Saucy Southern Readers

Instagram: http://bit.ly/2kwKsYK

New Release + Release Blitz: Weight Expectations by M.E. Carter

Posted on 10/17/2019 by cafemamanc7

“Hilarious, engaging and relatable, I started laughing out loud from the first page” — Kristin Vayden, bestselling author

Weight Expectations, the first in the romantic comedy Cipher Office series of standalones, from M.E. Carter is available now!

Rian Thompson thought she joined the gym to get healthy. Little did she know she was about to add hundred and ninety pounds of swoonworthy abdominal muscles and arrogance to her life.

Every day in Rians’s life follows a predictable pattern, and she wouldn’t have it any other way. She’s got a nice job, a nice place to live, and a nice family—even if they are a little wedding-zilla-ish at the moment.

She doesn’t need anything spectacular to be happy. She just needs to get healthy—mentally, physically. . . and maybe spiritually if that happens. But she’ll settle for two out of three until her sister finally gets hitched.

Carlos Davies thought his life was perfect. Little did he know it was about to be turned upside down by a woman who is not his type.

In Carlos’s mind, his life is damn near perfect. He’s got a great job, a great place to live, and a great stash of pick up lines that always work. It has occurred to him that maybe no one actually takes him all that seriously. But with these bulging biceps and thick, dark hair, does that even matter since he’s never sleeping alone?

Welcome to Weight Expectations, where great—and unexpected—things happen.

‘Weight Expectations’ is a full-length contemporary romantic comedy, can be read as a standalone, and is book#1 in the Cipher Office series, Knitting in the City World, Penny Reid Book Universe.

Download your copy today or read FREE in Kindle Unlimited!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/35PykoO

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/WeightExpectations

Amazon Print: https://amzn.to/2MkOIWl

Add to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2k6uftk

About M.E. Carter

My name is ME Carter and I have no idea how I ended writing books. I’m more of a story teller (the more exaggerated the better) and I happen to know people who helped me get those stories on paper. I love reading (read almost 200 books last year), hate working out (but I do it anyway because my trainer makes me), love food (but hate what it does to my butt) and love traveling to non-touristy places most people never see. I live in Houston with my four kids, Mary, Elizabeth, Carter and Bug, who was just a twinkle in my eye when I came up with my pen name. Yeah, I’ll probably have to pay for his therapy someday for being left out.

Connect with M.E. Carter

Facebook: http://bit.ly/2ly7Fu3

Twitter: http://bit.ly/2lzBqdQ

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2k4SZCf

Instagram: http://bit.ly/2k1O4Sx

Website: https://www.authormecarter.com/

Connect with Smartypants Romance

Facebook: http://bit.ly/2kvDnb4

Instagram: http://bit.ly/2kwKsYK

New Release + Release Blitz: Code of Conduct by April White

Posted on 10/17/2019 by cafemamanc7

“Sharp writing, layered characters, and wonderful tension flow through this book, along with a super-swoon-worthy hero and a kick ass heroine I just love.” — Elizabeth Hunter, USA Today bestselling author

Code of Conduct, the first in the romantic suspense Cipher Security series of standalones, from April White is available now!

There are three things you need to know about Shane P.I.

1) P.I. is not her last name, it’s her job title,

2) Her specialty is catching cheaters, and

3) She’s a superhuman – kind of.

Gabriel is a security expert for Cipher Security, and a former UN Peacekeeper with a fierce protective streak that finds its focus on the beautiful P.I.

Their attraction is like an elephant in a room full of breakable things, and figuring out how to trust each other with their hearts, and maybe their lives, is the most fragile thing of all.

‘Code of Conduct’ is a full-length romantic suspense novel, can be read as a standalone, and is book#1 in the Cipher Security series, Knitting in the City World, Penny Reid Universe.

