A funny and sizzling romp about discovering your inner
pin-up girl...
Plain-Jane bakery owner Natalie Anderson has
always followed the recipe for a safe life. When her husband dumps her for a
seductive older woman, it’s time to throw out that recipe and start from
scratch. She cooks up a plan to transform herself from mousy brown to sexy blonde. Meanwhile, she’s
trying to expand her Seattle bakery, La Dolce Vita, but runs into an obstacle in
the form of her irritatingly handsome landlord.
Astronomer Anthony Novello’s good looks and
charm usually guarantees him a free pass with women, though that’s not the case
with his new tenant, Natalie. Plain, plump, and persnickety—he’s never met a
woman more annoying. But when Anthony returns from a telescope observing run,
he makes a discovery of the non-celestial
kind. Natalie has changed. He’s amazed to find himself attracted to her. Sparks
fly as he tries to convince her there’s more to him than meets the eye.
However, when Natalie’s ex-husband decides to
win her back, she’s forced to choose. Is her year of living blonde over? Or is this the start of a new and much sweeter life….
EXCERPT:
Natalie glances at the clock. It’s almost ten. Kind of late
for visitors. Pausing the television, she goes over and peeks cautiously
through the front window.
A bolt of lightning streaks through her.
Anthony is standing on her front porch. He’s wearing his
motorcycle jacket and holding his black helmet at his side. The big bad wolf at
her door.
What’s he doing here?
She glances at herself in the hall mirror. No makeup and her
hair a mess. Great.
He rings the bell again and she marches over, ready to take
the offensive. Ready to tell him to go away. But when Natalie yanks open the
door and sees the expression on his face, she hesitates.
“What’s wrong?” she asks finally.
He takes his time with his reply. “I needed to see you
tonight.”
“Did something happen?”
“It’s a long story.” He smiles, but there isn’t much humor
in it.
She’s never seen Anthony like this before. He never looks
anything less than perfect, but there’s strain on his face and around his eyes,
and she suspects this is the real man
He takes a step toward her, lowering his voice. “Let me in,
Natalie.”
Standing broad-shouldered and solemn in her doorway, he’s an
imposing figure, but she isn’t afraid. Despite the fiasco with the bakery, she
realizes she still trusts him.
Without a word, she steps out of the way to let him come
inside.
The door closes and she walks back into the living room.
There’s a sound and she sees that Anthony has dropped his motorcycle helmet on
a chair.
“This is a bad idea,” Natalie tells him. “I don’t know why
you came here. I shouldn’t even be talking to you.”
“I think you know exactly why I’m here.” His voice is low as
it vibrates through the room.
There’s an erotic thrill at his words. “How can I be with
you after what happened?”
“Because this isn’t about any of that.” For a moment, his
eyes darken with regret, but then turn heated. “Whatever happens next is
between you and me.”
Natalie shakes her head, but Anthony moves closer until he’s
in right in front of her. She feels his hand on her cheek as the other cradles
her head, gently holding her still. “Don’t,” he says, his tone imploring.
“Don’t say no. Tell me to stay.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Andrea
Simonne grew up as an army brat and discovered she had a talent for creating
personas at each new school. The most memorable was a surfer chick named
"Ace" who never touched a surf board in her life, but had an
impressive collection of puka shell necklaces. Eventually she turned her
imagination towards writing. Andrea still enjoys creating personas, though
these days they occupy her books. She currently makes her home in the Pacific
Northwest with her husband and two sons.
You can find
Andrea at:
You can buy
Year of Living Blonde at:
