Box Set: The Rags and Riches Series by Emily Wood Book Spotlight

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Sometimes you can find love in the most unexpected places.

Sparks fly as three couples who seem all wrong for each other tackle the obstacles thrown in their way in search of true love. Opposites attract, yet those opposites might actually have far more in common than they think. Can social divisions and personal barriers be overcome in order to find a happily ever after together?

Business and Pleasure:
When sexy, rich Lawrence Russo asks Mia to come and work for him in Italy for two weeks, she jumps at the chance. After all, it beats pole dancing, and the salary he offers her is practically obscene. A relationship quickly begins to develop between the two, but Mia can't help but wonder if Lawrence's feelings for her are genuine or if he feels he's just paying for a service.

The Best of Both Worlds:
Melissa Morgan seems to have it all—her modeling career is taking off and she's engaged to one of the most eligible bachelors in London. But when she finds Jonathan cheating on her again, she finds solace in the arms of Riley, a sexy bar owner trying to recover from the heartbreak of his last relationship. Melissa shouldn't even want Riley, but she can't seem to stay away, especially when she finds in him everything that's missing in her relationship with Jonathan.

The Right Kind of Wrong:
Harriet Jones has spent years trying to win her father's affection, but time and time again she's been left feeling that she just isn't good enough. When she starts to fall for her rough-around-the-edges neighbor she knows her father would never approve. All he will see is man who was just released from jail, not a man who's determined to turn his life around.

Content Warning: contains explicit sex and strong language

~Excerpt~

Business and Pleasure Excerpt:

"I've been watching you, Mia."

"I've noticed." She took a step in his direction and looked challengingly into his dark eyes. "So, do you like what you see?"

They were close enough to touch, and Mia's every nerve was tingling, hoping to feel his fingers on her skin. He swayed forward and, for a moment, she thought he was going to kiss her, but he leaned toward her ear instead. "I have a business proposition for you," he breathed, sending a shiver through her body before he pulled away from her.

It took Mia a moment to compose herself, and his eyes sparkled with amusement. No doubt he was enjoying her confusion. "Business…a business proposition?" Mia attempted to sound as casual as she possibly could.

"I'm returning to my home in Tuscany tomorrow," he announced.

Mia felt her heart sink but was determined not to let it show. "Oh, it must be beautiful in Italy this time of year. But what does that have to do with me?"

"I was hoping you would accompany me."


The Best of Both Worlds Excerpt:

"Can I come in? Or are we going to do this on the doorstep?" Melissa laughed nervously.

Do what? Riley wondered, but he stepped aside to let her in without question. He couldn't help but glance down at her behind as she walked past him. It was mighty fine, but he felt so guilty for checking her out. She was engaged for God's sake! To one of the richest bachelors in London, no less. She wasn't for him. He took a deep breath and followed her into the bar.

"I wanted to thank you for last night," Melissa said as she turned to him. He could smell her sweet perfume. It was like heaven.

"Oh, okay." That sounded like something she could easily have done on the doorstep.

"I, um…also wanted to apologize for…you know." Melissa was blushing. It was an endearing sight. Riley remembered her trying to kiss him and his reaction.

"It's all right. I won't be telling anybody about it, if that's what you're worried about." Riley understood now, she was there covering her tracks, worried that the story about the hot, young model coming on to the barman would get out. Like he was thinking earlier, these girls were too full of their own self-importance.

"I wasn't worried about anything." Melissa folded her arms and scowled at him. "I wanted to apologize to you. I thought I might have offended you."

"I wasn't offended. I just don't have any time for a drunk, rich girl who's after a naughty little fling to entertain herself." Riley knew he needed to get rid of her, he couldn't think straight when she was around. Despite what he was telling her, a naughty little fling with her sounded pretty good to him right now.

"What if I want more than a naughty little fling?"


The Right Kind of Wrong Excerpt:

"Can I kiss you again?" Jamie asked. There was a fleeting moment of indecision in his eyes, like maybe he shouldn't, but all Harriet wanted was for him to kiss her again.

"Yes." Her voice was trembling. There were so many reasons why she should have said no. But she wanted this. She wanted Jamie.

His eyes fixed on hers until his soft lips found hers. Harriet savored his gentle kiss this time, marveling at his skill to ignite a passion within her that she wasn't even sure she had. When he pulled away, Harriet was left breathless.

"You seem nervous," he said, taking her hand, which was physically shaking.

"I…I haven't touched a man since my husband and I separated," Harriet admitted.

Jamie's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "You seem too young to have been married already."

"Yes, well, it didn't work out," Harriet said bitterly. She looked away, trying to push down the emotions that threatened to resurface—rejection, abandonment, the feeling of never being good enough. But she was good at controlling the pain by now; she'd been doing it ever since she was a child.

"I'm sorry." The fire between them was in danger of fizzling out as they stood there awkwardly, but then Jamie kissed her hand. "Anybody would be a fool to leave you."

Jamie pulled her closer and started kissing her again. He tasted of beer, and Harriet hated the taste usually, but like with everything else, he made the wrong seem so right, and she loved it.

She kissed him like she couldn't get enough. Boldly, Harriet raised her hands up to cup his face, the beginnings of stubble feeling grainy against her palms. She was more turned on than she could ever remember. Harriet pulled away, suddenly nervous. It wasn't like her to do things like this, and it scared her just how much she wanted it.

"It's okay, we don't have to take this any further. We don't really know each other," Jamie said a little breathlessly.

Harriet tried to hide her disappointment, but she knew he was right, and she wasn't the kind of girl to be this forward.

"But I'm up for it if you are." Jamie's voice was more serious, and his words sent waves of desire through her body.

Given her tendency to overthink things into inaction, she decided to let her body take over. There were a hundred reasons why she shouldn't do this, but she was going to go with the one reason she should—she wanted to.

Buy Links: Beachwalk Press


~About the Author~


I have always believed that the best stories are the ones that you can't put down, the ones that transport you to a different place and make you believe in the characters. This is exactly why I write… I have always loved the escapism that reading and writing provides, and there is nothing more exciting than imagining your own set of characters, and then letting them practically write the story for you. Writing has always been a dream of mine, and I'm lucky to have the kind of people around me that have always nurtured and encouraged my passion.


I live a cozy little life in Wales, and when I'm not writing I'm taking care of my young family, studying for a degree in Classical Studies, and training to become a nail technician. I love traveling to new places, meeting new people, and experiencing new things…it's all great inspiration for my books!

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