~ 2021 WATTY'S SHORTLIST ~ "I-well, I..." I hesitated with my response. I wanted to let go. To not worry about what would happen in the future. I'd always loved staring into fires. It hypnotized me with its beauty and danger. It was so tantalizing to look at, but one little touch could destroy. I knew the heat between Tyler and I was similar. It started off small but it had only grown in the weeks he'd been here. We'd fed it unintentionally, and it had gone from an ember to a crackling flame. Every nerve in my body wanted to reach out and touch it, even though I knew I'd get burned. *************************************************** Pia Callahan always lived a carefree life with no worries. Her only responsibilities were to attend her college classes (sometimes) and keep herself fed (on ramen). When tragedy strikes, Pia is all of the sudden thrown into a whirlwind of change. She has to grow up and take on more responsibility than she could ever imagine: the custody of her best friend's son. Pia may not believe she is the best person for the job, but she is determined to do it. She'll trade in frat parties for PTA meetings and beer-bongs for apple juice. But what happens when the ruggedly hot motocross athlete Tyler Westwood shows up in her small town? Tyler lives on the fast track, never caring too much about consequences. You can't when your job is to do backflips through the air. Sometimes, you just have to send it and hope for the best. From the second Tyler meets Pia, he knows he wants her. But she is determined to ignore their bubbling chemistry. She has priorities now and a summer fling isn't one of them. Will Pia be able to stay away from Tyler? Or will she decide to hit the throttle? ***************************************************

Everest moves in with her future fellow firefighter who just so happens to be her best friends brother and her frenemy. When they're at work one day and there's a baby drop off that turns out to be his kid, will they work together to help eachother or will they turn on eachother in the process. ﾟ*☆*ﾟ ゜ﾟ*☆*ﾟ ゜ﾟ*☆*ﾟ ゜ﾟ*☆*ﾟ ❝𝕎𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕕𝕠𝕖𝕤 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕤𝕔𝕣𝕒𝕓𝕓𝕝𝕖 𝕓𝕠𝕒𝕣𝕕 𝕤𝕒𝕪?❞ ❝𝔻𝕖𝕧𝕠𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟❞ ❝𝔻𝕖𝕧𝕠𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟 𝕥𝕠 𝕨𝕙𝕒𝕥?❞ ❝𝕐𝕠𝕦.❞ ﾟ*☆*ﾟ ゜ﾟ*☆*ﾟ ゜ﾟ*☆*ﾟ ゜ﾟ*☆*ﾟ T༶r༶o༶p༶e༶s༶: Slowburn, bestfriends brother, enemies to lovers, single dad, firefighter romance, workplace romance, rivalry, roommates. Started- 8/02/2023 Ended-TBD 16/03/23 Number 1 - #hashtag

Felicity has a secret, one that would make her college roommate extremely jealous - she knows one of the hottest stars in the music industry: Sawyer Reeves...or rather, she knew him, as they used to be best friends. She would never forgive him for stealing the fame that was meant to be hers. ***** When Sawyer Reeves was signing his name on a lucrative record deal, Felicity was mourning the loss of her brother. When Sawyer was playing sold-out arena shows to thousands of adoring fans, she was attending therapy sessions to cope with the trauma she'd experienced. Felicity vowed to never touch a piano again, and to never forgive Sawyer for betraying her - no matter how close he tries to get to her heart. [[word count: 90,000-100,000 words]] Cover designed by Ray Gardener

(Excerpt) Enemies to lovers, opposites attract, high school romance. It comes as a shock to Hazel Miller when her boyfriend breaks up with her for no apparent reason after three years together. Then, she's more surprised when at a party, star QB Graham St. Claire makes her laugh, offers her his signature drink, and manages to erase the memory of her ex-boyfriend for one night. It is pretty terrible since St. Claire is the enemy. She shouldn't be fraternizing with the enemy. However, Hazel figures it is only for one night. Something Graham will forget next morning. But then her world is shifted off its axis when the next time they see each other, Graham only wants to get to know her more. When she begs him to forget the night, he refuses. In fact, he's ready to bring out the big guns and charm her until he finally makes her his. Warning: This story is intended for adult readers (+18) due to its strong language and sexual content.

