Happy release day to L.B. Dunbar on this her 50th book!!! Merging Wright is the latest addition to her collection of sexy silver fox heroes, and I must say I enjoyed Machlan Wright oh so much. I hope y’all will give this a read, it’s available in KU now!
It takes a village, or in the case of this jaded silver fox, he needs a wife to save one.
My boss cannot be serious. The ridiculously handsome man I hate-to-crush on has just proposed I pretend to be his wife for a funeral. A funeral! Only, when he dangles a much-coveted position in exchange for my time, I can’t refuse. Who am I kidding, though? I seem to have a habit of not saying no to Mr. Wright.
Machlan Wright
Things spiral out of control the second we reach my small town. A place I swore I’d never return has suddenly become my inheritance. As in, I’ve inherited an entire town! Only, there’s one condition: my hot, top executive pretending to be my wife must marry me for real. What could possibly go wrong? <insert sarcasm>
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Join Jane and Mach as they road trip to a lovely mountain town where memories haunt and relationships build. And it takes (the restoration of) a village for this marriage of convenience to question the past and change the future.
L.B. Dunbar brings you a second standalone in Road Trips & Romance.
**Note, the Fox sisters are siblings of Garrett Fox from Wine&Dine, an original #sexysilverfox.
AMBER’S REVIEW
Oh L.B. Dunbar what did you do to me?! Machlan Wright was ALLLL the things. I thought no one would outdo Tommy Carrigan (After Care) in my view as the sexiest silver fox, but now I’m not so sure!! Mach is buttoned up, successful and driven, a demanding boss and someone that never let’s anyone get too close. He’s also a man with some secrets, some serious baggage and some unresolved hurts. All the things start to unravel with the delivery of a classic truck from his past and a phone call from his mom.
This story really gets going when Mach enlists the assistance of the employee that he has kept off limits in Jane. That simple sentence of, “so I need a wife” ends up in a road trip and an adventure that ensures neither of them will ever be the same. I absolutely loved this story! The interaction between this pair, the revelation of so many things that Jane didn’t know about Mach, the realization that they both had been keeping their attraction to the other under wraps; well it was a chemistry overload waiting to explode! Mach and Jane were so good together. So so good. For two people playing a role they somehow started to forget their boundaries, and man oh man did it jump off the page! I loved the town of Wrightwood that Jane and Mach were revitalizing, the way L.B. weaved in her inspiration of Wetumpka and the sweet little Willow that captured my heart and theirs. A total winner for me!
**Plus check out the absolutely amazing playlist to highlight each chapter.
Happy Release Day Kristen Proby!!!! I can’t believe we have turned an era and are getting the next generation of Seattle Love starting with Luke & Natalie’s daughter!! Like what is this craziness that we are about to experience??!! I seriously can’t wait to dive in and see what happens when Olivia meets Vaughn! New release, new series, so get to 1-clicking friends!! Happy reading! ~Amber
The Secret by Kristen Proby is now live!
From NYT and USA Today Bestselling author Kristen Proby comes a forbidden romance. The Secret is the first in the Single in Seattle series!
Vaughn is everything I’m supposed to stay away from. Sexy. Cocky. And famous. Ultra-famous. I grew up in a family full of wealthy celebrities. My father, Luke Williams, is the celebrity of them all. A superstar actor and producer, my father knows the downside of living in the spotlight. And because of that, he sheltered my siblings and me from everything Hollywood entailed. We didn’t attend premieres. We weren’t photographed. There were no friendships with other celebrities’ children. The limelight couldn’t touch us. But now, at twenty-five, I’m ready to start my life, working for my father’s production company in downtown Seattle–until Vaughn Barrymore walks through the door. He can’t keep his hands off me. He’s completely forbidden, but I can’t help falling for the sweet, complicated man. When–and it’s when not if–my family finds out that I’ve been keeping this secret, will I have to choose between the man I love and those who mean the most to me? Or, by some miracle, can I have both?
Download today on Amazon, Apple Books, Audible, Barnes & Noble, Kobo!
Kristen Proby has published more than forty titles, many of which have hit the USA Today, New York Times and Wall Street Journal Bestsellers lists. She continues to self publish, best known for her With Me In Seattle and Boudreaux series, and is also proud to work with William Morrow, a division of HarperCollins, with the Fusion and Romancing Manhattan Series.
Kristen and her husband, John, make their home in her hometown of Whitefish, Montana with their two cats.
It’s release week for Sarina Bowen and I couldn’t be happier!!! This newest release in her Brooklyn Bruisers series completely blew me away!! I loved Neil and Charli so much and I hope that you will too!!So go grab this one from one of the links below, check out my review and as always happy reading!! ~ Amber
Cover Design: Hang Le Cover Photo: Wander Aguiar Photography
I LOVED this story!! I mean this series has become an absolute favorite, but this story just gave me all the feels. Neil and Charli have been friendly since meeting, but Charli doesn’t willingly let anyone past her armor. Neil Drake is all the good things – sweet, loyal, funny, hot, oh and he’s the most understated billionaire ever. The one thing he isn’t is able to get Charli to give him the time of day other than to give him a hard time. Charli is a survive at all costs, I can’t let anyone close enough to hurt me kinda girl. She’s tough and determined, but it’s all she can do to not admit that Neil trips her trigger.
Watching these two deal with the aftermath of a drunken marriage in Vegas was all the things. Hilarious fun watching their meddling teammates try to figure them out; sweet in the way that Neil just wants to spoil Charli and she finds herself letting him sometimes; seriously hot and full of chemistry! These two burned each other up in all the best ways!! When they finally give in and admit all the things, it is blow me away good! Sarina Bowen keeps writing these amazing hockey players, and I can’t wait to see what’s next!
Happy release day to L.B. Dunbar!!!! Hauling Ashe is LIVE today and guys this book was ALL the things!! L.B. continues to set herself apart in my opinion in writing over 40 romance that is fun, heartfelt, sexy and believable. Mae and Tucker had that enemies to lovers dynamic that came to life thru great banter, a killer playlist and an unbelievable road trip. I adored this story and all it’s emotions, plus a few easter eggs from Dunbar’s other series. Grab this one today!! ~ Amber
Life might be a highway, but the last thing this grumpy silver fox expected was a road trip across the country with a ray of sunshine.
Tucker Ashford has forgotten who he was. The former rock star – Tucker Ashe – turned social media sensation knows exactly where life took a U-turn. Problem is, he’s convinced it’s too late to circle back. When he needs a ride from Chicago to California for his daughter’s wedding, an eight-state journey with a quirky woman is more than he bargained for, but quite possibly the chance he needs to rewind time.
Mae Fox is ready to discover who she is. After two decades of marriage (gone wrong), motherhood (still going), and a not-so-small business (going quite well), she’s looking for the adventure of a lifetime – alone. However, her well-planned escape of come-what-may down the Mother Road is slightly detoured when she’s asked to haul a grumpy silver fox across the country.
The highway is a melody of cheesy sight-seeing stops, nostalgic locations, and a playlist that rocks as two lonely hearts take a road trip down the path of second chances and the possibility of love over forty.
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5 Stars
So so good!! I knew this story involved a road trip. I knew this story had a silver fox in Tucker, who crashes Mae’s journey. I knew how much I adored the previous L.B. Dunbar books I’d read. I knew Mae and Tucker would find something special in each other. All those things made me feel certain I’d enjoy this story.
It was the things I didn’t expect though that made me absolutely LOVE this book!! I connected with Mae and her desire to follow the old Route 66, to maybe re-discover something in herself by exploring long forgotten places of the past. Maybe it was the wonder she felt, maybe it was the way she put Tucker in his place when he tried to put a damper on her exploration. I just know I felt her and loved seeing her come alive as she and Tucker start to find more about themselves. And Tucker, the staid and annoyed passenger. For such a sexy man, he really needed to lighten up! 😆 For real though, from their meet cute on he was a bit like whiplash; the man desperately wants to be happy and it’s like he’s forgotten how. Once they finally give in to their chemistry and connect it was on! I loved them finding their happies, and I completely adored the Easter eggs Dunbar gave connecting multiple series of hers! Can’t wait to see where the next road trip leads!!
Hint: Can be read as a standalone, but if you’ve read After Care, Midlife Crisis, and Second Chance, this is the elusive original band member who left them behind.
Trope: later in life romance; second chance romance; road trip romance; travel; dating after loss; dating after divorce
What to expect:
*Grumpy silver fox. *Ray of sunshine. *Cross country shenanigans
Happy week before Christmas!! Kindle Alexander dropped this early present to us last week and I couldn’t be happier!! I know both Jenn (my fabulous partner in blog crime) and I loved this story! Check out my review here and stay tuned to her thoughts coming soon!! For now I will say, you need Julian and Beckett in your life! Happy reading friends.
~ Amber
Title: It’s Complicated
Author: Kindle Alexander
Genre: M/M Romance
Release Date: December 7, 2021
Cover Design: Reese Dante
“When looking for that love story that has all the feels and more, grab It’s Complicated. Every word is brilliantly-written and the myriad of emotions you’ll encounter will fill your soul like nothing else. 5++++++ stars all the way!” – emjaylovestoread
“No one gives us MM love stories like the very talented writing duo of Kindle Alexander and It’s Complicated lived up to all my expectations and so much more.” – Jackie Wright, Thelma and Louise Book Blog
“Whenever I pick up a book written by Kindle Alexander I know I am going to be reading a book that will draw many varied emotions from me; It’s Complicated was no exception. The characters have a great deal of depth and I fell hard for both Julian Cullen and Beckett St Clair.” – Erin Lewis, Thelma and Louise Book Blog
Nightclub manager Julian Cullen runs Reservations with impeccable precision and a deep sense of pride. But repressed memories from his abduction two years ago surface, leaving him struggling emotionally. Julian vows to reclaim his previous life but doesn’t factor in the biggest distraction of all: the handsome cowboy hanging around the club intent on gaining his attention.
Entrepreneur Beckett St. Clair built an industry-leading survivalist training company through hard work and dedication. The tough as nails outdoorsman can navigate any situation or so he thinks…When a chance encounter with a guarded night club manager leaves him tumbling head over heels into uncharted territory.
One man is lost to his past, the other dreams of a future.
Both men will soon find out love is never easy…it’s complicated.
“I’m being asked if table thirty-three can incorporate thirty-four into their party.”
Julian looked over to see a crowd of men gathered around the larger high-boy table. “No, give it some time. St. Clair’s a good customer. Get some barstools from the back, and let’s see if he arrives.”
“Hey, Julian. Have we heard from thirty-four? Is he coming in tonight?” Remington, another waiter, asked from about the midway point down the bar where he loaded his tray with cocktail glasses. “One of my guests wants to know.”
“Who wants to know?” Julian looked over to Remington’s section of tables as if a large red arrow would point him out.
“The older guy at table twenty-seven.”
Julian’s gaze locked on that table. All the men looked older, sophisticated, well put together, and handsome. Damn.
“Which one?” Julian asked.
“The older one,” Remington repeated, then turned with his tray full of drinks in his hand. “Is he coming tonight?”
So, the Marlboro Man had built a fan club involving more than just the club’s waiters and bartenders. Julian’s possessive side stood on guard. “We’re holding the table for him, but he’s late.”
Julian dug into the salad with his fork, stuffing a big bite into his mouth, and reached for the untouched glass of water nearby. He chomped out his frustration that the big, tall cowboy hat wearing mystery man was building some possible hookups.
Julian had watched as Beckett sat alone for hours at his table until some of the waiters were cut from their shifts and ended up joining the guy. Beckett had become a welcome patron in the club and his table a safe place for most of the guys who worked for Reservations to gather.
No, Julian hadn’t missed all the long lingering looks Beckett tossed his way. He liked the way Beckett watched him. Those intriguing brown eyes and that appealing gaze. Beckett was all man, every single inch of him. He knew that for a fact because he’d rubbed himself against all that masculinity when they’d danced.
An unexpected sensation had Julian dropping the fork in his hand to the plate, his gaze lowering to his trouser-covered cock. Holy hell, the way it plumped painfully against his zipper had his heart thumping wildly in his chest. The damn thing did, in fact, work. How long had it been since he’d grown hard? He couldn’t remember. Tears of happiness sprung to his eyes, making him fight to swallow the lump forming in his throat. Damn, it felt good.
How much had he had to drink? Regardless of his actions over the last few days, Julian had given up alcohol. Should he have been drinking this whole time?
“Boss, you good?” Ricco tapped the edge of the bar to gain Julian’s attention.
He paid the bartender no heed, not wanting to lose this moment. Julian had only had two cocktails over the last couple of hours. That meant he was practically sober, yet his cock was working again for the first time in a long while.
Under Ricco’s intense scrutiny, Julian’s cock deflated. He closed his eyes, bringing forth images of Beckett sitting alone at his table, rarely speaking to anyone. Every single time Beckett showed up or planned to leave for the night, his gaze sought out Julian. No matter how hard Julian fought the urge to turn Beckett’s way he eventually would turn, helpless to do anything but.
