Title: Dangerous Exes

Author: Rachel Van Dyken

Release Date: October 30, 2018

Publisher: Skyscape

Synopsis

Isla made one teeny little mistake. Now she and her PI company, Dirty Exes, are being targeted by one seriously angry and furiously sexy ex-quarterback. Jessie freakin’ Beckett. But there’s no way some NFL superhunk is going to take her business away. If only he didn’t make her so hot—and bothered.

Jessie wants payback for a ruined reputation. His plan? Top secret. His hard-to-hide arousal for Isla? Not so much. Especially when they let down their guards and sneak a kiss. Like any juicy scandal, it goes so viral, so fast, that only a good lie can combat the bad press. Mortal enemies in a fling? No way. Um…this is love!

Actually…could it be?

Isla’s not faking it. Jessie can’t. As the game of let’s pretend gets real, Jessie forgets all about revenge. That’s the problem. His plan is already out of his control. Now it could undo everything they’ve been trying to build. Coming clean may be the only thing that can save it.

Exclusive Excerpt: Dangerous Exes by Rachel Van Dyken

I had her entire schedule.

I visited her office with a box of donuts and charmed her office manager, Abby. When Abby told me about her long, hellish day, I sent her to Colin’s bar and told her that she and her husband should order anything they want on me … but not before swiping the keys to the office.

And boom.

Schedule obtained.

Life. Ruined.

I grinned.

I knew it all.

Where she ate. Where she visited on Tuesdays.

Her routine was mine to memorize.

And I only felt slightly guilty about it, mainly because it was an invasion of privacy and I knew I’d clearly lost my mind if I was planning my day around driving her insane and making sure she knew I wasn’t going to back down.

For one minute.

I’d second-guessed myself.

And then I’d stupidly turned on the TV to see news of my old charity’s annual holiday gala.

And the anger returned tenfold.

Had she never taken my ex on as a client, embarrassed the living hell out of her, and basically used entrapment—I wouldn’t be sitting on my couch upset over my life’s work getting stripped from me based on rumors and bad publicity.

Blaire was in on it too.

But for some reason I blamed Isla more.

Isla made me feel like she genuinely liked me. She made me think she was real, that our friendship was real, not just a way to get at me in order to expose something that wasn’t even true.

A falsehood.

She’d thrown our friendship, or whatever the hell it was, away for a paycheck.

And I wasn’t sure I would ever forgive her for that.

For giving me a taste of what it could be like. What it should be like.

And ripping it the hell away.

I checked my watch and smiled when her Lexus pulled up. “Right on time.”

Part of me had to respect the rigorous schedule she kept, another part of me was horrified that there was another human being on the planet as punctual as me.

She jumped out of her car and grabbed a black duffel bag. Her leggings hugged every inch of skin like she was poured into them, and her bright-pink shirt only made me stare longer than necessary at the expansive cleavage getting pushed up by her pink-and-black-striped sports bra.

Maybe this was a bad idea.

Or the best idea I’d ever had?

I snuck in behind her and winked at the receptionist I’d bribed, then casually strolled right into the hot yoga studio.

The doors closed with finality behind me.

I cringed.

The last time I did yoga I couldn’t walk for weeks.

But the receptionist had convinced me this was a beginners class, that I’d be just fine as long as I had no health issues. I almost felt the need to remind her who she was talking to but didn’t want to come across like a jackass.

If I can stay in the NFL for eleven years as a star quarterback, pretty sure I can handle an hour of hot yoga.

I eyed Isla, grabbed my mat, and then rolled it out right next to hers. “Hey, neighbor.”

“Son of a bitch,” she hissed under her breath, knocking her water over in the process of trying to scurry away from me.

I grinned at her horrified expression. “You miss me?”

“Like I miss my braces and feathered bangs.”

“You? Feathered bangs?” I reached out to touch her silky black hair, but my hand was slapped away with a burning sting.

“Stop that.” She scooted to the edge of her mat and sat with her legs crossed. “You’re taking your creepy stalking to a whole other level if you’re following me to yoga class, you psycho.”

“Psycho.” I rolled the word around in my mouth and grinned. “Kind of has a nice ring to it, also maybe next time you should say that while looking in the mirror since you’re the one who basically moved in with me.”

“I did not move in with you.” Her cheeks flashed pink. “I merely saw an opportunity to drive you insane and took it.”

“And yet here we are.” I spread my arms wide. “In yoga class.”

“You gonna go to my gyno appointment with me Monday too?” she snapped, then regained her composure just as fast as she’d let the mask slip.

Gotcha.

I smirked. “It’s a dentist appointment, and though I’d love to watch you get your teeth cleaned and mouth tortured, I think I’ll take a hard pass, I hate the dentist, don’t even like walking into the office.”

Her eyes widened in fear as she hissed, “How the hell did you get my schedule?”

I just looked her body slowly up and down, then shrugged casually, as if to say I had to use different means, like my sexuality, to get it.

It was a lie.

I knew it.

She knew it.

And her blush, damn it, her blush was worth every lie I told.

An instructor in nothing but a black sports bra and black yoga pants turned on some weird new-age music and smiled at the class, spreading her arms wide like she was gathering our souls to her bosom before sacrificing them on the sweaty altar of hot yoga. She started rocking back and forth from foot to foot like she was doing a mating dance, her braid swung with her.

“What the hell is she doing?” I said under my breath.

Isla was gaping at me. “Then how do you have such nice teeth?”

“I think I’m lost.”

“The dentist. You refuse to walk into the building.”

“Does she always do that?” I pointed to the instructor.

“I mean they’re really white.” She leaned in like she was seconds away from asking me to open up so she could inspect.

