Archives for April 2020

* Review * HER SURPRISE COWBOY by Claire McEwen

April 11, 2020 Leave a Comment

Her Surprise Cowboy by Claire McEwen
Series: Heroes of Shelter Creek #3
Published by Harlequin Heartwarming on April 1, 2020
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Looking for redemption…

Finding a future

Rancher Liam Dale is in Shelter Creek to make amends for his troubled past. He had no idea vet assistant Trisha Gilbert would be there, too—and he’s even more shocked to discover he’s a daddy! Trisha has good reasons not to trust him and a baby boy to protect. But now that he knows he’s a father, Liam longs to transform this unexpected reunion into a true family.

Love when they least expect it! With the third book in her Heroes of Shelter Creek series Claire McEwen delights her readers with a surprise baby story line. The characters are flawed, but withstand a sweet redemption. Really enjoyed!

Liam Dale caught my heart quickly with his comeback story and the love he shares with his family. Once he gets to Shelter Creek and reunites with Trisha, all bets are off and he’s coming in strong!

Trisha is a bit of a conundrum. I understand where she’s coming from with the resentment she holds towards Liam, but her attitude towards him was a little hard to forgive sometimes.

I highly recommend this book and the entire series to anyone who enjoys a sweet small town romance with a group of highly entertaining characters and lots of love and drama.

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * TOO TEXAN TO TAME by Janice Maynard

April 11, 2020 Leave a Comment

Too Texan to Tame by Janice Maynard
Series: Texas Cattleman's Club: Inheritance #5
Published by Harlequin Desire on April 1, 2020
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She makes him want
to break the rules…

He’s back in town…
and back in her bed?

Rancher Vaughn Blackwood is only back home in Royal, Texas, for his sister’s wedding. Then he runs into Brielle Gunderson—and learns he’s the father of her baby. A fake engagement would secure his newfound daughter’s claim to the Blackwood legacy. But Brie has doubts about the plan even as their passion reignites. Can Vaughn change…or will Brie become the girl who got away—twice?

Full of unraveling secrets! With the fifth book in the ever dramatic Texas Cattleman’s Club: Inheritance series, Janice Maynard brings Blackwood bad boy Vaughn home to Royal for his little sister’s wedding … only he gets more than he bargained for upon his return!

Vaughn already peaked a reader’s interest if you’ve been following along with the Inheritance series because he wants no part in fighting his father’s will leaving his wicked stepmother everything. He loves his family, but his days on Blackwood Hollow are long gone.

Brielle is kindhearted, but it’s a little hard to get over her secrets. She worked for his father and had a relationship with Vaughn years ago, and failed to make much of an effort to tell him she was carrying his child when she hightailed it out of town.

I recommend this book and the entire series to anyone loving a high drama family saga bringing happily ever afters to one family member at a time. I’m really enjoying it and looking forward to the conclusion to the series soon.

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * THE SEA GLASS COTTAGE by RaeAnne Thayne

April 10, 2020 Leave a Comment

The Sea Glass Cottage by RaeAnne Thayne
Published by HQN Books on March 17, 2020
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The story of an emotional homecoming that brings hope and healing to three generations of women.

The life Olivia Harper always dreamed of isn’t so dreamy these days. The 16-hour work days are unfulfilling and so are things with her on-again, off-again boyfriend. But when she hears that her estranged mother, Juliet, has been seriously injured, Liv has no choice but to pack up her life and head home to beautiful Cape Sanctuary on the Northern California coast.

It’s just for a few months—that’s what Liv keeps telling herself. But the closer she gets to Cape Sanctuary, the painful memories start flooding back: Natalie, her vibrant, passionate older sister who downward-spiraled into addiction. The fights with her mother who enabled her sister at every turn. The overdose that took Natalie, leaving her now-teenaged daughter, Caitlin, an orphan.

As Liv tries to balance her own needs with those of her injured mother and an obstinate, resentful fifteen-year-old, it becomes clear that all three Harper women have been keeping heartbreaking secrets from one another. And as those secrets are revealed, Liv, Juliet, and Caitlin will see that it’s never too late—or too early—to heal family wounds and find forgiveness.

