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COVER REVEAL: “A Favor for a Favor” by Helena Hunting

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A new stand-alone romance about trading favors, battling wills, and winning love.

A Favor for a Favor from New York Times bestselling author Helena Hunting is coming January 28th, and we have the red-hot cover!

A Favor for a Favor, cover

When I joined Seattle’s NHL expansion team, I thought it was the start of something great. But nothing ever goes the way you expect. Take my introduction to my new neighbor. She came rolling in on the hot mess express at midnight, making a racket while she tried to get into my team captain’s apartment. Did I mention that he’s married to a woman who definitely was not her?

Imagine my surprise when I end up with an injury that has me out of the game for weeks, and she’s the one to offer to help me. I should probably add that she’s not the captain’s mistress. She’s his sexy, pastel-haired younger sister.

So we come up with an arrangement: she rehabs me so that I can get back on the ice sooner, and she can add a professional athlete that isn’t her brother to her client list. Seems simple enough. As long as I can keep my hands to myself and my hormones in check.

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About Helena Hunting

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of PUCKED, Helena Hunting lives on the outskirts of Toronto with her incredibly tolerant family and two moderately intolerant cats. She’s writes contemporary romance ranging from new adult angst to romantic sports comedy.

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Twitter: http://bit.ly/2mloUim Facebook: http://on.fb.me/Zt1xm5 Facebook Fan group: http://bit.ly/2kN5yCD Website: http://www.helenahunting.com/ Never miss an update! Subscribe to Helena’s mailing list: http://bit.ly/2MlRKq6

RELEASE BLITZ: “Collateral” by Natasha Knight

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Title: Collateral
An Arranged Marriage Mafia Romance
Series: Collateral Damage Duet #1
Author: Natasha Knight
Genre: Dark Mafia Romance
Release Date: September 23, 2019



Blurb

Gabriela

Stefan Sabbioni showed up uninvited in my bedroom on my sixteenth birthday. He stood in the shadows smelling of whiskey and death and wrapped a broken, blood-crusted necklace around my neck. I thought he’d strangle me with it.

That night, he left a message for my father. He said he’d be back to take something precious.

I never delivered that message, though. I wonder if things would be different if I had because now, two years later, he’s back. And he’s not hiding in any shadows.

He’s come to make good on his promise.
He’s back to take that something precious.
Me. 

Stefan

Marchese is the manipulator of my family’s tragedy. I won’t just bring him to his knees. I’ll bury him for what he did.

Taking his daughter is only the beginning. I’ll do it knowing I’m starting a war. I’ll do it knowing my enemies will become his allies. They’ll stop at nothing to destroy me and he’ll stop at nothing to get her back.

I’ve never shied away from war, though. I’m not one to play nice and I don’t share my toys. I’ll demolish you if you touch what’s mine.

And she is most definitely mine.







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Releasing October 15, 2019

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Author Bio


USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romance, Natasha Knight specializes in dark, tortured heroes. Happily-Ever-Afters are almost always guaranteed, but she likes to put her characters through hell to get them there. She’s evil like that.


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RELEASE BLITZ: “Incomplete” by L.A. Fiore & Anthony Dwayne

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Title: Incomplete
Authors: L.A. Fiore & Anthony Dwayne
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: September 20, 2019



Blurb

You go through your day on autopilot. 

Day after day, the same routine. The days meld together, years bleed into the next, molding the life you live. 

A life you once dreamt would be epic, but instead you fall into the rut we call life. 

There are days you sit and wonder is the grass really greener on the other side? Does the sun shine brighter? Do the flowers smell sweeter? 

Until one day… you take that leap to find out for yourself. And in the midst of it all, your world crumbles around you. 

Meet Tillian Forester and Gage Sutherland and how they destroyed each other’s lives.







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L.A. Fiore

LA Fiore is a hybrid author of thirteen novels. She believes in a happily ever after, but she likes to make her readers work for it. When she’s not writing, she can usually be found in the garden or hanging on the deck with her family and friends. She lives in Bucks County, Pennsylvania with her husband and two kids and their four fur babies.


