Someone wants Police Chief Emilio Mendoza dead. And if his unknown assailant doesnβt kill him, pining for Sheriff Abraham Beecham just might.
Abe and Lioβs thirty-year journey has taken them from heated rivals to best friends with countless labels and pit stops along the way. Romance is the only avenue left unexplored but not from lack of love or desire.
Abe pushes people away before they can get too close, and Lio doesnβt engage in situations he canβt control. Theyβve reached an impasse, and neither are willing to risk their friendship until fate intervenes, forcing them to reassess their priorities.
But when an unhinged enemy targets Lio, will their gamble be too little too late, or will their love truly conquer all?
Just Say When is a standalone romantic suspense novel within the authorβs Savannah universe. This book contains mature content and is attended for adults.
βAlex clearly doesnβt get his sportsmanship from his father,β Abe quipped.
βKiss my ass, Beecham,β I said softly in deference to the kids around us.
Abe leaned in until his hot breath ghosted over my ear. βGladly.β
I turned my head and looked at my best friend. His expression held a carnal promise that made me swallow hard. If I gave him the word, Abe would take me home, yank down my pants, and bury his face between my ass cheeks. I could practically feel his hot breath against my quivering pucker. His tongue would swirl and tease the rim before pushing in. Lust gripped my balls and squeezed. God, I wanted him so bad.
βNow I really need to hear this story,β Russ quipped, jerking me back to reality and saving me from breaking my own heart. I blinked away the fantasy, and Abeβs lips curled into a proud, wolfish smile. Unaware of the tension arcing between Abe and me, Russ continued chatting. βI knew you and Beecham went way back, Lio, but it sounds like thereβs more to it than I realized.βFew people knew the full story because I was stingy when it came to Abe. Our relationship had been fueled by variations of hate and love for three decades, but there had never been a right time to explore whether those feelings could develop into something more profound. My heart wanted to say until now, but my brain knew better than to get my hopes up. Abe and I had both drawn lines in the sand, and neither showed signs of relenting.
*****
Review:
There’s a few complaints that this one really doesn’t stand on its own but I didn’t have any issues. Yes, we start the book with the main characters on the bring of moving from friends to a romantic relationship but the main block to their HEA still needs to be resolved – Abe’s issues with abandonment. His mom left him as a kid at the mercy of his abusive father, his grandmother died, and now he’s afraid that anyone he loves will also leave him. Lio knows all about Abe’s issues and is willing to wait for him, but he needs him to be open to addressing it before he will take their relationship any further. It’ll take some time and patience but Lio knows their future is worth it. I enjoyed how Abe & Lio worked their way to the new aspect of their relationship. It felt like they were willing to make sure that it was on a solid footing. But then someone puts that future in peril.
**potential minor spoilers ahead**
My understanding is that Walker is great at crafting a good mystery and I can see it. I didn’t guess where things were going until she revealed the threat. I do have to agree with some reviewers that the motive is potentially problematic and while I feel for what the main characters went through, given the who and why, I would have liked more compassion given to the person and their reasons. But if this is any indication of the kind of suspense element brought by the author I’m open to more.
I’ll admit I’m a pretty vanilla kinda girl and while I enjoy a spicier read, it’s not something I would be comfortable with in my own life so I tend to be a bit … unsure of how these scenes come across for others. To me, Wilson delivered the heat & then some, and I’m not really seeing anyone else complain, so if steamy and explicit m/m scenes are your jam, then read away!
A satisfying blend of tension, eroticism, and affection, Lio and Abe’s story was a good introduction to a new to me author and has me interested in what else she has to offer π
*****
Author Info:
Ever since she was a little girl, Aimee Nicole Walker entertained herself with stories that popped into her head. Now she gets paid to tell those stories to other people. She wears many titlesβwife, mom, and animal lover are just a few of them. Her absolute favorite title is champion of the happily ever after. Love inspires everything she does, music keeps her sane, and coffee is the magic elixir that fuels her day.
Want to be the first to know about my book releases and have access to extra content? You can sign up for my newsletter here: http://eepurl.com/dlhPYj
My favorite place to hang out and chat with my readers is my Facebook group. Would you like to be a member of Aimeeβs Dye Hards? Weβd love to have you! Click here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/AimeesDyeHards/
Ferris is straight, so why canβt he stop wishing his fake flirtations with his best friend would become real?
Tiago Γlvarez
Flirting with Ferris is one of my favorite hobbies. He always playfully rejects me because heβs straight, but I donβt let that get my hopes down. Thatβs why Iβm so shocked when he agrees to my silly idea to drive our fangirls wild by pretending there might be something more to our friendship.
But I secretly have an ulterior motive in convincing my best friend that we should share our hilarious banter with the fans. I want to make him see that we could have something real if he gave us a chance.
Itβs obvious how much fun he has teasing me, so I wonder if maybe Ferris isnβt as straight as he used to be?
Ferris Valdemar
Iβve been telling Tiago no for so long that I donβt know how to tell him yes. But I really want to give in to my feelings for him that Iβve been running away from for far too long.
When he comes up with his scheme to fake flirting with each other for our fans, it gives me the opportunity I need to come clean about my not-so-straight feelings for my gay best friend.
But how do I tell Tiago that I want to be more than just friends?
Change His Tune is the third book in the Harmony of Hearts series and part of the Sunnyside universe. This novel features a friends to lovers, bi awakening, fake dating, rock star, gay romance. If you love cute sweetness, sexy fun, and no angst stories that will make you laugh and swoon, youβll enjoy this satisfying HEA without cliffhangers. Each book can be read as a standalone or as part of the series in order.
I grinned at Ferris and swung for the fences by bringing out my cheesiest pickup lines. βThey say kissing is the βlanguage of love.β Would you care to have a conversation with me about it sometime?β
He was clearly trying to hold in another chuckle. βLet me guess. Youβre also fluent in French?β
βYes, and Iβd be very happy to give you lessons.β
βThanks, but Iβll pass.β
I waggled my eyebrows at him, making him crack up. βAre you sure about that?β
βAbsolutely. What other gems do you have?β
I rubbed my thumb against my lower lip as I tried to exude sexiness. βYouβre so hot, my zipper is falling for you.β
He chuckled at that one. βIs that so?β
βOh, yeah. Roses are red. Violets are fine. You be the six. Iβll be the nine.β I made a kissy face at him as he howled with laughter.
