Fresh off of a messy divorce, Jeannie Dubois isn’t looking for anything more than friendship, and Aiden Walsh is more than happy to fill that role. But when these two friends become lovers, things quickly turn complicated. Can Aiden prove to Jeannie that they’re meant to be more than friends or will she send him back to the friend zone? Readers who enjoy spicy romances will devour Friend Zoned by Evelyn Sola, a steamy friends-to-lovers romance.
Friend Zoned
by Evelyn Sola
Blurb:
They say the best things come when you least expect it.
Burned by her ex-husband and a messy divorce, Jeannie Dubois isn’t looking for anything more than a good friend. Besides, she’s still dealing with the ex-husband who can’t seem to let her go.
Insert NBA coach, Aiden Walsh. Sure, he wants so much more than friendship with the beautiful woman he met at a wedding, but he’s sure he can play the part and he’s good at biding his time. So, for now, he’ll fill any role she wants.
But when these two friends become lovers, things quickly turn complicated when Jeannie finds out Aiden is so much more than just Manhattan’s favorite coach.
Can Aiden prove to Jeannie that they’re meant to be so much more, or will she send him back to the friend zone?
“Jeannie,” Vickie, the bride, says. She’s so beautiful with the happy newly married glow. “Have you met Colt’s coach, Aiden?”
Shocked by the question, I look around the room and hope my mother will come save me, but she’s too busy talking and laughing to bother noticing me. I clear my throat and offer him my hand. His large palm practically envelops it. When he lifts my knuckles to his lips and kisses them, I almost combust into flames. It’s been almost two years since I felt a man’s lips on any part of me. That must be why my body is short circuiting right now. But if I have a few more drinks, I’m going to drag him into a dark corner and have my way with him. I clear my throat and yank my hand away.
“So, you ah, coach football?” I ask, unsure of what else I could possibly ask. I try to think of any information my mother has given me. She says Mr. Colt is a football player. Vickie giggles and Colt groans.
“Basketball,” Aiden corrects.
“Are you sure?” I ask. “My mom said you’re a football player,” I say to Colt.
Vickie tries to hide her laugh but fails.
“I’m going to have a talk with Myra,” Colt says, but he’s being playful, so I’m not completely mortified by my faux pas.
“Yeah, and I’m pretty sure I coach basketball, not football,” Aidan says.
“Oh.” I wave my hand. “I don’t watch either.” I turn back to my chair, certain that they think I’m an idiot and will leave me alone now.
“More of a reader, I see,” Aiden responds. “What book has you so engrossed?”
My eyes dart to the table in search of my book. I thank a higher power that it’s safely inside my purse. No need to let these newlyweds and the sexy one know that my life is a train wreck. “Nothing you would find particularly interesting.” I clear my throat, but when I turn to look at Aiden, he’s looking directly at me.
“Try me,” he says. I take a step toward the table, grab my purse and shove it under my chair. No way in hell he’ll see this book.
*****
Author Info:
A Boston native, wife, mother, and wine enthusiast. If she’s not writing, thinking about writing, you will find Evelyn with a book in her hands. While a new publisher, she’s been writing for years, and she will continue to write for many years to come.
Evelyn is obsessed with assertive and confident men who will stop at nothing to get their woman. Her stories are filled with love, passion, and humor.
She currently lives in Chicago, IL with her husband and two daughters.
It’s hard to keep a big secret in a small town . . .
When Paige Hollister discovers her “Mr. Right” already has a “Mrs. Right,” she swears off men forever. Even more humiliating, she suddenly finds herself labeled the other woman and out of the teaching job she loves. So Paige does what every unemployed single woman staring thirty in the face does: She hightails it to the beach. Bad luck like hers is hard to outrun, however. Her getaway is stalled when her car breaks down in a small-town chock full of meddling, nosy residents. The worst of them being the local sheriff—none other than her estranged father.
Finally on top of the golf world, Tanner Gillette is poised to show everyone he’s not just an entitled playboy coasting through tournaments on his pedigree. That is until his life is turned upside down by a little girl who shows up on his doorstep with a birth certificate inexplicably bearing his name. Complicating matters more, the kid isn’t talking. When the stress of caring for a child whose mother is AWOL gives Tanner a bad case of the yips, he’s forced to enlist help from the one person in town who can’t wait to leave.
Sticking around Chances Inlet and her father’s shiny new, über-successful family isn’t on Paige’s to-do list. Especially when she’d prefer to keep her embarrassing incident under wraps. Yet she can’t walk away from the troubled little girl. Or the sexy Australian golfer who just might make her want to take a chance on trusting her heart again.