Beckett would smile and touch the brim of his hat. Fuck, what a sexy move. Beckett’s strong jaw and full lips, his dark tanned skin… Julian’s dick swelled at warp speed.
Hell yeah. Julian was helpless to stop the tear that built enough steam to trickle down his cheek. This had to mean he was healing, right?
“Julian. You good?”
He opened his eyes, prepared to share with Ricco exactly why he was great right now. His hand reached to wipe away the tear when the unique scent of outdoors, sunshine, and exotic spices hit his senses. Unmistakably Beckett. He looked over to see an expansive masculine chest and broad shoulders leaning into him as Beckett busted a move to avoid a collision with one of the busboys.
Julian lifted his gaze. Of course, he held all of Beckett’s undivided attention. They locked gazes for one, maybe two long seconds, before Ricco’s hand slapped down hard on the bar top, pulling Julian’s gaze toward Ricco.
“What?” He said the word with maybe three syllables of frustration.
Ricco showed zero cares about Julian’s obvious annoyance “Are. You. Goooda?”
“Mind your business. Concentrate on the job you’re being paid to do.” Julian motioned to the line of waiters standing at the bar, waiting for their drinks. But even that only held his attention for the briefest of moments before he happily lowered his gaze again to his dick. The damn thing was rigidly hard, straining against his form-hugging pants. Holy fuck. The relief was staggering.
Julian dropped his head between his shoulder blades, thanking the universe for this blessing.
“Mr. St. Clair, we were getting worried about you,” Ricco said.
“Call me Beckett.” The rich masculine timbre held hints of a deeply cultured southern accent, drawing Julian’s gaze to Beckett once again.
“A guy at one of Remington’s tables wants to buy your drinks tonight,” Ricco said to Beckett as he started to pour again. “He asked me to see if you’re interested when you came in.”
Julian’s head dropped forward; he couldn’t help his astonished stare. He got caught up in Beckett’s new look. Julian’s gaze narrowed to Beckett, admiring how he wore the hugely popular suit with the athletic cut. Beckett looked fashionable in a style that accented every one of his masculine curves and edges. He was clean-shaven with his hair styled and pushed back off his forehead. No cowboy hat to be found anywhere.
“Which table?” Beckett asked and turned toward the grouping of tables. His body angled to look where Remington pointed to a group of three men. Julian looked down the length of Beckett’s long body. He wasn’t wearing boots tonight or a tie. Instead, his collar was unbuttoned with a small amount of fur peaking from the opening. The look suited him. Julian’s fingers twitched to run over the man’s exposed skin. He’d bet Beckett had the same dark tan all the way down that expansive chest.
Beckett was mouthwateringly gorgeous in this new look. Who would have known the man could be even more handsome than Julian remembered?
Tonight, the man held an air of confidence that he didn’t usually have. Beckett lifted a hand to the men, grinned a sultry smile, and turned back to Ricco. “Buy his next round on me and tell him thank you, I’m flattered, but I’ve got my eye on someone else tonight.”
Best Selling Author Kindle Alexander is an innovative writer, and a genre-crosser who writes classic fantasy, romance, suspense, and erotica in both the male/male and male/female genres. It’s always a surprise to see what’s coming next!
I live in the suburbs of Dallas where it’s true, the only thing bigger than an over active imagination, may be women’s hair!
Usually, I try for funny. Humor is a major part of my life – I love to laugh, and it seems to be the thing I do in most situations – regardless of the situation, but jokes are a tricky deal… I don’t want to offend anyone and jokes tend to offend. So instead I’m going to tell you about Kindle
I tragically lost my sixteen year old daughter to a drunk driver. She had just been at home, it was early in the night and I heard the accident happen. I’ll never forget that moment. The sirens were immediate and something inside me just knew. I left my house, drove straight to the accident on nothing more than instinct. I got to be there when my little girl died – weirdly, I consider that a true gift from above. She didn’t have to be alone.
That time in my life was terrible. It’s everything you think it would be times about a billion. I love that kid. I loved being her mother and I loved watching her grow into this incredibly beautiful person, both inside and out. She was such a gift to me. To have it all ripped away so suddenly broke me.
Her name was Kindle. Honest to goodness – it was her name and she died a few weeks before Amazon released their brand new Kindle ereader. She had no idea it was coming out and she would have finally gotten her name on something! Try finding a ruler with the name Kindle on it.. It never happened.
Through the course of that crippling event I was lucky enough to begin to write with a dear friend in the fan fiction world of Facebook. She got me through those dark days with her unwavering support and friendship. There wasn’t a time she wasn’t there for me. Sometimes together and sometimes by myself, we built a world where Kindle lives and stands for peace, love and harmony. It’s its own kind of support group. I know without question I wouldn’t be here today without her.
Julian Cullen. This man has been weaving in and out of stories for a while now, and he did not disappoint making us all wait! It’s Complicated was definitely an apt title for Julian’s journey. Nothing is easy for him despite the facade he puts on. He’s trying to rebuild his life after the trauma of a horrific event. Julian has a singular focus on work, driving his bosses crazy, and getting his mojo back. Too bad Beckett St. Clair walks into Reservations and Julian’s life determined to grab the former playboys eye and rocks his world in oh so many ways!
Beckett is everything you want in a hero. He’s strong, determined and generous. He also has a romantic streak a mile wide, which Julian has no idea how to handle. Their interactions, their insecurities and especially their chemistry was so enjoyable. Loved watching Julian get knocked off his axis. Beckett scares the crap out of him and makes everything right all at the same time for Julian. I loved watching these two find love (along the love of a good dog, sweet Woofer). Kindle Alexander never disappoint me in their story telling. ♥️
Hey all. Here’s a look at M.E. Carter’s latest release and my review. I have become a fan of her writing after reading earlier books in her Hart series as well as her contributions to the Penny Reid SmartyPants Romance worlds. Matter of Fact is the last of the series, but it’s easily read as a standalone. Carter does a great job of connecting the pieces between these characters and others from the previous books. She also introduces you to her next series, which will spin-off from this book. I hope you will give her and this great read a chance!
Happy Reading as always. ~ Amber
When you’ve always been the balanced one, life sends you an unexpected slip…
My name is Ellery McIlroy. A former college gymnast, I’ve settled into the adult life I worked so hard for. Great relationship? Check. Solid career? Check. Planned out future? Check. I may be predictable, but at least life never throws me for a loop. Until it does. Unceremoniously dumped by my long-time boyfriend, I’m left stunned, with nothing left but my job. And it gets worse—I work for his mother. Broken and alone, I venture out into a stormy night to drown my sorrows. Ellery McIlroy, the good, reliable girl, was ready to take a drunken risk for the first time in seven years. I didn’t expect a stranger in that bar to flip my world upside down. As the center forward for the San Antonio Slingers, Liam is at a crossroads in his career. Feeling his own kind of brokenness, he has every right to be angry at the world. But with me, he’s the opposite. Liam helps me find the courage to explore and try new things. To stand up for myself. To put myself first for once. And I want to do the same for him. We may not make sense, the former gymnast and the hockey player, but somehow we work in ways no one never imagined possible. Turns out that when you have a hand to hold on to, it’s a lot easier to stick your landing.
Oh man did I enjoy Ellery and Liam!! Ellery reconnecting with college friends, having her world upended by a break up she didn’t see coming and trying to figure out how to find herself. Yep I was totally on board! Add in an incredibly handsome hockey player to the mix that takes one look at Ellery and knows he has to meet her. Oh I knew from the start of this story that I was gonna love it! This was just a fantastic story of two people, who’s dreams shifted and found their next chapters in each other.
I really enjoyed how the story weaved all the couples from the series into the story. Both Ellery and Liam needed to see that they weren’t alone, that they had support they didn’t realize in others. This may have been the end of a series, but it was definitely a full, well-rounded story. Love the tease into the next series, all focused on hockey and one of Liam’s teammates as well. Very well done in connection, humor and real-life issues. 5 Stars for me.
Before and After You, an all-new heartfelt small town romance from Hope Ellis, is LIVE in Kindle Unlimited!
Happy first week of November!! It’s finally stopped raining here in Northwest Arkansas, and it’s a beautiful Fall day with sunshine and the leaves looking golden. Today I’m bringing my review of Before and After You, the 2nd book in the Leffersbee Series by Hope Ellis.
I have to say that with every book I read from SmartyPants Romance and the PennyVerse I fall a bit more in love with this world. If you haven’t read any of this Green Valley World or from Penny Reid’s Winston Brothers series, I URGE you to change that stat! I have never been more entertained, felt more and connected more with a group of characters than these. I loved the first of Hope Ellis’ books in the Leffersbee series in Been There Done That. This book essentially picks up where that one left off, so I hope that you will check both of them out.
Happy Reading! ~ Amber
Leigh D’Alessandro is a fighter. She fought to escape her dysfunctional family, to end a soul-killing marriage, and to build a new life in a small Tennessee town. When the fate of the community hospital she works for is threatened, she’s primed and ready for battle. What she can’t fight any longer is her unshakable attraction to her best friend’s brother, who has a notorious reputation and triggers all her worst fears about trust and betrayal.
Walker Leffersbee is a lover. At least that’s the reputation he’s built in his hometown. Scion of a prosperous Tennessee banking family, he’s a known ladies’ man and a confirmed bachelor. His hands are full as he juggles competing demands from his family’s bank and his growing property renovation business. The last thing he needs is to give in to his long-standing craving for his sister’s headstrong and hot-tempered best friend. Especially because she’s the only one who knows the secret that threatens to upend his life.
When a home renovation project brings them too close for comfort, they both struggle to withstand the growing heat. As they grow closer helping each other navigate family minefields, Walker learns that love is not a four-letter word, and Leigh realizes that some battles are meant to be lost.
But Walker’s secret is the one thing that could keep them apart, unless they both decide to fight for the love they never looked for but now can’t live without.
‘Before and After You’ is a contemporary romance and can be read as a standalone. Book #2 in the Leffersbee series, Green Valley Chronicles, Penny Reid Book Universe.
4.75 Stars for the second of the Leffersbee Series! Leigh and Walker had this dance going on for years of love-hate interactions. Seriously, Leigh may have been the last one to see the passion on the walls. Walker knew, kept up the dance because he knew she had walls and hurts that weren’t ready to see it. When they finally crash into their walls, hurts and secrets this pair has chemistry for weeks!
This book had all the things! Both Leigh and Walker had workplace drama happening. With Leigh’s you get to see how fierce and determined she is. With Walker it’s about his family dynamics, secrets and his own questions about what he wants versus obligations. But Walker isn’t the only one with family drama, because Leigh has her own as well as secrets that aren’t so secret. All these things lead to both of them trying to be the others safe place, to trust that someone else could have their back. But oh how we humans struggle with these things. So waiting to see them figure these out for each other to find a happy ending, was truly both sweet and frustrating too. All in all Hope Ellis did another beautiful job telling the story of the Leffersbee family while also incorporating some Green Valley favorites.
Excerpt
I stopped in my tracks, my breath catching in my throat.
Walker Leffersbee.
Damn it.
Indecision glued my feet to the floor, halting my progress as I stared at his frozen profile. I briefly considered turning the opposite way and retracing the same route I’d used coming down.
It wasn’t that I didn’t want to see him.
That wasn’t the case.
Well, not exactly.
But there were several reasons why his sudden appearance was damned inconvenient.
First, Walker was the older brother of my best friend in the world, Zora Leffersbee. But I didn’t consider Walker to be my brother, not by any stretch of the imagination. Through all the years we’d known each other, our relationship had continually evolved. He was as supportive of me as he was of Zora. But we both knew he didn’t think of me as a sister.
Which led to the second problem.
Walker Leffersbee was sexy. Sexy as hell. The kind of sexy that always took my brain captive with the grimy bass line of a 90s R&B song and thickened my blood for the heat of inevitable battle. We were always locked in some kind of mental combat, our traded barbs and jabs never quite masking the powerful current of attraction between us. He would have been easy to ignore if my attraction to him were based solely on his physicality. I’d bounced on more than one pretty man in my day and managed to keep my brain cells unscrambled. But he was hot as hell with all those intriguing layers. Damn it. I didn’t have brain space to deal with Walker right now.
“Leigh?”
I stiffened, surfacing from my thoughts. Walker straightened and ambled closer. He moved with the lumbering grace exclusive to big men, a very slight bowleggedness lending his walk a kind of deliberate, sexy swagger. Advancing, he squinted slightly as if trying to make me out in the muted lighting of the hospital’s basement floor. He stopped only three feet away from me.
I disciplined my eyes, sternly instructed them away from the just-right fit of Walker’s huge shoulders in his white broadcloth shirt. I did not allow my eyes to notice how the tip of his conservative navy tie arrowed the path to his tapered waist and the slightest imprint of powerful thighs just visible in his dark slacks. I refused to dwell on how beautifully his perfectly sculpted dark goatee contrasted with the deep mahogany of his skin.
My fingers clenched against the empty wish for a cigarette.
He wasn’t nearly as circumspect, making no effort to disguise the frank assessment in the gaze that slowly crawled upwards from my clogs in slow degrees. I didn’t miss the banked heat in his eyes when his stare finally met mine.
“Golden Boy,” I said, feeling a perverse pleasure at having launched the opening salvo and earning the answering curl at the corner of his lip. He hated that name, I knew. Hated it whenever I reminded of him of who he was. Son of the richest man in the county, heir apparent to a growing banking empire in Tennessee. Why this bothered him, I’d never know. It was hardly a secret, not with him and his father on billboards advertising his family’s bank around Knoxville and Nashville. But that didn’t make it any less fun to pick at him.
“Umbridge.”
I feigned surprise. “What, have you exhausted all the Disney villains? We’re into the Harry Potter lexicon now?”
His answering smile was sharp and wicked. “You know, there are just so many names for the devil. I don’t think I’ll ever come up empty-handed when it comes to you.”
“Good to know. What are you doing here?” I flicked a pointed glance at the doorway to Radiology he’d evidently just come through, and I noticed the orange paper had somehow disappeared into his pocket by the time he greeted me.
And … cue the third complication.
Walker Leffersbee and I shared a secret, and seeing him here had just made it much more, well, complicated.
About Hope Ellis
USA Today bestselling author Hope Ellis is a health outcomes researcher by day and writes romances featuring sexy nerds by night. She hopes to one day conquer her habit of compulsively binge-watching The Office.
Forrest for the Trees, an all new slow burn small town romance from Kilby Blades, is LIVE in Kindle Unlimited!
Guys! This book and these characters were ALL THE THINGS!! SmartyPants Romance does such a wonderful job picking authors to play in the Pennyverse and Kilby Blades is the latest that I’m falling in love with. I’m sharing my review below and hope you’ll Check it out as well as an excerpt featuring Forrest and Sierra. Enjoy! ~ Amber 😍
“Do you walk around with bacon in your pocket or something?” Sierra asked.
Forrest gave Everest a final rub and rose to his feet. “I reckon it’s just good, old-fashioned Southern charm.”
Reaching toward his face, he pushed up the temple of his sunglasses until they sat on top of his head. Forrest looked down at her, smirk on his face, as usual, having his fun. Only, for Sierra, there was nothing fun about the heat that rose to her ears every time his gaze set on her, clouding her thinking with his smoky eyes.
Forrest’s eyes weren’t just gray, and they weren’t “just eyes.” His gaze was penetrating and clear, with dark lashes that matched his dark hair. His irises were never the same, though whatever their hue at any given moment, a dark charcoal ring that looked like drawn pencil outlined the lighter color, adding intensity. Today they shone brightly—the color of wet shale—a stark difference from the last time she’d seen him. They’d turned dark, like slate, when he’d talked about the fires. There was something wondrous, and magical, and devastating about watching the way they changed.
“What are you doing in my neck of the woods?”
Forrest chuckled and crossed his arms. “Your woods again, huh?”
Sierra mirrored his posture. “‘Neck of the woods’ is a Southernism. I know how y’all like your sayings.”
He laughed again, his voice rich and deep—another thing about him she had the bad habit of replaying in her mind.
“Better than a pig likes slop.” Forrest’s eyes twinkled.
It made Sierra grateful for her own sunglasses—windows to her soul, and all. She didn’t want to think what Forrest might notice if he really saw her then. He would never stop gloating if he knew of her susceptibility to his allure.
“You never said what you were doing here,” she pointed out.
“Following up on some potential fire hazards. Just being vigilant. You know how it is …”
Sierra nodded. “I do.”
“I was just down at the ranger station …” he began haltingly. “I wanted to thank you for what you left me—you know, my fire marshal snacks.”
Sierra bit her lip against her own smile. “You liked that, huh?”
“Not just me. The guys thought it was pretty funny.”
“You told me you could read, so I figured …” She trailed off innocently, and shrugged.
After their last conversation and his repeated, willful ignorance of her Tupperware marked specifically as being “Ranger Snacks,” she’d brought in a smaller Tupperware labeled “Fire Marshal Snacks.”
“Sad thing is, a different fire marshal must’ve beat me to it,” he continued. “Imagine my disappointment when I opened the container and it was empty.”
“Oh, no!” She feigned shock. “What did you do?”
“Picked up the phone and called Ed Ellis. Asked him to put out an APB to track down whoever had my bites.”
“Then you helped yourself to the ranger bites, I’m guessing.”
He made a production out of looking distraught. “They’re not as good as fire marshal bites, but I had no choice.”
He didn’t take his gaze off of her. When heat rose again in her ears, she knew she had to go. Plus, if she didn’t get moving, she really would be late.
“Nice to see you, Marshal Winters.”
His smirk melted into a half-smile. “Always a pleasure, Ranger Betts.”
Amber’s 5 Star Review
I HAVE TO TELL YOU THAT I LOVED THIS BOOK SO HARD!!! Absolutely 5 stars for all things Forrest and Sierra! I loved the Park Ranger series books by Daisy Prescott Author, and there are references to those stories here along with others in the Green Valley World. This book had spunk, chemistry, romance and a bit of suspense all wrapped in this fantastic package that I didn’t want to end!! If you have fallen for the PennyVerse like me you don’t wanna miss this trip to Green Valley!! ♥️♥️♥️
About Kilby Blades
Kilby Blades is a USA Today Bestselling author of Romance and Women’s Fiction. Her debut novel, Snapdragon, was a HOLT Medallion finalist, a Publisher’s Weekly BookLife Prize Semi-Finalist, and an IPPY Award medalist. Kilby was honored with an RSJ Emma Award for Best Debut Author in 2018, and has been lauded by critics for “easing feminism and equality into her novels” (IndieReader) and “writing characters who complement each other like a fine wine does a good meal” (Publisher’s Weekly).
During her career as a digital marketing executive, she moonlighted as a journalist, freelanced as a food, wine and travel writer and lived it up as an entertainment columnist. She has lived in five countries, visited more than twenty-five, and spends part of her year in her happy place in the Andes Mountains. Kilby is a feminist, an oenophile, a cinephile, a social-justice fighter, and above all else, a glutton for a good story. Follow her everywhere @kilbyblades.
Well if you are a fan of Kristen Proby’s you probably already know she released this book last week. If you aren’t a fan already or have been down a rabbit’s hole, Flirt With Me came out last week and is already a veritable best seller in all the places!! Hunter and Maeve were such a fantastic coupling to me, and they brought definite Nate & Jules feels (Fight With Me). Enjoy my review below!
5 Stars
Well if Kristen Proby doesn’t continue to outdo herself with these O’Callaghans stories! Flirt With Me had all the things and a couple extra too!! Maeve has been the sibling flitting in and out of the previous stories that I wasn’t sure who she was. Well that gets answered here and the answer is she is vastly independent, absolutely loyal and not to be underestimated! Meeting Hunter sorta knocked her sideways, because for one he’s hella hot, two he’s got a flirt game that doesn’t play and three did I mention hella hot?! This story gave me Fight With Me feels for a few reasons, but you gotta read both the books to know. LOL
The former fighter, single dad vibes were working for Hunter and I’m all in for them and so was Maeve. These two had a dynamic and banter that I so enjoyed. Throw in the teenage daughter, that may start off with troublemaker vibes, but is really just in need of all the love the O’Callaghans can give her. Add in all the O’Callaghan siblings, some series favorites and this book was an all-star Kristen Proby good time!
Download today on Amazon, Apple Books, Audible, Kobo, Barnes & Noble!
Happy Release Day to L.B. Dunbar!!!! Living at 40 is finally LIVE!!! Guys I adored this story because it had so many thing I love! Second chance, best friend’s sister, friend centered story and lots of amazing chemistry!!! You definitely want to grab it. PLUS it’s L.B. Dunbar doing grown up, over 40 romance at it’s best! Happy Reading!!
~ Amber
Lakeside Cottage Series
An all-new contemporary romance from L.B. Dunbar centered around lifelong friendships, a lake house, and second chances at love over 40.
Is it an accidental pregnancy, if it’s purposefully planned?
Autumn Kulis wants a baby. It’s that simple and that complicated because one thing stands in her way – she doesn’t have a man in her life. And at almost forty, she isn’t getting any younger. On a two-week trip to her brother’s lakeside cottage, a plan forms. Make a list of three men. Sleep with each of them. Allow nature to take its course. Only, a certain someone gets in her way.
Logan Anders goes with the flow of life. Divorced, single dad, he works hard, and occasionally plays harder. When his college roommate invites him to Lakeside Cottage for two weeks, he hadn’t remembered his best friend’s little sister being so hot. Nor was he a fan of her plan to find a baby daddy. He’s determined to make her list then tear it to shreds leaving him the only man horizontal with her.
When we were forty, we had so much life to live, and a simple proposition could be the start of a second chance at really living.
The Geekery Book Review 