Welcome to Lone Mountain, Montana, where the men are as rugged as the landscape, and love can be found in the most unexpected places.
MARRYING THE GRUMP
Jenna I’m a curvy, book-loving nerd, and I’m on a mission to save my beloved library. Driving all over Lone Mountain and asking for donations isn’t in my job description, but I’ll do it.
When I’m unexpectedly stranded on a mountain roadside in the middle of a raging storm, I find myself being rescued by the infuriatingly sexy Race Gentry, a man as tough and untamed as the mountain he calls home. Burly and gruff, this mountain man and former soldier is certainly not my idea of Prince Charming. But the possessive way he looks at me has me ready to trade in my steamy romance novels for a walk on the wild side.
Race I knew I was a goner the second I saw her lush curves and sweet, sassy mouth. The curvy spitfire showed up on my mountain out of nowhere, disrupting the peace and solitude I thought I wanted and bringing to the surface every overprotective instinct I’d long buried. She’s mine, and I know it instantly. And if I have to convince her…well, that could be a whole lot of fun. We may be total opposites, but she fits me like fate.
My friends had always accused me of being too picky, too judgy. I suppose that was true. I was attracted to a certain type of man and saw no sense in wasting time on relationships that didn’t fit my mold. The more I got to know Killian Stone, the more boxes he checked off my perfect man list.
Tall, dark, and handsome. Check. Broad-shouldered. Check. Well-endowed. Not for certain, but pretty damn sure. So, check. Dominant, without being an ass. Check. So damn sexy that I couldn’t think straight around him. Check. A sense of honor and duty. Check. Overprotective without being over the top. Half a check? He was a little over the top, but if I were honest, that secretly thrilled me.
We always write about curvy women and the men who love them. Always a happily-ever-after, always a curvy girl and her alpha male and absolutely no cheating. Yeah, the stories have a little heat, but they are always old-fashioned and wholesome.
A Sexy, Friends to Lovers, Secret Relationship, Small-Town Romance by bestselling author Chelle Sloan.
I can’t remember a time when I haven’t loved my childhood best friend, Amelia. Her big brown eyes and beautiful smile have had a hold on me since we were teenagers. Hell, I even love her kids as if they were my own. Now, she’s divorced, and after twenty years, it’s time to make my move. The tension between us finally erupts and I kiss her. Imagine my surprise when she doesn’t push me away but says she wants to give us a try. Except she has one condition: We keep it a secret. I’ll do anything for her, even this. But I can’t help but want to shout to the world that the woman of my dreams is finally mine. I inadvertently do it when her ex-husband rolls back into town. A man I’ve hated since high school. He riles me up and I blurt out Amelia and I are engaged. We’re not. Now, we have to pretend to plan a wedding while our meddling town watches. I’ve waited over twenty years for my chance. Will this cost me the one I love?
Known for her witty sense of humor, Chelle Sloan is a former sports reporter who recently completed her master’s degree in journalism, and is now putting that to good use — one happily ever after at a time.
An Ohio native, she’s fiercely loyal to Cleveland sports, is the owner of way too many — yet not enough — tumblers and will be a New Kids on the Block fan until the day she dies. She does her best writing at Starbucks, where you can usually find a Pink Drink within reach. Oh, and yes, you probably saw her on TikTok.
As for her own happily every after? Maybe one day…
What does a tattooed chick from Philadelphia know about being a rancher? Absolutely nothing. But that’s about to change.
Willow Crawford never knew her father’s identity until she hears from his lawyer, advising her of his death. As the sole heir to his ranch in Wyoming, she has the chance to start anew following her divorce.
After losing his family in a devastating accident, mail call no longer brings a smile to Staff Sergeant Nathan Casey’s face, knowing his name won’t be shouted. But when he receives a letter addressed to Any Soldier, signed by Wannabe Rancher, he finds himself captivated by the fascinating and beautiful woman who’d written it.
As her unexpected fondness for small-town life and a certain pen pal grows, Willow discovers more about herself, her family, and her legacy. Will the attraction she develops for Nathan, through his letters and phone calls, still exist and intensify when they finally meet? Or will she risk her heart, only to have history repeat itself and deny Willow her soul mate?
