New Release ~ The Rival’s Protector ~ by ~ T. Steele

Title: The Rival’s Protector
Series: The Silent Family
Author: T. Steele
Genre: Erotic Romance/Mafia Romance
Release Date: August 12, 2020
Cover Design: Olivia Designs

I’m known as Zoya. But I’m an imposter in my own body. A robot, if you will. 


Calm. 
Collected. 
Obedient. 

But it’s a mask, because when you grow up in the Russian mafia under one of the cruelest men to ever exist, you learn how to play the game very quickly. 

I thought I had found my break—saving the daughter of one of the most influential mob bosses in Detroit, escaping by her side. 

I thought I would be in the good graces of The Silent Family, but of course, just like anything with the mafia, things aren’t that simple. The new boss doesn’t trust me, because I’m still a rival in his eyes. And when he places me under Ryder’s watchful eye, I know it will only get worse. 

Ryder, who’s healing from a gunshot wound that my now-dead betrothed gave him. 

Ryder, who wants revenge against the Russians more than anything. 

But when he looks at me, there’s something in his dark eyes. Something carnal. Something hungry. 

He can’t fight the way his body responds to mine, and even with all the odds stacked against us, I don’t know if I can either. 

But when old enemies return, will The Silent Family be forced to put their trust in me and see me as one of them?

 

T. Steele writes about tortured alphas and the women that bring them to their knees. She’s also always drinking coffee to help her keep up with the chatty characters in her brain. Her nicknames are Taytay, Tdawg, Tmoney, and The Chaos Queen.


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New Release ~ Broken Rules ~ by ~ DL Gallie

Broken Rules_promo banner

Broken Rules by DL Gallie is live!!

One-Click today: http://mybook.to/BrokenRules

Add it to your TBR on Goodreads: http://bit.ly/BrokenRulesGR

Broken Rules_ebook

Rule #1: Never fall in love.
Rule #2: Never sleep with a local.
Rule #3: Never sleep with the same person twice
Rule #4: No glove, no love.
Rule #5: Never break Rules 1-4.

These are the rules that I’ve lived by since I opened The Grove Bar three years ago, but in the last thirty-six hours, I have broken most of them…repeatedly. And boy-oh-boy, did I break them.

Damn you, Burton-f’ing-Hayes.

I didn’t just break my rules with this sexy as sin man; I smashed every one of them to smithereens, and then set each one on fire and pissed on the simmering ashes.

Life was easy with my rules, but now that I’ve obliterated them, I don’t know what to do. Do I follow my heart and set new rules? Or do I stick to my original rules and risk it all?

They say rules are meant to be broken, but at what cost?

One-Click: http://mybook.to/BrokenRules

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/BrokenRulesGR

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Broken Rules collage teasers.2

Sensual couple in a luxurious apartment

Romantic portrait of a young, attractive couple with sunset in b

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Other books in the Castaway Grove Collection
**each book is interconnected but can be read as a standalone**

Oasis: http://getbook.at/Oasis – Available Now
Unequivocal Love: http://getbook.at/UnequivocalLove – Available Now
Five Words: http://getbook.at/FiveWords – Available Now

Castaway Covers

Meet the author:
DL Gallie
is from Queensland, Australia, but she’s lived in many different places all over the world. She currently resides in Gladstone with her husband and two kids. She and her husband have been together since she was sixteen, and although they drive each other crazy at times, she couldn’t imagine her life without him.

Shortly after her son was born, DL began reading again. With encouragement from her husband, she picked up the pen and started writing, and now the voices in her head won’t shut up.

DL enjoys listening to music, drinking white wine in the summer, red wine in the winter, and beer all year round. She’s also never been known to turn down a cocktail, especially a margarita.

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Cover Reveal ~ Shot in the Dark ~ by ~ Marie James

🔥🔥 COVER REVEAL 🔥🔥

The book you have been waiting for… Shot in the Dark by Marie James releases September 17th. This is Wren’s story!

