Enjoy!
Title: Can’t Hardly Breathe
Author: Gena Showalter
Genre: Contemporary romance
Series: Book #5, Original Heartbreakers Series
Imprint: HQN
On-sale date: August 29, 2017
Price: $7.99
Format: mass-market paperback (Original)
ISBN: 9780373789924
Buy it: Amazon/B&N/Kobo/IndieBound/Audible
ADD TO: GOODREADS
Overview:
New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter returns with an irresistible Original Heartbreakers story about a woman who's never felt desired and the man who wants her more than air to breathe…
Bullied in high school, Dorothea Mathis's past is full of memories she'd rather forget. But there's one she can't seem to shake—her long-standing crush on former army ranger Daniel Porter. Now that the sexy bad boy has started using her inn as his personal playground, she should kick him out…but his every heated glance makes her want to join him instead.
Daniel returned to Strawberry Valley, Oklahoma, to care for his ailing father and burn off a little steam with no strings attached. Though he craves curvy Dorothea night and day, he's as marred by his past as she is by hers. The more he desires her, the more he fears losing her.
But every sizzling encounter leaves him desperate for more, and soon Daniel must make a choice: take a chance on love or walk away forever.
New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter returns with an irresistible Original Heartbreakers story about a woman who's never felt desired and the man who wants her more than air to breathe…
Bullied in high school, Dorothea Mathis's past is full of memories she'd rather forget. But there's one she can't seem to shake—her long-standing crush on former army ranger Daniel Porter. Now that the sexy bad boy has started using her inn as his personal playground, she should kick him out…but his every heated glance makes her want to join him instead.
Daniel returned to Strawberry Valley, Oklahoma, to care for his ailing father and burn off a little steam with no strings attached. Though he craves curvy Dorothea night and day, he's as marred by his past as she is by hers. The more he desires her, the more he fears losing her.
But every sizzling encounter leaves him desperate for more, and soon Daniel must make a choice: take a chance on love or walk away forever.
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Read an excerpt:
Dorothea
Mathis studied the last room on her cleanup schedule and groaned. The bed had
been wrecked, the comforter and pillows tossed haphazardly on the floor. A pair
of panties hung from a bedpost. The TV remote had been busted, the pieces scattered across the nightstand.
Wet towels created a path to the bathroom door, and the trash can…
Oh, gag me! The trash can contained used condoms.
The
place needed to be decontaminated by people wearing hazmat suits.
Am I up to date on my vaccinations?
With
a sigh, Dorothea anchored earbuds in place, keyed up her iPod and donned a pair
of latex gloves. One—germs. Gross! Two—she was protective of the green nail
polish she’d applied only that morning.
She
selected color based on mood. Green = irritated.
Somehow
she’d known today
would suck balls.
Her
mom must have checked in Mr. and Ms. Pigsty last night after Dorothea had gone
to bed. Since she had a 4:00 a.m. wake-up call, she tended to hit the
sack by 9:00 p.m. Granny hours, her sister, Holly, liked to tell her.
Dorothea
picked up the dirty towels, removed the panties from the post, emptied the
trash, changed the sheets on the bed, straightened the pillows and covers, and
tossed the remote remains, planning to bill the Pigstys for a new one.
Time
was limited this morning. She’d promised to drive her mother into the city in—
Crap! Less than an hour. She rushed through dusting and began vacuuming.
As
the machine swallowed dirt and debris, she tried not to envy her mother. Carol
would soon be enjoying her fourth “singles retreat” of the year. Her fourth,
but certainly not her last. She stayed at the Michaelson, a five-star hotel
owned by the richest guy in Strawberry Valley, Dane Michaelson. Dane was married
to a local girl Dorothea had gone to school with, and he allowed Carol to stay
free of charge. No doubt about it, she took full advantage, attending
speed-dating sessions, mixers and a plethora of themed parties.
Her
busy love life was just one of the many reasons she’d given the Strawberry Inn
to Dorothea.
The
wheels on her cart suddenly squeaked, the sound louder than her music. Yanking
out the earbuds, she spun.
Surprise
expelled the air from her lungs, leaving her gasping. This so wasn’t happening
right now.
It couldn’t be happening.
Nightmares
didn’t really come to life. Nor did pornos. Not that she watched those…very
often. But dang it, this had to be one or the other.
The
sexiest man on the planet had just stridden into the room. He was shirtless,
sweat glistening on his eight pack—and his name was Daniel Porter.
The Daniel. The childhood crush she’d
never forgotten. The first boy to break her already fragile heart.
She
gulped. What was he doing here?
Wait.
Like she really needed to ponder this one. Welcome back, Mr. Pigsty.
Her
hands trembled as she yanked the vacuum cord from the electrical socket, the
room descending into silence as the engine died.
I think you’re perfect just the way you are.
She
smoothed her trembling hands down her “uniform,” a pair of blue scrubs that
could take a licking and keep on ticking. “Uh, hi. Hello.” Oh, wow. Could she
be any lamer? Definitely in a nightmare, not a porno. “Welcome back.”
He
pulled the earbuds from his ears and gifted her with a small smile that failed
to hide the lines of strain around his mouth. “Sorry about the mess. I planned
to clean up before I checked out.” His gaze darted throughout the room, and he
cringed. “I also plan to pay for the remote.”
What
kind of sexual acrobatics had placed the poor remote in harm’s path, anyway?
Oh, my stars. A warm flush poured over Dorothea,
threatening to overheat her. She almost fanned her cheeks for relief, barely
stopped herself.
Look away! She tried, she really did, but Daniel
was just so freaking beautiful. He was even taller now, and stronger, with a
rough, tough face. His cheekbones were sharp, and his nose boasted a small
notch in the center. Been broken a time or two? Dark stubble dusted his angular
jaw, though the shadows couldn’t disguise the fine tracery of scars on his left
cheek.
He
was a modern-day warrior—literally. After high school, he’d joined the army,
defending the country he loved.
This
wasn’t the first time Dorothea had seen him since his return to town a few
months ago, but her body reacted as if she’d never seen any man, heating and tingling
in all the naughtiest places.
Act naturally. He’s just a customer.
A
customer who’d wrecked a room during his most recent stay, but whatever. He was
waiting for her to respond to his offer.
Let’s do this. “Yes, thank you. Payment would be
appreciated.” She wound the vacuum cord around her arm, her motions clipped.
“As for the room, I just need to tidy the bathroom, and I’ll be done.”
With
his back to her, he stuffed his toiletries into an overnight bag. “I’ll get out
of your way, then.”
During
his senior year of high school, he hadn’t just slept with Madison Clark; he’d
slept with a string of beautiful, popular girls, as if banging-and-bailing had
finally been dubbed a national sport.
Good
thing Dorothea hadn’t pursued him. He would have taken all her firsts and
discarded her like garbage.
Instead,
Jazz Connors had taken all her firsts and discarded her like garbage.
Anger
boiled her blood until bitterness swept in, leaving a glaze of frost. Fire and
ice. This wasn’t the first time they’d battled it out, and this wouldn’t be the
last. The biggest downside? They ensured the wounds inside her hollowed-out
chest never really had a chance to heal.
After
graduation, she’d moved to the big bad city, enrolled in the University of
Oklahoma’s meteorology program, met Jazz and gotten hitched, just as she’d always
dreamed…only to return home several years later with a divorce and no degree.
A washed-up has-been by the age of twenty-four.
Daniel,
having served multiple tours of duty, had come back a hero.
His
life had meaning, hers didn’t. He and two of his friends had started a security
company right here in Strawberry Valley. He took care of his ailing father, and
in his free time he dated a plethora of city girls.
Dorothea
knew about the girls because he’d stayed at the inn every time a date had
ended…successfully.
Her
flush returned full force as she considered the other five rooms he’d wrecked
since his return…all the pleasure he’d been having…all the pleasure she
wished she could
experience.
Not
with him, of course. With someone she liked and respected. Someone who liked
and respected her, too, despite the fact that she was still too round for
society’s unhealthy standards, a lot too freckled and trapped in a dead-end
job.
Daniel
Porter would never qualify.
Dorothea
found him attractive, yes, but to her, appearance would never outshine
personality.
My man must be my equal. She had a lot of
love to give. She’d even grown to like herself…kind of. Maybe. Fine, she
was trying to like
herself.
Avoiding
Daniel’s gaze, she said, “No, you stay. I’ll go.” Words her mother had drilled
into her shouted inside her head: the
customer comes first. “I’ll finish your room later.” She rolled the
vacuum toward her cart.
“You
live here, right?” he asked. “You own the inn?”
“I…
Yes.” Technically she lived in the attic. The more rooms she had available for
guests, the more money she would make. At least in theory.
Money
was the number one reason she cleaned the pigsties herself, rather than hiring
a maid. She was saving her pennies to turn every plain, ordinary room into a
themed paradise. Then Strawberry Valley residents would happily pay to stay
just for fun.
Again,
in theory.
So
far she’d decided on six themes. (1) Four seasons—the weather, not the hotel
chain. (2) An enchanted forest. (3) A techno dance club. (4) The underwater
world of Atlantis. (5) A royal palace. And (6) an inner sanctum, aka a
superhero’s wet dream.
Also
up for consideration? A beach hut, an igloo, an insane asylum for her more
daring patrons and a desert oasis.
With
twenty-three rooms in total, she needed other ideas fast. And more money.
A lot more money.
Maybe,
when the transformations were completed, the feeling of accomplishment would
finally chase away her anger and bitterness. Maybe she would feel alive. Happy.
“If
any part of your stay was subpar,” she said, “I will personally—”
“No,
everything has been great.” He looked over his shoulder and winked at her.
“Just wanted to make sure you weren’t going to get into trouble with the boss.”
Every
pulse point in her body leaped with excitement. He’d winked at her. Her!
I think you’re perfect just the way you are.
Red
alert! She would not read
more into his words than he’d intended. Not this time. He was a flirt, plain
and simple. Always had been, apparently always would be.
“Why
would I get in trouble?” she asked.
“For
not finishing the room.”
Oh.
Right. “Well, as long as you plan to come back to the inn, I won’t fire myself.
Not because I’m desperate to see you or anything,” she added in a rush. “I’m
not.” Dang it! “I mean, I’m always glad to see you here. I mean, I just want
your money.” Okay. Enough!
He
laughed, his amber eyes twinkling.
Air
caught in her throat and sizzled. He had the sexiest laugh on the planet. His
entire face softened. He pulsed with new life; fresh and vibrant, he was the
epitome of spring.
Then
he frowned, as if he couldn’t believe he’d found humor in, well, anything.
Her
brow furrowed with confusion. Why the doom and gloom?
“In
that case,” he said, his tone flat, “I think I’ll stay another night.”
“Really?”
She licked her lips. “What about your girlfriend?”
He
stiffened. “She isn’t my—”
“No,
don’t tell me. I’m sorry I asked. Your love life isn’t my business.”
“I
live in Strawberry Valley. My love life is everyone’s business.”
His
wry tone made her chuckle, and he stiffened all over again. Great. What had she
done wrong this time?
“I’ll
be alone tonight,” he said, looking anywhere but at her. “Apparently I hover
over my dad when I’m home, so he’s asked for another night off. But I swear to
you, this room will be clean in the morning.”
She
snorted. “I’ll believe it when I see it.”
The
corners of his mouth twitched. “Doubting Dottie.” A pause, then, “Would you
like a cup of coffee before you go?”
“Oh,
uh, no, thank you.” While she no longer viewed Daniel through the wounded eyes
of high school betrayal— he’d been a nice boy doing a nice thing for a
vulnerable girl in desperate need of a white knight—she’d endured too much
heartbreak over the years to risk getting to know him better and reigniting her
crush.
Look
at the way she’d reacted to him already.
He
appeared…disappointed? No, of course not. A trick of the light, surely. “Well.
See you around, Daniel.”
“Yeah.
See you around, Dottie.” He returned his attention to his toiletry bag,
dismissing her.
Irritation
had her snapping, “My name is Dorothea.”
Before
he could respond, she stepped into the hall and closed the door with a
soft snick. Hands
trembling, she hooked the vacuum to the cart and rolled the cargo to the supply
room…where her younger sister Holly was smoking a cigarette.
The Series
I'e read some of her other books and really liked them but haven't read this one yet. I really liked the excerpt so this one is going in my wish list for sure.
ReplyDeleteme too Mary, I have this series on my pile, but I LOVE her Lords of the Underworld books so I know I'll love these too
DeleteThe Atlantis series is captivating. Thanks for this lovely giveaway.
ReplyDeletegood luck traveler
DeleteI just love the cover!
ReplyDeleteme too Kim
DeleteMy favorite is the Lords of the Underworld series. I have nearly all of Gena's books. :)
ReplyDeleteyeah I love The Lords too Pam. Have you read any of her YA series,? I'm not a big YA fan but I might try on of hers .
DeleteI have read some of her YA books. So far I've read book one of the White Rabbit Chronicles. I do have books 2-4 now but when I originally read book one, I didn't have the others. I still need Kat in Zombieland though. I've also read two of the three Intertwined series books. Took me awhile to get the third book in that series. I believe the only series of hers that I don't have most or all of is the Everlife series. I don't have any of those yet. Have you read those by any chance?
DeleteNo I haven't ahhh so many reads so little time LOL :)
DeleteI hear ya there! LOL
DeleteHaven't read her but this one sounds a lot of fun and very enticing.
ReplyDeleteOh you really need to try her Kathryn
DeleteI used to read her work quite a bit, but haven't for some time. This one sounds like it's really going to be a good one. Hugs...and Happy Friday Debbie!
ReplyDeleteYes RO its time you jumped back into the Gena pool :), Happy Friday backatcha!
DeleteI love Gena's books, my favorite has to be her Lords of The Underworld series. This new book of hers sounds so good, I can't wait to read it and thanks for the chance to win a copy!
ReplyDeleteYeah my fave is her underworld series too Ada, but she's a fab contemporary writer too!
DeleteOne of these days I'm going to start this series. I've enjoyed her Alien Huntress, Lords of the Underworld, Atlantis, and some standalones, but just haven't gotten around to this one yet.
ReplyDeleteI know Sophia Rose, so many reads so little time
DeleteI'm really loving this Original Heartbreakers series but then I also love her Lords of the Underworld, Otherworld Assassins, Atlantis and the Alien Huntress books too. She's a really fabulous author!
ReplyDeleteShe is Anita. Thanks for stopping by. good luck!
Delete