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Anthony Dwayne

Anthony started writing years ago as a hobby, but it quickly turned into a passion. He first began publishing under the name, Kane Caldwell, but has since changed the name he will continue publishing under. He is the epitome of a country boy with jeans, t-shirt, hat (No, not a cowboy hat. Lol), scruffy face, work boots on, driving his truck and definitely not a guy you’d picture writing romance. Anthony works in the construction business where he runs his own crew. He has two awesome boys, and an amazing woman that keeps him on the edge. He drinks way too much coffee and probably curses in one day what others curse in their lifetime. Lol! Anthony resides in the south where the weather is warm but most times sweltering hot. During down time, he loves to be surrounded by family, friends, great food, or engrossed in a good book. And of course, putting his imagination to work, where reality and fantasy collide.


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COVER REVEAL: “A Baby for the Bratva” by Chloe Kent

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Title: A Baby for the Bratva
Author: Chloe Kent
Publisher: Blushing Books
Genre: Reverse Harem
Cover Design: Blushing Books
Release Date: October 2, 2019



Blurb

They wanted a girl quickly so they chose an orphanage where no one would ask questions.

They planned to use her until she was pregnant…

Instead they got twenty-one-year-old American Starla Anderson.

When the Russian Mafia invades the orphanage where she lives, in the middle of the night, throwing the nuns who raised her, into a petrified frenzy, it’s Starla who is chosen as the only one who could possibly survive the Bratva and their demands.

But in spite of her own fear of the three massive, glowering and scary men, Starla has to think and act fast…

With her heart thundering in her chest, her body on fire at their presence alone, she sees an opportunity, something that might help the other girls at the impoverished orphanage at a chance of a better life. She lays out her only condition.

Her body for a fee…

Except…

No one says no to the Bratva.







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Author Bio

Chloe Kent has been hooked on romance since her teens and couldn’t wait to grow up and write her own romance novels. Her books usually feature a spirited heroine, and at least two… sometimes more incredibly hot heroes.

Her favorites pastimes include her husband, her dog, and books. Her biggest fear is running out of coffee or her imagination.


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RELEASE BLITZ: “My Madame” by Savvi V

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Title: My Madame
Series: Cameo Gentlemen’s Club #1
Author: Savvi V
Genre: Sexy Contemporary Romance
Release Date: September 20, 2019



Blurb

The king of the Vegas underworld may have everyone else fooled with his dark, brooding eyes, hard body, and expensive suits, but not me.

I knew Gideon Kane back when he was a mere prince under his father’s twisted thumb. Back when he wanted nothing more than to escape that legacy and this town, and take me with him . . .

As princess of the elite Cameo Gentlemen’s Club, I was raised in a world of sensual pleasures and sinful fantasies. My own tarnished legacy, created by strong, independent women who understood where true power lies.

Who also happened to be in business with the mob.

And I stupidly fell for the heir to that empire, heart and soul.

Until he shattered me.

That’s ancient history now that I’m at the helm of Cameo and someone is viciously murdering my dancers and escorts. It’s my bad luck that Gideon’s organization heads up my security, so I’m forced to work with him until this killer is brought to justice—or until I spontaneously combust from the sizzling chemistry we still can’t escape.

Sex is just sex, however. And nobody said a thing about love. Or trust. After all, the princess learned a few tricks from her prince once upon a time . . .







