Love + Texting by Lexi Aidyn

Title: Love + Texting

Author: Lexi Aidyn

Genre: Sweet Romance

Release Date: January 20, 2021

BLURB

Dani is crushed and lonely after losing her big brother. Is Drew the angel she didn't know she was looking for?

She swore she would steer clear of any relationship with anyone in the military after losing her brother while he was in the Navy. He was the only family she had left, and now he's gone.

Six months after his death, she's still texting her brother, without a response of course - until one day she gets one.

After 10 years in the Marines, Drew feels it's time to settle down and spend more time stateside closer to his mother and sisters. After being back for a few weeks, he gets a new cell phone and within hours of activating the number, he receives a strange text message.

UNKNOWN NUMBER: Why do I fall for it, right? I went out on a blind date with a friend's boyfriends' friend. Does that make sense? Anyways, long story short, I got stood up. Never doing it again.

DREW: The guy’s a loser.

They never expected one text message to change their lives. As the texts continue, can Dani and Drew let their guard down long enough for love?

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EXCERPT

~Drew

With class over, I head to my truck and pull out my cell phone, and check if I have any missed calls or text messages.

Since I've only had the phone a few days, few people have my new number. It bugs me a little that I hoped to find a text from "Girl who got stood up," the name I gave her on my phone. Whatever, I guess I can make the next move.

DREW: How's your day going?

I wait for a few minutes, watching for those three little dots that don't come. So, I try again.

DREW: You have a name?

Then I see the three dots.

GIRL WHO GOT STOOD UP: Not sure it's a good idea to exchange names since I'm sure you're busy with work.

What is she talking about? Work? She doesn't know what I do.

DREW: We can at least share first names. That way, I can change your name on my phone from 'girl who got stood up.

While I'm still wondering about her first comment, I shoot off another text.

DREW: What did you mean, I'm busy with work?

I see those three dots again…

GIRL WHO GOT STOOD UP: You're a funny guy. You said you've been busy with your career. I didn't want to bother you.

DREW: What I should have said is, I WAS busy with my career. I'm in a good place and ready to make time for other things in life.

I figure if I tell her first, she has to share her name too.

DREW: How about this? I'm Drew. Your turn.

I wait and don't see the THREE dots appear, which can only mean she's thinking about it.

GIRL WHO GOT STOOD UP: That's good. Don't want to keep you from those other things in life.

DREW: Come on, don't be like that. We've been texting for a few days now. What's the harm in you giving your first name?

GIRL WHO GOT STOOD UP: I don't know. You might be a stalker or, worse, a serial killer.

DREW: Really? That was my plan all along, in the off chance that some random woman texts me by mistake on the phone that I've had less than 24 hours. I have the perfect opportunity to stalk her, or better yet, I'll add her to my list of women I've killed over text.

GIRL WHO GOT STOOD UP: You have a point. I did text you first. I'm Dani.

Dani. I wonder what that stands for. I don't ask because I know she will not share any other information.

AUTHOR BIO

Writing under the pen name of Lexi Aidyn, Nydia Pastoriza fulfilled a childhood dream when she debuted her first novel, Candid, in the fall of 2017. Now she can't wait to share her new novel, Love + Texting, with sweet romance book lovers everywhere.

Nydia was born in Puerto Rico but has lived in the states since her teenage years. She grew up in South Florida, but after getting married, she's relocated and has lived in New Jersey, Mississippi, and now Charlotte, NC, where she's called home for 15 years. She has two children and has been married for 25 years.

Nydia is a graphic, web designer, and photographer by trade. She has helped other indie authors with marketing and design for several years. When she's not writing or designing, she spends her free time reading, listening to music, and making memories with her family and friends.

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Such Great Heights by Sydney Logan

Title: Such Great Heights

Author: Sydney Logan

Genre: Sweet Romance
Release Date: June 19, 2020

Blurb

He’s her boss.

She’s the nanny.

Love's not an option . . . right?

Fresh out of college and ready to take on the world, Olivia Stuart can’t wait to step into her first classroom. But when her dreams of becoming a teacher fall flat, she accepts a job as a nanny. It’s good practice, after all. If she can’t handle one kid, how can she possibly deal with a classroom full of them?

Little does she know that this one kid—and his father—will turn her life upside down.

After years of misery, Jackson Healey was almost relieved when his wife abandoned him six months ago. But now he’s a single dad to their heartbroken five-year-old, and he’s having a hard time dealing with his son’s violent tantrums. Olivia’s the latest in a long string of nannies, but Jackson’s hopeful that her teaching degree and sweet patience will help his son overcome his pain.

The last thing he expects is to fall in love.

