Kelsey walked through every aisle of the bookstore as if each was a new cave of buried treasure for her to explore. I’d never been much into reading, a side effect from forced reading in high school, but even I found myself interested in a few autobiographies from World War II veterans. After selecting my two novels, I went in search of Kelsey. It wasn’t until I made my way to the back corner of the shop that I found her surrounded by stacks of erotic romance novels. The dichotomy was evident. Kelsey came across as a sweet and innocent woman, with her hair in loose curls that hung down her back, and wearing a dark-orange T-shirt dress topped with in an oversized white-and-brown floral cardigan, and white Converse sneakers on her feet. Yet around her were books that depicted all sorts of sexual exploration within a relationship. It left me wondering how much of Kelsey was innocent, and how much of her was willing to try new things. “There you are,” I said, and her eyes lifted from where she was reading the back cover of a book that had a man’s bare, tattooed torso taking up the entire front. I set my selections on a nearby chair and wished I didn’t have my crutch as I moved toward her, being forced to hobble rather than prowl like I wanted to. Once she was within reach, I wrapped my arm around her waist. It seemed that since the other day, when we shared our first kiss, I hadn’t been able to keep my hands off her, always needing to touch her somehow. “Here I am. You found me,” she whispered, reaching high to wrap her arms around my neck. “Did you find what you needed?” I asked her as I moved my lips to her jaw, trailing kisses across her soft skin. “Mmhm.…” “Good. You know, ever since I was in eighth grade, I’ve always had a fantasy about making out in the dark stacks of a library.”
Everything in my life is rigidly planned, nothing ever takes me by surprise, until her.
Wren Jacobs.
I swear the woman was put on earth to drive me insane. She’s too young, too beautiful, my daughter’s best friend, and one of my best friend’s daughters. In other words, completely off limits.
And for one weekend she’s the art curator assigned to help me pick up my newest painting.
My only job is keep my hands off the forbidden woman almost twenty years my junior. Every whisper of daddy Wilson that falls from her lips drives me closer to forgetting my rules and realizing this nightmare might be the fantasy I need for the night.
Even if one night could be enough, will everyone finding out destroy it all?
My reputation at home is a laugh so I go to the place where I’d always been the happiest : Magnolia Grove with my MeMaw and PawPaw.
Little did I know that news of my brief and failed marriage had made it there. I venture to a nearby town for one night of peace. I thought I was emotionally unavailable until a chance encounter with a handsome stranger gives me a night of freedom and fun. No exchanging of names or personal information, and no intention of ever seeing one another again. No matter how incredible our chemistry may be.
But I do see him again—at my MeMaw’s church.
My stranger is the town’s new preacher.
My entire body stiffens and goes on high alert when from behind the podium a giant figure stands. Long dark hair is pulled back into a neat tiny bun. Piercing blue eyes look out into the congregation. His sharp features might now have a neatly trimmed beard, but there’s no mistaking him. Then that deep voice echoes off the church walls. The preacher’s son was never tall, dark, and intimidatingly handsome. Cute would be a vast understatement.
Never. Never in a million years would I have expected to see my one-night stand at the church altar. I’m beginning to hyperventilate at the gravity of this situation. My one and only—my one night stand was with my mimi’s preacher! Isn’t that some big no-no? Aren’t pastors supposed to be held to a higher moral ground? What was he doing in a bar? He told me he was in the Air Force.
“Honey?” Mimi’s cool, bony hands gently touch my wrist. “Are you okay?”
No! No, I’m not okay. I’m going to hell. I’m surprised I haven’t burst into flames. Of all the sins I’ve committed, I think this one ranks at the top.
“I’m fine,” I wheeze out.
Brother Johnny David. He went by J.D. at the bar. I know what that stands for now. And of course he’s going to lead the next hymn. His mother is beaming with pure love and devotion as she watches him begin to sing while she plays the piano.
That voice.
I’ve never heard a hymn sung like that. It’s moving, soothing, and overpowering all at once. This man could make an atheist want to convert with that voice. He really is one of God’s angels.
And I…
I’m going to be sick. Worse, I’m still being seduced by him. I’m sitting here in the pew ogling this man. Who is Mrs. Jinny’s son! Oh my… I’ll never be able to look her in the eye again. How can I look into that sweet face and know what I did to her son? I’ll have to avoid Brother Johnny too. I can’t shake his hands and allow him to bless me after what I did to his son. And I did a lot of things to his son. And his son did some pretty incredible things to me. His voice isn’t his only blessing. Heat creeps up the back of my neck and on to my cheeks. This is the weirdest situation I’ve ever been in. There’s this longing in my chest but a gnawing guilt, with a healthy dose of fear, swirling in the pit of my stomach.
This is God punishing me. Nobody can tell me the Lord doesn’t have a sense of humor, because right now He has jokes. It was three years ago, but He waited until the perfect moment, when I would least expect it, to be like, remember that one really sinful night you had? You’ve been fantasizing about it and praying to meet him again? Bazinga! He’s the new preacher.
I wonder if there’s a special place in hell for fornicating with the pastor? When we met he said he was in the Air Force. He didn’t mention being one of God’s soldiers. He isn’t Catholic, so maybe he can date. Then again, dating and one-night-stands are two separate things. There’s the argument that a one night stand can lead to dating. There’s still the fact he laid with a woman he wasn’t married to… I feel like I’m getting into a lot of gray areas. Lust is a sin. There’s a lot of lusting happening right now. Jesus would probably forgive me of my sins, but I’m not so sure some of the ladies here are as forgiving. I can keep our secret if J.D. can.
I was worried about everyone whispering about my recent divorce. That seems quite a mild scandal compared to what would happen if anyone learned of my history with the new pastor.
In the heart of Alabama, lies a charming little town on the river, where everyone knows your name… and your business.
Follow the intertwined lives of its beloved residents as they navigate first love, second chances, and all the unexpected surprises that their small-town holds.
Welcome to Magnolia Grove, where every neighbor has a story worth unraveling, the roots run deep, and love blossoms around every corner.
Join the Magnolia Grove Reader Group to find out more!
MURDER. LAUGHTER. HAPPILY EVER AFTER.
Let’s make it awkward!
Gail Haris loves blending romance out of life’s everyday chaos. Stories filled with humor, steam, and moments of sweetness, along with suspense and twists. Using coffee and her imagination, Gail writes in a variety of genres including romantic comedy, romantic suspense, small-town, and new adult/coming of age romance.
Gail enjoys living in her small town in Southeast Missouri, and then taking adventures all over the world with her two fierce princesses and Boo Bear, who is her ultimate real-life book boyfriend. When she’s not getting into mischief or scheming with her two girls, she’s busy coming up with crazy scenarios for her characters. Hopefully by following her dream, she can be an example to her daughters that their dreams can become a reality.
Never stop believing in love, dreams, and yourself. And coffee…especially the coffee. Don’t give up on coffee and books.
Wanna be pen pals? Subscribe for Gail Mail! Don’t miss out on release announcements, exclusive giveaways, behind-the-scenes snippets, and glimpses into the chaos of her life, and more.Sign up at https://gailharis.com/newsletter/
It’s the most important rule and the easiest to break.
Riding with the Knightdale Charter isn’t my first choice. But home is where you go when you leave your heart in a pine box. Grief is like a magnet, and I’m surrounded by shadows. Living life among the darkness, just like her.
She’s buried an even bigger piece of herself than I have.
And all she wants is to finally find the light.
If we had any sense at all, we’d steer clear of each other.
But I’d rather feel anything than nothing at all.
Ashes to ashes and dust to dust.
When is it love and not just lust? Don’t ask me. I’m a disgrace no matter what.
An angel, a demon, a vampire, a fae and a shifter walk into an academy…
Sounds like the start of a bad joke, right?
I mean, come on, what could go wrong? Especially when they all fall for a girl whose scream can turn men to piles of ash and dust?
That girl is me, by the way. Yep, I k1ll people with my scream. This is where the “I’m not like other girls” thing gets a whole new meaning.
Daughter of the Witch Queen who went psycho and was imprisoned before I was born, father unknown. Too powerful to be left in peace.
Pandemonium College seems like a good place to hide until I figure out what I am.
No place better than among your own kind, right?
A crow among crows. A powerful girl in an academy full of powerful magical students.
And then I meet them.
Five guys, one more gorgeous than the next.
Nice. Gentle. Friendly. Hot. How is a girl supposed to resist?
Beware of pretty strangers, they say, but they are just students. They don’t know what I am, so no harm in being friendly right back, right? I mean, what could go wrong?
I only have to avoid screaming… for any reason. Shouldn’t be all that hard.
Look, I’m not going to lie and tell you life is all roses and champagne. Although as a high-end escort, I do get a lot of those. Do you know what else I get?
Dubious clients, stalkers, some really uncomfortable positions (and I mean that literally), not to mention the exhausting amount of lies I have to tell on a daily basis.
Thing is, beneath this whole veneer I’ve created, lives an everyday, almost pushing thirty, independent woman who wouldn’t mind settling down with someone who can handle her.
And by handle, I mean in all the ways.
I’ve considered my client, Tyler Walker, or the rich one as I’ve dubbed him on my phone. He’s kind and focused with a dominance that can make any woman le sigh.
Except, I’m somewhat hung up on my childhood love who is also my brother’s best friend. Complicated, right? Well, he’s all about that white picket fence and two point three children too, which isn’t exactly where I see myself any time soon.
I wish my choices ended there but you know what they say about third guy’s the charm? I’m sure someone says that somewhere. Well, my candy aisle stranger with his disarming smile and soulful eyes may be exactly what the doctor ordered.
Then again, I’m not exactly the expert on love, am I?
Christmas in Snowflake Falls is the most wonderful time of the year. The lights, sounds, and smells are pure magic. Living here is like being wrapped up in a warm holiday hug. There’s nothing better.
My cozy little world gets shaken like a snow globe when the house next door sells. Worse yet, the new neighbor’s tomcat sneaks over and makes himself at home on my Christmas quilt with my sweet feline. Furious, I storm next door to give the owner a piece of my mind, only to find John Mitchell—my first love—standing there.
It would be so easy to fall back into a rhythm with him, one where only he and I exist. As the holidays pull us closer, I have to wonder, are we just wrapped up in the season…or could this time be different?
John
Returning to Snowflake Falls is exactly what I needed in my life—especially right before Christmas. I’d forgotten how much I missed the holidays in my hometown.
What I didn’t expect was my new next-door neighbor to be the one who got away. The moment she stomps over to my house, bangs on my door, and demands cat-support in the likelihood of a feline pregnancy, I know I’m done for. Eve is every bit as feisty and beautiful as I remember.
Being around her rekindles feelings I thought had faded, and the spark between us makes me think we could pick up right where we left off. First, I have to convince her this isn’t about holiday nostalgia. It’s about forever.
USA Today Bestselling Author Lacey Black is a Midwestern girl with a passion for reading, writing, and shopping. She carries her e-reader with her everywhere she goes so she never misses an opportunity to read a few pages. Always looking for a happily ever after, Lacey is passionate about contemporary romance novels and enjoys it further when you mix in a little suspense. She resides in a small town in Illinois with her husband, two children, and three rowdy chickens.
Cosy soft winter background, knitted sweater Cup hot coffee old vintage wooden board. Christmas holidays at home. place for text, Top view flat lay with copy space for slogan or text message SSUCv3H4sIAAAAAAAEAJ2QzW7DIBCE75X6DhZnWzK2CU5fJephga2L6pgKcKoq8ruXP0uce2O+2QFmn68vTUMEOC3JW/OMKmi9rrvzFrw2W8B9Wzgq7Y3VsEYY2ZEc4jz43aGLVxQkweMSZjMs+fOdW9bNaSQzJIJFSFsxt4vETnS0/07mw/tZBRbc5G/6cFXE4oqQi9zyKPn68WjvdbWHVmgqDbvSpmr5MBLWGBirm7+tlnpbqpjxn2jrjYWVm3sFNuPTT0oxosJKo6QjpXyaGb2yidOBM14GtIo2m2c2f3DegbiIboKeddcJVTcM2F9mENjTMazl+AM6wgz++wEAAA==
He’s not looking for love, and she isn’t looking for him… but when opposites attract, the rules of the game change.
Anders As a pro hockey player for the Lauderdale Knights, my life is great—friends, hockey, and casual flings are all I need. Love isn’t even on my radar. But I’ll admit, dating my teammate’s hot sister sounds like a fun distraction.
Until I see her shy, nerdy friend sitting alone at the team party. Claudia’s nothing like the women I usually go for. She’s awkward, brilliant, and inexperienced, and I still find myself wanting more.
The problem? She’s headed back to Philadelphia, and I’m stuck here in Lauderdale.
Claudia
One bad experience left me done with men. I’ve got a great job, supportive family, and friends who mean the world to me. The last thing I need is a smooth-talking playboy hockey hunk trying to worm his way into my heart— and pants.
But then I meet Anders, my best friend’s brother’s teammate, the swoon-worthy Swedish player who’s breaking through my walls.
What started as one week together turns into something I never expected. But I can’t trap him like his ex did. I love him too much.
So I’ll let him go… even if it breaks my heart.
🏒 𝐓𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄𝐑 𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐀𝐋 🏒
𝗕𝗥𝗜𝗖𝗞 𝗪𝗔𝗟𝗟 (Bainbridge Hockey #3) by Andi Burns releases November 21st!
Brick Wall is a college hockey romance with a hero who falls hard and fast for the one girl he can’t have.
JT
Life hasn’t always been easy, but things are beginning to look up. I’m the starting goalie for the BU Wolves, Coach Baylor has become the family I have always wanted as a kid, and my dream career is waiting for me. All I need to do is defend my net for the next few seasons so I can prove to the Boston Bruisers that they drafted me for a reason. That’s a pretty bright future for a man with a past like mine.
When I hit up a party with a bunch of my roommates, I never expected to fall hard. But from that night on, it’s out of my control. Maggie Baylor is the one for me, no matter how much she tries to deny it.
Just when I think we’re getting somewhere, she ghosts me. But there’s one thing Maggie doesn’t understand: I’m not letting anything or anyone—not even Coach—stand in our way.
Maggie
As a transfer student, I have one goal: finish my senior year without any drama. And, ok…I may have lost sight of that goal before the year officially started. But that’s not my fault—Hottie Gym Shorts Guy was…well, hot. And sweet. And so very talented. That’s why I bolted the next morning. I didn’t move back home to fall in lust or worse, love. I came back to Bainbridge to spend time with my Uncle Hudson and earn my degree.
Besides, there won’t be any drama because I’m never going to see him again.
Except I do. We just keep running into each other. It’s fine, though. I can resist.
Until I can’t. JT is crumbling all my defenses. I’m on the verge of letting myself fall in love, even if I know my uncle will disapprove, when two little pink lines appear. I brace myself for impact because the only thing I know about love is that it doesn’t last.
But JT doesn’t leave my side. He slays my dragons and rubs my feet and makes me reconsider everything I thought I knew.
Is this really something I can believe in, or will our world come crashing down just when we need each other the most?
***
Brick Wall is the third book in the Bainbridge U hockey series, but it can be enjoyed as a standalone. If you love a stoic hero who’ll do anything to protect the woman he loves and the family they’ve created, no matter who tries to stop him, JT Norris will melt your kindle. If you can’t resist a jaded heroine who learns to trust again, Maggie Baylor is your kinda girl. If you want all the laughs, all the feels, and every single bit of steam, and no third act break-up, then settle in with your favorite snack—Maggie recommends dark chocolate peanut butter cups—and dive into this forbidden love, surprise baby college hockey romance.
Why you will love this book… 💕Small Town Romance 🔥Best Friend’s Little Sister 💕Slight Age Gap 🔥Reformed Playboy 💕Romantic Suspense-ish 🔥Childhood Crush 💕Blue Collar Hero 🔥Possessive, Alpha Hero 💕Touch Her & Die vibes
Bax Mayson thought he had escaped the family curse—until he saw Olivia Gannon again.
It’s been eight years since he last laid eyes on his best friend’s little sister, and now, fate has thrown her back into his life. As if their undeniable connection isn’t complicated enough, a mysterious threat looms, determined to tear Olivia away from him.
For Olivia, moving back home wasn’t supposed to change everything—until it did.
Running into Bax was the last thing she expected, but that one encounter sets off a whirlwind of events she couldn’t have imagined. Now, with family tensions rising, exes resurfacing, and a hidden enemy out for revenge, Olivia must figure out who—or what—they’re fighting. Because one thing is certain: she and Bax have something worth fighting for.
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Kari's Book Reviews and Revelations 