Hi, my name is Willow, and I wanted to take a moment to thank you for your service. It’s very much appreciated. It must be hard for you to be away from your family and friends for long periods of time, and I hope this letter brightens your day.
I’m probably not supposed to ask where you’re stationed or deployed, so I won’t. I’ll just assume you’re somewhere on the other side of the world and pray you’re safe.
I guess I should tell you a little about myself. I’m thirty-three years old and originally from Philadelphia, where I’d lived my entire life until three weeks ago. That’s when I found out I’d inherited a ranch in Wyoming, of all places. Talk about a culture shock. This little podunk town has a population of just under 1000 people, and everyone seems to know everyone else. I probably had that many people living within a two-block radius of me back in Philly, and no one knew who any of their neighbors were beyond nodding hello as they passed each other on the street.
I’ve spent the last few weeks overhauling the house here—it really needed it. I’d been hoping all it would need was a fresh coat of paint, but that turned out to be the least of my worries. The front porch needed major work—all new steps and most of the boards needed to be replaced. Thankfully, the supports were in good shape, so the whole thing didn’t need to be torn down. I even managed to save the old porch swing, sanding and refinishing it. I think I’ll rehang it on the side porch, though—it faces west—and get another one for the back porch. The painters come in a few days to re-paint the outside of the house. I picked a light green color—I think it’ll look nice against the blue sky.
I also tackled the kitchen and two bathrooms and had a plumber and an electrician come in and update what needed to be. While there is still a lot to do in the three rooms, at least I can now say every surface has been bleached and disinfected, the water is clean, and the plugs are updated for the new appliances I ordered. Now, I’m moving on to the rest of the house. Every room needs, at the very least, to be painted and new furniture and rugs.
With the help of some local guys, I got rid of the old, very outdated furniture (think of the 1970s if you need a visual), junk that was lying around, and anything else I didn’t want to keep. There are a bunch of boxes and trunks left, mostly filled with papers and stuff, but I put them in the attic until I have more time to devote to going through them. Thank goodness I also now have satellite internet and TV access—it was really quiet here without them for the first two days. I’m learning a lot about living in the country, thanks to Google.
Tomorrow, I’m going to do the craziest thing—well, at least the craziest thing I’ve ever done besides leaving Pennsylvania to move to Wyoming, where I know absolutely no one. I’m going to buy some chickens! Me, the tattooed, pink-haired chick from Philly, is going to get, well, some chicks (lol). Two of the guys who helped me clear out the house came by yesterday and fixed up the coop in the backyard for me and put up some new fencing around it. The other night, I spent three hours researching chickens, from which ones to get and what to feed them to how to collect their eggs and know when there’s something wrong with them (just in case). There’s a local vet who deals with farm animals, so at least there’s someone nearby who I can consult with. I was surprised to learn you don’t need a rooster for the hens to lay eggs. You only need one if you want baby chicks. I’ll do without the rooster for now.
I must be crazy (well, the last paragraph probably confirmed that), but I’m actually thinking about keeping the ranch. At first, I seriously considered fixing it up to sell, but the longer I stay here, the more I like living out in the middle of nowhere. Weird, huh? There’s really no reason for me to go back to Philly other than it’s familiar. People move all the time and start over in new places, so why can’t I? The only thing is I’ll need to figure out what to do with all this land I now have (1200 freaking acres!). It used to be a cattle ranch, but I sold the last few cows, steers, and horses to my new neighbor since I had no idea how to take care of them or what to do with them. He’d already been caring for them, so it just made sense to let him buy them.
I want to raise some animals or plant something I can sell, but this is all so new to me, and I have no clue how to be a rancher. If you have any ideas on what I could use the land for, I’m all ears.
Oh, I forgot to mention. I have a new friend. He’s a white-tailed prairie dog that comes and hangs out on my back porch. After the third day of him showing up, I named him Fred. I had to take a picture of him with my phone to find out what in the world he was because, needless to say, we didn’t have prairie dogs back East. The guy who owns the feed store, whose name is Ducky—if you can believe that—gave me a quick education on them. Thankfully, they’re herbivores. I bought some seeds that Ducky said I could leave out for Fred. I can also give him some vegetables. From what I’m told, he probably has a family somewhere nearby, so I’m sure he’s sharing the meals with them. Maybe one of these days, I’ll follow him and see where he lives.
