MacKenzie Decker was a question Avery never got to ask, much less answer.
They met when she was a young reporter fueled by ambition, and the ink on Deck's first NBA contract was barely dry. Years later, they've climbed so high and lost so much, but one thing hasn't changed. The attraction that simmered between them in a locker room before is still there. With success like theirs, everything has been possible... except them.
That was then.
But what about now?
*Hoops Holiday Collection consists of FULL-COURT PRESS, a HOOPS novella originally published in the TEAM PLAYER Anthology. It has been expanded with all-new, never-before-published content & epilogue.
The Christmas Spirit by Alexandrea Weis Published by: Rosewind Books Publication date: October 27th, 2020 Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
“Ghostly occurrences and ancient folklore make this feel like a modern, romantic twist on A Christmas Carol.” ~Library Journal
SOMETIMES IT TAKES ONE BROKEN HEART TO HEAL ANOTHER.
Courtney Winston is a writer on a deadline. Eager to finish her book and get over a recent break-up, she ditches Christmas with her family and retreats to a secluded cabin in the mountains.
Appliances rarely work, and cell service is spotty, but Courtney senses there is more to her rustic rental—something dark and haunting.
Then Peter, the attractive Stone Mountain Lodge owner, and a meddling cook, Mrs. Finn, keep coming around, shattering her peace and offering advice on how to fix her heavy heart.
Courtney grows closer to Peter, but Mrs. Finn warns her of his troubled past. Undaunted, Courtney sets out to win him over. But being with the brooding stranger may end up costing her more than she ever imagined.
Peter collected the chopped wood and set it on top of the pile against the house. Then he went around a corner, still not looking at her.
She waited on the step, refusing to go after him, but not mad enough to head inside and get out of the cold.
When he returned, he had three more heavy logs in his arms. Peter dumped them by the stump, keeping his eyes on the wood.
“Good morning,” she said, unable to stand the silent treatment any longer.
He ignored her and set one of the logs on the stump. He lifted his ax, centering the blade over the wood.
The ax came down, perfectly splitting the log in two. He worked methodically as he retrieved one of the halved pieces.
Another thunk cleaved the wood into smaller portions.
“Are you still mad about me beating you?”
He collected the pieces and brought them to her woodpile, keeping quiet.
She folded her arms, growing annoyed.
“I didn’t do anything to you that isn’t done a hundred times a day in any hockey rink across the country.”
He picked up another log and set it on the stump.
The heat in her cheeks rose. “Was leaving me in those woods your way of getting even? Well then, congratulations. One cheap shot deserved another.”
He lifted his ax and ran his hand up and down the handle. “I didn’t leave you. I made sure you could follow me back.”
“Am I supposed to be grateful to you for scaring me to death?”
He poised the ax blade above the log. “You’re not dead. Not even close.”
A loud crack reverberated as the ax drove into the wood.
A slither of satisfaction coiled through her when the blade got stuck halfway through the log.
With one arm, he picked up the ax and slammed the jammed log against the stump, but the stubborn log held on. Peter’s cheeks reddened as he raised the ax again and kicked at the determined chunk of wood.
“You need to sharpen your ax,” she said in a matter-of-fact tone.
He finally looked up at her. “What would you know about chopping wood?”
She smirked. “I know a dull tool when I see one.”
Her point made, Courtney turned back into the cabin, leaving him to stew.
But the moment she shut the door, it flew open. He stood in the doorway, the vexation in his eyes mirrored the knots in her stomach.
He put his hands on the doorframe, digging his nails into the wood. “I’m not mad about the game. I’m not a child.”
She pulled her robe closer. “Then why are you acting like one?”
The harsh lines in his brow softened. “I should never have come to you. I should have stayed away and left you alone in this cabin.”
Her first reaction was to balk at his confession, but then the meaning behind his words sank in, hitting her harder than any blow from his ax.
“Is that why you ran off the other day? Because you regretted knowing me?”
“I could never regret that. You have been a shining light in my very dark world.”
Author Bio:
Alexandrea Weis, RN-CS, PhD, is a multi-award-winning author, screenwriter, advanced practice registered nurse, and historian who was born and raised in the French Quarter of New Orleans. Having grown up in the motion picture industry as the daughter of a director, she learned to tell stories from a different perspective. Infusing the rich tapestry of her hometown into her novels, she believes that creating vivid characters makes a story moving and memorable.
Weis writes romance, mystery, suspense, thrillers, supernatural, and young adult fiction and has sold approximately one million books. She lives with her husband and pets in New Orleans where she is a permitted/certified wildlife rehabber with the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries and rescues orphaned and injured animals.
She is a member of both the International Thriller Writers Association and the Horror Writers Association. www.AlexandreaWeis.com
Frosting Her Christmas Cookies by Alina Jacobs Publication date: November 17th, 2020 Genres: Adult, Comedy, Holiday, Romance
Dear Santa, I do not want a Frost brother for Christmas.
In fact I do not want anything for Christmas—no annoying Christmas carols, no holiday family drama, and no last-minute presents.
And I certainly don’t want to be a bachelorette in The Great Christmas Bake-Off. Yes in the spirit of holiday commercialism, the bake-off is also a date-off and Jonathan Frost is the prize.
I should be hiding away with wine and snacks while waiting for Christmas to end. Instead I’m wearing a reindeer mascot costume and pretending I’m oh-so-excited to meet New York City’s most eligible billionaire bachelor!!! Just look at those blue eyes and six-foot-five tall frame!!! Don’t you want to take him home for the holidays?!?!!
Barf.
Unlike the other bachelorettes, I refused to debase myself and stroke some billionaire’s ego.
Instead, I threw a candy-cane dildo at his stupidly handsome face.
Then I laughed when he yelled at me.
Of course Jonathan couldn’t take the hint. He came around offering to put a little frosting on my Christmas cookies.
I attempted to shank him with a spatula.
He got offended and said that as a judge on The Great Christmas Bake-Off, he was just trying to help.
Sure…
Not that I’m looking for holiday romance.
Christmas is already a stressful time of the year without adding a billionaire in the mix.
Between dodging bake-off sabotaging cousins, applying for a long-shot prestigious museum internship, and trying to survive being broke in Manhattan, I’m up to my black lipstick in my own special nightmare before Christmas.
And it’s making me wound tighter than a nutcracker.
So when Jonathan offers to put some frosting on my cookies—and a few other ornament shaped parts—his washboard abs and sexy smirk start to seem like the perfect stress relief.
Especially when he offers himself all wrapped up in a bow.
So no, dear Santa, I do not want Jonathan Frost, but I won’t say no to his Christmas package!
Frosting Her Christmas Cookies is a standalone holiday romantic comedy. If you love Christmas baking, hilarious holiday hijinks, and a big thick Christmas stocking, then pick up this full-length, steamy romance novel! There are no cliffhangers but there is a very merry (Christmas!) ever after!
I stiffened. “I need it after dealing with you,” I said to Jonathan.
“I can’t have you in here ruining the atmosphere,” he said, spinning the barstool around to have me face him. “You’re like roadkill that dragged herself in here.”
“Ah yes, because a billionaire with delusions of adequacy is someone whose opinion I care about,” I shot back.
“I am way more than adequate,” he said, striking a pose. The glow from the expensive fixtures highlighted the slight bruise on his perfect face.
I smirked slightly.
“Like something you see?” Jonathan asked.
“Just that dildo-shaped bruise on your face,” I replied, sipping my drink. “Your company has our first meeting all over its feed. Better than the basic images you have up there now. At least people can laugh at the spit flying out of your mouth when you ran into my candy cane instead of dying from boredom at those images you’re posting.”
“You’re just jealous,” Jonathan retorted, eyes narrowing as he leaned over me. “I have one of the best marketing firms in the city working on my social media push.”
“Guess you can’t buy good taste,” I said, draining my drink.
“Says the woman wearing a reindeer costume,” Jonathan shot back. He reached out and hooked two fingers right at the neckline of the costume, pulling me forward slightly. “At first I thought you were wearing it under duress, but you’re still parading around in it. Like you said, you can’t buy taste.”
“Oh my god! Don’t touch my sister, creep!”
Now Lilith shows up.
