On the Way to You by Kandi Steiner *~*~*~*~* Cover Reveal

On the Way to You, an emotional new standalone from Kandi Steiner is coming November 16th!

On the Way to You by Kandi Steiner

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publishing Date: November 16th, 2017

Photographer: Lauren Watson Perry with Perrywinkle Photography

What makes you happy?

That was the question Emery Reed asked me the day we met, and I couldn’t give him a single answer. I could have said my dog, or my books, or yoga — but I just stared.

And then, I got in his car.

It was crazy to take a road trip with a stranger, but after years of standing still, he was my one-way ticket to a new life, and I wasn’t going to miss it.

We shared the same space, the same car, the same hotel room — and still, we were strangers.

One day we’d be laughing, the next, we wouldn’t speak. Emery was surrounded by impenetrable walls, but I wanted in.

Discovering his journal changed everything.

I read his thoughts, words not meant for anyone’s eyes, and the more I learned about him, the harder I fell. It turned out nothing made Emery Reed happy, and I wanted to change that.

I earned his trust by violating his privacy, and as wrong as it was, it worked — until one entry revealed a darkness I never knew existed, a timer I never knew was ticking.

Suddenly, what made me happy was saving Emery from himself. I just didn’t know if I could.

Add to GoodReads: bit.ly/OtWtYGR

About the Author:

Kandi Steiner is a Creative Writing and Advertising/Public Relations graduate from the University of Central Florida living in Tampa. Kandi works full time as a social media specialist, but also works part time as a Zumba fitness instructor and blackjack dealer. Kandi started writing back in the 4th grade after reading the first Harry Potter installment. In 6th grade, she wrote and edited her own newspaper and distributed to her classmates. Eventually, the principal caught on and the newspaper was quickly halted, though Kandi tried fighting for her “freedom of press.” She took particular interest in writing romance after college, as she has always been a die hard hopeless romantic (like most girls brought up on Disney movies). When Kandi isn’t working or writing, you can find her reading books of all kinds, talking with her extremely vocal cat, and spending time with her friends and family. She enjoys beach days, movie marathons, live music, craft beer and sweet wine – not necessarily in that order.

Connect with the Author:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KandiSteiner/

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2fV1FZW

Twitter: @KandiSteiner

Sign up for Kandi’s Newsletter here: https://goo.gl/TLsut8

Website: http://kandisteiner.com

A Little Too Late by Staci Hart *~*~*~*~* Blog Tour & Review

"A Little Too Late came right on time. Five stars!"-Brittainy C. Cherry, Amazon #1 Bestselling Author

A Little Too Late, an all-new romantic standalone from Staci Hart is available NOW!

A Little Too Late by Staci Hart

Publishing Date: October 24th, 2017

Genre: Contemporary Romance

I wasn't supposed to fall in love with the nanny.

When my wife left, she took the illusion of happiness with her, and I've been caught in a free fall ever since. For nine long months, I've been fighting to figure out how to be a single dad, how to be alone.

For nine long months, I've been failing.

When Hannah walked through the door, I took my first breath since I'd found myself on my own. She slipped into our lives effortlessly, showing me what I've been missing all these years. Because Hannah made me smile when I thought I'd packed the notion of happiness away with my wedding album.

She was only supposed to be the nanny, but she's so much more.

The day my wife left should have been the worst day of my life, but it wasn't. It was when Hannah walked away, taking my heart with her.

Excerpt:

CHARLIE The next morning, I was up and in my office before anyone was awake, attacking my work with newfound enthusiasm and a plan in mind. Because I wanted to feel like I’d felt the night before in the kitchen again, and there was only one way to get that back. Today, I would take a few breaks and be present. Today, I would change, work be damned. Today would mark the first real attempt. Because change wouldn’t happen on its own. I had to make it happen. And to make it happen, I would have to put boundaries in place, starting with my weekends. I checked the clock around eleven that morning and closed my laptop, pushing away from my desk and heading up the stairs in search of my children. When I rounded the corner into the kitchen, I found them sitting at the table with their lunches. And when they saw me, their smiles validated my grand plans with unwavering certainty. “Hey, guys,” I said, smiling back as I walked over to them, ruffling Sammy’s hair when I passed him. “Hi, Daddy,” he said. Maven’s mouth was full, so she just waved, and Hannah smiled at me from the island where she was setting up a spread for sandwiches. I snagged a grape off Maven’s plate and popped it into my mouth. She handed me another, which I accepted. “Thanks, pumpkin.” “Are you done working?” Sammy asked hopefully. “’Fraid not, bud. But I thought I’d come have lunch with you. Is that okay?” “Yeah! Want a Nilla Wafer?” “Psh, obviously. And I thought we could play for a little bit before I have to get back to work. What do you say?” He nodded, grinning. “We can play trucks! You be the bulldozer and I’ll be the tractor and Maven can be the monster truck and Hannah can be the ambulance because she helps people.” “Perfect,” I said on a chuckle. A burst of color caught my eye. A vase on the windowsill behind the table held a spray of red and orange tulips. “Those are beautiful,” I said, gesturing to them. “Where did they come from?” “Oh, I picked them up this morning,” Hannah said with that ever-present smile. “Feeling homesick?” “Always a little. But I love having fresh flowers in the house, something bright and delicate and alive. Well, maybe not alive anymore, but it feels alive, doesn’t it?” “It does,” I said as I moved to her side. “Can I make you a sandwich?” Hannah asked. “Nah, I think I can manage, thanks. How’s it going this morning?” “It’s good. We went to the park this morning.” “I rode my bike!” Sammy crowed. “Did you? No bumps or scrapes?” “Nope!” “I’m impressed. Maybe next time I can come too,” I said, hoping it was something I could deliver as I reached into the bread bag for a stack. Hannah turned to the cupboard, returning with a plate for me. “Thank you.” She was still smiling, standing at my side, assembling her sandwich. It was so mundane, something completely and utterly boring, but like the weirdo that I was, I found myself watching her hands as she folded cold cuts. We worked around each other—not that it was complicated, but there was a sort of rhythm between us, a natural pace wherein I used what she wasn’t and finished just as she needed what I had. I wasn’t sure why I noticed it, but I did, and I appreciated the simple synchronicity of the moment, a breath where things were easy. I passed her the mustard as she handed me the ham. “So, I was thinking …” I paused. “Oh, were you?” She glanced over at me with a hint of mirth at the corners of her lips. “I know. I almost sprained something.” Hannah laughed gently. “If it’s okay, I think I’d like to try to handle bedtime tonight.” “Of course it’s okay; they’re your children.” That time, her laughter was sweet. “Do you … would you … do you think you could maybe …” She shifted to face me, her eyes full of encouragement. “Would you mind … helping me?” Hannah nodded, her smile opening up. “That’s what I’m here for. Just let me know what you’d like me to do.” I smiled back. “I’m sorry. I know it sounds stupid. I just … I haven’t done this much on my own, but I’d like to start.” Her eyes softened, caught by slanting light, lighting up with sunshine. “There’s nothing to be afraid of,” she said simply. I didn’t speak. “There’s no right or wrong, and they don’t care about anything other than you being there. It’s simple enough; you only have to try.” “Is it really that easy?” “It really is. You’ll see.” She reached for my arm and gave it a squeeze that wasn’t meant to be anything but friendly but held something more, something in the pressure in her fingertips and the depths of her eyes. It was something I did my very best to ignore. But I felt the heat of those fingertips long after they were gone, even as we sat across the table from each other eating lunch, the tulips in the vase behind her bowing their long heads as the sunlight illuminated them, exposing what was hidden within their petals.

Read Today!

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2zlwcnI

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2ilmkH9

iBooks: http://apple.co/2iPPgH0

Nook: http://bit.ly/2ewscMg

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2xDG7F9

Add to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2iZfozn

Review:

I HEART BOOKS REVIEW 

A Little Too Late by Staci Hart

REVIEW BY THERESA ESTERLINE
STARS: 5

Pastries and Parenting... You'll need your tissues for this one! But it is well worth the tear streaks. A lovely romance between a lonely an unhappy father of two and the au pair he's just hired. They both know they shouldn't, but sometimes the heart overpowers the brain... but sometimes the heart gets squeezed. And now a bit about the story... Hannah has traveled to New York City from Holland to become an au pair. After a bad first experience, she has been reassigned. Charlie is separated from his wife you abandoned him and their two small children after being caught having an affair. The children love learning Dutch from Hannah and eating all her delicious pastries. As Charlie and Hannah dance around each other they worry they'll hurt each other, especially with their baggage and past coming back to haunt them. Favorite passage: Past the monkeys and snow leopards we went, Sammy asking for the animal names in Dutch all the while, which were strikingly similar to their English versions . Except snake, which was apparently called a slang in Dutch and was pronounced way too close to schlong for me to be happy about my three-year-old daughter repeating it on a loop, which she did — and with enthusiasm.

