Unlucky in Love
A.J. Renee
Publication date: January 30th 2019
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Lucky in Love.

That’s the name of the dating app I picked, hoping to find Mr. Better Than Average so I can hold off planning my future as a cat lady.

I’ve been distracted eyeballing a tall, dark, and handsome Latin hottie who works in the library with me. He is way out of my league, and a woman has needs if you know what I mean.

Finding a man shouldn’t be hard when all I have to do is swipe left or right. It’ll weed out the slimy men who have Bad Date written all over them.

Yeah, I’m learning quickly that I’m rather unlucky in love after all. The men I pick need warning labels, kissing lessons, and a good talking-to about manners.

Should I throw in the towel, or will this series of bad dates be exactly what I need to win Mr. Right?

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EXCERPT

Pouring milk into my mug, I watch the black and white colors swirl together until they turn a pretty caramel. I didn’t sleep well, and the creamy mix is exactly what the doctor ordered. Hurrying, I flick the sugar packet and dump its contents. The door behind me opens as I toss the spoon into the sink and lift the mug to my lips. The satisfying liquid warms my insides, and I can’t help my sigh even if I tried.

“Rough night?” a velvety voice asks.

I take another sip of my glorious cup of joe before turning toward Mario. He started working in the Reference Department three months ago and has featured in a few of my dirty dreams. He’s gorgeous and about six feet three inches. Dark, tall, and handsome would describe him to a T.

I shrug and force my mind from the gutter. He brushes past me and grabs the spoon I just discarded. The first time I saw him do this, I yelped in protest, but it seemed he really was another gross college guy.

One with full kissable lips.

“You’re quiet this morning,” he says and leans against the counter next to me.

After the episode with Tristan last night, I can’t help but stare a second longer. “No, just a date.” The words spill from my mouth. “I mean, I was up late.”

Mario’s mug freezes halfway to his lips, and an eyebrow raises as he stares at me.

“Fuck!” I slap a hand over my mouth in horror. My heart races, and I know my cheeks are bright pink. “I gotta go.” I squealed and run out of the break room.

Great job, Izzy! Now he thinks you were up all night fucking.

Calling myself a string of insults, I take the elevator down to the copy office. See, we both work in our college library in different departments. I keep the copy machines and printers stocked with paper and toner, and Mario does whatever the students in Reference do.

We both tend to be in the break room grabbing coffee in the mornings at the same time. If I’m lucky, I get a glimpse of him when I do my rounds. Our conversations aren’t long, usually revolving around our mutual love of coffee. His doesn’t include milk, but his love of coffee runs as deep as mine.

I walk around the corner and sigh with relief when I find the door closed. My boss, Jerry, isn’t in yet, and I know he’ll tease me if he spots the blush still on my cheeks. Jerry is old enough to be my dad and is the best boss I’ve had, not that there have been many.

Kicking the doorstop under the wooden door, I prop it open. I set my mug on the long counter and take a quick peek at the staplers and empty the pencil sharpener set out for students to pop in and use. My body goes into autopilot, and Mario’s lips come to mind. I wonder if they are they as soft as they look?

I reluctantly remind myself he’s out of my league. It’s not that I don’t think I’m pretty. I am, but I’m not the girl all the boys come sniffing around. They’ll look in my direction, but few take the next step. Of those who do, none are as handsome as Mario.

Author Bio:

AJ Renee is the author behind the St. Fleur series, Beauty Unmasked, Winter’s Surprise, Surviving Paris, and Finding Love at the Falls…. She’s a military wife and mother to three young girls. She graduated from the University of Central Florida with her Master of Science in Criminal Justice and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology while working at the library.

She loves to write steamy romance with suspense and a happily ever after. When she isn’t writing or interacting with her readers, you can find her spending time with her family or reading. AJ enjoys traveling, researching family history, and all things New Orleans.

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Sunny Shelly’s Review: 3 Stars

In the tradition of The Protector, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the This Man series delivers a steamy, suspenseful new standalone romance about a British alpha hero and the one woman who may be able to save him-as long as he can protect her from his dark past.

Gentleman Sinner, an all-new standalone contemporary romance by #1 New York Times bestselling author Jodi Ellen Malpas, is live!

Izzy White knows of the darkness in this world. After all, she escaped it long ago. Determined not to let her past beat her, Izzy has a secure, stable life with a job she loves in nursing. But one act of kindness will completely upend everything she’s so carefully built-putting her right back in the crosshairs of danger she’s been so desperate to avoid.

When Theo Kane shows up like a knight in shining armor, Izzy can’t help thinking she’s been saved from one threat and exposed to another. His imposing physique, the harsh lines of his face, and the wariness of everyone who comes close are just a few clues to Theo Kane’s notorious reputation. The man is positively terrifying. But with Izzy, he’s tender and a complete gentleman, and her fascination with the mysterious beast of a man becomes too powerful for her to walk away.

As Theo’s demons come to light, running becomes even more impossible. And yet staying together could doom them both.

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About Jodi:

Jodi Ellen Malpas wrote her debut series, The This Man Trilogy, in secret, worried about what people might think if they knew what her imagination was capable of. She was shocked herself. But she finally found the courage to unleash her creative streak and self-published THIS MAN – the first book of the This Man Trilogy – in October 2012. She took a chance on the story with a hero who soon became one of modern day fictions most prolific alpha male characters. Jesse Ward – also affectionately known as The Lord of The Manor, sparked incredible reactions from women across the globe and catapulted Jodi into the world of romance.

She was soon signed by Grand Central Publishing, part of the Hachette Book Group, and the third book of the trilogy, This Man Confessed, took Jodi to the top of the bestsellers lists, earning her the proud title of #1 New York Times Bestselling Author. This Man has since been voted one of the top romance novels of all time. With so much love and enthusiasm for her words, Jodi suddenly wasn’t afraid of her imagination anymore and has since let it run riot. Writing powerful love stories and creating addictive characters has become her passion—a passion she now shares with her devoted readers.

Jodi was born and raised in the Midlands town of Northampton, England, where she lives with her real-life man, her boys, and a beagle. She is a self-professed daydreamer, a Converse and mojito addict, and has a terrible weak spot for alpha males. Her work is now published in more than twenty-five languages across the world.

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One hot mess. One hot boss. One too many hot encounters…

Catastrophe Queen, an all-new hilarious office romantic comedy from New York Times bestselling author Emma Hart is available now!

It’s not you. It’s me.

No, seriously. It is me. Not only does my name literally mean “unfortunate,” but that’s the story of my life.

Everything I touch turns to cr*p. An apartment fire—that I swear I was not responsible for—means I’m living back at home with my s*x-mad parents. Yay, me!

Which is why I need my new job as personal assistant to Cameron Reid to get back on my feet. Three months in this job and I can move back out and, hopefully, remember to turn off my flat iron once in a while.

Ahem.

On paper, my job is easy. Make coffee. Book appointments. Keep everything in order.

Until I walk in on my boss, half-naked, wearing nothing but the kind of tiny white towel that dreams are made of.

Now, nothing is easy—except our mutual attraction. But he’s my boss, and you know what they say about mixing work and pleasure: unless you do p*rn, it’s just not worth it.

Or is it?

Sunny Shelly’s Review: 4 Stars

Emma Hart has a fantastic knack for writing laugh-out-loud romcoms. And Catastrophe Queen is full of them! Mallory is such a klutz, and I love that suave Cameron finds it endearing from the moment they meet — when she literally falls in front of his car.

These characters are so lovable, and funny! She sasses him, and he eats it up. He throws it back to her as good as she gives it, and nicknames her Hurricane Mallory. But it’s a sloooow burn between them. Mallory is hesitant to get involved with her boss, and Calamity Jane sprains her ankle when they do finally go out. But that leads to a wonderful getting-to-know you phase for them, and establishes the foundation for a great relationship.

This book is a quick, fun read, with zero angst and no conflict between the main characters. If nothing else, you need to read this just for the barbs exchanges between Mallory’s wacky family members!

I received an advanced copy and voluntarily left a review.

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Excerpt:

I took my coffee from the counter and scanned the room for an empty table. There wasn’t one, which killed my chances of wasting more time before I went home.

With a sigh, I checked my phone for the time and headed for the door. I was going to end up at home earlier than I’d planned, and I needed to check with my mom to make sure there wasn’t anything kinky happening somewhere in the house.

I’d considered bleaching my eyes enough in the last few weeks, thank you.

I was fairly sure I was safe because my grandfather and great aunt were coming to stay to celebrate Grandpa’s eightieth birthday. It was still a miracle my exhibitionist mother shared DNA with either of them. Unlike her, they were reserved, polite, and didn’t flash their flesh in the hopes of getting out of a speeding ticket.

Really, it was no wonder I was a walking disaster.

I pulled up my messages and clicked on my mom’s name. My thumb was poised to type the burning question of whether or not it was safe to come home when I glanced up.

And saw the car screeching to a stop, mere inches from me.

I screamed and stepped back. My heel caught on the curb, sending me toppling backward, and both my coffee and phone went flying. My cup slammed against the sidewalk, splattering hot liquid everywhere right as I managed to save my phone from certain death by concrete.

My heart was beating so fast it should have exploded, and adrenaline raced through my veins. I gripped my phone against me so tightly that the edges pressed painfully into my skin.

Oh my God.

I’d just almost died.

Maybe slightly dramatic, but I probably wasn’t far wrong. I didn’t even know I’d stepped into the road. When had that happened? Had I really been in that deep into my own little world that I hadn’t even checked for traffic?

Dear God.

How was I still alive?

The back door to the sleek, black car that somehow hadn’t run me over swung open. From my vantage position on the sidewalk, the first thing I saw was a pair of shiny, black shoes attached to legs wearing perfectly-pressed, light gray dress pants.

I dragged my gaze up from the feet, over the door of the perfectly clean car, and stared at the most beautiful man known to humankind.

Thick, dark, wavy hair covered his head, curling over his ears. Lashes the same dark shade of brown framed impossibly bright-blue eyes that regarded me with a mixture of shock and concern, and my ovaries about exploded when he rubbed a large hand over full pink lips and a stubbled, strong jaw.

“Miss—I’m so sorry. Are you okay?”

Scrambling to my feet as he approached me, I tugged down the leg of my pants and grabbed my pursed. “Yes. I mean—it was my fault. I wasn’t paying attention. I’m sorry.”

He let go of the car door, showing broad shoulders and just how well that gray suit was tailored to him, and picked up my coffee cup. “All the same, I think we can share blame. Are you sure you’re not hurt?”

Just my dignity, and by this point, I was running low on it anyway.

I shifted, taking a step back. “I’m fine, really. Thank you.”

“Can I replace your coffee? Give you a ride anyway to apologize?” His expression was so earnest, his concern so genuine that I almost gave in.

Almost.

I had almost walked into the front of his car, then proceeded to embarrass myself in front of everyone on the street.

“No, no, it’s fine. I’m not far from home.” I clutched my phone and purse straps a little harder. “Again, thank you, but I should be going.”

He nodded as if he understood. “Uh, miss? Did you drop something there?”

My eyes followed the direction Mr. Dreamboat was pointing. On the side of the road, tucked against the curb, was a pair of white, cotton panties with flamingos on them.

My white, cotton panties with flamingos on them.

Swallowing, I met his bright eyes and shook my head. Dear God, please don’t let me blush. “No. I’ve never seen them before.” I backed up a little more. “Thank you for not running me over.”

Mr. Dreamboat grinned, his eyes brightening with his smile. “I’d never be able to forgive myself if I’d been responsible for running over someone as beautiful as you.” He glanced toward my panties, then winked at me.

There was no doubting that I was blushing this time around.

You could fry eggs on my cheeks.

So I did the only thing any self-respecting, twenty-five-year-old woman who’d just almost been run over, tripped, and dropped her dirty panties could do.

I ran.

But only like two blocks, because I was in heels, and I had the fitness levels of a hippo.

Then I grabbed a cab.

About Emma Hart

Emma Hart is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over thirty novels and has been translated into several different languages.

​

She is a mother, wife, lover of wine, Pink Goddess, and valiant rescuer of wild baby hedgehogs.

​

Emma prides herself on her realistic, snarky smut, with comebacks that would make a PMS-ing teenage girl proud.

​

Yes, really. She’s that sarcastic.

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Sunny Shelly’s Review: 4 Stars

Emery stood there, her eyes dancing with amusement. Her skinny jeans
and sparkly black tank top made her fit in with the rest of the girls in the
crowded bar. But she wasn’t just any girl. “What’d you do?” 

My eyes narrowed. 

She ticked her head over her shoulder. “To make her ditch you in the
middle of the dance floor?” 

“I told her I wasn’t taking her home with me.” 

Emery stared at me, her brows drawn. “Why not? Isn’t that what you college
football players do? Get girls to go home with you?” 

I shrugged. “Not sure. You wanna come home with me?” 

She laughed and her entire face lit up like it did when we were
younger. And that right there. That was the reason the other girl wasn’t coming
home with me. She didn’t look at me like Emery did. 

The thought hit me hard, nearly leveling me. 

I wanted to be looked at the way Emery looked at me—like she saw the
real me. I deserved that. 

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NEWSLETTER

 

Sexy Little Sinner, a sexy, new standalone from New York Times bestselling author J. Kenner, is available now!

It was wrong to stay together … but we couldn’t stay apart.

I’ve been with my share of women, but none touched my heart and fired my senses the way she did. Her smile enticed me. Her caresses teased me. Her body aroused me.

And yet, it couldn’t last. There were too many years between us. A gap we couldn’t breach, and we broke it off. No. I broke it off. And I’ve regretted that decision ever since.

Now she’s in danger, and there’s no one else I trust to protect her. But the more time we spend together, the more I want her back. And all I know now is I have to keep her safe—and despite both of us knowing better, somehow, someway, she will be mine again.

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About J. Kenner

Kenner (aka Julie Kenner) is the New York Times, USA Today, Publishers Weekly, Wall Street Journal and #1 International bestselling author of over one hundred novels, novellas and short stories in a variety of genres.

Though known primarily for her award-winning and international bestselling erotic romances (including the Stark and Most Wanted series) that have reached as high as #2 on the New York Times bestseller list, JK has been writing full time for over a decade in a variety of genres including paranormal and contemporary romance, “chicklit” suspense, urban fantasy, and paranormal mommy lit.

JK has been praised by Publishers Weekly as an author with a “flair for dialogue and eccentric characterizations” and by RT Bookclub for having “cornered the market on sinfully attractive, dominant antiheroes and the women who swoon for them.” A six time finalist for Romance Writers of America’s prestigious RITA award, JK took home the first RITA trophy awarded in the category of erotic romance in 2014 for her novel, Claim Me (book 2 of her Stark Trilogy) and in 2017 for Wicked Dirty in the same category. Her Demon Hunting Soccer Mom series (as Julie Kenner) is currently in development as a television show.

Her books have sold over three million copies and are published in over twenty languages.

In her previous career as an attorney, JK worked as a clerk on the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, and practiced primarily civil, entertainment and First Amendment litigation in Los Angeles and Irvine, California, as well as in Austin, Texas. She currently lives in Central Texas, with her husband, two daughters, and two rather spastic cats.

Connect with J. Kenner

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Website: www.jkenner.com

LASS by Harloe Rae
Release Date: January 31st
Cover designer: T-Red Designs
Photographer: Reggie Deanching & R plus M Photo https://www.rplusmphoto.com/
Models: BT Urruela & Jess Birks

NOW AVAILABLE

$2.99 for a Limited Time.
FREE with Kindle Unlimited

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Blurb
Addison Walker is every fantasy I never dared to believe in.
Moving to this town was already monumental.
Finding her removes any lingering doubt.
She’s bold and vibrant.
Beautiful and confident.
Far too good for the likes of me.
Luckily, I’m not good at avoiding temptation.
My desire is growing beyond control.
I’m done watching on the sidelines.
When opportunity strikes, I eagerly take advantage.
Signing on the dotted line before thinking twice.
The repercussions cross my mind far too late.
When she swiftly sticks me in the friend-zone, there’s not a damn thing I can do about it.

Addison is just down the hall—might as well be miles away.
Temptation drives me to the edge of sanity.
She speaks to my deepest cravings like a siren.
Our chemistry blurs every line.
This battle seems impossible to win.
Yet my determination doesn’t wane.
It only takes one night to change everything.

After all, I didn’t wait all this time to settle for less.

Excerpt
#1

“Are you sure?” Because she isn’t acting like it.

“Yeah, this will solve the questioning.” That doesn’t sound so great.

I rock back on my heels. “About?”

Splotches of red stain her cheeks. “Ah, well… if this,” she motions between us, “was heading in a romantic direction.”

I feel the blood drain from my face. “What do you mean?”

“If we’re living together, the potential of us dating is zippo. We’ll be roommates and friends, but that’s all. Otherwise it will be awkward and tense and blah. No, thanks. Setting this boundary will cut out the possibility.”

I choke on the brick lodged in my throat. “Wait, what?”

“Can you imagine the mess we’d be stuck in if things went sour? Better to not chance it, right?”

No.

No, no, no.

I blink slowly, trying to process her words. Is this an unwritten rule I wasn’t aware of? And what, now I’m trapped in the friend-zone? I avert my eyes, glaring at a neon sign stuck to the far wall. An outcome that doesn’t involve us as a couple seems impossible. I rapidly search for a counter-argument, begging for a way out of this mess.

What the hell happens now?

#2

Addison licks her lips. “So, uh, what’s your nickname?”

I shrug. “Don’t really have one.”

“Why not?”

“I dunno.”

“Well, we can’t have that.”

I rest an elbow on the table. “No?”

She taps her chin. “How about sugar or cupcake? You’re a big dessert fan.” I wince, and she laughs. “Yeah, those are bad.” Her eyes flick to mine. “What about honey?”

“Because I’m so sweet?”

Addison’s lashes flutter. “Uh, maybe. Um, never mind. Maybe something related to work?”

“Like bolt or wrench?”

She huffs. “Ugh, no.”

I gesture toward Trey. “The guys at Jacked Up call me rookie. Makes sense since I am one in many ways.”

Addison blinks slowly. “And your last name.”

I want to smack my forehead. “That too.”

Her green eyes light up. “Rooks? That’s got a nice ring to it. And it’s the little tower piece in chess. You’re the corner of our castle, holding it up.”

My body gets warm when she whispers that. Whenever she ties us together in any capacity, my ego swells tenfold. I stretch to sit taller, my shoulders and chest expanding.

“I like Rooks.”

“Me too,” she murmurs.

About the Author:

Harloe Rae is an Amazon Top 100 bestselling author. Her passion for writing and reading has taken on a whole new meaning. Each day is an unforgettable adventure.

She’s a Minnesota gal with a serious addiction to romance. She’s always chasing an epic happily ever after. When she’s not buried in the writing cave, Harloe can be found hanging with her hubby and son. If the weather permits, she loves being lakeside or out in the country with her horses.

Harloe is the author of Redefining Us, Forget You Not, Watch Me Follow, GENT, MISS, and LASS. These titles are available on Amazon.

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