Excerpt Reveal: Gentleman Nine by Penelope Ward

From New York Times bestselling author Penelope Ward, comes a new, sexy standalone novel.

Growing up, the three of us were friends.
He was the nerd.
I was the playboy.
She was the beauty.

Deep down, I only ever wanted her. I kept it inside because Rory and I made a pact that our friend, Amber, was off-limits.

He lied.

I went off to college, and he got the girl.
Amber never knew how I felt.
They were together for years—before he broke her heart.

Through it all and across the miles, she and I casually stayed in touch.
When my job sent me to Boston for a three-month contract position, Amber let me stay in her spare room.

Still reeling from her breakup, she’d sworn off men.
One night, I opened her computer to find the shock of my life. She’d hesitantly contacted a male escort company. Afraid to date and get her heart broken again, she was looking for sex with no strings.
Every emotion imaginable ran through me: protectiveness, jealousy—curiosity.
Amber had chosen Gentleman Number Nine and sent him a message.
She opened up to him, confessing, among other things, her physical attraction to her friend—me. But she considered me off-limits—and she thought I was a manwhore. (Ironic, considering the circumstances.)

Eventually, she set up a date to meet Gentleman Nine at a hotel. 
When she showed up several nights later to meet him, she was stunned to see me standing there—with an offer I hoped she wouldn’t refuse.

Excerpt

G9,

Is that what your friends call you? I like that. Thanks for the answers.

That’s an interesting question—why tonight of all nights? Well, I saw my ex tagged on Facebook with another woman, and that put me over the edge. But it’s more than that. Lately, I’ve developed a strong attraction to a good friend of mine, and that’s sort of screwing with me a bit. He’s actually temporarily living in my condo, but he’s someone I’ve known for years. I’ve always thought he was extremely handsome, but it’s complicated. He and I would not be a good match romantically. He’s not the monogamous type, or at least, he never used to be. We’re better off as friends. He was also the best friend of my ex years back, so there’s that. Having him around, though, has made me more sensitized to my sexual desires. Little things like the waft of his scent, the way he touches the small of my back when he passes by me in the kitchen…it’s like my body is on this constant state of alert. So, I was thinking if I could just—for lack of a better word—get laid, maybe I could get this feeling out of my system.

—Amber

My jaw was open as I just sat there staring at the screen.

Holy shit.

I read it again.

And again.

And again.

I honestly didn’t think that Amber felt that way about me. She would always make jokes about me being good-looking, but her attraction to Rory proved that her taste wasn’t exactly conventional. Now, I really felt like shit for invading her privacy, because there was no way she would’ve been okay with confessing that to me. I never imagined any of this had to do with me. I’d assumed it was solely about Rory.

She wanted to use another man to f*ck me out of her system?

That revelation left me shocked and confused—not to mention hard as f*ck thinking about the fact that Amber wanted me.

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About the Author

Penelope Ward is a New York Times, USA Today, and #1 Wall Street Journal Bestselling author. She’s a seventeen-time New York Times bestseller. Her novels are published in over a dozen languages and can be found in bookstores around the world. Having grown up in Boston with five older brothers, she spent most of her twenties as a television news anchor, before switching to a more family-friendly career. She is the proud mother of a beautiful 13-year-old girl with autism and a 12-year-old boy. Penelope and her family reside in Rhode Island. 
    
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Spotlight: The Wrong Kind of Compatible by Kadie Scott

The Wrong Kind of Compatible
Kadie Scott
(Love Undercover #1)
Published by: Entangled: Lovestruck
Publication date: June 12th 2017
Genres: Comedy, New Adult, Romance

Data analyst Cassie Howard may be brilliant (and, okay, a little awkward), but she’s worked hard to get where she is. She definitely doesn’t need some sexy new analyst coming in and taking credit for her work. Or the inappropriate thoughts that keep popping out of her mouth she’d rather he not hear.

For undercover FBI agent Drew Kerrigan, computers have always made more sense than people, but he’d better develop some slick social skills in a hurry if he’s going to win over the too-tantalizing-for-his-sanity Cassie. Hacking their systems was easy. Now he’s just got to hack the one person in the company most likely to see through his ruse…

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EXCERPT:

She flipped his hand palm up, and, with firm but gentle strokes, proceeded to massage the area. She pressed into the muscles, pulled on his fingers, and pinched the pressure point between his thumb and forefinger. Every stroke, every brush of her fingers against his skin turned into sheer sensual torture.

