I get to guard that beautiful body for the next two weeks, up close and personal.
Fuck—I love my job.

Dirty Charmer by New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Emma Chase, is LIVE!

Abigail Haddock is stunning, sensible, and some would say . . . stuffy. But it’s not really her fault. She was raised in one of Wessco’s oldest, most affluent, aristocratic families—“stuffy” is their middle name. So is successful. Abby’s working overtime to distinguish herself as a top-notch physician, just as her family legacy demands.

She doesn’t have time for nonsense.

Tommy Sullivan’s all about nonsense.

Sure, he’s an elite bodyguard with lethal skills and co-owner of the renowned, S&S Securities Firm—protector of the wealthy and titled. But he’s also rowdy, fun and thoroughly irresistible.

Tommy knows how to have a good time, and he’s never seen someone more in need of a good time than Abby. The lass needs long, wet, filthy kisses—STAT—and he’s just the man for the job.

It doesn’t take long for a wildly sexy, sinfully satisfying, no-strings attached arrangement to turn into something more. Something sweet and addictive and real. But Tommy and Abby are too royally stubborn to admit it.

Opposites attract, everyone knows that. But can they last—can they love…for forever?

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About Emma:

New York Times bestselling author Emma Chase writes contemporary romance novels known for their clever banter, emotional, and sexy, swoonworthy moments. Her books have been translated into over twenty languages around the world.

Emma lives in New Jersey with her amazing husband, two spirited children, and two adorable, but badly behaved, dogs. She has a long standing love/hate relationship with caffeine.

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Hell Hath No Fury, an unforgettable tale of loss, betrayal, and revenge in this romantic suspense standalone by RC Boldt, is now live!

Seven years ago, they took everything from me. My father. My husband. My child.

When they stole my chance at justice, I vowed to get revenge.

Then I met him.

He tempts that long-lost part of me, but his presence is a reminder that betrayal lurks around every corner.

Their biggest mistake is underestimating my commitment for vengeance.

They don’t realize that when it comes to a woman like me, hell hath no fury.

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Meet RC: 

RC Boldt enjoys long walks on the beach, running, reading, people watching, and singing karaoke. If you’re in the mood for some killer homemade mojitos, can’t recall the lyrics to a particular 80’s song, or just need to hang around a nonconformist who will do almost anything for a laugh, she’s your girl.  

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New York Times Bestselling author Corinne Michaels brings a new breathtaking and emotional love story to life in the second STANDALONE in the Arrowood Brothers series. 

Fight for Me is LIVE!

I fell in love with Sydney Hastings when I was ten years old.

At sixteen, we whispered promises of forever. 

When I was twenty-two I broke them all. I left her and promised never to return.

After my father’s death, I’m forced to go home to Sugarloaf for six months. She’ll be everywhere, no longer just in my memories and regrets. 

When we’re together, it’s as though time never stopped. She’s still the one I want, but I don’t deserve her. Instead of apologizing, I take that beautiful, broken woman in my arms. But after that, it’s her turn to leave me. 

 Now I have to fight. For her. For us. For the life we both want …

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Meet Corinne: 

Corinne Michaels is the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestseller author. She’s an emotional, witty, sarcastic, and fun-loving mom of two beautiful children. Corinne is happily married to the man of her dreams and is a former Navy wife.

After spending months away from her husband while he was deployed, reading and writing was her escape from the loneliness. She enjoys putting her characters through intense heartbreak and finding a way to heal them through their struggles. Her stories are chock full of emotion, humor, and unrelenting love.

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“I’m going to say this not once, but many times. Everyone should read this book. RVD wrote one of the most epic mafia romance’s I have ever read. She came in swinging to remind everyone why she’s the queen of mafia.” Amo Jones, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author

Ruthless Princess: A Mafia Royals Romance about best friends turned enemies, by Rachel Van Dyken, the number one New York Times bestselling author of the Eagle Elite series is LIVE.

The enemy of my enemy is my friend…

I never thought my father would ask this of me, to become the second generation at Eagle Elite University, to rule with an iron fist, and to take care of anyone who gets in our way.

But ever since the incident.

Ever since Him.

There’s been a war in our little clique.

After all, a house divided cannot stand.

He’s the problem, not me.

He used to kiss me like I was his oxygen.

Now he looks at me like I’m his poison.

But we both drank it, again and again, never believing there would be a day when our love would start a war.

And our friendship would shatter into a million pieces.

Then again, the worst thing you could do in the mafia is hang on to hope that your life will be normal.

The second worst thing?

Fall in love with your best friend.

Enemy.

And heir to the Nicolasi throne.

