Title: Siren Series: Ever After #5 Author: Measha Stone
Genre: MMF Romance Tropes: Friends to Lovers/Forbidden Love Release Date: August 18, 2023
BLURB
My father demands I give up my dreams to follow the path he’s set for me, but I want more. And I won’t settle.
In exchange for a small favor, my aunt helps get me started on a new path. My path. But I should have known life isn’t that easy. One of my father’s most trusted men catches up with me, and he’s brought a friend.
I’m off limits, the boss’ daughter, but that doesn’t stop Bastian or Garrick. They’re both overbearing, overprotective, and mouthwatering.
They don’t approve of my aunt. Positive she’s going to betray me, they won’t let me out of their sight. And when I do manage to sneak away, they take turns showing me exactly what price I’ll pay when I cross the line.
But I have to see this through. No matter the cost.
Measha Stone is an international bestselling author of erotic romance. She’s had #1 top-selling books in BDSM, and suspense. She lives in the western suburbs of Chicago with her husband and children, who are just as creative and crazy as her. Her vanilla writing has been published in numerous literary magazines, but she’s found her passion in erotic romance.
Title: Fighting for the Truth Series: Finding the Truth #4 Author: A.B. Medley
Genre: Romantic Suspense Trope: Childhood Friends to Enemies to Lovers Release Date: August 18, 2023
BLURB
You’ve always been mine to love and to hate…
Small towns have a way of making you face your past. And there’s two sides to every story. Hawk and Brittney met as kids in a time when they both needed someone. Their worlds were already in a state of unrest when an unexpected betrayal stripped them bare. Words of hate were uttered and promises broken, leaving them bitter enemies. One is left fighting for the truth, while the other is left with nothing but a dream. But time and distance can’t separate them forever and fate seemingly intervenes. Lines blur as they realize things may not have been what they seemed, and old feelings are resurrected. But amid salvaging their connection comes another fight. Hawk’s murky past catches up to him and Brittney is thrust in the middle, leaving him no choice but to fight once more to save the girl he realizes he’s always loved. Even if it means destroying her dreams and wrecking her heart. Fighting for her is the only thing that matters, and this is one battle he won’t lose. Winner takes heart.
She stares at me as her lower lip trembles before finally crawling under the covers. I hear her sniffle as she tries to fight back her emotions. I walk around the bed to where she’s turned on her side so I can see her face. This time she doesn’t meet my eyes, she stares blankly at something behind me. I kneel and tuck a few loose strands of hair behind her ear. “You mean more to me than anyone ever has, dolcezza. You can trust that.” She peers at me sadly as she rapidly blinks tears away. “Did you love her? Did she take my place when you left me behind? It was her, wasn’t it?” “What are you talking about?” I ask. “Did she get all your firsts, Hawk?” she asks in a pain-stricken tone. I pull my hand back, unsure how to answer, but my silence is answer enough. I thought I loved Angel back then, but I realize now nothing about it was love. Infatuation and running from my demons landed me in her arms. And regrettably, I did share my first time with her instead of Brittney like I should have. Angel is the definition of deceit. If you look it up in the dictionary, her picture should be beside it. Brittney closes her eyes, and the tears leak down her nose and into her hair. I attempt to wipe them away, but she whispers a plea, “Please don’t.” “Baby…” I start. Her watery gaze focuses on me. “I know you care. I even believe you love me, Hawk. But I don’t think you’re in love with me. Not in the same way I’m in love with you. It’s only ever been you since we were kids.” I stare at her in surprise. I don’t know how to respond. I do think I’m in love with her, but I’m not going to drag her into what it means to be a Rossi. My grandfather made it clear I owe him for his help. The debt will be settled by taking on the role he thinks I should. My feelings for Brittney can’t save me from that fate.
#2
“I’m here now to lay all my cards out,” he says softly. “Here are all the facts. I have family in Nashville who may require my attention, but Greendale Valley is home. I love working on Valley B with Tate. I won’t hide anything about my family from you, but at the same time, I won’t ever let anything from that part of my life hurt you. If your dream is to sing, I’m behind you each step of the way. I love that you have the biggest and most giving heart even if it’s been broken. You see the best in people, and I hope you still see that in me. Because I’m in love with you, Brittney,” he tells me as he swipes the tears from under my eyes with his thumbs. “There is no fight more worthy of winning than the one for your heart…to be your last and forever,” he adds with a hopeful smile. I let out a sob or a laugh, to be honest, I’m not sure which. I grab his face on each side and pull his lips to mine. He drops his hands to my legs and hoists me up, so they wrap around his waist. The same moment we found each other was the same moment we were knocked to the ground…literally.