Download your copy today!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/35ETqGj

Apple Books: https://apple.co/2m20xpX

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/CodeofConduct

Nook: http://bit.ly/2jXkVHY

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2jXkQUG

Google Play: http://bit.ly/2m0Tjm3

Amazon Print: https://amzn.to/32nctmv

Add to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2lZklKt

About April White

April White has been a film producer, private investigator, bouncer, teacher and screenwriter. She has climbed in the Himalayas, survived a shipwreck, and lived on a gold mine in the Yukon. She and her husband share their home in Southern California with two extraordinary boys and a lifetime collection of books.

Her first novel, Marking Time is the 2016 winner of the Library Journal Indie E-Book Award for YA Literature, and all five books in the Immortal Descendants series are on the Amazon Top 100 lists in Time Travel Romance and Historical Fantasy.

Connect with April

Facebook: http://bit.ly/2lyxY3g

Twitter: http://bit.ly/2ly75wn

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2k4SdVR

Instagram: http://bit.ly/2k6tCzY

Website: https://aprilwhitebooks.com/

Connect with Smartypants Romance

Facebook: http://bit.ly/2kvDnb4

Instagram: http://bit.ly/2kwKsYK

http://bit.ly/LexiBlakeNL

New Release + Blog Tour + Excerpt: Sexy Dare by Carly Phillips

Posted on 10/16/2019 by cafemamanc7

SEXY DARE, an all new steamy Dare family standalone from New York Times bestselling author Carly Phillips is available now!

One protective alpha male …

Plus one hot curvy blonde …

Equals an insta-love they can’t deny.

Billionaire nightclub owner Jason Dare doesn’t stand a chance. From the moment he lays eyes on the luscious blonde stuck on the side of the road and realizes she’s in danger, he goes from playboy to bodyguard.

Faith Lancaster’s sweet body won’t come to any harm on his watch. And watch Faith he does. He can’t take his eyes off her. Jason will stop at nothing to keep Faith safe. Even if it means moving her into his apartment and letting her into his once private life.

Hiding from her past, Faith has spent the last year building her candy business into a profitable company while keeping to herself and staying under the radar … until she meets the delicious Mr. Dare. Alpha and irresistible, he awakens desires she has long denied. It doesn’t take her long to succumb to his charms and fall hard for the man.

They both have their reasons for keeping things casual but when Faith’s past catches up with her, can Jason finally claim the woman meant to be his?

A Sexy Series / Dare Standalone

Download your copy today!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2pqx6iQ

Apple Books: https://apple.co/2zIzDHn

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/SexyDarCP

Nook: http://bit.ly/337ozRy

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2ZqSykY

Google Play: http://bit.ly/2GJsr1h

Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/32j4qqR

Add to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2KcnBvO

Excerpt

Jason had settled into a chair in the center of the shop, surveying the work going on around him. He’d already left once, returning with sandwiches and sodas for everyone. As the hours passed and he vacillated between returning messages on his phone and talking to the workmen he obviously knew, she grew more confused.

“Don’t you have somewhere else to be?” she asked him.

He raised an eyebrow as if to say, Really? “Nowhere more important. I want to make sure the work here is done correctly and this place looks exactly the way you want it.”

She appreciated his thoughtfulness, but he had to have better things to do than worry about her. “Okay, but I can handle that. I don’t want to take up more of your day than I already have. I can stick around until the guys are finished, lock up, and head home.”

He folded his strong arms over his chest, his olive-green Henley pulling tight over his muscles. “And do you think I’m going to leave you here alone after what you told me about your brother?”

She’d been pushing thoughts of Colton aside all day. “I have pepper spray on my keychain.” The words sounded ridiculous, even to her.

She was no match for her brother, and if he was strung out? He’d have a wiry strength she couldn’t handle. She knew that firsthand, memories of her hands trying to pull his wrists off her neck very clear in her mind.

“Okay, fine. I appreciate you making sure I get home safely.” She’d be a fool to fight Jason’s protective nature.

“You still don’t get it. But you will.” He shook his head, amusement warring with a more serious expression. “You’re coming home with me, sweetness. I’m not leaving you here or in that shitty walk-up with a crappy lock your brother could break with one good kick.”

“Hey! That’s my apartment you’re insulting!” And all she could afford.

