Sugarbeat's Books

The Home of the Romance Novel

Series Sunday

Game for Trouble by Karen Erickson (Game for It #2)

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18282682He’ll play dirty to get what he wants…

Willow Cavanaugh would be happy if she never saw cocky football star Nick Hamilton again. Sure, their fling was the hottest she’d had, but he’s way too much of a playboy to settle down with one woman. Plus, she’s got her heart set on a piece of real estate for her catering business—and Nick owns that property.

Nick may be at the top of his game, but all he wants is a second chance with Willow. When he offers to sell her his commercial space if she agrees to a series of dates with him, their chemistry is so scintillating that jumping back into bed seems like an inevitability. But Willow’s decided all’s fair in sex and blackmail. Little does she know, Nick’s playing to win…and she’s the prize.

Game for Trouble can be purchased from Amazon

Why do you need to read this book? I just loved the character of Willow – she totally rocks!

His Wicked Kiss by Gaelen Foley, Book #7 in the Knights Miscellany Series

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Welcome to Sugarbeat’s Books – The Home of the Romance Novel!

3629552From emerald jungles to the high seas to the glittering ballrooms of Regency London, beloved author Gaelen Foley tells a sweeping, sensual tale of the ruggedly handsome Lord Jack Knight and the passionate beauty who lays claim to his heart.

An English rose blooming in the untamed jungles of South America, Eden Farraday lives a life of independence–unheard of for a lady–with her doctor–turned–scientist father. But Eden misses England desperately. When the dangerous and darkly charming Lord Jack Knight sails into her life, she seizes her chance to return to civilization, stowing away aboard his London–bound ship.

Roguish and charismatic, a self–made shipping tycoon with a shadowy past and a well–guarded heart, Jack is sailing on a vital secret mission. When the redheaded temptress is discovered aboard his vessel, he reacts with fury—and undeniable lust. Forced to protect her from his rough crew, the devilish Lord Jack demands a scandalous price in exchange for Eden’s safe passage across the sea. As his wicked kiss ignites an unforgettable blaze of passion between them, Jack and Eden confront a soul–searing love that cannot be denied.

Why do you need to read this book? This book brought the first part of this series to a perfect ending. Like the other books, I loved the characters, but Lord Jack is WONDERFUL!

His Wicked Kiss is available from Amazon

Excerpt (from the author’s website)

Eden made a note on where she had found the orchids, doing her best to shield her paper from the rain. The little capuchin monkey observing her from a nearby crook of the great tree swiveled his head and went motionless, peering upriver for a second.

Suddenly, the capuchin let out a warning screech and fled up into his leafy towers. Eden froze, scanning the branches around her and praying she did not see an early-waking jaguar.

Her heart pounding, she listened in fright for any sound above the soft, steady patter of the rain on the leaves and searched the surrounding canopy, knowing full well the animal’s spotted coat made it almost impossible to see until it was too late. She was trying to decide if it was better to be eaten there on the branch or to tumble into the river below, when suddenly, she heard voices.

Male voices, many in number.

And they were speaking English!

Turning to stare in the direction the capuchin had first looked, she now beheld a most astonishing sight.

People!

A squat, tubby river boat pulling a barge piled with timber was emerging slowly from around the river bend.

Whatever are they doing here? she wondered as she stared with excitement bubbling up in her veins. Never mind that! This could be the opportunityshe had been praying for.

As the boat drifted closer, she studied the rough-looking men at the rails and lounging under the canvas shade on deck. Admittedly, they did not look like a promising lot, resembling so many pirates.

Many were shirtless in the heat, their swarthy hides tattooed and sinewy. Hope rose, however, when she noticed a young blond man striding toward the prow.

Unlike the others, he was quite fully dressed, though perhaps slightly wilted in the damp jungle heat. He seemed unwilling to be daunted by it. With his gentlemanly cravat in good order, cuffed white shirt sleeves neatly fashioned in self-conscious propriety, and ebony knee-boots, he looked like a proud and very correct young officer.

Her heart fluttered. Gracious, he was the handsomest creature she had seen in ages . . . until, following his progress, her gaze came to rest on the magnificent man that the younger fellow now joined at the rails.

An indescribable awe–or fascination–came over her as she stared at their kingly leader. She had studied animals long enough to be able to pick out in an instant which was the dominant male, and there was no question whatsoever that he was it.

One Night of Sin by Gaelen Foley Book 6 of the Knight Miscellany Series

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Welcome to Sugarbeat’s Books – The Home of the Romance Novel!

 

212104Lord Alec Knight, the most daring and handsome rogue in all of London, is a smooth-talking aristocrat with an abundance of high-society lady admirers. With his irresistible wit, lucky hand at the gaming tables, and enticing charisma, he can have any woman he wants. But when the only girl he would have considered marrying ties the knot with someone else, Alec realizes he doesn’t want to be with just any lady—he wants to find the love of his life.

The beautiful and boldly spirited Miss Becky Ward takes his life by storm after he rescues her from peril. Alec soon learns that Becky is on the run, having uncovered a menacing secret about her cousin, the murderous Prince Mikhail Kurkov. In the midst of danger, Alec and Becky find themselves deeply drawn to each other. After the two spend an all-consuming night of sin, Becky’s knight in shining armor vows on his honor to protect her until the end. But before long, Alec is protecting her with more than honor – and it seems the once untamed rake of London just may have found what he has been searching for all along…true love.

Why do you need to read this book? I love the character of Alec! To me he personifies a realistic hero – not a fairytale hero! I picked up this book at my local used bookstore and was floored to find this author, whom I’ve never read before. I loved this book – finally finishing in the wee hours. I’ve since found more of Ms. Foley’s books (there are a lot of them) so stay tuned for more treasures!

One Night of Sin is available from Amazon 

Excerpt (from the author’s website)

“Go away, you fiend!”“No,” he panted cheerfully, gaining on her. Still dressed for the ballroom, he splashed through puddles as he gave chase, determined at least to learn her name.With a small yowl of pure feminine frustration, she rushed over to the nearest storefront, a haberdasher’s, and picked up the only weapon she could find. Snatching the long-handled candle-snuffer off the wall, she whipped around and swung it at him. “Stay back!”

“Oh-ho!” he laughed as he approached slowly. I like this girl. “What are you going to do with that thing? Put my lights out?”

“Keep your distance or I’ll brain you! I’ll do it, I will!”

He disobeyed, of course. “Easy, kitten–”

“Don’t you ‘kitten’ me!” Whoosh! The metal bar sang through the air in her grasp. Her dark tresses flew; the dirt-streaked skirts swirled around her trim figure as she swung her weapon with admirable ferocity straight at Alec’s head.

He ducked, his fencer’s reflexes yanking him under the arc, but the nearness of her miss left him astonished. Women had been threatening to kill him for years, but none had actually tried it before. “Jesus!” he exclaimed, then started laughing. He couldn’t help it.

“Don’t you dare laugh at me, you coxcomb! A hero’s blood flows through these veins, I’ll have you know!” she cried in wrath, trying—rather adorably, Alec thought—to scare him away. “My father fought beside Nelson at Trafalgar!”

He held up his hands. “I surrender, don’t hurt me!”
“Ugh, you–” Another massive crash of thunder cut off her words and sent her darting under a nearby awning of one of the shops that lined the darkened street.Alec followed eagerly, but when he joined her, she was already in position to defend the small rectangle of dry territory she had claimed. With her weapon at the ready, she begrudgingly allowed him to step under the cover of the striped tin awning.

The shadows were deeper in their shelter. He smiled wickedly at her as he approached.

“Well, isn’t this cozy?”

The warm rain drummed upon the awning’s painted tin, dampening the sound and casting an air of intimacy over their taut standoff. The girl backed up a step uneasily, adjusting her grip, more than willing, it seemed, to try again to break his head if he made one false move.

Alec was on his guard and half smitten—but that meant nothing. He was known to fall in love six or seven times a day. Beautiful eyes, he thought as he studied her by the distant streetlamp’s glow through a haze of rain. Big stormy eyes full of fight and spirit, their violet hue a rare and fascinating color. Her thick, dark hair was slicked back with the rain, accenting the delicate sculpture of her face. Raindrops starred her lashes and turned her plump lips to dewy roses. Dirty little stray, he thought. Ravishing.

And he wanted her.