. . and finding yourself. Sophomore Nora Fulbright is the most talented and popular new cheerleader on the Riverbend High cheer squad. Never mind that she used to be queen of the nerds—a chess prodigy who answered every question first, aced every test and repelled friends at every turn—because this year, Nora is determined to fully transition from social pupa to full blown butterfly, even if it means dumbing down her entire schedule. But when funny, sweet and very cute Adam moves to town and steals Nora’s heart with his ultra-smarts and illegally cute dimple, Nora has a problem. How can she prove to him that she’s not a complete airhead? Nora devises a seemingly simple plan to barter her way into Adam’s classes that involves her classmates, friends—and her older brother Phil’s award-winning AP history paper. But soon, Nora can barely keep track of her trades, and struggles to stay in control of her image.In the end, the only thing that can save Nora is a chess tournament—that she has to compete in wearing her cheerleading uniform. Can she prove to everyone that she can be both a butterfly and a nerd? Allyson Valentine has created a story so full of enamoring characters, pitch-perfect humor, and delightfully frustrating romance that it will leave you cheering.  Great for fans of Stephanie Perkins's Anna and the French Kiss, Susanne Colosanti and Sarah Dessen.

    Juggling two jobs, she prides herself on her focus and determination to ensure her independence.Until Ashton King saunters back into her life as a nude model for her art class…Ashton and Lucinda had made it their mission to make Sophie’s life miserable from the moment she walked into their lives. But now, with Lucinda out of the picture and Sophie back in his sights, Ashton changes the rules of the game and takes it to a whole new level.Sophie is thrown back into the turmoil she thought was long behind her…Ashton’s body is made for sin, and his icy blue eyes scorch her with feelings too intense for a heart as scarred as Sophie’s to bear. Glimpses of another side of Ashton give her a flash of hope, but his deceptions run much deeper than she ever dreamed.Truth or Dare…Which would you choose?

    King knows he isn’t built for happily-ever-afters and only indulges in brief romantic encounters. But when Sophie agrees to fill in as his last-minute date to a charity gala, an unexpected discovery quickly escalates their platonic relationship to one of passion.King is determined to ignore their attraction and, feeling betrayed, Sophie severs ties with him and the company. Everything changes, however, when he’s injured in an accident, and Sophie agrees to help until he closes a major deal. Unfortunately, he’s developed amnesia, and although he doesn’t remember their night together, desire binds them in ways they can’t resist.Time is running out on closing the deal, as well as Sophie moving on to her new career. Will King deny love in favor of winning and lose Sophie forever?

    But when a school budget crisis forces funding to be pulled from either the sports or music programs, she finds herself going head to head with Jack, the gorgeous new football coach who broke her heart fifteen years ago.Jack Marshall wants two things: to be closer to his young daughter and to make his mark as a football coach. Taking the new job, with the promise that he’d have time to build a solid team, gave him both. But now he must win the season with a group of boys who aren't anywhere near ready or he’ll lose everything he’s worked so hard for. Being pitted against Tess, the summer love he never forgot, is like being fourth and long with only seconds on the clock.On opposing sides of a fierce battle and with everything at stake, Tess and Jack find themselves torn between doing what it takes to win and doing what it takes to be together.

     Not the broken and damaged monsters like me. But it did. And I can’t control it. But I need to. Charlie is my sponsor, the one person I’m not supposed to touch, but my heart has locked on to her and is finally beating after years of barely moving. I’m in over my head in more ways than one, and as I try to be the man she sees behind the monster, I only sink deeper, two sides of myself battling for clarity. The one that dares to hope, and the one that already knows I’ll lose everything. I’m terrified my jagged past will slice her to ribbons but as my sponsor she’s obligated to dig up all the broken pieces and try to put them back together. I don’t know what scares me more, who she’ll find when she’s done, or how far she’ll run once she realizes the truth.

    Of course he’s the one waiting at the airport. Worse, he made sure they’re staying in the same house.Alex Stafford is expecting to pick up his friend’s kid sister, not a full-fledged bombshell. He was planning to apologize for their past, but the feelings he had years ago come roaring back…and this time, there’s no denying them. Keeping his hands off is a test he’s bound to fail—especially when they’re stuck in close quarters. But falling in love with Michelle, living in her world, isn’t an option for a guy like him. And remembering that will save them both a lot of heartache…

    Seven Nights. Months before graduation, Austin Rockwell makes a rare 'mistake' at a party. It's the kind of innocent slip-up that a normal college guy could write off as a curiosity. But for the son of a prominent politician, it's a scandal waiting to blow. Can confused Austin continue on his path like nothing ever happened? Rugged and deep, Cedar Marten is as natural as the lush Minnesota north he calls home. The air's fresh, the fishing's great, and the girls can't get enough of him. So why does he feel like something's missing? Before he jump-starts his career under his father's watchful eye, Austin escapes to a lake resort to get his story straight. Will his burning but conflicted passions ignite when he meets the handsome and easy-going stud, Cedar? Would Cedar even go for a guy …? *** Seven Nights is a 118,000 word stand-alone romance novel with a HEA. Narrated in past tense, dual first-person. No cliffhangers or cheating. Hot and steamy MM scenes are depicted. Contains light MF elements.

    Perfect grades? Check. Her choice of scholarship now that basketball recruiters are sniffing around? Check. The hot guy she’s crushed on since freshman year finally noticing her? Looks like it’ll be a check any day now. But when a freak accident sidelines Genna, her perfect life starts breaking apart into a million less-than-perfect pieces. No more scholarships. Spiraling grades. And she’s sure Jake Butler, her forever crush, will have zero interest in someone as broken as she is.Except Jake does want to stick around. He may have started falling for the girl Genna used to be, but he’ll wait for the girl she could become—if she can find enough left in her to pick up the pieces and start again.

     To Jared Kinkaid, the only way to keep his mind — and his hands — off his luscious co-worker Candy Appleton is to insult or ignore her at every turn. But his efforts at lust control have his boss convinced that the partners need a little help via online couples counseling. But when they’re mistakenly signed up for sensual couples counseling instead, Jared and Candy’s shock turns to pleasure as they each deliver some hands on therapy of their own… Previously published in 2003 as PRESS ANY KEY in the sexy collection Bad Boys Online, this novella has been fully updated and reissued. Want to read more Bad Boys playing dirty at the office? Hard Drive Hard Bargain Hard Boss (brand NEW novella, coming late December!)

    But when he needs someone safe to bid on him and his sister’s best friend is coaxed into stepping up, Nick isn’t prepared for the effect Cassidy has on him. She sends his mind to all kinds of dirty places…places his battered heart can’t afford.Freelance photographer Cassidy Ware is in waaay over her head. She’s always been Nick’s other little sister, but she’s all grown up now and just a glance from him leaves her hot and bothered. Still, she can stay immune to his charms and keep him at an emotional distance because she’s got an agenda, too. She’ll help the too-handsome Nick with his charitable deed, and, in return, he’ll help her keep an unwelcome suitor at bay.A deal’s a deal, but when their “business transaction” turns into more pleasure than duty, can they walk away from each other without losing what matters most?

    Unfortunately he doesn’t see her as just his paralegal but also his own personal assistant. When he blames her for a mix-up in his personal life, Jessica sees no other option but to quit, thinking that her time with him is over. Much to her surprise, Kyle makes a proposition to her that she never thought she would hear coming from his lips. He needs a temporary girlfriend for his sister’s wedding and he wants her to be that person. Jessica accepts the challenge and finds herself thrown into his world, learning things about him she never knew. The more time she spends with him outside of work, the more she is drawn to Kyle. As the wedding draws near, she finds herself fighting off some strong feelings for the man. When the wedding weekend is over, will Jessica be able to walk away from Kyle with her heart intact?

    House-sitting for a rich and famous friend has its perks, and Darcy Hamel isn’t shy about enjoying them. Especially when it means scoring a ticket to an exclusive fashion show hosted by the New Jersey Sonics. An avid baseball fan, Darcy has always dreamed of meeting the team—especially the starting pitcher whose body is as hot as his fastball. But there’s a catch. The gala is by invitation only. To get behind the velvet rope, mild-mannered Darcy will have to pose as party girl Lydia Logan. Schmoozing is one of the downsides of fame, but Chase Westbrook knows how to liven up even the dullest event. And nothing spices a night up more than a beautiful socialite with a naughty reputation. What Chase doesn’t expect is a hint of sweetness beneath her sultry façade. Flirtation turns to seduction and leaves him aching for more. Chase just doesn’t know who the real Lydia is: the spoiled tease crying foul over some missing diamonds or the alluring woman making a play for his heart.

    When the judge rejects her offer to pay for the structure and sentences her to rebuild it—with the hot ranger supervising—she embraces the challenge to take control of her life. Park ranger Wade Baker wants nothing to do with the rich city girl, no matter how tempting he finds her lush curves. She’s too much like his ex-fiancée, and if he’s learned anything, it’s that women like Reese don’t fit into his world. And he sure as hell wants no part of her big city life. Reese may not know a hammer from a screwdriver, but she’s working hard to prove she’s not just some pampered princess to be toyed with. And damn it if Wade doesn’t admire her tenacious spirit. If only they got along half as well outside the bedroom as they do in it, there might be a chance for them after all…

    But will a heart be broken because what he sees as love, his partner sees as lust? Partners is a 45,000 word gay romance novella.

     Cassidy decides her senior year, including prom, will be about Michael, the boy destined to be her soul mate. One problem. He hasn't figured that out yet. But certain events meant as innocent pranks (that weren't completely her fault) introduce her to Zeke, the reformed bad boy. And cutting deals in the boys' bathroom with Jasper, the hottest guy in school, lands her in a complicated web of half-truths. At the end of the year, she's dateless the day before the big night and risks losing the real thing right in front of her if she can't fix her mistakes.