Lindsey Gray is here to tell us about Nerdy Girl Nell, Nerdy Girl Novels #2, contemporary sports romance.
There's also a great giveaway.
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Nerdy Girl Nell
Lindsey Gray
(Nerdy Girl Novels, #2)
Publication date: March 17th 2026
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Sports
Nell De Lacy loves small things like story time, a well-stocked bookshelf, and evenings with friends. Relearning how to date after grief was supposed to be the hardest thing.
Enter professional wrestler Chance Robicheaux. Towering, tender, and utterly relentless about keeping her safe. The two become friends first, spending nights learning each other’s quirks. Between hospital rooms and poker nights, the two find something electric and real.
Nell’s life suddenly fractures with a violent assault, a cache of stolen images, and a blackmailer who won’t be denied. As the threat tightens and the press draws near, Nell’s voice, literally and figuratively, fails her at the worst possible time.
With the De Lacy family company’s December board vote approaching, Nell faces a critical challenge that threatens to upend her life. The outcome of the vote carries the risk of awarding a coveted contract to the wrong people, forcing Nell to balance family loyalty, legal danger, and a secret that could change everything.
Nell and Chance’s is a story about rebuilding, of finding courage in therapy and friendship, and discovering there’s strength in asking for help. Nell’s fight becomes Chance’s fight, and soon they choose to fight evil together. Will justice arrive before the quiet she loves is gone forever?
“This honey pot just got a whole lot sweeter.” Chance Robicheaux licked his lips and tossed in a few plastic chips. The cards in his hand were the best he’d held the entire night.
He peered around the table of friends as they partook in their newly minted Wednesday poker night. Rob Breyer, Chance’s closest friend and wrestling tag team partner, concentrated on his hand. Rob’s girlfriend, Emma MacLean, rolled her eyes at Chance’s comment, then winked at him when she glanced his way. The dealer and his new sidekick, Seamus De Lacy, took a sip of his drink while the rest of the players made their decisions.
Chance’s eyes landed on the last member of the table; he bit the inside of his cheek to keep himself from moaning. Emma’s roommate, Nell De Lacy, stared at him with a slight look of awe mixed with determination, which he found fucking irresistible. The woman had driven him mad since their first meeting over a bowl of potato salad to his crotch. No matter what the situation, one glimpse of Nell, her auburn hair in those cute as hell space buns and perfectly pouty lips, had him hard in three seconds flat.
“I fold.” Rob placed his cards on the table and slumped in his chair.
“I’ve got nothing.” Emma tossed in her cards, then slid her arm around Rob’s shoulders. “This isn’t our night.”
Chance lifted his eyes to Nell’s. “What about you, Nell?”
The corner of Nell’s lips that Chance spent hours fantasizing about curled upward. “I’ll see you.” She tossed in enough to match Chance’s bet. “And I’ll raise you.” She counted out the rest of her chips and placed them in the pot.
Chance could tell she was confident about the hand she possessed. She had her tells as much as anyone else did. The smirk she wielded always made him pull out of the game. Not tonight, though. She’d gone all in, but he’d go a bit more.
“All right.” He determined the required chips to call but decided to raise to find out what she had to offer.
“You can’t do that!” Her confidence turned to anger.
“I sure can. I’m willing to make a deal if you think your hand is still as worthy as it was a moment ago.” Chance’s heart thumped in his chest while he stared her down, praying she would give in.
“What kind of deal?” she asked.
Chance grabbed the pad of paper and pen beside him and wrote down what he wanted. He slid it to her.
She picked it up and read his chicken scratch. “This…” The words clogged her throat as heat moved up to color her face.
“You place that in the pot. I win; you deliver. You win; you can rip it up.”
Nell opened and closed her mouth, then pressed her plump lips in a firm line. She pushed the slip across the table. “I call. Show me what you’ve got.”
Chance peered into her brilliant emerald eyes as he laid each card down one by one. Her face paled. “Royal flush.”
“Damn,” she murmured, and she laid her cards down face up.
“Full House. Not bad, but not good enough tonight.” Chance licked his lips in anticipation of his winnings.
