Sweet Tea & Sunshine

Book excerpt: Doggone it, it’s hard to beat a southern boy when it comes to charming the ladies. Crimson rounds up nine sassy romances so hot, you’ll want to slap your momma. Misbehaving in Merritt: When Dr. Maxwell Ellis Buchanan IV’s privileged life tailspins out of control, he’s sentenced to volunteer his time at Merritt’s local arts center. Even worse? He’ll report to Audrey Evans, a former ESPN reporter, who turned the arrogant golden boy down for a date. Working side by side, Max and Audrey find surprising common ground and breathless chemistry—but will their differences divide them? From One Night to Forever: Trucker Aaron Henderson rolls into Resilient, Tennessee, for business, but his one-night stand turns out to be his new partner’s baby sister. When Kacey Randal learns Aaron has a list of conquests as high as his big rig’s mileage, she’s ready to pretend their night together never happened. Can he prove to Kacey he’s ready to reform his roaming ways? What a Texas Girl Dreams: They are opposites in so many ways, but the more veterinarian Trickett Samuels gets to know footloose and fancy free Monica Witte, the more he wonders if he can convince this Texas girl that having roots will only help her soar higher. Fool for You: Sports journalist Melanie Foster is loving her high-flying career, now she just has to convince her best friend, Damien Richards, to put a ring on it. But Damien’s trying to save the non-profit where he volunteers, even if it means sacrificing personal happiness. When he finally realizes Mel is the girl for him, can he convince her he’s worth a second chance? Flame Unleashed: After Ruth Blackstone’s husband repaid her sacrifice with betrayal 150 years ago, she’s not willing to trust Cajun rogue Odie Pierre-Noir’s risky plan to win freedom for all Indebteds. Soon, however, she’ll need to choose: continue to lived a damned life but with Odie as her lover or risk their eternal souls for one chance to break the curse. Bride by the Book: Small-town Arkansas attorney Garner Holt badly needs an assistant to sort out his cluttered office, but he didn’t expect a super-secretary like Miss Angelina Brownwood. But an online search reveals Angelina isn’t actually a secretary. Does her secret mean he can’t make this unique woman his for life? Blue Moon: On a mission in Florida, Gabriel Rayner rescues a beautiful, drowning mermaid who is searching for a champion to fight an evil warlord and save her people. If they fall in love, Gabe will be enslaved to the Merfolk for eternity. In a clash of culture shock and heat, Gabriel and Ephyra battle those odds, but will they have to sacrifice their love to save her life? Carolina Love Song: Bix Bullard was Judy’s childhood sweetheart. Unfortunately when he returns home and his city friends descend on the estate, it’s clear that the beautiful, wealthy Marise considers him her exclusive property. Can Judy dare hope she could rekindle his lost love for her? Mischief and Magnolias: Natchez, Mississippi, peacefully surrendered to the Union Army—but Shaelyn Cavanaugh didn’t. Major Remy Harte has taken over her home and her beloved steamboats, and she will use every mischievous weapon at her disposal to drive out the Union soldier. But their growing attraction is unavoidable. Can their budding romance survive when a common enemy accuses Shae of espionage?