Friday, April 28, 2017

[Cover Reveal] Easy Nights by Kristen Proby

   

From New York Times Bestselling author Kristen Proby, comes a steamy and passionate friends-to-lovers romance—EASY NIGHTS! The sixth standalone title in the Boudreaux Series, Savannah and Ben’s highly anticipated story is now available for preorder on all retailers! Don’t miss the beautiful cover below!

   

Cover Design by Okay Creations with Photography by Sara Eirew Photography

About EASY NIGHTS (Boudreaux Series #6):

The Boudreaux Series—Sexy. Intriguing. Easy.

No one said change was easy…

Savannah Boudreaux knows what it is to hurt. To bleed. To be afraid that the man she’s promised to be true to until “death do us part” might in fact separate them far sooner than anyone had ever anticipated. But Van also knows what it is to survive. To move on. To live life to the fullest. With five brothers and sisters and a loving mother as her constant source of strength during the pain and the healing, Van realizes there is little else she needs.

But some things never change…

Benjamin Preston sat on the sidelines of the Boudreaux family for years, in love with a woman he couldn’t have. As the best friend of the Boudreaux brothers since childhood, Ben has seen both tragedies and joys in the family. And as a former MMA fighter and KravMaga expert, Ben’s used to fighting for what he wants—and winning. His hands were tied when Savannah married her high school sweetheart not long after graduation, but now two years have passed since Ben found Savannah broken in her own home.

Sometimes what you need most has been right in front of you the whole time…

Van’s convinced that happiness isn’t in the cards for her, no matter how right it feels to be in Ben’s strong arms—and his bed. Ben is determined to win her heart and fight for her trust. He’s promised to protect her, to be her friend. But more than anything, he wants to finally make her his, and this is one fight he’s not willing to lose.

Preorder your copy of EASY NIGHTS today!

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A Note from Kristen

  Hello, readers! I’m so excited to finally be able to share the new cover for Easy Nights with you! We’ve all been waiting a long time for Ben and Savannah’s story and it’ll be in your hot little hands on June 27th. I can say without a shadow of a doubt that Ben and Van are two of my favorite characters of all time, and saying goodbye to the Boudreaux clan hasn’t been easy. Thanks for taking this journey of three years with me! Don’t forget, you can preorder NOW! And be sure to keep an eye on my newsletters and social media in the next two months for sneak peeks and news. With love, Kristen  

     

And don’t miss the first standalone titles in the Boudreaux Series!

EASY LOVE-FREE for a limited time only 

EASY CHARM-$.99 for a limited time only 

EASY MELODY-$1.99 for a limited time only 

EASY KISSES EASY FOR KEEPS: A Boudreaux Novella 

EASY MAGIC

    About Kristen Proby

 New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Kristen Proby is the author of the bestselling With Me In Seattle and Love Under the Big Sky series. She has a passion for a good love story and strong, humorous characters with a strong sense of loyalty and family. Her men are the alpha type; fiercely protective and a bit bossy, and her ladies are fun, strong, and not afraid to stand up for themselves. Kristen lives in Montana, where she enjoys coffee, chocolate and sunshine. And naps.      

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[Cover Reveal] All About the D by Lex Martin and Leslie McAdam




Title: All About the D
Authors: Lex Martin & Leslie McAdam
Genre: Standalone Romantic Comedy
Cover Design: Najla Qamber Designs
Model: Mitchell Wick
Photographer: Wong Sim
Release Date: May 2, 2017



Blurb

A sexy new romantic comedy from USA Today bestselling author Lex Martin and bestselling author Leslie McAdam…


ALL ABOUT THE D


I'm known for being formal. Meticulous. Professional. 

So you’d never suspect I spend my nights photographing my impressive junk for a NSFW blog. Don’t roll your eyes. I’m not bragging. I have millions of followers who’ll tell you they live for my posts. 

I’m like a superhero, saving humanity one dick pic at a time. 

Except leading a double life means I need someone to help me protect my anonymity, so that no one, especially my family, ever discovers my online celebrity. 

When I call one of the most respected law firms in town, I expect quality legal advice and confidentiality. Not a sinfully sexy attorney whose dangerous curves and soul-piercing gray eyes make me want to personally demonstrate my particular skill set. 

I shouldn’t be tempted. 

Especially when she knows all of my best-kept secrets. But everyone has a breaking point. And I’ve met mine.







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Lex Martin

Lex writes contemporary romance, the sexy kind with lotsa angst, a whole lotta kissing, and the hot happily ever afters. When she's not writing, she lives a parallel life as an English teacher.

She loves printing black and white photos, listening to music on vinyl, and getting lost in a great book. Bitten by wanderlust, she's  lived all over the country but currently resides in the City of Angels with her husband and twin daughters.

Lex is represented by Kimberly Brower of Brower Literary & Management.





Leslie McAdam

Leslie McAdam is a California girl who loves romance, Little Dude, and well-defined abs. She lives in a drafty old farmhouse on a small orange tree farm in Southern California with her husband and two small children. Leslie always encourages her kids to be themselves - even if it means letting her daughter wear leopard print from head to toe. An avid reader from a young age, she will always trade watching TV for reading a book, unless it's Top Gear. Or football. Leslie is employed by day but spends her nights writing about the men you fantasize about. She's unapologetically sarcastic and notoriously terrible at comma placement.

Always up for a laugh, Leslie tries to see humor in all things. When she's not in the writing cave you'll find her fangirling over Beck, camping with her family, or mixing up oil paints to depict her love of outdoors on canvas.


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[Cover Reveal] Royally Endowed by Emma Chase



     

Royally Endowed
By Emma Chase
The Royally Series, Book 3
Release Date: August 14th, 2017

Blurb

Logan St. James is a smoldering, sexy beast. Sure, he can be a little broody at times—but Ellie Hammond’s willing to overlook that. Because, have you seen him??

Sexy. As. Hell.

And Ellie’s perky enough for both of them.

For years, she’s had a crush on the intense, protective royal security guard—but she doesn’t think he ever saw her, not really.

To Logan, Ellie was just part of the job—a relative of the royal family he’d sworn to protect. Now, at 22 years old and fresh out of college, she’s determined to put aside her X-rated dreams of pat-downs and pillow talk, and find a real life happily ever after.

The Queen of Wessco encourages Ellie to follow in her sister’s footsteps and settle down with a prince of her own. Or a duke, a marquis…a viscount would also do nicely.

But in the pursuit of a fairy tale ending, Ellie learns that the sweetest crushes can be the hardest to let go.
 *** 
Logan St. James grew up on the wrong side of the tracks, in a family on the wrong side of the law. But these days, he covers his tattoos and scars with a respectable suit. He’s handsome, loyal, brave, skilled with his hands and…other body parts.

Any woman would be proud to bring him home to her family.

But there’s only one woman he wants.

For years he’s watched over her, protected her, held her hair back when she was sick, taught her how to throw a punch, and spot a liar.

He dreams of her. Would lay down his life for her.

But beautiful Ellie Hammond’s off-limits.

Everybody knows the bodyguard rules: Never lose focus, never let them out of your sight, and never, ever fall in love.

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    About Emma Chase
Emma Chase is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the hot and hilarious Tangled series and The Legal Briefs series. Emma lives in New Jersey with her husband, two children and two naughty (but really cute) dogs. She has a long-standing love/hate relationship with caffeine. 


