Weekenders Romance Watch
Author: Fran Thomas
Genre: Mainstream Romance
Buy: Amazon
Blurb:
Protesters, clashing viewpoints, economic crisis. No, not the presidential campaign. Here's a lighter look at political goings on in a sort-of fictional small town. When the mayor of Calusa flees town in the middle of the night, Geneva Price finds herself in charge and trying to hold it all together. Seth Connor, a swoon-worthy hotel developer (with good hair), might be the answer to her prayers, in more ways than one. But first she has to arrange a truce between the ecologists and the economists. Just a typical day in Florida.
Enchanting Excerpt:
Geneva rose and beckoned to Seth.
“We have a special guest this morning. I’d like to introduce Seth Connor who has an exciting idea to tell us about.”
Seth’s hazel eyes scanned the room until the latest round of whispers had subsided.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” he began. “How would you like to see a stylish new hotel in Calusa?”
General pandemonium struck.
“We don’t need a new hotel.”
“That would give my grandkids a place to stay besides with me when they come to visit.”
“You’ll destroy the peace and quiet.”
“It’s too peaceful here anyway.”
“Now we’ll never get the bike path finished.”
Geneva searched the table for something to bang to regain control. Patsy passed a gavel over her shoulder. “Here, try this.”
Geneva tapped softly at first, then with increasing vigor until people took notice and their seats once more. Meanwhile, Seth looked mystified at the outburst.
“Let’s hear the man out before we start to debate,” Geneva said, briskly nodding to Seth to continue.
“My company, Connor Development, plans to build a five story hotel of more than one hundred thousand square feet.”
Additional pandemonium ensued only slightly less vociferous than before.
“Where do you plan to put a building that size, young feller?”
“This town is no place for a blasted skyscraper.”
“Civilization was bound to catch up with us sooner or later.”
“All those tourists’ll bring a lot of cash to town.”
“All those tourists’ll need recreation like a bike path’d give ‘em.”
Geneva banged her gavel again. By the time Seth finished his presentation fifteen minutes later, he’d been interrupted two more times. After he gathered his papers and sat down, Geneva looked at her fellow council members.
“Anything else we need to discuss this morning?”
“I’m all discussed out,” Lou said. “I move we adjourn until nine tomorrow morning for a closed session to review Seth’s proposal.”
“I second,” Doc said.
“Meeting adjourned,” Geneva said with one last tap of her gavel.
Blog: http://www.FrancesOThomas.com
Blog: http://www.RusticatingintheTropics.com
Weekenders Romance Watch
Author: Kayelle Allen
Genre: Mainstream Romance
Buy:
Amazon | B&N | Print
Blurb:
Hired to steal back a prototype taken by the imperial armada, Senth Antonello retrieves it, but his brother is kidnapped to force Senth to surrender the device.
Now he has to rescue his brother, outsmart the armada, and keep the item out of imperial hands. All doable, except for one small problem. He must do it in the company of NarrAy Jorlan, a genetically altered woman whose pheromones could enhance the mission or crumble it into dust with a single siren kiss.
He's a thief. She's a soldier. Do opposites attract? Oh, mercy!
Enchanting Excerpt:
In this scene, NarrAy discovers Senth locked inside a robotic suitcase, and helps him out. She cannot imagine how he got locked in, and is certain someone tried to kill him. She hasn't realized yet how crazy Senth gets when bored.
NarrAy helped Senth to the bed. "Who did this to you? What happened? I'm calling security."
"No!" He clutched her arm. "NarrAy. Sorry." He gasped for breath. "My fault."
"What happened?" She picked up a booklet from the desk and used it to fan him. "Are you all right?"
He grunted and turned on his side, doubled over.
"I'm calling sick bay. You --"
"No! NarrAy." He shook his head and took a deeper breath. "My fault. I was trying...test. See if...if..." He tightened his grip on her arm as he looked away from her. "So stupid."
"I don't understand, Senth. What happened?"
"I was bored, so I…" He pushed his face against the bed, avoiding her gaze. "I break into bagbots all the time. I thought I'd try breaking out of one."
"You did what?" She sank to the floor beside the bed at eye level with him. "Senth, you could've been killed!"
"Once the doors closed, the bot kept trying to compact itself."
All at once she glimpsed the future she'd have with Senth if she pursued him. Her wild missions paled compared to the thought of a life full of stunts like this one. Finding him locked inside some bagbot or cabinet or safe. Having him risk his freedom for the sake of a few rare coins or an old locket like the one he'd stolen for her. Thievery commonplace in her life? Her parents would never, ever approve.
