Review of The Karma Book Club (The Club Series #2) by Kayley Wood

The Karma Book Club

How does a bad boy finally fall in love? It all begins with a Karma Book, a red couch, a banana costume, and a princess dress...

Escape into the hilarious, feel-good rom-com that will leave you smiling until the very end.

“Kayley Wood mastered comedy romance in The Karma Book Club.” - Jo Jo Maxson - 5 Stars

“This book had me laughing out loud, along with experiencing many heartfelt emotions throughout this grand slam of a story!” - Chick Lit Café - 5 Stars

“Loved this book from start to end. It made me laugh, it was cute and sweet. The perfect book to get lost in.” - Jessica - 5 Stars

“I just want to gush on how much I loved The Karma Book Club by Kayley Wood... If you are a fan of R.S. Grey you definitely need to get it!” - Kari Valdez - 5 Stars

Hilarious. Sweet. Heartfelt.

Mia never felt the need to speak up for herself. Not with three protective sisters, an assertive boyfriend, and a bestie who has no problem stealing the attention for herself. With a nervous bladder (which strikes at the worst possible times) and a terrible fear of public speaking, Mia is comfortable with the way things are.

That is, until she comes home to find her things packed by the door and faces the news that her boyfriend and best friend have fallen in love.

Now homeless and anything but comfortable, Mia’s sisters come to the rescue (as usual) by helping her land the perfect apartment—but a colossal mishap lands gorgeous bad boy Logan Miller on her doorstep with a key and a lease contract of his own.

In exchange for a free month’s stay, Logan agrees to help Mia find the voice and confidence she now desperately craves. The goal? To finally stand up for herself and give her exes what they deserve.

It’s not revenge. It’s Karma.

Mia’s one rule: No matter how charming, funny, and sexy Logan is, she cannot fall in love with him.

Logan’s one rule: No matter how adorable, sweet, and sexy she is, Mia is off limits.

Are some rules made to be broken, or will Logan turn out to be exactly what everyone warns her he is—a player who will only break her heart in the end?

THE KARMA BOOK CLUB is the endearing and funny second installment in the Club Series. An unputdownable New Adult Romantic Comedy full of lol moments, lovable characters, strong female bonds, and redemption at its finest. Told in dual points of view.

Although each book in the series has its own happy ending, it's best if read in order since all the characters intertwine in some way and tells a larger story as the series continues.

Book Links

Goodreads * Amazon

**My thoughts**

I was preparing to read a different book when I suddenly realized that book was the third in the series. And I had been madly in love with the first one, with all intentions to keep up on this author, but had somehow missed this one. So I immediately one-clicked on this one, knowing that I was going to love it. And I really did.

At first I couldn't remember who Logan was and then just a couple of hints about his past and I mentally went flying back to the first book in the series. You're given enough background to know the gist of what he had done in the first book that has made him such an outcast in the city. And this story can stand on its own. But you're going to want to go back and read The Virgin Club to get the whole story. He definitely has different sides to his personality, one big one that of course I am not a fan of, but really is redeeming himself in this one. He knows he has screwed up. He has been dealing with all of the consequences. And really, he is worthy of getting that second chance.

I really liked Mia and just got her. She is ambitious and knows what she wants out of life, but has always had enough anxiety that she falls just short of where she would really like to be. She caves when the situation gets tough. Or more accurately, her bladder exacerbates the anxiety and makes her have to run off. But now she has been screwed over by her boyfriend and best friend (now both exes of said titles). That seems to be her tipping point. She doesn't realize it, but she is ready to get out there now and kick butt and take names. She just needs a little motivation, and not just from her sisters. 

So her meet cute with Logan, as they were both promised the same apartment by two different siblings, ends up being a blessing in disguise. Logan wants to be a motivational speaker. Mia needs motivation. Logan needs someone to give him a second chance and to see the real him. Mia is able to look past his faults and see the real Logan. They are able to challenge each other as they are working to repair the shambles their lives had turned into. And of course, they have to be attracted to each other. How could they not? They're just right for each other.

And then there are the lessons about the problems of getting revenge and how karma does have its way with people. I think a lot of people today need a reminder about those two areas. Bonus points for all of the inspirational Eleanor Roosevelt quotes. I was taking notes.

So again, I found myself laughing out loud and maybe even getting a hint of moisture in my eyes while reading this one. I read the whole thing in one evening, actually getting annoyed when life would cause me to have to pause for a moment here and there. And I've made sure that my Kindle is filled now with the rest of the series, which I am going to go read right now, because I am getting addicted to this sweet romcom series!

Rekindled by Marcella Swann

Redkindled

So you tell me this: Why would I ever, ever, EVER give my heart to that bad boy … again?