The instructor inhaled deeply through her nose. “She seems really into this.”

Isla elbowed me. “Are you ignoring me on purpose? And she’s getting rid of all the bad energy.”

“Bad energy,” I repeated. “You’re kidding.” I panicked as I watched the students start mimicking her movements like there was literally bad air and energy in the room. They moved their arms and legs, and then shut their eyes. What. The. Hell. Finally my lust seemed to cool a bit, so I answered, “I have a friend who’s a dentist, he makes house calls.”

She rolled her eyes. “Of course you do. And no, not kidding, this is yoga, we don’t really lift heavy things and expect someone to clap for us or pay us millions of dollars when we can throw a stupid ball.”

“Twenty-eight million, actually,” I corrected with a wink. “A year.”

She scowled and returned her attention to the instructor. “No wonder your dentist makes house visits, do you even grocery shop on your own?”

“Isn’t that what Amazon is for?”

“Unbelievable,” Isla said through clenched teeth. “You know what? This isn’t even about me anymore, is it? You’re just so bored and I’m the easiest target in a sick scheme to find some sort of meaning in your life outside of football!”

“Bored?” I repeated, hating how it actually made me feel like less of a man when she pointed out one of the things I had struggled with until finding the charity. “Nah, just … angry. Very. Very. Angry. So. Angry. That the one thing I had to hold on to was ripped out of my fingers by a bitter, selfish woman and her ignorance.”

“So I’m ignorant?”

“No.” I gritted my teeth.

Her eyes flashed with hurt and anger.

“No!” the instructor shouted in my direction. “We leave our anger at the door.”

Isla leaned in, her eyes wild with rage. “She means literally.”

“Go on,” the instructor said in a fake soothing voice. “Walk over to the door and just…” She rolled her shoulders back and forth as if my anger was weighing them down. “Leave”—she let her arms go limp—“all the anger.”

“Just like that, huh?” I said in disbelief as I stood and walked over to the door, then made a dropping motion with my hands. “All gone.”

“Don’t you feel better?” She smiled wide.

No actually, if anything, I just collected everyone else’s anger that they’d supposedly left at the door and carried it back with me to my mat, where a grinning Isla was waiting.

“Yup,” I said quickly.

“Good.” She rubbed her hands together. “Shall we get started, class?”

About the Author

Rachel Van Dyken is a Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and #1 New York Times bestselling author known for Regency romances, contemporary romances, and her love of coffee and Swedish fish. Rachel’s also recently inked a deal for her Wingmen Inc. series—The Matchmaker’s Playbook and The Matchmaker’s Replacement—to be made into movies.

A fan of The Bachelor and the Seattle Seahawks (not necessarily in that order), Rachel lives in Idaho with her husband, a super cute toddler son who keeps her on her toes, and two boxers.

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The Last Note: A Miami Music Mystery
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Cozy Cat Press (January 24, 2018)
Paperback: 268 pages

Synopsis

Killer songs and a killer voice, but a killer at her gig?

Vy has always found herself at the center of attention as the lead singer for one of Miami’s top cover bands, but when she finds herself at the center of a murder investigation, while performing at the Steel Horse Bar, that changes the tune of the night. Someone believes that Vy knows the truth behind the murder of the bar owner Ricky, and now that person is after her. Vy better figure out quickly who wanted Ricky dead, who is threatening her with her favorite band’s song lyrics, and why she’s falling for the handsome Detective Houston, before she too sings her last note. With a mixture of mystery, mayhem and comedy, you will find yourself immersed in Vy’s musical and murderous world.

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Guest Post

I have been asked a lot recently, What advice would you give to people wanting to enter the field?

And my answer will always remain the same, the best advice I can give is to not give up.  Do not give up on not just writing, or what your goals are, but in yourself overall.  Discouragement started in my musical career.  Granted, I was 17 years old, and I was still trying to figure out who I was.  At that time, being signed to an independent, music label, was a dream come true.  So many promises, yet nothing had transpired, so yes, it was only a dream.  I blame myself, only because I relied solely on my producer, instead of learning.  Again, I was only 17, but the upside was, after that disappointment, I grew up quickly.  So I wrote more songs, and self-produced my second record, Little Box of Secrets.  Mind you, I did not become the next Madonna, as I had hoped, but I did make a name for myself, locally (Miami, FL).

My creative journey continues to my first cozy mystery novel, The Last Note: A Miami Music Mystery.  This story is very much entwined with my musical path.  Many years ago, I became an avid reader of cozy mysteries. It all started with my sister buying me my first cozy mystery book by Joanne Fluke.  My sister and I are similar in the fact that we buy wine based on the label.  It just so happens she bought the book based on the cover.  It had a teddy bear on the cover, it mentioned murder, and recipes.  Needless to say, I ended up reading her entire series.  Then, I expanded to different cozy authors for more reading material.  The story lines were intriguing, engaging, and funny at the same time. I was so inspired by the authors, that I then decided to take my musical experiences, and put it on paper.  I meet very interesting people at my gigs, and so my friendship with a homicide detective ensued.  Later on, he not only became my ‘how to get rid of a person on paper’ guru, but also became my drummer for my band.  I began writing this first novel in 2009. In between my full-time job, my weekend gigs, and my personal life, I finally completed the novel. The phobia’s, the dream sequences, and the quirkiness of the main characters, are all based on facts.   I received so many rejection letters, that I was on the verge of not sending out any more query letters.  Then, I attended a book signing for one of my favorite authors.  Fortunately for me, and unfortunately for her, I was the only person that attended the signing.  I was able to sit with her for an hour and talk to her about my novel and the hardships.  And I finally asked for her advice.  She said to me, “give yourself a deadline of a year before you resort to self-publishing. Do not give up just yet.”  So, when I left that signing, I calendared a year from that date (I have to calendar everything.  And not on my cellphone, but an actual physical planner).