“It’s only an insult if I’m wrong.” He studied her, as if daring her to argue.

“I can’t just move in with you!”

He sighed. “Fine. You need someone to vouch for me? We can call my partners. Or my sister. Or… Hey, Sam! Am I trustworthy?” Jason yelled out to the man who was just climbing down a ladder, her clean window staring back at her.

Sam strode up to them and looked from Jason to Faith and back again. “Best man I know. Take a look at this.” Reaching into his pocket, Sam pulled out his phone, then began scrolling through his pictures.

“This is my girl.” He turned the phone so Faith could see a picture of a grinning little pixie with a bright smile and a pom-pom hat on her bald head, no hair hanging down beneath the folded brim.

“She’s beautiful,” Faith said, sliding her finger over her face.

“And if it wasn’t for this guy introducing us to his sister, I don’t think my wife and I would have made it through the roughest parts of her illness.” He shoved his phone back into his pocket.

Looking up at Jason from beneath her lashes, she caught a flush on his cheeks.

“It just so happens I could help you, man. But I’m glad Sienna could do her part. She loves fundraising and doing anything she can for kids who’ve been through what she has.”

Faith would like to help her one day, when there was no danger following her around, she thought sadly. For now, though, she had to fight through her own problems and not bring them into other people’s lives.

“Thanks, Sam.” Jason all but dismissed his friend, who waved and walked back to the other guy helping him.

“So? Still think I’m a serial killer?” Jason asked her.

Meet Carly Phillips

New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestseller, Carly Phillips gives her readers Alphalicious heroes to swoon for and romance to set your heart on fire. She married her college sweetheart and lives in Purchase, NY along with her three crazy dogs: two wheaten terriers and a mutant Havanese, who are featured on her Facebook and Instagram. The author of 50 romance novels, she has raised two incredible daughters who put up with having a mom as a full time writer. Carly’s book, The Bachelor, was chosen by Kelly Ripa as a romance club pick and was the first romance on a nationally televised bookclub. Carly loves social media and interacting with her readers. Want to keep up with Carly? Sign up for her newsletter and receive TWO FREE books at www.carlyphillips.com.

Connect with Carly

Bookbub: http://bit.ly/2FIG6FH

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2QyGiLl

Instagram: http://bit.ly/2TI6LX9

Facebook: http://bit.ly/2Nk4bID

Stay up to date with Carly by joining her mailing list:

http://bit.ly/2FKDasp
Sign up for Text Updates of New Releases: http://tinyurl.com/p3upm5s
Join Carly’s Addicts: http://bit.ly/2CM78tY
Twitter: http://bit.ly/2FJRa5y
Website: www.carlyphillips.com

Blog: http://bit.ly/2HQaYXg

Teaser Reveal + Pre-Order: Overnight Service by Lauren Blakely

Posted on 10/16/2019 by cafemamanc7

OVERNIGHT SERVICE by Lauren Blakely
Release Date: October 30th

A brand new enemies-to-lovers standalone romance from #1 NYT Bestseller Lauren Blakely! The passionate, fiery and witty OVERNIGHT SERVICE is coming October 30th!

Add to Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/46009538-overnight-service

Pre-Order Overnight Service TODAY: https://laurenblakely.com/overnightservice
✦ Kindle ➜ https://amzn.to/33wlSbx
✦Apple ➜ https://blkly.pub/OvernightApple
✦Kobo ➜ https://blkly.pub/KoboOvernight
✦BN ➜ https://blkly.pub/NookOvernight
✦Google ➜ https://blkly.pub/OvernightGoogle

✦Audio ➜ THE AUDIOBOOK will be Performed by Jason Clarke and Emma Wilder
With a full cast including Audie winners Andi Arndt, Dion Graham, Vikas Adam and Dan Bittner
And with special performances by Shane East, Teddy Hamilton and Erin Mallon. This audiobook will also include the novella THE ENGAGEMENT GIFT performed by Teddy Hamilton and Elena Wolfe.

