THE LAGUNA BEACH KINDLE WORLD
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Dear Readers,
Welcome to the Laguna Beach Kindle World!
I’m so glad you are here and diving into this wonderful story. All of the Laguna Beach Kindle World stories are set in the same town of Laguna Beach, where my original series takes place. And if you’re familiar with the series, you’ll no doubt run across some of your favorite characters. The difference is, this book is entirely the work of the author. I didn’t help with plotting, writing or editing, but I was thrilled that when I asked her, she agreed to bring her imagination and storytelling skills to Laguna Beach!
Enjoy your time at the beach!
Kaira Rouda
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Isla wanted nothing more than to return home after a bitter break-up with her fiancΓ©. With her parents disowning her, she has no one to turn to but her best friend in Laguna Beach. A fresh start is all she needs, and time to mend her broken heart. What she didn’t expect was to return at the same time as Garrett Thorn.
Not only was he her first love, but she and his family had thought he had died while on active duty in Afghanistan. His return sparks a passion she never thought could be rekindled. They both face inner demons and their own fears. While once lost and without hope—they find themselves…together.
ISLA RAN FROM THE parking area and across the empty beach toward the water, snatching her cover-up off as Garrett chased her.
In a pink bikini, she screamed and laughed when she glanced behind her to see that he was right on her heels. She quickened her speed, the hot sand burning the soles of her feet as Garrett left his flip flops behind and took off his shirt.
She splashed across the shore and dove into the ocean once she could no longer feel the bottom, the rush of cool water swarmed around her.
She pulled her long brown hair from its ponytail and dove into the water. She smiled as Garrett followed her, reaching for her legs as she swam away.
When he grabbed her left leg and tickled her foot, she emerged from the water and gasped. She laughed into the air, closing her eyes against the bright sun that beamed down on them in the still crystal clear ocean. Life was perfect when they were together.
“Okay! Okay,” she said in between hysterical laughing as he continued tickling her. She ran her hands through his wavy brown hair and tugged at it. “You win!”
Garrett pulled her closer by her thighs and she wrapped them around his waist as he held her chest to chest in the water.
Breathless, Isla smiled at him, her cheeks reddening at how close they were.
“Say it,” he said, pressing his lips to hers.
Isla’s eyes closed as he kissed her. There was something about Garrett Thorne that made her forget her thoughts and words. Maybe it was the hint of a Yorkshire accent or the sexy tattoos that intrigued her. He was completely different from all of the other boys in Laguna Beach.
Her heart still raced from running but now melted as he let his hands lace into her hair.
“Say it,” he repeated in a whisper, holding her bottom lip between his teeth as his tongue traced her lip.
A shiver ran along her naked flesh and up her spine. She could feel his heart beating against hers as she opened her eyes. His olive green eyes peered into hers giving her butterflies.
Water dripped onto her lashes as she looked at him. “I love you too,” she said, her smile fading. The gravity of that statement slammed into her.
Isla didn’t say those words often. Her family wasn’t one for displays of affection of any sort, in public or in private, and the love word didn’t belong in their daily vocabulary.
So, saying it to the handsome young man that she’d been dating exclusively for most of her senior year scared her beyond belief. He scared her, but also made her feel things she’d never thought possible.
Garrett was different from the guys at her private school or the ones her father kept trying to set her up with. The Maxwell image was more important to her parents than Isla’s heart, and her heart belonged to a man who’s house cost less than her car.
At eighteen, Isla already knew that she’d give all of her wealth away to be with him.
He grinned and kissed her again. “Was that so hard?”
She clung to him, her arms around his neck. “Yes,” she said. “It was.”
“Why, Isla?” he asked in a whisper.
“Because love is dangerous,” she said. Her heart was open, more open than it had been since she was a child. She’d been hurt so much by her parents, boys, and the girls at school that she feared what someone as special as Garrett could do.
“Being in love makes you vulnerable. I don’t want to get hurt. Not by you, or anyone else.”
Garrett pulled away to face her. “I will never hurt you. You have to believe that.”
She tilted her head. “How do you know? You’re only nineteen and I’m about to turn eighteen. There are a lot of years ahead of us for you to hurt me.”
“True. There are a lot of years ahead for me to love and cherish you.”
Isla grinned. “You English boys and your poetic words.”
He chuckled. “Every word I say is true, and I’ll show you.”
“I’ll hold you to that.” Isla nodded, and pushed away, swimming back to shore.
K.N. Lee is an award-winning author who resides in Charlotte, North Carolina. When she is not writing twisted tales, fantasy novels, and dark poetry, she does a great deal of traveling and promotes other authors. Wannabe rockstar, foreign language enthusiast, and anime geek, K.N. Lee also enjoys helping others reach their writing and publishing goals. She is a winner of the Elevate Lifestyle Top 30 Under 30 "Future Leaders of Charlotte" award for her success as a writer, business owner, and for community service.