Done with his right hand, she placed it in his lap. Drew clamped his lips shut around a groan at how close she was to a part of his body that would love some similar attention. Instead, she picked up his left hand and gave it the same treatment.

“Is the pain gone?”

His headache was, replaced by an entirely different kind of ache. “Not entirely.”

“Okay. Let me try one more thing.” She let go of his hand. “Close your eyes.”

He did as she asked, but immediately regretted it, because now his mind could supply all sorts of inappropriate images as she touched him. He should put a stop to this, but found he couldn’t. Didn’t want to.

She gently ran the pads of her fingers over his face, smoothing over his brows, his forehead, his cheekbones, his temples. Needing to see her, he slowly opened his eyes.

She smiled, eyes dark with an answering desire. “Helping?”

Help was a relative term. Drew didn’t answer, instead, he ran his gaze over every nuance of her face, eventually locking on to turbulent turquoise eyes, unable to pull his gaze away. He reached out and touched a strand of her silky, pale hair that had escaped her pencil restraints.

Cassie’s lips parted on a sweet little gasp that teased his ears. Unable to stop himself, Drew closed the small distance between them and brushed his lips over hers. Just the briefest kiss to relieve the need to touch her like this, to feel her soft lips against his.

“Drew?” she whispered against his lips.

Lord he could become obsessed with the husky timbre to her voice and the way she said his name. Lose himself in her. He pulled back just enough to see her expression. “Yeah?”

She swallowed. “Maybe we should finish this tomorrow?”

Why not tonight? The words trembled on the tip of his tongue until he realized she was talking about work.


Author Bio:

Award-winning contemporary romance author, Kadie Scott, grew up consuming books and exploring the world through her writing. She attempted to find a practical career related to her favorite pastime by earning a degree in English Rhetoric (Technical Writing). However, she swiftly discovered that writing without imagination is not nearly as fun as writing with it.

No matter the genre, she loves to write witty, feisty heroines, sexy heroes who deserve them, and a cast of lovable characters to surround them (and maybe get their own stories). She currently resides in Austin, Texas, with her own personal hero, her husband, and their two children, who are growing up way too fast.

Kadie also writes award-winning paranormal romance under the name Abigail Owen.
(http://abigailowen.com)

For the latest news and exclusive excerpts, subscribe to Kadie’s monthly NEWSLETTER.
(http://eepurl.com/czjrKn)

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Cover Reveal: Eight Goodbyes by Christine Brae

Eight Goodbyes
Christine Brae
Published by: Vesuvian Books
Publication date: September 4th 2018
Genres: Adult, Romance

When Tessa Talman meets Simon Fremont for the first time, not only is she attracted to him, she’s intrigued by how different their lives are. He’s a dedicated scientist, practical, pragmatic, and grounded—while she’s a head-in-the-clouds romance author. As their relationship grows, they agree to meet in places around the world, while continuing to live on opposite sides of the globe.

Though their feelings for each other deepen, their priorities remain the same. Simon is in a hurry to be financially sound and settle down, but Tessa is enjoying her freedom and newfound success. Neither is willing to give in, but as each goodbye gets harder, Tessa begins to wonder whether fame is the path to happiness, or if she has everything she needs in Simon.

Just as Tessa finds the courage to go after her own happily ever after, the unthinkable happens, separating them in ways they never imagined.

To move forward, she must let go of the past, and determine once and for all if love is truly more powerful than the pain of goodbye.

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Author Bio:

Christine Brae is a full time career woman who thought she could write a book about her life and then run away as far as possible from it. She never imagined that her words would touch the hearts of so many women with the same story to tell. Her second book, His Wounded Light was released in December, 2013.

Christine's third book, Insipid, is a standalone that was released in June, 2014, and her fourth book, In This Life, released in January 2016.

When not listening to the voices in her head or spending late nights at the office, Christine can be seen shopping for shoes and purses, running a half marathon or spending time with her husband and three children in Chicago.

Christine is represented by Italia Gandolfo of Gandolfo Helin Literary Management.

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Read an excerpt from The Wonder of You by Harper Kincaid

What if Alice didn’t fall down the rabbit hole, but instead, traveled through
Lincoln Tunnel into another kind of Wonderland:
New York City.

The best day of twenty-five year old Alice Leighton’s life was the day she got to put her nothing special, lil Southern town in her rear-view mirror. Good-bye to phony ‘bless your hearts’ and ‘I’ll pray for you’ crap, all while talking trash behind her back. She’s New York City’s latest addition and she’s going to work her ass off proving she earned her spot in the country’s top grad program.

