C.J. Butcher's Blog, page 69

AmazonNookKoboiBooksI did a bad thing. I did a really bad...

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I did a bad thing.

I did a really bad thing.

I’m not a bad person, I swear. I just made a few mistakes.

Mistake number one was agreeing to rent my hotel out to an insufferable a**hole, named Aden Smith­.

Mistake number two was ignoring his threats to sue me when he handed over a list of items he deemed “unacceptable”.

Mistake number three was diving into the pool to save his life when he fell. It would have been less complicated to hide his body.

When the hospital refuses to let me know how he is, I panic.

Claiming to be his wife might be my biggest mistake yet—especially when he believes me!

He might have been the one drowning, but I’m sinking in a bed of lies, going down fast—and there’s not a rescue in sight.


Hope

“Is this the only hotel in Clancy?”
I look up in shock at the door. I could have sworn I locked that door. It’s like ten o’clock at night and my brain is going in circles. I’ve watched enough true crime television to know leaving my door unlocked in the middle of the night is a recipe for disaster.
“I believe so, yes.” I answer, looking around the counter for a weapon.  He doesn’t look like an axe murderer, but then again, I’m not sure what one would look like. He’s got a beard, some crazy looking tattoos on his arm, and he’s tall and wide—kind of like my cousin White who plays football, only a little more dangerous and less good ole’ boy from Texas.
I see a box of paperclips.  Can you kill someone with paperclips? They’re the large ones, maybe I could stab his eye out… God. I’m pathetic. What kind of idiot doesn’t have some kind of weapon in her desk?
“That’d be my luck,” he growls and his growl does sound dangerous. I frantically look one last time for a weapon and finally decide on the stapler. I know it’s pitiful, but it’s all I have.
“Is there a problem?” I ask, trying to nonchalantly pick up the stapler in my hand and grip it.
“I have a reservation,” he sighs out the words like they’re being ripped from his soul and steeped with regret—which kind of pisses me off. I mean the place doesn’t look great, but I’ve done a lot of work and it’s not open for another two weeks—thanks to the electrical inspector.
“I’m sorry I’m not open for two weeks. You must have the wrong place,” I tell him sweetly. My grip has eased on the stapler a little. He’s probably not an axe murderer, at least there’s that. He’s just someone who is afraid he’s here to stay in my hotel. Which is understandable. I’ve sunk every dime I have into the place and there’s times at night I cry because I’m here. Still, he’s kind of rude about it and that makes me want to hit him with my stapler.
“I’m early. It’s there if you look, Aden Mc—Aden Smith,” he says and I frown.  Okay I realize there are reasons people check into hotels with the last name Smith. He doesn’t seem to have a woman with him however, so I doubt he’s hiding from jealous husbands. It’s not my problem though.
“I recognize the name, but it’s not until the twenty-sixth and as I said we’re not open yet,” I explain.  I look down at the hotel registry as if there are a million bookings—which is laughable. There’s only this guy, and I doubt many people will be knocking down my doors to book this place in advance. Still, a girl has to have hope…the irony that my name is Hope, does not escape me. My mother had a twisted sense of humor when it came to naming her children.
“Well I’m early,” he replies.
“I see that. It’s just we’re not opening for—”
“For another two weeks, I heard you the first time. However, I’m early and I need a room. Since you’re the only hotel in the area, we’re stuck,” he answers, as if he is explaining things to a small child. I grip the stapler tight again. I wonder if it would hurt business if the owner gets arrested for hurling a stapler at the head of a would-be guest. I’m guessing it might…Damn it.
“I’m sorry. I can’t accept guests until after I pass inspection. That’s why when you called, I specifically informed you that I would not be open for—”
“Let’s cut the crap, shall we?” he says abruptly, walking towards me. He struts, long stealthy strides, that look angry and I have no doubt are meant to intimidate—because they do.
“Stop!”  I tell him, without taking a minute to think about it. He does stop, however, mid-step.
“Listen, why don’t you quit angling here, and name your price,” he says, and immediately starts walking toward me again.
I hold up the stapler as if it was a weapon that was about to save the world from mass destruction.
“I think you better leave.”
“The nearest hotel I’ve passed besides this shit-hole is about three hours away and I’m too damn tired. How about you be a nice little girl and hand me a room key and let me crash.”
“I think maybe we have a language barrier, so I need you to listen and I’ll speak slowly so you understand. We. Aren’t. Open.”
“Name your price.”
“Excuse me?”
“I said name your price, lady. Everybody has one and from the looks of this place you definitely do. So how much to rent this place a week earlier?”
“I can’t—” I begin, but my mouth snaps shut quickly when he lays out a roll of hundreds on the counter. I actually drop the stapler. It crashes onto the counter with loud clanging noise causing me to jump. I can’t make myself look away to see if it’s destroyed.
“That’s twelve hundred dollars for your crappy room for one week. I doubt you’ll find that anywhere else, do you?”
“But we’re not ready for business. I haven’t had my final inspection,” I tell him again, trying to ignore his insults. The rooms aren’t great, but they’re much better than what they were. He’s just an asshole.
“I won’t tell if you don’t. So, do we have a deal?” he asks and he says it in a manner that I know he fully expects me to agree. I wish I could tell him to stuff his money, but the new air conditioning and wiring I have to get done before the inspection is a reality. This money and the money for the following week would pay for that. I can’t afford to say no…No matter how much I really want to.
“Twelve hundred for this week and twelve hundred for next?” I question him and I hate the look of victory that comes over his face.
“Yes.”
“Fine. The rooms aren’t completely ready, but I’ll give you our best one. It’s mostly finished and the air conditioning works good in there,” I tell him, and okay I’m kind of lying. The air conditioning does work, but sometimes the breakers blow if you use the receptacles in the bathroom.  This guy looks haggard as hell though. I doubt he knows what a blow dryer is and that’s really the only thing you use in the bathroom…Right?
“I’m sure it’s beautiful,” he mocks, as I grab the key to room number seven.  Seven is supposed to be a lucky number, but considering I’m contemplating picking my stapler back up and bludgeoning my new tenant with it…I have a feeling it’s not lucky at all for me.



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A QUIRKY WRITER GOING WHERE THE VOICES TAKE HER.
USA Today Best Selling Author Jordan Marie, is just a simple small town country girl who is haunted by Alpha Men who talk in her head 24 hours a day.

She currently has 14 books out including 2 that she wrote under the pen name Baylee Rose.

She likes to create a book that takes you on an emotional journey whether tears, laughter (or both) or just steamy hot fun (or all 3). She loves to connect with readers and interacting with them through social media, signings or even old fashioned email.
Twitter  Facebook  Web Goodreads  Amazon

JB Salsbury – Fighting For Honor New York Times and USA T...

JB Salsbury – Fighting For Honor
New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author JB Salsbury brings her Fighting series to Harper Sloan’s Hope Town in this Kindle Worlds exclusive, Fighting for Honor.
UFL fighter Caleb hasn’t been to Hope Town since he was eighteen.  His next big fight takes place in Atlanta and the serene lakefront home from his childhood is the perfect place to train without distractions.
Until he stumbles downstairs to find a woman in his house. He’s met her before, and he’s never forgotten.
Honor was raised by her grandfather, Crazy Colonel Cartwright. Ostracized at a young age she was an outcast. Combined with her awkward personality and she became the local bully’s favorite plaything.
Honor and Caleb come face-to-face and feelings from fourteen years ago come rushing back—not all of them good.
She prefers to remain unknown, but she’s seen in public with the world’s most talked about fighter and thrust into a national spotlight that catches the attention of her childhood tormentors.
And they aren’t finished with her yet.


Felicia Lynn: How To Breathe I can’t go back to the man I was any more than I can forget the memories locked inside me.  Few men qualified for the mission and even fewer were willing to accept the required life sentence.  Counting the days, good and bad, I exist as the world keeps spinning.  
There’s a price to pay for a life with a greater purpose, but the healing of time is a damn liar.  I’m supposed to be a dead man, and the silence couldn’t be more deafening.  Even though I could never look back, I thought I’d taken enough out of that life to carry me forward.  The success of the mission was meant to give the tragedy of my life meaning, but I’ve been stuck in this wreckage of my past . . . until now.  
One look into her eyes disarms me.  These walls I’ve built shouldn’t break on their own, but they crumble whenever she’s near.  I’ve spent years waiting for a reason to breathe again, and now that I have her within reach, I’m not sure I can keep her.  Is it possible to find both the missing piece of my soul and the remedy to my healing in one set of bright green eyes?

JM Walker: For You Brogan Tapp tries to be strong. Guilt and fear that the man she loves will fall within himself and not know how to find his way out, haunts her. Coby Porter vows not to let the demons in his mind take over. He plans a trip to save his relationship, once and for all. Hope Town, Georgia is the saving grace for their love, before the nightmares consume them both.





SR Watson – Deliverance Bleu Loren
My life has never been my own. I've always been a rule follower—the obedient girl who always did what she was told. I played the part given to me and got engaged to the man my parents set me up with. He was supposed to be my Prince Charming. He promised me a happily ever after, only he delivered a nightmare instead. Now I'm on the run. No money. No plan. Just freedom. How ironic is it that my desperate escape lands me in a place called Hope Town? I lost hope a long time ago.
Beau Rivers Lair
I'm a manwhore. It's a known fact and exactly how I like it. I make my own rules and live without expectations. Returning to Hope Town to help the woman who raised me with her restaurant meant my past was here to greet me, but I refuse to allow the mirage of possibilities to engulf me a second time around. I don't believe in love or fairy-tale endings. There's lust, and there's screwing. I don't have time for anyone or anything outside of these two principles. There is no hope for me. Accept it or not ... you've been warned!



Somethin’ Bad by Cat Mason
Tequila can make a woman do somethin’ stupid.Somethin’ bad…After celebrating my birthday with my best friends turns into the most embarrassing night of my life, the last thing I expected was to see him walk into my bakery. The sexy smile on his face lets me know that he has no intention of letting me off the hook either. He doesn’t want an apology or an explanation.He wants me.The way Matt Hudson crashes into my life and bosses me around as if he has known me all my life is frustrating. What’s even worse is the power he has to bring me to my knees with the flash of one his panty-melting smiles. He steals my control without even trying.Makes me want.Makes me need.Even when my life begins to unravel right before my eyes, there is a part of me hoping that the man my friends have dubbed Hunk P.D. may be something good to come out of all my heartache.

ABOUT HARPER SLOAN:Harper is a NEW YORK TIMES, WALL STREET JOURNAL and USA TODAY bestselling author residing in Georgia with her husband and three daughters. She has a borderline unhealthy obsession with books, hibachi, tattoos and Game of Thrones. When she isn't writing you can almost always find her with a book in hand.Facebook | Website | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | Goodreads | Amazon Author Page


ABOUT CORPS SECURITY:The entire Corps Security series is together for a limited time box set.Years after the Marines brought them together, the men of Corps Security are together again.These six novels follow their lives as they take a chance at love. Can love truly conquer all?From broken souls to broken hearts, they all will find out if they'll get their second chance at happily ever afters and that love really is worth fighting for.**Warning**
These books are intended for a mature reading audience and aren't suitable for younger readers. There are some mild scenes of abuse that happen outside of the relationship of the H/h in some of the books.AMAZON  |  iBooks

A grave injury leaves Hunter in a dangerous state. A plac...

A grave injury leaves Hunter in a dangerous state. A place where he can no longer see the light. In anything. But Mackenzie can’t—and won’t—accept that.

So she sends him a reason to live. With that comes unforeseen difficulties.

Once again, Mackenzie sees firsthand how strong Hunter’s love and determination can really be. But is that enough? Will their lives ever be the same again?




Coming September 28th









I'm a contemporary romance writer, who likes her men tattooed, her women independent and her coffee strong.

My stories are all about love, but some are of the romantic kind, some of the sad kind and others of the very steamy kind. So if you can stand drama, foul language and sex, you came to the right place.

Love, Annie


Author Links
Twitter  Blog  Goodreads  Amazon  

Have you seen the cover for Loving Storm by Carian Cole?!...

Have you seen the cover for Loving Storm by Carian Cole?!releasing on September 22nd, be prepared to fall in love all over again!Sign up for alerts about this book! → http://bookl.ink/loving-storm-signupADD to your TBR → http://bit.ly/2g62C0TEvieI met him in a snow storm...We spent forty-eight hours trapped in the back of his pickup truck.We fought.We touched.We fell.Hard.StormShe literally crashed into my life...The last thing I wanted was a relationship. Especially with a quirky chick who drove me insane. But something about her got under my skin, and into my heart.And I had to have her.All of her.Now.Falling in love in the back of a truck, just the two of us, was easy.Dealing with psycho fans, jealous exes, and demons from the past....not so easy.While Loving Storm can be enjoyed as a STANDALONE, it is best read after reading StormGrab STORM now! FREE with #KindleUnlimited!ONLY 99 pennies!Amazon US→ http://amzn.to/2wnFcuvAmazon Universal → myBook.to/StormCarianAbout the Author:I have a passion for the bad boys, those covered in tattoos, sexy smirks, ripped jeans, fast cars, motorcycles and of course, the sweet girls that try to tame them and win their hearts.My first novel in the best-selling Ashes & Embers series, Storm, published in September of 2014. I have many books and sequels slated for this series. My new spin-off series, Devils Wolves, launched in 2016 with the best-selling novel, Torn. There are several books planned for this series as well.Born and raised a Jersey girl, I now reside in beautiful New Hampshire with my husband and our multitude of furry pets and spend most of my time writing, reading, and vacuuming.Sign up for her newsletter: http://bit.ly/cariancolenewsFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/cariancoleauthorTwitter: www.twitter.com/CarianColeWeb site: www.cariancole.comEmail: carrie@cariancole.com

Title: I Hate Myself for Loving YouSeries: Scorned Lovers...

Title: I Hate Myself for Loving YouSeries: Scorned LoversAuthor: Simone HarlowGenre: Contemporary Romance Release Date: October 10, 2017  Rockstar Declan Shaw has everything. The talent that has made him a superstar. Golden God looks that ensures he can have any woman he wants. Money that lets him afford anything he wants. And fame that has garnered him a stalker. So he hires the one thing he doesn’t have. A bodyguard. A sexy, no-nonsense bodyguard who isn’t impressed with his talent, his looks, his money, or his fame.
Former Army Officer Jane Peterson is a battle hardened soldier. She is ready for anything. Even playing his fake girlfriend. What she isn’t ready for is Declan Shaw. The man who hides his caring nature behind his seductive jaded façade. For her failure is not an option. She will wrangle the rock star love God by any means necessary.What neither one of them counted on was the sizzling attraction between them. One that could jeopardize Declan’s life or expose Jane’s long held secrets.
Once upon a time Simone Harlow decided to write a book. She never understood why she had to write a book she just did. She has a great life. A family that loves her. Friends she can mother. And a dog who thinks she’s his reason for living. (No, really, he told her so.) She should be content. But alas she still had to write that book. So she did, and it was the beginning of an excellent adventure.


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VIGOR, A Spartan Riders Novelby J.C. ValentineSpartan Rid...

VIGOR, A Spartan Riders Novelby J.C. ValentineSpartan Riders, #3Cover Designer: Sara EirewPublication Date: August 29, 2017Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance, MC Romance, Bikers, Standalone
AVAILABLE NOW!Amazon: http://amzn.to/2vDoAhEPaperback: http://amzn.to/2xoBZIZAmazon UK: http://amzn.to/2ugJjbIAmazon CA: http://amzn.to/2wxysa1Amazon AUS: http://amzn.to/2hzwEKS SYNOPSIS:USA Today and International bestselling author J.C. Valentine is back with the latest in her electrifying, dangerous, and provocative world of the Spartan Riders MC…After escaping an abusive marriage, Spartan Riders bartender Ginger “Red” Mercury is determined to live life on her own terms. When the club’s VP declares her untouchable and stakes his own claim on her, she finds herself ready to wage war.A year after inoculating the threat from notorious cartel leader Ricky Cruiz, Garrick “Repo” Stone, the last-standing original member of the Spartan Riders MC, has his focus on something else: monogamy. Having decided to settle down and take an ol’ lady, he has his sights set on Red…and he has his work cut out for him if he hopes to win her.When a new threat makes itself known, threatening everything the brothers stand for and care about, they’re left scrambling to find out who’s behind it before it’s too late. With the high-stakes game of war looming over them, will Red be able to open her heart to love before outside forces pull her and Repo apart? EXCERPTGinger opened her eyes to the feel of Garrick’s fingertips lightly stroking the side of her face and realized she’d fallen asleep.Breathing deep, she sat back, wincing at the pinch in her spine. “How long was I out?” she asked groggily as she touched her fingers to her hot, damp cheek—the one that’d been pressed against his chest.“About an hour.” Garrick plucked his shirt, grimacing. “You drool.”“I do not!” Ginger flushed, feeling fifty shades of embarrassed. Because sometimes she did drool. But she was not about to admit that. “Tell that to my shirt.” He looked over at her and smirked. “No worries, babe. Your secret is safe with me. Besides, it’s nice to know you have at least one flaw.”Ginger scowled, then frowned as his words registered. “You thought I was, what, perfect?”“The thought had occurred to me.” Standing, Garrick crossed his arms over one another, grabbed the hem of his shirt, and stripped it over his head.Ginger could only stare at the perfection he presented. Even for an older man, he had an incredible body. It was obvious from the thick, defined muscle that he took care of himself. And that dusting of salt and pepper hair that ran in an upside-down V from his chest to his waistband got her panties all in a twist.He was so masculine and sexy, it hurt to look at him.Licking her lips, Ginger remembered their conversation. “Well, I’m not perfect. I’m just me. You though…wow.”Oh man, had she just said that out loud? Garrick’s gaze captured hers, and yeah, she definitely had. And it was clearly going to his head.And not the one in his pants.“Like what you see?”Well, she’d already stuck her foot in it. No sense in beating around the bush now. “You know I do.” They’d had sex before, and she’d let him go down on her last night. Considering how wet she’d been then, it should be obvious.“Then maybe,” Garrick said, his gruff voice full of seduction as he leaned down over her, bracing his hands on the back of the couch, so she had to tilt her head all the way back to meet his eyes, “you should act on it.”Ginger pressed her lips together. Her fingers itched to touch him, to explore the body that’d felt so good on hers so long ago. She wanted to get properly reacquainted. But should she? She’d already messed up and let him do things she never should have allowed. If she took this step, if she let him have her completely…he’d have her completely.And he knew it.REVIEWThis was grittier than I'm used too when it comes to JC Valentine, but it didn't make it any less enjoyable. I love MC romances and this one was spicy, but not so over the top that it felt unreal. I loved Repo and look forward to the other books in the series. If you haven't read the first two books...you have too!!

Red was her own woman. I like strong woman who give as good as they get and this book had that. I don't like weak heroines. This had the alpha character and it had side characters that were endearing. Made for a memorable third in the series.
COMING THIS OCTOBER... #PREORDER YOUR COPY NOW!Amazon: http://amzn.to/2wgaiBTSYNOPSIS:Taco's story...blurb coming soon! ABOUT J.C. VALENTINE [image error] J.C. Valentine is the USA Today and International bestselling author of the Night Calls and Wayward Fighters Series and the Forbidden Trilogy. Her vivid imagination and love of words and romance had her penning her own romance stories from an early age, which, despite being poorly edited and written longhand, she forced friends and family members to read. No, she isn’t sorry.Living in the Northwest, she has three amazing children and far too many pets. Among the many hats she wears, J.C. is an entrepreneur. Having graduated with honors, she holds a Bachelor’s in English and when she isn’t writing, you can find her editing for fellow authors.Sign up for J.C.’s newsletter and never miss a thing! http://bit.ly/1KxXWWBWebsite • Twitter • Facebook • Pinterest • Google+ • Amazon Author Page • GoodreadsENTER THE GIVEAWAY a Rafflecopter giveaway

Are you ready to be SACKED?Sacked in Seattle by Jami Dave...

Are you ready to be SACKED?Sacked in Seattle by Jami Davenport is NOW LIVE!GRAB IT NOW!iBooks: http://apple.co/2trJE6gAmazon: http://amzn.to/2uGh4SlNook: http://bit.ly/2sxto7uKobo: http://bit.ly/2rlCSP9

REVIEW

Riley's been in love with Tiff since high school, but she left the day after graduation and took his heart with her. Tiff has been running from what she's felt for Riley for years and now she's back because she can't afford out of state tuition anymore. All the feelings they both felt in the past are back and stronger than ever, but they have a lot to climb over...mainly Tiff's insurmountable feelings over an incident that happened their second year of high school that forever changed their lives and eight of their friends lives.

I loved Riley in this book. I thought he was handed a bad lot in life, but that he dealt with his demons and moved on. Tiff just existed to me and sometimes her excuses were headbangingly obvious and trite. I wanted to shake her, but then there was one line in the book that might save everyone from putting it down halfway through:

"And then she was gone."

That's why she felt the way she felt all those years because her best friend, who Riley liked at first...died and all Tiff could think and feel was how she just wanted her to be gone from his life and then she was gone leaving Tiff to feel guilty. It was a horrible set of circumstances, but Riley loved her through all of it. This was a heartbreaking story. It was worth the read once I started to understand where Tiff was coming from. I don't think this is a book for the younger crowd, but for 18 and over - it's fine. The plot was well-written and could have wrapped up sooner but it was ended well. I can't wait for Gage's story!!

He's loved Tiff since high school--but tragedy has blockaded her heart.Tyee University football player Riley Black has adored Tiff since high school, but she's never felt the same way. As Riley enters his senior year of college, he's finally moving on and enjoying the perks of being a star athlete. Until one glimpse of Tiff unearths all those old feelings of longing and desire, not to mention the trauma of their shared past.Tiffani Vernon has been running from her demons for seven years. When she's forced to return to Seattle for financial reasons and attend the same college as Riley, she's confronted with the traumatic event which has shaped her future and scarred her memories of Riley. Tiff struggles to avoid her secret high school crush, but he's not having any of it. He's pursuing her with a relentless determination to prove once and for all, they were meant to be together.Can love finally heal their wounds or will they succumb to the pain and forever wonder what could have been?EXCERPT:Chapter 1—Running* Riley *Life-changing moments can be as obvious as a guy holding a gun to your forehead or as subtle as glimpsing a face in a crowd.That gun and that face haunted my nights and often my days.I hadn’t laid eyes on Tiffani Vernon since the night of our high school graduation over three years ago. She couldn’t leave Seattle fast enough, while I’d never considered going anywhere else. Seattle was the only real home I’d ever known, and I wanted to stay here and make things better. Face my fears head on. You know, crap like that.Tiff ran from her fears, and our last night together had been epic, unforgettable, and scary as shit. She sped out of town and never looked back—especially not at me.I knew why. It wasn’t personal, but that didn’t make me feel any better.I reminded her of that horrible, awful day when our lives hung in the balance, the world shifted in a matter of minutes, and nothing would ever be the same again.And there wasn’t a damn thing I could do about it.Except move on.And I had.Or I thought I had, until I saw her standing across that proverbial crowded room. Our eyes met. Her brown ones to my blue ones. Recognition flashed in her eyes, then panic. Her mouth opened as if she were going to say something. Her expression went soft with regret. Shaking her head, she turned and ran, weaving through the crowd faster than a running back angling for the end zone. Her little pink skirt swished back and forth, calling attention to her fine ass and shapely legs. She was so smoking hot, heads swiveled as she passed.Pain stabbed deep in my gut. Memories flooded back and slammed me to the turf, leaving me stuck to the beer-soaked floor. Graduation night. Her skin glowed in the moonlight as she gave herself to me, body and soul. I lost myself inside her, certain we’d be together forever. She left town the next morning, and I never saw her again.Squelching that memory, I stood alone in a crowd of people, hearing nothing, sensing nothing, seeing nothing but the place where she’d stood a second ago. People elbowed me in their haste to get to the keg of beer I was blocking.I shook my head, attempting to clear it.She couldn’t be here.She should be at USC starting her senior year, just as I was starting mine at the Ty, what us locals call Tyee University on Lake Union in Seattle.She’d traded the rain and mud for sun and sand, and she’d traded me for surfer dudes and Hollywood wannabes.But now she was back.My feet refused to follow my orders. All I could do was gape open-mouthed like some creep with a stalker crush. There’d been other times I’d sworn I’d seen her, only to race after her and embarrass the hell out of myself when I found out the poor girl I’d dogged wasn’t Tiffani.But we’d locked gazes this time, and there wasn’t any doubt in my mind. She was here. I tried to swallow, clear my throat, gulp in some oxygen. I swear my organs were either shutting down or going into overload. My heart slammed in my chest as if building to detonation, and my head pounded to the beat of the music in the room.Oblivious to my disinterest, the blonde who’d been hustling me all night leaned in closer and gripped my arm. She slipped her tongue in my ear while her hand migrated to my crotch. I gave her a gentle shove, not giving one shit how rude my behavior was, even though I usually prided myself on being a nice guy.“Later,” I told her and pushed through the throng of frat-house party-goers.Almost frantic, I shoved my way to where I’d last seen her and caught a flash of blonde hair as she slipped out the door. I dashed after her down the sidewalk into the street and glanced left and right. She was gone, vanished into thin air as if she’d never existed. I waited five, then ten minutes, she never reappeared.With a sigh, I trudged back to the party, ignoring the curious stares of the guys. I sank onto the couch in the living room, next to a couple of teammates, and faked interest in a football game on TV. My heart thudded wildly, and my hand shook as I lifted a pizza slice to my lips.My eyes met the concerned blue gaze of my best friend, Gage Harmon, the team quarterback, campus man slut, and proud of both titles. He was chewing slowly and staring at me as if he expected me to strip naked and dance on the table while stone-cold sober.“You okay, Ry man?”“Yeah, fine. Thought I saw someone. I was wrong.”One brow crept upward, disappearing under his messy blond hair. “Female?”I nodded, refusing to meet his gaze on the off-chance he’d see the pathetic truth and peg me for the idiot I was. What kind of loser pines after a girl this long when he has the world at his feet?This loser.Tiff was the only girl I’d ever truly loved.And I’d never stopped loving her, as fucked up as that was.* Tiff *Running into Riley Black was inevitable. The Tyee campus was big, but obviously not big enough. Even so, I hadn’t expected to see him during my first week of classes. I’d carefully avoided the areas where he might be hanging out, such as Greek Row, and opted for an off-campus apartment. I planned my classes to avoid being near the football field and gym in the afternoons when he’d most likely be practicing. I timed everything with careful attention to detail and avoidance. Lot of good that did me.Coming to this party had been a lapse in judgment. I should’ve known he’d be here. Maybe I secretly hoped to run into him, just to torture myself. Maybe I was all kinds of screwed up.Okay, well, that’s stating the obvious. Ask my family. Ask my counselor. Ask my horse. They’d all agree. I, Tiffani Grace Vernon, was one fucked-up girl, and years of therapy had barely put a dent in my tormented past. Through no fault of his own, Riley brought back every traumatic memory of that fateful day when my charmed life became a living nightmare. He was a victim as much as I was.Now, here we were. At the same frat party. I shouldn’t have come.Our eyes met, and recognition instantly lit up his gaze. Those same cobalt blue eyes had studied me intently from across the room in our high school biology class. They’d watched me ride my horse in endless circles at the arena near his aunt’s house. Those same eyes had opened wide in horror as my ex-boyfriend, also his teammate, pointed a gun at each of us, aimed, and pulled the trigger. The loud bang had deafened me, and the smell of iron had filled my nostrils, followed by the wrenching pain of being slammed to the ground.Oh God. Oh God. Oh God.Seeing him brought it all back as if it had happened six minutes ago instead of almost seven years.Maybe seeing me did the same for him, too? He’d gaped at me like he’d seen a ghost. Momentarily frozen in shock, his mouth opened and closed as if he were trying to say something but couldn’t. Not that I would have heard him over the sea of drunken partygoers and the roar in my ears.My brain clawed at the last shred of sanity as wave after wave of dizziness sucked me deeper into a swirling abyss of darkness. My lungs begged for oxygen until I had to be blue in the face. My legs wobbled, and I stuck out a hand to steady myself. Swaying like a drunken sailor, I accidentally buried my fingers in some sorority girl’s cleavage. She raised her hand to take a swing at me but was too wasted to come close.“You stupid, perverted bitch.”Whatever. She was the least of my worries.The music was so loud, no one paid attention to us. I wasn’t a fighter, and the time had come to get my ass out of here, not so much to run from her—I could handle her—but to get away from him and the demons nipping at my heelsI abandoned my beer on a windowsill and shoved my way through the crowd, desperate to exit as quickly as possible. Glancing over my shoulder, I saw Riley dodging people in the crowd with deft footwork that would do any running back proud. Only he wasn’t a running back. He was a tight end. The starting tight end for Tyee University. A big man on campus with an NHL star uncle.And I was—Nobody.And I planned on keeping it that way. I didn’t have any interest in being in the spotlight or even in a flashlight.It’d been a mistake to enroll here, but I hadn’t had a choice. My parents’ divorce had been costly, leaving no money for out-of-state tuition. So here was I was. Back in the area I both loved and despised among the best of memories drowned out by the worst of tragedies with the one person who played a part in both.I ran out the door and down the front steps, knowing he was only seconds behind. Glancing around desperately, I dived into some bushes in front of the apartment building next to the frat house and huddled in the darkness.I waited what seemed like hours.Finally, I peeked through the branches of the bush. Riley stood there, several feet away, gazing down the street with such profound sadness, you’d think he’d lost his best friend. His big hands hung loosely at his sides. He still had that one lock of dark hard that refused to stay in place. He looked the same, but different. A familiar face, yet a stranger.Shaking his head, Riley trudged back inside, his shoulders slumped and his feet dragging.I almost ran after him—almost—but I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t invite the one person back into my life who could destroy every bit of progress I’d made since high school. Even worse, I couldn’t drag him down with me.I waited long after he’d gone inside before creeping along the side of the building, and around the corner. I ran the several blocks home and collapsed on my bed. Only then did the wrenching sobs shake my body and wring every bit of emotion from my soul until nothing was left but bone-deep weariness.ABOUT THE AUTHOR:USA Today Bestselling Author Jami Davenport writes sexy contemporary, sports, and new adult romances, including her two new indie endeavors: the Game On in Seattle series and the Men of Tyee series. Jami lives on a small farm near Puget Sound with her Green Beret-turned-plumber husband, a Newfoundland dog with a tennis-ball fetish, and a prince disguised as an orange tabby cat. She works in computer support in her day job and juggles too many balls, but she wouldn't have it any other way.Connect with Jami!Subscribe to her newsletter to receive a free novel and be notified of new releases, special sales, and contests: http://eepurl.com/LpfaLWebsite Address: http://www.jamidavenport.comTwitter Address: @jamidavenportFacebook Address: http://www.facebook.com/jamidavenportPinterest: http://pinterest.com/jamidavenport/Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1637218.Jami_Davenport

Title: Boss GirlA Minnesota Ice Series NovelAuthor: Lily ...

Title: Boss GirlA Minnesota Ice Series NovelAuthor: Lily KateGenre: Romantic ComedyRelease Date: August 29, 2017


Blurb
Good things come in extra-tall, smoking hot stilettos.
Things like Jocelyn Jones.
Jocelyn “Ice Queen” Jones is the hottest agent in town, and I’m determined to make her mine. My agent, that is. She’s the best at what she does, which is why I’m intent on keeping our relationship strictly platonic, even if the sexual tension between us is thick enough to slice with a skate. After all, I already have a woman in my life. My daughter, Charli, and we’re not sure if there’s room for someone else.
Until Jocelyn Jones breaks all the rules. She lets her icy exterior begin to melt, treating me to a view no man has ever seen before. Suddenly, I’m no longer certain if I want to be on her roster, or in her bed—for good.
Tangling business with pleasure has never been on the agenda. Then again, neither has falling in love.
They say it’s bad business to sleep with the boss.
But they haven’t met Jocelyn Jones.

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REVIEW
This was second in the series and was super cute and well written. So, imagine my surprise when I find out that the hero in the book is Landon??! I know, right!! Landon Boxer is the one with the 6-year-old little girl and y'all know how in love kids in my books! This is no exception.  This books had it all...a child who brings a couple together, a really sweet Alpha male, suspense and intrigue, and a strong, feisty heroine, a great plot/storyline. It has everything I've come to love of Lily's books and more!!♡ Pick it upPurchase Links
99c for a limited time
AMAZON US / UK / CA / AUB&N / KOBO / iBOOKS





Author Bio
USA TODAY bestselling author Lily Kate works a pretttttty boring day job and writes books filled with heat, heart, and humor by night. Her debut novel, Delivery Girl, landed instantly on the USA TODAY list, thanks to all of her fabulous readers! :) 
When she’s not writing books, you may find her watching Christmas movies before Thanksgiving, eating whipped cream from the can, or hanging out with her family.


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From New York Times Bestselling author Ge...

   
From New York Times Bestselling author Gena Showalter, comes the next standalone romance in the Original Heartbreakers Series —CAN’T HARDLY BREATHE! Grab your copy today! 
CAN’T HARDLY BREATHE Synopsis:New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter returns with an irresistible Original Heartbreakers story about a woman who’s never felt desired and the man who wants her more than air to breathe…Bullied in high school, Dorothea Mathis’s past is full of memories she’d rather forget. But there’s one she can’t seem to shake—her longstanding crush on former Army Ranger Daniel Porter. Now that the sexy bad boy has started using her inn as his personal playground, she should kick him out...but his every heated glance makes her want to join him instead.Daniel returned to Strawberry Valley, Oklahoma to care for his ailing father and burn off a little steam with no strings attached. Though he craves the curvy Dorothea night and day, he’s as marred by his past as she is by hers. The more he desires her, the more he fears losing her.But every sizzling encounter leaves him desperate for more, and soon Daniel must make a choice: take a chance on love or walk away forever. 

Dorothea and Daniel are HOT together. I related to Dorothea sooo much. I grew up overweight and had a crush on a boy who seemed to not notice me and by the time we got our act together (he got his together) it was too late. This book resonated with me. I don't have a bratty sister...I so wanted her to just tell her the truth at the very beginning about her scum of an ex husband. Like, seriously who cares that she thinks of him as a sibling...she'll deal!! I loved the other characters in this book and seeing some of the old ones from others just made me happy. I love this series...did I tell y'all how much I love this series? Cause I so do!!! Pick it up, gift it to your friends and let yo mama read it....it's worth the time!!Get your copy of CAN’T HARDLY BREATHE here! 
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EXCERPT:Dorothea Mathis studied the last room on her cleanup schedule and groaned. The bed had been wrecked, the comforter and pillows tossed haphazardly on the floor. A pair of panties hung from a bedpost. The TV remote had been busted, th       

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About Gena Showalter: Gena Showalter is the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of the spellbinding Lords of the Underworld and Angels of the Dark series, two young adult series--Everlife and the White Rabbit Chronicles--and the highly addictive Original Heartbreakers series. In addition to being a National Reader's Choice and two time RITA nominee, her romance novels have appeared in Cosmopolitan (Red Hot Read) and Seventeen magazine, she's appeared on Nightline and been mentioned in Orange is the New Black--if you ask her about it, she'll talk for hours…hours! Her books have been translated in multiple languages. She’s hard at work on her next novel, a tale featuring an alpha male with a dark side and the strong woman who brings him to his knees. You can learn more about Gena, her menagerie of rescue dogs, and all her upcoming books at genashowalter.com or Facebook.com/genashowalterfans    
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Something sinister lurks!Pitch Dark - from the twisted mi...

Something sinister lurks!Pitch Dark - from the twisted minds of A.M. Wilson & Alex Grayson - is coming SO soon!Genre: Dark RomanceRelease Date: September 15, 2017
ADD TO YOUR TBR NOW: http://bit.ly/2utq2Aq
BLURB:One girl disappeared. After fifteen years, her cold lifeless body was found on the damp forest floor. Not an inch of her was unmarked by the horrors she endured. Alone, malnourished, abused in horrific ways; this was how she died.
One girl was found walking the streets, covered in dirt and scars. She had no memory of who she was, where she came from, or what happened to her. Even though the marks on her body attested to years of heinous abuse, her strength shone through at every turn.
Revenge and justice were sworn.
Years of searching brought up nothing but dead ends. Detective Niko James was too late to save his childhood friend, but he vows not to let down another.
The clock is ticking and the trail is pitch dark.About A.M. and Alex:
Avid readers and writers of suspenseful romances, both A.M. and Alex enjoy torturing their readers with twisted tales and crazy dark scenarios.
Find A.M. Online:Amazon: http://amzn.to/2g6LuIJBookBub: http://bit.ly/2vorgvIFacebook: http://bit.ly/2wE8uESGoodreads: http://bit.ly/2wnERI8Twitter: http://bit.ly/2w3dqRkWebsite: https://amwilson.net
Find Alex Online:Amazon: http://amzn.to/2tQYRC8BookBub: http://bit.ly/2upSbrKFacebook: http://bit.ly/2qs61qFGoodreads: http://bit.ly/2rHxjxLTwitter: http://bit.ly/2qXlMsZWebsite: http://www.alexgraysonbooks.com