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Melanie Munton

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Melanie is an Amazon bestselling author who prefers her romance to come loaded with wit and heavy doses of steam. She's all about fictional escapism, the beach, a tall glass of wine, and a guaranteed happily ever after. She wishes she could be as cool and clever as even half of the characters she creates. Unfortunately, 100% of her creativity goes into her writing, so there's zero left over for real life at the end of the day. 

Melanie grew up in a small town in the Midwest but now lives in Savannah, Georgia and adores it. Her daughter and husband are her entire life. She and her husband met while earning their anthropology degrees (random, right?), and their shared passion is to travel the globe. She has a horrible chip addiction, and she gets sad when her wine rack is empty.

At the end of the day, she is a true romantic at heart. She loves writing the swoony and spicy of romantic comedies, and the sexy and dangerous of suspense. She aims to make her readers weak in the knees, laugh out loud, maybe sweat a little, and above all, fall in love.

Reasons Why Not to Date Your Nemesis Cover
BOOK REVIEW

Reasons Why Not to Date Your Nemesis

BY Melanie Munton

A woman and a man who hated each other as high school students reconnect years later in Munton’s romance novel.

Olivia Knight becomes aroused massaging the back of a well-built man at her part-time spa gig in her hometown of Shell Grove, South Carolina. To her shock, he turns out to be Ben Crawford, “the person who had made her school days a living hell, and whom she had vowed to loathe for the rest of her days.” Olivia’s father ran off with Ben’s mother 12 years earlier, leaving the kids to endure the scandal. Ben left Shell Grove to join the Marines and has returned to become the town sheriff. Olivia is helping to run the local B&B co-owned by her aunt, Rita, and her father, who lives nearby but whom she has avoided since the scandal. Ben is also attracted to Olivia; when he temporarily moves into the B&B and the couple interact there, sparks ignite into flames. They engage in a hot sexual affair that both begin to realize has deeper meaning. Ben’s alcoholic father, who also still lives in town, reveals Ben’s involvement in the scandal, prompting a new estrangement and, ultimately, meaningful reconciliations. The narrative presents a compelling throughline of the couple’s intense physical connection, from their “walnut war” (pelting nuts at each other as teens) to encounters of mutual pleasure that include spanking and restraints as adults. Their psychological issues are also effectively presented, including Ben’s fear of turning out like his father and Olivia’s mental blocks against the past—as Ben observes, “you couldn’t see past your own pain long enough to realize that everything isn’t always so black and white.” This lively and sexy enemies-to-lovers tale is the second entry of a planned Shell Grove series.

A nuanced tale of mature love evolving out of teen trauma.

Pub Date:

ISBN: 9798353597032

Review Posted Online: April 7, 2023

REASONS WHY NOT TO DATE PUBLIC ENEMY CEO Cover
ROMANCE

REASONS WHY NOT TO DATE PUBLIC ENEMY CEO

BY Melanie Munton • POSTED ON May 24, 2022

In this small town, two colleagues butt heads and hearts.

Mia Sparks loves Shell Grove, South Carolina, almost too much. She grew up there, has deep ties to the community, and found respite in her hometown after her divorce from her high school sweetheart. But Mia is restless; despite a college degree, she’s never had a career that sticks, and so far, her guest-relations position at The Sapphire, Shell Grove’s new resort, has involved fishing dead squirrels out of the pool. Enter sexy-as-sin Aiden Beaumont, with whom Mia has an eventful first meeting and can’t stop thinking about. The only problems? Aiden is Mia’s boss’s boss, and, as owner of The Sapphire, he’s public enemy No. 1 among the Shell Grove old guard, who are convinced a high-profile resort will ruin the simplicity of their beloved beach town. When Mia sees the potential in increased tourism and proposes creative solutions to get the entire town onboard, Aiden sees the potential in her—in both the boardroom and the bedroom. But for a small-town girl and a high-powered businessman, love can be complicated—even more so when a burgeoning new venture is also on the line. Can Mia and Aiden truly have it all? This is the first in the Shell Grove romance series from prolific author Munton, and there’s a lot of potential here. Quirky characters abound, from a trio of 60-something gossips who run the Southern Sisters Salon to Mia’s pals Maggie and Finn, best friends with romantic tension that everyone but them can sense. Shell Grove is a character in and of itself, with beautiful beach settings, Southern charm, and a clear sense of community. It’s no wonder businessmen like Aiden want to capitalize on the locale and why its loyal residents are so resistant to a big resort. Finally, Mia and Aiden have sizzling-hot chemistry, demonstrated many times over the course of the book, as well as their own believable personal and relationship obstacles to overcome.

Sweet and sexy; an ideal beach read.

Pub Date: May 24, 2022

ISBN: 979-8-8158-0102-8

Page count: 320pp

Publisher: Independently Published

Review Posted Online: June 23, 2022

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2022

Awards, Press & Interests

Day job

Full-time author

Favorite author

Tessa Bailey

Favorite book

WAY too many to narrow down

Favorite line from a book

*Probably not appropriate for public viewing... ;) *

Favorite word

Facetious

Passion in life

Traveling!

Unexpected skill or talent

Impressions

ADDITIONAL WORKS AVAILABLE

Booze & Bullets (Brooklyn Brothers #3)

We are the Rossetti’s. The exiled “sixth family” of the New York mafia. We’re the good guys. People don’t fear us…much. They respect us. The five of us? We’re the Brooklyn Brothers. And we protect what’s ours. Lexi Kozlov is a spoiled brat. Rich. Entitled. And unfortunately, she’s now my wife. The marriage is part of a deal I struck with her father...the boss of the Russian mafia. Insane? Maybe. But the payoff could mean millions for my family. Marriage is just a contract anyway. We barely even have to speak to each other. Piece of cake, right? Wrong. Lexi is not what I bargained for. Her millions of Instagram followers see her as an international sex symbol, but I’m learning that she’s so much more. I should be relieved that she’s the bachelorette to my bachelor. I shouldn’t want to convince her to turn our fake marriage into a real one. But when her life is threatened, you better believe I’m going to protect my wife, contract or no contract. Because this sham marriage is the most real thing I’ve ever had in my life. And I’m not about to let anyone take that away from me.
Published: Nov. 3, 2020
ISBN: 979-8550032787

Casual Affair (Slow Seductions #1)

Bea Paxton is a free spirit. She loves her fledgling interior design business, having fun, and she loves men. But only temporarily. Rule #1 is no relationships, no love, no commitment. She likes being in charge. It's the only way to protect herself from getting hurt again. Zane Price is the perfect candidate for a steamy time—beautiful, built, and British. Plus, he'll soon be moving back to England. Really perfect. Well...except for the fact that he's her biggest client. And he doesn't play by her rules. Hell, no. He wants more. Much more. Which is definitely not on the agenda. Unfortunately, his kisses are nothing short of toe-curlingly awesome. And he is distracting her—a lot—from doing her job. She needs to stay away from him. Her livelihood depends on it. But Zane always gets what he wants. And he wants Bea. But for right now? Or forever...?
Published: July 24, 2017
ISBN: 978-1548875350

Glitter & Greed (Brooklyn Brothers #4)

We are the Rossetti’s. The exiled “sixth family” of the New York mafia. We’re the good guys. People don’t fear us…much. They respect us. The five of us? We’re the Brooklyn Brothers. And we protect what’s ours. Don’t ask me what made this girl different, what made her stand out. I’m not proud of it, but it wasn’t exactly my first ever lap dance. The last thing I expect is for the same woman I’ve been obsessing over for two months to waltz right into my gym. Catalina “Cat” Vasquez is the most alluring, sensual woman I’ve ever met. She has secrets, and I want all of them. It’s the only way I can protect her. Because it seems I’m not the only one who’s been looking for her. Just my luck that I would fall for a woman who has connections with the Mexican cartel. Who would have thought her stalker would be the same man who’s about to wage an all-out war on my turf? I’m a fighter by nature. I fight for what’s mine. And I’m not about to lose to someone who wants to steal Cat away from me. If he thinks his guns will save him from my fists, he came to the wrong city.
Published: Aug. 31, 2021
ISBN: 979-8457450141

