New Release – Page 88 – TBR Book Blog

New Release ~ Breathe ~ by ~ Danyell A. Wallace

Title: Breathe

Author: Danyell A. Wallace

Genre: New Adult, Interracial Romance

Release Date: July 15, 2021

Cover Design: Michelle Sewel from RLS Images Graphics & Design

I remember the first time I died. Lie lifeless in a puddle of my blood… And she was there trying to save me.

“Come on, Kian. Breathe for me.” I feel her palms pump against my chest and her tears pitter-patter against my lips. I swear I can taste the saltiness of them.

“It’s no use,” I remember whispering against her ear.

Then everything around me grew blurry and started fading away. Even me. Warmth streamed throughout my limbs, moving straight to my heart where it pumped rhythmically. My lungs expanded weakly, then my eyes shot open, and I began to breathe on my own.

The problem is the beautiful girl that saved my life that night thinks that I’m dead.

Now, I’m making it my business to let her know that I’m alive and well. That she’s the one who keeps my heart beating hard and strong in my chest.

She’s the reason I breathe…

Danyell A. Wallace was born in Alaska and is currently living in Alabama. She’s a mom to three awesome kids, and a wife to an incredibly supportive husband. When shes not using her imagination to write very adult, very sexy books, shes reading, spending time with family and friends, watching football, and catching up on TV shows that she has saved on the DVR.

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New Release ~ Brute’s Strength ~ by ~ Karen Renee

Title: Brute’s Strength

Series: Riot MC Biloxi Series Book 2

Author: Karen Renee

Genre: MC Romance (can be read as standalone)

Release Date: July 16, 2021

The sexy, action-packed second book in the Riot MC Biloxi series from Karen Renee.

As Vice President of the Riot MC Biloxi Chapter, Brute lives for his motorcycle club. Meeting Kenzie Whitehall challenges his dedication to his carefree lifestyle. Everything about her appeals to him, but he knows she’s looking for commitment. She’s forced to tell him she’s a single mom which should send Brute packing, but he can’t stay away.

Meanwhile, Brute has a homicide detective breathing down his neck. The officer believes Brute has answers in an unsolved murder, and he isn’t above playing Kenzie against Brute to solve the case.

When Kenzie’s ex-husband finds out she’s dating a biker, he threatens to drag her back to court regarding custody and child support payments. Kenzie refuses to give up her shot at happiness with Brute to appease her ex-husband.

Even though he’s falling fast for Kenzie, Brute knows walking away from her is the best thing for her and her daughter. Leaving should be easy. But with three hearts on the line, will Brute find the strength to fight for love?

MR. BRIGHTSIDE by The Killers

COME BY ME by Harry Connick Jr.

LET’S GO CRAZY (LIVE) by Prince and The Revolution

AMERICAN WOMAN by Lenny Kravitz

YOU CAN’T HIDE AWAY FROM LOVE by Jamie Cullum

IF THE STARS WERE MINE by Melody Gardot

I WON’T BACK DOWN by Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers

HEADPHONES by Michael Franti and Spearhead

FOLDING CHAIR by Regina Spektor

BABY SHARK by Pinkfong

a Rafflecopter giveaway

He hadn’t appreciated how well he’d slept next to Kenzie in the past. Not until that night, when he dozed off only to wake up in a cold sweat. The third time it happened, he went to the bathroom. As he wandered back to her bed, he saw it was quarter to four in the morning.

His eyes had adjusted to the dark, he found his pants, and quietly pulled them on.

“You’re leaving?” Kenzie croaked.

“Not sleepin’. Means you’re probably not sleepin’. Figure it’s better—”

She turned on her bedside lamp and he squinted. He watched her reach under her pillow and pull out her satin nightie. She got out of the bed, pulled on the nightie, and turned around.

Her eyes blazed at him. “You did not strike me as a runner.”

“Not running. We’re both—”

She leaned forward. “Tired! Whatever, Vaillant! I fucked up and told you how I was feeling because you told me not to bottle shit up and to always be honest with you. Is that a one-way street now?”

“Ken—”

She shook her head. “I hear the placating tone coming my way, and I call bullshit. Seriously, Sam. I gotta be honest with you always, but that courtesy doesn’t extend my way?”

His head turned marginally. She’d turned shit around on him, and he didn’t like it. “What are we fighting about?”

“The double standard, Brute. You don’t have to say you love me, but you don’t feel anything for me?” she asked, throwing an arm out. She shook her head again, and stalked toward the bathroom. “I shouldn’t ask that. Besides, you’re right. It’s probably better if you go. Neither one of us is sleeping, not that I’m likely to sleep now, but have it your way. I’ll lock the front door in five minutes.”

She closed the door to the bathroom, and he heard the lock click. The hollowness in his stomach wasn’t hollow anymore. It burned with a pain he hadn’t felt in a long damn time. He sat on her bed, put his elbows to his knees, hunched over, and held his head in his hands. She was right, he’d given her a double standard.

