Title: HEART STORMS
Author: N. Christine Samuelson
Genre: Contemporary Romance / Women’s Fiction
Book Blurb:
Three people’s lives collide in a perfect storm of heartbreak and ruin, betrayal and love. One woman and two men are drawn to coastal South Carolina to an oceanfront Victorian inn. With losses from lies, secrets, cheating spouses, divorce and abandonment, the last thing any of them want is love or a relationship.
Yet as they move into and through the emotional storm of their lives, destiny brings them together in extraordinary ways. Will they be destroyed or transformed by their fates?
An enchanting seaside inn sprinkled with mystical elements inspires the characters’ lives and helps them on their journeys. Their passionate triangle must be broken for them to move on, but who ends up with whom, or do they, and when?
PRAISE FOR HEART STORMS:
“The love triangle will transform readers… a poignant finale … The many real-world issues are treated with grace and compassion … a wonderful depiction of how the heart can love many and in different ways during different times.” – InD’Tale Magazine review
“5 Stars…Tragedy and love and hope…presented in a beautifully written story. I love the way the author handled Jade’s attraction to both men… The setting was fabulous… Nice twists and lots of emotion. I couldn’t wait to find out how it turned out but I also didn’t want it to end. Great job!!” - Goodreads Review
“Heart Storms delivers: N Christine Samuelson delivers a heart wrenching, yet life affirming tale of love, betrayal and ultimate redemption…Through a flowing script, Samuelson takes you into the [characters’] lives …it’s well worth the read.” – Goodreads review
“A brilliant book…and one I highly recommend…Beautifully written …” – N.N. Light’s Book Heaven
Heart Storms is a page turner! …volatile, emotional and intense love triangle! …The author beautifully draws you into a natural and emotional landscape that leaves you wanting to know more! - Amazon Review
Excerpt:
Gabe grinned. “Oh, I like the sound of ‘stellar.’ People have called me a lot of things, but never stellar.”
Jade feigned shock. “Oh really? Like what?”
Gabe sipped the exquisite after-dinner brandy. “Oh, you don’t want to know. Names from my old life, the life I’m trying to shed like a snake sheds its skin for a new one. Hey, there’s one. I’ve been called 'snake' before.”
Jade howled. “Must’ve been a woman, right? A jilted lover?”
“Now, now. We don’t talk about ex-lovers, or lovers in general, right?”
She cleared the dishes and moved to the sink. “Right. Boring. Boring-er. Boring-est.”
“Bad grammar.”
“Appropriate for you though— ‘bad’ boy.”
Gabe walked over and stood behind her at the sink. Not wanting to be too forward, he tested the waters by putting his hands on her shoulders and whispered close to her ear, “Do you like bad boys, Jade?”
She leaned the side of her face slightly into his, where his lips were close to her cheek, and enjoyed him so close. “I didn’t think so. I always went for the good guys, the conservative, high-achievers, proper manners guys. My ex was the ultimate bad boy except he hid everything from me ‘til the end. I got duped thinking I had a good guy.”
Gabe moved to her other ear, still whispering, knowing exactly how he was affecting her and said, “I’d never mislead you, so if you want a good boy, I’m not your guy. Which one do you want, Jade?” He moved his arms from her shoulders to around her waist, pulling her into him and pressing himself against her back.
Jade turned to face him and pushed him away. “I can’t do this, Gabe.”
His gaze was vulnerable, warm, and filled with longing. “Do what?”
“This, a seduction scene. I really care about you and I’m tempted...”
Gabe pulled her closer. “What’s the problem then?” He moved to kiss her neck.
She backed away. “The problem is this is too fast. I can’t get this physical with you. I’m still working on the friendship. I don’t want our relationship to be one of mostly sexual at- traction. I want to know you better.”
Gabe released her and stepped back. “I’ve told you my life history. I’ve never, ever shared my story with a woman. Even my mother never heard most of that stuff.”
“I appreciate your trust and I’m thrilled you talk to me openly. I’ve done the same with you. It’s a big thing. An immense thing. I want to protect it, nurture it, okay?”
