New Release + Blog Tour + Excerpt: Too Dangerous by Bethany Lopez

Posted on 05/05/2019 by cafemamanc7

Today we are celebrating the release of TOO DANGEROUS by Bethany Lopez. It is the fifth, and final, book in the Lewis Cousins series.

As an added bonus, you can now get the first book in the series TOO TEMPTING for free!!

Purchase Now:

Amazon | Apple | Kobo | Nook | Smashwords

Too Dangerous by Bethany Lopez

(The Lewis Cousins, #5)
Contemporary Romance

Synopsis:

Jasmine’s worked hard to get where she is, a tough, savvy woman in a male dominated business.

Shane’s just trying to get by. Trying to build a life for himself away from the pitfalls of his past.

She’s always kept him at arm’s length, afraid to ignite the passion that sparks whenever he’s near.

He does everything in his power to remind her of what she’s missing.

Now, Shane needs a wife, and Jazzy’s the only one who can help him.

Too Dangerous is the fifth and final book in the Lewis Cousins series by Bethany Lopez.

Purchase Now:

Amazon | Apple | Kobo | Nook | Smashwords

Add the book to Goodreads

EXCERPT:

“You see, I got married, so, I’m cutting out the flirting and teasing, out of respect for my wife.”

Her mouth dropped open so quickly it was almost comical.

“No way,” she denied, shaking her head. “You can’t be married, you don’t even date anyone. It would be all over the grapevine by now.”

I chuckled, because, honestly, I was surprised all of Cherry Springs didn’t know about Jazzy and me by now.

Gail glanced down at my naked ring finger and I fought the urge to move my hand out of sight.

“It’s true,” I told her. “Jasmine Lewis and I said our vows in Las Vegas. We just got back from our honeymoon.”

“Jasmine? I see. Well, then, congratulations, I guess,” she said with a frown before spinning on her heel.

“Thanks for that, I guess,” I called out after her, shaking my head and taking a rag out to wipe down the bar.

“Well, the lid is getting blown off now,” Becs said from behind me. “Hearts will be breaking all over Cherry Springs tonight.”

I turned to look at her questioningly, then followed her gaze to where Gail was standing with a group of women and all eyes were on me.

I waved.

“They’ll get over it.”

“I’m not so sure they will,” Becs said with a sigh. “You were the last single guy in town who’s not either a prick, mama’s boy, or bum.”

I chuckled.

“That’s not true, Becs, there’s plenty a good ones around. What about Mikey from the hardware store, or Donovan from the autobody shop,” I asked. “Oh, and didn’t you have a date with Trevon, that guy who owns the boxing club?”

“Trevon’s dating someone else, Donovan hasn’t brushed his teeth since twenty twelve, and Mikey lives in his mom’s basement.”

“Oh,” I said, not knowing what to say, since none of that sounded promising. “And, gross… But, Becs, there are more than three single blokes in Cherry Springs. Maybe you should try meeting them somewhere other than here, at the bar.”

PURCHASE THE PREVIOUS BOOKS IN THE SERIES

TOO TEMPTING (Available now for FREE!)

Amazon | B&N | Kobo | iBooks | Smashwords

TOO COMPLICATED (Available now!)

Amazon | iBooks | Kobo | Nook | Smashwords

TOO DISTRACTING (Available now!)

Amazon | iBooks | Kobo | Nook | Smashwords

Brand New Look!

TOO ENCHANTING (Available Now!)

Amazon | iBooks | Kobo | Nook | Smashwords

———————–

Bethany Lopez is a USA Today Bestselling author of more than thirty books and has been published since 2011. She’s a lover of all things romance, which she incorporates into the books she writes, no matter the genre.

When she isn’t reading or writing, she loves spending time with family and traveling whenever possible.

Bethany can usually be found with a cup of coffee or glass of wine at hand, and will never turn down a cupcake!

AUTHOR LINKS:

New Release + Blog Tour + Excerpt: Imperfect Match by Corinne Michaels and Melanie Harlow

Posted on 05/02/2019 by cafemamanc7

Imperfect Match, a sexy friends to lovers standalone romance, from New York Times bestselling Corinne Michaels & USA Today bestselling Melanie Harlow, is available now!

Rule number one for a professional matchmaker?

Don’t fall in love with your client.

I screwed that up when I fell for my best friend, Reid Fortino. He’s gorgeous, successful, and sexy as hell. I figured it would be easy to find him a match—and save the family business at the same time.

But the more time I spend attempting to find the perfect girl, the more I realize how much I want him for my own. What’s the harm if we give in for just one night?

I should have known that would never be enough.

Now I’m on the verge of losing my job and my heart.

We were an imperfect match from the start, but I don’t know how to let him go.

Download your copy today or read FREE in Kindle Unlimited!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2GPsms8
Amazon Worldwide: mybook.to/imperfectmatch
Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/2vwuKim

Add to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2Onh0io

Excerpt:

What would it be like to have her that way? Skin to skin? Breathless and begging? My body inside hers?

I want answers, I think as I open the door to our building.

No, I need them.

I take the elevator up to our floor and go right to her apartment. Using the key she gave me, I unlock her door, smiling that she still hasn’t changed the lock, and head inside.

“Reid?” She jumps off the couch and I freeze.

Jesus, she’s fucking beautiful. I’ve seen her a million times like this, but I don’t know what it is—I can’t breathe.

Her hair is piled up on top of her head in some sort of nest, the glasses that she swears she doesn’t need are on, and her legs … God, her legs. Long, sweet, slender … they would look perfect around my neck.

