Title: Meant for You Series: Valentine Bay #2 Author: Samantha Leigh
Genre: Contemporary Romance Tropes: Small Town/Enemies to Lovers Cover Design: Y’All. That Graphic. Release Date: June 1, 2023
BLURB
He’s my ex’s best friend. The man I love to hate. A total temptation who is totally off-limits.
And he’s everywhere I turn.
My life’s a disaster. My ex-boyfriend is getting married, my house is falling apart, and I haven’t slept with anyone in… Well, long enough that I’m not sure I remember where everything is supposed to go.
The last person I’d ever ask for help is my childhood enemy, Logan Reeve. He’s smug. He’s infuriating. He’s gorgeous. And lately, he’s caught me in one too many weak moments. A cocky carpenter who knows how to work a sledgehammer, Logan promises he can renovate my house before my parents sell it out from under me.
I can’t deny it. Logan’s got the skills I need to turn things around—in life and in the bedroom.
I’m craving some old-fashioned action, and Logan is always—irritatingly—there. As the tension takes us dangerously close to a line we shouldn’t cross, we find ourselves flirting with forbidden territory. Flirting, flirting… until finally, we fall.
Why does it feel so good when it’s so, so bad?
It won’t last. Nobody can ever know.There’s nothing real between us, right? Logan Reeve was never meant for me.
But one thing I know for sure. The man I can’t have loves nothing more than proving me wrong.
Meant For You is a first-person, dual POV contemporary romance with lots of steam and a satisfying happily ever after.
Samantha Leigh is the author of steamy small town romance. Her first series is set in a fictional beach-side town called Valentine Bay, and because she’s the writer and it’s within her power to do so, she filled the Bay with a disproportionate number of divine, dirty-talking surfers. It’s a hard job, but someone’s got to do it.
In the tiny slices of time she has between all the word wrangling, Sam likes to hit her yoga mat, go for walks in the bush or on the beach, continue her search for the perfect poke bowl, drown herself in coffee and hot cacao, and binge-watch bad television.
What’s worse than playing a fake girlfriend to the all-pro defensive end for the Seattle Phantom? When the same infamous playboy is my ex-husband’s best friend. I’m normally great at keeping my distance from him—pretending like he doesn’t get under my skin. But after he punches a teammate over me, we’re stuck faking a relationship to save his career and mine. If we play the game well, we could both get out ahead. I just have to remember everything about this is for show, including the reformed player act. A few blurred lines and crossed boundaries won’t change things. Because falling for your ex’s best friend is wrong, right?
Maggie loves books, travel and wandering through museums. She lives in the Midwest where you can find her writing on her laptop with her two pups at her side, in between binge watching epic historical and fantasy dramas and cheering for her favorite American (and European) football teams on the weekends. She loves writing dirty athletes and smart women and has a soft spot for writing characters who banter instead of flirt.
Yes, I’m a single dad who needs a nanny for the summer.
But hire the stranded runaway bride who shows up on my doorstep in a wedding gown with no references, no skills, and no experience?
No one is that desperate.
Except within twenty-four hours, down-on-her-luck Veronica Sutton manages to charm my kids, my family, and half the population of Cherry Tree Harbor into believing she’s perfect for the job.
And for me.
It’s not that I can’t see the appeal-those baby blue eyes? The endless legs? That mouth made for trouble? But I’ve got enough on my plate, raising two kids on my own and keeping the family business alive. I don’t have the time or the inclination to fall for an outspoken city girl.
So I should have kept my hands to myself.
Holding her in my arms was a big mistake. Even worse? Spending the night together. She ignites a possessive fire in me that I’m finding hard to snuff out.
But the most unforgivable? Growing attached to the sound of her laugh, the scent of her skin, and the way her body wraps around mine in the dark.
At the end of the summer, she’ll be gone. And if I’m not careful, she might run away with my heart.
Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited
Melanie Harlow writes some of the best small town romance that has humour, snark, heart, heat and a great story line.
Veronica is just about to get married when everything gets turned upside down and she gets a hit of reality about her husband to be and what her life would really be like.
I loved how she dealt with her horrible fiancé, laughed at the image of her hitting Cherry Tree Harbor dressed as she was, loved the locals’ reaction to and acceptance of her and her first meeting with Austin’s sister Mabel.
When Roni first meets Austin he’s definitely not particularly pleasant. Yeah, rocking up looking as she did with no nannying experience and a serious lack of anything housework related maybe didn’t help but his grumpy and surly attitude was just unwarranted. I got that he didn’t like the fact that all the plans he had for the care of his 7 year old twins over the summer had changed but he was in a bind and too damned stubborn to accept a solution when it was presented to him.
Roni has nowhere to go and no one to worry about so she decides to stay in Cherry Tree Harbor until she worked out her next move. Austin finally relents and Roni moves onto the property to take care of his kids.
Austin was most definitely a grumpy sod but he was a fabulous dad. His first consideration was for his kids. He was loyal to a fault – to his own detriment in some cases.
The tension between this pair was palpable and when they got together they were smoking. Austin had a filthy mouth.. and an inability to stay away from Roni.
I loved the Buckley family – the twins especially were great wee people and utterly engaging – and the town’s residents. They made for an excellent supporting cast who added fun and laughs to the story.
A great fun, sexy and sweet read that you’re sure to enjoy!!!
5 stars!!!!!
Meet Melanie
USA Today and #1 Amazon bestselling author Melanie Harlow writes sweet, sexy, feel-good romance. She likes her martinis dry, her heels high, and her history with the naughty bits left in. If she’s not writing or reading, she’s probably at Orangetheory or watching Schitt’s Creek again. She lifts her glass to readers from her home near Detroit, MI, where she lives with her husband, two daughters, and pet rabbit.
Title: 6 Clues Your Nemesis Loves You Series: Bower Boys #3 Author: Kelly Siskind
Genre: Romantic Comedy Tropes: Enemies to Friends to Lovers/Second Chance Release Date: May 3, 2023
BLURB
Eleven years ago, he hurt her. Now he plans to prove they’re meant to be…
In high school, Maggie Edelstein set the rules of our secret relationship, but I’m calling the shots now. In my dreams.
Maggie’s still infuriating and confusing, and absolutely stunning. She’s also still pretending we barely spent time together as teens, when we met up nightly at her family’s pond.
Over a decade later, I’m back in my hometown and some things haven’t changed. My chemistry with Maggie is once again hotter than a four-alarm fire, and she’s intent on denying it. I don’t blame her. The last night we saw each other I made a horrible mistake and hurt her, then I vanished into witness protection for ten years.
But there’s something else going on with her.
I recognize a secret when I see one, and her friends say she doesn’t do commitment. If I can get her to forgive me and open up, maybe she’ll break her rules and give us a second chance. Or she’ll light my heart on fire and dance around the flames…
Kelly Siskind lives in charming northern Ontario. When she’s not out hiking or skiing, you can find her, notepad in hand, scribbling down one of the many plot bunnies bouncing around in her head. She loves singing while driving, looks awful in yellow, and is known for spilling wine at parties. Sign up for Kelly’s newsletter at http://www.kellysiskind.com and never miss a giveaway, a free bonus scene, or the latest news on her books. And connect with her on Twitter and Instagram (@kellysiskind) or on Facebook (@authorkellysiskind).
Title: Cherry Picked Series: The Sunday Brothers #3 Author: May Archer
Genre: MM Romance Tropes: Brother’s Best Friend/Age Gap Release Date: May 2, 2023
BLURB
Never ask your brother’s best friend to… pick your cherry.
When I asked Jack Wyatt to help me lose my pesky v-card, I didn’t expect him to keel over in shocked disapproval and nearly tumble us down a mountain. You might think a guy who’s been reading romance novels his whole life would’ve figured out a smoother way to broach the subject, but in my defense, I’ve been pining for Jack for seven long years, just waiting for him to notice me. Jack sees me as sweet, shy Hawk Sunday: his Pride and Prejudice-obsessed hiking buddy; his dependable employee; the honorary little brother he’s determined to protect, not…deflower. But to me, Jack is everything a romantic hero should be: tall, gorgeous, kind, and brilliant. Or at least I thought he was brilliant… until he started getting so many things so boneheadedly wrong. Like refusing to do the deflowering himself, but also, erm… blocking any other potential plant-lovers from getting all up in my garden. And like continuing to see me as someone who needs protecting, rather than a man who needs possessing… A man who’s determined to get his cherry well and truly picked this summer, whether Jack Wyatt likes it or not.
May is an M/M author who lives in Boston. She spends her days raising three incredibly sarcastic children, alternating eating Jax and Tostitos, planning beach vacations, avoiding the gym, reading M/M romance, and occasionally writing it.
From the New York Times bestselling author of Forever My Girl: The Motion Picture, Heidi McLaughlin delivers an emotional second chance romance about life, love, and what it means to truly be happy!
Elle James has it all: a loving fiancé in Ben, a promising career as a music manager, and a supportive family. She couldn’t be happier with her life. That is until the unthinkable happens and she must accept the consequences of her actions and figure out how to come clean to her family or continue living the lie.
Ben Miller had it all: a loving fiancée, a budding career, and the support of people who loved him like family. That was until he wanted more, and his fiancée was unable to meet him halfway. He makes a decision, one that affects everyone. When his life takes an unexpected turn and he’s diagnosed with a life changing illness, he finds himself fighting for more than just love.
With their happily ever after slipping through their fingers, will Elle and Ben be able to survive, or will life’s curveball be too much for them to handle?
About Heidi:
Heidi McLaughlin is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of The Beaumont Series, The Boys of Summer, and The Archers.
Originally, from the Pacific Northwest, she now lives in picturesque Vermont, with her husband, two daughters, and their three dogs.
In 2012, Heidi turned her passion for reading into a full-fledged literary career, writing over twenty novels, including the acclaimed Forever My Girl.
Heidi’s first novel, Forever My Girl, has been adapted into a motion picture with LD Entertainment and Roadside Attractions, starring Alex Roe and Jessica Rothe, and opened in theaters on January 19, 2018, and is now available on DVD & Digital.
When a Wounded Warrior meets a small town princess, he’ll learn that happily-ever-after is definitely in his cards.
Jake Grimm came home after fifteen years to an official letter on his door. His family’s ancestral home is going to be a fairytale themed tourist attraction which isn’t going to work when the rest of his Special Forces team shows up to move in. Storming up to City Hall for some answers, a car backfires and he hits the ground, bringing down the hot, curvy woman standing next to him.
She looks up at him with stars in her eyes, like he isn’t battle damaged.
Her heart shaped mouth whispers dreams that she could take all his pain and sleepless nights away.
All of which is why Jake knows he must stay far away from Rosie Briarwood, the mayor’s daughter. He might be the last descendant of the founders of Grimm’s Valley, but he’s no prince. And he’s no longer a hero.
Once upon a time has never been so hot in this steamy small town where heroes fall hard for modern day damsels who know how to handle their swords.
NS Johnson is a pen name for paranormal and contemporary fantasy author Ines Johnson. Yes, her first and middle initials are actually N and S – clever, right!
Why separate the ink? Because while Ines imbues magic and fantasy into her stories, NS will only spin reimagined fairytales, folklore and myths in the small town of Grimm’s Valley.
Title: Rezoned The Davis Order Prequel Author: Danah Logan
Genre: Contemporary Romantic Suspense Tropes: Hate to Love/Second Chance Romance Release Date: April 27, 2023
BLURB
Jules Ten years ago, I watched my life go up in flames. No one tells you how easy it is to die. Here one moment, gone the next. All because I fell in love with Ethan Davis. He took everything from me. After nearly a decade of hiding, Ethan stands before me, more handsome and dangerous than ever. But this time, there is no escape—for either of us.
Ethan I’ve heard people say they lived through hell. They never met the devil who raised me—Marshall Davis. He took my remorse. Trained me to be ruthless, feared by the most dangerous men. I didn’t understand what it meant to love. Until Jules. She made me feel. Something I didn’t believe my blackened soul was capable of. When she was sentenced to burn, my humanity turned to dust with her.
**AUTHOR’S NOTE Rezoned is a dark, (love-to) hate-to-love, second-chance, standalone novel and prequel to The Davis Order.
This book is intended for MATURE (18+) readers. Rezoned is labeled dark due to the themes that may be considered TRIGGERS for some. Reader discretion is advised.
Born and raised in Germany, Danah moved to the U.S., where she met her husband, eventually trading downtown Chicago’s city life for the northern Rockies.
She can be seen hanging with her twin girls and exploring the outdoors when she’s not arguing plot points with the characters in her head.
But it’s that exact passion which has originally produced The Dark Seriesand continues to keep her glued to her laptop, following her dreams.
Title: Beauty and the Bruiser Series: Philadelphia Tyrant Hockey #1 Author: Josie Blake
Genre: Contemporary Hockey Romance Tropes: Single Dad/Nanny, Grumpy/Sunshine Release Date: May 26, 2023
BLURB
Nanny for a professional hockey player? Please. More like beauty for the beast.
The job is straightforward. Single dad Duke York needs a caretaker for his seven-year-old daughter during the hockey season, bonus if that person can help her with her school work. His team is rebuilding, and he plans to retire at the end of the year. This is his last chance to make a run at the cup. Right now, I have the time and the education to do this work.
Except there should be a disclaimer in the job description about Duke. He’s hot as sin, and the grizzled hockey veteran takes brooding to the next level. I need the cash, though, and the job offers housing as part of its compensation. Since I have nowhere to live—again—it’s the perfect situation. But I didn’t expect to find such a fascinating man under Duke’s gruff exterior, and the more I get to know the father and daughter duo, the more I risk losing my heart to them both.
My real life has never included any fairy-tale endings. But maybe this temporary job could be the beginning of all of our happily ever afters…
BEAUTY AND THE BRUISER is a full-length, sexy hockey romance with a happily ever after. If you like Beauty and the Beast vibes, a grumpy cinnamon roll single dad hero, and slow burn chemistry, you should try this first book in the Philadelphia Tyrant Hockey series!
The Philadelphia Tyrant books contain mild adult language and open-door sexual scenes/situations. Every story can be read as a standalone.
Josie Blake writes college-set, hockey romance with sass and emotion. Originally from a small town in western Pennsylvania, she now battles traffic in southern New Jersey where she lives with her hero husband and their happily-ever-after: two very energetic sons. When she isn’t writing, she can be found next to a hockey rink or swimming pool, cooking up something sweet, or hiding from encroaching dust bunnies with a book.
Wedding planner, Cassie Winters can’t wait to find her own happily ever after, and when she meets wedding hater, Theo Abbot, she realizes she’s got her work cut out for her. Theo’s grumpy, set in his ways, and determined to never fall in love again, but the more time they spend together, the more Cassie begins to wonder if she can change Theo’s position on love. Fans of Claire Kingsley and Kaylee Ryan will adore WED LIKE WILDFIRE by Lauren Helms, a steamy, grumpy sunshine romance.
Once upon a time, there was a grumpy CEO who met a wedding planner who never stopped smiling…
Cassie You could say that I live and breathe weddings and love, and as a wedding planner, a happily ever after is the main event. So when I learn that Theo Abbot absolutely hates weddings, that should be my clue to run for the hills as fast as my sexy little black stilettos will take me.
But I digress.
I’m on the hunt for my own epic love story, one T-Swift herself could write a song about. Which means unavailable and seemingly uninterested CEOs are off limits. Even if the man oozes sex appeal and his grumpiness turns me to mush.
A little flirting never hurt anyone.
Theo Cassie Winters shines so bright I need a pair of Ray-bans to look directly at her. Problem is, once I’ve set my eyes on her, I can’t seem to look away. The woman is a walking, talking promotion for all things love and happiness.
Hand me an antacid.
Counting, on one hand, the amount of times I’ve failed in my life, leaves me knowing I won’t ever do “love” again. I’m set in my ways and not even this sexy little spitfire could sweet talk me out of my decision to never get married.
Yet it only took one drink to derail that plan.
But, things aren’t always as they seem and when real life gets in the way of this fairy tale, we’re both forced to take a hard look at what we truly want.
Are we both ready to wed or is this a wildfire that’s about to burn out?
I hear my sister and Mateo agree with her, and the woman continues.
“I mean, just look at the stage. It features more than fifty hand-painted scenic backdrops. It’s just absolutely remarkable.”
Despite the fact that I could get lost in this woman’s voice, I don’t appreciate that she barking up the wrong tree trying to sell this space to my sister.
I come to a stop behind the three of them, my attendance going unnoticed. I resist the urge to clap for her performance, but interrupt her words with my own instead.
“Well done, sounds like you could sell religion to the damn Pope.” Harsh, but I don’t like when people think they can take advantage of us just because we have money.
Both my sister and the woman startle. Mateo snorts. I glance at Nora and the glare I’m getting could cut ice, but I’ve survived the look before. I nod a hello at Mateo before sliding my gaze to the best damn saleswoman in the world.
Taking in the woman standing in front of me, no goddamn joke, my heart skips a fucking beat. I draw my hand out of my pocket and slowly rub my chest absentmindedly.
The woman is utterly exquisite. Her soft blond hair is braided in a way that is messy but perfectly styled and falls over her shoulder with strands of soft gold framing her face. A face that at first glance looks flawless. I’m unable to continue my perusal as I’m stopped in my tracks by two sparkling blue eyes staring back at me. Taking in all of her, I see that the smirk she wears tells me she’s not about to let me get away with what I’ve just said.
