Wednesday, June 29, 2016

Stone (Knights Corruption MC #2) by S. Nelson

Cliché I know, but it was the truth. Numerous obstacles kept us apart, but I vowed to find a way around them, finally claiming her once and for all.

Consequences be damned. 

Stone Crosswell, VP of the Knights Corruption MC, was known for his notoriously hot temper. While it served him well when dealing with their sworn enemy, the Savage Reapers, it damaged him in the eyes of the one woman who would redefine his very existence. 

His attraction toward her was fierce, his innate need to possess her consuming his every thought. 

But would his way of life eventually destroy her? 

Adelaide Reins was doing well for herself. Acquiring a coveted nursing position at the prestigious St. Joseph’s Hospital, she thought her life was going exactly as planned. Until the fateful day she was summoned to her uncle’s club, instantly drawn to the one man who would complicate her carefully orchestrated world.

When a cruel twist of fate rears its ugly head, will Stone and Adelaide’s worlds be ripped apart? Or will they overcome insurmountable odds, defying fate and finding their happily ever after?









4 Stars

We met Stone and Addy in Marek's book. Stone is the VP of Knights Corruption and Addy popped in when the Club needed medical help and is also the niece of one of the members. The attraction between these two is hot, but their relationship was off limits, but that didn't stop them! 

Addy and Stone were at a constant battle. He's a hot head and his life in the MC is dangerous. But Addy couldn't stop her heart for falling for him, but her head tells her she can do better. As these two continue their push and pull secret relationship, outside forces and surprises pushes these two together and finally make it public. 

I can't really go into detail about what the surprises are in store for Stone and Addy without spoiling it, but I will say, their relationship was tough. These two go through so much. This book felt a bit rushed at the end, but I did enjoy every page. Now...I can't wait to get my hangs on Jagger's book next!  

Always (Spiral of Bliss #5) by Nina Lane

Dean has always been Liv's white knight. Not once has he retreated from battle. Not once has he failed to keep his wife safe. Not once has he broken his promise to slay monsters for her.

Then Dean encounters a monster he can’t destroy. A monster he can’t even face. And for the first time ever, there is nothing he can do to protect the woman who owns his heart.

The love story of Liv and Dean West that started with AROUSE and continued in ALLURE, AWAKEN, and ADORE now comes to a breathtaking conclusion as the professor and his beauty fight the battle of their lives.





PURCHASE!


4 Stars
Professor West is back and ready to slay more dragons for Liv and their two kids. But sometimes you can't really slay all the dragons, you just have to let nature take its course and pray for the best. 

Always starts out with the never-ending, romantic and sexy moments between Dean and Liv. Their marriage, their family and their lives are stronger than ever. The West family has a routine that makes everyone happy and loved. Their jobs are going well and the kids are happily in school. Life couldn't get any better, but when a big "bump" in the road happen life changes for everyone. 

Dean is known to take charge in any situation. He will do whatever it takes to protect Liv and the kids. But when he realizes he can't take charge of this bump, he has a hard time letting it go and pushing Liz to do the right thing. But he slowly learns that Liv needs to make these decisions on her own with his support.

I'm not going to spoil what this "bump" is, but this this story is very emotional and real. It made me heart hurt knowing that thousands of people go through this daily. And it just sucks. 

I will say, the West's power through it with a lot of anger, pain and eventually lots of healing and love. I'm glad Dean, Live, Nicholas and Bella do get their HEA and that their story is complete. 





About the Author
New York Times & USA Today bestselling author Nina Lane writes hot, sexy romances and spicy erotica. Originally from California, she holds a PhD in Art History and an MA in Library and Information Studies, which means she loves both research and organization. She also enjoys traveling and thinks St. Petersburg, Russia is a city everyone should visit at least once. Although Nina would go back to college for another degree because she's that much of a bookworm and a perpetual student, she now lives the happy life of a full-time writer.

