It’s been eight long years since Michael Gallagher has laid eyes on Shay Angel, back when he was a boy from the most prominent family in town and she was a girl from the wrong side of the tracks. But he hadn’t cared about their differences – until one bad decision landed her in jail.
That was years ago and now he’s back in Harmony Harbor for the holidays. So when Shay goes missing, Michael is intent on finding her – and finding out if their sizzling attraction is still there. But he’s now a district attorney, and it looks like Shay is once again on the wrong side of the law.
_______________________________________
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Debbie Mason is the bestselling author of the Christmas, Colorado and Harmony Harbor series. Her books have been praised for their “likable characters, clever dialogue and juicy plots” (RT Book Reviews). When she isn’t writing or reading, Debbie enjoys spending time with her very own real-life hero, three wonderful children, two adorable grandbabies, and a yappy Yorkie named Bella in Ontario, Canada.
Her
supposed “right match” might just be the wrong brother.
WRONG BROTHER, RIGHT MATCH
Anyone but You #3
Jennifer Shirk
Releasing Dec 5th, 2016
Entangled BLISS
Matchmaking
guru Kennedy Pepperdine’s life is perfect. Perfect job. Perfect friends.
Perfect boyfriend. Except…when she gets trapped in an elevator with a
handsome stranger, she accidentally confesses a secret: maybe her perfect
boyfriend, Justin, isn’t so perfect for her after all. But a matchmaker should
be able to successfully match herself, right? Thankfully, she’ll never see the
handsome stranger again. Until she heads home with Justin for the holidays and
learns that the sexy stranger is none other than Justin’s older brother, Matt.
Matt Ellis
is trying to be on his best behavior for his mother—it is Christmas, after all.
But when he recognizes the beautiful woman from the elevator—the one he hasn’t
been able to stop thinking about for months—his best behavior is being held by
a thread. Matt’s always sacrificed for his family, and nothing is more
important than their happiness, but the more time he spends around Kennedy, the
more he wonders if her supposed “right match” might just be the wrong
brother.
Jennifer
Shirk has a bachelor degree in pharmacy-which has in NO
WAY at all helped her with her writing career. But she likes to point it out,
since it shows romantic-at-hearts come in all shapes, sizes, and mind-numbing
educations.She writes sweet (and sometimes even funny) romances for Samhain Publishing,
Avalon Books/Montlake Romance and now Entangled Publishing. She won third place
in the RWA 2006 NYC’s Kathryn Hayes Love and Laughter Contest with her first
book, THE ROLE OF A LIFETIME. Recently, her novel SUNNY DAYS FOR SAM won the
2013 Golden Quill Published Authors Contest for Best Traditional Romance.Lately she’s been on a serious exercise kick. But don’t hold that against her.
Can these two opposites find a common ground and the love they both deserve?
SWEET SOUTHERN BAD BOY
Harmony Homecomings #3
Michele Summers
Releasing Dec 6th, 2016
Sourcebooks Casablanca
HE’S GOT SOMETHING SHE WANTS
When Katie
McKnight gets lost location-scouting for her father’s TV studio, she stumbles
upon the perfect setting for their angsty new teen vampire series—a remote barn
house unfortunately occupied by a grouchy, disheveled, and incredibly sexy man
who instantly mistakes her for the new nanny. Should Katie tell him the truth,
or get her foot in the door?
SHE’S GOT EVERYTHING HE NEEDS
Bestselling
author Vance Kerner doesn’t just have writer’s block—he’s been run ragged ever
since he was saddled with taking care of his brother’s three kids, an adopted
kitten, and a runaway mutt. The last thing he needs is a teen drama defiling
his property, but with fascinating and unconventional Katie underfoot charming
the entire Kerner household, Vance is finding it harder and harder to say no.
Katie
agrees to babysit, if Vance allows the film crew access to his property. Vance
agrees to keep an open mind for the peace he needs to write.
But having
Katie underfoot is anything but peaceful. And Vance is finding less and less time
to write and more and more time to watch Katie weave a lovely spell on all the
Kerners…especially him.
Can these
two opposites find a common ground and the love they both deserve?
Michele Summers enjoys
writing smart romances with spunky heroines, witty heroes and wacky characters,
along with a satisfying happily ever after. To her thrill and delight, she has
won numerous awards for her writing. When not writing, she loves her career as
an interior designer and working with clients in NC and Miami where she lived
for over 20 years. These days, she stays busy herding her college freshman and
high school sophomore and spends a lot of time watching them compete statewide
in tennis.
A man who’s living a lie—until his dream woman takes away the pain.