Never again will she let some jerk derail her future and break her heart. Oh, and no more players. She’s D.O.N.E with the ‘cool guys’. 

Getting caught up in Dare Grangeworth, the art world’s resident bad boy, was not part of her Alice 2.0 plan, even if he is just her type, with his beard, tats sleeves and intense green eyes. When he’s not dodging the press or his cultish fan base, Dare’s making art that makes a statement. Women seem to lose their heads around him – all the more reason why he finds Alice’s candor refreshing. He’s used to women giving in – not giving attitude.

He has to get to know this girl, even if it means allowing himself to be the subject of her research. Before too long, he becomes more than a simple outlier she can explain away. And for him everything starts to feel larger than life and upside down, like a heady rush, all while desperately trying not to lose his heart. 

Become lost and found in this re-imagined story of Alice and her cast of characters, in a world where Wonderland meets Sex-and-the-City. 

Excerpt

I stood perusing the expanse of faces and bodies, broad movements and loud sounds, enjoying a room that had always been larger than life for me. That is, until that second when I finally spotted all five feet nothing of her, so small and far away. Even with her curves, she was still a wisp of a woman. And yet, there was something about her, as if she was lit from the inside out.

Without thinking, my feet moved forward. I was caught in her magnetic field, pulled by a force stronger than my natural inclination to stand back and observe.

I was weightless, hovering in the space between before and afters. I did and did not know this woman. I had no clue what was going to happen. All I knew was that instead of being pulled into a black hole, an endless abyss I had known for way too long, I saw a sliver of light in the shape of a bourbon-haired girl with a spine made of steel.

Maybe nothing would come of this feeling. Maybe it had nothing to do with Alice Elizabeth Leighton. I didn’t know and I didn’t care. What I did know was, in seconds lasting as long as seasons, I was just grateful as fuck to feel…well, anything.

Then I remembered. She thought I was an asshole.

She was right, of course, but I wanted in there anyway.

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About the Author

Born in California and raised in South Florida, Harper Kincaid has moved around like a gypsy with a bounty on her head ever since. For years, she was a jill of all trades and a master of none, but is now tickled hot pink to pen stories that break and mend people's hearts for a living. Kincaid believes seduction occurs from the neck up, which is why her characters are smart, sexy, and slightly quirky - and definitely worthy to be your next hard-core book crush.

When not writing, she adores listening to indie, lo-fi, complaint rock played on vinyl,  the theater, well-informed optimism, happy endings (both kinds), and making those close to her laugh 'til they snort. She is a self-admitted change junkie, loving new experiences and places, but has now happily settled in the cutest lil' town, Vienna, Virginia.

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Entangled Publishing's Valentine's Sales Blast

The Wrong Kind of Compatible

Data analyst Cassie Howard may be brilliant (and, okay, a little awkward), but she’s worked hard to get where she is. She definitely doesn’t need some sexy new analyst coming in and taking credit for her work. Or the inappropriate thoughts that keep popping out of her mouth she’d rather he not hear.
 
For undercover FBI agent Drew Kerrigan, computers have always made more sense than people, but he’d better develop some slick social skills in a hurry if he’s going to win over the too-tantalizing-for-his-sanity Cassie. Hacking their systems was easy. Now he’s just got to hack the one person in the company most likely to see through his ruse…

Buy on Amazon | Barnes and Noble

About the Author

Award-winning contemporary romance author, Kadie Scott, grew up consuming books and exploring the world through her writing. She attempted to find a practical career related to her favorite pastime by earning a degree in English Rhetoric (Technical Writing). However, she swiftly discovered that writing without imagination is not nearly as fun as writing with it.
 
No matter the genre, she loves to write witty, feisty heroines, sexy heroes who deserve them, and a cast of lovable characters to surround them (and maybe get their own stories). She currently resides in Austin, Texas, with her own personal hero, her husband, and their two children, who are growing up way too fast.

Connect: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

The Heartbeat Hypothesis

Audra Madison simply wanted to walk in the shoes of Emily Cavanaugh, a free-spirited teenager who died too young. After all, Audra wasn’t supposed to be here.

Thanks to Emily, Audra has a second chance at life. She’s doing all the things that seemed impossible just two years ago: Go to college. Date. Stargaze in the Rocky Mountains. Maybe get a tattoo. You know, live.

