He’s an Italian heartthrob, a soccer phenom, and my brother’s best friend.
Luca DiBlanco has known me since I was a kid—and that’s all he’s ever seen me as. Until he shows up in Chicago when my world is crumbling and helps me piece it back together.
Moving home to Valencia, Spain should’ve been a fresh start. Instead, it throws me right back into Luca’s orbit. Only now, the reliable, steady guy who’s always looked out for me… is looking at me. Differently. Closer. Like he’s tempted.
What starts as extra soccer training turns into stolen touches. Planning a youth summer camp together sparks even more heat. Before I know it, the man I once crushed on is the one I can’t stop kissing.
He’s known as the dependable good guy. I’m the fun-loving, wild child, and the risk he probably shouldn’t take. But for the first time, Luca’s not playing it safe—and I’m not sitting on the sidelines.
I’m ready to take my shot.
But what if I’m the chaos that topples his carefully constructed future?
This is a brother's best friend, slow-burning, friends-to-lovers story. After being let go from her professional soccer team, Carla returns to Valencia feeling lost and disconnected and lost.
This story explores friendship and self-discovery, and Luca is helping her find her way once again.Carla and Luca's dynamic is relatable, with Carla facing challenges beyond her control and Luca struggling to accept help.
The chemistry between the two developsgradually, adding depth to their relationship. The romance is passionate, but it's the foundation of friendship and heart that truly shines in this story.
We found the characters to be engaging, with some being more challenging than others. Luca stood out as our favorite, with his big heart and capacity for love.
This couple shares a common passion for soccer, and through their personal journeys, theydiscovered a new passion for using their talents to inspire and support others in the sports world.
League Valencia's world adds an intriguing backdrop to the romance, offering insights into soccer culture. Sideline Crush is the second book in the League Valencia series of standalone novels. Another enjoyable read in this ongoing series.
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Gina Azzi
About the author
Gina Azzi writes Contemporary Romance with relatable,
genuine characters experiencing real life, love,
friendships, and challenges. She is the author of The
Kane Brothers Series, The College Pact Series,
Finding Love in Scotland Series, and Corner of Ocean
and Bay. All of her books can be read as stand-alones
.
A Jersey girl at heart, Gina has spent her twenties
traveling the world, living and working abroad, before
settling down in Ontario, Canada with her husband and
three children. She's a voracious reader, daydreamer,
and coffee enthusiast who loves meeting new people.
In this spirited romance, New York Times best-selling author Heather Graham draws on her love for Florida and its rich history. This lusty tale of intrigue and passion, set in the tumultuous years of the Seminole Wars, shimmers with the colorful energy of Florida’s vibrant landscapes.
Teela Warren is a southern beauty, raised in the gentility of a vast plantation. When she first travels to the Florida Territory, she is overwhelmed by its exotic wilderness. And when she encounters half- Native James McKenzie there, her desires are aroused in ways that are as strange and wonderful as the untamed countryside. But their love is perilous, and war threatens to put them on opposite sides of the bloodshed.
Captive has won the praise of romance readers nationwide with its provocative tale of love and war. Bringing to life the Europeans and Native Americans who struggled to control Florida during the turbulent first half of the nineteenth century, Heather Graham has captured all the perils and excitement of one of the fiercest struggles for territory in our history.
This is the second book in Graham's 19th-century Old Florida's McKenzies series, which explores the passionate romance between James MacKenzie and Teela Warren. Set in the Florida Territory in 1837, the story follows Teela Warren, a southern belle, who is savedby James McKenzie, a half-breed Seminole known as Running Bear. Teela is initially brought to Florida by her cruel stepfather, Major Michael Warren.
Despite their differences, Teela and James are drawn to each other, navigating the challenges of their forbidden love amidst the backdrop of the Indian wars. As the story unfolds, Teela and James struggle with their feelings for each other, torn between their desires andthe societal expectations that threaten to keep them apart.
We were captivated by this tragic yet beautiful love story. Despite the apparent animosity and push-and-pull dynamic between the two characters, the story reveals that James, also known as Running Bear, suppresses his feelings out of concern for Teela's safety. James grapples with conflicting emotions, torn between his love for her and his fear of losing her. Teela experiences similar inner turmoil. The intense passion and chemistry between them speak louder than their words.
With vivid descriptions of the Florida landscape and historical context, Graham paints a compelling portrait of love and conflict in a tumultuous time. The novel delves into themes of identity, passion, and prejudice, offering a poignant exploration of the complexities of relationships and the power of love to transcend barriers.
This is one of our favorite historical series. Jared MacKenzie James brother's story starts in Runaway.
Some secrets refuse to stay buried, and some love stories refuse to die.
A wrecked ride ended Lane Tipton’s bull riding career and brought him back to Hillmore, Wyoming—a place he swore he’d never return.
Haunted by his father’s ghost, the mistakes of his youth, and Celine Koffman’s wounded eyes, Lane is forced to confront everything he left behind.
Celine never expected to see Lane again, but coming face-to-face with his broad shoulders and big, brown eyes does more than rebreak her heart. She’s already battling her persistent ex-husband and struggling to rebuild her life and now, Lane’s back—and a secret she’s kept from him is about to be her undoing.
A son they conceived when she’d fallen for the man fast, hard, and unapologetically—a man who’d already abandoned her once before.
When an intruder attempts to kill her, Lane becomes her only protector. Torn between a past he can’t undo and a future he never planned for, Lane’s determined to make things right. But as secrets unravel, they both face a deadly truth that could cost them everything.
Danielle grew up with a love of reading, partly due to her namesake – Danielle Steele. It seemed as though she was born to put pen to paper and write out the same love stories she devoured while growing up.
She attended Bowling Green State University with a dream of studying creative writing, but the thought of sharing her work in front of a group of strangers was enough to make her change her major…seven times. After a semester studying abroad in Spain, Danielle’s eyes were opened to a new love of travel, as well as a passion for studying Political Science.
After college, she moved across the state of Ohio with her soon-to-be husband. Once they married and had babies, she decided to stay home and raise her children. Her young daughter and son, along with her fur babies and husband, are the loves of her life, but some days her sanity slipped further across the line to crazy town. She decided to open up her laptop and brush off her rusty writing chops and see what happened.
What happened was rediscovering her passion for writing. Danielle now spends her days running kids around, playing with her Shar-Pei/Pit Bull love bug, and typing as fast as she can to get the stories in her head written down. She loves to write contemporary romances with relatable characters that make her readers’ hearts happy, as well as fast-paced romantic suspense that leaves them on the edge of their seats. Her story ideas are as varied and unpredictable as her everyday life.
When she isn’t writing, Danielle is daydreaming about her next travel adventure. Whether across the state, country, or world, she loves to go where ever she’s lucky enough to escape to for a brief moment of time. Luckily, her family has the same passion for adventure and they can gallop across the world together.
To learn more about Danielle, please follow her blog or connect with her on social media. She always has a new story to tell or an all-too-relatable mom moment to share.
To find out about Danielle M. Haas’ upcoming releases and giveaways, sign up for her newsletterhere
I ruined a man’s life because I trusted the wrong person.
That mistake turned my name radioactive.
Vegas forgives risk, not failure—and I learned fast that loyalty only goes one way when you’re the daughter no one ever wanted. Rosebud Investigations kept me alive, off-grid, and untouchable…
Until the Shadow Brides called with a contract I couldn’t refuse.
One year. One groom.
Dante Valera—owner of Obsidian, king of Vegas, and the man who hates me most.
He needs me to save his empire. I need him to help destroy my mother.
Attraction doesn’t make us allies.
Danger doesn’t make us enemies.
Marriage doesn’t make us safer. It makes us lethal.
Sara McClaflin, a dedicated author of romance, crafts tales that are not only heart-melting but also delve into the delicate facets of humanity. Having spent the past few years as an avid reader, Sara transitioned from writing book reviews to creating her own narratives. Her passion for romance, in all its diverse forms, shines through as she weaves stories that resonate with readers.
Residing on the vibrant west coast with her husband and beloved dog, Sara McClaflin is surrounded by the inspiration of nature and the love of her family. In her world, there is no such thing as too many books or an overfilled "want to read" list, as each story unfolds new possibilities and adventures.
To find out about Sara McClaflin’s upcoming releases and giveaways, sign up for her newsletter here
We would like to start by acknowledging that this author, though new to us, has shown significant improvement in their writing with this story.
The narrative was captivating, with well-developed characters, a blend of mystery, suspense, and erotic tension. The concept of the Shadow Bride agency/program was intriguing.
Opal stood out as a favorite character, with her feisty, bold, and independent nature. She was portrayed as a strong and intelligent woman, making her a compelling protagonist. However, her actions may not resonate with all characters, especially those who have experienced her wrath and betrayal.
Dante, the male lead, was portrayed as a dangerous and enigmatic character, drawing readers in with his complexity and allure. The dynamic between Opal and Dante was filled with tension and passion, adding depth to the story.
Overall, the story was a gripping page -turner with a well-crafted plot that kept readers engaged. The twists and turns added layers to the narrative, making it an enjoyable read. If you're looking for a suspenseful and intriguing story, this book is worth checking out.
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