Wednesday, March 9, 2016

Love in Bloom: The Remingtons Kindle World Spin-offs Part 3


THE REMINGTONS join the LOVE IN BLOOM series by New York Times & USA Today bestselling and award-winning author Melissa Foster. This 5-book steamy contemporary romance series features alpha male heroes and sexy, empowered women. They're flawed, funny, passionate, and very relatable to readers who enjoy new adult romance, contemporary romance, and women's fiction.

18 incredible authors have written spinoff books based on characters from different books in the LOVE IN BLOOM series. These books are all featured through the Kindle World. Enjoy the first installment of these books.

ENJOY the third installment of these books by these incredible authors.


Faith in Love by C.M. Albert
Summary:
Full of grief and jaded by love, corporate philanthropist Egan MacGuire is given two options by his boss: take a leave of absence or kiss his job goodbye. A road trip with a friend is just the distraction Egan needs to figure out how to get his life back on track.

Celeste St. Angelo left the bright lights and big city for the mountains of North Carolina to open the next phase of her flourishing Angel Therapy business, a healing and wellness center. With the grand opening looming she has no time for distractions, especially love.

When divine timing sparks an unexpected romance, will Egan and Celeste be able to leave their troubled pasts behind and find the courage to have a little faith in love?

Crazy Love by Calinda B
Summary:
Skilled “tiger whisperer” Kennedy Swift is on a mission to get her life on track and escape the people who want to do her harm. Running into Dante Vega isn’t on the plan. When her gaze lands on Dante, the same obsession and longing she experienced in her senior year comes roaring back to life. She simply can’t afford to let him in. End of story.

An unexpected, surprise encounter at a tiger sanctuary in the Bronx leaves mega-superstar musician Dante Vega reeling. Is the woman being charged by the tiger, about to lose her life, the same woman he crushed hard on at his exclusive private Manhattan high school before she vanished?

Each of their lives has been marred by tragedy. Each carries secrets, too dark to reveal. Will their secrets tear them apart? Or will they find the courage to come clean, risking all to find love?

Cameo appearances from Dex Remington, Ellie Parker, Mitch Anziano and Regina Smith, from Game of Love.

Give in to Love by Natasha Brown
Summary:
Any of Miles Sharp’s ex-girlfriends would agree that his top priority has always been installing wells in developing countries. After all, he has never met a woman who is more important than his job. So when an attractive and seemingly unprepared botanist is sent to Honduras to help him with a problem, he makes it clear that he works best alone.

Inspiration from her late father gives Kara Mason the courage to leave the safety of her home to chase her dreams. If she wants her non-profit program to succeed, she must rely on Miles’s translating help to convince the ranchers of El Punto the answer to their water issues is planting bamboo.

As their attraction grows, Miles wonders if she is a woman he could put first. But if Kara leaves before he can decide, they’ll have to go back to their solitary lives unless he takes a chance and gives in to love.

Tracks to Love by Abbie St. Claire
Summary:
Willow Alders is looking for a new start and leaps at the opportunity to work for an elite marketing agency in New York City. With the pain of Dallas in her rear view mirror she clings to her new motto, “The past is a statement, the future is a question.”

Tate Conway treats women like his racing opponents, one and done, but lately, his conquests have left him looking for more, and seeking solace in the bottom of a beer bottle.

Her first assignment at the agency forces Willow to face her past with the handsome racing devil, Tate. When she accidentally spills her coffee on him, Willow burns a track straight to his heart, can he shift her attention his way or will this be the greatest loss of his life?

Cooking Up Love by Stacey Wallace
Summary:
Fabiana Rivas doesn’t have time for love. She’s already got more on her plate than she can handle with the long hours she works as a cooking instructor, caring for her aging mother and autistic son, and dealing with her self-absorbed celebrity chef ex-husband. But when a handsome firefighter flirts with her in the grocery store and then shows up to her cooking class, eager to learn, Fabiana considers that there is always room for dessert.

James Howland is newly divorced and burned out on love. He’s not even sure if he wants to stay in New York City – a place he moved to for his ex-wife’s career, taking him away from his work as a forest firefighter in Oregon. But when he meets a lovely woman at the grocery store and sparks fly, James can’t help but want to stoke the fire.

Fabiana and James discover that together they can turn up the heat without getting burned.


Could This Be Love by Kathy Ivan
Summary:
Injured during the last game of the season, Jesse Turner won't admit to anybody he's afraid his career is over. After surgery and months of grueling physical therapy, he's anticipating and dreading the opening of training camp. Football has been the one constant he could depend on, and the only thing keeping his mind off his ex-wife.

After earning her Master's degree in education, Emma Worthington relocated to Dallas to teach and leave behind painful memories. What were the odds that out of six and a half million people, she'd run into her ex-husband?

Wed too young, their marriage ended in an annulment before the ink had a chance to dry, and they haven't spoken to each other since. When they reconnect, a tenuous friendship grows, but their special magic won't be denied and their feelings begin to resurface. When the lies from the past that drove them apart are finally exposed, can they find forgiveness or is it too late for a second chance at love?


Faith in Love by C.M. Albert
Egan looked around, taking in the floor-to-ceiling book cases that lined two adjoining walls. “These are gorgeous. Are you a big reader?” Egan set his duffle bag onto the pull-out sofa which Celeste had already made up. As he lifted his messenger bag over his head, his shirt rode up and Celeste inhaled sharply when she caught a glimpse of his toned stomach, his abs flush and tight beneath the buckle of his jeans.

She quickly turned her face to avoid meeting his gaze. The raw surge of heat went straight to her belly this time, skipping her cheeks entirely. She hadn’t had a reaction like this to a man in a long, long time.

“Voracious,” she whispered.

Egan lifted a brow, amused. “Are we still talking about reading?”

Celeste cleared her throat. “I’d better let you get settled. I’ll see you up on the front porch in a few?”

Celeste didn’t wait for an answer. She hurried upstairs and made her way to the laundry room. Closing the door behind her, she stood there in the dark, her heart racing. She ran her hand up along her chest to her neck, trying to roll away the tension and desire that had seared inside of her during her exchange with Egan. This was not good at all.

“It’s just attraction,” she whispered to herself. “It doesn’t mean a thing.”

But deep in the pit of her stomach, she felt an ache. More like a flutter. Something was awakening that she thought she’d long since tempered. Hope.

Crazy Love by Calinda B
“What’s the plan?” Dante’s drummer Gia asked.

“Tag wants us to take control of the stage at intermission. He won’t say a thing. He wants to see how long it is before recognition dawns.”

Keys guffawed. “About the time it takes for Heat here to blow his load while laying between two hotties…two seconds.”

“Fuck off,” Heat said. “They double teamed me.”

“Cool it, you two,” said Dante. “So, it’ll be a short set, but let’s make it count. We’ll start with Wet, ramp up with Hungry and end with Want.”

“Now, there’s an explosive set,” Gia said. “You must need to blow off some steam.”

“You could say that,” Dante said, thinking of Kennedy. The feel of her on top of him…it was far better than he could have imagined. Giving her control was do-able. Stopping himself from claiming her, taking her the way he wanted — now that was pure torture. And when she left the way she did? He shook his head. The entire encounter proved unsatisfactory in the long run, leading to him standing here in SoHo-Mios with his band mates, confused, angry and twitchy as hell.

Give in to Love by Natasha Brown

She placed her hand on the bull’s forehead and gave it a scratch before leaning down. A sudden twitch of its head caught Kara off balance. With her eyes on the horns, she teetered, and fell into the red sludge. Her chest, arms and legs landed with a splat in the mud. Although surprised, she couldn’t help but laugh.

Snickers joined hers, as Miles’s hands grabbed her and with some effort, lifted her upright. Clay-covered and stiff, she allowed herself to get spun around. His lips pulled into a broad grin as he tugged her close.

“Watch out, I’ll get you dirty,” she murmured.

“Too late. Are you okay?” he asked, ignoring her muddy hands touching his forearms and pulled away to look her over.

Kara’s eyes trailed up to his face and caught there. Instead of answering, she nodded her head in small movements. Every second that passed, she began to notice what it was like having arms wrapped around her and the rise and fall of a strong chest. She’d never felt like she belonged anywhere like she did in his arms.

Tracks to Love by Abbie St. Claire
“Willow, I’d like you to meet Dex Remington to your left and,” Marcus pointed to a guy wearing funky, steampunk style glasses sitting across from Dex, “Mitch Anziano, both from Thrive Entertainment.” 

I nodded. “My pleasure to meet all of you.” I extended my hand to Tate. When he took it with a soft, flirty grip, I wanted to jerk it clear and punch him. 

“I’ll just call you coffee girl.” He snickered.

“Well then, I suppose I could call you ass—”

“Willow, can you start the video please?” Marcus inserted before I could claim my own space in the world of sarcasm.

Tate’s cockiness was a challenge and normally, one I’d accept. After all, he was definitely attractive and there was something to be said about his broad shoulders and dark, unruly hair. But, racing was off limits to me. Way beyond addiction, it was a one-way flight straight into hell.

Cooking Up Love by Stacey Wallace
Fabiana felt herself swoon a bit at the thought of this man all sweaty and dirty, sitting on the curb, his gear spread out around him, wolfing down a meal that undoubtedly contained cream of mushroom soup and tater tots. She enjoyed watching people eat with gusto after a hard day’s work.

She took a chance and slipped one of her ancient cards from the little-used pocket on the front of her purse. After quickly inspecting it to make sure she hadn’t used it as scratch paper or written a phone number on it, Fabiana thrust it at the guy. “I run the cooking program over at Tableau. My Beginner’s class starts this Saturday if you’re interested.”

The man grinned from ear to ear and blushed, taking the card from her hand. He looked it over. “Fabiana? What a cool name. I’m James.” He stowed the card in his pants pocket and then offered his hand to her. “Thanks for saving me from further humiliation. I’ll be sure to check out your class. Lord knows I need it.”

Could This Be Love by Kathy Ivan
During the drive back from his parents' place, she'd slumped over, practically landing in his lap. He'd ended up pulling her against his side to keep her from sliding off the seat.

Yeah, right. You just wanted to feel her against you. Touch her.

"Emma, honey, wake up."

"Don't wanna. Sleepy now."

He sighed and stared down at the barely awake but enticingly beautiful blonde. There were two very good reasons he didn't want to grab her in his arms, race upstairs and toss her into his bed. A—because she'd be mortified when she woke up and found herself sprawled out in her ex-husband's bed. And B—he wasn't sure his knee would hold up under the added strain.

With a grimace, he propped her languorously limp body against the seat and slid out, going around to the passenger door.

"Emma, come on, baby. Let's get you to bed."

The sunglasses slid down until they perched on the end of her nose. She opened her eyes, sleepy and yet a brilliant green even in the muted light of the garage. So damned gorgeous.

"What? Bed? Umm hmm, bed sounds good."




Author Bios:
C.M. Albert
Author C.M. Albert enjoys living dangerously on the razor’s edge as both author and editor. She’s had the privilege of copy-editing under her Grammar Babe business for several international bestselling and award-winning authors. Her own writing infuses a healthy blend of humor and romance, and she’s a sucker for a good villain and everlasting love. In her spare time, Colleen and her husband Derek wrangle their two young kids and enjoy spending time outdoors. When not writing, editing, or kid wrangling, Colleen is also a Reiki practitioner, chocolate chip cookie aficionado, kindness ambassador, and seeker of naps.

Calinda B
Calinda B is a bestselling author who crafts erotic short stories and paranormal, sci-fi and contemporary romance novels. An avid adventurer and outdoor enthusiast with a quirky sense of humor, she's always finding ways to torture her characters, and to entertain her long time love, her two cats or her kids and friends. She lives in the breathtaking Pacific Northwest, a place that soothes her soul and gives her plenty of time to write, scuba dive, work, write, bike ride, write, kayak, write and write some more.



Natasha Brown
Natasha Brown’s active imagination has always been a distraction to her. When she was a child, the forest outside her home, and books read in the dark past bedtime taught her that exciting worlds are created with dreams and a voice. Once she started writing, she couldn’t break the habit. By day, Natasha’s an assistant teacher at an elementary school, and by night, she’s a book cover designer. Her weekends are spent writing and spending time with family, unless she’s not busy sleeping and dreaming up her next imaginary world.

Abbie St. Claire
With a creative personality, Abbie St. Claire has always had her nose in a book. Whether one for decorative painting, gourmet cooking or steamy romance.

"Heck, those books all go together in my mind. My imagination can easily picture a painting session that turns steamy and I certainly see trying to prepare a gourmet meal while getting deliciously sidetracked with a partner and finishing that meal for breakfast," St. Claire says with a raised brow and twinkle in her eyes.

An International Best Selling Author, St. Claire focuses her work on writing steamy romance from the "writing nook" in her Houston, Texas kitchen, where she's currently at work on the "5th Avenue Romance Series.

St. Claire has quite a bit in store for 2016 with finishing the 5th Avenue Romance Series, starting a new series, participation in First Glance and The Diamond Club anthologies, and a Kindle Worlds project with Melissa Foster.

Stacey Wallace
Stacey Wallace is a full-time author and mama, and a part-time lunch lady. She writes engaging romances that make her readers snort-laugh, ugly cry, and fall in love with her characters.

Stacey lives in Beaverton, OR, a suburb of Portland, which suits her just fine as she can always find parking.

Kathy Ivan
USA TODAY Bestselling author Kathy Ivan spent most of her life with her nose between the pages of a book. From best-selling authors to just-getting-started writers, as long as it was a good story, she devoured it and happily searched for the next romance novel. It didn't matter if the book was a paranormal romance, romantic suspense, or action and adventure thrillers, sweet & spicy or sexy novella. As long as there was an alpha hero and a feisty heroine who got their happily ever after, she'd gladly spend her time with a psychic in New Orleans, or a mysterious stranger manipulating the fate of lovers. Kathy turned her obsession with reading into the next logical step, writing. Her books transport you from a paranormal lodge in the Colorado Mountains to the sultry splendor of the French Quarter in New Orleans in her award winning romantic suspense and mysteries. Kathy tells stories people can’t get enough of; reuniting old loves, betrayal of trust, finding kidnapped children, psychics and even a ghost or two. But one thing they all have in common - love (and some pretty steamy sex scenes too).



C.M. Albert
FACEBOOK  /  TWITTER  /  PINTEREST

Calinda B
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Natasha Brown
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Abbie St. Claire
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Stacey Wallace
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NEWSLETTER  /  AMAZON  /  GOODREADS

Kathy Ivan
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Melissa Foster
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Faith in Love by C.M. Albert

Crazy Love by Calinda B

Give in to Love by Natasha Brown

Tracks to Love by Abbie St. Claire

Cooking Up Love by Stacey Wallace

Could This Be Love by Kathy Ivan



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The Fireman in Unit C by Kris Cook

Title: The Firemen in Unit C
Author: Kris Cook
Series: Mockingbird Place #3
Genre: M/M Romance
Release Date: February 15, 2016
Summary:
A serial arsonist sets fire to the unit next to Jackson’s apartment—the unit the sexy fireman Eli lives in.

Things really heat up when Jackson offers Eli a place to stay until Unit C is livable again. Jackson, being OCD, requires everything in his life to be neat and orderly, but Eli’s life is chaotic and messy, especially because of the man’s ex, who keeps pushing his way back into the fireman’s life. Living with Eli turns out to be much more than he bargained for. As much as he would love to just throw caution to the wind, Jackson believes it is best to keep things between him an Eli on the friend level. Nothing more. But an unexpected kiss rocks his world and he must figure out the real reason he’s terrified of the feelings Eli is bringing out in him.

Will Jackson see that a future with Eli can help him let go of the guilt from his troubled past?


Jackson McAllen – Unit D
 After spending several hours at the university’s library studying for my forensic psychology test next week, I drive away from the campus, anxious to get into my apartment and warm bed. Though I love the class, the amount of required reading has kept me very busy.

Thankfully, I don’t have any classes on Fridays this semester, so I can sleep in tomorrow. I’ll need the rest for Saturday’s tennis match. The new coach doesn’t believe in canceling no matter the weather. I really hope the forecast for the weekend is correct. We’re supposed to have clear skies and temperatures in the sixties. That will be a relief since this entire week has been so cold, especially today, which is the coldest.

The car is registering the outside temperature at ten degrees below freezing. It gives me a chill just looking at it.

I pull into my parking space at Mockingbird Place, my home sweet home. Bracing myself to face the cold, I open my car door and immediately smell smoke.

I look around and see where it’s coming from. Shit. It’s Eli’s apartment.

God, I hope he’s at the fire station working and not inside.

I call 9-1-1.

The dispatcher answers, “9-1-1. What’s your emergency?”

“I’m reporting a fire at Mockingbird Place.” I give her the address. “Unit C. I’m going to run to the door and make sure no one is inside.”

“Sir, for your safety you need to wait until the fire department gets there,” she says in a stern voice.

As I’m running, I tell her, “No way am I waiting.” At Eli’s door, I try to turn the knob. It’s locked. I pound as hard as I can. “Eli! Eli! Are you in there?”

My neighbors come out of their apartments. More smoke billows out the front window. I see that it’s broken. This could be arson. That realization multiplies my worry. Where the hell are you, Eli?

“I know I’m not supposed to hang up on you, ma’am, but I have to call my friend to make sure he’s okay.” Not waiting for her to respond, I click off of 9-1-1 and call Eli’s phone.

Sirens begin to wail in the distance.

Fuck. No answer.

Out of the corner of my eye I see something move. Hoping that it’s Eli, I turn and see the white stray cat that we’ve all adopted running down the sidewalk.

I knock even louder. “Eli!”

Suddenly, the door opens, releasing a massive amount of smoke. Eli rushes out with a towel around his waist and another covering his mouth.

“Eli, are you okay?”

Coughing, he puts his arms around me. “Yes, I am.”

I’m overwhelmed with relief that he is safe, but I’m feeling so much more that I can’t explain. There’s no time to sort out these thoughts right now.

Eli coughs a few more times and then his demeanor goes into fireman mode. “Jackson, we need to step away from the building. It’s too dangerous. Please help me get everyone back.” He doesn’t wait for me but begins lifting his hands and motioning everyone to the other side of the pool. Following his lead, I do the same, directing our neighbors away from the fire.

Once he’s satisfied that everyone is safely away from the blaze, I take off my coat and give it to him. Then he and I run around to the back of Mockingbird Place and meet a fire truck, an ambulance, and a police car, which are pulling into the parking lot next to our units.

The firemen jump out and get to work like a well-oiled machine, pulling out the hoses and other equipment.

Still coughing, Eli steps over to the man in charge, who is broad shouldered with salt and pepper hair.

“Grayson? What the hell are you doing here wrapped in a towel?” the man asks.

“It’s my place, Captain,” Eli chokes out. “I was in the shower when I heard glass breaking and smelled gasoline. I ran downstairs and saw my sofa and curtains go up in flames. I grabbed my fire extinguisher from under the kitchen sink and tried to put out the blaze but it was already out of control.”

“Damn arsonists. This is the fifth fire we’ve had to deal with in the past two weeks.”

I curl my hands into fists, angry about the attacks on gays that have occurred in the area. First it started out as bashing. Eleven LGBT people ended up in the hospital. After the police increased their presence down on Cedar Springs, that’s when small apartment complexes around the area, like ours, were set on fire. Although there has been no evidence connecting the bashings to the arsons, the entire community is on edge.

The captain motions to the EMTs to come over. “He’s one of ours. Inhaled some smoke. Take good care of him.” He turns to Eli. “We are getting this under control. You know the drill. Stay put.”

“Yes, sir.”

As the EMTs give Eli oxygen and provide him blankets, the captain and his team put out the blaze.

“I’m fine, fellas.” Eli seems far from fine to me, at least not emotionally, which is no surprise considering all he’s gone through.

Even so, he’s still the perfect example of male beauty. He’s six-foot-one, just like me. Muscles for days. Piercing blue eyes. Thick, dark hair. Just like the old clichΓ© says—tall, dark, and handsome. He looks like a very strong, tough guy, but still, who would be fine after their home caught on fire? I hate that this has happened to him.

A little while later, the captain walks over to us. “Eli, the good news is we were able to keep the fire from spreading to your second floor. The bad news is everything in your living room is toast. And you know the kind of water damage you’re going to have to deal with.”

“Yes, sir.” He sighs. “And the smoke damage too. The adjoining unit has a couple who are expecting a baby. I’m going to need help finding them a place to stay. Lashaya can’t take a chance breathing in the residual smoke.”

“You may be jumping the gun,” I tell him. I know how terrific a guy Eli is—always concerned about everyone else more than himself. “There might not be any smoke in their place. If there is, we’ll all work on getting them settled until it’s safe for her to return to their apartment.”

He nods. “I’m just glad no one got hurt.”

“We did find the remains of what looks to be a Molotov cocktail in the middle of your apartment,” the captain says. “Before you can get inside the investigators will have to go over your place first.”

Eli closes his eyes. “Maybe they’ll find a clue to who did this.”

Of course he’s still struggling with what has happened. Who wouldn’t be?

“I’m sorry but you’re not going to be able to stay here.” The captain puts his arm around him. “You can stay at the station until this gets all sorted out. I know it might be hard to get much rest but at least you’ll have a clean bed and a shower.”

Everything inside me wants to help Eli. “Why don’t you stay with me? I have the extra bedroom now that Trace is living with Luke, Ava, and the baby. And you and I are about the same size. I have plenty of clothes you can wear.” I don’t want him to think I’m only offering as a gesture of charity, so I add, “And quite frankly, I could use the company. I’ve been a little lonely since Trace moved out.”

“Are you sure?”

“Of course I am. The first thing we need to do is get you out of the cold.”

He shakes his head. “I’d rather stay here until the fire is completely out.”

Knowing I would feel the same way if it were my place on fire, I nod. “Okay. But I’m going to get something for your bare feet. I’ll be right back.”

I run into my place and up the stairs. I pull out a pair of slippers from my closet.

As I rush back to Eli, I see the fire is already under control. The captain is talking with two police officers, a male and female. I also spot Sarah and Martha, who we lovingly call S & M, giving the firemen coffee and hot chocolate.

I hand the slippers to Eli. “I hope these fit you.”

“My feet feel like icicles. Thanks, Jackson.” Putting them on, he smiles. “Perfect, buddy. Already feel better. But let me give your coat back. You must be freezing too.”

I was so concerned with getting him the slippers I didn’t think about grabbing a coat for myself. “I’m fine. Keep it, Eli.”

The captain leads the police officers to us. “This is Eli Grayson. Eli, they have a few questions they need to ask you.”

“I’m Detective Soliz,” the female officer says, and then motions to her partner. “And this is Detective Morrison.”

I recall what the outside temperature registered on my car earlier. Ten degrees below freezing. “Officers, I know you have to ask him questions but could we please go inside my place so he can warm up?” I point to my back door. “I live next door to him.”

Soliz nods. “Of course. Lead the way.”

Once we’re all settled into my apartment, I turn up the heat and put on a pot of coffee. I wish my friend Detective Derek Stone could take Eli’s statement. But Derek only works homicides.

“Mr. Grayson, I understand Captain Murphy told you about his suspicions that this could be arson,” Soliz says.

“Yes he did.”

“Do you have any idea who might have done this?”

“No. I don’t have any enemies that I know of.”

Morrison asks, “Have you had an argument with anyone recently?”

Eli shrugs. “I did have an argument with my friend Scott a couple of days ago, but that’s not unusual. We’ve been arguing with each other since I kicked him out, but I’m certain Scott’s not capable of this.”

Of course the bastard is capable of this and so much more. Why can’t Eli see the guy for who he truly is?

Soliz looks directly at Eli. “What were you arguing about, Mr. Grayson?”

“Same old thing. He wants me to forgive him and take him back.”

We all know the asshole cheated on him, even if Eli has never said so. I saw Scott making out with a guy at a club when he was still living with Eli. And despite Eli breaking it off with the bastard and kicking him out, the creep somehow is able to make Eli feel sorry for him.

I bring out a tray with coffee, cups, cream, and sugar. “Officers, would you like some coffee? It’s freezing out there.”

“I sure would,” Morrison says.

Soliz smiles. “Me, too. Thank you.”

“What about you, Eli?” I ask him.

“Please. I’m still cold.”

After taking a sip of coffee, Soliz turns back to Eli. “What’s your friend’s full name, Mr. Grayson?”

“Scott Foster.”

“Do you have his address and phone number?” she asks.

“I do. In my cell.” Eli frowns. “Oh shit. It was on the table next to my sofa. Um…Scott lives in a condo on Cedar Springs not far from Oak Lawn. I think they’re called Whispering Pines.”

“Whispering Pines?” I’m stunned. “Those are really nice.”

“Where does Mr. Foster work?” Soliz asks Eli.

“He just started working part time at the 7-Eleven on Lemmon a couple of weeks ago.”

I wonder how in the hell his ex can afford to live in an upscale condo. Is Eli subsidizing him?

Eli takes a sip of his coffee. “But like I said before, Scott isn’t capable of such a crime.”

“But he certainly is a big jerk,” I blurt out and immediately wish I could take it back. “Sorry, Eli. You know none of us here like Scott after all he did to you.”

“What is your name?” Soliz asks me.

Damn it. I should have kept my mouth shut. “Jackson McAllen.

“What can you tell us about Mr. Foster?”

“I don’t really know him. I only saw him a few times when he and Eli were still together.”

She leans forward. “And?”

“And I don’t care for him.”

“Can you elaborate?” Morrison asks in a I-mean-business-so-don’t-try-to-bullshit-me tone.

“I’ve seen him throw a drink in Eli’s face, scream at Eli at a club, and throw Eli’s clothes in the pool.” Rage rolls up inside me. Why can’t Eli see his ex is a useless piece of shit? “Scott Foster is a total asshole.”

Soliz glances at her partner and then turns back to me. “Are you and Mr. Grayson dating now?”

“No, we are not,” Eli jumps in. “Jackson and I are only friends.”

His words sting me. “Right. Just friends.”

“I don’t understand why you’re wasting time, officers,” Eli says. “Stop trying to pin this on Scott. I told you, he’s not capable of this.”

The male officer’s eyebrows rise. “Have you heard the saying from Hamlet ‘The lady doth protest too much, methinks’?”

Is Morrison referring to Eli’s ex being the arsonist or that Eli and I should be together? God, I wish Eli and I could be more than friends. I like him. I like him a lot. But he and I wouldn’t work. His life is too complicated and messy for me. Blame it on my OCD. I must have things simple and orderly.



Author Bio:
Though starting in straight erotic romance, Kris's total focus now is on gay romance. When asked why recently, his answer was "My muse finally came out of the closet. Isn't it about time? I’ve been out since I was twenty-five."  A voracious reader, Kris loves many genres of fiction, but this writer's favorite books are romances that are edgy, sexy, with rich characters and unique challenges. Kris' influences include Anne Rice, JR Ward, Lexi Blake and Shayla Black. Last year, Kris married the love of his life Stephen.


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EMAIL: kris@kriscook.net



The Fireman in Unit C #3
**Free on Kindle Unlimited**

The Marine in Unit A #1

The Cowboy in Unit E #2




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Tuesday, March 8, 2016

Crooked Tree Ranch by RJ Scott

Title: Crooked Tree Ranch
Author: RJ Scott
Series: Montana #1
Genre: M/M Romance
Release Date: November 16, 2015
Summary:
When a cowboy meets the guy from the city, he can't know how much things will change.

On the spur of the moment, with his life collapsing around him, Jay Sullivan answers an ad for a business manager with an expertise in marketing, on a dude ranch in Montana. With his sister, Ashley, niece, Kirsten and nephew, Josh, in tow, he moves lock stock and barrel from New York to Montana to start a new life on Crooked Tree Ranch.

Foreman and part owner of the ranch, ex rodeo star Nathaniel 'Nate' Todd has been running the dude ranch, for five years ever since his mentor Marcus Allen became ill. His brothers convince him that he needs to get an expert in to help the business grow. He knows things have to change and but when the new guy turns up, with a troubled family in tow - he just isn't prepared for how much.

"... This is a beautiful love story between two men, each with secrets they are afraid to reveal. ..."


At one point, when he was trying not to stare at the dancing, he spotted Liam across the room and they exchanged heated looks. Nate recalled the young guy bending over for him the last time he was here. Maybe he could get some more of that tonight. Maybe fucking Liam into the mattress would stop the irritating thought that he wanted to fuck Jay instead. Or that he wanted Jay to do the same thing to him.

Jeez.

Jay made it through three tracks of music, and when he made no sign of moving from his place alongside two men, Nate had to make a move. He sucked it up and joined the fray.

Nate was immediately swallowed into the crowd and instinctively began moving to the beat of the song as he walked closer. When he finally made it to Jay’s side, he patted him on the shoulder. Jay spun on his heel and Nate held out a hand to steady him.

“Cowboy!” Jay shouted over the music.

