GUARDING ADELAIDE by PJ Fiala

 

We’re excited to announce that PJ Fiala’s new release, Guarding Adelaide, is out now! Check it out and be sure to grab your copy today!

Title: Guarding Adelaide

Author: PJ Fiala

Genre: Small Town Romance/Protector Romance

About Guarding Adelaide:

Enjoy this steamy small-town protector romance by USA Today bestselling author PJ Fiala. She’s following in her father’s footsteps as a GHOST Operative.He’s the best communications specialist around and is about to embark on his biggest job yet.Their roles merge as a war breaks out that neither of them saw coming. When the job can only be handled by the team that doesn’t exist, you call GHOST. Adelaide Masters knew what she wanted from her earliest memories. Her cousins, Maya and Myles, along with the other children whose parents were special operatives with GHOST, were her constant companions growing up. Working under the watchful eyes of her family was the experience of a lifetime, but she’s ready to set out on her own. Being selected for the Glen Hollow, Kentucky office gave her the chance to put her unique skillset as a medic trained operative to the test.  Rafe Martin is living his dream as a government communications specialist. His new job is his biggest yet, set up communications to the new military base being constructed just outside of Glen Hollow Kentucky. He’s been informed of the unrest in the area, but that wasn’t anything he hadn’t dealt with before. Progress is usually met with opposition. He’s determined to build his network and bring this job in under budget. When a nasty war breaks out between the towns people and their counterparts up in the hills regarding the communication network, Rafe sees things in a different light. What he didn’t expect was his role changing from communications expert to Guarding Adelaide. Guarding Adelaide is the Fifth novel in the GHOST Legacy Romantic Suspense Series, although all books in the GHOST Legacy world can be read as stand-alones. A steamy romantic story with a guaranteed happily ever after, it does have some strong language and exciting sexy times. Enjoy Rafe and Adelaide!

Order Your Copy!

Universal | PJ's Shop | Amazon | Apple | B&N | Google Play | Kobo

Catching Up with the Series:

Finding Lara

BACK IN BLACK by Julie Ann Walker

 

We’re so excited to share BACK IN BLACK by Julie Ann Walker! It’s new, and the first in a brand new series, Black Knights, Inc: Reloaded–check it out and grab your copy today!

Title: Back in Black

Author: Julie Ann Walker

Genre: Romantic Suspense

About Back In Black:

A secret identity mixed in with forced proximity on top of red-hot chemistry? What could go wrong?   The Black Knights are back and better than ever!   FBI agent Grace Beacham is on the run. After an operation to bring down a Russian disinformation campaign goes sideways and ends in her partner’s death, the Kremlin has sent its most notorious assassin to kill her. Not knowing who to trust inside the Bureau, Grace is forced to call on the one man who might be able to save her. The one man she hasn’t been able to forget.   BKI operative Hunter Jackson walked away from Grace Beacham three years ago. And he hasn’t looked back. But when his cell phone suddenly jangles to life with Grace on the other end begging for his help, he doesn’t hesitate to ride to her rescue.   Grace is no stranger to men like Hunter. Men who are devastatingly attractive and in love with their perilous professions and no-strings-attached lifestyles. As the two of them go off-grid to uncover the truth behind what happened on her last assignment, she fears her life might not be the only thing on the line. With Hunter, her heart could be in danger too.   "A first-rate thrill ride."—Publishers Weekly, STARRED Review for Thrill Ride   "This razor-sharp, sensual, and intriguing tale will get hearts pounding"—Publishers Weekly, STARRED Review for Wild Ride   "Deft characterization, skillful pacing, touches of humor, and red-hot love scenes rev up this highly recommended roller-coaster." —Publishers Weekly, STARRED Review for In Rides Trouble

My rating: 4 out of 5 stars

My review:

FBI agent Grace Beacham was set up for her partner's death.  Now she is on the run and only has one person who she knows she can trust to help her.  She had not been able to get him off her mind since she had collaborated with him on a case a few years prior.

