Title: Fractured Things
Series: Folkestone Sins #2
Author: Samantha Lovelock
Genre: Dark New Adult Romance
Release Date: November 24, 2020
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Poe Halliday could have been my everything. The boy who allowed me to dream again.
Over as quickly as it began, one night ended it all—the hope growing in my heart poisoned by a dark secret spit from cruel and twisted lips.
The secret that stole her from me.
After spending my entire life living with my mother’s demons, I refuse to let them take anything else away from me. My roots are entwined with the shadows haunting that town and running from them isn’t an option anymore. I’m stronger than they think I am, and the only way I can escape this nightmare is to fight.
This time it will be on my terms.
I have to go back.
★★★★★
Stella Bradleigh shone like the brightest star. Able to keep my shadows at bay with nothing but her smile.
I’ve been unknowingly living under the same roof as the devil incarnate—the architect of a horrific event kept secret for so long.
The secret that stole her from me.
When she left, my world turned cold again, and after basking in her warmth, I refuse to let it end this way. From the day she arrived, I knew my heart belonged with hers, and even though I tried to push her away, she became a part of me. The shadows in this town are no match for the ones I carry, and if she lets me, I’ll stand by her side and fight.
This time it will be on her terms.
She has to come back.
★ Folkestone Sins is a series of interconnected duets. Fractured Things is the conclusion to Poe and Stella's story and the second book in the Folkestone Sins series. This is a dark, mature high school/new adult romance. It contains situations and flashbacks that may trigger some readers, language that may be offensive, and scenes of a sexual nature (all consensual).
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Free in Kindle Unlimited
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COMING SOON
Releasing April 13
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He wanted forever. She wanted that summer. That Summer by Jillian Dodd is now live! Devaney Diamond's summer is shaping up to be the best one ever. Her longtime crush is finally interested. Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited Amazon Worldwide: mybook.to/ThatSummerJD Goodreads: https://bit.ly/2H5jiDU Meet Jillian
Connect with Jillian Website: http://www.jilliandodd.net Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4833990.Jillian_Dodd Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Jillian-Dodd/e/B004ZKEKKC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JillianDodd1 Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/doddsquad/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jilliandodd Twitter: https://twitter.com/JillianDodd Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jillian-dodd Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/jilliandodd/ Other: http://www.thekeatynchronicles.net Book+Main: https://bookandmainbites.com/Jilliandodd/bites Never miss a Jillian Dodd release! Text "Jillian" to 77222 and be notified on release day.
Title: Nox
Series: Untamed Sons MC #2
Author: Jessica Ames
Genre: MC Romance
Release Date: November 24, 2020
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Nox
As Vice President of the Untamed Sons MC, my first loyalty is to my club and my president, that is until Lucy walks into my life. For her, I'm willing to give it all up. I'll stand against my brothers, question my loyalty and even consider giving up my patch. Too bad everything I'm building isn't real.
Lucy
Nox is falling for me, but he shouldn't. I have secrets and if he knew the truth he'd drop me in a heartbeat. The problem is I'm falling for him too, but when my past comes out he's going to hate me. Nothing is as it seems. My whole life is a lie. Everything except Nox.
Because the truth is Lucy Franklin doesn't really exist.
*Warning : Contains adult content, reading age 18 +. Graphic violence and dark emotional scenes that may trigger some readers.
PURCHASE LINKS
$2.99 for a limited time!
Free in Kindle Unlimited
EXCERPT
I jolt back, letting another tear fall as my world comes apart. For the first time in a long time, I felt like I was home, like I had family, people who cared. My lies destroyed that. I should have left straight away. I should have carried on running. I shouldn’t have let my guard down around a man as dangerous as Nox.
I did, though.
Why?
Because I wanted a slice of what Sasha had. I wanted people who cared about me, who would go to the edge of the world for me, who would stand up to my bullies.
I was stupid thinking that would happen. Unlike Sasha, I’m not part of their world. I’m here because of her, and that branch they held out to me has now been snapped.
“You fucking lied to me,” he growls, striding over to the bed and leaning on it so he can get in my face.
I flinch, swallowing down my fear, my sense of injustice. I didn’t want this life.
