What has hot alpha men, a sexy doctor, a Texas Cowboy, Stunning Irish Gents and lots of Love, Laughter and Merrily Ever Afters? You guessed it, the new $0.99 anthology, Love, Laughter & Merrily Ever Afters by 10 fabulous authors. Today, we have a unique opportunity for you to read an excerpt from each book and a chance to win a $50 Gift card or your very own copy of this fantastic box set.  TEN steamy, romantic holiday novellas by ten New York Times & USA Today bestselling authors
An all-star gathering of some of today's most popular NYT and USA Today bestselling romance authors in a fun-filled collection...holiday style! With the overwhelming response to the chart-topping summer boxed set, we've brought together even MORE of your favorite authors for a winter compilation, and this time, we've giftwrapped TEN stories for you all. From the funny & heartfelt, to the sizzling & spicy, each novella is packed with a whole lot of romance, and hand-picked to infuse perfectly-portioned holiday cheer into your busy days this season...along with HOT bursts of holiday steam for those winter nights.
 Lily the holiday fairy is given a new assignment this Christmas season--teach a lonely doctor how to love
again. But all Lily knows how to do is gently coerce people into embracing the Christmas spirit; she doesn't have a clue what love really is. So imagine her surprise when she falls madly in love--and lust--with the good doctor in the process.
|  Lacey James is wild, spontaneous, and up for anything. Daniel Sullivan is careful, sensible, and mending his broken heart. When the unlikely pair get stranded together on the way home for the holidays, Lacey finds her long-term crush impossible to ignore. And as a game of truth or dare spins out of control, Daniel discovers the one girl he truly wants is the last person he expected.
|  Hope Camden is relentlessly serious, awkwardly shy, and in complete need of a walk on the
wilder side. At least, that's what her sister tells her when she drags her off on an impromptu Christmas getaway in the mountains, where Hope meets gorgeous, enigmatic Army helicopter pilot Jack Freeman...who's headed off to war in a week.
|  If anyone can make Drew Lawson believe in the magic of Christmas, of course the universe would pick
the addictively sweet, mind-wreckingly beautiful Skylar Sullivan to try. She's only the girl-next-door of his dreams he'd classified as completely off-limits two years ago...the same one now standing on his doorstep on Christmas Eve.
|  All Samantha Mazze wants for Christmas is to create the perfect Christmas Eve celebration for her friends
and family. The house is decorated, the meal has been prepared, the guests are arriving… and then all hell breaks loose. There’s no salvaging the burned garlic knots. Her husband’s ex-girlfriend makes an appearance. And the unexpected delivery of a new arrival all ensure that while this isn’t a picture-perfect holiday, it will go down in history as the Heat Wave gang’s most memorable and best holiday ever.
|  What's a girl to do when she finds herself held captive in a bedroom--with the man she's been lusting after for months--by a voyeuristic spirit on Christmas Eve? Give it what it wants, of course. If a holiday romp with her sexy co-worker is what it'll take for Elly Watson to solve her latest Paranormal Task Force case, she's up for the challenge...over and over again if need be.
|  All Faith Roberts wants for Christmas is one sexy night with Matthew Carlton, the hot, gorgeous pediatric surgeon posing as Santa for a visit to the children's ward where she volunteers. While Matthew is more than willing to fulfill her naughty wishes, he's determined to show Faith that he's the kind of gift that keeps on giving.
|  When Lula Jo refused Carter's proposal one dark December night--unwilling to abandon her hometown to live the dangerous life of a treasure hunter's wife--the holiday lights went out in her heart. She vowed to keep her distance from dangerous men and untamed cowboys. But now Carter is back and hoping for a
holiday miracle to reunite him with his first and only love.
|  It's Christmas Eve, and all seven of the Collins siblings have gathered together to give their father Patrick a precious gift. Gather 'round the tree and join the Collins family as they pass a bottle of Jameson, and Patrick shares the story of how he won the heart of Sunday, his true love, his soul mate...and the mother of his seven Wild Irish.
|  War hero Joaquin Morales is back in Holland Springs for the first time in years. His mission? To convince his wife that they have a future together. But falling in love with her husband for the second time is not a part of Sage Caswell's plans this holiday Season. With the help of a little Christmas magic
(and a well-timed snowstorm), can Joaquin and Sage's dreams come true?
