A twisted mafia romance about quiet wealth and refined darkness
Sienna
It’s been ten years since he left me with nothing but a pendant, a photo, and a broken heart. He was but a ghost, there one minute and gone the next. I picked myself up, dried my eyes, and built my life without him. Now he has come back into my life like a raging storm surrounded by crime and bloodshed. I no longer need him, but that doesn’t mean I don’t want him—or just a little taste…
Elio
Ten years ago, I had to leave behind the only light I had in my life. Without her, I live in darkness. I am not proud of the things I’ve done, nor the blood that’s been shed. Everything I did had been to protect her. We live by our code—family, power, loyalty, and protection. Our empire is built on the bones of our enemies. Now that she is back and we have a second chance, they will learn one way or another you do not touch my queen.
Capri Famiglia will rise to the top no matter the cost, bloodshed, or the lines that will have to be blurred.
Stripping down to just my bra and underwear, I slipped into the water and allowed myself to float, proud that I had finally learned to swim.
“I was beginning to think you were avoiding me.” His voice traveled across the water and vibrated through me. I ducked down, careful to keep my body underneath the water, so just my nose was above the surface. “It’s been quite a while since I’ve seen you here.” He peered into the hidey hole where we hid our notes and grinned. “I see you got my notes.”
“And you’re swimming.” He placed a hand over his heart playfully. “That hurts.”
I treaded water and tried to think of something to say as he dropped his jeans and waded into the water in just his boxers. He dipped under the surface and came up right in front of me.
His dark eyes seemed to be even more intense today, and I felt a jolt when I took a leap and stared into them. It was like someone poured a bucket of warm water over me.
“Sorry,” I whispered, and his eyes softened like he was happy I spoke. “Things have been hard, and I got a little…” I trailed off, unsure how to explain myself.
“Lost?”
“I think to be lost you need to have been found at some point,” I fought back an urge to cry. “I didn’t have a starting point. So…” I shrugged.
“I missed our notes.”
“Me too,” I confessed.
“But I missed you more.” He smiled sweetly. I admired that he could say what he wanted without a care.
His eyes flickered as something raced through his mind. I could feel his body language change.
“Do you trust me, Sienna?” I licked my lips and thought about his question. “You know me well enough to know I wouldn’t hurt you, right?”
I nodded because it was true. Elio had never said or done anything to hurt me in any way. In fact, he had cared for me over the years and never asked for anything in return. I felt like he knew me better than anyone else.
“May I take you to show you something?”
MEET THE AUTHOR
J. L. Drake was born and raised in Nova Scotia, Canada, later moving to Southern California where she now lives with her husband and two children.
When she is not writing she loves to spend time with her family, travelling or just enjoying a night at home. One thing you might notice in her books is her love of 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.
An avid reader of James Patterson, J.L. Drake has often found herself inspired by his many stories of mystery and intrigue. She hopes you will enjoy her books as much as she has enjoyed writing them.
They call me King for a reason. I’m used to getting what I want until Charlotte throws me off my game. She might be immune to my charms, but all it takes is one unforgettable night with her to show me what I’ve been missing. Fans of the The Perfect Game Series by Samantha Christy will devour The Knuckleball by A.M. Williams, a best friend’s sibling, sports romance.
Why do we always want the ones we shouldn’t?Charlotte
Growing up around athletes means I’m mostly immune to their charms. Or lack thereof.
The looks, the smoking hot bodies, the cocky swagger don’t mean much to me and I can ignore any attraction I might feel.
There’s just one problem now. There’s one player that I can’t get out of my mind. After I put myself out there to take things to the next level, I don’t know how to act.
I’ve never felt this way before and it’s throwing me off.
King
I’m called King for a reason. I get what I want, when I want it with the snap of my fingers.
I’m happy with my life until her. One night and I discover what I’ve been missing.
Getting what I want shouldn’t be a problem. Except it is. For the first time in my life I’m forced to take matters into my own hands to convince her how good we would be together.
When the truth comes out and all the cards are on the table, I have to figure out if I can drop my walls for a real chance at happiness.
We have to decide if we can overcome our prejudices for a shot at happiness together.
The Knuckleball is book four in A.M. Williams’ “Boys of Summer” baseball romance series. It’s a best friend’s sibling romance with a cocky hero and a girl that takes no prisoners.
If you love men in tight pants and the sassy women they fall for, this series is for you.
This book was previously published as King of the Field. It has been updated with new content and re-edited.
Once six months ago wasn’t enough for me. I wasn’t sure it would ever be enough.
So he’d insulted me. Did that mean I couldn’t use his dick?
No, it didn’t. And I wanted to use his dick badly
His gaze was a physical caress on my body, raising goosebumps in its wake and making me yearn for his touch
Watching him was an erotic dance that I couldn’t get enough of.
Did he have a voodoo dick or something? What was this weird sorcery he was playing on my body?
I was wet, embarrassingly so. And I’d just had the most erotic dream of my life about the guy that I’d rejected the night before.
There were only so many dick pics a girl could handle, and I wasn’t holding my breath on Prince Charming.
I needed to move on, I knew that. But it was so hard when my dating life had now been relegated to the Myxr app, where I had to wade through the fuck boys and douchebags to find my Prince Charming. Add in the dick pics and I was rolling in the trifecta of terrible guys.
Who needed a man when you had a slightly overweight ginger cat that would suffocate you at night and purr while doing it?
“What the fuck?” Derek asked, crossing his arms.
I glanced around and hissed, “Sit your ass down.”
He glared at me before climbing up and settling in next to me.
I scooted away from him some, wanting a little distance between us just in case he got a wild hair to punch me. Distance was key.
Derek was an intimidating guy. He was tall and built. He also had a mean fastball, and I was certain that translated into other areas. But I didn’t think Derek would punch me. He wouldn’t risk injuring himself because of his contract.
Based on the scowl marring Derek’s face, I didn’t want to bank on there being no bodily harm just yet.
“What are you up to?” Derek growled.
I shrugged and dropped his gaze. “Nothing.”
Note to self: Derek was territorial about his sister, not just his wife. Check.
“Please. Based on what just happened on that field, you’re up to something and I want to know what it is.”
“Why does it matter to you?” I asked as I looked back at him.
“She’s my sister.”
That wasn’t new information by any means. I knew that, as did the entire team. You’d have to be living under a rock not to know that.
“And?” I finally asked. “I know that, but I was complimenting her on her playing. If I’d known it would bother her that much, I wouldn’t have said anything.”
If I had to build a perfect woman, it would be Charlotte Nichols. Hands down. No contest. She was who I’d create.
I was posing for a nude calendar that I knew the old women in the retirement community were going to buy and tease me about for years to come, and I was essentially lying to the woman I wanted to be with.
I was in trouble when it came to King.
There was just one problem. I didn’t date athletes, I didn’t like their egos.
And King had an ego the size of the state.
Review Coming Soon!
About A.M. Williams
A.M. Williams is just a simple girl from the south that found herself living abroad. When she’s not annoying her cat or reading, she’s spending time with her husband and traveling as much as possible. She has a serious case of wanderlust and wants to go as many places as possible while she can. She loves Cheerwine, sweet tea, and North Carolina (eastern style) BBQ as well as those crystal clear waters on the North Carolina coast.
GeorgiaI’ve hated Chase Mathews from the first time I saw him.He’s arrogant, cocky, and far too obnoxious for anyone to deal with. But our best friends are married, so escaping him isn’t exactly easy.Did I mention he’s also my new roommate?You see, life hasn’t exactly gone to plan recently, and I’m out of options. But just because I’m stuck with him doesn’t mean I have to lay back and endure his antics. Chase doesn’t know it yet, but he’s just met his match.ChaseGeorgia Monroe has driven me crazy for years. And not in a fun way. She’s a snobby brat who I try to avoid at all costs. As luck would have it, she’s also my new roommate. If this year hasn’t taken enough from me, it is undoubtedly testing my sanity with her around. Forced into close quarters, I don’t know who will snap first. Georgia is fire, and I’m gasoline. Soon, someone is going to explode.I’m just hoping it won’t be me.
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I force myself to look away from him. Sure, he’s attractive, most athletes are. Okay, that isn’t completely true, but it’s what I’m willing to tell myself for acknowledging his hotness. Hot people can still suck. There, that’s it. “Uh, you’re in my seat,” he snaps.I dismiss him with a wave. “Didn’t realize you paid for the couch.” My eyes go back to the movie.I feel the other end dip, while he exhales a puff of breath. In the next second, he changes the channel.“Uh excuse me! I was watching that.” I lean over to grab the remote from him, but he’s too fast for me, tucking it under his ass.“Seriously?” I fume, my fingers digging into the pillow I have in a death grip. “If you want it, come get it.”I turn my nose up. “Ew, I think I’ll pass. Even sitting near you is enough to risk catching something.”He just shrugs, shoving a wad of popcorn into his mouth. “Get your own seat next time.” “Well, if you didn’t basically eat, sleep and breathe on this sofa then I wouldn’t have to take it from you!”“Someone’s in a bad mood.” He smirks, clearly loving the fact he’s getting a rise out of me. Fine. He wants to be an ass. Two can play that game. “I don’t think I’ve ever met someone as uptight as you.” My head snaps toward him. “To most people, I’m a delight, you just happen to bring out the inner psychopath in me.”He rolls his eyes. “Sureeee.”“Whatever, I’m going to shower, enjoy the show.” My words are sticky sweet, like honey dripping off every word. I see his eyebrows draw together, but it’s too late for him. I flick his bowl of popcorn as I walk by, the small yellow pieces flying all over him.
Scarlett was born in Sydney, Australia and moved to Los Angeles when she was 10 years old. Her passion for writing came about at a young age when her sister would read her excerpts of Sylvia Plath and Virginia Woolf. She currently lives back in Sydney with her family and their two pugs. When she isn’t writing or reading, she spends her time traveling and searching for the best record stores. Eventually, Scarlett hopes to begin a new adventure in Edinburgh.
I’m not a one woman man, but Preston makes me want something different. However, a misunderstanding leaves Preston wanting nothing to do with him. Can Alvarez convince Preston to forgive him and take a chance? Fans of the Dallas Longhorns by Tara Wyatt will devour The Screwball by A.M. Williams, an enemies to lovers, workplace romance.
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Misunderstandings happen all the time, right?
Preston
I’m used to the looks I get once people realize that I’m a woman with a man’s name. I get them all the time.
But when the most attractive man I’ve ever seen makes rude comments about me, I can’t forget how hurtful he is.
He reminds me too much of my past, a past I refuse to let rule my future. My shields are up and I’m adamant I want nothing to do with him.
But he slowly wheedles his way in as I realize I might have been too judgmental.
Alvarez
I am not a one woman man. I’ve never had a serious relationship. I don’t want to be that guy.
But something is different. She makes me different. I want more. And I want Preston Pierce.
The only problem is I put my foot in my mouth before meeting her and she wants nothing to do with me.
It takes time, but eventually she forgives me and I realize she’s everything I wanted.
The only problem is our pasts might be keeping us from our future and I don’t know how to push us past it.
We have to decide if we’ll let our pasts rule our future and keep us from a happily ever after.The Screwball is book three in A.M. Williams’ “Boys of Summer” baseball romance series. It’s a workplace, enemies-to-lovers romance with two people haunted by the things in their past as they work toward a better future together.
If you love men in tight pants and the sassy women they fall for, this series is for you.
This book was previously published as Playing for Keeps. It has been updated with new content and re-edited.
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Excerpt
Copyright 2021 A.M. Williams
I snagged a seat next to Derek at the table, my back to the door. King claimed the chair on my other side.
There was an agenda in front of me, I slid closer to get a better look at it.
At the top in big, bold letters was the name Preston Pierce. I snorted. “Wow, think this dude is overcompensating much?”
