TBR Book Blog

New Release ~ Insatiable ~ by ~ Leigh Rivers

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𝗜𝗙 𝗛𝗘 𝗖𝗔𝗡’𝗧 𝗛𝗔𝗩𝗘 𝗛𝗘𝗥, 𝗡𝗢 𝗢𝗡𝗘 𝗘𝗟𝗦𝗘 𝗖𝗔𝗡.

𝙆𝙖𝙙𝙚 𝙈𝙞𝙩𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙡𝙡 𝙞𝙨 𝙤𝙗𝙨𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙝𝙚 𝙙𝙚𝙨𝙥𝙞𝙨𝙚𝙨.

A snake in an angel’s skin, Stacey Rhodes is everything he can’t forget – the girl who shattered his heart and drove him deep into the darkness of the underworld.

𝗛𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗱 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀. Killed anyone who came close to her. But now, granted a brief moment of freedom from the life he’s trapped in, he’s back home and driven to claim her again, breaking every rule he’s ever made for himself. Not even his hatred can stop the pull between them.

𝘽𝙪𝙩 𝙝𝙚’𝙡𝙡 𝙣𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙜𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙝𝙚𝙧… 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙝𝙚?

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I gulp, quickly looking away before he notices I was letting my gaze travel up the new tattoos littering his body.

His knees parted, gym shorts showing off his legs, he leans back against the driver’s seat, still texting. My scowl deepens as I watch him reply to messages instead of driving me home.

He must have been working out in the home gym at the manor. His top is tight against his chest, the taut muscles still swollen from his session. There’s a cigarette tucked behind his ear, and wavy black hair nearly as dark as his soul falls over his forehead.

He has a sun-kissed tan that makes me look like a ghost.

As much as I’d like to say I’ve forgotten everything about Kade Mitchell, I’m a terrible liar.

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Read the First Chapter HERE!

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Leigh Rivers is a Scottish Biomedical Scientist who has ventured into the world of writing dark, morally gray characters with rollercoaster storylines to drive her readers wild. When she isn’t reading, writing on her laptop, or gaming until ridiculous hours, she dances at the pole studio, goes to the gym, and walks her four dogs with her two sons and husband.

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New Release ~ Book Me, Baby ~ by ~ Tamrin Banks

What happens when the uptight town sheriff arrests the town librarian? Nothing but fireworks! Until a new man shows up in town and the sheriff wants to stake his claim. Readers who enjoy instalove and humor will love Book Me, Baby by Tamrin Banks, a steamy, small town, enemies-to-lovers, opposites attract, age gap romance.

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Hartley Hanover: Oooh! I hate that man! Booker Sloan is the most uptight, arrogant, annoying man I’ve ever met! He even has the nerve to arrest me for not filing a permit. A permit! And when it turns out that I did file it, it just got lost in the shuffle….does he apologize? Heck no! He proceeds to tell me all the things I do wrong every single day of my life! I’m surprised he doesn’t yell at me for breathing! But when I’m alone at night…why do I keep thinking about him? Why does the occasional sadness on his face make me want to fix whatever’s wrong in his universe? Why can’t he stay out of my dreams and keep those dang handcuffs to himself? Booker Sloan: I know I messed up and I should apologize. I shouldn’t have acted the way I did. But something about that dang, sweet woman just has me so screwed up that every time I open my mouth the worst things come out! It’s not her. It’s me. And I know it. But I feel like if I give her one little inch, the gorgeous woman will take every piece of me I have left. I’m barely hanging on and if I have to push her away to protect myself? Well, that’s just how it’s got to be. So why does it bother me so much when a new man in town shows a little interest in the petite, sunny woman who’s got me tied up in knots? She’s not encouraging him. In fact it seems like she’s running away from him. So how come I still want to punch his grinning mouth and grind him into dust under my boot heels and then haul her over my shoulder and make sure she understands that she’s mine?