A.B. Medley lives in Tennessee with the love of her life and two sons. Her husband stole her heart when she was sixteen and their relationship is one of those meant to be love stories you find in magazines and novels.
She is a dental hygienist who loves to read and has always dabbled in writing. When she’s not making people’s smiles shine, she enjoys belting out songs with her boys, dancing, raspberries, baseball, and anything vintage. Like any proper Tennessean, Sundrop is her drink of choice.
She loves her family and friends fiercely and believes in always chasing your dreams.
Deception in the Truth is her debut novel—but now she’s hooked, and there’s more to come.
Title: Song of Scent and Magic Series: Court of Blood and Binding #1 Author: Maggie Alabaster
Genre: Fantasy Romance Tropes: Reverse Harem/Omegaverse/Enemies to Lovers Release Date: August 17, 2023
BLURB
I was a Silent Maiden, hidden away in a gilded cage. Rebellious, but kept on a tight leash by those in power.
When three handsome Fae warriors, and a man who wants to be more than friends, save me from violent attackers, I have no choice but to go with them.
The world I find myself in is beautiful and dangerous, but I soon come to learn the greatest danger to me is myself. I’m not the person I always believed I was.
I’m so much more.
And that is f**king terrifying.
**This is a reverse harem, omegaverse, epic fantasy romance, with adult content and abs for days.**
Maggie Alabaster lives in NSW Australia with her husband, two daughters, a beloved dog, countless birds and a growing collection of books and dragons. She writes reverse harem, both paranormal and contemporary.
Genre: Standalone Contemporary Romance Tropes: Forbidden Romance/Enemies to Lovers Release Date: August 21, 2023
BLURB
From New York Times bestselling author Penelope Ward comes a new forbidden, enemies-to-lovers story…
It all started with an unexpected phone call. Two years after my fiancé passed away in an accident, his father died suddenly, leaving Brad’s adult, special-needs brother with no one to care for him. The next thing I knew, I was on a cross-country drive to New Hampshire where I’d be moving in to look after Scottie until I could get him into a group home. The last thing I ever expected? I wouldn’t be taking care of him alone. Josh Mathers, my fiance’s best friend—who also happened to be my sworn enemy—insisted he was the better person for the job. He told me to go back to California, and I told him where he could stick that demand. Our disdain for each other wasn’t anything new. It dated back to a text I’d accidentally read years ago. We hated each other. But we both loved Scottie, so neither of us budged. Now we were living together in a tiny house—with one available bedroom. Thank goodness it was only temporary. Over time, I realized the broody jerk I thought I knew was different than I’d imagined. I found myself slowly growing attached to someone I once considered the enemy…and growing attracted to him. Sure, both of us were guilt-ridden over Brad. We were also two grown people with pent-up frustration toward one another—stuck in a cabin in the woods. But this was Josh. I could never.
Josh sat at the table, casually having coffee as I walked into the house after my drive home from the salon. The smell of cigarettes emanated from him. He hadn’t smelled like that since the first day he arrived. “Where’s Scottie?” I asked. “In his room,” he answered without making eye contact. I stated the obvious. “You smell like smoke.” “Must be the firewood.” He brought his mug to his mouth. “Bullsh*t. The pellet stove doesn’t emit any fumes.” “Yeah. I caved and had one. Big deal.” He pointed toward the door. “I did it outside, though, while keeping an eye on Scottie through the window.” “You’d been doing so well. What happened?” He still wasn’t looking at me, and instead stared straight ahead. “Just human, I guess.” Then something in front of him on the table caught my attention: pieces of ripped pages piled atop…my journal. A rush of adrenaline shot through me. “Why do you have that?” “It’s apparently your diary.” “I’m quite aware of that.” My heart began to pound. “You were snooping in my room?” He shot daggers at me. “Think, Carly. Of the two guys in this house, who is the one more likely to have been ransacking your room?” “You were supposed to be watching him while I was at the salon,” I yelled. “God forbid I take a piss in peace. Is it not bad enough that I’m showering with him now? Getting my balls tugged?” I wanted to laugh, but this moment was far from funny. “Scottie ripped those pages out?” “The notebook is bright orange, like his iPad cover. Probably caught his attention. The drawer next to your bed was open, so he must have gone in there. I assume that’s where you kept it. Admittedly, I’d been letting him hang out in your room, but you sometimes do, too. I went to check on him, make sure he wasn’t doing anything bad, and found those pages strewn about.” A vein popped in his neck. Josh was angry. Why? I should’ve been the angry one. “Did you read it?” “I only happened to see what was on the pages he ripped. I didn’t read anything else once I figured out what the hell it was.” This is bad. Starting to sweat, I asked, “But how much did you see?” He stood up from his seat and slowly approached me. With each step he took toward me, I took one back. When we could go no farther, he placed his arms on either side of me, leaning his hands against the wall. And I forgot how to breathe. Fear. Arousal. Embarrassment. You name it, I was feeling it right now. Every emotion hit me at once. His breath grazed my face. “How much did I actually see?” He paused. “Enough to know you think I’m an evil pig.” Ugh. No. Now his anger made sense. When he backed away, I walked over to the ripped pages on the table and sifted through them. “It’s the last one, for reference,” he noted. I read what I’d written the other night.
AUTHOR BIO
Penelope Ward is a New York Times, USA Today and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author of contemporary romance.
She grew up in Boston with five older brothers and spent most of her twenties as a television news anchor. Penelope resides in Rhode Island with her husband, son, and beautiful daughter with autism.
With over two million books sold, she is a 21-time New York Times bestseller and the author of over thirty books. Her novels have been translated into over a dozen languages and can be found in bookstores around the world.
Title: Stay Here With Me Series: The Wilder Brothers #5 Author: Carrie Ann Ryan
Genre: Contemporary Romance Tropes: Enemies to Lovers/Rock Star/Tortured Hero Release Date: August 14, 2023
BLURB
The Wilder Brothers from NYT Bestselling Author Carrie Ann Ryan continues with a secret romance that East and Lark never saw coming.
The world thinks I only write songs about my ex-boyfriends.
They study each lyric to point a finger at which man broke my heart—even if I’ve never met him.
Only the man I refuse to write about is the one who is so tangled in my mind that I know I can never be with him.
I had one night with East Wilder, and I know that’s all there will ever be.
He broke my heart without even trying.
Yet now I can’t seem to write a single verse and I need a place to hide while I figure out who I am. The Wilder Retreat will have to be my refuge as the Wilders prepare for my best friend’s wedding.
And when I’m there, I refuse to fall for East again.
Even if the dark shadows in his eyes draw me in. And the dangers of his past might be the one thing that forces us to finally give in.
I honestly hate to admit this but…. I wasn’t wild for this particular Wilder for a lot of the story!!!! He eventually won me over but it took a while!
We know from earlier in the series that all of the brothers have come home from serving their country with varying degrees of trauma and damage…. Scars both seen and invisible. East was really good at telling his brothers to open themselves up and talk in previous reads, to make them see what was in front of them when it came to their significant others but when it came to himself he was a tightly closed book – not once did he tell his brothers about his past, how things affected him and how much he was struggling.
I get that he was dealing with his demons (or maybe not dealing is a better description!!) but the way he treated Lark was awful and even though he knew it and acknowledged his behaviour himself, he was still an almighty ass. He assumed way too much about her and her work (choosing to believe what he heard rather than learning the truth for himself) and you know what they say about assumptions!!!!
Lark, I liked but the gods, she deserved better than she got from East and I just wanted her to tell him where to go for a lot of the story!!!! Yeah, they had a spark and hell they were combustible together but the constant pushing away would have been enough for me to walk away permanently from him and I found myself hoping she’d do that to maybe make him see sense and sort himself out. I hated that she had to constantly be on guard and that she could barely talk to someone without the media making up stories about who she was seeing and who her latest song was about. It was good that she had a retreat of sorts at the brothers’ resort and she had friends who were there for her, no expectations, just accepted her for who she was.
When he finally got his head together it still took East a bit to man up, be honest and open himself to Lark. I did like that he managed to connect with some people during the story and that these interactions seemed to help to degrees.
There was a little suspense in the story and while I think I understand why the character felt as he did I kinda would have liked a little more on his reasoning and thoughts!
All that said, I did enjoy this instalment of the Wilder Brothers series. I loved that the brothers all got themselves involved in trying to get East to talk (they seriously are a gossipy band of blokes!), I like the group of gals that were there for our leading lady and I cannot wait for the next book – after that little teaser at the end I’m so intrigued about the main characters in Finding The Road To us!!!
