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Check Out by Debra Parmley


romance
free
genre-contemporary
steam-3

A Collateral Attraction


Liz Madrid - 2015
    Billie Delphine has always been content standing on the sidelines while her identical twin sister, Blythe, gets all the attention, including a glamorous lifestyle with billionaire Ethan Kheiron, who will do anything to wrestle back control of the family fortune from his younger brother, Heath. But when Blythe and Ethan disappear while Billie is visiting them in New York, the last thing Billie wants is to be mistaken for her sister, or be falsely accused of a crime Billie knows Blythe did not commit. So when Heath suggests they work together to find them, Billie agrees. But a life of luxury, personal shopping sprees, and private jets cannot hide the years of unresolved differences between sisters, nor the decades of lies that have left the Kheiron family divided. And even as Billie slowly falls for Heath, she knows that until they all settle their differences, they're just pawns in someone else's game of power - where some of them are more expendable than others.

Gorgeous: Book One


Lisa Shelby - 2018
    Nothing about Ronan McKinley and his luxurious yachts and expensive homes appeals to her, but there is no denying the attraction between them.When Ronan makes her a job offer she can’t refuse, Olivia makes it clear she has no intention of anything more than a professional relationship with this man whose lifestyle is anything but “less".But what happens when Olivia slowly discovers Ronan is much more than she ever could have imagined?What if she fills Ronan’s cold, gray life with warmth and color?Is it possible that these two people, from vastly different worlds are actually meant to be?(GORGEOUS: BOOK ONE is a steamy, adult contemporary romance that will make you blush and make you swoon. GORGEOUS: BOOK TWO will be released March 27th.)Older edition found here

Paws off the Boss


Casey Griffin - 2016
    He’s in the penthouse. When their worlds collide, can their lonely hearts become one?Aspiring veterinarian Piper Summers has worked herself to the bone to graduate. But after she loses two of her three jobs, Piper worries she and her dachshund will be tossed out on the street. So when a hunky, cash-rich CEO offers her a lucrative gig as his dog walker, she swallows her pride and takes the position.Billionaire Aiden Caldwell buried his fun behind a firm handshake and a sharp suit. But when the fetching woman of his dreams accidentally mauls him, he’s determined to break his leash and retrieve her heart. And after hiring her to walk his rescue hound, he’s willing to jump through every hoop to win her affection.Though Piper is falling head over tail with Aiden, when her precious rescue center is vandalized and the wealthy man offers help, she fears he only sees her as a charity case. And as Aiden tries to prove his intentions are true, he struggles when business and pleasure start to blur into a serious case of puppy love.Can they shed all their doubts and let passion bark up the perfect tree?

Life After Perfect


Nancy Naigle - 2015
    But when her entire world collapses in one stomach-churning instant, she hits the road and keeps driving until that so-called “perfect life” is just a dot in her rearview mirror.A chance encounter leads her to make a pit stop in Boot Creek, a drowsy little North Carolina town where she can call herself Katy, soak up the peace and quiet…and drink in the bluer-than-blue eyes of Derek Hansen, a local doctor still wrestling with his own painful past. Both Katy and Derek are wary about giving romance another shot, but they can’t deny the intense attraction between them. And if being in Boot Creek has taught them anything, it’s to take life as it comes and never pass up a chance at true love…no matter how wounded your heart may be.

Life, Unscheduled


Kristin Rockaway - 2021
    As a user experience designer at Virtuality, an artificial intelligence company in Los Angeles, Nicole is at her desk from sunrise to sunset. She doesn’t have time for a social life (or a love life), but that’s perfectly fine with her. Until her best friend, Parisa Shahin, announces her engagement and asks Nicole to be her maid of honor.That’s when Nicole decides to meticulously schedule out the next six months of her life—from her project due dates to her dress-fitting appointments to how many hours she plans to sleep each night. If she can stick to her schedule, she’ll balance everything fine. Of course, that’s a really big if. And after she crosses paths with emerging restaurateur Brandon Phelps, Nicole is feeling feelings she hasn’t felt in…well, ever. But scheduling time to fall in love might push even the most meticulous plans into pure chaos.

The Darkest Flame


Christina Lee - 2015
    Privy to plenty of Disciples of the Road business, he’s never been more ruffled as when a new recruit named “Smoke” walks through the door. Something about the man gets his blood pumping, but he knows to keep his preferences under wraps around the club.“Smoke” Callahan has done a couple of rehab stints and is finally clean, thanks to help from the Disciples. He’s on the right path and isn’t about to get sidetracked, no matter how much the guy who manages the bar gets beneath his skin. Besides, his last relationship with a man left him scared, alone, and with a nightmare of an addiction. When the Hog’s Den becomes shorthanded, and Smoke is ordered to help out the one man he can’t have, his longing for the bartender reaches blistering proportions. Vaughn figures a night together should be enough to satisfy their mutual attraction. But neither banks on just how scorching hot it might be. As Smoke’s past unravels and the one person he hopes never to lay eyes on again messes with all he holds sacred, it’s time to involve the Disciples. Problem is, he’ll have to risk his membership, his heart, and his own hide to keep everyone he cares about safe.**Please note: Vaughn and Smoke are both bisexual and this book contains one brief consensual scene involving a female because hey, real life, and also, bisexual. Just FYI…**ALSO NOTE, these two characters were first introduced in my standalone MM called KICKFLIP ( formerly called THERE YOU STAND before a rights reversion). Here's the reading order of this series: THE DARKEST FLAME THE FAINTEST SPARKTHE DEEPEST BLUETHE HARDEST FALLTHE SWEETEST GOODBYE

Whispered Lies


Kathleen Brooks - 2016
    Without knowing the full scope of the scandal, the president decides to turn to the one person he knows he can trust—former FBI Agent, Elizabeth James. Her deep distrust of the system is rooted in her unfair discharge from service. Now she sees a chance to restore her reputation and send a message to those that would use their power to destroy others' lives. Elizabeth is ordered to do whatever it takes to end this criminal organization, but she's also told that this is completely off the books. Nothing can point back to the president until the entire network is dismantled. Elizabeth can only rely on her team comprised of a computer whiz and a former Air Force Pararescueman to get to the bottom of the leaks. Every decision could cost them their freedom . . . or their lives. What Elizabeth didn't count on was her heart becoming as entangled as the lies she tells to uncover the truth. With her heart now in the game, Elizabeth works on guarding those she loves as she dives headfirst into danger. Can Elizabeth follow the leads and take out the leaders of the secret group before the whole world is thrown into chaos?

Aaron


Dale Mayer - 2019
    Nor does he particularly care. All he can see is his anger. Anger at the betrayal that destroyed his physical body and at the loss of the future he wanted but that he’ll never have now. He’s a cripple, less than half a man, and all he can look forward to is a half life, alone with himself and his pain.Dani Hathaway runs Hathaway House with her father, an ex-military man nicknamed the Major, and she knew Aaron and his brother SEAL Levi in another life. Levi was a good friend to her through her difficult teen years, but it was Aaron who caught her eye more than a decade ago. When she heard what happened to him, she moved heaven and earth to get him to Hathaway House, where she could help him regain his health and return him to the man he used to be.Old feelings resurface as Dani continues to push Aaron to acknowledge that his life is not over, and that, if he chooses, he can find both love and a future at Hathaway House.Welcome to Hathaway House. Rehab Center. Safe Haven. Second chance at life and love.

Rocked (A Rock Star Romance)


M.L. Young - 2017
     On my first date with Kai Jackson, the lead singer and guitarist of the Heartbreakers, I thought he was an ass. Arrogant, self-centered, and chauvinistic. I couldn't stand him. When he asked for another shot, I laughed at the idea—until I stupidly gave in. When he leaves his rock-star persona behind and shows me the real him, I find myself falling for him, and I’m scared. A former addict, he isn't exactly the type of guy you take home to your parents, and I wasn't sure I wanted to take that risk. But when you meet a guy who makes your heart skip a beat, all bets are off. That is, until a life-changing event blackens Kai, and his old vices become new realities that rip the fabric of our relationship. Shattered after visiting him on tour in Paris, I retreat to my home in Los Angeles, wishing I’d never met him. He goes to rehab, determined, convinced he'll get clean and win me back, but I'm not sure I can ever let my heart be his again. While this is an HEA no-cliffhanger romance, it features some darker themes, including addiction and drug use. This story contains alternating POVs by chapter.

Moonstone Beach


Linda Seed - 2015
    Two years out from a divorce that left her emotionally fragile, Kate is starting to think that maybe she’s ready for love again—or at least for a fling with a hot man. Jackson Graham is a local chef who’s controlling when it comes to food, careless when it comes to women, and temperamental when it comes to just about everything. When Kate’s friends mobilize to set things up between Kate and Jackson, she expects some casual pleasure followed by a hasty goodbye, but Jackson’s long-term crush on Kate means that he’s in this one to win. The problem is, neither he nor Kate knows whether he can change the self-defeating habits that usually send women scurrying for the door as soon as the afterglow fades. Throw in a beautiful backdrop of rocky beaches and rugged coastline, a manipulative father, a Mary Kay–pushing stepmother, a yapping Pomeranian, and a nervous ring-tailed lemur, and you’ve got Moonstone Beach, the first contemporary romance in a series of four about Kate and her friends, Gen, Lacy, and Rose.

Ridorkulous


Mary Frame - 2019
    It's where I live. And I'm the president, mayor, and sole citizen.Reese Jackson is living her safest life. This polymath is tired of trying to fit in with a small town that never knows what to do with her. Her absentee family may have forced her into dorm life for her own good, but she goes from her classes to her room and back—no parties, no dates, and no drawing attention.Until one noisy night, when Reese gets kicked out of her dorm.Fitz Moreland is living his okayest life. He’s on his own to pay for college, but he’s scraping by with an athletic scholarship and free rent with a friend. If he can keep it together, he’s on track to graduate with a useful degree, especially now that he’s finally said goodbye to his drama-loving ex-girlfriend.Until one night, when she gets him kicked out of his house. What happens when there’s one single room left for rent in the entire town and two people who desperately need it? A merrymaking, money-seeking landlord arrives and throws them into a series of ridorkulous challenges to compete for it, of course. It’s the dorky duckling versus the BMOC. The winner will get a place to live—but the loser may just forfeit their heart.

Right Name, Wrong Man


Mona Risk - 2011
    Yves Malroux assail her at every turn, Mary-Beth puts her wedding plans on hold. The man would probably not even remember the plump nerd she was three years ago before she lost her illusions faster than her pounds. Regardless, to be able to marry her fiancé without reservations, Mary-Beth needs to confront her past and flies to France for a summer training program in surgery with Yves.But Yves never forgets an organ he removed from a patient or a woman he dated. And he never forgot the pretty student of Harvard Medical School who has turned into a stunning beauty and seems in serious need of coaching about spicing her serious life with some fun and passion. While too many questions still swirled in her mind, her jealous fianceé summons her back home. Will Mary-Beth let her heart decide who’s her right man? Will Yves break his no-strings-attached rule to offer love and commitment?* * * *“Mona Risk writes heroes with heart, heroines with spunk, in stories and settings that are simply unforgettable.” Roxanne St. Claire, NY Best Selling author.“Mona Risk knows how to pull a reader into the minds of her well-crafted characters. Her work takes us on a journey be it local or overseas.” Night Owl Reviews.Dear Readers, I hope you enjoy my new novel and leave a review. Thank you.

Gabe


Maryann Jordan - 2015
    When some of his friends finally settled down, he wondered if he would ever find the woman of his dreams. He just never expected to encounter her in an alley. Jennifer Lambert worked as a social worker for the city and would often take food to the elderly residents in her building. One night, in an alley behind a restaurant, she was startled by a tall, handsome man wanting to assist. Giving him the cold shoulder, she left…but dreams of him followed her long into the night. Gabe knew the independent Jennifer was a woman worthy of knowing, but convincing the beauty that she needed him was the challenge. Raising her young brother plus the responsibilities of the elder center, had kept her from looking for love…but she took a chance on Gabe. Now that he found her, can he keep her safe when someone threatens her and those she loves? Calling upon his brothers, Alvarez Security races to save her before it is too late. ****Due to scenes of an explicit sexual nature and language that some consider crude, please be warned - for 18+ only! If you do not like alphas with heart who fall instantly in love with strong female characters while dealing with real life issues...again be warned!!*****

Sparrow


Emma Nichole - 2018
    Left me.All I had left of us were the sunkissed memories of young love and a golden sparrow around my neck.The years passed in a blur of happiness, sadness, and excitement, but one thing was never far from my mind. Him.Now, I’m back, running from someone I thought I could trust, hiding from my choices, and plowing headfirst into the one that got away.GraysonFourteen years ago, I left the girl of my dreams to serve my country.We chose to part ways for good. I wanted her to spread her wings and fly.My service came with heartbreak, injury, and memories I wish I could forget.The years passed in a haze of war, fighting, pain but that was eased by someone new… until she was gone too, leaving me alone with a young daughter.My mind always slipped back to the girl I left behind all those years ago… and now?She’s standing right in front of me.

Singe


Aly Martinez - 2017
    Every time I closed my eyes, I watched her fall into that inferno. Over and over, I failed to save her.I hadn’t been able to reach her, and the guilt only burned hotter over time. Four years later, I was the unreachable one.Heroes aren’t always saints. Sometimes, we’re nothing more than jaded sinners driven by sleepless nights and hearts full of darkness.And then I met her. She was a dreamer who managed to soothe my scars and heal my wounds.But, as the flames closed in around us, I feared I wasn’t the right man to save her. That is until I realized she was the one woman I’d burn the world down to protect.