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Excerpt: BAD EX KARMA

Poor Delia. Her boyfriend broke up with her at her anniversary dinner. Whenever she tries to date anyone, they end up with an injury. Her BFF Brooke has convinced her to go on three dates, and since Date #1 wasn't so great. . .

~~~~~

"Well, just so you haven't forgotten about tomorrow night."

"Tomorrow night. Tomorrow night." I handed my debit card to the cashier. "What's tomorrow night again?"

"I swear you do this on purpose," Brooke huffed. "Your date? Date number two?"

I nearly groaned. "Right. I remember now." I scribbled my signature and handed the slip of paper back to the cashier. "Sorry," I mouthed to her, pointing to the phone so she knew exactly what I was apologizing for. It didn't really matter, though, because she was already on her phone, her thumbs flying like she was in a fierce competition for teenage texters.

I grabbed my bag of groceries and headed outdoors. "You're sure this guy has health insurance, right?"

"Would you stop? Everything's going to be fine." Brooke coughed. "Besides, he works with Sven, and the coverage there is excellent."

I snorted. "Is he somebody Sven wants to fire? And this'll make it so he doesn't have to?"

"Don't be silly. I don't think you can fire someone when they're on disability."

"Dear God," I said. "This is so hopeless."

"You're going to have fun."

She had her determined voice in place, and it was beyond impossible to fight back against it. I nearly shivered, even though it was close to eighty degrees outside.

"Okay," I squeaked out. "I promise I'll do my best. Hey, let me call you back. I've got my arms full—"

"Ooooh. That sounds promising!"

"With groceries!"

I heard her giggle as I snapped the phone shut and tucked it inside my purse. One more date after this, and I was done.

I could hardly wait.

~~~~~

You can vote for Bad Ex Karma in the preliminary round of The Romance Reviews Readers' Choice Awards. It's in the Romantic Comedy category (along with Heartbreaker's Bet, but that's an excerpt for another day!)

Time to Vote!

It's time for the summer edition of The Romance Reviews Readers' Choice Awards, and I've got two books in the Romantic Comedy category. Each book needs 50 votes to get into the final round. This preliminary voting round ends March 31st.

If you'd like to vote for Bad Ex Karma, click HERE.

If you'd like to vote for Heartbreaker's Bet, click HERE.

There are lots of other categories, too, which you can find here. Thanks for voting!

Sneak Peek #2: FALLING FOR HIS DUCHESS

Here is another snippet of Julian doing his best to woo Rosalinde during his recovery from a knee injury, while she does her utmost to resist his efforts, especially after the kiss they shared the previous day.

~~~~~

"What sort of woman would suit you?"

"One who knows how to re-arrange a man's pillows," he said with a grin.

She narrowed her eyes. "It is a wonder you have not been smothered with one before now."

His laughter was infectious. "Ah, Rosalinde. I adore—This is the best convalescence I have ever experienced. What do you have to offer in the way of entertainment today?"

"I cannot think of anything else. You have grown tired of my reading to you, and I have regaled you with all the excitement the village has experienced. I have even confessed secrets no one but you has ever heard."

"I have a suggestion. I am sure you will enjoy it as well."

"What might it be?"

"A simple game of chance. Now do not glare at me with such suspicion."

"Gambling? It is highly improper. I believe Dr. Bentley had more sedate activities in mind."

Julian sat upright, rubbing his palms together. "Do not think of it as gambling. Consider it a lesson in calculating odds."

"Perhaps a different game," she proposed, frowning like a proper nursemaid might when presented with a difficult patient.

"Spillikins? I am not a lad of six, you know," he answered cheerfully.

Rosalinde flushed, giving him a warning glance. What a rogue he was! As if she were not uncomfortably aware he was not a mere lad.

Julian lay back against his pillows, doing his best to look infirm, but the impish grin flitting about his lips did nothing to add to his sickliness.

"Is there anything more circumspect than playing an innocent game of cards with someone confined to a sickbed?"

Rosalinde opened her mouth to protest once more, only to find the expected objection had fled in the face of Julian's entrancing smile. She wavered for another heartbeat and then finally capitulated.

So this is how the serpent had beguiled Eve.

~~~~~

Available April 15! You can also pre-order here:

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Sneak Peek: FALLING FOR HIS DUCHESS

 
Here's a sneak peak from Book 3 in The Curse of True Love series.

Rosalinde is a country vicar's daughter, fighting her attraction to Mr. Selby, not knowing he is actually the Duke of Enfield. He is convalescing from a knee injury, in her home, doing his best to woo her after falling instantly in love with her, thanks to the family curse.

~~~~~

Rosalinde fluffed the pillows and then re-arranged them until she noticed Julian was smiling once more.

And no wonder. Her bosom was close to his face, nearly pressed against it. She took a ragged breath, which only made matters worse. Her lace fichu was the only thing separating her from scandal. Yet she had the most unreasonable urge to remove it, to feel his touch against her overheated skin.

She should have retreated, even one step, but instead she brushed his hair off his forehead. His eyes locked with hers. His chest rose and fell more rapidly, just as hers did.

"Rosalinde," he murmured. The sound of her name on his lips was so intimate, so secretly thrilling. He placed his hand at her nape and guided her forward, until her lips were hovering over his. It was as if he was waiting for permission. She had no intention of saying no. She wanted to know if his kiss was as exciting as she had imagined.

She tilted her head until her mouth was on his. He kissed her softly, at first, and then more passionately. Rosalinde's heart pounded, with excitement, and a small amount of fear. How could she ever hope to exist without kisses like these? She returned the kiss, deepening it, knowing it would be the only one she'd experience with him.

His arms wrapped around her, tugging her forward, and she nearly tumbled onto the bed. She gasped, not at how wicked it was, but how completely natural it felt.

What had come over her?

Rosalinde hurriedly stepped away from the temptation he presented, smoothing her skirts while attempting to gather her wits. She returned to her chair and picked up the book she had been reading aloud earlier, holding it close, as if it would serve as a talisman against the charming Mr. Selby.

"I should let you rest," she said.

His eyes twinkled with mischief. "I do not find kisses to be exhausting."

She attempted a stern expression, but it only made his smile broaden. "They are most improper, Mr. Selby."

"Those are the best kind."

She turned, heading for the door.

"Please, Miss Hewitt. I would be quite restless if you were to leave." He tugged the blankets higher before crossing his arms over his chest. There was definitely mischief dancing in his eyes. "Dr. Bentley did say I was to be entertained during my convalescence."

She spun around, walking reluctantly back to the side of his bed, watching his self-satisfied grin the entire time. She leaned forward once more, until her lips were close to his.

"Do you find this entertaining?"

"Hmm," he murmured in agreement, lifting his head to reach her mouth.

She dropped the book on his chest. "Good night, Mr. Selby."

She could not help but grin when his strangled cry of frustration followed her out the doorway.

~~~~~

Here's another sneak peek!

Pre-order here:

Amazon US ~ Amazon UK ~ Amazon AU ~ Amazon DE ~ Amazon CA

Kobo ~ Apple ~ B&N