Code Red
-- EXCERPT: “Roscoe Hall,” I answered my phone, out of time and patience. It didn’t dawn on me that it was Ryan’s number until after I’d said my name. It was my twentieth call this morning already. “Just confirming ETA for 9:00 am.” I checked my watch. It was 7:30 now and I’d already been up for far too long. It was a big day, and I could take a moment to breathe once we were all together. “Yeah, Ryan. Will be there, thanks.” There was a brief pause. “Is Maddox with you?” “On my way to get him now.” “See you there.” I pocketed my phone and did one last check. Phone, wallet, passport, tickets, keys. I grabbed my carry-on, locked my front door, and wheeled my suitcase down to the waiting car. I hadn’t even greeted the driver when my phone rang again, and it beeped again on my way to collect Maddox. I was organized and efficient, aggressively so. It’s what made me good at my job. Being the personal manager for one of the world’s biggest boy bands was every minute of my life. These boys didn’t accept second best for anything, and neither did I. And I should clarify that while they were classified as a boy band, they were men. They might have started out as boys—they were just kids in high school when they formed their first band. But they were twenty-three now. They’d done the small local gigs, needing their parents’ permission to play in bars and clubs around LA when they were underage. The story of how the band called Atrous made it to the big time was well-known. The five boys came from nothing. A garage band that crossed pop with rock and rap, playing small gigs wherever they could, when a well-known radio DJ saw them and uploaded footage to his social media. Platinum Entertainment, one of America’s biggest entertainment management companies, signed them, and they’d been on the top of the world music stage for the last four years. To the outside world, these guys were the ultimate success story. They had no idea what went on when the lights went out. Saying I was the personal manager of the whole band wasn’t true either. Personal assistant, handler, manager. It was all the same. But it wasn’t just me. I was one of three. Ryan Morten, Amber Seratt, and I were the personal managers of Atrous, as a whole. While the three managers looked after the five band members, I was, however, the unstated personal manager of one of them in particular. Lead vocalist and rapper, main dancer, bad boy, Maddox Kershaw. Ryan and Amber took care of Jeremy, Wes, Luke, and Blake. But Maddox was mine. Well, not mine. But mine. God, how I wished he were mine . . . Over the last four years, Maddox and I’d just gelled. He didn’t trust easily, and for some reason he’d put his trust in me. And the truth was, he needed his own personal manager more than the other four guys. Maddox was the face of Atrous. Unwilling, but the face, nonetheless. He carried the weight of their reputation, their brand. He was the one they hounded, the one they chased, the one they followed, the one that made headlines every other day. He wore black, he had a full sleeve of tattoos, perfect skin, and he had attitude to spare. His motto was to burn down the institutions, to stand tall for those who had to kneel, and to speak for those who had been silenced. He resonated with the youth around the world. He was also incredibly good-looking. When I say good-looking, I mean hot. Sexy, enigmatic, ethereal, even. His heritage had been talked about a million times. So much of his life was public. His grandmother on his mother’s side was Japanese, and his grandparents on his father’s side were Dutch. He was a second generation American, a very talented musician, and he was incredibly smart. He sang like an angel and danced like the devil. And he answered the door looking like a mix of both. His hair was wet from the shower, he smelled warm and clean, he wore black cargo pants, a black T-shirt, and combat boots. It was his standard attire. Seeing him like that made my heart feel far too big for my chest. “Forget your key?” he asked. He even almost smiled. It had been so long since I’d seen him smile . . . Yes, I had a key to his house. But that was for emergencies only. I followed him inside. “You ready? The others are meeting us there.” He grumbled something that sounded like assent. His house was still dark, open and vast, mind-bogglingly expensive, and it felt empty. It was in Beverly Hills, worth a reported twelve million with incredible views of the canyon and the city, but Maddox had the blinds drawn. He plucked a black hoodie off the back of his sofa and pulled it on. I ignored how his T-shirt lifted a little, exposing a sliver of pale skin above his waistband. I’d seen him shirtless a thousand times. Hell, I’d even seen him in his underwear. It was nothing new, but it still managed to warm my blood. I grabbed his two suitcases, wheeling them toward the door. He picked up his black backpack. “Got my passport?” “Yep,” I replied. “We’re all good. Your mom’s got her key and security numbers?” “Yeah,” he said with a shrug. His mother was going to come look after his place while we were gone. We’d be gone for almost seven weeks. Seven long, grueling weeks. “Come on, I have an iced coffee waiting for you in the car.” He pulled up his hood, but I swear there was the beginning of a smile before the shadow stole it. My phone buzzed again, and I pulled it out of my pocket and groaned at the screen. Another message that could wait until we were in the car. I pulled the door shut behind us, made sure it was locked, and wheeled the luggage to the waiting car. I opened the car door for him, I closed the door for him, I loaded the bags into the trunk—it was my job to do these things for him—and finally I got into the back of the car with Maddox. My phone buzzed again, and I thumbed out a quick reply. We’d been driving for about ten minutes when I realized Maddox hadn’t said a word. He’d sipped his coffee but not much else. I looked at him then, really looked at him, and underneath the killer good looks was a tired man. “You sleep okay?” I asked. He scoffed as his answer, then glanced pointedly at my phone. “Did you? Has your phone stopped yet?” I didn’t need to reply because we both knew the answer. He nodded because he knew he was right and proving his point, I replied to some more emails and messages on the drive downtown. Yes, we all lived in LA, and yes, we were staying at a hotel in LA because when the tour began, the band and the whole crew would stay together. Mostly for logistical and security reasons, but also for bonding. We were one unit from day one, regardless of location. As the car pulled into the hotel’s underground parking lot, Maddox’s eyes trained on the people rushing about. “The guys are already here?” he asked. “Yep. Arrived five minutes ago.” His shoulders relaxed a little, and for that I was glad. He and his bandmates were like brothers; they’d been through everything together. He was closer to Jeremy than the others, but the bond between the five of them was clear. I was relieved that he’d be with them again. I was pretty sure he’d spent the last few days by himself, holed up in his house. I’d spoken to him on the phone, even came to see him a few times, but getting ready for a tour was a busy time for me. Before we came to a complete stop, he was quiet and chewed on his bottom lip. I wanted to ask him if he was okay, but there wasn’t time. I doubted he’d even answer that question, or answer it honestly, anyway. “You excited?” I asked instead. “Sellout stadium tour, twenty-three concerts. You ready for that?” He met my gaze and didn’t look away. His smile was as brief as it was beautiful. “Yeah. Of course.” I didn’t believe him, and it was devastating how he could look right at me with those dark, dark eyes and speak so sincerely while he lied. I spent almost every day with him. I knew him. I knew the real Maddox Kershaw, not the Maddox he showed the world. The private one, the quiet one, the intellectual one . . . The miserable one. The Maddox I’d been secretly in love with for years . . . the Maddox I could never have. “Maddox,” I said, but his door opened from the outside, and people were getting luggage from our car and giving directions, and there was no time. The commotion had begun. These seven weeks were going to be brutal. He lowered his head, pulled up his hood to hide his face, and got out of the car.
GIVEAWAY!
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Title: Broody Brit
A Cocky Hero Club Novel
Author: Naima Simone
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: June 27, 2021
Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward are excited to bring you the Cocky Hero Club: original works from various authors inspired by Keeland and Ward's New York Times bestselling Cocky Bastard series.
BLURB
Dear Axel,
It is incredibly stupid to write this text while I’m drunk. But what’s the saying? No gain, no pain. Or, no pain, no shame... Whatever. You know what I mean. And let’s face it. There’s no way I would be doing this if I was stone-cold sober. But since I’m plastered? To hell with it.
I want you.
I know. Crazy, right? Not only am I your temporary roommate but I’m a chatty nurse from Providence with an impeccable bedside manner and secrets. You’re a broody, commitment-phobe sculptor from England who communicates in grunts and single syllables. Not to mention, you’re returning home in several weeks. And yet, from the moment you dragged me for being a Swiftie, I’ve wanted to climb you like my personal jungle gym.
There’s no future for us. I’m not even sure I like you half the time. But that doesn’t stop me from hungering for those same hands that bend and shape metal to bend and shape me. So in all my drunken glory, I guess what I’m trying to say is if you want me, I’m yours. For the next few weeks until you return across the pond and we resume our lives as before. No strings. No demands. No regrets.
So meet me in the kitchen where all this started.
Or don’t.
It’s your decision.
Not that it matters. It’s not like I’m going to do something monumentally dumb like hit send on this text.
--Zenobia
Broody Brit is a roommates/opposites attract/interracial romance inspired by British Bedmate.
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Published since 2009, USA Today Bestselling author Naima Simone loves writing sizzling romances with heart, a touch of humor and snark. Her books have been featured in The Washington Post and Entertainment Weekly, and described as balancing “crackling, electric love scenes with exquisitely rendered characters caught in emotional turmoil.”
She is wife to Superman, or his non-Kryptonian, less bullet proof equivalent, and mother to the most awesome kids ever. They all live in perfect, sometimes domestically-challenged bliss in the southern United States.
COCKY HERO CLUB
Title: Cocky Comedian
A Cocky Hero Club Novel
Author: Shaw Hart
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: June 27, 2021
Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward are excited to bring you the Cocky Hero Club: original works from various authors inspired by Keeland and Ward's New York Times bestselling Cocky Bastard series.
BLURB
He was someone who didn't fit into my world. He belonged in my wildest fantasies instead of some run-down comedy club in Los Angeles.
A clever, arrogant comedian named Anthony was the last person I expected to be stuck driving with on my cross-country drive.
I need the help with gas and expenses though, so we made a deal. Now I'm stuck stopping in every major city, sitting through open mics, and wrestling my fair share of the hotel covers away from him each night.
My road trip was supposed to be boring, but it's turning into something else entirely. Could I be falling for the cocky comedian?
It was just supposed to be a ride, but then things changed. Will we be able to keep it together when the road trip is over?
They say all good things must come to an end.
Except our ending was one I didn't see coming.
Cocky Comedian is a forced proximity/opposites attract romance inspired by Cocky Bastard.
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Shaw Hart is an Amazon Top 100 best-selling author of contemporary and New Adult romance. She loves writing instalove romances that always end in happily ever afters.
She lives in a constant state of motion, chasing after her two children and three dogs. Shaw enjoys the simple things in life, like spending time with her family and friends.
When she’s not doing that, she's reading romance books, watching stand up comedies or crime TV shows. Her favorite book tropes are secret baby and boss/employee romances. She’s a big fan of James Acaster, Anthony Jeselnik, Nate Bargatze, and John Mulaney's comedy. Her favorite TV shows are Psych, Burn Notice, Leverage, Barry, Bob’s Burgers, and New Girl.
She’s a Pinterest addict, dog lover, tea snob, and a wannabe yogi.
She also writes contemporary romance books under the pen name, Rebecca Wilder, and she’s one half of the paranormal romance duo, Skye Alder.
COCKY HERO CLUB
Series: Vested Interest: ABC Corp
Author: Melanie Moreland
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: June 24, 2021
Cover Design: Karen Hulseman, Feed Your Dreams Designs
“The Callaghan Triplets.”
“Three of a kind.”
All his life, Ronan Callaghan has been part of a group. Always looking out for his brothers. Never seen as an individual or judged on his own merits.
When his brothers veer onto their own path, he finds himself alone. Restless.
Then he meets her.
Beth.
A waitress who sees him just for himself. None of the trappings of his wealth or family.
A woman who only wants to know him—Ronan.
She captures his heart, but how will she feel when she discovers the truth he’s holding back?
Can he show her the man he really is?
That he would be rather be hers than anything else?
★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★
New York Times/USA Today bestselling author Melanie Moreland, lives a happy and content life in a quiet area of Ontario with her beloved husband of twenty-seven-plus years and their rescue cat, Amber. Nothing means more to her than her friends and family, and she cherishes every moment spent with them.
While seriously addicted to coffee, and highly challenged with all things computer-related and technical, she relishes baking, cooking, and trying new recipes for people to sample. She loves to throw dinner parties, and also enjoys traveling, here and abroad, but finds coming home is always the best part of any trip.
Melanie loves stories, especially paired with a good wine, and enjoys skydiving (free falling over a fleck of dust) extreme snowboarding (falling down stairs) and piloting her own helicopter (tripping over her own feet.) She's learned happily ever afters, even bumpy ones, are all in how you tell the story.
Melanie is represented by Flavia Viotti at Bookcase Literary Agency. For any questions regarding subsidiary or translation rights please contact her at flavia@bookcaseagency.com
We are so excited to help celebrate the release of FORTUNATE SON by Jay Crownover with you today! FORTUNATE SON is part of Forever Marked: The Second Generation of the Marked Men.
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FORTUNATE SON by Jay CrownoverForever Marked: The Second Generation of the Marked Men------------ Purchase your copy of FORTUNATE SON today!
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Purchase in Paperback About FORTUNATE SON:Ry Archer and Bowe Keller are as different as night and day. But that doesn't stop the childhood frenemies from reconnecting whenever one of them needs some help tackling any of life's major puzzles, like figuring out why getting what you always thought you wanted isn't living up to all the hype. They might constantly rub each other the wrong way (except for the times when they rub each other the really-really right way), but there is no denying they've always made one hell of a great team. They manage to balance each other out… when they aren't driving each other crazy. For Ry, he thought he had the perfect girl, the one who was going to run headfirst into a methodically planned future. He was going to marry young and have the same kind of legendary, life-long romance his parents did… or so he believed. His girl was going to stand by his side as he chased his dream of being a professional football player all the way to the NFL. He was wrong. Now, Ry's gotta figure out the difference between a bruised heart and a broken one, and the only person who can teach him the difference is Bowe. Bowe always felt like she had to run before she learned to walk to keep up with her father's musical legacy. He's her hero, and she wants nothing more than to make him proud. Bowe's about to figure out that maybe she wasn't meant to be in a rock and roll band and that it is possible she let her father's success cloud her idea of what making music should be. Bowe needs to find her own path to fame, and there's a good chance she wouldn't be brave enough or bold enough to start over if Ry Archer hadn't charmed his way back into her life when she least expected it. Some days they're enemies. Other days they're lovers. For a while, they were strangers. But now, it feels more like they might have always been soulmates. Eventually, Ry and Bowe realize that letting go of an old dream and creating a new one is much easier to do with the right person by your side.
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