Title: A Heart Restrained
Author: Jennifer Wilck
Genre: Contemporary romance
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Book Blurb:
Caleb Zeno, a wealthy and successful media mogul, refuses to allow emotions into any aspect of his life, especially his entertainment corporation. When his company’s lifestyle website runs into competition from a small boutique company, the most logical solution is to buy out his rival.
Fiona Hamilton’s lifestyle website succeeds due to her loving and caring treatment of her clients, who have become like family to her. She has no desire to sell to anyone, much less a tattooed, muscled, automaton.
At odds professionally, Caleb and Fiona come together as a favor for Caleb’s sister. Sparks fly and sexual chemistry abounds. But Caleb can't let go of his abusive past and be the man Fiona needs, and she is unwilling to risk independence and financial security for anything less than a perfect happily ever after. Can they put their differences aside to find a viral kind of love?
Excerpt:
“Do you understand Spanish?”
“No, why?” She paused the TV so she could focus on him.
“Why don’t you turn on the subtitles? How do you know what’s going on?”
She shrugged. “And take away all the fun?”
“Are you serious?”
“Yeah. It’s so much better without the English. For instance, I’m pretty sure Jorgé and Maria are in love, but they can’t be together because Maria’s father won’t let them. This other woman, Sonia, has been trying to get together with him, but Jorgé only has eyes for Maria. Sonia’s been trying to sabotage Maria so she can have Jorgé for herself. Meanwhile, Ricardo has been giving Sonia advice, all the while being secretly in love with her, but he’s too shy to say anything to her.”
“You can tell all this without knowing Spanish? Maybe you’ve got it all wrong. Maybe if you have the English subtitles on, you’d learn Jorgé and Maria hate each other, and Sonia’s having his baby.”
She laughed while shaking her head. “No way. And based on their body language, it’s what I think is happening. I prefer it my way.”
He sat against the sofa cushions. After waiting a moment to make sure he wasn’t going to talk again, she hit “play.” Her throat clogged as Jorgé and Maria kissed. Two minutes later, Caleb said, “Wouldn’t you enjoy this more if it were in English?”
She paused and shifted so she faced him, one leg bent under her, the other dangling off the edge. “Absolutely not! Telenovelas are so much more emotional than American TV.”
“Why don’t you at least research online to find a plot summary?”
“I’m happy with the way things are,” she said. “I don’t need to hear the words to feel the story.”
“But...you’re crying.”
She smiled through her tears and wiped her cheeks. “I know.”
Staring at her, his heart rate increased, and he tamped the panic from her tears. At first, he thought pain caused her tears, but her rapt attention to the screen made him realize otherwise.
Why would she want to do this to herself? And how could she enjoy a show she couldn’t understand?
He should leave, before she recognized his complete lack of comprehension. But her rapt attention to the screen fascinated him. She was smart—his business dealings with her had proven it. Yet she focused as if she understood her show.
She stared at the TV screen, but he couldn’t take his gaze off her. Her skin, despite its bruising, was luminous. Her lips were parted, and she gripped the edges of the sofa cushions until her knuckles turned white. This close to her, heat radiated from her body. He could hear a faint sigh.
If she were this passionate about a television show, how passionate would she be if he kissed her?
Buy Links (including Goodreads and BookBub):
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-heart-restrained-jennifer-wilck/1142971831?ean=9781509248186
Universal Link: https://books2read.com/u/3k2G5n
Special Giveaway:
Are you a Fiona (always showing your emotions) or a Caleb (never showing your emotions)? Tell me and one lucky winner will receive a Starbucks giftcard.
Facebook Readers Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/879114386079365
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063739892318
Author Biography:
Jennifer Wilck is an award-winning contemporary romance author for readers who are passionate about love, laughter, and happily ever after. Known for writing both Jewish and non-Jewish romances, her books feature damaged heroes, sassy and independent heroines, witty banter and hot chemistry. Jennifer’s ability to transport the reader into the scene, create characters the reader will fall in love with, and evoke a roller coaster of emotions, will hook you from the first page. You can find her books at all major online retailers in a variety of formats.
Jennifer started telling herself stories as a little girl when she couldn’t fall asleep at night. Pretty soon, her head was filled with these stories and the characters that populated them. Even as an adult, she thinks about the characters and stories at night before she falls asleep or walking the dog. Eventually, she started writing them down. Her favorite stories to write are those with smart, sassy, independent heroines; handsome, strong and slightly vulnerable heroes; and her stories always end with happily ever after.
In the real world, she’s the mother of two amazing daughters and wife of one of the smartest men she knows. She believes humor is the only way to get through the day and does not believe in sharing her chocolate.
Social Media Links:
Website: https://www.jenniferwilck.com
Facebook Readers Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/879114386079365
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063739892318
Linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/JenniferWilck