Category: New Release

New Release ~ Engage ~ by ~ Kate Stacy

Brooke is ready to start the next chapter of her life, but marrying her baby daddy’s twin brother wasn’t exactly what she had in mind. Can Shane convince Brooke to give him a real chance, or will she always see his brother when she looks at him?…Readers who love K. Bromberg’s Everyday Heroes series and Everyday Heroes world will love this steamy, unexpected pregnancy, marriage of convenience, contemporary romance.

Blurb

Kate Stacy’s Engage is a steamy, emotionally-gripping contemporary romance written in K. Bromberg’s Everyday Heroes Worlds project. After closing one chapter of my life, I’m ready to start the next. But marrying my baby daddy’s twin brother wasn’t exactly what I had in mind. Brooke Shane Masters isn’t the reason I came back to Sunnyville. In fact, I only returned to tell his brother that I’m pregnant with his baby. Then, I found out that he’s married, already has children of his own, and wants nothing to do with my baby. Despite all that, I decide to settle here for a while. I’m low on funds, need regular prenatal care, and can’t keep traveling as my pregnancy progresses. And Shane? Well, he might have the answer to all my problems. Shane As a respected officer with the Sunnyville Police Department, I pride myself on my morals. Typically, I see the world in black and white, but not when it comes to Brooke Foster. She’s a bit of a gray area. Usually, I’d avoid getting involved in the messes my no good brother gets himself into, but this time he’s gone too far. If cheating on his wife isn’t bad enough, he got Brooke pregnant and refuses to take responsibility. If he won’t do the right thing, I will. Getting married is a simple solution, but it creates a whole new problem. The more time I spend with Brooke, the more I want our marriage to be a little less convenient and a little more real. Can I convince her to give me a chance, or will she always see my brother when she looks at me?

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Excerpt

Copyright 2021 Kate Stacy

Heading to the bedroom, I strip my shirt off and reach behind me to unhook my bra. A low, deep groan follows me down the hallway. Glancing back, I see Shane only a few steps behind, eyes burning with hunger as they roam my body. Smiling, I skip the guest room and slip into Shane’s instead. He chuckles darkly, sending shivers racing down my spine. He catches up to me in a few long strides, warm hands finding my hips. Goosebumps pebble across my flesh as he traces my bare curves. I watch our reflection in the floor-to-ceiling mirror on the wall as his lips meet my shoulder, his body pressing tightly against mine. Squirming playfully, I try to pull away, but he holds my hips firmly. “Freeze.” I still, my body reacting instantly. “Good girl. Put your hands on the mirror.” Stretching forward, I put my palms flat on the cool glass. Shane moves in close, moving his hands from my hips to my shoulders. Kneading firmly with his strong fingers, he massages my shoulders. My whole body relaxes, tension draining, leaving me like putty in his hands. He rubs my tired muscles, working all the way down my arms, gently pulling them behind my back. Shane holds them in place as he lowers his mouth, lips brushing tenderly across my shoulders. “Okay?” he murmurs, eyes meeting mine in the mirror. Not moving my gaze from his, I nod. His eyes darken, glinting in the dim light. One corner of his mouth lifts, a mischievous grin forming across his lips. “You have the right to remain silent, Brooke,” he says in a low rumble, “but I doubt you will.” Cold metal circles one wrist, then the other, closing with a distinctive click. My body trembles with anticipation. I consider myself fairly adventurous in the bedroom but being tied or cuffed isn’t something I ever thought I’d enjoy. If the moisture pooling between my thighs is any indication… I was wrong. Heart racing. Breath quickening. I wait to see what he’ll do next. Holding the cuffs in one hand, his free hand splays across my ribcage, pulling me back against the rigid planes of his body. “Do you know how fucking tempting you are? All this soft, bare skin.” Curling his fingers, he lets his knuckles drag slowly down my belly. “Begging to be touched. Tasted. Can I taste you, Brooke?” A desperate whimper. A wordless plea. Releasing his hold, Shane drops to his knees behind me. His hands trace a path up my thighs, fingers sliding beneath the band of my pants. Unhurriedly, he lowers them. Over my ass. Down my thighs. Down, down, down. Carefully lifting one foot at a time, he slips them off completely, tossing them to the side. Without a stitch of clothing, I stand before the mirror and take in my own reflection, trying to see what Shane sees when he looks at me. Bare naked. Lush, supple curves. Breasts full and heavy, nipples hardened to tight little peaks. Skin flushed, glowing radiantly. Hair falling in long waves over my shoulders. Eyes swirling with lust. I see it. And I’ve never felt more beautiful.