βIn your dreams!β
βItβs a dream Iβd love to make come true with your help.β
He had to wipe away the tears that gathered at the corners of his eyes. βYouβre unbelievable.β
βWell, letβs see what youβve got, then.β
βUnlike you, I donβt have an arsenal of terrible one-liners. And honestly, Iβm a little bewildered that you have so many of those memorized.β
I cajoled him. βSurely, you must know at least one super-cheesy pickup line. Lay it on me.β
βOkay, fine.β He took a deep breath to calm himself from his earlier laughing fit. βFeel my shirt.β
It was a surprising command that I was all too happy to obey. I reached out and ran my hand up his tank to rest over his heart.
βDo you know what itβs made of?β Ferris asked. I shook my head. He then stunned me when he placed his hand over mine and interlaced our fingers as he pressed it against him while holding eye contact. βBoyfriend material.β
The moment of sexual tension was tense, waiting for one of us to give in to the magnetic attraction we had. I held his gaze as his words made me ache with a longing for that impossible dream. There was nothing I wanted more than to date my best friend, but it would never happen because he was straight.
Despite that, I could feel how fast his heart was racing as his cheeks turned pink. It was a mistake to imagine anything would ever develop between us, but it gave me hope that maybe someday, heβd give in to the intense chemistry we had.
Would my dreams of being with Ferris ever come true?
*****
Review:
The first two stories in this series were all about the insta-love (and the copious amounts of hot sex) but with Tiago and Ferris having been friends for years this one is different. Because of the build-up in previous stories, we pretty much dive right into the change from friends to lovers (so kinda keeping with that whole insta thing) and Ferris coming to grips with what that means. He’s spent a lot of time thinking he’s straight, laughing off Tiago’s comments and avoiding those niggling feelings that arise, so when he finally realizes that he could be bi there’s a bit of adjusting to do.
Tiago has been in love with his best friend for so very long, waiting and hoping that he’d feel the same. So it’s quite a surprise when Ferris finally admits that there is something there, but he’s patient and considerate, letting Ferris take his time to learn what he’s comfortable with. There’s plenty of sexy time but also a lot of humor and touching moments as the two of them figure out their new relationship.
Change His Tune is a slow-burn, low angst read but it’s very satisfying to be there as these two finally get a chance to find a HEA.
*****
Author Info:
Ariella Zoelle adores steamy, funny, swoony romances where couples are allowed to just be happy. She writes low angst stories full of heat, humor, and heart. But sometimes she’s in the mood for something with a bit more angst and drama. If you are too, check out her A.F. Zoelle books.
For real-time updates on her writing progress, please join her Facebook group for exclusive teasers or follow her on Twitter or Instagram. You can also sign up for her newsletter to gain access to bonus chapters, previews of upcoming books, exclusive visual guides, and more.
The Professor’s Date The Script Club #5 by Lane Hayes Narrator: Alexander Cendese Publisher: Lane Hayes Release Date: July 21, 2022 Heat Level: 4 – Lots of Sex Pairing: Male/Male Length: 05 Hours 58 Minutes Genre: Romance, Nerd/Jock, MM Romance, Humor, Hurt and Comfort
Blurb:
The professor, the hair stylist, and a wedding dateβ¦
Tommy
Help! My sister is getting married and according to her, I need a date. And a makeover. Iβm a busy man, though. I donβt have time to meet eligible bachelors, and the tape holding my glasses together works just fine. Until my hair stylist steps on them.
Yes, Noah, my dazzling dreamboat of a hair guru created a mini disaster, but I donβt mind at all. Heβs a sweet, funny, kind jock whoβ
Screech! No jocks. I have nothing in common with sporty people.
Exceptβ¦Noah is different.
Noah
I donβt date. However, Iβm not opposed to offering fashion advice to a sexy professor in need. A haircut, a quick shopping expedition…
Boom! Mission accomplished.
Not so fast. Iβve misjudged the situation and my attraction to the geek with the tragic sense of style. Sure, Thomas is too smart for me by a long shot, but thereβs something about him that makes it easy to forget my past. It might be his quietly commanding nature or his movie-star good looks. Or maybe itβs just him.
All I know is that Iβm very tempted to be the professorβs date.
The Professorβs Date is an MM geek/jock romance featuring a nerdy professor, a soccer-playing hair stylist, and a quest for the perfect date!
βOh, I think I have some in my SUV. If not, thereβs a drug store on the next corner. Just give me a minute to clean up.β
Thomas held up a finger, squinting through his good lens like a drunk owl. βThank you, but I donβt require assistance.β
βIβm responsible for this mini disaster. I wonβt be able to sleep tonight if I donβt do something to help out.β I shook my head mournfully. βAnd Iβm a mess without my eight hours, so pleaseβ¦β
He gave in with a sigh. βAll right.β
I did a mini happy dance, hoping heβd crack a smile. No such luck. However, there was a decent chance he couldnβt see me and yes, I was vain and ridiculous, but it was better than thinking Iβd irritated him beyond redemption. Heβd liked me five minutes ago, damn it. Maybe even lusted after me. I wasnβt crazy. I noticed those shy, sideways admiring glances, and I preferred them to his current stoically distant expression.
I tidied my area at warp speed, sweeping up the largest clumps of hair before dousing my hands with sanitizer and pulling my man bag from the mini locker in the corner. I slung it over my shoulder, peeked my head around the partition to say a quick au revoir to Easton, then motioned for Thomas to follow me.
βI parked in the lot behind the coffee shop. This way.β
I kept up a steady barrage of inane conversation on the short walk to my ride, ranging from spring weather and the flowers in bloom at the park near my condo to my yearly allergy woes. You knowβ¦nonsensical filler designed to entertain the sexy stranger whoβd gone ghostly quiet.
His silence made me nervous. I liked it better when we were discussing merman dick. I didnβt know how to restore that mood, but fixing his lenses was probably a good start.
I popped open the hatch of my white Explorer and yanked a giant duffel from under a portable net to reach a small plastic toolbox. In my haste to rearrange the bags, a soccer ball rolled toward me and bounced onto the pavement.
Thomas scooped up the ball before it got away, then held it from his body, his brow furrowed hard enough to leave premature lines on his forehead. βWhatβs this?β
βMy equipment. Justβ¦shove it anywhere,β I instructed, bending to sift through drill bits, wrenches, and tape measures.
βMy vision is laughably bad, but this appears to be sports paraphernalia. American soccer, perchance?β
Now, that was kind of cute.
βYou are correct, sir.β I plucked the ball from his fingers and wedged it into the open duffel, and returned to my task.