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Excerpt

Laughing, I reach over and hug little Edward Reese. He hugs me back hard. He is just the sweetest boy. “Now, I know that you’ve been waiting for this book!” I pull it from behind my back. “Surprise! It came in early and I made sure to set it aside for you!” “You are the best, Miss Hanover!” His huge, gap-toothed smile makes my heart light. He hasn’t had an easy time of it lately. His dad got hurt while driving home from work last month and broke his leg so the whole family has had to pitch in to help. Even nine year old boys. So he hasn’t been able to spend as much time in the library as he usually does and he loves to read. “You just get it back to me when you’re done. Doesn’t matter how long. I’ll take care of it.” His little round cheeks flush and his freckles disappear in a wash of red. “Thank you so much, Miss Hanover. I can’t wait to read it!” He dances off and his mom smiles at me, watching his light steps before she turns back to me. “We really appreciate you doing this, Miss Hanover. We’re all working really hard. And Sam is worried about him.” She nods her head at Edward. I can’t even speak, my throat tight with my own tears. But I clear my throat and say, “I’m glad. I hope that this helps him relax a little bit.” “It will. Thank you.” She moves off and I turn back, groaning when I’m faced with the last person I want to see. “Sheriff? How nice to see you.” His arctic blue eyes glare at the setup on the sidewalk. “I talked to you about this last month with the Christmas in July to-do. You cannot block the sidewalk like this. And did you get a permit this time?” I nod my head and sigh. “Yes, I did. Last month when you had your hissy fit.” He stands up straight and pushes his broad shoulders back and I feel that little pull in my belly that I absolutely hate! Why the fuck do I have to react like this around this man? I mean, sure he’s hot. His light brown hair is thick and gleams in the sunlight. But it’s so tamed that it almost doesn’t look real. His body is tall and tanned, muscles upon muscles to drool over. I jerk my brain back in line. No, not drool over. Dread. You dread seeing this man. He smiles at me and I growl under my breath. “Can I see it?” “I don’t have it on me.” He nods his tawny head at me. “I’ll be back then.” He steps away and I see him on his little radio talking to someone and I roll my eyes and turn to Mrs. Cassidy, discussing the latest thriller that she just read that I recommended to her. “I loved it, Miss Hanover! So good! Do you have any more like that?” I’m nodding at her when I feel a big hand grab my wrist and pull it backwards. My mouth falls open when I see that the Sheriff has a hold of my wrist. “What the heck are you doing? Get off of me!” I try and pull away and he grits hit teeth, his firm jaw tensing. “Stop resisting.” “What are you doing, Sheriff?” Mrs. Cassidy’s mouth is hanging open and she’s glaring at him like he’s mugging me. “I’m arresting her for disturbing the peace, not having a license for a demonstration and now resisting arrest.” “You must be joking,” I huff, staring at him. “Nope.” He grabs my other hand and pulls it behind my back, clicking the handcuffs on my wrists. The cold steel against my skin makes me shiver and freeze in my tracks. His blue eyes look me up and down and I swear there’s some kind of emotion there that I don’t understand. I don’t think I want to understand it. I just want him to get away from me and leave me alone. And take his handcuffs and shove them where the damn sun doesn’t shine!

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About Tamrin Banks

I’m a mother of three who works for a school district as a cafeteria aide but I’ve also had a lot of different hats over the years. Divorced single mom fresh out of the military working nights in a plastics factory all the way to teaching cardio kickboxing and zumba at the YMCA. I’ve been married to my honey bunny for 22 years now. He’s absolutely the best and tries to keep me in check as much as possible because I am a crazy person that stacks too much on her plate and then does it all no matter what. Even if it drives everyone nuts! I love the kind of romances where you know what you’re getting. I don’t like happily for now. That just feels like cheating to me. I also don’t like love triangles. I’m an easy girl and I like my books like I like my men…lol! Uncomplicated. So if you’re reading my books, you know that no matter what, there’s a happily ever after!

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New Release ~ Enemies in Earnest ~ by ~ Willow Sanders

Acacia has hated Edwin ever since ‘the incident’ four years ago, but when stormy weather threatens both their businesses, they realize a farewell to arms may be the best way to avoid a dangerous summer. Readers who love the Man of the Month Club will devour Enemies in Earnest by Willow Sanders, a steamy, small town, forced proximity, enemies-to-lovers romance.

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Acacia Ashley has one love: the written word. Specifically the rich, earthy, prose of Mr. Ernest Hemingway. Her love for Hemingway goes so deep that she opened a bar in his honor. Every year in July she plays host to Hemingway Days in Candy Cane Key, and every year she has to stay on guard in case Edwin Wheeler decides once again to find a way to ruin the solemnity of the occasion. Edwin Wheeler doesn’t care about books or old men, but the sea? The sea is where he spends his days in search of the almighty dollar. But when he grows bored of plying tourists with fruity drinks, he’s often found needling the resident bookworm, Acacia. She’s hated him ever since the incident four years ago. Why does getting a rise out of her give him a bit of a rise as well? When the bell tolls signaling approaching stormy weather that threatens both of their businesses, the pair realizes a farewell to arms may be the best way to avoid a dangerous summer.

