Tragedy brought Bree back to her hometown with no plans to stay. Her brother’s best friend, Tony, doesn’t want her to leave. With a killer on the loose and Bree in danger, it’s up to Tony to keep her safe, then keep her in Whiskey Falls. Readers who enjoy Brynne Asher and Devney Perry will love this spicy, small town, brother’s best friend, romantic suspense.
Whiskey Home
Whiskey Falls, Book One
by Taryn Rivers
Blurb:
Tony
I promised to protect my best friend’s little sister—I didn’t plan on falling in love.
But when a murderer strikes in my county and she may be the next target, I can’t hold back anymore.
She doesn’t know it yet, but when this is over she’s here to stay.
If I can keep her alive.
Bree
A tragedy called me back to Whiskey Falls, but as soon as I take care of business, I’m out of here.
It doesn’t matter that I’ve been in love with Tony Kane since I was a child.
Or that I go weak at the knees every time I see him.
My family broke my heart, but he has the power to shatter it.
The patio door opens behind me, alerting me to Bree’s presence.
“Bree’s here. I gotta go,” I tell him.
“Watch your back,” he warns, not hiding the worry in his voice.
“You, too.” I hang up and turn around to find Bree rubbing the back of her neck with a resigned look on her face.
“She’s on her way, isn’t she?” I ask.
She winces and nods.
“Please tell me Colt’s with her.” I like Colt, and it’s obvious he cares for both women. Plus, he can handle himself and is one hell of a shot.
“No. Colt’s not with her. But she’s not alone.”
“You need to call her back and tell her to turn around. We barely have enough manpower to cover you, much less Sadie and whichever one of your friends she’s dragging with her.”
“It’s, um, well, it’s Killian,” she stammers. “He didn’t want her driving by herself.”
It takes a few seconds before I trust myself to speak. “Are you telling me Killian Cross is on his way here right now?”
She bites her lip and nods reluctantly.
“Exactly how many times has Cross asked you out?” I ask.
She wrings her hands together. “Twice. And it’s been months. We’re just good friends, not that it’s any of your business.”
I see red. “Not my fucking business? Are you high? Everything about you is my business.”
She backs up but it’s too late. In two steps I’m on her. I pull her to me and slam my mouth down on hers.
Instead of fighting it, her arms wrap around me. I fist her hair, and she gasps, giving me what I need to slide my tongue home. I bring her even closer, and she melts into me.
I pour everything I have into the kiss. If she won’t believe it when I tell her she’s mine, I’ll fucking show her and leave no room for doubt.
I’ve been waiting for this moment for two years, and all my frustration comes through. She moans into my mouth which spurs me on. I thought our first kiss couldn’t be beat, but this one blows it out of the water.
This kiss is everything. Heaven and hell, want and need, every ounce of my being focused on the slide of her tongue. I slow it down until our lips separate. I run my nose along hers then drop my hand down to her lower back and bury my face in her hair.
“This is why you’re my business. This proves you want me as much as I want you. Face it. You’re mine, and I’m fucking yours. Always have been. Always will be.”
I lean in and kiss the side of her lips. “Give us a chance, beautiful. It’s going to work out. I promise.”
Her entire face softens, and I think I have her. But then she blinks, and I see naked fear flash in her eyes right before she shuts down.
Fucking hell.
Copyright 2021 Taryn Rivers
*****
Author Info:
Taryn Rivers lives in central Arkansas with her extremely patient husband and her golden retriever, Patton. When she’s not writing, she’s kicking back with her husband at the lake, eating her weight in fried cheese curds and fish fry while visiting family in Wisconsin, or she’s guilting her children into coming to see her. She loves reading, coffee, wine, and her family, not necessarily in that order.
A vacation in Las Vegas with friends was going to be nothing but a good time.
When two of Samantha Nollins friends surprised everyone that they eloped, she was ready to party. After all, she was known to celebrate at all times, along with her bestie Nate Haddic. However, when they wake up the next day, their two friends weren’t the only ones who eloped!
Samantha and Nate immediately go to the courthouse, only to be told they need to wait ninety-days and try to make their marriage work.
There was nothing worse than two players who had to settle down. In order to keep their friendship intact, they created rules – which seemed easy enough.
First rule, no sex. This was a bummer, but there was no way they were cheating on each other, even if the wedding was fake.
Second, they had to visit each other more, which was no sweat off their backs.
Third, they couldn’t tell anyone. This was mainly because it was only ninety-days, why get anyone else involved?
Fourth was more because of the court order, but they had to take pictures of them together. This way, they could show the judge they tried, but it didn’t work.
Lastly, the most important role, was no falling for each other.
Samantha moved over to him and poked his shoulder in anger. “Now isn’t the time to admire the city. You ended a party where people, including me, were having fun. Then you decide to kiss the hell out of me like I was all you wanted. And now you pull back and tell me not to look at you like that. Do tell, how am I looking at you?”
Nate, being four inches taller, stared down at her. “Like you want something that’ll ruin everything.”
“Didn’t you kiss me?”
“We were playing the game.”
This made her laugh—and not the good kind. It was almost manic, like she couldn’t believe this was actually happening. What a lame excuse, blaming their chemistry on a game. “Are you serious?”
“As serious as our signed contract,” he said, a touch of bitterness in his tone.
She flipped her hair over her shoulder before putting her hands on her hips. “Don’t you dare act like this is my fault. Our sham of a marriage wasn’t something I forced on you. It wasn’t like I woke up in a committed relationship and celebrated the news. We’re in the same boat here.”
He huffed. “I know it’s not your fault we’re married.”
“Wow, you sound so sincere.” Her voice oozed sarcasm.
“It isn’t either of our faults,” he conceded. “But it was stupid for us to kiss for no reason. We need to follow the rules. I’m going to hold up my end of the bullshit bargain.”
If kissing her senseless was part of holding up his end of the bargain, she wasn’t sure she’d survive anymore of their marriage. Her lips were bruised at the way he’d devoured her. Her pulse was still racing over the excitement of feeling his hands on her.
*****
Author Info:
Erin Lynne is a romantic comedy writer who lives outside of Philadelphia with her husband and kiddos. When she is not chasing after her boys, you can find her writing. She loves going on adventures with her family (theme park junkie), drinking champagne, and reading.
Join her on Facebook at Erin Lynne Romance Lovers and follow her at http://www.erin-lynne.com for updates on releases, thoughts to make you smile, and to sign-up for her newsletter.
Life is good. I have a plush job, supportive friends, and a close-knit family. When the new hottie at the office asks me out on a date, I think I just won the jackpot.
Until movie night with the girls leads me down a dark rabbit hole. Who is he? An innocent Google search about a handsome actor has my imagination spinning. Now I’m drowning, and I don’t want salvation. I want him.
But I already have the perfect man. This obsession might just ruin my life.
“Hot! Hot! Hot!” I juggle the hot cookie sheet between my mitt-covered hands. I seem to forget to buy new ones until I pull something from the oven and the heat seeps through the thinning fabric. Once the tray is safely on the stovetop, I pull off the offending mitts and set them aside. The sweet aroma of fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies fills the apartment.
Where are they? I pick up my phone and check to see if I missed a message from the girls. Nothing. Only five after six. They should be here any minute.
My fingers hover over the messages button. Shaun’s name on the screen hypnotizes me and in a flash, I’m back in the pizzeria, just the two of us. I want to send him a message, so he knows I’m thinking about him. But maybe that’s too weird. I mean, we only met this week, and already it feels like whatever sparked between us the other night is barreling toward a raging inferno at critical speed. I shake my head and set the phone aside. No. I’ll wait for him to text me.
I mean he spoke to me at work yesterday, so there’s something there, right? Before the seeds of doubt can burrow into my soft, anxious brain, the doorbell rings.
Pushing thoughts of Shaun aside, I rush to open the door.
Lily and Maggie’s grinning faces greet me.
“I thought you forgot about me.” I pout and step aside.
They push past me and drop their bags on the table.
“Oh honey, I wouldn’t miss this for the world.” Lily turns with a cherry-lipped smirk. “You refused to dish on your impromptu dinner the other night.” She winks. “Was it the new guy?”
My face warms. Betrayed by my own body. I sidestep into the kitchen to get plates out of the cabinet. “His name is Shaun.”
“I knew it!” She bounces up and down. Today she’s sporting a cute pair of navy trousers and a warm, deep red cable knit sweater. Vintage, all of it, I’d put money on it. This girl and her classy style put us all to shame. “So,” she pushes, practically salivating, “What’s the deal? You two hook up?”
I avoid eye contact and set the plates down.
When my back is turned, Maggie chimes in. “Wait! Hold the phone. Who’s Shaun?”
Lily’s animated chatter sparks to life. “He’s the new Head of Marketing and a stone-cold fox. Oh my god. Seriously. So hot.”
Maggie’s expression vacillates between surprise and hurt. “Why am I only hearing about this now?”
“Jen’s holding out on us.” Lily pouts playfully and opens the Chinese food container with those perfectly manicured hands.
Maggie grabs a plate, but her gaze remains fixed on me while Lily starts doling out servings. Her piercing stare could level a grown-ass man. I wonder if she ever uses this glare on her bosses at Solus? She’s talked about her single bosses, Mr. Ben Statler and Mr. Evan Waldorf, but neither Lily nor I had the pleasure to meet them in person. But we knew all about their reputations as Mr. Grump and Mr. Sunshine thanks to Maggie. Judging from the pictures on their website, they fit those monikers perfectly as well.
We often tease her about snatching one of them up to which we’re immediately interrupted with an ever-growing laundry list of reasons why neither man is worth her time. For a personal assistant in a multi-million-dollar company, diminutive Maggie packs a mean punch with her purple and teal highlights and don’t-bullshit-me attitude. Most people find her cute and often make the mistake of treating her like one would an unruly child or rebellious teenager. That’s their first mistake. Now she turns her intense stare on me.
I exhale in defeat knowing I will get no peace until their curiosity is sated with every juicy detail. “Fine.”
We load our plates with our favorite assortment of foods and retreat to the small living room. I take the oversized chair while Lily and Maggie sit on the narrow couch. Between bites, I tell them everything from the moment Shaun collided with me in the hallway to his friendly greeting yesterday morning in the break room.
Their rapt attention is punctuated with random questions. At this point, I can’t tell whether they’re impressed or concerned by the speed at which this whole relationship is hurtling like a bullet train into the great unknown.
“When was the last time you heard from him?” Lily sets her plate on the coffee table, picks up an empty glass, and pours the wine I put on the table in preparation for movie night.
“Yesterday at work.” I ignore the urge to pull out my phone and skim through the messages again. “Should I text him?”
“Yes,” Lily responds just as Maggie says the opposite.
“No,” Maggie repeats. “Don’t push it. Let it play out.”
Lily looks torn. “I mean, it is moving fast but don’t be too distant. I know there are a lot of girls at the office who are dying to get their hooks into him.”
I groan at the uncertainty driving a wedge between my common sense and my desperation to make it work.
“Jen, you two will be banging by next weekend.” Maggie grins. “Then you’ll be all about Shaun and forget all about us.”
Lily nods, her curls bouncing and eyes wide.
“You know me. I would never put a guy ahead of my friends.” I smirk. “Even if he is handsome and charming.”
“I am glad you finally found someone worth investing time in.” Maggie pours herself a glass of wine. “Those last few were losers.”
I wave my hand as though trying to chase away any possibility of the horrific memories of the last handful of idiots I went out on dates with. “Can we not talk about it? You promised you wouldn’t bring up my shame.” I pour myself a glass. “Besides, your track record isn’t the best either there, honey.”
Maggie shrugs. “I’ve given up all hope of finding someone worthwhile.”
“It’ll hit you one day when you’re not expecting it.” Lily nods sagely.
“Don’t jinx yourself, Lily.” I chuckle.
She sighs wistfully. “Someday my prince will come.”
“Dude, you sound like a fairy tale princess, knock it off.” Maggie jabs her with an elbow nearly spilling Lily’s wine.
Lily sticks out her tongue, which Maggie mimics.
“Okay, children, can we watch our movie now?” I grab the remote on the stand and turn the power on.
“Yes, please.” Lily claps and pulls a blanket across her lap.
Maggie leans back and sips her wine. “Proceed.”
I turn on Prime and find the movie we agreed upon. Source of Destiny. A newish science fiction spin on the superhero genre one of my other coworkers, Mike from supply, recommended a few weeks ago when he overheard me and Lily talking about movie night. Once I find it, I hit play and settle back in my oversized comfy chair.
Movie night with the girls is my favorite night of the week. It’s relaxed and comfortable. Yeah, we banter and argue about stupid shit while drinking wine and watching ridiculous movies. Sometimes we even get in debates about how hot an actor is or how idiotic a plot turns out to be. But that’s half the fun of it. Nothing’s too serious and in the end, we’re just friends spending time together and having a blast.
“What’s this about again?” Maggie wrinkles her nose as the movie starts dark and ominous.
“It’s a superhero flick set in space.” Lily’s voice cuts through the increasing tempo of the music.
“Who’s in it?” Maggie asks.
“I have no idea.” I shake my head.
“Looks like a B-rated space opera.” Maggie giggles.
“Shhh.” Lily jabs her with a finger.
Twenty minutes into the film, and we’re all sucked into the action. Then it happens.
The villain reveals himself, and suddenly I can’t think of anything but how sexy he is. I shift in my seat and my body warms at the deceptively seductive monologue surrounding me. His dark charm. A sinful voice. It burrows beneath my skin. How is any of this logical? Getting all worked up over a fictional character.
I shove it aside and focus on the story. But as the film continues, I find myself cheering for the villain. He’s tortured and brooding…which does not make him a suitable candidate for a relationship, I remind myself.
The rest of the film passes in a blur of action and cathartic release. There’s obviously room for expansion with more films. I’m curious to see if there are more with the villain since he wasn’t defeated in this one.
“Well, that was interesting.” Maggie stands and carries dishes into the kitchen.
“How exciting!” Lily takes the empty wine bottle and puts it in the recycling can. “I wonder if they made a sequel.”
“Look it up.” Maggie’s voice carries over the sound of running water. She washes the dishes as I put away the leftovers.
“I’ll check it later.” I place the containers in the refrigerator.
We make quick work of cleaning up. Maggie and Lily grab their coats.
“Thanks for coming over, guys.” I open the door for them.
“Of course.” Lily hugs me. “See you on Monday.”
“Unless I don’t survive dinner with my family.”
“Oh, I forgot about that. Your place tomorrow, isn’t it?” Maggie wraps a scarf around her neck.
“Yeah.” I shrug. “It’ll be okay, as long as Mom doesn’t freak about the mashed potatoes and Dad doesn’t remind me for the twentieth time to install a security camera outside the door.”
“Awww, he’s just worried about you.” Lily grins.
“Your parents are being little shits,” Maggie adds with a wink. “Tell them to get over it. They’re in your house now.”
I shake my head. “Do you two want to run interference tomorrow for me then?”
Both girls shake their heads vehemently.
“I didn’t think so.” I laugh. “Good night.”
“Night.” Lily bounds down the stairs.
“Later, doll.” Maggie follows suit.
Once the door is locked, I grab my phone. No new messages. Damn. He’s probably busy getting settled in. I head for the bathroom and flip on the shower.
After a warm, aromatic soak, I curl up under the covers and open the internet browser on my phone. In the search engine, I type the name of the movie and add villain to the end of the proffered search. Enter.
In a flash of pixels, I’m sucked into his world and I want to know everything about him. I scan through the articles and see the character’s name, Captain Korbin Ransom.
I click on the IMDb listing, curiosity coursing through my every fiber, and find the actor’s name.
Nicholas Hughes.
Down the rabbit hole I tumble.
*****
Author Info:
Kirsten S. Blacketer is a multi-published indie author of both steamy historical and contemporary romance. When she’s not writing, she homeschools her two children and enjoys time with her family. In those moments of freedom, she devours romance novels while sipping a glass of wine. Age has only shown her that writing villains can be just as fun as heroes. Her next life goals are to write a New York Times Bestseller and one day have Adam Driver play a starring role in a film version of one of her books. A girl can dream, right?
Tragic stories are common in the ER but nurse Dani takes the blame for a toddler patient’s death personally, confirming her abusive father’s belief that she is inept. To prove her competency and redeem herself of overwhelming guilt, she volunteers for a humanitarian mission trip to Tanzania where she can focus on doing good.
Prior to leaving she meets the love of her life, Noah, who says he will wait for her. However, her mission partner/physician, Carter, is a surfer poster boy who has a thing for Dani. Noah’s gut tells him something about the picture-perfect doctor is off but the expedition goes on.
Weeks into her trip the mission is savagely attacked by rebels and Dani is a microsecond too late to prevent her coworker from a devastating injury but saves him from certain death…for now. More rebels are on their way and Dani escapes into the jungle with four lives who are now solely dependent on her for their very survival. The ultimate test of her competency has begun. Was the strike on the mission random or was she an unsuspecting dupe in a smuggling deal gone bad?
I have nothing left, I can’t go on. Her spirit was finally failing her. She had given it her all. “What now?” she cried out loud. She could feel hysteria closing in.
She had failed them, failed all of them and they would die just like Anna did. It was all up to her and she had let them down. They trusted her, just like Sarah did. Blackness started to encroach and this time she could not escape its mandatory invitation. Though the eternal darkness scared her, she welcomed the finality, the escape from her misery that it provided. She was ready to let go.
Saka’s voice beckoned her back as a small hand tugged at her shoulder. “No, no, no.” Over and over again was all she could say. She had no more in her. The thought that this was all for nothing was more than her spirit could bear. The child’s hand shook her a little harder pulling her back from her descent into nothingness.
“Miss Dani, look. Look.” Her head, weighted with the suffering of the last few days, was so heavy that Dani had to concentrate on lifting it to see Saka’s face. Eyes wide and questioning, he pointed and Dani’s eyes followed his finger as she raised her head. Through her tears of despair, she detected motion and wearily stood up as she reached for the gun on her waist. All her energy was directed at focusing her vision to identify the movement ahead. Using the back of her hand she wiped the wetness from her eyes.
Figures, men in the distance were staring in their direction, but not approaching. People. Her spirits soared, but then caution reeled her in. Are they rebels? Some of them were dressed in fatigues.Had they figured out the path she had chosen and waited to meet up with them here? She placed her hand on the pistol in her waistband; she could not afford to take chances. Backing up, she reached into the rickshaw for the AK-47 without taking her eyes off the approaching men. Slowly she lifted the lethal weapon firmly into both of her hands and stood in front of the stretcher and the children. Unlocking the safety, she positioned herself for the worst, she would not go down without a fight. Her finger closed in on the trigger.
“Kids, get behind me. Stay back.”
The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end as her eyes tracked the movement of the looming men and her arm muscles tightened. The heavy metal in her arms offered security, but she knew it would only be temporary. For several minutes she observed them as they started toward her. The closer they came, the more her fingers on the gun grew restless. Warily she watched them approach, her mind racing for options. Only moments ago she was ready to give up, but now she had to protect her helpless brood.
*****
Author Info:
The summer after high school graduation, Roni worked two jobs to pay for nursing school. During the midnight shift as a waitress, a charismatic young man at the counter flirted with her for hours as he consumed seven cups of coffee. Their first date was eventful enough to be a book itself! Forty years and two kids later, the love story continues. Just like her novels, life can’t be too simple, and you must make it an adventurous ride!
Her favorite place to write is in her hammock at their small Michigan cottage where she literally dodges the feeding hummingbirds while being serenaded by the lake’s loons. Besides writing, she loves hiking, biking, and antiquing. The pandemic has taught her to savor time with family and dear friends. Life is too short to sweat the small stuff.
A personal note from Roni – I love stories about average, everyday women who, when put to the test, kick ass! Tales of personal growth, whether it be physical, mental or emotional, are my passion. I love to read and write about your ordinary Jane (or Joe) who has the courage to stand up when it really counts. Hidden strength and integrity, rises from within to stand tall, correct injustices and protect others. What an inspiration! If ever put to the test, I hope I have what it takes.
“All the best heroes are ordinary people who make themselves extraordinary.” -Gerald Way
“I decided it wasn’t smart for me to gamble my heart on you.”
No Match for Her, an all-new swoon-worthy slow burn romance from bestselling author Stacy Travis is available now!
No Match for Her
Berkeley Hills, #5
by Stacy Travis
Blurb:
I need a date to my brother’s wedding in six weeks, and Charlie Walgrove owns a tux. Billionaires are like that.
He’s also my sister’s boss, and I agree to let her set me up with the awkward genius, who apparently has even less luck in the dating game than a struggling artist, aka me.
We’re total opposites, but the date goes okay. We agree to be friends, the kind who won’t become lovers.
Famous last words.
On a series of “friend dates” involving bar snacks, acrylic paint and hedgehogs, I discover that Charlie is nothing like what I expected. Under his hoodie and glasses, he’s handsome and down-to-earth, stuck in a job he hates and afraid to disappoint people by walking away. His heart is as gorgeous as his hidden face.
I’ve always felt like the flaky sister in my family, but Charlie sees me as the artist I want to be. As our friendship deepens, so do my feelings for him. Maybe I’m even falling in love.
But gambling with my heart feels dangerous when all my relationships end in failure–especially if he’s only looking for a friend.
Is it only princesses that get a Happy Ever After? Or is there hope for a hot mess like me?
I’M WEARING RED. It’s a fire engine color that matches my lips and my toenail polish. It’s tasteful, sleeveless, and fitted. I’m hoping it says confident artist, which I don’t feel at all. I’m hoping it doesn’t tell everyone in the room that, on what should be a night of personal victory, my heart still lies in pieces on the gallery floor. I really hope red doesn’t say that.
I still haven’t talked to Charlie. Pulling together the show on relatively short notice has all but consumed me, and I feel like I need to prove to myself that I can take the first step as an artist alone before I investigate what he and I can be together.
Right now, I feel certain the thumping organ in my chest would laugh off the suggestion of anyone getting close to it. Ever again.
With his expression of love, Charlie opened a floodgate that I’d stubbornly wedged closed. I’m the one who chose to drown.
Sadly, more than half the paintings on the walls of the gallery are barely dry, some painted in a frenzy of self-loathing anguish that left me emotionally spent but artistically inspired, along with more than a dozen pieces that are oddly uplifting. Everywhere I look, I see evidence of Charlie.
