Tropes: Age Gap, Older Sisterβs Ex, Protective Hero, Forced Proximity
Blurb:
When Kaiden Hart, the captain of the Charleston Coyotes hockey team, comes to my aid in an emergency, itβs the first time Iβve seen him since I was a young girl.
And boy, have the years been kind to him.
When he invites me out to dinner, accepting seems like the polite thing to do.
At least thatβs what I tell myself.
How else can I justify wanting to be near my older sisterβs ex-boyfriend?
It couldnβt have anything to do with his piercing blue eyes and kissable lips.
Who cares if heβs got chiseled abs and a rear end I could bounce a quarter off of?
Itβs definitely not how protective he is toward me. Or how thoughtful he is offering me his spare room when I need a temporary place to stay.
I know I should refuse. Really, I should run in the opposite direction.
But itβs too late. Iβm already falling for him.
Now, all I can think about is catching the captain.
βOh,β I breathe out in surprise. My arms slip around his waist without missing another beat and I settle my cheek against the solid warmth of his muscular chest. My eyes fall closed as I breathe in the scent of his laundry detergent combined with sunshine. His hold on me tightens and I feel his hands wrap farther around me, like he canβt get close enough.
Without an inch of space between our upper bodies, Iβm trying not to think about how my breasts are crushed to his torso. Or how the deep, rumbling sounds coming from his chest are sexy enough to give me an eargasm. Or how my insides feel like theyβre being tossed to and fro like a dinghy on turbulent seas.
Calm down. Itβs just a friendly hug between two friends.
A hug thatβs lasting a littleβmake that a lotβlonger than it should.
*****
Author Info:
Jacob Chance grew up in New England and still lives there today. Heβs a martial artist, a football fan, a practical joker, and junk food lover.
A USA Today bestselling author of sports romance and romantic suspense, Jacob plans on writing many more stories.
It takes a certain skill set to do my job, and distractions get in the way of doing it well. Thia Ames has become the biggest distraction of all, but I canβt afford to get involved. Not only am I almost twenty years older than her, but acting on my emotions could very well get us both killed. Fans of Brittney Sahinβs The Stealth Ops Series and Brynne Asherβs The Killers will love Resurgence by Shelby Gunter, a steamy, age gap, military romantic suspense.
Resurgence
The Shadow Series
by Shelby Gunter
Blurb:
Soldiers of fortune. Hired guns. Mercenaries.
Weβre the ones who go into enemy territory when no one else will. Itβs dangerous, itβs secretive, and weβre good at it.
It takes a certain skill set to do my job, and distractions get in the way of doing it well. And meeting Thia Ames has become the biggest distraction of all.
But when Thia is put up for auction on the black market, my team is tasked with her protection. She is my mission, and protecting her should be my sole focus. But the shadows that lurk behind her bright smile hint at a dark past that calls to the hero in me.
I canβt afford to get involved. Not only am I almost twenty years older than her, but acting on my emotions could very well get us both killed.
Her life hangs in the balance. I couldnβt save her before, but this time, Iβll do whatever it takesβ¦ or die trying.
βIβm not telling you shit. Youβd be merciless.β
βFine, Iβll get Declan to tell me.β Her confidence makes me want to smile.
βHow? He wouldnβt betray me for anything.β
βLook at this face.β She points towards her nose as if I havenβt been staring at her this whole time. βYou donβt think my adorable little face couldnβt get him to squeal?β
I narrow my eyes at her. βYou wouldnβt.β
βWatch me.β She takes off running toward the warehouse. Surprise causes me to falter, then Iβm running after her, my legs eating up the distance in no time. She looks over her shoulder, her eyes lighting up when she finds me chasing her.
I get two steps away from her when I reach out to grab her around the middle. She squeals, her laughter ringing out as she wiggles to get out of my hold.
βOh, no you donβt,β I huff out with a laugh. I go to lift her over my shoulder, but sheβs too squirrelly. She relaxes her body, her weight dropping straight to the ground. I lose my footing with the sudden change, heading toward the ground like a fallen oak tree.
