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. Sheโs 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 stressโincluding relationships. When Amber hosts a book signing for famed-athlete-turned-author Dash Pennington, heโs everything sheโs spent her life avoiding: loud, aggressive, and far too handsome, as proven by the hordes of women who surround him everywhere he goes. Amber canโt 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. Heโs also an expert at protectingโhis reputation, his sisters, and lately, his sanity. But heโs ready to make a change. When he comes to the sleepy little town of Oak Falls, Virginia, and witnesses the most beautiful woman heโs 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 doesnโt want to run from, heโll stop at nothing to win her over.
Find out more about these and many other steamy romance series in Melissa Fosterโs big-family contemporary romance collection, Love in Bloom, featuring characters from all walks of life, from billionaires to blue-collar workers. Youโll love her fun, sexy, and relatable characters, and their real-life issues. Youโre 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 โSinโ 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 thatโs all youโre going to get.
Dash had been thrilled when his motivational speaking gig had been canceled. Heโd 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 neededโa break from his crazy life and the skintight dresses and money-hungry claws of the plastic women in the circles in which heโd run for the last decade. Heโd thought things would slow down after he retired from football, but heโd 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.
โThis jam session is frigging awesome!โ 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 couldnโt 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. โHow often do they do this?โ
โEvery few weeks.โ 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. โThe Jerichos invite everyone in the area to play music and dance. People bring food and catch up with neighbors. Itโs pretty cool.โ
โKind of reminds me of home.โ 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 didnโt have jam sessions, they had other community activities.
โGood old Port Hudson.โ Sin cocked a grin. โI need to take a trip out there soon to see how Dawn and Andi are doing, remind them what a real man looks like.โ
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. โSpeaking of sisters, did Kiki tell you she finally kicked that guy she was dating to the curb?โ
โYeah, last week. Thank God she listens to you.โ Kiki was Sinโs younger sister. โI owe you one. Come on, letโs find Amber.โ
โRight. Amber. The only woman on the planet not clamoring to get near me.โ Amber Montgomery owned Story Time bookstore and was hosting Dashโs debut signing in a couple of weeks. She was the only bookstore owner who hadnโt 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 sheโd accepted, all the tour spots had been full. Dash had been curious about the holdout, and since Sin lived in the area, Dash had Amberโs bookstore added as the first stop on the tour.
Sin looked at him wryly. โSheโs out of your league, man. But it looks like youโve got plenty of fans. People around here donโt usually gawk like this.โ
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. Donโt worry, Iโm not here to take your women for a ride. Heโd learned his lesson about meaningless hookups when he was young and stupid, and he sure as hell wasnโt going to screw over some random guy just to get his rocks off.
โReally? With you around, Iโd think theyโd be like this all the time.โ Dash wasnโt kidding. Sin was impressive as hell on and off the football field. Theyโd 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 friendโs determination to follow his heart instead of the money.
Sin gave him a donโt-give-me-that-bullshit glance.
โI shouldโve worn a cowboy hat to blend in. How about we donโt mention football to your friends? Tonight Iโd just like to be your friend, and when necessary, some guy who wrote a book.โ
โYeah, I got that impression when you called. No problem.โ
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 wasnโt 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 hadnโt 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 heโd 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 Dashโs, and holy hell, the air between them sizzled with a wild, frenetic energy. He couldnโt look away, didnโt 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, โThe best thing about these jam sessions is seeing all the hottest ladies in Oak Falls in one place,โ 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. โAnd the hottest guys. Sorry, Axsel.โ
โNo worries. With a body like that, youโre always forgiven.โ Axsel dragged his eyes down Dashโs body. โAnd hello, gorgeous friend of Sinโs.โ
Dash offered his hand. โHi. Iโm Dash. Where do I know you from?โ In the next second, he recognized the man as Axsel Montgomery, the lead guitarist in the infamous band Inferno. โWait, youโre a rock star, right?โ He started connecting the dots and wondered if Axsel was related to Amber.
โIn and out of the bedroom,โ Axsel said flirtatiously, giving Dashโs hand a squeeze. โAnd you have a great name. Short for Dashing, I assume?โ
Dash laughed and shook his head, his eyes finding the brunetteโs again, causing a rush of heat to redden her neck and cheeks. She was adorably refreshing, in the sexiest of waysโa rarity in his world.
โKeep your trousers on, Axsel,โ Sin said. โDash is straight, and I brought him along tonight to meet Amber, not to hook up with her brother. Dash wrote a book, and heโs doing a signing with her in a couple of weeks.โ He motioned to the brunette, who was staring at Dash again. โDash, this is Amber Montgomery. Amber, this is Dash Pennington.โ
Itโs my lucky day. โItโs a pleasure to finally meet you in person, Amber.โ Dash held out his hand. โShea had wonderful things to say about you.โ Shea Steele was his publicist. Sheโd told him that Amber ran the busiest bookstore in the area, and she was sweet, cautious, and definitely not his type. Shea couldnโt 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 Dashโs hand. โHi. Itโs nice to meet you.โ
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. โI hear you own a great bookstore. Iโm looking forward to getting to know you.โ
She continued shaking his hand. โIโฆyeah. Booksโฆin the shop.โ
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.
