As Calamity’s newest resident, Everly Christian thought life in small-town Montana would be dull and tame–and she needs a little mundane after the last few chaotic years. But one night, boredom drives her to the local bar, where she finds herself sitting beside a handsome and mysterious artist. The man is anything but dull and tame, especially in the bedroom, and when she steps out of his shower and overhears his conversation, life gets interesting again. Reese Huxley needs a wife. And why shouldn’t Everly be the bride? She’s got her reasons for agreeing to the hasty nuptials–reasons she’s keeping to herself. As long as she can stop herself from falling in love with her husband, she’ll make it out of this sham marriage in one piece. But Everly has a weakness for wayward men, and the more Hux pushes her away, the more she realizes this bluff is anything but a lie.
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Give me a strong steady law man and a small town, and I’m in. Given this, THE BRIBE by author Willa Nash, was a happily forgone conclusion for me, and, as I wrote in my review, it did not disappoint. I mean, to be fair, you would be hard-pressed to find a book by Willa Nash, or her alter ego, Devney Perry, that I didn’t love, but a tortured artist who is emotionally unavailable, erm…
News flash: I LOVED HUX! So now we know, tortured artist types are a yes, at least when written by Willa/Devney. Hux, for all of his tortured broodiness and brokenness, is not unredeemable. He needs a gentle but firm hand and a giving heart, and, lucky for him, Everly Christian has that in spades. And, as hard as he tries to hold himself apart, he can’t help but change the longer Everly’s around.
One of the things that I loved best about this book is that Everly is nobody’s doormat, and she gives as good as she gets. She has plenty of her own baggage, but gives Hux and his situation everything of herself that he needs, whether he realizes it in any given moment or not. But she’s stronger than she thinks, and when enough is enough, she’s not afraid to say it.
The more time I spend in Calamity, Montana, the more I love it, the place, the people, the quirks, everything. There are still plenty of stories to be told, and I cannot wait for Willa to deliver them. In the meantime, read these books. Just do it. Because they are heartfelt and passionate and so, so satisfying, and you will be so glad that you did. Calamity is a trip worth making. ❤️
Meet Willa
Willa Nash is USA Today Bestselling Author Devney Perry’s alter ego, writing contemporary romance stories for Kindle Unlimited. Lover of Swedish Fish, hater of laundry, she lives in Washington State with her husband and two sons. She was born and raised in Montana and has a passion for writing books in the state she calls home.
He’s doing everything to convince me that I don’t need a man. After all, I have him.
Call You Mine by Claudia Burgoa is now live!
A fun, sexy, charming, friends-to-lovers romance by USA TODAY Bestselling author Claudia Burgoa
I’ve been best friends with Beacon since we were kids. We shared everything, even our first kiss.
Now that we’re adults, Beacon’s been cockblocking me on my quest to find Mr. Right. No matter how hard I try to find love, he’s always getting in the way.
My shy, awkward exterior doesn’t help. After all, Beacon’s the cool one, not me–I play the cello at Carnegie Hall, and he’s a heartthrob.
The famous frontman of the band Too Far From Grace. Every woman wants him, every guy…either wants to be like him or wants him too.
I decide to play devil’s advocate, and hire Beacon to teach me the dating ropes. Maybe if we work together, we can find me a guy we both approve of.
Except, moving to Baker’s Creek to work on this experiment isn’t working the way I planned. Seems like he’s doing everything to convince me that I don’t need a man. After all, I have him.
The Baker’s Creek Billionaire Brothers series is a romantic comedy saga packed with the perfect mix of angst, tears, and laughs. If you like strong heroines & alpha males, steamy romances, and witty love stories, this series is for you!
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All right, so straight talk. I’ve only ever read one other book by Claudia Burgoa, and it wasn’t in the Baker’s Creek Billionaire Brothers series. So, I was feeling more than a little bit lost as I got into Beacon’s and Grace’s story in CALL YOU MINE. There is a lot going on here, and some of it seemed to come out of, well, nowhere. BUT…The more I read, the more I loved the zany and very different members of Beac’s family, and the more I loved Beac and Grace, both separately and together.
These two are absolutely and unequivocally two sides of the same coin. I mean, there is no Beacon without Grace, and vice versa, not really. Their hearts beat for each other, and that’s the truth of it. And thank goodness, because they each need the love that they share to make it through some very iffy moments, but that’s all that I’ll say about that, because, spoilers.