Six months had passed, and I was still receiving rejection letters.  One day, as I was working out (it’s the responsible thing to do after you have eaten two mini bags of skittles), I had received an e-mail alert on my phone.  I saw a brief caption, and it was from a publisher.  I automatically assumed it was another turn-down email, so I proceeded to stretch, do a thousand more crunches, and sweat out the last of the purple skittle that I ate that afternoon.  When I was walking back to my car, I decided to be one of those people who distract themselves by being on their cell phone and avoid running into phone poles, and I checked my e-mail.  The e-mail from thepublisher, it was not a rejection e-mail but a ‘if you make these changes’ e-mail, we will consider signing you on.  Needless to say, I ran to my car and called my sister to tell her the great news.  And so, I started making the said changes, and all of a sudden, a hurricane was on its way to Miami.  It just so happens, the hurricane was heading directly towards my vicinity.  So, I needed to evacuate and head to a safe location.  Miami lost power, phone contact, and the internet for about ten days.  Needless to say, I was panicking because, a. I couldn’t complete the changes to my novel, b. I couldn’t contact the publisher to tell them that I would be delayed in turning in my changes because of the hurricane, and c. we were not given a set date when the power would return.  When communication returned, the first thing I did was inform the publisher, then I completed the changes requested, which totaled 5000 changes.  It felt surreal the moment I clicked on ‘SEND.’  I stared at my sent screen for about two minutes to make sure that I had sent my finalized novel to my, at the time, potential publisher.  Two days later, I received an e-mail welcoming me to the family.  It was one of the happiest days of my life.

So, what I am trying to say with this post, do not give up.  Give yourself a deadline, and send out as many query letters as you can.  There will be one publisher that will believe in your work, but make sure that you believe in your work first.

About the Author

The Last Note’s main backdrop, the amazing city of Miami, Florida, is beloved and well-known to me. I was born and raised in Miami, and like the novel’s main character Vy, I am a singer/songwriter, as well as the lead singer to a self-proclaimed cover band. All things relating to music or literature are my passion. I keep a journal, and I am constantly writing poems, stories, and any thought that comes to mind. I have a fascination for black and white films, that have the element of mystery. As I have been told by many, I have a very creative imagination.

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EVIL WINDS – A FAST-PACED THRILLER EXPLORES

THE HUMANITARIAN CRISIS THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY

 HAS CHOSEN TO IGNORE 

With His Intimate Knowledge of the People, Places, and Politics of Sub-Saharan Africa, Award-Winning Writer and 

Naval Officer Michael Shusko Adds a Breathtaking Sense of Authenticity to His Sprawling Novel 

Author Michael Shusko is no ordinary novelist.  A decorated naval officer and physician, fluent in Arabic, he has worked in some of the most dangerous areas of the world.  In EVIL WINDS, the third installment of his Tradecraft book series, he focuses on the decades-long humanitarian crisis that has plagued the African country of Sudan and spilled across its border to Chad.

Relentless conflict has resulted in the destruction of entire villages and the massacre of thousands of people in Sudan’s Darfur region.  Massive refugee camps have sprung up with little chance of resettlement of their occupants.  Shusko uses these real-world events and locations as the backdrop for his stunning thriller, EVIL WINDS.

The story centers on the crusade of an idealistic American journalist, Angie Bryant, who wants to wake the world to the atrocities being committed in Darfur – no matter the personal risk.  She enlists the help of Jason Russo, an NGO doctor working in Chad.  When the pair witness Janjaweed Arab terrorists gun down a dozen Darfurian refugees in cold blood, they realize that time is against them, and they set out on a journey to uncover the truth behind these crimes.  They are soon captured by the vicious Janjaweed leader himself, who is just a cog in an international conspiracy to bilk Africa of its oil and mineral riches.  Using subterfuge, Angie and Jason manage to escape, rescuing twelve-year-old Halima, a courageous Darfurian girl, along the way.

But once again they are captured, this time by a troop of Sudanese soldiers.  With the help of veteran CIA operative Steve Connors, they are freed from prison.  Despite Steve’s advice that they return to the U.S., Angie and Jason – along with Halima – continue their quest to uncover the truth about government corruption, human trafficking, and other crimes that have remained hidden for much too long.

EVIL WINDS is a powerful story of international conspiracies, terrorism, and murder. Michael Shusko takes readers to locales that few of us can imagine, populated with ruthless villains as well as ordinary people whose courage is inspiring.  With his insider’s eye for detail and nuance, Shusko has produced a novel that is destined to become a classic.

About the Author

Michael Shusko, author of EVIL WINDS, is a medical doctor and decorated Marine and Naval officer who has worked on intelligence and medical missions across the globe. Fluent in Arabic, he holds a Bachelor’s degree in Middle Eastern studies from Rutgers University. After transferring from the Marines to the Navy Medical Corps, he attended medical school at Wake Forest University, obtaining his degree in 2002. He also studied at Harvard University, earning a Master’s of Public Health degree in 2013. Dr. Shusko has been awarded the Bronze Star twice for service in Iraq and Afghanistan, and has traveled extensively in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and Asia. In addition to EVIL WINDS, Mike Shusko is the author of VECTOR and SHIFTING SANDS, the first two novels in his Tradecraft book series.

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Mardi Gras Murder: A Cajun Country Mystery
Cozy Mystery
4th in Series
Crooked Lane Books (October 9, 2018)

 

Synopsis

 

Southern charm meets the dark mystery of the bayou as a hundred-year flood, a malicious murder, and a most unusual Mardi Gras converge at the Crozat Plantation B&B.

It’s Mardi Gras season on the bayou, which means parades, pageantry, and gumbo galore. But when a flood upends life in the tiny town of Pelican, Louisiana—and deposits a body of a stranger behind the Crozat Plantation B&B—the celebration takes a decidedly dark turn. The citizens of Pelican are ready to Laissez les bon temps rouler—but there’s beaucoup bad blood on hand this Mardi Gras.

Maggie Crozat is determined to give the stranger a name and find out why he was murdered. The post-flood recovery has delayed the opening of a controversial exhibit about the little-known Louisiana Orphan Train. And when a judge for the Miss Pelican Mardi Gras Gumbo Queen pageant is shot, Maggie’s convinced the murder is connected to the body on the bayou. Does someone covet the pageant queen crown enough to kill for it? Could the deaths be related to the Orphan Train, which delivered its last charges to Louisiana in 1929? The leads are thin on this Fat Tuesday—and until the killer is unmasked, no one in Pelican is safe.

A simmering gumbo of a humorous whodunit, Mardi Gras Murder is the fourth piquant installment in USA Today bestselling author Ellen Byron’s award-winning Cajun Country mysteries.

 

 

 

Review

I love this series because it takes me to my roots on my mom’s side in southern Louisiana.  I can hear the accents and picture the scenery and the older homes.  This series also makes me laugh, a lot!  Here is one line that started me giggling – “Some men make their wives crazy all year.  I save it for Mardi Gras.”

The book starts off with a bang with this line: “But an intrepid crew of Crozat family members and volunteers let the relentless rain soak them as they hauled away the detritus of small town life. It wasn’t until they’d almost reached the bottom of the pile that they found the body. The body of a stranger to Pelican, Louisiana.”

Before you think this book is all fun and games, it isn’t.  There are actually several murders but we don’t know if they are all tied together or not.  We suspect that they might be, but it takes the effort of many characters to solve the mystery.  There are twists and turns galore and when the killer is revealed I was quite surprised.  While we have a few clues to figure things out, they don’t necessarily point to this character.

Another favorite line of mine in this book was this one: “We shouldn’t ignore the past. We should study it and use what we learn to build a better future.”  How true is this statement in today’s world?

We give this 5 paws up!

 

 

About the Author

 

Ellen Byron authors the Cajun Country Mystery series. A Cajun Christmas Killing and Body on the Bayou both won the Lefty Award for Best Humorous Mystery and were nominated for Agatha awards in the category of Best Contemporary Novel. Plantation Shudders was nominated for Agatha, Lefty, and Daphne awards. Mardi Gras Murder launches October 9th. Ellen’s TV credits include Wings, Just Shoot Me, and Fairly OddParents. She’s written over 200 national magazine articles, and her published plays include the award-winning Graceland. She also worked as a cater-waiter for the legendary Martha Stewart, a credit she never tires of sharing.

 

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Back Stabbers (The Country Club Murders)
Cozy Mystery
8th in Series
Henery Press (October 23, 2018)

Synopsis

All Ellison Russell wanted was an update on her stock portfolio. Instead, she found her broker dead.

With an unexpected out-of-town guest at her house, Ellison is too busy for a murder investigation. Only this time, Detective Anarchy Jones wants her help, and she can’t deny the handsome detective. Can Mr. Coffee supply her with enough caffeine to keep her brain sharp and everyone else happy?

Juggling bodies (one, two, three, four), two-faced friends, her social calendar, and a cat (yes, a cat) is taxing but Mother might be the biggest challenge of all.

With a killer drawing closer, can Ellison put together the pieces or will she be the one getting stabbed in the back?

About the Author

Julie Mulhern is the USA Today bestselling author of The Country Club Murders. She is a Kansas City native who grew up on a steady diet of Agatha Christie. She spends her spare time whipping up gourmet meals for her family, working out at the gym and finding new ways to keep her house spotlessly clean–and she’s got an active imagination. Truth is–she’s an expert at calling for take-out, she grumbles about walking the dog and the dust bunnies under the bed have grown into dust lions.

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Synopsis

In this sequel to Pullen’s best selling thriller, Naked Ambition, Chief Justice Nino Castiglia is scheduled to have breakfast with the disgraced newspaper reporter Beck Rikki, but shows up dead instead.

Rikki, once Washington’s premiere investigative reporter, immediately focuses on a prostitute who spent the evening with the justice. As he digs deeper, it starts to become obvious there is more to this than murder. Yet the deeper he goes, the more he suspects he is being manipulated.

He dashes back and forth between Texas and Washington, D.C. in hopes of solving the riddle and realizes he has not only put his life in danger, but the lives of others.

What has he gotten into? This is Washington where you can’t believe anyone. In this story of blackmail and manipulation, no one would believe the astonishing truth. And just how would an ex-newspaperman who has been exiled from his profession get anyone to believe the truth anyway?

Excerpt

He rang the doorbell and waited.

“Coming,” he heard. Beck held his breath.

The door opened as far as the safety chain would allow. He could see through the small opening that he must have just gotten her out of the shower. Her hair was wrapped in a white towel and she was wearing a thick white bathrobe. Even so, he immediately recognized her from the party the night before.

“Ms. Fiori?”

“Yes.”

“My name is Beck Rikki. I’m a reporter and I’d like to talk to you.”

“What about?” she asked.

“There’s been a murder. I’m not sure you’re aware of it.”

She gasped and slammed the door. The safety chain scraped against the lock and the door swung open again with such ferocity that her extended arm motion pulled loose her hastily tied belt. It fell to her sides and her robe gaped open. Beck gaped too, looking down at her exposed body. He fixed on her breasts, her smooth flawless skin and her taut belly. His eyes stopped there as she grasped at her robe with her free hand.

He tried to pretend he’d seen nothing, but her expression revealed she wasn’t buying it.

“I’m sorry,” he said. “I didn’t—”

“Was it my sister?”

“Your sister?”

“The murder.”

“Oh no.” Beck cleared his mind of the accidental striptease. “I’m not here about your sister.”

“Oh thank God.”

“What about your sister?” Now Beck was curious. But he was getting off topic. Her family life was her own.

“She has issues. Never mind.”

“That’s not why I’m here. Chief Justice Nino Castiglia was murdered last night. I think you were the last one to see him alive.”

She gave him a puzzled look. “What are you talking about?”

“I saw you at dinner last night at the resort and then you left with the chief justice to go to his room.”

He gazed into her wide crystalline blue eyes. Her face was delicate and flawless. The short narrow nose and pointed chin were offset by high cheekbones.

“Mister, Mister Rikki, is it?” she said.

Her tone changed. He had put her on the defensive. Not good.

“Mr. Rikki, I don’t know what your game is or what you’ve been smoking, but I’ve never laid eyes on this justice of yours, and you most certainly did not see me at dinner last night. Please leave.”

Beck hesitated. This was his best lead. He couldn’t lose it.

“But I saw you there. I was a few tables away.”

“You obviously saw someone, but it wasn’t me.”

Beck knew better. Why would she deny being there?

“Now please leave before I call the police.”

About the Author

Rick Pullen is an award winning career journalist. He started out as an investigative reporter and eventually became a magazine editor. In 2015 he was named runner up for editor of the year. Also in 2015 Rick was named to the Folio 100—the 100 most influential people in magazine publishing.

He began writing political thrillers in 2011. His first, Naked Ambition, was a 2016 bestseller. Naked Truth, a sequel, was just published in September. The Apprentice was published in 2017.

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Title: A Brand New Ending

Author: Jennifer Probst

Release Date: October 23, 2018

Publisher: Montlake Romance

Synopsis

Ophelia Bishop was a lovestruck teenage girl when she and Kyle Kimpton chased their dreams to Hollywood. Kyle’s dreams came true. Ophelia’s did not. When Kyle chose his career over their relationship, Ophelia returned home to rural New York to run the family’s B & B—wiser, and more guarded against foolish fantasies. Now Kyle has come crashing back into her life, and all her defenses are down.

Kyle can’t think of a better place to write his latest screenplay than his hometown. After all, that was where he met the heart of his inspiration—his first love. He knows the damage he’s caused Ophelia, and he wants a chance to mend their relationship. If anyone can prove to Ophelia that happy ever afters aren’t only for the movies, it should be him.

As much as Ophelia’s changed, she still has feelings for Kyle. But her heart has been broken before, and she knows that Kyle could run back to Hollywood at any time. She gave up her dreams once, but maybe she can dare to change her own love story…one last time.

Exclusive Excerpt

Kyle glanced at the clock. Time to give Ophelia the next round of meds. He heated up the kettle and fixed a cup of tea, another glass of water with lemon, and some dry toast. Rummaging through the cabinets, he found a tray and loaded it all up.

Easing into Ophelia’s bedroom, he set the tray on the bureau, tiptoed to the bed, and leaned over.

“Holy shit!” She jerked up in surprise.

He jolted back, almost falling on his ass.

Hair a mess of tangles sticking up around her head, skin still damp and flushed from the fever, a dirty T-shirt hanging off one shoulder, she blinked wildly like a night creature awakened by a predator. “You scared me,” she croaked out.

“I think you scared me more.”

She groaned and flopped back on the pillow. “Sorry, I was having some type of crazy dream. I got stuck in the Willy Wonka factory, and they were putting me through the taffy machine.”

His lips twitched. “At least it’s better than the one you used to have.”

A pained laugh escaped. “The one where I’m a female Ben Stiller in Zoolander and the only way to save the world is to walk the runway like a badass, but I trip and fall and rip my skirt and everyone sees me half-naked? Still have that one, too.”

“Always wondered why you never wore underwear on the runway.”

“I was a slut.”

He laughed. “Every time you got stressed you’d wake up screaming from that dream.”

“I’d rather be in a taffy machine than naked in front of a judging crowd.” Her smile was quickly wiped out by a fit of coughing.

He moved toward the bed and laid a hand on her forehead. “Still warm. We should get you into some dry clothes. These are damp.”

“Forget it. I know it’s just a plan to seduce me.”

His lips twitched in a smile. “Baby, as much as I want to see you naked again, you’re too sick for even me to get excited. I’ll help get you into clean pj’s, and then you can try and eat some toast.”

“I already told you not to call me that, and I can do it myself. I have to get back to work anyway.” She pointed to the bottom drawer. “Can you just grab me some sweats and a T-shirt?”

He pulled out a cozy fleece set and watched her ease to the side of the bed, brows knit with determination. He tamped back a frustrated sigh. She was never one to surrender gracefully. The woman would fight with spit and sass till her dying breath.

She slowly stood up, took a few steps, and floundered.

“That’s it.” He swept her up into his arms, carried her to the bathroom, and set her gently back on her feet. “Turn around. I promise I won’t look.”

The pallor of her skin and the glassiness of her eyes softened her mulish expression. “I’m fine.”

“You’re not fine.”

She fell into another coughing fit, and he gently moved her so her back faced him. With quick, methodical motions, he lifted her shirt over her head and replaced it within seconds. Before she had time to protest, he’d already tugged her sweats over her hips, leaning down to gently untangle the fabric from her legs and replace them with the new pair. He made sure to keep his gaze firmly averted from the tiny scrap of black lace that covered her. Soon, she was fully dressed.