Our friend Emma was hovering behind her.
Jonathan jerked his hand back then looked between Lilith and me wildly.
“Holy shit. Of course you’re creepy identical twins.”
Lilith and I glared in unison—or tried to. Lilith was dressed in her standard gothic garb, while I was bedecked for Christmas.
Jonathan turned on his heel to leave then looked over his shoulder at me. “I’d tell you good luck on the competition, but after your little stunt, everyone is going to put you in last place.”
Author Bio:
If you like steamy romantic comedies with a creative streak, then I'm your girl!
Architect by day, writer by night, I love matcha green tea, chocolate, and books! So many books...
Sign up for my mailing list to get the free novella, AFTER HIS PEONIES, along with special bonus content, giveaways, and more!
http://alinajacobs.com/mailinglist.html
1) What gave you
the inspiration for the storyline?
In 2014, the idea popped
in my head … a woman in a gift wrapped box in front of a hotel door. I was
working on my Urban Fantasy, so the idea was placed on a back burner.
Every Christmas season would
spark more ideas for the story. I wrote a chapter here and there, but it wasn’t
until 2017 when I had shoulder surgery did I get the drive to get it done.
While recovering, I watched tons of Christmas romances!
2) Are there any hidden (or not so hidden) themes in the book that you hope
readers will discover?
Just the flavor and style
of Louisiana – from New Orleans to Baton Rouge!
3) Are any of the characters based on real people you know?
Maybe unconsciously but
not intentionally.
4) Who has influenced you most as a writer?
Heather Graham! I spent many years going to Heather’s Writers
for New Orleans retreat. She had many famous writers host workshops from David
Morrell (author of Rambo) to little ole me. She is so friendly to
everyone and shares her knowledge with all!
5) If you could have any three literary characters over to your place for game
night, who would you invite, what would you play, what would you serve, and
why?
Jo Marsh from Little
Women. I’ve loved this character since I first read the story when I was in my
teens. I relate to her on so many levels
– name, spirit, writer, etc.
Anita Blake, Vampire
Hunter from Laurell K. Hamilton’s book series because she would keep the game
players in-line with her kick-butt self.
Lestat from Anne Rice’s
novels, Interview With a Vampire, because he would make the game fun and
interesting.
We would have to play
Phase Ten, eat pizza and drink wine, beer and for Lestat – blood.
6) Do you feel that you can ever have too many books?
Never! Books are the gateway to other worlds. They
allow escapism from your troubles and worries.
They free your mind and clear your head.
Author Bio:
Josephine Templeton has six published novels that range from historical romance to urban fantasy. She has been to numerous conferences, including Heather Graham’s Writers for New Orleans, as well as a former member of Romance Writers of America.
Write Christmas by Thommy Hutson Published by: Rosewind Books Publication date: December 1st, 2020 Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Fantasy
“[A] heartwarming fantasy … Christmas enthusiasts will find this hits the spot.” ~Publishers Weekly
A contemporary, holiday fantasy with a new twist on A Christmas Carol and It’s A Wonderful Life.
Abby Nicholson used to love Christmas. Until she didn’t.
After leaving Winter Glen, the small town famous for its Christmas celebration and her family’s greeting card company, Abby is forced to return to the home she left behind when the unexpected passing of her father thrusts the business into her hands.
Turning her back on the magic of the holiday beloved by her father and the town, she decides to sell the business. Signing the paperwork with the very pen her father used to create it, she is shocked to discover her hometown has become a whole new world.
One where Christmas has vanished!
Now stuck in a place devoid of hope, joy, and the spirit of the season, Abby sees family and friends altered in the most terrible of ways.
Determined to set things right, though unsure how, Abby takes out her father’s pen and begins to draw. When she realizes her art is coming to life, she sets out to recreate the holiday and bring back the most wonderful time of the year.
But some are determined to keep an iron grip on the town and will do anything in their power to stop her.
1) What gave you
the inspiration for the storyline?
--Christmas is my
favorite time of the year and has always been such an incredibly important part
of my life. The memories I have from growing up and the traditions I continue
mean so much. All of that had me wondering what would happen if all of that went
away. Not just currently, but forever: the memories, the feelings, the spirit
of the season. What would happen if it ceased to exist? Who would I be? Who
would those around me become? The answer to that was the story.
