Destined for Me, an all-new emotional Come Back for Me/Say You’ll Stay Crossover novella from New York Times bestselling author Corinne Michaels is available now!
From New York Times Bestselling author Corinne Michaels comes an Arrowood-Hennington crossover next generation novella.
No one makes my blood boil like Cayden Hennington. When I finished second in my class in law school, he finished first. We interned at the same firm—he got hired while I didn’t. Now we’re opposing counsel on my first big solo case, and I refuse to lose to him.
I will not think about the way his lips taste or how he makes my heart race. I won’t dream of that night we argued until our clothes came off.
That night is irrelevant because I am over him. (I’m also lying to myself).
However, we’re both professionals, right? Wrong. One stupid drink is all it takes after six hours of intense negotiations to find myself right back in his arms and in a world of trouble.
There is a thin line between love and hate, and we are destined to choose a side.
**Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you'll enjoy each one as much as we do.**
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Keep reading for a look inside Destined for Me!
“It’s too bad my client had to walk away from your attempt at fixing the contract,” a deep voice that has taunted me for five years says from the edge of my office door.
Cayden. Fucking. Benson-Hennington.
The bane of my existence. It doesn’t matter that I am an associate at my law firm. That I have more billable hours than any other associates—and probably more than him—even though he was hired at the firm we both interned at while I was not. I swear, it’s his life’s mission to always be one step above me.
Not today, Satan.
“Well, your client is an idiot, and should take the deal I presented. Believe me, you won’t get a better chance to fix the mess you made. There won’t be another offer.”
His wide grin makes my stomach flip. “We’ll see.”
“Yes, I think we will. Was there something you needed?” He steps inside—uninvited I might add—and takes a seat. “By all means, make yourself comfortable.”
“Look, Hadley, we both know that your client was asking for way too many concessions. To have two seats on the board would give them controlling votes. Come on, you know that was an error.”
“Maybe so, but it wasn’t my error, it was yours.”
To be fair, it wasn’t really his error. Cayden took over this negotiation after his client used another firm who clearly botched the contract. Still, it’s his issue at the very least.
“No, but it is my mess and I plan to clean it up. By the end of this, my beautiful nightmare, you will be walking out with less than you came in with.”
He’s so arrogant, ugh, I want to kiss him. I mean punch him. Punch. Not kiss. No, no, been there and done that. Never again.
“So you want to rob these people of their entire life’s work?”
“I want my client to get what they deserve.”
I bet he does. This man has no soul. “Do you forget where you come from?” I ask.
Cayden grew up in Tennessee. His family owns a horse ranch that they have had for generations. Literally a blue collar, farming family.
The same as my clients. They were approached to sell their land, giving up their legacy, all so his client’s company can dismantle it and make it into a resort or a strip mall.
Therefore, I don’t think asking for something to help safeguard either of those from happening is a concession they shouldn’t ask for. It’s only fair that their children have at least a little left at the end of this.
“Of course, I know where I came from.”
“And if this were your parents, how would you advise them?”
He leans forward, resting his forearms on his knees. His green eyes fixed on me. “That’s where we differ, Arrowood…these aren’t my parents. They’re my clients and my goal is to get them everything they want.”
I get up and walk around the desk, resting my ass just on the edge. His gaze moves down to my legs and up, lingering a bit on my chest. I watch as a flicker of desire flashes across his face, and I wonder if he’s picturing me naked. Remembering that stupid night we spent together in college.
Lord knows I am—not. Nope, I’m not. I won’t. Because it was a mistake. Sure, I’ll go with that.
Good thing I have an incredible poker face.
“What are you thinking about?” his voice is low and husky.
You and me on the floor, ripping each other’s clothes off. Or the desk, that would be equally fine.
“I’m thinking about how arrogant and ridiculous you are. You came to my office to what?” I keep my tone even.
Review: 5 Stars! A second gen crossover between Corinne series?! I love that for me.
Hadley Arrowood is a lawyer facing off against the bane of her existence Cayden Hennington on Hadley’s first solo case that she’s dying to win. Destined For Me is such a great novella that’s well written and super entertaining.
Although this is a novella, it doesn’t feel like one! In a good way! It doesn’t feel like anything is missing from the story. Hadley and Cayden have a history and find themselves on the line of love and hate and they just can’t resist each other.
This is a spicy novella packed with feels, Hadley and Cayden have amazing chemistry and are just perfect for each other.
This is a must read if you love the Hennington and Arrowood series and a fun read even if you haven’t as it can be read as a standalone! Corinne Michaels never misses.*arc kindly provided in exchange for an honest review*
For More Information about Corinne Michaels, visit her website: https://corinnemichaels.com/
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We are so excited to announce the release of Adriana Locke's new novella, 608 Alpha Ave. This is a total standalone story about a grumpy, small-town mechanic and a pocket-full-of-sunshine heroine that gets under his skin.
Basically—read this now!
Even better is that the novella (did we mention that it's a standalone?) is available in Kindle Unlimited.
Things heat up (and take an unexpected turn) when a self-proclaimed romantic requests the help of a broody small-town mechanic.
BLURB
Grayson Blake is a jackass.
There’s no other way to put it.
He comes into Fireside every day and orders a beer. It’s nearly impossible to get him to have a conversation while he drinks it. Smiles—or anything remotely close to it—are even more rare.
Despite his cantankerous personality, he’s so freaking gorgeous. His thick black hair, broad shoulders, and the tattoos that mark his calloused skin draw me in like a magnet. I don’t even care that he’s ten years older than me. I’m here for the age gap. And his broody, bad-boy persona is entirely more attractive than it should be.
I have a thing for the rough-around-the-edges mechanic. And I’ve heard through the grapevine that he has a thing for me too. But getting him to admit it will be as easy as catching lightning in a bottle.
My hand stills against the countertop, a white bar rag clutched firmly in my grasp.
Natalia Barlow leans across the end of the bar, putting her ass and the top of her thong on full display for the table of bikers behind her. An unlit cigarette is perched between her cherry-red lips, threatening to topple to the floor as she catches me looking and smirks.
I roll my eyes and turn my back to her.
“I don’t get it,” I say again, louder this time.
My gaze fixes on the man—the only man—occupying a barstool on this side of the restaurant. Grayson Blake. Black hair, scruffy beard, tall, and oh-so muscular with tattoos etched into his tanned skin. Word has it that he has flames inked on his right hip, and when he moves, they dance as if they’re alive.
I’ve mentally filed that away because it’s something I’ll (sadly) never know for myself. Guys like Grayson Blake? They go for women like Natalia. Vixens. Women who give as good as they get. Women who understand them or, at the very least, the games they play.
I’m not one of those women. It will be both my personal and professional downfall.
Grayson lifts his beer bottle, and as if it pains him to do it, he slides his gaze to mine.
I swallow. Hard.
It doesn’t matter that I’ve worked at Fireside Bar and Grill for two years or that I’ve spent countless hours behind this very bar while Grayson sits on the other side, I can’t think straight when he looks at me. I also can’t look away. It’s quite the predicament.
“It just perplexes me,” I say, sinking my gaze into the steely depths of Grayson’s eyes. My voice isn’t quite as confident as it was a few seconds ago. It’ll come back around, though. It just takes a moment to get my bearings.
Grayson’s features are void of humor. Or emotion. Or curiosity. He watches me as if I’m a toddler and he’s in charge of making sure I don’t choke on a peanut or small coin.
I bite my lip. “I just … Natalia …” I shrug, my voice fading into the rock music playing overhead.
Grayson’s thick, engine grease-stained fingers grip the bottle. “Am I supposed to ask?”
The grit of his tone washes against my skin, leaving a flurry of goose bumps in its wake. It’s this way every time he talks to me. And whenever he talks to Corbin, the bartender who’s training me in the art of bartending so I don’t have to just waitress anymore. Come to think of it, I also have the same physical reaction to him when I’m in the Cherry Street Market Grocery Store buying bagels and I hear him talking from an aisle over.
Who am I kidding? I react this way every time I’m in Grayson’s proximity. Hell, I shivered in my flip-flops when I caught wind of his cologne outside of Pearl’s Pawnshop and Liquor Store last week.
“Are you supposed to ask what?” I ask him.
“About whatever you keep jawing about other there—about Natalia, I reckon.”
“Well, since you asked—”
“I didn’t.” He smiles a lopsided, amused smile that makes me wonder if he’s smiling with me or at me. “I asked if I was supposed to ask. I didn’t ask.”
I narrow my gaze. “You know what, Grayson Blake? You’re an asshole.”
He brings the beer bottle to his lips, hiding a satisfied grin, and pulls his gaze back to the hockey game on the television in the corner.
REVIEW
4.5 stars for 608 Alpha Avenue!
Adriana Locke has done it again! I love everything Adriana writes and 608 Alpha Avenue is no different! Although this is a novella, Adriana’s writing has made this feel like a full length novel, nothing in this story feels rushed.
This is a cute and quick grumpy/sunshine trope read with Grayson being a grumpy mechanic who has a thing for Haley and has for a while but won’t allow himself to pursue anything with her since he think’s he’s not the relationship time of guy. Haley is the bartender at the bar Grayson visits every night and she’s had a crush on him since they first met but she doesn’t think he sees her as someone he could be with that is until things heat up a little making Haley question whether they could be more. Haley was sassy and stood up for herself even when she wasn’t the most confident with herself and I loved that.
I also loved the side characters in this story. One of the reasons I love small town romances is because of all the side characters we get to meet and although we only saw them for a short time, Adriana Locke wrote them in a way that already has me thinking about what their stories are.
I loved Grayson and Haley together, they bring out the best in each other and you could feel their happiness of being together come off of the pages. I could feel their chemistry simmering straight away as we were introduced to them and seeing them let go and explore that was a joy to read. I really enjoyed this book and I can’t wait to go back to Cherry Falls for more!
*ARC was kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*
WHEN DARKNESS AND LIGHT COMBINE, DESTINED SOULS WILL IGNITE . . . Connected since childhood. Two souls: one dark and one pure. Bracing to take the greatest step of all. River ‘Styx’ Nash loves his woman. Ever since he met Mae at the fence of the cult that had kept her captive as a child, he has never loved anyone else. He loves her black hair, her pale skin and of course, her ice-blue ‘wolf eyes’. Since Mae came crashing back into his life, his only wish has been to marry her; finally to make her his wife. But now the wedding is booked, and only weeks from forever having Mae by his side, a lifelong problem is plaguing him. He wants to marry her; he has never wanted anything more . . . . . . if only he could speak the words and declare it to the world. Salome ‘Mae’ Nash’s life had been filled with heartache and pain . . . until, at age eight, she met a strange dark-haired boy from the outside world. Years later, and reunited with her great love, Mae is ready to solder her heart to his. Finally, Mae is getting ready to marry her man. But her fiancé has become withdrawn. Something is deeply troubling him. But Mae has no idea what. Or what to do to help. Can Styx open up and conquer his deepest pain? Or will the infamous Hangmen Mute allow his fears to overcome his love for Mae and watch their much-anticipated wedding crumble to dust? Dark Contemporary Romance. Contains explicit sexual situations, offensive language and mature topics. Recommended for age 18 and over.
***I Do, Babe: A Novella (Hades Hangmen #5.5) is to be read AFTER Damnable Grace (Hades Hangmen #5)***
“Mae,” Bella whispered as I walked from the changing room and stood on the elevated plinth opposite my friends and sisters. The mirror was behind me, but I did not yet dare look at my reflection. I glanced at Bella sat beside Ruth, her mother-in-law and Rider’s mama. Her eyes were filling with tears as she stared at me. Her hands were in front of her mouth. “Do you like it?” I ran my hand over my pronounced stomach. Bella nodded. “You are perfect,” she whispered. Ruth nodded in agreement. I looked at Maddie. “Madds?” She smiled warmly. “You are beautiful, Mae, this dress only enhances that. But this gown could not suit you more if you tried.” “Styx will love it,” Lilah said and held Grace tighter on her lap. “You look like a Disney princess,” Grace said. A hand came down on my arm. I turned to see Beauty behind me. “You ever gonna look in the mirror, darlin’?” She smiled. This boutique belonged to a friend of Beauty’s, and Beauty had practically organized my wedding for me. I was clueless where to even begin. “You look good, Mae.” I smiled at Letti as she sat uncomfortably on the couch. She had told me she was here to support me, but she had no opinion in such matters as wedding dress shopping. Or anything girly, she’d said affectionately. “Turn, honey,” Lilah said and I nodded my head. I had no idea why I was so nervous. I knew that Styx loved me and I loved him. I felt as though I had been waiting for this day my whole life. That I had been waiting for the day I finally cemented him as mine. Forever mine, and me forever his. Closing my eyes, I turned, allowing Beauty to guide me. “You ready?” she whispered. I pulled up the image of Styx in my mind. Me in his arms as we lay in bed. His large tattooed arms holding me close as we spoke. His voice gruff and deep. Then I pictured us laughing. The infamous Hangmen Mute of the Hades Hangmen, so different with me than with anybody else. To others he was aloof, silent, and menacing. But to me, he was loving, caring, and the most beautiful soul in the world. The other half of my heart.
Tillie Cole hails from a small town in the North-East of England. She grew up on a farm with her English mother, Scottish father and older sister and a multitude of rescue animals. As soon as she could, Tillie left her rural roots for the bright lights of the big city. After graduating from Newcastle University with a BA Hons in Religious Studies, Tillie followed her Professional Rugby player husband around the world for a decade, becoming a teacher in between and thoroughly enjoyed teaching High School students Social Studies before putting pen to paper, and finishing her first novel. Tillie has now settled in Austin, Texas, where she is finally able to sit down and write, throwing herself into fantasy worlds and the fabulous minds of her characters. Tillie is both an independent and traditionally published author, and writes many genres including: Contemporary Romance, Dark Romance, Young Adult and New Adult novels. When she is not writing, Tillie enjoys nothing more than curling up on her couch watching movies, drinking far too much coffee, while convincing herself that she really doesn’t need that extra square of chocolate.
A year after Going Down, Cole and Cici are still crazy about each other. Despite their relationship no longer being a secret, they can’t seem to catch a break. All Cici wanted was one perfect holiday, and all Cole wanted was dibs on some cranberry sauce.
As usual, Cici has a carefully laid out plan. And as usual, the universe has a different—more hilarious—plan. Will Cici be able to give up her idea of perfection and go with the flow?
Sometimes letting go is the secret to getting off.
The plan for Cici Carrington was to steadily climb UP the corporate ladder, and hopefully do so without her skirt tucked into the back of her underpants. Unfortunately, there was no contingency plan for the aftermath of spending a night trapped in an elevator with a suit-wearing Elevator Sex God named Cole Danvers. A one…or two-time dalliance wouldn’t normally throw off the course of someone’s life…unless you find out you have to work together the next day.
To further complicate matters, Cici’s best friend is also her Human Resources Director. She has to hide her secret from every person she knows. Her only confidant is her one-eyed cat, and his loyalty is tenuous at best. Toss in an accidental mugging, a bungled disguise, secret meetings, and unintentional arson, and Cici’s beautiful, careful plan has fallen by the wayside.
Perhaps there aren’t any hard and fast rules in life. Sometimes you can have your cake and eat it too. Sometimes following the rules doesn’t get you ahead.
And perhaps sometimes you can get off between floors…
Author’s Bio
When Katherine Stevens isn’t writing, she can usually be found opening juice boxes and looking for lost shoes. Her kids keep her quite busy and always zig-zagging across the line of sanity. She is a lifelong Texan with a terrible sense of direction and even worse memory. She thinks life is entirely too hard if you don’t laugh your way through it. As a child, she dreamed of being the most sarcastic astronaut in history, but her poor math skills and aversion to dehydrated food kept her out of the space program. Now she writes to pass the time until NASA lowers their standards. Your move, NASA!
