Monday, March 30, 2015

RELEASE DAY :: JAKE UNDERSTOOD (JAKE #2) BY PENELOPE WARD




Synopsis:

From the New York Times bestselling author of Jake Undone, comes a full-length standalone companion novel and sequel. 

A different side to the story: Jake’s side.


“We’re getting a new roommate,” they said. 

I thought nothing of it...until she walked in the door. Her hand trembled in mine as she looked at me with fearful eyes. My entire world spun on its axis. 

Nina...

It was a mismatch made in heaven: innocent girl from the boonies moves in with tattooed, pierced, badboy engineer.  

I came up with a bet, a plan to tutor her in math and coach her through her phobias. What I wasn’t betting on was becoming addicted to her.

But I was living a double life on weekends, and once she found out about it, she’d be gone.

I had to protect myself and that meant one thing: I couldn’t fall in love. 

In Jake Understood, pivotal scenes from Jake Undone are retold from Jake’s point of view combined with all-new material from both the past and present time where Jake Undone left off. It can stand alone but if both books are read, should follow Jake Undone. Contains graphic sexual content and harsh language. It is only appropriate for adult readers age 18+.
 

Buy Links:

JAKE UNDERSTOOD will be on $2.99 sale for release day only and that will be the only sale of the year. (Price changing back on March 31st.)

Jake's first standalone, Jake Undone will remain at .99 through release week as well.

 B&N   |   iTunes   |   Kobo  |  Amazon



NEW MARCH RELEASE (RELEASE DAY) :: EASY WITH YOU (A WITH YOU IN SEATTLE NOVELLA) BY KRISTEN PROBY (EXCERPT & TEASER)

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We are absolutely thrilled to be able to bring you the Release Day Launch for Kristen Proby's EASY WITH YOU!! EASY WITH YOU is an Adult Erotic Romance novella filled with suspense in Kristen’s With Me in Seattle Series!! Kristen's beloved characters, sexy situations, and suspense!? Run, don't walk, to Amazon and one click this bad boy!

  Easy with You

Synopsis: 

Nothing has ever come easy for Lila Bailey. She’s fought for every good thing in her life during every day of her thirty-one years. Aside from that one night with an impossible to deny stranger a year ago, Lila is the epitome of responsible. Steadfast. Strong. She’s pulled herself out of the train wreck of her childhood, proud to be a professor at Tulane University and laying down roots in a city she’s grown to love. 

But when some of her female students are viciously murdered, Lila’s shaken to the core and unsure of whom she can trust in New Orleans. 

When the police detective assigned to the murder case comes to investigate, she’s even more surprised to find herself staring into the eyes of the man that made her toes curl last year. In an attempt to move on from the tragic loss of his wife, Asher Smith moved his daughter and himself to a new city, ready for a fresh start. 

A damn fine police lieutenant, but new to the New Orleans force, Asher has a lot to prove to his colleagues and himself. 

With a murderer terrorizing the Tulane University campus, Asher finds himself toe-to-toe with the one woman that haunts his dreams. His hands, his lips, his body know her as intimately as he’s ever known anyone. As he learns her mind and heart as well, Asher wants nothing more than to keep her safe, in his bed, and in his and his daughter’s lives for the long haul. 

But when Lila becomes the target, can Asher save her in time, or will he lose another woman he loves?  


Easy with You Teaser 2


Buy Links:

Amazon Kindle ** Amazon Print

Excerpt: 

“You didn’t ask for her number.” She scowls and pokes her finger into my chest. I look down at it, then glance up at her with a raised brow. 
 “You just assaulted an officer.” 
 “I did?” She swallows hard. 
 “Yes. I might have to arrest you.” 
 “With handcuffs?” She smiles gleefully, clearly excited at the thought. “Would you like me to arrest you with handcuffs?” 
 “Hell to the yes!” 
 “Kate?” 

There’s suddenly a very tall, very irritated man standing behind the fiery redhead, staring daggers into me. I can’t help but laugh. “I’m talking to the hot Asher,” she says, not turning to look at him. “I assaulted him, and he’s a cop, and he’s going to put me in handcuffs.” 
 “No, I don’t believe he will.” I laugh again. 

“There’s nothing going on here, man.” “Come see Lila!” Kate takes my hand, pulling me from my stool to the table behind us. Most of the women have cleared out, leaving just a few, including the sexy as fuck woman I met on the plane yesterday. “Where did everyone go?” “Declan took them home,” Lila replies, and her hand stops midway between the table and her lips, holding her drink. 

Her violet eyes widen when she sees me. “Hi.” “We meet again.” I sit next to her, my fingers itching to plunge in her dark hair and brush it over her shoulder. “How are you, Lila?” “Fine.” She clears her throat and smiles at me. “I didn’t think I’d ever see you again.” “A happy coincidence,” I reply softly. “You look beautiful.” And she does. 