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.
Title: End Game Series: New York Stars #1 Author: Serena Akeroyd writing as G.A. Mazurke
Genre: Contemporary Romance Tropes: Brother’s Best Friend/Hockey Romance Cover Design (Illustrated & Discreet): Chelsea Chira Cover Design (Hardcover): RBA Designs Photographer: Rafa G Catala Model: Aitor Ferrón Release Date: September 7, 2023
BLURB
She’s my lifeline, my rock…
When I was billeted with the Bukowskis, I made a mistake.
I didn’t lock Gracie Agnieska Bukowski down.
Instead, like a 16-year-old idiot, I became best friends with her brother, Kow, and now, the family considers me one of their own.
Until her, hockey was my only refuge. So, when I’m traded to the New York Stars, my first move is to change my number to 35. See, we made a vow, one that she might have forgotten, but I haven’t.
Gracie’s about to be swept off her feet.
I’m going to prove to her that not only is she not my sister…
G.A. Mazurke is the crazy lady behind Serena Akeroyd, crafter of smexy heroes you just wanna lick. While Serena has us expecting dark romance with lots of twists and turns … G.A. is her more mainstream/contemporary personality.
She explores her sweeter side while keeping the sexy we love, where the women fall hard but the men fall harder.
Some of G.A.’s books will cross over into Serena’s universes… so expect a cameo or two from beloved characters, while discovering new bands of brothers, with the banter, the laughs and the tears you are used to.
Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward are excited to bring you the Cocky Hero Club: original works from various authors inspired by Keeland and Ward’s New York Times bestselling Cocky Bastard series.
BLURB
My love life has been epic. Epically disastrous.
But that’s all in the past. I put my unrequited crush on Zach, my best friend’s grumpy brother, behind me years ago. My ex-fiancé, the jerk who left me at the altar, is also in my emotional rearview. Now, I’m focusing on my career. I don’t have time for romance. Then my ex shows up and everything changes. Zach comes to my defense in a big way, pretending to be my boyfriend. Then he suggests we keep up our mutually beneficial fake relationship for a few more months. And it’s not long before I realize my crush on Zach might not be as over as I’d hoped. It might not be as unrequited as I’d thought, either. But as much as I’d love to trust him, to give him a second chance, I’m not sure I can. I gave him my heart once and he broke it. This time, I’m afraid trust might be a luxury I can’t afford.
Broody Nerd, part of Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward’s Cocky Hero world, is a light-hearted, contemporary romance standalone featuring plenty of mutual pining, a strong, curvy heroine, and a slightly nerdy, growly hero. Happily ever after guaranteed…along with a slow-burn romance.
Autumn enjoys writing angsty romance, featuring flawed and quirky characters and hard-won happy-ever-afters. When she’s not working as a nurse assistant, you’ll find her behind the keyboard writing stories or curled up on the couch with a book.
She lives with her two children and one fur baby, enjoys good wine, and binge-watching TV shows whenever she can.
Genre: Contemporary Romance Tropes: Single Dad/Forbidden Romance Release Date: August 7, 2023
BLURB
Jake’s my best friend and first love. There’s just one problem—he belongs to my sister.
I’ve been crushing on Jake for years, but never had the guts to tell him. One drunken night with my sister and two pink lines later, and he’s lost to me forever.
She doesn’t care that I met Jake Ramirez first. That he and I were best friends first. That I fell in love with him first. Because what my sister wants, my sister gets.
When she video-calls me and Jake accidentally walks by in the buff, something in me snaps.
Transferring to a different college might seem like a copout, but I have to get away from Jake and my sister before I say or do something I’ll regret. In an act of desperation, I ghost my old life.
For the next two years, everything is great—until I come face-to-face with Jake and his son, who my sister abandoned.
Jake’s the new wide receiver at my school, and he wants nothing to do with me, which is fine because I plan to keep my distance. Except we’re thrown together in the most dire circumstances that bring back all those old feelings.
They say everyone deserves a second chance, but my heart can’t handle breaking one more time.
Second Down Darling is an angsty, friends-to-lovers, forbidden romance, featuring a sexy single dad who’s a down-and-out college football player and a nerdy girl determined to overcome her wallflower ways. It has major second chance vibes and lots of steam! Second Down Darling is a dual POV standalone in the USA Today-bestselling series Varsity Dads.
