#TeaserTuesday – My Italian Restaurant with Connie & Jonathan

Happy Tuesday! This morning I’ve got a teaser for you from WHAT HAPPENS IN SUMMER #2 in the At the Shore series. In this scene, Connie has just had a run-in with one of her male colleagues and is heading out to get some air and cool down when Jonathan Pierce surprisingly hops on her elevator. He’s in the building to talk to his accountants and a conversation and lunch invitation ensues . . .

WHAT HAPPENS IN SUMMER is available for pre-order and will be released on June 5! You can purchase it at these retailers:

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

Don’t forget there is also special 99 cent pricing for #1 in the series, ONE SUMMER NIGHT. You can purchase ONE SUMMER NIGHT at these retailers:

Amazon Kindle: http://amzn.to/2krMwfE
Amazon Paperback: http://amzn.to/2kYLWZV
B&N: http://bit.ly/2kNuo0p
GooglePlay: http://bit.ly/2ik8EfG
iBooks: http://apple.co/2qsqdwx
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2fuEphL
Radish: Read three chapters for free – http://bit.ly/2AERQFk

And now for the teaser . . . .

Teaser

“Anything interesting?” She covered her mouth with her hand, a little too late since the words had burst from her before she could control herself.

A dimpled grin erupted on his face and his eyes, as blue as the Sea Kiss ocean, glittered with amusement. “I assume that’s the gearhead asking,” he said and she was grateful for the out he had provided.

“Of course. Who wouldn’t covet a car like the Lightning?”

* * *

Jonathan wanted to tell her that all she had to do was say the word and he’d have one built and delivered to her, but he knew Connie’s pride would never let her accept such an extravagant gift. She had worked hard for everything in her life and if she wanted a Lightning, with its nearly 200,000 dollar price tag, she’d pay for it herself.

“Thanks. We’re stoked about how it turned out,” he said as the elevator doors opened and they stepped into the lobby of the building. She hesitated, almost as if she might actually want to extend this chance encounter, and he’d never been one to not seize the moment. “I was just going to grab a bite. What are you up to?”

She fiddled with the wristlet in her hands. “I had planned on working through lunch.”

He grinned and pinned her with his gaze. “And that would be more fun than lunch with me because?”

She met his gaze directly, the green of her eyes looking more blue today thanks to the deep midnight color of the suit she wore. “You really are sure of yourself, aren’t you?” she teased.

He wanted to say that he was never sure of anything around her, but he wasn’t ready to give her that kind of power. At least not yet.

“How about it? I promise it will be quick and good – ”

“Two words that don’t seem well-suited together,” she shot back and a becoming stain of color erupted across her cheeks.

“Why, Reyes. Are you flirting with me?” he said, which upped the color on her cheeks exponentially.

“Never. But I did need to get out of the office and I hate eating alone.”

He clasped his hands together and brought them close to his chest. “How could I refuse an invitation like that?”

“You invited me, remember?” she said and jabbed him playfully, the way a guy would jab another guy. A defense mechanism, but he wouldn’t pass up this opportunity because he had to restore order to this relationship. For Owen and the relationship with Maggie which was still blossoming nearly two weeks after the dinner they’d all shared in Sea Kiss. For himself because he felt like this part of his life was incomplete.

“I did invite you first, so is that a ‘Yes’?”

Chapter 4

The Italian restaurant was only half a block away on Forty-Second Street. It was a place for business lunches and special occasions with colleagues. Definitely not a romantic venue, especially at midday, and Connie was thankful for that.

The eatery was on the busy side, but the host quickly seated them at a corner table in the large noisy back portion of the restaurant. The ambient chatter toned down the intimate feel of the cozy corner location. The host held the chair closest to the wall out for her and
Jonathan took the spot across from her, but even with that, the table was so small that their knees bumped. She shuffled her chair back until it hit the wall, ending the contact which despite its innocence, was way too distracting.

She hid behind her menu while she gathered herself, but when she put it down, she found herself staring into Jonathan’s too intense gaze.

“You seemed a little . . . angry when you first got on the elevator,” he said.

Shrugging, she averted her gaze. “A little. Just some typical office bullshit.”

“Care to share?” he asked, but luckily the waiter came over at that moment to take their orders.

As soon as the orders were placed and the waiter walked away, she shifted the topic to Jonathan because most men she dealt with were generally more interested in talking about themselves. “What projects were you discussing with your accountants?”

He wagged a finger and shot her a lopsided grin. “Not until I hear what pissed you off.”