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Jessica Ames lives in a small market town in the Midlands, England. She lives with her dog and when she’s not writing, she’s playing with crochet hooks.
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Game on, Maverick. Game on.
>Maverick, an all-new angst-filled MC romance from Serena Akeroyd, is available now!
Maverick’s in love with a dead man buried at Arlington National Cemetery, where his heart might as well be buried too. My husband’s stuck in the past, lost in his fractured mind, and the last ten years are a blur to him, meaning I’m a blur to him. Download your copy today or read FREE in Kindle Unlimited! Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/MaverickSA Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3jtpylS About Serena I write MF, Menage, and Reverse Harem (also known as Why Choose romance,) in both contemporary and paranormal. Some of my stories are darker than others, but I can promise you one thing, you will always get the happy ending your heart needs! Connect with Serena
Release Date: November 24
“When your whole world is shaken from all the risks we have taken, dance with me. Dance with me into the colors of dusk.” ~ Ben Harper
I’ve served my country, a man, and a cause. I’ve given my whole being while at the same time finding its true meaning. There was no way for me to know that the day I met the men who were to become my best friends they would introduce me to the love of my life.
Fiery, red hair and hypnotizing, emerald eyes caught my attention.
Creamy soft skin, a stark contrast to mine, seduced my body.
Strength, devotion, and determination stole my heart.
I am Reid Murray and I’ll kill without regret to once again dance in the dusk with my wife.
This war has only begun. I won’t rest until it’s done.
Grab Your Copy Here:
Have you been Aleatha'd?
Meet Aleatha Romig
Aleatha Romig is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author who lives in Indiana, USA. She grew up in Mishawaka, graduated from Indiana University, and is currently living south of Indianapolis. Aleatha has raised three children with her high school sweetheart and husband of over thirty years. Before she became a full-time author, she worked days as a dental hygienist and spent her nights writing. Now, when she's not imagining mind-blowing twists and turns, she likes to spend her time a with her family and friends. Her other pastimes include reading and creating heroes/anti-heroes who haunt your dreams and bring your imagination to life!
Aleatha released her first novel, CONSEQUENCES, in August of 2011. CONSEQUENCES became a bestselling series with five novels and two companions released from 2011 through 2015. The compelling and epic story of Anthony and Claire Rawlings has graced more than half a million e-readers. Aleatha released the first of her series TALES FROM THE DARK SIDE, INSIDIOUS, in the fall of 2014. These stand alone thrillers continue Aleatha's twisted style with an increase in heat.
In the fall of 2015, Aleatha moved head first into the world of dark romantic suspense with the release of BETRAYAL, the first of her five novel INFIDELITY series that has taken the reading world by storm. She also began her traditional publishing career with Thomas and Mercer. Her books INTO THE LIGHT and AWAY FROM THE DARK were published through this mystery/thriller publisher in 2016.
In the spring of 2017, Aleatha released her first stand-alone, fun, and sexy romantic comedy with PLUS ONE, followed by the sweet stand-alone, ONE NIGHT.
Aleatha is a "Published Author's Network" member of the Romance Writers of America and PEN America. She is represented by Kevan Lyon of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.