What the hell was he supposed to do?

He wouldn’t leave her like this, that much he knew. Whether he could make it right with her, remained to be seen.

Waiting for her to come out of the bathroom felt like an eternity.

He turned his head when she opened the door and felt a gut punch. Her eyes were puffy and bloodshot. That was his fault.

With his eyes on hers, he sat up straight and held a hand out to her. She twisted her lips, but put her hand in his while she slowly made her way to him. He didn’t want her sitting next to him, so he let go of her hand and took her by the hips. She gasped, but her legs spread as he put her on his lap so they were chest-to-chest and face-to-face.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered.

Her hands wrapped around his neck. “What for?”

His forefinger traced around her eye. “This. I never want to make you cry, Zee. And, I’m sorry for giving you a double standard.”

Her brows went up even as her chin dipped. She kept quiet.

“I have feelings for you. More damn feelings than I’ve had for a woman in a helluva a long time.”

He heard and felt her shuddering breath. “That goes both ways,” she whispered.

With his forehead against hers, he asked, “You have feelings for a woman, too?”

Her fingers gave his neck a playful squeeze. “No. I have—”

“I got that when you laid the honesty on me, babe. Scares the hell out of me because I haven’t done anything to deserve that.”

Karen Renee is the author of the Riot Motorcycle Club, Beta, and O-Town series of books. She once crunched Nielsen ratings data but these days she brings her imagination to life by writing books. She has wanted to be a writer since she was very young, but it’s taken the last twenty plus years for her to amass enough courage and overall life experience to bring that dream to life. Some of those life experiences came from the wonderful world of advertising, banking, and local television media research. She is a proud wife and mother, and a Jacksonville native. When she’s not at the soccer field or cooking, you can find her at her local library, the grocery store, in her car jamming out to some tunes, or hibernating while she writes and/or reads books.

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New Release ~ 5 Rounds ~ by ~ Nikki Castle

When Remy suddenly finds herself apartmentless, she’s offered a temporary place to stay, but her new roommate, Tristan, a notorious womanizer, and MMA fighter, has never been her favorite person. After one steamy encounter, the two are forced to deal with their developing feelings. Will they risk their hearts and let themselves fall in love? Fans of Kennedy Fox and Christina Lauren will love 5 ROUNDS by Nikki Castle, an enemies to lovers, forced proximity, sports romance. Blurb She’s a feisty workaholic that hates his guts. He’s an arrogant MMA fighter that can’t afford any distractions. This isn’t the kind of fight they’re used to… When Remy is suddenly evicted from her apartment, her best friend offers to let her crash at his house while he’s traveling for work. The only problem is, she can’t stand his roommate, Tristan. Now, they’re stuck living together for 10 days. But after the tension breaks with one very steamy night, and then again, and again… they’re forced to reexamine their long-standing enemy relationship. While Remy struggles with her developing feelings for a notorious womanizer, Tristan has to decide if his feelings for Remy are worth it, or if they’ll distract him from his longtime goal of becoming a world champion. To make matters worse, their deadline is looming because Remy is moving out soon. Will they risk their hearts and let themselves fall in love? Or will they go back to hating each other before they’ve even had a chance to be together? Add to Goodreads Here! Goodreads → https://bit.ly/3vf8ZQv Buy Now or Read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited! Amazon → https://amzn.to/2SoF4Yy Excerpt Copyright 2021 @Nikki Castle I have a lot of thoughts about Tristan, but the one thing I can’t deny is that he’s gorgeous. He’s over six feet tall and a solid 200 pounds of muscle. I know him from the MMA gym I joined because of Jax in college—and it’s an understatement to say they both look the part of a fighter. Tristan is the pretty boy of the two, with just-woke-up tousled, dark brown hair and piercing blue eyes that always feel like they’re staring straight into the secrets of your soul. His jawline is defined and he’s got just enough stubble on his face to give him a rugged look, but not enough that it comes off as a scruffy beard. His skin has a warm tan, most likely from all the shirtless runs he does around the city for his cardio workouts. I also know from my time at the gym that he’s completely shredded from his training. Every pound of him has a purpose, his body built to be an efficient fighting machine with a low body fat percentage and muscles defined not by lifting weights, but by training with a real purpose and a fuck-ton of hard work. His dedication to the sport is unrivaled and it definitely shows in his appearance. I’ve never met a man as comfortable in his body as Tristan, and that fact coupled with the physical result of his workouts gives him an air of confidence and raw masculinity. Basically, an effortless Adonis. He’s also a total ladies’ man and a shameless pig. Or maybe that’s just to me, since I assume there has to be a reason why women all fall into bed with him. Either way, he and I have been at each other’s throats since the first day I stepped in the gym and he gave me directions to the ballet studio down the street. “Of all the women I know, you’re easily the least ladylike,” he drawls. I glare at him and push past, heading for the bathroom. “I guess that’s really saying something, huh? God knows you’ve been with half the women in this city,” I throw over my shoulder. By the time I come out of the bathroom, he’s sprawled on the couch and back to watching whatever MMA fight he was analyzing before I pounded on his door. “Where’s Jax?” I ask as I plop onto the loveseat next to the TV. “Still out at happy hour,” Tristan responds without even looking at me. I notice he’s watching a UFC title fight, most likely analyzing the champ’s fighting style for his own arsenal of skills. I glance at my phone. “Jesus, still? It’s 9pm. How much do those corporate assholes drink?” I throw my head back with a groan. “Look, Remy—” I immediately growl at the condescending tone, knowing I’m not going to like what’s about to come out of his mouth. “I don’t mind if you hang out until Jax comes back, but could you be a doll and shut the fuck up? I’m trying to work.” He smiles sweetly. “Actually, I take that back, I do mind. Can you just wait for him in the kitchen like a good woman? Maybe make me dinner while you’re in there.” I glare and launch a pillow directly at his head—which he deflects easily. “I can’t believe chauvinists like you still exist in this day and age. Hasn’t the women’s movement stomped you out yet?” I snarl. Then I pause, thinking of something. “Actually, what surprises me the most is that you still find women to sleep with you. Although I doubt the women you fuck even know the definition of chauvinist, so maybe that’s my answer.” He chuckles and gives me an exaggerated once-over. “Everybody knows your hatred for me is just a cover for how badly you want to be under me,” he says with a smirk. Buy Now or Read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited! About Nikki Castle Nikki Castle is a 29 year old wife and bulldog mom who writes steamy love stories about alpha MMA fighters and the women that melt their badass, playboy hearts. She spends her days working for a technology company and her evenings running a Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) gym with her husband, who is also a retired fighter. Nikki has been writing in one way or another since she was a teenager. She pursued an English and Philosophy degree in college, and finally decided to sit down and fulfill her longtime dream of writing an entire novel when quarantine began in 2020. Follow: Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/nikkicastleromance Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/nikkicastleromance/ Goodreads → https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/126158117-nikki Amazon →https://www.amazon.com/Nikki-Castle/e/B095P6M2M8

