When there is Love at Sea, can a pretend romance turn into something more? When Adrienne Hart finds herself the only uncoupled member of her friends on a love cruise, finding a fake boyfriend is the answer to her current dilemma. In a similar situation, Aris McElfry thinks agreeing to be a gorgeous womanβs fake fiance will either be a genius move or a total ship show. Fans of romantic comedies will adore TOTAL SHIP SHOW by Susan Renee, a sexy fake relationship romance.
Total Ship Show is a fake romance rom-com, part of the Love at Sea multi-author series. Get ready to set sail through the Caribbean on Festival Cruisesβ most alluring voyage with eight of your favorite authors – happily ever after guaranteed!
Experience everything the Love at Sea series has to offer. From speed dating to masquerades, guests are sure to enjoy the hot days and steamy nights. Explore hidden waterfalls, swim with dolphins, and watch as eight couples find their forever on the open ocean.
βOkay, I lied, alright? Yes. Iβm a single girl on this lovey dovey cruise because my wingman of a friend back home fell in love with some girl and thought it uncouth to come away with me for a week. I mean, can you even imagine the nerve of him?β I scoff trying to play off the fact Iβm a single loser on a love cruise.
Hottie McBlue-eyes shakes his head as if Iβm telling the most unbelievable tale. βWhat kind of asshole is a wingman for his female friend and falls in love with another girl instead of the one right in front of him?β
Maybe itβs the Corona, but I immediately feel my cheeks blush. βOkay, first of all, Iβm going to take that as a compliment, so thank you very much. And secondly, ew no. Joaquin and I have only ever been just friends. Honestly, I thought he was gay for years, but turns out heβs not.β I shrug. βIβm just sooo not his type which is totally fine. Iβm happy heβs happyβ¦even if that puts me here aloneβ¦and in need of a good lie to tell my friends.β
βOh, so youβre not really here alone. You have your friends.β
βWell yes and no. My old sorority sisters planned this couplesβ trip. So, theyβre all bringing their significant others. I just uhhβ¦I havenβt told them that my significant other bailed.β
βMeh, it wonβt be so bad. Maybe youβll find some hot guy aboard to pal around with. β
A snort escapes me. βYeah. Maybe Iβll meet and fall in love with some hot doctor and live happily ever after, right? I mean stranger things have happened in this crazy world, right?β
Hottie McBlue-eyes chokes on his sip and coughs a few times. βStranger things have definitely happened, Iβm sure.β
I offer my hand to my airport friend. βIβm Adrienne, by the way. I donβt think I ever told you that, and while referring to me as Dildo Girl is pretty damn funny, I figured after holding my pink sparkly dick in your hands, you deserve to know my name.β
Laughing he takes his hand in mine. βPleasure to meet you, Adrienne. Thatβs a beautiful name by the way. Iβm Aris McElfry.β
βNice to meet you Aris. I didnβt see you on the plane with anyone either. Are you telling me youβre also here alone?β
βWell, as a matter of factββ
βShit. It canβt be.β
What is he doing here?
βWhat?β Aris watches me, alarmed by my outburst.
I plaster a neutral smile on my face and murmur through my teeth.
βShit. Shit. Shit.β
Are they seriously together?
My heart beats faster inside my chest and thereβs a sickening feeling in the pit of my stomach.
βWhat? Whatβs wrong?β
I slowly turn toward Aris and give him the biggest puppy dog eyes I can muster while speaking as softly and quickly as I can. βLook, I know you donβt really know me, and I donβt know you, but you were kind enough to hold my sparkly dick in your hands and that has to say something for the kind of man that you are, right? So, if you would be willing to do me one more hella-huge favor I would be in your debt for likeβ¦my whole lifeβ¦or this whole cruiseβ¦whichever comes first and right now my whole life could come first and anyway I promise to leave you alone after this andββ
βAnything.β He interrupts, holding my gaze. βName it.β
I gulp down my fear and my pride and swiftly blurt out my request with a shaky voice. βI need a boyfriend. Like, right here. Right now. Because the man walking toward us in the yellow shirt is my ex and I had no idea he was going to be here, now Iβm horrified I might have to spend this entire trip with him gloating that Iβm here alone and heβs obviously not. And to add fuel to that already burning inferno, the girl with him is one of my friends and I had no idea the two of them were a thing and now if I have to tell him Iβm alone, I may as well walk off this fucking ship right nββ
Before I can finish my sentence, Arisβs arm slides around my waist and he pulls me into his chest.
Hooooly God, he smells good.
βStop talking,β he whispers against my mouth. βI get it.β The energy swiftly changes between us and oh, my God itβs hard to breathe. βIβm going to kiss you, alright? Like, really fucking kiss you so that douche sees that you belong to someone else now. Smile at me and tell me quick, is that okay?β
Copyright 2022 @Susan Renee
*****
Author Info:
Susan Renee wants to live in a world where paint doesn’t smell, Hogwarts is open twenty-four/seven, and everything is covered in glitter. An indie romance author, Susan has written about everything from tacos to tow-trucks, loves writing romantic comedies but also enjoys creating an emotional angsty story from time to time. She lives in Ohio with her husband, kids, two dogs and a cat. Susan holds a Bachelor and Masters Degree in Music Education and a self-awarded Doctorate in Sass and Sarcasm. She enjoys laughing at memes, speaking in GIFs and spending an entire day jumping down the TikTok rabbit hole. When she’s not writing or playing the role of Mom, her favorite activity is doing the Care Bear stare with her closest friends.
Get ready to set sail through the Caribbean on Festival Cruisesβ most alluring voyage with eight of your favorite authors – happily ever after guaranteed!
Experience everything the Love at Sea series has to offer. From speed dating to masquerades, guests are sure to enjoy the hot days and steamy nights. Explore hidden waterfalls, swim with dolphins, and watch as eight couples find their forever on the open ocean.
Each story features a brand new couple and a fun trope from our amazing line up of authors including: Kate Stacy, HM Thomas, Mari Sol, S.A. Clayton, T.L. Anderson, Karigan Hale, Susan Renee, and A.M. Williams.
This promotional event is brought to you by TheIndie Pen PR
When there is Love at Sea, can a no-strings rebound turn into more than a distraction? For Grayson Hamilton, this all-expenses-paid cruise is his chance to focus and work on saving his reputation. But when his best friendβs little sister, Abby Winters, enters the picture all grown up with a freshly broken heart, he losses focus and finds himself making an offer neither one of them can refuse. Fans of best friendβs sibling romances will devour ABANDON SHIP by Karigan Hale, a spicy jilted bride romance.
Scoring my dream job with the industryβs leading travel magazine was a lucky break. Unfortunately, Iβm just about out of luck. This all-expenses-paid cruise my employer sent me on is my last chance to save my reputation. I have to stay focused despite all the beautiful, single women on this Love at Sea cruise. Yep. Focused. Focused on my job. NOT on my best friendβs little sister, all grown up and smoking hot, looking like she needs someone to help her get over her freshly broken heart. On second thought, maybe a little distraction couldnβt hurt. Maybe an offer of a no-strings-attached rebound will help get her out of my system. Then I can concentrate on saving my career before we both Abandon Ship.
Abandon Ship is a jilted bride romance, part of the Love at Sea multi-author series. Get ready to set sail through the Caribbean on Festival Cruisesβ most alluring voyage with eight of your favorite authors – happily ever after guaranteed!
Experience everything the Love at Sea series has to offer. From speed dating to masquerades, guests are sure to enjoy the hot days and steamy nights. Explore hidden waterfalls, swim with dolphins, and watch as eight couples find their forever on the open ocean.
I could definitely be carefree and happy and not have people look at me like Iβm going to crack. I can find myself again. I can be single and happy and unattached.
As we pass a group of oglers, I smile brightly and toss my hair. Instead of looking cool and collected, I am momentarily blinded by the sun and miss the small step to the ramp, pitching me forward into the crowd.
βShit, Abby. You okay?β Jazz asks, trying, and failing, to grab my elbow.
Luckily, my fall is broken by the person in front of us.
Unluckily, my nose ends up embedded in his ass crack. I grab his thighs to keep myself from sliding down his backside. He clenches his muscles in surprise, but that only makes my face smoosh harder into his ass. Iβm sucking in his khaki shorts instead of air, but if I let go, I will faceplant onto the gangway. I hold on until I can get my feet under me and pray I donβt pass out from lack of oxygen. Imagine the headline: βJilted Woman Suffocates in Manβs Ass on Love Cruise.β
Jazz grabs my arms and helps me stand. I suck in khaki-free air.
βAt least buy the man dinner first,β she quips.
The man glances over his shoulder with a frown. I give him a sheepish smile and a finger wave. βCrowds, am I right?β
He nods, lips twitching, and turns back around, putting his earbud back in his ear. The gesture and the way his dark hair falls over his forehead slams me with deja vu, but I canβt think of why. I shake off the feeling. Iβm just too mired in memories today.
I canβt help but glance at his backside now that Iβm at a distance to examine it. It looks damn good in the shorts heβs wearing. If I had to face plant into a butt today, Iβm glad it was a nice one.
βWell, thatβs one way to make an impression,β Jazz says, suppressing a laugh as we follow the slowly moving crowd up the ramp to board the ship. βI didnβt peg you for being into ass play. I guess what they say about school teachers is true.β
I roll my eyes at her. βGo on. Get it all out of your system so we never have to mention this again. Like ever.β I groan. βIβm so not good at this flirting thing. Iβll be your wingman and live vicariously through your overly friendly vagina. Just put a sock on the door if you donβt want me walking in.β
βNext please?β the woman at the check-in booth says with a forced smile. Her cheeks must hurt by the end of the day.
βSorry,β I say, handing over my passport to her. Jazz does the same.
βWelcome aboard, Abigail Winters and Jasmine Bucolo. You will be in Sea Terrace 13090A.β
I’m looking at my room key when a deep male voice startles me. βExcuse me.β
I jump a little and turn to see the man I bumped into earlier. My face heats to match the red carpet of the entrance way.
βIβm so sorry for earlier. I donβt normally grope strangers. I tripped andββ
βIt was an accident. That isnβt why I stopped you. Iβuhβthis is weird, but did I hear your name is Abby Winters?β
I tilt my head at him, the fog of embarrassment lifting. And holy shit. βGrayson Hamilton?β
A broad smile lights up his face, smoothing out the strong angles, and my memories start clicking into place. Grayson and my brother, Alex, dominating the soccer field in high school. Grayson and the rest of Alexβs annoying friends teasing me to no end. Graysonβs adorable, crooked smile. Grayson dominating my fevered teenaged dreams.
He holds out his hand. βLittle Breezy Winters. Of all the cruise ships in all the world, you had to board this one.β
I laugh a little too loudly and take his hand. βGod, no oneβs called me Breezy in years. How are you, Gray?β
Besides really freaking hot. His handsome featuresβthat I used to discretely study more than my homeworkβ¦but in a not-at-all creepy wayβhave filled out into strong manly angles. Small lines form around his mouth and deep brown eyes when he smiles. In short, he has aged very, very yummily.
No, I scold myself. I am most definitively on a break from men.
Copyright 2022 @Karigan Hale
*****
Author Info:
Karigan Hale is a writer, reader, wife, mother, teacher, and photographer. She married her high school sweetheart and has been a hopeful romantic ever since.
Sheβs highly susceptible to sudden summer thunderstorms and happily ever afters. Highly allergic to poison ivy and early mornings. And highly addicted to fountain sodas and true crime.
When sheβs not reading or writing swoon-worthy romances, sheβs usually stalkiβ¦er, chasing her two daughters around with her camera, grading papers, or cleaning up after the animals on her mini-farm (at least emus, goats, chickens, dogs, and cats are cute, right?).Β
Get ready to set sail through the Caribbean on Festival Cruisesβ most alluring voyage with eight of your favorite authors – happily ever after guaranteed!
Experience everything the Love at Sea series has to offer. From speed dating to masquerades, guests are sure to enjoy the hot days and steamy nights. Explore hidden waterfalls, swim with dolphins, and watch as eight couples find their forever on the open ocean.
Each story features a brand new couple and a fun trope from our amazing line up of authors including: Kate Stacy, HM Thomas, Mari Sol, S.A. Clayton, T.L. Anderson, Karigan Hale, Susan Renee, and A.M. Williams.
This promotional event is brought to you by TheIndie Pen PR
Sometimes, the real story isn’t the beautiful city girl returning to her small town to save Christmasβitβs the townie chick who never left.
Jane Zielinski has her hands full this December, working three jobs and directing a homemade reality dating web series, Single Bells, as a stunt to keep her small town competitive with the ritzy resort towns luring tourists. Then the gorgeous Bella Bradley, Janeβs childhood BFF who had no qualms about skipping town when times got tough, returns with handfuls of cash and her smoking-hot business partner Nate Wright on her arm.
Jane canβt believe sheβs being upstaged again, especially when Bella uses the Single Bells activities to rekindle a romance with her high school boyfriendβthe man Jane had envisioned her future with. So if a little competition could convince Bella to leave townβagainβJane is ready to take the mittens off. And sheβs not above sabotage, cheating, or flirting with Nate to win. Let the reindeer games begin…
Nateβs eyes lowered from the heavens to my face. His expression shifted away from embarrassment as his eyelids lowered a centimeter and his jaw shifted.
Why was my breathing so shallow? Why was I focusing so much on the bottom half of his face?
βAre you familiar with the term ‘competence porn’, Jane?β he asked.
I was so distracted by his use of my actual name and how his night-quiet voice had gotten all roughed up and gravelly that it took me a moment to grasp his actual question. Before I realized I didnβt grasp it at all. βHuh?β
βCompetence pornββ he paused to cock his jaw in the opposite direction and take a half step closer to me ββis when a viewer takes great enjoyment in watching someone do something well. Marveling at someone who is insanely good at something.β
I blinked a few times, confused and mesmerized. My lips formed into the shape they needed to make a W sound, but I couldnβt think of the right question to ask him. What does this have to do with me? When did you get so close?
βYou fix things and make things and solve situations,β Nate all but whispered. βYou order people around, and they do what you say.β He shook his head, as if in bewilderment. βThere hasnβt been a problem you couldnβt solve.β
He might have looked frustrated if he didnβt look soβ¦intent. βIβve always been a bit of a sucker for competence porn, but Iβve never seen it embodied so much in one individual.β Those intense dark eyes became fixated on my parted lips. βSo I didnβt know how apt the term actually was.β
βLet me get this straight.β I took a shuddering breath, so warm in my thin coat that I wondered how I could have felt cold earlier. βYouβre turned on because Iβm so competent?β
This might have been the oddest conversation Iβd ever had with a man. A very odd, very hot conversation.
His lips quirked up at the corners. βIt surprises me too.β
We were now only separated by inches, and his face was exactly as it had been in the video. Hungry. His gaze made my mouth water, and we were both breathing so hard that our breath made little white clouds around our faces.
I should have been backing away. I should have been rolling my eyes. But his eyes had their own gravity again, and their magnetic force was pulling my mouth to his.
βThis is so stupid,β I whispered.
βI know,β he agreed.
Copyright 2022 Michelle Dayton
*****
Author Info:
There are only three things Michelle Dayton loves more than sexy and suspenseful novels: her family, the city of Chicago, and Mr. Darcy. Michelle dreams of a year of world travel β as long as the trip would include weeks and weeks of beach time. As a bourbon lover and unabashed wine snob, Michelle thinks heaven is discussing a good book over an adult beverage.
Iβm Camilleβ the only pauper in Mount Evor. But thatβs not why Iβm on the no-fly list. Six years ago, the principalityβs royal palace went up in flames. Several people died. My sister Jeannette, who worked there, disappeared. The inquiry blamed her for the arson. Since then, Iβve been an outcastβcompromised and harassedβbut determined to clear my sisterβs name.