Anyway, I’m obviously rambling on about nothing, and I’m sure you have lots to do. If you want to write back, that’s great, but I’ll understand if you don’t. In the meantime, thank you again for your service, and I hope you’re back with your loved ones soon.
Sincerely,
Willow
Wannabe Rancher
P.S. – I know it would be easier to exchange email addresses to write back and forth, but if you don’t mind, I kind of like writing letters and mailing them the old-fashioned way. We did that when we adopted a soldier in my fourth-grade class, and it was so exciting when the teacher announced we had a letter from him each month.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
USA Today Bestselling Author and Award-Winning Author Samantha Cole is a retired policewoman and former paramedic. Using her life experiences and training, she strives to find the perfect mix of suspense and romance for her readers to enjoy.
Awards:
Wannabe in Wyoming (co-authored by J.B. Havens) won the bronze medal in the 2021 Readers’ Favorite Awards in the General Romance category. Scattered Moments in Time won the gold medal in the 2020 Readers’ Favorite Awards in the Fiction Anthology category. The Road to Solace won the silver medal in the 2017 Readers’ Favorite Awards in the Contemporary Romance category.
Samantha has over thirty-five books published throughout several different series as well as a few standalone novels. A full list can be found on her website – www.samanthacoleauthor.com.
Code of Knights and Deception Eliza Hampstead Publication date: December 2024 Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Time-Travel
Outlander meets Black Mirror in this sizzling time-travel romance!
Sophia’s family vacation in England takes an unexpected turn when a visit to the historic Warwick Castle catapults her back to the year 1401. Stranded in a world vastly different from her own, she must adapt to the brutal realities of medieval life, ultimately discovering a strength and resilience she never knew she had.
She finds unexpected friends and solace in her ancient surroundings, but her newfound peace is shattered by a violent attack. Driven to action, she disguises herself as a man and begins sword fighting lessons, determined to defend herself.
Henry, the castle’s enigmatic master-at-arms, is a chivalric knight with dark secrets. As he trains Sophia, their connection ignites a forbidden love that defies the strict social norms of the time. But their passionate affair is threatened by his deception, which could shatter the fragile world Sophia has come to cherish.
As danger looms and the truth about Henry comes to light, Sophia faces an impossible choice: return to her own time or risk everything to protect the man she loves and the new world she’s come to cherish.
Award-winning author Eliza Hampstead, a scientist by training, lives with her family in the UK. When she’s not writing, she spends her time as a geek. Playing all sorts of games (board games, video games, RPGs) and being a big fan of mediaeval history are only a few of the many hobbies she has. Passionate about fantasy, she’s always planning her next adventure.
Grab your free copy of the bonus story of how Mike met Charlie and how they spent their first hot night together by signing up to Eliza’s newsletter to receive information about new releases:
He’s exactly what I want and need in a man. He’s also off-limits as the father of one of my students.
I didn’t expect to be wildly attracted to him the moment he walked into my classroom.
Nor was I even looking for this type of… connection.
I’m only supposed to share my mind and knowledge as his son’s teacher. Not my body as his lover. I’m a professional. Surely I can resist his perfect, blue eyes, work-calloused hands, and that deep timbre in his voice.
Having a temporary tryst with a single father is one thing. Falling in love with him is another thing entirely. Especially when I know for certain I can’t give him what he wants, or needs, in life
I want to be his. I want to explore this.
I just don’t know if he’ll want me when he finds out how broken I truly am.
Catalyst is a single father x elementary school teacher small town romance. It’s book 1 of the Meadow Lake Series but can be read as a complete standalone.
It’s not a complicated plan. Find a dom who can tie a knot without getting tangled in the rope, live out a fantasy or two, and get back to work. DONE!
But I don’t find a dom in Room Thirty. No, I find a trio of men so sexy it hurts to look at them. A trio who likes to share. A trio I suddenly have to work alongside if I want to save my company.
