KAREN’S KILLER BOOK BENCH: Welcome to Karen’s Killer Book Bench, where readers can discover talented new authors and take a peek inside their wonderful books. This is not an age-filtered site, so all book peeks are PG-13 or better. Come back and visit often. Happy reading!
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PROTECTING MAXX
Alpha Male Romance
BY ANN LaRUE
BLURB
Maxine Perez’s world shattered when her father, Carlos, died in a tragic car accident. A year later, her mother’s sudden marriage to the commanding and enigmatic David Trevino pulled her into a new family—and closer to Sebastian, her brooding step-brother who always seemed to understand her like no one else.
For years, Maxine and Sebastian had danced around an undeniable connection. Their bond deepened even as the lines between family and something more began to blur. But Sebastian is keeping secrets—one that could unravel everything Maxine thought she knew about her father’s death and the family she’s now part of.
As forbidden desires collide with dangerous truths, Maxine and Sebastian must confront their feelings and decide what matters most: Loyalty and love or the lies that threaten to destroy them?
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PROTECTING MAXX
Alpha Male Romance
BY ANN LaRUE
Excerpt
From Chapter 18 (Maxine)
The evening air was sweet with the scent of jasmine as I slipped out the side door and walked toward the truck, my sandals quiet on the gravel path. Sebastian stepped out of his truck when he saw me, and my breath caught. He was wearing dark jeans and a white button-down with the sleeves rolled up. He looked nothing like the suited executive from the morning meetings.
“Hi,” I whispered as I reached him.
His fingers brushed my cheek. “You look beautiful.” The simple words made me shiver.
We drove in comfortable silence, his hand finding mine across the console. It was still new, this freedom to touch, to want. The guilt and confusion were still there, but they were overshadowed by how right it felt.
“Where are we going?” I asked as we passed the town limits.
Sebastian smirked. “You trust me?”
“You know I do.”
Twenty minutes later, he turned onto a dirt road I didn’t recognize. Trees gave way to an open field, and I gasped. Hundreds of fireflies danced in the twilight, and in the center of the field sat a checkered blanket with a picnic basket.
“Sebastian…”
“I may have had some help,” he admitted as he parked. “Brooklyn packed the food. Said if I was going to be sneaking around with her sister, I better do it properly.
Laughing, I let him lead me to the blanket. He’d thought of everything—wine, my favorite foods, even a small speaker that was playing soft music. The sunset painted the sky in shades of pink and gold.
“Dance with me?” he asked as he pulled me to my feet.
“Here?” I asked, but I was already melting into his arms.
“Here.” His hand spanned my lower back, holding me close as we swayed. “Where no one can tell us we’re wrong.”
I looked away, guilt and uncertainty warring in my chest. “But what if they’re right? What if this ruins everything? The company, our families—”
“Hey”—he tilted my chin up—“tonight is not about any of that. Tonight is just about us.”
His kiss was gentle, unhurried. No rushed moments in empty offices or stolen glances across the dinner table. Just us, under an endless Texas sky, being honest about what we wanted.
“I’ve wanted to do this for so long,” he murmured against my lips. “Take you on a real date. Show you how special you are to me.”
“How long?” I needed to know.
“Remember last Fourth of July? You were wearing that red dress and laughing at something Jace said. The fireworks were going off, and all I could think about was how much I wanted to kiss you.”
“That long?” My fingers traced his jaw. “Why didn’t you say anything?”
“Because I was terrified.” His honesty made my heart ache. “Of ruining our family, of losing you completely. But watching you fight for Carlos’s legacy, seeing your strength… I couldn’t pretend anymore.”
We danced until the stars came out, and traded secrets and soft kisses. The fireflies swirled around us like earthbound stars, and for those few precious hours, the world beyond this field didn’t exist.
About Author Ann LaRue..
Ann LaRue is a contemporary romance author who believes in love that lingers long after the last page. A proud Texan, Ann is a devoted mother, a passionate baker, and a lifelong reader. She was married to the love of her life, and his memory continues to inspire her stories. When she’s not writing swoon-worthy romances, you’ll find her curled up with a good book or baking something sweet in the kitchen. Ann lives with her family and their loyal pup, Dallas, and she always loves hearing from readers who believe in happily ever afters as much as she does.
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Links to Ann’s websites, blogs, books, #ad, etc.:
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4kJ4zfm
Happy Reading!
Special Giveaway: Ann will gift an ARC copy of PROTECTING MAXX to one lucky reader who comments using predictive text for the photo above. Good luck!
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Thanks, Ann, for sharing your book with us!
Don’t miss the chance to read this book!
OH this book look like a good would really like to read a print copy of this to review
Thanks so much for sharing an excerpt of your intriguing book.
Welcome to Karen’s Killer Book Bench, Ann. Really enjoyed your excerpt. Intriguing set up! Thanks for sharing your book with us today!
“Sebastian kisses Maxine on the basil and pulls her into his mouth ” 😂😂😂😂
Ooh going on my tbr list for sure
Awesome! Looks good.
Hello and welcome fellow Texas! Wow, your book sounds like a great read! I loved the excerpt and it has got me hooked! Sebastian kisses Maxine on the forehead and pulls her into his chest. Thank you for the chance.
This sounds so good!
Sebastian kisses Maxine on the neck and pulls her into his shed