Thursday, October 31, 2024

TALK WICKED TO ME by Melissa Foster

 TALK WICKED TO ME



The Wickeds: Dark Knights at Bayside

Melissa Foster

Releasing Oct 30, 2024


Blurb:

Veterinarian and Dark Knights biker Baxter “Baz” Wicked, the most charming and mysterious of the family, has a career he loves, a brotherhood he trusts, and plans that don’t include settling down just yet. Come along for the unexpected, hilarious, and heart-wrenching ride as Baz discovers that life and love can be messy, and carefully crafted plans can’t hold a candle to ten tiny fingers and toes.

 Between expanding his veterinary practice, commitments with his motorcycle club, and international travel plans, Baz Wicked has little time for anything else. When a beautiful, frantic pregnant woman barges into his office for help with her dog, he senses something is off, and he’s drawn to her in ways he shouldn’t be. But now he can’t get Emerson Lockhart out of his head.

 Having a baby wasn’t in Emerson’s plans, but neither was tragically losing her parents more than a decade ago, when she was only a teenager. After all she’s been through, leaving the chaos of New York City and moving to the peaceful small town of Bayside while on the cusp of giving birth was a piece of cake. She’s used to handling things on her own, but when an unexpected emergency brings the charming vet—who makes her remember she’s more than a mother-to-be—back into her life, she’s grateful for his help but wary of his friendship.

 Emerson knows how quickly the people she cares about can be stolen away, and she never wants to experience that devastation again. But the fiercely loyal, protective biker isn’t easily dissuaded. Passion ignites and affections run deep, but when their pasts collide and Baz’s demons are revealed, will it douse their flames, or can true love prevail?

 My rating: 5 stars out of 5 stars

My review:

Talk Wicked to Me is the sixth book in The Wickeds: Dark Knights at Bayside series. You can’t help falling in love with the Wicked family and their friends. These loyal alpha men and their sassy women will touch your heart and keep you coming back for more of their stories. This is Baxter “Baz” Wicked a son of Preacher and Reba Wicked.

 “…you were the most beautifully real person I’d ever seen…”

Veterinarian Baz Wicked made a promise years before to work with the Veterinarians without Borders.  He is weeks away from fulfilling that promise when pregnant Emerson comes sweeping in with her dog, Ollie, to his vet clinic. He was captivated by her, but he had too many commitments to start a relationship.

“Emerson, you blew into my office like a tornado, and you became my wind.”

After all Emerson had been through over the years, moving to the small town of Bayside while she was eight months pregnant was easy.  She was used to doing things herself so having a pushy alpha biker helping her was overwhelming.  Can they have a future together or will their pasts keep them apart?

 This was another outstanding book in the interconnected Love in Bloom series. Although each book can be read as a standalone, I am slowly making my way through this awesome series and love every book. I highly recommend reading this book and the entire series.

 I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Goodreads link:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/201145828-talk-wicked-to-me

 

 

 

 

Buy Links:

BUY DIRECT FROM MY SHOP AND SAVE ➜ https://shop.melissafoster.com/collections/talk-wicked-to-me-collection

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➜PAPERBACK: https://lnk.to/TWTM_Pb

➜AUDIOBOOK: https://shop.melissafoster.com/products/talk-wicked-to-me-audiobook

 

Excerpt:

Read Sneak Peek here, https://melissafoster.com/talk-wicked-to-me-sneak-peek/

 

Author Info

Melissa Foster is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, & USA Today bestselling author. She writes sexy and heartwarming contemporary romance and new adult romance with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Melissa’s emotional journeys are lovingly erotic and always family oriented–perfect beach reads for contemporary romance lovers who enjoy reading about wealthy heroes and smart, sassy heroines.

