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 senseโฆ 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 doesnโt share the communityโs 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 senseโฆ and his willpower.
โYour hours say you’re open until six,โ the brunette says when I unlock and open the door. โSo I thought I had plenty of time to catch you.โ
โI close when everythingโs sold.โ
Little Miss Sunshine doesnโt flinch at my grumpy tone. She just stares up at me with the prettiest green eyes Iโve ever seen. โYou donโt have anything left to sell? By quarter after four?โ
โNo.โ An apology would be appropriate here, I know. Not my style. Hence why I need a customer service elf. โCome by in the morning if you donโt want to be disappointed.โ Shit, even I can do better than that. I huff a miserable-sounding sigh. โI tell you whatโIโll put something aside for you, and you can pick it up whenever you get here. The door will probably be locked, but Iโll wait for you. Best I can do. So. What were you hoping to get today?โ
โA job.โ 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. โThis job. You wonโt find anyone better. What time should I be here tomorrow?โ
I grunt a laugh. Even smile a little. Sheโs spunky, confident, and yeah, very easy on the eyes. Too easy, considering sheโs gotta be in her early-twenties, and Iโm knocking on fortyโs door. My attraction is irrelevant. Sheโs applying for a job, not a date.
Right now, sheโs 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, Iโm not foolish enough to hire anyone on impulse. Not even the irresistible brunette.
โGot a resume?โ I hook a nod toward the cash counter. โIโll add it to the pile and look it over later.โ When sheโs not standing in my personal space, looking and smelling like a sweet treat I could sink into. My second head doesnโt 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. โNo bakery experience,โ I say, pointing out the only fault I find.
Her genuine smile doesnโt waver, not even for a moment. โDonโt worry. Iโll have your buns and baguettes figured out in no time.โ
If she knew how much my baguette liked the sound of that, sheโd snatch her application from my hand and never come back. โIโll be in touchโโ I glance at the paper again, as if I didnโt already have her name and number committed to memory. โMs. Golding.โ
โItโs Miss, and call me Honey.โ
Another grunted laugh slips out. โHoping to sweeten me up so I give you the job, Miss Golding?โ
โI always put Honora on formal or professional documents, but everyone in town calls me Honey.โ Shit. Iโve 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. โDonโt worry, boss, Iโm not offended. What time should I be here in the morning?โ
โI havenโt offered you the job.โ 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.
โYou will,โ she says, holding my hand and my gaze. โIโm exactly what you need.โ
Sheโs right. I know it with every cell of my being. Trouble is, I think sheโs 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 hasnโt 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 sheโs 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. Sheโd love to hear from you!
Jalen Daniels loves his job as a hockey coach to kids in the Philadelphia Powerโs 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 theyโve 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 Strikerโs giant head in Sawyerโs direction with a sly smile. “I was thinking about bringing a backup turkey to Thanksgiving.”
As expected, frustration flares in Sawyerโs features, and he huffs a heavy sigh. “My dog snatches the bird off the table one time and itโs all you guys can talk about.”
Grinning, Axel zips his bag shut and takes over stowing away Sawyerโs gear for him. “Donโt 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 Sawyerโs eyes. “Donโt worry, Iโve already had a talk with him about being a good guest and I am bringing a backup turkey just in case.”
โShould I bring one too?โ Blue eyes brimming with laughter, Calder rubs a towel over his damp blond hair. โOr stick with apple pie?โ
โI love pie.โ Axel hooks his arm around Calderโs shoulders. โDefinitely more pie.โ
โIf you had your way, weโd exclusively be eating pie for dinner.โ Laughing, I canโt resist the pull to turn my attention back to Jalen. For the first time all afternoon, heโs 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. “Youโre 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? Donโt be such a baby.”
A baby? I immediately bristle with the need to prove Iโm not one. The satisfaction on Axelโs face reveals his intention. He knows me too well.
“Fine.” Anticipation, embarrassment, and determination jangling my body louder than the music coming from the arenaโs speakers, I stand. My teammates do the same, and for a second Iโm afraid theyโll tag along.
Axel slaps my back. โThatโs my boy.โ
“Good luck, Leafy,” Sawyer adds, before tugging a ball cap with Strikerโs image over his dark hair.
Ryder gives me a gentle nudge forward. “Make us proud, man.”
โYouโve got this.โ Calder busts out two thumbs up.
“You guys suck.” But they just grin at me, and I smile back. Iโm lucky to have friends who will goad me into being brave in the one area Iโve shied away from since the birth of my daughter. Being a dad has always come first, so I havenโt let myself indulge too far into romance. But thereโs something about Jalen, and if I donโt act now, I know Iโll 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 sheโs having a blast. Happily ever afters for everyone makes her heart sing. When sheโs 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 sheโs 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.
Kieran Sullivan is broken when he arrives at Redemption Ridge. A wrongful conviction and twenty months in lockup will do that to a man. The ranch is a place for second chances and fresh starts, but for him, itโs an opportunity to discover who set him up. Get in, get answers, and get out. The plan sounds easy enough until Kieran meets an equine specialist whose sunny smile could warm the coldest heart.
Finley Ashe is a sucker for bruised spirits and sad eyes. The horse whisperer and broken-boy magnet is six months into a hiatus from love when Kieran, the king of emotionally unavailable men, gets assigned to work under his supervision. Mutual attraction is gasoline on proximityโs flame, testing Finleyโs resistance in new ways.
Priorities shift, shields come down, and truths get exposed. Will the inevitable combustion redeem Kieran and Finley or consume them?
Guys Like Him is book one in the Redemption Ridge series. Though each story features a different couple, reading the series in order is essential. Guys Like Him contains mature themes and is intended for adults.
Thick gray clouds hovered overhead, rolling like the anger churning inside him. For the past year, heโd expressed his eagerness to put the past behind him and start fresh. Thatโs what the prison counselors and the people with power over him wanted to hear, so that was the bullshit he fed them. But privately, Kieran tended to his bitterness like a stew on the stove. He knew when to adjust the heat and which ingredients to add to the pot to keep his resentment sharp. And the fucking drab sky and clouds only antagonized him more.
For twenty months, his entire existence had been grayโthe floors and walls, the food, and the pallor of the inmatesโ skin. The only break in the monotony were the prison scrubs. He would happily go the rest of his life without seeing the color orange again. Kieran had foolishly allowed himself to daydream about the vibrancy heโd see on release day, but heโd just gotten more of the same. Everything around him was wet and shiny from the rain, but it was more of a piss on his parade than a refreshing, clean slate. Kieranโs olfactory senses zeroed in on the motor oil brought to the asphaltโs surface by the shower. It was a scent he knew all too well, and it became a match to his pilot light. Rainwater splashed up on his feet and shins as he walked, but his wrath made him impervious to the chill. Kieran reached inside the padded envelope, removed the wallet, and stuffed it into his back pocket. Then he tossed the envelope with the cell phone into the trash bin. The device was dead, the contract canceled, and there was no one on the contact list he wanted to speak to anymore.
A slight breeze stirred the air, and Kieran closed his eyes and tipped his head back. Yeah, heโd enjoyed fresh air during breaks in the yard, but they never lasted long enough and were controlled by someone else. Heโd lived long enough like a marionette, and there was no better time to embrace free will. The weather wasnโt what heโd hoped for, but he got to enjoy it outside the fences, and that was a victory heโd stop and embrace.
A rumbling engine caught his attention, and he opened his eyes in time to see a black king cab truck with a silver Redemption Ridge logo stop in front of the facility. The guy behind the wheel wasnโt a chauffeur, but he was there for Kieran just the same. A year ago, he set a plan into motion, and Cash Sweeneyโs presence proved it had worked.
Kieranโs good behavior had gained him access to the K9 programs at Arrowhead, where heโd met Cash and his dogs from Redemption Ridge. The front passenger window rolled down, and a familiar black-and-white head poked out. Patsy, a border collie, was the first dog heโd met during the program, and it had been love at first sight for them. It turned out Kieran had a sixth sense when working with animals, especially the shyest ones. His talents had captured Cashโs notice, and heโd offered Kieran employment and housing on his ranch, where he rehabilitated horses and dogs. Kieranโs participation in the program and the subsequent employment opportunity hadnโt been divine intervention or luck; it was all part of his carefully orchestrated plan.
*****
Review:
This one is a slow burn, low angst romance and while it’s a complete romance it’s also an introduction to a larger storyline that will go over a couple more books at least. I think knowing that helps because some of it feels unnecessary and other parts are kinda left hanging. Definitely a standalone-but-not kind of situation ๐
Kieran, just out of prison, has one thing on his mind when he gets to Redemption Ranch – get revenge on the people who send him to jail for something he didn’t do. And then he meets Finley. The draw is undeniable, but Kieran tries so hard to keep in mind why he’s really there.
Finley has always been drawn to men who are not good for him – the broken ones – and no one fits that bill more than Kieran. But past relationships have left Finley with a bruised heart and he’s not too anxious to do that again. If only he can resist his new ranch hand.