2) Are there any hidden (or not so hidden) themes in the book that you hope
readers will discover?
--I don’t know that
anything is hidden. Themes of love, family, and finding happiness right where
you are certainly resonate on the surface. Underneath it all is doing the right
thing for yourself doesn’t mean doing it at the expense of others. Finding a
way to come together to cherish what you love most, with those you love most,
is important, necessary, and something to work toward.
3) Are any of the characters based on real people you know?
--Not directly, but
there are always little pieces of real people—the things they say, do, or how
they feel—in my characters. I want the characters to feel like people I know
and understand so the reader can get to know and understand them.
4) Who has influenced you most as a writer?
--I have so many
names to answer this question, and they can change every day as different
writers come to mind, but right at this moment I’ll say: Ray Bradbury, William
Goldman, Charles Dickens, Jean Shepherd, David Levithan, Stephen King, Marjorie
Kinnan Rawlings, John Green, Lois Duncan, S.E. Hinton, William Golding, H.G.
Wells, and Wes Craven. So, so many!
5) Do you feel that you can ever have too many books?
--This is a
rhetorical question, right? J
Author Bio:
Thommy Hutson is a bestselling, award-winning author, screenwriter, producer, and director.
A graduate of UCLA, he began his career co-writing the story for the Warner Bros. animated hit SCOOBY-DOO IN WHERE’S MY MUMMY? He followed that with co-writing the concept and additional material for CHILL OUT, SCOOBY-DOO!
As an author, Thommy crafted a limited-edition coffee table book detailing the making and legacy of horror icon Wes Craven’s 1984 classic A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET. A trade version followed from Permuted Press/Simon & Schuster. His novel, the teen thriller Jinxed, (Vesuvian Books) is the first in a trilogy that has been called “A must-read for classic horror fans … Hutson could easily take on the mantle as the next Lois Duncan.” Hutson was named on the
7 Essential LGBTQ Horror Authors for Your Summer Reading Lists.
Thommy wrote the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries original film, A CHRISTMAS FOR THE BOOKS, which was the highest-rated scripted program the night it premiered. He co-scripted the teen thriller INSTAFAME (Lifetime), wrote a screenplay for an audio holiday project, and is in development on a family feature film. In addition, Thommy produced the critically acclaimed feature THE TROUBLE WITH THE TRUTH, an insightful relationship drama starring Lea Thompson and John Shea. He also produced DREAMWORLD, a quirky, romantic dramedy. He has also worked as a staff writer on a Hulu web series.
A member of the Producers Guild of America, a Saturn and Home Media Magazine award-winner, and an aficionado of holiday films as well as teen movies from the 80s and 90s, Thommy continues to develop unique, compelling, and provocative projects across multiple genres for film, television, publishing, and home entertainment.
from New York Times bestselling author Erin Nicholasis available now!
Paige Asher likes her men the way she likes her coffee: hot, slightly sweet, and only to-go.
The hot friend-of-a-friend she had a scorching single night with was just about perfect--tall, rugged, with a sexy drawl... and on the road out of town by six a.m. the next morning. Long before her mom could start picking out wedding flowers.
But now she can't stop thinking about the Louisiana boy. His texts make her smile and she suddenly has a craving for gumbo all the time... hot and spicy and far from home.
Mitch Landry had no idea Iowa would be so hospitable to a visitor. He knew the Midwest had a reputation for friendliness but his welcome gift — a sassy, sweet blond who is as no-strings-attached as he is — was a dream come true six months ago.
But why is he still texting her? And why did he jump at the chance to come back to Iowa? And why is he so annoyed by her obvious phobia to commitment this time around? And why is he pretty sure leaving Paige this time is going to be one of the hardest things he's ever done?
Damn, is this what falling in love feels like?
Oh, fu... fudge.