Iron & Ink (Brooklyn Brothers #5)

We are the Rossetti's. The exiled "sixth family" of the New York mafia. We're the good guys. People don't fear us...much. They respect us. The five of us? We're the Brooklyn Brothers. And we protect what's ours. After a gunshot wound to the chest, I died on an operating table. Then I came back to life. Yet the thing that’s going to take me down is a redheaded Irish bartender who has a pension for trouble and drinking me under the table. Ash Donahue is brave, beautiful, and scarily street wise. In fact, she’s the only woman I’ve ever met who seems remotely capable of handling the kind of baggage a man like me comes with. Not to mention, she has secrets that could very well rival my own. I’m a soldier, a warrior. That’s all I’ll ever be. No woman wants to be strapped with that for the rest of her life. But every time we remind ourselves why we’re completely wrong for each other, we end up tangled together in the stock room. Or on top of the bar. Or against a wall. That all changes when I find out what brought her to my city. How could she not tell me her uncle is the Irish mob boss? And how am I supposed to protect her from him and my family from our countless enemies, all at the same time?
Published: March 29, 2022
ISBN: 979-8432719454

Lace & Lies (Brooklyn Brothers #1)

We are the Rossetti’s. The exiled “sixth family” of the New York mafia. We’re the good guys. People don’t fear us…much. They respect us. The five of us? We’re the Brooklyn Brothers. And we protect what’s ours. Jasmine Kingston should run from me. I mean, she should literally pick up her dress, toss away her heels, and haul ass in the complete opposite direction. Because for the last few months that she’s been in New York and taking the fashion world by storm, I’ve been watching her. From my ivory tower, from the shadows. Wherever she’s been, I’ve been only feet away, and she hasn’t even realized it. Until now. I can’t stay away and watch one more man take his shot with her. She needs to know what she’s doing to me. Especially since things are heating up with my family’s enemies. I just pray those enemies don’t discover my only weakness. Maybe it was the wrong way to go. Maybe I should never have touched her. Never treated myself to her addictive taste. But I can’t alleviate this obsession I have with her any more than I can put a bullet between my own eyes. She’s mine to protect now. I’ll burn my entire fortune to the ground and take ten of those bullets before I let anything happen to her. I just hope she doesn’t find out what I’ve done.
Published: Jan. 21, 2020
ISBN: 978-1677726745

Playing for Kinley (Cruz Brothers #1)

He was in love with his best friend’s sister. He was in love with Kinley Masterson. And he was in hell. Parker Cruz pretty much had it made. Coming from basically nothing, he was at the height of his career and was now one of the best baseball players in the major leagues. He was raking in the millions just to play the game that had always been his passion. He was living the dream and could have anything he wanted. Except Kinley Masterson. Kinley always knew her camera would take her places someday. She was exactly where she wanted to be in her professional life, but her personal life…that was a long story. Because she always imagined that she’d see all of those places and share in those experiences with someone she loved. Someone she fell for a long time ago and someone who had crushed her heart and left her broken and crying in his wake. Parker Cruz. She had loved him forever and the one summer they had together was magic…before he took off for Boston and acted like she’d never meant anything to him. Parker knew he’d screwed it up bad with Kinley and he didn’t blame her for hating him. But what he thought had been the right decision at the time turned out to be the worst mistake he had ever made. And now he was determined to win her back. He was going to make her fall in love with him again and nothing and no one was going to stand in his way. Not even Kinley.
Published: June 29, 2016
ISBN: 978-1534825017

Reasons Why Not to Date Your Nemesis (Shell Grove #2)

There’s a new sheriff in town… And he’s her worst nightmare. Reason #1: Ben Crawford is Olivia Knight’s long-time arch rival. They’ve been sworn enemies ever since she wore overalls to school one day, and he asked her in homeroom where she parked her cow. Now that he’s back, it doesn’t appear much has changed. He’s still arrogant. He’s still trouble. And this time, he’s got a badge and handcuffs. Which will make murdering him and disposing of his body much more challenging for her. Reason #2: Sheriff Ben has done a lot of growing up during his time away from Shell Grove. He went and got himself some muscles and tattoos, and has the nerve to wear that sheriff’s uniform absurdly well. For some reason, that’s all she can seem to focus on whenever they cross paths. All the nice changes he’s made, instead of how vehemently she’s vowed to hate his guts for all eternity. Reason #3: The complicated connection that has forever entwined their lives doesn’t have a pleasant backstory. As adults, they should be able to forget what happened when they were teenagers and move on. But in a small town where everyone has long memories, there are reminders everywhere of the nasty events that destroyed both of their families years ago. And she’s not sure their growing feelings for each other are enough to forgive the sins of the past and carve out a future…together. Ben has a secret. A big one. The longer he’s in Shell Grove and surrounded by people who know his sordid history, the more likely that secret is going to come out. But if it does, Olivia will never speak to him again. Which will not do. Because he’s finally realized that Olivia is the reason why he came back to town in the first place. And if he doesn’t want to lose her forever, he needs to correct the mistakes he made a long time ago and prove he’s not the NEMESIS she’s always thought him to be.

Scars & Sins (Brooklyn Brothers #2)

We are the Rossetti's. The exiled "sixth" family of the New York mafia. We're the good guys. People don't fear us...much. They respect us. The five of us? We're the Brooklyn Brothers. And we protect what's ours. You know when you have a little sister and she has that one friend that always follows you around like a puppy? For me, that was Roxanna "Roxy" D'Angelo. That was years ago, back when our fathers didn't hate each other. Then they became enemies and she went off to boarding school in Connecticut. Now, she's back...and looking nothing like the shy girl I remember. Cavorting with anyone from the five families is strictly forbidden to someone like me. So, I can't figure out why I keep finding myself in situations with Roxy that could bring the force of the entire mafia syndicate down on our heads. Even if those situations are the wildest, most intoxicating experiences of my life. But with the Sicilians in town and out for blood, times have never been more dangerous. If they find out about our relationship, they won't hesitate to remove both of us from the equation so they can restore order. We're not Romeo and Juliet. They both died. And I refuse to let anything happen to Roxy. I have to protect her. From my family. From hers. I hope she won't hate me for what I have to do. Because it might just kill her before any bullet can.
Published: March 27, 2020
ISBN: 979-8629043690

Sweet Attraction (Slow Seductions #2)

What happens on the road stays on the road. Right? That is, until Jade Hollingsworth's first ever—and toe-curlingly awesome—one-night stand turns out to be Hunter Sparks, the contractor she hired via email to remodel the swimwear shop she bought sight-unseen in Shell Grove, South Carolina. A fresh start in a new place where no one knows her name means she can finally gain control over her life and find some inner peace. Ha. Fat chance of that when Hunter informs her he can't take the job...then brazenly comes onto her. Seriously? Hunter wants nothing more than to carry on their steamy affair, but has to keep it on the down low. If he helps Jade with her shop, he risks losing the biggest contract of his career, everything he's worked his whole life to achieve. The trouble is, he can't keep his hands off her...
Published: Dec. 16, 2017
ISBN: 978-1981757305

The Bareback Cowboy (Southern Hearts Club #4)

He might be one of the best riders in the world, but she’ll give him the buck of his life. WOULD YOU RATHER… Go through your entire life without ever falling in love? OR… Have a rough-and-tumble cowboy stomp all over your heart with his sharpened spurs before riding off into the sunset like John f***ing Wayne? Yeah, that happened. And frankly, I knew better. All cowboys are trouble. I’ve grown up around them my entire life, so I know how they operate. I’ve broken some of the toughest horses in the business. But for some reason, I found this thoroughbred impossible to resist. A lot of good it did me too. Nothing but tears and comfort eating in the aftermath. Suddenly, after a year away with no phone calls or texts to show for it, he’s back. He thinks we can pick up where we left off. But I’ve got news for him: His eight seconds with me are already up. Little do I know, there’s a reason why he’s come back. And it’s the absolute last thing I expect.
Published: Nov. 23, 2021
ISBN: 979-8759608011

The Divorce Attorney (Southern Hearts Club #1)

When she said she wanted a mature man... He wasn't exactly what she had in mind. What are you supposed to do when your insanely hot divorce attorney leans over after you’ve signed your divorce papers and seductively whispers in your ear, “Give me a call if you want to know how it feels to be handled by a real man since you were clearly too much woman for him,” before sliding his business card over and walking out the door? I mean, what do you do with that? Sure, I’m tempted. I just lost a hundred and eighty pounds of stupid, cheating man. I deserve to treat myself. The thing is, I think he might be too much man for me. After all, he’s fifteen years my senior, though he doesn’t look it. But the urge to learn what this seasoned pro could teach me proves irresistible. And as it turns out, he’s a pro at a lot of things…like destroying people’s lives.
Published: May 26, 2020
ISBN: 979-8640954555

The Extra Myles (A Southern Hearts Club Novella)

NOW HIRING… Fake boyfriend for 27-year-old desperate female. Must be able to deal with pretentious, New York City socialites. Attendance at family Christmas events required. Seasonal work only. Applicants not named Myles Colson need not apply. The position has been filled. Granted, Myles is the only man in Blair McCauley’s life capable of looking her dragon mother in the eyes and not bursting into tears. Blair will need that steel whenever her mother helpfully reminds her over a glass of eggnog that a career is pointless when she could just marry rich. Thankfully, the barbecuing, beer swilling, football watching guy’s guy doesn’t even sort of fit in with her flashy New York lifestyle. Which is exactly the point. Although Myles is a lot more than a former jock with a pension for frosted mugs and Sweatpants Sundays. He also happens to be a gifted artist, and Blair is helping him carve out his space in the art world. Lucky for her, she’s the only one who gets to see the man behind the pottery wheel. Sans shirt. But when Blair and Myles both come to the realization that they’ve just been pretending at pretending, they never see what’s coming for them next.
Published: Dec. 21, 2021
ISBN: 979-8780809548

The Mix-Up (Southern Hearts Club #3)

She thought she accidentally slept with her boss... She didn't know he had a twin brother. Real talk: I slept with my boss. Back before he even was my boss. Back when I had no clue who he was. Real talk: My boss is an arrogant jerk. I hate him. If we didn’t work so well together, I would have told him exactly where he could shove his pompous attitude a long time ago. Turns out…my boss has a twin. Identical twin. Now I know why he’s always acted like our one night together never happened. Why he acted like he’d never met me before when I started working for him. It wasn’t him that night. It was his brother. A brother who’s just as gorgeous as my boss and a hell of a lot nicer. Real talk: I’m kind of…bothered that it wasn’t my boss that night. But that’s before certain revelations about that night come to light.
Published: April 6, 2021
ISBN: 979-8718926132

The Six Month Lease (Southern Hearts Club #2)

They don't have to love each other. They just have to live with each other. Never have I ever…decided to move in with a guy after dating him for only three weeks. Just kidding. That’s exactly what I did. And like most of you are probably thinking, it inevitably blew up in my face when we broke up two days after signing our lease. Now, I’m stuck living with my ex. The same man who turned my life completely upside down in record time. For. Six. Whole. Months. It doesn’t matter how many times he flashes those abs at me after a shower, or how close his bedroom is to mine. I will resist him because he’s simply not the right guy for me. But if I thought he’d done a number on me before, that’s nothing compared to what happens after I finally learn the secret he’s been keeping from me this entire time.
Published: Aug. 6, 2020
ISBN: 979-8671948882
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