SOMEONE LIKE YOU
Oxford #3
Lauren Layne
Releasing Dec 6th, 2016
Loveswept
Synopsis:
Lauren Layne’s bestselling Oxford Series continues with the poignant, heartwarming story of New York’s most eligible bachelor, Lincoln Mathis, a man who’s living a lie—until his dream woman takes away the pain.
Lincoln Mathis doesn’t hide his reputation as Manhattan’s ultimate playboy. In fact, he cultivates it. But behind every flirtatious smile, each provocative quip, there’s a secret that Lincoln’s hiding from even his closest friends—a tragedy from his past that holds his heart quietly captive. Lincoln knows what he wants: someone like Daisy Sinclair, the sassy, off-limits bridesmaid he can’t take his eyes off at his best friend’s wedding. He also knows that she’s everything he can never have.
After a devastating divorce, Daisy doesn’t need anyone to warn her off the charming best man at her sister’s wedding. One look at the breathtakingly hot Lincoln Mathis and she knows that he’s exactly the type of man she should avoid. But when Daisy stumbles upon Lincoln’s secret, she realizes there’s more to the charming playboy than meets the eye. And suddenly Daisy and Lincoln find their lives helplessly entwined in a journey that will either heal their damaged souls . . . or destroy them forever.
Lauren
Layne is the USA Today bestselling
author of more than a dozen romantic comedies. She lives in New York City with
her husband (who was her high school sweetheart–cute, right?!) and plus-sized
Pomeranian.In 2011, she ditched her corporate career in Seattle to pursue a full-time
writing career in Manhattan, and never looked back.In her ideal world, every stiletto-wearing, Kate Spade wielding woman would
carry a Kindle stocked with Lauren Layne books.For a list of all her works, please be sure to check out her official website!
Today is the release day of Skye Warren’s sexy new THE PAWN! Check out this fantastic contemporary romance and grab your copy today!
About The Pawn:
The price of survival…
Gabriel Miller swept into my life like a storm. He tore down my father with cold retribution, leaving him penniless in a hospital bed. I quit my private all-girl’s college to take care of the only family I have left.
There’s one way to save our house, one thing I have left of value.
My virginity.
A forbidden auction…
Gabriel appears at every turn. He seems to take pleasure in watching me fall. Other times he’s the only kindness in a brutal underworld.
Except he’s playing a deeper game than I know. Every move brings us together, every secret rips us apart. And when the final piece is played, only one of us can be left standing.
THE PAWN is a full-length contemporary novel from New York Times bestselling author Skye Warren about revenge and seduction in the game of love.
A sense of familiarity fills the space between us even though I know we haven’t met. This man is a stranger, but he looks at me as if he wants to know me. He looks at me as if he already does. There’s an intensity to his eyes when they sweep over my face, as firm and as telling as a touch.
“I need…” A thud against my ribs as I think about all the things I need—a rewind button. One person in the city who doesn’t hate me by name alone. “I need a loan.”
He gives me a slow perusal, from the nervous slide of my tongue along my lips to the high neckline of my dress. I tried to dress professionally—a black cowl-necked sweater and pencil skirt. His strange amber gaze unbuttons my coat, pulls away the expensive cotton, tears off the cotton fabric of my bra and panties. He sees right through me, and I shiver as a ripple of awareness runs over my skin.
I’ve met a million men in my life. Shaken hands. Smiled. I’ve never felt as seen through as I do right now. Never felt like someone has turned me inside out, every dark secret exposed to the harsh light. He sees my weaknesses, and from the cruel set of his mouth, he likes them.
His lids lower. “And what do you have for collateral?”
Nothing except my word. That wouldn’t be worth anything if he knew my name. I swallow past the lump in my throat. “I don’t know.”
Nothing.
He takes a step forward, and suddenly I’m crowded against the brick wall beside the door, his large body blocking out the warm light from inside. He feels like a furnace in front me, the heat of him in sharp contrast to the cold brick at my back. “What’s your name, girl?”
The word girl is a slap in the face. I force myself not to flinch, but it’s hard. Everything about him overwhelms me—his size, his low voice. “I’ll tell Mr. Scott my name.”
In the shadowed space between us, his smile spreads, white and taunting. The pleasure that lights his strange yellow eyes is almost sensual, as if I caressed him. “You’ll have to get past me.”
My heart thuds. He likes that I’m challenging him, and God, that’s even worse. What if I’ve already failed? I’m free-falling, tumbling, turning over without a single hope to anchor me. Where will I go if he turns me away? What will happen to my father?
“Let me go,” I whisper, but my hope fades fast.
His eyes flash with warning. “Little Avery James, all grown up.”
A small gasp resounds in the space between us. He already knows my name. That means he knows who my father is. He knows what he’s done. Denials rush to my throat, pleas for understanding. The hard set of his eyes, the broad strength of his shoulders tells me I won’t find any mercy here.