* a cross-over between the Hot Cakes series and Boys of the Bayou series
* a prequel to Boys of the Bayou #6
~ BOOK REVIEW for Oh, Fudge ~
****(4) out of 5
And finally we get Mitch's story! Well, the start of it, at least. Since the beginning of the Boys of the Bayou series, I've watched and wondered about Mitch. He's so laid-back and easy-going, and sometimes even seems to just blend into the background. Especially around his cousins, all of whom were busy finding (and often times fighting) their happily-ever-after in the last few months of the books' timeline. But Mitch always seems to be around when he's needed, and doesn't mind pitching in to help however he can.
And then there is Paige, whom we've gotten to know a little at a time through the Hot Cakes series. She's a little different, especially for her small Iowa hometown. And she prides herself on being independent, as well as a bit standoffish. But Paige genuinely cares for her friends and family, even while being totally annoyed at how nosy and pushy they can be.
When these two get together, the chemistry is explosive. There is also something more there than just the physical though, and they both feel it. A bit surprisingly, or maybe not, Paige gets spooked by it much more so than Mitch. Eventually, they both come to realize how they feel and what it might mean...
...and now we have to wait for the follow-up novel! Since this was just a prequel introduction to their story. It was definitely enough to draw me in though, and make me early anticipate the conclusion of their story!
I received a free eBook copy of this title from the author and Social Butterfly PR,
and have willingly provided an honest review.
Download your copy today!
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2H6im1J
Apple Books: https://apple.co/3dy3zbX
Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/ohfudge
Nook: https://bit.ly/351EEdc
Kobo: https://bit.ly/31ecs5P
Add OH, FUDGE to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3meK9fD
Excerpt
“You’ll do anything I want?” he asked, his voice rough and his eyes hot. “Definitely.” “How hot is the fudge?” Her eyes widened. “Hot. Too hot for smearing on body parts,” she said, reading his mind. One side of his mouth curled. “Damn.” “But,” she said, “I have some fudge we could heat up a little.” “You have some already made?” he asked. “Why was I waiting for you to stir that up?” “The fudge I’ve already got is for you.” She felt her cheeks get a little pink. She was shy about this? She was naked at the moment, and he’d done a lot of intimate things to her already, but admitting she’d made him fudge made her blush? “You made me fudge?” Dammit. He looked pleased by that. He was so going to get the wrong idea. Especially when she told him the whole story. She sighed. “Yeah. I made it around Christmas. I was going to mail it to you but then… I changed my mind.” “You were going to send me fudge for Christmas?” he asked, his grin growing. He lifted a hand to her cheek. “Yes. But then I realized that you’d think it meant I liked you and was thinking about you,” she said with an eye roll. “Oh, sweetheart,” he said, his voice dropping and that drawl becoming more pronounced. “I know you like me and have been thinking of me.” He was cocky. A little. Not overly. Not obnoxiously. But enough to be… hot. She did like confident men. “Well, you can not think that the fact that it’s chipotle fudge means anything,” she said. His grin definitely grew with that. “You made me spicy fudge?” “Spicy and sweet go together really well.” He nodded, his grin turning into an almost smirk. “They sure do.” “But it was just something I wanted to try, and since you eat all that crazy spicy food I thought you were someone I could send it to.” “But then you realized that I’d think it meant you liked me.” She blew out a breath. “Yeah.” “Do you normally make chipotle fudge?” “No.” “Huh.” “You’re thinking it, aren’t you?” “That you like me? Yeah, I’m thinking it.”
About Erin Nicholas
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Erin Nicholas has been writing romances almost as long as she’s been reading them. To date, she’s written over thirty sexy, contemporary novels that have been described as “toe-curling,” “enchanting,” “steamy,” and “fun.” She adores reluctant heroes, imperfect heroines, and happily ever afters.
Erin lives in the Midwest, where she enjoys spending time with her husband (who only wants to read the sex scenes in her books), her kids (who will never read the sex scenes in her books), and her family and friends (who claim to be “shocked” by the sex scenes in her books).
Connect with Erin
Website: http://bit.ly/2NkB2uF
Facebook: http://bit.ly/2tdTM8e
Twitter: http://bit.ly/2QLd1Pr
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/3a3rnm4
Instagram: http://bit.ly/36NqV9y
Website: http://bit.ly/2FM3Doo
Stay up to date with Erin Nicholas by joining her mailing list:
Seth Loveless has been my weakness since I was sixteen years old.
One Last Time (Loveless Brothers, #5)
an all-new second chance romance with all the feels
from Roxie Noiris available now!
Two years ago, I moved back to my hometown. I started a business, bought a house, took up yoga, and went on hiatus from dating. Life is good. If I never had to see Seth, it would be perfect. After all, my history with my ex-boyfriend is anything but simple. It’s taken us years, but we’ve finally learned to live in the same town without killing each other. Is there an elaborate set of rules governing our every casual interaction? Yes. Do I still think dirty, off-limits thoughts every single time I see him buying apples at the grocery store? Of course. I’m only human, and Seth and I are practically experts at the two F’s: fighting, and… ...sleeping together. Still, we’re managing just fine. And then? He shows up at my sister’s wedding. The man looks like pure sex in a suit, handsome as the devil himself and twice as charming. Worse, he claims he’s my date. We flirt. We dance. We break every one of our carefully-crafted rules, and we… should stop. Too bad I’m having the time of my life. I know I should end it. After all the heartbreak, hurt, and anger we can’t be more than enemies. But Seth asks me for one more night. Just one night. Then, we’re back to being virtual strangers to each other. I know I should turn him down. I know this ends with my heart shattered into a million pieces. I know lunacy is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.
But I’ve always been bad at resisting a weakness.
One Last Time
is the final book in the Loveless Brothers series.
~ BOOK REVIEW for One Last Time ~
****(4) out of 5
And we finally get Seth's book! He is the last of the Loveless Brothers to have his story told (although we do get brief glimpses of it in prior volumes of the series). His tale is both more and less than I expected.
There was much less of the other brothers, family members, and assorted friends than I was hoping for. I especially would have appreciated a lot more Rusty. Granted, this WAS the tale of Seth and Delilah's love story, but come on: that kid is adorable! LOL!
This book was more though in that it was significantly longer than the others in the series, by about one hundred pages. Of course, there was a lot to go through here, both what happened between these two in the past that set the stage, as well as how that all brought them to the present and the issues with which they were dealing. At times though, the story did seem to drag bit, getting bogged down in quite a bit of boring minutia.
The basic story, however, was WAY more than I could have hoped for! Second-chance romance is not generally my thing. I always lament the time wasted and the accompanying pain that is often associated with it. In this case in particular, Seth and Delilah inflicted — both unintentionally and purposefully — a lot of agony on one another. But all that they go through does eventually bring them to a place where they are able to resolve things between them in a very good way.
This was definitely a good wrap-up to this fun and romantic series.
I received a free eBook copy of this title from the author and Social Butterfly PR,
and have willingly provided an honest review.
Download your copy today or read FREE in Kindle Unlimited!
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3gT9s3T
Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/OneLastTime
Add One Last Time to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/2ELsZ9h
EXCERPT
Delilah takes one more drink straight from the bottle..
“It’s a clockwork heart,” she says. “My stepmom still doesn’t know because it’s a giant tattoo right on my chest, and I think it might give her a stroke.”
A memory taps at me, floats into my brain: Delilah, holding a fruit basket at my front door, pulling her shirt to cover gauze.
“Seems like she’s about to know if I figured it out,” I say, taking the bottle back.
“She’s got better things to do right now,” Delilah says, shrugging.
I take a drink.
“Than stare at your tits?” I ask. “Like what?”
Right here, right now, I cannot think of a better pastime to save my life.
“I thought we were friends, Seth.”
“It’s a friendly stare,” I say, but I lift my eyes to her face. “Friends can’t look at tattoos?”
Suddenly the lights in the hall dip low, until they’re almost out, then slowly brighten. When they stop, they’re dimmer than they were before.
“How long have you had it?” I ask.
It’s so quiet in this hallway that I think I can hear the old house settling, each individual wooden slat shifting a millimeter down.
“Two years and change,” she says quietly, her eyes meeting mine.
My hand drifts to her waist, and she moves into me. A tiny, almost imperceptible movement, amplified until her warmth under my hand is all I can feel.
I can feel her breathing under my fingers. I can feel her heart beat, thumping away, and I force myself not to read into the timeline or into the tattoo.
