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Release Date: March 29thGenre: Contemporary/Sports Romance
Praise for HARDBALL:
“Dash Wallace is a dirty talking, sexy professional baseball player who falls hard for the girl next door, but beware... your heart will take a beating as you watch him struggle with sticking to all he's ever known at the risk of losing the best thing that ever happened to him. Hardball is one of those books that will suck you in and won't let you go until you devour every last, juicy bite.”— Sawyer Bennett, NY Times Bestselling Author“Fiery hot and enticingly realistic, CD Reiss's captivating writing, complex characters and explosive love scenes make Hard Ball an irresistible modern day romance.”— Katy Evans, NY Times Bestselling Author
Synopsis:
Perfect ass. Perfect arms. Perfect swagger. They call Dash Wallace the Diamond King. He’s the hottest commodity in baseball and in the bedroom. When he runs the bases, every woman’s eyes are glued to his stunning body and a smile that puts the night lights to shame. I’m no queen. I’m a regular girl with a regular job. I just watch him on TV and from the bleachers, season after season. Girls like me grab a guy like that one in a million times. My number just came up, and he is as spectacular in bed as he is on the field. But there’s not a woman in the world who can distract Dash Wallace from the game. Not for a moment. Not even me. Until the night I do. And everything changes. ----- Hardball is a SMOKING HOT, SEXY romance with a touch of angst and a ton of heart from CD Reiss. It's a fun, witty, full-length standalone meant for the over-eighteen crowd.
CD Reiss is a USA Today bestseller. She still has to chop wood and carry water, which was buried in the fine print. Her lawyer is working it out with God but in the meantime, if you call and she doesn't pick up she's at the well hauling buckets.Born in New York City, she moved to Hollywood, California to get her master's degree in screenwriting from USC. In case you want to know, that went nowhere but it did give her a big enough ego to write novels.
She's frequently referred to as the Shakespeare of Smut which is flattering but hasn't ever gotten her out of chopping that cord of wood.
If you meet her in person, you should call her Christine.
I'm just going to start this post by saying I LOVE MARINA!! I adore her writing and her characters are so realistic. I want to hurry up and read her books, but at the same time, I don't want them to be over. I just want to wallow in her words. Marina, if you see this, I FLOVE YOU! haha So I'm not 100% Harper, but man, it sure felt like Harper and I had a similar story. My heart went out to her for always being put in the friend zone. But, life goes on and she tried to be optimistic and put a smile on her face, even when it hurt. What else can you do!? She's quirky, fun, loving, caring and always made people happy. No one ever said a bad word about Harper. Adam was the local fireman, sex-lebrity in St. Helena. He's the resident playboy and has never had a serious girlfriend. He was the one guy Harper never considered to date. And he totally snuck up on her. She got to see a side of him others didn't see. Watching them fall for each other was like this:
I got lost in their story and couldn't wait to see how things would turn out. Man, Marina writes such a swoon-worthy romance! I LOVE the fact that the H/h build a relationship and it's not insta-love. It's realistic and easy to get sucked into their lives. Adam wants to better his career and not get stuck where he is. He also wants to help others and make things better for those around him when he can. He's a total dreamboat. I can see why Harper liked him and their chemistry... WHEW! It's gettin' hot in herrre. For realz. They fit each other and the reader can't help but cheer them on! This was another great book from Marina Adair and I HIGHLY suggest it!
*ARC received from NetGalley for my honest review*
Every red-blooded male in St. Helena wants Harper Owens…as a friend. Despite her efforts at seduction, Harper seems to be destined to end up alone. The only guy with a knack for unleashing her inner vixen is firefighter and resident rule-breaker Adam Baudouin. Agreeing to a faux-mance could help him secure a promotion—and save her family’s lingerie shop, the Boulder Holder. But playing with fire has consequences. Especially when the flame comes courtesy of St. Helena’s own Five-Alarm Casanova… None of Adam’s quick-and-easy hookups have prepared him for a connection this extraordinary. There’s more to the milk-and-cookies art teacher that he’d love to explore. But first he has to convince her to trust the town’s most notorious playboy. Even tougher—he’ll have to trust himself to be the real-life hero this warm and sexy woman deserves.
Welcome to Storm, Texas, where passion runs hot, desire runs deep, and secrets have the power to destroy...
Nestled among rolling hills and painted with vibrant wildflowers, the bucolic town of Storm, Texas, seems like nothing short of perfection.
But there are secrets beneath the facade. Dark secrets. Powerful secrets. The kind that can destroy lives and tear families apart. The kind that can cut through a town like a tempest, leaving jealousy and destruction in its wake, along with shattered hopes and broken dreams. All it takes is one little thing to shatter that polish.
Reading like an on-going drama in the tradition of classic day and night-time soap operas like Dallas, Dynasty, and All My Children, Rising Storm is full of scandal, deceit, romance, passion, and secrets.
With 1001 Dark Nights as the “producer,” Julie Kenner and Dee Davis use a television model with each week building on the last to create a storyline that fulfills the promise of a drama-filled soap opera. Joining Kenner and Davis in the “writer’s room” for the Midseason Episodes of this serial opera are bestselling authors Lexi Blake and Larissa Ione who have brought their vision of Storm to life.
So get ready. The storm is coming.
Secrets, Sex and Scandals …
Welcome to Storm, Texas, where passion runs hot, desire runs deep, and secrets have the power to destroy… Get ready. The storm is coming.
In the wake of Dakota’s revelations, the whole town is reeling. Ginny Moreno has lost everything. Logan Murphy is devastated by her lies. Brittany Rush sees her family in a horrifying new light. And nothing will ever be the same…
My review:
I loved all of the first season's episodes so I jumped at the chance to review this Midseason episode! And whew wee!! Lexi Blake has brought it! This picked up right where the end of last season left off (and if you haven't read it, you need to start at Episode 1). Dakota has definitely brought the storm to their little town and in more ways than she even realized. And it's only about to get worse!
Three families are affected by Dakota's outburst and odds are, it isn't going to work out well for her. Ginny has to live with the outcome of her choice but she wasn't sure how to move forward when she found out she was pregnant. She hates that it happened this way, but she's stepping up to the plate and trying to make things right with Celeste. Only, Celeste is having none of it. It will be interesting to see how they come to terms with the loss of Jacob for good this time and where that leave Ginny.
The Rushes have been separate for awhile, but now Marylee is working on Payton to stand beside her husband and unite. She has known for some time about his discretions but she's thinking about siding with Marylee. However, I'm wondering how her friendship with Francine will work out. I definitely feel like there's something there but wonder what that would do to Sebastian. And Brittany is dealing with the loss of her best friend and learning Ginny slept with her dad. It's a hard pill to swallow and thankfully she has Marcus by her side, even though it was his sister that has caused the latest mess.
And the plot thickens.... I can't wait for more. This is seriously like a soap opera and I'm totally addicted! Get your episode today!
Check out this fantastic excerpt from AFTER THE STORM!
“I didn’t know I was pregnant until I woke up from the accident.” Ginny’s voice was an impassioned whisper. “I found out two things that changed my life in that moment. I found out that my best friend was gone and that I was pregnant. And I prayed so hard that I hadn’t lost all of Jacob forever.”
Forever. That’s what she was looking at. She was looking at an entire lifetime of being a mother without a son. She loved her daughters dearly, but she would mourn Jacob forever. And this selfish girl was equating her pain as though they were the same. As though one night of spreading her legs gave her the right to mourn him.
“I think you woke up and realized you had two options. Take care of that baby alone or worm your way into Jacob’s family and his money.”
“I never cared about the money.”
Celeste wasn’t going to listen to that tripe. “Of course you did. Not enough to keep your legs closed. You say you loved Jacob but how long did you wait before you hopped into bed with that Murphy boy? Did you even break it off with my brother-in-law? How many men do you need on your string?”
“I’ve never slept with Logan, but I will admit that I’m in love with him. I love him in a way I never loved Jacob. Jacob was my best friend, but I know now that he wasn’t my soul mate. I pray with everything I am that this is his child, that we receive a miracle because I don’t want him to be lost forever, but I won’t hide what I feel for Logan and I won’t pretend it’s nasty. Not even to placate you, Celeste. I want to make things right between us and that means apologizing to you. Celeste, I’m so sorry I hurt you. I never meant to. I should have been braver. I should have been stronger, but I woke up and the world
had crashed around me and I wanted the love you could give me. That all of you could give me. I’m sorry that it brought you so much pain.”
Something about the way she was standing there enraged Celeste. How could she stand there looking so innocent? How could she say exactly the right things to garner empathy? Celeste didn’t want to empathize. She wanted to fight and tear up things and destroy the world around her because it seemed so damn intent on destroying her. She wanted to burn it all down.
She didn’t feel her hand snap back, didn’t quite understand what she was doing. The world seemed tinged in red at the corners as though rage now filtered her vision. And it slowed everything down. In horror she realized she was going to strike Ginny Moreno. Her hand was going to bring justice her words never could.
And then it slapped against flesh. A strong hand circled her wrist and Travis stared down at her like he had no idea who she was.
About Lexi Blake:New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband and three kids. She began writing at a young age concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn’t until she started writing romance that she found success. Lexi believes in happy endings no matter how odd the couple, threesome or foursome may seem.
