December 30, 2017

Best of.....part 2


My top reads list included all series related books.  But, I felt like these 6 authors were worth being added to my list.  Not only were their books well written, they also left a mark on my heart.  The romance was wonderful but the social message became more impactful wrapped up in the story of the lead characters lives.  


GRIP  and STILL  
by  Kennedy Ryan


It’s taken me awhile to put into thought all the feelings this book brings. We have met Bristol and Grip as part of the Soul Series by this author. This book can be read as a stand-alone but much of dynamics around Bristol and her family read better if you have read the history in the Soul books. That history layered with such poignant words about acceptance and equality, make this book one to read in 2017.

The book stands on its own as the story of second chance love. There isn’t much need to rehash things here. Music once again, unifies the characters. Brings them to life. Carries the message of their pain.

What stands above all of those things in the writing, is the very real awareness of race equality, white privilege, and discrimination. Kudos to the author for bringing that time relevant message to the readers. This is a romance, and you will get some really hot scenes between Bris and Grip. But I hope you take away the message that we are all worthy of love. It doesn’t matter where we live, what color our skin is, how much money we make or who our parents are. We might play different notes, but we are all on the same musical score. It takes everyone playing together to make the rhythm of humanity sing.

Great book!



Damn you Kennedy Ryan! Gah!! I have not cried this hard reading a book in such a long time. You brought out ALL the feels for this one and I love you for it. Reading is an escape and should not only transport us to a different world, but it should also allow us to be placed in someone else's shoes. Your writing allows us to become part of Grip and Bristol's lives at an intimate and visceral level.

This book picks up shortly after GRIP and continues the relationship that Grip and Bristol are developing. We meet their friends and family again. We get glimpses at the music world from both their perspectives. And we get some all consuming LOVE pouring out of each of these characters. Sweet baby Jesus, you cannot read this story without feeling that love ripped up, tumbled around, and molded back together. *sigh*

No spoilers for this review. You have to read it. LOVED the epilogue. Thank you for wrapping things up and not leaving the reader hanging.

Perfection!

Amazon


LIVING OUT LOUD   
by Christina Lee and Nyrae Dawn 


Honestly, it blows me away every time an author takes a previously villainized character and makes me fall in love with them. I was not a fan of Ben when he pops up in Ezra's story "Paint the Stars." Ben broke Ezra's heart and he didn't deserve to be treated that way. Let me tell you. You need to read about ol' Mr. Ben and your heart is going to break in a million pieces before it sewn back together. I am always a champion for the underdog and underprivileged. Ben has suffered so much in his life. As I was reading, it almost seemed unbelievable that there are still humans all over the place who function like Ben's parents and the folks in his hometown.

Of course, Ben's journey to discovery would not have happened without his second chance at romance and s3xual guru Xavier. Perfect balance to Ben and so happy that X took the leap and let his heart open up to the possibility of love. The two of them together along with Ben's self discovery---super steamy HAWT!

I just need to add that I loved Penny. She needs her own story I think. I'd read that for sure. Loved all the love she gave to X. She fit in his life when he needed her the most and I loved that relationship between the two of them.

As always, these two authors bring the powerful message of "Love is Love" anytime they get together to put words on paper. Hopefully people listen to the message. Just be kind always. It goes a long way.

Amazon


THE HARD TRUTH ABOUT SUNSHINE 
by Sawyer Bennett  


** 2017 Kindle Book Awards WINNER - Literary Fiction **

I am a HUGE Sawyer Bennett fan! This book was so uniquely out of character for her but at the same time so perfectly written. I will forever look upon her words as Before THTAS and After. Sawyer stretched her writing chops with this one. I could not be happier for her!

I want to say this is a coming of age story. We have some young characters who have yet to experience a life that may be changing sooner than they want. But it is really more than that. This is a journey. A huge life changing event for the main character Christopher. The story from his POV gives us insight into the development of friendship of four unlikely individuals. The group is thrust together because of the therapy/support group they attend. The group leader suggests they help Connor, dying from cancer, knock off an item or two from his bucket list. They embark on a road trip to see the sun set on the west coast.

What starts out as a reluctance on Christopher's part to even participate in this group, ends up being a time for self reflection and ultimately acceptance. There is burgeoning love happening with Jillian but this is not a romance story. It is filled with anger, tears, laughter and overwhelming sadness. But my goodness, it will make you FEEL all the things. I walked away from this one, not sad but more content. This book is LIFE. It's what we make of it that affects what we get out of it.

Read this one with an open heart. I guarantee you will be able to feel the sunshine even in the darkness.

Amazon
 
DELAYED CALL , Assassins #13 
 by Toni Aleo


I have not read a bad book in this series. I have my favorites (Jordie and Benji…well and Shea…), but honestly, Toni Aleo just does not put out a bad story. Delayed Call is no exception. However, fans of the series may notice some difference with this one. I was blown away by the dialogue. Wonderful banter and humor not only between Vaughn and Brie but between Vaughn and his “family” and between Brie and Rod. Just a great flow to the story and a very entertaining read. It just had a little something MORE than I have read in the other books.