Her eyes are a bit glassy from the alcohol, her cheeks just a little flushed. Her hair is straight and falls down her back and over her slim shoulders. Before I can ask her questions about her trip here, or anything about her, we are soon pulled into the conversation with the others at the table. But when Kate asks Lila if she’s ready to go, I’m shocked when Lila responds with, “I’m gonna have Asher take me home.”   



Easy With You teaser 1

A Message from Kristen Proby: 

Dear readers, As you know, the With Me In Seattle series came to a close earlier this month with the eighth and final installment, FOREVER WITH ME. I've been steadfast in my decision that there would be no further stories from the series, no spin-offs, nothing more. In my mind, it was complete. And I still feel that the Montgomery/Williams families are complete, and I maintain that I'm happy with their happy-ever-afters. But, I've also heard you when you've said that Asher, Matt Montgomery's partner in TIED WITH ME, deserves to have a happily ever after for himself and his daughter Casey. So, when the lovely ladies from 1001 Dark Nights asked me to participate in their wonderful project, I thought long and hard about whose story it should be about. Seattle is finished, and I've moved on to New Orleans for the new Boudreaux Series... And then it occurred to me: why not do both, and offer a companion novella to each of the series? And so, because you, the reader, has been so insistent that you want to see Asher and Casey find their perfect person, I'm excited to introduce you to EASY WITH YOU. I think you're going to love Asher and Lila's love story this spring... 

Happy Reading, Kristen Proby


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ABOUT KRISTEN PROBY: 

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Kristen Proby is the author of the popular With Me in Seattle series. She has a passion for a good love story and strong characters who love humor and have a strong sense of loyalty and family. Her men are the alpha type—fiercely protective and a bit bossy—and her ladies are fun, strong, and not afraid to stand up for themselves. Kristen spends her days with her muse in the Pacific Northwest. She enjoys coffee, chocolate, and sunshine. And naps. Visit her at KristenProby.com.      

Website**Facebook**Twitter**Author Goodreads

 

COVER REVEAL :: CHASING THE DRAGON (DECEPTION DUET #1) BY T.K. LEIGH

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OUAA synopsis
He’s trying to protect his heart… She’s a shell of the girl she once was… 
Can he chase away the demons threatening to destroy her?

Mackenzie Delano craves control. After tragedy strikes during her freshman year of college, she compensates for the helplessness she felt by micro-managing every aspect of her life, from her business life to her social life…to her love life. But she wasn’t expecting to cross paths with a mysterious man who seems to invade her every thought. 

Tyler Burnham has been living his life with one rule in mind…never fall in love. Focusing solely on his career, he is able to remain a detached observer of life… Until a case is dropped in his lap, forcing him to form an intimate relationship with a sharp-tongued woman in order to obtain the location of a man deemed an enemy of the State. 

When Tyler finds himself falling for Mackenzie, will he be able push his feelings aside and recover the information he needs? Or will he put the mission and their lives at risk to follow his heart? 

Chasing The Dragon is the first installment of a two part series of deception and betrayal where nothing is as it seems. 

 ***Note - Chasing The Dragon is the first book in a two-book duet and is a spin-off of T.K. Leigh's USA Today Best Selling Beautiful Mess series. It is not necessary to have read that series in order to read this duet, but it will contain a mild spoiler from the third book in the Beautiful Mess series, Gorgeous Chaos.***


OUAA About Author

T.K. Leigh, otherwise known as Tracy Leigh Kellam, is the USA Today Best Selling author of the Beautiful Mess series. Originally from New England, she now resides in sunny Southern California with her husband, dog and three cats, all of which she has rescued (including the husband). She always had a knack for writing, but mostly in the legal field. It wasn't until recently that she decided to try her hand at creative writing and is now addicted to creating different characters and new and unique story lines in the Contemporary Romantic Suspense genre.
When she's not planted in front of her computer, writing away, she can be found running and training for her next marathon (of which she has run over fifteen fulls and far too many halfs to recall). Unlike Olivia, the main character in her Beautiful Mess series, she has yet to qualify for the Boston Marathon.

OUAA Author Links


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NEW MARCH RELEASE (RELEASE DAY) :: PERSUADING HIM (THE HEIRESS #1) BY MICHELLE DARE (TEASER)

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Series: The Heiress, Book 1
Author: Michelle Dare
Photo: Sara Eirew
Cover Design: Perfect Pear Creative Covers
Genre: Erotic Romance

OUAA synopsis
Kasi Markson has been in the public eye since she was a small child. Her father is the founder of Markson Aviation, a top name in the private jet industry. When her parents go through a public divorce battle, she is shoved into the spotlight. 