None of this was in my plan, but it’s just physical. At least that’s what I keep telling myself.
Never mind that Thorin’s hard stare makes me squirm against my bonds, desperate for more of his touch.
Or the way Mallon’s voice makes me shiver in anticipation.
And let’s not even talk about Leo and his soulful eyes, reading my every move like he’s inside my head.
Hot with a plot is Mae Harden’s personal motto. Mouthy, relatable heroines and alphas with marshmallowy insides are her addictions.
Mae Harden writes contemporary romance with a penchant for dirty talk, a healthy dose of humor, and a sprinkle of kink. She lives in Virginia with her husband, two young children, and a chunky cat. Mae loves to bake and makes homemade wine to keep up with household demand.
No one said escaping her bloodthirsty fated mate would be easy.
Half Fae half wolf-shifter Tavi Alderidge’s only chance to dodge a disturbing arranged marriage to a dangerous werewolf is to embrace her Fae heritage and escape to the land of Faerie. To do that she must attend the Fae Academy for Halflings. There’s just one problem: no wolf-shifters allowed.
Hope comes in the form of a potion to suppress her shifter half while she works to earn her ticket to Faerie. The cost is steep but one she’s willing to pay for a chance to escape. However, surviving the Academy’s purgings meant to weed out the weaker students is the least of her problems when a murderer begins taking out the top students.
Soon Tavi finds herself doing the one thing she swore she would never do—falling for another student. And when she discovers he’s the Crown Prince of Faerie, she realizes the one person she thought she could trust is the last person who can ever learn her secret.
Fans of Sarah J. Maas, Bella Forest, and K.F. Breene will find themselves enthralled with this dark fantasy academy series full of magic and betrayal.
BREA VIRAGH is a contemporary and paranormal romance writer based in the Blue Ridge Mountains. She is a proud Gryffindor, a graduate of Brakebills, and a member of Fairy Tail. Can you tell she loves anything magical? Her addictions include good books with delicious heroes, traveling pretty much anywhere, and food. If she could eat anything she wanted without repercussions, it would be amazing!
She is the author of the Promise Me series, a small-town contemporary romance, and the Cavaldi Birthright, a witchy paranormal romance. All her stories have a tantalizing mix of sweet and heat and are a guaranteed happily ever after!
It was a simple promise—watch out for my best friend’s little sister the same way I would my own.
Turns out, Brenna is a lot more grown-up than I realized. And a lot more beautiful. Which makes sharing an apartment with her this summer tougher than I expected.
Until she shares something with me. Something she’s never shared with anyone. Something that makes me want to step in and help.
Something that changes everything.
Soon enough, my wanting to be with her has nothing to do with that promise I made and everything to do with the undeniable spark between us.
It doesn’t matter that I’m more than a decade older than she is. Or what our small town thinks.
But Brenna’s time in Hickory Hills is limited, making everything more complicated.
The more time I spend with Brenna, the harder it is to stay apart. The more I want to convince her to stay.
I already broke my promise to her brother. But I will keep my promise to her.
Milo smiles softly at me and I relax, reminding myself who this is. Who we are.
Roommates. Almost siblings. Who cares if he accidentally saw me naked and masturbating and now knows my deepest secret?
“Hi. Whatcha making?”
“Just mac ’n cheese.”
Just mac ’n cheese? Is this man crazy?
I drop my bag, kicking off my shoes and placing them at the mat by the door. Inhaling deeply, I walk into the kitchen, examining the baking dish sitting on top of the stove. Sure enough, this is the real deal. Multiple cheeses melted into and mixed in with a roux, before folded over pasta and topped with breadcrumbs. A quick glance down at the counter reveals a loaf of bread and food processer, meaning these breadcrumbs are real, not store-bought. Fuck, yes.
“Milo, there is nothing just about mac ’n cheese. Especially real deal mac ’n cheese. I know you know it’s my fave. Especially if that’s Hayes mac ’n cheese.”
He laughs, the deep vibrato making my insides feel just as gooey as that cheese. “It is.”
