Title: Mistress at Midnight
Author: Lelani Black
Genre: Romance, Intrigue, Paranormal
Book Blurb:
She loves the way he lies... Michaelis Stefanidis
The Greek magnate is hot and single, but not for long. His bachelor days are numbered when a stranger dumps a baby and a boatload of complications at his feet. Now he's forced to give his adored mistress the boot to marry a woman who's a bit of a kook, and play papa to a baby he's never met. Someone has to pay. College graduate, Viviana Shaw, struggles to make ends meet while grieving her sister's death and caring for the infant she left behind -- a cranky baby boy. Hell-bent on making the father of her nephew take full responsibility for his son, once she tracks down the elusive millionaire, all she wants from the man is what's inside his pants: money! What she doesn't bank on is the hotel executive having terms of his own that he wants satisfied. Sooner than later, she's marrying a man she doesn't love, wearing a ring she doesn't want, and jetting off to Greece against her will. Now it's only a matter of time before she winds up in his bed, where she secretly longs to be. Michaelis knows he's playing a dangerous game and while Vivi has him all wrong, having her in his bed feels so right. But secrets don't stay silent and when the truth about her sister comes to light, it will mean the end of the love affair he's having with his wife...an affair that's only just begun. Mistress at Midnight is a captivating love story about loyalty and forgiveness. Perfect for fans of bride and secret baby books, this novel includes a ghost who is out to match-make, mis-match and tantalize the two lovers along on an adventure of discovery, love and family. ATTENTION: All books in the Island Moonlight Collection are stand-alone reads. Each novel is about different couples who fall in love on different Hawaiian islands. Readers do not have to read other books in the series to enjoy Vivi and Micah's bittersweet love story. *Contains heaping scoops of sinful seduction and paranormal elements* Steamy romance by Lelani Black **Island Moonlight Collection** Bargain Bride, Billionaire Groom, Book 1 (Maui) -- Out Now Doctor, Doctor, Book 2 (Oahu) -- Out Now Mistress at Midnight, Book 3 (the Big Island of Hawaii) -- Out Now
Excerpt:
“I came here to ask you to marry me.”
“The answer is no.”
“Why not?”
“Other than I hate your guts? I don’t want to marry you,” Vivi sassed back, enraged he would think she would go along with whatever nonsensical thing he planned.
“It’s a practical arrangement, Viviana,” Michaelis drawled. “One that may benefit you the most.”
She poked a finger at her chest. “Me? How so?”
“Marry me and you become Charlie’s stepmother.”
Did the man have no shame? He was dangling a chubby carrot in front of her: Charlie. “Why would you suggest such a stupid thing?”
“Think before you rush to judgment,” he warned. “I want to introduce Charlie to his family. I wish to spend time with him. Doing things my way—” his mouth tightened. He corrected himself. “Doing things this way would give you a legal position in his life while we’re overseas.”
“And when we come back? Are you just going to divorce me and-and—”
“Dump you off by the sugarcane field? I wouldn’t do that. I don’t want to risk having my eyes clawed out.”
She hated to admit it but as overwhelmed as she felt, a part of her brain was already considering the possibilities.
“I’m leaving for Greece in three days,” said Michaelis. “Do you think you can give me an answer in the next day or so?”
She licked her lips. “What happens if I say no?”
His mouth thinned. “Then I go to Greece alone. And when I come back, prepare for a battle you’re not going to win.”
“You don’t get it, do you? The baby isn’t a trophy to be won.”
“Of course he’s not—” The ring of his cellphone interrupted them. “Excuse me,” he muttered, and took the call, switching languages by speaking to whoever was on the line in a fluent stream of Greek.
“Ne, ne, father,” he said, revealing the caller’s identity. “Yes. I am coming to Greece.” He flicked a glance at her and turned away. “That question is one I cannot answer yet. Just be prepared,” he said.
“Michaelis, your father…? How is he doing?” Viviana asked when he disconnected from his call.
“Not good.” A muscle in his cheek twitched. The line that shaped his luxuriant mouth whitened. “He’s feeling rather fragile these days.”
She breathed out a heavy sigh. “Look, there doesn’t need to be a marriage, okay? We’ll come with you. Charlie and I, we’ll both go to Greece with you.”
Icy fingers of dread inched up her spine at the merciless gleam in his eyes.
“I’m not taking Charlie to Greece unless you go with me as my wife.”
“Michaelis, I said I would go. Be happy with that,” she told him. Why couldn’t he appreciate the huge concession she was making here?
“Umm…no. You’re a little unpredictable for my taste, Viviana. The last thing I want is to take you overseas and have you charge me with kidnapping or child abduction, or something equally scandalous.”
“I wouldn’t do such a thing!”
“Then bring another chip to the bargaining table. Give me something else to work with here besides shocked blue eyes and a frowny face, hmm?”
“You want me to marry you,” she shrilled at him. “It’s your way or the highway.”
“I like the word compromise much better.” Stone cold purpose turned his eyes dark granite. “You like being in Charlie’s life? So do I. You want a place in his world? So do I. Now, what’s it going to be?”
Buy Links (including Goodreads):
If you could dress up as anything or anyone this Halloween, what or who would it be and why?
A tree fairy. 2020 has been a dumpster fire for a lot of people, including months and moments I, too, have endured with job upheaval and the death of a friend from COVID-19. A tree fairy is as harmless a role as I’d like to play. Think about it: there are no blood-sucking, zombie tree fairies or mass murdering tree fairies. For Halloween, I’ll be a tree fairy whose presence is hopeful and serene in this time of ugliness, drama and tragedy.
Explain why your featured book is a treat to read:
Because Hawaii and Greece are beautiful this time of year. As both destinations have been in lockdown, my story—Mistress at Midnight—is a treat for anyone who craves a steamy-sweet novel that brims with intrigue, adventure, and a romance helped along by a mischievous ghost. Readers wouldn’t have to get on a plane or book hotel reservations. Some chocolate, wine and a cozy reading nook is suggested before they tuck into this haunting story about family, forgiveness, and a super cute yet problematic secret baby. Author’s Note: There is no need to read any of the other books in the Island Moonlight collection to enjoy this complete, standalone novel.
Giveaway:
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Open internationally
Runs October 1 – 31
Drawing will be held on November 1.
Author Biography:
Lelani Black is known for her novels set in the islands of Hawaii where she grew up, but it was her bestselling erotic romantic comedy Boss with Benefits, set on the island of Oahu, that kickstarted her writing journey into the world of romantic fiction. While her books range from steamy sweet to wicked spicy, the heart of all her stories holds a powerful message of perfectly imperfect people finding love in unexpected places, sometimes when they’re not even looking.
Lelani lives in the beautiful Rockies with her software developer husband, 3 bossy furkids and a turtle. Her now-grown kids always have a place to stay in their mountain home when they’re in town or between careers. Whenever possible, she and her family enjoy travel to visit her mom in the islands, and when Lely’s not puttering around in her garden or crafting her next novel, you’ll find her on a pink kayak setting traps to catch crawdads in the high-mountain lakes.
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