Tag: pineiro

Posted on

#WednesdayWisdom – Connie and Smelling the Roses

I’m my mother’s daughter and that has it’s good and bad parts. The bad part is that I’m very driven to achieve which is why I identified so much with Connie Reyes, the heroine in WHAT HAPPENS IN SUMMER. Much like me Connie wants a partnership in a New York City law firm and much like me she finds herself stonewalled at a key point in her career. For me the salvation was my family and my writing. For Connie it’s finding herself tossed together with Jonathan Pierce again. Jonathan is almost as driven as Connie, but he also knows how to have fun and balance life and work. I really enjoyed putting them together so that they could both heal the wounds of their past and find a way to stop and smell the roses together!

I hope you’ll take a moment to check out WHAT HAPPENS IN SUMMER which is now available for pre-order and releases on June 5. Also, don’t miss the free downloads of ONE SUMMER NIGHT, #1 in the At the Shore series.

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: bit.ly/koboWHS

ONE SUMMER NIGHT is now free until June 11

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
Smell the roses

Posted on

#TeaserTuesday – A kiss is still a kiss . . . or is it?

Counting down to the June 5 release of WHAT HAPPENS IN SUMMER and today I’m sharing with you one of my favorite scenes in the book. I loved this scene because it was packed with emotion on various levels, but also had humor and hopefulness. I hope you’ll agree!

In this scene, Connie has just been helping her best friend Maggie with wedding plans. Maggie is marrying Owen Pierce, Jonathan’s older brother, and because of that, Connie and Jon are being constantly thrown together. Like any best friend, Connie is happy for Maggie, but also worried about how their friendship will change with Maggie getting married. She’s also feeling a little sorry for herself because she let love go during her summer fling with Jonathan.

Teaser

“Were you crying?” he asked and kneeled close to her. He could handle her stubbornness and the temper that she luckily kept leashed for the most part. He could even handle the iciness that warned him to stay away. But the thought of her crying just shredded his heart.

“No,” she answered way too quickly and rubbed Dudley’s head as he kept up his enthusiastic loving.

“What’s that on your cheeks then?” he pushed, needing her to admit it, not so that he could rejoice, but because he wanted to help.

“Dog spit. Your dog’s spit because I’m assuming this little guy belongs to you,” she said and urged the terrier down into her lap again.

The dog squirmed and presented her with his belly, jonesing for a rub.

As she obliged, Jonathan’s gut tightened. He hated that he was suddenly wishing he could get that kind of attention as well. But wishes like that were best kept secret because Connie had made it clear she wanted no part of him. And yet, something inside made him try to change things between them.

“He’s mine. When I saw him at the shelter a few weeks ago, I couldn’t walk away. Now that I plan on moving to Sea Kiss – ”

“You’re moving to Sea Kiss? To the mansion?” she asked with surprise.

He shook his head. “I only stay here because I know my father never comes down. As much as I love the family home, I need to find my own place. I’ve started searching for a house nearby.”

There was no doubting the look on her face and her obvious worry. With Maggie and Owen getting married and him right in the neighborhood, they’d be constantly thrown together. “Don’t worry, Connie. I won’t make it hard for you to see Maggie. I know how close the two of you are.”

A guilty splotch of color erupted on cheeks already ruddy from her tears. “It’s not like that. We’re two mature adults. We can handle being around each other.”

“Yes, we can. Like now. We’re talking. No anger. No worries.”

She huffed out a breath and looked away. “Right, no worries,” she said, but despite her words, something major was going on with her.

“If you want to talk about it – ”

“I don’t.”

He didn’t give up. With a smile, he said, “Or if you just need a shoulder to cry on . . . .”

She tilted her chin up in a defiant gesture that was achingly familiar. “I wasn’t crying. Like I said before, it was just Dudley’s puppy kisses.”

“Really?” He couldn’t resist the challenge. He leaned forward and cradled her chin with his hand.

Her gold-green eyes widened in surprise as he came ever closer. When he kissed the corner of her right eye, her eyelashes fluttered against his lips as she closed her eyes.

“Sweetest,” he began and shifted to her other eye. “Dog spit,” he said and didn’t wait for her protest. “Ever.” He kissed her lips, a gentle coaxing kiss that had her tilting into him and grasping his shoulders for support. As they moved closer, Dudley, who had been sitting in her lap, squirmed and barked a complaint as he got sandwiched between their bodies.

Order Your Copy Today!

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

ONE SUMMER NIGHT is now free until June 11

To celebrate the release of WHAT HAPPENS IN SUMMER, ONE SUMMER NIGHT is free until June 11. Take advantage of this special offer to get a Publishers Weekly Top 10 Romance and jump start your beach reads!

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

Free Read WHAT HAPPENS IN SUMMER

Posted on

#ThrowbackThursday May Showers bring . . .

It used to be that April showers brought May flowers. Considering we had winter in April, it’s now May showers bringing June sun and lots of it I hope. And the flowers, of course! Have a great day! I hope it’s not too soggy for you.
April showers bring May flowers

Posted on

#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

Posted on

#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

Posted on

#WednesdayWisdom Live every day . . .

I think you know by now that I love summer. I love the heat of the sun on my skin and the susurrus of the ocean waves that lull me into a beachside nap. I love the smells. Suntan lotion. Food frying at a nearby festival on the boardwalk. The tang of sea salt and dampness of a misty fog. The sharp scent of tomato leaves and the sweetness of basil. I live for the summer and inside I keep a little bit of summer with me every day. Have a great hump day!