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Thursday, April 27, 2017

[Cover Reveal] Found Underneath by K.L. Kreig




Title: Found Underneath
Series: Finding Me #2
Author: K.L. Kreig
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Cover Design: Kellie Dennis, Book Cover by Designs
Release Date: May 30, 2017

Blurb


It began as a ruse.
Take a girlfriend. Divert the press from the fucked up mess that’s my family until my father is re-elected. Stage a public breakup. Move on.
Only that brilliant plan went straight south the moment I set eyes on Willow Blackwell.
I found her.
My center. My future. A soulmate with the will of a mule and the mouth of a harpy.
I now want things I never wanted before. Permanent kinds of things.
Only Fate—and her ex—have other plans for us.
In some sort of cosmic impossibility, our lives unknowingly intersected years before when tragedy befell both our families. Once the devastating truth is finally revealed, the future I’d found in her will come crashing down around us and for the first time in my life I’m completely helpless.
I may very well lose the only woman I've ever loved to a past neither of us saw coming.
*Warning: 18+ only. Contains foul language, explicit sex and a hot alpha (or two, or three). NOTE: This is NOT a standalone. It’s the conclusion to LOST IN BETWEEN, which MUST be read first.







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Author Bio

As a USA Today Bestselling author, I write stories that are deeply emotional with flawed characters, because humans ARE flawed and if we read about perfect characters living in their perfect world, first of all, snoozer, but secondly, we never experience the gratification of redemption.

Outside of writing, I’m just a regular ol’ Midwest girl who likes Game of Thrones and am obsessed with Modern Family and The Goldbergs. I run, I eat, I run, I eat. It’s a vicous cycle. I love carbs, but there’s love-hate relationship with my ass and thighs. Mostly hate. I like a good cocktail (oh hell…who am I kidding? I love any cocktail). I’m a huge creature of habit, but I’ll tell you I’m flexible. I read every single day and if I don’t get a chance…watch the hell out. My iPad and me: BFFs. I’m direct and I make no apologies for it. I swear too much. I love alternative music and in my next life I want to be a bad-ass female rocker. I hate, hate, hate spiders, telemarketers, liver, acne, winter and loose hairs that fall down my shirt (don’t ask, it’s a thing).



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Tuesday, April 25, 2017

[Promotional Tour] Fallen Crest Home by Tijan




Title: Fallen Crest Home
Series: Fallen Crest #6
Author: Tijan
Genre: Young Adult/New Adult/Contemporary Romance
Release Date: April 17, 2017



Blurb

It’s been years since my mother was in my life.
I healed.
I learned to accept love.
I lived.
That’s all done. She was away, and now she’s back.
I’ve avoided her for a year and a half, but I can’t hide anymore.
Mason has an internship in Fallen Crest, so we’re heading back for the summer.
And when we got there—no one was prepared for what happened.


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Excerpt

MASON
A PREQUEL NOVELLA
(Can be read any time during the series)
Mason Kade is not known to be nice. He is ruthless, manipulative, and unforgiving. Most will say that he is a jerk and he is to those that cross him or cross his loved ones. However, he does not want to be who he is. He does not enjoy hurting others, but there is no limit to the lengths he will go to protect himself and his brother. This is the story of how he came to be and this is why so many love Mason Kade.
This is a story of a destroyed family and the effects it had on a son.
CHAPTER ONE
HE BROUGHT HER HERE


