I was supposed to show Cole the city, as a favor to a friend. I was aware of his reputation, a seductive charmer hellbent on bachelorhood, but I hadn't prepared for him to get past my defenses. Cole was nothing like the serious businessman I imagined. He was sinfully hot, funny and way too flirty for my broken heart. But, it was just vacation after all. I thought I'd never see him again.
Only I do.
Cole calls me the very day I return to New York. My residency has been my sole focus for the past few years—my passion and my refuge.
I've loved and lost and I don't know how to open up again. But Cole is melting my fears with every kiss and touch, willing to move mountains to make me happy and help me heal.
And what scares me the most? I might just let him.
Welcome! My name is Layla Hagen and I am a Contemporary Romance author.
I fell in love with books when I was nine years old, and my love affair with stories continues even now, many years later. I write romantic stories and can't wait to share them with the world. And I drink coffee. Lots of it :-D
This was an absolutely awesome story. It is part of the series but easily stands alone. It stars Cole who is one of the last brothers standing in his family and Laney, a resident doctor who is in Rome and who is friends with Cole's new sister in laws (Josie) sister, Isabelle.
It took a bit for me to understand the connection. They meet in Rome for dinner and there is an attraction but Cole is only there for a few more hours. However when he gets home he cannot stop thinking about her, so when she comes back to NY he wants to start dating her.
But Laney has a very painful past and so Cole has many walls to climb to find her heart. This was a sweet, hot and extremely romantic story and I absolutely adored it.
Presley, I screwed up, I’m sorry. You were vulnerable and I was supposed to be the good guy. Last thing I ever wanted to do was betray your trust, or worse, hurt you. I should never have even kissed you, let alone . . . yeah, well we both know how that ended. You’re my best friend’s sister for Christ’s sake, what was I even thinking? Clearly, I wasn’t. I’m so mad at myself, I want to break my own legs, save Tibbs the trouble. So yeah, I know this isn’t much of an apology, but I needed to make sure you’re okay. Let me know things are still cool between us or at least, what I can do to make it up to you. And it’s probably for the best if we keep this between just us. I swear on my mother, I’ll never touch you again.
Presley Tibbs
Leighton, not sure who you thought you were with last night, but it wasn’t some vulnerable little girl who needs protecting. I assumed that was pretty clear when I took you to MY bed. Don’t pretend that last night wasn’t exactly what we both wanted. We’ve been flirting with each other for years, and I finally got tired of playing games. As for my brother, he doesn’t and will never have a say in who I invite into my life or body—not his business. But if you’re scared that’s your hang up not mine. So save your apology, and your good intentions, and don’t treat me like I’m a woman who didn’t know what she was doing. Oh, and tell your mother I said hi.
T Gephart is a USA Today and International bestselling author from Melbourne, Australia.
With an approach to life that is somewhat unconventional, she prefers to fly by the seat of her pants rather than adhere to some rigid roadmap. Her lack of "plan" has resulted in a rather interesting and eclectic resume, which reads more like the fiction she writes than an actual employment history. She'd tell you all about it, but the statute of limitations hasn't expired yet. But all those crazy twists and turns have led her to a career she loves--writing romantic comedy.
When she isn't filling pages with sassy and sexy characters with attitude, she's living her own reality show in the 'burbs of Melbourne with her American husband, two teenage children, and her fur child--Woodley.
She loves adventure, to laugh, travel, and strives to live her life to the fullest.
This is book 3 in the series but it also easily stands alone. It also takes place in the middle of the 2nd book in the series and we learn more details about what really happened. In the 2nd book Jordan’s bosses girlfriend gets kidnapped by Presley’s ex boyfriend, she ends up in the hospital and shot. The big mystery is her connection to Presleys ex and why he kidnaped her.
This story is about Presley and Jordan and its a bestfriends little sister romance. Presley is the little sister who run a night club. She has terrible taste in men and her ex Lucas has been very threatening. Her brother is Tibbs and he asks his best friend Jordan to help keep her safe.
What he doesn’t know is that Jordan and Presley have the hots for each other and so starts a secret romance story. Presley is one tough cookie and so she lets them think they are protecting her. This story is their love story and it was hot, sweet and sexy and I loved these two together.
I read the first book in this series and adored it, LOVE AND HOCKEY. In that book we meet Nico, a hockey player with a heart of gold and Aurelia Riggs, the rich girl who also has Bipolar and who tried to commit suicide.