Visit Lexi Blake’s website and follow her on:
Danger, mysterious pasts, and passion come together in this new standalone contemporary romance novel from USA Todaybestselling author, Rebecca Shea. Can Saige and Holt get over the past in order to have a future? Pick up DARE ME today and immerse yourself in the unforgettable moments where one dare spirals out of control and changes lives.
I dare you.
Five coworkers.
Four drinks.
Three glances.
Two fleeting smiles.
One dare.
A dare that will change my life.
That’s all it takes to send me plummeting into the arms of the mysterious Holt Hamilton. Behind his crystal blue eyes is a secret, one that screams danger but calls to me anyway.
“Sometimes you have to take that leap…or that dare…so you can learn to live and love again! Saige and Holt’s story had me on a rollercoaster of emotions…” – Crystal, Barnes and Noble
“This book hooked me instantly, and kept me interested throughout. I didn’t want to put it down! Another winner from Rebecca Shea!!” – Not Your Mama’s Romance
“I just couldn’t get enough. DARE ME took my breath away!” – Shayna Renee’s Spicy Reviews
DARE ME TRAILER: https://youtu.be/9W7AnPtH_cc
My Review:
Wow oh wow!! First of all, the FEELS in this book! I had to sit a minute before putting my thoughts down for you to read. This book was so incredibly good. I devoured this read and couldn't put it down to save my life! I was sucked in immediately. In the beginning, we see a traumatic experience in Saige's young life. I had a feeling I knew where the book was going but DANG! It was tough. Then we see Saige in the now, working to live her life and move on from the trauma. She's hardworking, tough and struggling to get through life some days. She has a great friend in Evelyn who worries about her and a fun and eclectic group of people she works with. In fact, one night during happy hour, they dare her to ask the owner of their company out for drinks. It's the best thing they could have done for her. It got her out of her comfort zone. Holt is HOT!! Not only is he good looking on the outside, but he has a good heart. Throughout the book, the reader knows there is more to his story than he's letting Saige in on, and so I felt like I was on the edge of my seat waiting for whatever that might be. Their chemistry is seriously hot! It was interesting to see how much Holt wanted a relationship with Saige while she was the one holding them off. Her past caused her to not let people in and it's quite understandable. Her friends are funny #HowHotIsHolt and they are a good support system for her. They care about her. Emotions were running high and I was 100% invested in this story and found myself bawling at one point during this story. Now, I probably cried over something others wouldn't, but because of the strong emotions and things happening in the book, this one thing KILLED me. And I don't want to ruin anything but it was sad to watch unfold. Been there, done that so I knew what she was going through. And this was my first Rebecca Shea book, but it definitely won't be my last! I love finding new-to-me authors. Don't let this book pass you by! Take a chance on it like I did.
Excerpt
A quick train ride later and I’m pushing through the revolving doors to Jackson-Hamilton Aviation.
“Morning, Larry!” I wave and hustle past the security desk where Larry sits.
“Mornin’, sweetheart,” he yells back, never once taking his eyes off the newspaper he’s reading.
My heels click loudly on the granite floor of the open-air atrium as I hustle over to the elevator bank. I frantically press the call button for the elevator and glance at my watch. I’m already five minutes late. I hate being late. Punctual is my middle name. If I’m not five minutes early, I’m late. That’s how I roll.
Groaning, I tap the toe of my shoe impatiently. When an elevator finally arrives, I scurry in just as a voice from behind me hollers out, “Hold that elevator, please.” I grumble but hold the doors as Holt Hamilton glides in, a cell phone pressed to his ear. With a curt nod, he steps aside and the elevator doors close while my heart pounds wildly in my chest.
Holt Hamilton. The sexiest man I’ve ever seen and the Vice President of Jackson-Hamilton Aviation—basically my boss. Standing at least six-foot-three, he could be Henry Cavill’s twin brother. With striking blue eyes and dark hair that’s styled back off of his face, he’s the perfect combination of businessman meets runway model. His cut jawline is accentuated by one very perfect dimple on his left cheek.
His athletic frame is highlighted by his custom-tailored suit that hugs each and every curve of his shoulders, arms, and waist, showing every muscle the man owns as he leans against the side of the elevator. Today he’s wearing a charcoal suit with a blue shirt and striped tie. The blue shirt makes his blue eyes stand out against his tan skin. I catch myself staring and quickly turn to face the doors of the elevator.
“Morning, Ms. Phillips,” he says with a tight smile. He shoves his cell phone into the pocket of his suit jacket.