| GIVEAWAY
Today we are sharing an excerpt and teaser from Melody Grace's Unstoppable. Unstoppable is the newest addition to the fantastic Beachwood Bay (Callahans #3) Series and is Ryland & Tegan's story. We can not say enough about this series and are very excited for it's release on September 19th! We hope you enjoy the excerpt and this series as much as we do! RYLAND
I’m three hands into a round of Texas Hold’em when the dealer turns the last card and I realize: it’s over. Not just the game, but everything. My shitty job, my gig here in Vegas. This whole dirty chapter in my wrong-track life. Nobody’s laid a single card down, but I know.
I’m done.
“What’s it gonna be, boys?” My boss, Driskell, leans back in his chair so far you’d think he’s about to rest his black cowboy boots right on the poker table. He gives that famous shark’s grin, the one that spells trouble for anyone on the other end. “Who’s got the balls for this one?”
I can see the split-second decisions being made around me. This isn’t pocket change we’re playing for, there’s already seventy-five grand on the table, stacked in plastic chips. The high rollers lounge at the Bellagio doesn’t come cheap, and Driskell always likes to put on a show.
I tap my cards, trying not to let my feelings show. I’m not even supposed to be here.
These guys are made of cash, all decked out in their designer suits and expensive Rolex watches, while I’m in jeans and a dusty pair of boots. My job is on the door, or the exit, wherever Driskell tells me to be. I’m just the muscle, making sure one of his many enemies don’t get close enough to try anything. And with his line of work, they always try. Last month a rival boss pulled a gun on him during a routine negotiation in Tampa.
He’s still breathing through a respirator.
But one of the players ducked out early tonight, and Driskell told me to take the open seat. Now he’s smirking at me like he knows just how far out of my league I’m swimming. “You sure you don’t wanna fold, kid?” He throws down another stack of chips, another ten grand at least. “You can walk right now, no harm, no foul. I’ll just add it to your tab.”
My tab.
He makes it sound like a couple of beers, but it’s the reason I’m here at all, working for a man like him. Two years and counting as his personal enforcer, and I’m nowhere
near close to repaying the debt I owe.
It was worth it. It’ll always be worth it, but still, I feel a clench of anger
when he rubs it in like this.
I shrug, taking a gulp of beer. “I’m good.”
Driskell snorts. He thinks I’m bluffing. They all do. And why not? They run this town, every dark, seedy corner, and me, I’m just some punk kid, here to crack heads and keep the peace.
One by one, the players around me fold. “My wife is gonna kill me,” one of them sighs. “Screw your wife. What about my mistress?” Another guy makes a show of throwing
down his cards. But my eyes stay fixed on Driskell, looking for some sign.
Until the door opens and she walks in.
I don’t know why she catches my eye. This is Vegas, and pretty girls are all over the Strip, wearing heels much higher and dresses way shorter than hers. But as she carefully weaves her way past the table towards the bar, I can’t help staring. A petite body poured into a simple black dress, her dark hair tumbling free. There’s something about the way she moves, an effortless grace as she slides up on a barstool and gazes curiously out around the room.
I can’t look away.
Our eyes meet; she catches me staring, but I don’t blink. Instead, I drink her in, memorizing her face the way I always do. It’s my thing, a way of keeping track. You never know when you’ll need to recall someone in a crowd, that split-second warning that could save your life.
But tonight, it’s not danger that has my pulse racing. This is all on her. Dark eyes, set in a small, pale face. Midnight pools, mysterious and guarded. In a room full of women tanned and made-up within an inch of their lives, laughing too loud, shrieking too brightly, she stands out just by virtue of her stillness. Her quiet.
“Alright, kid, you’re up,” Driskell announces, pulling me back to the game.
Damn. I try and shake off the moment across the room. Your whole future’s on that table, and you’re getting distracted, thinking about some girl?
“Time for the fat lady to start singin’,” someone whistles.
“I don’t see your mama anywhere,” one of the guys cracks. Everybody laughs but me and Driskell, holding our cards casually as if it doesn’t matter what’s on the other side.
This is it.
I should be nervous. I should give a damn. But the truth is, I’ve got nothing in this world left to lose. And whether I walk out that door tonight or get thrown out in a bloody heap, I’ve had it with them all.