“What are you doing here? If this is about …” She stops talking and looks at me, her eyes full of confusion as I watch her chest rise and fall.

I walk toward her, unable to stand still. My hands grip her cheeks, and I pull her mouth to mine. Her gasp is swallowed by the searing kiss. Her fingers wrap around my wrists and I don’t know if she’s trying to stop me, but I’m going to keep going until she does.

Yet she never does. Instead of pushing me away, her hands move to my hips.

Willow kisses me back.

She kisses me like this is the only option.

She kisses me harder and more passionately than the last time.

She gives as much as she takes and I fucking revel in it.

This is crazy, but I don’t care. It’s right. It’s everything that finally makes sense. I wondered what it would be like and now I know—it’s fucking perfect.

“Reid.” She says my name and then pulls my mouth back to hers.

I kiss her, loving how our mouths fit and the way her tongue feels against mine.

“Tell me to stop.” I give her an out that I pray she won’t take.

“What?”

“Tell me now, Wills.”

I’m desperate for her. Seeing her tonight, knowing she was spying on me, did something to my heart that I can’t explain. It was the answer to the question that neither of us was willing to face.

There’s something here.

Maybe it’s new. Maybe it’s always been there but we didn’t see it. Maybe Willow and I needed to be pushed. Whatever the reason, the outcome is this.

She touches my face. Her fingertips are soft, and she moves her thumb to my lip. “I can’t. I don’t know what’s happening, but I don’t want it to stop.”

“Good, because I don’t think I could.”

My mouth is back to hers the second the words are out.

She giggles against my lips and I drink it in. Everything about Willow is sweet. Her mouth, her laughter, her heart. They all make her irresistible. I don’t know how I never saw it.

I break the kiss and scoop her into my arms, bringing her back to the bedroom. She doesn’t say anything, and I’m glad for it.

We’re both always in our heads and I’m very much ready to be in her instead.

I lay her down and crawl over her, loving how she looks at me with lust-filled eyes. “Tell me what you want, Wills.” She shakes her head and I know what she’s doing, but I’m not having it. “Don’t think, baby, just tell me.”

Her lids fall, closing me off to what she doesn’t want me to see, and I take a beat to really look at her. Lips swollen, shirt falling off her shoulder, hair fanning out on the bed. She looks like an angel.

“I want you to kiss me,” she whispers.

About the authors:

New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestseller Corinne Michaels is the author of nine romance novels. She’s an emotional, witty, sarcastic, and fun loving mom of two beautiful children. Corinne is happily married to the man of her dreams and is a former Navy wife.

After spending months away from her husband while he was deployed, reading and writing was her escape from the loneliness. She enjoys putting her characters through intense heartbreak and finding a way to heal them through their struggles. Her stories are chock full of emotion, humor, and unrelenting love.

USA Today Bestselling Author Melanie Harlow likes her martinis dry, her heels high, and her history with the naughty bits left in. When she’s not writing or reading, she gets her kicks from TV series like VEEP, Game of Thrones, House of Cards, and Homeland. She occasionally runs three miles, but only so she can have more gin and steak.

Melanie is the author of the AFTER WE FALL series, the HAPPY CRAZY LOVE series, the FRENCHED series, and the sexy historical SPEAK EASY duet, set in the 1920s. She lifts her glass to romance readers and writers from her home near Detroit, MI, where she lives with her husband, two daughters, and pet rabbit.

Get Connected!

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New Release with Excerpt and 5 Star Review: Debase by Rachel Van Dyken – Final Book In Eagle Elite Series and First Book in Elite Bratva Brotherhood Series

Posted on 05/01/2019 by shellbellereads

Debase by Rachel Van Dyken

Release Date: April 30, 2019

Debase, the final book in the Eagle Elite Series and the first new book in the Elite Bratva Brotherhood by #1 New York Times Bestselling Author Rachel Van Dyken.

With blood on my hands, I held her.

With death in my soul, I took from her.

With the devil in my heart, I coveted her.

There are many definitions of Hell.

My list was exhaustive, my definitions tragic.

Tonight I was adding something new to the very top.

Girl number six thirty-two.

She arrived on my birthday, the same day, every year, I play Russian Roulette and pull the trigger.

She was my omen.

My end game.

She made it personal.

And for the first time in my life, I gave in.

A virgin mob boss with no soul.

My name is Andrei Petrov.

They call me the devil.

All I want is for the pain to end.

All she wants is for me to share it.

I am the last remaining heir to a dynasty that should burn in Hell.

And my last wish remains for it to die with me.

Download your copy today!

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2FLoeJc

Amazon Worldwide: mybook.to/Debase

Nook: http://smarturl.it/DebaseBN

AppleBooks: http://smarturl.it/DebaseApple

Kobo: http://smarturl.it/DebaseKobo

Smashwords: http://smarturl.it/DebaseSW

Add to Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2OyE6me

Excerpt:

I slid my tongue into her mouth. I tasted, I took, I was greedy with each kiss. With blood on my hands, I held her.

With death in my soul, I drank from her.

With the devil in my heart, I coveted her.

I wanted closer.

More.

My gloves felt too hot for my hands.

My hands too big to contain the weeping leather as I pulled away from Alice and stared into her big blue eyes.

“You don’t want this,” I whispered.

She bit down on her swollen lip and reached for me, I stood still as her warm hands touched both of my cheeks. “Lie.”

I let out a hiss of air at her touch. “Walk. Away.”

“Kiss me again.”

“I can’t do that.” I needed to stop doing that.

“Can’t or won’t?”

I told myself one more kiss, one more touch. I told myself it would be okay, that I was still in control.

