Sugar & Spice, a Collection of Valentine's Day Standalones Series by Ann Marie Croft, Nichole Steel, Carrie Bassen, Tamaya Cruz, Annabel den Dekker, Rowen Burrows, Ramona Elmes

Sarah Oliver thought her love life was perfect until a betrayal on Valentine’s Day destroyed it all. Now, two years later, she’s still picking up the pieces of her life. Her cautious approach to relationships is tested when her new boss, Joe, asks her to join him for Valentine’s Day dinner.Joe Thatcher wants one Sarah Oliver. After a company merger puts Sarah in his path, he knows she’s the one... moreSarah Oliver thought her love life was perfect until a betrayal on Valentine’s Day destroyed it all. Now, two years later, she’s still picking up the pieces of her life. Her cautious approach to relationships is tested when her new boss, Joe, asks her to join him for Valentine’s Day dinner.Joe Thatcher wants one Sarah Oliver. After a company merger puts Sarah in his path, he knows she’s the one. Valentine’s Day seems like the perfect opportunity to make his move, but Sarah has built an emotional wall around herself that has proven difficult to break through.As the night heats up, Sarah’s past heartache and fears rise to the surface, but Joe is determined to prove to Sarah that it’s safe to open her heart again, culminating in a night of unforgettable passion."A great office romance. The chemistry between Sarah and Joe was brilliant." —Goodreads review"Title alone is enough for me to give it a 5-star rating. Excellent story full of love and passion. Office romance tops every romance plot out there." —Goodreads review"I could feel the tension and wanting desire between Joe and Sarah from the first page." —Goodreads review"Loved this billionaire romance. Joe Thatcher is yummy." —Instagram review less

Baker and booktrovert Zoey has every intention of being alone this Valentine's Day. But when her friend has other ideas, she finds herself standing in the middle of Atlanta's hottest nightclub feeling like a fish out of water.After an unexpected altercation, she catches the eye of the co-owners, Jagger and Nathan. Jagger is dark and alluring, and Nathan is a typical playboy, but they want to treat this shy girl like their queen... moreBaker and booktrovert Zoey has every intention of being alone this Valentine's Day. But when her friend has other ideas, she finds herself standing in the middle of Atlanta's hottest nightclub feeling like a fish out of water.After an unexpected altercation, she catches the eye of the co-owners, Jagger and Nathan. Jagger is dark and alluring, and Nathan is a typical playboy, but they want to treat this shy girl like their queen.With these powerful men at her side, Zoey's night has gone from reading a romance novel to being in one, filled with new experiences and hot endings . . . oh, and there's frosting."A delicious back and forth between what Zoey thinks she is and the potential unleashed in the right hands." —Caz Luan, author of the short story “The Taste of Sin”This short story originally appeared in Craving A Spicy Valentine's Day Anthology published by And You Press, an imprint of Nicole Frail Books, released in February 2025. This ebook contains supplemental material from the author, including a short playlist inspired by the story. less

"Oops . . . that's all I can say. Cute and spicy." —GoodReads reviewer"Addictive. Captivating. Complex. Emotional. Unexpected. Spicy. The expression of Cat’s struggle pulls the reader in. Definitely part of why you fall in love with the characters.” —Caz Luan, author of the short story "The Taste of Sin"Cat is living her dream of running a dessert shop with her best friend, Mollie. Everything seems perfect until an attractive new customer walks in... more"Oops . . . that's all I can say. Cute and spicy." —GoodReads reviewer"Addictive. Captivating. Complex. Emotional. Unexpected. Spicy. The expression of Cat’s struggle pulls the reader in. Definitely part of why you fall in love with the characters.” —Caz Luan, author of the short story "The Taste of Sin"Cat is living her dream of running a dessert shop with her best friend, Mollie. Everything seems perfect until an attractive new customer walks in. Mollie quickly develops a crush on Eric, and soon, Cat finds herself drawn to him, as well.Despite trying to avoid him, a chance encounter while buying vanilla extract leads to Cat and Eric spending time together—and then to much more.As their relationship deepens, Cat is torn between her growing feelings for Eric and her loyalty to Mollie. She’s unsure how to navigate this delicate balance and protect her friendship while exploring a new romance.Can love and friendship coexist, or will something have to give?This short story originally appeared in Craving A Spicy Valentine's Day Anthology published by And You Press, an imprint of Nicole Frail Books, released in February 2025. less