βIs it yours?β
βThe ball? Yes, Iβoh, I think I found it.β I tossed him a quick smile as I groped around the bottom of the box and pulled outβ¦a dried-up tube of superglue. βCrap. Weβll have to go to the drug store for your cyanide.β
βCyanoacrylate.β
βThatβs it. I promise it wonβt take long. In fact, Iβll buy you coffee afterward. We can sip lattes while we wait for the glue to dry.β
βThank you, but thatβs really not necessary.β
βI insist.β I shut the hatch, turning toward him as I locked my SUV with my key fob. He met my gaze, though his pronounced squint indicated he couldnβt see me well.
Thomas pushed his mangled glasses to the bridge of his nose and somehow managed to look fierce as hell. Call me crazy, but the steely professorial armor under his rumpled faΓ§ade was hot. Very hot. I wouldnβt mind climbing him like a tree, mussing his newly shorn locks, licking his lips, andβ
βIt was nice to meet you, Noah.β
Screech!
He offered a vague smile and turned away.
Shit.
I watched his retreating form, admiring his broad shoulders while berating myself for being such an idiot. But I let him go. I had to. It was a free world, and he was a big boy. He certainly didnβt have to listen to me. It was just a little worrisome that heβd risk life and limb and walking into wallsβ
Bam! He collided with the side of the bank building.
*****
Author Info:
Lane Hayes loves a good romance! An avid reader from an early age, she has always been drawn to well-told love story with beautifully written characters. Her debut novel was a 2013 Rainbow Award finalist and subsequent books have received Honorable Mentions, and were winners in the 2016, 2017, 2018-2019, and 2020-2021 Rainbow Awards. She loves red wine, chocolate and travel (in no particular order). Lane lives in Southern California with her amazing husband in a not quite empty nest.
I let her go before I enlisted. I left my heart with her.
Now Iβm home for good β my world has changed, my sight gone.
Not only do I have to be with her every day as I learn to navigate the world around me, but I have to come face to face with my regrets.
She deserves more than me.
I need her.
I want her.
Will she want me again — the damaged version of the man who broke her heart?
This is a steamy military romance and the first book in my Oakside Military Heroes series. Each book can be read as a standalone but as always better together. Follow these strong possessive heroes as they find their forever girls.
Kaci runs on coffee, chocolate, and Oreos. She loves her book boyfriends with tattoos, muscles, beards, and a little dirty.
Kaci loves romance books and has been jotting down ideas since she was in high school and is now putting the ideas down on paper. She believes in satisfying, happily ever afters with a lot of steam on the way.
She was born and raised in Southwest Florida but is wholeheartedly a mountain girl. She has been reading as many books as she could get her hands on since grade school and loves to travel when she gets the chance.Β
I’m so excited to share a Q&A with Catherine Bybee today!
For anyone wondering the plot of your newest release, you give a great sneak peek with the titleβWhen it Falls Apart. What is βfalling apartβ in this novel?
All the threads that hold my heroine, Brooke, together are crumbling down around her. When it Falls Apart begins with Brookeβs romantic relationship crashing and burning. At the same time, in a different state, her father is circling the drain in the ICU. And for the cherry on the top of her βfalling apart lifeβ, Brooke has found herself demoted at work. In short, everything in Brookeβs life is dissolving around her.
Like all of your books, When it Falls Apart has a beautiful romance, however, there is a rawness about Brookeβs story. How was writing this novel different from your others?
If you read my notes both in the front and the back of this novel, youβll soon realize that the story was very personal to me. Rawness comes from experience. The relationship Brooke has with her father is hauntingly familiar to me and my dad. The emotions that the heroine experienced when taking care of him were easy for me to grasp onto and write about. Sadly, the love story with Luca was completely made up and I didnβt have the support of a strong Italian family to help deal with the struggles, but I digress.
Relationships with a parent who wasnβt there for you growing up are messy. When that parent ages and needs their child, sometimes that help comes with a bucketload of resentment, even if the child wishes they could stop those ugly feelings from creeping up on them. And THAT is the rawness you speak of.
Books, TV shows, and movies oftentimes glamorize what it means to care for a loved one. However, in When it Falls Apart you donβt sugar-coat anything about caregiving and the toll it takes on a person. How do you think readers who have been in similar situations will be affected by this story?
Justified. Validated. Accepted.
Itβs a hard job taking care of an elderly family member. And if there arenβt other siblings to help, or wonβt help, itβs made even more difficult. Itβs difficult, gritty, dirty work that only has a bad endingβ¦eventually. What I do hope my readers take away is that theyβre not alone. That the struggle is very real and that if they donβt find balance (which is almost impossible at times) they will burn out completely and not be fit to help at all. I hope my readers are empowered to set boundaries and balance, so they come out on the other side of caring for an elderly loved one whole themselves.
Brooke gets virtually no support from her significant other, which has her reevaluating their relationship. She realizes she has settled and has to make some hard decisions. Do you think this happens too many times to women in real life?
100% Yes! There is a song by Taylor Swift with a line that says, and Iβm paraphrasing here, I can be what you want for the weekend. But often that weekend ends up being a relationship that women hold on to or are convinced they canβt live without. Often it takes a huge shake-up to remove yourself from that situation. But once youβre away from the day to day dysfunctional relationship, the easier it is to see the dysfunction.
After her breakup and move, Brooke is not looking for a relationship. In fact, she tells her best friend: βI havenβt wiped off my smeared mascara from Marshall yet, the last thing I want is to jump into anything else.β Her crying over a man lasts all about two minutes when she meets Luca. Tell us about him.
Hmmm, Lucaβ¦ he is the kind of man who doesnβt want a place on Brookeβs dance cardβ¦he wants to rip it up.
Luca is wired to help the people in his life. Brooke becomes a part of his inner circle simply by moving into the family building where he sees her every day.
Now, if Luca had flat out asked Brooke on a date, she would have run the other wayβ¦so no, he doesnβt go about it that way. He simply shows up and does not leave. Not when things get tough, or messyβ¦or when his own past peeks its head in. Luca is a man who is right there at Brookeβs side without question or censor on why she does the things she does. His support and validation of her feelings is the part she was missing. Add in the hunky Italian single father and βMamma Mia!β
At first, Luca is not thrilled that Brooke is renting a room in his familyβs building. What changes his mind about her?
Her strength and vulnerability. I know that sounds contradicting, but some of the strongest women I know have a big vulnerable spot in their life that if you know them well enough, you see. The biggest smiles often hide the deepest pain. Luca sees her struggle and dedication to helping her elderly father and since family is first on Lucaβs list, she passes his unconscious test.