In a sinuous movement, Jay gripped one of Nate’s shoulders and shuffled closer so that very little separated them. The two men dancing with Jay drifted off to face other dancers, and suddenly it seemed like it was just Nate and Jay swaying to the music.

“You need to be careful!” Nate shouted close to his ear.

“Why?” Jay shouted back.

His breath smelled of beer and his body scent was a mix of the infuriating aftershave mingled with sweat and dust. Suddenly Jay became a four-course meal and Nate was very hungry.

“Keep your eyes open,” Nate warned.

As if to make that comment mean nothing, Jay deliberately closed his eyes and moved to the beat of the music. Somewhere along the line, Jay had lost his bottle of beer, or finished it, or whatever. He had both hands free, and he used them to steady himself by gripping hard to Nate’s shoulders. He had closed his eyes and was mouthing the words along with the song. Was he aware it was Nate holding him? He’d said “cowboy,” they’d spoken, but there were a lot of cowboys mixed in with the bikers and the other varied clientele.

“Open your eyes, Jay,” Nate shouted over the music.

Jay did as Nate had asked, and Nate was suddenly seeing brown eyes glazed with emotion. Then Jay smiled and closed his eyes again.

Instinctively Nate steadied Jay and that meant his hands rested on Jay’s hips. The feel of the man beneath his touch was intoxicating and Nate held hard. Jay fit into his arms perfectly: a little shorter, a little slimmer, just the right height, and his lips, damp with sweat or beer—Nate didn’t know—were what he zeroed in on. Jay swayed with the music. The move took them closer and fuck, Jay was hard. Nate gave in to the temptation and pressed them closer still until he was sure Jay could feel how hard he was as well.

All thoughts of impropriety or fears of rejection flew out the window. Nate was lost in the smile of pleasure that curved Jay’s damp lips. What would he taste like? Would Jay return the kiss? Would Jay push him away? How could he risk this? He eased his hold on Jay’s hips and slouched a little so that their groins aligned—suddenly they were frotting firmly and rhythmically to some Eminem mix. There was no way he could stop himself.

“Can I kiss you?” Nate said into Jay’s ear.

Jay smiled at him, but it wasn’t clear that he’d heard what Nate said. Hell, he should kiss Jay and stop all this delay in taking what he really wanted. Someone jostled him from behind and the movement threw him off his spiral of the pros and cons of denial. When the person who jostled them attempted to insinuate themselves between Nate and Jay, abruptly everything was clear.

“Fuck off,” Nate shouted clearly to the interloper, and in a quick move, he got his first taste of the sexy city boy. The press of his lips against Jay’s was intoxicating, and they kissed and swayed to the beat of the music. Their hard cocks pressed together and—finally—the kiss deepened. Jay let him in and Nate took every advantage. Fuck the fact Jay worked for the ranch, fuck that they had absolutely zero in common, forget that Jay had a degree and a life that would take him far away from Nate’s world sometime soon.

What Others Are Saying:
“This series is a winner because of it's cowboy theme - who can resist a gorgeous cowboy!” - Because Two Men Are Better Than One

“I always enjoy cowboy stories and, as you would expect from RJ, this one is smoothly well-written and pulls you forward chapter by chapter.” - Goodreads Reviewer

“This story pushed every button that makes me fall in love with a book.” - Goodreads Reviewer

“ This wonderful story reminded me of exactly why I fell in love with RJ Scott's storytelling.” - Goodreads Reviewer

What I am Saying:
Nate and Jay are so perfect for each other.  Okay they may not exactly be up to Jack and Riley caliber from Ms. Scott's Texas series but boy do they have that push and pull chemistry that had me hooked from beginning to end.  And talk about the end, I didn't want it to ever end.  On the surface it looks like the typical city boy meets cowboy romance but other than Jay's horse riding skills, or lack thereof, those differences don't really play in to the story. Some people may not find there differences not effecting the story very realistic but I speak from personal experience, it does happen.  My mother was the quintessential city girl and my dad was country all the way but Mom took to farming like she was born to it, so it really does happen.  I found not going the way of that cliche quite refreshing.

The secondary characters had me just as intrigued.  Nate's brothers, Jay's sister, niece, and nephew; there were more than a few times that I wanted to shake that niece of his to make her wise up but the truth is, she's a teenager and that's what they do, aggravate and warm your heart all in the same breath.  Definitely a must read and I eagerly await Rancher's Son #2, coming March 24, 2016.

RATING: 

The Rancher's Son #2
Summary:
When he wakes up in hospital, the victim of a brutal beating, John Doe, as he thinks of himself, has no memories of who he is or who hurt him. The cops can find nothing to identify him and he can't remember anything to help... except the name Ethan and one recurring place from his dreams. Three words, and they're not much, but it's a start. Crooked Tree Ranch.

Cop, Ethan Allens has never stopped searching for his brother and his brother's best friend who vanished. When a report lands on Ethan's desk that may give new leads he jumps at the chance to follow them up. The man he finds isn't his brother, but it's someone who could maybe help him discover what happened ten years ago.

