J.E. Parker is an American romance author who was born and raised in the great state of North Carolina. A southern belle at heart, she’s addicted to sweet tea, Cheerwine, and peach cobbler.Not only is J.E. married to the man of her dreams (albeit a total pain in the rear), she’s also the mother of a herd of sweet (sometimes), and angelic (only when they’re sleeping) children. Despite their occasional demonic behavior and bottomless stomachs, J.E. loves her little tribe more than words could ever express.
On the weekends, you can find her sitting on the couch, cheering on (or cursing) her favorite football team, stuffing her face with junk food, and guzzling a bottle of cheap red wine.
When she’s not busy making sure her husband doesn’t burn the house down or acting as a referee for her fighting children, J.E. enjoys reading, writing (obviously), and listening to a wide variety of music.
Having the one you love walk away from you, leaving you to wonder —to assume— that you’ve been used and that you mean nothing to them, is either: *The hardest truth you will ever be forced to endure.
Or *The biggest lie you will ever tell yourself.
The answer, for me, waits on the other end of this incoming call; and I don’t even see it coming.
“I picked up my glass of wine, walked into my bedroom and to the other side of the bed so I could look out of the window. Hoping to clear the euphoric fog from my head. Snow was on its way. I love snow, and I was as excited as a small child waiting for the first flake to fall. As I stood in the window, holding the curtains open with my right arm extended, he was suddenly behind me. His approach had been stealth-like, and by the time I was aware of his return, his arms were wrapped tightly around me, pulling me back against his chest. He pressed his left cheek to my right one; heaven. Feeling his warm breath on my skin, I couldn’t resist turning to face him, his embrace relenting only enough to allow me to turn. Then his mouth was on mine again. I gently pushed free, after only a moment, and motioned my intention to set my glass down on the bedside table. He gently held on to my free hand. As soon as I set it down I returned to him. I gave a gentle push towards the bed as our mouths once again found each other. So much for being good. He followed and holding me in one arm had gently supported my weight until our bodies met the mattress. He allowed himself to land beside me, on his side, and he immediately began to undo my clothing. He started with the button on my jeans, then slowly my zipper. Still providing very passionate kisses, he slid his hand under my panties and began to tenderly yet firmly touch me with only a finger.”
A. B. Wood is a sassy southern girl with a love for people, food, music and laughter; and will never turn down a glass of wine or whiskey. Being an only child, raised by a single mom, and a wife and mother of two boys, she has experienced so many “ya can’t make this stuff up” moments in her life, it just made sense to start writing. Her favorite season is college football (GO HOGS) and her happy place is on any beach. When she’s not writing you can find her volunteering at her local high school. In her free time, she enjoys watching movies and historically based television series, reading and traveling. Her motto is, “Don’t miss out on living, ‘cause you’re afraid of dying.”
Cover Designer: Margeet Asselbergs of Rebel Edit And Design
Those who think they know me would tell you I’m a caring mother, a loyal friend, and a dutiful wife. They’d say the golden path which led me here is the road every little girl dreams of taking.
However, the guise of my happy existence has come to be just that—an illusion. A mask of contentment intended for the world to believe.
Not many years into my marriage, I became an abandoned housewife to an adulterous husband. A proud, but sad, mother of two beautiful daughters.
My days were spent somewhere lost between empty and alone.
Then he came back.
Mason Cole offered a second chance to share the life we were supposed to have together. He gave me a glimpse of myself. The woman I’d forgotten long ago.
My road to hell was paved with good intentions. But sometimes good intentions get lost amidst a heart’s desire.
At least mine did.
Now I’ll tell you why.
Opening my eyes, I find what I knew I would. My life’s happiness coming to full circle. All the memories of us together push forward. All the laughter, intimacy, and peace emerge. Everything we had, everything I never expected to end. I wasn’t ready to say goodbye.
I don’t think I ever truly did.
“Be with me,” I whisper.
“I’m not sure I can do that,” he returns with reverence.
“Be with me,” I say again.
Mason drops his head, staring to the ground at our feet.
“We do this, it’ll change you, Katie,” he tells me. “It’ll cut deep.”