Emma glanced between the two. “What did he win?”
Nell placed her palms on the table, her cheeks tinged pink. “A kiss.”
Author Bio:
Lindsey Gray is a writer, an over-thinker, and a chronic list-maker, but her passion for writing stories you'll love always tops the list. Her author journey began in 2010 with the publication of her first novel, and she has spent the last decade creating worlds for readers to play in. In addition to her own work, Gray utilizes her skills formatting novels for other authors and hosts the weekly show, Gray Matters, on TMV Cafe Internet Radio. She lives and writes fueled by iced tea, her handsome hubby, and the beautiful chaos of mothering her children.
Alexa Fauli is here to tell us about Forbidden Bases, Bridger City Falcons book 1, a sweet fake dating sports romance.
There's also a great giveaway.
______________________
Some rules were
made to be broken.
Forbidden Bases
Bridger City Falcons Book 1
by Alexa Fauli
Genre: Sweet Fake Dating Sports Romance
CARTER
I’m Carter Blake—star first baseman for the Bridger City Falcons. Fame, money,
women… I have it all.
Except the one woman I was never supposed to want.
Darcy Simmons is my best friend’s little sister. Off-limits. Always has been.
But when she comes back to town, every line I drew years ago blurs fast. One
bad night, one viral photo, and suddenly we’re pretending we’ve been secretly
dating.
It’s fake. Temporary. Harmless.
Until it isn’t.
DARCY
Carter Blake was my teenage crush—the one I never got over. Now he’s a
professional baseball star with a reputation that screams heartbreak.
Faking a relationship with him should be easy. Safe. No feelings allowed.
But the longer we pretend, the harder it becomes to ignore what’s always been
there—and the more I risk losing my heart to the one man who could destroy it.
FORBIDDEN BASES is a sweet
baseball romance featuring fake dating, brother’s best friend, no cheating, and
a guaranteed HEA.
Some rules were made to be broken.
WHAT READERS WILL LOVE
✔ Fake dating ✔ Brother’s best friend ✔ Sweet and emotional romance ✔ No cheating ✔ Slow-burn tension ✔ Guaranteed HEA ✔ Perfect for fans of Hallmark-style romance with a
sporty twist
I pulled into the players' lot at Falcons Stadium, my
truck's tires crunching over the gravel as I found my usual spot. The afternoon
sun bathed the stadium in golden light, and I could already smell the freshly
cut grass as I grabbed my gear from the passenger seat. Practice days had their
own rhythm, different from game days—less pressure, more fine-tuning. I
stretched my arms over my head, feeling yesterday's game still lingering in my
muscles. Coach Miller would be waiting, probably already pacing the field with
that damn whistle, ready to critique every move we made.
The locker room buzzed with the usual pre-practice chatter.
I nodded to Rivera at his locker across from mine.
"Blake! How's that shoulder feeling?" he asked,
tossing me a roll of athletic tape.
I caught it with one hand. "Better than your batting
average." I grinned to soften the jab.
"You're an asshole," he laughed, pulling his
practice jersey over his head.
I changed quickly, my movements practiced after years of
this same routine. The smell of liniment and sweat permeated the air, familiar
and oddly comforting. I laced up my cleats, grabbed my glove, and headed for
the dugout.
The late afternoon sun hit me full in the face as I stepped
onto the field. I paused at the top step, taking it in—the emerald expanse of
the outfield, the reddish-brown dirt of the infield, and the crisp white
baselines freshly laid down. This view never got old. A baseball field was the
one place in the world that made perfect sense to me.
"Blake! Stop admiring the scenery and get your ass over
here!" Coach Miller's voice cut through my moment. I jogged over to where
the team was gathering along the first-base line. Coach stood with his arms
crossed, his Falcons cap pulled low over his eyes, that perpetual look of mild
disappointment etched on his face.
"Alright, listen up," he barked, not bothering to
raise his voice—he never needed to. "Infielders with me. Outfielders with
Coach Taylor. Pitchers to the bullpen with Ramirez. We're working on
fundamentals today because apparently, some of you forgot what those are during
yesterday's game."
