Can she show the playboy how to care for his daughter without succumbing to his charms…again?
They can't forget the past, but is it enough to create a future?
When an accident leaves her guardian to her six-month-old niece, Emma Stanton must return to her small hometown of Hastings, Montana to find the one man she's spent the last eight years trying to forget. She and Dillon had grown up together--he was her sister's best friend. But that hadn't stopped him from sharing a kiss with Emma that had followed her through the years. Now, not only must she break the news of her sister's tragic death to Dillon, but she must risk the only family she has left and tell him he's the baby's father.
Wealthy nightclub owner Dillon James has been used for his name and money one too many times, so when he comes face-to-face with Emma Stanton and her gorgeous lips, he's determined to keep things light. All he wants is to be the father his daughter needs, to make up for not being there for her and her mother. But spending time with Emma, as she shows him the ropes of caring for his daughter, is wearing down his defenses. Perhaps it's time he took a chance on love.
If only he can convince Emma to take a chance on him...
Excerpt
He sipped his coffee. “It doesn’t matter anymore.”
Apparently he intended to keep his promise, and she had to admit she respected him more for it. She arched a brow, curious. “So, why tell me now?”
He pursed his lips, the crease between his brows deepening. “Because just once I’d like you to stop expecting the worst from me. I take my responsibilities seriously.”
Unable to resist, she quirked a playful brow at him. “You telling me you didn’t enjoy those escapades she got you into?”
His gaze flicked to her, his dark eyes twinkling. His mouth split into that heart stopping grin. “Oh, I won’t deny that. Your sister was a riot. That’s what I loved about Janey. She was fun as hell.” His easy smile melted from his face, his features sobering. “But I’m not that young kid anymore. I’ve grown up.”
Emma sighed. He had a point. “I’ll be the first to admit you’re different than the boy I remember. I had this view of you back then and was sure you were getting my sister into trouble.” She looked at him. “I honestly don’t know what to make of this side of you. It’s…not what I expected. Janey was right. She told me that once. ‘There’s more to him than meets the eye, you know.’ I figured she was just trying to placate me.”
“The papers were right to a certain extent. In college, I got fed up with being used. I decided, if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em, like the saying goes. I decided if the women were going to use me, I was going to use them right back.”
That made her heart ache for him, to be used like that all the time, never knowing who to trust. It also gave them something in common. She knew, to a certain extent, how that felt. “What changed your mind?”
He stared down at his cup. “Leila.”
He shook himself, turning and setting his cup on the counter. He held his hand out, palm up, watching her with soft, penetrating eyes, deep, dark eyes that called to her the longer she stared at them. “How ’bout you give me the benefit of the doubt every once in a while, hmm? I’d like a chance to prove I’m not that stupid kid anymore.”
“Deal.” Emma slipped her hand into his, told herself it was merely a gesture of friendship, of trust, but she couldn’t ignore the tingle that ran clean to her toes.
Professional Reviews
5 stars--The Romance Reviews
One tragic death after another left one woman alone with her sister's daughter, Annie. She now needed to let one man know that he had a daughter, and hope that he would not take her away from him since that was all she had of family.
Emma Stanton was alone at her sister's funeral but didn't want anyone around. Days after her sister's funeral, she found a letter indicating the father of her sister's baby. She knew she had to see him again, but was afraid that he would not let her be a part of Annie's life. Only she misjudged him, as he was not at all what she remembered him to be. All she remembered with the teenage boy that got her sister into trouble. Now he was all grown up and sexy as hell. She wanted to touch him all over, but somehow she couldn't because that was her sister's lover.
Dillon James had a badass reputation and of course he had groupies at his club that worshipped him. But then he looked up one night in his club and set eyes on Emma. He could not believe she was actually in his club. He had a major crush on her in high school and now with her here, maybe he had a chance with her. But when he learned that he was Annie's father, he accused her of doing it for money. I couldn't believe he'd think that, but he had his reasons. Both Dillon and Emma had issues in their past that they needed to work out, but something fierce was happening between them. The anger, lust, want were in both of their eyes that it was not surprising that when they kissed for the first time, it was hot.
There are so many moments that will break your heart because Emma has a past that did not allow her to trust men and Dillon had his legions of women only wanting one thing—a hand in his bank account. Then there are so many tender moments between Dillon and Annie, it warms you heart seeing Dillon being a father, feeding his daughter, making faces at her to get her to giggle and especially nap time where they both fall asleep together. It breaks your heart when he wants nothing the next day after a wonderful night together with Emma, but it hurts even worse when he realizes he misses her warmth in his house, especially in his bed.
THE PLAYBOY'S BABY is the first book that I have read by JM Stewart and I loved it. It showed me that there are men even in fiction that would do whatever possible to be the father a child needs. Even when there was a possibility that the baby wasn't even his. This is a sweet romantic story that thoroughly described each character. JM Stewart's writing ability had me hooked from the beginning, as the story was smoothly written. The blend of romance and caring and learning to trust—really trust—was a long hard road because of Dillon. The love scenes were just perfect that left you longing for more.
THE PLAYBOY'S BABY is the absolute perfect read for the hopeless romantic.
5 stars & book of the month--Long and Short Reviews
Coffee and cream. Popcorn and butter. Summer and swimming pools. Smiles and laughter. Now, you're probably wondering why I've stated the words above? Well, I'll tell you. Those are things that go well together. I've got another for you. Ready? A playboy and fatherhood. Surprised?
You wouldn't think a man that's considered a playboy, jumping around from woman to woman, never having a serious relationship, would be a good father, would you? The hero in The Playboy's Baby, Dillon, learns a few shocking secrets that will be changing his life. He's suddenly face to face with a woman from his past- Emma. Someone he'd never thought he'd see back in their hometown, but yet, there she was. The way Dillon handles this surprise completely amazed me. He took it well, doing everything he possibly can to make things right. He's got a lot of things to learn, though, as having a baby around isn't going to be easy. Most of the town thins he's a spoiled rich boy, but as readers go further into the story, we are allowed a peel back to Dillon's inner feelings, and he's not all that bad. In fact, he's pretty respectable and admirable.
Emma has had plenty of losses in her life. The only thing close to a family she has is her niece, so going to find Dillon wasn't the easiest thing for her, but she puts her niece first to make sure she has a father in her life. Dealing with the recent loss of her sister, the only other person that can understand the depth of that loss is Dillon. Two very different people that hold back are about to learn what it is to find true love, despite the ghosts from the past.
This story had all the right things for me. It was emotional, heartwarming, engaging, and well done. I read it in just a few hours! The author's voice is fresh and enjoyable, and I found myself emotionally attached to Emma and Dillon, rooting for them the whole way. I wanted their happily ever after to be wonderful, and it most definitely was. There are plenty of hurdles and conflict along the way, but that only makes the great ending more desirable.
If you're a fan of contemporary romances that offer a new chance at love for two people that have had their share of heartache, The Playboy's Baby awaits. Why not grab yourself a copy right away?
4.5 stars Manic Readers
Dillon and Janey were friends from grade school, while Janey’s older sister Emma looked out for them. When Janey dies, she leaves Emma with two surprises, her infant daughter Annie, and a letter stating the father of the baby is Dillon.
Em knows Dillon deserves to know his daughter, but what will she do if he wants full custody, and takes away Em’s only living relative? How in the world will Dillon care for a baby when he works all night and sleeps all day?
Little does Em know Dillon isn’t the wild playboy she knew years ago, nor does she have any inkling that although he spent time with Janey, it was always Em he crushed on. How can Em be with a man who slept with her sister?
Lots of conflicts here and lots of heat between Em and Dillon, but can they manage to be a real family for the sake of Annie? Or is Dillon just interested in a caregiver for the baby?
I liked these two and I think you will, too. The Playboy’s Baby has excellent characters and a well told story.
I wrote this novel several years ago, I self published and never had it to sell. I have decided to rewrite it and hope to get it published within a few months for people to be able to buy. I had a few copies and gave them to a few family members and