We have seen Vaughn and Brie on the sidelines in other books. Brie works for the Assassins in the marketing department and often interviews the players. It’s a classic tale of she doth protest too much! There is underlying heat to their banter. Both have hidden pasts that have shaped their view on relationships. Trust will be difficult. Vaughn needs to decide if he is all in before it's too late to call.

The other highlight of the book is how the author handles persons with disabilities. There is a beautiful side story to the HEA in this book. I was not prepared for the depth and breadth of understanding of adults with disabilities that this author brings to the story. The romance ends up being pretty run of the mill, but it is all the EXTRA that the author gives us that makes this story priceless. NateWay is truly remarkable and I have spoken about it to numerous people since I finished the story.

And of course, the best part of an Assassin’s story is we get HOCKEY! This is a true sports romance in that we get to see the action. I found myself having to slow down and re-read so I would make sure to get the whole picture on the ice. Great tribute to the game.

Always ready to read more by this author.

Amazon
 

WHEN LIFE HAPPENED  
 by Jewel E. Ann



I know that I should not be surprised anymore but what this author sends our way. But this book....yeah....did not expect this twisty turny angsty read AT ALL! That's a good thing, right?? As readers, we don't want to keep reading the same old trope over and over. Jewel E. Ann brings us UNIQUE like you don't read every day.

Honest---not a fan of cheating. Don't like to read about it. Don't want to experience it. Neither does our heroine. But what happens when our heart or even worse, our hormones lead us down a path we wouldn't normally see for ourselves. Are we in control of who we fall in love with? I will argue no. And it takes the characters in the book a long time to settle that in their heads.

The story of Parker and Gus is just the beginning. Hang in there. Love is healing, love is eternal, love is love is love <3 No matter what the world or our families may think, we can only follow our hearts and hope for the best. God love Parker for being strong and coming out a better person in the end. Perfectly written heroine for this tale.

Fantastic read! Grab this stand alone NOW! 

Best Reads of 2017



It has taken me a few weeks to get my top read list together.  That's not a bad thing!  I read almost 400 books in 2017 so narrowing down a top 20 much less a top 10 list has been a challenge.  As I was collecting my thoughts, it occurred to me that many of my top reads were by prolific authors who put out more than one book in a series in 2017.  So my top 10 list is a group of series that have been awesome!  The books published in 2017 were 4.5-5 heart reads for me.  Grab the whole series and you won't be disappointed!


Steel Country  by MJ Fields


MJ Fields brings fans a spin off from her popular Men of Steel series.  This group of brothers are flawed and moody and extremely sexy.  The heroines in the stories are all strong and willing to put those broody alphas in their place.  

From the author: 

You loved Men of Steel, Jase, Cyrus, Zandor, Xavier, Momma Joe, Kat, and all things dirty taking and hard loving, about the Steel Brothers.You loved Ties of Steel, Abe, Dominic, Sabato, and their alpha dominant ways.

You got rocked by the Rockers of Steel. Memphis Black, Finn Beckett, River James, Billy Jeffers and begged for more.

I gave you The Match Duet, Kat, long time tattoo artist at Forever Steel on the Jersey Shore, and you loved her, okay maybe not her, but her epic tale of online dating leading to the most wonderful HEA.
Now I've brought it home.

STEEL COUNTRY is all things Steel, maybe even hotter.

You'll get to see all your favorite Steel Brothers in their alpha, dirty talking, hard loving, glory. You'll see Abe and watch as he reminisces about the pool table with his 'Four'. You'll see Kat and Ricco and laugh at the struggle for 'top'. Then you'll get a bigger picture of the Gage Falcon, you've read about since the beginning.

Saddle up and get ready for one hell of a ride.

 Start with Hammered and read them all from there:   Amazon


Men of Haven Series by Rhenna Morgan

This was a new to me author but I have completely fallen in love with this group of brothers by choice.  The series is written very much like an MC book but this group of men are an entirely different breed altogether. And this author published FOUR titles in this series in 2017!  Each one better than the rest!

"Live hard, f*ck harder and follow only their own rules. Those are the cornerstones the six men of the Haven Brotherhood live and bleed by, refusing to conform to society's expectations, taking what they want and always watching each other's backs."

Check out the Haven Men beginning with ROUGH & TUMBLE :    Amazon

  

Blood Brothers
Realm Enforcers
Scorpius Syndrome

by Rebecca Zanetti 

Yes.  You are reading this right.  THREE different series by this author made my top reads list. In 2017, Rebecca Zanetti gave us two books in the now complete Dark Paranormal series, Realm Enforcers and sci fi/paranormal Blood Brothers.  She also published two books in the ongoing dystopian romantic suspense, Scorpius Syndrome series.  Zanetti writes suspense with a twist that will have you turning pages. If you have not read this author, you are missing out on some wonderful story telling.  


This is a spin off of the author's SIN BROTHERS series.  It can be read as a stand alone but characters and story line do cross over.  I recommend reading Sin Brothers first.  Books 2 & 3 published in 2017 and were 5 Heart reads for me.  Start with DEADLY SILENCE:   Amazon


This series is also a spin off of the author's DARK PROTECTOR series.  It can stand on it's own.  Hot, motorcycle riding, Irish brogue speaking witches.  What else is there to say?  Suspense in each story and kick ass heroines to wrangle these deadly alpha males into some sort of submission.  Loved all of these and the last two of the series were published in 2017.  The whole series was a 5 Heart read for me.   Start with WICKED RIDE:    Amazon


This is a series that I was kicking myself for not starting sooner.  The first books came out in 2016 but I didn't finally jump into this dystopian world until 2017.  The world as we know it has collapsed due to a bacterial  pandemic.  What survives are warriors-- all fighting for the same resources.  This particular group is about protecting the innocent, getting rid of the bad guys and hopefully finding a cure for the syndrome.  LOVED all of these.  Justice Ascending and Storm Gathering came out in 2017.   Scorpius Rising is a prequel novella that is not necessary to read before getting started with MERCURY STRIKING: Amazon


Landry Family Series
Gibson Boys Series

by Adriana Locke


Head down south and meet the Landry Family.  Four brothers. Twin sisters. All looking for their HEA---well at least finding one even if they didn't know they needed it.  Lots of humor. Super steamy connections. Great heroines to match the alpha males.  Ms.Locke put out the last THREE books of the series in 2017.  SWINK wrapped things up but I was so not ready to say goodbye to this family.  I need another whole book just in epilogues please!  You may see that there are 6 siblings but only 5 books.  That is because Miss Sienna moves away from the family and has her own adventures without her big brothers bearing down on her.  So I have also added her book CRANK to this list.  This is the first book in the Gibson Boys series and it was wonderful!  


 SWAY:  Amazon
CRANK:  Amazon




Crossbreed Series  by Dannika Dark



Once again, a very prolific author.  Three novels released in this new series in 2017.  This one is enjoyable because of all of the different breeds that are represented.  Vampires, shifters, mages, sensors, and some unknowns.  The series is written as a serial.  The Keystone group works undercover and off the books to get read of the paranormal bad guys. We get some closure to the action in each book, but there is an ongoing menace and the tension is rising on a possible HEA. I have read this author in the past but not this writing style.  It threw me for minute but now I am hooked! 

Grab Keystone first as it sets up the premise.  You will want to read these in order.  KEYSTONE:   Amazon

 King Series  by TM Frazier

TM Frazier wrote "perhaps" what is the ending of the series in 2017 with Preppy, the Life and Death of Samuel Clearwater books 2 and 3.  This whole dark romantic suspense series will keep you guessing and needing a long tall glass of something cool to get through the steam written within these pages.  Preppy book 1 has one of the hottest scenes I have ever read.  Whew!  You will need to read these in order and also try not to read reviews or synopsis until you are done so nothing is spoiled for you.  If the rumor mill is right, we may get to go back and visit this group again in 2018.  Fingers crossed! 

KING:  Amazon




An Ending and a new Beginning    Books by Lauren Gilley


Lauren Gilley is an author you MUST read.  In 2017 she gave us what was promised as the END to an epic saga of the Lean Dogs MC.  (maybe more to come??!) This story of family and brotherhood is THE best I have read in many years.  This author gives us not only a romantic interest in each book, but also delicately weaves in the lives of all the secondary characters.  There is a master plan at work and I have always been pleasantly surprised by the unfolding of the story.  Standing ovation for the whole series but a wonderful wrap up in AMERICAN HELLHOUND.  We get the history behind the making of the Pres as well as a look forward.  LOVED! 

American Hellhound,  Dartmoor Series #6 : Amazon



So if that awesome story was not enough, Ms Gilley turns around and switches things up.  Paranormal, historical, suspense.......What??!!??  2017 brought us the first in a new series by this author --WHITE WOLF.  Same epic saga type storytelling but written in the richness of Russian winters, war torn landscapes and myths of vampires and werewolves you thought you knew but now with a new twist you could not have guessed coming.  The prologue will suck you in and you better set aside time to finish this one because you WILL NOT want to put it down. 
White Wolf, Sons of Rome Series #1: Amazon


So those are my top reads.  But, wait....  There were also some stand alone books that were not only well written but also left a message on my heart. I would be remiss if I didn't include these in my best reads.  Stay tuned for another post with all the details! 




December 28, 2017

Cover Reveal: Gaslight



Readers are anxiously waiting for news of the highly anticipated fourth book in the Crossbreed series GASLIGHT!  

The wait is over!! Today we get to see the book cover, read the blurb and learn the official release date! 


Gaslight
(Crossbreed Series, #4)
By Dannika Dark



Vampire trafficking is a sinister business, and nobody knows that better than Keystone. After Raven discovers hidden clues in a cold case, they set a trap in hopes of catching an elusive criminal. But when their plan backfires, Raven’s world is thrown into chaos, and Christian’s loyalty is put to the ultimate test.

Buried secrets come to light, and the only thing keeping Raven grounded is her insatiable thirst for vengeance. The stakes are high as they travel to a place where the landscapes are as treacherous as the immortals that live there. This time, there’s no room for mistakes.

Will Raven have the courage to tame the violence in her heart before it swallows her whole?



Release Date:
February 20, 2018 

Pre-Order your copy now! 


Audiobook Release Date: 
March 20, 2018 


“Gaslight” will be available on Amazon (kindle & paperback), Audible, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and Google Play on the release date.







