https://www.authorstefanie.com/aboutme daily 0.75 2023-09-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fed334915120a7c1d1862aa/1609427744991-FYRKI9KJN4YNXVOKK5NV/IMG_9154.JPG https://www.authorstefanie.com/books daily 0.75 2023-04-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fed334915120a7c1d1862aa/1609466463919-4ER9MF2A8A1EQAALFCZN/1605631352.png Books https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fed334915120a7c1d1862aa/1609467575599-EWY7XT2HF8JW82OU2VOL/1596066498.png Books https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fed334915120a7c1d1862aa/94c0ee4e-e3a4-4d3b-88ec-18c261481f67/1638913628.png Books https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fed334915120a7c1d1862aa/723af65f-4ba0-46ea-8d7c-7ccaddc25618/1682351865.png Books https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fed334915120a7c1d1862aa/1609466775135-SCBC23TWCQKPDB49Q3A4/1609466752.png Books https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fed334915120a7c1d1862aa/1609467680159-OWLIOC7BU7F4K3WLY2R1/1609467659.png Books https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fed334915120a7c1d1862aa/22632883-ddc3-4ed0-9c4f-20288260cabb/1638914221.png Books https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fed334915120a7c1d1862aa/60338343-f259-44dc-9ffd-652f6d3d69be/1682351799.png Books https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fed334915120a7c1d1862aa/1609430946046-7O7MSQAK3OQ1M1QG60Z9/1605631502.png Books https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fed334915120a7c1d1862aa/08848541-8b7f-4dc0-a292-9576c2bc8885/1682351819.png Books https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fed334915120a7c1d1862aa/1609431339089-5M4Y7OTBMYHSAYJ817K9/1605630871.png Books https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fed334915120a7c1d1862aa/f71d96ae-eea9-48f3-ae13-cbe68e8311df/1638911675.png Books https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fed334915120a7c1d1862aa/848d5036-23a3-4995-b352-68dbab037a61/1657115921.png Books https://www.authorstefanie.com/home daily 1.0 2023-09-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fed334915120a7c1d1862aa/beb5c365-8ede-4b7f-84af-469cf3385fe8/BookBrushImage2303+%281%29.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fed334915120a7c1d1862aa/9684db01-7bac-4218-b3e9-ba9716d1c9a9/INPOY+EBOOK.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fed334915120a7c1d1862aa/a1f8765c-0e23-4b60-b2f5-0836e925cd31/SCARS+EBOOK.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fed334915120a7c1d1862aa/a1f8765c-0e23-4b60-b2f5-0836e925cd31/SCARS+EBOOK.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fed334915120a7c1d1862aa/9684db01-7bac-4218-b3e9-ba9716d1c9a9/INPOY+EBOOK.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fed334915120a7c1d1862aa/af298a8a-78a4-4ef8-955f-c9eb60d40fab/Pinky+Promises+E-Book.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fed334915120a7c1d1862aa/d1d035ae-fa4a-4046-8472-5050e3290914/keeping+Promises+E-BOOK.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fed334915120a7c1d1862aa/6a7633e1-d0ed-4f0e-8fa5-99970ead343c/INEY+EBOOK.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fed334915120a7c1d1862aa/15c9f404-de93-40d5-90a0-e971e20ab1e7/INKLTY+TEMPLATE.png Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fed334915120a7c1d1862aa/0aa64707-b3a7-48e8-b340-55bac6f0f44e/INKLTY+TEMPLATE.png Home https://www.authorstefanie.com/i-never-planned-on-you daily 0.75 2023-04-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fed334915120a7c1d1862aa/1609432049274-AVYX1L5M8RM3LNKGYC2R/BookBrushImage27125.png I Never Planned on You - I Never Planned on You Dani had her entire life planned out by the time she was thirteen. She was going to marry the boy who stole her heart – her brother’s best friend – have a great life, and live happily ever after. Then tragedy struck and Dani had to bury those childhood dreams in a pine box along with the love of her young life. The memory of what she lost haunted her until she disappeared into the night, leaving behind everyone, and everything she’d ever known. Years later, she returns home to find everything has changed. When she meets Kyler, there is something about him that gets past the walls around her heart. Will she let fear control her, or will she let go of the past and learn to love again? Available to read in ebook (Free with KU), paperback and audio. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fed334915120a7c1d1862aa/1609432594240-ICA5QXWV1TS78YOIVDD4/inpoy1.jpg I Never Planned on You - Excerpt She diverts her eyes and blushes, her cheeks now the rosiest shade of pink. As she looks down at the floor, I see there is a drop of icing left on her lips. “You got a little something right…” I drag my thumb across her bottom lip to get the icing at the same time as her tongue slides out to clean it off". The tip of her tongue grazes my thumb, and I am instantly aroused. Her eyes meet mine as she closes her lips around my thumb and sucks the spare icing that I had gotten. Her blue eyes darken like I have never seen them before. The way she’s looking at me, I would say she wants me to kiss her, but maybe I’m just reading the signs wrong. Once this happens, there is no going back. I can feel her breathing change, and her eyes move from my eyes to my lips a few times. Okay, yes, she definitely wants me to kiss her. We could cut the sexual tension in the room with a knife. Should I? Is she ready for that? Fuck, why am I having an argument with myself instead of making a move? She doesn’t move away as I place my hand on her hip to keep her steady. “Tell me to stop,” I tell her as I slowly close the distance between us. She doesn’t say anything, so as I take her cheek in my hand and brush her soft skin, I say against her lips, “Dani, I’m gonna kiss you now. Tell me if you want me to stop.” Shit, please don’t tell me to stop. She wets her lips instead of saying no, so I gently press my lips to hers. I can feel her hesitate at first as I kiss her, but then she kisses me back. As I lick her lips, she opens for me, and I explore her mouth with my tongue. She tastes sweet and I already know I won’t be able to get enough of her. https://www.authorstefanie.com/i-never-expected-you daily 0.75 2023-04-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fed334915120a7c1d1862aa/1609437140024-6735GBVKJQWLOWIJGO1K/INEYcollage1.jpg I Never Expected You - Excerpt “Aww, those are so cute.” I notice the teddy bears hanging. “Well, let’s get you one.” He smiles, and my insides are liquid. Am I the only one feeling this? A younger kid joins us. We take our positions, and the bell rings. I focus everything I have in aiming the gun at the target. DING. Son of a bitch. The little motherfucker. The kid who came up last minute to join won and won’t stop talking shit. This kid is seriously killing my mood. I get up to walk away and feel Zach’s hand grip my arm, stopping me in my tracks. “One more try,” Zach tells the carnival attendant, handing him another dollar. “You’re going down, punk.” He directs his attention to the little kid that won’t stop running his mouth that he won. What the hell, where are his parents? I sit back down. All the saliva in my mouth instantly dries, forcing me to feel parched at just the feel of his arms wrapped around me. What is happening right now? Zach takes my hands and wraps his fingers around mine, ready to aim the water gun at the target. Zach leans in. His head is directly against mine. I can smell the mint on his breath from his gum. “You ready, Hails?” I can feel his breath against my ear. His body is pressed up against mine so that our hearts beat the same rhythm. I try to control myself so I can focus, but him being this close is doing all sorts of things to me right now. I can’t even explain it. The starting bell rings again, and Zach’s hands tighten around mine as he focuses. “We won!” “Of course we did. Did you doubt me? We make the perfect team.” Zach hands me the black teddy bear with the red heart on his left paw that the guy behind the counter gave him. “You know, Jacobs, if I didn’t know any better, I would say this was a date.” I let out an awkward laugh. Let’s get real—me on a date with Zach Jacobs? Ha! There is something I see in his eyes…I can’t describe what it is, but at that moment, I start to realize that maybe all of this—the feelings, the moments, the lost looks—all of it is not just me. Perhaps there is a possibility that he feels this too. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fed334915120a7c1d1862aa/1609438017160-I26JOXK15CGDXVLVCE1A/BookBrushImage36.jpg I Never Expected You - I Never Expected You Zachary Jacobs feels as though his life is spiraling out of control as he deals with the aftermath of losing his childhood best friend, Emmett Hanks. When his sister, Danielle, disappears without a trace, he finds comfort in the only person who truly knows what he is going through: Haylee Hanks. What he least expects is to fall for her. She went from the silly girl next door to the beautiful woman he can’t get out of his head. For the first time, he wants more than just a notch on his bedpost. Will his past be too much for her to handle, or will she let him catch her as she falls? I Never Expected You is free to read with your kindle unlimited subscription. https://www.authorstefanie.com/i-never-let-you-go daily 0.75 2023-04-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fed334915120a7c1d1862aa/1609512707070-V5D3O0TDEP1LEV33FF9Z/inlygipad.jpg I Never Let You Go - I Never Let You Go One word was all it took to change everything. For years, Lauren Lawson believed happily ever afters didn’t exist for everyone—especially her. Now a decade after watching the love of her life walk away, he’s back. Finn Reynolds is determined to win her back, but Lauren is scared. She keeps her feelings locked up to protect her fragile heart from being shattered again. But Finn has a way of getting her to open up—he always has. Can Lauren leave the past behind and move on to a future where she never lets him go? Free to read with kindle unlimited. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fed334915120a7c1d1862aa/1609515275058-0DZEHI468N9L1MB1ZZBY/INLYGcolage.jpg I Never Let You Go - Excerpt Once we are both settled, I start the truck. “So, where are we headed?” “Well, I thought we might swing by the diner and pick up some burgers and then hit up the batting cage.” “The batting cage? You do remember high school, right? You know, where I was a football player and not a baseball player.” “Oh, trust me, I remember.” She pulls her bottom lip between her teeth, and I want to be the one to bite it. I turn quickly away from her before my cock wakes up. “But you mentioned yesterday that you had a rough day, and over the past few years, when Kate and I have had a bad day, we go to the batting cage and whack some balls.” I raise my eyebrow and glance over at her at the stoplight. “Whack some balls? Is that a technical term?” She crosses her arms. “Yes, that is very technical.” She laughs, and yep, that sound definitely wakes my cock up. I squirm in my seat, trying to rearrange myself casually. “As you said, you were a football player, not a baseball player, so how do you know it’s not an actual technical term.” She sticks her tongue out at me, and I see a glimpse of the old Lo. “Valid point, Lo.” I drive us to the Honey Bee Diner, where we order two cheeseburgers, two fries, and two root beer floats. I lean back with my hands over my stomach, “Okay, Lawson, I don’t know what your endgame is, but I’m not sure how I’m supposed to move to do anything let alone ‘whack some balls’—” I use air quotes—“as you technically say.” “Oh, come on, stop being a baby.” She reaches into her purse, retrieving her wallet. I reach across the table and stop her when she pulls out her credit card to pay. “I’ve got this.” Slipping her hand from my grasp, she lays the card on the table and flags over the waitress. “No, I invited you, it’s only fair I pay.” I shake my head. “Then I wouldn’t be very gentlemanly.” She scoffs. “Oh, you’re a gentleman now?” I lay my hand on my chest as if offended. “Just for that, I’m going to pay for this and the batting cage.” I quickly throw enough cash to cover both of our meals and a tip on the table and extend my hand to her, mainly to help her up from the booth, but if she wants to continue to hold it, I wouldn’t be upset. She takes my hand but quickly releases it once she is standing and adjusts her shirt. Baby steps. We drive the ten minutes over to the batting cages, and once again, she fights me when I go to pay. “I told you, I’m showing you I’m a gentleman tonight.” It earns me an eye roll and a smile. I’ll take one since I got the other. “Lane six is open. You can pick your bats over there,” the kid who looks barely old enough to drive says from behind the counter. “Thank you,” we both say at the same time before we make our bat selection. “All right, how much harder can this be. Let me show you how it’s done.” Outside of high school gym class, I can’t say that I’ve ever spent much time with a baseball bat with my hands. Lauren holds out her hand for me to go first. I walk into the cage and look back at her over my shoulder. Lauren is leaning forward against the fence with her arms raised above her head. The slightest sliver of skin is showing between her shirt and jeans. Is this part of her plan to distract me? “Let’s see what you got, hotshot,” she taunts. I point the bat in at her direction and smile at her before turning to face the machine. I press the button indicating I’m ready and assume the position. The ball shoots out of the machine and flies right past me, hitting the area behind me with a loud whoosh. Lauren laughs softly. I glare at her, and she quickly covers her mouth. I shake it off and retake my position. Three more balls pass without making contact with my bat. I can now hear her howling with laughter. I hold the bat in position and focus on the ball. The machine release the ball, and I follow it till it’s in front of me and swing—and another miss. “Damnit!” I exit the cage to see Lauren standing there with her arms and ankles crossed with a smug smile on her face. “Oh, what like this is so easy. Let me see you do better.” “With pleasure.” I want to pull her into me and kiss that smirk right off her face and show her better pleasure than hitting baseballs. Lauren enters the cage and hits the button. She holds the bat in position and shakes her ass slightly, just enough for me to notice. Clink. Clink. Clink. Clink. Clink. Damn, she hit every ball that came at her. She swings the bat in a circle before planting it on the ground in between her feet. She leans over on it and teases, “You were saying?” “Oh, it is on, babe.” I accentuate each word. I don’t miss the way she stares at my mouth when I call her babe. We have slowly fallen into our old banter, but I’m still not sure where we stand. She didn’t slap