What happens when Ms Innocent, Chelsea-Anne Richards is kicked out of her dorm room and has no place to stay? What happens when a curly-haired stranger offers her a place with his best friend? His best friend, Kyle Chambers aka Mr Rude. Rude is an understatement, not to mention that he's a womanizer too. He can't stand her and makes sure to mention it every time. She hates to admit it but the guy is drop-dead gorgeous. He looks like a page straight out of a Calvin Klein magazine. What happens when Chelsea is dragged into the dangerous rollercoaster that is Kyle's life? Will Chelsea be able to deal with all these changes? Also... will they ever be friends? Probably less. But... maybe M O R E. Join Chelsea and Kyle through their ups, downs, college life, ridiculous rules, illegal activities, many many arguments, psycho brothers, dangerous fathers, missing sisters, bitter exes, arch-nemesis and most importantly... their crazy, crazy friends. You don't want to miss it. #1 in dragracing [23/04/2020] #10 in roommates [23/04/2020]

Marcus Cordell is the largest, most intimidating member of Bravo Team at Knight Security. With a massive muscular build and a permanent scowl, Marcus is the definition of the strong silent type. But when the ghosts of his painful past resurface, will he be able to maintain the tough exterior that he's built around his heart or will he melt into the man he once was before his world was torn apart.

Caleb Tanner is a unique combination of both killer and savior all wrapped into one. As a former Navy Seal and medic, Caleb has the ability to both take life and restore it with ease, making him a vital member of Bravo Team at Knight Security. He would kill or be killed for his teammates and the women they love, earning him the reputation of both fearsome warrior and compassionate caregiver. When a new job assignment flares every protective instinct within Caleb, he is fully prepared to step in as a knight in shining armor, but what if his new assignment, Elaina Flores, has no interest in being saved?

How long can a mother keep the father's identity from her child? Not that long if luck isn't on her side. ****** If being a mom was all about popping out a baby after 9 months of pregnancy, life would have been easier for Charlotte Garnett. Alas, it's not the case for her. When her baby has grown into a smart girl and starts questioning the father's absence, Charlotte's parenting is being tested. Her worst fear is having to tell her 7-year-old daughter that she was conceived in a one-night stand with a total stranger. Out of panic, Charlotte chooses to lie, promising herself she will tell the girl the truth when she's a little older. The best-laid plan turns to hell as fate decides to bring the man back into her life when she least expects it. And worse, he's the CEO she's cross with at her new workplace. Hell breaks loose. Charlotte is eventually confronted by her own lies. ****** Book 1 of the Surprise Series Start 14/03/2021 Finish 20/05/2021 =================

2021 Watty's Shortlist! *Mostly edited* T/W: physical abuse "Why did you sign me up for Tinder?" I roll my eyes, "Why else do you think? To get you a girlfriend." "Pretty sure I told you I didn't want one." He retorts and I shake my head quickly. "No, I told you I was going to find you a girlfriend and you said 'sure, whatever you want.' So technically you didn't say no." Alondra Brown has one rule for herself. No messing around with her father's hockey players. However, after a night of getting out of her comfort zone and an instant attraction with a guy in a bar, she finds herself entangled in a lie with none other than Jack Schultz, her father's star hockey player. Avoiding him isn't an option because he actually does need her help, but helping Jack goes against her rule. She shouldn't worry about anything happening with Jack because he's a notorious playboy who doesn't believe in love. Not to mention he also plays hockey. But she isn't immune to his charm. The heart wants what it wants, no matter how much you try to deny it. highest ranking: #41 out of 2.2 million in love

A jilted, curvy accountant joins a gym on a journey of self-love. The last thing she plans for is to fall for her grumpy trainer. ***** Who needs men, anyway? Certainly not Joanna Lozano. The youngest of five and the only girl, she has learned at a young age the importance of survival in a man's world. It's what drives her to be a successful accountant in the corporate world of Chicago. When her boyfriend of six years unceremoniously dumps her--though her pride is wounded--she accepts the rejection as an opportunity to rediscover herself, starting with a reluctant agreement to join an eight-week fitness boot camp. Sage Kingston is a straightforward gym owner who appreciates and lives by the monotony of his life. His only goals are to provide and care for his young son after his divorce left him jaded. He doesn't have the time or patience to play games that come with dating or relationships. Who needs that headache, anyway? Yet, with a new season of boot camp at his gym underway, he's instantly attracted to the curvy and feisty participant, Joanna. However, his work is cut out for him since she's not easily charmed or swayed by his bulging biceps or six-pack abs. But even Joanna can't deny the mounting tension after each draining and sweaty training session. As they grow to know each other, so does their affection and both must deal with overcoming their hurt pasts and decide if unexpected love is worth the risk. ©2022 LJ Rae