Spotlight: Till I Found You by Michelle Fernandez

Till I Found You
Michelle Fernandez
Publication date: September 3rd 2019
Genres: Adult, Romance, Suspense

Former Navy SEAL, Julian “Booker” Cruz, joined an elite security ops agency with one goal in mind: to forget his past. With the overload of work, there’s no time for romance, nor does he want it. His rule—don’t mix business with pleasure. Until one assignment puts that rule to the test. Chloe Channing is not to discover his undercover role as her protective detail from an unknown psychopath. But as their days pass together in tropical paradise, it becomes difficult to keep his desire from compromising everything. Including her safety.

All Chloe wants is to remember, but so much of her memory was lost after her assailant left her unconscious. On a summer trip with friends at her family’s estate in the Bahamas, she yearns for the quiet respite from a previous heartbreak and her tortured nightmares. She never expects a man like Julian to help her find emotional peace and physical healing. But as she falls deeper, her flashbacks slowly come together, and they include glimpses of one handsome, mysterious, yet all-too-familiar face: Julian’s.

Is Chloe’s mind playing tricks on her again… or has she met this man before?

Even if Julian could let go and risk it all, could he ever forgive himself enough to fall in love again?

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EXCERPT:

Julian wanted to rewind the clock.
Go back to the hilltop where they last made love in the rain. Or go back even further, to the day they first met. Maybe

things would be so different now. The one woman who had helped him with his brokenness, healed the deep scars of his heart and awakened his dark soul now needed to be fixed.

Agony.

The only thing Julian felt was pure hopelessness and he wanted to jump off the ledge. The lead of guilt weighed down his stomach and fire raged within him. His blood-soaked cargo pants and dried blood on his hands were reminders of the fucked-up rescue and recovery that had gone completely wrong.

Waiting.

That’s all he could do. Time had no place within the sterile white walls of the hospital. Minutes felt like hours and hours felt like an eternity. Julian paced the laminate floors of the long corridor as the blur of nurses that passed by him started to make him dizzy.

Julian’s boots moved him into the waiting room. He leaned against the doorjamb and scanned the room. Sam’s head lowered, face in his hands as Sage’s arm comforted him. Ezra and Olinda, their foreheads touching, embraced one another for support and comfort.

Guilt stirred in his chest when his eyes met Phoebe’s. Julian swal‐ lowed the lump in his throat and slightly shook his head, sending her unspoken apologies.

Phoebe rose from her chair and put her arms around him. She pulled back slightly and framed his face, wiped a tear that escaped his eye.

“This isn’t your fault,” Phoebe said, her red-rimmed eyes filled with tears.

He shut his eyes. “I fucked up, Phoebe.”

“Hey, look at me. Chloe is the strongest person I know.” Phoebe choked back a sob. They stared at each other for a beat until a soft smile pulled at Phoebe’s lips. “I need you to be strong for her.”

“I can’t lose her… I just found her.”

A momentary silence overlaid the small waiting room. Julian anticipated the doctor’s forthcoming final words. Even now, they tore at him like bear claws shredding his skin. He reached in his pocket, pulled out the turtle charm necklace he had picked up from the shed before getting in the ambulance. Julian stared at the trinket for a moment, hating the lump forming in his throat and the tears blurring his vision. He so badly wanted to see Chloe.

Parallel images collided of Amber and Chloe, knocking his breath loose. The doctor’s words that came out… ‘I’m so sorry for your loss’ hammered his heart when they couldn’t save Amber.

He prayed he wouldn’t hear those same words again. He sent up a silent prayer hoping for some kind of sign that Chloe was going to come out of this.

He needed to remind himself to breathe, to stay strong for her. But it was almost impossible when the woman he loved more than his own life was fighting for her very own. His head pounded as images of her brittle body, the bang of the gun firing one last time, then Chloe falling to the ground—all played in a loop, over and over.

Julian put the necklace back in his front pocket. “Don’t you dare die on me, Chloe,” Julian whispered to himself, letting out a deep breath he didn’t realize he’d held in his lungs.