Lucaβs family, the DβAngeloβs, are incredibly close and share everything from ownership of the family restaurant to helping care for Lucaβs daughter Franny. How is this different from Brookeβs relationship with her family?
Brooke doesnβt have that family. She has a father who abandoned her as a little girl that she carved out a relationship as an adult, and now sheβs charged with caring for. Even her previous romantic relationship didnβt support her unconditionally the way the DβAngeloβs do for each other. Sheβs rather dumbfounded when they start treating her like family. Itβs a wonderful thing to watch happen.
San Diegoβs Little Italy plays a huge part in the story. The community, language, and food are in full display. Tell us about your own experiences in your adopted city.
I love Little Italy, the food, the pace… the people. There are many places in San Diego that are overrun with the college scene, San Diego is a college town. But Little Italy is more family friendly. Very touristy, but there isnβt a day you donβt see locals hanging out. I go to the farmerβs market often. Pick up authentic Italian ingredients for my own home cooking. I try new restaurants and take all my friends there when they are visiting from out of town. Not to mention it was the closest thing to the βreal Italyβ that I could go during the travel restrictions. So why not write about it and tell the world of this small island within San Diego that shouldnβt be missed?
There are two more siblings in the DβAngelo family. Where will you be taking readers next with the series?
Chloe is a yogi. Think Bali!
And Giovanni loves wine⦠think Tuscany, Italy.
I cannot wait to show you what I have in store for these two!
When It Falls Apart
by Catherine Bybee
Release Date: June 21, 2022
Publisher: Montlake
Blurb:
Brooke Turner has always had a complicated relationship with her father. But when his health takes a turn for the worse, she drops everything to care for him. Heβs her dad, after all, and he needs her. What Brooke doesnβt anticipate is the unraveling of her long-term relationship and a cross-country move to San Diegoβs Little Italy.
Luca DβAngelo is the oldest of three children and a single father to a young daughter. When his mother rents the top floor of their house to Brooke, heβs angry. Who is this beautiful stranger with no ties to the neighborhood? Can she be trusted in such close proximity to his family?
As Luca learns of Brookeβs difficult journey with her ailing father, his heart softens. And Brooke, who witnesses Lucaβs struggle as a single parent, develops feelings for him, too. But when it all falls apart, will love heal their wounded hearts?
*****
Excerpt:
βOh my God, Carmen. He was standing at his car first thing this morning. Like βhop in, bella, letβs get stuff done today.β Who does that?β
Brooke had picked up the phone as soon as Luca was off in search of a dump guy.
βWeβre talking about the single, hot, Italian dad, right?β
Brooke rolled her eyes. βYes. Luca.β
βOy, oy, oy.β
βStop it. I need advice. And I need it before he gets back.β
Carmen stopped teasing. βYou donβt need advice. You need to relax. He sounds like one of the good ones. Let it happen.β
βLet it happen,β she mocked. βI donβt βletβ things happen. It happens to me and itβs never good.β
βYou didnβt used to be such a pessimist.β
βOnce upon a time the glass was half full. Not these days.β
βOkay, Debbie Downer. You want my advice . . . here it is. Keep doing whatever it is youβre doing.β
βIβm not doing anything. Zero effort.β
βReally?β Carmen didnβt sound convinced. βMakeup . . . a nice dress?β
Brooke hesitated. βMaybe . . . a little last night, but that was it.β
Carmen chuckled.
βCarmen!β
βSorry. Okay . . . any red flags?β
Brooke thought about that. βHe loved his ex-wife.β
βThatβs a red flag?β
βI guess not.β
βIs he good to his mom?β
Brooke looked back on the dinner the night before. βTo the whole family. He takes being the oldest brother quite seriously.β
βAnd his daughter?β
All Brooke could do was smile. βGreat dad. We should all be so lucky.β
βHeβs Italian, does he smoke?β
βNo.β
βA lot of Italians smoke,β Carmen pointed out.
βIn Italy. The San Diego variety are less in that wheelhouse.β
βThatβs good.β Carmen sighed. βI donβt know what to tell you, Brooke. How does he kiss?β
βThere hasnβt been . . . I donβt even know ifββ
βStop right there. He did not drive your sorry ass all the way to Upland to do grunt work all day if he wasnβt interested in kissing you, bellllaaa. More than that, you want him to.β
Brooke closed her eyes, and even in her own head she couldnβt convince herself that Carmen was wrong.
βLet it happen. You deserve some happiness, Brooke.β
The van with the air conditioning repair guy pulled into the driveway.
βI gotta go.β
βI want a kissing update the next time we talk,β Carmen teased.
βLove you,β Brooke said with a laugh.
βBack at ya, boo.β
She hung up.
Her best friend was such a dork.
*****
Author Info:
New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author Catherine Bybee has written twenty-eight books that have collectively sold more than five million copies and have been translated into more than eighteen languages. Raised in Washington State, Bybee moved to Southern California in the hope of becoming a movie star. After growing bored with waiting tables, she returned to school and became a registered nurse, spending most of her career in urban emergency rooms. She now writes full-time and has penned the Not Quite Series, the Weekday Brides Series, the Most Likely To Series, and the First Wives Series.
Jase Brooks had been a 26-year-old Marine, stationed in Afghanistan when his parents were killed in a head-on collision. His anguish was compounded when, at the reading of the will, he learned they’d made him sole guardian of his 11-year-old brother. Jase gladly walked away from a promising military career to step into their shoes, a tough job made tougher by the boy’s risky behavior: Petty theft to fund the addictions that led to the birth of his son, Luke… who also became Jase’s responsibility.
Through it all, best friend Samantha (Sam) Finnigan set aside her own heartaches to stand beside him–even when he made the dangerous decision to become a professional recovery agent. It isn’t until one of the criminals he’d rounded-up escapes prison–and kidnaps Sam and Luke as part of a twisted scheme to even the score–that Jase realizes Sam is more, so much more than a friend.
Now, he faces the greatest challenge of his life: Staying alive long enough to save them, so that he can finally admit just how much she has always meant to him…
Loree Lough, a USA Today bestselling author, has published over 140 novels. This is the second novel in The Shadow Series.
Elbows on knees, he held his head in his hands. What awful thing would life throw at him next!
By now, ten month old Lukeβs cries bordered on screams.
βJesse,β he growled, βare ya deaf? Luke is bawlinβ his lungs out!β
Most days, that was enough to get his brother up, stumbling and grumbling and chanting, βShh, Lukey, shh,β on his way to the crib.
Not this morning.
Jase crossed the hall, opened the door to the room where Jesse had slept for nearly ten years. Luke greeted him with a big, four-toothed smile and said, βDuke up, Case?β
His nephew hadnβt yet mastered his Lβs and Jβs, and Jase had grown fond of the boyβs nickname for him, so fond that he wasnβt looking forward to the day when Luke could finally say βLukeβ and βJase.β
βDah-dee sβeep?β He pointed at his fatherβs bed.
Jesse had always been a restless sleeper, moreso since Connie left him to raise their boy, alone. The neatly-made bed proved he hadnβt slept here last night.
He thumb-dried fat tears from the babyβs cheeks. βWhere is that daddy of yours?β he wondered aloud, and lifted him from the crib.
Damp blue eyes met his, held the gaze for a moment. On the heels of a shaky sigh, Luke snuggled against Jaseβs chest and whimpered, βDah-dee.β
βSomeday heβll realize what a gift you are, liβl man.β He hoped it was true, for both their sakes β¦ before itβs too late.
According to the Ford Thunderbird wall clock, it was nearly six in the morning. The kid was probably wet. And hungry. Jase went back to the crib, released the side rail, and gently deposited him on the matching T-bird sheets. βLetβs get you changed, and then Uncle Jase will fix you some oatmeal, okay?β
The baby grabbed his favorite toyβthe stuffed monkey Jase purchased in the hospital gift shop the night Luke was bornβand began gnawing on the long, once-fuzzy tail. βGot another tooth cominβ in, huh, kiddo?β
Any worries that Connieβs drug use might have caused birth defects disappeared that first night, looking into those alert, innocent eyes. Heβd vowed, right then and there, to do everything in his power to make sure the kid stayed innocent. He hadnβt done a very good job, protecting Jesse from the worldβs evils, but maybe with Luke, heβd get a second chance to do things right.
It hadnβt been easy, straddling the line between big brother and disciplinarian, partly because he had no idea what he was doing, and partly because Jesse fought him every step of the way. But for a while there, while working together to fix their dadβs classic Thunderbird, their brotherly bond strengthened enough to distract Jesse from bad company, drugs, and booze. Heβd been clean a year when the car was finally roadworthy, and heβd driven it to daily AA meetings. Ironic, Jase thought, that the following year, Jesse met Connie at one of those meetings. Her influence had been stronger than AAβs. Stronger than Jaseβs. When she announced her pregnancy, Jase had hoped that fatherhood would end Jesseβs slow, downward spiral, but the empty bed across the room said otherwise.
Downstairs, he strapped Luke into his high chair. βThat oughta keep you busy,β he said, sprinkling a handful of Cheerios across the tray, βwhile I heat up your oatmeal.β And when I put you down for a nap, Iβm gonna hunt up that father of yours β¦
*****
Review:
Jase has taken a lot on his shoulders throughout his life – serving his country, raising his brother, and now helping to care for his nephew. He can carry it all but it definitely helps to have help. Sam has had feelings for Jase forever, so helping him when he needs it isn’t a hardship. She just wished that sometimes he could see her as more than friends. Trouble at home, followed by danger from Jase’s job, has him realizing how much Sam really means to him … if it isn’t too late.
I enjoyed the characters and the plot definitely kept my interest. The story isn’t very long so it moved pretty quickly and unfortunately I felt like some stuff was left out or glossed over. It didn’t stop me from enjoying the book but it did keep it from being as smooth as maybe it could have been. Overall, though, a fast, satisfying, and occasionally exciting read.
******
Author Info:
With more than 14M copies of her books in circulation, USA Today bestselling/award-winning author Loree Lough has 125 books in print (contracts for 6 more), 7 book-to-movie options, 68 short stories and 2,500+ published articles. She and her real-life hero split their time between a home in Baltimore’s suburbs and a cabin in the Alleghenies. She loves interacting with readers and answers every letter personally.
London 1776: Lord Worth is busying himself restoring his family fortunes and burying any feelings he still harbours for the woman who rejected his proposal.
The fact that the lady in questionβLady Rebecca Fairingβhappens to be his sisterβs best friend, his nieceβs godmother, and present at every Societal gathering of consequence isβ¦ unfortunate.
Meanwhile Rebecca fears she made the wrong decision in rejecting James Worth, but when he assures her he wonβt be renewing his proposal, she is forced to accept her choice. It doesnβt take long for the eligible Lord Worth to attract other suitors, among them Lady Sophia, daughter to Societyβs most notorious gossip, Lady Goring.
Rebecca knows she must step aside and allow James to find happiness, but when she senses all is not as it seems in the Goring family, she canβt help but intervene.
As James and Rebecca work together to unearth Societal secrets, deal with scheming matriarchs, and face villainous highwaymen, they find themselves more in each otherβs company than ever before.
Will they continue to bury their feelings for one another, or will they finally realise what it means to love?
Rebecca reminds me a lot of how I remember Jane Austen’s Emma – a big heart but a little flighty and easily swayed by a pretty face & even prettier words. She learns a few things about what’s truly important but of course manages to get herself into a scrape or two along the way. I’m not sure if I’d feel differently about her if I’d read the previous books though.
James is solid, dependable, and a little taciturn. He may not be as flashy as the rest of the Ton but he’s a good man and a good catch. Unfortunately the one woman he wants turned him down and he’s not really interested in getting married to just anyone. Regardless of what their mom’s think. So finding himself constantly thrown into Rebecca’s company isn’t helping. But he can’t help himself from getting involved when it’s obvious that one of their friends needs help, even when it means more time with Rebecca.
Lord of Worth is a slow burn, second chance love story with a good dose of societal shenanigans, misunderstandings, heartbreak, and trouble on the way to a satisfying happy ending.
(Can be read as a stand alone but probably enjoyed more if read in order.)
*****
Author Info:
Philippa Jane Keyworth, also known as P. J. Keyworth, writes historical romance and fantasy novels you’ll want to escape into.
She loves strong heroines, challenging heroes and backdrops that read like youβre watching a movie. She creates complex, believable characters you want to get to know and worlds that are as dramatic as they are beautiful.
Keyworth’s historical romance novels include Regency and Georgian romances that trace the steps of indomitable heroes and heroines through historic British streets. From London’s glittering ballrooms to its dark gaming hells, characters experience the hopes and joys of love while avoiding a coil or too! Travel with them through London, Bath, Cornwall and beyond and you’ll find yourself falling in love.
