Contemporary Romance books

A Scoring Chances Novel

It’s been decades since blackmail forced Troy Callahan to retire from playing professional hockey, and he’s built a successful career behind the bench. When he’s offered the opportunity to coach the Asheville Ravens—the most hated team in the ECHL—he’s convinced that his no-nonsense attitude is just what the team needs to put their focus back on hockey. But Troy is disheartened when he finds that the Ravens have signed Shane North, a player known for his aggression. And it only gets worse when Shane’s rough good looks give Troy inappropriate thoughts about a member of his team, even if Shane’s set to retire at the end of the season. 

Shane’s career in the majors never quite took off. Wanting to quit on his own terms, Shane agrees to a one-year contract with the Ravens and finds himself playing for a coach who thinks he’s an aging goon and with a team that doesn’t trust him, the coach, or each other. Despite his determination to not get involved, Shane unwillingly becomes part of the team… and is just as unwillingly drawn to the gruff out-and-proud coach. As the Ravens struggle to build a new identity, Shane and Troy succumb to the passion that might cost them everything.

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Les saisons, numéro hors série

Au cours d’une adolescence malheureuse et d’une vie adulte solitaire, Skipper Keith n’a rêvé que d’avoir une famille. Il trouve ce qui s’en approche le plus avec l’équipe de football qu’il entraîne après le travail et son meilleur joueur et meilleur ami, Richie Scoggins.

Un soir venteux d’octobre, le partage pratique d’une voiture d’après l’entraînement se transforme en une rencontre sexuelle qu’aucun d’eux n’attendait et ne veut oublier. Bientôt, Skip et Richie vivent pour les week-ends, leurs matchs de football de la saison d’hiver et les jeux qu’ils apprécient hors du terrain. Grâce à des nez brisés, des décorations de fêtes et une grippe sévère, ils en apprennent davantage l’un sur l’autre que ce qu’ils auraient pu rêver.

Chaque nouvelle découverte les emmène au-delà des limites du terrain de football vers les possibilités infinies de la meilleure relation de la vie de Skipper.

Skipper ne peut pas rêver d’une meilleure famille que Richie, mais celui-ci a de vrais problèmes familiaux dont il ne peut pas se dépêtrer. Skipper doit le convaincre de rester avec lui au-delà du coup d’envoi du tournoi d’hiver, afin que la relation qu’ils ont débutée sur le terrain se transforme en un avenir heureux dans la vraie vie !

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Un libro della serie Blue Notes

Cary Redding è una contraddizione in carne e ossa. È un famoso violoncellista, ricercato dalle orchestre di tutto il mondo, ma sotto le vesti del musicista c’è un uomo profondamente tormentato, che ama l’alcol e il sesso occasionale. Il motivo di questa ‘stonatura’? Cary sa di essere un bugiardo. Un farabutto. Lui è il ladro di melodie.

Cary riesce a gestire bene la sua doppia vita fino alla notte in cui, in un vicolo buio di Milano, non viene aggredito da due malviventi. Proprio quando le cose stanno per mettersi male, l’affascinante Antonio Bianchi, un avvocato di successo, lo soccorre salvandogli la vita. Antonio, però, gli offre anche qualcosa che lui non conosce – l’amore – e Cary non sa più cosa fare. La situazione è complicata. Innanzitutto, Antonio ha un figlio di sei anni. E inoltre, Cary deve confessargli il suo alter ego e sperare che l’uomo lo perdoni.

Quando Cary pensa di aver messo finalmente ordine nella sua vita, passato e presente si scontrano, costringendolo a scegliere tra due famiglie: quella che aveva sempre voluto da bambino, e quella che ama adesso, da adulto.

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Celebrate the season with Amy Lane’s own brand of holiday cheer.

Enjoy five classic Amy Lane Christmas stories, imbued with her signature blend of humor, romance, and heart-warming satisfaction as businessmen, lawyers, accountants, and teachers all find love this December.

See excerpt for individual blurbs.

If I Must previously published by Dreamspinner Press, December 2009. Cover Art by Catt Ford Christmas with Danny Fit previously published by Dreamspinner Press, December 2010. Cover Art by Catt Ford Puppy, Car, and Snow previously published by Dreamspinner Press, December 2011. Cover Art by Anne Cain annecain.art@gmail.com Turkey in the Snow previously published by Dreamspinner Press, December 2012. Cover Art by Catt Ford Going Up! previously published by Dreamspinner Press, December 2013. Cover Art by Aaron Anderson aaronbydesign55@gmail.com

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Ned Balding used to be a decent man—until the stress of seemingly countless responsibilities changes him, and he becomes cold and driven—the kind of man who considers firing an employee days before Christmas. The kind of man who kicks a dog…. But Ned’s transgressions haven’t gone unseen. A Salvation Army Santa witnesses his misdeeds and decides Ned needs to be taught a lesson.

When Ned wakes up the next morning, he’s stunned to discover he’s been transformed into a dog.

In the past year, Jake Carrara has lost his mother, a lover… even his dog. His boss came close to firing him just before the holidays. He isn’t sure he’s ready for another pet when he’s asked to foster a dog, but Jake’s good heart won’t let him refuse. Little does he know, this isn’t just any dog.

Through a twist of fate, two people with little reason to be friends might teach each other to rediscover the good—and the love—in life.

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Evin lost the only two men he ever loved. But he might get a second chance with one of them—if he’s willing to take the risk.

Following the death of his husband, Evin is living in Portland and raising the infant son they had through a surrogate. Six-month-old Micah is his life, and if it means no time for activities or friendships beyond his minuscule support network, that’s a sacrifice Evin is willing to make. When he suffers a burn baking teething biscuits, the last person Evin expects to encounter in the ER is Ben, his lover from college—and the man who left him without a word of explanation.

Ben knows it won’t be easy to earn Evin’s trust and prove he’s not the same man Evin once knew, but he can’t bear to watch Evin struggle to care for Micah, hurting and alone. He wants back in Evin’s life, as a friend and hopefully more, but Evin’s heart is fragile, and the years have changed him too.

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Texas native Colt Burrow isn’t happy about his third cold, lonely Christmas in frozen Michigan. But when fate sends him a gift in the form of an abandoned puppy, he can’t keep his heart from melting. With the puppy’s companionship, he doesn’t feel so isolated anymore, and the holidays don’t seem as bleak. He even finds enough Christmas spirit to take Roger tree shopping. But just when Colt’s starting to hope Roger’s owner doesn’t show up… he does, and Colt doesn’t want to say goodbye.

Will Roger end up being Colt’s Christmas heartbreak… or his Christmas miracle?

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Game, set… match made in heaven.

Spoiled socialite Quinn Valenzuela has no interest in sports or his family’s huge sporting goods empire, Sparta Athletics. So when Quinn learns his grandfather has died and he’s in control of the corporation, no one is more surprised than Quinn himself.

Dedicated COO Porter Davis has little time and less patience for brats like Quinn who have never done a day’s work, but circumstances leave him with little choice. Quinn claims he’s ready to leave partying behind and grow up, but it’ll take more than words to earn Porter’s respect. As it turns out, they can work—and play—together after all. A friends with benefits arrangement makes sense for the two busy men, but are they too different for it to ever develop into more? Not if Quinn can convince Porter he has his head in the game.

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Sequel to The Art of Breathing

Family is not always defined by blood. It’s defined by those who make us whole—those who make us who we are.

And here, at the end, Bear and Otter will be tested like they’ve never been before. 

There’s a knock at the door from a little girl who has nowhere else to go.

There’s a phone ringing, bringing news they do not expect.

There’s a brother returning home after learning how to stand on his own.

As these moments converge, all of their lives will change forever.

Beginning in Bear, Otter, and the Kid and continuing in Who We Are and The Art of Breathing, TJ Klune has told a saga of family and brotherhood, of love and sacrifice. In this final chapter, the events of the past pave the long and winding road toward a future no one could have imagined.

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Exposing his body for work is no problem, but after his heart’s been broken, putting it out there again won’t be so easy.

Up-and-coming young executives Copeland Shore and William Donnelly have been friends and sometimes more for years. For Cope’s birthday, Will plans a very special dinner—at a nantaimori restaurant where the most enticing thing is the table. Dai—the naked man beneath their sushi—has both their mouths watering, but when it comes to Dai’s heart, there’s only room at the table for one, and Will gets there first.

Will’s everything Dai thinks he wants in a man… until he’s betrayed. The betrayal also ends the friendship between Will and Cope and leaves Dai shaken and unsure if he can put his trust in another man—not even when a second chance for love and happiness rises from the ashes of the broken relationship. Cope wants to tempt Dai to take a risk with him, but the pain of the past is hard for Dai to shake off… and Cope has obstacles of his own to overcome.

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Getting His Man

A love story worthy of an old movie… with a new twist.

Artie needs a hero, a man like those he’s always revered in Golden Age films. His drug-dealing jerk of a roommate got him arrested, and since his savior isn’t likely to sweep in and save the day, Artie calls a bail bondsman.

August has always imagined himself a hero from a black-and-white movie, but he’s never found a man willing to let him play that role—at least not until he gets the call from Artie.

Both of their dreams might come true, but not before August must use his skills as a bounty hunter as well as a bondsman. Artie is on the run for his life, and August must protect him and help him clear his name. Only then can they both finally get their man.

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Sometimes the best day of your life is the one you never saw coming.

Joe Cohen has devoted the past two years of his life to one thing: the care and feeding of Kade Bosa. His partner in their PI business, roommate, and best friend, Kade is everything to Joe, even if their relationship falls short of what Joe desires most. But he won’t push. Kade has suffered a rough road, and Joe’s pretty sure he’s the only thing holding Kade together.

Estranged from his own family, Joe knows the value of desperately holding on to someone dear, but he never expected his present and past to collide just as Kade’s is doing the same. Now they’ve stumbled across evidence that could change their lives: the impact of Kade’s tragic past, their job partnership, and any future Joe might allow himself to wish for….