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Title: The Patriot Series: The Hayden Family Series Author: Jennifer Millikin Genre: Contemporary Romance Release Day: January 11, 2021 Photographer/Designer: Sarah Hansen at OK Creations
♦ ♦ ♦
I’m a soldier. A cattle rancher. A Hayden. My family’s legacy is spread out in front of me, just waiting for me to seize it. If it weren’t for one outdated rule, I’d be the owner of the Hayden Cattle Company and my aging father could retire. When Dakota Wright shows up to buy and develop twenty acres of Hayden land, I see more than a pretty mouth and strawberry blonde hair. I see a way around the decree keeping me from getting what I want. And, as luck would have it, Dakota has a big problem of her own. We strike two deals: one for the land, and a second that’ll make both our problems a distant memory. It isn’t too long before I realize I’m in over my head. I’ve convinced myself the ends should justify the means, but everything begins to fall apart when my birthright is no longer all that I’m after. I never thought there’d be anything I could love more than my ranch and my country. I was wrong. Turns out, I want it all. Including her. ♦ ♦ ♦Enter the Cover Reveal Giveaway HERE (pinned post)♦ ♦ ♦
Jennifer Millikin is a contemporary romance and women's fiction author. She lives in the Arizona desert with her husband, two children, and Liberty, her Lab who thinks she's human. Jennifer craves vegetables and refuses to apologize for it, can probably beat you in Spot It, and believes chips and salsa should be a food group. ♦ ♦ ♦
Title: Cover Me
Series: So Wrong It's Right #2
Author: Casey Hagen
Genre: Contemporary Romance/Romantic Comedy
Release Date: November 17, 2020
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Trevor Myers knows how to make it big in the business world: a charming smile, connections, and balls-to-the-wall fearlessness. The master of all three, a partnership with his firm is all but in the bag. That is, until his boss dangles said partnership over him and his coworkers like a prize on a game show. Trevor will do whatever it takes to lock in what is rightfully his, even if that means calling in a doozy of a favor from his best friend that crosses bro code lines.
Piper Bradley is on the precipice of making a career-altering decision. Agonizing over impending change and letting go, Piper decides a weekend trip to clear her head is just what she needs to be sure of her decision. Before she can so much as dig out sandals and sunscreen for some much-needed fun in the sun, her brother calls in a favor from his best friend…Trevor Myers. Cover him for the weekend by being his other half while he schmoozes a corner office out of his unsuspecting boss.
Assumptions, surprises, followed by a battle of wills…and so begins the clash between Trevor’s playboy ways and the elemental pull of the girl next door.
PURCHASE LINKS
B&N / KOBO / APPLE BOOKS
EXCERPT
The door to the lake house flew open and a robust, boisterous man wearing a huge smile stepped out. “It’s about time you made it, Trevor, my boy. You and your beautiful lady here almost missed the couples’ massages.”
This Piper, despite her brief lakeside fantasy, did not have a hot dog in her future because she was apparently going to be naked in a room with an equally naked Trevor.
“Trevor?”
His smile slipped, but he tried covering it with a squeeze of her hand as he tugged her alongside him and up the front steps.
“We did not agree on naked,” she muttered from the side of her mouth while trying to maintain a smile for his boss.
He squeezed her hand again.
She dug her fingernails into his skin, satisfied with his brief flinch.
He reached out and shook hands with the man on the porch who’d just crushed her hot dog dreams. “Sorry, Mr. Williams. We hit a traffic snag about an hour outside of the city. A total mess.” He hooked his arm around her waist and pulled her forward. “I’d like you to meet my girlfriend, Piper Bradley. Piper, this is my boss, Davidson Williams.”
She reached out her hand and smiled despite the sheer panic fluttering in her stomach, trying to claw its way to her seizing heart.
Maybe Trevor could get naked first, set up on the table, covered with a towel. Then she could just hop over—er, maybe not hop, just in case he happened to sneak a peek. No woman looked flattering hopping anywhere naked no matter how firm they were.
Naked.
She had to be naked.
In the room with Trevor.
She was so going to kick her brother in the balls for getting her into this.
She’d send a condolence card to her mother for the grandchildren Rye would be unable to produce.
Maybe a fruit basket too. Or chocolate. Maybe a wine of the month subscription for a freaking decade.
“Nice to finally meet you, Mr. Williams.” Oh, look at her keeping her voice even like the thought of seeing Trevor’s naked bits or him seeing hers hadn’t completely stolen every last brain cell, practically leaving her the shell of a woman.
He took her hand in both of his. “Oh, none of that now. Please, call me Davidson.”
“All right, Davidson. Really, you needn’t have gone through so much trouble. I don’t mind if we skip the massage—”
He patted her hand. “Don’t be silly, my dear. I want everyone to start out relaxed and refreshed. I have a whole schedule of activities for the entire weekend.”
He leaned in and winked.
Hmmm, that winking thing seemed to be catching.
And she was so not relaxed. Her ass was so clenched she could carry needles between her cheeks.
“Actually, my lovely wife made the schedule, bless her. Unfortunately, a few things came up with the kids and their extracurriculars that called her away unexpectedly, but hopefully she’ll be back in time for you to meet her.”
Williams, though thick around the middle, stood tall and proud. His hair had gone almost completely gray. Between his build, his exuberance, his kids still being in school, and that gray hair, Piper might have had better luck nailing Jell-O to a wall than guessing his age.
She smiled. “I’d like that. What kind of extracurriculars are your kids in?”
“Well, this is refreshing! No one has ever asked.” He nudged Trevor with his elbow. “You found a good one here, my boy. You remember what I said about not letting her get away.” With his wallet in hand and opened to his pictures, he stood next to her. “We’ve got twin ballerinas. Sasha and Sabrina.”
What looked to be seven or eight-year-old, raven-haired beauties stared up from the picture. She’d seen their ballet gowns before. They’d been designed by Blush, one of her biggest competitors.
She schooled her features and pretended that she didn’t have more than a general interest in the girls or dance.
It was harder than she thought, but she managed it.
Just add actress to her resume.
“They’re stunning. You must be so proud,” she said as she handed back the wallet.
“Well, I can’t take all the credit, it’s mainly their mother’s doing. The woman is a saint. Anyway, enough about that, grab your bags and come on in. I saved your suite and the massage therapists are in there waiting. I’ll introduce you to everyone else after.”
“Yes, sir,” Trevor said with a nod and winning smile.
Such a boob.
Davidson led them to through to a room at the back corner of the place, nearest to the lake. At least that was something.
She’d have liked to take in the post and beam lake house, only the wood, the furnishings, the huge windows, they all disappeared in the horror of what they were about to do.
She’d have the best view while naked, in a room with Trevor, getting a rub down.
“I so loathe you right now,” she whispered.
“Yeah, well, get in line. I’m not too thrilled with me right now either.” His otherwise jovial tone had vanished, leaving harshness in its wake. She could almost believe he meant it. If he hadn’t eye-humped her when she came out of her building that morning.
Sure, he was mad about it.
Her eyes rolled so hard pain stabbed in her left eye.
She didn't believe that for a minute.
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Casey Hagen pens her snarky, passionate stories from the salty air of Kennebunk, Maine. She’s a born and raised Vermont native, a New England girl to the core, with Ben & Jerry’s in her heart and real Vermont maple syrup pumping through her veins.
She’s the proud mother of three girls and a new, first-time grandma with an insatiable addiction to Fall Out Boy, and a new, rather concerning obsession with tattoos and piercings. Can you say “cool grandma?”
The inked and pierced grandma spends her time tucked away in her office, coated in cat hair, alternating between tearing her hair out trying to find the perfect words and being one step ahead of her three scheming fur babies she is positive are plotting her demise with every swirl around her ankles at the top of her office stairs.
She loves writing stories about real people, with complicated histories, relatable everyday problems, and giving them the hard-won happily-ever-afters they deserve.
And she thanks every last one of you who picks up one of her stories.
Casey is done talking about herself in the third person.
*Casey out*
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Title: Whatever You Need
Series: Whatever It Takes #2
Author: S. Jones
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Cover Design: ME Kusel Steamy Designs
Photo: Lindee Robinson Photography
Models: Alexis Susalla & David Turner
Release Date: January 11, 2021
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A one-night stand wouldn't hurt, right? That's what I told myself while I was stranded at the hotel bar in the middle of a snow storm. I thought indulging in a night of passion with the good-looking detective would be a great idea. I couldn't have been more wrong.
Apparently, seeing him again was inevitable, especially when fate kept putting him in my path.
I didn’t have time for a relationship. I had a business to run and obligations to honor. But as it turned out, resisting him required more restraint than the set of handcuffs that brought us together in the first place.
I convinced myself that it was perfect arrangement. He wasn’t looking for a commitment and I wasn’t in a position to give him one. That was already promised to someone else.
We might have agreed to keep things simple, but sometimes rules are destined to be broken.
He told me he would give me Whatever I Need. How can I bring myself to tell him what I need is for him to let me go?