I got shit done. That was my job. That, and football, were the two things I excelled at. Each person in my family had their own set of skills. My dad was good at making money and sleeping with women. My mom was good at pretending no one knew her husband was cheating. Her other skill was drinking to help her keep pretending. My little brother, Logan’s, was doing everything possible to get attention from me. Like now, as I looked for my textbook, I already knew it was gone.
I needed my science book.
My brother was so hilarious, so hilarious that he’d be crying from laughing so hard when I would pound him for taking it. I sighed. I didn’t have the hour it would take to get the book back from him. We lived in a mausoleum. It wasn’t a home and it was too big to be called a mansion. He could’ve hidden the book anywhere, but he wouldn’t tell me and he would laugh when I pretended to look for it. Every time.
“LOGAN!”
He laughed and bolted past my doorway. The little shit had been waiting.
I yelled after him, “I don’t have time for this. I have to go to Nate’s.” Then I waited. I had said the secret words. He knew I was leaving for my friend’s house. He’d do anything to come with, but I couldn’t blame him. Who the hell would want to stick around in this fucked-up home we had?
My phone buzzed at that moment. It was from Nate: We up for night bball? Fischer said he could get us beer if we went to his place. Parents gone.
I cursed, but typed back: Trying. I need to do my homework before I can come.
K. How long?
How long? I was tempted to make Logan do my homework. I typed back instead: I will let you know when I find out. Logan hid my book again.
Haha.
Haha, my ass.
We’ll get him back. Don’t worry.
Damn straight we would. I typed back: Be over as soon as I can. Gotta kill the punk first. Then I tossed my phone on the bed and shoved back from my desk. “LOGAN! You punk-ass bitch. Where’s my book?”
He sprinted past my door, laughing, and headed downstairs. I couldn’t stop a grin. I knew he had come back. I shook my head and tore after him. I could hear him going down the east stairs. That’d take him through the east wing and past Dad’s library. I went to the north stairs to cut him off. He still didn’t know about the short-cut through the second pantry. The back wall swung open to another room.
Hearing him hit the ground floor, I grabbed the handrail and launched over it, skipping over an entire section of stairs. I hit the ground in a smooth landing and pushed forward. The pantry was the second door. I went through it, pushed the back wall open, and paused on the other side. Logan’s feet were pressed against the door from the hallway. He was waiting for me.
He was hunched down. Then he moved. His feet disappeared from the door and his little pinkie slipped under the door as he waited for me.
I grinned. The little fucker. I started to reach for the doorknob. I was planning on shoving it open, hitting him with it, and then pounding on him when he’d try to run away. I started to turn the handle when I heard Logan gasp from the other side. I froze. My head lifted. I had left the back wall open so I could hear what Logan was hearing.
Our mom was crying.
Letting go of the handle, I went back through the wall and out through the second pantry. Trailing down the hallway, all the lights were off in the north hallway. A lone light was on in the dining room, but the kitchen was dark. The crying had turned to a soft weeping. It was coming from the kitchen.
I caught movement coming around the corner. It was Logan. His eyes were big as he came up to me and whispered, “Mom’s crying in there.”
I pushed him back slightly. “Go upstairs.”
“No.”
“Logan,” I hissed, frowning. He was just a kid, he didn’t need to deal with this crap. “Go upstairs and find my fucking book. I still have to do my homework.”
He rolled his eyes, wearing his own frown. His hair was sticking up all over. “I already did your homework. Don’t worry about it.”
“You did?”
“Yeah, it’s why I took your book.” Then the tiny frown turned into a smirk. “And to use as collateral so you’d take me with you tonight.”
I laughed. I had to. “You’re such a pain in the ass.”
“Yeah, but I’m a smart pain in the ass.”
“You are.” I pulled him close and thumped him on the back, ruffling his hair at the same time. “But you’re not coming.”
“Why? I heard Nate and Ethan talking about beer at school. Is it because you guys are drinking tonight?”
