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Welcome to the #Hottie Hunt #Giveaway Hop!

11/27/2014

Meet Luke Johnson
from Claimed by Love
by Skye Jones

Welcome to my stop on the Hottie Hunt! Before I put this Hottie on the hot seat, I should let you know about all the potential perks of reading this post:

HOP STOP GIVEAWAY: I’m giving away an electronic copy of my own romance, The Shore Thing, Book 1 of the Gulf Shore series, as part of this hop. To enter, all you need to do is leave a comment, working in the name of the gorgeous hunk I’m interviewing. This comment also counts as one of the entry options in the....

HOTTIE HUNT HOP GIVEAWAY: We've got a $10 Gift Card up for grabs. The lucky winner will be announced shortly after the hop’s end.

But wait, there's more!

HOTTIE HUNT $100 HOLIDAY BONANZA: Entries in the Hottie Hunt Hop earn you bonus entries in our Holiday Bonanza. In addition to a $100 gift card, there are a ton of eBooks and other goodies up for grabs. Find out how to enter on our Hottie Hunt Landing Page.

With the admin stuff out of the way, let me scoot a little bit closer to Luke Johnson....

Q: What do you think readers like best about you? Worst?

I’m a good guy to have by your side in life. I’m loyal and determined. My bad side? I suppose I can be a bit stubborn at times. Maybe. Just a tad…

Q: Okay, we have to have a little naughty fun. Favorite place to seduce your partner?

Anywhere and everywhere.

Q: What do you wish your mate/spouse understood about you?

That I will never turn from them or abandon them. They are mine and I am theirs.

Q: If you could rewrite one scene in the book, what would it be? How would you rewrite?

The scene where I nearly lose my mate. I would rewrite it to keep them safe at home, with me. That moment was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to deal with in my life.

Q: You see a dangerous situation unfold. Do you call the authorities or handle the situation yourself?

I’d handle it myself, with my pack. We’re a close team, and we are damned good at what we do. We’d handle it better than the authorities ever could.

It was a pleasure spending some time alone with Luke, but now he must depart. If you’re curious, Cosby Williams from my romance Shore Feels Right, Book 2 in the Gulf Shore series, is being interviewed over here: http://skyejonesromanceblog.wordpress.com/. There’s an ebook you can win there as well (and yes, he's also one of the hotties on this hunt).

And now, here's a look at our featured book.

Claimed by Love

Kayley Edwards has spent the last four years closing herself off after a vicious attack by her lover left her scarred and terrified. After fleeing her native Alaska, she ran the length of the country and began a new life in Miami far from her family and friends.

When her cousin and his friends decide to vacation nearby, he invites her to join them, saying he has important news. Determined not to let fear rule her life, Kayley agrees to meet with them, only to have her world turned upside down. His friends include the two gorgeous men who’ve haunted her dreams for months, kindling her desire and challenging her to take a chance on love.

Pack alpha Luke Johnson has sensed Kayley in his visions for years. He and his mate, Sean Wallace, know she is meant to be theirs. But how will she react when she finds out the world they inhabit is one she never dreamed existed? As passions collide, Sean finds himself acting as a bridge between his strong-willed alpha and a skittish Kayley. But can they break through Kayley’s defenses and convince her to join their family?

Just as it seems the three may have a future together, a ghost from Sean’s past strikes at the heart of their happiness. They must fight for everything they hold dear to win their chance at love.

Buy link: http://www.lsbooks.com/skye-jones-c493.php

Author bio: Skye Jones is an erotic romance author who loves a sexy, tortured hero. She likes to write about that moment when lust and love meet head on.

Twitter : @skyejromance

Blog: http://skyejonesromanceblog.wordpress.com/about-skye-jones/

Unfortunately, Rafflecopter and my blog don’t like each other, so you’ll have to make an extra click after you comment. Go here (http://www.taraquan.com/giveaways) to enter both giveaways, where you’ll also find a list of other hotties to discover.

If you’re unable to comment (technology can be a pain, I know), feel free to e-mail your comment to taraquan@outlook.com (please identify the blog your comment belongs to). We’ll make sure you get credit for the Dedicated Hopper Bonus, don’t worry.

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Dawning of Light cover revealed!