Which was why she had to give that future a chance.
Website/Blog: https://kayelleallen.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kayelleallen
Facebook: https://facebook.com/kayelleallen.author
Weekenders Romance Watch
(Book Four can be read as a standalone.)
Author: Maggi Andersen
Genre: Mainstream Romance
Buy: Amazon
Blurb:
Lady Charity Baxendale has long dreamed of becoming a renowned portrait painter. After she’s received two significant commissions from esteemed family members, a rakish Scottish baron commissions her to do his portrait, and she feels she is one step closer.
When Robin, Lord Stanberry, with whom Charity has had a long friendship, asks her to marry him, she must choose between marriage and her career. She refuses him, for he is heir to a dukedom, and Charity fears that not only would she be unsuited to life as a duchess but also that her burgeoning career might end before it begins. And besides, Robin has made no mention of love.
Enchanting Excerpt:
“But is that all I am to you?”
Her gaze sought his. “No, of course not. You are my very dear friend.”
Robin uncoiled himself from the chair. He leaned over her, silently removed her pencil from her fingers, and placed it beside the sketchbook on the table.
Charity watched him as if frozen, her eyes wide, as he took her hands and drew her to her feet.
“Robin…?”
His hand cupped her chin, and his mouth came down on hers.
Her heart thudding in her ears, Charity held on to his arms as they entrapped her. Like stone, they didn’t budge an inch as he purposefully slid his mouth over hers. She dropped her arms and murmured incoherently. His tongue pressed along the seam of her lips, and when she parted them, more to deter him than encourage him, his tongue dived inside her mouth.
She sagged as her breath deserted her, and she grasped his shoulders to stay upright when her knees almost buckled. The intimacy of such an act made all her senses come alive, his masculine smell, his strong body against hers, all sinew and bone and muscle, the sweet taste of his mouth, and his lips, taking possession.
“Charity!” he whispered, his breath hot against her ear.
Knowing she loved him, and how impossible that was, became almost more than she could bear. She pushed at his chest. “Let me go, please, Robin.”
Robin released her, and she sank back in the chair.
“I’ve been yearning to do that for a very long time,” he said, leaning against the desk beside her. The smile in his eyes contained a sensual flame. “I’d like you to think about that, Charity. Think what we might have, here, together.”
Website: http://www.maggiandersenauthor.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/maggiandersen
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maggiandersenauthor/
Weekenders Romance Watch
Author: Nicole Evelina
Genre: Mainstream Romance
Buy: Amazon
Blurb:
Annabeth is a hopeless romantic who believes in soul mates. She’s been writing to hers since she was 16. Now, at 34, she’s still holding out hope of finding Mr. Right despite her trust issues due to a past traumatic experience. When she meets Alex, she thinks her quest may finally be at an end. Soon she’s working in close quarters with Alex and her long ago ex, Nick. Fighting attraction to one, loathing for the other, Annabeth is forced to face her old insecurities while keeping an eye on a scheming frienemy bent on derailing her hopes and dreams.
Enchanting Excerpt:
“How can you possibly be so calm? Your interview is tomorrow morning. Why aren’t you freaking out?”
“Because you’re doing that enough for both of us.” Alex pulled me down next to him, pinning my hands behind my back and covering my face in kisses. “I was going to wait to give this to you, but it looks like you need it now.” He fished a long, thin rectangular block out of the pocket of his wool sweater and presented it to me.
When I looked closer, I realized it was one of those weekly pill boxes that older people keep their daily medications in. “You’re giving me drugs?”
“No. Open the one for today.”
I popped open the lid on the far left marked with a capital S for Sunday. A small folded piece of paper jumped out at me, leaving a bed of dark chocolate Mini Kisses behind. I opened the page and read. “‘This note entitles the bearer to a single wish fulfilled.’”
Alex whispered a few racy suggestions in my ear.
My face flushed in response. “I’m up for that.”
He pried my fingers from around the pill box. “And that’s just the beginning. Each day has a little surprise in it to help you get through the week since I won’t be here to help you in person.”
I placed a hand on the side of his face and kissed him. “This has to be the most thoughtful thing anyone has done for me. How did you think of it?”
“I could lie and say it was my own ingenuity, but I’m man enough to admit I found it on Pinterest.”
