Pieces of You
-- EXCERPT: By ten to seven in the morning, I’d finished loading up the van with Dallas when he handed me his high-vis raincoat. “Dunno if it’ll keep you completely dry,” he said as the rain poured down outside. “If I come back soaking wet, will it be asking too much for the boss to get me out of my wet uniform? You know, being a work-safety thing and all.” Dallas gave me my favourite smirk. “Nah, the paperwork’s a bitch.” My mouth fell open, making him laugh, and he gave me a quick kiss just as Davo ran into the shop with his coat pulled over his head. “It’s pissing down,” he said. He pulled his coat off with a grin, then shook the water off himself like a dog. Sparra followed in not far behind him, dripping wet. “Good weather for ducks, ay.” “Yeah, you lot have a really awful day here in the fully-enclosed, dry shop. I’ve already got a call out,” I said, holding up my PalmPilot. “Uh, make that two,” Dallas said, looking at his phone. He thumbed something on the screen, then the second booking popped up on my screen. “Great,” I grumbled. “You lot enjoy your second cuppa. I’ll be out in that.” I nodded toward the deluge blowing in through the open roller door. Davo and Sparra laughed and flipped me off as they disappeared into the breakroom. Dallas shook his head, smiling. He fixed the collar of my coat and kissed me. “Be careful.” “Always.” He smirked at the rain. “I’ll, uh, I’ll have the report filled out by the time you get back.” “Report?” “For the wet clothes,” he murmured, his voice full of gravel and promise. I laughed as I got into the van. First stop was Glendale, so it wasn’t far, maybe fifteen minutes tops with this rain. I put the wipers on full bore, cranked the heater up so the windscreen didn’t fog up, and hit the road. It was supposed to be just another ordinary Tuesday in a very ordinary life. A day of work, some laughs with the boys at the shop in the afternoon, maybe a jog after work. Or if this rain hung around, maybe Dallas and I would curl up on the couch with Squish and watch some TV, then fall into bed and make real slow love till late. Completely ordinary, completely mundane, and completely wonderful. It was all I’d ever wanted and never dared dream to have. Until I met Dallas and he made every wrong in my life right. It was ridiculous how happy I was. Even when I woke up grumpy in the mornings, he still smiled at me and he still loved me, no matter what. Life was damn near perfect. Actually, there wasn’t one single thing I would change if I was given the chance. Not one thing. I sat in a line of traffic waiting for the lights to turn green. The rain had eased a little, though the taillights in front of me were still refracted by the water and the lights. Cold Chisel came on the radio, so I turned the volume up and began to sing along to “When the War Is Over.” Dallas and I didn’t exactly have a song, but if we did, this would be it. A song about learning to live again; a true classic Aussie anthem about life. Life . . . It’s funny how they say your life flashes before your eyes just before you die. Or that there is profound clarity the moment before your life ends. I had none of that. As I was following the slow line of traffic through the intersection, the light still green, and just when Jimmy Barnes was about to belt out his part of the song, I heard the sound of screeching brakes and honking horns. I just happened to look out my window at the truck aquaplaning straight for me. It was jack-knifed and sliding and coming so fast and in slow motion at the same time. No, there was no life flashing before my eyes, no profound moments of clarity. As the grille of the truck came at me, my very last thought would have been funny if it hadn’t been my very last thought. Oh, that’s just fucking great. The song’s just getting to my favourite part. I waited for the sound of impact, to hear the breaking glass and twisting metal. I waited for the pain. But it never came.
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Title: Declan
Series: Wild Men #8
Author: Melissa Belle
Genre: Steamy Contemporary Romance
Release Date: May 26, 2020
Blurb
My one night stand is now my fake husbandâ¦a marriage of convenience hockey romance in the best-selling Wild Men series by USA Today Bestselling author Melissa Belle.
Mia
I donât do professional athletes. And I certainly donât do one-night stands.
