Title: Kickstart My Heart
Series: Burgers and Brew Crüe #1
Author: Lacey Black
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: February 9, 2021
BLURB
Walker
There’s nothing better than a packed house on a Saturday night, and co-owning the hottest restaurant and bar in town with my best friends, isn’t so bad either. We put everything into Burgers and Brew. My job is to keep the alcohol moving and the patrons coming back for more. I won’t let anyone break my focus.
That was until I saw her.
As much as I try, I can’t fight it. Mallory makes me crave a future I never wanted for my own.
Now, I want it all.
Mallory
When I started my new job at a local specialty burger restaurant, I wasn’t expecting to find a tall, dark, and devastatingly handsome distraction in the form of Walker Meyer. He’s one of the owners, which means hands off. Only problem, it’s a lot easier said than done.
Especially when he’s so good with my daughter.
I try to keep him at a distance, but he’s insistent, slowly breaking down every one of my walls. He’s fighting to convince me I can trust him with not only my heart, but my daughter’s too.
I pray he’s right.
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EXCERPT
Chapter One
Walker
At exactly eleven o’clock, I slip a quarter into the old jukebox on the back wall. The bar is silent as they await tonight’s selection. My bar, my choice, and tonight, I’m feeling a little rowdy. The opening melody of “Dr. Feelgood” blasts through the speakers, resulting in a loud cheer from tonight’s patrons. As I make my way back behind the bar, I get a few high fives from the guys and even more phone numbers slipped into my palm from the ladies. I wish I could confirm they’re all single, but the truth is they’re not.
Just a typical Saturday night at Burgers and Brew, the place I co-own with my three best friends. We all have our forte within the business, and mine’s behind the bar. Mixing drinks and slinging beers. That’s my life, and damn, what a life it is.
I slap Jasper on the back as I slide under the bar and jump right back in to filling drink orders. Everyone’s singing along, word for word to the ol’ 80’s hair band tune, as part of our weekend ritual. It’s an ode, a salute to our college days and the band we all grew up listening to. We built this business, taking an old brick building in downtown Stewart Grove and turning it into a staple.
Jasper’s the man in the kitchen, the one who comes up with the mouthwatering burger creations we’re known for. Isaac is the numbers guy, the man who keeps us in the black and our taxes completed on time. Jameson’s the muscle because he’s big and tattooed. But he’s more than that. Jameson is talented as fuck with a guitar and serves as our house musician Friday and Saturday nights. Then there’s me. Walker Meyer, bartender extraordinaire, who keeps the beer flowing, the panties melting, and the tips rolling in.
We’re the Brew Crüe, and damn proud of it.
“Dance, dance, dance, dance,” the crowd starts to chant, encouraging me to do what I do every weekend when we play Mötley Crüe.
Dance.
When I glance over at Jasper, he’s already shaking his head, but there’s no missing his wide grin. He knows what’s coming. Placing my hands on the bar top, I jump, hoisting myself up on the aged oak. Patrons erupt into cheers as I grin down at them. Mostly, at the ladies. The single ones and even the not-so-single ones. No, I’m not taking any of them home, but that doesn’t mean I can’t give them one hell of a show.
I twist my ballcap around so it’s on backward and start to swing my hips. Mama blessed me with moves, which helps almost double my tips every night. Women go crazy for a man who can dance. That’s evident by the number of panties that’ll be thrown behind the bar in a matter of moments.
Swaying my hips, I do a little dip and grind, popping my ass out and sending the ladies in the front row into cardiac arrest. They scream and reach for my pant legs, digging their nails into the denim. Instead of shaking them off, I wink and carefully walk a few steps away. Then, when we get to the refrain in the song, I throw my arms out to the side and belt out the words, everyone singing along with me.
It’s like karaoke.
But better.
As the song winds down, I steal the drink in Jasper’s hand and hold it up over my head. Everyone in the bar does the same. We sing. I dance and drink. The panties start flying.
(Excerpt – Kickstart My Heart, Burgers and Brew Crüe book 1 © Lacey Black)
AUTHOR BIO
Lacey Black is a Midwestern girl with a passion for reading and writing. She carries her e-reader with her everywhere she goes so she never misses an opportunity to read a few pages. Always looking for a happily ever after, Lacey is passionate about contemporary romance novels and enjoys it further when you mix in a little suspense. She resides in a small town in Illinois with her husband, two children, and a chocolate lab. Lacey loves shooting guns and should only consume one mixed drink because she’s a lightweight.
AUTHOR LINKS
Blogs Review
Kickstart My Heart is book one in the new Burgers and Brew Crüe series. This was a great way to kick off a new series by opening up not only this world building set of characters, but a way to show that your heart can beat when you least expect it. Walker is all work, hardly any play and certainly doesn't mess with coworkers, but before he even knows Mallory is now one of the Crue employee's he feels something just by seeing her. Mallory comes to town to get a fresh start for her and Lizzie Lou. She loves her job, her new sense of life in this town and knows that they share a chemistry, but because she needs this job more than anything she will be professional and no play. You will love how the other Brew members know things that they don't want to see. You will understand why she held out and for good reason, but Walker will stop at nothing to show her how serious he is. Love how they all care for her daughter and her. This is full of passion, hurt, good heart and truly does Kickstart your Heart. I mean I was so focused on the book that I completely disregarded the tile and Brew Crüe in the book that I was like, oh that song by Motley Crüe would be perfect for this book. Duh! A little slow and made me chuckle though when I realized hello Saturday night this makes sense now (this reference will make sense when reading the book).
This was a great kick off to a new series and I can only wonder how these other men in the Brew will fall, bring on Jasper, Jameson and Isaac. These alpha men have a softie side to them besides their own talent. I highly recommend this starter series.
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