Spotlight: A Kiss At Christmastide by Christina McKnight

Lady Pippa Godfrey has suffered the most ruinous London Season. She escapes to her Somerset estate for a quiet Christmastide holiday with her family, away from society’s prying eyes. But before her parents can join her, a storm crashes down on Somerset to destroy any hope of Pippa’s white Christmas dream. The roads have flooded and travel is impossible, leaving her stranded and alone. But a muddied, angry and devilishly handsome lord appears at her door demanding shelter.

Lucas Hartfeld, the Earl of Maddox, has been summoned by his parents, the Marquis and Marchioness of Bowmont, to attend a holiday party in the wilds of the country, far from his London townhouse. He suspects they command his attendance for far different reasons than a simple country party. When a storm strands his carriage, he’s forced to seek shelter at the only home for miles around, a local manor called Helton House.

When Lady Pippa is reluctant to admit him, he does what he’s been raised to do—demand she provide him and his servants with shelter until the storm passes. But the beautiful woman draws his interest far more than he’s willing to admit. Can Lucas find a way out of the predicament his parents are planning?

As Lady Pippa scrutinizes another arrogant, demanding lord, she is bombarded with memories of betrayals in her past. Can she forget those difficult life lessons to claim a Christmastide kiss from a perfect stranger?

Excerpt

A moment of confusion clouded her mind as the laughter dimmed and a light breeze assaulted her face—as if someone had opened a window to a gusty wind.

At her side, Pippa’s mother fanned her face. Her wrist whipped to and fro, increasing as the room went silent.

Everything froze around her but her mother’s thrashing fan.

The Duchess of Midcrest, her dear mother, who’d labored for over twenty years to rise above her merchant class upbringing, would once again be embroiled in a scandal—all because of Pippa.

“Do you wish to depart?” her mother whispered.

“I did not…” Pippa stammered. “I would never…”

“I did not believe you had, my child.” Her mother sought to soften the blow—something that society had done to the current Duchess of Midcrest a hundred times over. “However, that does not change the appearance of things, no matter what we say or do in this moment.”

Pippa lifted her chin to keep her tears from streaming down her face.

“I do not understand why,” Pippa said as she leaned in close to her mother to whisper. “Lady Natalie and I are such friends.”

“Friendship and jealously often hold hands so tightly that one cannot distinguish between the pair.”

About the Author

Christina McKnight is a book lover turned writer. From a young age, her mother encouraged her to tell her own stories. She’s been writing ever since.

Christina enjoys a quiet life in Northern California with her family, her wine, and lots of coffee. Oh, and her books…don’t forget her books! Most days she can be found writing, reading, or traveling the great state of California.

You can visit her online at the following places: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon

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Excerpt: Mine For Now by Erika Kelly

From the award-winning author of the Rock Star Romance books comes a sizzling new series about the O’Donnell siblings. The pull of wild love is irresistible.
 
She’s had enough drama in her life. 

Nicole O’Donnell is more than ready for the fresh start college offers. After a lifetime of trying to help her alcoholic mom and ex-boyfriend get sober, she’s finally learned her lesson: people don’t change. They certainly don’t change for her. 

He can never leave his drama behind. 

Thanks to his mom’s substance abuse issues, Dylan McCaffrey’s persona non grata in his hometown of Gun Powder, Colorado. So when he scores a free ride to the top university in the country, he’s determined to make something of this fresh start. But his mom has always relied on him, and she’s not handling his absence well at all. If he can just keep up his grades, pay her bills, and come home every break, he might be able to pull off this opportunity. 

True love won’t be denied. 

No matter how determined they are to steer clear of each other, their combustible connection explodes, especially when Nicole offers Dylan the one thing he can’t bear—hope. Once he has a taste of it—and the irresistible force of her—there’s no going back. 

But when he falls too deeply, when he loses sight of his priorities, he might just lose it all.

Excerpt

Desire tore through her, and for a few moments, she didn’t pull away. Because, God, she wanted him so badly.

But then she remembered she wasn’t doing drama. She wasn’t going to pine for a guy she couldn’t have. And Dylan had made it clear she couldn’t have him. His life was not his own, he’d said, and he wasn’t open to seeing things any differently.

How many years had she hoped for Jonathan to change? People don’t change. Her mom hadn’t, Jonathan hadn’t. And if she wanted to be sane, she had to make the choices that were right for her.

She couldn’t help Dylan any more than she could help her mom or Jonathan. She started to get up, but he clamped a hand down, holding her in place. His breathing changed, and his gaze drifted to her mouth.

“Nicole.” His hand went around the back of her neck and brought her down to meet him in a hard kiss. It grew urgent immediately, his tongue brushing hers, sending sparks along her nerves. His hands reached around her back and pressed her tightly against him.

No one had ever kissed her like this—with so much urgency and need. Like he had to have her.

But then she remembered the two girls he’d brought home tonight.

She pulled away from him and got off his lap. “I’m not one of your party favors.”

He looked confused, eyes still glazed, mouth still wet. “My what?”

She motioned to the archway, where his girls had flanked him. “The girls you bring home with you. If you want to be my friend, I guess that’s fine.” They lived and worked together, so it was unavoidable. “But anything else…” She shook her head. “Keep your hands off me.”

His mouth shut, jaw muscle working. He stood, crowding her in the small space, forcing her to step back. “What the hell do you think I’ve been trying to do?”

About the Author

Award-winning author Erika Kelly has been spinning romantic tales all her life--she just didn't know it. Raised on the classics, she didn't discover romantic fiction until later in life. From that moment on, she's been devouring the genre and has found her true voice as an author. Over three decades she's written poems, screenplays, plays, short stories, and all kinds of women's fiction novels. Married to the love of her life and raising four children, she's lived in two countries and seven states, but give her pen and paper, a stack of good books, and a steaming mug of vanilla chai latte and she can make her home anywhere.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Erika Kelly Goodreads

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Spotlight: Three Amazing Things About You by Jill Mansell

Hallie has a secret…doesn’t everybody?

Hallie doesn’t have long to live. And to make things even more complicated, she’s in love with a guy who’s seriously out of bounds. She’s never going to let him know, of course; she’s just going to enjoy every remaining moment of her crush. She’s also determined to spend her last months helping those who write into her Dear Rose column with problems of their own. Her doctors can’t fix her, but maybe she can fix a few other people’s dilemmas before it’s too late.

All our lives are full of choices, for better or worse. The amazing thing to see is how connected we all are—in ways we don’t even know. On occasion, we have the chance to see the ways we change one another’s lives for the better.

Excerpt

Before

“Hey, hi, how’s things? What are you up to?”

Hallie brightened at the sound of Bea’s voice. “You really want to know? OK, I’ll tell you. But I’m warning you now, you’re going to be so jealous.”

“Fire away.”

“I’m in Venice, sitting at a table outside Caffè Florian in St. Mark’s Square. The sun is shining, church bells are ringing and the waiter’s just opened a bottle of ice-cold Prosecco.”

“Is the waiter handsome?”

“What do you think? This is Venice! Of course he’s handsome. He’s giving me one of those handsome-waiter looks,” said Hallie. “With his eyes.”

“Hmm, and is he listening to you saying this?”

“It’s fine, he doesn’t speak a word of English. I may seduce him later. He has a look of Bradley Cooper about him.”

“Sure you don’t mean Tommy Cooper?”

“Shut up.”

“Are there pigeons there?”

“Yes, loads.”

“My mum went to St. Mark’s Square once. A pigeon did a poo on her head.”

“Lovely.”

“She was so mad,” said Bea. “She’d had her hair done specially for the trip. I wouldn’t stick around there if I were you. Get out while you can. Those Italian pigeons are evil.”

“Fine, you’ve convinced me. I’m going to jump into my helicopter now and fly home.”

“I think you should. Shall I come over after work this evening?”

“That’d be good.”

“Around seven then. See you later. Bye-eee!”

Hallie put down the phone and straightened her duvet, which had gone crooked again. She pulled herself into a more comfortable sitting position and did her best to adjust the pillows too. There was a definite art to staying in bed and not having to endlessly rearrange yourself, and she’d yet to master it. Back-arching, shoulder-stretching, bottom-wiggling and neck-tilting all played their part.

Having stretched and wriggled and gotten herself half sorted, Hallie looked out at the indigo sky as darkness fell. It was the week before Christmas, and multicolored fairy lights were being switched on. From here, she had arguably the best view of the village: to the left, the high street; to the right, the River Windrush with its low stone bridge and the row of honey-colored shops, hotels and houses on the other side of the water. She could watch everyone coming and going, keep track of people she knew, and also view the progress of tourists making their way around Carranford, the self-styled jewel in the north Cotswolds’ crown.

Not so many visitors during the winter months, of course, but still enough to keep the people-watching interesting and the tourist-friendly shops open. A coachload were currently milling around, taking endless photographs, diving in and out of shops and buying souvenirs they didn’t need, as well as Christmas presents for friends and relatives back home. By the looks of things, plenty of them would be opening a festively wrapped umbrella this year, printed with scenes of Carranford. Bea must have sold over a dozen today alone.

Eight days to Christmas. Hallie tried not to wonder if this one might be her last, basically because such thoughts were unanswerable and never helpful. Apart from anything else, the answer was always possibly.

Then again, that applied to everyone on the planet.

About the Author

With over ten million copies sold, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author JILL MANSELL writes irresistible, funny, poignant, and romantic tales for women in the tradition of Marian Keyes, Sophie Kinsella, and Jojo Moyes. She lives with her partner and their children in Bristol, England.

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Spotlight: Willing Target by Kathleen Mix

Be careful what you wish for…

The last thing covert operative Mitch Weaver wants is to be partnered with a gorgeous, reckless newbie. Still reeling from the death of his former partner, Mitch doesn’t need the responsibility of keeping anyone else alive, especially when they volunteer to be a killer’s target. Not to mention, his attraction to the too-perky blonde is the kind of distraction that could get them both killed in their line of work.

Andrea Carnegie’s first assignment isn’t going quite as she planned. Her partner might be sexy but he’s completely frustrating with his determination to keep her out of danger. Masquerading as a billionaire’s sister to bait a possible killer is her chance to shine. But if she wants to catch the person threatening their client, she’ll have to find a way to work together with Mitch while still keeping her distance. Even as the air between them sizzles, Andrea knows the worst possible thing she could do is fall for her partner.

Excerpt

Andrea Carnegie swung open the weight room door expecting to follow her normal routine for the rest of Sunday afternoon: pump iron, jog ten miles in the crisp November air, fire a few dozen rounds at the shooting range, then spend an hour practicing Russian or Arabic before sitting down to savor a medium-rare steak.

“Damn it, Carnegie! Throw the ball.”

She froze as someone shouted her name in the break room across the hall. A second later, picturing the all-too familiar scene, she let her shoulder muscles relax. Some of the other operatives must be watching the big game. Her superstar brother Damian was in as quarterback and scrambling to avoid a tackle.

Was Damian about to eat dirt? Hope trickled down her spine, quickly followed by a torrent of guilt. She should be rooting for her own flesh and blood.

She huffed out a breath. In a normal family, that would be true. But the Carnegies were anything but normal. After twenty-six years of living in Damian’s shadow and fending off his venom, she couldn’t help but wish he’d be fallible. She hustled across the hall and pressed her back tight against the wall, listening.

A groan erupted inside the break room. “Shit. He’s down. There goes the game.”

Yes! More hope surged. Could Damian’s team actually be losing?

The commentator announced a time-out. Her colleagues in the break room debated the coach’s options: go for a field goal or give Damian a chance to throw.

“Give the ball to someone else. Go for the kick,” Andrea mumbled.

Damian’s head was already bigger than Texas. If he pulled this game out of the Dumpster, he’d add the story to his repertoire and she’d be forced to endure never-ending replays of another moment of glory at every family get together. He loved nothing more than bragging about games he’d won or spewing graphic accounts of his sexual exploits.

“There’s the decision, folks. Carnegie’s coming back out, going for a Hail Mary pass.” The men in the room whooped in celebration. Andrea’s balloon of hope deflated.

The commentator went on, “Okay, they’re lining up. There’s the snap. Carnegie’s got the ball and falling back. Looking. Jogging right to avoid a tackle. He’s found a receiver. Wiggs is open in the end zone! Carnegie throws. Wiggs has it! Touchdown!”

Crap. Why couldn’t Damian ever botch a throw? Just once, she’d love for one of her brothers to drop a ball, trip over his feet, or draw a penalty. Right now, if the guys in the break room changed the channel, another of her brothers would probably be making a spectacular catch while a commentator gushed about his fabulous speed or ball control.

Andrea shook her head in disgust. She’d never had any hope of keeping up with her NFL superstar brothers. She was the only offspring who’d failed to exploit Coach’s athletic perfection gene. And as the youngest of four and the only girl, she’d been at a disadvantage from day one.

In other families, a girl living with three older brothers and her father might have been protected and prized. In her family, ridicule, cruel practical jokes, bullying, and nicknames like pipsqueak and runt had lashed the little kid who’d been dumb enough to worship her siblings. Toughness and competition had been rewarded. Crying or a hint of compassion scorned.

She reminded herself of her vow to never be vulnerable again and rolled her eyes at the crazy idea that she’d once wanted to be like her brothers. Being like them was aiming low, settling for being cold and unfeeling. She’d be different and better, make her own mark. She wanted to matter somehow, and she would. Just not in their game.

Squaring her shoulders, Andrea turned to leave. A voice in the room said, “Shit, I really need to date Andrea so I can meet her brothers and father. I bet she can get prime seats at any game, even the playoffs.” 

She spun back.

About the Author

Kathleen Mix writes stories with a thrilling mix of romance and suspense.

She took an indirect route to becoming an author. After her three sons started school, she returned to college and earned a B.S. in Computer Science and Engineering. Working as a software engineer, she consulted on applications ranging from submarine combat systems to biological research databases.

Weekends and vacations were always reserved for boating. And as an avid sailor and licensed charter boat captain, the itch to sail away into the sunset soon became too strong to resist. She and her husband moved aboard their sailboat and headed south. By the time they reached the Caribbean, they were hooked on a cruising life. Since then, Kathleen has spent many years roaming the U.S. coastline, exploring the Bahamas, and enjoying the tropical islands of the Caribbean and the coastal countries of South America.

She began her writing career with non-fiction sailing and travel articles. But she was sailing to lush, exotic islands under starry skies and walking on the most beautiful, white-sand beaches in the world. She started imagining stories of romance and adventure and turned to writing romantic suspense.

Kathleen now sails on Chesapeake Bay. But her heart remains far away in the Caribbean and the Bahamas. 

Connect: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

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Spotlight: Seducing the Tycoon by MK Meredith

He’ll play dirty to protect his assets—but falling for the competition was never the plan.

International tycoon Drago De Luca has the world at his feet and he knows it. But back home in Italy, his beloved grandmother’s family inn is on the verge of closing down for good, thanks to hotshot American heiress, Chase Huntington, and her new hotel. Drago has to protect Nonna’s inn, even if it means getting close enough to Chase to convince her she needs to leave. But the more time he spends with Chase, the more he’s drawn to her passion, her love of his culture, and the way she looks in those Louis Vuitton heels.

Chase Huntington would give anything to enjoy her time with charming, sexy-as-hell Drago in the style capital of the world, but she has to make sure the new Huntington hotel opens successfully. How else can she prove she’s not just fashionista with a fortune—she’s an heiress savvy enough to take over the family’s biggest hotel back in California? But somewhere between boutiques and business plans, she falls head over Louboutins for Drago. But when Drago’s true motive for spending so much time with her comes to light, it could destroy everything Chase built and everything she thought she found in Italy.

Excerpt

Closing her eyes for a moment, Chase pressed her lips together and pulled a breath in through her nose. She opened her eyes, directing the happiness shining there right at him. “Thank you so much. An introduction from you was all it took. Lucinda’s beautiful, and her store’s amazing. We’ve made plans for some wonderful projects that’ll benefit both her boutique and the hotel.”

Chase’s enthusiasm went straight to his gut. He couldn’t help the smile that pulled at his mouth, even as dread weighed heavy in his chest. He’d have to cross Lucinda off his list of allies.

“She’s so warm and inviting. We hit it off as if we’ve known each other for years. That rarely happens for me.” She took a couple steps down the sidewalk, then spun back to him and grabbed the lapel of his shirt. “Grazie.”

In a flash, all his fantasies hit him at once as she pressed her hot mouth against his. The scent of mango and cocoa butter surrounded him like the Mediterranean itself. Without realizing it, he’d pulled her in high against his chest. She angled her head and sucked his lower lip into her mouth with a firm tug. Gesù, minchia. It was all he could do to keep standing. With one arm banded around her waist, he slid the other up into her hair and gripped it tight. Her moan almost sent him over the edge of decorum, and all he wanted was to press her up against the side of the centuries-old building and make history. It might be the kind that landed him in jail, but in that moment he couldn’t have cared less.

She slid her tongue along his lower lip and dove in to take more. But confusion didn’t even begin to describe his feelings as she pulled back and placed three quick kisses on his lips, then pushed at his shoulders to be put down.

“No.” His voice was sharp and low.

Laughing, she pushed at him again. “Drago, put me down. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have kissed you like that, but I was so relieved.”

He went cold. “Relieved?”

About the Author

MK Meredith writes single title contemporary romance promising an emotional ride on heated sheets. She believes the best route to success is to never stop learning.

Her lifelong love affair with peanut butter continues. Only two things come close in the battle for her affections: gorgeous heels and maybe Gerard Butler…or was it David Gandy? Who is she kidding? Her true loves are her husband and two children who have survived her SEA's (spontaneous explosions of affection) and live to tell the tale. The Meredith's live in the D.C. area with their two large fur babies...until the next adventure calls.

Connect: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Goodreads

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Excerpt: Sweet Dreams by Nina Lane

He may own a candy company, but this wealthy bachelor is no Willy Wonka.

Sugar Rush Candy Company CEO Luke Stone is a devoted businessman who doesn't do relationships. He does short-term affairs with clearly defined rules. But when a sexy bohemian angel propositions him in a bar, Luke is tempted to want more. 

Polly Lockhart is horrified when she wakes the morning after her twenty-third birthday to realize she made a fool of herself with a sinfully delicious man. She tells herself she doesn't have time for romance anyway, as she's fighting to keep her mother's beloved bakery afloat and finish her culinary studies. That all changes when her class tours the famed Sugar Rush headquarters, and Polly collides with her dream man again. 

As she succumbs to their hot attraction, Polly soon realizes her bakery isn't the only thing that needs saving. Luke, driven and unyielding, will burn out unless someone convinces him to taste the sweetness of life. But can Polly remember this sugar rush is only temporary?

Excerpt

“Why, Mr. Stone, are you offering me a job?” Polly pushed up from the table and approached him.

She let her gaze slide admiringly over his body, lingering on his shirt stretched across his broad chest and shoulders. His tie hung loosely around his neck, and the first few buttons of his shirt were undone, revealing a tempting V of tanned skin.

“Sure.” Luke grabbed her around the waist as she neared, tugging her down onto his lap. “You can be my personal assistant.”

A rush of warmth filled Polly. She settled herself on his thighs. “You already have an assistant.”

“Not a personal assistant.” Luke’s hand slid up her leg. “You can be in charge of walking around my office half-naked and occasionally bending over to pick something up off the floor.”

She gave him a light smack on the cheek. “Pig.”

“What? I’ll give you all the candy you want.”

“Hmm. Sounds like you’ll want the same thing from me.”

“And who could blame me?” His eyes crinkled with a smile.

He lowered his lips to hers. Pleasure filled Polly as their mouths sealed together in a warm, lovely kiss that held the promise of more. Luke lifted his hand to cradle the side of her face before trailing his lips down to the hollow of her throat. She eased back into the strong circle of his arm and gave herself up to the heat flaring like quick-fire between them.

About Nina Lane

New York Times & USA Today bestselling author Nina Lane writes hot, sexy romances and spicy erotica. Originally from California, she holds a PhD in Art History and an MA in Library and Information Studies, which means she loves both research and organization. She also enjoys traveling and thinks St. Petersburg, Russia is a city everyone should visit at least once. Although Nina would go back to college for another degree because she's that much of a bookworm and a perpetual student, she now lives the happy life of a full-time writer.

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