Excerp & Giveaway! Love, Alabama (Alabama #2) by Susan Sands

Emma Laroux's a fallen Southern beauty queen whose past is barely whispered about in her small town. But the secrets and lies surrounding the scandal from long ago still haunt her, and something about Matthew Pope holds the answers. If only she could put her finger on it…

Matthew Pope wonders what awful karmic thing he’d done to land him in Podunk, Alabama. But when he sees Emma again after all this time, he knows he's still the only one that holds the key to unlock the truth of her past...

Will a shared moment in time ten years ago threaten what might be the best thing that’s ever happen to either of them—each other?

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Emma pulled up behind Matthew’s car and frowned, noticing that his taillight was busted. She got out and pulled the bag of items from the back seat, not giving his car much more thought. 

Knocking gently on the door, she figured she would leave the bag on the front step if he didn’t answer. He might be sleeping. But what if he’d gotten light-headed, fallen, and hit his head on the bathtub and was knocked-out cold, lying in a pool of his own blood? The thought, while mildly ridiculous, gave her just enough pause to knock again, this time more loudly. 

No answer.
She rang the bell.
No answer.
Now she was concerned. His car was in the drive. He was definitely home. Her heart began to beat in her 

ears.
She tried the door.
Locked. She looked through the leaded glass front door. No movement. Nice house.
She knocked again.
Emma still had the bag in her arm. So, she carried it with her around the back of the house to the screened in porch. The screen door was open, so she stepped up onto the pretty porch with the comfy furniture. It appeared that Matthew spent time out here. There were pillows, a rug, a throw, a couple books, and a lamp. Nice. 

She knocked on the back door. No answer. She didn’t see anyone inside.
She bit her lip and tried the door. It opened. “Hello? Matthew?”
No answer. She moved inside and let her gaze wander around the room. It was cozy and well decorated for a guy’s place. She noticed the kitchen to the right and headed in that direction. She put her bag on the kitchen counter then headed toward what she knew must be the master bedroom. This house was similar in style to hers. 

She called out to him again. Emma was getting worried now. Why didn’t he answer? 

As she entered the bedroom, she noticed it the blinds were closed and it was rather dark, but she could see no one was in the bed. Then, she realized the shower was running. Against any kind of decent judgment, she moved toward the bathroom door. She couldn’t help herself; she peeked inside. He wasn’t standing in the shower; he was sitting on the floor. She panicked and rushed towards him before her brain informed her to actually speak his name. 

She pulled open the door, certain he was dead before she shrieked, “Matthew, open your damned eyes!” He did. Open his damned eyes. Opened them really wide. “Emma? Why are you in my shower stall?” 

She really didn’t have a great answer to that. “Oh, Lord. I thought you were dead.” It was the best she could do. 

He did look nearly dead. He smiled weakly. “I’ve been really sick, so I thought I’d sit here for little while. But I’m not dead. So, um, could you hand me a towel? Unless, of course, you prefer a shower?” 

Emma then became acutely aware of her position. And his. He was naked. Oh, Lord, was he naked. The most delicious naked she’d ever seen. And now she couldn’t stop staring at his naked. And apparently his naked knew it now. Because it was staring straight up at her, too. 

“Emma—a towel? Because I’m a little more inclined to invite you into my shower now.” 

She raised her eyes beyond his naked to his eyes, horrified. “Uh, a towel. Sure.” Looking around, she grabbed the closest towel she could find, the one hanging on a hook beside the shower. “I thought you were dead,” she said again, as an explanation. 

She was a complete idiot. And now she wanted to jump his sick bones. 

Just as quickly as she heard him turn the water off, he all but shoved her out of his way to get to the toilet and throw up. That was enough motivation for Emma to snap out of it and get the hell out of sick, naked Matthew’s bathroom. 

While he was getting his clothes on, she did the same things she’d done for Cammie. After everything had been sanitized, she brought in a tray with saltines and ginger ale. She found him lying weakly in his bed wishing for death to take him. 