She’d give him points for that, as much as she didn’t want to share. But she did. “A male colleague who thinks his dick and ethnicity should move him up the corporate ladder.”

“Totally wrong on both counts. Besides, you have more balls than he does,” Jonathan said and snagged a slice of focaccia from the bread basket the waiter placed on the table.

She arched a brow, examining him, but he clearly had meant it as a compliment. “Thanks,” she said, but just in case, tacked on, “I think.”

“Just telling the truth and definitely a compliment. I know that whatever you want, you’ll work hard to get it. Right?”

She nodded and it made her wonder about him. Whether he had changed despite her comment days earlier to Emma. “What about you? Have you been working hard or hardly working?” she said in a tone that was half kidding half serious.

He broke off a piece of the focaccia and munched on it thoughtfully, scrutinizing her features. It was long moments before he finally said, “Working hard even though you might doubt that.”

She hated that he could read her so easily. Grabbing her water glass, she took a sip before she uneasily replied, “I don’t doubt it, but . . .”

He made a face and looked away for a moment before returning his attention to her. “You’re confused, right? Maybe because you don’t want to admit that I’ve changed a little?”

“Maybe,” she said quickly and decided it was time to move away from the personal since it could only bring hurt.

Lunch at an Italian Restaurant

#TeaserTuesday – WHAT HAPPENS IN SUMMER

WHAT HAPPENS IN SUMMER is available for pre-order and will release on June 5. If you’d like an ARC to review, please click here to visit Netgalley and download your copy!

I love Connie and Jonathan’s story and so did Kirkus who said ““Pineiro’s follow-up to One Summer Night (2017) covers the same time frame from the alternate couple’s viewpoint, to sexy, satisfying effect. Connie and Jonathan’s trials, tribulations, and second chance at love are engaging and at times thought-provoking, touching on the power of love, loyalty, and friendship. . . Another visit to Sea Kiss will charm romance fans.” RT Book Reviews added their praise and raved that WHAT HAPPENS IN SUMMER “…a story about a love between two individuals that will not fade…readers will enjoy this summer-themed romance.”

Teaser

Connie had vowed never to make the same mistakes as her mother . . .

As the only daughter of a single mom, Connie Reyes knows how hard it is to raise a child alone and without prospects. At an early age Connie vowed she would never put herself or her child in a similar position. But Jonathan Pierce is oh so tempting and a night of passion leads to unexpected consequences with a man she has been unable to forget. But loving Jonathan may upend Connie’s law career and all that she’s worked so hard to achieve.

Jonathan Pierce has always marched to the beat of a different drummer. . .

Jonathan Pierce left home at nineteen, determined to explore his dreams and leave his unhappy childhood behind. A father who was always absent at work and a mother who left them her boys without even a goodbye. His only redeeming family connection is his big brother Owen. In the weeks leading up to the Owen’s wedding, sexual tension sizzles between him and the bride’s best friend Connie. Jonathan would love to show the uber responsible and work-a-holic lawyer that he’s a changed man.

When opportunity presents itself the night of the wedding, mutual desire will bring a lifetime of possibilities. Can Connie and Jonathan find a way to balance their very different personalities and build a loving family together?

Excerpt

Prologue
Sea Kiss, New Jersey

Playing it safe was far worse than taking a risk on what you wanted.
Jonathan Pierce knew just what he wanted.

He grabbed hold of the gnarly branch of the decades-old wisteria vine that climbed the side of the Sinclair mansion and boosted himself up.
He’d made the journey so many times this past summer, he could do it blindfolded.

He scrambled up the vine, finding the familiar foot and handholds until he vaulted up and over the second floor railing, and landed silently as a cat burglar on the balcony. It ran the length of the immense oceanfront mansion, with elegant French doors offering views of the sea.

The first darkened doorway was Maggie Sinclair’s room. He rushed past it quietly; Maggie belonged to his older brother, Owen. Not that Owen had acted on it yet, but Jonathan had known for years that the two were meant to be together, family feud be damned.

The next doorway was usually Maggie’s dad’s, but the old man had stopped coming down to the Shore as often as he once had, so it was a good bet that room was unoccupied.

Reaching the third room, he saw the curtains wafting in the summer breeze and the dim light from behind the partially closed French doors.

He smiled and his heart raced with pleasure.

Connie was waiting for him. Ever-responsible, ever-loyal Connie had broken her own rules to fall in love with him. Or at least he thought it was love. It definitely was on his part. With barely a week left before the girls all went back to school, he intended to let her know just how he felt.