“Maybe.” My eyes narrowed down at him. How the hell did he know everything? “You’re too young to drink beer.”
He rolled his eyes and pushed me back. Tried. He tried to push me back. When I didn’t move, even an inch, he let out a disgusted sound and mumbled, “Whatever. I’m only a year younger than you.”
“So?”
“I did your homework.”
“No one asked you to. I can do my own homework.”
“I get better grades than you.”
“I’m number one in my class.”
Logan opened his mouth, ready with a retort, but didn’t have one. His mouth closed and he cursed at me. “Whatever.”
I was laughing on the inside. Logan was probably number one in his class too, but I knew he didn’t know. Gotcha, punk-ass bitch. As he continued to glare at me, I tried to hold back my smirk. I lost. It slipped out and Logan started grinning too.
He hit me. “You’re lying.”
“I’m not.”
“You are.” He lifted his arm to hit me again, but I swooped in. Grabbing his arm and waist, I lifted him in the air like he was a case of beer. Then I hoisted him around my waist, holding onto his legs and under his bottom arm. I started to turn in a circle, then went faster and faster.
“Oh my god. Mason.” He clutched my leg. “Stop.”
“This is for taking my book.” I went faster.
“I’m going to puke.”
I felt him laughing and went even faster. “This is for doing my homework when I didn’t ask and trying to use it as blackmail so you could come with us tonight.”
His hand dug deeper into my leg. “I mean it, Mase. I’m going to puke.”
His body convulsed and I stopped, dropping him immediately. He fell to the floor and rolled onto his back. His cheeks were flushed and he had a sour look on his face. “Shit.” I bent down and nudged his shoulder. “Roll over. If you puke, you won’t choke on it.”
His hand flew up to cover his mouth. He started arching up from the floor, his eyes closed, and I knew it was coming. I started to back away, but then he burst out laughing.
Wait.
Logan flipped his legs in the air and jumped to his feet in one smooth motion. He pointed at me, still laughing. “The look on your face.” He bent over and more laughter spilled out. As he slapped his knee, he shook his head. “That was awesome. I know what to do next time, just puke on you. Best prank ever.”
I hit him on the back of his head. “That’s the dumbest prank ever.” I rolled my eyes, but he kept laughing and I couldn’t stop myself from grinning with him. His laugh was so damn contagious. “Okay. Enough.”
He kept laughing.
“You can’t come tonight, but if you want to in the future, get my book right now.”
He stopped. “Really?”
“Really.” As he started to go, I repeated, “But you can’t come tonight. No way am I letting you drink; I don’t want to hear about it from Mom later.”
He shrugged. “Fine, but she wouldn’t know. I’m a fucking Kade, Mason. I know how to be discreet.” Then he was off. He disappeared down the hallway and I heard him sprinting up the north stairs. That was when I saw the flash of car lights and remembered our mom.
Peeking around the doorway, I saw her standing at the sink. The window overlooked the driveway. The car’s lights were still on and trained on the house, flooding the kitchen before they were cut. The room plunged back into darkness.
As I moved closer to my mom, I noticed her shoulders were shaking. She was so damn skinny. I was starting not to like skinny girls. They needed meat on them. I liked the healthier-looking girls at school. Nate and Ethan liked the other girls, the skinny ones, but they were nuts. Those girls were weak.
My stomach twisted as my mom dropped her hand to the counter. I watched as she bent down, her sobs coming from deep inside her now. She sounded like a dying animal. The pain was too much to hear.
“What’d he do now?”
She froze. Her fingers had a death-like grasp on the counter. Then she let out her breath and sucked in another before she shot back up and ran a hand through her hair.
As she started to turn to me, I shook my head. “Don’t.” It came out harsher than I intended. I cringed. I hadn’t meant to yell at my mother. “Sorry, but don’t. I know you’re crying, Mom. Don’t turn around and pretend that you weren’t.” Lies. The whole house was full of lies, except Logan. He was the only one who had never lied to me.
“Mason.” Her voice trembled. “I thought you were going to your friend’s house tonight.”
I frowned. “I have to do my homework before I go.”
“Oh.” Her head bent down and she tightened the silk robe around her. “I suppose I should’ve known that. I didn’t.” Her voice dropped to a whisper. “I’m so sorry, honey. I’ve not been a proper mother to you lately.”
I snorted. Lately? She’d been absent for years. “Whatever. You’re crying about Dad?” Again? I wanted to say, but I held back. She would’ve started lying to me again. She always lied for him, but I caught her this time. She couldn’t lie.
Every nerve in my body was stretched thin. I was so sick of being lied to.
“Yeah.”
The tension left me, but anger filled its spot. She cried every night. She just didn’t know we knew about it. I glanced back and saw that Logan was peeking around the corner. Yes, he knew too. Motioning him back, I glared at him. He stuck his tongue out at me, but disappeared from the doorway. I knew he was listening, but he wouldn’t be able to hear everything.
Moving closer to her, I ignored the mascara running down her face and looked out the window. I saw them too. My dad had a woman pressed against her car. Her arms were wound around his neck. One of her legs had lifted to his waist. He caught it and lifted it higher, pressing her body further against the car. He was almost on top of her.
“He doesn’t even take them somewhere else anymore.” My mom’s voice sounded hollow. “He brought this one here. They came in through the basement doors. I was swimming in the pool, but they didn’t notice me. They were down there for two hours and she’s just now leaving.”
“Why didn’t you say something?” As I asked, I knew her answer.
She laughed, the sound was mixed with pain, grief, and defeat. “What’s the point? Your father’s been cheating on me for years, honey. He’s not going to stop.” She began wheezing slightly. “I’ve tried to protect you guys from it, but I can’t. I won’t. You deserve to know the truth. This is what your father does. He won’t ever stop.”
She turned to me, more tears brimming in her eyes. As they fell, she whispered, “I have to leave your father, Mason. I can’t stay here anymore and be in this marriage. I just can’t.”
My eyes narrowed. I heard the pain in her voice, but I shook my head. Anger jolted me and I growled, “Whatever. Fucking leave him if you want.” I turned to leave.
“Where are you going?”
“Out. What do you care?”
“Mason,” she gasped.
I ignored her, left the kitchen, and threw open the back patio doors. I could hear Logan trailing behind me. Ignoring him, knowing I shouldn’t be doing this in front of him, I circled around to the parking area where my dad was. He was still on top of that bitch, their mouths fused together.
I hollered at him, “Hey! When you’re done macking on your newest whore, you might want to book a vacation for Mom.”
He whipped around and looked at me. “Mason?” The blood drained from his face. “What are you doing here?”
I snorted. “My homework. That’s what I’m doing, or what I was trying to do before I heard Mom sobbing.” He stiffened. I laughed. “Yeah, she saw the whole show, Dad. Not that it’s a big surprise. The new fucking shocker is that you’re bringing them here.” I lifted a hand. “No offense to you, lady, but he’s my dad and there’s a whole family factor here that you’re helping to break up.” I turned my hand around and gave her a thumbs up. “But good for you. I’m sure my dad will pay you with lots of dinners and diamonds. If you don’t get the private jet ride while you’re sleeping with him, you’re doing something wrong.”
“MASON!”
I ignored my dad. “Oh, and just so you know, I’m leaving for Ethan’s now. I’ll be staying at his or Nate’s place all weekend.” I turned to go, but twisted back around. “And I’m going to be drinking beer. I’m telling you now, considering that you’ve got no leg to stand on with your parenting skills.”
Logan was right behind me. He held two bags in his hands, mine and his. As I bypassed him, he held mine out. “Can I come?” he asked.
“Yes,” I ground out. I’d never leave him alone again. No way in fucking hell.
He trailed past me. Helen was gone, but I didn’t care where she had disappeared to. This was normally the time she took a pill or started drinking.
As we went out to the sidewalk, he asked, “Can I drink beer too?”
“No.”
“Oh.”
Hearing his disappointment, I sighed and tugged him close. My arm went around his shoulders and we walked to Ethan’s like that. They’d be fighting tonight. I already knew it. Our mom witnessed it. We witnessed it and I called him out. I tightened my arm around Logan. He had heard too much already.




