Things I hadn’t expected to happen on my birthday . . .
1. To go from brunette to orange when I was aiming for blonde.
2. To run into my ex and his new girlfriend, who happened to be sweeter than my favorite candy bar.
3. To literally collide with a wall of muscle belonging to Lucas Donovan, the extremely sexy cornerback on the Virginia Thunder.
Did I say collide? No, I didn’t just collide, I lingered. How could I not? The man smelled like a dream, felt like heaven, and looked like a Greek god. If I didn’t know better, I would have thought my best friend wished him for me when she helped me blow out my candles. She was all about me finding Mr. Right, except I’d never been lucky in love . . . nor was I looking.
And despite all of his wonderful attributes, Lucas wasn’t my type. So when he asked for my number, I declined. Why? Because I knew he had cleat chasers and numerous athletic supporters at his beck and call. Totally not my scene. Instead, I decided to chalk our encounter up to a perfect ending to a perfectly messed-up day.
Thinking I’d never see him again, I was shocked when he popped into my store to ask me out on a date. To say I was thrown a bit off - kilter would be an understatement. Maybe that was why I eventually accepted. Or it could be because I knew my best friend would disown me if I kept turning him down. Not to mention, the man had enough charm to fill my boutique and then some.
Finally happy, I figured my luck had changed. Maybe Lucas Donovan was my Mr. Right. But then my past slammed into my present. And all I wondered was what that meant for our future.
Carina loves everything about romance. To her, it’s the little things that matter.
She also believes in insta-love, since she knew her husband was the one the first day she met him.
When it comes to books, she uses them as an escape from reality. . . . to get swept away. Carina hopes her words do the same for her readers.
She’s a mother and wife and loves spending time with her family. She enjoys meeting new people, traveling, reading, watching sports, and, of course, relaxing on a beach.
Carina looks forward to sharing more love stories in her future novels.
A sexy single dad and nanny romance from USA Today best-selling author Marni Mann …
Most college-aged girls go to Europe to experience their sexual awakening.
All I had to do was come home.
Ford Dalton isn’t the kind of man I’d look at twice—because I can’t stop looking at him at all.
We can’t take our hands off each other in the bar.
Back at his house, it’s our lips.
And in his bed?
There isn’t a single part of us that’s not on fire.
One night would never be long enough for Ford to show me every delicious thing he can do to my body.
But there’s something he’s keeping from me: he’s already met the love of his life.
His daughter, Everly.
And there’s something I’m keeping from him: I just applied for the job of my dreams.
Everly’s new nanny.
There are five stand-alone books in the Dalton Family Series:
The Lawyer
The Billionaire
The Single Dad
The Intern
The Bachelor
Review:
Oh man, Ford and Everly are hard not to love! Ford’s dedication to his daughter is one of the most attractive things in a man there could be in my opinion. I love the relationship they share. Everly seems like joy personified. She’s so full of life and love and giggles and sweetness. Who wouldn’t want to to be a part of her life? A crazy person, that’s who!
Anyway… Enter Sydney who is everything Ford doesn’t know he needs and who is full of so much love and light for both he and his daughter. She sounds like she is the perfect match for this family. She is a great teacher, a nurturer, an easy character to love.
This book has so much passion, so much fire, but so much love too. I loved getting to see all of the Dalton family through this book. I loved getting to watch this story unfold and read through all the ups and downs. It was a page turner and I was emotionally invested until the end to see how it would all end up! This was another great installation into the Dalton Brothers series!
Download today on Amazon, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Google Play, Kobo!
USA Today best-selling author Marni Mann knew she was going to be a writer since middle school. While other girls her age were daydreaming about teenage pop stars, Marni was fantasizing about penning her first novel. She crafts unique stories that weave together her love of darkness, mystery, passion, and human emotions. A New Englander at heart, she now lives in Sarasota, Florida, with her husband and their yellow Lab. When she’s not nose deep in her laptop, working on her next novel, she’s scouring for chocolate, sipping wine, traveling, or devouring fabulous books.