PRE-ORDER LINKS
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Free in Kindle Unlimited
AUTHOR BIO
S. Jones lives in Upstate, N.Y. with her husband, her two teenage children, and her adorable golden retriever Marley. She is a wine lover, coffee drinker, domestic chef, housekeeper, chauffeur, dog walker and world traveler...Oh and she is also a hopeless romantic! When she's not doing laundry, mowing her lawn or taking care of her family, you can usually find her on the computer planning out her next vacation, having a drink with her friends or reading a nice juicy book.
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Title: Accidental Sugar Daddy
Author: Kaci Rose
Genre: Contemporary Romance/Romantic Comedy
Release Date: November 19, 2020
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AN ACCIDENTAL MEETING. AN UNCONVENTIONAL OFFER. AN UNDENIABLE ATTRACTION...
Ellie wasnât looking for a Sugar Daddy. The second she realized she had accidentally stumbled into a mixer of Sugar Babies looking for daddies, she started for the door. Then the sizzling hot guy at the bar caught her eye. What started as a simple dinner date turned into an offer too tempting to resist. Join him at work events and social gatherings for one monthâno sex involvedâand make enough money to ease the burdens she faced as a single mom. Surely she can resist her attraction to him for one month...
As far as Owen was concerned, Ellie was a complete mystery. She agreed to his offer, yet hated for him to spend any money on her. It didnât add up... until he discovered she was a mother. He wasnât looking for an insta-family, yet the more time he spends with Ellie and her kids, the more he wants them in his life.
Can what started as a business arrangement shift into more? Or will their unconventional start ruin a chance for a beautiful forever?
This is a VERY Steamy, Billionaire, Sugar Daddy Romance. No Cliffhangers.
As always there is a satisfying Happy Ever After.
If you love steamy romances with insta love, hot love scenes, and billionaires, then this one is for you.
This is steamier then any book I have written to date. You have been warned
Ellie
We all have that one friend; you know the one you would call to help you bury the body at three am. Well, who do you call when it's their body you plan to bury? See she is the reason I'm in a mixer full of older men, and one of which just told me the real reason everyone is here, details said friend left out. But let's start at the beginning. "Ellie just go. It's a night out and some free booze." My best friend Mia says. "I have the girls, they have homework and need dinner," I say. Iâm a single mom to two amazing girls. Allie who is seven and Becca, who is five. Their dad, my ex-husband, was my high school sweetheart. Then one day he walked out when Becca was almost two. He disappeared for a year and then I received divorce papers. Still, he gave me no reason and he saw the girls just once right before the divorce was final. He has every other weekend visitation, spring break, and two weeks in the summer but hasn't used a day of it. Child support comes on time every month though, thank God for small favors. Mia knows all this. She knows I'm working to cover all our bills and while we are paying everything on time, one mess up and we would be in trouble. I have three-hundred dollars in savings and survive on my job at the coffee shop bakery and child support. I don't go out, there is no money to do so. This is why Mia suggested the mixer so I could get out of the house. Apparently, this is where guys who aren't looking for commitment are finding someone to have dates with and they pay for it all. It sounds too good to be true or like there is a catch, but Mia swears there isnât, and Mia is my person, so I trust her. To be honest, I'm not sure how she convinced me to go, itâs all still a blur but I'm here. Mia is with the girls and I'm nursing a glass of wine standing off to the side taking it all in. There are guys sixty and older, there are some guys my age in their mid-twenties and everything between. But the girls are what catch my eye. They are all the same. Super skinny, tan, perfectly done blond hair, manis and pedis. Most look younger than me and they are flirty, basically the version of a trophy wife. The word gold digger crosses my mind. They are the opposite of me. I have a little weight to me, I'm a mom of two after all, that flat stomach disappeared seven years ago. I'm not pale white, but I'm not super tan either. I'm five feet five inches and while these girls are wearing dresses that leave little to the imagination, I'm in dressy dark jeans, my favorite dress top, and heels. The girls here all have the blond hair from a bottle while my hair is my natural chestnut brown. They have makeup on and perfect contouring,; I have mascara and lip gloss. I don't fit in here. I decide I'm going to finish my drink because it was free and then bail. This