That I was above this.

That no woman had ever owned me.

No woman had ever taken everything.

My chest heaved as I stared at her mouth, unable to move, completely rooted to the floor.

Alice moved her hands to my jeans and slowly unbuttoned them. I didn’t stop her, I needed to fucking stop her, but it was like I’d drank this paralyzing poison from her lips and couldn’t function, could only watch her as my soul floated above my body, mocking my inaction, telling me that this would be the end of me.

The very end.

Letting her in.

Keeping her there.

I would give her everything.

And then I would lose control.

Lose my mind.

Lose my heart.

I would lose.

So would she.

“Alice…” My voice cracked. “I wish…” Her hands stilled on my jeans like she was ready to pull them down. “I can’t. I wish I could. I can’t.”

How could she possibly understand?

How could I explain the gut-wrenching fear of looking in the mirror and knowing that one choice kept me sane. One choice.

And that was sex.

He’d made that choice.

I wouldn’t.

I couldn’t.

I couldn’t trust myself, couldn’t trust it wouldn’t happen to me too, and hurt someone like her.

Someone so very… perfect.

Without blinking, Alice gripped my jeans, indecision etched on every pretty part of her face.

She was beautiful.

So damn beautiful.

I gripped her wrists with my hands and pulled them away from the very real temptation of getting completely naked and sinking into her, feeling her clench around me, her tight heat.

Shit.

I pulled her into my arms, and she rested her head on my shoulder. Just because I couldn’t let her touch me, couldn’t cross that line, didn’t mean I couldn’t make her happy, I would kill to watch her face in the throes of multiple orgasms.

I quickly gripped her by the hips and put her up on the cold granite countertop.

“Andrei what are you doing?” She looked down at me uncertainty in her blue eyes.

I moved my hands to her ass and pulled down the black leggings she’d been wearing, all the way down to her ankles, right along with a pair of lacy underwear that were bright pink, and perfect.

“Andrei?”

“Yes?”

“Seriously, what are you doing?”

I gripped her knees with my hands and then spread them wide. “What’s it look like I’m doing?” I smirked. “I’m feasting.”

Her eyes widened.

Never underestimate a virgin with an extremely vivid imagination and heightened sexual appetite.

I wasn’t a fucking monk.

I would like to think I knew more than most men, because I’d seen it all, watched it, inadvertently studied it.

If someone gave me a diagram of a woman, I could point out over twenty-two ways to get her off — with my tongue, a feather, my fingers, take your pick.

“You don’t have to—” She let out a gasp, gripping the edge of the granite, turning her hands white.

I chuckled darkly against her right thigh and bit. “I’m sorry, what was that? I don’t have to?”

“I’ve never, nobody has ever… done. This.”

“Tell me,” I asked gently before I dipped my tongue inside her and flicked.

Her entire body jerked.

“Tell me he never touched you like this, tell me nobody has ever touched you like this.”

“Never,” she rasped. “You.” That word was like a gunshot going off in my soul. “Only you, Andrei.”

“Me.” I flicked my tongue again, and gripped her by the ass, pulling her almost completely off the counter while I sat beneath her and sucked her off in the most primitive aggressive way I knew how.

With every ounce of energy I had in my physical body.

With my soul.

I used every weapon in my arsenal.

______________________________________________

Michel’s Review

Six years ago I read the first Eagle Elite Series book by Rachel Van Dyken and became a devoted fan to the series. It’s bittersweet that after six years with fifteen books & novellas, this series is coming to an end. The Italians are stepping aside and letting the Russians step into the spotlight. Unlike the Italians, the Russians are not loyal to their families or their brother in arms. They are a ruthless bunch with their own set of rules.

Readers met the Petrovs, the leaders of the Russian Bratva, in Elude, book six of the Eagle Elite Series. They have been a menace to the Italians and are trying to take over the underworld of crime. The Russians are encroaching on the families businesses as well as dealing in human trafficking. They have secretly recruited the DeLange family into their unethical, monstrous world. The DeLange Family has been on shaking ground with the other four families for years. Their dealings with the Russians has sealed their fate within the family hierarchy. An informer in the Bratva is instrumental in exposing the DeLange Family and their dealings with Alexander Petrov, the leader of the Bratva. The deaths of both leaders has not changed the business arrangement between both factions.

Andrei Petrov, heir to the Petrov Dynasty in the Bratva, has betrayed his father and fellow brotherhood to put an end to human trafficking. At an early age he learned that love meant nothing, family was only defined by genetics, and the only value in human life was the price it would bring in the end. He’s had too much blood on his hands and delivered too many deaths. His father may be dead but his monstrosities are still living on. Andrei intends to put a stop to it. He has one more club/auction house to shut down but first he needs to find out who is involved with trafficking these women. These women show up on a weekly schedule, same day, same time, and same location by the same people who know nothing except delivery info. Once he finds out who is behind the scenes he will take them down himself.

Andrei knows the DeLange family and some of his father’s soldiers are involved. Even though Mil DeLange died, the DeLange family is still heavily involved. The Italians have put out an extermination order on the DeLange family. They have been excommunicated in the family business. They still need to find out which DeLange members are still involved in the prostitution and human trafficking.

When a girl, number 632, is taken from a DeLange stronghold and placed in the new lot of women coming in, Andrei knows he has a valuable bargaining chip. Alice DeLange has been taken from her home and delivered to Andrei Petrov as a common piece of merchandise. She is relieved to be freed from her abusive home and horrendous family. Becoming another kind of prisoner is better than the life she was born into. She is a DeLange, her life comes with an expiration date. What does it matter if the Russians or the Italians kill her. She knows it’s always been blood in…no out. She can’t help the family she was born into but maybe she can control how she dies. Andrei Petrov, her number one enemy may be her only chance to control her life in death.