โBookstore, sorry,โ Amber said quickly, dropping his hand. Her fingers landed on the dogโs head. โI own a bookstore. But you already know that. Oh my gosh. I betterโฆโ Her eyes darted around them. โNice to meet you. I have toโฆdo that thing. Over there.โ She pointed into the crowd. โSorry. See you in the bookstore. Come, Reno.โ
As Amber hurried away, a thin blonde lowered her voice and said, โSo much for flirting lessons.โ
Flirting lessons? That piqued his interest.
โYouโll have to excuse my sister,โ the hippieish blonde said. โSheโs had a long day.โ
Dash watched Amber moving through the crowd. โNo excuse necessary. She made a remarkable first impression.โ And he couldnโt wait to see what her second impression was like.
BLP REVIEW – Tracy
Sweet, Sexy Heart definitely lived up to itโs title. The book was oh so sweet and OMG sexyโฆ
Amber was a small town sweetheart dealing with health issues that until recently had been under control but dealing with an upcoming event thatโs happening in her bookstore things start to slip from the reins sheโs 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 trueโฆ. 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 wasnโt 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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Title: The Grumpy Player Next Door Series: Copper Valley Fireballs #3 Author: Pippa Grant
Genre: Romantic Comedy Release Date: July 8, 2021
BLURB
An enemies-to-lovers / sports / grumpy-sunshine / neighbor romance
I, Tillie Jean Rock, am not in love with my brotherโs teammate. Sure, he might have those biceps and that โI am the grouchiest of grouchy bearsโ smolder, and he might shovel snow off his driveway next door wearing nothing but boxer shorts and rubber boots, and he might be running a side business feeding all the stray goats in town, but studliness is only skin-deep.
And I might flirt with him every chance I get, but I swear itโs only to annoy my brother.
And him.
Because Max Cole?
Under all of those glorious muscles and chiseled cheekbones and searing glares beats the heart of a heartless devil.
I could no sooner fall in love with a guy who treats me like a kid, and judges me at every opportunity, and sets an army of garden gnomes loose on my yard, than I could fall in love with my grandfatherโs pet parrot.
But I can definitely annoy him. I can one hundred percent get on board with annoying him.
Thatโs what you do when you donโt like your neighbor, right?
But you know what they say about love and hateโฆ
Itโs a very thin line.
Especially when the real reason Iโm not in love with Max Coleโthat heโs incapable of loveโmight not be true at all.
The Grumpy Player Next door is a fun-filled enemies-to-lovers romcom featuring a ray of sunshine on a mission, an athlete whoโs only grouchy around her, and an epic prank gone wrong. It stands alone and comes complete with small-town shenanigans, a goat whoโs not nearly as wise as his name suggests, and proof that sometimes, love is the best kind of vengeance.
Thereโs a fine art to revenge, and today, I am arting the hell out of it. Iโm talking cackles of glee, evil cartoon overlord-style, rubbing my hands together while bouncing on my toes. Reminding myself to shut up because my brother will be home from his morning workout any minute now, and I donโt want to tip my hand when he doesnโt know Iโm waiting for him here in his house up on the mountainside. You would think he wouldโve learned to engage his security system more often by now. But he hasnโt, which means Iโm here, armed and dangerous and ready, and Iโm cackling with glee all over again. I know, I know. Is this really how you want to pay him back for having a box labeled โdildosโ delivered to you at your parentsโ house in the midst of all the pre-wedding activities for your other brother last week? Yes, actually. Yes, it is. Itโs payback time. Also? I have zero doubt Cooper will have mad respect that Iโm doing this. Sort of like while I was pissed when he replaced my coffee beans with roasted goat poop before he left for spring training nine months ago, I very much respected that he pulled it off, even if I wasnโt pleased at having to admit that that was the prank that took him over the top to win in our annual off-season prank war. But this winter? This winter, my brother Cooper โStinky Bootyโ Rock is going down. The universe told me so. Why else would it have hand-delivered that video into my social media stream to inspire me right after I finished figuring out where to donate an unopened box of dildos? I cackle again. And then I slap my hand over my mouth. Heโs home. Thereโs his dark head, bent toward the knob, beyond the tempered glass panel beside his front door. Heโs dressed in Fireballs red, which is more orange than it is red, and heโs probably worn out from lifting at the gym. Yesterday was cardio day. I know, because he ran past Crusty Nut, our dadโs restaurant where Iโm the manager five days a week, at least two dozen times without stopping in once to say hi. I havenโt seen him since the wedding several days ago, which either means heโs avoiding me and the revenge he knows I owe him, or he has a stick up his butt and has forgotten the little people. Or, possibly, heโs distracted, in which case, he needs this. I squat into position at the top of the stairs, as hidden as I can be while still seeing my target, Nerf blaster locked and loaded, waiting while he fumbles with his keys. For the record? Itโs not easy to hide at the top of a curved staircase. Iโm on my belly now, half-angled behind the wall of the hallway to his guest bedrooms, peering between the slats of the banister, hoping all my target practice pays off. Steady, TJ. This is what you trained for. The lock clicks. I flatten myself lower and take aim. The door swings open. Dark hair in the foyer. Go go go. I squeeze the trigger, sending a rapid blast of modified foam darts at the six balloons floating in the space above the door. The needle sticking out barely an eighth of an inch in the tip of the first dart connects. One helium balloon pops. Then two more, followed by the fourth and fifth. The sixth shifts after getting hit, like itโs a tough guy balloon. Itโs the ninja of balloons, and it doesnโt want to participate in my dastardly plans today, but thatโs okay. The other balloons are bursting in a sparkly, shiny, beautiful pink glitter spray thatโs splattering on the walls, exploding from its nylon shell and raining down like a spring shower, coating the walls, making the air sparkle, and dusting all that dark hair as Cooperโs lifting his head. โWhat theโโ And in the span of a heartbeat, before he can finish that sentence, I realize my mistake. My terrible, horrible, very bad miscalculation. If I were a superhero, Iโd be sucking all that glitter into my lungs and redirecting it into my brotherโs bedroom, which is likely what I shouldโve done in the first placeโhindsight, right?โbut I didnโt. This was so much more dramatic and didnโt risk me having to find out which local heโs screwing around with in his spare time, as sheโd be coated in glitter too after rolling around in his sheets, except my prank has failed. It has failed spectacularly. โOh my god,โ I gasp. Thatโs not Cooper. That is so not Cooper.
