#BuqoYA Bundle 2 Sweet Complications: Excerpts

 

It’s BuqoYA time! Today is this blog’s tour stop for the Sweet Complications bundle. What can you expect from this bundle?

Would you do a set of dares to prove someone wrong? Would you risk your friendship so you can find love? Would you admit your real feelings? There are a lot of complications when it comes to finding love. Get the feels when you read these sweet stories.

From this bundle, I’m highlighting excerpts from Once Upon a Sticky Note by Kristel Ann Cruz and Plain Vanilla by Ines Bautista-Yao.

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Once Upon a Sticky Note by Kristel Ann Cruz

Of course it also doesn’t hurt that he is nice to look at. I have always pegged Nate as a pretty boy, but his unassuming ways make him look more attractive. I like his thick eyebrows, his smiling eyes, and the dimple on his left cheek that mirrors mine. I can’t even tell you how many jealous stares I have fielded when we walk through the school together, or how my heart secretly swells seeing these.

It’s quite melodramatic to say that our lives have never been the same since we became closer because we are still very young, but that fact doesn’t make it any less true. I will feel so lost when the time comes he or I would have to go our separate ways. Graduation is coming soon and to be honest, I’m dreading college. I wonder if we will be as close as we are now or whether I will be left behind, a mere footnote to carefree high school days.

It was almost morning when I realized I am in love with my best friend.

About the book: 

Nate and Tanya have been talking all day, every day, best friends for years but on the eve of Nate’s birthday, Tanya realized she has started developing more-than-platonic feelings him. They’re going off to college soon so confessing anything that might make things complicated between them doesn’t sound like a good plan, especially now that Campus Sweetie Armi has entered the picture. What would Tanya do? Could she? Should she? Grab a sticky note and place your bets.

About the author: Kristel Ann Cruz

It boggles the mind how someone so shy and awkward found herself in Public Relations, but somehow Krissy makes it work. If she were a fictional character, shefd be a female Ted Mosby. Whether it be prose, poetry, a watercolor painting, or a craft project, she is happiest when she makes. Talk about books, movies, and lipsticks with her on www.krissyfied.com.

 

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Plain Vanilla by Ines Bautista-Yao

“But what about Margarita?”

“She sped off in another direction.” He shrugged, still pulling her along. But this time, he wasn’t holding her arm anymore. His hand found its way into hers. And she told herself she didn’t let go because it was dark and she didn’t want to trip on anything.

When they got to the covered courts, they didn’t bother to find a place to hide. It was so dark, it wouldn’t have mattered anyway. Paco sat on one of the benches and pulled Tempest down next to him. She was tempted to pull her hand away, but he still hadn’t let go. What was the protocol when it came to something like this? Do you let go when you’re about to do something like look at your watch or scratch an itch? Or do you just keep holding on till both your hands get too sweaty? And why did it have to be so complicated?

“I think this is awesome, what you’re doing.” He smiled at her. Or at least she assumed he was. It was too dark to tell.

“Sitting in the dark, holding your hand?” Tempest couldn’t pretend it wasn’t happening, so might as well call attention to it.

Paco surprised her by squeezing her hand and still not letting go. “Well, yeah, this too.” He laughed easily. “But I was talking about the dares. I mean, daring other people is something Marga and I do all the time, but daring yourself is cool. Why didn’t you tell me about it last night? I could have helped you do some of them while we were just hanging out. What’s on your list anyway?”

Tempest didn’t tell him that the dares had only materialized today because of him. “Well, nighttime hide and seek, sleeping under the stars, and glow-in-the-dark bowling are part of it. That pathetic excuse for chalk art this afternoon was too.”

“That wasn’t pathetic.”

“Whatever.” Tempest snorted. “There’s also doing a color run which I am seriously thinking of swapping with something else, running through sprinklers, flying a kite, making a slushie—”

“You’ve never made a slushie?” Astonishment.

“I lead a very dull life, okay?”

“Or flown a kite?” More astonishment.

“Fine, Mr. I’ve Done Everything Fun in the World, what haven’t you done? If you were to give yourself a list of dares, what would you put on your list?”