is not my thing and not one person has even tried to talk to me. I finish off my wine and set it down. I gather my purse, but before I can turn to leave, a husky deep voice fills the air. "You look like you are about to leave," he says. I turn to see a man over six-foot-tall and he looks to be in his mid-thirties judging by the laugh lines. He has dark hair and sparkling blue eyes. Heâs huge, like muscles for days huge. He has money,I can tell with his perfectly tailored suit and the Rolex on his wrist. I smile, "That's because I am. A friend suggested I come here tonight, but I don't know, this isn't my kind of dating,â I say looking around. "Dating..." he says, "Did your friend say what kind of group this was?" "Just that the guys would be older, and I needed to get out of the house." I roll my eyes and he laughs. A husky laugh that has my stomach clenching and shivers running across my skin. "Can I get you a drink? I would love to talk to you, and I think your friend left out some details," he says and extends his arm toward a table off to the side. I hesitate. At the very least he does have my interest and he isn't bad looking. Okay, that is an understatement, this man is sexy as hell when he laughs and smiles. Plus, I need to know if Mia's death will be quick or slow. He must see my hesitation. "Just one drink and let me explain. Then you can leave, I won't stop you." I take a deep breath and nod. We then sit at a table off to the side and out of the way, but still have a full view of the room. I study him and see him looking at me too. "I'm Owen," he says. "Ellie," I nod. He takes a sip of his drink and then leans toward me resting his arms on the table. He points across the room. "All these men have money and lots of it. What they don't want, is a relationship. The commitment, the feelings, the sticky stuff. Many want company, dates to events, someone to enjoy a meal out with, maybe a movie. Some just want a beautiful woman on their arm," he says. "Like a trophy wife." He laughs. "Yeah kind of, but without the marriage and with no strings. If there is a connection, theyâre willing to pay the girls for their time." Well, that catches my attention and I sit up straight. "Like a hooker? Sorry, that is not me." I can't help the disgust in my voice. He touches my hand gently. And sparks shoot up my arm and my hand feels like itâs on fire. I wonder if he feels it too. "No sex is involved unless both parties agree. If a relationship is agreed upon these girls get paid for each date the guy takes them on, they get a monthly spending allowance, gifts, vacations it all varies from person to person." "So, like a Sugar Daddy?" "Pretty much," he grins. I look at him thinking that this is why he is here. I don't get it. He is attractive and damn sexy so why would he need to pay for a date? What do I have to lose? "Well, why are you here?" I ask him. "Ahhh," he says with a sparkle in his eye. He looks away over the crowd and takes another sip of his drink. "Relationships are messy, feelings, breakups. I run a very successful company and need dates to events, charity functions, and also, I like to go out, try new places to eat, see movies, and it kind of sucks doing that alone. I found many women were just after my money when I was looking for something real." He takes another sip of his drink. "After being emotionally drained, having both my work performance and my company suffer just for someone who only wanted money, I figured why not call a spade a spade. I have people who have families who depend on the success of the company, on me and I take that very seriously. So, I figured I can get the dates and company I want while being open about my motives and giving the women what they want. It's been a pretty good deal before." "So how many 'relationships' have you had like this?" I ask. "Three that lasted more than a month and one that went over a year." "Why end it if it was going so well?" "Everyone including her expected an engagement. While I have no problem with the arrangement, when or if I do get married, I plan for it to be for love, not to someone who is in it for what it can do for her. Call me old- fashioned, but marriage is a sacred thing for me." I nod and sip my drink in silence looking at the crowd with new eyes. "Youâre different than the other girls here," he says. I laugh, "Why because I don't dye my hair and my tits are real?" He laughs so hard it causes people nearby to actually stop and stare, which causes my face to warm slightly. "I wasn't thinking along those lines, but that's a good point. You are very real and blunt, and I can tell you aren't into all this." "Yeah well, I don't have time to sugar coat things and if I had known what this was, I never would have shown up. As it is, my friend will need a SWAT team to protect her when I get home." "Would an arrangement like this be so bad for you?" I pause and then point to an older gentleman at another