We are excited to share the release of A HIGHLANDER WALKS INTO A BAR, the first book in a new duet by author Laura Trentham! Check it out and be sure to grab your copy today!
The timeless romance, soaring passion—and gorgeous men—of Scotland comes to modern-day America. And the rules of love will never be the same…
Isabel Buchanan is fiery, funny, and never at a loss for words. But she is struck speechless when her mother returns from a trip to Scotland with a six-foot-tall, very handsome souvenir. Izzy’s mother is so infatuated by the fellow that Izzy has to plan their annual Highland Games all by herself. Well, not completely by herself. The Highlander’s strapping young nephew has come looking for his uncle…
Alasdair Blackmoor has never seen a place as friendly as this small Georgia town—or a girl as brilliant and beguiling as Izzy. Instead of saving his uncle, who seems to be having a lovely time, Alasdair decides he’d rather help Izzy with the Highland Games. Show her how to dance like a Highlander. Drink like a Highlander. And maybe, just maybe, fall in love with a Highlander. But when the games are over, where do they go from here?
I went into A HIGHLANDER WALKS INTO A BAR with only a few things in mind…it’s by Laura Trentham, an author that I’ve read and enjoyed before, it’s a small town romance, of which I’m a fan, and, it’s set in the South, a win for me (note the blog name… 😘 ). I could not be happier with this book, which left me smiling from start to finish and laughing out loud on more than one occasion.
As hard as she tries not to be, Isabel is wide open, a creative soul intent on hiding her light under a bushel. It takes a very sexy Scot on a mission to retrieve his erstwhile uncle to open her eyes and give her the push she needs to embrace the things that really make her heart sing. Turnabout is only fair, because spending time with Isabel in the very special town of Highland, GA, opens Alasdair’s eyes to the really important things in life. The romance is sweet and sexy, a little bit steamy, but just the right amount for Izzy and Alasdair, and there is plenty of humor, which makes for a nice balance and a really entertaining and heartwarming read.
Quirky supporting characters, including Isabel’s mother and Alasdair’s uncle, make the road to their enlightenment all the more delightful, and help create a very special place that I’m looking forward to visiting again. Which is great, because there is more Highland to come, and I can’t wait. 💖
Author Bio:
Laura Trentham is an award-winning author of contemporary and historical romance, including Then He Kissed Me and The Military Wife. She is a member of RWA, and has been a finalist multiple times in the Golden Heart competition. A chemical engineer by training and a lover of books by nature, she lives in South Carolina.
The Kiss Me Series, an all-new hilarious series of standalones from New York Times bestselling author Emma Hart is coming August 27th and we have the fresh and fun covers!
Kiss Me Not
Releasing August 27th
Let me make this clear right here, right now: I, Halley Dawson, do not care that Preston Wright is kissing other women.
Not a lick. Not at all. Nuh-uh-freakin’-uh.
I do care that he’s doing it six feet away from me behind a gaudy velvet curtain—making him my competition in this year’s kissing contest.
Why do I care, you ask? Because I’ve had an unfortunate crush on the insufferable idiot since I was sixteen years old, but I also know it’s never going to happen.
He’s the Creek Falls bachelor to die for, and I’m the Creek Falls racoon lady who puts peanut butter sandwiches out for them every night.
I’m not going to let him break my four-year-long reign—no matter how many times he breaks the rules and slides the curtain across to do the one thing he’s not allowed to:
What do a wrong number text, a burning building, and a quirky florist have in common?
A hunky firefighter with an extra-large…hosepipe.
In hindsight, I never should have opened that text message. The last thing I needed first thing on a Monday was a picture of some stranger’s, um, eggplant, in my inbox.
I also should have replaced the batteries in my fire alarm, because my Friday night did not need to end with my apartment building going up in flames.
But it’s fine. It’s fine. Everything is fine.
I’m only lying in a hospital bed with more split ends than I’ve ever had, almost all my Earthly possessions have turned to ash, and apparently, they don’t serve wine to patients in this place.
But like I said, it’s fine.
Until he walks in.
The guy who saved my life. My hero. Noah Jacobs.
And the universe is amusing itself at my expense, because the dirty photo I woke up to on Monday?
Lies, a steamy, fast paced standalone filled with the perfect blend of heat and humor from New York Times bestselling author Kylie Scott, is available now!