Keyworth’s fantasy seriesΒ The She Trilogy unveils a world of nomadic warrior tribes and peaceful forest-dwelling folk. Explore the hills, deserts and cities of Emrilion and the history that is woven through them. With so many different races in the same kingdom it’s become a melting pot of drama and intrigue where the ultimate struggle between good and evil will bring it all to the brink of destruction.
Win a signed copy of Lord of Worth (Open to UK Only)
*Terms and ConditionsΒ βUK entries welcome.Β Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below.Β The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachelβs Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.Β Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winnersβ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachelβs Random Resources will delete the data.Β Β I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.
Hi readers! Iβm Hana Sheik, and itβs release day for my second Harlequin Romance/Mills & Boon True Love, Temptation in Istanbul. Yippee!!! Iβm here to share an excerpt from the book with you today. Itβs a first kiss scene, and Iβll never tire of writing any firsts between lovers.
If you love first kisses too, I hope this one hits your sweet spot.π
Temptation in Istanbul
by Hana Sheik
Blurb:
A single dadβs greatest temptation? The nanny on his doorstep!
Billionaire Faisal is anxiously awaiting custody of his little girl, whoβs been living miles away with her mother. First he must win the approval of her nanny, Maryan, who has traveled with her to Istanbul. While he shows Maryan the delights of his city, the instant attraction between them is hard to ignore. But Maryan leaves in two weeks, so Faisal must decide how much of his bruised heart he is prepared to riskβ¦
Maryan hesitated a second, and then she grasped his hand, his long, strong fingers holding hers in an even-pressured grip.
Their hands remained clasped longer than necessary.
Longer than sheβd have normally liked.
But Faisal had made her feel like she wasnβt alone. Like her troubles were his in a way, and sheβd come out of this baking and talking feeling lighter, calmer.
Happier.
βMaryan.β He spoke her name in a breathy whisper; a reverence pulsed from those two syllables. So much so that it sounded less like her name and more like a prayer. She shivered visibly, unable to help the reaction. Her body temperature rose when he closed the short gap between them and his hand brushed up her arm before moving to cup her too-warm cheek. It was a simple touch that set off a firework of desire in her.
βThank you for listening. For asking. For pushing to know.β
He spoke her mind. Those were the exact words she wished to utter to him. And she would have, had she had a voice to do it with.
His next breath was drawn out, the heat of it brushing her cheek when he planted a quick kiss there.
She stood frightfully still, the pressure of his soft mouth, the emotion behind the gesture, forcing open an oceanβs worth of yearning for him. When he slowly drew his head up, almost reluctantly, Maryan made her choice.
Or maybe heβd made it first, and she went along for the ride.
Because when his eyes regarded her, and his face pushed in closer again, their noses brushing, she pulled up onto her toes and connected their lips in an intimate play of his chaste kiss on her cheek. A hunger accentuated their lip-lock. It colored the moan rumbling through his chest and the heated press of their bodies as he backed her into the opposite counter.
Resurfacing for air was expected but unwanted.
Maryan wouldβve gladly allowed Faisal to steal another kiss and rob her of breath again. A clanging alertness took hold of her when he growled, βMaryan,β and splayed his heavy, warm hands on her hips.
This time she knew who made the decision for them.
She pushed him away first. Gently, pleadingly. She didnβt have the strength to do it twice.
βWe canβt.β And they really couldnβt. They had to think of Zara. What would she wonder if she caught them kissing?
And Iβm leaving in a week.
A week wasnβt a good enough reason to jump into bed with the first good-looking billionaire who swept her off her feet. Chemistry or no chemistry, sleeping with Faisal would be a stupid and dangerous move. Stupid because there was no chance it would become a meaningful relationship, and dangerous for the very same reason.
She backed away, her shaking hands giving up on untying her apron.
Abandoning the kitchen, she hightailed it to her room and didnβt look back until she closed her door.
She counted the seconds that lapsed from the time she left him.
When no knock came from the other side and no footsteps down the hall, she pressed a hand to her thumping heart and analyzed what happened downstairs with Faisal.
Heβd kissed her.
Correction: they had kissed.
Sheβd been an active participant in it. That, and she couldnβt kid herself that she hadnβt thought of kissing him before then.
As Maryan stood there, her body more alive in that second than it ever was, two things were clearer now about her and Faisal. Their hearts were both closed off to love, and their attraction was a potent force of nature that went against everything she thought she could feel with another human being before.
*****
Author Info:
Hana Sheikfalls in love every day reading her favourite romances and writing her ownhappy-ever-afters. She’s worked as a data entry operator, customer service rep, telemarketer, andghostwriterβbut being a romance author is without a doubt the best job ever! Born in Somalia, shemoved to the beautiful capital of Canada as a toddler, and still lives there happily with her family.
Giveaway to Win 3 x paperback copies of Temptation in Istanbul (Open to UK / Ireland / US &Canada)
*Terms and ConditionsβUK / Ireland / US and Canada entries welcome. Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below. The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachelβs Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over. Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winnersβ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfillment of the prize, after which time Rachelβs Random Resources will delete the data. I am not responsible for dispatch or delivery of the prize.
Melissa Foster is celebrating the release of her new contemporary romance, Maybe We Won’t. Check it out and be sure to grab your copy today!Β
Maybe We Won’t
Silver Harbor #3
by Melissa Foster
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Blurb:
A sexy and soul-stirring novel about love, family, and rediscovering what matters most by Melissa Foster, the New York Times bestselling author of Maybe We Will.
Jagger has overcome his own personal trials to place stock in lifeβs pleasures: family, friends, peaceβ¦and if he has his way, one positively beautiful, absolutely uptight attorney. Jagger knows heβs the perfect person to help Deirdra deal with her hurtful past and find her way back to being happy.
A chance encounter leads to deep conversation, and night after liberating night, Deirdra lets down her guard. But neither has plans to stay on Silver Island. Free-spirited Jagger has wanderlust, and Deirdra has a career to return to. Theyβre on different paths, and plans for a future together donβt stand a chance. But when has anything gone according to plan?
The Silver Harbor series is published by Montlake Romance and will be available in paperback and audio formats at all book retailers, and exclusively in digital format for Kindle and Kindle apps. Download a free Kindle reading app here: http://bit.ly/FreeKindle_App1
Heβd sprung that little nugget on her three days ago, after which Deirdra had announced her two-month hiatus, effective immediately. Everyone had been shocked, including Deirdra. Sheβd never taken time off and had made herself available in the evenings and on weekends since sheβd first started with the company. Sheβd had to. It was a dog-eat-dog industry, and with six other attorneys on boardβfour of whom were menβsheβd wanted to stand out. Yes, she was well aware that she was putting the company sheβd given her all to in a pickle, especially since the new general counsel couldnβt start for another two months. But that was the point. Let them suffer without her impeccable mind handling everything under the sun. She was confident in her game plan and certain Malcolm would quickly see the error of his ways.
