Title:
Undercover in Venice Beach
Author:
Melody DeBlois
Genre:
Contemporary Romance
Book Blurb:
The art of tea, poetry, and intrigue.
By trading places with her twin, Audrey Powell has the opportunity she’s always wanted, running her late mother’s teahouse. When she fails to create food that delights the palate, she hires Liam James—a sexy as sin Brit with a flair for cooking. He tries to seduce her with titillating dishes and his charm, but she’s vowed to steer clear of romance. Working undercover, Liam’s mission is to keep an eye on the teahouse. He poses as a chef to catch the traitor who is leaking UK security secrets. The last thing he wants to do is fall for a suspect, but when sparks fly, the romance starts to feel all too real.
Excerpt:
Liam pointed to the recipe, and when she reluctantly did as instructed, he said, “Add the wet butter and milk to the mix and beat until you get rid of the lumps.”
“Too bad I can’t rid myself of the lumps in my so-called life.”
“You’ll get them smoothed out.” He slid in back of her and took her hand, demonstrating the motion, tempting her to nestle against his chest. His Iron Man chest. “Just keep trying, luv.”
His being so near was torture. “Do I add the fruit now?”
“Aye, the cranberries. You can spot a bad one from the others because it shows a wrinkle.” He picked out a specimen, displaying it to her on his palm. “See, not unlike the line you get between your brows when you’re deep in thought.”
She rubbed the bridge of her nose. “I do?”
He sent her an all-male grin. “Captivating, actually.”
He wiped flour from her face with a dishrag and plopped some cranberries in her mouth. She bit down, the tangy sweetness thrilling her taste buds, the sexy man challenging her vow to stay clear of him. But the very act of his helping her spoon the batter into tins pulled her deeper into his center, a universe composed of his culinary magic and kindness. His large hands and strong arms made her feel fragile and protected from the outside world. She remained there, a participant in sensations, till the bells over the entrance clanged together like dropped silverware.
Buy Links (including Goodreads and BookBub):
Grab an e-copy on sale for 99 cents at Amazon only!
What’s your favorite part about being a romance author?
I love writing books with an unlikely hero and heroine. The more opposite the pair, the better. I like the buildup that makes the first kiss special and the slow burn that leads to a more satisfying love scene. My favorite part is writing the declaration of love just before the couple gets their happily-ever-after. And isn’t that HEA what we’re all wishing for?
Here’s my tip to add romance to your love life:
Why use the stainless steel when you can dress up the table with your best silver? Don’t settle for the glare of electric light when there’s candlelight to be had. That soft glow is a friend to any face, be it young or old. Scent the room with flowers and irresistible food. Keep the conversation light and the background music mellow.
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
Drawing will be held on March 1.
Author Biography:
Melody lives in Sacramento (the City of Trees). She writes romance novels. She’s partial to poetry, sun, rain, strong coffee, and her writing room surrounded by books. Besides California, she and her late husband lived part-time in a condo in Oregon overlooking the Pacific. That gave her a love for beach towns and whale-watching and sunsets—all the things that inspire the Love is a Beach series. The writing process fascinates her, the alchemy of layering and developing characters, the tinkering with language. There’s so much to treasure in the world: family, friends, and those random, everyday moments that make life grand. She hopes to give her readers all of that.
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