BLOG TOUR - REVIEW: LAW OF ATTRACTION by ALISON BLISS

 

About the Book:

 
 

For single mom Bobbie Jo Weston, finding a husband is not on her to-do list. She's focused on turning a run-down chicken farm into a Bed & Breakfast. She agrees to let a friend’s nephew stay with her in exchange for his handyman skills, but she wasn’t counting on the super sexy Seth Landry being that guy.

Seth has a special skill-set, all right, but it has nothing to do with hammering nails. As a retired member of The Resistance—an elite group of ex-military soldiers—his dark, unsettling past haunts him. He needs a place to lay low, and an out-of-the-way B&B is nothing short of perfect. The blonde beauty doesn’t trust men, and he doesn't plan on sticking around long enough to change her mind.

The closer they get, the more they can't seem to keep their hands off each other. And while Bobbie holds on to her fear of watching another man walk out of their lives, Seth's mere presence has put them all in jeopardy. The only way to ever be free of his dangerous past is for him to accept one last mission...

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo

Add to Goodreads

In Law of Attraction (Tangled in Texas #3) by Alison Bliss, Bobbie Jo Weston is determined to achieve her dream of turning the place she owns into a bed and breakfast. However, doing it alone isn't easy. But when she finds herself with a houseguest who is good with his hands and knows his way around a hammer, things begin to progress. Yet, Seth has secrets and Bobbie doesn't trust easily. Will he be able to convince Bobbie to take a chance on him or will they walk away from their shot at happy ever after?

Although I haven't read the previous two books of this series, I found this book could easily be read as a stand-alone. Really, and right from the beginning, this story drew me in, as the heroine is determined to go things alone, but she needs a night of fun. Just one night to let her hair down with a man that she'll - hopefully - never have to see again. Will things work out the way she's hoping? However, it was from the moment the hero and heroine come face-to-face for the first time that I absolutely loved, as there's plenty of chemistry between Bobbie Jo and Seth, which had me wondering what would happen between them. 

As for the dialogue, it was intense due to the main characters back stories, as the father of the heroine's child is an absolute jerk that has put her through a lot and is still putting her through a lot while the hero has secrets that could end up getting people he cares about hurt. Moreover, the heroine is feisty, resilient, courageous and I liked how determined she was to keep things platonic with the hero, and yet, he's hard to resist. I also liked how good of a mom she is and that she would do anything to protect her son, especially when it comes to the battle she faces with her child's father.  Yet, what I liked most of all about the heroine was the close friendships she has with several of the secondary characters that would do anything for her. 

While the hero, he has secrets that could come back to bite him and it seems that the past will always have a hold on him. Will he be able to keep Bobbie Jo and her son safe? Furthermore, the hero is confident, cocky and I liked how determined he was to win the heroine over, even though there's a chance he could hurt her because he's a drifter and incapable of staying in one place for too long. I also liked how protective he is of the heroine and that he would do anything to keep her and her son safe. Including making sure her son's father doesn't make any more trouble for the heroine than he already has. 

Overall, Ms. Bliss has delivered a really good read in this book where the chemistry between this couple was powerful; the scorching romance heats up the pages with plenty of heat and passion; and the ending had me loving the lengths the hero would go to in order to keep the heroine safe, even if it means he could lose the heroine's trust in him. Yet, in saying that, I liked how things worked out for the best for these two, as Seth isn't about to let Bobbie Jo get away. He wants the heroine and her son in his life forever and isn't above proving that with his heartwarming words. However, it was the epilogue that wrapped this story up wonderfully, as the hero and heroine have come so far in their relationship and have so much to be happy for, especially since Seth got his wish. I would recommend Law of Attraction by Alison Bliss, if you enjoy the mysterious strangers trope, the sexy protector trope or books by authors Rachel Higginson, Tee O'Fallon, Scarlett Cole and Layla Hagen.

 

I tried to keep myself from wincing. “No, that’s all right. I don’t need to talk about anything.”