Betty Dawsey knows that breaking things off with Thom Lange is for the best. He’s nice, but boring, and their relationship has lost its spark. But steady and predictable Thom, suddenly doesn’t seem so steady and predictable when their condo explodes and she’s kidnapped by a couple of crazies claiming that Thom isn’t who he says he is.
Thom is having a hellish week. Not only is he hunting a double agent, but his fiancé dumped him, and thanks to his undercover life, she’s been kidnapped.
Turns out Thom is Operative Thom and he’s got more than a few secrets to share with Betty if he’s going to keep her alive. With both their lives on the line, their lackluster connection is suddenly replaced by an intense one. But in his line of work, feelings aren’t wanted or desired. Because feelings can be a lethal distraction.
“No, I’m not,” I say. “That’s sort of the whole point. If I really thought leaving him would break his heart, then I probably wouldn’t be leaving him in the first place.”
My best friend, Jen, does not look convinced.
Boxes fill a good half of the room. What a mess. Who knew you could accumulate so much junk in only twelve months? At least we weren’t together so long that I can’t remember who owns what. One year is about the sweet spot for this issue in relationships, apparently.
“The fact of the matter is, we’re not in love. We have no business being engaged, let alone getting married.” I sigh. “Have you seen the packing tape?”
“No. He’s just such a nice guy.”
“I’m not debating that.” I climb to my feet, then head up the stairs to the second bedroom. Thom’s unofficial workout room/home office. Not a room I normally go into. But it only takes a bit of rummaging to find what I’m looking for. Whatever else might be said about them, insurance assessors are organized. The bottom drawer of Thom’s desk has a neat stash of stationery. I grab a couple rolls of thick tape.
“And leaving him this way…” Jen continues as I head back down.
“How many times have I told him we need to talk? He’s always putting it off, saying it’s not a good time. And now he’s away again. I’ve been messaging him for the last week and he barely replies.”
“You know he has to drop everything once a job comes up. I realize he’s not the most exciting guy, Betty, but—”
“I know.” I smack down a line of tape with extra zest, sealing the lid of the last box. In this Operation Abandon Ship Posthaste, I know I’m definitely slightly the bad guy. But not totally. Say sixty/forty. Or maybe seventy/thirty. It’s hard to tell to what degree. “I do know all of that. But he’s always busy with work or away on some business trip. What am I supposed to do?”
A sigh from Jen.
“When you realize you’ve made such a monumental mistake, it’s hard to sit and wait to fix things. Nor is it fair on either of us to keep up the pretense.”
“Guess so.”
“And the fact that he’s yet again made no effort to prioritize our relationship and make a little time for me in his busy schedule is just further proof that I’ve made the right choice in ending this now before it gets any more complicated. End of rant.”
Nothing from her.
“Anyway, you’re supposed to be on my side. Stop questioning me.”
“You wanted to get married and have children so badly.”
“Yeah.” I sit back on my heels. “I blame it all on playing with Ken and Barbie’s dreamhouse when I was little. But it turns out that being in a relationship with the wrong person can be even lonelier than being alone.”
Jen and I have been friends since sharing a room in college. We’ve witnessed the bulk of each other’s dating ups and downs. For some reason, I’m the type of girl who guys will go out with, but don’t tend to stick with. Apparently, I’m fuckable—just not girlfriend material. Maybe it’s my smart mouth. Maybe it’s the whole not fitting current societal expectations of beauty i.e. I’m fat. Maybe I was born under an unlucky star. I don’t know; it’s their loss. Like anyone, I have my faults, but all in all, I’m awesome. And I have a lot to give. Too often in the past few months, I’ve had to keep reminding myself of this fact.
“There are just so many jerks out there,” Jen says. “I was happy that you’d found a good one.”
“I think I’d prefer a jerk who was genuinely into me than a nice guy phoning it in.
Honestly, I’d rather go adopt a dozen cats and settle into old age and isolation than be with someone who treats me as if I’m an afterthought.”
She looks at me for a long moment, then nods slowly. “I’m sorry it didn’t work out.”
“Me too.”
“Time to start filling up the cars. Boy, do you owe me.”
I smile. “That I do.”
Jen stands and stretches before picking up one of the boxes labeled kitchen. “I just didn’t want you to do something you’d regret, you know?”
“I know. Thank you.”
