Release Tour – Page 4 – TBR Book Blog

Release Tour ~ Abandon Ship ~ by ~ Karigan Hale

When there is Love at Sea, can a no-strings rebound turn into more than a distraction? For Grayson Hamilton, this all-expenses-paid cruise is his chance to focus and work on saving his reputation. But when his best friend’s little sister, Abby Winters, enters the picture all grown up with a freshly broken heart, he losses focus and finds himself making an offer neither one of them can refuse. Fans of best friend’s sibling romances will devour ABANDON SHIP by Karigan Hale, a spicy jilted bride romance.

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Abby

Instead of walking down the aisle, my fiancé walked out the door. So I’m taking our honeymoon cruise without him. I’ll enjoy seven perfect days of endless margaritas, pristine beaches, and island excursions even more with my best friend instead. What I need is a complete break from ANYTHING akin to romance. Complete break. That includes the tempting Grayson Hamilton, I remind myself. No matter how much of a crush I had on him back in high school. No matter how lickable his abs turned out to be. I AM ON A BREAK!

Grayson

Scoring my dream job with the industry’s leading travel magazine was a lucky break. Unfortunately, I’m just about out of luck. This all-expenses-paid cruise my employer sent me on is my last chance to save my reputation. I have to stay focused despite all the beautiful, single women on this Love at Sea cruise. Yep. Focused. Focused on my job. NOT on my best friend’s little sister, all grown up and smoking hot, looking like she needs someone to help her get over her freshly broken heart. On second thought, maybe a little distraction couldn’t hurt. Maybe an offer of a no-strings-attached rebound will help get her out of my system. Then I can concentrate on saving my career before we both Abandon Ship.

Abandon Ship is a jilted bride romance, part of the Love at Sea multi-author series. Get ready to set sail through the Caribbean on Festival Cruises’ most alluring voyage with eight of your favorite authors – happily ever after guaranteed!

Experience everything the Love at Sea series has to offer. From speed dating to masquerades, guests are sure to enjoy the hot days and steamy nights. Explore hidden waterfalls, swim with dolphins, and watch as eight couples find their forever on the open ocean.

Add to Goodreads!

Excerpt

I am reinventing myself. I’m a ME not a WE. Since I’m no longer Asshole’s fiancée, I can be anything I want to be. I could be a recovering circus performer who left the big top for big adventure. I could be a rich German heiress just waiting on wire transfers—oh wait, that’s already been done.

I could definitely be carefree and happy and not have people look at me like I’m going to crack. I can find myself again. I can be single and happy and unattached.

As we pass a group of oglers, I smile brightly and toss my hair. Instead of looking cool and collected, I am momentarily blinded by the sun and miss the small step to the ramp, pitching me forward into the crowd.

“Shit, Abby. You okay?” Jazz asks, trying, and failing, to grab my elbow.

Luckily, my fall is broken by the person in front of us.

Unluckily, my nose ends up embedded in his ass crack. I grab his thighs to keep myself from sliding down his backside. He clenches his muscles in surprise, but that only makes my face smoosh harder into his ass. I’m sucking in his khaki shorts instead of air, but if I let go, I will faceplant onto the gangway. I hold on until I can get my feet under me and pray I don’t pass out from lack of oxygen. Imagine the headline: “Jilted Woman Suffocates in Man’s Ass on Love Cruise.”

Jazz grabs my arms and helps me stand. I suck in khaki-free air.

“At least buy the man dinner first,” she quips.

The man glances over his shoulder with a frown. I give him a sheepish smile and a finger wave. “Crowds, am I right?”

He nods, lips twitching, and turns back around, putting his earbud back in his ear. The gesture and the way his dark hair falls over his forehead slams me with deja vu, but I can’t think of why. I shake off the feeling. I’m just too mired in memories today.

I can’t help but glance at his backside now that I’m at a distance to examine it. It looks damn good in the shorts he’s wearing. If I had to face plant into a butt today, I’m glad it was a nice one.

“Well, that’s one way to make an impression,” Jazz says, suppressing a laugh as we follow the slowly moving crowd up the ramp to board the ship. “I didn’t peg you for being into ass play. I guess what they say about school teachers is true.”

I roll my eyes at her. “Go on. Get it all out of your system so we never have to mention this again. Like ever.” I groan. “I’m so not good at this flirting thing. I’ll be your wingman and live vicariously through your overly friendly vagina. Just put a sock on the door if you don’t want me walking in.”

“Next please?” the woman at the check-in booth says with a forced smile. Her cheeks must hurt by the end of the day.

“Sorry,” I say, handing over my passport to her. Jazz does the same.

“Welcome aboard, Abigail Winters and Jasmine Bucolo. You will be in Sea Terrace 13090A.”

I’m looking at my room key when a deep male voice startles me. “Excuse me.”

I jump a little and turn to see the man I bumped into earlier. My face heats to match the red carpet of the entrance way.

“I’m so sorry for earlier. I don’t normally grope strangers. I tripped and—”

“It was an accident. That isn’t why I stopped you. I—uh—this is weird, but did I hear your name is Abby Winters?”

I tilt my head at him, the fog of embarrassment lifting. And holy shit. “Grayson Hamilton?”

A broad smile lights up his face, smoothing out the strong angles, and my memories start clicking into place. Grayson and my brother, Alex, dominating the soccer field in high school. Grayson and the rest of Alex’s annoying friends teasing me to no end. Grayson’s adorable, crooked smile. Grayson dominating my fevered teenaged dreams.

He holds out his hand. “Little Breezy Winters. Of all the cruise ships in all the world, you had to board this one.”

I laugh a little too loudly and take his hand. “God, no one’s called me Breezy in years. How are you, Gray?”

Besides really freaking hot. His handsome features—that I used to discretely study more than my homework…but in a not-at-all creepy way—have filled out into strong manly angles. Small lines form around his mouth and deep brown eyes when he smiles. In short, he has aged very, very yummily.

No, I scold myself. I am most definitively on a break from men.

About Karigan Hale

Karigan Hale is a writer, reader, wife, mother, teacher, and photographer. She married her high school sweetheart and has been a hopeful romantic ever since.

She’s highly susceptible to sudden summer thunderstorms and happily ever afters. Highly allergic to poison ivy and early mornings. And highly addicted to fountain sodas and true crime.

When she’s not reading or writing swoon-worthy romances, she’s usually stalki…er, chasing her two daughters around with her camera, grading papers, or cleaning up after the animals on her mini-farm (at least emus, goats, chickens, dogs, and cats are cute, right?).

About The Love at Sea Series

Get ready to set sail through the Caribbean on Festival Cruises’ most alluring voyage with eight of your favorite authors – happily ever after guaranteed!

Experience everything the Love at Sea series has to offer. From speed dating to masquerades, guests are sure to enjoy the hot days and steamy nights. Explore hidden waterfalls, swim with dolphins, and watch as eight couples find their forever on the open ocean.

Each story features a brand new couple and a fun trope from our amazing line up of authors including: Kate Stacy, HM Thomas, Mari Sol, S.A. Clayton, T.L. Anderson, Karigan Hale, Susan Renee, and A.M. Williams.

This promotional event is brought to you by The Indie Pen PR

Release Tour ~ Grinch Girl ~ by ~ Michelle Dayton

Jane Zielinski has her hands full this December. The last thing she needs is to be upstaged by her former childhood BFF, Bella Bradley, who blows into town with handfuls of cash and a sexy business partner, Nate Wright. But a little competition never hurt anyone, and Jane’s ready to do whatever it takes– including flirting with Nate–to get Bella to pack up and leave. Fans of Christina Lauren and Sally Thorne will love Grinch Girl, a spicy and humorous Christmas Romance from Michelle Dayton.

“The love story itself is stirring and emotional, and Emily and Bobby’s second chance feels well-earned.”—Publishers Weekly review for Escape Girl

Read Now On Your Favorite Retailers!

Amazon→ https://amzn.to/3d6N4rP

iBooks→https://apple.co/3U2ZaCK

Kobo → https://bit.ly/3eOf1VW

Barnes & Noble → https://bit.ly/3RFEuz9

Universal Link→ https://bit.ly/3RU4G8Y

Sometimes, the real story isn’t the beautiful city girl returning to her small town to save Christmas—it’s the townie chick who never left.

Jane Zielinski has her hands full this December, working three jobs and directing a homemade reality dating web series, Single Bells, as a stunt to keep her small town competitive with the ritzy resort towns luring tourists. Then the gorgeous Bella Bradley, Jane’s childhood BFF who had no qualms about skipping town when times got tough, returns with handfuls of cash and her smoking-hot business partner Nate Wright on her arm.

Jane can’t believe she’s being upstaged again, especially when Bella uses the Single Bells activities to rekindle a romance with her high school boyfriend—the man Jane had envisioned her future with. So if a little competition could convince Bella to leave town—again—Jane is ready to take the mittens off. And she’s not above sabotage, cheating, or flirting with Nate to win. Let the reindeer games begin…

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Excerpt

Nate’s eyes lowered from the heavens to my face. His expression shifted away from embarrassment as his eyelids lowered a centimeter and his jaw shifted.

Why was my breathing so shallow? Why was I focusing so much on the bottom half of his face?

“Are you familiar with the term ‘competence porn’, Jane?” he asked.

I was so distracted by his use of my actual name and how his night-quiet voice had gotten all roughed up and gravelly that it took me a moment to grasp his actual question. Before I realized I didn’t grasp it at all. “Huh?”

“Competence porn—” he paused to cock his jaw in the opposite direction and take a half step closer to me “—is when a viewer takes great enjoyment in watching someone do something well. Marveling at someone who is insanely good at something.”

I blinked a few times, confused and mesmerized. My lips formed into the shape they needed to make a W sound, but I couldn’t think of the right question to ask him. What does this have to do with me? When did you get so close?

“You fix things and make things and solve situations,” Nate all but whispered. “You order people around, and they do what you say.” He shook his head, as if in bewilderment. “There hasn’t been a problem you couldn’t solve.”

He might have looked frustrated if he didn’t look so…intent. “I’ve always been a bit of a sucker for competence porn, but I’ve never seen it embodied so much in one individual.” Those intense dark eyes became fixated on my parted lips. “So I didn’t know how apt the term actually was.”

“Let me get this straight.” I took a shuddering breath, so warm in my thin coat that I wondered how I could have felt cold earlier. “You’re turned on because I’m so competent?”

This might have been the oddest conversation I’d ever had with a man. A very odd, very hot conversation.

His lips quirked up at the corners. “It surprises me too.”

We were now only separated by inches, and his face was exactly as it had been in the video. Hungry. His gaze made my mouth water, and we were both breathing so hard that our breath made little white clouds around our faces.

I should have been backing away. I should have been rolling my eyes. But his eyes had their own gravity again, and their magnetic force was pulling my mouth to his.

“This is so stupid,” I whispered.

“I know,” he agreed.

About Michelle Dayton

There are only three things Michelle Dayton loves more than sexy and suspenseful novels: her family, the city of Chicago, and Mr. Darcy. Michelle dreams of a year of world travel – as long as the trip would include weeks and weeks of beach time. As a bourbon lover and unabashed wine snob, Michelle thinks heaven is discussing a good book over an adult beverage.