A few guys chuckled. We'd won yesterday, but it had been
sloppy—three errors and some baserunning mistakes that had Coach's veins
popping out of his neck by the seventh inning.
I followed the rest of the infield to our positions. The
dirt felt firm under my cleats as I took my spot at shortstop. Coach Miller
stood at home plate, fungo bat in hand.
"Let's go! Double plays. Martinez to Blake to
Thompson."
He smacked a grounder toward second base. Martinez fielded
it cleanly, pivoted, and fired the ball to me. I caught it as I glided across
second, tapped the bag with my foot, and threw to first in one fluid motion.
The ball hit Thompson's glove with a satisfying pop.
"Again!" Coach called, already sending another
one.
We fell into rhythm. Ground ball, scoop, throw, catch,
pivot, throw, catch. My body knew what to do without my brain getting involved.
The sun warmed my back, and sweat began to trickle down my spine. I loved
this—the mechanical precision of it, the way my muscles remembered every
movement.
"Blake! Watch your footwork on that double play!"
Coach Miller's voice cut through my flow. "You're getting lazy with the
pivot. Do it again."
I didn't argue. Coach's eyes missed nothing. Instead, I
reset my position, adjusted my stance slightly, and waited for the next ball.
"He’s on your ass already?" Thompson called from
first base.
"When is he not?" I shot back with a grin.
The next grounder came hot, a tough short-hop that I had to
charge. I scooped it cleanly, stepped on second, and fired to first—textbook.
"Better," Coach Miller said, which from him was
practically a standing ovation.
We worked through the drills for another twenty minutes. The
rhythm of practice wrapped around me like a comfortable blanket—the crack of
the bat, the calls from teammates, the thud of balls hitting gloves. My shirt
stuck to my back with sweat, and dirt collected in the creases of my palms.
"Water break, then switching to situational
defense," Coach announced, blowing his whistle.
I jogged to the dugout, grabbing a paper cup and filling it
from the cooler.
"Looking smooth out there, Blake," said Diaz, our
catcher, as he filled his own cup.
"Thanks, man. How're the pitchers looking?"
"Chen's slider is nasty today. Cruz is still fighting
his control."
I nodded, draining my cup and crumpling it. The water was
cold against my throat.
"Blake!" Coach Miller appeared at the dugout
steps. "I need you to work with Rodriguez on his transfers. Kid's got good
hands but he's fumbling the exchange."
"Sure thing, Skip."
Rodriguez was our rookie second baseman, called up just last
month when Pearson went on the injured list. Good kid, quick feet, but still
learning the ropes.
I found him by the batting cage, nervously fielding
grounders from one of the assistants.
"Hey, Rodriguez," I called, trotting over.
"Coach wants us to work on transfers."
"Oh, yeah, sure." His eyes widened slightly.
Working directly with a veteran always made the rookies nervous.
"Relax, I don't bite. Much." I grinned,
positioning myself next to him. "Show me what you're doing."
The assistant coach hit him a grounder. Rodriguez fielded it
well but fumbled slightly as he moved the ball from his glove to his throwing
hand.
"I see the issue," I said. "You're rushing
it. Let me show you."
I nodded to the coach, who sent a grounder my way. I fielded
it smoothly, transferring it to my throwing hand in one fluid motion.
"See how I let the momentum of the ball carry into my
throwing hand? You're trying to force it." I demonstrated again.
"It's all about rhythm. Like dancing with a pretty girl—you've got to feel
the flow."
Rodriguez nodded earnestly. "Can I try again?"
We worked for another fifteen minutes, his transfers
gradually becoming smoother. Coach Miller watched from a distance, his arms
crossed but his scowl a little less severe.
"Better, kid." I clapped Rodriguez on the
shoulder. "You'll get it."
Alexa Fauli is a devoted sports romance author whose passion
for the Atlanta Braves and love of hockey inspire her vibrant stories of
competition and connection. When she's not dreaming up unforgettable characters
who play hard for both love and victory, Alexa enjoys sipping toasted white
mochas, watching anime romances, and cherishing time with her family. Her life
is a delightful blend of heart, heat, and the magic that happens both on and
off the page.
