Title: Open In Private
Author: Samantha Gentry
Genre: Sensual Contemporary Romance
Book Blurb:
As a personal shopper, Charlene Vance values her professional association with long time client Parker Simmons. But at the meeting to discuss the list for this year's Christmas purchases, she learns that Parker is now divorced and the ex-wife is off his list. When lunch leads to dessert between the sheets, Charlene is eager to move their relationship beyond good business and incredible sex.
Parker Simmons doesn't want anything more permanent than what's on the menu for today. But Charlene's enthusiasm to experiment in bed satisfies his darker appetites and suddenly he's craving more. Parker might need her help with holiday gift ideas but he's got his own shopping agenda. On his list? Gifts only for Charlene—to open in private.
Excerpt:
"Everything looks so good. I think I'll have the shrimp salad." Carli closed her menu and set it on the table.
Everything looks good to me, too, and I don't mean the food. "I'm going to have the chicken carbonara…and a glass of wine with my lunch. Would you join me?"
"Well, I usually don't drink during business meetings, but yes," she extended a sparkling smile, "I'd like that. A chardonnay."
He placed their lunch order with the waiter, then returned his attention to her. "We've had a very nice business relationship for five years. You obviously know a lot about me from doing my shopping, but I don't really know that much about you personally, other than you have great taste, are very intelligent, and have a good sense of humor."
The waiter arrived with the bottle of wine Parker had ordered. After opening the bottle, he poured each of them a glass, put the bottle in the ice bucket, and left.
Parker raised his glass toward Carli in a toast. "Here's to another successful Christmas holiday season." He tilted his head and raised a questioning eyebrow. "And perhaps to an even closer working relationship?" Maybe something hot and naked in a big bed?
"I'd like that, too."
Buy Links (including Goodreads and BookBub):
What I love most about the holiday season:
It's the time of year when we have a special warmth and closeness with family and friends. The decorations both inside and on the outside of the house—lights, ornaments, and festive touches. The fragrance of scented candles. The aroma of yummy treats baking in the oven.
Why is your featured book a must-read to get you in the holiday mood?
Business associates to friends to lovers and finally to lifetime commitment. Not an uncommon progression for a romance. But when you wrap it around the warmth of the Christmas season, it creates a special atmosphere. Parker is Charlene's best client. She's been doing both his corporate and personal shopping for several years. Their comfortable and efficient working relationship gradually expands to include being good friends. Then that fateful day when they're going over his corporate shopping list for Christmas and he tells her he divorced several months earlier. And they succumb to the desire each has silently been fighting. This looks to be the best Christmas each has celebrated in years, enhanced by the love and caring of the Christmas season. But not without a few bumps in the road along the way.
Giveaway –
One lucky reader will win a $100 Amazon gift card.
Open internationally.
Runs July 1 – 31, 2024
Drawing will be held on August 1, 2024.
Author Biography:
Samantha Gentry's Typical Day
As soon as I wake up, Harrison (my houseboy) draws my scented bath. By the time I've finished bathing and am dressed he has prepared a champagne brunch which he serves on the terrace next to the swimming pool. I spend the next two hours reading the morning newspaper and working on my tan.
Promptly at the stroke of noon I adjourn to my home office and begin writing. I spend a grueling four hours slaving away over my computer keyboard creating brilliant prose filled with exciting characters, entertaining plots and highly sensual encounters. I emerge from seclusion at four o'clock having written the next chapter of my current work-in-progress.
Harrison's talented touch soothes my tight shoulder muscles with an expert massage. He pours me a glass of wine before going to prepare a gourmet dinner. And the rest of the evening is better left to your imagination.
Oops…I just lost my hold on reality for a moment. Sorry.
I'm a morning person and am usually at my computer by six o'clock with a cup of hot coffee which I keep at a safe distance from my keyboard (been through the spilled coffee on the keyboard before, don't need to do it again <g>). The first thing I do is go through my email. Then I get to work—either writing or revising on my current work in progress, or doing the edits on my next release. I usually run errands in the early afternoon.
Hmm…I think I like the first version of what my typical day consists of better than the reality. <g>
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