Alone in the two-bedroom condo, everything is silent. My parting letter sits waiting on the coffee table with his name written on the front. A slight bulge in the envelope betrays the shape of my engagement ring. It’s a sweet, simple ring. One small diamond perched on a band of yellow gold. My hand feels wrong without it. Naked. They say there are different love languages and you have to take the time to learn your partner’s needs. It’s like he and I never quite got there. Or maybe I’m just crappy at relationships.
The bridal magazines I’d collected are in the trash. Perhaps I should have taken them into the florist shop where I work so someone could get some use out of them. But this feels more symbolic, more definite. My family are a couple of states away, and I have only a few of what I’d classify as good friends. Being an introvert makes it hard to meet people. A boyfriend, a husband, would mean I’m no longer alone. Someone cares about me and puts me first. At least part of the time. Only Thom doesn’t any of the time, so here we are.
I tighten my ponytail of long dark hair. Then, in a rare display of dexterity that my yoga instructor would be proud of, I stack three boxes in my arms and head outside into the hot afternoon sun. Jen’s Honda Civic is parked at the curb, the trunk standing open as she moves things about inside. My old Subaru sits in the driveway waiting to be filled. Birds are singing and insects chirping. It’s your typical mild autumn day in California.
That’s when the condo blows up behind me.
_____________________________________
Michel’s Review
John Wick can move over because Thom Lange is on the scene and taking names. Kylie Scott has taken John Wick, Jason Bourne, and Harry Tasker (True Lies) and tossed them in a blender with her magic sprinkles of sexy male cluelessness , a heaping dose of snarky plus size diva, and loads comical, sarcastic dialogue to create the perfect spy romance. Lies by Kylie Scott is a comical adventure in romantic espionage.
Betty Dawson is more than a big girl with rainbows, unicorns, and guns who does more than save the day. She is handing Thom Lange an explosive dose of his own medicine. The man deliberately gave her bad sex. She may strangle him in his sleep but not until she gets to experience the super sexy spy sexiness. He may look like her boring normal fiancee that rocks a pair of abs (she never knew he had) and he may be super confident, but is he any good at real orgasm inducing sex?She’s determined to get some personal intel and experience before she kills him or they both die. Who would of thought robotic Thom Lange could give an organsm while killing the bad guys.
It’ll take more than an apology and good orgasm. Thom loves Betty with all of his heart and now he has to prove it. First he has to keep her alive.
Kylie Scott is a pure genius! When she picks up a pen she lets her imagination and great sense of humor take over, the results are magnificent. She gives her readers a FUN reading experience while giving them goosebumps with her sexy romantic stories. Lies is more than a rom-com suspense romance, it’s a true adventure in the world of Kylie Scott’s imagination.
I highly recommend reading this book. It will not disappoint!
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About Kylie Scott
Kylie is a New York Times and USA Today best-selling author. She was voted Australian Romance Writer of the year, 2013, 2014 & 2018, by the Australian Romance Writer’s Association and her books have been translated into eleven different languages. She is a long time fan of romance, rock music, and B-grade horror films. Based in Queensland, Australia with her two children and husband, she reads, writes and never dithers around on the internet.
“I LOVED both Cosy and Griffin! This story was ABSOLUTE PERFECTION!”- Kendall Ryan, New York Times bestselling author
Making Up an all-new laugh-out-loud romantic comedy from New YorkTimes bestselling author Helena Hunting is available now!
Cosy Felton is great at her job—she knows just how to handle the awkwardness that comes with working at an adult toy store. So when the hottest guy she’s ever seen walks into the shop looking completely overwhelmed, she’s more than happy to turn on the charm and help him purchase all of the items on his list.
Griffin Mills is using his business trip in Las Vegas as a chance to escape the broken pieces of his life in New York City. The last thing he wants is to be put in charge of buying gag gifts for his friend’s bachelor party. Despite being totally out of his element, and mortified by the whole experience, Griffin is pleasantly surprised when he finds himself attracted to the sales girl that helped him.
As skeptical as Cosy may be of Griffin’s motivations, there’s something about him that intrigues her. But sometimes what happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay in Vegas and when real life gets in the way, all bets are off. Filled with hilariously awkward situations and enough sexual chemistry to power Sin City, Making Up is the next standalone in the Shacking Up world.
We’re a couple of minutes away from my apartment, which also means we’re almost at the end of our date. End-of-date protocol often means a goodnight kiss.
