I Spy the Boy Next Door by Samantha Armstrong

I Spy the Boy Next Door
Samantha Armstrong
Publication date: May 25th 2019
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

Four p.m. spy sessions are the highlight of Mallory Taylor’s day. Observing the boy next door—one with a body and an attitude to match—has her perched beside her window so often it can’t be healthy.

When she finally convinces her mom to let her go to public school, Mallory comes face to face with her neighbor, Troy Parker. And he makes it clear he wants nothing to do with her. His rejection awakens a newfound tenacity and maybe even a touch of recklessness. But when Troy starts to show up when she needs him the most, Mallory can’t help but wonder if there’s more to him than he’s let on.

Taking chances, breaking rules, and following her heart is all new to Mallory. And no one warned her just how fickle hearts can be. When she discovers that Troy isn’t at all the guy she imagined him to be, secrets rise to the surface that will change her life forever.

**This is a standalone mature YA/new adult contemporary romance.

Goodreads / Amazon

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EXCERPT:

We’re about ten minutes into the lesson when everything around me stops and spins. I don’t know which because all I can see is him.

“Mr. Parker, nice of you to join us,” Mr. Brown says.

I stalked him a few years ago on Facebook to see if we were in the same grade, but I wasn’t expecting to be in the same class.

My day just got a hell of a lot better.

I press my palm to my chest, feeling the familiar beat. I press harder, hoping the pressure will soften the racket inside of me.

He slides a note onto Mr. Brown’s desk, barely acknowledging him before returning his attention to his phone. His fingers fly across the screen as he walks down the aisle.

Please look at me. Please look at me. Please look at me, I silently chant, but when he turns and heads directly for me, my prayers abruptly change. Don’t look at me. Don’t look at me. Don’t look at me.

My heart’s thumping so hard against my ribcage, I’m losing air.

This is the moment.

I don’t know what to do. I’ve been envisioning it for so long, and now that it’s about to happen, everything I’ve ever planned I would do or say has gone out the window. I start clicking my pen, then tapping my foot. I should be focusing on the lesson at the front of the room, but I can’t take my eyes off him. He’s wearing a hood, but I can see his hair slipping out from under it. Dark jeans hang low on his hips, and a bag sits snug on his back.

He’s only a few steps away. I swallow.

He’s in front of me. He looks up.

My breath catches in my throat.

His eyes widen, then narrow. All these years later, he still doesn’t smile at me.

And I realize, I sat in an already claimed seat.

Author Bio:

Samantha Armstrong's novels incorporate all of the feels--from swoon-worthy heroes to sweet-but-mostly-sassy heroines, quirk and laughter to emotional grit and panty melting-heat. She has written in multiple genres, but never strays far from romance.

Born and raised in New Zealand, Samantha Armstrong prefers to be tucked away writing whenever she can -- or, rather, whenever her adorable yet demanding baby boy allows.

A normal day for her includes diapers--lots of them--walks with both babies (i.e. human baby and dog baby), writing between naps, and staying up late to write even more. Then somehow fitting all the other stuff in between.

To sign up for information on upcoming releases, giveaways and more: https://www.samantharmstrong.com/subscribe

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Retribution by Chiah Wilder

Title: Retribution

Series: Nomad Biker Romance

Author: Chiah Wilder

Genre: MC Romance

Release Date: April 23, 2019

Chiah Wilder definitely has a hit with this book. It had it all love, drama, chemistry, and undeniable passion. The connection between Cobra and Dakota was off the charts steamy. ~Book Club Gone Wrong 

Once I picked this book up I couldn't put it down. Intense, super hot sex scenes and two people falling in love. ~Deb Amazon Reviewer

A terrific read! I loved Cobra and Dakota’s story, I was dragged into their hot tale and was rooting for a HEA from the word go. ~JulieD2 Amazon Reviewer

Wow. Just...wow. This is a great love story with the strong and silent sexy biker, and his sassy and strong counterpart.  ~Michelle Myskiw Goodreads Reviewer

Cobra once wore the Steel Devils MC patch and his territory was Montana. Now his bottom rocker reads Nomad

Cobra used to be the Enforcer in the Steel Devils MC, and his reputation for ruthlessness was well earned. After doing a stint in the penitentiary, he opted out of the MC life, and hit the open road. Still a biker and an outlaw, he goes where the road takes him. He hooks up with women for a while then when the restlessness sets in, he kisses them goodbye and is gone in the blink of an eye. 

He doesn’t want anything or anyone crimping his style. He came from a background that taught him to trust no one and that loving anyone causes pain.

