Rachael  Brownell

He’s my brother’s best friend. Which makes me off limits. My brother made that clear to all his friends the summer I turned fourteen. That didn’t stop me from falling in love with him. From dreaming about sharing my future with him. From wondering what it would be like to be with him. It didn’t stop the heated looks he’d send me when no one was paying attention. Or how he always found a way to be near me, to touch me. To protect me. For six years we fought against the waves of desire but the current kept pushing us toward one another. Then I had him. We collided with hurricane force. Our connection… explosive. It felt right, being with him. With the first kiss, I gave him my heart. With the first touch, I gave him my body. When I saw the love in his eyes, I handed over my soul. I should have known it was too good to last, though. The next morning, he was gone, and my heart shattered. I left it on his bedroom floor as I did the walk of shame. It’s been nine months since I laid eyes on him. Yes, I’ve been avoiding this moment. But I can do this. I can fight my attraction for one night. Even if the moment I see him again, I know that night is going to come rushing back to me, along with the days and weeks of agony that followed. Because he still owns every piece of me.

Lake State University #1

Dirty Little Secret

With the world watching, and hearts on the line, who will win at the game of love? What happens when your best friend is pouring shots because you have a broken heart? You end up signing up for a reality TV show against your will. I'm not looking for love. (Been there, done that. The pain isn't worth it.) I certainly don't need the drama of lust. Especially when there are eleven other people involved. But since I'm here, I might as well play the game. But the game's stacked against me in the form of two gorgeous men, both vying for my attention. Suddenly I have a decision to make. One's in it for love, the other for lust... but which one? I want to trust them, but can I even trust myself? This could be my second chance at love, or they could be acting for the cameras. And If I don't choose right, I could leave even more broken than I arrived.

Love Or Lust Series

All-American boy meets broken girl... at rehab? It will never work. How could it? Alex is Chicago royalty. Harley considers herself Las Vegas trash. While he's been handed everything his entire life, she scrapes to make ends meet. Still, the chemistry between them is undeniable. Both long to break free from the stereotypes of their upbringing and embrace each moment together. Yet, neither are ready to share all of who they are. Their secrets. Their fears. Their bitter realities. Does their budding relationship stand a chance under a blanket of secrecy? Or will owning their truth set them free?

Half Truths

Cassidy's a fighter, designed to survive. After the crushing death of her parents, she persevered. When she caught her fiancé with another woman, she held her head high and moved on. Fighting always came easy, because she never had to do it alone.She had Liam.Her best friend. Her protector. Her rock.But every bond has its breaking point, and they found their's... with a kiss. One weak moment upturns the foundation of their relationship, making Cassidy look at Liam in a whole new light.Now, she has a choice to make. Is the shift from friends to lovers even possible? Or will Cassidy lose the one person she can't live without?

Worth The Fight

Falling in love can happen in the blink of an eye. I fell for Jay the moment I laid eyes on him. Was drawn to him in a way I'd never been drawn to a man before. He was everything I wanted. The man I dreamed about at night and looked for everywhere I turned just for a glimpse of his perfection.But I couldn't have him.It was against the rules. Forbidden.He was my best friend's boyfriend. I would never do that to her.Then she died.Looking at him became painful, bringing back memories of the reason we couldn't be together. The reason I never pursued him.I had to move on and vowed never to look back in an attempt to escape him and the devastation in my heart.Yet here I stand, five years later, staring into the eyes of the man I still want. In the place I swore I'd never return to. With memories assaulting me from every angle.He's still the picture of perfection in my eyes, making our attraction even more dangerous than it once was.The only difference... No one is standing in our way this time.

A Moment Too Late

For five years, Becca has been struggling to hide her feelings for her best friend Brad. Now she finally has a chance to move on. She's in a new city, she's attending a new school and she's met the first guy besides Brad who's held her attention. Not only is Ethan attractive, he's an amazing tennis player, and he might just be Becca's match on and off the courts. Brad has loved Becca for as long as he can remember. Now that Becca's family has moved 2,000 miles away, Brad may finally be ready to lay his heart on the line and do whatever it takes to hold on to Becca. Torn between her love for Brad and the promise of something new and exciting with Ethan, Becca has an almost impossible choice to make, the choice between letting go or holding on.

