Playing with Fire

Drew Dawes’s life revolves around fantasy. She’s the geeky owner of a comic book store, cosplays at conventions, and loves her superheroes. Her life is a million miles away from the one her parents envisioned for her as a musical prodigy. They expected fame, fortune, and headlining the stages in Nashville. Drew never wanted the life they forced onto her as a child, and their deaths changed her world forever. Since then, the songs in Drew’s heart are silent.

Wren Banderas has her career planned out in minute detail. Becoming head chef at a very popular restaurant is just another step closer to her biggest dream: a restaurant bearing her own name. Her star is rising, yet self-doubt plagues her.

Drew and Wren couldn’t be more different, but each still carries wounds from the past. Falling in love was never part of the plan, but they just need each other to heal and make their dreams come true.

Takira Lathan’s life revolves around her restaurant. She owns it, cooks in it, and is one hundred percent dedicated to its success. Her life starts to veer off course when money goes missing and so does her restaurant manager, leaving her in the lurch. Most importantly, raising her young nephew was never anywhere in her plans.

Dante Groves could be the answer to Takira’s prayers. She’s an excellent manager and is totally at ease with children. She’s also mature, kind, and unashamedly butch. Takira can’t help being attracted, but Dante’s emotional baggage from her last relationship has left her way too wary of romance.

Betrayed by those they trusted, Takira and Dante must rely on each other to create a recipe for success, both in business and in love.

After surviving a devastating car crash, Bryce Donovan is plagued by crippling nightmares that leave her terrified to close her eyes. She still bears the scars from that night, both emotionally and physically. Her job at Tweedy Contractors brings the diversion she is desperate for, and the new apprentice painter is a welcome distraction. As a gifted artist, Scarlet Tweedy creates beauty in every medium she employs. But she's always been expected to take over her father's business. The problem is she doesn't want to follow in his footsteps while she has dreams of her own to pursue. But can she choose her own path over what has always been expected of her?

In most games, you play to win. In matters of the heart, you play for keeps.

Trent Williams's entire world revolves around her love of gaming. She has little time for romantic distractions and prefers instead to be with her closest friends who, like her, live for the thrill that comes from a competition well played. Happy in her job, seemingly content with her life, Trent still finds herself haunted by the past that threatens to keep her alone forever. The self-imposed solitude she places on her heart only leaves her all too aware of just how lonely she is.

All work and no play in her executive job forces Juliet Sullivan to search for a different direction in life. Disillusioned by it all, Juliet is desperate to seek out new horizons. When Trent unwittingly comes to the rescue of her younger sister, Juliet immediately finds herself drawn to Trent's silent strength and undeniable charm. Now the new direction Juliet so desperately desires seems intent on leading her straight into Trent's arms.

Drew Barker is used to having to fight for acceptance, and when they get the chance to represent non-binary people on a popular podcast, they are determined to make the most of the opportunity. They’re even more excited once they get to know the elusive host.

Hannah Carr spends her spare time focusing on her passion project. Her books podcast was a welcome distraction as she recovered from the breakdown of her marriage following becoming polyamorous. Drew gets her, and they share an extraordinary passion, but is she ready to date again?

As a queer autistic woman, Hannah knows that not everyone can be trusted to understand her. As Drew pushes her to put more of herself out there, they risk pushing her away. In a world that does not make space for either of them, they must learn that there is more than one way to have pride.

Meet Lily Chambers—the hugely successful, book-tour loving, swoon-inducing romance writer at the pinnacle of her career. At least for now.

When Lily sent her last manuscript to her publisher, she had no idea it could be her last. Struggling with more than a terminal case of writer’s block, Lily has lost her passion. For writing. For romance. For life. How can she not feel like a fraud after being on her own for years?

Hoping to shake things loose, Lily’s BFF suggests she spend some time in one of the most romantic cities in the world: Rome. If the architecture, the history, and the food don’t inspire her, nothing will. Or it would, if Lily was able to look away from Marina Troiani, her witty, smart, and unassumingly beautiful Italian tour guide.

Marina makes Lily feel <i>something</i>. Finally. Slowly the words start flowing. But the age gap and continent that separates them make starting a new chapter together impossible. What’s even worse than torpedoing your career? Falling in love only to have your own HEA just out of reach.