Connect with Nina Lane

Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Wicked Ride (The Wicked Horse #4) by Sawyer Bennett

I think this woman may be the death of me. A dire prediction, but probably true.

Probably true because she’s not mine to have and I’ll probably take her, even at the risk to my own safety. So many men slobbering to get a taste of her and only one, sweet, virginal girl to go around.


That’s right.


She’s a virgin.


Looking like a porcelain china doll that would break if not handled carefully. But I also know she’s stronger than she looks.


She’s a contradiction.


She’s most likely my downfall.


Like I said, she’ll probably be the death of me, but it’s a risk I’m willing to take.

**Warning: this book has sex in it. Lots of sex. Dirty sex. The Wicked Horse Series is a bit different than what Sawyer Bennett normally writes. While you’ll still enjoy fabulous characters, a suspenseful story, some witty banter and an epic romance, there’s just… a lot of sex. You’ve been warned.
 






4 Wicked Stars

The warning for this book..."has sex in it" is a total understatement. Holy moly, this book is purely hot and erotic and there's nothing wrong with that! As always, Ms. Bennett aims to please with her storytelling and the ability to make a girl blush while reading. 

Wicked Ride is the fourth book in the Wicked Horse series and each can be read as a standalone (but I highly recommend reading the previous books!). Logan McKay has been introduced in the past books, as one-hot-as hell Fantasy Maker, at The Silo (yes, an underground sex club). He's known to enjoy pleasure with clients and friends, but he's always remained mysterious. 

When Logan locks eyes on the mysterious " Auralie the Virgin" at The Silo, his world is about to change. Auralie is one of the hottest items up for "bid" at The Silo, she gets pranced around by the shady Magnus, because taking a virgin is the ultimate prize for Silo members. But there's something between the exchange with Logan and Auralie that has Logan uneasy. He knows that she isn't there on her own free will and he's determined to help her.

As Logan and Auralie explore their secret and very erotic relationship, their feelings deepen, but secrets keep them moving forward. There's a reason why Auralie is there at The Silo not on her own free-will and there's a reason why Logan is closed off and refuses to speak about his past. Wicked Ride takes you on a ride that is scorching hot and filled with plenty of twists and turns. 

And that ending...Bridger's book can not come fast enough!!



Purchase Wicked Ride:
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Kobo: http://bit.ly/1RZpeWm 





About the Author
Since the release of her debut contemporary romance novel, Off Sides, in January 2013, Sawyer Bennett has released more than 30 books and has been featured on both the USA Today and New York Times bestseller lists on multiple occasions. 

A reformed trial lawyer from North Carolina, Sawyer uses real life experience to create relatable, sexy stories that appeal to a wide array of readers. From new adult to erotic contemporary romance, Sawyer writes something for just about everyone. 

Sawyer likes her Bloody Mary’s strong, her martinis dirty, and her heroes a combination of the two. When not bringing fictional romance to life, Sawyer is a chauffeur, stylist, chef, maid, and personal assistant to a very active toddler, as well as full-time servant to two adorably naughty dogs. She believes in the good of others, and that a bad day can be cured with a great work-out, cake, or a combination of the two. 




Release Day Blitz: Conquering (Vipers Creed MC #2) by Ryan Michelle

CONQUERING by Ryan Michele is out today! If you love strong heroes with heroines that can go toe to toe with them, you are going to love CONQUERING! Find out more about CONQUERING below, read the first chapter, plus be sure to enter to win a $25 Amazon gift card!