“I’m sorry I invaded your privacy. Cammie asked me to come check on you. She’s sick and wondered if you’d come down with the virus, too. When you didn’t answer, I thought maybe you’d had an accident.” 

He opened one eye. “That’s a bit of a stretch, don’t you think?” 

She grinned. “Probably. But I’m known for my dramatic flair on occasion. I’m artistic, in case you haven’t heard.” She straightened his bed like she’d done for her sister. 

“Are you mothering me?” he asked.


“My mother always said you feel better when your bed isn’t a mess.”


“She’s right. Thanks. Sorry you had to—see that.”


“That’s okay. It’s nothing I haven’t seen before.” She swished her hand as if waving his words away.


“Not that. I meant, the throwing up part. I don’t think anyone has seen me bare-assed, hanging over a toilet before. It’s not very manly.”


“I have an aversion to vomit, so I excused myself from the room as soon as I knew what was happening. 

Don’t worry, still manly.” She envisioned the other manly part and kept her opinion of that to herself. Holy moly, every bit of him was manly. It was all burned into her brain permanently. 

“I’ve brought saltines, Gatorade, chicken broth, and ginger ale. Call me if you need anything. If it’s a twenty-four hour bug, you should be fine in the morning.” 

“Emma, thanks again. I appreciate your looking out for me.”


“We really need to find you some friends in town.” She smiled and left the room.
Her legs were shaky. She could never look at him the same way again—not without mentally undressing him, knowing what lay beneath. She drew another unsteady breath.


Susan Sands grew up in a small Northwest Louisiana town, where the seeds for future stories were inspired. Her lifelong love of reading motivated her to finally begin writing as her midlife crisis at age forty—better than a boyfriend or red sports car, according to her husband.

Susan lives with her dentist husband and three nearly-grown children in Johns Creek, GA.

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Excerpt, Book Trailer & Giveaway! Infinite, The Infinite Series #1 by Nicole Corine Dyer

A SECRET WORLD. A THREAT TO ALL MANKIND. A FIGHT FOR A LIFE WORTH KILLING FOR. The Immortals are a group of men and women chosen by their Gods to protect humanity from the evils of the world for all eternity. Ryan, Anna, and their companions have been living the immortal life with ease as they secretly protect the innocent and enjoy the fruits of life. UNTIL NOW. The Immortals are about to face the biggest threat to mankind and the Gods they willingly serve — villainous Immortals called the Risen. The consequences of failure are unimaginable. They must fight their way through traps, traitors, and a host of deadly enemies, before religion is destroyed and along with it, the very essence of humanity. WILL THEY SAVE THE LIFEBLOOD OF MORTALITY? OR WILL THEY BECOME NOTHING BUT A MEMORY OF THOSE FALLEN TO THE WICKEDNESS OF THE CORRUPT? 

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She was now face to face with him—her eyes never once left his. Her gaze pulled him in and Ryan was doing everything in his power not to kiss her.

She leaned toward him slowly—her lip’s parted and suddenly Ryan was on the floor. She’d caught him by surprise and quickly swiped his legs out from under him with her own.

That escalated fast.

“Don’t ever talk to me like that.”

Ryan grinned and propped himself up on one elbow. “Going to have to try harder than that for me to fall for you.”

That seemed to make her angry.

She tried to kick him, but he caught her leg, twisted her around, and she fell to the ground. He sat precariously on her back as she pushed herself up. She bucked him off making him land on his side.

Julia put him in a chokehold and Ryan stood up with her on his back. With momentum, he bent forward and flipped her over. She landed on the mats with a soft thud.

“You want to play with the big boys?” Ryan grinned as he stood over her. To his surprise, she was calm. Her leg swung around and hit the back of his knees again collapsing his legs and forcing him onto his back.

One word came to mind about her—perfection. She quickly straddled him and pulled out her small knife, lightly pressing it to his throat.