But after my father tells me to marry before heâll let me take over his PR firm, which has been my one and only dream since I was a kid, I decide I need a night out.
And when I meet a hot hockey player at the bar, I decide I want to play.
He takes me to his home on a gorgeous ranch. We steam up the sheets all night long.
Iâm sure Iâll never see him again.
Until the next day, when my uncle introduces him as my future husband.
Declan
Before I retire from playing hockey Iâm lining up my next shotâownership. But the teamâs got a PR problem, and theyâll never approve a bachelor.
Iâm not in a relationship. Iâm not even dating.
And I canât remember the last time I was interested in someone. Until I go to the bar after the game to blow off some steam and figure out my next move.
Thatâs when I meet her. Mia. The first woman I can remember who doesnât know Iâm a big time hockey player.
After we spend an incredible night together, I figure thatâs it.
Until my agent calls me into his office. The only other person in the room? Mia.
My future wife.
We vow to keep our arrangement strictly professional so we both get what we want. But the more we face off, the more I want to scoreâ¦
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Author Bio
USA Today Bestselling author Melissa Belle writes about smart, sassy women and the loyal, protective men who want them.
She spent years in the field of psychology before writing her first novel taking the train through Europe.
She often works through her story ideas while hiking with her husband or hanging out with her two kitties.
She loves road trips and songwriting. And cupcakes.
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Title: Luca
Series: Project Arma #1
Author: Nyssa Kathryn
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Release Date: May 26, 2020
Blurb
Former Navy SEAL, Luca Kirwin, is both well trained and deadly. Recruited into a non-government sanctioned project, he was turned into a weapon. Now, with the help of his team, Luca must find every last soul who was responsible for the project and make them pay. When a new neighbor with alluring green eyes moves in next door, his instincts tell him to trust her - but could she be one of the enemies theyâre searching for?
Evie Scott canât afford a relationship. She was in a one once and it almost killed her. Running and hiding has become her normal. But when her new neighbor gives her a job in the small town of Marble Falls, avoiding him becomes almost impossible. While protecting her secrets, Evie begins to suspect Luca has his own. Can he protect her from her past or will it destroy them both?
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4 Heart Review by Ashley
I'm always on the hunt for new romantic suspense authors, add a military man into the mix and it is game- set- match. And when Nyssa Kathryn hooked me from the first page of Luca I knew I wouldn't be getting to bed on time.
Excerpt
Increasing her pace, a chill worked its way through Evieâs limbs. The sun was almost finished setting, and that meant it would be dark soon. Evie hated the dark. She was automatically at a disadvantage with Troy in the dark. Another disadvantage she should say. He could still see, she was blind. It was an extra layer of protection for him, like he needed that.
Luca had offered Evie a ride, but sheâd declined, hoping the fresh air would clear her mind. As the echoes of her steps filled the air, she started to regret her decision. At this very moment, she could be sitting next to him in his warm car, breathing in his musky scent.
Evie could almost hear his deep voice in the back of her mind. Feel the vibration of his words. A smile touched Evieâs lips at the thought.
No. What was she doing?
Shaking her head, Evie pushed down the feelings. Feelings were dangerous. They were the reason she was where she was in her life at the moment. Luca was dangerous to her. She had to keep her distance, no matter how much her body wanted her to do otherwise.
As the hairs on the back of Evieâs neck stood up, she suddenly had the feeling of being followed. Subtly, as to not draw any attention, Evie turned her head to look down the road behind her. Nothing.
Taking a calming breath, she forced herself to maintain her pace, even though her legs wanted to race. She could see her house up ahead. Then she would be inside with the semblance of safety. Not far to go.
A rustling noise behind Evie sounded. This time she did stop. Turning, she stared out to the empty street. Again, there was nothing. About to turn back, the sight of fresh shoe tracks in the mud next to the path caught her attention.
Turning back to her house, this time, she did increase her pace.