There’s a lot of fighting their feelings, inner dialogue moments in the early parts of the story so it takes a while for these two to finally give in to their attraction but it’s worth it when they do. (It also gives readers a chance to get to know a little bit about the ranch and everyone who lives there.) **Slight spoiler ahead but just a teeny, hint of one** Part of that includes the two of them trying to get more info on what happened with Kieran’s past. But a lot of the resolution of it happens offscreen, which I think some readers were frustrated with. I’m going to give the author the benefit of the doubt and hope that it comes into play more in a later story.
This is only the second of this author’s books that I’ve read and I’m looking forward to more. Her mains are likeable, interacting well together with a good combination of humor & heat, and she does well at giving us intriguing secondary characters. Finley’s mother, stepfather, and sister are a hoot, but the love between them is there for everyone to see. And the others at the ranch all seem like good guys, with pasts that could be a hotbed for complications & depth, and I’m so ready for more about them. Bring it on Ms. Walker!
*****
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 titlesโwife, 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 Aimeeโs Dye Hards? Weโd love to have you! Click here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/AimeesDyeHards/
Ava and Miles try to outwit each other as they battle for the same land. Avaโs determined to claim the land for her boss and get out of town, but thereโs something charming about the townโฆ and Miles. Readers who enjoy the Man of the Month Club collection will devour Morsel Enemies by Alexia Chase, a steamy, small town, enemies-to-lovers, beach romance.
Are you ready to meet your next Man of the Month?
Morsel Enemies
Candy Cane Key
Man of the Month Club: May
by Alexia Chase
Blurb:
Chocolate chips, year-round Christmas decorations, crystal-clear waters, and smoldering nights under the stars. What more could you ask for?
Avaโs boss, Jax, wants the same land Miles wants, and sheโs there to make sure Jax gets it and escape Hell Town, Florida, as fast as she can. Miles loves the land and will stop at nothing to get rid of the interloper.
Until Miles and the town charm her. Or is it all a lie?
Morsel Enemies from Alexia Chase is a small-town, enemies-to-lovers romance about Candy Cane Keyโs favorite Scuba Diving Charter owner and a woman who hates frizzy hair, bugs, and sunshine.
Sparks will ignite this National Chocolate Chip Day as these two try to outwit each other. Itโs going to be a hell of a ride.
The MAN OF THE MONTH CLUB is a steamy small-town collection featuring a new hottie (or two) every month. In 2023, escape to Candy Cane Key, Florida, and celebrate All the Holidays with your favorite group of romance authors and their delicious Paradise Men. Canโt wait to see you there!
Who has Christmas all year round? In the Florida Keys? These people need their heads examined. God, itโs hot. I fan the neckline of my top to let in some much-needed coolness, except nothing but sweltering air is swooshing around.
From inside my black handbag clutch, my cell phone rings. I let go of the handle for my luggage. Portia. My teeth grind together as I answer, โYes?โ
โDid you make it okay?โ
โYes. If you call standing in the middle of a machine shed, miles from civilization with my hair frizzing, a mosquito trying to drain me of all my blood, and no way to get to the Lansing Estates, okay.โ
โAbout thatโฆ.โ Portia trails off as my armpits break into a sweat, making the silk fabric hug my skin.
โWhat?โ
โThe estate isnโt exactly an estate. The relatives who inherited the land that Jax wants to buy havenโt had anyone living in the house since their father went into a nursing home four years ago.โ
โGreat.โ I turn my attention to the grinning receptionist, whoโs now alone as the pilot readies the plane to return to the mainland. Go now. Get back on the plane.
Stop. Itโs just a few days. A week at the most, and youโll be back in civilization.
Robert marches across the cement floor and engulfs the hand of another man. Is that blood? I wrinkle my nose and watch their exchange. The man is tall and tan with dark hair, and while I canโt see his eyes, Iโm guessing theyโre a startling shade of blue. Because why wouldnโt they be?
He might be good-looking, but his clothes are disheveled and filthy. Theyโre either coated in blood or something worse. I shift away from them. I donโt want to know what that something else is.
I spin on my heel as I listen to my sister ramble about the land. The view. The ocean. The wildlife. And every other disgusting thing about the outside. Give me a 5-star restaurant and some upscale shopping, please.
โYouโre just going to love this town. Itโs amazing. I wish I wasnโt bedridden. Iโd love to go back there again.โ My sister and her husband came to Candy Cane Keys for Christmas, and she apparently came home with a little present, all of her own. My future niece or nephew.
โWho has a town with Christmas decorations all year? Whatโs wrong with these people?โ
โExcuse me?โ A deep baritone voice growls behind me. I twirl around, smacking the good-looking guy in the knee with my luggage.
โShit,โ he grunts and jerks backward. โWatch what youโre doing?โ His eyes narrow into slits as he eyes me up and down.
โDonโt sneak up on people; you wonโt get hit.โ
โAva, whatโs going on?โ
โSome local bumpkin is yelling at me for hurting him with my luggage when he was the one that smacked into me.โ
โSay, excuse me.โ The man crosses his arms over his chest. And lord, thereโs a lot of it. His eyes are a stark blue like the ocean. Just as I expected. I sniff. And he smells like the ocean โ salt, beach wood, and rotting fish. I hate the ocean.
Copyright 2023 Alexia Chase
*****
Author Info:
Alexia Chase is a steamy contemporary romance author who specializes in visual stories set in an interconnected world.
If you love stepping into a place that feels like home where familiar people, places, and things welcome you with open arms, then youโre in the right place.
Ms. Chase pens everything from short stories to novels with heroes from bartenders to billionaires.
What can you find between the pages? Heavy doses of snark, sinful fun, smut, and happily ever afters.
Come inside. Theyโre waiting for you.
Where can you find Ms. Chase when sheโs not writing? Ms. Chase lives in a small community outside of Kansas City, Missouri. She spends her free time with her husband, three children, and two dogs and loves to spin stories in her head. Sheโs an avid learner and never far from her computer. Just ask her children. They have plenty to say about her excessive computer usage.
**** I love short stories, and I love Alexia Chase. ****
**** Oh, my I love these short hot and sexy books by Alexia. ****
**** Funny, sweet, and steamy. Alexia Chase did an awesome job with this novel. ****
**** Ms. Chase has written an engaging, steamy, funny, angst driven, and entertaining. ****
A sexy and emotional story about how two best friends secretly fall in love but struggle to keep a heartbreaking secret from tearing them apart.
When I met Greg Foster, the straight tight end for the Portland Pirates, the rookie needed a friend to bring him out of his shell. There was more to the shy twenty-two-year-old bookworm than met the eye, and I was the perfect person for the task. My roommate and best friend, Christian, was involved with the Pirates QB, so a new friend to hang out with was good.
I pushed down my attraction to him and became the best friend he ever had. We bar-hopped all over Portland and played video games in our apartments. We even loved the same indy band from Seattle.
Then we fucked up when we fell in love. And by fucked up, I mean we got married even though we knew our marriage had to remain a secret.
No one knew about us. Not even our closest friends. And every time they asked, we gave them the same line… we’re just friends.
And ultimately, the reason for that secret would tear us apart. Now, here I was three years after meeting him, and wasnโt sure how to survive without him. He was the love of my life, and I was his.
Ineligible Receiver is a friends-to-lovers and bi-awakening story and Book 5 in The Package Deal Series.
โSo, Texas Tech, huh? Did you finish your degree, or leave early for the pros?โ
Greg took a sip of his beer, then nodded. โYeah, I got my degree.โ
โWhat is it?โ He was going to make me pull it out of him.
โEnglish Literature,โ he said, running his big hand over his head.
โYou like to read?โ I was intrigued.
He nodded again. โYeah, I love it. Kinda fits my personality.โ
โThe quiet one?โ
He smiled, but not so shyly this time. โYeah, that one. Iโve never been a partier or anything like that. Iโm weird and like to stay home.โ He rolled the bottle between his long fingers.
Interesting. โThatโs not weird. What else do you do to relax?โ
Greg chuckled. โThis feels like an interview.โ
All I could do was smile. He was so fucking adorable.
โWell,โ I said, turning toward him, โjust so happens I have a spot open for a new friend, and you seem like the perfect person to fill the position.โ
Our eyes met, and my pulse sped up a little. The small smile that crossed his face forced me to smile. He was breathtaking, with green eyes, tanned skin, and that thick light blonde hair. I was really going to have to work to tamp down my lust for him.
โWell, I guess I better finish the interview then.โ
I waited. And waited some more.
โWell?โ
โThatโs a deep subject.โ He tried his damndest not to smile.
My eyes widened. โYouโve got dad jokes!โ I pushed his shoulder. โWhat else you hiding in there, rookie?โ
Greg laughed and visibly relaxed in front of me. This was good.
โNothing, I swear.โ He took another drink of his beer. โGo back to your interview.โ
I had to smile at him. โWhat do you like to do other than read? Thatโs not something we could do together. Although, I guess we could. Maybe get a couple of velvet dinner jackets, some armchairs, and pipes to smoke. Would you like that?โ
I watched his throat as he laughed at my suggestion. That beautiful smile and a tiny bit of his warmth was beginning to show.
โUh, thatโs not necessary. But it would make a cool picture to send to my brother.โ
Okay, he has a brother.
โBrock is almost fourteen. Heโs my best friend.โ
I smiled. โWell, until now.โ
*****
Review:
I was so looking forward to this story and while I loved finally getting Cooper & Greg’s side of things there were a few parts that bothered me enough that I’m regrettably going to have to give this one 3.5 or maybe 3.75 *s. I personally don’t like stories told as flashbacks. It’s disconcerting and stops me from being able to fall completely into the story but I kinda understand why it was done here since we are getting their side of stories that were already told during the previous books (and as such you probably need to have read the rest of them to really enjoy this one). It’s awkward, though, and I think it really doesn’t give them the time their story needs so the idea of them hiding things for so long doesn’t resonate as much. And because of the staccato pacing I didn’t feel for Cooper’s situation as much as I did for Greg’s and so when trouble came I wasn’t on his side like I probably should have been. I think if I had really felt the time passing maybe it would have been different.
Now saying that, while it is a ding it’s not an unforgiveable one and I loved seeing these two fall in love – there are all sorts of feels and heartbreak going on as they make their way to a HEA. Like all of the books up to this point, it takes a little help from their friends for them to get there and it’s a beautiful thing to witness. The support and encouragement that these guys show each other is amazing and exemplifies their closeness as a family. You wish that Greg truly understood that earlier but once his past comes out you can understand why he feels the way he does. It’s unfortunate that he couldn’t trust Cooper and the guys more but on the other hand Cooper does enable that a bit as they go along. And they do show Greg that they are there for him when it truly matters.
A rollercoaster ride of emotions, Ineligible Receiver gives readers, especially those that have been there from the start, a satisfying resolution for two of our favorite people. There may be tears and frustration and even a little anger, but there is also humor and silliness and a whole lotta love. The authors know how to give their readers characters to get behind and keep them coming back for more. (Speaking of, I’m definitely going to be there for Roughing the Kicker! Can’t wait to see what’s in store for Jesse and Dominick ๐ )
*****
Author Info:
For as long as she can remember, Rheland’s had her nose stuck in a book, getting lost in the world of someone else’s creation (She still does). Her love for writing came from her love for reading. She could never have one without the other.
Writing has always been a hobby and a cathartic experience for her. There are many stories lost to the never to be completed or published pile but needed to be written at the time.
She’s just a girl that loved stories so much she decided to write hers.
Rheland would love to hear from her readers and learn more about y’all. So if you get a chance… Get in touch.
Emerson Beckett is new to the publishing world. As an avid sports fan and lover of well-written M/M romance books, Emerson loves her new career as an author of gay romance. Itโs even more fulfilling for her when she can combine the two.
The journey to becoming an author started with an idea while reading on the sofa. That idea became an email that ultimately resulted in Emerson using those teacher skills to edit novels for three phenomenal MM romance authors. The third referral led to an opportunity to co-write a book series with one of the most genuine and kindest people sheโs ever had the pleasure of knowing- Rheland Richmond. Emerson is the co-author of The Package Deal Series, which includes The Quarterback Keeper, Pass Interference,Unnecessary Roughness, Two-Point Conversion, Illegal Motion, Ineligible Receiver, and one more upcoming book in the series. She plans to release her first solo book in 2023.
Besides being a retired teacher and author, Emerson lives in North Carolina and has been married to the same man for 32 years. She is the mother of three beautiful adults, one of whom is proudly part of the LGBTQ Community and completely responsible for her addiction to MM Romance. Even though the kids no longer live at home, they filled the empty nest with an Australian Shepherd, three cats, and a cute bunny rabbit.
Emerson would love to hear from her readers. So if you get a chance… Get in touch.
Jackson was there on the worst night of Harperโs life, and every day since. Heโs everything she wants and needs, but is it worth blowing up their carefully balanced lives? Fans of Pippa Grant, Max Monroe, and Penny Reid will devour Sooner or Gator by Mae Harden, a steamy, small town, friends-to-lovers, roommates-to-lovers, forced proximity, beach romance.
Sooner or Gator
Candy Cane Key
Man of the Month: May
by Mae Harden
Blurb:
JACKSON
โWhat do you need?โ
That night was supposed to change everythingโฆ and it did. Just not in the way I had hoped.
I was there on the worst night of Harperโs life. The night her world came crashing down, bringing with it the crushing responsibility of raising her own sister when she was still practically a kid herself.
For seven years, Iโve been exactly what she asked for. Iโve been biding my time, but nothing stays the sameโeven on an island where itโs perpetually Christmasโand time is officially up.
HARPER
โA friend.โ
The love of my life sleeps ten feet away from me, just on the other side of that wall. He doesnโt know how I feel about him, of course.
That would just be crazy.
Jackson has always been my rock, which is exactly why he can never know how desperately I want him.
Sure, every grin he throws in my direction sets off a storm surge down below and makes my heart race like sandpipers on the beach, but thatโs not an excuse to blow up our carefully balanced livesโฆ right?
Iโm on the verge of asking Haley why she bought more wine glasses when we have a perfectly good set in the cabinet, but as she hands me one, I realize theyโre only mostly stemless.
โYou know most people use bottle toppers to save their wine, right?โ I laugh, eyeing the stubby stem with its rubber gasket before pushing it into the opening of what is now, quite clearly, a bottle not meant for sharing. Experimentally, I tip it sideways and watch an inch of deep burgundy liquid pool in the bottom of the glass.
โBottle toppers, much like bookmarks, are for quitters,โ Haley says with a mischievous grin. โBesides, arenโt you always harping on about how important it is to finish what you start?โ She looks extremely proud of herself as she tips back a hearty glug of cheap Cabernet.
โBut, more importantly, youโre both wrong. Trailer Park Shark is the one with Tara Reid, but it was the douche-canoe developer who flooded the trailer park, and Iโm ninety-nine percent sure sheโs the S.B.T.S.โ
โBack up.โ Tizzy raises a hand like sheโs about to ask the teacher for a bathroom pass. โYou know I canโt with your movie shorthand.โ
โSole Big Tittied Survivor,โ Haley sighs heavily.
โOkay, but thatโs not exactly a common abbreviation,โ Tizzy replies, copying Hayleyโs sigh as dramatically as she can possibly manage.
Some people have incredible memories for languages or history, but no one can match Haley when it comes to movies that came out decades before she was even born.
The windows and doors are open to let in the spring air, and over the cacophony of tree frogs croaking and crickets chirping away outside, I hear car tires crunch on the gravel drive.
Craning my neck as far as I dare, I spot a familiar, black jeep. Itโs more rust than paint thanks to the salty Florida air, but as its tires come to a halt in their well-worn spots, I canโt help grinning. In the fading light of the orange sky, the profile of my other best friend, Jackson Beauregard, is clearly visible as he climbs out and grabs his things.
Tizzy quirks an eyebrow at me as I straighten Haley goes on. โโฆand the poor-manโs Tommy Lee Jones, a.k.a. Robert Davi did not appear in Trailer Park Shark. He was, however, in the 2011 classic Swamp Shark where he starred opposite a busty blonde played by the O.G. Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and I swear to God, if one of you so much as whispers the name Sarah Michelle Gellarโฆโ
My little sister waits for one of us to match her encyclopedic knowledge, but we all know itโs not going to happen.
โKristy Swanson! Come on! Okay, extra credit points: Robert Davi was one of three villains in which beloved 80s adventure movie?โ
Tizzy and I stare blankly at each other while simultaneously tipping our bottles toward the sky.
โThe Goonies,โ a deep voice supplies from just outside. โCome on, kid. Give us a hard one next time.โ
Grinning, I tip my head backward over the couch just in time to see Jackson coming through the screen door. โโBout time,โ I sass. โWe were about to start without you.โ
โNo, you werenโt.โ Jackson laughs, shaking his head as he drops his keys in the bowl where they always go. He hangs his backpack on its hook and drops onto the couch next to me, making me bounce as all six-and-a-half feet of him bottoms out the springs.
“Well… we had considered it.”
โWhat are we watching this week?โ Jackson asks, changing the subject with about as much subtlety as a Horatio roller skating down Main Street in his favorite candy cane hot pants.
โSwamp Shark,โ Haley votes.
โLiteral flying sharks too much for you tonight?โ Jackson chuckles.
โMaybe once Iโve polished this offโฆโ Haley replies, raising her wine and its extra classy attachment in a toast. โBut Kristy Swanson with a shotgun?โ She lets out an exaggerated whistle. โIโm always in the mood for that.โ
I snort. I canโt help it. โYeah, who doesnโt love a busty blonde armed to the teeth?โ
Jackson twists the top off a beer and shrugs dispassionately as he stares down at it. โI could take โem or leave โem, honestly.โ
Tizzy leans over, her expression conspiratorial and eyes sparkling with mischief. Oh, fuck. Here we go, I groan inwardly. โAnd which part of that is uninspiring to you, Jackson? The โblondeโ bit or the โarmed to the teethโ bit? Because we know you donโt have issues with the โbustyโ bit.โ
โFucking bluetooth speakers,โ Jackson mutters, suddenly finding the label of his beer bottle utterly fascinating, but Haley is all ears.
โWaitโฆ what happened? Whatโd I miss?โ
โNothing,โ I say quickly, feeling my own face burn with embarrassment, even though I was just an innocent bystander in all this.
โJackson forgot to disconnect the living room speakers from his phone last nightโฆ didnโt he?โ Tizzy tilts her head, locking her eyes on six-and-a-half feet worth of blushing man.
Jackson clears his throat and gets to his feet. “Anyone want a glass of water?” Without waiting for an answer, he disappears, no doubt to let Tizzy get this out of her system.
“Tizz…” I start.I know what sheโs getting at and itโs nothing new.
“Come on, Harper. Brunette roommate gets lonely and crawls into bed? You still seriously think that had nothing to do with you?”
“Of course, I do.” Admittedly, it would be easier if he was into something less… can porn be wholesome?
Tizzy would like everyone to believe Jackson and I are star crossed lovers, destined to fall for each other in some kind of epic love story that spans decades and generations and all of time and space.
I think Tizzy needs a new vibrator and a subscription to Passionflix, but Iโm only a wimple away from making my vow of celibacy official, so what do I know?
Copyright 2023 Mae Harden
*****
Author Info:
Mae Harden has a thing for spicy books, hilarious meet-cutes, mouthy women, and the kind of men who will pull your hair in bed, but run a bath for you after… if you’ve been a good girl, of course. Smut-com, rom-cum, or whatever you want to call them, Mae likes her books funny, filthy, and full of feels.
Mae lives in Virginia with her smokin’ hot husband, two kids who delight in giving out hugs and gray hairs, and a collection of fur babies that probably qualifies her as a zoo keeper. IF she had free time, she’d use it to bake, water the remaining houseplants, and do crafty shit, all while listening to true-crime podcasts.
In this heartwarming small-town romance, can three months, two planning projects, and a meddling grandmother finallyย make two high school hate crushes see just how right they are for each other?
Ambitious real estate agent Sinclair Buchanan is ecstatic to be her best friendโs maid-of-honorโuntil she discovers the bestย man is Garrett Davenport. Sin and Rettโs mutual hate crush ignited when they were teens and hasnโt let up since . . . exceptย for that one extremely hot (and extremely regrettable) night they shared five years ago.
Nothing gets Rett fired up like going toe-to-toe with Sinclair. Sheโs as infuriatingly stubborn, and as absolutely gorgeous, asย when he fell for her back in high school. Working together to plan their best friendsโ last-minute wedding is one thing, butย when his matchmaking grandmother gets involved Rett knows heโs in deep. Attraction has always simmered betweenย them, but this time, theyโre both in danger of losing their hearts.
โGarrett Davenport, how very nice of you to finally show up.โ Sinclair sashayed toward him, clutching a clear clipboard decorated with a colorful floral design.
Sinclair assessed him with disdain, flecks of green and gold dancing in those large hazel eyes heโd been mesmerized by from the first moment heโd laid eyes on them in high school. She pursed her glossy pink lips, her nostrils flaring, and planted a fist on one curvy hip.
The bossy little she-devil was infuriating, attitudish, and fucking gorgeous. And she damn well knew it.
Her floral, sleeveless dress showed off her toned arms and sculpted shouldersโa feature heโd never noticed on a woman before, let alone been attracted to. The hem of the flirty little skirt grazed her midthigh, accentuating her tawny brown skin, a shade that landed smack between her fatherโs dark brown skin and her motherโs olive skin tone.
Sinclair flipped her hair, a deep, rich brown highlighted with ribbons of honey blond, over one shoulder and ran her manicured nails through the waterfall of shoulder-length waves. Her gaze bore into him, and if looks could kill, heโd be lying on the floor stone cold.
โYou do realize youโre an hour late to your own best friendโs engagement party.โ She leaned into him, speaking in a harsh whisper that only he could hear. โYou sure you gonโ be able to show up for the wedding on time?โ
Her nasally voice reminded him of Whitley Gilbertโs from A Different World. And just a few minutes into the conversation, sheโd already intimated that he was an unreliable slacker. Rett clenched his jaw. Yet, as annoyed as he was, he couldnโt help noticing how hot Sin looked tonight.
โSorry Iโm late,โ Rett finally managed. He shoved his hands, balled into fists, into his pockets. โSomething came up.โ
Sinclairโs gaze dropped to the placket in front of his zipper momentarily. Her eyes widened and her cheeks and forehead flushed. She quickly returned her attention to the clipboard.
Maybe he wasnโt the only one who couldnโt forget their previous encounter.
โItโs always some excuse with you, Rett.โ Sinclair wrapped her arms around the clipboard, clutching it to her chest. Her eyes didnโt quite meet his.
Was she clutching the clipboard because he made her nervous? Or was she shielding her bodyโs reaction after shamelessly ogling him two minutes into their conversation?
It didnโt matter. Because Sinclair Buchanan was as irritating now as sheโd been when theyโd been forced to hang out together while Dexter and Dakota had dated in high school. She seemed to hate him on sight back then. But he hadnโt helped matters when heโd tried to talk his cousin out of getting serious with Sinโs best friend.
When Dex had suddenly ended things with Dakota the Christmas after heโd left for college, Sinclair had confronted Rett outside his grandmotherโs house. Sheโd been as mad as a hornet and had cussed him out six ways to Sundayโsure heโd been behind the breakup.
He hadnโt been. But he hadnโt bothered telling her so. Besides, as distraught as sheโd been, heโd doubted Sinclair wouldโve believed a single word heโd said.
Since Dexter and Dakotaโs reconciliation, Sinclair must surely have learned the truth: he had nothing to do with Dexter and Dakotaโs breakup back then. In fact, heโd been as shocked by it as anyone. But evidently, it didnโt matter, because Sinclair clearly still wasnโt a fan. Though she certainly had been that night in his hotel room, given the enthusiasm with which sheโd called his name and the marks sheโd left on his back.
โItโs not an excuse, Sin. I planned to be here on time, but I was sidetracked byโโ
โDidnโt think you were going to make it.โ Dexter approached, holding Dakotaโs hand. The two of them looked ridiculously happy, and Rett felt a slight twinge of envy.
โAnd miss your engagement party?โ Rett slapped palms and clasped hands with Dex. โNo way, cuz. Been waiting half my life to see you finally tie the knot with this beautiful lady.โ He turned toward his cousinโs soon-to-be better half. โCongrats, Dakota.โ
โThank you, Rett.โ Dakotaโs grin lit her brown eyes. She gave him a big hug. โAnd for the record, I knew youโd be here tonight. It was these two who were sweating it.โ She gestured toward Dex and Sinclair, then glanced around the room. โMama Mae didnโt come with you?โ
โSheโs sick and didnโt much appreciate me fussing over her,โ Rett said.
โBut you did anyway.โ Dakota smiled. โThe relationship you two have is adorable.โ
โโCause Mama Mae is the only woman who can get him to behave,โ Sinclair muttered as she scanned her clipboard. When they all turned to look at her, Sin looked up and shrugged. โWhat? You know itโs true.โ
โBe nice, Sin.โ Dakota pointed a finger at her best friend. โYou promised you two would get along.โ
โFine.โ She flashed Rett a dead-eyed smile and turned up the Whitley Gilbert singsong southern belle voice. โWe are so very glad that you could join us this evening, Garrett. I was just about to ask the staff to take the food away. So please make yourself a plate.โ She batted her long, thick eyelashes. โIn fact, why donโt I escort you to the buffet?โ
Dexter and Dakota snickered, and Rett couldnโt help chuckling to himself.
That was as warm a greeting as he could expect from the former beauty queen, who now employed that same charm in her job as one of the islandโs top real estate agents. Evidently, she reserved that charm for people not named Rett Davenport.
Sinclair turned and walked toward the buffet, indicating that he should come with. He did, captivated by the subtle sway of her hips as he followed in the wake of her soft, delicate scent. All of it taking him back to that night theyโd shared in Raleigh five years ago.
Yes, heโd been an immature jerk to Sinclair in high school. She clearly still held a grudge and had no intentions of letting him forget it. Despite the night theyโd shared.
Fine. Because he wasnโt here for Sinclair. He was here for Dexter and Dakota. For them, heโd tolerate Ms. Thing. But that didnโt mean he couldnโt have a little fun with her.
*****
Author Info:
Reese Ryan writes sexy, deeply emotional romances with family drama, surprising secrets, and unexpected twists.
Past president of her local Romance Writers of America chapter and a panelist at the 2017 Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, Reese is an advocate for theย romance genre and diversity in fiction.
Wedding planner, Cassie Winters canโt wait to find her own happily ever after, and when she meets wedding hater, Theo Abbot, she realizes sheโs got her work cut out for her. Theoโs grumpy, set in his ways, and determined to never fall in love again, but the more time they spend together, the more Cassie begins to wonder if she can change Theoโs position on love. Fans of Claire Kingsley and Kaylee Ryan will adore WED LIKE WILDFIRE by Lauren Helms, a steamy, grumpy sunshine romance.
Wed Like Wildfire
Happily Ever After, Inc #1
by Lauren Helms
Blurb:
Once upon a time, there was a grumpy CEO who met a wedding planner who never stopped smilingโฆ
Cassie You could say that I live and breathe weddings and love, and as a wedding planner, a happily ever after is the main event. So when I learn that Theo Abbot absolutely hates weddings, that should be my clue to run for the hills as fast as my sexy little black stilettos will take me.
But I digress.
I’m on the hunt for my own epic love story, one T-Swift herself could write a song about. Which means unavailable and seemingly uninterested CEOs are off limits. Even if the man oozes sex appeal and his grumpiness turns me to mush.
A little flirting never hurt anyone.
Theo Cassie Winters shines so bright I need a pair of Ray-bans to look directly at her. Problem is, once I’ve set my eyes on her, I can’t seem to look away. The woman is a walking, talking promotion for all things love and happiness.
Hand me an antacid.
Counting, on one hand, the amount of times I’ve failed in my life, leaves me knowing I won’t ever do “love” again. I’m set in my ways and not even this sexy little spitfire could sweet talk me out of my decision to never get married.
Yet it only took one drink to derail that plan.
But, things aren’t always as they seem and when real life gets in the way of this fairy tale, we’re both forced to take a hard look at what we truly want.
Are we both ready to wed or is this a wildfire that’s about to burn out?
I hear my sister and Mateo agree with her, and the woman continues.
โI mean, just look at the stage. It features more than fifty hand-painted scenic backdrops. It’s just absolutely remarkable.โ
Despite the fact that I could get lost in this womanโs voice, I donโt appreciate that she barking up the wrong tree trying to sell this space to my sister.
I come to a stop behind the three of them, my attendance going unnoticed. I resist the urge to clap for her performance, but interrupt her words with my own instead.
โWell done, sounds like you could sell religion to the damn Pope.โ Harsh, but I donโt like when people think they can take advantage of us just because we have money.
Both my sister and the woman startle. Mateo snorts. I glance at Nora and the glare Iโm getting could cut ice, but Iโve survived the look before. I nod a hello at Mateo before sliding my gaze to the best damn saleswoman in the world.
Taking in the woman standing in front of me, no goddamn joke, my heart skips a fucking beat. I draw my hand out of my pocket and slowly rub my chest absentmindedly.
The woman is utterly exquisite. Her soft blond hair is braided in a way that is messy but perfectly styled and falls over her shoulder with strands of soft gold framing her face. A face that at first glance looks flawless. Iโm unable to continue my perusal as Iโm stopped in my tracks by two sparkling blue eyes staring back at me. Taking in all of her, I see that the smirk she wears tells me sheโs not about to let me get away with what Iโve just said.
โNo doubt you are correct, Mr. Abbot. However, I wouldnโt attempt something so outrageous.โ Her eyes gleam. โI was just telling Nora and Mateo some very well-known facts about this beautiful cathedral.โ She glances up and waves her hand around as if to encompass the whole space.
โTheo, this is Cassie Winters, our wedding planner. Itโs nice of you to join us,โ Nora bites out in a pleasantly terse tone. She walks up to me and kisses my cheek. As she pulls away, she whispers, โBe nice.โ
I ignore her and focus on the wedding planner. Cassie.
โWell, Iโm just confused as to why we are even here, Ms. Winters. Or is it Mrs.?โ I ask.
She doesnโt miss a beat. โMs. Thank you. And we are here because the couple getting marriedโโshe gestures to Nora and Mateoโโwanted a tour.โ Her tone straddles the line of condescending and courteous. And itโs sexy as fuck.
Nora punches me lightly in the side, typical sister shit. โYes, I asked if we could check out the cathedral as well as some other places. Weโve already ruled some out due to availability, but this place has an opening twelve months from now,โ she informs me as she walks back over to Mateo, lacing her fingers through his. His eyes flash as he looks down at her.
โI thought you didnโt want to wait a year,โ I say, my eyes darting back at Cassie. She stands there, smiling with fucking stars in her eyes at Nora and Mateo.
โTrue, but places book up quickly, and I wasted too much time floundering before hiring Cassie,โ Nora says.
I nod. Makes sense. I take a second to look around this place. I want to vomit, itโs so extra. We may have grown up with silver spoons in our mouths, but we didnโt grow up around such fancy-ass stuff such as weddings in the Scottish Rite Cathedral.
โWhy the grumpy face?โ Cassieโs beautiful voice breaks me out of my stupor.
โOh, no, thatโs his normal face,โ Nora tells her.
โI donโt understand why you picked this place. Itโs a churchโฆโ
โAre you not religious, Mr. Abbot?โ Cassie interrupts.
โIโm not sure why that matters to you,โ I snap.
Her eyes widen a tad at the venom in my tone. โYou said itโs a church.โ
โYou didnโt let me finish, Ms. Winters. I was saying, itโs a church that was built in the โ20s and this place fits, like what? Twelve hundred people? Do you even know that many people, Nora?โ I stuff my hands in my pockets out of frustration.
โNo,โ Nora offers shakily.
โMr. Abbot, the theater space is only one of the locations available for a ceremony. This was our first stop. I wanted them to get the full tour,โ Cassie says and I so badly want to ask her to call me Theo, but I donโt know if Iโll like the way she says my name more than the way she calls me Mr. Abbot.
I grunt, not having time for this argument. โOkay, then letโs look at a more accommodating space.โ
โYou know what, I think this place has lost its magic for me,โ Nora grumbles. โLetโs check out that last place on my list. I know Theo has a busy schedule.โ
โIf you are sure, we can head over to INDUSTRY then,โ Cassie says as she follows Nora and Mateo toward the exit.
Iโm not into games. Iโm not going to ask Nora if sheโs sure or apologize for raining on her parade with this place. Itโs not a good fit for her. She knows it. I know it. And this ridiculous wedding planner needs to learn it if she wants to keep my sister as a client.
Cassie walks by me, her shoulder nearly brushing mine, and my senses are immediately taken over by a soft smell of amber and vanilla.
โIโm so happy that you were able to join us today,โ she says softly. I look down at her. Sheโs a few inches shorter, and the sparkle in her eyes is mischievous.
Clenching my jaw, I donโt reply as she walks on by, but the urge to wrap my hand around her arm and pull her back to me is strong.
I think what gets under my skin the most is that she has yet to drop the smile this whole time. Is it stuck on her face? Is this a Botox gone wrong? She doesn’t look like the type of woman to be obsessed with Botox, but what the fuck do I know?
I close my eyes for a minute to gain my wits.
One, two, threeโฆ
Copyright 2023 @Lauren Helms
*****
Review:
Ford may be grumpy (and sexy), but it’s because he took a lot on his shoulders at an early age. Add in a romance gone wrong and he’s got reasons to be the way he is. His sister’s bubbly, happy (and sexy) wedding planner has him feeling all sorts of feels, both good & bad.
I loved these two together. Cassie brings out the best in Theo, the kind of guy he could have been before life handed him a lot of responsibility and heartbreak. She makes him laugh and their connection is definitely unmistakable. But with different outlooks on life, can they find a compromise?
Was it a predictable story? Yes. Was it an enjoyable read? OMG yes! Fun, funny, and full of feelings, I found it hard to put it down. It’s light-hearted, but also not, and easily moves you to that HEA ending you crave in a romance.
*****
Author Info:
Lauren Helms is a romance author her nerdy and flirty contemporary words. Lauren has forever been an avid reader from the beginning. After starting a book review website, that catapulted her fully into the book world, she knew that something was missing. While working for a video game strategy guide publisher, she decided to mix what she knew best–video games and romance. She decided to take the plunge and write her first novel, Level Me Up. Several published novels later, Lauren created PR company, Indie Pen PR, to help other authors promote their books.
Lauren lives in Indianapolis, Indiana sharing her love of books and video games with her own Gamer Boy husband and three young kid nerds who will hopefully grow up to share the love of things that united Lauren and her husband on their own happily ever after.
Don’t miss this brand-new romance inย New York Timesย bestselling authorย Lee Tobin McClain’sย Hometown Brothers miniseries!
The Beach Reads Bookshop
Hometown Brothers series
by Lee Tobin McClain
ISBN: 9781335427441
Publication Date: April 25, 2023
Publisher: HQN Books
Blurb:
Running a bookstore on a quaint Chesapeake island is exactly the life Deena Clark would have chosen for herself. But helping billionaire businessman Luis Dominguez figure out fatherhood is part of the package. Can bonding over books and one little girl help them open their hearts to each other?
The doctorโs words were as out of place as his white coat in Luis Dominguezโs busy corporate office. Mergers and acquisitions were what they did here, and at a fast pace. No one slowed down, ever.
โWhat are you trying to tell me, Doc?โ Luis attempted to ignore the text messages that kept pinging into his phone. โIโm only twenty-eight. I canโt have something wrong with me.โ
Dr. Henry fastened the blood pressure cuff on his arm. โMy understanding is that you got dizzy at a board meeting. And that you live on coffee and nachos.โ He tightened the cuff, studied the numbers and frowned. โItโs 130/90. Thatโs concerning. Family history of heart or kidney disease?โ
โI donโt know.โ Luis didnโt want to go into his family medical history, or lack of one, in the middle of a regular work week in mid-April. โIโll try to take it easier. Eat better.โ Even as he said it, he knew it wasnโt true, but he needed to get on with his day.
โI hope you will. Your board members are worried. Apparently, youโre indispensable.โ The man patted Luisโs shoulder. โIโll see you next week. Weโll need to talk about medication, unless I see significant improvement.โ
โYouโll see it,โ Luis promised. Ever the overachiever. He was a bit touched that his board of directors was worried enough about his health to set up weekly inoffice checkups.
Heโd built a life where no one had to worry about him, and he didnโt have to worry about anyone else. That was how he wanted it, but every now and then, it was good to know someone cared.
He went to the door and gestured for his assistant, Gunther, to come in. โEverything ready for todayโs presentation?โ
โSlides are all cued up and people are arriving.โ Adrenaline surged. โGood.โ The doctor clicked his medical bag closed. โHow about getting a hobby? Starting a family? Being married is good for your health, you know.โ
โNot gonna happen.โ Luis had already made peace with his single status, mostly. He was no good at forming and maintaining relationships. Didnโt want the responsibility. Didnโt want to fail at the responsibility, the way his parents had.
Plenty of women were up for a no-strings fling with a millionaire. The trouble was, that lifestyle got old fast.
โCome on,โ he said to Gunther, heading for the door. โLetโs start the party.โ
The offices of Dominguez Enterprises buzzed with energy, people leaning over computers, the elevator pinging, voices speaking rapidly into phones. This was Luisโs hobby. This was his family. He was on track to reach his financial goals by age forty, but his lifestyle didnโt leave room for coaching Little League or cutting the grass.
โExcuse me, Mr. Dominguez?โ A gorgeous blonde woman came out of the reception area and intercepted him. She was holding a toddler dressed in pink, a bow in her dark curls. Cute. Luis liked babies. He reached out and tickled the little oneโs chin, clicking his tongue, and the child giggled.
โCan I speak to you for a moment, sir?โ the woman asked.
He refocused on the blonde. โNot now. Make an appointment with Mrs. Jackson, there at the desk.โ He gestured toward her then headed into the conference room, smiling at the sight of the suit-clad men and women around the table. Men and women from whom heโd soon make a bundle of money.
Fairly and legally, of course. The small tech firm that was being acquired by the larger one would get a boost of capital and be able to keep all its employees on payroll, and the bigger firm would benefit from the diversification. Ideally theyโd all leave as happy as he was.
In fact, two hours later they did leave happy. Everyone shaking hands, his own people congratulating him and him thanking them for their hard work.
Whoโd have ever thought that a kid from his background would end up making deals with some of the most important businesspeople in Washington, DC?
Then again, maybe his career was at least a little predictable. As a young teenager, heโd borrowed a few bucks from a friend and bought a case of high-caffeine soda, then sold it at a markup on test days. With the profit, heโd bought two more cases and expanded his business from the middle school to the high school. Of course, heโd had to skip class to do that.
โHeโs not the brightest kid, but he sure does have the Midas touch,โ the teacher whoโd caught him had said to his foster mom.
And Luis had done his best to make the most of whatever talents and abilities he had.
Now, as he walked out of the conference room, the woman whoโd approached him before came toward him, this time accompanied by Mrs. Jackson. The woman looked a little disheveled, blowing the blond hair off her face as she shifted the now-sleeping toddler in her arms.
She was still pretty, though. Maybe even prettier with her face flushed and her hair loose.
โIโm sorry, Luis,โ Mrs. Jackson said. โShe wouldnโt leave.โ
โI really need to speak with you.โ The womanโs voice was low, but determined. There was a sexy rasp to it. Heโd have blown her off if it werenโt for those stunning slate-colored eyes that seemed to hold all kinds of secrets. But it had been weeks since heโd had a date, and he was feeling celebratory.
โCome on back, I have a few minutes,โ he said, gesturing toward the hallway that led to his office. He usually avoided women with kids. He definitely avoided women with husbands, so he stepped to the side and checked out her left hand as she passed him. No ring.
She wore a dark skirt and vest and a white shirt, and there was a slight swing to her walk.
He reached the office just behind her and held open the door. โGo ahead, have a seat by the window.โ He kept his voice low so as not to awaken the child. He nodded an itโs okay to Mrs. Jackson, who tended to be a mother hen, and followed the woman inside. He knelt down by the minifridge. โSomething to drink? I have water, soda. Juice if the kiddo wakes up.โ
Outside, he could hear people calling goodbyes to each other. Heโd given everyone the rest of the day off. They worked late for him plenty of times, so he liked to offer perks when the occasion merited it.
โWater, please.โ The woman spoke quietly, too, but the child murmured in her arms and opened her eyes. โJuice as well, if you donโt mind.โ
He stood, holding two bottles of water in one hand and a juice in the other. He twisted the top off a water bottle and handed it to her, then did the same for the apple juice.
Sitting on the edge of his desk, he studied the woman. โSo what can I do for you?โ
She sipped water, cradling the child in one arm, and then looked at Luis with a level stare. โIโd like for you to meet someone.โ
โTell me more.โ So she did have an agenda. Probably some project she wanted him to finance. Bringing her kid was a rookie mistake, but because she looked so serious and earnest, heโd let her down easy.
She nodded down at the baby. โThis is Willow,โ she said.
โHi, Willow.โ Luis smiled at the little one, then sipped water.
The womanโs skirt slid up above her knees in the low chair.
He lifted his eyes to her face. โWhatโs your name?โ
โIโm Deena Clark,โ she said. โBut Willow is the important one.โ
The baby held a small rubber doll out to Luis. He took it from her, hid it behind his back and then held it out again, jiggling it, making her laugh. โWhy is Willow the important one?โ he asked.
โBecause,โ the woman said, โsheโs your daughter.โ
There. Sheโd gotten it out. Deena blew her hair out of her eyes and made soothing circles on Willowโs back, holding the apple juice for her to sip. She inhaled Willowโs baby-powder scent and patted her chubby leg.
She loved the two-year-old fiercely, and she hadnโt wanted to give up even the modicum of control that would come with rich Mr. Dominguez knowing he was the childโs father. But she was pretty sure Luis wouldnโt want much, if anything, to do with the baby. He was too wealthy and entitled.
His wealth would make it easy for him to pay some child support, though. And that would allow Deena to stop working so much, to spend more time at home and to get Willow the services she needed.
Maybe this would go okay. Luis Dominguez wasnโt quite what sheโd expected. True, heโd made her wait for two hours, but then again, sheโd arrived unannounced. Sheโd heard him saying nice things to his workers, and heโd gotten her and Willow something to drink. So maybe he wasnโt as uncaring as Willowโs mommy had believed.
He was hot, too. Deena didnโt do relationships, but if she didโฆwell. Curly black hair, light brown skin, an athletic body and a dimple in his cheek when he smiledโฆ No wonder Tammalee had gone for him.
He took a sip of water, studying her. โI wouldnโt have invited you in if Iโd known you were one of those women.โ
โWhat women?โ She bounced the baby doll in front of Willow, who laughed and grabbed for it then held it to her chest in an adorable imitation of motherhood.
โWomen looking to pin paternity on a wealthy man.โ Luis crossed his arms over his chest.
She raised her eyebrows. โThat happens?โ
โPretty often.โ He took another sip of water and then put the bottle down with a thump. He looked oddly disappointed. โIโm not falling for it, so why donโt you take your child and your scam elsewhere.โ
โThis isnโt a scam. Iโm serious.โ
โItโs a new twist,โ he said in a fake-thoughtful way, โapproaching a man you never slept with. Creative.โ
That made her cheeks heat. She didnโt sleep with anyone, not that he needed to know that. โNo,โ she said, reaching for her phone. โYou slept with my roommate.โ She scrolled through her pictures, found one of Tammalee and held it up for him to see. He squinted at it.
โOh, yea-a-ah,โ he said, his brows drawing together. โSweet girl. But why are you coming here, not her, to claim this is my child?โ
Deena glanced at Tammaleeโs smiling photo, swallowed hard and slid her phone back into her purse. โTammalee is dead,โ she said.
His eyes widened. โWhat? Really?โ
She nodded. โAn accident.โ
โIโm sorry to hear that.โ He stared at the carpet for a minute and then met her eyes. โYou realize Iโm going to verify all this?โ
She blew out a sigh. โLook up Tammalee Johnson, obituary.โ
He studied her a moment as if wondering if there were even a chance her story was true. She must have looked honest, because he walked around his massive desk, bent over the computer and typed and clicked. He found what he was looking for. โShe died two months ago?โ He turned the computer so she could see.
The large-size picture of her friend, the one that had accompanied her obituary, made Deena choke up. And that made her angry at herself, and by extension, at this guy. Neither reaction made sense, but then, grief didnโt make sense.
The baby stiffened in her arms, probably sensing her tension. Or maybe sheโd spotted the picture of her late mother. โShh, itโs okay,โ Deena whispered, rubbing her back again. But this time, it didnโt help; Willow wailed.
The high, keening cry was a sound Deena had heard daily for the past two years, but it still grated on her. โOkay. Okay, honey. Want more juice?โ
Willow slapped the bottle away, spilling juice all over Deena, and the guyโs fancy carpet.
โSorry.โ Although she shouldnโt apologize for what his own kid had done.
She rocked Willow in the vigorous way that sometimes calmed her down, trying to gauge whether this tantrum was likely to be a long one. She looked at Luis from under the cover of her lashes. Tammalee had been sure he wouldnโt understand Willow, saying he only cared about money. Still, if this meltdown went on, he might require an explanation.
But first things first. She needed to get him to acknowledge paternity before going into Willowโs issues.
Willowโs cries were softening, to Deenaโs experienced ear, but they were still grating.
Luis looked uneasy, his forehead wrinkling. โCanโt you do something?โย
โSheโs hungry and tired,โ Deena said by way of explanation.
โYou could have found a better time to talk to me about this, when you didnโt have to wait.โ
โYou could have given me five minutes before your big important meeting.โ
But she could see that the babyโs crying was impacting Luis, and she didnโt want it to make him dislike Willow before even getting to know her. โWe can leave,โ she offered, โbut only when you agree to the next step.โ
โFine. Iโll do a DNA test.โ He sighed. โThereโs a doctor I can call.โ
โI have a test right here.โ She fumbled in her purse and pulled out the drugstore version. โYou just have to rub the swab inside your mouth for fifteen seconds.โ It had cost a hundred dollars, which was a hardship, but for Willow, it was worth it.
He was already opening it. โHow long does it take?โ
โTwo days from receipt. You mail it in, soโฆnext week?โ
โIโll take care of it.โ He pulled out his phone. โMrs. Jackson? Hey, before you leave, could you get a courier up to my office ASAP?โ He listened. โYes, Iโm still here. I know. Soon.โ He ended the call and looked at Deena. โIโll have it sent to a better lab and try to get the results faster.โ He studied Willow, still crying, and shook his head.
She could tell he was hoping heโd get the good news that he wasnโt Willowโs father. Which, she supposed, was a possibility. Tammalee had enjoyed life, and men, and hadnโt been particularly choosy about who sheโd spent time withโin or out of bed. But sheโd insisted that Willowโs father was Luis, and Deena believed her.
She swabbed the babyโs mouth, making her cry again. Handed Luis the swab, and stood. โSheโs a terrific kid and deserves the best,โ she tossed over her shoulder as she left.
Whether the best outcome would be having Luis as a father, or not having him, she didnโt know.
Excerpted from The Beach Reads Bookshop by Lee Tobin McClain. Copyright ยฉ 2023 by Lee Tobin McClain. Published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
*****
Author Info:
Lee Tobin McClain is the bestselling author of more than thirty emotional, small-town romances described by Publishers’ Weekly as enthralling, intense, and heartfelt. A dog lover and proud mom, she often includes kids and animals in her books. When she’s not writing, she enjoys hiking with her goofy goldendoodle, chatting online with her writer friends, and admiring her daughter’s mastery of the latest TikTok dances. Learn more at www.leetobinmcclain.com.
THE COMEBACK COWBOY is a Western-themed anthology featuring four stories from bestselling authors Maisey Yates, Nicole Helm, Jackie Ashenden and Caitlin Crews!
The Comeback Cowboy
Jasper Creek Series
by Jackie Ashenden, Caitlin Crews, Nicole Helm, Maisey Yates
ISBN: 9781335508188
Publication Date: April 25, 2023
Publisher: Canary Street Press
Blurb:
They may not have been friends when they were younger but now, theyโll work together to save the camp that saved them and, maybe, even find love in the processโฆ
The alumni of Camp Phoenix, a summer program for at-risk youth, may have grown apart but, when they learn the camp has fallen into disrepair, they answer the call for help. Now successful adults, the four women pledge to restore the grounds to their former glory, if long-standing rivalries and old flames donโt get in the way firstโฆ.
Attorney Ashlynn Cook owes her life to Camp Phoenix and is determined to save the campโฆbut whoโs going to save her from the temptation of long-time crush US Marshal Oakley Traeger? The daughter of the campโs founder, Cassidy McClain has always wanted to follow in her law-abiding fatherโs footsteps, but fellow alum Duke Cody might have her breaking all the rules. Bree White fought hard to break away from her criminal family and all of the reminders of her past until Officer Flint Decker brings all those feelings back and more. And Kinley Parker never left Camp Phoenix, dedicating her life to it, and has no time for pushy cowboys like Jackson Hart until butting heads leads to sparks.
Bree White walked quickly over the gravel of the parking area and she didnโt look back. Time was of the essence.
Sheโd arrived at Camp Phoenix, the summer camp for juvenile delinquents that had changed her life back when sheโd been fourteen, a full thirty minutes before she was supposed to, mainly so she could claim the best cabin before everyone else arrivedโand she wasnโt ashamed to admit it.
It was a little surprising that Jackson Hart, the former DEA agent whoโd bought the run-down camp and sent out the call for volunteers to help get it ready for a new season of campers, wasnโt here to greet her. He was apparently living in the shabby house near the camp entrance, but she hadnโt seen hide nor hair of him.
Then again, she was early. And she didnโt mind not seeing Jackson. Heโd been his usual drill-sergeant self, harassing her relentlessly to volunteer to help, and while she was all about helping, she wasnโt a fan of being told what to do. Never had been.
Even ten years ago, when sheโd been sent to Camp Phoenix by Sheriff Bill McClain, the man whoโd started the camp, sheโd hated all the rules and regulations, and had chafed against them. Yet those same rules and regulations had given her a structure and routine that her chaotic childhood never had. Theyโd changed her life.
Camp Phoenix had basically been the best thing to ever happen to her. Thatโs why she was here. And it wasnโt anything to do with Jackson Hart, so much as it was her, wanting to give back. Perhaps help change a few lives the way hers had been changed, and for the better. She was looking forward to it.
Bree paused in front of the small cluster of buildings surrounded by a green lawn and bordered by tall pines. Everything lookedโฆsmaller than she remembered, not to mention a lot more neglected. There were a few dilapidated cabins that were the bunk rooms, and the big dining hall where Mrs. Zee, the cook, used to reign supreme. The showers and bathrooms were in their own building, and then there was the administration cabin. And over there by the dining hall, the art hall that was once run by Gale Lawson.
Andโฆugh. There was Hollyhock Hill, which all the campers had to climb at 6:00 a.m. every morning to raise the flag, and where the dayโs chores were handed out.
Sheโd never been much of a morning person, but that, in particular, had felt like torture. Well, they were all adults now, and presumably, there would be no 6:00 a.m. wake-up calls this time around.
The camp looked deserted, which was good, so Bree headed over to the least-run-down-looking of the cabins, where the counselors used to sleep. Jackson had said at least one of the cabins was better than the others, so she was assuming it was this one, and that she could claim it for herself.
She assumed no one would be sharing like they once had, when it was ten to a room. At least, she wouldnโt be sharing; not these days. Sheโd come a long way from her past and her family of low-level criminals who expected her to follow the same path they had. Now she had her own place in Jasper Creek and a great job as a real estate agent. She didnโt have to steal for a living like her folks had.
And all thanks to Camp Phoenix.
Nothing at all to do with Flint Decker.
Bree scowled as she headed toward the old counselors cabin, trying to shove off the irritating reminder that Flint Decker had been her arresting officer back when sheโd been fourteen. Heโd caught her shoplifting from the local 7-Eleven, which was something she did not like to remember, if she could help it.
A bit difficult not to be reminded, though, when Jasper Creek had been virtually wallpapered with his handsome, arrogant face thanks to the sheriffโs elections a couple of months back. She hadnโt been able to get away from it. Even more annoying that heโd won the election. By a depressing margin.
She had nothing to do with him these days, determinedly ignoring him whenever they passed each other on the street. And she definitely didnโt look behind her as he went by, noting the breadth of his shoulders, his narrow hips, long, powerful legs, andโ
Bree nearly tripped over a piece of wood that seemed to be lying randomly in the grass, and only just stopped herself from an ignominious face-plant.
Damn new sneakers. Nothing to do with thinking about stupid Flint. Sheโd bought them especially for tramping about the camp and they were already giving her blisters.
She took a quick look around to see if anyone else had turned up to witness her embarrassing stumble, but the place was still deserted.
Just as well.
Bree examined her brand-new, spotless blue jeans for any suspicion of dirt, but they seemed to have escaped. She brushed them off just in case, since she wasnโt a fan of dirt. She wasnโt a fan of jeans either, but the little business skirts she usually wore werenโt very practical, so sheโd gone on a bit of a shopping spree.
She wasnโt that sullen, angry teen who had turned up at camp with nothing, not even a sleeping bag.
Sheโd come prepared this time.
She approached the cabin and cautiously pushed open the door.
It was one room with a wooden floor and three sturdy wooden bunk beds pushed up against the unlined walls. The floor looked clean, at least, but one of the bunk beds had no mattresses, which left four beds to choose from. It smelled a bit musty but nothing an open window wouldnโt fix.
Bree gave herself a moment to frown at the spiderwebs in the ceiling between the rafters, then directed her attention to which bunk to choose. One of the top bunks, of course, since those had always been the most prized. Back in the day, there used to be battles. There was one girl, Violet Cook, who Bree had taken an instant dislike to, and one day, sheโd hung Violetโs sleeping bag from a tree before stealing her bunk. That had earned her toilet cleaning for a week, but it had been worth it.
Of course, sheโd never do anything like that now. Now she loved her life and was no longer angry at the entire world.
Moving over to the bunk beside the window, she carefully examined the mattress on the top bed, since that seemed to be the least lumpy, and decided it would do.
She didnโt like being uncomfortable, but campโas Sheriff McClain had always saidโwasnโt about being comfortable, so sheโd resigned herself to a bit of discomfort. Not that she had a choice, since her house was having its plumbing upgraded and she couldnโt be there anyway. Really, coming to camp was excellent timing in many ways.
Bree put her little suitcase onto the bottom bunk in preparation for unpacking.
Other people would be arriving, she assumed. Given Jacksonโs insistence on the importance of getting the camp up and running before the end of June, and given how he was a bossy asshole, heโd probably called every single person whoโd ever stayed here and guilt-tripped them into helping.
She hoped they would be nice people, notโ
โPlease donโt tell me we have to share. Goddamn Jackson.โ
Bree froze. She recognized that voice. No. Did it have to be? Not Violet Cook, whose sleeping bag sheโd stolen. Not Violet Cook, whoโd treated every day at camp like she was auditioning for Survivor and had basically lorded it over everyone, trying to prove she was the baddest.
Surely, she wasnโt here. Surely not.
Yet the door was already opening and in came a small, stunningly pretty woman with long, wavy black hair, black eyes, and wearing the most ridiculously feminine and flouncy maxidress Bree had ever seen. She tottered in on sky-high wedges, towing behind her a huge bright pink suitcase, and the moment she spotted Bree, she stopped dead.
The worldโs most awkward silence fell as ten years vanished in the blink of an eye.
โGreat,โ Violet said, scowling. โBree White. What the hell are you doing here?โ
Bree had an urge to scowl back, but she forced it aside. She wasnโt fourteen and feral anymore. She was twentyfour and a professional, with a reputation for being the nicest Realtor at her agency. Violet might not have changed, but Bree certainly had.
โHi, Violet,โ she said, smiling determinedly. โNice to see you. We should definitely catch up later, after youโve found your own cabin. I think the one next door is still freeโโ
โUnfortunately, weโre sharing,โ Violet interrupted, obviously unimpressed. โNone of the other cabins are habitable.โ Bree blinked. That was not what Jackson had said. โSharing? What? But I thoughtโฆโ She trailed off as Violet, ignoring her, eyed the bunk bed Bree was standing next to before moving over to the bunk pushed up against the opposite wall.
Bree opened her mouth to try to make the silence more pleasant, when the cabin door opened again, and two more women came in.
This time she barely stifled a groan. Kinley Parker and Clementine McClain? Seriously? She hadnโt known Kinley that well. Sheโd been so shy and quiet sheโd virtually blended into the wallpaper, but apparently lived in Jasper Creek, not that Bree had ever seen her around. Clementine, on the other hand, was Sheriff McClainโs daughter, and Bree remembered her as being the biggest tattletale ever at camp, treating every rule like it was handed down by God himself. No wonder sheโd ended up as the sheriffโs deputy, or so Bree had heard.
Anyway, this was great. Just great. So, what? She had to share her cabin with all three of them? Unacceptable. She was going to need a word with Jackson.
Keeping her smile pasted on, Bree directed it to Kinley and Clementine. โOh, wow, you guys are here as well? How great is this?โ
Kinley clearly did not think this was great. Her brown eyes were woeful behind her large glasses as she looked at the bunk situation, and Bree found herself putting a possessive hand on the top bed of the bunk sheโd chosen. โSorry, this oneโs mine.โ
โAnd donโt even think about the top bunk here,โ Violet said without turning around. โItโll have my pillow on it in approximately two seconds.โ Sheโd opened her giant pink suitcase on the bottom bunk, and had pulled out a softlooking pillow in a pillowcase embroidered all over with wildflowers, andโฆ Were those fairy lights?
Kinley sighed, glanced at the third mattress-less bunk and sighed again. โI guess Iโm here, then,โ she said and shuffled over to the bunk where Bree stood. โDo you mind if I take the bottom?โ
Bree gave her the biggest smile she could manage. โNo, not at all.โ
โUh, hi.โ Clementine gave a nervous-looking wave, an equally nervous-looking smile on her face. Her hair was still as red as Bree remembered, and she still had as many freckles.
She glanced with some trepidation at Violetโs bunk and the only other habitable bed. โUm, well, I suppose Iโll take this one.โ
Violet had now put her pillow on the top bunk and was in the process of hauling out what appeared to be bed linens, along with what were definitely fairy lights.
โI donโt think weโre allowed those in here,โ Clementine said as she stared at the bed currently taken up by Violetโs giant case. โThe fairy lights, I mean. At least, I donโt think you can?โ
โToo bad,โ Violet said. โIโm not doing lights-out at nine. Especially not when I want to read. Plusโโ she sent a challenging look to the room in general โโtheyโre pretty.โ Her gaze settled on Bree. โThis bed stays mine, okay?โ
Breeโs smile became fixed. Dammit. It appeared Violet hadnโt forgotten the whole sleeping bag/bunk stealing incident. โNo problem,โ she said brightly.
Kinley, meanwhile, had sat down on the bunk underneath Breeโs, squeezing herself awkwardly between Breeโs case and the end of the bed.
And suddenly, it was too much. The room felt tiny and there were too many people in it, people she didnโt like and didnโt know, and none of this was anything like what sheโd expected.
There had to be somewhere else she could stay. In fact, sheโd take it up with Jackson right now.
Her smile felt fake and forced, but if she didnโt smile, she was going to end up growling, and she didnโt want to growl. She wasnโt a feral beast.
โIโm just going toโฆumโฆโ She went over to the door and paused. โNo one touch my stuff.โ
It wasnโt until sheโd gone through it that she realized what sheโd said. As if she were fourteen again, hating the camp, and Sheriff McClain, and basically everyone whoโd forced her here.
Ugh. She had to make sure she didnโt fall back into old patterns. That meant no growling or getting angry, or being generally unpleasant. She was Bree White, the friendliest, most professional, most successful Realtor in her agency, and sharing a cabin with three of her enemies from a particularly dark time in her life wasnโt that bad.
Still. It was worth checking other options, just to be sure. Bree stopped outside the cabin, looking around at the rest of the camp. Where the hell could Jackson be?
Then, from around the corner of the dining hall, came a man wearing a very familiar hat. A battered black cowboy hat.
And her heart sank all the way into her brand-new sneakers.
So. Not only was she bunking with her three sworn enemies, but he was here too?
Please not him. Anyone but him.
But the man striding over the grass toward her didnโt miraculously turn into someone else. He was tall, but then, he always had been. Even at twenty, his shoulders had been broad and his chest wide. The black cotton of the T-shirt he wore was stretched lovingly over a chest and shoulders that seemed even wider and more muscular ten years later. On the T-shirt there was a picture of a cabin in gold with a phoenix above it, wings outswept, and the words Camp Phoenix above, while underneath the cabin was the camp motto. Rise Up. Her brain had barely registered the T-shirt before it got distracted by the way the worn denim of his jeans clung to his narrow hips and powerful thighs.
Not that she was noticing his thighs. Not when eyes greener than the grass beneath her feet were focused on hers with magnetic intensity.
Flint Decker. Sheriff Flint Decker and his stupid hat.
Okay, if Jackson wasnโt around, then sheโd have a few words about sleeping arrangements with the sheriff himself.
Bree lifted her chin and prepared to do battle.
Excerpted from The Comeback Cowboy by Jackie Ashenden, Caitlin Crews, Nicole Helm, Maisey Yates. Copyright ยฉ 2023 by Harlequin Enterprises ULC. The One with the Hat Copyright ยฉ 2023 by Jackie Ashenden. The One with the Locket Copyright ยฉ 2023 by Caitlin Crews. The One with the Bullhorn Copyright ยฉ 2023 by Nicole Helm. The One with the Trophy Copyright ยฉ 2023 by Maisey Yates. Copyright ยฉ 2023 by Jeff Johnson, interior illustrations.ย Published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
*****
Author Info:
USA Today bestselling, RITA-nominated, and critically-acclaimed author Caitlin Crews has written more than 100 books and counting. She has a Masters and Ph.D. in English Literature, thinks everyone should read more category romance, and is always available to discuss her beloved alpha heroes. Just ask. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her comic book artist husband, is always planning her next trip, and will never, ever, read all the books in her to-be-read pile. Thank goodness.
Nicole Helm writes down-to-earth contemporary romance and fast-paced romantic suspense. She lives with her husband and two sons in Missouri. Visit her website: http://www.nicolehelm.com
Maisey Yates is a New York Times bestselling author of over one hundred romance novels. Whether she’s writing strong, hard working cowboys, dissolute princes or multigenerational family stories, she loves getting lost in fictional worlds. An avid knitter with a dangerous yarn addiction and an aversion to housework, Maisey lives with her husband and three kids in rural Oregon. Check out her website, maiseyyates.com or find her on Facebook.
Jackie Ashenden writes dark, emotional stories with alpha heroes who’ve just got the world to their liking only to have it blown wide apart by their kick-ass heroines. She lives in Auckland, New Zealand, with her husband the inimitable Dr Jax and two kids. When she’s not torturing alpha males, she can be found drinking chocolate martinis, reading anything she can lay her hands on, wasting time on social media, or forced to mountain biking with her husband.
Romantic Reads and Such 