Valentine Treats All Month at Book Fun Friday
Today we have Melinda Dozier
Author Bio:
Melinda is
a multi-published contemporary romance author with books from Crimson Romance,
Swoon Romance and The Wild Rose Press represented by Dawn Dowdle of Blue Ridge Literary Agency. She lives in Guatemala, Central America
with her husband/college sweetheart who brings "mucho amor" to her
life. Melinda enjoys being the queen of her household and dreams of being
pampered fully by her three boys once they are grown. Melinda's guilty pleasures
include reality t.v., traveling, blogging and playing Zynga games.
Today's Feature:
Time Out, Valentine
Book Blurb:
Lexi’s life is one big
dump. Or so she thinks. To keep her mind off her latest breakup, she stays busy
with work. It’s no big deal, since writing for Time Out Portland Magazine is a
blast…except for the one small snag – Grant Reeds. Grant, a shy but sexy computer
geek, is new to Time Out, working as the Networking Director for the online
magazine. Even though Lexi thinks he doesn’t notice her, he sure as hell does.
The owners have a plan for their upcoming Valentine’s Special, pairing up the
two to explore romantic date ideas around the city. Soon, Lexi and Grant learn
that the old adage, “Opposites Attract,” can ring true.
Book Excerpt:
(choose one):
Excerpt #1 - 541 words
Grant glared across the room at the pretty dark-blonde he’d
been trying to ignore for the past months. Now he had to be paired with her? He
did not like this idea one bit, and being smartass Lexi’s partner was the worst
idea. He surveyed his friend and boss, Jeremy, who tried unsuccessfully to hold
in a smile.
“Grant? Grant is my partner? He’s barely said five words to
me since he started.” Lexi slammed her iPad on the conference table.
Grant wiggled in his seat, placing his glasses back on the
tip of his nose. “Only because you won’t let me get a word in edgewise.” He
stared at the others who snickered around them.
Jeremy held his palm out to stop Lexi from speaking. “Lexi,
there’s a good reason we paired particular couples. I don’t want to go into it
right now, especially with the entire staff in the room.”
“So this wasn’t random? Is this your idea of a joke? Two
people who don’t get along—”
“Who says we don’t get along?” A knot formed in Grant’s
throat.
“I do. You’ve been aloof and rude since you started here.”
Grant had about all he could take. He stood, raking his hand
in his hair. “Listen, Alexia…”
“It’s Lexi.” She huffed, reclining in her seat, crossing her
arms over her chest. The chest that she liked to show off with her low tops.
The ones he caught himself staring at too often.
He smirked, looking past those infuriating and invigorating
breasts to her face. “Lexi. I’m sure we can work around whatever problem it is
you have with me, but let’s take this in private.” He walked to her and held
out his hand. “Shall we?”
It took five seconds before she reacted. Ignoring his hand,
she stood, scurried past Grant with a shove at his shoulder and darted out of
the room. Grant didn’t know how to react. What the hell was wrong with this
woman? He’d have to show her they could work together on this project—if anything
to prove he was a decent guy.
He’d been ignoring Lexi purposefully, ever since he started
at Time Out. Her witty humor knocked him senseless, not to mention that firm
ass in those tight jeans she always wore. He couldn’t afford to be distracted,
and that was the whole reason why he moved back to Portland in the first
place—to get away from distractions.
Besides, he owed it to his college friend, Jeremy, who
trusted him and gave him this job when he really needed it. Returning here was
a huge step. Getting this job as Networking Director was another. If Jeremy
wanted them to participate in this assignment, then they would. He and
Alexia—or Lexi—would make this work.
He ran his hands through his hair, looking around the room as
other pairs connected and planned their duty. Why did Lexi have such a visceral
reaction? That really bothered him. He’d done his best to ignore her, and she
apparently hated him for it.
They didn’t even know each other. Grant had to get to that
fiery woman so they could win this challenge. Turning on his foot and heading
to the door, he smiled. A challenge it was.
Excerpt #2
- 324 words
Grant sipped his beer and surveyed the room around
them—anywhere but at the siren next to him, with her fancy drink, an umbrella
hanging off the side. Overhead lights strobed the room, gleaming in all
directions. The DJ announced a new song and a new crowd rushed to the dance
floor, leaving them more alone in the back of the room. Thank God.
It was stifling hot. He tugged his collar from his neck and
rolled the sleeves of his white button-up. His glasses slid down his nose,
forcing him to take them off and put them in his shirt pocket.
Luckily in that part of the room, the music wasn’t so loud
that they had to scream to converse. He only raised his voice a fraction to ask
her the question he’d been wondering since they set foot in the place. “So, you
think this is romantic enough for a Valentine's date?"
She batted her long lashes in his direction and smirked.
“There’s low lights.”
“Yeah and loud music, people all around.” To help prove his
point, someone bumped him in the back, pushing him closer to Lexi. His hand
circled her waist and rested on her hip.
She sipped the drink, moving the umbrella with her other
hand, then licked her lips. “It’sthe place to be. All trendy couples find their
way here.” She cocked her head. “What would make it more romantic? Kissing?”
A slow smile formed and he faced her. Not a bad idea.
“Actually, yeah.” He placed his bottle on the table behind them, cracked his
knuckles and stretched his neck.
She laughed nervously, putting her weight on another sexy as
hell foot. “What? You’re gonna kiss me? For real?”
“We need romance.” He grabbed her cup and put it next to his
bottle. His gaze dropped to her mouth.
“You kissing me won’t—”
He placed his thumb on her lips. “Shhh. Stop talking so we
can be romantic.”
Author Links and Buy Links:
Website: www.melindadozier.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/melindadozier
Facebook: http://www.twitter.com/melinda.doz
The Wild
Rose Press: http://goo.gl/F3IG1W
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TRAILER LINK: http://youtu.be/DK4hVHiVAmo
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Thanks for having me at your blog, Celia!
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