Pippa Grant is a USA Today Bestselling author who writes romantic comedies that will make tears run down your leg. When she’s not reading, writing or sleeping, she’s being crowned employee of the month as a stay-at-home mom and housewife trying to prepare her adorable demon spawn to be productive members of society, all the while fantasizing about long walks on the beach with hot chocolate chip cookies.
They say all is fair in love and war, but I really don’t give a damn about fair. In fact, when protecting those I love, fair is the last thing on my mind. Now that I’m back in Candace’s life, those who have used her to try to control me, may well put up a final fight, but they will not win. They will lose and badly.
I stand willingly in front of Rick, naked while he is not. His gaze is hot, intimate. When his eyes meet mine, he says, โYou hesitated.โ
โI did not hesitate,โ I say, closing the space between us and pressing my hand to his jaw. โI was thinking about the very first time you told me to undress for you. Do you remember?โ
Tension slides from his shoulders as if my answer is the exact one he needs, and he wraps his arms around my waist. โI remember that night well.โ His voice lowers seductively. โI spanked you.โ His lips curve. โAnd you liked it.โ
โAre you going to spank me now?โ I dare, so far from intimidated by anything that happens between me and this man. He demands. And I have learned over time that while it defies my strong will and independence in the bedroom, I like when heโs in control.
โNot tonight,โ he says, easing me onto his lap so Iโm straddling him.
I wrap my arms around his neck and he adds, โAll or nothing.โ
โAll or nothing,โ I repeat.
His lashes lower, the lines of his face sharp. โIโm still Savage, Candace,โ he says, his eyes meeting mine again. โThat part of me still exists.โ
โWhy are you saying this?โ I ask.
โBecause this mission, this blast from the past, reminded me of who I am.โ
โAnd you think I need to be reminded?โ
โYes,โ he says without hesitation. โYou do. You’re about to marry me.โ
โIโm marrying the love of my life. And thatโs you, Rick. All of you.โ
โLove is blind.โ
โI know who you are, Rick Savage. And for the record, you canโt deny who you are. Not and live a happy life. And I donโt want you to deny who you are. Thatโs never been my message.โ
โI know that, too,โ he says. โBut Iโve tried anyway.โ
That one statement terrifies me. Iโve tried anyway. Itโs like a ball rolling toward a waterfall in slow motion, but eventually, it tumbles over the edge. My hands go to his shoulders, his muscles flexing beneath my touch. โThatโs a problem for us. Itโs a big problem.โ
I try to climb off of him, but he catches my waist with a powerful arm around my body. โItโs not a problem,โ he insists.
โNo one should marry someone they canโt be themselves with. Every time you think you have to be something youโre not for me, it divides us.โ
โI donโt want to be something Iโm not with you, Candace. I want to be a better man for you.โ
โI just want you to be you.โ
โI want to be a better man for me, too. But you know, sometimes some people just need to die, Candace.โ
I blink with the sudden shift from being a better man to wanting to kill someone. But thatโs the point of all of this. Thatโs where he was taking me and us.
Iโm flying blind right now, unsure about what happened to place him in this state of mind, but I know one thing: Rick is a good man. He doesnโt kill for money or pleasure. โI love you, Rick Savage. Be who you are and do what you do for the right reasons. And you do. Always.โ
โEven if it means hunting down a bastard and killing him?โ
He says it so matter-of-factly, but I know him. Itโs anything but. Someone has made Rickโs personal hit list. There are no names on that list, at least, none that are living. โCan it be after the honeymoon?โ I ask, quite seriously.
He laughs and cups my head and presses our foreheads together. โYou really get me, donโt you?โ
My hand finds his face. โAnd you get me. Rickโโ
I never finish my sentence. I donโt even remember what I was going to say. He pulls me closer and claims my mouth, and itโs a tender kiss, a kiss void of the dominance Iโd expected from him only minutes before. I moan with the sensations that spiral through me and just that easily, the air shifts, and our mood darkens, roughens. Suddenly, we are wild, kissing as if we will never again. Touching each other everywhere, and Iโm tugging at his shirt. He pulls it over his head and tosses it, and my gaze falls on the heart that says San Antonio in the center, the heart I know he got for me. Because thatโs where we met, thatโs where he left me and found me again.
My fingers curl on top of it and I whisper, โYou really never forgot me.โ
โNever,โ he says, and as our eyes collide, he says it again, a rasp of emotion in his voice. โNever.โ And then heโs kissing me again and Iโm touching him and arching into him…
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lisa Renee Jones is the author of the highly acclaimed INSIDE OUT series.
In addition to the success of Lisa’s INSIDE OUT series, she has published many successful titles. The TALL, DARK AND DEADLY series and THE SECRET LIFE OF AMY BENSEN series, both spent several months on a combination of the New York Times and USA Today bestselling lists. Lisa is also the author of the bestselling WHITE LIES and LILAH LOVE series.
Prior to publishing Lisa owned multi-state staffing agency that was recognized many times by The Austin Business Journal and also praised by the Dallas Women’s Magazine. In 1998 Lisa was listed as the #7 growing women owned business in Entrepreneur Magazine.
Like any cowboy, heโs good with a rope and knows exactly how to tie me up. But what if I want him to tie me down?
Tie Me Down, an all new smoldering second-chance romance from USA Today bestselling author Melanie Harlow is now live!
Just friends. Thatโs all Beckett Weaver and I have ever been. Sure, heโs a hot cowboy who left Wall Street behind to take over his familyโs ranch. Yes, Iโve had a secret crush on him since we were seventeen. And who wouldnโt appreciate those strong hands, that massive chest, and the way he fills out a pair of Levis? He makes a girl sweat just looking at him . . . and I look. A lot. But Iโm a single mom trying to move on with my life, and heโs running that ranch single-handedly while taking care of his elderly father. We donโt even live in the same state. I only returned to my hometown of Bellamy Creek to sell my late motherโs house, and he just invited me and my son to stay with him because heโs got a big heart. Thatโs not the only big thing heโs got–which I discover the night I finally sneak across the hall to his bedroom and shed my inhibitions right alongside my pajamas. And once we give into each other, we canโt stop. The hayloft. The bed of his truck. The dock by the pond. Nothing has ever felt so right, but his past has taught him not to believe in happily ever after, and every perfect night I spend in his arms brings us closer to goodbye. Like any cowboy, heโs good with a rope and knows exactly how to tie me up. But what if I want him to tie me down?
USA Today bestselling author Melanie Harlow likes her martinis dry, her heels high, and her history with the naughty bits left in. When she’s not writing or reading, she gets her kicks from TV series like Schittโs Creek, Homeland, and Fleabag. She occasionally runs three miles, but only so she can have more gin and steak.
Melanie is the author of the CLOVERLEIGH FARMS series, the ONE & ONLY series, AFTER WE FALL series, the HAPPY CRAZY LOVE series, the FRENCHED series, and the sexy historical SPEAK EASY duet, set in the 1920s. She lifts her glass to romance readers and writers from her home near Detroit, MI, where she lives with her husband, two daughters, and pet rabbit.
In a blink of an eye, I turned her whole world upside down. I messed up and will do anything to make things right. Is there any chance of a happily ever after for a football star and librarian?
Fans of the Boston Terriers Series by Jacob Chance will devour Blitz by A.M. Williams, a light and humorous, enemies to lovers romance.
Blurb
One sexy football player. One sassy small town librarian.
Is there any hope for happily ever after?
Charlie
HEA? No way.
Jasper Sutton is the reason I watched my dream go up in smoke.
I donโt care that heโs ridiculously hot and the night we met was one of the best of my life. The fact that heโs also funny and easy to talk to means next to nothing.
He tore all my hopes to shreds when he bought the old library to turn it into a gym.
I canโt forgive him.
Jasper
Charlotte โCharlieโ Drake is something else. And I donโt mean that as a compliment.
She might be gorgeous and sexy, but sheโs also headstrong and stubborn.
I get it–I messed up. I didnโt have all the facts and took things too far.
But Iโm crazy about her. Sheโs the only woman who looked past my name and reputation to see the real me. I want to prove to her that Iโm serious, Iโm sorry, and we could be good together.
What does it take to get over the ultimate fumble and still win the game?
โSo,โ I said after a few minutes of silence where we each sipped our coffee and ate what was in front of us, โare you vacationing near here?โ
Jasper tilted his head, and a smile curled the edges of his mouth. โYou could say that. Iโm staying with my dad.โ
I blinked at him. โAnd your dad is renting a house near here?โ
He laughed. Laughed! โUh, no. He owns it.โ
I blinked at him again. โOh. Did he move here recently?โ
Jasper tilted his head and I caught what looked like surprise widening his eyes slightly. โDo you know who I am?โ
I considered his question for a few moments, knowing that if he was asking me that then he was probably someone that was well known around here.