Tanner was already halfway to her when his brain kicked in, reminding him that this was unwise. He was supposed to be avoiding Paige. He couldn’t be trusted around her. But he couldn’t retreat now. Not when he could feel the eyes of every woman at the pool tracking him.
Make that every woman except Paige Hollister. She was too engrossed in her book to notice.
“Where’s Whitney?” he practically barked when he tossed down his towel onto the chaise next to her.
Paige jolted at the sound of his voice before pulling her sunglasses down and eyeballing him. “She and Emily went joyriding in your golf cart.”
“Not funny.” Her snark had him relaxing. He needn’t be worried about Whitney. Paige took her role very seriously. Likely, she was off with Kate and Emily somewhere. He stepped out of his slides before lowering himself down to the chair.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
“That should be obvious.” He let out a satisfying sigh, crossed his bare feet at the ankles and closed his eyes.
Paige huffed beside him. “Fine. Kate is taking the kids for lunch after visiting the sea turtle rescue hospital.” She shoved her book into a canvas bag. “I’ll just finish my book on the porch at home.”
Let her go, his brain screamed. The rest of him wasn’t listening, however. Without opening his eyes, his fingers reached between them, finding her wrist, gently encircling it.
“Stay,” he heard himself saying. Opening his eyes, he turned toward her. “Please,” he whispered, not liking the pleading tone of his voice one bit.
Paige’s eyes leapt from his hand on her wrist, up to his face, only to drop back down to where her skin was scorching his. Judging by the wary expression on her face, she thought it was a bad idea, also. Still, she sank her teeth into her bottom lip before nodding.
Relief raced through him. He brushed the pad of his thumb against the pulse throbbing at her wrist. Time seemed to stand still.
“I’ve got your lunch, Mr. Gillette,” a voice from above announced.
Paige yanked her hand away. The server was holding a folding table, but he seemed unsure where to put it until Paige gestured wildly to place it between them. She grabbed a fry from the plate and popped it into her mouth before he’d even set it down.
“Mmm. Do you have any ketchup?”
The server produced several packets from his pocket. “Anything else, sir?”
Paige picked up half the club sandwich and unabashedly took a bite.
Tanner sighed. “Apparently I’m going to need another one of those.”
“And an Arnold Palmer,” Paige mumbled around the food in her mouth.
Tanner held up two fingers. The befuddled server nodded and disappeared.
“Enjoying yourself?”
“Mmm,” she replied. “You might have mentioned lunch was part of the deal. I wouldn’t have been in such a rush to leave.”
He shook his head to avoid laughing at her cheekiness. “Thank you.”
She paused mid-bite. “Does that mean lunch is on me?”
This time he did laugh. “No. Thank you for staying.”
Her eyes darted away. Despite her outward bravado, she was skittish around him today. Not that he blamed her. He turned into a fool whenever he was near her.
The server brought their drinks. Paige swallowed half of hers in one gulp.
“I doubt you would have been lonely too long,” she said.
“Precisely what I’m trying to avoid.”
She lowered her sunglasses again. “Are you telling me I’m the . . . what? Some sort of decoy?”
“It’s been my experience that women won’t approach me if I’ve got a beautiful woman by my side.”
Paige choked on a fry. Tanner leaned over to slap her on the back. She glared at him when he let his hand linger too long.
“Puh-lease. I’m no competition for those women.” She waved a hand in the direction of the co-eds shimmying to an R&B song blasting from one of their mobile phones.
Was she kidding?
How could this woman not know she was a stunner? He let his eyes wander down her torso, lush and full in all the right places. Her legs were sturdy and toned right down to the purple nail polish on her toes. But it was the challenge in those pale blue eyes of hers that always seemed to draw him in. That and her saucy, sinful mouth.
“Why do women always do that?”
“Do what?”
“Put themselves down. Find fault with their appearance no matter how gorgeous they are.”
Her mouth opened and closed twice. “Well—”
“No,” he argued. “Don’t you dare shame your body, Paige Hollister. It’s magnificent just the way it is. You are beautiful just the way you are. Any man who doesn’t see that is a damn fool.”
*****
Review:
(warning: maybe some slight spoilers)
This is the first in this series that I’ve read so that may have something to do with it, but I really didn’t quite understand Paige’s bad feelings toward her dad. I get that he wasn’t there for her growing up, but I felt like I was missing something that would explain why she was so against getting to know him. Maybe it was explored more in his story. I also was a little lost on why she was so adamant about keeping quiet what was going on in her life. I get why she’d be a little embarrassed, but she seemed to take it a little far.
I did like her with Tanner though. I found them to be amusing & entertaining as they flirted and danced around their attraction. They were fun together and their obvious affection for Whitney endeared them even more.