“From what I hear you’re not a big boy.”

“Only one way to find out.” He winked.

“You couldn’t handle a woman like me. Keep messing with those girls of yours. Break some more hearts.”

“Let me break yours then,” he whispered. Her smile was amazing and breathtaking, but he truly didn’t want to hurt her. She had to dislike him in order for him to protect her from his idiocy.

He moved his hands up her thighs, and the knife came closer to his neck.

“Try it. I dare you.”

He put his hands on her waist and ran them up her sides as he pulled her lightly down towards him. For a brief second of joy, he thought she was giving in, and then he felt her fist connect with his jaw. She is definitely stronger than she looks.

She leaned down and whispered in his ear, “Want to try that again?”

“Depends, are you going to kiss it and make it better?”

“It truly is amazing how full of yourself you are, Ryan.” She shook her head, stood up and threw her knife across the room at a target. To his surprise, she held out her hand and helped him up. “You’re lucky you are my brother’s friend. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have a problem killing you.”

“You, ma’am, are very violent. Attacking men for no reason, how do you ever expect to find a decent husband with such an attitude?” he mused.

“Easy, find someone completely opposite of you.” He detected a smirk about to play across her lips, but she hid it well.

Ryan looked appalled and grasped his chest. “Are you saying you want an ugly, untalented, uneducated, skinny, weakling with no sense of humor? Now Julia, you don’t have to set your standards so low. I know I am intimidating and amazing, but I could learn to love you.”

Her arms crossed and she looked him up and down. “Idiot.”

“Easy with the foreplay.”

“You’re disgusting.”

“You love it.”

My name is Nicole Corine Dyer. I was born in Kansas and have two beautiful boys in my life. 

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Teasers, Author Interview, Excerpt & Giveaway! The Warrior Prophet, The Watcher Saga #3 by Lisa Voisin

Mia Crawford is a prophet.

She can see angels. She also sees demons. Everywhere.

The angels are preparing for war to get her fallen angel boyfriend, Michael, back. A war that could take years.

Haunted by visions of Michael’s soul being tortured, Mia can’t rest until she knows he’s safe.

To save him, she must make an impossible journey through Hell with the one person she prayed she’d never see again.

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He tucks his wings into himself, but they are still so close I could touch them. He walks a small circle around me. Still a dance.

“That’s very different,” he says.

“I don’t see how. I am human. They are my people.”

He bends forward until his face is inches from mine. “Your mother had passed. You needed me. We’re allowed to appear when we are needed.”

His breath warms my cheek and it’s all I can do not to lean closer. 

“Really?” My eyes search his for a sign—any sign—of feelings for me. “She died ten moons ago.” Did only pity bring him? “Why did you stay?”

A light breeze ruffles the leaves overhead. It’s warm but welcome. Michael backs away, the tops of his cheeks lit with pink. He swallows and his Adam’s apple jumps in his throat. “Perhaps I needed you.”

His voice is music, and his energy hums through me, making me bold. I couldn’t imagine him needing anyone, least of all me. With a smile, I glance at him and hold up the feathery filament. A small piece of his magic, its light sparkles and plays along my hand, the lines of his throat and jaw, the front of his tunic.

“If I return this,” I say. “What will you give me in exchange?”

“Well.” He frowns and thoughtfully strokes his chin, but his eyes are still smiling. “What do you want? Riches and jewels aren’t mine to command. I am but a humble servant.”

“Can you make it rain? It would be good for my father’s crops.”

“You know I cannot,” he scolds. “Doing so would be interfering.”

I do know, but enjoy the game, the way he looks at me as though he sees something hidden deep inside me, the secret of who I am.

“How about a kiss?” I ask.

He casts his gaze to the ground and bows his head. “Of course. A blessing.” He rests his hands on my shoulders, and even that light touch scorches me. White-hot like the sun.