“Should I start calling you Mr. Stewart?”
“Perhaps not, but that does conjure a lovely mental image of you in only an apron.”
Website: http://nicoleevelina.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NicoleEvelina
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicoleevelinapage/
Weekenders Romance Watch
Author: Elaine Violette
Genre: Mainstream Romance
Buy: Amazon | Nook | Kobo
Blurb:
THE DIARY OF NARCISSA DUNN is a ghostly love story. Set in New England, pre-Civil War. When Olivia’s father tries to force her into an unwanted marriage, mysterious events occur, leaving the family on edge. Meanwhile, Benjamin Pratt, desperately in love with Olivia, discovers an old diary that exposes scandalous, long hidden secrets. He becomes an unwilling messenger, torn between revealing truths that will shatter her identity and destroy her family, or keep the secret and watch her marry another. Either way, he’s bound to lose her unless a mysterious woman intervenes.
Enchanting Excerpt:
“William believes it is God’s will we marry. He’s already talked to Father and received his blessing. What was I to say? Do I even have a voice in the matter?”
Lovena’s bosom lifted and sagged. “You been spending time with Mr. Tapley, goin’ for walks and carriage rides. Didn’t you plan to go with him to the spring dance the town been plannin’ after Easter? In his mind, you and him were courtin’ in a respectful way.”
“Most of the time he converses with Father.” Olivia’s shoulders slumped. Had she led him to believe she was expecting a proposal? “I admit I was flattered by his attentions at first, but I hadn’t considered our relationship went beyond friendship…until recently.”
“A man’s attentions to a pretty young woman ain’t never a desire for only friendship.”
“I hadn’t meant to lead him to thinking I’d want to marry him.” She covered her face with her hands.
Lovena pushed out a chair and sat beside her. “I think you been enjoyin’ Mr. Tapley’s attentions until the Pratt boy started showin’ up.”
Olivia couldn’t deny it. At first she was flattered by William’s desire to spend time with her but deeper feelings hadn’t grown, despite the time they spent together. Even his kisses were forgettable. It was so different with Ben. Her heart leaped in her chest the minute she saw him arrive to begin his work. Her body tingled into the depth of her womb when they were together.
Lovena wiped away a tear that rolled down Olivia’s cheek. “We can’t control those feelin’s inside, Livie, when the right boy stirs ‘em up.”
“What am I to do?” Father will understand, won’t he? He can’t expect me to marry a man I could never love.”
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Elaine-Violette/e/B008H5NKQQ/
Website: http://www.elaineviolette.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/elaineviolette.author
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/elaine_violette
Weekenders Romance Watch
Author: T. Strange
Genre: Mainstream Romance
Buy: Torquerebooks
Blurb:
Edward Grey is a medical student by day, necromancer by night. He lives alone with the first zombie he ever raised, his childhood cat, Boo. Edward’s life is simple: studying medicine, training his necromantic powers with his mentor, Mariel, and having weekly dinners with his parents. When he finds a very attractive corpse in a park and brings it home to reanimate, he accidentally creates a sassy, free-willed zombie who believes Edward is the one who murdered him.
Enchanting Excerpt:
“Kit, have you thought about going to a hairdresser just to have your hair washed?” I wasn’t sure if a hairdresser would do that, but it seemed like something that would appeal to him.
His eyes gleamed covetously. “What a great idea! We can go together. Which salon do you go to? I’ll book us an appointment right away.”
At least he was trying to include me. With a sense of impending doom, I told him the truth. “I don’t go to a salon. I cut my hair myself. I have one of those clippers…” I trailed off, watching his horrified expression. It was as though I had told him I sometimes ate kittens with Tabasco sauce.
“Not anymore,” he told me, his tone firm and final. “I’ll just make us appointments, shall I?”
“Okay,” I said, meekly. My mom is always telling me I’m too passive. I always agree with her, which I suppose sort of proves her point. My father is the same way with her. She has a very forceful personality, not unlike Kit, and I don’t want to hear anything about Freud.
***
My haircut was spectacularly uneventful and left me looking exactly the way I did when I cut it myself, only smelling strange and sixty dollars poorer. I had spent less than that buying my clippers, which promised to give me years of haircuts.
I didn’t let the hairdresser style my hair. I didn’t want Kit to get any expectations about my appearance.
Kit, of course, was another matter entirely. Every hairdresser in the shop came over to admire and fondle his hair. None of them seemed to find it odd that he only wanted a rinse. Especially because Kit was being charged sixty dollars for the privilege of having strangers wash his hair.
