Tuesday, December 6, 2016

Release Day Blitz: Going Under by Lexi Ryan




Title: Going Under
Series: The Blackhawk Boys #3 
Author: Lexi Ryan
Genre: New Adult
 Release Date: December 6, 2016



Blurb

If I met Alexandra DeLuca for the first time today, I would only need one word to describe her:

MINE.
 

She's everything she was when we said goodbye. Beautiful, stubborn, sweet...and off-limits. 

After two years leading separate lives, our worlds have collided. Now that she's back home working and taking classes beside me, she's bound to make me lose my mind.

She's all I've ever wanted, all I've ever dreamed of, and the one thing I can never have. 

Not because she's my best friend's sister.
Not because all four DeLuca brothers would come at me with fists swinging if I hurt her.
Not even because she's way better than I will ever deserve.
 

I keep my distance because we didn't meet for the first time today. We met five years ago when I was a different person. When my demons ruled me. Even though I've changed--even though I've gotten my life together and become a better man--I can't change the past. And the secrets that haunt me would destroy her. 

But I'm not the only one with secrets, and when the truth comes out, I don't know where to turn. What do you do when your world washes away beneath your feet and you feel like you're drowning? What do you do when the woman you promised yourself you'd never touch is the only thing that can keep you from going under?

GOING UNDER is a standalone novel and the third set in the world of The Blackhawk Boys series.
 

Football. Secrets. Lies. Passion. These boys don’t play fair. Which Blackhawk Boy will steal your heart?







Purchase Links

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU
B&N / KOBO / iBOOKS
GOOGLE PLAY 





Review 

Lexi is one of those authors that never disappoints. When you're in a book slump her book is going to leave you with a hangover. You'll be sad you read it so fast because you'll then have to wait until she gets another ready for us. 

This was another emotional read by Lexi. It had you guessing in places about what was going on and how it was going to be handled. 

Alex was an incredibly strong female lead. I couldn't imagine dealing with everything she has dealt with. If I had to pick one of my favorite characters from Lexi's books Alex would be the top! She inspires you to want to do better. 

I love that we get to see one of the New Hope characters in this story!!! Cannot wait for Keegan's story. I have a feeling his will be more emotional than them all so far! I'm holding out hope that Mason and Bailey will get a story!



Excerpt

Copyright © 2016 by Lexi Ryan

“I don’t want you to think you need to do this now that I’m back.”

He steps forward, close enough that I can feel his heat. “Do what?”

“Spend time with me. Come to my rescue. Make sure I make it home safely.” I wave a hand. “All of it. You don’t owe me anything.”

“You think I’m here out of a sense of obligation?” He laughs. “Fuck, that’s insane.”

“Is it? Can we just talk about the elephant in the room?” I ask him.

He’s staring at me, and it takes a few beats for him to process that I’ve spoken. I’d laugh if seeing him drunk didn’t also unsettle something deep inside me, some old part of me that still wants Sebastian to be my rock. But I’m not the girl recovering in the hospital anymore. I’m not the girl crying at her sister’s grave. Those experiences are part of who I am now, but I’m more, too. I’m stronger. I don’t need Sebastian’s strength to hold me steady. Or I shouldn’t.

I tuck my hands into my pockets. “Two years ago, the night before I left for Colorado…” He goes still, and I can’t make myself finish the sentence.

“I crossed a line,” he says.

I snort. God, the problem isn’t that he crossed a line—it’s that he didn’t. “Are you serious right now?”

He cuts his eyes to me again, the muscle ticking in his jaw. “It was a mistake, and you’re obviously still angry with me about it.”

I step away from him and wrap my hands around the porch rail. If I let myself look at him, I’ll overanalyze every expression that crosses his face. I realize I’m holding my breath and exhale. “It was a shitty thing for you to do.”

He’s silent for several heavy beats of my heart. When I can’t stand the silence anymore, I release the railing and turn to face him. “Let me make sure I understand,” he says. “Since I almost kissed you two years ago, I can’t walk you home anymore?”

“I don’t want…” I take a breath as I search for the words to explain how this makes me feel. “I don’t want a pity friendship.”

“What the fuck is a pity friendship?”

“It’s when you spend time with someone because you don’t want them to be alone.”

“You’re an expert on what I want now?”

“I think you made it perfectly clear what you do and don’t want from me two years ago.”

He takes half a step forward, and his gaze drops to my mouth. Can you feel someone looking at your lips? Because his gaze is so intense on my mouth right now that I’m sure I could close my eyes and still feel it as distinctly as a touch. “Dammit, Alex, if I’d have known you’d hold such a grudge for thirty seconds of weakness, I would have kissed you that night. Fuck my better judgment. At least then I’d know how you taste.”

I swallow hard and tell my pounding heart not to make more of this than it is. “You’re drunk, Sebastian.”

Stepping back, he drags a hand over his face. “Yeah.” He takes another step back. “Good night, Alex.”

I unlock the door and go inside, shutting it behind me without looking at him again. Slowly, I take the stairs up to my old room, close the door behind me, and lean against it. Only then do I allow myself to squeeze my eyes shut and take a long, deep breath to calm my racing heart.

His words replay in my head, making the muscles in my stomach grow tight. Just once I’d like Sebastian Crowe to make good on one of the fantasies he inspires. Just once I’d like him to follow me into this room and lock the door before pushing me against it and lowering his mouth to mine. I’d like to feel those rough hands slide under my shirt to unbutton my jeans…

I pull out my phone and text Bailey, letting her know I made it home okay. Then, without washing my face or changing my clothes, I fall into bed, close my eyes, and break a promise to myself by fantasizing about Sebastian Crowe.

“At least then I’d know how you taste.”





Also Available

Football. Secrets. Lies. Passion.
These boys don’t play fair.
Which Blackhawk Boy will steal your heart?


To celebrate the release of GOING UNDER, the first book in The Blackhawk Boys series is on sale for $0.99 (regularly $4.99 USD). All the books in the series can be read as standalones!


99c SALE

AMAZON US / UK



AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU


COMING IN 2017

#4 Falling Hard - Keegan’s story

iBOOKS PRE-ORDER

#5 In Too Deep - Mason’s story

iBOOKS PRE-ORDER





Author Bio

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of emotional romance that sizzles, Lexi enjoys reading, sunshine, a good glass of wine, and rare trips to the beach.

Lexi lives in Indiana with her husband, two children, and neurotic dog. You can find her at her website: http://www.lexiryan.com/



Author Links


Wednesday, August 24, 2016

Cover Reveal: Desires by RJ Van Cleave

~ Synopsis ~ 

Bree MacLane loved designing clothes. It was far more rewarding than farming. Through her sister-in-law, Cassie, Bree caught the eye of the famed designer, Ethan Alexander, at the age of seventeen. Cassie had the connections, but Bree’s raw talent paved the way to a life away from Blossom Grove. Los Angeles called, and nothing could keep Bree tied to her tiny hometown. Not even Gavin Baker, or the mistake they made one summer night.  Burying that night allowed her to move on, but losing Gavin hurt her more than she realized.
Gavin Baker lusted over Bree MacLane for longer than he cared to admit. Their five-year age gap prevented him from acting on those feelings – until she turned eighteen and told him she wanted him too. One night with her, and he was ready to make it forever. He had plans to lay down roots with Bree, only what Gavin had to offer wasn't enough for her. Loving Bree from afar became a way of life for him again because living without her wasn’t an option.
Five years after leaving Blossom Grove, a family emergency brings Bree home. Unprepared for a baby mama and an unexpected death she heads into a downward spiral. Forced to face the painful secret from her past, Bree realizes she may have lost the future that she didn’t know she wanted. But the four meddling MacLane wives and a few therapy horses help Gavin prove to Bree they still have a future. They show her that there’s more to Gavin, to herself, and to Blossom Grove, than she ever realized. Sometimes, the desires of your heart steer you away from true happiness, but the right person will lead you back.


~ Books in Series ~


~ Author Bio ~ 

R.J. Van Cleave grew up in a small town near San Diego, CA, where she still lives today. She loved science as a child and had planned on becoming a doctor. However, she realized she wanted to be a mother more, and switched to working in the Biotech industry. One daughter was eventually joined by fraternal twin sisters (a surprise), and R.J.’s life was complete. In 2011, her mom died from undiagnosed cancer and R.J.’s world was turned upside down. In an attempt to honor her mother’s life, R.J. got a few tattoos and schlepped through a few half marathons. Needles and strenuous exercise were two real fears for R.J., but her greatest fear was actually putting a story in her head down on paper. In June of 2013, R.J. finally conquered that fear when she sat down and wrote Demons, which she self-published on February 14, 2014. The MacLane Family series was born and R.J.’s career as a writer was too.

Cover Reveal: First Love by Heather Carver

 ~ Synopsis ~


 Imagine living a perfect life and being engaged to the man of your dreams. I thought I was living my happy ever after until I discovered that Brian wasn’t the man I thought he was.

I knew Donna was mine since we were children. I’ve worked hard to keep her happy and I would continue working to make her happy for the rest of our lives. But how can we live happily ever after when the people I love are trying to destroy me?

Love. Betrayal. Lies.



















~ Author Bio ~ 

Heather was born and raised in the Pacific NW. If she could live on the beach she would. It's one of her favorite places to go. She's a wife and mother of three children. They keep her busy with all their activities. She loves spending time with her family, reading, hanging out with friends and taking her kids on adventures. The zoo is one of their favorite places to go.
She didn't become a book lover until her twenties. She's happy that she found the book world. It has been a great way to release stress. Also a way to fill her nights of insomnia.
She loves to chat with fellow book lovers. You can connect with her via email authorheathercarver@gmail.com

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

Thursday, June 2, 2016

Blog Tour: Chasing Butterflies by Terrie E Laine

Chasing-butterflies-blog-tour

Chasing Butterflies by Terri E. Laine

Release Date: June 2nd, 2016 Blog Tour June 2nd, 3rd, 6th and 7th

CHASING BUTTERFLIES EBOOK B&W

~ Blurb ~

USA Today Bestselling Author, Terri E. Laine brings a new standalone New Adult Romance novel, Chasing Butterflies, about second chances on and off the field.
One night … one kiss … one touch … will change everything.
Kelley Moore’s tragic home life should make him a survivor. But when he’s uprooted yet again, his plans for a better future seem impossible. Being a player on and off the football field is all he knows, until Lenora Wells. The beautiful town princess makes him feel and want things he never thought he could have…
Lenora will do anything to get out of her town, even if it means dating the wrong guy. There’s one problem: she can’t stop thinking about the gorgeous, complicated boy with the unusual eyes who gives her butterflies and makes her question her choices.
When their lives collide, the world shifts and not in their favor. Four years later, the sins of their past can never be taken back and forgiveness won’t come easy.
College is a different game, a second chance for something better.
She’s not the girl he remembers and he’s the one boy she can never forget.
He’s made a name for himself as the star quarterback -- the golden boy who can do no wrong. But he’s only interested in being her hero.
Despite everything, she can’t deny he still makes her heart flutter; and she’s got him chasing butterflies.


ChasingButterflies-Teaser2

Add on Goodreads

Purchase Links:

Amazon US / iBooks



 ~ Review ~

This book was a little hard for me, but I did enjoy the story.  Both Kelley and Lenny had issues.  They were polar opposites.

Lenny is trying to get through high school so she can move away from her parents and start college to make a life for herself.   She is pushed into circumstances that she doesn't want and that changes her.  She loses a lot of herself in the process and it's a journey to get back to the person she was.  She has a lot of struggles and even though she may appear weak she is silently standing up for herself still.  Can she finally be the woman she wants?

Kelley has had one hell of a life.  He's dealt with more in his short life then a lot of people do.  I'd say he doesn't deal with it in the healthiest of ways, but hey we all deal with things differently.  He had very few passions in life and Lenny soon becomes one.  He doesn't know how to react to her because he's not used to having a girlfriend.  He doesn't do relationships.  After a bad decision they are forced apart, but will they find their way back to each other?

This book will have you wanting to hear more from Brie.  I loved that she could be a friend to Lenny and prove that not all girls are backstabbers.  I love Brie and the confidence she leant to Lenny to help he start to grow more.  Without Brie I don't think Lenny would have been as strong as she was.

Brie, Chance, Ashton and Sawyer all need books.  I have so many questions about what is going on between them all.  I cannot wait to read the next book.  Well I hope there will be another book.


ChasingButterflies-Teaser6 (1)


~ About the Author ~

Terri E. Laine, USA Today bestselling author, left a lucrative career as a CPA to pursue her love for writing. Outside of her roles as a wife and mother of three, she’s always been a dreamer and as such became an avid reader at a young age.
Many years later, she got a crazy idea to write a novel and set out to try to publish it. With over a dozen titles published under various pen names, the rest is history. Her journey has been a blessing, and a dream realized. She looks forward to many more memories to come.

Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Goodreads / Amazon / Website Newsletter

 

Sunday, March 20, 2016

Release Day Blitz and Giveaway: The One by Danielle Allen



The cattiness.
The fights.
The shaming.

I don't generally watch reality television, but I definitely don't watch reality dating shows. Besides the fact that it's completely staged, it's a horrible depiction of people -- women especially.

Women are pitted against each other to compete for the affection of a man they "fall in love" with after a week or two.
I call B.S.
It is complete crap.

So when my best friend, Koko, was hired as a makeup artist o the set of the most popular reality dating show, The One, I teased her mercilessly.
She told me that if I didn't stop teasing her, she would get me back.
And she did...
Which is how I ended up as a contestant on The One.





Add it to your TBR Today!!!


Available Exclusively On Amazon and Kindle Unlimited





Excerpt

“Ohhhh, yeah,” I remembered, familiarity of the case and the names flooding my brain. “’Sweet’. That case ended her music career, didn’t it? I loved that song. I vaguely remember that he was the one who wrote it, but they settled out of court, right?”

“Yes. But do you know what he looks like now?” My best friend inquired.

“No… I just remember being fascinated by the case because—”

“I’m going to go ahead and stop you right there,” she interrupted, cutting me off mid-sentence.

“We are not going to talk law right now. We are going to talk about you having the chance to bump uglies with Julian Winters. He is the—”

I frowned as I interjected, “The sheer fact that you said ‘bump uglies’ has disqualified you from giving me advice about anything in general, but sex specifically. You need to—”

A quick knock on the door followed by the sound of it being pushed open forced my sentence to end abruptly.





About The Author

Danielle Allen is a lover of football, fashion, film and fiction. Married to the yin to her yang, Danielle spends most of her time with her husband, family and friends. From karaoke nights to vacationing and everything in between, she enjoys making the most out of the life in which she’s been blessed. Danielle spends her days teaching and event planning and her nights writing.

Danielle Allen is the author of the Back to Life Series (Back to Life, Back to Reality, Back to December*), Love Discovered in New York, Autumn & Summer, the Heartache Series (Heartache, Heartfelt, Heartless*) and Work Song.






Giveaway

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Friday, February 12, 2016

Blog Tour and Giveaway: To the Stars by Molly McAdams

To The Stars - Tour Banner

We are so excited to bring you the Review & Excerpt Tour for Molly McAdams’ TO THE STARS! TO THE STARS is a contemporary romance novel being published on February 9th by HarperCollins’ William Morrow Impulse imprint and is the second novel in Molly’s Thatch Series.

  To The Stars

~ Grab Your Copy Today ~

Amazon ** Barnes & Noble ** iTunes ** Kobo ** GooglePlay

   
To The Stars - Tour Teaser 1     
~ About TO THE STARS ~

In the second standalone book in New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Molly McAdams’ Thatch series, Knox Alexander must convince his long-time love Harlow Evans that they’re meant to be together. 
 He promised to wait for her. She told him he was wasting his time. Not waiting for him ended up being the biggest mistake of her life. When they were younger, Knox Alexander swore to Harlow Evans that he would wait for her to turn eighteen so they could be together. But that was two and a half years away, and Harlow couldn’t ask him to give up all the fun and thrills of going away to college for her. As the years passed, Knox remained a constant in her life but when her eighteenth birthday came around, Harlow’s heart belonged to someone else. Every day for the last four years, Harlow has been haunted by that fateful choice. And though he may appear unaffected by what happened in their past, Knox has always tried to fill the void Harlow left. But when he comes stumbling back into her life and refuses to leave, will Harlow finally let him into her heart…?



~ Review ~
4 Stars 

This book was good.  It was a fast paced book.  I love that we saw Jagger and Grey in this book!!!!

Harlow has regret one decision for four and a half years.  How could she have let herself pick anyone over Knox?  How could she fall in love with another guy?  She will never forget Knox, but can she ever let him back into her life?  She has a secret that she hides and letting anyone into her life could be an error she can't afford.

Knox has lived a life trying to forget Harlow.  He waited two and a half years for her and she just let him go.  He doesn't understand how she let him go.  But the moment he lays eyes on his Harlow again he knows he can't let her go.  Even though she's married.  Can he change her mind and make her see they can still have a future?  Or will she forever be lost to him?

I had one big issue that kept me from giving this five stars, but I'm not going to say what.  It's something I feel every book is about these days.  I enjoy reading Molly McAdams books and I will continue to buy and read them!!

To The Stars - Tour Teaser 2    

And don’t miss the first book in the Thatch Series…

Letting Go - cover

 ~ LETTING GO ~

Amazon ** Barnes and Noble ** iTunes ** Kobo ** GooglePlay ** Audio



Author Photo
      About Molly McAdams ~


Molly grew up in California but now lives in the oh-so-amazing state of Texas with her husband, daughter, and fur babies. When she's not diving into the world of her characters, some of her hobbies include hiking, snowboarding, traveling, and long walks on the beach … which roughly translates to being a homebody with her hubby and dishing out movie quotes. She has a weakness for crude-humored movies and fried pickles, and loves curling up in a fluffy comforter during a thunderstorm ... or under one in a bathtub if there are tornados. That way she can pretend they aren't really happening.        

Website ** Tumblr ** Facebook ** Twitter ** Google+

TO THE STARS Goodreads ** Molly McAdams Goodreads

   









~ Giveaway ~


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Thursday, December 10, 2015

Blog Tour and Giveaway: Dirty Deeds by Megan Erickson

 ~ Synopsis ~

  Alex Dawn is saying no to men. No to bad relationships, disappointments, and smooth-talkers. Focusing on her family and her job at Payton and Sons Automotive keeps her mind occupied and her heart content. She doesn’t really miss a man’s touch, until one night, one shows up with the body of a god and a voice from her dirtiest dreams. L.M. Spencer is only in Tory, Maryland, to scope out the town as a possible site for one of his company's hotels. The British businessman didn’t expect his car to break down or to find the hottest little American he’s ever seen holding a tire iron, piercing him with bright blue eyes. They agree to one hot night, one dirty deed to burn out the chemistry between them. But from their first kiss, Alex can’t stop saying yes to this man. And when Spencer’s company threatens everything she cares about, they must make the choice to stand together or apart. 








~ Review ~
3.5 Stars 


While I loved the story line I just couldn't get into the book. I wanted to, but it was almost too predictable.  I wanted some mystery thrown in there.  And the end just killed me.  It's like it was missing the last few pages.

I loved that Alex learned how to love and become a stronger person.  She needed to grow so she could actually love someone.  You can't love another person until you love yourself!!


Even though this book was only a 3.5 stars for me I'd still read the others in this series!!  I liked all the characters.



~ Excerpt ~

Alex Dawn growled as she tightened the hubcap with the tire iron and thought, for the fifth time, that she should have gone home an hour ago. But that meant going home to an empty house, which she didn’t think she’d hate but had learned to her supreme horror that she did, in fact, hate living alone. She’d never lived alone, not ever. First she’d lived with her mom and sister, Ivy, and then . . . him . . . and then again with Ivy and her daughter, Violet. She liked living with Ivy and V, but now they had moved in with Ivy’s boyfriend, so Alex was alone. In that apartment that used to be filled with Ivy’s clothes and Violet’s coloring books. Alex banged the tool on the rubber of the tire. The thunk was comforting. She did it again, and again, wondering why she was doing this, but couldn’t deny it felt good as hell to get some anger out. Because that’s all she seemed to have lately. Anger. Anger at him and at her life and anger at the fact that she couldn’t seem to be fucking happy. It was a shitty cycle. Therapy was helping, a little, but it dredged up old wounds she’d tried to bury for so long. She hated being unhappy. But the more she dwelled on it, the less happy seemed to be within reach. She did like her job, though, so that was something. Working at Payton and Sons Automotive as a mechanic was more home than that empty apartment. Her phone rang, and she glanced at the caller ID before tucking her phone in between her ear and shoulder. “Hey.” “What’re you doing?” Ivy’s voice was soothing. “Working,” Alex answered. There was a pause, as if Ivy was checking the time. “You’re still at work.” “Tell her to go the fuck home!” yelled a male voice in the background. Brent Payton. Ivy’s boyfriend and Alex’s coworker. “Stop swearing,” Ivy muttered, but there was no heat to her words. Alex smiled. “Tell him I’d stop working if I didn’t have to pick up his slack.” There was a rustle on the phone and then Brent’s voice was clear. “Seriously, why are you still there?” Alex shrugged, even though she knew no one could see her. “Why do you care? I’m getting stuff done so you have less to do tomorrow.” It was Friday and Alex was off the next day, but Brent was on the Saturday shift. “Alex.” Brent sighed. “Go home.” Where was home? she wanted to ask. But instead she traced an oil spot on the concrete with her boot. “Yeah, okay. Just so you know, this Jeep here—” “I’ve been drinking. Leave me a fucking note.” Alex rolled her eyes. “Fine. Take care of my sister for me.” “Always do.” Alex was about to hang up when Ivy’s voice came back on the line. There was a giggle, and Alex was happy for her sister at the same time a pang of envy sliced into her heart. “Alex?” “Yup.” “Want to come over or something?” “Nah, that’s okay. You guys have a nice family night or whatever.” “Alex, you’re family too.” She was, but Ivy was starting a new family, a nice, perfect nuclear family, and there wasn’t room in that house for a clingy sister. “I know, but I’m cool. Gonna go home and crash.” She’d been reading Ivy’s romance books she’d left behind too. “Okay, but if you change your mind . . .” “Thanks, honey, but I’m fine.” Ivy sighed. “ ’K, love you.” “Love you too.” Alex shoved her phone back into her pocket and glanced around the garage. She really should go home. The sun was setting, painting the fall sky in streaks of pink and orange. Hooking her thumbs in her pockets, she walked to the front of the garage, leaned against the side of the open bay, and gazed at the sky and the Friday night traffic on Main Street in Tory, Maryland. She tapped the tire iron against her jean-clad thigh, enjoying the breeze on her heated skin and through the thin fabric of her tank top. Her nerves were jittery, and sometimes she still had the urge to run. To flee. To be far away from him and her past as best as she could. But if she’d learned anything since she moved to Tory, it was that she couldn’t keep running. So she stayed here, where Ivy found the love of her life and where Alex had a good job and could see her niece grow. She’d given up hope long ago she’d get the fairy tale that seemed to happen for everyone else. And that was okay. She’d hardened and carried a chip on her shoulder that was like an old friend now. She was about to turn around and close up shop when the sound of a rattling exhaust caught her attention. She turned her head to see a red Mercedes—the source of the sound—making its way down the street. The car turned into the parking lot of Payton and Sons and Alex waited as it parked in front of her and the driver turned off the engine, which thankfully killed the noise. Alex glanced at her watch. It was after seven now. Technically the shop closed an hour ago, but she waited for the driver to get out of the car, because it wasn’t like she was in a hurry. The door opened. A man’s black dress shoe planted on the ground of the parking lot, attached to a gray-panted leg. That leg just . . . kept going. The man had to be tall as hell, and when he emerged from the car, Alex swallowed. Yes, he was tall. Very tall, probably close to six-four. He wore a gray suit with a white shirt that was unbuttoned at the top and a dark blue tie, loosened so the knot hung off to one side. He slammed the car door shut with a little bit of anger, and Alex jolted at the sound and the force, her body stiffening. She hated herself a little at her knee-jerk reaction to a big man who was angry. She squared her shoulders and gripped the tire iron, watching the tall man with dark hair glare at his car with his hands on his lean hips, broad shoulders rising and falling with a heavy sigh. He speared his fingers through his hair and turned to Alex, opening his mouth to say something but stopping abruptly at the sight of her. He blinked. She blinked back. He was about ten feet away, and even from here she could see the brilliant blue of his eyes, the long dark lashes framing them. The little bit of silver peppering his hair at his temples. He was gorgeous in a clean-cut, serious businessman way. The effortlessly wavy hair, the square jaw, the lips that threatened to open any minute and spit out such words like merger and acquisition and accounts payable. He looked like he didn’t smile, but scowled from under a heavy brow. The type of man who’d always looked down his nose at all the Dawn women. Called them easy and white trash under his breath. Yeah, she was judging, but her defense was to judge first. Better to size up whom she was dealing with quickly than be caught off guard. Basically, Mercedes Man was the exact opposite of Alex’s type. She placed the tire iron she was holding and crossed her arms over her chest. With a raised eyebrow, she said, “Having some trouble?” He blinked again, his hand frozen in his hair. Then he dropped it at his side, the other still on his hip. “Bloody car.” It was Alex’s turn to be surprised. The guy was British. She’d never met anyone who was British, and she really only heard British accents on TV shows like Game of Thrones and Spartacus, when all the actors had these vague European accents in order to appear exotic. She grew up in Indiana. Not a hotbed of diversity. “You guys really say ‘bloody’? Like that’s actually a thing?” she asked—and immediately clamped her hand over her mouth, because the man’s dark eyebrows dipped in a scowl, which still did nothing to lessen his attractiveness. “Do you Americans really say ‘yee-haw’?” he shot back at her, the last word morphing into what Alex assumed was an attempt at a southern accent. “You’ve officially said that word more than I have in my whole life,” she answered drily. He paused, like he wasn’t sure whether to laugh or glare. In the end, he went with a glare, along with a muttered, “Well, then, I’ll be sure not to blurt that out at random times.” “That might be a good rule.” She took a step forward and jerked her chin in the direction of his car. “Need some help?” “Your bloody roads,” he said. “Can’t go a hundred meters without hitting a pothole, and it’s done a number on my car.” His eyes took in a sweep of the shop. Alex tried not to look at it through this man’s eyes. Everything about him, from his clothes to his car, was sleek and clean and put together. The shop behind her was an older building, with a few—okay, several—cosmetic issues. It smelled like grease, oil, gas, and rubber, and she loved every fucking inch of Payton and Sons. So this guy could sneer at it all he wanted. It was home to her. When that arresting blue gaze returned to hers, his eyes were unreadable. “Can you service a Mercedes?” Oh, for fuck’s sake. “Uh, yeah, we can service a Mercedes.” He didn’t flinch at her dry tone or her looks-could-kill laser eyes. The man was made of steel. “I see. Well, then, can you look at it, or do I need to speak to a manager?” She kinda wanted to punch the guy. “No.” He stared. “No . . . you can’t look at it, or no, I don’t need to speak to a manager?” “Neither.” She gestured toward the unlit sign in the window of the office. “We’re closed.” Maybe she would have stayed open if anyone but this guy had pulled into the parking lot. He sighed and ran his hands over his face and up into his hair, tugging on the dark strands before dropping his arms to his sides. “Fuck,” he muttered, turning his glare back onto the car. She stuck her hands in her pockets. “Look, I’ll make sure the guys coming in tomorrow look at it, but that’s all I can promise.” After a silent thirty seconds, he nodded. “That’ll have to do then.” She took a step forward. “I’m Alex, by the way.” His gaze dipped down her body for one minute before locking eyes with her. “Spencer.” That name. So British and posh and everything Alex wasn’t. “Do you need a ride somewhere?” She should just make him figure it out on his own since he was kind of a jerk, but she could always use some karma points. And it wasn’t like Tory had a taxi service. “I’m at the Tory Inn.” “I know where that is. I can give you a ride, if you want.” He studied her again, and she wondered what he thought of her. She was dirty after a long day at work, but she always wore a full face of makeup and red lipstick. He had hated it, but she didn’t wear it for him. “Okay, yes,” Spencer said with a nod, his tone brusque. “I’d like that. Thank you.” His last two words were tacked on, like an afterthought. Don’t hurt yourself thanking me. “I’m going to close up the shop, so you can get your things and I’ll meet you at my truck.” She pointed to her old Ford in the corner of the lot. His eyes followed her finger, and then he gave a short nod. “Give me ten,” she said. It really only took her five minutes to close up the shop, but she needed some time to gain her bearings. She could feel his judgment of her and her workplace on her skin like ants. She wanted to get home and shower and forget about this uppity Brit. Why had she offered him a ride home? Stupid, stupid Alex. Also, why did he have to be hot? When she approached her truck, he was standing by the passenger door, head bent, a lock of dark hair falling onto his forehead as he tapped away at his phone. As her footsteps approached, he looked up. He held a fancy-looking bag, the strap crossed over his chest. “That all you have?” she asked. He nodded and his head swiveled as he looked up and down Main Street. He sighed, and for the first time since she’d met him, his severe face softened. “Look, I’m sorry. I’ve had a shite day, and I was an arse. Can I buy you dinner or a drink to make up for it?” Alex hesitated. No, no, just say no. But he was looking at her with a somewhat eager expression, and she was starving. A free meal. While looking at a hot guy. Hopefully he kept his mouth shut. “There’s a little place down the street, serves burgers and beer.” “Lovely.” As they got into the truck and she put on her seat belt, she said, “But you don’t have to pay—” “Please, Alex.” She tried not to think about how she liked the way he said her name, drawing out the first syllable and emphasizing the x. “Sure, okay,” she said as she backed out of the parking lot, glancing at him as she did. He smiled then. A smile that transformed his surly face into . . . something gorgeous. Spectacular. Like he belonged in some period film with a cravat, sipping champagne. She tried not to think about how his smile made her feel, even as the warmth spread down to her toes. He was just a hot guy, and she’d been around hot dudes before. Hell, she worked with some. So why couldn’t she quit perving on this one? Especially because he’d already shown he could be an asshole. God, was that who she was? A woman who was doomed to always want to bone jerks? Spencer’s name was probably something like Spencer Addington IV, and he probably had a distant relative of royalty. Surely, his family played polo or cricket or whatever they did over there in Britain. Either way, despite the way his eyes lingered on her lips and the way his long tapered fingers rested on his thigh, he wasn’t her type. Hell, she didn’t have a type anymore. Being alone was lonely, but at least it was safe.



~ Author Bio ~ 

Megan Erickson grew up in a family that averages 5’5” on a good day and started writing to create characters who could reach the top kitchen shelf. She’s got a couple of tattoos, has a thing for gladiators and has been called a crazy cat lady. After working as a journalist for years, she decided she liked creating her own endings better and switched back to fiction. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, two kids and two cats. And no, she still can’t reach the stupid top shelf. 















~ Praise for MEGAN ERICKSON ~

 “A super sweet, extra sexy second chance romance that will have you laughing out loud and needing a minute to cool off. Dirty Thoughts is right!” — Jay Crownover, New York Times bestselling author “Megan Erickson ratchets up the romance and sizzle in her sexy new series. The Mechanics of Love will rev readers’ hearts.” — Jennifer Ryan, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author “Megan Erickson writes hot, hot, HOT stories packed with emotion and humor. You’re going to want to read everything she’s ever written!” — Sophie Jordan, USA Today bestselling author 



~ Where to buy DIRTY DEEDS ~

HarperCollins: http://www.harpercollins.com/9780062407771/dirty-deeds 
 Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Dirty-Deeds-Mechanics-Love-Novel-ebook/dp/B00US2K4TC Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dirty-deeds-megan-erickson/1122599629 iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/dirty-deeds/id977352380 
 Google Play: https://books.google.com/books/about/Dirty_Deeds.html?id=N-1eBwAAQBAJ 



~ Giveaway ~


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