Author Guest Post
There’s something about that hero…
I admit it, I love writing and reading about the stereotypical tall, dark, and handsome hero. I really don’t know why, but I always picture a hero that way in my mind. Is it because I imagine that type of man strong? Or is it just because that’s the type of man I’m most attracted to? Maybe it’s because a majority of the romance books I’ve read over the years feature a hero who is described as tall, dark, and handsome—maybe not in those simple terms, but in the overall description that is basically what you end up with.
Yep, I’m shrugging here. I really haven’t taken the time to analyze my reasoning, but I know as I read a book that is the picture that develops in my mind. Unless the author throws in a wrench and mentions he’s blond, or some other contradiction to the image in my head. lol
But I do have another trait that I love in a hero.
Come on, lean in closer and I’ll share…teehee.
I love when a hero has a sense of humor. He doesn’t have to be slap-stick funny, but just a bit of teasing humor, or the way he’ll say something to diffuse a heated discussion, or maybe turn an awkward moment into something comfortable and bearable for the heroine. I love it when a hero can do that.
In my latest release from Entangled Publishing titled Bachelor’s Special—squee…—my hero Chet Castle is my perfect hero. You’d almost think I wrote him with me in mind…lol. Of course he’s tall, dark, and handsome, (picture me swooning here) but he’s also the proud owner of a wonderful sense of humor. And his heroine Jill is his equal, able to dish it out as well as take it. I love couples like that. They are fun to get to know and to travel with on their HEA journey.
How about you? What do you require in a hero? Tall, dark, and handsome with humor like me, or do you prefer your men blond, copper-haired, blue-eyed, stocky, lanky, arrogant, serious—or something else?
About The Author
Besides laughing and a good round of humor, she enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, reading, writing but no arithmitic. A confessed people watcher, she finds inspiration for her stories in everyday activities. She loves to read and write about strong heroes and determined, sometimes sassy, heroines.
A girl gone wild, at least where social media is concerned, she enjoys meeting other avid readers and writers on facebook, twitter and her website.
AUTHOR WEBSITE
GOODREADS
Bachelor's Special by Christine Warner ~ Virtual Book Tour Page: Chick Lit Plus Blog Tours
Book Review
Bachelor's Special by Christine Warner
Publisher: Entangled Indulgence
Publication Date: June 10, 2013
Format: eBook - 236 pages / Kindle - 475 KB / Nook - 4 MB
ISBN: 1622661311
ASIN: B00CNTSVB6
Genre: Contemporary Romance
BUY THE BOOK: Bachelor's Special
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Chick Lit Plus Blog Tours.
Book Description:
Chet Castle is a businessman who has everything, except the ability to trust. Burned by a money-hungry fiancée, he refuses to get involved in any relationship that has a shelf life longer than a head of lettuce.
Intrigued by her ambition—and determined to get her in bed—Chet offers Jill the chance of a lifetime: work as his live-in chef and he’ll help her get her catering business off the ground. When sparks fly in the kitchen, Jill realizes what’s cooking is a recipe for disaster…
Book Excerpt:
He tossed the towel on the counter. “I’m attracted to you, and after that zipper-popping kiss, I’m going to assume the feeling’s mutual.”
“That’s neither here nor there. I don’t mess around with someone I work with and definitely not someone I work for.” Jill jumped off the counter and pushed past him. She feared she’d combust from the friction of her heartbeat working against the rush of heated blood in her veins.
“I really don’t fall into either category. We don’t work together, and I’m far from your boss.” His voice held a tinge of humor laced with steel. “This is strictly a business arrangement.”
“That might be worse.”
He moved toward her. “Jill—”
“I’m tired of men assuming because I’m a woman, because of the way I look, that I’m open to a sexual relationship with them to get ahead.”
“What are you talking about? Who said anything about getting ahead?” He brushed his hand through his hair, confusion littering his face.
“Is this the payback you’re expecting? You offer to help me with my catering business, even so far as co-signing for a loan, and all I have to do is lay back, close my eyes, and grit my teeth while you have your way with me?”
A vein hammered along the side of his neck. “I seriously doubt you’ll be gritting your teeth, unless it’s to stop yourself from screaming my name.”
“That’s neither here nor there. I don’t mess around with someone I work with and definitely not someone I work for.” Jill jumped off the counter and pushed past him. She feared she’d combust from the friction of her heartbeat working against the rush of heated blood in her veins.
“I really don’t fall into either category. We don’t work together, and I’m far from your boss.” His voice held a tinge of humor laced with steel. “This is strictly a business arrangement.”
“That might be worse.”
He moved toward her. “Jill—”
“I’m tired of men assuming because I’m a woman, because of the way I look, that I’m open to a sexual relationship with them to get ahead.”
“What are you talking about? Who said anything about getting ahead?” He brushed his hand through his hair, confusion littering his face.
“Is this the payback you’re expecting? You offer to help me with my catering business, even so far as co-signing for a loan, and all I have to do is lay back, close my eyes, and grit my teeth while you have your way with me?”
A vein hammered along the side of his neck. “I seriously doubt you’ll be gritting your teeth, unless it’s to stop yourself from screaming my name.”
My Book Review:
What more could a reader ask for when a story has yummy food, a hunky brooding type of guy, and a steamy romance?
Jill Adgate is an up and coming chef who dreams about owning her own catering business.
Chet Castle is a handsome rich businessman who was burned in the past by a money hungry ex-fiancee. He doesn't believe in love, has trust issues, and doesn't want a long term relationship.
One night their paths cross when Jill is the chef in charge of Chet's grandmother's eightieth birthday dinner. With a falling birthday cake and a passionate kiss and embrace, Jill's life is quickly turned upside down, she's fired, blackballed within the local culinary industry, and left with a ruined reputation.
Fast forward one year later...
Jill is set up on a blind date with her best friend Mel's future brother-in-law, Chet Castle! After a year, the overwhelming attraction between them is still there. He has to see her again, nothing long term - that's not his style, he's gun-shy when it comes to relationships, but he's determined to get her in his bed. Feeling responsible for getting her fired from her chef's position a year ago, he offers a business arrangement: work two months as his in-house chef, and he'll help her get her catering business started. With no other options available to her, Jill agrees to the arrangement. But when the romantic sparks start to heat up in the kitchen, can they keep their relationship strictly professional?
Oh my goodness! I knew from the prologue that I was going to love reading Bachelor's Special. Author Christine Warner weaves a captivating steamy romantic tale filled with electricity, sexual tension, passionate romance, wit and humor.
I loved following Jill and Chet as their relationship developed from wary strangers who fight the attraction between them, to friends and finally lovers. The attraction between them is intense, it leaps off the pages with playful flirting and sexy banter, mixed with humorous dialogues and touching interactions. It's easy to become enthralled with this storyline: a cooking themed story, a commitment-phobe guy with trust issues, a sassy independent woman, a live-in business arrangement, a scheming ex-fiancee, and an unexpected twist ... what more could you ask for?
Bachelor's Special is an entertaining romantic tale with plenty of humor and fun, mixed with mouth-watering food and sizzling passion!
RATING: 4 STARS ****
Virtual Book Tour Schedule
Tour Schedule:
August 20 – Musings From an Addicted Reader – Review & Guest Post
August 20 – Amie’s Reviews – Review & Guest Post
August 21 – Jersey Girl Book Reviews – Review & Guest Post
August 22 – As the Page Turns – Review
August 22 – Ai Love Books – Review
August 23 – Tlassy Beyond Belief – Review & Guest Post
August 23 – Life Love and Music – Review
August 23 – Never Too Fond of Books – Review
August 26 – Authors and Readers Book Corner – Review
Thank you so much for having me on your blog! And a HUGE thank you for taking the time to read and review Bachelor's Special. I'm thrilled you enjoyed reading Chet and Jill's story as much as I enjoyed writing it. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Christine! I really enjoyed reading Bachelor's Special, I'm a sucker for sizzling romance stories. Thank you for the opportunity to host your virtual book tour event. :)
DeleteThank you for the opportunity to host the virtual book tour event :)
ReplyDelete