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Start the series with Fallen Crest High

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Coming Soon

HATE TO LOVE YOU
Releasing Fall 2017 

Author Bio

Tijan is a New York Times Bestselling author that writes suspenseful and unpredictable novels. Her characters are strong, intense, and gut-wrenchingly real with a little bit of sass on the side. Tijan began writing later in life and once she started, she was hooked. She’s written multi-bestsellers including the Carter Reed Series, the Fallen Crest Series, and the Broken and Screwed Series among others. She is currently writing Fallen Crest Seven (untitled) along with so many more from north Minnesota where she lives with a man she couldn’t be without and an English Cocker she adores.



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Monday, April 24, 2017

[Review] Lost Rider by Harper Sloan



lostrider1

In Lost Rider, the first Western romance in New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Harper Sloan’s Coming Home series, an injured rodeo star encounters an old flame but will she be just what he needs to get back in the saddle? Maverick Austin Davis is forced to return home after a ten-year career as a rodeo star. After one too many head injuries, he’s off the circuit and in the horse farming business, something he’s never taken much of a shine to, but now that it’s his late father’s legacy, familial duty calls. How will Maverick find his way after the only dream he ever had for himself is over? Enter Leighton Elizabeth James, an ugly duckling turned beauty from Maverick’s childhood—his younger sister’s best friend, to be exact, and someone whose heart he stomped all over when she confessed her crush to him ten years back. Now Leighton is back in Maverick’s life, no longer the insecure, love-stricken teen—and Maverick can’t help but take notice. Sparks fly between them, but will Leighton be able to open her heart to the one man who broke it all those years ago? Written in the vein of Diana Palmer and Lindsay McKenna, this Texas-set series is filled with sizzle, heart, and plenty of cowboys!    

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Review
Harper Sloan brings charm, hot cowboys, delicious pies, and a long awaiting romance to full bloom in Lost Rider. This is the first book by Harper Sloan I have read and it is amazing. I devoured each agonizingly sweet, bitter, hurt, and romantic word from this book. I am enamored with the characters and this town. This was WHOLE. It gave me everything I search for in the book, it gave me a community, a town. It was truly breathtaking and it made me want in the story.

Forever. That is how long Leighton has had a crush on her best friends brother. Maverick was always someone she wanted and she believed they were meant to be. He kept causing hurt though and he finally left to pursue his dream of riding and he left everything behind. For ten years he was gone. Leighton couldn't let go of him or the hurt he caused her. He is back in town though and all the feelings resurface. Leighton and Maverick are ready to ignite. What will happen between them can create or destroy? What will they be?

Maverick has so much hate and anger. I feel these emotions seeping from the pages. They are so utterly powerful. So much has happened to him but all he knows is that he had to go back to town for one reason. He knows that he missed out on the opportunity to be with the one person who understands him. I see his struggle with his emotions and this endears me to him. As the story went forward I was falling more and more for this man. I kept getting more and more of him and his incredibly sweet and caring side. He is a true cowboy and I melted.

Leighton is a sad soul. She can't get over what Maverick did but she still can't let him go. Oh, she's tried but it hasn't worked. Now she is all grown up and trying to resist the temptation that is Maverick. She is tough and she bakes pies. She is an amazing woman and the more you get to know her the better she becomes. She is sweet and tender. I love that she fights and speaks her mind.

Lost Rider knocks you off the bull, gives you fear, but it doesn't stop you from climbing back on to try again. That is how the story progresses but with love. It was a beautiful story with depth and meaning. When I look for a book, I want it to give me that sense of MORE. A feeling and a community. Harper Sloan pulled it off with Lost Rider.



    

