Beaufort Poker Club Series by Maggie Gates

Every girl dreams about meeting her celebrity crush–Running into them on the street and snapping a selfie. Maybe even being saved like a gorgeous damsel and having said celebrity crush sweep her off of her feet. Me personally? Let’s just say that me and the Hemsworth boys have had our fair share of imaginary meet-cutes. I’m not picky. I’d take any of them... moreEvery girl dreams about meeting her celebrity crush–Running into them on the street and snapping a selfie. Maybe even being saved like a gorgeous damsel and having said celebrity crush sweep her off of her feet. Me personally? Let’s just say that me and the Hemsworth boys have had our fair share of imaginary meet-cutes. I’m not picky. I’d take any of them. The thing is, every girl dreams about what she would do if she got to meet her celebrity crush, but no one dreams about what they’d do if they met their celebrity nemesis. Let me tell you–I have a celebrity nemesis. And he was sitting in front of me wearing a scowl that could be seen from space. And ten hours earlier I had been sitting on his lap, clinging to him like a koala while his tongue was down my throat. Pastry chef Madeline Dorsey only hates a few things: people who think that charcuterie boards are an acceptable substitution for dinner, last call at the bar, idiots who don’t return their shopping carts to the corral, and celebrity chef and restaurateur Luca DeRossi. When her mortal enemy buys out the restaurant that Maddie views as her kingdom, right on the heels of criticizing her on national television, she has no choice but to go toe to toe with him. Luca DeRossi was expecting a sleepy, coastal fishing town to be a little more, well, quiet. That is, until a spitfire hurricane of blonde hair comes whirling into his life without warning. Staying in Beaufort, North Carolina isn’t part of his plan and letting a chef with an ego the size of Mars best her isn’t on her agenda. When Maddie realizes that Luca isn’t quite the judgemental grump he pretends to be, she has to decide which side of him to believe. Maybe there really is a heart of gold underneath all those designer suits. Maybe he’s just a jerk. His poker face is too good to tell. Get ready for Maddie and Luca, their epic meet-cute that turns into a meet-hate, a group of obnoxiously lovable friends, and all the FIRE. If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen. “Poker Face” is the first book in the Beaufort Poker Club series. This book is an enemies to lovers romance that features a grumpy hero with a swoony side with a heroine that would rather be jumping off of roofs than picking out glass slippers, a feels-packed love story with a fairy tale happily ever after, and some moments that are so hot they’ll melt your Kindle. You’ve been warned. less

It’s crazy how three seconds can change your life. For Steve Pelham, those three seconds happened in a doctor’s office. His wife—the girl he had been madly in love with since elementary school—was given a terminal diagnosis. Years of being dragged through an endless cycle of betting on science and miracles to save the love of his life? Useless... moreIt’s crazy how three seconds can change your life. For Steve Pelham, those three seconds happened in a doctor’s office. His wife—the girl he had been madly in love with since elementary school—was given a terminal diagnosis. Years of being dragged through an endless cycle of betting on science and miracles to save the love of his life? Useless. Nine months later, he finds himself taking a statement from the surviving passenger of a fatal car accident in the very same hospital where he lost his wife. Erica Shaw’s three life changing seconds happened on her first day in Beaufort, North Carolina. After losing her fiance in the blink of an eye, she finds herself face to face with one grumpy cop. Detective Jerk Face had resigned to the routine of sleep, eat, and work for the rest of his life. When a new girl in danger turns Steve’s life upside down, he’s forced to decide whether or not loving someone is a risk he’s willing to take again. Sometimes there’s no way to know what the right move is when you’re handed a wild card. The Beaufort Poker Club series is meant to be enjoyed in order. Start with book one, Poker Face: a steamy enemies to lovers romance! AUTHOR’S NOTE: Slow Burn? Oh yeah! Steamy? Of course! Feels? Buy tissues in bulk. A grumpy cop with a penchant for telling it like it is. A good girl who has a serious aversion to four letter words. Adult kickball tournament? Watch a group of hunky first responders throw down like they’re in middle school. This is a story of redemption, forgiveness, and second chances. less

"Call me crazy, but I didn't think Miss Hard-Ass of Happily Ever Afters would have a one-night stand with her best friend's best man. ". Weddings have a way of turning the most cynical person into a puddle of sappy, blubbering goo. After all my years of experience as a wedding planner, I should know. And the biggest problem with that? I’m Hannah Jane Hayes, and I’m already a complete sap... more"Call me crazy, but I didn't think Miss Hard-Ass of Happily Ever Afters would have a one-night stand with her best friend's best man. ". Weddings have a way of turning the most cynical person into a puddle of sappy, blubbering goo. After all my years of experience as a wedding planner, I should know. And the biggest problem with that? I’m Hannah Jane Hayes, and I’m already a complete sap. Love at first sight? Kissing in the rain? Grand gestures? Happily ever after? Yes, please! Weddings put hope in my hopelessly romantic heart. They remind me to wake up every morning believing that today could be the day I meet my soulmate. Unfortunately, today would not be that day, because I was stuck babysitting the best man from hell: Isaac Lawson. He’s a playboy real estate mogul, my best friend’s best man, and perpetual pain in my ass. One too many glasses of champagne later, and I’m more than willing to make a deal with the devil if it means getting out of my dry spell. Isaac says it’ll be square. Fair. Just one epic night with no strings attached, and no awkward morning after. Get ready for an enemies to lovers, opposites attract romantic comedy with a meet-hate at a poker club wedding, a date-wrecking hero, a sassy, southern belle heroine, a taboo moment at a burlesque club, and a swan attack induced happily ever after. Isaac Lawson is used to dominating in the boardroom and the bedroom. That is, until he meets the one woman on earth who is less than impressed. It’s going to take everything in him to keep from falling harder than a brick off the side of the Empire State Building. STEAM LEVEL: Five Alarm Fire! The Beaufort Poker Club series is meant to be enjoyed in order. Start with book one, Poker Face: a steamy enemies to lovers romance! less