Closing his eyes, he leans in to kiss my forehead, but I want a real kiss. Not the kiss of an angel, but of a lover. I rise to my toes, lifting my chin, and press my lips to his.

Hi, Lisa! Tell us a bit about yourself.

Hi! Thank you so much for having me on your blog today. I’m thrilled to be here.

As you’ve probably guessed, I’m an author of young adult fiction. In my spare time, I lead a writing group for teens in my home town of North Vancouver, Canada. I’m also a meditation teacher who’s curious about all things metaphysical. My 15 years of metaphysical study piqued an interest in angels and demons that only writing about them could satisfy.

On a more personal note, I live with my fiancé and our two cats. 

How long have you been writing?

I've been writing stories since I was in elementary school. I kept writing through high school, to the point where I preferred writing stories over doing other homework. My parents started to get concerned about me and tried to talk me out of this ridiculous notion that I could be an author.

They won out for a little while, then I went to university and took up technical writing just to prove I could earn an income from the written word. Though my mom is no longer around to see me follow my dreams, my dad is now one of my biggest supporters. 

Your book, The Warrior Prophet, is about angels. Who’s your favorite angel? In books? In TV? In movies?

On TV, I love Castiel from the show Supernatural. I think he’s incredibly complex and very funny and I just love the way he smites! I even love the word “smite”. On the opposite end of the spectrum, I’m also fond of Lucifer from the new TV series with the same name.

In books, I’m a huge Neil Gaiman fan, so I loved his Radio play Murder Mysteries, and Aziraphale from the book Good Omens. 

In movies, I really enjoyed Wim Wenders’ film, Wings of Desire, and the angels in that.

If you were to have your heroine, Mia Crawford over for dinner, what would you cook and why?

I don’t cook as much as I used to. My fiancé does the cooking. If it weren’t for him, I’d never have time to write! But if I were to cook, I’d probably make Mia a chicken curry of some sort, because she seems to eat chicken a lot. 

So you meditate. How does meditation help you with writing? How does it hinder it?

All my ideas come from meditation. Because I also have a day job as a technical writer, I need to clear my mind at the end of the day in order to let the ideas come forward. Meditation helps me to silence the inner critic that holds me back from writing and calm the stress of daily life that can get in the way of the creative process. I’d say the only way that meditation has ever hindered writing is that sometimes, after I’ve gone pretty deep, it takes me a little while to find words again. When I truly shut off the inner monologue and get to a place of being, I do get ideas or downloads of information. Sometimes, the information links together in unusual ways. 

After years of meditation, you start to think differently, for example, I know how to turn off my inner critic. It still springs up from time to time, but I know it for what it is. Because everyone has one, it can be difficult sometimes to create an authentic character voice without adding it back in. It adds an inner adversary to the character’s thoughts.

What was your favorite part to write in The Warrior Prophet and why?

I think I had more fun writing The Warrior Prophet than I have any other book. I believe it’s because I know the characters and their world so well. It was simply great to spend time with them again. Ironically, I think the most fun part to write about was Hell. It was really fun to come up with such a dark place where there are no limits to how bad things can get. It was also really fun to write interplay between Mia and her “guide”, because their interaction came naturally. I also really enjoyed writing some of the scenes from Mia and Michael’s past life together.

A Canadian-born author, Lisa Voisin spent her childhood daydreaming and making up stories, but it was her love of reading and writing in her teens that drew her to Young Adult fiction. 

Lisa is a technical writer, a meditation teacher, and the leader of the Lynn Valley Literary Society’s Young Writer’s Club, a writing group for teens. A self-proclaimed coffee lover, she can usually be found writing in a local café. When she's not writing, you'll find her meditating or hiking in the mountains.

Though she’s lived in several cities across Canada, she currently lives in Vancouver, B.C. with her fiancé and their two cats.

More about Lisa can be found on her web site: http://www.lisavoisin.com.

