Hello to the lovely N.N Light’s Book Heaven readership.
The mere fact you’re an N.N. Light reader means you’re probably also a fantastic human. Just sayin’.
A little about me: Like most women, I juggle many hats, most days desperate not to drop one or more of them. I’m the middle daughter of seven, oldest sister, non-practicing lawyer, crazy-about-my guy wife, proud mom of four, dog mama, baseball and barbeque fanatic. I do my best plotting walking or driving.
I admit, I take massive joy in my identity as a romance author. If you’re reading here, I don’t need to explain the amazing, comfy-cozy sensation, the extreme pleasure of getting lost in a good book. It’s an unparalleled experience. And getting lost in a romance novel? With happily ever after guaranteed? For me as a reader and a writer, it’s the icing on the satisfaction cake.
Family ties and my husband’s very active legal practice keep us anchored in New York City where I usually set my contemporary romances. People tell me there’s no romance in New York. And to that I say: no, no, no, ladies and gentlemen. Romance may be hard to find, it may be hard won, it may be difficult to discern under layers of grime and sarcasm, but romance is alive and well in NYC. The struggle for survival here makes a romance win even sweeter when it all comes together. So yes, please believe, there’s plenty of romance and not just sex—though there’s plenty of that too *winking* in the City.
Like other authors, I have tons of stories in my head all aching to find their place on the page. My natural tendency to observe and my background as a lawyer here means I’ve seen and heard A LOT. The City of Dreams series is my love letter to my hometown. My dedication from Their No-Strings Affair the third book in the City of Dreams series captures my outlook.
To NYC.
My home & my inspiration—
Every crazy, electric, dirty, busted bit of you.
And to the eight-million dreamers here searching for their own happily ever afters.
We got this.
Charlotte’s Newsletter signup is at Charlotte's Website
Each of the stories in the City of Dreams series is a standalone, emotional, steamy, dual POV story. All three stories are loosely linked to the wedding that takes place in The Marriage Ultimatum.
In Their No-Strings Affair Honey and Jake embark on a scorching tryst with an end date, firm in their mutual belief that happily ever after is a myth.
Their No-Strings Affair, City of Dreams, Book 3,
Standalone, Steamy, Contemporary Romance
BLURB:
Honey packs everything she owns and heads to NYC to jumpstart her art career. Her cheating boyfriend is history, and she finally acknowledges the truth of her mother's mantra: Careers are forever and happily ever after isn't in their DNA. All she needs is a job and a place to live. What she doesn't need is a taciturn, sexy, ballbuster but she's woman enough to know the difference between need and want. Isn't she? Jake's childhood was marred by tragedy and his future hijacked to a promise born of guilt. His failure drove him to a career as a SEAL and a security expert. But it's not enough. Now he'll give up his freedom in reparation for the life he lost. Honey may be the last sweet stop on the road to a joyless future. If it's what they both want, where's the harm in a no-strings affair?
EXCERPT:
“You may be H. Hill, but you were never on the staff list for tonight. I want to know what you’re doing here.”
His clipped words emerged from between perfect white teeth like he was holding onto his temper by a thread.
You and me both, buddy.
Honey averted her gaze from the laser focus of his. “I’m working here.” She jerked her chin at the tray, which was fast becoming as heavy as a boulder on her shoulder.
“Yeah, right. Full name, H. Hill.”
“You want my full name?” Now she was playing for time in part because she noticed the tiny device in his ear.
Was he a cop? Security? So what if he was? There was no law against taking a waitress gig for a sick friend.
“That’s what I said,” came the irritating rejoinder.
Cocky. Obnoxious. And definitely the boss.
“Honey. It’s Honey Hill.” She braced for the inevitable.
“Honey Hill. You’re telling me your name is Honey Hill?” His gaze slid over her body in a way she was ashamed to admit didn’t bother her nearly enough. “I don’t want your exotic star alias. Give me the one that’s on your driver’s license.”
And there it was. Nope, he didn’t disappoint. And she hadn’t even given him her full name. Her blood boiled just the same as it had the first time that joke was made. The way it boiled every time.
“In your dreams. Here’s what I’ll give you.”
She let go and sent the tray crashing onto his shoes.
“Oops,” she said.
BUY LINKS:
Author Biography
Author Charlotte O’Shay was born in New York City into big family and then married into another big family. Negotiating skills honed at the dinner table led her to a career in the law. But after four beautiful children joined the crowded family tree, Charlotte traded her legal career to write about happily ever afters in the City of Dreams.
Charlotte loves to challenge her heroines and heroes with a crisis and watch them figure out who they are while they fall in love.
