It's The Weekend: Take a Load Off and Pick Up a New Romance

(from usatoday.com
by Joyce Lamb)


Hooray! The weekend is here! Time to curl up in a hammock with a new romance novel. Here are some suggestions ...

The Immortal Crown: An Age of X Novel by Richelle Mead. Gameboard of the Gods introduced religious investigator Justin March and Mae Koskinen, the beautiful supersoldier assigned to protect him. Together they have been charged with investigating reports of the supernatural and the return of the gods, both inside the Republic of United North America and out. With this highly classified knowledge comes a shocking revelation: Not only are the gods vying for human control, but the elect—special humans marked by the divine—are turning against one another in bloody fashion. Their mission takes a new twist when they are assigned to a diplomatic delegation headed by Lucian Darling, Justin's old friend and rival, going into Arcadia, the RUNA's dangerous neighboring country. Here, in a society where women are commodities and religion is intertwined with government, Justin discovers powerful forces at work, even as he struggles to come to terms with his own reluctantly acquired deity. Meanwhile, Mae—grudgingly posing as Justin's concubine—has a secret mission of her own: finding the illegitimate niece her family smuggled away years ago. But with Justin and Mae resisting the resurgence of the gods in Arcadia, a reporter's connection with someone close to Justin back home threatens to expose their mission—and with it the divine forces the government is determined to keep secret.

Shield of Winter (A Psy/Changeling Novel) by Nalini Singh. Assassin. Soldier. Arrow. That is who Vasic is, who he will always be. His soul drenched in blood, his conscience heavy with the weight of all he's done, he exists in the shadows, far from the hope his people can almost touch—if only they do not first drown in the murderous insanity of a lethal contagion. To stop the wave of death, Vasic must complete the simplest and most difficult mission of his life. For if the Psy race is to survive, the empaths must wake… Having rebuilt her life after medical "treatment" that violated her mind and sought to suffocate her abilities, Ivy should have run from the black-clad Arrow with eyes of winter frost. But Ivy Jane has never done what she should. Now, she'll fight for her people, and for this Arrow who stands as her living shield, yet believes he is beyond redemption. But as the world turns to screaming crimson, even Ivy's fierce will may not be enough to save Vasic from the cold darkness…

There's Wild, Then There's You (A Wild Ones Novel) by M. Leighton. He's someone she can't trust… She's someone he thinks he knows… Violet Wilson is a wallflower. Shy, serious, and accident-prone, she's got a bad habit of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. The night she's forced to pose with her friend might just be the worst time of all—that's when she meets Jet Blevins. She knows better than to get involved with someone like him, but he touches her in ways she never expected, never wanted before. On the outside, Jet is a typical rocker, an arrogant lead guitarist who unapologetically lives a wild lifestyle. But on the inside, he's battling demons and using the stage to escape the troubles of his past and the addictions of his present. Until the night he sees Violet standing at the back of the room. She brings his life into focus. She knows his secrets. She's the girl he can't forget, and the one thing he craves more than his addiction. But can they ever hope to have a future when their very foundation is nothing but lies?

Once Upon a Kiss by Jayne Fresina. In the sleepy village of Hawcombe Prior, the five young ladies of the local Book Club Belles Society are reading a book called Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, the latest salacious romance taking England by storm. Upon finishing the book, the ladies race to find their own Mr. Darcy, and the handsome, mysterious Darius Wainwright is the perfect mark.

The Troublemaker Next Door (The McCauley Brothers) by Marie Harte. He can fix her sink, but can he wrench his way into her heart? Flynn McCauley never thought he'd be so cliché as to fall for the girl next door. But when Maddie calls him over to help fix her faulty sink, he's a goner. Too bad she wants nothing to do with him. Even worse, he's got to rely on the advice of his brothers—and his five-year-old nephew!—to figure out how to make her give him a shot. Day by day, one home repair after the next, he'll bring down her defenses and work his way into her heart...for good.

Thornbrook Park by Sherri Browning. Edwardian Romance, Book 1 in the Thornbrook Park Series. Disowned for marrying beneath her, Eve Kendal returns to England destitute after her husband's death and the mysterious disappearance of their savings. Her childhood friend, the Countess of Averford, compels her to take a job as a lady's maid. Eve is resigned to her reduced circumstances until she meets the Earl's brother, and sparks fly. But Captain Marcus Thorne has his own demons to face, and as they begin a steamy affair, secrets from the past threaten Eve's future and the whole estate...

