Once and Forever Series by Lauren Stewart

After another painful breakup, Laney Temple finally understands that love is a fairytale and sex rarely comes with a happy ending. She's too busy for it right now anyway--she has a business to run, art to create, and candy to crush. Eventually she'll be ready to switch from her plastic-or-silicon lover to a flesh-and-blood one. But before that happens, she needs to be sure she won't feel any of those annoying emotions that make her heart do things it wasn't meant to do.. moreAfter another painful breakup, Laney Temple finally understands that love is a fairytale and sex rarely comes with a happy ending. She's too busy for it right now anyway--she has a business to run, art to create, and candy to crush. Eventually she'll be ready to switch from her plastic-or-silicon lover to a flesh-and-blood one. But before that happens, she needs to be sure she won't feel any of those annoying emotions that make her heart do things it wasn't meant to do...Like breakCarson Bennett is completely upfront about what he wants, and it has nothing to do with Laney's heart. Her lips? Hell yeah. Other parts of her body? You better f*cking believe it. But her heart? Nope, not even a little. Until it does... a lot. But having feelings for someone isn't allowed. It's the kind of thing you're supposed to push down deep and cover up with one-night stands, sarcasm, and booze...Like secretsTwo people want the same thing—a commitment to nothing more than great sex in a bunch of different positions. Simple. Enjoyable. A win-win. Problem is, those two people have families and fears and pain that spill into every moment of their lives, control what they do and who they are. And if either Carson or Laney can't free themselves from the past, they'll both be pulled under by it.Darker Water is a stand-alone contemporary romance that does not end in a cliffhanger. less

Fairy tales aren’t real…but love is.Sara has a kick-ass life—loyal friends, a house in San Francisco, and an amazing job as a virtual assistant. It's perfect…except that Sara doesn’t actually exist. She’s just a borrowed name that Andi Clark hides behind. Using a fake identity lets Andi stay safely shielded behind the screen of her computer and concealed from the real world. With her history, pretending to be someone she’s not is the only way Andi can make up for the mistakes of her past... moreFairy tales aren’t real…but love is.Sara has a kick-ass life—loyal friends, a house in San Francisco, and an amazing job as a virtual assistant. It's perfect…except that Sara doesn’t actually exist. She’s just a borrowed name that Andi Clark hides behind. Using a fake identity lets Andi stay safely shielded behind the screen of her computer and concealed from the real world. With her history, pretending to be someone she’s not is the only way Andi can make up for the mistakes of her past. Not exactly ideal, but hey, no one’s life is perfect.Actually...Hayden Bennett’s life is pretty damn perfect. He’s married to a beautiful woman, lives in a luxury apartment, and is prepped to take over the multi-million dollar company his father built. Perfect...except that his wife is madly in love with someone else, his career is meaningless, and he’s forgotten how to live, let alone be happy. But when Hayden hires a new virtual assistant named Sara, her sharp wit and intelligence leaves him wanting something more. Something real. Something incredible.Two people need to wake up to understand how perfect they are...for each other. If they can't, any chance either of them have of finding a happily ever after will be virtually impossible. ***This highly-anticipated sequel to DARKER WATER is Hayden and Andi's story, and this is how their fairytale begins:Once upon a time there was a woman who made the mistake of trusting the wrong man. And that mistake led to another. And another and another, each more damaging than the last. But the woman was as ignorant of her mistakes as she was of the damage they caused. Until she was punished for them.Around the same time, but in a totally separate part of the city, lived a noble man and his beautiful wife. Though their castle was the envy of all, its empty halls echoed of loneliness and regret. For the man had lived his entire life asleep, and both of them remained silent of who they truly were and what they truly wanted.And then one day, the woman entered the man's life and forced him to awaken... less

A steamy new romantic comedy with the characters you fell in love with in Darker Water and Virtually Impossible.   My name is Carson Bennett.   The first time I slept with Laney Temple was two years ago.   At the time, I thought I deserved a medal for all the effort I put into making it happen. What I ended up getting is so much more valuable.   Now, with everyone and my brother getting hitched, I think I’m finally ready for the next big step... moreA steamy new romantic comedy with the characters you fell in love with in Darker Water and Virtually Impossible.   My name is Carson Bennett.   The first time I slept with Laney Temple was two years ago.   At the time, I thought I deserved a medal for all the effort I put into making it happen. What I ended up getting is so much more valuable.   Now, with everyone and my brother getting hitched, I think I’m finally ready for the next big step. To make what Lane and I have better and stronger. Deeper. I'm just not sure if she’s ready.   Unfortunately, life isn’t all bacon and glitter just because we say three little words to each other.   When we’re horizontal, our communication couldn’t be better. And the other forty-nine percent of the day—when my pants are zipped, her bra is hooked, and nobody’s hands are anywhere fun—it’s still easy and full of laughs.   It’s just that last one percent we haven’t quite figured out yet. Time’s ticking. If we don’t repair the cracks soon, water is going to rush in and break this whole damn thing apart.   ~ ~ ~     Carson and Laney are back! Just in times for Valentine’s Day. Get a look at their after happily-ever-after and be there for Hayden and Andi’s island wedding.     * Deeper Water is not a true standalone contemporary romance novel like the others in this series. You will enjoy it much more if you read Darker Water first. I suggest starting there. less

She’s all alone in the darkness. He’s lighting up the stage. But not even the brightest spotlight can reach the shadows of a broken soul.  Declan Every wanna-be rocker dreams of the day when crazed fans will pack their shows. But the more people worship me as some kind of musical god, the more I realize why singers are called "performers." I'm just a pretender. A fake.  I need something real. Something to break through the revolting glamour that's bled into every part of my life... moreShe’s all alone in the darkness. He’s lighting up the stage. But not even the brightest spotlight can reach the shadows of a broken soul.  Declan Every wanna-be rocker dreams of the day when crazed fans will pack their shows. But the more people worship me as some kind of musical god, the more I realize why singers are called "performers." I'm just a pretender. A fake.  I need something real. Something to break through the revolting glamour that's bled into every part of my life. And for one perfect night, I found that in Sara.  Then she ran.  Sara No sane woman would’ve ever walked away from Declan Hollis after only one night. But walking away from him was the safest move for both of us. I've spent so much time burying my old self in the past, trying to erase the vulnerable person I used to be. I’m smarter now—men are dangerous, and relationships are doubly so.  But the more time I spend away from him, the more I want to go back. I may end up shattered all over again. Or maybe, just maybe, he'll be the one to help me pick up the pieces.  ***Immaterial Defense is a standalone, modern fairytale retelling of The Emperor's New Clothes. Expect some laughs, lots of sighs, and maybe a few tears.*** less