11/25/2014

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Fellow Liquid Silver Books author Tami Lund is visiting to give us a sneak peak at her new novel, Dawning of Light, Lightbearer Book 2, which releases Dec. 15.

Finnegan Hennigan meets his match in spunky Cecilia Druthers, a woman he can barely stand. Cecelia’s opinion of Finn? He’s an oaf and a killjoy. But opposites can’t resist each other in Dawning of Light by Tami Lund. You’ll love Book 2 of Tami’s hot fantasy series, Lightbearer, a saga about lightbearers and the shifters who hate to love them.

The Lightbearers are a group of magical beings who've lived for 500 years hidden away in their warded and protected coterie. Now that the princess of the Lightbearers is mated to a shifter, their peaceful lives have been turned upside down.

In this second installment of the Lightbearer Series, shifter Finnegan Hennigan is doing his damndest to keep lightbearer Cecilia Druthers out of trouble. His job is made all the more difficult by the fact that Cecilia doesn't want to stay out of trouble.

Despite their mutual annoyance, sparks ignite between this odd couple. As it becomes increasingly more apparent that someone is out to get Cecilia, the flares of attraction become impossible to resist, and soon Cecilia and Finn tumble into, well, a closet together. And then the bed. And if Finn wants to keep her there, he's going to need to keep her alive.

Which means figuring out who the hell keeps trying to kill her.

Content notes: Hot, Non-sexual Violence, Fantasy, Fairies, Paranormal, Shifters, Suspense

Pre-order release special
Pre-order Dawning of Light and e-mail Tami the receipt to be entered to win. http://amzn.to/1rlBxRc

Facebook book release party
Drop by for contests, prizes, swag and guest authors. Join the party at https://www.facebook.com/events/317271781806501

Haven’t yet read Into the Light, Lightbearer Series Book 1? What are you waiting for? http://tinyurl.com/jvh6yfy

Also coming soon:

The Perfect Christmas, part of the Unwrapping Love Holiday Anthology, Dec. 1.

Undercover Heat, the sequel to Naked Truth, January 2015

Cursed and Chosen, the beginning of a new shifter series, April 2015

Love contemporary r0mance? Check out a few of Tami's other books: Naked Truth, Candy Crush, Love Gumbo. Find them at http://www.amazon.com/Tami-Lund/e/B00AXJH5MY/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1

Want more? Stalk Tami at:
www.tamilund.com
www.facebook/authortamilund
@TamiLundAuthor
Also on Tumblr, Google+, Pinterest, Linked In

Author bio

Tami Lund likes to live, love and laugh and does her best to ensure the characters in her books do the same. After they've overcome a few seemingly insurmountable obstacles first, of course.

Tami is multipublished, both self and with a few publishers, including Crimson Romance, Liquid Silver Books and Soul Mate Publishing. Chances are she has a new book coming out soon. And most importantly, if you enjoyed one of Tami's books, please let other readers know by leaving a review on the site from which you bought it or on Goodreads.

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Tara Quan's holiday tale, Frosty Relations

11/21/2014

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Tara Quan has done it again: another hot holiday release. I'll let her tell you all about it:

With the holidays upon us there are troves of books to curl up with by the fireplace. My paranormal romantic comedy goes great with mulled wine and cinnamon cookies. Part of Decadent Publishing’s 1Night Stand line, Frosty Relations features a young college graduate facing the complicated world of adulthood and confronting the frost mage she’s had a crush on for most of her life. Add some Christmas magic and Madame Eve’s renowned matchmaking service, and we’ve got the beginnings of an icy-hot love story. Those who’ve read my Halloween release, Flirting with Fire, already know Jack, this tale’s hunk.

In keeping with the holiday spirit I’m giving away a $15 gift card. To enter, leave a comment here and drop your details at my website: TaraQuan.com/FrostyRelations]

Frosty Relations (A Witch’s Night Out, 2)

Attorney Jack Frost never understood why holidays did weird things to people. His secretary went on vacation, his best friend ditched their annual Aspen trip, and the law firm’s stubborn human resources assistant refuses his clerical support request. What’s a warlock to do on Christmas Eve but go on a 1-Night Stand? But when an oddly familiar empath shows up as his date, this ice mage has a hard time denying the magic of the winter solstice.

Faced with an anemic employment market and financial woes, college graduate and former witch Mina Mao lands an HR assistant job at Frost and Sons. Having spent her day saving Christmas from Frost Junior’s Grinch-like behavior, she accepts the gift of Madame Eve’s service and heads over to the Castillo Capital. When her date turns out to be her childhood crush and workplace nemesis, she braces herself for the sexiest icy ride of her life.

Genre: Paranormal Romantic Comedy, Interracial/Multicultural

Buy links

Amazon | AllRomance | B&N | Decadent | GoodReads

Amazon   http://www.amazon.com/Tara-Quan/e/B00B19HWJQ/

AllRomance    http://www.allromanceebooks.com/storeSearch.html?searchBy=author&qString=Tara+Quan

B&N     http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/tara-quan

Decadent    http://www.decadentpublishing.com/index.php?manufacturers_id=248&osCsid=6c1232251c1e45744bd0b3ee7262f414

Goodreads    https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23508066-frosty-relations

Excerpt

“So the guy seriously had a boner? That’s so messed up.”

Mina rolled her eyes at their joint reflection. “I know, right? And since I’m an empath, I could sense him getting, you know, all hot and bothered. Whoever he was fantasizing about, she turned him on big time. I don’t know how he could think about sex when he’s on the verge of exploding from too much unused magic. ”

Sweets snorted. “Men—warlocks or human—they care about one thing.” She picked up a handful of Mina’s hair. “Ready?”

Mina swallowed. “Are you sure you know what you’re doing?”

Using the scissors, Sweets pointed at the set of combs and razors peeking out from a battered leather sleeve. “Can’t you feel the mojo rolling off my grandmother’s enchanted tools? These babies are idiot proof.”

Since not even her cousin could squeeze her in after 3:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve, Mina’s options had been limited enough to make her take a gamble. “But you have done this before?”

Patting her shoulder, Sweets bent at the waist and squinted one eye. “I cut Shelley’s hair all the time. She hates leaving the house, remember? Okay, yours is too long. You need to stand so I don’t get a backache.”

This idea seemed worse by the minute. Rising to her feet, Mina made a pinching motion with her index finger and thumb. “All I need is for you to take off the ends—nothing fancy.”

Her friend’s mock salute didn’t bolster Mina’s confidence. “Your hair is safe with me. Your head is another story.”

Mina closed her eyes. “Very funny. Do it already, will you? The anticipation is killing me.”

She heard a snip, followed by “Oh, wow.”

Her lids snapped up. “What do you mean, ‘Oh, wow’?”

She saw the answer for herself. Scissors and razors slashed around unguided in the air, slicing off huge chunks of her tresses in the process. Her friend stood several steps away, staring at the spectacle as if seeing the phenomenon for the first time. Since moving risked impact with pointy magical objects, Mina glared at the culprit’s reflection in the mirror. “I thought you said you’d done this before.”

Sweets’s expression lacked any hint of guilt. “Okay, I lied. Shelley’s grandmother is the actual owner of these puppies, and she always uses them on herself in the bathroom. Since her hair turns out fine, I figured they’d work on you, too.”

Her hands fisting, Mina hissed, “How do you turn the darn things off?”

Tara's bio and links

Globetrotter, lover of languages, and romance author, Tara Quan has an addiction for crafting tales with a pinch of spice and a smidgen of kink. Inspired by her travels, Tara enjoys tossing her kick-ass heroines and alpha males into exotic contemporary locales, paranormal worlds, and post-apocalyptic futures. Her characters, armed with magical powers or conventional weapons, are guaranteed a suspenseful and sensual ride, as well as their own happily ever after. Learn more at www.taraquan.com

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Google+ | Goodreads | Pinterest | Amazon

Facebook   https://www.facebook.com/taraquanauthor
Twitter  https://twitter.com/LaylaTarar
Google+  https://plus.google.com/+TaraQuan
Goodreads  https://www.goodreads.com/taraquan
Pinterest http://www.pinterest.com/taraquan/
Amazon  http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00B19HWJQ

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Do your research .. and then forget about it

11/11/2014

2 Comments

Today's guest blogger is fellow Liquid Silver Books author Rosanna Leo. Welcome.