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Teasers, Excerpt & Giveaway! Sweet Texas Fire by Nicole Flockton

Gage Cooper has always wanted the family cabin. Not only for the oil on the property, but as a way to prove to his father that Gage’s past doesn’t define his future. When his dad wills the land to stranger Charlotte Wilkinson and all Gage gets is a mysterious key, he’s determined to do anything to get his rightful inheritance back.

Charlotte Wilkinson never expected to inherit a piece of property in Sweet Ridge, Texas—the Aussie businesswoman is focused on building an environmental analyst career here in the States. But the moment arrogant oil-man Gage Cooper walks into her office accusing her of seducing his father, all plans for selling the property to him fly out the window.

Then fate threatens to send her back to Australia and the dueling duo are forced to accept a fake marriage to keep their dreams alive. But as they discover common ground and a surprising chemistry together, suddenly Gage must decide what’s worth more: the land he’s always coveted or a future with Charlotte.

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“So, why are you here, Charlotte?” he spoke loudly enough to be heard over the background noise. 

“Here as in the bar, or here as in Sweet Ridge?”

“Both.”

“Well, you know why I’m here at the bar—Macy invited me. And as for being in Sweet Ridge, I figured it was time I saw the piece of land I inherited.”

He wanted to ask her whether she’d spoken to the lawyer about selling the land to him, but the middle of a bar on a Friday night was hardly the place to do it. Still, he couldn’t wait to sign the papers granting him ownership. He would ensure he paid her a fair price. Fuck it, what did it matter if he asked her now? He opened his mouth to speak. 

Charlotte placed a finger on his mouth, and his whole body zeroed in on her touch. “Don’t do it.” 

“Do what?” 

“I see the look in your face, Gage. I know you want to ask, but can we please not do this tonight? I just want to enjoy my drink and then go back to the hotel. I don’t want to get into any discussions about land or inheritances.” 

He saw the tiredness in Charlotte’s eyes. He could relate to the look. He’d had a hell of a week, and not fifteen minutes ago he’d been enjoying his brothers’ company. Why not continue to unwind on a Friday night and leave inheritance issues alone? 

“Fair enough. Do you want to meet for breakfast or lunch tomorrow?”

“Lunch sounds good. Do you want to meet at Betty Lou’s Diner?”

Not even a raised eyebrow in surprise at his suggestion. Nothing seemed to rattle Charlotte Wilkinson.

“Not unless you want the whole town to know your business. Betty Lou isn’t happy unless she’s finding out what everyone is up to. I don’t go to the diner. How about we meet here instead? It’s not as busy as this on a Saturday afternoon.” 

“That works, say twelve thirty?” 

The bartender arrived with their drinks. Gage handed him some money and picked up their drinks. “Yep. Now, do you want to go back to my lovely brothers and Macy, or do you want to see if we can find a table?” 

“If it’s okay with you, I’d rather head back to where your brothers are. I think they know where I stand now and won’t give me too much hassle.” 

“Okay.” He began to weave through the crowd again. He made sure Charlotte was by his side. “I think they’ve learned their lesson. Unless, of course, they do decide to torment you like older brothers do just so they can hear you tell them off in your cool accent.” 

Charlotte shook her head. “Seriously, I have no idea why my accent fascinates everyone so much.” 

He could tell her that he found her accent sexy and wished she’d whisper to him all night. He knew it wouldn’t be appreciated if he voiced his thoughts. Even he was having issues with why he was becoming fascinated with her when two days ago he was ripping her character to shreds. With the way she handled his brothers, he had no doubt she’d captivated Dad with her bright personality and intelligence, and Jack Cooper would’ve been smitten by her accent, too. 

“That’s because it’s so different and proper and as Macy said, ‘cool.’” 

“You’re all crazy, and really you don’t have to worry about me when it comes to your brothers. I’ve got three older ones. I can hold my own.” 

“I’ll just bet you can,” he said below his breath. 

“Hey, where are our drinks?” Grayson complained when Gage and Charlotte arrived back at the pool table. He placed their drinks on the high table. 