About the Author

Staci has been a lot of things up to this point in her life -- a graphic designer, an entrepreneur, a seamstress, a clothing and handbag designer, a waitress. Can't forget that. She's also been a mom, with three little girls who are sure to grow up to break a number of hearts. She's been a wife, though she's certainly not the cleanest, or the best cook. She's also super, duper fun at a party, especially if she's been drinking whiskey. From roots in Houston to a seven year stint in Southern California, Staci and her family ended up settling somewhere in between and equally north, in Denver. They are new enough that snow is still magical. When she's not writing, she's reading, sleeping, gaming, or designing graphics.

Connect with Staci:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2hv5OA5

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stacihartnovels

Twitter: https://twitter.com/imaquirkybird

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/imaquirkybird/

Website: http://stacihartnovels.com

Newsletter: http://stacihartnovels.com/get-the-newsletter/

Too Distracting (Lewis Cousins #3) by Bethany Lopez *~*~*~*~* Blog Tour & Review

Today we are celebrating the release of TOO DISTRACTING by Bethany Lopez. Too Distracting is the third book in a contemporary romance series, The Lewis Cousins. Check out the teasers and buy links below. The rest of the series is ON SALE for a very limited time!

 

Purchase for $2.99

Amazon | iBooks | Kobo | Nook | Smashwords

Too Distracting by Bethany Lopez

(The Lewis Cousins, #3) Contemporary Romance - Coming October 23

Add the book to Goodreads

 

Synopsis:

As the successful and driven CEO of Lewis Sporting Goods, Dillon rarely has time to eat a home cooked meal, let alone put any time or effort into maintaining an actual relationship. He's been living on fumes and casual encounters for so long that finding love and starting a family never even crossed his mind, until his cousins Gabe and Reardon found women who gave them both.

Laurel has been in love with Dillon since she was nine years old. Unfortunately, he's always seen her as his little sister's pesky best friend. She can't stop her heart from beating frantically whenever he's near, but she's become an expert at keeping her feelings from everyone, especially Dillon. Her secret has been safe, until now...

When Laurel needs help with her business plan, her best friend urges her to seek help from Dillon. Determined to push her feelings aside and focus on her fledgling business, Laurel knows she needs to do whatever it takes to succeed, even if it means being treated to indifference and big brother teasing from the man she loves.

Can Laurel work with Dillon and still keep her heart intact, or will things get Too Distracting when Dillon realizes what a beautiful, kind, and generous woman she has become?

Too Distracting is the third in an all-new small-town romance series by Bethany Lopez. Follow the Lewis cousins as they learn about love and loss in Cherry Springs, the kind of place where there are festivals for every occasion and everyone knows your business.

 

Pre-order for $2.99

Amazon | iBooks | Kobo | Nook | Smashwords

 

Excerpt:

Dillon

“Look who the cat dragged in,” Gabe said when he caught sight of me, standing to clap me on the back. “Didn’t know if you’d made it back today or not.”

“Got back this morning,” I replied, turning my attention to our other cousin, Reardon, who’d stood to give me a hug.

Reardon was huge. At six feet six inches, he towered over my six three. I could tell he’d went home from the office before coming here, because rather than a suit, he was wearing jeans and a Walking Dead T-shirt.

“Glad you’re home,” Reardon said with a grin as he took his seat.

“Only for about two weeks, then I have to go to Chicago for a few days. There’s a convention that I’ve been wanting to attend. The only downfall is the charity event they’re doing this year is a formal dinner and ballet. So, not only do I have to put on a monkey suit, and find a plus one, but I have to watch a ballet. Why the heck are they having a ballet at a sporting conference anyway?” I grumbled as I slid into the booth.

“Because dance is a sport, you block head,” my sister said as she came to stand next to our booth.

Never one to pass up the chance to needle my twin I said, “Yeah, you would think that.”

Jasmine’s jaw clenched and the famous red-head temper that we both shared was about to let loose on me.