Keystone
(Crossbreed Series Book 1)



Grab your copy at  




Ravenheart
(Crossbreed Series, Bk #2)


Available purchase at 




Deathtrap
(Crossbreed Series, Bk #3)


Available for purchase at







Dannika Dark is the USA Today Bestselling Author of Urban Fantasy Romance and Paranormal Romance. Her books have sold more than 1 million copies worldwide, and she is a 2016 Audie Awards finalist. 

Dannika was born on a military base in the U.S. and spent her youth traveling abroad. She developed an interest writing poetry and song lyrics early on, eventually gravitating toward a job that involved writing procedural training documentation. In her spare time, she wrote novels before she decided to pursue a career in publishing.

In addition to writing about supernatural worlds, Dannika is passionate about graphic design and creates all her own covers and series art. When not writing, she enjoys indie music, movies, reading, Tex-Mex, strawberry daiquiris, heaps of chocolate, and unleashing her dark side.

All of her published books to date are written in the same universe and contain material suitable for adults only.

"For me, writing is all about blending genres to break out of the confines of predictability, but it's what I love to do." ~ Danni

You can find Dannika at 

To receive exclusive content and be the first to know about upcoming releases, please sign up to her newsletter. 



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December 27, 2017

Chapter Reveal: Whiskey Secrets

Carrie Ann Ryan's WHISKEY AND LIES kicks off in just under a week...but we couldn't wait to share the first chaper of the first book, WHISKEY SECRETS, with you! Read it below below, find out more about the series (and how it ties into the Montgomery Ink series!) and preorder your copy today!


About the WHISKEY AND LIES series

The Montgomery Ink world just got a big larger. Dark heroes, tragic pasts, and heroines who rock their worlds…the Collins Brothers are about to see what happens when their small Pennsylvanian town gets shocked to its core.

The Collins Brothers just want to go about their business and live their lives. They’re in no mood for what happens when three women come into their lives when they’re least expecting it. One comes to change what was lost, another comes to prove what could be, while the third reveals what’s already been there all along.

Whiskey, Pennsylvania just got a little bit bigger and this town might not be ready for what’s coming.
Tabby’s Brothers from Ink Exposed get a series of their own.

Each book is a complete stand alone and can be read in any order.


Sparks fly between a former cop-turned-bartender and his new innkeeper in the first installment of a Montgomery Ink spin-off series from NYT Bestselling Author Carrie Ann Ryan.

Dare Collins is a man who knows his whiskey and women—or at least that’s what he tells himself. When his family decides to hire on a new innkeeper for the inn above his bar and restaurant, he’s more than reluctant. Especially when he meets the new hire. But he’ll soon find that he has no choice but to work with this city girl and accept her new ideas and the burning attraction between them.
Kenzie Owens left her old life and an abusive relationship behind her—or so she thought. She figures she’ll be safe in Whiskey, Pennsylvania but after one look at her new boss, Dare Collins, she might still be in danger, or at least her heart. And when her past catches up with her despite her attempts to avoid it, it’s more than her heart on the line. This time, it might mean her life.

WHISKEY SECRETS releases January 2nd, 2018 - preorder your copy now!
✦Amazon http://amzn.to/2oIB7KT
✦iBooks http://apple.co/2j4i3qE
✦Barnes & Noble http://bit.ly/2tkoES5
✦Kobo http://bit.ly/2hLUb63
✦Google Play http://bit.ly/2stO9gP
✦Amazon Paperback http://amzn.to/2nHuho9


Read the first chapter of WHISKEY SECRETS:

Shocking pain slammed into his skull and down his back. Dare Collins did his best not to scream in the middle of his own bar. He slowly stood up and rubbed the back of his head since he’d been distracted and hit it on the countertop. Since the thing was made of solid wood and thick as hell, he was surprised he hadn’t given himself a concussion. But since he didn’t see double, he had a feeling once his long night was over, he’d just have to make the throbbing go away with a glass of Macallan.

There was nothing better than a glass of smooth whiskey or an ice-cold mug of beer after a particularly long day. Which one Dare chose each night depended on not only his mood but also those around him. So was the life of a former cop turned bartender.

He had a feeling he’d be going for the whiskey and not a woman tonight— like most nights if he were honest. It had been a long day of inventory and no-show staff members. Meaning he had a headache from hell, and it looked as if he’d be working open to close when he truly didn’t want to. But that’s what happened when one was the owner of a bar and restaurant rather than just a manager or bartender— like he was with the Old Whiskey Restaurant and Bar.

It didn’t help that his family had been in and out of the place all day for one reason or another— his brothers and parents either wanting something to eat or having a question that needed to be answered right away where a phone call or text wouldn’t suffice. His mom and dad had mentioned more than once that he needed to be ready for their morning meeting, and he had a bad feeling in his gut about what that would mean for him later. But he pushed that from his thoughts because he was used to things in his life changing on a dime. He’d left the force for a reason, after all.

Enough of that.

He loved his family, he really did, but sometimes, they— his parents in particular— gave him a headache.

Since his mom and dad still ran the Old Whiskey Inn above his bar, they were constantly around, working their tails off at odd jobs that were far too hard for them at their ages, but they were all just trying to earn a living. When they weren’t handling business for the inn, they were fixing problems upstairs that Dare wished they’d let him help with.