Suffice to say that I didn’t quite know where I’d landed when I started reading this book, but I was absolutely and utterly enchanted by the end. I do feel like I need to go back and read the preceding books, both for clarity and for enjoyment, and I strongly suggest that you do, as well. Read them in order, I mean. Because CALL YOU MINE is a treasure, and I think that romance lovers will fall in love like I did, but some background is a good thing. So, go, go forth and meet these brothers, and enjoy. ❤️
Meet Claudia
Claudia is an award-winning, USA Today bestselling author.
She writes alluring, thrilling stories about complicated women and the men who take their breath away. She lives in Denver, Colorado with her husband and her youngest two children.
She has a sweet Bichon, Macey, who thinks she’s the ruler of the house. She’s only partially right.
When Claudia is not writing, you can find her reading, knitting, or just hanging out with her family. At night, she likes to binge-watch shows with her equally geeky husband.
From New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Kristen Proby comes ESCAPE WITH ME, an all-new stand-alone novel in her beloved WITH ME IN SEATTLE SERIES!
Keegan O’Callaghan has been told he’s married to his pub. It’s true. He’s happiest when he’s pulling taps and filling drink orders, so long as he can keep an eye on his family and ensure that all is well. Bringing a woman into his life for anything but a pleasant, short-term romp isn’t even on his radar.
Until she comes running through his door, soaking wet and in a princess gown.
Isabella Harris ran out on her wedding, and she’s not even a little bit sorry. She may have loved her groom a long time ago, but standing there about to take her vows, she realizes it’s not right. And that’s all she needs to know. Four hours later, she finds herself on a tiny island outside of Seattle, walking into a random Irish Pub and locking eyes with the sexiest bartender she’s ever seen. But now what? She’s alone and broke, with only a wedding dress to her name.
Despite the undeniable attraction between them, Keegan can see that Izzy’s scared and alone. The job offer he extends is only until she gets back on her feet–he has no intention of keeping her.
But sometimes Fate has other plans…
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You would think that at some point Kristen Proby would run out of Montgomery family members and stories to write about them. Happily, this is not the case, because I am still utterly and completely in love with the Montgomerys and all of their far-flung connections, the latest of which is Keegan O’Callaghan in ESCAPE WITH ME. This is the sixteenth (yes, you read that correctly, the SIXTEENTH) book in the With Me In Seattle series, although, to be fair, the O’Callaghans now have a series of their own, and it is just as wonderful.
I’ve been in love with the whole O’Callaghan crew from first meeting, but I have to admit that Keegan is one of my favorites. And when the Irish comes out (which is often, thank goodness!), he’s even more delish. I mean, a runaway bride shows up in his pub, and he offers her a job. And a place to stay. That’s hospitality. The good looks, kind heart, and fierce love of family just sweeten the pot.
And Izzy. Izzy is great. I love that she stands up for herself and refuses to live a life anything short of the one that she wants and deserves. Strong women that take no junk are a hallmark of Kristen’s books, and I’m happy to say that Izzy is all of this and more. That she finds her place so perfectly with Keegan and the rest says much about her and them.
I would say that Kristen’s books keep getting better and better, but the truth of it is that I’ve loved them all along. If you haven’t met the characters in her worlds, you must. And jump in now, because there’s so much more goodness to come. ❤️
Meet Kristen
Kristen Proby has published more than forty titles, many of which have hit the USA Today, New York Times and Wall Street Journal Bestsellers lists. She continues to self publish, best known for her With Me In Seattle and Boudreaux series, and is also proud to work with William Morrow, a division of HarperCollins, with the Fusion and Romancing Manhattan Series.
Kristen and her husband, John, make their home in her hometown of Whitefish, Montana with their two cats.
Aria Saint-James has planned the perfect getaway: sweatpants, takeout and two weeks alone with her sister and nephew. Nowhere on that list is wearing a low-cut dress and uncomfortable heels to attend a wedding where she knows neither the bride nor the groom. Toss in her nemesis, Brody Carmichael, and her road trip to Arizona is officially a bust. But at least there is champagne. She blames the bubbly for falling into bed with Brody that night. Enemy or no, the billionaire is irresistible in a tux. But after their one-night tryst, Aria has no choice but to cut her vacation short, returning home to escape his devilish smile, vowing never to see Brody again. Except Aria gets a surprise a few weeks later–she’s pregnant. When he learns that she’s carrying his child, Brody offers Aria the chance of a lifetime. The catch? She has to live under his roof until the baby is born. Either they’ll kill each other in nine months. Or discover love buried beneath their hate.