Cover created by Najla Qamber Designs

 

#𝟭𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗧𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆:

Amazon US: https://bit.ly/ShotInTheDarkMarieJames

Amazon UK: https://bit.ly/ShotInTheDarkUK

Amazon CA: https://bit.ly/ShotInTheDarkCA

Amazon AU: https://bit.ly/ShotInTheDarkAU

GR TBR: https://bit.ly/ShotInTheDarkTBR

As an IT expert and hacker extraordinaire, Wren Nelson is no stranger to discovering all sorts of secrets online.

He’s a warrior…when he’s behind his computer, that is.

And awkward at best in social situations.

His long hours with Blackbridge Security don’t really provide many opportunities to go out and meet people.

So what is he supposed to do when a wrong delivery—a questionably large box of bedroom toys—ends up in his hands instead of its intended target?

Online stalking has always been his go-to to accumulate information on people, but only seeing Whitney through digital displays isn’t enough. Approaching her doesn’t seem like the best plan either.

What he doesn’t know is that this woman is possibly the only one in existence able to give him a run for his money.

The author is giving away a $25 Amazon GC on her Facebook page to celebrate. Stop by to enter!

http://bit.ly/MarieJamesFacebook

Marie James is a USA Today Bestselling Author of contemporary romance. She’s book boyfriend crazy, the mother of two rowdy boys, and a wife of 15+ years. She’s obsessed with tacos, otters, and FunCo Pops figures. Born, raised, and still living in central Texas, Marie spends most of her time locked away writing and reading.

FOLLOW MARIE JAMES

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Newsletter: http://bit.ly/MarieJamesNL

 

Cover Reveal ~ Downfall ~ by ~ Shae Scott

Title: Downfall
Series: A Bookworm Novel
Author: Shae Scott
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: September 1, 2020

 

 

 

Every love story is different.
Some are a slow burn. Others burn bright and fade fast.
Maybe you get a happy ending, or maybe your story doesn’t even start until the ending unravels.
When it comes to relationships, Lily McCandless has one rule: Live fast, have fun, and get out before it gets too serious. It was a rule that served her well until he came along and changed the entire game.
Miles Harris knew falling for Lily was dangerous. She warned him she couldn’t be held. He went after her anyway. Then, she agreed to be his wife. Game over. Happily. Ever. After. Until she left him in the dead of the night, leaving behind only her ring and three words scratched onto a piece of paper.
What happens to a love story that can’t find its way? Can love really rise from the ashes of an ending? Or will the past prove to be its final downfall?
(This book is a companion book to a previous book called On Paper. It will be able to be read as a stand alone, however, I’m willing to offer any reviewers a copy of On Paper to read if they’d like to read both.)

 

 

 

 

Shae Scott is a contemporary romance writer who loves to write stories that turn real life into fairytales. She loves a story that makes you believe that real romance can happen when you least expect it.
Shae was born a southern girl and her accent comes out when she’s excited or drinking. Now, she lives just outside of Kansas City with a boy she met on vacation in California, her tiny dog and the most well-mannered cat around. When she’s not writing, she’s usually reading or watching true crime documentaries. She loves podcasts, deep discussions about nothing, all bodies of water, fried pickles, tree tunnels, and animals of all kinds.
She also loves to talk to her readers. Connect with her anytime:

 

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Cover Reveal ~ Grease Babe ~ by ~ Elle Aycart

Today we have the cover reveal for Elle Aycart’s GREASE BABE! Check it out and be sure to pre-order your copy today!