But I was drawing a blank.
Besides my friendship with Ruby and Vicky, I didnโt get out in town too much. I knew people, of course, because of going to events, working in the library, and being drug out to different festivals.
But I wouldnโt consider anyone that I met in that way to be a friend.
โYouโre Jasper?โ I finally said, not sure what else I should say. My tone was definitely questioning.
He gave one sharp, quick laugh before shaking his head. โIโm Jasper Sutton.โ
I stared at him after his declaration. โIโm Charlie Drake.โ
If he was going to introduce himself like that, then I could too.
His eyes narrowed. โNo, Iโm Jasper Sutton.โ
I wasnโt sure why he was putting emphasis on his name, but I was also realizing that his name did sound familiar. I just wasnโt sure why.
โOkayโฆโ I said slowly. โNice to meet you.โ
Silence stretched between us before he asked, โYou know, the name on the sign coming into town?โ
I studied him as I tried to recall the sign. I passed it every day, but I was to the point of not even noticing it anymore.
But I remembered what he was referring to. The Welcome to Spring Hills sign also had a part that said Home of Jasper Sutton on it.
My brow furrowed. โWere you named after someone famous?โ
He said nothing for a few moments before he started laughing. Hard.
I shifted in my seat as he laughed, watching as he rubbed a hand over his face and hunched over the table. I wasnโt too sure why he was laughing; I just knew it was at me.
I glanced around the cafe and saw that people were staring at him laughing and grew even more uncomfortable.
Jasper slowly stopped laughing and shook his head, wheezing. โAre you for real?โ
โAbout what?โ I asked, though I wasnโt too sure I wanted to know what he was asking. At this point, I wasnโt sure I wanted to be on this date or whatever it was for too much longer.
โYou really donโt know who I am?โ
I shook my head.
He blinked at me before saying, โIโm Jasper Sutton. The name on the sign is mine. It was put there when I got drafted.โ
The drafted statement made me pause, but I couldnโt dwell on it too long because he kept talking.
โYouโve been to the Tasty Freeze? Ever seen the Jasper on the menu? Itโs the milkshake they named after me because itโs my favorite. What about the Burger Barn? The Jasper there is my favorite meal.โ
I stared at him. I probably shouldnโt have said what I said next, but my mind was short circuiting because all I could think of was the fact that he said heโd been drafted. Drafted for what?
โI thought Jasper Sutton was some old guy that had died in a war sometime.โ
A.M. Williams is just a simple girl from the south that found herself living abroad. When sheโs not annoying her cat or reading, sheโs spending time with her husband and traveling as much as possible. She has a serious case of wanderlust and wants to go as many places as possible while she can. She loves Cheerwine, sweet tea, and North Carolina (eastern style) BBQ as well as those crystal clear waters on the North Carolina coast.
Reckless, an all-new sexy and playful standalone romance in the Mason Family series from USA Today bestselling author Adriana Locke is available now!
โHow did you get in here?โ
Thatโs not what you want to hear when youโre staring into the sea-green eyes of the hottest man youโve ever seen. Yet I suppose itโs a fair question, considering Iโm an uninvited stranger standing in Boone Masonโs kitchen.
If you think thatโs badโjust wait. It gets worse.
This charming and wealthy playboy, who canโt pay his bills on time or find his way to the grocery store (but we all have flaws, right?), is sweet. Confident. Playful. Heโs almost perfect. And, to make matters worse โฆ
Heโs smitten with me.
I know what youโre thinking. Youโre rolling your eyes. Youโre assuming this is some opposites attract situationโor that maybe we can be friends who turn into something more.
How can this be a bad thing?
Well, itโs simple. Iโm not the kind of girl you fall in love with. Just to be sure, the universe reminds me of that in an unforgettable, in-your-face kind of way.
I might have broken into Booneโs house, but I wonโt let him break my heart. I wonโt break his either. Thereโs too much on the line to be that reckless.
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USA Today, Washington Post, and Amazon Charts Bestselling author Adriana Locke lives and breathes books. After years of slightly obsessive relationships with the flawed bad boys created by other authors, Adriana has created her own.
She resides in the Midwest with her husband, four sons, and two dogs. She spends a large amount of time playing with her kids, drinking coffee, and cooking. You can find her outside if the weather’s nice and there’s always a piece of candy in her pocket.
You know those stories where an adorably misunderstood clumsy girl needs a fake date to a wedding so she asks her brotherโs best friend and they accidentally fall in love?
I wish that was the kind of life I lead, but itโs not.
I donโt need a date to a wedding. I need a date to a funeral.
Clumsy sometimes fits, but then, thatโs true for all of us, right? But adorable? No. Misunderstood? Nope again. Iโm just your average girl, standing in front of a funeral invitation, asking it to be a winning lottery ticket instead.
And I donโt have a brother, or a best friend with a brother available, which means Iโm stuck with Tyler Jaeger.