BKI operative Hunter Jackson is devoted to his job and doesn’t do relationships.  He never got her off his mind, but his lifestyle was not easy on relationships.  When she needs help, he doesn’t hesitate to respond.  Now they are on the run together, can they keep their feelings from growing?

Back in Black is the first book in the new Black Knights Inc: Reloaded.  This was a new author for me, and I loved all the suspense and surprising twists and turns.  It was fast past and had great characters.  This was a great book, and I am so glad I had the chance to read it.

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

Get Your Copy!

Amazon | AppleBooks | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | BAM!

Coming Soon to Black Knights, INC: Reloaded:

Black Hearted - September 26th

Man in Black - May 28th

About the Author:

Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Julie grew up in a house full of women – she has three older sisters. As you can imagine, there was no lack of drama… or romance. Her mother enrolled her in a book club as soon as she began to read and it was the small spark that ignited her voracious appetite for the written word.   Because of Julie’s early immersion in literature, she found writing came quite naturally. In high school, she won multiple writing contests and was the proud senior editor of The Tiger’s Tale – her school newspaper.   During her college years, however, she longed for a challenge. “Reading and writing felt like second nature to me, so I looked for a way to flex my mental muscles,” she recalls. After receiving a Bachelor of Science degree, Julie began teaching advanced high school mathematics.   “I loved working with the students and facing the challenges of the classroom, but I longed for the occasional snow day when I could race to the local book store, buy two or three new novels, and curl up in front of the fire to read.”   It wasn’t until a fortuitous move to Chicago that Julie once more returned to her first passion.   Now Julie loves to travel the world looking for views to compete with her deadlines. When she’s not writing, she enjoys camping, hiking, cycling, cooking, petting every dog that walks by her, and… reading, of course!  

Connect with the Author:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Bookbub | Instagram | Newsletter

PROTECTING EVERLEIGH by PJ Fiala

 

PJ Fiala’s new release, Protecting Everleigh, is a gorgeous new small town romance out now! Check it out and be sure to pre-order your copy today!

Title: Protecting Everleigh

Author: PJ Fiala

Genre: Small Town Romance

About Protecting Everleigh:

USAT author PJ Fiala, brings you the next generation of GHOST operatives set in the small-town of Glen Hollow, Kentucky, where a long-standing rivalry is brewing into an all out war, and love comes calling even in the worst of times.   When the job can only be handled by a team that doesn’t exist, you call GHOST.   He was raised to be a GHOST operative.   She's an Army-trained, skilled negotiator.   Together they play a game of push and pull—until she finds herself in need of his protection.   Henry Delany inherited his father’s muscular frame and his mother’s penchant for the law. Working for GHOST gives him the opportunity to use both while doing what he loves—protecting the lives of others. Determined to bring tranquility and harmony to Glen Hollow, the small-town he now calls home, he has agreed to work with a closed-off, government liaison in an effort to broker a peace deal .But Protecting Everleigh just might be Henry’s most challenging mission to date .   Everleigh Hayes was raised to be a negotiator, and Glen Hollow, Kentucky is a small town in need of a truce. She is just the woman to make that happen. Like her previous assignments, she approaches this one with her finely-tuned grace and finesse. But when Everleigh comes face to face with the undercurrent of darkness permeating this little town, she finds herself ensnared by more danger than she’s ever faced. Needing Henry and falling in love with him is a development she’s never negotiated before.

Order Your Copy!

Catching Up with the Series:

Finding Lara

Saving Elena

Rescuing Kenna

Guarding Adelaide

Shielding Maya

About the Author:

USA Today Best Selling Author, PJ Fiala, has independently published multiple romance novels over the years. Focusing primarily on romantic suspense, she weaves a little bit of reality with a little bit of make-believe to create stories with heat, heart and all the feels. PJ lives in the Green Bay, Wisconsin area but travels to destinations unknown via motorcycle. Spending time with her grandmother Ruth, in Kentucky has helped to mold PJ into a person who enjoys life on the farm as well as life in the burbs. But it was romance novels that took her to places she’d only dreamed of and solidified her love of all things romance and swoony. Her family keeps her feet on the ground when her mind travels too far from home, delivering both a reality check and a nudge to keep it real.  