Twisting at the last second, I land on my shoulder, then roll over to my back, pulling Thia with me to keep her from hitting the ground.
Her eyes are wide, sparkling with humor and surprise. βI thought you were supposed to be some badass Marine, and you just got taken down by a girl with no training.β
My mouth pops open in surprise. βYou little shit.β Before I can think, I flip us over, one hand on the back of her head, the other digging into her sides as she squeals.
βOkay, okay, okay! I give!β She squirms under me, trying to get away from my tickling fingers, all while giggling like a little girl.
I stop, holding my fingers at her side. βTake it back.β The mischievous light in her eyes makes me want to kiss her.
βFine,β she pants. βYouβre the most badass Marine who ever lived, even though you fell while chasing me.β She grins.
I throw my head back, laughing. βI hate that I canβt even be mad at you for that last quip because itβs true.β
Thiaβs hand moves from my shoulder and down my arm. Itβs then Iβm fully aware of our position, of every part of me thatβs touching her. I catch her gaze, her own realization happening at the same time as mine. The heat in her eyes sends my body careening off the edge.
I tighten the fingers speared through her hair as her hands move across my chest. Itβs like fire racing through me. Itβs as if sheβs branding me with her touch so Iβll never be able to feel anything like it again.
A throat clearing behind me has my head whipping up. Connor looks at us with his eyebrows raised. βIf you want to finish up whatever this is, I think Iβve figured out how to make the tracker work.β
Copyright 2023 Shelby Gunter
*****
Author Info:
Shelby is a Romantic Suspense author who loves writing plot twists you’ll never see coming.
Shelby and her husband call Kansas City their home base but enjoy traveling as far and as often as possible. She loves all things related to coffee, wine, and books, and it’s rare you will see her without one of those items in hand.
This grumpy man of the month wants to be a daddy and he thinks heβs found the one. But Candy Cane Keyβs newest resident and self-proclaimed cat lady is on a mission and doesnβt have time for love, marriage, and babies. Can the town grump steal enough sunshine to woo her stubborn heart? Readers who love a little grumpy with their sunshine will enjoy Come to Papa by Matilda Martel, a steamy, small town, friends to lovers, age gap romance.
Come to Papa
Man of the Month: June
Candy Cane Key
by Matilda Martel
Blurb:
This grumpy man of the month wants to be a daddy.
Reclusive writer Felix Mercer came to Candy Cane Key to find silence but quickly discovered peace and quiet are overrated. Disgruntled and unhappy, he canβt figure out what ails him until he meets the townβs newest resident and self-proclaimed cat lady, Harlow Jane.
Harlow loves two things— Christmas and cats. When she reads an article about an island in the Florida Keys that celebrates Christmas all year round and with a long-suffering stray cat population, she knows sheβs found her own personal paradise.
Felix is instantly enamored, and a casual acquaintance quickly becomes an obsession. Harlowβs hot little curves drive him to distraction. Her kind, nurturing heart confirms heβs found the one.
But Harlowβs on a mission to save the world— one cat at a time. She doesnβt have time for love, marriage, and babies.
Can the town grump steal enough sunshine to woo her stubborn heart?
Stray cats need to be on their guard night and day— thatβs the only way they survive. I hold my breath, watching her take two steps back and three steps forward, with one more to go. Her pupils suddenly dilate to saucers. Her back arches then a low guttural growl catches me by surprise. I scramble back like a crab, but my momentum stalls against a brick wall, and the kitty runs away.
βDo you need some help?β The brick wall speaks. My head snaps up, and I glimpse the source, a fair-haired man with dark eyes, a wicked smile, and a body sculpted by the gods. I blink rapidly, blinded by the sun and his unspeakable beauty. Iβve never seen anyone who looks like him, not here or in Sycamore Mountain— not even on television. But this creeper ruined my plans and threw away five days of hard work.