I don’t even look at my cards. I couldn’t fold now even if I wanted. I toss the last of my borrowed chips in the middle. “Call.”
Driskell’s mouth curves into a triumphant grin.
“Royal flush,” he drawls, laying them out.
There’s whistles and cheering, and Driskell is reaching for the chips even as
I set my cards down in a neat line.
“Straight aces.”
I catch the shock on Driskell’s face, but he knows better than to show weakness, not in front of this crowd. He chuckles. “Well, I’ll be damned. Who knew the kid had it in him after all?”
I wait for the crowd to disperse, everyone paying tribute to Driskell before they leave. I slide one chip in my pocket, and then approach him, holding out the bag.
“We’re even now.”
Driskell doesn’t take it. “We’ll talk about this in the morning,” he tells me, in that ice- cool tone that says it’s not a discussion.
But I stand firm. “There’s over eighty here, it’s more than enough.”
“It ain’t just about the money.”
Before I can argue, someone leans in to respectfully whisper in his ear. He’s needed elsewhere. There’s a situation at one of the stash houses.
He nods, then turns back to me with a wide grin. “You should celebrate. Take the night off, have some fun. You can afford her,” he adds, nodding to the girl at the bar.
“I’ll see you in the morning.”
He strolls away, heading for the door. His driver, Jimmy follows, but I stop him. “Take this,” I tell him, passing him the bag of winnings. “Driskell wants it in the main safe.
Tell him when it’s secure.”
Jimmy nods. “You coming out with the boys?
We’re going to hit Diamond Girls after this is all squared away.”
“No thanks.” I pat him on the back.
He’s not a friend, but he’s been a friendly face around here.
“You take care.”
Jimmy looks puzzled, but he doesn’t ask questions, just heads obediently after Driskell, the way all good dogs do. Usually, I’d be right there at the end of my invisible leash,
jumping to command, but not tonight.
Not ever again.
It hits me for real now, as I stand there in the middle of the crowded room. I’m finally free.
My debt is paid, the slate is wiped clean. No more dirty work, no more broken bones and skeevy clubs, no more back-alley dealings and nights in a shitty apartment watching the ceiling fan spin and wishing I could be anywhere else but here.
The rest of my life starts right now.
I head to the bar, victory singing in my veins. It’s a miracle, but the girl is still alone,
so I take it as a sign to slide in next to her.
“No.”
Her voice is cool and firm. She doesn’t even look over. I smile. “I was just going to offer to buy you a drink.” “I know,” she replies, turning now. “And I said no.”
I pause, thrown for a moment by those dark, watchful eyes. I know when to take the hint, but there’s something about the way she’s looking at me,
like there’s more going on beneath the surface. “Can I ask why not?”
“Because you’re trouble.” The girl doesn’t say it like she’s flirting,
she says it like it’s a fact.
“Me? I’m a teddy bear.” I flash her my most charming grin, the one that gets any
girl in this town to slip me her hotel key.
She snorts. “Try a grizzly.”
I pause, trying to figure her out. “One beer.” “I don’t drink.”
“Then you sure picked a strange place to hang out for the night.”
The girl sighs. “I know.” The guarded look slips, just a little. “It’s my birthday,” she adds quietly. “Or rather, it will be in…three minutes.” She checks the clock on the wall. “My brother’s off God knows where with his girlfriend, probably getting married, and I’m…sitting here babbling to a complete stranger.” She rolls her eyes, catching herself.
“A handsome, mysterious stranger,” I grin. “I’m Ryland,” I add, holding out my hand. She hesitates a moment before taking it. “Tegan,” she says.
Her touch is cool and soft, and I feel a strange sense of regret when she withdraws her hand and looks away, shoulders tense. I wonder who hurt her, who made her sit here all alone counting down to her birthday: away from her family and friends, so quiet in the crowd.
But more than anything, I want to make her forget all that, just for a moment.
“You sure about that drink?” I ask. “I’m sure the bartender can whip you up a Shirley Temple.”
Tegan shakes her head. “I’m sorry, but I meant what I said,” she says quietly.
“I’ve had enough of guys like you.”
I move closer, taking her by surprise. She looks up, eyes widening in shock as I lean in closer, drawling low just for her to hear.
“Baby, you’ve never met a man like me.”
I don’t know what comes over me. Maybe it’s the beer buzz, or the contact high from her arm pressing against my side. Maybe it’s the thrill of new beginnings,
and the end of my life in this town.
Or maybe it’s just because in this moment, I suddenly want her more than anything. But whatever the reason, I lean down and kiss her, right in front of everyone.
Her lips are soft, parted in surprise, sweet as the ripe peaches I used to steal from the farm. I slide my hand to the back of her head, and kiss her deeper, falling into the bliss of her warm mouth and the gentle slide of her tongue.
It’s everything I’ve been needing, and I didn’t even know it.
Tegan pauses, uncertain against my mouth, and then she’s kissing me back. Damn.
I’m not the one who’s trouble here, she is. Arching up to meet my lips, tasting me, biting down on my lip with a smirk. Tegan presses her body against me, demanding more,
and I have to bite back a groan of desire.
Who is this girl?
There’s fire lurking beneath that calm surface, a passion that could drive a man wild. I spiral, devouring her sweet lips, sliding my hands over her body, needing to be a dozen miles away from this packed bar right now: some place with a door, and a lock, and a bed.
Tegan pulls away with a gasp.
“Happy birthday,” I whisper, relishing the flare in her eyes. The desire there, the hunger. But as I reach for her, the shutters come down again. Panic skitters across her face. She lurches back.
“I’m sorry,” she stammers, conflict clear on her face. “I can’t. Not this time.” Before I can stop her, she turns and flees, ducking through the crowd.
What the hell?
I start after her, but I can’t get by so easy. I shove people aside with quick apologies, making for the exit. But when I burst through the doorway and look around, she’s nowhere to be seen.
Dammit.
I pace the neon, noisy floors, desperately looking for some sign of that dark hair, those watchful eyes. I’ve covered the whole damn hotel before I finally give it up.
She’s gone.
I catch my breath out front by the fountains. A crowd has gathered, waiting for the next famous show. Right on cue, the music starts, and the water jets arc up, bright against the dark sky. It’s beautiful, as these things go. The Strip shines, a dazzling sea of neon and lights in the desert, but I’ve seen this view too many times to care.
That kiss was like a dose of reality, cutting through the bullshit and reminding me what it’s like to feel something real. Something pure. Enough doing dirty work, swimming with the sharks. Enough of this town, and all the fake, glittering promise.
I pull out my cellphone, and dial the number I know by heart. I haven’t used it in way too long, but I know tonight it’s time.
“Ray Jay?” The voice on the other end is puzzled, and I don’t blame him.
“What’s going on? Is everything OK?”
“I’m fine,” I reassure him, before he thinks I’m locked up in some county sheriff’s office. “And when will you stop calling me that? I haven’t gone by Ray Jay since I was a kid.”
Emerson snorts. “Can you blame me for getting it wrong when I haven’t seen you in years?” he says it lightly, but I can hear the disapproval in his tone. “You didn’t make it down for my wedding, or Brit’s. We’re still your family, Ryland. Or we would be, if you let us.”
“Then you’re in luck, big brother.” I take one last look at the city lights, and start walking.
“I’m coming home.”
 Tegan Callahan has sworn off bad boys for good. Growing up on tour with her rock star brother, she knows first-hand the damage they can do. She’s looking for a nice, safe, stable guy – until a chance encounter with a devastatingly sexy stranger makes her question everything she thought she wanted.
A troubled soul…
Ryland James arrives in Beachwood Bay on the run from his mistakes. He knows he’s the last thing Tegan needs, but somehow, he can’t stay away. There’s something about her fierce beauty that draws him in – and makes him vow to protect her, whatever the cost.
A passionate destiny…
Their bond is undeniable; the stakes, higher than ever. But the past won’t stay gone forever, and soon, Ryland must make the ultimate choice: will he risk everything he treasures in the world, or keep Tegan safe – and sacrifice her love forever?
Meet the author I'm a new SoCal girl, and the author of sexy & heartfelt new adult romances. I love gelato, red lipstick, and laying out on the beach with a good book.
Stalk Her: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Rock Star
Beachwood Bay Series Reading Order For more teaser & excerpts on this amazing series click "Read More"
|
