Tag Archives: New Release

Release Day Blitz + Excerpt + Giveaway: Easy Nights by Kristen Proby

Posted on by
1

 

From New York Times Bestselling author Kristen Proby, comes a steamy and passionate friends-to-lovers romance—EASY NIGHTS! The sixth standalone title in the Boudreaux Series, Savannah and Ben’s highly anticipated story is now available on all retailers! Grab your copy today!

 

About EASY NIGHTS (Boudreaux Series #6):

The Boudreaux Series—Sexy. Intriguing. Easy.

No one said change was easy…

Savannah Boudreaux knows what it is to hurt. To bleed. To be afraid that the man she’s promised to be true to until “death do us part” might in fact separate them far sooner than anyone had ever anticipated. But Van also knows what it is to survive. To move on. To live life to the fullest. With five brothers and sisters and a loving mother as her constant source of strength during the pain and the healing, Van realizes there is little else she needs.

But some things never change…

Benjamin Preston sat on the sidelines of the Boudreaux family for years, in love with a woman he couldn’t have. As the best friend of the Boudreaux brothers since childhood, Ben has seen both tragedies and joys in the family. And as a former MMA fighter and KravMaga expert, Ben’s used to fighting for what he wants—and winning. His hands were tied when Savannah married her high school sweetheart not long after graduation, but now two years have passed since Ben found Savannah broken in her own home.

Sometimes what you need most has been right in front of you the whole time…

Van’s convinced that happiness isn’t in the cards for her, no matter how right it feels to be in Ben’s strong arms—and his bed. Ben is determined to win her heart and fight for her trust. He’s promised to protect her, to be her friend. But more than anything, he wants to finally make her his, and this is one fight he’s not willing to lose.

 

Pick up your copy of EASY NIGHTS today!

 

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iTunes | Audible

 

 

Add to your Goodreads

 

Excerpt:

“Van.”

I spin at the sound of Ben’s voice, and silently cringe. I look horrible. I’m sweating like an ice cold drink without a coaster, and the clothes I wear here are skin tight, making it easier to move.

“You’re not usually here at this time,” I say and dab a towel on my face. “What’s up?”

“I had a meeting with another instructor,” he says with a smile. “Thought I’d say hi.”

“Hi.” I smile and readjust my ponytail. It’s much smaller now, but I can still pull it back. “How was your day?”

“Busy,” he replies and surprises me by letting his eyes travel up and down my body. “I like the new hair. You look great.”

“I’m a mess.” I chuckle and hook my towel around my shoulders. “You, however, do look great.”

That’s a fucking understatement. He’s in cargo shorts and a black tank top, showing off his tattoos and his muscles.

Good lord, the muscles.

“Can I show you a few things?” he asks, breaking my concentration on his muscles.

“Sure,” I frown as I follow him back into the empty classroom. “Am I doing something wrong?”

“No, I just want to go over some form things.” He leads me to the center of the room and stands behind me, looking into my eyes through the mirror.

Oh God. This is way sexier than it probably should be.

“Assume the stance.”

I follow his directions and work very hard to not react to his strong hands on my sides as he walks me through punches, kicks, and better ways to keep my center of gravity.

“You’re small,” he murmurs and pushes my legs just a little closer together. “I want you to keep your feet just a little closer together. You’ll have better balance.”

I nod. “It feels better.”

He smiles at me. I can’t keep my eyes off of him in the mirror. The way he moves, his facial expressions.

Ben has always been attractive to me, but holy shit, did he get hotter? Or was I just too broken before to see it?

Because holy shit, he’s hot.

“Van?”

“Yeah?”

“I just asked you to do the spin/elbow move.”

“Oh.” I bite my lip and will myself to stop ogling his arms.

“Are you okay?”

“Of course.” I do as he asks and spin, attempting to ram my elbow in his nose, the way I’ve been taught, but he blocks and sends me onto my ass. “Damn it.”

“You’re not spinning quickly enough.”

“I’m as clumsy as they get,” I remind him. “If I spin too fast, I’ll fall on my ass. I’ll be helping my attacker more than anything.”

“It’ll actually feel easier,” he says, helping me to my feet. “You can do this. I’ve seen it.”

“You’re taller than anyone else I’ve ever sparred with.”

“Good,” he says and narrows his eyes. “Chances are, if you ever have to defend yourself, your attacker won’t be shorter than you.”

“True.” I nod thoughtfully.

“But if you’re still not comfortable doing this with me, that’s fine. I can make suggestions for Shelly to work on next week.”

“I’m okay,” I reply, and am surprised to realize that it’s true. It wasn’t long ago that I couldn’t stand for any man to touch me, not even my brothers. But I don’t mind so much now.

In fact, I’m utterly shocked to realize that his touch is turning me on. I don’t remember the last time I had sexual thoughts toward a man. Even Ben. Which was one more thing that made me sad.

But hello, long lost hormones.

 

Kelley’s Review

I have been reading this series since book one and was anxious to see how Savannah’s story was going to play out.  I can tell you now that Kristen Proby did not disappoint with this one.  Easy Nights is hot, steamy, and suspenseful.  I kept turning the pages with one eye closed as I knew the other shoe was about to drop for Savannah.  Too many odd things were happening to her that did not add up but I had a feeling in my gut as to who was behind it and why.  This story was written to just reveal the tiniest of clues as to what was to come.

Kristen did a great job with her character development of Savannah.  She took a character who was abused for years and walked her through the road to recovery.  It was not night and day and nor did Savannah just bounce back.  It took years of therapy and taking self-defense classes until Savannah began to feel safe again.  When she finally decides to step out into the the dating world again it was only natural to see her expand on her feelings that she always had for Ben.  Ben was her safe place and an instructor of Krav Maga himself.  The fun part was seeing Ben finally allow himself to express the feelings he has always had for Van.  The one thing about Ben Preston is when he decides he want something there is no stopping him.  He is fierce, loyal, and sexy as sin.  Once Ben opened up Savannah never stood a chance.  Kristen wraps up this story with a serious ass kicking and happily ever after that will bring a tear to your eye.  If I could make one wish I would wish this series would never end.  It is one that I have enjoyed with each new release.  Bravo Kristen Proby on another excellent addition to this series!

 

And don’t miss the first standalone titles in the Boudreaux Series!

EASY LOVE-FREE for a limited time only
EASY CHARM-$.99 for a limited time only
EASY MELODY-$1.99 for a limited time only
EASY KISSES
EASY FOR KEEPS: A Boudreaux Novella
EASY MAGIC

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

About Kristen Proby:

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Kristen Proby is the author of the bestselling With Me In Seattle and Love Under the Big Sky series. She has a passion for a good love story and strong, humorous characters with a strong sense of loyalty and family. Her men are the alpha type; fiercely protective and a bit bossy, and her ladies are fun, strong, and not afraid to stand up for themselves.

Kristen lives in Montana, where she enjoys coffee, chocolate and sunshine. And naps.