Blurb:
Top three reasons why sleeping with the enemy is a bad idea…

1. She’s my fiercest rival.
2. She’s also my fiery ex.
3. We’re going up against each other in a stiff competition to win the hottest new client on the market.

And yet, I’d like to be up against the wall in a stiff competition to get her to call out my name.

Time to double down on my resistance to her tough-as-nails, take-no-prisoners, sexy-as-sin attitude. The same attitude I find irresistible.

That’s a big problem, because in this race to nab the client, I run into Haven in the hotel, on the beach, in the guest quarters late at night.

Hate sex would be a terrible idea.

Except, it’s the complete opposite, and now we can’t keep our hands off each other.

Trouble is, I’m not so sure it’s hate I’m feeling anymore.

And that’s the biggest reason sleeping with the enemy you’re falling for is a bad idea — my job literally depends on never letting her into my heart.

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. She lives on the West Coast with her family, including her smoking hot and hilarious husband and her two brilliant and kind teenagers. She has plotted entire novels while walking her dogs — she might have four dogs, or maybe five. If she’s lucky, she’ll soon have six dogs. 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.

She’d love to give you a free book today! Check out her web site to grab your free read: laurenblakely.com/one-free-book/

Connect w/Lauren:
Website: http://www.laurenblakely.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaurenBlakelyBooks
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LaurenBlakely3
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurenblakelybooks/
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/lauren-blakely
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2YzfGNv
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6860216.Lauren_Blakely

Series Reveal + Pre-Order: The Valentine Boys by Lani Lynn Vale

Posted on 10/16/2019 by cafemamanc7

Check out the Covers for a new series, The Valentine Boys by Lani Lynn Vale coming in 2020!

Releasing January 21, 2020

His Wranglers fit him like a glove. A really tight, leaving
nothing to the imagination, glove. Codie wants nothing more than to shove that
Wrangler-covered butt straight into the mud.

Ace Valentine has a smart mouth, a
devil-may-care attitude, and those wicked eyes aimed directly at her.

She doesn’t know what to do with that kind of
attention. Especially not from the sweet-talking man that has no problem
charming every woman that enters his orbit—everyone but her, at least.

Ace isn’t sure why Codie Spears had her panties
in a twist when it comes to him, but every snub and insult she hurls his way
brings him closer and closer to falling for her.

He’s not sure what it is about the town’s bad girl that draws
his attention, but every encounter they have leaves him wanting her until
there’s nothing else left to do but have her.

The only thing is, she’s been convinced by everyone around
her that she’s not good enough. Tell a person that she’s a piece of trash
enough times, and eventually she’ll start to believe it. It’s going to take a
lot of smooth-talking and gentling on his part to get her to see that she’s
worth it. And once he has her where he wants her? Well, she’ll make a mighty
fine rancher’s wife.

Pre-Order on Amazon now!

Add on Goodreads!

Releasing February 25, 2020

I fell in love with his rope skills.
I stayed because somehow he took hold of my heart and made it his.

Callum Valentine didn’t mean to eavesdrop. Then again? When a man is calling a
woman fat right in front of your table, it’s kind of hard not to intervene.
Especially when the town’s most beautiful creature ever is the one being called
fat.

Desi just wants to be left alone. After an ugly divorce, she thinks she’s in
the clear. Then her ex takes it upon himself to continue to make her life
miserable, giving Desi no choice but to take it or leave.

In fact, her bags were nearly all the way packed when Callum poked his nose
into the most embarrassing spectacle the town of Kilgore has ever witnessed.
The moment he declares her his and off limits, everything changes—and
definitely not for the better.

As if things couldn’t get worse than being called a pitiful, fat heifer in
front of the hottest man she’s ever seen, Callum has to go and say that she’s
his, and they have to play a game that she’s not quite sure she wants to be
playing.

But before her eyes, things change. And suddenly the rules of the game aren’t
clear. And they’re crossing boundaries neither one of them see coming.

Pre-Order on Amazon now!

Add on Goodreads!

Releasing March 24, 2020

Candy Ray Sunshine—Yes, that is my real name, thank you very much, Mom and Dad—knew two things.