And I’ve eaten onions. Lots of them. What the hell was I thinking? I feel around in my shorts pocket, hoping I have a random stick of gum. I find a tiny square packet and pull it out, along with an old tissue. I shove that back in my pocket and sigh with relief as I carefully open the Listerine Pocketpak. There’s one strip left. I pop it in my mouth, wishing I had water since my mouth is dry and I’m suddenly super nervous.
Griffin pulls up in front of my apartment building. I swallow a bunch of times, trying to get the strip to dissolve on my tongue and glance out the tinted window, seeing it from his perspective. I don’t live in a bad part of town, but I sure as hell wouldn’t leave this car sitting out here for any length of time unless I wanted it keyed or stripped down.
Griffin shifts into park and turns to me, one hand resting on the back of my seat near the headrest. “I had a great time, Cosy.”
“Me too, thanks for dinner.” I tried to fork over my share, but he was quick on the credit card draw.
“It was my pleasure.” He leans in the tiniest bit, a nonverbal cue that he’s going in for a kiss.
I mirror the movement, giving him the go ahead. My stomach flutters in anticipation. I exhale slowly through my nose. Even though the Listerine strip should be doing its job to mask the onions, I don’t want to ruin the moment by breathing that in his face.
His fingertips skim my jaw, and I close my eyes. And then his lips brush my cheek. I wait for them to move a couple of inches to the right, but after what feels like a lot of seconds—and is probably only a few—I crack a lid.
Griffin is still close, a wry smile on his lips and a smolder in his eyes.
“Seriously, that’s it? A kiss on the cheek?”
His smile widens, making his eyes crinkle at the corners. He’s nothing like the guys I usually end up on dates with. College boys don’t take things slow. If I were out with one of the guys from school, I’d be sitting in a beat-up Civic with some stupid music playing, and he’d be all over me with his tongue halfway down my throat, copping a feel.
“I thought all the onions you ate were the equivalent to garlic for vampires.” Griffin fingers my hair near my shoulder. I’d really like him to finger something else. Wait. I mean I’d like to feel his hands on me. Not in my pants. Okay, maybe I’d like them in my pants, but not after date number one.
“I wasn’t thinking, and I really like onions. A lot. In hindsight, it’s not a great date food. I feel kinda dumb. And I guess at first I wasn’t so sure about you. How was I supposed to know you’d actually be kind of normalish?”
“Normalish?”
“Well, you drink club soda on purpose, so you can’t be all there.” I tap his temple.
Griffin circles my wrist with his fingers and drops his head, lips brushing over my knuckle. “We can’t all be perfect, now, can we?”
“I suppose not, and perfect is boring.”
“That it is.” He hums against my skin, and I feel it through my entire body. “I would like to try that kiss again, if you’re still interested.”
About Helena
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of PUCKED, Helena Hunting lives on the outskirts of Toronto with her incredibly tolerant family and two moderately intolerant cats. She’s writes contemporary romance ranging from new adult angst to romantic sports comedy.
ALL-NEW KU RELEASE FROM #1 NYT BESTSELLING AUTHOR LAUREN BLAKELY!!
DATING MR. RIGHT: A COLLECTION IS LIVE ON AMAZON & FREE IN KINDLE UNLIMITED!!
FOUR ROM-COMS FOR THE PRICE OF ONE!
Ready for a collection of all-new Lauren Blakely novellas, available in ebook and paperback for the first time? Be sure to grab DATING MR. RIGHT at the special release price of only $2.99 or snag it for FREE IN KINDLE UNLIMITED!! The price goes up this week! Indulge now in this fun, flirty, sexy summer collection!
Plus, you get a short story too in this brand new collection!
DATING MR. RIGHT: Four Standalone Romantic Comedies includes all-new sexy scenes exclusive to the ebook and paperback editions of these books! (Previously, the novellas in this collection were only available in audio). Indulge in Dating Mr. Right on your eReader and in paperback at last!
Blurb: Indulge in four delicious tales of true love! In Dating Mr. Right, you’ll devour an online dating meets secret identity romance, a friends-to-lovers plus best friend’s brother scorcher, a story of a pair of jaded lovers bitten by the insta-love bug, and an office romance with an age difference.
Lucky Suit…
I’m breaking up with set-ups. No more “can I introduce you to my son, nephew, grandson, the butcher, the guy down the street who mows my lawn.” Machines know what’s best, and I’ll rely on the great dating algorithms of the web to find the ideal man, thank you very much.