Speaking of Tanner, he’s dealing with a lot. I felt so bad for him, with his childhood and then losing his brother. That’s a lot for anyone to handle but throw a surprise kid in the mix and it’s a good excuse to be a less than stand-up guy. Not our Tanner though. He’s there to support Whitney (and Paige) in any way he can and as all the details come out, he’s does the best he can for everyone involved, every step of the way.
Family drama mixes wonderfully with a little bit of a mystery, a small-town HEA romance, & meddling busy body family creating a delightful beach read. If the rest of Solheim’s books are like this one, I’ve got quite a few titles to add to my TBR pile!
*****
Author Info:
USA Today bestselling author Tracy Solheim writes books with shirtless men on the cover. Some of them are actually best-sellers. The books, not the men. When she’s not writing, she’s practicing her curling. . . bottles of wine, that is. She’s been known to cook dinner but no more than two nights in a row. Most days, she’d rather be reading, which to her is just necessary research. She lives in the suburbs of Atlanta with her husband and a neurotic Labrador retriever. Her two adult children visit but not often enough. (See the note above about cooking.) Check out her romantic suspense series featuring the Men of the Secret Service–shirtless, of course! See what she’s up to at http://www.tracysolheim.com
‘Your brass is ballsy, Kage Sable.’ – Harlow Meridien.
Running from her past, Harlow lives for the present. She’s sassy-smart-strong. A genius, generous, confident scientist developing a groundbreaking propulsion technology that’s attracted the attention of The Sable Group, and Kage Sable, to be exact.
He’s a master builder, an ex-warrior, a kick-ass engineer with sexy nerd energy and her new ‘boss’. His shop is responsible for an enviable fleet of high-tech corvettes, luxury flyers and racing pinnaces – helping to cement the Sable Riders’ dominance across Pegasi.
Convinced she’s the woman for him, Kage is determined to make Harlow his. He strongly believes every superwoman needs a superman. Problem is, she’s not so sure. She’s got a bad history with men. All she wants to do is focus on her work that could shift the balance of power in the Pegasi System.
She’s wary of Kage’s moxie and full-on thrust at life and love and doesn’t think she’s ready for that much intensity yet. But he slowly draws her in, one delicious moment at a time.
From subterranean speakeasies, sunken casinos and ancient ruins to fighting dens and exquisite eateries, Kage takes Harlow on dizzying flights of pure bliss across Eden II to convince her he’s light years from the ‘lame, always running game’ losers of her past. Instead, he’s a real man with strong convictions and the best intentions, who believes in an impossible love.
Together, they’ll fight for the relationship they want while keeping their top-secret breakthrough from a swarm of greedy, ruthless galactic hustlers. Together, they’ll fall into a twilight dusk of heady love and impossible starlight.
If you’re in the mood for:
A strong, smart heroine AND a sexy, badass anti-hero Unrequited love and personal growth sagas that span a universe Steamy, hot epic jolts! Paranormal action All the feels AND heartfelt escapism
Then take to the Skies Above Eden II. A whole new world awaits you.
Forgive me kara, if I’m being too forward or intense,’ Kage said softly. ‘But I’ve never met a woman quite like you,’ he rumbled into her ear. ‘Not my fault you’ve spent time with women who can’t compare to me,’ she said with a soft smile. He gave her a long look. ‘Too right,’ he finally drawled. ‘And now that I’ve met you, what should I do about it? I can’t go back to all those other girls who don’t live up to you.’ ‘You’re going to have to try existing without me because I’m unavailable,’ she shot back. ‘Says who?’ ‘Says me, and there’s nothing you can do about it.’ ‘Is that right?’ ‘Yep, you’ll never have me,’ she said. He let out a loud laugh. ‘You know all you’re doing is waving a red flag in front of this bull?’ ‘And just like a matador at the top of their game, I’m going to escape you.’ ‘Are you daring me?’ ‘Damn right,’ she said, then she slapped her hand over her mouth when she realised her mistake. ‘No, I meant no, I’m not.’ ‘Too late, Harlow, game on,’ he drawled. She saw a glint in his eye that sent a shiver down her spine. ‘I’m serious; I’m not in the game,’ she retorted. ‘Well, that’s good, babe, because if I ever decide that I want you, it won’t be a game. I’m not those lame-ass, gamin’ losers you’re used to. Trust me, they’re not even in my race, let along in my league. See, I’m a man with no shame in going after the prize I want. I’ll give you the time, kara, but don’t keep me waiting too long.’ This time she almost choked at his absolute balls. He had quite the pair. ‘Play all your want, Kage. Doesn’t mean you’ll win,’ she managed to breathe out. ‘Thing is, babe, you need to win too, for this to work,’ he said, a small smile on his lips. ‘Which is why this is more than just a game to me.’ She heard the depth of care in his words and felt like she was being pulled into a hot, thick whirlpool of longing for something beyond her reach. What was he doing to her? She nailed him with a long look. ‘Your brass is ballsy, Kage Sable,’ she eventually retorted. She turned around and stepped out of his hold of her. But she shot him a look over her shoulder that was part tease, part challenge. He winked long and slow back at her, placing a thick arm on the gold frames of the cloud-shaped enclosure on either side of her. Heat emanated from his body behind her, and she instantly felt enveloped in a strangely wild mix of freedom and possession. She realised at that moment that for the first time in months, years, that she was having the time of her life. In a man’s company. Although brunt, a tad crude and unrelenting, Kage made her laugh. He challenged her. He aggravated her. He pushed her buttons in a highly exhilarating way. Yet he hadn’t put her down or demeaned her, ever. She also liked that he appreciated the good things in life like she did. He did it without the snobbery and pompousness many of her exes had exhibited. He seemed a man who derived great pleasure from life but the simple, raw variety. He was also extremely smart, kind, and intensely loyal to the things he cared for. So different to the aggro, sexist and fake macho men she’d dated in the past. They’d been the ones who’d wanted to mould her into what she was not. He was possessive, yet he never acted like he wanted to own her. In fact, Kage didn’t seem to care to control her. Instead, she was secretly touched by the words he’d said to her ten months ago about respecting her body and choices. That flew high in Harlow’s world. Yet she was determined to keep her pledge to herself to leave dating and men alone for a few months. It sucked because the spark between them was becoming a small blaze. One that, if fanned the right way, could fire up into a major inferno. But she just wasn’t primed for it. She wasn’t sure she was ready for any of it, ever. She needed to work out if love, romance and relationship were what she needed or even wanted for her life. She had little to work with, especially after the piss-poor example set by her parents. However, those were troubles and worries for another day. Maybe after her project with The Sable Group was delivered. Maybe when she had time to unpack all of her and all of him. Maybe, maybe, maybe.
*****
Author Info:
I’m a lover of words, and consequently an author, writer and consumer of all things delicious, fun and courageously life affirming.
“Five Fun Facts” About Me:
– I’m married to a gorgeous alpha, grumpy husbeast and we’ve sired two bright, funny kids
– I live in the gorgeous sun-soaked beach haven that’s Sydney, Australia
– I love racing cars; I’m a lil’ bit of a speed demon …
– I own a grey Russian blue cat who’s an escape artist during the day and a yeller at night (sigh ..)
– I write best to music – check out the ‘Stars on Fire’ playlist on Spotify for a taste of my writing vibe 🙂
– I look to the stars themselves for my heavenly inspiration.
*****
Giveaway:
$25 Amazon Gift Card + an eBook copy of ‘Stars at Dusk’ AND a copy of Sky’s upcoming book ‘Stars of Gems
Hendrix Bateman is one of The Lucky Three, a trio of players who were not on the Titan’s team plane the night it crashed. Feeling as if he’s been given a second chance, Hendrix is determined to make the most out of his life, but that doesn’t mean he’s not suffering from scars that can’t be seen.
When I lost my Titan brothers in the crash, it was a mixed bag of emotions. I was devastated and grief stricken, but I was also grateful to be alive. Yeah, that might cause a little — okay, a lot of — guilt, but now I’m determined to live each day as if it’s my last.
A night out with friends puts me in the crosshairs of Stevie Kisner — the devastatingly beautiful bar owner with a sharp tongue and a fire in her eyes that lets me know she has zero tolerance for guys like me. I’ve never been one to back away from a challenge, so I’m not dissuaded by Stevie’s tough as nails attitude or her big biker dad who looks like he wants to kill me. Fueled by too many shots and the raucous urging of my teammates, I set out to show Stevie I’ve got game both on and off the ice.
While I shouldn’t be looking for anything more than a good time, I can’t help but be captivated by Stevie. She’s cool as hell and we burn hot together. But the more I get to know her, the more I can tell she’s holding something in reserve, and let’s just say I’ve got some trust issues after my last disastrous attempt at a relationship. Now I need to decide if I’m going to let my past dictate my future or if I am willing to put my heart on the line to find out if Stevie is exactly what I think she is — my everything.
