WORTH THE FIGHT by Liz Durano – Featured New Release

WORTH THE FIGHT

LIZ DURANO

When the woman you’ve loved for years walks back into your life with a ticking biological clock…

Six years ago, Cassie Reynolds was my Harvard mentor—the brilliant woman who taught me everything about business and left me wanting more than professional guidance. Now she’s back as Pierce Enterprises’ Chief Compliance Officer, hired to ensure I don’t make mistakes as the company’s newly appointed CEO.

There’s just one problem: I never stopped thinking about her.

When I discover she’s planning single motherhood through a fertility clinic because she thinks time’s running out, every instinct I have—shaped by Filipino family values that prioritize community over independence—tells me she shouldn’t face this alone.

I could keep my distance. Let her pursue her clinical solution while I focus on proving myself as CEO. Stay safely within professional boundaries while she builds the family she’s always wanted.

Or I could fight for what we could have together.

A partnership. A family. A future where neither of us has to face life’s biggest challenges alone.

The board already questions whether I’m ready to lead. Getting involved with my Chief Compliance Officer could cost me everything I’ve worked for. But watching Cassie plan for single motherhood when I could give her so much more? That’s a risk I can’t ignore.

Some things are worth fighting for—even when the odds are stacked against you. Even when loving her could destroy my career. Even when she’s convinced our nine-year age gap and professional complications make us impossible.

Especially then.

Because the biggest risk isn’t falling in love with the woman I’m not supposed to want.

It’s letting her walk away when we could build something extraordinary together.

Buy Link: Amazon

Although Liz studied Journalism in college, she discovered that she preferred writing fiction over ad copy, and so these days, she writes women’s fiction and romance. She lives in Southern California with her family and a senior Chihuahua mix who keeps guard of her writing space and a growing pile of books (and wool for when she needs to spin for inspiration).

You can follow Liz’s book adventures by visiting and connecting with her via her social media accounts:

Website: lizduranobooks.com
Facebook: facebook.com/lizduranobooks
Instagram: instagram.com/lizdurano
Threads: threads.com/@lizdurano
Tiktok: tiktok.com/@lizdurano
Pinterest: pinterest.com/lizdurano
Ream: reamstories.com/lizdurano

CODENAME CHARMING by Lucy Parker – Featured New Release

Following Battle Royal, beloved author Lucy Parker pens another delicious romantic comedy about a fake relationship between a grumpy royal bodyguard and the charming, sunny assistant who melts his cold, hard exterior.

Codename Charming

LUCY PARKER

SYNOPSIS

Petunia De Vere enjoys being the personal assistant to lovable, bumbling Johnny Marchmont. But the job has its share of challenges, including the royal’s giant, intimidating bodyguard, Matthias. Pet and Matthias are polar opposites—she’s spontaneous and enthusiastic, he’s rigid and stoic—but she can sense there’s something softer underneath that tough exterior…

For Matthias Vaughn, protecting others is the name of the game. But keeping his royal charge out of trouble is more difficult than he imagined because everywhere Johnny goes, calamity ensues, and his petite, bubbly assistant is often caught in the fray. Matthias hates the idea of Pet getting hurt and he’s determined to keep everyone safe, even if it means clashing with his adorable new coworker.

When a clumsy moment leads to a questionable tabloid photo, the press begins to speculate that Pet is romantically involved with Johnny. To put an end to the rumors, the royal PR team asks Pet and Matthias to stage a fake relationship and the two reluctantly agree. But as they spend more time together outside of work, they begin to wonder what real emotions this pretend connection might uncover. Especially when a passionate kiss leaves both of their heads spinning …

Buy Links:

Amazon – amazon.com/dp/B0BM9VMCWC
B & N – barnesandnoble.com/w/codename-charming-lucy-parker
Kobo – kobo.com/codename-charming

REVIEW

Quiet, super trope-y, and sweet, Lucy Parker’s newest release is sure to delight her fans. In Codename Charming, she employed a lot of themes I enjoy in a Romance novel — Beauty and the Beast, Opposites Attract, Grumpy/Sunshine, Workplace Romance (between equals), and Fake Dating. Throw in height difference and a little bit of a “fated mates” vibe and it’s hitting all my soft spots.

Life isn’t always easy … Neither is love. But they’re sure as hell worth fighting for.”

Pet and Matthias are so wonderful together all the way from Battle Royal that their attachment is truly believable despite the pretend beginning of their relationship. I love that they are both present in practically all the scenes in the book. The reader can really see the natural progression of their love story.

This book has Lucy’s signature wit and quirky characters, but perhaps it needs more of the first and less of the second. It could also use more humor and snappy banter and fewer subplots. While I like a slow burn, the pacing here could have been sped up a tad. I liked this story but it’s missing some of the verve that characterized Lucy’s earlier works.

ABOUT LUCY

Lucy Parker is an award-winning romance author who lives in New Zealand. A romance reader from a young age, she loves to write about people pursuing their dreams and falling hopelessly in love along the way—often with the last person they would expect! Her previous titles have been featured in Entertainment Weekly, Cosmopolitan, and Oprah Magazine, and were included in NPR’s Book Concierge for four consecutive years.

Follow Links:

Twitter – @_lucyparker
Facebook – @LucyParkerAuthor
Instagram – @LucyParkerAuthor

PALM SPRINGS KING by Claire Marti – Featured New Release

PALM SPRINGS KING

A California Suits Novel

Claire Marti

BLURB

A former rockstar. A perfectionistic yoga teacher. Opposites attract?

Rockstar Austin Michaels never took much seriously—other than his music. But tragedy thrust him out of the spotlight and into the boardroom. Now, he’s helping his brother run a luxury hotel chain and he couldn’t be farther out of his comfort zone. He’s doing his best––until his beautiful new spa manager arrives.

Yoga teacher Kenzie Banks earned her reputation as the best in the spa business by being a hyper-efficient perfectionist. Ready to plant roots after too many years on the road, she’s thrilled to land her dream job working for the Hotel Kings — they’re literally the family she always wished for. Except, her sexy boss Austin Michaels is driving her nuts with his impulsive decisions and smoldering glances.

The sparks between these two opposites burn so hot it’s a wonder they don’t spontaneously combust. But Kenzie knows what they say about fire…and she’s come too far and worked too hard to get burned. Can the pair find a way to work together, or will everything they’re building go up in flames?

*Palm Springs King is the sixth book in award-winning and USA Today bestselling author Claire Marti’s new spin-off contemporary romance series, California Suits. The series follows the adventures of five best friends who are opening a string of luxury boutique hotels from La Jolla to Monterey to Beverly Hills as each one finds true love…usually where he least expects it. Each book is a standalone.

One-click this opposites-attract, forced proximity standalone romance today!

Books2Read Amazon Barnes & Noble Kobo Apple Google Play

EXCERPT

She wiped her now slick palms on her jeans and struggled to regulate her breath because her pulse had kicked up the moment he’d said motorcycle. It wasn’t like she was a chicken; she wasn’t the only person who thought they were dangerous.

Her brilliant plan to flee to the desert and avoid him had just floated off into the wind. Now she’d be pressed against Austin, hurtling down the highway on a death machine.

But he was right, the practical thing to do––and she prided herself on being practical––was to put on her big girl panties and deal. How bad could it be?

“Fine. But you’ll drive the speed limit and no tricks.”

His lips twitched and he held up both hands. “I promise. Come on, let’s get on the road. And I’ll only pop a few wheelies.”

She rolled her eyes and couldn’t resist smiling. “Yeah right. Not on my watch, Michaels.”

“I’m in the hotel garage,” He turned and glanced at her apologetically. “Benefit of the bike is that there’s almost always room to park. They’ll find your car, don’t worry.”

She fell into step next to him, easily matching his long stride. They descended to the first level of the garage and there sat a shiny cream and black Harley. She had no clue about models or makes but this looked sturdy at least. After opening up the saddlebags and pulling out two silver metallic helmets, he reached for her bag and stowed their stuff.

She placed the helmet on her head and fiddled with the strap. It was kind of like a snowboarding helmet, so she managed to get it on. But she hesitated, nibbling on the inside of her cheek.

Austin got on the bike and patted the ebony leather seat behind him. “Did you want to get back to Palm Springs today or?”

“I’m coming. Just hold on.” Thank god she’d worn her high tops and a pair of old jeans instead of shorts or a sundress. She was always preaching the benefits of trying something new so here was her chance to take her own advice.

She crossed to the motorcycle and swung one leg over, placing one hand lightly on his shoulder for balance. A now familiar jolt of energy shot up her arm and as she settled onto the seat behind him, heat flared in her belly. She was nestled up against all those lean muscles, her inner thighs framing his legs.

“Wrap your arms around me. You’re going to enjoy the ride, I promise. The Heritage Classic is the best.” His strong artist’s hands gripped the handlebars and with a roar, they were cruising out of the dimly lit garage into the sunny California morning.

Once he hit the road, he revved the engine and they were soaring past rows of closed restaurants and clubs, toward Highway 10. She slid closer and did as she was told, using all her yogic skills to direct her attention to the beautiful morning and divert it from the feel of being plastered against him. At least they couldn’t really have a conversation on the drive home and maybe in a hundred miles or so she’d have found her equilibrium.

Once he eased onto the freeway, she closed her eyes because she really didn’t want to see all the cars and 18-wheelers whizzing by. Instead, she rested her cheek against his back and held on to his hot, hard body and chose to trust him. And damn if the roar of the engine between her legs combined with being plastered to Austin like a barnacle didn’t turn her on. As if she needed more incentive to jump his bones.

No way would she ever admit she found riding his bike sexy. But ohmygod, between the humming of the bike and the feel of him, she could probably orgasm before they arrived back at the hotel. So much for her brilliant plan to avoid him at all costs.

ABOUT CLAIRE

Claire Marti is an award-winning and USA Today Bestselling author of swoon-worthy Contemporary Romance novels set in Southern California, including the Pacific Vista Ranch series and the California Suits series. She lives in San Diego with her husband, silly dog, and three clever cats.

Claire started writing stories as soon as she was old enough to pick up pencil and paper. After graduating from the University of Virginia with a BA in English Literature and French, Claire was sidetracked by other careers, including practicing law, selling software for legal publishers, and managing a non-profit animal rescue for a Hollywood actress.

Finally, Claire followed her heart and now focuses on two of her true passions: writing romance and teaching yoga.

Social Media Links:

Website: clairemarti.com
Facebook: ClaireMartiAuthor
Twitter: @clairepmarti
Instagram: clairepmarti
Goodreads: Claire_Marti
Bookbub: claire-marti
Amazon: Claire-Marti