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Excerpt

“So, I’m the devil now?” he asked, slow strolling around the hood, tieless, his shirt still untucked. His hair sticking up in spikes from my fingers clawing through it.
“Interesting that you assumed I meant you,” I said, lifting my chin and pulling his jacket tighter around me.
There was a long pause in which tired eyes locked in some last-ditch effort at battle before he conceded and stopped just out of touching distance. “Is that what you think it was up there?” he asked, crossing his arms over his chest. Good arms. Stop looking at his arms. “Some sort of payment for services?”
“No,” I said on a bitter laugh. “I was told earlier that I’m too proper for that.”
One eyebrow raised. “Whoever finds you proper didn’t see you half an hour ago.”
I licked my lips, ignoring the heat that memory sent through me. “I don’t know what that was, Gideon,” I said. “Anger. Grief. Letting off steam.”
“Lust,” he quipped.
“Closure.”
“Closure,” he echoed, drawing the word out as the surprise played through his features, circling something almost real before landing back on arrogance. “Interesting that you assume it won’t happen again—Miss Vaughn.”
I crossed my arms as well, letting the jacket drift open. Letting his gaze slide over what was left of my clothing and everything he’d filled his hands with earlier. My inner muscles tightened as tiny fires igniting along my flesh. Part of me wanted to slap that smug look off his face so hard that he’d choke on that Miss Vaughn comeback of his and forget my name entirely, but I could still smell him on me, and it was maddening.
When his eyes came back up to meet mine, they were darker, glazed over, and all that was stupid inside me couldn’t help but wonder if his cock was hard again.
I was f*cking doomed.
So, I stepped closer.
“Well, I can promise you this much,” I said, trailing a finger down his torso and tugging on a shirttail. “Keep calling me that, and it definitely won’t happen again.”
I caught the slightest hint of a tug at his lips as I turned and sauntered up the sidewalk.
Yeah, game on.
Unless he followed me, but I wasn’t about to turn back around.
Ten steps. Fourteen. Nineteen steps I counted until I entered the building and walked in, shutting Gideon Kane on the other side.
“F*ck, Charli, what are you playing at?” I whispered, sagging against the door.






Author Bio


Savvi V is a dynamic writing duo of two friends who came together over their shared love of hot, alpha heroes, feisty, smart-mouthed heroines, and smexy, melt-your-panties romance. We also love ogling tatted up guys, coffee of all kinds, and indulging in dessert first! We hope you’ll join the fun because it’s all about the V with us! 


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RELEASE BOOST: “Vaughn” by Ella Fox & Rochelle Paige

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Title: Vaughn
Series: Love Under the Lights #2
Authors: Ella Fox & Rochelle Paige
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: September 16, 2019



Blurb

Gorgeous, charming, and funny, Vaughn Corbett rose far above his less than optimal beginning to become a household name. Known for being a dynamic and unflappable interviewer, no one was more surprised than he when he got tongue-tied over a gorgeous blonde in the middle of a live interview.

Allie Henderson was so focused on her career that she rarely thought about men or dating. That all changed when she came across a silver-tongued devil on the red carpet. The moment his deep blue eyes met hers, something inside her shifted.

Allie was there to support her best friend. Vaughn was just doing his job. Neither of them expected the instant, magnetic attraction that couldn’t be denied.

Would a surprise that neither of them planned on end things before they really began?







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Excerpt

The second I saw the sexy as fuck blonde in the green dress, everything shifted. When our eyes met, I was poleaxed. An intensely possessive feeling roared to life inside me. The need to touch and claim her was so extreme that I struggled not to drop my mic and go right to her. 
I was known for being a dynamic and unflappable interviewer, yet for the first time in my career, I fumbled for words and struggled for coherence. This was due to the fact that the only thing I cared about was her. Only when I realized that my segment producer had been frantically waving at me from his spot next to the stationary camera did I remember that I had a job to do. 
Forcing myself into host mode, I somehow went about interviewing the group of people the girl in the green dress was walking with. I knew who each one of them was, but her name was a mystery because she stood off to the side, and it wasn’t like I could call her over. 
The rules on the red carpet were simple and definitive. Talk to the talent and keep it moving. Assistants, friends, and family members didn’t get a lot of play, even if they were as sexy as the goddess in the green dress. It frustrated me not to know her name, but I comforted myself with the knowledge that it would only be a matter of time before I solved that mystery.
After I wrapped up my pre-show hosting duties, something that took far longer than one would imagine, I headed into the Dolby Theatre. I was seated with one of my good friends, Liam Hall. He wasn’t nominated but was presenting, so he was in a chill mood. Typically, we’d have shot the shit and pressed the flesh with the people around us, but I was so busy staring at the girl in the green dress that I didn’t have it in me to do much more than phone it in. I was smart enough to train my eyes mostly on the stage when the cameras were rolling, but every time the host threw to commercial, my attention went right back to her. I hated that she was seated so damn far away in another section.
Oscar ceremonies were known for being ridiculously long and what was scheduled as a three-hour broadcast always went over. Sometimes by seventeen minutes, and sometimes by eighty. I’d never hated the length more than I did then. I silently willed the damn show to come in on time for once, but naturally, that didn’t happen. The fucking thing dragged on longer than War and Peace.
During one of the commercial breaks, Liam leaned over and muttered, “What’s the deal with the sexy chick in the green dress you’re busy eye-stalking?” 
While it was true that I was ogling her—clearly not as covertly as I’d hoped—hearing Liam refer to her as sexy set my teeth on edge. That I had any kind of reaction to his question was unusual. I’d had a similar response when I’d seen Dane Garrison take her arm earlier. The only thing that calmed me down about that was the certainty that Dane wasn’t dating her. I knew this because Dane and I were tight. The only girls in his life on the regular were his mom, Gloria Garrison, and his daughter, Maggie. Thank fuck I’d remembered that before I made a fool of myself by telling him to get his goddamn hands off the blonde. I’d never felt territorial about anyone before, but there was no denying that I wanted—needed—her to be mine. That brought me back to Liam, who needed to know that the goddess in green was majorly off-limits.
“Call her sexy again, and we’re going to have a problem,” I grumbled, speaking low enough so only he could hear me.
Sitting back, Liam raised his brows and gave me an “are you serious” look. I dipped my head to acknowledge that yeah, I sure as fuck was. Unbothered by his obvious amusement about what was going on with me, I turned my attention back to the woman in green.






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Ella Fox

USA Today Bestselling Author Ella Fox has learned a bunch of stuff along the way but the most important of all those things is that anything is possible when you try. In 2012 she took a big leap of faith and published her first book, Broken Hart. Since then she’s written fifteen more full-length books and several novellas– and every one is a reminder that you can live your dream as long as you work for it.

Ella’s favorite things are music, movies, traveling, The Foo Fighters and, of course, reading. This isn’t a surprise considering the fact that her mom is USA Today Bestselling Author Suzanne Halliday.

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Rochelle Paige

Rochelle Paige absolutely adores reading—always has and always will. When she was growing up, her friends used to tease her when she would trail after them, trying to read and walk at the same time.  If she has downtime, odds are you will find her reading or writing.

She is the mother of two wonderful sons who have inspired her to chase her dream of being an author.  She wants them to learn from her that you can live your dream as long as you are willing to work for it.

When she told her mom that her new year’s resolution was to self-publish a book in 2013, she pretty much told her, “About time!”




RELEASE BLITZ: “A Brush with Obsession” by Theresa Papa

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Title: A Brush with Obsession
Series: The Pope Family Trilogy #1
Author: Theresa Papa
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Release Date: September 19, 2019



Blurb

Sometimes the risk is worth the reward, but maybe not.
Dreams can turn quickly into nightmares.

Law student Samantha risks her own safety in her determination to uncover what happened to her missing best friend.
The risk?
She poses as an employee in a club that caters to the sexual whims of the wealthy and powerful.
The reward?
An encounter like no other.

Two gorgeous men enter Samantha’s life at the same time and rock her world.
Falling for one of them is a dream come true.
The dream?
He’s hot, sexy and caught up in an insatiable attraction with her.
The nightmare?
A stalker with a deadly obsession threatens their lives.
With which outcome will Samantha awaken? Dream or nightmare?







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Excerpt

About to cross the street, I look up at the granite façade of Pope, Manning, and Price law firm where I’ve slaved away as an intern all summer. I’m extremely lucky to have landed an internship at such a prestigious firm in Chicago. It kind of helped that my cousin is married to John Price’s sister. But I will also admit that my 4.0 GPA didn’t hurt either. 