Yeah, he’s sexy as hell. Yeah, he’s got more money than God. Yeah, he always takes what he wants.

But no way I’m falling for his act. We were high school sweethearts. We were gonna spend our lives together.

But he left; got the hell outta Dodge.

Now he’s back. A devil in a tailored blue suit. Sh^^ he’s hot.

He’s a raptor from the bright lights, big city and he’s on the hunt to take over the last manufacturing plant left in our hometown. Like it’s some kind of freakin’ 8-point buck for his fancy New York City digs.

I run that plant. So, basically, he wants to own me.

No way. I’m gonna fight him. But what if I lose? What if he takes the plant ... and me?

Available on Amazon

About Marcella Swann

Marcella Swann is an Amazon #1 bestselling author of heart-thumping and heart-melting contemporary romance. She's plied her trade in the newspaper business, written and produced a way off Broadway play, and is the proud mama of a singer-songwriter. When she's not trying to save newspapers from imminent doom (by subscribing to them all), she loves to take her readers on dreamy journeys to that place where all the men are hotties and the women are beautiful and strong. She also swings a mean kettle bell at the gym and likes people watching at Grand Central on a busy day. For more information visit www.marcellaswann.com. Marcella loves to hear from her readers! You can follow her @MarcellaSwannRomance on Facebook and @Marcella_Swann on Twitter or contact her at marci@marcellaswann.com.

Read an excerpt from Fighting for Phoenix (Skullz Ink Book 1) by Lynne Leslie

Fighting for Phoenix by Lynne Leslie is finally here! Celebrate the release by checking out this excerpt before you download your copy from Amazon.

Note that affiliate links are present within this post. Should you make a purchase through one, I may earn a small commission to help me support my websites, at no additional cost to you.


Book info:
Title: Fighting for Phoenix

Author: Lynne Leslie

Genre: Second Chance Romantic Suspense

Cover Designer: Wicked Dream Designs

Publication Date: April 18^th, 2018

Hosted by: Lady Amber's PR

Fighting for Phoenix

Phoenix Miles was my future…

Until he left me shattered just like our engagement photo. I'm a survivor though. I have to be because it's not just my life anymore. When he walks into my bar, I smell more than beer brewing and knew letting him in would be a mistake. I won't let him break me again.

I will win this fight.

Jayden Carter was my world…

Until she tossed me away just like her engagement ring. I'm a survivor though. I have to be because revenge is all I have left. My path was set, then I walked into her bar. Now, I'm fighting for love and family.

As the saying goes, all's fair in love and war.

Neither of us count on outside forces trying to tear us apart. Their endgame? Destruction. Our endgame? Love.

Buy it on Amazon

I relax back in the tub and close my eyes. If the man wants to take care of me then who am I to stop him. My mind is running ninety miles an hour trying to process everything that he told me anyhow. Four years I’ve thought he cheated on me with her and at most times I’ve hated him for it. After hearing the truth, I don’t know what to feel anymore. I can’t say I’m surprised about Eric and the guys having something to do with it. They never liked me. I honestly never thought they would take it as far as they did though. Never thought they really hated me that much. I don’t know why either. I never kept Phoenix from his friends. That’s not something I would have done. I also wasn’t looking to replace them in his eyes, so I could never figure it out. When they were over, and the tension became too much I would just make excuses and go home. I never let on to Phoenix how bad it was and as far as I know, to this day he still has no clue. Oh, he knows they don’t like me because of all this but I mean he has no clue to how bad it was. As far as her, nothing surprises me. I’ve never been able to understand her or any decisions she made.

Shutting the water off with my foot, I notice how quiet it is in the bedroom.

“Nix?” I call out softly. “Everything okay?”

I hear him gruffly clear his throat before he calls back. “Yeah, kitten. Just a sec.”

I let out a sigh. I’ll never tell him just how much I’ve missed that endearment of his. It’s been a lonely four years without him and whenever I think about all the shit they put us through my heart squeezes in my chest. My baby boy has gone four years without knowing his daddy because of them and the more I think about the more pissed off it makes me. That’s not how it should have been. But it’s something I must let go of if we’re going to try to make this work between us. If we’re going to try and be a family. And the more I think of it the more I realize this is exactly what I want. I want my little family. I’m running my hands through the bubbles, lost in thought when Phoenix walks back into the bathroom empty handed. I don’t know if I can even describe the look on his face, but his eyes are burning with flames and I feel the heat from them scorch me as his eyes roam my body. I don’t know what happened from the time he was in there to the time he walked in to here but it’s an interesting turn of events. His eyes are telling me that I’m desert and he’s fixing to devour me. Not that you’ll hear me complain at all.

“Lean back.” He demands squatting down by the tub.