 

Website**Facebook**Twitter**Newsletter Sign Up

Author Goodreads**Novel Goodreads

 

Release Day Blitz + Excerpt + 4.5-Star Review: Prom Queen by Katee Robert

Posted on by
Reply

Celebrate the Release of PROM QUEEN!


 

A high school reunion is about to get down and dirty and a whole lot more complicated in this new erotic romance from New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Katee Robert.

 

Welcome to Bad Boy Homecoming! Five bestselling authors got together to see what happens when bad boy heroes (and even a bad girl or two!) roll back into a small town in Texas for their High School reunion. Sexy times, angst-filled memories, and second chances abound with this contemporary romance series.

  

Add PROM QUEEN to your TBR pile on Goodreads, then keep reading for an exclusive excerpt! Be sure to enter the giveaway for your chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card, a Signed Paperback Set of the entire Bad Boy Homecoming Series, or a Prom Queen themed scented candle!

 

Title: Prom Queen

Author: Katee Robert

Release Date: June 27, 2017

Publisher: Katee Robert

Series: Bad Boy Homecoming

Page Count: 109 pages

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Price: $3.99

 

Synopsis:

Jake Davis had it all in high school—a scholarship to his college of choice, a promising football career, and the gorgeous prom queen for a girlfriend. And then he lost it all when he was injured right after graduation. Ten years later, he’s mostly made his peace with that, and now runs a company that provides women with dates for special events. Imagine his surprise when he discovers that the ex who left him in the dust needs a fake boyfriend for their high school reunion…

Jessica Jackson used to be the mean girl to end all mean girls. But life didn’t turn out like she’d thought it would, and now she’s twenty-eight, single, and works as an insurance agent to A-listers instead of being the A-lister like she’d always dreamed. She can’t go back to her hometown and admit just how thoroughly she’s failed, so she lets her friends set her up with a fake date for the reunion.

The second Jessica realizes that her fake date is Jake, she tries to call the whole thing off. The problem is the chemistry between them is even hotter now than it was when they were teenagers. Against her better judgment she lets herself get drawn into Jake’s arms again—and into his bed. But time doesn’t heal all wounds—sometimes, it actually makes them worse—and if Jessica and Jake can’t learn to forgive each other, their second chance might not last the weekend.


Find out more at: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo

Check out the entire Bad Boy Homecoming Series

 

 

Enter for your chance to win one of these fabulous prizes!
One (1) $50 Amazon Gift Card
One (1) Signed Paperback Set of the Bad Boy Homecoming Series
One (1) Prom Queen themed Scented Candle

 

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b050ef29373/?

 

Excerpt from PROM QUEEN

Copyright © 2017 Katee Robert

 

Taking a fortifying breath that did nothing to fortify, she scrolled through her texts to find the number that had shown up last night. The words were short and to the point.

I’ll pick you up at the airport.

Nothing there to tell what kind of man she’d ended up with, and she’d been too cowardly to text back anything other than a generic agreement. Now there was nothing left to stall with. Jessica hitched her purse higher up on her shoulder and headed through security. The big red line tiled into the floor was a point of no return in so many ways. Why did I think this was a good idea?

Her mama didn’t raise a coward, though, so she lifted her chin and marched forward. No matter who this guy was, she’d faced down worse. She’d been worse. It couldn’t be more horrifying than the Miss Texas Teen USA pageant of 2005 where that little brat Misty Brennan cut holes into her dress and she didn’t realize it until she was out on stage and had her pink polka dot bra showing to the audience and God. Jessica had powered through that and walked out with second place, and she’d power through this, too.

She joined the people from multiple flights crowded around the baggage claim, her body practically vibrating from nerves. The scent of too many people in too little space assaulted her, but she was more focused on the faces she didn’t recognize from the plane. Too many, all filtered in with the travelers—there was no way she’d be able to pick him out of the crowd. Her date had her picture, so he’d have to be the one to approach. What if he doesn’t? What if this is just karma giving me one last kick in the teeth?

Oh, for God’s sake, stop being so dramatic.

“Jessica.”

A thrill shot down her spine, quickly eaten up by a dread so strong, she wished the ground would open and swallow her whole. She shot a look at the nearest exit, but if she took off now, she’d have to admit that she fled instead of turning and facing her Number One Nightmare.

Jake Davis.

Praying she was wrong, she turned slowly to face him. Nope. That was definitely Jake Davis, ex-quarterback, ex-boyfriend, just all around ex when it came to Jessica. And he was definitely way better in real life than he’d been in the pictures she’d seen while she was creeping on him. Her heart picked up and her body sparked to life in a way it hadn’t in far too long.

Something like ten years.

She was staring. She couldn’t stop. Jessica licked her lips, her breath stalling in her lungs when his green eyes met hers. His eyes had always been one of her favorite features—a true green that brightened depending on what he was wearing, framed with thick, dark lashes that had always made her jealous when she was a teenager. Going by those eyes, Jakes would be judged downright pretty.

At least until you saw the rest of his face. His hair had darkened over the years, closer to brown than blond, and his lantern jaw was covered with… “What the hell is that on your face?”

He blinked, the only outward sign that she’d surprised him.

“Nice to see you too, Jessie.” He touched his scruff. “A lot’s changed since you left.”

Her gaze jumped to his right shoulder. There was no outward sign of the injury that had started the end of it all, but then, he was wearing a light-weight black T-shirt, so it wasn’t like it would show. Focus, Jessica. “What are you doing here? Are you picking up someone for the reunion?” There you go. Nice and casual.

“You might say that.” He kept looking at her like he could see the inside of her head. Another new trick.

She glanced around, trying to be subtle. The baggage claim had started to clear out, and there weren’t any conveniently gorgeous men standing around alone. Where was her date? Now would be the perfect time for him to sweep in and do the job she’d hired him for. “I’m here with someone.”

“I know.”

She frowned. “What are you talking about?” On second thought, escaping Jake before she met her date was probably a better choice. She didn’t want to have to deal with meeting this new guy and trying to pretend they’d been dating forever. And how was she going to explain how she’d magically lost him between getting off the plane

and the baggage claim.

Cora’s so-called perfect plan was teetering toward disaster.

“Your order from Diamond Dates.” He gave her a slow, knowing grin that she felt all the way to her toes, and offered his hand. “Jessica Jackson, I’m your date for the reunion.”

 

Tracey’s Review

Who says that you can’t go home again? In the case of former mean girl and prom queen Jessica Jackson, returning to her home in Texas means facing the music in a big way. Going back to Catfish Creek for her high school reunion in order to mend some fences and show her former classmates how much she’s changed is what Jessica needs to do to move on with her life. She’s also determined to show them that she’s doing just fine, thank you very much, and with the help of Diamond Dates, she’ll be able to do just that.