As I exit the elevator, my friend Dafny smiles from behind the reception desk as she holds up a coffee.

“Hey, Sam! I got you a café mocha. I hope it’s not cold since you’re in later today.”

“Thanks, Daf.” I plop my butt on her desk to talk for a minute but knock over her coffee with my purse, spilling it on her papers.

“Oh crap, hold on and I’ll get some paper towels.”

I take off running across the hall to the bathroom where there’s an “out of order” sign on the door. It doesn’t faze me, so I plow right in, proceed to trip over someone’s legs, and face plant on the bathroom floor. Totally stunned, I lift my head and shake out the cobwebs. There’s a plumber on the floor fixing the sink. 

“Shit! Ouch.” Sitting up to my side, I come face to face with a shirtless male wonder. He just sits there across from me on the tile; his elbows rest on his bent knees with this sexy dimpled smirk on his face.

“Are you having a bathroom emergency? Can I be of any assistance?”

“What the hell are you doing sprawled out across the bathroom floor!” 

My hands throb from the forceful contact with the tile floor, but I scarcely register the pain. At first, my anger consumes my senses, but that reaction is quickly replaced with my preoccupation with gawking, captivated by the man in front of me. Emerald green eyes playfully stare back at me from a face that looks vaguely familiar for some reason. Thick, wavy dark hair falls haphazardly over his forehead as he runs his fingers through it to tame it back into place. The planes of his muscular chest and arms move seductively under his golden skin as he effortlessly jumps to his feet and holds out a hand to help me from the floor. Speechless, I take it, and he lifts me quickly off the floor, pulling me directly against his muscular torso. The heat of his body permeates through my clothes, and I melt against his firmness. He holds me close, his lips almost touching my ear as he uses the same harsh words I did seconds before.

“What the hell are you doing ignoring the sign I put on the door and how about paying attention where you’re walking?”

I put both hands on his chest and push him away as hard as my strength will allow. It’s like trying to move a brick wall, though, and he barely budges. His gaze travels downward to my chest heaving with deep breaths. This only entertains him further as his eyes change to darker emerald. I quickly look away flustered by the heat that rises in my core.

“Well, I had an emergency and needed paper towels right away to wipe up coffee someone spilled.” Aren’t you an arrogant asshole! Too bad all those good looks are wasted on you.

He removes his arms from around me and steps back toward the sink. Pulling down a handful of paper towels, he turns around and holds them out to me.

“Here you go. Try to be more careful next time.”

Raising my chin, I try to grab the towels with a huff, but he won’t let go. His eyes sparkle mischievously when I look up at him to show me, he means no real malice. We pause, I soften my expression, and he smiles relinquishing the towels. Then his fingers glide up my wrist, sending warm pulses through me. As I make my exit with one quick look back his dimples are deep and a full set of white straight teeth taunt me. Laughter echoes off of the bathroom walls behind me. Taking a moment to compose myself, I lean against the wall in the hallway. What the hell just happened? I use the paper towels to fan myself and reflect on the excitement from him holding me so close. Then I remember that I left Dafny with coffee all over her desk and run to help her clean up.






Author Bio


Theresa is a self-published author of fiction. Originally, from a suburb just outside of Chicago, she now resides in Arizona living out her dream of a life from which she never needs a vacation. She and her husband of thirty-two years have two daughters who are the most important part of their world. Theresa’s big Italian family extends throughout the country with a rich and flavorful history. Much of that history spurs ideas for the stories she creates. Make sure you visit the Art Imitates Life in the back of every one of her books. It’s fun to see where ideas are born.


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RELEASE BLITZ: “Out of the Shadow” by Arell Rivers

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Title: Out of the Shadow
Series: Hunte Family #2
Author: Arell Rivers
Genre: Steamy Celebrity Contemporary Romance
Release Date: September 19, 2019



Blurb

All’s fair in love, war…and reality TV

Nothing ever came easy to Angie Russo. Hard work, loyalty, and sheer grit made her the kick-ass realtor she is today. But when her best still isn’t good enough, Angie decides to try something different. Maybe a stint on the new real estate reality show can give her the notoriety she needs to push her firm to #1. Her chances of winning the show’s prize are high…until she meets the entitled, cavalier, and all-too-sexy jerk she’s competing against.