I do as he says and watch him through drooped eyelids. My body is burning from the inside 
out and I want him to ease it. He grabs the loofa and squeezes some soap on it all the while watching me with those burning eyes. Starting with my leg, he tenderly washes from the bottom of my feet to the top of my thigh, teasing the apex of them before moving to the other leg. He unhurriedly slides it up my stomach, running slow circles around and up until he reaches my breasts. I suck in a breath and hold it, waiting with anticipation. Slowly, he grabs one breast with his hand as he uses the other hand to wash it. He teases my nipple with his thumb and forefinger before moving to my other breast and repeating the process. By now my breathing is erratic, my body feels like it’s going to combust into flames and I’m so dizzy from wanting him to ease the ache he’s built inside of me, that I can’t take much more. He’s started an erotic game of foreplay that I seriously hope he plans on finishing. He must feel the same way because before I know it, my arms, back and hair are all washed and rinsed in record time, taking care of the stitches on my eye and scratches on my arms and legs, and he’s got me standing with a towel wrapped around me.

Still without speaking, he grabs my hand and slowly walks me into the bedroom, stopping me at the end of the bed. He unwraps me from the towel bit by bit, like he’s savoring every little piece of me he opens. Turning me around so I’m facing the bed, he dries my back. My body starts to quiver as I feel his lips press against the back of my neck. Sliding my hair out of the way, his lips trail a path from my neck, down my back as his arms wrap around me from behind and cup my breasts. My head falls forward and it’s taking all the energy I have to hold myself up. Instead of trying, I lean further over and brace my hands on the bed. 

Tweaking my nipples enough that it leaves a hint of pain behind, his hands drift down to my throbbing pussy. I feel my juices already dripping down my leg, I’m so turned on. He slides his fingers through my slit and gathers my cream to lube his fingers. Returning to my clit, he starts running in a circular motion as he lays his forehead against my back. His breathing is harsh and each puff of air that slithers across my back, amps me up more. Moving his fingers away, he places a feather light kiss to the middle of my back, picks me up and places me in the middle of the bed. I watch through lust hazed eyes as he quickly removes his shirt, jeans and briefs. No boxers for my man. Never once does he take his eyes from me. I roam my eyes down his heavily tatted body. One day I’ll explore all the delicious flesh he has exposed to me, including that tattoo wrapping towards his cock. Lifting the fingers of my right hand, I slide two of them into my mouth and glide them down my stomach. His eyes flash hotter as they reach my pussy and slide in. I let out a moan and close my eyes. Fuck, that feels good. Pumping my fingers in and out, I work my clit with my thumb. My hips are lifting in time with my rhythm. I feel him settle in between my thighs and his warm breath hits my clit, adding to the sensation I’m already creating. 

Knowing he’s watching me and enjoying every minute of it, amps me up even more. I open my eyes and look down my body at him. He’s got his hand wrapped around his cock and is stroking it slowly as his eyes devour everything that I’m doing. I feel the heat licking up and down my body as my orgasm draws near. He knows because he strikes as fast as a snake and yanks my hand away. I let out a whimper and writhe my body on my satin sheets.

“That’s mine, kitten.”

Motherfucker. Even in our sweet moments he’s got to pull his dominating shit. I should have remembered who I have between my legs.

“Then do something.” I growl at him.

“I’ve got you, baby. But we still have to be easy. You’ve been hurt.”

“Dammit, Nix. I’m not made of fucking glass. Just fuck me already.”

He crawls up my body and settles in between my legs. Finally. Grabbing his cock, he twirls it in circles on my clit, teasing me. He leans down and presses kisses to each eyelid, my nose and finally my lips.

“My kitten is hungry, huh.” He whispers lovingly. “I’m sorry baby, but I ain’t nowhere near finished with you. And when I’m finally done playing only then will I sink into that fucking pussy of yours that’s weeping my name and give my kitten what she wants.”

Oh god. He’s going to be the death of me. He feathers kisses down my body stopping to nibble on my nipples. Sucking one and then the other into his mouth, twirling his tongue around each pebbled nub and biting down. A thrill runs through me as he nibbles his way down to the heat of me. I spread my legs wide as he makes his way further south. I give a little shiver as his warm breath feathers against my clit. Placing soft kisses to the inside of my thigh, my breathing speeds up as he gets closer my core. Grabbing my thighs, he holds them apart, opens me up to him and gives me one leisure lick from my ass to my pussy. He taps my thigh to let me know I need to hold it in place as he uses his fingers to hold my pussy lips open. Running his tongue around my lips, he gently teases me with the tip of his tongue. He repeats this motion until I can no longer stand him having no contact with my clit. Slamming my hands to his head, I guide him where I want him. Letting out a wicked chuckle he places his mouth over my clit and starts flicking it slowly. I can’t stop the moan that works its way from my throat. His side to side motions send electricity rocketing through my body.

“Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.” I chant as my body goes rigid.

Knowing I’m now close he starts sucking on my clit adding a few nips with his teeth. I feel my body flush as he moans when my pussy starts to leak, causing a vibration that sends me soaring with my release. My body twitches as he feathers his tongue on my overly sensitive clit, making sure he doesn’t miss a drop. Placing a kiss to the top of my pubic bone he sits up, leans back on his knees and gazes at me with a smirk on his face. His eyes are filled with pride and he’s got his lower lip between his teeth.

“How are you feeling? Are you in any pain?”

I let out a dreamy sigh. “Oh no. I’m absolutely perfect. I forgot how well you eat pussy.”

Letting out a gravelly laugh, he climbs his way up my body. Planting soft kisses to my lips, he runs his tongue across them until I open and tangle my tongue with his. His tongue caresses mine with a single-minded focus. Tasting the tangy sweetness of my climax, I wrap my legs around his waist, moan into his mouth and rock my pussy against the cock resting against it.

He pulls back with a shudder and a gasp, unwrapping my legs and separating us. “Kitten, keep grounding that sweet pussy against me and I’m gonna take it. I’m trying to be a gentleman and do the right thing here, no matter what I said. But I’m a man, baby.”

His voice is raw with desire as his hand locks around his wide girth and starts a rough slide, hitting my clit with each upward stroke. Anchoring my legs around his waist once again, I dig my heels into his ass, yank him to me at the same time I raise up and bite his lip.

“I said I wasn’t made of fucking glass.”

I capture his lips with mine and ravish them with a savagery I didn’t know I possessed. He’s my oasis in a dry desert and I can’t get enough to quench my thirst. I feel his large rough hands grab my legs and pin them open right before he plunges into me. We both let out a hoarse cry at the feeling of once again being joined together. His ass flexes under my heels each time he pounds in to me. My head is thrown back in ecstasy, tits bouncing, fingers clenching and unclenching in the sheets. He switches his unrelenting pace to slow, scorching thrusts as he leans down and imprisons me between his arms. I take note of how careful he’s trying to be not to put too much pressure on me, no matter how rough we get. One hand tangles in my long hair, gently pulling my head back as his lips once again settle over mine, his mouth ravenous yet meaningful. Our bodies slick with sweat, our mouths letting 0ut guttural growls and broken cries, we immerse ourselves in each other, the only sounds in the otherwise quiet room. My breath hitches at the naked emotion I see in his eyes and I feel a tear leak from mine. One hand leaves my hair as he captures it with his thumb. I feel exposed, but I can’t stop the words from escaping my lips.

“I’ve missed you.”

It’s like my words awoke a beast within because the next thing I know, my legs are thrown over his arms, pussy spread wide open and I’m being rammed with savage strokes. His cock pummels my pussy as I succumb to his wild, feral fucking. He’s magnificent in all his glory. The tattoos on his neck stick out as he strains it back and lets out a rough groan.

“So fucking good.” He murmurs, his hips slamming against mine with no intention of stopping.

My back arches, hips lifting to meet his as pleasure courses through my body. Goosebumps break out and I flush, body coiling tight as my release approaches. Phoenix, knowing my body as well as I do, pinches my clit between his fingers and tugs.

“Come, now.”

I let out a husky scream as I shatter and fly apart. It’s not long before Phoenix follows, his body convulsing, cock twitching with his release as his strained roar echoes around the room. Still keeping his weight from my chest, he buries his face into my neck trying to recover. He holds his lips there for a short time before pulling back and cupping my face in his tattooed hands.

“I’ve missed you too, kitten. So damn much.”

His kisses my forehead, then my lips before giving a slow erotic glide from my body causing both of us to let out greedy moans. Rolling to the side, he falls to his back and throws his arm over his eyes. His chest is still rising and falling rapidly as he catches his breath. Hell, so is mine. We’ve not come together like that since the night he asked me to marry him.

“Not that I’m complaining but where the hell did that come from?”

Removing his arm, his head swivels in my direction. His eyes are full of something. Torment? But I’m not understanding why.

Lynne is a momma bear to two beautiful little girls and one amazing stepson. When she's not writing, she's an avid reader. If you don't catch her with her nose in a book or her fingers scribbling in a notebook, she's usually right in front of the television with her  family. She lives in the quiet country, somewhere on the Panhandle of Florida. She loves music, dancing and beer. Preferably the beer first so she can at least pretend to know how to twerk when the music comes on. She loves anything that glitters and has a weird habit of collecting pens. Even though she's in Florida, she hates the ocean and doesn't eat seafood. I know. I know. She’s a strange human being.

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Million Baller Baby by Rie Warren

Title: Million Baller Baby

Series: Bad Boy Ballers #1

Author: Rie Warren

Genre: Secret Baby, Second Chance, Sports Romance

Release Date: February 6, 2017

Blurb

She’s NFL royalty. He’s the star quarterback of a tanking team. When she takes ownership, balls will roll . . . and the truth will out.

Rafe Macintyre—the rocket-armed Carolina Crush quarterback—has nothing to lose and everything to prove. All because of one woman . . . Miss Peyton Fox. When the tough-as-nails chick takes over as team owner, Rafe is ready to turn the epic-fail season into a Super Bowl championship. But the winning has to start with Peyton’s love.

No stranger to playas on and off the field, Peyton Fox is born and bred NFL royalty. Been there, done him, and called the plays even before she took up the Carolina Crush crown. She has zero time for a love life and even less time for games unless they happen between the endzones. Unfortunately, Rafe Macintyre has one hell of an arm, and he’s full of hot southern charm. He’s not too bad to drool over either, but it’s been five years since she tangled with him—a mistake she doesn’t plan on repeating.

The consequences of one night of rebellion will last a lifetime. It’s all fun and games until someone gets knocked up.

ADD TO GOODREADS

Purchase Links

99c for a limited time only!!!

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Free in Kindle Unlimited

Excerpt

I led Peyton upstairs after grabbing her bag, our hands brushing together sending that same hot sizzle coursing through my body.

“You can shower up in here.” I guided her into my room, giving it a quick once over.

I’d changed the sheets, made the bed, tidied the fuck up . . .

Dammit. I’d missed a pair of briefs on the floor.

Swiftly kicking them under the bed while Peyton inspected the ocean view outside the tall windows, I said, “Bathroom’s through that door. I put out fresh towels for you.”

And dammmn, Peyton looked good in my bedroom when she spun to face me. “This is your room?”

“Mmm.” My gaze lingered on her body and that goddamn bikini-thing.

“What about you?” she asked, strolling closer.

“Are you inviting me to join you in the shower?” Because if so I was in danger of shredding my shorts with my rapidly hardening cock.

“Maybe.” She blushed deliciously.

Drawing her straight against me, I brushed a light kiss over her smooth, slightly salty lips. “Trust me, darlin’. If my mom and Liv weren’t here I’d have us both stripped down and you soaking wet in ten seconds flat.”

Her fingertips made small circles through the black hair on my chest, and I cursed quietly. “Who says you haven’t already made me wet?”

I barely refrained from mauling her. She had to feel the solid bar of my cock hot and throbbing and pressing against her belly.

“I’d love to find out.” My palms skimmed to her hips, but she pulled back an inch.

Her cheeks flushed even more. “I suppose this happens a lot.”

“What?”

Her bare feet overlapping, she shrugged. “Having women over. And I don’t mean your mom and Liv.”

I tilted her chin beneath my knuckles, lifting her eyes to mine. “Peyton Fox, you’re the first woman who’s ever been in this bedroom. I swear.”

She whimpered once then I crushed her against me. The floodgates opened and our lips slid together. She gripped the back of my neck. I hauled her up and wrapped her legs around my waist. Our hot tongues tangled, tasted. And I was so close to slamming her against the wall. Her grinding hips were making me crazy.

When she started nibbling my neck with her soft moist mouth I had to break away before I ripped her suit off and tackled her to the floor.

Fuck me. Her nipples were making peaks in the material of that sexy blue suit, so hard I could think of nothing but sucking them.

“Rafe.”

“Huh?”

“You’re staring at my boobs.”

I stared some more. Mighta drooled, too. “Because I want them in my mouth.”

When she started untying the string behind her neck, I pivoted away. “Fuck. Don’t test me, Pey.”

I heard the wet slap of her suit hitting the floor, and it took the last shred of my willpower to keep my eyes glued straight ahead. Struggling to breathe deeply enough for air to actually inflate my lungs, I stood like a wooden soldier. A very stiff wooden soldier.

And when I felt her bare tits—warm from the sun—brush against my back, I jerked forward as if burned.

“Now I gotta go cool down before I do something everyone will hear.” I rushed out of the room, her smoky laughter following me all the way. 

Hurrying downstairs, I stripped off and dove into the outside shower, hitting that shit on straight-up ice cold. No joy. Even the icy prickles of water couldn’t deflate my cock.

Author Bio

Rie is the badass, sassafras author of Sugar Daddy and the Don’t Tell series–a breakthrough trilogy that crosses traditional publishing boundaries beginning with In His Command. Some of her latest endeavors include the Carolina Bad Boys and Bad Boys of Retribution MC series.

A Yankee transplant who has traveled the world, Rie started out a writer—causing her college professor to blush over her erotic poetry without one ounce of shame. Not much has changed. She swapped pen for paintbrushes and followed her other love during her twenties. From art school to marriage to children and many a wild and wonderful journey in between, Rie has come home to her calling. Her work has been called edgy, daring, and some of the sexiest smut around.

You can connect with Rie via the social media hangouts listed on her website https://www.riewarren.com.

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The Offer That Binds by Claire Davis

The Offer That Binds

What do you do when the one person you hate the most becomes the one person you can’t live without?

A bully by day when it comes to business and money, a playboy by night when it comes to pleasure. That is the reputation that precedes John Knight. He lives life the way he wants, no concern for the opinion of others. He cares for no one, is completely we have all been there before. Not the type of person you want to rely on to survive. Down on her luck financially, college student and full-time waitress Jessica gets rescued from an unlikely and overwhelming source, Billionaire John Knight makes her an offer that is impossible to refuse but terrifying to accept from a man whose affluence she had questioned from the start. Will the fine alpha billionaire really be a answer or will he be a major obstacle and a danger to innocent Jessica?

Available on Amazon

About Claire Davis

Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, Claire discovered her desire for writing in third grade where she started writing poetry and short stories. It wasn't until much later that her passion for writing grew from a hobby into therapy. Writing for Claire, set her free from all the issues and drama life can bring.

Meet Nicole Bennett and Drew Jaymes from Racing Hearts by Ryleigh Renee

Nicole Bennett and Drew Jaymes were first loves back in the day. Years later, they have the chance to reconnect. You can read their story in Racing Hearts, the latest book by Ryleigh Renee. 



Now, in this exclusive interview, you can get to know these two, and then be sure to purchase their story on Amazon.

Your story began when you were both quite young. What can you tell us about it?

NICOLE: I was quite young actually. I had just returned to the states after finishing my studies at an all-girls’ boarding school in Great Britain. 

DREW: We met at a party. Some socialite or other. I saw this gorgeous creature and was so thankful my friend Dixie introduced us. Having grown up in Peach Valley, I knew all the other girls there. I have a way with the ladies you could say. 

NICOLE: That’s not what everyone else in town says. {laughter}

Okay, you met each other. What was your first impression?

(Nicole and Drew look at one another) 

DREW: Okay, I’ll start. The first thing I noticed were her eyes. I’d never seen eyes that color before. They weren’t blue. They’re aqua. As she looked at me, it felt like she was looking inside me. Made me a little nervous. 

NICOLE: You were nervous? You’re never nervous. 

DREW: I knew I wanted to meet her. I can’t put into words what it felt like when we met. And then she spoke. She has the most beautiful accent I’ve ever heard. 

NICOLE: Oh, that’s so sweet. I thought I could listen to your southern drawl forever.

Nicole, what was your first impression?

NICOLE: I was completely petrified! I looked at him and couldn’t believe how beautiful he was. 

DREW: Beautiful? Really? {sounding horrified} 

NICOLE: She did say my first impression. {more laughter} Being raised in England and not being around boys, I truly didn’t know how to act around them. Oh, we had a few times at school where boys came so we could learn to dance, but when I saw his bright blue eyes, I knew he was nothing like the blokes over there. {looking at Drew} I couldn’t believe how handsome you were. 

DREW: Much better!

Alright, obviously this attraction grew. Tell me about that first summer.

NICOLE: I totally convinced myself I was experiencing a school-girl crush. Here was this dashing young man, quite a charmer, who wanted to spend time with me. I have to say, socially I was quite awkward. I thought for sure Drew would come to his senses and send me on my way. 

DREW: You were a very cute socially awkward. All I can remember from that first moment was, I have to spend time with this woman. She looked at me with such innocence.

What do you mean by that?

DREW: I had a bit of a reputation. Trust me, I never should have been at that party. All those innocent socialites! By the way, not a single one of them was innocent! But Nicky, she looked at me and there was no judgment, no condemnation. I didn’t have to prove anything. It was almost like she needed something within me.

Something within you?

Drew: Her eyes always held a sadness within them. At least in the beginning. I could tell that she had something inside her beautiful heart that didn’t belong there. Such a deep sadness. 

Nicole looks down embarrassed. 

Drew: Nicky just wanted to belong. I understood it because it’s something I also wanted. Her grandmother wasn’t the nicest person. She was the only family she had left and yet had no time for her. Over that summer, just the 2 of us, she just started opening up to me. I felt honored and humbled.

Nicole?

Nicole: My grandmother so loved her only child, my father. His death broke her heart. I was so young when my parents passed that I barely remember them. I do remember my father buying me a pony shortly before their accident. I remember how deeply my mum loved me. I wanted my grandmother to comfort, but in her grief, there wasn’t anything left for a young girl. Her housekeeper, Emma, provided me with hugs and such when they passed. Then, my grandmother became quite angry about something and said I couldn’t stay in Georgia. So, I was sent to England and only returned during summers and the Christmas holiday.

That must have been difficult for you.

Nicole: I didn’t know what else to do, so I excelled in my studies. My father was a very prominent lawyer. I took an interest in it. Pursued it. But that summer, encountering another orphan who had such a different outlook and upbringing; I just wished for that. Drew wouldn’t talk about his parents’ passing. Just said it was the hand he was dealt and he grabbed life whole heartedly. He found something else he loved and put his heart and soul into that. Watching him drive a race car one day I remember thinking, I want to just let go like that. Then, we were just sitting around one afternoon and I began talking about feeling unloved. Like no matter what I did, I couldn’t make my grandmother love me. I remember him telling me I was beautiful inside and out and if she didn’t love me, it was her loss. 

Drew: I said that? 

Nicole: {Looking lovingly at Drew} You did. It felt like the first time someone understood me when I didn’t even understand myself.

You spent that summer together. Something happened. Care to elaborate?

Drew: Well, I had no idea what happened. I mean, we had this connection. Then, we made love. It felt like nothing I’d ever felt before. I knew she was innocent. And, I truly felt horrible after. 

Nicole: Horrible?! That night was wonderful! 

Drew: I mean the next day. Nicky is Peach Valley royalty. Losing her innocence to someone like me hit me hard. I mean, I was the town bad boy. Someone no one wanted their daughter with. And, this amazing experience happened. I mean, it wasn’t sex. It was … beyond that. Her grandmother wasn’t happy I brought her home. Thank God she didn’t know I’d made love to her! She refused to let Nicky leave the house. Next thing I knew, Nicky was gone. Wanted nothing to do with me. She left for college and wouldn’t take my calls. 

Nicole: Communication was a problem for us. I ended up thinking he had sex with me for money. That he needed a sponsor to get into a race coming up. Since I’d never known how to be in a relationship, I felt dreadful. Rather than deal with it, I left. Wanted to put the whole thing behind me. So I did.

So, until you saw each other 11 years later, you didn’t know anything about what the other was doing? 

Nicole: Just like I did with my grandmother, I focused on my studies. I figured Drew was in Peach Valley, so I never went back. I couldn’t face her because of the disappointment she’d have for me being with the one person she told me I couldn’t. I couldn’t face Drew because I’d felt shame. Shame with myself for falling in love when I knew I was unlovable. My parents were the last time I’d truly felt love and their passing broke my heart. But it was nothing compared to my broken heart when I left Georgia to go to Harvard. 

Drew: I have to confess. I knew where she was and what she was doing. I focused on other things, but I needed to know she was safe.

Your grandmother’s passing brought you back to Georgia. What went through your mind coming back to a place you never wanted to?

Nicole: I dreaded it! Our only communications were cards at Christmas. Like I said, I wasn’t taught communication in relationships. When I’d been notified of her death, I knew I had to go back. She was the only family I had left. My intent was to go back, bury her, say good-bye and since I didn’t have anything holding me there, get rid of everything. Her mansion never felt like home to me.

You remained quite composed during the funeral.

Nicole: It never felt like burying a loved one. As I said before, I never felt she loved me. I was just her last connection to her son Nicholas. And having all the townspeople offering condolences was quite tiring. I knew it would be quite a task to handle her personal affairs, but I’d no idea. Getting through everything in probate was going to take quite some time.

You went to see her. Why?

Drew: I wish I could say for sure. I just wanted to. I mean, she was back. She’d been so lost 11 years ago that I just wanted to be there for her, you know. Then I saw her and felt like I’d been hit with a sledgehammer. Man, I thought she was gorgeous before. And those eyes of hers. She had no idea what to do. And, her heart of gold wouldn’t allow her to be disrespectful of her grandmother.

You were engaged then, weren’t you Nicole?

Nicole: {Drew groans} Neal is a very nice man {she scolds Drew} 

Drew: Like I said, she has a heart of gold. I mean, no man is worthy of her. 

Nicole: Except you, of course {she teases with a smile} 

Drew: Of course {laughter}

So, you met her fiancé?

Drew: Yeah. Nice is not the word that comes to mind. I mean, the guy was trying to be all prim and proper. What was up with that? 

Nicole: Neal is a very nice man. He just thought he had to make it in my world. {Drew grumbles} Drew, be nice. 

Drew: The guy just rubbed me the wrong way. Seriously, the guy not liking me is one thing. But Dix? 

