Lobster Cove: Love Caters All

Today I have Nicci Carerra

Nicci's book, Love Caters All is a fun read and I loved every minute of it.

When hard-driving CEO Rick Nordan arrives in Lobster Cove under strict orders from the family doctor to take a break, he discovers the rental house comes with a family attached, including one sexy dynamo of a caterer. She's nothing like his ex-fiancee who wouldn't sign a pre-nup, but maybe that means she's the real deal and not a gold digger.

Maya Cruz wants life for her widowed mother to get easier by renting out her house during the summer. But teaching Mama business means explaining Rick isn't a "guest," he's a "customer." And the first thing Mama does is invite Rick to join their family activities. Having Rick around wouldn't be so bad if Maya didn't find him so attractive. The last time she fell for a vacationing millionaire, she had her heart broken.

She swore off his type, and he's not looking, but this might be a recipe for love.
 

Excerpt:

“Doc made me unplug. Ordered me to read books. Even went so far as to write out a prescription.” Rick reached in his pocket.

She took the paper he’d retrieved and read it. Sure enough, their website and the words,No electronics, read a book were scrawled on an Rx sheet in Doc’s handwriting. She handed back the note. “I’d recognize Doc’s penmanship anywhere.”

“Penmanship!” Rick grinned. “You can see from Doc’s chicken scratch, if I had to rely on the Internet for entertainment I’d be out of luck. It’s old-fashioned bound-paper for me this week.”

“I love books. In our library, you’ll find the classics, westerns, and some spicy romance.” Maya thought she’d just toss the last genre in there to see how he’d react. He grinned. Her stomach fluttered. This man was nothing like the conceited ass she’d dated last summer. Both men might be rich, but they were so different. 

“History, biography, and a Bible.”

“Will there be a quiz?”

“Only on the romance.”

His laugh was so sensuous she could roll in it.

“I really need to dry the floor. I’ll get a rag. Excuse me.”

Mama passed her at the hall closet. “We should invite Mr. Nordan to our party tomorrow.”

Oh no. Rick was going to meet the gorgeous twins before Maya even had a single date with him.

You can purchase Love Caters All at Amazon by clicking here

About Lobster Cove

Lobster Cove is a fictional small town on the coast of Maine, near Bar Harbor. It is quaint and quirky with a colorful history, a friendly population of charming residents, and a vibrant tourist business. It is home to research scientists and small shop owners, grumpy cops and sassy chefs. Back in the day, it was a bustling fishing town and home to many immigrants, from both the state cabins and the lowest decks.

Lobster Cove: Angel in Disguise

Today's Feature: Angel in Disguise by Mitzi Pool Bridges

Rating: Sweet

After her husband is killed, single mother Julie Whitney opens Julie’s Coffee and Sweet Shop.  Suddenly, her business partner and baker falls ill and she needs a new pastry chef.  If she doesn't find one fast, she'll go bankrupt.

The mob wants Gabe Vaughn dead.  Sleepy little Lobster Cove seems as good a place as any to hide.  The red-headed owner of the coffee shop needs help; Gabe's family owned a bakery.  He could think of worse ways to occupy his time while he lays low.

On one hand, Julie is convinced heaven answered her prayers when she needed help the most.  On the other, the tall, dark stranger with secrets in his eyes has made it clear he is only passing through.  Is her mysterious new employee hiding something? Or is he really an angel in disguise?

Excerpt:

He took her lips with his and kissed her deeply.

Did that mean he loved her, as well? She wouldn’t ask. “I don’t want you to go. What if they find you? What if…?”

“No more what ifs. I’ll be fine.”

He hugged her close. Julie thought her heart was going to break. Gabe could die. What would she do? 

“You’d better be.”

They kissed again. And again. Until Julie’s head was swimming, her body crying for release.

Instead of doing anything about it, Gabe gently pulled away and walked her to the door. “Once I’m a free man, we’ll take up where we left off.”

Moments later, she found herself outside his door, her keys in her hand. Dazed, she looked at him, couldn’t believe he was sending her home when she wanted to stay.

“I’ll see you in the morning, Julie. I have more to do now than ever before.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’ll be gone a few days. I’ll put as much pastry as I can in the freezer so all you’ll have to do is frost the cupcakes and put out the cookies. You’re a whiz at making the tarts, so they’ll be no problem. It’s the best I can do.”