Fuck, I have died and gone to heaven. Hayes mac ’n cheese, made by a sexy-as-sin Hayes man? Yeah…I’m done for.
“It was your first day at your first big girl job. I figured that was worth celebrating.” He gives me a wink, turning away from me to put the dish in the oven.
My first big girl job? Well then, if Milo’s going to talk to me the same way he and Brandt did when they took the training wheels off my bike, then I’d say seeing me naked is irrelevant. Thank goodness.
“Seriously? Thank you. You didn’t have to do that. I’m sure you had better things to do with your afternoon.”
Milo shrugs his tattooed left shoulder, stepping into me, winking again. My insides melt a little more. This is dangerous.
“I wanted to. You deserve it.”
I sigh, my heart grateful for not only the gesture, but how much he cares. I’m lucky to have him in my life.
“Also, I was thinking.”
“Uh-oh, that’s dangerous,” I quip.
Milo chuckles, stepping in closer, the gap between us now no more than a foot. My pulse kicks into high gear, his musky scent filling my nostrils. I don’t know if that’s his cologne or deodorant or some soap, but damn, he smells good. So good it might fry my brain.
“Whatcha doin’ Friday?”
Friday? Ummmm…
“Errr…ahhh…studying?” I hope that’s the right answer.
“Take a night off.”
“Any particular reason?”
A list of possible answers rushes through my mind. The most likely is that he needs my help again at Pour Decisions. Which, if that’s what he needs, he can consider it done. I’m not only happy to help, but it’s the least I can do since I’m squatting in his apartment all summer.
“I’m taking you out.”
Record scratch—he’s what?
Milo must see the confusion register on my face, because he steps into me even more, this time, taking my hand.
“Let me start over. Brenna, would you like to go out with me on Friday?”
“Like a date?”
Like a date? Oh good gracious, who asks that? Like a date. Of course it’s not a date.
“Yes, like a date.”
I stand corrected.
“You want to take me on a date?” My voice squeaks, betraying me and my excitement.
Milo Hayes wants to take me on a date. Well, dear diary, your preteen fantasies are coming true.
“I was thinking about what you said yesterday—”
“Ugh, could we not?”
“No, we’re gonna. I hate to see you upset, always have. Yesterday was no exception. And I can’t fix everything in this world, but this, this I can. No, not fix. Because you don’t need fixing, Brenna. Change, that’s a better word. This I can change.”
“Milo, you don’t have to do this.”
“Bren,” he whispers, squeezing my hand. “This isn’t about have to, this is about want to. I want to take you. I want to show you what it’s like to experience a second date. And in order for there to be a second, there has to be a first. So, what d’ya say? Go out with me Friday night?”
My heart soars. Milo Hayes wants to take me on a date. How does a girl say no to that?
She doesn’t. That’s how.
I let my smile loose, a giggle escaping with it. I can’t help it. Because I’m giddy.
“I’d love to.”
“Good.”
He squeezes my hand again, keeping the small gap between us. Looking down at me, his blue eyes sparkle, upping my giddiness.
“Can I ask where we’re going?”
“You can ask.” He smirks. “But I’m not gonna tell you. It’s a surprise.”
Oh boy…
His smirk grows and he starts to lean in. My whole body is on high alert, calling out to the universe, trying to manifest something out of thin air. It’s not too much to also want a kiss, right? I mean, I did just get asked out.
Milo continues to lean, and I’m starting to think the universe might be listening to me.
At least until my phone goes off.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
USA Today Best Selling author Claire Hastings is a walking, talking awkward moment. She loves Diet Coke, gummi bears, the beach, and books (obvs). When not reading she can usually be found hanging with friends at a soccer match or grabbing food (although she probably still has a book in her purse). She and her husband live in Atlanta.
Olivia: I’ve been sent to infiltrate Grim Road — specifically
looking for any information to do with the man they call Bear. I
didn’t expect to jump into the man’s arms on the first try. I
also didn’t expect to feel an illogical sense of belonging and safety
when he whispered in my ear, “You’re safe.” My deception
will probably get me killed. I’m not a damsel in distress, at least
not how they think. But I think Bear knows I’m lying. He just
doesn’t seem to care.