While he’d have preferred to call it a night and head back to his place a few blocks away, he knew that wouldn’t happen tonight. Since his bartender, Rick, had called in sick at the last minute— as well as two of Dare’s waitresses from the bar— Dare was pretty much screwed.

And if he wallowed just a little bit more, he might hear a tiny violin playing in his ear. He needed to get a grip and get over it. Working late and dealing with other people’s mistakes was part of his job description, and he was usually fine with that.

Apparently, he was just a little off tonight. And since he knew himself well, he had a feeling it was because he was nearing the end of his time without his kid. Whenever he spent too many days away from Nathan, he acted like a crabby asshole. Thankfully, his weekend was coming up.

“Solving a hard math problem over there, or just daydreaming? Because that expression on your face looks like you’re working your brain too hard. I’m surprised I don’t see smoke coming out of your ears.” Fox asked as he walked up to the bar, bringing Dare out of his thoughts. Dare had been pulling drafts and cleaning glasses mindlessly while in his head, but he was glad for the distraction, even if it annoyed him that he needed one.

Dare shook his head and flipped off his brother. “Suck me.”

The bar was busy that night, so Fox sat down on one of the empty stools and grinned. “Nice way to greet your customers.” He glanced over his shoulder before looking back at Dare and frowning. “Where are Rick and the rest of your staff?”

Dare barely held back a growl. “Out sick. Either there’s really a twenty-four-hour stomach bug going around and I’m going to be screwed for the next couple of days, or they’re all out on benders.”

Fox cursed under his breath before hopping off his stool and going around the side of the large oak and maple bar to help out. That was Dare’s family in a nutshell— they dropped everything whenever one of them needed help, and nobody even had to ask for it. Since Dare sucked at asking for help on a good day, he was glad that Fox knew what he needed without him having to say it.

Without asking, Fox pulled up a few drink orders and began mixing them with the skill of a long-time barkeep. Since Fox owned the small town newspaper— the Whiskey Chronicle— Dare was still surprised sometimes at how deft his younger brother was at working alongside him. Of course, even his parents, his older brother Loch, and his younger sister Tabby knew their way around the bar.

Just not as well as Dare did. Considering that this was his job, he was grateful for that.

He loved his family, his bar, and hell, he even loved his little town on the outskirts of Philly. Whiskey, Pennsylvania was like most other small towns in his state where some parts were new additions, and others were old stone buildings from the Revolutionary or Civil war eras with add-ons— like his.

And with a place called Whiskey, everyone attached the label where they could. Hence the town paper, his bar, and most of the other businesses around town. Only Loch’s business really stood out with Loch’s Security and Gym down the street, but that was just like Loch to be a little different yet still part of the town.

Whiskey had been named as such because of its old bootlegging days. It used to be called something else, but since Prohibition, the town had changed its name and cashed in on it. Whiskey was one of the last places in the country to keep Prohibition on the books, even with the nationwide decree. They’d fought to keep booze illegal, not for puritan reasons, but because their bootlegging market had helped the township thrive. Dare knew there was a lot more to it than that, but those were the stories the leaders told the tourists, and it helped with the flare.

Whiskey was located right on the Delaware River, so it overlooked New Jersey but was still on the Pennsylvania side of things. The main bridge that connected the two states through Whiskey and Ridge on the New Jersey side was one of the tourist spots for people to drive over and walk so they could be in two states at once while over the Delaware River.

Their town was steeped in history, and close enough to where George Washington had crossed the Delaware that they were able to gain revenue on the reenactments for the tourists, thus helping keep their town afloat.

The one main road through Whiskey that not only housed Loch’s and Dare’s businesses but also many of the other shops and restaurants in the area, was always jammed with cars and people looking for places to parallel park. Dare’s personal parking lot for the bar and inn was a hot commodity.

And while he might like time to himself some days, he knew he wouldn’t trade Whiskey’s feel for any other place. They were a weird little town that was a mesh of history and newcomers, and he wouldn’t trade it for the world. His sister Tabby might have moved out west and found her love and her place with the Montgomerys in Denver, but Dare knew he’d only ever find his home here.

Sure, he’d had a few flings in Denver when he visited his sister, but he knew they’d never be more than one night or two. Hell, he was the king of flings these days, and that was for good reason. He didn’t need commitment or attachments beyond his family and his son, Nathan.

Time with Nathan’s mom had proven that to him, after all.

“You’re still daydreaming over there,” Fox called out from the other side of the bar. “You okay?”

Dare nodded, frowning. “Yeah, I think I need more caffeine or something since my mind keeps wandering.” He pasted on his trademark grin and went to help one of the new arrivals who’d taken a seat at the bar. Dare wasn’t the broody one of the family— that honor went to Loch— and he hated when he acted like it.

“What can I get you?” he asked a young couple that had taken two empty seats at the bar. They had matching wedding bands on their fingers but looked to be in their early twenties.

He couldn’t imagine being married that young. Hell, he’d never been married, and he was in his mid-thirties now. He hadn’t married Monica even though she’d given him Nathan, and even now, he wasn’t sure they’d have ever taken that step even if they had stayed together. She had Auggie now, and he had… well, he had his bar.