People are starting to filter through the doors of the gallery space. Or maybe they’ve been here for an hour. I don’t know. I’m looking at them through some sort of fugue state.
If I could, I’d pick up a brush right now and paint through a new emotion twisting in my chest—longing. More than anything, I wish Charlie were here to celebrate this moment with me because he inspired it. Or at least he pushed me out of my comfort zone enough to embrace what my heart has been urging me to do for years.
The gallery space sits in the bottom floor of an art deco building on a corner in downtown Palo Alto, several blocks from the Stanford campus. The surrounding streets boast a collection of restaurants, cafés, wine bars, and retail spaces, so even people who haven’t received invitations to my exhibit are likely to stop in on their walk to someplace else. That has to be the explanation for why the three adjoining rooms suddenly feel noisy with voices. I only invited a handful of people—the design group from work, my family, and a couple of people who play mahjongg with Tatum and me.
“This is amazing!” Becca and Blake are the first of my family members to arrive, which surprises me because they don’t live nearby, and Becca is reliably late. They’re joined a minute later by Isla and Tatum who drove together. “Owen sends his love, and his regrets. He’s stuck in Napa. Some issue at one of the wine cellars.
“Donovan too. Away game tomorrow, and they’re en route.”
“Oh, no regrets. I’m so happy you’re all here. And a little freaked out, honestly, to have this many people looking at my artwork.”
“But your paintings are beautiful. They’re lucky to see them, I’m so proud of you,” Sarah says, hugging me. “Braden’s at the station, so I’m going to spend all our money and buy a big canvas for our house.”
“Okay, now you’re gonna make me cry, and you know how long I spent on my mascara.”
“Ha!” This from Tatum who squeezes in and hugs me. “If I learned anything from you, it’s that you always wear waterproof mascara in case of unexpected emotion.
“Wow, help a person with her makeup, and she throws it back in your face. Fine. It’s waterproof. I was being melodramatic.”
“Melodramatic, you?” Tatum pretends to look baffled. Sarah leans in and drags her away. “Come help me decide which painting to buy. I heard someone say there are crab puffs and I’m hungry.”
“There are crab puffs. Look for waiters. They’re supposed to be mingling,” I call after them, realizing I haven’t eaten anything since breakfast. Nerves.
The others follow them, and the temporary balloon that lifted my spirits starts to sag again. I know it’s ridiculous to miss Charlie at a moment when I should be celebrating, but I can’t help it. I wish he was here.
But we still haven’t spoken since our blowup the night he brought me here, and he’s respected my request for space. A little too well. He’s stopped texting and calling after a couple check-ins to ask if I was okay. I hoped that not responding would make me clearheaded enough to avoid hurling myself into the next disastrous decision, as I’m prone to do.
Now I just miss him.
The thinking has settled my mind in that I know I want two things: to paint as much as possible and to be with Charlie as much as possible. I love him and I need him. It’s as much a certainty as the sun rising every morning.
I also need to apologize to him for making him the scapegoat of my insecurities, and I haven’t figured out what to say about that yet. But I will.
I glance around and see that the number of people has already doubled in the one room where I stand with an untouched glass of champagne dribbling condensation down my arm. On every white wall within my line of sight, work I’ve painted hangs beneath perfect lighting. Tiny signs indicate the titles and prices of the pieces, but I don’t expect any of them to sell. It’s my first show, and I feel lucky the gallery owner liked the images I emailed her.
I’m even luckier that one of her clients had to postpone his show, leaving a three-day opening in the schedule. It felt like a sign when she called to ask if I had enough work and felt ready to mount a show.
The past two weeks have been a blur of paint and canvases during every hour I wasn’t at work. I painted feverishly, blocking out every useless emotion I could and letting the fruitful ones past my walls to guide me.
The result is fourteen canvasses, many of them large enough to command a wall on their own, all replete with deep jewel tones, abstract lines, and intense themes of renewal and hope. I have no idea where those feelings came from because I felt a lot of despair. But painting kept me from spending all my waking hours worrying that I’d destroyed the best friendship I’ve ever had.
Now, when I look at each painting, I can’t help but feel the memory of the headspace I was in when I painted it. They all reflect some aspect of Charlie—kinship, love, and heartbreak— and those are three things I’d rather not focus on tonight, so I need to stop looking.
That leaves me staring into my champagne with little enthu‐ siasm for it. Sylvia, the gallery owner, sweeps over to me, her navy layered caftan grazing the tops of brown rugged boots. Her gray hair is impeccably styled in its pageboy and her lips are redder than mine.
“So far, so good, love. It’s a success. You’re a success.” She kisses me on the cheek and moves on to speak to a tall man in a navy suit who beckons her over with a question.
The words echo in her wake as I try to figure out whether she’s just being nice. What constitutes a success at one of these gallery nights? A big crowd of mostly-strangers? I’m just proud of myself for taking a step toward feeling like a legitimate artist.
*****
Review:
Cherry is a fun-loving, free-spirited artist who unfortunately doesn’t have a whole lot of faith in herself. She’s working as a designer but her heart yearns to make art, she just doesn’t think it’s good enough to show the world. Charlie feels the weight of his obligations and has lost some of his enjoyment of his work. Smitten from his first glimpse of Cherry, captivated by her vibrancy and joyous laugh, he’s been waiting for a chance to meet her for real.
From a disastrous first date to a lovely HEA, I really enjoyed Charlie & Cherry’s story. Travis does a wonderful job of slowly building their friendship, developing romantic feelings, and working on boosting each other up. Full of humor, heat, and lots of emotion, No Match for Her may be my first from this author but if this is any indication of her work it definitely won’t be my last.
(Part of a series but can stand on its own. May be better enjoyed if you know the other siblings’ stories.)
*****
Author Info:
It’s a rough world out there, and we all sometimes need a good, romantic beach read, even if we can’t make it to the beach. I’ve spent many lazy days walking the streets of Paris and other gorgeous European cities, and if I’m doing it right, I’m bringing you a dash of romance and a vacay fantasy.
I can’t sit still, so when I’m not hiking, biking or running, I’m playing a very average game of tennis. Background music for writing undoubtedly features some U2, Lizzo, Billy Joel, Pink, Taylor Swift, and Led Zeppelin. Not necessarily in that order. And if I could only eat one food group, it would be cheese. Or wine. Or bread. Are those food groups? Whatever.
His body is giving out, his family is bleeding him dry, and he never prepared for life after football. When the Dallas Bulldogs offer him a coaching position instead of a returning roster spot, only two things keep him going—staying fit in case another football team picks him up, and spending time with a gray-faced Boxer at the Unlovabulls Dog Rescue.
Olive Russo is a woman who can walk through a kennel in a white pantsuit without getting a spot on her. The always organized PR pro will need her cool control when she’s forced to plan a fundraising gala for the Unlovabulls with the college boyfriend who turned her inside out. A decade ago, Hayes Walker broke her heart and sent Olive into a spiral of bad decisions that she’d rather her clients not know about. Now she is determined to keep the completely lickable Hayes off her to-do list—even if their chemistry is stronger than ever.
Dumping Olive was the worst decision Hayes ever made. When the amazing girl walks back into his life a full-fledged woman, he makes a play for her heart. But when Olive’s secrets are exposed and the NFL knocks on Hayes’s door, they’ll both need to leave their past where it belongs if they’re going to make it work the second time around.
I feel bad for Hayes, he’s been abused by his mother for pretty much his entire life. And now he’s facing the end of his football career with nothing to show for it except a broken body, an empty bank account, and a whole lot of guilt. Meeting Olive again has him looking to the future a little differently, if only he can break free of his past.
Olive hit bottom and has spent years working to overcome it, so coming face to face with the man responsible is quite a shock. Letting Hayes back in could only mean trouble … or it could mean learning what it is to enjoy life.
I love how much Hayes and Olive support each other. Hayes understands that Olive is strong and can handle most things on her own, but she also needs someone who will remind her to relax. Olive does her best to make sure that Hayes realizes that he’s so much more than just a football player.
Both Hayes and Olive had childhoods that left scars they are struggling to overcome but it’s not easy and it leads to quite a few difficult moments and bad decisions. Model Behavior is not necessarily as refined as what I’m used to – the writing is a little rough and the story development was rushed in spots & slow in others – but it’s an enjoyable read. Lynne knows how to bring the heat and the angst so if that’s your kinda thing then I highly recommend Hayes & Olive’s story.
(Can be read as a stand alone but probably enjoyed a little bit more with some context provided in the first book.)
*****
Author Info:
Tricia Lynne is fluent in both sarcasm and cuss words—a combination that tends to embarrass her husband at corporate functions. A tomboy at heart, she loves hard rock, Irish whiskey, dogs, and Vans shoes. She’s drawn to strong, flawed heroines. Tricia believes writing isn’t a decision one makes, but a calling one can’t resist. She lives in the Dallas area with her husband, the world’s sweetest rescued Cane Corso, and a completely terrifying Clumber Spaniel pupper.
He’s set on pleasure, but she’s all business. Sizzling chemistry and a surprising connection set this sexy love story in motion. But is it enough to last forever? Find out and fall in love on the sandy shores of Silver Island, home to coffee shops, boat races, midnight rendezvous, and the sexy, sharp-witted Steeles.
Archer Steele is one of the leading vintners on the East Coast. He’s arrogant, aggressive, and has never been interested in settling down, which is what makes his hookups with his sister’s beautiful blond best friend, hair and makeup artist Indi Oliver, the perfect escape. But Indi’s toying with moving to the island, and when she ends their no-strings trysts to focus on her business, Archer isn’t ready to let her go…
You better like your books spicy when it comes to Foster’s newest – while Archer may be grumpy, he’s also all Alpha, oh-so-very dirty-mouthed and dominant in bed. But Indi is strong and sassy, more than capable of taking him on.
The story is full of angst, so be prepared. While Indi has some family issues, Archer is very troubled and it will take a lot of work & patience to get him to the other side. But Indi and all of his friends & family will be there, showing him that he can let go of the past and embrace his future.
My favorite part of Foster’s books is always the characters, who are appealing even in their less likable moments. They know how to love and support one another, how to fight and forgive. Every book has you feeling like you are meeting old friends again, while making new ones along the way.
A lot like their relationship, Caught by Love starts off scorching and all about the hot sex but soon becomes just as much about the heart as Archer’s & Indi’s feelings deepen. It’s a journey full of bumps and bruises but, like all good things, worth it in the end.
*****
Author Info:
Melissa Foster is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, & USA Today bestselling author. She writes sexy and heartwarming contemporary romance and new adult romance with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Melissa’s emotional journeys are lovingly erotic and always family oriented–perfect beach reads for contemporary romance lovers who enjoy reading about wealthy heroes and smart, sassy heroines.
What happens when a hellraiser turned hot cop is stuck with a headstrong heiress he’s determined to protect…and resist?
A run-away bride, wearing a freakin’ tiara, and carrying a stolen lion cub, of all things. This was not how rowdy, bad-boy-turned-small-town-cop, Zander Landry expected his day to go.
He really didn’t expect his night to end with her sleeping in his bed after her near-kidnapping.
But his intense attraction to her and the feelings of protectiveness she stirs up? Oh, yeah, he knew those were coming.
She’s stunning, whip-smart, and trouble with a capital T.
Which means, he needs her to head right back the way she came. ASAP.
His town is exactly the way he wants it . . . crazy and trouble free.
Well, the crazy trouble he’s not related to anyway.
Stranded in a tiny town in her half-million-dollar wedding gown with no money and no place to go . . . today is going pretty much exactly the way Caroline Holland expected it to.
But the grumpy, tattooed, oh-my-god hot cop being the answer to all her problems isn’t at all what she expected.
Now that she’s turned all the criminal (and obnoxious) info about her exotic-animal-dealing ex-fiance over to Zander, she can kick back in a hammock with some sweet tea and relax.
Or not.
Turns out Caroline’s not the spoiled heiress Zander thinks she is. The gorgeous hellion wants in on the action and soon discovers just how dirty things can get in the bayou. And the bedroom.
More and more, Zander just wants her safe on the sidelines. But Caroline isn’t going anywhere until justice is done.
It’s a clash of wills that’s gonna get hotter than a crawfish boil in July. And the most fun the Landry family has had watching sparks fly since . . . well, the last book.
Zander turned to look at the woman with a brow up. “Anything else you’d like to tell me?”
She met his eyes directly. She studied him, seemingly thinking over his question. Finally, she nodded. “Yeah, I think so.”
“Okay. What’s going on?”
“It might take a bit. Want to buy me a drink?” She glanced back toward Ellie’s.
Did he want to take the gorgeous woman in a wedding dress with another man’s ring on her finger who had almost been kidnapped right in front of him back inside his grandmother’s bar where most of his family and a lot of the town was gathered?
He most certainly did not.
“No,” he said simply.
Caroline looked surprised. “Can we”—She looked around—“at least go somewhere else?”
That seemed like a good idea. She was very conspicuous here and his family could, at any moment, come out. And start asking questions. Not to mention that the would-be kidnapper now knew where she was.
“Is there a chance your fiancé is going to come back?” Of course there was. A man didn’t just let this woman go.
She bit her bottom lip and looked up the road. Then she nodded. “Yeah, there’s a chance. Or that he’ll tell someone else where I am.” She looked at Zander again. “But that was my brother. Not my fiancé.”
Oh, that was interesting.
No, it fucking isn’t. Knock it off.
“So, will your fiancé be coming after you?”
“Ex-fiancé.”
Right. She’d mentioned that.
“Okay. Will he come after you?”
She didn’t answer right away. Which Zander also found interesting. Though he shouldn’t. He did not want to be interested in this woman. At all. He didn’t want anyone getting kidnapped while they were in Autre, though, either. Okay, he didn’t really want anyone getting kidnapped, period. But especially while they were in Autre.
“There’s a chance,” Caroline finally admitted. “Or my dad might come. Or my ex-fiancé’s dad might come.”
“And you don’t want to go back with any of them? Is that right?”
“Yes.”
Well, fuck. He had to at least be sure she didn’t get taken anywhere by anyone against her will.
She studied him for a long moment. “So, you’re willing to help me, Officer Landry?”
Her question—and her voice and her eyes and her everything, if he was being honest with himself which he decided to not be—sent a shot of something through Zander’s chest.
It was the familiar streak of adrenaline he often felt with his work. It primed his gut to act on instinct when necessary, it made him ready to take on people intent on doing bad things and face potential danger, and it focused his mind. But he also recognized the sliver of trepidation. It wasn’t fear or reluctance. It was…awareness. Like knowing he was about to open a big old can of worms.
But he nodded. “Helping people with problems is kind of my job.”
“Then I would love to tell you what’s going on.”
He wanted that. And it wasn’t the cop in him thinking that.
Fuck. Dammit. Hell. Sonofabitch.
“Okay. Let’s go…someplace your brother doesn’t know about.”
“Like your place?”
Yes. He wanted her at his place. That was the safest. He could definitely keep her safe there. His property was at the end of a dead-end road so the only traffic was trucks he knew. His neighbors were his brothers and cousins. His backyard butted up to the bayou.
But fuck no. He wasn’t taking this woman anywhere near his house. Where his bedroom was.
She was dangerous. He couldn’t sort through all the reasons why at the moment, not while looking into her eyes and wondering how soft her skin was and how silky her hair was, but he had enough self-preservation instinct to keep her away from his house.
“I’m thinking the B & B.”
He grabbed her suitcase and started for his truck.
“But he might think to look there,” she protested. She gathered up her enormous skirts and followed him though.
“I’ll tell Heather not to tell anyone anything about you,” Zander told her, storing her bag behind the front seat and then turning to face her.
Dammit.
Again with the eyes. And hair. And lips. Okay, he hadn’t included the lips in the earlier inventory, but they were great too.
So he liked female lips. Big deal. These were not that exceptional. What the hell was wrong with him?
She’s probably your damned soulmate or some shit and the second you touch her hand you’re going to feel sparks.
I’m not going to feel sparks. That’s a stupid cliché. But I have to get some war biographies. Or maybe something about Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Something about women who are amazing but not sexy. It doesn’t have to be about sexy all the time. Get away from those romance novels.
The thing was, smart, bold women like RBG were sexy in their own way and if Zander had been Ruth’s age and run into her at a bar when she was single, he absolutely would have hit on her.
“Are you okay?” Caroline asked, stepping forward with a slight frown.
He jerked out of his stupid thoughts. “Yeah. I’m fine. You’re the one with the problem.”
Well, that had sounded rude as fuck.
Her eyes widened, but then she nodded. “Yeah. I am. We should definitely work on my problem. It’s going to keep getting bigger if we don’t.”
Zander sighed. He didn’t even know what that meant but…of course it was.