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The whirl of tires and the hum of an engine filled the air before she could answer. A shiny black Jaguar came down the driveway and my heart dropped.
No. That son of a bitch Brody Carmichael was going to ruin my vacation.
“He’s supposed to be gone.” If he dared encroach on my time with Clara, I’d sneak poison ivy into his bed.
“It’s not his fault.” Clara sighed, quick to defend her boss.
“Did his private plane not have enough spiced cashews for his liking? Surely he can afford jet fuel.”
The second-best part of this week, besides Clara and Gus, was Brody’s scheduled absence. Clara knew there was no love lost between me and her boss, so she’d suggested travel dates that coincided with his vacation.
Yet here he was, parking a car that likely cost more than all of my worldly possessions combined.
Brody parked behind the Cadillac and stepped out of his car, sliding the sunglasses off his face. He wore a navy suit tailored to perfection around his broad shoulders and long legs. In the years I’d known him, I’d never seen him in anything but a suit. Did he not own jeans?
“Brody!” August raced over, holding up a hand for a high five. “Aunt Aria is here. We’re gonna open my presents.”
“I see that.” Brody’s lips turned up in a smile. Barely.
If the man ever learned how to deliver one properly, actually show some teeth, he’d be devastating. Especially with the dark, trimmed beard he’d grown a few years ago. It gave him a sexy edge. Or it would have, if his perpetually sour mood wasn’t such a major turnoff.
He definitely, definitely didn’t turn me on. Oh no.
Broderick Carmichael was enemy number one.
Meet Devney
Devney is a USA Today bestselling author who lives in Washington with her husband and two sons. Born and raised in Montana, she loves writing books set in her treasured home state. After working in the technology industry for nearly a decade, she abandoned conference calls and project schedules to enjoy a slower pace at home with her family. Writing one book, let alone many, was not something she ever expected to do. But now that she’s discovered her true passion for writing romance, she has no plans to ever stop.
Aria Saint-James has planned the perfect getaway: sweatpants, takeout and two weeks alone with her sister and nephew. Nowhere on that list is wearing a low-cut dress and uncomfortable heels to attend a wedding where she knows neither the bride nor the groom. Toss in her nemesis, Brody Carmichael, and her road trip to Arizona is officially a bust. But at least there is champagne. She blames the bubbly for falling into bed with Brody that night. Enemy or no, the billionaire is irresistible in a tux. But after their one-night tryst, Aria has no choice but to cut her vacation short, returning home to escape his devilish smile, vowing never to see Brody again. Except Aria gets a surprise a few weeks later–she’s pregnant. When he learns that she’s carrying his child, Brody offers Aria the chance of a lifetime. The catch? She has to live under his roof until the baby is born. Either they’ll kill each other in nine months. Or discover love buried beneath their hate.
I have inhaled each book in the Runaway series by author Devney Perry, so that FORSAKEN TRAIL was an immediate favorite is no surprise. I loved Aria Saint-James from the moment that she was introduced in QUARTER MILES. That she’s even stronger, even sassier, and more than able to handle herself here in her own book is all that I needed. And that she can more than manage Mr. In Control Bossy Bosserton Brody Carmichael clinched it for me.
That hate thing that Brody and Aria had going on? Yeah, so much unexplored attraction, and when they open the door to each other, talk about a spark…inferno is more like it, and an unlikely coupling becomes the match that neither one expected, but that each needed so desperately. These two that have so much love to share are meant for each other.
