Lies and attraction abound when a savvy businessman posing as his twin and an oil baron’s niece battle over a family farm in this steamy romance from New York Times bestselling author Ruth Cardello.
I just found out I have an identical twin. Wasn’t looking for one. Would have preferred to not have one, but here we are. We have nothing in common. I was adopted by a successful businessman who raised me to see life as a game and gave me the skills to win it. Him? He is about to lose his family’s farm. You heard me—farm.
Lucky for him, I’m a firm believer that when it comes to family, no one goes to battle alone. I’m in. I’ve switched lives with him and will use every business trick I know to save his farm.
However, my initial plan did not take into account a drop-dead gorgeous oil rep or the secrets I uncover about my brother. And worst of all, I’m starting to like the farm and all its inhabitants. I can’t stop thinking about that oil rep. This will definitely take longer to resolve than anticipated.
Ruth Cardello hit the New York Times and USA Today Bestsellers Lists for the first time back in 2012. Millions of sales are evidence that her books are akin to potato chips, addictive from the first one. She has created a multi-series billionaire world with a combination of escapism and realism that has gained her a faithful following of readers.
What Kindle Reviewers write about her:
“Wow, hot at every page. Heart-stopping, fear raging, mind blowing wonderful.”
“I’m a true fan of Ms. Cardello. I ran on to her first book a few years back and have been hooked ever since. I could go on and on about the story like of this book, but I’m not. All of her books are total page turners, unique, heart-wrenching, and I love them all. There isn’t two alike in the bunch and I feel like i know the characters personally. I personally read 97 authors books. And I buy every book they put out. This author is in my top 10. Great job and keep them coming.”
“Love this series. Got me to start reading again. I look forward to the next book. Thank you for giving me the love of reading back.”
Ruth Cardello was born the youngest of 11 children in a small city in northern Rhode Island. She spent her young adult years moving as far away as she could from her large extended family. She lived in Boston, Paris, Orlando, New York–then came full circle and moved back to New England. She now happily lives one town over from the one she was born in. For her, family trumped the warmer weather and international scene.
She was an educator for 20 years, the last 11 as a kindergarten teacher. When her school district began cutting jobs, Ruth turned a serious eye toward her second love- writing and has never been happier. When she’s not writing, you can find her chasing her children around her small farm or connecting with her readers online.
by Carmen Rosales Publication Date: June 14, 2022 Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Preorder: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
All she wanted was his love.
All he gave her was his pain.
His soul was dark. Her’s was darker.
He was her everything and then he wasn’t.
She thought he wanted her. Cared about her. She was wrong.
She tried to fix his broken soul but all she did was get cut in the process.
He didn’t break her heart. He obliterated what was left. Now the pieces are lost and no one can find them.
Jaden (The Destroyer) Cyprus Pro MMA fighter is living his dream undefeated. One night he sees Briana in the last place he ever thought she would end up. He thinks she is the same girl h
About the Author
Carmen Rosales is an author of short story romance books.
She writes for fun and loves spending time with her family. When she is not writing, she is reading. She loves romance and has a passion for this genre. She is an Army veteran and is currently completing her doctorate degree in business and has the love and support of her husband and five children.
From #1 Amazon and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Winter Renshaw comes a scorching hot forbidden romance …
The most humiliating moment of my life begins with an early morning message from my ex’s notoriously heartless best friend.
Jovie—
In no way does this mean my opinion of you has changed.
I’m reaching out because sometime in the middle of last night you tagged yourself in Jude and Stassi’s engagement photo.
I don’t care if you were drunk or it was unintentional. I suggest you remove it immediately since the wedding is in two months (which I’m sure you know since you were clearly FB stalking them). The damage is done, but no reason to make things more awkward.
You’re welcome.
Stone
I waste no time removing my accidental tag before the sharp-tongued novelist in me fires off a response to the man who harbored extreme and inexplicable hatred of me during the three years I dated his best friend in college.
Only I didn’t expect him to respond.
And nothing could have prepared me for what he would say …
… or for all the ways this gorgeous villain with cruel icy blues would become the biggest plot twist my life had ever known.
Stone
The Hannaford Supermarket is packed on this Friday afternoon. I imagine we’re all doing the same thing; ditching work a couple of hours early, grabbing some dinner items, and heading home to kick off our weekend. I wonder if this is what Paul meant when he told me there’s no such thing as a unique experience.
I tuck a six pack of Heineken beneath my arm and head for the meat counter to grab a porterhouse and half a pound of stuffed mushrooms.
“I mean, what would you feed a dog if you had one?” A pony-tailed blonde in neon blue yoga pants asks a pimple-faced butcher.
“I don’t have a dog, ma’am,” he says, his Adam’s apple bobbing.
“But if you did though,” she says.
“I’d probably feed him kibble, ma’am.” His eyes shift toward the long line forming behind her.
“I guess I’ll just take two sirloins,” she says. “The eight ounce, not the five.”
The young man wraps the steak in brown paper for her before sealing it with a sticker.
“Anything else?” he asks.
“That’ll be all, thank you,” she says before taking the package, turning on her heel—and walking right into me. “Oh my god. I’m so sorry. I didn’t see you there.”
In her defense, I was probably standing a little too closer, but the little old lady behind me kept inching closer to me, which made me inch closer to her and it became a big circle jerk of inching.
“Jesus,” I mutter under my breath when our eyes catch.
I’d know those Pacific ocean blues anywhere, the ones so effervescent they almost make me forget it’s been about a week and a half since I ignored her last message.
“Jovie,” I say.
“Stone?” She squints, as if she doesn’t believe her eyes. Then again, I imagine I look slightly different than I did five years ago. Shorter hair. More muscles. Dressier clothes. Bigger big dick energy …
“What are you doing here?” I ask.
The little old lady behind me clears her throat, and I motion for her to go around me.
“I’m watching my neighbor’s dog and he’s refusing to eat. I think he’s depressed. I thought maybe if I got him a steak …” she shrugs. “What are you doing here? I thought you were in Baltimore?”
She remembered …
Our senior year in college, I was accepted into the University of Maryland School of Law that upcoming fall.
“Yeah,” I say. “I was offered a position up here from one of my law professors who was opening a practice here.”
Her lips inch into a wistful yet friendly smile. I’m sure it’s strange seeing me here—of all people. Or maybe she’s looking at me but thinking about Jude. It’s hard to tell. I imagine seeing me all these years later rustles up some old memories she wasn’t prepared to think about at the grocery store on a Friday afternoon.
The last time I hung out with Jovie was before the ill-fated Tulum trip. We were sitting around eating burnt frozen pizza from the campus convenience mart and downing cheap beer. And if that weren’t enough, Jovie forced us to play some God-awful card game where we had to shout certain phrases and clap and make fools of ourselves, but by the end of the night I was drunk enough to actually enjoy it.
The last thing I remember before passing out on the living room couch that evening was Jovie covering me with a blanket before adjusting my pillow so I wouldn’t have a kink in my neck.
I mumbled something to her about not being half bad.
She replied with a coy, “Yeah, I know.”
Everything turned black after that.
Who’d have ever thought that would’ve been the last time we’d hang out, the three of us?
Certainly not me.
I doubt Jude did either.
“You know, I’m still waiting for you to reply to that last message,” she winks and crinkles her nose. “You left me on a cliffhanger.”
“I didn’t feel like answering it.” And it’s the truth.
“That’s your prerogative, I guess.”
I’ll admit, I debated sending her another clever deflection last week, but then I got busy with work and decided it was best just to leave it alone. Besides, some things are better left unsaid.
“You know Jude lives here too,” I say, leaving out any mention of Stassi because it goes without saying.
She lifts her brows. “Okay …”
“You haven’t run into him yet?” I swear he’s never home. Stassi’s always got him running to this festival or that concert or this new restaurant.
She shakes her head, her ponytail flicking over her shoulders.
“I’ve only been here about a year,” she says. “I moved here with my ex … and I guess I haven’t gotten around to leaving yet.”
My chest tightens at the idea of Jovie being with someone new, some faceless pencil dick who probably doesn’t deserve her. From the second time we met, I knew she could never be mine. But even after Jude left her, I never once stopped to picture her with someone new. No need to torture myself.
We linger in silence for a beat, as if neither of us wants to go, yet there’s nothing more to be said.
Her full mouth curls at the sides, flanked by two perfect dimples as she stares up at me through a fringe of curled lashes. I’ve known far too many people who let themselves go after college. The stress of a corporate gig, a robust travel schedule, and a social life that revolves around drinking on the weekends tends to do that to a person. But Jovie looks even more beautiful than she did the night I first saw her.
There’s a calmness about her, as if these last several years in the real world have given her the kind of education she couldn’t get from a four-year institution.
Jovie waves her package of steaks. “I should probably get home and feed Domino.”
“Right.” I rake my hand along my jaw, taking her in for what very well might be the last time.
“It was nice seeing you though.”
Most of the time, when people say that, they never mean it.
“You too,” I say.
She walks away, turning back once more. “You should really think about answering my question …”
“Not a chance.”
She laughs before spinning on her heel and heading to the front of the store to check out.
A moment later, I realize I’m standing there wearing a dopey grin. I’m sure I look like a damn lunatic.
I wipe the expression off my face, get back in line, and order my filet mignon.
Years ago, I used to wonder what would be worse: Jude and Jovie getting married and me having to spend the rest of my life watching my best friend live happily ever after with her? Or Jude sending Jovie packing and me never having to see her again.
It never occurred to me that there could ever be anything in between.
Now I know.
Only I don’t know how I feel about it.
None of these scenarios end with me getting the girl.
Wall Street Journal and #1 Amazon bestselling author Winter Renshaw is a bona fide daydream believer. She lives somewhere in the middle of the USA and can rarely be seen without her trusty Mead notebook and ultra portable laptop. When she’s not writing, she’s living the American dream with her husband, three kids, and the laziest puggle this side of the Mississippi.
And if you’d like to be the first to know when a new book is coming out, please sign up for her private mailing list here —> http://eepurl.com/bfQU2j
– COMPLETE SERIES – The Etherya’s Earth Series by Rebecca Hefner
This enemies to lovers paranormal romance saga is available now Start the series now with The End of Hatred https://geni.us/TheEndOfHatred Available on All Platforms
These are dangerous times on Etherya’s Earth…
Slayer Princess Miranda has hated the Vampyres for a thousand years. Since the Awakening, she’s fought to protect her people, choosing to be a warrior more than a royal. When a female Vampyre washes up on the shore of her compound’s riverbank, she seizes the opportunity to take the offensive.
Vampyre King Sathan, distraught at his sister’s captivity, agrees to travel with Miranda to extract the Blade of Pestilence, also hoping to change his people’s state of endless war. Although the woman hates him due to the constant raids on her compound for the Slayers’ life-giving blood, he can’t help but admire the stubborn and strong princess.
Determined to fight their growing attraction, they forge a tentative truce while Miranda battles the constant yearning to feel the hulking Vampyre’s fangs scrape against her neck…
Their faith in each other must remain strong or all will be lost…
**The Etherya’s Earth series is best read in order although each book does have its own featured hero/heroine and HEA. Content information can be found on the author’s website.
About the Author:
USA Today bestselling author Rebecca Hefner grew up in Western NC and now calls the Hudson River of NYC home. In her youth, she would sneak into her mother’s bedroom and read the romance novels stashed on the bookshelf, cementing her love of HEAs. A huge Buffy and Star Wars fan, she loves an epic fantasy and a surprise twist (Luke, he IS your father).
Before becoming an author, Rebecca had a successful twelve-year medical device sales career. After launching her own indie publishing company, she is now a full-time author who loves writing strong, complex characters who find their HEAs. Rebecca can usually be found making dorky and/or embarrassing posts on TikTok and Instagram. Please join her so you can laugh along with her!
Blurb BESTSELLING author Martha Sweeney presents her first historical romance set in England during the 1800s when the steam engine was first made available for public use.
At the age of twenty-four, Abigail becomes widowed and the sole survivor of the recently deceased Lord Quincy. Upon inheriting his estate, she becomes the first woman to own property. Having been brought up on a farm with three brothers, Abigail knows what it takes to keep the business profitable. Strong-willed and confident, Abigail is determined to prove herself capable. While trying to balance the Manor, the farm, an orphaned child, and her status in society, Abigail finds herself presented with love in the most unusual of places. Will she allow love into her life when it’s staring her in the face?
A clean yet witty story about Lady Abigail Moss who is an independent woman every man desires and who every woman desires to be.
Tangling up with my new physical therapist, Mila Lewis, is a mistake. One I can’t seem to stop making.
When I sign with the Tennessee Thunderbolts, I have two goals: prove my injury hasn’t benched my career and get back to New York.
But then, I meet Mila, the enigmatic therapist tasked with rehabbing my shoulder.