Bear: Yeah, I know the girl’s lyin’. I also happen to believe
she has a good reason. If I can get her to trust me, then I can make her
demons disappear. But trust is hard-earned. Even if I earn hers, can I trust
her after she started out with lies? Do I really care if she’s lying
as long as she’s mine? Trouble’s following this girl. And
it’s headed straight to Grim Road.
WARNING: Bear includes scenes of graphic violence and adult situations
including those that may be triggers for some readers. There’s also a
protective hero, a determined heroine, and an eventual happy ending. No
cheating, as always.
I hated venturing out into the city. Always made me feel like there was a
target on my fucking back. My true identity was buried so deep even facial
recognition software couldn’t find me, but since I’d been in my
twenties, I’d spent my life running. The government saw to that.
What I thought was a service to help my country turned into a killing spree
on the order of genocide. I’d disobeyed my orders but ended up on a
Terminate with Extreme Prejudice list. Rocket, the closest person I had to a
friend, had brought me to Riviera Beach, Florida, where I’d taken up
with the motorcycle club, Grim Road. The club’s history was long and
distinguished in hiding men like me. I’d been here ever since.
It was nearly midnight on a Saturday. The streets weren’t exactly
teaming, but several bars were open, which was where most people were this
time of night. Some headed home. Others milled about enjoying the evening
air. It wasn’t cool by any means, but the night brought in a breeze
from the ocean that wasn’t stifled by the heat of the sun during the
day. This was my favorite part of the night.
“You lookin’ for somethin’ in particular or just
wishin’ you could go back and change your life choices?” Ringo,
our enforcer, sidled up next to me, handing me a beer.
“Thanks,” I said as I popped the top and took a long swig.
“Just thinkin’. Ain’t much for bein’ out of the
compound.”
“Oh, I know. Which is why I followed.” The other man gave me a
half smirk, half smile.
“Right. That, and Lemon probably told you to have my
back.”
He chuckled. “Little witch is certainly big on that kinda shit. But
no. You’ll be happy to know I did this all on my own.”
I gave him a side eye. “Really. You tryin’ to keep me honest?
Afraid I’m out to betray the club?”
Instantly, Ringo’s whole demeanor changed. “Hey, now. Jumping
to conclusions there, Bear?” Ringo raised an eyebrow. “Of all
the men in this club, you’d be the last one I’d accuse of
betraying the club or anyone in it. Fully expected Rocket to make you his
VP. I’d have supported that.”
I snorted. “No way in fuckin’ hell I want that job. Besides,
Lemon is much better suited.”
“Ain’t sayin’ she’s not. Just sayin’ I was
surprised when Rocket didn’t put your name in the hat for the job long
before Lemon came on the scene.”
The two of us headed down the sidewalk. Kind of felt like we were
patrolling the area. There were several bars and clubs here, and some of
them weren’t altogether safe. A couple times a week, I’d taken
to walking up and down the strip. I wouldn’t say I was looking for
trouble, but I wasn’t opposed to stopping trouble if it found me. The
self-imposed job got me out of the compound as well as extended some measure
of protection to the community which pleased the VP to no end. I
wouldn’t exactly call the city our community, but I got the impression
that’s what Lemon wanted it to be. Crush and Byte worked continually
to strengthen all our identity covers. Rocket wasn’t opposed, so I
took this as my due diligence. I was doing my part, however quietly, to set
an example to the other members. It’s how I did things.
“He offered.” I shrugged. “Not my thing.”
“Oh, really.” The bastard smirked and I wanted to beat the shit
outta him, but restrained myself. Barely. “Was that before or after
you corralled us all and put the idea of voting Lemon in as VP, or
after?”
“Well, I wasn’t gonna do it. Someone had to, and she was the
best choice. You look me in the eye and tell me who else in Grim would be
doing a better job than Lemon, and I’ll volunteer that
bastard.”
Ringo chuckled. “Right. I’ll get on that. But you have to
promise you’ll be the one to break the news to Lemon.”
I snorted. “Not on your fuckin’ life. Girl might be small and
young, but she’s vicious like no man I’ve ever met. You tell her
your own Goddamn self.”