Four weeks before Christmas, the hunky Louis de Valois, Duke of Arrago, raps on my window. What if he has news about Jeannetteβs case? I invite him in. He glances at his watch and declines my invitation. And then he asks me to marry him.
Perfect for fans of Jill Shalvis, Lauren Landish, Nicole Snow and Louise Bay, this full-length novel stands on its own within an ongoing saga.
I set up the stepladder by the side of my trailer, climb on it, and begin to remove the snow from the roof. Half an hour later, Iβve scooped and brushed off all I that could reach. After returning the equipment to the shed, I reenter the trailer and dart to the kettle to make some tea and thaw my frigid hands.
Someone raps on my window. Iβve done my research, so I know the visitor at once. Itβs him, His Smashing Handsomeness Marquess Louis-Philibert de Valois, heir to the dukedom of Arrago, and second cousin to Crown Prince Theodor.
With stiff cold hands, I open the door a crack without removing the chain lock.
The marquess strides toward me. βHello. Are you Camille Mussey?β
βWhoβs asking?β
βMy name is Louis de Valois. I believe my grandfatherβs men told you Iβd be paying a visit.β
Instead of confirming, I ask tartly, βHow do I know you are who you say you are?β
βErβ¦ Youβre right. Of course.β He pulls an ID from the inner pocket of his coat.
I take the laminated card from his hand, read the name, look at the picture, then at his ridiculously well-proportioned face. Having seen dozens of photos of him online, I knew what to expect. I thought I was prepared. But I find myself gasping for air despite the chill.
No man should be allowed to look this hot, especially not a moneyed aristocrat. Itβs like cheating. And I despise cheaters.
My breath is stuck in my throat just from looking at the man in front of me.
Heβs tall and well-built and has intelligent hazel eyes, high cheekbones, a straight nose, chiseled lips, and a firm jawline. And all of that is framed by thick wavy hair the color of honey. Heβs simply too much. If it werenβt for the crazy amount of sex appeal he gives off, I wouldβve concluded that he isnβt human, but an android built to represent the perfect human male.
Mad at myself for the way Iβm reacting to this toff, I return his ID. βWhat do you want?β
βWould you like the long version or the short version?β
βThe short one, please.β
He glances at his expensive watch and mutters, βJust as well.β Then he meets my gaze. βI want to marry you.β
βHuh?β
The next second, I burst into laughter, double up, and go on and on, releasing the nervous energy thatβs been building for days.
Once my heart rate is back to normal, I wipe my eyes, and inject all the snark Iβm capable of into my words, βWhen I feel like being pranked, my lord, all I need to do is snap my fingers.β
He begins to protest, but I hold up my palm to shut him up.
βYou see, half of the principality has been lining up for years for the honor. You donβt get special treatment. Take a number and go to the end of the line.β
*****
Author Info:
Alix Nichols is a caffeine addict, a fan of Mr. Darcy and an award-winning author on Book Riot’s list of 100 must-read international romances.
She pens sexy romantic comedies and romantic fantasy. Her books have been described as “pure pleasure” (Kirkus Reviews) that βkeep fans of romance hanging off the edge of your seatβ (RT Book Reviews).
At the age of six, she released her first book. It featured highly creative spelling on a dozen pages stitched together and bound in velvet paper. Decades later, she still writes. Her spelling has improved (somewhat), and her books have topped bestseller charts around the world.
She lives in France with her family and their almost-human dog.
When there is Love at Sea, can a week-long cruise prove they deserve a shot at forever? Kacey Reid has had a thing for his sisterβs best friend, Ashley Kennedy for as long as he remembers, but has fought his attraction for just as long. Being stuck together on the cruise will either give him the chance to finally prove that heβs not the unreliable man she always thought he was or it will it just ruin everything. Fans of Forbidden Romances will devour RUIN THE FRIENDSHIP by S.A. Clayton, a sexy, best friendβs sibling romance.
Ruin the Friendship
Love at Sea series
by S.A. Clayton
Blurb:
Ashley
Iβve had a thing for my best friendβs brother, Kacey, for as long as I could remember.
I mean, whatβs not to love?
Heβs smart, sexy as hell, and everything I ever wanted in a man β except for the part where heβs totally unreliable.
Being stuck on a seven day cruise with my favorite friend-emy?
Well, that may be more than enough to drive me insane, in more ways than one.
Kacey
Iβve wanted Ashley my whole life.
Sure, sheβs my sisterβs very best friend but sheβs the most amazing girl Iβve ever known.
But, not all that long ago she told me to move on. To forget her.
Except there is no forgetting Ashley and Iβm going to spend the next seven days trying to prove that Iβve changed and we deserve a shot at this forever thing.
No matter what happens, one thing is certain β Iβm ready to ruin our friendship.
Ruin the friendship is a best friendβs sibling romance, part of the Love at Sea multi-author series. Get ready to set sail through the Caribbean on Festival Cruisesβ most alluring voyage with eight of your favorite authors – happily ever after guaranteed!
Experience everything the Love at Sea series has to offer. From speed dating to masquerades, guests are sure to enjoy the hot days and steamy nights. Explore hidden waterfalls, swim with dolphins, and watch as eight couples find their forever on the open ocean.
The instant I open the door and see the figure bent over the hood of his car, my heart stops. I haven’t seen Kacey Reid since prom night when he drove Kelsey and me home after our disastrous dates ditched us at the after-party. I secretly fell in love with him that night, basking in the way the rage washed over him when Kelsey explained what happened, loving the way his eyes softened when he met my eyes and gave me his jacket when I was cold. I tried to forget him, even moving to the other side of the continent, but nothing worked. I was still in love with my best friendβs twin brother.
βWell look who decided to finally come back home after all these years,β Kacey teases, that knowing smirk playing at the edges of his lips as his blue eyes latch onto mine. I take a breath, wondering how one man can change so much and yet so little in three years. His once shaggy blond hair is cut short, tendrils falling strategically in front of his face, making him look older than his twenty-one years. His crystal-clear blue eyes still cause my insides to flip every time theyβre trained on me and those tattoosβ¦theyβre new. Both arms are covered and from the little I can see of his chest through his white t-shirt, thatβs covered too.
βI’ve been home, youβre just never here,β I quip, loving the way his eyes shine with humor as they meet mine.
βI didn’t know you were home?β My voice cracks as I make my way to the fridge on the other side of the car. Kaceyβs eyes follow my every move. There was a time when I would have begged him to look at me the way he is right now, but I have to keep my distance because from what Kelsey has told me, he will ruin me.
βIβm not. My new place doesn’t have a garage to store this baby,β he says, shutting the hood. βI keep it here and Mom and Dad let me come over and work on it.β I nod, turning so my back is against the fridge, and our eyes connect.
βAre you sure it’s not just a ploy to get you to come home more?β I say, his eyes widening as if the thought never crossed his mind.
βWell shit,β he mutters, a small laugh leaving his throat as I smile, turning back around to get the beers out of the fridge. The second my back is turned and the door is open, I sense him behind me.
βKacey, what are you doing?β I whisper just as his fingers grip my waist, hauling me back until I can feel all of him. Every hard inch. My breath shudders as those deft fingers trace over my hip and rest just over the waistband of my bikini bottoms.
βDo you know how many times Iβve told myself to stay away from you?β he mutters against my neck, the stubble on his jaw causing delicious friction against my skin. βDo you know how many times Iβve had to remind myself that you’re my sisterβs best friend?β I shake my head, my fingers gripping his wrist as the tips of his fingers drop just below my bikini, causing every breath to leave my lungs.
βKacey we can’t do this,β I whisper, closing my eyes and wishing we could, wishing I could feel what his lust feels like against me, what his passion would feel like inside me.
βI know,β he growls against the shell of my ear, nipping at the lobe until Iβm putty in his hands. βBut that doesn’t mean I can walk away without a tasteβ¦β
Copyright 2022 @S.A. Clayton
*****
Author Info:
S.A. Clayton lives in a small town outside of Toronto, Canada with her husband and her scary large collection of books that seem to take over every room.
She has worked on both sides of the publishing industry, both in a bookstore and for actual publishing companies. Although she loved both for different reasons, she found that writing was her true passion and has spent the last few years breaking into the industry as best she can.
She is a lover of all things romance and began her writing journey in her late twenties. Since then, she has immersed herself in the romance genre and couldn’t be happier.
When she’s not writing or reading, she enjoys binging a great Netflix show (Stranger Things anyone?), baking (because who doesn’t love cookies!) and spending time with her family.Β
Get ready to set sail through the Caribbean on Festival Cruisesβ most alluring voyage with eight of your favorite authors – happily ever after guaranteed!
Experience everything the Love at Sea series has to offer. From speed dating to masquerades, guests are sure to enjoy the hot days and steamy nights. Explore hidden waterfalls, swim with dolphins, and watch as eight couples find their forever on the open ocean.
Each story features a brand new couple and a fun trope from our amazing line up of authors including: Kate Stacy, HM Thomas, Mari Sol, S.A. Clayton, T.L. Anderson, Karigan Hale, Susan Renee, and A.M. Williams.
This promotional event is brought to you by TheIndie Pen PR
They are friends. Without benefits. Unfortunately.
Michael LeClaire is small-town Louisiana. A firefighter. A single dad.
And Amelia Landry is New York City. A social media influencer. A model.
Sure, sheβs his sonβs favorite person on the planet.
And yeah, their families spend so much time together itβs hard to remember who shares DNA and who just shares secrets, inside jokes, and a sincere lack of boundaries.
And okay, heβs seen her nerdy side. Her sweet side. Her funny, self-deprecating side.
Fine, yes, resisting this woman has taken a saintβs share of willpower.
But he has to. He just cannot do long-distance. And he canβt have a casual fling with someone heβs knownβand will knowβforever.
Thankfully, he only has to hide his feelings a few times a year when she visits.
And then, he slips. One time. One spontaneous I-knew-it-would-be-everything kiss and heβs a goner.
Now every time they see each other itβs harder and harder to ignore the heat.
And when she shows up on his doorstep after a car accident changes her entire life, thereβs no way he can resist the chance to see if this can lastβ¦or if theyβll finally flame out.
βIf you donβt want our sisters to think theyβre right about everything, you have to quit looking at me like that.β
Michael LeClaire had three choices here.
He could pretend he had no idea what Amelia Landry was talking about, turn, smile nonchalantly, and try to have a normal, casual conversation with her.
That was going to be nearly impossible, of course. This was Ami. There was no being casual around her. He hadnβt been able to pull nonchalant off since heβd first seen her walk down the dock in a lime green bikini the summer sheβd turned twenty. But then, eleven months ago, everything had changed and nowβ¦yeah, casual was completely off the table.
Heβd known sheβd be here. Of course. It was her sisterβs wedding. She was a bridesmaid. Heβd been preparing to see her. Still, it had been three months and the last timeβ¦leaving her at that airport had been so much harder than heβd expected. He didnβt think thereβd be anything casual about the things heβd end up saying to her tonight if they talked alone.
His second option was setting something on fire so that he would have to don his fire gear and do something with his evening other than watch Ami in her off-the-shoulder peach-colored bridesmaid dress, laughing and dancing and looking fucking stunning while he struggled to remember why they were only friends. As he did every single time she stood too close to him.
The reasons were good. He knew that. The primary one being that she lived in fucking New York City and he lived in Autre, Louisiana and that would just never work out. He had a kid. He was the fire chief here. His entire family was here. He couldnβt move to New Yorkβnor did he want toβand he couldnβt travel there on a regular basis.
Ami was a model. Sheβd just landed a huge contract. The contract sheβd been hoping and working for. Sheβd moved from Shreveport to New York only three months ago. She wasnβt coming back to Louisiana and also couldnβt be traveling back here on a regular basis.
Fuck New York City.
Yeah, setting something on fire kind of seemed like a great idea.
And then there was his third option: turning, throwing her over his shoulder, taking her straight back to his house, and not letting her out of his bed for a week, whether they could be together long-term or not.
Which would only make all of thisβthe wanting her, the thinking about her, the missing herβso much worse.
He wasnβt going to be able to do any of those three things.
He was screwed.
So, he sucked in a deep lungful of oxygen and turned, deciding to go with his fourth optionβjust praying to not fuck everything up. βAm I that obvious?β
Ami smiled up at him. βI just really think itβs unfair that theyβre assuming things that I didnβt actually get to experience.β
He shook his head. βDonβt.β
βDonβt what? Talk about how Charlie and Naomi are assuming their matchmaking worked and we spent the entire weekend you were in New York in bed together?β
βAmi,β he said, his voice low with warning.
βHey, youβre the one looking at me like youβve seen me naked and want to again,β she said. βDonβt blame me.β
He tossed back the rest of his drink, wished it was alcohol and not just soda, reminded himself that staying completely sober while Ami was in town for the first time since New York was a really, really good idea, and said, βThatβs not how Iβm looking at you.β
She put a hand on her hip. βThen how would you describe the way youβve been watching me from across the room but totally ignoring me whenever weβre close enough to talk?β
βLike Iβve been jerking off practically every night for the past three months because I didnβt get you naked, and like since you got back to town Iβve been constantly about ten seconds away from picking you up, taking you home, and tying you to my bed for the next week or two.β
Okay, so even without alcohol he was going to be dangerously inappropriate. And honest. Just as heβd feared.
Her eyes went wide.
Then she grinned. βYes. Youβre right. Thatβs a much better, more specific, description.β
*****
Review:
This was such a quick read for me – I loved Michael & Ami together. While not as quirky and humorous as some of the previous stories, Nicholas does an excellent job, like always, of blending the lighthearted moments with those that have a more emotional impact, while not forgetting to give her readers some heat as well.
Ami only knows how to be pretty but it’s something she’s really good at. Good enough for it to pay well, allowing her to support herself while helping others. And good enough to take her the NYC, far away from Louisiana and far away from those she loves.
Michael is a fixer and needs to be as involved as possible in the lives of those he loves. He has to be there to help solve ALL the things so a long distance relationship will definitely not work for him. Unfortunately Ami’s life continues to take her to places far from Michael.
I appreciate how both Michael and Ami approach themselves and each other with understanding of their needs. They are as honest as they can be and lay it out there for the other to see. Sometimes it means that they don’t get exactly what they want but it does mean that they are true to what is best for them at any given moment. As Ami’s (and Michael’s) world is rocked by an accident, and she heads to Autre to figure out what is next, the two may finally be given an opportunity for a future … if they can find a path that works for them both.
With this new series, Nicholas delivers more serious, impactful stories with the same finesse that she’s given us their more unconventional predecessors and, as always, I’m definitely looking forward to seeing what’s in store next.
(Part of a series but can be read as a stand alone.)
*****
Author Info:
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Erin Nicholas has been writing romances almost as long as sheβs been reading them. To date, sheβs written over thirty sexy, contemporary novels that have been described as βtoe-curling,β βenchanting,β βsteamy,β and βfun.β She adores reluctant heroes, imperfect heroines, and happily ever afters.
Erin lives in the Midwest, where she enjoys spending time with her husband (who only wants to read the sex scenes in her books), her kids (who will never read the sex scenes in her books), and her family and friends (who claim to be βshockedβ by the sex scenes in her books).
Is love a formula or pure fate? The residents of the small college town of Mountain View will soon find out. Love is in the air or rather in the coffee in book one of the ABCs of Romance series.Β
Anticipation
The ABCs of Romance
by Rue Harlow
Blurb:
What do beavers and baked goods have to do with love?Β Well, everything for Liliana Travis…
Travis, the owner of the local coffee shop, Higher Grounds. Her day job is serving caffeine highs, but her love life is at an all-time low. A meticulous planner ever since high school, she has a checklist for her perfect man and even plans for how she wants this future romance to unfold. But her carefully laid plans are about to be upended by something, rather someone, completely unanticipated from her past.
Dominic Moore has always been the hometown celebrity of Mountain View. The former captain of the high school football team turned NFL pro is the definition of the βgolden boyβ. But when Dom is caught in a scandal, he returns home to Mountain View to help his recently widowed grandmother open her dream bakeryβ¦ and do some soul searching.
For Lili, Domβs return is both exciting and a total gut punch. Her high school crush is back in town, but also fresh competition for her small business. To make matters worse, the nationwide baking competition, the Upper Crust Challenge, has come to town and bets are firmly on the table. Is it rivalry or romance as buttons are pushed, banter exchanged, and sparks fly? Maybe not everything in life can be perfectly anticipatedβ¦
For fans of The Kiss Quotient and The Soulmate Equation, Anticipation is a sweet and spicy debut from Rue Harlow that is sure to be addictive.
Liliana Travis was dressed like a giant beaver, missing only its head, ready for her life to dramatically change.
Even though the locker room reeked even more like sour socks than usual, Lili was only smelling roses. It had been a long football season β no longer than any other season, but Lili wasnβt into football at all β and now that it was finally ending, it was time for the final act in her epic plan.
βSo β¦β Alicia prompted her. βWhatβs the plan?β
βYou mean the βover-plan,ββ Runa corrected Alicia.
Liliβs two best friends had been with her during every step of this little scheme, as they had stayed by her side for everything else throughout every noteworthy occasion in high school.
βI donβt over plan,β Lili defended herself, despite knowing how futile doing so would be, especially considering the crazy amount of thought she had poured into her nutty little endeavor so far.
βOkay.β Runa shrugged. βAnd I bet that Outlander show is gonna be great.β
βShut up!β Lili laughed, sick of defending that one too. βOutlander is gonna be awesome.β
Lili had made her two besties get through as much of the historical time travel romance adventure as they were willing to read, but neither of them were as enamored by the genre buster as she was.
Not that she was obsessed at all. Lili didnβt get obsessed with anything, including Dominic Moore, no matter what Alicia and Runa said. The Mountain View Beaversβ star quarterback was as handsome as he was charming, and Lili had been dying for an actual conversation, instead of the fleeting exchanges in Statistics, he forgot about five minutes after they happened.
*****
Review:
Overall, I really enjoyed Anticipation and I’m curious what Harlow has in store next. However there were a few things that brought this one down for me. I think that Lili was a little too hard on Dom. She’s got some leftover negative feelings from high school but we never really got to see why she’s holding on to them so tightly. We know that there was a viral video but it doesn’t seem to be THAT horrible all things considered. And it wasn’t even Dom’s fault. (There are some logistics issues with that video – he’s the quarterback but he makes a game winning play for the defense …?) I also was thrown by the end of his career (not sure that what happened was that big a deal in the NFL) and exactly when Lili starts her day considering she runs a coffee shop so it should be pretty early but it seems like not so much. Other than Lili’s attitude, these were little things that just made me go hmmmm but didn’t stop me from enjoying the story. I will say, that once Lili gets over herself and starts being friendly to Dom, the two together are a delight. They are funny and entertaining and the push/pull between them is more positive, leading to a satisfying HEA. Definitely will read more from this author.
*****
Author Info:
Rue Harlow is a semi- professional baked goods aficionado. When not eating carbs or writing smutty novels, you can find her kicking back with a vodka tonic, putzing in her garden, or taking her convertible, Molly the Miata, for a spin. A native Brooklynite, she now resides in the Hudson Valley with her husband and two cats, Artemis and Apollo.
#1 New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery’s second book set in the small town of Wishing Tree, Washington is the witty and heartfelt story of two friends who expectedly find the person–and the place in which–they belong this Christmas, for fans of Elin Hildebrand, Robyn Carr, and Susan Wiggs.
This small-town life wasnβt supposed to be for Camryn Neff. But after her mother died, Camryn moved home to Wishing Tree, Washington to care for her teenaged twin sisters and run the family wrapping paper business, Wrap Around the Clock. She loves her sisters and would do anything for them but, when they head off to college, sheβs excited to move back to Chicago and restart her real life, completely attachment-free. So when a prospective client schedules a meeting and announces Project: Jakeβs Bride, a plot to find a wife for her son, Camryn is completely disinterested. And when this client announces that Camryn is a candidate, sheβs horrified. Being tied down is the last thing Camryn needs right now. She has no choice but to tell Jake what his mom is planning. But Camryn never expected to genuinely like him so muchβ¦
River Best knows all about the danger of keeping secrets. After all, sheβs had her heart broken and her world rocked by secrets a few times now and she wonβt ever let it happen again. New to Wishing Tree and a little shy, River is looking to get involved in the community so she lets her friends talk her into running for Snow Queen, one of the town’s honorary hosts of all Christmas events. She never expected to be drawn to Dylan Tucker, her Snow King. As the season progresses, River starts to trust him more and more and wonders if he’s the one. But little does River know that Dylan is keeping a secret from her, one that threatens everything between them.
βYour teeth are lovely, Camryn. Did you wear braces as a child?β
Camryn Neff reminded herself that not only was the woman sitting across from her a very wealthy potential client, but also that her mother had raised her to be polite to her elders. Still, it took serious effort to keep from falling out of her chair at the weirdness of the question.
βNo. This is how they grew.β
Hmm, that didnβt sound right, although to be honest, she didnβt have a lot of experience when a conversation turned dental.
She refocused her mind to the meeting at hand. Not that she knew for sure why Helen Crane, leader of Wishing Tree society, such as it was, and sole owner of the very impressive Crane hotel empire, wanted to meet with her. The summons had come in the form of a handwritten note, inviting her to the large, sprawling estate on Grey Wolf Lake. Today at two.
So here Camryn was, wearing a business suit that had been hanging in her closet for over a year. The dress code for Wishing Tree retail and the dress code for the job in finance sheβd left back in Chicago were very different. While it had been fun to dust off her gorgeous boots and a silk blouse, and discover her skirts still fit, she was ready to get to the point of the invitation.
βHow can I help you, Mrs. Crane?β she asked.
βHelen, please.β
Camryn smiled. βHelen. Iβm happy to host a wrapping party, either here or at the store. Or if youβd prefer, I can simply collect all your holiday gifts and wrap them for you.β
She casually glanced around at the high ceilings of the sitting room. There was a massive fireplace, intricate molding and a view of the lake that, even with two feet of snow on the ground, was spectacular. And while there were lovely fall floral displays on several surfaces, there wasnβt a hint of Christmas to be found. Not in Wishing Tree, eight days before Thanksgiving. Those decorations didnβt appear until the Friday after.
βI have some samples for custom wrapping paper,β she said, pulling out several sheets of paper from her leather briefcase. βThe designs can be adjusted and the colors coordinated with what you have planned for this holiday season. Wrapped presents under a tree are such an elegant touch.β
βYouβre very thorough,β Helen murmured. βImpressive.β She made a note on a pad. βAre you married, dear?β
βWhat?β Camryn clutched the wrapping paper samples. βNo.β
Helen nodded. βYour mother passed away last year, didnβt she?β
A fist wrapped around Camrynβs heart. βYes. In late October.β
βI remember her. She was a lovely woman. You and your sisters must have been devastated.β
That was one word for it, Camryn thought grimly, remembering how her life had been shattered by the loss. In the space of a few weeks, sheβd gone from being a relatively carefree, engaged, happy junior executive in Chicago to the sole guardian for her twin sisters, all the while dealing with trying to keep Wrap Around the Clock, the family business, afloat. The first few months after her motherβs death were still a blur. She barely remembered anything about the holidays last year, save an unrelenting sadness.
βThis year the season will be so much happier,β Helen said firmly. βVictoria and Lily are thriving at school. Of course they still miss their mother, but theyβre happy, healthy young adults.β The older woman smiled. βI know the teen years can be trying but I confess I quite enjoyed them with Jake.β
Camryn frowned slightly. βHow do you know about the twins?β she asked.
Helenβs smile never faded. βItβs Wishing Tree, my dear. Everyone knows more than everyone else thinks. Now, youβre probably wondering why I invited you over today.β
βTo discuss wrapping paper?β Although even as Camryn voiced the question, she knew instinctively that was not the real reason.