Blog: http://tqstrange.blogspot.ca
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TqStrange
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorTStrange/
Weekenders Romance Watch
Author: Victoria Adams
Genre: Mainstream Romance
Buy: Amazon
A contemporary romance with a little twist of mystery.
Blurb:
Darcy O'Calahann, a junior gardener from a small mid-western town, is trying to make her way in the big city.
Shamus McRae is a wealthy bachelor with a mysterious family past.
Are Darcy's eyes playing tricks on her? Is she losing her mind? Or is there really a Red Tulip tying her and Shamus together?
Enchanting Excerpt:
"When was the last time you were offered the gift of a red tulip?"
I turned to see who spoke while I wondered if he was addressing me. A man sat on a park bench, dressed in a dark suit, with a bowler hat, holding a cane and his head bowed. I shifted to continue along the path when his face lifted and I found myself gaping at two glowing green eyes.
"When was the last time you were offered the gift of a red tulip?"
I blinked, trying to look away from those mesmerising orbs. "Uh, never. I mean, no one has ever offered me a tulip."
"A red tulip."
"Okay, no one has ever offered me a red tulip." Uneasiness slithered through me. "Nice chatting with you."
Smiling, I scurried down the path leading away from the park bench and towards the gardener's shed. With Jacobs being sick today, I had to hurry to get the last of the flower beds cleaned and prepared for spring plantings. The past winter had been bitter. It seemed tree branches and mouse damage wreaked havoc on every one of the one hundred and sixteen different flowerbeds.
I slipped my key into the lock, opened the shed door, stepped inside and shut it behind me. Closing my eyes, I allowed myself a moment to indulge in the beauty of his eyes. Emerald green. As brilliant as the gems locked among the diamonds at Tiffany's. Not that I shop there. Couldn't possibly afford anything on a junior gardener's salary, but I do fantasize when wandering the aisles.
What would it be like to be with a man like that? For those few moments in his presence, I was unable to think. My breath caught in my lungs. My palms were slick with beads of sweat. I shook my head, opened my eyes, and tugged the ever-present hair tie off my wrist. "Get over yourself, Darcy. A man like that wants a super model who can slink around on eight-inch heels. Not someone who digs in the dirt all day."
Blog: http://victoriaadams.blogspot.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/victoriaadams.romancewriter
Facebook Book page: http://www.facebook.com/CirclesTrilogy?ref=hl
Twitter: http://twitter.com/_VictoriaAdams
Weekenders Romance Watch
Author: Beth Barany
Genre: Mainstream Romance
Buy: Amazon
Blurb:
Florian needs a final job to complete his baking resume—preferably a job where he’s unlikely to blow things up with his unruly magic—before returning to the North Pole and taking his rightful place as Master Baker to the elves.
Kate desperately needs help in her fast-growing cupcake business. Florian is a perfect fit, so she brings him on as baker. For a short time, Florian is happily up to his elbows in batter. Kate’s business is booming.
But when things heat up between them, Florian wonders if he should risk his legacy to cook up something truly special.
Enchanting Excerpt:
(from Chapter 1)
He crossed the street, a bounce in his step, and wiggled his fingers in his pockets. Nerves. This job would work out. Had to. He needed one more stint of unique work experience to round out his resume, emphasis on the unique. Uncle, known as Santa to the rest of the world, expected him to have a diverse and eclectic resume when he returned home to finally ascend to his rightful place as Master Baker for the entire North Pole community. He was young for a Master Baker but ambitious. He still had to prove himself.
He approached the cupcake cart and stood in line, already ten people deep at 9 a.m. He bounced up and down on his toes. A busy boutique business, how fun. What a refreshing change from the bigger business he’d worked in recently. He’d mostly worked in storefronts or pastry kitchens this past year. He was almost done with his year abroad. His family would so delight in his travels. He couldn’t wait to tell them about his confection adventures at the festivities Christmas morning.
Vibrant, hopping San Francisco was his last stop. A nice bonus. There was something special about this sparkling city by the bay. Another bonus: He’d enjoy a taste of a mild winter before returning home.
What better way to end his year abroad than to make cupcakes in a vibrant city for quirky Californians? Now he just needed to wow the proprietor of this cute establishment for the final flourish to his resume.
Website: http://author.bethbarany.com/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/beth_barany
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bethbarany