RaeAnne Thayne never fails to satisfy! With a treasured voice made for detailing heart-wrenching family drama in such a poetic way, she takes us on an emotional journey of strength, healing and forgiveness with her latest THE SEA GLASS COTTAGE and it does not disappoint!

From the start the reader is taken into the heart of three characters … a grown daughter returning home to help her mother through an injury, an aging mother who doesn’t like for one second that her body is betraying her and taking her away from her daily life and a moody teenager who’s trying to find answers to the mysteries of her past. Each character has a side to their story and we get a feel for what’s going on quickly and are soon hooked.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a story that connects with an imperfect family as they travel the roads of life. It’s emotional, it’s sweet and it’s oh so satisfying!

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * COLTON’S DEADLY DISGUISE by Geri Krotow

April 10, 2020 Leave a Comment

Colton's Deadly Disguise by Geri Krotow
Series: The Coltons of Mustang Valley #7
Published by Harlequin Romantic Suspense on April 1, 2020
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For an undercover duo,

investigating a beauty pageant turns ugly.

When Bella Colton undergoes a makeover to enter a beauty pageant, she’s on a mission. She’s determined to find out why her best friend died. Enter undercover FBI agent Holden St. Clair. Holden’s hot on the heels of a serial killer, who has Bella in his crosshairs. As the chemistry between Bella and Holden sparks, can they capture the murderer in their midst?

A killer in their midst! With book seven in the ever-exciting Coltons of Mustang Valley series it’s Geri Krotow’s turn to continue the spiel and introduce us to more of the family. The beauty pageant setting wasn’t my normal cup of tea, but the characters were intriguing and brought us to a fitting conclusion though I felt like there was a bigger disconnect than normal from the ongoing Colton mystery.

Isabella Colton kicks off this story on a mission to right a wrong towards her late best friend. She’s feisty and strong and not afraid to put herself in danger for the cause.

Holden St. Clair is an undercover FBI agent and has to step in to keep Bella safe while she’s putting herself in the cross-hairs of a serial killer. He’s kind-hearted and loyal.

I recommend this book and this series as a whole to anyone who enjoys a bit of romance with their suspense. I’m enjoying the series and looking forward to getting answers in the Colton mystery!

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * AN UNEXPECTED SCANDAL by Jules Bennett

April 9, 2020 Leave a Comment

An Unexpected Scandal by Jules Bennett
Series: Lockwood Lightning #1
Published by Harlequin Desire on April 1, 2020
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When one late night changes everything!

They work so well together
in so many ways…

Nick Campbell’s life has been upended. His hated rival is the father he never knew, and his top-notch architect, Silvia Lane, is having his baby. It’s time for the billionaire to regain control. First step: get Silvia to marry him. But she’s not having it. She has her own plans for how things should go, and she wants real love or nothing!

An attention grabbing first in series! Kicking off her new Lockwood Lightning series Jules Bennett takes us knee deep into drama with AN UNEXPECTED SCANDAL and it is so much fun! I’m looking forward to more to come in this family saga.

Nick Campbell is quickly endeared to a reader’s heart when we learn that he’s only just found out that his crooked nemesis in the business world is none other than his dear old dad.

Silvia Lane is an accomplished businesswoman and though it goes against her normal mode of operation, she can’t resist a night of passion with Nick that leads to a shocking discovery a few weeks later … there’s a baby on the way!

I highly recommend this story to anyone who enjoys a fast paced plot filled with secrets, passion and the groundwork of an interesting story moving forward. Really enjoyed!

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * A MATCH MADE PERFECT by Anna J. Stewart

April 9, 2020 Leave a Comment

A Match Made Perfect by Anna J. Stewart
Series: Butterfly Harbor Stories #8
Published by Harlequin Heartwarming on April 1, 2020
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Fifteen years later…

Are they still a perfect match?

After a near-fatal accident, Brooke Ardell’s return to Butterfly Harbor sends shock waves around the small town. Years ago, she walked away from the love of her life, Sebastian Evans, and their baby daughter—and she never looked back. Now it’s finally time for her to right those wrongs. Sebastian wants to trust Brooke again…but can he risk his daughter’s heart as well as his own?

An addictive story of redemption! With book eight in her beloved Butterfly Harbor Stories series, Anna J. Stewart continues to delight readers with this fictional small town filled with endearing characters in A MATCH MADE PERFECT. This turned out to be one of my favorites in the series and while the lack of resentment in the story line is somewhat unrealistic, the depth of the connection between the characters had me hoping for that happily ever after from the start!

We are brought into this story line on the shoulder of a character we are not so sure can be redeemed. Brooke committed the ultimate sin of walking away from her child, but along the way we learn what motivated her to take such a drastic action and how her life turned out because of it. Ms. Stewart does a great job of making us understand the turmoil in her mind both then and now as she returns to try to make amends.

Sebastian is trustworthy and lovable and seems too good to be true … but his reaction to her return further shows what an understanding guy he is. His relationship with his daughter is everything!

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone who enjoys a small town filled with close knit and quirky characters that always brings a major dose of heart to the surface on that quest towards happily ever after!

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Blog Tour/Review/Excerpt * SCORING OFF THE ICE by Stacey Lynn

April 9, 2020 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Blog Tour/Review/Excerpt * SCORING OFF THE ICE by Stacey Lynn

Scoring Off The Ice by Stacey Lynn
Series: Ice Kings #2
Published by Stacey Lynn Books on April 7, 2020
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Sometimes scoring off the ice leads to the greatest rewards.

I’ve had only one goal in life since I first strapped on a pair of skates—make America’s pro hockey league.

I left Denmark. I made it to the top. Now, I’m determined to be the best. No distractions. I eat, sleep, and breathe hockey.

Until my birthday when my teammates convince me to live a little.
But living a little takes on a whole new meaning when less than a year later I’m confronted with a crying baby on my doorstep, drooling on a note that declares he’s mine.

Suddenly, I'm a single dad in way over my head.
There is no playbook for situations like this.

Luckily, I have Paisley.
My gorgeous neighbor, my long-time crush, and now—my savior.
She’s there any time I need her.
Helping. Guiding. Gazing at me with those green eyes that make me feel capable of this after all.

With her at my side, I’m quickly learning there’s more to life than winning a hockey game.

Down to earth and delicious! With book two in her Ice Kings hockey series, Stacey Lynn delights her readers with another dip into the life of the North Carolina Ice Kings franchise. The hockey action was a little light in this book, but the support of the team and the heart of the situation was spot on.

Micah’s predicament endears him to us right away. He’s passionate about his career and hockey is life to him, but when he discovers his one night of debauchery has made him a Dad, he is quick to step up and own it.

Paisley shines as soon as she steps into the pages. She’s a hard-working student on the cusp of achieving the degree she’s been striving for, but doesn’t hesitate to step in and help a wayward soul with a baby he knows nothing about.

I recommend this book to anyone who likes the brotherhood of a sports romance mixed with a whole lot of heart and lots of sexy times. There were a few places I would have liked to have seen developed a bit more, but overall I really enjoyed Micah and Paisley’s story!

There is no playbook for situations like this.

Scoring Off the Ice, an all-new steamy, surprise single dad romance with all the feels by Stacey Lynn, is available now!

Sometimes scoring off the ice leads to the greatest rewards.

I’ve had only one goal in life since I first strapped on a pair of skates—make America’s pro hockey league.

I left Denmark. I made it to the top. Now, I’m determined to be the best. No distractions. I eat, sleep, and breathe hockey.

Until my birthday when my teammates convince me to live a little.
But living a little takes on a whole new meaning when less than a year later I’m confronted with a crying baby on my doorstep, drooling on a note that declares he’s mine.

Suddenly, I’m a single dad in way over my head.
There is no playbook for situations like this.

Luckily, I have Paisley.
My gorgeous neighbor, my long-time crush, and now—my savior.
She’s there any time I need her.
Helping. Guiding. Gazing at me with those green eyes that make me feel capable of this after all.

With her at my side, I’m quickly learning there’s more to life than winning a hockey game.

Download your copy today!
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3bNmxdu
Apple Books: https://apple.co/3bPr1Aj
Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/scoringofftheice
Nook: http://bit.ly/2SG7iLN
Kobo: http://bit.ly/37y3OPS
Google Play: http://bit.ly/2uX74ae

Add SCORING OFF THE ICE to Goodreads: http://bit.ly/37I5oyC

Excerpt:

“Who are you?” I don’t like calling her the woman. I’ve wondered her name for months since she started appearing in that doorway so close to mine.

She turns to me and in her arms is the baby. She’s holding a bottle and the baby is drinking. Quiet little sounds come from it and she grins down at the baby in her arms before tilting her head at me.

“What?”

“You. What is your name?”

“Paisley. Are you Mikah?”

She must want money if she knows my name. Perhaps she’s a fan. A puck bunny—that’s what my teammates call the girls who follow players and only want one thing from them.

“How did you know?” I wish she wasn’t so pretty. Sometimes it hurts to talk when all I want to do is look at her.

She points to an envelope on the table. The note.

“It’s on the outside. I didn’t know if it was your name or the baby’s, so I took a guess. Are you… are you okay?”

“A stranger shows up at my door with a baby in her arms, saying it’s mine. How okay am I supposed to be?” I wander to the table while I ask.

I’m surprised by her gentle laugh.

“I suppose this isn’t your typical Friday night.”

She is funny. If I didn’t think I might throw up, I might laugh. No. This is not my typical Friday night. Mine are for resting. Not life-changing drama.

I say nothing and grab the envelope. I stare at it for a moment. Perhaps if I do not open it, I can pretend this didn’t happen. My fingers shake as I tear it open.

The envelope is larger than normal and thick and I’m careful as I pull out several folded papers.

The top one is the most important though as I instantly see my name, written in scrolling black ink.

MIKAH,

His name is Angelo.

Meet Stacey Lynn:

Stacey Lynn likes her coffee with a dash of sugar, her heroes with a side of bossy, and her wine a deep shade of red.

The author of over thirty romance novels, many of which have been best-selling titles on Amazon, AppleBooks, and Barnes & Noble, she loves being able to turn her vivid imagination into a career that brings entertainment and joy to her readers. Focused on sports romance and emotional, small-town romance, she also loves stretching herself in different genres.

Born in Texas and raised in the Midwest, she now makes her home in North Carolina and loves all things Southern. Together with her ultimate tall, dark, and handsome hero, she has four children. Her life is a chaotic mess that fights with her Type-A, list-making, neurotically organized preferences and she wouldn’t have it any other way.

Connect with Stacey:

Facebook: http://bit.ly/379Te19
Twitter: http://bit.ly/3bjzOKx
Instagram: http://bit.ly/3bn1e2o
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2H8K22u
Amazon: https://amzn.to/375UpP7
BookBub: http://bit.ly/2G52o5q
Website: http://bit.ly/2uyDibF
Stay up to date on Stacey’s latest news! Subscribe to her Newsletter today!
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Filed Under: Blog Tour, Book Reviews

* Release Blitz/Review * IAN by Kat Mizera

April 7, 2020 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Release Blitz/Review * IAN by Kat Mizera

Ian by Kat Mizera
Series: Las Vegas Sidewinders #15
on April 7, 2020
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Goodreads

Caught on thin ice between desire and legacy...

Scottish-born hockey player Ian Campbell is so much more than a professional athlete and he has the birthright to prove it. But all he cares about is the next championship. Not his law degree and not the weight of the family legacy waiting for him back home; but time is running out on the deal he made with his grandfather. While home for the summer, a gorgeous American stumbles into the local pub and provides him the perfect distraction.

Photojournalist Everly Adamson finds herself in Scotland on the business trip of a lifetime. A past mired in secrets and betrayal fades away when she’s behind the lens of her camera; nothing and no one can take that feeling away. Even though a handsome, professional athlete moonlighting as her knight in shining armor is trying to distract her— and she can’t seem to stay away.

As their summer romance intensifies, neither of them is prepared for the collision of their two worlds. Ian’s family legacy prevents him from trusting her, and Everly refuses to love a man who won’t. The resolution may be more than either of them can afford...

Temptation at it’s best! With the final book in her Las Vegas Sidewinders series, Kat Mizera takes her reader to gorgeous Scotland as Ian mulls where his future will take him … will he continue to play the game he adores or is it the time that family obligation will win out? Never fear readers, there’s going to be a spin-off!

Everly was an enjoyable character. She instantly had a reader’s sympathy with the type of day she was having when she meets Ian and as instant attraction struck, we waited on pins and needles to see how it would all play out.

Ian was delightful! Just enough aristocracy to satisfy a royalty fan but with enough sex appeal and charm to satisfy us all. He lets us down a bit at one point, but comes back to pick up the pieces and bring it all together in the end.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a family centric plot with a whole lot of strife, chemistry and life lessons. The hockey action is very weak in this story line because it’s taking place in the off-season, but talk of the game is heavy. I really enjoyed Ian and Everly’s story!

They’re caught on thin ice…

Las Vegas Sidewinders: Ian by Kat Mizera is available now!
#HockeyRomance #HockeyStandalone #SidewindersHockeyAmazon — https://amzn.to/2UjSHH1
Universal — getbook.at/SidewindersIAN
Apple — https://apple.co/2V6JjXP
Nook — http://bit.ly/2T4rNAQ
Kobo — http://bit.ly/39MEN51

Caught on thin ice between desire and legacy…Scottish-born hockey player Ian Campbell is so much more than a professional athlete and he has the birthright to prove it. But all he cares about is the next championship. Not his law degree and not the weight of the family legacy waiting for him back home; but time is running out on the deal he made with his grandfather. While home for the summer, a gorgeous American stumbles into the local pub and provides him the perfect distraction.

Photojournalist Everly Adamson finds herself in Scotland on the business trip of a lifetime. A past mired in secrets and betrayal fades away when she’s behind the lens of her camera; nothing and no one can take that feeling away. Even though a handsome, professional athlete moonlighting as her knight in shining armor is trying to distract her— and she can’t seem to stay away.

As their summer romance intensifies, neither of them is prepared for the collision of their two worlds. Ian’s family legacy prevents him from trusting her, and Everly refuses to love a man who won’t. The resolution may be more than either of them can afford…

About the Author:

USA Today Bestselling and award-winning author Kat Mizera is a South Florida native. Born in Miami Beach with a healthy dose of wanderlust, she’s called Los Angeles, Long Island, upstate New York, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Atlanta home. She’s never been able to pick which locale is her favorite, but if pressed, she’d probably choose the west coast.

A typical PTA mom with a wonderful and supportive husband (Kevin) and two amazing boys (Nick and Max), Kat can usually be found scrapbooking or indulging in her second love (after writing) – traveling. Greece is one of her favorite places in the world. She loves that Athens is a big city with a small-town feel. The food, beaches and culture keep her going back as often as possible.

Kat’s been a working freelance writer for nearly 30 years. She sold her first article–a review of a rock concert–for $10 in 1985. Since then she’s been an entertainment journalist, waitress, bartender, legal assistant, food critic, magazine editor, substitute teacher, and sports writer. She also spent some time working at A & M Records in Los Angeles.

As you can guess from her Las Vegas Sidewinders series, Kat loves hockey and occasionally writes articles about her favorite team, the Florida Panthers. The rest of the time, she writes novels: sexy, romantic fiction that she hopes makes you as happy as it makes her. There’s something enticing about hockey players and romance…

Connect with Kat:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorkatmizera/
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2lzRBG6
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorKatMiz
Bookbub: http://bit.ly/2li6zRe
Website: http://www.katmizera.com

Filed Under: Blog Tour, Book Reviews

* Book Tour * HER SURPRISE COWBOY by Claire McEwen

April 6, 2020 3 Comments

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

Her Surprise Cowboy
(Heroes of Shelter Creek #3)
By Claire McEwen
Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 368 Pages
April 1st 2020 by Harlequin Heartwarming

Looking for redemption…

Finding a future

Rancher Liam Dale is in Shelter Creek to make amends for his troubled past. He had no idea vet assistant Trisha Gilbert would be there, too—and he’s even more shocked to discover he’s a daddy! Trisha has good reasons not to trust him and a baby boy to protect. But now that he knows he’s a father, Liam longs to transform this unexpected reunion into a true family.

Excerpt:

Liam and Trisha meet!

That night with Trisha had somehow saved his life. And now she was here. It was almost impossible to comprehend, but when he blinked and looked again, there she was, staring at him with an expression that resembled horror.

Liam glanced around to see Jace and Vivian watching him with quizzical expressions on their faces. How long had he been standing here, lost in memories?

Trisha was so still, she looked like she’d quit breathing. Liam pulled air into his lungs in silent sympathy. “Trisha.” It wasn’t much, but it was all he could manage.

His words seemed to startle her out of whatever trance she’d been stuck in. “Hello, Liam.”

He didn’t quite understand the extra emphasis she put on his name. But it was hard to understand much when she was standing right here in front of him. She’d seemed like an angel that night in Texas, come down to grant him another chance at life. Ever since, he’d wondered if she were even real.

“Nice to meet you.” Trisha’s voice was almost robotic. She was acting like they were strangers. But this was her. His Trisha. He was sure of it. His memories of that night were strangely clear, despite the pills and too many glasses of champagne.

And then he remembered. He’d given her his full name that night. William. Maybe because he’d been desperate to be someone else, the guy he’d been before the painkillers seeped like foul water into the cracks of his being. But from Trisha’s view, he must seem like a jerk. He’d offered a fake name and disappeared at the first light of dawn.

If she wanted to be strangers, Liam owed it to her to follow her lead. He pushed away the questions piling up inside. “Thanks. I feel lucky to be here.”

Trisha’s eyes shifted quickly back to Jace and Vivian, dismissing him completely. “I’ll see you soon, guys.” She jogged down the porch steps, heading for a small red hatchback. And there was her limp, putting a tiny uneven hitch in her gait and chasing away any last doubts he’d had about her identity.

He watched as she got into her car and drove away, unable to tear his gaze away, even as she disappeared around the bend of Jace’s driveway.

Other Books in the Series

Linked to Amazon affiliate links.

About the Author

Claire McEwen writes romance set in quirky small towns and beautiful western settings. Her strong heroes and heroines take big emotional journeys to find their happily-ever-afters. Claire’s books have been published by Harlequin’s Superromance and Heartwarming lines, and have won various awards, including The Golden Quill, the Book Buyers Best, and the National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award. Claire lives by the ocean in Northern California with her family and a scruffy, mischievous terrier. When not dreaming up new stories, she’s a busy mom who enjoys gardening, hiking, discovering flea-market treasures and wandering on the beach. A life-long bookworm, she always has her Kindle close by.

Tour Schedule

Tour Giveaway

1 winner will receive a $25 Amazon eGift Card (open internationally)
Ends April 15, 2020

ENTER HERE

Filed Under: Blog Tour

* Cover Reveal * SURE SHOT by Sarina Bowen

April 2, 2020 Leave a Comment

Sure Shot by Sarina Bowen
A standalone in the Brooklyn Bruisers Series
Release Day: May 12, 2020

A new stand-alone hockey romance from USA Today bestseller Sarina Bowen.

On the eve of her thirtieth birthday, successful sports agent Bess Beringer is ready to make some changes. Armed with a five-year plan—indexed and color coded—she’ll tackle a few goals in her personal life.

A big, tall, ripped hunk of hockey player who’s just been traded to the Brooklyn Bruisers is not a part of that five year plan. Mark “Tank” Tankiewicz has a lot of baggage. He’s a ride-or-die loner. He’s on the rebound. He’s also the sexiest thing on two legs, and for some crazy reason it’s Bess that he wants.

She knows better. But then she falls stupid in love with him anyway. And for a while it seems like maybe he’ll do the same.

Until she asks him for the one thing he can never give her…

BUY LINKS
https://shor.by/SureShot

Goodreads
https://geni.us/SureShotGoodreads