Gabe smiled, a flat, frustrated smile. “I’ll try. I do accept it, and I understand. It’s just...” He took her hands and moved in close, an inch from her mouth. “I want to kiss you so much; I can already taste you.”
Jade was so attracted to him, if she let him kiss her, she didn’t trust herself not to stop. Then she did stop because it was the right thing to do. All she had to do was picture Rick in her mind, how he was so attracted to her with his kisses and desire then backed off. If she couldn’t predict what Rick would do, this thing with Gabe was even more unpredictable. And even though Rick never followed through, she still recalled how good his body and lips felt on hers. With such confusion, she wasn’t ready for this. She didn’t want to blow the friendship with Gabe—she enjoyed it too much. Backing away, she looked at him with complex emotions in her eyes. “We can’t do this tonight, Gabe. I’m still confused. Wouldn’t you want me to be free and clear of other people before I gave in to your extremely hot advances?”
Gabe stepped back and crossed his arms. “I suppose. I mean, yes, I do want you to be sure. And I don’t want to jeopardize our friendship. We have a really close connection, don’t you think?”
“I do.”
He touched her cheek. “Good. Let’s take it slow, keep enjoying our friendship and see where it goes.”
“Perfect. Sounds like a perfect plan.” Like you, Gabe, perfect in so many ways. But she let her sentiments go as he walked toward the door, leaving her for the night with her body revved for intimacy but hungry for love.
After hearing Gabe’s history, she wondered if he was even capable of deep love. Men made advances for many reasons, especially needing sexual fulfillment. It was easy to confuse sexual intimacy with real emotion or love. Gabe was a complicated man. So was Rick. And therein was her dilemma. But better to live with a dilemma than move too fast and get involved in another disastrous heartbreak. None of them deserved more heartache in their lives.
Buy Links (including Goodreads and BookBub):
PRINT and Ebooks are on SALE this month!
Amazon: www.amazon.com/dp/B07T2N1V85
Apple Books (itunes): https://books.apple.com/us/book/heart-storms/id1468510355
Barnes/Noble (Nook): www.barnesandnoble.com/w/1132053729
What’s your favorite part about being a romance author?
I love writing not only about love, but about the reality of relationships: the challenges, obstacles, heartbreak. Delving into why and how love and relationships evolve, either break or grow is immensely fulfilling as an author, and hopefully for my readers. I believe in being realistic about love, although my characters are sometimes hopeless romantics. In this way, the reader gets to view love from all perspectives, with a happy ending, just not always the expected one!
Here’s my tip to add romance to your love life:
Always look for something to appreciate in your loved one. New loves are by nature full of surprises and mystery, sparks flying. But long-term relationships require a bit more work, but it’s so worth it. There’s always something new to discover, even something small. Focus on it, appreciate it, tell your loved one how you feel; and never go to bed angry. Always make up and move on, appreciating all the good you are to each other.
Giveaway –
One lucky reader will win a $75 Amazon US or Canada gift card.
Open internationally. You must have a valid Amazon US or Amazon CA account to win.
Runs February 1 – 28, 2023.
Drawing will be held on March 1, 2023.
Author Biography:
Christine writes contemporary novels of love, life and relationships involving the eternal bonds that transform lives and transcend time, death, and place. Creativity and writing have long been part of her award-winning careers in graphic design, advertising and newspapers. Now, in writing fiction, she explores the joys and triumphs, the tragic and magic of life and love that readers relate to.
Her characters are realistic, fresh and relevant with stories that include mystery and some mysticism. They are written in a unique voice and partially influenced by life experience which inspires the diverse settings, characters, and authentic storylines of her novels.
Living in coastal South Carolina, Christine finds the land and sea are constant sources of inspiration. She hopes readers will be inspired to look at life and love through a different lens and realize that no matter their circumstances, we all share similar stories in our lives and hearts.
Social Media Links:
Website: https://www.NChristineSamuelson.com
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/nchristinesamuelsonauthor/
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/N.-Christine-Samuelson/e/B07B8VT9BB
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ncsamuelson
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nchristine7711/