RELEASE BLITZ & BOOK REVIEW "Savage (Wolf Ranch, #4)" by Renee Rose & Vanessa Vale

Savage (Wolf Ranch, #4)

by Vanessa Vale & Renee Rose

Published: July 23rd, 2020

Pack Rule #4: Guard your pups with your life

We hooked up one night at Cody’s Saloon.

The beautiful nurse wanted a ride and I’d given it to her.

Made her scream and sent her home happy.

She didn’t tell me there’d been consequences.

She’d kept her secret close. For months.

But what she didn’t know could change everything.

That baby she carried wasn’t human.

And this wolf would never walk away from his pup.

She may not want me in her life, but that was too bad.

I was moving in—watching over her and providing for my family.

She was under my protection now.

Whether she wanted it or not.

Whether she wanted me or not.

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~ BOOK REVIEW for Savage ~

****(4) out of 5 Stars

Just when I thought this series was over, because we'd run out of brothers... along comes this little tale about Clint, one of the ranch hands at Wolf Ranch.  He meets Audrey's friend Becky and is immediately smitten.  Due to a broken nose, however, he doesn't scent her or recognize her as his mate.  Nope, that doesn't happen until several months later when he just happens to run into her at the grocery store.  By then, she has known for awhile that she's pregnant with his child, but hasn't made any move to notify him.  Not that she could have gotten ahold of him, being that he was out of town on enforcer business.  And... things actually just get more complicated from there.  There are a bunch of twists and turns in this volume that I did not anticipate.  All of which really kept the story interesting and moving forward at a good clip.  

The connection between Clint and Becky is evident to everyone, as is his desire to take care of her and their child.  Due to her own baggage from her childhood, however, she is quite reluctant to allow Clint to be involved.  She ends up needing his involvement and protection though, and so does eventually let him in much more than she had planned.  But when his various secrets come to light, it definitely puts a strain on their budding relationship and the prospects of their future.  Even more so than was the case with other guys from Wolf Ranch and their human mates.  

The peripheral characters here are great.  It's always wonderful to see updates from couples of prior books in the series, as well as get to know better some of the other minor players.  Clint's Mom Janet was probably my favorite, especially when she just took Becky under her wing and became more of mom to her instantly than her own had ever been.    

This was a great, easy, hot, read with a wonderful, feel-good ending.  With any luck, there might even be additional volumes in this series, since there are still plenty of ranch hands, family and friends around who need to find their own forever mates.  

I received a free eBook copy of this title from L. Wood PR, 

and have willingly provided an honest review.

About the Authors:

USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR RENEE ROSE is a naughty wordsmith who writes kinky romance novels. Named Eroticon USA’s Next Top Erotic Author in 2013, she has also won The Romance Reviews Best Historical Romance, and Spanking Romance Reviews’ Best Historical, Best Erotic, Best Ageplay and favorite author. She’s hit #1 on Amazon in the Erotic Paranormal, Western and Sci-fi categories. She also pens BDSM stories under the name Darling Adams. To receive FREE Renee Rose books, click here.

Connect with Renee!

Website: http://www.reneeroseromance.com/

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5895073.Renee_Rose

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/reneeroseromance

Instagram: http://instagram.com/reneeroseromance

Vanessa Vale is the USA Today bestselling author of sexy romance novels, including her popular Bridgewater historical romance series and hot contemporary romances. With over one million books sold, Vanessa writes about unapologetic bad boys who don't just fall in love, they fall hard. Her books are available worldwide in multiple languages in e-book, print, audio and even as an online game. When she's not writing, Vanessa savors the insanity of raising two boys and figuring out how many meals she can make with a pressure cooker. While she's not as skilled at social media as her kids, she loves to interact with readers.

Connect with Vanessa!

Website: www.vanessavaleauthor.com

Newsletter: http://freeromanceread.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vanessavaleauthor

Instagram: https://instagram.com/vanessa_vale_author

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2h5ZDG0

BOOK BLITZ for "The Art of Serendipity" by Karen Anne

The Art of Serendipity
by Karen Anne
Publication date: July 21st, 2020
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Lorelei Parker has her dream job teaching AP English at an elite prep school on the upper east side. Between her love of literature & moderating the school drama club, Lorelei is more than content. But when her star student is caught with drugs and expelled, Lorelei discovers life is about to become as complicated as one of her books. 

When a call from his ex-wife alerts him that his son has just been kicked out of the prestigious Astley Academy, Jack Flynn’s quiet life on his ranch in North Carolina is uprooted. Not knowing how to fix Brodie’s shattered senior year, he takes his son under his wing, hoping life on the ranch and some hard work will be a way to reach the son he feels he’s lost. 

The last thing Lorelei expected was an email from Jack Flynn asking her advice on how to help his son, Brodie. So begins an email exchange between the two that unlocks a secret, a way to get Brodie back on track, and a budding romance that can only be described as serendipity.

Goodreads / Amazon

Excerpt:

He got out of the stall and walked close to me. I drew in a breath as I took him in. He had on a blue button down chambray shirt with the sleeves rolled up and black jeans.
He walked right up to me, and for a minute, I thought he was going to kiss me, but he didn’t. He just stared into my eyes long enough to make my stomach do a flip. “How’d you sleep?” he asked, and I was surprised by his question.
“Great. Woke up early.”
“Me too.” His gaze fell to my mouth, and I felt that pang of longing remembering what it was like to be in his arms last night, to have his full lips move across mine. “Are you ready to meet the other horses?” he asked, and I blinked back at him, registering the fact that he still wasn’t kissing me.
“Uh, yeah.”
He walked around the bend to another row of stalls. “We have twenty-four horses on the ranch, including little Rosie. Of those, fifteen are used for riding lessons, trails and so forth.”
Jack walked down the aisle, pointing out the various breeds and discussing their personalities. He knew so much about each individual horse, just as I could easily discuss any of my students at length.
“This is Annabelle. Very sweet temperament. She’s seven years old, knows the trail well. She won’t get you lost, so don’t you worry.”
“I’m sorry, what?”
“I wasn’t sure if you had ever been on a horse before, so I wanted to pick one you’d be very comfortable on.”
“You want me to ride her?”
“Well, yeah. This is a ranch.” He rested a hand on his belt buckle and laughed. “How else did you think we’d get up the mountain?”
“I thought we were going to hike up the mountain.”
Jack glanced down at my boots. “And those are the boots you chose for hiking?”
My ears prickled with heat. I glanced down at Jack’s boots, noting the spurs. “Why didn’t you say we’d be horseback riding?”
“I’m sorry. I really thought it was obvious, but if you don’t want to then we don’t have to.”
“No… I want to.” I didn’t sound convincing.
“Have you ever ridden before?”
“Sure, when I was in fourth grade and the girl scouts took us to a dude ranch but halfway through one of the horses got spooked and stood up on its hind legs. There was a lot of screaming, and we all had to turn around and head back. Oh, and another time I rode a camel at a Renaissance fair, but it was just in a circle, and there was a guy leading the camel by a rope.”
“Well, a camel isn’t a horse. I think this experience will be a lot better.” He opened the gate in front of Annabelle’s stall and led her out. “She’s already been saddled. Go ahead, say hello.”
I laid my hands on her chestnut coat. The horse didn’t so much as flinch when I touched her, making me feel invisible. She was beautiful and powerful and apparently going to carry me up a mountain.
Jack led another horse out of a stall. It was pitch black and much bigger than Annabelle. He was magnificent. “Who’s this?”
“This is Midnight. He’s Rosie’s father.”
“Is Pebbles going to be upset to discover her man is out with another woman?”
“We won’t tell.” He took my purse off of my shoulder. “You won’t need this.” He walked over to the far wall and hung the purse on a hook then took a black helmet down and handed it to me. “Put this on. It straps under your chin.”
I took the helmet from his hands and frowned like a child. “You’re not wearing a helmet.”
“I’ve been riding since I could walk, and Midnight knows me. I raised him. I know every bend and dip in the trail.” He took the helmet from my hands, placed it on my head, and fastened the buckle beneath my chin. “You, my dear, are about to have a maiden voyage, and I can’t take a risk with such precious cargo.”
He held my face up by my chin, studying me for a moment. My heart rate began to accelerate. Whatever Jack Flynn was doing, he was quite good at it. I really hoped I pulled off equestrian chic in that hat. At the very least, I’d settle for cute. He winked and dropped his hand, releasing me from his physical hold, but mentally, I was tethered to Jack and blindly about to trust him as he led me up a mountain.

Author Bio:

Karen Anne was writing before she could read. As a toddler, she sat with a book in her hands and made up the stories, eager for the day when she'd find out if it all truly ended in happily ever after. Karen still determines the destiny of other people's lives, but this time, the characters are her own. 

She is a Contemporary Romance author who lives in New York.

Coffee drinker by day, wine enthusiast by night, she loves cats and deeply misses 90's grunge.

Facebook / Goodreads

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RELEASE BLITZ for "The Hot Cooler (Girl Power Collection)" by Rayne Elizabeth

The Hot Cooler
(Girl Power Collection)
by Rayne Elizabeth

Releasing: July 21st, 2020

Kole Arceneaux is the lead guitarist and singer with the band, Patchwork. The band has booked an awesome tour traveling for the summer up the coast of sunny California. Little did this southerner know he would meet the woman of his dreams.

MacKenzie ‘Mac’ Decker is a former Naval intelligence officer and head bouncer for The Haze. Damaged by trauma and taught to hold her own, she isn’t used to being reliant on a man. She didn’t know what hit her when she fell into Kole’s lap, literally.

She’s strong. He’s a southern gentleman. She’s independent. He’s a protector.

Will Kole be able to handle a woman who can hold her own? Will Mac let Kole be her knight in shining armor? Will chivalry win the heart of this Hot Cooler?

Amazon / Goodreads

____________________

The Girl Power Collection is a celebration of feminism in an unprecedented manner and will serve as an inspiration for millions of readers across the globe.

Over the years, men that have made landmark achievements in different facets of life have often been celebrated with very little stories about bad ass women that have excelled in their respective positions. While there are some works that highlight the fantastic achievements of women in powerful positions, there is no particular project exclusively dedicated to celebrating the “girl power.”

The compilation contains short stories with the theme of Girl Power in whichever way the author defines it for herself and her readers. The 33 romance stories are narrated in a diverse yet entertaining and inspiring way and will be released in regular intervals throughout 2020.

BLOG TOUR & AUTHOR INTERVIEW with Shannon Klare for "Last Chance Summer"

Last Chance Summer
by Shannon Klare
Publication date: May 26th, 2020
Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult

In Shannon Klare’s fun and sexy YA novel Last Chance Summer, a teen is shipped off to work as a counselor at a summer camp―only to butt heads with her co-counselor.

Alex is a sheriff’s daughter with a less than pristine reputation. When she’s caught drinking at a party by her dad’s deputy, she’s in deep trouble. With an already incriminating incident in her past, Alex’s parents ship her off to her aunt’s summer camp to work as a counselor.

What’s worse than spending your summer deep in the mosquito-infested woods of Texas? 

Being paired with an obnoxious co-counselor who wants nothing to do with you. 

Alex is determined to make the best of her summer, even if it means putting up with Grant, who has secrets of his own that he’s determined to protect. Can Alex and Grant put their egos to the side and find the bright side of a summer that neither of them signed up for?

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

~ AUTHOR INTERVIEW with Shannon Klare ~

1) What inspired you to become a writer?

I think my inspiration to be a writer came primarily from my love of books, and my need to connect with different characters and personalities. I’m very much a people person, so for me to be able to create contemporary settings where characters are going through situations and life changes, relatable to others, was a dream. 

2) What was the hardest part of writing this book?

This book was in many ways a labor of love.  It was written, revised, lost completely (due to a destroyed hard drive), rewritten, revised again, and the list went on and on and on.  I think trying to keep focused on the story, despite all the setbacks, made this by far the most difficult writing experience I’ve ever encountered.  But, I truly believe the story would not be what it is now without all those steps.  The end result captured the story I wanted to tell, and I hope that shines through to the readers.

3) Did you learn anything from writing the book that you weren’t expecting?

Yes: writing without an audience is by far one of the most difficult parts of being a writer. Surviving Adam Meade, my debut novel, was written on an online platform.  I had constant feedback from readers and then, once I moved it to Swoon Reads, was able to get even more feedback. Writing Last Chance Summer, not receiving any feedback until the first round of editing, was terrifying and extremely hard. 

4) Who is your favorite author and what it is that you enjoy about their work?

I’m really into Dan Brown’s books.  I like the way he blends historical elements with the present, and interweaves both to create a setting that is believable and intriguing.  Even in his stories that don’t rely on history, I still appreciate his presentation of the plot and the way he draws in the reader.

5) If you could have any three literary characters over to your place for movie night, who would you invite, what would you watch, what would you serve, and why?

Ah!  This is a super hard question.  Top three would probably be: 1) Elizabeth Bennet  2) Gandalf  3) Robert Langdon.  That’s a super eclectic group, but Elizabeth Bennet is by far my favorite female literary character and would definitely be invited to the movie night.  Gandalf, on the other hand, is arguably one of the most powerful and wisest wizards in literature (yes I’m including Merlin in that assessment.)  He would be awesome to be around because he’s Gandalf, and he could help me fix the TV should we run into any issues…because magic.  Last, Robert Langdon because as I said earlier I’m really into Dan Brown’s books and therefore would undoubtedly want his lead character over for a movie night.

Dinner would consist of sushi, for sure California rolls and egg rolls, because this is my made up movie night and that is my favorite meal.  After dinner, we would grab a bowl of cherry vanilla ice cream and everyone would gather around and watch Lord of the Rings because for sure Gandalf would want to show how cool he is.  Besides, Robert and Elizabeth would probably be to busy debating which historical movie to watch to actually realize Lord of the Rings is already playing.

6) How many books would you say that you own?

Currently?  Somewhere around 50.

Author Bio:

Shannon Klare is a writer, teacher, reality TV fanatic, and movie connoisseur. When she isn’t writing or daydreaming new plots, Shannon can be found frequenting Starbucks or hanging out with her family. SURVIVING ADAM MEADE is her debut novel. 

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Blurb:

Kayleigh is starting a new life as the shy college freshman on an athletic scholarship. Tired of being the 'good little virgin girl', Kayleigh wants to explore more than just books in college.

Major is just your typical rich kid who's used to getting what he wants. Always looking for his next hot hookup, he doesn't expect to be caught up with the new girl on campus.

Upon meeting, sparks fly, but not in a good way. Kayleigh thinks he's a jerk and Major thinks she's extremely stuck-up. They agree to try to get along so he can teach the girls to surf. Their temporary agreement becomes more permanent when Kayleigh asks for Major's help with something that's very embarrassing for her. The sexual tension starts to rise as they get to know each other. Can they become more than friends or will their individual issues get in their way?

RELEASE BLITZ for "Love Bites (Girl Power Collection)" by Layla Delaney

Love Bites
(Girl Power Collection)
by Layla Delaney
Published: July 14, 2020

Corporal Imara Callas and her partner K9 Riddick are at the top of their game
when a traffic stop lands them in the middle of a SWAT investigation.

Meanwhile, SWAT Agent Steele Astor quickly discovers that his interest in
Corporal Callas goes far beyond professional.

Their sizzling connection is instant and mutual, but Imara will not allow them 

to get personal until she is certain Steele is exactly what she needs.

Amazon / Goodreads

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Layla is a full-time educator 
and is married with two children. 
Despite a very busy schedule,
she always immerses herself in books 
of various genres in her spare time.

What started as a random burst of creativity 
has blossomed into an extremely satisfying side gig 
that has yet to lose momentum. 
As long as the ideas keep coming 
and her friends still want to read, 
she will continue to write.

Additionally, with a few exceptions, 
the book covers are designed and drawn by Layla.

_____________________

The Girl Power Collection is a celebration of feminism in an unprecedented manner and will serve as an inspiration for millions of readers across the globe.

Over the years, men that have made landmark achievements in different facets of life have often been celebrated with very little stories about bad ass women that have excelled in their respective positions. While there are some works that highlight the fantastic achievements of women in powerful positions, there is no particular project exclusively dedicated to celebrating the “girl power.”

The compilation contains short stories with the theme of Girl Power in whichever way the author defines it for herself and her readers. The 33 romance stories are narrated in a diverse yet entertaining and inspiring way and will be released in regular intervals throughout 2020. 

RELEASE BLITZ & BOOK REVIEW for "Bad for You (Rocktown Ink, #4)" by Sherilee Gray

Bad For You

(Rocktown Ink, #4)

by Sherilee Gray

The first time I saw Lila Cooper, I vowed to make her mine. 

She was dangerous—those big brown eyes saw far more in me 

than a biker good with his fists. Far more than I wanted her to see.

But I had to let her go. My screwed-up family destroys everything they touch, 

and my club sent me to clean up my brother's mess. I couldn't risk Lila getting hurt. 

So I hurt her instead, the woman who owned my heart.

Now she's determined to forget me. But I'll do anything for a second chance, 

even reveal the scars on my soul... 

~ BOOK REVIEW for Bad for You ~

****(4) out of 5 Stars

I was so excited when I heard about this book coming out!  I'd thought the last chapter, Meant for You, was the end of the line for the Rocktown Ink crew.  I was very glad to learn that I was wrong!  And Riff was one of those who I was especially concerned about, so it was great to discover what became of him.  

I was somewhat confused at the beginning of the book by all of the different names: Lila, Riff, Jesse, Bambi, Grifter.  It was all a bit confusing at first.  

Watching the relationship develop between Jesse and Lila, two seemingly very different people from totally different walks of life, but who were just made for each other, was delightful.  Especially when it was just the two of them together, they really clicked.  

However, as is often the case in such situation, there was an awful lot of outside influence that was very seldom condusive to their relationship.  This story contained an awful lot of angst and drama, way more sadness than I prefer in my stories.  But it was nice to see the somewhat offsetting support that each of the main characters received from their tribes when they needed it.  Luckily, their ending was ultimately a happy one, although it took a long, hard road to get there.

I received a free eBook copy of this title from the author,

and have willingly provided an honest review.

Goodreads / Amazon

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sherilee Gray is a kiwi girl and lives in beautiful New Zealand with her husband and their two children. When she isn't writing sexy, edgy contemporary and paranormal romance, searching for her next alpha hero on Pinterest, or fueling her voracious book addiction, she can be found dreaming of far off places with a mug of tea in one hand and a bar of Cadburys Rocky Road chocolate in the other. 

Christmas in July with FREE books!

The entire Curves for Christmas series is FREE from July 8-12, 2020!

Curves for Christmas:

Sleighing Mr. Right by Hope Ford

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His Sugarplum by Frankie Love

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B081SKXZDZ

Baby, It’s Hot in Here by Olivia T. Turner

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0828ND2PD

Her First Noel by Dani Wyatt

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B082J42JQ2

BOOK REVIEW for "The Desert Midwife" by Fiona McArthur

The Desert Midwife

by Fiona McArthur

What if the love of your life forgot who you were?

When outback midwife Ava May meets Zac on a flight to Alice Springs, they tumble into a whirlwind affair. But an exciting adventure leads to a terrible accident, with shattering consequences. The couple who had so much going for them now find themselves with everything to lose.

Devastated, Ava retreats to her family cattle station to help salvage what she can of the critical situation. But at home on the drought-ridden farm, her brother is being pushed to his limits, and as his depression intensifies, Ava must step in to prevent another family tragedy.

Against the majestic backdrop of Australia’s Red Centre, old dreams are shattered, new babies are born and true love takes flight.

By Australia’s renowned midwife and bestselling author of Mothers’ Day, The Desert Midwife is a romantic drama about strong families, medical miracles and new beginnings.

~ BOOK REVIEW for The Desert Midwife ~

***(3) out of 5 stars

 The first five or so pages were a bit rough and somewhat off-putting, much like the male lead. But after that, everything flowed rather smoothly. The two romantic leads fit together quite well, and it seemed almost inevitable that they would be drawn to each other. The brief portion of the book dedicated to their insta-love romance was delightful. The remainder of the book, however, was just dark, dreary, and devoid of hope. I definitely cried much more than I smiled throughout this book.

Some of the chapters focused on peripheral characters, occasionally even going so far as to be narrated by one of them. Those instances were a bit distracting. And while they did give an overall feeling of the family and their daily life, they didn't really add to the main love story. Additionally, the romance between the mother and her beau was never fully explained, so it just left me wanting to know more about what transpired between them (past and present).

The dialogue seemed to flow very naturally between the characters for the most part, and generally helped advance the narrative of the love story. There were a few brief instances where I didn't catch the meaning of what was being said or was somewhat confused by things.

The ultimate ending was a good happily-ever-after one, but the near end seemed rather abrupt, with very little buildup to the ultimate resolution or aftermath.

About the Author:

Fiona McArthur has worked as a midwife for thirty years. She is the clinical midwifery educator inner rural maternity unit and teaches emergency obstetric strategies while working with midwives and doctors from remote and isolated areas.

Fiona has written more than thirty romances, which have sold over two million copies in twelve languages. She has been a midwifery expert for Mother and Baby magazine and is the author of Aussie Midwives. She has also written the novels Red Sand Sunrise, The Homestead Girls and Heart of the Sky. She lives on a farm in northern New South Wales.

BOOK BLITZ for "Oops, My Bad" by A.C. Pontone

Oops, My Bad
by A.C. Pontone
Publication date: July 6th, 2020
Genres: Adult, Comedy, Romance

The rules were simple—don’t fall for the handsome vet. Oops! Some rules are meant to be broken. 

The light turned red and suddenly my whole life changed. I found myself lying in the middle of the street with two little yellow eyes staring at me. 

Then he appeared. Logan. Tall, sexy, built. I’d prayed that Superman would show up to save me, but Logan’s even better. Except that he seems more interested in saving the cat I almost ran over. 

Since I can’t pay the vet bills for my unwelcome new guest, I’m forced to accept a job in his veterinary clinic as a receptionist. Not a great fit for someone who’s known since childhood that all animals have it in for her. And Logan seems to be more on their side than mine. 

Of course, there’s nothing that says I can’t also unfurl my claws and be a sex kitten for the hot veterinarian. He’s got just one rule: don’t get emotionally involved. 