me though when I called her babe, so I think it’s about time I find out what this is happening between us. https://www.authorstefanie.com/i-plan-on-forever daily 0.75 2023-04-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fed334915120a7c1d1862aa/1609512422559-KAD80LN4MOQJ7J5TFKCD/98111973_698362440979082_395126992548134912_o.jpg I Plan on Forever - Excerpt “A handsome guy named Kyler happened to answer the front door to his castle to find a beautiful woman standing on the other side. She was lost, looking for her home, and happened to stumble upon this stranger.” I press my lips together to keep from laughing. I mean, that’s not exactly how it happened, but sure, for this. Lauren turns the page. “He was so taken by the woman that he didn’t know what to do. That night, he met with his gorgeous, smart, and funny sisters.” Kate winks dramatically. That line has her written all over it. “They could tell something was different about him from the moment they saw him. He tried to deny it, but their magical big-sister powers saw right through that façade.” “Wow, that’s a big word for a kids’ book,” Zach shouts, followed by a loud grunt where his wife kicked him under the table. Haylee gives him a stern look and points her finger toward his face and whispers something. She then leans back into him, and he smiles. Lord knows what she said. Actually, come to think of it, I don’t want to know. “As I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted.” Lauren narrows her eyes at my brother. She might look like she’s ready to smack him, but I know her. Both of Kyler’s sisters love Zach as if he were their brother. They joke and tease each other as if they’ve known each other their whole lives. I scoot my chair even closer to Kyler’s as he places his arm around my shoulder, pulling me to his chest. I lean into him, resting my hand on his knee, and listen for the rest of the story, even though I have some sort of idea as to how it ends. “The sisters couldn’t help but tease their poor brother. He had this goofy smile that they had never seen before. It was as if Cupid’s arrow struck him.” Kate pretends to shoot a bow and arrow. I laugh, wishing Aria were here to see this. I’m sure she would cringe and correct Kate’s form right now. “Dani had Kyler hooked…” And now Kate miraculously has a pretend fishing pole in her hand. “…since the moment they met. He just had to convince her that he was worth it.” I glance up at Kyler, who tilts his head down to me. He smiles wildly, and I know that he was worth it. “So, let’s now fast-forward to Kyler and Dani spending time to get to know each other. Enter the older, yet wiser, sisters. They played a little Jiminy Cricket in his ear, convincing him to ask her to dinner. What was the worst that could happen? Plus, they just had to meet this girl who had turned their brother’s world upside down.” Kate began. “None of them thought she was going to show, but then a miracle happened—you know, like Jesus turning water into wine.” “Did your sister just reference me showing up to Momento that night as a miracle from God?” His laugh vibrates through my body and he places a brief kiss to the top of my head. “Shh. Let’s just go with it, baby.” I think back to that night and how I almost didn’t show up, but there was something about Kyler. No matter how much I tried to deny it to myself, there was something that drew me to him. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fed334915120a7c1d1862aa/1609512336468-2HHB4SV3FHEQW516ZXDR/availableonku.jpg I Plan on Forever - I Plan on Forever Danielle Jacobs never thought she would find love again, but when Kyler Lawson opened the front door, everything changed. He opened her heart to love again. Almost four years later, their wedding day finally arrives. Family and friends travel from near and far to witness them promise each other forever. Kyler may not have been her first love, but he plans on being her last. I Plan on Forever is a 23k word novella following the happily ever after of Dani & Kyler. I Never Planned on You must be read first. https://www.authorstefanie.com/i-never-knew-love-til-you daily 0.75 2023-04-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fed334915120a7c1d1862aa/aebee9a0-5079-4f14-9817-f2aeb405c3cd/Untitled+design+%2854%29.jpg I Never Knew Love til You - I Never Knew Love ‘til You When Kate Lawson meets her new neighbor, Jaxon McAdams, they instantly clash. This single dad may be sexy as sin with his dark eyes and broodiness, but his rude attitude lands him in Kate’s bad graces within moments of meeting. Kate is hit with a new reality when she discovers Jaxon also happens to be her brother-in-law’s best friend. He is now everywhere she turns, burying himself further and further into her skin. When Jax needs Kate’s help, she sets aside their differences for the little boy that is slowly capturing her heart. The more time Kate spends with Jax and his son, both of their walls begin to crumble and things begin to change from hostile to explosive. But when things get hard, will their love be strong enough to survive? Available to read with kindle unlimited. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fed334915120a7c1d1862aa/35331211-0807-441c-8b5e-e8c63204ea15/284537603_10101437590895159_7486644527773462661_n.jpg I Never Knew Love til You - Excerpt It took every ounce of strength to not look up as I walked out to the mailbox. Instead, I counted the cracks in the pavement along my driveway. Once my back was to him, I exhaled a breath of relief, even as the soundtrack of the lawn mower continued behind me. I knew I should head back inside. Yet I stalled, sorting through the various envelopes—nothing but junk and bills. When the mower abruptly cut off, my mind instantly went back to the fantasy that had played on repeat for days. I made the mistake of glancing over my shoulder at the exact moment Jaxon leaned over and moved some sticks that had been in his way. Even with the brief distance between us, I could see the defined corded muscles of his back. The slight pink hue to his skin told me he’d been out in the sun a while—probably a typical man, not wearing sunscreen. I pulled my bottom lip between my teeth as I imagined massaging suntan lotion into his skin or aloe to treat the sunburn. Sweet fucking Jesus. Before I could stop myself, I opened my mouth. “Put some clothes on, for the love of God! You’re scaring the neighbors.” Or turning them the fuck on, and they don’t have time to rub one out. Jaxon turned around at the sound of my voice. Fuck, the front is even better! He crossed his arms so that the muscles in his biceps tensed, drawing my eyes directly to them. I followed the drops of sweat that dripped down his skin. Seriously, it was unfair that this man looked like a fucking god. When did he even have time to work out? If he wasn’t home, he was typically at work or at my sister’s—not that I knew his schedule or anything. My mouth went dry because every drop of moisture in my body went straight to my panties. I rubbed my thighs together, trying to relieve the ache that blossomed. When my eyes lifted, I met his. He had the audacity to smirk at me as if asking if I liked what I saw. I just rolled my eyes. The man knew he was hot—no need to stroke his ego. “You know, that’s funny. I hear something quite different.” He started walking closer to me, and my breath hitched. “I hear I have a little fan club that meets once a week over there.” He pointed his finger at my house. Fuck! I clenched my fists by my side, nearly crushing my mail, and gritted my teeth. “I’m going to kill my brother-in-law.” I knew Finn had to be the reason he knew. There was no way that Lauren would have told him nor Tweedledee and Tweedledum, also known as Dani and Haylee. I’d made the mistake of mentioning it to the girls once, and they made it a point to stop by on Saturday mornings for the view. So that narrowed it down to one other person. Jaxon threw his head back in laughter, and it only furthered my scowl at him. “Does the sacred vow of marriage mean nothing,” I exclaimed. The laughter died down, and his brow furrowed in confusion. “I’m not sure I follow.” “You know, the sacred vow of marriage.” “Yeah, I’m familiar with it, thanks,” he bit out. His confused expression shouldn’t bother me, yet I explained further. I placed my hands on my hips and continued. “Well, Lauren and I share DNA, so I’m included in that, too. Therefore, anything I tell Lauren or Lauren does, she may tell Finn. However, the buck stops there. He’s supposed to become a vault.” He shook his head and mumbled something I couldn’t quite make out. “And what, bro code means nothing?” “Nope,” I said, popping the p sound. “Twin card trumps that.” He rubbed his temples with his stretched thumb and middle finger. “Okay, whatever. You can take your crazy talk away so I can finish mowing. Some of us have shit to do.” I ignored the dig and turned, heading back to my house, when Jaxon shouted, “Oh, and Kate? If you’re gonna stare, maybe next time you can bring me a lemonade. I don’t put on a show for free.” I flung my middle finger in the air at him, and the sound of the mower soon drowned his smug laughter. https://www.authorstefanie.com/ruined-promises daily 0.75 2021-01-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fed334915120a7c1d1862aa/1609511552120-7O70AB4ORBZ1Y2CXOMAR/Premade+3+copy.jpg Ruined Promises - Ruined Promises One dance. One decision. It only took one night out to turn Lexi Baker’s so-called perfect world upside down. A chance encounter with a tall, dark, and handsome stranger makes her feel things she’s never felt before, both physically and emotionally. When her emotions get the best of her, she escapes with only his first name: Ben. A one-night stand—that’s all it was supposed to be. She was never supposed to see him again. And he definitely wasn’t supposed to be standing in her office Monday morning being introduced as her new boss. Ben and Lexi promise each other that nothing more can happen and they must remain professional. But some promises are meant to be ruined, right? Ruined Promises is available to read for free with your kindle unlimited subscription. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fed334915120a7c1d1862aa/1609511811700-GWLRV8E9NW2WD65JSWOA/RPCollage2.png Ruined Promises - Excerpt Jealousy is getting the best of me—and that is something I don’t do. An hour later, I hear her voice in the hallway. When I glance out my door, I see she returned sans her male companion and has already dropped her belongings in her office, heading toward the copy room. I get up from my chair and follow her. Is it a good idea? Probably not, but when it comes to Lexi Baker, I never listen to my conscience. I softly close the door behind me, closing us into the small room. Lexi jumps, gripping the papers tighter in her hands. “Oh fuck,” she shouts, clutching her chest that is heaving up and down. “Sorry, Ben, you scared me.” Once composed, she tilts her head, staring at me. “Are you okay?” I walk forward, a man on a mission, and cage her in, her back now pressed against the copy machine. The only sounds filling the room are our heavy breathing and the printing of whatever brought her in here. “Did you enjoy your lunch?” My entire body is tense and my tone clipped. I played it off earlier when I met him, but being enclosed in this room with her after my jealousy festered, I can’t hide it. “Yes, thank you.” “Cal seems like a nice guy.” She nods. We are so close I can smell the cinnamon of her gum. “It drove me crazy seeing his lips on you.” I can hear her gasp as she sucks in a breath. Ben, what are you doing? “I remember what those lips felt like, tasted like.” I drag my thumb over her soft lips, and I feel my cock stiffening in my pants. “It’s like it’s engraved in my brain.” I need to put space between us before doing something neither of us can take back. I leave her staring blankly at me with her thumb brushing over her lips, wondering what the fuck that was. A shocked expression laces her delicate features. To be honest, I am thinking about the same thing. Asher has been bugging me to let him set me up with someone. Maybe it’s time I take Asher up on his offer. Lord help me when I am turning to my brother for women. But we are never going to get through this if I can’t get Lexi out of my head. What is that phrase they say? The best way to get over someone is to get under someone else? Lexi has clearly moved on, why can’t I? This is now the second moment we’ve shared in just days where the lines we’ve drawn have been blurred in a moment of weakness. Each passing moment has me questioning everything, and my walls begin to crumble. Doing what I just did was wrong and stupid. https://www.authorstefanie.com/keeping-promises daily 0.75 2022-01-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fed334915120a7c1d1862aa/61db3143-c2bc-4b83-a57a-d898e051b630/BookBrushImage6082.png Keeping Promises - Keeping Promises One party. One kiss. That was all it took for Hadley Kincaid to fall into the arms of playboy, Asher Harrington. One night of passion was all it was supposed to be, but two lines and one word are staring back at Hadley, threatening to turn her world upside down: pregnant. Hadley’s determined to make a life for her and her baby – a life that doesn’t involve Asher. But when her baby daddy is the brother of the man her best friend is about to marry, things get… complicated. Asher says he wants to be involved, but actions speak louder than words. Can Hadley trust that for once in Asher’s life, he makes a promise he intends to keep especially when there is more than one heart on the line? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fed334915120a7c1d1862aa/c6ee02d3-1430-404d-abc3-b6e932918289/kP_collage1.jpg Keeping Promises - Excerpt “Hi, welcome to Baby Emporium. How can I help you guys today?” I enjoy a few sips of my smoothie while Hadley introduces herself and tells the salesgirl we need to register. The girl claps her hands enthusiastically, startling both Hadley and me, and we share a look at her excitement. “Well, first of all, congrats. Do you know what you’re having?” “No, not yet, but we find out soon.” “Okay, I just need to get some information, and then I’ll set you up with a registry gun and send you guys off.” Wow, she sounds like she’s shipping us off to war or something. Ten minutes later, the salesgirl is printing off some paperwork, and we are “officially registered,” ready to start adding things to the list. “Oh, this is going to be fun. I feel like I’m playing an arcade game.” I hold the registry gun thing up as if I were a cop entering a crime scene, checking for the perp, and shoot, even adding a “pew pew” sound effect. Hadley shakes her head, taking the gun from my hand. “How about I just hold that for now, and you hold the checklist.” My shoulders slump. “Yes, Mom.” She giggles and playfully shoves my arm before walking ahead of me. My eyes can’t help but dip down to her ass. Her now noticeable bump has also accentuated her curves. I quickly divert my attention down to my smoothie cup when she smiles over her shoulder at me as if she knew what I was doing. “What’s first on the list?” I glance down, and the first up is feeding. That also happens to be the first section behind the registry desk—how convenient. “Breastfeed, definitely breastfeed. I’ve read the milk does wonders for the baby.” “You know if it’s a boy, it might start his obsession with tits early.” While I can’t see her face, I know she just gave me an eye roll. “I mean, who wouldn’t want to be up close and personal with your tits.” I know I would. They’ve gotten more prominent, and every time they’re on display, even though I don’t think she tries to show them off on purpose—it’s more just that they’re, well, there—they make my mouth water. I’m pretty sure she mutters, “Pig,” under her breath. I abandon the cart and join her at her side as she scans away on items. https://www.authorstefanie.com/pinky-promises daily 0.75 2022-07-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fed334915120a7c1d1862aa/362a7f5e-23f4-4ce6-a8de-0274dbb4f298/nowllve_pp9.png Pinky Promises - Pinky Promises One night. One pinky promise to remember. Brynn Macallister and Callum "Cal" Murphy have been best friends since before they could walk. His calming touch brings her peace in the stifling society life they've grown up in and grounds her like nothing else can. When that touch turns to more than comfort, it ignites a fire within Brynn she never knew existed. Suddenly the lines of friendship look a little blurry—and neither of them are ready to go back. But when Cal's father pushes him toward marriage—to someone else—they're forced to admit there's more between them than they're ready to let go of. As lies and deceit threaten to unravel them, will they have the strength to overcome it, or will their pinky promises be a thing of the past? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fed334915120a7c1d1862aa/713114ed-7acf-4149-a0d8-44ebddd76835/PP_collage1+%281%29.jpg Pinky Promises - Excerpt He begins to close the distance between us, forcing me to back up until my back hits the rough bark of a tree. I wince at the scrape against my skin, but Callum doesn’t stop his stalking towards me until he places his palms above my shoulder on the bark, caging me in. “Truth or dare?” “It’s not your turn,” I tell him, watching his eyes dilate as I swallow thickly. Being pressed against Cal typically feels like coming home, yet it feels completely new. He’s no longer the man I’ve known since birth but a total stranger I feel a strong attraction to. Then again, he’s never had me pressed up against a tree like this either. “I don’t give a fuck. Pick one, Brynn. Truth or dare?” My fingers claw at the bark, trying to keep me from falling—both physically and figuratively. The intensity in his eyes has the word dare leaving my lips without a second thought. I let out a small gasp in shock, but my mind also wonders what he will do next. “I dare you to admit that something is happening between us,” his gaze never leaves mine. There is a brief ache in my chest. His words tangle their way between the arteries and veins, making a direct line to my heart. “What if I don’t,” I lower my voice in hopes of hiding the tremble. My fingers tingle with the need to reach out and touch him, but instead, I dig them even further into the tree, not caring that I'm ruining my manicure. “That’s not how this works, Brynn.” The hairs on the back of my neck rise in anticipation. “I change my answer to truth,” I hold my breath waiting for his next move. “Fine.” He leans in, his lips just a hairbreadth away. “What would you do if I kissed you right now?” The heat radiating off his body and his whispered breath against my skin have me ready to burst up in flames. “Would you stop me?” I’m so lost in the moment to mention that there were more than two questions. The rules of the game be damned. He bends down and runs his nose along my neck—my pulse beating erratically. Nervousness and anxiety quickly overpower me as I close my eyes. “I…I…” my mouth parched, yet my panties are suddenly damp with arousal. “You what?” He lowers his voice into a hushed tone matching my own. Cal is just inches from my face when I open my eyes, close enough to feel his breath on my lips. All it would take is a light breeze, and my lips would be on his. What would his lips feel like on mine? Would he pull away once our lips touch? Would he slip his tongue into my mouth? What sort of kisser is he? This is all just too much. I feel the panic begin to set in. “I should go.” I quickly dip under his arm, escaping the Callum Murphy spell I was just under before we both did something we might regret tomorrow. I grab the straps of my shoes and rush down the path to my suite, ignoring him shouting my name behind me. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fed334915120a7c1d1862aa/137a89a8-4834-4f5e-a4b9-f2f00405a6d4/ppteaser1_NEW.jpg Pinky Promises https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fed334915120a7c1d1862aa/8c982914-9986-40bb-a697-c8ffb550e18a/PPteaser6_NEW.jpg Pinky Promises https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fed334915120a7c1d1862aa/87cbc389-8d8d-4ff3-a76a-1b7d0db5cd0c/PPteaser15.jpg Pinky Promises https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fed334915120a7c1d1862aa/4aadd2a2-d66c-4a67-ad60-a29b0a558aca/Untitled+design+%284%29.jpg Pinky Promises https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fed334915120a7c1d1862aa/5eab45a2-4a80-42cb-a326-413d0483dd4f/Untitled+design+%2857%29.jpg Pinky Promises https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fed334915120a7c1d1862aa/9b539000-585e-4a42-8937-1640beab7add/Pinkypromises7_teaser.jpg Pinky Promises https://www.authorstefanie.com/breathe daily 0.75 2022-01-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fed334915120a7c1d1862aa/b5205370-bec7-49a6-b2b8-b8ab79089495/1596066498.png Breathe https://www.authorstefanie.com/the-sweetest-sin daily 0.75 2022-01-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fed334915120a7c1d1862aa/1609468435668-U5ATTPGM66HVMCVDZKK4/1609467659.png The Sweetest Sin https://www.authorstefanie.com/blog daily 0.75 2022-01-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fed334915120a7c1d1862aa/39fc54f4-3b41-4b10-9346-4fdae4cbe326/BookBrushImage49260.jpg Blog - Pinky Promises is coming 03.18.22 I am so excited to be working with Wicked Romance PR for the cover reveal, release and ARC distribution of the final book in the Promise Series, Pinky Promises. If you are a book blogger, booktoker or bookstagrammer I would love to have your help in spreading the word of this fun friends to lovers romance. We’ve watched the chemistry sizzle between Brynn and Callum in the first two books—now it’s their turn and it might just be my favorite in the entire series. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fed334915120a7c1d1862aa/1609532846954-8PA6QGREWYROYCD2VVCM/Top+Reads+of+2020+%281%29.png Blog - My Top Reads of 2020 I finished off 2020 having read 182 books. While I didn’t hit my goal of 200, I filled my kindle up with some amazing stories to help get me through what felt like the longest year in existence. Somehow I was able to narrow all 182 books down to my Top 10… well it comes out a little more than 10 since I did cheat only once to include an entire series. Oops! #1 Little Lies by H. Hunting #2 The New Camelot Series by Sierra Simone (American Queen, American Prince & American King) #3 The Sainthood - The Complete Series by Siobhan Davis The trilogy boxset includes the most amazing novella, too #4 Dismount by Lucia Franco #5 Wicked by Jennifer Armentrout #6 Reforming Kent by Siobhan Davis #7 Ruthless Knight by Ashley Jade #8 The Truth About Tomorrow by B. Celeste #9 Sweet Dandelion by Micalea Smeltzer #10 No Reservations by Stephanie Rose https://www.authorstefanie.com/scars daily 0.75 2022-07-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fed334915120a7c1d1862aa/caee0ba2-c817-46d6-ad6e-bbf8e3ddef5e/1657116008.png Scars https://www.authorstefanie.com/pinky-promises-_new daily 0.75 2022-07-06 https://www.authorstefanie.com/bonus-scenes daily 0.75 2023-09-07 https://www.authorstefanie.com/the-i-never-series daily 0.75 2023-09-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fed334915120a7c1d1862aa/72e1f6bb-18d8-4457-ba52-7888840e6c9a/SERIES+COMPLETE.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fed334915120a7c1d1862aa/9684db01-7bac-4218-b3e9-ba9716d1c9a9/INPOY+EBOOK.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fed334915120a7c1d1862aa/898ac595-1354-43c3-94b6-d23109137ea3/INLYG+EBOOK.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fed334915120a7c1d1862aa/15c9f404-de93-40d5-90a0-e971e20ab1e7/INKLTY+TEMPLATE.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fed334915120a7c1d1862aa/dc929775-b4fa-42af-a45e-7cd77f09a52c/IPOF+EBOOK.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fed334915120a7c1d1862aa/0a4d8ac2-f0de-41d1-8779-ffc5efe61425/INEY+EBOOK.jpg https://www.authorstefanie.com/the-promises-series daily 0.75 2023-09-07 https://www.authorstefanie.com/the-promise-series-1 daily 0.75 2023-09-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fed334915120a7c1d1862aa/d1d035ae-fa4a-4046-8472-5050e3290914/keeping+Promises+E-BOOK.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fed334915120a7c1d1862aa/af298a8a-78a4-4ef8-955f-c9eb60d40fab/Pinky+Promises+E-Book.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fed334915120a7c1d1862aa/2bf380fd-3419-48e4-8fd1-d6f00ad542a9/Banner+Cover+NEW.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fed334915120a7c1d1862aa/b819d375-7edb-4b5f-a376-3849daacf488/ruined+Promises+E-Book.jpg https://www.authorstefanie.com/meadows-ridge daily 0.75 2023-09-07 https://www.authorstefanie.com/stalk-me daily 0.75 2023-09-08 https://www.authorstefanie.com/shop daily 0.75 2020-12-31