The slower pace is exactly what my burned-out brain needs. I’ve even made a few friends—including Weston Smith, a new player for the Ice Breakers hockey team who shows up when I need him most.
A local crisis draws me in, and suddenly I’m more involved than I ever planned. Maybe it’s the fresh air, or maybe it’s Weston. I came here planning to leave… but now, I’m not so sure.
Weston
Maple Falls is my fresh start—new team, new town, and a chance to prove myself. I didn’t expect to get wrapped up in this community so fast—or to fall for a certain city girl.
Fiona is bold and energetic, and I’m drawn to her more every day. When she’s pulled into a town-wide crisis, I don’t hesitate to help.
Maple Falls isn’t just where I play hockey—it’s starting to feel like the place where my future truly begins.
***
Soulmates and Slapshots is part of the Love in Maple Falls sweet hockey romcom multi-author series. In this slow burn, soulmate romance, a charming city girl meets a nice guy who falls first. Set in a small town with all the chemistry, but none of the spice.
Welcome back to Maple Falls—the small town where hockey players fall in love! This is a multi-author series of seven full-length books that could be read as standalones, but we think you’ll enjoy them best in order.
Wow. That sounded like the worst pickup line ever, and I immediately regret saying it.
Before I can excuse myself, she turns around and gives me a curious look.
“No. At least I don’t think so,” she says. “Is Maple Falls even big enough to get lost in?”
I laugh. “That’s a good question.”
Why did I even say that? I’ve only been in town a short time, so I wouldn’t be able to help if she needed it.
“Honestly, I’m trying to decide what to do next,” she says. “I’m not used to having so much free time on my hands.”
“I wouldn’t know,” I admit. “What’s free time?”
She gives me a casual smile. “So what recommendations can you give a Maple Falls visitor?”
I knew it. She didn’t seem like a local.
I raise my eyebrows. “Well, I probably won’t be much help since I just arrived in town myself.”
She smiles. “Ah, another new person. That’s a relief because I’m assuming everyone else in this town already knows each other.”
“Most likely,” I agree. “But you’re not the only newbie, so don’t worry.”
“What brought you to Maple Falls, Washington?” she asks.
“Work,” I reply. This is the truth. I just leave out the hockey part, and I’m not sure why.
She flashes a slight smile. “That’s a good reason.”
I’m trying not to stare, but this woman is stunning. So flawless it can’t be ignored. And it’s obvious she has a confidence and openness that instantly draws people in.
“And while we’re on the subject, what made you come to this booming metropolis?” I ask, before she catches me staring.
A flash of amusement spreads across her face. “I’m visiting my aunt, and I actually left a booming metropolis to come here.”
“Really? Where?”
“New York.”
Now it all makes sense—she has a city girl vibe. She’s confident, polished, and a little bit mysterious.
“Ah, the city that never sleeps. It’s a great place,” I say. “One of my favorites for sure.”
She nods slowly. “It is. But there’s something special about this little town too.”
“I agree,” I say. “I moved here from Tennessee. Not quite as fast-paced as New York, but more thrilling than Maple Falls.”
She lifts an eyebrow. “I don’t know…I’ve heard Maple Falls isn’t as sleepy as people think.”
“Really?” I ask, leaning in a little.
She lowers her voice dramatically, even though the only other people nearby are across the street. “I heard there might be a town scandal happening right now.”
“Ooh, now that’s interesting.”
“Yes, it is,” she says with a playful smirk. “And they even have their own professional hockey team.”
I laugh. “Yes, I’m familiar with the Ice Breakers.”
She tilts her head, narrowing her eyes at me with curiosity. “Hockey fan?”
I shrug, unable to hide the grin pulling at my lips. “More than a fan. I play on the team.”
Her eyes widen. “Wait—seriously?”
“Weston Smith, defense,” I say, offering my hand. I’m not sure why I added my player position, but it doesn’t matter now. Maybe she likes hockey?