He turned her back around. “See? That wasn’t so bad, right? Let’s get you back to bed.”

He carried her back and propped her up on a few pillows. Then he sat on the edge of the bed and brought the mug of tea to her lips. She took a sip, closing her eyes with pleasure. “Thank you. That’s good.”

“Welcome. Listen, you need to rest again today. You can’t work with a fever.”

“How bad is it out there?” she asked, biting down on her lip. “Are the skiers a lot to handle? Is Aubrey coming back?”

“The skiers are fine—nice guys. Aubrey’s coming tomorrow morning.”

Her eyes widened with panic. “Oh my God, I have to clean ten rooms! I forgot she couldn’t make it today.”

“I’ll do it. Here, drink more and take a few bites. Let’s see if this stays down.”

She moaned through the motions of eating and drinking her tea. “This is a nightmare—do you know how to prep a room properly?”

He shrugged. “Sure. Clean it up and make the bed.”

“Yes, but make sure everything is organized, and the bathroom is spotless, and the toilet paper and tissues are refilled. Use that vanilla-coconut scented spray if it’s a bit funky, and make sure you vacuum.”

“Got it. Take more meds so you can get some sleep.”

She swallowed her pill and coughed. Kyle could tell she had no energy. She lay limply back, barely able to keep her eyes open. “I’m so sorry,” she said. “I never meant for you to get stuck with all this.”

He stroked her hair back from her forehead and dabbed some lingering crumbs from her lips with the napkin. “I could never be stuck with you,” he said quietly. “I like taking care of you.”

“Don’t be nice to me,” she murmured. Her head lolled drunkenly as exhaustion overtook her.

He pulled the covers up to her chin and edged the extra pillow to the side so she’d be more comfortable to sleep.

“Why?”

Her soft voice drifted to his ears in a caress. “Because I can’t fall for you again.” Then she closed her eyes and slept.

About the Author

Jennifer Probst is the New York Times bestselling author of the Billionaire Builders series, the Searching For series, The Marriage series, the Steele Brothers series, and The Start of Something Good, which is the first book in the Stay series. Like some of her characters, Probst, along with her husband and two sons, calls New York’s Hudson Valley home. When she isn’t traveling to meet readers, she enjoys reading, watching “shameful reality television,” and visiting a local Hudson Valley animal shelter.

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Goodreads

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Title: He Loves You Not

Author: Tara Brown

Release Date: October 23, 2018

Publisher: Skyscape

Synopsis

Among her superrich friends, Lacey Winters never minded being the “poor one.” That is, until her tuition money and big dreams vanish overnight. Now Lacey has a plan to make some extra cash—a devilishly brilliant plan. For a fee, she’ll test your boyfriend to find out if he’s faithful or a cheating jerk. Her next target: a slick and sexy trust-fund playboy. Unfortunately for Lacey, his charms aren’t just legend. And before she knows it, she’s under his spell.

It was bad enough that Jordan Somersby’s father forced a spoiled “society princess” on him. Then Jordan had to go and find his dream girl—the beautiful, fun, and down-to-earth Lacey. And he’ll do anything to prove he’s sincere. But pretty soon it’ll be Lacey’s turn to prove that this is not just a game.

Because, when it comes to mixing love and deception, nothing is what it seems. And Lacey and Jordan are about to face the ultimate test.

Take the “Fidelity Test” with Tara Brown’s He Loves You Not

My newest release is He Loves You Not!

The high concept romance is centered around Lacey Winters, my hard working and slightly devious heroine.

She’s intelligent, fun, and absolutely gorgeous inside and out.

Her main love in life is her brother Martin, who at the start of the novel is diagnosed with something terrible.

The sickness puts Lacey into a bit of a tailspin. Not only is her favorite person in the world sick, but the availability of her funds for her final year of college come into question.

Not that she would ever complain, the money is going to a worthy cause.

But Lacey needs to graduate. Her dream job is awaiting her.

Which means nothing will stop Lacey from finding the money. She’s ingenious, crafty, and surrounded by the wealthy elite of Manhattan. All she needs is a plan.
As if God handed her the idea himself, the week she is desperate for an idea, one lands in her lap. Most of her friends are dating guys Lacey has questioned at one point or another, and that week one is being particularly shady.

With the help of her brother, Lacey puts that questioning into practical application—a fidelity testing company called The Test Dummy.

What she doesn’t expect is that the idea will hit home with so many of Manhattan’s upper crust. But it does.

And pretty soon, business is good.

Too good.

Which is where everything goes wrong, and right.

Fidelity testing is how Jordan Summers is brought into her life, even if it’s to test him for his socialite girlfriend.

The number one rule of the company was don’t get caught.

After meeting Jordan, it quickly changes to don’t fall for the clients.

But nothing is easy in love and war.

And make no mistake, Jordan Summers is at war.

His father has decided to use him in a plot to get a huge investment from a family friend, by hooking Jordan and the man’s daughter up.

The daughter couldn’t be less interested in the relationship and Jordan is desperate to get out of it. Desperate enough to hire the hot new fidelity testing company under the guise he’s his new girlfriend then make himself look guilty.

It’s a brilliant plan.

What he doesn’t know is the company is owned and operated by the girl he’s chasing and that his infidelity will question everything she thinks she knows about him.

This tale is high drama, loads of angst, and laughing out loud for hours.

You won’t want to miss this one!

Excerpt

I dialed my brother and hid in an alcove.

“Lacey?” He answered like he was confused.

“Yeah,” I whispered, and glanced around. “I need advice.”

“Okay.” His tone still seemed skeptical.

“What if I created a company that fidelity-tested guys, offering this as a service for a fee? Is that morally wrong?”

“Fidelity-testing service? Who would honestly pay someone—never mind. Forget I even asked that. We both know who would pay for something so stupid. Is this hypothetical?” He laughed hopefully.

“No,” I whispered, and scanned the hall again. “What would I need?”

“Honestly? I don’t know. I’d need a minute to think about it.”

“You have a minute.”

“Okay. Uhhhhh. A website that couldn’t be hacked. A system of being paid that couldn’t be traced. A couple of girls who could easily blend in and not be recognized if they wore simple disguises. A way of recording every interaction as proof. An email account that’s linked to the website that could send the recordings of the guy being disloyal.”

“Have you given something like this much thought before?” I asked quietly, a little worried.

“Yeah, this is totally what I spend all my free time thinking about,” he said sarcastically. “It’s simple logic, moron.”

“Can you help me make this?” I closed my eyes for a second and really contemplated if this was a good idea.

“Probably. You would make your entire year of tuition and probably mine in the next two months of summer. I would totally be down for this.” He was too eager. “I legit have nothing better to do. But I have one condition.”

“What?”

“Hennie. You give me your blessing to ask her out. I will knock that website outta the park.”

“Fine,” I hissed, and closed my eyes and forced myself into a momentary chant of do whatever makes him happy before I continued with the regular worries. “Are we going to burn in hell for manipulating people like this?” Second-guessing was already starting.

“No. Dude. If girls are willing to pay you for this, that’s their choice, and you should take the money. And it’s the guy’s choice whether or not he acts like a dick. Not your problem. This is like being a PI for love. That’s what you should call it. PI for Love.”

“I was thinking Fidelity Tester,” I whispered, and checked the hall again.

“That sounds stupid.”

“You’re stupid.” We automatically slipped back into our brother-sister banter.

“Love Tester,” he offered, ignoring the name-calling game.

“Man Tester.”

“Dear God. Don’t you claim to work at a marketing firm?”

“Shut up. Test Dummy.” I laughed, thinking how insanely stupid this idea might be and how dumb I sounded even contemplating it.

“Winner!” He smiled. I could hear it in his tone. “Test Dummy it is. I’ll set up the email account now: iamthetestdummy@gmail.com. The address is available; no surprise there. I guess there isn’t a lineup of other creeps putting money on the name.”

“Okay.” I inhaled sharply. “I’ll go advertise it where all the girls look, kinda random and casual, like it’s on the DL.” I took a second deep breath. “Thanks.”

“No, no. Thank you for the chance to contribute my talents on such a positive, healthy, world-benefitting project, with the side perk being you forced to accept my adoration of Hennie. First order of business, stop the players; next up, save the whales. I’ll get started now.”

About the Author

The international bestselling author of Roommates and the Puck Buddies series, Tara Brown writes in a variety of genres. In addition to her comedic Single Lady Spy series, she has also published popular contemporary and paranormal romances, science fiction, thrillers, and romantic comedies. She especially enjoys writing dark and moody tales, often focusing on strong female characters who are more inclined to vanquish evil than perpetuate it. She shares her home with her husband, two daughters, two cats, an Irish wolfhound, and a Maremma Sheepdog.

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Goodreads

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Title: TAKING CONTROL: RICK’S STORY
Author: Morgan Malone
Publisher: Independent
Pages: 170
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Synopsis

Summer on the Jersey Shore and all Rick Sheridan wants is some solitude at his beach house. Then he spots a lean, leggy blonde coming out of the surf and his plans are shot to hell. And the dangerous looking knife strapped to her arm tells him this is no damsel in distress. As a not-so retired Marine, at 51, Rick’s learned that nothing is for certain, plans can spin out of control and shit happens.

Wounded and weary from one too many wars, Britt Capshaw thought a summer at the Shore, hanging out in her family’s beach cottage, would help her heal. And figure out what to do with the rest of her life. Out of the military, disillusioned and distrustful of any two-legged male, Britt’s one love is Alex, the yellow Labrador retriever she rescued from Afghanistan.

Rick and Britt are immediately attracted to one another, but after years in combat, they are wary of letting down their guard, of giving up control. The summer heats up and fireworks are flying between them even after the Fourth of July. But, ghosts from their pasts haunt them and finally bring them face to face with some dark secrets that may destroy the fragile trust they’ve built.

Can Britt trust Rick with her dangerous past? Will Rick be able to let go of the rigid control he needs to keep Britt and himself safe from more heartbreak? These two brave souls fight against surrendering their hearts and finally finding love. Who will win?

Excerpt

He stood before the French doors to the deck, with a large mug of steaming black brew cradled in his hands, letting its warmth take away some of the chill that had surrounded him for the last several months. I’m freezing. And it’s not the air-conditioning. It’s my damn frozen heart. Rick pushed the doors open, letting the heat of the sun and the smell of the ocean sweep into his house. He stepped outside, breathing deep, relaxing just a little. Yeah. This is what I need. A summer at the Shore, a few projects, and plenty of quiet—then I’ll be back to my old self. Chuckling as he mentally reminded himself of just how “old” his self was, Rick raised the cup to take a long sip of coffee.

He saw the figure emerging from the waves almost directly in front of his cottage at the same moment he heard the loud barking of a nearby dog.

What the hell?