“Yeah, why isn’t the oil baron shouting a round of drinks for us?” Gavin piped in. “Oh, and before I forget, I need you at the clinic tomorrow morning. I’ve got something for you that I know you’re going to love.” 

“I’ll be there when you open. With regards to your drinks, they’re at the bar, where you can go and order them yourselves. Besides, I’m not going to be seen ordering Gray’s girlie gin and tonic. I’ve got a reputation to maintain.” 

Gavin snorted. “Good one, Gage.” 

He should make more of an effort to spend time with them. He’d cut himself off because he’d fucked up his life and couldn’t stand to see the disappointment in their eyes. It was bad enough to see it in Dad’s eye. All of the Coopers had wanted him to get drafted to one of the Texas teams; Gavin and Dad didn’t care if it was the Texans or the Cowboys, but Gray was Cowboys all the way. He’d often joked with them about being drafted by the Patriots or Seahawks, but at the end of the day they wanted him close to them. 

And then when his dream had blown up amidst underage drinking, breaking athletic curfew, and fraternity pranks, he’d gone and left them anyway. Cut himself off totally. 

“Hey, where did you go?” A soft hand touching his arm pulled him from his dark thoughts. 

“Down the lonely path called memory lane.”

“Didn’t look like it was a pleasant journey.”

It was amazing how, when he focused solely on Charlotte, all the outside noise from the bar disappeared and they were in a vacuum of silence. “It is what it is, and I have to live with the choices I made. But this isn’t why we’re here.” 

He allowed the noise back in to consume his dark thoughts. Bar noise was much better than the noise of his own voice telling him what a fuckup he was.

Bestselling author Nicole Flockton writes sexy contemporary romances, seducing you one kiss at a time as you turn the pages. Nicole likes nothing better than taking characters and creating unique situations where they fight to find their true love.

On her first school report her teacher noted "Nicole likes to tell her own stories". It wasn’t until after the birth of her first child and after having fun on a romance community forum that she finally decided to take the plunge and write a book.

Apart from writing Nicole is busy looking after her very own hero – her wonderfully supportive husband, and two fabulous kids. She also enjoys watching sports and, of course, reading.

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Excerpt & Giveaway! Secret Child, Royal Scandal, The Sherdana Royals #3 by Cat Schield

The prince must produce an heir. Little does he know, he already has… 

Christian Alessandro lives life in the fast lane. But royal duty calls, and the bachelor prince must settle down and sire the future king of Sherdana. That's when a chance encounter with former flame Noelle Dubone yields a bombshell discovery: Christian's already a father! Marrying Noelle will make his boy the legitimate heir. It's a rocky reunion. The determined dressmaker refuses to fall in love—or in bed!—with Christian again, even as old, intense feelings return with a vengeance. But what the prince wants, the prince gets…

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One of the photographer's assistants came to fetch them for more pictures, putting an end to the conversation for the moment. Christian endured another tedious hour of being posed with his brothers, his sister, the king and queen, and various members of the wedding party. By the time the session was finished, he was ready to get drunker than he'd been in the five years since the accident that left him with a disfigured body to match his tarnished soul.

What stopped him from making a beeline for the bar was Noelle. 

It seemed perfectly right to walk up behind her and slip his arm around her waist. Christian dropped a kiss on her cheek the way he had a hundred times, a habit from the old days that used to speak to his strong affection for her. For a microsecond Noelle relaxed against him, accepting his touch as if no time or hurt had passed between them. Then she tensed. 

"You look beautiful," he murmured in her ear. 

She didn't quite jerk away from him, but she lacked her usual grace in her quick sideways step. "Thank you, Your Royal Highness." 

"Walk with me." It was more a command than an invitation 

"I really shouldn't leave the party." She glanced toward the bride and groom as if hoping to spot someone who needed her. 

