The fifth book in the #1 New York Times bestselling Field Party series—a southern soap opera with football, cute boys, and pick-up trucks—from USA TODAY bestselling author Abbi Glines.
Ryker Lee is finally enjoying his senior year—he has great friends, hangs out with hot girls, and is on track to get a football scholarship that will set him up for college. Despite this, a small part of him wonders if there’s more to life than parties and meaningless hookups—and if football even means as much to him as it does to his fellow teammates. And when he meets the new girl at school, his world totally changes…
Aurora McClay is new to Lawton. She’s grateful that her twin brother, Hunter, is star of the football team and can help her adjust to her new school, but she’s not grateful at how overprotective he is over every person she meets. Just because she is deaf does not mean people have to treat her differently. When she meets Ryker Lee, the two of them spark an instant and intense chemistry, one that proves to be controversial not only because of Ryker’s reputation as a player, but also because of Aurora and Hunter’s father’s bigoted views about who Aurora can and can’t date.
Aurora and Ryker know in their hearts that they are meant for each other. But can their relationship endure the turmoil of rumors and prejudice?
Michel’s Review
I always look forward to August because Abbi Glines usually releases a new book in The Field Party series. I love the high school “Friday Night Lights” themed books and Abbi’s Field Party series stands out among the others.
Making A Play is quite different from the other books in the series because it deals with physical issues, social issues, and contemporary peer issues. It gives an honest insight into today’s high school environments as well as small southern town life.
Aurora McClay has moved to Lawton to live with her father and twin brother after their mother gets remarried and moves away. She had attended a high school for the deaf but now finds herself entering a mainstream high school that her brother attends. She’s excited but knows it’s going to be challenging. The one thing she never imagined would happen was that her brother would be extremely overly protective to the point of being obnoxious. She never expected to meet a boy that would capture her complete attention on the first day of school. It’s too bad this boy is completely off limits as far as her brother and father are concerned. Ryker Lee not only has a bad reputation as a player but also has the wrong skin color. Her heart wants what it wants and love always finds a way.
Ryker Lee is looking forward to his senior year. He never imagined he would experience love at first sight let alone fall for just one girl. It’s not his style until he meets a different kind of girl, Aurora McClay, his teammates twin sister. It doesn’t matter if Aurora is deaf, he will learn to sign. It doesn’t matter if her brother hates him, he won’t back down. Getting past her father’s overbearing control and racist attitude is a challenge. No obstacle will turn his heart away.
They both will have to withstand all the obstacles in their paths but both are strong, determined individuals who know what they want. They want each other.
Abbi Glines did a fantastic job with this book. Ryker and Aurora’s relationship was based on respect while still being sweet and romantic. I am in awe how Abbi delivered the story which dealt with a physical handicap and sensitive social issues while staying on a neutral playing field. This made Aurora and Ryker come to life in a much bigger way.
Making A Play by Abbi Glines is the best book in the Field Party Series. Read It!
Abbi Glines is a #1 New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of the Rosemary Beach, Sea Breeze, Vincent Boys, Field Party and Existence series. She never cooks unless baking during the Christmas holiday counts. She believes in ghosts and has a habit of asking people if their house is haunted before she goes in it. She drinks afternoon tea because she wants to be British but alas she was born in Alabama. When asked how many books she has written she has to stop and count on her fingers. When she’s not locked away writing, she is reading, shopping (major shoe and purse addiction), sneaking off to the movies alone, and listening to the drama in her teenagers lives while making mental notes on the good stuff to use later. Don’t judge.
You can connect with Abbi online in several different ways. She uses social media to procrastinate.
In this evocative and poignant novel from the USA TODAY bestselling author Renee Carlino of Blind Kiss and Wish You Were Here, a young widow in the midst of grieving her late husband through Facebook posts learns to heal and fall in love again.
Laya Marston’s husband, Cameron, a daredevil enthusiast, always said this before heading off on his next adventure. He was the complete opposite of her, ready and willing to dive off a cliff-face, or parachute across a canyon—and Laya loved him for it. But she was different: pragmatic, regimented, devoted to her career and to supporting Cameron from the sidelines of his death-defying feats.
Opposites attract, right?
But when Cameron dies suddenly and tragically, all the stages of grief go out the window. Laya becomes lost in denial, living in the delusion that Cameron will come back to her. She begins posting on his Facebook page, reminiscing about their life together, and imagining new adventures for the two of them.
Micah Evans, a young and handsome architect at Laya’s father’s firm, is also stuck––paralyzed by the banal details of his career, his friendships, and his love life. He doesn’t know what he’s looking for, only that there is someone out there who can bring energy and spirit to the humdrum of his life.
When Micah discovers Laya’s tragic and bizarre Facebook posts, he’s determined to show Laya her life is still worth living. Leaving her anonymous gifts and notes, trying to recreate the sense of adventure she once shared with her late husband, Micah finds a new passion watching Laya come out of the darkness. And Laya finds a new joy in the experiences Micah has created for her.
But for Laya, letting another man in still feels like a betrayal to her late husband. Even though Micah may be everything she could wish for, she wonders if she deserves to find happiness again.
Written with Renée Carlino’s signature “tender and satisfying” (Taylor Jenkins Reid, author of Maybe in Another Life) prose, this warm and compassionate novel shows us how powerful the courage to love and live again truly is.
Every time Renee Carlino releases a new novel, she challenges her readers thought process by taking them on an emotional journey in a very different way. She takes a different approach of demonstrating the validity of every human emotion and how each individual copes with the emotions they are experiencing. Not only does she deliver eye opening situations that are emotionally challenging but also presents unique solutions that take her readers on a heartfelt, emotional journey. The one thing that is present throughout each novel is the power of HOPE and healing through LOVE.
The Last Post by Renee Carlino is by far one of her best works to date. Two very different people are dealing with paralyzing emotions caused by events in their lives. Laya Marston is dealing with paralyzing grief after watching her husband die in a tragic accident. Their marriage was based on a passionate whirlwind romance that was still in the newlywed stages. Their relationship was fueled by their passion which made their love burn hotter. Laya is having a hard time letting go and is emotionally paralyzed by her grief. She can’t move beyond the immense sense of loss and heartbreak. Her grief has taken over her ability to rationalize and process her loss. She deals with her grief by posting on his Facebook page and leaving messages in his voicemail. While she knows it’s not rational or realistic, in her mind it keeps her husband alive. It gives her moments of hope until it doesn’t. Her family and friends are afraid she’s gone off the deep end and don’t know how to help her move forward in life.
