22 Authors, 1 amazingly Down and Dirty Anthology and it's all yours to own May 22nd for only 99 Cents. And how about a SCAVENGER HUNT to sweeten the deal! Keep reading for the deets!
This Scavenger Hunt will test your knowledge of our characters and your tenacity. Your reward? A shot at a Kindle Voyager (valued at $200)! The rules: Simple. Read the description of each blue collar hero and heroine, click through to the special posts from our amazing line-up of authors where you will be introduced to their characters, and then write the author's name on the line next to their character. Easy as pie! When you've completed the challenge your name will be entered in the drawing. Open for entries May 20-26. A Grand Prize winner will be drawn on May 27, 2018!
My contribution to the anthology is WHERE FIRE MEETS FLAME.
You can get your clues here in this character interview I've written for this contest.
Q: What made you become a private detective, Riley?
A: My dad started the business from home when I was a kid. I used to organize his files. Sometimes, I’d read them, and it fascinated me.
Q: And your clientele? What are they like?
A: Usually someone who suspects their significant other is cheating on them.
Q: Do you often find that to be the case?
A: Sadly, more often than not, they turn out to be right.
Q: You must really see the ugly side of relationships. Has that soured you on love?
A: I can't say it didn't, but my mother did that way before I ever got into the business.
Q: Do you want to talk about it?
A: Nope.
Q: Got it. So there is no significant other?
A: Um...
Q: Perhaps you're not completely soured on love? I saw you talking to that gorgeous firefighter at the counter before you sat down with me.
A: Tristan. He's, yeah ... he's a nice guy. I admire him for what he does. Putting his life on the line to save others. Not sure he's interested in me though.
Q: That's not how it looked to me.
A: I think he has a girlfriend.
Q: Maybe he's just working up the courage to ask you out.
A: Is there a question in there somewhere, because I'm meeting a potential client in ten minutes.
Q: Just one more. I have to know. Is that your natural hair color?
A: As if someone could actually bottle my awesome shade of red!
Get the full scoop on Riley and Tristan in Where Fire Meets Flame, just one of the sizzlingly hot stories in the Down and Dirty Anthology. Oh, and check out our mention in the USA Today, Happy Ever After: https://happyeverafter.usatoday.com/2018/05/01/multiauthor-romance-boxed-sets-anthologies-may-2018/
Scavenger Hunt Questionnaire: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfPh7WslC8ISFTKdbpBuxAR8zJ3NXevZA-BFJvoLs3KDICaRw/viewform
Blurb:
As a private
detective, Riley Scott has witnessed her fair share of the ugly side of
relationships. She guards her heart like a fortress, but a pair of sizzling
blue eyes threatens to take down all of her barriers. He came to her rescue
through a blazing fire. Now, she could only hope he would not incinerate her
heart.
Tristan Cain hasn’t
been able to let go of his red-headed angel, or his promise to get justice.
Fate throws them together again when he once thought it would be impossible,
and when a daring rescue turns out to be the least of their worries, Tristan
vows to keep her safe. He’s not letting Riley out of his sight again.
Get your copy here:
Excerpt:
Dance with me?”
So engrossed in her conversation with
Tristan, Riley hadn’t even noticed the dance floor was starting to fill up. She
reveled in the idea of finally being close to him after so many times imagining
it. “I’d love to.”
They polished off the rest of their
second round of drinks and Tristan took her hand and led her to the dance
floor. She noticed Terry dancing it up with an attractive guy, possibly in his
early to mid-thirties, and not one of the guys from James’ table. When their
eyes met, Terry winked at her, and Riley already anticipated the grilling she’d
receive from him later.
“I’m glad to see he’s having fun,” she
said close to Tristan’s ear. He had his arms wrapped loosely around her waist
as they slowly swayed from side to side despite the medium tempo. “He just
broke up with someone yesterday.”
Tristan glanced over to where Terry was
dancing and wearing a huge grin. “He doesn’t look very torn up about it.” His
breath tickled her ear as he spoke, his voice deep and smooth like velvet,
causing a shiver to travel up and down her spine, and she wondered what else he
could do to her with other parts of him if just his voice had this much of an
effect on her.
“As he shouldn’t,” Riley managed to say
after barely composing herself. “His ex-boyfriend is Kevin’s brother, the guy
you saw me with at the coffee shop.”
Tristan threw his head back and laughed.
She felt the rumble in his chest, anticipating what he would say next just so
she could feel his warm breath tingle on her skin again. “Not a match made in
heaven either then, I gather?”
She shook her head.
Tristan brought his head close to hers,
skimming his nose against her own. She was grateful for the added height
tonight with her four-inch heels, though he still had to bend somewhat. At five
foot four inches tall and the fact that she usually wore boots or shoes with
some sort of heel, she never really felt all that petite, despite being right
at the cusp. Tristan was just extremely tall, taller than anyone she’d ever dated.
Somehow, with the way his arms were wrapped around her, his body close, heat
rising between them, he made her feel protected. No one had ever made her feel
that way before, not really. Her dad and now Terry were the only two people
she’d ever really trusted. With everyone else, she always wore a tough
exterior, spikes and barbed wire, to ward off anyone who tried to mess with
her.
Could she possibly let this man break
through all that?
He lifted her chin so she would look at
him. She saw the question of permission in his eyes, and with a slight nod, she
gave it to him. Her eyes closed, their lips met, tentatively at first, and she
opened for him, their tongues meeting half way. His lips were soft and the
dance his tongue was doing with hers was slow and sensual. Soon, the kiss
became deeper, bolder. She could feel his length hardening against her as he
pulled her in closer, her own body reacting and filling with need for him.
His kisses became more playful after a
while, nipping at her top and bottom lip in turn until he pulled away from her
completely. He looked suddenly angry as he stepped back from Riley, putting a
gap of distance between them.
Riley turned, following his line of sight
and immediately saw the reason for his anger.
Down
& Dirty Blurb:
Get in, get down…and get filthy with these sexy,
hardworking, blue-collar heroes who don’t mind when things get a little dirty
at work or at play.
This collection of 22 brand new stories from USA Today and International Best-Selling authors is full of scorching hot romance tales that will be sure to leave you breathless for more. These men work hard and play even harder.
From cops to mechanics, miners to brewmasters, they aren’t afraid to go all in. At the end of the day, when they find the woman who completes them, they learn love and life can be as messy as their day jobs…and they wouldn’t have it any other way.
Featuring stories from: Lori King, Maia Dylan, Sarah Marsh, Elena Kincaid, Cecile Tellier, London Saint James, Bella Settarra, Rose Nickol, RL Merrill, Ashley Malkin, Lucy Felthouse, Scarlett J Rose, Sydney Lea, CR Moss, Samantha A. Cole, Danielle James, Ava Campbell, Eva Moore, Kimberlie L. Faye, Sabrina Sol, Nikki Prince, and Mia Hopkins.
This collection of 22 brand new stories from USA Today and International Best-Selling authors is full of scorching hot romance tales that will be sure to leave you breathless for more. These men work hard and play even harder.
From cops to mechanics, miners to brewmasters, they aren’t afraid to go all in. At the end of the day, when they find the woman who completes them, they learn love and life can be as messy as their day jobs…and they wouldn’t have it any other way.
Featuring stories from: Lori King, Maia Dylan, Sarah Marsh, Elena Kincaid, Cecile Tellier, London Saint James, Bella Settarra, Rose Nickol, RL Merrill, Ashley Malkin, Lucy Felthouse, Scarlett J Rose, Sydney Lea, CR Moss, Samantha A. Cole, Danielle James, Ava Campbell, Eva Moore, Kimberlie L. Faye, Sabrina Sol, Nikki Prince, and Mia Hopkins.
STORIES
INCLUDED IN DOWN & DIRTY
Pieced
Together by Lori King
Two fractured souls must lean on each other to heal
physically and emotionally….
Karly Stephens got her heart shredded, when the man she
thought was supposed to be her forever, cheated on her. To avoid dealing with
her tattered life, she threw herself into work.
Injured and battle-weary Marine, Garret Lole, agonizes when
his team deploys overseas without him. When Karly is assigned to be Garret’s
nurse, unexpected sparks fly.
Despite her scarred soul, Karly is drawn to Garret in every
possible way. Like puzzle pieces scattered on the floor, they must figure out
how to trust in themselves and each other. Picking up the pieces might mean a
whole new world for both of them.
Twitter:
@LoriKingBooks
****
Destiny
Happened by London Saint James
Desi
Of course, I noticed Mr. Shirtless. With a bod like his, who
wouldn’t? But his hot-factor didn’t matter. What did? My asshat ex and the need
to make him jealous. So, I strolled up to the
panty-melting stranger as though I knew him and laid one on him, hoping said
asshat would see I’d moved on just fine without him. Only, he never saw me
kissing another man.
Kash
I spotted her—honey-blonde hair gleaming in the sun as she
came my way. I’d flirt. Smile. Maybe get her number. I sure the hell didn’t
expect her to toss her arms around my neck, mashing her body against mine, and
kiss the ever-loving shit out of me. Then, she stopped. Stepped back. Blushed.
Whispered “Sorry” and blended into the crowd.
I never got her name that day. Or her number. However, fate
had other plans and Destiny happened… again.
Twitter:
@LSJRomance
****
Good
With His Hands by Lucy Felthouse
Layla is enjoying a beautiful moorland walk in the English
countryside when suddenly, clouds start to roll in. The weather was forecast to
be fine all day, so Layla is woefully unprepared when the heavens open and her
visibility is reduced to next to nothing. Trying hard not to panic, she
carefully makes her way towards a remote hut she spotted before the fog descended.
When she arrives, though, she discovers park ranger Stuart already there, and
luckily for her, he’s much more prepared than she is, and they soon find a way
to pass the time until the storm blows over.
Twitter:
@cw1985
****
Where
Fire Meets Flame by Elena Kincaid
As a private detective, Riley Scott has witnessed her fair
share of the ugly side of relationships. She guards her heart like a fortress,
but a pair of sizzling blue eyes threatens to take down all of her barriers. He
came to her rescue through a blazing fire. Now, she could only hope he would not
incinerate her heart.
Tristan Cain hasn’t been able to let go of his red-headed
angel, or his promise to get justice. Fate throws them together again when he
once thought it would be impossible, and when a daring rescue turns out to be
the least of their worries, Tristan vows to keep her safe. He’s not letting
Riley out of his sight again.
Twitter:
@elenakincaid1
****
Mud and
Honey by R.L. Merrill
A deputy sheriff and a tree trimmer meet during storm
cleanup on a treacherous road and literally fall for each other in the line of
duty. Calvin wants to explore their connection and Flor is game. Then things
get sticky when his hard-earned sobriety is threatened and her pride is
bruised. Their chemistry can’t be ignored, but can they get past their personal
obstacles? It’ll take some getting dirty to get to the sweet in this story of
broken hearts and fresh starts.
Twitter:
@rlmerrillauthor
****
Blurred
Lines by Nikki Prince
Phaedra Sims had taken the job at the prison to block out
the memories in her head as she helps to heal others. Memories of a love that
died too soon. Sergeant Rocco De Angelis is a man who has proven his dedication
to his job over himself. Phaedra can’t deny the chemistry between them. Rocco
plans to make sure she doesn’t. Healing the heart and soothing the soul will
definitely be blurring the lines.
Twitter: @AuthorNPrince
****
Sweet
Addiction by Sarah Marsh
The opportunity to build her own future and start over is
exactly what Sasha needs. Moving to the small town of Digby to open up a pastry
shop is more than enough to make her happy, or so she thought. What she wasn’t
counting on was the sexy rancher that seems to have quite an interest in her,
for far more than her baking skills.
Sasha has exactly what Declan needs to take care of his
sweet tooth, and any other hungers that may arise…if she has the courage to
show it. He’s figured out that Sasha is gun shy when it comes to men, but with
some patience, he hopes to sneak past her walls and show her that he’s in it
for more than just dessert. When his past comes calling, will Sasha open up and
trust him, or will she shut her heart down for good?
Twitter:
@SM_fiction
****
Lockdown
by Mia Hopkins
A brokenhearted recluse and a sexy locksmith spend the final
weeks of summer in a stranger’s mansion, burning up the sheets and pretending
not to fall in love.
Alice
For the past year, my life has been a raging trash fire.
Right now, a house sitting job sounds perfect—one long summer, alone in someone
else’s mansion with nothing but my stupid broken heart. Everything is going
fine…until I find the key. Until I find him.
Ivan
I’m the only locksmith in the city who can crack this lock.
It’s a complicated job, made even more complicated by the gorgeous, mysterious
woman who hired me. She lives here alone, haunting this house like a ghost.
What is her story? And why can’t I get her out of my mind?
Twitter:
@MiaHopkinsxoxo
****
Keep
You Safe by C.R. Moss
I’m Professor Arianna Perez, and I’ve been asked if I’ll
ever trust, let alone love, another man again. After dumping an abusive boyfriend,
I doubted I would. At least, that’s how I felt until fate had sexy wrangler,
Kian Bishop, reappearing in my life in a way I never expected.
Against my better judgement, I fell hard for the cowboy,
believing everything he said, including how he wanted to treat me like a queen
and keep me safe. Little did I know, though, that the circumstances that’d
brought us together could also tear us apart…and possibly claim my life.
Twitter:
@CRMoss
****
Hereos
of the Heart 3: Rescuing Trent by Rose Nickol
Trent Simmons had spent his life helping others. While
recovering from the injury that got him discharged from the service, he met the
woman he thought he was going to spend his life with, but it was not meant to
be. He spent the next several years infiltrating a human trafficking slavery
ring recusing countless women. Pricilla Wilder had decided she was happy living
alone. She had watched her mother raise two children on her own and do a
wonderful job. She didn’t need a man in her life. Then an insane madman
targeted her and her sister trying to extract revenge on their father. Trent
was assigned to be one of Pricilla’s bodyguards. The woman was smart, and sexy.
Trent can’t ignore the feelings she awakens within him—feelings he thought had
died years ago. Can he convince her to give him a chance or will fate once
again destroy his world?
Twitter:
@RoseNickol
****
Scout’s
Honor by Maia Dylan
As the manager of an oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico, the
safety of the men under his control was the most important thing to Cooper.
That was until Dr. Honor Jennings stepped from a helicopter and proceeded to
show him that playing it safe wasn’t always the best way forward.
When Honor arrived onboard the rig, she was fully prepared
to uncover the safety breaches an anonymous source had advised her were taking
place. She was completely unprepared for her reaction to the rig manager. The
cold-blooded murder she witnessed came as a downright shock!
Can Cooper keep Honor safe with a murderer on the loose and
a storm keeping them isolated from the mainland, or will the risk prove too
much and cost them everything?
Twitter:
@Maiadylanauthor
****
Fighting
the Inferno by Ashley Malkin
Blayne Simmons is a firefighter, a job he loves as much as
he hates the flames he battles. He exists in a world on fire, but is frozen
inside by the scars of a fire he failed to conquer. He works hard, plays even
harder. Satisfying his needs, nothing more, until Felicity Kendall enters his
tightly-controlled world.
Felicity is alone. She has to be, because everyone,
everything, she loves burns to ashes. When a ruggedly handsome firefighter
attempts to pick her up in a bar, she’s stung by the bitter irony. He’s
clueless to the depths of her hatred of firemen. They saved her as a child, and
delivered her into a world of pain. She should have burned. She wished she had.
When fire thrusts Felicity into Blayne’s arms, he discovers
she is the victim of a deadly game. A game he will win, because Felicity is now
his.
****
Stoke
the Flames by Samantha A. Cole
After losing a bet, Cade Fallon ends up in the fire
department’s annual, fundraising calendar—at least it was for a good cause. At
first, it was funny having strange women run up to him and ask for pictures or
autographs, but it doesn’t take long for it to become annoying.
Jenna Anderson is shocked to learn her student’s uncle is
“Mr. October” from the calendar her friend bought her, but she's more concerned
about young Christopher’s falling grades. The last thing she expected was
Cade’s interest in her—especially when he’s got women falling all over him.
Refusing to be another notch on his belt, she fights her growing attraction to
him.
When Cade realizes Jenna is the woman his heart has been
searching for, he knows he’ll have to work to convince her. Stoking the flames
between them shouldn’t be too hard—after all, he is a fireman.
Twitter:
@samanthacole222
****
Heat
Sink by Cecile Tellier
Christian Harrington went to work every day as a steamfitter
at the local nuclear energy plant with some expectation of danger. When
Christian meets fiery bartender Roxy McVee he quickly realizes he may have met
his match. Unfortunately, Christian is not the only person with their sights
set on Roxy.
Roxy McVee had wanted a fresh start. Slinging drinks and
telling jokes at the local bar in La Salle, Illionois seemed like a great way
to go. Her decision is rewarded when serious but sexy as hell Christian
Harrington walked into the bar with his friends after work. Roxy’s immediate
reaction to him leads her to become comfortable around him. The reason for
Roxy’s move proves that the saying that the things one resist, persist is true.
Roxy and Christian must navigate a potentially deadly landmine in the form of
one very dangerous visitor from her past.
Twitter:
@CeecTellier
****
Dirty
Demo by Eva Moore
When Winston Hartwell’s construction crew ends up on a
reality TV show, there’s no way he’s going to sing for his supper, no matter
how nicely the curvy camera lady asks. He’s terrified of the limelight, and he
doesn’t trust these Hollywood types as far as he can throw them.
Trina McCallister is one last reality show away from her
dream job of filming movies. She’ll do whatever it takes to get the footage she
needs and get the hell out. But she isn’t prepared for the sexy giant with a
voice of gold to demolish her carefully constructed defenses.
When lies and fear shake their newly laid foundation, only
an act of bravery and trust will save them from ruin.
Twitter:
@AuthorEvaMoore
****
Crashing
Hard by Kimberlie L. Faye
He’s a lifesaver
EMT Ryan Murphy is smart, sexy, and arrogant when it comes
to his job and his personal life. Saving lives and looking hot while doing it
isn’t always easy. No one is immune to his charms except for one uptight nurse,
and he’d love nothing more than to get under more than just her skin.
She’s a lifesaver
Experienced emergency room nurse Helena Carter can handle
any situation with calm determination but hearing Ryan’s husky voice is enough
to make her look like it’s her first day on the job. He’s cocky, sarcastic and
she’s not into him. She fell in love once before and was taken for all she had.
She’s not about to make the same mistake again.
After one scorching night of passion leads to a few
misunderstandings, will the erratic pulse of their relationship take a turn for
the worse and crash hard?
Twitter:
@kimberlielfaye
****
Diamond
in the Rough by Danielle James
A diamond in the rough…
The family diamond business is all Ethan Withers has, and
for the last seven years, it’s been everything to him. Inherited at only 18,
his father’s passion has become his life’s work.
A hidden gem…
Christina McAlister was smart, funny, sexy, and everything
he never knew he wanted. She hides her sparkle behind her drive to finish her
law degree. Having been hurt before, she doesn’t have time or the desire for
love.
Just the right amount of friction, a chance encounter, and a
lot of heat sparks will change them both. Will they be able see past their
individual goals in order to claim a once in a lifetime prize?
Twitter:
@ddjames1976
****
One
Night More by Sabrina Sol
With only hours until her big 3-0, Vanessa still has three
things left on her “Before I Turn Thirty” bucket list: have a one night stand,
get a tattoo, and get engaged. When her boyfriend dumps her during dinner, she
knows a ring isn’t happening. But no-strings sex with the handsome stranger she
later meets at a bar? Check.
Mateo never expected to hook up with the sexy brunette. He
also didn’t expect for her to bolt before he could get her last name. Luckily,
he’s about to get a second chance.
But Vanessa only wants to forget that night once she
realizes Mateo is the owner of the landscaping company vying for a lucrative
contract at the hotel where she and her father work. With Vanessa’s dad
deciding if Mateo’s business will get the multi-million dollar deal, they must
keep things strictly professional—or else risk consequences that could affect
their families.
Twitter:
@theromancechica
****
Beer
Goggles by Ava Campbell
Connor Callahan did his best work when it came to beer and
babes. As long as live was full of laughs, he was good. It wasn’t until some
hot shot journalist started asking questions that his past that he'd tried so
hard to forget came back to haunt him.
Allison Drake, top notch reporter was bumped down to do a
fun and leisure piece about a bar and new up and coming brew master. She was
going to do everything in her power to hurry things along and go back to the
big city where she belonged.
However, a car accident, and a few beers later, things
change between them. Things aren’t always as black and white as they were
before. Can the two of them face the truth about themselves, and be open to the
future, or will they both live life with their beer goggles on?
Twitter:
@avacampbellbook
****
John’s
Jillaroo by Scarlett J Rose
Amy is a city girl, but things haven’t gone her way. looking
for a ‘tree change’ she takes on a job as a Jillaroo on a remote Australian
cattle station.
It’s not the glamorous change she thought it would be...
There’s dirt, there’s flies, there’s heat, and then, there’s
John, the Jackaroo.
****
Accidentally
Again by Sydney Lea
She wanted to stay. He knew she needed to go.
Police officer Gabe Hannigan had always done the right thing
and followed the rules. With the exception of one night with the girl he had
always craved, Billie Shannon.
When Billie returns four years later to care for her sick
father, she comes home with a secret she knew she couldn't keep forever,
leaving the pair with no choice but to come to terms with the consequences of
their night together and the actions Gabe took to try and protect Billie’s
future.
Can this lawman make things right with the woman he should
never have let go? Will they overcome their past in order to fall in love
accidentally again?
Twitter:
@AuthorSydneyLea
****
Sex
Mechanic by Bella Settarra
Known locally as the ‘Sex Mechanic’ with a ‘love’em and
leave ’em’ approach to women, Ben Steadman is astonished to suddenly develop
feelings for a new girl in town. She has a flat tire that he is happy to help
with. Unfortunately she also has a couple of kids in tow, making her strictly
off-limits–especially when he hears their daddy’s in the military.
Iona Walker is filling in at her uncle’s firm, although
admin doesn’t exactly excite her. She is smitten with the handsome mechanic who
helps her out, although she senses mixed signals.
After his boss’ heart attack, Ben realizes that his job
isn’t as safe as he’d hoped as he struggles to keep the company afloat. Iona is
delighted to offer her help with the business, especially as it means them
working together.
However, a concoction of misunderstandings and interference
seems destined to keep the two apart...
Twitter:
@Bellasettarra