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Excerpt

It was much easier to ruminate over one’s nemesis when he wasn’t ten feet away. The other problem? The way he doted on and cared for his mother was literally catnip. Lady Kitty catnip, not like, for Six- toed Joe. The second his mom shivered, he was there with her cardigan. She coughed, he had her water at the ready. He repeated what MariJo’s nephew and niece said, but louder and in the direction of her good ear, without making it obvious he did it for her benefit. How could someone who was such an asshole be so sweetly attentive to his mother? It didn’t compute. “What if we served a buffet of Hemingway-inspired appetizers?” Asher asked, his bushy eyebrows the only thing I could make out over the clipboard he referenced. “Now wouldn’t that be a hoot?” Edwin flipped a fifty onto the counter. “I’m sure no one in the history of Hemingway-inspired bars, restaurants, parties, or events has ever thought to offer a little canape dipped in literary puns.” Asher lifted an eyebrow in his direction as if to ask me is he for real? Unfortunately, yes, he was. The two of us had a War and Peace length conversation in silent eye rolls and quirks of lip before Asher heaved a dramatic sigh and placed his clipboard on the counter. “I believe it was the great Oscar Wilde who said sarcasm is the lowest form of wit.” Edwin nabbed a cherry from my garnish center, shrugging in Asher’s direction. God, he was ridiculous. He never took his eyes off me, even though the shrug was directed at Asher. Did he want me to chastise him for stealing a cherry? Because of the list of things I could chastise the man over, being a cherry stealer was low on the list. “What can I do for you Edwin?” I tried to be as subtle as I could, affixing the plastic top to the tray of garnish. It was a place of business after all. Sanitation was important. Certainly, no one wanted his grubby, work-roughened fingers anywhere near their drinks. “Now there’s a statement heavy with possibility.” Edwin Wheeler did not get to do funny things to my nervous system. No ma’am. The way his voice went soft and gravely did not affect the steady, reliable thrum of my pulse. And his tipped lip or the mischievous glint in his eyes did not make my face feel hot. I’d rather succumb to food poisoning from bad fish than have him be the reason I felt flushed and a little woozy. “Did your mom call up your cousin and ask him to come for a playdate? That was so considerate of her. This way you have someone who is obligated to tolerate your company every day while your boat’s boo-boos get all patched up.” At that moment, the sexy version of Santa Claus, also known as Edwin’s cousin, took a seat next to him at the bar and regarded me. “How’s that champagne coming along?” he asked his cousin. “This here’s Klaus.” Edwin cocked his head. “Bottle or glasses?” I asked, ignoring the flirty challenge in Edwin’s eyes. “The bottle is probably the better choice as you’ll get four glasses out of it for thirty dollars versus four glasses of champagne at nine fifty a piece which would be thirty-eight, before tax.” Edwin’s eyes flit to the fifty he had sitting in front of him and back up to look at me. Though that didn’t really answer the question. Regardless of which he chose, the fifty covered it and then some. He didn’t get to win. It was my bar. If I were a petty person, I’d pour four glasses and charge him the per-glass rate. If he wanted to play Mr. Unaffected, James Dean cool, and answer me in smirks and eyebrow lifts instead of words, fine. I’d show him.

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About Willow Sanders

A marketer by day, and author by night, Willow Sanders is a best-selling author of sweet with heat Contemporary Romance and Romantic Suspense. She loves to write spunky, take no shit women, and understanding men with a strong side of sarcasm and an extra helping of BDE. When not writing you can find her torn between her loyalty to the Fighting Illini and her husband’s loyalty to Michigan State, bemoaning traffic, feeding her caffeine addiction, and trying to find the connection between her and the Gilmore Girls–because she is certain she is a long-lost family member.

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Release Tour ~ Twist of Date ~ by ~ Lauren Helms

Layla James has always been in the business of love and never mixes business with pleasure, but when Cole Reed walks back into her life, she’s left questioning everything. Can this blast from the past convenience Layla to set her rules aside and take a chance on love? Fans of secret fling romances will love TWIST OF DATE by Lauren Helms, a steamy matchmaker romance.

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Once upon a time, there was a charming restaurant owner and an unsuspecting matchmaker who refused to mix business with pleasure…

Layla
I’ve always been in the business of love. Happily Ever After, Inc. has thrived under my leadership and the hard set of rules that I set for myself. But when a never quite forgotten blast from my past walks into my life, I’m suddenly questioning everything and everyone around me.

Cole Reed is everything I want in a man – handsome, successful, and charming.

There’s just one small hiccup…Cole is Happily Ever After’s latest client, and he’s got his sights on me.

Cole
I’m used to getting what I want and I’ve never left a date unhappy. So when my grandmother insists I need to work with a matchmaker…her lifelong best friend at that…I’m skeptical. Especially when my path crosses with the girl that always seemed to get away.