Angie’s big chance is King Hunte’s rock bottom. He screwed up big, and he needs money fast. The silly real estate competition should be a breeze to win. Or, at least it would be, if not for the sassy, determined, and ridiculously desirable Angie. King’s suddenly forced to work harder than he ever has, and he’s shocked to find that he actually enjoys it…almost as much as he savors the combustible chemistry he shares with his prickly co-star.

Just as Angie discovers there’s more to King than meets the eye, King realizes Angie could be the key to the life he’s always secretly wanted. When a ghost from the past emerges to threaten their future together, Angie and King must overcome the obstacles the show—and life—throw at them, or see their shot at love end before the first commercial break.







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Author Bio

For as long as Arell Rivers can remember, she has been lost in a book. During her senior year in college, she picked up a Danielle Steel novel … and instantly was hooked on romance.

Arell started writing her first novel because the characters were screaming at her to do so. The story started coming out in her dreams and attacking her in the shower, so she took to the computer to shut them up. But they kept talking.

Born and raised in New Jersey, Arell has what some may call a “checkered past.” Prior to discovering her passion for writing romance, she practiced law, was a wedding and event planner and even dabbled in marketing. Arell lives with a very supportive husband and two mischievous cats. When not in her writing cave, Arell is found making dinner in the crock pot, working out with Shaun T or hitting the beach.

Arell is a PAN member (Published Author Network) of the New Jersey chapter of Romance Writers of America.


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RELEASE BLITZ: “Decidedly by Chance” by Stina Lindenblatt

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Title: Decidedly by Chance
Series: By the Bay #5
Author: Stina Lindenblatt
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Release Date: September 19, 2019



Blurb

She’s pregnant with another man’s baby.
He’s now the father to his little niece.
A sexy romance with all the feels!

Single Mom-To-Be Rule #1: watch out for those horny hormones.

Oops.

After a childhood of bouncing from one foster home to another and a series of failed relationships, I’ve taken matters into my own hands when it comes to starting a family.

Or rather, someone else’s hand. And a plastic cup.

I’d rather be a single mom than be let down again, and I’m definitely not looking for a baby daddy. That includes sexy workaholic game designer Wes Chiasson, thank you very much.

***

My software company has been my number one, two, and three priorities. But that all changes when I suddenly become the guardian of my three-year-old niece. Now my world has turned topsy-turvy with princesses and little-girl tea parties.

When Hannah Morrell needs a place to stay after the pipes in her apartment burst, I invite her to move in with my niece and me. Hannah is a pediatric nurse, and given my situation, who could ask for a better roommate?

Sounds easy. Right?

It is—until emotions get tossed into the mix. Because if there’s one thing history has taught Hannah, it’s that the people who’ve gained her love can’t be trusted.

And now I have to put my heart on the line to prove otherwise.







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Excerpt

Wes
The next morning, I walked into Connor’s office without knocking first. “What can you tell me about a Philip Stevenson? He’s a lawyer at Long and Fairbrother.”
“Any reason why you’re asking?”
“A friend of mine might be doing some business with him, and I want to make sure there’s nothing sketchy about him.”
All right, that wasn’t exactly the truth, but it was close enough. Business. Date. They were pretty much kissing cousins on the grand scale of things, especially where Hannah was concerned.
I knew Hannah’s dating life wasn’t any of my business. It was her choice if she wanted to date some loser—as long as said loser wasn’t also a big creep.
Which was why I was in Connor’s office. As Hannah’s new roommate, it was my duty to ensure things were on the up-and-up with this Philip guy.
“Give me three hours, and I’ll see what I can find,” Conner said.
“Great. Thanks. I owe you one.”
“You owe him what?” Jayden asked, strolling into the office. He handed Connor a short stack of files. “I need a level-four background check on these five guys.”
“I’m right on it.”
“Great. So let’s return to what Wes owes you…” He looked between us, expectantly.
“Have you considered the possibility that it has nothing to do with you?” I inwardly groaned. That was the worst thing I could have said to Jayden. It only spiked his curiosity.
“I have—for maybe one second. Two, tops. So spill it. What’s going on here?”
“Wes needed to run a check on some lawyer,” Connor told him.
“Why does Wes need you to do that?” Liam’s voice came from the doorway behind me.
I twisted away from the desk. “Why is everyone suddenly curious about what I’m doing?”
Jayden smirked. “Because we know whatever you’re up to is bound to be entertaining.”
Connor adopted an identical expression. “He’s got a point there.”
“Looks like we’re all in agreement.” Liam crossed his arms, demonstrating the bad-guy-beware stance he had perfected while with the SEALs.
“All right, if you really must know. A stranger asked Hannah out on a date, and I want to make sure she’s not going out with someone who’s bad news.”
“Are we talking about Hannah Morrell? The woman who’s one step away from getting her black belt, the woman who knows how to look after herself?”
The smirks on Connor’s and Jayden’s faces grew wider.
“That would be the one. Normally I would agree that she knows how to take care of herself. But she’s pregnant now, so I don’t think it’s a bad idea to ensure that she isn’t in over her head.”
All three men exchanged looks.
Shit.
“And for the record, you didn’t hear about the pregnant part from me. She’s going to tell everyone”—I looked pointedly at Liam—“including your fiancée, when she’s ready.”
Did you hear that? That was the sound of a pin dropping against Connor’s desk. That was how quiet the room was after my little announcement.
Liam was the first to get over his shock. “Hannah is pregnant?”
“I don’t suppose you’re the father?” That would be Jayden.
“Why would you even think that?”
“Because everyone knows you used to have a thing for her.” Jayden might have said it, but his tone implied I still had a thing for her.
“I didn’t have a thing for her, and I still don’t.” Right, just be happy that lightning can’t hit you inside a building, dumbass, an annoying voice in my head said. “And no, I’m not the father.”
“Do you know who the father is?” Liam asked. “Connor can do a background check on him. Just to be sure she won’t be dealing with some major headaches down the line.”
“Is that the guy you want me to do the check on?” Connor asked. “Is he the father?”
I shook my head, even though I had no idea if Philip the lawyer made a recent deposit at the sperm bank. Even if he had, chances were slim that Hannah ended up with his sperm. “No. He’s just a stranger she met in a store yesterday, and he asked her out on a date.”
“Okay, Connor, do the background check on Hannah’s date first. And then report back to us.”
“Us?” I asked.
“Yes, us. We want to know what we’re dealing with. We all like Hannah, and she’s my fiancée’s friend. If Ava even suspects I haven’t done my due diligence when it comes to Hannah’s dating life, I could end up losing my balls. And I’ve grown quite attached to them, no pun intended.”
I almost felt sorry for Hannah’s idiot date if Connor did turn up dirt on him. If the guys’ expressions were anything to go by, he’d be canceling soon after.
But none of this surprised me. The team had already dealt with the individual who had been fast on the draw when it came to towing Hannah’s vehicle. Connor had found dirt on him, and Jayden and Liam had a little chat with the douchebag to make sure he demonstrated restraint in the future.
“Is he picking her up for the date, or is she meeting him somewhere?” Jayden asked.
“She said she’s meeting him at Swizzle Sticks Lounge.” It was some fancy-ass place I’d taken a couple of dates to in the past.
“Time?”
“That part didn’t come up in our conversation yesterday.” I was lucky I even found out his name and where they were meeting up.
And that was only because she wasn’t expecting me to crash the date.
