Thursday, June 18, 2026

New Releases: Week 3 June


                                                      

 
Here are this week's New Releases for June 21-27

Releases June 22:
1. Darkened Desires by Cara Wade
2. Through the Storm by Natalie Parker

Releases June 23:
1. The Mafia's Queen by E.D. Crowe
2. The Ghost of What Remains by Maeve Garner
3. Married to the Scottish Player by Sara Ney
4. Chase Me If You Can by Heather Frances
5. A Simple Mistake by Lacey Black
6. A Reluctant Claim by Maxine Henri
7. Darkest Obsession by Eva Morozova
8. The Hands that Treat by Kristen H. Casey
9. Tangled in Knots by Ari Wright

 Releases June 24:
1. Spook by Summer Winters
2. Upgraded by Abby Millsaps
3. Not His to Keep by Kate Campfield
4. Try Again, Baby by Julia Wolf
5. Upgraded by Abby Millsaps

Releases June 25:
1. Promise Me This by Jennifer Sucevic
2. Ice Cold Chemistry by Kendall Ryan
3. The Troublemaker by Piper Rayne
4. Broken Pride by Kindle Alexander

Releases June 26:
1. Marriage of Sin by Kristen Luciani
2. Undeniable Love by Rae Fields
3. Untamed by Janice Whitaker
4. Anything for You by Emily Silver

Happy Reading!!
Melissa

Wednesday, June 17, 2026

Book Tour: The Faithful, The Fearful, & the Foolish by Luke Uebelher

 

 


Empowering readers to grow as Faithful Disciples of Christ by equipping them to overcome the fear of man, become effective in the Business of God, and prepare themselves to Rule & Reign with Christ…


Here is a timely word for the Church of Jesus Christ, for those who have a true desire to know and to be pleasing to God. The parable of the talents, while not necessarily an easy word to hear, is a much-needed word for the Church today. Brother Luke has perfectly captured the word of Jesus in his exposition on the parable of our Lord. 

The Faithful, The Fearful & The Foolish: Living for God in Troubled Times is available at Amazon. 

╰┈➤Book Details

    • Genre: Personal Transformation

    • Sub-genre: Spiritual Self-Help/Discipleship/Christian Leadership

    • Language:English

    • Pages: 124

    • Paperback ISBN: 979-8368097947

╰┈➤Here’s What Readers Have To Say!

“This book will encourage you, challenge you & remind you that YOU have a purpose & important kingdom work to do here, put your armor on Christian soldier.” – Valentina Anderson

“If you, like me, see that this world is getting darker and that the light is not as bright as it could be, then this book is for you.” – Joyful

“This book is very inspirational and a must read!” – Carla Price

Watch Luke Talk About His Book

 
About the Author

In 2012, Luke Uebelher began serving and supporting the needs of sex-trafficking and domestic violence survivors by working in partnership with ministries that are led by trafficking and abuse survivors. Under the guidance and leadership of his pastors, his ministry expanded to also serving and supporting the needs of homeless Military Veterans, and ministries in the Philippines. Luke and his wife Maggie were married in 2018 and have a home in the Philippines. Luke travels between the United States and the Philippines for business and ministry services. 

Luke’s latest book is The Faithful, The Fearful & The Foolish: Living for God in Troubled Times.

Connect with him on social media at Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Luke-UebelherDiamond-Fire-Transport-Missions-100077395525353/ 


Sponsored By:

Teaser: Willing Captive by Ashlynn Monroe

 




An LGBTQ+ BDSM Sci-Fi Romance

Date Published: June 19, 2026

Publisher: Changeling Press 



"Humans are a legend. They don't exist."

When Lord Xev and his lover, Ra, leave their home in search of a woman to bond with them, they know exactly where to go. Risen Outpost is the most lawless place in the galaxy, and Pale Moon Auction House offers the finest sex slaves on the market. What the Zaronians don't expect is to find one of the legendary humans for sale to the highest bidder.

Kirin Ellison doesn't know what's happened to her. The shock of discovering aliens exist is bad enough, but realizing they plan to sell her as a sex slave is far worse. Kirin watches the other women preening and displaying their attributes, begging to belong to someone, with growing alarm. She wants her freedom. At least she thinks she does --- until one touch from Xev and Ra enslaves her in a far more binding way than a simple exchange of a currency could ever manage. She longs to feel everything the strange beings have to offer, but unless Xev is willing to make a sacrifice of his own, she dare not let him capture her heart.

