Sometimes love finds you in the most unexpected places.
Claudia Burgoa has revealed the cover for As We Are!
Releasing: June 1, 2021
Cover Design: Hang Le
From USA TODAY Bestselling Author Claudia Burgoa comes a single-dad sports romance where the only thing more heartfelt than the small town is the love story.
I never wanted to go back to Baker’s Creek.
But when it rains, it pours. I lost my job, lost the guy, and lost the house. The perfect trifecta of ruin.
Ten years after I said I can make it on my own, I have no choice but to ask for help. But it’s my mother who needs me now…
So it’s back to where I don’t belong.
There’s no opportunity in my hometown. The only job that I can get is nannying. For a player from the Vancouver Orcas. “Mean” Mills Aldridge is going to be my new boss… and I’m supposed to pretend he isn’t sex on skates.
Between avoiding the town mean girls, helping my parents, and trying not to behave like a puck bunny, my job with that sweet boy is fast becoming just like the rest of my life–one big complication.
My only escape is my late-night chats with Mills.
The confessions we share make me feel like I belong. The stolen kisses make it hard to remember why I ever left.
Until the opportunity I’ve been waiting for arrives, and it’s time for me to say goodbye.
But can I leave that little boy and his father behind?
The Baker’s Creek Billionaire Brothers series is a romantic comedy saga that’s swoonful and sexy, with the right mix of ugly-cry moments and sweet seductions.
Claudia is an award-winning, USA Today bestselling author.
She writes alluring, thrilling stories about complicated women and the men who take their breath away. She lives in Denver, Colorado with her husband and her youngest two children.
She has a sweet Bichon, Macey, who thinks she’s the ruler of the house. She’s only partially right.
When Claudia is not writing, you can find her reading, knitting, or just hanging out with her family. At night, she likes to binge-watch shows with her equally geeky husband.
Oops, Iβve Fallen, an all-new hilarious opposites attract standalone romantic comedy from New York Times bestselling author Max Monroe is coming March 27th and we have the incredible cover!
If my time with Ryan Miller were a hit track on the radio, I imagine the lyrics would go something like thisβ¦
βWeβre so different, but they say opposites attract. Oops, Iβve fallen, and my heart doesnβt want to come back.β
But, holy bingo night, is my attraction to the sexy, broody businessman so much more complicated than the chorus of a song.
His dad lives right next to my mom, and after the two of them suffered an unexplained accident while taking down holiday decorations, both Ryan and I were forced to become the only thirtysomething residents of Sunny Creek Village Independent Senior Living Community.
Temporarily moving in might seem like overkill for a fractured tailbone and a severely pulled groin muscle, but believe me, when your mom is as wild as mine and your dad is as cantankerous as Ryanβs, they need supervision to ensure they stick to doctorβs orders.
Constantly thrown together by the antics of our crazy parents and the tough-as-nails community enforcer, Betty Matthews, Ryan and I formed an alliance for the sole purpose of survival.
But I never expected to be so interested in finding out what he was hiding beneath his grumpy, serious demeanor. More than that, I never dreamed what I found would be the kind of man women sell their souls to the devil for.
Unfortunately, our little one-hit wonder on the airwaves has more to say before it comes to an end.
Although, finishing the outro to this song is a real doozy…
Tell meβ¦what lyric rhymes with Oops, Iβve fallen for my future stepbrother?
About Max Monroe A duo of romance authors team up under the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling pseudonym Max Monroe to bring you sexy, laugh-out-loud reads.
Max Monroe is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author of more than ten contemporary romance titles. Favorite writing partners and long time friends, Max and Monroe strive to live and write all the fun, sexy swoon so often missing from their Facebook newsfeed. Sarcastic by nature, their two writing souls feel like theyβve found their other half. This is their most favorite adventure thus far.
What I love most is Smartypants Romanceβs insistence on representation in romance. With one of its newest books, Give Love A Chai, we are treated to a heroine not often found in the world of romance. So often, romance is white. Over the past couple of years, more and more POC authors are writing their truths into romance, but itβs been a slow process. Even more, the striation of race is still lost to certain groups. With Give Love a Chai, Nanxi Wen treats us to the Asian experience through the journey of her heroine, Ting Ting βTia.β From just the idea that she has two names to the challenges of living with parents who dote obsessively over her, Tiaβs story is one we need at a time when more representative stories are necessary.
Give Love A Chai is a second chance romance between Tia and Andrew. After a decades-long separation, Tia must ask Andrew for a divorce, something that they both believed had been completed a decade before. Tia is engaged and ready to marry, but she needs the divorce in order to move forward (I see you, Sweet Home Alabama). The problem is…Andrew and Tia arenβt done with each other. Additionally, the secrets that devastated their marriage still exist, and while Andrew wants a future with Tia, can she trust him enough to move forward?
For me, I liked the overall idea of the story. You canβt help but root for their reconciliation because there is a desperation to be together between these two. Also, Wen makes it clear at the beginning that Tia doesnβt βfitβ within the life of her fiance, Clayton. With that, Wen makes it easy for the reader to want Tia and Andrew to work since choosing Clayton means living a predictable, unemotional life, something that isnβt innate to Wenβs heroine.
The issue for me with Give Love A Chai is its pacing. There were many times when it felt slow, and there wasnβt anything to push me forward. There is quite a bit of internal monologuing for Andrew and Tia that repeated the same misgivings and anxieties. For this reader, that felt overwrought. Instead, I wanted them to move forward, allowing the tension to build in reconciling the past through the revelation of secrets and finding a future in the face of the challenges of her parentsβ expectations. The story doesnβt move quickly enough into that level of reconciliation, so the story reads slow.
However, Give Love A Chai sets us firmly in Penny Reidβs Knitting in the City with Andrew as a lawyer for Cipher Security. That adds some excitement to the story. Plus the ending is quite sweet and lovely with a poignant look at an interracial marriage, reconciled and accepted. In the end, Nanxi Wenβs Give Love A Chai will fill your Smartypants Romance cup; it just might take you a bit to get there.
Have you ever read a book that acted so distinctly like a mirror to yourself that it is both painful and comforting in the same moment? For me, Susannah Nixβs Mad about Ewe is that such book. From the first chapter to the last, her heroineβs experience in many ways is my own. Almost to 50 – check. Older children who no longer really need her – check. Finding herself in the midst of middle age and a new identity – check. While I am not divorced like Nixβs heroine, Dawn Botsteinβs marriage feels, in many ways, like my own, and Susannah Nixβs story made me both uncomfortable and comforted in equal measure. As a reader, I love experiences like that, when a book forces me to face truths about myself that I donβt want to face in my daily life. I, like many, walk through life in the midst of a daily apathy, simply sleepwalking through it. Yet, when you read a book such as Mad about Ewe, you canβt help but become introspective especially if you are living through a huge life transition, much like Dawn Botstein. Even more, in the world of romance, there are few authors willing to write about the experiences of a hero and heroine in their late 40s. When you find these stories, you cling to them, as I did to Nixβs book.
I think this is what I love so much about the Smartypants Romance books, Each book finds its own space and offers up a piece of romancelandia so that the SPR audience can find themselves represented in SPRβs books. For me, Susannah Nixβs Mad about Ewe found me, evoked me, connected with me. In the grand spectrum of romance, is Nix doing something different with her story? Not really. Dawn and Mike were friends, acquaintances really, in high school, and Dawn pined for Mike. Yet, Mike was too invested in living the life of a popular high school student even though he also carried a bit of a torch for Dawn. Meeting decades later, these two get their chance. As Mike works through his insecurity of never having graduated college and living a meager existence in a job he hates and Dawn finds happiness after a two decades-long marriage that never really fulfilled her, Susannah Nix shows us that it is never too late to advocate for yourself, to make choices that take you on a different journey. Basically, you are never too old, even if your birthday numbers make you seem so. In Mad about Ewe, there is a promise that life doesnβt end at middle-age. Instead, every day is an opportunity to live your best life. As an aside, Susannah Nixβs book also brings you back to Penny Reidβs Knitting in the City world with surprise cameos throughout. What else do you need to read this book?