βNo, youβve done enough.β I groan, then bite my tongue, too frustrated to hide my intense displeasure for a man who was only trying to help. Itβs not his fault, but my failure could result in tragedy if I donβt catch that cat soon. Stray dogs roam this beach at night in search of food, and they might mistake this fat little Calico for their next meal.
I scramble to my feet, shifting aimlessly in the soft sand to regain my balance. The handsome stranger clears his throat and offers his hand. I hesitate but ultimately place my palm in his hand, letting him pull me to my feet. Attractive does not mean harmless. Weβre alone on a beach, and my mother didnβt raise me to be a trusting fool.Β
βThank you, and I apologize for my snarky comment. Iβve been trying to catch that cat for the past few days, and this is the closest Iβve come.β I stammer, embarrassed by my rudeness and hoping my contrite behavior will make amends or prevent him from carrying me into the ocean and drowning me.
βYou mean Buster?β His deep voice jumps an octave, and he points to the chunky Calico reclining against a nearby palm tree, frantically cleaning his behind.
βBuster? Thatβs a silly name for a girl.β I tiptoe towards the cat and consider my next course of action. He may be huge, hot, and handsome, but I have a one-track mind. There are far more important things on my to-do list than flirting with strange men who smell like cocoa butter, and what is that? Sandalwood? A storm is scheduled to pass through later this evening, and I hate to think of this little girl spending another night cold, wet, and alone. Β
βBuster isnβt a girl. Heβs a boy.β The strange man follows close, oddly fixated on lending a helping hand. I glance over my shoulder and lift my hand to my brow, shielding my eyes from the sun to get a better look at his face. Thereβs no denying heβs yummy, but he doesnβt know the first thing about cats.Β
βCalicos are almost always girls,β I huff, confident with my assessment.Β
He chuckles and points to the cat. βHeβs got balls. Iβm pretty sure heβs a boy.βΒ
I squint and squat to get a better look. My jaw drops. My tongue ties. βOh… my… God. Oh, my God. Weβve just found a polydactyl male Calico. Do you have any idea how rare he is?β I flail my arms, squealing with glee, then accidentally strike his calves. He hardly flinches. Heβs a golden slab of sculpted marble, and I couldnβt hurt him If I tried. βWe need to get him. He must be guarded like the Mona Lisa.β I creep forward, and he drops to his knees, crawling next to me.
βIβm Felix, by the way.β He stops to extend his arm, and I give him a quick shake, one eye on his sinewy forearm and the other on my fat Calico boy. He mustnβt escape.
βIβm Harlow. Iβm new to the island— on a mission to save the world, one cat at a time.β I laugh, crouching low, careful not to lose the element of surprise. βCan you crawl that away and block his exit?β I gesture with my head and slink forward like a snake.
βThatβs a lovely name.β His brown eyes twinkle as his mouth tips into a slight smile. My heart skips a beat, and for the first time, it has nothing to do with cats. βIf I help you catch Buster, what do you plan on doing with him?β
Copyright 2023 Matilda Martel
*****
Author Info:
Matilda is a Texas girl in love with a Philly boy who loves to write dirty books about two people who trip into love and fumble their way into a Filthy, Funny, Happily Ever After.
I live in Austin, with my husband, two crazy Chihuahuas and an even crazier cat. And I spend most of my day writing dirty romance books about older men who fall in love with younger women and make fools of themselves trying to win their hearts.
Fresh off of a messy divorce, Jeannie Dubois isnβt 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 theyβre 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.Β
Burned by her ex-husband and a messy divorce, Jeannie Dubois isnβt looking for anything more than a good friend.Β Besides, sheβs still dealing with the ex-husband who canβt 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 heβs sure he can play the part and heβs good at biding his time.Β So, for now, heβll 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 Manhattanβs favorite coach.
