Title: Bermuda Beach Holiday
Author: Marilyn Baron
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Book Blurb:
What could be more romantic than partnering on a project with a handsome Italian prince in beautiful Bermuda, to do marketing and event planning for the Newport Bermuda Race? It’s not romantic at all, if Prince Alessandro D’Alba dismisses every idea Isabella Romero presents and claims a language barrier but seems to understand the language of seduction. Is it love at first fight? How much control should Isabella accede before she loses her heart?
Excerpt:
“My boss put me in touch with this Italian guy who’s employed by the heirs of that property I told you about, and we’re supposed to work together to come up with a unique hospitality program.”
“A hot Italian guy?”
“Gretchen thinks he’s a pain in the ass, but I have to work with him, so I’m trying to give him the benefit of the doubt.”
“Does this hot pain in the ass have a name?”
“Alessandro.”
“Oooh, he sounds divine.”
“Believe me, he’s not. Even his name sounds pretentious.”
“You haven’t even met him. Give him a chance.”
“A chance to what?”
“Break through that stone reserve of yours. You could relax and have some fun. Bermuda is a very romantic place with fabulous beaches. Maybe you’ll meet your Prince Charming.”
“I’m not going to Bermuda to get a tan or meet a man. I’m going there to work. But actually, he is a prince.”
“How do you know he’s a nice guy?”
“No, I mean he’s an actual prince from a country no one has ever heard of in a kingdom that no longer exists. But I Googled him, and after World War I, his family’s monarchy was abolished. But he’s still referred to as a prince.”
“Do you have to call him Prince Alessandro?”
“No, just Alessandro. And from his attitude on the phone, he’s not a nice guy. He has ideas, but he only wants to implement his ideas. He doesn’t have much use for mine. For example, I thought it would be interesting to have one of the local department stores display some of their jewelry at the villa so the guests don’t have to go into town to shop. But he thought that was too commercial. I should call him Veto Corleone. He vetoes every one of my ideas.”
“Well, they say opposites attract, so maybe there’s hope. You’ve dated enough hedgies from Wall Street. One day you’re going to find Mr. Right.”
“I’ve been at this a long time and I haven’t even found Mr. Half-Right. The hedgies don’t have enough time to date and neither do I. But I’ll keep an open mind.”
“Well, keep your eyes and your heart open. Make room and time to let love in.”
*
“I am Alessandro D’Alba. Welcome to Bermuda, Miss Romeo.”
“Romero,” Isabella corrected, like she’d had to hundreds of times when she was teased while growing up. Apparently, this guy hadn’t even taken the time to research her name properly, unless he was making fun of it. But maybe he was just misinformed.
“Your name, it is Italian?”
“Spanish,” Isabella said.
“That will have to do.” He moved in to hug her—or maybe he intended to air-kiss her on both cheeks in the French manner, although he was Italian and she didn’t know their kissing preferences. It had been a while since she’d been kissed. Isabella turned away.
“Haven’t you heard? COVID killed the hug.” Okay, that was rude. She would have to do better if she wanted that promotion.
Alessandro shrugged. “I’ll take your luggage, and then after you freshen up, we’ll go on the grand tour of Villa Oleander.” Alessandro paid the driver.
Isabella could hardly believe how amazing the property was, at least from the outside. It was perfetto for her clients. Instead of a hotel, the clients would have the opportunity to live like Bermudians and uniquely experience island life in a spectacular setting. She only hoped Alessandro and his staff, if he had one, were up to the task. Surely, there was a bellman or a butler to take her luggage. But maybe he was going for a personal touch, toting her luggage himself. He was certainly built for the job. His muscles bulged out of his body-hugging golf shirt. She couldn’t help noticing how ripped he was.
“This villa is amazing. You say it was owned by an Italian politician?”
“One of many villas and palaces my uncle owned, some in Milan, Sardinia, and Lake Como, along with his properties in Italy, France, and the Caribbean.”
“Wow!”
“He also collected art.”
“And, I understand, mistresses.”
Alessandro frowned. “Don’t believe the rumors.”
“You work for the heirs?”
“I am an heir. A distant cousin.” Alessandro turned to her and ordered, “I’ll take your luggage up. Wait for me here.”
Okay, Mr. Bossy Boots.
He returned almost immediately, and they sat on a couch in the living room. He didn’t wait to start the conversation. He got right down to business. “How about if we offer an Italian cooking class and dinner at a nearby restaurant as part of the package.”
“Well, I know you’re Italian, but why offer an Italian cooking class? Why not a Bermudian cooking class, since we—and our guests—will be in Bermuda?”
The prince scowled. He was definitely not receptive to any of her ideas, which she thought were extremely reasonable.
*
“I’m glad you agreed to be my assistant,” Alessandro said.
Isabella flinched. “Your assistant?”
“Yes, your boss was generous enough to offer your support on this project.”
Isabella glared at him as her blood began to boil.
“Just so you understand, I am your partner in this venture, not your assistant. Is that why you shoot down all my opinions, because they’re an assistant’s opinions? Let me make this perfectly clear— You are not working with my boss. You’re working with me. I am not working for you or under you.”
Alessandro offered her a blank look.
That officially confirmed it. Hot Italian Guy possesses no sense of humor. Or she was losing her touch. If she ever had it. What a thrill it was going to be to deal with this pompous playboy. Probably living off his good looks and the fruits of someone else’s labor. And his family ties.
“Partners, then,” he finally agreed, scouring her with his eyes and warning, “but you can push me only so far.”
Buy Links (including Goodreads and BookBub):
The novella is available through these fine retailers…
What’s your favorite part about being a romance author?
The happy endings, of course.
Here’s my tip to add romance to your love life:
Travel. Seeing new places opens up new horizons and widens your perspective, but it also makes you appreciate what you have.
Giveaway –
One lucky reader will win a $100 Amazon gift card.
Open internationally.
Runs February 1 – 28, 2025
Drawing will be held on March 1, 2025.
Author Biography:
Marilyn Baron writes in a variety of genres from women’s fiction to historical romantic thrillers and romantic suspense and paranormal to cozy mysteries. She writes in formats ranging from full-length novels to novellas and short stories, anthologies, even a musical.
She’s received writing awards in Single Title, Romantic Suspense, Novel with Strong Romantic Elements and Paranormal/Fantasy Romance. She was also The Finalist in the 2017 Georgia Author of the Year Awards (GAYA) in the Romance Category for her novel, Stumble Stones, and The Finalist for the 2018 GAYA Awards in the Romance category for her novel, The Alibi. The Case of the Missing Botticelli was a finalist (3rd Place) in the Romantic Suspense Category of the Orange County Romance Writers Book Buyers Best 2023 contest. And The Case of the Forgotten Fragonard was a finalist in the Orange County Romance Writers Book Buyers Best 2024 contest (2nd Place) in the Romance Novella category. Both books are part of her Massimo Domingo Mystery series. Bermuda Beach Holiday is her 30th work of fiction.
A public relations consultant in Atlanta, Marilyn is past co-chair and current member of Roswell Reads (a one-city, one-read program) and serves as chair of the Atlanta Authors Series Committee. She is also a reviewer for Book Review Crew, part of the Authors on the Air Global Radio Network and a member of Georgia Romance Writers. To find out more about what Marilyn writes, visit her website at: www.marilynbaron.com/.
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