 

Author Links:  

Website:  http://www.melissafoster.com/

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/MelissaFosterAuthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Melissa_Foster

GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3023973.Melissa_Foster

Newsletter: http://melissafoster.com/newsletter/

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/melissa-foster

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissafoster_author/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@melissafoster_author

 

Save 20% on the 5-book bundle at shop.melissafoster.com

https://shop.melissafoster.com/products/wickeds-ebook-bundle

 

Tuesday, October 29, 2024

Like It's Christmas by Diana A. Hicks

 



Title: Like It's Christmas
Series: Winterstorm Village #1
Author: Diana A. Hicks
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Tropes: Fake Dating the Grumpy Boss
Grumpy/Sunshine, Small Town, Christmas
Release Date: October 29, 2024


BLURB

Like It’s Christmas (Book One) – a Steamy Grumpy Boss, Fake Dating Christmas Novel

At Winterstorm Village, a record-breaking blizzard always ends in a wedding before the season is over. This year promises to bring the mother of all snowstorms, and the residents couldn’t be more excited to see who’s next to tie the knot…

Rhett Parker hates Christmas. When the Mayor of Winterstorm has an unfortunate accident and ends up in the hospital, Rhett is left hanging with the proverbial Santa gift sack. To make matters worse, the only one who can help him save their money-making tourist season is his office nemesis, Ms. Christmas cheer in a bottle, Parker Cruz.

Parker Cruz, the Mayor's daughter, is determined to save Christmas now that her dad isn’t there to make it all happen. The only person standing in her way is the town’s Scrooge, the newly appointed Mayor, Rhett Parker.

She's willing to do whatever it takes to make good on her promise to her dad. So, when a series of unlucky events strike, and the residents start talking about canceling Christmas, Parker does the unthinkable. She agrees to a fake date with her new boss.

Love is always in the air during the holidays at Winterstorm Village. So what if this year it’s all pretend? Or is it?








PURCHASE LINKS

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Free in Kindle Unlimited





EXCERPT

“Jesus, a date?” Rhett reached over and yanked the pen out of my hand.
“Hey.” I turned to glare at him.
“You need to slow down.” He tossed the pen over his shoulder. “What are you going to do when people want us to kiss?”
“Why would they even ask? That would be creepy. Relax, it’ll never come to that. At most, we’ll have to hold hands.” I stopped to inhale and give him a chance to catch up.
He rubbed the creases on his forehead as he paced to the fireplace and back. Every time, he glanced up at me, his intense gaze would settle on mine. He was really considering all the angles. How about that? We actually made a good team. I was the idea instigator. He was the executor.
“Proximity.” He finally said.
“What does that mean?”
“Can you handle it?” He cocked his head.
“What?”
He prowled toward me as his eyes darkened. Was he mad now? No, that wasn’t it. Rhett was doing the smoldering thing on me. Shit, I swallowed to ease my dry throat. Okay, I could do this. I was a professional. He stopped a mere two inches from me. We’d never been this close before. Oddly enough, I wasn’t repulsed by it. It was nice.
“I’m not nauseous.” I lifted my head to look at him. “You?”
He jaw clenched, then released, his gaze never leaving mine.. “It’s doable.” He nodded then reached behind me.
I glanced over my shoulder and followed his line of sight. “What are you doing?” I asked when he pressed the intercom button.
“Lila, can I see you in my office, please.” He released the button and turned to me. “Getting the ball rolling.”
“Lila is Mrs. Birdwhistle’s God daughter. She’ll be Lila’s first call. And then…”
“And then, the whole town will know.” He brought his hand up to my waist. “Last chance to back out, Cruz. It’s now or never.”
“Never.” I placed my hand on his chest just as he leaned in to press his forehead to mine.
My heart drummed so hard, I swore I heard its echo against the walls. Once Lila barged in on us, we would have to follow through on our lie, all the way to New Year’s eve. How hard could it be?
“Omigod.” Lila dropped her iPad. “I’m sorry.” She bent down to retrieve it then fell to her knees while trying to reach for her Mac pen. “I’m sorry. I didn’t meant to…um, the door was opened.”
“It’s fine. I was just leaving.” I tentatively stepped away from Rhett. I hadn’t considered how much touching we needed to do to convey our message. As it was, it already felt like I’d been in Rhett’s arms for a very long time.
For his part, Rhett slowly released my waist and let his fingers skim the length of my arm until they landed in my palm. Our bodies moved with such synchronicity, I didn’t have time to react to the goosebumps fluttering my skin or jerk away from him. I just stood there, spellbound.






AUTHOR BIO

Diana A. Hicks is an award-winning author of steamy, new adult romance with a heavy dose of suspense.

When Diana is not writing, she enjoys hot yoga, kickboxing, traveling, and indulging in the simple joys of life like wine and chocolate. She lives in Atlanta and loves spending time with her two children and husband. Connect with Diana on social media to stay up to date on her latest releases.

Praise for Diana A. Hicks:

"Hicks' first installment of her Desert Monsoon series is confident and assured with strong storytelling, nuanced characters, and a dynamic blend of romance and suspense...A sexy and irresistible tale for fans of contemporary romance." - Kirkus Reviews



Monday, October 28, 2024

SLEIGH ME IF YOU CAN by Cheryl Terra

 🎄☃️SURPRISE RELEASE!🎄☃️



SLEIGH ME IF YOU CAN

--a standalone holiday novella in Cheryl Terra's If You Can series, is out NOW! Grab this spicy fun novella today for just .99 to see how Nellie weathers a new relationship and holiday office parties:

https://books2read.com/hohoho

 

Come for:

☃️ A ridiculous amount of Christmas-themed pickup lines and puns

☃️ Office holiday party shenanigans

☃️ Curvy body-positive bi+ FMC

☃️ Sweet-and-sassy bi+ MMC

☃️ Reads like jalapeno-flavoured cotton candy (aka fluffy but spicyyyy)

 

~*~

Nellie has three good reasons for why falling in love with her best friend’s brother is not a Christmas miracle:

1.    She never wanted to fall in love in the first place

2.    She especially didn’t want to fall in love with him

3.    It didn’t happen at Christmas

 

Because sure, after months of trying to convince themselves that they weren’t perfect for each other, JP and Nellie finally gave in to their feelings, but that happened barely a month before the holidays began.

 

Which is why Nellie absolutely refuses to bring her new boyfriend home to her mother’s house for Christmas.

 

Faced with the pressure to make up for her decision by finding JP the perfect Christmas gift, Nellie starts to wonder if the unsolicited opinions that come from being in a new relationship are worth it. But when JP is roped into bringing his Big Nick Energy to the office Christmas party, will Nellie step in and don her elf apparel so they can jingle all the way through a wild evening of spreading Christmas cheer to his quirky coworkers?

 

Sleigh Me If You Can is a spicy, low-angst, high-fun holiday romance novella. It can be read as a standalone, though it is part of the If You Can series and takes place after Keep Me If You Can, book 3 in the series. This series features an unapologetically sensual college student as she explores unconventional relationships.

 

WILDFLOWERS AND WIDE RECEIVERS by Kathryn Andrews

 TEASER: 

WILDFLOWERS AND WIDE RECEIVERS 

by @kandrewsauthor

 is coming November 1!




#PreOrderHere 

https://amzn.to/4bSTFiH 


Why you are going to love this book…
🏈 Football Player / Sports Romance 

💕 Second Chance Romance

🏈 Single Guardian 

💕Pediatric doctor

🏈 The one who got away

💕 Overachiever 

🏈 No third act breakup 

 💕Florida: boats, sunshine, and dolphins

🏈 Goldendoodle named Molly

💕 Previous characters appearing

🏈 Found family

💕 Forced Proximity


Jonah Dallmann

Over two years ago, I met a woman on New Year’s Eve, and it was the best night of my life. Until the next morning when it became the worst.

One voice message. One swerve over a double yellow line. One little girl, my niece, who’s now mine.

It hasn’t been easy. These things never are, but we’re trying. Now, I’m twenty-six, and determined to be the best wide receiver on our team, while she’s seven and spends her days reading books and dancing ballet.

Only, I haven’t just grieved the loss of my brother, but her too. My heart ached for what could have been, and what I had to let go. I know what I did to her was wrong, yet I never got the opportunity to explain. But when the door opens and she steps in wearing green scrubs and a long white coat, shock ripples through me, and I hope I might finally get the chance. 

Sophie Black

I always wondered if this day would come, but I never expected to see him here, with her, in one of my patient rooms. He’s even better looking than I remember and giving off single dad vibes, too, as he cares for his adorable niece. A niece I didn’t know he had.

I was surprised when he asked if he could see me again, but I instantly declined. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Only now we keep running into each other, and I’m confused. Is fate throwing us a second chance, and if so, should I catch it?