With her long ponytail, professional demeanor, and girl-next-door look, Mila is nothing like my usual type. She’s better—a good girl with sad eyes and a tragic past our small-town loves to dissect.
With the entire town up in her business, our budding connection is far from simple. I’m not staying, and Mila will never leave.
Deep down, I know I should walk away and let her find the happily-ever-after she deserves.
But I can’t. Not without showing her that it could be me.
From Contemporary Romance Author Avery Samson comes a brand new romantic comedy full of unexpected laughs and the forever kind of love.
Karlie is a star volleyball player at a small college in New England. Moving into the last available apartment on campus, she has high hopes until she finds its state less than stellar. Deciding to make the best out of a sketchy situation, she soldiers on. Until she locks herself out the first night. No one else has moved in, so she’s left with only one option. Call the university police to help.
Max is just settling into his new, temporary assignment as a police officer on one of the many college campuses in town. Heading home after patrolling the first day of move-in by the fall athletes, he agrees to take one last call. Little does he know what awaits him on the other side of the door. He just has to survive flaming appliances, nipple rings, rabid squirrels, and a basement dwelling chupacabra to win the girl of his dreams.
Hard Pass by Brenda Rothert & Kat Mizera releases on May 17th! https://geni.us/HardPass1 Available on All Platforms
Sariah
Ever meant to text your ex, but accidentally messaged a stranger instead? I did, and that mistake started a friendship that became important to me as I navigated a move and a new job with the St. Louis Mavericks. I’m crushing life as a strong, single woman until I discover the truth. That stranger I’m crushing on? He’s actually not a stranger at all.
Nash
Giving a fake name to the woman who accidentally texted me seemed like a good idea at the time. As a pro hockey player, my real name tends to draw out puck bunnies and fame seekers. But when the woman who thinks I’m “Rob” starts working for the Mavericks, I find myself in a jam. How do I tell her the man she thinks she’s falling for is actually the somewhat arrogant (though charming) hockey player she can’t stand?
About the Authors:
Brenda Rothert was a print journalist for nine years. She made the jump from fact to fiction in 2013 and never looked back. From hot hockey romance to steamy romantic suspense, Brenda creates fresh characters in every story she tells. She’s a lover of Diet Coke, lazy weekends and happily ever afters.
For all the latest on Brenda and her books, join her Facebook reader group, Rothert’s Readers.
USA Today Bestselling and award-winning author Kat Mizera is a South Florida native. Born in Miami Beach with a healthy dose of wanderlust, she’s called Los Angeles, Long Island, upstate New York, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Atlanta home. She’s never been able to pick which locale is her favorite, but if pressed, she’d probably choose the west coast.
A typical PTA mom with a wonderful and supportive husband (Kevin) and two amazing boys (Nick and Max), Kat can usually be found scrapbooking or indulging in her second love (after writing) – traveling. Greece is one of her favorite places in the world. She loves that Athens is a big city with a small-town feel. The food, beaches and culture keep her going back as often as possible.
Kat’s been a working freelance writer for nearly 30 years. She sold her first article–a review of a rock concert–for $10 in 1985. Since then she’s been an entertainment journalist, waitress, bartender, legal assistant, food critic, magazine editor, substitute teacher, and sports writer. She also spent some time working at A & M Records in Los Angeles.
As you can guess from her Las Vegas Sidewinders series, Kat loves hockey and occasionally writes articles about her favorite team, the Florida Panthers. The rest of the time, she writes novels: sexy, romantic fiction that she hopes makes you as happy as it makes her. There’s something enticing about hockey players and romance…
➝ About the Book Everyone found their mate. Except me. I’m destined to die alone.
Being jealous of my brothers and their happiness is something I’m not proud of. But this simmering anger won’t cool. I want to move past my own feelings and focus on winning the war against the Kevins.
But then she calls for help. Stella.
She’s fierce and protective over her son, but she’s no match against a pack of sabrevipes—or the Kevins here to destroy us.
Time is of the essence, and she needs me. It means running from the fight my people are in the midst of and setting off on a reckless mission with terrible odds.
I’m determined, though. I’ll protect my runaway alien at all costs.
Stella may hate every creature on Mortuus, including us morts, but it won’t stop me from keeping her and her son safe.
If she hates me for that, so be it. I’d rather have her annoyed company than spend another second alone.
Fate has brought me to them, as though delivering me right to my mate.
All I have to do is convince her she’s forever mine.
This is the ninth and final story in the Lost Planet Series.