I’ve never read the Boxcar Children series that Devney loved and loosely used as a starting point for this series, but I have to believe that she’s done a bang-up job taking the idea and running with it. Each and every character, runaways, or ‘strays,’ as Brody’s grandmother so eloquently put it, has taken a bad beginning and made a life so much richer. Londyn, Gemma, Katherine, and now, Aria, they’ve finally found their people and places, because of the community they were able to forge so long ago. And, coming up is Clara’s and Karson’s story in DOTTED LINES. This book is one of my top TBRs for 2021, and I can’t wait. In the meantime, if you have not read this series, you simply must. And with DOTTED LINES releasing in March 2021, you have just enough time, although I doubt it will take you that long to jump in and fall in love. Happy reading, friends. ❤️
Devney is a USA Today bestselling author who lives in Washington with her husband and two sons. Born and raised in Montana, she loves writing books set in her treasured home state. After working in the technology industry for nearly a decade, she abandoned conference calls and project schedules to enjoy a slower pace at home with her family. Writing one book, let alone many, was not something she ever expected to do. But now that she’s discovered her true passion for writing romance, she has no plans to ever stop.
Today we have the blog tour of Julie Hammerle’s Write Before Christmas! Check out this gorgeous new romance and be sure to get your copy today!
Title: Write Before Christmas
Author: Julie Hammerle
Genre: Holiday Romance
About Write Before Christmas:
You’ve probably heard of me. Reclusive fantasy author turned famous when his series got developed into a mega TV hit. Except now I’m way behind deadline, and the whole world is waiting to see what I’ll write next. The pressure is getting to me, and I. Can’t. Write. Cue: small town where people don’t recognize me. Cue: my assistant insisting on a personal chef to keep me fed and nothing more. Cue: finding the first bit of inspiration I’ve felt in months whenever she’s around… Am I a walking cliche now, or what? Dani Cooper seems to have her own hurdles to jump this holiday season. Newly divorced, looking for her next move. She’s the first person who’s seen me for me in way too long. And I see her, too–as way more than just an employee, a divorcee, a cook. She’s becoming my muse… But when my Christmas deadline hits, will it spell the end of us, too?
USA Today bestselling author Julie Hammerle writes young adult novels that focus on nerds, geeks, and basket cases falling in love. On the YA side, she is the author of The Sound of Us (Entangled TEEN, 2016) and the North Pole romance series (Entangled Crush, 2017). For adult romances, look for Knocked-Up Cinderella in the fall of 2018. A graduate of Butler University with degrees in secondary education and Latin with a minor in music, Julie lives in Chicago with her family and enjoys reading, cooking, and watching all the television.
From USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Meagan Brandy comes an opposites attract romance about facing your fears, discovering your worth, and fighting for love at all costs.
Track down what was hidden away and take pleasure in toying with it.
Toying with her.
That plan, it worked like a charm.
Until it didn’t.
Turned out, the feisty little thing I found was far from what I hoped for.
She was different from all I knew and more than I expected.
She was light, and I’m the bastard who led her into darkness.
But this girl… she followed with a smile.
I told her I break pretty things.
She asked me to promise.
Excerpt
“What do you know about being a BrayGirl?”
I open my mouth to respond, but he speaks again before I’m able.
“Be straight-up with me, little Bishop,” he warns. “No bullshit.”
Okay, fine.
I lay out what I’ve learned. “I know it’s what people call the girls who spend their nights with you or your brothers, or anyone who has earned the Brayshaw name.”
“Morning, afternoons, we ain’t picky on time of day, baby girl.” He’s angry and hard focused. “Keep going.”
“It’s a girl who is on lockdown. Untouchable to everyone, watched by all to keep her from doing things a Bray wouldn’t like or things she shouldn’t. Basically, she’s bound in bubble wrap, only to be undone by her man.”
“Temporary man,” he fires off.
“Right.” I shake my head in disdain. “Because she’s good enough for his bed, but not his heart.”
His jaw clenches. “You the type?”
“You’ll never know…”
Ashley’s Review
I hate goodbyes!!!
This series started my love for Meagan Brandy. While scrolling through Facebook the cover of Boys of Brayshaw caught my eye and I was hooked. I’ve never looked back and have devoured each book since!
Royce was always destined for the final book, I just knew it would take a special lady to wrangle this boy and I’m so glad he met his match!!
True to her craft, Meagan has delivered another amazing binge-worthy story. Detailed perfection, memorable characters and an addicting storyline, Break Me should be on every readers TBR!
“No one does swoony alphas, strong women, and sexy love stories like Kristen Proby.” —Laurelin Paige, New York Times bestselling author
Shine with Me, a new 1001 Dark Nights novella in the With Me In Seattle series filled with sizzling chemistry by New York Times bestselling author Kristen Proby is available now!