I shot her a grin, to egg her on all the more, but Gabe broke in and said, “You know he’s just giving you shit, Jazzy.  How about you join us for a drink?”

Review:

I HEART BOOKS REVIEW 

TOO DISTRACTING (LEWIS COUSINS #3) BY BETHANY LOPEZ
REVIEW BY THERESA ESTERLINE
STARS: 5

Pranks can be harmless... The Lewis Cousins are back! Two of the five have met their match and next up is Dillon. This story will have you laughing, angry with the bad boyfriend and evil parents, and hoping for forgiveness. As in any relationship, communication is key! Though these two dance around they are also pretty direct, so nice change of pace. And now a bit about the story... Dillon has the house, he wants kids, now just to find the right woman. Also back in town is his sister's best friend, she tortured him with her pranks and now he's agreed to help her with her business plan. Laurel drives him crazy, he tries to avoid her at all costs. Of course then he saw her in the bar without knowing it was he and thought about taking her home. Then there was that dress she wore to their last meeting. Lord she was going to kill him! If you remember from book 2, Laurel has been in love with Dillon since she was nine. Can he get over the pranks??? Favorite passage: Oh my God, I can’t believe I just did that, seemed to be my theme of the night.

PURCHASE THE PREVIOUS BOOKS IN THE SERIES

TOO TEMPTING (Available now!)

Amazon | B&N | Kobo | iBooks | Smashwords

REVIEW

I HEART BOOKS REVIEW 

TOO TEMPTING (LEWIS COUSINS #1) BY BETHANY LOPEZ
REVIEW BY THERESA ESTERLINE
STARS: 4

Temptations, temptations... Funny romance with a hint of drama. I enjoyed the story being told from both perspectives. The budding romance tempted or main characters, while the red vines tempted me and I'm sad to say I didn't have any on hand. And now a bit about the story... Imagine signing up to volunteer at your nephew's summer camp, but you get the dates mixed up. Now to make sure this is really Camp Gabriel Lewis and not Camp Crystal Lake! On the other hand, imagine seeing a beautiful and lost woman wondering around your camp. Gabe had a strict no girl or boy friends at the camp start up, but Zoey was about to break many of his rules... Favorite passages: - It looked like that’s what we had to do for the good things in life … wait. - I guess you didn’t know what you were missing until you had a taste of it.

TOO COMPLICATED (Available now!)

Amazon | iBooks | Kobo | Nook | Smashwords

REVIEW

I HEART BOOKS REVIEW 

TOO COMPLICATED (LEWIS COUSINS #2) BY BETHANY LOPEZ
REVIEW BY THERESA ESTERLINE
STARS: 5

CAMP MAY BE OVER, BUT THE COMPLICATIONS ARE JUST GETTING STARTED!!

TOO COMPLICATED PICKS UP SHORTLY AFTER TOO TEMPTING ENDS. YOU COULD READ THIS STANDALONE, BUT KNOWING THE HISTORY I APPRECIATED READING THEM IN ORDER. THIS IS A CRAZY FUNNY STORY, I LAUGHED OUT LOUD COUNTLESS TIMES. IT IS TENDER AND LOVING, DARING, COMPLICATED, WITH A TOUCH OF FRUSTRATION. AND NOW A BIT ABOUT THE STORY...

THE LEWIS AND ZAHN CLANS ARE BOTH BACK AND NOW LIVING IN CHERRY SPRINGS. A FEW COUSINS STILL HAVEN'T MOVED BACK FULL TIME, BUT MOST ARE BACK. THIS STORY FEATURES CHLOE AND REARDON, BUT HAS CARRYOVER FOR GABE AND ZOEY, PLUS HINTS AT WHAT'S COMING NEXT. REARDON HAS LOVED CHLOE SINCE HE FIRST SAW HER 14 YEARS AGO, BUT SHE PICKED GABE. FOOTBALL STUD OVER GEEKY LAWYER, STORY OF HIS LIFE... BUT SHE WAS BACK AND GABE WAS TAKEN. NOW TO WORK HIS MAGIC ON HER BEFORE SOMEONE ELSE SNATCHES HER UP FIRST!

FAVORITE PASSAGES:
- “YOU CAN’T JUST ROLL OVER AT HER FEET AND BEG HER TO SCRATCH YOUR BELLY. WOMEN LIKE A CHALLENGE.”
- “BABY, WIN OR LOSE, I’LL MOUNT ANYTHING YOU’D LIKE.”