As in the only word to describe making the mistake of falling for someone who is not only ten years younger than you, but your best friend’s son…
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About the Author:
Xavier Neal is a best-selling romance author who enjoys hopping from sub genre to sub genre like a game of Hopscotch she can’t resist.
In between writing, she loves to read (everything from romance to self improvement books), watch movies (old and new), eat too much Tex-Mex (her Chuy’s t-shirt collection is out of control), and watch AHL hockey games LIVE (preferably against the glass whenever possible).
She currently resides happily in Texas with her bearded husband “Lumberjack” and her rather lazy dog, Missy.
R.S. Greyβs new standalone rom-com, To Have and To Hate, is out now! Check it out and order yours today!
About To Have and To Hate:
Marry a man I barely know to save my family from ruin.
It mightβve been simple, if my betrothed were anybody else.
On our wedding day, my husband-to-be arrived at the courthouse like a black cloud rolling over Manhattan. Walt didnβt crack smiles or pepper in pleasantries as we exchanged hollow vows in front of the judge.
His disdain for me was so palpable I assumed weβd walk out of that ceremony and resume our regularly scheduled programming. But then fate was like, Hold my beer. I got this.
In desperate need of help and with nowhere else to turn, I had no choice but to ignore a crucial rule in our contract: Ishall only contact Mr. Jennings II in case of emergency. But hey, whatβs a little fine print between husband and wife?
Turns out, Waltβs a stickler for legaleseβI think it might be his love language. Oh, and his attitude at the courthouse wasnβt a put-on. My so-called husband is a jerk. He takes what he wants without giving any consideration to other peopleβspecifically ME, his blushing, contractually-obligated bride!
I knew life with Walt would be no honeymoon, but a marriage of any sort should still come with a few standard guarantees:
To have and to hold.
For richer or poorer.
In sickness and in health.
But after experiencing Waltβs version of wedded bliss, I say letβs forget about all that lovey-dovey crap and just take me straight to death do us part.
R.S. Grey is the USA Today bestselling author of over twenty novels. She lives in Texas with her husband and daughter, and can be found reading, binge-watching reality TV, or practicing yoga! Visit her at rsgrey.com
Rebecca is a new adult romance author, sports lover, and caffeine addict. When she isn’t writing, you can find her hanging with family and friends or with her nose buried in a book.
“Okay, people, you do not want to miss Heart Smart by Emma Lee Jayne! Itβs fun and flirty and the chemistry crackles. Warning, though! It will keep you up past your bedtime!β – New York Times bestselling author J. Kenner
Heart Smart, an all-new enemies to lovers contemporary romance from Emma Lee Jayne, is now available in Kindle Unlimited!Β
Iβm a jerk. Everyone I know or have ever worked with agrees. βMisanthropic assholeβ is the term I hear most often.
I donβt care what other people think as long as they leave me alone to focus on my research on soil microbiology. Plus, I walk with a cane thanks to a childhood accident. I have scars on my face. And if that isnβt enough to scare people off, my bad attitude and general grumpiness seal the deal. Which is just the way I like it.
Except, Iβve been short listed for one of the most prestigious academic fellowships around. To win it, Iβll have to give a series of speeches. On a stage. With an audience. While being filmed.
Yeah. None of that is going to happen.
Unfortunately, my boss has a plan. He brings in one of the communications lecturers to give me a βmake over,β help me write the speeches, and manage my social media.
But the last thing I need is some nosy, bossy, gorgeous woman meddling in my life.
And Holly is the solutionβ¦
Iβm a mere communications lecturer at a prestigious research university. Iβm used to being outclassed and under-educated compared to the PhDs who surround me.
But Iβm good at what I do. Brilliant, actually.