Thanks so much to Annette for allowing me to join her today. I’m happy to be here.

I wanted to talk a bit today about doing research for romance novels. I think most of us will agree it’s vital to establishing time and place and overall feeling.

But is there such a thing as too much research in a book? I believe it’s possible, depending on the type of book.

When I research a location or time period, I want to be able to convey enough detail that the reader feels swept away but not bogged down. For instance, when I wrote my Orkney Selkie series, I wanted my fans to get a sense for the rugged locale of Orkney, Scotland, but I did not intend to write a travelogue or a history of Orkney. The same is true for my fictional setting of Gemini Island, Ontario. I wanted to describe it just enough that a reader can envision the spot, but not have to worry about specifics.

After all, a good romance thrives on imagination, the writer’s and the reader’s. And there’s nothing worse for a writer than knowing someone skimmed passages that were too descriptive or unnecessary.

So what’s my research strategy when I begin a series? I research as thoroughly as I can, and then I put my research notes away. In my opinion, if a tiny detail is forgettable to me, I probably don’t need to trouble my readers with it. Indeed, do my readers really care what sorts of trees grow on Gemini Island? No, I believe they just want a feeling for the majestic woods and the characters that live there.

Just as an author can spend too much time describing a character’s appearance, right down to the golden highlights in her hair or the teeny mole on his upper shoulder, an author can dwell too long on setting details.

I admire the writers who spend years doing their research. In some books, I can appreciate this. But in a story where the main focus is the romance? I guess I just don’t always find it necessary. My imagination will fill in any little details anyway.

About Predator's Fire
When Nina Suzuki discovers the body of her best friend, Janine, her world turns upside down. Things go from bad to worse when Janine’s corpse seems to transform into that of a large, brown wolf. For the first time, Nina is faced to confront all the clues indicating her BFF was not what she seemed. A letter from the dead woman opens Nina’s eyes to a strange new world. The same letter warns of a sinister group called the Alpha Brethren and urges her to find Killian Moon of the Ursa Fishing Lodge and Resort on Gemini Island.

Killian Moon is a jaguar shifter and teen mentor at the Ursa Lodge in Northern Ontario. He may be a comfort and inspiration to confused teen shifters, but he also has a fiery past. His past comes back to haunt him when human Nina arrives at the resort, demanding to speak with him. Demanding answers. Can he trust her with knowledge that will not only change her life, but possibly endanger those around him?

As Killian begrudgingly tutors Nina on all things shifter, their mutual curiosity flares into passionate need. Once they touch, once they succumb to desire, there is no going back. Killian realizes Nina is his mate and they both begin to comprehend the terror threatening those on their shifter-friendly island. He is forced to confront the tragedy in his family and determines to protect Nina at all costs.

But can they protect everyone they love from a cult of dangerous shifters, intent on horror and destruction?

Excerpt
“How much longer do I have to wait? I want to see Killian Moon. Now.”

The feminine voice, strangely soft despite its insistence, echoed deep in his being, awakening his jaguar. The great cat roared to life, turned toward the office and inhaled deeply. Its eyes flashed in interest.

In...recognition?

Killian breathed in at the same time, catching the scent of cherry blossoms through the door. The sweet perfume, mixed with human outrage, proved a heady distraction, making him forget why he was there. Shaking his head, he tried to dismiss the odd sensation as Ryland opened the door.

The door swung open and the first person he glimpsed was one of the clerks from reception, trying his hardest to placate the unexpected guest. “I’m sure Mr. Snow and Mr. Moon will be right back.”

And then his gaze landed on the petite human. Tapered Asian eyes, so dark and mysterious, but rimmed with circles of exhaustion. Smooth, cinnamon skin hinted at a mixed background. Wearing no makeup, she appeared younger than she must be, but her presence and keen eyes pegged her at around thirty years old. She had a riot of curly, black hair and feminine curves that ought to come with a warning. He could see it now. Beware: This woman’s body will cause insanity in men. Even as she gesticulated at the clerk, her boobs jiggled in such a way his throat went dry.

He pictured her in a corset, her breasts spilling over delicate lace edging, and almost forgot his name.

This Nina Suzuki was damn hot and his jaguar seemed to agree. The animal licked its lips, its golden gaze assessing and appreciating every detail, from her rounded hips to her come-hither rack.

Yes, the creature uttered on a frenzied breath.

Buy link
Predator’s Fire, Gemini Island Shifters 5, is available at http://www.lsbooks.com/predator-s-fire-p946.php as well as Amazon, Kobo, ARE, B&N and other outlets.

Author bio and links

Rosanna Leo is a multi-published, erotic romance author with Liquid Silver Books who lives and breathes paranormal romance. Several of her books about Greek gods, selkies and shape shifters have been named Night Owl Romance and Two Lips Recommended Reads. When not writing, she can be found haunting dusty library stacks or planning her next star-crossed love affair.

www.rosannaleo.blogspot.com

www.facebook.com/rleoauthor1

www.twitter.com/LeoRosanna

www.goodreads.com/author/show/5826852.Rosanna_Leo

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Welcome to author Wendy Steele

11/6/2014

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Wendy's taking over my blog today, and we're doing a little table turning. She's answering some questions she usually poses to other authors. Take it away, Wendy.

How do you write? Is everything plotted, planned to perfection? Do you ever change tack as you go along or always stick to a pre-made plan?

Most of my story ideas come to me as "what if?" I often spend months bouncing an idea around in my head until a story forms. I'm a visual learner and reader, so once the characters are playing out scenes, I write them down. Sometimes the beginning and end come first and I let the characters work their way through a story. I don't plot to perfection, and I do change tack sometimes.

Do you have a writing ritual? Meditation, certain cup for your tea, writing trousers?

I have writing trousers! They are comfy and loose fitting, perfect for snuggling up and getting pen to paper. I write with my trusty Waterman fountain pen with black ink on A4 lined pads before typing up on my laptop. Beverage of choice at the moment is rooibos in a thin china mug.

Aside from writing, what makes you tick? Tell us five things about yourself we probably don't know.

I'm an ATS® Tribal Belly dancer and teacher. As a chubby child, told I was "a fairy elephant," I didn't start dancing until I was 40! I live in a Grade II listed, 300-year-old dilapidated farmhouse in Wales. My first novel took me over three years to write, between looking after three young children...it was too wordy to be published but gave me a great start in getting words on paper and telling a story I cared about. We moved to Wales and lived in a tent in a field for 10 weeks with three cats while the house purchase went through.

If you were stranded on a desert island with shelter, food and water, what five items would you want with you?

A solar panel so I could charge up my kindle and iPod...is that three or just cheating? Rosie Rabbit has traveled the world with me so she must come, and a toothbrush and toothpaste would make me ready for every day, whatever it brought.

On said island, what five books would you take and why?

The Complete Works of Shakespeare because I've not read enough and The Lord of the Rings because I love it! A Hatful of Sky by Terry Pratchett (though choosing one of his books is hard) because it makes me smile and Doctor Doctor by Lelani Black (can I take all the Island Moonlight Collection?) because it's cheeky and sexy and "laugh out loud" funny! My final choice would be Wendy Woo's Year --- A Pocketful of Smiles --- 101 ideas for a happy year and a happy you as I wrote this book from my own experience of living with depression, and it has been a constant companion ever since.

Off the island now, which famous person would you like to have dinner with?

I'm shy with new people, so could I have my favorite cast list from an episode of QI so I don't feel awkward? Stephen Fry, Alan Davies, Bill Bailey, David Mitchell and Johnny Vegas.

Your current writing projects?

I published the second book in the Lilith Trilogy, Wrath of Angels, in June 2014 but my first writing, begun and completed in Wales, is out on Nov. 6. The Standing Stone --- Home for Christmas was inspired by the Bronze Age settlement on the hill next to my house. The sequel, The Standing Stone --- Silence is Broken, will be out in 2015.

Here's what my new novella, The Standing Stone --- Home for Christmas, is about:

Rachel arrives in Wales to begin a new life but will Marcus jeopardise their future together before it's begun?

Candy knows the punishment for leaving Station 23 unguarded. Will she succeed in convincing Paul to obey the Lesson?

Fern loves her life in the village, but when the Tall Folk arrive with metal working skills, will her peace be shattered forever?

Though distanced by time and space, three women find the Standing Stone and the teachings of the Great Mother, Binah.

Wendy's links

You can find all my books via my Amazon author pages:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wendy-Steele/e/B007VZ1P06/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1365459567&sr=1-2-ent

http://www.amazon.com/Wendy-Steele/e/B007VZ1P06/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

BLOG www.wendysteele.com
TWITTER https://twitter.com/WendyWooauthor
FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/destinyofangelsnovel
https://www.facebook.com/WendyWooBooks
GOODREADS https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6548666.Wendy_Steele

Above, Wendy and her family, including three cats, stayed in a tent for 10 weeks while waiting for their home purchase in Wales to go through. Below, they live in a 300-year-old farmhouse.

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Excerpt from Shore Feels Right

11/2/2014

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To celebrate the release of my new contemporary romance novel, Shore Feels Right, I'd like to tease you with an excerpt from the book. But first, here's the synopsis:

Once a pariah among her coworkers, marine biologist Monica Sims has spent months reinventing herself as she seeks redemption. A history of failed relationships leaves her leery of romantic involvement until she meets Cosby Williams, the new co-owner of Nauti-Toys watercraft rentals.

As things heat up between them, Gulf Shore Aquarium responds to the stranding of a group of pilot whales. When a billionaire bachelor lends his private plane to the rescue effort, Monica catches his eye — and an obsession is born.

How will she cope with the unwanted attention? And will her past sins come back to doom her newfound happiness with Cosby?

Chapter 1

Monica Sims didn’t suffer well in silence. All this wedding talk grated on her nerves, and she desperately wanted to distance herself from the radiant bride-to-be and the friends who acted like this was a match made in Buckingham Palace.

But the last thing Monica needed was anyone thinking she sat here sucking on sour grapes. Not when she’d done everything possible the past several months to convince these women, and her other Gulf Shore Aquarium coworkers, that she no longer resembled the selfish shrew they knew and loathed. She’d eaten a bakery full of humble pie, shoved aside her own satisfaction, smiled until her face ached, and bit her tongue until it nearly bled.

The response to her attitude overhaul had been better than she’d dared hope. She’d become one of the girls and even had made peace with her ex-boyfriend’s fiancée, who at this moment squirmed under the rapt attention of everyone at their table at Bikini Barb’s Bar & Grill. Everyone except Monica, that is.

She freely admitted now, without the slightest pang whatsoever, that Evan Sanders and Danielle “Dani” Davidson belonged together. She wished them the best, without reservation. But Monica simply couldn’t feign enthusiasm for the seemingly endless discussions about invitation styles, cake decorations, and buffet menus.

The impending “I do’s” left the other women at tonight’s “snipe and gripe” gathering positively giddy. They giggled and chattered like a gaggle of schoolgirls as they threw out suggestions on how Dani should break it to her mother that she wanted to be married right here in Gulf Shore, Florida, not back home in Missouri.

“Why is everything so flipping complicated?” Dani complained, posing a rhetorical question. That didn’t stop her friends from answering.

“Our parents live for the day they can torture us as payback for all the times we misbehaved as kids and made their lives a veritable living hell,” Tiffany Sandeski offered.

“If I ever get married, I’m eloping to Las Vegas,” Shontay Jefferson vowed. “I have enough trouble with my meddling mother as it is.”

“Not me,” Gina Martino asserted. “I intend to have the whole fairy tale from start to finish. That means a killer gown that makes me look like Kate Middleton, a huge wedding party, stretch limo, four-tiered cake, blowout reception with an open bar, gourmet dinner, live band, and a honeymoon in Europe.”

“You’ll need more than a fancy dress to make you look like Kate Middleton,” Tiffany teased. “Like a starvation diet for starters.”

Gina stuck out her tongue. “And I don’t care what the whole thing costs. I told Jeremy to rob a bank or two if he has to.”

“You did not,” Shontay scoffed.

“I most certainly did,” Gina insisted. “Trust me, it won’t be necessary. His parents are loaded and he’s their trust-fund baby.”

“Uh, what about your mom and dad?” Shontay asked. “It’s tradition for the bride’s side to pay most of the wedding expenses and for the reception, too.”

Gina barked out a laugh. “My parents don’t have a pot to puke in.”

Tiffany wrinkled her nose and halted the hand bringing the spicy chicken wing to her mouth. She dropped the poultry on her plate and pushed it away. “Thanks for the bodily function reference, Gina.”

“You’re welcome. No extra charge.”

“You know, a lot of couples now, especially if they’re older or have been together for a while, pay for their own wedding,” Shontay noted.

“Yeah, like that’s going to happen,” Gina replied. “Jeremy’s parents won’t let their perfect, precious boy spend a dime. They’ve already promised to help us buy a house right on the beach. Think of the parties we can have there, girls. I can’t wait to ditch this dive as a gathering spot.”

Shontay shook her head and turned to Dani. “What about you and Evan?”

“Our parents offered to help, but we’re paying for most of it. That’s why we’re keeping it simple.”

As others in the group added their nickel’s worth, Monica tuned them out. While she’d gotten over Evan, participating in this conversation still struck her as strange given that Dani’s groom-to-be was the one Monica let get away. Months before Dani moved to Gulf Shore, Evan had dumped Monica after discovering she’d cheated on him with the aquarium’s married marketing director, a new father of twins.

The fallout from that colossal indiscretion had been bad enough. But then Monica attempted to whip up trouble for Evan and Dani after they started dating. Fed up with the way she treated people, Monica’s rebound boyfriend broke up with her. Coworkers shunned her. She considered leaving Gulf Shore. Her older sister’s tough love helped turn her life around.

None of that mattered now, but some people thrived on stirring things up. Like Tiffany, who stared at her with a smirk of a smile. Monica knew that look.

“So what do you think?” Tiffany asked her. The other women turned their expectant attention to Monica.

“Uh, well, I’m not sure.” She inwardly cringed at how clueless she sounded.

“I bet you don’t even know what we’re talking about.”

“Of course I do,” Monica blustered. “Weddings.”

“So how should Dani solve her dilemma?” Tiffany pressed.

“Well—”

“Quit putting Monica on the spot,” Dani interjected. “It’s my problem. I’ll figure out what to tell my mother. Now, where’s the rest of our food? We were so busy today with those marine science students I had time to grab only yogurt and a granola bar for lunch. How long does it take to throw together salads and sandwiches?”

Eager for a legitimate excuse to leave the table, Monica offered to check on their orders. She headed to the well-worn wooden bar to speak to Pete, who mixed drinks and filled pitchers like a madman, and stopped a few feet from the barstool where a guy who looked familiar sat alone, nursing a mug of beer. They nodded at each other as Monica tried to remember his name.

“Cosby Williams,” he supplied.

“What?” Had he read her mind? She’d seen him in Barb’s before talking to Evan and two of the aquarium’s dolphin trainers, but they hadn’t been introduced.

“That’s my name. In case you were wondering.”

“What gave you that impression?”

He shrugged. “The way you looked at me implied it.”

“Yeah? And what way was that?”

“Like I’m not a total stranger but you don’t know me, either.”

“You’re pretty perceptive, aren’t you?” Sarcasm tinged her voice. She’d ruthlessly repressed that particular personality trait but still let it loose occasionally.

“I try to be.” If he noticed her flippant tone, he ignored it. “Right now, for instance, you’re deciding whether I’m worth talking to and if you should tell me your name.”

“Actually, I’m debating whether you’re charmingly candid or irritatingly blunt.”

Cosby laughed and Monica’s long-dormant libido stirred to life.

“How about a little of both?” he suggested. “But don’t worry. I didn’t come here to pick up women. My brother and I are celebrating tonight.”

“Oh? What’s the occasion?”

“Our business, Nauti-Toys watercraft rentals, has its grand reopening in two days.”

Suddenly the light of recognition switched on. “Now I know why you look familiar. I saw your picture in the paper the other day. The story said you two have given the place quite a makeover.”

“We’ve worked our asses off. This is the first chance we’ve had to take a breather.”

Monica stepped back and assessed his very fine jeans-covered rear end.

“What? Did I sit in something?” Cosby twisted to look at the seat of his pants.

“No. Just checking to see if you told the truth about working your ass off.”

He grinned and Monica felt it like a punch to the gut. Whoa! She resisted, just barely, the urge to lean forward and taste his tantalizing lips. She shook her head to clear it, and Cosby furrowed his brow as though trying to figure out what she was thinking.