“Well, I wouldn’t mind breaking into an all-girls high school after dark and playing hide and seek.” She could hear the smile in his voice.

“Boring. I’ve done that already.”

Paco burst out laughing. Tempest’s insides began to feel all warm and gooey. It felt good to make him laugh. And to have his complete attention. And to still be holding his hand.

About the book: 

Despite her quirky name and equally quirky family, 16-year-old Tempest Juan knows she’s ordinary. After reading a comment on Facebook which likened her to vanilla ice cream, Tempest decides she has to do something about it or be forever branded as plain, lukewarm, and well, vanilla. It doesn’t help that the comment was made by Paco Lorenzo, her cousinfs cute friend (no longer cute in her book!). When she happens upon a book of dares, she decides to attempt each one, no matter how hard. This is her personality at stake, after all. But somehow, Paco, the cause of all this, finds a way to be at every dare Tempest attempts, confusing her and forcing her to question whatfs really going on inside her heart.

About the author: Ines Bautista-Yao

Ines Bautista-Yao is the author of One Crazy Summer, What’s in your Heart, and Only a Kiss. She has also written two short stories, ”Flashbacks and Echoes,” which is part of a compilation called All This Wanting and ”A Captured Dream,” one of the four short stories in Sola Musica: Love Notes from a Festival.

She is the former editor-in-chief of Candy and K-Zone magazines and a former high school and college English and Literature teacher.  She is also a wife and mom and blogs about the many challenges and joys of motherhood at theeverydayprojectblog.com. She has recently launched The Author Project, a section in her current blog devoted to the stories in her head: http://theeverydayprojectblog.com/inesbyao-author-project/

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Get Once Upon a Sticky Note and Plain Vanilla, as well as the four other stories in the Sweet Complications bundle (D’01 by Sassy Fova, One Lovely Summer by Amae Dechavez, Same by Charm Lee, and Travel of Two by Irish Fleur) at Buqo. Purchase link here: Buqo.

Also, join the giveaway! Click here for the Rafflecopter link.

Word of the Year: FINIFUGAL – 2014 Year Ender :)

Another year done! I was looking for one word that would summarize 2014 for me. I dabbled with ‘fear,’ ‘indecision,’ ‘bad luck,’ etcetera, etcetera, but nothing clicked right. Until I saw this word: FINIFUGAL (thank you, other-wordly.tumblr.com.).

 

That was the best definition of this year. I think being finifugal relates to being scared of starting over, of new things, of changes (drastic ones, to be exact). A quick check of my year-ender the past years led me to one conclusion: I was, kind of, reliving my 2012 all over again, because the same quotes that I quoted still applied, the same complaints, the same worries, and a heartbreak (thankfully, a different guy this time, but jeeeez I never learn, do I?).

I would quote the same John Green quote in 2012:

“You spend your whole life stuck in a labyrinth, thinking about how you’ll escape it one day, and how awesome it will be, and imagining that future keeps you going, but you never do it. You just use the future to escape the present.” 

–John Green, Looking for Alaska

*sigh*

Let’s kick off this 2014 recap, shall we?

Un-block that writer’s block: We ‘sing’ through it

Hi everyone!

It’s been a while (well, a couple of weeks) since my last post, and I’ve been trying to get over some sort of a hump. There are two types of people when it comes to writer’s block: those who believe in it and those who don’t. I fall under those who do, and I’m in one right now.

Okay, granted that I’ve been busy as hell and the only thing I’ve managed to churn out in months was that edited preview of Gezellig 3, Curtain Call (which you can still access here) and then nothing else. So to solve it (and to gear up for a couple of stories I’ve got lined up), I came up with this strategy: write some one-shots. Of course, I need to get inspiration somewhere else, and I turn to music.

THE BRILLIANT IDEA (which could backfire on me, haha): Why not write one-shots based on songs, and release one weekly? 