He slipped carefully through the open doors and shut them behind him. He’d gone no more than a step when she launched herself at him, laughing and kissing him as she said, “What took you so long?”

“I missed you, too,” he said, knowing it was more about the separation to come in a week and not about the long hours since last night.

He bent his head and kissed her, his touch tender and caring, and she answered in kind, her lips soft and coaxing.

Although Maggie had been bringing her friends to the Jersey Shore every summer since they’d met freshman year in college, he’d never really paid much attention at first. He’d had his share of girls from his high school class fawning over him.

But when Maggie and her friends had come back the next year, he had finally, gratefully, noticed what a real woman should be. Like Connie: all luscious curves; also proud, smart, and independent,

As impatient as he might be to make love to her tonight, he wanted her to know how much this meant to him. How this wasn’t only a summer romance for him.

He leaned over her, his gaze locked on her face. He wanted to say the words—Lord, how he wanted to—but they stuck in his throat and so he let every kiss and touch tell her what he couldn’t voice.

You Can Order Here:

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

WHAT HAPPENS IN SUMMER Contemporary Romances set on the Jersey Shore

Special Pricing on #1 – One Summer Night

Don’t forget that we’ve got special pricing going on for #1 in the series, One Summer Night which was a Publishers Weekly Top 10 Fall Romance and featured in the NY Times. You can pick up #1 here and also read the first three chapters for free at Radish!

Amazon Kindle: http://amzn.to/2krMwfE
Amazon Paperback: http://amzn.to/2kYLWZV
B&N: http://bit.ly/2kNuo0p
GooglePlay: http://bit.ly/2ik8EfG
iBooks: http://apple.co/2qsqdwx
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2fuEphL
Radish: Read three chapters for free – http://bit.ly/2AERQFk

#FeatureFriday – Special 99 cent pricing on ONE SUMMER NIGHT

So this is a new Friday topic, Feature Friday! Today I’m featuring ONE SUMMER NIGHT which is specially priced at 99 cents for a limited time! Don’t miss out and get an early start on the summer with this Publishers Weekly Top 10 Romance! If you’d like, you can also read the first three chapters for free at Radish.

Amazon Kindle: http://amzn.to/2krMwfE
Amazon Paperback: http://amzn.to/2kYLWZV
B&N: http://bit.ly/2kNuo0p
GooglePlay: http://bit.ly/2ik8EfG
iBooks: http://apple.co/2qsqdwx
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2fuEphL
Radish: Read three chapters for free – http://bit.ly/2AERQFk

ONE SUMMER NIGHT Contemporary Romance

#ManCandyMonday – Sexy Chef Carlo da Costa

I love to cook and had a blast writing #3 in the At the Shore series which is Emma and Carlo’s story! You’ve met Carlo in all of the books so far, but it was great to finally give him and Emma their story. You’ll also see lots more of Carlo in #2 WHAT HAPPENS IN SUMMER!

I went searching for a fun photo of what Carlo might look like and think this might fit the bill for today’s Man Candy Monday choice. What do you think? I wouldn’t mind cooking in the kitchen with him! Would you?
Carlo da Costa

You can purchase 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
GooglePlay: http://bit.ly/2hKg3BW
iBooks: http://apple.co/2hKgP1J
Kobo: Coming Soon!

Also, don’t miss out on the special 99 cents pricing on ONE SUMMER NIGHT! You can purchase ONE SUMMER NIGHT at the following retailers:

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

#TeaserTuesday ONE SUMMER NIGHT excerpt

Today I’m sharing an excerpt from ONE SUMMER NIGHT. In this scene, Maggie and Owen have just shared a dinner with all their friends and after some teasing, have gone down to the beachfront for some time alone. But what will they do with that time alone? Time to find out.

If you cannot see the preview below, please click here for the ONE SUMMER NIGHT excerpt.

ONE SUMMER NIGHT is specially priced at 99 cents! You can purchase ONE SUMMER NIGHT at the following retailers:

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

What Happens in Summer Contemporary Romance#2 in the At the Shore Series, WHAT HAPPENS IN SUMMER can be Pre-Ordered here:

Amazon Kindle: http://amzn.to/2y6hi4h
Amazon Paperback: http://amzn.to/2y92UIQ
B&N: http://bit.ly/2BJNcov
GooglePlay: http://bit.ly/2hKg3BW
iBooks: http://apple.co/2hKgP1J
Kobo: Coming Soon!