Can Aiden prove to Jeannie that theyβre meant to be so much more, or will she send him back to the friend zone?Β
βJeannie,β Vickie, the bride, says. Sheβs so beautiful with the happy newly married glow. βHave you met Coltβs coach, Aiden?β
Shocked by the question, I look around the room and hope my mother will come save me, but sheβs 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. Itβs been almost two years since I felt a manβs 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, Iβm going to drag him into a dark corner and have my way with him. I clear my throat and yank my hand away.
βSo, you ah, coach football?β 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.
βBasketball,β Aiden corrects.
βAre you sure?β I ask. βMy mom said youβre a football player,β I say to Colt.
Vickie tries to hide her laugh but fails.
βIβm going to have a talk with Myra,β Colt says, but heβs being playful, so Iβm not completely mortified by my faux pas.
βYeah, and Iβm pretty sure I coach basketball, not football,β Aidan says.
βOh.β I wave my hand. βI donβt watch either.β I turn back to my chair, certain that they think Iβm an idiot and will leave me alone now.
βMore of a reader, I see,β Aiden responds. βWhat book has you so engrossed?β
My eyes dart to the table in search of my book. I thank a higher power that itβs safely inside my purse. No need to let these newlyweds and the sexy one know that my life is a train wreck. βNothing you would find particularly interesting.β I clear my throat, but when I turn to look at Aiden, heβs looking directly at me.
βTry me,β he says. I take a step toward the table, grab my purse and shove it under my chair. No way in hell heβll see this book.
*****
Author Info:
A Boston native, wife, mother, and wine enthusiast. If sheβs not writing, thinking about writing, you will find Evelyn with a book in her hands. While a new publisher, sheβs been writing for years, and she will continue to write for many years to come.Β
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.
Itβs hard to keep a big secret in a small town . . .
When Paige Hollister discovers her βMr. Rightβ already has a βMrs. Right,β she swears off men forever. Even moreΒ humiliating, she suddenly finds herself labeled the other woman and out of the teaching job she loves. So Paige does whatΒ every unemployed single woman staring thirty in the face does: Β She hightails it to the beach. Bad luck like hers is hard toΒ outrun, however. Her getaway is stalled when her car breaks down in a small-town chock full of meddling, nosy residents.Β The worst of them being the local sheriffβnone other than her estranged father.
Finally on top of the golf world, Tanner Gillette is poised to show everyone heβs not just an entitled playboy coastingΒ through tournaments on his pedigree. That is until his life is turned upside down by a little girl who shows up on hisΒ doorstep with a birth certificate inexplicably bearing his name. Complicating matters more, the kid isnβt talking. When theΒ stress of caring for a child whose mother is AWOL gives Tanner a bad case of the yips, heβs forced to enlist help from the oneΒ person in town who canβt wait to leave.
Sticking around Chances Inlet and her fatherβs shiny new, ΓΌber-successful family isnβt on Paigeβs to-do list. Especially whenΒ sheβd prefer to keep her embarrassing incident under wraps. Yet she canβt walk away from the troubled little girl. Or theΒ 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 couldnβt be trusted around her. But he couldnβt 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.
βWhereβs Whitney?β 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. βShe and Emily went joyriding in your golf cart.β
βNot funny.β Her snark had him relaxing. He neednβt 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.
βWhat are you doing?β she asked.
βThat should be obvious.β He let out a satisfying sigh, crossed his bare feet at the ankles and closed his eyes.
Paige huffed beside him. βFine. Kate is taking the kids for lunch after visiting the sea turtle rescue hospital.β She shoved her book into a canvas bag. βIβll just finish my book on the porch at home.β
Let her go, his brain screamed. The rest of him wasnβt listening, however. Without opening his eyes, his fingers reached between them, finding her wrist, gently encircling it.
βStay,β he heard himself saying. Opening his eyes, he turned toward her. βPlease,β he whispered, not liking the pleading tone of his voice one bit.
Paigeβs 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.
βIβve got your lunch, Mr. Gillette,β 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 heβd even set it down.