Micah Evans is a smart, young architect who is stuck in his life. He works at a highly respected architect firm but is still in the level entry job he started after college. He still has the same college roommate and makes the rounds at the clubs on the weekends. Rather than growing up and making an adult life, he is stuck. He is suffering from depression and a sense of hopelessness until he meets his boss’s daughter, Laya. He sees her despair and hopelessness. I makes him realize he wants to help her. By helping her it gives him a sense of purpose and hope.
What starts out as a misguided and really weird kind of relationship evolves into something neither one knew they desperately needed. Finding your soul mate isn’t always about red- hot passion and whirlwind love affairs. It’s finding the person who sees exactly who you are and understands you completely without judgement. A person who gives their complete acceptance. A person who shares your pain and your joy. A person who defines your soul and cherishes it. Although Laya and Micah are complete opposites they are true soulmates.
The Last Post by Renee Carlino is a journey of love, friendship, and hope.
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Renée Carlino is a screenwriter and bestselling author of contemporary women’s novels and new adult fiction. Her books have been featured in national publications, including USA TODAY, Huffington Post, Latina magazine, and Publisher’s Weekly. She lives in Southern California with her husband, two sons, and their sweet dog June. When she’s not at the beach with her boys or working on her next project, she likes to spend her time reading, going to concerts, and eating dark chocolate.
I Hate You, an all-new enemies to lovers sports romance from Wall Street Journal bestselling author Ilsa Madden-Mills, is available now!
Blaze Townsend:I hate you.
Charisma Rossi:I hate you more.
She’s been expecting this ever since their latest showdown. She had good reason.
Hottest guy she’s ever seen.
Former fling.
Dumped her in front of her friends.
At her own party.
So no, she’s not about to forgive and forget just because he sits next to her in class.
He thinks all he has to do is turn on those baby blues, and she’ll melt right back into his arms. Please.She’d be crazy to let this cocky player affect her again. (Tell that to her body.)
Charisma Rossi.
Nerd girl with a dash of bad.
The one who got under his skin.
The one he cut loose.
Blaze knows she’s the riskiest prospect at Waylon University, but none of the interchangeable girls he hooks up with have ever made him feel the way she did. There’s absolutely no way he can have the girl and the game.
So why can’t he stop trying to win her back?
Can this wide receiver score the girl or will he make the biggest fumble of his life
Download your copy today or read FREE in Kindle Unlimited!
Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and USA Today best-selling author Ilsa Madden-Mills is best known for her angsty new adult romances and romantic comedies.
Eight of her eleven novels have placed in the Amazon Top 10 Best-seller List: Dirty English #1; Fake Fiancée and I Dare You #2; I Bet You, Filthy English, and Very Bad Things #6; Boyfriend Bargain #8; The Last Guy, her collaboration with Tia Louise, #4.
A former high school English teacher, she adores all things Pride and Prejudice, and of course, Mr. Darcy is her ultimate hero.
She’s addicted to frothy coffee beverages, cheesy magnets, and any book featuring unicorns and sword-wielding females. Feel free to stalk her online.
We are beyond excited to be sharing this release from Kristen Ashley with you today! QUIET MAN is part of her Dream Man series and it is releasing as part of 1001 Dark Nights. It just went live today! Check out an excerpt and book trailer from the title below. Click here to grab your copy now.
From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Kristen Ashley comes a new story in her Dream Man series…
Charlotte “Lottie” McAlister is in the zone. She’s ready to take on the next chapter of her life, and since she doesn’t have a man, she’ll do what she’s done all along. She’ll take care of business on her own. Even if that business means starting a family.
The problem is, Lottie has a stalker. The really bad kind. The kind that means she needs a bodyguard.
Enter Mo Morrison.
Enormous. Scary.
Quiet.
Mo doesn’t say much, and Lottie’s used to getting attention. And she wants Mo’s attention. Badly.
But Mo has a strict rule. If he’s guarding your body, that’s all he’s doing with it.
However, the longer Mo has to keep Lottie safe, the faster he falls for the beautiful blonde who has it so together, she might even be able to tackle the demons he’s got in his head that just won’t die.
But in the end, Lottie and Mo don’t only have to find some way to keep hands off until the threat is over, they have to negotiate the overprotective Hot Bunch, Lottie’s crazy stepdad, Tex, Mo’s crew of frat-boy commandos, not to mention his nutty sisters.
All before Lottie finally gets her Dream Man.
And Mo can lay claim to his Dream Girl.
**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.**
He picked up the paper, turned it over and read it again.
It stated, plainly, he was fucked.
More alarmingly, it stated, chillingly, Mac was in danger.
This was a problem more than it was already a colossal motherfucking problem.
Any other one of his girls, he’d pick up the phone to Lee Nightingale, the man behind Nightingale Investigations, the commander of the baddest badass motherfuckers in Denver. He’d hand over this letter and he’d get this problem solved.
But Mac was Charlotte McAlister, Jet McAlister Chavez’s little sister. Jet was married to Eddie Chavez. Eddie was Lee’s best friend. And Jet worked for Indy, Lee’s wife, the Queen of the Rock Chicks, and thus Jet Chavez was a bona fide Rock Chick.
Mac might not be a card-carrying member of the Rock Chicks, mostly because she had a job where she worked nights, the time those crazy bitches instigated the most fucked-up of their varying antics. Though they weren’t averse to mornings and afternoons. It was just that the stun-gunnings, kidnappings and the like mostly took place at night, and Mac was busy then.
She was still a Rock Chick, or at least she was by association.
Considering the Rock Chick link and the blood ties to Jet, if Lee knew Mac was in danger, he’d tear the town apart to put a stop to it.
And Eddie…
Now Eddie, Smithie didn’t even want to think about it. The man was a cop. The shit Lee and his boys did with flair and a flagrant disregard to just about anything, Eddie could not do.
But Eddie wouldn’t blink at doing whatever he had to do to make his sister-in-law safe.