Soon enough, it looks like I’ve found him — his nickname is Lucky Suit, and he’s hilarious, quick-witted and full of heart. But when I finally get together with him in person, I have the distinct feeling I’ve met him before.
Turns out there’s more to our meeting than I had thought, and when we discover what truly brought us together, all bets are off.
Once Upon A Red-Hot Kiss…
A man needs to stay far away from falling into bed with his best friend.
Even if she’s sexy as sin, sweet as candy, and damn near irresistible every single day.
But not only are Macy and I best friends, we’re also complete opposites. She’s perky, upbeat, outgoing and I’m . . . how shall we say . . . a little bit broody.
Then, she reveals something to me that just might lead me to revise all my rules on friends in bed…
Too Good To Be True…
To say I’m wary of love would be an epic understatement. Keep that four-letter word far away from me.
But then a matchmaker friend insists she can pair me with the perfect man for me.
Even when sparks fly and chemistry crackles from the first date, I refuse to believe this kind of insta-connection can be the real thing.
Even though for the first time it feels like it could be.
Or is it just too good to be true?
Strong Suit (a short story)…
From the day I meet Ginny in the conference room, I’m smitten with the co-worker who’s ten years my senior. And I’m going to pull out all the stops to win her over.
About the Author: A #1 New York Times Bestselling, #1 Wall Street Journal Bestselling, and #1 Audible Bestselling author, Lauren Blakely is known for her contemporary romance style that’s sweet, sexy and witty. Her heroines are strong and smart and her heroes have hearts of gold and fantastic funny bones. With fourteen New York Times bestsellers, her titles have appeared on the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestseller Lists more than 100 times, and she’s sold more than 3 million books.
In June she released SATISFACTION GUARANTEED and in September she’ll release INSTANT GRATIFICATION.
“I LOVED both Cosy and Griffin! This story was ABSOLUTE PERFECTION!”- Kendall Ryan, New York Times bestselling author
Making Up an all-new laugh-out-loud romantic comedy from New YorkTimes bestselling author Helena Hunting is available now!
Cosy Felton is great at her job—she knows just how to handle the awkwardness that comes with working at an adult toy store. So when the hottest guy she’s ever seen walks into the shop looking completely overwhelmed, she’s more than happy to turn on the charm and help him purchase all of the items on his list.
Griffin Mills is using his business trip in Las Vegas as a chance to escape the broken pieces of his life in New York City. The last thing he wants is to be put in charge of buying gag gifts for his friend’s bachelor party. Despite being totally out of his element, and mortified by the whole experience, Griffin is pleasantly surprised when he finds himself attracted to the sales girl that helped him.
As skeptical as Cosy may be of Griffin’s motivations, there’s something about him that intrigues her. But sometimes what happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay in Vegas and when real life gets in the way, all bets are off. Filled with hilariously awkward situations and enough sexual chemistry to power Sin City, Making Up is the next standalone in the Shacking Up world.
Helena Hunting and The Mills Brothers are back spreading their irresistible, sexy, alpha charm Vegas style. Griffin Mills is giving his younger brothers a run for their money claiming the sexiest brother title. Rather than an exotic destination wedding/honeymoon or a grand New Yorker romance on Broadway, Griffin is making his mark in Vegas at the Sex Toy Warehouse.
Griffin’s on the rebound from his broken engagement to a New York socialite. Rather than sticking around New York City, he chose to bury himself in a new project in Las Vegas. He is hoping to acquire a new hotel for the Mills Hotel line. While in Vegas, he’s burning the candle at both ends. Work by day and a social life after hours which includes drunken hook-ups, and wild bachelor parties.When he pulled the shortest straw for providing the goodie bags for the party, he finds himself at the Sex Toy Warehouse. When meets Cosy Felton, the sexy sales consultant, he’s thoroughly charmed by her vibrant personality and carefree attitude. It doesn’t matter that he is much older than her nor does it matter what her social status is. She makes him feel alive. She makes him want to stop and smell the roses. She makes him want to be a better man. He knows there’s an expiration date on their affair and he is going to make the most of it. Who knew he would really fall in love and face the biggest heartbreak of his life? The Mills men don’t stay down for long. They go after what they want and seal the deal. It may take bribing a crazy older sister, shaming a pregnant ex-fiance, and beating his least favorite cousin to a pulp, he’s the man for the job.
He’s ready for some serious Making Up with Cosy Felton.