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About Rachel:

Rachel Van Dyken is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of regency and contemporary romances. When she’s not writing you can find her drinking coffee at Starbucks and plotting her next book while watching The Bachelor.

She keeps her home in Idaho with her husband, adorable son, and two snoring boxers! She loves to hear from readers!

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Stranger Ranger, an all-new standalone contemporary romance from USA Today bestselling author Daisy Prescott, is LIVE!

New park ranger Daphne Baum is a reformed good girl. Breaking free from her overbearing family as soon as she turned eighteen, she’s been on her own ever since. The life of a park ranger, moving from park to park, suits her just fine. Though still a rule follower, she’s okay with a little sin in her life.

Every generation of Hill men has its black sheep. The general consensus among the family is that Odin Hill is the lucky bastard this go around. At seventeen, he blew out of town like an angry tornado only to return fifteen years later withdrawn and secretive. Living like a recluse in the hollows in the Smoky Mountains, he’s happy to keep to himself and is content to let locals believe he’s the town weirdo. Odin prefers the company of his pet pig to the nosy citizens of Green Valley.

When Daphne discovers Odin might be committing nefarious deeds on park land, she vows to find out the truth behind the handsome, yet chaotic, loner. Will the stranger help the ranger discover the difference between being good and doing the right thing? Or will they find themselves on opposite sides of love?

‘Stranger Ranger’ is a full-length contemporary romance, can be read as a standalone, and is book #2 in the Park Ranger series, Green Valley World, Penny Reid Book Universe.

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Coming to Kindle Unlimited on May 25th!

About Daisy Prescott

Born and raised in San Diego, Daisy currently lives in a real life Stars Hollow in the Boston suburbs with her husband, their rescue dog, Mulder, and an imaginary house goat. When not writing about herself in the third person, Daisy can be found traveling, gardening, baking, or lost in a good book.

Find Daisy Prescott online

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Every Little Piece of Me, a sexy, standalone second-chance romance in the all-new Orchid Valley series, by New York Times & USA Today bestselling author, Lexi Ryan, is live!

It’s not every day you get invited to your wife’s wedding to another man…as a guest.

The first time I saw Brinley Knox, she was crying, draped in a ridiculous pink tulle dress for her sweet sixteen party, and cursing the boy who’d broken her heart.

I was the hired help, a teenage charity case.

She was the daughter of the wealthiest family in Orchid Valley.

I knew a girl like Brinley was off-limits for a guy like me. That didn’t stop me from kissing her. Or from promising that if she were ever mine, I’d never let her go.

The last time I saw Brinley, she was sleeping, tangled in the sheets of my Vegas penthouse, my diamond glittering on her left ring finger.

I returned three hours later to an empty bed, the ring on the dresser, and a note that said, “Can’t keep the ring. I’d never hold you to that.”

In the two years since, we’ve never talked about our impulsive Vegas nuptials—never talked at all after that night—but I’m not the kind of guy who’d file for a divorce he doesn’t want.

Until I got this damn invitation, it never occurred to me that Brinley didn’t think our wedding was real. Or didn’t remember it at all.

I guess it’s time to return to Orchid Valley and remind the bride-to-be that I’m a man who keeps his promises.

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Meet Lexi:

Lexi Ryan is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of emotional romance that sizzles. A former academic and English professor, Lexi considers herself the luckiest girl around to make a living through storytelling. She loves spending time with her crazy kids, weightlifting, ice cream, swoony heroes, and vodka martinis.

Lexi lives in Indiana with her husband, two children, and a spoiled dog. You can find her at her website: http://www.lexiryan.com

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“You can always count on Erin Nicholas for fun, sexy contemporary romance.”
—Melissa Foster, New York Times bestselling author

Forking Around, a flirty and sexy romantic comedy standalone from New York Times bestselling author Erin Nicholas, is available now!

Read my 4 ⭐️review HERE.

A Cinderella story with a hot boss so charming even a fairy godmother couldn’t do better.

Everyone thinks Dax Marshall is a prince of a guy. And he’s definitely charming.

But Jane has enough going on without adding a torrid fling with the boss to her life. Between her father’s illness, her wicked-ish stepmother, her little sister’s teenage drama, and the co-workers who depend on her—she can’t handle another mess.

No matter how tempting and gorgeous the mess may be. Or how messy he wants to get with her.

Dax has spent his life being very serious about only one thing: proving you can be successful while still having a helluva good time. But he’s just met the one woman who might break his I-can-charm-anyone streak. She’s actually taking him seriously…and she seriously thinks they have nothing in common and can’t be together.

Maybe he’s the one who needs a new view of happily ever after. It’s time to stop forking around.

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Excerpt:

He was the new strawberry pie in her life. She’d had one taste of Zoe’s strawberry pie and that had been it. Nothing else would ever measure up. She would never not crave it. She would never pass up a chance to have it on her tongue.

Yeah, Dax Marshall was that.

And then some.

He pulled back, breathing hard, staring down at her.

She quickly put her hand over his mouth. “Don’t talk. Talking is the wrong choice right now.”

She was going to have to deal with the boss thing soon enough. And the millionaire thing. And the he-doesn’t-live-here-and-isn’t-staying thing. And all the other crap she always had to deal with that made this impossible.

But for another minute—or maybe ten—she didn’t want to think about any of that. And if he talked, that would be very difficult.

He pulled in a breath, gave her a short nod that she interpreted as okay, no talking and she moved her hand.

Which was the right choice, because he leaned in as he slid his hand up the side of her body, skimming over her hip, waist, the side of her breast, up and into her hair. Then he cupped the back of her head and lowered his mouth to hers again.

This time he kissed her.

And seriously, she’d give up strawberry pie for this.

They made out like that for long, delicious minutes.

When he finally took his mouth from hers, it was to slide it along her jawline, his beard causing goose bumps to trip down her arms and tighten her nipples. In her ear he said gruffly, “I have to talk now.”

She laughed lightly. “I didn’t think it would last for even this long, really.”

“Well, I do love using my mouth this way too.” He dragged his lips along the side of her neck.

Her nipples got even tighter, begging for him to drag those lips down there.

“But I can’t resist saying—” He lifted his head. “You are the most delicious thing I’ve ever tasted.”

She grinned. “Well… same.”

A very sexy kind of surprised but superhot look crossed his face. “What about pie?”

She sighed. “Pie is amazing.”

“But the kissing…” he prompted.

She knew she shouldn’t tell him the truth. The guy’s ego didn’t quit. Already. But she found herself nodding. “I was really hoping you’d be bad at it. Like terrible. Like no-worry-of-dirty-dreams bad,” she said.

He arched an eyebrow. “And?”

She sighed. “It was really good.”

“Dirty-dreams-tonight good?” His voice was rumbly and low.

She nodded. “Unfortunately.”

He looked very pleased by her answer. His mouth curled up. “Maybe we should combine the kissing and the pie.”

Her eyes widened before she could stop it. That would be… holy crap she would never recover. “I can’t even imagine that, honestly. I might die.”

About Erin Nicholas

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Erin Nicholas has been writing romances almost as long as she’s been reading them. To date, she’s written over thirty sexy, contemporary novels that have been described as “toe-curling,” “enchanting,” “steamy,” and “fun.” She adores reluctant heroes, imperfect heroines, and happily ever afters.

Erin lives in the Midwest, where she enjoys spending time with her husband (who only wants to read the sex scenes in her books), her kids (who will never read the sex scenes in her books), and her family and friends (who claim to be “shocked” by the sex scenes in her books).

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Overall Grade: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“Let go of the relationships that cause you only pain. We make our own family.”

If you consider Lexi Ryan’s stories, there is a thread that runs through her stories: the idea of family. In her newest series, Orchid Valley, the constructed family is unconventional as it is built around familial relationships, not blood. In fact, the first two books of this series, Every Little Promise, the prequel, and Every Little Piece of Me, book 1, underscore this idea multiple times through their stories. It weaves itself through the romance between Brinley Knox and Marston Rowe. It’s a powerful message, a reminder that we can “make our own family,” so we can reject our blood family when they undermine our physical and mental health. This message is the power of this story, as it applies to so many readers who might need to be reminded of it. 

The story follows Brinley Knox and Marston Rowe who were sweethearts in high school. Marston comes from a challenging background. His mother is an addict, and she’s incapable of caring for him, so he lives homeless as a teenager. In doing so, he breaks the law so that he can survive, but it gives him a reputation. His aunt takes him in, and she provides him a stable job and home, even though he is considered “poor.” Brinley Knox hails from a wealthy family with all of its advantages. One night, Marston and Brinley meet, and there is an immediate attraction. Even more, Marston sees Brinley in a way that no one in her social circle or family sees her, save her terminally-ill sister. Eventually, tragedy strikes and Brinley feels guilty, so she sends Marston away, even though her heart belongs to him. Eleven years pass and Marston and Brinley meet in Vegas unexpectedly (well sort of). All of the feelings are still there, and they pick up where they left off. In doing so, these two marry each other. The problem is Brinley leaves Marston again because she doesn’t remember that she is married to him. Six months later, Marston receives an invitation to his “wife’s” wedding, and he decides he has waited long enough, so he returns to Orchid Valley, the place that tore him and Brinley apart. He decides he will not leave until she’s “his” again. 