We stared at each other a moment before Ringo’s lips twitched. Once
that happened, we both broke down into chuckles. Neither of us would be
suggesting a replacement for Lemon.
The conversation eased something inside me. Like I knew Ringo had my back
or something where always before I’d kind of felt like I was on my own
in the middle of a crowd. Yeah, I knew if I were really in trouble, outside
of a mission, I could count on my brothers. Always had. But it was different
now.
“Thanks, man. I think I needed that.”
“For what? The reminder that a little five-foot-nothing girl is
making a better vice president than you?”
I snorted. “No, dumbass. The laugh.”
Ringo grinned. “Wait till I tell Lemon you were wanting to replace
her.”
“Whoa. Not cool, bro. Besides, it was you who brought it up. And I
will totally throw you under the bus if you start that
bullshit.”
God, it felt good to banter with Ringo. I’d had that kind of
atmosphere a couple of times on jobs for the CIA, but it was never as
relaxed as it was now.
I took a deep breath and rolled my head on my shoulders, easing some of the
tension that always seemed to be there when I ventured too far from the
compound. It wasn’t that I was scared. It was more like I felt like
someone was watching. Just waiting to make a move.
I could handle myself in an ambush. Fuck knew I’d been in that
situation before and had come out on the other side. Worse for wear maybe,
but the other guys fared far, far worse. Always.
Ringo snorted. “Glad to be of service, brother.”
We continued down the street. The sound of people partying or generally
having a good time filled the night. Each time we passed a bar, the scent of
alcohol hit us. Occasionally someone would be smoking a joint or a cigarette
and those scents would blend in as well. Passing a strip joint brought the
cheap perfume into the mix.
I was about to suggest we go inside one of the strip clubs, just to pass
the time with something different when I spotted a woman making her way down
the sidewalk. Something about the way she moved was just that little bit
off. She glanced behind her, then straight ahead. She hesitated, then
continued moving.
“What’s goin’ on there?” I asked the question more
to myself than to Ringo, but the other man zeroed in on the woman
immediately.
“Not sure. Could be she’s just lost.”
“Right,” I agreed, though I wasn’t so sure. Something
about her posture wasn’t right. “Could be.”
“Uh-huh.”
We both continued forward but at a slower pace. Grim Road MC wasn’t a
secret club, per se. The club was known to the locals, just not where the
clubhouse was or who any of us were beyond our road names. To everyone
around us, we were simply another motorcycle club in the area around Palm
Beach. As such, we wore our colors proudly. So, when the girl got closer to
us, and we slowed down, we wanted her to know what we were.
I stopped while Ringo turned slowly around in a circle with his hands out,
letting her see the emblem on the back of his vest proclaiming him a member
of Grim Road.
She let loose a little sob and ran the rest of the way to us. To my
complete and utter shock, instead of stopping when she reached us, the girl
threw herself into my arms, wrapping her arms tightly around my neck.
And I’ll be Goddamned if my whole body didn’t come alive. Lust
I’d never even dreamed about punched me in the dick before sucking me
into its mouth and making me hard as a fucking pole. The scent of her was
like something out of a dream. Fresh spring flowers and a dash of cinnamon.
She was slender, but I could feel every single one of her slight curves
against my big body. She was so small I could easily wrap my arms all the
way around her with room to spare. Unfortunately, instead of moaning and
finding my mouth with hers, she trembled in my arms. I didn’t think it
was from desire. Her mouth at my ear was a sinful promise. Until she
spoke.
“Angela,” she whimpered. “I need Angela.”
“Hey, sweetheart,” I said loudly. “Missed you,
too.” I chuckled, swinging her around happily. What I was really doing
was putting my body between her and the two men I now saw following
her.
I didn’t acknowledge the men. Instead, I strode down the sidewalk
with her still in my arms. Ringo had my back. If he couldn’t
discourage the guys, I could get her far enough away she could get inside to
the relative safety of a bar or club. Then, I’d help Ringo help these
motherfuckers have themselves an accident.