Sure, heโs a professional hockey player who also knows advanced calculus, but letโs say weโre not compatible and leave it at that. I should know. I am a matchmaker.
Not a very good one, but thatโs beside the point.
I know a mismatch when I see one.
Still, Tylerโs what Iโve got, and I am not going to this funeral solo, so heโs what Iโll take.
After allโwhat could go wrong at a funeral?
I Pucking Love You is a hilariously wrong romantic comedy about the worldโs worst matchmaker, a hockey player with a problem he doesnโt want to talk about, and an awkward date-of-convenience that everyone would prefer to forget. It comes complete with a cat working his way through his nine lives, all the sexy times, fish and chips, and a swoony happily-ever-after.
We all have to be at practice tomorrow morningโcheck that, this morning, as itโs shortly after midnightโbut I donโt want to go home.
I donโt want to drink. I donโt want to talk. I donโt want to screw.
I wantโ
Dammit.
I want a bucket of greasy fried fish and chips, because itโs what my big brother used to take me to get every time he came home on leave from the Marines and got annoyed at being hen-pecked by the four sisters between us.
My carโs cold, thanks to the early November weather, and no, Iโm not telling you what kind of car I drive, because yes, it very much feels like compensation tonight.
It gets me where I want to go.
Thatโs all that matters.
That, and getting my ass to Cod Pieces before they close for the night.
Could I stay at the bunny bar and get fried fish and chips?
Yes.
Will I?
No fucking way.
Iโm still stewing in my own misery when the bright neon sign with the armored cod and the storefront that looks like a medieval castle comes into view at the edge of a strip mall four miles the wrong direction from my downtown condo. I roll the window down, letting in a blast of chilly air and the scent of fries.
Just in time.
I holler my order over the sound of my engine, then pull around to the window to get my fish.
Debate calling my brother in Miami.
Itโs one AM. He and his wife recently celebrated their kidโs first birthday, and I think theyโre working on baby number two.
If I call him in the middle of the night to bitch about how I canโt get it up, heโll probably hang up on me, then tell our sisters.
And Mom.
Sheโs a professional comedienne with her own popular Netflix special. Thereโs no damn way Iโm bothering West in the middle of the night for this.
Iโll talk to the fried fish and call it even.
Has as much personality as West had before he married Daisy.
The window swings open. โThatโll be fourteen seventy-three, please.โ
My car lurches forward before I remember to put it in park, and I gape up at the woman staring down at me. โMuffy?โ
My brain is playing tricks on me.
It has to be.
Because thereโs no way the curvy, clumsy, smart-mouthed goddess whoโs haunting my dick is standing there wearing a Cod Pieces polo and hat.
But she is.
And I swear to god, her long brown braids are recoiling in horror as her whole face twists, her lip curling, her left eye squeezing shut, before she snaps herself together. โFor the hundredth time today, I have no idea who this Muffy person is. My name is Octavia Louisa Beaverhousen.โ
Fuck me.
There are two of them? She looks exactly like Muffy. Iโm not seeing things, and Iโm not projecting just because I want my dick to work again and the bunnies made me think about screwing Muffy in the walk-in fridge at the bunny bar.
โFourteen seventy-three, please.โ She turns away as she holds out a hand, twitching her fingers like sheโs waiting for cash or a card.
And thatโs when I see the tattoo.
Rufus.
Her catโs name. Itโs on her wrist.
Octavia Louisa Beaverhousen, my ass. This is Muffy.
Pippa Grant is a USA Today Bestselling author who writes romantic comedies that will make tears run down your leg. When she’s not reading, writing or sleeping, she’s being crowned employee of the month as a stay-at-home mom and housewife trying to prepare her adorable demon spawn to be productive members of society, all the while fantasizing about long walks on the beach with hot chocolate chip cookies.
Call Me Crazy, an all-new enemies to lovers standalone romance from USA Today bestselling author Melanie Harlow is available now!
It was the perfect plan. I needed a wife–temporarily–in order to inherit the family business. And she needed a favor–the kind that takes nine months to deliver.
We had it all worked out, from the no-touching policy on our wedding night (her rule) to the no-falling-in-love decree (mine). Sheโd marry me, Iโd give her the means to have the baby sheโd always wanted, and one year later weโd amicably part ways with no hassle, no demands, and certainly no regrets.
After all, Bianca DeRossi and I are experts at infuriating one another–weโve been doing it since we were kids. Trouble is, she grew up gorgeous and feisty, and she still knows exactly how to get under my skin.
And that wedding night? Well, it doesnโt exactly go down hands-free.
Then she moves in with me, and I really start to lose my mind. From her sexy little pout to her wicked sense of humor to those meatball sandwiches she makes just because she knows theyโre my favorite . . . I find myself wanting to break every rule we put in place.
Our story was never supposed to end with happily ever after. But call me crazy, I just might be in love with my wife.
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โSo howโs your ego tonight? A little bruised, huh?โ
โItโs fine,โ I said, tightening the knot in my tie. โReina obviously wasnโt the right choice for a wife. Iโm glad she said no.โ
Bianca started to choke on her olive. โWait a minute.โ She fanned her face and managed to swallow. โYou proposed toโtoโwhat was the little girlโs name?โ
โReina. And youโve got no room to call someone little, Tiny.โ
As Iโd hoped, the old nickname drew a brief scowl from her. โWeโre talking about you right now. Did you actually propose tonight? Like with a ring?โ
I exhaled, regretting Iโd mentioned it. โYeah. I did.โ
Her eyes lit up. โLet me see it.โ
โNo.โ
โWhy not?โ
โBecause you just want to rub salt in my wound.โ
โFor fuckโs sake, Enzo. Youโre not wounded. You donโt even love this girl, you just needed to put a ring on her finger so your dad would put your name on the company letterhead.โ She held out her hand. โNow give it here.โ
Something told me I was going to be sorry, but I reached into my jacket and pulled out the ring box.
She took it from me and opened it up. โItโs pretty,โ she said with grudging admiration. Then she squinted at it, pushing her glasses up her nose. โDid you have it engraved?โ
I picked up my bourbon and took a hefty swallow. โNo.โ
โBut it says . . .โ She set the box down and pulled the ring from the velvet to examine it closer. Then she started laughing. โโLove Always, Ricky?โโ
โGive me that.โ Leaning forward, I tried to swipe the ring from her hand, but she held it out of my reach.
โJust a second! I want to try it on.โ
I thumped against the back of the booth, picking up my drink again and tossing back the rest of it. Could this night get any worse?
Bianca slipped the ring on her fingerโit fitโand held out her hand, studying it. โSo what did you say?โ
โI proposed.โ
โBut how? Like, did you say, โYouโre the love of my life and I want to be with you foreverโ kind of thing?
โโUh, not exactly. I didnโt want to lie to her. I just, you know, gave her the ring.โ I made a grand, sweeping gesture with one hand.
โBut you must have said something.โ
โWhat difference does it make?โ I asked irritably.
โLook, Iโm only trying to help you. You obviously blew it tonight, and by your own admission, you need to find a Lucy for your Ricky sooner rather than later, right?โ
I looked around for Lara. I needed another drink. And then a ride home.
โRight?โ Bianca prodded me with her foot under the table again. โSo let me help you.โ
โThe only way you could help me is to marry me,โ I grumbled, waving Lara over. โAnd since thatโs out of the question, this discussion is over.โ
โWell, wait a minute. Who said itโs out of the question?โ
I stared at her like sheโd sprouted horns. โHuh?โ
Bianca continued to study the ring on her finger. โIโm just thinking out loud here. But it seems to me we each have a goal, and they could both be accomplished with one simpleโfakeโrelationship.โ
I shook my head, as if to clear it, but the fog remained. โI know Iโm drunk, but what the hell are you talking about?โ
She sighed and picked up her martini for a sip. โIโm talking about the fact that you need a wife to get what you want. Iโm willing to be that wifeโtemporarily, and under the strictest of conditionsโif youโll agree to give me what I want.โ
I shook my head. โOh, no. No fucking way. I see what youโre doing here. Iโm not paying you to fake being my wife.โ
Bianca rolled her eyes. โGive me a break, Enzo. I donโt want your money. Nor do I need it.โ
โThen I donโt understand, โI said, feelingโonce againโcompletely baffled by a woman. โWhat could you possibly want that I could give you?โ
The smile that crept over those hellfire lips should have been a warning. โA baby.โ
About the Author
USA Today bestselling author Melanie Harlow likes her martinis dry, her heels high, and her history with the naughty bits left in. When she’s not writing or reading, she gets her kicks from TV series like Schittโs Creek, Homeland, and Fleabag. She occasionally runs three miles, but only so she can have more gin and steak.
Melanie is the author of the CLOVERLEIGH FARMS series, the ONE & ONLY series, AFTER WE FALL series, the HAPPY CRAZY LOVE series, the FRENCHED series, and the sexy historical SPEAK EASY duet, set in the 1920s. She lifts her glass to romance readers and writers from her home near Detroit, MI, where she lives with her husband, two daughters, and pet rabbit.
dumpster fire noun 1. an utterly calamitous situation 2. mismanagement for the ages 3. something very difficult no one wants to deal with 4. Rob Hansen
Rob was single.
That hadnโt been the plan. But it turned out that his plan wasnโt immune to car accidents. It couldnโt stave off death, couldnโt stop bad things from happening.
Now Carmellaโhis wife, his best friend, the other half of his heartโwas gone. And sheโd been gone long enough for the tendrils of loneliness to creep in, for him to risk dipping his toe back into the dating world. The only problem was that dating was a hell of a lot different in this world than when heโd been in college.
He wasnโt good at apps and profiles, his banter skills were rusty, and his flirting . . . well, some might say it was atrocious.
Then came high, high heels. Then came a sharp voice with an impressive repertoire of curse words. Then came a woman who was definitely not Carmella . . . but who might be the possibility of something more.
About the Author:
USA Today bestselling author, Elise Faber, loves chocolate, Star Wars, Harry Potter, and hockey (the order depending on the day and how well her teamโthe Sharks!โare playing). She and her husband also play as much hockey as they can squeeze into their schedules, so much so that their typical date night is spent on the ice. Elise changes her hair color more often than some people change their socks, loves sparkly things, and is the mom to two exuberant boys.
She lives in Northern California. Connect with her in her Facebook group, the Fabinators or email her at elisefaberauthor@gmail.com.
Thereโs nothing better than a packed house on a Saturday night, and co-owning the hottest restaurant and bar in town with my best friends, isnโt so bad either. We put everything into Burgers and Brew. My job is to keep the alcohol moving and the patrons coming back for more. I wonโt let anyone break my focus.
That was until I saw her.
As much as I try, I canโt fight it. Mallory makes me crave a future I never wanted for my own.
Now, I want it all.
Mallory
When I started my new job at a local specialty burger restaurant, I wasnโt expecting to find a tall, dark, and devastatingly handsome distraction in the form of Walker Meyer. Heโs one of the owners, which means hands off. Only problem, itโs a lot easier said than done.
Especially when heโs so good with my daughter.
I try to keep him at a distance, but heโs insistent, slowly breaking down every one of my walls. Heโs fighting to convince me I can trust him with not only my heart, but my daughterโs too.
At exactly eleven oโclock, I slip a quarter into the old jukebox on the back wall. The bar is silent as they await tonightโs selection. My bar, my choice, and tonight, Iโm feeling a little rowdy. The opening melody of โDr. Feelgoodโ blasts through the speakers, resulting in a loud cheer from tonightโs patrons. As I make my way back behind the bar, I get a few high fives from the guys and even more phone numbers slipped into my palm from the ladies. I wish I could confirm theyโre all single, but the truth is theyโre not.
Just a typical Saturday night at Burgers and Brew, the place I co-own with my three best friends. We all have our forte within the business, and mineโs behind the bar. Mixing drinks and slinging beers. Thatโs my life, and damn, what a life it is.
I slap Jasper on the back as I slide under the bar and jump right back in to filling drink orders. Everyoneโs singing along, word for word to the olโ 80โs hair band tune, as part of our weekend ritual. Itโs an ode, a salute to our college days and the band we all grew up listening to. We built this business, taking an old brick building in downtown Stewart Grove and turning it into a staple.
Jasperโs the man in the kitchen, the one who comes up with the mouthwatering burger creations weโre known for. Isaac is the numbers guy, the man who keeps us in the black and our taxes completed on time. Jamesonโs the muscle because heโs big and tattooed. But heโs more than that. Jameson is talented as fuck with a guitar and serves as our house musician Friday and Saturday nights. Then thereโs me. Walker Meyer, bartender extraordinaire, who keeps the beer flowing, the panties melting, and the tips rolling in.
Weโre the Brew Crรผe, and damn proud of it.
โDance, dance, dance, dance,โ the crowd starts to chant, encouraging me to do what I do every weekend when we play Mรถtley Crรผe.
Dance.
When I glance over at Jasper, heโs already shaking his head, but thereโs no missing his wide grin. He knows whatโs coming. Placing my hands on the bar top, I jump, hoisting myself up on the aged oak. Patrons erupt into cheers as I grin down at them. Mostly, at the ladies. The single ones and even the not-so-single ones. No, Iโm not taking any of them home, but that doesnโt mean I canโt give them one hell of a show.
I twist my ballcap around so itโs on backward and start to swing my hips. Mama blessed me with moves, which helps almost double my tips every night. Women go crazy for a man who can dance. Thatโs evident by the number of panties thatโll be thrown behind the bar in a matter of moments.
Swaying my hips, I do a little dip and grind, popping my ass out and sending the ladies in the front row into cardiac arrest. They scream and reach for my pant legs, digging their nails into the denim. Instead of shaking them off, I wink and carefully walk a few steps away. Then, when we get to the refrain in the song, I throw my arms out to the side and belt out the words, everyone singing along with me.
Itโs like karaoke.
But better.
As the song winds down, I steal the drink in Jasperโs hand and hold it up over my head. Everyone in the bar does the same. We sing. I dance and drink. The panties start flying.
(Excerpt โ Kickstart My Heart, Burgers and Brew Crรผe book 1 ยฉ Lacey Black)
BLP REVIEW – Tracy
Gods, what a great read!! I wasnโt entirely sure what to expect when I went into Kickstart My Heart but it was way more than I imagined!!!!
Walker and Mallory were excellent characters and were so great together. Loved the time and effort that Walker put in with Lizzie.
There wasnโt a whole lot of angst in this book, which I liked, and the focus was mainly on the building of a friendship/relationship between the pair but I loved that Walker was there for Mallory without her even realising it at times.
They changed each otherโs lives for the better and I loved every minute of it!!
A definite โmust readโ in my opinion and I canโt wait for the rest of the series!!
AUTHOR BIO
Lacey Black is a Midwestern girl with a passion for reading and writing. 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 a chocolate lab. Lacey loves shooting guns and should only consume one mixed drink because sheโs a lightweight.
Book Loving Pixies 