table well past his seventies with a walker next to him. "What like him? He's looking for a sexy nurse for sponge baths. So not interested." He gives me a soft smile never taking his eyes off me. Then his face goes serious. "Well, what if it was me asking?" I look him over and shake my head and start to stand up. "You don't want me, but I bet the blond at the bar would be more than willing though." I know I need to leave before he goes and tries to pick her up cause watching that would suck. I grab my purse to leave. "Will you please just hear me out?" he asks. "What harm can come from hearing what I have to say?" I look at him wondering if I really want to hear it. I guess if nothing else this can be a funny story on the next horrible date I go on. I don't answer right away, so he continues. "What if I sweeten the deal and buy you dinner? No strings attached. We talk and worst case you get a nice meal out of it and head home to slaughter your friend with my lawyersâ card in your hand for when she goes missing." He raises his eyebrow and I laugh. When was the last time I found someone who can keep up with me? "Okay dinner, but I'm driving my own car." "Okay," he says. "There is a bistro less than five minutes from here that just opened a few weeks ago I've been wanting to try." I nod, "I'll follow you there." We end up at a little bistro that has modern touches and is done up in creams with lime green accents. Iâm actually surprised I like the decor. Owen gets us a seat in the back while I'm looking around. The place is pretty packed, so I'm surprised when we get right in. He places his hand on my lower back and guides me to the table. Normally this would make me uncomfortable on a date, but for some reason, it has the opposite effect with Owen. Owen pulls out my chair for me and is the picture of a perfect gentleman which is very refreshing. We pick up our menus and he says, "Order anything you like, drinks, appetizers, desserts, and don't hold back" Well, okay then. I order a glass of wine. I look around at the people at tables near us and at their plates of food. I try to match up what they are eating with what's on the menu and my eyes go wide. Seventy-five dollars for three skimpy slices of steak on a small scoop of mashed photos and some fancy sauce. This place is out of its mind. I sigh, and he hears it. "What?" "Nothing." I keep looking at the menu. "No come on, don't hold your opinions back now." I lean in so I can lower my voice. "You really think a place like this is worth your money?" "I haven't eaten here yet, but everyone is saying good things and the chef is from Washington D.C. and has cooked for the president." "Yeah, I bet he didn't rip him off," I say "What do you mean?" He asks. I point to the plate of the woman next to us. âSeventy-five dollars for three slices of steak? You can get a twenty-ounce steak cooked perfectly and melts in your mouth for less than that elsewhere." He shakes his head and smiles, "Let's give it a fair shake, yeah? Don't look at prices, letâs try the food and see if it measures up." "Okay," I hesitantly agree. We order an appetizer of crab cakes that aren't actually too bad, but I have had better ones. "So, let's not beat around the bush," I say. "Get to talking." "Upfront, are we?" he says. "Yes, remember I speak my mind." There is a twinkle in his eye at that. "I like you because you are different, you hold your own in a conversation, you can make me laugh, and you have opinions. I guess I like that this isn't your thing, and you aren't being what you think I want, you are just you." "Yes, well I'm not a bullshitter, never have been. I tend to be too blunt sometimes and put my foot in my mouth more than I'd like to admit. But I'm real, what you see is what you get. I don't like games. Games hurt too much," I say. He looks at me seriously. "Yes, I agree, I don't do games either." He pauses and his tone softens, "Look, I'd like to do a trial run with you. One month." I laugh, "Youâll run screaming after a week, trust me." He just smiles. "One month, either of us can walk away, no questions asked. If after a month we agree it works, then we do a contract." I look at him and study him as he talks. "What does this all entail?" "Well, I'd like dinner once a week with you just like this, maybe a better restaurant," he pauses and smiles. "As I said, I like trying new places. That means drinks, dinner, maybe a movie, or an event downtown. Several hours of your time. I pay you three-hundred dollars a date and cover all expenses on said date. Say every Friday night. You are free to say no to any others during the week, but Friday night would be a must." I stare at him, thinking. Three-hundred dollars more than pays for a babysitter if Mia or my mom aren't available and that's an extra $1200 a month. The money could build up my savings account and give me some breathing room. He continues, "Over the next month I have three functions