Overruled-Blogger tour and Excerpt!!

“You gonna catch me if I fall, Becks?”

Overruled, an all-new heat-filled, marriage-of-convenience in The Defiant Kings Series from USA Today bestselling author Bella Matthews is available now!

BLURB:

“You gonna catch me if I fall, Becks?”

I should have known those words, whispered to my best friend’s brother, would come back to haunt me . . . But I had no idea he’d be the only one who could save me when my world threatens to come crashing down.

Becket Kingston is a lot of things. Tall, dark and deliciously handsome, he’s corded muscle hidden beneath an expensive suit, with eyes the color of an angry ocean, and a sharp tongue good for so many things.

And this future US Senator with a brain even bigger than his bank account is about to be my fake husband.

It was supposed to be easy . . . until it wasn’t. This relationship we carefully curated for the public has become something completely different behind closed doors—and the occasional open ones.

I knew we needed to lie to everyone we loved to pull this off.

But how long can we lie to ourselves?

Start reading today!

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EXCERPT:

Juliette

I wake up the next morning with a killer headache and a foggy memory of last night.

Shots on the beach with Becket Kingston.

A lot of shots.

What the hell was I thinking, drinking like that with him?

I don’t typically have more than a single drink. It’s not worth the hassle. But apparently, that didn’t matter last night. With a bass drum beating a nasty rhythm behind my eyes, I look around the room, quickly realize it’s not mine, and then pull the covers over my head. “No  .  .  .”

The blanket is pulled slowly from my body, and the deliciously gorgeous man in question stands at the foot of the bed. “Get out of bed, Juliette. The plane takes off in three hours.”

I sit up, grateful to be wearing a t-shirt, even if it does smell like Becks. If I thought I could get away with it, I’d try to inhale the intoxicating scent, but he’s watching me. Not all men smell good, but this one always does. Like fresh rain and something else. Something sexy.

“Remind me again why I’m in your bed  .  .  . and your clothes, Becks.”

He drags his sweat-drenched t-shirt over his head and tosses it into an open suitcase. I guess Prince Charming just came back from a run on the beach. My eyes stall, unavoidably glued to his glistening abs. All eight of them.

What the hell is Becket doing with an eight-pack?

He works in an office and wears suits for a living.

“My eyes are up here, Juliette.”

Fucker.

“You’re in my room because you went a little heavy on the shots last night and couldn’t remember which room was yours.”

Relief washes over me in a cool, refreshing wave. Lenny’s brother is fun to fight with, but that’s all he can ever be. “Right. Sorry about that. I can’t believe I drank so much. It’s been years since I’ve wasted carbs on alcohol. I guess it hit me harder than I thought it would.”

I stand up, stretch out my legs, and tug the tee down over my ass. Then I look up at him.

I always liked that Lenny’s brothers are taller than me. It happens less than you think when you’re five foot ten. “So, you let me sleep in your bed? Where did you sleep?”

Becks chuckles a deep, gravelly laugh that sends a tingle down my body. “It’s a king-sized bed, Juliette. I slept on the other side.” Before I can say anything else, he adds, “Nothing happened.”

“Oh, thank God,” I laugh nervously. “Phew. Lenny would have killed me if I defiled you.”

Becket saunters closer and drags a finger up my neck, sending a violent shiver down my spine. “You might want to remember that the next time you decide to strip out of your clothes in front of a man, Juliette. I doubt most would show the same restraint I did.”

For a second, I feel bad.

“But it’s nice to see the carpet really does match the drapes.”

Fuck feeling bad. Now I feel stabby. Asshole.

I grab my clothes off the floor and find my purse on the dresser. “You’ve always got to ruin the nice moments by being a dick, Becket.”

“See you on the plane, Jules.” His lips tip up into a crooked, cocky smile, and if I had any panties on, they’d spontaneously burst into flames. There’s just something about Becket Kingston. Damn him.

I’m pretty sure I growl in response.

Great. One week with the Kingstons, and I’m as feral as the rest of them.

I let myself out of his hut, and yup  .  .  . this morning has officially gotten worse. Lenny, her husband, Bash, and their two boys are talking to her brother Hudson and his wife, Maddie, and their daughter. All of them—even the kids—stop talking as soon as I walk out onto the sand, and I want to crawl in a hole and die. Maybe I should have put my dress back on, but in my defense, Becket’s t-shirt is the same length on my legs as my dress was. I watch as Lenny’s brows shoot up in question before she looks behind me at the damn hut.

And of course, that’s when Becket opens the door.

“You forgot your shoes—” The words hang heavy in the air when he walks into me because I don’t move. Frozen, even though I’m completely off balance.

Becks steadies me with his hands on my hips, and I swallow down my quickly rising hysteria.

Everyone is staring.

“You didn’t,” Lenny hisses, low and mean. Bash ushers her boys down the path toward the main resort before they see their mother explode. “Please, sweet baby Jesus, tell me you did not screw my best friend.”

Oh  .  .  . She’s pissed at him. Oops.

“Really, Eleanor?” Becks taunts her.

“Len  .  .  . we didn’t.” I try to end the conversation before these two get into a fight. “I was drunk and couldn’t find my key. I slept here. Slept, Len. That’s all.”

Lenny eyes me skeptically while Hudson laughs. These damn Kingston men are all such shits. His wife slaps his chest and takes their daughter’s tiny hand in hers. “Come on, Hud. We need to get breakfast before the flight home.”

Hudson tips his chin toward Becket and me. “Bet you two worked up quite an appetite.”

“You’re awful.” Maddie pushes him to move, then looks back at me with a playful smile.

“But I wouldn’t mind hearing about it on the plane.”

“Oh my God.” I blush furiously. “There’s nothing to tell. We literally slept.” I cringe and step away from Becket while my best friend shakes herself out of whatever crazed trance she’s fallen into.

“Whatever.” She throws her hands up in the air and slants her eyes my way. “You’re miles better than Medusa. Just don’t hurt him.” She tosses a calculated look back at her brother.

“Becket is a serial monogamist.”

“Eleanor,” Becks stops her.

I reach out and grab Lenny’s arm. “Seriously, Len. Nothing happened.”

Her oldest son, Maverick, comes flying down the path. “Come on, Mommy. We’re hungry.”

“Mommy’s coming, sweetie.” She scoops him up on her hip and kisses his mop of floppy brown hair, then looks over his head at Becks and me. “We’ll talk about this on the plane.”

I watch her walk away and cringe as I turn toward Becket, who’s holding my shoes with a wicked grin. “She absolutely thinks we slept together.”

“I’ve seen your dates in the tabloids, Jules. You could do worse.” Becks winks and walks away, leaving me in the sand, ready to scream.

Learn more about Bella Matthews and her releases by visiting her websites:

https://www.authorbellamatthews.com

Contractually Yours-Release Blitz, Excerpt and Review!!