Excerpt 
I should tell Quinn and Clay that he’s here. But one look at him and it’s like the last ten years have never passed and I’m back at the bonfire, the awkward high schooler uncomfortable in her own skin. Marching away from him in the woods. It was the last time I saw him. How is it possible that he can affect me this much after all this time? He hasn’t noticed me, not with his head bowed, so I quickly turn around and focus on Pastor John as he finishes up his prayer. Him being here means nothing. I should be happy that I remember the pain from that night so well, it will make keeping my walls up around him so much easier. “On behalf of the Davis family, I want to thank everyone for coming today. At this time, the family has asked for some time alone as they say their good-byes. They wanted me to remind everyone that the PieHole will be opening up for a few hours tonight starting at five for anyone that wishes to join them.” I keep my arm around Quinn, not looking back to where I saw Maverick. I can hear the church slowly emptying and I feel a frown pull at my lips. I had hoped that when everyone started to leave that he would have come up front to be with his family, but so far, the pew we’re in is still empty save for the three of us. We sit and wait for everyone to leave, something that Clay had asked Pastor John to make arrangements for in place of the customary recessional, knowing that no one in this town would really mean a word of it anyway. Plus, I know Quinn is having a hard time. Regardless of the fact that she wasn’t the closest with her father, she was really counting on this—Maverick home. She’s still shaking in my arms, but when I look over at Clay I realize his silence isn’t because of the heaviness of Buford’s death, but instead anger over his brother’s absence that has started to build to a boil. I fear that he’s seconds away from tipping over the edge. I stand when Clay and Quinn do, but hang back at the edge of the row we had been sitting in as they meet Pastor John and gather their father’s ashes. I can’t wait to get out of these heels. If it would have been acceptable to wear my boots, I would have, but Quinn would have killed me. As it is, I feel like I can’t take a deep breath with how tight my dress is against my chest. I never wear tight shirts. I haven’t since my boobs became beasts of their own right. I’m too busy fiddling with the straps of my dress, trying desperately to get some of the pressure against my chest to ease up so I could take a deep breath, when I heard Quinn gasp. “Mav!” Next thing I know she’s running past where I’m standing, her black hair streaming in the air behind her as she speeds forward right into her brother’s arms. Clay moves to stand next to me and I look up to meet his green eyes, the questions he isn’t vocalizing dancing in their emerald depths. He’s not stupid and I’m doing a crappy job at hiding the memories haunting me right now. He gives me a small smile, shifting his hold on the urn to wrap his free arm around me and pulls me into a strong hold. “You’re shakin’,” he says against my temple and I just nod. “I’m good, Clay. Go see your brother.” “I’m fine right where I am, sugar.” I keep my eyes to the ground, focusing on his worn boots instead of looking up, hating myself for making this moment about me when I should be focused on them. Like it or not, I can’t fight the feelings that being near him bring me. I’m that stupid, naive sixteen-year-old all over again. “Let’s get out of here,” he says after a few silent seconds. I look up and give him a smile, hoping that it looks a hell of a lot braver than I feel. Inside I feel like I might puke. “You think I could have a second with my family?” My head shoots up at the coldness I hadn’t anticipated in Maverick’s voice. He’s not focused on me, though, instead looking at his brother with a hard expression and one brow raised upward. “Mav!” Quinn gasps and he moves his attention from his brother to her. “Sorry, Quinn, but I’m thinkin’ that Clay’s lady friend would understand that this should be a moment for our family and give us time alone.” “I’ll just—” “Don’t you dare finish that sentence, sugar,” Clay all but spits through clenched teeth and drops his arm to take a step forward. “You’ve got something to say, Mav, then say it.” “Nothing to say, Clayton, I just think it would be nice for your girlfriend to give us some space.” “My girlfriend,” he parrots sarcastically, his deep voice vibrating in anger. “Mav.” Quinn attempts to butt in, but stops when Maverick leaves her side and turns to stalk out of the church. I should find it comical that he obviously didn’t recognize me, or hell, maybe he did and he’s just picking up where he left off ten years ago in the middle of the dark woods. I take a deep breath. “It’s okay. He’s right. Y’all need some time as a family. I’ll head over to the PieHole and start settin’ up for tonight.” Quinn brushes a tear from her cheek and just shakes her head. I look at Clay to see him staring in the direction that his brother just left. “You’re family,” he finally says, not looking in my direction. “Clay, really, it’s okay. It’s been a long time since y’all were back together and I don’t need to be there for that reunion. It sucks that it takes all of this to finally bring him home, but he’s here and y’all need to make up for a lot of time lost.” “Shut up, Leighton.” “Don’t, Clay.” “Don’t what? You’ve got every right to be here. You’re just as much a part of our family as he is. Hell, maybe even more so than he is at this point. So just shut up, come with us, and ignore him.” I shake my head, the fight instantly leaving my sails, knowing I would be arguing until the end of time if I pressed this issue. “I can’t believe he doesn’t even recognize you,” Quinn whispers.  

     

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About Harper Sloan
Harper is a NEW YORK TIMES, WALL STREET JOURNAL and USA TODAY bestselling author residing in Georgia with her husband and three daughters. She has a borderline unhealthy obsession with books, hibachi, tattoos and Game of Thrones. When she isn't writing you can almost always find her with a book in hand. Facebook | Website | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | Goodreads | Amazon Author Page
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