New Release ~ Picture Forever ~ by ~ Amanda Lee Dixon

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A romance with Peaks and Valleys Hazel Wood left the big city and lucrative career as a graphics artist to move back to Peak Valley to be closer to her ill mother and maybe reconnect with her half-brother Sheriff Warren McKnight. She thought it would be a quiet life until Jax Colson blew into her life. Jax Colson isn’t used to being blown off, but Hazel has something he needs. When he gets the opportunity to twist her arm he jumps on it. Only their new partnership put a target on her head. Now the two must put their differences aside and work together or neither will survive what evil lurks in the shadows.

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Enter the Goodreads Giveaway HERE!

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“I need your help.” She grabs my shirt and pulls me into the restroom, slamming the door shut. “What kind of help?” I raise a brow at her with a flirty smile. She ignores my flirting. “I need you to get me out of this date.” “Excuse me?” “I’m on a date with one of my brother’s deputies, and he brought his mom!” She raises her arms in disbelief. “His mom!” “His mom?” “Yes, that’s what I said.” She slaps her hands on her hips. “She won’t stop talking about him.” “So leave.” I shrug nonchalantly. “I tried!” she huffs, nibbling on her thumb. “I tried to say my stomach hurt, and his mom gave me some Pepto.” “Is that why it smells in here?” I scrunch my nose. “No!” She smacks my chest. “I need you to help me get out of this. I’m afraid if I stay any longer, Leo’s mom will announce our engagement. She’s already told me she thinks we’ll have beautiful babies. I need you to think of something that will get me out of this.” “Let me get this straight…” I tap a finger to my lips. “You want me to come up with a brilliant idea that will get you out of a date you are currently on. Do I have it right?” “Yes,” she huffs, narrowing her eyes at me. “What’s in it for me?”

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Read the First Chapter HERE!

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Romance Author. Professional Pen Thief. Coffee Addict. Obsessive Reader. Amanda lives in the weather crazed Midwest where they experience hot summers and cold winters. She believes spring and fall are a beautiful made up fantasy. Amanda shares her life with her wonderful husband who despite her begging and pleading won’t grow his beard out. She has three teenagers, two girls and a boy, and two mouthy malamutes, that always keep her on her toes, and never stop eating.

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New Releases ~ KB Worlds Everyday Heroes

The latest set of books in the Everyday Heroes World are live!

Inspired by K. Bromberg’s Everyday Heroes standalones, each author wrote their own story to fit in the world. We hope you’ll fall in love with their new stories and characters while revisiting the Malone brothers from mine.

All the books releasing today are FREE in Kindle Unlimited:

Fallen by Rebecca Barber https://geni.us/FallenEH

When Zach Higgins rolled out of bed to go start his shift at the firehouse this morning, he never thought he’d end his day falling in love.

All it took was one flutter of her tiny eyelashes and Zach was wrapped around her chubby little finger.

The last thing Zach wanted to do was hand her over to a stranger. That was until the woman of his dreams turned up in her petticoat and pearls to take the baby home.

—

Lily Evans always wanted to be a mother. She’s dreamt of the day she got to hold her baby in her arms and sing lullabies as they drifted off to sleep.

But the world had other plans for Lily and her motherhood dreams.

When an opportunity to foster an abandoned baby arises, she jumps at the chance.

What Lily doesn’t expect is to find her in the arms of a shirtless, sexy as sin, tattooed firefighter with an accent.

This Aussie firefighter sets her on fire in ways she’d rather not admit to. Lily was not prepared for Zach to turn her world upside down but was he everything she’d been waiting for?

Fractured by Laine Vess https://geni.us/FracturedEHW

Marzia Kiel has returned to Sunnyville, though she vowed she never would. The ghosts there that haunt her are plenty, but she’s willing to face them when her aging mother needs her. She just didn’t expect her teenage crush to be her coworker when she shows up at her new job.

Doctor Reed Segraves at Sunnyville General is trying to figure out life post-divorce. When a dear friend from his past shows up, he starts to wonder what life would’ve been like if he’d made a different choice.

Can Marzia and Reed have a do-over? Or will they find it impossible to overcome their demons and accept the happiness that life seems to offer?

Trapped by Kristina Beck https://geni.us/TrappedEH

Charli

Hating my life, I make a single selfish wish.

When it’s granted, innocent lives are lost.

And my punishment? I inherit everything, including a beautiful baby girl. Now, I’m a single parent to a six-month-old I haven’t the first clue what to do with.

To make matters worse, Kellan, my father’s broody business partner, shows up looking as gorgeous as ever. It’s always been quite clear that he can’t stand me, but now it seems like the complete opposite.

Everyone says I’m the winner in this situation, but extreme guilt chases away my happiness. Then two more bombs are thrown at my feet, making me question the strength of true love and my future.

Kellan

I miss an exit and become stuck in the middle of a nightmare.

Horrific images are burned into my memory.

Relief washes over me that it’s not Charli, the woman I’ve always hidden my true feelings from. It’s her sister.

Then guilt hits me like a freight train.

No one can know.

At the wrong place at the wrong time, I’m brought face-to-face with Charli and her new daughter. Out of respect for my boss, I’ve gone as far as to callously dismiss her. But that reasoning is irrelevant now. It’s time I put everything on the line and prove she’s the only woman for me… even if it means losing her anyway when she finds out my secrets.

Check out the books that inspired the authors! K. Bromberg’s Everyday Heroes series are FREE in Kindle Unlimited right now:

Cuffed: https://geni.us/CfdAmz

Combust: https://geni.us/CmbstAmz

Cockpit: https://geni.us/CkptAmz

More KB Worlds books are coming your way every month. Stay up to date on all the releases here:

✶ Amazon: https://amzn.to/2Vy4v9d

✶ Website: http://www.kbworlds.com

✶ Newsletter: https://smarturl.it/KBWNewsletter

New Release ~ Perfect Embrace ~ by ~ Kaylee Ryan

Perfect Embrace by Kaylee Ryan is releasing July 15th!

Series: Mason Creek, Book 8 – Standalone Genre: Small Town Romance Trope: Second Chance Romance, Single Parent

One-Click Today! Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3hGBhyB Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/36e8nRc Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/3qYqeFm Amazon AU: https://amzn.to/3xobZfo

Add it to your TBR on Goodreads: https://bit.ly/PerfectEmbraceTBR Save it to your wish list on BookBub: https://bit.ly/PerfectEmbraceBB

Home is where the heart is, and Mason Creek is mine.

Laken

Until Grayson walked into my bookstore, I thought happily ever afters were just fairy-tale endings. Looking every bit the handsome hero, his intensity creates sparks I’ve never dared to dream about. The single dad of adorable twin girls doubles as a firefighter by day. But there’s more. Grayson is also my old high-school crush.

My feelings for Grayson haven’t changed, but everything else has.

Grayson

Having lost my wife three years ago, my world revolves around raising my daughters. Then one day, I look up and see past my grief, and there stands Laken. This beautiful, kind-hearted woman has been under my nose my entire life, and now, just when I need her most, she’s here- loving my daughters like her own. But guilt can’t be reasoned with, especially when finding love again.

I’ve learned the hard way that second chances don’t happen often. So, when I’m lucky enough to get mine, I’m going to embrace it with everything I have.

One-Click Today! Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3hGBhyB Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/36e8nRc Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/3qYqeFm Amazon AU: https://amzn.to/3xobZfo

Welcome to Mason Creek, Montana. 12 Books by 12 Bestselling Authors, all linked together by one fictional small town.

Read the new releases and pre-order the upcoming titles on Kindle Unlimited: https://amzn.to/3hBpC4j

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New Release & Review ~ Misery Loves Company ~ by ~ Scarlett Hopper

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Georgia I’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. Chase Georgia 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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Enter the Release Giveaway HERE(PINNED POST) OR HERE!

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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.

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Read the First Chapter HERE!

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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.

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New Release ~ No Easy Choice ~ by ~ Kathryn Shay

Title: No Easy Choice

Series: Sisters of Fire #3

Author: Kathryn Shay

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: July 13, 2021

Firefighter Annie Ferris O’Shea has it all: an idyllic marriage to her high school sweetheart, an exciting career and a circle of wonderful friends. But when she gets pregnant, everything changes. Will she and Colin be able to adapt to a new lifestyle or will their lives dissolve into old patterns and expected roles in society?

Annie leaned against the bar and looked out at the crowd who gathered at Brothers&Sisters, a firefighter hangout, for the fiftieth birthday celebration of Ben Benedeski, Colin’s lieutenant on Truck 1. She breathed a sigh of relief.

“What’s that for?” Trish Mackenzie had come up to her.

Man, she was so pretty with a new haircut that framed her face and called attention to her eyes. Annie tugged on her own overgrown hair, which she’d tried to curl.

“This is the first time I’ve been out in ten days.”

“Peach is your color.”

“I finally fit into my favorite blouse and capris.” She’d been working out for months now. She ran sometimes before Colin left for work, or took Bridget on power walks, plus she’d picked up a stationary bike at a garage sale real cheap.

Trish scowled, then. “But seriously, you haven’t been out of the house since our last get together?”

“Bridget got sick and we’ve been cooped up inside. We couldn’t even go to the park.”

“Honey, going to the park with a baby isn’t getting out.”

Annie sighed. “Colin’s been working two jobs—one at his parents’ gas station and of course the firehouse. So, I’m pretty much stuck in the house.” She could hear sadness in her own voice.

“I could have come over to spell you.”

“And risk getting the baby’s cold? She’d slobber all over you. That’s why I didn’t ask you or the others for help. Even Colin’s mother. But Bridget’s well enough today, so I asked Cora to watch her. She was excited about it.”

“I understand, but that sucks.”

“Yeah, it does.” Ready to change the depressing subject, she smiled over at her friend. “So, are you excited about the wedding in a few weeks?”

“I’m excited about taking vows with Nathan.”

“How sweet. I felt that, too.”

“Felt?”

She shrugged. “I still feel that way, I guess. It’s just hard having a baby to take care of now. I know, I know, I cried for two years because I couldn’t get pregnant, so I bite my lip not to complain.”

“Quarantined for 10 days with a sick infant is worth complaining about.”

Colin came up to them. He was cute in his green T-shirt and khaki shorts. He held out his phone. “It’s Mama. You should talk to her.”

“What does she want?”

“I don’t know, she asked for you.”

Motherly concern overshadowed husband annoyance. “Hi, Mama. What’s going on?”

“Bridget won’t stop crying.”

“She’s up this late?”

“She woke up flushed. I took her temperature. It’s only 99. But her nose is stuffy and I did what you said about the vaporizer.”

“I’m sure you did. One of us will be there in fifteen minutes. Rock her and keep her head elevated.”

She handed the cell back to Colin and explained the situation. Trish turned around to the bar to give them some semblance of privacy. “What should we do?” she asked her husband.

“You have to go home.”

“Me, why?”

He gestured to the room. “This is my station house’s party. Ben’s my lieutenant. My whole crew got subs so we could have the night off.”

“Colin, this is the first time I’ve been out in ten days.”

“I guess. Do you want me to go?”

Her heart sank. “You don’t want to take care of our sick child?”

His expression said, No. “Sure, but she probably wants you. Not me.”

Annie glared at him, then set down her beer, none too gently. “Never mind, I’ll go.”

He reached for her arm. “I’ll walk you to the car.”

“Don’t bother.” She strode away. When she reached the door, Trish caught up with her and tugged her around.

“This isn’t right, Annie.”

“I know. But I take care of my kid.”

“Colin could do it.”

Annie let out a heavy breath and felt tears threaten.

“Want me to come with? You’d at least have somebody to talk to.”

“No, Ben’s your lieutenant, too. Tell him I had to leave?”

“Sure.” She leaned over and kissed Annie’s cheek.

Annie hugged her and left.

On the drive home, she talked to herself. Honestly. Colin could have let her have the night off, but he’d been right about the party for Ben. So she tried not to overreact. This was all temporary, anyway. And something she’d freely chosen—not to go back to her job for two more months after the paid maternity leave. When she did return to work, things would change, and she didn’t want to be a wimp about what happened in the meantime. She’d put her big girl panties on and do what she had to.

When she walked into her house, she heard the screaming in the living room, where she found Bridget, clearly upset, clasped against her mother-in-law’s shoulder. “I’m sorry, Mama, I left right away.”

Cora stood and handed the baby to her. “I called Sean, dear. He’s coming to get me.”

Nodding, Annie dropped down on her rocker and cuddled Bridget close. She quieted almost immediately.

“She wanted her mama.”

“Or her daddy.”

Cora’s brow furrowed. “Colin? Why should he come home? He works so hard to earn money for you, he deserves a break.”

Annie bit her lip before she spoke. “I know. You were raised like that.”

And Annie knew how much her mother-in-law believed in traditional roles. When Annie was sixteen, her mother Mary died and her father had taken off years before. Cora O’Shea was best friends with Mary, who’d named Cora as Annie’s guardian. The entire family treated her like an O’Shea, except Colin, because they’d already fallen in love at fifteen.

Annie was two years younger than Colin, who went to Bingham College to get a two-year associate degree in fire suppression. Meanwhile, she took the same fire department recruit course as he had and when she graduated, they both went to the fire academy together.

Sean arrived and beeped the horn from outside. Cora headed to the door, but she turned back. Annie knew the woman loved her, too.

“How long since you’ve been out, Annie? Didn’t you go to one of those Sisters of Fire things?”

“I missed one. Bridget was sick.”

Staring at Annie, Cora cocked her head. “That’s not right either. You should talk to Colin. Or I will, if you want.”

“No, I will, Mama.” She gestured to the door. “You better go. Pa doesn’t like being kept waiting.”

Bridget began to fuss again when Cora left. She could sense Annie’s mood. She’d left breast milk for the baby tonight, but she opened her blouse and bra and Bridget clamped right on. And quieted.

As she nursed, Annie thought about the circumstances of her life. Circumstances she’d coveted for a long time. Still, she could be angry at having her only night out spoiled.

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A NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY bestselling author, Kathryn Shay has been a lifelong writer and teacher. She has written dozens of self-published original romance titles, print books with the Berkley Publishing Group and Harlequin Enterprises and mainstream women’s fiction with Bold Strokes Books. She has won many awards for her work: five RT Book Reviews awards, the Bookseller’s Best Award, Foreword Magazine’s Book of the Year and several “Starred Reviews.” One of her firefighter books hit #20 on the NEW YORK TIMES list. Her novels have been serialized in COSMOPOLITAN magazine and featured in USA TODAY, THE WALL STREET JOURNAL and PEOPLE magazine. There are over ten million copies of her books in print and downloaded online. Reviewers have called her work “emotional and heart-wrenching.”

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New Release ~ Minor Trouble ~ by ~ Julie Archer

Seth Hudson’s relationship with the teenage son is hanging on by a thread. Guidance counselor Ainsley Coren is ready to help the father and son reconnect. Will Seth and his son be able to move forward and with Ainsley by their side, or will this minor trouble become too much? Readers will swoon for this redeemed hero romance featuring a sexy but lovable bad boy dad. Fall in love with your next book boyfriend with Minor Trouble by Julie Archer, the last book in the Single Dad’s Romance series.

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Seth Hudson has a reputation for being the “bad boy”. Trouble in his teen years led him down the wrong path but now, at almost thirty, he’s gotten his life together and things are going well. Until the fateful phone call that changes everything. Thirteen years ago, Seth fathered a child and was all but forced out of the boy’s life. With Noah’s mother passing away, it’s up to Seth to step up to the plate and raise the son he barely knows. But what does he know about parenting a teenager? Ainsley Coren has just moved to Cali Cross and is starting over as the high school guidance counselor. It doesn’t take long for her to encounter the troubled teen and his single father who are holding on by a thread. Making it her mission to help save this broken family, Ainsley steps in and goes above and beyond with the father and son duo. The more time she spends helping them, the more she slowly finds herself falling for the reformed bad boy/single dad. Can they make things work or will Ainsley bolt at the first sign of minor trouble? Minor Trouble is an angsty contemporary romance featuring a redeemed hero and the guidance counselor who steals his heart. Download today and get ready to fall in love with your next favorite book boyfriend.

