All Spider Longren wants is time alone to recharge after a grueling mission, but what he gets is caught in the double crossfire of passion and danger.

Spider was trying to relax, fishing was supposed to help calm him. Instead he ends up in a fight to save a woman being attacked in her tent.

Jessie is running from her fiancé, well he thinks she’s still his fiancé. She’s discovered something she can’t let go and now her life is in danger.

This is a favorite scene.

“I can drive, you know.”

Spider shrugged. “I know, but I’d rather do it.”

With her lips twisting, she drawled, “We there yet?” He grunted, and his teeth flashed in the light from the dash. She found she liked his smile. Yeah, Spider Longren was a handsome man.

“Not far,” he said, checking his GPS. His jaws stretched as he yawned.

“Why are you doing this?” she asked. “You don’t know me.”

He shrugged. “I don’t know. Pretty damsel in distress—it’s what I do. Or would like to do more often.” His glance shot her way. “I went fishing because I needed to unwind. Fishing didn’t cut it. But this…with you…I haven’t wanted to smash something in hours.”

Yeah, a SEAL through and through. “So what’s your story?”

His eyebrows shot up. “My story? Don’t really have one. I was born and raised in northwestern Montana. Never even saw the sea until I joined the Navy.”

“Why Navy?”

“I wanted to be near a beach.”

She laughed. “Really, you decided to be a SEAL so you could see the beach?”

“Yeah, sounds lame now, but you didn’t spend your youth following cattle butts around the countryside. The sea sounded glamorous, and since I didn’t go to college, I figured the Navy would get me there. A recruiter noticed I played football and liked mountain climbing. Thought I’d be challenged going through BUD/s training. I never looked back.”

“No family?”

“A brother who sells real estate—ranches, really—to Hollywood types.” He shook his head. “He thinks I’m crazy.”

She nodded. “He doesn’t get it.”

Spider shot her a glance. “But you do…?”

She gave a shrug. “Army. Twelve years.”

“Rank?”

“Major.” He gave a thin whistle. “So you do get it. Do you miss the Army?”

Jessie sighed. “Some things, but the higher you go up in rank, the more time you spend in staff jobs at headquarters—especially when you’re female. I was ready to do something else. I should have known there’d be a catch.”

Silence stretched between them. “Were you in love with him?”

“No, but I didn’t think that really mattered. I thought we had lots in common. That the work we were doing was important—not the guns, but the armor. Anything to protect and strengthen troops; I figured that was worth it. I felt I was part of a team again. I had family. Thought that, at least, he was an honorable man.”

Spider seemed to digest what she said, then he sat forward, peering through the windshield. “That’s our turn.”

He drove onto a narrow, paved road that wound deeper into forest. Eventually, the pavement gave way to gravel. Spider flipped on his brights, and they both peered through the glass with its long spiderweb crack stretching across the middle. The lights reflected off something looming in the distance to the left of the road.

He slowed, lifted his GPS, then clicked it off. “Home sweet home.”

What she saw was a ramshackle cabin with a porch that leaned precariously, large stones propping up one side.

Spider cussed softly under his breath. “I swear, Tank takes our SEAL buddies out here to hunt. If it can survive a bunch of SEALs…”

She grinned. “I’ve stayed in worse.” Again, he gave a masculine grunt, a sound she was beginning to think was very sexy.

“You were an officer. I doubt it.”

“An un-air-conditioned tent with scorpions for roommates…”

He turned to stare. “Did not.”

“Army, not Navy. You guys are spoiled. But I’ll admit. I wasn’t in the tent for long.”

He looked back at the cabin again and let out a deep breath. “He swore there’s running water and the lights work.”

“See? Everything we need.
Devlin, Delilah. Men In Uniform Anthology. One Handed Reads. Kindle Locations (7352-7383). Kindle Edition.

They settle into Tank’s cabin and then strategize how to handle things. Of course you know things can’t stay peaceful since they have to catch the bad guys.

Suspense, drama, action and lots of sizzle, along with some giggles.

5 Contented Purrs for Delilah!

Firefighter Tyler has one problem. He’s still got his V-card. And he wants his best friend Evie to help him lose it, only she has no idea he’s wanted her for years. Time to make his move.

Evie has returned from Italy, now broken up with her fiancé she is looking to spend some quality time with her best friend Tyler.

I’m not sure what I laughed harder at, the nun on the plane or when she walks in on Tyler in the locker room of the firehouse.

This is a favorite scene.

“It’s so good to see you, Ty. So good.” Tears sprang into her eyes, and she clasped tighter, needing the time to compose herself.

He held her away from his body, though she could feel the comfort of it anyway. He smelled amazing, clean and safe and not like sausage at all. Stupid dream.

“What’s happened? Why are you upset?”

“No reason. Just glad to be home.”

“Evie…”

Eighteen months since she’d seen him, and those months had morphed him into an even finer specimen.

Eyes bluer than a summer sky, hair a deeper russet, her own Prince Harry. But nothing else had changed. He could still see right through her.

“I broke up with Paulo.”

“Oh, shit. I’m sorry to hear that.” He gathered her close, and she let herself rest a cheek on his hard, delicious pec. She could’ve stayed that way forever.

“What happened? Do you want to talk about it?”

“Maybe later. I know you’re on shift until the morning, but tomorrow night? Drinks at Dempsey’s? Unless you have plans.” What if he was seeing seeing someone? He hadn’t said, but he never talked about who he was dating. Tyler might be shy, but women would be crawling all over him like they did all the firefighters.

“I do have plans.” He chucked her chin. “With you.”

Relief flooded her chest. “Oh, good. Tonight, I’ll hang with Dad. Let him cook for me.”

“Meatballs?”

“And lasagna.”

“He’s thrilled to have you home. Hasn’t stopped talking about it all week.”

“That’s my dad.”

“Yes, that’s your dad,” a gruff voice cut in. “But apparently you’ve forgotten he’s the first person you should come see.”

“Dad!” She rushed into his arms and hugged him hard. A different, no less comforting, scent enveloped her. Since her mom died of ovarian cancer when Evie was eleven, it had been just the two of them. “I stopped at your office first, but Cath said you were in the locker room.” A little white lie.

Her father was grayer than the last time she’d seen him, not last Christmas Christmas but the one before. Too long. Too much time wasted with a man who didn’t deserve her love. She should have been here with her father. With—

She threw a quick glance over her shoulder at Tyler, who had folded his arms and was watching the family reunion with a smile curving his lips.
Devlin, Delilah. Men In Uniform Anthology. One Handed Reads. Kindle Locations (6102-6125). Kindle Edition.

On their night out Evie learns something about Tyler she truly didn’t know. It’s an unusual twist in that he is the virgin.

I really enjoyed this very hot and fun read that has just a touch of hold your breath suspense.

5 Contented Purrs for Kate!

With a hit out on Alena’s life, U.S. Marine Brandon is faced with protecting her while completing his mission… And keeping his hands off her is the hardest task of all.

Alena has big trouble, a cartel boss’s son had set his eyes on her and when things didn’t go his way she ended up shooting him.

Now there’s a hit out on her and Brandon is her bodyguard, a position he swore he wasn’t going to take again.

One thing Brandon realizes is that she’s carrying a lot of guilt, even though she had no choice in the shooting. As much as he doesn’t want to he has to get her to understand that it really wasn’t her fault.

This is a favorite scene.

“Okay then.” He turned away. He knew she was getting fired up, but he hadn’t been prepared for when she grabbed onto his shoulder and pushed until he turned around.

“I didn’t have a choice.”

“Say it again,” he told her.

She stared at him for a moment, her eyes filling up with tears as her lips began to quiver.

“Say it again.”

“I didn’t, Brandon. I didn’t have…a…choice.”

Her voice trailed off with the last word before she collapsed to the floor, sobbing into her trembling hands.

He cursed himself for putting her through that, hating the broken sight that sat before him. Damn it if it wasn’t exactly what she needed, though.

He’d seen it all too often over the years. The true victim traumatizing themselves over and over again as they dealt with a guilt that they should’ve never been forced to face in the first place.

He knelt down to where she sat huddled in a ball. “Come here.” Pulling her up, he was surprised when she went willingly into his arms. She grabbed onto his shoulders and cried against his chest. The T-shirt he wore quickly became soaked with her tears.

He muttered a curse, wondering how long she’d been barely hanging on. He muttered a second one for being the one who had finally pushed her over that edge.

Sitting down on the bed, he pulled her into his lap and allowed her cries of anguish to echo in the room while neither of them said a word. It wasn’t the first time he’d a woman who’d been suffering and needed someone to make them feel safe. He doubted it would be the last. Still, something about the unrelenting tears of Alena tugged at his heart a little harder.

He whispered calming words into her ear while brushing his hand down the back of her long hair. He knew she needed to get it out, but the longer she carried on, the tougher it was for him to hear.

“Shh…” He lifted her chin with his forefinger and forced her gaze up to his. “This isn’t on you. No matter how guilty you feel. This isn’t on you.”

She sniffled and her sobs slowed. It was as if she had been waiting to hear that from someone, anyone. And he wondered why no one had ever told her.

The small sliver of moonlight that reflected on her cheeks highlighted the trail of her tears.

With his thumb, he brushed them away, leaning over and gently pressing his lips against her soft skin.
Devlin, Delilah. Men In Uniform Anthology. One Handed Reads. Kindle Locations (5415-5432). Kindle Edition.

Brandon has his own demons, demons that had me in tears.

Plenty of action and suspense in this emotional story, as well as some very sizzling scenes.

5 Contented Purrs for Nicole!

Retired Air Force pilot Mack always desired Jenny but couldn’t act on it because she’d been too young. Now, years later, he’s ready to show her they’d make a great couple—in and out of the bedroom.

Jenny’s headed to Houston to her best friend, Lewis’ 30th birthday party and to discuss the pact they’d made years ago. The pact to marry if they both were still single at 30. Now Jenny does have a few months to go but Lewis would make a good husband and father. Her sister doesn’t think she should go for it, but Jenny had to at least discuss it with Lewis.

Of course she wasn’t expecting Mack to be her pilot, she’d crushed on him for years, but she was too young, and he probably wasn’t really interested anyway.

Little did she know Mack felt the same but he made a promise to her father not to pursue her.

This is a favorite scene when she finds out he’s her pilot.

He removed his aviator sunglasses and studied her with striking gray eyes. She unglued her tongue from the roof of her mouth and swallowed. Though he only had three years on her, a single premature strand of gray hair streaked from his temple into his textured brown hair, still cut short from his Air Force days. She gazed down, and a sand-colored uniform covered his impossibly broad shoulders, wide chest, and narrowing hips. “Mack? It’s so nice to see you,” she lied. When she was growing up, and he worked for her father on the ranch the family owned in the Texan panhandle, he intrigued her. Now…he fascinated her. Aroused her.

He gave her a slow, small smile that knotted her insides. “Glad you made it in time, Jenny. I’ll be your pilot today. When I read your name on the manifest, I had to come say hi first.”

“You? My pilot?” Mack had worked for her father until he turned eighteen, eighteen, when he left for the Air Force. She remembered Dad saying Mack had done well, and hell, hadn’t Mack attended a couple family parties a few years back? Only then, she hadn’t talked to him much. Why would she want to relive the days she crushed on the guy who paid her no attention?

“Yes.”

Mack Hunter. She hadn’t seen him for years. One thing she knew, though…being around him meant wrestling every part of her that could lead her back onto the wrong path. Shit.

This would be a hell of a long flight.
Devlin, Delilah. Men In Uniform Anthology. One Handed Reads. Kindle Locations (4394-4406). Kindle Edition.

Now a ninety minute flight is not very long to start a relationship, but then fate steps in to ensure they’d have the time.

This story goes from simmer to sizzle quickly as the serious situation they find themselves in becomes very interesting.

5 Contented Purrs for Carmen!

One city girl from LA. One sexy Greek paramedic from Canada. One road trip. What could go wrong?

I love the opening to this one. Ion is a paramedic working on a movie set. He is reporting for duty when he hears someone calling for help.

Jill has obviously never been in the Canadian wilderness before and it makes for some hilarity.

This is a favorite scene.

The parking area was full, the movie crew having been there a few hours already to set up so they could start shooting at first light. Ion parked on a tiny patch of dirt near the edge of the lot next to a Jeep that had the license plate BEAUTYQN on it and hopped out.

Taking in a deep breath, he let the scent of moss and rich, peaty dirt fill his lungs. This was home, where he loved being over anywhere else. Nature. It never lied and made no promises.

Slamming the door to the medi-van, Ion had the strongest urge to take a leak. It had been three hours and two large Timmies coffees since he’d last gone. He was due.

Taking a quick look around, Ion walked up to the dirt mound by the van and moved in closer to the bush to avoid being seen. Not that he cared, really. But there could be kids running around, though he highly doubted it at this early hour.

“Hello? Can someone help me, please? I’m being attacked by…furry creatures!”

Furry creatures? This sounded like bad B movie-type script writing.

A few long strides in and Ion laid eyes on what had to be a movie extra. Her long blond hair was pulled back in a loose ponytail, and she wore a denim skirt, tank top, and heels that were too high for navigating the backwoods of Ontario.

That the woman could walk on the forest ground without sinking in and tripping face-first was a miracle in itself.

Extra. Definitely an extra.

“Those things are blocking my way to the restroom,” she said, pointing at Ion from behind the tree she was currently holding on to for dear life. Maybe this was a scene in the movie.

“You mean the raccoons?” Ion asked, taking a few steps toward her. “The what? Is that what they look like? Never seen one in person before. Jesus, don’t those things have rabies? I cannot get rabies. Are you the park warden? If so, I want to lodge a complaint. These things shouldn’t be let to run free like this. What if somebody gets hurt?”

Oh God, this was definitely a setup or a scene he’d just walked in on.

Jimmy was behind this, wasn’t he?

He’d worked with Jimmy on a few movies now, and he’d become known as the movie-set prankster. He’d have to buy him a beer later tonight for this one, and maybe some nachos from that little place by the lights in town, because this was too fucking funny.

“Did you hear me? You over there, hello. My last name is Atwood. In case you need it for my death certificate.”

“Atwood? Are you related to Margaret, by chance?”

“How do you know about Margaret?”

“Well, I mean, most Canadians who can read do know about Margaret.”

“I know that woman has a name for herself, but all of Canada? Could this day get any worse?” She slumped down along the length of the tree and sat in a squat-like position with her head against the bark. “It’s official. I hate Canada.”

“I’m going to ignore you saying that,” said Ion with a tsk tsk and playful shake of his head. “Margaret’s one of our most beloved writers, so of course we know about her.” He reached out a hand around the tree Jill was still clinging to. “Come on, the raccoons are gone now. You scared them away. I can wait here for you while you…do your business.”

“Ohhhh, hold on, you mean Margaret Atwood, as in the writer, Handmaid’s Tale and all that. Love that show. Not sure I can watch season two. Never read the book, though.” 

Somehow that didn’t surprise Ion, based on the ten minutes he’d already spent with the woman. Sexy as she was, she wasn’t that bright, or so it seemed. “Figures,” he said, eyeing her up and down, taking in the tight denim skirt that hugged her curvy ass, and two-inch heels. He’d bet money she was American. California specifically. Los Angeles, even more precisely. He had a knack for this. She was probably an extra on the movie.

Thank God he was just filling in for his buddy. Today was his last day, then it was back to his regular gigs in the city.

Jill had no idea what a Canadian “forest” was really like, did she? Women like that were not his taste, not at all, no way.
Devlin, Delilah. Men In Uniform Anthology. One Handed Reads. Kindle Locations (3881-3915). Kindle Edition.

Turns out Jill is the on set teacher for the teenage star of the film. A manipulative child at that. As he ends up complaining of a sprained ankle and gets his mother to take him into Toronto. Ion’s job requires him to follow them and Jill is requested as well.

This leads to a very hot, very sexy road trip with plenty of giggles.

5 Contented Purrs for Bisou!

Faith keeps calling Sheriff Wyatt about something odd she keeps seeing in her yard… But all he sees is one sexy woman he wants for a night of hot passion.

Wyatt has to quell some rumors, even before he gets another call from Faith about the ‘aliens’ in her yard.

Small town life is like that, everybody knowing everyone else’s business.

Wyatt doesn’t mind going out to check, he is very attracted to Faith and since she’s divorced, available. However he really shouldn’t pursue anything at least until this mystery is solved.

Her phone rang, and she stared down at it. Her neighbor way down the long block was calling. The woman’s daughter was the same age as the girls, and Faith answered knowing that she’d be calling to see if the girls could sleep over. This was the case almost every week now. Sometimes she found it intrusive that she wanted them over so much to be with her own daughter, but tonight it felt like kismet.

One way or another, she and Wyatt were going to need to have a difficult conversation. Her girls didn’t have to be home for this. Since Aimee was on her way home from the grocery store They were kindhearted and funny. Smart. Lovely. She and Robbie couldn’t have been too horrible if they’d managed to create such incredible people together.

She watched them go down the driveway just as Wyatt came back to the house. He lifted his hand to wave to Aimee. Faith didn’t know if they knew each other. She was a transplant from San Antonio, having followed her husband here a few years earlier, but Wyatt was polite to everyone. Faith had kept her eye on him when they encountered each other in town, even before her alien problem.

He wasn’t rushing around. Faith put her hands on her hips and lifted her chin. “I take it you didn’t find anything.”

“I’m afraid not.” He shook his head. “I’m going to say what I said before—it’s got to be some kind of animal.”

“Or a figment of my imagination,” she said, interrupting him. Faith had heard this before. “I’m not crazy and if you call me that, Wyatt, my head will explode and take yours along with it. And don’t you dare cite me for threatening a police officer.”

He threw his head back and laughed. It was a warm, lovely sound. Wyatt had shoulders that looked like they could hold up the world. That was a funny thought but a true one. Faith did a pretty good job on her small frame of keeping things in working order and making sure the universe didn’t crash down on their house. Still, it sure would be nice to have someone to share it with.

Or to help her decide not to make stupid decisions, like getting that tattoo she should have left alone and not had put on her lower back like a ridiculous midlife crisis. She had no business sporting a pyramid there. She hadn’t even had a good reason for the picture except she liked it.

Wyatt was ridiculously hot. It should be illegal to have shoulders that broad.

“I won’t call you crazy.” He held out his hands in front of him. “Once again, the only evidence I find is that the neighbor’s kids are playing too loudly. There’s probably a noise violation in there somewhere, but I’m not going to pursue it. “
Devlin, Delilah. Men In Uniform Anthology. One Handed Reads. Kindle Locations (3309-3333). Kindle Edition.

Things heat up quickly between these two and the alien issue resolution was quite the twist.

5 Contented Purrs for Rebecca!

A hot NAVY SEAL, an awkward teacher, and a weekend of hot sex. It was supposed to be temporary, but a baby changes everything…

This was a fun read, starting off a little different when Jane walks up and kisses Kevin. Something that surprised and pleased him.

This was a favorite scene.

She leaned back and gave him a shy smile. She fingered the chain around his neck. “I’m hoping that your ball chain and buzz cut mean you’re not a terrible person.” Her voice was lower than he expected, sultry and husky and sexy as fuck. “I mean, people who join the army can’t be total creepers, right?” she continued. “Anyway, would you please go along with this and I’ll explain later?”

“Navy,” he said.

Her head tilted. “What?”

“You said army. I’m actually navy.”

Her mouth opened, but she said nothing else.

“Jane? Is that you?”

One of the hipsters sidled up beside them. He pushed up his dark-rimmed glasses. Damn tool even wore a plaid shirt, half tucked into his skinny jeans. A tall, thin blonde stood next to him, gripping one of his arms. Kevin resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Instead he pulled her—evidently Jane—closer so she stood in between his thighs, leaning against his chest. He wrapped one arm around her waist and let the other rest on her incredible breasts.

“Uh hey, Blake,” she said. “I didn’t realize you were back in town.”

The perky blonde next to him held up her hand then gave a little jump. “We’re engaged!”

Blake grabbed his fiancée’s hand and held it close to his side. “You look great, Jane.” Then his gaze flicked up to Kevin. “So, what’s going on with you two?”

Ah, so this must be an ex of hers, and she was using Kevin to make him jealous. Not his preferred scenario, but if it kept Jane in his arms, he would take it.

“Kevin,” he said to introduce himself then reached around Jane to grab the tool’s hand. “Janie and I are together.” He lowered his feet to the floor, off the barstool rungs, and pressed himself into her backside.

“Janie?” Blake asked. “I thought you hated being called anything but Jane.” The man frowned then again pushed up his dark-rimmed glasses.

“I don’t mind so much when Kevin says it.”

Kevin leaned forward and lowered his chin on her shoulder. “Super awesome to meet you.”

He felt certain that Jane suppressed a laugh as her stomach clenched beneath his arm.

Blake frowned then looked back to Jane. “Sure. Well, it was great seeing you, Jane,” he said, emphasizing her name. “Maybe we can catch up sometime.” His fiancée seemed annoyed by that thought, but he put his hand to her lower back and led her away. The three couples settled into a booth at the back corner.

Jane spun around and braced her hands on his thighs to keep herself from falling over. “Thank you.”

“Well, it was the least I could do after that kiss.” He gave her a smile.
Devlin, Delilah. Men In Uniform Anthology. One Handed Reads. Kindle Locations (2185-2208). Kindle Edition.

This leads to one very sizzling weekend. Kevin ships out and Jane finds she’s pregnant but can’t reach him since she’s not family.

While I enjoyed this book, it also contains one of my pet peeves, Jane calls Kevin a soldier, and even though he corrected her when she said army earlier, he doesn’t correct her for this. Navy is sailor, he would have corrected her.

4 Contented Purrs and an editing Hiss for Kat!

In town for a few days from his job in the Coast Guard, Steve helps Lauren live out her sexual fantasy. But it’s the staying together part that’s challenging…

Lauren’s brother Mark had been Steve’s best friend and partner for Coast Guard rescues. A year later Steve still blames himself, but attends the memorial for his friend at his sister’s request.

Lauren has always had a fantasy about Steve, and Steve likes her a bit more than just a little. However the pain of Mark’s death hangs over them.

This is a favorite scene.

“I—I…” She stared up at him with wide unblinking eyes he knew were cat’s eye green. “I’m sorry… I thought you would want to be here. To see what kind of an impact you had on Mark. He loved you like a brother, you know.”

“Yeah, I know. And I let him down. I let him fucking die, Lauren. Don’t you get that? I,” he pressed a hand flat against his chest as she shook his head, “let him die. I didn’t go back for him.”

“You couldn’t!” Her voice rose to a shout that was even louder than his, loud enough that people across the street stopped to stare at them. “Steve, I know what happened. Commander Shaw explained it when he told us about Mark. You were already hurt, the storm was getting worse, and if you hadn’t come in, they’d have lost you as well.”

He spun away from her with a muttered, “Bullshit,” and turned to make his way to the Accord.

But Lauren was as tenacious as her brother had been and followed him, saying, “It’s not bullshit, Steve, and you know it. You know it, and I know it, and everyone else does as well. The only one who blames you for Mark dying is you.”

“Which is a hell of a thing to live with.” He was at the Honda now and pushed the button to deactivate the security system. The locks popped. The headlights and interior light came on. But he didn’t open the door. He turned back to see Lauren not three feet from him. She had to be freezing, as she had no coat but just wore that damn black dress made of some sort of body hugging fabric designed to make men walk into things when they caught sight of her.

He shrugged out of his jacket once more and draped it around her, and this time, she let him. “Ren, you have no idea what happened that night.”

“I do.” The shout was gone from her voice. Exhaustion crept into its place. She stepped closer, a hand coming to rest on his chest. She held his gaze, her eyes wide and glittering in the halo of the streetlights. Damn, her eyes were beautiful. She was beautiful. “I do, Steve. And it wasn’t your fault. It wasn’t.”

Without thinking, he leaned into her. Her lips were warm and soft, parting as they met his, and her tongue darted out to caress his. He groaned. He couldn’t help it.
Devlin, Delilah. Men In Uniform Anthology. Kindle Locations (1434-1451). One Handed Reads. Kindle Edition.

Sizzling heat, some tears and a very smart grandfather had me turning the pages to see if these two had what it takes to embark on a relationship.

5 Contented Purrs for Kimberly!

Jake loves his job as a cop and loves the steamy Florida women more—as long as they’re into casual. And that means hands off his boss’s sister…

This one starts off with a bit of doubt and some almost misunderstandings. Jake is on vacation and the first thing that happens is a burst pipe in the garage by his washer and dryer. The plumber recommended by his fellow cops leads to a female plumber and one of my favorite scenes.

He took her in. Damn, even her work boots were epic. Not clunky like a guy’s, but dainty, flowers carved into the leather. She didn’t wear a wedding or engagement ring. As soon as the plumber arrived and took over this mess, Jake intended to find out as much as he could about her. “Where is he?”

“Manny?”

“The plumber.”

“That would be me. Krista.” She pointed at the name embroidered on her shirt.

He warned himself not to stare at her tight nipples pressing against the cotton.

“And you’re Officer Brennan.”

Only because his buddies at the station had told her so. “How would you know that unless you spoke to the guys?”

“It says so right here.” She tapped her clipboard but eyed his tat. “You reported a leak, said cost was no object, you were in a hurry since you’re on vacation from the Coral Vale force, and that as law enforcement you’d appreciate a quick response—like what you and the guys do when you’re called in on an incident, which might happen even on your days off.”

He didn’t recall talking so much, saying anything about zipping to incidents or being pulled from his vacation time. By his recollection, he’d simply begged for someone to get here fast. Given how she struggled not to smile, she had to be toying with him.

Toy away. He enjoyed her teasing. “That’s not how I remember it. I’d like to see that.” He reached for her clipboard.

She held it behind herself and gave him a look mothers offer their wayward sons before smacking them in the head.

“I take it that’s the burst pipe?” She jabbed her thumb in its direction.

Her gaze drifted back to his pecs. He resisted the urge to flex them, not wanting to act like a douche. Apparently, she was the plumber and didn’t know Manny or the guys. Her being here was legit. Was this country great or what?

“Yep, that’s it. I turned off the water.”

She regarded the new puddle forming beneath his dripping underwear. “On the main valve?”

“No. Should I have done so?”

“I’ll get it. While I do, turn on the faucets in the house and flush the toilets…if you don’t mind.”

He wasn’t certain if she was pulling his leg or not. Her playful look said she might be. “Because?”

“To drain the remaining water from the pipes so I can fix the broken one and be on my way.”

Suddenly, he didn’t want her leaving. She was something. Certainly nothing he’d imagined. “Sure.” Not budging, he gestured in appeasement. “Sorry about not thinking…uh, believing…that is, knowing you’re the plumber.”
Devlin, Delilah. Men In Uniform Anthology. Kindle Locations (133-156). One Handed Reads. Kindle Edition.

One amusing twist, Krista is also his Sergeant’s little sister. Keeping things hidden leads to some hilarity as does the different and somewhat educational outings Krista plans for them.

Definitely a bad girl in good girl clothing matched up with a Sexy bad boy.

Plenty of laughter and sizzling as these two find their happily ever after.

5 Contented Purrs for Tina!

Up until recently, award-winning author Delilah Devlin lived in South Texas at the intersection of two dry creeks, surrounded by sexy cowboys in Wranglers. These days, she’s missing the wide-open skies and starry nights, but loving her dark forest in central Arkansas with its eccentric characters and isolation–the better to feed her hungry muse! To Delilah, the greatest sin is driving between the lines because it’s comfortable and safe. Her personal journey has taken her through one war, many countries, cultures, jobs and relationships to bring her to the place she travels now–writing sexy novels that hold more than a kernel of autobiography and often share a common thread of self-discovery and transformation.

Delilah Devlin is a prolific and award-winning author of erotica and erotic romance with a rapidly expanding reputation for writing deliciously edgy stories with complex characters. Whether creating dark, erotically-charged paranormal worlds or richly descriptive historical stories that ring with authenticity, Delilah Devlin “pens in uncharted territory that will leave the readers breathless and hungering for more…” (Paranormal Reviews) Ms. Devlin has published over 140 erotic stories in multiple genres and lengths.

Originally from Ireland, USA Today bestselling author Kate Meader cut her romance reader teeth on Maeve Binchy and Jilly Cooper novels, with some Harlequins thrown in for variety. Give her tales about brooding mill owners, oversexed equestrians, and men who can rock an apron or a fire hose, and she’s there. Now based in Chicago, she writes sexy contemporary romance with alpha heroes and strong heroines – and heroes – who can match their men quip for quip.

Nicole Morgan is a USA Today and International bestselling author who has written romance in various genres. Many of her novels are erotic romance, which more often than not have a suspenseful back story. Basically, erotic romance mixed with your good old-fashioned whodunits. While she’s written everything from contemporary to paranormal, her leading men will more than likely be wearing a uniform of some kind. From military to police officers, she loves writing about those who protect and serve. It all began with her very first novel about Navy SEALs – which turned into a fan favorite series – and continues with her more recent releases. When you’re reading a book by Ms. Morgan, you’ll be sure to find a few twists and turns you were not expecting.

She is the founder of Romance Collections and is a proud member of Writerspace, a Romance Books ‘4’ Us Gold Author, and a Sweet and Sexy Diva. Additionally, you will find Nicole writing under the names of Taylor Brooks and Nicki Day.

When she’s not writing, Nicole can be found spending her time mentoring other authors or offering marketing and administrative assistance.

Find out more about Nicole and her books by visiting her website, or any of her social networks.

Carmen Falcone learned at an early age that fantasizing about fictional characters beat doing math homework any day. Brazilian by birth and traveler by nature, she moved to Central Texas after college and met her broody Swiss husband–living proof that opposites attract.

She found in writing her deepest passion and the best excuse to avoid the healthy lifestyle everyone keeps talking about. When she’s not lost in the world of romance, she enjoys spending time with her two kids, being walked by her three crazy pugs, reading, catching up with friends, and chatting with random people in the checkout line.

She loves to procrastinate, so please indulge her and drop her a line. For more info, visit her website.

As a teenager, I would hide in my room to read my favorite romance novels when I was supposed to be doing my homework. I hope, these days, that my parents think it was worth it.

I am the mother of three adorable boys and I am fortunate to be married to my best friend. I live in Austin Texas where I am determined to eat all the barbecue in town.

I am in love with science fiction, fantasy, and the paranormal and try to use all of these elements in my writing. I’ve been told I’m a little bloodthirsty so I hope that when you read my work you’ll enjoy the action packed ride that always ends in romance. I love to write series because I love to see characters develop over time and it always makes me happy to see my favorite characters make guest appearances in other books.

In my world anything is possible, anything can happen, and you should suspect that it will.

I’d love to hear from you!

Kat Baxter is the pseudonym for a bestselling historical romance author. She lives in Texas with her family and a menagerie of animals.

Kim fell in love with historical romance when she was sixteen, and blames it on Kathleen Woodweiss, since it was her The Flame and the Flower that got her hooked. Not long after finishing it, she sat down to write one herself and now, many moons later, she’s still writing them.

A native of New Jersey, Kim still lives there with her husband, their two children, and their dumb but lovable boxer /lab mix, Roxy. When she’s not writing, she’s a gym rat who weight trains, does cardio grudgingly, and like a true Jersey girl, is obsessed with Bruce Springsteen, the New York Giants, the New York Rangers, and the New York Yankees. She’s also strangely fond of tattoos, American history, Tom Hiddleston, the Rolling Stones, and reading, and not necessarily in that order.

I’m an Amazon and international bestselling novelist who writes passionate romance for every taste – ‘heat with heart’ – for traditional publishers and indie. Booklist, Publisher’s Weekly, Romantic Times, and numerous online sites have praised my work. I’ve won Readers’ Choice Awards, was named a finalist in the EPIC competition, received a Book of the Year Award, The Golden Nib Award, awards of merit in the RWA Holt Medallion competitions, and second place in the NEC RWA contests. I’m featured in the Novel and Short Story Writer’s Market. Before penning romances, I worked at a major Hollywood production company in Story Direction.

On a less serious note: I’m an admitted and unrepentant chocoholic, brake for Mexican restaurants, and have been known to moan like Meg Ryan in “When Harry Met Sally” while wolfing down tostadas. I’ve flown a single-engine airplane (freaking scary), rewired an old house using an ‘electricity for dummies’ book, and am horribly shy despite the hot romances I write.