"Tamaya Cruz won me over with her book This Bowl of Stars, and I read her story first. 'Dulce, Por Fin' is filled with a deep longing that Cruz eloquently writes. I was drawn in from the beginning." —Desi Stowe, author of the Charleston Harbor seriesLourdes and Jules have been best friends all their lives. They grew up on long conversations about their favorite cartoon characters and spent their college years cheering each other on through law school and marathons... more"Tamaya Cruz won me over with her book This Bowl of Stars, and I read her story first. 'Dulce, Por Fin' is filled with a deep longing that Cruz eloquently writes. I was drawn in from the beginning." —Desi Stowe, author of the Charleston Harbor seriesLourdes and Jules have been best friends all their lives. They grew up on long conversations about their favorite cartoon characters and spent their college years cheering each other on through law school and marathons.Though years and distance between them grew, Lo had always been the biggest part of Jules’s heart, even if he was the love she couldn’t admit she wanted.When Lo moves to Jules’s town to open a food truck, they find themselves back in each others’ lives where their friendship feels like it’s growing into more.Will their friendship finally cross a line into love?This short story originally appeared in Craving A Spicy Valentine's Day Anthology published by And You Press, an imprint of Nicole Frail Books, released in February 2025. This ebook contains supplemental material from the author. less

Two Valentine's Day Short Stories from Annabel den Dekker in One Ebook!Valentini's DayAfter finding their way back to each other in Just Like Christmas, Sam and Niall are ready to celebrate their first Valentine’s Day together. Hoping to take their relationship to the next level and make it official, Niall plans a romantic picnic, complete with a homemade whipped cream pie for Sam. But nothing goes as planned—his nerves get the best of him, and the cold threatens to ruin everything... moreTwo Valentine's Day Short Stories from Annabel den Dekker in One Ebook!Valentini's DayAfter finding their way back to each other in Just Like Christmas, Sam and Niall are ready to celebrate their first Valentine’s Day together. Hoping to take their relationship to the next level and make it official, Niall plans a romantic picnic, complete with a homemade whipped cream pie for Sam. But nothing goes as planned—his nerves get the best of him, and the cold threatens to ruin everything. Just when it seems like the day is falling apart, they find a way to heat things up. Will their intimacy give Niall the courage to finally ask the question?The Day Before Life Goes OnIn this sweet, sapphic (bonus!) story, Jess goes above and beyond to create a perfect Valentine's Day for her girlfriend, Meg, who is slowly healing from a painful past. Through baking and tender moments, she helps her feel cherished and safe, even if just for one special day.*While Valentini's Day features characters from the novel Just Like Christmas, it is a standalone short story.Valentini's Day originally appeared in Craving A Spicy Valentine's Day Anthology and The Day Before Life Goes On originally appeared in Recipes for A Sweet Valentine's Day Anthology, both published by And You Press, an imprint of Nicole Frail Books, released in February 2025. less

"Reading about these workplace enemies becoming lovers was perfection." —Ramona Elmes, author of the The Ball of Sin and The Nouveau Riche series"I loved the enemies-to-lovers vibe of the story. This was fun and romantic. One of my favorites in the [Craving You] anthology." —GoodReads ReviewerGracie Watts and Connor Hall are an amazing team when they're friendly. It's just a shame they don’t get along most of the time.Valentine's Day is around the corner... more"Reading about these workplace enemies becoming lovers was perfection." —Ramona Elmes, author of the The Ball of Sin and The Nouveau Riche series"I loved the enemies-to-lovers vibe of the story. This was fun and romantic. One of my favorites in the [Craving You] anthology." —GoodReads ReviewerGracie Watts and Connor Hall are an amazing team when they're friendly. It's just a shame they don’t get along most of the time.Valentine's Day is around the corner. Tensions are running high at the restaurant when a new idea is put in place to enhance the diners' experience, causing another clash. Their attitudes are affecting the business, and something needs to change. Keeping them apart hasn't made a difference. Desperate to make them get along, their boss decides they need to go on a date. Maybe, by being forced together, they will finally find a way to get along. . . .This short story originally appeared in Craving A Spicy Valentine's Day Anthology published by And You Press, an imprint of Nicole Frail Books, released in February 2025. This ebook contains supplemental material from the author. less

Abigail Spencer agreed to let her friend set her up on a blind date for Valentine’s Day. The date is a cooking class at the most popular restaurant in the city. To her horror, the chef who will be teaching Abigail and her date is a man she spent a steamy week with years ago. Gabriel ghosted her and left her with a broken heart. She shouldn’t still want him, but to her frustration, the spark is still there... moreAbigail Spencer agreed to let her friend set her up on a blind date for Valentine’s Day. The date is a cooking class at the most popular restaurant in the city. To her horror, the chef who will be teaching Abigail and her date is a man she spent a steamy week with years ago. Gabriel ghosted her and left her with a broken heart. She shouldn’t still want him, but to her frustration, the spark is still there.Gabriel Donovan is shocked to see Abigail at his restaurant, especially with a date he would never expect to be her type. As much as he doesn’t want to be distracted by her, he can’t stop himself from being drawn in. The longer she stays, the more he realizes his feelings for her still exist. Is he willing to chance being ghosted by her again?After discovering the past is not always what it seems, will these two admit their true feelings for each other? less