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Bexley Rue’s gypsy soul has always chased after her heart’s next fleeting desire, until her sister Vaughn’s terminal illness brings Bex’s carefree lifestyle to a screeching halt.
Kai Donovan has only ever craved stability and love over everything else. His trip to Laguna Beach suddenly has him throwing caution to the wind for the one woman who could capture and break his heart—all in one night.
Knowing she’s leaving the next day for a cross-country move, Bexley’s only looking for fun on her last night in Laguna. Until she meets Kai, who sparks such an intense attraction it has Bexley questioning everything. When Bexley’s world is cracked wide open with surprises from the past and complications for her future, are Kai’s feelings enough to finally get Bexley to face her fears and allow true love in for the first time? Or will her gypsy heart win out and have her chasing shadows once again?
“I don’t know what it is about you, but you seem to see right inside of me like no one else has been able to do since I was a little girl. It both terrifies me and turns me on like nobody’s business. But I can’t change overnight. We hardly know each other, and I can’t help my circumstances. My sister needs me, and I’m getting on a plane in”—she looked down at her Fitbit—“twelve hours.”
“There’s a lot we could get to know about each other in twelve hours,” Kai said, his voice turning raspy as she leaned down and kissed the crook of his neck. She moaned against his skin and it nearly unhinged him. “But I’m not going to be able to think with you nibbling on my neck and sitting in my lap. You’re making this awfully hard on me, Bex.”
“Who said I’m trying to make it easy?” she purred.
“What’s your favorite color?” he asked.
“Burnt orange.”
“Burnt? What’s wrong with fresh orange? Or raw orange? Or evenly cooked orange?” he asked, laughing.
“Because burnt orange is richer, has more depth, more passion than just regular orange,” she answered matter-of-factly.
“Hmm. You’ve thought a lot about this,” he said. “My favorite color is black.”
“Black’s not a color. It’s the absence of color.”
“Nothing’s simple with you, is it Bex?” he growled. “Maybe I do just need to kiss that sweet mouth of yours so you’ll stop being so technical.”
“Did you just say ‘technical’ while I’m sucking on your earlobe? That’s kind of hot. Say some other big words to me,” she joked, as she lifted his shirt and placed her mouth against his chest.
Author C.M. Albert enjoys living dangerously on the razor’s edge as both author and editor. In addition to being an international bestselling author, she’s had the privilege of copy-editing under her Grammar Babe business for several international bestselling and award-winning authors. Her own writing infuses a healthy blend of humor and romance, and she’s a sucker for a good villain and everlasting love. In her spare time, she and her husband wrangle their two young kids and enjoy spending time outdoors. When not writing, editing, or kid wrangling, C.M. Albert is also a Reiki practitioner, chocolate chip cookie aficionado, kindness ambassador, and seeker of naps.
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William Springs is jobless and single, something that would usually get a guy down, but it seems to be opening doors he didn’t expect. Visiting Laguna Beach for his cousin’s wedding, William meets a woman, capturing his interest at first sight.
Harper Powell has kept to herself since dating a reality star and getting dumped publicly. When meeting William at the hotel she works at, she is instantly attracted to the visiting stranger. He’s only in town temporarily, so this might be her chance to have some fun without getting hurt again.
When it’s time for William to leave, he isn’t sure he can. After all, there is nothing at home waiting for him, but in Laguna Beach, there is and her name is Harper.
Harper led William toward the water where she slipped her sandals off and walked into the water a little ways. She was surprised when he kicked his shoes and socks off, rolled his pants up and joined her.
“Wow, it’s colder than I thought.” He rubbed his hands together.
“I love it.”
William placed his hand on her lower back and she turned to him. Lust was in his eyes and she didn’t know what came over her, but she had to kiss him. He must have been feeling the same because he pulled her up against him, lowering his mouth to hers.
Never had a kiss been this sweet and seductive at the same time. He traced small circles on her lower back with his hand as his tongue met hers. She clung to his shirt, getting lost in his kiss. The sounds of laughter and waves circled around her and she could no longer tell from which direction either came.
He ended the kiss, the most adorable boyish grin on his handsome face as he stared deeply into her eyes.
“I’m sorry if that was too forward,” he said.
“It wasn’t at all. I enjoyed it and want to do it again.”
He laughed, but pulled her back to him, kissing her again. She’d never told a man she wanted him to kiss her. She wasn’t sure what came over her, but she just had to feel his lips on her again. It was worth it, the way he made her curl her toes into the squishy sand as the water rolled over their feet.