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The Marriage Ultimatum, Book 1, City of Dreams Series
The Marriage Ultimatum is an enemies to lovers, combustible romance featuring a man and a woman who believe keeping their secrets is the only way to survive. It’s also my love letter to every alpha hero romance I read as a teenager.
BLURB:
Dead-end job? Dreary apartment? Disastrous love life? Check, check, and check. Toddler who makes it all worthwhile? Absolutely. Juggling work, college, and the care of young Alex was never Sabrina's plan.
But Sabrina's dreams are bigger than any curve ball life can throw at her. Her top priority is keeping her small family together, no matter what the cost. Vladimir Grigory doesn't believe in dreams. He earned his position at the top of New York's corporate ladder with his own sweat. His empire is his baby, and he'll destroy anyone who threatens it. Even the sexy employee who challenges him on every level. When the New York tabloids and the world call him the baby daddy of Sabrina's son, Vlad believes Sabrina is part of a plot to expose the secrets of his past. He threatens to destroy her future. But since Sabrina has secrets of her own, she has no choice but to agree to Vlad's marriage ultimatum.
EXCERPT:
It was said that as top man at VGI, Vladimir Grigory never took a day off and never stopped raking in his millions designing, manufacturing, and selling his fleets of tankers and carrier ships across the world.
Every single head swiveled toward Sabrina as she made her way along past the center hall of cubbies and the offices that flanked them. She wished for the billionth time that she had managed to find something a bit less random to wear this morning than the thin pink sweater purchased when she was too young to realize how badly it clashed with her coloring. She tugged it down over her midriff again as the assistant bade her enter.
He was opening a folder, but he glanced up when she entered the room.
It was a close thing to say who was more stunned.
Sabrina was flabbergasted. The hot guy from last night looked like he owned the place, decked out in a sharp navy suit and tie pulled straight from a high-end men’s shop. Her mouth fell open as realization dawned, and she didn’t even need to check the name on the plate affixed to the door.
His initial look of astonishment was quickly masked.
“Yeah, it’s me, Vladimir freakin’ Grigory.”
The deep drawl with the faintest of accents shivered down her spine just as it had last night.
Available at Amazon US and Worldwide at all Ebook sellers.
A Model Engagement, Book 2, City of Dreams series
A Model Engagement employs a fake fiancée trope to explore a woman’s journey from #metoo victim to survivor and the deliciously strong man who loves her no matter what.
BLURB:
Lacey Reed jumps at the chance for independence with a career in the big city. But her naivete and ambition blind her to the lure of a blackmailer. With her savings gone, she has nowhere to turn when she literally runs into financier Connor Devlin. Though dazzled by Lacey, Connor sees the desperation she tries to hide. His gut tells him to help, and he hires her as his fake fiancée. Now Lacey has a job, and Connor has put a bandage on a family crisis. When the blackmailer ups the ante, Lacey resolves to face him down—no matter what the consequences. Does that mean Lacey will lose the only man who’s ever seen who she truly is?
EXCERPT:
Reality was three different assistant district attorneys from the sex crimes unit, the white-collar crimes unit and the cyber-crime unit all calling her about her case. Her assault and blackmail case.
Reality was the lies she’d told to keep the lid on the sordid episode that was about to hurt everyone she cared about in this world.
Reality was she’d screwed up big time. Maybe they’d get Barry or maybe they wouldn’t but Connor deserved someone in his life with a lot less baggage.
She gave her best imitation of a yawn, rolled her stiff shoulders.
“Thanks so much Connor, for the snack, it sure hit the spot. I…”
“Your welcome Lacey.”
He wasn’t getting the hint. He didn’t head for the door. In fact, he settled into the easy chair in the corner of the room. He looked comfortable in it and Lacey knew because Annie had told her, that every piece of furniture in the house from chairs to tables to beds, every fixture was generously proportioned and chosen by Connor to accommodate a man of his size.
“I’m not leaving you Lacey. You said you wouldn’t sleep so I’ll keep you company. You can lie down on the bed and we can talk. Or you can come over and share this chair with me. But I’m not leaving you alone tonight.”
“I’m okay, Connor. You don’t have to worry…”
“I know you’re okay. You’ve got this. But it doesn’t mean you should be alone. And I don’t want to leave you.”
His gaze held hers. “Let me stay,” he said.
She couldn’t look away. He was so tempting. She wanted to give in.
“It’s not fair to you. I’ll keep you awake.”
He shook his head like she was missing the point. “If you really don’t want me here, I’ll go. But I’ll stay just outside your door, like Orion.”
She chuckled at that but saw he wasn’t smiling.
“But if I stay,” he said, “I’ll keep you company, we can talk if you want.”
A Model Engagement is available at
Amazon US & Amazon worldwide
And at all Ebook sellers