Poor Florida Cracker
by Chelsea Falin
Genre: YA Coming of Age
Sissy Collet and her siblings have grown up with neglectful parents,
impoverished, and bullied by their small town. When they finally get their chance to break free, they take
it – despite having the odds stacked against their favor. With nothing except a half-cooked scheme and
an old beater, they set off without a set destination in the hopes they will finally be free of the baggage
holding them back. Will Sissy get her happily ever after? Or will she never be anything more than a Poor
Florida Cracker?
Goodreads * Amazon
Chelsea Falin is the 25 year old independent author of well over ten titles.
She began writing with intents to publish in 2006, at age 16, and finally published in 2009, at age 19.
Chelsea writes in a variety of genres, including but not limited to: romance, young adult, comedy,
cooking, poetry, and dramatic fiction. Professionally, Chelsea is also a freelance blog/article writer, web
designer, and book blogger.
In her personal life, Chelsea is the mother of a six year old daughter. In
her free time, she enjoys reading, writing, fishing, hiking, biking, traveling, and spending time with her
friends or family.
Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * Pinterest * Amazon * Goodreads
When our parents passed out drunk, Jesse and I crept in to steal their cards. I was glad they were
actually home. The room was dark. The only light shined through the dirty, curtain-less window. My
parents were loudly snoring mounds stretched sideways across the lumpy full-sized bed. Piles of clothing
made dark, shadowy mountains in the corners.
We checked the nightstand. There was nothing besides some change and a half-empty pack of Marlboro
Reds. The pile of clothes on the ground also proved fruitless. My mother’s purse lay sprawled in a
corner. Inside was a five-dollar bill, her bank card, and the food stamps card. I took it all.
My father still wore his pants. Lying on his stomach, the mound his wallet made in his back pocket was
visible. Jesse pulled it out. My father jerked in his sleep as the wallet came loose. My heart jumped into
my throat. Jesse and I became statues. We held our collective breaths for thirty seconds that felt like an
eternity.
Jesse hastened to grab my father’s bank card and some crumpled ones from the wallet. He returned it
to our father’s back pocket and we tip-toed from the filthy bedroom.
Never a Bride
At the Shore Book 3
by Caridad Pinero
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Emma never dreamed that the happily-ever-after would change her life. . .
But as her two best friends find love, Emma worries about what her future
will bring. She has seen all too often what happens once husbands and children arrive. She puts on a
brave face because she wants her buddies to be happy, but as a wedding planner, she has seen one too
many marriages go south. Not to mention her parents’ bitter divorce which has soured her on the idea of
marriage for herself. She can’t imagine ever finding a man who can bring her a forever kind of romance.
He’s been in love with her forever and can’t understand why she can’t see
it. . .
Carlo da Costa knows why Emma avoids relationships and yet he can’t
help but wonder how someone who puts such love and care into others’ dreams can’t allow herself to
believe in the fairy tale. He sees the yearning on her face when she spends time with him and his big
boisterous family and knows that deep inside, she wants the same thing. Carlo hopes that one day he
can provide her with that because he’s sure Emma holds the key to his heart in her hands.
Add to GoodreadsAmazon * Apple * B&N * Kobo * Scribd
To stay in touch with the latest releases, contests and happenings with Caridad, sign up for her newsletter below. NY Times and USA Today Bestseller Caridad Pineiro is a Jersey Girl who just wants to write, travel, and spend more time with family and friends. Caridad is the author of over 50 novels/novellas and has sold over 1 million books worldwide. Caridad loves romance novels, super heroes, TV and cooking. For more information on Caridad, please visit www.caridad.com or www.rebornvampirenovels.com. You can also find Caridad/Charity at the links below: Website/Blog * Website/Blog * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads * Newsletter
Prologue
The bouquet shot toward her head like a spaceship launched at the moon.
Emma Grant had no time to deflect the missile. She tangled her fingers into the luscious petals
of the peonies, roses, and hydrangea, rousing fragrant floral scents as the bouquet grazed her
face. When she was in wedding planner mode, she would have taken the time to appreciate the
freshness of the blooms, but tonight she was also a bridesmaid and best friend and totally
unhappy about her current predicament.
Flowers fisted in her hand, Emma whirled to face her other best friend and maid of honor,
Connie Reyes, who with a subtle hip check, had knocked Emma straight into the path of the
flying tussie mussie. “I thought you were my friend!”
“Totally,” Connie said with a broad smile and waltzed off to the side of the dance floor to where
Carlo Gonzalez, her caterer extraordinaire and longtime man crush, stood with some of his wait
staff.
Her friends thought Carlo was the man to give Emma her happily-ever-after, except it wasn’t
possible that someone like Carlo could love someone like her. She was broken inside and had
been for some time while Carlo was everything good in this world. A loving son and a supportive
brother. A go-to-guy for her and so many others. But a lover? Even though her insides ignited at
the thought of making love with the incredibly handsome Carlo, Emma knew it could only lead to
misery on way too many levels.
He was her business partner of sorts and she valued how well they worked together. They had
even talked about forming an event planning business more than once so Emma could have her
own company and Carlo could expand his. Not to mention that he was her best friend and she
couldn’t imagine not having him in her life, but she was certain that was what would happen if
they tried to go from friends to lovers and it didn’t work out.
But Emma’s fears weren’t keeping Connie from trying to drag Carlo into the center of the dance
floor for the next part of the wedding ritual. He protested at first and as all eyes settled on him as
he balked, embarrassment engulfed her. His hesitation confirmed to Emma that changing the
nature of their relationship was not necessarily something he wanted to do either.
Others soon joined in to offer Connie assistance and Carlo finally relented, although clearly
reluctant. The handsome caterer stood with the other single men, and as the groom prepared
his garter toss, Emma closed her eyes and mumbled a prayer beneath her breath.
“Dear Lord, please be good to me,” she said and half-opened her eyes to watch.
Apparently God wasn’t listening since the garter flew across the air, and like a horseshoe tossed
at a ring, the circle of baby blue satin ribbon and beige lace landed on Carlo’s index finger,
earning hoots and shouts from all gathered at the perfect catch.
Emma groaned and popped her eyes wide open as Carlo stood there, dangling the garter for all
to see. A stain of color marred his cheeks as he peeked at her with a chagrined smile.
The heat of a blush erupted all across her face and up to her ears. She half glanced at Connie
who had returned to stand by her and Emma said, “I will kill you for this. When you least suspect
it, it will happen.”
Connie couldn’t stifle her chuckle, and when the groom’s brother and best man Jonathan Pierce
strolled to her friend’s side, Connie high-fived Jonathan for his assistance with the plot. Connie
murmured something to him that Emma couldn’t quite hear as the band launched into a sexy riff
to continue the wedding tradition. Carlo sauntered over, garter dangling from his finger as
someone placed a chair for her to sit on in the middle of the makeshift dance floor.
“The quicker you get it over with, the easier it will be,” Emma thought, hurried out, and
unceremoniously plopped onto the chair. It was like taking off a bandage with a quick rip. It cut
the pain much like she wanted to lessen the humiliation of Carlo being forced into this wedding
tradition.
The sexy music continued as Carlo kneeled before her and mouthed “Don’t worry.” In deference
to the fancy event being held at the Sinclair beachfront mansion, he was dressed in a tuxedo.
The black of the tux emphasized the deep brown of his thick wavy hair. The electric white shirt
was the perfect foil against olive skin that still bore the remnants of a summer tan. He smiled at
her, his teeth toothpaste bright and perfect. The smile was brilliant and transformed the chiseled
features of his face. Made his chocolate brown eyes gleam with a mix of amusement and
awkwardness.
It was way too easy to picture him as the groom. Her groom, but that was an impossible wish.
As his gaze locked with hers, she detected something different for a moment. Something
dangerous that she tried to convince herself wasn’t there. There was no way that was there, she
told herself.
She silently pleaded with him not to make the situation worse. Ever the gentleman, he heeded
her plea and kept it clean as she looked up toward the inky night sky to avoid watching him. His
touch was deferential while he slipped the lacy fabric past her shoe and ankle, but even the
faintest whisper of his rough palm against her skin had her trembling inside and heat racing
across her body. He moved the garter up a little higher to her calf and paused, forcing Emma to
look at him to find out the reason for his delay.
Carlo grinned sexily and the fire at her core ignited into a five-alarm blaze. He was just so damn
handsome and it was impossible not to imagine doing more with him. He inched the garter past
her knee, his palm teasing her smooth skin, but stopped there despite the entreaties of the
single men to go ever higher. He wagged his head, shook his finger in a no-way gesture, and
tenderly draped Emma’s gown back over her legs.
Emma met his gaze once more, thankful, but this time it was impossible to miss that his look
was filled with yearning. With that emotion, she had maybe hoped for and dreaded at the same
time. And then Carlo did something totally unexpected and decidedly risky. He wrapped an arm
around her waist, urged her to her feet, and slowly drew her close.
Her knees trembled and her heart pounded so loudly, she barely heard the music and cheers
from those who’d maybe had a little too much to drink during the festivities. Carlo steadied her,
keeping his arm around her waist as he cradled her jaw. Slowly he leaned toward her and tilted
her face up with the gentlest pressure.
She could have backed away. Could have stopped him, but truthfully she didn’t want him to
stop. She inched up on her tiptoes to meet his lips.
SWAG, $25 Gift Card, and print copies of first 2 books in the series Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!a Rafflecopter giveaway
A Fresh Restart
by Chelsea Falin
Genre: Contemporary Romance
A sweet contemporary friends-to-lovers romance novella with a strong
dose of second chance at love and a sweet HEA. No cliffhangers. (Heat Level: 2 flames.)
Josette Miller and Walker Anderson grew up together in small-town, Dade
City, Florida. Inseparable during their youth, Josette dreamed of growing up and moving away. When
she left ten years ago, Josette didn’t know how Walker really felt about her.
But Dade City just wasn’t the same with Josette, and Walker left shortly
after, regretting he’d never told Josette how he felt. In a twist of fate, Josette and Walker find themselves
moving home within months of each other. They aren’t kids, anymore, and the attraction this time around
is mutual. Maybe a “Fresh Restart” is just what they needed to get their happily ever after.
Add to GoodreadsAmazon * B&N
Chelsea Falin is the 25 year old independent author of well over ten titles.
She began writing with intents to publish in 2006, at age 16, and finally published in 2009, at age 19.
Chelsea writes in a variety of genres, including but not limited to: romance, young adult, comedy,
cooking, poetry, and dramatic fiction. Professionally, Chelsea is also a freelance blog/article writer, web
designer, and book blogger.
In her personal life, Chelsea is the mother of a six year old daughter. In
her free time, she enjoys reading, writing, fishing, hiking, biking, traveling, and spending time with her
friends or family.
Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * Amazon * Goodreads
Josette stood at the stove, manning two large cast iron skillets frying four pork chops
a piece. Two dozen baked potatoes sat on the bottom rack of the oven, and a huge tinfoil
throw-away pan of fresh broccoli and cauliflower cooked on the top rack. Two dozen fresh-
baked biscuits sat cooling near the stove, beside the eight pork chops she’d already fried.
They were covered to stay warm, of course. Two gallons of sweet tea and two chocolate
pudding pies were in the fridge.
She’d been cooking for a while now, to keep herself occupied. One of the things
she’d missed most about being home were the big suppers, and with all the men working at
the property behind them today, it was the perfect time for one.
The pork chops in the pan were quickly transferred to the plate, and Josette threw on a
last round. If she’d counted correctly, there’d be 12 people – kids included – at supper.
Twenty-two pork chops should be plenty.
“Like me to set the table?” Lily, Gunner’s wife, had come over with the children
earlier today after coming back from her parents.
Josette nodded. “That’d be great, thanks.” As a second thought, Josette added, “Do
you think you could set up the kid’s table, too? We’d probably all fit fine at the big table, but
I don’t want things to get too crowded.” Lily nodded, her black hair moving together like a
curtain as she did.
Josette was in the middle of flipping the pork chops over when someone came up
from behind her. Strong arms grabbed her around the waist as she heard a deep voice in her
ear. “Well, hey there, stranger.”
Josette jumped, startled. She turned around and looked into a pair of bright blue eyes
that peeked out from a darkly suntanned face decorated with a scruffy five o’clock shadow.
Curly black hair went every which way, and a faint scar decorated one cheek. He had grown
considerably, but there was no mistaking him. “Walker Anderson! You scared the life out of
me!” Josette shook her head as her heart still pounded.
Walker’s strong, masculine features broke into a boyish grin. “Well, Miss Josie
Posey, it wouldn’t be quite a welcome unless I made your heart race. Now would it?”
“Don’t call me that. I’m not a little girl, anymore.” Josie placed her hands on her hips
for a second, contemplating him before turning back to pull the pork chops from their pan.
“No, you’re definitely not that.” Walker grinned at her. “You’ve…. Filled out nicely.”
Josette shook her head. “Walker, if you’re gonna pick up on commenting on my
assets like we were eighteen again, I’m not gonna let you have any of this food I made.”
He’d always been a jokester. Let someone else say something about Josette’s assets,
however, and all hell always broke lose.
Bright Yellow Souls
by Luca Favaro
Genre: Fiction Short Stories
Kevin was only a teenager when he decided to escape from his past,
studying as a nurse. He didn’t expect to discover that he would become a person able to give and
receive so much love. These are stories of pain, sufferance, but also hope, optimism, joy for life and
above all love. And between the lines, the silent presence of God, who through Kevin, takes care of the
sick bodies of those wonderful people; and through them, He takes care of Kevin’s suffering soul.
Goodreads * Amazon
Luca Favaro lives in Thousand Oaks, California. He’s an Italian writer and a Registered Nurse. In Italy he published four books; three short story anthologies, and the novel “Il tempo senza ore”. He won several literary prizes, and from his novel was made a theater show: “Il tempo senza ore show”. He moved from Venice to Thousand Oaks on 2019. Website * Facebook * Bookbub * Goodreads
Healing Hearts
by
C.B. Clark
Genre: Western Romantic Suspense
Reeling from
loss and heartbreak, Stella King is desperate to escape painful
memories. The position of nanny on an isolated ranch in British
Columbia’s rugged Chilcotin Plateau seems the answer to her prayers.
Cattle rancher, Dawson Wheeler, has worked hard to overcome grief and
build
a predictable world for his young daughter. The last thing he needs
is the all-too-attractive Stella disrupting the smooth running of his
ranch, especially now that disturbing incidents are happening on his property.
Defending his land against those who want to gut it will be a challenge,
but
the biggest threat of all may be to his heart.
Add to Goodreads Amazon * Apple * B&N * Google * Kobo
Award-winning author, C.B. Clark has written six romantic suspense novels
published
by The Wild Rose Press. C.B. has always loved reading, especially
romances, but it wasn’t until she lost her voice for a year that
she considered writing her own romantic suspense stories. She grew up
in Canada’s Northwest Territories and Yukon. Graduating with a
degree in Anthropology and Archaeology, she has worked as an
archaeologist and an educator. She enjoys hiking, canoeing, and
snowshoeing with her husband and dog near her home in the wilderness
of central British Columbia.
Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads
The back of his neck itched. “You’re Stella King?” Of course she was. Who else would be
waiting here at this time of night? Once again he glanced at the photograph clenched in his
hand—gray curls, thick glasses, sixty years old. This was the Stella King he’d hired. The itching
amped up to a full-out assault.
She stood and held out her hand. “Nice to meet you, Dawson.”
He stumbled back a step, his worst fears confirmed. This gorgeous woman was the nanny he’d
hired to look after Deirdre.
Her light blue wool sweater did nothing to hide the rounded mounds of her breasts. Her legs
looked a mile long in the white denim, skin tight, designer jeans tucked into a pair of knee-high,
high-heeled, black leather boots. Her perfume wafted on the evening breeze, a heady mix of
spring flowers and something subtle but decidedly feminine.
He struggled to swallow, but his throat was parched, his tongue as dry as old leather against the
roof of his mouth.
Silence stretched between them. An owl hooted from a nearby tree, crickets chirped in the tall
grass lining the ditch, and still he didn’t move as the ramifications of what he’d agreed to
engulfed him.
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