Holding on

Wicked Little Promise

A one-night stand. That's all I wanted. All I could handle. I had enough on my plate. Getting involved with a notorious playboy was not on my agenda. Which is why he was perfect. He didn't do relationships and I didn't have time for one. He'd been stoking my fire all weekend. Whispering dirty promises in my ear. Weaseling his way under my skin. And I was ready to combust. He agreed to my terms. Probably because I was naked, he was caught off guard, and judging by the tent in his shorts, thinking with the wrong head. I should have known better than to take him at his word. Two days. That's all he lasted before he showed up at my door begging for more. More than I had to give. More than I was willing to part with. My time. My body. Most importantly, my heart. And when I said no, he persisted until I caved. Not that he had to work very hard to wear me down. He was too tempting to ignore, and I craved another taste. The only way to protect myself from getting hurt... rules. Some to keep him at a distance, others to keep him close. Like rule number eight... no other sexual partners. The only dorm room I wanted him sneaking in and out of was mine. I knew I was in over my head. That what we were doing was going to blow up in our faces as soon as our friends found out. But in the moment, I couldn't bring myself to care about any of it. Consequences be damned. Risky Little Affair is the third book in the Lake State University Series. The LSU series can be read in any order as each book is a complete story without cliffhangers.

(Lake State University #1)

Risky Little Affair

The moment I met him I knew I was screwed. It started with a sext. An extremely hot, highly inappropriate sext during the wake for my best friend's dad. That didn't stop me from replying. From sneaking off to the bathroom, secretly hoping he would follow me. And he did. He staked his claim on me against the bathroom wall. Captured my moans with his kisses. And when it was over, I walked away knowing two things. One - I wanted more. Two - I couldn't get involved with him. He was dangerous to my heart. It was still healing from being destroyed two years earlier. And this man has the power to shatter it completely. Still, I couldn't stop myself from playing the game he started. Every sext was hotter than the last, tempting me to act on my desires. The first time we were alone, clothes went flying. There was no denying our chemistry as we collided. And in the heat of the moment, nothing else mattered. Not my broken heart. Not his reputation as a player. Then the front door to my apartment opened... we were caught in the act. My roommate screamed. Her boyfriend growled. I cried. And he... he begged for more. We needed to stop. One of us was going to get hurt - me! I was going to get hurt. I should have known I couldn't walk away from him. His promises sparked my curiosity. My body craved his attention. It was his words that held me captive. They had the power to not only break my heart, but destroy my soul if I let him in.

A Fling-to-love College Romance

Tempting Little Tease

Love can be blinding and by the time the truth shines through, it's to late to escape. Fame.Fortune.Success.Is that too much to ask?All I need is to catch a break. To snag the attention of someone important. Someone who can help make my career everything I want it to be.Joseph was that man. Until the night the lights went out and I left with someone else. Someone who stole my breath and made me want for things I'd never considered before. I should have known better than to trust a stranger. Especially one of his stature and class. Money means power and power means control.Over my heart.My career.My entire life.My dreams died the moment I agreed to his terms and a new chapter in my life began. I was blinded by my love for him and thought nothing would ever change the way I felt.Then I uncovered the truth about him. About the kind of man he really was and the secrets he paid good money to keep hidden from everyone.Now I'm trapped, with no way out. Book 1 of 2 in the Storm Series.

Caught in the Storm

What if you were given a second chance at first love? Would you take it? 5... The number of years since I've been home.4... The number of people who know my secret.3... The number of times I attempted to move on.2... The number of months I spent crying after I left.1... The number of men I'll love in my lifetime. They say everyone has one true love, one person who was made just for them. A person they were meant to spend the rest of their life with.For me, that person was Wyatt. Our love was perfect. When we were together, nothing else mattered. Not college. Not our parents. Because our relationship wasn't about anyone else. We had big plans for our future together.The thing about life... it doesn't always go as planned.

Imperfect Love Story

Casey Bond

A dangerous game has begun. Sydney. Her skin felt as soft as it looked. I shouldn't have touched her, but I couldn't help myself. I've been to New Orleans dozens upon dozens of times. It's a unique city, filled with tourists and superstition. And until tonight, I'd never been superstitious. An old fortuneteller freak stopped me on the way to the diner and said I would make a decision that would change my path. She didn't know that I'd walked the path to this very restaurant before. It had been a few years. Who knew that the decision to return would be blessed with a beauty-five foot six with curves in all the right mouth-watering places. Clothed in cheap polyester, stained with God only knew what, Sydney was a vision. Blonde hair to her waist. Big brown doe eyes. I could almost taste her. In his game, everyone's a pawn... I didn't miss the rumble of her stomach when I asked her to dine with us. She was hungry. Something that flashed in those eyes told me it wasn't because she just skipped lunch today. Maybe I could meet some of her needs. Forget that. I could definitely meet her needs, but it was up to her to let me. So, I left her my business card, my number. Girls like Sydney, they're afraid. They never make the first move. Most never even make the second. I doubt she'd call. I'd tipped her well, not because she was the best waitress I'd ever had, not even because she was within my sites. I tipped her so that when I came back to the diner, she would remember me. She would want to serve me. And, oh, would she ever serve me. I just have to play my cards right. ...and he's never lost a game. Dark Bishop is unsuitable for those under the age of eighteen due to adult language and situations. It is part of serial series, which means that each part consists of approximately 10-20,000 words. Each part will build upon the last, much like the episodes of a television series. It is important to read the parts in order.