Jackson knows he has to keep his distance for this arrangement to work.

Now if only he can convince his heart.

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Excerpt

I crossed a line tonight. An imaginary but potent line in the sand that I’d drawn in my own head. From the moment she walked into my office on that very first day, I’d realized immediately that I would have to keep my distance if this arrangement was going to work.

And I’d kept my distance . . . until tonight.

With a groan, I bury my head in my hands. We almost kissed tonight. Maybe it would have led to more. Maybe it wouldn’t have. The fact is . . . it can’t. For one thing, I’m still married. But most importantly, Ryder has to come first. Always. I can’t complicate the situation by falling for his nanny.

It can’t happen.

I won’t let it.

Someone gently knocks on my door, and I know it’s her.

“Come in.”

Olivia opens the door slightly. “I . . . umm . . . just wanted to let you know he’s asleep.”

“He’s okay?”

“Just a bad dream.”

I breathe a sigh of relief.

“Thank you for checking on him. And for . . . well, for everything.”

With a nod, she steps inside and closes the door behind her. I remain silent as she sits down in a chair. Fear grips me as I brace myself, waiting for her to say she’s reconsidered, and that her suitcase is packed. It would serve me right, but it would also destroy my son.

“Jackson, I think we need to talk.” Her voice shakes slightly—the only indication that she’s nervous. “If this is going to work, I think we need to establish some . . . limits.”

She’s so brave, drawing her own lines in the sand.

“Olivia, I owe you an apology.”

“You don’t. Nothing happened.”

“But it could’ve. And it can’t.”

“You’re right, of course. Do you think . . . maybe we were just caught up in the moment? You’ve had such an emotionally draining day. We both have.”

It would be easy to blame my lapse of judgment on this dreadful day. But does she really believe that? Or is she trying to convince herself—and me—that we hadn’t felt a thing?

“Is that what you think?” I ask.

Olivia’s face flickers with emotion before she settles her gaze on her hands in her lap.

“Maybe.”

Maybe. The word hangs in the air, just waiting for me to grab it and hold on for dear life. To agree that maybe it didn’t mean anything. That maybe we were just overwhelmed and looking for any small amount of comfort we could find.

Maybe is a gift. A life raft. A chance to save my son from drowning.

I take it.

“Maybe so,” I whisper.

Does she believe me? I have no idea. But it doesn’t matter. All that matters is that she stays.

“I want to stay,” she says, reading my mind.

“Good. Because we want you to stay.”

She nods and slowly rises from her chair.

“Goodnight, Jackson.”

“Goodnight.”

Author Bio

Sydney Logan writes heartfelt stories that feature strong women and the men who love them. In addition to her novels, she has penned several short stories and is a contributor to Chicken Soup for the Soul. She is a Netflix junkie, music lover, and a Vol for Life. Sydney and her husband make their home in beautiful East Tennessee.

Keep in touch with Sydney by signing up for her newsletter!

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His Small-Town Girl (Sutter's Hollow, #1) by Lacy Williams

Title: His Small-Town Girl

Series: Sutter's Hollow #1

Author: Lacy Williams

Genre: Sweet Romance

Release Date: May 12, 2020
Cover Design: Covers & Cupcakes

"This book touched me so much, especially with what is happening in the world right now. We NEED a book like this to restore our faith in humanity!" -Valri via Goodreads

"And ooh boy, The Moment. That was epic. Every girl needs a Cord (and a Moment) in her life." -Meagan via Goodreads

She’s sweet and wholesome. And hiding something.

He’s back home, resurrecting old ghosts.

One of them is going to get hurt. 

Molly arrives in Sutter’s Hollow out of gas and out of options. The rundown ranch seems like a perfect place to hide. Except the man who owns it seems just as dangerous as what’s chasing her.

Cord’s mantra growing up? Get out of Sutter’s Hollow. Now he’s back in town, but only long enough to get rid of his grandma’s ball and chain—the ranch. He doesn’t need a complication like Molly, who reminds him of an injured baby bird. He’s no protector. So why can’t he tell her to get lost?

 >> $50 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway <<

What was she going to do?

Molly caught her knuckle as she twisted the wrench on a nut that just wouldn't give. She gritted her teeth as the skin scraped away. She sucked on the skin, the iron tang of blood settling on her tongue.

Questions bounced through her mind as a cold wind blew straight down the collar of her jacket.

Once she got the nut loosened, the dead alternator would lift out. Another hour, and she'd have the new one installed in its place.

And then what?

She'd promised Cord she'd get off his property. He'd been kind, letting her stay the past two nights. She'd repaid him by cooking some of Mama's favorite meals, though she'd left him to eat in peace, staying in her room and strumming her guitar.

She hadn't slept other than in snatches. She needed to get the fear under control. She couldn't keep going like this.

She'd seen a random stranger walking down the street and panicked. A full blown attack, with the shakes and trouble breathing. In front of Cord, who obviously pitied her.

Pitied her, but wasn't going to invite her to stay.

I'll never let you go.

I'll kill anybody you get close to.

Toby's cutting voice had been bouncing through her brain ever since.

You're mine.

She wasn't his. Never had been.

But no matter how many times she repeated it to herself, his voice followed her.

She'd found a measure of safety on Cord's land. It was quiet, peaceful. Maybe she could find someplace like it.

She tried to tell herself she would be fine.

But she didn't believe it.

Footsteps crunched in the dried grasses, and she startled so badly that she dropped her wrench into the engine with a clang.

She might've uttered a cuss word under her breath as she retrieved it.

She shot a glance at Cord, approaching from the house, but he pretended he hadn't seen her jump like a lunatic.

"Need some help?" He shoved his hands into the pockets of his jeans. His flannel shirt was unbuttoned above a T-shirt that clung to his abs.

"No thanks." She'd fight with this bolt a little more, and then she'd win. She'd do the next step and the next until the engine was rebuilt.

Too bad she didn't have a manual for how to rebuild her life.

He shifted his feet. Opened his mouth. Shut it again. Then blurted, "Can you come inside for a minute? I wanna talk."

"What's there to talk about? I told you I'm getting ready to leave. You'll have your solitude back."

He mumbled something under his breath. When she shot him a look, he awarded her a tight smile. It was some improvement over his fierce frowns. What would it take to drag a real smile from him? "Please, will you come inside?"

The nut finally loosened, the tension giving away under the strain in her arm.  "Fine," she said.

It was the work of a few seconds to remove the nut and bolt, and then she lifted out the alternator and set it on the ground beside the truck. An empty spot was left behind in the truck's engine.

That's how she felt right now. There was a huge piece missing inside of her. She didn't know how to get it back.

She wiped her grease-stained hands on a rag as she followed Cord to the house. In the kitchen, he motioned her to sit in one of the kitchen chairs. She crossed her arms and leaned against the counter instead.

He leveled a look on her. "You okay?"

She dropped her gaze to the floor. "I'm fine."

She wasn't fine. But he'd already seen her at her worst, and she didn't want to face his pity again.

"Molly."

She heard the skepticism in the single word. She turned away and started running water at the sink. She scrubbed her hands with the rough green bar of soap left there. And rinsed.

And then he was close behind her, reaching around her to turn off the water. Her body was betraying her again. It was awareness of him at her shoulder—not fear—that made her heart pound.

That and the sickening memory of Toby.

"I want to know what's going on," he said. The words emerged heavy, as if they’d cost him.

She squeezed her eyes closed.

He touched her, cupping one hand beneath her elbow.

And when she looked up at him again, something was burning behind his eyes. "I have to know. Did someone hurt you?"

She clutched the edge of the sink. "He tried."

Lacy Williams wishes her writing career was more like what you see on Hallmark movies: dreamy brainstorming from a French chateau or a few minutes at the computer in a million-dollar New York City penthouse. In reality, she’s up before the sun, putting words on the page before her kids wake up for the day. Those early-morning and late-night writing sessions add up, and Lacy has published fifty books in almost a decade, first with a big five publisher and then as an indie author. When she needs to refill the well, you can find Lacy birdwatching, gardening, biking with the kiddos, or walking the dog. Find tons of bonus scenes and reader extras by becoming a VIP reader at www.lacywilliams.net/vip .

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His Small-Town Girl (Sutter's Hollow, #1) by Lacy Williams

Title: His Small-Town Girl

Series: Sutter's Hollow #1

Author: Lacy Williams

Genre: Sweet Romance

Release Date: May 12, 2020
Cover Design: Covers & Cupcakes

"This book touched me so much, especially with what is happening in the world right now. We NEED a book like this to restore our faith in humanity!" -Valri via Goodreads

"And ooh boy, The Moment. That was epic. Every girl needs a Cord (and a Moment) in her life." -Meagan via Goodreads

"I can't wait to read more in this delightful HEA romantic series!" -Julie via Goodreads

"A sweet and wholesome romance that touched my heart. Molly and Cord were the best example of what true love is." -romancejunkie via Goodreads

She’s sweet and wholesome. And hiding something.

He’s back home, resurrecting old ghosts.

One of them is going to get hurt. 

Molly arrives in Sutter’s Hollow out of gas and out of options. The rundown ranch seems like a perfect place to hide. Except the man who owns it seems just as dangerous as what’s chasing her.

Cord’s mantra growing up? Get out of Sutter’s Hollow. Now he’s back in town, but only long enough to get rid of his grandma’s ball and chain—the ranch. He doesn’t need a complication like Molly, who reminds him of an injured baby bird. He’s no protector. So why can’t he tell her to get lost?

 >> $50 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway <<

What was she going to do?

Molly caught her knuckle as she twisted the wrench on a nut that just wouldn't give. She gritted her teeth as the skin scraped away. She sucked on the skin, the iron tang of blood settling on her tongue.

Questions bounced through her mind as a cold wind blew straight down the collar of her jacket.

Once she got the nut loosened, the dead alternator would lift out. Another hour, and she'd have the new one installed in its place.

And then what?

She'd promised Cord she'd get off his property. He'd been kind, letting her stay the past two nights. She'd repaid him by cooking some of Mama's favorite meals, though she'd left him to eat in peace, staying in her room and strumming her guitar.

She hadn't slept other than in snatches. She needed to get the fear under control. She couldn't keep going like this.

She'd seen a random stranger walking down the street and panicked. A full blown attack, with the shakes and trouble breathing. In front of Cord, who obviously pitied her.

Pitied her, but wasn't going to invite her to stay.

I'll never let you go.

I'll kill anybody you get close to.

Toby's cutting voice had been bouncing through her brain ever since.

You're mine.

She wasn't his. Never had been.

But no matter how many times she repeated it to herself, his voice followed her.

She'd found a measure of safety on Cord's land. It was quiet, peaceful. Maybe she could find someplace like it.

She tried to tell herself she would be fine.

But she didn't believe it.

Footsteps crunched in the dried grasses, and she startled so badly that she dropped her wrench into the engine with a clang.

She might've uttered a cuss word under her breath as she retrieved it.

She shot a glance at Cord, approaching from the house, but he pretended he hadn't seen her jump like a lunatic.

"Need some help?" He shoved his hands into the pockets of his jeans. His flannel shirt was unbuttoned above a T-shirt that clung to his abs.

"No thanks." She'd fight with this bolt a little more, and then she'd win. She'd do the next step and the next until the engine was rebuilt.

Too bad she didn't have a manual for how to rebuild her life.

He shifted his feet. Opened his mouth. Shut it again. Then blurted, "Can you come inside for a minute? I wanna talk."

"What's there to talk about? I told you I'm getting ready to leave. You'll have your solitude back."

He mumbled something under his breath. When she shot him a look, he awarded her a tight smile. It was some improvement over his fierce frowns. What would it take to drag a real smile from him? "Please, will you come inside?"

The nut finally loosened, the tension giving away under the strain in her arm.  "Fine," she said.

It was the work of a few seconds to remove the nut and bolt, and then she lifted out the alternator and set it on the ground beside the truck. An empty spot was left behind in the truck's engine.

That's how she felt right now. There was a huge piece missing inside of her. She didn't know how to get it back.

She wiped her grease-stained hands on a rag as she followed Cord to the house. In the kitchen, he motioned her to sit in one of the kitchen chairs. She crossed her arms and leaned against the counter instead.

He leveled a look on her. "You okay?"

She dropped her gaze to the floor. "I'm fine."

She wasn't fine. But he'd already seen her at her worst, and she didn't want to face his pity again.

"Molly."

She heard the skepticism in the single word. She turned away and started running water at the sink. She scrubbed her hands with the rough green bar of soap left there. And rinsed.

And then he was close behind her, reaching around her to turn off the water. Her body was betraying her again. It was awareness of him at her shoulder—not fear—that made her heart pound.

That and the sickening memory of Toby.

"I want to know what's going on," he said. The words emerged heavy, as if they’d cost him.

She squeezed her eyes closed.

He touched her, cupping one hand beneath her elbow.

And when she looked up at him again, something was burning behind his eyes. "I have to know. Did someone hurt you?"

She clutched the edge of the sink. "He tried."

Lacy Williams wishes her writing career was more like what you see on Hallmark movies: dreamy brainstorming from a French chateau or a few minutes at the computer in a million-dollar New York City penthouse. In reality, she’s up before the sun, putting words on the page before her kids wake up for the day. Those early-morning and late-night writing sessions add up, and Lacy has published fifty books in almost a decade, first with a big five publisher and then as an indie author. When she needs to refill the well, you can find Lacy birdwatching, gardening, biking with the kiddos, or walking the dog. Find tons of bonus scenes and reader extras by becoming a VIP reader at www.lacywilliams.net/vip .

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