She’s sexy, smart, and determined – everything I’ve always admired about her. And this time, I refuse to let her get away.

There’s just one small problem…Layla James is my so-called matchmaker’s granddaughter – and the owner of the matchmaking company that’s just taken me on.

It feels like a weird twist of date that’s put the two of us back in each other’s life, but Layla doesn’t quite see it that way.

Can I convince her to break a few rules and take a chance on our own happily ever after?

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Excerpt

“For real, though, a matchmaker? Really, Cole?”

I groan and cover my face with my hand, scrubbing my palm over my eyes then down my cheeks and chin. “Long story short, my grandma asked Ruth to do her a solid and get me settled down. So Ruth went through her song and dance. I think she may have mind ninja’d me into agreeing to be her newest client.”

“Well, shit.” He barks out a laugh.

“Yeah. So I guess I’ll be going on prearranged dates and stuff. I’m not one hundred percent sure what this whole thing involves.”

“I’m here for it, though. This is gonna be one hell of a ride, brother. Entertaining as fuck, I’m sure.” Travis is going to have a blast with this.

“Here’s the crazy thing, though. Ruth’s granddaughter, who actually owns the company, I went to school with her. We had a few business classes at IU and kinda hung out in the same crowd. We were never a thing, but I think we both wanted to be.”

“Oh, snap,” he mutters. “Tell me more.”

“I didn’t know she was related to Ruth, but I saw her today. We chatted a little. I gave her my number. I want to catch up with her.”

“Is she hot?”

I glare at him, his use of the term hot rubbing me the wrong way when it comes to Layla.

He throws his hands up and adds, “What? It’s a legit question. It’s okay if she’s not. You don’t always have to date a ten, man.”

I shake my head, annoyed. “No, Layla is a fucking twelve. She was a solid ten back in college, but she’s even more beautiful now.”

Travis whistles. “Damn, you’ve got it bad.”

“No, I don’t, just wasn’t expecting to run into her today. It’s been ten years.”

Travis hits me with the back of his hand. “Oh, oh, what if Ruth sets you up with her? Can’t you just ask your matchmaker to set you up with people?”

“Honestly, I don’t know. I doubt it works like that, but maybe.” I trail off. Maybe I should ask Ruth about Layla. If she’s single and I’m single, maybe we can finally give it a go.

“Well, I’m team Layla then, man. That’s who I want you to give your first rose to. Oh, and then I’ll be the friend that she gets to meet before you take her home to meet the parents. It’s gonna be an intense ride getting to that final rose ceremony.” He gushes. I see the smirk.

“What the fuck is wrong with you, man? This isn’t a dating show, it’s my life, and I’m not even sure I’m going to go through with it.” I stand from the chair and walk toward the door.

“You’ll do it. Or Dorthy is gonna come hunt you down,” he says from the couch.

He’s not wrong.

“I’ll be back down around six on my way out. You better not be here.” I point at him and give him my best “I’m your boss” glare.

“Oh, hey, if you can fit it into your busy dating schedule”—I roll my eyes at his dig, but he doesn’t miss a beat and continues—“trivia night is coming up at that books and coffee place a few blocks from my apartment. Theme is ’90s Pop Culture. Wanna go and destroy the other teams?”

I chuckle because of our hobbies, the pop culture trivia is the one we both enjoy the most. He is training at becoming a blacksmith, and me, well, I’m a sucker for a good Dungeon and Dragons campaign. But trivia? Put us in a team and we are unstoppable.

“Sure, send me the info and I’ll add it to my calendar.”

“You got it, boss.” He salutes.

“Don’t call me that,” I grumble as I walk out his office door.

“If the shoe fits,” he yells after me. I raise my hand and flip him off, shaking my head at his laugh that follows me down the hallway.

He’s got about two hours before he needs to be kicked out for the night, so I’ve got two hours to get some work done and focus on my task list.

No more thinking about the gorgeous brunette from my past.

At least that’s what I tell myself anyway.

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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New Release ~ A Date With A Rockstar ~ by ~ Morgana Bevan

You’re late for a date with a rockstar! If you love captivating rock star romances filled with British cinnamon roll heroes, second chances, secret babies, hookups gone wrong, and take-no-nonsense heroines, then you’ll be swept off your feet by A Date With a Rockstar by Morgana Bevan, a steamy rockstar romance boxset.