Mason doesn’t know about Thomas and his life outside our marriage. He doesn’t understand how long my days have been or the grief each is filled with. He couldn’t fathom my reasons for staying in a marriage because I’ve promised my daughters the life they deserve. An oath not unlike the one Thomas gave me on our wedding day, but one stronger and more protective, as only a maternal promise could be.
Grabbing his hand that now cups my cheek, I lace my fingers with his.
A subtle sob breaks through my words but manage, “Mason, being with you again won’t cut me.”
“It will,” he assures.
“It doesn’t matter if it does,” I reply.
“Of course it fucking matters.”
“No,” I assert, shaking my head. “My heart is already bleeding.”
AC Bextor lives in a small town in the Midwest. When she’s not writing she can be found reading or watching her favorite sports teams. She enjoys spending time outside fishing, swimming, or camping.
Jillian Quinn is an international bestselling romance author who likes her females just as alpha as their swoon-worthy male counterparts. As a lover of all things bookish, Jillian has a serious book-hoarding problem and runs a blog in her free time. When she’s not reading, writing, or blogging, she’s obsessively fangirling over hockey players and can be found wherever she can catch the next hockey game.
“There isn’t always a clean beginning and ending to every story. Instead of something being black or white, it’s a mixture of both, forming a nice shade of gray.”
Writer Lori Stevens was eighteen when she was assaulted by her mentor, learning people aren’t always what they seem the hard way. She’s found solace living in the gray, keeping everyone at arm’s length with her secrets safely tucked away.
When the biggest story of her career hits too close to home, Lori is forced to face her demons and question everything—like her feelings for Steven Duncan.
Steven was meant to be nothing more than a failed one-night stand, but when a cruel twist of fate brings him back into her life, she begins falling for him.
There’s one slight problem: he’s dating her best friend.
Officer Steven Duncan is no stranger to tragedy, but that never stopped him from searching for his fairytale. Now, he’s dating the perfect girl, only it’s the wrong girl who feels right.
Steven is willing to fight for Lori—to step outside the boundaries of his black and white world—but can they find happiness living in the gray?
“McCammon did a fantastic job of writing a book that deals with issues that are rather dark but she does it so well.” – Stephanie (Goodreads)
“Such a powerful, honest and pertinent story -” – Stacy Wray (Goodreads)
“This book was amazing and beautifully told. It hits subjects that may make you shutter in disgust and want to punch someone but it is done so well.” – I Don’t Get Sundays Blog
Amber McCammon is a daughter, sister, wife, mother, and avid reader who also happens to write contemporary romance/women’s fiction. She currently has two self-published novels, In This Moment and Crushed. In the Gray, releasing April 19th, is the third book in her standalone series. The fourth is expected to release in late 2018.
Amber lives in Tennessee, born and raised, though she recently left her heart in the PNW. She’s a Ravenclaw, fall is her favorite season, and she believes that music is food for the soul.
Fall in love with the sexiest girl in New Orleans?
Check.
Prepare to die for her?
Double-check.
Larissa is the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.
She’s the rising star of the Pussycat Angels, the hottest burlesque show in the French Quarter.
I’ll never forget the first time I saw her.
The curve of her breast outlined by sparkling rhinestones.
Slim hips wrapped in black fishnets.
Long, dark hair…
She’s the Dark Angel who stole my heart.
Her body is intoxicating, our love overwhelming.
Cat eyes and blood red lips.
Sizzling fingers on white-hot skin.
I couldn’t keep my hands off her…
But her fame had a dark side,
A sinister shadow lurking under the lights.
I would do anything to save her…
He would do anything to see me dead.
Strangers on a train; names on a list.
It’s a simple job.
In and out, instant karma.
Then he appears to derail everything.
He’s the boy I haven’t seen in five years.
He’s the boy who wanted to be my hero, who I thought died fighting the demons.
Only he didn’t die.
He survived, and now he’s a man.
Worse, he’s a cop.
He’s gorgeous and strong, and the best sex I’ve ever had.
He’s my dream come true…
But this train has left the station, and there’s no turning back.
Payback arrives at sundown.
(Sundown is a novella that should be read between Under the Lights and Under the Stars.)
