Book Blitz: Faking It with the Grump by Kate O'Keeffe

Faking It With the Grump by Kate O’Keeffe
(Second Chance Café, #1)
Publication date: March 14, 2023
Genres: Adult, Comedy, Contemporary, Romance

He’s grumpy, boring, and thinks it’s okay to wear a suit and tie to a smalltown bar full of lumberjacks. But when I kiss him? Let’s just say I wasn’t expecting THAT.

Harper Cole

It’s one thing to be dumped by the huge Hollywood star you thought you were going to marry. It’s quite another to move back to the small town you’re both from.

As a booby prize for being shown the door by Dex Ryan, everyone is trying to set me up with their son, their nephew, or their long-lost cousin’s gardener. Either that or they’re throwing me pitying looks that say, “You’re a big loser.”

I’m not going to put up with their patronizing sympathy anymore.

So, when I spot new-guy-in-town Christopher Young, I set out to make him mine. Or you know, pretend to make him mine. I’m still in a horrible funk over Dex, and Christopher is an uptight grump. Not exactly my type.

The fact that despite appearances, he’s gorgeous and doing weird things to my blood pressure doesn’t mean a thing.

Really.

Not. A. Thing.

Christopher Young

Hunter’s Creek, population next to nothing, is the reason I work all the time. I’m solely focused on buying the town’s lumber mill so I can go back to NYC and get my big promotion. This small town is a means to an end. Nothing more.

That is until the prettiest girl I’ve ever seen superglues her lips to mine in an unexpected and very public way. She’s not the kind of woman I usually go for with her boho dress and ankle boots, but that kiss…

I’m disappointed when she comes up for air and tells me it’s all for show. But if Harper Cole wants me to be her fake boyfriend while I’m here in town, who am I to turn her down? Being attached to a local might ingratiate me to the townsfolk and make my job that much the easier.

After all, dating Harper can only be make believe. Nothing more. Not when my entire future is at stake.

Faking It With The Grump is a grumpy-sunshine, opposites attract, fake relationship romance set in the small town of Hunter’s Creek, Washington. It’s the first book in the new Second Chance Café series. Each book follows a different sister’s love story and can be read as a standalone novel or as part of a series.

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EXCERPT:

She looks suddenly nervous. “Okay, here’s the thing. I kind of told some people today that you and I are…well, that we’re…”

When she doesn’t complete her sentence, I lean in and ask, “You and I are what?”

She glances around nervously before she says, “Dating.”

I straighten, shocked.

As my brain tries to comprehend what she just said, I blink at her a few times.

I need clarification. In my experience, beautiful women don’t usually go around telling people they’re dating you without your knowledge.

Well, not sane, beautiful women, anyway.

“Did you say you’ve told people you and I are dating?” I ask.

She nibbles on her lip, reminding me of a rabbit. It only adds to her appeal. Despite my concern, she’s confirmed she’s not exactly sane. “I did warn you it was weird.”

“That’s true, you did. But that doesn’t explain why, exactly.”

She clasps her hands together, clearly uncomfortable.

I’m overcome with the strangest sensation, wanting to reach out and place my hand over hers to reassure her it’s okay.

I don’t.

She takes a breath. “I know this makes me sound crazy. And I’m not crazy. Really, I’m not.”

Said no crazy person ever.

“I don’t know if you recognize me or know what happened, but even if you don’t, I really, really need you to pretend to date me because—”

Wait. Pretend?

Her eyes dart to something behind me, and before I fully realize what’s happening, she’s pushed the bar stool to one side, closed the distance between us, a decidedly wild look in her eyes.

“Everything all right?” I ask her tentatively.

“Okay if I kiss you?” she murmurs out of the corner of her mouth.

I blink at her. “Now you want to…kiss me?”

She nods, her eyes darting behind me and then back to my face. “That okay with you?”

This gorgeous woman who smells like a meadow, the double threat, the woman who only just told me she wants to pretend to date me, now wants to kiss me.

As confusing as this situation may be, I’d be an idiot not to leap at this.

“Sure,” I tell her, the thought of having her soft lips pressed against mine making my belly clench.

It would appear she’s not a woman to be told twice.

Immediately, she pulls herself up onto her toes, places her hands at the back of my head, and before I can utter another word—like “why?”—she leans in toward me and kisses me.

I don’t move for fear this is some kind of mirage. Not that I think mirages are all that common in Washington, what with it not being a desert. But seriously, this sort of thing doesn’t happen to me a whole lot. Or, you know, ever.

And I’ll be honest, as far as kisses go, it’s easily the most surprising of my life, hands down. One second, she’s explaining to me why she wants me to fake date her, and the next she’s kissing me, like it’s no big deal at all.

The problem is, for me to kiss someone like Harper Cole, it should be a big deal.

Author Bio:

USA TODAY Bestselling Author Kate O'Keeffe writes exactly what she loves to read: laugh-out-loud romantic comedies with swoon-worthy heroes and gorgeous feel-good happily ever afters. She lives and loves in beautiful Hawke's Bay, New Zealand with her family and two scruffy dogs. When she's not penning her latest story, Kate can be found hiking up hills (slowly), traveling to different countries, and eating chocolate. A lot of it.

Visit kateokeeffe.com to sign up to her newsletter and you'll receive a FREE romcom.

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Book Blitz: Just a Taste by Scarlett Se Leva

Just A Taste by Scarlett Se Leva
(Determined, #1)
Publication date: February 17, 2022
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

A FRIENDS TO LOVERS, SECOND CHANCE ROMANCE.

Six years ago, I pushed her away, too afraid of the feeling she evoked.

Now here she sits in my kitchen, reawakening my desires.
I’ve never wanted something so badly in my life.

This time I won’t run.
I won’t stop.
Until she’s mine.

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EXCERPT

Slipping off the bed, I reach my hand out. “I can take it.” I remove the plate from her dainty hand.

She pivots, moving away from me, but I’m not ready for her to go. My mind rakes for ways for her to stay longer. It’s been a long time since we’ve said more than a few hellos to each other.

“Where are you rushing off to?”

She turns. “Just to help Mom. Did you need anything else?” she asks. Her feet fidget. I see that nervous tendency hasn’t changed.

“Quick question… What grade are you in again?” I know the answer. My obsession with Simone had me keep track of the details I overheard her mom tell my dad. I’d hide in the corner listening to them talk, trying to glean any morsel of information I could about her. Every brief whisper of her name, each tale of accomplishment… I lapped it up.

“I’m a junior. Why?”

An idea takes root.

“Just needed help with my calculus class.” I sprinkle a dash of lie. The class has been kicking my ass. I overheard your mom bragging to Dad about you taking advanced calculus. I’m a straight-A student, but it will provide an opportunity for us to spend more time together, and in doing so, rekindle our friendship.

It’s a means to an end.

Her cheeks ripen like a red apple.

“Actually, numbers are the one thing I feel I comprehend.”

“Great, let me get my book. I can’t afford to fail this class.” Smiling to myself, I turn to my book bag laying on my desk across the room. Then I drift to the love seat in the corner. “Are you going to tutor me from over there, or are you going to sit?” I smirk.

She rolls her eyes at my comment.

“Come.” I pat the empty spot next to me.

She blinks and clears her throat. “I didn’t agree to tutor you. You asked a simple question. How did my answer get construed into me tutoring you?” Her face is void of any humor, and she eyes me with a slow burn from top to bottom.

There she is. My cannonball. She never liked me telling her what to do. I see that hasn’t changed.

Too cute.

I lean my head to the side, my brows knitting, squinting at her. I always got a kick out of her reactions. I poked, poked, and poked until she blew.

Her brows pinch together.

She’s always been a worthy opponent, and so fucking

Author Bio:

Scarlett Se Leva writes unexpected, steamy, suspenseful romance.

When Scar isn’t busy penning her next book, you can find her with her family watching movies, drinking wine, curled up in a corner with a book or running after her three daughters.

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Book Blitz: Now I Found You by Mila Oliver

Now I Found You by Mila Oliver
Published: July 20, 2021
Genres: Adult, Suspense, Thriller

Seven years ago, Kate Hartfield’s little sister disappeared.

An ordinary summer day of fun at the lake turned into a nightmare when young Emily Hartfield suddenly could not be found. When badly battered body parts were discovered three days later, the investigation concluded that they were Emily’s and the case was closed as an accidental drowning.

Now Kate has returned to her hometown in the Catskills for the first time since her sister’s death, for a work retreat. While at her boss’s lake house, she briefly spies a familiar face.

It’s Emily.

She’s all grown up, but Kate knows her sister’s face better than anyone. The sighting reignites the doubts Kate has always had, and forces her to revisit all the mysterious circumstances that surrounded that day. As she desperately tries to track down the girl she saw at the lake house, Kate discovers shocking secrets from the past, confronts her own guilt from that day, and becomes obsessed with uncovering the answer to one question.

What really happened to Emily?

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EXCERPT

Back at her apartment, Kate peeled off her clothes and threw them in a corner before crawling into her twin sized bed. She stared up at the ceiling, her eyes painting it with lush green trees and soft wood trails. It had been six years since she left, but she could still smell the clean mountain air. She could still feel the leaves slapping against her arms as she and her cross-country team ran through the woods. She could still hear the soft fireflies zipping through the quiet of the night, and taste the fresh raindrops that would fall softly onto her face. And she could still see her little sister, in her bright yellow swimsuit, smiling at her from the shallow end of the lake, her face partially blocked by the blinding glow of the setting sun.

Kate remembered the first time her memory of Emily had started to fade a little. It was a little over two years after Emily died. Up until then, every detail of Emily always lingered at the periphery of her brain. She didn’t even need to conjure it up, it was just always there. Every freckle on her face, the sparkle of her bright blue eyes, the softness of her lush blond hair. The smell of the vanilla sugar body splash she wore every day.

But then suddenly, on an otherwise ordinary day, Kate woke up and, for a few seconds, Emily’s face was fuzzy. Her memory did not have its usual depth and clarity. Kate had trouble feeling Emily’s silky hair through her fingers.

The memories returned in full force a few moments later, but the shock of it had engulfed her like a tidal wave, pulling her down into a deep depression. It was the first time Kate realized that her memories of Emily would not always be as strong and clear as they originally were. That overtime memories would take a new form. They would become more like looking back at old photographs or home movies, rather than the very real feeling of Emily standing right there in front of her.

Kate reached for the small container on her nightstand and shook out two pills. Every so often, she found that alcohol was not enough to blur her memories and lull her peacefully to sleep. The pills snagged against the back of her throat as she swallowed them dry and waited listlessly for darkness to fall.

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Cover Reveal: Want Me Always by Lea Nolan

Today we have the cover reveal for Lea Nolan’s Want Me Always! 

Check it out and be sure to pre-order today!

Want Me Always by Lea Nolan

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: April 21^st

About Want Me Always

Her mind says no…   Wren Donovan’s done with love. Betrayed and humiliated by her ex-fiancé, she retreats to her family’s beach house on Heron Harbor Island to lick her wounds and gorge herself on ice cream, spray cheese, and a box of glazed donuts. Wren vows to devote herself to her law career and swears off men forever, but she isn’t prepared for what being reunited with her oldest friend makes her feel…   His heart says yes, please…   Smith Connors can’t believe his eyes when Wren walks into his restaurant. He’s loved her since they were kids, when summertime found them inseparable best friends. As a boy, he’d never felt good enough for Wren. But now he’s a rising-star chef with a thriving business who knows what he wants—which means he’s not letting beautiful, brilliant Wren get away again.   Smith determines to show Wren how good they could be together, and soon neither of them can resist the heat growing between them. He’d do anything to earn her faith—and her heart, if only she could learn to trust again.

 

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Advance praise for Want Me Always

"A heartfelt story that will make you laugh and swoon! The perfect feel-good read!" --Laura Kaye, NYT Bestselling Author "A seaside reunion story that will have you believing that love heals heartbreak and truly transcends time." ~ Christi Barth, USA Today bestselling author

 

Exclusive Excerpt

"How did you know about me wanting to make partner?" Wren asked as they climbed the porch steps of her family’s beach house. Smith laughed. "You're not the only Donovan sister to eat at my restaurant. Raven keeps me up to date on you, too." "I'm surprised she mentions me." "Only when I ask. I like hearing about what you're up to." Wren's head tilted. "Really? After all this time?" He met her gaze. "Always." After blooming into a slow smile, she said. "That's nice." "It's the truth. You stopped coming to the island but I didn't stop caring about you. We were good friends...once." Smith reached for one of her hands. She nodded. "We were. Friends." Wren looked like she might say something else, but then looked down at their entwined fingers. "I didn't know what to expect when I went to the restaurant tonight." She lifted her lashes to gaze at him again. "But somehow I knew you'd make everything okay." His heart thrummed. "I'm glad. I'd do anything to put a smile on your face." Her lids tightened just slightly as she peered at him as if with new eyes. "You're the same but different. In a good way. Is that weird to say?" He grinned as he shook his head. "No. So are you." Wren looked surprised. "How so?" Drawing closer, his voice softened. "I always knew you were smart and would be a huge success. And you were always the prettiest girl on the island in summer. But now, damn woman, you're more beautiful than I ever imagined." Wren’s cheeks flushed pink and her gaze turned down to the floorboards. "You're just saying that." Gently, Smith cupped her jaw and bored into her dazzling green eyes. "I never say anything I don't mean." She nodded, her pupils dilating. "Oh-kay." "The fact that you don't know how gorgeous you are tells me you've never been with a man who truly appreciates you. And that's a damn shame." Smith's fingers slid to the back of her neck and threaded through her hair. "A smart man would understand your value and worship you. Have you ever been worshiped, Wren?" Wren swallowed hard. "No." "Would you like to know how it feels?" "Yes," she whispered. Without another word his mouth closed on hers. He kissed her softly at first, savoring the exquisite taste and feel of her flesh. His tongue darted across her lower lip, then dipped into her mouth. A tiny whimper escaped her throat and she answered by stroking his tongue with hers. Turning her head slightly, she opened her mouth to grant him better access. Accepting her invitation, he plunged deeper, nibbling on her bottom lip then sucking it into his mouth. Wren's knees wobbled. She wrapped her arms around his firm torso, pulling herself against him. Fierce need swelled in him, sending heat straight to his groin as a low growl rumbled in his chest. They kissed for what seemed like hours, discovering each other as raindrops spattered the porch roof. Finally, breathless and filled with so much want he could scream, Smith pulled away. "Wow," she said as her chest heaved. "Yeah. Wow."

About the Author

 

Lea Nolan is a USA Today bestselling author who writes smart, witty contemporary stories filled with head-swooning, heart-throbbing, sweep-you-off your feet romance. She also pens books for young adults featuring bright heroines, crazy-hot heroes, diabolical plot twists, plus a dose of magic, a draft of romance, and a sprinkle of history. Born and raised on Long Island, New York she loves the water far too much to live inland. With her heroically supportive husband and three brilliant children, she resides in Maryland where she cracks crabs and bakes ugly birthday cakes.

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Blog Tour: More Jade by Laura Pavlov

Today we have the blog tour for Laura Pavlov’s More Jade! 

Check it out and be sure to grab your copy today!

More Jade by Laura Pavlov

Genre: Contemporary Romance

About More Jade

And then I met Cruz Winslow… He’s everything I’m not, and then some — a budding musician, he’s cocky and arrogant. He’s at ease in every situation and treats me like I’m the only person who exists. Together we’re in sync with everything we do and I’m falling hard and fast for him. He’s also a complicated boy and although I can’t begin to understand the life he’s lived, I want to be there for him in every way possible. And that’s how it happened. Slowly but surely, he’s captured my heart — One I wasn’t prepared to give away… Jade Moore is not my type… She’s a good girl and has her entire life mapped out. I’ve never met anyone like her. The girl is disciplined and determined. I’m not. She follows the rules. I don’t. She’s sunshine and girl next door. I’m sex and booze. We don’t mix. But from the minute I lay my eyes on her, I’m done for. She’s everything I never knew I wanted… And now all I want is…more Jade.

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About the Author

Laura Pavlov writes sweet and sexy contemporary romance that will make you both laugh and cry. She is happily married to her college sweetheart, mom to two awesome almost-grown kids, and dog-whisperer to a couple crazy yorkies. Laura resides in Las Vegas where she is living her own happily ever after.

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Book Blitz: Where We Belong by Shann McPherson

Where We Belong by Shann McPherson

Published by: HQ Digital

Publication date: February 21, 2020

Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

An emotional, compelling page-turner from your next romance obsession, Shann McPherson, about the power of friendship and finding love where you least expect it.
When Alice ‘Murph’ Murphy’s beloved mother died, she promised to keep the family bakery in Graceville, Georgia afloat—even if it meant letting her high-school sweetheart, Nash Harris, go. For years, Murph has been biding her time, waiting for Nash to come back for her.
So when he strolls into Piece O’ Cake, Murph’s heart skips a beat—until he hands her an invitation to his wedding… There are painful secrets in both their pasts that only the two of them share, and Murph can’t bear the thought of Nash belonging to someone else.
There’s only one thing Murph can think of to do: fake a relationship with local bar owner and old friend Harley Shaw to remind Nash of what he’s losing, and win him back for good.
Nash is Murph’s best friend, a vivid reminder of her childhood and all the things she’s lost—but the more time Murph and Harley spend together, the more the lines between real and pretend begin to blur. Can Murph choose between the one who got away and the one who never left—and heal her aching heart?

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EXCERPT

I push my glasses up my nose for the millionth time, and while holding my breath and with one eye narrowed, I wipe a tiny smudge of frosting from the silver turntable holding Mr. and Mrs. Robertson’s fiftieth wedding anniversary cake. It may have taken me two full days and most of last night, but I’ve finally finished. Exhaling the breath I’ve been holding for a beat too long, I take a step back to really appreciate my craftsmanship. Four layers of lemon and blueberry perfection, covered in a fluffy whipped buttercream frosting, decorated with beautiful red roses, delicate peonies, and a smattering of baby’s breath, all of which have been hand-piped by yours truly.
I place a hand on my hip, smiling proudly. “Alice Murphy, once again you’ve outdone yourself,” I whisper under my breath, mentally high-fiving myself.
The bell above the door to the shop jingles, pulling me from my musings, and I walk through from the kitchen to the front of the store, still smiling at the thought of my latest masterpiece.
“Welcome to Piece O’ Cake,” I sing in a cheerful customer service voice. “How can I help yo—” Stopping dead in my tracks, my eyes go wide as I gawp at the unexpected figure standing in the middle of the shop. He’s shadowed by the afternoon sun shining in through the windows, backlighting him to nothing more than a darkened silhouette, and I blink hard, unsure whether or not I’m imagining things. But then he speaks. And I would know that voice anywhere. This is definitely not my imagination playing tricks on me.
“Hey, Murph.” The shadow takes a step forward, coming in to the glow of the overhead lights, and I’m immediately enamored by that all too familiar grin.
“N-Nash?” I gasp.
His smile is bright and those eyes. I’d remember those eyes anywhere after spending such a big part of my life dreaming about them.
“Oh my God!” I scream, covering my mouth with trembling hands until I finally come to, ripping off my apron before practically throwing myself over the counter. Jumping up, I wrap my arms around his neck, and emotion gets the better of me as I stand there in the familiarity of his warm embrace with tears of happiness streaming down my cheeks.
He’s here.
The love of my life.
He’s home.

Author Bio:
With big dreams of being a published author since she was an eleven-year-old girl writing Beverly Hills 90210 fan fiction before fan fiction was even a thing, Shann McPherson has been writing angsty, contemporary romances for most of her thirty-something years.
Living in sunny Queensland, Australia, when she’s not writing Shann enjoys making memories with her husband and cheeky toddler son, drinking wine, and singing completely off-key to One Direction’s entire discography.

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