Jake Cavanaugh, a photographer with mysterious, brooding gray eyes, agrees to help chronicle her newfound experiences. She makes him laugh, one of the only people who can these days. As they delve into each other’s pasts – and secrets – the closer they become.

But she’s guarded and feels like she can’t trust anyone, including herself.

And he’s struggling with the fact that his beloved sister’s heart beats inside her.

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About the Author

Lindsey has been writing since she was nine years old, when she discovered the awesomeness that is Harriet the Spy. Her books always include a romance, though sometimes there’s an added sci-fi or magical realism twist. She lives in Columbus, Ohio (where the weather is never quite right). Her BFA in Photography and Graphic Design has granted her a wide assortment of creative knowledge that serves as inspiration (and not much else). When she’s not crafting YA and NA stories, you’ll likely find her spending waaay too much time on Pinterest, playing a video game, singing show-tunes, or performing in a burlesque show—because she enjoys giving her introversion a worthy adversary. (Plus, it’s the closest to Broadway she’ll ever get.) Lindsey was a proud 2016 Pitch Wars Mentee and thoroughly adores being a part of the wonderful writing community. THE HEARTBEAT HYPOTHESIS is her debut novel.

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Seducing Charlotte by Diana Quincy

From enemies to lovers...

The wealthy and handsome Marquess of Camryn can have any woman he desires, but the charismatic bachelor shocks everyone by falling for the rather prudish Charlotte Livingston—who happens to abhor everything the rising politician and captain of industry represents. 

Opposites attract...

When the no-nonsense social campaigner shows zero interest in him, Camryn is even more drawn to her and sets out to seduce the lady's mind—as well as her body. But as the attraction begins to burn between them, a violent rebellion rages across England, pitting the two against each other, and leaving their love caught in the crossfire.

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About the Author

Diana Quincy is an award-winning television journalist who decided she would rather make up stories where a happy ending is always guaranteed. Growing up as a foreign service brat, Diana visited many countries and is now settled in Virginia with her husband and two sons. When not bent over her laptop or trying to keep up with laundry, she enjoys reading, spending time with her family and dreams of traveling much more than her current schedule (and budget) allows. Diana loves to hear from readers, so don't be shy!

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Pretend It’s Love by Stefanie London

One fake relationship shaken not stirred…

Bar manager Paul Chapman is sick of his family’s traditional ideals. Marriage, babies, and a white picket fence? Not his gig. But now that his ‘golden child’ big brother is tying the knot, Paul’s screwed. His ex will be there…and she’s having his cousin’s baby. Unless he wants to show up to the wedding alone and face his family’s scrutiny, he needs a girl on his arm. Now.

Cocktail specialist Libby Harris has spent her life earning the nickname Little Miss Perfect, all to win the love of her wealthy, controlling father. But she deviated from his plan, and now her business is on shaky ground. If it fails, she might as well kiss his respect-and her dream-good-bye. Her only hope? Convince the hottest bar in town to take on her product.

Luckily for her, the owner’s brother is sexy as sin and in need of a perfect girlfriend…

Excerpt

“I don’t want anything to mess this up; we’ve got a good thing going here.” She shrugged. “I’m making headway with Des and, if I can get my products into First, I’ll have the proof of success all these other restaurants want. We’ll get your mixology idea off the ground, and I’ll do my bit by playing happy girlfriend at the wedding. We both walk away friends. No pain, no mess.”

“Sex doesn’t have to change that.”

“What if you fall in love with me?” she teased.

“You’re sexy as hell and smart to boot, but there ain’t no chance of that, Tiger.”

He couldn’t fall in love with her, no way, no how. Ambitious, well-to-do girls like Libby—and Sadie—wouldn’t go the distance with him. They were always hungry for the next thing—they wanted more. And he couldn’t give it to them. But what he could give them was the best damn

sex of their lives.

A strange sensation twinged in his gut. This was exactly what had led him into an endless string of women warming his bed, and he was supposed to be done with that. So why did Libby make him feel like it wasn’t the empty kind of encounter he’d grown to hate?

She nodded, splaying her fingers flat against his chest. “Good.”

“Is that a yes?”

“I don’t believe you actually asked me a question.”

He picked her up and set her on the edge of the kitchen bench, nudging her legs open so he could stand between them. The stretchy material of her polka dot skirt rode higher up over her thighs, revealing a flash of hot pink satin.

“I asked you to stay the night.”

She waggled a finger at him. “You told me to stay.”