Title: Grease Babe

Author: Elle Aycart

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: September 14th

About Grease Babe:

Alden is not only home to the gorgeous Bowen brothers, but also to the OGs, three hilarious octogenarian grandmas who believe age is nothing but a number. After their success helping one grandchild find love, they’ve decided to move on to the next. Nothing will stop them. Not even jail…

Rachel’s upbringing was rough, but at 34, she loves the life she’s built for herself. She adores her grandmother, Alden, and her job as a mechanic. Now, if her grandma and her friends would just stop getting into trouble, everything would be perfect. She’s doing her best to keep them on the straight and narrow, but she spends more time arguing with the sheriff than working in her garage. Case in point the OGs’ latest stunt, which got all of them, Rachel included, sentenced to community service. So now she has to keep an eye on the crazy grannies and on the street teenage thugs she’s been court-ordered to teach mechanics to.
And all thanks to the sheriff and that huge, unbendable stick up his ass.

Adrian Skehan, a top-notch detective in Boston, enjoyed putting dangerous criminals and drug kingpins behind bars. He loved his fast-paced, glamorous city life, but after his estranged grandfather had a major stroke, he moved to Alden, became the sheriff and now he spends his days chasing after senior citizens and dealing with the OGs –the bane of his existence— and Rachel, their obnoxious defender.
Terrific career move, really. Way to screw up his life. And his mental wellbeing.

As if life wasn’t hard enough, now the OGs have decided to work on their bucket list… meaning the granddaughter and the sheriff must join forces to survive the mayhem.
He likes his women… ivory-tower delicate. Not loud, highly opinionated and smelling of gasoline.
She likes her men… easy-going. Not arrogant know-it-alls and sticklers for rules.
Keeping these two together is a recipe for disaster. Too bad the OGs don’t see it that way.

Pre-Order Today!

 

About Elle Aycart:

After a colorful array of jobs all over Europe ranging from translator to chocolatier to travel agent to sushi chef to flight dispatcher, Elle Aycart is certain of one thing and one thing only: aside from writing romances, she has abso-frigging-lutely no clue what she wants to do when she grows up. Not that it stops her from trying all sorts of crazy stuff. While she is probably now thinking of a new profession, her head never stops churning new plots for her romances. She lives currently in Barcelona, Spain, with her husband and two daughters, although who knows, in no time she could be living at the Arctic Circle in Finland, breeding reindeer.

Connect with Elle:

Goodreads | Website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Facebook Group

 

Excerpt Reveal ~ Contemptuous CEO ~ by ~ K.L. Myers

CC Release Date bannerContemptuous CEO by KL Myers is releasing on August 16th!

Add it to your TBR: http://bit.ly/ContemptuousCEO_TBR

CC

Alexander (Xander) Livingston left college with the dream of becoming CEO of his uncle’s technology company. Eleven years later, all his dreams have come true. All except for one: marrying the love of his life.

Madison (Maddie) Hightower had always been a loner until Xander came along. Devastated after he left her behind to chase his dreams, she focused all her energy on becoming president of a digital software company – the same business Xander has just acquired. Even after all these years, her attraction for Xander is still sizzling and palpable. He still makes her heart sing, but she isn’t sure if he feels the same way.

Xander is interested in the merger for two reasons. The first is the potential for growth in the digital market, and the second is a chance to reconnect with Maddie. He’s never forgotten her. She was supposed to be by his side as he climbed the corporate ladder, and now he has the opportunity to have Maddie working under him. Literally.

But Maddie has a secret. One she never told Xander when he left her in California and headed to the East Coast— a secret she never thought he’d ever uncover.

The merger of their companies will bring Xander face to face with Maddie’s life-altering betrayal. How he handles this discovery will decide the fates of these two star-crossed lovers.

GOODREADS: http://bit.ly/ContemptuousCEO_TBR

Contemptuous CEO wrap

EXCERPT REVEAL:

Sweat dripped from my forehead as I dropped the ball in the service zone and whacked it hard against the front wall. We were three games into our racquetball cutthroat match as we started the fourth. Hollis, Lucas, and I had each won a game, and now the winner of this round claimed bragging rights as King of the Court. Today was just what I needed to take my mind off Maddie; only, it wasn’t happening.