About CONQUERING

Wes ‘Stiff’ Collins lived life on the wild side. He worked from the moment he knew what the word meant, always making the best of every situation. There was nothing about his past he would change. Without a real family except his brother Xander, Stiff joined the Vipers Creed Motorcycle Club, and they taught him what it was to have people he could depend on. When his past crashed into his present, he vowed to protect the club that had always been his steady, even if it meant turning his back on the woman who had given him life. Chelsea Miller’s life was simple: work, take care of her family, and save for the future. Everything was about having a goal and a plan. However, when her sister ended up battered and bruised on a diner floor, everything she thought was in her past suddenly threatened her future. In a moment, she had a new goal, everything else be damned. She would protect her family … at all costs. Stiff and Chelsea’s worlds collide in an explosion of determination, strength, and lust. Will they give in to temptation, or will conquering each other be too steep a price? Two people not afraid to put in the work will either overcome everything in their paths or finally crumble under life’s troubles they can’t escape, all in the name of family. **Due to content, mature audiences only.**



Add CONQUERING to Goodreads here and read the first chapter of CONQUERING here!


Get your hands on CONQUERING:


Swing by Ryan Michele's facebook page for a giveaway of a $25 Amazon gift card! And make sure you're a member of Ryan's Sultry Sinners on Facebook for more giveaways and exclusives!



About Ryan Michele

Ryan Michele found her passion in making fictional characters come to life. She loves being in an imaginative world where anything is possible and has a knack for special twists readers don’t see coming. She writes MC, Contemporary, Erotic, Paranormal, New Adult, Inspirational, and many more romances. And whether it’s bikers, wolf shifters, mafia, or beyond, Ryan spends her time making sure her heroes are strong and her heroines match them at every turn. When she isn’t writing, Ryan is a mom and wife living in rural Illinois and reading by her pond in the warm sun.

Wednesday, June 22, 2016

Blog Tour Stop: Up in Flames (Rosemary Beach #13) by Abbi Glines

The villain of Rosemary Beach finally gets her own happy ending in the long-awaited final novel of the #1 New York Times bestselling new adult romance series by Abbi Glines.

The blockbuster #1 New York Times bestselling Rosemary Beach series ends with a bang when the troubled character readers love to hate gets her very own happily ever after in this eagerly anticipated and overwhelmingly requested story. Known for causing problems for everyone in Rosemary Beach, Nan has been growing up lately, and she’s finally taking center stage—and finding love with the man she least expected.








Amazon |   Barnes & NobleBooks-a-Million | IndieBound 
 
 
 
4 Stars

Did Ms. Glines turn me into a #NanLover after Up In Flames or am I still thinking Nan is nonredeemable in being decent human being #NanHater? 

Oh, I've been waiting to get my little hands on Nan's story, ever since she popped up on my page in Fallen Too Fall and caused so much drama! There's one word to describe Nan and that is trouble. Ok, maybe that isn't the first word that pops in mind. Nan is just a bitch. Yep, we all know it. We all read how awful she was to Blaire and Rush and pretty much everyone in Rosemary, so I wasn't sure how this girl is going redeem herself. But...I was pleasantly surprised how much I had some sympathy for this girl! 

Nan Dillon just wanted love and attention and the only way to achieve that in her mind was to lash out everyone, but deep she just felt alone in the world. Her brother, Rush, found happiness with Blaire and Grant found his love with her half-sister, Harlow. What Nan needed is to find her own match. She needed a man who would love her unconditionally. And she thought she had that with Major. 

Major is charming, sweeps Nan off her feet (when he is around), and a player. And when Major leaves Nan hanging one too many times, she decided she's had enough. Jetting off to Vegas to forget Major, and Nan ends up meeting the mysterious business-man, Gannon. Gannon is the only man so far, who can put up with Nan's drama and knows how to put her in her place. And that makes Nan fall hard! But when Major comes crawling back after he realizes playing Nan and letting her go was a mistake, it might be too late. 

But it turns out that Gannon and Major are keeping some secrets from Nan that leaves her confused. She seems to be getting over Major, while falling hard for Gannon. But when these secrets come to surface, is it enough for Nan to give her heart away? 

I wasn't expecting Nan's story to unfold as it did in Up in Flames. Honestly, I didn't know how Nan story was going to play out, but I'm very happy how Nan found her HEA. This book is filled with plenty of twists and turns and lots of surprises. So am I a #NanLover now? I have to say yes. As much as I hated her in the previous books, she slowly started to show her softer and human side in this book. And the man she ends up with...it was her perfect match!