“Now that you’ve seen the goods, what’s the verdict?” he asked.

“Why, Mr. Williams, are you fishing for a compliment?”

“Depends.”

“On what?”

“On whether you’d think less of me if I was.”

“You’re very straightforward, aren’t you?” she observed. “I like that.”

“I have plenty of other commendable qualities, too.”

“Such as?”

“I send my mom a thank-you card on my birthday. I don’t leave the toilet seat up. I never give women kitchen appliances as gifts. I bowled nine strikes in a row once. I love kids, and they adore me. And I feed stray cats that hang out at Nauti-Toys.”

“Wow, all that and movie-star handsome, too.”

Cosby blushed and the unexpected show of humility charmed her.

“What can I say, I’m a good guy. Except, of course, when I want to be bad.” He winked and Monica laughed despite her best intentions. “How about I buy you a drink?”

“You’re the one celebrating,” she pointed out. “I should buy you a drink.”

“You’re making me work for it, aren’t you?”

“And by ‘it’ you mean what, exactly?”

“Your name.”

Many women already would’ve scribbled their phone number on a napkin. But Monica couldn’t afford to make another mistake with a man. Then she stared into eyes the color of a Caribbean sea and thought, oh, what the hell.

“Monica Sims.”

“You work at Gulf Shore Aquarium, right?”

She glanced at her teal polo with the GSA logo. “The shirt gave it away, huh?”

“That’s a pretty good clue, yeah. What do you do there?”

“I’m a marine biologist specializing in sea turtles.”

“How much do you know about sharks?”

“Not as much as I know about turtles, but enough. Why?”

“My two nephews are off the charts crazy about sharks and I promised to take them to the aquarium on my first free day. I’d cement my status as world’s coolest uncle if I arranged for someone knowledgeable about their favorite fish to spend time with them.”

“Tell me when and I’ll give them a behind-the-scenes tour of our Shark Pier habitat. They’ll love it.”

“I’d be forever in your debt.” He smiled, her insides went marshmallow gooey, and alarm bells clanged inside her head. Time to set him straight.

“That’s not necessary. It’s part of GSA’s commitment to encourage kids’ interest in marine science. I’ll have complimentary tickets set aside in your name at the will-call window.”

“I’d very much appreciate that.”

* * * *

Monica apparently didn’t know that Evan and his two dolphin trainer friends had made Cosby the same offer the first night he’d dropped by Bikini Barb’s, and he wasn’t about to tell her. She’d been there that night, too, with her “snipe and gripe” girlfriends as they slammed drinks and turned heads with their raucous laughter and off-color commentary.

“How do I contact you?” he asked. Cosby wanted her number but had a feeling she intended to make him work harder for it. He smiled to himself when her answer confirmed his suspicions.

“Call the aquarium and ask for my extension. If I’m not available, leave me a voice mail.”

“Okay. What days are you there?”

“Sometimes it feels like I live there, but usually Tuesday through Saturday.”

“All right. Well, it was very nice meeting you, Monica Sims. Can I buy you a pitcher to take back to your table?”

“If you’d like to. I’m sure that would impress my friends.”

“And what about you?”

She flashed her dimples. “I’d consider it a gallant gesture from a nice guy.”

Just then, Gavin Williams plopped onto the barstool next to his younger brother. He grabbed Cosby’s mug, drained it, and demanded, “Buy us a pitcher, you cheap-ass prick.”

Cosby scowled at him. “Do you actually kiss your wife and kids with that mouth? Apologize to the lady, you ill-mannered dipstick.”

“What la—” Gavin turned his head, saw Monica standing there, and his face turned tomato red. “Oh, sorry. I didn’t mean for you to hear that. You know how it is with brothers.”

The corners of her mouth quirked. “Not really. I only have a sister. But don’t worry about it. I’ve heard worse and have said far worse, not that I’m proud to admit it. And just for the record, Cosby is buying a pitcher for me and my friends, so your assessment of him as a cheap-ass prick is way off the mark.”

Cosby burst out laughing, and his brother slugged him in the arm as Monica sashayed back to her table. It might be a challenge getting to know her, but Cosby had an inkling he was going to enjoy every minute of it.

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