Stop being stupid, Evie, there are dozens of people who use this path.
So why did it stick out to her?
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Author Bio
Nyssa Kathryn is a romantic suspense author. She lives in South Australia with her daughter and hubby and takes every chance she can to be plotting and writing. With a background in teaching, Nyssa finds that she can let her mind wonder in the writing world. Always being one to read and write when she should have been working, Nyssa decided to take the leap and make writing her career.
Nyssa has always been an avid reader of romance novels. As a teenager she would lose herself in Young Adult and Contemporary Romances. As she got older her interest moved onto the romantic suspense genre. It was from here that she started dabbling in writing. Nyssa wrote her first novel in 2017 but didn't start publishing her work until three years later. Working in the industry has solidified Nyssa's love for all things romance.
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Title: Wine Hard, Baby
Series: OHellNo #6
Author: Mimi Jean Pamfiloff
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Release Date: May 12, 2020
Blurb
From New York Times Bestseller Mimi Jean Pamfiloff comes an Enemies-to-Lovers, Romantic Comedy.
CAUTION: CONTAINS HOT COWBOY. Do not mix with wine. Avoid watching him do shirtless labor on hot days.
SIDE EFFECTS MAY INCLUDE: Feeling of extreme temptation, excessive drooling over his abs, elevated heart rate, and loss of coherent thoughts when in his presence.
My name is Camila Clark. And that sexy cowboy right there? The one with the devilish smile, twinkling brown eyes, and tattoos on his muscular arms? Heâs Jed, the guy I turned down flat back in Texas. He just showed up here in Oregon at the winery where I work.
The question is why?
Not that it really matters. I have my reasons for staying away from all that manly temptation. Reasons he canât possibly understand but seems determined to punish me for.
But the more I fight him, the more I learn about this mysterious, hot-as-hell cowboy. I just donât know how much longer I can keep pretending to hate him.
The problem is, Iâm technically engaged to a guy Iâve never met.
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Author Bio
MIMI JEAN PAMFILOFF is a New York Times bestselling author whoâs sold over one million books around the world. Although she obtained her MBA and worked for more than fifteen years in the corporate world, she believes that itâs never too late to come out of the romance closet and follow your dreams.
Mimi lives with her Latin lover hubby, two pirates-in-training (their boys), and their three spunky dragons (really, just very tiny dogs with big attitudes) Snowy, Mini, and Mack, in the vampire-unfriendly state of Arizona.
She hopes to make you laugh when you need it most and continues to pray daily that leather pants will make a big comeback for men.
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Title: Pretty Nightmare
Series: Creeping Beautiful #2
Author: JA Huss
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Release Date: May 26, 2020
Blurb
INDIE
I have them all now. Just the way I want them.
McKay, the one who loves me deepest.
Adam, the one who protects me fiercely.
Donovan, the one who tells the truth.
They are my friends, they are my lovers, they are my world.
And Maggie belongs to all of usâno matter who her father is.
This is the family Iâve always wanted.
This is the family I deserve.
And I will do whatever it takes to keep them.
McKAY
I have a secret that could ruin everything.
But Iâm not keeping that secret to hurt her.
Nathan St. James needed to go.
ADAM
I made plan that could ruin everything.
But I did it to save us in the end.
The Company needed to come back.
DONOVAN
I told a lie that could ruin everything.
But I didnât tell the lie to themâI told it to myself.
Carter is closer than we think.
There is something truly wrong at Boucher House on the Old Pearl River.
Some hidden evil lurking deep inside the woods.
Nothing about their blissful life is what it seems.
Because just when they think they have it allâhe shows up to take it back.
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Excerpt
ADAM
She holds my hand as we walk, squeezing it a little. It feels natural, but then again, weird.
This girlâwoman, now, I supposeâshe has been off limits to me for so long. Itâs really hard to get that out of my head. And sometimes, when I look at Maggie, I see Indie.
Itâs just⦠weird.
Indie doesnât lead me to the front porch. She takes me around the side. âWhere are we going?â
âTo spy on them, of course.â
âAhh, I donât know.â
She stops us on the side of the house in front of the office window. âStop being a baby. Donât you want to be with McKay?â
And this is weird too. Since when do I talk about my feelings with Indie? With anyone, actually?
âYouâre really trying hard to find an excuse, arenât you?â
âIâm not.â It comes out defensive. âOf course I love McKay. Of course I want to be with him.â
âSo whatâs the problem?â
I hesitate. She just shakes her head at me and drops my hand. âFine. Then stay here. Iâll spy.â
She turns away and continues walking along the side of the house, then looks over her shoulder one last time before she disappears around the corner.
I jog to catch up.
Fuck it.
When I round the corner, Indie has her face pressed against the glass of the family room window. The only lights on inside are the ones under the kitchen cabinets. So itâs a low light. A soft glow of yellow But itâs more than enough to see them.
Donovan and McKay are kissing.
I exhale and then heat fills me up. And I donât remember breathing, but I exhale again. And then again. My chest rising and falling as emotions flood into my bloodstream.
âItâs kinda hot,â Indie whispers.
I have to agree. It kinda is. But itâs a lot of other things too.
They are both shirtless. And Iâm not gonna lie, Donovan is just as nice to look at as McKay.
Thatâs not the only reason itâs hot though. This looks like a real fucking kiss. McKay is even kissing him back. And then Donovanâs hand slips down McKayâs chest, then down his ridiculous sixty-four-pack abs and rests on the waistband of his jeans.
Indie sucks in a little breath of surprise. âDamn. I didnât think theyâd⦠ooohh. Wow.â
Donovan is gripping McKayâs cock through his jeans. And McKay pulls out of the kiss. I have a moment of hope that heâll push Donovan away. McKay looks down at Donovanâs hand as Donovan grips his cock and begins massaging his hand over his groin area.
But McKay doesnât push him away. He closes his eyes and leans back against the counter. Practically giving Donovan permission to do whatever he wants.
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Author Bio
JA Huss is the New York Times Bestselling author of 321 and has been on the USA Today Bestseller's list 21 times in the past five years. She writes characters with heart, plots with twists, and perfect endings.
Her new sexy sci-fi romance and paranormal romance pen name is KC Cross and she writes novels and teleplays collaboratively with actor and screenwriter, Johnathan McClain.
Her books have sold millions of copies all over the world, the audio version of her semi-autobiographical book, Eighteen, was nominated for a Voice Arts Award and an Audie Award in 2016 and 2017 respectively. Her audiobook, Mr. Perfect, was nominated for a Voice Arts Award in 2017. Her audiobook, Taking Turns, was nominated for an Audie Award in 2018. Five of her book were optioned for a TV series by MGM television in 2018. And her book, Total Exposure, was nominated for a RITA Award in 2019.
She lives on a ranch in Central Colorado with her family.
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Forgotten Magic
Title: Secret Keeper
A Cocky Hero Club Novel
Author: Christopher Harlan
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: May 17, 2020
Blurb
She was the fruit of a forbidden tree, but nothing in this world was going to stop me from tasting her.
My name is Dylan Murphy, and I work for the rich and powerful of an exclusive Manhattan building. Graham Morgan was my first boss, but soon after I was working with some of the most famous entrepreneurs, business moguls, and movie stars in the city. They trusted me because I always followed the cardinal rules:
Never betray secrets. And never, under any circumstance, get personally involved.
Iâd never dreamed of violating my professional mantra.
Not until she walked past me.
The look we exchanged that night set my body on fire, and I knew right then and there that no matter the consequences, she was going to be mine. But she was one of themâoff limits and out of my league, but she was the kind of woman who I was willing to risk everything for.
I keep other peopleâs secrets for a living, but the biggest secret of all might be my own.