“You want me to beg, Tiger?” He pressed his lips to the hollow at the base of her neck, his teeth scraping at her skin. “Not gonna happen. If anyone’s going to beg, it’ll be you.”

Her head lolled back. “I don’t beg.”

“Oh you will.” He kissed farther down, his hands deftly popping the buttons on her blouse. “I won’t let you come until you beg shamelessly, incoherently. I’ll hold you right on the edge until you say my name like it’s the only word you know.”

Her whole body trembled as his lips made it to the edge of her bra. Hot pink satin outlined with yellow lace, colourful and bold just like her. Hard nipples pressed against the fabric, drawing his eye and then his mouth. He tugged the cup down until he could taste all of her.

“Is that a yes?”

She sighed, her eyes fluttering closed. “You still haven’t asked me.”

“May I fuck you into oblivion?”

She laughed, her finger threading into his hair and yanking his face up. “Well, when you put it like that…”

“Say it.”

“Yes, Paul.” She brought her mouth to his in a hot open-mouthed kiss that set his whole body alight. “Yes.”

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About the Author

Growing up, Stefanie came from a family of women who loved to read. Her favourite activity was going shopping with her Nan during school holidays, where she would sit on the floor of the bookstore with her little sister and painstakingly select the books to spend her allowance on. Thus, it was no surprise Stefanie was the sort of student who would read her English books before the semester started. After sneaking several literature subjects into her 'very practical' Business degree, she got a job in Communications. When writing emails and newsletters didn't fulfil her creative urges, she turned to fiction and was finally able to write the stories that kept her mind busy at night. Now she lives in Melbourne with her very own hero and enough books to sink a ship. She frequently indulges in her passions for good coffee, French perfume, high heels and zombie movies. At night she writes sexy, contemporary romance stories and tries not to spend too much time shopping online and watching baby animal videos on YouTube.

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Hold Me Until Midnight by Christina Phillips

Every good girl loves a very bad boy…

Scarlett Ashford needs a date for her father’s wedding. Only she doesn’t just need a guy in a suit—she needs a bodyguard. The only problem is that Jackson Grayson is big and gorgeous and way too sexy. So much so that Scarlett’s tempted to let this hot bad boy ruin her oh-so-good reputation…

Jackson doesn’t do relationships and he certainly doesn’t sleep with clients. Yet he can’t fight their inconvenient attraction, or how badly he wants Scarlett’s warm and wicked curves against his body. He wants her. Now. Even if it’s just for one night, and even if walking away the next morning isn’t as easy as he thought.

Besides, one hot and incredibly intense night between a bad boy and a pampered princess could never turn into something real…could it?

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About the Author

Christina Phillips is an ex-pat Brit who now lives in sunny Western Australia with her high school sweetheart and their family. She enjoys writing paranormal, historical and contemporary romance where the stories sizzle and the heroine brings her hero to his knees. Christina is addicted to good coffee, expensive chocolate and bad boy heroes. She is also owned by three gorgeous cats who are convinced the universe revolves around their needs. They are not wrong. If you would like to know when her next book is available, sign up for her new release mailing list at her website - http://christinaphillips.com

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His Best Mistake by Diane Alberts

One night with a stranger... 

Single dad Mark Matthews is focused on making his daughter’s life the best he possibly can. Between work and taking care of his little girl, dating and any kind of love life is off the table. That is until he meets the quiet but sexy Daisy O’Rourke, who is as secretive as she is beautiful. Now it’s game on.

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About the Author

Diane Alberts is a multi-published, bestselling contemporary romance author with Entangled Publishing. She also writes New York Times and USA Today bestselling new adult books under the name Jen McLaughlin. She's hit the Top 100 lists on Amazon and Barnes and Noble numerous times with numerous titles. Diane is represented by Louise Fury at The Bent Agency. Her goal is to write so many fantastic stories that even a non-romance reader will know her name. Diane has always been a dreamer with a vivid imagination, but it wasn't until 2011 that she put her pen where her brain was, and became a published author. Since receiving her first contract offer, she has yet to stop writing. Though she lives in the mountains, she really wishes she was surrounded by a hot, sunny beach with crystal clear water. She lives in Northeast Pennsylvania with her four kids, a husband, a schnauzer mutt, and four cats.

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Her Summer with the Marine by Susan Meier

Their competition has never been so irresistible

The last person Ellie McDermott wanted to run into after returning to her hometown is Finn Donovan, her high school nemesis and the guy she crossed the line from enemies to lovers with one night years ago. Now ex-military, tattooed, and still sexy as hell, Finn is a complication Ellie doesn’t need—she needs to concentrate on saving her family business.