So I asked for suggestions on songs for inspiration both on Twitter and on Facebook, and I got the following so far:

• Don’t Give Up on Me by Milo Greene [from Kristel — I am so curious about this song because I’ve seen her tweet about this]
• Anaconda by Nicki Minaj [from Chrissie! This is interesting and quite challenging haha]
• Over You by Ingrid Michaelson feat. A Great Big World [from Pearl. But this one is already used in (un)breakable, so sorry!]
• Still Into You by Paramore [from Luna. I have to say aside from Proof, this is one of my most favorite tracks off their new album]
• A Higher Place by Adam Levine, off the Begin Again OST [from my buddy Ico! I adore this movie and the soundtrack!]
• Boom Clap by Charli XCX from The Fault in Our Stars OST [again from my buddy Ico… the movie OST also is <3]
• Rather Be by Clean Bandit [I have to acquaint myself with this one, also from Ico]
• Girls Chase Boys by Ingrid Michaelson [from Ico! Ingrid’s getting a lot of requests]
• Close as Strangers by 5 Seconds of Summer [from Dinah. I told her this one is on Gezellig 3 playlist, so I won’t touch it yet.]

That’s what I have so far, enough to occupy me for about two months? I’m still open to song suggestions so hit me up! :D

Best,

Kesh xx

#TheRealScore turns 1! Book birthday, yay!

Hi everyone!

I can’t believe it’s been a year already! My first book, The Real Score, turns one today! *confetti*

To everyone who has bought a copy (or two, or more) of The Real Score, attempted to read it, got a sample, pirated it off someone (I don’t advocate this, but still….), and loved Marcus, Caitlin, and the rest of the Gezellig gang: THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY FANGIRL AND AUTHORLY HEART. <3

Now to celebrate the big one year of The Real Score, I have a couple of stuff lined up:

FREEBIE!

The Real Score is free (yes, free) for a limited time over at Smashwords! Just enter this coupon code: HP72D (not case-sensitive) upon checkout. This’ll last until September 6, 2014.

TITLE REVEAL.

The final book in the Gezellig series has a title! And it is….. *drum roll* CURTAIN CALL. (My previous working title was How It Ends, which also scared me a bit.) This book goes back to where we started: Marcus and Caitlin. If you’ve read (un)breakable, you probably have an idea or two as to where they stand. Lorin is taking a step back here, but she still has a storyline :)

TEASER!!!!!!

TEASER!!!! If you follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, I’ve posted teasers of the book three in the past couple of days. And we finally have it here. You can download the pdf here or check it out at my Wattpad page. Just a warning: this is a bit spoilery if you haven’t read the second book, so read at your own risk. You have been warned. Tweet, email, or message me anywhere for ‘feels’ on this teaser. :)

FRCA2014

And last but not the least: Filipino Readers’ Choice Awards! The Real Score, along with a couple of #romanceclass novellas as well as Ms. Mina V. Esguerra’s works, have been nominated under Romance in English! It’s Hunger Games for us, haha, and if you liked The Real Score, really appreciate it if you could drop in a vote for it over here. Voting ends Sept. 10. :)

 

Whew, that’s it. :) Thanks again, and looking forward to sharing more stories with everyone.

Best xx,

Kesh

Book Two: #GZLG2unbreakable is out today!

Hello lovelies! xx

 

Hope you are all safe and dry after wild Glenda!

Anyway, we counted down for thirty days to get to this point, and finally… Gezellig 2 is out!

I never thought I’d get a book out before. I do enjoy writing and all that, but…putting out there, earning from it (no matter how big or small the earnings were), meeting people because of it, was something that a bit like a dream for me. So when I put out The Real Score, I told myself… okay, well, that’s a strange feeling. Strange but nice.

And then Gezellig 2.

Aside from Lie (a story I never got to finish, but whoever’s been there since Lie, the ending’s written already, I just don’t know yet how to get there.), (un)breakable was one of the toughest stories I’ve ever written. Maybe it was because I was going through a lot at the time that I was writing / revising / procrastinating about this, or I was busy, or it was just really tough to write about a love triangle, period.

Or maybe it was because I was scared of that damn sophomore slump.

But it’s here. Somehow we made it through the storm, battered and beat, but we made it.

(un)breakable is out now, at Amazon and Smashwords. Still working on getting it everywhere (Buqo, Kobo, etc.), and I will update soon on it. :) [If you’re also waiting for paperback copies… I’m also working out that one.]