"The photos are done. The bride has no further need of her designer. I'd like to catch up with you. It's been a long time." 

"As you wish, Your Highness." To his annoyance, she curtsied, gaze averted. 

The gardens behind the palace were extensive and scrupulously maintained under the queen's watchful eye. The plantings closest to the I-shaped structure that housed Sherdana's royal family were arranged in terms of design and color that changed with the seasons. This was the most photographed section of the garden with its formal walkways and dramatic fountains. 

Toward the back of the extensive acreage that surrounded the palace, the garden gave way to a wooded area. Christian guided her to a small grove of trees that offered plenty of shade. There would be more privacy there. 

"You've done very well for yourself as a designer." 

Christian hated small talk, and it seemed idiotic to attempt any with Noelle. But how did you begin a cordial conversation with an ex-lover who you'd once deliberately hurt even as you told yourself it was for her own good? 

"I've been fortunate." Her polite demeanor contrasted with the impatience running through her tone. "Luck and timing." 

"You neglected to mention talent. I always knew you'd be successful." 

"That's very kind." 

"I've missed you." The words came out of nowhere and shocked him. He'd intended to ply her with flirtatious compliments and make her smile at him the way she used to, not pour his heart out. 

For the first time she met his gaze directly. His heart gave a familiar bump as he took in the striking uniqueness of her eyes. From a distance they merely looked hazel, but up close the greenish brown around the edges gave way to a bright chestnut near the pupil. In the past, he'd spent long hours studying these colors and reveling in the soft affection in her gaze as they lingered over dinner or spent a morning in bed. 

She gave her head a shake. "I'm sure that's not true." 

"I might not have been the man for you, but that doesn't mean I didn't care," he told her, fingertips itching to touch her warm skin. 

"Don't try to flatter me." The words held no heat. "I was a convenient bed for you to fall into after you were done partying. You came to me when you grew tired of your superficial crowd and their thoughtless behavior. And in the end, you pushed me out of your life as if two years together meant nothing." 

For your own good. 

"And look how you thrived. You moved to Paris and became an internationally famous designer." He sounded defensive, and that wasn't the tone he wanted to take with her. 

"Is that what you think I wanted?" Her breath huffed out in a short burst that he might have taken for laughter if she hadn't been frowning. "Fame and fortune?" 

No, it's what he'd wanted for her. "Talent like yours shouldn't go to waste." 

"Do you want me to thank you?" she asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm. 

During the time they were together, he'd been more honest with her than anyone else before or since. Not even his brothers had known of the demons that drove him. Maybe he trusted Noelle because they'd been friends before they became lovers. Her openness and gentle spirit had offered him a safe place to unload all his fears and doubts. And because of that, she'd gotten the full weight of his darkness. 

"No." 

"Then why are we having this conversation after five years of silence?" 

Because once again he needed her solace and support. The pressure of fathering the future heir to Sherdana's throne was dredging up his worst qualities. She'd talked him through bouts of melancholy in the past. 

"I need you." 

Her expression reflected dismay. "I'm no longer that girl." Her tone heated as she continued. "And even if I was, I have other things in my life that will always take priority over a…" As if realizing what she'd been about to say to her prince, Noelle sucked in a giant breath and pulled her lips between her teeth. Her next words were polite, her tone tempered. "I am no longer in a position to be your friend." 

She twisted the word friend into something ugly. Christian read her message loud and clear. She wanted nothing more to do with him. Not as his confidante, his champion or as his lover. 

Before he could argue, she dropped another one of those annoying curtsies. "Excuse me, Your Highness, but I should get back to the party." 

Christian watched her vanish back along the path and marveled how thoroughly he'd mucked up his most important act of selflessness. She was right to shut him down. He'd repeatedly demonstrated that he was nothing but trouble for her. 

But after talking to her, he knew if he was going to get through the next few months of finding a wife and settling down to the job of producing the next heir to the throne, he was going to need a friend in his corner. And once upon a time, Noelle had been the only one he talked to about his problems. 