Helen Crane was close to sixty, with perfect posture and short, dark hair. Her gaze was direct, her clothes stylish. She looked as if sheβd never wanted for anything and was very used to getting her way.
βOf course youβll take care of all my wrapping needs,β Helen said easily. βAnd I do like your idea of custom paper for faux presents under the tree. Iβll have my holiday decorator get in touch with you so you two can coordinate the design. But the real reason I asked you here is to talk about Jake.β
Camryn was having a little trouble keeping up. The order for wrapping and the custom paper was great news, but why would Helen want to discuss her son?
She knew who Jake wasβeveryone in town did. He was the handsome, successful heir to the Crane hotel fortune. Heβd been the football captain in high school, had gone to Stanford. After learning the hotel business at the smaller Crane hotels, he was back in Wishing Tree, promoted to general manager of the largest, most luxurious of the properties.
Theyβd never run in the same circles back when theyβd been kids, in part because she was a few years younger. Sheβd been a lowly freshman while heβd been a popular senior. Her only real connection with Jake was the fact that heβd once been engaged to her friend Reggie.
Helen sighed. βIβve come to the conclusion that left to his own devices, Jake is never going to give me grandchildren. I lost my husband eighteen months ago, which has been very hard for me. Itβs time for my son to get on with finding someone, getting married and having the grandchildren I deserve.β
Well, that put the whole βdid you wear bracesβ conversational gambit in perspective, Camryn thought, not sure if she should laugh or just plain feel sorry for Jake. His mother was a powerful woman. Camryn sure wouldnβt want to cross her.
βIβm not sure what that has to do with me,β she admitted.
Helen tapped her pad of paper. βIβve come up with a plan. Iβm calling it Project: Jakeβs Bride. Iβm going to find my son a wife and youβre a potential candidate.β
Camryn heard all the words. Taken individually, she knew what Helen was saying. But when put together, in that exact way, the meaning completely escaped her.
βIβm sorry, what?β
βYouβre pretty, youβre smart. Youβve done well at Wrap Around the Clock. Youβre nurturingβlook how youβve cared for your baby sisters.β Helen smiled again. βI confess I do like the idea of instant grandchildren, so thatβs a plus for you. There are other candidates, of course, but youβre definitely near the top of the list. All I need is confirmation from your gynecologist that youβre likely to be fertile and then we can get on with the business of you and Jake falling in love.β
βYou want to know if Iβm fertile?β
Camryn shoved the samples back in her briefcase and stood. βMrs. Crane, I donβt know what century you think weβre living in, but this isnβt a conversation Iβm going to have with you. My fertility is none of your business. Nor is my love life. If your plan is genuine, you need to rethink it. And while youβre doing that, you might want to make an appointment with your own doctor, because thereβs absolutely something wrong with you.β
Helen looked surprisingly unconcerned. βYouβre right, Camryn. I apologize. Mentioning fertility was going a bit too far. Youβre the first candidate Iβve spoken to, so Iβm still finding my way through all this.β She wrote on her pad. βI wonβt bring that up again. But as to the rest of it, seriously, what are your thoughts?β
Camryn sank back on her chair. βDonβt do it. Meddling is one thing, but youβre talking about an actual campaign to find your son a bride. No. Just no. Itβs likely to annoy him, and any woman who would participate in something like this isnβt anyone you want in your family.β
Helen nodded slowly. βAn interesting point. Itβs just they make it look so easy on those reality shows.β
βNothing is real on those shows. The relationships donβt last. Jakeβs going to find someone. Give him time.β
βIβve given him two years. Iβm not getting younger, you know.β Her expression turned wistful. βAnd I do want grandchildren.β
βAsk me on the right day and you can have the twins.β
Helen laughed. βI wish that were true.β Her humor faded. βDo you know my son?β
βNot really.β
βWe could start with a coffee date.β
Camryn sighed. βHelen, seriously. This isnβt going to work. Let him get his own girl.β
βHeβs not. Thatβs the problem. All right, I can see Iβm not going to convince you to be a willing participant. I appreciate your time.β She rose. βI meant what I said about the wrapping. Iβll arrange to have all my gifts taken to your store. And my holiday decorator will be in touch about the custom paper.β
βIs the holiday decorator different from the regular decorator?β Camryn asked before she could stop herself.
Helen chuckled. βYes, she is. My regular decorator is temperamental and shudders at the thought of all that cheer and tradition. He came over close to Christmas a few years ago and nearly fainted when he saw the tree in the family room.β
She leaned close and her voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper. βItβs devoted to all the ornaments Jake made for me when he was little. There are plaster handprints and little stars made out of Popsicle sticks. My favorite is a tuna can with a tiny baby Jesus in the manger tucked inside. Thereβs bits of straw and a star.β She pressed both hands to her heart. βI tear up thinking about it.β
Baby Jesus in a tuna can? Helen was one strange woman.
Camryn collected her briefcase and followed Helen to the front door. Helen opened it, then looked at her.
βYouβre sure about not being a part of Project: Jakeβs Bride?β
βYes. Very.β Camryn kept her tone firm, so there would be no misunderstanding.
βA pity, but I respect your honesty.β
Camryn walked to her SUV and put her briefcase in the backseat. Once she was behind the wheel, she glanced at the three-story house rising tall and proud against the snow and gray sky.
The rich really were different, she told herself as she circled the driveway and headed for the main road. Different in a cray-cray kind of way.
She turned left on North Ribbon Road. When she reached Cypress Highway, she started to turn rightβthe shortest way back to town. At the last minute, she went straight. Even as she drove north, she told herself it wasnβt her business. Maybe Jake knew about his motherβs plans. Maybe he supported them.
Okay, not that, she thought, passing the outlet mall, then turning on Red Cedar Highway and heading up the mountain. She might not know Jake very well, but Reggie had dated him for months. Reggie was a sweetie who would never go out with a jerk. So Jake had to be a regular kind of guy, and regular guys didnβt approve of their mothers finding them wives.
Besides, she doubted Jake needed any help in that department. He was tall, good-looking and really fit. Sheβd caught sight of him jogging past her store more than once and was willing to admit sheβd stopped what she was doing to admire the view. He was also wealthy. Men like that didnβt need help getting dates.
The sign for the resort came into view. She slowed for a second, then groaned as she drove up to the valet. Maybe she was making a mistake, but there was no way she couldnβt tell Jake what had just happened. It felt too much like not mentioning toilet paper stuck to someoneβs shoe.
If he already knew, then it would be a short conversation. If he didnβt care, then she would quietly think less of him and leave. If he was as horrified as she thought he might be, then sheβd done her good deed for the week and yay her. Whatever the outcome, she would have done the right thing, which meant she would be able to sleep that night. Some days that was as good as it was going to get.
SUSAN MALLERY is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of novels about the relationships that define women’s livesβfamily, friendship, romance. Library Journal says, βMallery is the master of blending emotionally believable characters in realistic situations,” and readers seem to agreeβ40 million copies of her books have sold worldwide. Her warm, humorous stories make the world a happier place to live.
Susan grew up in California and now lives in Seattle with her husband. She’s passionate about animal welfare, especially that of the ragdoll cat and adorable poodle who think of her as mom. Visit Susan online at http://www.susanmallery.com.
When there is Love at Sea, can they overcome their secrets and have a future together? Sebastian Greer isnβt on this cruise for fun and games, heβs here to catch a cheater. However, the more time he spends with his target, Zoey Anderson, he unexpectedly catches feelings for her but when the truth is revealed, he canβt get off of the ship fast enough. Fans of forbidden romances will enjoy SICK OF THIS SHIP by Mari Sol, a sexy enemies to lovers romance.
Sick of This Ship
Love at Sea series
by Mari Sol
Blurb:
Zoey
I would do anything for my sister. That includes pretending to be her on a cruise so she can stay behind and spy on her cheating husband.
My job? Take over her Instagram and enjoy myself.
But my tropical holiday becomes anything but relaxing, once I meet Sebastian Greer. Pain in the ass extraordinaire. A desperate man who can only be looking for one thing – to hook up with all the single women he can find on the ship.