Finn’s entire life, Ellie was there, going head-to-head with him in every class, bee, and test. So it’s no surprise she’d show up just as he was about to take over her father’s struggling business. It is a surprise, though, that his attraction to her is even more explosive than it had been. Acting on their attraction is one thing, but Finn has to turn a profit to save his own family, and nothing—not even love—will get in his way.

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About the Author

A one-time legal secretary and director of a charitable foundation, Susan Meier found her own personal 'bliss' when she became a full-time novelist. She's visited ski lodges and candy factories for "research" and works in her pajamas. But the real joy of her job is creating stories about women for women. In her sixty published novels, she's tackled issues like infertility, losing a child and becoming widowed. Her favorite stories are those that inspire laughter through tears. Susan lives in western Pennsylvania with her own hero, their son and two fabulous felines, Sophia Maria Lolita Conchita Chiquita Banana and Fluffy.

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Falling for Her Soldier by Ophelia London

Ex-ballerina Ellie Bell has twenty-four days left until her self-imposed man-less year is up. No more falling for the wrong kind of guy—charming, sexy, bad. Why can't she find someone sweet like Charlie, her soldier pen pal? His e-mails meant the world to her, and she can't stop thinking about him…until she meets Hunter, whose muscles and cocky smile threaten to have her relapsing.

Before Charlie "Big Game Hunter" Johansson's last tour of duty, he'd gone through women like crazy. But after connecting on a real, emotional level via letters with his best friend's sister, Charlie's ready for a relationship—with Ellie. But then her brother introduces him as Hunter. Proving he's no longer a player by becoming her dance partner for an Army benefit seems like it could convince both siblings he's changed. Except the harder he falls for Ellie, the harder it is to come clean. Can he convince her to fall for the real him before it's too late?  

Excerpt

“Did you always want to be in the Army?” she asked, genuinely interested in his answer. She’d often wondered what made people choose a military path, knowing how dangerous it could be but doing it anyway. Was it patriotism? Money for college? That obviously wasn’t Hunter’s reason, since he was still Army.

“I never considered it until I was twenty,” he said. “It was supposed to be just four years in and out, then finish college. Turns out it’s a good fit for me. I can’t imagine doing anything else.”

Ellie nodded slowly, feeling a little bit awed…and then feeling a little bit something else when Hunter reached over his head for the top shelf and she caught sight of his tanned washboard abs.

“Um, I know what you mean,” she said, jerking her gaze in the other direction before she started drooling. “I went to college but I haven’t really used my degree.”

“What did you graduate in?”

“Child psychology.”

Hunter leaned against the table and smiled. “So that’s why you’re drawn to the patrons of the WS.”

“Exactly.” She laughed. “No one quite as childish as a soldier.”

“I hear ya.”

“I’m kidding, of course. I don’t know how you guys do it. I hear stories from Sam…” She cut off, her hands automatically balling into fists of anxiety. “I can’t think about it. I can’t imagine.”

Hunter put down the book he was about to reshelve. “Then don’t think about it,” he said in a low voice. “That’s my job.”

A little glow lit beneath her skin and spread through her chest as his eyes locked on hers. Then she recalled what she’d told Jane last night, how she didn’t think she could get involved with a soldier, the sleepless nights, the blinding worry. But as she gazed at Hunter, she wondered if maybe…knowing people like him were out there, there wasn’t the need to worry as much.

“What you do is amazing.” She spoke around the lump in her throat. “Seriously, you don’t get thanked enough.” Her thoughts suddenly flew to her brother, and to the people

hanging out at the Warrior Station, and to all the other brave men and women who defended their country every day.

Without thinking, she went to Hunter, reached out, and took his hand. “Thank you,” she whispered, lacing her fingers through his. “From me. Thank you, with all my heart.”

His hand felt warm pressed against hers, more calloused than she was used to, but gentle. She squeezed it, feeling his strength as he squeezed back.

“Damn.” The word was an exhale.

“What?” She blinked up at him, getting an extra-close look at those golden rings around his blue eyes.

He closed his eyes for a moment, then pulled back a slow smile. “That should see me through my next deployment.”

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About the Author

USA Today bestselling author Ophelia London was born and raised among the redwood trees in beautiful northern California. Once she was fully educated, she decided to settle in Florida, but her car broke down in Texas and she's lived in Dallas ever since. A cupcake and treadmill aficionado (obviously those things are connected), she spends her time watching arthouse movies and impossibly trashy TV, while living vicariously through the characters in the books she writes. Ophelia is the author of SOMEDAY MAYBE; DEFINITELY, MAYBE IN LOVE; ABBY ROAD; the Perfect Kisses series including: FALLING FOR HER SOLDIER, PLAYING AT LOVE, SPEAKING OF LOVE, and MAKING WAVES; and the upcoming Sugar City series for Entangled's Bliss line. Visit her at ophelialondon.com. But don't call when The Vampire Diaries (or Dawson's Creek) is on.

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Duchess by Day, Mistress by Night by Stacy Reid

Georgiana Rutherford, the Duchess of Hardcastle, seemingly has it all—wealth, pedigree, and the admiration of the ton, except her heart hungers for a passionate affair. She meets the enigmatic and ruthless Mr. Rhys Tremayne, a man known to low and high society as the Broker. The attraction between them is impossible to deny, but she cannot be feeling it for this man. 

Rhys Tremayne has built his wealth and empire by dealing secrets on the black market of the London underworld. He is determined to take his sisters away from the depraved world they’ve known their entire lives, and the duchess is the perfect woman to help sponsor his sisters into society. The only problem is that he wants more from Georgiana, even if the social divide between them ensures she can only ever be his lover in secret.

Excerpt

They entered the library, her heart doing strange things inside her chest when he closed the door with a soft snick. There was a fire burning low in the grate, and the library was cast in more shadow than light. After pouring what appeared to be brandy in two glasses, he prowled over and offered one to her.

“Thank you.”

There really ought to be more space between them. The fall of the skirts of her gown brushed against his leg. They stood like that, sipping their drinks, and she almost giggled at how odd it all seemed. Finally, his lips curved into a smile as if he picked up on her amusement and how ridiculous it was that they were standing in the center of the room, standing so inappropriately close, sipping brandies, and simply staring at each other.

“You have an inviting mouth.”

Incredibly, a smile tugged at her lips before she could stifle it. “I don’t believe I’ve ever heard that particular compliment before.”

His gaze dropped to her lips for an infinite number of seconds. With a grimace, he stepped back and downed the content of his glass in one swallow. “I’m beginning to think this impulsive tête-à-tête was foolhardy.”

“And why is that, Mr. Tremayne?” she asked, absurdly pleased with her nonchalance.

“Because I want to taste you quite desperately, and I am not the desperate sort.”

Arousal shivered through her with surprising intensity. A kiss. So simple but so frightfully complicated because he was the wrong man. It’s just a kiss, Georgiana. The notion was mad. It was fanciful, and unbearably tempting.

“I see,” she said softly, unsure if he attempted to kiss her whether she would stop him. Georgiana waited, feeling a bit silly when he did nothing. There was a cool smile to his lips, almost mocking in its effect, and she narrowed her eyes. She had the uncomfortable impression that he knew precisely what she was thinking.

“I believe it is time for me to be alone, Mr. Tremayne,” she said and strolled to the windows and pulled the drapes open wider. The sky glowed with stars, and she glided a fingertip across the cool glass pane. How she wished to be outside, lying on the freshly mown grass, staring into the beautiful abyss. Or…how she wished he had been improper and kissed her. Or perhaps she should have offered her lips to him.

It took a few seconds for her to realize she’d not heard the close of the library door signaling his departure. Before she could turn, she sensed that he’d moved nearer. A peculiar longing seized Georgiana, and she stilled. Then she felt him, at once a comforting heat but an intimidating presence. If she were to lean back only an inch, surely her back would be flush along his chest.

He did not speak, and she accepted the silence that wrapped itself around them.

“I’m going to touch you.”

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About the Author

Stacy is an avid reader of novels with a deep passion for writing. She especially loves romance and adores writing about people falling in love. Stacy lives a lot in the worlds she creates and actively speaks to her characters (out loud). She has a warrior way, never give up on her dreams. When Stacy is not writing, she spends a copious amount of time drooling over Rick Grimes from Walking Dead, watching Japanese anime and playing video games with her love, Dusean Nelson.

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Beyond the Stars by Stacy Wise

Falling for him wasn’t in the plans…

Most girls would kill for the opportunity to work for Jack McAlister, Hollywood’s hottest actor, but twenty-one-year-old Jessica Beckett is ready to kick him out of her red Ford Fiesta and never look back. She should be spending her junior year in France, eating pastries and sharpening her foreign language skills. Instead she’s reluctantly working as Jack’s personal assistant, thanks to her powerhouse talent agent aunt.

Jack is private, prickly, and downright condescending. Jessica pushes his buttons—she’s not the type of girl to swoon over celebrity heartthrobs, precisely why her aunt thought she’d be perfect for the job—and Jack pushes right back.

But as she begins to peel away his layers, Jessica is shocked to find she craves her boss’s easy smile and sexy blue eyes. The problem is, so does the entire female population. And what started out as the job from hell soon has Jess wondering if a guy like Jack could ever find love with a regular girl like her.

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About the Author

Stacy Wise is the author of Beyond the Stars. She has a B.A. in Communication Studies from UCLA and a Masters in Teaching from Chapman University. She lives in California with her husband and four children. Prior to becoming a full-time writer, Stacy worked in television casting on shows including Party of Five, The X Files, Sabrina, the Teenage Witch, and Married...With Children. When she's not dreaming up stories, you can find her beating up the bag at her kickboxing gym, or walking her dogs, Bailey and Rex.

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Spotlight: Bad Wolf by Jo Raven

Bad Wolf
Jo Raven
Publication date: February 8th 2018
Genres: Adult, Romance

This is no fairytale…
Once I fell in love with a gorgeous boy next door.
Years later, he’s back—a total hunk, hot as hell, and bad. So bad.
Rude. Cocky. Hard.
And I’m dying for a taste.

Jarett was our neighbors’ adopted son.

Handsome, strong, quiet, he was my protector, and my friend.

Now he’s back, and he’s still gorgeous.

Tall, dark and sexy. All man.
But he’s a bad guy, moving with a dangerous crowd.

So why do I keep winding up in his arms?
On his lap. In his bed.
I know better than this—I’m better than this. I should stop.
Only my heart tells me there’s good inside Jarett.

That I could save him.

Then again, what happens to gullible girls who climb into bed with the big bad wolf?

…Right.

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EXCERPT:

Gigi is standing at the open door, the loud rock music spilling out into the alley. She looks left, then right, as if searching for someone. No great leap of the imagination required to know she’s looking for her friend.

And she sees me. Her gaze stops on me.

She steps all the way out and lets the door close behind her. “Rett?”

Fuck. This is fucking bad. I suck on my cigarette and wait. Maybe she’ll take the hint and go away.

But Gigi never cared what I said or did, back then. She stuck by my side through my silences and snarky comments.

Obviously she hasn’t changed.

She heads straight to me, plants herself in front of me and shakes back her white-blond hair. “Rett. What now, you’ll pretend you can’t see me?”

Damn, how could I ever pretend that? She’s wearing a low-cut red sweater over a tiny skirt and those damn knee-length socks that drive me crazy. Girl likes wearing red. And damn if I can tear my eyes away from her cleavage.

I’m so fucking hard I’m about to bust a nut.

“What do you want?” I mutter, flicking ash from my cigarette, a thoughtless gesture, when it becomes clear she isn’t budging.

“Did you see Sydney out here? I’ve lost her again.”

She smells of something sweet, like toffee. My mouth waters. My dick throbs. She smells like home, and like pleasure, and like danger all at once.

“Go away, Gigi,” I whisper. “Go back inside. That’s where your friend is.”

“So you saw her.”

Throwing my cigarette away, I take a step toward her. “Go now.” She’s wearing down all of my self-control. I have to send her back inside, send her away from me. Having her around is risky on a thousand different levels.

She takes a step back. “Not unless you tell me what you saw. Did she buy drugs? Tell me, Jarett.”

“And what will you do if I tell you?” I back her into the club’s fire escape ladder. “What the fuck can you do about it?”

“Not me. She won’t listen to me, or talk to me about this. But you could help me.”

I blink, not sure I heard her well. I’m looking down into her pretty eyes, at her full, red mouth, and shake my head. “What did you say?”

“For old times’ sake, Rett… I need your help.”


Author Bio:

Hi! My name is Jo, and I torture pretty boys for a living... :)
I am a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, best known for my series Inked Brotherhood and Damage Control. I write edgy New Adult romance with sexy bad boys and strong-willed heroines.
Be the first to get your hands on my new releases & offers, giveaways, previews, and more, by signing up here http://bit.ly/1CTNTHM
Meet me online - on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJoRaven), chat with me on Twitter (@AuthorJoRaven) and join my readers group for sneak previews of my covers and stories (http://on.fb.me/1K2LvzO).

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