And the man had mouths to feed.
So yeah.
This was a problem even more than it already was a colossal motherfucking problem because Smithie couldn’t call Lee.
Which meant Smithie had to find a different set of badasses to deal with it.
His first call would normally be the Chaos Motorcycle Club. Mac wasn’t one of theirs, neither was Smithie, but they had ties to Lee, they could keep a secret, and they didn’t dick around when it came to women and their safety.
But they’d just come out of a war, and like any war, that had been some serious fucked-up shit.
They needed a breather.
Lee, and Chaos, also had ties to…
“Well, hell,” Smithie muttered, the words on the letter blurring, the sick feeling in the back of his throat easing.
He dropped the letter and picked up his cell.
If you couldn’t call a badass…
Then it was far from second best to call a commando.
BOOK TRAILER
“OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!! I FREAKING LOVED IT!!!!!!!! LOVE LOVE LOVED IT!!! This was pure Old School Vintage KA GOLD!!!” ~Aestas Book Blog
“There is something about them [Ashley’s books] that I find crackalicious.” ~DearAuthor.com, Kati Brown
About KRISTEN ASHLEY:
Kristen Ashley was born in Gary, Indiana, USA and nearly killed her mother and herself making it into the world, seeing as she had the umbilical cord wrapped around her neck (already attempting to accessorize and she hadn’t taken her first breath!). Her mother said they took Kristen away, put her Mom back in her room, her mother looked out the window, and Gary was on fire (Dr. King had been assassinated four days before). Kristen’s Mom remembered thinking it was the end of the world. Quite the dramatic beginning.
Nothing’s changed.
Kristen grew up in Brownsburg, Indiana and has lived in Denver, Colorado and the West Country of England. Thus, she’s blessed to have friends and family around the globe. Her family was (is) loopy (to say the least) but loopy is good when you want to write. They all lived together on a very small farm in a small farm town in the heartland. She grew up with Glenn Miller, The Everly Brothers, REO Speedwagon and Whitesnake (and the wardrobes that matched).
Needless to say, growing up in a house full of music, clothes and love was a good way to grow up.
And as she keeps growing, it keeps getting better.
On the one hand, she’s a twenty-nine-year-old VP at her dad’s multibillion-dollar real estate development firm, and living the high single life with her two best friends in a swanky downtown penthouse. On the other hand, she’s considered a pair of sexy legs in a male-dominated world and constantly has to prove her worth. Plus, she’s stuck seeing her narcissistic ex-fiancé—a fellow VP—on the other side of her glass office wall every day.
Things get exponentially more complicated for Piper when she runs into Kyle Miller—the handsome new security guard at Calloway Group Industries, and coincidentally the first love of her life.
The guy she hasn’t seen or heard from since they were summer camp counsellors together. The guy from the wrong side of the tracks. The guy who apparently doesn’t even remember her name.
Piper may be a high-powered businesswoman now, but she soon realizes that her schoolgirl crush is not only alive but stronger than ever, and crippling her concentration. What’s more, despite Kyle’s distant attitude, she’s convinced their reunion isn’t at all coincidental, and that his feelings for her still run deep. And she’s determined to make him admit to them, no matter the consequences.
Michel’s Review
I have been a fan of K.A. Tucker for many years. I have devoured everyone of her books and walked away astonished by the depth of her storytelling and sense of romance. Say Your Still Mine is another fantastic addition to her title collections.
Say Your Still Mine is a second chance contemporary romance with a seasoning of mature YA romance and New Adult romance. The story follows a duel timeline of the past and present blended perfectly to keep the reader intrigued with the present but intensely connected to the past.
Piper Calloway was sent to Camp Wawa to be a camp counselor when she was sixteen. Rather than going to a camp for privileged children, she is going to the camp her mother went to as a child. Her parents want her to experience how the normal world spins. Although her parents have worldly wisdom, they are far from the perfect family. Her father is a workaholic, her older brother is estranged from the family and living across the world teaching English. Her parents are struggling with marital problems and the best solution for all them is to take a summer break.
Going to Camp Wawa changes Piper’s life. She learned valuable life lessons and found the true meaning of friendship. She met her soulmate, Kyle Miller, a boy from the other side of the tracks. She fell deeply in love and experienced passion for the first time. It all ended once summer was over. She has always wondered why Kyle dropped off the face of the earth and never tried to contact her. She kept in contact with her two of her closest friends from camp but lost touch with others. What happened that summer changed all of their lives in one way or another.
Thirteen years later her career is on the fast track. She’s destined to take over her father’s company but first she must prove herself to her father and other co-workers. While her career is challenging it is also stalled because of one person. Dealing with the frustrations in the office is one thing but when she spots Kyle Miller in her building working as a security guard it takes a new direction. At first he denies he ever knew her until he couldn’t.
Life has changed a lot in thirteen years but Piper and Kyle’s love for another is stronger than ever. They just have to find a new mutual ground. They also have to go back to the past and unbury the secrets they left behind at camp in order to move forward.
K.A. Tucker not only gave the readers a heart warming romance that outlasted youthful desires. She added a sense of mystery and intrigue that kept the readers guessing why everything fell apart. When the final revelations appear, it’s heart wrenching. Lastly she ends with her usual optimistic high note that goes beyond romance. She leaves the reader with a sense of fulfillment and hope.
***ARC generously provided by Author/ Publisher for an honest review.***
K.A. Tucker writes captivating stories with an edge and is the bestselling author of Ten Tiny Breaths and Burying Water series and the novel He Will Be My Ruin. She lives in a quaint town outside of Toronto with her husband, two beautiful girls, and a Chug.
Wow… Wow… Wow… The Heartache Duet is my 2019 Favorite!
The Heartache Duet by Jay McLean is one of those stories which stands out among other the releases in the romance and YA genres. It is more than an angsty mature YA romance, it’s a story of family, friendship, and the beauty of the human spirit. It’s a story about dealing with heartache and circumstances beyond our control without losing hope. A story where basic human compassion goes much further than grand gestures. A story that shows the magic in the little moments is just as important as the monumental steps that change our lives. After all … the magic appears when the world seems the darkest but it also appears when it’s least expected.
First and Forever by Jay McLean is the highly emotional, explosive conclusion in the Heartache and Hope Duet.
Heartache and Hope ended on a huge cliffhanger. Ava and Connor had broken up. Connor was conquering the basketball court and chasing his dream. He has became an All American Allstar athlete, gotten a full ride scholarship to Duke, and has scouts knocking on his doors. He’s pushed himself beyond his limits, not for himself but for Ava. He wants to be able to give her the help her family desperately needs. He wants to be able to provide a future for both of them. But first he needs to win Ava back and show her she isn’t alone.
Ava was trying to hold onto what was left of her family life. The responsibility of caring for her mother has become more difficult. Her mother’s mental health is affecting her physical health. The health care options have became more limited in an already sparse situation. Her step- brother Trevor has sacrificed his future to help hang onto their family. Things are spiraling downhill fast. They have exhausted every avenue available. Their situation is dire and her mother is disappearing into oblivion.
Ava and Connor have a love that’s worth fighting for. They have both suffered. They have both learned a little bit of magic in the darkest moments goes a long way. But is it enough to keep them together? Just when they think they have it figured out, Ava’s mom takes a turn for the worst and her world begins to fall apart. She’s afraid she will take Connor down with her. At the same time, Connor’s nightmares and past have resurfaced. rather than leaning on Ava or his family for support, he tries to handle the situation by himself.
They are both getting torn apart emotionally and don’t know how to cope with it. Their lives have spiraled out of control once again. This time they can’t fix it. Graduation is around the corner and Ava’s life has hit the dead end.
Can they find their way back to each other? Their family lives and secrets will never go away. They just need to learn how to manage their lives with what they have. They have to learn that love is what keeps hope alive.
Wow… the Heartache Duet by Jay McLean is one of the best stories I have read in quite awhile. Not only does Jay deliver an emotional, heart wrenching romance but she also focuses on important issues and how they affect people’s lives. She brought attention to ongoing problems in healthcare for seriously wounded VETs, the lack of support from the community, the limited long term medical benefits, and the inadequate care for mental health issues. She also showed how child abuse can scar a person for life even though they have had a stable home, supportive family love, and the right kind of counseling. She also showed how people make sacrifices for their families. Trevor and Connor’s father both put their families first over their own personal happiness. They were true heroes in my opinion. Not only did Jay show the emotional effects it had on the family but also their friends. The Heartache and Hope Duet displayed every kind of love a human being can experience and that is where the true MAGIC is.
I highly recommend The Heartache and Hope Duet.
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About the Author:
Jay McLean is an international best-selling author and full-time reader, writer of New
Adult and Young Adult romance, and skilled procrastinator. When she’s not doing
any of those things, she can be found running after her three little boys, investing
way too much time on True Crime Documentaries and binge-watching reality TV.
She writes what she loves to read, which are books that can make her laugh, make
her hurt and make her feel.
Jay lives in the suburbs of Melbourne, Australia, in her dream home where music is
loud and laughter is louder.
For publishing rights (Foreign & Domestic) Film or television, please contact her
agent Erica Spellman-Silverman, at Trident Media Group.
From New York Times bestselling author CD Reiss comes a story of friendship, romance, and growing into a love that was always there.
Rachel knew exactly what turning thirty would be like. She had a plan, after all. First college, then a climb up the professional ladder. Love, marriage, children. All of it was on the schedule.
The cheap Hollywood apartment wasn’t on the list. Neither was the string of heartbreaks. Or the effect her mother’s cancer had on her career.
It’s hard to stay practical and on point when everything takes a left turn.
Enter Sebastian, the nerd across the street. The boy she defended when he couldn’t defend himself. The best friend she promised she’d marry if life didn’t go according to plan.
Not only is he successful, confident, and gorgeous, but he also still has their handwritten marriage contract.
No one goes through with childhood wedding pacts.
That’s crazy.
But their families might just be crazy enough to rent a hall and set a date. All Rachel and Sebastian have to do is fall in love.
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Excerpt
After I left her and CJ with Lucinda, I spent the weekly staff meeting wondering if Rachel was the same warrior I’d loved or if she was more the woman who’d held her laptop to her chest as if she needed protection.
I was obsessed.
I had to know.
Her text came in as I was leaving the meeting.
I need to check that we’re kidding
Before I could finish typing a response, I caught her coming out of the bathroom with her laptop under her arm.
Alone. Me and her. Nothing between us but the question of who we were and how we fit.
“Seb, I—”
She didn’t have a chance to finish. I crowded her back into the bathroom and locked the door behind us.
“Kidding about what?” I said.
“About getting married.”
“Why would that even be a question?”
“Our parents have been in negotiations about it.”
My mother couldn’t keep herself from talking if she tried, and I was her favorite subject.
“It might be a little soon for marriage, but—”
“Soon? I don’t like you seeing what I do for a living while you’re in a glass-walled office overlooking the ocean. I mean, I’m not marriage material, and the odds are that’s never going to change.”
“I don’t see why a date’s off the table.”
“Do you know what’s going to happen if we date?”
The list of possibilities was as long as my arm. I could have counted them off, from “We decide we hate each other” to “We end up in bed.” But I didn’t, because I was still trying to figure her out.
What did she want to hear?
With her wide eyes and parted lips, what did she want? Did she have a fondest wish where I was concerned? Was she leaning forward? Was her expression soft and yielding?
My mind spent too long deciding what to say, so my body spoke for me.
I kissed her hard and was met with teeth and stiff resistance. It was a kiss I’d wanted since I’d had hairless armpits and a voice somewhere in the low soprano range. I’d dreamed about it. Fantasized about it. Thought about it so hard in the middle of the night I could practically feel it.
But never, ever in my fantasies did she push me away so hard I fell back against a towel dispenser, watching her face twist into surprised rage as the machine spit out a ragged rectangle of brown paper.
“That was—”
“Messed up. I know.”
“Then why? What is wrong with you?”
She was livid, just like she would have been. Just like she should have been.
The tiger within Rachel was in there, and my attempt to tease her out had probably alienated her. She’d be right to never speak to me again.
“I’m sorry,” I said with my hand on the door lock. “I misread you. It won’t happen again.”
I started to open the door, but she held it closed.
“If we date, my mother’s going to get her hopes up that I’m going to settle down. And I’m sorry, Seb, but if we break up while she’s in chemo, it’s going to crush her.”
“You don’t even know if she’s sick again.”
“You’re right.” She pointed a rigid finger at me as if I were her mother. “I’m going to make her tell me.”
“You’re really beautiful when you’re telling it like it is.”
She slid her hand off the door. Having been called out, the warrior was sent into hiding.
No. I wouldn’t accept that. I wouldn’t allow it.
“Let’s just go out and catch up,” I said. “Saturday.”
“Can’t. Saturday’s the soonest I can talk to Mom.”
I unlocked the door. “I’m sorry about . . . the thing.”
“Kissing me?”
“No, wasting paper towels. Of course kissing you.”
“Next time, give a girl a little warning.”
Next time? Her eyes darted to the door. Was she calculating the distance to her getaway? Or making sure it was closed?
“How about now?” I asked.
“Now what?”
“Fair warning. Now.”
I stepped a little closer and put my hands on her arms. Not right away. I let them hover an inch away before touching her to give her the chance to move away. A chance I was sure she’d take.
“Seb, really?”
But she didn’t move away.
Not this time. When I laid my hands on her biceps, she leaned in to me just a little. I smelled the floral lotion on her skin and a hint of cool water on her breath.
“Really.” I slid the laptop from her arms and placed it on the counter. “This is your warning.”
You’re doing this. I cannot believe you’re doing this.
“It doesn’t feel like a warning,” she said, and again—I noted—she didn’t move away.
“Flashing red lights.” My lips brushed her cheek, heading for her mouth. She felt better than I ever imagined. “A buzzer, maybe.”
“Just a kiss?” she asked, her lips moving against mine.
Before I could consummate what she was agreeing to, I was smacked by a swinging door.
“Oh!” CJ said. “I’m sorry! I was looking for you.”
Rachel snatched up her laptop and walked out. CJ raised an eyebrow with good reason, since I was in the ladies’ room. I left, and we all gathered in the hall.
Awkward.
“Well,” Rachel said. “Thanks for showing us your tedious financial-sector company.”
“Thank you for coming,” I said and let them walk away. I could have done or said much more, but not without getting her into trouble. She glanced back at me when they turned the corner, as if she wanted to make sure I was still there.
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Michel’s Review
Only Ever You by CD Reiss is a delightful romance. Rather than having a complex plot or dark subject matter, this book was pure romance. Friends to lovers, popular girl falls for nerd, triumph over bullies, and crazy family meddling is the theme for Only Ever You.
Two kids make a contract to marry each other if they are still single when they turn thirty. What seemed like a joke actually turned into a real contract once the “families” got involved and the thirtieth birthdays have arrived. Rachel thought she would have taken the Hollywood scene by storm. She thought she would be a successful screen writer with Oscars/Emmy’s under her belt. Instead she is a writer’s assistant for a cheesy romantic network. She lives in a crappy apartment and still does her laundry at home to save money.
When she goes home for Christmas, she’s in for quite a surprise. Her family and their neighbors always celebrate Christmas Eve together. Sebastian has come home for Christmas after missing many years of the celebration. He’s no longer the skinny, nerdy boy she used to protect from the bullies in school. He’s a gorgeous, successful man who wears grandpa’s cardigan like a movie star. She’s thrilled to see her old friend.
Connecting with Sebastian is great but when the families bring out the old marriage contract it’s a different story. The odds seem higher now because it isn’t about them but making their families happy because Rachel’s mom’s cancer may be back.
As they plan their wedding it becomes more than simple childish contract. They both want the real deal but don’t really know one another anymore. Getting married is complicated enough. Falling in love is wonderful except it should happen before the wedding.
I am sending all readers an invitation to Rachel and Sebastian’s love story. It is imperfectly the best wedding romance this summer. CD Reiss made me smile and gave me all the goosies I always want when I read a romance novel.
CD Reiss is a New York Times bestseller. She still has to chop wood and carry water, which was buried in the fine print. Her lawyer is working it out with God but in the meantime, if you call and she doesn’t pick up she’s at the well hauling buckets.
Born in New York City, she moved to Hollywood, California to get her master’s degree in screenwriting from USC. In case you want to know, that went nowhere but it did give her a big enough ego to write novels.
She’s frequently referred to as the Shakespeare of Smut which is flattering but hasn’t ever gotten her out of chopping that cord of wood.
If you meet her in person, you should call her Christine.
When I first encountered Ford Donovan, I had no idea who he was…well, other than the obvious. Young, gorgeous, successful, smart. Did I mention young? If I did, it bears repeating. Ford Donovan was too young for me.
Let’s back up to how it all started. My best friend decided I needed to start dating again. So, without my knowledge, she set up a profile for me on a popular dating site—one that invited men ages twenty-one to twenty-seven to apply for a date. Those nicknamed Cunnilingus King were told they’d go straight to the top for consideration. The profile wasn’t supposed to go live. Another point that bears repeating—it wasn’t supposed to.
Nevertheless, that’s how I met Ford, and we started messaging. He made me laugh; yet I was adamant that because of his age, we could only be friends. But after weeks of wearing me down, I finally agreed to one date only—my first after twenty years of being with my high school sweetheart. I knew it couldn’t last, but I was curious about him.
Though, you know what they say…curiosity kills the cat.
My legs wobbled walking into the restaurant.
Ford was seated at the bar. When he turned around, he took my breath away.
His sexy smile nearly melted my panties.
But…he looked so familiar.
As I got closer I realized why.
He was the son of the neighbor at our family’s summer home.
The boy next door.
Only now…he was all man.
I hadn’t seen him in years.
I left the restaurant and planned to put the entire crazy thing behind me.
Which I did. Until summer came.
And guess who decided to use his family’s summer home this year?
Excerpt
Eve’s face flashed on the screen, and I swiped to answer.
“Give me all the details.”
I shook my head repeatedly, even though she couldn’t see me. “It was horrible.”
“What happened? What did the bastard do to you? I’ll cut his balls off.”
Eve’s response made me smile for the first time since I’d laid eyes on my date. “No. It wasn’t that kind of horrible. He was a perfect gentleman.”
“Okay…”
“Very sweet and funny, too.”
“Sounds awful,” she said sarcastically.
“And gorgeous.”