That wasn’t depressing at all.

“Two Yuenglings please, draft if you have it,” the guy said, smiling.

Dare nodded. “Gonna need to see your IDs, but I do have it on tap for you.” As Yuengling was a Pennsylvania beer, not having it outside the bottle would be stupid even in a town that prided itself on whiskey.

The couple pulled out their IDs, and Dare checked them quickly. Since both were now the ripe age of twenty-two, he went to pull them their beers and set out their check since they weren’t looking to run a tab.

Another woman with long, caramel brown hair with hints of red came to sit at the edge of the bar. Her hair lay in loose waves down her back and she had on a sexy-as-fuck green dress that draped over her body to showcase sexy curves and legs that seemed to go on forever. The garment didn’t have sleeves so he could see the toned muscles in her arms work as she picked up a menu to look at it. When she looked up, she gave him a dismissive glance before focusing on the menu again. He held back a sigh. Not in the mood to deal with whatever that was about, he let Fox take care of her and put her from his mind. No use dealing with a woman who clearly didn’t want him near, even if it were just to take a drink order. Funny, he usually had to speak to a female before making her want him out of the picture. At least, that’s what he’d learned from Monica.

And why the hell was he thinking about his ex again? He usually only thought of her in passing when he was talking to Nathan or hanging out with his kid for the one weekend a month the custody agreement let Dare have him. Having been in a dangerous job and then becoming a bartender didn’t look good to some lawyers it seemed, at least when Monica had fought for full custody after Nathan was born.

He pushed those thoughts from his mind, however, not in the mood to scare anyone with a scowl on his face by remembering how his ex had looked down on him for his occupation even though she’d been happy to slum it with him when it came to getting her rocks off.

Dare went through the motions of mixing a few more drinks before leaving Fox to tend to the bar so he could go check on the restaurant part of the building.

Since the place had originally been an old stone inn on both floors instead of just the top one, it was set up a little differently than most newer buildings around town. The bar was off to one side; the restaurant area where they served delicious, higher-end entrees and tapas was on the other. Most people needed a reservation to sit down and eat in the main restaurant area, but the bar also had seating for dinner, only their menu wasn’t quite as extensive and ran closer to bar food.

In the past, he’d never imagined he would be running something like this, even though his parents had run a smaller version of it when he was a kid. But none of his siblings had been interested in taking over once his parents wanted to retire from the bar part and only run the inn. When Dare decided to leave the force only a few years in, he’d found his place here, however reluctantly.

Being a cop hadn’t been for him, just like being in a relationship. He’d thought he would be able to do the former, but life had taken a turn, and he’d faced his mortality far sooner than he bargained for. Apparently, being a gruff, perpetually single bar owner was more his speed, and he was pretty damn good at it, too. Most days, anyway.

His house manager over on the restaurant side was running from one thing to another, but from the outside, no one would have noticed. Claire was just that good. She was in her early fifties and already a grandmother, but she didn’t look a day over thirty-five with her smooth, dark skin and bright smile. Good genes and makeup did wonders— according to her anyway. He’d be damned if he’d say that. His mother and Tabby had taught him something over the years.

The restaurant was short-staffed but managing, and he was grateful he had Claire working long hours like he did. He oversaw it all, but he knew he couldn’t have done it without her. After making sure she didn’t need anything, he headed back to the bar to relieve Fox. The rush was finally dying down now, and his brother could just sit back and enjoy a beer since Dare knew he’d already worked a long day at the paper.

By the time the restaurant closed and the bar only held a few dwindling costumers, Dare was ready to go to bed and forget the whole lagging day. Of course, he still had to close out the two businesses and talk to both Fox and Loch since his older brother had shown up a few moments ago. Maybe he’d get them to help him close out so he wouldn’t be here until midnight. He must be tired if the thought of closing out was too much for him.

“So, Rick didn’t show, huh?” Loch asked as he stood up from his stool. His older brother started cleaning up beside Fox, and Dare held back a smile. He’d have to repay them in something other than beer, but he knew they were working alongside him because they were family and had the time; they weren’t doing it for rewards.

“Nope. Shelly and Kayla didn’t show up either.” Dare resisted the urge to grind his teeth at that. “Thanks for helping. I’m exhausted and wasn’t in the mood to deal with this all alone.”

“That’s what we’re here for,” Loch said with a shrug.

“By the way, you have any idea what this seven a.m. meeting tomorrow is about?” Fox asked after a moment. “They’re putting Tabby on speaker phone for it and everything.”

Dare let out a sigh. “I’m not in the mood to deal with any meeting that early. I have no idea what it’s going to be about, but I have a bad feeling.”

“Seems like they have an announcement.” Loch sat back down on his stool and scrolled through his phone. He was constantly working or checking on his daughter, so his phone was strapped to him at all times. Misty had to be with Loch’s best friend, Ainsley, since his brother worked that night. Ainsley helped out when Loch needed a night to work or see Dare. Loch had full custody of Misty, and being a single father wasn’t easy.

Dare had a feeling no matter what his parents had to say, things were going to be rocky after the morning meeting. His parents were caring, helpful, and always wanted the best for their family. That also meant they tended to be slightly overbearing in the most loving way possible.

“Well, shit.”