She takes my hand and grins. “Fiona Hale. And wait until I tell my aunt. She’s going to lose her mind when she hears this—she’s a die-hard fangirl of your team.”
I chuckle. “We love our fans. I’m sure I’ll meet her sooner or later.”
She studies me for a moment, clearly still processing. “So, you’re a hockey player.”
Author Bio:
USA Today bestselling author Melissa Baldwin always dreamed of sharing her stories with the world. She brought this vision to life, becoming an award-winning, bestselling author of over thirty romantic comedies and cozy mysteries. Melissa is also a wife, mother, new empty-nester, and travel advisor.
Her books feature charming, ambitious, and real women, whom she considers part of her tribe. Although she rarely takes a day off, when she's not writing, she enjoys quality time with her family, traveling, attempting yoga poses, and booking Disney vacations. Melissa still uses a paper planner, and her guilty pleasures include Beverly Hills 90210 reruns and General Hospital.
Visit authormelissabaldwin .com to sign up for her newsletter.
Fans of Melissa's books, join her Reader Tribe on Facebook
Ellie Hall is here to tell us about her contemporary sports romance Skating and Fake Dating, Love in Maple Falls #4.
There's also a great giveaway.
_______________________
Skating and Fake Dating
Ellie Hall
(Love in Maple Falls, #4))
Publication date: September 3rd 2025
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Sports
I’m pretending to be his stable girlfriend while he plays my successful boyfriend. But now faking feels a lot like falling.
Bailey
I’m a walking contradiction—professional on the job, a hot mess at home, and working my “I’ve got this” smile until my cheeks ache while hiding my hobbies: making maple butter and finding a husband. With my perfect sister’s recent engagement, I’m desperate to avoid Mom’s pitying looks and matchmaking attempts.
Carson
I used to be hockey’s laid-back southern charmer until a crushing rejection from my high school sweetheart transformed me into a workaholic. When I’m unexpectedly traded to a new team, rumors circulate about whether the gentleman wingman lost his edge. I’ll do whatever it takes to prove them wrong.
Bailey
When our worlds collide after a dessert disaster, we come up with a mutually beneficial solution to our respective woes: a fake relationship. The rules are simple: I get a “successful” boyfriend for family events. He gets a “stable” girlfriend for team image. No feelings, no complications, and a definite expiration date.
Carson
But between posing as a couple at the fall festival, midnight maple butter-making sessions, trying to keep our stories straight, and undeniable chemistry, what started as a convenient lie is beginning to feel inconveniently real. As the clock runs down on our arrangement, we’ll have to decide: walk away when the final buzzer sounds, or take a shot at the love neither of us saw coming.
***
Skating and Fake Dating is a heartwarming hockey romcom featuring Bailey and ‘Bama who are perfect for each other in all the most imperfect ways, plus, small-town charm, family shenanigans, and a guaranteed happily ever after sweeter than homemade maple butter blondies.
Welcome back to Maple Falls—the small town where hockey players fall in love! This is a multi-author series of seven full-length books that could be read as standalones, but we think you’ll enjoy them best in order.
“In one simple move—” Waving his hand across the links of the cuffs, my pulse skips and then plummets.
Nothing happens.
A consummate professional, he declares, “That was to show that no ordinary person has the ability to free these people from their bonds. No, it takes a special flick of the—” He motions again, and I expect the handcuffs to drop from our wrists, but they remain fixed, locked.
His smile wavers. My expression morphs into a scowl. Bailey grins as if this is all part of the act and she’s expecting the handcuffs to vanish like the coin from the box.
I know better … or at least, my stomach thinks it does.
The magician tries one more time, but we remain locked together.
“Ah, yes. I must’ve, um, we’ll just take a moment in my stall to—” Turning his back on the crowd, he ushers us inside and then closes the black curtain at our backs.
“Get these off, now,” I say, forgoing my manners and the word sir.
Bailey adds, “Please.”
Sweat dots his forehead. “I don’t know what went wrong. Yes, of course. Let me just find the key. It’s here—” He rifles through a little drawer in a wooden chest.