One, she was going to work her butt off and open her very own coffee shop, even if she had to die doing it.

Two, Banks Valentine was the world’s worst ex-boyfriend in the history of ex-boyfriends. Even if they were only boyfriend and girlfriend for one evening. She wouldn’t sneeze on him even if he was on fire.

***

Banks Valentine also knew two things.

One, he was an immature jerk when he was in high school, and Candy Ray Sunshine probably could open a coffee shop if she put her mind to it. But he still thinks that she should shoot a little higher, anything that gets her the heck out of Kilgore, Texas.

Two, he likes riding bulls. It’s a dangerous job, and when he gets on the back of one of those thousand-pound death machines, he can finally feel his head clear enough that he can think.

***

Candy and Banks would never get along. Not after what he said, and definitely not after what she did.

Then again, neither one of them expected that night to end the way it did, either—the night that both of them refused to talk about the next morning.

Pre-Order on Amazon now!

Add on Goodreads!

Releasing April 21, 2020

Darby has always been ‘that’ guy.

The guy that no man, woman, or child wants around their loved one.

See, a long time ago he made some bad decisions. Those bad decisions have haunted him ever since. No matter what he does, people still see him as the town’s screw up. The boy that sold his soul to the Devil.

Years later, he’s turned himself around. Made amends and ultimately turned into a generally good guy. Only, it’s hard to act like a good guy when people still treat you like the old you, and not the new you.

Enter Waylynn Jennings.

Waylynn has watched Darby Valentine from afar for a very long time.

She’s witnessed the changes in him and knows the only reason he’s so mean is to protect the man that lies within. A battered, injured soul that deserves more than what he’s received. Even his own family takes him for granted.

She’s made it her new mission in life to prove to everyone that Darby isn’t the bad guy. That he’s a kind-hearted, sweet soul that’s just looking for a place to fit in.

Only, Darby is fairly sure that Waylynn is out to kill him, not help him. How else do you explain all the fights he’s having to break up on her behalf, or all the times he has to come to her rescue when she’s managed to put her cute little butt right in the middle of something where it shouldn’t be?

There’s obviously only one solution. He has to make her his. Then everyone will know not to mess with her. Darby Valentine protects what’s his. No matter what the cost.

Pre-Order on Amazon now!

Add on Goodreads!

Lani Lynn Vale is a USA Today Bestselling Author of over thirty titles. She is married with three children, two dogs, two cats, a donkey, and a couple (a couple also meaning over twenty) chickens.

When she’s not writing, you can find her curled up in her favorite chair reading.

Lani is married with three children and lives in the Great State of Texas.

Stalk Lani Lynn Vale Below:

Hosted By:

Re-Release + Release Blitz: Beast by Lexi Blake (writing as Sophie Oak)

Posted on 10/15/2019 by cafemamanc7

Beast, the second installment of the sexy paranormal A Faery Story Series from New York Times bestselling author Lexi Blake, writing as Sophie Oak is available now!

A playboy who needs to grow up

Fresh from his latest tabloid scandal, vampire playboy Dante Dellacourt has been given an ultimatum. Either he takes a consort and settles down, or his family will disown him. Unwilling to lose everything he has, he reluctantly agrees to find a wife. Marriage is just another kind of contract, after all. No one said anything about love being a part of the bargain.

An outcast who has only known hardship

Exiled by her pack, Kaja is a werewolf without a home. Her life was never easy in the frozen tundra she grew up in, but it was familiar. Waking up in a foreign landscape, surrounded by bright lights, loud noises, and far too many people has left her overwhelmed. Frightened and with no one to trust, she savagely fights to get free of this strange new world.

A passion strong enough to change them both

Called to defend the gnomes of the marketplace, Dante is almost blinded by the radiant light coming off the fierce werewolf. Kaja glows like no consort he has ever seen. Gorgeous and wild, she calls to him in ways he had not dreamed possible. For Kaja, she finds in Dante a man unlike any she has ever known. They could not be more different, but she finds him irresistible.