 BLURB

Jewelry heiress Lucienne Peery needs a husband in order to take full control of her company and arranges for a mutually beneficial marriage. When she catches her fiancé in bed with her sister, she demands to marry his older brother instead. And his family agrees to avoid handing over 30% of their own company for breaking the marriage contract.

She only plans to stay married until her control is firmly established. But she does the unthinkable and falls in love with her husband...

When the ruthless and iron-willed Sebastian Lasker is forced to marry a woman fully as scandalous as his embarrassing, disreputable father, he vows revenge. Nobody manipulates him and gets away with it. He’s going to strip her of what she wants from the marriage and get rid of her.

But pride and fortune aren’t the only things at stake as he realizes he can’t let her go...

Contractually Yours is full of a yummy arranged marriage, dislike-to-love, forced proximity, my wife moments, man-grovel and a happy ending.

 

 BUY LINKS

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 GOODREADS LINK: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/130378029-contractually-yours

 My Review:

My Rating: 4 Stars

Lucienne needs a husband in order to gain control of her grandfather's company due to some outdated rules about female owners need to be married or over 30 in order run the company themselves. She will do nothing to stop her from running Peery Diamonds even if she has to arrange a marriage. After finding her fiancé in bed with her sister, Lucienne demands she marry his older brother or they will lose 30% of their company. Sebastian is sick of having to clean up his family's mess, but this time he's going to get revenge. As Sebastian and Luce co-exist they realize the other might not be exactly who they thought they were when agreed to this plan and as the two spend time together the lines get more and more blurred between them.

I enjoyed this book and the small cameos of Sebastian's half brothers making appearances. This book can be read as a standalone, but it is fun watching all of the brother's falling for their women. I also loved how she tied in other characters from her other books in this one besides the brothers. I felt so much empathy for Luce. She's just trying to be successful and live her life but one thing after another just keeps trying to push her down, but she keeps standing up! If your looking for a arranged marriage, dislike at first, sexy, funny story then this book is for you.

EXCERPT

 My ex gives me a once-over and smirks. “Oh, I get it. Looking for a husband.”

I try not to snort. He doesn’t watch the news—thinks it’s boring—and his family apparently hasn’t updated him about my new status. Maybe they disowned him. Wouldn’t that be great?

He continues, “I don’t know why you waste your time like this. Look, I’m happy to let it go if you’ll just see the light and change your mind about our—”

“Don’t hold your breath.” He’s dumber than I thought, bringing up the engagement when I still can’t find enough mind bleach to erase seeing him with my sister.

“There you are,” comes Sebastian’s voice from behind me. “Oh, hello, Preston.”

When he stops next to me, I put my arm around his waist. “What perfect timing.” I smile up at him.

He gives me a mildly curious look, but wraps an arm around my shoulders.

See? This is what you get when you’re with a smart man. He knows the role you’d like him to play without your having to spell it out. The fact that he’s willing to play along without some prior commitment to reciprocate warms my heart. So many people want something first before doing anything for me.

Preston’s brow knits as he takes in the tableau. “You guys are together?”

I triple the wattage of my smile. “Preston, have you met my husband, Sebastian Lasker?”

“What?” His shout rings in the wide-open space. “You can’t marry him!”

“I can’t? Oh, that’s too bad.” I tighten my hold on Sebastian, pressing my side against his. “’Cause I kinda already did.” I extend my left hand, so Preston can see my gorgeous Toi et Moi ring and the wedding band.

Sebastian flashes his as well. Man, we make a great team.

Preston blinks rapidly, his eyes fixed on our hardware. Finally, he jerks his head up, his face blotchy. “Why would you want him when you could have me?”

“Seriously? Are you blind?” I ask.

“I can see well enough to know those diamonds are tiny compared to the one I was going to give you!” He points at my finger.

I drop my gaze to his crotch for a second before lifting it back up. “His is both bigger and better than yours.”

Preston looks like he just got punched in the face by Mike Tyson. Sebastian shakes against me in silent laughter.

“What’s so funny?” Preston snarls.

“You.” Sebastian lets the laugh out. “You’re third-rate comedy, but at least you’re entertaining.” He wipes tears from his eyes.

Preston turns to me. “You bitch! It’s all your fault he’s mocking me!”

Sebastian steps forward, pulling away from my arm around his waist, as the mirth melts from his face. “Watch your tone if you want to keep your teeth. Nobody talks to my wife with disrespect.”

I pat his back a few times, to let him know it isn’t necessary for him to react like this. Part of me is flattered and moved that he’s defending me, but another part feels a bit unworthy of his protection because… Well, I did force him to marry me.

Preston slashes the air with his arm. “She’s my fiancée!”

“She was. You call my wife your fiancée again, and I’ll break your face.”

AUTHOR BIO

 New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Nadia Lee writes sexy, emotional contemporary romance. Born with a love for excellent food, travel and adventure, she has lived in four different countries, kissed stingrays, been bitten by a shark, ridden an elephant and petted tigers.

Currently, she shares a condo overlooking a small river and sakura trees in Japan with her husband and son. When she’s not writing, she can be found reading books by her favorite authors or planning another trip.

Stay in touch with her via her website, http://www.nadialee.net, or her blog http://www.nadialee.net/blog

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 Website: http://www.nadialee.net

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Unexpectedly Mine-Blog Tour and Excerpt!

Forget holy matrimony, I’m going to lower my expectations for one night.

Unexpectedly Mine, an all-new steamy and swoon-filled marriage-of-convenience romantic comedy from bestselling author Erin Hawkins is available now!

BLURB:

Emma

Since the man I thought I would be walking down the aisle with broke up with me, I’ve been focused on my business.

As the designer of Emma Belle Bridal Gowns, headlining the Blushing Bride Convention in Las Vegas has been the highlight of my year. And the legendary editor of The Dress magazine wants to feature me in their upcoming issue?

A dream come true.

And it’s my birthday! Nothing can get me down…except maybe my ex’s engagement splashed across social media.

What’s a girl to do other than drink a truck load of champagne and see a male revue show?

When a dancer pulls me up on stage, the chemistry between us is undeniable.

Forget holy matrimony, I’m going to lower my expectations for one night.

One night that just may last forever.

Griffin

One last night…

After twelve years raising my baby sister, Sophie, and dancing for Las Vegas’s top male revue in order to pay bills and ensure she graduates college, I’m ready to hang up my tearaway pants and start a new life.

My intentions were to protect Emma, a captivating and tipsy woman at the show, from doing something she regrets. With chemistry neither of us can deny, the night takes an unexpected turn and we find ourselves waking up married.

It happens. We’ll correct our mistakes and move on.

But with a viral wedding video, our nuptials end up on Page Six, and Emma needs me in New York to play the part of doting new husband for a career-boosting interview.

I’ll play the part, do what she asks, then we’ll part ways.

Emma’s smart, enchanting and beautiful…and completely unexpected.

But right now, I have nothing to offer a woman like her, let alone forever.

Start reading today!

FREE in Kindle Unlimited

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EXCERPT:

“TWO MONTHS!! WTF!!!” I say as I type it out.

From somewhere in front of me someone clears their throat.