This promotional event is brought to you by Indie Pen PR

Release Tour ~ Ruin the Friendship ~ by ~ S.A. Clayton

When there is Love at Sea, can a week-long cruise prove they deserve a shot at forever? Kacey Reid has had a thing for his sister’s best friend, Ashley Kenndy for as long as he remembers, but has fought his attraction for just as long. Being stuck together on the cruise will either give him the chance to finally prove that he’s not the unreliable man she always thought he was or it will it just ruin everything. Fans of Forbidden Romances will devour RUIN THE FRIENDSHIP by S.A. Clayton, a sexy, best friend’s sibling romance.

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Ashley

I’ve had a thing for my best friend’s brother, Kacey, for as long as I could remember.

I mean, what’s not to love?

He’s smart, sexy as hell, and everything I ever wanted in a man — except for the part where he’s totally unreliable.

Being stuck on a seven day cruise with my favorite friend-emy?

Well, that may be more than enough to drive me insane, in more ways than one.

Kacey

I’ve wanted Ashley my whole life.

Sure, she’s my sister’s very best friend but she’s the most amazing girl I’ve ever known.

But, not all that long ago she told me to move on. To forget her.

Except there is no forgetting Ashley and I’m going to spend the next seven days trying to prove that I’ve changed and we deserve a shot at this forever thing.

No matter what happens, one thing is certain — I’m ready to ruin our friendship.

Ruin the friendship is a best friend’s sibling romance, part of the Love at Sea multi-author series. Get ready to set sail through the Caribbean on Festival Cruises’ most alluring voyage with eight of your favorite authors – happily ever after guaranteed!

Experience everything the Love at Sea series has to offer. From speed dating to masquerades, guests are sure to enjoy the hot days and steamy nights. Explore hidden waterfalls, swim with dolphins, and watch as eight couples find their forever on the open ocean.

Add to Goodreads!

Excerpt

The instant I open the door and see the figure bent over the hood of his car, my heart stops. I haven’t seen Kacey Reid since prom night when he drove Kelsey and me home after our disastrous dates ditched us at the after-party. I secretly fell in love with him that night, basking in the way the rage washed over him when Kelsey explained what happened, loving the way his eyes softened when he met my eyes and gave me his jacket when I was cold. I tried to forget him, even moving to the other side of the continent, but nothing worked. I was still in love with my best friend’s twin brother.

“Well look who decided to finally come back home after all these years,” Kacey teases, that knowing smirk playing at the edges of his lips as his blue eyes latch onto mine. I take a breath, wondering how one man can change so much and yet so little in three years. His once shaggy blond hair is cut short, tendrils falling strategically in front of his face, making him look older than his twenty-one years. His crystal-clear blue eyes still cause my insides to flip every time they’re trained on me and those tattoos…they’re new. Both arms are covered and from the little I can see of his chest through his white t-shirt, that’s covered too.

“I’ve been home, you’re just never here,” I quip, loving the way his eyes shine with humor as they meet mine.

“Touché,” he says before grabbing the rag from his back pocket and wiping the grease from his hands. I wonder what those hands would feel like against me, how the calluses on those fingertips would feel gripping me tightly as I…I shake my head, silently berating myself for going there when I know I can’t.

“I didn’t know you were home?” My voice cracks as I make my way to the fridge on the other side of the car. Kacey’s eyes follow my every move. There was a time when I would have begged him to look at me the way he is right now, but I have to keep my distance because from what Kelsey has told me, he will ruin me.

“I’m not. My new place doesn’t have a garage to store this baby,” he says, shutting the hood. “I keep it here and Mom and Dad let me come over and work on it.” I nod, turning so my back is against the fridge, and our eyes connect.

“Are you sure it’s not just a ploy to get you to come home more?” I say, his eyes widening as if the thought never crossed his mind.

“Well shit,” he mutters, a small laugh leaving his throat as I smile, turning back around to get the beers out of the fridge. The second my back is turned and the door is open, I sense him behind me.

“Kacey, what are you doing?” I whisper just as his fingers grip my waist, hauling me back until I can feel all of him. Every hard inch. My breath shudders as those deft fingers trace over my hip and rest just over the waistband of my bikini bottoms.

“Do you know how many times I’ve told myself to stay away from you?” he mutters against my neck, the stubble on his jaw causing delicious friction against my skin. “Do you know how many times I’ve had to remind myself that you’re my sister’s best friend?” I shake my head, my fingers gripping his wrist as the tips of his fingers drop just below my bikini, causing every breath to leave my lungs.

“Kacey we can’t do this,” I whisper, closing my eyes and wishing we could, wishing I could feel what his lust feels like against me, what his passion would feel like inside me.

“I know,” he growls against the shell of my ear, nipping at the lobe until I’m putty in his hands. “But that doesn’t mean I can walk away without a taste…”

About S.A. Clayton

S.A. Clayton lives in a small town outside of Toronto, Canada with her husband and her scary large collection of books that seem to take over every room.

She has worked on both sides of the publishing industry, both in a bookstore and for actual publishing companies. Although she loved both for different reasons, she found that writing was her true passion and has spent the last few years breaking into the industry as best she can.

She is a lover of all things romance and began her writing journey in her late twenties. Since then, she has immersed herself in the romance genre and couldn’t be happier.

When she’s not writing or reading, she enjoys binging a great Netflix show (Stranger Things anyone?), baking (because who doesn’t love cookies!), and spending time with her family.

About The Love at Sea Series

Get ready to set sail through the Caribbean on Festival Cruises’ most alluring voyage with eight of your favorite authors – happily ever after guaranteed!

This promotional event is brought to you by The Indie Pen PR

Release Tour ~ The Right Guy ~ by ~ Mel Walker

In THE RIGHT GUY by Mel Walker, Hunter Farro is looking for a fresh start on his own, but after a kiss with a stranger, his plans derail when he finds himself in a fake relationship. Hunter’s secret relationship with Catherine March isn’t the only thing he is hiding behind, and when the truth comes out, he will risk everything important to him, including Catherine. Fans of Sealed by Laura Pavlov will delight in this sweet must-read fake relationship, small-town romance from the Meet Cute Book Club Series.

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Catherine March is what many would call an unparalleled success. With tons of friends from coast to coast and outstanding success as the manager of a premier event space in the state, she has overachieved in every aspect of her life except one – finding a partner. Finding the right partner.

Returning to her hometown for a friend’s wedding she is confronted by her ex, the man who predicted she’ll always be alone. And to make matters worse, he’s trotting his replacement all around town.

Faced with a tough choice, Catherine decides the solution to her problem is to find the perfect fake boyfriend for the week.

But being an overachiever has its own set of challenges, even her fake relationship appears real to everyone, including herself.

New city, new job, new challenges.

Hunter Faro is far from home and he’s looking to stand on his own without the assistance of his powerful family.

It sounded simple enough. That is until a stranger kisses him and ropes him into being her pretend boyfriend for her friend’s wedding

She is a beautiful distraction and he has his reasons for agreeing but as the charade grows he realizes the danger. The fake relationship isn’t the only secret he is hiding behind and if the truth comes out everything he’s worked for may disappear.

If you love small towns, fake relationship stories, moments that will tug at your heartstrings, and a swoon-worthy happy ending, then you’ll love this sweet romance.

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Excerpt

Home is where you go to find peace, but not today. My shaking hands and the throbbing in my chests only confirm my fears – disaster awaits.

My Uber flies down Market Street and I duck down to hide as we roll by Mr. Paul’s Ice Cream shop as if I’m expecting the ghost of boyfriend past to be sitting at our favorite booth sipping on a black and white milk shake staring out the window on alert.

I sit on my hands but still fail. I form tight fists, squeezing to the point that I feel the pain of my nails digging hard into my palm. This trip is different. He knows I’m coming home; he knows my schedule; there will be no avoiding him this time.

I don’t trust myself to even think his name, let alone speak it out loud. The fear of his name on my lips activating some horror movie spell, conjuring him in front of me, a smug smirk on his face and a condescending attitude on his shoulder.

I’m only two hours removed from the pep talk from my former college classmate and good friend, Shannon, but I don’t hesitate to dial her. Anything to pull me out of the anxiety hole I’m slipping down.

“Catherine!” she answers on the first ring, surprise in her tone, “don’t tell me you left something here at the Inn.”

I shake my head, knowing she can’t see me. “No. At least I don’t think so.” Her question merely pulls me from one rabbit hole to another. I’ve spent the last three days with Shannon and the rest of the women in our book club back in our college town of Abbot Ridge, North Carolina. Three amazing days of kinship, reconnecting and refilling my cup with positivity. Nearly all of it evaporating when I stepped on the plane and flew cross-country back to my hometown. “I’m almost to my parent’s home and I wanted to hear you tell me once again that everything will work out?”

“Ok,” she whispers, and I imagine Shannon pulling on the sleeves of her bohemian top with more colors than Joseph’s Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. It’s early afternoon and all of her bed-and-breakfast patrons should have either checked out or have left to enjoy the charm that is Abbot Ridge. I picture her sitting in her favorite rocking chair with a cup of herbal tea nearby. “It’s been too long since you’ve gone back home. You miss your family. You love your family and they love you. That’s all that matters. Palmer Easton is ancient history.”

I squeeze my eyes tight with the mention of my ex. The man whose heart I broke and who now seems to be on a mission to make my life a living hell.

“You are the kick ass hero in this story.” Shannon pulls me back to the present, her voice filled with love and admiration, the two things my heart needs the most right now. “You only have to see him once for a few hours with lots of other people around to act as a buffer. You’re going to be just fine. And when you leave town again, he’ll be the one wishing he had made different life choices.”

I know she’s right, but it’s nice to hear it out loud. Logic and fear aren’t exactly great bedfellows. “Thank you. In every other area of my life, I have no doubts, but anytime I come home to Mesa my nerves are on edge, fearing I’m going to run into Palmer.” My tongue clicks against my teeth, “only this time it’s one hundred percent guaranteed that we’ll cross paths.”

I think back six months to the arrival of the wedding invitation from my childhood friend, Ava. The hand written note slipped into the invite. Don’t you dare say no. She knows my history with Palmer, everyone does. Mesa, Arizona, may be home to nearly half a million people these days, but in many ways it’s still a small town.

“And I’m one hundred percent sure you’re gonna shine. Do I need to fly out there?” Shannon asks and for a second, I consider it. I RSVP’d with a plus one six months ago, figuring I had all the time in the world to find a date. The last thing I wanted to do was show up to the wedding and sit at the singles table subjecting myself to even more barbs and slings from Palmer. His parting words to me after I left him were that I would never find happiness or another man. I found out too late that Palmer and the high road never intercepted.

About Mel Walker

Mel Walker is a rare bird, the male romance author. Specializing in heartfelt small-town romance, he enjoys telling compelling romances with all the feels. A native New Yorker and life-long frustrated NY Mets fan, he enjoys long walks, bike rides, and taking in the energy of the city.

About The Meet Cute Book Club Series

Escape with the Meet Cute Book Club where meet-cutes don’t only happen between the pages of romance novels and members find their own happily ever afters.

Eight single women bound by their love of books take a monthly break from real life to lose themselves in the chapters of romantic fiction. From friends to lovers to fake relationships and more, each story features a brand new couple and their journey to find love from an amazing lineup of authors including Louise Lennox, Tracy Broemmer, A.M. Williams, Mel Walker, RJ Gray, Rebecca Wilder, Julie Archer, and Kate Stacy.

These eight standalone romances are packed with meet-cutes, heat, and of course a happily ever after!

This promotional event is brought to you by The Indie Pen PR

Release Tour ~ Win My Heart ~ by ~ Lauren Helms

For Bernadette Ross, there are two things she knows for sure, she loves being a kick-ass gamer girl and she’s been in love with her teammate’s older brother for years. Wade Roberts was forced to put her in the friend zone, but when his feelings can’t be ignored any longer, the only option is to keep their relationship a secret. Fans of nerdy romance, Carrie Aarons, and Kaylee Ryan will adore WIN MY HEART by Lauren Helms, a secret relationship, gamer girl romance.

“Lauren Helms delivers a sweet and steamy romance that packs an emotional punch.” – Mary @ USA Today HEA on ONE MORE ROUND, Gamer Boy 2

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Bernie

When it comes to gaming,

I’m a pro.

When it comes to my love life?

That’s a different story.

I’ve been crushing on my best friend’s older brother forever.

In return, he’s kept me in the friend zone for way too long.

Then things change between us.

And I get to see a whole new,

And incredibly sexy side to him.

But, he wants to keep things between us a secret.

Wade

I made a promise to my brother.

One I refused to break.

Until now.

I’ve ignored my feelings for the girl for way too long.

And the more time we spend together,

The harder I find myself falling.

There’s just one problem,

I can’t let anyone know that I’ve made her mine.

Can I win her heart before its game-over for us both?

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Excerpt

I rush to the stairs at the end of the hall. It will be quicker than waiting for the elevator, and since I’m only going up one floor, it makes sense. After taking the steps by twos, I’m standing in front of the guys’ apartment in no time.

Brushing a stray hair off my face as I unlock the door, I realize I never changed out of my workout attire. My capri leggings, which I wear while lounging around at home more than working out, are black with a camo pink design up the sides. Then I’m wearing a crop top tank in the same matching pink.

I’m glad the guys aren’t here, because I don’t dress like this around them. Ever. I’m normally in a pair of skinny jeans and a fitted tee or hoodie. On occasion, I know how to dress up. I’m assuming if the guys saw my midriff, it would be akin to seeing their sister show too much skin.

I take a few steps into the apartment, and it’s dead quiet, as expected. I look around for the speaker and notice the place is cleaner than it was yesterday. Since Dex moved out last month, it’s become blatantly obvious who kept the place clean—or at least held the guys accountable for cleaning up after themselves.

I chuckle to myself at how much fun Gia and Ruby will have when they have to house-train their men eventually.

I remember that we had the speaker back in Link’s room, testing it with his stream set up. So I head down the hall.

I hear a noise and look over my shoulder just as I run into something hard and wet.

I squeak as I whip my face around, and I jump when strong hands grab both of my arms.

“Shit,” a deep voice mutters.

I stifle a scream right as I process what—I mean who—I ran into.

Wade Roberts.

The Wade Roberts.

Dex’s older brother.

My teammate’s big brother and the guy I’ve shamefully had a secret crush on for years.

Yeah, that Wade Roberts.

He grips my biceps tightly as if he fears I’m going to fall over. And once my vision focuses on him and my eyes drift down his body, and I realize that he’s naked, I think I might just pass out.

Well, hello, abs.

“Bernadette. You good?” His voice is deep, and there’s a trace of humor there.

The way he says my name makes my knees weak. Not many people call me by my full name, but Wade always has.

I nod, still taking him in. Okay, so he’s not naked completely. He’s got a towel wrapped low around his waist, giving me a nearly full view of the perfect ‘v’ and the hint of whatever he’s hiding underneath. I force my gaze back up to his chest, then to his face. Shit, he’s got a nice face.

Christ on a cracker.

“I’m wet now,” I mutter.

His eyes go wide.

I try again. “Shit. No, I mean, why am I wet now that you’re here?”

He barks out a laugh, and I nearly die.

“No, frack. Wait, why are you wet? Because now I am. Is this sweat or water?” I peel my eyes away from the half-naked man I’ve dreamed about for the past few years and take a step back. He doesn’t let his hand drop right away, but then his gaze blazes down my body.

I instinctively cover my stomach with my hand, then drop it because it was an awkward move on my part. I just end up bringing more attention to myself as he drinks me in. When I clear my throat, his eyes find mine.

He seems to shake himself out of something and puts yet another step between us.

“Uh, yeah. Sorry. I just got out of the shower. I wasn’t expecting to run into anyone, so I’m glad I even bothered with the towel.” His throaty chuckle is uncomfortable as I think about what would have happened if he had forwent the towel.

I giggle nervously. “Oh, yeah, same,” I reply. “I mean, wasn’t expecting to run into anyone.”

“Right.” He smiles.

Wow, this is uncomfortable. Anyone looking in would think we were two half-naked strangers running into each other. But we aren’t. I’ve known Wade for almost five years. While he doesn’t hang out a lot with the gang, he’s around. He supports our team and I’ve eaten many meals with him. Some days, I would even consider us friends. We get along well. I’ve just always had a crush on him, and he’s always looked at me the same way the guys do—as a sister. Which is fine. Totally fine. It’s probably for the best.

About Lauren Helms

Lauren Helms is a romance author her nerdy and flirty contemporary words. Lauren has forever been an avid reader from the beginning. After starting a book review website, that catapulted her fully into the book world, she knew that something was missing. While working for a video game strategy guide publisher, she decided to mix what she knew best–video games and romance. She decided to take the plunge and write her first novel, Level Me Up. Several published novels later, Lauren created PR company, Indie Pen PR, to help other authors promote their books.

Lauren lives in Indianapolis, Indiana sharing her love of books and video games with her own Gamer Boy husband and three young kid nerds who will hopefully grow up to share the love of things that united Lauren and her husband on their own happily ever after.

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Release Tour ~ Takeoff ~ by ~ Evelyn Sola

Vickie is done with men, even when NBA star Colt Chastain sets his sights on her. He’s everything she doesn’t want in her calm, quiet life. Colt’s about to make Vickie realize that sometimes what you want, isn’t what you need. Readers who enjoy sports romances will devour Takeoff by Evelyn Sola, a steamy, single dad romance.

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Vickie I am done with men. I like my life the way it is. Calm, quiet and very private. I may be a brash New Yorker, but I keep a tight circle, and I prefer it that way. Enter Colt Chastain, rising NBA star and magnetic single dad. He’s set his sights on me and he’s determined to change my mind. No way that’s going to happen. Nope. Never. Did I mention he’s tenacious? And hot? Very, very hot. I told him he’s the absolute last man I would ever be with. So, why does he think getting me into bed is a slam dunk? I tried to resist. I really did. My efforts didn’t work, and now I’ve found myself falling head over heels for him. Did I say quiet and private? I’ll even accept the crazy public lifestyle. Now, I can’t picture my life without him and his adorable five-year-old son. Colt I live my life in the spotlight. Millions of fans, social media and press follow me everywhere. That’s not my preference. That comes with the job. On the inside, I’m a regular southern gentleman who can’t fight my attraction to the tempting New Yorker who’s caught my eye. Victoria Taylor is everything I ever wanted. She’s beautiful, sexy, confident and not afraid to put me in my place. She says she doesn’t want me, but her eyes tell a different story. I’ll stop at nothing to prove to her that we’re really not that different after all.

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Excerpt

“Do you know what it’s like for me?” I find myself yelling out the last question. The TV goes louder, and I imagine Charlie is trying to drown out our arguing. “Do you know that basketball is the only thing I’ve ever had that made me feel special? It’s the only thing I’m good at, and the idea of not having it anymore hurts, Vickie. It hurts a lot, and I pushed you away because I didn’t want you to see me wallowing around. I didn’t want to take my hurt and frustration out on you. I—” She puts a palm to my face, but I put it down. “Do you think I live in some fantasy world, Colt? Do you think I need everything to be perfect all the time? I agreed to a relationship, not some alternate universe where everything is always roses. You’re supposed to wallow with me! You’re supposed to show me your ugly sides. Snap at me if I hover over you too much. I’d tell you where to stick it, and then we’d figure out the rest. Together. Why am I the one telling you how a relationship is supposed to work? What you don’t do is get on a plane and leave the woman you say you love.” I feel about two feet tall after her rant. That’s exactly what Mama said to me too. Even Charlie gave me the side eye the entire five-hour drive here. “I know that, baby. I know. I lost sight for a minute. Please understand that I have issues too. I was never a good student. I’m not smart like you. I never had a wealthy parent to fall back on. Everyone has always relied on me. From my mother on down. I’m it. I’m the support, and that’s a heavy burden. I know you don’t understand that, but—”

About Evelyn Sola

A Boston native, wife, mother, and wine enthusiast. If she’s not writing, thinking about writing, you will find Evelyn with a book in her hands. While a new publisher, she’s been writing for years, and she will continue to write for many years to come. Evelyn is obsessed with assertive and confident men who will stop at nothing to get their woman. Her stories are filled with love, passion and humor. She currently lives in Chicago, IL with her husband and two daughters.

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Release Tour ~ Kiss of Fate ~ by ~ Louise Lennox

Nicole wanted to keep things casual with Ray after returning to the island, but a positive pregnancy test causes complications for them both. Can Nicole stop fighting Ray long enough for the two to have a second chance? Readers who love Kennedy Ryan and Nicole Snow will love Kiss of Fate by Louise Lennox, an unexpected pregnancy, second chance romance.

Blurb The Carolina Lowcountry is sexier, because the beautiful Kiawah Kisses rule the Sea Islands with strength, spice, and sass. This summer, each friend will reconnect with a Gullah hometown hero and learn to love again. This is Nicole’s story… When two lines appear on a pregnancy test, Hollywood’s top casting agent Nicole Mack knows exactly who’s to blame-Ray Baines! They’ve happily hooked up for two years now, so the positive result is no surprise. But it is a problem! Ray is back home on Kiawah Island; the very place Nicole worked hard to ignore after he broke her heart a decade ago. Hooking up proves she no longer hates him, but she’s still mad as hell. Ray Baines has terrible luck. He was NBA rookie of the year, before he got hurt. He was the hometown hero before he became a hermit. And he lost the love of his life, Nicole, to foolish pride and an ill-advised marriage ten years ago. As a matter of fact, the only good thing in his life is Miracle, his daughter, and he refuses to complicate her life. So, when Nicole arrived in town two years ago to support a friend, he cautiously agreed to hook-up and keep things light. But now she’s pregnant and all bets are off! Nicole Mack is his… Well, at least, she was. If she stops fighting him long enough; she always will be. Kiss of Fate, book 3 in the Kiawah Kisses Series, is a steamy, small town, contemporary romance featuring a strong, smart heroine and the compassionate and sexy boy-next-door who recaptures her heart. Download it today and get ready to fall in love with your next favorite book boyfriend.

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Excerpt

“Y’all are so nasty! In the doctor’s office? Why? Just why?” Keisha tuts in displeasure. She flew in from San Francisco once her big case wrapped up and surprised me today at a brunch date I scheduled with Tara and Symone. I laugh as my friends look at me with looks that span from amused to disgusted. Keisha’s uptight ass is downright horrified. That’s nothing new. She’s always clutched her pearls with me and my decisions. But I trust her with my secrets. Well, except Ray. Symone is too bossy and will only try to tell me what to do. Tara gives great hugs and will walk through the fire with you, but she has enough on her plate. Well, at least she did. She was married to a fool that dragged her through hell for ten years. I’ve kicked his ass more than once over the years and I still think about it when I see him around. Jason Kent is the worst and Tara always deserved better. Thank God she finally got it. But Keisha… she’s the problem-solver of the group. Which makes sense, because she’s an amazing lawyer. I’m almost certain she knows more about all of us combined than we know about each other. That’s because we all come to her with our deepest secrets and hardest problems. For example, she’s the only one that knows Lorraine McIntosh offered me a job in L.A. a week before Ray got hurt and released from the Lakers. When he came home, I immediately deferred my hire. Luckily, Lorraine understood and gave me a few months to help him get back on his feet. I think the fact he was a Laker helped. Keisha, however, was dead set against me delaying my offer and waiting on him. “He broke your heart, Nicole. He doesn’t deserve you. And he certainly isn’t worth putting your career on hold. He would not put his need before yours if the tables were turned. He’s already proven that he’s not ready for the love you provide.” On and on she went, but I didn’t heed her words. Sure enough, when he was healthy again, things did not end happily ever after. At first, it was all good. Ray apologized for breaking up with me after his NBA career took off, but he explained why. I’d heard it all before, but it was good to hear it again. He’d rather leave than to cheat. We got close, and he pledged his love to me. Before I knew it, he was proposing marriage. He didn’t know I had a major career move waiting for me in the very city that kicked him out. When he found out; he was livid. Suddenly, I was selfish and not prioritizing what was important in life. He wasn’t supportive, and he swore if I got on that plane to L.A. that would be the end of us. I thought he was blowing smoke and being dramatic. But after a month in L.A. with not so much as a check-in from him; I knew we were over… at least for a while. Then a month later; Keisha came to L.A. to tell me Ray married a woman named Taylor. Keisha held me for two weeks while I cried; asking how he could do that to me. She never said I told you so, but she made me promise not to let a man do that to me again. Use common sense before you use your heart, Nicole. That was Keisha’s favorite line during my emotional recovery. Which is why I never told her Ray and I started hooking up again two years ago. That’s also why she was so mad to find out I was pregnant. Keisha is not a fan of Raycole. I don’t blame her. I’m not sure if I am. No, I take that back. I’m definitely a fan. I just don’t know if I should be.

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About Louise Lennox Contemporary romance Author Louise Lennox is a hopeful romantic writing steamy romances full of heart and healing. A Spelman College and Georgetown University graduate, Louise provides women with diverse and meaningful representation in romance novel pages. Not seeing enough women like herself headlining positive love stories, she launched #HappyBlackRomance; a community of readers and writers committed to the creation and sharing of positive romance stories featuring Black heroines. Louise Lennox plots highlight the joys of Black relationships across the diaspora; pushing readers from all cultural backgrounds to admire them for their strength and downright sexiness. In her novels sparks always fly; the sex amazes; and the characters always leave the world better than they found it through their love. When she’s not writing, Louise is enjoying her work as a school leader, wife, and mother of the two cutest dragons to ever walk the earth! To learn more about #HappyBlackRomance and to score a free book or two, check out her website http://www.lovelouiselennox.com.

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Release Tour & Review ~ Must Love Forever ~ by ~ Leigh Lennon

Release Tour for Must Love Forever
by Leigh Lennon

Bianca checked all the things for a wonderful life off her list, but always longed for something different. Mick knows that not everything is meant to be. When tragedy strikes the two finally have a shot at a second chance at love. Readers will love this friends-to-lovers romance from Leigh Lennon. The 425 Madison series is back with season two and MUST LOVE FOREVER is now live!

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Bianca

Handsome husband—check.

Beautiful house—check.

Wonderful life…I could never put a check next to this.

Through it all, I longed for a different life. With a man I had called my best friend. A man who is not my husband.

When the unspeakable happens and I’m left alone, its Mick who is there to pick me up.

Mick

Not everything is meant to be.

Watching the woman who owned my heart start a life with someone else – broke me to the core.

But time goes on and I try too.

Until one phone call changes both our lives.

She could have been taken from me forever. Instead, a tragic accident takes away the only man I thought ever made her happy.

When she starts over again, in my city, in my home; sharing slivers of her story with me it’s then that I learn not everything is as it appears.

None of this matters though, when I’ve been given a second chance to prove we’re meant to be.

After all, 425 Madison is the perfect place to fall in love.

Excerpt

I’m asleep, or at least I’m faking sleep very well when the door creaks open. Her footsteps move closer and closer, coming around the foot of the bed, pulling the covers back. The second she does, I roll over, bringing her in close to me. But tonight, I don’t care about the beast of my erection poking into her backside. Does she not know what she does to me?

We never speak in bed. We never speak of her sleeping with me. And I’m not sure if I should break our protocol to tell her how much I want her. It goes deeper—she’s shattered, and I don’t know how to fix her, but I desperately want to.

I come as close to the olive complexion of her back as I can get, and she doesn’t wiggle out of the touch of my erection. The little tease backs her ass closer into it, and it makes me inhale long and deep, exhaling on the back of her neck. She relaxes farther into me, and I can’t resist her, not for a second longer.

I pepper kisses onto her neck, as her hand snakes back over her hip to my cock. The second her fingers make contact with it, though it’s covered by my boxers, my kisses speed up, my own fingers dipping into her low cut tank top. The same whimper she emitted earlier has returned and I push her to her back, bracing myself over her. I should say something, ask her what she wants. When our eyes connect, and we can see each other by the moonlight streaming in, she takes her finger, covering my lips, telling me there will be no talking. With a nod of her head, it’s her way of telling me this is what she wants, and I lower my face to hers, taking control of her mouth.

Her tongue scrapes at my teeth, and she playfully bites the lower part of my lip. Oh, shit, this is sexy as hell. My hands are pushing me up, as to not squish her tiny body. In one fluid motion, I roll over, bringing her with me, her body resting on mine. She’s so light, she won’t hurt me. My arms are wrapped around her, but I can’t resist exploring her whole body. My hands come to rest on her ass when I sneak my fingers between her skin and skimpy shorts.

Squeezing her pert ass, causes my erection to continue to barrel into her body. Scooting to her side, still on me, she pulls my cock through my boxers. I emit another harsh departure of air, only to suck it in again when her hand wraps around my cock, stroking it from the base to the tip.

I intend on telling her what she’s doing is right—what this is with us is perfect, but I can’t. It’s not what we do, not in the confines of my bed.

When she moves her body from mine, I miss her warmth but I don’t have to wait long when the tip of her tongue starts to suck up the precum of my cock. Her tongue connects with me, and my body relaxes into what this is, because it’s Bia and the two of us together are unstoppable.

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Amazon ➝ https://rebrand.ly/MLF_LL425Mad

Don’t Must Love Coffee by Leigh Lennon from the first season of 425 Madison Ave.

“This book was a total feel-good romance. Gwen and Leo hit it off right from the begging and I really loved how the story is not just about them, their kids, all three of them get a bit of a spotlight and help the story move forward. Even the judge was a great addition to the story.” —Amazon Reviewer

Only on Amazon + Read for FREE on Kindle Unlimited

Amazon ➝ https://amzn.to/2PDKQSc

About Leigh

Leigh Lennon is a mother, veteran and a wife of a cancer survivor. Originally with a degree in education, she started writing as an outlet that has led to a deep passion. She lugs her computer with her as she crafts her next story. One could say she loves pretty nails, big earrings, and spiky hair. She can be found drinking coffee or wine, depending on the time of the day.

Website ➝ http://bit.ly/2UxaxnT
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About the 425 Madison Series

Welcome to 425 Madison Ave the perfect place to fall in love. Nine delicious romances set in fast-paced & sexy NYC just waiting for you to read.

This season will feature some new authors as well as some of season one’s favs. Back for season two is Allie York, Leigh Lennon, MK Moore, Aubree Valentine, Lauren Helms, and Katy Ames. Plus a warm welcome to KC Enders, Jennifer Rebecca, and Marcie Shumway!

Not only do we have a sexy mix of new and returning authors, prepare for pages packed with new romances, characters, and tropes all from the same well-loved high-rise apartment building in NYC.

Make sure to follow the 425 Madison Avenue Facebook page for more on release dates, cover reveals and author spotlights. For exclusive excerpts, giveaways, and news subscribe to our 425 Madison newsletter!

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Facebook ➝ https://www.facebook.com/425MadisonSeries

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Check out the Season One and get caught up today! You can read all nine books for FREE with Kindle Unlimited ➝ https://rebrand.ly/425MadisonAmz

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Release Tour ~ Escaping Ryan ~ by ~ Ginger Ring

Title: Escaping Ryan

Series: Genoa Mafia Series #2

Author: Ginger Ring

Genre: Mafia Romance

Release Date: January 23, 2018

Publisher: Limitless Publishing

Valentina Caponelli is more than a spoiled mafia princess…

She flees her father’s Chicago mansion to start a law office in a small-town in Wisconsin, determined to gain her independence.

Free of her father.

Free of her heritage.

Free of dangerous enemies of the family.

Then she falls in love with the one man who may cause her more harm than all the rest.

Officer Ryan Donavan is married to the force…

But the long-legged brunette he cared for after a car crash is all he can think about.

The problem is, Valentina is the sister of mob boss Roman Caponelli. The one man who definitely does not want his only sibling dating a lawman.

Ryan and Roman have made a tenuous peace, but if Ryan gives in to this passion, that peace will be shattered.

A killer is already roaming the streets, and all hell is about to break loose in Lake Genoa, Wisconsin. Can love really conquer all—or only make matters more deadly?

Ginger Ring is an eclectic, hat-loving Midwestern girl with a weakness for cheese, dark chocolate, and the Green Bay Packers. She loves reading, playing with her cats, watching great movies, and has a quirky sense of humor. Publishing a book has been a lifelong dream of hers and she is excited to share her romantic stories with you. Her heroines are classy, sassy and in search of love and adventure. When Ginger isn’t tracking down old gangster haunts or stopping at historical landmarks, you can find her on the backwaters of the Mississippi River fishing with her husband.

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Release Tour ~ Savages ~ by ~ Natalie Bennett

Title: Savages

Series: Badlands, Book One

Author: Natalie Bennett

Genre: Dark Erotic Romance

Release Date: January 25, 2018

Calista

“I am the monster they created. I’m the whore they’re ashamed of.”

When life tried to break me I grabbed that b*tch by the throat and squeezed.

I thought I could overcome anything. I swore I could handle him, but after being forced to play at the Devil’s playground I ended up craving his touch.

One taste of his poison made my loyalties begin to waiver.

Romero

“I’m a living nightmare, I’m everything they fear.”

I’ve been called the Devil, deranged, and a savage. I lived by a code created by rebel souls. We were sinners and thieves that made no apologies for taking whatever the f*ck we wanted. Saving a girl in the woods was never part of my plans, but when I saw the crazy in her eyes I knew it was a match made in hell.

Now secrets are piling up, the bodies are rotting, and time is running out to finish what I started.

Forewarning, our story is more than a little f*cked up.

Authors Note:

I am not going to put a long ‘trigger warning’ on this book. I will say that Savages is a VERY cautionary tale that has no regard for hard limits. Reader discretion IS highly advised. <–18+

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Natalie Bennett is the creator of erotic stories that always come with a warning label. She writes about depraved alpha a**holes and women that love to hate them. Her books don’t follow any specific tropes, have no set word counts, and tend to deviate from traditional HEA’s.

When she isn’t in front of her computer she’s spending time with her husband and their three little boys.

Natalie is an avid fan of caramel frappes, horror movies, Shameless, and of course, reading.

You can find Natalie on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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