Happy Friday, all!
I’m so excited to share that my fake relationship romance set in Atlanta, Georgia—TWICE FAKED—is now live! When it comes to romance tropes…who can settle on just one favorite? Personally, I have a Top 5. Fake relationships and second chance romance are solidly among them. My new novella, TWICE FAKED—set in Atlanta, Georgia among a group of former high school friends all currently in some area of the music industry—delivers both.
| Ward Hughes is a celebrity DJ and Karris Baker is a pop star whose career has seen brighter days. In high school, they faked a relationship so they could become Homecoming King & Queen. But after a rough few months, Karris wants Ward to reprise his role as her fake boyfriend—not so much for herself, but to save their old high school. It was so much fun writing Ward & Karris’s love story. I can’t wait for you to read it. Check out an excerpt below. Then click the link to join the Happily Ever After Collective Patreon and grab a copy of your own copy of my HEA Collective exclusive novella. Plus, check out the other three fake relationship novellas available this month. |
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Twice Faked Excerpt
“I was hoping to have a quick chat with Ward. Is he available?”
“Depends on who’s asking.” Ward made his way down the stairs and rounded the corner. He shoved his hands into the pockets of his gray pants, seeming neither surprised nor pleased to see Karris standing in his foyer.
Wardell Hughes had best been described as “cute” back when they attended Peachtree School of the Arts together. But now… it was safe to say the man was movie-star handsome. Was it any wonder he’d been on the cover of a handful of music and lifestyle magazines looking hot enough to set the glossy pages afire?
“I’ve got it, sis.” Ward sauntered toward the open front door, his expression unreadable as his dark eyes locked with hers.
A shiver ran down Karris’s spine; her throat suddenly seemed parched, and for a moment, she could hardly remember her own name.
“Great. Then I’ll get started on lunch,” Wanda said. “Should I set another place?”
“No.” The chill coming off that single word was unmistakable. “Our guest won’t be staying.”
Wanda gave Karris an apologetic smile, then turned and walked away.
Ward leaned against the doorway with his arms folded. His broad shoulders and wide chest seemed to fill the space. He was a couple of inches shy of six feet tall. And his athletic build made Karris wonder about the musculature beneath the cobalt-blue linen T-shirt that hugged his chest, emphasizing his pecs.
He leaned forward a little. “You didn’t answer my question.”
“You didn’t ask one.” Karris tipped her chin. “Not technically. And let’s not pretend you don’t know who I am, Ward. You’re not really going to be that petty, are you?”
One corner of his broad mouth curved in a smirk, and his nostrils flared. “You call it being petty. Maybe I feel it’s justified. After all, when we broke up in high school—”
“I was kind of a bitch about it,” Karris admitted with a deep sigh. She tucked her hair behind her ear. “You’re right. I certainly could’ve been kinder about it. But I was young and dumb and feeling myself a bit if I’m being honest. I’ve wanted to say that for years. But whenever we crossed paths…” She shrugged. “The time and place were never right.”
Ward stared at her without response, his arms still folded.
Karris glanced over her shoulders at the homes on either side of his. She had no reason to believe the paparazzi were following her this morning. But it was possible someone might’ve been watching Ward’s house. Former pop star pleading with now-famous ex wasn’t a headline she wanted to see either.
“May I come in for a minute?” Karris asked. The chill from Ward’s stare sent a far less pleasurable shiver through her. “I won’t keep you long.”
Ward stepped aside begrudgingly and gestured toward the double French doors of his office. Karris thanked him and stepped inside, taking a seat in one of the chairs in front of Ward’s desk.
He settled into his chair on the other side and steepled his fingers. “So… how about we get to the part where you ask me whatever it is you came here to ask?”
Is that what her former classmates thought of her? That she only reached out to them because she needed something? Even worse, perhaps they were right.
“And don’t give me that ‘I was just in the neighborhood’ crap. We both know that isn’t true.” Ward sat back in his chair and checked his watch. “I have a brisket sandwich and a warm slice of apple pie waiting for me. So just know that every minute my food is getting colder, I’m feeling slightly less generous.”
“Then I’ll get right to the point.” Karris laid her purse in her lap and folded her hands on top of it. “I’d like to propose a mutually beneficial arrangement.”
“A mutually beneficial arrangement.” Ward mimicked her voice, then laughed bitterly. “Like your proposal that we ‘date’”—he used air quotes—“simply for the sake of becoming homecoming king and queen?”
“Just like that, actually.” Karris’s face warmed. A knot clenched in her stomach in response to Ward’s widened eyes, followed by a deep frown. He didn’t speak, so she continued. “I realize I’m not your favorite person, Ward.” She ignored the grunt, which confirmed her deduction more heartily than necessary. “But like before, we can help each other achieve our goals.”
“And what exactly is your goal here, Karrisma?” Ward cocked his head, hitching one brow so high it practically hit his hairline.
He evidently remembered how much she hated being called by her given name and was trying to goad her. She wouldn’t let him.
Focus on why you’re here and reason with him.
She took a calming breath. “Maybe you’ve noticed that I’ve been getting a lot of less-than-flattering press lately.”
“No, actually, I hadn’t,” Ward said coolly, folding his hands over his stomach as he stared at her. “What did you do?”
“I didn’t do…” Karris sucked in another deep breath and lowered her voice. “I didn’t do anything other than getting dumped by my fiancé. Which, I’m fine with,” she added quickly. “That’s his prerogative.”
“So, what’s the problem?” Ward shrugged.
“The problem is that six months after our breakup, Monté has apparently found the love of his life. But rather than just celebrating his newfound happiness”—Karris practically spit the words which were a direct quote from one of the countless articles about the newly engaged couple—“the narrative has become poor little washed-up Karris Baker who hasn’t had a hit in years. Whatever will she do?”
“Here’s a bit of free advice, sweetheart. We’re public personalities.” Ward shrugged. “People are gonna manufacture shit about us that isn’t true. On television, in print, on social media… You can’t chase down every unflattering headline out there. It isn’t good for your psyche, soul, or career. My advice? Let it go. Some other current or former pop star will do something stupid, and the news cycle will move on.”
Want to read the rest of my fake relationship, second chance romance TWICE FAKED? Click here to join the HEA Collective Patreon.
Fake Relationships Galore
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New from Tina Martin & Stephanie Nicole Norris
Dangerously in Love (Love Doses, Book 1)
When love and danger collide…
Wasn’t Supposed To Love Her by USA Today bestselling author Tina Martin
Ex-soldier Royce Pembroke has a new assignment on the anti-human trafficking task force – to monitor Makeena Ellison who’s just been trafficked in an undercover operation. She’s young, vulnerable and naïve. Royce’s team is bent on bringing the traffickers to justice, but he’s constantly distracted by this beautiful young woman who’s desperate for love. Can he focus on his assignment without catching feelings?
Mistaken Identity by USA Today bestselling author Stephanie Nicole Norris
Identical looks were their only commonality.
For Tiana, life is one challenge after another, but her greatest struggle is sharing a face with the sister she despises. Briana seems to have it all when her charmed life is ripped apart, and memory loss leaves her uncertain of who she is. With the help of a handsome stranger, Briana’s new life and love blossom, but Tiana won’t rest until Briana has no life at all.
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