National Boyfriend Day on October 3rd recognizes the sweetheart in your life. Like special days for family members, this day dedicates attention to the boyfriends in our lives or our book boyfriends welcome to love through a steamy romance. Whether the relationship is new or seasoned, boyfriends bring unique meaning to our lives. From romantic evenings, date nights, and adventure, each relationship develops over time. Even the boyfriend that is hidden within the pages of our favorite romance novels. Don’t have a boyfriend? Enjoy these 10romances that are sure to make you swoon for your new book boyfriend.
Brothers in Blue: A Bryson Family Christmas (Brothers in Blue #4) by Jeanne St. James
Welcome back to Manning Grove... Enjoy a trip back to the quaint town in Northern Pennsylvania, where the Bryson brothers are celebrating Christmas in this special holiday edition of the Brothers in Blue series.
Limitless: Jace & Alex (Less Than Zero #2) by Kaylene Winter
"She snuck up on me and stole my heart..." Sexy Viking drummer Jace Deveraux used his genius marketing skills to help propel Less than Zero (LTZ) to the top. Friends-with-benefits was the only thing he was capable of. Until free-spirited social media influencer Alexandria LeRoux made him an offer he couldn't refuse. Their secret, spontaneous global hookups were decadent, erotic, extraordinary.
For the first time in his life, Jace wants it all.
Bad Engagement (Billionaire's Club #10) by Elise Faber
Kate McLeod was desperate. Her younger sister was having her first baby, her younger brother was recently married, and . . . Christmas was coming. And in the McLeod household, Christmas was everything. Every year her parents’ house looked like an assembly of angels had puked everywhere. She was talking lights and glitter, garland, and plaid. EVERYWHERE. All of that Christmas spirit was topped off with the annual McLeod Holiday Party, complete with mistletoe and happy couples and . . . her lonesome single ass. Kate, the one everyone tried to set up with their friend or cousin or coworker. Kate, the oldest and pathetically unmarried sister. Kate, the sad, single San Franciscan. Well, this year she had a plan. She was going to get herself engaged. A diamond ring on her finger was the perfect way to get her family to back off. And she had just the perfect guy in mind.
Dax (A Royal Protectors/Sidewinders Crossover) by Kat Mizera
This time he’s playing for keeps... Rugged hockey star Dax O’Day has always had a thing for his best friend and teammate’s twin sister, but that’s a line you don’t cross. Not in hockey, and definitely not in life. He just can’t stop thinking about her, and when she turns to him for help, there isn’t a chance in hell he can refuse her—even if it means getting his hands dirty.
The Setup by Meghan Quinn
Now, I understand it’s not a crime for a mother to want her child to fall in love, but when she makes it her relentless MISSION, the heinous act should be classified as a misdemeanor at least. Of course, my mom, the evil matriarch in the devil’s leggings, made her final stab at finding a girl for me days before I went back to college. And I hate to admit it, but she saved a doozy for last.
The One That Got Away by Karina Halle
When I first met her, she was a fresh, young, American sports journalist trying to find her footing in a new life abroad. She was the one interviewing me for an article, yet I wanted to know more about her. She captivated me. But she went home with Marco that night. My agent. My brother. And I did what I could to pretend I was fine with it.
WRECK (Gentry Generations) by Cora Brent
What I didn't expect is for my downward spiral to be interrupted by a shy beauty with a messy past. I can prove to Gracie that we're supposed to be together. All she has to do is take that risk. And all I have to do is remember how to be the guy she thinks I am.
Adoring Keaton (The Kennedy Boys #9) by Siobhan Davis
From the time I was a little kid, all I wanted is to play football in college and play in the NFL. As wide receiver for the Golden Bears, I am on track to achieve my goals, but it comes at a heavy price. Denying who I am—for the sake of my career—goes against everything I believe. I should never have listened to my high school coach, because all the lies are suffocating me. Until Keaton Kennedy enters my life, turning it upside down. Now, there is even more reason to tell the truth, because I’m falling for the famous one and I want the entire world to know.
Behind the Plate (The Boys of Baseball #2) by J. Sterling
The most anticipated J. Sterling release of the year is finally here! You've waited years to meet Jack Carter's son and the wait is over! Strap in and enjoy the ride. Chance Carter is the son of local baseball legend, Jack Carter. Now in his junior year at Fullton State, Chance is facing challenges he never saw coming. Failing a class will stop his draft season short, making him ineligible to play and pushing his goal of professional baseball even further away.