on my schedule. These are longer nights and require socializing, proper etiquette, dress, hair, makeup, etc. I pay five-hundred dollars a night for these. I cover your dress, hair, makeup, and anything else needed for the event. At the moment everything is in town, but I have had out-of-town events mostly for a weekend where I'd need you to come along. Weâll negotiate that beforehand. You will also be given a one-thousand-dollar line of credit for clothes and a two- monthly allowance to be on call for last minutes dates." When he said that I almost choked on my wine. Did I just hear him right? âTwo-thousand dollars a month allowance?" I ask. "Yes, to pay your bills, buy things you need. It's an incentive to drop plans when I ask for last minute dates." "And what do you expect on the physical end from this?" He smirks. "When we are out, it will be just like tonight. Iâll open the doors, pull out your chair, guide you with my hand on your back, or place your arm in mine and even hold your hand." He pauses, letting me take it in. "At the big social events there might be some kisses on the cheek and dancing, but you are not required to kiss me or sleep with me and if youâre ever uncomfortable, you say so. But you do have to make it look like you enjoy my company, and we are on a real date and have a real relationship," he says. I take another sip of my drink and think. Twelve-hundred dollars for one date a week to get out of the house, no kids. Fifteen-hundred dollars for three events and a two-thousand-dollar allowance is four-thousand dollars in one month. That's more than I make in a month with child support. Plus, there is an option to make more with other dates. I could take fewer hours at work this month, spend some time with the kids, chaperone Allie's field trip, and write my book. Then when this is all over, sell the clothes and make a little more to put in the bank. "And at any time, I can be done if this doesn't work. Even mid-date?" I ask. "Yes, and you can keep the full allowance amount and any money and clothing allowance for the month. If the month works and you agree to a contract, then things are a bit stricter, but we can negotiate all that when the time comes." It doesn't sound like a bad deal, almost too good to be true. "I don't even know your full name," I say. "Owen Garrett." I pull out my phone and type it in. "Are you Googling me?" he asks and smiles, clearly amused. "Umm yeah, I need to know my chances of this ending with me being butchered in your backyard." He grins again as our dinner shows up. He ordered scallops and I ordered the sliced steak. "You aren't on any of these trendy diets, are you?" I ask, eying his plate. "No why?" "Because I like burgers, fries, and steak, all things meat and carbs." "Good to know," he says over his drink glass with a hint of amusement in his voice. We talk a bit about the food, how small the portions are, and we even swap a bite off each otherâs plate. "So, chances of you being slaughtered and buried in my back yard?" he asks.
AUTHOR BIO
Kaci Rose runs on coffee, chocolate, and Oreos. She writes the type of romance books she wants to read.
Kaci loves her book boyfriends with tattoos, muscles, beards, and a little dirty.
AUTHOR LINKS
Title: Custom Built
Series: Fast & Fury #1
Author: Chantal Fernando
Publisher: Carina Press
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Release Date: November 23, 2020
BLURB
New York Times bestselling author Chantal Fernando brings you Fast & Fury: A sexy new series fully loaded with intense emotions and edge-of-your-seat suspense.
After losing her job, saying goodbye to a lifelong dream and having an all-around cruddy year, Bronte Pierce needs a break. A job at Fast & Fury might be just the thing to reset her life, even though she knows nothing about custom motorcycles. But taking a job isn’t the same as keeping it, and her fresh start quickly turns into a fresh nightmare.
Starting with her boss. Crow is hardheaded, stubborn and brutally honest. He may be easy on the eyes, but he runs with an MC and he’s anything but friendly to Bronte. She suspects he has a softer side—just not for her.
Her whole life, Bronte has known that the only person she can truly count on to save the day is herself. But when a single murder turns into a conspiracy and the threat to her life is more than she can handle alone, it’s Crow who comes through—and her newfound family might just become her greatest strength.
PURCHASE LINKS
B&N / KOBO / APPLE BOOKS
AUTHOR BIO
New York Times, Amazon & USA Today Bestselling Author Chantal Fernando is thirty-one years old and lives in Western Australia.
Lover of all things romance, Chantal is the author of the best-selling books Dragon's Lair, Maybe This Time and many more.
When not reading, writing or daydreaming she can be found enjoying life with her three sons and family.
Chantal loves to hear from readers.
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