Now in her late twenties, she lives a comfortable life, but likes to keep the media at a distance. 

Radek Cole is a retired Air Force officer who agrees to a last minute job. He flies the rich and famous around the country in their private aircraft. Kasi needs a pilot for her upcoming trip and Mr. Cole comes highly recommended. Little does she know that one encounter would change everything. 

Kasi has an immediate and intense attraction to her new pilot and is used to getting what she wants. Initially, he turns down her advances, but her skills of persuasion are no match for him. 

Unfortunately, the media won’t leave them alone. What Kasi doesn’t know is that she isn’t the only one who has a public past. Find out what happens when the heiress meets the pilot.

  OUAATeaser

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  OUAA Buy Links  


OUAA About Author
Michelle Dare is a Jersey girl living over the border in Pennsylvania. She started out as a reader, then became a book blogger. She loves the book community and thought to try her hand at writing. She writes contemporary and erotic romance.
She is a married mom with two wonderful children and a German Shepherd, who she considers her third child. She is a lover of books, music, and movies. Her favorite band is Maroon 5 and has too many favorite movies to list. Paranormal romance is her favorite genre to read.
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NEW MARCH RELEASE (RELEASE DAY) :: BLOCKED BY LISA N. PAUL (EXCERPT & TEASER)


Synopsis:

Racing hearts, Toe curling kisses, Sexy whispers…

Decker Brand has spent the past four years earning back his man-card. He’s got the calloused hands, the dirty jeans and the toned body to show for it. Now that he’s satisfied with whom he is he intends to stay true to himself even if it means remaining alone.

Lingering glances, Soft touches, Shallow Breaths…

April Maddox thought she’d lucked out when she found her prince at the early age of sixteen. Unfortunately, their kiss turned him from king to croaker right before her eyes.

Forsaken and cynical, she fears all men will leave her with warts before hopping off to another woman’s lily pad.

Smooth strokes, Light nips, Gentle tugs…

When it comes to relationships, they say timing is everything, and everything has its time.

History has played a part in Decker’s and April’s desire to give up on love. Fate will bring them together. It’s up to them to battle the outside forces, life’s interruptions, and daily dramas… together. With a little faith, they can undo everything that’s been…

Blocked.

Buy Links: 

 B&N  |   Amazon



Excerpt:

Decker could practically see the dimples forming in her cheeks as her giggle tickled him through the line. “Well…” He cleared his throat. “I hate to admit this, but your mother wasn’t altogether wrong, babe. I had no intentions at stopping with just one kiss.” Even though they’d been flirting and chatting for weeks, tonight was their first official date. While it was obvious that April was as attracted to him as he to her, he didn’t want to scare her off, but he also wanted her to know he was no Boy Scout. The way she had his blood churning… mmm, one kiss would have been a mere appetizer.
“I’m glad to hear that, big guy,” April cooed, her voice honey smooth but sinfully sexy, “because I would have been disappointed if one kiss was all you had to offer.”
Decker pulled the phone from his ear and looked at the screen. Yeah, it was still lit and connected to April Maddox. No, he wasn’t dreaming. The woman was sexy as sin. He closed his bedroom door, kicked off his shoes, and sauntered over to his bed. “April”—gravel and heat filled his tone—“will you let me kiss you now?”
Brief silence met his ear—no words, no breath—until she answered in a whisper, “Yes, Decker, I’d love for you to kiss me now. How do you plan to do that?”
The certainty in her answer, mixed with the innocence of her question, had Decker’s cock hard as steel and begging to be released from its confines. “Do you trust me, April?”
A moment of time passed before she stammered, “I-I don’t know.”
Her honest response came as a bit of surprise. He’d never asked that question and received an answer other than “yes.” The truth had him grinning; Ms. Maddox was a smart, sincere woman who told it like it was. He hadn’t earned her trust yet, but he was going to.
“Deck, I didn’t mean—”
“No, April, your answer was honest, and I respect that. So here’s my honest answer—I like you, a lot. I’m not a liar, a cheater, or any of the things that fathers pray their daughters stay away from. I have no intentions of hurting you, and right now, in this moment, I just wanna make you feel good. Now, will you allow me to do that?”
“Yes,” she murmured.
“Go to your bedroom, beautiful,” he ordered.
“I’m already there, big guy.”
While he couldn’t picture the room, having never been to her house, the thought of her surrounded by a huge bed and her flawless skin draped on smooth sheets had him unbuttoning his jeans as he spoke his next demand. “Perfect. Now peel off that sexy top of yours. Just the hot little V-neck, honey. Leave the bra alone, and lie down. And April, keep those incredibly long fingers off your body until I say otherwise.” The sharp intake of breath he heard followed by the soft hum gave him the incentive to continue their game. “Are you lying back?”
“Yes, Decker,” her voice turned husky as she responded. “My shirt is rumpled on the floor, my head’s resting on the pillow, and I’m laying here wearing just a lacy green bra and my jeans.”
“Mmm,” Decker rumbled while he removed his shirt and edged back on his mattress. Her breasts, so firm and round, had teased him all through dinner in that tight black top, and now imagining them in nothing but green lace… his hand grazed over his denim-clad dick. First her, then you, he thought, repeating his motto over in his head. “Close your eyes, April.”
“Decker—” His name wasn’t a question but a plea.
He knew she was letting him in, and he wasn’t going to let her down. “Shh, you said you’d let me kiss you. Now, trust me and close your eyes.”
“Okay,” she murmured, “they’re closed.”
His voice thick with desire, Decker closed his eyes as well and began to instruct April through the most erotic kiss of his life. “Good. Now imagine me beside you, our bodies so close, the heat of my skin warming yours as I lift your chin so I can look into your eyes.
“Imagine my breath, April, a hint of chocolate, sweet and close, caressing your skin with a promise of things yet to come.” With each word Decker’s heart skipped faster, but when he heard her shallow breath, his pulse began to race.
“Keep your eyes closed, beautiful, and lift your left hand to your face. Just before you touch your cheek, rotate your wrist so it’s your knuckles that stroke your skin. Start by your ear, and slowly drag your hand down your jawline. That’s my touch you feel on your soft skin, my knuckles that are making your breaths quicken.”
“Now, move the index finger of that same hand across your silky-soft bottom lip. Do you remember how it felt when my mouth claimed yours? When my tongue breached your lips and slid into your warmth? Fuck.” Decker groaned as the images he painted came alive in his head. “Let me feel your tongue, beautiful. Lick your finger for me.”
“Oh, Decker,” she whimpered, “Christ, how the hell did you do that?”