In this story, we really get to know Nico. He is a great guy who has lost his way and his bestfriend his father. He also has fallen hard for Aurelia. But Aurelia has a much darker past and two parents that treat her very badly.
I actually really liked this couple together and I loved how hard to get Nico played with Aurelia while at the same time loving her and supporting her while she fell in love with him as well. This story made me laugh and cry and hurt and it was so wonderful. It is very angysty but also the author did an amazing job with the story and characters.
She’s a former mafia princess. He’s been hired to track down her family secret…
After escaping my life as a Russian mafia princess, I’ve got everything I could possibly want—other than a family.
So when the Christmas concert at the seniors’ residence where I volunteer is at risk of being canceled, I have a perfect solution. My kindergarten students can perform for them. Because who doesn’t love cute singing kids?
Well, it would be cute if I knew what the heck I was doing. On top of that, one of my grandfather’s enemies has a different future in mind for me, which is putting a major damper on the festivities.
Fortunately, Landon Reed, the sexy substitute teacher, might be the one person who can help me with both situations…
****
My mission? Pretend to be a kindergarten teacher and become Chloe’s boyfriend so my team can track down her mafia cousin, the new crime boss who’s gone into hiding.
Except, my time in the Navy SEALs didn’t prepare me enough for this. For one, the last thing Chloe wants is a boyfriend. And what the heck do I know about teaching kids and putting on Christmas concerts?
But when her grandfather’s enemy attempts to kidnap her, the truth becomes a tangled mess—taking my heart along with it.
Because if there’s one thing Chloe doesn’t want, it’s to fall down the rabbit hole of her past. And that’s exactly where we’re heading.
“Do you know anything about organizing performances?” Hope swirls inside me like a chocolate-and-vanilla soft serve ice cream.
“Not exactly, but I’m willing to do whatever I can to help you.”
“And that includes the seduction of Tabitha?” I flash him what I hope are convincing puppy dog eyes, channeling the ones in Whiskey’s photo.
“I don’t seduce women I don’t want to be with.”
“Even if it’s for a great cause?”
“Not even for that.”
“How about a little harmless flirting? Just pour on that natural charm you have going for you. You don’t have to seduce her. Flatter her a little, and she’ll be more than happy to oblige your requests.”
From the corner of my eye, I catch Ava cringing.
“You look like you work out regularly,” Kiera says.
Landon nods. “That’s right.”
He’s wearing a button-up shirt, but it’s clear from the way it fits his body, he’s in great shape. His exposed muscular forearms confirm that, too.
“Then, I suggest you remove your shirt while talking to her.” Kiera waves her empty fork at him. “That’s bound to work. Just don’t be obvious about it—that way she won’t get the wrong idea.”
Ava covers her mouth with her hand as though she’s trying to hold back a laugh. The corners of her eyes crinkle, giving it away.
“Can’t you just ask her?” he says. “She might surprise you. Tell her exactly why you want to do the concert. How can she say no?”
“Do you not remember the part about why she hates me? It’s not like I can even apologize for what happened. I didn’t do anything to encourage him. I’ve never even met her ex-husband.”
“Okay, I’ll ask her, but I’m not seducing her, and I’m not removing my shirt.” He directs the last part to Kiera, and I grin.
Born in
Brighton England, Stina Lindenblatt has lived in a number of countries,
including England, the US, Finland, and Canada. This would explain her mixed up
accent. She has a kinesiology degree and a MSc in sports biological sciences.
In addition to writing fiction, she loves photography, especially the close-up
variety, and currently lives in Calgary, Canada, with her husband and three
kids.
This was a very fun and interesting story and I would even say very original. I don't think I have ever seen a mafia princess as a Kindergarten teacher before but it worked wonderfully in this story.
This is Landon's story and we get to see Jayden, Ava and Isabelle and even her grandmother in this story. I loved getting glimpses of characters from other stories in the current story.
Chloe is a sweetheart. She has had a really horrible life but she escaped and is now a kindergarten teacher. But her cousin Nickolai is in trouble and the FBI believe that he will contact her and there also might be a hit on her. Enter Landon, who the FBI has hired to protect her and find Nickolai. He is going undercover as teacher too.
And this story has lots of mafia types running around. Some danger and lots of laughs along the way as Landon and Chloe discover the magic of the Christmas season.
This story really impressed me at how original a storyline it was. I loved the hijinks and danger that the author puts Chloe in and I loved how she manages to save herself. However its a bit far fetched. So bring your holiday spirit and enjoy this Christmas time romance.
Prescott Lane is the USA TODAY best-selling author of ALL MY LIFE. She's written several other romance books with strong heroines and swoon-worthy heroes. She is originally from Little Rock, Arkansas, and holds a degree in sociology and an MSW from Tulane University. She married her college sweetheart, and they currently live in New Orleans with their two children and two crazy dogs. Prescott started writing at the age of five, and sold her first story about a talking turtle to her father for a quarter. She later turned to writing romance novels because there aren't enough happily ever afters in real life.
This was a heartbreaking story. I feel I should put a warning here as I started crying with this story. It is hot and sweet, and very romantic but also it will make you cry. Parts of the story really broke my heart.
Kailey is a wonderful character. She is a new college grad and she has just discovered she is pregnant with a guy she had only one night with. He is a country singer and so she wants to tell him that she is pregnant.
She definitely gets his attention and they start getting to know each other while they prepare for the child. But Ryder has a very painful past and has problems with love and so Kailey has to work hard to break down his walls.
It was an awesome story with characters I fell hard for. But know you will tear up. Its a story with some painful parts but also some pretty wonderful parts as well.
Crash Jennings is gorgeous, unexpectedly charming and around every corner I turn. Just what I need to shake off my misfortune. Besides, what’s the harm in having a summer fling? They’re short, sweet and over before the leaves change.
Until, I learn he’s my new boss.
Suddenly, the uncomplicated, is very complicated, and when trouble hits, I’m too far gone to protect my heart.
Emily Bowie is from a small town in Western Canada. She has been making characters come to life through her writing since she was old enough to put her thoughts on paper. She loves her white wine cold, her heels red, and her books spicy.
She married her high school sweetheart and they have two amazing children.
When she is not writing she can be found reading a good book, making digital scrapbooks and being physically active—whether it is at the gym, going for a walk, or playing /keep up with her children.
This story was kinda awesome and then near the end a big huge ROCK is thrown at this couple and it really threw me. I did not see it coming and to be honest it really changed the way I looked at this story and romance. I really wish the author hadn't done it and being this is a spoiler free review I cannot tell you what it was either but if you read this book, know there is a HUGE thing that really rocks this entire story.
In this story we meet Piper and she has just discovered her boyfriend is married to her boss and so she gets fired. She finds a new part time summer job in Oakport Beach and so she heads there for the summer. There she meets Crash, her new boss and who has a ranch and lots of small businesses in town and Crash was absolutely hot, fun and romantic. I absolutely loved him so much.
He hires Piper as a nurse for his aunt and who the aunt is was absolutely awesome. Lets say she is not what I expected. This story was fun. light and very sweet, hot and I absolutely adored it. Until the big plot twist and it really threw me.
If you are reading reviews about this story you will see some people loved it and some hated it and its because of the plot twist. I HATED the plot twist, I really think it was not needed. This story and characters were awesome without it. But it does happen and I liked how it really didn't mean much to the characters. I still loved the story even with the big twist. I am definitely looking forward to reading about Crash's friends and family in upcoming books.
It’s hard to tell your best friend you’re in love with her when she’s busy dating everyone but you.
Amelia
I’ve been called a smart-mouthed, tattooed firecracker with a penchant for
running straight into trouble, but after coming off the worst break up in
history, all I want is to get my life together. No more trouble, no more
surprises.
So when my best friend changes the rules on me, I’m not sure how to react.
Though my body sure knows how to react seeing him without his shirt on. Where
did all those muscles come from? And when my ex comes back to town to wreak
havoc, my lofty plans go right out the window.
Titus
I fell in love with Amelia in the sixth grade when I pulled her off another
girl in a hair pulling fight. And she put me directly in the friend zone. We’ve
been through everything together from ER trips after skateboarding mishaps to
fighting off a peacock with a mean streak. But the one thing I’ve never told
her is how I really feel. Now that Amelia is single again, it’s time to make my
move. But Amelia has never gone down without a fight involved, and this will be
no different.
Either she’ll fall in love with me like I hope, or Amelia will unfriend me forever.