Lex Martin is the USA Today bestselling author of The Varsity Dad Dilemma, the Texas Nights series, and the Dearest series, books she hopes readers love but her parents avoid. A former high school English teacher and freelance journalist, she resides in Texas with her husband, twin daughters, and a bunny named Dandelion.
One look was all it took for Lorelei Mitchell to fall in love and for a little over three years, she and Jasper lived in bliss, it then all fell apart. The things she wanted were no longer the same as her husband—soon to be ex.
As Lorelei tries to navigate the new normal, she starts reevaluating everything, and as much as she misses Jasper, it’s important to be strong. She’s not about to settle for anything less than the things she wants most.
Jasper Mitchell isn’t ready to give up on his marriage, he’s never loved anyone the way he loves Lorelei. Maybe it’s time to heal old wounds and then woo his wife, showing her that they’re truly meant to be together.
It’s her and him and he’s not going down without a fight. She’s his soulmate, after all.
A Midwesterner and a readaholic most of her life. One day an idea came into her head and a writing career was born. She’s a sucker for happily ever afters and loves creating fictional worlds that others can get lost in. She loves putting her characters through the ringer, but loves when they get to that satisfying, swoony ending. When the voices in her head give it a rest, which isn’t often, she can always be found with her e-reader in her hand. Some of her favorites include, Aurora Rose Reynolds, (the queen) Kristen Ashley, Kaylee Ryan, Natasha Madison, and Harper Sloan. Evan finds a lot of her inspiration in music, movies, TV shows and life. She’s a wife to Jim and a mom to Ethan and (the real) Evan, a weightlifter, a home healthcare scheduler, and a full-time writer. How does she do it? She’ll never tell.
Title: Curves and Cradles A Windsor Securities Series Standalone Author: Kat Baxter
Genre: Steamy Romantic Comedy Tropes: Navy SEAL/One Night Stand/Oops Pregnancy Release Date: August 3, 2023
BLURB
Jane Once upon a time I kissed a sexy soldier to save face in front of my ex and his shiny new fiance. I never intended the kiss to lead to anything more, least of all the most passionate night of my life… and the bundle of joy that shows up nine months later.
Kevin I’m only in town to go to a funeral with one of my SEAL buddies when I meet the curvy beauty who changes my life forever. Somehow two years later, I still haven’t forgotten the hot weekend I spent with Jane. So when I’m injured and have to take leave, I head back to Texas to find the woman I left behind. When I get there, I find more than I bargained for.
Forgiving her for keeping my baby a secret is the easy part. After all, she had no way to find me. Convincing her that I’m in this for the long haul is a lot harder.
Kat Baxter is one of my go-to authors when I’m looking for a hot, steamy, fun, insta-love read.. and Curves and Cradles did not disappoint.
This book is part of the Windsor Securities series – and while I have all the other books sitting on my kindle I’m a tad red faced to admit I’ve not yet started them!!!
I really liked Jane & Kevin. They did have a fun meet up which led to a smokin’ hot weekend hookup and then no contact for a couple of years.
It seemed like there were near promises made by Kevin that weren’t kept – and while I understood his reasoning I wasn’t on board with him not contacting Jane sooner… and his attitude when he initially finds out about their child, oh, no, that was not flying!!! Thankfully he got his head screwed back in but the gods, he was gonna have a battle with Jane if he wanted any kind of future with her and their little one.
Jane was quirky and fun and I HATED her sisters’ attitude towards her… Jane was determined to raise her child but was still kinda peeved at Kevin for going dark, especially after he says ged be in touch. Her reaction to him was reasonable and I understood get hesitancy in getting involved again with Kevin as more than a co-parent.
This pair were on fire when they got together. After their time apart they still have a shed load of attraction and their connection hadn’t lost any of its spark.
I’m definitely going back to read the Windsor Securities books – Curves and Cradles actually takes place before the first book in the series but whether you’ve read the series or not, give Kevin & Jane’s story a go.
AUTHOR BIO
USA Today Bestselling Author Kat Baxter writes fast-paced, sweet & STEAMY romantic comedies. Readers have dubbed her books “laugh-out-loud funny,” “hot enough to melt your kindle,” and “The Queen of Adorkable.” She lives in Texas with her family and a menagerie of animals. Kat is the pseudonym for a bestselling historical romance author.
Book Loving Pixies 