Let me begin with the issues of the story. For one, Brinley. I hate struggling with a heroine’s choices, but Brinley’s crazy-making runs the gamut. On the one hand, she is striving for more independence, and her business sense is insightful in running The Orchid, the hotel/spa/restaurant where she works. This is a woman who has so much support in the form of her chosen family: her friends, Savvy, Stella, and Abbi. Yet, this woman rarely listens to her friends’ advice, which is doled out time and time again, and her own thinking is circular and does nothing to help her situation. She has no passion for her fiance, Julian, and she recognizes issues with him. Yet, she takes much of the story to do what her friends have been telling her. She has a daughter, Cami, who she hides from Marston, and she is annoyed when he becomes frustrated with her lack of transparency. It’s clear that Marston and Brinley are destined for each other, and he does everything to prove his love to her. Over and over again, Brinley spurns his advances, and it feels redundant. I found myself exceedingly frustrated with Brinley because she could be more. I understand that there needed to be more story so that Ryan could build the past and the present together, but the story felt slow because the present took up too much of the story in order to continue the same pattern of story. Brinley’s epiphany about Marston comes late in the story, and I think it could have come sooner. 

Now, given that Brinley is a point of frustration in Every Little Piece of Me, Ryan has crafted a hero who becomes the reason for loving this story. The combination of Marston Rowe and Brinley’s friends save this story. All of them are devoted to a heroine who seems unworthy of that devotion. Yes, she would do anything for her friends, but the drama she creates in their lives seems overwhelming. Instead of crafting Brinley in a more meaningful way, Ryan does so with Marston’s character. This is a man who has pined for a woman for far too long, and he loves her in ways that don’t undermine her strengths. Since Brinley views her life through the filter of her parents’ “love” for her, she confuses Marston’s actions time and time again, putting him in a difficult position. Thankfully, Marston is one of the most mature people in this story. When Brinley pushes him away time and time again, he lives up to his promises, eventually winning her over. However, that process sometimes slows the narrative of the story. 

Even though Brinley Knox is one of my recent least favorite heroines, the message, the hero, and the ancillary characters keep you engaged in Lexi Ryan’s Every Little Piece of Me. There is a promise in the Orchid Valley series of better stories: friends-to-lovers, single parent, etc. Even though this first book is a bit underwhelming, it still makes a good summer read when the beaches open and we can once again lie on the beach reading the day away. 

In love and romance,

Professor A

Overall Grade: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2

If you’re like me, you’re a bit sad that the second season of SmartyPants Romance has come to an end with the final book, Stranger Ranger. Written by Daisy Prescott who wrote last season’s Happy Trail, a book that opened my knowledge base to the Appalachian Trail (as a Calfornia girl, I am fairly ignorant about various places on the Eastern and Southern sides of our country – don’t shoot me), this story returns us to the park ranger world of Green Valley. If you fell in love with Jethro Winston or Drew Runous from Penny Reid’s Winston Brothers series, then you know there is a veritable gold mine of stories found with these intrepid protectors of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Prescott seems to be the purveyor of these stories, and she does it in a way that opens your mind. After reading Stranger Ranger (and Happy Trail), your thinking feels impacted. In this story, Prescott challenges you to (1) consider the “history” of a place and the ways that we revise the history to suit an agenda and (2) throw off labels and stereotypes based on outward appearance. Whether you have lived in the Appalachian Mountains or the West Coast, these messages are necessary to change our thinking. 

There are two revelations about this book that highlight the overall genius of this series of books. For one, the SmartyPants Romance authors are not entities unto themselves. In fact, if you read Stranger Ranger, you are immediately taken back to Nora Everly’s Carpentry and Cocktails from this season. The level of planning and collaboration that goes into this series is impressive. That each other finds their voice in the Penny Reid universe conversation is already awe-inspiring. When two authors work off each other’s stories within a series, it brings goosebumps while you are reading. Do you need to read Nora Everly’s Carpentry and Cocktails to see these connections? No. Does it add depth to both Everly’s and Prescott’s books? Yes. It’s exciting to see writers working together to bring exciting fictional stores. 

The other revelation is Prescott’s insight. According to her bio, Prescott lives in smallish-town in Boston. I know it isn’t fair to assume that she began this writing journey with little knowledge of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, but it’s a possibility. The reason I spend time in this review to underscore this is her story’s articulation of the history of this particular area. In this book, we are treated to a bit of local lore. However, Prescott presents it in such a way that feels meaningful and insightful to the reader. Through her expression of this local history, Prescott offers her first challenge to her readers: the rewriting of history.

Yes, Stranger Ranger is a lovely romance between a local farmer, Odin Hill, and the newest park ranger, Daphne Baum. Daphne is drawn to Odin when she visits the local farmer’s market, as he is presented as the image of his name: a Norse god. He is incredibly handsome and knows his vegetables, vegetables that are different from any that Daphne has known previously. Something about their initial meeting piques a curiosity in both of them, and they find themselves running into each other at various other times. This leads to shared time together and a growing attraction and interest in each other. The struggle of their relationship lies in their past histories, the first nod to Prescott’s message on perceived history. I prefer to avoid offering up the details of their lives, but in the struggle of telling each other about their pasts, there is a bit of its rewriting. Prescott couples this with a bigger truth of this area, the idea of the National Park system. Some people would agree that the NPS saved large natural areas. What Prescott asserts in her story is the idea that the NPS knowingly or unknowingly rewrites the history of the local people. When this message is spoken into Stranger Ranger, it’s a major ideological turning point for both the heroine, Daphne, and the reader. It’s moments like these in literature that are necessary because they change thinking. They force us to see a different “reality”. With this discussion underlying the story, I was excited about the profundity of Prescott’s storytelling. She also inserted ideas about women in male-dominated industries as another assertion to provoke her readers’ thinking. That’s keen and insightful storytelling, and it’s particularly necessary for romancelandia where many judge it by its most tawdry scenes. 

This leads me to the most profound message of Stranger Ranger: the idea of prejudgement based on appearances. Honestly, this theme is most visible in this book. There are aspects of Odin’s life which, from the outside, make him look weird. Similar to Odin is Daphne’s outsider status. Without a familial history in the area, the townspeople struggle to include her because they perceive her to have the typical behaviors of an outsider without a shared history to the area. Together, these two represent the ways that our society attaches meaning to a person based on their appearance and choices, not more valuable qualities. Initially, this is Odin and Daphne’s biggest challenge towards being together because they make assumptions about the other. Once they move beyond those perceptions, Prescott crafts this soul-abiding romance between the two. When this occurs, both of these characters, interestingly enough, become more likable.

If I had a criticism for this book, it would be the pacing of it. I wish I had better words to articulate what I’m going to mention next, but the beginning of Stranger Ranger felt disjointed at times. I found myself rereading a few places where I didn’t quite understand the reasons behind the conflict. Then, Odin and Daphne begin to fall for each other, and the honesty of their relationship binds them together more cohesively. For the latter part of the story, I thought Prescott rushed through it, once their secrets are revealed. I guess I wanted it to slow down a bit more, developing more of that abiding love before hitting us with the epilogue. 

There is no doubt in my mind that Stranger Ranger is a perfect end to this second season of SmartyPants Romance. Daisy Prescott’s ability to underpin her romance with the gravity and depth of social issues is the eloquence of her story. With this book, SmartyPants Romance and Daisy Prescott offer us a valuable representation of this romance community, and it’s exciting especially considering the possibilities for future books. I found myself turning between books to remind myself of the details. That’s genius. The collaborative nature of this writing community and its gifted storytelling are the reasons you should be a SmartyPants Romance reader. 

In love and romance,

Professor A

🔥🔥 COVER REVEAL🔥🔥

TOUGH ROAD: The Shakedown Series by Elizabeth SaFleur is coming June 9! 

#PreOrderHere:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2LE7fMd 

Amazon Print: https://amzn.to/2WGDa5d

Apple: https://apple.co/365GfPk

Kobo: https://bit.ly/3cHzKoi

Nook: https://bit.ly/2ybLccJ

Rachel’s lying, embezzling ex-fiancé Trick Masters has some nerve showing up now–full of accusations and looking so hot.

Rachel Grant worked her fingers to the bone after her fall from society’s grace, thanks to her sudden poverty and connection to ex-fiancé Trick Masters who was convicted of embezzlement. How dare he show up after being released and accuse her of framing him. How dare he look so good, so put-together, so infuriatingly handsome.

For the last three years Trick Masters has been consumed with revenge–for whoever set him up, for losing his investment banking career, for almost losing his mind in prison. Now free, he’s getting his life back on track, first by finding Rachel and second, by discovering the truth–which turns out neither of them has or ever did.

Tough Road is an expanded and re-edited version of Shakedown, a previously published novella.

Add to your Goodreads TBR List here: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52679481-tough-road