Hope you enjoy reading the story. I’m letting it go now. :)

 

xx., Kesh

 

P.S. I just have to say this and get it out of the way. For the record, the guy on the cover is not the rugby player who inspired Spence’s character. Initial versions of this cover was strikingly ‘him,’ but I wouldn’t do that (because he knows, as someone made sure he would haha), so we switched it up. :) If he still looks like rugby player who inspired him, like everything else GZLG2-related, I’m letting it go. It’s for you to judge. :D [Personally, he looks like some Hollywood actor to me.]

P.P.S. The ending of GZLG 2. We settle that with a teaser of Book 3 (which already has a working title, FINALLY) on The Real Score’s book birthday on August 30. Watch out for it! :D

What is (un)breakable all about?: The Blurb

Hi everyone!

I posted this already on Day 13 of the countdown, but I’m doing this here, too. :) Below is the blurb for the second book in the Gezellig series, (un)breakable.

Lorin Perez’s life is finally back on track after almost losing it six years ago. She knows meeting and dating sizzling hot professional rugby player Spence Clarke is a huge part of her healing process. But with her father starting a new family, she decides to follow her best friend Caitlin to UK–Spence’s home country–and start a new life.

However, moving to UK brings certain complications in the form of Gezellig band member Nigel Whitmore, a.k.a. the one who didn’t follow through three years ago. And even though Lorin is very clear about her no commitment rule, Nigel ignores this and pursues Lorin like never before.

Caught between the man who made her feel safe and the one who makes her feel alive, will she finally be able to set her heart free and make the right choice?

What do you think? Will you be on #TeamSpence or #TeamNigel? Excited already to share this story with everyone! :)

Anyway, next week, The Real Score, goes on blog tour again. Watch out for giveaways and freebies!

 

Lots of love, xx,

Kesh

 

Countdown to Gezellig 2: 30 Days to (un)breakable

Hi, hey, helloooooo!

First off, happy Independence Day to the Filipinos out there, wherever you are :) It’s another holiday, so I may have a little bit of time to spare before I sit down and face some of my work backlog (actually writing this in an almost deserted office, awoooo).

So based on the title, you read it right: after a few months of delay, the second Gezellig story, (un)breakable, is finally coming out! Mark your calendars: it’s going to be out on July 16, 2014! :) (If you’re curious why on this date, all I’d say is that it’s a fangirl reason. That’s all. *zips lips*)

A bit of info on this book (some of which you probably know already if you follow me on Twitter):

1. It’s definitely much longer than The Real Score. – Gezellig 1 is 42,102 words. (un)breakable is pushing 60k++ words, and I honestly wanted to compute how many % longer that is, but I’ll leave that to you. The mathematical side of my brain at the moment isn’t working too well. (Excuses.)
2. It’s not about Marcus and Caitlin, but they’re in the book. – This one focuses on Lorin Perez, Caitlin’s best friend and a true-blue Gezellig fangirl. Of course a Gezellig member is involved (Nigel Whitmore, blue-eyed cutie), but to make things more fun, we add a rugby player to the formula, Spence Clarke (HOT. Haha). Who knows, there might be a wrestling match between these two men to win Lorin’s heart, I don’t know, haha.
3. It’s only going to be out on ebook format… for now. – Well, yeah. There’s that. For now. Maybe if I get a whole boatload of requests for a paperback, we’d do one, but for now, it’s only going to be out as an ebook. :)

So… how would this countdown go?

Each day starting June 16, I will be posting stuff relating to the story. It could be Nigel’s Word of the Day, a song in the book’s playlist, a tutorial about rugby (Spence tells me to orient you guys on this — he’d do it himself, but he’s tied up in training, haha), a cover reveal, character profiles, etcetera, etcetera. There would be a whole week when The Real Score will be made free for readers along with another paperback giveaway (yay!).

The countdown rounds up in another giveaway! It’s not just the e-book; I’ve got some pretty neat stuff to include in the package, so please do join when this happens :) I’m still trying to get a blog tour organized, but if that doesn’t happen, if you’re a book blogger and you’re interested in reviewing or featuring the book in your blog, I’m open to send you guys an advanced reading copy :)

So there. Book 2’s going to be out on July 16, and I’m sooo nervous and excited and I’m just a bundle of emotions right now so I’d curl into a ball like a cat. (Or you guys could just give me hugs. That would work, too.)

Check back here, on Twitter, or on my Facebook page as we countdown to #GZLG2Unbreakable :D

Kesh., xx

#buqosteamyreads Excerpt Reveal + Giveaway: Lights Off by Asha Carpio

For another stop of the #buqosteamyreads here we focus on Asha Carpio’s Lights Off. :)

About the Book

Broadway Star Olivia Rivera knows exactly what she wants: fame, successful career, and to prove herself. She even has a “script” to get this: find the next big thing, grab it, then move on to the next one. 

Her plans get shaky when the sultry and equally ambitious Jacob Pecson makes a surprise comeback in her life. Jacob knows exactly what Olivia wants, and he has a mission of his own: to turn her life around. 

With their paths crossing again, Olivia finds herself troubled as she rekindles her fire with Jacob. Will Olivia finally give in to what her heart desires or will she runaway again this time?

Excerpt:

“Olivia.”

I would’ve recognized the voice anywhere. In Barcelona, in Venice, in London, in Taipei, in New York—in every city that I went to in the past three years, it was the only voice that I wanted to hear amidst the crowd’s cheer every time that I took my final bow.

“JACOB! I thought you weren’t coming!” Marian told him. He gave her one of his boyish smiles, the one that made the girls fall for him back in college.

He moved closer to me, making butterflies form in my stomach. He looked so much different now. He was wearing a light blue long sleeved shirt, his muscular arms clearly under it. Last I heard, he was doing mixed martial arts during his free time – not that he had many. After all he was managing the accounts for his family’s advertising and public relations agency and he was also spearheading the expansion of the firm in Malaysia.

He looked lean but muscular, but his face remained the same. His dark eyes, full lips, and strong jaw had turned him into one of the heartthrobs. He was the guy that any girl would kill for, and now he’s also one of the most eligible bachelors of Manila.

I can still remember how those lips tasted, how I felt when they touched every inch of my body. Three years and all I could think about was his body against mine. I didn’t realize that I was staring a bit longer than I intended until a playful smile formed on his lips.

“Hey, we’ll just meet you there,” Marian told me. She exchanged knowing looks with Poch before they scampered to leave the room with Elle.

When I heard the door close, he moved towards me and by instinct, I stepped back.

“You were good out there,” he told me. He gave me a kiss on the cheek. “I got these for you by the way.”

“Thanks,” I replied as I tried to mask the confusion. I haven’t seen him in four years and I was pretty sure that I wasn’t his favorite person. Especially not after what I did. I took the bouquet of white lilies from him. “What are you doing here, Jacob?”

I tried to sound friendly, to not let my guard down but as he stepped closer to me, I can’t help but think about what we had. Or rather, never had. Jacob had that effect on me—he broke my walls down once, making me vulnerable. That was my biggest mistake by far.

“I came to support you, just like old times. Besides, I handled the publicity for your show,” he said in an as-a-matter-of-fact tone.

I was a good actress. I was so good that I even won a Tony last year, but my feelings kept betraying me at the moment. I could tell that he was watching my every move, waiting for my response but I didn’t have any.

“Great job,” I said, faking a smile.  When we parted ways, I told him that it was fine, that we would remain friends. It was only now that I’ve fully realized that what I told him was bullshit. I’m not fine. I was never fine after what happened.

“Who are you dressed up as?” He asked me, his eyes surveying my body. He was looking at me keenly. His eyes travelled from my neck to my legs, lingering on my thighs and at the curve of my waist. His stare made me melt inside.

“Velma Kelly,” I answered. “You?”

“Peter Parker, Broadway edition,” he grinned as he tapped the glasses that he was wearing. Though dressed as a geek, Jacob still looked hot. I remembered how he would often dress down when we were doing rehearsals and still, heads turned when he passed by. He can basically wear a garbage bag and still look incredibly sexy.

“Anyway, it was nice of you to drop by.” I reached out for my blue clutch from the dresser and started to walk towards the door, hoping that Jacob would take the cue and leave. Being alone in a room with him was never a good idea. Besides, I had no plans of repeating history, anyway.