Buy Now From Your Favorite Retailer! Amazon → https://amzn.to/4610uMt B&N → https://bit.ly/3JJt1wJ Apple → https://apple.co/42McIWl Kobo → https://bit.ly/42HV867 Google → https://bit.ly/3qKOHlt Universal → https://books2read.com/RockStarDate

THREE BOOKS IN THE TRUE PLATINUM SERIES! Over 1000 pages long! Chasing Alys I’m determined to resist Ryan Evan’s charms. Who cares if he has a voice that lights me up? Our beats are thoroughly out of sync. I am definitely never again waking up to a stupid thank you note, for a night that shouldn’t have happened, with a guy who’s already on a plane out of here. But still, he creeps into my heart… and my bed, until I’m so wound up in him, there’s only one way it can possibly end… Winning Nia I don’t need a rockstar to be my knight in shining armour. Not after James Tyler shattered my heart when I was sixteen. But life has a twisted sense of humour, throwing the guitarist back into my world with a tempting job offer and a confession that threatens to unravel everything. He thinks I’ll forgive and forget, but I’m no believer in second chances. Enticing Mel Five years ago, my childhood sweetheart left me to chase fame. Now he’s back, wanting to pick up where we left off. As much as I don’t want his flaky lifestyle impacting my daughter — our daughter — I can’t lie anymore. Dan Lloyd still makes my heart flutter. But I’m not the carefree girl anymore. I don’t know if I can let him in again, not when someone else’s heart is on the line. Will I listen when my head says no? Or will he be able to entice my heart once more? If you love captivating rock star romances filled with British cinnamon roll heroes, second chances, secret babies, hookups gone wrong, and take-no-nonsense heroines, then the True Platinum Series boxset will sweep you off your feet.

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Excerpt from Chasing Alys

“I’m sorry about that.” He gestured back to the club. “That doesn’t normally happen. I don’t understand why it did tonight.” He dragged a hand through his hair, frustration darkening his eyes. I shrugged, magicking up an air of nonchalance from somewhere. “You’re an up-and-coming rock star. It was going to happen someday.” “I know, but not here. We don’t have a following in Cardiff.” My eyes flicked back to the club. I could still hear the music; the bass vibrated down the street. They were lucky this was a commercial zone. The complaints would have been constant. “Looks like you just got one.” My words didn’t ease the tension in his face. I didn’t know how to do that or why I felt the need to comfort him. “I’ll be better prepared from now on,” he said, his tone dripping with desperation. Despite the situation, my lips twitched. “What are you going to do? Wear a disguise?” His nod was swift. “If it’ll help, absolutely.” “I appreciate the suggestion, but maybe this was just a sign that it wouldn’t work out anyway.” I took a step back, towards the waiting taxi. “It was a fun couple of days, Ryan,” I said, trying to inject some light into his sad expression. The truth in those words took me by surprise. I had had fun with him, even if our interactions were brief. I’d miss his easy smile and the way he seemed to draw me to him like a magnet. Wordlessly, he stepped around me and opened the taxi door. With a grateful smile, I slid in and buckled up. Fun or not, I couldn’t give in. At this point, it felt like I needed to prove that I could be happy without a man messing with my head. Breaking a promise to myself for a guy who had women tracking his every movement would be foolish. I was giving the driver my address when Ryan knocked on my window. He gestured for me to roll it down and I hit the button, frowning. Ryan leaned forward until his head was level with mine. Something had eased in him and he had that determination shining in his eyes again. My stomach dropped at the sight. In that second, my wishes to be a mind reader came true. I knew what he was going to say before he uttered the words. “There’s something important here and I’m not giving up yet.”

About Morgana Bevan

Morgana Bevan is a sucker for a rock star romance, particularly if it involves a soul-destroying breakup or strangers waking up in Vegas. She’s a contemporary romance author based in Wales. When Morgana’s not writing steamy celebrity romances with gorgeous British rock stars and movie stars, she’s travelling the world, searching for inspiration. She enjoys travelling, attending gigs, and trying out the extreme activities she forces on her characters.

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New Release ~ Twist of Date ~ by ~ Lauren Helms

Blurb

Add to Goodreads Here!

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Excerpt

“I have so many questions,” I say.

“About?” He chuckles. His hand reaches out like he’s going to touch me again but drops his hand into his pocket.

“You being here in Indy. Meeting with Ruth,” I explain. I won’t share the Googling sleuth Stella just performed.

“Ah, yeah, it’s been a hell of a long time, Lays.” He uses the old nickname like it’s still second nature to him. The reminder of how he insisted on adding the S when we merely acquaintances, friends at best. While we had chemistry, it was never the main factor in the relationship we had. His nickname for me had always baffled me, but I wouldn’t deny that I loved it.

“Ten years,” I say, nearly in a whisper.

A seductive gleam flowers in his eyes as he grins back at me. “You look damn good, Layla.” In my building and meeting with my grandmother.

I smile at his compliment. “So do you, Cole.” He’s wearing is flirty smile, so if I don’t direct him off this flirty path, I’ll regret it later.