She was a modern-day Botticelli’s Venus, with the waves foaming around her legs. Long, long legs, lean and tan, disappeared into a bright blue bikini bottom, just visible under the blue and white swim T-shirt that covered a long, muscular torso. Her arms were raised, her hands brushed back sodden strands of platinum blond hair. A swim mask dangled from her left elbow, dropping down into her hand as she lowered her arms. When she stepped from the surf, the woman gave an all-over body shake, drops of ocean water flying off her, glistening for an instant like diamonds in the early morning sun. Then she dropped to her knees so suddenly that Rick lurched forward, splashing coffee as he looked down for a place to leave the heavy mug before he rushed to her aid.

He needn’t have bothered. From the deck of the cottage to his left, a huge yellow dog was bounding down the wooden stairs two at a time in a mad dash to the woman. She stretched out her arms to the animal just before the happy hound collided into her, rolling her into the sand. The woman’s laugh floated on the ocean breeze. Rick straightened, still grasping his cup of coffee and stepped back into the shadows cast over his deck by the second-floor balcony. From his vantage point, he watched the woman ruffle the dog’s fur, the animal prancing and shaking in spasms of pure pleasure. When had he ever experienced such unfettered joy? Rick couldn’t remember. A long, long time ago…maybe.

Who was she? The owners of the cottage next door were an older couple who spent half the year in Florida and half the year on the Shore. Could she be a granddaughter or niece? Or had the couple decided to rent this year? Rick made a mental note to contact his property manager who handled many of the shore homes and make inquiries. He had not planned on having to deal with a stranger; he just wanted some peace and quiet.

The woman and dog were walking up from the water’s edge. Rick eased toward the open doors of his living room, thinking to disappear into the shadows. He just didn’t feel like an early morning encounter with anyone, certainly not the mermaid with those incredible legs who was ambling slowly in his general direction. He stopped suddenly when something caught the corner of his eye. A glint of sunlight on metal. He reached for his pistol, but his waistband was empty. Damn. What is that woman doing with a diving knife strapped to her right bicep? Who the hell is she?

Review

I can’t imagine what it is like for those in the military that see battle and the stress that surrounds the jobs that they perform to protect our country.  This book gives us a little insight into PTSD for Britt and Rick and how it is not quite the same for each person.  I thought their stories were well told – from what they experienced to how it currently affects them both physically and mentally.  They both have trust issues that they work through with each other and with the help of some four legged friends, especially a horse named Kip.  When I was reading the book, I wondered where the horse came into play that was on the cover.  It is halfway or more through the book before you understand why there is a horse on the cover.

There are some descriptive sex scenes and a fair amount of foul language.  Just a heads up in case you don’t like to read this in your book.  I think some of it was appropriate but there are also a part where I felt like it was on the fringe of BDSM.  However, knowing how both characters had control issues it was not too surprising to have this sort of scene.

We give it 3 1/2 paws up.

About the Author

Morgan Malone is the pen name of a retired lawyer who turned in her judicial robes to write romantic memoir and sexy contemporary romance, which always features silver foxes and the independent women who tame them.

Morgan fell in love with romantic heroes after reading her mother’s first edition of “Gone with the Wind” when she was 12 years old. Rhett Butler became the standard by which she measured all men. Some have met the mark, most have failed to even come close and one or two surpassed even Rhett’s dark and dangerous allure.

Morgan lives near Saratoga Springs, NY with her beloved chocolate Lab. She can be found on occasion drinking margaritas and dancing at local hostelries, but look for her most often in independent book stores and the library, searching for her next great love in tales of romance, history, adventure and lust. When she can’t find the perfect man, she retreats to her upstairs office and creates him, body and soul, for her pleasure and for yours. Remember: love, like wine, gets better with age.

Website | Twitter | Facebook

Synopsis

Susan Mallery, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Fool’s Gold romances, proves there’s nowhere better than Happily Inc to rekindle first love.

Silver Tesdal has a head for business and a mouth made for kissing, and banker Drew Lovato has his eye on both. But ever since he was dumb enough to let her go, she’s kept him at a distance. When the bank turns her down for a loan, Drew sees a double opportunity—he can finance her brilliant, unique idea to rock Happily Inc’s wedding industry and win back her trust.

Despite her reputation, Silver’s not as tough as she seems. Losing Drew nearly destroyed her. Still, his kisses are as tempting as his offer to invest in her business. If she can’t quite get over him, maybe she should get under him and knock him out of her system once and for all.

But her best laid plans begin to unravel as Silver finds herself falling even harder than when they were high school sweethearts. Which means that she’ll have to come clean about the secret she’s been hiding from him for years—and risk losing him forever.

Review

I probably say this on every review of this series, but I want to live in Happily Inc! This sounds like a wonderful small town and while not perfect has enough positive that draws me into the town.

I also love this story because I was part of a (large!) group that helped create one of the characters in the book and the basic storyline. This was at the author’s Girlfriend Getaway in 2017. We came up with Mr. Whiskers. I was rooting for a turtle, but a bunny won out. Either way, I really enjoyed seeing how the author took our ideas and weaved them into the story.

This book focuses on Silver and Drew. I admire Silver for everything she has gone through in her life and for creating AlcoHaul. What a unique idea for a business which fits perfectly into the town and Weddings Out of the Box. Drew has his own issues, mainly his mother. I am still shocked at how callous she is towards Drew and refusing to listen to what he wants from life. Thankfully his father is down to earth and can see what Drew really wants.

Silver and Drew have a past but they are able to work through it all. There are ups and downs, but if everything went smoothly with no issues then the book wouldn’t be as engaging. I was a little surprised at a few events near the end, but when I thought about how certain situations played out, it is probably for the best.

I also enjoyed a little peek into Jasper and Wynn’s life/relationship. There is a lot more to tell regarding Wynn and I can’t wait to hear her backstory. We know there is one based on her comments to Jasper and her rules for their relationship.

We give it 5 paws up