“You should just call her,” Lucas bellowed as he returned the serve.

The ball bounced against the sidewall and raced toward me. I slammed it back toward the front wall, barely missing the back of Hollis’s head.

“Hey, watch what you’re doing! Elodie would prefer I survive this venture and not come home with a welt on my face.”

“Whatever.” I was surprised I had even won a single game with my head being anywhere but here.

“Seriously,” Lucas said with a grunt, “you need to call her and hash it out. Either that, or stop whining about it.”

Hollis pushed me to the side, ensuring the ball stayed in play. “Look, fly out there and talk with her face to face. Trust me. I learned the hard way with Elodie to confront the problem head-on.”

I stepped left and stopped — face to face. I was about to reply when the ball smashed against my lower back, dropping me to my knees. “Fuck!”

“Oops, sorry.”

Lucas wasn’t sorry. I knew he did it on purpose. He and Hollis had been tossing advice my way all morning long, and I didn’t want anything to do with it.

“You okay?” Hollis held out his hand to help me right myself.

I reached my arm around to rub the sting away from where the ball had slammed into me. “I’ll be fine.”

Lucas stood in the serve zone and bounced the ball once, then caught it in midair. “You know, Hollis is probably right. You should do this face to face.”

Knocking the ball around was supposed to help me not think for a while, but instead, it’s done anything but help me forget. “Can we please talk about something else for a while.”

Lucas served, and Hollis rallied. “Hey, get a load of this.” Grunt. “I saw a license plate this week that said VGN4LIF.”

The ball flew past me. “Virgin for life?”

Hollis returned the ball. “Or Vegan for life.”

Lucas lobbed it against the right wall before it ricocheted off the front wall. “Either way, there’s no meat.”

His response had me laughing so hard, I swung and missed the ball completely. The three of us stood in the center of the court, chuckling uncontrollably.

“Seriously,” Hollis spoke, “I think you need to confront Maddison in person. She’s got a good head on her shoulders, and she’s going to be an asset to Livingston. I was impressed by her the other night.”

Lucas was bent over with his hands on his knees. “Yeah, talk it out with her, or call one of your bimbos and fuck her out of your system. Now, serve.”

I glanced at Hollis. Holding my hand out as our eyes met, and I mouthed the word ball. He tossed the ball into my hand, and I bounced it once, then smacked it hard. Not hard enough to injure Lucas, but hard enough to drop him to the floor.

“Payback’s a bitch, motherfucker.”

Sexy young professional

MEET THE AUTHOR:

K.L. Myers was born in West Berlin, Germany, the daughter of a military father. She then spent her childhood moving from continent to continent, finally landing permanently in Colorado when her father retired.Eventually, she moved to “hell,” aka Arizona, where she resides with her husband & their fur babies. She has two daughters & four grandchildren, and she believes in living every day to the fullest.

K.L. has a passion for reading and writing hot romance when she is not juggling family & a full-time job. Her novels show a pension for a bad boy with a heart of gold and strong, independent women who don’t need rescuing, and just a taste of naughty redemption! Her characters will pull you in & leave you satiated, yet panting for more, More, MORE!

Her motto will always be – “If my books can give readers a brief reprieve from their everyday life for even just a moment, I have achieved my dreams and lived a full life.”

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New Release ~ Focus ~ by ~ Naomi Charles

Title: Focus
Series: Focus Series Book 1
Author: Naomi Charles
Genre: YA/NA Crossover Thriller
Release Date: August 11, 2020
Cover Design: Tatum Gargiulo

“I loved this book! It was suspenseful, interesting, and kept me on the edge of my seat.” ~5 Star Goodreads Review

Are our pasts ever really behind us?
 
We all have a dark past… Nicole Smith’s just happens to involve covering up a murder for her ex-boyfriend, Noah, a couple of years ago.
 
But that’s all in the past. 
At least that’s what she thinks when she moves out for college and meets her cute new neighbor, Jason. But when Noah finds his way back into her life again and Jason will do anything to find out what he’s hiding- she finds herself at a new depth of lies and secrets that she never could have imagined.
I walked up to Noah’s door and opened it with the spare key he had hidden for me. It was almost always unlocked, but this time it wasn’t. Then, it was like time had stopped. It was if my brain couldn’t process the image I was looking at. The only noise that could leave my lips was a gasp. Before I knew it, a hand was pulling me into the house and slamming the door closed. Noah’s white t-shirt was covered in the same thing that was pooling on the floor- blood. Right in the middle of it, his uncle- his father’s brother, Reggie. His lifeless body laid there in the middle of the foyer. 
“What the hell happened? What did you do? Is he… is he dead,” I stammered trying to formulate a sentence. 
“Nicole,” he just said.
I didn’t answer. I couldn’t. All I could do was look at the scene in front of me. His body laid face down on the floor. The blood made a drastic contrast against the white marble tiles. It was horrific, but I couldn’t look away. 
“Nicole, look at me,” he repeated, grabbing my arm this time. 
“Is he dead? Answer me right now,” I demanded even though deep down I already knew the answer. 
“Yes… Nicole, look at me,” he said. 
I slowly turned to him. I was starting to put things together in my head. I could feel goosebumps rise on my arm. My stomach was a mess. 
“You killed him,” I asked, taking a step back. 
“He is dead,” he said, not answering my question. 
“That is not what I asked you! Did you kill him,” I screamed. 
“Yes, Nicole! Are you happy now? Yes, I did,” he bellowed back making me take another step back. 
I just stared at him for a moment, holding my breath mainly because I was in shock but also to hold back my breakfast that was coming up. How could my Noah do something like this? He was the most gentle guy I knew. 
“But why,” I asked, but it came out super small. 
“He tried to kill my mother,” his voice shook. 
“Oh my God. No. Noah… you,” I tried to make sense of what I wanted to say.
“I need you to go home,” he let out a deep sigh. 
“What are you going to do? This is crazy. You have to call someone,” I said, patting my back pocket for my phone. 
“No! Are you kidding me? No… stop,” he said jumping toward me and grabbing my phone. 
“What are you going to do, Noah? You can’t just… act like this didn’t happen,” I said. 
“No. You didn’t see a thing. If they ask… I need you to tell them you weren’t here,” he said sternly. 
“Tell who? What? Who is “they”? What are you talking about,” I shook my head trying to get everything to stop spinning for just one moment.
“The cops,” he said. 
“You want me to lie? I can’t lie. They’ll know. Oh my God. I will go to jail too. We-,” I began to panic. 
“Nicole! Focus! You need to focus. We don’t have time! Please,” Noah shook me with fear in his eyes and voice. 
***
I hadn’t realized I was reliving the moment while staring at Noah until he took a step near me. My reflexes made me jump back right into a guy carrying a cup. The drink sloshed out the sides and onto his hand. 
“Oh, sorry,” I said. The sound of defeat in my voice matched my mood to a T.   
“Uh yeah… don’t worry about it,” the guy sighed before walking away. 
I turned to look at Noah who just watched. He was still just looking at me. His eyes were sad. It was as if they were able to see my thoughts and couldn’t help but feel bad for me. It made me beyond uncomfortable. I didn’t want his pity. 
“I’m sorry. I don’t know what to say,” Noah finally said. 
He was right. There was nothing left to say. What could he say? Sorry for screwing you up? Sorry for the nightmares that you have way too many times to admit? There was nothing he could do to fix this; to fix me. 
“There isn’t anything else to say, Noah,” I said before walking away.

 

Did I mention I hate surprises?
Naomi Charles is the author of Focus. She was born, raised, and still resides in New York City. When Naomi isn’t writing she is working on her Master’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, listening to a good audiobook, traveling, and getting too emotional over a sappy movie that she has already seen a bunch of times.

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New Release ~ Only One Night ~ by ~ Dani Rene

Title: Only One Night: A Fusion Universe Novel

Author: Dani René
Genre: Steamy Romance
Release Date: August 10, 2020
Cover Design: Kari March

 

USA Today Bestselling Author, Dani René, brings you a steamy romance written in the Fusion Universe of the New York Times Bestselling Author, Kristen Proby.

 

Elisabetta has been running from her past for far too long, but when she lands in Portland, she’s ready to start fresh. Her love of cooking brings her to a place she can call her own. She’s determined not to get involved with anyone. Her focus is the bakery. But one meeting with realtor, Rome Donovan, knocks the breath from her lungs. No man has ever affected her like he does.
 
The more she pushes, the more he pulls, until finally, the beautiful baker relents and agrees to a date. 
 
It’s only one night. 
That’s all it can ever be.
 
 

 

Ilikebooksbest.com – “A feel good romance with some Mafia ties!”


World of Books 65 – “Sizzling, Sassy, Scorching Hot. I dare you not to fall in love with Rome and Elisabet.”

BookHavenBookBlog – “A sensually delightful must read in the contemporary genre from biblio extraordinaire, Dani Rene!”

 

 

Dani is a USA Today Bestselling Author of a variety of genres, from romantic suspense to dark erotic romance and even BDSM romance. She loves to delve into the raw, emotional journeys her characters venture on, and enjoys the dark, edgy, and sensual scenes that fill the pages of her books. Dani’s stories are seductive with a deviant edge with feisty heroines and dominant alphas.
 

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Teaser Reveal ~ Kyle, Jack & Ryan: Devil Souls MC Novellas ~ by ~ LeAnn Ashers

Kyle Jack Ryan Banner HEA

Kyle, Jack & Ryan: Devil Souls MC Novellas by LeAnn Ashers is releasing August 18th!

Pre-Order today: https://amzn.to/32DoGWY

Add to your TBR on Goodreads: https://bit.ly/KJRDSTBR

XM8AcixQ

– KYLE –
The second my eyes met hers, the world as I knew it stopped. All I could see was her. She took over my life and gave me everything I never even imagined I needed.

But her demons haunt her.

Luckily for her, I am a devil himself and demons are mine to handle.

– RYAN –
She came face-to-face with an entire club to protect her daughter.

I never expected to fall in love with her or to love her daughter like my own. But one thing is certain…

I will do anything to keep them safe, even if I have to kill every single member of the Satans Rejects MC to accomplish it.

– JACKSON –
I knew it the second I saw her crazy smile—she was for me. I put her on the back of my bike and brought her home with me, claiming her on the spot.

Someone from her past resurfaces and tries to take her from me.

Little does he know, he’s digging his own rave because to get to her, he needs to get through me.

Teaser Reveal #2:

Ryan - Boxset - LeAnn Asher - Teaser 1

Meet the men of the Devil Souls Motorcycle Club, the most notorious MC in Texas in this four-book bundle! This collection includes Torch, Techy, Butcher, Liam.

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3hkoobI
Apple Books: https://apple.co/2E2vxPv
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2S5Xegu

1

MEET THE AUTHOR:
LeAnn Ashers is a blogger-turned-author who spends her days reading and writing. She released her debut novel early 2016, and can’t wait to see where this adventure continues to take her. LeAnn enjoys writing about strong-minded females and swoon-worthy, protective alpha males who love their women unconditionally.

 

New Release ~ A Date to Play Fore ~ by ~ Heidi McLaughlin & LP Dover

Title: A Date to Play Fore

Series: The Dating Series
Authors: Heidi McLaughlin & LP Dover 
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: August 11, 2020

 

New York Times and USA Today bestselling authors Heidi McLaughlin and L.P. Dover come together for a sexy new series that delivers romance for every season!