Connect with the Author:

Website | Facebook | Pinterest | Tiktok | Youtube | Goodreads | Bookbub | Amazon

 

Write Choice by Jami Rogers

🎉🎉OUT NOW!🎉🎉

The Write Choice by Jami Rogers is out now! Grab the series that reviewers are raving about!

“The chemistry between Calla and Beck was undeniable. I couldn't stop reading their story!”

Amazon: https://bit.ly/TheWriteChoice-JR

~*~

Author Jami Rogers continues the Lust or Bust series with another steamy, enemies to lovers romantic comedy. Living with the one woman who can't stand you is bound to make a great story!

I have the career, the house, the family, the friends, but not the girl. The one. The woman to spend my life with. As a romance writer, I’m as cliché as it gets. I love love. I want to be in love. I want to experience everything that comes with it: heartbreak, happiness, fighting, you name it.

I want it all.

What I didn’t want, however, was to get married in Vegas on a whim.

To a woman I can’t stand.

To a woman I can’t stop thinking about.

I know, I know, that doesn’t even make sense.

Trust me, I know. Here’s the kicker. She’s just as stubborn as I am and failure is not a word either of us has in our vocabulary. How far are we going to go till we each get the outcome we want in the end? Life, love—both are on the line.

At some point, there’s no coming back, and what happens then? How much do I lose?

I’m about to find out.

#JamiRogers #TheWriteChoice #newrelease #enemiestolover #wakingupmarried #vegasromance #contemproaryromance #booklove #books #tbr #bookshelf #bookstagram #bookboyfriend #toberead #romance #booksofinstagram 

HIDDEN JUSTICE by Diana Munoz Stewart

 🎉🎉COMING SOON!🎉🎉 

HIDDEN JUSTICE by Diana Munoz Stewart is coming in 6 days! Check out the gorgeous romantic suspense new to Kindle Unlimited and be sure to pre-order your copy today!

Amazon: https://bit.ly/HiddenJustice

~*~

Saved from a brutal childhood and adopted into a wealthy, loving family of international spies, Justice Parish trained her whole life to rescue others. But when her latest mission hits a snag, she needs a new cover fast. Unfortunately, her best solution jeopardizes a good man. A man she can’t help but admire…in more ways than one.

 

After a loss too big to bear, Sandesh Ross left Special forces and dedicated his life to founding a humanitarian group in the Middle East. Helping others isn’t cheap, so when the wealthy and smoldering Justice Parish offers to fund his charity––as long as she’s put in charge of PR––he barely hesitates. What he doesn’t know about his sexy, new benefactor could save his company while endangering not only his heart but his life.

OWE ME ONE by Kay Cove

Owe Me One by Kay Cove is out now! We’re so excited to share this gorgeous new contemporary romance with you–check it out and be sure to grab your copy today!

Title: Owe Me One

Author: Kay Cove

Genre: Contemporary Romance

About Owe Me One:

Quinn is finally enjoying the view from the top in her executive office. Her new position as CMO of a billion-dollar tech company keeps her just busy enough to avoid the gut-wrenching guilt and regret she’s carried around for three years, since the loss of her mother. No one else will see the monster she sees in the mirror as long as she keeps her head down and buried in her work. No one that is until Cody Kartlin comes barreling into the picture, determined to earn her heart by proving that when it comes to high-powered careers—real men aren’t afraid to let a woman take the lead.   Cody’s only had one true love—football. After a career-ending injury, he never thought he’d feel that spark of life again—until he laid eyes on Quinn. His new life game plan immediately becomes a slow play for Quinn’s heart.   When Quinn’s new promotion threatens to send her overseas, Cody gallantly offers to help her stop the transfer by exploiting a company policy loophole. The agreement is simple—Cody marries Quinn, and Quinn just… owes Cody one. It’s not long before what started as paperwork starts feeling like a whole lot more, but right when Cody thinks he’s secured a future with the girl of his dreams, his old flame creeps back into the picture.   A second chance at his football career will force him to choose—the girl, or the game.