I glance at Bailey and her shoulders droop slightly. She mouths, I’m sorry.
No, it’s this clown show of a magician who should be sorry.
“Ah ha!” He says, pinching a small key between his fingers.
“Hurry up. We have a wedding to go to.” I belatedly realize I included myself when in reality I’m dropping Bailey off and then going, well, I’m not sure where. She must, though, having arranged my moving plans.
The magician slides the key into the lock, but again, nothing happens. Wrenching it from his fingers, I say, “Let me try.”
Author Bio:
Ellie Hall is a USA Today bestselling author. If only that meant she could wear a tiara and get away with it. ;) She loves puppies, books, and the ocean. Writing sweet romance with lots of firsts and fizzy feels gives her joy. Oh, and chocolate chip cookies are her fave. Ellie believes in dreaming big, working hard, and lazy Sunday afternoons spent with her family and dog in gratitude for God’s grace.
I survived chronic illness and a cheating ex. Surely I can resist one charming hockey player…right?
Clara
Working as the social media manager for a pro hockey team is all fun and games—until you trip into the arms of their biggest flirt during a livestream. Now the fans are shipping us, my boss is thrilled with the engagement, and I’m stuck dodging feelings for Cade Lennox, aka the certified charmer. The problem? My contract says he’s off-limits. My heart, unfortunately, didn’t get the memo.
Cade
I came to this small town to turn over a new leaf. But you know what they say about the best laid plans. All bets are off the second Clara Johnson literally stumbles into my arms and straight into my heart. She’s focused, loyal, and the most beautiful challenge I’ve ever met. All I have to do is prove I’m worth the risk.
Offside and Off-Limits is part of the Love in Maple Falls sweet hockey romcom multi-author series. It’s a forbidden love story between one flirty hockey player and the team’s social media manager in this small town romance with all the sizzle and chemistry, but none of the spice.
Welcome back to Maple Falls—the small town where hockey players fall in love! This is a multi-author series of seven full-length books that could be read as standalones, but we think you’ll enjoy them best in order.
“Oh, man, this is awesome!” Joel declares, holding my phone in his hands. “You guys look sick! Even you, Clara.”
I let out a surprised laugh at Joel’s comment when Asher calls, “And now turn!” and as I do my legs fly from underneath me, and my breath wooshes out as I scrunch my eyes shut, bracing for the impact of cold, hard ice against my poor, under-protected butt.
But the ice-cold contact fails to happen, and when my eyes spring open I see Cade, his eyes wide with alarm as large, strong arms pull me against his firm body.
He grins down at me as my heart beats out of my chest.
I tell myself it’s because I almost fell, but being in Cade’s arms feels…well, it feels pretty dang amazing.
Not that I’m going to tell him that.
“Thanks,” I mumble, the heat rising in my cheeks as I gaze up at him, at total odds with the cold of the arena.
“My pleasure,” he replies, and the way he says those two words sends a flash of something hot through me that I’ve got to work hard at resisting.
But resist it I must, no matter how good this feels.
I haven’t been held by a man since Dwayne left me for my friend. And that was years ago.
I heave out a breath as I drag my gaze from his. I need to remember that this guy is a total player, and I don’t mean just on the ice. He probably catches falling women in his big, strong arms every day of the week—and I bet most of them don’t even bother to resist the heat this feeling elicits.
But I’m not one of those women, and I refuse to act on my physical attraction for this man. There are so many reasons, the non-fraternization clause in my employment contract being right at the top of that list.
Throwing away my new job because I’m attracted to one of the players? Not going to happen.
“You guys, I’m getting so many likes on this!” Joel calls out.
Wait. Likes?
I snap my attention to Joel, who’s still holding up my phone, pointing it straight at Cade and me. “Cade, would you mind putting me down? Like now.”
“I’ll do you one better,” he replies as he glides me smoothly back toward the bench, still holding me close in his arms. Holding me in one arm, he pulls open the door, and returns me to my feet—which I note are now trembling.
Author Bio:
Kate O’Keeffe is a USA Today bestselling author known for her fun, feel-good romantic comedies brimming with humor, heart, and happily ever afters. A native of New Zealand, Kate has crafted numerous popular series, garnering a devoted international readership.