All around us was darkness and night…
I’m not a hero. I’m a survivor.
I had one way out, and I took it.
Now all I want is peace,
A place to pick up the pieces and start over.
But she wants justice.
Names on a list, faces in the crowd.
I vowed to help her, but it’s taking us back to the demons.
Until he appeared.
I thought he died in the fight.
I was wrong.
He’s here.
Stronger, more powerful… Sexier.
And dangerous.
The boy I loved is now the one man we have to fear most.
When he tried to save me, he had no power.
Now everything has changed, and he’ll never stop until I’m his.
Tia Louise is theUSA Todaybest-selling, award-winning author ofWhen We Touch, the “Bright Lights,” “One to Hold,” and “Dirty Players” series, and co-author of the #4 Amazon bestseller The Last Guy.
After being a teacher, a book editor, a journalist, and finally a magazine editor, she started writing love stories and never stopped.
A lover of the beach, sexy romance, dark chocolate, and sparkling wine, Louise lives in the Midwest with her trophy husband, two teenage geniuses, and one grumpy cat.
Titles: When Our Worlds Collide ~ When Our Worlds Fall Apart ~ When Our Worlds Stand Still
Author: Lindsey Iler
Genre: Mature YA/NA Romance
Cover Designer: Lindsey Iler
Kennedy Conrad is everything he needs.
Graham Black has two rules in life. Play baseball, so he can get the hell out of Tennessee, and leave your shirt on when you drop your panties.
He’s a typical all-American pitcher with the world at his fingertips. His devilish good looks and charm help him crawl into the beds and hearts of the girls at his high school. With secrets no one knows, he has every intention of running away from his hometown the minute he graduates. Nothing can get in his way. Until poor choices collide him into Kennedy Conrad.
Graham Black is everything she wants.
Kennedy Conrad has her own set of rules. Dance with your whole heart, and make it through each day without being noticed.
She’s sweet and reserved, everything Graham’s not. After one fated night, she can’t stop him from noticing her anymore. She knows there’s a chance of heartache by letting him in. When the unthinkable happens to Kennedy, Graham realizes what he’s been fighting is what causes Kennedy to end up hurt.
Can their love survive one more thing that is meant to pull them apart?
Love is complicated. Add in high school and it’s bound to get worse.
Kennedy Conrad spent her summer hiding from the world, leaving her plenty of time to relive every moment spent with Graham Black. Now at the start of her senior year, she has one goal. Avoid the boy who broke her heart. He seems to be everywhere she turns.
Letting go isn’t always the easiest thing to do.
Graham Black spent his summer parading around with nameless girls at endless parties. At the start of his senior year, he pretends to be okay with his choices and masks his pain, but Graham can’t escape the reminder of his own broken heart. Every time he turns around, she’s there.
Sometimes people come into your life for different reasons.
Someone new reminds Kennedy what she deserves, leaving Graham two choices: be pushed back into the shadows or fight for the only girl who’s ever understood him.
Can they find their way back as their worlds fall apart?
Time is said to heal all wounds.
Kennedy Conrad embraces survival. Group therapy, friends, and dance are helping her find the person she was. Overcoming the darkest period of her past is getting easier every day. Still, the ache in her chest tells her something is missing. Him.
The more precious something is, the harder you fight for it.
Graham Black embraces change. Baseball, mentoring, and school are helping him leave behind the person he once thought he was. Hiding in plain sight is what gets him through each day. Still, he questions the decisions he makes because of her.
Whoever said all good things must come to an end doesn’t know their story.
When everything in their lives seems to be settling down, Kennedy and Graham once again collide. Misconceptions are corrected. Secrets are revealed. Choices are forced. Broken pieces are scattered, and only these two have the power to put things back together.
Faced with the decision of their lives, what will they do when their worlds stand still?
Excerpt From When Our Worlds Collide
I walk into her bedroom and close the door, but’s Kennedy’s not there. The messy bed reminds me of what happened earlier this morning.
“Whatcha thinking ‘bout, Black?” Kennedy sings as she hobbles into the room.
She walks across the room wearing nothing but a towel around her body. The small piece of purple fabric barely covers her, but I don’t mind. If she pulls it up any higher, her ass will be exposed, but if she pulls it down, her tits will pop out. Despite the crutches, she somehow manages to hold the fabric in place. I secretly pray for it to drop to the ground. Her smile tells me she knows exactly what she’s doing to me.
“Hasn’t anyone ever told you it’s not nice to tease others?”
Kennedy grabs shorts, a tank top, and a pair of black lacy underwear from her dresser drawers, and walks back into her bathroom. Perfectly in tune with every move she makes and everything her hands grace with her gentle touch, I follow in her wake.
“I don’t think anyone’s ever called me a tease, Mr. Black.” The towel drops to her feet. She bravely turns to face me. Her smile is innocent even though we both know she’s anything but. “Whoops!”
With a loud bang, the door slams in my face. I can feel myself begin to wind up. The only thing that can fulfill my appetite is on the other side of that damn door, covering her body with far too much clothing.
What happened to the naïve, shy Kennedy who shudders under my very touch? She’s been replaced with this strong, confident, flirtatious girl who openly teases me.
I’ve created a monster.
With no complaints from me, I’ll go along with her game of cat and mouse. If she’s going to torture me all day, then I can play until she begs me to touch her.
Lindsey Iler is the author of the Our Worlds series. She’s had her feet planted in the state of Michigan since she was born and she still lives there with her husband and four kids.
When she’s not writing, she’s spending time with family and friends, listening to music, reading (obviously), and hopefully just enjoying every moment in life. She has a twisted sense of humor, tends to speak honestly, and her mind tends to feel most comfortable in the gutter.
Lindsey writes mature young adult/new adult contemporary romance. She falls in love with every character that pops into her head and is notorious for writing long chapters in her notes on her iPhone. It’s embarrassing how many started/unfinished projects are on that thing. She finds inspiration from music and the people around her.
Never in a million years did Sage Garcia think she would be spending her three-day weekend at The Last Resort Motel with the man she swore off years ago. If she hadn’t agreed to do a favor for her best friend Baxter, she would be enjoying her time off instead of being stuck up on a mountain with him.
After tricking Baxter into picking him up, Gabriel Ross is looking forward to a guys’ weekend. Besides, he can use all the help he can get while he runs the motel restaurant for the weekend. When he opens the door and finds Sage on the other side, he’s anything but disappointed. Too bad he can’t say the same about her. Sage still holds a grudge from a hookup years ago, but Gabe isn’t the boy he was back in the day and is looking forward to proving it to her.
With their chemistry burning hotter than ever, will Sage give in and let Gabe make amends? Or will she remain resentful while keeping her heart under lock and key?
February – Crystal Perkins – Room 10 – Available NOW
March – S Van Horne – Room 519 – Available NOW
April – Dee Kelly – Room 13 – Available NOW
May – B.T. Clearwater – Room 58
June – M.C. Webb – Room 212
July – Megan Matthews – Room 29
August – Elizabeth Otto – Room 100
September – Ann Mayburn – Room 419
October – Geri Glenn – Room 666
November – Winter Travers – Room 19
December – Betty Shreffler – Room 15
D. Kelly, author of The Acceptance Series, The Illusion Series, and standalone companion novels Chasing Cassidy and Sharing Rylee, was born and raised in Southern California. She’s a wife, mom, dog lover, taxi, problem fixer, and extreme multi-tasker. She married her high school sweetheart and is her kids’ biggest fan.
Kelly has been writing since she was young and took joy in spinning stories to her childhood friends. Margaritas and sarcasm make her smile, she loves the beach but hates the sand, and she believes Starbucks makes any day better.
A contemporary romance writer, D. Kelly’s stories revolve around friendship and the bond it creates, strengthening the love of the people who share it. For all things D. Kelly, you can visit her website: http://www.dkellyauthor.com
I was born and raised in California. My husband and I met when I was just 16. We were married a few years later, moving to Oregon while he was in the US Coast Guard.
Texas is now where we call home, where our boots rest, and where we’re raising our two little boys and a chocolate lab named Optimus Prime.
Natasha's Book Nook 