I loved this rom-com by Helena Hunting. I fell hopelessly in love with Griffin Mills just like I did with his two other brothers. Helena Hunting is the queen of romantic comedy and making readers smile. I can’t wait to see what’s next in the Shacking Up series. Rumor has it the favorite cousin, Lincoln Moorehead, is up next in Handle With Care.
Tracey’s Review
Okay, romance lovers, can you keep a secret? Although I have happily promoted Helena Hunting and her books for a very long time, MAKING UP is actually the first book of hers that I have read. Yes, it’s true… *ducks and runs* Why, I don’t know, because now I am now kicking myself and wondering what in the actual heck I was thinking.
As this was my first time in Helena World (see above), I wondered whether the book would work for me. Let me offer a resounding ‘YES!’ This book can totally be read as a standalone, and, while characters from other books do make an appearance, there’s plenty of back story offered here for it to make sense. And, you know, whet our appetites to get the heck caught up with the rest of the Shacking Up world.
MAKING UP is just the kind of book that I want to find on my book pile again and again and again. What a delightful read this book was! I fell in insta-love with both Cosy and Griffin, and absolutely inhaled their story. Awkward, sexy, funny, these two are a match made in heaven, and seeing them get from start to finish could not have been more fun. Any book that can leave me with a smile on my face and a love for characters that will have me reading the author’s other books is a win for me. 4.5 stars and a must-read recommendation for MAKING UP. Get it. Read it. Love it.
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About Helena
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of PUCKED, Helena Hunting lives on the outskirts of Toronto with her incredibly tolerant family and two moderately intolerant cats. She’s writes contemporary romance ranging from new adult angst to romantic sports comedy.
A new standalone, laugh-out-loud romantic comedy by New York Times bestselling author Helena Hunting.
Cosy Felton is great at her job—she knows just how to handle the awkwardness that comes with working at an adult toy store. So when the hottest guy she’s ever seen walks into the shop looking completely overwhelmed, she’s more than happy to turn on the charm and help him purchase all of the items on his list.
Griffin Mills is using his business trip in Las Vegas as a chance to escape the broken pieces of his life in New York City. The last thing he wants is to be put in charge of buying gag gifts for his friend’s bachelor party. Despite being totally out of his element, and mortified by the whole experience, Griffin is pleasantly surprised when he finds himself attracted to the sales girl that helped him.
As skeptical as Cosy may be of Griffin’s motivations, there’s something about him that intrigues her. But sometimes what happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay in Vegas and when real life gets in the way, all bets are off. Filled with hilariously awkward situations and enough sexual chemistry to power Sin City, Making Up is the next standalone in the Shacking Up world.
We’re a couple of minutes away from my apartment, which also means we’re almost at the end of our date. End-of-date protocol often means a goodnight kiss.
And I’ve eaten onions. Lots of them. What the hell was I thinking? I feel around in my shorts pocket, hoping I have a random stick of gum. I find a tiny square packet and pull it out, along with an old tissue. I shove that back in my pocket and sigh with relief as I carefully open the Listerine Pocketpak. There’s one strip left. I pop it in my mouth, wishing I had water since my mouth is dry and I’m suddenly super nervous.
Griffin pulls up in front of my apartment building. I swallow a bunch of times, trying to get the strip to dissolve on my tongue and glance out the tinted window, seeing it from his perspective. I don’t live in a bad part of town, but I sure as hell wouldn’t leave this car sitting out here for any length of time unless I wanted it keyed or stripped down.
Griffin shifts into park and turns to me, one hand resting on the back of my seat near the headrest. “I had a great time, Cosy.”
“Me too, thanks for dinner.” I tried to fork over my share, but he was quick on the credit card draw.
“It was my pleasure.” He leans in the tiniest bit, a nonverbal cue that he’s going in for a kiss.
I mirror the movement, giving him the go ahead. My stomach flutters in anticipation. I exhale slowly through my nose. Even though the Listerine strip should be doing its job to mask the onions, I don’t want to ruin the moment by breathing that in his face.
His fingertips skim my jaw, and I close my eyes. And then his lips brush my cheek. I wait for them to move a couple of inches to the right, but after what feels like a lot of seconds—and is probably only a few—I crack a lid.
Griffin is still close, a wry smile on his lips and a smolder in his eyes.
“Seriously, that’s it? A kiss on the cheek?”