The peace they both crave they’ll find in each other.
Hidden Waters, an all-new emotional, roommates and friends to lovers, small-town romance from bestselling author Catherine Cowles is coming June 21st, and we have your first look!
Prologue
Addie
PAST
“Cecily!” My father’s voice bellowed through our ranch house. I swore the force of his words shook the beam above our heads.
Mom pulled her hands from the dough she was kneading and wiped them on her apron. “Scamper, Little Mouse.”
The familiar code made my stomach cramp and palms dampen. How many times had she drilled it into my head? “Scamper, Little Mouse. Find a nook to hide, just like a tiny mouse would.”
I bit my lip, shaking my head. “I want to stay with you.”
“Cecily! Where are you?”
“I’m in the kitchen, Allen. Just making your favorite biscuits for dinner.” She pushed me towards the back door, her hands warm and soothing but forceful. “Go, Little Mouse.”
I opened my mouth to try another argument, but her sharp look had me snapping it shut. The door closed quietly behind me. Mom knew better than to advertise that someone had made an escape.
I stepped to the side of the door and pressed my back to the siding of the house. I held my breath as I waited. Dad’s footsteps pounded against the floor. I watched the back step tremble with the force of them as though we were having our own little earthquake. One that only reached our house.
“John said you left today. Without me.”
I knew the words came through gritted teeth. I could picture my dad—the set of his jaw, the clench of his fists. The red that crept up the back of his neck.
“We were out of baking soda, and I knew you wanted biscuits with dinner. You were out all day. So, I took Addie into town with me.” Mom’s voice was soft, but it didn’t waver.
“Adaline should be home like her mother. She needs to learn how to tend this house so she’ll make a good wife one day. But I can’t imagine that’s possible with you teaching her.”
I pressed my hands harder into the wood of the house, splintered pieces embedding in my palms. I fought the urge to run inside. To tell him to shut up. It would only make things worse.
“I wanted to make sure you had what you wanted for dinner.” Mom’s voice sounded defeated, almost as if she’d given up.
“Then you should’ve planned ahead. Checked our pantry before I took you to the store on Sunday.”
“I’m sorry, Allen.”
There was silence for a moment, and I could picture Dad staring at her. Sometimes, he prowled around her like a jungle cat, looking for any signs of weakness.
“Tell me the truth. Were you going to meet a man?”
Mom let out a small gasp. “No. I would never. You know that.”
“Lies. I see the way you flirt with the ranch hands.”
I went up on my tiptoes, craning my head to get a glimpse inside. My stomach knotted as I took them in. Dad had grabbed Mom by the collar of her dress, pushing her against the refrigerator.
“I don’t. I would never disrespect you that way.”
“Bullshit.” He hauled back, slapping her so hard she crumpled to the floor.
A small sound escaped my lips, a panicked, keening noise. Dad’s head snapped around as he looked for the source of the sound. I took off running. My legs pumped hard as I cut across the back field towards the woods.
Our ranch butted up to national forest land. Those trees were my refuge and solace, the only safe place I’d ever known. I pushed my muscles harder, even once I’d reached the shelter of the woods.
My lungs burned as I dodged tall pines and fallen logs. Tears streamed down my face as the guilt grabbed hold. How could I have left her? I’d learned the hard way that it would be worse for us both if I stepped in. Still, I should’ve stayed close.
My run slowed to a walk as I wrapped my arms around my waist. I followed an invisible path I knew by heart and sent up a silent prayer for my mom’s protection. But I wasn’t sure that God heard me. If He did, He’d remained silent in response so far. I prayed harder, pleading and begging—for safety and for freedom.
My muscles burned as the path moved into the foothills of the mountains. The sound of rushing water teased my ears—it only made my tears come harder. This was the place that my mom had shown me, the one we’d bring a picnic to in summer or hike out to in our snow boots in winter.