“I am pretty sure that your stage manager said that you had twenty minutes to spare,” he said. His voice sounded gruffer than I last remembered but it still had that hypnotic effect on me. He looked at his watch, before adding, “I still have fifteen minutes.”

“I wanted to go in earlier. Why don’t we talk outside?” I suggested. We both knew that this was a lousy excuse, but I didn’t have anything better to say.

“But I don’t want to share you, Olivia.” he told me. He walked closer, with only a foot between our bodies. He smelled like clean aftershave and mint, making my knees go weak. “So how about this, dinner is on me tomorrow. All you have to do is say yes.”

“I have a thing tomorrow,” I lied. I managed to walk past him and headed for the door, trying my best to ignore the feelings stirring inside. Before I could head out, he grabbed me by the hand which caused me to lose my balance. I nearly tripped but he caught me, pulling me close to him.

Get Lights Off over at Buqo:

• Download the Android app: http://bit.ly/buqodroid
• Download the iOS app: http://bit.ly/buqoapple

Also, join the giveaway! Click here for the Rafflecopter link.

 

 

 

#buqosteamyreads Excerpt Reveal + Giveaway: Heat of the Moment by E.A. Martelle

Welcome to another stop of the #buqosteamyreads here at Fun to Live the Illusion. Today, the spotlight is on E.A. Martelle’s Heat of the Moment. Let’s dig in:

About the Book

 

She needs the diversion…

Noelle Sanchez is looking for a distraction from the pressure of organizing a company-wide event and her recent heartbreak after a two-year relationship. She gets more than what she asked for in Aiden, the smoking-hot bartender at the resort where she and her colleagues are staying for the next two weeks.

…then Mr. Sex on Two Legs arrives.

Aiden Bennett has been on fire since the day he first saw Noelle. He tries to pursue her, but she turns the tables on him and amps up the heat, leading to one night of mind-blowing sex and an insatiable craving to take care of her. But before he can tell her the truth about himself, she discovers his identity.

Will one lie be too many for Noelle whose trust is already damaged, or will Aiden manage to win her trust…and maybe her heart?

Excerpt:

Aiden wasn’t the type of person to get distracted at work. He had built Island Paradise Resort from the ground up, and he always took pride that it turned out to be more of a home than just a piece of property he inherited from his parents. With over eight people under his wing, Island Paradise was home to each and every one of his employees, and all of them depended on him.

Aiden cursed himself for not being at the reception desk when the group checked in. The woman who made his senses go haywire talked to Cheryl at the front desk and checked in their group for the next two weeks. The second they left and headed to their cabanas, Aiden asked Cheryl about the group and learned her name—Noelle Sanchez. She was part of the HR team that made arrangements in behalf of Invictus. He said a silent prayer of thanks for the interesting turn of events.

Aiden caught Joe looking at him quizzically. Joe was one of the waiters at Café Mirasol, the resort’s main restaurant, and he had been working there for the past three years. Aiden pursed his lips, threw the wet rag in the sink, and turned the faucet on. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

Joe shrugged and rearranged shot glasses on the counter. “Nothing much, boss. You just got that look on your face that says you got hit hard in the nuts,” he replied, then chuckled.

“Something funny?”

Joe grinned. “I don’t want to sound like I’m meddling in your personal life, boss, but I’d say it’s about time you devoted some time to it. You work too hard.” He nodded towards the direction of the beach where the woman still lounged. “She seems like a nice person.”

“You talked to her?” Unbelievable. Why did it seem like he was the only person in their resort who hadn’t spoken to her yet? Damn, he had to ramp up his game. Fast.

Joe was about to reply when the woman in question stomped back into the shade of the resort. Her long hair waved behind her like a dark flag as she made a beeline to the bar and sat on one of the stools just a few meters within Aiden’s reach. Her face was a mixture of anger and sadness.

The lanky waiter winked, gave Aiden a thumbs-up sign, and sauntered to the kitchen.