Caught off guard, my phone slips out of my hand and I lunge forward in an attempt to catch it. With my body no longer being used as a door stop, the metal door slams closed behind me. The ominous sound of an automatic lock clicking into place doesn’t stop me from checking the handle anyway. Yup, locked. Oh shit. The waitress said not to close the door. But then I remember the throat clearing and my attention is drawn behind me. A man has stepped from the dark corners of the rooftop toward the door where the single overhead bulb illuminates him just enough to display his large frame.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.” He reaches out a hand. My brain isn’t receiving messages as to what for because it’s too distracted by the cords of muscle that make up this man’s forearm. The light brown hair and the prominent vein that runs the length of said arm are the ultimate accessories to his god-like forearms. It’s a body part that shouldn’t make me flustered, but I’ve never seen forearms like his before. Surely this is some illusion, a trick of light or a flex pose made possible by the weight of my phone, a mere five ounces. That’s the reason he’s got his arm outstretched. 

“I thought you were talking to someone. I wanted you to know you weren’t alone up here.”

“I was talking to myself,” I say, finally accepting my phone. “Not in a weird way. I was processing out loud. I do that sometimes. Okay, a lot.”

His response is a deep chuckle, which draws my attention upward to his face.

How have I not even looked at his face? Oh, that’s right, I was too busy drooling over the forearm porn he was providing me with. My eyes roam up his body. And in case anyone’s wondering, he’s no Popeye. His forearms are perfectly proportionate to the rest of his muscular frame. He definitely works out. Maybe even plays a sport. Back to his face. It’s good. Better than good. Square jaw, defined nose, enough scruff on his chin to tell the world he’s got plenty of testosterone pumping through his veins. Thick, sandy brown hair that’s long enough to have a slight wave in it. I can’t tell what color his eyes are in the dim light, but when he smiles, they fill with humor and a dimple appears in his left cheek.

I know that because he’s smiling at me right now.

“It’s my birthday,” I announce out of nowhere.

He’s probably thrilled that he’s stuck out here with an excellent conversationalist like myself.

“Happy birthday.”

“Thanks.” The goofy smile that forms on my face is surprising. Why is this guy making me feel giddy? Maybe it’s the champagne.

I realize that I’m a little too excited about being trapped on a rooftop with a stranger. A man with muscles like that could easily overpower me, yet there’s nothing about this man’s demeanor that makes me feel that way. In fact, it’s the opposite. The way he stands with his hands buried in his front pockets, casual and sweet. I’d expect a guy that looks like him to be cocky and self-possessed. My eyes drop to his crotch, then quickly away. Why did I just do that? I was thinking about being cocky and that made me think of…my eyes lower again to the bulge in his jeans. The alcohol running through my veins apparently gives them free rein to ogle men’s crotches.

“Did I just lock us out here?” I motion to the shut door behind me.

“Nah. I’ve got a key.

”“Oh.” I nod. That should be a relief, yet I’m suddenly disappointed that we aren’t stuck out here together. That this isn’t some fated romantic encounter destined for me on my birthday.

“So, we won’t need to lie in each other’s arms to stay warm when the desert temps fall later tonight?”

When I realize what I just said, my cheeks burn with embarrassment, or maybe that’s the champagne gone to my head. And this guy’s sexy smile has gone straight to my lady parts.

Learn more about Erin Hawkins and her releases by visiting her social media:

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Shaken- Review and Excerpt!!

 Sawyer Kingston is an A**hole.

Shaken, an all-new steamy, banter-filled, enemies with benefits romance from the USA Today bestselling author Bella Matthews is live now!

BLURB:

Sawyer Kingston is an A**hole.

The thing is, he’s got everyone fooled. To them, he’s the gorgeous billionaire who owns the hottest bar in the city.

To me, he’s the cocky jerk whose favorite pastime has always been torturing me.

The only thing we’ve ever agreed on is our mutual dislike for each other.

But that was before I moved in next-door to him, and we shockingly agreed on something else.

There’s a fine line between love and hate.

The problem is . . . I think I crossed that line.

Start reading today!

FREE in Kindle Unlimited

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My Review:
My Rating: 5 Stars!

WOW! I have to say I don't even remember how I stumbled across Bella's writing, but I am so glad I did because she has a way of telling the most amazing stories. Sawyer is one of the middle children in the Kingston family of 9 siblings. Wren and Sawyer's dads were good friends and work buddies so the two grew up with each other, however they both knew how to push the other's buttons. Now Wren is moving back to Kroyton Hills and just happens to move in next door to Sawyer. As the two keep running into each other more than verbal sparring happens and the fact is that there is a thin line between love and hate.

I absolutely loved both Wren and Sawyer. I loved their witty banter and the chemistry between the two of them was incredible. This is definitely an enemies to lovers story with the verbal sparring that goes on between the two. Sawyer pushed Wren out of her comfort zone and made her want something just for her. Wren was a strong female heroine who could challenge Sawyer. They just helped bring out the best in each other. Don't even get me started on the dandelion thing because WOW! For a multitude of reasons that I can't share without giving spoilers, but I absolutely loved the end with them. 

While you don't need to read the other books in this series, I would recommend it because you get to see the other Kingston siblings in this book and Bella's writing is just amazing. There were definitely some great sibling moments in this book and I love how we get to see the siblings and their significant others pop up in the other Kingston sibling books without taking over the story. I can't wait to read Jace's book because I know he's going to fall hard. Honestly I didn't want to put this book down because it was amazing and I recommend not starting this at night because you won't sleep! It is that good! I have read all of Bella's books so far and even when I think I have a favorite Kingston it changes because they are all amazing in different ways.

EXCERPT:

I bend down and pick up the chewed-up piece of black rubber. “Is this a dog’s toy?”

Ten seconds later, a brown and white bulldog barrels across the frozen front lawn and screeches to a halt at my feet. Drool drips from its mouth, and big, excited eyes stare up at me as its stubby tail wags so quickly, I think it might be about to take flight. “Well, hello there.” I squat down and pull my mitten off, then offer my hand for the dog to sniff. It must decide I’m safe because a wet, pink tongue licks from the tips of my fingers to the cuff of my sweater. “Aren’t you a cutie?”

I’m nearly knocked over when that same tongue licks the side of my face...just seconds before a voice I hear equally in both my dreams and my nightmares stops me dead in my tracks. “Zeus, come.”

The clipped tone grates on my nerves like nails on a chalkboard. But when I raise my eyes to the asshole himself, my heart skips that same damn beat it always has around him.

Traitorous heart.

But seriously, he’s the epitome of tall, dark, and handsome—a little over six feet, with lean muscles, nearly black hair in desperate need of a cut, endless midnight-blue eyes, and a perfectly trimmed beard that I bet would feel fabulous against my skin.

Imagine Damon Salvatore but taller, stronger, and more dangerous to your heart.

He loved torturing me as a child. I loved trying to prove I was smarter than him as a teenager.

Which, by the way, I was. It was all in good fun, until it wasn’t.

