LOVE AND OTHER GAMES is a collection of four sexy new adult stories centered around athletes competing in the Winter Games by Ana Blaze, Melinda Dozier, Aria Kane, and Kara Leigh Miller.
Worth More Than Gold by Ana Blaze
Amy Pierce, the klutzy sister and manager of America’s Skating Sweetheart, is used to being invisible. But when a friend drags her to a party near the Olympic Village, Amy catches the eye of a sexy Norwegian ski jumper. It’s a magical night, but an awkward next morning has her running.
Everyone knows Erik Andresen’s best shot at an individual medal was back in 2010, before an injury pulled him from the competition. He’s there for his team, but a hot night and a remarkable final training session have him wondering if a gorgeous good-luck charm could give him another chance at the podium.
With a little bit of luck, these two might have a shot at something worth more than gold.
Trouble with Gold by Melinda Dozier
US snowboarder and notorious prankster, Ty (Trouble) Madsen is only getting a taste of his own medicine when his Olympic teammates shackle him to a fence wearing nothing but his boxers.
Reception and protocol volunteer, Nadia Hoffman, gets up close and personal with the sexy snowboarder to rescue him, but she’s not the kind of girl who lets her hormones get in her way. A professional performance could help her land her dream job at Olympics Committee Headquarters, but her new assignment supervising the rambunctious US Snowboarding Team is making that difficult. Can she see behind the snowman in the community center bathroom and into the warm heart of the man everyone calls Trouble?
The Girl behind the Gold by Aria Kane
Greek aerial skier Lia Milonas’s parents are about to lose the family farm. Saving it means medaling and landing a huge sponsor. While her no-nonsense attitude has her well on her way to a medal, it hasn’t won her a place in fans’ hearts.
“Come back with a story that will make readers cry, or don’t come back.” This is what Brandon James’ boss told him before he left New York to cover the Winter Games for Moment Magazine. With a wink and a smile, he can charm his way into any invite-only party, but that career-making story is nowhere to be found – until he meets Lia.
The two strike a deal that should get them both what they want – but neither would have guessed they’d also find what they need.
Ice Gold by Kara Leigh Miller
Colton Campbell thrives on the fast paced, adrenaline rushed lifestyle of being an Olympic hockey player.
Despite Brenna Jessup’s abhorrence for the games and the athletes, she’s hand-picked as the official photographer for the U.S. Olympic Hockey Team.
When a faux pas by Brenna almost costs Colton his career, she owes him. Too bad for her, Colton doesn’t want apologies — he wants retribution! And he knows just how to get it — and her — in the process.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18365891-love-and-other-games?ac=1
Love and Other Games excerpt 1
“Thank God you’re here,” a male’s voice groaned, in English.
Nadia looked across the path toward the stairs ahead of her and saw a very well built, tall man, light brown hair curled around his beanie, with a chiseled chest and tight thighs. Wait a minute. Why could she see his chest and thighs? It was zero degrees Celsius. Why would a man be standing in nothing but his underwear? Her mother always warned her about sickos.
She dug into her purse, searching for her mace – something she carried since her internship in New York last summer. It settled somewhere at the bottom. Great. When she finally needed it, she couldn’t find it.
“Do you mind?” He said, a little louder. “I could use some help.”
“I have mace.” She answered, still searching. “Stay where you are.”
“Not a problem.” He laughed, a deep laugh that sent tingly sensations from head to toe. God, sleep deprivation must be worse than she thought if she had these thoughts about a sicko.
She shook her head and finally held the mace up. The man remained in the same spot. He had a fabulous smile and a few wrinkles at the side of his eyes, from smiling or being out in the sun. He must be an athlete with that tight physique. “Who are you and what are you doing?”
Instead of answering, he let out a laugh all while his teeth chattered. An ache sat in her throat. Poor guy. If his blue lips and frosted hair was any indication, he was beyond cold.
“Are you okay?” She slowly approached the stairs, not sure what the handsome man would do. But, he looked like he was in trouble.
His eyes perused her from top to bottom and then he looked back into her face. “Better now.” He smirked. “I’ve been stuck here for about ten minutes and you’re the first person I’ve seen.” His lips trembled.
She ambled over to him. For a moment she was glad she had a large ski jacket on, a fuzzy scarf and woolen hat. This guy had close to nothing. “Why are you stuck here?”
He jiggled his hands behind him, sounding like a chain on metal. “My buddies thought it was a funny joke.”
She looked closer and saw that he was strapped to handcuffs. Oh, geez, his fingertips were blue, too. “That’s not funny.”
“And it’s freaking cold. Want to help me out?” He wiggled his upper body, as if moving it to warm himself.
She looked around, trying to find anybody else. “Are your friends around here? Am I part of the joke?”
“If they were around here, they’d have let me loose by now. Come on, I’m freezing. See the necklace around my neck?” He dropped his chin to his chest, his teeth chattering. “There’s about seven keys. You have to try all of them.”
She sighed, all while looking at anywhere but him. He had a ruggedness and vital power that attracted her and she couldn’t let her thoughts go there … not in a random moment like this. The keys around his neck dangled across a tight chest that she, for just an instant, wished she could feel. His gorgeous green eyes pulled her in like a magnet. But, if this was some game – people always tried to get her into trouble, since she was the serious one. Taking a deep breath, she put her mace back into her purse and looked directly at him. “I really don’t have time to play games. I need to be somewhere.”
“Yeah, the party. Me, too. I got tied up.” He lifted his leg and rubbed his other one. At least he had boots on. “Please. I’m not going to hurt you. I couldn’t feel you if I tried.” He wiggled his fingers behind him.
She eyed his face, anywhere but his chest … but his fascinating eyes dragged her in. They brimmed with humor and warmth … and need. He needed her and she knew she could trust him. Agreeing, she slid next to him, touching his shoulder. “Oh, all right. How do I get the keys?”
An irresistibly devastating grin formed across his blue lips. “You have to undo the necklace first.”
She stepped closer and stood chest-to-chest. “If you’re fooling with me, I promise I’ll turn you in.”
His mouth slackened. “I won’t fool with you … unless you want me to.”
Captivated By You by Diane Alberts
Mark Delaney is a high profile movie star who wants nothing more than to visit his sister for the Christmas holiday before his big movie premiere. When he goes back to Colorado against his agent’s wishes, of course a snowstorm comes that lands his Maserati in a ditch. Stranded on a quiet road, he knocks on the door of the first house he sees—the same house that his former math tutor grew up in. Expecting to find an elderly couple donned in robes and hair curlers, he’s knocked off his feet when Lacey Robertson herself opens the door. She’s all grown up now…and Mark can’t help but notice.
When Lacey opens the door to find a tuxedo-clad man staring back at her, she can’t believe that the very same boy she pined after throughout childhood is on her porch. Having the famous star all to herself is intoxicating to say the least, but she resolves to resist the temptation of a blissful night in his arms. After all, he’s probably used to women throwing themselves at him on a nightly basis…and she won’t be one of the faceless crowd begging for his attention.
But when she finds out that he hasn’t stopped thinking about her, despite his A-list life, will she fall into his arms for a single night of pleasure? Or will she dare to hope for more?
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16095748-captivated-by-you?from_search=true
http://www.amazon.com/Captivated-You-Superstars-Love-Book-ebook/dp/B00A3C3Q0G/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1418747933&sr=1-1&keywords=Captivated+By+You+by+Diane+Alberts
Captivated By You excerpt 1
Mark Delaney tossed his phone in his pocket, threw the car door open, and climbed out of his Maserati. Damn it all to hell. Not even the tow truck company would venture out in this mess native Coloradans called snow. He was officially stranded. Perhaps he’d been spoiled by the California sunshine, but his tolerance for the cold flakes falling on his Prada suit was gone.
Blowing out a puff of steamy breath, he kicked the snow, not even caring when the grayish white stuff soaked through his Gucci shoes upon impact. The snow hit his driver’s side door, sliding down the red paint, leaving a path of dirt and filth in its wake. Dragging a hand through his hair, he glowered up at the dark sky.
He was supposed to be at a movie premiere tomorrow night, but he was stuck in fucking Colorado. Tomorrow night was also the night he was supposed to walk the red carpet with Sylvia Day, his latest love interest, on his arm. Not like he was actually seeing her or anything so exciting as that.
His publicist always said being single was the fastest way to kill a career in Hollywood, and the second fastest was being married. The Hollywood solution? Publicity relationship. The up-and-coming actress got to use him to further her career, and Mark had an excuse to avoid relationship drama. But if he didn’t show up on time, then the whole deal would be off. Apparently, Ms. Day didn’t like to be stood up, even by a fake boyfriend.
With this deadline hanging over his head like an anvil, he’d rushed to the airport, hoping against all odds he would beat the snowstorm and get back to California. When the gate agent told him all flights were cancelled, he decided to hop into his Maserati and take matters into his own hands.
A lot of good that had done him.
What would his agent say when he didn’t show up to the premiere? Even worse, what would Glory Productions have to say about their missing star? And the damn starlet who was counting on him to make her famous …
Dragging a hand down his face, he looked around for any signs of life. He would get somewhere warm, then see what he could do about chartering a private jet. Down the road a bit, he could almost make out the outline of a familiar house with its lights still on. Drudging through the snow, he shoved his hands into his pockets and made his way down the road. His agent had told him not to go home for Christmas, but Mark couldn’t miss his little sister’s big announcement. She was getting married, and it was the biggest news their family had heard since Mark was nominated for a People’s Choice award two years ago.
Lady Elizabeth is more than happy for her brother Lionel, who found love with the beautiful Lady Theodosia. Now it is her turn with the Season rapidly approaching. But then her father is stricken deathly ill, and love of any sort except familial is all Elizabeth can think of.
Her mother is desperate and hails for doctors, surgeons, even apothecaries. The upkeep of the house falls on Elizabeth and she spend long hours beside her father, watching as he betters one day and fares worse on others. Long walks with the stable hand Callum on starry nights save Elizabeth’s sanity.
When the inevitable happens, Lady Elizabeth is forced to go to London. The gentlemen there, however, hold no candle to the kind and caring Scottish Callum. Shortly before her father’s death, Callum had returned to his homeland to try and find a cure for her father. As time passes with no word, no letters, and Elizabeth must choose whether the love that blossomed between them is worth denying the man her mother wishes for her.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21896407-starry-love?from_search=true
This year, Christmas comes early for grad-student Peyton Wagner. Being asked to T.A. a handful of classes may not be cause for celebration for her classmates, but for Peyton, it is. Not only will it ensure a snazzy recommendation from her professor at the end of the term, but it keeps her out of her Podunk town—and away from her abusive ex, Blake Hunter. Now that’s a holiday miracle.
But as Peyton soon discovers, some miracles come with unexpected and deliciously tempting surprises. And when her past and present collide in a shocking yuletide twist, Peyton has to choose between playing it safe with her mended heart, or risking it all for the chance at a new future . . . and the gift of true love.
Unwrap Me is the first in a series from Carolina Jordan and Samantha Spencer for Swoon Romance.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16142802-unwrap-me?from_search=true
Unwrap Me excerpt 1
She found the classroom and wrote the standard test procedures on the white board while students streamed through the open door behind her. She glanced at the clock, took a deep breath, and twisted around to introduce herself. But her words of welcome died in her throat.
Staring at her from the front row was the one guy she never wanted to see again. The one guy she had spent the last few years avoiding like he was the worst disease—the plague of all plagues. The guy who had broken her heart, tore her down, and messed with her head.
Blake.
She gripped the edge of her desk to steady her legs, and struggled to keep from hurling her pumpkin latte all over the floor.
What is he doing here?
When they broke up, Blake had already graduated law school. He’d gotten a job at his father’s law firm, making an obscene amount of money, and she’d come here. Three hours away. There was no reason for Blake to be at Lakeside—not unless he’d followed her.
How did he know she’d be there? Had her parents told him?
Pull it together, Peyton.
For just a second, she swept her eyes over him. Of course, he was as gorgeous as ever. His dark hair was a little shorter than the last time she’d seen him, but his brown eyes were just as piercing. His jaw was covered in thin, sexy stubble and—is that a sleeve tattoo on his left arm?
Her eyes snapped back to his. The Blake she knew would have never gotten ink. Or worn something as soft—and sexy—as the worn, black t-shirt that stretched across his broad shoulders. Blake was always button-downs and Polos.
Blake met her gaze without wavering, a hint of a smile crinkling the edges of his eyes. He was probably gloating that she gave him a second look. Proud of himself that he’d gotten to her. Inwardly celebrating his damned hotness.
He was like Satan—a beautiful disaster.
It took everything in her not to bolt out the door. But she wouldn’t let two years of therapy and one asshole ruin this opportunity for her. Blake didn’t control her anymore.
Realizing the rest of the class was staring at her, waiting for her to hand out their tests, she yanked out the class roster. The school’s integrity policy required she hand each test out individually while checking student IDs. One after one, she called the names on the list, offered the students a smile, and gave them their booklets. When she got to the letter H, her heart stalled. She paused, ran a finger across the name typed in black ink across the page, and read it again.
Brody Hunter.
As in Blake’s brother Brody—Blake’s identical-twin brother Brody.
Isabelle is content being a maid, and will do anything for her lady, even accompany her to a masquerade ball. Lady Theodosia needs extra support and encouragement on this night, for tomorrow she will meet the man her parents have pledged her to.
Isabelle has never had occasion to attend such an event, and is at first ill at ease. But meeting an enchanting young man during the course of the evening makes her wish for a life she can never have. Thinking she will never see him again, she returns his flirtation and even reveals her face. Imagine her shock when he shows up the next morning, announcing his claim on Lady Thedosia.
Isabelle does all she can to avoid Lord Adrian Wingave, but then he not only sees her, he recognizes her. To make matters worse, Isabelle fears her feelings are not one-sided.
Torn between duty and desire, Isabelle hopes for something more this Christmas.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18621971-masked-love?from_search=true
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-text&field-keywords=Masked%20Love%20by%20Nicole%20Zoltack
Masked Love excerpt 1
Isabelle’s arms were getting tired as she, once again, let her lady’s hair loose. Lady Theodosia Haywood could not make up her mind as to how to wear it, nor her clothes. And if Isabelle did not hurry and help, Lady Theodosia would be very, very late for the masquerade ball that night.
“I’m sorry,” the lady whispered. She rubbed her arms, her flesh bumped and raised.
“Do not fret.” Isabelle patted her shoulder. She, too, would feel all out of sorts if she were to meet the man she was pledged to marry for the first time tomorrow, on Christmas Eve morning.
Isabelle expertly twisted Lady Theodosia’s hair into a bun on the top of her head. Her fingers teased out wisps of blond hair and curly ringlets around her dainty face. “There, is that better?”
She had styled it in a bun earlier, but her lady had deemed it too low. Still, this style was one Lady Theodosia usually liked; although, mayhap it was too familiar for the ball.
Isabelle went to release the bun, when Lady Theodosia touched her arm.
“It’s beautiful. Thank you.”
She nodded. “Now, which dress shall you wear?”
Lady Theodosia stared at herself in the oval mirror. Without a smile, her face looked longer than normal, and her blue eyes had lost their usual luster. Typically, Lady Theodosia enjoyed balls and parties, especially just before Christmas. Now she had lost not just her Christmas spirit, but also her will.
“What if he’s ugly? Or is boring?”
Isabelle held her tongue. Although Lady Theodosia was the nicest charge she had ever served under, she had only been her maid for two years. Despite their being close, Isabelle felt certain she could not speak her mind on this matter. Helping pick out outfits, yes. Suggesting countless hairstyles, of course. Talking about the husband her parents had chosen for her, definitely not.
“What if he doesn’t like me and ignores me and would rather enjoy the company of another woman?”
Ah, now that Lady Theodosia voiced her real fears, Isabelle was too moved to keep silent on the matter. “Then, we shall just have to make certain that you look your best tomorrow and make him forget that all other ladies even exist. He shall have eyes for no other but you.”
No comments:
Post a Comment