“What do you mean?” Derek asked, his gaze on the agenda as well.
“Look at his name. It’s easily the biggest thing on here. Think he’s trying to make a point before we even meet him?”
Derek just shook his head and remained silent, and I turned back to the agenda, my eyes snagging again on the name at the top. I shook my head. I had a feeling this guy was definitely trying to prove something to the team before he’d even met us. We really didn’t need some pretentious asshole trying to lord himself over the team.
“You know,” I said, “I bet this guy is balding and has a toupee covering his hair.”
“He probably has a beer gut, too,” I heard from behind me.
My eyes widened and I froze. It wasn’t just the fact that I was being called out on what I was saying, it was that it was a female voice that spoke from behind me. I grimaced and made eye contact with Derek, who was shaking his head.
I was sure I’d just put my foot in it, but I couldn’t say why I felt that way.
I turned to face the voice and had to clench my jaw to keep it from dropping. She was gorgeous. Shoulder-length brown hair framed her face and bright blue eyes stared at me. And they were currently shooting daggers my way.
I smirked. “Hey there, beautiful. What’s your name?”
Her lips flattened into a straight line and her eyes narrowed. Even with the glare being sent my way, she was gorgeous.
The smirk on my face wavered slightly, but I hoped it didn’t show on my face. This woman unnerved me, but I didn’t want her to know it.
“My name is Preston Pierce, the fat, balding guy you were just discussing.”
My jaw dropped and it felt like my heart stopped for a few moments as I processed her words. This was Preston? Preston was a guy’s name, though. There was no way on Earth the Preston Pierce who was our new marketing director was the Preston Pierce who just introduced herself.
I stared at her, trying to reconcile this woman—the prettiest one I’d ever seen—being our new marketing director.
Fuck.
I absolutely love this series! The guys on this team and the women in their circle are such great matches. Preston and Alvarez are perfect examples. Alvarez is not the type to settle down and he doesn’t want to. He’s happy with the player lifestyle, at least so he thinks. He’s started to get over the whole different girl every night thing, at least since his coach and teammates are starting to get into permanent relationships. So he’s starting to want something more constant.
Preston is used to sports stars and she’s not looking to hook up with any. Especially not one who mistook her for a male, based solely on her name. But she is ready to help do PR for the team and be friends with her new coworkers.
I love how each book is interwoven and each of the characters appear in the other stories. I like when a series is interconnected like this one is. Plus it’s a sports romance, which I do love.
5 stars!
About A.M. Williams
A.M. Williams is just a simple girl from the south that found herself living abroad. When she’s not annoying her cat or reading, she’s spending time with her husband and traveling as much as possible. She has a serious case of wanderlust and wants to go as many places as possible while she can. She loves Cheerwine, sweet tea, and North Carolina (eastern style) BBQ as well as those crystal clear waters on the North Carolina coast.
Jordan She’s tired of looking over her shoulder. Relief washes over her when the man they believe is responsible for stalking her is finally behind bars. When her vulnerability weakens, she finds herself in the back of a van. She is scheduled to perform in a dance show, but her abductor won’t have her preforming for anyone but him.
When Jordan discovers the true identity of the man behind it all she is completely blown away.
Grant He’s a nervous wreck over Jordan being late to a performance he knows means the world to her. Despite her stalker being in jail his gut tells him something’s wrong. When Grant goes looking for her she’s nowhere to be found. His heart is broken and now he has to face her parents with the news.
Time is ticking as Grant races to hunt down the man who has gracefully abducted the woman he loves.
Holy wow! I truly forgot about book 2 coming out in this gripping trilogy, so this snuck up on me. But after wanting to read this SO badly after book 1, I’m so glad to have read this! This installment picks right back up where book 1 left off. So yes, you do need to read book 1, Seductive Prey first.
This series has grabbed me from word 1. I absolutely loved the slow build up to Grant and Jordan’s relationship and now what has happened from book 1 to book 2. And now book 3! Which I am DYING to read! Because yes, this book ends on one holy heck of a cliffhanger after some bomb drops…. But that’s all I’m saying about this storyline.
I have not read Vivian Fiano before but after reading these 2 books and being completely into Grant and Jordan’s story, she will be added to my list of authors to read! There’s so much backstory but not too much that you’re overwhelmed. It’s just been a great experience as a reader and one I highly recommend!
5 stars!
MEET THE AUTHOR:
Vivian enjoyed reading as a child and found her passion for it again in 2011 when E.L. James’ Fifty Shades of Grey was released. Her love of reading was re-ignited and she continued reading other books in the same genre. Married to her own real life hero, Vivian met her love in Massachusetts where she was born and raised. She and her family now reside in sunny Florida and when she’s not writing she enjoys playing soccer, basketball, and football with her son.
Who says what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas? The last thing Callie expected was to wake up married to Derek. He’s all in, but she’s running scared. Can Derek convince Callie to take a chance or will they end up another Las Vegas statistic? Fans of The Play Hard Series by K. Bromberg will devour The Changeup by A.M. Williams, a secret marriage romance.
Who says what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas?
Callie
Derek Nichols is the first guy I can see myself sticking with for more than one night. He’s nice, easy to talk to, and excellent in bed.
There’s just one problem. He breaks my one rule of relationships: no baseball players.
Only after spending a passionate night together, I’m considering breaking that cardinal rule for one more chance with him.
Derek
Callie Jacobs is the full package when it comes to the women I like. Funny, charismatic, gorgeous, and the list goes on.
After one night together, I know I want more and I have no problem going after what I want. But Callie doesn’t feel the same. She’s happy to call it done.
Then we end up in Vegas with friends and things get a little heated.
We wake up married with no memory of the event, just matching rings as a reminder of our vows to each other.
I’m all in. I’m ready to give this a shot. But Callie is running scared, even though she’s admitted she wants me too.
Each time I see her, I want to hold her close. Each time she pushes me away, I want to reel her back in.
We have to decide if this is what we want or if we’ll just become another Vegas statistic.
The Fastball is the second book in A.M. Williams Boys of Summer baseball romance series. It’s a secret Vegas wedding romance with a man who knows what he wants and a woman who fights her attraction.
If you love men in tight pants and the sassy women they fall for, this series is for you.
This book was previously published as Dirty Pitch. It has been updated with new content and re-edited.
I froze when Derek started moving. I turned around slowly, watching as he sat up and rubbed his eyes. Maybe if I didn’t move, he wouldn’t see me.
I wasn’t that lucky as his gaze moved to me.
“How much did I drink last night?” he asked, blinking blearily at me.
“Enough.” My voice was flat and he narrowed his eyes at me.
He stretched. “Why are you in here?”
I cocked a brow and waited. I saw the moment he realized he was wearing a ring on his left hand.He was running his hands through his hair and paused before bringing his hand in front of his face. His eyes widened and met mine. “Is this what I think it is?”
I couldn’t say anything, only nodded, and I held up my hand, wiggling my fingers.
Derek swallowed noticeably, looking from his hand to me and back again. “What the fuck?”
“What the fuck is right,” I returned.
Silence stretched between us. I shifted my weight and realized I needed to get going. I had to pee, wanted a shower, and to crawl back into bed.
Maybe if I went to sleep, I’d wake up only to realize this was a really bizarre dream and that I wasn’t actually married to Derek?
He opened his mouth to say something, but I didn’t care to hear his thoughts. There was too much going on to try to talk this out right then. I slipped my shoes on and started toward the door, snagging my clutch from the bench as I went by.
“Callie! Where are you going?” Derek called out from behind me.
“To my room,” I called over my shoulder. I didn’t wait to hear a response, if he had one. I had to be gone. I couldn’t stay in that room one more moment.
I knew Derek had questions—I had some, too—but I seriously needed a little bit of time to myself to try to remember last night and figure out what I was going to do. Though, I guessed it should be us figuring out what we were going to do.
I rubbed a hand over my face as Derek’s hotel room door banged shut behind me.