βMmm. Do you have any ketchup?β
The server produced several packets from his pocket. βAnything else, sir?β
Paige picked up half the club sandwich and unabashedly took a bite.
Tanner sighed. βApparently Iβm going to need another one of those.β
βAnd an Arnold Palmer,β Paige mumbled around the food in her mouth.
Tanner held up two fingers. The befuddled server nodded and disappeared.
βEnjoying yourself?β
βMmm,β she replied. βYou might have mentioned lunch was part of the deal. I wouldnβt have been in such a rush to leave.β
He shook his head to avoid laughing at her cheekiness. βThank you.β
She paused mid-bite. βDoes that mean lunch is on me?β
This time he did laugh. βNo. Thank you for staying.β
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.
βI doubt you would have been lonely too long,β she said.
βPrecisely what Iβm trying to avoid.β
She lowered her sunglasses again. βAre you telling me Iβm the . . . what? Some sort of decoy?β
βItβs been my experience that women wonβt approach me if Iβve got a beautiful woman by my side.β
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.
βPuh-lease. Iβm no competition for those women.β 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.
βWhy do women always do that?β
βDo what?β
βPut themselves down. Find fault with their appearance no matter how gorgeous they are.β
Her mouth opened and closed twice. βWellββ
βNo,β he argued. βDonβt you dare shame your body, Paige Hollister. Itβs magnificent just the way it is. You are beautiful just the way you are. Any man who doesnβt see that is a damn fool.β
*****
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 sheβs up to at http://www.tracysolheim.com
βYour brass is ballsy, Kage Sable.β β Harlow Meridien.
Running from her past, Harlow lives for the present. Sheβs sassy-smart-strong. A genius, generous, confident scientist developing a groundbreaking propulsion technology thatβs attracted the attention of The Sable Group, and Kage Sable, to be exact.
Heβs a master builder, an ex-warrior, a kick-ass engineer with sexy nerd energy and her new βbossβ. His shop is responsible for an enviable fleet of high-tech corvettes, luxury flyers and racing pinnaces β helping to cement the Sable Ridersβ dominance across Pegasi.
Convinced sheβs the woman for him, Kage is determined to make Harlow his. He strongly believes every superwoman needs a superman. Problem is, sheβs not so sure. Sheβs 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.
Sheβs wary of Kageβs moxie and full-on thrust at life and love and doesnβt think sheβs 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 heβs light years from the βlame, always running gameβ losers of her past. Instead, heβs a real man with strong convictions and the best intentions, who believes in an impossible love.
Together, theyβll fight for the relationship they want while keeping their top-secret breakthrough from a swarm of greedy, ruthless galactic hustlers. Together, theyβll fall into a twilight dusk of heady love and impossible starlight.
If youβre 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 Iβm being too forward or intense,β Kage said softly. βBut Iβve never met a woman quite like you,β he rumbled into her ear. βNot my fault youβve spent time with women who canβt compare to me,β she said with a soft smile. He gave her a long look. βToo right,β he finally drawled. βAnd now that Iβve met you, what should I do about it? I canβt go back to all those other girls who donβt live up to you.β βYouβre going to have to try existing without me because Iβm unavailable,β she shot back. βSays who?β βSays me, and thereβs nothing you can do about it.β βIs that right?β βYep, youβll never have me,β she said. He let out a loud laugh. βYou know all youβre doing is waving a red flag in front of this bull?β βAnd just like a matador at the top of their game, Iβm going to escape you.β βAre you daring me?β βDamn right,β she said, then she slapped her hand over her mouth when she realised her mistake. βNo, I meant no, Iβm not.β βToo late, Harlow, game on,β he drawled. She saw a glint in his eye that sent a shiver down her spine. βIβm serious; Iβm not in the game,β she retorted. βWell, thatβs good, babe, because if I ever decide that I want you, it wonβt be a game. Iβm not those lame-ass, gaminβ losers youβre used to. Trust me, theyβre not even in my race, let along in my league. See, Iβm a man with no shame in going after the prize I want. Iβll give you the time, kara, but donβt keep me waiting too long.β This time she almost choked at his absolute balls. He had quite the pair. βPlay all your want, Kage. Doesnβt mean youβll win,β she managed to breathe out. βThing is, babe, you need to win too, for this to work,β he said, a small smile on his lips. βWhich is why this is more than just a game to me.β 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. βYour brass is ballsy, Kage Sable,β 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 manβs 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 hadnβt 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 sheβd dated in the past. Theyβd been the ones whoβd 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 didnβt seem to care to control her. Instead, she was secretly touched by the words heβd said to her ten months ago about respecting her body and choices. That flew high in Harlowβs 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 wasnβt primed for it. She wasnβt 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.