Both Andrei and Alice have suffered at the hands of their family. Both are tainted by their blood. Together they are damaged souls that soothe each other’s pain. Life has not

The Russians and Italians have to stop the human trafficking. It could come at a very high cost. Blood is going to spill on both sides. They are used to paying the price in blood.

A new alliance is being formed. A new saga is just beginning. The Russians are here to stay. The Elite world is evolving.

Rachel Van Dyken has flawlessly taken a series villain and redeemed his soul while adding a new facet in the Elite world. I can’t wait to see what the Russians, the Elite Bratva Brotherhood has in store for the fans of the Eagle Elite Series.

I absolutely loved DEBASE by Rachel Van Dyken!

___________________________________________

About Rachel:

Rachel Van Dyken is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of regency and contemporary romances. When she’s not writing you can find her drinking coffee at Starbucks and plotting her next book while watching The Bachelor.

She keeps her home in Idaho with her Husband, adorable son, and two snoring boxers! She loves to hear from readers!

Connect with Rachel:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RachelVanDyken
Website: http://rachelvandykenauthor.com
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Twitter: https://twitter.com/RachVD
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2cNVwL9
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Rachel’s Rockin’ Readers: http://bit.ly/RachelsRockinReaders

New Release + Release Blitz + Excerpt + 4 Star Review: International Player by Louise Bay

Posted on 04/30/2019 by cafemamanc7

INTERNATIONAL PLAYER by Louise Bay
Release Date: April 30th
Genre: Standalone Contemporary Romance

AVAILABLE NOW!!
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2J7doAO

Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2XRnFF9

B&N: https://bit.ly/2GSCTUB

Kobo: http://bit.ly/LouiseIP

Apple Books: https://apple.co/2QdJdwn
Paperback: https://amzn.to/2PmIK5M

Add to Goodreads:
https://bit.ly/2KU3RMh

Blurb:
Being labelled a player never stopped me from being successful with women. Until I met Truly Harbury.

Truly was the first girl who ever turned me down.

The first female friend I ever had.

And she might just be the first woman I ever fall in love with.

When an emergency means she needs my help running her family’s charity, I’m happy to introduce her to the glitz and glamour of the London business world—taking her to dinners, coaching her through speeches, zipping up the sexy evening gown I helped her pick out.

The more time we spend together, the more I want to convince her I’m not a man to avoid, that we’re not as unsuited as she believes.

She sees herself as the book-reading, science-loving introvert while I’m the dangerous, outgoing, charmer.

She thinks I love parties and people whereas she prefers pajamas and a takeaway.

What she doesn’t realize is that I like everything about her–the way her smile lights up a room, how her curves light up my imagination, and especially the way her lips taste when coated with tequila.

She’s the first woman I ever fell in love with. I just need to know if she could ever love me too.

*International Player is a complete standalone contemporary romance

Excerpt:
In, two, three, out, two. Shit. I tried again. In, two, three, out, two, three. It wasn’t helping. My heart was hammering against my chest, my palms were sweaty, and images of hundreds and hundreds of faces staring at me flashed into my head.

I ignored the knock on my office door. I was too concerned about what was happening to me. Was it possible to have a heart attack at twenty-eight?

“Truly,” a familiar, male voice called.

I couldn’t look up. Couldn’t even open my eyes.

Warm hands covered my knees and body heat radiated in front of me.

“Are you okay? Take a breath.” What was Noah doing here?

I nodded, still counting my breath. As if he was familiar with the technique, he began counting along with me. “Out, two, three. In, two, three. Out, two, three.”

His voice was calming. The counting hadn’t worked when I’d done it alone, but hearing him counting too helped me settle into a rhythm.

Eventually, his hands slid from my knees, and I sat up and opened my eyes, right into his.

“Are you okay?” he asked, his brow

furrowed.

I was such an idiot. A mess. And this was why Noah and I had only ever been friends. He was used to seeing me in no makeup with a smear of kung pao chicken on my face. And now I was panicking about a meeting that he would think nothing of. Yes, Noah only ever saw me at my absolute worst.

“What are you doing here?” I asked. I didn’t want him to see me like this.

“Do you want some water?” He stood and poured me a glass of sparkling water from the bottle on my desk.

“Thanks.” I took a sip and sat back in my chair.

“I came to talk to you. Apologize if I seemed harsh last night. I’m sorry if I made this worse, Truly.”

I cleared my throat. “I’m fine. Just a little . . .” I watched as he slid into the chair opposite my desk, his long legs unfurling in front of him. “I just have a lot to do.”

He nodded, steepling his fingers. “And I’m here to help.”

Tracey’s Review

Louise Bay’s books are always sure bets for me. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed them from the very beginning of her career, and I always look forward to what she might have in store. Friends to lovers, office romance, billionaires, royalty, she’s done it all, and always with wit, sexiness, class, and a healthy dose of humor that draws me in and keeps me invested throughout.

INTERNATIONAL PLAYER, Louise’s latest, has all of the warmth, humor, and quirk that I’ve come to expect and love, and is reminiscent of her earlier books in all the best ways. Reading this felt like a homecoming, of sorts, reminding me of what drew me to Louise’s stories in the very first place. Friendship, humor, some downright steam, and a dash of heartbreak, all woven together to create a story that I just couldn’t put down.

Truly is my absolute favorite, with her awkwardness masking an innate intelligence, warmth, humor, and sensuality that, once unleashed really allows her to come into her own. And the way that she navigates her relationship with Noah had me smiling over and over again, because he just didn’t know what hit him when it came to her. There are, of course, some bumps along the way, because, well, the path to true love, and all that, but the framework of friendship and a true liking for each other overcomes in the end.

INTERNATIONAL PLAYER, in all of its friends to lovers sweetness and sizzle, will quickly become a favorite of Louise’s books, and is an easy 4 stars from me.

About the Author:
USA Today bestselling author, Louise Bay writes sexy, contemporary romance novels – the kind she likes to read. Her books include the novels Faithful (not currently on sale as undergoing maintenance!), Hopeful, The Empire State Series, The Royals Series, The Nights Series (both series of standalone books each following different characters) and the standalone Gentleman series.

Ruined by romantic mini-series of the eighties, Louise loves all things romantic. There’s not enough of it in real life so she disappears into the fictional worlds in books and films.

Louise loves the rain, The West Wing, London, days when she doesn’t have to wear make-up, being on her own, being with friends, elephants and champagne.

She loves to hear from readers so get in touch!

Connect w/Louise:
Website: https://louisebay.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorlouisebay
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/louisesbay
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/louiseSbay
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2VSsbDb
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8056592.Louise_Bay
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/louise-bay

Cover Reveal: Top Secret by Sarina Bowen & Elle Kennedy

Posted on 04/30/2019 by shellbellereads

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TopSecret_finalebook_ebook

Top Secet

By Sarina Bowen & Elle Kennedy

Genre: LGBT- MM Romance

Release Date: May 7th, 2019

****

Goodreads: https://geni.us/TopSecretGoodreads

Apple: https://geni.us/TopSecretApple

Kobo: https://geni.us/TopSecretKobo

Nook: https://geni.us/TopSecretNook

***

Blurb:

Bestselling authors Sarina Bowen & Elle Kennedy return with their first Male / Male romance in 3 years.

LobsterShorts, 21

Jock. Secretly a science geek. Hot AF.

LobsterShorts: So. Here goes. For her birthday, my girlfriend wants…a threesome.

SinnerThree: Then you’ve come to the right hookup app.

LobsterShorts: Have you done this sort of thing before? With another guy?

SinnerThree: All the time. I’m an equal opportunity player. You?

LobsterShorts: [crickets!]

SinnerThree, 21

Finance major. Secretly a male dancer. Hot AF.

SinnerThree: Well, I’m down if you are. My life is kind of a mess right now. School, work, family stress. Oh, and I live next door to the most annoying dude in the world. I need the distraction. Are you sure you want this?

LobsterShorts: I might want it a little more than I’m willing to admit.

SinnerThree: Hey, nothing wrong with pushing your boundaries…

LobsterShorts: Tell that to my control-freak father. Anyway. What if this threesome is awkward?

SinnerThree: Then it’s awkward. It’s not like we’ll ever have to see each other again. Right? Just promise you won’t fall in love with me.

LobsterShorts: Now wouldn’t that be life-changing…

Studly-Hour-Excerpt

Chapter One

Keaton

“Look,” Annika whispers in my ear. Under the table, her small hand squeezes my thigh, while her cheek gently nudges my chin toward the doorway. “He’s cute.”

“Subtle,” I tease before giving the object of her attention a cursory glance. He’s just a tall guy with brown hair, nothing special as far as I can tell. “How about we save this conversation for later?”

She rolls her eyes. “We both know there won’t be a conversation, Keaton. You like playing along, but you won’t actually go through with it.” This time she forgets to lower her voice.

“Go through with what?” one of my frat brothers asks from across the table. Tanner, Judd, and I had popped into the campus Starbucks for a caffeine fix after practice. Annika’s next class is directly across the street, so she’d come to say hi before class.

“Nothing,” I tell Tanner.

If you can call your girlfriend wanting a threesome with another dude “nothing.”

Yup, my girlfriend wants a threesome. And here I’d thought that, after six years together, Annika couldn’t surprise me anymore.

She and I have been inseparable since junior year of high school. I know every last detail about her, from her food preferences to her pet peeves. I know she gets anxiety in long lines, that she sneezes any time she gets a whiff of cinnamon, that she loves the beach but hates skiing.

What I didn’t know was that my girlfriend fantasizes about threesomes. The first time she brought it up, I thought she was kidding around. Annika Schiffer, heiress to a home-furnishings fortune, wants to bang two guys at the same time? Yeah right.

My girl is the president of her sorority, wears a pearl necklace (and not the fun kind) on a daily basis, and made me wait until we were eighteen to lose our virginities to each other. Don’t get me wrong—she’s not some uptight rich bitch with a stick up her butt. She’s fun and warm and fierce when someone tries to mess with her or her loved ones.

But she’s also… I’ll just say it: vanilla.

I didn’t think she was serious about the threesome thing until last week, when I’d asked her what she wanted for her birthday and she brought up the idea again.

I move my lips to her ear so Tanner and Judd can’t overhear. “Don’t you worry, babe, there’ll be more than just a conversation,” I rasp.

She shivers, and then flashes me a dazzling smile. Her face is flawless. Classic features, pouty lips, and smooth skin that’s just the right amount of dewy. She works hard and spends a lot of money for that skin. I’ve been in her bathroom at the sorority house, so I’ve seen all the products she puts on her face to keep it looking so perfect. Not to mention the monthly facials, which require her to fly to New York every month because this little college town we live in doesn’t have a “competent aesthetician”—her words, not mine.

It helps that her father owns a helicopter that can accommodate her monthly treks. I’m not one to judge, though. My dad has his own jet.

“I can’t wait,” she says before hopping off my lap. “Come over tonight after practice, okay, baby? I have to go to class now.”

“I’ll see you later.”

“Bye, boys.” Annika’s hand flutters in a wave on her way to the door.

“Later!” Tanner calls after her. And if I’m not mistaken, he takes a longing look at her ass.

“Dude,” I say. “If you’re going to eye-fuck my girlfriend, you could at least be subtle about it.”

“Why?” Tanner argues. “She’d be flattered. And you should know how good you’ve got it. Besides, I’m harmless.” He flashes me a big smile. “What are we doing this weekend, anyway?” Tanner asks. “The Presidential Dance-off, right?”

I shake my head. “That’s, like, in two weeks, man.”

“Really? Why did I think it was sooner?”

“Because you’re stupid,” Judd offers helpfully.

Tanner gives him the finger, before turning back to me. “Do you know what you’re doing for yours yet?”

I have no clue. And no, dancing isn’t an actual requirement for our fraternity’s presidential race. But it used to be. A few decades ago, the candidates running for frat president decided a dance-off was the only way to decide who was more fit to lead. Hence, the Presidential Dance-off was born. On our living room walls, there are old photos of well-dressed men with slicked-back hair and girls in poodle skirts on their arms.

My fraternity has long-held traditions that began well before the invention of the red Solo cup. But these days, Alpha Delta has evolved. Or devolved, depending who you ask. Instead of perfecting his twist and his mashed potato, the presidential candidate is expected to dazzle the other members by planning a kickass event. I’m talking epic. Monumental. The kind of party that will be remembered for years to come.

Although, like dance moves, I’m not entirely sure that party planning is a solid indicator of what makes a good president. Sure, frats throw a lot of parties, but there’s a social committee for that.

The role of president is actually pretty lame, according to Reedsy, our current prez. He pulled me aside after I threw my name in the race and admitted that it’s a boring gig and that I should reconsider. “So much fucking responsibility on your shoulders, dude,” he’d bemoaned.

For a moment, I’d almost bailed. To be honest, I’m only running because my dad was president of Alpha Delt in his heyday, and my granddad before him. But that’s also the reason I couldn’t bail. My father would lose his shit if the Hayworth legacy ended with me.

So I have ten days to plan a legendary party.

“Maybe I can just hire an event planner?” I suggest.

“No way.” Judd’s response is immediate. “If that fuckhead Bailey finds out, he’ll have you impeached.”

“You can’t impeach someone until he’s elected,” Tanner points out.

Still, I don’t want to be accused of cheating. What a pain in the ass this whole thing is. “We can brainstorm about this on Sunday night. We have a game to win on Saturday.”

“Oh, we’re going to win,” Tanner promises.

But I’m not so sure. Not only am I worried about the Northern Mass offense, I think my father is driving up for the game. So winning isn’t even enough. If the Northern Mass players aren’t crying into their helmets after the fourth quarter, my father will still give me hell at brunch the next day.

And here I thought weekends were meant to be relaxing.

“Fine,” Judd says. “We’ll talk about your campaign after the other meeting on Sunday night.”

“What other meeting?” I search my brain and come up empty.

“Pledge Committee,” he says, gulping the last of his coffee.

Oh, phew. “I don’t have to go to that one. I’m not on PC this year.”

“But I sent you that email?” Judd whines. “I told you I need you there. Initiation night is coming up and my committee is lame.”

“Who’s on it, anyway? What do you have planned?” Note to self: be conveniently unavailable on Sunday night. There is no way I’m sitting on the Pledge Committee again. Dealing with last year’s pledge class was a total pain in the ass.

“There’s Ahmad, who’s smart but boring. Paul, who’s just boring. Owen, who’s fun but not exactly creative. And Paxton, who’s just a tool.” He sighs. “Whatever. At least Bailey isn’t on it this time. Remember what a buzz kill he was last year? I fucking hate that guy.”

No big secret there. Judd’s had it in for Luke Bailey ever since the guy rushed Alpha Delt sophomore year. And say what you will about Judd, but he’s not an asshole unless he feels you’ve given him a reason. He’s a bro to the core—he believes in male bonding, high fives, and, in his mind, a friendship isn’t official unless you’ve bled together, partied together, and nursed your twin hangovers the morning after.

Luke Bailey doesn’t subscribe to this philosophy. The moment he scoffed at Judd’s attempt at a fist bump, he earned himself an enemy in Judd Keller.

Since then, their tumultuous acquaintanceship has only gotten worse. Luke is a cocky ass when he wants to be, and Judd hates feeling like he’s being mocked or judged.

Oh, and then Bailey banged Judd’s ex. So there’s that.

“You exert too much mental energy on that guy,” Tanner informs Judd. Tanner’s a psych major, so he’s constantly dishing out (pretty good) advice that everyone mostly ignores. “Holding onto anger isn’t conducive to robust mental health.”

“First of all, say the word robust one more time and I’ll clock you. You know how I feel about that, bro.” Indignation flashes in Judd eyes. “And second of all, Luke Bailey screwed my girlfriend! I’m never not gonna be angry at that prick.”

“Ex-girlfriend,” I hedge, but it earns me a deep scowl from Judd. The two of us are teammates, and I do feel loyalty to him, but I’m also not afraid to call it like it is. “You and Therese were broken up for months.”

“Me and Therese are never broken up. Sure, we take short breaks, a hiatus or two. But she’s my girl,” Judd says tightly. “Everybody knows that.”