Instead I lean into her, again. My face against hers, again, the feeling that my bones are dissolving at her nearness, the feeling that I’ve forgotten how to breathe.
“Do you have anything new?” she asks, her voice nearly a whisper.
“No tattoos,” I say, and I keep tracing the flowers on the lace with my fingertips, pressing into her soft flesh, and she puts her hand on my chest, her thumb sliding between the buttons on my shirt. I don’t know if it’s an accident or not, but either way, she doesn’t move it back.
“I did something stupid and got a new scar. It’s on my shoulder, I’ll show you if you want.”
Delilah gasps, the tiniest, slightest gasp.
“Right now?” she murmurs.
“Unless you’d rather see it later.”
Now her hand is on the tie that she loosened earlier, the lightest pressure pulling against the back of my neck.
“What else?” she asks.
“That’s all.”
“Two years and nothing else has changed?”
I haven’t been with anyone else. I haven’t even kissed anyone else, not since the last time we were together, not since she moved back to town.
Before, when she was hundreds of miles away, I could push her from my mind. I could forget about her for hours at a time.
Now, that’s impossible.
“Two years, three months, and sixteen days,” I say, my voice rough and raw with the truth, and there’s a pull at the back of my neck as she pulls at my tie and finally, finally, I kiss her.
I feel like a stadium when the lights go out. Like a concert hall when the orchestra stops tuning and suddenly plays the first note of a symphony. The background noise stops and the note swells, shifts, breaks into harmony.
This is all there is.
About Roxie
I love writing sexy, alpha men and the headstrong women they fall for.
My weaknesses include: beards, whiskey, nice abs with treasure trails, sarcasm, cats, prowess in the kitchen, prowess in the bedroom, forearm tattoos, and gummi bears.
I live in California with my very own sexy, bearded, whiskey-loving husband and two hell-raising cats.
Connect with Roxie
Amazon: https://amzn.to/31ab2a6
Facebook: http://bit.ly/2YyYtDh
Twitter: http://bit.ly/2SRXTPK
BookBub: http://bit.ly/2owNy18
Join her reader group The Roxettes: http://bit.ly/2K5fRLU
Stay up to date with Roxie by joining her mailing list: http://bit.ly/2SVTlb7
Crimsy by Michael Martin Publication date: November 9th, 2020 Genres: New Adult, Science Fiction
A YOUNG SCIENTIST and her research team are thrust into a global battle for control of the greatest discovery in human history: a harmless bacteria that loves frozen saltwater — and lives on Mars.
_________________________
After enduring politics, Congress, marsquakes, dust storms, and landslides, PhD-to-be Jen Z and her research team hope their successful, years-long quest to find life on Mars is finally over.
But their biggest fight has just begun.
◆◆◆
“The you-know-what hit the fan when charming but feckless university lawyer Nathaniel Hawthorn showed up in my office. Someone was trying to patent our stupendous find, Crimsococcus halocryophilus.
“A simple microbe I gave a simpler nickname: Crimsy.
“I think it was the trillionaire investors who helped finance our mission, eager to prevent a repeat of the Martian Ground Wars, when every nation on this planet wanted their ‘fair share’ of the Red Planet: the rocks, dust – and fossils – Odysseus brought back. But a foreign space agency, Homeland Security, the Pentagon, even our own NASA might want patent protection, too.
“The patent filings triggered a law we’d never heard of, the Invention Secrecy Act. FBI agents showed up at my apartment, served my research team with cease-and-desist orders. Crimsy was now classified and would stay aboard Deep Space Gateway indefinitely.
“People called us crazy, said we were wasting taxpayer money, refused to believe. But we proved them wrong. And some fantastic developments after MarsMicro brought Crimsy to the space station make studying it on Earth all the more urgent.
“Our money, our jobs, our privacy, our lives. The muckety mucks holding Crimsy hostage control everything.
TOSSING, TURNING, ALMOST FLIPPING, the helidrone moved farther away from the canyon wall. As it pulled clear of the dust, our amorphous nemesis took shape.
“Holy—” another ground navigator (GN) exclaimed next to me.
“Jennifer: We’re witnessing the largest avalanche any human has ever laid eyes on,” Dr. Levitt said, in a hush meant only for me. It looked like the entire canyon wall was collapsing, and at incredible speed. “This is sand on ice, people,” she announced into her mic. “No friction to slow it like snow on snow.”
“Look!” I heard.
We saw the rover on the drone cam now, a tiny David fleeing the sliding Goliath.
“Turn! Turn! Turn! Turn! Turn!” I heard. The rover made a quick turn around a corner.
“Slide’s moving at a couple hundred,” the CGE said.
“If not faster,” Levitt said. “What’s our speed?”
“Holding at twenty five.”
As the helidrone lost sight of the rover, the rover’s own cams caught it hitting bumps that became ruts that became gullies, signs of increasing water flow. The GN throttled it back, but the chief ground engineer put his hand over the navigator’s hand and pushed the joystick forward. The rover slapped the ruts, then jumped over what looked like a sandbar, landing hard and spinning. The cameras cut out and my earphones went crazy.
“What’d we hit?”
“What was that?”
“All communications offline.”
“Systems down.”
The drone cam’s screen was screwed up, too. Static and snow replaced clear images.
“Where’s the drone? Bring it in.”
“Lost contact.”
“So am I interpreting right?” Levitt said. “We’re effed?”
“We’re not letting Hale off that easily,” Cooper said.
He can just be her friend and not commit the greatest sin of all…
asking her for forever.
Probably.
Save the date!
Four Weddings And A Swamp Boat Tour,
an all-new sweet and sexy Boys of the Bayou standalone romance
from New York Times bestselling author Erin Nicholas
is coming February 23rd, 2021, and we have the beautiful cover!
She’s been proposed to five times.
Five.
She even said yes to one of them.
And then broke his heart when she called it off. Not to mention her mother’s heart. And her grandmother’s. And his mother’s. And… you get the picture.
Paige Asher has now officially sworn off all dating. Diamonds give her hives.
All she wants is to be a yoga-doing, cat-collecting, vegetarian in peace. Away from her marriage-crazy family and all their expectations.
So when her weekend fling turns into a real friend and offers her a place to escape, she finds herself on his doorstep in Louisiana. And right in the middle of not just one family wedding, but three. Of course.
Charming, sexy bayou boy Mitch Landry gets stuff done. Whatever anyone needs. From alligator-sitting to getting a buddy drunk to showing a woman a good time to fixing a swamp boat, he’s the man. No problem. No drama.
But he wants a hell of a lot more from Paige than a temporary friends-with-benefits arrangement. He wants to take care of her. And her five cats. He also really wants other men to stop asking her to marry them.
But if a roommate and a few orgasms are all she wants, that’s what he’ll deliver.
He can just be her friend and not commit the greatest sin of all… asking her for forever.
Probably.
Pre-order your copy today!
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3ex1Ggt
Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/fourweddings
Apple Books: https://apple.co/2Ia5VST
Nook: https://bit.ly/38ertJ8
Kobo: https://bit.ly/3l60HWN
Google Play: https://bit.ly/2U4n3fD
Add FOUR WEDDINGS AND A SWAMP BOAT TOUR to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3k4ho3F
Cover Designer: Angela Waters
Photographer: Wander Aguiar
About Erin Nicholas
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Erin Nicholas has been writing romances almost as long as she’s been reading them. To date, she’s written over thirty sexy, contemporary novels that have been described as “toe-curling,” “enchanting,” “steamy,” and “fun.” She adores reluctant heroes, imperfect heroines, and happily ever afters.
Erin lives in the Midwest, where she enjoys spending time with her husband (who only wants to read the sex scenes in her books), her kids (who will never read the sex scenes in her books), and her family and friends (who claim to be “shocked” by the sex scenes in her books).
Connect with Erin
Website: http://bit.ly/2NkB2uF
Facebook: http://bit.ly/2tdTM8e
Twitter: http://bit.ly/2QLd1Pr
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/3a3rnm4
Instagram: http://bit.ly/36NqV9y
Website: http://bit.ly/2FM3Doo
Stay up to date with Erin Nicholas by joining her mailing list:
