THRILL OF THE CHASE: A racing romance

Thrill of the Chase“When I got to the end of Thrill of the Chase, I wanted more. I wasn’t ready to let go of Sarah and her world.” - The Book Vixen

“There is some great racing action and great character-development on the part of the three main characters. It was really a joy to watch develop.” - Crystal, My Reading Room

Thrill of the Chase is a high octane ride that will throw you for a loop.” – J. Thomas, The Long and the Short Of It Reviews

“Let me tell you now that the fun is in the Thrill of the Chase.” - Lil,  Love Romances and More

Sarah’s a whiz at tuning engines and winning races. Winning Craig, the local drag race hero, proves more difficult. He only has eyes for gorgeous women who are hot in the sack, not grubby tomboys. Sarah’s world gets an overhaul when her father hires Gordon Devine. Soon she’s torn not only between two men she wants, but between the drag race winner she is and the woman she feels pressured to become.

Chapter One

Powering up through the gears, Sarah felt all the muscles in her body tighten with readiness and excitement before the two turns. She gripped her Mustang’s custom wood-lacquered shift knob with one hand, the thick steering wheel with the other. Though the late morning traffic was light, she checked her side mirrors twice and carefully scanned from left to right through her windshield, alert for any movement. There were no cars nearby. And, of course, no pedestrians. Nobody walked in Huntington Beach’s industrial-zoned “automotive alley.”

Jerking the steering wheel to the right then pulling it smoothly left, simultaneously heel-toeing the clutch and brake pedals with the edge of her running shoe, she felt her car’s tires break free from the pavement’s friction. The car slid sideways.

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HANDS ON: A puppeteer romance

Hands On

“If you love your romance full of palpable emotion and sweetness between two great characters, with just enough smexiness to add some heat, then you definitely need to read this! This is a keeper for me, and I may even go back and read it again later!” - Tanya, Among the Muses

“Hands On has to be the most down to earth, realistic romance novel I have read to date… I devoured this novel in a single sitting.” - Zee, Fire Pages

“In Hands On, Christina Crooks creates a romantic comedy out of a down on her luck woman. I found this story to be heartwarming, touching and all around fun!” - Nikki, Siren Book Reviews


 Want to make Fate laugh? Try telling her who’s in charge.

Puppeteer Ginnie Anderson’s life seems destined to fall around her ears. Much like the rented bungalow that’s collapsed in a rainstorm, endangering her marionettes. Her livelihood in need of protection, she can’t refuse her landlord’s offer of temporary shelter in his magnificent home. Under his roof, though, she finds her grasp on her independence slipping—and herself falling into his arms.

Harry Barrett never makes the same mistake twice, particularly when it comes to manipulative women. Yet when Ginnie’s past threatens, Harry must either hold tight to his sense of self preservation, or let go to capture Ginnie’s fragile heart.

Chapter One

The vintage rental house was old, but Ginnie didn’t expect it to fall in on her. Houses didn’t do that. Not even during Portland, Oregon’s famous rainstorms. And not even when stupid exes marched back and forth on roofs, making stupid, macho points.

Still, when the ceiling began to crack and sag ominously, weighted down by debris Rick kicked loose, she had a sudden premonition. “Get off my roof!” she yelled again, but this time louder—good and scared. “It’s going to fall in!”

“Say you’ll come back to me, then!”

To Ginnie’s relief, she heard his voice moving toward the edge of the house, toward the trellis he’d climbed in his misguided attempt to harass her into returning to Los Angeles with him. As if she’d ever consider it, no matter what embarrassing, intimidating tricks he tried. But he’d always been a mule-headed idiot, and mean to boot. Good thing she’d finally figured it out before marrying him.

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L.A. CAVEMAN: An office romance

L.A. Caveman cover 144x216“L.A. Caveman is full of hysterical laughs and hot sexual tension… L.A. Caveman brings the fun and drama to extreme heights while building a beautiful romance between the leads.” - Miranda, Joyfully Reviewed

“L.A. Caveman is a well-written, funny, sexy, sweet story that you will enjoy” – Yvette Lowe, Siren Book Reviews

“Crooks definitely has a sultry slow-burning writing style that builds anticipation at each turn of the page” – Zee, Fire Pages

“I laughed, I gasped and I tingled. Ms. Crooks has penned a riveting, funny tale about a woman in a man’s world.” – Seriously Reviewed


Keep it strictly business? Her heart demands something more…

Stanna struggles to keep her job as a men’s magazine columnist. The last thing she needs is a fight with her hopelessly chauvinistic brand-new boss, Jake. The attractive man turns the office into an undeniably sizzling environment, but his column suggestions are positively Neanderthal! She’s determined to reform Jake. He’s determined to train Stanna. Neither is willing to acknowledge the electrifying attraction that pulls at them both.

 

Chapter One

“This is difficult for me. Please know that.”

He bowed his head slightly, which alarmed her more than anything else. But she listened. What else could she do?

“I believe your work is intelligent and humorous, and could even be very popular, at the right magazine. I’m sure you will have the other editors in this town all begging for your editorial services. But unfortunately, Men’s Weekly is no longer suitable for your particular slant. I admire feminists. But your approach isn’t appropriate here any longer.”

Jake Tremere gave Stanna what she supposed was meant to be a reassuring and sympathetic smile. It came across a bit stiff.

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