About the author:
Lisa N. Paul is a wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend, reader, writer, blogger, and self-proclaimed comedian—just not always in that order.  Ever since she was a little girl, she has devoured books. Falling in love with the Sweet Valley High series at a young age drew Lisa to series books and inspired her to write her own. Thursday Nights is the first book in her Charistown series.

When not writing, Lisa can be found eating french fries and Godiva raspberry truffles, or hanging out with her husband and two sons.

Connect with her online

 Website  | Facebook  | Twitter  | Instagram  | Goodreads  |  Amazon


Sunday, March 8, 2015

BLOG TOUR :: THE CRITIC BY JOANNE SCHWEHM (REVIEW & GIVEAWAY)





Synopsis:
WORDS
Convey a message

Andrea Jordan dreams of acting on Broadway, and she is at the cusp of achieving success. All her sacrifices start to pay off when she lands a role that will catapult her to stardom.

CAN
Express our thoughts

Award-winning theater critic Bentley Chambers possesses the power to make or break a career. Theatergoers consider his reviews to be gospel, and actors cringe at the thought of him in the audience. His words possess power.

HURT
A heart’s not made of stone

More than one actor has been sent packing after Bentley’s bad reviews, and Andrea could be next. She won’t stand by and let him shatter her dreams, but she never thought giving him a piece of her mind would also mean giving him a piece of her heart.

Will Andrea discover on her own the passion Bentley claims she lacks, or will he be the one to draw it out of her?

Words… choose them wisely.


***STAND ALONE NOVEL*** INTENDED FOR MATURE READERS***

ADD IT TO YOUR TBR ON GOODREADS!!!





The Critic by Joanne Schwehm took my breath away!

It also stole a part of my heart, as well!!

It is so real and so damn adorable! The story is down to earth and it feels so real that you feel it on your skin. You sympathize with Andi and you effortlessly fall in love with Bentley. And the story? It just takes you to that magical land only an amazing book can take you.

I loved every page and every word Joanne wrote.

I felt every page and every word she wrote.

She sucked me into the book and I cannot get out of it!

The characters blew me away.

The story just deactivated any active brain cells I had.

So, I am very happy to tell you that The Critic has just joined my all-time favorites!!

I wonder how many times I will re-read it..Even now, I am aching for a quick re-read!!

Anyway..I don’t need any more words..

The Critic receives An Infinity of Stars, because I simply fell in love with it. 
And I will never leave me..


Buy Links:
Amazon US  |  Amazon UK  |  Amazon AU  

Author Bio:

Author of Unexpected Chance, My Chance (The Chance Series), Ryker and The Critic.

Joanne was born and raised in Rochester, NY and currently resides near our Nation's Capital with her husband and two sons.

Romance is one of Joanne's favorite things and thankfully, she is surrounded by it.

Joanne firmly believes when that unexpected chance comes, take it. Don't let it pass you by - you never know what you could be missing.