Live every day as if was summer

Posted on

#TeaserTuesday Maggie and Owen Take the First Step in ONE SUMMER NIGHT

Maggie and Owen have known each other all their lives, but a family feud has kept them from exploring what might be. In this scene from ONE SUMMER NIGHT, Maggie and Owen take that first step with a walk along the beach.
One Summer Night Contemporary Romance by Caridad Pineiro

Excerpt

“Owen,” she sighed as the man rose and she recognized his silhouette. She stopped, unsure whether he would acknowledge her, but he smiled and walked toward her. She noticed that he had changed into casual clothes, not that they lessened the sense of power that always seemed to surround him.

“Maggie,” he said with a dip of his head as he sidled up to her. “You’re up late.”

“You too.” She started walking again, alternately worried and excited that he would join her for her walk.

“Too many thoughts in my head.” He matched his pace to hers, taking an occasional puff on his cigar as they strolled down the beach.

“Me too,” she said, but then they fell silent. They had known each other all their lives and had been friends at one time, but in recent years, they’d kept an awkward distance. Even with the silence, there was something comforting about his presence beside her during the walk. Maybe it was that aura of innate strength and assurance in the way he carried himself. Maybe it was that she felt not so lonely with him. Regardless of the why of it, the quiet as they walked side by side along the beach soothed the riot of thoughts that had kept her from sleep.

With a half glance in his direction, she noticed that he seemed more relaxed as well, and a part of her wondered what it would be like if they could be more than just distant acquaintances. Deciding to breach that distance, she said, “Will you be at the lighthouse rededication at the end of the month?”

She and Owen had worked on their town’s committee to repair the destruction done by Hurricane Sandy years earlier. Federal and state funding had helped to rebuild most of the public areas, like the boardwalk. Their fundraising efforts had gone toward fixing the damage to the Main Street business area in time for the first summer season after the horrific storm, but it had taken much longer to raise the funds to fix the lighthouse and a nearby pier. The committee was still working on how to help repair the many private homes and cottages not covered by insurance and that still languished years later.

“I hope to be there. It all depends on some business items that need to be wrapped up.” He paused as they neared the long rock jetty that marked the end of Sea Kiss and the start of the next town. She hadn’t realized that they’d walked nearly a mile together in companionable silence. With a wry smile and a wave of his hand, they turned and started the walk back up the beach. Every now and again, he would meet her gaze and hold it, almost as if to reassure himself she was still there.

“Is that what kept you from sleep?”

“Possibly. What about you? Will you be there? Seems like we should attend, considering how much time we put into the committee.”

“I’ve got some things I need to do as well, but it would be nice to be there to celebrate. It took so long to reach this point.”

“But we did it. The town was ready for the first season. We helped a lot of people get back into their homes, even if we still have a long way to go to set everything right.”

“You led most of that, Owen. I was hard-pressed to know one end of the hammer from the other,” she said with a laugh, recalling her tortured efforts when they had volunteered to do some construction work on one of the damaged homes.

Owen chuckled. With a sexy grin, he said, “You did okay, and more importantly, you were there to help. People appreciated that, and they won’t forget it any- time soon.”

“That’s not why I did it,” she said. He nodded. “I know.”

His easy reply and the warmth of his gaze confirmed that he understood what had motivated her to volunteer, and in truth, she’d always known that he’d helped for the same reason. They both loved Sea Kiss and considered it home, even though they both worked and had residences in New York City.

They fell quiet again until they reached the board- walk for the Pierce mansion. Maggie waited for him to head there, but Owen kept on walking beside her.

“No need for you to see me home,” she said.

He rolled his eyes and shook his head. “I always see a lady home,” he replied and did just that, going so far as to walk her up the boardwalk and across the great lawn. When they reached the patio, he looked back toward the dunes and jerked his head in the direction of the corner of the lot.

“I see you rebuilt the gazebo that Sandy took out.”

“I couldn’t imagine not putting it back up.” When the storm surge had gouged away huge pieces of the protective dunes behind the house, it had swept the old boardwalk and gazebo out to sea.

“You always spent a lot of time there reading,” he said, surprising her.

“I didn’t realize you’d noticed,” she replied, but as she glanced toward the Pierce mansion, she recalled that he would often sit on the second-story balcony where he would have a clear view of the gazebo.

“I’ve noticed a lot about you, Maggie,” he said and then walked with her again until they reached the french doors to her home.

Maggie faced him and stood there awkwardly, wondering how to end the night. A handshake was way too formal given the situation. A hug way too friendly. A kiss was…unfathomable.

That Owen was feeling the same way was obvious as he rocked back and forth on his heels and then shoved his hands into his jeans pockets. With a very masculine head nod, he said, “I guess I’ll see you around.”

She dipped her head in agreement and said, “See you around.”

He forced a smile, pivoted on his heel, and walked away, but as he did so, she called out to him.

“Owen.”

Turning, he stared at her, a perplexed look on his face.

“This was nice. Thank you.”

His smile was brilliant in the dark of the night. “It  was nice. Get some sleep, Maggie.”

“You too, Owen.” As she headed through the french doors and up to her bedroom, she suspected her thoughts would once again keep her from a restful slumber. Only this time, those thoughts wouldn’t be about her family’s business problems and losing the home she loved. They would be about something much more pleasurable.

Special Pricing on ONE SUMMER NIGHT

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

You can purchase #2 in the At the Shore Contemporary Romance series, 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!

Proudly powered by WordPress