Total Pageviews

Showing posts with label @author_laurenhelms. Show all posts
Showing posts with label @author_laurenhelms. Show all posts

Thursday, September 7, 2023

Indie Pen PR Presents: Once Upon A Halloween Night; #CoverReveal, #ComingSoon, #TBR, #PreOrder

We are so excited to share the cover for the upcoming Halloween anthology, Once Upon a Halloween Night. We’ve got eight brand-new, sexy novellas just waiting for you to sink your teeth into. Keep reading for more details.


#OnceUponAHalloweenNightAnthology #OnceUponAHalloweenANight #Halloween #Romance #SpookySeason #MistakenIdentity #GrumpySunshine #ChildhoodBestFriendsToLovers #FakeRelationship #OfficeRomance #SecondChanceRomance #JiltedBride #Instalove #Soulmates #SteamyRomance #MustRead #EBook #BookNerd #AuthorLaurenHelms #AuthorAubreeValentine #AuthorKateStacy #AuthorMelWalker #AuthorSusanRenee #AuthorKatrinaMarie #AuthorCourtneyWDixon #AuthorLouiseLennox



Congratulations! You’ve been invited to attend the exclusive Once Upon A Halloween Night bash. This year, join us in New Orleans Warehouse District on Halloween Night for an evening of fun, costumes and… romance? Wait. What? That’s right. The Indie Pen PR and Beyond the Bookshelf Publishing is proud to host Lauren Helms, Aubree Valentine, Kate Stacy, Mel Walker, Susan Renee, Kartina Marie, Courtney W. Dixon, and Louise Lennox - in this fun Halloween romance anthology.

So, throw on your best costume and get ready to sit back and enjoy eight brand new novellas to celebrate spooky season with a romantic twist.

Pre-Order At Your Favorite Retailers!

Add to Goodreads!

About Lauren Helms

Lauren Helms is a romance author her nerdy and flirty contemporary words. Lauren has forever been an avid reader from the beginning. After starting a book review website, that catapulted her fully into the book world, she knew that something was missing. While working for a video game strategy guide publisher, she decided to mix what she knew best--video games and romance. She decided to take the plunge and write her first novel, Level Me Up. Several published novels later, Lauren created PR company, Indie Pen PR, to help other authors promote their books. Lauren lives in Indianapolis, Indiana sharing her love of books and video games with her own Gamer Boy husband and three young kid nerds who will hopefully grow up to share the love of things that united Lauren and her husband on their own happily ever after. 

  Follow: 

About Kate Stacy

Author of emotionally-gripping, contemporary romance, Kate Stacy’s novels feature sassy heroines, swoony heroes, life, love, friendship, and all the angst. When she’s not writing or spending time with her family and friends in small-town North Carolina, Kate can most likely be found nose deep in her Kindle. She stays up too late, swears too much, and loves too hard. 

  Follow:

About Katrina Marie

Katrina Marie lives in the Dallas area with her husband, two children, bonus child, grandchild, and fur babies. She is a lover of all things geeky and nerdy. When she’s not writing you can find her at her children’s sporting events, curled up reading a book, or binge watching her favorite shows.

Follow:

About Courtney W. Dixon

Courtney W. Dixon loves to write steamy romance, but in each story, she gives her character's challenges and struggles. She writes m/f and m/m stories within one series to add a variety to her characters. And she writes her characters as having flaws, imperfections, and who don't always do the right thing. Humans are never perfect, and make a lot of mistakes in their lives. In the end, she tries to help them grow to be better as they achieve their HEAs. You can find Courtney working in Central Texas with her husband, two boys, and two crazy dogs, none of whom know how to knock on a door while she's working. 

  Follow:

About Aubree Valentine

Aubree Valentine began her book world career back in 2016 as a virtual assistant for a friend/author and as a book blogger. While working with authors, PR companies, and fellow bloggers, she fell even more in love with the Indie community and decided to launch her own small scale PR company where she continued to hone her skills as a virtual assistant to several authors and studied the ins and outs of what it takes to help succeed in the industry. Aubree doesn't always hang out behind the scenes though and has put her business knowledge to good use for herself as well. Her first book, Take Back My Heart, was released in the fall of 2016, with its follow-up - Come Back to Me launching a year later. When she's not working with her favorite clients, you can find her penning fun and flirty stories about all of her imaginary and very smexy alphas. This includes her current and most popular series, Too Hot To Handle. Aubree has a degree in sarcasm and resides in Pennsylvania. She enjoys reading, chasing after her twins and her three furbabies, cuddling with her husband, and coming up with new project ideas that often involve power tools. She's usually always online via Facebook or Instagram @authoraubreevalentine. www.aubreevalentine.com

Follow:

Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Goodreads | Bookbub

Amazon | Newsletter | Website | Reader Group | Pinterest

About Mel Walker:

Mel Walker has been writing fiction most of his adult life. Specializing in Short Stories and Contemporary fiction and Romance Novels. A native New Yorker and life-long frustrated NY Mets fan. He loves to write about ordinary people placed in difficult situations, especially as it relates to their closest relationships. Mel Walker is a rare bird, the male romance author. Specializing in heartfelt small town romance, he enjoys telling compelling romances with all the feels. A native New Yorkers and life-long frustrated NY Mets fan, he enjoys long walks, bike rides and taking in the energy of the city.

Follow: 

Website | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | Reader Group

Goodreads | BookBub | Newsletter | Amazon | BingeBooks

About Susan Renee:

Susan Renee wants to live in a world where paint doesn't smell, Hogwarts is open twenty-four/seven, and everything is covered in glitter. An indie romance author, Susan has written about everything from tacos to tow-trucks, loves writing romantic comedies but also enjoys creating an emotional angsty story from time to time. She lives in Ohio with her husband, kids, two dogs and a cat. Susan holds a Bachelor and Masters Degree in Music Education and a self-awarded Doctorate in Sass and Sarcasm. She enjoys laughing at memes, speaking in GIFs and spending an entire day jumping down the TikTok rabbit hole. When she's not writing or playing the role of Mom, her favorite activity is doing the Care Bear stare with her closest friends.

Follow: 

Facebook | Reader Group | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok

Goodreads | BookBub | Website | Newsletter | Amazon|

About Louise Lennox:

Contemporary romance Author Louise Lennox is a hopeful romantic writing steamy romances full of heart and healing. A Spelman College and Georgetown University graduate, Louise provides women with diverse and meaningful representation in romance novel pages. Not seeing enough women like herself headlining positive love stories, she launched #HappyBlackRomance; a community of readers and writers committed to the creation and sharing of positive romance stories featuring Black heroines. Louise Lennox plots highlight the joys of Black relationships across the diaspora; pushing readers from all cultural backgrounds to admire them for their strength and downright sexiness. In her novels sparks always fly; the sex amazes; and the characters always leave the world better than they found it through their love. When she’s not writing, Louise is enjoying her work as a school leader, wife, and mother of the two cutest dragons to ever walk the earth! To learn more about #HappyBlackRomance and to score a free book or two, check out her website www.lovelouiselennox.com.

Follow: 

Facebook | Facebook Group | Twitter | Instagram

Goodreads | Bookbub | Amazon | Website | Newsletter


This promotional event is brought to you by Indie Pen PR

Friday, July 14, 2023

Indie Pen PR Presents: Twist Of Date by Lauren Helms; #ReleaseTour, #NowAvailable, #ComingSoon, #TBR, #Live, #Review

 

  Layla James has always been in the business of love and never mixes business with pleasure, but when Cole Reed walks back into her life, she’s left questioning everything. Can this blast from the past convenience Layla to set her rules aside and take a chance on love? 

Fans of secret fling romances will love TWIST OF DATE by Lauren Helms, a steamy matchmaker romance.


 

Rating:  4.5 Stars
Told in the first person.  Alternating persons.
#TwistOfDate #HEAIncseries #SecretFling #MatchmakerRomance #FriendsToLoversRomance #ATwistOfForbiddenLove #Bossbabe #SteamyRomance #MustRead #NewRelease #EBook #BookNerd #AuthorLaurenHelms


Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received this audiobook for review from Indie Pen PR and the author. I was not compensated nor was I required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising".



Blurb:


Once upon a time, there was a charming restaurant owner and an unsuspecting matchmaker who refused to mix business with pleasure…

Layla

I've always been in the business of love. Happily Ever After, Inc. has thrived under my leadership and the hard set of rules that I set for myself. But when a never quite forgotten blast from my past walks into my life, I'm suddenly questioning everything and everyone around me.

Cole Reed is everything I want in a man - handsome, successful, and charming.

There's just one small hiccup...Cole is Happily Ever After's latest client, and he's got his sights on me.

Cole

I'm used to getting what I want and I've never left a date unhappy. So when my grandmother insists I need to work with a matchmaker...her lifelong best friend at that...I'm skeptical. Especially when my path crosses with the girl that always seemed to get away.

She's sexy, smart, and determined - everything I've always admired about her. And this time, I refuse to let her get away.

There's just one small problem...Layla James is my so-called matchmaker's granddaughter - and the owner of the matchmaking company that's just taken me on.

It feels like a weird twist of date that's put the two of us back in each other's life, but Layla doesn't quite see it that way.

Can I convince her to break a few rules and take a chance on our own happily ever after?

Buy Now At Your Favorite Retailers!

Amazon is on preorder until 07/21/2023

Add to Goodreads Here!


My Thoughts:

If you’re a reader that plays music in the background as you read, the author has included a playlist for you. 

 

Layla is all business. She reminds me of the woman who ran The Millionaire Matchmaker. I could see them being competitors. Cole is second guessing his decision. He has someone who seems to know exactly who he needs in his life for it to be complete.  

 

Our author creates a different type of romance. She doesn’t have the couple use an app. Her couple doesn’t go the blind route. She creates a romance around a tradition that goes all the way back to the sixteen hundreds. But things have changed a lot since then.  

 

She also creates a secondary character that gets close to stealing the show. When I’m reading about her, one word that comes to mind is Bubbe. Ruth is a woman with a big heart who wants to see everyone happy. She has a gathering just like Patti Stanger would have. There were times where it seemed that Cole had her number. Just like the series says, we get a happy ending, but we’re not invited to the final event. But if you read the Author’s Note, you just may.  

Excerpt:

“I have so many questions,” I say.

“About?” He chuckles. His hand reaches out like he’s going to touch me again but drops his hand into his pocket.

“You being here in Indy. Meeting with Ruth,” I explain. I won’t share the Googling sleuth Stella just performed.

“Ah, yeah, it’s been a hell of a long time, Lays.” He uses the old nickname like it’s still second nature to him. The reminder of how he insisted on adding the S when we merely acquaintances, friends at best. While we had chemistry, it was never the main factor in the relationship we had. His nickname for me had always baffled me, but I wouldn’t deny that I loved it.

“Ten years,” I say, nearly in a whisper.

A seductive gleam flowers in his eyes as he grins back at me. “You look damn good, Layla.” In my building and meeting with my grandmother.

I smile at his compliment. “So do you, Cole.” He’s wearing is flirty smile, so if I don’t direct him off this flirty path, I’ll regret it later.

“Why [EmL1] [LH2] were you meeting with Ruth?” I try not to sound stern, but I’m not flirting right now.

He lets out a sigh. “She’s apparently my matchmaker now.”

A heavy ball forms deep in my gut. That’s what I was afraid of. She’s going to find him a match, and that will be that. I set my lips in a firm line, switching on my professional mode.

“Well, that’s perfect. Ruth is the best.” My eyes dart away from his face. I can’t continue to look at him. He practically belongs to someone else now.

He doesn’t seem to notice the difference in my demeanor, which is good, but his next words cause me to reinforce the walls.

“I want to catch up. Soon. Can we set a date?”

I gulp before looking back at him, opting to look at his chest rather than his face. He’s wearing a black winter jacket, but it’s unzipped, his dark-colored, green maybe, button-down showing through.

“Oh, yeah, maybe,” I say.

“Let me have your phone. I had to get a new number a few years ago.” He reaches out his hand, his palm face up. I stare at it a moment, then pull out my phone against my better judgment.

I assume he’s entering his number and I’m correct when his own phone pings from somewhere on his person. His grin is huge as he hands my phone back to him.

“Now I’ve got your number.” He reaches out one more time and squeezes my bicep. “I’ve got to run. Potential new distributor meeting.”

I nod, forcing a smile.

Damn, he’s so attractive and all I want to do is snag his hand and pull him over to a table and catch up. But that won’t happen.

“All right. It was good seeing you,” I tell him. Truth.

Then he catches me off guard, pulling me into him for a hug. “So fucking good seeing you, Lays.” I feel his warm breath in my hair before he steps away. “Promise we will catch up soon, yeah?”

I nod, still taking in everything about that hug. His manly, woodsy scent, his warmth, the feel of his body around mine. His chuckle follows him as he leaves. I watch him leave until I can’t see him anymore.

What just happened?

I look down at my hand and see my phone still in it. I swipe open the messages to see what he texted himself. 

Me: you’re still so hot, Cole. #perfection  

Rereading the message from himself, he replies and my eyebrow rises.

Cole: Damn, Lays, you know how to make a guy blush. 

I snort at his bullshit reply with a quick eye roll emoji. Even though he’s probably halfway down the street by now, I can practically hear his laughter.

Copyright 2023 @Lauren Helms

Buy Now At Your Favorite Retailers!

About Lauren Helms

Lauren Helms is a romance author her nerdy and flirty contemporary words. Lauren has forever been an avid reader from the beginning. After starting a book review website, that catapulted her fully into the book world, she knew that something was missing. While working for a video game strategy guide publisher, she decided to mix what she knew best--video games and romance. She decided to take the plunge and write her first novel, Level Me Up. Several published novels later, Lauren created PR company, Indie Pen PR, to help other authors promote their books. Lauren lives in Indianapolis, Indiana sharing her love of books and video games with her own Gamer Boy husband and three young kid nerds who will hopefully grow up to share the love of things that united Lauren and her husband on their own happily ever after.

Follow: 

Facebook | Reader Group | Instagram | Goodreads

Amazon | BookBub | Newsletter | TikTok

This promotional event is brought to you by Indie Pen PR

Friday, June 16, 2023

Indie Pen PR Presents: Twist Of Date by Lauren Helms; #CoverReveal, #ComingSoon, #TBR, #PreOrder


Join us for the cover reveal of Twist of Date by Lauren Helms. Fans who love Friends to Lovers Romances will sink their teeth into this steamy, secret fling, matchmaker romance. 

Keep scrolling for more details about this sexy cover.

 

Title: Twist of Date
Author: Lauren Helms
Cover Credit: @KiWiCoverDesign
Release Date: 7/14/2023
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Page Count: 66,000 words
Trope: Secret Fling, Matchmaker, Friends to Lovers, 
A Twist of Forbidden, Bossbabe
#TwistOfDate #HEAIncseries #SecretFling #MatchmakerRomance #FriendsToLoversRomance #ATwistOfForbiddenLove #Bossbabe #AuthorLaurenHelms



Once upon a time, there was a charming restaurant owner and an unsuspecting matchmaker who refused to mix business with pleasure…

Layla


I've always been in the business of love. Happily Ever After, Inc. has thrived under my leadership and the hard set of rules that I set for myself. But when a never quite forgotten blast from my past walks into my life, I'm suddenly questioning everything and everyone around me.

Cole Reed is everything I want in a man - handsome, successful, and charming.

There's just one small hiccup...Cole is Happily Ever After's latest client, and he's got his sights on me.

Cole


I'm used to getting what I want and I've never left a date unhappy. So when my grandmother insists I need to work with a matchmaker...her lifelong best friend at that...I'm skeptical. Especially when my path crosses with the girl that always seemed to get away.

She's sexy, smart, and determined - everything I've always admired about her. And this time, I refuse to let her get away.

There's just one small problem...Layla James is my so-called matchmaker's granddaughter - and the owner of the matchmaking company that's just taken me on.

It feels like a weird twist of date that's put the two of us back in each other's life, but Layla doesn't quite see it that way.

Can I convince her to break a few rules and take a chance on our own happily ever after?


Pre-Order Now At Your Favorite Retailers!

Add to Goodreads Here!

About Lauren Helms:

Lauren Helms is a romance author her nerdy and flirty contemporary words. Lauren has forever been an avid reader from the beginning. After starting a book review website, that catapulted her fully into the book world, she knew that something was missing. While working for a video game strategy guide publisher, she decided to mix what she knew best--video games and romance. She decided to take the plunge and write her first novel, Level Me Up. Several published novels later, Lauren created PR company, Indie Pen PR, to help other authors promote their books.


Lauren lives in Indianapolis, Indiana sharing her love of books and video games with her own Gamer Boy husband and three young kid nerds who will hopefully grow up to share the love of things that united Lauren and her husband on their own happily ever after.

Follow: 

Facebook | Reader Group | Instagram | Goodreads

Amazon | BookBub | Newsletter | TikTok

This promotional event is brought to you by Indie Pen PR

Wednesday, April 26, 2023

Indie Pen PR Presents: Wed Like Wildfire by Lauren Helms; #ReleaseTour, #ReviewTour, #NowAvailable, #OutNow, #TBR, #Live, #Review



 Wedding planner, Cassie Winters can’t wait to find her own happily ever after, and when she meets wedding hater, Theo Abbot, she realizes she’s got her work cut out for her. Theo’s grumpy, set in his ways, and determined to never fall in love again, but the more time they spend together, the more Cassie begins to wonder if she can change Theo’s position on love. 

Fans of Claire Kingsley and Kaylee Ryan will adore WED LIKE WILDFIRE by Lauren Helms, a steamy, grumpy sunshine romance.

 

Rating:  4.5 Stars
Told in the first person.  Alternating persons.
#wedlikewildfire #HEAIncseries #grumpysunshine #oppositesattract #swornoffromance #billionaireromance #steamyromance #nowlive #mustread #oneclick 
#newrelease #ebook #booknerd #kindleunlimited #ku 
#amazon #authorlaurenhelms


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book for review from Indie Pen PR and the author. I was not compensated nor was I required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising".


Blurb:


Once upon a time, there was a grumpy CEO who met a wedding planner who never stopped smiling…

Cassie

You could say that I live and breathe weddings and love, and as a wedding planner, a happily ever after is the main event. So when I learn that Theo Abbot absolutely hates weddings, that should be my clue to run for the hills as fast as my sexy little black stilettos will take me.

But I digress.

I'm on the hunt for my own epic love story, one T-Swift herself could write a song about. Which means unavailable and seemingly uninterested CEOs are off limits. Even if the man oozes sex appeal and his grumpiness turns me to mush.

A little flirting never hurt anyone.

Theo

Cassie Winters shines so bright I need a pair of Ray-bans to look directly at her. Problem is, once I've set my eyes on her, I can't seem to look away. The woman is a walking, talking promotion for all things love and happiness.

Hand me an antacid.

Counting, on one hand, the amount of times I've failed in my life, leaves me knowing I won't ever do "love" again. I'm set in my ways and not even this sexy little spitfire could sweet talk me out of my decision to never get married.

Yet it only took one drink to derail that plan.

But, things aren't always as they seem and when real life gets in the way of this fairy tale, we're both forced to take a hard look at what we truly want.

Are we both ready to wed or is this a wildfire that's about to burn out?

Buy Now or Read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited!

Add to Goodreads Here!

My Thoughts:

The author has included a Playlist for your listening pleasure. If you’re not someone who likes to listen to music as you read, why not play it either before or after you read this book. 


Cassie has a job where she has to juggle a lot of things all at once. Theo is a good brother who will do just about anything for his sibling. I loved how the author made so many scenes where these two had to be in the same space at the same time. 


Cassie has a job where she makes things easier for couples that are getting married. Theo is a man who seems to be consumed by his work. But something has come his way that has him thinking of other things. Our author gave me plenty of tittering moments. A lot of those moments, thankfully, were when I was alone in the staff lounge - didn't want to have to explain the scene I was reading at the time. 


There are a lot of “grumpy” books that are coming out. If you’re not sure if that’s your jam, check this book out first. Theo is the perfect character to break your teeth on. Cassie is a great counterpoint to his grumpy. It was a fun read from beginning to end and left me looking forward to Twist of Date.  


Excerpt:


I hear my sister and Mateo agree with her, and the woman continues.

“I mean, just look at the stage. It features more than fifty hand-painted scenic backdrops. It's just absolutely remarkable.”

Despite the fact that I could get lost in this woman’s voice, I don’t appreciate that she barking up the wrong tree trying to sell this space to my sister.

I come to a stop behind the three of them, my attendance going unnoticed. I resist the urge to clap for her performance, but interrupt her words with my own instead.

“Well done, sounds like you could sell religion to the damn Pope.” Harsh, but I don’t like when people think they can take advantage of us just because we have money.

Both my sister and the woman startle. Mateo snorts. I glance at Nora and the glare I’m getting could cut ice, but I’ve survived the look before. I nod a hello at Mateo before sliding my gaze to the best damn saleswoman in the world.

Taking in the woman standing in front of me, no goddamn joke, my heart skips a fucking beat. I draw my hand out of my pocket and slowly rub my chest absentmindedly.

The woman is utterly exquisite. Her soft blond hair is braided in a way that is messy but perfectly styled and falls over her shoulder with strands of soft gold framing her face. A face that at first glance looks flawless. I’m unable to continue my perusal as I’m stopped in my tracks by two sparkling blue eyes staring back at me. Taking in all of her, I see that the smirk she wears tells me she’s not about to let me get away with what I’ve just said.

“No doubt you are correct, Mr. Abbot. However, I wouldn’t attempt something so outrageous.” Her eyes gleam. “I was just telling Nora and Mateo some very well-known facts about this beautiful cathedral.” She glances up and waves her hand around as if to encompass the whole space.