Again, my heart is racing. “Mr. Hamilton.” I nod and keep my eyes on the digital display showing the floor numbers. Fifty-seven, fifty-eight, I silently count as we continue to rise. Only thirty more. I take a deep breath, trying to calm myself.
“How are you settling in?” he asks, his voice deep and commanding. I half-turn to speak to him and catch his smirk, but he quickly composes himself and adjusts his tie.
“It’s going well. I submitted the final orders for both planes that were overdue. Mr. Jackson emphasized those were priority.” I raise my chin confidently, but my heart continues to race with nervousness.
“You closed both orders?” he asks, surprised. “As in, you got both clients to agree to every last detail?” He looks skeptical. These particular clients were a nightmare. I knew when I accepted the job that I’d have demanding clients, but those two were the cream of the crop.
“I did.” Another confident nod.
"Huh," he mumbles, giving his head a little shake. “So how’d you do it? Rachel had been working for months with those clients, and they wouldn’t agree to anything she recommended. She tossed their client portfolios on my desk the day she resigned and swore we’d never close the deal on those planes.”
I try to contain my smirk. “I get to know my clients, Mr. Hamilton. I make an effort to really understand their likes and dislikes—their personal preferences. What excites them. What motivates them. Not just shove today’s best-selling aeronautical features down their throats. I work with them and, in the end, they trust me and my recommendations—we’re a team.”
“It's that easy?” He cocks an eyebrow in amusement.
I cock an eyebrow in return. “It's that easy. Payments are finalized and in the Jackson-Hamilton account, Mr. Hamilton. Planes are scheduled to be delivered to both clients in the next ninety days.” I rub my sweaty palms down the sides of my pencil skirt.
He stares at me silently, just chewing on the inside of his cheek when the elevator finally slows to a stop. The doors open and Holt reaches out and places his arm against the open door so as to not let them close on us, but in doing so, places himself shoulder to shoulder with me. Too close. So close I can smell his body wash and his minty breath.
I quickly step out of the elevator and into the lobby of Jackson-Hamilton Aviation and begin to walk down the hall toward my cubicle, the opposite direction of Holt Hamilton.
“Nice work, Phillips,” he says from behind me.
About Rebecca Shea: Rebecca Shea is the USA Today Bestselling author of the Unbreakable series (Unbreakable, Undone, and Unforgiven) and the Bound and Broken series (Broken by Lies and Bound by Lies). She lives in Phoenix, Arizona with her family. From the time Rebecca could read she has had a passion for books. Rebecca spends her days working and her nights writing, bringing stories to life. Born and raised in Minnesota, Rebecca moved to Arizona in 1999 to escape the bitter winters. When not working or writing, she can be found on the sidelines of her sons’ football games, or watching her daughter at ballet class. Rebecca is fueled by insane amounts of coffee, margaritas, Laffy Taffy (except the banana ones), and happily ever afters.
This book is smokin' hot! I was sucked into the story from page 1 and I couldn't get enough of Clay Kincaid and Samantha Jamieson. Samantha is a strong, independent woman whose daddy doesn't want her to live her life, but live his. He has a strong hold on her and she's tired of it! She and Clay cross paths and he finds himself wanting to help her. And in the process, he's intrigued by her and realizes she's different. Their chemistry is off the charts hot and completely unavoidable! And when he gets a taste of her, he wants more. Clay has had a hard childhood and tough upbringing, but it's made him the man he is today. And he's a sucker for helping those close to him in need. Samantha has had an entirely different childhood and Clay knows they are so far apart, but neither can deny the attraction between them. Holy hotness, Batman! Beware, your kindle, book and/or panties may just melt! These 2 were made for each other and it was so easy to get lost in their story. When Clay's ugly past rears his head Samantha makes a choice that affects both of them and boy was this a good HEA story. *sigh* Sure, some parts are a little predictable, but this book was quite enjoyable and easy to get lost in. It was interesting, sad, sweet, romantic and all around great read! I also like that it's a series (but not a cliffhanger) so I'm sure we'll see some more of Clay and Samantha in Mason's story next!
Teaser
She had a small amount of cash on her, and there was no telling how much longer she'd have access to her credit cards before they were put on hold. She called a cab company, then got out of the car, tossed the keys and cell phone beneath the seat—since her father could track that, as well—and manually locked the door. Within minutes, a taxi pulled up to where Samantha was waiting. The driver was a friendly young girl in her early twenties, and she was counting on the other woman to find her just the right place to celebrate her first night of freedom. A place where no one knew her or would judge her or would expect her to be the good girl she'd always been. "My name is Angie." The girl glanced over her shoulder to the backseat with a friendly smile. "Where can I take you tonight?" "To your favorite bar in the Chicago area." Angie's brows rose in surprise as she took in Samantha's designer purse and high-end attire. "Are you sure about that? My favorite bar is a far cry from The Aviary," she said of the upscale lounge where the wealthy went to mingle and be seen. "The place I hang out at is a bit on the…unrefined side," she said with a laugh. Samantha grinned. "That's exactly what I'm counting on."