In order to claim his werewolf bride, Dante must first discover how to overcome their differences. Will he tame his ferocious beauty, or will she unleash his inner beast?

Download your copy today!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/32iBnn9

Apple Books: https://apple.co/2OGcVbr

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/Beastlb

Nook: http://bit.ly/2OTAe1J

Kobo: http://bit.ly/33rgB4Y

Google Play: http://bit.ly/32a1Yms

Add to Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2nLJBFs

About Lexi Blake

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband, three kids, and the laziest rescue dog in the world. She began writing at a young age, concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn’t until she started writing romance that she found success. She likes to find humor in the strangest places. Lexi believes in happy endings no matter how odd the couple, threesome or foursome may seem.

Connect with Lexi

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorlexiblake/

BookBub: http://bit.ly/2Gdjy03

Twitter: https://twitter.com/authorlexiblake

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2X1oASS

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2Gg1ktZ

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lexi4714/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/lexiblake39/

Youtube: http://bit.ly/2P9qhLH

Stay up to date with Lexi by joining her mailing list:

Website: http://www.lexiblake.net/

New Release + Release Blitz: Sexy Dare by Carly Phillips

Posted on 10/15/2019 by cafemamanc7

SEXY DARE, an all new steamy Dare family standalone from New York Times bestselling author Carly Phillips is available now!

One protective alpha male plus one curvy damsel in distress equals an instant attraction they can’t deny.

They both have their reasons for keeping things casual but when Faith’s past catches up with her, can Jason finally claim the woman meant to be his?

Download your copy today!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2pnAfQs

Apple Books: https://apple.co/2zIzDHn

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/SexyDarCP

Nook: http://bit.ly/337ozRy

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2ZqSykY

Google Play: http://bit.ly/2GJsr1h

Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/2IPmaCv

Add to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2KcnBvO

Meet Carly Phillips

NY Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestseller, Carly Phillips gives her readers Alphalicious heroes to swoon for and romance to set your heart on fire. She married her college sweetheart and lives in Purchase, NY along with her three crazy dogs: two wheaten terriers and a mutant Havanese, who are featured on her Facebook and Instagram. The author of 50 romance novels, she has raised two incredible daughters who put up with having a mom as a full time writer. Carly’s book, The Bachelor, was chosen by Kelly Ripa as a romance club pick and was the first romance on a nationally televised bookclub. Carly loves social media and interacting with her readers. Want to keep up with Carly? Sign up for her newsletter and receive TWO FREE books at www.carlyphillips.com.

Connect with Carly

Bookbub: http://bit.ly/2FIG6FH

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2QyGiLl

Instagram: http://bit.ly/2TI6LX9

Facebook: http://bit.ly/2Nk4bID

Stay up to date with Carly by joining her mailing list:

http://bit.ly/2FKDasp
Sign up for Text Updates of New Releases: http://tinyurl.com/p3upm5s
Join Carly’s Addicts: http://bit.ly/2CM78tY
Twitter: http://bit.ly/2FJRa5y
Website: www.carlyphillips.com

Blog: http://bit.ly/2HQaYXg

New Release + Blog Tour + Excerpt: Baking Me Crazy by Karla Sorensen

Posted on 10/14/2019 by cafemamanc7

“Friends to lovers at its best– a sweet indulgence I couldn’t put down!” – R.S. Grey, USA Today Bestselling Author

Baking Me Crazy, the first in the romantic comedy Donner Bakery Series of standalones, from Karla Sorensen is available now!

I’m Levi Buchanan, and until five years ago, I thought the legend of my family’s curse was a load of crazy, Southern nonsense.

No curse can make you fall in love at first sight. No curse can force a true, deep, passionate, all-consuming love that will haunt you all the days of your life.

Then I met Jocelyn Abernathy and I realized how completely wrong I was.

The problem is, Jocelyn guards her feelings like well-armed soldier. She’s the most beautiful, stubborn, infuriating woman I’ve ever met. Every time she talks, I want to kiss the living daylights out of her. But I can’t.