Get Your Copy!

Catching Up with the Series:

Paint Me Perfect

Rewrite the Rules

About the Author:

Kay Cove writes contemporary romance novels that are sweet and steamy. She loves strong and witty heroines that aren’t afraid to go toe-to-toe with an alpha hero. Her favorite writing weapon of choice? Banter.   Born in Colorado Springs, but raised all over (thanks military!), Kay Cove loves hiking on snow-capped mountains, blowing raspberries on her sons’ super pudgy baby bellies, and heated debates with her husband about topics such as the difference between turtles and tortoises, Marvel trivia, and most importantly—who misplaced the remote.   Kay, a former HR professional (survivor), startup junkie, and former CEO of the teeniest, tiniest virtual assistant company, has been writing pretty much forever. She finally decided at age thirty to start writing the stories she loves to read and to actually share the novels she poured countless hours, tears, sweat, and coffee into.  

Connect with the Author:

Website | Instagram | Tiktok | Facebook | Twitter 

 

RECKLESS DESIRE by M.A. Lee

 

RECKLESS DESIRE by M.A. Lee is out now! Check out the gorgeous new romance and be sure to grab your copy today!

Title: Reckless Desire

Author: M.A. Lee

Genre: Contemporary Romance

About Reckless Desire:

Spencer Chase is darkness hidden behind a sly smile. The reckless, mysterious and dangerously sexy man was everything that I was trying to get away from. I had my own demons chasing after me, I didn't need to meet his, too. Needing to find a job after I ran away from home, I found my only solace in a Las Vegas casino. The once champion MMA fighter is now working security at one of Las Vega's premier casinos...the same casino where I am now working. I know I should stay away from him. All of the warning signs are there. But, I am a glutton for punishment and apparently, brooding men. The strong sexual tension and powerful chemistry pulled us together for one emotionally charged and controlling relationship. After sharing one passionate night together, we are hooked. While we both believe that we are safe from our deceitful pasts, neither of us are prepared for the fire created when our secrets come to light. Hopefully, we don't get burned.

Order Your Copy!

About the Author:

  M.A. Lee is a contemporary romance author with a love for all things romance.  

Connect with the Author:

Amazon | Facebook | Goodreads

 

REWRITE THE RULES by Kay Cove

 

 

Rewrite the Rules by Kay Cove is the second book in her standalone romance series and it’s out now! Check out the gorgeous new romance and grab your copy today!

Title: Rewrite the Rules

Author: Kay Cove

Genre: Contemporary Romance

About Rewrite the Rules:

Adler Haley writes great sex…just not under her name. And certainly not about her experiences—or lack thereof. There’s no safer place to express herself than behind the obscurity of ghostwriting romance novels. By day, Adler’s perfectly content to blend in at her boring nine-to-five as an executive assistant. At least until she meets Joel—her new boss who has her wondering if love at first sight is more than just fiction.   Joel Lewis is convinced that relationships bring out the bad in people. And marriage? The worst. Ask his parents. His siblings. And his ex-girlfriend. Needing a fresh start, Joel trades the Big Apple to take the helm at a struggling venture capitalist firm in Denver. After meeting his new assistant, he has to work overtime to fight his feelings and adhere to the no-relationships policy he’s instated for his life.   Armed with The F-Buddy Rules for Survival, a clever set of guidelines designed to keep their friendship fun and fun only, Adler and Joel find themselves whisked into the most entertaining ‘situationship’of their lives. But it’s not long before Adler discovers a major issue with the rules—they weren’t meant to protect her from falling in love. They were only ever meant to keep Joel from finding out.

Get Your Copy Today!