From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Kristen Proby comes a new story in her With Me In Seattle series…
Sabrina Harrison hates being famous. She walked away from show business, from the flashing bulbs and prying eyes years ago, and is happy in her rural Oregon home, dedicating her life to her non-profit.
Until Hollywood calls, offering her the role of a lifetime. In more than ten years, she’s never felt the pull to return to the business that shunned her, but this role is everything Sabrina’s ever longed for.
Now she has to get in shape for it.
Benjamin Demarco’s gym, Sound Fitness, continues making a name for itself in Seattle. And now, he finds himself with the task of training Sabrina, getting her in shape for the role of her life. He’s trained hundreds of women. This is his job. So why does he suddenly see Sabrina as more than just another client? His hands linger on her skin, his breath catches when she’s near.
He knows better. Soon, she’ll be gone, living her life. A life that doesn’t include him.
**Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you’ll enjoy each one as much as we do.**
“There will be no more kissing.” I’m staring at myself in the mirror. I have sleepy eyes, my face is clean of makeup, and my hair is up in a bun with a headband in place to keep the flyaways off my face while we ride. I’m giving myself a stern talking-to. “No kissing.” I point my finger at my mirror image. “Yes, he’s hot, and his hands are crazy amazing, and it would probably be the best sex of your life.” I frown. “No one said anything about sex. Now you’re taking it too far, Rina. Keep your hands and lips to yourself and just work on getting ready for this role. That’s the job. Doing Ben is not the job here.” I narrow my eyes at myself and then nod once in satisfaction. That’s been decided. Ben suggested I wear layers, and I followed orders. I’m in workout pants and a t-shirt with a sweatshirt over that. I have a scarf to put around my neck if I need it. It’s winter in Seattle, which means it could be seventy or thirty. You never know. But I do know that it’s cooler by the water. Though the fresh air will feel good. I’ve just finished eating a bowl of cantaloupe when the doorbell rings. It’s six on the dot. He’s right on time. “Always punctual,” I murmur as I unlock and open the front door. “Good mor—” He sweeps in, pulls me against him, and plants those lips on mine. I loop my arms around his neck and let him have his way with me. Because I’m a red-blooded woman, and Ben is hot as hell. Hot. As. Hell. My stern bathroom conversation goes right down the toilet as he pushes the door closed with his foot and spins me around to pin me against it. His hands skim down my sides, then move back up again to frame my face as he thoroughly explores my mouth. I was still half-asleep when he arrived. I’m fully alert now. He’s breathing hard when he pulls away, and his blue eyes are on fire as he stares down at me. “Good morning,” he says. “Hi.” “I couldn’t help myself.” “Not complaining.” I feel the smile slowly spreading over my face. “I gave myself a pep talk earlier, explaining that we weren’t going to do that again.” “Sorry, I didn’t get the memo.” I swallow hard as he backs away. “It’s okay. I don’t mind. Is it hot in here?” He laughs and points at my sweatshirt. “You’re dressed for cold weather.” “Right. Yeah. Okay, so we’re going on a bike ride?”
Tracey’s Review
I discovered Kristen Proby when I read COME AWAY WITH ME, the very first book in her With Me In Seattle series, back when the romance craze was new. Fifteen books later and I’m still in love with the world that she’s created with these books, the characters both belovedly familiar, and each addition that comes along.
SHINE WITH ME is a novella, so a snack-sized portion of the Seattle goodness, but is fulfilling in every way. Ben and Sabrina are perfect for each other, and I was delighted to see that faces that I’ve loved for so long were along for the ride as their relationship unfolded (Extra extra points for this story, because Luke Williams, my most favorite of all Proby men, makes an appearance, along with some of my faves from the early days.).
There’s plenty of passion and a misunderstanding or two, all of which make SHINE WITH ME another bright point in my reading year, and a great addition to this beloved series. Fans of the Seattle Montgomerys will love this book, and those that are new to Kristen’s books will enjoy it just the same…plus have some incentive to start from the very beginning. Either way, this book is too good to miss, so grab your copy and enjoy. ❤️
Meet Kristen
Kristen was born and raised in a small resort town in her beloved Montana. In her mid-twenties, she decided to stretch her wings and move to the Pacific Northwest, where she made her home for more than a dozen years. During that time, Kristen wrote many romance novels and joined organizations such as RWA and other small writing groups. She spent countless hours in workshops, and more mornings than she can count up before the dawn so she could write before going to work. She submitted many manuscripts to agents and editors alike, but was always told no. In the summer of 2012, the self-publishing scene was new and thriving, and Kristen had one goal: to publish just one book. It was something she longed to cross off of her bucket list. Not only did she publish one book, she’s since published close to thirty titles, many of which have hit the USA Today, New York Times and Wall Street Journal Bestsellers lists. She continues to self publish, best known for her With Me In Seattle and Boudreaux series, and is also proud to work with William Morrow, a division of HarperCollins, with the Fusion Series. Kristen and her husband, John, make their home in her hometown of Whitefish, Montana with their two pugs and two cats.
The night Luke Rosen met Scarlett Marks was the only time he’s regretted becoming chief of police. One horrific night of blood and death, and now she’s living under his roof–all because he swore an oath to serve and protect. Scarlett is stubborn and infuriating. She has no respect for the order in his structured life, and she never does anything she’s told. Worse, she doesn’t seem to care that the information she has on a motorcycle gang means she might end up dead. But her unwavering strength, her courage and tenacity and beauty, makes it impossible for him to abandon her. If Luke is going to keep her safe, he’ll have to make the hardest decision of his life. He can either honor his values as a cop, knowing Scarlett is unlikely to survive . . . or he can break all the rules and protect the woman who’s invaded his home and his heart.
I have loved every book in the Tin Gypsy series by Devney Perry, and I thought that I’d found my favorite in STONE PRINCESS. But when I say that NOBLE PRINCE moved to the top of the list, you have to know that it’s because, not only does Devney’s writing get better with each and every book (and it was wonderful to begin with), this book about an unlikely couple stole my heart from the very first chapter.
When Luke Rosen was first introduced in STONE PRINCESS, it was apparent that this man was going to be a heart stealer. Strong, steady, dependable, none of those adjectives necessarily point to the guy that’s going to be the one, but he is, and he is exactly what Scarlett Marks needs in her life. And this slow burning love story with plenty of passion, suspense, and action was just want I needed on my TBR, because I couldn’t put it down, and I can’t stop thinking about it.
Devney has quickly become one of my go-to authors, because she moves seamlessly between series (I mean, really, there’s prolific, and then there’s next level), doesn’t miss a beat, and continues to deliver stories and characters that find that place in my heart set aside for the memories that I’ll visit often.
The Tin Gypsy series has been so great up to this point that I can only imagine the magic that Devney is going to unleash with the last two books in the series. I am here, and I am ready. If you haven’t read this series, you are missing out. Go, now, get them, and thank me later. ❤️
Meet Devney
Devney is a USA Today bestselling author who lives in Washington with her husband and two sons. Born and raised in Montana, she loves writing books set in her treasured home state. After working in the technology industry for nearly a decade, she abandoned conference calls and project schedules to enjoy a slower pace at home with her family. Writing one book, let alone many, was not something she ever expected to do. But now that she’s discovered her true passion for writing romance, she has no plans to ever stop.
Wild Child, an all-new must-read romance that with off the walls chemistry and heart from #1 New York Times bestselling author Audrey Carlan is available now!
Twice my life changed in a single day.
The first was when I lost my parents. Hand in hand I walked with my big sister up the steps of Kerrighan House, a foster home for girls. We were lucky to be met with open arms and a house filled with children just like us. Children who’d lost everything. From that day forward, we were raised as one big family. Our bonds of sisterhood were strengthened through shared experience, pain, sacrifice, and love. Sisters not by blood, but by choice.
Soul sisters.
The second day my life changed was on the worst day of my adult life. My boyfriend broke up with me via text. My sleazy boss hit on me, forcing me to quit a job I desperately needed. And the cherry on top, was getting pulled over by an FBI Agent. Little did I know, he’d also save my life that night.
From the moment we met, Agent Fontaine wouldn’t dare let me out of his sight. And between his alpha ways, kind brown eyes, and heroism, I was lost to the man who hid behind his job. But this agent had a rule: never fall for a woman you’ve saved.
Yet I wasn’t just any woman. I was known among my sisters for taking risks and dreaming big. I was the wild child of the group. We were raised to appreciate every day as the gift it was, and not let anything stand in our way. The more I got to know the brooding, serious FBI man, the more I realized maybe it was my duty to save him.
“Are you arresting me?” A deluge of tears fell down my cheeks as my chest constricted and my stomach plummeted.
“Ma’am just follow me. Closer.” He waved his non-gun-toting hand as he walked backward.
“I don’t understand. This is so crazy. I didn’t do anything wrong. I swear! It’s my car and I don’t have drugs. You can check it.”
“And I will, when you’re safely sitting in my car.”
“Oh my God! You’re arresting me!”
That’s when I lost it.
I punched my hands into my hair, tugging on the long, beachy golden waves until they were hanging off my now heated neck.
“This is unbelievable! The absolute worst day of my entire life. And my parents died in a fire! At the same time! And I had to go to foster care with my sister. And this day, oh my God. Sonia! My sister…no, Officer, you cannot arrest me. You do not understand what this will do to my sister. She’s the…”
“Ma’am! Get over here now!” The officer grated through a super scary rumble pushing me into immediate action.
When I got closer, he latched onto my wrist and tugged me close to his body. My chest slammed against his and I placed my hands to his muscular biceps. I stared up into the darkest set of eyes I’d ever seen. Like a black cup of coffee, yet with little golden-brown flecks at the center. His skin was an olive tone, his jaw cut square, framed by cheekbones that were sharp slashes as though chiseled into fine marble. He had dark brown hair that was longer on top and shorter at the sides. If I had to guess, I’d put him in the dark Italian stallion category or Greek god.
He was beautiful.
One of his hands moved to my waist where he squeezed, and he dipped his head so close to my ear I could feel his warm breath against my cheek. “We received a report that someone crawled into the back of a blonde woman’s red old-model four-door Honda Civic at a gas station. First two letters of the license plate are A2.”
“W-what?”
“I need to check your car. Fast. If it’s not you, another woman could get hurt.”
“Oh my god! I did get gas.” I held onto his biceps so hard I may have left nail imprints.
“It’s okay, you’re safe now,” he murmured, and I closed my eyes, taking in his woodsy and fresh linens scent. It helped calm me instantly.
Until we both heard the familiar metal creaking sound against the quiet of the cool night.
I whirled around and saw a thin, tall man standing next to my car, a full ski mask covering most of his face aside from cutouts around the eyes and mouth.
Before I could do or say anything, I was grabbed around the waist and spun behind the cop as the guy in a mask lifted his arm, pointed a gun, and fired off two shots.
Tracey’s Review
I’m not typically a cover person in that I hardly ever choose my reads based on what’s on the front of a book. Something, though, about the cover for WILD CHILD by Audrey Carlan just called to me, and I found myself signing up to read a book that I thought might not actually resonate with me. I’m happy to say that this is not the case.
From the cover and the description of the book, I thought that Simone might be too young, too flighty, too, well, too flaky, frankly, to keep my interest. As a woman of a certain age, the New Adult sub-genre doesn’t always work for me. But what I found was a smart, quirky, wide open young woman, one that is pretty near impossible to dislike. What you see is what you get with Simone, which is true of the whole gaggle of sisters that Mama Kerri raised. She speaks her mind, she goes after what she wants, she just generally embraces life, with all of its ups and downs, with arms wide open. I am convinced that FBI Agent Jonah Fontaine had absolutely no clue what he was in for when he and Simone met. And, try as he might, there’s just no resisting her, because the chemistry here is blazing.
Laughter, heartbreak, suspense, passion, and an abundance of love make up the landscape of WILD CHILD. These characters have by no means had an easy time of things, and there is plenty of action keeping things bumping right along, and all of this together make this one book that I’m really glad that I took a chance on. Audrey Carlan has done such a great job with this book that I can’t wait for the rest of the sisters (did I mention that there are lots of them?) to get their stories, too. Grab this one and enjoy. ❤️
Meet Audrey Carlan Audrey Carlan is a #1 New York Times and International bestselling author. Her titles have appeared on USA Today and the Wall Street Journal. Audrey writes wicked hot love stories that have been translated in over thirty different languages across the globe. She is best known for the world-wide bestselling series Calendar Girl and Trinity. She lives in the California Valley where she enjoys her two children and the love of her life. When she’s not writing, you can find her teaching yoga, sipping wine with her “soul sisters,” or with her nose stuck in a steamy romance novel.
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