“Not a problem,” Liam said. “We can set up a detail to follow her from Travis’s building.”
“What exactly are you guys planning to do?”
“Quite simple. Jayden and Isabelle will show up at the meeting and make sure everything goes smoothly.”
My gaze shifted to Jayden. “You mean you two will be pretending to be on a date?”
“More like two colleagues going out after work to discuss work-related matters.”
Plausible? Quite possibly. “There’s only one problem with that plan,” I said, stalling on revealing the next part. “Hannah isn’t staying with Travis and Emma anymore.”
Liam’s eyebrows raised in either surprise or disbelief. “She’s already found a new apartment?”
“Not exactly. She’s moving into my condo this afternoon.”
Whatever emotion Liam had experienced with my first revelation had just done an unexpected U-turn. It was now fully in the disbelief zone.
“She’s moving in with you?” Liam asked, enunciating each word slowly.
“Well, not permanently. Just until she finds a new apartment. She wanted to give Travis and Emma some alone time before they become new parents.”
I’d already revealed the part about her being pregnant. I had no intention of also mentioning about the audio porn and her heightened level of horniness, thanks to the pregnancy.
A level of horniness her dumbass date might get to appreciate—unless Jayden and Isabelle succeeded in disrupting his plans.
What does it matter if she and the dumbass have sex? the annoying voice in my head asked.
I ignored it.
“But why with you?” Liam asked.
“Because I invited her to stay with me while she’s searching for a new apartment. But you have to admit, it’s a brilliant move on my part. She’s a pediatric nurse, and who knows kids better than a nurse who specializes in them? She’s about five steps ahead of where I am as Everly’s guardian and uncle.”
I had expected them to see the genius behind my inviting Hannah to stay with Everly and me. Instead, skepticism stared back at me.
“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” Liam finally voiced.
“Why wouldn’t it be? She needs a place to stay. And now she has plenty of time to find the right apartment to move into. She doesn’t have to settle for less. I’ve seen some of the locations she’s been looking at. If you’d seen them, you would agree with me, too. They weren’t the right apartments for her to raise her baby.” And because I was on a roll, I threw in for added benefit, “Apartment hunting is exhausting and stressful enough when you aren’t pregnant. Hannah doesn’t need that extra stress now that she is pregnant.”
Slam. Dunk.
Clearly, the guys didn’t agree with me. The skepticism had been turned up several notches.
“Honestly, there’s nothing going on between us. So don’t make more of this than there is. I’m just being there for her as a friend. Any of you guys would do the same if you were in my situation.”
Yep, that didn’t do much to erase their disbelieving expressions either. “Do you want me to text you when she leaves for her date?” I asked Jayden.
“That will work. But first things first. I need to check that Isabelle is free tonight.”
“Tell her it’s for work,” Liam called after him. “She’s been after me to let her be more hands-on with our cases,” he added once Jayden was out the door. “Hopefully this will appease her for a while.”
Connor leaned back in his chair. “It’s one of our least dangerous cases.”
Right—not dangerous at all. Unless Hannah puts two plus two together when Jayden and Isabelle mysteriously show up at the same location as her and her dumbass date.
I kept that thought to myself.
Jayden returned a few minutes later to let us know Isabelle had agreed to the scheme. Connor got to work on gathering intel on Hannah’s date, and the rest of us returned to our own jobs.
Several hours later, we were in his office again, ready to hear the dirt on Philip Stevenson.
“I swear, he has to be the most boring man on the planet,” Connor said. “He’s a contract lawyer with no dings on any aspect of his work ethics. He hasn’t had a single speeding ticket, parking ticket, or accident. He has lived in San Francisco his entire life. His mother owns a store that specializes in Christmas and his father is an accountant. He volunteers once a month at the food bank and plays racquetball twice a week with a colleague, who was also his best friend in high school.”
By boring, I assumed Connor was referring to the man’s lack of a criminal record.
Or an indication that Hannah was in for a very dull night.
None of this matters, I reminded myself. As long as she has fun and he’s not a jerk, that’s all that matters.
Nope, I didn’t believe that either.






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Author Bio


Born in Brighton England, Stina Lindenblatt has lived in a number of countries, including England, the US, Finland, and Canada. This would explain her mixed up accent. She has a kinesiology degree and a MSc in sports biological sciences. In addition to writing fiction, she loves photography, especially the close-up variety, and currently lives in Calgary, Canada, with her husband and three kids.


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