Author Bio:

Michelle is a wife, mother and an avid reader of multi-genres. She's always been passionate about reading and impressed by the influence it has on people. Which is why she started writing in the first place. Romance suspense is her most favorite genre. The damsel heroine and the alpha gentleman hero are who she writes about. It started as a hobby. One chapter turned into ten, then a novel was born. Making up worlds and characters for readers to fall in love with, is the most rewarding for her. May her words give you the 'feels' and may it be an unputdownable book!

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Spotlight: Stuck with You by Christina Mandelski

Publication Date: September 2, 2019

Publisher: Entangled Teen Crush

When Caleb Gray heads to the Texas coast to mentally prepare for a future he isn’t sure he wants, the last person he expects to see is Catie Dixon. Yeah, their mothers have been planning their wedding since they were born, but he and Catie are most definitely not friends. He can’t see her as anything but the annoying kid who followed him everywhere. Except, it’s really bothering him that everyone is staring at her in that bikini…

Catie got over her crush on Caleb ages ago. So why can’t she see past his ripped body or how unsettled he seems? She’s got her own problems, though. Her future has been set for years and now she’s dreaming of pulling the plug. A week at their families’ beach house is just what she needs to pull herself together, and she has no intention of letting Caleb back into her heart...which would be a whole lot easier if he’d put on a shirt.

But a forced week of togetherness full of beach parties, waterslide mishaps, bonfires, and roller coasters sparks more than an understanding. What do you do when the person standing in the way of your future is the one person you grew up hating...but now don’t?

Excerpt

“You’re right,” I say, keeping my voice level, feeling much better already. “We are not supposed to be here. Mom thinks that we’re at Sunny’s lake house with her family.” I hold up a hand and purse my lips. “But they had a sewage backup problem and couldn’t go at the last minute, so we

came here instead, and I didn’t know you were gonna be here, so you gotta help me out, Caleb…” My voice is going higher and higher, and I’m talking faster and faster as he tries to reach around my back to get his phone. 

“Gimme the phone, Cate.” 

I keep angling myself so he can’t quite reach it, but he’s still trying, and his long arms are circling me, and I hate myself for noticing how his muscles have exploded. Is this what lacrosse does to a body? I manage to cut away from him, running to the other side of the dining table. I squeeze my eyes closed and refocus. 

“Sewage, Caleb, sewage!” I shout. 

He frowns and walks toward me. “Give me the phone.” He’s still not acting angry. Cool as cucumber. Just slightly annoyed. I hate that. 

“Caleb!” I’m desperate. “Do you hear me? There was poop in their living room!” This is a lie, and I’m bad at lying, but I can’t see how else to get out of this.

Finally, he backs off, hands low on that waist again. Swagger. He’s got it. Also, he’s good at smolder, and that’s the reason most of the girls at our high school practically had a memorial service for him when he moved away. 

Not me, of course.

Buy on Amazon | Barnes and Noble

About the Author

Christina Mandelski was born in South Florida, where her love of reading was cultivated in a house full of books. Stories like The Little House series, The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, Island of the Blue Dolphins and The Secret Garden, filled her imagination and fueled her dreams to be a writer. That dream came true when her first young adult novel, THE SWEETEST THING, was published in 2011, and she’s beyond thrilled about her upcoming series for Entangled Crush. Chris lives in Houston with one handsome husband, two beautiful daughters, and two freakshow cats. She has a fondness for the beach, her family and friends, and she still loves to read (especially curled up with a good cup of coffee!) She also enjoys shopping, traveling and eating, especially cake. Always cake. When she’s not doing these things, you can find her holed in a cozy spot with her laptop, writing. Visit her at www.christinamandelski.com.

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Spotlight: The Celebration Series by Stacy Eaton


The Celebration Series is a 13 Story Novel & Novella Series that takes place in the fictional town of Celebration, Pennsylvania. Each story revolves around a US Holiday.

Tangled in Tinsel
The Celebration Series Book 1 (Christmas)
by Stacy Eaton
Genre: Contemporary Romance 

Casey Lowe is new in town and hiding from her past. Her next-door neighbor, Thad Wagner, is a sexy police officer who is good with hands, and his lips. But Casey refuses to get involved with a married man, and Thad can’t seem to understand why she keeps pushing him away.
No matter how they try to stay apart, something keeps drawing them together. When an unexpected visitor shows up at Casey’s house the week before Christmas, her future is on the line. Will Thad figure it out in time to save her or will Casey become a co-conspirator to a murderer.

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Tears to Cheers
The Celebration Series Book 2 (New Year's)

Linda Maxim is a woman who learned early on how to work hard and succeed. Her only regret is that the man she loved disappeared just days after she got pregnant at the tender age of sixteen.
Ian Dugan was whisked away by his parents and unable to contact anyone from his previous life. Fourteen years later, Ian needs to get away from his life and ends up crashing his car and waking up in the hospital where Linda watches over him.
Can Linda forgive Ian for leaving her alone as a pregnant teen? Will Ian be able to forgive Linda and himself when he learns of the daughter he never knew about? Find out on New Year’s Night if Ian can erase the tears and find something to celebrate.



Heathens to Hearts
The Celebration Series Book 3 (Valentine's Day)

Jason Hayes is a man who hides from his past, not because he did anything wrong, but because he is ashamed of the things that he had to do to make it through nursing school.
Riayn Simmers is new to Celebration Township and unexpectedly runs into Jason Hayes, the first man she ever loved, but walked away from because of how he was living his life.
Can Riayn see Jason as more than the heathen she previously thought he was, or will she leave behind her dreams of owning a small-town bakery?



Rainbows Bring Riches
The Celebration Series Book 4 (St. Patrick's Day)

Dabby Finnegan got roped into being auctioned off for the annual Valentine’s Party, and nothing could have prepared him to face the vibrant and determined Paige Brogan. From the moment she jumps into his arms to collect her prize, his life will change.
Paige Brogan has had a crush on Dabby for a long time, and this auction is exactly what she’s been waiting for to finally catch his eye. When Paige wins a date with Dabby, the only thing she wants to do is spend the day with him working at his tavern.
As Paige and Dabby get to know one another, Dabby has a hard time understanding why this incredible woman would be interested in him. It’s when the rainbows are overhead, and green beer is flowing that Dabby finally realizes what he has and vows to never lose it.



Sweet as Sugar
The Celebration Series Book 5 (Easter)

Missy Moresco might be Celebration Police Department’s police dispatcher, but she’s also got her thumb on the pulse of the township. When FBI Agent Casper Princeton shows up in town on a case, Missy and Casper go undercover to protect the real reason he’s there by pretending they are a couple.
With Missy’s snarky comments and Casper’s quick comebacks, these two find it hard to keep a professional distance. When Casper needs to rush home to a family emergency, Missy is torn on whether it’s a good thing or a bad one. Just when she decides it doesn’t matter, Casper shows up on her doorstep with his five-year-old daughter.
Can Missy and Casper keep the fake relationship going while they wait for his case to come to a head, or will his daughter and his job come between them before Easter arrives?





Making Mom Mad

The Celebration Series Book 6 (Mother's Day)

Corrine Wagner is determined to make a good life for herself and her son while hunting for the perfect man to complete her family. Unfortunately, with her crazy schedule of school and work, her patience begins to run thin with her constantly-in-trouble, five-year-old son, Tommy.
Nolan Tigues has lived across the street from Corrine his whole life—and carried a torch for her almost as long. When Nolan tries to help Corrine with Tommy, she takes it all the wrong way. She can’t believe Nolan thinks she’s a bad mom.
Can Nolan find a way to prove to Corrine that he cares about her—and about Tommy—as more than just a friend, or will Corrine push away the man who could give her everything she’s dreamed of her whole life?





Sparklers or Spankings

The Celebration Series Book 7 (Memorial Day)

Harper Reed has run her family owned Bed & Breakfast for three years, and recently turned it into a place for couples to spice up their relationships. Harper has a dream for her business and her future, but recent events might upend those romantic dreams.
When Mason Tidewater arrives at her Inn, Harper believes its fate that has brought them together. While Mason doesn’t believe in fate, things start to happen in Celebration Township that could change his mind. Unfortunately, the reason he’s here in the first place, might destroy any chance he has with Harper.
During the Memorial Day celebration Mason must decide if he’s ready for sparklers or spankings, or perhaps if fate is good, he could have both.





Raffles to Rattles
The Celebration Series Book 8 (Father's Day) 

When Sophia Thayer realized that she’d squandered her savings, she decided to take on a second job. She didn’t particularly want to dust off her four-inch dancing shoes and get back into that line of work, but she knew the money would be good, especially if she got the job at Pleasure Your Fantasies.
Scott Allen has had a thing for Sophia since he’d met her, and it wasn’t until she won him at the Valentine’s Day Bachelor Auction that he realized the feeling might be mutual. Although a relationship didn’t initially work out, Scott didn’t give up on a future with her—not until he saw her dancing on stage at a gentlemen’s club and noticed that the owner was staking a claim on her.
When Sophia realizes she’s pregnant with Scott’s child, can the two of them figure out how to move forward and raise the child together—or will her past and present career choices keep Scott from her side?



Flirting with Fireworks
The Celebration Series Book 9 (Fourth of July)

Brandy Nottingham has known Casey Lowe since high school and can’t wait to see firsthand how wonderful Casey’s life is with Thad Wagner in Celebration Township. As Brandy is introduced to some of Casey’s friends, she literally collides with a man from her past.
It’s been fourteen years since Chase Stevens held Brandy in his arms, and while the two of them clean the tray of paint they spilled on themselves, Chase is painfully reminded of how he’d been left on the pier all alone all those years ago.
As Chase and Brandy try to find a way to deal with the painful and embarrassing past, Brandy needs to decide what her future is going to be. If she were to stay in Celebration, she could lose everything she’s ever known—including her family and their money.
Could Chase be enough for her, or will he realize that he could never offer her the life to which she is accustomed?



Working with Wheels
The Celebration Series Book 10 (Labor Day) 

Levi Rivers is one of the most protective men in Celebration Township, so when his neighbor passes away, he feels responsible for not having noticed her absence for ten days. His guilt only increases when he finds out that it was possibly suicide, and he had been too wrapped up in his own life to catch any signs of her withdrawal.
Alesandra Findley moved away from Celebration when she was four years old and was told that her mother had died when she was young. She’s shocked to learn from her brother that he knew their mother had been alive the past twenty-five years and neither he nor her father had shared the information with her.
When Alesandra returns to Celebration to learn about the mother she lost years ago, Levi is there to lend his guidance, support, and encouragement. The two of them immediately connect in ways neither of them expected.
Levi will need to learn to live with his guilt while Alesandra learns the truth about her mother. When it’s time for Alesandra to return to her life in New York City, she’s not sure she wants to leave Levi and all she has discovered in the town to return to the cold world of fashion. But can life with Levi working with chrome and wheels instead of glamour and glitz be enough for her?





Masquerading at Midnight
The Celebration Series Book 11 (Halloween)

Deklan Kelly comes from a family of well-known attorneys, and growing up his parents told him that’s what he wanted to be, too. Privately, he wished he could spend his days sketching and painting the beauty of life instead of wheeling and dealing with dregs of humanity.
Sky Clarke hides behind the walls of her families’ home protecting women and children from abusive partners. She is devoted and passionate to her cause, and will do anything for her clients, even break the law to protect them. What she won’t do is put up with annoying attorneys.
When Sky finds Deklan innocently sketching on her property, the two of them get thrown together into a spiral of events that will keep them both on their toes.
Will Deklan finally be able to remove the mask and be the man he truly wants to be for Sky, or will she run from the passion he wants to give her because she’s afraid to remove her own mask?
Masquerading at Midnight is the eleventh book in the thirteen-book Celebration Series.



Blessings and Beans
The Celebration Series Book 12 (Thanksgiving)

Hope Wells is a lifetime resident of Celebration Township, and lives on coffee fumes and loves stories at her downtown store, Beans and Books. As each one of her friends has found love, she’s been excited but secretly envious. As much as she wants to find a man, she knows that the odds are stacked against her, not with the medical issue she has kept hidden from everyone.
Aaron Findley was born in Celebration but left when he was a boy. A few months back, he returned after his mother passed away, and even the race cars he drives couldn’t get him out of town fast enough. His sister, Alesandra might enjoy the little po-dunk town, but he prefers bright lights and beautiful women hanging off of his arms after he finishes a race.
Six weeks before Thanksgiving, Aaron crashes his racecar and lands in the hospital in serious condition. When he is discharged three weeks later, he finds that he has fewer friends than he originally thought, and a career that went up in flames like his car. His only choice is to convalesce at his sister’s house in Celebration. Grumpy and bored, Aaron finds himself hiding at the small coffee shop for hours as he comes to terms with his new life.


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Velevet & Vows
The Celebration Series Book 13 (Finale- Christmas)

The epic finale of the Celebration Series is finally here. Celebrate Christmas once again with the couple that started it all: Casey Lowe and Thad Wagner.
Velvet & Vows starts out twenty days before the wedding and there is a lot to be done. With wedding showers, bachelor and bachelorette parties, the final dress fittings, holiday preparations and the last of the details for the ceremony and reception, Celebration is crackling with energy–but it’s not all good.
With a few misunderstandings, many secrets and a serial arsonist running rampant in the town, the days leading up to the wedding are far more stressful than Casey and Thad ever planned for it to be. It will take the entire town to tell this story as we pass from one leading character to another.
Prepare yourself for this one-of-a-kind novel that will bring insight into every character you’ve fallen in love with during the series, and even a few characters you’ve never heard from firsthand.

NOTE: While Velvet & Vows can be a standalone novel, there have been twelve other books in this series before it. This book incorporates all twelve of those couples into one story and might be slightly hard to follow if you have not read the other books.




Stacy Eaton is a USA Today Bestselling author and began her writing career in October of 2010. Stacy took early retirement from law enforcement after over fifteen years of service in 2016 due to a second serious concusion. Her last three years on the job were in investigations and crime scene investigation. She now writes full-time.

Stacy resides in southeastern Pennsylvania with her husband, who works in law enforcement, and her teen daughter. Stacy also has a son who is currently serving in the United States Navy. She is also very involved in Domestic Violence Awareness and served on the Board of Directors for her local Domestic Violence Center for three years.

Stacy writes a variety of genre's, but mostly romance. She enjoys writing real-life stories that people can relate too with real-life problems, emotions, and solutions.

Her favorites: Classic cars, photography, Disney, music, coffee and her favorite sweatshirt that says, "You are dangerously close to getting killed in my next novel."




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Spotlight: Anyone But Rich by Penelope Bloom

Guest Post: Meet the Kings of North Carolina with Author Penelope Bloom

Anyone But Rich is the first book of my new, three book "Anyone But..." series. Every book is a true romantic comedy and is full of moments that I hope will have you laughing out loud, if not at least breathing out a little puff of air from your nose.

Anyone But Rich follows the oldest King brother, Richard King, and his love interest, Kira Summerland. Seven years ago, the King brothers left behind a trail of scorched earth as far as Kira and her best friends, Iris and Miranda were concerned. The three women swore an oath that they’d never date the King brothers again, even if they wound up becoming mega-famous billionaires and came back on their knees, begging for forgiveness. 

But that’s exactly what happened. Now, Kira isn’t so sure she’ll be able to hold herself to a vow she made seven years ago, even if breaking it could drive a rift between her and her best friends.

Rich and the King brothers are global phenomenons. Each of them takes their own, unique approach to melting hearts. Rich is the kind of guy who puts business first and relentlessly pursues his goals, even if it means ruffling feathers along the way. That’s what makes Kira so special for him. She’s the one person who can bring out a softer side of Rich, and at times, even a funny side. But Kira or not, he’s generally seen as the face of the company, and he’s easily the biggest name to ever land in a place like West Valley.