Get Hendrix: A Pittsburgh Titans Novel in digital, signed paperback and audio (narrated by Tor Thom and CJ Bloom) direct from Sawyer: https://bit.ly/HendrixPO
PLEASE NOTE: Ebooks purchased from the Sawyer Bennett Bookstore will be delivered via BookFunnel and can be sent to the e-reader of your choice. Audio will be available exclusively on the Sawyer Bennett Bookstore for approximately 90 days before releasing at all retailers and libraries (excluding Audible). Hendrix is narrated by Tor Thom and CJ Bloom. Audio purchase from the Sawyer Bennett Bookstore must be enjoyed within the BookFunnel app (which is VERY user friendly and FREE!).
*****
Author Info:
New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestselling author Sawyer Bennett uses real life experience to create relatable stories that appeal to a wide array of readers. From contemporary romance, fantasy romance, and both women’s and general fiction, Sawyer writes something for just about everyone.
A former trial lawyer from North Carolina, when she is not bringing fiction to life, Sawyer is a chauffeur, stylist, chef, maid, and personal assistant to her very adorable daughter, as well as full-time servant to her wonderfully naughty dogs.
If you’d like to receive a notification when Sawyer releases a new book, sign up for her newsletter (sawyerbennett.com/signup).
I’ve been out and proud for years, happily living my truth. Never did I imagine I would be asked to step back into the closet.
Until that night at the club.
After one too many cocktails, I ended up in a bathroom stall enjoying a hot and steamy tryst with a super sexy guy named Nate. We exchanged numbers and indulged in some spicy sexting.
But when I asked him to meet up again, he ghosted me.
I tried distracting myself by acting as a friend’s plus one to a wedding. Who do I see standing next to the groom, looking like a snack? Nate. He claims no one knows he’s gay and asks me to be discreet. Still, my years of hiding are behind me. Can I help him find the strength to come out to his family and friends? Or will his reservations be too big an obstacle to overcome?
“I’m so sorry about that,” the hot guy said. “I was coming over to talk to you and I bumped into that guy who crashed into you and spilled your drink all over your shirt.”
I turned to face him and looked into his crisp blue eyes. “It’s, um, it’s totally fine.”
“It’s not fine. Can I buy you another drink?” He glanced down. “Or, shit, another shirt?” Before I could answer, he forged ahead. “Is there anything I can do to make it up to you?”
Fuck, could he ever. We were so close to one another, I could smell his cologne, musky and woodsy. His arms and chest were straining the limits of his shirt and his artfully ripped jeans hinted at thickly muscled thighs. I bit the side of my lower lip. “I, um…” Heat crept into my face, starting at my neck and spreading up to my ears.
He cleared his throat and took a tiny step closer to me, closing in on my personal space. “I’m Nate.” His voice was low and husky. He licked his lips and his gaze traveled down to my chest.
“Theo,” I murmured. “Nice to meet you.”
Nate’s gaze leaped from my chest to my eyes and then down to my lips. He swallowed, his sharp Adam’s apple bobbing in his throat. “I’m really sorry about your shirt,” he said again, barely a whisper.
The heat roiled between us and I spoke without second-guessing myself. “Do you want to…” I tilted my head in the direction of the nearest bathroom stall. Lust coiled in my stomach and groin.
“Yes.” His response came out sounding raw and eager. Nate dipped down and pressed his lips to mine fiercely, wasting no time in plunging his tongue into my mouth. I couldn’t stop the needy groan that escaped me as we stumbled into the bathroom stall. As soon as we cleared the entrance to the stall, I stuck out my hand and slid the lock home.
*****
Author Info:
Riley Long is an author of gay romances novels spanning many genres from contemporary to paranormal. They live a quiet life in Virginia, with their husband, son, and two very silly pit bulls.
They spend their evenings writing, reading, and watching bad television (or not so bad television).
For fun, Riley participates in NaNoWriMo, GISH, and reads with her book club, the BAMFs.
They like things with silly acronyms.
Riley can tell you two different stories about getting covered in dairy products for a hug.
Honey Golding is the sweetest little thing Cal has ever laid eyes on. His much-younger new employee is off-limits, but his sweet tooth might overrule his common sense… and his willpower. Readers who love a side of laughter with their romance will enjoy Gingerbread Man by Karla Doyle, a steamy, small town, grumpy/sunshine, boss/employee, age gap romance.
Gingerbread Man
by Karla Doyle
Blurb:
A town that celebrates Christmas year-round is the perfect place for a newly divorced, six-foot-four ginger-haired baker to open his new business, The Ginger Bread Man. Too bad he doesn’t share the community’s love of everything ho-ho-ho. Fake it until you make it, right? Or hire someone who has enough holiday spirit that nobody notices your lack thereof. Enter Honey Golding, the sweetest little thing Cal has ever laid eyes on. His much-younger new employee is off-limits, but his sweet tooth might overrule his common sense… and his willpower.