Unfortunately, Sebastian seems to be everywhere I go. And the thing is, the more I run into him, the more I realize that maybe I was wrong about him after all.
Sebastian
Seducing a beautiful woman on a cruise? Sounds like a dream come true, right?
Wrong.
Iβm not here to fall in love or even hook up. Iβm here to catch a cheater.
Thatβs right, my boss thinks his wife is unfaithful, and itβs my job to prove it.
Thereβs just one problemβ¦the more I get to know my target, the harder I find it to fight these unexpected feelings for her.
When she confesses that sheβs not who I think she is, Iβm pissed – even though Iβve been lying to her too.
With tensions flying high, weβre both sick of this ship. The end of the cruise canβt come soon enough. But after we disembark, no matter how much I want to forget her, I canβt. The question remains: could we overcome our secrets and have a future together, or did our ship already sink?
Sick of This Ship is an enemies-to-lovers romance, part of the Love at Sea multi-author series. Get ready to set sail through the Caribbean on Festival Cruisesβ most alluring voyage with eight of your favorite authors – happily ever after guaranteed!
Experience everything the Love at Sea series has to offer. From speed dating to masquerades, guests are sure to enjoy the hot days and steamy nights. Explore hidden waterfalls, swim with dolphins, and watch as eight couples find their forever on the open ocean.
βPlease, I need you, Zoey,β Anna says again. βI wouldnβt ask if this wasnβt completely urgent.β
βAnna, you ask me literally every time you need anything.β I cross my arms, trying hard not to smile as my sister gives me her sweetest of puppy looks.
βYou love helping me.β She pats my hair. You would never guess sheβs the older sister here. But sheβs not wrong. Sheβs my universe. I am here for everything she needs, no questions asked. I learned my lesson back when we were young. The one time it mattered, I wasnβt there for her, and it shattered everything. Iβll never make that mistake again.
βWhat if I help you back home in LA? We could figure out what Mike is up to together. Girl power. Sisterhood of the traveling penis. All that.β
βZo, the cruise is where I need the help,β Anna says. βYou can easily pass as me in photos that arenβt close-ups. Keeping my Instagram full of cruise shots is the perfect distraction for Mike while I follow him around LA.β
βIβll help you however I can, but I would be most useful on land.β
βI know you hate even the thought of a cruise. But think of it this way. Itβll be much better than lying around watching TV in your tiny apartment back in LA while you rest your ankle. Iβm pretty sure you had no other plans next week.β
βThereβs plenty to do in LA, even with a sprained ankle.β
βYouβre supposed to be resting, not running all over. At least on a cruise you can lounge at the pool, have all your meals taken care of, and beach it up in each port of call.β
I let out a long sigh. I hate that sheβs right. Being marginally injured is the most boring possible status to have. I can sort of do everything, but Iβm not supposed to do anything. Itβs killing me. But if I still canβt run, jump, or climb at high speed after the break in filming for our big Meghan Marconi action thriller? That would be worse. That would jeopardize my entire career as a stunt double.
βIβ¦ butβ¦β There has to be a reason I shouldnβt go on the cruise. I mean, Iβve summited Mount Kilimanjaro, sky-dived Interlaken, scaled El Capitan with my bare hands, and flipped a car off the London Bridge. Can you imagine me sitting around eating buffet with a bunch of retirees? βI was going to do a lot of upper body training at that new gym near the studio next week.β
βSo were you planning to seduce a certain someone whoβs been talking up his membership there?β Anna purses her lips.
βNo.β I glare at her. βIβm not into Grant. I mean, whoever youβre talking about.β
βWhy donβt you invite him to come on the cruise?β Anna cocks her head, one eyebrow raised.
βItβs easy enough to transfer a cruise ticket to someone else. I can give him Mikeβs. A free trip with my gorgeous sister? Come on, heβd go.β
I could laugh. Anna knows Iβm incapable of inviting a man to coffee, let alone a cruise. And a seduction at sea, by me?
βI am not inviting Grant Kevlar! We only met a month ago, in this very trailer. He would never go on a Caribbean Cruise with me, even if itβs free.β
βWho says I wouldnβt go on a free Caribbean Cruise with my new BFF?β Jamie Von Burger, my favorite hair stylist of all time- who I also met a month ago in this trailer- blows in the door, wet as a sewer rat. Jamie drops his umbrella, and water sprays the room. βIβm dying to get out of this Louisiana swamp. Please tell me you werenβt making up the idea of a jaunt to the Caribbean. I want to drink PiΓ±a Coladas in the sun with you, babes.β
Jamie air-kisses my cheek and his beard tickles my skin, while his long flowing locks cascade forward in a silken waterfall. βWeβre a dream team. Think of the boys we could slay.β
Of course, at this very moment, in walks Grant Kevlar himself. Upon hearing Jamieβs words, he raises his eyebrows at me, a delectable smile playing over his soft lips. My heart stutter-stops. Heβs the stunt double to the hunkiest of hunky actors, Zander Zane, but somehow, heβs much darker and sexier than his silver screen counterpart could ever be. Iβd so go on a cruise if he was there. Even though Iβd never admit it, maybe a small part of me hoped Iβd bump into him at a certain LA gym.
βJamie and Zoey are taking a Caribbean Cruise next week.β Anna smiles. Jamie widens his eyes at her. I narrow mine. That little skunk.
Copyright 2022 @Mari Sol
*****
Author Info:
Mari Sol writes romantic comedy thatβs been described as somewhere between Hallmark movies and the SNL skits about Hallmark movies. Her capable, assertive, and sometimes sarcastic female leads are adventurous and quirky, and the men who fall for them are absolutely worth your (er, their) time. Her Halloween book, βRomance is Deadβ hit #6 on Amazon for Holiday Romance and features a very cinnamon-roll hero.
As most people do, Mari started writing Rom Coms when she was a stressed out corporate director and needed the escape. Her books will send you somewhere fun, like a tropical beach (or a haunted theme park) for some relaxing self care time. She loves the juicy bits – yes, allthe bits – but she believes in making healthy relationships hot, so her juice will be made with kale, and probably a cucumber or two.
If you want to know why you can trust her expertise in the romance and comedy departments, sign up to get her emails, and sheβll share at least a few spicy secrets.
Find her online at www.marisolwrites.com. (Pst! Thereβs a free, steamy Rom Com waiting for you there.)Β
Get ready to set sail through the Caribbean on Festival Cruisesβ most alluring voyage with eight of your favorite authors – happily ever after guaranteed!
Experience everything the Love at Sea series has to offer. From speed dating to masquerades, guests are sure to enjoy the hot days and steamy nights. Explore hidden waterfalls, swim with dolphins, and watch as eight couples find their forever on the open ocean.
Each story features a brand new couple and a fun trope from our amazing line up of authors including: Kate Stacy, HM Thomas, Mari Sol, S.A. Clayton, T.L. Anderson, Karigan Hale, Susan Renee, and A.M. Williams.
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USA Today bestselling author Patricia Davids continues her Amish romance series set in Harts, Haven, Kansas, with this emotional story about a cancer survivor and a grieving widower who are brought together at Christmas by the matchmakers of Harts Haven who have a little help from the hero’s daughters.
With Christmas just around the corner, an Amish cancer survivor moves to Harts Haven for a fresh start as the new schoolteacher. She wants to escape the pity that she felt from the people back hom eand throw herself into her new job. She’s worried her illness might return at any moment and isn’t looking for love. Neither is a local widower with two daughters. The loss of his wife devestated him, and he never wants to feel that kind of pain again. The matchmakers of Harts Haven set their sights on the pair, by having them work together on a living Nativity for the school Christmas program. With three elderly matchmakers, a school full of rambunctious children, a handsome widower, rowdy sheep and one cantankerous donkey, Harts Haven is about to witness an unforgettable Christmas Eve where two unlikely people discover healing love is the true Christmas gift.
Karl Graber cringed at the sound of Rose Yoder calling his name. He was in no mood to deal with her this morning.
