Dirty Martini — Abby Knox

One of the most ruthless CEOs in Newcastle, Katie has made all of her dreams come true. Except one. She's fantasized about having a secret, kept man at her beck and call, but so far, nobody fits the bill. After conducting a tense business meeting, she dips into a dive bar for her favorite drink, and ends up making her ultimate wish come true. Holden doesn't believe in true love, but he does believe taking advantage of an opportunity when one comes along. That opportunity appears in the form of a gorgeous older woman writing a check with more zeroes in it than he's ever seen in his life. When the wrong people find out his dirty little secret -- and his judgment gets clouded by obsession -- it puts everything and everyone they both love in danger. Crow Bar is the rowdiest bar in the city's toughest neighborhood, and it's owner is known for employing the kinds of bouncers nobody wants to mess with. Dubbed the Crow Bar Brute Squad, these hardened heroes may have zero bandwidth for anyone's B.S., but they have nothing but time and intense devotion when it comes to the queens that they love. The oceanside city of Newcastle has everything: glittering skyscrapers, gritty warehouses and everything in between. It's also full of characters that fall fast and hard -- into love, into bad decisions and into danger: Tough, blue-collar guys and even tougher, mouthy broads. When irresistible forces crash into immoveable objects, the resulting tales of love, friendship, and adventure will make you want to pack up and catch the next train to Newcastle. Bring a beach chair! (And maybe a helmet.)