Jake Davis was the golden boy in high school. MVP, destined for the pros, prom queen on his arm…but it all went up in flames, and Jake was left with none of the above. But you can’t keep a good man down, and Jake has made a successful life for himself as the head honcho at Diamond Dates. When a request for an escort to his very own high school reunion comes from one Jessica Jackson, there’s no way that Jake is letting it slip through his fingers. Because he and Jessie have some unfinished business…

Katee Robert hasn’t written a book that I don’t truly enjoy. Her reads are full of pop and sizzle, and satisfy at every level. PROM QUEEN, part of the Bad Boy Homecoming series, is a short and not-so-sweet trip down memory lane. The chemistry between Jake and Jessica is still as strong as ever, and while Jessie would be happy to overlook their spark, Jake is having none of it. He’s bound and determined to rekindle the flame, and to help Jessie see that bygones can indeed be bygones, and help her see the good in herself.

For being a shorter read, PROM QUEEN manages to titillate and gratify quite nicely. There is plenty of heat, but there is also a nice rounding out of characters, and resolution at every turn. All of this makes PROM QUEEN an easy 4.5-star read for me, and one that lovers of Katee and of romance should definitely add to their TBR.

 

 

 

About Katee Robert

New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Katee Robert learned to tell her stories at her grandpa’s knee. Her 2015 title, The Marriage Contract, was a RITA finalist, and RT Book Reviews named it ‘a compulsively readable book with just the right amount of suspense and tension.”  When not writing sexy contemporary and romantic suspense, she spends her time playing imaginary games with her children, driving her husband batty with what-if questions, and planning for the inevitable zombie apocalypse. 

 

Connect with Katee at: Website | Facebook | Twitter| GoodReads | Instagram

Release Day Blitz + Excerpt + Giveaway + 5+-Star Review: The Knocked Up Plan by Lauren Blakely

Posted on by
Reply

 

From #1 NYT Bestselling author Lauren Blakely, comes a new and sexy romance…THE KNOCKED UP PLAN! A standalone romance told in dual POV, THE KNOCKED UP PLAN is about all of the fun, hotness, and heartfelt emotions that come when a single woman asks her gorgeous, jaded, sworn-to-be-single-forever good friend to get one particular job done. What happens next when he agrees to provide the bun for her oven are lots of hot sexy times and heartfelt moments.

 

Now available on all retailers! Get your copy delivered now!

 

✮✮✮ THE KNOCKED UP PLAN is here! Grab your copy today! ✮✮✮

There are three little words most guys don’t want to hear on the first date. Not those…I mean these… “knock me up.”

This single gal has had enough of the games, the BS and the endless chase. I know what I want most, and it’s not true love. It’s a bun in the oven, and I’m not afraid to hit up my sex-on-a-stick co-worker to do the job. Ryder is gorgeous, witty and charming — and he’s also a notorious commitment-phobe. That makes him the perfect candidate to make a deposit in the bank of me.

I won’t fall for him, he won’t fall for me, and there’s no way baby will make three.

Right?

****
There are four words every guy wants to hear on the first date — “your place or mine?”

When my hot-as-sin co-worker makes me a no-strings-attached offer that involves her place, my place, any place — as well as any position — I can’t refuse. Besides, I’ve got my own reasons to take her up on her deal even with her one BIG condition.

There’s no way I’ll want more from one woman than any position, any where, any night? Except . . . what if I do?

Be prepared to swoon and fan yourself from the heat! This full-length standalone contains lots of hot baby-making s-e-x, happy tears, playful jokes and a hot, swoon worthy hero you will fall madly in love with. One-click now for pure reading enjoyment!

 

Excerpt:

“How does it work?” I ask. “The whole donation process.”

She stabs a carrot slice, chews, and swallows. “Well, there’s this thing guys do when they’re horny. It’s called”—she glances furtively from side to side—“jacking off.”

“I’m well aware of how the protein shake is made. What I mean is, are we talking about one of those little rooms you go into?” I ask, since what man doesn’t have an image of a jerk-off chamber? “With magazines or porn or whatnot?”

“Yes, they schedule the donors for forty-minute sessions in them.”

“I’m more efficient than that, but that’s good to know.” I take another bite and chew. I set down the burger. “So, a nurse or orderly would escort me to a special room, and then I’d need to drop my
drawers and whack off. Into a cup, right?”

“A plastic sample cup. With a top,” she says, and I’m kind of amazed that she’s answering every question like a champ. No blushing, no stammering.

“What do they provide for entertainment? Laptops? Computers? Or is it old school with Playboy?”

“They provide pornographic material in printed form as well as video on a TV screen.”

“Awesome. So I just choke the chicken in a room with a ton of other dudes going at it in their own rooms, too. Hand a cup to the nurse. She seals up the goods. Then, what’s next?”

“They do tests on your swimmers.”

“They’ll pass. Then you come in, maybe the same day, maybe a few days later?”

“Same day. We’d have to time everything to my cycle and when I’m ovulating.”

“Fine, so they undress you, prop you up on an exam table, and stick a turkey baster into you?”

“You paint a lovely picture of the process.”

I hold up a hand, waving her off. “Wait. I’m not done. You’re in nothing but a hospital gown. The doc tells you to put your cute little feet in stirrups, and they stick that baster up inside what I am sure
is an absolutely gorgeous and heavenly home,” I say, because if she can complement my tadpoles, I can say something nice about the paradise between her legs. She mouths a thank you. “After the boys
make the upstream trip, they send you home.” I mime patting her on the rear and then sending her out the door.

“I think you’ve got the basic idea.”

“And after that?”

“That’s all,” she says. “That’s all I’d want you to do. I don’t expect or want any involvement. I’d have all the paperwork drawn up in advance saying there are no legal rights, responsibilities, or expectations of parenting, and no financial commitments required.”

I’m almost ashamed to admit it, but that’s the clincher for me—the lack of involvement. If I’m ever going to raise a child, I’m damn well going to do it right. The whole nine yards, two parents, just like my mom and dad raised my brother, my sister, and me.

Nicole isn’t asking me to sign up for daddy duty, though. She doesn’t want me to help with diaper detail or midnight feedings.

She’s a friend asking for the help she needs so she can then do those things on her own.

And helping a friend seems like something I should consider.

Fine, she’s asking for a hell of a lot more than a dude to put together an IKEA TV stand, and those things are beyond Da Vinci Code-level cryptic. I’d like to see Robert Langdon decipher some IKEA assembly instructions. Good luck with that, Harvard symbologist.

I like Nicole. I respect the dickens out of this woman. I want to take her request as seriously as she’s asking it. “Can I have a few days to think about it?”

“Of course. Take all the time you need,” she says, then glances at an imaginary watch on her wrist. “It’s only my biological clock ticking.”