The truth was, sheβd thought he wouldnβt let her walk out the door after her announcement. But her stern sixty-year-old boss had simply wished her a relaxing time and said she needed it. Sheβd already received dozens of calls and emails from colleagues who were shocked that sheβd taken so much time off, but she struggled with disappointment over the ones that hadnβt come from her boss.
She still couldnβt believe Malcolm had said she freaking needed the break. As if sheβd ever produced subpar work? That was a laugh. Heβd had nothing but accolades for her jobs well done, and last yearβs promotion had been proof of that.
Her frustration simmered to the boiling point. Ugh. She needed to stop overthinking the situation. Fat chance of that happening for a self-professed control freak. Deirdra not overthinking would be as weird as her younger sister, Abby, not seeing the bright side of things or their older half sister, Cait, trusting everyone at face value. Deirdra had a better chance of trying to transform into a bird and fly away.
If only . . .
She and her sisters were quite the trio, and theyβd had a whirlwind few months. She and Abby had only discovered Cait existed in the spring, when theyβd come back to the island to go over their motherβs will with one of their motherβs best friends, Shelley Steele. While Abby had embraced and trusted Cait unconditionally from the moment sheβd met her, Deirdra had been cautious, given that their family house, restaurant, and meager inheritances were on the line. It had taken Cait some time to open up and trust them as well. But theyβd gotten through those trials and tribulations and had become close. Cait was a wonderful addition to their family, and like Abby, sheβd found solace and love on Silver Island.
Deirdra would not be following suit.
Beyond seeing her sisters happy, Deirdra had no interest in their family restaurant, the Bistro, or in the island on which sheβd spent too many years trying to hold together the pieces of her alcoholic motherβs disheveled life, helping to run the Bistro and keep a roof over their heads. Deirdra had fled immediately after high school to attend Boyer University in Upstate New York with her bestie, Sutton Steele, and had finally started living her own life. But self-preservation had consequences, and Abby had been stuck caring for their mother in Deirdraβs absence. That sucked, but what choice had Deirdra had at the time? Stay on the rinky-dink island running a restaurant she resented and putting her drunk mother to bed while her dreams went to pot? Besides, Abby had encouraged her to go, and Deirdra had clung to that support like a lifeboat in her sea of guilt as sheβd set out to prove herself to Abby and maybe even to stick it to her mother and show that she couldnβt hold her back.
Deirdra stared at the ceiling, discomfort simmering inside her. Sheβd thought her resentment toward the island and all that it represented might ease now that her mother was gone, but painful reminders lingered like ghosts in the wind, and the house and her bedroom were filled with them. Abby and Aiden had done a great job of sprucing it up. It was absolutely gorgeous. To anyone else it would seem warm and inviting, but there wasnβt enough paint on the planet to obliterate Deirdraβs painful memories. How many nights had she snuck out the window just to sit on the hill and look out at the water to keep from drowning in her motherβs wake?
Maybe she shouldnβt have come back, but she couldnβt do that to Cait. The start of her impromptu hiatus had lined up with the day Cait and all their friends were fixing up her new tattoo shop. Deirdra wasnβt big on manual labor, but she loved her sisters, and sheβd needed to get out of Boston. She was glad sheβd come, even if being on the island was uncomfortable. Sheβd gotten to witness Caitβs boyfriend, Deirdraβs childhood friend Brant Remington, get down on one knee in front of all their friends and propose. Deirdra couldnβt be happier for them, but come hell or high water, she was getting off this island tomorrow and going on a well-deserved vacation, the destination of which was yet to be determined.
Deirdra tried to focus on the distant sounds of Silver Harbor sneaking in through the open window instead of the cacophony of laughter, low conversations, and prolonged silences, followed by loud lustful sounds coming from downstairs. If only she were back in Boston. She preferred her noisy neighborβs stereo blasting classic rock and oldies at all hours over this. At least that she could dance to.
Needless to say, she was a little jealous of her sistersβ love lives. Not that sheβd had time for a man, or anything else besides work, these last few years. More noises floated upstairs. She closed her eyes, willing them not to have sex in the living room or, worse, in the kitchen. She had to eat at that table. Oh God, thatβs probably what Aiden is doing. She squeezed her eyes shut. Deletedeletedelete!
What was she thinking, staying in her old bedroom? She should have stayed in the apartment over the garage. Why hadnβt she thought of that from the get-go?
A loud thud rattled the walls, followed by more laughter.
Deirdra flew out of bed. She was not going to listen to a play-by-play of Abby and Aiden having sex. She put on her silk kimono and headed downstairs, praying she wouldnβt catch them in a compromising position. She stopped on the bottom step, eyeing the trail of clothing that led past the steps and down the hall to their bedroom. Thank God. Hurrying into the kitchen, she snagged the key to the apartment off the hook by the side door and quietly slipped outside. She crossed her arms against the brisk September air as she climbed the steps to the apartment above the garage.
A streak of moonlight lit a path down the hallway to the bedroom. She took off her kimono and slipped under the warm covers, closing her eyes as she sank into the mattress. Something moved beside her, and her eyes flew open just as that something licked her face. She screamed and jumped out of the bed, flailing for the light switch. A bark rang out, and a cold nose hit her crotch. She swatted at it as she flicked on the lights, illuminating an amused Josiah βJaggerβ Jones pushing languidly from the bed as his dalmatian, Dolly, nosed Deirdraβs privates. The twentysomething hippie worked at the Bistro as a part-time musician and part-time chef.
βWhat are you doing here?β She twisted away from Dolly, her eyes catching on Jaggerβs naked body. Holy mother of hotness. Broad shoulders and a few wordy tattoos on his ribs vied for her attention, but her eyes locked on the dusting of dark chest hair trailing down lickable abs, and her thoughts skidded to a halt at the impressive cock dangling between his legs. She couldnβt look away. Her loneliest parts clenched with desire, while her boggled mind tried to make sense of the perfect manscaping, which didnβt fit the image she held of the hemp-clothing- and sandal-wearing, too-damn-laid-back guy for whom she had no patience. Not that sheβd ever imagined him naked. Well, not too often anyway. He may not be her typeβgive her a man in a suit any dayβbut she couldnβt deny that Jagger was hot, and he had a great voice, the kind that fantasies were made of. His hair wasnβt bad, either: dark, thick, and wavy. The kind of hair sheβd love to hold on to while his face was between her legs.