Yeah … he’s just fine on his own.

Then Dakota crashes into his life and turns it upside down.

The girl’s trouble. 

She’s got a ton of baggage.

And she’s driving him crazy with desire.

Dakota has demons inside her that no one can chase away. The last thing she wants is a man in her life. Men only want to use and abuse women and she’s had her fill of them.

But then she meets Cobra, and even though her logic tells her he’s a dangerous and ruthless outlaw, her body wants him in the worst way.

As she gets to know him, a side of him comes out that Dakota doubts anyone has seen.

And just when she puts her guard down and trusts him, her world comes crashing down on her.

Can Cobra soothe the demons inside Dakota, and can she teach Cobra to let someone into his solitary life? 

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐝 𝐁𝐢𝐤𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐬. 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐛𝐫𝐚’𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲. 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝐚𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐞, 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐚𝐠𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐲/𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐡𝐢𝐜 𝐬𝐞𝐱𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬. 𝐇𝐄𝐀. 𝐍𝐨 𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐬. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝟏𝟖

The bathroom door burst open. Dakota whirled around and gasped: In the door was the good-looking biker.

His hand went to the towel around his waist and he didn’t say a word.

They stared at each other across the small space. Despite her mental, physical, and emotional upheaval something pulled tight down the line of her body and she blinked a few times. A quick shake of her head. But that only made the vertigo worse and she whimpered, hanging her head.

“Fuck, stop breaking yourself.”

He was next to her in what seemed like less than a second, his still damp hand supporting her elbow as she hunched over the chair feeling like she was going to faint all over again. “Follow me.”

Dakota was useless as he led her back to the bed and set her up so she was lying on a mound of pillows while he clung to that awfully small towel. The biker made taking care of her seem like it was second nature, like they weren’t strangers. Drops of water from his damp hair settled across her clothing and sunk into her skin.

“Why did you bring me here? What the hell happened?”

Despite the fact that they kept eye contact, he said nothing. His emotions remained completely in check and his face gave nothing away—a blank slate. The least he could do was give her the rundown while she was pathetic and reeling. Instead, he threw a fast food bag in her lap and strode back into the bathroom and shut the door.

“When you come out of there, I expect answers, biker boy,” she said.

Silence from behind the door.

“You have to come out some time.”

More silence.

Images of his finely chiseled chest with a smattering of hair covering it burned into her brain. Dakota shut her eyes and clenched her jaw. Yeah, like sheer stubbornness could clear away the stab of arousal that coursed beneath her skin.

This is a crock of shit. So he has a good body. 

No reason to get all hot and bothered by it.

Chiah Wilder writes about rough, sexy men who know how to treat their women.

Always a lover of books, she began writing at a young age and continued through college with collections of short stories. Figuring she had to grow up and get a “real” job, her writing was placed on the back burner.

Her love of reading has always been center front in her life. Chiah’s love of bad boys both in and out of fiction has inspired her books. She loves an alpha male whose softer side is brought out by a passionate, spirited woman. In fiction there are no rules or boundaries, and fantasies can go as far as the characters want to take them. Steamy, romances with tough, sexy bad boys are her guilty pleasure along with brownies, cheddar cheese, and movie marathons. 

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Trust in Love by Melanie Adams

Title: Trust In Love

Author: Melanie Adams

Genre: Sweet Romance

Release Date: April 30, 2019
Publisher: Limitless Publishing
Cover Design: Deranged Doctor Design

I always dreamed of finding the kind of love my parents shared. Strong, loyal, passionate, and beautiful. But watching my father fall apart after my mother died, I can’t help but wonder if it’s worth it?

Is it worth finding a love so fierce, it has the power to destroy you within the blink of an eye? 

On the verge of giving up on love, I cross paths with a little girl in desperate need of my help to overcome her grief. Then I meet her father, Dr Brent Davies.

Brent is handsome, kind, and there’s an instant attraction between us. Sparks fly every time I look into his eyes, and it’s impossible to ignore the burning desire I feel for him.

But it’s not just his daughter that needs to deal with her grief. Turns out Brent needs to make peace with his own past before he can move on…

Before he can be with me.

Pulling into the driveway, Emma half expected to see Brent’s truck. She checked her watch. It was still early in the afternoon. Worn out from the excitement and the brisk hike, Hope was settled in watching a movie. There was plenty of time for a hot bath to take the chill off and soak her sore ankle.

She filled the tub and slipped out of her hiking gear. She eased into the hot water and settled back to watch time peacefully pass by. She soaked until the water was lukewarm.

Stepping out of the tub, she turned to check the cabinet for towels and their eyes met. Her heart pounded like a drum, ringing in her ears. Her cheeks were on fire. She had no idea how long Brent had stood there, but from the look on his face, he was just as surprised to see her. A small hand towel was the only thing available and she scrambled to cover herself, an impossible task. When she looked up again he was gone.

She dried off as quickly as she could with the tiny towel, regretting not checking for a bath towel before she climbed into the tub. Still a little wet, she forced her way into her jeans and pulled her t-shirt over her head. In her rushed state, she forgot to put her bra back on, and there was no way the shirt was coming back off. Not now, anyway.

She moved over to the mirror, shoved her bra into the pocket of her jeans and groaned at her reflection. She hobbled to the door and held the knob in her hand, summoned all her nerve, and turned the doorknob.

Brent was poised to knock on the door and they startled each other when the door opened and they found themselves face to face.

His eyes locked on hers. “I was just coming to see if you were okay.”

She covered her eyes with her hand. “I’m fine. I mean what happened is okay. I mean, I’m okay.”

Brent shoved his hands in his pockets. “Oh, okay. That’s good. You shouldn’t be embarrassed.”

“Well, I am, but I’m sure I’ll get over it. It was my fault. I should have closed the blinds.”

“With a body like that, I can’t imagine why you would be embarrassed.” He started to back away and then turned back, looking down at her shirt. “You look cold.” He unzipped his sweatshirt, took it off and wrapped it around her shoulders.

As he turned to leave he spotted her little black G-string underwear on the vanity and lifted them with his index finger. He took her hand in his and turned it over, dangling the panties inches from her palm. “You want these, or can I keep them for a memento?”

Emma snatched them from his finger. “I’m so glad you find this so or amusing.” She winced in pain.

Brent furrowed his brow. “You all right?”

“I will be. I twisted my ankle on our walk this afternoon.”

She stepped out the door, her panties still in her hand. With nowhere else to put them, she shoved them in the front pocket of his sweatshirt.

Hope hopped up and down beside her dad. “It was kinda scary, but kinda fun, Daddy. We went for a walk in Emma’s favorite place and we almost got eaten by a cat. It followed us in the bushes. Emma was brave. She had spray stuff to make it go away.” She paused and looked at Emma. “What did you call it? Tell Daddy what you called it.”

Brent frowned and hugged Hope to his chest. “Can you please go set the table for lunch?”

He waited a moment for Hope to get out of earshot. “How could you put Hope in danger? The cougar warning notices are up everywhere, Emma.” His voice was gruff while trying to keep it down so Hope wouldn’t hear. “You were hired to do a job; what the hell happened?” He raked his fingers through his hair, pacing back and forth. “Who do you think you are, Emma? I thought I could trust you to keep her safe.” He put his hand up to silence her. “You are not her mother, I don’t need you running her all over the place. She’s all I have left, for Christ’s sake.” The scowl deepened, he shook his head. “I trusted you. Clearly, that was a mistake.”

Emma’s eyes stung. “I’m sorry. You are absolutely right. I shouldn’t be here. It’s the weekend and this is all very inappropriate.” She moved to the door, fighting the tears straining to get out. “My keys, my purse...” She frantically scanned the room, blinking to clear her vision. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry, Brent.”

She shoved one foot into her runner and headed out the door carrying the other—her ankle wasn’t going to tolerate anything else.

Brent stood watching her, the scowl still firmly in place. “Put your other shoe on.”

She gripped the handrail and limped down the few steps, not looking back. “I can’t. My ankle is swollen.” Hot tears poured down her cheeks. She kept moving as he continued to call after her.

“Wait a minute, let me get my shoes,” he hollered after her.

Jogging and hopping, and wincing with every step, she couldn’t stop moving. A few more feet and she would be in her car, alone, and she could let everything go.

Brent was right. What had happened in the last few months was so much more than she should have allowed. Tears blurred her sight as she slammed the car door shut. She ground them out of her way to start the car. This was the pain she had ran from. It didn’t take a death to crush her, just her own stupid lack of control. It was time to remove herself. It was going to take every ounce of strength she could muster to remain professional and composed.

Melanie Adams is loving her life on Vancouver Island with her husband of 28 years. She is continually impressed with the amazing people her children have become. They enjoy as much family time as possible.

Writing has been an undeniable necessity for as long as she can remember. With an imagination on overdrive, the best thing for her is writing.

She loves to read, especially romance and is currently devouring Nicholas Sparks books.

When she isn’t writing she is sorting mail at Canada post, usually at some ridiculous time in the morning.

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