change. When he comes to the sleepy little town of Oak Falls, Virginia, and witnesses the most beautiful woman he’s ever seen living the life he craves, she refuses to have anything to do with him. But now that Dash has found the one thing he doesn’t want to run from, he’ll stop at nothing to win her over.
Find out more about these and many other steamy romance series in Melissa Foster’s big-family contemporary romance collection, Love in Bloom, featuring characters from all walks of life, from billionaires to blue-collar workers. You’ll love her fun, sexy, and relatable characters, and their real-life issues. You’re always guaranteed a happily ever after.
LIGHTS TWINKLED FROM the rafters and country music blared from a stage at the far end of the old barn as retired football star Dash Pennington and his old college teammate Sinclair “Sin” Vernon weaved around people dancing and mingling and children darting through the crowd with fistfuls of cookies. Women decked out in jeans and cowgirl boots eyed Dash suggestively. Enjoy the visual buffet, ladies, because that’s all you’re going to get.
Dash had been thrilled when his motivational speaking gig had been canceled. He’d jumped on the first flight out to see his buddy and had arrived in Oak Falls, Virginia, about an hour ago. This was just what he needed—a break from his crazy life and the skintight dresses and money-hungry claws of the plastic women in the circles in which he’d run for the last decade. He’d thought things would slow down after he retired from football, but he’d gone from one media circus to another with motivational speaking gigs, sponsorships, and the upcoming tour for his new bestselling book, Capturing the Fire Within, a guide for young men to find their paths and realize their dreams. The funny thing was, he was still trying to figure out his own path.
“This jam session is frigging awesome!” he shouted as they walked past the stage where a group of twentysomething girls were singing with a band that looked more like a family reunion. A kid who couldn’t have been older than ten or eleven was playing the violin beside a man who looked to be about sixty playing a guitar. A teenage girl was on drums, and a handful of other people were playing a variety of instruments. “How often do they do this?”
“Every few weeks.” Sin raked a hand through his jet-black hair. At six foot three, two hundred and thirty pounds, he stood eye to eye with Dash. “The Jerichos invite everyone in the area to play music and dance. People bring food and catch up with neighbors. It’s pretty cool.”
“Kind of reminds me of home.” Dash had grown up in Port Hudson, New York, which was a college town, not a rural area, but it had the same close-knit feel, and while they didn’t have jam sessions, they had other community activities.
“Good old Port Hudson.” Sin cocked a grin. “I need to take a trip out there soon to see how Dawn and Andi are doing, remind them what a real man looks like.”
Dash narrowed his eyes in warning at the mention of his younger sisters, but it was all in good fun. They gave each other a hard time about their sisters often, but they also stepped in like protective brothers when necessary. “Speaking of sisters, did Kiki tell you she finally kicked that guy she was dating to the curb?”
“Yeah, last week. Thank God she listens to you.” Kiki was Sin’s younger sister. “I owe you one. Come on, let’s find Amber.”
“Right. Amber. The only woman on the planet not clamoring to get near me.” Amber Montgomery owned Story Time bookstore and was hosting Dash’s debut signing in a couple of weeks. She was the only bookstore owner who hadn’t immediately agreed to host, which he found odd, considering how much attention his presence would bring to her store. It seemed like everyone wanted a piece of him. By the time she’d accepted, all the tour spots had been full. Dash had been curious about the holdout, and since Sin lived in the area, Dash had Amber’s bookstore added as the first stop on the tour.
Sin looked at him wryly. “She’s out of your league, man. But it looks like you’ve got plenty of fans. People around here don’t usually gawk like this.”
Dash glanced around as they moved through the crowd, noticing that, in addition to the women checking him out who probably had no clue who he was, guys were looking over like they recognized him, and a few cowboys were sizing him up. Don’t worry, I’m not here to take your women for a ride. He’d learned his lesson about meaningless hookups when he was young and stupid, and he sure as hell wasn’t going to screw over some random guy just to get his rocks off.
“Really? With you around, I’d think they’d be like this all the time.” Dash wasn’t kidding. Sin was impressive as hell on and off the football field. They’d met while attending Virginia State on football scholarships. After graduation, Dash had turned pro, and Sin had followed a coaching path, eventually becoming the athletic program director for their alma mater. A couple of years ago, Sin had taken over as the athletic director at No Limitz, the Oak Falls youth center. Dash had always admired his friend’s determination to follow his heart instead of the money.
Sin gave him a don’t-give-me-that-bullshit glance.
“I should’ve worn a cowboy hat to blend in. How about we don’t mention football to your friends? Tonight I’d just like to be your friend, and when necessary, some guy who wrote a book.”
“Yeah, I got that impression when you called. No problem.”
As he followed Sin through the crowd, his attention caught on a beautiful brunette talking with a group of people. Her fingertips grazed the head of a golden retriever wearing a service vest. He had a fleeting curiosity about the dog, but he got caught up in watching the woman as she talked with the dark-haired guy beside her. A smile as natural and enticing as summer rain brightened her face, giving her an even sweeter girl-next-door vibe. As they neared, he realized her hair wasn’t brown but more of a chestnut color, the long layers a little messy. The kind of hair that beckoned to be touched, the kind of easy smile he hadn’t seen in a very long time. There was nothing overtly sexual about her simple peach sweater or dark skinny jeans tucked into scuffed brown cowgirl boots with pink designs that looked like old favorites, but he found her utterly captivating. He wanted to know who she was and what her voice sounded like. Was it as sweet as she looked? Was she? It had been a long damn time since he’d actually been drawn to a woman enough to want to know more about her.
The beauty shook her head, and her hair tumbled in front of one eye, giving her an alluring edge. She tucked that wayward strand behind her ear, her eyes sweeping over the crowd, colliding with Dash’s, and holy hell, the air between them sizzled with a wild, frenetic energy. He couldn’t look away, didn’t want to, the need to meet her as real as the heat burning beneath his skin, and Sin was leading him directly toward her.
When they joined the group, Sin said, “The best thing about these jam sessions is seeing all the hottest ladies in Oak Falls in one place,” startling the chestnut-haired beauty. She tore her gaze away from Dash, crimson spreading over her cheeks.
A familiar-looking dark-haired guy rolled his shoulders back and cleared his throat.
Sin laughed. “And the hottest guys. Sorry, Axsel.”
“No worries. With a body like that, you’re always forgiven.” Axsel dragged his eyes down Dash’s body. “And hello, gorgeous friend of Sin’s.”
Dash offered his hand. “Hi. I’m Dash. Where do I know you from?” In the next second, he recognized the man as Axsel Montgomery, the lead guitarist in the infamous band Inferno. “Wait, you’re a rock star, right?” He started connecting the dots and wondered if Axsel was related to Amber.
“In and out of the bedroom,” Axsel said flirtatiously, giving Dash’s hand a squeeze. “And you have a great name. Short for Dashing, I assume?”
Dash laughed and shook his head, his eyes finding the brunette’s again, causing a rush of heat to redden her neck and cheeks. She was adorably refreshing, in the sexiest of ways—a rarity in his world.
“Keep your trousers on, Axsel,” Sin said. “Dash is straight, and I brought him along tonight to meet Amber, not to hook up with her brother. Dash wrote a book, and he’s doing a signing with her in a couple of weeks.” He motioned to the brunette, who was staring at Dash again. “Dash, this is Amber Montgomery. Amber, this is Dash Pennington.”
It’s my lucky day. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you in person, Amber.” Dash held out his hand. “Shea had wonderful things to say about you.” Shea Steele was his publicist. She’d told him that Amber ran the busiest bookstore in the area, and she was sweet, cautious, and definitely not his type. Shea couldn’t have been more wrong.
The blond woman standing next to Amber, wearing about a dozen necklaces and a blouse with flowing sleeves, nudged Amber with her elbow, startling Amber out of her trance. Amber blinked repeatedly and shook Dash’s hand. “Hi. It’s nice to meet you.”
Her hand was soft and warm, her voice as sweet as honey, and her gorgeous hazel eyes were as lost in him as his were in her. “I hear you own a great bookstore. I’m looking forward to getting to know you.”
She continued shaking his hand. “I…yeah. Books…in the shop.”
She was too damn cute.
A tall woman with thick and wild dark hair trailing over her shoulders from beneath a cowgirl hat stifled a laugh, and the blonde nudged Amber again.
“Bookstore, sorry,” Amber said quickly, dropping his hand. Her fingers landed on the dog’s head. “I own a bookstore. But you already know that. Oh my gosh. I better…” Her eyes darted around them. “Nice to meet you. I have to…do that thing. Over there.” She pointed into the crowd. “Sorry. See you in the bookstore. Come, Reno.”
As Amber hurried away, a thin blonde lowered her voice and said, “So much for flirting lessons.”
Flirting lessons? That piqued his interest.
“You’ll have to excuse my sister,” the hippieish blonde said. “She’s had a long day.”
Dash watched Amber moving through the crowd. “No excuse necessary. She made a remarkable first impression.” And he couldn’t wait to see what her second impression was like.
BLP REVIEW – Tracy
Sweet, Sexy Heart definitely lived up to it’s title. The book was oh so sweet and OMG sexy…
Amber was a small town sweetheart dealing with health issues that until recently had been under control but dealing with an upcoming event that’s happening in her bookstore things start to slip from the reins she’s tightly held on them. Hosting an event featuring a well-known, retired professional footballer that everyone wants to meet is a coup for a small store owner like Amber but it, and the man in question, are quite overwhelming and have a real impact on our leading lady.
Dash, he was a sweetie, but I kept wondering if he was too good to be true…. I was glad to discover that what we saw was what we got with him. He was all in when it came to Amber, taking care of her and not in the least bit put off or intimidated by her health issues. I loved that he was as thoughtful and caring as he was, even when she herself wasn’t convinced that things between them could work.
Low on angst, heavy on the sweet and heat, I really enjoyed this read from Melissa Foster.
4* and a story I would reread in the future
REVIEW TO COME – Still Reading!!!
About Melissa Foster:
Melissa Foster is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling and award-winning author. She writes sexy and heartwarming contemporary romance, new adult romance and women’s fiction with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Readers adore Melissa’s fun, flirty, and sinfully sexy, award-winning big family romance collection, LOVE IN BLOOM featuring the Snow Sisters, Bradens, Remingtons, Ryders, Seaside Summer, Harborside Nights, and the Wild Boys After Dark. Melissa’s emotional journeys are lovingly erotic and always family oriented.
Melissa also writes sweet and clean romance under the pen name Addison Cole.
Melissa has painted and donated several murals to The Hospital for Sick Children in Washington, DC. Her interests include her family, reading, writing, painting, friends, helping others see the positive side of life, and visiting Cape Cod.
Melissa is available to chat with book clubs and welcomes comments and emails from her readers. Visit Melissa on social media or her personal website.
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Amber Montgomery is perfectly happy with her quiet life, running her bookstore, taking long walks with Reno, her Labrador retriever seizure response dog, and spending time with her close-knit family. She’s never needed thrills the way some of her sisters have. In an effort to control her epilepsy, she tries to avoid anything that creates too much excitement or stress–including relationships. When Amber hosts a book signing for famed-athlete-turned-author Dash Pennington, he’s everything she’s spent her life avoiding: loud, aggressive, and far too handsome, as proven by the hordes of women who surround him everywhere he goes. Amber can’t ignore the sparks flying between her and Dash, but this is a no-brainer for her: Ignore their chemistry and hold her breath until he leaves town.
Dash Pennington has spent his life running. Running the ball in for a touchdown, running from town to town to appease his public relations reps, and for years, running into the arms of too many women to count. He’s also an expert at protecting–his reputation, his family, and lately, his sanity. But he’s ready to make a change. When he comes to the sleepy little town of Oak Falls, Virginia, and witnesses the most beautiful woman he’s ever seen living the life he craves, she refuses to have anything to do with him. But now that Dash has found the one thing he doesn’t want to run from, he’ll stop at nothing to win her over.
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!
Lennon Love Clarke needs to put on a good show. With her reputation sinking, the famous actress has no choice but to grin and bear it because the tabloids were better than the truth. If only Lenni could remember what that was—and who is stalking her. Now, she’s in hiding—or would be if her new bodyguard hadn’t found her first. Dante Lozano is Covington Security’s very own Casanova. With model muscles and a megawatt smile, he’s their most popular security specialist. So, it’s surprising when the gorgeous woman wandering along the highway wants none of his help—especially since she’s the one who hired him. Lenni doesn’t know who to trust, and the hot Italian bodyguard whose smile makes her unmentionables melt doesn’t seem like a good choice. But then the threats start coming. So, she strikes a deal: she’ll cooperate with his protection as long as he doesn’t get personal—until fighting their attraction proves to be the hardest role of her career. Dante knows she bribed him with duty, but he’ll collect on her heart—and the truth. Because it’s the only thing that can stop her stalker and save her life.
Dr. Rebecca Sharp, while using a pen name, is actually a doctor living in Pennsylvania with her husband – the love of her life. She enjoys working in her practice with her father as well as letting her creativity run free as an author. Growing up she’s always loved a good love story and finally decided to give writing one of her own a go. After graduating with her doctoral degree, she now enjoys spending that thing called free time traveling with her husband, cooking, and knitting.