Ebook | Paperback

Catching Up with the Series:

Paint Me Perfect

Ebook | Paperback

 

About the Author:

Kay Cove writes contemporary romance novels that are sweet and steamy. She loves strong and witty heroines that aren’t afraid to go toe-to-toe with an alpha hero. Her favorite writing weapon of choice? Banter. Born in Colorado Springs, but raised all over (thanks military!), Kay Cove loves hiking on snow-capped mountains, blowing raspberries on her sons’ super pudgy baby bellies, and heated debates with her husband about topics such as the difference between turtles and tortoises, Marvel trivia, and most importantly—who misplaced the remote. Kay, a former HR professional (survivor), startup junkie, and former CEO of the teeniest, tiniest virtual assistant company, has been writing pretty much forever. She finally decided at age thirty to start writing the stories she loves to read and to actually share the novels she poured countless hours, tears, sweat, and coffee into.  

Connect with the Author:

Website | Instagram | Tiktok | Facebook | Twitter

 

THE PARADISE PLAN by Elana Johnson

 

The Paradise Plan by Elana Johnson is out now! Check it out and be sure to grab your copy of the sweet beachside romance today!

Title: The Paradise Plan

Author: Elana Johnson

Genre: Contemporary Romance

About The Paradise Plan:

Cassandra Haslam loves plans. Lunch plans, wedding plans, and floor plans—they all bring her joy. In fact, she's had her entire life planned out—career, marriage, and family—since age ten. She's smart, hard-working, and a real go-getter, and everything has fallen into place so far. Until her husband dies suddenly, right when she's about to enjoy the fruits of all of her hard work and planning, leaving Cass reeling and...well, without a plan. When her youngest graduates three months later, making her an empty-nester as well as a widow, Cass decides it's time to make a new plan for herself. It's not a back-up plan. It's a paradise plan. With one of her best friends now living in Hilton Head, Cass makes a move and purchases a piece of waterfront property on the island. It's the perfect place to build her paradisiacal life and her new self as she designs and constructs a beautiful beach house. But when she injures herself—not in the plan, by the way—she meets general-contractor-turned-doctor Harrison Tate. He helps her out of a jammed thumb, a sprained ankle, and a bruised ego. When he keeps showing up unannounced at her construction site, sometimes with her favorite pastries, Cass starts to wonder if she should add him to her daily routine... If she does, will her perfectly laid out plans fall short of paradise? Or could she find her new life and a new love, all without any plans at all?

Get Your Copy Today!

Catching Up with the Series:

The Love List - Available Now

The Seaside Strategy - August 16th

 

About the Author:

A USA Today Bestselling and Amazon Kindle All-Star Author, Elana writes clean and wholesome contemporary romance. She is well-known for her young adult dystopian romance series Possession, Surrender, Abandon, and Regret, published by Simon Pulse (Simon & Schuster). She writes clean beach romance in the Hawthorne Harbor Second Chance Romance series, the Getaway Bay Romance series, the Getaway Bay Resort Romance series,the Forbidden Lake Romance series, the Stranded in Paradise Romance series, the Hope Eternal Ranch Romance series, the Sweet Water Falls Farm Romance series, and the Carter's Cove Romance series.   Elana also writes inspirational western romances under the USA Today bestselling pen name of Liz Isaacson. Learn more at Liz's website.   Elana is the force behind Indie Inspiration, and you can find her books for writers, Writing and Releasing Rapidly and Writing Killer Cover Copy among others, and join her group and page on Facebook.   She runs a personal blog on publishing and is a founding author of the QueryTracker blog, a co-founder of The League of Extraordinary Writers, and a co-organizer of WriteOnCon. She is a member of ALLi and NINC and a popular speaker for libraries, teens, and writer's conferences across the United States. To contact Elana to speak at your event, please see her contact page.  

Connect with the Author:

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads | TikTok | Bookbub | Gmail

 

GUARDING HER by Katie Reus

★★ NEW RELEASE ★★ 

GUARDING HER is part of the Red Stone Security series by Katie Reus and it just went live!