About Skye Warren:
Skye Warren is the New York Times bestselling author of dark romance such as Wanderlust and Prisoner. Praised as a “true mistress of dark erotica”, her books have been featured in Jezebel, Buzzfeed, USA Today Happily Ever After, Glamour, and Elle Magazine. She makes her home in Texas with her loving family, four dogs, and one evil cat.
To most people, princes, princesses, counts and dukes are found only in the pages of the most famous of fairytales. Crowns, priceless jewels and gilded thrones belong only in childhood dreams.
But for some, these frivolous fancies are truth.
For some, they are real life.
On Manhattan’s Upper East Side, people have always treated me as someone special. All because of my ancestral name and legacy. All because of a connection I share to our home country’s most important family of all.
I am Caresa Acardi, the Duchessa di Parma. A blue blood of Italy. I was born to marry well. And now the marriage date is set.
I am to marry into House Savona. The family that would have been the royals had Italy not abolished the monarchy in 1946. But to the aristocrats of my home, the abolition means nothing at all.
The Savonas still hold power where it counts most.
In our tight-knit world of money, status and masked balls, they are everything and more.
And I am soon to become one of them.
I am soon to become Prince Zeno Savona’s wife…
… or at least I was, until I met Achille.
And everything changed.
______________________________________________
Caresa
As my papa’s G5 began its descent, I looked out of the window beside me and waited for the plane to break through the clouds. I held my breath, body tense, then suddenly the burnt-orange remnants of daylight flooded the plane, bathing the interior with a soft, golden glow. I inhaled deeply. Italia.
Fields and fields of green and yellow created a patchwork quilt below, rolling hills and crystal-blue lakes stretching as far the eye could see. I smiled as a sense of warmth ran through me.
It was the most beautiful place on earth.
Sitting back in my wide cream leather chair, I closed my eyes and tried to prepare myself for what was coming. I was flying to Florence airport, from where I would be swiftly taken to the Palazzo Savona estate just outside of the city.
I would meet Prince Zeno.
I had met him twice before—once when I was four, of which I had no memory, and again when I was ten. The interaction we’d had as children had been brief. If I was being honest, I had found Zeno to be arrogant and rude. He had been thirteen at the time and not at all interested in meeting a ten-year-old girl from America.
Neither of us had known at the time that that our betrothal had been agreed upon two years prior. It turned out that the trip my papa had taken to Umbria when I was eight was to secure a forever-bond between the Savonas and the Acardis. King Santo and my father had planned for their only children to marry. They were already joined in business; Zeno’s arranged marriage to me would also strengthen both families’ place in society.
I thought back on my New York farewell of nine hours ago and sighed. My parents had driven me to the private hangar and said their goodbyes. My mama cried—her only child was leaving her for a new life. My papa, although sad to see me go, beamed at me with the utmost pride. He had held me close and whispered, “I have never been more proud of you than I am right now, Caresa. Savona Wines’ stock has plummeted since Santo’s death. This union will reassure all the shareholders that our business is still strong. That we are still a stable company with Zeno at the helm.”
I had given him a tight smile and boarded the plane with a promise that they would see me before the wedding. And that had been that.
I was to marry Zeno, and I hadn’t protested even once. I imagined to most modern-day women living in New York, the process of arranged marriages sounded positively medieval, even barbaric. For a blue blood, it was simply a part of life.
King Santo Savona died two months ago. The shareholders of his many Italian vineyards, the stakeholders in Savona Wines, had expected his son, Zeno, to immediately step up and take charge. Instead, Zeno had plunged himself into the party scene even harder than before—and that was quite a feat. Within weeks my papa had flown out to Umbria to see what could be done.
The answer: our imminent union.
A Veil of Vines by Tillie Cole is a must read. I could not put this book down. It was a beautiful romance that blossomed in a world where neither of them fit.
A Veil of Vines is heaped with Italian traditions and royal hierarchy. Although Italy no longer recognizes the royal family as a ruling class, they are still prominent in the traditional customs of the Italian people.
Duchess Caresa Acardi has come to Italy to marry the heir to the Italian throne. By blood she is bound to the life long traditions of the people of Italy. She is to become their queen. Being raised in America has altered her views of love and marriage. Tradition and the family winery are at stake. In order to save the winery, the royal family has to show solidity and stability. The soon to be king has a notorious playboy reputation. He is a spoiled prince living off his family legacy. She is conflicted about her upcoming marriage to a man that she met briefly as a child. Her love for her family and their deeply tied roots is the only reasoning she can abide by. Once she arrives in Italy she finds that her heart may not be tied to the future king but is tied to the land itself.