“The balls on him.”
“That’s not the worst part.”
“Let’s see…he’s young, gorgeous, sweet, and funny. What could be worse than that? He’s hung like a horse?”
“I wouldn’t know. And you know why I don’t know that?”
“Because you’re an uptight prude who hasn’t been laid in years?”
“That might be true. But the larger problem is that he is one of Ryan’s friends.”
Eve cackled. “That’s not a problem, that’s fantastic! Bang his brains out and send him to play golf with your ex. Let him eat his heart out when he realizes what he lost.”
“Ummm…Eve, I wasn’t talking about my ex, Ryan. I was talking about my son.”
“I’ll be over in twenty minutes.”
Michel’s Review
All Grown Up by Vi Keeland is the perfect summer read! All Grown Up is sizzling hot and loaded with fireworks while also being hopelessly romantic. This book will have the reader fanning themselves and ready to dive into a tub of ice. It is more than a sexy, sizzling hot romance, it is the story of a woman finding herself after years of marriage and motherhood. She is not only learning who she is but is also learning that the definition of love doesn’t always fit in the perfect box. Love comes in all sizes, shapes, and ages. In this case it’s the age which is the defining factor holding her back from a love that comes once in a lifetime.
Valentina Davis at thirty-seven finds herself single and sort of ready to enter the dating world once again. She has always been the perfect wife, mother, and household organizer. She depends on order and her post it notes. She has taken huge steps since her divorce. She has gone back to school to change her career. Now she’s ready to start up her new social life as a single woman.
Her carefree, best friend Eve has been encouraging her to take the plunge and just have fun. When Eve opens a Match.com account for her little does she know her life is about to take an unexpected path. A path where post it notes take on sexier reminders.
She meets Donovon620 on Match.com. She’s reluctant to go on a date with him because he is only twenty-five. He convinces her to take the plunge by charming her with his wit and assuring her of his maturity.
Ford Donovan is intrigued with Val44 from Match.com. She’s not like the typical women he usually dates. She seems very real and down to earth. The kind of woman he wants to spend time with. She’s very weary of his age but he has lived a lifetime since he was in college. He has raised his younger sister after their parents deaths. He put aside his own social life and needs to ensure he did the right thing. He took over his parents business and became a responsible adult. Now his sister is somewhat grown and in college. He finally has some free time and breathing room. He wants to spend it with someone he can enjoy rather than coddle.
When Ford and Valentina finally meet it’s a pure disaster. It turns out they used to be neighbors at their summer beach homes. He used to babysit her son. None of that matters to Ford but he has to convince Val that her age doesn’t matter. They have a chemistry that can’t be denied. They light each other up like the fireworks on the Fourth of July. Aside from their sexual chemistry, the two of them are beyond compatible. They were meant for one another.
Vi Keeland once again had me laughing out loud, swooning over the romance while fanning myself from their sizzling hot chemistry. She creates strong women who find the courage to step out of their fears and embrace the flaws as well as strengths. She creates male characters I instantly fall head over heels in love with. I love their wisecracks, sarcastic male humor, and dirty pillow talk. The dialogue and humorous banter between the characters is entertaining, engaging, and keeps my full attention. I always read Vi’s books in one sitting because I can’t tear myself away from her wonderful books. All Grown Up is another perfect addition to her catalogue.
I highly recommend All Grown Up by Vi Keeland! It’s guaranteed to make you smile!
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About the Author:
Vi Keeland is a #1 New York Times, #1 Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author. With millions of books sold, her titles have appeared in over a hundred Bestseller lists and are currently translated in twenty-five languages. She resides in New York with her husband and their three children where she is living out her own happily ever after with the boy she met at age six.
The moment I laid eyes on Finn Parker’s headshot, I knew that if this guy could act, I wanted him for the hero role in the film being made from my book, Fleeing an August Moon.
The tall, blond, and ruggedly handsome actor looked exactly like the picture I’d seen in my head the entire time I was writing the book.
The studio, however, had different thoughts on a leading man.
Box Office crusher, Maverick Dailey, made it clear that he wanted the role. The producers, studio, and everyone involved were thrilled to score such a celebrity. Well, everyone except me.
And it’s my vote that counts since, according to my contract I get final say on casting. Maverick is amazing, yet I’m just not sure…
It certainly didn’t help that Finn Parker and I seemed destined to cross paths. We ran into each other all over Hollywood. And the more time we spent together, the more the sparks between us flew. We had an intense chemistry, something I’d only ever read about in books like mine.
Which made me wonder, was I really falling for Finn or just living out a fantasy with a red-blooded, live version of my hot hero character?
It’s easy to confuse fiction for reality in Hollywood. Everything is not as it seems in this town.
Not to mention, Finn’s life would forever change if he landed the role. Which made me question how good of an actor he really was? Was he interested in me, or the role I had the power to give him?
Is this Real Love or just Reel Love?
Excerpt:
Prologue
In Flight…
Holy crap, he’s perfect.
Not just like he’d be good for the role perfect, but like he stepped out of my head and onto my computer screen, perfect.
I can’t believe he even exists. Well, in real life, anyway.
This is him. The guy I’ve been seeing in my head for over three years now. But with a picture in front of me, it crystalizes all the details in such sharp focus, for the very first time. It’s like a layer of gauze was removed from the front of the lens of my mind’s eye, and here he is. I am looking at the face of the hero in my biggest-selling, and let’s face it, my only truly bestselling book.
Who is this man? I need to know more. I need to know everything. Now.
Finn Parker.
Good name. Obviously fake, but, nonetheless, good.
Those eyes. They are Griffin’s eyes. I am finally staring into his clear blue eyes, studying the deep blue rings edging his irises, looking exactly like what I’d described the very first time Briela gazed up at him when they were just kids. Sky blue meeting a horizon line containing the ocean’s power and depth was how I described them when the two meet again as adults. I have written many pages about these eyes.
Finn Parker, your eyes are killing me. Like I’m afraid to breathe, killing me.
A slight quiver in my hands radiates to my now-twitching fingertips as they hang, as if in suspended animation, just above the keyboard, choking, fearful that if I don’t poke the keys with just the right finesse, he will disappear and be gone — forever. And I’m not ready to lose this flesh and blood version of the man who has invaded my thoughts for so long.
And what if I don’t find him again? A moment of panic ensues as if I’m about to lose my raison d’être. Or maybe just lose my shit. Or my mind.
What the hell is wrong with me?
His freaking picture and bio are in an email sent to me by the studio’s casting department. He is not disappearing into thin air, never to be found again.
Get ahold of yourself, woman.
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Michel’s Review
Reel Love by Julie A. Richman is going to be a summer blockbuster in the romance world. Every reader loves a Movie Star romance. A Rags to Riches story. Reel Love is so much more because it not only showcases the glamour of the film industry but also shows the manipulative side where actors are valued by dollar signs rather than true talent. It also presents a vivid description of the insecurities of struggling actors to the over confident superstars who use their clout to manipulate getting roles.
Francesca Simonelli wrote the best selling novel Fleeing An August Moon. This novel became an international best seller and is being made into a movie. Francesca was lucky enough to maintain the artistic rights from casting to the screenplays. She has gone to Hollywood for the casting process. She is determined to pick the best actors to portray the beloved characters from her book. She doesn’t care about what actors are the biggest box office draw, she wants authenticity. When she comes across Finn Parker’s picture she feels like she is staring at Griffin Chase, her leading male character. She doesn’t care what he’s done prior to this audition, she just hopes he can act.
Finn Parker is desperate for the role of Griffin Chase. He hasn’t had a job in two years. He needs a breakout role that will pivot his career. When he first begins reading Fleeing An August Moon, he hates the story but is willing to embrace the character of Griffin Chase. It will show his true acting skills. He knows he’s up against stiff competition. Maverick Dailey, the biggest box office star in Hollywood, also wants this role. He’s willing to do anything for this role. He needs for Francesca Simonelli to see he is the perfect Griffin Chase.
When Finn “accidentally” runs into Frankie after his first audition the quest for the role takes a different course. He actually likes the book and understands why this story took the world by storm. He wants to know more about the character of Griffin Chase. He also wants to get to know Frankie. She has captured his attention because she’s true to herself. She is a real woman with a real personality rather than a manufactured picture perfect woman. She could care less about A-Listers, the “right” diet, and designer gowns. She’d rather eat sugar than avocados. He genuinely likes her. He’s willing to show her who Finn Parker really is rather than the manufactured person on the screen. He’s competing for more than the role of Griffin Chase, he is vying for Frankie’s heart.
Hollywood is a manipulative place. Everyone is playing a role. It’s hard to tell what’s real in a world that spins upon fantasies. Everyone has a price, the lines can be altered rather than crossed. Frankie has to hold her ground and hold onto her heart even if it means sacrificing Finn for the right reasons.
Julie A. Richman has once again delivered the “WOW” factor in Reel Love. I felt like she added her very soul to Frankie Simonelli. The vivid descriptions she used to describe Fleeing An August Moon was as good as the characters she created in this story. She stretched her writing talent to a whole new level by delivering two very different romances in one story. I love that she is one of the few contemporary authors who uses mature characters with life experience rather than angsty younger adults. The characters always seem to be more seasoned and their stories are always multi-demensional. Julie’s books come to life and capture the heart. Like Frankie, Julie stays true to all of her characters including characters from previous books. I loved the cameo appearances from the Needing Moore series.
I absolutely loved Reel Love by Julie A. Richman and would highly recommend this book.
I also hope at some point Julie will really will sit down and write Fleeing An August Moon.
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About the Author:
USA Today Bestselling author Julie A. Richman is a native New Yorker living deep in the heart of Texas. A creative writing major in college, reading and writing fiction has always been a passion. Julie began her corporate career in publishing in NYC and writing played a major role throughout her career as she created and wrote marketing, advertising, direct mail and fundraising materials for Fortune 500 corporations, advertising agencies and non-profit organizations. She is an avid nature photographer plagued with insatiable wanderlust. Julie and her husband have one son and a white German Shepherd named Juneau.
Sometimes lady luck shakes your hand, and sometimes she smacks your face. Sometimes she does both on the same day.
Three years ago I met the most amazing woman. We were both down on our luck. Then I got that call—the one that tells you to get your buns on a plane to go meet your destiny.
But the girl was left behind. I didn’t have her phone number, and she didn’t know my real name.
While I became a professional hockey player, she became a superstar, with platinum records and legions of fans. And a slick, music producer boyfriend who treated her badly.
But fate wasn’t done with us yet. When Delilah turns up at a hockey game, I can’t resist making contact. The internet swoons when I ask her out on a date.
She might not remember me. But her jerkface ex does. He’ll do anything to keep us apart.
Good thing athletes never give up. This time I’m playing for keeps.
Excerpt
“Would you like a beer?” the cute bartender asks me.
I glance at the pile of mint leaves on his cutting board and hesitate. “Sure,” I say. But the mint looks so fresh and pretty.
“I could make you something different.”
“Beer is great. A cold…”
“—lager,” he finishes. “No glass, no opener.”
When I look up to flash him a smile, my heart does a little somersault. Those kind eyes are smiling at me, too. “Thank you,” I whisper.
“It’s really no problem.” He turns toward the beer cooler. “You’re an easy customer, trust me.”
But I really meant—thank you for remembering. As he leans down to grab a bottle for me, I find myself admiring the strong muscles in his back. Stop it, I admonish myself. It only gets worse when he turns around and places the bottle in front of me. I’ve never seen hands like his. I didn’t even know wrists could look muscular.
Even so. Ogling him is not why I came here. I pull out my keychain opener and remove the cap from my beer.
He discards it, gives me another pleasant smile and then picks up his paring knife again.
I take a sip, wondering when he’s going to mention my show at the Coconut Club. He was there. I saw him.
He separates some mint leaves from their stems and says nothing.
I last about seventeen seconds. “Well?”
“Well?” He looks up. “Sorry?”
“Jesus lord.” I close my eyes and then open them again. This is not going how I’d hoped it would. “What did you think?”
“Of…?” His amazing eyes are studying me.
“Forget I asked.” I take a swig of beer.
“Think about what?” He pushes the cutting board aside, and his smile turns knowing.
“My set at the Coconut Club! I saw you holding up that wall in the back. Don’t lie.”
He tips his head back and lets out a sudden laugh. “I’m so busted. I loved your show, but I didn’t expect you to spot me.”
“You loved it so much you weren’t going to say anything?” The sentence sounds crazy to my own ears. I put down the beer. “You know what? Never mind. I’m just being psycho right now. This town is getting into my head.”
“Listen, girly.” He braces both (muscular!) hands on the bar and looks me right in the eye. “I loved it so much that I don’t even know what to say about it. From that moment at the beginning—when you shut that asshole’s maw? To the part where you made a lady cry.” He shakes his head. “I couldn’t look away. And I never wanted it to end.”
I give him a slow blink, just trying to take that in. It’s so much more than I was even hoping to hear.
“Shit, Delilah. If that set doesn’t win you whatever contract you’re looking for, they don’t even deserve you.”
Something warm and unfamiliar settles into the center of my belly. “That might be the nicest thing anyone ever said to me. Which only means you’re still trying to get my phone number.”
He laughs immediately. “Can’t both things be true? Both my musical assessment and my interest in your evening plans?”
“Because you know so much about music.” I flip my hair and take another sip of beer.
“Look. I don’t know shit about music. But I know plenty about talent.” He leans down on a set of forearms I shouldn’t be noticing. “I know that talent sometimes takes a nap at just the wrong moment, but it never stays asleep for long. I also know that luck matters, too. If they don’t give you what you want, it won’t be your fucking fault.”
“Thank you,” I say quietly.
But he’s not done. “I saw something else valuable the other night. You’re good in the clinch. And that counts for double, I swear to God.”
“The clinch?”
“Yeah. You’re not just good at practice.” He pauses, wrinkling up his interesting nose. “What word would a musician use? Okay—you’re not a rehearsal musician. That stage was like your home. Either that or you fake it really well. That’s going to pay your rent someday, I promise.”
“Wow.” It’s like he looked right into my terrified little soul and found the very thing I needed to hear. Those beautiful eyes of his are practically burning me right now, so I have to look away. “Thank you. Really. I really needed that pep talk.”
I make the mistake of looking up at him again, and, for a split second, I see pure yearning. It’s like our souls vibrate at exactly the same frequency. And I have no idea what to do with that.
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Michel’s Review
Superfan by Sarina Bowen is more than a new addition to the Bruisers Series. This book brings the Brooklyn Bruisers Hockey Team full circle. We met Silas Kelly, the rookie goalie, in the first book of the series where he struggled to hold onto his position. His athletic abilities and talent to guard the net just needed to mesh with his psyche. He proved beyond a shadow of a doubt he belonged with the Bruisers. He also proved that he was a stand up guy that his teammates could depend on no matter what. He’s proven his worth in the professional arena, he’s accomplishing his career goals, and he’s made lifetime friends. He only has one regret is Delilah , the one he let get away in order to save his hockey career. The girl who he felt connected to the moment they met. Delilah Spark is now one of the biggest rising pop stars in the music industry and doesn’t even know his real name.
Delilah Spark was trying to get her big break in the music industry the day she walked into the bar for a much needed break and beer. The cute bartender, Ralph, made her laugh and forget all the frustrations in her career. This guy was perfect and down on his luck just like she was. The first time he kissed her it made her realize she might need more than her music. She finally agrees to a date with Ralph only to be stood up. Three years later she’s had her big break but she still remembers the cute bartender who disappeared when she was just a struggling girl with a guitar. A controlling manager, a hijacked album, and unbreakable contract have stalled her career. It’s time for changes in her life. Who knew a hockey game and a twitter challenge would change everything. It’s a good thing she’s a girl who likes a challenge.
Silas and Delilah reconnect and their passion for one another is exploding. These two were meant to be together. Delilah needed a good guy by her side. Silas needed a girl who would appreciate a “nice guy”. Now they have both made it and their careers have become very demanding. Living on different coasts with very conflicting schedules is going to be challenging but this time around they aren’t going to let it tear them apart. First they have to deal with Delilah’s career interruptions, their public affair, and the entire nosy, medling Bruiser Team entourage. No worries… Georgia can manage their public images & dates, Heidi can manage their day to day needs, Rebecca can keep the Bruisers in line, Nate can keep Silas employed, and the rest of the guys can become Delilah and The Sparkle Puppies fan club members if all else fails.
I just love everything Sarina Bowen writes. She brings every character to life and makes their story unforgettable. They jump off the pages and demand your full attention. Her romances are blazing hot while being extremely tender. I love that she keeps includes the former characters from previous books and lets their unique personalities help the hero & heroine find their true love.
I highly recommend reading Superfan by Sarina Bowen! Silas and Delilah will melt your heart one mojito at a time.
*** I want a Delilah and The Sparkle Puppies T- Shirt! ***
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Author Bio:
Sarina Bowen writes steamy, angsty Contemporary Romance and New Adult fiction from the wilds of Vermont.
The Year We Fell Down, Book #1 in The Ivy Years series, began breaking hearts in March 2014. Book #2, The Year We Hid Away, is brand new.
For Harlequin-E, Sarina writes the Gravity series. Coming in From the Cold features an angsty downhill ski racer and one of the most unique plot conflicts in contemporary romance today.
Sarina enjoys skiing, coffee products and a nice glass of wine. She lives with her family, eight chickens and more ski gear and hockey equipment than seems necessary.
Abbi Glines is a #1 New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of the Rosemary Beach, Sea Breeze, Vincent Boys, Field Party and Existence series. She never cooks unless baking during the Christmas holiday counts. She believes in ghosts and has a habit of asking people if their house is haunted before she goes in it. She drinks afternoon tea because she wants to be British but alas she was born in Alabama. When asked how many books she has written she has to stop and count on her fingers. When she’s not locked away writing, she is reading, shopping (major shoe and purse addiction), sneaking off to the movies alone, and listening to the drama in her teenagers lives while making mental notes on the good stuff to use later. Don’t judge.
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About KRISTEN ASHLEY:
K.A. Tucker writes captivating stories with an edge and is the bestselling author of Ten Tiny Breaths and Burying Water series and the novel He Will Be My Ruin. She lives in a quaint town outside of Toronto with her husband, two beautiful girls, and a Chug.
CD Reiss is a 
Saucy Southern Readers 