“Your hours say you’re open until six,” the brunette says when I unlock and open the door. “So I thought I had plenty of time to catch you.”
“I close when everything’s sold.”
Little Miss Sunshine doesn’t flinch at my grumpy tone. She just stares up at me with the prettiest green eyes I’ve ever seen. “You don’t have anything left to sell? By quarter after four?”
“No.” An apology would be appropriate here, I know. Not my style. Hence why I need a customer service elf. “Come by in the morning if you don’t want to be disappointed.” Shit, even I can do better than that. I huff a miserable-sounding sigh. “I tell you what—I’ll put something aside for you, and you can pick it up whenever you get here. The door will probably be locked, but I’ll wait for you. Best I can do. So. What were you hoping to get today?”
“A job.” No tapping on the glass this time. She pushes past me to reach in and pull my makeshift sign from the inside of the window, then hands it to me. “This job. You won’t find anyone better. What time should I be here tomorrow?”
I grunt a laugh. Even smile a little. She’s spunky, confident, and yeah, very easy on the eyes. Too easy, considering she’s gotta be in her early-twenties, and I’m knocking on forty’s door. My attraction is irrelevant. She’s applying for a job, not a date.
Right now, she’s my top candidate, simply because of her personality. But this is my business, and despite feeling like the stupidest man alive for being blindsided back in Cali, I’m not foolish enough to hire anyone on impulse. Not even the irresistible brunette.
“Got a resume?” I hook a nod toward the cash counter. “I’ll add it to the pile and look it over later.” When she’s not standing in my personal space, looking and smelling like a sweet treat I could sink into. My second head doesn’t get to do the hiring.
She breaks eye contact only long enough to pull a sheet of sunshiny-yellow paper from her bag.
Despite my comment about reviewing it later, I scan the page after she hands it to me. “No bakery experience,” I say, pointing out the only fault I find.
Her genuine smile doesn’t waver, not even for a moment. “Don’t worry. I’ll have your buns and baguettes figured out in no time.”
If she knew how much my baguette liked the sound of that, she’d snatch her application from my hand and never come back. “I’ll be in touch—” I glance at the paper again, as if I didn’t already have her name and number committed to memory. “Ms. Golding.”
“It’s Miss, and call me Honey.”
Another grunted laugh slips out. “Hoping to sweeten me up so I give you the job, Miss Golding?”
“I always put Honora on formal or professional documents, but everyone in town calls me Honey.” Shit. I’ve got big feet and an even bigger mouth to shove them in.
She raises one eyebrow over eyes the color of moss and shiny as sea glass. “Don’t worry, boss, I’m not offended. What time should I be here in the morning?”
“I haven’t offered you the job.” A smile forces its way past my resting grump face as I accept the hand she extended, awareness rising to riotous levels throughout my body the instant we make skin-to-skin contact.
“You will,” she says, holding my hand and my gaze. “I’m exactly what you need.”
She’s right. I know it with every cell of my being. Trouble is, I think she’s exactly what I need in more ways than I can have her.
Copyright 2023 Karla Doyle
*****
Author Info:
After studying fashion design in college, Karla worked in the clothing industry for over two decades. In 2011, she caught the writing bug, received a scholarship to attend the Romance Writers of America conference in New York City, and hasn’t looked back.
A small-town girl with some big-city experience, Karla resides in Southwestern Ontario, Canada, with her husband and two young-adult kids. When she’s not writing the sexy stories swirling around in her head, you can find her spending time with family, playing online Scrabble, or cuddled up with a romance novel and her beloved pets.
Karla loves interacting with readers. Connect with her online or send her an email. She’d love to hear from you!
Jalen Daniels loves his job as a hockey coach to kids in the Philadelphia Power’s youth league. Coaching in the same league he played in and volunteering his time to a charity that brings the game to underserved communities takes up a lot of his time. The rest is filled with playing hockey in a rec league and bouncing at a nightclub. Meeting Leif Larsson, star player for the Power and father of one of the kids he coaches, knocks Jalen’s busy life off balance and leaves him craving Philly’s favorite Swede.
Philadelphia Power defenseman Leif Larsson has devoted the last four years to being a dad and a hockey player, in that order. Focusing on being the best dad for his daughter and the best teammate and player for the team was all that mattered. But when he sees Jalen at a charity event, their connection is strong enough to push his heart into pursuing the talented, surprising, handsome man.
Amid the bustle of hockey season, the sparks between Jalen and Leif ignite into something bigger and brighter than they’ve ever experienced. But navigating a relationship when their conflicting schedules make meeting up close to impossible is harder on their hearts than they anticipated. Can they find a way to score a win for love?