 

 

Excerpt


All rights reserved.
Copyright ©2026 Ashlynn Monroe

Music reverberated through Kirin Ellison's Mazda as she drove down the lonely two lane country road. Humming along to the radio, she glanced up at the sky. The black velvet above was dotted with stars. In the city, she never really had the chance to see the night sky -- the view here was breathtaking.

No one was expecting her back in Chicago until tomorrow. She didn't need to rush. Her camera lay on the passenger seat beside her. Pulling over onto the gravel shoulder, she parked next to a fenced pasture.

The warning bell dinged as she carefully pulled out her beloved equipment. Wedding and graduation photography paid the bills, but she couldn't escape her true calling -- she felt drawn to beautiful panoramic landscapes.

Kirin looked up at the silky night sky and began to visualize the shots she would take. The rural beauty was exactly what she wanted. These prints would sell fast in the city.

Chuckling to herself, she shook off the feeling that she was being watched. "I've been in the city way too long," she muttered as she made sure the tripod was stable.

A sudden flash to her left made her straighten and turn. She gasped as three bluish-green lights hovered in the air.

"Oh my God!" Kirin's hands shook as she began frantically snapping pictures. Kirin focused intensely on the lights. She wished her camera had video capability. She expected the hovering lights to fly away, but they didn't. These prints were definitely going to be a moneymaker.

The lights suddenly catapulted forward and to her horror, they now hovered directly over her car. Her courage held her for only three more shots before her shaking hands managed to free the camera from the tripod. Snatching up her equipment, she rushed back to the car, but froze when a bright light illuminated the area around her. Her eyes widened as the car levitated off the ground. The pulsating yellow light was actually pulling the Mazda skyward.

Kirin bit her lip and stumbled backwards. She had no interest in finding out where her car was going. Her foot slipped on the dew-damp grass and she tumbled backward into the darkness. Pain radiated through her head and her teeth clicked as her jaws snapped together. She blinked up and the darkness vanished. She lay bathed in bright yellow light. Something trickled down her neck and she realized she was bleeding, but that was the least of her worries right now.

Blinking rapidly, Kirin tried to clear her vision, but the lights went in and out of focus. She felt her body lifting. "No," she moaned.

Unconsciousness claimed her.

When Kirin next opened her eyes, she blinked up at a bright light. She tried to swallow but something was down her throat. Soft plastic cradled her nose and mouth. She looked down her nose at the strange mask. The effort gave her an intense headache and she tried to groan, but the tube down her throat didn't allow the sound to come out. She lay in a warm cocoon, perfectly cradled in softness. To her horror, she realized she was naked. She tried to move, but she couldn't. The paralysis was surreal. Her vision was blurry and she blinked rapidly, but it didn't seem to help. She felt as if she were floating.

Vaguely, she wondered if she'd been drugged.

A dark shadow blocked the light to the left and she tried to focus on what -- or who -- it was. Her eyes widened and she tried to scream. Being immobile added a sharp bite to her terror. The creature was tall and blue. It had tentacles jutting out of its rather large head, and it didn't look happy. Coming closer, it made some sort of gibberish noise and ran its hand down her arm, then her hip and leg. She shuddered. Something moved in a blur to her left and she felt a quick stab of pain before her eyes fluttered closed and darkness dragged her back into oblivion.

* * *

"This trip has been long overdue, my friend.. The burden of politics wearies me," Lord Xev muttered. He sighed and ran a hand through his hair.

The male between his legs took his cock into his mouth and bobbed his head passionately up and down on Xev's shaft. Xev watched Ra's devotion through his long lashes. Long, soft blond hair brushed Xev's thighs. Eyes half closed, he stretched his arms across the back of the divan.

The crowd bustling about the tavern and the buzz of voices only made Ra's fellatio more erotic. His companion made a loud popping noise as he pulled his mouth away from Xev's erection. Ra's big blue eyes gazed up at him adoringly. Xev could tell he wanted to say something.

"You may speak," he graciously offered.

"You are right, my lord. I have felt the burden of hiding my affection for you. I lust for you, my lord. Every time I am in the room with you, my cock aches for your touch."

Xev smiled down at his lover. He cared deeply for Ra. Their friendship, and Ra's servitude, had grown into a comfortable pattern, but something was missing. They both agreed on that point. "I understand, my friend. The Order would never accept our bond. Here we are free, but you know I can never leave the Order, even to delight in the debauchery of the fringes. This is just a short trip. We will return."

The glimmer of hope died in Ra's beautiful eyes and he quickly lowered his head and kissed Xev's balls. When Ra glanced up, tears shimmered in his eyes. "I know your place, my lord, even as I know mine, but one can dream."



About the Author

Ashlynn Monroe is a busy working mom. She loves her kids and family. Her greatest joy is creating stories to entertain others, and she hopes they bring a little more romance into the world. She's been writing since her teens for her own enjoyment but decided in her thirties to share her imagination with readers. Ashlynn enjoys biking, camping, reading, video games, and filling her home and life with love. If she's not working or chasing children, you can find her daydreaming up her next tale of romance. 


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RABT Book Tours & PR

Book Tour: Alive...For A Reason by Jaiden Jackson Smith

 



What You Don’t Know Will Kill You and It’s Not the Pandemic: Julia’s Story


Nonfiction / Biographies / Health

Date Published: December 23, 2024



You don’t have to die… like Julia almost did.

This gripping memoir tells the true story of a sudden, devastating illness—thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP)—a rare blood disorder with a 90% mortality rate if left untreated.

Through a deeply personal and conversational narrative, Jaiden Jackson Smith brings readers into Julia’s world:

● A body turning against itself

● A mind navigating fear, confusion, and altered reality

● A spirit clinging to faith and purpose


What You’ll Discover

● The hidden dangers of undiagnosed illness

● The link between stress, trauma, and autoimmune disorders

● The reality of hematological conditions and platelet disorders

● The emotional and spiritual battle of survival

 

Excerpt

Excerpt from Chapter 12: “What’s Happening to Me?” from ALIVE … FOR A Reason| What You  Don’t Know Could Kill Yu, and it’s Not the Pandemic: Julia’s Story

Ted hands me several folded sheets of information he printed out from the internet. I didn't notice them in his hand when he came into the room. I 
take the papers he gives me. The information has strange paragraphs about blood, plasma, platelets, and throm— something... purpura, and TTP. 
"T-T-what?"

"Ted, do you know where my cell phone is?"

"I've been meaning to tell you. Donna has your purse. Your belongings are safe with her. Since you're awake, she'll bring it 
and your bag with her the  next time she comes."

"I don't understand the meaning of the print-out you gave me of the description of what has happened to me, Ted. Do you understand it?" 

"It's not you. It's been difficult for me to understand it, too. I've read that you have a rare and unfamiliar illness. Your doctor—Doctor Tan, 
should come around soon. I won't leave until he stops in to check on you. He'll explain  it to you better than I can."

As if on cue, Ted casts his eyes toward the hallway. He sees a doctor passing by.

"There he is now. I'll try to catch up with Doctor Tan. He's the doctor  that's treating you."

Before I could ask Ted a question about the doctor, he jumped to his  feet and hurried into the hallway. Curious, I get up to follow Ted and 
stand next to him. He and a doctor are talking. I'm confused. Why doesn't the doctornotice me? I'm right here with them.

The specialist, wearing a crisp, white medical coat, says,  

"I'll be in to speak with her soon."

Why doesn't Ted acknowledge that I'm standing right here? Neither one notices me. This isn't a good sign.

"Okay, thanks, Doctor."

In a split second, I find myself in bed. I'm confused. Ted didn't escort me  back into the room—and now he's sitting in the chair.

"I caught up with the specialist who's been treating you. He told me he's  coming in to talk with you this evening during his rounds."

He must not realize I stood beside them and heard their brief conversation.

Later that evening, the physician walks in, holds out his hand to shake mine, and with a warm smile says,

"Glad to know you are awake. My name is Doctor Tan."

He seems cordial, given that he acted as if I wasn't in the hall with him and Ted moments ago.

Ted was courteous to stand and motion for the doctor to have a seat.  The doctor did not sit. Instead, Doctor Tan thanked 
him and then looked at me.

"Julia– is that correct?"

Ted answers for me, "Yes, sir; you are correct."

The doctor is not brusque or condescending. I can't believe this specialist is so pleasant. 

About the Author


Jaiden Jackson Smith is an award-winning author, advocate, and storyteller whose work centers on truth, healing, and human resilience.

Her debut memoir earned the 2025 International Impact Book Award, marking her as a powerful new voice in inspirational nonfiction.

Jaiden holds a Master’s degree in Law and Public Policy in Nevada and is committed to continuing her education to advocate for:

● Individuals with intellectual disabilities

● People with disabilities

● Senior adults

Her life is guided by three core values:
Integrity. Loyalty. Determination.

Beyond her professional achievements, Jaiden finds joy in:

● Spending time with her husband

● Enjoying music—especially Earth, Wind & Fire

● Writing and creative expression

● Bringing light into the lives of others through kindness

Her mission is simple yet profound:
To remind people they are seen, valued, and never alone.

 


Contact Links

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Purchase Link

Amazon


RABT Book Tours & PR

Book Blast: Move Me by Lynn Crandall

 



This post is part of a virtual book tour orgainzed by Goddess Fish Promotions.Lynn Crandall will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.



An Aeon by birth, Diane Butler knew when she walked away from her fellow Aeons that she wanted certain things: wealth, power, acceptance. But she'd come to realize she didn't belong with Dark Sides and joined in the battle to save Auralia from darkness. But when her past comes after her, she understand that she can't escape it with a simple name change.

A surprise encounter that turns ugly pits lone Emmett Forrest against thugs determined to hurt Cassie. With each threat out cold on the ground, he believes he's done. But when the men report the incident to the Auralia Police Department, he can't avoid the drama or the intrigue surrounding her.

Read an Excerpt

“Anyone else bored as sin? We stopped the Irish mob and Dark Sides from taking over Auralia in December. January and February, we took some time to recover from Dark Sides’ Project Reckoning. I know you all have been tending to your personal lives, your relationships, and your careers, but for me, those two months were the epitome of boredom. Now March is almost over, and still boredom reigns.”

“Diane—” Braden started.

“Cassie,” she interrupted. “Try to remember, Braden. I’ve told you so many times that I’m using my middle name now. I’m not Diane anymore.” She pouted her lips.

Braden nodded. “Yes, sorry. You’re Cassandra Butler now, not Diane Butler.”

“Cassie. I told you, Cassie for short.” She swept her gaze around the living room at Braden and Payson’s house and flung her hands up. “I swear, it’s not that hard to remember my name. I made a change, I’m not Diane. I’m not that woman any more. I’m aligned with light and love. I’m Cassie. Cassie. Cassie Butler. Gauzy, gossamer, and open, not rigid, harsh, or angry Cassie.” The rock lodged in her gut weighed her down. Was she different? Truly? She’d been putting in the work with her counselor, Claire Eve Kelly, to make the change permanent. But with the chaos of the past not far behind, she ached for the excitement of the life she had. The parties, the conniving to get what she wanted. It had all been so mesmerizing.

About the Author After cutting her writing teeth as a feature writer for commercial and trade magazines, a reporter for newspapers and radio, and an executive editor for a communications company, award-winning author Lynn Crandall tuned her voracious appetite for stories to writing contemporary and paranormal romance, women’s fiction, and romantic suspense. In her books, she enjoys taking readers on emotional journeys with relatable characters who refuse to back down, and face challenges and tribulations with heart and soul. She believes every love has a story, and hers is with one handsome husband and a large, beautiful circle of family, including her cat Winter.

Website https://lynn-crandall.com
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lcrandall246
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/LynnCrandallAuthor
Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/lynncrandallwriter/
TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@lynnkelynnwriter
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H2FMSG8H

Enter to win a $25 Amazon/BN gift card.

Tuesday, June 16, 2026

Release Blitz: Crimson in the Crescent by Amy Briggs and Heidi McLaughlin

 

Title: Crimson in the Crescent (Bourbon Street Shadows Authors: Heidi McLaughlin & Amy Briggs Genre: Paranormal Romance Release Date: June 16, 2026 Hosted by: Buoni Amici Press, LLC.

A curse that burns. A killer who watches. A love too close to the flame.

Bastien Durand has spent two centuries belonging to no faction and beholden to no court in New Orleans' hidden world. His neutrality has kept him alive. But when vampire bodies begin appearing across the city, intact and carved with the symbols of a bloodline destroyed over a century ago, his careful balance shatters overnight.

The dead are not random. Someone is settling an old debt in blood. Worse, a curse has branded itself into Bastien's flesh, broadcasting his every movement to every power in the city. The more he investigates, the more exposed he becomes. The murders are not his to solve. They are his to witness.

Delphine LeClair, archivist and the woman Bastien has stopped pretending he can stay away from, pulls buried records into the light with a precision that reshapes the entire case. She stands closer than anyone should to a man the whole city can now find in the dark.

What is building between them has outlasted lifetimes neither of them can fully name. What is hunting them has studied Bastien long enough to know exactly how he will move, who he will protect, and what it will cost him when the trap finally closes.

A smoldering, slow-burn paranormal mystery where old blood, older magic, and a love that refuses to stay buried collide in a New Orleans that never forgets.

About Heidi McLaughlin:

Heidi McLaughlin is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of The Beaumont Series, The Boys of Summer, and The Archers.

Originally, from the Pacific Northwest, she now lives in picturesque Vermont, with her husband, two daughters, and their three dogs.

In 2012, Heidi turned her passion for reading into a full-fledged literary career, writing over twenty novels, including the acclaimed Forever My Girl.

Heidi's first novel, Forever My Girl, has been adapted into a motion picture with LD Entertainment and Roadside Attractions, starring Alex Roe and Jessica Rothe, and opened in theaters on January 19, 2018, and is now available on DVD & Digital.

To stay connected with Heidi visit www.facebook.com/authorheidimclaughlin or heidimclaughlin.com

About Amy Briggs:

Formerly a firefighter and EMT in New Jersey, Amy Briggs grew up next to a military base, which inspires many of her stories. Her love of fairy tales contrasted with suspense carries through each of her novels and she hopes to inspire readers to fall in love with love.

Amy lives in Texas with her family and more cats than she can handle where she both edits and writes full-time. In addition to her book life, she is also a brown belt in jiu-jitsu, and runs two MMA gyms with her brother, where she also teaches women’s self-defense seminars, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, yoga, and Sambo.

Amy loves to hear from readers and can be found on social media here: Facebook - @amybriggsauthor, Instagram @authoramybriggs. For all other information, including editing inquiries, please visit Amy's website.

AMAZON | AUDIBLE | APPLE | NOOK | KOBO | GOOGLE PLAY

Be part of the buzz — join The Hype Hive today!

Release Blitz: Run and Hide by Cristen Harber

 

Title: Run and Hide (A Titan Protectors Novel) Author: Cristin Harber Genre: Romantic Suspense Release Date: June 16, 2026 Hosted by: Buoni Amici Press, LLC.

Jules Lowry’s life is flawless on the surface—A-list actress, Hollywood royalty, and a wedding built for headlines. But behind the glamour, her engagement is nothing more than a calculated shield against an unstable stalker.

When the ceremony implodes in scandal, a fake relationship with her brooding bodyguard becomes the perfect PR fix.

Rhys Callaghan, former FBI turned elite protector, is the only man who’s ever made her feel safe...and the one she can’t risk loving. But what starts as a carefully controlled publicity stunt turns dangerously real.

And when her stalker changes the rules, the only thing more lethal than the threat closing in... is trusting the man willing to die for her.

AMAZON | APPLE BOOKS | NOOK | KOBO

Run and Hide, Titan Protectors #2 by Cristin Harber Chapter OneThe wump of helicopter rotors mixed offbeat with the string quartet’s first notes of Wagner’s “Bridal Chorus.” The bridesmaids beamed. The groom stood front and center, filling out his tuxedo as only Mason Marlow could. Row after row of couture-covered guests stood like well-trained extras on the set of Hollywood’s biggest wedding in a century. Jules Lowry prayed that she wasn’t making the biggest mistake of her well-orchestrated life and stepped from the white canvas tent and onto the white-rose-petal-covered aisle.I can’t do this. Except she had to.She maintained her scrupulously perfect posture and chanted the wedding-day mantras that would carry her through the day. Marriage means safety. Marriage is security. Marriage ensured the celebrity gossip machine would stop asking who she was dating, and maybe, if Lady Luck was on her side, the man who’d stalked her for years would take a hint.Maybe those weren’t the reasons most people pledged their lives to another person, but she and Mason Marlow weren’t most people. They were friends—ish. More importantly, they were business partners with an occasional semidecent sex life and an ironclad business agreement that would protect both their interests. Sort of like friends with benefits but on a far more complicated scale. Only one other person she could have asked to marry her, and he was nothing like Mason—nothing like the type who would ever agree. Jules raised her gaze to the clear blue sky. Not a paparazzi helicopter in sight. Though the no-fly zone hadn’t been large enough. Sound waves rolled over the ceremony. One of the wedding planner’s assistants was definitely screaming at an air traffic controller somewhere behind the scenes. “Jules.” Jules’s ears perked, but she didn’t break stride even as she cataloged the whisper-hissed interruption that sounded like Sloane Ellis, publicist extraordinaire. Impossible. Sloane would sooner tie herself to a railroad track than do anything to distract Jules from the money shot. The dress designer had half jokingly demanded a signed blood oath requiring squared shoulders and a head straight ahead, lest the lines of her train and veil be marred. Sloane had cosigned, probably in blood. Should her wedding have so much legal mumbo-jumbo and red tape? Well, obviously, no. Should she be thinking about the contracts as she glided toward Mason? Eh, not really. Her stomach churned. Where had her cold feet come from? She searched for her parents. Their all-business attitude could ground her, but they were too far away. Instead, she accidentally connected her gaze with an interviewer who’d ignored the merit of her most recent film and instead requested wedding-day dieting advice. Oh, the irony. Jules had not shed a single stupid pound for her wedding. She’d actually put on muscle while shooting an epic-fantasy-turned-cinematic-blockbuster, thank you very much. Jules focused on the endgame—the end of the aisle—and ignored every instinct to turn around and run for her life. Person after person smiled. Insecurity after insecurity filtered through her mind as she sashayed by the too-long guest list. Too long. Too much. This whole spectacle is too ostentatious. And if she were being honest, her PR team was too excited, and her fiancé was too grouchy. Hell, her stalker was too erratic of late, with weird messages telling her to retire while at the pinnacle of her career. The wedding hadn’t been about her in a long time. If her parents had known why she was actually marrying Mason, they would have burned Hollywood to the ground. Maybe they should have. Even for them, her secretly arranged marriage might be a step too far. After crushing miles and miles of petals underfoot, she reached her mark in front of the arch draped in white peonies and hydrangeas. The faint scent of whiskey mixed with the floral notes. Mason reached for her, and she looked into his bloodshot eyes. That was unexpected. Was he drunk? No. The man had never shown up late or unprepared on set a day in his life. She respected that about him. Though, this was real life. Guilt flickered across Mason’s handsome face, and he took her hand in the same way he did with every apology after every argument. Lately, he’d been negative and nitpicky. She probably hadn’t been a peach either. Wedding stress had messed with their mojo. Those problems would disappear just like the sound of helicopters always blended into the background. What would it feel like to marry someone she was in love with? She guessed she’d never know. Jules focused on what was happening. The officiant was nailing her lines. The photographer repositioned behind the groomsmen. Postproduction edits would handle Mason’s eyes and pale cheeks. Behind her, one of the bridesmaids whispered. That wasn’t in the script. Jules couldn’t tell who had said what. Their order was slightly off, and their pairs were no longer evenly matched to the groomsmen. One of her bridesmaids, Olivia, had called in sick. Jules’s lips upturned with an apology for the whisper. To whom, she didn’t know. Mason wouldn’t care, and whatever the mishap, it could be edited out of the wedding video. Ugh. Why was she thinking about any of this? Despite the businesslike origin story of their nuptials, they were still getting married. Even if the longer she stood next to him, the more he smelled like a whiskey bender instead of a pleasant cologne. “Jules,” her sister Abigail whispered. Years of media training allowed Jules to remain disturbingly composed even as an avalanche of questions begged her to turn around. “Jules.” The officiant faltered, half smiling with an abrupt glance toward the bridesmaids. The pause lasted a second, but her uncertainty blossomed, visible like an unruly vine clamoring and climbing for attention. Abigail bumped the bridal bouquet against Jules’s shoulder. Erm, what was happening? She couldn’t ignore her sister. But she couldn’t acknowledge her either. Mason’s eyes darted to the line of bridesmaids. A faint shimmer of sweat glistened on his forehead. He swayed, not enough for anyone to notice except her but enough to reignite the surge of anxiety churning in her stomach. Was he still drunk from the bachelor party. Impossible. Right? That had to be impossible. He’d texted her a little before midnight to say he was in for the night, that he’d see her tomorrow and he couldn’t wait. Even if he’d been shitfaced, that had been almost eighteen hours ago. Abigail coughed Jules’s name. The officiant stopped, raising her eyebrows as if asking how to proceed. How was Jules supposed to know? She couldn’t turn around. She couldn’t step off stage. A director couldn’t yell, “Cut!” This was as real as life could be. Sort of. Arranged and contrived but real enough as she stood in front of six hundred and seven people that she kinda, sorta knew. She shifted and met Abigail’s pleading eyes. In that moment, she knew that the script had irrevocably changed. Waves of gossipy murmurs spun over the rows of guests as though someone had thrown a boulder into a placid lake. “What?” she mouthed, catching sight of Sloane’s cell phone with the bright phone case semihidden in the overflowing bouquet that Abigail held for her. Jules raised her eyes over the line of furious bridesmaids to Sloane. Jules’s publicist, her friend, wordlessly pleaded for her to look at the phone. So she did and recognized the familiar branding of the gossip blogger that had made her life a living hell on a semiregular basis. Her stomach plummeted to the flower-petal-carpeted floor, and ruining the line of her veil and her skirt, Jules inched toward Abigail as Mason hissed her name. The panic in his voice was enough that Jules didn’t need to read the blog headline. But she did anyway. Mason Marlow’s Last Night Single Spent With Pregnant Side Piece Jules blinked. She read the words again, then again and checked the timestamp on the blog post. She’d stepped into the aisle at a punctual five o’clock. The headline from the ruthless yet reputable celebrity gossip site had been posted at 4:57 p.m. No one at the wedding knew. Every guest had signed a nondisclosure agreement, packed their belongings into security lockers, and provided their emergency contact information to Jules’s team in case anyone outside the wedding needed to reach a guest. Everyone except for their parents, Sloane, and the wedding planner. Jules snatched the phone, wrecking the lines of her veil and train, and turned toward her sister. “Would you like a minute?” the officiant murmured. Jules swiped open the post. There was Mason—her heart dropped—alongside her missing bridesmaid with a baby bump. Olivia was pregnant? Mason, the father? Every plan, every conversation, every negotiation and agreement with Mason disappeared as Jules stared at the photograph of his lips on her bridesmaid’s neck, his hand splayed across the tiny bulge on her stomach. She couldn’t stop herself and scrolled through the dozens of places that Mason’s mouth shouldn’t have been. Mason cleared his throat. “Can we talk about this later?” It wasn’t like they were in love. But they had very clear parameters under which they would get married. She hadn’t asked for anything other than the security that came with a partner. The safety and security from a friend—ish—who had promised they could be solid business partners in public and private. Mason had always wanted the world, to have his name next to hers, to tap into her fanbase—to make money off her. Her goals were less lofty but no less important. Love was for fools, but she craved the stability that came from a partner. More crucially, she wanted to dissuade her stalker with the barrier of holy matrimony. “Jules?” She ignored his pleading and visually sifted through his groomsmen. One after another, their guilt was displayed like a billboard of shame and embarrassment. They had all known. Of course they had. She might have been a fool, but Mason had just ruined the best business deal that he would ever come across. Abigail rested her hand on her shoulder. Jules turned to her sister, needing to escape and uncertain how to handle the unscripted crisis. Sloane had disappeared to do whatever the Sloane Ellises of the world did to handle catastrophic PR nightmares. Holding her head high and hiding the jumble of emotions she couldn’t make sense of in front of too many people, Jules walked down the aisle, followed by the parade of gorgeous, furious bridesmaids.

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ABOUT CRISTIN:

New York Times bestselling author Cristin Harber packs her military romance, romantic suspense, and new adult romance novels with steam, sizzle, and action of all types. Whether you want fireworks in the bedroom or a hunky ex-military team that saves the day, her bestselling romance novels will make you swoon and smile.

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