 



About the Author
Abbi Glines is the New York Times, USA TODAY, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of the Rosemary Beach, Field Party, Sea Breeze, Vincent Boys, and Existence series. A devoted book lover, Abbi lives with her family in Alabama. She maintains a Twitter addiction at @AbbiGlines and can also be found at Facebook.com/AbbiGlinesAuthor and AbbiGlines.com.
 
 
FIND ABBI ONLINE:
Twitter: @AbbiGlines
Instagram: @AbbiGlines

Tuesday, June 21, 2016

ARC Review: A Measure of Love (A Pound of Flesh #3) by Sophie Jackson

From award-winning fanfic phenomenon Sophie Jackson, the third novel in the sexy and emotionally intense blockbuster A Pound of Flesh series.

Life in New York for ex-con Riley Moore is pretty damn good, until a call from his mother shatters the calm: his father has suffered his second heart attack in two years and is in a critical condition. Leaving everything behind, Riley flies home to Michigan for the first time in five years to support his mother and do his best to make amends with his father. He also tries not to think about Lexie Pierce, the only girl he ever truly cared about, and who broke his heart.

When they inevitably meet, memories of their love make Riley yearn to reconnect, despite the pain they both suffered. Though she's wary, and has a secret she’s hidden from him for five years, Lexie has little willpower when it comes to Riley and she agrees. Besides, after all that has gone before, she owes it to both of them to find out if they can love each other again.

Can they both overcome their sorrow and secrets and finally share their life together?

A powerful new voice in modern romance, Sophie Jackson has crafted a passionate love story with unforgettable characters that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page.





4 Stars

A Pound of Flesh is probably one of my favorite the series. Each book can be read as a standalone, but the friendship between the characters entwine so beautifully. 

Riley Moore is full of regrets. He made bad decision that landed him in prison and hurt his family, so his priority is getting back home to Michigan to help his mother and make amends with her father. But when he ends up face to face with his childhood best friend, turned love of his life, Lexie Pierce, he needs to make a decision of what to do. Their love for each other has never gone away, but Lexie has been carrying a secret for years. 

Seeing Lexie again, Riley needs to figure out if moving on from his past is the best or learning to forgive Lexie and the hurtful actions that happened to them years ago.

A Measure of Love is a fabulous read with dual POVs and very cute moments between Riley, Lexie and his "surprise." 


Release Day Blitz: ALWAYS (Spiral of Bliss #5) by Nina Lane

It's finally here - the last part in Liv and Dean's incredible love story. Get your hands on NYT bestselling author Nina Lane's ALWAYS, available now!

About ALWAYS (Spiral of Bliss #5)

Without darkness, there can be no light.
Dean has always been Liv's white knight. Not once has he retreated from battle. Not once has he failed to keep his wife safe. Not once has he broken his promise to slay monsters for her.

Then Dean encounters a monster he can’t destroy. A monster he can’t even face. And for the first time ever, there is nothing he can do to protect the woman who owns his heart.

The love story of Liv and Dean West that started with AROUSE and continued in ALLURE, AWAKEN, and ADORE now comes to a breathtaking conclusion as the professor and his beauty fight the battle of their lives.

PURCHASE ALWAYS ON AMAZON!

Cover design by Victoria Colotta, VMC Art & Design, LLC (www.vmc-artdesign.com)

ALWAYS releases June 21st - sign up for Nina Lane's mailing list here to be notified when it goes live and keep an eye on her facebook page for updates!

Need to catch up on the series? Find out more about AROUSE, Spiral of Bliss #1!


Nina Lane is giving away a set of Spiral of Bliss series paperbacks and a $25 Amazon giftcard! Just enter via the Rafflecopter below!



Sign up for Nina Lane's newsletter for a free novella!