“Why [EmL1] [LH2] were you meeting with Ruth?” I try not to sound stern, but I’m not flirting right now.

He lets out a sigh. “She’s apparently my matchmaker now.”

A heavy ball forms deep in my gut. That’s what I was afraid of. She’s going to find him a match, and that will be that. I set my lips in a firm line, switching on my professional mode.

“Well, that’s perfect. Ruth is the best.” My eyes dart away from his face. I can’t continue to look at him. He practically belongs to someone else now.

He doesn’t seem to notice the difference in my demeanor, which is good, but his next words cause me to reinforce the walls.

“I want to catch up. Soon. Can we set a date?”

I gulp before looking back at him, opting to look at his chest rather than his face. He’s wearing a black winter jacket, but it’s unzipped, his dark-colored, green maybe, button-down showing through.

“Oh, yeah, maybe,” I say.

“Let me have your phone. I had to get a new number a few years ago.” He reaches out his hand, his palm face up. I stare at it a moment, then pull out my phone against my better judgment.

I assume he’s entering his number and I’m correct when his own phone pings from somewhere on his person. His grin is huge as he hands my phone back to him.

“Now I’ve got your number.” He reaches out one more time and squeezes my bicep. “I’ve got to run. Potential new distributor meeting.”

I nod, forcing a smile.

Damn, he’s so attractive and all I want to do is snag his hand and pull him over to a table and catch up. But that won’t happen.

“All right. It was good seeing you,” I tell him. Truth.

Then he catches me off guard, pulling me into him for a hug. “So fucking good seeing you, Lays.” I feel his warm breath in my hair before he steps away. “Promise we will catch up soon, yeah?”

I nod, still taking in everything about that hug. His manly, woodsy scent, his warmth, the feel of his body around mine. His chuckle follows him as he leaves. I watch him leave until I can’t see him anymore.

What just happened?

I look down at my hand and see my phone still in it. I swipe open the messages to see what he texted himself.

Me: you’re still so hot, Cole. #perfection

Rereading the message from himself, he replies and my eyebrow rises.

Cole: Damn, Lays, you know how to make a guy blush.

I snort at his bullshit reply with a quick eye roll emoji. Even though he’s probably halfway down the street by now, I can practically hear his laughter.

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About Lauren Helms

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New Release ~ Sarah Browne Series Box Set ~ by ~ Tricia T. LaRochelle

Prepare to be captivated by a tale of personal growth, forgiveness, and the resilience of the human spirit in this roller coaster of a ride, new adult romantic suspense series. Readers who love Tamara Webber will devour the Sara Browne Series Box Set from Tricia T. LaRochelle.

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Blurb

The Sara Browne Series brings the reader on a heart-wrenching journey of redemption, where courage and forgiveness hold the key to unlocking true love.

When eighteen-year-old Sara Browne enters college, she hopes the trauma from her past is behind her. Within no time, a hot, six-foot-three blond named Scott Williams manages to capture her heart. But his love comes with a price, one that Sara may not be able to pay.

Lurking in the shadows, ugliness awaits their beautiful and powerful bond. It will take every ounce of strength for Sara not only to overcome the obstacles before her but to survive and somehow love again.

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Excerpt

While Derek handed Amy his last beer and tried to convince her to stay, my eyes took a tour of the small crowd, which mainly consisted of men. Wearing pastel-print Oxford shirts (sleeves rolled up to the elbows), khaki shorts, and loafers with no socks, a few of them looked like they just stepped out of an ad. As they threw beanbags into the cornhole board, drank, and carried on animated conversations with fist bumps and head bobs from the loud hip-hop music playing, they exemplified what I’d envisioned a typical fraternity would look like. One large guy with tree trunks for arms smashed a beer can into his forehead and guzzled the foamy fluid that spewed out. Another guy put his fingers to his mouth, kissed them, and yelled, “The taste when it hits your lips.”

Amy and Derek looked at each other.

“Old School,” they said in unison before they smiled, which made no sense to me.

A few girls were there, laughing with each other, hanging onto guys near them, or drinking. Everyone had a cell phone, which most of the women used to take selfies.

I needed to get myself acquainted with my cell phone and especially social media. I was basic when it came to technology. Then again, I was basic when it came to most things. Very lame—unlike the girl who had just come to the party wearing a floral romper, wedge sandals, and large hoop earrings. Everything about her was stunning, from her long, shiny brown hair to her sleek body.