The Change Up by Meghan Quinn
BREAKING NEWS: The Bad Boy of Baseball, Maddox Paige, is totally and utterly whipped. Okay, that might not be the headlines in the newspaper this morning, but it's the reality of my current situation. It all started a month ago when I received a call from my best friend, Kinsley. She got a new job in Chicago and needed a place to stay. I've known the girl since I was five, what harm would it be to have her stay at my place for a while?
The Great Pumpkin Pie Recipe
Prep Time: 45 minutes Cook Time: 65 minutes Total Time: Overnight (14 hours - includes time for pie dough and cranberries) Yield: serves 8-10; 1 cup sugared cranberries
Ingredients
SUGARED CRANBERRIES
· 1 cup (120g) fresh cranberries*
· 2 cups (400g) granulated sugar
· 1 cup (240ml) water
PUMPKIN PIE
· Homemade pie crust (full recipe makes 2 crusts: 1 for the bottom, 1 for leaf decor)
· one 15oz can (about 2 cups; 450g) pumpkin puree*
· 3 large eggs
· 1 and 1/4 cups (250g) packed light or dark brown sugar
· 1 Tablespoon (8g) cornstarch
· 1/2 teaspoon salt
· 1 and 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
· 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger*
· 1/4 teaspoon ground or freshly grated nutmeg*
· 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves*
· 1/8 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
· 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream
· 1/4 cup (60ml) milk (I use 1% – any is fine)
· egg wash: 1 large egg beaten with 1 Tablespoon milk
Instructions
1. For the cranberries: Place cranberries in a large bowl; set aside. In a medium saucepan, bring 1 cup of sugar and the water to a boil and whisk until the sugar is dissolved. Remove pan from the heat and allow to cool for 5 minutes. Pour sugar syrup over the cranberries and stir. Let the cranberries sit at room temperature or in the refrigerator for 6 hours or overnight (ideal). You’ll notice the sugar syrup is quite thick after this amount of time. Drain the cranberries from the syrup and pour 1 cup of sugar on top. Toss the cranberries, coating them all the way around. Pour the sugared cranberries on a parchment paper or silicone baking mat-lined baking sheet and let them dry for at least 2 hours at room temperature or in the refrigerator.
2. Make the pie crust through step 5 according to my directions, tips, and pictures. Or use store-bought.
3. For the pumpkin pie filling: Whisk the pumpkin, 3 eggs, and brown sugar together until combined. Add the cornstarch, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, pepper, cream, and milk. Vigorously whisk until everything is combined. The filling will be a little thick.
4. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
5. Roll out the chilled pie crust: Remove 1 disc of pie dough from the refrigerator. On a lightly floured work surface, roll the dough out into a 12-inch circle. Make sure to turn the dough about a quarter turn after every few rolls. Carefully place the dough into a 9-inch pie dish. Tuck it in with your fingers, making sure it is smooth. With a small and sharp knife, trim the extra overhang of crust and discard. Crimp the edges with a fork or flute the edges with your fingers, if desired. Brush edges lightly with egg wash mixture. Line the pie crust with parchment paper. (Crunch up the parchment paper first so that you can easily shape it into the crust.) Fill with pie weights. Make sure the weights are evenly distributed around the pie dish. Pre-bake the crust for 10 minutes. Carefully remove the parchment paper/pie weights.
6. Pour pumpkin pie filling into the warm pre-baked crust. Only fill the crust about 3/4 of the way up. (Use extra to make mini pies with leftover pie dough scraps if you’d like.) Bake the pie until the center is almost set, about 55-60 minutes give or take. A small part of the center will be wobbly – that’s ok. After 25 minutes of baking, be sure to cover the edges of the crust with aluminum foil or use a pie crust shield to prevent the edges from getting too brown. Check for doneness at minute 50, and then 55, and then 60, etc.
7. Once done, transfer the pie to a wire rack and allow to cool completely for at least 3 hours. Decorate with sugared cranberries and pie crust leaves (see note). You’ll definitely have leftover cranberries – they’re tasty for snacking. Serve pie with whipped cream if desired. Cover leftovers tightly and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.