Social Links: 
Giveaway:
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Wednesday, March 4, 2015

RELEASE DAY :: A LOVE CALLED SIMON BY SANDI LYNN (TEASERS)




     
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OUAA synopsis

No more men. No more rich men.

That was what I vowed when I left New York and moved to Seattle until I met Simon Young, CEO of Young International, one of the largest luxury hotel chains in the world. 

He desired me and I let him. I was fully aware of his love for women and his hatred for relationship but I decided to play his game. I had a void that needed to be fulfilled and Simon Young was the man who could do it. 

Entering into a physical relationship only was the plan. No strings and no emotions allowed. But plans are made to be changed and rules are meant to be broken. 

We grew closer and I was falling in love, but Simon had a secret. A secret that would destroy everything. He was about to lose me and I was willing to walk away.

OUAATeaser

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Sexy young couple body at night, woman embrace man abs
OUAA Buy Links

OUAA About Author
NEW YORK TIMES, USA TODAY & WALL STREET JOURNAL BESTSELLING AUTHOR
Sandi Lynn is a New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author who spends her days writing. She has a severe coffee addiction and can usually be found hanging out at the local Starbucks with her laptop, sipping lattes, and writing novels.

OUAA Author Links



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RELEASE DAY :: EASY LOVE (THE BOUDREAUX SERIES #1) BY KRISTEN PROBY (TEASERS)

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EASY LOVE is a Contemporary Erotic Romance novel and is the 1st book in The Boudreaux Series!  

Synopsis: 

Eli Boudreaux’s family has built ships and boats in Louisiana for generations. He comes from a hardworking, wealthy family and his empire is growing by leaps and bounds. 

At thirty, he is the youngest CEO to ever head Bayou Enterprises, co-chairing with his eldest brother. His head for business and his no-nonsense work ethic is also quickly making him the best the company has seen in generations. His staff admires him, women adore him and Eli’s family is solid. 

But he’s recently discovered that someone on the inside of his business is stealing from him and he’s determined to find out who. 

Kate O’Shaughnessy is hired by companies all over the world to slip inside and investigate every member of the organization from the CEO down to the custodial staff to find the person or persons responsible for embezzling. She’s excellent at blending, becoming part of the team, and finding the weakest link. She’s smart, quick-witted, and she’s now been hired by Bayou Enterprises, specifically Eli Boudreaux. 

The attraction is immediate and the chemistry is off the charts, but Kate has heard all about Eli’s playboy past and she has a job to do. Sleeping with the boss isn’t a part of that job, even if just the sound of her name rolling off that Cajun tongue and the way he fills out a designer suit does make her sweat. 

Eli’s southern charms surprise Kate. The man whose reputation labels him as a ruthless, callous womanizer is not the man she’s coming to know intimately. He’s generous, protective and makes her smile. 

Cracking through Kate’s cool, reserved demeanor and discovering her love of sexy, expensive lingerie is a challenge Eli can’t resist, but her sweet nature, love of family and sense of humor pull at him in ways no one else ever has. 

But when the person responsible for trying to single-handedly dismantle Eli’s empire comes to light, and it’s time for Kate to move on, to what lengths will Eli go to keep the woman he’s fallen in love with by his side?

ADD IT TO YOUR TBR ON GOODREADS!!

Grab it on Amazon !!


Easy Love teaser 1  


Author pic_MontanaABOUT KRISTEN PROBY: 

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Kristen Proby is the author of the popular With Me in Seattle series. She has a passion for a good love story and strong characters who love humor and have a strong sense of loyalty and family. Her men are the alpha type—fiercely protective and a bit bossy—and her ladies are fun, strong, and not afraid to stand up for themselves. Kristen spends her days with her muse in the Pacific Northwest. She enjoys coffee, chocolate, and sunshine. And naps. Visit her at KristenProby.com.    

Website**Facebook**Twitter**Goodreads

  Easy Love teaser 3

Easy Love

RELEASE DAY :: AND I LOVE HER BY MARIE FORCE (EXCERPT & TEASERS & GIVEAWAY)

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We are so thrilled to bring you the Release Day Launch for Marie Force's AND I LOVE HER!! AND I LOVE HER is a Contemporary Romance novel being published by Penguin’s Berkley imprint and is the fourth novel in Marie Force’s Green Mountain Series! We hope you're ready for Hunter and Megan's story! Grab your copy today, and don't forget to grab the first books in this fabulous series!!


And I Love Her
 


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  Synopsis: 

A Green Mountain Romance from the New York Times bestselling author of I Saw Her Standing There. 

As the oldest of the ten Abbott siblings, Hunter prides himself on his ability to solve other people’s problems, but now he has a  problem of his own—how to convince the woman of his dreams that his love is for keeps. 

