#TeaserTuesday A Second Chance at Love and an Upcoming Book Signing

Good morning! The summer seems to be flying by and so are the days until my upcoming signing at the Edison Barnes & Noble! Please join me on August 4 to sign some of my latest releases! Here’s the info for it:

    Romance at Menlo Park
    Author Event, Special Event, Author Signing
    Saturday August 04, 2018 12:00 PM
    Join us from 12PM-4PM and meet your local romance authors!

    Menlo Park Mall
    55 Parsonage Road
    Edison, NJ 08837
    732-548-4179

And now for today’s Teaser and a Thank You! Thank you all for your support of the At the Shore series! You have really made it special for me! Today’s teaser is from Chapter 1 in WHAT HAPPENS IN SUMMER In this scene Connie and Jonatha are about to see Jonathan for the first time in many years. They are both still the same in some ways and very different in others. They are both still wondering about the “What if?” I hope you enjoy this teaser!

Excerpt

Chapter 1

Jonathan Pierce stared hard at the mirror, wondering what Connie Reyes might see tonight when she and her friends came over for the dinner his brother Owen had arranged. What Connie might think after so much time had passed.

The teen she had known seven years earlier was gone as was the man she’d run into shortly after Hurricane Sandy. That man had been replaced by one who had known his share of hardship and success. Barely perceptible laugh lines that hadn’t been there that last summer bracketed his mouth and eyes. There was a thin scar above one brow thanks to a crash while testing a new vehicle prototype on the Bonneville Salt Flats. Another jagged white line on his jaw was courtesy of shrapnel when a hydrogen fuel cell had unexpectedly exploded in their lab.

He looked away and leaned heavily on the edge of the vanity, noting the other assorted nicks and scars on his hands. They were the hands of a man who had lived life to the fullest and made himself what he wanted to be and not what others expected. He knew he’d sometimes hurt people with his choices, especially his older brother Owen, who’d had to shoulder the burden of the family business as well as their father’s ire whenever one of Jonathan’s escapades caught the attention of the media.

He’d gotten used to the interest the press had in him. After all, he was the renegade son of a wealthy family. A self-taught inventor who had sold his first small invention for millions. He was now revolutionizing the motor vehicle and battery industries with his innovative designs, unconventional methods, and fearless experiments.

He had brought idea after idea to life with detailed research and hard work. There had been failures along the way, but that had only made the successes that much more enjoyable. He had celebrated those successes with his team, his brother, and a bevy of actresses and models who were only too keen to be seen on the arm of a rebellious multi-millionaire who might soon be a billionaire if his company’s stock prices continued to climb.

Only… none of those women could hold a candle to Connie.

Connie, who he would see in just a few hours thanks to his brother. Owen had finally decided to fight for Maggie Sinclair, and he was happy that his brother was following his heart. But while Jonathan would do almost anything for Owen, he wasn’t happy about having to spend time with Connie.

Smart and beautiful Connie, he thought with a sigh and a shake of his head.

He’d managed to avoid her for the last several years. Sure, he’d seen her after Sandy and occasionally from afar when Maggie and her friends had come down to Sea Kiss. Or every now and then when he’d gone to some business event in the city.

He’d tried to tell himself he didn’t like the sleek professional woman she’d become. That she wasn’t prettier than ever. He tried not to imagine peeling off those elegant business suits to reveal the real woman beneath. But he was lying to himself.

He had never really gotten over the Connie Reyes that had emerged that summer they had shared. The woman who had learned to live for the moment and have fun. Who had been carefree and willing to explore their love. He doubted he would ever forget that women and wondered if she was still there, trapped inside her very prim and proper suits.

Maybe he’d find out tonight, he thought, and prepared himself for what might be a very difficult dinner.

***
Connie Reyes splayed her hand across the nervous butterflies in her stomach that were beating their wings so violently, she felt like throwing up. She was tempted to beg off from dinner with the Pierce boys, only Maggie needed her moral support and Connie never disappointed a friend. Especially Maggie, who was like a sister. She’d do anything for Maggie, even suffering through a meal with Jonathan Pierce.

“You feeling okay? You’re looking a little . . .” said Emma Grant, her other BFF. Emma eyed her intently, her green-eyed gaze inquisitive.

“I’m just fine,” she lied, but it was clear from Emma’s meaningful stare that her friend suspected something was up as they followed

Maggie onto the patio and to the long row of tall privet hedges that separated the two Jersey Shore mansions.

She tamed the flutters much as she did when arguing a case before a judge and trudged along behind Maggie as they eased through the hedges and approached the entrance to the Pierce mansion. They had barely reached the front porch when Owen threw open the door, a big friendly smile on his handsome face.

He welcomed them warmly, but Connie couldn’t resist mumbling to Emma, “Said the spider to the fly.” As much as she wanted things to work out with Owen, she still worried about how Maggie would be hurt if they didn’t.

Emma jabbed her in the ribs and luckily, it seemed as if Owen either hadn’t heard her comment or if he had, was choosing to ignore it. She gave him props if it was the latter, since it indicated he was truly trying to be nice for Maggie’s sake.

They quickly walked through the foyer and living room and back to the dining area. Jonathan was in the kitchen, an apron over his jeans and T-shirt. The T-shirt hugged his broad, muscled chest and laid bare the powerful muscles of his arms. His light brown hair still had the kiss of the summer sun and was tied back from his face, revealing the sharp lines of his features.

He looked older, but still so handsome.

She had thought she could handle this dinner for her friend’s sake. That she could face Jonathan and not get caught up in the emotions from years past. But it was impossible to forget the way he’d held her in his arms, a dimpled smile on his lips, his sea-blue eyes bright with humor and love. With that memory, the flutters in her stomach were replaced by an ache in the region of her heart.

Please also take a moment to explore WHAT HAPPENS IN SUMMER at these retailers:

Amazon Kindle: http://amzn.to/2y6hi4h
Amazon Paperback: http://amzn.to/2y92UIQ
B&N: http://bit.ly/2BJNcov
B&N Paperback: http://bit.ly/2sHmY3l
Google: http://bit.ly/2hKg3BW
GooglePlay: http://bit.ly/2HlVlly
iBooks: http://apple.co/2hKgP1J
Kobo: http://bit.ly/koboWHS
Audible: https://amzn.to/2M2ZWfY

Don’t forget you can download ONE SUMMER NIGHT for #99cents at these retailers:

Amazon Kindle: http://amzn.to/2krMwfE
B&N: http://bit.ly/2kNuo0p
GooglePlay: http://bit.ly/2ik8EfG
iBooks: http://apple.co/2qsqdwx
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2fuEphL

#Throwback Thursday My First Book Signing

Today’s throwback is to my very first book signing. It happened in the Menlo Park Mall in Edison at the Barnes & Noble there. So exciting. They had me at a nice table toward the front of the store and gave me some flowers. My hubby and daughter brought me more flowers. This shot is of me with my daughter! How time flies.
samMeFirstsigning

Wife by Wednesday Free Read & #giveaway

Please welcome today my friend and fellow author, Catherine Bybee! I am so excited to have her here today to chat about her latest release. If you’re like me and your guilty pleasure is plunking down with a stack of Silhouette Desire novels, then Catherine’s book is one you are sure to love and since it’s an Amazon bestseller, I think others also agree.

Without further ado, here’s Catherine!

jersey shore shell

Thanks so much Caridad for having me here today.
It’s stupid, crazy time of year… the holidays are here. It’s time to start baking, cooking turkeys and drinking wine. Not necessarily in that order. LOL

In the giving spirit, I’m going to offer a copy of Wife by Wednesday to a random person who leaves a comment on your blog today. All they half to do is answer one question. What do you think about authors self publishing their work?

My very first Indie published book, Wife by Wednesday has been out less than two months and already I’ve reached so many new readers. I think people need a light contemporary read this time of year. Something to help them escape for a few hours. Wife is #2 in Contemporary Romance one Amazon Kindle this week. I couldn’t be happier with my reviews.

Here is an exclusive excerpt of Wife by Wednesday:

Blurb:

A Contemporary Romance with a dash of humor and a whole lotta sexy…

Blake Harrison:

Rich, titled, and charming… And in need of a wife by Wednesday so he turns to Sam Elliot who isn’t the business man he expected. Instead, Blake is faced with Samantha Elliot, engaging and spunky with a voice men call 900 numbers to hear.

Samantha Elliot:

Owner of Alliance, her matchmaking firm, and not on the marital menu… That is until Blake offers her ten million dollars for a one-year contract. All she needs to do is keep her attraction to her husband to herself and avoid his bed. But Blake’s toe-curling kisses and charm prove too difficult to combat. Now she needs to protect her heart so she can walk away when their mercenary life together is over.

Excerpt:

Contemporary RomanceAfter several minutes of packing, Samantha forgot all about the cameras and found her head deep inside her dresser. She grabbed a simple band and tied her hair back out of the way.

“Should I be worried about all these shoes in here?” Blake asked from her closet.

She laughed. “You’re the one who told me to go shopping,” she teased.
“Looks like I’ll be hiring a handyman to build another walk-in just for you.” There was laughter in his voice.

“Women love clothes.”

“And shoes, apparently. God, I didn’t think anyone needed this many.”

Samantha tucked her panties into a box and reached for more. “I’m short, in case you haven’t noticed. I need heels to see how the rest of you live.”

Blake’s voice moved closer. “You’re not short,” he said.

She turned to see him holding a pair of four-inch pumps.

“Vertically challenged, then.” She stood to prove her point. “See?” Beside him, the top of her head met his chin. “Short!”

His eyes seemed to drag her into his frame. “I wouldn’t change anything about you,” he told her. Blake reached out and tugged the band from her hair. His fingers brushed over the ends and Samantha forgot to breathe. The closer he moved into her personal space, the less air was available for her lungs. She tilted her head as he moved in and allowed his mouth to move over hers.

jersey shore shell

To order WIFE BY WEDNESDAY, just follow any of these links:

Amazon Download:
http://amzn.to/pus1jM

Smashwords:
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/94015

Barnes & Noble:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/wife-by-wednesday-catherine-bybee/1106329395?ean=2940013652019&itm=6&usri=catherine%2bbybee

For more information on Catherine and her novels (did I mention she also does time travel stories?), check out Catherine at www.catherinebybee.com.

Liberty States Fiction Writers Book Fair

Adam Bruno Light HunterIf you are in the NJ Tri-State area, mark your calendars for March 19th from 5:30 to 7 pm. Come by and meet me and lots of other authors! I’ll have Romance Trading Cards and other goodies for those who stop by the Liberty States Fiction Writers’ signing.

Without further ado, here is the official press release!

Liberty States Fiction Writers Create Something Magical Conference and Book Fair

The Liberty States Fiction Writers will be holding its second annual multi-author book fair with over 30 authors signing their latest releases as part of their Create Something Magical Conference. The book fair is open to the general public.

Featured at this event is New York Times bestselling author MaryJanice Davidson, author of the the Betsy: Queen of the Vampires series. The book fair will also feature the premiere of The King of Plagues by New York Times bestseller Jonathan Maberry.

Get your signed copy at the book fair before it’s available in bookstores. Other signing authors include bestselling and award-winning authors Virginia Kantra, Debra Mullins, Caridad Pineiro, and Judi McCoy, as well as a host of local New Jersey authors. For a complete list of signing authors and more information please visit:

http://www.libertystatesfictionwriters.com/lsf-writers-conference/

Mark your calendar for this exciting event. Barnes & Noble will be handling sales at the book fair. Your membership rewards card will be accepted for B&N sales.

When: March 19, 2011, 5:30-7:00 P.M.
Where: Renaissance Woodbridge Hotel
515 Route 1 South & Gill Lane
Iselin, New Jersey 08830
Phone: 732-634-3600
Fax: 732-634-0258

Additional Authors Attending the Book Fair:

Mary Janice Davidson
Jonathan Maberry
Virginia Kantra
C.H.Admirand
Tina Gabrielle
KA. Mitchell
Melina Morel
Chris Redding
Tere Michaels
Shelley Freydont
J. Hali Steele
Cris Anson
Debra Mullins
Lois Winston
E.F. Watkins
Judi McCoy
Sarah Wendell
M. Kate Quinn
Judi Fennell
Caridad Pineiro
Karen Bostrom
Adele Dubois
Stephanie Julian
Trudy Doyle
Lisa Verge Higgins
Jenna Kernan
Jennifer Hubbard
Alison Formento
Keri Mikulski
Veronica Lynch
Erika Sands
Linda J. Parisi
Donna Bolk
John Richard Thompson
M. Flagg
R.A. Vaughn

Book Bargains!

Amazon is running their 4 for 3 promotion on select books and SINS OF THE FLESH is one of them!

You can click here to visit Amazon and buy SINS OF THE FLESH or some other favorites.

Click here for this Borders coupon for 30% off which is good until December 7th! Or use this code online at Borders.com: BSL2696D

Barnes & Noble is offering free shipping to members for any purchase over $10. If you’re not a member, you can get member pricing and also get 15% off one item by using this code: B3U9U7U. I believe this code expires on December 9.

SINS OF THE FLESH is part of the Barnes & Noble Holiday Gift Guide! So exciting that they’ve decided to feature it this way.

Want to see what other romance books B&N is showcasing for the holidays? Just click here to see the Barnes & Noble Holiday Gift Guide.

Happy book shopping! Books make great gifts and stocking stuffers.

Free Friday Goodies

booksurpriseFor today’s Fun Friday, I’ve got a bunch of links for you to download some free books!

Harlequin is having its 60th anniversary celebration and you can click here or cut and paste this link to download the novels:
http://www.harlequincelebrates.com/

Mills & Boon is celebrating the anniversary of their e-book program by offering a number of free downloads. You can click here or cut and paste this link to download the novels: http://www.everyonesreading.com/

While you’re at Mills & Boon, also click on COMPETITIONS to sign up for the SONY E-reader contest!

For Harlequin and Mills & Boon you will need to have Adobe Digital Editions (download is free at www.adobe.com)

Barnes & Noble has a number of free audio books and short stories that you can download! You can click here or cut and paste this link to download the novels: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/cdsii/cdsPageTransfer.asp?uid=379001389&key=Free-Audiobook-MP3-Downloads&rv=1

Barnes & Noble also has a number of free e-books to celebrate the launch of its new e-book store. You can click here or cut and paste this link to download the novels: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/u/Free-eBooks/379001668/?cds2Pid=28339&linkid=1461021. The Harlequin books here may duplicate those at the Harlequin site, so doublecheck. Also, you will need the B&N e-reader which you can click here to get.

Looking for the classics and don’t mind reading online? Try www.pagebypagebooks.com for collections of classic literature.

Hope this helps you not bust the budget! Have a great weekend.