When I rounded the corner with her, I set her on her feet, but kept hold of
her hand. Everything inside me rebelled at the separation. I wanted to pull
her solidly against me again but needed to make sure I had one hand free if
Ringo needed me. Stepping from behind the wall, I eyed Ringo. He stood where
I’d left him, but the men were already gone. Ringo took slow looks
around the area as he backed toward me. I gave a low whistle, and Ringo
turned and hurried in my direction.
“Get to the bikes.” Ringo’s order was delivered in a
crisp voice. “They didn’t keep following after you picked her
up. You spoke and they backed off. Still don’t want to take a
chance.”
“To Knox’s place?” I knew we couldn’t take her to
the compound. Not without precautions. If the guys had truly backed off, she
wasn’t in immediate danger. If they hadn’t, we’d
reevaluate when we spotted them.
Ringo nodded. “I’ll be on your six. Just gonna let Rocket know
what’s goin’ on and that we’ll call him when we know
more.”
I grunted, but tugged her with me and hurried to my bike.
About the Author
Marteeka Karland is an international bestselling author who leads a double
life as an erotic romance author by evening and a semi-domesticated
housewife by day. Known for her down and dirty MC romances, Marteeka takes
pleasure in spinning tales of tenacious, protective heroes and spirited,
vulnerable heroines. She staunchly advocates that every character deserves a
blissful ending, even, sometimes, the villains in her narratives. Her
writings are speckled with intense, raw elements resulting in page-turning
delight entwined with seductive escapades leading up to gratifying
conclusions that elicit a sigh from her readers.
Away from the pen, Marteeka finds joy in baking and supporting her husband
with their gardening activities. The late summer season is set aside for
preserving the delightful harvest that springs from their combined efforts
(which is mostly his efforts, but you can count it). To stay updated with
Marteeka’s latest adventures and forthcoming books, make sure to visit her
website. Don’t forget to register for her newsletter which will pepper you
with a potpourri of Teeka’s beloved recipes, book suggestions, autograph
events, and a plethora of interesting tidbits.
He was in fine form until life—and love—threw him for a loop…
Declan Doyle is ready for a change. He’s finally going to put his couch-surfing, job-hopping, responsibility-free days behind him. So, when his best friend’s sister offers room and board in exchange for home repairs, he jumps at the opportunity. Falling for her wasn’t part of his plan. But that’s exactly what he does…
As a divorced single mom with a dilapidated house, Renee Griggs has more responsibility than she can handle. So, even though Declan has always been more charming than reliable, she needs his help. She does not, however, need to fall into bed with him. Or so she keeps telling herself…
One fake wedding date (with only one bed), a ton of chemistry, and a surprisingly intense emotional connection later, Declan’s ready for happily ever after. But can he prove to Renee that he’s a risk worth taking?
There’s only one way to find out…
In Fine Form, book 2 in The Doyle Family series, is a spicy, opposites attract, older woman/younger man, brother’s best friend contemporary romance that can be read as a standalone. Join the Doyles in the Chicago neighborhood full of big, Irish families and happily ever afters.
Shannyn Schroeder is the author of The O’Leary Family series, The O’Malley Family series, and The Doyle Family series, contemporary romances centered around large Irish-American families in Chicago. The Hot & Nerdy series is about nerdy college friends finding love. And her Daring Divorcees series follows a group of middle-aged divorcees getting back into the dating scene.
Under the pen name Sloane Steele, the Counterfeit Capers series released in 2021. This Leverage-inspired heist romance series follows a group of criminals who come together as a team to right some wrongs. They accomplish this by stealing art from criminals worse than them and replacing it with forgeries.
Shannyn grew up in a Northside Chicago neighborhood filled with big Irish families like the ones she writes about. Her characters get drunk, say f*ck, and eat a ton of pizza as they try to navigate life and love. Whether it’s a big family of siblings unable to mind their own business or a group of friends who are thicker than thieves or a crew of criminals learning how to work together as a team, readers can relate to her characters and cheer for them.
When this editor and former English teacher isn’t wrangling her three almost-grown kids or drawing from her own Irish heritage for writing, she watches a ton of TV and loves to bake cookies.