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About Kate Stacy 

Author of emotionally-gripping, contemporary romance, Kate Stacy’s novels feature sassy heroines, swoony heroes, life, love, friendship, and all the angst. When she’s not writing or spending time with her family and friends in small-town North Carolina, Kate can most likely be found nose deep in her Kindle. She stays up too late, swears too much, and loves too hard. Likes: Music, Mermaids, Tequila, Knee-high Socks Hobbies: Baking, Cake Decorating, Crafting, Photography

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New Release ~ And Hell Followed ~ by ~ Beckett Riley

 

Title: And Hell Followed

Author: Beckett Riley
Genre: Dark Romance, Historical Hidden Romance
Release Date: October 26, 2021

 

We all have our demons
My parents thought emigrating from Germany to the American frontier was going to be a good thing for everyone. But it seems that a darkness is doomed to follow us wherever we go.
Life can be harsh and unforgiving in this world, especially for a woman. Luckily, I have my brother, Thomas, to watch out for me and protect me. He can only do so much, though, and after that vile attack, I find myself in need of his protection more than ever. It was then I realized that festering darkness came from within.
Although society won’t take kindly to it, we have forsaken God and embarked on an unholy life, but just as things finally began to calm down, the past reared its ugly head and came back to tear us apart and destroy and everything we’ve built.
But as Thomas once told me, I would ride my steed through the fires of hell to salvage the only thing worth living for, and if the devil gets in my way, he will beg to God for mercy.
We will be free.

 

 

 

 

 

Beckett loves writing short, erotic stories as much as she enjoys reading them. Happily ever afters and hot, possessive, alpha men bring tears of joy to her eyes so please excuse the alpha males roaming her trashy pages, they can’t help it.
 
Born somewhere in the United States, Beckett now resides somewhere in the United States where she writes raunchy stories. Hey, a girl’s gotta have some secrets.
 

 

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New Release ~ Captive: Hook and His Darling #1 ~ by ~ Sarah Bale

Title: Captive: Hook and His Darling #1
Duet: Bale’s Bedtime Stories 
Author: Sarah Bale
Genre: Reverse Harem Dark Romance
Release Date: October 26, 2021
Hook
It’s my world. I own it all.
And right now, all I want is her.
She may be the enemy,
But that’s not going to stop me,
Nothing stops me.
My men and I will do everything to have her,
Hold her,
Keep her.

Amelia
I work for a monster,
And his rival may not be the answer,
But I’m willing to take my chances,
By turning to Hook and his men,
To escape this situation.

But passion leads to danger,
Pleasure leads to problems,
And the biggest one of all,
They’ve got me CAPTIVE,
In body, mind, and heart.

“Are you calling me a liar?”

 

 

 

Hook is close. So close that I can smell the whisky on his breath, reminding me of the night that we met. But I’ll be damned if I give in to the temptation of Hook again. Not when there’s so much on the line.

 

I let out a small laugh. “It really bothers you, doesn’t it?”
His gaze goes to my lips, and heat shoots straight to my core.
“What’s that?”
“That I don’t want you.”
“Ah, my darling Amelia, you say that, but your body says otherwise.”
I hate that he’s right. I do want him. I want more of the passion we shared that night after we left Di Bello’s bar. But I will never sleep with him again. Not while he holds me captive. And not while I can’t trust myself around him.
Leaning forward, I say, “You’re right. My body reacts this way because I want someone. Want to know who it is?”
He nods, daring me to speak. If I were wise, I’d shut up. But poking him gives me a thrill, and I’m not about to back down.
“I want your men, Hook. Everyone but you.”

 

 

 

 

 

Sarah Bale’s family always knew she was destined to write romances when they saw the elaborate stories she created for her Barbie dolls. At fifteen she penned her first book, which will never see the light of day if she has any say.When Sarah isn’t writing she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, and also planning what she’d do in a zombie apocalypse. One of her favorite pastimes is attending comic cons where she can nerd out over all things Marvel. She resides in Oklahoma and doesn’t plan on leaving any time soon. You can find her at: www.sarahbale.com

 

 

 

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New Release ~ Belle ~ by ~ Nikki Pennington

 

Title: Belle
Author: Nikki Pennington
Genre: Dark Romantic Suspense
Release Date: October 25, 2021

 

BLURB

 

This isn’t your typical fairytale…

 

 

Belle

 

There once was a beautiful woman named Belle.

 

Stuck in a run-down trailer with a mother hell bent on living her life one drug at a time, she wants to escape.

 

 

All she dreams about is leaving her past in Deadhorse, Arizona to start a new life.

 

 

One chance encounter with a handsome stranger could be the change she needs.

 

 

Maddox

 

 

Maddox Taylor only has one thing on his mind.

 

 

Revenge.

 

 

Nothing will keep him from completing his life’s mission.

 

 

Not even the bombshell blonde temptation in front of him.

 

 

No happily ever after is ever promised, especially when life is more of a beast than either bargained for.

 

**Not intended for readers younger than 18. This book contains disturbing, dark, and violent subjects. This book could be a trigger for some.

 

 

 

 

 

PURCHASE LINKS
AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU
Free in Kindle Unlimited

 

EXCERPT

 

PROLOGUE

 

TEN YEARS EARLIER
Maribelle
“You can’t tell anyone about this,” Mindy whispers, but since we’re standing in an open field, her voice carries.
The moon is huge tonight. It’s almost blinding how bright it is when we’re standing in an empty cornfield.
“I know,” I whisper back, even though I think whispering is pointless right now.
“Come on then. No more breaks,” she huffs.
“Why can’t I hold his feet?” I whine. I’m only ten, it’s got to be at least one in the morning, and way past my bedtime.

 

 

 

“We drew straws, you get the head.”
Mindy has always been bossy. Just because she’s two years older than me, she thinks she can tell me what to do.
“I don’t understand why Mama didn’t come with us. She’s the reason he’s sleeping,” I point out.
“He’s not sleeping. He’s dead.” Mindy stares at me and I look at her with wide eyes.
“Mama wouldn’t do that.”
“Whatever you say, Belle.” I can’t see her face, but I can tell she’s rolling her eyes.
It feels like hours go by until we finally reach the small creek. There was a storm that came through last week, so it’s covered in branches, but if you’re real quiet, you can hear the water rushing through.
“What now?” I ask my older sister for guidance.
“Now we push him in.” I stare at her, open mouthed.
“Why would we push him in?”
“Because he’s dead,” she draws out, talking to me like I’m a two-year old. “Now help me push him under this branch.”
So, I did. I didn’t ask any more questions, and I never mentioned it to anyone. Not even to the kids at school when there were whispers on the playground about a dead body floating in the creek.
My sister took the secret to the grave. Because it wasn’t but five years later that her body was found in that same creek.
And it wasn’t me that pushed that one in.

 

 

AUTHOR BIO

 

Nikki Pennington lives in southern Illinois with her husband and four kids. As a young girl she loved writing stories in her journal and always dreamed of writing a book some day. When she isn’t chasing her dreams, she’s a lunch lady at a grade school. In her spacetime she enjoys binge watching Netflix and drinking wine.
AUTHOR LINKS
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FACEBOOK
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New Release ~ Come Back to Me ~ by ~ Aubree Valentine

Bryce and Lacey were only supposed to share one night together, but it turned into so much more. Will war destroy Bryce, or will love conquer all? Fans of Kennedy Fox and Susan Stoker will love Come Back to Me by Aubree Valentine, a second chance, fling to forever, damaged hero, military romance.

Blurb

What happens when a one-night stand turns into something more and war threatens to destroy the man Lacey fell in love with? For Bryce, the Army was his life. There was no time for romance, relationships, or the drama that came with them. That all changed when he met her. Lacey had her own responsibilities to worry about. Responsibilities that did not include falling for a tattooed bad boy in a military uniform. Breaking all her own rules, she agreed to one date and the promise of a night of pleasure she’d never forget. It was only supposed to be one night of unbridled passion between two strangers. But it quickly turned into so much more. Come Back to Me is an emotional military romance that will tug on your heartstrings and keep you on the edge of your seat. ***This title is a re-release. Same title. Same main characters, a few changes, a brand new series, and a fresh new look.***

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Excerpt

Copyright 2021 Aubree Valentine

Lacey cracked open the paint can and poured the new shade of sea foam green into a pan while grinning over her shoulder at Bryce. “This is really how you want to spend your day?” “As long as I’m spending it with you.” “We could be spending it doing other things, but…” “Hand me a paint brush.” He ignored her comment and went on to trimming in around the window frame, sighing. She was still holding out on him. Refusing to admit they were more than just friends. He was afraid to admit it, but he may have officially been friend-zoned; that is, if you cuddled in bed and literally slept with friends. A month later, and he couldn’t get her to agree that there was something going on between them. They’d been spending all their free time together, getting to know each other, falling asleep in each other’s arms. But still, nothing. Shit, case in point, she had somehow recruited him for projects around her house, and he wasn’t even getting sex out of the deal. He was in way over his head with this one. He may be selfish, but at least he wasn’t sleeping in the barracks every night and dealing with the ridiculous Texas Heat during the day. He’d tried everything to get through to her, though. Confessed his feelings every chance he got. Maybe that was it? Maybe he was coming on too strong. If he laid low, he feared he’d lose her all together. “You’re thinking awfully loud over there.” Lacey pulled his attention away from his mind that was running in circles. The filter between his brain and his mouth had clearly been damaged by paint fumes. “Aren’t you ready to give in yet and admit that there’s more going on here?” Turning toward him, Lacey batted her lashes. “Whatever do you mean? There’s a lot going on here, Bryce. In case you haven’t noticed, we’re in the middle of a remodel. There’s more than just painting that needs to be done.” “Tease. You’re a goddamn tease, Lacey.” He dropped his paintbrush and stalked in her direction. Maybe if he gave her just a taste, she would change her mind.

Buy Now or Read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited!

About Aubree Valentine 

Aubree Valentine began her book world career back in 2016 as a virtual assistant for a friend/author and as a book blogger. While working with authors, PR companies, and fellow bloggers, she fell even more in love with the Indie community and decided to launch her own small scale PR company where she continued to hone her skills as a virtual assistant to several authors and studied the ins and outs of what it takes to help succeed in the industry. Aubree doesn’t always hang out behind the scenes though and has put her business knowledge to good use for herself as well. Her first book, Take Back My Heart, was released in the fall of 2016, with its follow-up – Come Back to Me launching a year later. When she’s not working with her favorite clients, you can find her penning fun and flirty stories about all of her imaginary and very smexy alphas. This includes her current and most popular series, Too Hot To Handle. Aubree has a degree in sarcasm and resides in Pennsylvania. She enjoys reading, chasing after her twins and her three furbabies, cuddling with her husband, and coming up with new project ideas that often involve power tools. She’s usually always online via Facebook or Instagram @authoraubreevalentine. http://www.aubreevalentine.com

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New Release ~ Quiet Secrets ~ by ~ J.L. Drake

Title: Quiet Secrets
Series: Quiet Mafia #2
Author: J.L. Drake
Genre: Mafia Romance
Release Date: October 22, 2021
BLURB

 

Some secrets are better left untouched.

 

 

Sienna

 

I’m seeing a war unfold before my eyes. My past and future have now collided, and my heart is split in two.
As the battle rages on, secrets surface and truths circle the drain, threatening to suck me under.
Elio promised we had the rest of our lives together, but now he’s questioning my history and doubting my loyalty.

 

Elio

 

Love and family are all that matter, so I keep a careful eye on our new visitors who have awoken the hornets’ nest and revealed the snakes that have lain dormant for years.
As I try to protect Sienna from her own past, betrayals are surfacing, and my paranoia is intensifying.

 

One secret is discovered that will undoubtably change everything.

 

 

**May contain triggers, intended for a mature audience 18+. Does end on a cliffhanger-ish. Sneak peek of book 3, Quiet Power, at the end. I promise all will be okay.**

 

 

PURCHASE LINKS
AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU
B&N / KOBO / APPLE BOOKS
BOOKS2READ

 

 

EXCERPT

 

I felt rage burn through my veins at that. It was the first I’d heard of it.

 

“It was all supposed to happen, and then you came along. Little orphan girl, with the big blue eyes, and the big fake boobs.”
I licked the inside of my mouth, leaned over the island, grabbed her hand, and yanked her straight down onto the marble countertop. I moved my face inches from hers and smiled like the crazy person I was becoming.
“Elio wants a real woman, not some skinny drunk who can’t keep the bottle from her jacked-up lip job. Nor would he even want to entertain visiting your eight-men-a-day, stretched out, trailer trash vag.” She blinked at my crass words. “Come at me again, and I promise I will show you what I learned on the streets.”
I let go and leaned back, snatching the bottle from Mariano, who stared at me with a gaping mouth. “Oh, Anna, these are far from fake.” I took another shot, high-fived Donte behind the counter, and left.

 

 

ALSO AVAILABLE

 

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

 

COMING SOON
Releasing March 24
AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

 

AUTHOR BIO

 

Author J.L. Drake was born and raised in Nova Scotia, Canada, later moving to Southern California where she lives with her husband and two children. 

 

When she’s not writing she loves to spend time with her family, traveling or just enjoying a night at home. One thing you might notice in her books is her love for the four seasons. Growing up on the east coast of Canada the change in the seasons is in her blood and is often mentioned in her writing.
Her books can be found in different languages around the world.

 

AUTHOR LINKS

New Release ~ Ruined ~ by ~ Rebecca Wilder

RUINED by Rebecca Wilder is out now! Check it out and be sure to grab your copy today!

Title: Ruined

Author: Rebecca Wilder

Genre: Contemporary Romance

About Ruined:

This story starts with a car crash.

 

Lyla Winters’s life is at a crossroads. She’s bounced around from one job to another since she was sixteen, wanting to experience everything, but now that she’s twenty-five, her lack of a plan is a little less cute. Too bad for her, she has no idea what she wants to do with the rest of her life.

 

She’s got a plan though. She’ll take a year off to travel and find herself. That plan goes off the road though when she gets to Destiny Falls, Michigan, and runs into some fancy SUV.

 

Out climbs Hudson Hayes. Restaurateur, James Beard Winner, and the man with a plan.

 

Also, maybe the man of her dreams.

 

She has to pay for the damage to both of their cars and just like that, there goes her savings for the year. Now she’s stuck in Destiny Falls, working at the Mystery Cabin and living in the apartment above Hudson’s restaurant.

 

The plan for the year off is still in play though. She just needs to save up her money and keep her eye on the prize. It’s just that the prize looks more and more like Hudson every day.

 

When Lyla finally has enough saved to leave Destiny Falls, will she be able to say goodbye to the friends and life that she’s made here in this small town? Or will she have finally found the one place that she truly belongs?

 

***This is a 50,000 word small town romance novel that ends in a happily ever after***

Get Your Copy Today!

About Rebecca Wilder:

Rebecca Wilder is a USA Today Bestselling Author of contemporary and New Adult romance or as she likes to describe it, Love Stories That Linger.

She currently lives in Mississippi with her husband, their two children, and three dogs.

She enjoys the simple things in life, like spending time with her family and friends, listening to music, watching stand up comedies or crime TV shows. She’s an avid reader, a dog lover, tea snob, and a wannabe yogi.

She also writes novellas under the pen name, Shaw Hart.

Connect with Rebecca:

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Pinerest

 

New Release ~ Matrimonially Yours ~ by ~ Hayley Faiman

Title: Matrimonially Yours

 

Series: Astor Family Series #3
Author: Hayley Faiman
Genre: Baby Alpha Male Romance (Standalone)
Release Date: October 21, 2021
Cover Design: Pink Ink Designs
 

 

 
She’s a spoiled heiress. He’s a hardened police detective. Their marriage is fake … but it doesn’t have to stay that way, does it?

 

Lucinda Astor has always been a bit of a spoiled brat. At least that’s the way it appears from the outside looking in. She’s the baby of the family, the only girl, and has always had her dad wrapped around her finger.
She’s had a hard couple of years. During that time, she’s become obsessed with someone who helped her. He saved her. He can continue to save her … if only she can figure out how to get him all to herself.
He’s been married, divorced, and is now focused on work and only work. Savage Chenault is a detective and nothing else. He wants the second half of his life to be nothing but cruising down easy street. Then his world becomes a bit more complicated when he meets a twenty-six-year-old princess.
Lucinda Astor is sexy as sin. She’s also thirty years his junior. She’s everything he shouldn’t want. She’s spoiled. She’s young. She’s going to want a family. But more importantly, she’s going to have expectations.
The marriage may begin fake, but can it stay that way?

 

 

 
 
 

 


 
 
As an only child, Hayley Faiman had to entertain herself somehow. She started writing stories at the age of six and never really stopped.

Born in California, she met her now husband at the age of sixteen and married him at the age of twenty in 2004. After all of these years together, he’s still the love of her life.

Hayley’s husband joined the military and they lived in  Oregon, where he was stationed with the US Coast Guard. They moved back to California in 2006, where they had two little boys. Recently, the four of them moved out to the Hill Country of Texas, where they adopted a new family member, a chocolate lab named Optimus Prime.

Most of Hayley’s days are spent taking care of her two boys, going to the baseball fields for practice, or helping them with homework. Her evenings are spent with her husband and her nights—those are spent creating alpha book boyfriends.

 
 
HOSTED BY:

New Release ~ Engage ~ by ~ Kate Stacy

Brooke is ready to start the next chapter of her life, but marrying her baby daddy’s twin brother wasn’t exactly what she had in mind. Can Shane convince Brooke to give him a real chance, or will she always see his brother when she looks at him?…Readers who love K. Bromberg’s Everyday Heroes series and Everyday Heroes world will love this steamy, unexpected pregnancy, marriage of convenience, contemporary romance.

Blurb

Kate Stacy’s Engage is a steamy, emotionally-gripping contemporary romance written in K. Bromberg’s Everyday Heroes Worlds project. After closing one chapter of my life, I’m ready to start the next. But marrying my baby daddy’s twin brother wasn’t exactly what I had in mind. Brooke Shane Masters isn’t the reason I came back to Sunnyville. In fact, I only returned to tell his brother that I’m pregnant with his baby. Then, I found out that he’s married, already has children of his own, and wants nothing to do with my baby. Despite all that, I decide to settle here for a while. I’m low on funds, need regular prenatal care, and can’t keep traveling as my pregnancy progresses. And Shane? Well, he might have the answer to all my problems. Shane As a respected officer with the Sunnyville Police Department, I pride myself on my morals. Typically, I see the world in black and white, but not when it comes to Brooke Foster. She’s a bit of a gray area. Usually, I’d avoid getting involved in the messes my no good brother gets himself into, but this time he’s gone too far. If cheating on his wife isn’t bad enough, he got Brooke pregnant and refuses to take responsibility. If he won’t do the right thing, I will. Getting married is a simple solution, but it creates a whole new problem. The more time I spend with Brooke, the more I want our marriage to be a little less convenient and a little more real. Can I convince her to give me a chance, or will she always see my brother when she looks at me?

Add to Goodreads! 

Buy Now or Read for FREE with KindleUnlimited! 

Excerpt

Copyright 2021 Kate Stacy

“What happened?” I ask, leaning my elbow on the table and resting my head in the palm of my hand. “I thought I was pregnant,” she says with a mirthless laugh. “It scared the shit out of me. Made me realize that I wasn’t as ready to settle down as I thought, so I packed my bags and left without a word. I avoided that side of the country like the plague… until I found out I was pregnant for real. I had this sudden need for closure, and to give him closure. He deserved that much. I also still thought we were married, so I knew it was something I needed to take care of before I could move forward with my life.” It’s kinda messed up that she bailed on the guy without telling him, but I’m trying not to judge. Everyone has reasons for doing the things they do, and I can tell by the way she’s talking that it’s not something she’s proud of. Part of me even understands. The way Brooke grew up couldn’t have been easy. “So, you went back…” “Yeah. He’s with someone else now. Happy.” There’s a wistfulness to her tone that has me questioning whether she’s still in love with this guy, whoever he is. “What happened?” I ask, wanting the whole story since she seems so willing to give it to me. “I found out the truth about our marriage, had an uncomfortable conversation about the past, and lied to him about my future. Seeing him with someone else broke something in me. I lied to him so he would think I’m doing better than I really am. I was jealous for a moment. He’s happily in love with someone else, and I hated that it wasn’t me. Then, I hated myself for even having those thoughts because everything that happened was on me. He treated me like a queen, and I ruined it all. It was silly, you know? I went back there for closure, never once thinking about reuniting with him, but once I knew it wasn’t even a possibility… it’s like I yearned for what could have been.” I nod, understanding what she means. I think it’s perfectly natural for her to feel that way, especially with the way the relationship ended between the two of them. But there’s one thing I’m still curious about. “What lie did you tell him?” “Clearly, I’m pregnant… so I told him that I’m engaged. And though I’ll likely never see him again… I hate that I lied to him.” Her words rattle around in my brain, and then something clicks. Holy shit. That’s it! The solution to all her problems and the perfect way for me to help her. It might seem a little out there, but… “What if it didn’t have to be a lie?”

Buy Now or Read for FREE with KindleUnlimited!

About Kate Stacy 

Author of emotionally-gripping, contemporary romance, Kate Stacy’s novels feature sassy heroines, swoony heroes, life, love, friendship, and all the angst. When she’s not writing or spending time with her family and friends in small-town North Carolina, Kate can most likely be found nose deep in her Kindle. She stays up too late, swears too much, and loves too hard. Likes: Music, Mermaids, Tequila, Knee-high Socks Hobbies: Baking, Cake Decorating, Crafting, Photography

Follow: Facebook | Reader Group | Instagram | Twitter | Goodreads | Bookbub | Amazon | Newsletter | Pinterest | Spotify

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New Release ~ Speeding Hearts ~ by ~ Claire Wilder

Upon returning to his hometown, Dean Hughes makes a deal with his best friend Stella Archer. However the more time they spend together the more the lines between friendship and romance blur, will they risk their friendship to take a chance on love? Fall for this hard-working hottie in Speeding Hearts by Claire Wilder, a Friends to Lovers Romance, the next book in the Blue Collar Romance Series.

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STELLA

Stella Archer has never been afraid of a challenge.

She was the first woman mechanic in her hometown. She runs her own garage.

And when her best friend and fellow mechanic Dean announces he’s moving back to his hometown, instead of being devastated, she jumps at the chance to work part-time at his uncle’s dirt track—and finally fulfill her dream of racing cars.

But with plenty of time to train with her best friend, for the first time in my life, Stella’s scared. Scared that racing isn’t really what she wants.

Scared that Dean is.

DEAN

Dean Hughes knows he can handle moving back to his hometown to care for his sick—and surly—father. He can even deal with returning to the scene of all his past mistakes.

The only thing he can’t take is the idea of losing his best friend Stella.

Now that she’s here in Oak Bend, she’s going to see what a screw-up he really is.

Worse, he might see the truth he’s been hiding from himself: he wants more from Stella than just friendship.

And when Stella finds out?

There’ll be no putting the brakes on what comes next.

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Excerpt

Copyright 2021 Claire Wilder

As it turned out, work kept me busy enough all day that I didn’t have time to think much about Dean at all.

Or at least, not much. I still felt the littlest fluttering in my stomach when I thought about tonight—he was going to come by the motel at seven-thirty and take me on a little tour of his hometown.

It almost felt like a date.

Except that it was my buddy, Dean.

But those thoughts only happened a few times that day. Most of the time, I concentrated on working my ass off.

By the time the closing time rolled around, I was shocked at where the day had gone. John gave me a begrudging nod as he left. He’d nitpicked my work all day, but before clocking out, he actually said, “You’re better than the last kid by a mile,” which I took to be the highest compliment.

Freddie showed me how to lock up, which I’d be doing on my own a couple days a week, and then, mercifully, I was on my own. Throughout the day, a couple of drivers had come by to practice on the oval, and each time, I’d looked up longingly at the sound of them but turned quickly back to whatever engine I was working on. It was imperative I showed Colin what I could do.

Now, with the track silent, I stood next to one of the nicer cars parked outside in the lot. I looked around. The place was completely deserted, and I happened to have the keys Freddie had handed me.

The keyring in my hand, I knew, contained the key for this particular car. I’d seen Freddie drive it around front earlier.

Colin had said I wasn’t supposed to go anywhere near the oval.

But he didn’t say anything about not test driving any of the cars.

I knew I was interpreting his words more liberally than his intention, but I was a grown adult, damn it. And what harm would there be in taking it in a circle around the lot?

Just slipping behind the wheel made adrenaline shoot through my stomach. When I turned it on, I was nearly sick. For a moment, the adrenaline running through me went cold and slick. What the hell was I doing? I’d never actually gotten this close to my dream of racing cars before. I’d driven nice cars in my career, sure. I’d topped the speed limit on the highway a hundred times over. But actually sitting in a street stock car with my hands wrapped around the wheel, my foot on the gas, the stick in neutral… I wondered for the first time if this dream of mine was really mine or something I’d cooked up to show everyone how tough I was.

No. This was mine. It had to be. Checking to make sure the car was in neutral, I revved the engine.

It roared under me, making me laugh with the thrill of it. I did it again.

Man, this felt better than sex.

Not quite, but in the moment, it felt close.

Then I chickened out. I cut the engine and got out, slamming the car door behind me. Then I raised my fists in mock triumph, imagining the crowd screaming around me. I even made the sound I used to make as a kid playing with my brothers. Then someone clapped behind me.

I couldn’t help it, I yelped.

Whirling around, my ponytail hit me in the eye just like it had the last time I was caught out here.

“Shit!” I swore, both at the sting in my eye and the mortification at getting caught by the boss playing make-believe.

But when I blinked, I saw it wasn’t Colin. The figure before me was tall. Broad across the shoulders. Covered in tattoos.

Looking at me with a grin that made my insides melt into taffy.

Dean.

About Claire Wilder

I write steamy lakeside romance novels (and the occasional sweet & sexy short story). When I’m not writing I’m either reading, taking long walks by the ocean (which I consider a giant lake!), or frolicking in the trees with my husband and three kids.

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About The Blue Collar Romance Series

Escape to Oak Bend where blue-collar hotties work hard and love even harder.

From broody carpenters to sexy electricians, these eight standalones are packed with small town feels, heat, and heartwarming happily ever afters.

Enjoy your favorite tropes written by an amazing group of authors: Jaymee Jacobs, Alexa Rivers, Evelyn Sola, Kate Carley, Tracy Broemmer, Mila Nicks, Claire Wilder, and Moni Boyce.

Fall head over heels for swoon-worthy book boyfriends who aren’t afraid of a little hard work for that happily ever after.

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