From the TBR Pile

Wednesday, February 19, 2020

Blog Tour: Spotlight & Giveaway of Monsterland Reanimated by Michael Okon

Book Details:

Book Title: Monsterland Reanimated by Michael Okon
Category: YA Fiction (Ages 13-17), 250 pages
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Apocalyptic, Horror
Publisher: Wordfire Press
Release date: April 2018
Tour dates: Feb 3 to Feb 21, 2020
Content Rating: PG-13 + M: There is some violence, blood and gore.

Book Description:

After Monsterland has imploded, the entire world is thrown into chaos. World leadership is gone, economies have collapsed, and communications are non-existent. Wyatt must go beyond the boundaries of his small town to reestablish contact with the outside world, and alert the government about a traitor-in-chief. During his journey he discovers a new threat released from the bowels of the defunct theme park.When an army of relentless mummies, a life-sucking ooze called The Glob, and a hybrid reanimated Behemoth rise from the depths of Monsterland, who will survive?

Buy the Book:
Amazon.com ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Apple iBooks
Smashwords ~ Kobo
Add to Goodreads

You May Also Want to Read:

Book Description:

Welcome to Monsterland, the scariest place on earth.

When world markets are decimated by a crippling plague, philanthropist, and billionaire businessman, Vincent Konrad decides to place monsters in a theme park setting to promote education and tolerance. Copper Valley is chosen as the primary site for the park in the United States.

Wyatt Baldwin, a high school senior is dying to go to the opening and when he lands special passes to the park, he and his friends are expecting the experience of a lifetime.

After all, in a theme park where real zombies, werewolves, and vampires are the main attractions, what could possibly go wrong?

Buy the Book:
Amazon.com ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Apple iBooks
Smashwords ~ Kobo
Add to Goodreads

Meet the Author:

Michael Okon is an award-winning and best-selling author of multiple genres including paranormal, thriller, horror, action/adventure and self-help. He graduated from Long Island University with a degree in English, and then later received his MBA in business and finance. Coming from a family of writers, he has storytelling in his DNA. Michael has been writing from as far back as he can remember, his inspiration being his love for films and their impact on his life. From the time he saw The Goonies, he was hooked on the idea of entertaining people through unforgettable characters.

Michael is a lifelong movie buff, a music playlist aficionado, and a sucker for self-help books. He lives on the North Shore of Long Island with his wife and children.

Connect with the Author:

website ~ facebook ~ twitter ~ instagram ~ goodreads

Tour Schedule:

Feb 3 – Bound 4 Escape – book review of Monsterland / giveaway
Feb 3 - Hall Ways Blog - audiobook review of Monsterland / giveaway
Feb 3 - On My Bookshelf - book review of Monsterland / author interview / giveaway
Feb 4 – Rockin' Book Reviews – book review of Monsterland / guest post / giveaway
Feb 4 – Miz B – book review of Monsterland / giveaway
Feb 5 – Literary Flits – book review of Monsterland / giveaway
Feb 5 - Dab of Darkness – audiobook review of Monsterland / giveaway
Feb 6 – Cheryl's Book Nook – book review of Monsterland Reanimated / guest post / giveaway
Feb 11 – Literary Flits – book review of Monsterland Reanimated / giveaway
Feb 12 – From the TBR Pile – audiobook review of Monsterland / giveaway
Feb 12 - On My Bookshelf - book review of Monsterland Reanimated/ giveaway
Feb 13 – Miz B – book review of Monsterland Reanimated / giveaway
Feb 14 - Locks, Hooks and Books – audiobook review of Monsterland / giveaway
Feb 14 – Dab of Darkness – audiobook review of Monsterland Reanimated / author interview / giveaway
Feb 17 – Turning the Pages – book review of Monsterland / giveaway
Feb 17 - Hall Ways Blog - audiobook review of Monsterland Reanimated / giveaway
Feb 17 - Rockin' Book Reviews – book review of Monsterland Reanimated / giveaway
Feb 17 - eBook addicts - audiobook review of Monsterland / giveaway
Feb 18 – Turning the Pages – book review of Monsterland Reanimated / guest post / giveaway
Feb 18 - Books, Movies, Reviews. Oh my! - book review of Monsterland Reanimated / guest post
Feb 18 - eBook addicts - audiobook review of Monsterland Reanimated / giveaway
Feb 19 – From the TBR Pile – audiobook review of Monsterland Reanimated / giveaway
Feb 19 - Locks, Hooks and Books – audiobook review of Monsterland Reanimated / guest post / giveaway
Feb 20 – Jypsylynn – book review of Monsterland Reanimated / giveaway
Feb 21 – Bound 4 Escape – book review of Monsterland Reanimated / giveaway

Enter the Giveaway:

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Tuesday, February 18, 2020

Blog Tour: Review & Excerpt of All Geek to Me by Allie York

Author: Allie York

Release Date: February 13, 2020

Publisher: self-published

Series: Words for Nerds #1

Genres: Contemporary Romance, Romantic Comedy

I, Noralee Reynolds, lead the ultimate nerd life. I own a comic shop, have a great group of geeky friends to work with and wear a different cosplay every day. Since inheriting the family business I’ve had no time for a personal life of my own. Even if hosting a speed dating event makes me wish otherwise.

I, Wyatt Collins, lead a hectic life. As a single dad, I've only got time for two things - raising my son and being a cop. I wasn't looking to cuff myself to anyone. Then I crossed paths with a nerdy comic shop owner who made me think twice.

Things are great until a little self-doubt has Noralee wanting to run away.

Can Wyatt convince her that he can be her real-life superhero?

Buy Now or Read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited!

Amazon

Add to Goodreads Here!

My thoughts:

All Geek to Me is a cute romance involving Wyatt and Noralee. Noralee is the owner of a comic book shop and cafe. When the store next door is broken into, she meet Officer Wyatt. Their meet cute (or should I say "meet ouch"?) leads them to wanting to get to know each other better.

I thought this was a fun romance. I loved Wyatt. The speed dating scene was really funny. I also knew I was going to love Noralee when she gave her take on Romeo and Juliet. I feel the same way, sister! There was a great chemistry between the couple and they had some great laugh out loud moments. Can anyone really be THAT clumsy? The only thing I wish was that it was a little longer. I wanted to get to know all of the characters more. I hope there will be stories for Noralee's three friends in the future. I want Rae's story. She was my favorite. I definitely recommended this one for anyone who is a geek at heart.

Excerpt

“I’ll speed date if you need me, but I’d rather not. You three are the ones who need to find men. Aren’t you lonely?” Greer hasn’t heard from Neal in four days and we all know it, but none of us have the heart to be mean to her about it. It’s not worth her heartbreak.

“Me? Lonely?” I look at all three of them. “I can’t get rid of any of you long enough to be lonely.”

“Oh whatever. I saw you fall all over that cop. Literally.” Tuesday tosses her hair over her shoulder.

“She isn’t wrong.” Greer gives me a look that says she’s on to me.

“No lies detected.” Rae pushes her glasses up on her nose with her forearm so her fingers can be used for whatever she’s playing on her phone.

“Oh! What if he comes to speed dating?” Tuesday straightens and grins like the Cheshire Cat.

“I can guarantee that he isn’t coming to speed dating at a comic shop.” I roll my eyes and lean to shut off the computer for the night. It’s almost closing time and everyone has cleared out except for a few lingering kids in the comic club. “There is no way he’s single,” I add stupidly. I should have just denied the fact that I think he is the hottest man I’ve seen outside a Marvel movie… or Aquaman.

“So, you admit that you want to check out what’s under that uniform?” Rae stops looking at her phone and blows another bubble.

“He’s been here three times now. What if he did come? Would you do it?” Greer crosses her arms over her chest and stares me down.

I am so sure of myself that I hold up my Mocking Jay salute. “If Officer Collins shows up, I’ll not only participate, but I’ll also buy you all drinks when we go out Saturday night.” There is no way in hell that man would ever show up for speed dating, much less at Words for Nerds.

About the author

Allie is a mom, wife, and dog groomer by day. At night she is posted at her laptop writing or reading in a cozy corner. She has a soft spot for gooey romance, coffee, and anything cute and furry

Blog Tour: Review of Monsterland by Michael Okon

Book Title:  Monsterland by Michael Okon
Category:  YA Fiction (Ages 13-17), 234 pages
Genre:  Urban Fantasy, Apocalyptic, Horror
Publisher:  Wordfire Press
Release date:   October 2017
Tour dates: Feb 3 to Feb 21, 2020
Content Rating: PG-13 + M: There is some violence, blood and gore.

Welcome to Monsterland, the scariest place on earth.

When world markets are decimated by a crippling plague, philanthropist, and billionaire businessman, Vincent Konrad decides to place monsters in a theme park setting to promote education and tolerance. Copper Valley is chosen as the primary site for the park in the United States.

Wyatt Baldwin, a high school senior is dying to go to the opening and when he lands special passes to the park, he and his friends are expecting the experience of a lifetime.

After all, in a theme park where real zombies, werewolves, and vampires are the main attractions, what could possibly go wrong?

Buy the Book:
Amazon.com ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Apple iBooks
Smashwords ~ Kobo
Add to Goodreads

My thoughts:

When I started reading Monsterland, it seemed so familiar to me. I did a little digging and I found out that I had read this book a couple of years ago and reviewed it on the blog. It seems that the book has been r-issued under a different author name and under a new publisher. You can read my thoughts on the book here. I did read through to the end a second time and found that I felt the same way about the book on the second read. As I said back in 2016: "I thought this was an entertaining read. The characters were very stereotypical, but every good teen horror story needs them. You have the bully jock, the pretty cheerleader, the nerd, the misfit, and the quiet unlikely hero who is pining for the cheerleader. They were all fun and fit right into their niches. Not all is what it seems when they get to the park though. There are a couple of twists just to keep things interesting." Make sure to check this one out.

Join us for this tour from February 3 to Feb 21, 2020!

The Dark Fantasy Continues:

Book Description:

After Monsterland has imploded, the entire world is thrown into chaos. World leadership is gone, economies have collapsed, and communications are non-existent. Wyatt must go beyond the boundaries of his small town to reestablish contact with the outside world, and alert the government about a traitor-in-chief. During his journey he discovers a new threat released from the bowels of the defunct theme park.When an army of relentless mummies, a life-sucking ooze called The Glob, and a hybrid reanimated Behemoth rise from the depths of Monsterland, who will survive?

Buy the Book:
Amazon.com ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Apple iBooks
Smashwords ~ Kobo
Add to Goodreads

Meet the Author:

Michael Okon is an award-winning and best-selling author of multiple genres including paranormal, thriller, horror, action/adventure and self-help. He graduated from Long Island University with a degree in English, and then later received his MBA in business and finance. Coming from a family of writers, he has storytelling in his DNA. Michael has been writing from as far back as he can remember, his inspiration being his love for films and their impact on his life. From the time he saw The Goonies, he was hooked on the idea of entertaining people through unforgettable characters.

Michael is a lifelong movie buff, a music playlist aficionado, and a sucker for self-help books. He lives on the North Shore of Long Island with his wife and children.

Connect with the Author:

website ~ facebook ~ twitter ~ instagram ~ goodreads

Tour Schedule:

Enter the Giveaway:

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Monday, February 17, 2020

Cover Reveal: Flawless Foundations by Lauren Helms

We are super excited to share the cover for FLAWLESS FOUNDATIONS by Lauren Helms, the next book in the second season of 425 Madison Avenue. Check out this awesome cover for this must-read best friend’s sibling romance!

Title: Flawless Foundations

Author: Lauren Helms

Release Date: 3/9/20

Series: 425 Madison Ave, #15

Genres: Contemporary Romance

Synopsis:

Levi

It's no secret I was born from money. And I'm destined to take over the family business, King Cosmetics when my father retires.

At least that was the plan.

Until my father decided to impose some stupid rule about being married before I take the reigns. Everything I've worked for hangs in the balance and the future of the company is in jeopardy without a King behind the controls.

I never considered Becca part of the plan for taking over, but when one kiss leads to so much more, I can't help but wonder if she's the answer to my problem.

Becca

There are two things I love - my beauty blog and Levi King.

Coming from the same social circle has given me ample opportunity to crush on the next generation of King Cosmetics, but he made it clear a long time ago that I would never be anything more than "like family" to him.

Feeling the need for some serious changes in my life, I start shaking things up.

It wasn't part of my plan to kiss Levi, but one kiss could never be enough. When that kiss turns into a relationship and I find out that Levi's been keeping a secret, I begin to question if our love affair was too good to be true.

Looks like we're about to find out if we can truly build flawless foundations for the rest of our lives. After all 425 Madison is the perfect place to fall in love.

Add to Goodreads!

About Lauren

Lauren Helms has forever been an avid reader from the beginning. After starting a book review website, that catapulted her fully into the book world, she knew that something was missing. Lauren decided to take the plunge and write her first novel. While working for a video game strategy guide publisher, she decided to mix what she knew best--video games and romance. She decided to take the plunge and joined NaNoWrimo and a month later, she had her first draft.

Facebook | Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

About the 425 Madison Series

Welcome to 425 Madison Ave the perfect place to fall in love. Nine delicious romances set in fast-paced & sexy NYC just waiting for you to read.

This season will feature some new authors as well as some of season one's favs. Back for season two is Allie York, Leigh Lennon, MK Moore, Aubree Valentine, Lauren Helms, and Katy Ames. Plus a warm welcome to KC Enders, and Marcie Shumway!

Not only do we have a sexy mix of new and returning authors, prepare for pages packed with new romances, characters, and tropes all from the same well-loved high-rise apartment building in NYC.

Make sure to follow the 425 Madison Avenue Facebook page for more on release dates, cover reveals and author spotlights. For exclusive excerpts, giveaways, and news subscribe to our 425 Madison newsletter!

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Blog Tour: Excerpt of The Borgia Confessions by Alyssa Palombo

Author: Alyssa Palombo

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Publication Date: February 2020

During the sweltering Roman summer of 1492, Rodrigo Borgia has risen to power as pope. Rodrigo’s eldest son Cesare, forced to follow his father into the church and newly made the Archbishop of Valencia, chafes at his ecclesiastical role and fumes with jealousy and resentment at the way that his foolish brother has been chosen for the military greatness he desired.

Maddalena Moretti comes from the countryside, where she has seen how the whims of powerful men wreak havoc on the lives of ordinary people. But now, employed as a servant in the Vatican Palace, she cannot help but be entranced by Cesare Borgia’s handsome face and manner and finds her faith and conviction crumbling in her want of him.

As war rages and shifting alliances challenge the pope’s authority, Maddalena and Cesare's lives grow inexplicably entwined. Maddalena becomes a keeper of dangerous Borgia secrets, and must decide if she is willing to be a pawn in the power games of the man she loves. And as jealousy and betrayal threaten to tear apart the Borgia family from within, Cesare is forced to reckon with his seemingly limitless ambition.

Enjoy this Excerpt:

Chapter 3
MADDALENA

Not much changed for those of us in service at the Vatican Palace when the new pope took over. There were still the same tasks to see to, the same rooms to be cleaned, the same floors to be scrubbed, and the same laundry to be washed. The Holy Father was to be obeyed whoever he was, and his earthly house was to be kept clean and running smoothly so he could attend to far more lofty matters.

One morning I was returning to the kitchens with an empty tray from one of the cardinals’ rooms—the new Vice-Chancellor, Ascanio Sforza by name—when I passed a man heading for the Holy Father’s audience chamber. He was rather garishly dressed, in brightly colored hose and tunic with a huge codpiece, and wear- ing a hat with a large feather in it. He winked and leered at me as I passed, and I cast my eyes down. Surely such a man was not fit for an audience with the Holy Father?

I caught up with one of the other maids, Fabrizia, at the end of the hallway. “Fabrizia,” I murmured, my voice low so my words would not echo off the marble floors and walls, “who is that man?” I jerked my chin toward the man’s retreating back.

She snickered. “That’s Juan Borgia. The pope’s son,” she confided.

I gasped. All of Rome knew of the existence of Cardinal Borgia’s children—Pope Alexander, I corrected myself. It was no secret that many of the other cardinals had mistresses and bastard children as well. But for a pope to acknowledge such children . . . “He brings his children into the Vatican?” I asked, shocked. “He allows them to be known as such, even now that he has been made pope?”

Fabrizia nodded. “It is unusual, indeed. No referring to them as his nephews or nieces, as popes usually do. And you know he keeps a mistress, yes?”

I gasped again. I had heard the whisperings, but I tried my best to close my ears to such things. Gossip—especially gossip about the Holy Father—was a sin.

Yet my curiosity rose, despite my pangs of guilt. I shall confess this sin after Mass on Sunday, I promised myself. “I . . . he does?” I asked.

Fabrizia’s eyes gleamed, and she drew me into a small alcove. She was well and truly settled in to gossip. “Oh, yes. Honestly, Maddalena, even for a country bumpkin you seem altogether too innocent sometimes—and you a widow, no less. Her name is Giulia Farnese and she is the most beautiful woman in Rome. He keeps her with his cousin, Adriana, and his daughter, Lucrezia. Can you imagine? And La Bella Farnese is married to Adriana’s own son! They were just married when Giulia La Bella caught Cardinal Bor- gia’s eye, and so Donna Adriana banished her son to the country estates to get him out of the way—before the cuckold’s horns were even properly affixed to his head, they say.” She snickered. “If the stories are true, Cardinal Borgia—Pope Alexander—has rewarded Adriana and her family richly, including the poor cuckolded son, which is exactly what she was hoping for.” She leaned closer and lowered her voice further. “He is said to be moving them to the pal- ace of Santa Maria in Portico. He wants La Bella Farnese nearer to him—they say there is a secret passage that connects the Vatican Palace to that one, so he can visit her in secret.”

I crossed myself automatically. “God forgive him,” I said. “He has been led astray by a harlot.” Immediately I regretted my words—he was the Holy Father; he could do no wrong. Who was I to criticize, when I could not understand the ways in which God spoke to His representative on earth? “But that is not for us to say,” I added hastily.

Fabrizia rolled her eyes. “Indeed,” she said. “All I know is men do what they want, whether they wear hose or a cardinal’s robes. Or a pope’s, even. I don’t know that God has much to say about it. But his son, that Juan . . .” She nodded in the direction from which we’d come. “They say Pope Alexander has big plans for him, and for his other son, Cesare. He’ll not let his children fade into the background, not the Borgia pope.”

****

It was some weeks before I saw the other son, Cesare. It was late evening, and he looked to be heading in the direction of the pope’s private rooms. I curtsied to him as he passed in the darkened hall- way in his purple archbishop’s robes. I felt his eyes on me as I curt- sied, and when I rose our eyes met briefly. Goodness, but he was handsome, with his head of thick, dark curls under his cap and his dark eyes and the stubble lining his cheeks and chin, which looked like they belonged on a statue in the Vatican gardens. He was much more handsome than his fop of a brother, that was for certain. His eyes turned away, forward once more.

My cheeks burned with shame as I continued on, back to my cot in the bowels of the palace where I shared a room with three other maids. Cesare Borgia was a man of God, an archbishop, no less—it was not meet that I should think him comely or attractive. I crossed myself, whispering a silent prayer of forgiveness. Back in my room, I bent over the handkerchief I was embroidering, squinting at it in the dim light, and recited a prayer with each few stitches to keep my thoughts from wandering where they did not belong.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

ALYSSA PALOMBO is the author of The Violinist of Venice, The Most Beautiful Woman in Florence, and The Spellbook of Katrina Van Tassel. She is a recent graduate of Canisius College with degrees in English and creative writing, respectively. A passionate music lover, she is a classically trained musician as well as a big fan of heavy metal. When not writing, she can be found reading, hanging out with her friends, traveling, or planning for next Halloween. She lives in Buffalo, New York, where she is always at work on a new novel.

Sunday, February 16, 2020

Blog Tour: Review & Excerpt of Witness Protection Widow by Debra Webb

Author;Debra Webb

Publisher: Harlequin Intrigue

Publication Date: February 2020

Can the witness protection program keep her identity secret?
After Allison James finally escapes her marriage to a monster, she becomes the star witness in the case against her deceased husband’s powerful crime family. Now it’s up to US Marshal Jaxson Stevens, Ali’s ex-boyfriend, to keep the WITSEC widow safe. But as the danger escalates and sparks fly, will Jax be able to help Ali escape her ruthless in-laws?

My thoughts:

Witness Protection Widow is the 5th book in the Winchester, Tennessee series under the Harlequin Intrigue imprint. It works ver well as a stand alone book. A couple of familiar faces from the Undertaker's Daughter series by this author make a brief appearance, but you don't have to have read that series to follow along.

This is a quick romantic suspense and I read it in one sitting. It involves Alison who has been in witness protection for the past 9 months while she waits to testify against her mobster father in law. The story picks up four days before the trial and her handler is injured in a car accident. Enter Jaxson, a US Marshall who happens to be her first love from ten years before. I ended up flying through the book. The author did a great job of building tension and the feeling of danger that Ali was in. Ali's story of her time with her deceased husband was horrific. This is a fairly clean romance with fade to black love scenes. I definitely recommend this one.

Enjoy this Excerpt::

She shivered. The fire had gone out. She kept on her jacket while she added logs to the fireplace and kindling to get it started. Within a couple of minutes, the fire was going. She’d had a fireplace as a kid, so relearning her way around this one hadn’t been so bad. She went back to the kitchen and turned on the kettle for tea.

Bob growled low in his throat and stared toward the front door.

She froze. Her phone was in her hip pocket. Her gun was still in her waistband at the small of her back. This was something else Marshal Holloway had insisted upon. He’d taught her how to use a handgun. They’d held many target practices right behind this cabin.

A creak beyond the front door warned that someone was on the porch. She eased across the room and went to the special peephole that had been installed. There was one on each side of the cabin, allowing for views all the way around. A man stood on the porch. He was the typical local cowboy. Jeans and boots. Hat in his hands. Big truck in the drive. Just like Marshal Holloway.

But she did not know this man.

“Alice Stewart, if you’re in there, it’s okay for you to open the door. I’m Sheriff Colt Tanner. Branch sent me.”

Her heart thudding, she held perfectly still. Branch would never send someone to her without letting her know first. If for some reason he couldn’t tell her in advance, they had a protocol for these situations.

She reached back, fingers curled about the butt of her weapon. Bob moved stealthily toward the door.

“I know you’re concerned about opening the door to a stranger, but you need to trust me. Branch has been in an accident, and he’s in the hospital undergoing surgery right now. No matter that his injuries were serious, he refused to go into surgery until he spoke to me and I assured him I would look after you, ma’am.”

Worry joined the mixture of fear and dread churning inside her. She hoped Branch wasn’t hurt too badly. He had a wife and a daughter.

She opened her mouth to ask about his condition, but then she snapped it shut. The man at her door had not said the code word.

About the author:

DEBRA WEBB is the award winning, USA Today bestselling author of more than 150 novels, including reader favorites the Faces of Evil, the Colby Agency, and the Shades of Death series. With more than four million books sold in numerous languages and countries, Debra's love of storytelling goes back to her childhood on a farm in Alabama. Visit Debra at www.DebraWebb.com

Saturday, February 15, 2020

Blog Tour: Review & Excerpt of Temporary Wife Temptation by Jayci Lee

Author: Jayci Lee

Publisher: Harlequin Desire

Publication Date: February 2020

Much more than he bargained for…
“You want me to find you a wife?”
“No. I want you to be my wife.”

Garrett Song is this close to taking the reins of his family’s LA fashion empire…until the Song matriarch insists he marry her handpicked bride first. To block her matchmaking, he recruits Natalie Sobol to pose as his wife. She needs a fake spouse as badly as he does. But when passion burns down their chaste agreement, the flames could destroy them all…

My thoughts:

Temporary Wife Temptation was just what I needed on a cold rainy afternoon. I was quickly sucked into the tale of Garret and Natalie who agree on a marriage of convenience. Each character had their own motives and will do anything they can to reach their end goal. This is a really slow burn romance. I'm talking slow and steamy! If you are a fan of those, then this is for you. I enjoyed watching the couple fall for each other even though they fought it with everything they had. I also enjoyed the glimpse into a bit of Korean culture and family dynamics. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the Heirs of Hansol series.

Enjoy this excerpt:

Garrett resisted the urge to glance over his shoulder to check on her. Natalie was a grown woman and he didn’t need to protect her from being swarmed by admirers. Besides, she was the one who had proposed they refrain from other relationships, so she wouldn’t do anything to hurt his reputation or hers.

Earlier, at her apartment, he’d caught fire at the sight of her in her little black dress. It was demure compared to the one she’d worn at Le Rêve, but it hugged her hourglass figure and highlighted the curves underneath just enough to tease his imagination.

He walked to the bar for his Scotch and grabbed a flute of champagne from a server on his way back. As he’d anticipated, Natalie was now surrounded by a group of men and he lengthened his strides to reach her.

“Sorry to keep you waiting, sweetheart.” He pressed a light kiss on her lips and handed her the champagne.

“Thank you.” She leaned her head against his shoulder when he pulled her to his side, playing her part like a pro.

“Natalie was just taking us to task about USC’s new head coach. It seems neither he nor I truly understand college football,” said one of Mike’s college friends.

“Is that so?” Garrett raised an eyebrow at her and she shrugged.

“Taking you to task is a bit harsh.” She hid her grin against the rim of her champagne flute as she took a long sip. “It’s just that I have a better understanding than you guys.”

The audience winced and guffawed at her cheekiness. As Natalie continued with her lecture, all the men listened intently, as did Garrett. She was funny and down-to-earth, and her mind was quicker than lightning. Lost in her words, Garrett belatedly noticed the crowd had grown. Her champagne glass was depleted and her smile was becoming strained.

He leaned down close to her ear. “Tired?”

“And hungry.”

“All right, gentlemen. I’m whisking away my date now. I’m tired of sharing her.”

When the crowd finally dispersed, Natalie slumped against him with a groan. “I need food, champagne and somewhere to sit.”

A server walked over with a tray of bacon-wrapped shrimp and Natalie snatched a couple of them. She popped one in her mouth and mumbled around her food, “Not necessarily in that order.”

Garrett laughed and guided her toward the French doors leading out to the garden. Natalie ate every single hors d’oeuvre she met along the way and finished another glass of champagne.

“Holy cow. Is everything really, really delicious, or am I just famished? I would totally go back for that crab cake if my feet weren’t screaming at me to get my butt on a chair.”

He glanced down at her zebra-print high heels. They did amazing things for her legs but didn’t look remotely comfortable. “There’s a bench around the corner.”

“Oh, thank God.” She kicked off her shoes as soon as she plopped onto the seat.

Garrett shrugged out of his jacket and draped it around her shoulders before sitting next to her.

“Thank you,” she murmured, gazing at the garden. “It’s so beautiful out here.”

“Is it?” He and Mike had grown up tearing apart that very garden, but Garrett had never sat still and taken it all in, like they were doing now. “I guess you’re right.”

“Mmm-hmm.”

He studied her profile, her high, regal cheekbone and the graceful curve of her neck. Half of her hair had escaped the loose knot behind her head and fell down her back and shoulders. He wanted to sweep aside her hair and feel the softness of her skin, which he absolutely should not do.

“So how do you know so much about college football?” He tore his gaze away from her and stared at an old maple tree ahead of him, hard enough to make his eyes water.

“Long story.”

“We’ve got time.” He made a show of checking his watch. “I’ll give you ten minutes.”

Her laughter filled the garden, then ended on a wistful sigh. “My dad and I, we weren’t very close. The only time he didn’t mind my company was when we watched college football together. He was a huge fan. I don’t think he even noticed I was sitting there half the time.”

Garrett understood what that felt like. As soon as he finished graduate school, he’d thrown himself into his work. It was satisfying in its predictability and it created a common ground for him and his father. His dad had stepped down from the CEO position when his mom died, but returned to Hansol a few years later as an executive VP.

“I thought if I learned enough about the sport, he’d like me a little better.” Her shrug told him it hadn’t worked, but Natalie told her story without an ounce of self-pity—like she owned her past, hurt and all. His respect for her deepened. “But soon I noticed I wasn’t faking my enthusiasm anymore. I’d grown to love the sport. Who knew it’d come in handy at an intimate birthday party for a hundred people?”

“You certainly won over quite a few of them.”

“I did?” Her eyebrows shot up in genuine surprise.

He huffed out a laugh. “Why did you think that crowd was hanging on to your every word?”

“Watch yourself, Garrett Song.” Natalie narrowed her eyes and pointed a finger at him. “I know where you live.”

He snatched her hand and tugged her to her feet. “Yes, and you’ll be living there with me starting Sunday.”

“Ugh.” She hooked an index finger in each of her shoes, not bothering to put them back on. “Do you ever stop thinking about work?”

“Yes.” He cocked his head and pretended to consider her question. “But only when I’m thoroughly distracted.”

Her lashes fluttered and color saturated her cheeks, and his gut clenched with heat. She could definitely become his most dangerous distraction.

About the author:

JAYCI LEE: Jayci Lee writes poignant, funny, and sexy romance. She lives in sunny California with her tall-dark-and-handsome husband, two amazing boys with boundless energy, and a fluffy rescue whose cuteness is a major distraction. She is semi-retired from her 15-year career as a defense litigator, and writes full-time now. She loves food, wine, and travelling, just like her characters. Books have always helped her grow, dream, and heal. She hopes her books will do the same for you.

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The reviewers of From the TBR Pile read and review books acquired from multiple sources. We often receive complimentary copies and ARCs from publishers, publicists, authors and book tour promoters. Some books we borrow from our local libraries or purchase on our own. We are never compensated in anyway for any review written on this blog. We are in no way obligated to write good or bad reviews for any complimentary material received by us. We are honest reviewers and our reviews are based on our own opinions and written solely by us.