“Oh, Gabe. I don’t care about any of that. I just care about you.”

“Call it my way of caring about you.”

He kissed her lightly on the lips. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

His door shut, and she stood there, unable to move, unable to absorb the story he’d just unfolded.

She’d known all along Gabe was a man of mystery—a dangerous man. Her instincts were right on that score. But a cop? One who was hunted by the mob? It was unreal.

She walked slowly to her car. She wanted to cry, but her eyes stayed dry.

She had to trust what he said, that he’d come back. Could she?

She hadn’t known when he walked through her front door that she’d fall in love.

Her heart trip-hammering in her chest, she started the motor and drove home.

Gabe was leaving.

Would he keep his promise and come back?

Click here for more information on the Lobster Cove series.

Lobster Cove: Heavy Netting

Today's Feature is Heavy Netting by Nicki Greenwood

Rating: Spicy

Branson Cudahy is as southern as it gets, a cyber crime investigator from happily-landlocked Lexington, Kentucky. He has been chasing a hacker for three years, and now the trail has led him to Lobster Cove, Maine...which is a real problem for a guy with a shellfish allergy.

Jenna Sanborn waits tables to pay the bills, but she dreams of opening a quilt shop in the heart of town. She’d never even think of leaving Lobster Cove, but the handsome newcomer is tempting beyond her wildest imaginings.

Bran and Jenna never expect the whirlwind romance that comes out of their meeting. As hard as they fight to control their feelings, their hearts are fighting to push them over that dizzying lover’s leap. Will love win out, or will the hacker—and their dreams—slip the net?

Excerpt:

He released the orange then pivoted to gaze down the street. He had a stare like a hawk, surveying everything, but clearly on the lookout for something particular as he swept the passersby. Jenna wondered what wheels were turning in his head. Then she wondered what “business” had brought him to town. “Did you find the police station all right?” Nosy, she scolded herself as soon as the words left her mouth.

He didn’t seem to mind. “Yeah, thanks. Listen, since I’m new in town, I could use a few tips on where to go and what’s good to do. Can I grab you a coffee?”

Flustered again, she gestured at her grocery cart. “Milk. Ice cream. Frozen vegetables.”

“Not a stalker,” he said, “I promise.”

“I didn’t think that.”

“Yeah, you did. It’s okay.” He smiled. “Best coffee in town?”

“Sang Freud,” she said automatically. “Up the street on the left.” She grinned. “It’s hard to get lost here. There’s not much town.”

“All right, Jenna,” he said. “Tell you what. I’m gonna be there about four o’clock. If you want to meet me there and talk Lobster Cove, I’ll be all ears. If not, no pressure.”

She giggled. Giggled. Like a teenager going to her first concert with a cute boy. Mortified, and now convinced that her cheeks were as red as a stop sign, she backed away. “I’ll keep it in mind. See you later, Mister Cudahy.”

His grin sent a flutter through her midsection. “Bran.”

“Okay. Bran.” She waved goodbye, then hurried off down the street with her groceries and would-be-truant oranges.

As she walked, she sensed his gaze on her, and she beamed, flattered and flustered, and for once, feeling beautiful.

Click here for more on Lobster Cove and the books in the series

Lobster Cove: Another Man's Son

Today's feature is: Another Man's Son by Glenys O'Connell

Rating: Sensual

Kathryn Morgan broke Ben Asher's heart when he returned from military service in Afghanistan to find she'd married her boss, wealthy banker Ket Morgan Jr.

Ben vowed he’d never return to Lobster Cove but now, seven years later, he is back as an undercover FBI agent sworn to expose the Morgan family’s criminal activities. Will his vow to bring down the notorious Morgans extend to the woman he still loves?

When Kathryn’s son is kidnapped, she is forced to swallow her pride and reveal the secret of another man's son. Can Ben protect Kathryn and her son from Ket and his sinister friends, or will old hurts and secrets destroy them all?

Excerpt:

He should have known she’d come to see him. Women like her treated men like something they’d wipe off the soles of their shoes. Once a man got them out from under his skin, they ran back to try and get that old itch scratched again.

He schooled his expression to show none of these thoughts as five minutes later one of the deputies, Roy Webb, showed a pale-faced Kathryn into the office. Ben thanked the deputy, then silently indicated that Kathryn should sit on one of the hard, uncomfortable visitor chairs before returning to the file he was reading. Or pretending to read—the sight of her took his breath away, and he watched her covertly from under his brows. Dark rings under her eyes accentuated her paleness. She was thinner than he remembered, dressed in an expensive designer suit in a pale oyster color that accentuated her pale skin and luminous green eyes. Her features had matured and she had developed a poise that suited her. The pretty girl he had known had become a stunningly beautiful woman.

Finally, when he could put it off no longer, Ben signed his name with a flourish, placed the paperwork back into its file, and dropped it in his out basket. He leaned back in his chair, met her direct gaze, and asked, “What can I do for you, Mrs. Morgan?”

Something flickered across her face at his tone, at the slight emphasis on her married title. She pushed back a stray lock of hair with fingers that shook a little, but her voice was even as she replied. “I’ve come to you because I need help, Ben.”

Click here for more information about this book and others in the Lobster Cove series

Lobster Cove: Catch Me If You Can

Today's feature: Catch Me If You Can by Mitzi Pool Bridges

Rating: Sweet

The bodies of three missing women are found in Lobster Cove. Sheriff Lynn Lawton has no leads, and not enough staff to handle the investigation.  When help arrives in the form of FBI Special Agent Jake Mackenzie, more than Lynn's job is at stake.

Jake never understood what happened between himself and Lynn fifteen years ago.  To him, it was more than a summer romance.  He loved her deeply, but she let him go to pursue his dream career in law enforcement. Now he's returned to sell his family's vacation home and cut his ties to Lobster Cove for good.

Will Lynn be able to keep him from learning the secret she's hidden from an entire town, or will Jake unwittingly leave her and their love behind a second time?

Excerpt:

Her eyes stopped on a tall, dark-haired man striding through the crowd with a confidence she remembered all too well. Her heart stopped. When he got to the rope, he lifted it, then looked at her as he came her way. Her deputy tried to stop him. When the man held up an ID, Luther stepped back.

She took a ragged breath. Her fists clenched at her side as he headed straight at her.

He couldn’t be here. Not now. Not ever. He was part of her past. He’d made sure of that.

It took him a minute to get to her. She spent every second willing her heart to still, her anger to subside.

His ID was still in his hand. He was working out of the New York office, but she didn’t want him to know she knew that. Or that she looked him up at odd hours of the night when she couldn’t sleep.

“How did you manage to get this case?” she asked when he came within hearing distance.

“Lucky, I guess.”

If her heart had hammered before it was nothing compared to what it was doing now. It thundered in her chest until she could barely take a breath.

Of all the people in the world, the one she never wanted to see again stood in front of her, a polite smile frozen on his lips, questions in his deep blue eyes. He was bigger than when she knew him. Except for the few lines around his eyes, fifteen-plus years looked good on him.

She took a long silent breath. Jake Mackenzie had broken her heart years ago. How would she get through this without him uncovering more than a killer?

She broke out in a cold sweat that had nothing to do with the corpse at her feet.

Click here to read more about the series.

Lobster Cove: One Enchanted Evening

L. A. Kelley's book; One Enchanted Evening releases today.

Here's a a peak into the book:

Enchanted clothing has a mind of its own.

Restlessness plagued Charlotte Becker. While searching for an elusive something to calm her turbulent spirit, she accepts a sudden invitation to Lobster Cove, Maine.

Luke Maddox’s hunting days are over. Wounded in action, he returns to Lobster Cove, the only place to ever bring him peace. Hiding his disability, he accepts life will be nothing more than dull routine until he meets a young woman wearing an unusual cloak. She tells an incredible story of a murderous wolf that walks on two legs.

And the hunt begins…

Excerpt:

The woman’s gaze raked over Charlotte. Sharp brown eyes caught her in an unblinking stare.

“Um, hi,” said Charlotte, suddenly feeling as if she had walked out of her apartment without pants.

Unconsciously, she ran her hand down her sides, and was relieved to touch denim.

“Oh? A consignment shop?” chirped Annabel. “Perhaps we could look around. My sister and I love

vintage wear,” she added with her winning smile.

Charlotte rolled her eyes. Annabel never gave up easily. She’d have that woman arm-wrestling over a price for the armoire before she could say interior designer discount.

“Your life is complete, Mrs. Fisher,” said the shop owner pleasantly. “Nothing in here would fit.” 

Amused, Charlotte for once noted Annabel at a complete loss for words. The coins on the woman’s scarf jangled as her head swung toward her. Charlotte swallowed hard as the pantsless feeling crept up her legs again.

“You have possibilities,” the woman said. “The path traveled can be diverted. Come back when you’re ready to accept the consequences. I warn you, though; the first step to fulfilling one’s destiny can be dangerous. Good day.” She shut the door in their faces.

Annabel gawked at the building. “Helluva way to run a business. She’s not going to last long in Lobster Cove with that attitude.” She slipped her arm into Charlotte’s. “Come on, I know a fabulous little place around the corner that sells dynamite shoes.”

As Charlotte allowed herself to be led away, she glanced back over her shoulder. The curtains were still closed. The shop appeared as vacant as before, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that behind one of those obscured windows stood a little old lady peering intently in her direction.

Click here to check out this book and other Lobster Cove books.

Lobster Cove: Juelle's Legacy

Over the next few weeks I will be show casing my fellow Wild Rose Press authors who are writing books in the Lobster Cove series.

I will have one coming out in the series, but I don't have a release date yet.

Today's feature is Juelle's Legacy by Carol Henry

Rating: Spicy

After an accident puts Juelle McClintock’s husband, Sebastian, in a coma, she’s left to care for her small daughter on her own—and to deal with the guilt over her plan to divorce him. When Juelle is faced with the decision of whether to remove his life support, her grief-stricken mother-in-law calls her a murderer. Matters become more complicated when Hunter McClintock arrives in town, claiming to be Sebastian’s half-brother.

Hunter McClintock is summoned from Hawaii for the reading of his father’s will—a father he never knew. Despite his qualms of dredging up bitter emotions, he goes to Lobster Cove, Maine, and walks head-first into a hornet’s nest, and a beautiful, sexy, grieving widow who is married to his half-brother.

An unexpected stipulation is revealed at the reading of the Will, and Hunter and Juelle are faced with decisions that will alter their destinies. Will Juelle’s legacy complicate her life further, or lead to the contentment and love she deserves?

Excerpt:

Juelle had all she could do to hold back her own tears. Could she do it? Could she tell the doctors to let her husband go? And if she did, would it be murder, as Eugenia accused? She lowered her head and shut her eyes before her tears could fall. She fisted her hands, and took several deep breaths, swallowed. God, she was tired of holding it all in.

She swung away from the scene in front of her, and headed for the door, only to be brought up short by a man standing there as if he’d been gob-struck. The man she’d seen at Mariner’s the night before blocked her exit. Before she could ask why he was here, Eugenia’s gasp drew her attention back to her mother-in-law. Clasping the back of a chair, the woman looked ready to pass out. Eugenia recovered so fast, Juelle wondered if she had imagined her mother-in-law’s reaction.

“What the hell are you doing here? Get him out of here. He! Is! Not! Family!” Eugenia screeched.

Juelle did a double-take. If she considered Eugenia sounded like a banshee before, with her ear splitting shrieking, her tone now was so venomous it had everyone stopping in their tracks and staring in disbelief. The strange man was the first to recover. He walked into the enclosed room. Juelle recognized the astonishment in his pinched lips, raised eyebrows.

“I am family.” His voice was calm, well-modulated, and confident. “Allow me to introduce myself—Hunter McClintock. I assume you know my father?”

Juelle’s mouth dropped. She couldn’t form a single sane word. Eugenia, however, had no trouble.

“Liar! Hunt McClintock’s only son is lying in that bed.”

Click here for more information on Lobster Cove and check back often, books are being added weekly.

Interesting Happenings in the Publishing World

I'd been hearing rumors for almost a year now and wasn't really sure what was going on.  Today it became a little more apparent.  Ellora's Cave is having some big issues.

Click here to a link to the Dear Author blog that lays out a lot of the information.

There are some links in there to other authors, one is Cat Grant.

I first hear about Ellora's Cave back in 2000, I didn't have an e-reader and they were mainly e-books.  So I downloaded pdf files and read on my computer.  Not comfortable, but I found books I love along with authors.

I also found a place where my writing wasn't so out there.  No, I never published with Ellora's Cave, not for lack of trying.  But I just never had a book that fit right for them.  But it opened up the whole Erotic Romance genre.

Kensington Publishing did also with the Brava line, back in 1995 or 1996 they were publishing historical erotic romance mainly in anthologies, but they were far and few in-between.  I did discover Robin Schone through them and love her books to this day.

Ellora's Cave introduced me to such authors as Lora Leigh, Kate Douglas, Jaci Burton, Robin Rotham to name a few.

When Ellora's Cave books came to my local Border's bookstore, I was ecstatic.  I could now buy them in print and have them on my keep shelves.  But I had to be careful, because they were trade size they were expensive and I had to keep within my book buying budget.

When I got my first e-reader, I downloaded e-books and kept reading.  I talked with authors who wrote for Ellora's Cave, talked with their editor and found out more about the company.  While I never published with them, I always found the people I dealt with to be professional.

I hope things improve for the authors sake.  I hate that many authors are caught in the middle of the fire-storm.

To any aspiring writer, make sure you always check out the publisher you are thinking about submitting to.  If you're unsure, Google.  There is tons of information on the internet about almost any publisher or there are places where you can ask.

My thoughts are with the authors and hoping Ellora's Cave makes good on their promises.

Top Ten Reasons the #CampusCravings MM Bundle Rocks!

Hi everyone! We're the authors of Campus Cravings, a MM bundle releasing 8/25. Thanks so much for hosting us during our release week, or, if you're a reader, for taking the time to read this! We really appreciate it!

Top Ten Reasons to Check Out Campus Cravings:

1. College is a time of eye-opening exploration and experimentation, and there's just something about a Cathia University man...

2. All the stories take place at fictional Cathia University—where not even homework or grading stands in the way of true love.

3. What's better than one hot man? Two! And what's better than two? Eighteen! (Nine stories, each with two heroes, yay!)

4. The stories are interrelated, so you'll see characters from stories appear in others, notice many of the same buildings being used etc. That was a lot of fun for us to write and we hope you enjoy that aspect too!

5. Every story is brand new! That's over 220k words! Four seasons of academic fun—from the first students arriving in Fall, to winter holidays, to March Madness and Spring Flings, to Summer loving—there’s something for every part of the academic year.

6. Unique pairings—whether you like friends-to-lovers, enemies-to-lovers, reunion romances, May-December pairings, first love, or hot-for-teacher flirtations, you are bound to find some of your favorite tropes! And if that's not enough, there are hot athletes, sophisticated professors, activist heroes, and lots more!

7. Sports galore—soccer, hockey, basketball, equestrian and more! Join the authors and the characters as we root for the Cathia Cougars!

8. Pranks, parties, and plenty of fun—you really want to find out who dyed the fountain red and who’s at Friday’s Frat party!

9. Fan favorite  m/m romance authors including L.A. Witt, Sara York, Cassandra Carr, Annabeth Albert, Bianca Sommerland, Whitley Gray, Dalton Diaz, Mia Downing, and KyAnn Waters.

10. Only $2.99 for a limited time!

To find out more information about Campus Cravings, including buy links, check out our group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/299579866886134/. Add us to your to-be-read list on Goodreads at https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22738703-campus-cravings.

An excerpt from The Eloquent Jock...by Cassandra Carr

Brendan’s mouth dropped open. “Want…me?”

“Why is that so hard to believe?” I am so screwed, and not in a good way. A headache began to take hold and he moved his hand to massage harder.

“Look at you,” Brendan waved a hand in Scott’s general direction. “You’re gorgeous, you’re successful, you’re sophisticated. I’m just some confused shmuck who’s never even kissed a guy.”

“Never?” I should not care about this. I need to stop. No good can come of this.

Brendan’s face bloomed red. “No. I’m not the type to walk into some gay bar and pick up a guy. Just the thought of it kinda makes me want to puke.”

“Not everyone is interested in that lifestyle.”

“Are you?” Brendan shook his head. “I’m sorry. I don’t have the right to ask you that. I know I’m making an ass of myself right now, I just don’t know what to do.”

“About what?” Scott dug himself deeper with every word, but he couldn’t stop.

Brendan clenched his fists on the desk, tapping his knuckles. Meanwhile, his right leg bounced and the poor kid looked as if he would self-combust from the red suffusing his face.

After a moment of charged silence, Brendan said, “So, you want me, but can’t have me.”

“Right.”

“Well, you’re the first guy I’ve ever wanted. I’ve known about my sexuality for a while now, but this is the first time I’ve met somebody who actually interested me beyond a casual attraction. And this sucks. I’m distracted; I can’t do my schoolwork; I’m making mistakes on the ice. I can’t have this.”

Scott leaned against the window and asked, “Then what do you want to do?”

Brendan licked his lips and Scott’s treacherous gaze followed the movement. “This.” Before Scott could even react, Brendan had grabbed him and kissed him, sloppily pushing his tongue into Scott’s mouth even as Scott tried to force his muddled brain to catch up with the program. He moaned as Brendan’s strong arms came around his waist, pulling their groins together. For a guy with no experience, the man revved Scott up pretty fucking fast. His dick pushed against Brendan’s sizable erection. Brendan moaned and the back of Scott’s head bounced off the glass behind him as Brendan attacked his mouth with even more vigor.

The pain radiating through his skull brought Scott out of his trance. He shoved Brendan away—shit, the guy had some strength for a man his size—and retreated to the corner of the office. Brendan stood between him and the door or he would’ve bolted that way.

“We can’t do this,” he managed to gasp out. His body had a very different opinion, but Scott ignored his baser needs. Someone had to take charge and stop this madness.

“You said you wanted me.”

Scott blew out a loud breath through his nose. “That doesn’t mean we should do anything about it. In fact, it would be a lot safer for both of us if we didn’t.”

“Because you’re a professor?”

“Well yes, that. And I’m, what, fifteen years older than you?”

“You’re saying I’m just some dumb kid who doesn’t know any better?” Brendan began to turn away, but then spun back. “You responded to me. That might’ve been my first kiss, but I know what happened. You liked it.”

Putting up a hand in a placating gesture, Scott said, “I’m not denying anything, but enjoying a kiss and letting it go on are two different things.”

“I get it.” Scott tried to go on, but Brendan stopped him. “No, I do. I get it. I’m sorry.” Before Scott could stop him, he’d grabbed his bag off the chair he’d dumped it onto earlier, yanked open the door, and slipped through it. As he slammed the door behind him, Scott slumped to the floor.

“That went well, you jackass,” he muttered.

An excerpt from Switching Leads…by Mia Downing

John nodded slowly. “I never realized how you felt about me or my riding. I never believed…” He took a deep breath. “You told me you loved me, and then I found you in bed with Dean, and then the job…” He shrugged and looked away. “I never believed how you felt about me then. And I’ve been pissed for ten years.”

Finn swallowed, his heart hammering. “Now do you believe I felt that way?” He wasn’t going to ask if John believed he loved him still. Baby steps.

John’s gaze flickered from Finn’s eyes to mouth and back up again in a slow perusal that seared Finn’s skin. “Yeah,” he said hoarsely and leaned across the stool between them. His lips brushed Finn’s surprised ones in a gentle kiss.

He’d dreamed about this for so long—John’s acceptance of his apology—but never had it ended like this, with those firm lips sliding across his as if coaxing belief from the inside.

John withdrew and slid from his stool. He spun Finn’s seat a little and eased between Finn’s thighs, the beginning of an erection pressing against Finn’s zipper. Finn’s cock throbbed at the contact, his belly contracting with anticipation.

“I’m sorry,” John whispered, his pupils dilated, eyes hooded as he stared down into Finn’s eyes. His chest rose and fell rapidly against Finn’s.

“For what?”

“For being unprofessional. I’ve never kissed a co-worker before.” John bent and brushed Finn’s mouth in another kiss, this one a little longer with a touch of heat. Finn didn’t dare open his mouth and beg for tongue. In the past, Finn had ruled their sex life, had directed the kisses. The fact that John had switched leads on him was as heady as a bottle of good Bourbon.

“I promise I won’t tell,” Finn murmured when John lifted his lips.

John cupped the back of Finn’s head with his palm. “Good.”