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Excerpt

“I know it’s a lot to take in, Seth. You can contact me any time if you’ve got any questions.” Numb, I swallowed hard and nodded. Then, realizing that Carol from Child Protective Services couldn’t see me, I found my voice. “Sure, of course I will. Thank you.” “I’ll be in touch again so we can finalize everything.” I almost nodded again. “Thank you. Talk soon.” The line went dead. It had been a Thursday just like any other. Fixing cars, making plans for the weekend, chatting shit with Maddox. Until the call that spun everything off its axis, turned the world upside down, and any other cliché you’d care to toss in for good measure. My vision swam, legs trembling as I walked out of the office and back into the main part of the garage and over to the car I’d been working on. I grabbed the wrench to pick up where I’d left off, but it tumbled out of my grip clattering on the concrete floor with an almighty crash. “Seth? You okay, buddy?” Maddox Riley called from the other side of the garage. I tried to dislodge the huge lump in my throat, anything but okay. “Yeah, all good,” I managed. “Shit, you look as if you’ve seen a ghost. You’ve gone really pale.” Ha, she was haunting me already. I raked a hand through my hair. If I didn’t tell Maddox what was going on, he’d find out soon enough. I had to hope he was as flexible a landlord as he was a boss. “You got a minute? There’s something you should know.” He glanced up from the engine he’d been looking over. “Sure, gimme a sec.” I headed towards the open door, inhaling a lungful of fresh air. After a couple of minutes, Maddox joined me. “What’s up? Who was on the phone?” “Child Protective Services needed to talk to me about Noah.” Noah was my thirteen-year-old son: the result of an illicit relationship when I was sixteen with a cheerleader two years older than me. “Is he okay?” Slowly, I nodded. He was fine. He hadn’t been in the truck with his mother, her boyfriend, and her parents. He’d been hanging out with one of his buddies playing video games. For once, I thanked God for Noah’s Fortnite obsession. “Then why did CPS need to talk to you?” Maddox rubbed at an oil mark on his wrist, eyes focused on trying to remove it. “There was a car accident.” The lump grew even larger, making it increasingly difficult for me to get the words out. “Hannah, her mom and dad, her boyfriend—” My voice cracked. “Didn’t make it out. They’re gone.” Saying it out loud took some of the burden off of me, and I could at least share it with Maddox. His eyes grew wide, staring silently at me. Disbelief, confusion, anger, grief. Without another word, he pushed me out of the way and pulled on the chains to shut the doors to the garage. “We’re closing,” he stated. “I can’t let you go through this on your own.” Once Maddox had made a few calls to let customers know about the unexpected early finish, we headed upstairs to the tiny apartment above the garage. After I’d come out of jail—a six-month stint for petty theft—Maddox had been my lifeline. He’d offered me a job through an offenders’ rehabilitation program, which had come with the apartment. Its one caveat was I could never be late for work. Taking charge, Maddox got two bottles of beer out of the refrigerator, popped the caps, and handed one to me. We went over to the sofa and sat down at each end. “Have you spoken to Noah?” I shook my head, gulping down the beer. “Not yet.” “What’s going to happen to him?” I chewed on my lips, fingernails scratching at the label on the beer bottle. “I’m his biological father and the only living relative he has. I have to step up. There isn’t anyone else.”

About Julie Archer

Julie Archer is the author of contemporary romance featuring rock stars, small towns, a healthy dose of angst, some steamy times and always a happy ever after! When not writing, she can usually be found binge watching teen drama series on Netflix, or supporting Spurs (the English Premier League football team, not the American basketball team!) from my armchair, and running around after her two feline children, Corey and Elsa. Real angst. Real romance.

About the Single Dad’s Romance Series

Seven single dads, all from different walks of life and doing the best they can to raise their children – are ready to make you fall in love. From the celebrity dad just trying to protect the ones he loves from the spotlight…to the silver fox who’s out to prove it’s never too late to have a family of your own – this single dads collection guarantees to bring you a whole lot of love and of course, a happily ever after. Look no further, your next book boyfriend is here! Follow the @IndiePenPR FB Page for all the Single Dad’s news: https://www.facebook.com/IndiePenPR

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New Release ~ Kiss of Life ~ by ~ Louise Lennox

