Showing results by author "Naima Simone" in All Categories

Being a firefighter isn’t easy. Especially for a Black woman. Working with family helps a little. But when somebody from your company doesn’t come back from a call, it’s brutal—as in, “How’m I supposed to go on?” brutal. And one death took me to a really dark place. A year later, I’m at the Pirates’ hockey training facility. Just another day on the job. Until I find a charred journal. I look inside for the owner’s name, but the words on the page punch me in the gut. It’s like reading my own thoughts. Reliving my own pain.

As the ex-mayor’s daughter, Jenna Landon has spent her life aiming for perfection—and missing. The pressure and disappointment turned her into a bit of a mean girl, but now she’s tired of protecting her soft heart, of hiding her losses—she’s ready to leave Rose Bend and start over. Wrestling coach Isaac Hunter didn’t mean to disturb his neighbor with his music while fixing his car. But if anyone could use “messing with,” it’s prissy, perfect, sexy Jenna Landon. Soon their clashes turn into something hotter.

Leontyne Dennison is on a love hiatus. And that’s just fine, because perfectionist Leo is hyperfocused on the success of her family’s Berkshires inn. Volunteering for Rose Bend’s annual spring festival is certain to boost business—and provide the perfect distraction from men—until Leo comes face-to-face with Owen Stafford, the hottest one-night stand of her life.

After a divorce from her cheating football player ex, PR whiz Kim Matlock would rather drive a pine tree through her walled-off heart than work at the Seattle Wedding Expo. And the last thing she expects is to be grabbed and kissed breathless by a hot giant of a man looking to fend off a stalker. She doesn't want emotional entanglements, but she can't say no to one scorching night with the sexy stranger. To her shock, she finds out afterward that a) he's a pro football player, a.k.a. her kryptonite, and b) she's pregnant.

I’m Denver’s unmatchmaker. Every city needs one. Why? Because people break up—and sometimes they should. But when I learn that entertainment attorney Cyrus Hart is someone else’s mistake, I can’t believe it. He’s smart, successful, and sexy as hell. When a chance encounter with Cyrus turns into something more, I can’t help but fall for him. Our chemistry is undeniable. But his ex used my company to send him that letter—and that’s a problem. Especially since he doesn’t know I own the company.

Back in Rose Bend after a work trip that went wrong, Florence “Flo” Dennison craves the kind of distraction only a searing fling with a gorgeous stranger can provide. And she gets it—in an encounter hot enough to leave scars. But satisfaction turns to shock when Flo realizes her one-night stand is leading the restoration project she’s been hired to photograph. And his sweet little girl has decided Flo’s her new bestie.

For Fallon Wayland, birthdays are just another reminder of her looming spinsterhood. This year is shaping up to be no different. Fired from her job, dumped by her boyfriend, and oh yes, witnessing the murder of a high-ranking lieutenant in the local crime family. Ever since a disastrous, hot-as-hell kiss years ago, soldier-turned-security specialist Shane Roarke has avoided his baby sister's reckless—and gorgeous—best friend. Yet when her life is threatened after she witnesses a gang hit, he insists on protecting her...even if she objects.

It’s no coincidence that my family’s breakup service is called BURNED Inc. I know what it’s like to be dumped. I’ve been there. Long story short, I’ve got a rule when it comes to my love life: no athletes. As it happens, my best friend, Jordan, is a professional basketball player. He also has a delicious body and sexy tattoos. But rules are rules.

Sydney Collins left the small Berkshires town of Rose Bend eight years ago, grieving her sister’s death - and heartbroken over her parents’ rejection. But now the rebel is back - newly divorced and pregnant - ready to face her fears and make a home for her child in the caring community she once knew. The last thing she needs is trouble. But trouble just set her body on fire with one hot, hot smile.

It is incredibly stupid to write this text while I’m drunk. But what’s the saying? No gain, no pain. Or, no pain, no shame.... Whatever. You know what I mean. And let’s face it. There’s no way I would be doing this if I was stone-cold sober. But since I’m plastered? To hell with it. I want you. I know. Crazy, right? Not only am I your temporary roommate, but I’m a chatty nurse from Providence with an impeccable bedside manner and secrets. You’re a broody, commitment-phobe sculptor from England who communicates in grunts and single syllables.

Grieving ER nurse Nessa Hunt is on a road trip with her sullen teen half-sister, Ivy, and still reeling from her mother’s deathbed confession: Nessa’s dad wasn’t really her dad. Seeking answers, they arrive in Rose Bend to find a small town teeming with the kind of Christmas cheer Nessa usually avoids. But then she meets the innkeeper’s ruggedly sexy son, Wolfgang Dennison.

Being in lust with my dead brother's wife pretty much guarantees that one day I'll be the devil's bitch. But Eden Gordon works with me, so it's getting harder and harder to stay away. I promised my family - and him - I would, though. My days as an MMA champion are behind me. But whenever I see her, with those wicked curves and soft mouth created for dirty deeds, it's a knock-down fight to just maintain my distance. "Hard Knox" becomes more than just the name of my tattoo shop. However, surrendering to the forbidden might be worth losing everything...

Rion Ward fought hard to be free of the Irish mob life. Now, as the co-owner of Boston's hottest aphrodisiac club, he's traded crime for the ultimate sexual fantasy. But when the "good girl" from his past walks through Lick's doors, he discovers that his unconsummated hunger for her never abated.

Niall Hudson is the key to a treasure I’ve spent half a decade hunting down. Yeah, she’s a little upset to find herself a “guest” on my pirate ship. But the mouthy, curvy and beautiful shipping heiress is going to give me what I need…one way or another. This treasure will not only bring me and my crew riches beyond our wildest dreams, but it will restore all that has been stolen from me. But Niall isn’t submitting so easily. Even though my brother is hot on my trail, she’s playing games, issuing terms of her own. And she isn’t above turning the tables on me to get what she wants.

Tennyson Clark is getting a life. First step: quitting her job as assistant to Dominic Anderson, star quarterback for the Washington Warriors, her best friend…and the man she’s been secretly in love with for years. But since the gorgeous, if overprotective playboy has only ever seen her as his BFF, she’s finally ready to relinquish her tattered fantasy and move on. Enter steps two and three: new job and new man. Football is Dominic's life, and with his contract soon up for renewal, all his focus needs to be on the game.

Plain-Jane computer programmer Khloe Richardson needs a date - one to make the prince of her dreams jealous. Maybe then he'll finally see her as a desirable swan and not the ugly duckling in the second office from the left. But when she bids on a bachelor at a charity auction, the man she wins is millionaire Niall Hunter - who once made intense, passionate love to her and then left without a word. She's determined not to let her guard down again - among other things - around the infamous Irish lothario.

Shy, awkward Sophia Cruz has a hard time telling her vivacious identical twin “no”. But when her sister begs her to swap places for a modeling shoot, she caves...again. Then Zephirin Black walks onto the set. The brooding, aloof, and gorgeous tight end for the Washington Warriors. But she can keep it professional.... She has to. Because the adorkable Cruz twin has no luck with guys once they compare her to her sister. After a bad break-up, Zeph hasn’t been big on second chances - and even less with trust. But he finds himself giving please-call-me-by-my-middle-name-Sophia both.

Lately, things have been a little weird for Sloane Barrett—late-night crank calls, disturbing images in her inbox, her tires slashed. She tries not to let it bother her. Then someone breaks into her house and attacks her...and Sloane realizes she needs professional help. Tall, gorgeous and overwhelmingly intense help. But Sloane knows all too well just how much trouble intense guys can be. Security Specialist Ciaran Ross's priority is to ensure Sloane is safe. His gut tells him she's in danger, but his feelings for her are pulling his focus.

Boston socialite Morgan Lett is having a run of bad luck. Her fiancé just dumped her for her stepsister, the charity foundation she’s given her life to is in danger of folding, and now, the gorgeous man she bid on and won at a masquerade bachelor auction turns out to be a cold-hearted jerk...and her new employer. Millionaire Alexander Bishop needs the best wife money can buy. In order to inherit his family business, he must get engaged - fast. And Morgan, with her beauty and pedigree, is the perfect candidate.

Billionaire Lucas Oliver is hell-bent on revenge. And his plan begins when Sydney Blake - the stunning daughter of his enemy - is tricked into bidding on him at a bachelor auction. Then he serves up a little blackmail...followed by a marriage proposal Sydney has no choice but to accept. Sydney has been controlled by her family her whole life. When Lucas threatens to reveal her father's shady business, she is once again forced to do her duty for her family. But worse - oh so much worse - is the rush of lust that Lucas ignites in her blood.