With an introverted mind and a sarcastic sense of humor, Christopher Harlan has been many things throughout his life. He started life as a mixed up mixed kid, like his protagonist, Logan, in his bestselling Young Adult novel âAway From Hereâ, and now spends his days writing stories. Heâs published over 15 books in contemporary romance and young adult, and has no plans of stopping anytime soon. The one constant in his life has been his love of a good book, and his passion for telling stories. He was born and raised in Queens, New York.
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Title: Absolution
Series: Grace Trilogy #3
Author: Autumn Grey
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance
Release Date: May 25, 2020
Blurb
We made mistakes and betrayed our hearts, and in the end, everything went up in flames.
Walking away from the devastation is not an option. I am at the center of it all.
There are three hearts on the line and only one choice to make.
One heart to keep and one to let go.
Love is like poison, and sometimes itâs the only thing that can save us.
4 Heart Review by Ashley
YES! FINALLY!!! I feel like I've been waiting forever for Absolution to arrive and let me tell you, it was so worth the wait. Thank goodness Autumn Grey picked up right where the last one left off because my heart was in my throat and I just had to know what happened!
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Author Bio
Autumn enjoys writing angsty romance, featuring flawed and quirky characters and hard-won happy ever afters. When sheâs not working as a nurse assistant, youâll find her behind keyboard writing stories, or curled up on the couch with a book. Her work has been featured in USA Todayâs Happy Ever After.
She lives with her two children and one fur baby, enjoys good wine and binge-watching TV shows whenever she can.
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Today we have the blog tour for Accidentally Family by Sasha Summers! Check it out and be sure to grab your copy today!!
Title: Accidentally FamilyAuthor: Sasha SummersGenre: Contemporary RomanceAbout Accidentally Family:Welcome to Pecan Valley, where the town may be small but the townspeople will always lend a helping hand or a shoulder to lean on. Where good times, good humor, and good people will always lead to happily ever after. Life for Felicity, and her teen children, is finally back on track. After her divorce, she wasn’t sure if her sweet family would ever be the same. But things are good––right up until her ex’s spirited toddler lands on Felicity’s doorstep. If the universe is going to throw lemons at her, thank God she has her best friend, Graham, to help her make lemonade out of them. How did she never notice how kind and sexy he is? Graham is still recovering from his wife’s death years ago and trying to help his teen daughter get her life together. Who is he kidding? His daughter hates him. Forget lemons––he’s got the entire lemon tree. So when Felicity suggests they join forces and help each other, he’s all in. And suddenly he can’t stop thinking about her as more than just a friend. Too bad their timing couldn’t be worse… Because life rarely goes as planned. Luckily there are many different kinds of family to hold you together and lift you up...plus maybe even a little love between friends.
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ExcerptWhy was he doing this? He didn’t have to. Her family was too preoccupied to notice what he was or wasn’t doing. He could drag Emily into the bushes and make out with her and no one would be the wiser. Except for her. She would be. And she wouldn’t like it. At all. Oh my God, what is wrong with me?
“What’s wrong?” His voice was soft. “You look pissed off.”
“Nothing.” She stirred her brush with more force than necessary, sloshing water onto the table. Nothing at all. She wasn’t upset about him having a fantasy make-out session with Emily. Not in the least. Because that would be ridiculous. “Seriously, Owen, what am I painting?”
“Whatever you’re best at.” He turned to wink at the toddler in line. “I trust you.”
Honor was momentarily distracted by the sharp angle of his jaw and thick column of his neck. He smelled incredible. He had a mole high on his cheek and the thickest lashes—
He was staring back at her now, unflinching. So much so, it was hard to breathe. Too close. Way, way too close.
“Owen.” She cleared her throat.
“Honor.” He tilted his head, those hazel eyes flashing.
“Fine.” He wanted to tease her. To make her…squirm? She’d do exactly what he said. She was best at butterflies. And Owen Nelson deserved the best and brightest butterfly ever. She was tempted to do a full face but that would keep him in her chair, up close and far too personal, for longer than she was prepared to handle.
“Let’s do this.”
In order to paint a person’s face, she had to lean in. Sometimes, on an adult, she’d stand to get a better angle. Owen was tall, so she was standing. But that put things in awkward places. Every time she leaned in, he took a sharp little breath. She hadn’t touched him, wouldn’t touch him, but something was definitely bothering him because he was sitting, eyes closed, hands gripping the arms of her chair.
The butterfly was beautiful.
With long, black antennae, massive wings in brilliant rainbow hues, and—because it was a girl butterfly—she had to have rosy cheeks and long eyelashes. It was so pretty, she decided to add a flower on the side of his nose. And, just to make it perfect, sprinkled the whole thing with iridescent glitter.
“Um, Honor.” Emily was horrified.
Looking at it now, on his gorgeous face, she was a little horrified too. She’d gone too far. It was too late to wipe it off. Everyone had seen it.
“Done?” he asked, his eyes popping open.
She stared down at him. “I guess so.” But she didn’t offer him the mirror. In fact, she hid it behind her back and stepped back. “I should probably apologize.”
His brows shot up. “Does it look bad?
“It’s pretty,” one of the little girls in line reassured him.
“Pretty, huh?” He stepped forward. “Let me see, Honor.”
Publisher Weekly Review:
“… Readers will find it easy to root for their mutual care to blossom into love, but the pair’s children have a tougher time adjusting to their new relationship, providing some thorny obstacles for the budding couple. Graham and Felicity are great parents and they make great partners, and Summers does a good job of grounding all the drama of their lives in sweetness. Readers will be pleased.” About Sasha Summers:
Sasha Summers grew up surrounded by books. Her passions have always been storytelling, romance and travel--passions she uses when writing. Now a best-selling and award winning-author, Sasha continues to fall a little in love with each hero she writes. From easy-on-the-eyes cowboy, sexy alpha-male werewolves, to heroes of truly mythic proportions, she believes that everyone should have their happy ending--in fiction and real life. Sasha lives in the suburbs of the Texas Hill country with her amazing and supportive family and her beloved grumpy cat, Gerard, The Feline Overlord. She looks forward to hearing from fans and hopes you'll visit her online. Facebook: Sasha Summers Author, Twitter: @sashawrites, or her website: www.sashasummers.com
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The Name of Red
Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Smashwords Book trailer: -- EXCERPT: The restaurant Ferdaus was filled with a buzzing crowd. The smoke around the people twisted and formed curls, illuminated under the bar lights. The atmosphere was a hazy cloud, lingering against their clothes. Several people came in seeking shelter from the pouring rain outside. The customers of the restaurant turned to look at the entrance door- bell jingling. They glanced at the large crowd coming as the glass door was pulled open, and they watched as someone newstepped in behind them. The woman walked into the bar for the first time in the winter rain. She didn’t have an umbrella on her; her little sleeveless dress ended at her ankles, fully drenched. Her wet dress clung to her body, showcasing the outlines of her curves. In one hand, she was carrying the skirt of her dress. Suddenly, she let it go, and her long, bare arms moved upwards as she tried to fix her damp hair which had darkened in intensity due to the rain. It fell past her shoulders, the strands sticking to her face. She attempted to comb through the tangles with her fingertips. The men watched her movements hungrily, their eager faces drawn to her and at the sight of someone new. Their eyes trailed from her face, to her wet body, then back to the movements of her hands entwined in her hair. Under her arm, she carried a book and a trench coat. It appeared strange she wasn’t wearing the coat when it was pouring outside and freezing in the middle of November. Men were left mesmerized by her, and she turned heads as she walked by. Something radiated from within her, drawing the men around her in. The women who were with some of these men noticed their gaze on the unfamiliar woman. Now they stared at her with jealousy and anger. Who is she? they wondered.
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