Nicole: He apologized for that. You have to remember, he knew nothing of my life in Georgia, or Great Britain for that matter. All he knew was my family had been one of the founding members of Peach Valley. Since I didn’t speak of my distaste for the world my grandmother so reveled in, he considered me high society. But, you did grow to like him after all. 

Drew: I stole his girl, I kinda had to.

You had a little legal trouble at the time of the funeral. What happened?

Drew: A little? Hell, the whole town was ready to string me up! Some guy I barely knew gets the crap beaten out of him and all fingers point my way! I mean, I’m back in town a couple months and it was right back to how it was when I was growing up. If someone needed to take the blame for what went wrong in that place, it’s Drew Jaymes.

What happened?

Drew: I left Peach Valley shortly after she did. I felt lost. Didn’t know how I’d messed up. I just didn’t feel a fight in me anymore to keep brushing off everything, you know? But, I still had the house my aunt raised me in. She’d passed away a few years before and left me the place. I needed to clear my head. The only thing that helped me do that was racing. Pushing my car to her limits. Feeling the power in my hands. 

Nicole: It’s also the only time everyone in town didn’t look down on him. He could drive like no one had ever seen before. He was their hero. 

Drew: Yeah, until some guy gets beat up and bam! Sheriff Brown decides to arrest me.

And you were with him when he was arrested, right?

Nicole: Yes. I tried to diffuse the situation. Drew was tired of how he’d been treated all those years. When they told him he was being arrested for attempted murder, he lost it a bit.

You two had a little excitement once all of that started.

Drew: That started us on an adventure no one would’ve guessed. I mean, I couldn’t just let them arrest me. I had to do something to get away. And, seeing Nicky trying to defend me while the handcuffs came out, I did kinda lose it. She was my only hope. Just like that summer 11 years ago, she didn’t see me like everyone else always had. I latched onto that and it just exploded from there.

And you became his defense attorney? But, you’re an assistant DA.

Nicole: Drew was so lost. I knew he couldn’t have done what he was being accused of. When he first asked me; well begged me actually, I could only see his love of life. I couldn’t bring myself to think his hurting someone else with the man I knew him to be. 

Drew: Nicky believes in the justice system. She always believed the system would work. I was so afraid with everything against us, she was going to lose that hope. Her belief in justice being blind. And, there is no defense attorney around who would’ve ever done what she did. I even expected a guilty verdict!

And, you made it through the trial. But, it didn’t end there.

Nicole: No. I have to say, I was on an emotional roller coaster. I went from complete elation with finding the proof Drew was innocent to crashing down. 

Drew: It probably didn’t help you having all those espressos! 

Nicole: It was a little more than that.

Can you explain?

Nicole: I think the challenge for me was I knew I still loved him. Neal was so angry I’d taken on the case. But, I just wouldn’t give up. Neal knows this about me from working in the DA’s office with me. Justice is blind. I knew in my heart Drew was innocent. And, I pushed myself further than I’d ever done before. But, I didn’t want to still be in love with him. I was engaged to be married. I still felt this connection to Drew, but I felt like, at times, he didn’t take his case seriously. I wanted to distance myself. Drew, however, had other plans. 

Drew: I did take my case seriously. But, I can see where I didn’t come across that way. I mean, I knew Nicky had Neal in her life. I knew she was engaged. All I could think of was, my case is what’s keeping her in my life. I didn’t want her to leave again. So, I guess, I was doing all I could to prevent the inevitable.

With your case won, you didn’t need her as your attorney anymore.

Drew: No, I didn’t. But, because she went so far above and beyond with the proof needed to get me acquitted, and I knew someone had set me up to take the blame, I went to her and asked her to help me find that person.

And you did, right?

Nicole: Yes. My objective was to help him one last time. I gave him 48 hours. My heart was breaking. I wanted to be with him, but just couldn’t. I guess I still felt the shame my grandmother must have had with my being with the town bad boy. But, it set off such a firestorm of events. 

Drew: It did. Nicky is the smartest woman I’ll ever know. Had I known all we were going to face, maybe I wouldn’t have asked her to help me. But, I was still so desperate to keep her in my life.

And you had some amazing adventures from there.

Drew: It went at mach speed, and for me, that’s saying something! Part of me wishes it didn’t have to be so … exciting; but then we never would’ve made it back to each other if we hadn’t. 

Nicole: Drew, I don’t think we should give any more away. 

Drew: Right. So, Racing Hearts will give all the exciting details of everything we went through with a little bit of romance along the way.

Thank you both for your time. As Drew said, Racing Hearts is their story filled with romance, intrigue and adventure. I know you’re going to love it.

Available on Amazon

Also check out an excerpt here.