“Kingston.” I stand up and cross my arms.

Okay, so that might have come off as more of a sneer than a greeting. But this is what Sawyer Kingston has always done to me. I’m a nice person. At least to everyone else. I bring babies into the world. People love me. But gah, this man has always brought out the worst in me.

“Red,” he smiles that million-dollar smile of his, all perfectly straight white teeth gleaming back at me, and damn him for looking better now at twenty-eight than the egomaniac did at eighteen. “I heard a rumor you were moving into our neighborhood.”

Oh no you don’t. “I’m sorry, whose neighborhood?”

His smile grows broader, toothier, cockier.

Shit.

No. No. No, no, no.

Sawyer scratches behind Zeus’s ears, and the dog’s entire body vibrates with excitement. Leave it to him to name his damn dog after the king of the gods. “Didn’t Quinn tell you?” He reaches forward and takes the chewed-up rubber out of my hand, then lifts his brows in question at Quinn.

“Tell her what?” she squeaks, and I hold my breath, knowing this isn’t going to be good.

“I figured you knew.” Sawyer points to the beautiful house to the left of mine.

“That house over there is mine. Hudson and I have been buying properties around the lake for a few years, and I thought it was time to move out of my condo and get a little more privacy here.” One side of his mouth tips up in a cocky smirk, and my fingers burn with the urge to smack it right off his face. “Looks like we’re going to be neighbors.”

For a moment, I stand frozen, staring at him.

Then I look from my house to his and wonder how hard it would be to ask the movers to pack everything back up and put it in storage. I could stay with Quinn for a few more days. A week maybe. Just until I can find another place.

“You okay, Red?” He points at my head and laughs. “You’ve got a little smoke coming out of your ears.”

Oh hell no. “Absolutely. I was just thinking how convenient it must be to live two houses down from your brother. When you get scared at night, the big bad MMA fighter can come and check your closets for you. I’m assuming the whole bed-wetting issue has cleared itself up. If not, I could probably prescribe something to help with that.”

“It was one time,” he bites back, and I smile my best pageant smile at him and tsk.

“Whatever you say.” I link my arm through Quinn’s. “See you later, Sawyer.” With a little wiggle of my fingers, I wave goodbye and drag Quinn toward my house. But not before Sawyer gets the last word.

“You can bet on it.”

In a move I can only call a momentary case of complete insanity, I turn my head and look back over my shoulder and catch Sawyer—the asshole—Kingston watching me walk away. His hand rests on Zeus’s head, and his eyes are glued to my ass. I may add a little extra swing to my hips as we walk into my house.

Eat your heart out, asshole.

For more information on Bella Matthews’s books and where to contact her, visit her

website: https://bit.ly/bellamatthews.com

Caged- Review and Excerpt!!

 He makes me feel things I’ve never felt before and want things I didn’t think I ever would.

Caged, a must-read friends-to-lovers MMA romance full of heat from USA Today bestselling author Bella Matthews is available now!

BLURB:

Why are the cocky ones always the hardest to resist?

Because this man . . . this man is temptation personified.

He’s six feet, four inches of rock-solid, golden muscles that are inked to perfection and proudly displayed every time he steps into the cage. And I’m the idiot who agreed to stay with him for the next few days.

Hudson “The King” Kingston knew he had a fight coming up when he risked himself to save me. How could I say no when he needed a friend to help him out?

Because that’s exactly what we’ve always been—friends.

Friends who flirt.

Friends who tease.

Friends who never cross that line.

Ever.

The problem is the more time we spend together, the more things shift between us.

But no matter how much I wish he could be my first, he’s never been a relationship guy, and I refuse to settle for anything less.

I know I can trust him with my life, but can I trust him with my heart?

Start reading today!

FREE in Kindle Unlimited

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My Review:
My Rating: 4.5 Stars

This is the latest book to include one of the Kingston siblings, Hudson. Hudson is a renowned MMA fighter whose focus in life is being the best fighter out there and is a huge flirt. Maddie Dixon works Social Media for some of the Philadelphia Kings football players and teaches yoga at the same pace Hudson trains. The two have flirted for years, but that is all it has ever been, especially with Maddie having a rough childhood. After Hudson gets injured saving Maddie the two end up spending more time together and the flirtations start to become something more. Can Maddie overcome her past to let Hudson in?

I absolutely love Bella's writing and this book will pull you into the world of the Kingston's and give you all the feels. Hudson and Maddie's friendship involving into something more was well done and I loved how even though Maddie wasn't as experienced as Hudson he never pushed her. He let her lead the evolving relationship. I also loved seeing Hudson's relationship with his siblings being a big thing in this book and seeing it through Maddie's eyes who only has a brother and not a big family like Hudson. If you read any of the Restless King series you see the couples make an appearance in this book and it's wonderful to catch up with them. I don't want to spoil too much in this book, but if you like forced proximity and friends to more you will love this book. I can't help but recommend Bella's writing because she writes fleshed out characters who go through real things.

Keep reading for a look inside Caged!

A creak in the hall a few minutes later has me watching a shadow that stops on the other side of the closed door. My heart races, wondering if Hudson’s going to knock.

But after a minute, the shadow is gone, and the footsteps head further down the hall to the next room. Hudson’s bedroom.

I sit there, paralyzed and debating what to do for at least ten minutes as disappointment chokes me. Until I finally get up, positive this is insane but forcing myself to move until I’m standing in front of his closed door with my hand pressed against it.

“Maddie?” he calls from inside the room.

“Yeah,” I whisper back. He doesn’t say anything, but the door opens, and I swallow my tongue.

Steam is billowing in from the master bathroom, and wow  .  .  .

This man is beautiful. Standing with one crutch under his arm, a towel wrapped around his hips, and his wet hair dripping down his face, I’m not sure I’ve ever seen anything sexier. I rake my eyes over all the beautiful, inked muscles on display and have to fight the sudden urge to reach out and trace every last line.

It’s a new urge, and I don’t hate it.

“Are you okay, Mads?” He adjusts his hold on the crutch, still favoring his sore knee and searching my face for an answer. “Maddie?”

I take a deep breath to settle my thoughts as they go into overdrive. “I’m fine. I just  .  .  . God, why is it so hard?”

Hudson cocks his eyebrow, and I realize what I said. More importantly, what it sounded like. “Not you, you big goof.”

“I know, sunshine. I just wanted to see you smile. You never smiled tonight. Not your real smile anyway.” Hudson steps back. “Let me throw some pants on.”

“Okay.”

He moves into the walk-in closet, nearly out of view but not completely.

No  .  .  . I can’t tear my eyes away, as the black towel hits the plush carpet, and am rewarded with an unobstructed view of one calf before it’s covered by a pair of dark jersey pajama pants. When he steps back into the room, he’s shirtless with just those pajama bottoms hanging from incredibly lean hips. Of course, this king has those damn dips that form a perfect V leading to  .  .  . trouble. Yup. I bring my eyes back up to meet his and see a devilish spark staring back at me. Definitely leading to trouble.