βFive Fun Factsβ About Me:
– Iβm married to a gorgeous alpha, grumpy husbeast and weβve sired two bright, funny kids
– I live in the gorgeous sun-soaked beach haven thatβs Sydney, Australia
– I love racing cars; Iβm a lilβ bit of a speed demon β¦
– 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 π
– I look to the stars themselves for my heavenly inspiration.
*****
Giveaway:
$25 Amazon Gift Card +Β an eBook copy of ‘Stars at Dusk’Β 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 Titanβs team plane the night it crashed. Feeling as if heβs been given a second chance, Hendrix is determined to make the most out of his life, but that doesnβt mean heβs not suffering from scars that canβt 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 β okay, a lot of β guilt, but now Iβm determined to live each day as if itβs my last.
A night out with friends puts me in the crosshairs of Stevie Kisner β 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. Iβve never been one to back away from a challenge, so Iβm not dissuaded by Stevieβs 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 Iβve got game both on and off the ice.
While I shouldnβt be looking for anything more than a good time, I canβt help but be captivated by Stevie. Sheβs cool as hell and we burn hot together. But the more I get to know her, the more I can tell sheβs holding something in reserve, and letβs just say Iβve got some trust issues after my last disastrous attempt at a relationship. Now I need to decide if Iβm 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 β 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 womenβs 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 youβd 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 friendβs plus one to a wedding. Who do I see standing next to the groom, looking like a snack? Nate. He claims no one knows heβs 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?
βIβm so sorry about that,β the hot guy said. βI 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.β
I turned to face him and looked into his crisp blue eyes. βItβs, um, itβs totally fine.β
βItβs not fine. Can I buy you another drink?β He glanced down. βOr, shit, another shirt?β Before I could answer, he forged ahead. βIs there anything I can do to make it up to you?β
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. βI, umβ¦β 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. βIβm Nate.β His voice was low and husky. He licked his lips and his gaze traveled down to my chest.
βTheo,β I murmured. βNice to meet you.β
Nateβs gaze leaped from my chest to my eyes and then down to my lips. He swallowed, his sharp Adamβs apple bobbing in his throat. βIβm really sorry about your shirt,β he said again, barely a whisper.
The heat roiled between us and I spoke without second-guessing myself. βDo you want toβ¦β I tilted my head in the direction of the nearest bathroom stall. Lust coiled in my stomach and groin.
βYes.β 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 couldnβt 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 doesnβt share the communityβs 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 senseβ¦ and his willpower.
βYour hours say you’re open until six,β the brunette says when I unlock and open the door. βSo I thought I had plenty of time to catch you.β
βI close when everythingβs sold.β
Little Miss Sunshine doesnβt flinch at my grumpy tone. She just stares up at me with the prettiest green eyes Iβve ever seen. βYou donβt have anything left to sell? By quarter after four?β
βNo.β An apology would be appropriate here, I know. Not my style. Hence why I need a customer service elf. βCome by in the morning if you donβt want to be disappointed.β Shit, even I can do better than that. I huff a miserable-sounding sigh. βI tell you whatβIβll put something aside for you, and you can pick it up whenever you get here. The door will probably be locked, but Iβll wait for you. Best I can do. So. What were you hoping to get today?β
βA job.β 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. βThis job. You wonβt find anyone better. What time should I be here tomorrow?β
I grunt a laugh. Even smile a little. Sheβs spunky, confident, and yeah, very easy on the eyes. Too easy, considering sheβs gotta be in her early-twenties, and Iβm knocking on fortyβs door. My attraction is irrelevant. Sheβs applying for a job, not a date.