“Theo, this is Cassie Winters, our wedding planner. It’s nice of you to join us,” Nora bites out in a pleasantly terse tone. She walks up to me and kisses my cheek. As she pulls away, she whispers, “Be nice.”

I ignore her and focus on the wedding planner. Cassie.

“Well, I’m just confused as to why we are even here, Ms. Winters. Or is it Mrs.?” I ask.

She doesn’t miss a beat. “Ms. Thank you. And we are here because the couple getting married”—she gestures to Nora and Mateo—“wanted a tour.” Her tone straddles the line of condescending and courteous. And it’s sexy as fuck.

Nora punches me lightly in the side, typical sister shit. “Yes, I asked if we could check out the cathedral as well as some other places. We’ve already ruled some out due to availability, but this place has an opening twelve months from now,” she informs me as she walks back over to Mateo, lacing her fingers through his. His eyes flash as he looks down at her.

“I thought you didn’t want to wait a year,” I say, my eyes darting back at Cassie. She stands there, smiling with fucking stars in her eyes at Nora and Mateo.

“True, but places book up quickly, and I wasted too much time floundering before hiring Cassie,” Nora says.

I nod. Makes sense. I take a second to look around this place. I want to vomit, it’s so extra. We may have grown up with silver spoons in our mouths, but we didn’t grow up around such fancy-ass stuff such as weddings in the Scottish Rite Cathedral.

“Why the grumpy face?” Cassie’s beautiful voice breaks me out of my stupor.

“Oh, no, that’s his normal face,” Nora tells her.

“I don’t understand why you picked this place. It’s a church…”

“Are you not religious, Mr. Abbot?” Cassie interrupts.

“I’m not sure why that matters to you,” I snap.

Her eyes widen a tad at the venom in my tone. “You said it’s a church.”

“You didn’t let me finish, Ms. Winters. I was saying, it’s a church that was built in the ’20s and this place fits, like what? Twelve hundred people? Do you even know that many people, Nora?” I stuff my hands in my pockets out of frustration.

“No,” Nora offers shakily.

“Mr. Abbot, the theater space is only one of the locations available for a ceremony. This was our first stop. I wanted them to get the full tour,” Cassie says and I so badly want to ask her to call me Theo, but I don’t know if I’ll like the way she says my name more than the way she calls me Mr. Abbot.

I grunt, not having time for this argument. “Okay, then let’s look at a more accommodating space.”

“You know what, I think this place has lost its magic for me,” Nora grumbles. “Let’s check out that last place on my list. I know Theo has a busy schedule.”

“If you are sure, we can head over to INDUSTRY then,” Cassie says as she follows Nora and Mateo toward the exit.

I’m not into games. I’m not going to ask Nora if she’s sure or apologize for raining on her parade with this place. It’s not a good fit for her. She knows it. I know it. And this ridiculous wedding planner needs to learn it if she wants to keep my sister as a client.

Cassie walks by me, her shoulder nearly brushing mine, and my senses are immediately taken over by a soft smell of amber and vanilla.

“I’m so happy that you were able to join us today,” she says softly. I look down at her. She’s a few inches shorter, and the sparkle in her eyes is mischievous.

Clenching my jaw, I don’t reply as she walks on by, but the urge to wrap my hand around her arm and pull her back to me is strong.

I think what gets under my skin the most is that she has yet to drop the smile this whole time. Is it stuck on her face? Is this a Botox gone wrong? She doesn't look like the type of woman to be obsessed with Botox, but what the fuck do I know?

I close my eyes for a minute to gain my wits.

One, two, three…

Copyright 2023 @Lauren Helms

 

Buy Now or Read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited!

About Lauren Helms:

Lauren Helms is a romance author her nerdy and flirty contemporary words. Lauren has forever been an avid reader from the beginning. After starting a book review website, that catapulted her fully into the book world, she knew that something was missing. While working for a video game strategy guide publisher, she decided to mix what she knew best--video games and romance. She decided to take the plunge and write her first novel, Level Me Up. Several published novels later, Lauren created PR company, Indie Pen PR, to help other authors promote their books. 

Lauren lives in Indianapolis, Indiana sharing her love of books and video games with her own Gamer Boy husband and three young kid nerds who will hopefully grow up to share the love of things that united Lauren and her husband on their own happily ever after.

Follow: 

Facebook | Reader Group | Instagram | Goodreads

Amazon | BookBub | Newsletter | TikTok

This promotional event is brought to you by Indie Pen PR