Tara’s string of bad luck has her convinced nothing good will ever happen to her again. When a hurricane hits the island, she gets stranded with the town’s sexy, new judge. Maybe her luck isn’t so bad after all… Readers who love Kennedy Ryan and Nicole Snow will love KISS OF LIFE by Louise Lennox, a forced proximity, small town 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 Tara’s story… When hurricane Maria hits Kiawah Island, newly divorced single mom Tara Kent braces to add another pearl, on her string of bad luck. Between an ex-husband who won’t go away, a mother acting like a child, and a stagnant career; she’s convinced nothing good will ever happen again. But when she steps inside the courtroom of the Sea Islands’ new sexy dreadlocked motorcycle riding judge; she’s tempted to think things can change. But will they? Judge Cameron Sinclair is new in town. When the beautiful but battered Tara sheds tears in his courtroom, he makes it his business to get her what she deserves. And when he’s stranded with her in the eye of a deadly storm, he realizes what she really deserves is love. But he isn’t the man to give it to her. Or is he? Kiss of Life, book 2 in the Kiawah Kisses Series, is a steamy, small town, contemporary romance featuring a strong, smart heroine and the compassionate, sexy judge who redeems her heart. Download it today and get ready to fall in love with your next favorite book boyfriend. Add to Goodreads Here! Goodreads → https://bit.ly/3gl3FqG Buy Now or Read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited! Amazon→ https://amzn.to/3zuCVLJ Excerpt Copyright 2021 @Louise Lennox “All Rise! The honorable Judge Cameron Sinclair is presiding.” I look up and every molecule in my body rises. Fuck! Mr., I have an important job, is my judge? This has to be bad juju. There’s no other way to explain the coincidence. I cursed this man all the way out and then ruined his clothes. Now he’s going to decide whether my children and I get what we deserve? This can’t be good. Keisha gives me a sidelong glance, but my attention is fully on the man standing behind the bench. Lately, desire is a foreign feeling. Since Jason, I largely ignore my vagina and any pleasure it may bring. But this man carries an energy that makes me want to wake my girl out of hibernation and do all the things another woman won’t do. But I won’t. That’s partly why I snapped on him in the coffee shop. The man is seriously fuckable. He is easily over six feet tall and the color of a cinnamon stick. His dreadlocks are pulled back into a fishtail, accented by a beard and goatee so perfect, the lines look painted on. He’s in his robes, but I can tell he is in incredible shape. His shoulders are broad, and his hands are huge-I see them from here. When he opens his mouth to speak, his deep timbre commands the room but calms my anxiety at the same time. I didn’t get those vibes at the coffee shop. There, his voice made me want to fight. “I’ve reviewed the evidence presented in discovery, and I don’t know why we are here. Dr. Kent, since you have forgone council, I will be direct. You have the means to pay your child support but have refused to do so. However, in the spirit of fairness and the law this courtroom observes, I will allow you to speak and provide me with a reason I should grant this reduction in support.” Jason stands and moves to the dais to speak. He’s representing himself today because he actually thinks he can-idiot. He didn’t know Keisha was in town. He looks back at his silly fiancée and winks at me before clearing his voice to speak. I hate him. But God, how I used to love him. His very presence used to make me weak in the knees, and it poised me to do anything for a ray of his sunshine to fall my way. I thought the family we were building together was all I’d ever need in life. He was my first lover, the first man I ever called friend, and the person who made me feel needed the most. And I wanted to be needed. That all changed once he became Dr. Jason Kent. “Your honor. This is not about my ability to pay. It is about the fairness of the judgement. Mrs. Kent has received a promotion to Vice Principal of her school. Her raise calls for a reduction in my contribution.” This motherfucker. The judge stares right through him before speaking. “Do I look like a fool to you, Dr. Kent? Because I assure you, the only fool here is you.” I snort under my breath and quickly cover my mouth. Jason holds on to the dais so tightly his knuckles bulge. He hates being talked down to. Hopefully, he knows better than to talk crazy to a judge. “No, your honor, you are not a fool… and neither am I.” Mr. Hot as fuck Judge crosses his arms and leans back a bit, looming over Jason. He’s making him wait. His extra theatrics are not lost upon me, and I smile to myself. The big dick energy is powerful with this one. “Then don’t talk to me like one. We both know your ex-wife did not receive a promotion but is rather covering for her vice-principal during summer school. Her boost in pay is temporary. To be regarded as a bonus, not an increase in salary.” Jason scoffs. “I don’t see why that matters, a raise is a raise and money is money. I am tired of Tara draining my household dry while she spends her money on whatever she wants.” That’s it. I won’t sit here and let him talk about me like I’m not here. Keisha tries to hold me down, but I snap to my feet and speak. “Objection your honor.” Jason rolls his eyes, and Judge Sinclair looks into mine like he just realized who I am…and he’s pleased. I didn’t expect that. His eyes sparkle. What color are they…blue? How can a black man have such blue-green eyes? They are mesmerizing. I’m shaken out of my thoughts when his firm tone addresses me. “Mrs. Kent, what exactly is the nature of your objection?” Jason snickers. “Yeah, maybe you should leave the talking to your lawyer. Someone who knows what she is doing.” “Fuck You!” The words fly from my mouth before my mind registers where we are. Judge Sinclair bangs his gavel three times and points it at Jason. “You, sir, are on thin ice. One more outburst from you and I’ll hold you in contempt. Is that clear?” Judge Sinclair cuts his eyes at me. A warning. Before turning back to Jason, expecting an answer. Jason bites his tongue. “Yes, your honor.” Judge Sexy… I mean Sinclair turns back to me. “Now Ms. Kent. You would like to address the court?” I want to approach your bench. Buy Now! Amazon→ https://amzn.to/3zuCVLJ 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. Follow: Facebook | Facebook Group | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Bookbub | Amazon | Website | Newsletter Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/authorlouiselennox Facebook Group → https://www.facebook.com/groups/303624204004824 Twitter → https://www.twitter.com/louiselennox4 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/authorlouiselennox Goodreads → https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20558059.Louise_Lennox Bookbub → https://www.bookbub.com/books/savannah-s-salvation-by-louise-lennox Amazon → https://www.amazon.com/~/e/B08DMY4JHK Website → https://www.lovelouiselennox.com Newsletter → https://www.lovelouiselennox.com/stayconnected This promotional event is brought to you by The Indie Pen PR