Did you know newsletter subscribers have access to ARRIVE, a free novella written by Nina Lane? Find out more and subscribe here on her website!

About Nina Lane

New York Times & USA Today bestselling author Nina Lane writes hot, sexy romances and spicy erotica. Originally from California, she holds a PhD in Art History and an MA in Library and Information Studies, which means she loves both research and organization. She also enjoys traveling and thinks St. Petersburg, Russia is a city everyone should visit at least once. Although Nina would go back to college for another degree because she's that much of a bookworm and a perpetual student, she now lives the happy life of a full-time writer. 

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Release Day Blitz: A Midsummer Night's Fling (Much Ado About Love, #1) by Eliza Walker

 “A magical, joyful, delightful, sexy contemporary romance by a new star in the making!” — New York Times bestselling author Marie Force 

The show must go on, but the price of admission could be her heart.

Sick of her vagabond life in a Broadway touring company, Nicola is ready to settle down. She wants nothing more than to park her suitcase in California, put out feelers for local auditions, and leave her past firmly behind her.

Too bad her past comes knocking on her door her first day home. All six-foot-three, beautiful man of her past named Max. Stupid Max. The mistake Nicola just can’t seem to stop making.

Even before Nicola—fiery, quick-witted, beautiful Nicola—slams the door in his face, Max is in trouble. She will always be the one who got away. Three times. Which makes convincing her to play Titania to his Oberon a bit…awkward.

Though she has zero desire to re-re-rekindle an old flame, Nicola can’t turn down the chance Max is offering: a lead role with the West Coast’s premiere Shakespeare company. But when their first rehearsal kiss disintegrates into a passionate liplock, she’s questioning her sanity and tempted to jump ship—before Max can break her heart again.

Now it’s up to Max to convince her that the torch he’s been carrying is actually an eternal flame.




Ready? he mouthed at her.
    Yes. Her eyes softened, and the tiny smile she gave him seemed to set a hook in his heart and pull.
    A million memories surged through him, hitting like a train into the side of a mountain. This scene was so familiar, so precious. Nicola across the stage from him, ready to spar and tease and challenge. Ready to play.
    Ready to be in his life again?
    Just do the scene, idiot. He inched his shoulders back as he eased into the physicality of Oberon, but after those stolen seconds of fussing, he still wasn’t ready. The closeness of Nicola, the potential in being near her had set his body humming in a steady buzz, which had nothing to with theater.
    But what the hell? The curtain was up. Judith was watching. Game on. “‘Ill met by moonlight, proud Titania,’” he rumbled out, deepening his voice and adding the hint of an accent. So he’d sound all kingly and shit. He strode down the short stairs toward her.
    Nicola, as Titania, narrowed her eyes at him and raised one eyebrow. “‘What, jealous Oberon?’”
    He crossed the stage in three easy strides, invading her personal space. She stood on the step above him so he found himself face-to-face with her, close enough to kiss. She startled, jerking her head back, and he didn’t know if that was Nicola or Titania. She made to turn away from him.
    “‘Tarry, rash wanton.’” He slid an arm around her waist, holding her without pulling her closer. “‘Am not I thy lord?’”
    She cocked her head sideways, her mouth a smirking, sensual promise. “‘Then I must be thy lady.’”
    Yes, you are. Having her in his arms felt so right, like he’d been missing a piece of himself and not known it until he touched her again. He was near enough to see the ring of dark brown around her irises, to count the freckles scattered across her nose, to smell the spicy fruit scent of her hair. To feel her breath sigh over the skin of his face.
    He closed the few inches left to her mouth, but she ducked, twisting free of his arms before he could kiss her.
    As Oberon, he was infuriated.
    As Max, he was almost ridiculously disappointed.
    Keep your head in the work. Focus. If he blew this opportunity for her because of his overeager libido, then she would never forgive him. And he would never forgive himself for ruining yet another thing for her.
    Nicola continued the scene, taunting him, playing Titania as the most alluring of sirens. Rita had told them to ratchet up the sexual tension, of course, but Nicola was on exactly the same page as him. The whole scene they each found excuses to stand near the other, to touch and tickle like this was all foreplay. The chemistry between them crackled, and she obviously felt it too, getting as much of a high from this performance as he was. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes sparking in a way he remembered well.
    He could think of only one other thing the two of them had done together better than this.
    Don’t go there, Max.
    Really hard, though—heh—not to let his mind wander there as she crossed to sit on one corner of the stage and laid herself out, her lovely, petite body displayed for him to admire.
  
  They had reached the part of the scene where Titania refuses to give Oberon her adopted son. “‘I will not part with him.’” She stretched her legs out and pillowed her cheek on one hand to study him with simmering, heavy-lidded eyes.
    Somehow, even though Nicola sat on a bare stage in blue jeans and a white blouse, somehow she managed to appear decadent, lush, pure temptation made of sweet, supple flesh. Venus waiting in her bower for Mars to ravish her. Cleopatra inviting Antony to negotiate terms for his surrender.
    The sight of her was too much to resist. He maneuvered around behind her and sat. Resting an elbow on his knee, he reached forward and tucked a strand of soft brown hair behind her ear. He let his fingertip linger against the skin of her neck, and she shivered at the contact. He didn’t know if that was Nicola or just Nicola acting, but the sight had heat building low in his gut. “‘How long within this wood intend you stay?’” His line came out throatier than he’d intended, the low rasp of a desperate man.
    And, dammit, he was desperate. You’d think five years would have done something to dim his desire, but he found himself swamped by it, awash in images, wants.
    Like right now, he imagined everyone else gone. To lunch. To hell. Wherever. Didn’t matter. Just away. Then he’d be free to kiss Nicola until her mouth was swollen, to touch her skin and smell and taste her until she was trembling against him, then he’d ease her back flat on the stage and—
    “‘Perchance till after Theseus’ wedding-day,’” she said, cutting into his thoughts. She tossed her head, shaking out her curtain of soft brown hair, projecting indifference, but it was a fragile façade to hide how much she wanted him to stay here with her.
    As Oberon, or maybe using Oberon as an excuse, Max leaned into her shoulder and pressed a kiss to her collarbone. She shivered again, the instinctive tremble of a woman who was just as turned on as he was. That wasn’t acting, or not only acting.
    “‘Give me that boy,’” he murmured, “‘and I will go with thee.’”
    Nicola swallowed, aroused heat and brittle fury burning together in her eyes. “‘Not for thy fairy kingdom. Fairies, away!’” She shot to her feet, striding offstage without a backward glance, the muscles in her shoulders taut, her hands clenched into fists. Their small audience erupted in applause. Tierney even whistled.
    Max rolled to his feet. Nicola emerged from the stage left wings, looking shaken and pale. He tried to catch her eye, but she was staring into the audience at Judith.
    Gil distracted him, patting Max on the arm. “You two were wonderful together.”
    Tierney gave Max a rough slap on the back. “I think I just got a contact high from all the pheromones you two were pumping out.”
    Nicola flashed a wild look Tierney’s way, then wiped her face blank. Except her mouth, which tightened into a grimace.
    Max’s stomach dropped. Crap. Nicola was pissed.
    Her gaze slid his way, and her eyes were dark, actually smoldering with wrath.
    Make that really pissed.
    Which, the more he thought about it, pissed him off too. He’d played his part for her, and pretty damn well, all things considered. Nothing he’d done had been out of character for Oberon. Nothing had been over the line.
    Maybe kissing her neck was tiptoeing close to the line, but Max felt he was on the side of right there. She had a great neck. Sometimes a guy’s gotta do what he’s gotta do.
    For the scene, of course.
    Everyone froze as Judith stood, the sound of her seat flipping up oddly loud in the large theater.
    She was the unknown quantity here, and Max prayed she would act for the good of the show. Isabelle had been known to let her ego get in the way at times. Please, let Judith be different.
Judith started down the aisle, glancing at a small notebook as she scribbled things. Tierney rolled her eyes. Gil shrank into himself, trying for invisibility. Rita twisted the silver bracelets on her arm.
    Nicola folded her arms and waited, cool and collected as a queen.
    That’s my girl.
    Judith stopped at the foot of the stage and, without even glancing at Nicola, said, “I’m sorry, but I need to cut this short. Ms. Charles, can you come in tomorrow to read for me again?”
    Max gaped. What is wrong with this lady? Sure, artistic directors were allowed to be prickly divas. They ran the show, after all. All the shows. Nicola had nailed the audition, the director wanted her, so making Nicola audition again just felt like some weird power play.
    Nicola worked her jaw, clearly offended but fighting to stay professional. “Of course. What time?”
    “No. Nonono no nono no.” Rita sliced her arm through the air. “No, Judith. That is not acceptable. We need to settle this today.”
    “We need a Titania,” Max put in, not glancing at Nicola as he said it. “Ms. O’Fallon, do you honestly think you’ll find someone better for our production than Nic—than Ms. Charles?”
    Judith’s nostrils flared, her cool gray eyes narrowing to slits. Finally, she flung her hands up. “All right. You, Nicola, come in tomorrow to sign your equity contract.” With a dramatic flair not quite on par with Isabelle’s, Judith whirled around and pretty much stormed out of the theater.
    Rita let out a shrill victory cry and threw herself on Nicola for a hug. Max grinned, big and goofy. He had a Titania again. He had Nicola again.
    Her gaze met his over Rita’s back, and Nicola stilled, her face blanking out.
    What the—
    Nicola had the part. She should be thrilled. So why did she look like she had to barf again?
    She eased away from Rita and murmured something. Rita pointed to the backstage area. Giving the group at large a reassuring wave, Nicola hurried off stage left toward the dressing rooms.
    “Maxim, I need you to—”
    He waved Rita to silence. “Give me a second?” Gut churning with unease, Max jogged backstage, f
ollowing—okay, maybe chasing—Nicola.
    He found her in the green room, leaning in the doorway, half-in, half-out, with a faraway expression in her eyes. In his younger days, Max had learned to recognize that look and put as much distance between himself and The Look as possible. Avoidance had always been his favorite way to solve conflicts. But not now. Five years hadn’t only made him older.
    When she saw him, she held a hand out to stop him walking closer. “I’m fine.”
    “Bullshit.”
    She flashed him an irritated glance but didn’t say anything.
    “Nic, what’s wrong?”
    She looked up, her eyes soft, her mouth half-parted. Awareness of her body flamed over him. Memories of the taste of her skin and the softness at the base of her throat had his lower self springing to attention.
    Real professional there, Max. He shifted, uncomfortably aware of what a schmuck he was. Still, he wasn’t going to walk away. “Nicola. Tell me.”
    She sucked in a deep breath and, when her gaze flicked to his mouth, he thought he might explode. “This, Fiesengerke.” She cupped the back of his head, yanking his face down to her. “This is what’s wrong.”
    Then she kissed him.
    As her mouth touched his, he thought, This is a bad idea.
    But still Max grinned against her lips. After all, he’d sort of been hoping this was the problem all along.



About the Author
Eliza Walker, a native of Los Angeles, is the author of the Much Ado About Love Series that begins with A Midsummer Night's Fling. Her experiences as an actress helped inspire the series about actors finding love amidst the bedlam backstage at a world-class repertory theater. Once upon a time, Eliza met her own wonderful husband when they did a play together. By day Eliza helps corral engineers for NASA (without doing any of the tech stuff herself, of course). By night she loves to write her sarcastic heroes and heroines bantering their way to true love. Eliza is a total geek, a movie buff and a mediocre swing dancer. Eliza and her husband live in sunny Southern California with two of the neediest housecats on the planet.

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