“No doubt you are correct, Mr. Abbot. However, I wouldn’t attempt something so outrageous.” Her eyes gleam. “I was just telling Nora and Mateo some very well-known facts about this beautiful cathedral.” She glances up and waves her hand around as if to encompass the whole space.
“Theo, this is Cassie Winters, our wedding planner. It’s nice of you to join us,” Nora bites out in a pleasantly terse tone. She walks up to me and kisses my cheek. As she pulls away, she whispers, “Be nice.”
I ignore her and focus on the wedding planner. Cassie.
“Well, I’m just confused as to why we are even here, Ms. Winters. Or is it Mrs.?” I ask.
She doesn’t miss a beat. “Ms. Thank you. And we are here because the couple getting married”—she gestures to Nora and Mateo—“wanted a tour.” Her tone straddles the line of condescending and courteous. And it’s sexy as fuck.
Nora punches me lightly in the side, typical sister shit. “Yes, I asked if we could check out the cathedral as well as some other places. We’ve already ruled some out due to availability, but this place has an opening twelve months from now,” she informs me as she walks back over to Mateo, lacing her fingers through his. His eyes flash as he looks down at her.
“I thought you didn’t want to wait a year,” I say, my eyes darting back at Cassie. She stands there, smiling with fucking stars in her eyes at Nora and Mateo.
“True, but places book up quickly, and I wasted too much time floundering before hiring Cassie,” Nora says.
I nod. Makes sense. I take a second to look around this place. I want to vomit, it’s so extra. We may have grown up with silver spoons in our mouths, but we didn’t grow up around such fancy-ass stuff such as weddings in the Scottish Rite Cathedral.
“Why the grumpy face?” Cassie’s beautiful voice breaks me out of my stupor.
“Oh, no, that’s his normal face,” Nora tells her.
“I don’t understand why you picked this place. It’s a church…”
“Are you not religious, Mr. Abbot?” Cassie interrupts.
“I’m not sure why that matters to you,” I snap.
Her eyes widen a tad at the venom in my tone. “You said it’s a church.”
“You didn’t let me finish, Ms. Winters. I was saying, it’s a church that was built in the ’20s and this place fits, like what? Twelve hundred people? Do you even know that many people, Nora?” I stuff my hands in my pockets out of frustration.
“No,” Nora offers shakily.
“Mr. Abbot, the theater space is only one of the locations available for a ceremony. This was our first stop. I wanted them to get the full tour,” Cassie says and I so badly want to ask her to call me Theo, but I don’t know if I’ll like the way she says my name more than the way she calls me Mr. Abbot.
I grunt, not having time for this argument. “Okay, then let’s look at a more accommodating space.”
“You know what, I think this place has lost its magic for me,” Nora grumbles. “Let’s check out that last place on my list. I know Theo has a busy schedule.”
“If you are sure, we can head over to INDUSTRY then,” Cassie says as she follows Nora and Mateo toward the exit.
I’m not into games. I’m not going to ask Nora if she’s sure or apologize for raining on her parade with this place. It’s not a good fit for her. She knows it. I know it. And this ridiculous wedding planner needs to learn it if she wants to keep my sister as a client.
Cassie walks by me, her shoulder nearly brushing mine, and my senses are immediately taken over by a soft smell of amber and vanilla.
“I’m so happy that you were able to join us today,” she says softly. I look down at her. She’s a few inches shorter, and the sparkle in her eyes is mischievous.
Clenching my jaw, I don’t reply as she walks on by, but the urge to wrap my hand around her arm and pull her back to me is strong.
I think what gets under my skin the most is that she has yet to drop the smile this whole time. Is it stuck on her face? Is this a Botox gone wrong? She doesn’t look like the type of woman to be obsessed with Botox, but what the fuck do I know?
I close my eyes for a minute to gain my wits.
One, two, three…
About Lauren Helms
Lauren Helms is a romance author her nerdy and flirty contemporary words. Lauren has forever been an avid reader from the beginning. After starting a book review website, that catapulted her fully into the book world, she knew that something was missing. While working for a video game strategy guide publisher, she decided to mix what she knew best–video games and romance. She decided to take the plunge and write her first novel, Level Me Up. Several published novels later, Lauren created PR company, Indie Pen PR, to help other authors promote their books.
Lauren lives in Indianapolis, Indiana sharing her love of books and video games with her own Gamer Boy husband and three young kid nerds who will hopefully grow up to share the love of things that united Lauren and her husband on their own happily ever after.
Book Loving Pixies 