*****
Review:
I love the Landry clan – every quirky, charming, grumpy, loving, boisterous part of it. Zander is the protector and his love for his family means he has to keep things going as smooth as possible & try to keep everyone out of trouble (ha!). So a beautiful woman in a wedding dress carrying a lion cub definitely doesn’t work for him. Caroline is just as fierce and strong, with a big heart. She’s spent most of her life trying to make sure that those doing wrong pay and her latest project has her in Autre for help, putting her right in Zander’s sights.
These Bayou books always bring a chuckle, a good bit of heat, and a lot of emotion. Nicholas knows how to bring characters that are entertaining & relatable and her writing is both humorous & heartfelt, combining to give readers a story that’s fun, low angst, easy-to-read, and quite satisfying.
*****
Author Info:
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Erin Nicholas has been writing romances almost as long as she’s been reading them. To date, she’s written over thirty sexy, contemporary novels that have been described as “toe-curling,” “enchanting,” “steamy,” and “fun.” 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 “shocked” by the sex scenes in her books).
Perfect for fans of telenovela inspired rom-coms like Jane the Virgin, and readers of contemporary romances by Kevin Kwan, Emily Henry and Alexis Daria, RAMÓN AND JULIETA (Berkley Trade Paperback Original; $16; February 1st, 2022) by seasoned romance novelist Alana Quintana Albertsonis a delicious and joyful Romeo and Juliet retelling (with a happier conclusion…). Book 1 in the new Love & Tacos series celebrates the Latinx culture, specifically Mexican American traditions and customs, as well as the local San Diego history surrounding these communities and activist history. Think Latinx Crazy Rich Asians meets You’ve Got Mail.
About the Book: Set against the backdrop of the Day of the Dead, high achieving student Ramón Montez and celebrity chef Julieta Campos are star-crossed lovers who discover that their parents are bitter food industry rivals. Ramón’s father is the head of the successful Taco King chain, eagerly buying up smaller taquerias to expand his empire. Now he has set his sights on the culturally rich, family-owned sea-to-table taqueria that Julieta has worked so hard to save, a restaurant inspired by her mother’s own secret taco recipe that was stolen decades ago.
While the book is a celebration of love, food, and Latinx joy and culture at its heart, Albertson also touches on more complex contemporary issues, such as class, family expectations, and the harmful impacts of gentrification that she has seen first-hand in her community.
~
“Ramón and Julieta is a passionate and joyful romance about honoring family legacies, celebrating your heritage, the importance of community, and the power of love. A beautiful novel!” —Chanel Cleeton, New York Times bestselling author.
“Albertson’s emphasis on Mexican cuisine puts a refreshing twist on the Shakespearean tragedy…their chemistry is palpable. Romance fans will be pleased—but are advised not to read this one on an empty stomach.” —Publishers Weekly
*****
Author Info:
Alana Quintana Albertson has written thirty romance novels, rescued five-hundred death-row shelter dogs, and danced one thousand rumbas. A graduate of Stanford (B.A.) and Harvard (M.Ed.), she lives with her husband in sunny San Diego with her two sons and too many pets. Most days, she can be found writing her next heart book in a beachfront café while sipping an oat-milk Mexican mocha or gardening with her children in their backyard orchard and snacking on a juicy blood orange.
They ended their marriage but they never fell out of love.
Law student Anita Virani hasn’t seen her ex-husband since the ink dried on their divorce papers. Now she’s agreed to pretend she’s still married to Nikhil until his sister’s wedding celebrations are over—because her former mother-in-law neglected to tell her family of their split! The closeness they share during the marriage act gives Anita new insight into the man she once loved so deeply. And reignites Nikhil’s feelings for her…
She was struggling with pinning pleats behind her left shoulder when Nikhil groaned. She watched him through the mirror as he slowly attempted to sit up in bed. He ended up lying back down, holding his head.
“Electrolytes next to you,” she said, finally securing the pin. The sari sagged a bit, but whatever. She’d managed it in the end.
She tried not to look at him. He was ridiculously handsome first thing in the morning. Tousled dark hair and scruff on his chin. The soft, bewildered look in his dark eyes, matched with a slight pout of full lips.
She had always loved waking up next to him. He was sexy and handsome—some mornings, she couldn’t believe her good fortune. That she was the one who got to wake up next to him every day. That she was the one he loved above all else.
Or so she had thought.
“Electrolytes.” She raised her voice a bit. “On the nightstand.”
He started at her voice, which only made him moan again. “Neets?”
He really needed to stop calling her that. “Anita,” she corrected him as she donned large dangly earrings and a necklace and reached for her matching bangles, desperately trying to ignore how sensual her name sounded in even his dry-throat voice.
“What the hell are you doing in my room?” he croaked at her.
“Right now, it’s our room. We’re supposed to be married, remember?” Her bangles jingled as she slid them on, the sound reminding her of wedded bliss.
“I’m trying to forget.”
Did he remember kissing her? Didn’t matter. “You certainly tried to forget last night.” She looked at her phone. “You have forty-five minutes to get up and be presentable. The grah shanti starts at eight thirty.”
He grunted. She walked over and shook him. He reeked of alcohol.
“What are you doing?” he grumbled, clutching his head in obvious pain.
“Tina’s first puja is in forty-five minutes, downstairs, and you need to be there.” She handed him the glass of electrolytes. “Though I get paid regardless of whether or not you show. I told your mother I would not be responsible for your attendance.”
He sat up and took the glass, looking at it like it might bite him. “I’m sure she drew up the appropriate documents.”
“No. I did.” She smirked at him.
He scowled at her as he sipped the electrolytes.
*****
Author Info:
Mona is obsessed with everything romantic, including chocolate, coffee and wine. PW calls her “a writer to watch” and Sonali Dev called her first novel, Then, Now, Always a “sweet, angsty romance.” She’s blessed with an amazing daughter and loving son who have both gone to college. Mona lives in Maryland with her romance-loving husband.
Romantic Reads and Such 