He desperately wanted her support. And although she might not be on board with the idea at the moment, he was going to persuade her to give it.

Cat Schield lives in Minnesota with her daughter and 2 Burmese cats and a Doberman. Winner of the Romance Writers of America 2010 Golden Heart® for series contemporary romance, when she's not writing sexy, romantic stories for Harlequin Desire, she can be found sailing with friends on the St. Croix River or more exotic locales like the Caribbean and Europe. Contact her at www.catschield.net.

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Now Available! Cowboy Justice Bundle

NOW AVAILABLE

Get your TWELVE Cowboy Lawmen who are so hot it's criminal. The COWBOY JUSTICE 12-Pack includes fresh novellas by twelve New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Authors:

JUSTICE FOR LAINE by Susan Stoker - What began as a favor turns out to be fate when Laine meets sexy Texas Ranger Wes and falls for him.

JUSTICE BURNING by Elle James - Hard-nosed sheriff's deputy, Nash Grayson, places his family and hometown in danger when he rescues a desperate runaway bride

LAYING DOWN THE LAW by Becky McGraw - Doctor returns to hometown when mother takes a fall and falls harder for new town Sheriff...her first love.

TEXAS JUSTICE by Cynthia D'Alba - First-term Sheriff is torn between duty and love when sexy Chief of Surgery is accused of medical malpractice and homicide.

TEXAS LONE STAR by Sable Hunter - An all-business Texas Ranger falls hard for an irresistible lady rancher he rescues from dangerous poachers.

CAIN'S LAW by Delilah Devlin - Lawman, Cain Whitfield, discovers the shy brunette he's been flirting with is a former mob boss's girlfriend when her cabin goes up in flames.

COWBOY LAWE by Donna Michaels - More than bullets fly when a former SEAL protects a sexy witness who's actually an undercover agent secretly assigned to protect the stubborn SEAL.

COWBOY'S BEST SHOT by Lexi Post - A cowboy veteran who's lost so much. A bartender who never had it to begin with. Is this their best shot?

PROTECT AND SERVE by Sabrina York - He's vowed to avoid his high school crush, but his duty demands he protect her from a growing menace.

BADGE AND A SADDLE by Randi Alexander - Detective Rex Tarrow is sworn to protect Astronomer Dr. Mina Cooper, but will she get them both killed?

BLIND SIDED by Lindsay McKenna - Dark family secrets stand between the sheriff and the woman he loves from afar. Can he expose the treachery? Win her hand?

LAZARUS by Beth Williamson - Being a Graham isn't easy and it's about to get a lot harder for one stubborn lawman and the woman who still owns his heart.

Out Now!! Summer's Fault by Kelly Moran

After her father's death, Summer Quinn is alone in the world. With no family to fill the void, she finds comfort among friends. But her boyfriend wants to take their relationship to the next level, and suddenly there's an unexpected attraction building between her and her best friend, Ian Memmer--a man who's never settled for one woman. And now her estranged mother has reappeared. As secrets from her family's past and Ian's true feelings emerge, she's faced with choices she's not sure she can make. Happiness hinges on forgiveness and opening herself to love, even if it's not where she expected to find it.

Top Review Pick from Night Owl Reviews & The Romance Reviews!

*A stand-alone novel with a HEA*

Kelly Moran is a bestselling author of enchanting ever-afters. No one who knows her bats an eyelash when she talks to herself. She is a Catherine Award-Winner, Readers Choice Finalist, and a Finalist in RWA's 2014 Award of Excellence. She earned one of the 10 Best Reads by USA TODAY's HEA. Kelly's interests include: sappy movies, MLB, NFL, driving others insane, and sleeping when she can. She is a closet caffeine junkie and chocoholic, but don't tell anyone. She resides in Wisconsin with her husband, three sons, and her black lab. Most of her family lives in the Carolinas, so she spends a lot of time there as well.