Achille is the winemaker for the royal winery. His deep ties to the land and his innate sense of taste has made his wines beyond excellent. He will always be tied to the land. It’s his life force until he meets Caresa, his future queen.
Achille and Caresa were meant to be together. They are true soulmates. Their blood ties will never allow them to together. Achille has secrets that will always keep him bound to the land. The royal family also has secrets that will keep Achille tied to their land and their winery.
I won’t say much more except Tillie Cole did a phenomenal job writing this book. The beautiful descriptions brings the reader to Italy. This emotional story is more than a royal romance. It is a book of deep abiding love for tradition and love for the land. It is a special love story that truly shows what matters most in the heart.
I highly recommend A Veil Of Vines by Tillie Cole.
Tillie Cole hails from a small town in the North-East of England. She grew up on a farm with her English mother, Scottish father and older sister and a multitude of rescue animals. As soon as she could, Tillie left her rural roots for the bright lights of the big city.
After graduating from Newcastle University with a BA Hons in Religious Studies, Tillie followed her Professional Rugby player husband around the world for a decade, becoming a teacher in between and thoroughly enjoyed teaching High School students Social Studies before putting pen to paper, and finishing her first novel.
Tillie has now settled in Austin, Texas, where she is finally able to sit down and write, throwing herself into fantasy worlds and the fabulous minds of her characters.
Tillie is both an independent and traditionally published author, and writes many genres including: Contemporary Romance, Dark Romance, Young Adult and New Adult novels.
When she is not writing, Tillie enjoys nothing more than curling up on her couch watching movies, drinking far too much coffee, while convincing herself that she really doesn’t need that extra square of chocolate.
I have a problem. A big freaking problem.
Her name is Tory Dixon.
I’ve been in love with her since I was 17.
The problem you ask?
She’s kinda my best friends mum.
VICTORIA
I have a six foot, three inches tall, 22 year-old, problem.
His name is Weston Banks.
I’ve been pretending he doesn’t have feelings for me for the last six years.
You see, fourteen years ago, I became my nephews guardian.
And Weston, well, he’s my nephews best friend.
Which makes him ten years my junior and oh so deliciously complicated.
When I opened the front door and came face to face with Finn’s bare arse I screamed, “What the hell Finn!” I turned my back on him and faced the closed door, “What are you doing? Put some damn pants on.”
“Ah, can you give us a minute?” Finn’s voice sounded small and embarrassed.
“Yep, you betcha. Call out when you’re decent, we are going to be having a serious conversation as soon as clothes are back in play.” Then I re-opened the front door and stepped back out on to the porch.
A minute or two later I heard Finn call out, “Decent.” And I turned the handle and let myself back in.
My jaw dropped when I saw Nixie sitting on the couch beside Finn. Her face as beat red as his. “Wha— Ah— I’m so confused.” I stuttered. “I wish I hadn’t seen what I clearly just saw, but I’m happy to see you, Nixie.”
Her shoulders relaxed in relief, and she gave me a small finger wave, “It’s good to see you too Tory. Sorry about—” her hand gestured between the two of them, “this,” she finished.
“Me too,” I muttered.
Finn was smiling brightly, and I glared at him as I plonked down on the couch that I had not just seen him having sex on. “You’re paying to have that couch cleaned.” I told him. “I watch Netflix on that couch!” I whined. “Couldn’t you have taken it to your bedroom? I mean seriously, what made you think the couch was a good place for you two to be bumping uglies?”
Nixie’s eyes bounced between Finn and myself with a puzzled expression on her pretty face.
I stood up, “You know what, don’t answer that, I can’t deal with this today. I’m exhausted. I just got an awesome tattoo, by the way. Just so you know. I was going to surprise you with it, but you don’t get to see the awesomeness until later now.”
“You what?” Finn asked.
I held my hand up in his face, “Talk to the hand ‘cause the face ain’t listening. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go scrub my eyeballs with bleach if you don’t mind.” I told him as I walked down the hallway. Every time I closed my damn eyes I could see Finn thrusting into Nixie and I wanted to hurl.
My day couldn’t possibly get any worse. Talking sex and babies with Weston, then seeing Finn’s arse as he pumped into his ex-girlfriend on my Netflix couch. I needed a huge glass of wine and a scalding hot bath to wash it all away.
Tracey’s Review
Wow, talk about unrequited love! Weston Banks has been waiting what seems like forever for the woman of his dreams, Tori Banks. She’s literally right next door, and he knows that she feels the same way. Problem? She’s his best friends mom. Tori Banks wishes that her heart would just shut up. She knows that the feelings that she has for Wes, her son Finn’s bestie, can’t be good, but, darn it, they sure are persistent. What’s a lady to do?