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Bobby and Paolo’s Holiday Stories: Book Two

Back in America after finding “A Home for the Holidays” and each other in Capri, new couple Bobby McGrath and Paolo Mascobello are ready to tie the knot during the winter holidays. Their families, friends, and pastor offer more advice than sages on speed. So, young lawyer Bobby and fashion designer Paolo are caught in the matrimonial holiday circus. Will a shocking turn of events somehow lead to the perfect wedding for the December grooms?

The following Christmas, Bobby and Paolo aren’t feeling the holiday spirit. They have a nice apartment, designer clothes, entertaining and supportive friends and family, but little time for each other. While out shopping in their quaint local holiday village, Bobby and Paolo encounter Gregory, an adorable seven-year-old who changes their lives forever, offering them a true holiday miracle… if they’re willing to accept it.

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Quand on trouve une famille, on fait n’importe quoi pour la garder.

Quand Charles Macquarrie hérite d’une fortune et d’une société d’habillement internationale, il hérite également de trois jeunes cousins et a désespérément besoin d’aide pour les élever. Par un coup de chance, il découvre et engage Jonathan Lamb, qui a passé sa vie dans un foyer d’enfants à cause d’une maladie chronique, pour être leur nounou.

Si Jon croit qu’une romance naissante avec son riche patron va lui compliquer la vie, il n’a aucune idée des épreuves qui l’attendent quand il sera accusé de détournement de fonds et de kidnapping. Mais même menacés par des incohérences comptables et des liens avec la mafia, Jon et Charles ne laisseront pas tomber la famille qu’ils ont construite ensemble sans se battre.

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La guerre des moteurs, numéro hors série

Meilleurs amis depuis l'adolescence, Ward Kent et Dean Zimmerman travaillent ensemble au garage de Reggie, où l'émission de télé-réalité *La Guerre des Moteurs* est tournée. Dans sa vie privée, Dean est un coureur de jupons notoire, et de son point de vue, Ward est le meilleur copilote qui soit. Ce qu'il ignore, c'est que Ward est bien plus intéressé par ces messieurs que par mesdames.

Puis le petit frère de Dean, Ash, vient travailler au garage. Ash a peut-être sept ans de moins qu'eux, mais il a le béguin pour Ward depuis des années et il n'a pas peur de montrer ce qu'il veut.

Admettre que son meilleur ami et son frère sont gays est une chose. Mais les voir ensemble ? C'est un peu trop à encaisser pour Dean, qui s'apprête à forcer Ward à prendre une décision : perdre son meilleur ami *et* son travail, ou rompre avec Ash pour toujours.

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Secrets: Book Two

Rob Daniels is determined to prove to himself that his brother Alex got it wrong. Alex believes he found love through BDSM; Rob is certain that’s not possible. He even makes several visits to a London club to prove his point. But when he attends the grand opening of Secrets, Rob gets a shock, one that has him fleeing, vowing never to return—until he does… and runs into the brick wall that is Dom Vic Prentiss. As first meetings go, theirs is a disaster.

The more time he spends around Rob, the more convinced Vic becomes of two things—one, something is eating away at Rob, and two, he’s looking for something. Every instinct tells Vic to help him, but trying to unlock the secrets hidden in Rob’s mind requires a key. All Vic has to do is find it. Because maybe then he’ll get to see the real Rob, the man who’s scared to let go….

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A Ranger Station Haven Christmas Novella

Park rangers  Carter and Owen Williams have decided to expand their family and adopt two brothers—boys they rescued a year before when they tried to escape the foster system and flee to Canada. After completing their parenting classes, Carter, a reserved man who enjoys the simple life, swears he’ll be the best father possible. His patience is tested, however, when one brother adopts a cat out of the snowy Voyageurs National Park and the other brother refuses to talk about what’s bothering him.

Owen wants to make sure their first Christmas together is a special one, and he decides all of December should be a celebration. He has an activity planned for each of the thirty-one days, but none of them seem to go off without a hitch. The cat has fleas, the boys need to attend a court hearing, and Carter is more than a little overwhelmed.

But Carter is 100 percent determined to make his new family work. He just has no idea how….

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A Carlisle Deputies Novel

Jordan Erichsohn suspects something is rotten about his boss, Judge Crawford. Unfortunately he has nowhere to turn and doubts anyone will believe his claims—least of all the handsome deputy, Pierre Ravelle, who has been assigned to protect the judge after he received threatening letters. The judge has a long reach, and if he finds out Jordan’s turned on him, he might impede Jordan adopting his son, Jeremiah.

When Jordan can no longer stay silent, he gathers his courage and tells Pierre what he knows. To his surprise and relief, Pierre believes him, and Jordan finds an ally… and maybe more. Pierre vows to do what it takes to protect Jordan and Jeremiah and see justice done. He’s willing to fight for the man he’s growing to love and the family he’s starting to think of as his own. But Crawford is a powerful and dangerous enemy, and he’s not above ripping apart everything Jordan and Pierre are trying to build in order to save himself….

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