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Award-Winning Author Bethany Lopez began self-publishing in June 2011. She's a lover of all things romance: books, movies, music, and life, and she incorporates that into the books she writes. When she isn't reading or writing, she loves spending time with her husband and children, traveling whenever possible. Some of her favorite things are: Kristen Ashley Books, coffee in the morning, and In N Out burgers.

AUTHOR LINKS:

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Second Chances by T.M. Franklin *~*~*~*~* Cover Reveal

Presents

Cover Reveal: Second Chances

by T.M. Franklin

Genre: Second Chance / Holiday Romance / Adult Contemporary Romance

GOODREADS

Available for Pre Order on all PLATFORMS!

Sometimes second chances aren't quite what you expect.

Every Christmas Eve, Carter Reed sits in a bar and regrets the decision he made ten years earlier that tore the love of his life from him. Mackenzie Monroe was his everything, but he left her behind to follow his dreams.

Now those dreams all revolve around her. The one that got away.

Or so he thinks.

A not-so-chance encounter with a mysterious stranger sends Carter on a mystical journey to fix the mistakes of the past. But he quickly finds out making things right isn't as simple as making a different choice. And if he doesn't find the key to Kenzie's heart, he could lose her all over again.

Second Chances is a story about a man who gets a peek at what his life could be, if only he'd walked a different path. In the tradition of It's a Wonderful Life and A Christmas Carol, it's a heartwarming romance sprinkled with a touch of magic that's sure to become a holiday favorite.

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A Little Too Late by Staci Hart *~*~*~*~* Release Day Blitz & Review

A Little Too Late, an all-new romantic standalone from Staci Hart is LIVE!

A Little Too Late by Staci Hart

Publishing Date: October 24th, 2017

Genre: Contemporary Romance

I wasn't supposed to fall in love with the nanny.

When my wife left, she took the illusion of happiness with her, and I've been caught in a free fall ever since. For nine long months, I've been fighting to figure out how to be a single dad, how to be alone.

For nine long months, I've been failing.

When Hannah walked through the door, I took my first breath since I'd found myself on my own. She slipped into our lives effortlessly, showing me what I've been missing all these years. Because Hannah made me smile when I thought I'd packed the notion of happiness away with my wedding album.

She was only supposed to be the nanny, but she's so much more.

The day my wife left should have been the worst day of my life, but it wasn't. It was when Hannah walked away, taking my heart with her.

Read Today!

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2zlwcnI

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2ilmkH9

iBooks: http://apple.co/2iPPgH0

Nook: http://bit.ly/2ewscMg

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2xDG7F9

Add to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2iZfozn

Review

I Heart Books Review 

A Little Too Late by Staci Hart

Review by Theresa Esterline

Stars: 5

Pastries and Parenting...

You'll need your tissues for this one! But it is well worth the tear streaks. A lovely romance between a lonely an unhappy father of two and the au pair he's just hired. They both know they shouldn't, but sometimes the heart overpowers the brain... but sometimes the heart gets squeezed. And now a bit about the story...

Hannah has traveled to New York City from Holland to become an au pair. After a bad first experience, she has been reassigned. Charlie is separated from his wife you abandoned him and their two small children after being caught having an affair. The children love learning Dutch from Hannah and eating all her delicious pastries. As Charlie and Hannah dance around each other they worry they'll hurt each other, especially with their baggage and past coming back to haunt them.

Favorite passage: Past the monkeys and snow leopards we went, Sammy asking for the animal names in Dutch all the while, which were strikingly similar to their English versions . Except snake, which was apparently called a slang in Dutch and was pronounced way too close to schlong for me to be happy about my three-year-old daughter repeating it on a loop, which she did — and with enthusiasm. 

About the Author

Staci has been a lot of things up to this point in her life -- a graphic designer, an entrepreneur, a seamstress, a clothing and handbag designer, a waitress. Can't forget that. She's also been a mom, with three little girls who are sure to grow up to break a number of hearts. She's been a wife, though she's certainly not the cleanest, or the best cook. She's also super, duper fun at a party, especially if she's been drinking whiskey. From roots in Houston to a seven year stint in Southern California, Staci and her family ended up settling somewhere in between and equally north, in Denver. They are new enough that snow is still magical. When she's not writing, she's reading, sleeping, gaming, or designing graphics.
 

Connect with Staci:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2hv5OA5

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stacihartnovels

Twitter: https://twitter.com/imaquirkybird

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/imaquirkybird/

Website: http://stacihartnovels.com

Newsletter: http://stacihartnovels.com/get-the-newsletter/

Hard Wood by Lauren Blakely *~*~*~*~* Release Day Launch, Giveaway & Review

 

From #1 NYT Bestselling author Lauren Blakely, comes a hot and hilarious standalone romance about what happens when you have one week to convince your best friend’s little sister that you’re the one for her. What could possibly go wrong? It looks like things are about to get hard in the woods...Don’t miss the laugh-out-loud and insanely hot story, HARD WOOD!

Now available on all retailers! Grab your copy today, and get HARD WOOD in your hands!

   

 

✮✮✮ HARD WOOD is here! Grab your copy today! ✮✮✮

From #1 NYT Bestselling author Lauren Blakely comes a hot & hilarious new standalone romantic comedy...

Women often say a good man is hard to find. And a hard man is even better.

That's why I'm quite a catch-- good, hard, loaded, and wait for it...I'm ready to settle down too. But the woman I want to pitch my tent with lives clear across the country. Neither of us wants to get lost in those woods. All I have to do is resist her for the week she's in town.

I try. I swear I try. But yeah, that doesn't work out.

And after one fantastic night with my good friend Mia, I'm ready to give her years of nights under the stars. What's a few thousand miles when love's involved? But there's a hitch in my plans -- she just hired my adventure tour company. If there's one thing I'm committed to, it's running a squeaky clean business. Number one on my list of iron-clad rules?

Don't screw your customers.

But what's a guy to do when she's so hard to resist? How hard can it be to keep our hands off each other for a quick group tour down the hills and over the trails? I'm about to find out, and I have a feeling I'm going to need a new badge of honor because things are about to get very hard in the woods.

You can find this sexy standalone romantic comedy available across all retailers now!

✦Kindle US ➜ http://amzn.to/2gudVgq

✦Kindle UK ➜ http://amzn.to/2xXwncq

✦Kindle CA ➜ http://amzn.to/2zsvfdd

✦Kindle AU ➜ http://amzn.to/2gvLhLS

✦iBooks ➜ http://apple.co/2xoVy6k

✦Kobo ➜ http://bit.ly/2tIJoQo

✦Nook ➜ http://bit.ly/2gLRTJ2

✦Google Play ➜ http://bit.ly/2x5DHPH

✦Amazon PB ➜ http://amzn.to/2x8Y54c

✦Amazon Audio ➜ http://amzn.to/2znV6Uu

✦Audible ➜ http://adbl.co/2x5FyE6

   

 

✦ The audiobook is narrated by Sebastian York! Get your copy today! ✦ Audible * Amazon Audio

   

 

“Hard Wood is the kind of heart-racing, hope soaring, face-flushing love story that I love to read! It was sexy, romantic, funny and an absolute pleasure to read.” ~Red Cheeks Reads 

Excerpt

I haven’t seen Mia in almost a month, since the last time she was in town staying with Max. I didn’t realize she’d be back a full week before her other brother Chase’s wedding, and am I ever glad to see her again.

She makes all parts of me quite happy indeed.

By happy, I mean hard as a rock.

Okay, fine. It’s not like I’m operating at full power this second. I’m thirty-three, not fifteen. I have plenty of self-control in the “when and where to pitch a tent” arena. All I’m saying is this woman gets me going, and I feel that zip down my body when I see her.

She’s on the phone, her eyebrows pinched, her expression harried. She drags her hand through her caramel-blond hair. As I walk closer, I hear her say, “I understand. Yes, I understand. Things happen.”

And that’s the sound of someone being disappointed.

Which is a terrible thing for this sexy-as-a-fiery-sunset woman to experience.

When she stops and ends her call, she spots me. She tilts her head, her eyes piercing, her brow furrowed, and her dimples killing me with cuteness. Her eyes roam from me to Zeus, and then she points at my boy. “I don’t know if anyone has told you this . . .”

I raise my eyebrows. “Tell me. What could it possibly be?”

Her eyes drift to the ground then back up. In a deadpan tone, she says, “But there’s a cat in your hat? Well, on your back, actually.”

