Spotlight: Spotlight: Promise Me Always by A.L. Jackson

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I should know better than to let Tessa McDaniels pretend to be my fiancée.

I'm a dark, dangerous disaster who leaves destruction in his wake.

But when she offers to pretend to marry me to help me get my kids back, I can't refuse. They are the one thing I have left to fight for.

Milo Hendricks found me at my lowest.

Battered and broken by my ex with no place to call home. When he insists I stay at his cabin with him, he sparks the feelings I've tried to suppress.

He's only supposed to be my friend, but every time he comes in the room, he makes my knees weak.

This gorgeous, tatted, mountain-of-a-man who's riddled with secrets.

Tessa is everything I crave but can't have.

I shouldn't touch her.

Shouldn't make it real.

But she's a red-headed flame I can't resist, and I can't help but take her to my bed.

Now we're falling into an abyss of passion and need.

Loving her is easy.

Only we're tied in ways we don't know.

I'll do anything to protect her, but it's my past that might destroy her in the end…

Buy on Amazon | Audible

About the Author

A.L. Jackson is the New York Times & USA Today Bestselling author of contemporary romance. She writes emotional, sexy, heart-filled stories about boys who usually like to be a little bit bad.

Her bestselling series include THE REGRET SERIES, CLOSER TO YOU, BLEEDING STARS, FIGHT FOR ME, CONFESSIONS OF THE HEART, FALLING STARS, and REDEMPTION HILLS novels. Watch out for her upcoming stand-alone, PROMISE ME ALWAYS, releasing January 30th!

If she’s not writing, you can find her hanging out by the pool with her family, sipping cocktails with her friends, or of course with her nose buried in a book.

Be sure not to miss new releases and sales from A.L. Jackson - Sign up to receive her newsletter https://geni.us/ALJacksonBookClubB or text “aljackson” to 33222 to receive short but sweet updates on all the important news.

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Spotlight: The Worst Woman in London by Julia Bennet

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Publication date: February 2nd 2023
Genres: Adult, Historical, Historical Romance

Synopsis:

A defiant Victorian wife fights to escape a bad marriage but her love for a forbidden man jeopardizes her chance at freedom.

James Standish knows how to play society’s game. He’ll follow the rules, marry a virginal debutante, and inherit a massive fortune. At least, that’s the plan until he meets Francesca Thorne. She’s not the sort of woman a respectable gentleman like James could ever marry—not least because, strictly speaking, she’s married already.

Francesca is determined to flout convention and divorce her philandering husband. When James sweet talks his way into her life tasked with convincing her to abandon her dream of freedom, she’s unprepared for the passion that flares between them.

Torn apart by conflicting desires, James and Francesca must choose whether to keep chasing the lives they’ve always wanted or take a chance on a new and forbidden love.

Excerpt

Ten minutes before intermission, Francesca entered the crush room and found James asleep in his chair.

He looked different in repose, gentle and unguarded. Faint laugh lines marked the corner of each eye and, underneath, light shadows. What had put them there? Not worry, surely. Too many late nights, perhaps? His lips, so often curled sardonically, looked different too—softer, capable of compassion as well as teasing.

Ah, she'd seen his compassion. The remembrance made her want to smooth the hair from his brow.

The stray impulse took her by surprise. He didn’t need her tenderness. He was an English gentleman of means. Problems melted away before the bright rays of his wealth and breeding. She’d long lost her tendency to romanticize men of his type, or so she’d thought. Yet here she was again.

His breaths grew shallower. Soon he would open his eyes and they’d exchange awkward greetings. His duty to Edward discharged, he’d have nothing left to say, and, anyway, how did one behave toward a man who’d seen one fall apart? If only she’d waited for the end of the act, Caroline would be here now and this whole encounter with James could’ve been avoided. But, even though Edward had stopped pawing Mrs. Kirkpatrick, Francesca had wanted to escape. Fleeing from trouble; a worrying tendency she needed to check.

Just when she’d decided to back away slowly, James opened one eye. He smiled up at her and shut it again before she had a chance to speak. Since he made no effort to hide a broad grin, she knew he wasn’t still sleepy. What did he mean by it?

"Jemmy, are you perchance a little the worse for drink?" she asked, escape plan forgotten.

“Certainly not, you rude girl," he said, though his eyes remained closed.

Laughter welled up in her chest, but she held it in check. "Then perhaps you’re feeling unwell?"

"I'm never unwell." How he managed to convey urbane insouciance while sprawled in a chair she'd never know. "This is the crush room, is it not?"

"Of course it is."

"Well, there you are, then. I slipped in early to avoid the crush."

How provoking he was when not comforting crying women. She waited, but he didn't speak. "You were sleeping," she informed him.

"Nonsense, I was resting my eyes."

"That's what all the old men say."

At last, both eyes snapped open. "Has anyone ever told you that you have a forked tongue?”

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About the Author

Julia writes historical romance with passion, intrigue, dark humor and the occasional animal sidekick. A tea-sodden English woman, she’s the only girl in a house of boys and yearns for all things pink and fluffy. If she isn’t writing, she’s probably reading everything she can get her hands on, spending time with her boys or procrastinating on the internet.

Connect:

https://juliabennet.com/

https://twitter.com/J_BennetAuthor

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https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18941831.Julia_Bennet

Spotlight: More Than Cookies by Christine DePetrillo

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Genre: Small Town Romance 

About More Than Cookies: 

"I don't usually trust my heart, but I know it's not lying to me about you."

Sage Stannard is grumpy. Having just attended her cousin’s wedding in California, she’s at her limit for watching happy couples stare dreamily at one another. She’s never had anything but quick romps back home in Vermont that always turn out to be mistakes. Big ones. Maybe moving out of her mother’s house and taking a stab at online dating will add a little excitement to this caterer’s stale life. Maybe it’ll bring more disappointment. Who knows?

Chainsaw artist Orion Finley is on a mission to get his daughter, Myah, back from his ruthless ex-wife. Only trouble is his ex-wife is a crafty lawyer with connections—ones that give her the upper hand. She even managed to get custody of his dog, Ranger, just to drive the stake deeper into his heart. His father always told him women were poison, especially the pretty ones. Why hadn’t he listened? Well, he was listening now.

When Sage and Orion meet over a bloody couch, the gates are opened to a path neither of them is quite ready to travel on. Will they stumble? Will it be all uphill? Or will the end of the path be just the new beginning they need?

Buy on Amazon

About the Author: 

Christine DePetrillo can often be found hugging trees, conversing with dragonflies, and walking barefoot through sun-warmed soil. She finds joy in listening to the wind, bathing in moonlight, and breathing in the fragrances of things that bloom. If she had her way, the sky would be the only roof over her head.

Her love of nature seeps into every story she tells. As does her obsession with bearded mountain men who build, often smell like sawdust, and know how to cherish the women they love. Today she writes tales meant to make you laugh, maybe make you sweat, and definitely make you believe in the power of love.

She lives in Vermont with her husband and many woodland creatures who defend her fiercely from all evils.

Connect with the Author: 

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Spotlight: After the Vows by Claudia Burgoa

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Release Date: January 30

From USA Today bestselling author Claudia Burgoa comes a new emotional, suspenseful, best friend’s little sister romance.

His mission is to save the world
But can he keep his promise?

I’m still unsure how I got here.
There was Vegas.
Alcohol involved.
And rumor has it, Elvis was our witness.
All that happened ten years ago. 

Ten. 

Tall, dark, and delicious, Seth Bradley is some sort of Double-O-Seven.
—and my childhood crush. 
One moment I’m Rachel Green discovering that she’s married to Ross Geller. 
Next, I have to run for my life. 
This isn’t how I imagined my happily ever after. 

Right now, I’m just hoping to get out of this one alive. 

After the Vows is the first book of the Covert Affairs duet. A page-turner that will leave you gasping with a delicious cliffhanger.

Buy on Amazon | Audible

About the Author

Claudia is an award-winning, USA Today bestselling author. 

She writes alluring, thrilling stories about complicated women and the men who take their breaths away. Her books are the perfect blend of steamy and heartfelt, filled with emotional characters and explosive chemistry. Her writing takes readers to new heights, providing a variety of tears, laughs, and shocking moments that leave fans on the edge of their seats.

She lives in Denver, Colorado with her husband, her youngest two children, and three fluffy dogs.

When Claudia is not writing, you can find her reading, knitting, or just hanging out with her family. At night, she likes to binge watch shows or movies with her equally geeky husband.

Connect with Claudia Burgoa: https://claudiayburgoa.com/wp/links/ 

Spotlight: Rescue Me by Kelly Collins

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(A Frazier Falls Small Town Novel, #1)
Publication date: December 5th 2019
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Synopsis:

Her company is failing. His plan could save it. Will their partnership move from business to pleasure?

Carla “Carl” Stevenson takes a special joy in running the local timber mill. But when the economy takes a downturn, selling the family business may be her only heartbreaking option. After a prospective buyer takes an interest, she’s horrified by his plans to raze the Frazier forest to make room for cheap cattle farming. To protect her home, she reluctantly turns to the town’s most notorious player…

Owen Cooper can’t believe Carl’s mill is for sale. But the construction company owner is even more shocked that “Carl” is actually a beautiful woman. Moved by feelings he never saw coming, Owen drafts an ambitious plan to save the mill owner’s livelihood… and maybe even win her heart.

Rallying their community around the audacious idea, Owen and Carl find their fates delightfully intertwined. But both their chemistry and the project hang in the balance when he suddenly walks away…

With the whole town at stake, will Carl and Owen save the mill and find their way to true love?

Rescue Me is the heartwarming first novel in the Frazier Falls romance series. If you like strong women, honorable men, and small-town love, then you’ll adore Kelly Collins’ charming tale. Buy Rescue Me to build a foundation of passion today!

Excerpt

When I reached the mill, my heart sank. Only one car remained in the parking lot.

      What were the odds the car belonged to one of the two people that could help me out? I had to try. Parking alongside the red Subaru, I swung myself out of my truck and made my way inside the building.

      It was quiet. All production had ceased for the weekend. The silence gave the large, cold space an unsettling, almost eerie feel, like the set of a horror movie where the saws would buzz to life, and the clueless guest would disappear forever.

      I didn’t know where I was going, but eventually I found a door marked ‘R&C Stevenson.’ I took that as a good omen that I’d found the offices of Rich and Carl.

      After several calming breaths, I raised my hand. Once, twice, I knocked, and on the third try, the door flung open and revealed the most gorgeous woman I’d ever seen. All thoughts left me as I stared at her.

      Her long chestnut hair was gathered high on her head. The flyaway strands framed her beautiful, heart-shaped face. Her eyes were hazel, and in the early evening light, the gold flecks in her irises appeared on fire. Though she was wearing a dirty pair of gray overalls, I imagined she had a killer figure with the way the material flowed over rounded hips.

      I realized far too late that I’d been gawking at her. The flush of embarrassment heated my cheeks.

      “Um, sorry, I … I was hoping to, um,” I coughed and sputtered.

      She ran her eyes from my work boots to the cowlick on the top of my head. Her perusal was thorough and somewhat unsettling in a good way.

      “What were you hoping for, Mr. Cooper?”

      “I’m looking for … Wait, how do you know who I am?” Surely, I couldn’t have met her before. I would have remembered those eyes. They were half meadow and half sky with a sprinkling of sunshine throughout.

      Her mouth quirked up in amusement. “I try to know what all of my clients look like, even if we haven’t met face to face.”

      “I’m sorry. Who are you? I need to speak to Rich or Carl Stevenson.”

      She laughed, and it was a ridiculously beautiful sound. “That would be me.” She pointed to herself. “Carl, not Rich. Well, Carla.” She offered her hand for a shake. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you in person, Owen.

Buy on Amazon

About the Author

Like FREEBIES? Join the VIP readers at http://bit.ly/KellyCollinsFreeBook for members-only exclusives!

~ Tip: Just hit "FOLLOW" for notifications about deals & new releases! ~

International bestselling author of more than thirty novels, Kelly Collins writes with the intention of keeping love alive. Always a romantic, she blends real-life events with her vivid imagination to create characters and stories that lovers of contemporary romance, new adult, and romantic suspense will return to again and again.

Kelly has sold more than a quarter of a million books worldwide, and in 2021 she was awarded a Readers' Favorite Award Gold Medal in the Contemporary Romance category for A Tablespoon of Temptation.

You can learn more about Kelly at www.authorkellycollins.com.

Connect:

https://www.authorkellycollins.com/

https://www.facebook.com/authorkelleycollins

https://twitter.com/kcollinsauthor

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https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kelly-collins

https://www.amazon.com/Kelly-Collins/e/B00H3JAYJ8/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1435982615&sr=8-2-ent

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7488895.Kelly_Collins

Excerpt Reveal: Control by Melissa Cassera

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Control by Melissa Cassera is a YA paranormal romance coming March 28th. Check it out and be sure to pre-order your copy today! 

Genre: YA Paranormal Romance

Release Date: March 28th 

About Control: 

For Natalie Covington and Henry Thorne, only one thing is certain: things are about to get out of control.

18-year-old Natalie has big ambitions but very little control over her situation. She’s trapped at an elite boarding school on a private island, where cell phones are forbidden, militant guards line the iron gates, and her practically prearranged boyfriend has eyes for another girl. 

Everything changes when a mysterious new student arrives named Henry Thorne. Henry is a “precog”—a hidden society of people who can see the future, and who are forbidden to reveal their powers. When Henry has a grisly vision of Natalie being murdered, he ultimately decides to save her and face the consequences. But the consequences of changing the future are more dangerous than Henry imagined, unlocking a wide conspiracy among his kind that’s linked to Natalie’s past, and a desire that threatens to consume them. 

CONTROL is the first installment in The Lockwood Trilogy. This fast-paced Upper YA/New Adult Paranormal Romance is filled with thrilling turns, self-discovery, spicy language, light steam, and a cliffhanger ending that will leave you obsessing for more. 

Reader Discretion: this book contains graphic language, violence, and some heat. Best suited for 16+.  

Exclusive Excerpt: 

My shoes smack to the ground below and I bolt ahead, shoving  my way through Lockwood’s elite, and get to the student just as he  crashes to the floor. 

I lean over him and grab onto his arms. His eyes are squeezed  shut, like he never wants to open them again. 

“Hey,” I whisper. 

He stirs. His eyes flutter open and clash with mine. They’re deep  green with flecks of gold. Intense. Like he’s staring into my soul. “Are you okay?” I say. 

His breathing accelerates, then his fingers snap around my  wrists, his nails digging into my flesh as his gaze darkens. His jaw  clenches, nostrils flared—the savage pounding of his pulse strums  against my skin. 

Every alarm sounds in my body—get out of here!—but all  reason has just left the building. 

I can’t move. I can’t think. There’s something about this stranger  that I just have to know.

Buy on Amazon

About the Author: 

Melissa Cassera is a Professional Screenwriter, Author, and award-winning Publicity Expert based in Washington State. 

Melissa and her work have been featured in Variety, LA Times, Success Magazine, and Fast Company. She was named one of the nation’s Top Personal Branding Experts by The Huffington Post. 

On-screen, Melissa is the writer of THE OBSESSION THRILLOGY (Lifetime Network’s first trilogy of movies.) She is also the writer of the films SECRET LIVES OF COLLEGE ESCORTS, NIGHTMARE NEIGHBORHOOD MOMS, MOMMY’S LITTLE STAR, DADDY’S PERFECT LITTLE GIRL, HER STOLEN PAST, and GIRL FOLLOWED. Melissa also sold an eight-episode dark comedy series, ADDICTED, to Fullscreen. She has two additional feature films, WHO KILLED OUR FATHER and NIGHTMARE PAGEANT MOMS, coming to Lifetime Network in 2023, and six additional film projects in active development.

When Melissa is not whipping together obsession-worthy words, she can be found drinking too much coffee, playing at the lake with her dogs, or getting lost in the romance section of a bookstore.

Follow Melissa at her website: https://melissacassera.com/ or on Instagram: @Melissa.cassera

Connect with the Author:  Website | Instagram | Newsletter