Aiden turned his attention back to the woman in front of him. She was even more breathtaking up close. With her sunglasses over her head, he was able to see her strong profile—a delicate jawline, pert nose, high cheekbones, and almond eyes framed by incredibly long lashes. She was also wearing a low-cut, see-through floral dress. Underneath the flimsy clothing was a hot red bikini. Aiden sucked his breath when she leaned on the counter, unconsciously giving him an enticing view of the valley between her breasts.

“I’d like a margarita, please,” she said without even looking up. She clutched her cellphone in a death grip while reading something on it.

He found it unusual for anyone to be in a sour mood while in a peaceful place. One of the things he loved about owning a resort was its close proximity to the ocean. There was something peaceful and calming about the area, and he had made it a point to enhance that feeling by creating a place where people can relax and leave their worries behind.

But the lady in front of him paid no attention to the serene atmosphere, or to the fact that she was in an upscale resort-hotel. Aiden wanted to know what ticked her off. More importantly, he wanted to make her smile.

“Did you have lunch already?” He tried to play it cool by heading over to the other side of the counter to put away the shot glasses Joe had been cleaning.

She had a puzzled look on her face. He tried to curb his compulsion to kiss those full lips.

“You don’t want to drink an alcoholic beverage on an empty stomach. Trust me; you’d get drunk faster than you could say ‘I shouldn’t have had a margarita on an empty stomach.’” It wasn’t one of his wittiest lines, but a smile peeked out from the corner of her lips. He felt like shaking his fist in triumph.

“You got me. I guess I just wanted to do something bad for a change, like get crazy drunk. I feel like I’m too much of a goody two-shoes.” She glanced at her cellphone and her expression darkened once more.

He leaned over the counter and glanced at the phone in her hands. “Guy problem?” He hoped not.

She sighed, blowing a lock of hair away from her face. He found the gesture to be quite endearing. “I wish it wasn’t.”

“Tell you what, sweetcakes.” He pulled out a bottle of champagne from the shelf and a couple of fruit juices from the fridge. “I’ll fix you a Mimosa to help get you out of that rut, but you have to promise me you won’t feel bad about yourself just because some jerk had balls for brains.”

That made her smile. He poured the concoction in a tall glass and garnished it with a slice of lemon on the side and a cocktail umbrella. “You should smile more often…” He let that statement hang for a bit, hoping he made the right cue.

Her blush showed through the slight tan on her flawless face. Oh boy, was he a goner.

Get Heat of the Moment over at Buqo:

• Download the Android app: http://bit.ly/buqodroid
• Download the iOS app: http://bit.ly/buqoapple

Also, join the giveaway! Click here for the Rafflecopter link.

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#buqosteamyreads Excerpt Reveal + Giveaway: Inappropriate Entanglement by D. R. Lee

Welcome to another stop of #buqosteamyreads over at Fun to Live the Illusion. :) Today we feature D.R. Lee’s Inappropriate Entangelment. 

Disclaimer: All books under the #buqosteamyreads bundle are for 18 years old and above only.

About the Book

On their first meeting, she ordered him to strip.

Kaye is the independent and workaholic creative director of an ad agency. She’s been single for five straight years but she still isn’t so keen on joining the dating pool anytime soon. Unfortunately, Matt, a hunky client she needs to please and appease, has other plans.

On their first meeting, he stripped.

Excerpt:

“Where are the models?” I asked.

“Oh, uh, they’re waiting for you in the lounge,” the receptionist supplied.

I was scheduled to meet the prospective male models for the ad campaign for which I prepared a presentation, and because I was already late, I was positive they’ve been waiting for me.

I easily spotted three men sitting by the lounge. One was fiddling with his phone, another was reading on his iPad and the third one was reading a newspaper. I’ve worked long enough with models to pick them out in just a glance. If their tall height and trim builds didn’t give them away, their stylish clothes did.

Two of the men instantly stiffened when they saw me, but I wasn’t in the mood for niceties. I stood in front of them, crossed my arms on my chest and scrutinized each one. I had to find a man that would serve as the face for top clothing company Onyx Apparel. I was already late and I intended to do this efficiently.

Hmmm… The first one looked too young. His build was perfect but he looked too much like a teen heartthrob. The next one was too thin, and he simply didn’t exude the manly vibe that I was looking for. The third one — as soon as I laid eyes on him, he looked up from the newspaper he was reading and met my stare full-on. I was pretty sure he couldn’t see my eyes as I was wearing dark sunglasses, but his stare was intensely penetrating. I involuntarily gulped and had the urge to look away. I knew then and there that I’ve found the man for the job.

“You,” I pointed to him. “Stand up and come with me.”

Stamping down the attraction that was creeping under my gut, I quickly shuffled on my feet and walked away, fully expecting him to follow my lead. When I looked back, he just stood there looking confused. As much as I liked watching the dumbfounded expression on his face, I didn’t want to be delayed further.

“Well? Aren’t you coming?” I scoffed.

My voice seemed to have broken his confusion, but he didn’t say anything. He just slung his gray backpack on his right shoulder and walked on.

A few minutes later, we were inside the confines of my office. I took up my position behind my desk and took off my sunglasses. As soon as I turned my attention to him, I instantly felt like I’ve been sucker-punched. If he was a looker under the tinted lenses of my sunglasses, he was even more stunning under bright lights.

The hard planes of his face were finely sculpted and refined. His head was shaved but surprisingly, he looked good. His eyes were the lightest shade of brown and they were framed by thick, dark lashes. His nose was straight and aristocratic, and his lips looked luscious and inviting.

You’d think after working with models for three years in an ad agency, I would’ve been desensitized to gorgeous people. Hell, after the first year of being star-struck with the models and celebrity endorsers, I’ve began seeing them like mannequins. I thought I’ve seen them all. But this one… He was different.

The curious thing was that he wasn’t even doing anything except stand there with his backpack slung on his right shoulder. However, his mere presence was making me all too conscious of the sparkly tingles erupting in my stomach.

I had to bite my lower lip to keep my composure intact.

When his eyes strayed to my lips, I felt my breath involuntarily hitch.

I knew I was gawking at him. And I knew that he knew I was gawking because one curious eyebrow rose as he stared defiantly back at me. A small smirk also tugged at the side of his lips in amusement. His stare was unabashed and so intense that I just had to look away after I felt heat creeping slowly on my cheeks. Although I may have found the perfect man for the ad campaign, I just wasn’t so sure I could handle him. Then again, he didn’t know that and I wasn’t too keen on letting it be known.

I cleared my throat and took a deep breath before speaking.

“What’s your name?” I’ve dilly-dallied long enough. It was time for business.

“Matt,” he replied curtly.

“Alright, Matt, I’m Kaye, the Creative Director in charge of the campaign for Onyx Apparel. I’m already late so we’ll take care of the trivial things later. For now, put down your backpack and strip.”

“Excuse me?” He looked surprised, but amusement still lit up his eyes.

“I said strip. I need to see your build,” I explained, trying to sound professional.

Matt smiled and shook his head slowly as if in disbelief while he dropped his bag to the nearby chair. I could tell he was trying to suppress a grin. I was a little intrigued about what it was exactly that he found so amusing, but I reined in my thoughts and did not say anything.

Matt ever so slightly tugged at the hem of his black V-neck shirt before slowly pulling it up. All the while, he kept his gaze locked straight at me. I gulped. Those eyes should be illegal. He sported a small smirk while he slowly lifted up his shirt as if he was the star in a strip-show.

Oh, Lord…

He was like unwrapping a Christmas present that I really badly wanted, but can’t get my claws on.

Off with the shirt, dammit!

When the shirt was finally off, I shamelessly gaped.

Holy David Gandy and the awesomeness of a thousand flying bacon! Those pecs! Those well-defined abs! I had to bite my cheek to stifle a squeal. He was perfect. His body was well-toned but not too bulky, and he had the right buns in all the right places.

I’m not a perv, but I would be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy his impromptu strip show and subsequent half-nakedness. In my defense, I am only human and thus weak against the personification of lust.

Oh, and what do you know, he has a tattoo. It was an intricate tribal tattoo covering his left shoulder and spilling unto his chest. It was mesmerizing to say the least and I felt a strong impulse to touch it. Unfortunately, before I could act on my abnormal impulses, I heard him speak.

“Um, do I need to…?” He pointed to his belt buckle.

Oh, yes, please… 

—

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