Cade is Rich’s twin brother, but the two men couldn’t be more different. Cade is a somewhat strange blend of intelligence, goofiness, and unbearable cockiness. He can turn any situation into a joke, but behind the laughs and crude comments, he still wonders if his high school crush, Iris, would ever look beyond their past. 

Nick is the youngest of the trio and generally thought of as the quiet genius of the group. He’s not as in-your-face as Rich can appear, but Nick commands respect in his own way. He also has the closest relationship with Cade, partly because Nick is the only one who ever seemed up to the task of keeping his wild, older brother alive. 

All in all, the three brothers are like the riders of the apocalypse, if apocalypses were caused by melted panties and broken hearts, at least.

But the King brothers all share one thing in common. Whether they’ll ever admit it or not, they all came back to West Valley for the girls they left behind. Anyone But Rich is the story of Richard King and his attempts to win the forgiveness of Kira Summerland, his old high school flame. The question for Rich is how long he can pretend forgiveness is all he wants. For Kira, it’s a question of whether she can look past the mountain’s worth of warning signs telling her to stay as far away from Rich as possible.

There are endless obstacles between the King brothers and their West Valley girls, but the King brothers aren’t the type to shy away from a challenge. They’ve just never faced one this great.

Release Date: September 3, 2019

Series: Anyone But..., #1

Publisher: Montlake 

Summary

Seven years ago, my best friends and I made a promise: No matter what, we would never date one of the King brothers. Even if they grew up to become megafamous, gorgeous, heart-stopping billionaires. Even if they crawled on their knees and begged for forgiveness.

But guess who just flew back into our lives in a private jet? And guess who just showed up to my job on my first day? Richard. King. Fortunately, it takes two seconds for Richard to reveal he hasn’t changed. Conceited. Cocky. Rude. Unfortunately, he’s also the kind of gorgeous that’s borderline offensive—with a jawline to make statues self-conscious and a grin that short-circuits my brain.

He’s spent years taking what he wants. I doubt he’s hungry for anything else—except me, apparently. There’s no way I’ll let him maneuver his way back into my life. My friends would never forgive me. I would never forgive me. But did I mention his jawline?

Excerpt

 Principal Lockett. 

He was shorter than most of the freshmen, but the shiny patch of bald skin on his crown and the drooping bags under his eyes meant there was no mistaking him for a student. “Just wanted to say good luck on your first day, Kira.” 

“Thank you,” I said. I hoped my smile looked genuine. I’d expected to need to try very hard to make a good impression on my new boss, but from the first day of preplanning two weeks ago, it seemed like he was the one sucking up. It wasn’t the first time being the mayor’s daughter had given me some unwanted advantage. No matter how much I protested, some people in West Valley were dead set on the idea that getting in my good graces was the same as getting in my father’s good graces. Unfortunately, my objections went unnoticed, and people had never been quick to believe that favoritism wasn’t something I secretly encouraged. 

So I did what I always did. I pretended I still needed to bust my ass to make a good impression. I refused to sit back and let my father be an easy pass, and I hoped for the best. 

“Is everything okay?” I asked when he was still standing there with a smile plastered on his face. From the corner of my eye, I saw students start pouring into my room from the back door. 

“There is just one thing. A slight hiccup, really. Nothing that you would need to worry your father about,” he said. “There’s a very influential businessman in town. He got on the phone with the right people a few minutes ago, made some very interesting promises, and . . . well . . .” 

“Well, what?” My eyes were darting between Principal Lockett and my rapidly filling classroom. 

“He’s apparently an old friend of yours. Said he’d like to be able to stop by today and say hello. He promised it would be quick.” 

“It’s my first day,” I said slowly, hoping I wouldn’t need to explain any further. 

“And you’ll do great!” Principal Lockett seemed to sense my inevitable eruption, so he ducked back into the hallway and flashed me a quick thumbs-up before the door snicked closed.  

I turned my eyes toward my students and made a weak attempt to mentally rally. I can do this. They’re just children in bodies that have grown faster than their brains. They aren’t as mature as they look. 

“Do you see how red her face is?” whispered a girl in the front row. I wasn’t sure if it was intentional, but I was pretty sure I would’ve been able to make out every word of the “whisper” from the parking lot. 

The boy beside her smiled cruelly. “Maybe she’s PMSing.” 

The girl frowned at him and slapped his arm. “That’s not how it works, you idiot.” 

“What do you mean? There’s all the blood issues. Some of it must end up in their heads.” 

The girl rolled her eyes, crossed her arms, and gave up on him. 

I cleared my throat. “I’m Miss Summerland.” I paused, swallowed, and willed my windpipe to grow a little bigger. “This is—” 

The bell signaling the start of first period rang deafeningly, cutting me off and making me realize I was already showing what a rookie I was. 

I cleared my throat again. “This is—” 

The announcements began, instructing the students to stand for the Pledge and the anthem. 

I turned my back to face the flag and pretended I didn’t hear the snickering students behind me. I also pretended I didn’t remember being a high schooler not so long ago, and how quickly I would’ve decided a teacher like me was the kind students were going to eat for breakfast. 

A few minutes later, the announcements ended, and I finally turned to face the students again. “Okay. This is—” 

The door to my room opened. I spun, hands balled into fists. All the frustration of the last few minutes boiled over into an embarrassingly squeaky outburst. “I would love to finish my sentence!” 

And that was when I saw my visitor. 

Richard King. 

Distantly, I heard the excited whispers of every girl in my classroom. 

“Is that him?” 

“Oh my God, is my hair okay?” 

“This is going on my Snapchat!” 

Their voices faded into background noise as I looked at him in person for the first time in so many years. 

“Please,” he said. His voice was so deep and rich I could feel it rumble through my chest. “Finish your sentence. I’ll wait.” 

He knew damn well there was no way I could think about anything else with him standing there. The corner of his mouth had twitched up into the suggestion of a smirk, and his eyes were locked predatorily on me. He knew exactly what was happening to me, and he was enjoying it. 

I tried to picture a normal human being in his place. I tried and failed to unsee the broad, powerful shoulders and long legs, to unmake every cruel and perfect line of his face, from the sharp jaw to the dark eyebrows and burning green eyes. His nearly black hair was cut short and neat. He wore a suit that would’ve made most men look overdressed, but he seemed perfectly at ease. Here I was with my legs spread out like I was trying not to step in a puddle, pretending I was in control. Meanwhile, Rich’s pinkie toe projected more confidence than my entire body.

I wanted him and his obnoxiously cocky pinkie toe out of my classroom and out of my life. I was perfectly happy seeing him in a dirty dream every few weeks, where he couldn’t screw up my reality any more, thank you very much. 

“Out,” I said. 

“That was the end of your sentence? ‘This is . . . out’?” 

The students acted like his sitcom laugh track, and I already wanted to give them all detentions for being traitors. 

I turned, annoyed, and gestured to my students. “This is English Four Honors.” I looked back at Richard. “Out.”

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About the Author

Penelope Bloom is a USA Today, Amazon, and Washington Post bestselling author whose books have been translated into seven languages. Her popular romances include His Banana, Her Cherry, Savage, and Punished.

Her writing career started when she left her job as a high school teacher to pursue her dream. She loves taking her imagination for a spin and writing romances she’d want to live. She likes a man with a mind as dirty as sin and a heart of gold he keeps hidden away. Her favorite things include getting to wear socks all day—pants optional—and being a positive example for her girls. Showing her daughters that no dream is too big, no matter what anyone tells them, is worth all the late nights, doubts, and fears that come with being a writer.

Stay connected! For giveaways, goodies, updates, and extras, join the mailing list at https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/a0y7m1. Follow her on Facebook at PenelopeBloomRomance, and check out her website at www.penelope-bloom.com.

Spotlight: After We Met by Evan Grace

After We Met
Evan Grace
Publication date: August 29th 2019
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Gorgeous. Sweet. Funny. He made me feel things that I’ve never felt before. In just one short week over Spring Break, I began to fall in love. That is until it all fell apart. Now, here I am, three years later and I’ve moved on, at least that’s what I told myself until he came crashing back into my life. Things have changed. I’ve changed, and there’s something he doesn’t know.

He wants me to give us another chance. I try to fight it, but it’s not long before all of those same old feelings come rushing back. I know he feels it too. I can see it every time he looks at me. I can feel it every time he touches me.

It feels like I’m missing something. Like there’s something that he’s not telling me. Something that has the potential to tear it all apart. After all, it’s not easy when you fall in love with your best friends’ father. I didn’t stand a chance after we met.

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EXCERPT:

Her dad’s supposed to be the complete opposite of her mom. Molly says he’s a free spirit and a bit wild, but a good and loving dad. I’ve seen pictures and he’s definitely hot. He looks like Samantha’s boyfriend from Sex and the City. I’m sure the women hang all over him.

When we finally land, the sun is starting to set. I look out Molly’s window and am in awe of the view. The water looks dark blue, and I can’t wait to see it in the sunshine. As soon as the seatbelt light goes off, Molly pulls out her phone. “I’m texting Dad that we’re here.”

I stand up and stretch my poor body—fuck me, there’s no room on these planes. Molly grabs our bags out of the overhead compartment and hands me mine. I follow closely behind her as we make our way out of the plane on onto the tarmac.

Molly screams, drops her bag, and takes off toward baggage claim. I follow much more sedately and smile as she flings herself at—who I’m assuming is her dad. He sets Molly down and I smile as I watch him hug her tightly.

I hear her say my name, and then they turn toward me. My stomach does a little flip as he smiles at me. Oh God, I can feel my nipples hardening. What if he can tell?

“Lani, come meet my Dad. Dad, this is my bestie, Lani. This crazy man is my dad, Damon.” Oh great, even his name is hot.

I reach my hand out. “It’s so nice to meet you. Thank you for letting me come with Molly.”

He grips my hand in his. I try not to stare at his beautiful face, but I can’t help it. His square jaw is covered in light stubble. His blue eyes are highlighted by beautifully long eyelashes, and he’s got lines around his eyes that just add to his gorgeousness. He’s got that dimple in his chin, and full lips I want to kiss. What?


Author Bio:

A Midwesterner and a readaholic most of her life. One day an idea came into her head and a writing career was born. She's a sucker for happily ever afters and loves creating fictional worlds that others can get lost in. She loves putting her characters through the ringer, but loves when they get to that satisfying, swoony ending.

When the voices in her head give it a rest, which isn't often, she can always be found with her e-reader in her hand. Some of her favorites include, Aurora Rose Reynolds, (the queen) Kristen Ashley, Kaylee Ryan, Natasha Madison, and Harper Sloan. Evan finds a lot of her inspiration in music, movies, TV shows and life.

She's a wife to Jim and a mom to Ethan and (the real)Evan, a weightlifter, a home healthcare scheduler, and a full-time writer. How does she do it? She'll never tell.

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Spotlight: Because You're Mine by Rea Frey

But it’s the lies that keep you safe.

Single mother Lee has the daily routine down to a science: shower in six minutes. Cut food into perfect squares. Never leave her on-the-spectrum son Mason in someone else’s care. She’ll do anything—anything—to keep his carefully constructed world from falling apart. Do anything to keep him safe.

But when her best friend Grace convinces her she needs a small break from motherhood to recharge her batteries, Lee gives in to a weekend trip. Surely a long weekend away from home won’t hurt?

Noah, Mason’s handsome, bright, charismatic tutor—the first man in ages Lee’s even noticed—is more than happy to stay with him.

Forty-eight hours later, someone is dead.

But not all is as it seems. Noah may be more than who he claims to be. Grace has a secret—one that will destroy Lee. Lee has secrets of her own that she will do anything to keep hidden. And what will happen to Mason, as the dominoes begin to fall and the past comes to light?

Perhaps it's no mystery someone is gone after all…

Because You're Mine is a breathtaking novel of domestic drama and suspense.

Prepare to stay up all night.

Buy on Amazon | Audible | Barnes and Noble

About the Author

Rea Frey is an award-winning author of nonfiction books. She lives in Nashville with her husband and daughter. Not Her Daughter is her debut novel.