Crushed

What happens when the one you want the most is someone you've never met?  He's a hunted hacker. She's a bookshop owner and wealthy heiress.  Until now, their identities never mattered. Their virtual friendship was a haven from real life. Until the day he walked into her store.  He's on the run from his murderous business partner, hiding off-grid in a vineyard safehouse. He and his small team are building a black ops high-tech security firm because he doesn't plan to play defense forever.  On a whim, he pings the location of his long-time virtual friend and discovers she's close.The plan is to finally put a real face to the avatar. Simple. Easy. His identity, and their connection, would remain hidden.  Of all the things he expected, he never anticipated her. A crush. That's all it is.  Enemies circle and dark secrets loom. His. And hers.And yet, he'll stop at nothing to protect her.  Crushed is a stand-alone billionaire romance with hidden identities, vigilante justice, and a band of friends on the run from the new-age mafia.  The first in the Twisted Vines series, Crushed is a standalone romance novel with no cliffhanger. Characters from First Light from the Haven Island series make appearances, as Erik's twin sister Cali is the heroine in First Light.  See What Reviewers Are Saying…"e;Fantastic read and spicy romance."e; -Filipinobookworm"e;characters are raw, gritty, and real. The story is fascinating, dark, and frightening….in a different kind of way. Absolutely incredible read!!!"e; -Cheryl B."e;well-written story…. a slow burn, filled with secrets, danger, suspense, twists, mystery, trust, and love, which leads to an entertaining addictive page turner."e; --W. Livingstone"e;This book, and especially the ending, all make the book worm, the gamer geek, and the nerd girl in me "e;squee!"e; in delight….suspense held me at the edge of my seat…constantly wondering what would happen next."e; -K. Lewendon