She approached a guy who had his back to me, placing her hand on his arm. He must’ve been six-three. His light-blue T-shirt hugged his muscular back and powerful arms, outlining a body that caught my attention and kept it. I liked his hair and the way his caramel curls danced in the late-day breeze. What did his face look like? As if he heard my question, he turned around and stared right at me.

I’d fallen off my bike once when I was a kid and knocked the wind out of myself. For a few agonizing seconds, I literally couldn’t breathe. As I struggled to breathe now, my lungs reminded me of that moment.

While Amy continued to rib Derek, I caught sight of hot guy’s strong jaw and perfectly proportioned face. The sun reflected off his baby blue eyes that were nothing short of stunning. The corners of his soft, plump lips curved upward into an enticing smile. Enough already. Before I started drooling, I tore my eyes away.

I’d thought about guys—obsessively—but I’d never dreamt up one who looked like him. The boarding school I went to was for girls, but if it had allowed guys, I imagined he and his romper girlfriend would have been king and queen of every prom. Picture perfect. And totally not for me. I was looking for chill, sweet, and cuddly. I didn’t need a runway model or a guy who could audition for the next Marvel movie. No need to get crazy.

About Tricia T. LaRochelle

Since she was a little girl, award-winning author Tricia T. LaRochelle has been obsessed with tragic love stories. No beach reads for her. Bring on the grit with a double side of turmoil. She likes to feel the character’s anguish as they fight to overcome obstacles to be together. Growing up in central Vermont, she has seen her share of tragedy but remains a hopeful romantic. She now lives in central Virginia, where she continues to foster the possibilities of how love can conquer all.

Flickering Heart is the first book in the Sara Browne Series, a recent finalist for Best First Book in the Hold Medallion Contest, and First Place Winner in The 2022 Incipere Awards. Receiving an Honorable Mention in the Incipere Awards in the same category, Revive is the second book in the series, and Handfast, the latest installment, is the third. Stay tuned for updates and announcements on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or sign up for her newsletter at TriciaLaRochelle.com.

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Sales Blitz ~ Cocktails & Crushes ~ by ~ Katrina Marie

Dylan might be just what I need to keep my bar running, too bad he can only help for a few months. Then again, maybe it’s for the best. Fighting my attraction is hard, and falling for Dylan? It isn’t an option.

Cocktails & Crushes is on sale for 99 cents for a limited time! Grab this steamy, small town, reverse age gap romance from Katrina Marie before the price goes back up.

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Out of the Ashes will be the best bar in the county. At least that’s what I promised my uncle before he passed away. With all the changes we’re making, more challenges arise. The crowd seems to get rowdier with every day that passes, and it’s getting harder to keep my head above water. That is until Dylan, the boy I used to know, walks in. He’s definitely not a kid anymore. But he might just be what I need to keep the bar running smoothly. Too bad he isn’t staying in town and can only help for a few months. Then again, maybe it’s for the best. I’m not sure how long I can fight my attraction, and guarding my heart is the least of my problems. Because falling for Dylan? It isn’t an option. Ever.

About Katrina Marie

Katrina Marie lives in the Dallas area with her husband, two children, grandchild, and fur babies. She is a lover of all things geeky and nerdy. When she’s not writing you can find her at her children’s events, curled up reading a book, or binge watching her favorite shows.

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Cover Reveal ~ Here With Me ~ by ~ Brooke Montgomery

Join us for the cover reveal of Here With Me by Brooke Montgomery. Fans who love Small Town Romances will sink their teeth into this steamy, forbidden, age-gap romance. Keep scrolling for more details about this sexy cover.

Title: Here With Me

Author: Brooke Montgomery

Release Date: 09/06/2023

Genres: Contemporary Romance

Page Count: 350 pages

Tropes: Age Gap, Small-Town, Opposites Attract, Workplace, Secret Relationship, Family Saga, Off-Limits

A forbidden age gap stand-alone from small town romance author Brooke Montgomery about a daring horse trainer and her off-limits ex-boyfriend’s dad…

I shouldn’t want him.

Fisher’s the new farrier on my family’s horse ranch.
He’s twice my age and workplace relationships are off-limits.
He also happens to be my ex-boyfriend’s dad.

As a show horse trainer, I put my life on the line each time I saddle up.
When a trick gone wrong nearly ends my career, he’s the one who helps me in my recovery.

We’re complete opposites.
He’s quiet and reserved.
I’m loud and a thrill-seeker.

Regardless, the bond we build is undeniable, but it’s not so simple.
He’s a broken man trying to mend his relationship with his son.
Getting involved would destroy everything.

To avoid that, we instate a no-touching rule.
No side glances or flirty texts.
Definitely no sneaking around in the tack room.

But one moment changes everything.
And we break them all.

Here With Me is book 1 in the Sugarland Creek series. Contains 20+ year age gap, ex-boyfriend’s dad, workplace romance, opposites attract, and secret relationship vibes. Each book in this Southern, small town series is a stand-alone and ends in a happily ever after.

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About Brooke Montgomery

Brooke has been writing romance since 2013 under the USA Today Bestselling author pen names: Brooke Cumberland and Kennedy Fox, and now, Brooke Montgomery. She loves writing small-town romance with big families and happily ever afters! She lives in the frozen tundra of Packer Nation with her husband, wild teenager, and four dogs. When she’s not writing, you can find her reading, watching ASMR and reading vlogs on YouTube, or binge-watching a TV show she’s most likely behind on. Brooke’s addicted to iced coffee, leggings, and naps. She found her passion for telling stories during winter break one year in grad school—and she hasn’t stopped since.

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New Release ~ Resurgence ~ by ~ Shelby Gunter

It takes a certain skill set to do my job, and distractions get in the way of doing it well. Thia Ames has become the biggest distraction of all, but I can’t afford to get involved. Not only am I almost twenty years older than her, but acting on my emotions could very well get us both killed. Fans of Brittney Sahin’s The Stealth Ops Series and Brynne Asher’s The Killers will love Resurgence by Shelby Gunter, a steamy, age gap, military romantic suspense.

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Soldiers of fortune. Hired guns. Mercenaries. We’re the ones who go into enemy territory when no one else will. It’s dangerous, it’s secretive, and we’re good at it. It takes a certain skill set to do my job, and distractions get in the way of doing it well. And meeting Thia Ames has become the biggest distraction of all. But when Thia is put up for auction on the black market, my team is tasked with her protection. She is my mission, and protecting her should be my sole focus. But the shadows that lurk behind her bright smile hint at a dark past that calls to the hero in me. I can’t afford to get involved. Not only am I almost twenty years older than her, but acting on my emotions could very well get us both killed. Her life hangs in the balance. I couldn’t save her before, but this time, I’ll do whatever it takes… or die trying.

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Excerpt

“I’m not telling you shit. You’d be merciless.” “Fine, I’ll get Declan to tell me.” Her confidence makes me want to smile. “How? He wouldn’t betray me for anything.” “Look at this face.” She points towards her nose as if I haven’t been staring at her this whole time. “You don’t think my adorable little face couldn’t get him to squeal?” I narrow my eyes at her. “You wouldn’t.” “Watch me.” She takes off running toward the warehouse. Surprise causes me to falter, then I’m running after her, my legs eating up the distance in no time. She looks over her shoulder, her eyes lighting up when she finds me chasing her. I get two steps away from her when I reach out to grab her around the middle. She squeals, her laughter ringing out as she wiggles to get out of my hold. “Oh, no you don’t,” I huff out with a laugh. I go to lift her over my shoulder, but she’s too squirrelly. She relaxes her body, her weight dropping straight to the ground. I lose my footing with the sudden change, heading toward the ground like a fallen oak tree. Twisting at the last second, I land on my shoulder, then roll over to my back, pulling Thia with me to keep her from hitting the ground. Her eyes are wide, sparkling with humor and surprise. “I thought you were supposed to be some badass Marine, and you just got taken down by a girl with no training.” My mouth pops open in surprise. “You little shit.” Before I can think, I flip us over, one hand on the back of her head, the other digging into her sides as she squeals. “Okay, okay, okay! I give!” She squirms under me, trying to get away from my tickling fingers, all while giggling like a little girl. I stop, holding my fingers at her side. “Take it back.” The mischievous light in her eyes makes me want to kiss her. “Fine,” she pants. “You’re the most badass Marine who ever lived, even though you fell while chasing me.” She grins. I throw my head back, laughing. “I hate that I can’t even be mad at you for that last quip because it’s true.” Thia’s hand moves from my shoulder and down my arm. It’s then I’m fully aware of our position, of every part of me that’s touching her. I catch her gaze, her own realization happening at the same time as mine. The heat in her eyes sends my body careening off the edge. I tighten the fingers speared through her hair as her hands move across my chest. It’s like fire racing through me. It’s as if she’s branding me with her touch so I’ll never be able to feel anything like it again. A throat clearing behind me has my head whipping up. Connor looks at us with his eyebrows raised. “If you want to finish up whatever this is, I think I’ve figured out how to make the tracker work.”

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About Shelby Gunter

Shelby is a Romantic Suspense author who loves writing plot twists you’ll never see coming. Shelby and her husband call Kansas City their home base but enjoy traveling as far and as often as possible. She loves all things related to coffee, wine, and books, and it’s rare you will see her without one of those items in hand.

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