 

✦ Kindle US ✦ Kindle UK ✦ Kindle CA ✦ Kindle AU ✦ iBooks

✦ Barnes & Noble ✦ Kobo ✦ Google Play ✦ Amazon PB

 

 

✦The audiobook will be narrated by Sebastian York and Andi Arndt! Link coming soon! ✦

 

 

Tracey’s Review

What’s the modern woman to do when she’s reached a certain age, that old clock (yes, you know the one that I mean) is ticking, and there’s nary a serious romantic prospect in sight? If you’re Nicole Powers, you take matters into your own hands and get busy planning this baby-making thing.

I’ve gotten used to Lauren Blakely knocking my socks off with her romantic comedies. Each one owns me just a little bit more, and choosing favorites is like picking one child over another; you just can’t do it. THE KNOCKED UP PLAN literally stole my heart and was quickly added to the list of Books That I’m Soooo Very Happy To Have Read.

Let’s talk about Ryder Lockhart for a minute. From the very first, his wit, his charm, and his approachability made him MOYD (Man of Your Dreams) material. All of these attributes, plus the fact that the gods of genetics have amply blessed him, make him the perfect choice for Nicole’s plan to enter the ranks of mommyhood, and placed him squarely among the ranks of favorite book boyfriends ever.

“What I’m trying to say is that I want to have a baby. I’ve been thinking about it for a long time now, and I’m ready to become a mom. A single mom…Would you help me?”
Ryder freezes…
“I looked into adoption, and while I think it’s amazing, I want to try first to have my own, so I’ve been looking into sperm banks.”
He smiles, and that’s another feature I can add to the list. The man has a great smile. It’s warm and exhilarating at the same time.
“Some women are checking out Plenty of Fish. You’re checking out plenty of tadpoles,” he says, then makes a keep-talking gesture with his free hand.
“Let me tell you all about sperm banks.”

I mean, a cup of sugar, being a plus-one at a social event, sure, but being asked to give the gift that keeps on giving, well, that’s something else, and not many guys would be down for it. Ryder, though, is not most guys, and has a wonderful, if somewhat battered, heart beating beneath those cover model looks. Helping out a friend in need is something that he’s happy to do. Nicole really couldn’t have made a better choice, and so it begins…

In THE KNOCKED UP PLAN, Lauren Blakely, with her mystical wordsmithing, has given readers even more characters to fall in love with, a seriously lovely twist on the subject matter, and had me alternately laughing, ‘awwing,’ swooning, and fanning myself (because, come on, y’all, it’s LB, and there will always be those moments!). Nicole and Ryder are not only cute together, they respect each other and they genuinely care about each other, and watching the changes in both of them as their relationship evolves is both heartwarming and sexy.

Lauren’s books are always some of my favorites, and THE KNOCKED UP PLAN is no exception. It’s riding high atop my 2017 Favorites, and the 5+ sweet, sexy, and swoony stars make it one that I’d recommend to rom-com lovers everywhere. You need to grab this one up, guys, because it goes down like the sweetest treat. Enjoy.

 

“A refreshing take on the baby trope, The Knocked Up Plan is as sweet as it is naughty. Blakely not only balloons Nicole and Ryder’s incredibly powerful chemistry to new heights with their steamy love scenes, but she also infuses sweet emotion into every single one of their interactions.”

– USA Today

 

Add it to Goodreads here!

http://bit.ly/2r4ml1u

 

 

✮✮✮Enter to win this amazing THE KNOCKED UP PLAN GIVEAWAY!✮✮✮

Lauren’s Bundle of Joy Special Delivery Giveaway! This bundle is valued at $200 and includes the most delicious cupcakes delivered to your door from Wicked Cupcakes, a $50 gift certificate for luxurious bath products to make your skin baby soft from The Body Shop, and comes wrapped up with a beautiful sterling silver bow bangle bracelet from Pandora ($125 value).

http://laurenblakely.com/knocked-plan-giveaway/

 

About Lauren Blakely:

A #1 New York Times Bestselling author, Lauren Blakely is known for her contemporary romance style that’s hot, sweet and sexy. She lives in California with her family and has plotted entire novels while walking her 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 eighty times, and she’s sold more than 2 million books. In June she’ll release THE KNOCKED UP PLAN, a standalone contemporary romance. To receive an email when Lauren releases a new book, sign up for her newsletter! laurenblakely.com/newsletter

 

Website ** Facebook ** Twitter ** Newsletter ** Goodreads

 

Release Blitz: Love Sex Music by Michelle A. Valentine

Posted on by
Reply

Blurb

Fame can disappear in an instant…

Fortune is a fleeting fantasy…

Laz Rawlings had them both, until he lost it all…

Laz, a former world-famous music producer screwed up everything thanks to his rock-n-roll lifestyle, but he’s been given an opportunity to prove his genius in the music industry wasn’t a fluke, and he’s hell-bent on not letting history repeat itself. But that’s proving difficult when the young singer he’s tasked with grooming has become the object of his every desire.

Life has been an uphill battle for Aundrea Newton, so when a sexy, tattooed stranger hand delivers her dream of a music career, she’s skeptical. Nothing ever comes easy, and she knows Laz has the power to crush both her career and her heart with his undeniable sex appeal and charismatic swagger.

When the line between mentor and student blurs, both begin to question what’s more important: Love, sex or the music.

**STANDALONE. No Cliffhanger** 



Add to your TBR: http://bit.ly/2sMu888

PURCHASE TODAY

Free on Kindle Unlimited

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2sVCyL2 


About Michelle A. Valentine

New York Times and USA Today Best Selling Author Michelle A. Valentine is a Central Ohio nurse turned author of erotic romance and New Adult novels. Her love of hard-rock music, tattoos and sexy musicians inspired her BLACK FALCON series.



Follow Michelle A. Valentine


Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorMichelleAValentine/?ref=hl

Website: http://www.michelleavalentine.com/

Newsletter: http://bit.ly/1BsvA8B

Release Blitz + Giveaway: Just An Illusion by D. Kelly

Posted on by
Reply
Title: Just an Illusion – EP
Series: The Illusion #3
Author: D. Kelly
Genre: Contemporary/New Adult Romance
Release Date: June 21, 2017



Blurb

Lives are
turned upside down …

Everything
was perfect before life came to a screeching halt.

When
devastating loss flips Amelia’s world on its axis, she loses her spirit. Mel
isn’t the only one hurting, though; the members of BAD are also struggling to
find their way after that tragic night.

Life goes
on …

Amelia’s
friends move heaven and earth to help ease her sadness. Knowing she’s on a
dangerous precipice, they fight through their own pain to bring her safely to
the other side of her grief.

Love can
conquer …

Amelia
knows bottling up her feelings isn’t helping anything. With love at her
fingertips, all she has to do is reach for it. Mel’s loved ones desperately
hope she can once again find her way to happiness.

Can Amelia
overcome her fears to let love in again, or will she let the weight of that
night continue to drown her in sorrow?

Just an Illusion – EP is book three in The Illusion
Series



Purchase Links

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU
B&N / KOBO / iBOOKS

Also Available
FREE for a VERY limited time!!

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU
B&N / KOBO / iBOOKS

99c for a VERY limited time!
AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU
B&N / KOBO / iBOOKS
Author Bio
D. 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. For all things D. Kelly, you can visit her website: http://www.dkellyauthor.com



Author Links


Giveaway

Release Day Blitz + Excerpt + 5+-Star Review + 2017 Favorite: Lost and Found Sisters by Jill Shalvis

Posted on by
Reply

 

From New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis comes her first women’s fiction novel—an unforgettable story of friendship, love, family, and sisterhood—perfect for fans of Colleen Hoover, Susan Mallery, and Kristan Higgins. Don’t miss LOST AND FOUND SISTERS and grab your copy today!

 

They say life can change in an instant…

After losing her sister in a devastating car accident, chef Quinn Weller is finally getting her life back on track. She appears to have it all: a loving family, a dream job in one of L.A.’s hottest eateries, and a gorgeous boyfriend dying to slip an engagement ring on her finger. So why does she feel so empty, like she’s looking for a missing piece she can’t find?

The answer comes when a lawyer tracks down Quinn and reveals a bombshell secret and a mysterious inheritance that only she can claim. This shocking revelation washes over Quinn like a tidal wave. Her whole life has been a lie.

On impulse, Quinn gives up her job, home, and boyfriend. She heads up the coast to the small hometown of Wildstone, California, which is just a few hours north, but feels worlds apart from Los Angeles. Though she doesn’t quite fit in right away, she can’t help but be drawn to the town’s simple pleasures…and the handsome, dark-haired stranger who offers friendship with no questions asked.

As Quinn settles into Wildstone, she discovers there’s another surprise in store for her. The inheritance isn’t a house or money, but rather something earth shattering, something that will make her question everything she thought she knew about herself, about her family. Now with a world of possibilities opening up to Quinn, she must decide if this new life is the one she was always meant to have—and the one that could finally give her the fulfillment she’s searched so long for.

 

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Google Play

iBooks | Books-A-Million | IndieBound

 

ADD LOST AND FOUND SISTERS TO YOUR GOODREADS

 

 

Excerpt:

Coop whined and Mick looked down at the twelve-year-old golden retriever, ball in his mouth. Coop panted happily and dropped the ball at Mick’s feet, his rheumy brown eyes ever hopeful.

Mick shook his head. “Last time I threw it, you decided you didn’t mean it.”

Coop gave a talkative “woo woo woo.”

Translation: Mick was full of shit. “I had to go get it myself,” he reminded the dog. “Remember that?”

This bought him another “woo woo woo.”

“Okay, okay.” Mick picked up the ball, and because there was a lot of old-man dog pride on the line here, he gave it a dramatic throw, making sure it went only about twenty feet.

Coop gave an energetic leap. A single energetic leap. After that, he eyeballed the sea of sand ahead of him, huffed out a sigh, and sat. Then he craned his big, fuzzy golden head and gave Mick a sad-eyed look.

“Are you kidding me?” Mick asked him.

Coop lay down, set his head on his front paws, and stared forlornly out at the ball that his brain wanted to chase but his sore joints and tired body wouldn’t allow. It was a daily reminder for the dog, who in his own mind clearly wasn’t elderly, forgetful, or more than half deaf. Nope, in Coop’s opinion, he was still a rambunctious, energetic puppy.

Mick blew out a sigh and fetched the damn ball. When he came back, the dog sat up, eyes bright, tongue lolling.

“Not a chance,” Mick said on a laugh. “I’m not throwing it again. This was about your exercise, not mine. I already had my run today.”

A Lexus pulled up. A woman sat behind the wheel and stared out at the dunes and the ocean. All Mick could see of her was a cloud of whiskey-colored waves of hair and a pale face. She stared at the water and then set her head to the steering wheel and banged it a few times.

Then, head still down, she went utterly still.

Coop whined about the ball and nudged Mick’s knee, eyes pleading.

With a head shake, Mick threw the ball five feet.

Coop happily pounced on it.

While his dog pranced around proudly, ball in his mouth, Mick turned back to the car. The woman hadn’t moved. Had she knocked herself out? Was she still breathing? “What do you think?” he asked Coop. “Stay out of it, or ask her if she’s okay?”

Coop, who’d never been impressed by a single one of the women in Mick’s social life, yawned.

“Right,” he said. “Stay out of it.”

But the woman suddenly sat up straight and fumbled her way out of the car, falling to her knees on the rough gravelly asphalt, gulping in air like she was suffocating.

Realizing she was hyperventilating, Mick rushed to her and crouched at her side, having to push Coop back from making her acquaintance—which he tended to do with a rude nose push to the crotch. “Stay,” he ordered and looked the woman over.

Young. Late twenties maybe. Definitely having a panic attack of some kind. Not touching her, he spoke quietly and calmly. “Take a deep breath through your nose.”

She had to quiet herself to hear him, but she did as he said. She took a deep breath, shuddery as it was.

“Good,” he said, still holding Coop back from trying to say hello. “Stay.”

“What?” she gasped.

“Sorry, not you. My nosy-ass dog. Keep breathing. That’s it,” he said when she worked at it.

When she had it under control, she met his gaze, her own eyes hooded and clearly embarrassed. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be.”

Coop, tired of being held back, shoved his big old head between them and licked her from chin to forehead. Mick palmed the dog’s face and pushed his head away from the woman whose shoulders were now shaking.

Aw, hell. He patted his pockets—for what, he had no idea. It wasn’t like he carried tissues or napkins on him to offer her. He rose to his feet to go search the truck, which was when she lifted her face and he saw that she was shaking with laughter, not tears.

She was laughing at his ridiculous dog.

Tracey’s Review

Quinn Weller’s life is a bit upside down. Since the loss of her sister two years earlier, Quinn has retreated into a place that has no room for emotional involvement. When Quinn receives news of an unexpected inheritance, she is ill-prepared for everything involved in claiming it, and it isn’t long before the life that she’d created post-Beth is firmly turned on its head.

Jill Shalvis is one of my go-to authors. I know, without a doubt, that I will love any book that she writes, and I am never disappointed. LOST AND FOUND SISTERS is no exception, and may, in fact, be one of my favorite books by Jill to date, and most certainly one of my favorite books of 2017.

Quinn is doing her best to adjust to her new normal, a life without her sister. She’s experienced a pain so great that shutting herself down emotionally seems to be the only way she can get through. But Quinn wasn’t betting on Wildstone, eccentric and quirky, from its character to its inhabitants, and soon life for Quinn doesn’t look anything like it has for the last two years. And it may be just the change she needs, whether she’s ready for it or not.

I love Quinn. The rug has been pulled out from under her in pretty much every possible way, and the things that she finds in Wildstone are just the icing on the cake. Mick, Tilly, the offbeat staff and irascible clientele of the Caro Cafe, make for a life that Quinn didn’t realize that she needed so badly.

Jill’s classic snappy dialogue, scenes so unexpectedly comical and endearing that I was laughing out loud, and Quinn’s emergence from her self-imposed chrysalis made LOST AND FOUND SISTERS an instant favorite. I quite literally could not put it down, and inhaled it like the breath of fresh air that it is. If you don’t pick up another book this summer, please choose this one, because it will satisfy at every level.

LOST AND FOUND SISTERS is a welcome addition to Jill’s catalog of books, and is an easy 5+ stars for me. I am so in love with these characters and their lives that it will be hard to wait another year for my next visit to Wildstone. Seriously, pick up this book, because I guarantee that you will absolutely love it.

 

About Jill Shalvis:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jill Shalvis lives in a small town in the Sierras full of quirky characters. Any resemblance to the quirky characters in her books is, um, mostly coincidental. Look for Jill’s sexy contemporary and award-winning books wherever romances are sold and click on the blog button above for a complete book list and daily blog detailing her city-girl-living-in-the-mountains adventures.

 

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Newsletter SignUp

 

Release Day Launch: Sweet Sixteen by Brenda Rothert

Posted on by
Reply

Sweet Sixteen by Brenda Rothert is having a really exciting release! This book is available for FREE! You can read an episode each week on the INKLO app and react in real-time and chat with your friends! All you have to do is download the app and follow Brenda and the book Sweet Sixteen. Make sure to click “follow” on the book page so you will get a notification of each chapter’s release on the app!

To follow Brenda, go to the bottom of the Sweet Sixteen main book page, click on “More from Brenda Rothert” and then click “follow”. You will get notifications when Brenda releases new titles on the INKLO app!

 

Sweet Sixteen by Brenda Rothert

A contemporary title available to read for FREE on the INKLO app!

Check out INKLO and read how to download the app!


Book Blurb:

In Roper, Missouri, football is everything. At least, to everyone but high school senior Gin Scott. Gin plans to escape her hometown as soon as she graduates, but her plans to stay under the radar until then are ruined when her secret crush, quarterback Chase Matthews, offers her a coveted spot as one of the Sweet Sixteen. It’s an honor Roper girls dream of, but for independent Gin, it’s more like a nightmare. By rejecting Chase’s invitation, she is ostracized from her classmates, and eventually, most of her town. How sweet it is.

ABOUT INKLO:
INKLO is a mobile app and digital self-publishing platform that turns written stories into real-time, social experiences.
The app is very user-friendly. Once you’ve downloaded the app, you will be able to follow authors and/or stories to read the new chapter posted each week. Reading stories on INKLO is and always will be FREE.

AUTHOR INFORMATION:

BRheadshot

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

InkSlinger Blogger Final

Blog Tour + Review: Can’t Buy Me Love by Marie Force

Posted on by
Reply

Today we are sharing the release for CAN’T BUY ME LOVE, a contemporary romance title that is part of the Green Mountain/Butler, Vermont series by Marie Force. Check out the buy links and teasers for the book below.

 

CAN’T BUY ME LOVE by Marie Force

The 8th title in the Green Mountain/Butler, Vermont Series

 

Book Blurb:

Mary Larkin was hard at work as the office manager at the Green Mountain Country Store when Cameron Murphy brought her dad, Patrick, in to visit. That fateful first meeting, which took place in You’ll Be Mine, sets the stage for Mary and Patrick’s long-awaited romance in Can’t Buy Me Love!

Mary enjoys her predictable, satisfying life in Butler. If it’s a little lacking in excitement, well, that’s okay with her. But after meeting Patrick and getting to know him better at his daughter’s wedding, Mary is intrigued by the well-known, sexy billionaire businessman.

Patrick is equally intrigued. For the first time since he suddenly lost his wife thirty years ago, he has met a woman who makes him feel less lonely, and all he wants is more of his Sweet Mary from Vermont. Flirty phone calls become a weekend away together that takes his relationship with Mary to the next level.

But with six hours and two vastly different lives standing between them, can Mary and Patrick find happily ever after together? And after telling her father to keep his hands and everything else off Mary, will Cameron approve of her father’s new romance?

 

PURCHASE IT NOW!

Kindle | iBooks | Nook | Kobo | Google

PURCHASE IN PRINT FROM AMAZON | MARIE’S STORE

 

Tracey’s Review

Mary Larkin has made a happy, if not very exciting, life for herself in Butler. Surrounded by the people that she loves, in a place that she loves and feels an integral part of, she’s satisfied with the life that she has. Until. Until Patrick Murphy, jet-setting, billionaire, handsome as sin Patrick Murphy shows up in Butler for the wedding of his daughter to hometown boy Will Abbott.

Patrick Murphy has been in love only once in his life, but tragedy took his young wife, leaving him to raise his daughter alone. Afraid to take a chance with his heart again, Patrick has spent his life building his business, but knows from the moment he meets her that Mary is something different.

As a longtime fan of author Marie Force, a reader in love with Butler, VT, and it’s citizens, and a woman of a certain age, you might imagine that I was veeerrry happy to get my hands on CAN’T BUY ME LOVE. I mean, a place and characters that are some of my favorites, plus a bit of a Cinderella story involving a more mature couple? Yes, please.

CAN’T BUY ME LOVE is the second book in the Butler, VT, series by Marie, which is an offshoot of her Green Mountain series. This small town in Vermont, with its colorful inhabitants (shout out to Fred the Moose!), has won my heart since the very first book. I love seeing the relationship between Mary and Patrick evolving, and that Marie has given us more mature characters with this read. There is no shortage of romance, passion, and wooing, and I really enjoy that Marie has written Mary as strong and self-sufficient, holding her own against Patrick’s strong and persuasive personality. And seeing Patrick open his heart the possibility of more with Mary made the hopeless romantic in me swoon.

CAN’T BUY ME love is, at the heart of things a feel-good read, and, as a fan of the HEA, I happily give it 4.5 second-chance stars. If you haven’t had a chance to get to know the good folks of Butler, do so, because they are a truly wonderful bunch.

NOTE: You can read all about Mary’s and Patrick’s first meeting in YOU’LL BE MINE, a Green Mountain novella.

—————

CHECK OUT THE REST OF THE GREEN MOUNTAIN AND BUTLER, VERMONT SERIES

—————————-

AUTHOR INFORMATION:

Marie Force is the New York Times bestselling author of more than 50 contemporary romances, including the Gansett Island Series, which has sold nearly 3 million books, and the Fatal Series from Harlequin Books, which has sold 1.5 million books. In addition, she is the author of the Butler, Vermont Series, the Green Mountain Series and the erotic romance Quantum Series, written under the slightly modified name of M.S. Force. All together, her books have sold more than 5.5 million copies worldwide!

Her goals in life are simple—to finish raising two happy, healthy, productive young adults, to keep writing books for as long as she possibly can and to never be on a flight that makes the news.
Join Marie’s mailing list for news about new books and upcoming appearances in your area. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter @marieforce and on Instagram. Join one of Marie’s many reader groups. Contact Marie at marie@marieforce.com.

 

AUTHOR LINKS:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Newsletter | Goodreads

Join Marie’s Reader Groups

InkSlinger Blogger Final

Release Blitz: Bad Penny by Staci Hart

Posted on by
Reply

SBPRBanner-BADPENNY-RB.jpg

“Witty, sexy as all hell, and addictive like no other, Staci Hart BRINGS IT with Bad Penny.”

-T.M. Frazier, USA Today Bestselling Author

Bad Penny, an all-new romantic comedy standalone from Staci Hart is now LIVE!

cover-wrap-penny copy 4.57.20 PM

Synopsis

Nothing good comes after the third date.

See, date three is the crucial point when things get real, which is exactly why I bounce out the door, twiddling my fingers at whatever poor boy I’ve left behind. Because if I stick around, one of three things will happen: he’ll profess his undying love, he gets weird and stalky, or I’ll go crazy. Like, Sid and Nancy crazy. Like, chase-him-through-the-streets-begging-him-to-love-me crazy.

Seriously, it’s better for everyone this way.

So when I meet Bodie, I figure it’ll be the same as it ever was. It doesn’t matter that he doesn’t put a single string on me. Doesn’t matter that he’s funny and smart and jacked and can play my body like a grand piano. Because even though I’m built for love, love has only carved me up like a Christmas ham.

Resistance is something I can only hang on to for so long, and he has persistence in spades. But my heart isn’t as safe as I want to believe, and neither is his. And the second I ignore my cardinal rule is the second I stand to lose him forever.

99c-grab-it

Now 99¢ and FREE in Kindle Unlimited!

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2rt907q

Amazon UK: https://goo.gl/Qs2lvo

Add to GoodReads: https://goo.gl/pVXrzF

teaser-love-to-win

About the Author

Staci has been a lot of things up to this point in her life — a graphic designer, an entrepreneur, a seamstress, a clothing and handbag designer, a waitress. Can’t forget that. She’s also been a mom, with three little girls who are sure to grow up to break a number of hearts. She’s been a wife, though she’s certainly not the cleanest, or the best cook. She’s also super, duper fun at a party, especially if she’s been drinking whiskey.

From roots in Houston to a seven year stint in Southern California, Staci and her family ended up settling somewhere in between and equally north, in Denver. They are new enough that snow is still magical. When she’s not writing, she’s reading, sleeping, gaming, or designing graphics.

AuthorPics

Connect with Staci:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2hv5OA5

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/imaquirkybird

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

Website: http://stacihartnovels.com

Newsletter: http://stacihartnovels.com/get-the-newsletter/

Join Her Reader Group Here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/stacihart/

Release Day Launch: My Kinda Night by Lacey Black

Posted on by
Reply

Today we have the release day blitz for My Kinda Night by Lacey Black! Grab your copy today!

Title: My Kinda Night (Summer Sisters, Book 2)

Author: Lacey Black

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Photographer & Cover Design: Sara Eirew

About My Kinda Night:

Payton Summer doesn’t have time for love. Between running her own business in her hometown of Jupiter Bay and her monthly night out with her sisters, Payton has no room for men, dating, or the drama that it entails. Her life is fine just the way it is. Yet, her attraction to the one man she shouldn’t want can’t be ignored.

Dean McIntire has one rule: don’t date clients. It’s a lesson he learned the hard way, and sees the consequence every day when he looks at his five-year-old daughter. It’s not a rule he’d break again. Until he meets the gorgeous Payton Summer, and suddenly, Dean finds himself ready to throw the rule book right out the window.

What happens when the sparks of lust can’t be denied? One night turns in to two, and two turns in to more. Payton and Dean find themselves unable to stay away, but can they survive when their secrets are exposed?

*Though part of a series, this book can be read as a standalone. It is intended for those 18 and over due to graphic language, descriptive sex, and the world’s most inappropriate grandparents.

Get your Copy Today!

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU | iBooks | Kobo | B&N | Goodreads

Catch up on the series today!

Amazon | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | IBooks | Kobo | B&N

 

Exclusive Excerpt:

It’s a Summer sister tradition that on the first Saturday of each month, the six of us get together. We take turns picking the location or activity, anything from margaritas and a movie to wine and painting classes at the small gallery uptown. One thing, though, is as certain as the sun rising over the Chesapeake Bay every morning; there will be alcohol involved.

Always.

Tonight, it’s another stupid painting class. Create and Paint, that’s what this class is called. I prefer to call it “Painting sucks, let’s get drunk!” while I chug my fruity Moscato because that’s the only wine worth drinking. Abby whips out red every once in a while and I swear to God Almighty that I’m going to shrivel up and die like those nasty, sour grapes used to create red wine.

I’m the oldest of six Summer girls. Of course, I’m the boss, the leader, and the best at everything (except painting, obviously). As I approach my thirty-third birthday in a couple of weeks at the end of January, I also realize that spending time with my sisters as much as I do is going to become more of a challenge.

Jaime is three years younger than me. She’s the sister who ran away to college and never came back. Well, at least until her fiancé left her the week before the wedding. She moved home, had to move in with our dad and grandparents, and worked for me at Blossoms and Blooms for a short period of time.

Then she met Ryan. Watching those two discover their love for each other was like watching soft porn. Sparks and hormones flew like fireworks every time those two were within a fifty-foot radius of each other.

AJ is the third sister at twenty-eight, or Alison Jane as her birth certificate states. Though, we’ve called her by her nickname for as long as I can remember. She’s the eighth grade math teacher at Jupiter Bay Junior High, home of the Hawks, where she’s taught ever since receiving her teaching degree. She has also enrolled in online classes for her Master’s degree. As of January twentieth, AJ will be a night student.

After AJ comes Meghan. She’s twenty-six and a hygienist at the local dental office. How someone can work inside another’s mouth all day and not get grossed out is beyond me. But she does it. Daily. Meg is also engaged to Josh, a man who treats her like the princess she is. Meg and Josh became engaged in December during a romantic trip to New York City for their anniversary. He went all out: Empire State Building, fancy dinner, down on one knee. It was perfect, just like they are.

Rounding out the Summer sisters are the twins, Lexi and Abby. Lexi, short for Alexis, gives me a run for my money in the boss department and is a hairdresser uptown. She’s married to her high school sweetheart, Chris, who rarely attends any of our family functions. He’s busy trying to take over the financial world, and believes that the only way to achieve that is to work nonstop. I don’t think it’s all roses and fairytales at the Jacobson house.

Abby, or Abigail, was born mere minutes before Lexi, but is as different as can be. She’s reserved, quiet, and shy in ways that the rest of us aren’t. Abby is an English Literature major and works as an editor for a major publishing house out of California. She’s on her computer all day, and rarely ventures out of her little apartment. It’s my goal in this new year to get her out and into the dating world, especially in light of the fact that her love for her best friend is unrequited. Levi is a great friend, but doesn’t see the wonderful woman before him. He’s too busy sticking his penis inside of every woman in the state of Virginia. (I say that lovingly.)