With a flair for witty banter and irresistible heroines navigating the ups and downs of modern dating, Kate’s novels showcase strong friendships, comedic entanglements, and the of course sometimes bumpy but always hopeful road to love.
When she’s not writing, Kate can often be found reading romcoms, binging her favourite shows, or spending time with her friends and family in the beautiful Hawke’s Bay region of New Zealand.
She’s a closet designer for the rich and famous and he’s a broken-hearted captain of a pro-hockey team. Neither of them is looking for love.
Ashlyn
An unexpected trip home to Maple Falls gets even more surprising when I inadvertently become acting mayor.
Add a huge crisis and a smoking hot hockey player, and I’m in over my head before I know it.
I’m only here for a short time, so I will not fall for Mr. Tall, dark, and adorable. I don’t care how helpful and kind he is. Long-distance never works, so the answer is no.
Jamie
I’m sick of the press hounding me about my last relationship, so when the opportunity arose to captain a new hockey team in smalltown Washington, I jumped at it.
Too bad I didn’t ask more questions before moving here, like, “Are there bears, and will they be living in my backyard?”
Then there’s Ashlyn. The last thing I expected was to meet a funny, sassy, and good-hearted woman like her. I swore off love after my last heartbreak, but my heart is acting like it missed the memo.
There’s no way I’m going to pursue her. Unless of course, fate has intervened, and we were meant to be…
***
Fake-Off with Fate is a slow-burn, friends to love, fake-dating small town hockey romcom in the Love in Maple Falls series. Add a town conflict, missing mayor, and bear infestation and you will be laughing and cheering your way to a happy ending!
Welcome back to Maple Falls—the small town where hockey players fall in love! This is a multi-author series of seven full-length books that could be read as standalones, but we think you’ll enjoy them best in order.
The mayor is ten minutes late for our dinner meeting. I figure I’ll give him another five and then I’ll go ahead and order my food to go.
I’m about to signal to the waitress when a very pretty woman wearing jeans and an orange sweater approaches my booth. She’s average height but not at all average looking. Her hair is a touch lighter than classic auburn but it’s not what I’d call red. “Hi there,” she says while sitting down across from me. “I’m Ashlyn.”
Well, this is awkward. I wonder if she thinks I’m her blind date or something. “Jamie Hayes,” I say, expecting her to realize her mistake.
“I know. You’re the captain of the Ice Breakers, right?”
“I’m sorry, do I know you?”
“I doubt it, because I don’t know you.” She takes a sip of the water glass the waitress left for the mayor.
“If you don’t know me, then why are you sitting with me?”
The question seems to startle her because she looks up and stares at me like a deer in the headlights of oncoming traffic. “I forgot you didn’t know that I was meeting you instead of my father.”
“You’re Mayor Thompkins’ daughter?” Holy heck, is the mayor trying to set me up with his daughter? I don’t care how pretty she is, that’s not cool.
“My dad got stuck in a meeting and he asked me to come in his place,” she explains.
“So, you’ve been tasked with trying to talk me into co-chairing Maple Fest?” If I had to guess, I’d say this was intentional manipulation on the mayor’s part. Little does he know I have no problem saying no to an attractive woman.
“I couldn’t care less if you co-chaired Maple Fest,” she says. “But if I were you, I wouldn’t do it. My dad is a lunatic about that event.”
Now I’m super confused. “So, you’re here to tell me all about Maple Falls?”
“Nope,” she says, before turning her menu over to look at it.
“Why are you here then?”
Author Bio:
Whitney loves to laugh, play with her kids, bake, and eat french fries -- not always in that order.
Whitney is a multi-award-winning author of romcoms, non-fiction humor, and middle reader fiction. Basically, she writes whatever the voices in her head tell her to.
She lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with her husband, Jimmy, where they raise children, chickens, and organic vegetables.
Gold Medal winner at the International Readers' Favorite Awards, 2017.
Silver medal winner at the International Readers' Favorite Awards, 2015, 2016.