Right now, sheβs 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, Iβm not foolish enough to hire anyone on impulse. Not even the irresistible brunette.
βGot a resume?β I hook a nod toward the cash counter. βIβll add it to the pile and look it over later.β When sheβs not standing in my personal space, looking and smelling like a sweet treat I could sink into. My second head doesnβt 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. βNo bakery experience,β I say, pointing out the only fault I find.
Her genuine smile doesnβt waver, not even for a moment. βDonβt worry. Iβll have your buns and baguettes figured out in no time.β
If she knew how much my baguette liked the sound of that, sheβd snatch her application from my hand and never come back. βIβll be in touchββ I glance at the paper again, as if I didnβt already have her name and number committed to memory. βMs. Golding.β
βItβs Miss, and call me Honey.β
Another grunted laugh slips out. βHoping to sweeten me up so I give you the job, Miss Golding?β
βI always put Honora on formal or professional documents, but everyone in town calls me Honey.β Shit. Iβve 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. βDonβt worry, boss, Iβm not offended. What time should I be here in the morning?β
βI havenβt offered you the job.β 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.
βYou will,β she says, holding my hand and my gaze. βIβm exactly what you need.β
Sheβs right. I know it with every cell of my being. Trouble is, I think sheβs 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 hasnβt 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 sheβs 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. Sheβd love to hear from you!
Jalen Daniels loves his job as a hockey coach to kids in the Philadelphia Powerβs 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 theyβve 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 Strikerβs giant head in Sawyerβs direction with a sly smile. “I was thinking about bringing a backup turkey to Thanksgiving.”
As expected, frustration flares in Sawyerβs features, and he huffs a heavy sigh. “My dog snatches the bird off the table one time and itβs all you guys can talk about.”
Grinning, Axel zips his bag shut and takes over stowing away Sawyerβs gear for him. “Donβt 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 Sawyerβs eyes. “Donβt worry, Iβve already had a talk with him about being a good guest and I am bringing a backup turkey just in case.”
βShould I bring one too?β Blue eyes brimming with laughter, Calder rubs a towel over his damp blond hair. βOr stick with apple pie?β
βI love pie.β Axel hooks his arm around Calderβs shoulders. βDefinitely more pie.β
βIf you had your way, weβd exclusively be eating pie for dinner.β Laughing, I canβt resist the pull to turn my attention back to Jalen. For the first time all afternoon, heβs 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. “Youβre 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? Donβt be such a baby.”
A baby? I immediately bristle with the need to prove Iβm not one. The satisfaction on Axelβs face reveals his intention. He knows me too well.
“Fine.” Anticipation, embarrassment, and determination jangling my body louder than the music coming from the arenaβs speakers, I stand. My teammates do the same, and for a second Iβm afraid theyβll tag along.
Axel slaps my back. βThatβs my boy.β
“Good luck, Leafy,” Sawyer adds, before tugging a ball cap with Strikerβs image over his dark hair.
Ryder gives me a gentle nudge forward. “Make us proud, man.”
βYouβve got this.β Calder busts out two thumbs up.
“You guys suck.” But they just grin at me, and I smile back. Iβm lucky to have friends who will goad me into being brave in the one area Iβve shied away from since the birth of my daughter. Being a dad has always come first, so I havenβt let myself indulge too far into romance. But thereβs something about Jalen, and if I donβt act now, I know Iβll 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 sheβs having a blast. Happily ever afters for everyone makes her heart sing. When sheβs 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 sheβs 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.
Romantic Reads and Such 