I’m not gonna lie, I read the blurb for WHAT IF IT’S RIGHT by author J.B. Heller, and I was already all in. I’m a fan of the May-December trope, and this sounded like a great example. I can happily say that I was not disappointed, because J.B. has written a novel that is, by turn, humorous, emotional, and sexy, and that satisfies on every front.
Tori Banks’ life changes dramatically in an instant, and thrusts her into the role of ‘mum’ to her young nephew, Finn. Flying by the seat of her pants, Tori manages to create a normal, happy life for the two of them, one that includes moving in next door to Wes Banks and his mother. Finn and Wes are friends from the very first, and the two spend pretty much every minute together. When Wes starts making, erm, those sorts of comments towards Tori, she chalks it up to his naturally flirtatious and snarky nature, but, as time goes on, it becomes clear that there’s more to it. And, if she’s honest, Tori can’t say that the feelings that Wes inspires in her are totally motherly. I see trouble ahead, folks…
The ‘yuck’ factor might be strong for those not into the scenario of an older woman and younger man, and there is a touch of the forbidden in WHAT IF IT’S RIGHT. Neither Tori nor Wes want to hurt Finn or Wes’ mother, but they can’t help the way that they feel. Tori makes a valiant effort to stand strong, too. But J.B. has done a good job of writing this story in a way that is neither inappropriate or beyond the pale of acceptable, and does so with characters that are likable and funny, and a storyline that rolls right along, drawing you right in.
WHAT IF IT’S RIGHT is a book that, happily, lived up to my expectations, and made for a mostly lighthearted and sexy, sometimes emotional, read. It’s an easy 4 stars for me, and I look forward to reading more books by J.B. Heller in future.
***ARC generously provided for an honest review.***
Author Bio
JB Heller is an average Aussie housewife in her late 20’s with a wicked sexy imagination. She and her super sexy husband are the parents of three minions, two Great Danes and a Cat who thinks she’s a person.
She spends her days running around after her wildling children and jotting down stories in her flower embossed leather notebook (She is very particular about her stationary.). She’s a self-confessed Stationary Junky who’s constantly on the lookout for more.
Most day’s JB can be found glued to her laptop, taking advantage of school hours- writing as fast as she can while she can. Or trolling Pinterest for her next potential muse. And when she needs a break from the voices in her head she indulges in her favourite past time, reading.
Want to know more about JB? Check her out, you’ll be guaranteed a good laugh if nothing else.
Dani’s survived a lot of sh*t storms.Her mother died. Her two sisters loathed her. One aunt hated her. The other was strangely distant, but the worst storm—being dumped by her childhood best friend/high school boyfriend/first love for her younger sister.There went the one person who was hers and with that, the main reason she stuck around. So, she left for ten years. But now she’s back, and nothing’s the same.
With help from Jonah Bannon, a reformed—kind of—bad boy she remembers from high school, Dani uncovers family secrets that have spanned generations. And along with those, she’s about to face the biggest sh*t storm of her life.
But it was. She felt it in her chest. It was so important, and she needed him to say it again. She was salivating for the chance. She wanted to reassure him, and this time she felt it in her heart. She knew she wasn’t going anywhere. She wanted him to see it in her eyes, that she meant every single word.
She whispered now, “Ask me. Ask me again.”
His eyes met hers, narrowing slightly. He was looking into her, reading her.
She was letting him. There was no wall, no hesitation this time. She wanted him to know her, not just her body. All of her. A second passed. He was still searching in her. Another second. More. He waited a full thirty before asking, his voice so soft and tender, “What would you do if you found out another person cared about you? If you mattered to one more person?”
“Nothing.” She was trying to convey her feelings through her eyes. She wanted him to know so badly. “I wouldn’t run. I wouldn’t walk. I wouldn’t hide. I’d do nothing except stand and embrace it.”
His eyes darkened, an emotion passed in them, one that had her heart beating so fast again. “Yeah?” He let go of her hand, but touched the side of her face. He held her in the palm of his hand, and his thumb rubbed over her cheek. It was like he was smoothing away any lingering worries she might have. “What if I was that person?”
She leaned toward him, her eyes going from his lips back to his gaze. Both were pulling her in, making her yearn for more. “Then I’d say, I feel the same.” Her breath held in her throat. They were talking in code, but it was out now. She was telling him how she felt, and a second later, his lips were on hers.
This. She turned, wound her arms around his neck. This was everything.
Author Bio
Tijan is a New York Times Bestselling author that writes suspenseful and unpredictable novels. Her characters are strong, intense, and gut-wrenchingly real with a little bit of sass on the side. Tijan began writing later in life and once she started, she was hooked. She’s written multi-bestsellers including the Carter Reed Series, the Fallen Crest Series, and the Broken and Screwed Series among others. She is currently writing Fallen Crest Six (untitled) along with so many more from north Minnesota where she lives with a man she couldn’t be without and an English Cocker she adores.
✮✮✮SECOND CHANCES, HOPE, &RED-HOT CHEMISTRY…FIRE IN YOU, the final book in the #1 New York Times bestselling Wait For You World is here! Don’t Miss Brock and Jillian’s passionate and richly moving story in this standalone contemporary romance! And check out each stop on the FIRE IN YOU Review & Excerpt Tour taking place November 29-December 10!✮✮✮
Let the FIRE IN YOU burn and grab your copy today!
About FIRE IN YOU:
From the # 1 New York Times and International bestselling author comes a richly moving story about heartbreak and guilt, second chances and hope. Full of familiar, fan-favorite characters and no two people more deserving of a happy ending, Fire In You will burn bright beyond the last page…
Jillian Lima’s whole world was destroyed in a span of a few hours. The same night her childhood love, Brock ‘the Beast’ Mitchell, broke her heart, her life was irrevocably altered by the hand of a stranger with a gun. It takes six years to slowly glue together the shattered pieces of her life, but Jillian is finally ready to stop existing in a past full of pain and regret. She takes a job at her father’s martial arts Academy and she’s going out on her first date since a failed relationship that was more yuck than yum. Jillian is determined to start living.
She just never expected Brock to be a part of her life again. But he’s firmly back in her life before she knows it, and not only is he older, he’s impossibly more handsome, more teasing and more everything. And when he sees Jillian, he’s no longer capable of thinking of her as the little girl who was his shadow growing up or the daughter of the man who gave him a second chance at life. He sees the woman who’d always been there for him, the one person who believed in him no matter what.
Brock knows she’s the one he should’ve made his, and what begins as a tentative friendship quickly turns to red-hot chemistry that sparks a flame that burns brighter than lust. Falling for Brock again risks more than her heart, because when the sorrow-filled and guilt-ridden past resurfaces, and a web of lies threatens to rip them apart, the fallout could lay waste to everything they’ve fought to build together, and destroy the dreams of those they care most about.
Brock dropped his hand and walked inside, his head turning as his gaze swept over me. I closed the door.
“Nice socks,” he commented. “You know, it’s like you’re recognizing two seasons right now—summer and winter.”
I glanced down at myself. Oh crap! I’d forgotten I was wearing cotton sleep shorts paired with knee-high socks. And these were short shorts. Grateful that I was wearing a long cardigan over the shirt, I self-consciously tugged on the hem of my shorts while he looked around the apartment. I saw he had a little brown bag dangling from his fingertips.
“So,” I said, fiddling with the sleeves on my cardigan, “what did you bring me?”
“Oh, so now you’re curious about what’s in the bag?”
Crossing my arms, I stared at him while I hoped it wasn’t obvious that I wasn’t wearing a bra, because I could feel my nipples pressing against the shirt I wore.
Brock chuckled as he lifted the bag and reached inside, pulling out a small white carton. He then turned, spying the small kitchen. “So, how long have you lived here?”
“Um, I don’t know.” I watched him walk over to the island and place the carton and bag on it. “I think I moved in here about four years ago.”
“Nice place.” His gaze strayed to the stack of books on the other end of the island, and a fond smile appeared as he started to open the carton. “It’s safe here?”
“Yeah. There have never been any problems here.” I crept closer. “Most of the people who live here are married or work in D.C and commute.” My gaze dropped to his back. Did he ever get the large phoenix tattoo colored and filled in? I bet he did and it looked amazing. Then again, his back with all those ropey muscles always looked amazing. “So, where…where do you live now?”
“I bought a house outside of Shepherdstown,” he told me. “Got an amazing view of the river. You need to see it.”
I stopped walking, thinking his fiancée might not be too keen on that. Then again, I doubted she would see me as a threat.
Brock turned sideways, sliding the carton toward where I stood. I glanced over, and I stopped thinking when I saw what he’d brought.
“Glazed doughnuts,” Brock said. “Just glazed. Nothing weird hidden inside them. I know how much you used to hate biting into something and having no idea it’s filled with cream or fruit. They’re fresh, too. Picked them up at the bakery in Shepherdstown that makes them all day.”
I did hate biting into any food and having something unexpectedly squirt into my mouth. It was freaking gross, but I wasn’t focused on that aversion.
Sitting atop wax paper really were large glazed doughnuts.
It was so simple. Just glazed doughnuts. Nothing fancy or spectacular. But he remembered, and I didn’t know why that meant anything to me. I was sure serial killers remembered things about their victims, but I felt some of the tension easing out of my stiff muscles as I blinked back sudden hot tears.
Gah, I was so over-emotional. It was just doughnuts. “Thank you.” I cleared my throat. “That’s really nice.”
His gaze flew to mine, and I hastily lowered my chin, walking past him into the kitchen. “Jillian—”
“You’re eating one if I am,” I said, snatching several sheets off the paper-towel roll. God, I was such a damn mess, but I…I missed this—missed having someone in my life who knew me inside and out, because no one, no one knew me like Brock had. I turned around only when I was sure I didn’t look like I was seconds from exploding into tears, and went to the island, placing the towels on the counter. “I mean, I’m not going to eat three gigantic doughnuts.”
“Since when?”
A strangled laugh escaped me. “Well, I’m not seventeen anymore.”
“I can see that.”
A fine shiver coursed over my skin as I looked up. There was an intense, almost predatory glint to his stare, one I didn’t understand. And it suddenly struck me, really hit me, that after six years, Brock Mitchell was standing in my apartment, in my world, and I would never in a hundred years have expected this.
But there he was, larger than life itself, turning what was a roomy apartment into something that now felt entirely too small. He was one hundred percent grown man who was not just breathtaking to behold, but a walking legend in the world of mixed martial arts. More than that, though, he was a man who overcame such a terrible childhood, beating statistics and naysayers. Demolishing everyone’s doubt as he rose through the ranks, suffering a career-threatening injury to come back and win it all, over and over.
The Wait For You Series by Jennifer L. Armentrout ( aka J. Lynn) is one of my favorite new adult romance series. Each book has a very unique story with dynamic characters that are ordinary people dealing with life. This series takes the reader on the journey of real life. The journey starts in college and progresses into their adult lives establishing careers and families. Each book features a different couple in different phases of life dealing with different situations. All the characters are tied together through family and friendships. The reader not only gets to experience the featured couples lives but also gets more of the couples featured in previous books. That also includes the precious pet turtles from their college days. Every time I open a new book in the Wait For You series it’s like attending a reunion.
Fire In You was an even more special reading experience for me because of some of the content. A few years ago I attended a J. R. Ward release event in Cincinnati for the latest Black Dagger Brotherhood novel. These release events have become a yearly ritual for me and my girls. It’s our girls weekend, our escape from the world. This particular event was even more special than the ones before because Laura Kaye and Jennifer Armentrout attended the event and sat right near us. Talk about a fan girl dream come true. I met two of my favorite authors in a more intimate setting. Afterwards our group of girls went to dinner with Laura and Jennifer. I was lucky enough to sit at the same table with these lovely ladies and get to know them personally. As I read the Fire In You, there were many moments from that day and those conversations that came to life in Jillian’s personality. She is a side a Jennifer coming to life on the pages. I love her just as much as I do Jennifer.
Jillian LIma and Brock “the Beast” Mitchell have a long history. Jillian’s family embraced Brock as their own when he was a young troubled boy. Jillian developed an unrequited crush on Brock. As the years progressed and they grew into adults, their friendship became deeply bonded until one night changed it all and made them strangers.
Jillian had finally gained the courage to tell Brock how she felt about him. Brock was oblivious to Jillian’s feelings. They were supposed to have a dinner date but Brock changed the plan. Instead of going to dinner, they went to a bar. Brock more or less ignored Jillian and flirted with another woman, who later became his fiance. Rather than suffer more humiliation, Jillian left the bar alone. In the parking lot she was held up and shot. That night changed both of their lives and severed their friendship.
Six years later Jillian is still struggling with the aftermath of that night. She still carries both mental and physical scars from that night. Those scars have kept her from living her life. She has chosen to hide away in a non descript office job, a limited social life, and a non existent love life. She hides away in her apartment with her cat and her books. After six years she is ready to start living her life once again. The first step is take her place in the family business and become a manager of one of their gyms. The second step is to begin socializing with her friends more. The third step is to begin dating again. It’s time for Jillian to live her life.
Brock Mitchell once again throws another hitch in Jillian’s life. After six years, he’s back. He’s her new boss at the gym. He’s interfering with her dating life. He’s inserting himself in her social life and becoming a part of her social circle. He’s determined to rebuild their friendship, but this time he wants more. He wants her love, the love he carelessly threw away.
This time around Jillian gets to make the choices. She has gotten over the starry eyed crush she once had. She gets to choose what kind of relationship she has with Brock.
Jennifer Armentrout once again delivered an emotional story that kept me glued to the pages. It was truly an amazing reading experience.
# 1 New York Times and # 1 International Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing. She spends her time reading, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell Loki.
Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Spencer Hill Press, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen. Her book Obsidian has been optioned for a major motion picture and her Covenant Series has been optioned for TV. Jennifer has won numerous awards, including the 2013 Reviewers Choice Award for Wait for You, the 2015 Editor’s Pick for Fall With Me, and the 2014/2015 Moerser-Jugendbuch- Jury award for Obsidian. Her young adult romantic suspense novel DON’T LOOK BACK was a 2014 nominated Best in Young Adult Fiction by YALSA.
She also writes Adult and New Adult contemporary and paranormal romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.
The third book in Alicia Rae’s Tattooed Billionaire series, FOREVER TATTOOED, releases today. Join Raelyn and Damien in the conclusion to their epic love story. Find out more about the series below!
Raelyn Jennings survived the unthinkable. She has been given a second chance at life and a happily ever after with the man who owns her heart and soul. But surviving a brain tumor comes with a price—change—and it becomes Raelyn’s worst fear.
Damien Heathman—the tattooed, sexy, dominant CEO—isn’t one to let challenges stand in his way. Ever. Especially when it comes to his forever with Raelyn. His undying love for her is strong enough to see them through any darkness in their path, and he’ll obliterate anyone and anything that tries to stand in his way.
But, as Raelyn struggles to find her new place in life, the truth behind Damien’s jagged scars begins to unravel, layer after layer, and they reveal a deep hatred and rage toward those from his past.
Tears will be shed.
Relationships will be broken.
Can Damien and Raelyn’s love bear the inevitable storm? Or will heartbreak and devastation shatter their dreams of forever?
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Did you miss the first two books in the series? Make sure to catch up now!
About TATTOOED EMOTIONS
Raelyn Jennings has survived the unthinkable. She’s been given a second chance to live, to breathe, to feel. Her ability to overcome such a traumatic hurdle has created armor around her heart. But beyond her shield is fear, a consuming deep one, of the unknown. Raelyn vows to herself that she’ll solely focus on the one constant in her life, her career as the CEO for a prestigious accounting firm.
Damien Heathman’s unrelenting determination has made him a powerful, respected man. He’s sexy and confident and utterly breathtaking. His dominance and strength is evident in every purposeful stride, every meaningful look, and every soft caress.
Raelyn has worked with Damien’s company, Heathman Enterprises, for many years, but they’ve never crossed paths—until now.
Damien’s presence fills a room. He steals Raelyn’s breath and sparks her broken heart back to life. Once Damien sets eyes on Raelyn, there is no turning back. He wants her, and he’ll stop at nothing to have her. Not even the dark secrets hidden behind his tattoos will stand in his way.
The chemistry is undeniable. The passion is palpable.
Can Damien convince Raelyn that he is worth the risk? Or will Raelyn allow her past to control her future, feeling the chance of another heartache is too great to bear?
Raelyn Jennings knows one thing for certain. She loves Damien Heathman with every fiber of her being. A life without him wouldn’t be one worth living.
Damien has never loved a single soul—until Raelyn. She heals the pain that has tainted the deepest part of his heart. She is his everything, his single reason for breathing. Damien’s relentless determination refuses to let anyone or anything stand in his way of being with her.
But soon, Damien’s and Raelyn’s pasts begin to collide with their future in ways they never thought possible, testing their undying love for one another.
Damien’s dark secrets from the scars hidden beneath his tattoos threaten to reveal themselves while Raelyn is faced with impossible decisions that need to be made.
Can Damien convince Raelyn to take a risk in hopes of securing the longevity of their future? Or will Raelyn choose the safe path that also comes with a limit?
There isn’t any time to waste, for the clock never stops ticking.
Alicia Rae is a Contemporary Romance Author who lives in Dekalb, Illinois, with her husband and three beautiful boys. Alicia has a passion for reading all types of romance, writing to bring a story to life, and wedding photography.
Alicia loves to hear from readers! Text RAE to 22828 to join her mailing list
Debbie Mason is the bestselling author of the Christmas, Colorado and Harmony Harbor series. Her books have been praised for their “likable characters, clever dialogue and juicy plots” (RT Book Reviews). When she isn’t writing or reading, Debbie enjoys spending time with her very own real-life hero, three wonderful children, two adorable grandbabies, and a yappy Yorkie named Bella in Ontario, Canada.
A Veil Of Vines
Tillie Cole hails from a small town in the North-East of England. She grew up on a farm with her English mother, Scottish father and older sister and a multitude of rescue animals. As soon as she could, Tillie left her rural roots for the bright lights of the big city.
About Jennifer L. Armentrout:
About FOREVER TATTOOED
About TATTOOED SCARS
Saucy Southern Readers 