After burning the oatmeal at breakfast, he discovered his renter had moved out in the night without giving notice or paying his back rent. Now Karl was going to be late getting to the store because his buggy horse was limping.
He pretended he hadnβt heard Rose. Maybe the elderly Amish woman who claimed to be the most successful matchmaker in Harts Haven would go pester some other poor fellow.
Bent over Checkerβs front foot, Karl noticed that a stone lodged between the horseβs steel shoe and his hoof was the geldingβs problem.
βHallo, Karl! I must speak with you.β
The tenacity of the eighty-four-year-old romance peddler was another difficulty Karl had to face this morning.
βIβm not interested in meeting your latest hopeful,β he muttered under his breath.
If the stubborn stone would come out, he could be on his way before the elderly woman reached the end of the block and crossed the wide street.
βDaed, Granny Rose is calling you.β His six-year-old daughter, Rachel, stood up and waved. Rose wasnβt related to Karl, but due to her advanced age most of the children in Harts Haven called her Granny.
βSheβs coming this way,β Clara informed him from the front seat of the open buggy. His ten-year-old daughter wasnβt any more excited to see Rose than Karl was. She suspected the same thing he did. Rose was on a matchmaking mission.
βHallo, Granny Rose,β Rachel shouted happily. βWeβre taking our puppies to the store so someone can buy them. Would you like to see them?β
The offending stone popped loose. Karl dropped Checkerβs hoof. βGot to get the store open, Rose. Canβt take time to visit.β
When he spun around, it was already too late. She had reached the buggy ahead of him. How did someone her age move so fast? She didnβt even look winded.
βGuder mariye, Karl. Iβm so glad I caught you. There is a chill in the air this morning, isnβt there?β
It was the second week of November. Of course the air was cool. Rose hadnβt intercepted him for idle chitchat. He moved to step around her since she was blocking the buggy door. βCustomers will be waiting for me.β
Rose didnβt budge. Other than picking her up and setting her aside, he had no hope of leaving until she finished having her say. He resigned himself to hearing who she thought would be perfect for him this time. As if any woman could take the place of his Nora.
βDid you find us a new mother?β Rachelβs hopeful tone stabbed his heart. Rachel was too young to remember much about the mother who died when she was three. She only knew other children had both mothers and fathers, and she wanted the same thing.
Clara scowled at her sister. βWe donβt need a new mother. Ours is in Heaven. No one can replace her.β
Clara understood. She was old enough to remember what Nora had been like. A sweet, gentle, bright and loving woman. The world was a darker place without her.
Roseβs cheerful expression softened with sympathy. βIβm still looking for someone special to join your family. Clara is right. She wonβt be your mother. Instead, she will be your stepmother, but she will love you and take care of you as if you were her own.β
Rachel sighed. βI hope you find her soon.β
βThatβs enough, Rachel,β Karl said. βWhat do you want, Rose?β
βIβm here to tell you about the new teacher. She arrived yesterday. She and her sister are staying at the inn for the time being. They are Grace Sutterβs nieces from the Amish side of her family.β
Grace was another elderly widow, Old Order Mennonite, and co-owner of the Harts Haven Inn along with Rose and Roseβs widowed daughter, Susanna King. The trio were all fond of meddling. A single man stood little chance of remaining unattached in this Amish community unless he avoided the widows. Roseβs knowing smile put Karl on his guard.
Rachel clapped her hands. βYay, the new teacher is here. Now I can go back to school and be in the Christmas program. I hope I get to be an angel like Thea and Miriam Bachman last year. Their mother made the most beautiful wings for them.β
Rose grinned. βYour teacherβs name is Sophie Eicher. Her sister is Joanna. They are lovely young women.β
βAlso single and hoping to find husbands in Harts Haven. I know what youβre doing, Rose. Not interested!β If his cutting tone didnβt drive his point home, maybe his scowl would.
Rose puffed up like an angry little hen. βDonβt take that tone with me, Karl Graber. For shame.β
He was thirty-two years old, but she made him feel like an errant toddler. βIβm sorry.β
She inclined her head. βYou are forgiven. I stopped to tell you we are hosting a welcome party at the inn on Saturday so folks can meet Sophie and her sister. Would you kindly spread the word?β
He eyed her suspiciously. Where was the catch? βSure. What time?β
βWeβll start at noon, but folks can come and go as they please.β She turned to his daughters. βI know you girls must be excited to go back to school.β
βTeacher Becky had to leave to take care of her mother because she got sick,β Rachel said. βI only went to school for one week. I donβt think I learned much.β
βI taught you letters and numbers,β Karl said.
Rachelβs lower lip jutted out. βOnly so I could help at the store. Not to read a book.β
There werenβt enough hours in the day to run the hardware store, manage the farm work, cook, keep house and still find time to instruct his daughters. Most days, he struggled just to get out of bed. He was doing the best he could.
βHow soon will school resume?β he asked Rose.
βThe bishop and the school board havenβt decided.β She leveled her gaze at him. βI know youβll be at the welcome party.β
That was the catch. Grimacing, he shook his head. βSocial gatherings arenβt something I enjoy.β
Her eyes narrowed. βIt is common courtesy to introduce yourself and your kinder to the new teacher. You remember what courtesy is, donβt you, Karl?β Rose turned on her heels and strode away.
His conscience smote him. It wasnβt right to be rude to anyone, yet alone an elder. He caught up with her in a few steps. βRose, wait. Iβm sorry.β
Glancing over his shoulder to make sure the girls couldnβt overhear; he lowered his voice. βIt hasnβt been easy for me. Nora was the one who loved company. It doesnβt feel right to do things without her. It just makes me miss her more.β
Instantly, he was sorry he had shared that much.
Roseβs expression softened. βYou have your daughters to consider. Nora wouldnβt want them shut up in the store all day. Nor would she approve of you taking them home straight after church services instead of letting them play with their friends so you can avoid talking to people. I understand grief, Karl. I buried my husband and a son-in-law who was dear to me. We all cope with loss differently, but donβt let your grief rob your kinder of their childhood.β
He focused on his feet. Maybe Rose was right. In his struggle to get through each day, he hadnβt always put his childrenβs welfare first. βI reckon I could close early for once. Iβll bring the girls to meet their new teacher.β
He looked up with a hard stare. βBut donβt get the idea that Iβll go along with any of your matchmaking schemes.β
She shook her head. βSophie needs someone special. You are completely wrong for her. Iβm afraid the two of you would be at each otherβs throats within a week.β
He drew back. βIf sheβs hard to get along with, should she be teaching?β
Rose poked her finger into his chest. βYou are the problem, not Sophie.β
βMe? Whatβs wrong with me?β
βPlenty. You figure it out. Relax. You arenβt on my list of potential suitors.β
That made him smile. βYou have a list already? I thought she only arrived yesterday.β
Rose grinned and winked. βThere arenβt that many single Amish fellows in this area.β
Karl watched her walk away with a sense of relief that was quickly followed by an unsettling question. What did Rose think was wrong with him?
He kept to himself, but who could blame him? Losing his wife, his childhood sweetheart, had nearly broken him. Standing by helplessly as cancer sucked the life from her despite everything the doctors tried had devastated him.
His beautiful Nora had endured terrible pain. In her last days, he had stopped praying for her to be healed and only asked that God end her suffering and take her home. The guilt from those anguished thoughts never left him. He couldnβt love another woman. He was better off alone. He had his daughters. That was enough.
βDaed, weβre going to be late,β Clara called out.
Clara was trying hard to be his helper at home and in the business the way her mother had been. She worked hard. Perhaps too hard for a child her age. He returned to the buggy and got in. At least he didnβt have to worry about Rose trying to set him up with the new teacher. He wasnβt on her list.
USA Today best-selling author Patricia Davids was born in Kansas. After forty years as an NICU nurse, Pat switched careers to become an inspirational writer. She now enjoys laid back life on a Kansas farm, spending time with her family and playing with her dog Sugar, who thinks fetch should be a twenty-four hour a day game. When not throwing a ball, Pat is happily dreaming up new stories where love and faith conquer all.
Romantic Reads and Such 