Simple, no? 

Not when the damn test comes back positive. 

What can I say? Someone’s in trouble... and it’s not the cat. 

Oops, my bad.

Goodreads / Amazon

—

Only 99¢ for a limited time!

Excerpt:

I hate orange. I hate the cold. And I hate this stupid scooter.
Don’t get me wrong; usually I’m a sunny and positive person, but right now, with my butt frozen and a nose that’s redder than Rudolph’s, my positivity has vanished. Died. Disappeared. Been sucked into a big black hole. Or maybe been flushed down the toilet like the dead goldfish you have to quickly replace in order not to traumatize your little brother.
Not that I ever did that, you understand. Okay, maybe something like that might have happened once—or actually, ten times. I mean, it’s not my fault those dumb goldfish kept coming up to the surface with their creepy little mouths open. I thought they were hungry! Later I realized they’d decided on their own to put an end to their miserable little lives when they realized the grave error they’d made ending up in a bowl on a shelf above the dining-room table in the house where I also happened to live. So many tiny red Samurai soldiers committing seppuku, except with food instead of swords.
It was even kind of poetic. Except for the ending, where all that poetry ended up flushed down the toilet. The life of a goldfish is truly miserable. After the tenth suicide, my parents threw in the towel, something I would probably have done after the first one, and confessed to my little brother the tragic fate of his beloved pet.
I’m pretty sure he threw a thank-God-she’s-gone party when I finally left home to go to college. Now he has a whole aquarium full of multicolored fish. Oddly enough, none of them have ended up in the toilet.
Anyway, going back to the things I’m not happy with in my life, the color orange is probably first on the list. I mean, in what universe would a sane person willingly wear orange clothing? Stranger still, who came up with the idea that a pizza-delivery person should dress like a carrot that’s been regurgitated by Bugs Bunny? I admit I’ve looked worse, though. The Little Caesar’s uniform probably isn’t even one-tenth as hideous as the chicken costume I had to wear to advertise the chicken wings sold by—wait for it—El Pollo Loco! Quite an original idea, you must admit—dressing up as a chicken to promote the wings at Pollo Loco. Needless to say, I was fired before the end of my first week.
Anyway, now I’m a new version of myself. Now I’m a pizza-delivery person with a frozen ass and a stupid orange hat under my helmet. But as long as it pays the bills, I guess I can’t complain.
I have one last delivery to make and then I can finally go home, burrow under the covers, and sleep like a rock. If I manage to keep this job long enough to pay off my overdue bills, maybe in a couple of months I’ll even be able to take a shower with hot water! Or eat something that isn’t Cup O’Noodles. My mouth is watering already at the mere thought of getting to savor some real food. Maybe I can even splurge and buy myself a bottle of wine. I can already imagine myself lounging in my teensy bathtub submerged in bubbles, sipping a glass of Two-Buck Chuck.
With this comforting image in mind, I twist the accelerator and continue down Madison Avenue. The streets are almost deserted because there’s a blizzard blowing in right now, but the rich snobs on the upper East Side still want their pizza. They don’t care about the poor pizza delivery people, even though it’s January, for fuck’s sake, and cold as a witch’s tit.
What the fuck are they ordering pizza from Little Caesar’s for anyway? If I had enough money to afford an apartment in one of the most expensive areas of Manhattan, I would never order pizza from a place like Little Caesar’s. I’d have my own chef and eat delicious gourmet dishes every night. Shit, just thinking about food is making my stomach growl and my mouth water.
With a sigh, I accelerate even more. I’m not going to worry about speed limits on a night like this. Not that this scooter can go very fast anyway. At least I have my own transport—that is, during my shift. If I get a good tip on this last delivery I’ll go home on the subway. Otherwise I’ll walk from the pizza place to my apartment in East Harlem. Five blocks on foot, in January, at night, in New York City. The thought sends a shiver down my spine, literally.
Don’t make that face. I know I don’t exactly live in the most upscale neighborhood, but by this time you should have gotten the idea that I’m . . . probably poorer than the homeless man I just passed, sleeping on Fifth Avenue. The only difference is that I have a roof over my head—as long as I manage to keep this job, anyway.
I roar, or rather, putt up to an intersection. The light’s red, but there’s no one on the street and I really, really want to get this damn pizza delivered on time and possibly get a nice tip, so I floor it. Wouldn’t you know it, at that very moment a car appears out of nowhere. I jerk the handlebars and swerve, somehow managing to avoid crashing broadside into the door of the expensive SUV and becoming a large meatball squished against the window. There must be some invisible superhero watching over me.
The driver of the vehicle honks, shorthand for Look where you’re going, stupid bitch! Under other circumstances I might even apologize, but I really need that tip. So I turn my back on the big black SUV and putt-putt away.
The cold is making my eyes water and the scooter tires are skidding on the icy road. Right when I think I’ve finally arrived at my destination, two small yellow eyes suddenly appear out of the darkness right in front of me. I scream at them—to no avail, since the little beast doesn’t move. Instead, it sits down in the middle of the street and begins to lick a paw. Of course I’m driving too fast, and when I try to brake, I lose control and skid. Though I try to steer in the direction of the skid, I lose my balance and fall. I can’t tell if I hit the damn cat or not. All I know is that there’s a big rip in my uniform pants at the knee. I’m afraid to look; I’m pretty sure there’s a bad cut there as well. One side of my body is pulsating with pain, but at least my helmet served its purpose and protected my head. I’m alive, thank goodness, but I don’t see the cat anywhere. I can’t have the death of that poor feline on my conscience as well when I’m already haunted by the specters of those ten goldfish.
I feel tears pricking my eyes. I didn’t want to kill him! I’m not an animal-hater, really! I have nothing against them. They’re the ones that hate me. Still on the ground, the scooter lying on top of my leg, I begin to sob.
Then I hear it. A little meow right behind my head. It sounds mocking, contemptuous. The stupid cat is making fun of me. He’s safe and sound, while my ass is probably one big black bruise and I’ve got at least a dozen other scratches and bruises. “Aaarrgghh!” I scream like someone possessed. I have to get this fucking pizza delivered if I want to keep my job.
I need a miracle. Where’s Superman when you need him? I look around me and notice to my horror that the pizza box has opened up and spilled its contents onto the icy New York streets. Maybe if I can manage to get up and move my ass fast enough, I can shove it back into the box without anyone noticing that the bell peppers have flecks of asphalt on them.
Slowly and painfully I move the scooter off my leg. I can’t feel my toes, but I’m sure that’s more because of the cold than the accident. As I prepare to hoist myself to my feet, I see that the idiot cat has decided to sit down on top of the pizza. It starts to lick off the cheese, its little muzzle turning bright red from the tomato sauce. I realize I’m well and truly fucked.
Superman, where are you when I need you?
As if by magic, I’m suddenly bathed in light. A post-Christmas miracle? Either that or I’m dead, and this is the light at the end of the tunnel everyone talks about. Fuck, I’m going to die like a cat squashed on the highway, I think, because I know neither of those two possibilities describes what’s really happening. A hysterical laugh bursts from my chest. The irony of the situation doesn’t escape me as I sit there watching the car bear down on me. After all, I am lying in the middle of the street in the heart of New York City—what else did I expect?
Then something totally unexpected happens. I say a silent thank-you to my horrible orange uniform. I hate it, but I have to admit, it’s got the visibility of a neon sign in the darkness. I hear the sound of brakes, followed by a car door slamming shut. Turning my head to look, I blink and my jaw drops.
Oh. My. God.
It’s taken twenty-two years, but He finally heard my prayers.
He’s here! Superman is here!
Okay, maybe I hit my head and didn’t realize it. I must have hit it really hard because I could swear that standing before me is the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen. Besides Superman, of course. This guy’s hotter than all the Marvel and DC superheroes put together.
“My hero,” I whisper as tears begin to fill my eyes and my heart rate accelerates.
“Poor kitten, are you okay?”
“What?” I guess I don’t mind that he’s already using a pet name for me, but isn’t it a little soon? I mean, we barely know each other.
His large green eyes rest on mine and he runs a hand through his thick dark-blond hair. A small wrinkle appears in the middle of his forehead and his eyebrows draw together.
Is he worried about me? My heart beats wildly as a dumb smile appears on my face. I can’t quite decipher the expression on his face, though. Is it fear? Concern? I blink a few more times, trying to focus. Then the truth dawns on me. He’s not concerned about me, he’s really pissed off at me. Superman . . . I think sadly.
“What the hell?” he barks suddenly. His voice is deep and masculine, one of those voices that makes you melt as soon as you hear it. “Be more careful next time!”
My eyebrows rise so high they collide with my hairline. “Are you talking to me?” I stammer, looking around like an idiot as if someone else might be there. Of course there’s no one. It’s just him, me, and the stupid cat. The cat that at this precise instant is rubbing itself against the ankles of my hero. What the fuck?
I watch as he bends over and tenderly gathers up the little monster in his big, capable hands. I’ve never hated anyone as much as I hate that cat right now. He strokes it, then lifts it up and examines it carefully. The crease in his forehead deepens. Taking a deep breath, he holds the cat tighter, turns around, and heads back to his car.
“You can’t just leave me here!” I yell after him. He ignores me. My tears are threatening to spill over now. He opens the gate of his SUV and carefully puts the cat inside.
Then I hear him fiddling around with something. I close my eyes. What’s the point of looking? I just lost my Superman to a cat.
“Can you get up?” His voice is severe. I blink and see him standing in front of me again. So now he’s finally worrying about my health. I glower at him, cross my arms, and nod. “Well, come on, then.” My jaw drops again. “Hurry!” he barks over his shoulder as he heads toward his car.
“No!”
He stops, one foot in midair. “No?” He turns back toward me. It’s clear he wasn’t expecting that answer. His frown deepens. “Would you prefer that I call the police?” he says challengingly. At the word police the blood freezes in my veins.
“Um, what?” I stammer, hoping I’ve heard wrong.
“I’m sure they’ll have something to say about the fact that you were speeding and running red lights. Oh, and that you hit a poor animal on the street.”
“I didn’t hit him!” I reply indignantly.
He shakes his head and exhales an impatient sigh. “You’re either coming with me or I’m calling the police.”
For a few minutes we engage in a Mexican standoff. I feel like I’m confronting one of those alpha males I’ve read about in my romance novels. I know that the first one to look away will be the loser. I have to be strong.
He raises an eyebrow in a silent challenge. He’s clearly telling me I’ve already lost. The fact that I suddenly sneeze, getting snot on the collar of my uniform shirt—as if I hadn’t humiliated myself enough already—proves that it’s not my fault I can’t win. The universe is clearly against me.
Heaving a defeated sigh, I wipe myself clean—so elegantly—using the sleeve of my jacket. I see him wrinkle his nose in disgust, then look away. He turns around again and heads for the car. “Let’s go,” he orders.
With a snort I throw my arms in the air. “All right,” I say peevishly as I pull myself to my feet, staggering a little for dramatic effect. I feel like a fragile little fawn entering the big bad wolf’s cave. And yes, I know I’m an idiot. “Wait a minute, I can’t leave the scooter here!”
He stops again and slowly turns back to me. I can see a vein pulsing angrily in his neck. I swallow. Maybe I can leave the goddamn scooter here. But then Mr. Animal-lover passes me without a word, walking over to my scooter. He plucks it up off the road as if it weighs nothing and heads for his car again.
“Anything else, your Highness, or do you think you could finally get into the fucking car?” he asks, his tone curt as he maneuvers the scooter into the back of the SUV.
“Um, I don’t think it will close now,” I babble, pointing at the back gate of the SUV. All I earn for my concern is another annoyed look.
“Get. In. The. Car.”
I hasten to the passenger side and climb in. A glance behind me shows me the cat is in a carrier in the middle of the back seat. It seems weird that a guy would just drive around with a cat carrier in his car, but I’m too intimidated to ask him why.
From the corner of my eye I see that he’s left the back gate open. I told him it wouldn’t close! My lips curve into a small smile of triumph—which rapidly morphs into a grimace of terror when Mr. Animal-lover climbs into the driver’s seat.
“Fasten your seat belt,” he barks in his usual tone which is somewhere between a dog growling and a lion roaring.
I swallow. My palms are sweating and the hairs on my arms slowly rise. I must have hit my head really hard, though, because instead of curling up in the corner of the seat and beginning to cry—something I’m quite good at—I turn toward him, raise my eyebrows and ask, “Are you always this much of an asshole or is it just me?”
I see his jaw go rigid, but he doesn’t respond. Instead, he turns the key, presses on the accelerator, and we drive off. With an irritated snort, I look out my window and watch the city lights slide by. All this time waiting for my very own Superman only to discover that he’s actually a complete asshole.

Author Bio:

Angela Camilla Pontone is a USA Today bestselling author. She lives in Italy, in a town between Rome and Naples. She's been an avid reader since childhood. She prefers romance, but will gobble up pretty much anything that's available. She's always loved history and literature, so she obtained a Master's Degree in the fields of Italian and Romance Languages, Literatures and Philology, Historical and Musicological Studies, Latin Languages and Literatures, Ancient History, and Archaeology.

Camilla's secret desire was always to be a writer, but she never had the courage to pursue her dream until her life experiences led her to seek a way out of reality. Now, her dream is to continue to create great stories that her readers will love. 

For all the latest news about her books and events, sign up now at https://my.sendinblue.com/users/subscribe/js_id/3t1ws/id/3 to receive Camilla's newsletter. 

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