Runaway
Love Story by
Sadira Stone, Book Two in the Book
Nirvana Series
Genre: Steamy Contemporary
Romance (Explicit love scenes, M/F, no kink)
Setting: Eugene, Oregon
High school history
teacher Doug Garvey is trying to enjoy his last few weeks of summer vacation,
but receiving his final divorce decree hits him harder than expected. After a
brief fling fizzles, he fears love just isn't in the cards for him. If only he
could find someone who's real, someone interested in something beyond
herself…maybe a new running partner who can keep up with his more carnal
appetite. When sexy, straight-talking Laurel runs across his path, he dares to
hope again.
He's done with social-climbing posers...she's ambitious and has
big dreams.
Fired from an art
gallery, Laurel Jepsen shelves her pursuit of an art career in San Francisco to
help her beloved great aunt Maxie move into assisted living. While out on a
morning run, she's harassed by a group of teens until a tall, broad-shouldered
hottie steps in, pretending to be her boyfriend with a kiss that makes her wish
it were true. But she's only passing through, not looking for a relationship.
Their fierce chemistry
burns up the sheets—and the couch, the shower, the forest—but falling in love
would ruin everything. Laurel can't stay in Eugene, and he can't leave. Doug's
only hope is to convince her the glittery life she's after could blind her to
the opportunities already in her path.
Excerpt:
“Huh?”
“Sensible.”
She
laughed. “Yeah. That’s a curse word, as far as I’m concerned.” She leaned her
head on his shoulder.
“I’ll
strike it from my vocabulary. Your S word is sparkle.” He traced her jawline
with a feather-light touch. “Look at you, Laurel. You’re blinding.” His
twilight-blue gaze made her heart dance—a steamy tango with swirls and
dangerous dips. He kissed her, and, for a moment, she forgot all about caution,
about cutting things off before they became too serious, about San Francisco.
Her focus narrowed to his lips on hers, his nearness heating her whole body,
opening her like a blossom, soft and willing. Ripe for the plucking.
“God, I’ve missed you.” He
scooped her legs across his lap. One hand cradling her nape, the other gripping
her thigh, he kissed her senseless. His velvet tongue teased her lips apart. He
tasted of sugary coffee. The world around them faded—just two bodies, calling
and answering, breathing in sync, their pulses beating the same rhythm.
I have never had so much fun with a writing project! My first
steamy romance, Through the Red Door, nearly
wrote itself, though it damned sure didn't edit itself. I've totally immersed
myself in the world of romance, gobbling books like popcorn, filling my ears
with romance podcasts, and joining the Romance Writers of America. From
skeptic to romance mega-fan in two short years, I’m totally addicted to
passionate, heartfelt stories with happy endings.
Why set the series in a bookshop? Ever since I was a wee lass, I
dreamed of owning one. Add to that my fascination with historical erotic art
and literature, and you’ve got the Book Nirvana series, set in an indie
bookshop with an extensive erotica collection behind a locked red door.
I love stories in which a couple’s powerful physical attraction
leads them to consider a partner outside their usual M.O.—one who just might
turn out to be their perfect match. That’s how it happened for my husband and
me, and my romance fiction contains that element.
I sort of pulled the setting out of a hat. I wanted to set my
series in a college town. I’d heard that Eugene, home of the University of
Oregon, has a lively arts scene and a rich counterculture legacy from the
hippie era. After much online research, correspondence, and hours on Google
Earth, I finally made the trip. Eugene is even lovelier than I’d imagined. Kate
Rock, a resident author, kindly shared her knowledge of the city’s history and
the flavor of the different neighborhoods. I look forward to many return trips.
Book tropes and
themes:
Seasoned romance (hero is 39), beta hero, teacher hero, artistic
heroine, opposites attract, indie bookshop, unsupportive family, dealing with
dementia, caretaking for elderly relatives, social media, small-town vs.
big-city, ambition vs. family obligations, feisty old lady, heroine with
commitment issues, divorced hero, running, inconvenient attraction,
irresistible chemistry
Buy Links:
Author Bio:
Ever since her first kiss, Sadira’s
been spinning steamy tales in her head. After leaving her teaching career in
Germany, she finally tried her hand at writing one. Now she’s a happy citizen
of Romancelandia, penning contemporary romance and cozy mysteries from her home
in Washington State. When not writing, which is seldom, she explores the Pacific
Northwest with her charming husband, enjoys the local music scene, belly
dances, plays guitar badly, and gobbles all the books. Visit Sadira at www.sadirastone.com.
I want to
hear from you!
Press:
Radio Interview with
Readers Entertainment Radio: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/circle-of-seven/2019/04/04/readers-entertainment-radio-presents-author-rhonda-gilmour
Praise for Through the Red Door (Book One in
the Book Nirvana Series):
"…a beautiful love
story filled with wonderful characters and if you like your romance hot, hot,
hot look no further. It is a story about being able to begin anew and still
love the one you lost."
-- Linda Tonis, RWA Paranormal Romance Review
Team
"The erotic scenes
in this book were off the charts - even the ones that were only Clara's
"dreams." Ms. Stone's debut novel is a rich mix of love, sex, and
thoughtful introspection as she tries to move on with her life." –
Peggy Jaeger, author of
Christmas and Cannolis
“This book is in a class by itself...from the graphic
descriptions of the erotica collection that's locked in a room of widow
Claire's bookstore to the hot-hot-hot interactions she has with a certain
hot-hot-hot widowed professor with an intellectual interest in that
collection...
What elevates this book is the excellent writing, the
memorable characters, and the captivating story. PLUS...parts of it are verrrry
funny. I mean laugh-out-loud funny. There are also some very touching parts,
too. Parts that'll bring tears to your eyes.”
Susan
Flett Swiderski, author of Hot Flashes
and Cold Lemonade
Thanks so much for hosting me today, Sandra!
ReplyDeleteThis really sounds so good, I can't wait to read it!
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed hearing about your inspiration for you story, Rhonda! I always wanted to own a bookstore, too. I settled for working for Borders Books for almost 14 years, and then became a writer. But the desire to own a store still lingers. All the best! :)
ReplyDeleteHey Sadira! I'm almost done with Runaway Love Story and really enjoying it. I loved all the characters and situations, but Maxie is one of my favorites and a hoot to boot! LOL Best wishes for lots of sales and success!!!
ReplyDeleteLove the conflict you've set up in the blurb, Sadira. In addition, I have to admit, the idea of owning a bookstore is dream! as much as I love books and reading, though, I'd spending my entire time with a volume in my hand--and someone else would have to run the 'business' side :) I can't wait to read your latest!
ReplyDeleteGreat tag line...very catchy. Good luck with book sales.
ReplyDelete