New York Times bestselling authors Carly Phillips and Erika Wilde bring you a dirty, sexy, smoking hot SERIES featuring three bad boy brothers bonded by shocking secrets and their damaged past. Sinful, addicting, and unapologetically alpha, these men are every woman’s erotic daydream ... And your ultimate dirty fantasy. Are you ready to get Dirty Sexy with a Saint? Clay Kincaid knows he's more a sinner than a saint. Especially when it comes to women. With a rough and damaged past that has left him jaded, he doesn't do committed relationships. But he does like sex—the hotter and harder, the better. He likes it fast and filthy, which is why he refuses to even touch someone as sweet and guileless as Samantha Jamieson. Until he discovers that she likes it just as down and dirty as he does. Let the sinning begin . . . DIRTY SEXY INKED & DIRTY SEXY CUFFED coming in 2016!
All books in the DIRTY SEXY Series are full-length novels with no cliffhangers
***About Carly Phillips***
Carly Phillips is the N.Y. Times and USA Today Bestselling Author of over 50 sexy contemporary romance novels featuring hot men, strong women and the emotionally compelling stories her readers have come to expect and love. Carly is happily married to her college sweetheart, the mother of two nearly adult daughters and three crazy dogs (two wheaten terriers and one mutant Havanese) who star on her Facebook Fan Page and website. Carly loves social media and is always around to interact with her readers. You can find out more about Carly at www.carlyphillips.com.
***About Erika Wilde***
Erika Wilde is the author of the sexy Marriage Diaries series and The Players Club series. She lives in Oregon with her husband and two daughters, and when she's not writing you can find her exploring the beautiful Pacific Northwest. For more information on her upcoming releases, please visit website at www.erikawilde.com Hosted by:
Release Date: March 29thGenre: Contemporary/Sports Romance
Praise for HARDBALL:
“Dash Wallace is a dirty talking, sexy professional baseball player who falls hard for the girl next door, but beware... your heart will take a beating as you watch him struggle with sticking to all he's ever known at the risk of losing the best thing that ever happened to him. Hardball is one of those books that will suck you in and won't let you go until you devour every last, juicy bite.”
—Sawyer Bennett, NY Times Bestselling Author
“Fiery hot and enticingly realistic, CD Reiss's captivating writing, complex characters and explosive love scenes make Hard Ball an irresistible modern day romance.”
— Katy Evans, NY Times Bestselling Author
“Delightful, sexy, emotional, exciting, exhilarating. I loved every single second of it! A sports romance with a DASH of kink....it doesn't get any better than that!”
—Shayna Renee's Spicy Reads
“Unexpectedly emotional, beautifully written, and decadently naughty, CD Reiss once again owned me heart and soul. Hardball was an enthralling romance from start to finish!! And I never wanted it to end.”
—Angie and Jessica's Dreamy Reads
Synopsis:
Perfect ass.
Perfect arms.
Perfect swagger.
They call Dash Wallace the Diamond King.
He’s the hottest commodity in baseball and in the bedroom.
When he runs the bases, every woman’s eyes are glued to his stunning body and a smile that puts the night lights to shame.
I’m no queen. I’m a regular girl with a regular job. I just watch him on TV and from the bleachers, season after season.
Girls like me grab a guy like that one in a million times.
My number just came up, and he is as spectacular in bed as he is on the field.
But there’s not a woman in the world who can distract Dash Wallace from the game. Not for a moment. Not even me.
Until the night I do. And everything changes.
-----
Hardball is a SMOKING HOT, SEXY romance with a touch of angst and a ton of heart from CD Reiss. It's a fun, witty, full-length standalone meant for the over-eighteen crowd.
"I finished Ginger's Heart last night, and I am completely and utterly in love." --Mia Sheridan, NY Times bestselling author Once upon a time there were two cousins: one golden like the sun, one dark like midnight, one a protector, one a predator, one a Woodsman and one a Wolf… both owning equal, but different, parts of a little girl's heart.
In this modern retelling of "Little Red Riding Hood," the woodsman and the wolf are cousins, and Little Red is the girl with whom they both fall in love.
Beautiful Ginger McHuid, daughter of Kentucky's premiere horse breeder, grows up on her family farm, best friends with Cain Wolfram, the son of her father's Stallion Manager, and Cain's cousin, Josiah Woodman, son of a local banker. Throughout their happy childhood, the three are inseparable friends, but as they mature into adults, complicated feelings threaten to destroy their long history of friendship and love.