His smile widens, making his eyes crinkle at the corners. He’s nothing like the guys I usually end up on dates with. College boys don’t take things slow. If I were out with one of the guys from school, I’d be sitting in a beat-up Civic with some stupid music playing, and he’d be all over me with his tongue halfway down my throat, copping a feel.
“I thought all the onions you ate were the equivalent to garlic for vampires.” Griffin fingers my hair near my shoulder. I’d really like him to finger something else. Wait. I mean I’d like to feel his hands on me. Not in my pants. Okay, maybe I’d like them in my pants, but not after date number one.
“I wasn’t thinking, and I really like onions. A lot. In hindsight, it’s not a great date food. I feel kinda dumb. And I guess at first I wasn’t so sure about you. How was I supposed to know you’d actually be kind of normalish?”
“Normalish?”
“Well, you drink club soda on purpose, so you can’t be all there.” I tap his temple.
Griffin circles my wrist with his fingers and drops his head, lips brushing over my knuckle. “We can’t all be perfect, now, can we?”
“I suppose not, and perfect is boring.”
“That it is.” He hums against my skin, and I feel it through my entire body. “I would like to try that kiss again, if you’re still interested.”
NYT and USA Today Bestselling author, Helena Hunting lives outside of Toronto with her amazing family and her two awesome cats, who think the best place to sleep is her keyboard. Helena writes everything from contemporary romance with all the feels to romantic comedies that will have you laughing until you cry.
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!
Prefer texts? Text the word BOOKS to 77948 to receive an alert when We Shouldn’t goes live. (You will only release new release alerts!)
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.
Ready for a collection of three all-new Lauren Blakely novellas, available in ebook for the first time? Be sure to grab DATING MR. RIGHT! Plus, you get a short story too in this brand new collection! DATING MR. RIGHT: Four Standalone Romantic Comedies includes all-new sexy scenes exclusive to the ebook edition of these books! (Previously, the novellas in this collection were only available in audio). Indulge in Dating Mr. Right on your eReader and in paperback at last!
DATING MR. RIGHT: A COLLECTION by Lauren Blakley Wide Release: July 8th Kindle Unlimited: July 17th
Blurb: Indulge in four delicious tales of true love! In Dating Mr. Right, you’ll devour an online dating meets secret identity romance, a friends-to-lovers plus best friend’s brother scorcher, a story of a pair of jaded lovers bitten by the insta-love bug, and an office romance with an age difference.
Lucky Suit…
I’m breaking up with set-ups. No more “can I introduce you to my son, nephew, grandson, the butcher, the guy down the street who mows my lawn.” Machines know what’s best, and I’ll rely on the great dating algorithms of the web to find the ideal man, thank you very much.
Soon enough, it looks like I’ve found him — his nickname is Lucky Suit, and he’s hilarious, quick-witted and full of heart. But when I finally get together with him in person, I have the distinct feeling I’ve met him before.
Turns out there’s more to our meeting than I had thought, and when we discover what truly brought us together, all bets are off.
Once Upon A Red-Hot Kiss…
A man needs to stay far away from falling into bed with his best friend.
Even if she’s sexy as sin, sweet as candy, and damn near irresistible every single day.
But not only are Macy and I best friends, we’re also complete opposites. She’s perky, upbeat, outgoing and I’m . . . how shall we say . . . a little bit broody.
Then, she reveals something to me that just might lead me to revise all my rules on friends in bed…
Too Good To Be True…
To say I’m wary of love would be an epic understatement. Keep that four-letter word far away from me.
But then a matchmaker friend insists she can pair me with the perfect man for me.
Even when sparks fly and chemistry crackles from the first date, I refuse to believe this kind of insta-connection can be the real thing.
Even though for the first time it feels like it could be.
Or is it just too good to be true?
Strong Suit (a short story)…
From the day I meet Ginny in the conference room, I’m smitten with the co-worker who’s ten years my senior. And I’m going to pull out all the stops to win her over.
About the Author: A #1 New York Times Bestselling, #1 Wall Street Journal Bestselling, and #1 Audible Bestselling author, Lauren Blakely is known for her contemporary romance style that’ssweet, sexy and witty. Her heroines are strong and smart and her heroes have hearts of gold and fantastic funny bones. With fourteen New York Times bestsellers, her titles have appeared on the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestseller Lists more than 100 times, and she’s sold more than 3 million books.
In June she released SATISFACTION GUARANTEED and in September she’ll release INSTANT GRATIFICATION.
We are only one week away from the release of DATING ROULETTE by D. Kelly. Check out a brand new excerpt below and be sure to pre-order your copy of this standalone romance today!
About DATING ROULETTE
Bexley
Seven Dates.
Seven chances to win my heart.
It’s not hard –
Don’t put ketchup on your eggs.
Don’t wear tasseled loafers.
For the love of all that’s Holy, don’t ogle the waitress.
See? Simple…
Yet no one can get it right.
Tristan
Dating Roulette.
It’s Bexley’s game.
Correction – it’s her life.
A constant rotation of dates.
You might get one; you might get seven.
No one has ever gotten to eight.
There’s only one rule –
Don’t commit a dating sin.
I’ve watched for years and bided my time.
Now, it’s my turn to play.
She pulls her feet away, tucking them beneath her, and props an arm on the back of the couch. After brushing a wayward curl from my forehead, she meets my eyes again. “What is going on in your head tonight? Talk to me, Tris.”
“I’m trying.”
“Start with telling me why you made me promise not to date without talking to you first.”
Reaching forward, I caress her cheek, and she leans into my touch. “Date me next.”
I use the tone she calls the commanding one, and her eyes dilate. Fuck . . . it really does turn her on. How did I never notice that?
“Tristan, that’s a really bad idea.”
“Why?”
“Why? For starters, you’re my best friend.”
“Exactly.” My fingers weave through her hair, and she moves closer to me. “If it doesn’t work, we’ll be fine, I promise. I won’t let this get in the way of our friendship.”
“You say that now but—”
I bring my finger to her lips to silence her. “No buts; we’ve been through so much already. We can handle seven dates.”
“You’re assuming you’ll make it to the seventh date.” As I smile, she gasps. “That’s why you made me promise.”
I’m about to lay all my cards on the table. “Yes. Bexley, I want my chance to win your heart.”
Her eyes close for a long moment, but my hand is still at the base of her neck, my fingers entwined in her curls. “I’m scared, Tris. What if you do something that’s a deal breaker?”
“That’s always a possibility, but if I do it in the first six dates, you have to let it go. If I do it on the seventh, well, that’s a risk I’m willing to take, I suppose. Either way, nothing is going to come between us. Nothing.”
The air snaps between us. This has become a defining moment in our relationship, but it’s one I think, deep down, we both knew was inevitable.
“Would tonight count as our first date?” She still hasn’t opened her eyes.
“That depends. Do you kiss on your first dates?”
Her eyes finally snap open, and I’m met with a lust-filled gaze. Damn, I’ve never seen this look on her, but now I don’t ever want to see her without it. “Sometimes, I do.”
“Well, if you want a kiss good night, then we can count this as our first date. Otherwise, tomorrow can be our first date.”
The rise and fall of her chest becomes noticeable as her breathing increases. She squirms, and I realize she’s turned on. Part of me wants her to say no, this isn’t our first date, because I’d love for it to be special to her. But another part of me wants to take her mouth with mine and kiss her until morning.
“Are you a good kisser?” she whispers, inching even closer to me. Bexley watches intently as I lick my lips ever so slightly, moistening what I want to give her.
“I’ve never had any complaints, but there’s always a first time for everything.” I cup the back of her neck and pull her closer to me—so close, she’s only a whisper from my lips. “It’s your call. What do you want to do?”
She moves forward and presses her lips tentatively against mine. In the course of every relationship, there is a make-or-break moment, and this one is ours—I feel it to my core as her apricot
scent envelops me. I’m a lost cause.
“First date it is,” I whisper against them before wrapping my free arm around her waist and pulling her even closer.
Kelly, author of The Acceptance Series, The Illusion Series, and standalone companion novels Chasing Cassidy and Sharing Rylee, was born and raised in Southern California. She’s a wife, mom, dog lover, taxi, problem fixer, and extreme multi-tasker. She married her high school sweetheart and is her kids’ biggest fan.
Kelly has been writing since she was young and took joy in spinning stories to her childhood friends. Margaritas and sarcasm make her smile, she loves the beach but hates the sand, and she believes Starbucks makes any day better.
A contemporary romance writer, D. Kelly’s stories revolve around friendship and the bond it creates, strengthening the love of the people who share it.
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New York Times
About D. KELLY
Saucy Southern Readers 