The day I first laid eyes on Abby Boyer, I knew she was the one. The girl I would marry and spend the rest of my life with, and I vowed to do everything I could to make her happy.
There was just one problem, I couldn't make her happy during one of the darkest moments of our marriage. No matter how hard I tried, my love for her wasn't enough to make her stay.
I've spent the last two years of my life trying to forget how much I still loved her.
Wouldn't you know it, now that I finally managed to move on, Abby shows back up in Boggy Creek. Out of the blue. Here to stay.
They say time heals all wounds—well, two years wasn't enough time to cover up the scars of our broken past because I still feel the pain like it was yesterday. My wounds are still healing, and not even my love for Abby can fix us...but will that love allow me to forgive her and finally move on?
For best reading results, it is recommended you read the books in order.
1. The Butterfly Effect
2. Playing with Words
3. She's the One
4. Surrender to Me
5. Hearts in Motion
6. Looking for You
Kelly Elliott is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling contemporary romance author. Her bestselling works include, Wanted, Broken, Lost Love, and Never Enough, to name a few.
Kelly lives in central Texas with her husband, Gus, her chocolate lab, four cats, and endless wildlife creatures. When she's not writing, Kelly enjoys reading and spending time with her family.
To find out more about Kelly and her books, you can find her through her website. www.kellyelliottauthor.com
This is Bishop and Abby's story. They were happily married and have been in love with each other forever until something happened 2 years before and Abby ran away to Boston and divorced him. In this book Abby comes back and is ready to face her past and try and win Bishop's forgiveness and heart.
The first part of this book I did not love. Bishop is ready to start moving on with his life and he decides to date a single mother. Thats at the point that Abby comes back and my heart really broke for her having to witness this. But I loved how she dealt with it. And even when it pops up again later in the book, wow she really handled it well. I was in awe of her strength and her courage and how hard she is willing to fight for Bishop.
That said I loved this book so much. I don't think I can express how much I loved it. Once these two start talking I loved how in both of them are. I also loved how this story takes place around Christmas and Thanksgiving.
It was truly at heart a story about the holidays, good family and friends, community and letting go of the past and moving onto the future. It was also so romantic and I absolutely adored this book. I think its my favorite in the whole series.
My new neighbor is a firefighter—and a scorching hot single dad—but I swear I didn’t set off that smoke alarm on purpose.
Ignite, an all-new smoking hot, single dad romantic comedy from USA Today and #1 Amazon bestselling author Melanie Harlow, is available now!
ABOUT THE BOOK
My new neighbor is a firefighter—and a scorching hot single dad—but I swear I didn’t set off that smoke alarm on purpose.
(And I was beyond mortified when he rushed in and saw me naked.)
Nothing happened, of course—because I, Winnie MacAllister, romance junkie and owner of a constantly broken heart, have sworn off men for one solid year.
Even protective men with chiseled jaws, bulging biceps, and deep brown eyes that make my breath come faster. Even former SEALs with broad chests and strong hands that make my skin sizzle. Even gorgeous, grumpy guys who have their hands full raising two adorable little girls and claim they don’t believe in love.
Until Dex kisses me one night, and I drop all my defenses.
(Also my underwear.)
He says he’s not gentle, and he’s right. He says I should take the dream job I’m offered in another state, and he’s right. He says he’s too old for me and could never be the man I deserve.
He’s wrong.
Dex and I might be twelve years apart, but the fire between us is the kind that will never burn out.
How can I convince him to give happily-ever-after with me a chance?
Fall in love with Winnie and Dex for ZERO PENNIES in Kindle Unlimited today!
Audio Coming Soon, narrated by Stephen Dexter & Kirsten Leigh
Excerpt
She looked a little nervous, not that I blamed her, as she held out a small pink box of Band-Aids. “I had these lying around and thought Luna might want them for her knee. Band-Aids sometimes come off in the shower, so . . .”
I reached out and took them from her, noticing she was careful not to let our fingers touch this time. “Thanks.”
“That’s it—I just wanted to—um, okay, have a good night.” She turned to leave, and I probably should have let her.
“Wait a second.”
She faced me again, her expression still wary.
“I’m sorry about that.” I gestured over my shoulder with the pink box. “My ex-wife—the girls’ mom—knows how to get a rise out of me.”
“Oh, that’s okay. It’s none of my business, and I didn’t really hear anything.” It was obvious she’d heard everything.
I nodded slowly. “Well, thanks for the Band-Aids. Luna will appreciate it.”
Her smile was back, along with that stutter in my chest. “Good. Enjoy your night.”
“You too.”
She turned around and went down the steps, cutting across the lawn to her place with that same youthful bounce in her step. Glancing down at the box, I shook my head—of course she had a whole thing of pink princess Band-Aids. I shut the door and trudged up the stairs to get the kids cleaned up.
Hallie went first, after a brief attempt to get me to let her wear socks in the shower. As usual, I refused, explaining again that the entire house had been thoroughly cleaned before we moved in, and I’d been here yesterday to make sure of it.
While she was getting dressed, I made sure Luna washed her hair and used soap, then helped her get dried off. After hanging up their towels, I double-checked that they’d chosen appropriate clothing and was just about to get in my own shower when I heard a series of high-pitched beeps.
“What’s that?” Hallie said, scrunching up her face.
Instantly on high alert, I put my hand up. “Shh.” I heard it again, and recognized it as a smoke detector going off, but not in our house—we were hearing it through the walls. “Stay here.”
I raced out of their room and took the stairs down three at a time, jumping to the bottom with five to go. Barreling out my front door, I ran over to Winnie’s and knocked. The alarm was clearly coming from inside her unit, and when she didn’t answer the door, I made a split-second decision to bust in.
Fortunately, the door wasn’t locked.
I shouldered it open, relieved when I didn’t see or smell smoke right away. Winnie’s townhouse was laid out exactly like mine, and I immediately realized the detector going off was upstairs. Racing up the steps three at a time, I reached the master bedroom doorway just in time to see Winnie climbing onto a suitcase, one hand reaching toward the ceiling to disconnect the unit.
My jaw dropped.
She was totally naked and dripping wet.
One hand was clutching a small towel to her chest that didn’t fucking hide anything . Behind her, steam from her shower billowed from her bathroom, which must have been what set off the alarm—some detectors are that sensitive. Behind me, I heard clamoring on the stairs, and a second later both Hallie and Luna rushed into the bedroom.
Startled, Winnie looked over and saw us. Her eyes went wide as she screamed, lost her footing, and toppled backward off the suitcase. She landed hard on her ass, arms and legs flailing like a rag doll.
Averting my eyes, I strode over and disconnected the unit while she scrambled toward the bathroom on her hands and knees, presumably in search of a bigger towel.
But then she slammed the door . . . and didn’t come out.
The eighty-five decibel alarm had ceased, but the sirens in my head continued.
I looked at the girls. Luna had her hands over her mouth. Hallie’s eyes were wide, and she pointed to the bathroom door. “Winnie was naked,” she whispered. “We saw her bum.”
“Quiet,” I scolded angrily. “You two were supposed to stay at our house. You didn’t follow my orders.”
“But Daddy, we were scared,” Luna said. Her hair was still wet and tangled. “We came to find you.”
“We’ll talk about it later, but when I tell you to stay put, you stay put-especially in an emergency. Understand?”
They nodded.
“Now go back to our house, both of you.”
“But what about Winnie? Is she okay?”
I went over to the bathroom door and knocked, trying not to picture her naked. The shower wasn’t running anymore. “Winnie? Are you okay?”
“I’m fine!”
“Are you hurt?”
“I’m fine!” she repeated in the same false, bright tone.
A tiny smile inched onto my lips. “Are you sure?”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
About Melanie Harlow
USA Today bestselling author Melanie Harlow likes her martinis dry, her heels high, and her history with the naughty bits left in. When she's not writing or reading, she gets her kicks from TV series like Ted, Lasso, Schitt’s Creek, and Fleabag. She occasionally runs three miles, but only so she can have more gin and steak.
Melanie is the author of the BELLAMY CREEK series, the CLOVERLEIGH FARMS series, the ONE & ONLY series, AFTER WE FALL series, the HAPPY CRAZY LOVE series, and the FRENCHED series. She lifts her glass to romance readers and writers from her home near Detroit, MI, where she lives with her husband, two daughters, and pet rabbit.
Since I run the Christmas Emporium and sometimes moonlight as an elf, that's kind of a problem for me.
No surprise, though. When I brought over cookies to welcome him to the neighborhood this summer, he slammed the door in my face.
Until he brings his kid to visit Santa one of the days I'm working as an elf, and I realize there are key parts of their story I'm missing ...
• The little girl is his much younger sister, not his daughter.
• He's her guardian since their parents died in a tragic accident.
Now all of his handsome, broody glares make so much more sense. As one of Santa's elves, I make it my mission to make this Christmas as special for them as possible. Which somehow includes trespassing on his property to hang Christmas lights and braiding the little girl's hair regularly.
Despite his glares and grumpiness, I discover the soft underbelly of the beast. Will this Grinch's heart grow three sizes as well? And if it does, will it have room for me?
A Very Grumpy Christmas is a standalone, small town, neighbors to lovers romance featuring a grumpy single dad and the sunshiny neighbor who's determined to make his Christmas better. Full of heat and heart with an HEA guaranteed!
Jerica MacMillan has been reading romance since she stumbled into the paperback section of the library as a middle schooler. And it's been an ongoing love affair ever since!
You can frequently find her sipping coffee out of snarky mugs while dreaming up stories and trying to bring them to life on the page. Join her Book Club at www.jericamacmillan.com/book-club and get a free book!
This is at heart a holiday story. On one hand its got a sad backstory but on the other hand its also a heart warming holiday book about the power of the holidays, of family and love and friendship.
Shane had a wonderful life six months before until his whole life changed with a phone call. It didn't just change his life, but his baby sisters and two younger siblings and it tore their family apart.
So the holidays are really tough for them and as its the first year, its going to be brutal. But he wants to try and make this Christmas special for his young sister who he now has to parent. So he takes her to see Santa...
And thats where Sarah's heart falls for little Sophie. They are her neighbors and she thinks Shane is a grump but one with a really solid reason to be grumpy but she wants to bring Christmas cheer to Sophie's life and so starts their holiday romance.
Its a story about moving on and falling in love. Its about a small town who wants to make Christmas special for its residents and family and friendship and allowing happiness in even if you miss those people who are not around anymore. Its a heart warming holiday romance and I really enjoyed it.
Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward are excited to bring you the Cocky Hero Club: original works from various authors inspired by Keeland and Ward's New York Times bestselling Cocky Bastard series.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Alex
Detached. Driven. Focused.
Those are the qualities that helped me win multiple Olympic medals, and when fate ended my swimming career early, those same qualities led me to run a thriving Manhattan restaurant business.
But all of my success did nothing to prepare me for Savannah Reese.
She’s beautiful, but also clumsy, awkward, and determined to make me question everything I ever believed to be true about myself. I thought I had all I wanted in life, until she shows me what I have been missing.
But she refuses to fall for my charm, especially once she’s hired by my business partner as a consultant.
Every word, every glance, every stolen touch, they only make me want her more. And for the first time ever, I want more than just one night with a woman.
Savannah
I came to New York for a fresh start and to prove that I could make it on my own. So far, so good. I’ve got a place to live, a job, friends, and cheap wine and Cheetos to keep me company at night.
I thought I was happy. Okay, I thought I was content.
Until Alexander Devlin comes along with all of his suave British charm. He’s the kind of man your mama warned you about. Arrogant, sexy, and dangerous to a woman’s heart. He’s also my boss. Which should make him off limits… Except he doesn’t seem to think so…
This sexy swimmer is out to seduce me, and I can only resist him for so long.
Seductive Swimmer is a steamy workplace/sports romance inspired by Mister Moneybags.
Julia Jarrett is the author of sexy, sweet, contemporary romance novels that are full of relatable heroines, and the swoon-worthy men who fall in love with them. She's obsessed with books, tea, wine and potato chips - in that order.
Julia is a busy mother of two boys, a happy wife to her real-life book boyfriend, and the owner of two rescue dogs. She lives on the rainy west coast of Canada, and if you’re looking for her, she’s probably sitting in a comfy chair somewhere, dreaming of a sunny vacation.
This was a fun and hot story about two people, both who love to wake up early and go swimming in NYC as their workout. They are very attracted and have noticed each other but don't want to complicate things and they have never exchanged names.
Savannah is supporting herself in NY and works as an accountant and also she volunteers at the animal shelter. She is friends with Dexter Truitt and he recommends her to his friend Alex and Brayden who needs some accounting help as a consultant.
And thats how Alex and Van meet in person with names. He wants to pursue something with her and he thinks he wants more than one night but he really only has done one night so Brayden tries to covince him to not mix it up with her.
Van has had a bad business relationship turn personal before and it trashed her life so she tries to resist. Can she resist the hot swimmer? Can they make it work? How will it affect the business? Well you have to read this story to find out,
I enjoyed this story a lot. I was well written and had some really fun and hot scenes and I really enjoyed all the characters in this story.
“I don’t want to have dinner with you tonight. That’s it.” She takes a step back and claps her hands together a few times as if she’s brushing off some crumbs. “I am happy to pay you for the job with a dinner here at the apartment with Olive as we negotiated. But a date is not going to be payment.”
I gasp. “I’m not a whore. I want to take you out to dinner because I’m attracted to you, not because I expect payment.”
I turn and storm toward the bookshelves because now I’m offended. And I don’t get offended.
Aside from my disdain for olives, I’m an even-keeled dude. And I don’t need to beg for a date. I have a slew of ladies dying for me to take them out.
“I wasn’t saying you were a ... prostitute,” she says, and her tone is much softer now.
I don’t turn around even though I’m dying to, because I like that she’s being nicer now.
I have no shame in my game if making her feel guilty gets her to sway my way.
“It’s fine,” I say, as I run my hands along the wood, giving her a nice look at my oversized hands. They happen to match certain other body parts. I sniff the air, frowning. “I don’t smell cookies either. Clearly, you don’t keep your end of the bargain.”
“You had cookies yesterday,” she huffs and I grin at the bookshelves. She is so fun to rile up.
“Today’s a new day,” I say quietly. “And since you’re not agreeable to dinner tonight and you’re making me wait until Friday, and I don’t want your money, I would take a cookie or five today. I deserve something today, don’t I?”
Laura Pavlov writes sweet and sexy contemporary romance that will make you both laugh and cry. She is happily married to her college sweetheart, mom to two awesome almost-grown kids, and dog-whisperer to a couple crazy yorkies. Laura resides in Las Vegas where she is living her own happily ever after.
This is book 4 in a five book series. It easily stands alone. Though to love the male main character, Gus, you should read the other books because he is a very different guy than I am used to and as compared to his brother.
Gus Taylor is the last single Taylor man and he has rules and one is that he never dates moms. That is until he meets Olive, the cutest 5 year old who becomes his best friend and her mom Susannah, who is a widow and his new neighbor.
But Susannah has rules too and #1 is that she doesn't date at all. So Gus who falls hard for her has to work to get her to go on date with him.
Gus is a HUGE over the top character and some would even call him a drama queen. But he is also hot and he knows it so he feels like he lost his mojo.
Susannah is a romance writer so doing his research Gus decides to read her hot, romance books to find out what kind of guy Susannah likes and the results are very funny.
When Gus finally gets a date with Susannah, they have the worst date ever but it also shows Susannah who Gus is and she finds that she likes him a lot and he makes her laugh.
If you like laughing and cute little kids and love the GD Taylor brothers, then you will adore this sweet, hot and romantic story and have a blast meeting little Olive and her mom, Susannah.
Clothes, cars, property, women; none of life’s luxuries are out of Caspian's grasp until the splendor he’s accustomed to threatens to come crashing down around him if he fails to fulfill his uncle’s dying wish.
- Find true love.
- Stay married for a year.
Only by accomplishing those two paramount tasks will he secure his inheritance. What he needs is someone willing to agree to an arrangement of convenience, and spare him the emotional ties of settling down.
Paisley Fischer
Evicted and broke, she didn’t think things could get worse. Then... they did. With her mother in a coma, and the insurance benefits running out, Paisley will soon be strapped with the financial responsibility of her care. She has no idea how she’s going to provide for both of them until a childhood friend comes to her with an unconventional offer.
- Her mother’s care covered.
- A Manhattan penthouse.
- One million dollars.
All she has to do is pretend to be happily married, but a lot can change in 365 days.
Anise Storm is an author of Contemporary and Dark Romance.
A Southern transplant, Anise is married with children. She has a love of football, shoes, and tall, dark heroes. When not spending time with family or traveling, she can be found either curled up with a good book or writing.
This is my first time reading this author and wow it was so good! Its the start of a new series but each story is about a different rich guy and they are connected as they are good friends. This first book stars Caspian Archer.
In this story Uncle Preston feels Cas needs to marry someone so he is not so alone so he blackmails him into marrying. And thats when Cas runs into his childhood best friend Paisley. Paisley is having a pretty awful day, month and year and when Cas sees her again, he decides that she would make him the best bride.
But can he convince her? And they live in two different worlds can this marriage work? Will the world accept them? Is Paisley tough enough to do it? Well you will have to read this story and find out.
This was a really fast paced story and I loved it. I also loved the connection that Cas and Paisley had. It was very well written and I could not put it down.
It is a very intense story and the characters, especially Cas are very intense. It had its dark moments but I really loved the characters and the story and I cannot wait for the next couple that we get a glance at in this story.