Ginger's Heart
*****
This is a standalone novel inspired by Little Red Riding Hood. New Adult Contemporary Romance: Due to profanity and very strong sexual content, this book is not intended for readers under the age of 18.
(The next standalone a modern fairytale novel, Don't Speak, inspired by The Little Mermaid, will be released in 2017.)
I really enjoyed this book! It was the first book I've read from Katy Regnery. The concept was really quite cool and one thing I thought was neat and different about it, was how within the story, we'd see something play out from Ginger's perspective and one of the guys. For example there was a kiss in one scene and we saw it from Ginger and Cain's POV, then we saw the same thing unfold a few minutes later from Woodman's POV. So Katy constantly allowed you to see what was happening with all characters. I really enjoyed the way this was written.
The story line was one that easily allowed the reader to get lost in their world. The reader feels Ginger's struggle over each man and the good and bad to both of them. She loved them both differently and at times struggled with that. Cain still had a hold on her even though she wanted to let him go. And the struggle between cousins! Whew! I don't want to give anything away, but don't miss this book.
About Katy Regnery
Katy Regnery, award-winning and Amazon bestselling author, started her writing career by enrolling in a short story class in January 2012. One year later, she signed her first contract for a winter romance entitled By Proxy. Now a hybrid author who publishes both independently and traditionally, Katy claims authorship of the six-book Heart of Montana series, the six-book English Brothers series, and a Kindle Worlds novella entitled "Four Weddings and a Fiasco:
The Wedding Date," in addition to the standalone novels, Playing for Love at Deep Haven and Amazon bestseller, The Vixen and the Vet. The Vixen and the Vet is included in the charity anthology Hometown Heroes: Hotter Ever After, and Katy's novella "Frosted" appeared in the Jan '15 anthology, Snowy Days Steamy Nights. Additionally, Katy's short story, "The Long Way Home" appeared in the first RWA anthology (Feb '15), Premiere. Katy lives in the relative wilds of northern Fairfield County, Connecticut, where her writing room looks out at the woods, and her husband, two young children, and two dogs create just enough cheerful chaos to remind her that the very best love stories begin at home.
Excerpt from Chapter 12 of Ginger's Heart, a modern fairytale, by Katy Regnery. All rights reserved. Used with permission.
An hour later they stopped by the Glenn River, eight miles downriver from Ginger's house and two from the distillery where Cain had partied last night. "We should water them," he said, reining in Thunder and dismounting with the ease of a lifelong horseman. She reined in Heath, who nickered in protest, and grinned down at Cain who reached up for her. His hands lingered for an extra moment on her hips as she slid down the front of his body. Leaning her head back, she stared up at him, daring him to pull her closer, to kiss her, to admit that this whole "friends" thing was bullshit on fire. But, he clenched his jaw, cleared his throat and dropped his hands. "Thanks," she murmured, her voice husky in her ears as he stared down at her, his eyes flinty and dark. Taking Heath's reins with a grunt, he turned away from her, leading the horses to the river's edge and leaving her to follow behind. She leaned down to pick up a flat stone and skipped it across the slow moving water. "Not bad," said Cain. "You were always the best." "Nah," he said. "Woodman was better." "Nope," she countered, picking up another stone. "Woodman was good, but you were better. Remember that Fourth of July that you skipped eleven times? Eleven times. It was a record." Satisfied that the horses were calm and drinking their fill, Cain leaned down and grabbed a rock of his own, skipping it over the dark water. One-two-three-four-five-six-seven… "Wow!" she said, clapping lightly. "You've still got the touch!" He turned to her, grinning. "You always get excited about the littlest things. What's it like gettin' a kick out of everythin', Gin?" "What's it like gettin' a kick out of nothin', Cain?" she asked, her voice full of sass. "I'm gettin' a kick out of you right now, princess." A charge zapped between them as the words left his mouth, and her breath hitched and held for just a moment, but she looked down and picked up another rock. She was enjoying today too much to go back to Awkwardland. She skipped her rock, which sunk after three measly hops. "Remember when you saved my Cabbage Patch doll from certain doom in this river?" she asked
him. He screwed up his face as her. "Wasn't me. Must have been Woodman." "It was you!" she insisted. "Not Woodman!" "Savin' a dolly? Please. That has Woodman written all over it. I couldn't have cared less if it drowned." "But I cared," she said softly. "Which is why you saved it." "Fine. Have it your way," he said, sitting down on a large rock near the water's edge. She sighed, squatting down to wash her hands in the clear water before looking back at him. "Why do you do that?" "Do what?" "Let Woodman take credit for all the good things?" He shrugged, looking away from her, out at the water. "I don't." "You just did. Twice." He sighed, giving her a long-suffering look. "If somethin' good happened, chances were, it was Woodman's doin'." "How do you figure?" "He's the better man, Gin," said Cain, his eyes severe, his words deliberate. She stood up slowly, turning her body completely to face him. "Do you really believe that?" He looked away. "It's the truth." "Cain. Cain, look at me." Her words didn't feel like enough so she beseeched him with her eyes too. "You're just as good a man as he is." "Ha!" scoffed Cain, standing up and moving away from her. "Not in this life, princess."
