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Built to Win - New Release

How does it feel to own a man?
Cruz Ortega's question haunts Gabriela Alende. Her father's will left her nothing but a broken-down race car and a ragtag team of volunteers who want nothing to do with her. To them, she's just the spoiled rich girl who abandoned the man who gave them all a chance.

To Cruz, she's even worse. Carlos Alende was like a father to him—the man who mentored a young immigrant with big dreams and treated him like the son he'd always wanted. The son Gabriela could never be.

But Gabriela refuses to give up. She'll prove she's more than her father ever believed. She'll turn this amateur operation into a real racing team, even if it means working alongside a driver who despises her.

Cruz knows he should walk away. But Gabriela's crazy scheme offers something he can't resist—a shot at the success he's sacrificed everything to achieve. And despite his anger, there's no denying the attraction simmering between them.

As they battle their way through the racing circuit, winning against all odds, the line between enemies and lovers begins to blur. Cruz discovers the woman he thought he knew is nothing like he imagined. And Gabriela learns that the cold, arrogant driver is hiding a heart she never expected to claim.

But with only one year to race before they go their separate ways, falling in love might be the biggest risk of all.

Can two people built for winning learn that love is the only prize worth racing for?

Spin off of Becoming Latina in Ten Easy Steps

Becoming Americana

The author of Becoming Latina in 10 Easy Steps presents her latest funny and heartwarming novel.

Ever since an article about Lupe Perez ran in the UCLA paper, she's become the poster child for the American Dream: East L.A. bad girl who slashed cop makes good! She goes to school full-time, works in the food court, and volunteers at a center for at-risk teens. Against all odds, Lupe has turned her life around. The thing is, she never asked for all this attention. Now, her professor wants her to write a gigantic thesis about what Americanization means to Mexican immigrants-and she's not even sure yet what it means to her.

2025 Release

Conquest

Tess Romero has worked too hard to let anyone—least of all her infuriatingly charming colleague Logan Wilde—steal the biggest deal of her career. Determined to claim the coveted Argentine account, she embarks with Logan on a journey deep into Patagonia, where wild landscapes mirror the storm brewing between them.

What begins as a battle of ambition soon ignites into something far more dangerous: a desire neither can deny. Days of simmering tension and nights beneath endless stars draw them closer, until the line between rivalry and passion blurs.

But beyond the heat of their affair lies the ruthless world of business, where only one can come out on top—and winning might cost them the one thing they never expected to risk: their hearts.

Best Seller

Becoming Latina in Ten Easy Steps

Okay, so let me get this straight. Now that I’m 27 years old with a high-powered career in Hollywood, and a life that most people would make fools of themselves on a reality TV show to have, now I find out that I’m not who I thought I was – that I’m only half Mexican? My saint of a Mami seriously had an affair with a white guy from her church group, and lied to me my entire life?

I know, this shouldn’t freak me out, but I’m already not-Latina-enough in the eyes of my traditional family. To them, I should have been married years ago. And no real Latina has to order take-out they remind me. Now, I have to admit to being a gringa? How will I ever live this down?

The answer is clear. I have to prove that I still have roots! And I know just how to do it – I’m kicking off my 10-step plan to become more Latina by . . .

Dating only Mexican men. Latinos are hot. Especially the bad boys. To tell the truth, I’m going to enjoy this step. But no one seems right . . . except George Ramirez, one of my coworkers. Unfortunately, George is more Americano than I am. He can’t even speak Spanish. He simply won’t do . . . will he?
Learning to cook, home-style. What can be so hard about slapping together a tortilla? I used to make them with clay in pre-school all the time. But, uh, this career girl has set off the smoke alarm a few times in the past. After a few private cooking lessons, I should be able to show my smug sisters that even I can warm a man’s belly with more than a shot of Tequila.
Mentoring an at-risk Latina. Catching Lupe tagging my car leaves me with two choices, send her to Juvie or take her under my wing. Even if she doesn’t know it, I’m about to change her life. But between her switchblade and her bad attitude, I’m starting to wonder who’s more at risk: her or me?

When I’m finished, I’ll be able to out-Latina my sisters and cousins, no problem. No one is going to accuse me of be half anything ever again. And yet . . . who knew being myself could be so much work?

Praise for Lara's Books

BECOMING AMERICANA
“A big, beautiful novel of love, family, and the close-knit community they inhabit. By turns touching, funny, tragic, and triumphant, it’s the story of an endearing group of peo ple in search of their own American dream.” Susan Wiggs - New York Times bestselling author

BUILT TO WIN
Lara Rios delivers a dynamite story rich with emotion, deeply passionate characters, and breath-taking sensuality! Best Selling Temptation Author Janelle Denison

Unforgettable characters in a compelling story about the enduring spirit of the heart. Meryl Sawyer author of Trust No One