Once upon a time, Kristin Boyd was a college senior about to graduate with a business degree. Then, a single night turned her life upside down and landed her back in Beaufort, North Carolina. With her hopes for the future shattered, she found herself raising four kids on her own, struggling to make ends meet. Five years later, life still hasn’t given her a break. Working to the bone as a housekeeper, she isn’t just worried about getting enough hours to pay the bills... moreOnce upon a time, Kristin Boyd was a college senior about to graduate with a business degree. Then, a single night turned her life upside down and landed her back in Beaufort, North Carolina. With her hopes for the future shattered, she found herself raising four kids on her own, struggling to make ends meet. Five years later, life still hasn’t given her a break. Working to the bone as a housekeeper, she isn’t just worried about getting enough hours to pay the bills. When news hits that the Taylor Creek Inn is being sold, she’s worried if she’ll have a job at all. William Solomon expected nothing more than a two-week staycation when he booked his suite at the Taylor Creek Inn. That all changed when a beautiful maid barreled into his room and left him smitten. After instant attraction turns into natural chemistry, Kristin is faced with the choice: tell Will about her past, or risk missing out on the love of her life. Kristin isn’t the only one hiding something, though. Will isn’t exactly who he claims to be. When secrets and lies threaten to tear the poker club apart, lines are drawn, and choices must be made. Is love worth the risk? Can their friendships survive? Get ready for an insta-family, undercover boss romance—complete with a dog rescue, nap dates, a billionaire lap dance in a backwoods bar, and a spicy moment on top of a Ferris wheel that will melt your Kindle! This modern day Cinderella story is book four in the Beaufort Poker Club Series. The Beaufort Poker Club series is meant to be enjoyed in order. Start with book one, Poker Face: A Steamy Enemies to Lovers Romance! less

“Coming back to Beaufort was only supposed to be a touch-and-go. Check on my sister, empty my storage unit, and move on to whatever’s next… The minute I saw Mel again, roots sounded better than wings. ”. For Lieutenant Commander Jason McGrath, the military was his ticket out of Beaufort, North Carolina. A career flying fighter jets for the Navy taught him a thing or two about staying cool under pressure... more“Coming back to Beaufort was only supposed to be a touch-and-go. Check on my sister, empty my storage unit, and move on to whatever’s next… The minute I saw Mel again, roots sounded better than wings. ”. For Lieutenant Commander Jason McGrath, the military was his ticket out of Beaufort, North Carolina. A career flying fighter jets for the Navy taught him a thing or two about staying cool under pressure. All that training flew out the window when he rolled back into his hometown and fell head over heels for the girl next door. The reason he had to leave in the first place. Melissa Jacobsen is used to caring for everyone else. When the formidable emergency room nurse isn’t treating patients, she fills her days with every activity possible to keep from falling into a lonely pit of despair. For Mel, the dating pool is as lifeless as the apartment which she shares with zero people, plants, or pets. A freak accident turns into a chance meeting that throws Jason and Melissa back into each others’ orbits. Jase is ready to go after the one that got away, but secrets between the two people he loves most threaten his happily ever after. What will happen when everything Melissa has been hiding from the Poker Club comes to light? Will their friendships survive? Can love really conquer all? Not in the Cards is the fifth book in the Beaufort Poker Club series. This book is a best friend’s brother, roommate romance. Get ready for a feels-packed love story with a fairy tale happily ever after, and some moments that are so hot they’ll melt your Kindle! For a note regarding sensitive content in Not in the Cards, please see the preface at the beginning of the book. The Beaufort Poker Club Series is meant to be read in order. Start with book one, Poker Face! less

The day I decided to leave Kyle Kingsley was the day I no was no longer afraid of dying. I was afraid of living. Bridget McGrath had it all. Or so everyone thought. Beneath the façade of the white picket fence, shiny car, and pretty smile, she was trapped. Confined to a gilded cage by a deadly monster. After surviving a dangerous relationship for years, she found the strength to leave. Bridget survived a narrow escape, but so did her captor... moreThe day I decided to leave Kyle Kingsley was the day I no was no longer afraid of dying. I was afraid of living. Bridget McGrath had it all. Or so everyone thought. Beneath the façade of the white picket fence, shiny car, and pretty smile, she was trapped. Confined to a gilded cage by a deadly monster. After surviving a dangerous relationship for years, she found the strength to leave. Bridget survived a narrow escape, but so did her captor. Now, she’s forced to heal from her trauma, figure out who she can trust, and rediscover herself while fighting the creeping notion that her nightmare isn’t over yet. Detective Chase Brannan has been fighting his attraction to his best friend for his entire life. Now, he has to fight for her life. His patience will be tested. His love will be tried. And seven words will change everything. The final secrets will be revealed in the epic series finale of the Beaufort Poker Club! The Beaufort Poker Club Series is complete with Chase and Bridget’s happily ever after! Get ready for a heart-pounding, feels-packed love story with a fairy tale happily ever after, and some moments that are so hot they’ll melt your Kindle! For a note regarding sensitive topics in Betting Man, please see the preface of the book. The Beaufort Poker Club Series is meant to be read in order. Start with book one, Poker Face! less