Purchase your copy now: 

► Amazon Kindle: smarturl.it/ggznte

► Amazon Print: smarturl.it/9opdgf

► Apple: smarturl.it/7p1z7p

► Barnes & Noble: smarturl.it/4q0zfp

► Kobo: smarturl.it/xwziv1

She never wanted fame…

After a video of her modeling her friend’s new clothing line goes viral, Gia suddenly finds herself thrust into the spotlight. She never wanted fame—she was just having fun and helping a friend. Unfortunately now she’s got a target on her back. Someone out there will do anything to destroy her. Someone who wants her dead.

Now she’s paying the price…

As his best friend’s sister, Gia is off limits. She’s also the woman of Lawson’s dreams—and hottest fantasies. When she’s targeted by a vicious stalker, all bets are off. As a Red Stone Security expert, he’ll keep her safe at any cost. What he doesn’t know is how he’s going to keep her out of his bed, because he’s never wanted anyone as badly as he wants her. He’s all about rules—it’s why he’s such a good bodyguard—while she seems determined to test his control at every step. But if they want to survive, they’ll have to work together to stop the killer…before it’s too late.

Red Stone Security Series, #18
Author note: all books in this series may be read as stand-alones, complete with HEA.

My rating: 5 out of 5 stars

My review:

Gia enjoyed her quiet life but after volunteering to model a new swimwear line for a friend her life was turned upside down.  Her photos and videos went viral and put her in the spotlight more than she liked.  Suddenly she has an enemy who is trying to kill her.  With her brother out of town on his honeymoon, she turns to his best friend Lawson for help. 

Lawson knew Gia was off-limits, but he had fallen for her anyways.  When a stalker targets her, he knows he will do whatever is necessary to keep her safe.  Keeping his hands off her was almost impossible especially when she constantly tests his control.

Guarding Her is part of the Red Stone Security series which has been an awesome series.  I love the intrigue and how easy the books are to read.  The book was well-written and fast-paced, and I didn’t want to stop reading.  It’s a best friend's younger sister trope that will keep you on the edge of your seat.  I loved the characters and how genuine they were.  This was a delightfully entertaining book, and I cannot wait for the next book in the series.

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

------

About the author

Katie Reus is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Red Stone Security series, the Redemption Harbor series and the Endgame Trilogy. She fell in love with romance at a young age thanks to books she pilfered from her mom’s stash. Years later she loves reading romance almost as much as she loves writing it.

However, she didn’t always know she wanted to be a writer. After changing majors many times, she finally graduated summa cum laude with a degree in psychology. Not long after that she discovered a new love. Writing. She now spends her days writing paranormal romance and romantic suspense.

Website: https://katiereus.com/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/katiereusauthor

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

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1563059.Katie_Reus

 

CHRISTMAS WITH THE SHERIFF by C.M. Steele

 ★★ AVAILABLE NOW ★★ 

CHRISTMAS WITH THE SHERIFF is the third book in THE FIORE FAMILY series by C.M. Steele and it just went live! 

Read CHRISTMAS WITH THE SHERIFF (book #3) Now: 

https://books2read.com/u/4Dx5qD

.

PREVIOUS BOOKS IN THE SERIES: 

Read CHRISTMAS WITH THE BEAST (book #1) Now: 

https://books2read.com/u/4EK29M

Read CHRISTMAS WITH THE BOSS (book #2) Now: 

https://books2read.com/u/mB2LXA

Follow @c.m._steele for details. 

Mark: All I wanted was a damn bit of eggnog with my Christmas dinner. Is that so hard? My sister forced me to head out to get my own, but I found one last item I suddenly needed. The prettiest petite redhead with a nasty temper and holding onto the only eggnog in her tiny hands. Since she refuses to give it to me, I guess I’ll have to take them both.

Mia: You have got to be kidding me! I’m looking at the world upside down as I’m carried out of a grocery store in the middle of nowhere by a handsome brute. I’d call the cops in this Podunk town, but apparently, I’ve been nabbed by the Sheriff.

 

Diana Munoz Stewart is joining us today to celebrate the release of her new romantic suspense, Broken Promises! Check out the second chance romance that reviewers are raving about!

Title: Broken Promises

Author: Diana Munoz Stewart

Genre: Romantic Suspense

About Broken Promises:

Luring a serial killer to a remote cabin sounds like a bad idea. A worse idea? Staking out that cabin with your ex-fiancé.   Felicity Shields spent a lifetime fleeing her notorious mother’s reputation. But when her mother’s killer marks her as the next victim, there’s nowhere left to run. Desperate, she turns to a man she once trusted completely. The same man who broke her heart long ago. Private security expert Brooks Delgado knows how to stop a killer. He also knows Fee wouldn’t ask for his help if she had any other choice. As the man who once loved her, he’ll help her catch a murderer. As the man who loves her still, he’ll move mountains to keep her safe and prove himself worthy of a second chance.

Get Your Copy Today!

Exclusive Excerpt:

The morning after he’d arrived at Fee’s home in Santa Fe, Brooks rolled out of bed and made his way to the kitchen. He rubbed his face and eyes. Jetlag, déjà vu, fuzzy head… whatever this feeling of walking back through time into his old life was, it was unsettling. The familiarity of being back home… in Fee’s house. The bright walls, the cool tiles against his feet, the familiar smells—her lilac shampoo, the little pouches she called sachets in his room, even the cleaner she used for the house. He inhaled frankincense and myrrh. So familiar. The memory bombardment was excruciating. Every inch of this place brought forth something. A glance in the living room and he saw them laughing, talking, and watching television. He saw them on the couch, their twisted bodies, moving together, sighing together. He walked down the hall and another image appeared. This wall. He put his hand against the ochre paint. That day… the two of them wet from the rain, stripping off their clothes in the mudroom, darting through the kitchen and into this hall. Making it two steps before he grabbed her, pushed her up against this wall. He’d made love to her right here. And when they were done, she laid a hand along his jaw, looked into his eyes, and told him for the first time, “I love you.” He hadn’t been able to breathe for the joy of it, the wonder of her loving him. Like a disbelieving idiota, he’d blurted, “Promise?” She’d offered him her pinky. “Pinky swear.” He’d shaken his head. “What I feel for you is too big for a pinky swear.” Her eyes had misted. “Promise?” “Promise forever,” he’d said. And that had become the way they’d said “I love you” for the rest of their relationship. Damn it. The ache of loss thickened his throat. He pushed off the wall and strolled into a sunny, yellow kitchen with bright red cactus flower tiles. Fee sat at a wood table, on one of the mismatched red-and-teal chairs, her laptop open. She was so beautiful. Sunlight reflected off her blonde hair, stroked her pale skin, and highlighted dark circles under her eyes. He moved across the kitchen. Hard not to gawk at the perfection of her in that light blue camisole and matching boxer shorts. Those legs. Still had great legs. Lust flared, flashed, and popped inside like a firecracker as heat propelled through his blood. Easy, there. The length of time he’d been friends-with-benefitting Natalie put him firmly in the no-right-to-indulge-these-feelings category. That, along with the emotional anvil of Fee’s mom’s murder, meant he had to button his shit up. Not easy when every part of this house made him long for what had been. But this wasn’t about his feelings; it was about hers. “Buenos días, Fee.” She looked up. “I left a cup out for you.” The dart of her briskly tossed words burst his fond-memories bubble, jarring him into the present.    

About Diana Munoz Stewart:

Diana Muñoz Stewart is the Amazon #1 bestselling romantic suspense author of the Black Ops Confidential series, which includes I Am Justice and The Price of Grace and The Cost of Honor (Sourcebooks Publishing).   She lives in eastern Pennsylvania in an often chaotic and always welcoming home that—depending on the day—can include husband, kids, extended family, friends, and a canine or two.

Connect with Diana:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads