Black Dagger Brotherhood - NEW BOOKS IN 2018 - Dearest Ivie & The Thief by J.R. Ward

Don't forget the new publications for 2018 for the Black Dagger Brotherhood by J.R. Ward:

A) Dearest Ivie (Black Dagger Brotherhood, #15.5) 

PUBLISHED: March 13th 2018

SUMMARY: In an exclusive ebook novella set in the world of the Black Dagger Brotherhood, #1 New York Times bestselling author J. R. Ward tells the story of a fiery couple . . . doomed by an undeniable passion.
 
Features a special preview of J. R. Ward’s upcoming Black Dagger Brotherhood novel, The Thief!

The last place Ivie expects to be approached by a devastatingly handsome male is in a crowded, smoky cigar bar rarely frequented by vampires—yet here he stands. Silas is flirtatious, gallant, and, above all, mysterious. Ivie is anything but. A nurse at the healer’s clinic and the daughter of a biker, Ivie is accustomed to speaking her mind. So she does. Since aristocrats rarely pick up females of her class, Ivie asks Silas just what kind of game he thinks he’s playing.

Despite her guarded exterior, Ivie surrenders to the fierce desire she feels for Silas. And yet, just as their courtship is heating up, he reveals that it cannot last, for he is bound to return to the Old Country. Their bond only deepens as they make the most of their precious time together. But when she learns the truth, Ivie must find a saving grace—before all is lost. . . .

B) The Thief (Black Dagger Brotherhood #16) 

PUBLICATION DATE: April 10th 2018 

SUMMARY: New enemies rise and desire burns in the next thrilling novel of the #1 New York Times bestselling paranormal romance series the Black Dagger Brotherhood.

Sola Morte, former cat burglar and safecracker, has given up her old life on the wrong side of the law. On the run from a drug lord’s family, she is lying low far from Caldwell, keeping her nose clean and her beloved grandmother safe. Her heart, though, is back up north, with the only man who has ever gotten through her defenses: Assail, son of Assail, who never meant to fall in love—and certainly not with a human woman. But they have no future, and not just because she doesn’t know he is a vampire, but because he is not about to stop dealing arms to the Black Dagger Brotherhood. Fate, however, has other plans for them. When Assail falls into a coma and lingers on the verge of death, his cousins seek out Sola and beg her to give him a reason to live. The last thing she wants is a return to her past, but how can she leave him to die?

As a lethal new enemy of the vampires shows its face, and the Brotherhood needs Assail back on his feet, Sola finds herself not only a target, but a mission-critical force in a war she doesn’t understand. And when Assail’s truth comes out, will she run from the horror . . . or follow her heart into the arms of the male who loves her more than life itself?

The Chosen (Black Dagger Brotherhood, #15) by J.R. Ward

The Chosen (J.R. Ward)

SUMMARY

Xcor, leader of the Band of Bastards, convicted of treason against the Blind King, is facing a brutal interrogation and torturous death at the hands of the Black Dagger Brotherhood. Yet after a life marked by cruelty and evil deeds, he accepts his soldier’s fate, his sole regret the loss of a sacred female who was never his: the Chosen Layla.

Layla alone knows the truth that will save Xcor’s life. But revealing his sacrifice and his hidden heritage will expose them both and destroy everything Layla holds dear—even her role of mother to her precious young. Torn between love and loyalty, she must summon the courage to stand up against the only family she has for the only man she will ever love. Yet even if Xcor is somehow granted a reprieve, he and Layla would have to confront a graver challenge: bridging the chasm that divides their worlds without paving the way for a future of even greater war, desolation, and death.

As a dangerous old enemy returns to Caldwell, and the identity of a new deity is revealed, nothing is certain or safe in the world of the Black Dagger Brotherhood, not even true love . . . or destinies that have long seemed set in stone.

MY REVIEW

Xcor and Layla

“I’m not going to apologize for who I love. In fact, I’m grateful this destiny is mine. If I had fallen for another, I wouldn’t have been forced to be this strong – and there is nothing wrong in this world or the next in finding out your own power.”

After I finished "The Chosen", the initial thought that crossed my mind was this one:

This is clearly NOT a book about the Chosen, is it?

More precisely, this is a book that talks about everyone else except about the Chosen, Layla.
Because Layla in fact knew what she wants and needs for a few books now. She wants Xcor and she wants her children.

**spoilers**

Layla and Xcor are already in love when the book starts. They will not deny it. They will not stumble on their decisions. They will not be sorry about them. They will not ask forgiveness from the others. They are ready to die for each other.
In fact they could have been already dead. Nothing matters for them anymore.

This is clearly a book about the Brothers, their mates, their friends, Lassiter, the Band of Bastards. And about the READERS. Isn’t it?

It is a book that talks about how all these individuals perceive the implications of the relationship between Layla and Xcor. How they feel about it, when they learn the news. How they finally accept it.

It talks about their negative feelings, their remorse about what Layla had done. About her treachery. About the fact that she slept with the enemy. About the fact that she endangered her unborn children.

Layla just basically waits in the whole book. She is just waiting for the others to come into terms with her actions. And this is what she gets.

Of course Xcor and Layla will live in their love bubble for us to watch. They will finally have sex. They will finally exchange words of love, faith and commitment. But they could just as easy not say anything.
Because THEY KNOW. THEY FEEL.
The words and their sacrifices are only to convince the others. The outsiders. Even us the readers. Because as I said before, they are already where they want to be. And they absolutely know what they want.

“Layla should still be able to see those kids on the regular. They need their mahmen, and whether you like it or not, she should be in their lives.”
“What are you saying, that she and Xcor take them to McDonald’s for fucking fries and a Coke?”

Well, apparently yes. That is exactly what Layla wants.

Unfortunately the understanding of Layla and Xcor’s true love and the knowledge of their strong relationship have made a few couples with thorns in their own relationships to face their own insecurities:

… Vishous’ insecurity about his love and commitment, about the time Doc Jane spends with him. About how much really Jane cares for him. About how much really V cares for her.
… Tohr’s still ongoing issues about his dead wife. Poor Autumn. How can you fight with a ghost for the love of your man?
... Blay’s insecurity about being a real father to Qhuinn’s children.
… Qhuinn’s insecurity that he is not the only one important for his children. Blay is important, too. Layla is important too. And Qhuinn almost destroys his relationship with Blay. And Qhuinn ends up hating Layla.

I have actually talked to a few fans who are not happy with Qhuinn’s behavior and they do not understand it.
Well, I totally do understand it! This is just Qhuinn… Emotions run hot with this boy.
Let’s not forget that he is just a 30 something years old boy. He is still too young. Just a few years ago, he was getting wasted in the clubs having group sex at the toilets without caring for love and commitment but only for fun and good times.
It is not easy for him to be mated and to be a parent.
(I still laugh when I remember him a few books ago when he left his keys on his Hammer and someone stole it. It kind of reminds me Qhuinn being locked up in the Cave in this book. Another one of his goofy moments...)

Only the story of Trez looks a bit disconnected with the main story, but I have a feeling that the obvious resurrection of Selena is a result of his intense prayer and of Lassiter (the new scribe virgin hahaha) finally losing it and granding Trez’s wish.

“I just want her back. I just … I only want Selena back. Please … if there’s anyone up there,
help me. Return her to me. I don’t care what form she’s in … I just can’t do this anymore. I can’t live like this for one more fucking night.”

(I am sure that all the readers that have read “The Shadows” were also praying with him!)

I have a feeling that the situation with Layla has influenced even Lassiter. Lassiter will confess to Layla about how lost he is now. How much confused he is with his new job.

Secondary stories:
1. We are running out of bad guys. An old one is gaining more strength and he is rising.
(Hint: No, not the Omega, Lessers are out of fashion).
2. The Brother’s mansion will be more crowded. Thank God there are enough rooms.
3. The humans keep wondering and searching for the supernatural and for vampires.

I am happy with this book. It did not blow my mind, but it was a worthy addition to the series. It did not leave me dissatisfied or angry or sad. It opened doors for many more stories for the series to go stronger. And I have fallen in love with the blind king all over again. I love you Wrath!

By the end of the book, I totally respected Layla and her decisions and her determination –almost as much as she started respecting herself:

Yet she was still alive and she was here. Looking herself in the mirror.
And for the first time in her life, she respected what she saw.
Bowing to her reflection, she said softly, “Pleased to meet you.”

P.S. Thank you so much J.R.Ward :) You rock! 

The Beast (Black Dagger Brotherhood #14) by J.R. Ward

The Beast (J.R. Ward)

 

SUMMARY

 
Nothing is as it used to be for the Black Dagger Brotherhood. After avoiding war with the Shadows, alliances have shifted and lines have been drawn. The slayers of the Lessening Society are stronger than ever, preying on human weakness to acquire more money, more weapons, more power. But as the Brotherhood readies for an all-out attack on them, one of their own fights a battle within himself…

For Rhage, the Brother with the biggest appetites, but also the biggest heart, life was supposed to be perfect—or at the very least, perfectly enjoyable. Mary, his beloved shellan, is by his side and his King and his brothers are thriving. But Rhage can’t understand—or control—the panic and insecurity that plague him…

And that terrifies him—as well as distances him from his mate. After suffering mortal injury in battle, Rhage must reassess his priorities—and the answer, when it comes to him, rocks his world...and Mary’s. But Mary is on a journey of her own, one that will either bring them closer together or cause a split that neither will recover from...

MY REVIEW

 
Rhage, Rhage's beast, Mary and Bitty

I definitely cannot give less than 5 stars to a book that I was waiting for months to read and when I finally read it, it was actually very good.

First of all this book is not exactly about the BEAST. This book is mostly about the family ties and the CHILDREN: the unborn children, the born children, the toddlers, the babies, the teenagers. This book is full of emotions about families being happy together and about families coming together.

The negatives (maybe?) in the book:
-It is not a stand alone book. It is so complicated and with so many references in previous books that you definitely need to have read almost all the previous books to understand the connections.
-There are so many stories going on at the same time that you end up with more questions than answers and you have already start biting your nails waiting for the next book.

The positives in the book:
-It has a sweet feeling of being invited in your best friend's house, there is a party there and you have the chance to see all your best friends and learn their news. Everybody is invited, everybody has a small or bigger role to play and everybody is happy to be there.
-The book is focused in some interesting characters and we get the chance to learn more about them, e.g. Assail (do I dare to hope for his book next in the series?)
-the book introduces some very interesting new characters

Nevertheless it is a really good-feeling, enjoyable book.
God, how much I needed this after 'the shadows'... 

 

BOOK COVER REVEAL: Sweetened Suffering by Charity B.

Sweetened Suffering

Sweet Treats Trilogy by Charity B. Publication Date: April 22, 2018 Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Tavin: The problem with getting what you’ve always wanted, is the chance of losing it. Before I met Alexander, I was blissfully blind, unaware of what was possible. Now that I’ve seen the colors of his world, I don’t know how to go back to the dreariness of mine. As much as I want to allow myself to dream of a life that I never knew was possible, the doubts still dig their claws into my mind and I fear the darkness of my past will destroy it all. Alexander: Not my wildest dreams or darkest nightmares could have prepared me for the intricacy that is Tavin Winters. As sweet and gentle as she is, the violence and torment that has been woven into every day of her past remains evident. He will pay for what he’s done to her, and I will do my best to give her the serenity she deserves. However this plays out, I will always love her and I will always protect her…even if it’s from herself. Trigger Warning: This novel contains drug use, explicit sexual content, violence, child abuse, and sensitive subject matter that may be triggering for some readers.

Candy Coated Chaos

Sweet Treats Trilogy by Charity B. Publication Date: February 15, 2018 Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

Alexander Being with Tavin is like eating those candies that start out sweet and then turn so sour, your eyes water. When she's happy, her radiance is stunning, but her glow is dimmed by her dark secrets. I knew from the moment I laid eyes on her, sucking on that lollipop, that there was something unique about her. I was right in more ways than one, and while I don't know the extent of suffering that her life entails, I'll do whatever I need to, to convince her she can trust me. I just need to hang on to her long enough to do that. Tavin When he wraps his arms around me, and his warmth makes me feel safe, it's easy to pretend that this is real. I knew going out with him was a bad idea, I just never imagined it would go this far. It was only supposed to be one night. One night to feel like a normal girl. I didn't plan for this and now, every day that passes puts us deeper in danger. All I can do is make the most of every moment with him, so when the time comes for this to end, then at least we'll be left with beautiful memories. Trigger Warning: This novel contains drug use, explicit sexual content, violence, and sensitive subject matter which may be triggering for some readers.

About Charity B.

Charity B. lives in Salem Oregon with her husband and ornery little boy. Candy Coated Chaos is her debut novel and has more titles preparing for release in 2018. She has always loved to read and write, but began her love affair with dark romance when she read C.J. Robert's The Dark Duet. She has a passion for the disturbing and sexy and wants nothing more than to give her readers the ultimate book hangover. In her spare time when she's not chasing her son, she enjoys reading, the occasional TV show binge, and is deeply inspired by music.

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NEW RELEASE: A Covert Affair by Kennedy L. Mitchell

Title: A Covert Affair

Author: Kennedy L. Mitchell

Genre: Romantic Suspense

 Release Date: March 29, 2018

Blurb

Agent Lucia Rizzo

A mole within the SEALs and I’m the one to find him.

Simple for someone with my type of ability to read through lies.

Everything was laid out, we had a plan. A good plan.

Go in undercover as a reporter, gather intel, identify the mole and come home.

But it didn’t turn out that way. Not even close. Of course, the Sr. Officer over the platoon in question is a former one night stand who became way too clingy. And to top it off his best friend, and my escort around base, is someone whom I desperately want clinging, without clothes would be preferred. The number of obstacles in this operation are too many to count but I have to find the mole, no matter what, my reputation within the CIA depends on it.

Sr. Officer Gabe Wilcox

Who would have thought a quick witted, hot shot CIA agent would be my kryptonite. But is she ever. From the moment, she walked in to CO’s office I was hooked. She a drug and I’m the willing addict doing anything and everything just to get one more hit of her. She says we are a bad idea, that it would complicate things, what does she know. We could be great together. We will be great together. All I have to do is convince her we can play and get the job done too. I want the mole caught but I might want her just as bad.

A Covert Affair is a contemporary romantic suspense, standalone novel.

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Author Bio

I live in Dallas but I am not a Texan by birth, I am a transplant from Tennessee and married a true Texan so I had to stay. We live in a older home in Dallas proper with our son and goldendoodle (who is roughly the size of a pony).

Writing isn’t my day job, however it is my joy and favorite hobby. I enjoy sending my friends new chapters nightly and hearing their reactions the next day. That is why I write, being published is just a bonus really. My real job is the same every day, but at night I get to be someone else and write about all these fun adventures and sexcapades:) When I’m writing you can find me on the couch, earbuds in and a full glass of wine beside me. Music inspires my stores, at the end of each book I list the playlist that helped me through writing the novel.

When I am not working or writing, I am reading. I go through about 3 books a week and I am 100% sure that I’m that annoying person at book-club that gets on to people when they are not keeping up with the monthly readings or suggest the movie is as good as a book (Sometimes I wish I could vote those people out of book-club like they do on Survivor. “The tribe has spoken”).

My favorite authors that inspire my writing are: Colleen Hoover, Sarah J. Maas, Sandra Brown, and Rainbow Rowell.

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The Shadows (Black Dagger Brotherhood, #13) by J.R. Ward

The Shadows (J.R. Ward)

SUMMARY

Trez “Latimer” doesn’t really exist. And not just because the identity was created so that a Shadow could function in the underbelly of the human world. Sold by his parents to the Queen of the S’Hsibe as a child, Trez escaped the Territory and has been a pimp and an enforcer in Caldwell, NY for years- all the while on the run from a destiny of sexual servitude. He’s never had anyone he could totally rely on... except for his brother, iAm.

iAm’s sole goal has always been to keep his brother from self-destructing- and he knows he’s failed. It’s not until the Chosen Serena enters Trez’s life that the male begins to turn things around... but by then it’s too late. The pledge to mate the Queen’s daughter comes due and there is nowhere to run, nowhere to hide, and no negotiating.

Trapped between his heart and a fate he never volunteered for, Trez must decide whether to endanger himself and others- or forever leave behind the female he’s in love with. But then an unimaginable tragedy strikes and changes everything. Staring out over an emotional abyss, Trez must find a reason to go on or risk losing himself and his soul forever. And iAm, in the name of brotherly love, is faced with making the ultimate sacrifice...

MY REVIEW 

iAm and maichen (Or [Princess Catra vin SuLaneh etl MuLanen deh FonLerahn])

“Will you let me see you,” he said in a deep voice.
maichen swallowed hard. Then she lifted her hands to the mesh that covered her face—but it was to hold the masking in place. “I am afraid.”
“Of what?”
What if he didn’t like what he saw?
“I already know you’re beautiful,” he said, as if he read her mind.
“How?”
He touched the center of his large chest. “I see you in here. I know you … in here. You are very beautiful to me, no matter what you look like.”
Acutely aware of everything that she hadn’t told him about herself, she whispered, “We do not know each other.”
“Does that matter to you?”
“No.”
“Me, neither.”

SPOILERS

iAm is such as nice guy:
1. -He is not interested in clubs and drugs. He only wants to cook. So when he has the opportunity to get his favorite restaurant Salvatore’s, he grabs it and now he is the proud owner and chef of Sals.
2. -He is a virgin. He has been waited for the right girl for so many years and when he finds her, he does not lose another second to make her his.
3. -He is a considerate brother who cares and gives without asking anything for return and he is even accused that he suffers from the “Phury syndrome” for his sensitivity and unquestionable love.
Note: “Phury Syndrome—a condition whereupon one brother was so fucked-up that the other fell into a black hole trying to save him.”
4. -He is an animal lover. His best friend is a cat. Boo does not stop following him although iAm pretends that he does not care.
5. -He almost lost the love of his life as the rightful Anointed One and princess’ destiny mate according to the stars. And he was not bitter. He was just happy that his brother was okay.
6. -And he never stopped offering his forgiveness – even to maichen who lied to him about who she really is.

After the Sympaths that we met in book “Love Avenged”, this time we meet the Shadows which are an entirely new species. And moments like this, I really wonder why Ward does not do more spinoffs instead of packing everything in the main series. Sympaths and Shadows would have made great sub-stories and side-series.

Obviously the book focused mainly on iAms story and iAm’s HEA but from Trez’s point of view which is a bit unfair for iAm, because really Trez is a selfish, self-centered guy who thinks that the Earth revolves around him and his never-ending drama.

Apparently after he almost ruined iAm’s story, Trez’s story will continue as it was obvious in book The Chosen.

Readers were tortured for the majority of the Shadows about the question whether Selena will be saved in the end. And I really do not understand why. The two previous deaths i.e. Wellsie and Darius (three deaths actually if you count also Jane’s death) happened fast and were treated with respect. Until now all the readers love Wellsie and Darius, but most of them do not want to talk about Selena’s death.

Somehow, in the midst of the great infinite, and in spite of his mourning, he knew he was exactly where he was supposed to be at this point in time.
Guess it was fate.

BOOK COVER REVEAL: Faded and Unfaded by Julie Johnson

Title: Faded

Series: Faded Duet #1
Author: Julie Johnson

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Cover Design: One Click Covers
Release Date: April 4, 2018

Blurb

I was never supposed to be famous. 

I was a lyricist, not a singer. 

Certainly not a star. 

Too bad none of that seemed to matter to a rock-god like Ryder Woods. 

He didn’t just want my words — he wanted everything. 

And he took it. 

My songs. My voice. My goddamned soul. 

Between those haunting bedroom eyes and that heart-stopping grin, I never stood a chance. I was pulled into his orbit like a rogue meteor passing a sun. 

The problem is, if you get too close to a star…

You’re bound to get burned. 

FADED is the first installment of an angst-laced, passion-fueled duet about a jaded rock star and a starry-eyed songwriter. Due to sex, drugs, and rock & roll, it is recommended for readers ages 16 and up. 

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Title: Unfaded

Series: Faded Duet #2
Author: Julie Johnson

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Cover Design: One Click Covers
Release Date: May 2, 2018

Blurb

They warned me not to get too close.

Too bad I didn’t listen. 

Enter a star’s orbit, it’ll burn you down to ashes before you know what’s happened. And he was the most beautiful star in the night sky. 

Singed beyond repair, I left Los Angeles behind.

Left him behind. 

But I was kidding myself if I thought a few thousand miles of space would erase my memory. 

And I was plain stupid if I thought he’d let me go without a fight. 

They say the brightest stars burn out the fastest…

But the strongest loves don’t ever fade. 

UNFADED is the final installment of an angst-laced, passion-fueled duet about a jaded rock star and a starry-eyed songwriter. Due to sex, drugs, and rock & roll, it is recommended for readers ages 16 and up. 

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Author Bio

JULIE JOHNSON is a twenty-something Boston native suffering from an extreme case of Peter Pan Syndrome. When she's not writing, Julie can most often be found adding stamps to her passport, drinking too much coffee, striving to conquer her Netflix queue, and Instagramming pictures of her dog. (Follow her: @author_julie)

She published her debut novel LIKE GRAVITY in August 2013, just before her senior year of college, and she's never looked back. Since, she has published eight more novels, including the bestselling BOSTON LOVE STORY series and THE GIRL DUET. Her books have appeared on Kindle and iTunes Bestseller lists around the world, as well as in AdWeek, Publishers Weekly, and USA Today.

You can find Julie on Facebook or contact her on her website www.juliejohnsonbooks.com. Sometimes, when she can figure out how Twitter works, she tweets from @AuthorJulie. For major book news and updates, subscribe to Julie's newsletter: http://eepurl.com/bnWtHH

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BOOK COVER REVEAL: Bow & Arrow by A. Cramton

Title: Bow & Arrow

Author: A. Cramton

Genre: Sports Romance
Cover Design: Melissa Gill Designs

Release Date: April 26, 2018

Blurb

Cuba Knight came into my life with a wicked smirk, bedroom eyes and a chip on his shoulder.

I was warned to stay away from him. Hell, he warned me himself.So, I made it my mission to break his walls down and kill his demons.

Loving him had consequences I just didn't know the extent until he stabbed me with the arrow I willing gave him.

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Author Bio

A. Cramton is a wife, and mother who was born and raised in Sunny San Diego, California but now resides in Richmond, Virginia. When A is not working a fulltime job and attending to her son and husband, she loves to indulge in a juicy romance novel. A is a hopeless romantic who is in love with love, and has a guilty pleasure for celebrity gossip. After being a part of Naughty Smutty Book Blog, and reviewing multiple love stories, A decided to pursue her own dreams of being a published author.

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NEW RELEASE: The Consequence of Rejection by Rachel Van Dyken

Title: The Consequence of Rejection

A Standalone Consequence Novel

Author: Rachel Van Dyken

Genre: Romantic Comedy
Release Date: March 26, 2018

Blurb

You know the universe is trying to tell you something when you get struck by lightning, but only after getting hit on by the elderly, almost getting run over by a semi, and running into the one who got away.
Why do they say it like that anyway?
Like I accidentally lost her when she was the one that got in the car with my best friend and left me.
The day after I proposed.
We were eighteen.
I wanted forever.
She didn't.
It's been ten years.
I tried to move on, tried to get married, had that same wedding crashed by my now best friend who says the only way for me to stop pissing off the universe, is to gain closure with the one woman I can't forget.
So I do it.
I embark on a journey down memory lane that not only lands me in prison but on the receiving end of a fist fight in front of the entire town, this naturally happens after drunken pool sex, climbing the same girl's window, and getting threatened at gunpoint by her father.
To say the universe is trying to tell me something anything, is a giant understatement.
I just hope I survive the message.
And then, I hope I survive her—again.

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Excerpt

Full breasts spilled over into a small black bikini that left nothing to the imagination, it barely covered nipple for that matter, and the bottoms? Well she had to keep adjusting them lets just say high school bathing suits ten years later look small. 

In the best way possible. 

Head held high she walked right by me to Max, grabbed a shot, took it, then sucked the lime he held out in front of her. 

I growled. 

Max winked at me. “Something wrong, man?”

I reached for the non existent gun at my side, which just made him grin harder as he kept handing out alcohol to parents of toddlers. 

Because thats the type of party it was. 

Almost everyone started talking about their kids, retirement, stock portfolios, vacation time, and babies. 

It was almost too depressing for words. 

I had all those things but what I’d always wanted. A family. Babies. 

Maddy. 

She shared a sideway’s glance with me. 

I reached for her, but she pulled away and ran full speed towards the pool and did a giant canon ball. 

People cheered. 

While I watched as wet cold water ran down her curvy body, my gaze was so tranfixed on her erect nipples I’m surprised nobody pulled me aside about my current situation of arousal. 

Cold water. Fast. 

I chased after her, jumped in. 

And felt the warm buzz of alcohol fill my veins just as I popped up and saw Max follow, balls first, in my face. 

I ducked just in time so I didn’t get a fist full of balls. 

The guy only laughed once we both popped up. 

I swam towards Maddy, and tugged her against me. “Stop running.”

“I’m not.” Her breath came out raspy. “I’m just…reliving old times, isn’t that what you wanted? So we could have closure?”

Why did it feel like she was turning the tables on me. 

“Yeah,” I said slowly, “But—“

Her kiss was swift. 

Hard. 

Fast, and oh so very punishing as I gaped into her mouth and pinned her against he side of the pool. 

Music filled the air out of nowhere from somewhere outside, it pounded into my ears the way I wanted to pound into her. 

I grinned against her mouth as she wrapped her legs around my waist. 

And then Reid cast a shadow over us and started pouring vodka over our heads. 

Maddy tilted her head back and opened her mouth while I leaned in and licked it off her chin. 

People cheered. 

“Guys!” Someone yelled. “Keep it down, someones going to call the cops!”

“Cops?” Max laughed loudly. “I am the law, bitches!” The music blared. “Plus, we already got our cop here.” He pointed while I took another shot. 

People cheered. 

And then Maddy squeezed her thighs. 

Yeah the cops were coming alright. 

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AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

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AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

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Author Bio

Rachel Van Dyken is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of regency and contemporary romances. When she's not writing you can find her drinking coffee at Starbucks and plotting her next book while watching The Bachelor. 

She keeps her home in Idaho with her Husband, adorable son, and two snoring boxers! She loves to hear from readers!

Want to be kept up to date on new releases? Text MAFIA to 66866!

You can connect with her on Facebook or join her fan group Rachel's New Rockin Readers. And make sure to check out her website.

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