Nudging an elbow into my side, Ryder inclines Striker’s giant head in Sawyer’s direction with a sly smile. “I was thinking about bringing a backup turkey to Thanksgiving.”
As expected, frustration flares in Sawyer’s features, and he huffs a heavy sigh. “My dog snatches the bird off the table one time and it’s all you guys can talk about.”
Grinning, Axel zips his bag shut and takes over stowing away Sawyer’s gear for him. “Don’t forget, his yanking the tablecloth also lost us the stuffing and green beans.”
“The cranberry sauce was still edible.” Frustration fades under the amusement brimming in Sawyer’s eyes. “Don’t worry, I’ve already had a talk with him about being a good guest and I am bringing a backup turkey just in case.”
“Should I bring one too?” Blue eyes brimming with laughter, Calder rubs a towel over his damp blond hair. “Or stick with apple pie?”
“I love pie.” Axel hooks his arm around Calder’s shoulders. “Definitely more pie.”
“If you had your way, we’d exclusively be eating pie for dinner.” Laughing, I can’t resist the pull to turn my attention back to Jalen. For the first time all afternoon, he’s alone.
“Go talk to him,” Axel advises, and Sawyer, Calder, and Ryder nod in agreement.
Desire to go wars with fear of rejection and the worry I imagined our earlier connection. “What, right now? With you all watching?”
Axel fixes me with the no-nonsense stare reserved for the occasions when our team needs to be called out. “You’re one of the most fearsome defensemen in the league and a formidable champion of LGBTQ rights. Are you really going to let a little thing like us scare you away from talking to the first guy to ever captivate your attention? Don’t be such a baby.”
A baby? I immediately bristle with the need to prove I’m not one. The satisfaction on Axel’s face reveals his intention. He knows me too well.
“Fine.” Anticipation, embarrassment, and determination jangling my body louder than the music coming from the arena’s speakers, I stand. My teammates do the same, and for a second I’m afraid they’ll tag along.
Axel slaps my back. “That’s my boy.”
“Good luck, Leafy,” Sawyer adds, before tugging a ball cap with Striker’s image over his dark hair.
Ryder gives me a gentle nudge forward. “Make us proud, man.”
“You’ve got this.” Calder busts out two thumbs up.
“You guys suck.” But they just grin at me, and I smile back. I’m lucky to have friends who will goad me into being brave in the one area I’ve shied away from since the birth of my daughter. Being a dad has always come first, so I haven’t let myself indulge too far into romance. But there’s something about Jalen, and if I don’t act now, I know I’ll always regret it.
Nerves buzzing stronger than before a championship game, I head in his direction.
*****
Review:
Against the Rush is a slow burn romance between two guys who have a instant and strong connection but who have to figure out how they can make it work. Both are extremely busy with professional and family commitments that take up quite a bit of their time. But when you meet someone that you are drawn to so completely, you’ll just have to figure things out.
I liked both Jalen and Leif – they are sensible, giving, and loving. They approach life and relationships with careful thought and hard work. Are there bumps along the way, sure, but that’s pretty much life. Plus, they wear their hearts on their sleeves and it’s just the sweetest.
I will say my only complaint is that some of the writing is a little …. flowery? The similes and metaphors got just a bit out there for me. It only happened in a handful of places but if a reader is anything like my husband that’s going to be a big nope right out of the gate so I wanted to throw it out there.
Overall, though, readers who likes a slower paced, realistic love story will enjoy Leif & Jalen’s story. It’s full of real-life moments, relationships, and issues. There’s hardly any drama or angst, just a couple slowly getting to know each other and falling in love.
*****
Author Info:
USA TODAY Bestselling Author Susan Scott Shelley writes stories with heat and heart, where love always wins. Her romances give readers lighthearted escapes into happily ever after, celebrate the fact that love is love, and that everyone, regardless of how they identify and who they love, deserves to be accepted and cherished for who they are. In addition to crafting stories, she is a professional voiceover artist and enjoys lending her voice to a wide range of projects. She lives in Philadelphia with her husband and loves sports, science, running, and reading. Visit her at susanscottshelley.com.
Chantal Mer never set out to write books. Yet here she is, and she’s having a blast. Happily ever afters for everyone makes her heart sing. When she’s not writing, Chantal can be found walking her adorable dog, going to musical theater with her daughter, observing the night sky with her husband and his telescope, and learning about the latest advances in video games with her son. Give her a book and a glass of wine and she’s in her happy place. Chantal lives outside of Philadelphia with her husband, two teens, and her sweet pup, Miss Toffee. Visit her at chantalmer.com.
J.T. Geissinger is a #1 international and Amazon Charts bestselling author of thirty novels. Ranging from funny, feisty romcoms to intense erotic thrillers, her books have sold over ten million copies worldwide and been translated into more than twenty languages.
She is a three-time finalist in both contemporary and paranormal romance for the RITA® Award, the highest distinction in romance fiction from the Romance Writers of America®. She is also a recipient of the Prism Award for Best First Book, the Golden Quill Award for Best Paranormal/Urban Fantasy, and the HOLT Medallion for Best Erotic Romance.
RULE #1: Do not catch feelings for the man who doesn’t believe in love.
Four months. That’s how long I’ll need to pretend to be Steele Cunningham’s doting girlfriend.
I agreed to this insanity only to save my restaurant. He’s doing it because he needs someone outside his “social circle” to stick it to his meddling parents and clingy ex.
Ruthless and emotionless in both his personal life and his career, Steele’s ego rivals his net worth.
Operating on joy and positivity—and a healthy bit of feistiness—I challenge him at every step.
He’s a tin man—heartless and cold. Falling for him would be a colossal mistake, because there’s no chance he’ll ever love me.
He can’t.
After all, he’s the man with an armored heart.
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Ella delightfully shakes up Steele’s world when she storms in trying to convince him to save her restaurant by plying him with food … well, before she starts throwing meatballs at him instead. She’s spunky and caring and just what he needs to break him out of his cold existence. And it’s great, for a while. Then the hot/cold routine got a little old as I waited for them to figure things out. I enjoyed the characters enough though that I was more than willing to be patient with them. And it was worth it. Steele was his typically bumbling self when it comes to things like emotions, but he’s got a good heart under all that armor and the ending (and epilogue) more than made up for the twisting path to get there.
Readers, give these two a little grace & understanding, especially Steele (with his background, he needs it). Their story is both amusing and frustrating, filled with great secondary characters, a heroine with a too big heart, and a hero whose softer side is hidden but known to those who are close to him. It may take them a while to figure things out, and there is more than one wrong turn and some serious assumptions & miscommunications, but they are worth the wait.
*****
Author Info:
RC Boldt is a USA Today bestselling author currently living in part of the Costa Rican jungle with the love of her life and her mini-me.
If you’re in the mood for some killer mojitos or can’t recall the lyrics to a particular 80s song, she’s your girl.
So either I was reading the wrong NA books or they’ve come a LONG way since I last read any because I enjoyed the heck out of this one. I remember looking at the characters from the POV of someone well beyond their college years and just finding them too naive or inexperienced. Not so with Jenshak’s newest.
Felix and Dahlia are adorable together. I liked the fact that Felix had a thing for her before the video hit, that they’d been kinda dancing around each other at parties, so it wasn’t so weird that he’d want to help her. Not that a caring person wouldn’t feel for her in that situation, but it helps to provide a little more connection between the two.
Dahlia is adorably awkward, especially around Felix, but she’s willing to put herself out there in her fake relationship, embracing Felix’s ideas, getting to know his friends, and trying new things. Felix is still a little burned from his last relationship, which he’s fine with since he’s super focused on getting into the NFL. It does lead to some complications when his connection to Dahlia becomes a little more real that their fake relationship was meant to be.
As a series about Dahlia’s friends, they are guaranteed to play a big part of the story and they support Dahlia beautifully. It makes me interested in reading the other books to see a little more about each of them. I also liked Felix’s friends. They may be a little more childish than her’s, but they are fun.
**spoilerish** There were a couple of things that stretched believability, most especially Dahlia’s thing with the rockstar. Maybe the connection came from a previous book that I hadn’t read, but it seems strange that he would contract with a college student to make him a pair of pants, fly her to LA, go all out for her while she’s there, and then let her use his plane … it was one outfit out of a wardrobe of clothes. I think there was something else but this one was the one that made me go “really?” while reading it. I still really enjoyed the book but just thought I’d throw that out there.
Jenshak helps to remind me that maybe I’m not giving NA romances the attention they deserve, and I’ll be keeping my eye on her & adding some of her books to my TBR pile. With enjoyable characters, a sweet love story, and an ending that left me happy, Scoring the Player will appeal to romance readers of all ages.
*****
Author Info:
Rebecca Jenshak is a USA Today bestselling author of new adult and sports romance. She writes sexy, feel-good stories with lots of swoon-worthy moments.
Rebecca lives in Arizona. When she isn’t writing, you can find her cheering on local sports teams, hanging out with friends and family, or curled up with a good book.
Romantic Reads and Such 