The Complete Serial Series

Dark Bishop

There really is a fine line between love and hate. Friends and enemies.

Max Palmer is an a-hole.
And I’m in love with him. I’m pretty sure I have been since the day we met.
I’ve tried to quit him. Multiple times. But he’s an addiction that refuses to be ignored. Which is why one minute we’re together, colliding with hurricane force, and the next we’re pushing each other away, pretending not to like each other. Fighting the feelings that are bubbling just beneath the surface.
For years we’ve been able to hide our secret love affair from everyone.
I’m tired of lying to myself about the way I feel.
Of hiding the truth from the people that matter most to me. Even if I know they won’t approve. Even if my confession may destroy friendships in the process.
I’m also pissed off because he started dating one of my sisters. The same night I was ready to confess my feelings for him.
If he was looking to get a rise out of me, it worked.
I’ve wasted years with him. Lying and pretending I was happily single, focused on school so no one would suspect otherwise.
And how does he repay me?
By shoving his new relationship in my face.
Well, screw him. I’m not wasting another minute of my time crying over a man who was never really mine to begin with.
If he wants to play games, it’s on.
Because I don’t plan to lose my heart to Max Palmer.

Lake State University #9

Defiant Little Love

She owns my heart. My goal is to one day own hers again.

I want her.
What she doesn’t want is me. She made that perfectly clear the summer after high school when she broke up with me. That hasn’t stopped her from crawling in my bed on more than one occasion though.
Not that anyone knows about us, or our past.
We’ve kept that secret under lock and key for years. But I’m getting sick and tired of lying to my friends. I’m not ashamed of my love for her.
Yes, I love her.
I always have. And I know she loves me too. She’s just afraid to admit it.
When we get caught in a compromising position though, all the lies she’s been telling start to crumble around her. And if there’s one thing she hates more than me at the moment, it’s being vulnerable.
That doesn’t stop me from taking advantage of her weakened state. Of trying to work my way back into her heart. Of reminding her why we should be together. But the more she lets me in, the more her lies are starting to get twisted.
The ones she’s telling others but mostly the ones she’s been telling herself.
If I want my second chance, I’m going to have to find a way to break through the fortress she’s erected around her heart.
I know she’s the one for me. She has been since we were teenagers.
My first love. My last. My only.

(Lake State University #8)

Twisted Little Lies

They say everyone has one true love, one person who was made just for them. A person they were meant to spend the rest of their life with. The thing about life... it doesn't always go as planned.

She owns my heart. My goal is to one day own hers again. I want her. What she doesn't want is me. She made that perfectly clear the summer after high school when she broke up with me. That hasn't stopped her from crawling in my bed on more than one occasion though. Not that anyone knows about us, or our past. We've kept that secret under lock and key for years. But I'm getting sick and tired of lying to my friends. I'm not ashamed of my love for her. Yes, I love her. I always have. And I know she loves me too. She's just afraid to admit it. When we get caught in a compromising position though, all the lies she's been telling start to crumble around her. And if there's one thing she hates more than me at the moment, it's being vulnerable. That doesn't stop me from taking advantage of her weakened state. Of trying to work my way back into her heart. Of reminding her why we should be together. But the more she lets me in, the more her lies are starting to get twisted. The ones she's telling others but mostly the ones she's been telling herself. If I want my second chance, I'm going to have to find a way to break through the fortress she's erected around her heart. I know she's the one for me. She has been since we were teenagers. My first love. My last. My only.

A Second-chance Romance

I kissed her and she ran.