Let’s not forget our father, Brian, and our grandparents, Orval and Emma. Inappropriate doesn’t quite adequately describe the older couple who helped raise all six of us after our mom died. I was seventeen when she succumbed to ovarian cancer, leaving my father behind to get six girls through the teenage years. Enter the grandparents. I’ve got stories for miles, but we’ll get to those later.

Born and raised in Jupiter Bay, a small town of about eight thousand along the Chesapeake Bay, I’ve become accustomed to the small town lifestyle. I own the local flower shop, where I devote every ounce of my soul to making it a success. I’m not gonna lie, I had my doubts there at the beginning. I didn’t know anything about running a business, but was determined to make it work. It’s a lot of work, especially with a small staff of one other employee to keep overhead down, but I’m successful. And proud of it!

And that brings us to tonight. It’s the first Saturday of the New Year and we’re busy celebrating with sandcastles and wine. Hops and Grapes, a local retailer for microbrews and wines made on the east coast, is the place for tonight’s Paint and Create class. Right now, my beach scene resembles something a kindergartener would draw with finger paints.

“Mix together a little white with the brown until you get the light sandy color you’re looking for. Dab your brush in the water and then in the paint, and make long strokes across the canvas.”

Giggles erupt beside me. “She said long strokes,” Lexi whispers not so quietly.

“I get to make long strokes. Ryan is impressively large in the man-junk area,” Jaime says, gulping the last of her wine.

“Yes, we know. You tell us every chance you get.” This from Abby.

“Yeah, it’s starting to get annoying. If I had an impressive man-sword waiting for me at home every night, I’d never leave the house,” AJ adds.

“Not worth it. I’ll take my rabbit over a man any day. That baby has seven speeds and a rotating head,” I grumble, making a mess out of my sandy beach.

“Stop being so grumpy. Maybe if you actually had the real deal for a while, you wouldn’t be so damn cynical all the time,” Jaime says from across the table. She never takes her eyes off her canvas as she makes smooth, straight brushstrokes.

My face burns and I pray the vultures I share genes with don’t notice. Of course I don’t get so lucky. I’ve always said if it weren’t for bad luck, I wouldn’t have any luck at all. Trying to concentrate on my masterpiece, I keep my eyes down and focused on the sandcastle in the corner of the scene.

“I think there’s more to the story! Do you see her blushing?” Meghan’s laughter flits from the opposite end of the table. How in the hell she can see my face is beyond me. It’s probably that sister-radar all of us possess. It’s so damn annoying.

“I am not.” It’s a weak defense, I know, but it’s all I’ve got.

“Deny it all you want, big sister, but your face is definitely blushing,” Lexi adds.

“Ladies, when you get your sandcastle the way you want it, we’ll add a few details and highlights before moving on to the water.” The woman instructing our class has worn a constant smile the entire hour we’ve been here, and frankly, I’m starting to think she hit the sauce way before our arrival tonight.

“Why does my sand look like cellulite?” AJ asks. “I give up. I’m just drinking from here on out.”

Jaime glances over at our sister’s painting. “My God, that’s horrible. Thank God you’re not the art teacher!”

“Cheers,” AJ replies, raising her glass and tapping it against Jaime’s.

“Any wedding plans yet, Meg?” Abby asks, wetting her brush before swiping it through the paint. Always the perfect student, that one.

“Not yet. We’re thinking fall, though.” Meghan’s face lights up at the mere thought of her pending nuptials to Josh.

“That’ll be the perfect time.” Abby’s able to keep her smile happy when she’s in discussion, but I’ve seen the desolation in it too. Even tonight, I see something in her eyes that makes me sad. I’m sure her best friend is the root of her anguish, but I won’t call her out on it tonight. That’s a conversation to have at another time (with less alcohol).

By the time our three-hour torture session is up, each of us has painted waves rolling onto the beach, with a shovel, pail, and sandcastle. We pose as a group for pictures, each of us proudly displaying the fruits of our labor. My sisters each discuss where they’re going to hang their newest creation, while I contemplate which closet I’ll throw it in.

“Yours is great,” Abby says with a big smile.

“Helen Keller could have done a better job,” I retort with a snort of laughter.

As we say good night and thank the instructor, we all walk out together into the crisp early-January night. Not surprisingly, Josh and Ryan are waiting. Jaime and Meg practically run towards their men, each one jumping into their arms as if it’s been days since they’ve seen each other instead of a few hours. Longing rips through my chest and settles into my stomach, heavy and unrelenting. I try to push those pesky feelings aside, but sometimes, it’s just no use. They plant in my chest and brain and dig in deep.

“Good night,” Abby says, pulling me into a hug.

“You going out tonight?” I ask, recalling her mention of Levi’s gig earlier in the evening.

“No, I’m going to take my new painting home and hang it on the wall.”

“Wow, don’t overdo it now on a Saturday night, Abs. Too much excitement will cause wrinkles.”

“I just, I don’t really go to his gigs anymore.”

“Why?” I ask, though already knowing the answer.

She shrugs her shoulders and gives me a small smile. “Just not feeling up to it.”

I let it go. I already know she doesn’t go anymore is because it’s too painful to watch him leave with some skanky bimbo with a dress size bigger than her IQ. Levi may very well never know what he’s missing with Abby, but the romantic in me is still hopeful of him getting his shit together and realizing he loves her.

Hey, I may be cynical as hell in the love department, but I’m still a woman. And this woman wants only the best and a happily ever after for every one of her sisters.

As for me? Well, I’ve decided that my happily ever after will be in the form of cats. I’ll be the little old lady wearing hair curlers and her bathrobe around town, picking up every stray feline she can find.

And you know what? That’s okay. Not everyone is cut out for the spouse, house, and perfect postcard life. Despite what they tell you in the romance novels or in Disney movies, there isn’t someone out there for everyone. Sometimes, a person is just supposed to be alone.

That’s my destiny.

 

About Lacey Black:

Lacey Black is a Midwestern girl with a passion for reading, writing, and shopping. She carries her e-reader with her everywhere she goes so she never misses an opportunity to read a few pages. Always looking for a happily ever after, Lacey is passionate about contemporary romance novels and enjoys it further when you mix in a little suspense. She resides in a small town in Illinois with her husband, two children, and a chocolate lab. Lacey loves watching NASCAR races, shooting guns, and should only consume one mixed drink because she’s a lightweight.

Lacey’s debut novel, Trust Me, was released in August 2014 and has been an Amazon Bestseller twice for Free e-books, as well as #1 for Contemporary Romance. All of the Rivers Edge books have been bestsellers in the Romance and Contemporary Romance categories.

Connect with Lacey:

Email: laceyblackwrites@gmail.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthLaceyBlack

Blog: https://laceyblack.wordpress.com

Enter Lacey’s Giveaway:

A Rafflecopter giveaway