As the chief financial officer, Hunter Abbott manages the family’s various business interests while “fixing” things for the people he loves. But the one thing he can’t fix is his undeniable attraction to Megan Kane. 

Instead, Hunter is prepared to do whatever it takes to show Megan that he’s the man for her.  
Megan’s sister rocks her with the news that she and her husband are moving overseas, leaving Megan truly alone. With her sister—and her job at the diner—going away, Megan finds herself leaning on the sexy, button-down accountant who isn’t afraid to lay it all on the line for her. 

But Megan has watched too many people she loves leave her. Can she risk her heart on Hunter? 

Contains a bonus Green Mountain short story!

Buy Links:

Kindle US | Kindle CA | Nook | iBooks | Kobo | Google


Excerpt: Chapter 1 

Business opportunities are like buses, there’s always another one coming. —Sir Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Group When her sister and brother-in-law said they wanted to talk to her at the diner Monday evening, Megan Kane assumed they were going to tell her they were finally expecting the niece or nephew she’d wanted for as long as they’d been married. But the words that came from Brett and Nina in stuttering, halting sentences had nothing to do with babies. “Moving overseas.” “Selling the diner.” “So sorry to do this to you.” “It was an amazing opportunity.” “We couldn’t say no.” “You can come with us.” Nina seemed crushed to be delivering this news to her “baby” sister, who was almost twenty-eight and hardly a baby anymore. “I’d love that. We could run around and explore together while Brett is at work. It would be so fun.” Megan shook off the shock and found her voice. “No. You’ve been taking care of me since you were twenty-two, Neen. It’s time to go live your life. I’ll be fine.” “We really do mean it when we say you should come with us,” Brett said. He was always so kind to her, never once in all these years acting as if her tight bond with his wife was a problem for him. “I can’t do that. I can’t crash your party. I’ve been around your necks long enough as it is.” “You’re hardly around our necks, Megan,” Nina said. “We could have so much fun! Would you think about it before you automatically say no? Please?” “Fine.” Megan said what her sister needed to hear. “I’ll think about it.” “Great!” Nina said, beaming with pleasure at the small victory. “If you decide to stay here, we’ll help you find another job,” Brett said. “Maybe the new owners of the diner would want to keep you on. They’d be crazy not to.” He’d been a terrific brother-in-law to her since he married her sister nine years ago. A teacher at a nearby boys’ prep school, he’d apparently applied for overseas positions in the past but they’d never materialized until now. Work at Nina’s Diner without Nina? Unthinkable. “I’ll figure something out. You guys don’t need to worry about me.” “Of course we’ll worry about you, Meg.” Nina reached for her sister’s hand across the table. “I don’t know how not to worry about you.” “It’s probably time I got a life of my own.” Megan tried to stay calm even as she panicked on the inside. Not see Nina every day? Unbearable. “Mom and Dad would be horrified if they knew I was still living in the garage apartment.” “They’d be proud of you.” “No, they’d be proud of you, but you deserve it. You’ve created such a wonderful business here, and now you have this fantastic opportunity to travel. I’d never hold you guys back from doing what you want.” Brett’s relief was so visible he practically sagged under the weight of it. Obviously, they’d worried about telling her their news. “You really can come with us if you want to, Megan,” he said. “It would be great to have you in France.” “I’d love to come visit while you’re there, but this is home.” In reality, Nina was home to her, not Butler or the house where they’d once lived with their parents, but Megan kept those thoughts to herself. “You said you’d think about it!” Nina said. “Neen, I can’t just go traipsing off to France, as fun as that sounds. I need to figure out my life and what I’m going to do with it. I can’t do that in France. I don’t want either of you to worry about me. I swear I’ll be fine.” “Are you sure?” Nina asked tearfully. “You’d tell me if you didn’t mean that, wouldn’t you?” “I’m very sure.” Megan kept her emotions out of it—for now anyway. “This could turn out to be a good thing for me. It’ll give me the kick in the butt I’ve needed to move on.” Megan had been marching in place for more than ten years, since the snowy night they lost their parents in a car crash during her senior year of high school. Nina had been her rock ever since, acting as mother, father and big sister all rolled into one. The sisters had held on to each other for all these years, and the thought of everyday life without Nina was unfathomable to Megan. “If you agree, we’re going to rent the house,” Brett said, “but the garage apartment is all yours for as long as you want or need it. We told the rental agent the garage wasn’t part of the deal.” “Of course I agree. No sense the house sitting vacant when you could be making some money.” Her brother-in-law’s sweetness nearly broke her emotional dam, but she refused to cry in front of them. Since there were going to be tears—and lots of them—she had to get out of there immediately. No way would she make them feel bad about something they were so excited about. Knowing she was on borrowed time where the tears were concerned, Megan gathered up her belongings and stood. “I’ll see you guys in the morning.” “Let me drive you home,” Nina said. “That’s okay. I could use the fresh air after being inside all afternoon.” They’d used their afternoon and evening “off” to do their monthly deep clean of the diner. “You’re sure you’re all right?” Nina asked. Megan bent to kiss her sister’s cheek. “I’m fine, and I’m thrilled for both of you.” Nina held her tight for a minute. “Love you, Meggie.” Megan couldn’t remember the last time Nina had called her by her childhood nickname. “Love you, too.” Feeling as if she’d been set adrift, untethered from the one sure thing in her life, Megan stepped out of the diner, taking a moment to breathe in the fresh, clean early-autumn air. The tears she’d managed to contain in front of Nina and Brett broke loose in sobs that had her looking for a place to hide until the storm passed. She crossed the street and ducked behind the Green Mountain Country Store, planning to hide out until Brett and Nina left for home. The last thing she wanted was for them to see her crying, and nothing short of a miracle would help her keep it together tonight. After another twelve-hour marathon in front of the computer, Hunter Abbott stood and stretched out the kinks in his shoulders and back. As the chief financial officer for the Green Mountain Country Store and other Abbott family businesses, Hunter worked pretty much all the time. If it weren’t for the pressing need for food that his body demanded every few hours, he’d probably work around the clock. It wasn’t like he had anything better to do. And wasn’t that a sad, pathetic fact of his life? His stomach let out an unholy growl that had him checking the time on his computer. Nine ten. With the diner closed today, that left pizza as his only option in town at this hour. He dialed the number to Kingdom Pizza from memory and ordered a small veggie and a salad. If he was resorting to eating junk, at least it was somewhat healthy. Before his twin sister, Hannah, had remarried over the summer, Hunter might’ve headed for her house to bum some dinner and conversation. But with Nolan now living with Hannah and the two of them in starry-eyed newly wedded bliss, Hunter steered clear. He turned off his computer and glanced at the stack of files still awaiting his attention. Bring them home or leave them for tomorrow? After a brief internal debate, he shut off the light and left them. His tank was running on empty, and tomorrow would bring more of the same. In the outer office, he was surprised to find the light still on in his sister Ella’s office. He went over to knock on her door. “You’re working late.” “As are you.” “Except I always do. What’s your excuse?” “Getting some new products entered into the system, and dealing with a pile of paperwork that never seems to get smaller no matter what I do.” “I hear you there. So much for being self-employed, huh?” She smiled at him, but he noted a hint of sadness in her eyes that caught him by surprise. Ella was one of the most joyful people he’d ever known—always happy and upbeat. “Everything okay?” “Sure. Why do you ask?” “You just seemed . . . I don’t know . . . sad or something for a second there.” “I’m fine. No need to worry.” “Okay then.” Hunter took a step back, planning to leave, but there it was again—the sadness he’d seen before. “You know if there’s anything wrong, you can come to me, right? We may see each other a thousand times a day, but I’m right over there if you need me. No matter what it is.” “Thank you, Hunter. That’s very sweet of you. I know you want to take care of everything for all of us, but some things . . . Well, some things can’t be managed. They are what they are.” More confused than ever, Hunter wasn’t sure whether he should stay and try to force the issue or give her some space to deal with whatever was bothering her. “I’m here, El. I’m right here. Don’t suffer in silence.” Her smile softened her face. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” “Do you want me to wait for you so you’re not here alone?” “No. I’ve got another hour or so, and I can lock up.” “Give me a quick call to let me know you got home okay.” “Hunter . . .” “What? You’ll always be my little sister, so call me.” “I’m only four years younger than you.” “And I vividly remember the day you were born.” “Freak.” Hunter chuckled at the predictable comment. His family teased him every day about his photographic memory and ability to recall facts and figures from years ago that should’ve been impossible to remember. Sometimes he wished he could forget some of the crap that rattled around in his brain, but it was his lot in life to be a walking, talking data warehouse. “See you in the morning.” “Have a good night.” “Call me.” “Go!” Hunter went down the stairs thinking about what Ella had said about him wanting to take care of things for everyone. Perhaps it was also his lot in life as the oldest of the ten Abbott siblings, but he wanted the people he loved to be happy and their problems to be few, even if that meant taking on more than his share of the load. Hannah had been after him recently to work less and play more. If only he could think of something he’d rather do than work. Totally pathetic. He knew it, but damn if he could figure out how to snap out of the rut he’d fallen into. When had he become an all-work, no-play stick in the mud? If he were being honest with himself, he’d been in the rut for a long time, probably since he graduated from college and joined the family business full time. College had been the last time he’d been truly free of responsibility and obligation. Thinking about the blissful college days had him remembering his late brother-in-law Caleb, Hannah’s first husband, who’d died in Iraq seven years ago. If he came back to life and saw how ridiculously out of balance Hunter’s life had become, he’d raise holy hell. Raising holy hell was on Hunter’s mind as he stepped into the cool darkness and waited for the motion-sensitive light to come on. Once it did, he turned to lock the door behind him. Ella would see to setting the alarm system. Leaving her alone at the store made him anxious, but he would check on her if she didn’t remember to call him. A sound to his left had him stopping to listen. Was that sniffling? “Who’s there?” “It’s me, Megan. I’m sorry to scare you.” That voice . . . It cut through him like a knife slicing butter. Every nerve ending in his body stood up to take note of her nearness, which happened every damned time he came into any kind of contact with her. “Megan,” he said in a voice that was barely a whisper. “What’re you doing here in the dark?” “Hiding out.” “Why? Are you hurt? What’s wrong?” True to form, he wanted to make things right for her, no matter what it took. His heart beat quickly, as if he’d been running for miles, and his hands were suddenly sweaty and clammy. He’d never understand why this particular woman provoked such a strong reaction in him every time he laid eyes on her—or in this case, heard tears in her voice as she spoke in the dark. “Nothing’s wrong. I just needed a minute. Sorry to trespass on your property. I’ll get out of your way.” “Wait. Don’t go.” The words came out sounding far more desperate than he’d intended. “At least let me drive you home.” “That’s all right. I can walk.” “I wouldn’t mind at all.” She stepped into the light, and the sight of her tear-ravaged face broke his heart. What could possibly be so wrong? “It’s out of your way.” “I’ve got nowhere to be.” He watched her expressive face as she pondered his offer. Her lips pursed, which brought her cheekbones into sharper relief against the pale skin on her face. Exquisite was the word that came to mind whenever he looked at her, which was as often as he could. Until recently she’d had a major crush on his brother Will, but that had no bearing whatsoever on how he felt about her. He looked at her, and he wanted. It was that simple. Except she barely knew he was alive, which was a problem. “If you’re sure you don’t mind,” she said after an impossibly long pause. “I really don’t.” “Thank you.” She walked with him to his silver Lincoln Navigator and stood by his side as he held the passenger door and waited for her to get settled. As he got into the driver’s side, his growling stomach reminded him of the take-out order. “Have you had dinner?” The words were out before he could take the time to overanalyze the situation. “Not yet.” “I have a pizza and salad on order. I’d be happy to share.” “I don’t know if I could eat.” “Come along and keep me company?” “Um, sure. Okay.” She reached into her purse, withdrew a tissue and wiped her eyes. “Are you going to tell me why you were crying?” “Do I have to?” “Of course not.” He was surprised that she would think he’d try to force it out of her. “But I’m told I’m a good listener.” She had no reply to that, so he turned the key to start the engine, lowering the windows a bit to get some air. “I probably stink from cleaning the diner,” she said. “No, you don’t.” As he drove, he thought of a thousand things he’d like to say to her, but none were the sort of things a guy blurted out when he finally had a moment alone with the woman he desired. How exactly did you tell a woman who barely knew you were alive that you thought about her constantly? That seeing her upset killed you. That wanting her kept you awake at night. How did you tell her it didn’t matter if she had once been obsessed with your brother? That there was nothing you wouldn’t do to see her smile, to see her pale blue eyes light up with joy? How could he say any of that and not sound like a total creep? He couldn’t, so he kept his mouth shut and hoped he wouldn’t do something embarrassing like hyperventilate from the overwhelming effort it took not to say all of it.  

AILH Teaser 1
  

 And don’t forget to grab the previous titles in the Green Mountain Series Today!

All You Need is Love

ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE

I want to Hold Your Hand

I WANT TO HOLD YOUR HAND

 
I Saw Her Standing There-Cover

I SAW HER STANDING THERE


Author PhotoAbout Marie Force: 
With more than 3 million books sold, Marie Force is the New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling, award-winning author of more than 30 contemporary romances. Her New York Times bestselling self-published McCarthys of Gansett Island Series has sold more than 1 million e-books since Maid for Love was released in 2011. She is also the author of the New York Times bestselling Fatal Series from Harlequin’s Carina Press, as well as the Treading Water Series and numerous stand-alone books. All You Need is Love, book 1 in her new Green Mountain Series from Berkley Sensation, was a New York Times and USA Today bestseller in February. The second book, I Want to Hold Your Hand, will be out in June, and the third book, I Saw Her Standing There, is coming in November. In 2014, Marie will have eight mass-market print releases—the first five Fatal Series books from Harlequin and the first three Green Mountain Series books from Berkley. While her husband was in the Navy, Marie lived in Spain, Maryland and Florida, and she is now settled in her home state of Rhode Island. She is the mother of two teenagers and two feisty dogs, Brandy and Louie.

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