{VBT} Spotlight + Giveaway: Billionaire's Matchmaker, an Anthology by Shirley Jump, Susan Meier, Jackie Braun and Barbara Wallace

Billionaire's Matchmaker, an Anthology

by Shirley Jump, Susan Meier, Jackie Braun and Barbara Wallace

BLURB

Can a feisty four-legged matchmaker help four best friends find the romance of their dreams?

When a handsome man from Gabby’s past agrees to a cross-country road trip, her master plan to re-launch her art career quickly morphs into an unexpected, romantic reunion.

Marney’s 9-1-1 emergency help arrives in the form of a rugged, blue-eyed cop. Now she has the perfect bodyguard to keep her safe during those dark, steamy nights…

The last thing Mia wants is a relationship…yet the headstrong florist can’t keep her hands off her sexy-as-sin ex-boyfriend.  Will she open her heart before he leaves town for good?

Jenny is a woman on a mission – she’ll even resort to dognapping to make her point! But can she teach a reclusive, emotionally-wounded tycoon that love heals all things?

EXCERPTS

Driving Mr. Wrong Home” in THE BILLIONAIRE’S MATCHMAKER by Shirley Jump

Damn, he looked good, with the dark hair she remembered, now a little longer and with a wave that swung across his forehead. She had the strangest urge to brush that hair back, to let her hands tangle in the locks, to draw him closer to her, to—

Kiss him.

Instead, she talked, keeping her mouth busy with something other than T.J. “What’s with you and this adventure thing? You used to be the one I had to convince.”

He mouth quirked. “Do I detect a little surprise? At not being in control?”

“I can turn the tables on you so fast, your head will spin.”

He leaned back on the bench, crossed his arms over his chest, and smiled. “Oh yeah? I’d like to see you try.”

The challenge roared inside her, awakening the old Gabby. It spurred her to stand up slowly while T.J. watched the movement. Even in jeans, boots, and a thick winter coat, she knew how to shift her hips to draw his attention. His smile grew wider as she closed the distance between them, propped a hand on either side of him, then leaned in close, a breath away. She waited until his brows arched in surprise and his smile faltered, like in the old days, when he stuttered, unnerved by her in a miniskirt or a racy suggestion. Oh, she’d show him who was in control and maybe he’d stop trying to prove otherwise.

She brought her lips to his and whispered against his mouth. “The tables are turned, Mr. Shepherd. What are you going to do about it?”

“Turn them back in my favor.” He cupped her head and drew her closer.

The Sheriff’s Secret in THE BILLIONAIRE’S MATCHMAKER by Susan Meier

Dell stood too. “You cooked. I’ll clean up.”

Handing Charlie a treat, she shook her head. “I can’t let you do that. That wouldn’t be very hospitable.”

“What do you say we do it together?”

They stacked the dishes in the dishwasher, chatting a bit more. He made her laugh a time or two and Marney’s stomach clenched. He was smart, funny and very good looking. Not only that, but they shared a lot of similar experiences. Families who suffocated them. Exes who’d dumped them. And he really wasn’t bossy as much as he incredibly sure of himself, confident in a way that was more sexy than manipulative. He really wasn’t like Doug at all.

But he didn’t want to get involved again. She’d invited him to dinner to rectify their former misconceptions. Wouldn’t it be counterproductive to try to start something that might make her look crazy again? Especially since he’d made it perfectly clear he didn’t want a relationship?

Of course it would.

Still, when they stood at her front door, close enough to touch, but not touching, her hormones sat on the edges of her skin, breathlessly awaiting a kiss that she knew wasn’t going to happen.

“Thank you for dinner.”

His soft, sensual voice sent goose bumps down her spine. “You’re welcome.”

He turned to open the door, but stopped and faced her again. His gray-blue eyes sparked with confusion. “I meant what I said about not wanting a relationship.”

“I know.”

“Neither of us should want a relationship anyway after our first failures.”

“I think my ex cured me of that.” But suddenly she didn’t feel like that. Her divorce had been nasty, but she was surprised to realize she was ready for another relationship. Plus, she and Dell had fun together when their attraction didn’t make them both nervous. She wouldn’t mind exploring where this would go.

He stepped close to her, slid his hand down her hair. “The hell of it is I like you.”

The breath that lodged in her throat prevented her from replying. He liked her? She’d guessed that but she never thought he’d admit it.

“We’d probably be perfect lovers.” He laughed. “God knows I’m attracted to you.”

