It’s Freebie Friday and today you can get some free reads for your weekend! Drop by Harlequin.com and read the next chapter of Deadly Chase for free at https://bit.ly/DeadlyChaseFreeRead and meet the characters in the K-9s on Patrol series. You can also read the first three chapters of Winning Season, my baseball romance, free from Kindle Vella at https://amzn.to/3v5nVEl. Have a great weekend!
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Happy St. Patrick’s Day from a Spanish Celt
I’ve mentioned before that all my grandparents come from Galicia, a province in Spain. Galicia is one of the Celtic nations, so it came as no surprise when a DNA test said one of my siblings was 18% Irish. I’ll quibble with the designation Irish instead of Celt, but regardless, as Gallegos there is that connection. In my area of Spain you’ll find bagpipes (gaitas) and on my maternal grandmother’s side we had a number of red-haired, green-eyed cousins. My mom had green eyes and so do I! This photo is of my maternal grandparent’s and my mom! You can read a little bit more about that part of my family history in The Family She Never Met (https://bit.ly/FamilySheNeverMet). Also, don’t forget you can read the next chapter of Deadly Chase for free at https://bit.ly/DeadlyChaseFreeRead and also the first three chapters of Winning Season, my baseball romance, free from Kindle Vella at https://amzn.to/3v5nVEl.
Sexy Teaser from The Family She Never Met
Today’s Teaser Tuesday is a sexy excerpt from The Family She Never Met which is a blend of romance and a family saga.
I’m so grateful for all the kind words you’ve had for this book of my heart. Thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca for believing in this story.
In this teaser, Jessica and Luis have been spending a lot of time together and after a boat ride to Luis’s stunning Indian Creek home, they are relaxing in his pool when the attraction that has been growing between them finally flares into more.
Excerpt
The sun beat down, warming her against the chill of the breeze as they moved along the calmer waters of the bay until Luis pulled eastward once again and toward a southward facing point on an island off Miami Beach. He powered down substantially and navigated beside a dock where he cut the engines and hopped onto it to secure the boat.
She unbuckled and got to her feet, slightly shaky from the thrill of the ride and the roll and rock of the deck, thanks to the wake from a passing boat. Luis leaned down, offered a helping hand, and boosted her up onto the dock.
“No sea legs,” she said, still feeling the movement beneath her feet, but then she caught sight of the home in front of her.
A wide stone walkway surrounded by lush, manicured lawns led up to a patio with a pool and an outdoor sitting area off to the side. Beyond that, a large, two-story, contemporary home boasted windows along every wall and balconies to enjoy the million-dollar views of Biscayne Bay and the carefully tended gardens all around.
“Wow, this is beautiful,” she said, appreciating the thoughtful lines and layout of the structure and landscaping.
“Gracias. I’m quite happy with it,” he said, but she sensed some hesitation there and wondered at the reason for it.
“We can take a dip to wash off the salt before lunch,” he said and grabbed the picnic basket from the powerboat.
He took hold of her hand and drew her toward a covered patio, and at her questioning look, he tapped the end of her nose. “You’re getting burned.”
She covered her face with her hands and heat greeted her despite the suntan lotion she’d put on earlier. “I do feel baked,” she admitted.
“Dip. Dry off. Lunch before we head back,” he said and laid the picnic basket on a table on the covered patio.
“So demanding,” she teased but was eager to get the salt off her skin. She quickly pulled off her T-shirt and board shorts and rushed to the edge of the pool. She dipped in a toe, testing the waters, which turned out to be a waste as he cannonballed into the pool and sent a shock of chill water up to drench her.
“Thanks,” she said with a roll of her eyes, brushing back wet strands of hair from her face.
He grinned devilishly and slicked back his hair, the movement displaying his toned arms and chest.
To avoid the too-irresistible sight of him, she dove into the water.
Cool slipped all across her body before she rose up to the surface. Luis was just a few feet away, drops of water glistening on his tanned skin. He was still grinning happily, drawing her like a moth to a flame.
She laid a hand on his shoulder, using his greater height and strength to keep her afloat.
He placed a hand at her waist to steady her, but in those seconds, the moment changed. Became charged with the tension that had sprung up between them and she couldn’t resist.
When he applied gentle pressure to draw her close, she went, bringing her body full against him. Skin against skin as he shifted them until he was sitting on the bottom steps of the pool and she was lying along him.
“Luis,” she began, but stopped abruptly, not sure of what to say. Only sure of what she wanted to do.
She shifted upward to kiss the hollow just beneath his ear and the edge of his jaw. She followed the straight line of it to the dimple by his lips, deep now thanks to the smile on his face. Moved to that smile, so happy and relaxed. Welcoming, she thought as she covered his smile with hers.
“This is crazy,” she said, but didn’t stop kissing him.
“Sí, es loco,” he said, but didn’t pull away. Didn’t stop touching her, running his hands to her sides. Shifting one to the small of her back while he moved the other up to caress her.
“Dios, mi amor. This is so hard,” he said, his voice rough. His body tense beneath her. “I’m not sure I can hold back.”
“Do you want me?” she asked, although she had no doubt about it.
“I do, but not just for now, mi amor. I want so much more.”
Order
Amazon Kindle: https://amzn.to/3tPQ7Xx
Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/3bonSZN
Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-family-she-never-met/id1568775092
BN Nook: http://bit.ly/BarnesandNobleFamily
BN Paperback: http://bit.ly/BarnesandNovelPaperback
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-family-she-never-met
Additional Retailers: https://books2read.com/FamilySheNeverMet
Last day for the Birthday Giveaway
It’s the last day for the Birthday Giveaway over on my Facebook Fan Page! Don’t miss out on the chance to win a $25 gift card! You can enter at https://www.facebook.com/Caridad.Author/posts/10158486218295913. Also, please take a moment to check out The Family She Never Met, my latest release from Sourcebooks Casablanca. Publishers Weekly called it a “swoon worthy romance” and the reviews have been wonderful so far. Thanks to everyone who took the time to do a review. It’s the best way you can help an author!
My wonderful grandmother Nieves
As part of Women’s History Month, I want to share another woman who made such a difference in my life: My grandmother Nieves. I’m actually named after in part since my real first name is Caridad de las Nieves. When I became a citizen, I couldn’t keep that long first name and had to shorten it to Caridad, but I adopted Nieves as my middle name since I didn’t have one.
Nieves was an amazing woman. Strong and determined much like the daughter she raised. But whereas I saw my mother as a rebel and go-getter, my grandmother seemed like a sturdy oak to me, sinking her roots deep in our new home to help give our family stability and a place where we felt safe. That difference between my mom and my grandmother inspired a fictional scene in The Family She Never Met where Carmen’s mother Nieves is challenging her daughter over her involvement in helping Castro overthrow the Batista dictatorship. In that scene, Nieves wonders whether Cuba will be trading living under Batista’s thumb for being under Castro’s boot. Prophetic in hindsight.
My grandmother was always there for me in so many ways, including for my tummy! She was an absolutely amazing cook and she loved to iron. My sister and I were probably the only kids in our school who had jeans that were ironed. My grandmother found it relaxing and actually complained that modern irons were way too light having grown up with heavy cast iron irons.
I miss you abuela! Yes, the baby in that picture is me!
Meet Jessica and Luis from The Family She Never Met
I loved combining the story of how Jessica, Lara, and Carmen build a future together with the romance between Jessica and Luis, Carmen’s right-hand man. It was a romance that started off with them almost as adversaries but slowly blossomed into something wonderful and emotional. Today I’m sharing a short excerpt where Jessica and Luis are finally admitting to what they feel for each other in The Family She Never Met!
Excerpt
Her breath trapped in her chest and her heart pounding in her ears, Jessica waited, anticipation twisting her gut into a knot.
Luis rocked back and forth on his heels and looked away before nailing her with his gaze. “I am. I think I’m falling in love with you too.”
He grasped her hand and she took the lead, tugging him toward the stairs and up to her room.
At her door she hesitated, but then pushed through, eager for what would follow.
As she turned to face him, he was immediately there, moving his hands to her back to cradle her close. Her body was flush against his and she shifted against him, but he stilled her motion.
“Shh, mi amor. There’s no need to rush. We have all night,” he whispered and kissed her again.
He tasted of rum and cigars and Luis, and she took it all in. Took all of him in. The press of his body. The way his muscles shifted beneath her hands as he tightened his hold on her and walked her back toward the bed.
As her knees bumped the edge of the bed, he stopped, sat, and urged her in between the V of his thighs.
With his help, she quickly undressed, baring herself to him.
“Dios, you’re beautiful,” he said, encircled her waist with his hands, and drew her near.
***
Luis splayed his hand across the smooth skin of her back as he caressed her.
She kissed his forehead and whispered his name. “Luis. Please.”
As much as he wanted to wait and make this first time special, he needed her too badly.
In a flurry of action, he ripped off his clothes with her assistance, and they fell onto the bed together, kissing and caressing and laughing. Joyful in anticipation of what was about to happen.
She lay beneath him, gazing at him as she skimmed her hand across his face and then up to brush away a stray lock of hair. She seemed about to say something, but then held back and instead leaned up to kiss him. She shifted her hand to his shoulder and urged him down.
He went willingly, eager to be with her. Eager to taste her lips again and her breasts and her skin and everything that was Jessica.
He didn’t think he could ever get enough of her.
Order
Amazon Kindle: https://amzn.to/3tPQ7Xx
Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/3bonSZN
Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-family-she-never-met/id1568775092
BN Nook: http://bit.ly/BarnesandNobleFamily
BN Paperback: http://bit.ly/BarnesandNovelPaperback
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-family-she-never-met
Additional Retailers: https://books2read.com/FamilySheNeverMet
Suffolk Mystery Authors Festival
I was honored to be chosen as a panelist for the Suffolk Mystery Authors Festival and was so excited about visiting the charming town of Suffolk, Virginia. The festival had to go virtual, but there will be a number of panels and interviews with the authors participating at the festival and it’s free to register so please come on by and meet everyone. I’m delighted to be on a panel with some amazing romance authors! Join me as well as Kelsey Browning, Jenna Harte, Nancy Naigle, and Nan O’Berry on Saturday, March 5 at 4 pm and listen as we chat about romance, how we write, and answer any questions you might have!