It looked like he’d go without whiskey or a woman tonight.

Of course, an image of the woman with gorgeous hair and that look of disdain filled his mind, and he held back a sigh. Once again, Dare was a glutton for punishment, even in his thoughts.

The next morning, he cupped his mug of coffee in his hands and prayed his eyes would stay open. He’d stupidly gotten caught up on paperwork the night before and was now running on about three hours of sleep.

Loch sat in one of the booths with Misty, watching as she colored in her coloring book. She was the same age as Nathan, which Dare always appreciated since the cousins could grow up like siblings— on weekends when Dare had Nathan that was. The two kids got along great, and he hoped that continued throughout the cootie phases kids seemed to get sporadically.

Fox sat next to Dare at one of the tables with his laptop open. Since his brother owned the town paper, he was always up-to-date on current events and was even now typing up something.

They had Dare’s phone between them with Tabby on the other line, though she wasn’t saying anything. Her fiancé, Alex, was probably near as well since those two seemed to be attached at the hip. Considering his future brother-in-law adored Tabby, Dare didn’t mind that as much as he probably should have as a big brother.

The elder Collinses stood at the bar, smiles on their faces, yet Dare saw nervousness in their stances. He’d been a cop too long to miss it. They were up to something, and he had a feeling he wasn’t going to like it.

“Just get it over with,” Dare said, keeping his language decent— not only for Misty but also because his mother would still take him by the ear if he cursed in front of her. But because his tone had bordered on rude, his mother still raised a brow, and he sighed. Yep, he had a really bad feeling about this.

“Good morning to you, too, Dare,” Bob Collins said with a snort and shook his head. “Well, since you’re all here, even our baby girl, Tabby—”

“Not a baby, Dad!” Tabby called out from the phone, and the rest of them laughed, breaking the tension slightly.

“Yeah, we’re not babies,” Misty put in, causing everyone to laugh even harder.

“Anyway,” Barbara Collins said with a twinkle in her eye. “We have an announcement to make.” She rolled her shoulders back, and Dare narrowed his eyes. “As you know, your father and I have been nearing the age of retirement for a while now, but we still wanted to run our inn as innkeepers rather that merely owners.”

“Finally taking a vacation?” Dare asked. His parents worked far too hard and wouldn’t let their kids help them. He’d done what he could by buying the bar from them when he retired from the force and then built the restaurant himself.

“If you’d let me finish, young man, I’d let you know,” his mother said coolly, though there was still warmth in her eyes. That was his mother in a nutshell. She’d reprimand, but soothe the sting, too.

“Sorry,” he mumbled, and Fox coughed to cover up a laugh. If Dare looked behind him, he figured he’d see Loch hiding a smile of his own.

Tabby laughed outright.

Damn little sisters.

“So, as I was saying, we’ve worked hard. But, lately, it seems like we’ve worked too hard.” She looked over at his dad and smiled softly, taking her husband’s hand. “It’s time to make some changes around here.”

Dare sat up straighter.

“We’re retiring. Somewhat. The inn hasn’t been doing as well as it did back when it was with your grandparents, and part of that is on the economy. But part of that is on us. What we want to do is renovate more and update the existing rooms and service. In order to do that and step back as innkeepers, we’ve hired a new person.”

“You’re kidding me, right?” Dare asked, frowning. “You can’t just hire someone to take over and work in our building without even talking to us. And it’s not like I have time to help her run it when she doesn’t know how you like things.”

“You won’t be running it,” Bob said calmly. “Not yet, anyway. Your mom and I haven’t fully retired, and you know it. We’ve been running the inn for years, but now we want to step away. Something you’ve told us we should do. So, we hired someone. One who knows how to handle this kind of transition and will work with the construction crew and us. She has a lot of experience from working in Philly and New York and will be an asset.”

Dare fisted his hands by his sides and blew out a breath. They had to be fucking kidding. “It sounds like you’ve done your research and already made your decision. Without asking us. Without asking me.”

His mother gave him a sad look. “We’ve always wanted to do this, Dare, you know that.”

“Yes. But you should have talked to us. And renovating like this? I didn’t know you wanted to. We could have helped.” He didn’t know why he was so angry, but being kept out of the loop was probably most of it.

His father sighed. “We’ve been looking into this for years, even before you came back to Whiskey and bought the bar from us. And while it may seem like this is out of the blue, we’ve been doing the research for a while. Yes, we should have told you, but everything came up all at once recently, and we wanted to show you the plans when we had details rather than get your hopes up and end up not doing it.”

Dare just blinked. There was so much in that statement— in all of those statements— that he couldn’t quite process it. And though he could have yelled about any of it just then, his mind fixed on the one thing that annoyed him the most.

“So, you’re going to have some city girl come into my place and order me around? I don’t think so.”

“And why not? Have a problem with listening to women?”

Dare stiffened because that last part hadn’t come from his family. No. He turned toward the voice. It had come from the woman he’d seen the night before in the green dress.

And because fate liked to fuck with him, he had a feeling he knew exactly who this person was.

Their newly hired innkeeper.

And new thorn in his side.