Hudson ambles across the room and presses a button that closes the drapes, then sits on the bed with the TV remote in his hand. “Come on, Mads. I want to see what happens in the next Harry Potter. Watch it with me.”

And like a moth to a flame, I throw caution to the wind and walk into the room.

For more information on Bella Matthews’s books and where to contact her, visit her

website: https://bit.ly/3gZykNi

Suite on the Boss- Blog Tour, Excerpt and Review!!

Suite on the Boss, an all-new workplace standalone romance full of heat set in the New York Billionaire Series from bestselling author Olivia Hayle is available now!

BLURB:

Fake dating my billionaire boss to get revenge on my ex? Yes please. 

But falling for him? That’s something I vowed never to do again.

Isaac Winter is the fourth-generation owner of the legendary 5 th  Ave hotel that bears his last name. He’s at the top of New York high society… and I’ve just left it behind.

When he hires my company, I’m thrust into endless meetings with him, determined to impress the cold, untouchable leader of the Winters.

The last thing I expected was to start fake dating him.

He needs his match-making family to take a step back. And me? Revenge on my cheating ex-husband sounds great, and even better when it’s with a man whose name opens every door in the city.

The line between fake and real soon gets smudged by our late-night conversations.

Isaac’s driven, passionate, intelligent… and far less controlled than he seems. Revenge feels deliciously suite.

But I’m done with rich New York men and their cheating ways.

They think they can buy anything they want… but my heart’s not for sale. 

Download your copy today!

Read FREE in Kindle Unlimited

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My Review:
My Rating: 3 Stars

Sophie is a senior project manager at Exciteur and is recently divorced after catching her husband having an affair and has thrown herself into her work. Exciteur is a huge consulting form and has just been hired by Isaac Winters to research and plan an expansion his line of hotels. The two start working closer together and become friends as Sophia works hard to try and impress Isaac. One thing leads to another and they start fake dating, both for different reasons. Sophia is trying to get revenge on her ex-husband and Isaac to get his meddling family off his back. As the two spend more time together the line between real and fake start to blur. Now the two must decide if they want to truly give this relationship a try for real.

This was a cute story. Both Isaac and Sophia know what they want and are very career driven. I enjoyed the build up and history of these two. The story flowed well and Sophia was a strong, professional character. The two were very sophisticated and that was shown throughout the story. However, for me it was missing that memorable moment. I liked it, but I wasn't glued to my kindle needing to devour it. Overall, it was a cute story and if you like fake dating tropes I suggest you to give this a chance because everyone's reading taste is different.  

EXCERPT:

Isaac takes a sip of his brandy. “You moved to New York a few years ago,” he says.

It’s a statement, but I nod regardless. “Yes. Marhill is a tiny place, and I always wanted to leave. New York was the dream. After college, I moved to the city, and despite all the things that are frustrating with it, I love it.” I shrug. “I met Percy at a bar during my first year in the city. I guess I was… never mind. Let’s talk about you instead of my ex-husband.”

Isaac’s eyebrows rise and I want to take the words back. I’m talking to him like he’s a friend.

“Me?” he asks.

“Yes. Do you have an ex-wife we can talk about, to make things more even? Or was that a terribly inappropriate question?”

The hint of a smile curves his lips. When you get past the first impression, which is intimidating and distinguished, he’s handsome. Never approachable, I think. But handsome.

“I’m sure it was,” he says, “but I don’t mind.”

“Phew.”

“I don’t have an ex-wife,” he says, “and I’m not dating anyone at the moment.”

“That was fast. I figured you’d deflect on that one.”

“It was an easy question.” He raises an eyebrow. “I know the first answer for you, but what about the second?”

“If I’m dating anyone? No, I’m not. I mean, my divorce went through only a few months ago, even if we’ve been separated for almost a year.”

I’ve turned toward him, almost without realizing it, and my knee brushes his.

“I see,” he says, his eyes dark on mine. “Let me guess. You work too much. You mainly eat takeout in your apartment… your new apartment, right? You moved out of Percy’s but you haven’t fully decorated your new place yet.”

My mouth opens softly. “I haven’t had the time.”

“Right.” He nods, and twist the glass of brandy around. “No, you threw yourself into work instead, and it’s become your life. Dating again scares you, because it means trying at something again. Something that you might fail at, as opposed to work, where you know you can always perform.”

I stare at him.

His lips curve again, into that half-smile. “I shouldn’t have said any of that.”

“It’s all true. But how… oh,” I say. “That’s you too. Isn’t it?”

His eyes sharpen, and the moment stretches into an eternity-long silence. But then he gives a single nod. “Yes.”

“That makes sense,” I breathe. “Who hurt you?”

Isaac takes a long sip of his brandy. I watch his throat shift and in the silence I realize what I’ve just asked him.

“God, I shouldn’t have asked that. I’m sorry.”

“Perhaps not,” he says. But then something softens around his mouth. “But after the night in the lobby, maybe we’re past things like shallow niceties.”

“I’ve never liked them much anyway,” I say.

“You don’t? You surprise me, Sophia.”

“I do? In what way?”

He lifts a shoulder in a half-shrug. “You’re not who I expected you to be, after the first evening.”

“Not constantly weeping, you mean?”

“No, not that, for sure.” His eyes hold a challenge. Like he’s expecting me to be offended and he’s considering whether or not to say it.

“Go on,” I say.

“You were married to one of the Browne kids. I didn’t expect you to work, for one. And I didn’t expect you to be this… well. This is where I’ll insult you.”

“Please don’t censor yourself on my account, Mr. Winter. I think you’re the one who said you’ll never be offended by the truth? I won’t, either.”

He smiles. “Fine. The word I’m looking for is sharp, Sophia. I didn’t expect you to be this sharp.”

“Because I married Percy Browne?” That makes me chuckle, and I lift my glass. “You know what, I understand that. It wasn’t the smartest decision I’ve ever made.”

A smile spreads across his features. If his good looks were austere before, this makes them come alive, and I catch my breath.

“I’ll toast to that,” he says, and our glasses touch.

About Olivia 

Olivia is a twenty-something hopeless romantic who loves billionaire heroes despite never having met one. Taking matters into her own hands, she creates them on the page instead. Stern, charming, cold or brooding, so far she's never met a (fictional) billionaire she didn't like.

A voracious reader of romance, Olivia picked up the pen a few years back and what followed was a love affair of her own. Now she spends her days grinning at the steamy banter she's writing or swooning at happily-ever-afters. Or, to be frank, struggling with writing about herself in third person for the purposes of marketing. 

She's been writing contemporary romance novels since 2018. 

They're all exclusively available on Amazon and enrolled in Kindle Unlimited. 

(Phew. Now I can go back to first-person love stories!) 

Connect with Olivia 

Facebook: https://bit.ly/3nYvbyf

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Stay up to date with Olivia by joining her mailing list: https://bit.ly/3u0kPPx

Website: https://bit.ly/3zAsqWd

Bayou with Benefits- Review and Excerpt!!