Dolly licked her, snapping her back to the moment.
Holy crap. She was losing it. She was thirty years old, and he couldnβt be more than twenty-four or -five. She needed to get off the island and scratch that particular itch with a man who was more her speed . . . age . . . Holy cow, his body . . .
Dolly licked her again, jerking her mind back into submission.
βDolly!β She turned away, glowering at Jagger, who was watching her with a big-ass grin.
βLike what you see?β he said far too casually. He lazily raked a hand through his hair, his leather and beaded bracelets slipping down his wrist.
As Jagger helps Deirdra face her past and the two become closer, she starts to uncover a part of herself she’s buried deep. But can she let go of her trauma enough to really embrace the person she could be? Even though the story pretty much goes exactly as you’d expect it to, Maybe We Won’t is still a thoroughly enjoyable read. Foster can always be counted on to bring readers stories of heat mixed with humor and a more than generous amount of emotion and her latest shows exactly how well she does it.
*****
Author Info:
Melissa Foster is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling and award-winning author. She writes sexy and heartwarming contemporary romance, new adult romance and women’s fiction with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Readers adore Melissa’s fun, flirty, and sinfully sexy, award-winning big family romance collection, LOVE IN BLOOM featuring the Snow Sisters, Bradens, Remingtons, Ryders, Seaside Summer, Harborside Nights, and the Wild Boys After Dark. Melissa’s emotional journeys are lovingly erotic and always family oriented.
Melissa also writes sweet and clean romance under the pen name Addison Cole.
Melissa has painted and donated several murals to The Hospital for Sick Children in Washington, DC. Her interests include her family, reading, writing, painting, friends, helping others see the positive side of life, and visiting Cape Cod.
Melissa is available to chat with book clubs and welcomes comments and emails from her readers. Visit Melissa on social media or her personal website.
Never miss a brand new release, special promotions or inside gossip again by simply signing up to receive your newsletter from Melissa.
Deacon James lives his life at two speeds, a hundred miles an hour and stop. Heβs spent the last decade travelling the world, winning races, partying with the most beautiful men and women, and living life on his terms, a life which was pretty close to perfectβ¦ with just one caveatβ¦ heβs never quite been able to get over the boy he left behind. His best friend Jesse has always made him yearn for something heβs too afraid to face and cutting him out of his life seemed like the only answer.
But things are never that simple. When Deacon wakes from an accident in Italy with Jesse asleep in the hospital chair beside him, he discovers Jesseβs been keeping secrets of his own.
At a crossroads in their life, theyβre faced with a choice, build something deeper and stronger from the ashes, or let words unsaid and secrets tear them apart forever.
From author Wendy Saunders writing as Vawn Cassidy comes this second chance, friends to lovers, hurt/comfort with a HEA.
I surface through the syrupy depths of consciousness, and this time itβs a little easier. My body still screams in agony, and I feel like Iβve been hit by a truck. My head is pounding, and my throat feels like itβs filled with razor blades, but as I open my eyes, they donβt feel so heavy and itβs easier to focus.
I tilt my head slowly and glance at the chair wondering if I really had seen Jesse or if it had been some kind of feverish dream.
It wasnβt, unless Iβm still hallucinating because heβs curled up in a comfortable looking leather chair next to me, idly leafing through a magazine. Iβm sure heβs wearing a different colour shirt than before, and I take a moment to study him.
His short blonde hair is in need of a trim, sticking up slightly as if heβs run his fingers through it in agitation. Thereβs a light scruff along his jaw, which means he probably hasnβt shaved in a few days, and there are smudges under his eyes, like heβs barely slept.
βJesseβ¦β My voice is barely more than a croak, causing Jesseβs head to snap up in my direction.
βDeak.β He leans forward with a gasp of relief. βYouβre awake. You opened your eyes for a few moments yesterday, but then you were out cold again.β
Yesterday? I stare at him in confusion. βWhereβ¦β I try to speak, but my voice sounds like a rusty nail, and my mouth is so dry I donβt even have any spit when I attempt to swallow.
βHere.β Jesse carefully lifts a small plastic cup and guides a straw to my lips. βSip slowly. They had to put a tube down your throat to help you breath for a while, so you probably have a sore throat.β
Understatement.
I sip gratefully. The water is lukewarm and has a faintly clinical taste to it, but against my painful throat it feels like the best thing Iβve ever tasted. I release the straw, feeling a bead of water drip from my lower lip. I watch as Jesse reaches out unconsciously and runs his thumb along my lip. My heart kicks up a notch, and once again the stupid machine next to me starts beeping faster.
Realising what heβs done, he drops his hand and swallows, staring at the machine. βIβll go get someone.β He frowns.
βJesse,β I whisper hoarsely, lifting my hand clumsily to grasp his. βWhere am I?β
βYouβre in a hospital in Rome,β he replies quietly, his warm hazel eyes searching my face for any flicker of recognition, but so far, Iβm drawing a blank.
βRome?β I frown, and I have a vague recollection of a party. βWhat happened?β
βYou were in a car accident.β
I close my eyes against the sudden flash of lights, the sound of grinding metal, glass shattering.
*****
Review:
Jesse feels like he’s taking care of everyone and everything. He doesn’t mind, he loves them all, but he’s starting to struggle under the pressure he’s putting on himself. While he misses his best friend desperately, having him back may be more than he can take. Deacon is having a bit of a life crisis. He’s struggling with finding enjoyment and purpose in his current life, to the point that he’s cut off the most important person to him. An accident brings them back together, providing the opportunity to connect and maybe develop their relationship into something deeper.
Cassidy delivers a very emotional romance with moments of humor and a bit of heat but also filled with a lot of angst, brooding, and misunderstanding. Not everyone is into that kind but I think those that do will really enjoy themselves. The characters, both main and secondary, are enjoyable and the HEA ending is an enjoyable conclusion to a heartwarming (and occasionally heartbreaking) story. I’m super excited to see what is in store for the rest of them π
*****
Author Info:
Vawn Cassidy is the mild mannered MM obsessed alter ego/ pen name of contemporary fantasy & romantic suspense author Wendy Saunders. She’s a Brit and lives in the UK with her husband and kids.
To celebrate the release of Definitely Deacon, Vawn is giving away 2 e-sets of the Belong to Me Series so far (2 eBooks: Suddenly Beck & Definately Deacon)!
Enter the Rafflecopter giveaway for your chance to win!