I stepped closer to the window, seeing our overflow dirt parking lot. And then my gaze slid left where I saw Titus standing by a huge pile of wood and drywall that he’d ripped out of the guest room. His T-shirt was off and there was a healthy dose of sweat dripping down his torso. He twisted off the cap to a water bottle and chugged the whole thing, his Adam’s apple working to hypnotize me. When was the last time I’d seen him without a shirt? Because that? That specimen with six-pack abs and a chest you could bounce quarters off of wasn’t the Titus I remembered. He’d always been lanky, which made sense, given his extraordinary height. And he’d always had muscles because he was athletic in school and his job required strength. But holy wow. What the hell had happened over the last year? My nose hit the cold glass and I jumped back, rubbing it as I pondered the changes in Titus when I hadn’t been looking. The steady hum in my gut also gave me pause. Was that...lust? My brain screamed at me to walk away and quit staring at him, but my body was having nothing of it. We were gonna pull up a chair and stay for the show for as long as the show lasted. Better yet, why not go out there and see it up close? Good judgement had always been a weak spot in my character, but I never shamed myself for it. I went with impulses, so what? Sometimes they worked out great. Other times, not so much. But the way I figured it, you never got some excitement in your life unless you made the leap. And right now, I wanted some excitement in the form of a half-dressed Titus. I’d worry about what it all meant later. Much later. “Yo, T!” I hollered as soon as I turned the corner outside and stepped off the blacktop onto the dirt. Titus swiped the sweat from his forehead with his bulging bicep. His face lit up in an easy smile when he saw me. “Hey, Lia. Almost done here.” I sauntered over, not looking where I was going. “Yeah, I see that.” There was a bead of sweat sliding down right between his pecs. A fascinating journey of bumps and valleys. A throat clearing had me looking up. Titus had a playful look in his eye, his mouth tugging into a smile. “Are you undressing me with your eyes, Amelia Waldo?” I guess I was, but he didn’t have to call me out like that. “Are you kidding me? You can’t walk around half-dressed and then blame a girl for looking. If I was half-dressed, wouldn’t you be looking at me?” Titus took a giant step forward and flicked the collar of my shirt. He didn’t even touch me, but I could feel it all the way to the tips of my toes. “Hell, yeah, I would. I’d ogle you until my eyes bled.” His gaze flicked down the length of my body and suddenly I needed to squeeze my thighs together. “Are we actually doing this? We’re flirting? You and me?” I whispered it, afraid to say it too loud. Like the volume of my voice would make it something real I couldn’t take back. Titus shrugged slow and lazy, his eyes heating further. That finger still toyed with my shirt. If he didn’t stop, I might melt into a puddle at his feet. “I don’t see why we shouldn’t. You’re hot, I’m hot. Kind of makes sense to flirt.” I smirked. “Wow. Nice ego you got there.” I studied him seriously. “You don’t worry about harming our friendship?” Titus’s eyelids slid down and I wondered what it would be like to kiss him. He had to be a good kisser after kissing the entire female population of Auburn Hill. “Sometimes friends make the best lovers.”
Marika Ray
spends her time behind a computer crafting stories, walking the beaches of
southern California, and making healthy food for her kids and husband whether
they like it or not. Prior to writing novels, Marika held various jobs in the
finance industry, with private start-up companies, and then in health &
fitness. Cats may have nine lives, but Marika believes everyone should have
nine careers to keep things spicy.
Marika
enjoys writing all types of fiction novels, based on what inspires her. Right
now she's working on a new steamy RomCom series along with sweet romances to
make your heart explode. All her books come with a money-back guarantee that
you’ll smile at least once with every book.
This is a brand new author for me and while it started out slow for me, I really ended up loving this story. This is the story of two best friends. Amelia and Titus who have been friends since high school off and on.
Amelia has been dating this huge jerk and so Titus took a friend break from her over the last year. But she eventually has dumped him and so Titus feels like they can be close again. At the start of this book Amelia is very broken. Her heart is broken, her dreams are going nowhere and her bestie has abandoned her.
But as soon as Titus picks up their friendship she starts to see what she wants for her life and she also starts to see Titus in a whole new way. I actually loved her transformation from broken to strong and a kick ass heroine who finally learns what she wants and makes it happen.
This was an awesome story and I adored Amelia. Titus was great too but Amelia was the real star of this book.