 

Tee up for the long drive, it’s golf season!
After winning the U.S. Open, Greyson Jennings couldn’t help but take playful jabs at the expense of his prime competition, Bryan Nelson. His snarky claims during the press junction may have burned off like fog on the green, if a week later they hadn’t found themselves at the same golf resort.
Hungry for a little payback, Bryan challenges Greyson to a grudge match: Grey and his best friend versus Bryan and his sister, Leah. Turns out, Leah is a ringer with a swing—and curves—that turn Grey’s thoughts to a hole in one of another kind.
Unfortunately, Leah’s opinion of him has been formed by the many stories Bryan has shared. That may hurt this golfer’s handicap, but he’s nowhere near ready to give up. It’s game on as Leah agrees to meet Grey on the green and go head to head with the hole as the goal.
Can Greyson prove there’s more to him than an impressive club and a carefully crafted bad boy persona? Or will the sting of Leah’s rejection leave him in need of some alone time and a good ball washer?

 

 

“You have got to be kidding me,” Bryan growls.

Heart racing, my eyes snap open. “What?” I gasp.

He points toward the fairway. “Look who it is.”

There’s only one person it could be to earn such a hated look from my brother. And of course, when I focus on the guy about to hit his ball, I recognize his stance. Greyson Jennings has his own style when it comes to golf. I hate the guy, but he’s one of the best. You can’t help but admire how talented he is.

Bryan fumes and clenches the steering wheel. “Of all places he could be, why in the hell is he here?” I’ve been wondering the same thing. Greyson never answered when I asked him. It wouldn’t surprise me if he did it on purpose. The only way he could’ve found out would be through my social media.

Bryan hops out of the cart and reaches for his driver. Eyes wide, I can feel my heart pounding harder. “Bryan, what are you doing?”

He tees up his ball and smiles. “Just having a little fun, sis. If I knock him out, he deserves it.”

This is going to be a disaster. I just know it. The sound of his driver connecting with the ball is so loud it echoes in my ears. I watch it sail through the air, right in the direction toward Greyson. He doesn’t even yell fore, and I’m too shocked to even speak. The ball starts to drop from the sky and when it lands, it’s only about three feet away from Greyson and his best friend, Eli. He jerks around and throws his arms up in the air. Bryan bursts out laughing and flips them both off.

Greyson and Eli jump in their cart and head toward us. This is not what I want. “Just great,” I grumble. “Now look what you did.”

Bryan comes over to me and leans against the cart. “The fucker deserved it. It’s time he knows I’m back in the game.”

The last thing I want is to get in the middle of a testosterone match. I don’t care about seeing who has the bigger balls. When Greyson gets closer, his snarl turns into a smile when he notices me. Definitely not what I want. Bryan steps forward, driver in hand.

“Sorry about that,” my brother taunts, “I didn’t exactly hit what I was aiming for.”

Greyson bursts out laughing and steps out of the cart. “You never do. You obviously don’t know how to handle your shaft.”

Here we go. Groaning, I smack a hand to my forehead. “Really? This is what I’m going to have to put up with today?”

Greyson smirks at me, his gaze roaming over my bare legs before settling back on my eyes. “It’s good to see you again, Leah. I didn’t know you played golf.”

Busted. Bryan’s going to be pissed I didn’t tell him. His shoulders tense but he doesn’t look at me. Instead, he moves to the front of the cart to block Greyson from looking at me. “How about we play teams? My sister and I against you and your caddy.”

The day just got worse. I’m going to kill my brother. Then again, maybe we can teach Greyson a lesson. 

“Bryan, no,” I snap. “I suck at golf. We’ll lose.”

His eyes meet mine for the briefest of moments. Even though he can’t read my mind, we have a connection. Bryan stands up straighter and turns back to Greyson. “No worries, sis. I’ll play good enough for us both.”

“What are we playing for?” Greyson asks, moving to the side so he can see me. “Money? A date?”

I roll my eyes. “You can forget that.” I hop out of the cart and join my brother. “How about a thousand dollars?”

Greyson and Eli look at each other and I can see the outright arrogance on their faces. That’s their downfall. Greyson holds out a hand to my brother. “Deal. A thousand dollars.”

Bryan shakes his hand, the muscles in both of their forearms clenching. “Deal,” Bryan agrees.”

Greyson tips his hat at me and smiles. “I’m happy you’ll be playing with me.”

I grab my driver out of my bag. “I’d rather play with myself.” He finds it hilarious, but I see it as a jab. The guy is an insufferable tool.

Since Bryan already drove his ball to hit Greyson, it ends up being my turn. I tee up my ball and swing. It slices to the right, completely out of the fairway and into the rough. Greyson and Eli chuckle under their breath as they drive away while Bryan glares at me.

“Please tell me you did that on purpose?”

My lips pull up into a smile. “Of course, I did. Think about how much fun it’s going to be when we kick his ass.”

Bryan grins wide. “Let’s show him what we can do.”

Hole after hole, we’re neck and neck with only one stroke between us. It’s a close match, but I’m holding my own, especially for a female in a mostly male dominated sport. It all comes down to the eighteenth hole. It’s a par three with water all around the green. We all managed to get across the water, and now, it’s time to putt. It’s all down to me. If I can birdie my putt, my brother and I will win. If I don’t, we’re screwed. I can’t let Bryan down. He needs this win, and Greyson needs to be taken down a notch.

Taking a deep breath, I look over at the hole and then down at my ball. It’s about an eight-foot-long putt. I breathe in and out and close my eyes. Come on, Leah, you can do this. I open my eyes and tap the ball. It rolls across the green … and right into the hole.

Bryan yells and scoops me up into his arms. “Hell fucking yeah. You did it!”

He swings me around and I laugh. Greyson and Eli both seem impressed. Greyson walks over and pulls out a wad of cash from his wallet. Bryan sets me down and Greyson hands him the money. “Good job. It’s about time you won at something. I hate it had to be because of your sister.”

Bryan narrows his gaze. “But at least she kicked your ass cocksucker. You got beat out by a girl. Wait till everyone finds out about this.”

Greyson shrugs and Bryan walks over to the cart. Before I can turn, he lightly grabs my arm. “I’m impressed. Guess it’s not a surprise since your father’s a legend. He taught you well.”

“Yes, he did.”

His eyes search mine. “Go out with me tomorrow. I think we could have some fun.”

I snort. “I can do that without you.” My smile grows wider. “Besides, I’ll be busy spending that thousand dollars.”

Greyson chuckles. “You do that. Maybe next time.”

I walk backwards toward the cart. “Not gonna happen.”
Heidi McLaughlin is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of The Beaumont Series, The Boys of Summer, and The Archers.
 
Originally, from the Pacific Northwest, she now lives in picturesque Vermont, with her husband, two daughters, and their three dogs.
 
In 2012, Heidi turned her passion for reading into a full-fledged literary career, writing over twenty novels, including the acclaimed Forever My Girl.
 
When writing isn’t occupying her time, you can find her sitting courtside at either of her daughters’ basketball games.
 
Heidi’s first novel, Forever My Girl, has been adapted into a motion picture with LD Entertainment and Roadside Attractions, starring Alex Roe and Jessica Rothe, and opened in theaters on January 19, 2018.

 


New York Times and USA Today bestselling author L. P. Dover is a southern belle living in North Carolina with her husband and two beautiful girls. Everything’s sweeter in the South has always been her mantra and she lives by it, whether it’s with her writing or in her everyday life. Maybe that’s why she’s seriously addicted to chocolate.
 
Dover has written countless novels in several different genres, including a children’s book with her daughter. Her favorite to write is romantic suspense, but she’s also found a passion in romantic comedy. She loves to make people laugh which is why you’ll never see her without a smile on her face.

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