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Carrie Ann Ryan is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary and paranormal romance. Her works include the Montgomery Ink, Redwood Pack, Talon Pack, and Gallagher Brothers series, which have sold over 2.0 million books worldwide. She started writing while in graduate school for her advanced degree in chemistry and hasn’t stopped since. Carrie Ann has written over fifty novels and novellas with more in the works. When she’s not writing about bearded tattooed men or alpha wolves that need to find their mates, she’s reading as much as she can and exploring the world of baking and gourmet cooking.

December 19, 2017

Release Blitz: The Hookup


✮✮✮From New York Times bestselling author Kristen Ashley, comes the first standalone title in the exciting, new Moonlight and Motor Oil series, THE HOOKUP! A rich, emotional love story, THE HOOKUP is available now!✮✮✮

Jump into THE HOOKUP and grab your copy today!

About THE HOOKUP (Moonlight and Motor Oil Series #1):


When the new girl in town, Eliza “Izzy” Forrester decides to hit the local drinking hole, she’s not ready to meet the town’s good, solid guy. She’s definitely not prepared to engage in her very first hookup with him.

Then Izzy wakes up the next morning in Johnny Gamble’s bed and good girl Izzy finds she likes being bad for Johnny.

Even so, Izzy feels Johnny holding her at arm’s length. But Johnny makes it clear he wants more and Izzy already knows she wants as much of hot-in-bed, sweet-out-of-it Johnny Gamble.

Floating on air thinking this is going somewhere, Izzy quickly learns why Johnny holds distant.

He’s in love with someone else. Someone who left him and did it leaving him broken. Whoever was up next would be runner up, second best. Knowing the stakes, Izzy will take what she can get from the gentleman that’s Johnny Gamble. And even knowing his heart might never mend, Johnny can’t seem to stay away from Izzy.

Until out of nowhere, his lost love comes back to town. He’s not going back, but Johnny still knows the right thing to do is let Izzy go.

And Izzy knew the stakes, so she makes it easy and slips though his fingers.

But that’s before Johnny realizes Eliza moved to town to escape danger that’s been swirling around her.

And that’s why Johnny decides to wade in.

That and the fact Eliza Forrester makes breakfast with a canary singing on her shoulder and fills out tight dresses in a way Johnny Gamble cannot get out of his head.

Pick up your copy of THE HOOKUP today!

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“Izzy?” she answered.
“Hey, I’m home,” I told her.
“Okay, well…how are you?”
How was I?
Johnny’s behavior explained by the sad fact it was the anniversary of his father’s death, but still explained, and he was coming over for dinner the next night, not to mention, after not being affectionate (at all, unless you counted sitting me on the countertop, which I kind of did) after the last time we’d had sex, he made out with me at the door of my car for a good, long, happy while—I was great.
“I’m great,” I told her, opening Serengeti’s stall and moving in, lifting a hand to pat her jaw while she moved her nose to snuffle my neck and blow at my hair.
“Damn,” Deanna muttered.
My hand arrested on Serengeti and I focused on Deanna.
“What?” I asked.
“Damn,” she repeated.
“Damn what?” I asked.
“Well, just to say Johnny Gamble is Johnny Gamble.”
A specific area in my chest squeezed at the way she imparted that obvious but still confusing information.
“What’s that mean?” I asked.
“He’s Johnny Gamble of Gamble Garages. Did he tell you that?”
No he didn’t tell me that.
And suddenly I was embarrassed about something that I hadn’t liked all along.
But it was worse since Deanna knew more about a man I’d slept with than I did.
Serengeti was getting fidgety, so I used my hand on her to lead her out of her stall, and once in the corridor, she trotted out the open bay at the back, directly into her pasture.
I moved to Amaretto as I shared with Deanna, “No, he didn’t tell me that. I mean, we talked but we were also doing other things.” I let that lie. It did, weighty between us on the phone, before I went on, “I don’t know what that means.”
Even though it seemed like I did. Something seemed familiar about that.
“You haven’t lived here long enough,” she murmured while I opened Amaretto’s stall and moved in for some quick pats before I let him loose. Louder, Deanna said, “You know the gas station in town?”
Oh yes.
That was where I’d seen it.
“He owns that?”
“That and seven more of them across three counties. None in the city, just in the counties. Some of them are like mini-mart stores. All of them sell gas and do work on cars.”
Wow.
That was impressive.






Kristen Ashley was born in Gary, Indiana, USA and nearly killed her mother and herself making it into the world, seeing as she had the umbilical cord wrapped around her neck (already attempting to accessorize and she hadn't taken her first breath!). Her mother said they took Kristen away, put her Mom back in her room, her mother looked out the window, and Gary was on fire (Dr. King had been assassinated four days before). Kristen's Mom remembered thinking it was the end of the world. Quite the dramatic beginning.

Nothing's changed.

Kristen grew up in Brownsburg, Indiana and has lived in Denver, Colorado and the West Country of England. Thus, she's blessed to have friends and family around the globe. Her family was (is) loopy (to say the least) but loopy is good when you want to write. They all lived together on a very small farm in a small farm town in the heartland. She grew up with Glenn Miller, The Everly Brothers, REO Speedwagon and Whitesnake (and the wardrobes that matched).

Needless to say, growing up in a house full of music, clothes and love was a good way to grow up.

And as she keeps growing, it keeps getting better.