Lacey Wolfe has always had a passion for words, whether it’s getting lost in a book or writing her own. Her goal as an author is to have a romance for everyone, whether it’s sweet, sensual, or spicy. She’s had several books on the Amazon best seller lists. When she isn’t writing, she can be found running, talking to her pets, spending time with her family, or lost in some sort of craft. Oh, and she takes kindly to anyone who feeds her cookies.
Lacey lives in Georgia with her husband, son and daughter, their herd of cats and one black lab who rules the house.
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Madison Alcott was back in her hometown, caring for her sick mom and working long hours at the best resort in Laguna Beach. She never imagined she'd return to the place where she became famous on the hit reality TV show Laguna Nights, and the place where she was humiliated on national television. Fortunately, the past had stayed tucked away until her old high school boyfriend appeared in the lobby.
Josh Welsh was a superstar by age eighteen, the bad boy break-out star of Laguna Nights. Since then, his star had lost its shine and he barely was holding onto his Hollywood status. When he was asked to host a new reality travel show, he jumped at the chance. The only problem was the first episode was shooting in Laguna Beach. Of all the reasons Josh didn't want to return home, he hadn't even imagined the worst scenario: running into Madison "Holly" Alcott. Josh's connection to Madison was still as strong as her anger at his betrayal. When the new reality series forces them together, they must face Laguna Nights past and present, and navigate a journey where nothing is as it seems.
Annie and Hank have created a perfect life in Laguna Beach but when a dark secret is revealed, will their marriage survive?
In high school, Annie Johns was the calm, supportive sidekick to the rest of the tumultuous female stars of the hit reality TV show, Laguna Nights. Today, she’s living the happy life as a mom that she predicted on the show long ago. There’s only one problem: the secret from her past that haunts her most nights, a secret that if revealed could ruin everything she shares with her husband, Hank, a man who saved her from the heartache.
Laura Kinkaid’s glamorous Hollywood life is falling apart. After years of reality television stardom beginning in high school on Laguna Nights, her career and relationship with her long-term boyfriend Scott are fizzling out. Laura decides to go home to Laguna Beach for the weekend to attend a baby shower for her high school friend. That decision – and a car accident – will lead her to a new future, if she’s ready to take a chance at love.
Paul Dorn’s former life in New York City is far behind him and he’s working in a popular Laguna Beach surf shop when fate brings the most beautiful woman he’s ever met into his life. The attraction is instant and he has an overwhelming desire to protect her. While Paul’s retail sales career is a short-term job for market research purposes, his focus on Laura is long-term.
Will Laura allow a handsome stranger to help her create a future unlike her past, or will the bright lights of Hollywood pull her back to LA?
Once you're a star, can you trust other people’s intentions?
Scott Cassidy has lived a blessed life. Growing up in Laguna Beach with a loving family, he was discovered in high school when he appeared on the popular reality TV show, Laguna Nights. Now cast as a doctor on the number one soap opera, his star keeps rising. Finally free from his long-term girlfriend, Scott isn’t looking for love, but when a popular dating app matches him with Jamie Kane, he can’t deny the sparks. But is she really everything she seems?
Jamie Kane isn’t lucky in love or life. Her childhood was tumultuous with a single mom who moved to Hollywood for fame but ended up waiting tables in Malibu. Certainly not one of the spoiled kids she went to high school and college with, Jamie has worked hard to achieve her dreams of being an actress, even as she begins to realize it’s not her calling. Jamie believes Scott may be the answer to everything unless a past mistake makes him doubt their future together.
Is the price of fame the chance at true love?
Kaira Rouda is a USA Today bestselling, multiple award-winning author of contemporary women's fiction and sexy modern romance novels that sparkle with humor and heart.
Her women's fiction titles include THE GOODBYE YEAR, HERE, HOME, HOPE, ALL THE DIFFERENCE and IN THE MIRROR. Her bestselling short story is titled, A MOTHER'S DAY. Her sexy contemporary romance series include the LAGUNA BEACH Series, the INDIGO ISLAND Series with a new MALIBU Series launching in 2016.
Her nonfiction titles, REAL YOU INCORPORATED: 8 Essentials for Women Entrepreneurs, and REAL YOU FOR AUTHORS: 8 Essentials for Women Writers (available for free download on her website) continue to inspire.
Kaira's work has won numerous awards including the Indie Excellence Award, USA Book Awards, the Reader's Choice Awards and honorable mention in the Writer's Digest International Book Awards. She lives in Southern California with her husband and four almost-grown kids, and is at work on her next novel. Connect with her on Twitter @KairaRouda, Facebook at Kaira Rouda Books and on her website, http://www.KairaRouda.com.
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