When Maxβs boss (who happens to be my ex-husband) begs me to help transform this beast of a man into someone worthy of the fellowship, I have my work cut out for me.
Itβll take a lot of badgering, blatant manipulation, and some outright thievery to get Max to cooperate. All of which I handle with the enough professionalism and restraint that should earn me a fancy grant.
What I canβt handle is how unexpectedly attractive I find the stubborn and brilliant man.
This is a battle of wills and wits, and neither is prepared to admit defeat β¦
‘Heart Smart’ is a full-length contemporary romance and can be read as a standalone. Book #2 in the Work For It series, Educated Romance World, Penny Reid Book Universe.
He stands up and shrugs out of his wet duster. I take it from him. Itβs still dripping, so I walk into the back to hang it up in the work area where it can drip on the linoleum instead of the wood floors. When I turn back, I see Max has also shucked his jacket and draped it over the back of a nearby chair.
And heβs unbuttoning his shirt.
My steps slow. Then stop.
Heβs looking down, so he doesnβt see my mouth drop open as he shrugs out of his oxford shirt. Heβs wearing a white T-shirt on under his oxford.
I never, not in a million years, would have thought wearing a white shirt under a dress shirt would be inherently sexy. It shouldnβt be.
Itβs oddly formal. It calls up images of old-world elegance and cuff links.
But itβs also just . . . hot.
Because while all of Maxβs other clothes are ill-fittingβincluding the pants heβs still wearingβthe crisp white undershirt is snug. It highlights every one of those perfect muscles Iβve been trying not to think about since I saw them at his house that day.
Every. Single. One.
From his stupidly broad shoulders to that narrow waist.
Iβm still staringβwho am I kidding? Iβm still droolingβwhen he looks up from carefully draping his shirt over this jacket.
I must look like a pervy cartoon with bugging eyes and a long, dangling tongue, because he clears his throat and says awkwardly, βI donβt like having hair caught in my collar.β
I nod mutely.
βSo I took off my shirt.β
I nod again. Still dumbstruck.
But surely Iβll be able to speak again sometime in the next couple hours.
βI hope thatβs okay.β
I clear my throat.
Because the whole struck-dumb-by-his-muscles thing is starting to get ridiculous.
βYes.β I swallow. βAbsolutely. Whatever you need.β
God, I hope that didnβt sound like a proposition.
I clear my throat again and quickly add, βTo feel comfortable. You should do whatever you need to feel comfortable. Thatβs the point, right? You should be comfortable and I should be . . .β
Silent.
I should be silent.
Because, oh my God. Dumbstruck was so much better than this rambling mess.
βFirmer is better,β he blurts.
βExcuse me?β
He blushes and presses his lips together, before saying, βWhen youβre washing my hair. Or touching me. A firmer touch is better than a light one.β
I nod, the pieces falling into place. I had read that people with sensory issues and people on the spectrum sometimes find light touches over-stimulating.
βThank you for telling me.β I want to say more. Something that will get him to open up to me. But is that really a good idea? Do I really need more ideas about how Max likes to be touched?
Um . . . that is a big, fat no. No, I do not. Because Iβm only touching him to cut his hair and trim his beard. I do not need to be getting ideas beyond that.
About Emma Lee Jayne
I write the kinds of books I want to read. Fast-paced books with lots of world-building, snarky heroines, and swoony heroes. I love story, pop culture, gossip, and baked goods. Iβm a modern-day hippy and certified LEGO nerd.
I live in the Austin, Texas hill country, with my geeky husband and two extremely geeky kids. We have dogs, chickens, cats, and more LEGOs than should be allowed by law. Oh, and I stress bake. So if my characters talk about food a lot, thatβs why.
Emma also writes as Rita award winning author Emily McKay.
“Street Smart is a laugh-out-loud, hand-over-heart swoon fest that will have you cheering for the good guy to get it all in the end. One of my favorite reads of the year!” -Bestselling Author Ginger Scott
Street Smart, an all-new workplace romantic comedy from Aly Stiles, is now available in Kindle Unlimited!Β
What could go wrongβfour words MBA student Marcos Oliveira ignored when he accepted a prestigious internship at Reedweather Media, a subsidiary of the legendary Sandeke Telecom empire.