Because when we met, she didn’t need true love. She needed a best friend. And that’s what I’ve been to her… for five years.

But when Jocelyn meets a handsome stranger her first day working at Donner Bakery and she lets him buy her a dill pickle cupcake, I realize with ominous regret that I may have missed my window with my best friend.

If I can’t get her to see past our friendship, my new curse may be to watch the love of my life move on with someone else.

‘Baking Me Crazy’ is a full-length contemporary romantic comedy, can be read as a standalone, and is book#1 in the Donner Bakery series, Green Valley World, Penny Reid Book Universe.

Download your copy today!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2Bi4lHL

Apple Books: https://apple.co/2ku8Pq7

Amazon Worldwide: http://m ybook.to/BakingMeCrazy

Nook: http://bit.ly/2lEMEh0

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2lU7066

Google Play: http://bit.ly/2klKiUj

Amazon Print: https://amzn.to/33zgtAe

Add to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2ku91Wg

Excerpt:

“Besides, this is my best friend perk. Shouldn’t I get perks in baked goods?”

She cut me a look. “You’ve been getting those perks for two years, Buchanan. Don’t even pretend you didn’t put on a solid ten pounds that first year I started baking.” Quite pointedly, she looked at my stomach, which we both knew was covered in muscle.

“That’s rude,” I mumbled under my breath. I flexed my bicep. Nero licked my elbow since it was right in front of him. “Yeah, ten pounds in my left arm maybe.”

The noise she made roughly translated to you are ridiculous. She made that sound at me a lot. Of course, the sad truth of the matter was that I was ridiculous.

Not once in the past five years had my feelings lessened for her. I had just learned to live with them. In my junior year of undergrad, I was taking a class on brain pathology in injuries, and a man came to talk to us about how he learned to live without his right arm after it was amputated.

He told us about how, even years after he lost his arm, his brain still triggered sensations to the limb that was no longer there. The adult brain, in particular, struggled to reorganize after the loss of a limb, and given that four out of five amputees suffer from phantom pain symptoms, some of which were incredibly debilitating, it was a lesson that stuck with me.

I wasn’t fool enough to think that me loving Jocelyn was on par with a man who’d lost his arm, but something about the way he talked plucked at a chord inside me. Sometimes my brain struggled to remember that we were just friends.

She’d never dated, never even hinted that she wanted to. She’d never given me a longing glance. Never stared at my mouth like she wondered what it tasted like.

But my hands never, not once, stopped wanting to reach for hers. My fingers always, always itched to dig into her crazy hair and see what the curve of her scalp felt like.

My brain knew what this relationship was, but sometimes, the signals it sent to the rest of my body didn’t always match up with the truth of our situation. We worked out together a lot, Joss and I, and when she got frustrated with the limitations of her body, I always wanted to wrap my arms around her.

I wanted to pull her into the curve of my body, absorb her dissatisfaction into my skin, and carry it for her. That was the irony when she made noises like that.

She had absolutely no clue how ridiculous I really was.

About Karla Sorensen

Karla Sorensen has been an avid reader her entire life, preferring stories with a happily-ever-after over just about any other kind. And considering she has an entire line item in her budget for books, she realized it might just be cheaper to write her own stories. It doesn’t take much to keep her happy…a book, a really big glass of wine, and at least thirty minutes of complete silence every day. She still keeps her toes in the world of health care marketing, where she made her living pre-babies. Now she stays home, writing and mommy-ing full time (this translates to almost every day being a ‘pajama day’ at the Sorensen household…don’t judge). She lives in West Michigan with her husband, two exceptionally adorable sons and big, shaggy rescue dog.

Connect with Karla

Facebook: http://bit.ly/2lU6xAS

Twitter: http://bit.ly/2khRSPL

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2k0Yp0T

Instagram: http://bit.ly/2lBNuez

Website: http://www.karlasorensen.com/

Connect with Smartypants Romance

Facebook: http://bit.ly/2kvDnb4

Instagram: http://bit.ly/2kwKsYK