This absolutely couldn’t be happening. I did not just become a statistic and have a quickie wedding in Vegas where me and my groom were so drunk, we didn’t remember it happening. That didn’t happen. Right?
Review Coming Soon!!
She is his enemy. He is her nightmare.Three football stars who have it all: looks, money, talent and the world at their feet. No one messes with the Devils. You’re either with them or against them…and you’d have to be stupid to be against them. Ava isn’t stupid, but one night of being in the wrong place at the right time is coming back to haunt her. One of the Santo boys—Jett—is out for blood. Specifically, her blood. Thankfully, he doesn’t know who she is, and Ava plans to keep it that way. Sophomore year threatens to stop Jett’s progression to the championships and, more importantly, his plan to play in the NFL. All because of some mystery blonde. But he has a plan: find the threat and eliminate the threat. Jett is ruthless in his pursuit to find the girl who threatens his career. They say there’s a thin line between love and hate, and neither is prepared for the consequences when they cross that line.Three guys, three girls, one game. Are you ready to meet the Devils?
As I slipped into the auditorium, I saw Professor Matson had already launched into Romeo and Juliet. The lights were dimmed as she used the overhead projector, and thankful for the cover of darkness, I quietly made my way to the back seats. Stealthily, I spotted an empty seat second to last row, and with more grace than I knew I had, I lowered myself into the chair, dropping my bag at my feet. My cry of surprise as I sat on a person echoed off the walls, stopping Professor Matson in her stride. A hundred pairs of eyes swiveled to look at me as the professor strode across the room and flicked on the lights. Jett Santo grinned back at me as he straightened, fixing his jeans before he casually flung his arm against the back of my intended chair. Wordlessly, I noticed the girl, who had been half draped over the chair beside him, slipping off the seat and scuttling along the aisle, trying to keep out of sight as her friends giggled at her and covered her as she reached them. “What is going on?” Professor Matson demanded. Jett raised one perfectly shaped eyebrow as he looked at me in question. What the hell was I going to say? “Speak!” the professor demanded. “I…” I swallowed past my building fury and turned to the professor, my hands raised in supplication. “I thought I saw a rat.” Technically speaking, I wasn’t lying.
Eve L. Mitchell is a USA Today Bestselling author who writes contemporary romance and urban fantasy. Being an avid reader from a young age, Eve still considers herself to be a reader first. She believes there is nothing better than getting that new book either on your e-reader or in your hands, and the fact she may bring that excitement to a fellow reader, fills her with wonder. She writes under a pen name because otherwise her Secret Agent status will be revoked. Eve lives in the North East of Scotland, with her three coffee machines and her significant other, Mr. M. She enjoys NFL Football, music and having long conversations with the voices in her head, which sometimes turn into the stories she writes.
What happens when the man of your dreams proves fantasy is better than reality? One minute we’re fighting and the next we’re given a glimpse of what could be. Should we rock the boat and tempt fate despite all the curveballs that have been thrown our way? Fans of the Brentwood Baseball Series by Meghan Quinn will devour The Changeup by A.M. Williams, an enemies to lovers, workplace romance.
What happens when the man of your dreams proves fantasy is better than reality?
Emma
Chase Anderson is everything I want in a man. Tall. Handsome. Compassionate. Confident. He makes me feel things I haven’t in years.
There’s just one problem: me. He can’t stand me and I’m getting to where I can’t stand him either.
The glares stiffen my resolve to forget about my dream man and concentrate on my new job.
Except…eventually those stares turn to something more. More heated. More promising. More everything.
Chase
Emma Carlisle is what I didn’t know I needed in my life until I saw her.
I don’t want her in my life, though. I have too much riding on my shoulders to concentrate on a relationship. A sick mom. A team owner who’s breathing down my neck to win a baseball championship.
It’s easier to ignore her and pretend like she doesn’t exist than to think about how pretty she is or how I feel alive whenever she’s around.
But one surprise kiss and I’m left wanting more. One glimpse into what love could be like and I can’t think of anything else.
We have to decide if it’s worth tempting fate and the flames of desire to see what love might be like.
The Changeup is the first book in A.M. Williams Boys of Summer baseball romance series. It’s a workplace, enemies-to-lovers romance that features two perfectionists struggling to come to terms with the curveballs life has for them.
If you love men in tight pants and the sassy women they fall for, this series is for you.
This book was previously published as Coached in Love. It has been updated with new content and re-edited.
My eyes widened and my mouth dropped as I caught sight of the man stepping down from the cab. I was very thankful for the sunglasses I’d slipped on my face that morning because I didn’t have to worry about him seeing my eyes eating him up.
Whoever this guy was, he was ripped. He was wearing a pair of gray sweatpants—the sweatpants that women loved looking at—and a t-shirt that he’d torn the arms off of, displaying every delectable inch of his biceps, which bulged as he grabbed a bag from his backseat.
I swallowed thickly as I grabbed my bag and opened my car door. I tried not to make it obvious I was looking at him as I stood, but it was hard. So hard.
Much like the abs I was sure he was sporting.
Jesus. Get your mind out of the gutter, Emma!
I cleared my throat and tucked a piece of hair behind my ear as I slammed the car door.
I glanced his way, noting that we’d pass close to each other on our way to the door. My heart beat wildly in my chest as I coached myself on not being awkward. It was just a greeting, being friendly, with someone that I worked with.
I took a deep breath and plastered a smile on my face as he stepped close enough that we could almost touch at the hood of my car. He looked up at me, meeting my eyes, but said nothing. The smile froze on my lips as he kept his eyes on mine while he passed by.
Nothing was said, and the only sound was one of the gravel under his feet as he walked toward the sidewalk that led to the door to get inside. The smile slowly wavered on my face before dropping completely when he turned so that his back was to me.
I cleared my throat and tried to look busy as I worked to throw off the rejection I felt. So, yeah, it wasn’t like we knew each other. But dang! He could have said something, anything, to me in greeting. Instead, he’d stared at me and seemed like he made a point not to say anything.
Can I say how much I loved Emma and Chase?! I love that Emma didn’t give 2 *things* about standing up to Chase. Yes, she thought Chase was attractive but she was NOT going to put up with him being rude to her. Or ignoring her. And I love her for that. Yes, she might be attracted to him but she was still going to call him on the carpet as she needed to. And apparently, Chase seemed to be a fan, not that he was telling Emma that.
Emma and Chase are great together, even if they aren’t really being secretive about their relationship, at least everyone around them didn’t think so.
I felt for Chase because my dad had Alzheimer’s and had progressively gotten worse. He probably would have been in assisted living if he hadn’t have died last year. So I feel for what Chase was having to deal with and live with and trying to keep things scheduled and how their memories, both good and bad, can be hurtful reminders.
5 stars!
About A.M. Williams
A.M. Williams is just a simple girl from the south that found herself living abroad. When she’s not annoying her cat or reading, she’s spending time with her husband and traveling as much as possible. She has a serious case of wanderlust and wants to go as many places as possible while she can. She loves Cheerwine, sweet tea, and North Carolina (eastern style) BBQ as well as those crystal clear waters on the North Carolina coast.
We are so excited to announce the release of Adriana Locke’s new novella, 608 Alpha Ave. This is a total standalone story about a grumpy, small-town mechanic and a pocket-full-of-sunshine heroine that gets under his skin.
Basically—read this now!
Even better is that the novella (did we mention that it’s a standalone?) is available in Kindle Unlimited.
Things heat up (and take an unexpected turn) when a self-proclaimed romantic requests the help of a broody small-town mechanic.
Grayson Blake is a jackass.
There’s no other way to put it.
He comes into Fireside every day and orders a beer. It’s nearly impossible to get him to have a conversation while he drinks it. Smiles—or anything remotely close to it—are even more rare.
Despite his cantankerous personality, he’s so freaking gorgeous. His thick black hair, broad shoulders, and the tattoos that mark his calloused skin draw me in like a magnet. I don’t even care that he’s ten years older than me. I’m here for the age gap. And his broody, bad-boy persona is entirely more attractive than it should be.
I have a thing for the rough-around-the-edges mechanic. And I’ve heard through the grapevine that he has a thing for me too. But getting him to admit it will be as easy as catching lightning in a bottle.
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“I don’t get it,” I mutter.
My hand stills against the countertop, a white bar rag clutched firmly in my grasp.
Natalia Barlow leans across the end of the bar, putting her ass and the top of her thong on full display for the table of bikers behind her. An unlit cigarette is perched between her cherry-red lips, threatening to topple to the floor as she catches me looking and smirks.
I roll my eyes and turn my back to her.
“I don’t get it,” I say again, louder this time.
My gaze fixes on the man—the only man—occupying a barstool on this side of the restaurant. Grayson Blake. Black hair, scruffy beard, tall, and oh-so muscular with tattoos etched into his tanned skin. Word has it that he has flames inked on his right hip, and when he moves, they dance as if they’re alive.
I’ve mentally filed that away because it’s something I’ll (sadly) never know for myself. Guys like Grayson Blake? They go for women like Natalia. Vixens. Women who give as good as they get. Women who understand them or, at the very least, the games they play.
I’m not one of those women. It will be both my personal and professional downfall.
Grayson lifts his beer bottle, and as if it pains him to do it, he slides his gaze to mine.
I swallow. Hard.
It doesn’t matter that I’ve worked at Fireside Bar and Grill for two years or that I’ve spent countless hours behind this very bar while Grayson sits on the other side, I can’t think straight when he looks at me. I also can’t look away. It’s quite the predicament.
“It just perplexes me,” I say, sinking my gaze into the steely depths of Grayson’s eyes. My voice isn’t quite as confident as it was a few seconds ago. It’ll come back around, though. It just takes a moment to get my bearings.
Grayson’s features are void of humor. Or emotion. Or curiosity. He watches me as if I’m a toddler and he’s in charge of making sure I don’t choke on a peanut or small coin.
I bite my lip. “I just … Natalia …” I shrug, my voice fading into the rock music playing overhead.
Grayson’s thick, engine grease-stained fingers grip the bottle. “Am I supposed to ask?”
The grit of his tone washes against my skin, leaving a flurry of goose bumps in its wake. It’s this way every time he talks to me. And whenever he talks to Corbin, the bartender who’s training me in the art of bartending so I don’t have to just waitress anymore. Come to think of it, I also have the same physical reaction to him when I’m in the Cherry Street Market Grocery Store buying bagels and I hear him talking from an aisle over.
Who am I kidding? I react this way every time I’m in Grayson’s proximity. Hell, I shivered in my flip-flops when I caught wind of his cologne outside of Pearl’s Pawnshop and Liquor Store last week.
“Are you supposed to ask what?” I ask him.
“About whatever you keep jawing about other there—about Natalia, I reckon.”
“Well, since you asked—”
“I didn’t.” He smiles a lopsided, amused smile that makes me wonder if he’s smiling with me or at me. “I asked if I was supposed to ask. I didn’t ask.”
I narrow my gaze. “You know what, Grayson Blake? You’re an asshole.”
He brings the beer bottle to his lips, hiding a satisfied grin, and pulls his gaze back to the hockey game on the television in the corner.
I loved reading Hayley and Grayson’s story. Hayley feels overlooked and is trying to fulfill her dreams of writing stories but she needs some help realizing her alpha character attitude. Grayson, the perfect grump, would be a perfect example of what Hayley is looking for if he’d only agree to it.
Grayson does not want to get involved with anything regarding Hayley, she isn’t a one-night stand girl and he is not a relationship guy. Except he does not want Hayley to get assistance from any other man but him. Of course.
I haven’t read any other books in this series but you don’t need to in order to understand the story. But I am going to read more about this town as I am even more curious about the other residents of Cherry Falls.
Review Coming Soon!
About A.M. Williams
Eve L. Mitchell is a USA Today Bestselling author who writes contemporary romance and urban fantasy. 
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