What did go wrong? Everything.
And when Marcos stumbles upon incriminating documents that signal corporate espionage against Sandekeβs son Martin, he suspects his strange intern wormhole has just exploded into chaos. When his alluring boss Eva draws him in to thwart the plot, he knows it.
After spending their lives overcoming adversity, can Marcos and Eva handle this latest threat? Even more perilous might be their losing battle against forbidden attraction.
His Ivy League education didnβt prepare him for spy games and illicit flames. Good thing he has the street smarts to work for it.
‘Street Smart’ is a full-length workplace romantic comedy and can be read as a standalone. Book #1 in the Work For It series, Educated Romance World, Penny Reid Book Universe.
We straighten in alarm at the click of the lock on the main door. Crap! On instinct, I yank his shirt to pull him to the far end of the closet-like room and shove him behind one of the giant racks. Hereβs to hoping whoever this person is doesnβt need to access whatever this thing is.
The clatter of the door closing, followed by the squeak of sneakers on the floor tell us someone entered, but we canβt see them through the wall of computer junk obstructing our view. This also means they canβt see us, so yay for that.
Initially, adrenaline keeps my attention fixed on the action at the other side of the room. Soon, though, hormones interrupt our regularly scheduled caper to parade neon signs of awareness that Iβm pressed tightly against Marcos Oliveira. Yes, my brilliant, urgent spy maneuver was to crush him into the wall. To press my body against his in an invisible cocoon of stealth. Except this cocoon is suddenly hot. And hard. And electrified with the current of a thousand server racks. Itβs inhabited by a sun god who stares down at me with blistering, intelligent eyes and full, tempting lips. Those lips spread into a smileβnayβa challenge, when they catch me gawking. An I-dare-you-not-to-touch-me-right-now message. His hard chest joins the taunt, molding solid muscle to my soft curves. His hips, gah, I canβt decline that invitation. Itβs not my fault. They justβreact, aligning with his of their own accord. And when his chest swells with a labored inhale at the friction, a shudder runs through me. My hands donβt know what to do either, and soon theyβre exploring belt loops at his lower back. Fingers coil around fabric, hooking in until they have no choice but to pull our hips into a firmer embrace. His eyes clench shut, his breathing rapid like mine. His heartβI can feel the raging pulse, or maybe thatβs mine. Where does he end and I begin right now? Weβre not ourselves. Weβve melded into that new entityβthat throbbing, scorching cocoon. My lips burn with a hunger to explore his neck. I grip the belt loops tighter, needing to breathe soon so I donβt lose control of a gasp and give us away.
Somehow, I manage to break one hand away, but it gets sidetracked on the return journey. Instead of safety, it seeks his chest, palm opening wide for a full, greedy experience as it slides from his waist, up solid, mouth-watering planes. My touch absorbs his heat as it travels, tingling from the contrast of the soft fabric of his shirt and the hard angles of muscle beneath. I take extra time exploring his pecs, sinking in and enjoying the way his breathing changes as I rake his skin with my nails. My hand should stop when it reaches his collar, but it doesnβt. No, it keeps moving, skimming over his neck and curving behind until my fingers tangle in his hair. My thumb glides over light stubble, locking below his jaw and angling his perfect face right where I want it. Where I need it as I lick my lips and stare at his mouth. My genius stripper intern who couldnβt be more accessible and forbidden in this moment.
βNo freaking way,β a voice echoes through the room.
Marcos and I snap our gazes toward the sound. Neither of us move as we wait, our breaths coming heavy from fear now, in addition to desire. Gosh, this is pretty much the most addicting sensation Iβve ever experienced. No wonder James Bond is a thing.
About Aly Stiles
From angsty and dark to snort-laugh funny, Aly writes romance from her soul to yours.