Barely Synonym

Dona McNair thought her biggest problem was figuring out how to talk to August (Augie) Reynolds, the dreamy new hockey captain she’s been crushing on from a distance. But that all changes the day she finds out he’s her stepbrother. Now trapped in a tangled family mess with a boy who barely looks her way, Dona’s quiet life suddenly feels like a crazy soap opera. Augie has a lot of secrets, and so does his father. The more Dona learns, the deeper she falls for him and for the truth. Between rivalries on the ice, forbidden romance and a criminal past that won’t stay buried, Dona and Augie are forced to choose: walk away or fight side by side. Forbidden love was never part of the plan, but neither was falling for your stepbrother while exposing his father’s crimes.

The smoothie shop was a whirlwind of activity during the lunch rush when a customer's call shattered my focus. "Is this the manager?" a sharp voice demanded. "I ordered a smoothie with just a touch of sugar. Why is it so sweet?" I checked her order and explained calmly, "Miss, Chocolate Bliss has a naturally sweet base." Not long after, she called again. "I asked for five ice cubes. Why are there only four?" Swamped and barely keeping up, I apologized and moved on. Before I could catch my breath, the phone rang once more. "I requested the guy in the black shirt to deliver my order. Why did a girl show up?" Suppressing my irritation, I clarified, "Miss, we handle the drinks; deliveries are managed by couriers." Finally, the calls stopped. But as the rush subsided, the headquarters called, telling me that a customer had lodged a complaint, accusing me of seducing her boyfriend.

The deal was simple – have one dinner with the notorious crime lord, Declan Shaughnessy, and my dad’s gambling debts would be canceled. But I knew I was in deep trouble when he met me at the door looking fine as hell with those piercing blue eyes and a mouthwatering body built for sin. Over dinner, I could barely breathe when his hand grazed mine, and that wolfish grin set me quivering down below. An innocent slow dance quickly turned into a down-and-dirty horizontal mambo on his couch. Now I’ve become his burning obsession, and I’m trapped by the new debts my father owes the mafia. When that devilish grin spreads across Declan’s handsome face, I know that he'll never set me free-- especially now that I’m carrying his baby. ******** This steamy romantic suspense story is a standalone novel in the Wicked Billionaires Club series. Enjoy!

Five years ago, Gary Cooper proposed to me 99 times just to marry me. Five years later, to cheer up the secretary he adored, he handed me 99 divorce papers. "Relax. I'm not actually divorcing you. I'm just humoring her. Just pretend like you always do. There's no need to sign." When Gary said it, he was even smiling. As for me, the heartbreak I once felt had long since faded. Now, there was barely a ripple left. I suddenly remembered what day it was and asked quietly, "Will you be home for dinner tonight?" He paused for a moment, then casually shook his head. "Probably not. Today's kind of special. I don't want her to get jealous." I nodded and watched him walk out the door. Then, I picked up a pen and carefully signed my name on the 99th divorce agreement.

“Kill her, or she will kill us all.” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Clara’s life was supposed to be perfect. A fated love, a bright future, and a bond that nothing could break. But when a prophecy names her as the harbinger of destruction, her world shatters. Betrayed by her mate and sentenced to death, Clara barely made it alive outside the dangerous world, finding refuge among rogues when she was saved by the notorious Rogue King. Years pass, and the once-naive wolf becomes the feared Rogue Queen. When a wicked force threatens all werewolf packs, Clara must face the man who broke her—Alpha Adrian. Fate brings them together again, as they must uncover the truth behind the prophecy, face the betrayal that tore them apart, and fight a war that could end everything. But can love rise from the ashes of hate? Will Clara go against the mate who betrayed her or follow a new path? Or will darkness consume them all?

Olivia had always been at a great disadvantage her whole life. From growing up in a home where she’s barely loved to being sent off to pay off her father’s debt to an Alpha King and to being severely maltreated by her mate. When she’s close to giving up, Life throws a certain blue-eyed boy at her. He gives her sparks and makes her happy enough to continue bearing the pain. Olivia knew what it felt like to be truly loved by one person. Alpha Julian of the silver-crest pack finds his mate where and when he least expects it. When he goes undercover to investigate the violation of the spirits code She’s the Luna of his worst enemy, Alpha Leo. He wasn’t going to give up his only chance at experiencing true love because of a treaty, he does what he thinks is the best. He KIDNAPS HER.

Sarah is a struggling journalist who prefers gritty stories over the superficial glitz of the wealthy elite. But when she's assigned to interview notorious billionaire playboy Daniel Blackwood, she knows it's a challenge she can't pass up. Sarah knows this is her chance to make a name for herself, but she never imagined the interview would take such a shocking turn. In exchange for access to information about his business dealings and wealth, which would ultimately boost her career, he wants her to be his wife. Sarah is caught off guard, struggling to weigh the benefits against the risks. She is torn between her career aspirations and the unconventional proposal. Can she take the risk and agree to a marriage of convenience with a man she barely knows? Or will she let go of the opportunity and work her way up the ladder on her own terms? The stakes are high, and Sarah's decision will change the course of her life forever.

Elara thought getting accepted into the elite Nightfall Academy was a miracle. But she never imagined the school would be filled with vampires, wolves, and deadly secrets. With no parents to protect her and a quiet past she barely understands, she finds herself in a world where being human makes her prey. The school has one rule everyone whispers about—stay away from the Four Alphas. Cold, powerful, and dangerous, they rule the academy without mercy. But when one of them—Cassian, the coldest of them all—saves Elara from a bloodthirsty wolf, everything changes. Why her? Why is she suddenly being watched? Why does danger keep following her? And why does it feel like Cassian’s icy gaze is hiding something… something only meant for her? Trapped in a world of monsters and magic, Elara must uncover the truth about who she is—and why the most feared Alpha in school seems drawn to her blood.

At the New Year's party, my pineapple juice is swapped for beer. To make things worse, I've just taken cephalexin, which shouldn't be mixed with alcohol. After barely surviving the ordeal, I am shocked to see my husband, Harry Grant, defending Sally Lane, who was responsible for the mix-up. "Can we please just let it go? She didn't do it on purpose," Harry pleads. However, I'm not about to forgive Sally, especially given how sketchy her relationship with my husband has always been. But Harry cuts me off with a scowl, "Enough! She's just graduated and doesn't know any better. "What's the point of holding a grudge? Do you really want to ruin her life to feel better?" he asks, clearly trying to protect her. As I watch him stand by her, my heart sinks. "Fine then, go live with her."

A small-town mayor. A stranger with a sketchy past.Two weeks before Christmas, Katie is kicked out of her apartment. Again. Rather than wander the streets and continue to work for a dirty cop, she escapes, determined to disappear for good. Until her car breaks down in a small New Mexican town, and everything is threatened when she falls for the charming mayor.Sam Freedman is the first bachelor mayor of Amor. After convincing the locals that having a mayor without family responsibilities means he can dedicate all of his time to the community, they watch his every move. Then Katie Andersen shows up. Against Sam’s better judgement, he hires her to replace his former event coordinator. Now he can barely think straight, let alone run a town. In the midst of half-truths and outright lies, Katie and Sam desperately search for the place where honesty and trust lead to love. But they have to find it before the past catches up with them.