Jennifer's novella Dante's Fire, has a brand new look we are revealing for the first time today, too!
BLURB:
It’s Time To Meet A New Kind Of Hero...
Dante Stark has a dark secret--a legacy left to him by his father which is both a blessing and a curse. A traumatic experience as a small boy gave him special powers of healing, but it comes with a price. Destined to wander the world alone to heal others, he's accepted his fate. Until Selina Rogers forces him to confront his deepest fears, erotic desires, and question his capacity to love.
Selina Rogers has made a name for herself at Inferno Enterprises. She's tough, confident and prepared to succeed. She's also built a world she believes is safe, until she's attacked and then saved by a masked stranger. As he helps her heal physically and emotionally, she becomes fascinated by his overwhelming power and gentle touch. Determined to show Dante the love he's been denying himself, Selina surrenders her heart, and dreams of a future with the mysterious man who completes her.
But will his dark legacy destroy them...or save them both...
Jennifer Probst - Bio:Jennifer Probst wrote her first book at twelve years old. She bound it in a folder, read it to her classmates, and hasn’t stopped writing since. She took a short hiatus to get married, get pregnant, buy a house, get pregnant again, pursue a master’s in English Literature, and rescue two shelter dogs. Now she is writing again.
She makes her home in Upstate New York with the whole crew. Her sons keep her active, stressed, joyous, and sad her house will never be truly clean.
She is the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of sexy and erotic contemporary romance. She was thrilled her book, The Marriage Bargain, was ranked #6 on Amazon's Best Books for 2012. She loves hearing from readers. Visit her website for updates on new releases and her street team at www.jenniferprobst.com.
New York Times bestselling author Violet Duke kicks off her fun and sexy new Fourth Down series with a heartwarming friends-to-lovers romance between a no-strings-attached sports analyst and the hottest damn tomboy he’s ever met. It’s no secret that sports analyst Jackson Gray doesn’t do relationships. What is a secret, however, is the reason why. Jackson’s life is . . . complicated. And it doesn’t help that his current hands-off “friendship” is with the cute-as-hell new sideline reporter he’s assigned to train. Turns out, not only is the woman damn sweet, she also knows as much about football as he does. Like it or not though, Jackson has to remind himself that sex is the only thing he has to offer . . . until now. Leila Hart’s fast-growing friendship with Jackson is something she’d never risk, no matter how unbelievably seductive the reward. Becoming an NFL sportscaster has always been the goal, and thanks to Jackson’s fierce support and mentoring, it all finally seems within reach. Problem is, a girl can only take so much of that sexy-as-sin voice whispering dirty, filthy football stats in her ear before she loses all self-control. A workplace romance with Jackson is a disaster waiting to happen, especially for someone with big dreams . . . and secrets of her own. Advance praise for Jackson’s Trust "Violet Duke's writing jumps off the page and grabs you from the first sentence!" -- New York Times bestselling author BELLA ANDRE, #1 bestselling author of The Sullivans series "Hot, sweet, and filled with tender moments, Violet Duke writes heroes that make me swoon!" – New York Times bestselling author KENDALL RYAN "A delightfully fresh read...Violet Duke delivers it all!" -- New York Times bestselling author JEN MCLAUGHLIN “Emotional, heart-wrenching, and oh-so-sweet...Violet Duke has me hooked.” -- New York Times bestselling author L.P. DOVER "Well-written kindred souls...Jackson and Leila are a couple you don’t want to miss! --New York Times bestselling author HEIDI MCLAUGHLIN “I love this hotter side of Violet Duke…still sweet & emotional, but with a bit of extra sizzle.Jackson’s Trust is a must-read.” -- New York Times bestselling author Sawyer Bennett
NEW YORK TIMES & USA TODAY bestselling author Violet Duke is a former professor of English Education ecstatic to now be on the other side of the page writing wickedly fun contemporary romances filled with strong, unique heroines and memorably romantic heroes. With just under a million books sold to date, since becoming an author in 2013, Violet has appeared on the USA Today bestseller list thirteen times and the NYT bestseller list three times, with the additional honor of charting in the Top 10 across the major eretailers both in the U.S. and internationally. When she's not feeding her book-a-day reading addiction, Violet enjoys tackling reno projects with her power tools, trying pretty much anything without reading the directions first, and cooking impossible-to-be-duplicated 'special edition' dishes that laugh in the face of recipes. A born and raised island girl, she spends her days in Hawai'i chasing after her two cute kids (daughter Violet & son Duke) and similarly adorable husband (their ringleader).
Jackson's story was one I've been waiting on for awhile but definitely worth the wait!!! Violet Duke has done it again... And Oh. The. Feels.
I must say, a lot of the football talk went right over my head (definitely not my expertise) but I still really enjoyed this story. Leila is a strong, independent woman who hasn't had an easy life. But she knows football, is super smart and she makes a way for herself. And as a reader, I couldn't help but cheer her on as she showed the men what was up!
Jackson is a bit of a ladies man, well liked by his coworkers and people who cross his path and he knows his football. It also doesn't hurt that he is an extremely hot analyst at the station where Leila was hired to work. She's drawn to him immediately. And he knows she's lying when he's first introduced to her and it's pretty funny to watch unfold. Their friendship was a joy to watch! Leila wants to be taken seriously and she doesn't want anyone to think she has slept her way to where she is so she doesn't mix business with pleasure. But the chemistry between these two is HOTTTT!! Their story was one that was easy to get lost in and I enjoyed it immensely! I definitely recommend this book!
“My life is . . . complicated.” Jackson broke his gaze away from her. “A relationship would be doomed to fail from the start.”
He sounded genuinely disappointed. Almost wistful. The way her grandmother had sounded years ago when her doctors told her she had to change her diet to cut out sweets, her favorite thing ever.
His eyes found hers again. “Funny thing is that I used to be one of those guys who figured he’d have a kid or two by now. Cute hell raisers who’d help me spoil their mom on Sunday mornings, that sort of thing.” Doting affection filtered into his tone. “And vice versa. A partner in crime who’d help me plan surprises for the kids that would be so stinkin’ adorable that I’d max out the memory on my phone taking photo after photo.”
Good grief, she was pretty sure one of her ovaries just fainted.
Leila had the sneaking suspicion that she was going to fall for this man. Hard. “So because of your secretly complicated life, you only date women who want . . .”
“Sex.” His eyes stayed glued to hers as he dropped the one word like a bomb. “Just sex. At their place, not mine. Occasionally, with lunch or dinner as well, but never breakfast.”
Wow. That was the very definition of just sex, alright.
“That honest enough for you?”
Yep. That worked. Did it settle her curiosity at the moment? Unquestionably. Did it get her to want to widen the number of spaces between them on the game board?
Not so much.
She watched him watch her reaction to his answer, and gave him the smile she knew he wasn’t expecting. Along with the follow-up she knew he really wasn’t expecting. “So you flirting with me earlier was you picking up on some sex-only, no-breakfast-in-bed vibe I have going on?” she teased. “That’s a pretty powerfully accurate gift you got there, Skippy.”
Aaand they were back to standing on the same square on the game board.
“Sunshine, why do I get the feeling you don’t really have a boyfriend?”
* * * * *
Jackson found his palms flat against the wall on either side of her shoulders before he could stop himself. And yet he did nothing to remedy what was surely a bad decision on his part, work-wise. Instead, he just watched her, and waited for an answer.
Leila’s gaze pulled away from his a moment later, and dropped down to his tie. While her teeth sank into that lush lower lip he’d been fascinated with since yesterday, she reached out her free hand to straighten and smooth out his tie.
Oddly, the unbidden action was a penetrating fist to his chest. He hadn’t been lying about having had more than a few passing thoughts of a wife and kids to spoil. And this tie-straightening? It belonged right there in the vault with all the other untouchable daydreams for his life.
When her lips parted then, instead of an answer, he got another question. “Why do you insist on calling me sunshine?”
“You don’t like it?”
“I’d rather you call me by my name.”
Exhaling slowly, he admitted, “Me too. Which is why I’m sticking to sunshine.”
Eyes still glued to his tie, she resumed her distracting lip biting, looking as reflective as she did amused. “So does that mean I shouldn’t call you Jackson?”
Holy shit, he liked the sound of his name on her lips. Too damn much. “Call me Jackson.” It wasn’t a reply to her inquiry. It wasn’t even a request. It had edged over to a demand…
About Lexi Blake:
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband and three kids. She began writing at a young age concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn’t until she started writing romance that she found success. Lexi believes in happy endings no matter how odd the couple, threesome or foursome may seem.
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About Rebecca Shea:
