"We could just . . . *do it*, you know," he says now, teasingly. "Clear all that sexual tension up with one quick ten minute session?" I seriously hope he's joking, but I'm not certain he is. Either way, I can't prevent the exasperated huff of laughter that escapes my lips at those words. "You must be dreaming if you think there's *any* sexual tension between us," I scoff. "Anyway, I'd rather not be another notch on your bedpost, thanks very much." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Ruby Rafferty has won the ultimate prize - a luxury holiday in Crete! In theory, it couldn't be more perfect - endless sun, Greek food, an unlimited free bar . . . There's only one problem. The man she has no choice but to share the prize with. Lewis Sheridan may be ridiculously attractive, but he is also cocky, cynical, and comes complete with his own specific set of red flags. He's everything Ruby has never wanted in a guy, and she's not sure she can survive *one* day alone with him, let alone ten. It's *fine*, though . . . Their suite is massive, the cocktails are flowing, and Ruby can't help but notice how handsome and charming the hotel manager is. If only he didn't think she and Lewis were already a couple . . . Will forced proximity push our vacationers closer or further apart? Can enemies really become lovers? And what will happen if anyone realises they're technically on holiday under false pretences? I guess we're about to find out . . . Cover by @jspromcoms

AMBY AWARDS TOP PICK 2024 ❤️ The knocking continued. And she continued to lie prone on the floor, her heart thudding desperately in her chest. Her brain was telling her something she couldn't allow herself to believe. Because there was only one thing she'd left in her garden. And it couldn't possibly be the thing that was trying to get her attention right now. "Hello?" A male voice shouted pleadingly all of a sudden. "I'm cold. Holly?" It couldn't be. Could it? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Holly Sprigg hates Christmas. It's forced fun at its very worst. It's the best way to bankrupt her. And it's a chance to feel even more alone than she usually does. But when she takes her nephew to see Santa, her life takes a bit of a turn . . . And suddenly, she has somehow created her dream man. Out of snow! What is the purpose of the mysterious "faux man"? And can he help Holly regain some of the festive spirit she lost so long ago?

"Here's the thing though . . ." He trails off thoughtfully and then he looks straight at me. His eyes are steely and that makes me realise the fundamental difference between the young Ryan and this Ryan. He's hardened now. The sweet boy I once knew is probably still in there somewhere but life eventually got to him and he had to toughen up. "I need someone I can rely on. I don't want to take a person on who just decides it's too much hassle a few days or weeks in and just . . . Ghosts me." He finishes. There's a definite challenge there. He's not just talking about the job. He's getting a dig in there about the way I disappeared out of his life. As well as implying I'm generally unreliable . . . ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Iona Stewart is pretty sure she's having a premature midlife crisis. Recently made redundant, permanently unlucky in love, and back living with her parents, she's desperate for a change of scenery. So when an opportunity comes up to work in a hotel in the Highlands, it seems like fate has stepped in. The problem? Her new boss is Ryan Thorne. Her former friend. Her first crush. And the boy who broke her heart nearly 17 years ago. She had no intention of ever seeing him again after that night. And it seems he isn't that keen on having *her* around either. Be prepared for nineties flashbacks, many awkward encounters, and *hopefully* a happy ever after . . . ~~~~~~~~~~~~ ❤️Second Place in the Chick-Lit category in The Pink Cloud Awards❤️ ❤️Second Place in the Chick-Lit category in The Hibiscus Awards❤️ ❤️Winner of Best Opening in Chick Lit in the Berry Pancake awards❤️ ~~~~~~~~~~~~ *Complete companion novella entitled "No Reservations: Ryan's Version" is now available*

"...did you hear about that girl that went missing?" ... "...they never found her. And I don't think they ever will." ••• Embarking on a cross-country trip, Tarah's plans are quickly derailed when she gets a flat tire. Unable to help herself, help arrives in the most unexpected ways and leads to a grim discovery. Can Tarah outsmart the danger and make it out alive? ••• WARNING - although not marked mature (as it's not really) it is a suspense-filled thriller. ••• A short story - Aim To Engage entry PROMPT #3 You're traveling cross country alone when your tire goes flat, leaving you in an unfortunate predicament. @Aim To Engage @A2E

AMBY AWARDS TOP PICK 2023 ❤️ "You think I can't act like I'm into you?" He asks in a whisper. He reaches out, and strokes a finger down my cheek, and I feel myself shiver at the touch. "You think I can't convince everyone that I have feelings for you?" His eyes are darker than ever, and any sign of a smile has now vanished. The only word I can think right now to describe him is "smouldering". I have searched many great romance novels (and even more sub-standard ones), and I am yet to find a better synonym for that particular word. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Abigail Watson has always played by the rules. She also constantly strives to be the best at everything she does. So when her boyfriend Declan decides to turn their temporary break into a permanent break-up, she starts to seriously doubt her girlfriend skills. Her new flatmate Ric tells Abby she's not the problem, but how can she believe *him* when he's one of the most annoying guys she's ever encountered? However, when she needs a fake boyfriend to save face in front of Declan, Ric might just be the only man she can turn to . . . Practice Makes Perfect offers you some forced proximity, enemies to lovers, a dash of fake dating, pub quizzes, flatmate frustrations . . . And - of course - an annoying ex, because doesn't everyone have at least one of those??? ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Cover by @LNRoberts1 ❤️

AMBY AWARDS TOP PICK 2024❤️ I can only see half of his face, reflected in the mirror at the front of the bus, and part of that is obscured by the peak of the black company-branded cap he's wearing. But I can see enough to glean that there's a strong jaw covered in scruff. A wide mouth that looks like it would be prone to smiling. He's wearing glasses with trendy light tortoiseshell frames, and I can't quite discern the colour of his eyes from my position . . . but some weird intuition is telling me that they'll be hazel, and I wonder when my brain is going to catch up. Because I *know* him, don't I? I'm almost certain of it. And he seems to know me, too. Or at least he thinks he does. The way he's glancing over at me lets me in on that. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Mirren Shepherd has *many* pet peeves. Top of the list, though? Staycations . . . And surprises. So when her girls' trip abroad is cancelled at the last minute and she finds herself roped into a minibus tour of Northern Scotland instead, she isn't remotely happy. And when she finds out who their guide is . . . It's yet another reason for her to dislike surprises. Because Owen Sullivan wasn't so much the one who got away . . . He was the one who just didn't return. And, after she finally got over him, she never expected to see him again. Mirren would prefer to leave the past in the past, but Owen is determined to try to right his wrongs. Can she trust him? Can she trust *herself*? Maybe, just maybe, this surprise - and staycation - won't be as bad as Mirren thinks . . . ~~~~~~~~~~~~