How to School Your Scoundrel by Juliana Gray. Three intrepid princesses find themselves targets in a deadly plot against the crown—until their uncle devises a brilliant plan to keep them safe... Princess Luisa has devoted her life to duty, quietly preparing to succeed her father as ruler. Nothing, however, primed her to live on the run, disguised as a personal secretary to a notorious English scoundrel. The earl is just the man to help her reclaim her throne, but Luisa is drawn to her powerful employer in ways she never imagined… Philip, Earl of Somerton, has spent six years married to a woman in love with another man—he refuses to become a fool due to imprudent emotions ever again. Only, as his carefully laid plans for vengeance falter, fate hands him hope for redemption in the form of a beautiful and determined young princess who draws him into a risky game of secrets, seduction, and betrayal. And while his cunning may be enough to save her life, nothing can save him from losing his heart…

Wicked Temptation (Nemesis Unlimited) by Zoë Archer. Fate brought them together. Newly widowed, Bronwyn Parrish's fortune has been spent settling her late husband's debts—thanks to an unscrupulous business manager—and now there's nothing left. Society has no place for a woman without means, and with nowhere to turn, Bronwyn is lost…until, from out of nowhere, a handsome gentleman steps in and makes her an offer she can't refuse. Will desire tear them apart? Secrets and subterfuge are in Marco Black's blood. As one of Nemesis, Unlimited's most senior agents, Society women aren't his usual cup of tea. But Marco's sixth sense tells him that there's more to Bronwyn than meets the eye…and he wants to help the brazen beauty retrieve her lost fortune. But is his attraction to her worth the risk? His mission will lead him all the way to Les Grillons, France's most ruthless crime syndicate. Soon, Marco and Bronwyn will find themselves facing a danger that could cost them their lives—and a passion that is priceless.

Jaguar Hunt (Heart of the Jaguar) by Terry Spear. As a feline Enforcer, Tammy Anderson has one objective: locate the missing jaguar and return it to the States. She doesn't have time for distractions, and she definitely doesn't have time for sexy shifters with more muscles than sense. Everyone and their brother has warned JAG agent David Patterson that Tammy is Ms. Hands-Off...which only makes him more determined to get very hands-on. But things heat up in the steamy jungles of Belize and their simple mission gets a whole lot more complicated. Now it's going to take everything David's got to protect the gorgeous she-cat who somehow managed to claw her way past his defenses...and into his heart.

Deeper Than Need: A Secrets & Shadows Novel by Shiloh Walker. Eager to put a dark, troubled past behind her, Trinity Ewing buys an old house that will make the perfect refuge for her and her young son once renovations are complete. The last thing on her mind is finding someone new...but the contractor she's hired is an irresistible distraction--and Trinity can't help but fantasize about all the business they could be doing behind closed doors. Noah Benningfield thought he'd put his demons behind him. But the moment he lays eyes on Trinity, the temptation he feels is too powerful to deny. Soon the attraction between them explodes into something neither of them could have imagined. But their desire will be put to the test when a shocking local murder has them dodging danger at every turn. Can the beautiful and damaged Trinity trust someone like Noah, whose own past is as haunted as her own? The only thing she knows for sure is that she can't live without a man who makes her feel this good--over and over again.

Mostly Magic by Donna June Cooper. Books of the Kindling, Book 2. Do dreams come true? Dr. Daniel Woodruff hopes they don't, because his dreams predict a devastating future for him, for those he loves—and for the planet. His latest premonition, which blows a huge crater in his eroding sanity, holds a singular horror—the loss of a wife and unborn child. Yet another reason he can let no one into his chaotic life, least of all a perky, persistent investigative reporter he finds simultaneously frustrating and fascinating. Mel Noblett leaves no stone unturned in her one-woman crusade to save the environment. When a whistleblower in Italy proves too frightened to talk, Mel turns to a fall-back lead, an extremely eccentric, beekeeping professor who might just make the trip worthwhile. Despite their instant attraction, Mel is relieved when Daniel keeps her at arm's length. After all, she has a secret of her own—one that makes her preternaturally good at her job. And, when Daniel's terrifying visions prove uncannily accurate and begin to revolve around Mel—it is a gift that could put her life in danger.

Fall From India Place by Samantha Young. When Hannah Nichols last saw Marco D'Alessandro five long years ago, he broke her heart. The bad boy with a hidden sweet side was the only guy Hannah ever loved—and the only man she's ever been with. After one intense night of giving in to temptation, Marco took off, leaving Scotland and Hannah behind. Shattered by the consequences of their night together, Hannah has never truly moved on. Leaving Hannah was the biggest mistake of Marco's life—something he has deeply regretted for years. So when fate reunites them, he refuses to let her go without a fight. Determined to make her his, Marco pursues Hannah, reminding her of all the reasons they're meant to be together... But just when Marco thinks they're committed to a future together, Hannah makes a discovery that unearths the secret pain she's been hiding from him—a secret that could tear them apart before they have a real chance to start over again....

French Blue by Natasha Bond. Study in Seduction, Book 2. In public, hotshot communications specialist Lisa Archer presents a perfectly polished image. Privately, she harbors a secret desire to shed her restrained exterior—and her business suit—to explore the world of discipline and domination. She can't risk being seen in a BDSM club, but when she's introduced to the most sought-after Dom in Paris, his powerful presence makes her feel like she's treading on safe ground. Even better, he has no interest in falling in love, which fits right in with her three-month break between contracts. Bored with the club scene, Olivier favors private arrangements with one sub at a time. This keeps anyone from getting too close to emotional scars that run so deep he's lost the will to paint—or to love. A temporary liaison, staying well within his boundaries while pushing hers, suits him perfectly. Lisa's first visit to Olivier's apartment is deliciously shocking. Yet as they begin to strip away the layers guarding their souls, the pain and the pleasure could be too much to keep things strictly business…

Never Let Me Go by Jennifer Haymore. When Celeste McMillan graduated from college, she hit the ground running, prepared to overcome every challenge and climb the corporate ladder at record-breaking speed. But then a client assaults her, and her boss forces her to take a ten-day "vacation" in Hawaii. Kanoe Anakalea is intrigued when he meets the pale-skinned, redheaded haole on his favorite surfing beach. Celeste is intelligent and adventurous, sexy and sweet. Even though sun, sand and sexy surfers are as foreign to Celeste as the L.A. corporate world is to Kanoe, their sexual chemistry sizzles. As they spend sun-warmed days and plumeria-scented nights in each other's arms, they find themselves falling hard. Yet love is out of the question. Kanoe is rooted in his island home, and Celeste's future beckons in L.A. As the clock ticks down, Celeste realizes that letting go might be the greatest challenge she's ever had to face.

Temper Sanguine by Lou Harper. Sanguine, Book 2. Gabe Vadas's slayer ancestors would be spinning in their graves if they knew that not only is his boss a vampire, so is his lover. But that lover, Harvey Feng, is cooking something up in his lab that he seems reluctant to disclose. The secrets they keep from each other and the nightmares they share are driving a wedge between them. Harvey fell off the vegetarian wagon with one taste of his lover's blood. Except recently it's been having some unusual—and disturbing—side effects. And he fears their connection has awakened something dark and dangerous. Sent to New York City to help the new top vamp clean up the mess the old one left behind, Gabe finds more than a few stray feral vampires. A doctor with a dubious history is hell-bent on creating a new race of unkillable bloodsuckers. The investigation takes Gabe and Harvey across an ocean, and deep into the past. Where they discover demons that have the power to reach across the centuries to destroy them both.

In For a Penny by Rose Lerner. Lord Nevinstoke revels in acting the young wastrel, until his father is killed in a drunken duel. Never one to do anything halfway, Nev throws off his wild ways to shoulder a mountain of responsibility—and debt—vowing to marry a rich girl and act the respectable lord of the manor. Manufacturing heiress Penelope Brown seems the perfect choice for a wife. She's pretty, proper, and looking for a husband. Determined to rise above her common birth, Penelope prides herself on her impeccable behavior and good sense. Grand Passion? Vulgar and melodramatic. Yes, agreeing to marry Nev was a rare moment of impulse, yet she's sure they can build a good marriage based on companionship and mutual esteem. But when they arrive at the manor, they're overwhelmed with half-starved tenants, a menacing neighbor, and the family propensity for scandal. As the situation deteriorates, the newlyweds have nowhere to turn but to each other. To Penelope's surprise, she begins to fervently hope that her first taste of Grand Passion in her husband's arms won't be her last.

Talent to Burn by Laura Welling. Cat Wilson grew up a misfit among misfits. She couldn't read minds, see the future, or start fires like the other Talented kids inside the shadowy Grey Institute. Finally she ran, leaving her beloved brother, Eric, behind. She's been running ever since. When she learns that Eric has escaped, leaving deadly fires in his wake, Cat is torn between fear for her brother, and unwanted attraction to the messenger, a charming, Talented ex-con who lives for the next adrenaline rush. Jamie Murphy is sure his group of outcast Talents can help Eric—if they can get to him before the cops or the Institute, and before he kills again. Cat's aversion to Talented bad boys is like a wall of ice, but to his surprise, he doesn't have to use an ounce of his own unique gift to find a way through it. Yet locating Eric is only the beginning. In the battle to pull him back from the brink, Cat must find the courage to unlock a fearsome Talent of her own. And pray the psychic backdraft doesn't destroy everyone she loves.

A Mother's Secret (Hearts of the Lancaster Grand Hotel) by Amy Clipston. An unwed Amish woman yearns for real love and a family. The only thing in her way is the shame she's been carrying for half of her life. Thirty-one-year-old Carolyn Lapp has never been married—but she's been a mother for fifteen years. In a community with strict standards and a long memory, Carolyn knows she might never find a man who will have her and her son, Benjamin. Carolyn's family tries to marry her off to a widower with a daughter who needs a mother. A marriage of convenience doesn't sound so bad, yet despite her loneliness, Carolyn knows what she really wants: a traditional Amish family and a marriage for love. When Benjamin gets into trouble at an auction, he finds himself beholden to a handsome horse breeder named Joshua Glick. Joshua and Carolyn feel an instant attraction, and soon a romance is budding between them. The trouble is Joshua believes Benjamin is Carolyn's nephew, not her son. After years of shame and loneliness, Carolyn suddenly has two men vying for her attention. Can either man give her the family—and the unconditional love—she longs for? Or will her past once again sabotage the future she wants?

What a Woman Needs (A Manley Maids Novel) by Judi Fennell. What happens when three irresistibly sexy brothers lose a poker bet to their enterprising sister? They get hired out for her housecleaning venture. Now, the Manley Maids are at your service. Satisfaction guaranteed. It's what a woman needs... Big shot movie star Bryan Manley is destined for fame and fortune, not a repeat of his penny-pinching "normal" childhood. But a bet is a bet, so he agrees to play maid for Beth Hamilton—as long as he can use his servitude as research for his next role, and then resume his life in the spotlight. After her husband's death and the publicity surrounding it, all Beth needs is a quiet, normal life for herself and her children. She never expected a new Prince Charming to show up at her door, let alone as the new maid. But when the paparazzi follow, Beth is sure of one thing: Bryan has to go. Then flirtation turns into seduction, and Bryan needs to convince Beth he's more man than maid—or an actor playing a maid. Because this latest gig as the love of Beth Hamilton's life just might be the role of a lifetime…

The Flesh Cartel, #17: Boxed In by Rachel Haimowitz and Heidi Belleau. With the help of the FBI, Mat Carmichael has let himself be re-taken by the Flesh Cartel. Objective? Rescue his brother, exact revenge, and destroy the entire organization from the inside. FBI Special Agent Nate Johnson will be playing backup, of course, but to get Dougie out alive, Mat will need to make sure his brother is out of Allen's clutches before calling in the troops. Now that Mat's back in bondage, though, there's no way he can do it alone. He'll have to ask for help from the only man within the Cartel who cares about Dougie's welfare: Nikolai. And even knowing it will destroy him, Nikolai delivers. Bringing down the Cartel should have been the hardest part, but it doesn't take long to realize that the real challenge has only just begun. Dougie doesn't know how to be free anymore, and Mat is forced to admit that he may no longer be strong enough to help himself, let alone his brother. But with loved ones in their corner and their love for each other banked but not extinguished, Mat and Dougie learn that you can come home again, no matter how desperate the circumstances you've left behind.

Cross & Crown by Abigail Roux. When Nick O'Flaherty arrives at the scene of a double homicide to find he has a witness to the crime, he thinks it's his lucky day. But when he realizes his witness is suffering from amnesia and can't even remember his own name, Nick wishes he'd gone with his gut and put in for vacation time. Then Nick's boyfriend and former Recon teammate, Kelly Abbott, joins him in Boston, and Nick finds his hands a little too full as the case and his personal life collide. The witness he's dubbed "JD" is being tailed by Julian Cross, a retired CIA hitman. To complicate matters further, JD forms an attachment to Nick that Nick struggles not to respond to as they search for the key to JD's identity. Trying to determine whether JD is friend or foe as they investigate the crime puts them on the trail of a much older mystery. When multiple attempts are made on their lives, Nick is forced to turn to old enemies and new allies to solve a centuries-old crime before he and Kelly get added to the history books.

Healing the Wounds by M.Q. Barber. There are no safe words. There is only surrender. When Alice leapt into sexual games with her neighbors Henry and Jay, she didn't plan to fall in love. But now she's moving in with them, and she'd better figure it all out – fast. Can Henry, her stoic dominant lover accept her as a confidante as well as a submissive? And will their love be enough to silence Jay's emotional ghosts?

Ever Mine by Eden Ashe. The last thing Nathan Alexander expects to find is a kidnapped fairy hidden within the plant his aunt just sent him. Soon, he makes it his mission to help her find her way home. All her life Katenia was warned about the evilness of humans. Never was that proved more true than when she was kidnapped from her quiet valley home. Thrust into the human world, Katenia must fight her instincts to trust Nathan if she ever hopes to return home and to her normal thumb-sized fairy form.

Gimme Some Sugar by Kimberly Kincaid. This second in Kimberly Kincaid's fun and sexy new Pine Mountain series will appeal to fans of Jill Shalvis and Roxanne St. Clair who enjoy plenty of wit, rugged men, and small-town atmosphere with their contemporary romance.

Who's Wife Extraordinaire Now by Kiki Swinson. In the bestselling tradition of Wahida Clark and Nikki Turner comes this sexy and gritty urban lit tale from Essence® bestselling author Kiki Swinson, a rising street lit superstar.

Huckleberry Summer by Jennifer Beckstrand. A mischievous octogenarian Amish couple discovers there is nothing more rewarding than sparking unexpected love in this heartwarming series set in Huckleberry Hill, Wisconsin.

A Vampire's Promise by Carla Susan Smith. When down-on-her-luck bookstore employee Rowan Harper lays her eyes on Gabriel in a dive bar, she feels an instant connection as if she'd known him her whole life. Gabriel inexplicably seems to know her deepest secrets and promises to fulfill her most hidden desires. As she falls under his spell, she discovers there is no trace of his existence on paper and vows to uncover the truth behind the mysterious and enigmatic man.

The Right Wife by Beverly Barton. In a sweeping and vibrant novel set in the post-war South, New York Times bestselling author Beverly Barton follows one young woman's journey to love and independence.

Ashley's Allegiance by Robyn Neeley. Emerald Springs Legacy, Book 5. The last six months have been nothing short of exciting for the Whitmans and Sanders. Adam, Chad, and Daniel Whitman have all begun to carve out their niche in the family dynasty. Now it's Ashley Whitman's turn. She's ready to step up with her marketing ideas, talent, and drive to prove she has just as much to contribute to the family tea legacy as her successful cousins.

Just My Type by Synithia Williams. Janiyah Henderson may be an adult, but her dad doesn't see it that way. Granted, she's enjoying her post-college life of little-to-no responsibility, but when her dad announces at a family meeting that she can't handle working a "real job," there's only one thing to do: land a desk job and prove him wrong.

The Texan's Baby by Donna Alward. As a powerful Dallas oil executive, planning is what Lizzie Baron does best. But she certainly didn't plan on getting pregnant following one memorable night after a rodeo in Fort Worth. Now she needs to figure out how she's going to raise a baby with a man she barely knows. Aspiring bronc rider Chris Miller always hoped he'd see Lizzie again, though not quite like this. The pregnancy is a surprise—and so is finding out she's a member of the powerful Baron clan—but the more Chris gets to know Lizzie, the more he realizes he wants to be with her.

Lone Star Heiress by Winnie Griggs. Plucky Ivy Feagan is headed to Turnabout, Texas, to claim an inheritance, not a widower's heart. That all changes when strapping schoolteacher Mitch Parker rescues her in the wilderness. Straightlaced Mitch has never met a woman like Ivy—beautiful, adventurous and good-hearted—but he already lost love once and doesn't dare try again. When Turnabout's gossips target Mitch and Ivy's friendship, he proposes to save her reputation. But Ivy doesn't want to marry for honor, and she doesn't need to marry for money. Ivy will only agree to a proposal made for love's sake—but will Mitch make his heart part of the marriage offer?

Twelfth Night by Deanna Raybourn. To mark the passing of another decade, the esteemed—and eccentric—March family have assembled at Bellmont Abbey to perform the Twelfth Night Revels for their sleepy English village. But before Lady Julia and her handsome, sleuthing husband, Nicolas Brisbane, can take to the stage, a ruckus in the stable yard demands their attention. An abandoned infant is found nestled in the steel helm of St. George. What's more, their only lead is the local legend of a haunted cottage and its ghastly inhabitant—who seems to have returned. Once again, Lady Julia and Nicholas take up the challenge to investigate, and when the source of the mystery is revealed, they'll be faced with an impossible choice—one that will alter the course of their lives…forever.

Forced Alliance by Lenora Worth. By-the-book FBI agent Josie Gilbert has no business falling for her confidential informant, but she can't walk away. She needs this case—her career needs this case. And suave thief turned FBI asset Connor Randall is too deep in the mob syndicate to pull out now. But when the crime boss they are trying to take down becomes a target himself, Josie is forced to take Connor into hiding without blowing his cover. Now, dodging hit men and fighting a perilous attraction, she has to make a life-and-death decision. Can she trust the man who has stolen her heart…or is he working one last con?

Protecting Her Royal Baby by Beth Cornelison. All Brianna Coleman remembers of the near-fatal accident is the hero who saved her. Not her name or the father of the baby she delivers hours later. Until news of a coup in a foreign nation triggers a memory. Her baby's father is the missing member of a royal family…and her son the next target. After saving them, Hunter Mansfield won't abandon them. But can he defend them against international assassins who pursue the newborn? He'll do anything—pay the ultimate price if necessary—for one chance to protect the woman he loves and her little prince.

Baby for Keeps by Janice Maynard. It might sound like a joke, but saloon owner Dylan Kavanagh knows it's all too serious. Struggling single mom Mia Larin needs him. She helped him when they were young, and the bachelor means to do everything in his power to protect Mia and her child. Giving her a job, a room under his own roof, is easy. Keeping it all about business isn't…. Dylan is a successful, eligible catch, but are Mia's feelings just a case of hero worship? Or will she still need him, still want him, once her circumstances change?

Becoming the Prince's Wife by Rebecca Winters. Attorney Carolena Baretti keeps her cards close to her chest. But when a chance encounter with the handsome prince ignites a fiery attraction, Carolena finds that he may just be the one man she can trust…. Crown prince Valentino finds himself increasingly distracted from his duty by commoner Carolena. But Valentino is playing with fire. To be with Carolena he would have to sacrifice everything—including his right to the throne….

Small-Town Redemption by Beth Andrews. ER nurse Charlotte Ellison has her life mapped out, including a happily-ever-after with the perfect man. Sure, that disastrous night with sexy badass Kane Bartasavich wasn't in the plan. He's the opposite of perfect, and forever isn't in his vocabulary. What was she thinking? Still, she simply has to stay away from him and everything will be on track. But avoidance is impossible when Kane lands in her E.R. All of Charlotte's protective instincts come out when she sees him in pain. She knows firsthand getting involved with him is a bad deal. But this attraction might be too deep to ignore.

The Friendship Pact by Tara Taylor Quinn. Bailey Watters and Koralynn Mitchell consider themselves "sisters of the soul." Their circumstances growing up couldn't have been more different; Kora came from a wealthy, privileged family, while Bailey's home life was hard. They'd do anything for each other. "I'd give you a kidney," they always say. There are no secrets between them—until there's one secret Bailey can't share. Danny Brown is the only man Kora's ever wanted, ever loved, and her marriage seems as flawless as everything else in her life. Bailey, however, doesn't want a husband. She does want a baby—but only by IVF. And the perfect donor, the perfect biological father, would be a man like…Danny.

The Best Man for the Job by Lucy King. For Celia Forrester, Marcus Black—her brother's best friend—was always totally off-limits. Especially after The Night That Nearly Happened. It was years ago, but Celia remembers it for all the worst reasons! But now, Marcus is back in the picture—he's the best man at her brother's wedding and more gorgeous than ever! It's all kinds of inappropriate, but giving in to temptation looks like the best way for Celia to get Marcus out of her system. But their one night comes with consequences. And this time, it won't be fifteen years until they have to face them…but nine months!

The Virgin's Guide to Misbehaving (A Bluebonnet Novel) by Jessica Clare. Playing innocent is easy. After being the quiet, shy girl her whole life, Elise Markham is ready for a mental makeover. She's done keeping to herself and staying out of trouble—it's time to break out of her shell and maybe meet someone intriguing in the process. So, on a photography trip to Bluebonnet, she has a whole lot more on her mind than snapping photos, especially when Rome walks into the picture. Playing dirty is fun. The newest instructor at Wilderness Survival Expeditions has a colorful past, to say the least. Having come from a family of notorious con artists that destroyed his credit and reputation, all before his eighteenth birthday, Rome just wants a decent job and a quiet life in a town where no one knows his name. He's exactly the kind of bad boy that an innocent girl like Elise should stay far away from. But Elise is tired of doing what's right. She's ready to throw caution to the wind—and let Rome show her just how exciting being bad can be…

The Year We Hid Away (Ivy Years #2) by Sarina Bowen. She's hiding something big. He's hiding someone small. Scarlet Crowley's life was torn apart the day father was arrested for unspeakable crimes. Now the shock has worn off, but not the horror. It's a safe bet that Scarlet is the only first year at Harkness College who had to sneak past TV news trucks parked on her front lawn just to leave town. But college will be Scarlet's fresh start. Clutching a shiny new student ID — with a newly minted name on it — she leaves it all behind. Even if it means lying to the boy she's falling for. Bridger McCaulley is a varsity hockey star known for being a player both on and off the ice. But a sobering family crisis takes that all away. Protecting his sister means a precarious living arrangement and constant deception. The only bright spot in his week is the few stolen hours he spends with Scarlet. The two form a tentative relationship based on the understanding that some things must always be held back. But when grim developments threaten them both, going it alone just won't work anymore. And if they can't learn to trust one another now, the families who let them down will take everything they've struggled to keep.

Captive Eden by Brenda Williamson. On the western prairies of Nebraska, Eden befriends the handsome Pawnee half-breed Indian, Brant. Over the years, he treats her with unrelenting respect and they fall madly in love, vowing to be together forever. But when Eden's father discovers she's with child, he sends her away. When Eden returns home with her son to settle her dead father's affairs, it challenges everything she left behind. Brant shows up to lay claim to his son, his feelings for her lost in his anger toward Eden's betrayal and abandonment. Despite the tensions between them, Eden and Brant share an undeniable attraction. Their tentative bond could be shattered when a tragic injury befalls their son.

Misdeeds by Kathryn Kelly. Death Dwellers MC No. 2.5. Misunderstood (#2) should be read before Misdeeds. John "Johnnie" Donovan is determined to make his relationship work with Kendall Miller, the attorney he met during his cousin's birthday party. Before he can move on with his future, however, he still has loose ends to tie up from the past in the person of a rival MC's president who is also Kendall's ex-boyfriend. As Johnnie tries to balance his club life and personal life, another tragedy forces him to make a choice between the two. Will Johnnie be able to live with the choices he makes? Kendall Miller is trying to pick up the pieces of her life in the wake of her ex-boyfriend's assault. She's ready to move on with her life and the man of her dreams, the sexy VP of the Death Dwellers MC. She demands his complete attention and isn't willing to share her man with all the baggage of the MC. She doesn't want to be an afterthought to him nor does she want to live her life in the midst of the clubhouse, especially with the competition taking place between Kendall and the club president's wife. Then, catastrophe strikes and Kendall's life is once again altered. Can she and Johnnie have a future together or has their love been doomed from the beginning?

The Seer's Lover by Kat de Falla. For years, Calise Rowe has been able to sense unusual energy from people, making her believe she is different. Pulled into an ancient war raging for centuries between demon hunters and seers, she's about to find out she's right. Her search for the truth leads her to Lucas Rojas, a seer of angels and demons who walk the earth shrouded from normal human eyes. He's hidden his gift for years and refuses to endanger Calise by sharing it with her. In the sultry Costa Rican Jungles, their worlds collide. As their passion and desire ignite, so does the ancient war between demons and seers. Will their combined efforts be enough to save themselves and the entire human world, or will their new found love be their downfall?

Keep Me Closer (A Dangerous Tides Novel) by Rhyannon Byrd. Five years after the end of his marriage and his career as a detective, Alex Hudson wears a permanent suit of armor to keep the world at bay. Now a PI in South Florida, he believes that he's better off free of romantic complications—even if a certain beautiful redhead makes him sweat with little more than a look. But he's determined to steer clear of women and the trouble they bring. Until trouble comes uninvited... Renowned therapist Brit Cramer has seen her fair share of violence and knows how to handle it. But when a former patient targets Brit as his feminine "ideal," she finds help in the last place she ever expected—the tall, dark, outrageously sexy Alex Hudson, who saves her from a violent attack. Brit's been powerfully attracted to Alex from the moment they first met several years ago, but she knew better than to do more than enjoy the view… The initial uncertainty they both feel shatters in the face of a searing, absolute desire, but their time is running out as they find themselves caught in the sights of a madman who will stop at nothing to get what he wants. Before they know it, they're fighting not only for their lives, but for the possibility that they may have both found exactly what they've always wanted and needed...in each other.

Blue Crush by Jules Barnard. Genevieve Tierney moves to Lake Tahoe after college, determined to go it alone after being betrayed by her boyfriend. Working at a casino and avoiding cheating jerks seems like a good plan, until she meets the one guy tempting enough to drag her back down. Lewis Sallee is six and a half feet of perfectly sculpted mountain man in a complicated relationship with another woman. Despite his unavailable status, Gen can't seem to control her attraction to him. To boost her confidence, she steps out of her comfort zone and signs up for the Alpine Mudder, a gritty endurance race. But as Gen prepares for the biggest physical challenge of her life, her emotional strength is pushed to its limits after she accepts Lewis's help in training. He tests her willpower and has her fighting her body's response to him—with her mind and heart not far behind.

Alpha Mine by Aline Hunter. Book four of the Alpha and Omega series. Trey almost turned his back on his pack to claim Sadie—the stunning vampire who made him whole. Finally, things have settled. But as an alpha, Trey's always busy. Thankfully he has a woman who's more than happy to ease his frustrations, see to his every desire and give him as much of her as he can take. He can't wait to greet each day with his mate by his side. Then Shepherds return to New York and start killing off shifters. Sadie's powerful enough to protect their people but Trey is determined to keep her safe. Until other dangers arise—ones that could harm humans and immortals alike—and he needs her help when things take a turn for the worst. To destroy their enemies, they'll have to stand together. Even if it means risking everything, including each other.

Bronto's Revenge by Jennifer LaRose. Barbarian Lust, Book Two. Momma warned Ivy to stay away from the bloodthirsty Barbarians but only a Barbarian can show her true love. Bronto's compassion, affection and gentle touch overpower his fierce nature. She places her heart and future in his hands as he introduces her to a life of passion while protecting her from the deadly creatures overrunning her planet. Aliens. Mutants. Dinosaurs. What the hell kind of planet has the government sent Bronto to? He tolerates the creatures lurking around every corner but not the alien abduction of Ivy. He's just begun to introduce her to the ways of lust when she's taken to be used for their brutal experiments. Bronto never believed he could fall for one of Helixis' "primitive" humans. But now he can't imagine life without Ivy. He's determined to save her and destroy the invasive species before they leave her to rot in their lab.

Familiar Desires by Rebecca Airies. Book 5 of the Protective Affairs series. Alana returns to her hometown to investigate a series of disappearances, but coming home means facing the men who are her wizards and mates. A spell forces her to work alongside the sexy-as-sin brothers and the heat of their ménage flares to life. Her inner shifter wants to emerge and claim her men, but there's so much unsaid between them. Kane and Michael have waited years for Alana. Their Familiar fled without explanation and this time she's not going to slip away. Their shared magic grows more intense with each passing day, but they mean to show her that there's more than a mystical bond between them. Michael and Kane will use the sizzling desire to lure her closer until she realizes she belongs with them. Even as Michael, Kane and Alana savor the passion, they must discover who's behind the kidnappings, before their chance at forever is taken away.

Dark Companion by Maya DeLeina. Vampire Architects, Book One. Warwick, an Elite member of the Vampire Architects, was chosen as Isla Joseph's Protector at the moment of her birth. Four decades later, he struggles to hide the love he harbors for his charge. When the time comes for her to learn of Warwick's existence, lust is a beast he can't contain, nor can Isla fight her instant attraction to this mysterious "stranger". The pair comes together in a frenzied feast of flesh. But their intimacy has consequences. Consequences for Isla, when she discovers her lover is a vampire…for the team of Architects, who are struggling to save her from a horrific future…for Warwick, when he's forced to wipe every trace of himself from Isla's memory. Isla, Warwick and the Architects will soon discover love isn't so easily erased. And while fate may have dark designs for Isla…destiny has other plans.

Unexpected Vacation by Jennah Scott. The one thing Savannah didn't plan for on her wedding day was to be left standing alone at the altar. Runaway bride? Try runaway groom. Haley had planned to stand at her best friend's side through sickness and health, for richer or poorer…not to mention watching the woman she fell in love with marry a man she barely gets along with. After Savannah's wedding day falls apart Haley has to push all her intimate desires to the side and be the supportive friend she knows Savannah needs. But was suggesting they turn her would-be honeymoon into a vacation to Bora Bora her brightest idea? When emotions boil over, desires are shared—hello, nipple play and oral teasing—and the sun and sand beckon. And two women discover they need each other more than they realized.

Heated Leather Lover by Annabeth Leong. When Tam Bouie rides into town on her motorcycle, she finds the welcoming committee of her dreams. In a bar called Issues, the beautiful femme Yasmin Miller seems to have been waiting for a butch on a steel horse to sweep her off her feet. Yasmin has a serious fetish for women in leather and isn't afraid to go after what she wants—until she discovers that Tam isn't just passing through. Convinced that their town is too small for the explosive love affair that threatens to ignite, and the possible fallout if it goes sour, Yasmin drops Tam as quickly as she picked her up. Tam, however, doesn't give up easily, and Yasmin's resolutions to stay away from her won't mean a thing if she can't resist the sexy butch's heated leather love.