“Bailey says he didn’t,” Tanner says.

“That’s bullshit. He’s a liar. And now he’s trying to screw K over!” Judd growls. “He joined the presidential race to get back at me. I just know it.”

“You think?” Tanner looks skeptical. “Because that would be sociopathic lengths to go to just to spite you.”

“Yeah,” I agree with a chuckle. “Bailey’s a prick, but I can’t see him taking on the huge responsibility of running a fraternity just to flip you the metaphorical bird.” Although if I’m being honest, I don’t know why Luke Bailey is running for prez. The guy hasn’t shown much interest in frat activities since he joined us.

“He totally would,” Judd argues.

“Hey, we got class now,” Tanner reminds our sulking buddy. “We should book it over there.”

“Fine.” Judd scrapes his chair back and gets to his feet. His cloudy gaze meets mine again. “I’m serious, man. Bailey is bad news, and we need to kick his ass in this campaign. There’s no way I’m letting him be our president.”

“Don’t worry. He won’t be.”

Once my friends are gone, I let out a tired sigh. I don’t particularly care about Judd’s beef with Bailey at the moment. I have a football game to win, a campaign to plan, and a father to impress.

And a girlfriend to please.

I go up to the counter to get a refill, then settle in my cozy corner of the coffeehouse and open the app I downloaded last night. I hadn’t lied to Annika earlier—her birthday request is in the forefront of my mind. I just need to do some investigating first.

Welcome to Kink!

Add a profile pic.

Add bio.

I’d wanted to fill all this out last night, but my frat brothers suckered me into an epic session of Red Dead Redemption that lasted till three a.m. Now I quickly scroll through the camera roll on my phone until I find a suitable one. It’s of Annika and me, taken in Easthampton last summer. She looks smokin’ hot in a teeny string bikini, and my abs are looking tight, if I do say so myself. I crop out our faces and load the photo.

I skip the bio for now, because I’m feeling impatient. I want to see what this app has to offer more than I want to break my brain thinking of one hundred and forty-five characters to describe how my girlfriend wants to bang two men at the same time.

Actually, that’s pretty much the gist of it.

Still, I’m curious to check out the goods. Kink is more hookup app than dating app, and I’m pleased to discover it lets you search for users who’ve expressed interest in certain arrangements.

I click on the threesome box in the search section. There are an eye-opening number of options, combinations that hadn’t even occurred to me. Annika wants another guy, though, so I ponder the easiest combos.

m/f/m

m/m/f

My finger hovers over the m/f/m button. The other option means the men are allowed to touch, I think. It’s the moment of truth. Some guys would hate this idea. I don’t, though. I’m a scientist. Experimenting is what I do.

I even dreamt about sex with men once. Or twice. I never mentioned that to Annika. But why would I? I’ve also dreamt of meeting a dragon who smoked clove cigarettes. The things my brain invents while I’m sleeping aren’t newsworthy.

But I’d be lying if I said that Annika’s shocking birthday request turns me off. I’ll try anything once. And the app lets you click as many boxes as you want. So after looking over my shoulder once more just to make sure nobody I know is watching, I tap both options and usher in the possibility of taking a walk on the wild side.

The threesome has to be with a stranger, though. I’m certain that any one of my frat brothers would be down to help me give my girl a night to remember. Well, except Dan, who’s only down for dudes. And, well, Bailey, who thinks I’m an ass. I think he’s an ass, too, so I guess we’re even.

But I can’t do this with someone I know. What if the whole night is awkward as fuck? If it’s a brother, I’ll still have to live with him. If it’s a teammate, I’ll still have to see him in the locker room.

And then there’s the opposite scenario. What if it’s not awkward as fuck? What if I like it a whole lot?

Yeah, I don’t want my buddies judging me. A stranger for the win, then.

I lean back in my chair and start swiping.

____________________________________

About The Authors

Sarina Bowen

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.

She would be honored to connect with you at http://www.sarinabowen.com.

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Elle Kennedy

A USA Today bestselling author, Elle Kennedy grew up in the suburbs of Toronto, Ontario, and holds a BA in English from York University. From an early age, she knew she wanted to be a writer and actively began pursuing that dream when she was a teenager. She loves strong heroines and sexy alpha heroes, and just enough heat and danger to keep things interesting!

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New Release + Blog Tour + Excerpt + 4 Star Review: Luca by Brenda Rothert

Posted on 04/25/2019 by cafemamanc7

Today we are celebrating the release of LUCA by Brenda Rothert. This is a contemporary romance, standalone, and it is the second title in the Chicago Blaze hockey romance series. Purchase your copy now!

Add the book to your TBR Pile now!

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Luca by Brenda Rothert

Now Available

Chicago Blaze, #2

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Book Blurb:

Abby

I only have one love now—the home furnishings business I’m building into an empire. Maybe money and success can’t love me back, but they keep what’s left of my heart safe. One-night stands are my way of scratching the occasional itch I get for something more. And no one’s better for that than a sexy as sin hockey player I’ll never see again after one very hot night together.

Luca

I used to love two things: hockey and women. But now my nieces and nephew are my top priority, because I’m raising them after tragedy stole their parents. Somehow I balance single parenthood and my career as a forward for the Chicago Blaze. There’s no time for women, until I get knocked on my ass by Abby Daniels. She’s everything I’ve ever wanted, but her devastating past may end us before we even get started.

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Excerpt:

“Hold still, Uncle Luca.”

My niece Emerson gives me her best glare, but she’s five and cute, so it makes me smile.

“I’m trying,” I tell her, checking out the dark purple polish she’s trying to brush onto my nails.

It’s not my inability to hold still that has more nail polish on my skin than my nails; it’s her technique. My “MANicure”, as my two nieces like to call it, started with my ten-year-old niece Cora and was then passed off to Emerson.

“I found yogurt!” Cora says as she breezes into my bathroom. “It’s got strawberries in the bottom, but that’s okay. This face mask will make you smell good, Uncle Luca.”

I try not to roll my eyes. It’ll be better than the last face mask they whipped up in the kitchen, which had butter in it and was a bitch to scrub off in the shower.

“I have to leave for practice in twenty-five minutes,” I remind the girls. “And I still need a shower. So you have ten more minutes to beautify me.”

“Will you paint my nails, too?” Cora asks me.

“Sure.”

I was shit at painting nails when I first became the legal guardian of my two nieces and one nephew a little over a year ago. With practice, though, I’ve gotten pretty damn good at it.

“How long ‘til Gram and Gramps will be here?” Emerson asks, still painting my thumb nail even though she’s looking at me.

“About four hours ‘til their flight lands, then maybe an hour for them to get to the house.”

Her toothless grin of excitement makes me ignore the nail polish I can feel on my knuckle.

“Emerson!” Cora yells. “You ruined it! That looks awful.”

Cora picks up the bottle of purple nail polish and Emerson’s happy expression drops away.

“Give it to me,” Cora huffs, holding out her hand for the handle to the polish. “I never should have let you do it.”

“Hey, now.” I give Cora a sharp look. “She was doing her best.”

Cora’s eyes flood with tears. Emerson edges closer to me, because she knows what happens when Cora gets upset.

“He won’t let us do spa days if you mess it up!” Cora cries, glaring at her younger sister. “You ruined everything!”

“You didn’t ruin anything,” I tell Emerson. “And Cora, I never said we wouldn’t do this again. We can do a big spa day after my road trip, okay?”

Cora wipes her eyes and nods, still crying. It kills me to see her like this. As the oldest, she carries more of the weight from the deaths of her parents than her siblings. We’ve been in counseling for more than a year now, transitioning through the death of their mother, my sister-in-law Danielle, to the kids’ new life with me as their guardian. The clinical terms for what Cora struggles with—anxiety and controlling tendencies—are easier for me to handle than her breakdowns.

The tension leaves the room and Emerson starts my massage, which is pretty much just her karate chopping my shoulders, while Cora slathers strawberry yogurt onto my face.

“Is your shoulder better?” Cora asks me.

“Yep, it’s all good.”

“Think my mashage helped?” Emerson asks from behind me.

She can’t pronounce some words, and I kinda hope that’ll last longer, because it gets me every time.

“It definitely helped,” I tell her.

I tweaked my shoulder at practice yesterday, and Cora noticed me wince when I was taking out the trash last night. She worries about every sinus cold and bruise I get. I can’t blame the kid. Her dad, my brother Matt, died serving in Iraq and her mom passed away from cancer a year later.

“Hey, let’s get your nails painted, Cora,” I say after glancing at my watch. “I’ve only got five minutes til I have to hit the shower.” I turn to Emerson. “Can you go get the nail polish remover, peanut?”

“Okay.” She races from the room, brown curls flying behind her.

Tracey’s Review

When Chicago Blaze player Luca Campbell crosses paths with businesswoman Abby Daniels, the attraction is immediate and mutual. Abby is strong, successful in her own right, and knows what she wants. But the Abby that Luca meets and falls for is not exactly who she seems to be. Because Abby has dealt with unimaginable loss and heartache, and she will keep that part of her life hidden, no matter how close she and Luca grow.

As book boyfriends go, it would be hard to find a better one than Luca Campbell. Sexy, nice, and a famous athlete, yes, but first and foremost, he’s a family man, dedicated to making sure that his nieces and nephew can experience normalcy, security, and, above all, unconditional love. Having dealt with heartbreak of his own, Luca knows that Abby is keeping a part of herself closed off, and he is determined to break down her barriers and know the “real’ her.

Proving that she knows her stuff, Brenda Rothert has scored big with LUCA, the second book in her Chicago Blaze series. These characters and their stories are more than just another sports romance. There are back stories here that add depth and interest, and make for an emotional and satisfying reading experience.

LUCA is definitely a romance book, but it is the emotion and heart that makes it more for me. Already a big fan of the first two books, I can’t wait to meet the rest of the Blaze players because Brenda has done such a masterful job with these characters and their stories. Victor is next up, and I’ll be anxiously waiting to see what Brenda has in store for him. If hot hockey players with heart that get their HEAs are your thing, these books are for you, so add them to the TBR and enjoy.

————–

AUTHOR INFORMATION:

Brenda Rothert is an Illinois native who was a print journalist for nine years. She made the jump from fact to fiction in 2013 and never looked back. From new adult to steamy contemporary romance, Brenda creates fresh characters in every story she tells. She’s a lover of Diet Coke, chocolate, lazy weekends and happily ever afters.

AUTHOR LINKS:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Wattpad | Amazon

New Release + Release Blitz: Luca by Brenda Rothert

Posted on 04/23/2019 by cafemamanc7

Today we are celebrating the release of LUCA by Brenda Rothert. This is a contemporary romance, standalone, and it is the second title in the Chicago Blaze hockey romance series. Purchase your copy now!

Add the book to your TBR Pile now!

Purchase on Amazon | Nook | Kobo | Apple Books

Follow Brenda’s newsletter for exclusive details!