Before she could even think of a response to that, he lowered his head and kissed her. His lips rubbed across hers, coaxing them open. Just like at the fundraiser, her head spun. Her bones dissolved. Her heart thundered in her chest.

His hands slid from her neck to her shoulders and down her back to her butt, sending rivers of molten need through her. He squeezed once, twice, then his hands drifted up her back, massaging until one drifted around front and found her breast.

Her nipples instantly hardened. Her breath stuttered out of her mouth, into his. Their kiss shifted from hot to super nova. Their tongues mated frantically.

And then he pulled away.

The world vibrated around her for thirty seconds before she realized he stood there staring at her.

“I want to sleep with you.” He sucked in a breath. “But you wouldn’t like my terms. No strings. No commitments. It’s awfully hard to have that in a small town unless both of us are ready to be so discreet even our friends don’t know what we’re doing.”

Then he opened the door and left.

She combed her fingers through her hair. What the hell was that? How was she supposed to sleep now? Every hormone she had was on red alert. The man was potent. Like a drug. And ninety-nine-point-nine percent of her wanted to throw caution to the wind and spend a glorious night in bed with him.

About the Authors

About Shirley Jump

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Shirley Jump spends her days writing romance and women’s fiction to feed her shoe addiction and avoid cleaning the toilets. She cleverly finds writing time by feeding her kids junk food, allowing them to dress in the clothes they find on the floor and encouraging the dogs to double as vacuum cleaners. Look for her Sweet and Savory Romance series, including the USA Today bestselling book, THE BRIDE WORE CHOCOLATE, on Amazon and Nook, and the debut of her Sweetheart Club series for Berkley, starting with THE SWEETHEART BARGAIN in September 2013. Visit her website at www.shirleyjump.com or read recipes and life adventures at www.shirleyjump.blogspot.com.

BOOK TITLE: “Driving Mr. Wrong Home” in THE BILLIONAIRE’S MATCHMAKER, Indulgence

www.facebook.com/shirleyjump.author

www.twitter.com/shirleyjump

www.goodreads.com/shirleyjump

www.shirleyjum.com

www.eating-my-words.com (blog)

About Jackie Braun

Jackie Braun is the author of more than 30 contemporary romance novels.  She is a three-time RITA Award finalist, a four-time National Readers’ Choice Award finalist and was nominated for Series Storyteller of the Year by RT Book Club in 2008. She lives in Michigan with her husband, their two sons and a former shelter dog named Pip.

Anthology name and my title: The Billionaire’s Matchmaker/Love Unleashed.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorjackiebraun

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Jackie_Braun

Website: www.jackiebraun.com

Blogging 2 Tuesdays each month on The Chocolate Box: www.chocolateboxwriters.com

About Susan Meier

In 2013 Susan Meier lived one of her career-long dreams. Her book, THE TYCOON’S SECRET DAUGHER was a finalist for RWA’s highest honor, the Rita! The same year NANNY FOR THE MILLIONAIRE’S TWINS was a Book Buyer’s Best Award finalist and National Reader’s Choice finalist.

Susan is the author of over 50 books for Harlequin and Silhouette, Entangled Indulgence and one of Guideposts' Grace Chapel Inn series books, THE KINDNESS OF STRANGERS.

One of eleven kids, Susan never lacks for entertainment or amusement from her over thirty nieces and nephews. Her family’s Wednesday Morning Breakfasts are the highlight of her summer. And with lots of her nieces and nephews now in their twenties, wedding season is in full swing!

Susan lives in west central Pennsylvania with her husband, son and two crazy cats.

THE SHERIFF’S SECRET in the THE BILLIONAIRE’S MATCHMAKER anthology for Entangled Indulgence

Connect with Susan at

Website: http://www.susanmeier.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susan.meier.54

Twitter: @susanmeier1

 

About Barbara Wallace

Barbara Wallace has been a life-long romantic and daydreamer so it’s not surprising she decided to become a writer at age eight.  However, it wasn’t until a co-worker handed her a romance novel that she knew where her stories belonged.  Her first Harlequin Romance debuted in November 2010.

Barbara loves writing sweet, smart, ‘it-could-happen-to-you’ style romances.  She lives in Massachusetts with her other loves – her husband, their teenage son, and three very spoiled pets (as if there could be any other kind).  She also loves hearing from readers. 

You can find her at her website (www.barbarawallace.com), on Twitter (@BarbaraTWallace) and on Facebook.

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Giveaway

The authors will award a $25 Amazon GC to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour.