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Book Title: Love’s Spark
Author: L.A. Cotton
Genre: NA Contemporary Romance
Release Date: December 2014
Hosted by: Book Enthusiast Promotions

Twenty-four year old Sharn Macer has spent the last six years looking for love….for that spark. She’s failing miserably. After a life changing break up forces her back to her broken home, and into a string of dating disasters, Sharn decides it’s time to hang up her heels and take a break from guys.
She didn’t expect to find the spark… with the quiet guy from her past.

Keefer Smith likes to keep to himself, always has and probably always will. He doesn’t have time to date, not when he’s constantly worrying about what state he’ll find his father in. Lucky for him, he does have one thing going for him; baseball.
He didn’t expect to want more… with the girl he once watched from afar.

Back in high school, Sharn would never have looked twice at someone like him, and Keefer would’ve never stood a chance with someone like her. But six years is a long time, and when they find themselves placed in charge of seventeen ninth graders they soon realize they might not be as different as they think. The chemistry is right, even if the timing is all wrong.

Sparks will fly, but will they spark love?

The Lounge was crammed. Friday nights were always full of students, but it was the best club for a more chilled out vibe. It had two rooms; a bar area and a dance area, then there was a huge covered courtyard. After navigating the queue at the bar, I managed to get us drinks. We wound our way through the crowds of drunken, rowdy college kids, and found an empty sofa at the far end of the courtyard. Sharn’s body moved in time to the music, and from how natural she made it looked, I could tell she liked to dance—something I never did.

“It’s really busy.” Her words sounded a little slurred.

“Are you drunk? You only had two glasses of wine with dinner.” I mocked. I’d switched to soda after a couple of beers—I was driving.

“I am not!” She gasped. “I’m just excited. I don’t get out all that much.”

“What about your friend? The girl I saw you with at 42nds?”

She turned her body slightly to face me. “Mae? We work together, and have a Friday night ritual. She’s married though.”

My eyes glanced over her neck and chest, lingering over her low cut dress. I could just make out the curve of her tits.

“Hey.” She snapped her fingers in front of my nose. “My face is here, mister.”

Busted.

“I can’t help where my eyes decide to look. Did you blow off your Friday night ritual with Mae, for me?”

She blushed again, and my inner guy punched the air—I affected her as much as she affected me. “Maybe. Hmm-” She hesitated, as if she wanted to ask me something. My stomach pooled with dread.

“Can I ask you something? Where did you go last weekend?”

Fuck. It would be so easy to tell her the truth—to let her in. But I choked, unable to do it. I didn’t want to ruin the night—to see the pity in her eyes. I didn’t want her to feel sorry for me. So I played the game I’d been playing from the start. Leaning forward, I dipped my head and swept her hair away from her shoulder with my hand. As I brushed my lips against the soft spot underneath her ear, she trembled and I whispered, “Not tonight. I’ll tell you, but not tonight.”

She let out a breathy sign as I curved my arm around her waist and pulled her body flush to mine. Our lips found each other’s, and I knew. This was it for me. She was it. But she still knew nothing about me, and that scared the shit out of me. I had to tell her. And soon. Or I’d lose her. Someone like Sharn wouldn’t play games for long.

L. A. Cotton has a busy mind in need of constant stimulation. A youth worker from the Midlands, UK, if L. A isn’t immersed in a book, she’s figuring out what course to study next. With an imagination that refuses to stay quiet, early this year, L. A finally decided to put finger to keyboard and start typing. Her debut novel, Fate’s Love releases September 30th.

When she’s not busy reading, writing, and plotting future books, L. A. is mum to two gorgeous children, and their hyper terrier, Rocky.

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$25 Amazon Gift Certificate

$10 Evernight Gift Certificate

Signed copy of Keyboards and Kink Anthology & Swag Pack

Signed copy of Satin Rose Experience, Vol. 1 & Swag Pack

Signed copy of Colors of Us & Swag Pack

Ready to Party?

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Today’s Bookalicicous Spotlight shines on:

COLORS OF US

McAvery Brothers, 1

Everything she knew to be true fell apart. Then fell apart again…

Michelle Willis is running from her past. What better place to hide than in the anonymity of New York City. Finding refuge in a tiny SoHo art gallery, she rebuilds her life one painting at a time.

A wrong turn sends Hunter McAvery on a crash course with disaster. He fights his own demons by following his big brother’s lead – drinking and bed-hopping his way through Manhattan.

A glance at Michelle’s self-portrait triggers emotions Hunter can’t tamp down. Driven to meet the artist, he discovers a fiery chemistry as their lives collide. But when their past threatens to tear them apart, can their love survive?

COLORS OF US is an Editor’s Pick!

Sandra Bunino is a romance author of several novellas including The Satin Rose Experience series. Her first full-length novel, Colors of Us from the McAvery Brothers series, released in August. She makes her parents proud by putting her MBA degree to good use dreaming up heroes who resemble David Gandy whenever possible. When not staying up past her bedtime torturing her oh-so-sexy heroes, she can be found shopping for shoes or saving turtles.

As a social media junkie in need of a ten-step program, you can also follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and her new addiction, Pinterest. Sandra loves to read and chat with other readers, so she formed the Bunino’s Bookalicious Babes group on Facebook where they currently share their love of Jamie Fraser from Outlanders…and David Gandy, of course.

NEWSLETTER

All of Sandra Bunino’s eBooks, including COLORS OF US, are $0.99 until December 12th:

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Book Title: #TripleX
Author: Christine Zolendz & Angelisa Stone
Genre: Chic-Lit
Hosted by: Book Enthusiast Promotions

#TripleX
By: Christine Zolendz & Angelisa Stone

Does size really matter?

Two women spin a tale of comedy and new beginnings after they wake up and find themselves in a jail cell over 3000 miles away from home. Rehashing their adventure in front of a less-than-sympathetic judge, they give a laugh-out-loud and extremely detailed story of a road trip that finds them in a ton of trouble.

Battling age, weight, and their own personal demons, not only do they discover the open road and a life they misplaced somewhere in their 20s, they also find themselves. From breakups and stealing cars to blurry memories of something that might have happened in New Mexico, these two women will take you on a real journey, full of fun and, well, situations that people only write about and never really do….or do they?

Christine Zolendz resides in New York City, and is the author of five novels. Her first series, a paranormal romance (heavy on the romance and light on the paranormal) was published in 2012-2013 and includes Fall From Grace, Saving Grace, and Scars and Songs. Her newest series, published in 2014, includes the dark romance Brutally Beautiful and Cold-Blooded Beautiful.

Angelisa Stone is a typical Midwestern wife and mom, frazzled by parenting and housework, and overwhelmed with sports schedules, doctor appointments, and three-dimensional creative projects due “tomorrow morning.” Angelisa dreams of white sandy beaches, clear-blue waters, and Midori coladas in hand, but realizes that her loving husband and four not-so-perfect children are her real dreams-come-true. Writing and reading are her passions, and she hopes (and prays with her fingers tightly crossed) that readers will find enjoyment and escape through her words and characters.

99 CENTS FOR A LIMITED TIME!

ONLY AVAILABLE FOR TWO WEEKS!
16 New Adult Stories from 16 of your favorite New Adult Authors
Find your next book boyfriend here.

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Featuring MY UNEXPECTED FOREVER by USA and NYT Bestselling Author Heidi McLaughlin
They say you should expect the unexpected, I didn’t realize my unexpected would be the forever kind.

FOR EVERLY by Raine Thomas
The last thing physical therapy student Everly Wallace wants is a relationship, but when she’s roped into working with sexy Major League pitcher Cole Parker, she’ll discover that it just might be the one thing she needs.

INDELIBLE by Bethany Lopez
Sam’s a single mom, working her way through college while raising her toddler. Judd’s a college baseball player, who on the outside, looks like he doesn’t have a care in the world. Can two people at different stages in their life find a way to make a life together?

TATTOOED DOTS by Kimberly Knight
Brooke and Easton learn that people are brought into their lives for many reasons. Over time, they find out what those reasons are. Some are to be a temporary acquaintance while others are there for life.

MANGLED HEARTS by Felicia Tatum
Can two loves find their way back to each other despite an addiction and a hardened heart, allowing their love to overcome it all? Can these mangled hearts be mended?

BREAKDOWN by Amanda Lance
After Charlotte Ferro’s suicide attempt is ruined by a handsome do-gooder he introduces her to a world of fast cars and cool criminals. But can their newfound friendship survive the secrets of their past?

MAVERICK by Anna Cruise
International surf sensation Kellen Handler has it all – fame and fortune and more women than he can count – but he’s riding his own personal wave toward disaster. Can PR genius Gina Bellori rescue his reputation…and his heart?

DO ANYTHING by Wendy Owens
A broken heart is only the beginning for her. He thinks he has his life figured out. Will they risk their hearts on a new chance at love?

RESIST ME by A.O. Peart
Ethan, a former-Marine-turned-firefighter, has never really cared for any woman, while living his life to the fullest and enjoying the bad boy stigma. Until the street-smart Lisbeth comes along, and instantly turns Ethan’s world upside down, making him want to protect her, no matter the consequences.

THE MAN TEST by Amanda Aksel
Couple therapist Marin Johns tries to prove that all men are liars and cheaters by beginning a fictitious relationship. Will her new “boyfriend” be the statistic or will Marin regret the satisfaction of being right?

A RISK WORTH TAKING by Heather Hildenbrand
For college grad, Summer Stafford, watching her parents’ divorce has taught her that, above all, love is a risk. For a drifter like Ford O’Neal, love isn’t just a risk, it isn’t even on the table. But attraction quickly leads to something more and they are both forced to realize they’re risking a whole lot for a summer fling.

UNINTENTIONAL VIRGIN by A.J. Bennett
Nineteen-year-old Karma points is cursed. Cursed with a ridiculous name, self-esteem issues and the inability to lose her virginity. That is until Jax, the tattooed bouncer, comes into the picture.

THE FALL OF SKY (PART ONE) by Alexia Purdy
Singing duo Audrey and Liv Westing hope to be discovered as the next big thing. While fumbling through their turbulent existences, they attract the eye of a deadly but powerful Cartel family.

A FIREFIGHTER’S FLAME by Dani Hart
If you dig into the deepest parts of your soul, what would you find? Happiness,pain, love, regret, peace, sorrow?
Follow Lennox’s journey of rediscovery, falling in love, and searching for her own fairy-tale ending.

STEALING PROMISES by Brina Courtney
One moment can change your life forever.
One moment to find love.
One moment to lose it.

FIRESIDE SERIES by Morgan Black
A cowboy with a mysterious past. A ranch princess with an eye for the one she can’t have. What happens when their two world collides one weekend in a snowstorm?

Amazon: http://bit.ly/xoxoamazon

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Kobo: http://bit.ly/xoxokobo

Presented by…

It’s Sandra Bunino’s birthday and we’re helping her celebrate with giveaways, a huge $0.99 sale and some surprises along the way! It may be Sandra’s birthday week but YOU get the presents!

Follow the party all week and enter to win:

$25 Amazon Gift Certificate

$10 Evernight Gift Certificate

Signed copy of Keyboards and Kink Anthology & Swag Pack

Signed copy of Satin Rose Experience, Vol. 1 & Swag Pack

Signed copy of Colors of Us & Swag Pack

Ready to Party?

Here’s how…

* Follow the blog blast Dec. 8^th – 12^th

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* Leave Sandra a comment and be sure to enter the Rafflecopter below.

Today’s Bookalicicous Spotlight shines on:

A failed relationship and long hours at her flourishing practice have Dr. Brooke Allaire running on empty. When Brooke accepts a girlfriend’s gift of some holiday pampering at New York City’s posh Satin Rose Experience, she assumes she’s in for a weekend of facials and massages. Brooke soon realizes there’s more to SRE than meets the eye.

Ty Venice is a team player. He’s used to sharing submissives with fellow Dom Jackson Reid. However, if there was ever a game changer, Dr. Brooke Allaire was it. That is, until he gets a glimpse at her ultimate fantasy, to be possessed by two men at once.

The Satin Rose Experience, New York’s elite BDSM club residing on the twentieth floor of Rosebud Resorts, contains ten uniquely themed suites, each with its own story to tell. Fulfill your fantasy at SRE. Find the introduction of SRE in The Satin Rose Experience, a short story in Evernight Publishing’s Keyboards and Kink Anthology.

Be Warned: BDSM, sex toys.

BROOKE’S WISH is an Editor’s Pick and AllRomance eBooks Best Seller!

Sandra Bunino is a romance author of several novellas including The Satin Rose Experience series. Her first full-length novel, Colors of Us from the McAvery Brothers series, released in August. She makes her parents proud by putting her MBA degree to good use dreaming up heroes who resemble David Gandy whenever possible. When not staying up past her bedtime torturing her oh-so-sexy heroes, she can be found shopping for shoes or saving turtles.

As a social media junkie in need of a ten-step program, you can also follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and her new addiction, Pinterest. Sandra loves to read and chat with other readers, so she formed the Bunino’s Bookalicious Babes group on Facebook where they currently share their love of Jamie Fraser from Outlanders…and David Gandy, of course.

NEWSLETTER

All of Sandra Bunino’s eBooks, including BROOKE’S WISH, are $0.99 until December 12th:

Amazon / AllRomance eBooks / Evernight

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Book Title: Cold as Ice
Author: Charlene Groome
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Hosted by: Book Enthusiast Promotions

The Warriors take to the ice again in Charlene Groome’s sensational series about hockey players and the women who love them. But the team’s new addition may have to work for a warm welcome…
Defenseman Devin Miller has bounced from team to team and city to city, but he’s finally ready to settle down—professionally and personally. The Warriors seems like the perfect fit. Now all he needs is the right woman to start a family with—and he’s willing to put in the practice to find her.

Sports anchor Carla Sinclair already doesn’t like Vancouver’s hot new acquisition. So when she’s persuaded to interview him, she’s not prepared for the chemistry between them. But though Devin seems eager to show Carla his moves—on and off the ice—he keeps his personal life off-limits. Frustrated by him in more ways than one, Carla decides to track down Devin’s secrets on her own—and soon must decide if their attraction is worth the hit to her fragile heart…

“So, Devin, what do you want from me?”

He glances down at his almost empty beer. “If you want an interview, I want a night out

with you. Show me the city.”

She burst out laughing. “You have teammates for that,” she says, staring at his prickly

chin. “Ask one of the guys.”

“I plan to stay here for a while. I need to know about the city I’m playing in.”

“Do you do this in every city you play in? Get a chaperone to show you around?”

“No, this is the first.” He looks up at her and their eyes meet. For a second, Carla can

barely breathe, mesmerized by his seductive eyes, so dark they make her heartbeat carry on with double rhythm.

She swallows hard. “For some reason I don’t believe that.”

“Believe it! Do you have a hard time meeting friends?”

“No.”

“Then it shouldn’t be a problem if we get to know each other.”

She stares at him, contemplating. “That can’t happen.”

“Why not?”

“Because…” She’s stumped. “Because it can’t.”

“You don’t think I’m good enough for the team, do you?”

“I didn’t say that!”

“You implied.” He looks at his glass and then at her. “I know how you feel about me.”

“I don’t know what I said.” She tries to recall her last newscast.

“It’s not what you said, it’s what you want.”

I write contemporary romance that are modern -sexy heroes and strong minded heroines- with satisfying endings.
I have combined my love of ice hockey with romantic stories.
I live on the west coast of British Columbia with my husband, three children and our Yellow Lab.

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Book Title: All You Can Eat: A Buffet of Lesbian Romance and Erotica
Editors: R.G. Emanuelle and Andi Marquette
Genre: Lesbian Anthology
Hosted by: Book Enthusiast Promotions

Chef R.G. Emanuelle and sous chef Andi Marquette locked themselves in the kitchen to create a menu that would explore the sensuous qualities of food and illustrate how the act of preparing and eating it can engage many more senses than simply taste and smell. They gathered a great group of cooks who put together an array of dishes, and they present to you here a menu that ranges from sweet and romantic to sultry and seductive, from relationships enjoying a first taste to those that have moved beyond the entrée.

Each story also ends with a recipe. Some of these require cooking implements while others are whimsical accompaniments that don’t require cooking at all—at least not in the traditional sense. After all, food serves as more than sustenance—it’s a trigger for love, laughter, sex, pleasure, and carnal and sensory satisfaction. Whatever your palate prefers, you’re sure to find something tasty here.

Table of Contents

“Crème Brûlée”, by Sacchi Green

The newcomers seemed to be busy building a fire of driftwood on the beach. I moved my car to the far end of the parking lot. In the glow of the overhead light I leaned over the front seat into the back to get y treasures out of the chilly container. Raf took the opportunity to knead my upturned butt and tease between my thighs, but with a steel-willed effort I got the ramekins safely onto a towel folded on the front seat between us.

“Crème brûlée!” I said triumphantly. “Have you ever had it?”

“Just seen it on restaurant menus a time or two without paying attention. What’s it mean? Bruised cream?”

“That sounds intriguingly kinky, but no. More like broiled cream. The top is covered with raw sugar, melted under a broiler or a propane torch, and then it hardens like glass.” I dug some plastic spoons out of the side pocket on the door where I tend to shove them when I get drive-through coffee.

“Dig in,” I said, knowing what would be likely to happen. Raf’s spoon broke on the mottled golden surface.

“You’re the stonecutter in this crew, she said. “You do it.”

I took out my pocketknife, covered it in plastic wrap that had protected the desserts, and brought it down hard on one sugar-glazed portion. Cracks rayed out, letting glimpses of the inner custard show through. “That’s yours. Now you break my shell.”

She did it with one hand, while the other pulled my head close for a long, sensuous kiss. Finally, she pulled away. “So did I break through?”

I couldn’t even remember whether we’d done anything as slow and sweet as kissing last year. “Oh, yeah.” I was breathless. “No shell left at all.”

“Looks like some crunchy bits left in the dishes.” She took my spoon and scooped up some of the rich creamy custard along with fragments of sugar glaze. “Mmm. Now I know what you see in this. Such rich, smooth cream inside that stony exterior.” She took another bite, then offered me one. We alternated with the spoon, feeding each other, until the last bites were accidentally-on-purpose smeared across our lips. The licking and kissing that followed got us so revved up that driving all the way back to Wellfleet without relief was out of the question, so I pulled off at the Pilgrim Springs Trail parking lot, mercifully unoccupied.

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Book Title: Latin Heat Trilogy
Author: Diane Escalera
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Hosted by: Book Enthusiast Promotions

The complete LATIN HEAT TRILOGY in one sizzling edition. Get ready to fall in love!

Collection features Still Hot for You, The Right Temptation and Playing With Destiny.

STILL HOT FOR YOU

Take a peek into the marriage of Dylan and Shay LaCosta. Theirs is a hot and steamy union, with an even hotter couple. Just like in real life, relationships have problems. But when two people are meant to be, they fight with each other, and they fight for each other.

THE RIGHT TEMPTATION

Last thing Nico LaCosta needs is a broken arm. Worse, now his pal’s kid sister wants to soothe his pain. It’s just like Kayla to play the seductive nurse. She’s always had a thing for Nico. Problem is, Kayla’s not a girl anymore. She’s one hot-blooded woman. And Nico’s body is heating up.

PLAYING WITH DESTINY

Matchmaker, matchmaker, bring me a babe. That’s all Christian LaCosta expected from an online dating service. He gets a lot more when he’s unwittingly hooked up with a luscious neighbor named Destiny. Christian doesn’t believe in fate, but one look at Destiny, and he’s seeing a whole new future.

Born and raised in the Bronx, NY, Diane Escalera makes her home in coastal North Carolina. The sultry surroundings are a steady source of inspiration for her hot love stories. Diane is married, has two children and a super cute dachshund she can’t get enough of. She writes contemporary romance and is published with Kensington Publishing and Lyrical Press.

Still Hot for You – Latin Heat Trilogy, Story One

Shay’s heart rate kicked up a notch when he entered her space. She looked at her husband. Poor guy. Worry filled those pretty blue eyes that five years later, still melted her on contact. He looked beat. But gorgeous.

Propped against the doorframe, he watched her suspiciously. His gaze lingered on her snug denim cut-offs. Slowly, his focus trailed up to her white, spaghetti-strap cami that did nothing to hide her erect tan nipples.

Shay held her breath. She titled her head to the side, and her smooth dark hair cascaded in lush waves over her shoulder.

“What’s up?” Dylan asked, in a husky tone.

Most days, she had already gone to bed when he got home from work. They rarely saw each other, let alone when Shay was dressed like that. “Hungry?”

She stepped into the light so he could see every inch of her sweet curves. Her husband flinched and she knew she’d gotten to him. Good. Because this was what he’d been missing.

Dylan dropped his work stuff on the kitchen stool. He looked at her, his gaze sweeping her up and down again. “You cooked?”

“Uh-huh.” She took in his handsome face. Did he still love her? “Shocking, huh?”

He nodded. “About as shocking as…” His chin pointed at her transparent top. “What is this? The calm before the storm?” His jaw tightened. He looked like he was waiting for a bomb to drop.

“It’s just shorts and a tank,” she said, shrugging it off. Underneath, her body felt tingly and nervous. Hopefully, she wasn’t making a fool of herself. What if he rejected her? Whatever. She had to give it a shot. “I’m just about done here. Why don’t you go change while I finish up?”

He stared straight ahead. “Okay.”

She watched him stroll away, his gait strong, fit and purposeful. She didn’t want to be angry with Dylan anymore. After months of mulish behavior, she’d rationalized her situation. At twenty-nine, she had plenty of time to start a family. It’s not like Dylan didn’t want kids. He did. He just had this need to secure their future first. The man showed tenacity, but didn’t she love that about him?

While he changed, Shay spread out the meal. She used the good china and lit a line of candles down the center of the table. Dimming the overhead lamp instantly transformed the mood to soft and relaxing. Barefoot, she sauntered over to the stereo and clicked on the CD player, already loaded with atmosphere music. She chose something not too romantic, just a light, melodic tune.

Back at the table, she tinkered with the wineglasses. She straightened a fork, aligned the salad dressing.

“Whoa,” Dylan said from the hallway.

She looked over her shoulder and smiled. Dropping into a tall, cushioned chair, she kept her eyes on him as he strode her way.

Faded jeans hung low on his waist. A white athletic undershirt smothered his hard upper body. Wide arms pressed against a V-shaped torso. Bright eyes contrasted with spiky dark hair. At thirty-two, Dylan was pure hotness. “Going all out tonight?” He checked out the glamorous display.

“Yep.” Her eyes raked over the tribal armband tattoo inked into his upper left arm. God, it was sexy. God, he was sexy. Almost as sexy as the first time she’d seen him in her father’s living room. He’d come with his own dad, a carpenter who’d been hired to work around her parents’ estate. It’d been an instant, mutual, heated attraction. Tall, dark and proud, he’d made a tool belt look like a sex toy. Blue eyes and a sinister grin–she had fallen hard.

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Book: Storm (ashes & embers #1)

Author: Carian Cole

Genre: Contemporary Romance

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Book Title: Christmas With You
Author: Tracey Alvarez
Genre: Contemporary Romance (Novella)
Release Date: December 5, 2014
Hosted by: Book Enthusiast Promotions

She’s a Holiday Grinch…

Carly Gatlin doesn’t want to spend another Christmas alone. With her beloved father gone, she’s desperate to be part of a family—so she’s spending the holidays with her step-brothers on Stewart Island. But even with sand, sun, and not a snowflake in sight, everything reminds her of what she’s lost. So no tree trimming, cookie baking, or kisses under the mistletoe for her, thanks. Especially not from Due South’s sexy bartender, Kip.

He’s a too-hot-for-his-Santa-suit killjoy…

Kip Sullivan’s moved hundreds of miles away from his family who’d like to see him married off before his next birthday—on Christmas Eve. Then ten days before the big event, his meddling relatives arrive en masse, and dear God, they’re planning to stay. With match-makers breathing down his neck, it’s becoming harder to ignore the temptation to unwrap Carly like a present under the tree.

The Kiwi barbecue isn’t the only thing sizzling this summer…

Kip agrees to help make Carly’s first New Zealand Christmas special. He’s got five holiday missions to complete—one involving a frisky fake reindeer—before he hopes to claim a mistletoe kiss…and maybe even Carly’s heart.

Christmas just isn’t Christmas without this spicy yet sweet Due South novella.

Tracey Alvarez lives in the Coolest Little Capital in the World (a.k.a Wellington, New Zealand) where she’s yet to be buried under her to-be-read book pile by Wellington’s infamous wind—her Kindle’s a lifesaver! Married to a wonderfully supportive IT guy, she has two teens who would love to be surgically linked to their electronic devices.

Fuelled by copious amounts of coffee, she’s the author of contemporary romantic fiction set predominantly in New Zealand. Small-towns, close communities, and families are a big part of the heart-warming stories she writes. Oh, and hot, down-to-earth heroes—Kiwi men, in other words.

When she’s not writing, thinking about writing, or procrastinating about writing, Tracey can be found reading sexy books of all romance genres, nibbling on smuggled chocolate bars, or bribing her kids to take over the housework.

She stepped under the shade of the first huge pohutukawa, blinking as her eyes struggled to adapt.

“Concentrate, zoomie,” she whispered. Her fingers fumbled up the grooved handle to find the trigger. “You got this.”

“Not this time, sweetheart.”

A strong arm wrapped around her body, pinning her arms helplessly to her side. Plastic pressed to the throbbing vein in her throat. Water seeped out of the gun and dripped down her neck. The shivers returned with a vengeance, but this time, they had nothing to do with chilly water and everything to do with the man pressed full length against her.

Warm breath puffed against her ear, and the cradle of his hips butted into her bottom. “Drop your weapon.”

Kip may as well have said, “Drop your panties.” His deep, rough voice affected her the same way.

Never surrender your weapon, zoomie.

Her throat seized, her mouth parched to sticky dryness. “No.”

Plastic squeaked, and more water oozed out of the gun, trickling down her overheated skin. The strong fingers wrapped around her upper arm flexed, not tight enough to hurt, just enough for her to know she couldn’t break free without a struggle—and another soaking.

“Resistance is futile.” Something soft and warm brushed over her earlobe, continued with butterfly lightness down the column of her throat to the very spot where her vein leaped under the skin. “I have you right where I want you. So drop it. I win.”

Her knees filled with wibbly-wobbly Jell-O, and her fingers on the gun handle had all the strength of mini sponge cakes. She was a sweet, hot mess from him grabbing her and breathing on her neck? Double-dammit. She’d underestimated the enemy’s skills at tactical engagement.

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