“Okay, then you listen while I do the talking.” He moved toward me and came to a stop directly in front of me. “I’m only here for a short time.”

He didn’t say anything else so I guessed that was his big ta-da moment. But I still didn’t understand what that had to do with me. “Okay. So what does that have to do with last night?”

“I’m a drifter. I never stay in one place long. It keeps things from getting too complicated that way.”

“Well, I sure the hell didn’t ask you to stay for the summer. That’s on you…or possibly your uncle.”

“I know that.” He sighed. “Look, I just need a quiet place to lay low for a while until I figure out where I’m heading next. But once I do, I’m leaving.”

“So? I still don’t get—”

He held up a hand to stop me. “You aren’t the type of woman who’s okay with being left behind.”

I wasn’t sure why that statement annoyed me, but it did. “You don’t know anything about me.”

He shrugged one muscled shoulder. “Let’s just say that I’m more perceptive than you think.”

“Apparently not. Because I have news for you, Seth. Last night, I planned on taking you back to my home, having my way with you, and kicking your ass out of my bed before the sun came up.”

“Oh, I know,” he said with a grin. “But you wouldn’t have asked me to leave once you got me into bed. That’s why I stopped the whole thing from happening.”

I rolled my eyes so hard that they hurt. “You really must think you’re something to make a statement like that. Maybe it would’ve been the other way around. Ever thought of that? Perhaps you would’ve been begging me to let you stay while my foot shoved your ass out the door.”

His mouth quirked with amusement. Yeah, he wasn’t buying it for a minute. Maybe he really was more perceptive than I thought. After all, he was related to Junior. “Is that a challenge?” he asked smugly.

Jeez. Was there no end to this guy’s arrogance? 

His gaze scanned down my body and back up to my chest as he said, “Don’t get me wrong, Bobbie. I’m not the right guy for you. You clearly need someone who is going to stick around on a more permanent basis. That’s not me. But I’m more than happy to keep you warm until he shows up.”

Figures. Seth Landry had a special skill-set, all right, but it had nothing to do with hammering nails and everything to do with getting tangled in sheets. Because if that kiss he’d planted on me last night was any indication, the man wasn’t lying about his skills in the bedroom. That was one thing I would bet my life on.

Meet the Author:

 

Alison Bliss is a best-selling, award-winning author of humorous, contemporary romances. A born and raised Texan, she currently resides in the Midwest with her husband, two kids, and their dogs. As the youngest of five girls, she has never turned down a challenge or been called by the right name. Alison believes the best way to find out if someone is your soul mate is by canoeing with them because if you both make it back alive, it's obviously meant to be. She writes the type of books she loves to read most: fun, steamy love stories with heart, heat, and laughter. Something she likes to call, "Romance...with a sense of humor."

To learn more about Alison Bliss, visit her website at http://authoralisonbliss.com, where you can sign up for her newsletter to keep up with her latest book news. You can also email her at authoralisonbliss@hotmail.com or connect with her on social media.

Connect: Site | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hosted By:

BLOG TOUR - REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: SIX WEEKS WITH A LORD by EVE PENDLE

About the Book:

 

Grace Alnott is out of time. To save her younger brother from an abusive guardian, her merchant father’s will demands she must marry a peer. Handsome but destitute Everett Hetherington, Earl of Westbury agrees to her offer of a marriage of convenience but stipulates she must live with him for six weeks. No matter how honorable he seems she can’t allow him to get too close, because the aristocracy cannot be trusted.

Six weeks. Major Everett Hetherington, new Earl of Westbury, has exactly six weeks to convince the very independent Grace Alnott to spend the rest of her life with him. Despite her belief she doesn't belong in his world, he must tempt the alluring Grace into staying, because he has fallen for her. Hard. He just has to ensure she never discovers his secret.

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo

Add to Goodreads

In Six Weeks with a Lord by Eva Pendle, Grace Alnott is determined to have her independence and be reunited with her brother, but the only way that will happen is if she marries a man with a title. Luckily, Everett Hetherington, the new Earl of Westbury is looking for a wife; someone with enough money to wipe the family debts. Will Everett be able to convince Grace that their marriage of convenience is so much more or will the pair go their separate ways once the terms they've set for the marriage are fulfilled?

What an utterly fantastic, fast-paced, captivating read Ms. Pendle has delivered in this story where the main characters were fascinating due to their back stories, as Grace will do anything to get her brother back while the hero needs Grace in order to wipe the family debts and save the family estate; the compelling dialogue drew me in from the very beginning and had me loving this couple's growing relationship; and the obstacles these two face to be together had me wondering whether they would be able to overcome them. Will Grace and Everett take a chance on each other? 

As for the dialogue, it was intense due to the main characters back stories, as Everett is an honorable man and determined to pay the family debts, even though the debts belong to his deceased brother while the heroine can't believe what a mess her late father has made. Why wasn't Grace made her brother's guardian? Moreover, the heroine was strong, determined to fight for her independence and I liked how she did her best to resist the hero because she has plans for her life that don't include staying with Everett. I also liked how far she was willing to go to help her brother because she's not about to let him stay in the situation he's in now. 

While the hero, he's confident, charming and I liked how far he's willing to go to get the heroine to stay because he needs more from her than what they've agreed to. Will he be able to win Grace over? I also liked how far he's willing to go to help the heroine get her brother back. Will he find a way to help Grace? Yet, what I liked most of all about the hero was his determination to fight for his relationship with Grace because she comes to mean so much to him. 

Overall, Ms. Pendle has delivered a wonderful debut novel in this historical romance where the chemistry between this couple was intense; the romance was delightful and had me liking that the heroine took a chance on the hero; and the ending had me loving what the hero does for the heroine because it shows that he will do anything for her. Then again, she's everything he wants in his life, so why wouldn't he do everything in his power to prove his love. I would recommend Six Weeks with a Lord by Eve Pendle, if you enjoy Historical Romance, the marriage of convenience trope or books by authors Sarah MacLean, Maggie Dallen, Tina Gabrielle and Harmony Williams. 

“A half share of her dowry. Fifty-thousand,” George announced.

Everett snapped around to look at his brother fully. Fifty-thousand pounds would pay the debts and current debts of the farmers and leave enough money to support the estate for a couple of years, until it could pay its own way. “Go on.”

George smirked. “The gossip is she’s from trade, thinks herself some sort of independent woman, and is offering a marriage in name only. Wants to live on the continent, apparently.”

“A marriage of convenience? Very expedient.”

Then she reappeared, gliding right past him. She was resplendent in a dress the color of sunshine, her head tilted back as she waltzed, showing the curve of her neck and the angle of her jaw. Her dark hair gleamed, complemented by the brightness of her dress, as she danced like she was the only person in the room who mattered. Her jaw line was too strong for conventional beauty, but something about the way she held herself was mesmerizing. She was like a cat walking along uneven ground, not perfect, but compelling.

“Exactly.” George had the tone of a vindicated brother. “Miss Alnott is pretty, too. Just over there.”

Reluctant to look away from the dancers, Everett glanced to see whom George indicated. Sensation shot down his spine.

“The lady in the primrose-yellow dress,” George said. 

He couldn’t take his gaze from her. Miss Alnott. “I see her.”

“I told you I’d find you a wife.” George turned away. “I’ll be in the card room.”

Oh no. “George—”

“Yes, yes,” he interrupted. “I’m not Peter. I’m not going to gamble everything away.”

George wandered off and Everett gave himself up to watching Miss Alnott moving around the room slowly as she and her partner traversed the floor. She was gathering attention. There were several sharks circling, their fine wool black coats gleaming. The matrons were talking about her, lips pursed with disapproval. Her pronouncement must be the reason for the hum of life in the room.

A fast step in the waltz made the wide skirts of her dress shine. It was a gold dress, really. An unsubtle ploy to give a man the impression she was financially desirable. She certainly looked the part of an aspiring aristocrat, smiling fixedly at the room.

This was the first cut of interest he’d felt since he’d begun his fortune hunting. It would be something to have such a lady for a wife: so beautiful and confident. Of course, if she wanted to live abroad, she wouldn’t be a true wife. But what did it matter? She would be like a wild cat living on the fringes of his estate, untamed and free, but technically his. Wary, coat gleaming, dangerous. If he found a wild cat, he would entice it with cream and take care of it, like he did with everything that was his.

  

“I suppose you think me selfish to not want to marry a man I neither love nor respect.” Her mouth was tight. “But I refuse to martyr myself by marrying Lord Rayner, when the result would be a totally powerless state after the marriage.”

Ah. Just a vague fear of a bad marriage. It seemed rather superficial to want love more than wanting to stay with family, but hadn’t he been cautious about marrying the wrong person? And as a man, all he had to be concerned about was a lack of conjugal bliss, not actual bodily harm. He was the owner, not the property.

“I can understand wanting love in your marriage.” He let his tone dip as he said the words and was gratified to see an answering visceral reaction in Grace. She flushed. This was where he would link the attraction between them with something more. “You know, love can grow in surprising places.”

Her neck stiffened and she sauntered away, looking deliberately around the room. Everett found he was anticipating her response.

“There are some leaks in this place, I concede. And there are holes in the curtains that let in light. Perhaps there are the prerequisites to grow something in this house.” She swung around to stare down at him. “But Everett, love is not a weed.”

“No, it’s a wildflower.”

Eve lives in England and writes angsty, snarky and passionate Victorian era romance. She has National Trust membership, a big-boned cat, and a crazy dog. She loves wearing dresses and eating chocolate.

Connect: Site | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

a Rafflecopter giveaway

BLOG TOUR - REVIEW: GETTING SCHOOLED by EMMA CHASE

Getting Schooled

Getting Schooled #1

By Emma Chase

Releasing June 26th, 2018

Self-Published

+ Add to Goodreads

Head of the class... Garrett Daniels has this whole life thing figured out. The cocky, charismatic former high school star quarterback is an idolized football coach and "cool" teacher in the hometown where he's not just a golden boy — he's platinum. He has good friends, a great house on the lake, and the best damn sidekick a man could ask for: Snoopy, the albino beagle. Then...Callie Carpenter comes home. And knocks him right on his tight end zone. 

Back to school... Callie has a pretty sweet life herself...on the other side of the country. But circumstances — that she'd prefer to never speak of again — have brought her back home, helping out her parents and substitute teaching at her old high school. Now she's facing bickering, raging hormones, constant gossip, awkward weirdness, and drama galore...and that's just the teachers. 

Just like old times... When Garrett offers to show his former high school sweetheart the secrets of his winning teacher ways, Callie jumps at the chance - and then has to stop herself from jumping him. Good friends are all they can ever be. Or...these teachers just might end up getting schooled — hard — by love. 

AVAILABLE NOW

AMAZON | iBooks | B&N | Kobo | Paperback

In Getting Schooled (Getting Some #1) by Emma Chase, Callie Carpenter is a sight for sore eyes for Garrett Daniels. Unfortunately, she's only back in their hometown until her parents are well enough to take care of themselves after being involved in a car accident. Still, Garrett isn't about to let anything stop him winning her back. Will Garrett and Callie get their shot at happy ever after or will they say goodbye to each other for good?

I haven't read a book by Ms. Chase in a while, but I've got to say that I absolutely enjoy her books and this story opens this series wonderfully. Really, the way this story started had me loving that Callie would do anything for family, but finding out what happened to cause her parents to have an accident had me liking that the secondary characters weren't going to let Callie forget what her parents were doing to cause them to wreck. 

As for the dialogue, it was very entertaining and had me loving this couple's growing relationship, as the hero is confident, charming and I loved his determination to win the heroine back. I also liked how good of a teacher he is and how supportive he is of his students and that he didn't let them get away with anything. While the heroine, she's resilient, courageous and I liked how she helped the children in her classes, as she's determined to show them that theater is important and a worthwhile class to take. I also liked the growing friendships she shared with some of the secondary characters, as she needs their encouragement when the time comes and the pressure of teaching is getting to her.

Overall, Ms Chase has delivered a fantastic read in this book where the chemistry between this couple was strong; the romance is heady and convincing and shows how right these two are for each other; and the ending me loving the decisions the hero and heroine make in order to be together. Will Callie stay in her hometown? However, it was the epilogues that wrapped this story up nicely, as the hero and heroine are so happy together and can't get enough of each other. I would recommend Getting Schooled by Emma Chase, if you enjoy second chance romances or books by authors Melanie Harlow, Vi Keeland, Kelly Elliot and Penelope Ward. 

High school parking lots are one of the most dangerous places on earth. I don’t have statistics to back that up…but I know it’s true. I pull into the school parking lot Monday morning in my Dad’s giant, newly repaired mint-green Buick, with Back in Black by AC/DC blasting from the speakers. 

I feel tough, powerful—like I’m driving a tank. I’m a badass teacher—I’ll run you down even if you’re a student—I’ve got twenty-nine more in class just like you. The outfit helps too—leather boots, blue jeans, a starched white blouse and a black leather jacket. It’s my armor. The morning air is cool and crisp today, but I barely feel it. I’m locked and loaded and ready to roll. As I march towards the main entrance, I spot Garrett and Dean and Alison Bellinger outside the doors. 

They pause when they see me, waiting. “Damn,” Dean chuckles. “Callie’s got her shit-kickers on. Did you dig them out of a mosh pit from 1993?” 

Garrett crosses his arms. “Somebody’s channeling Michelle Pfiefer in Dangerous Minds.” He looks fantastic. His hair is tousled from the breeze and kisses his brow, and he’s wearing a dark blue sweater that’s snug around his biceps and soft, worn, light blue jeans. 

I remember his arms around me yesterday on my parent’s porch. The wonder and exhilaration of the moment. Of him. The intensity in his eyes, the desire and possessiveness in the grasp of his hands. The scorching feel of his mouth, his wet talented tongue that made my stomach swirl and my head spin. So much for not complicating things. But I’m not going to play head games with myself or Garrett—we’re too old for that shit. I have feelings for him—I always have—our break-up had nothing to do with either of us not wanting each other desperately. But these aren’t just leftover echoes of a sweet, first love—this is something new. A throbbing, breathless attraction to the amazing man he’s become. I want to be near him. I want to know him, inside and out, all over again. And he feels the same way. 

Garrett wants this version of me as much as he always did—maybe even more. I heard it in his whispered words and felt it in his kiss. I don’t know if we have a future, if it can go anywhere. We have separate lives on opposite ends of the country. But I’m not going to worry about that—for now, I’m going to take each day as it comes and enjoy every moment we can. Except for now. Now is not the time for enjoying or worrying or relationship building…now is the time for focusing. Now is the time to be ice and steel—don’t smile, don’t waver. 

“Little fucknutters don’t know who the hell they’re dealing with,” I growl. 

Allison pumps her fist. “That’s the spirit.” 

Garrett opens the door for me. “Go get ‘em, Gangster’s Paradise.” 

       

     

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. 

                                                                                                                                 

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | NEWSLETTER | TWITTER | GOODREADS | READER FAN GROUP     

BLOG TOUR - REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: BACK TO THE START by ELLE KEATING

Morgan Kelley has left Boston and is settling in Philadelphia…to a city that harbors her most painful secrets. Will these secrets destroy Morgan’s new beginning or will coming clean give her the second chance she’s longing to have? Find out in Elle Keating’s BACK TO THE START!

 Back to the Start

Dangerous Love #4

By Elle Keating

Releasing June 19th, 2018

Self-Published

+ Add to Goodreads

Jake McGinnis has the life he has dreamed of since childhood: a professional football career with adoring fans, financial security, and the unwavering support of his family. From the outside looking in, he has everything. But nothing could be further from the truth. Because there isn’t a day that goes by that Jake doesn’t think about his first love... and what his world would look like if she was still by his side. When he hears that she is relocating to start a new job less than a mile from him, the pain of their breakup feels fresher than ever. For eight years, he has wondered why their relationship ended and now she's settling in his city. A city that isn't big enough for the two of them.

For Morgan Kelley, moving to Philadelphia means living closer to her family and practicing veterinary medicine with two of her closest friends. It’s also her chance to start over and move on from her failed marriage. There’s only one con: the close proximity to Jake McGinnis. Once upon a time being near him was all she wanted, but now he is practically a stranger... and it's all her fault. Faced with awful memories and the possibility of bumping into him at her favorite coffee shop, Morgan is haunted by the real reason she once broke both of their hearts. Deep down, she knows she won’t be able to embrace this new chapter of her life without finally telling Jake the whole truth.

But how will he react when she shares her secret? Their love story once felt inevitable, unshakable. Is this where it ends for good, or is it the beginning of a second chance?

BUY BACK TO THE START:  Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iBooks 

In Back to the Start (Dangerous Love #4) by Elle Keating, growing up Morgan Kelley always thought she'd marry Jake McGinnis until something happened that made her decide they needed to go their separate ways. However, now years later, she's moved back to Philadelphia to be closer to family and work alongside friends as a vet. And although, being home is good, being around Jake is torture, especially when she's not ready to tell him the reason why she broke his heart in the first place. Will Jake and Morgan get their second chance at happy ever after or will the truth about the past destroy any chance they have at a future together?

This story was packed full of emotion, wonderful characters, tough obstacles that Morgan and Jake need to overcome to be together, and fantastic dialogue that drew me into this story immediately and had me reading quickly, determined to discover whether Jake would ever be able to forgive Morgan. However, it was from the moment the hero and heroine come face-to-face for the first time in years where things really take off, as there's still so much chemistry between these two, and yet, Jake is still so angry because she hurt him when she ended things years ago.

As for the dialogue, it was intense due to the main characters back stories with the heroine living with the guilt of hurting Jake and devastated by the loss she suffered. It was also intense because of how it bounces between the past and the present and gives readers a glimpse of how much the heroine suffered, especially since her father was an absolute jerk that didn't deserve to have such a wonderful daughter. Moreover, the heroine is resilient, courageous and I liked how determined she was to make things right with Jake, even though talking about the past wasn't easy for her. I also liked the close friendships she shared with the secondary characters, as they are there for her when she needs them. 

While the hero, he's achieved so much in his life, which is proven by his career as a professional footballer. He's also confident, driven, close with his family and I liked how determined he was to win the heroine back, even though she doesn't make it easy. Yet, what I liked most of all about the hero is that he doesn't give up on the heroine and is willing to wait for answers he desperately needs to be able to move forward with or without her.

Overall, Ms. Keating has delivered a really good read in this book where the chemistry between this couple was strong; the romance was hot and shows how good these two are together; and the ending had me worried for one of the main characters because of what happens, but had me loving that they get their second chance at happy ever after, especially with the news they receive. I would recommend Back to the Start by Elle Keating, if you enjoy second chance romances or books by authors Toni Aleo, Mira Lyn Kelly, Kendall Ryan and Natasha Madison. 

Bacon?

She swore she smelled bacon cooking. How hung over was she?

Morgan reached for her phone, but it wasn’t in its usual place on her nightstand. She sat up in bed and rubbed her eyes. Her head pounded as she remembered the events of last night. She didn’t want to know how many shots she’d had. It must have been a significant amount because she remembered dancing to Wham and that would not have happened if she wasn’t shitfaced.

Morgan got out of bed and was halfway to the bathroom when she took notice of her sleeping attire. She was wearing a gray t-shirt she hadn’t worn in months and underwear. Everything hit her at once and she suddenly remembered how she had gotten home, who had apparently put her to bed…and who was in her kitchen right now cooking breakfast.

Morgan quickly went to the bathroom, brushed her teeth and threw on a pair of sweatpants. She crept downstairs and rounded the corner…and stared at the beautiful man in her kitchen. His back was to her as he stirred something on the stove. He was wearing jeans and a white cotton t-shirt that showed off his bulging biceps. She had always loved his body. Even during those awkward teenage years, she had thought he was the most gorgeous thing she had ever seen.

“How are you feeling?” he asked. He didn’t turn around. Jake continued to stir whatever was in the pot.

“I’ve been better,” she said. Morgan spotted her purse on the kitchen counter and immediately dug through it and found the last of her Advil. She popped two pills and chased them with a glass of water. Though her head throbbed, her stomach was surprisingly ready for whatever Jake was making for breakfast. But before she could take a single bite, she needed to ask Jake a few questions.

“Where did you sleep?”

Jake tapped the wooden spoon on the side of the pot. Morgan watched a few teaspoons’ worth of creamed chipped beef fall back into the pot. He then opened the oven door and produced at least a dozen fresh-baked biscuits. Her stomach rumbled at the sight of one of her favorite meals of all time.

“In your bed,” he said, plating their breakfasts. With her biscuit covered in creamed  chipped beef, he handed her the plate and a fork and flashed her a smile that left her uneasy. Morgan wasn’t worried that Jake had taken advantage of her in her drunken state. He would never do that to her or any woman. No, what she was fucking scared of was what she may have said while she was three sheets to the wind. Morgan placed her plate on the breakfast bar and took a seat on one of the stools.

“Did we…I mean, did I…”

“No.” His tone was absolute and for a foolish moment she breathed a sigh of relief. But her relief was short-lived. The heat in his eyes shook her and she looked down.

Start eating. Do something. Just don’t look at him again.

“I slept next to you just in case you needed my assistance in the middle of the night.”

Morgan winced. “I was that bad, huh?”

“You don’t remember me carrying you up the stairs?” he asked. She fought the urge to look at him as she shook her head. “Or putting you to bed?”

She closed her eyes. Morgan wasn’t a lush on a regular basis, but hell if he didn’t make her feel like a teenager drinking on a fake ID. “Thanks for taking care of me.”

“Just being a good friend,” he said.

Morgan could hear Jake round the breakfast bar. With her eyes closed her other senses were magnified, and she soon felt him behind her. “So you’re okay with being friends again?” she asked.

Jake spun her around on the stool and she was instantly face-to-face with the only man she had ever loved. “Maybe you should ask yourself that question.” Jake placed his hand over her heart. “Tell me, do your friends make your heart race like this?” Jake trailed two fingers to her bottom lip. “Or make your lip tremble like it is right now?” He leaned in close. His own intoxicating scent mingled with her shampoo, and she realized that he had made himself at home and had taken a shower. His lips curled to form a grin. He knew he had her. That strength she had gathered over the past two weeks, that shield of resistance she had carried in front of her like some silly badge of honor had been stripped away.

Jake released her quivering lip and reached behind her. Morgan heard keys scraping against her granite countertop. Just inches from her mouth he said, “Eat your breakfast, Morgan.” He looked at her beneath his long silky lashes for a moment and then left her townhome.

Elle Keating is the author of romance novels with sexy heroes and fierce females. Her first book, Thrill of the Chase (Dangerous Love, #1), was published by Forever Romance’s digital imprint, Forever Yours, in 2015. Cut to the Chase (Dangerous Love, #2) soon followed. Most recently, Elle self-published Wanting More (Dangerous Love, #3) and a standalone novel, Keeping His Commandments.

An avid reader of gritty, dark romances, her favorite authors include Pepper Winters, Penelope Ward, and Anna Zaires.

When she isn’t torturing her heroes and heroines (don’t worry, there’s always a happily ever after), Elle is a public school administrator and enjoys spending time with her husband and 3 children in New Jersey.

Connect with Elle: Website  |  Amazon |  Facebook  |  Goodreads | Instagram

a Rafflecopter giveaway