She was the most beautiful girl I’d ever seen and the way she was looking at me that night, the electric charge between us, had my jeans feeling snug the entire show. When I found her standing alone between sets, I couldn’t help but approach her.
It wasn’t my intention to kiss her. I should have gotten to know her first. Asked her more than her name. But after watching her while I sang my heart out, I wasn’t thinking straight.
That was more than three years ago. When we were both naïve freshmen.
I’ve been watching her ever since. From afar. Like a crazy stalker. (Not my proudest admission.)
She’s even more beautiful than the first time I laid eyes on her. So when I walk into the rec center and find her waiting for me, alone, with lust in her eyes, I pounce. Again. Like an idiot.
Only this time, I don’t feel an ounce of regret because I don’t plan on letting her run away from me again. She’s been my inspiration for years and it’s about damn time she figured it out.
There’s only one way I can do that… I need to sing her the song I wrote about that night.
About her.
I could try to slowly weasel my way into her heart the way she has mine over the years, but I’m sick of wasting time. I want her to be mine today.
Tomorrow.
Forever.
Because the truth is… I’ve been hers since that very first night.

Lake State University #7

Tangled Little Truths

I’ve wanted her since the moment I first saw her. She was wearing sweatpants and a baggy shirt. Her hair was tucked under a knit cap, her hands wrapped around a large to-go cup of steaming coffee.
We spent hours together that semester. Working. Studying. Talking. Becoming friends.
Friends.
Ha! I never once thought of her as my friend. The only thoughts I had where she was concerned involved us naked and her screaming my name. Over and over again.
But like the idiot I am, I waited too long to make my move. She started dating some jerk and I remained in the friendzone.
They’re not together anymore, though. So when I spot her standing in the bookstore, looking hot as hell, I don’t hesitate. This may be my only shot with her so I’m not going to blow it.
Only, that’s exactly what I do.
Because instead of rekindling our friendship and moving slow, I end up devouring her lips and taking her back to my place. Worshipping her for hours. And almost letting my true feelings slip.
Would that be so bad?
Yes. Because she’s made it clear that we’re friends, even if we can’t seem to keep our clothes on when we’re around each other. Which is why we’re sneaking around.
If she only knew how I really felt, maybe things would be different.
Then again, opening myself up to her could expose my darkest secret. One that I haven’t even shared with my friends, my brothers, the people who know me the best.
Telling her my secret could also set me free. Because when I’m with her, that’s how I feel.
Free.
Of the burden. Of the memories. Of my reality.


(Lake State University #6)

Torrid Little Passion: A friends-to-lovers romance (Lake State University)

I've wanted her since the moment I first saw her. She was wearing sweatpants and a baggy shirt. Her hair was tucked under a knit cap, her hands wrapped around a large to-go cup of steaming coffee. We spent hours together that semester. Working. Studying. Talking. Becoming friends. Friends. Ha! I never once thought of her as my friend. The only thoughts I had where she was concerned involved us naked and her screaming my name. Over and over again. But like the idiot I am, I waited too long to make my move. She started dating some jerk and I remained in the friendzone. They're not together anymore, though. So when I spot her standing in the bookstore, looking hot as hell, I don't hesitate. This may be my only shot with her so I'm not going to blow it. Only, that's exactly what I do. Because instead of rekindling our friendship and moving slow, I end up devouring her lips and taking her back to my place. Worshipping her for hours. And almost letting my true feelings slip. Would that be so bad? Yes. Because she's made it clear that we're friends, even if we can't seem to keep our clothes on when we're around each other. Which is why we're sneaking around. If she only knew how I really felt, maybe things would be different. Then again, opening myself up to her could expose my darkest secret. One that I haven't even shared with my friends, my brothers, the people who know me the best. Telling her my secret could also set me free. Because when I'm with her, that's how I feel. Free. Of the burden. Of the memories. Of my reality. Torrid Little Passion is the sixth book in the Lake State University Series. The LSU series can be read in any order as each book is a complete story without cliffhangers.

A Friends-to-lovers Romance

Torrid Little Passion

I’m the youngest but that doesn’t mean I’m naive. That I can’t take care of myself.Or go after what I want.
Which is exactly what I plan to do, no matter how many times my brother tries to stand in my way. This is my life, not his. He may be afraid to let me go, but I’m not scared of spreading my wings and flying.
Of rising from the ashes.
I’m tired of mourning. I’m tired of being treated as fragile. And I’m ready to start living my life again.
First thing on my list… sex.
So what if it’s my first time? Who cares if it’s supposed to be special?
I’m not looking for a relationship, I just want to lose my virginity.
I’ve even set my sights on the person I want to give it to.
His messy hair falls in his honey brown eyes, making me weak in the knees.
His touch lights a fire inside me I didn’t know existed and I find myself begging to get burned. Best of all, he says he likes to fix broken things.
I’m still a little broken, and I have a few ideas how he can fix me.
The only problem… my brother’s forbidden him to come near me.
It’s a good thing sneaking around is hot.

Rachael Brownell

About

Books

Join the club