I stepped out of the trees and took in the waterfall. The crashing of the water onto the rocks below reminded me that there were forces more powerful than me in the world. More mighty even than my father and his fists. I only wished I could channel them to take him on.
“Addie?”
My head jerked in the direction of the voice, my heart hammering against my ribs. I let out a shaky breath as I took in my cousin. “Evie.”
She strode towards me quickly, her horse, Storm, grazing by the edge of the pool of water. She framed my face with her hands and then pulled me into a hug. “What happened?”
“I-I’m okay. Dad hurt Mom.” My voice cracked on my words, and the tears continued to fall.
Everly hugged me tighter. “I’d like to kick his sorry ass.”
“Evie.”
She was so much braver than I was. So much fiercer. Never afraid to stand up to anyone, even her jerk of a brother or her dad when he was in one of his moods.
“Maybe we could poison him. There’s some rat poison at my house. We can grind it up and put it in his sweet tea.”
My hands fisted in her sweatshirt. “You can’t.”
Everly pulled back. “Why not? He shouldn’t be able to do what he’s doing to you and Aunt Cecily.” She bit her bottom lip. “Mom says we can’t interfere.”
No one wanted to interfere. I knew the neighbors saw Mom’s bruises, but they never said a word.
Everly’s fingers dug into my shoulders. “We could run away. We can gather our things, and I’ll bring Storm to pick you up. We could live off the land. We know how.”
Sure, our mothers had taught us what plants were safe to eat, how to build traps and shelter, but how long would we really last? I swallowed against the burn in my throat. “I’m going to talk to Mom. I’ll ask her to run away. We could steal one of the cars. Maybe we could take you and your mom, too.”
A look of longing passed over Everly’s face. “She’ll never leave. Dad doesn’t hit her or us. He’s just…”
Her words trailed off, but I knew what she meant. At times, it seemed as if Uncle Howard’s brain didn’t work right—he was always sure that the whole world was out to get him.
Everly’s fingers tightened on my shoulders. “But if you get a chance to be free, take it.” She gave me a wobbly smile. “You and I could go to college together.”
“Yeah.” College was a million years away. What I wanted more than anything in the meantime was to go to school. To have a real teacher and a classroom.
A crack of thunder sounded, and I looked at the sky. Dark storm clouds had rolled in, and a drop of rain splashed on my forehead. “You should go. You don’t want to get caught out in this on horseback.”
Everly looked back at Storm, who pawed at the dirt. “What about you? Want to come with me to my house? Storm can carry us both.”
I shook my head. “It’ll just make him madder. I’ll wait here for a little bit and then go back.”
Her jaw clenched. “You sure?”
“I’ll be fine.” I just hoped the same would be true for my mom.
“Okay. Let’s meet here for lunch tomorrow. Twelve-thirty?”
“I’ll be here.”
She pulled me into a tight hug. “Love you, Addie.”
“Love you, too.”
Everly released me and mounted Storm, giving me a wave as the skies opened. She kicked Storm into a canter as she rode away, headed down a path that would take her around and up the mountains to her house.
Rain peppered my skin. I hadn’t planned on this little adventure, and I was only wearing a t-shirt and jeans. I hurried for cover, but the trees could only give me so much.
The wind howled, sending the rain sideways and a chill rocketing through me. I’d just stay for a little while longer, enough time for Dad’s temper to cool. Only I didn’t think forever was long enough for that.
Want more? Continue reading here >>>>> https://bit.ly/3mAYa9p
My family tried to break me. But, somehow, I made it out alive, even though the wounds from that survival are forever carved into my bones. Now, my only wish is for…normal. To know what it’s like to have friends, a job, a home.
The last thing I want is for my new roommate to see the scars I’m so desperate to keep hidden, especially not the ruggedly handsome man who steals my breath and sends my heart into overdrive.
But something tells me that Beckett has demons, too. I see it in the shadows haunting his gorgeous eyes and the way he looks at me with gentle understanding.
As our unlikely friendship becomes so much more, forces from my life slink out of the shadows. And we could both lose everything we’ve fought so hard for—down to our very last breaths…
Writer of words. Drinker of Diet Cokes. Lover of all things cute and furry, especially her dog. Catherine has had her nose in a book since the time she could read and finally decided to write down some of her own stories. When she's not writing she can be found exploring her home state of Oregon, listening to true crime podcasts, or searching for her next book boyfriend.
“Somewhere in the world there is a defeat for everyone. Some are destroyed be defeat, and some made small and mean by victory. Greatness lives in one who triumphs equal over defeat and victory.” ~ John Steinbeck, ‘The Acts of King Arthur and his Noble Knights’.
When the secrets of Donovan’s past sins are revealed, his and Julia’s snow globe is threatened. With both personal and business endeavors at stake, he and Julia are forced to face the threats and dangers head on, recognizing that villains don’t always lurk in the shadows and allies come from the most unexpected of places.
Who will be left standing when the final curtain falls?
Will what started on a dark snowy night, survive the sun’s light?
Don’t miss a second of the much-anticipated conclusion to the Sin series.
From New York Times bestselling author Aleatha Romig comes a brand-new age-gap, family saga, chance meeting, contemporary romantic-suspense novel in the world of high finance, where success is sweet and revenge is sweeter.
Have you been Aleatha’d?
*BLACK KNIGHT, a full-length novel, is book four, the final novel in the Sin Series. Join the emotional ride along the white ribbon, begin with RED SIN, continue with GREEN ENVY and GOLD LUST, and find the dramatic conclusion in BLACK KNIGHT.
Review:
Oh, Van and Julia. I can’t even. What a wild ride. This book was filled with so much! From start to finish, I was so locked in and the pages were flying. I am so sad this series is over. I have loved Van and Julia from the very beginning and their ending in this story was everything I hoped it would be! Of course there were some intense and scary parts but oh so much goodness for this couple, too! There were so many other characters I loved in this series, too. I also loved Vicki and I really started to appreciate Lena in this story as well. Can’t forget Paula.
“The sunny days bring a smile to your face. The cloudy days, they’re the ones that when you look back, you see what they really were. They were the glue, the trials and tribulations that brought you closer to one another. Anyone can love in the sunshine, Julia. It takes loving in the black of night and under those storm clouds, that’s what makes a marriage strong.”
Omg, I am so in love with Mrs. Mayhand. I love that she could see Julia’s love for Van. So many commented on how they could tell Van loves her (which I freaking love of course), but I love that someone who knows and loves Van and he loves in return can see how much Julia loves him too. Mrs. Mayhand was so sweet, so thoughtful, so loving in this book and all the others but especially this one, it just made my heart happy.
Overall, I just loved this story. I loved this world that Ms. Romig built and I love the characters she created. I’ve read several books by Aleatha and this series is right on par with her usual incredible writing. I can’t wait for the next story!
Aleatha Romig is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author who lives in Indiana, USA. She grew up in Mishawaka, graduated from Indiana University, and is currently living south of Indianapolis. Aleatha has raised three children with her high school sweetheart and husband of over thirty years. Before she became a full-time author, she worked days as a dental hygienist and spent her nights writing. Now, when she's not imagining mind-blowing twists and turns, she likes to spend her time a with her family and friends. Her other pastimes include reading and creating heroes/anti-heroes who haunt your dreams and bring your imagination to life!
Aleatha released her first novel, CONSEQUENCES, in August of 2011. CONSEQUENCES became a bestselling series with five novels and two companions released from 2011 through 2015. The compelling and epic story of Anthony and Claire Rawlings has graced more than half a million e-readers. Aleatha released the first of her series TALES FROM THE DARK SIDE, INSIDIOUS, in the fall of 2014. These stand alone thrillers continue Aleatha's twisted style with an increase in heat.
In the fall of 2015, Aleatha moved head first into the world of dark romantic suspense with the release of BETRAYAL, the first of her five novel INFIDELITY series that has taken the reading world by storm. She also began her traditional publishing career with Thomas and Mercer. Her books INTO THE LIGHT and AWAY FROM THE DARK were published through this mystery/thriller publisher in 2016.
In the spring of 2017, Aleatha released her first stand-alone, fun, and sexy romantic comedy with PLUS ONE, followed by the sweet stand-alone, ONE NIGHT.
Aleatha is a "Published Author's Network" member of the Romance Writers of America and PEN America. She is represented by Kevan Lyon of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.
True North, an all-new office romance full of twists and turns from New York Times bestselling author JB Salsbury is coming August 8th, and we have the gorgeous cover!
From New York Times bestselling author, JB Salsbury, comes a heart-pounding romance with a misunderstood woman who is tired of being saved, and a hero who’s been the good guy long enough.
A case of mistaken identity leads Lillian to an unwelcome business trip with the identical twin of the devil himself. Hudson swears he’s nothing like his brother, but it’s impossible to believe his lazy grin and warm hazel eyes don’t hide something more sinister. After all, he is a North.
JB Salsbury, New York Times Best Selling author of The Fighting Series, lives in Phoenix, Arizona, with her husband and two kids. She spends the majority of her day lost in a world of battling alphas, budding romance, and impossible obstacles as stories claw away at her subconscious, begging to be released to the page.
Her love of good storytelling led her to earn a degree in Media Communications. With her journalistic background, writing has always been at the forefront, and her love of romance prompted her to write her first novel.
Since 2013 she has published six bestselling novels in The Fighting Series and won a RONE Award.
#1 New York Times bestselling author Rachel Van Dyken delivers an over-the-top, laugh-out-loud romantic comedy with this hilarious, standalone new adult romance.
I've known Jack my entire life. We went from being high school enemies to making out one fateful night at college to him being a giant D and making me cry. Now we're both interns at the same company. Mortal enemy interns.
So when the chance pops up to finally beat him at something, to land my dream job plus a bonus? I don't even blink.
I'm in. All in. I mean, how hard can it be? The managers say it's like the Olympics for interns. All we have to do is play a few silly games, and if we win--our futures are unicorns and free wine for all. The only problem? Jack's my partner, and in order to win, we will have to get along.
As the stakes get higher, so does the heat, and damn is he hot when he's... never mind. I can focus. I can totally focus and not make out with him or end up in his bed--again. I can do it. For the sake of my career, I can do it. I just need a blindfold, sage, and a lot of prayers.
My job is the only thing I have right now. My focus is strong. But when that stupid guy smiles, all I can think about is that one kiss, followed by the second, and I wonder if my priorities are in order or if I'm falling for the enemy once again.
Review:
What a good, fun read! I love the nostalgia of this book. I totally watched Nick as a kid and wanted to do all the game shows on it. It was fun being able to live vicariously through Jack and Ivy as they went through these challenges and so many more that Max freaking Emory cooked up for them! I loved all the Max Easter eggs, of course. There were plenty of things he said and the others said that made me laugh out loud through this book. I was also hoping things would work out the way they should, in the best way possible, for everyone throughout this story. Also, there are 2 things I’ll never be able to think about without laughing about again- participation trophies and a stapler 😂 Loved this book, thanks for a fun read RVD!
Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited
Rachel Van Dyken is the #1 New York Times Bestselling, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of over 90 books ranging from contemporary romance to paranormal. With over four million copies sold, she's been featured in Forbes, US Weekly, and USA Today. Her books have been translated in more than 15 countries. She was one of the first romance authors to have a Kindle in Motion book through Amazon publishing and continues to strive to be on the cutting edge of the reader experience. She keeps her home in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, adorable sons, naked cat, and two dogs. For more information about her books and upcoming events, visit www.RachelVanDykenauthor.com