“There is?” I crane my neck to peer over my shoulder. “You’re right. How did he get there?”

She parks her hands on her hips. “You’re in big trouble.”

“I’ve been bad, have I?”

She pushes my shoulder then wags her finger at me. “How did you keep this from me?”

I quirk an eyebrow. “The fact that there’s an awesome new Italian place down the street? It opened last month, and I planned to tell you.”

She huffs, rolling her eyes. “I’ve known you for months and you didn’t tell me you had a cat. Friends don’t hide pets from friends.”

She’s not in town that often. She hasn’t ever been to my apartment. And I don’t take Zeus upstairs to Max’s. But I’m not going to state the obvious. I’m going to have a little fun with her. Flirt with her. Because . . . that’s what we do.

“There’s a reason for that.”

Her eyes go wide, and she taps her toe, waiting. I drag a hand through my hair. Evie says my light brown hair is floppy, and she tells me this is a good thing. The ladies love floppy hair, she says. She’s been right so far. My hair’s been a big hit with the ladies, and other parts have, too.

“It’s a good reason,” I add.

“I’m waiting, Patrick. This really isn’t the type of intel you should hold back.”

I heave a sigh as if I’m going to make a huge admission, then I park a hand on her shoulder. Because, well, I’m a sneaky bastard and I’ll look for any opening to touch her. “Look, I’m going to be blunt. If I told you I had a hiking cat who rides shotgun in a backpack and can purr like he’s a jazz superstar, you’d have had no choice but to fall in love with me.”

"HARD WOOD was such an adorable love story! A hot guy and his famous cat looking for their happily ever after ... Perfect #RomCom!" ~Bianca at BJ’s Book Blog

   

 

"I never fail to fall in love with Lauren Blakely's stories. Hard Wood is a swoony romance that will warm your heart and possibly other body parts." ~Peggy Lee, Reading Keeps Me Sane Book Blog

REVIEW

I Heart Books Review 

Hard Wood by Lauren Blakely
Review by Theresa Esterline
Stars: 5

LOVED IT!! "dream big, work hard, innovate, pivot"

My new favorite romantic comedy read of 2017! You will laugh, cry, grown, and roll on the floor! Oh and melt at how sexy and romantic Patrick can be!! Standalone story we three points of view, one being very, very unique. And now a bit about the story...

Patrick fell for Mia the first time he saw her. There are just a few problems. 1) She is his best friends sister. 2) She lives on the opposite coast. Though as the story moves along the distance between them gets even bigger. And then there is Zeus. I think Zeus was my favorite character. Sorry, that's all I can say... I don't want to give away any of the twists or turns our characters encounter on this hike!!

Favorite passages:
- She was taking too long. He needed food, and he needed it stat. He’d have to try her other leg. Perhaps rubbing that one would activate the can opener.
- Patience is great and all, but sometimes you have to unleash the truth.
- “And that means sometimes— hell, maybe a lot of the time— I’m going to need some help decoding the secret language of women.”
- “I think they’re all beautiful . Because they’re on you.”
- Sometimes, you just have to say why the hell not? and go after the life you want to lead.

Add it to Goodreads here! http://bit.ly/2uAoPJW

   

 

And don’t miss Lauren Blakely’s other standalone Romantic Comedies!

BIG ROCK MISTER O WELL HUNG FULL PACKAGE JOY RIDE

   

 

✮✮✮ Enter to win this amazing HARD WOOD GIVEAWAY! ✮✮✮

The HARD WOOD Urban Adventure Pack ($380 value) is filled with:

✮ A stylish Michael Kors backpack for when a purse is not enough for your shopping adventture

✮ $50 Gift Card to The Body Shop to pamper yourself after a long day

✮ Your very own plush Zeus to snuggle with

✮ A Smores Making Kit for a backyard adventure

http://laurenblakely.com/hard-wood-giveaway/

    About Lauren Blakely: A #1 New York Times Bestselling author, Lauren Blakely is known for her contemporary romance style that's hot, sweet and sexy. She lives in California with her family and has plotted entire novels while walking her dogs. With fourteen New York Times bestsellers, her titles have appeared on the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestseller Lists more than eighty times, and she's sold more than 2 million books. In October, she'll release HARD WOOD, the final standalone romantic comedy in the Big Rock series. To receive an email when Lauren releases a new book, sign up for her newsletter! laurenblakely.com/newsletter

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