Bayou with Benefits, an all-new nanny meets single dad small town romance featuring a hot firefighter from New York Times bestselling author Erin Nicholas is out now!

BLURB:

They are friends. Without benefits. Unfortunately.

Michael LeClaire is small-town Louisiana. A firefighter. A single dad.

And Amelia Landry is New York City. A social media influencer. A model.

Sure, she’s his son’s favorite person on the planet.

And yeah, their families spend so much time together it’s hard to remember who shares DNA and who just shares secrets, inside jokes, and a sincere lack of boundaries.

And okay, he’s seen her nerdy side. Her sweet side. Her funny, self-deprecating side.

Fine, yes, resisting this woman has taken a saint’s share of willpower.

But he has to. He just cannot do long-distance. And he can’t have a casual fling with someone he’s known–and will know–forever.

Thankfully, he only has to hide his feelings a few times a year when she visits.

And then, he slips. One time. One spontaneous I-knew-it-would-be-everything kiss and he’s a goner.

Now every time they see each other it’s harder and harder to ignore the heat.

And when she shows up on his doorstep after a car accident changes her entire life, there’s no way he can resist the chance to see if this can last…or if they’ll finally flame out.

Fall in love today!

Amazon: https://mybook.to/bayouwbenefits

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My Review:
My Rating: 4 Stars

Michael is chief of the Autre fire department and a single dad to Andre. Amelia (Ami) is a close family friend and model who just landed a modeling contract in New York Even though the last few times the two have seen each other and sparks flew they both know nothing can come of it. Ami lives in New York now and Michael can't uproot his son's life. Everything was going okay and they were doing well not acting on the attraction until they kissed. Now it's harder to toe the line of just friends when they know what their chemistry feels like. At least until Ami is involved in a car accident and goes to Michael's house to try and piece together her new life.

I felt like this book dealt with some serious issues. I liked how Erin showed how an accident can affect more than just the person involved in the crash. Michael is a "fixer" and I thought the author did well showing his struggle. He learned he can't fix everything for Ami, no matter how hard he tries. Sometimes you can only fix yourself. I loved how Ami grew as a character after her accident. She was a strong character before, but she was able to become a better person and know her worth after the accident. This was a great addition to the Badges of the Bayou series.

Keep reading for look inside Bayou with Benefits!

“If you don’t want our sisters to think they’re right about everything, you have to quit looking at me like that.”

Michael LeClaire had three choices here.

He could pretend he had no idea what Amelia Landry was talking about, turn, smile nonchalantly, and try to have a normal, casual conversation with her.

That was going to be nearly impossible, of course. This was Ami. There was no being casual around her. He hadn’t been able to pull nonchalant off since he’d first seen her walk down the dock in a lime green bikini the summer she’d turned twenty. But then, eleven months ago, everything had changed and now…yeah, casual was completely off the table.

He’d known she’d be here. Of course. It was her sister’s wedding. She was a bridesmaid. He’d been preparing to see her. Still, it had been three months and the last time…leaving her at that airport had been so much harder than he’d expected. He didn’t think there’d be anything casual about the things he’d end up saying to her tonight if they talked alone.

His second option was setting something on fire so that he would have to don his fire gear and do something with his evening other than watch Ami in her off-the-shoulder peach-colored bridesmaid dress, laughing and dancing and looking fucking stunning while he struggled to remember why they were only friends. As he did every single time she stood too close to him.

The reasons were good. He knew that. The primary one being that she lived in fucking New York City and he lived in Autre, Louisiana and that would just never work out. He had a kid. He was the fire chief here. His entire family was here. He couldn’t move to New York—nor did he want to—and he couldn’t travel there on a regular basis.

Ami was a model. She’d just landed a huge contract. The contract she’d been hoping and working for. She’d moved from Shreveport to New York only three months ago. She wasn’t coming back to Louisiana and also couldn’t be traveling back here on a regular basis.

Fuck New York City.

Yeah, setting something on fire kind of seemed like a great idea.

And then there was his third option: turning, throwing her over his shoulder, taking her straight back to his house, and not letting her out of his bed for a week, whether they could be together long-term or not.

Which would only make all of this—the wanting her, the thinking about her, the missing her—so much worse.

He wasn’t going to be able to do any of those three things.

He was screwed.

So, he sucked in a deep lungful of oxygen and turned, deciding to go with his fourth option—just praying to not fuck everything up. “Am I that obvious?”

Ami smiled up at him. “I just really think it’s unfair that they’re assuming things that I didn’t actually get to experience.”

He shook his head. “Don’t.”

“Don’t what? Talk about how Charlie and Naomi are assuming their matchmaking worked and we spent the entire weekend you were in New York in bed together?”

“Ami,” he said, his voice low with warning.

“Hey, you’re the one looking at me like you’ve seen me naked and want to again,” she said. “Don’t blame me.”

He tossed back the rest of his drink, wished it was alcohol and not just soda, reminded himself that staying completely sober while Ami was in town for the first time since New York was a really, really good idea, and said, “That’s not how I’m looking at you.”

She put a hand on her hip. “Then how would you describe the way you’ve been watching me from across the room but totally ignoring me whenever we’re close enough to talk?”

“Like I’ve been jerking off practically every night for the past three months because I didn’t get you naked, and like since you got back to town I’ve been constantly about ten seconds away from picking you up, taking you home, and tying you to my bed for the next week or two.”

Okay, so even without alcohol he was going to be dangerously inappropriate.

And honest. Just as he’d feared.

Her eyes went wide.

Then she grinned. “Yes. You’re right. That’s a much better, more specific, description.”

About Erin Nicholas

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

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

Connect with Erin

Website: http://bit.ly/2NkB2uF

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Falling for the Bachelor-Blog Tour, Review and Excerpt!!

Falling for the Bachelor, an all-new brother’s best friend small town romantic comedy full of heat and laughs from bestselling author Amy Alves is available now!

BLURB:

I'm cursed. Unlucky in love. So pretending to fall in love with my best friend's sister couldn't possibly make it worse.

My avoidance of relationships has two neighboring towns joining forces to find me a girlfriend—one I don’t want.

So when they name me the bachelor in their charity dating show, I have two options: suffer the consequences of bailing or accept help from my best friend’s little sister.

I chose the latter.

Because Olivia Vaughn has a plan.

She suggests a ringer—someone on the inside…someone I trust, that I can choose at the end of the show.

A fake contestant.

It’s crazy. Risky. And undeniably tempting.

We’d have to touch, flirt, kiss.

I could pull her close…that long, auburn hair wrapped up in my fist as I whisper all the dirty thoughts I’ve ever had about her.

Pretending to fall for her may be more dangerous than letting our meddlesome town play matchmaker.

Because if this backfires, it might cost me my best friend, disappoint our families, and reignite feelings for the feisty, hazel-eyed beauty I grew up with.

So while I can’t—shouldn’t—pretend to fall in love with Olivia, I do.

With the hope that fake girlfriends are curse-proof.

Falling for the Bachelor is a steamy, brother's best friend, fake relationship, friends-to-lovers, small town, standalone romantic comedy. It contains plenty of steamy scenes, laughs, and an HEA.

Grab your copy today!

Read FREE in Kindle Unlimited

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3AGJGvA

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Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3Q493wU

My Review:
My Rating: 4 Stars

Small town meets the bachelor. Sawyer Fletcher is a small town veterinarian who does not have the best of luck when it comes to dating. Unfortunately, that means the two neighboring towns join forces to find him a girlfriend bachelor style. There's a group to choose potential women and even make up the group and one on one dates. Sawyer's best friend's little sister, Olivia, is back in town after getting divorce. Olivia tells Sawyer he needs a woman on the inside and to act like a fake contestant. Olivia decides to help Sawyer out and be his ringer after people keep speculating on her divorce and that she is still hung up on her ex. The two start off as just friends, but as they spend more time together the line between fake and real feelings start to blur. What happens at the end of the charity show?

This was my first story by Amy Alves and I really enjoyed it. Sawyer was a strong quiet guy around most people, but you know what they say...you have to watch out for the quiet ones. ;-) This poor guy has the worse luck dating and honestly, if I was him I would probably try to give up dating too, however when he is around Olivia he's free to be himself. I also enjoyed Olivia and how she knows what she wants and what she deserves. I loved watching the friendship bloom between Olivia and Sawyer and holy sexy talk!!! Honestly if you love a good small town, meddling townsfolk, over protective brothers, fake relationship then this is the book for you!

EXCERPT:

I’m allowed to fantasize about my brother’s best friend as long as I don’t act on those  fantasies. I’m supposed to look like I’m falling in love with him, even if it’s all a lie. I’m his ringer—the fake contestant acting as his relationship safety net—not his real girlfriend.

Maybe if I keep repeating that, it’ll sink in.

Sawyer lets himself in the back door as I’m cutting the brownies into squares. Glancing behind me, I take him in. Grey slacks stretch against his thick upper thighs, a belt accentuating his narrow hips, and a crisp white shirt with the cuffs rolled up, roped forearms on display. Dressed-up Sawyer looks good. Really good.

His hair doesn’t appear to have any product but still matches his usual style, longer on the top, falling in soft waves to his brows. The sides and back are a bit shorter but it curls slightly around his ears and the nape of his neck. Sawyer oozes that dreamy boy-next-door vibe. It makes me want to sneak through his window in the middle of the night and surprise him.

“Hey, handsome. All ready for our first date?” I hold up the tray of chocolatey goodness.

“Want some sugar to give you a boost for tonight?” 

He raises his eyebrows, taking a peek into the pan. “Nah, I shouldn’t. They smell great though.”

I hold up a square with a glare, using it to point at him. “Liar. You don’t even like chocolate. That was a test to see if you were ready for your LoveVine setup tonight.

Just be yourself, Sawyer. You are not relationship cursed. All you have to do is get through some conversation, dinner, and whatever couples activity the producers arranged. You've got this.”

He grins and reaches for my face. I freeze when his thumb strokes across my bottom lip. I study his face as he brings his finger under my chin and his thumb moves to the center of my lip, pulling it down. Those midnight eyes are locked on my mouth, and then he licks his own bottom lip. 

I inhale sharply, my whole body heating up. 

“I don’t know when I last felt like myself on a date, Liv,” he admits.

Against all thought—all reason—my tongue pops out and swipes across his thumb. He takes a step closer, his thumb pulling my lip farther down, as a rough sound leaves his throat. 

Oh my god. Was that a groan?

Sawyer releases my face suddenly and steps back.

My thighs rub together, trying to ease the ache—the throbbing need that creeps up every time we get close. That first night of the reality matchmaking show, when his hand was on my back, fingers in my hair, lips at my ear, I almost collapsed against him with a whimper of desperation.

He was just pretending, Liv!

Slowly he sucks his thumb into his mouth. “You had some chocolate.”

I lean against the counter, hands gripping the edge, not sure if my legs will give out or if

I’ll grab another brownie and smear it all over my body to get the same treatment.

Meet Amy 

Amy Alves lives in Alberta, Canada with her husband and two crazy cute kids. She is a romance-obsessed reader, a lover of wine and fuzzy socks, and a loather of laundry.

She loves contemporary, paranormal, and rom com romance—her kindle always has a long list of books waiting to be read.

Amy writes contemporary romance with a hint of rom com fun. Tropes you can expect to see are: second chance, friends to lovers, enemies to lovers, and fake relationships.

Connect With Amy 

Website: https://bit.ly/397wG4Q

Facebook: https://bit.ly/3zfyYt4

Instagram: https://bit.ly/3k8YCLK

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Gotta Be Bayou- Blog Tour, Excerpt and Review!!

 How do you get over a woman you never should have been, ahem, under in the first place?

Gotta Be Bayou, an all-new grumpy-sunshine, small town romance from New York Times bestselling author Erin Nicholas is now available!

BLURB:

Just when FBI special agent Spencer Landry had decided to forget about investigative journalist Maxine-Max-Keller and their one hot night together, there's a threat made against her and Spencer's protective instincts get all riled up. Again.

So now they're shacking up on the Louisiana bayou and pretending to be in love so he can keep Max safe until the guy is apprehended.

Considering their chemistry and that he can not stop thinking about the gorgeous-and-doesn't-know-it, smart-mouthed, bold-and-yet-vulnerable redhead, this could be a fun few days, right?

Nope. She's all wrong for him.

And she hasn't forgotten he can be kind of a jerk.

Sure, the naked-times are great, but he told her exactly what he wants— a bubbly, sweet school teacher who bakes him brownies and loves to cuddle—and Max ain't it.

Max not only doesn't bake, no one has ever called her sweet. And cuddling? Shudder.

Plus his bossiness is super annoying for someone who's been taking care of herself all her life. But now they're stuck together and dammit, besides being hot and very good with his mouth, Spencer is pretty irresistible with baby goats, little kids, and attempts at baking. And don't forget alpha-protective. All of which makes her stomach feel very swoop-y. No wonder her clothes keep falling off.

But this is a temporary situation and they're only faking it. So falling for the guy is a terrible idea.

She really should have kept that in mind.

Read today!

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My Review:
My Rating: 4 Stars

Spencer Landry has a list of things he wants in his future girlfriend/wife. A few of the big things are someone he can come home to that has cooked him dinner and can bake brownies. He understands it's a little misogynistic but he wants someone light after dealing with the darkness of being an FBI agent. Maxine Keller, or Max for short is an investigative journalist who can take care of herself and can run head first into the darkness that surrounds her job. She is everything not on Spencer's list, but he can't get her out of her mind. After one night together of explosive chemistry the two walk away, except when Max is threatened Spencer won't leave her alone until she's safe. He takes her to Autre, Louisiana, away from the threat and closer to his family that he trusts will help protect her. As the two spend more time together the electricity between them crackles and he truly gets to know the woman behind the sassy mouth. You know what they say in books, it's all fun and games faking a relationship until real feelings show up. Now the two have to figure out if it's because they have been secluded in the woods or if they really do have feelings for each other.

I loved Max and how she was unapologetic for the woman she was. She was not going to change for a man and stayed true to the things she believed were important. She was an independent woman who grew as the story progressed. Spencer was an overprotective man who learned a lot of life lessons in this book that made him into a better man. I loved the chemistry between these two and how open and honest they were about what they wanted from the future. You also get a glimpse of the other characters from Autre in this story, especially Leo. You should read the prequel, Bayou Tonight, which is for free in Ten First Dates first as  it sets up the relationship between Spencer and Max. I can't wait to read more about the Badges of the Bayou.

Keep reading for a look inside Gotta Be Bayou!

She’d fallen asleep on him.

Literally.

Well, her feet were on him anyway. Actually, her legs from the knees down.

She’d started just propped against the opposite end of the couch, with her crossword puzzle book open on the arm. She’d mostly focused on the puzzle, but he’d noticed her smiling and even laughing a couple of times at the TV.

Eventually, she’d propped her head on her hand and just watched. Then her eyes started drifting shut. Then her head was on the arm of the couch.

But when she wanted to get comfortable, she got comfortable.

She’d scooted down to rest her head on the couch cushion and stretched out.

Including putting her feet in Spencer’s lap.

He’d had to catch her heels in his hands to keep her from kicking him in the balls.

And then he’d just held her feet, rubbing his thumbs along the arches of her feet, and absorbing the sound of her contented sigh and loving the way she cuddled deeper into the couch.

He’d wanted her to feel safe and be comfortable and relaxed.

Mission accomplished.

The woman was sound asleep.

At 8:30 p.m.

The episode ended and Spencer realized he didn’t remember a thing from what he’d watched. He’d been paying attention to Max.

Of course he’d started with the way her soft cotton shorts molded to the curve of her hips and ass. The way the matching tank hugged her waist and breasts. There was no way he could have ignored that. He was drawn to this woman and the part that didn’t confuse him was his attraction to her body.

Now, having those sweet curves within touching distance again and barely covered, absolutely drew his attention. But with her asleep, and him unable to really do anything, he also had the chance to simply study her up close.

Her eyelashes were pale and had a reddish hue. Of course they did. She was a redhead. But he’d never thought about the color of a woman’s eyelashes before. Now he was fascinated. Did she wear mascara? He was going to have to pay attention to see the next time she was awake.

She stirred, shifting, moving her feet against his hands and he stroked a hand up one calf. It wasn’t perfectly smooth. There was just a slight prickle, but he didn’t mind at all. In fact, he wanted to feel that against his thighs and hips as she wrapped her legs around him. It was real and he wanted to feel her legs in every stage from freshly shaved to haven’t-had-a-chance-for-days.

Wow, she was truly asleep. He should make her go to bed.

“Max?” he asked softly.

She didn’t even wiggle.

“Max?” he asked a little louder, squeezing her foot gently.

She just breathed in deeply, then out.

He should just carry her into bed. He could just scoop her up and take her into the bedroom.

Spencer shifted her legs so he could stand. Then he leaned over. She was on her side, so he pushed gently against her shoulder, rolling her to her back. She went with a sigh, one hand moving to rest on her chest. Perfect. Spencer slid an arm under her knees and one behind her back.

And everything was great until he started to lift.

She came awake suddenly. She kicked her legs, flailed her arms, and her head lifted instinctively to look around. Her forehead hit Spencer in the chin. Hard.

His head snapped back and his teeth clamped down on his tongue.

“Fuck!” he swore in surprised pain.

“Ahhh!” she yelled.

She was still kicking and waving her arms and he unceremoniously dropped her one foot back onto the couch cushions.

“Max! It’s me!”

She kicked out, her shin connecting with his thigh.

That fucking hurt too.

“Max!” He pinned her arms down against the couch. “Max! It’s Spencer!”

Her eyes were wide and not fully focused.

She just yelled again. “Ahhhhh!”

Dammit. The cottage next door was going to think they needed to call the cops.

Which was Zander.

Spencer did not want Zander showing up here, grinning and smirking and writing up a report about how Spencer had tried to sweetly carry Max to bed and she’d thought he was attacking her.

“Maxine!” he said sharply, putting a leg across hers to keep her from kicking and, against his better judgement, placing a hand over her mouth. “Stop it. It’s me.”

Her eyes flew to his as he put his face directly in front of hers.

“It’s Spencer.”

She suddenly went still. Her gaze focused and she stopped moving and he felt her pull in a long breath.

He waited another few seconds, making sure that she realized who was holding her down.

Slowly he removed his hand. “Okay?” he asked.

She drew in another long breath and blew it out. She nodded. “Yeah.”

“Holy shit, Max.”

“What happened?”

“You were sleeping like the dead, so I decided to carry you into the bedroom.

And you turned into the Tasmanian devil.”

“Well, I'm not used to people picking me up in the middle of the night.”

That made him chuckle. “It's not even 9 p.m.”

“Well… still.”

He liked that she was at a loss for words. That was unusual.

Slowly, he became aware of the fact that he was pinning her to the couch. With almost his entire body.

In spite of the fact that she’d been fighting off an intruder in her imagination and he’d been fearing for his manhood, his eyes, nose, and jaw, it didn't take long for his body to register that this felt really nice.

The couch was big enough for the two of them to lie together. He wasn't entirely on top of her, but almost half of him was pinning more than half of her to the cushions.

“I, um… didn’t mean to squash you. Self-preservation instinct.”

She smiled. “You're not squashing me.” Her voice was soft and a little breathless.

Their gazes locked. “I did this, honestly, to keep you from hurting me or yourself.

But mostly me.”

She wet her lips and nodded. “I believe you.”

“So, I could probably get up now. You seem a lot more calm.”

“Funny, I don't exactly feel calm.”

His heart kicked against his rib cage. A moment ago she’d been ready to claw his eyes out. The moment before that she’d been so deeply asleep that she hadn't realized he was even there. But now, her gaze was hot and she was breathing fast, and she was definitely not wearing a bra with this pajama set.

Spencer’s entire body responded. “You fell asleep really fast. And very deep,” he said, his voice husky.

“I often fall asleep on the couch. Never that deeply, though. I guess I felt really safe with you.”

Damn, he liked that. He felt the corner of his mouth curl. “Until I tried to pick you up.”

“Sorry. Instinct.”

“Honestly the cop part of me is very glad that your instinct is to fight hard when someone does something unexpected.”

“Good.” She gave a little nod. “I guess that means you just need to be sure I'm expecting anything you do.”

He nodded slowly and his gaze dropped to her mouth. “Good idea. For instance, if I was going to kiss you, I should make sure that you knew that.”

She nodded. “Right.”

“Max.”

“Yeah?”

“I'm going to kiss you.”

“Good.”

About Erin Nicholas

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

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

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