#kathrynandrews #kindleunlimited #romancebooks #theauthoragency @theauthor.agency



Let’s Not and Sleigh We Did by J.P. Sterling

 

Let’s Not and Sleigh We Did
J.P. Sterling
(Christmas Shenanigans)
Publication date: October 25th 2024
Genres: Comedy, Contemporary, Holiday, Romance

Oh, oh, the mistletoe, hung where I did NOT see.
My brother’s friend waits for me and gets down on one knee—What is happening?

Somebody stop it, please!
Oh, those dreamy blue eyes batting at me, and all the words he dares to say.
This is bad.
Like really, really bad.
We’re now planning a wedding day.
But it’s all for a good reason, not love.
Oh, cough, cough, let’s not bust out the L-word.
It’s purely business.
It is a solid plan until it isn’t.
So maybe I love him, but we agreed not to do that . . . whoops!

Let’s Not and Sleigh We Did is a fake marriage of convenience, brother’s best friend, just-kisses-but-all-the-swoons romcom. Oh, yeah, there’s a fluffy cow too!

Goodreads / Amazon

EXCERPT:

A ring.

Not just any ring, a rose gold band.

“What are you doing?” I whisper, a little harshly, the ring pulsating in my peripheral vision.

“We talked about this, remember?” Luke’s voice drops, rasping.

“We talked about marriage.” I tilt my head to one side, as if I’m physically dividing this argument in half., “But not this, and not in front of them.”

“You’re being modest.” He laughs, tossing a look back at his parents. “I thought it would be nice to share this moment with them.”

“You did?” my voice squeaks, as I’m totally blindsided and wishing I had at least a heads- up. The arrangement had sounded so much more business casual than what’s going on right now. A proposal on one knee is not business casual. This is my heart in my throat, and I’m about to throw up. “Where did you get a ring?” I hiss.

“I bought it today.”

“Today?” I grapple for my throat, praying something gives before I pass out.

“Yeah, today when I was thinking about you.”

Doing a hard pause on the word, you, he’s still holding the ring awkwardly in his hand. I frantically search his face for signs of a prank, but he doesn’t have an ounce of humor curved into a smile.

He’s one-hundred-percent serious.

Quakes rumble against my rib cage. This is an act. I’m clearly about to blow our cover as I’m acting so confused, but this whole thing is blowing my mind. “This is happening so fast.”

“It’s okay. Better than okay.” He takes my hand in his, holding it in front of him. “Ten years ago, you kissed me on a dare. You didn’t know it at the time, but I was already falling in love with you. You were my first kiss, but I knew in that moment, I wanted you to be my last.”

I blink. Everything about his proposal sounds genuine.

My gaze floats to his mom; her hands clasp together in front of her, but her gaze is piercing in my direction. Luke’s dad has a that’s-my-boy grin laced on his lips.

And Luke!

Luke’s winning an Oscar for his acting. His gaze dials right into mine, like it’s boring a trail through my eyes right to my heart. I can’t even tell it’s a fake proposal, and I one-thousand- percent know it’s fake.

It is fake . . . right?

Author Bio:

J.P. Sterling grew up watching old reruns of Lucille Ball and Mary Tyler Moore and fell in love with wholesome entertainment and slapstick comedy. She loves leaning into the over-the-top humor and full circle moments, especially if it means the underdog gets to shine.

Aside from writing, she's also a wife and homeschooling mom, a holistic dietitian, a former college professor and lover of all things dark chocolate.

*No swears. Just kisses. No Blasphemies.*

Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram / Amazon


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Saturday, October 26, 2024

Pity Present by Whitney Dineen

 

Pity Present
Whitney Dineen
(Pity Series #5)
Publication date: October 24th 2024
Genres: Adult, Comedy, Contemporary, Romance

Molly
I haven’t beeninterested in dating since my ex dumped me for a new girl at his law office. Since then, I’ve thrown myself into my work as a hotel gift shop designer. While being single isn’t what I expected, there’s truth to that old saying, “Once bitten, twice shy.” And the bite of a cheater stays with you.

Christmas can be a particularly vulnerable time, which is why I accepted a job right before the holidays. I had no idea the lodge that hired me was also hosting a singles’ event. Imagine my surprise when they had a last-minute cancellation and asked me if I wanted to join them.

Blake
When I left LA for my dream job in Chicago, I never dreamed by first assignment would be spending two weeks in Elk Lake, Wisconsin, covering the Midwestern Matchmaker’s new venture to set up Chicagoland singles. I’m a sports journalist for Pete’s sake, not some airheaded twit who writes about the lovelorn.

Unfortunately, the job I transferred for isn’t open yet, so here I am. In Wisconsin. Living my worst nightmare. There is no way anybody is going to find love at this thing. No way.

So, imagine my surprise when the most awkward woman in the world trips over me …

Goodreads / Amazon

EXCERPT:

When the train pulls into the Elk Lake stop, I jump to my feet and practically run for the exit. Unfortunately, I don’t see the foot blocking the aisle. As such, I wind up making a spectacular display as I trip up the aisle for several yards. My performance is akin to a vaudevillian physical comedy routine. Luckily, a hand reaches out to steady me before I hit the ground. “Whoa there. I’ve got you.”

I take a moment to catch my breath before turning to thank my rescuer. One look at his hazelly green eyes and chiseled jaw renders me nearly speechless. Is that a tan? I finally manage to say, “Thump queue.”

The Adonis stands up and reaches toward his overnight bag. “Excuse me?”

“Thump queue,” I repeat before forcing my mouth to form proper words. “I mean, thank you.”

His lips curve ever so slightly before he responds with a wink. “You’re welcome.”

I know I just told my sister I wasn’t interested in dating and that she was crazy to suggest I might be about to embark upon my very own cheesy movie experience, but for a split second, a wave of possibility washes over me. Before I can stop myself, I ask, “You aren’t a lumberjack by any chance, are you?”

His eyes widen. “No.”

Feeling foolish, I try to think of something to say that will make me seem less weird. I decide to go with, “Me neither.”

He cocks an eyebrow. “Good to know. I hear it’s hard work.”

I’m going to be single forever. While I claim to be fine with that outcome, I secretly want to find the man of my dreams, get married, have two point five children, and then adopt a Bernese Mountain puppy or three. The house in the suburbs and white picket fence are a given.

Turning around, I continue to make my way off the train while chastising myself for being such an idiot. I step down to the ground before lugging my suitcase to my side. The gorgeous stranger is behind me, but he doesn’t stick around to continue our inane small talk. Instead, he veers to the right and exits the platform.

I don’t move as quickly. I simply look around at my charming surroundings. There’s nothing like a small-town train station decorated for the holidays. The depot windows are strung with colored lights. The old-fashioned streetlamps lining the walkway are festooned with flocked wreaths, and Christmas carols are booming from the speakers against the side of the building.

Laughingly, I tell myself, “You’re not in Kansas anymore, Dorothy.” Not that Chicago is at all comparable to Kansas, but a certain Wizard of Oz magic seems to have overtaken me.

I appreciate my surroundings for long enough that by the time I turn around, I’m the only person left on the platform. The text I received from the Elk Lake Lodge said they would send a driver to pick me up. As such, I make my way through the depot to the other side of the building.

The sidewalk is covered in fresh snow, so I’m careful to step into the footprints left by others. I look around for a van with the hotel’s name on it, but the only vehicle at the curb is a dark blue Suburban. Before I can approach it, a gaunt middle-aged man wearing a gray parka steps out. “Molly Anders?”

I throw a hand up in the air and reply, “That’s me!”

He walks over and takes possession of my suitcase before putting it in the back hatch. Then he opens the door for me. “Name’s Paul. You’re my last pickup which is good because we’re expecting more snow.” I’m glad I decided to come tonight and not wait until morning.

Getting into the back of the truck, I’m greeted by a familiar face. “Hey, there.” It’s the hottie from the train.

“Hey, hi. Fancy meeting you here.”

The driver gets in and asks, “You two know each other?”

Before I can answer, my seat mate explains, “We met on the train. Neither of us are lumberjacks.” Kill me now.

Author Bio:

Whitney loves to laugh, play with her kids, bake, and eat french fries -- not always in that order.

Whitney is a multi-award-winning author of romcoms, non-fiction humor, and middle reader fiction. Basically, she writes whatever the voices in her head tell her to.

She lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with her husband, Jimmy, where they raise children, chickens, and organic vegetables.

Gold Medal winner at the International Readers' Favorite Awards, 2017.

Silver medal winner at the International Readers' Favorite Awards, 2015, 2016.

Finalist RONE Awards, 2016.

Finalist at the IRFA 2016, 2017.

Finalist at the Book Excellence Awards, 2017

Finalist Top Shelf Indie Book Awards, 2017

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram


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Friday, October 25, 2024

How to Solve a Murder with a Grump by Laura Pauling

 

How to Solve a Murder with a Grump
Laura Pauling
Publication date: October 8th 2024
Genres: Adult, Comedy, Contemporary, Mystery, Romance

Barrie:

I am determined to make my best friend’s wedding weekend perfect. That includes editing the best man’s speech and making sure he doesn’t drink too much.
Except, he’s the worst kind of grump with a capital G.
Not only that but when this perfect wedding unravels, I find myself the object of his wrath.
He blames me.
So I run.
And I’m wearing the wedding dress. (Don’t ask.)
As I hide out in a small town, following my dreams, I stumble upon a decades-old murder mystery.
Turns out texting the grump might be my only lifeline. And I’m definitely not flirt-texting. Nope. Not me.
Because falling for a grump can only lead to a broken heart.
Right?

Miles:

For the record, I am not a grump.
It’s not me. It’s them.
It’s women.
I’m looking forward to the wedding this weekend. My best friend is getting married.
And the maid of honor texts me.
Not just once.
Oh, no, because that would be much too sensible. Nope. Try a dozen. It felt like a hundred.
I can tell by a glance at the texts that she’s one of those micro-managing, in your business, thinks-she-knows-everything type of woman.
Forget it.
I don’t want her number. I don’t want coffee. I don’t want a date.
I don’t want a single conversation.
Okay, fine. I’m a grump.
But can you blame me?

How to Solve a Murder with a Grump is a full-length hilarious romantic mystery with a swoony, heart-thumping, happily-ever-after kind of ending complete with glitter bombs, snapping turtles (imaginary or not), a decades-old murder, and grand romantic gestures.

Goodreads / Amazon

EXCERPT:

I take one look at him. Oh yeah, he’s a grump.

Definitely.

But I don’t have time for grumps right now.

You see, I’m running late and the elevator is taking forever to get to the bottom floor. My best friend is getting married in two days, and I’m the maid of honor. I’m trying to compose a text to the best man so we can talk about the speeches. I should’ve reached out to him ages ago, but this weekend came fast. It snuck up on me.

Then, a man near me clears his throat, like he’s trying to send me a message. I take one look at him.

No doubt in my mind he’s a Mr. Grumpy Pants, because I can pick them out a mile away. They’re easy to spot once you know the signs.

Of course, sometimes you’ll get lucky. You’ll make a quick exit. Or he’ll spill his coffee. Someone else will grab his attention.

But there will be times you have to interact with this particular species of men.

Just so you know, there are many ways to deal with a grump. I could write a book on it.

First, don’t be fooled by those flashing white teeth and sexy smirks. Don’t be fooled by a blue shirt, almost the color of tropical ocean water that offsets the gray of his eyes. Don’t be fooled by the rippling muscles underneath the blue shirt.

Nope.

Sexy grumps are the most dangerous, because they’ll steal your heart then stomp all over it.

Author Bio:

I write about spies, murder, and mystery. I love a lot of things about writing and reading stories that have mystery and romance. I love the puzzle of a whodunnit and witty banter between characters who love to hate each other. Especially, when they don’t know they are falling in love.

There are about a gazillion books in the wilds of Amazon and maybe half of them are mysteries. If you want to make sure you know when I have a new release in a current series or the start of a new series then visit www.laurapauling.com and sign up for my newsletter.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter


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Marrying the Mechanic by Shanna Hatfield

 

Marrying the Mechanic: A Small-Town Clean Romance
Shanna Hatfield
(Summer Creek, #7)
Publication date: October 24th 2024
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

A heartwarming journey of love, growth, and the bonds that tie hearts together even when life leads down unexpected paths.

Mechanic Jace Easton grapples with the sudden changes happening around him. His younger sister, Tassie, has always relied on him, but now she’s off traipsing around the globe with the prince of her dreams. As Tassie prepares to step into her future, Jace is confronted with the harsh truth that she has matured, and so has her best friend, Deena. The deepening attraction he feels for Deena—a pull that becomes increasingly difficult to ignore—leaves him further unsettled and struggling to accept his new reality.

Deena Durant may earn her living welding farm equipment, but her true passion lies in crafting metal sculptures. Alongside her artistic dreams, she clings to the hope that Jace might eventually see her as more than his sister’s friend. Until then, she conceals her feelings and does her best to encourage him as everything familiar shifts into unchartered territory.

When Jace and Deena work together to help Tassie’s dreams come true, will they discover their own path to true love?

Marrying the Mechanic is a celebration of unexpected love, personal growth, and the power of relationships in a wholesome, small-town romance.

Goodreads / Amazon

EXCERPT:

“Have you talked to Tassie recently?” Deena asked as they headed out of town.

“Last Sunday. She and the prince were on their way to dinner with one of his brothers.” Jace glanced over at Deena, who seemed to get prettier by the minute. “Why? Have you heard from her?”

“Just a few texts and photos. She sent one yesterday of her and Eli with two of his grown nephews. They were heading to Paris for a festival.”

Jace felt a prick of annoyance that Tassie kept Deena more updated on her travel plans than she did him. Then again, he couldn’t blame his sister. Most of their communication started and ended with him asking when she was coming home and reminders to be careful and safe and to not trust strangers.

He probably sounded like a lame recording set to repeat.

No wonder Tassie only called him once a week and rarely sent a text. It was his own fault for acting overbearing and no doubt coming off as angry, even if he was. Tassie wasn’t the one who’d stirred his ire. Most of that ferocity was directed at himself, with a substantial portion attributed to the stupid prince with the charming smile who had turned everything in Jace’s world upside down.

Well, maybe not everything.

Deena was her own kind of surprise. Jace had yet to decide if the changes in her were of the good or bad variety.

A touch drew his gaze to where Deena’s hand rested on his forearm. He debated shaking it off or covering those long fingers with his own dirty paw. Instead of following either inclination, he focused on her sunglasses even though all he could distinguish was a reflection of himself.

With his face red from the heat and too much time in the sun, compounded by his current embarrassment, it was a vision he didn’t really need to see.

“Don’t beat yourself up if Tassie is doing her own thing,” Deena said with a note of encouragement in her smooth voice. “This is what she’s always wanted. What’s she’s dreamed about her entire life. All we need to do is be happy for her. Right?”

“Right,” Jace said, although he’d rather offer a dozen reasons why Tassie was going to eventually come home with a broken heart. Her experiences with Eli were going to make it that much harder to live in Summer Creek when this … whatever was going on with his sister and the prince, came to an end.

Deena’s eyebrow lifted above her sunglasses again, as though she knew exactly what he was thinking. She refrained from commenting, though, and pulled a U-turn in the road, stopping behind his service rig.

“Want me to wait for you to make sure you get it running?” she asked.

“No. I won’t keep you longer than I already have, but thank you for the ride both ways. I appreciate it.”

“No problem, Jace. Call if you can’t get it to start, and I’ll come get you.”

He would rather chew glass than call Deena for help in his current frame of mind, but he swallowed down the refusal and nodded at her. “Thanks. Have fun at the baby shower.”

“I intend to. Bye, Jace.”

He hopped out, lifted the tools and creeper from the back, then let Cleo deliver a sloppy lick to his cheek. It was the closest he’d come to a kiss for a long, long time.

Author Bio:

Whitney loves to laugh, play with her kids, bake, and eat french fries -- not always in that order.

Whitney is a multi-award-winning author of romcoms, non-fiction humor, and middle reader fiction. Basically, she writes whatever the voices in her head tell her to.

She lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with her husband, Jimmy, where they raise children, chickens, and organic vegetables.

Gold Medal winner at the International Readers' Favorite Awards, 2017.

Silver medal winner at the International Readers' Favorite Awards, 2015, 2016.

Finalist RONE Awards, 2016.

Finalist at the IRFA 2016, 2017.

Finalist at the Book Excellence Awards, 2017

Finalist Top Shelf Indie Book Awards, 2017

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