What neither man can know is that facing the very real demons of the past could very well destroy any kind of future they may think they have together.

Author Bio:
RJ Scott has been writing since age six when she was made to stay in at lunchtime for an infraction involving cookies and was told to write a story. Two sides of A4 about a trapped princess later, a lover of writing was born. She reads anything from thrillers to sci-fi to horror; however, her first real love will always be the world of romance. From billionaires, bodyguards and cowboys to SEALs, throwaways and veterinarians, she writes passionate stories with a heart of romance, a troubled road to reach happiness, and more than a hint of happily ever after.


SMASHWORDS  /  EXTASY /  ARe  /  AMAZON
EMAIL: rj@rjscott.co.uk



Crooked Tree Ranch #1
AMAZON AU  /  B&N  /  iTUNES  /  ARe

The Rancher's Son #2: GOODREADS TBR




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Melting His Alaskan Heart by Rebecca Thomas

Title: Melting His Alaskan Heart
Author: Rebecca Thomas
Series: Alaskan Hero #3
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: February 28, 2016
Cover Design: Yocla Designs
Banner Background Photo: MMF
Summary:
When Ethan Forrester’s hockey star brother begs him to take his place at a masquerade fundraiser due to illness, Ethan grudgingly agrees to help the cause. After all, he’ll be wearing a mask that covers the scar across his eye. No one will know his true identity.

Sports journalist Carly Hughes will do whatever it takes to procure the interview no one else can get from the NHL Stanley cup winning captain. After a few drinks she confesses her need for an exclusive interview or she’ll be fired. Ethan knows his brother as well as he knows himself—spilling a few details should keep the man’s privacy intact—mostly.

However, when their interview moves to the penthouse suite, Ethan tries to explain he’s not the Forrester brother she’s looking for, but Carly insists he keep his mask on.

Daylight brings some harsh truths, and a serious hangover. Carly not only forgot to record her interview, but she wakes up with a stranger in her bed. Or was this case of mistaken identity the best thing that’s ever happened to her?


Completely unskilled at basic flirting, Ethan decided keeping his mouth shut and his eyes averted would be the best course of action. Quit trying to say what Dane would say, just make an appearance and leave.

She ordered a Long Island iced tea before turning her attention back to Ethan and extended her hand. “I’m Carly Hughes.”

Ethan swallowed before grasping her hand. Partially hidden behind a mask, her eyes gleamed with the most brilliant shade of green. “Eee—Dane Forrester, nice to meet you.”

“Are you enjoying the party?” she asked.

He unclasped his hand from hers. A bolt of something sizzling hot passed between them. Reaching for a lifeline, he embraced his mug with interlacing fingers and hung on tight. “Yes.”

“I just moved to Anchorage, but I figured a literacy council charity event sponsored by the Alaska Fury would be a great way to meet people.” She readjusted her bottom in her barstool and crossed her legs, bumping his shin in the process. “Excuse me.”

Ethan gave a curt nod and chugged his beer. He had to admit being hidden behind the knight’s half-mask was a nice benefit. He didn’t have to feel self-conscious about this scarred face. He wasn’t one for social engagements anyway, but he willed himself to relax.

The bartender returned with her Long Island iced tea. “That’ll be twelve fifty.”

Carly reached for her purse, opened it up and rifled through its contents. “Oh, my goodness, did I…I think I forgot my wallet.”

Ethan stood up and dug out his wallet. He hadn’t forgotten all his manners. “Please, allow me.”

“All right.” She put her purse away.

“Sorry, I should have offered in the first place,” Ethan mumbled, opening up his wallet. “I don’t get out much.”

She cocked an eyebrow above the edge of her mask. “You, Dane Forrester, don’t get out much?”

“I mean, I haven’t been out lately—as in a few days. I mean I…” Ethan decided he’d be better off making a hasty retreat. “Forget I ever said that. I’m distracted.” He held his empty mug an extra three seconds before setting it down. Maybe more alcohol would numb his embarrassment. He called out to the bartender, “Could I get another Bud, please?”

Why on God’s snow-covered earth did he ever agree to this charade? He wasn’t good at being Ethan Forrester—let alone Dane Forrester. He wasn’t good at being anyone other than a part-time fireman and half-assed welder.



Author Bio:
Rebecca Thomas enjoys a love-hate relationship with Alaska. She lives there with her husband and two teenaged sons. When she isn’t reading, writing, or playing board games, she is cheering for her sons at their hockey games and tennis matches.

A reluctant reader as a child, she didn’t become interested in books until her teen years when she discovered historical romance. Now she loves all sub-genres of romance and can’t decide which one is her favorite.

Rebecca earned a bachelor’s degree in Education from the University of Alaska and was employed in the airline industry for several years before working in her current position as a program manager in a higher education.


FACEBOOK  /  TWITTER  /  WEBSITE
iTUNES  /  AMAZON  /  GOODREADS



Melting His Alaskan Heart #3

Her Alaskan Hero #1

Sweet Home Alaska #2

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