Valentine #7 - Jace Riga. My Hero.

What is the name of today's Valentine?

How old is he when we meet him?

In his twenties.

What stands out most about him?

Physically, you can't miss him. He's an amputee who still likes to live on the edge, riding motorcycles, getting tattoos and chasing every dream he believes he can catch. He's also got these intense green eyes that see right through to the heart of you.

Nice guy or douche?

Jace is the best of the best, and not just because he was a soldier who lost his leg on the battlefield. He's a hero of the heart. He believes in faithfulness. He's got honor. When he says something, you can take it right to the fucking bank. The things he went through could have hardened him, but instead they made him wiser, more centered, than he already was. Like all my best guys, he doesn't see women as a collection of parts that have to be arranged in a certain way to earn his interest. He looks deeper than the superficial. On Everything. He values the whole picture. On everyone. He's the closest to perfect I could ever hope to get.

Favorite moment with him?

There are so many, but one that stands out is when he takes off his artificial leg. It's such a poignant moment where he's the most vulnerable he could possibly be. He's about to show his biggest "imperfection" to someone he genuinely cares about, someone who is so insecure that she doesn't feel like she can ever deserve him because she's not perfect. In bearing his soul, he hopes to convince her to do likewise. It's a moment of absolute trust. Sex, sh'mex, it's one of the most intimate scenes I've written.

That night I didn’t give anyone else a chance to keep Jace company during his midnight swim. I was at the pool by eleven-thirty, where I sat with my feet dangling in the water as I waited.

Jace seemed startled to find me there as he walked over to one of the lounge chairs. “I wasn’t expecting to see you here,” he said offhand as he dumped his towel onto the chair.

“I’ve wanted to come down for a while,” I admitted. “Every midnight for two weeks,” I added softly.

The look in his eyes was intense as he sat on the chair. “Why didn’t you?”

“They told me this was your time. I didn’t want to impose.”

He chuckled. “I thought they were just uncomfortable.”

I shook my head. “They love you, Jace. They never wanted you to feel embarrassed.”

“I’m not,” he stated simply. His eyes never left my face as he proceeded to remove his artificial leg. I watched as he removed the prosthetic, and the supporting garments underneath, such as the sheath and the socks. When he stood, he didn’t waver. He hopped easily over to the edge and dove into the deep end.

I watched as he swam over to me, only breaking surface to pull himself up in front of me. “Come in with me,” he suggested softly.

I shook my head. “I don’t have a swimsuit.”

His hands ran up my bare legs to the edges of my shorts. “So?” Our eyes met and locked. He couldn’t really be asking what I thought he was asking. Before I had any chance at all to argue, he grabbed my arms and pulled me into the water.

“Jace!” I squealed as I toppled into the cold pool.

He wore a self-satisfied smirk. “Refreshing, isn’t it?”

Playfully I splashed him, and then swam away before he could retaliate. He was quick on my heels. He lifted me up and dunked me again.

“Of course you know,” I retorted, “this means war.”

I swam after him and then lifted him up to dunk him. We chased each other, splashed each other and played together for long, blissful, uninterrupted minutes. When we finally had to catch our breath, we swam lazily over to the shallow end by the steps. He propped himself up on one arm.

“That’s so much more fun when there’s someone else here,” he said with a crooked smile.

I nodded. Even though I wasn’t planning on getting in the pool, it had been way more fun than I imagined.

“There’s still one problem, though,” he said as he studied me thoughtfully.

My breath caught. “What’s that?”

“You’ve seen what I normally don’t show the world. I think it’s only fair that you show me something, too.” His eyes traveled across my face and down to the wet shirt clinging to me like a second skin.

“You’ve seen it all,” I tried to argue as I crossed my arms in front of myself.

“No, I haven’t,” he insisted as he pulled my arms to my side. “But I’d like to,” he added as his eyes engulfed me, searching for all there was to see. “Show me, Jordi. Don’t be afraid.”

There were tears in my eyes as I searched his for any hint of insincerity. “Jace…”

His eyes darkened as he lowered his head towards mine. His lips playfully toyed with mine until I couldn’t help but respond. He deepened the kiss almost immediately as my lips finally parted. I groaned as I slipped my arms around his neck and pulled him closer.

His hands ran up my back and into my hair. He lifted me easily as he swung me over his lap. I braced myself on the cement behind him. I could feel him strain for my body. “Show me, Jordi,” he said again.

“Someone will see,” I protested but he shook his head.

“No one comes down here, remember? Not once, in all these weeks. We’re all alone,” he promised. “I’ve been dreaming about this moment for months. Don’t make me wait anymore,” he begged as his hands slid up my arms.

My voice was small, like a squeak. “You don’t know what you’re asking.”

“Yes, I do,” he said. “That’s why I am asking it. Show me,” he commanded again.

What do you love about him?

Gestures above.

What do you hate about him?

I can't hate on Jake. I simply can't. He has my heart. I guess the only thing I can hate is that he isn't real.

If you went on a date, where would you go?

Hopefully a boat on a lake on a movie lot, where he'll sing to me.



Who inspired him?

He must be a remnant of a past life or something. He was already in there somewhere.

Who might play him in a movie?

Okay, so... don't laugh but my physical prototype for Jace was a young John Stamos.

But since John is a *tad* older than the Jace character, I had to go find another dark-haired, green-eyed guy. I think he will do nicely...

Do you have a special song that reminds you of him?

Oh yeah. This is their song, one they perform on stage together. She's on stage, singing, yearning for her hero, and then somewhere you can hear the rumble of thunder as a motorcycle circles her. Finally at the big moment at the end, he bursts through a flaming ring to skid to a stop beside her.

Swoon.



Any "Easter Eggs" planted with this book boyfriend?

I can't even talk about it. This was a very personal story, and affects me in much the same way Kate's storyline on This is Us does. It's a kick in the gut. I literally tossed the computer away from me at one point because it just hurt too much to wear this particular skin. Her fears are the same. Her insecurities are the same. Sadly, several of her biggest enemies are the same. Jordi's trainer tells her at one point, "You're a joke and you always will be." Once upon a time that was said to me, verbatim.

Jordi and I share a lot in common, but she's a lot braver than I was.

Where can we find him?

You get to know Jace in FIERCE, where he stars alongside a whole cast of people usually discarded by society. The saga continues in UNSTOPPABLE and concludes in EPIC. But the story isn't done. Like Graham and Vanni before him, he showed up in a number of titles, listed below:

ENTANGLED
THE UNDISCIPLINED BRIDE
MASTERS FOREVER
MASKED IN THE MUSIC
FULL-FIGURED FLOOZIES CHASING THUNDER: A WYNDRYDER NOVEL

When I need a hero... I know just who to call.

Valentine #6 - Jake Dalton. My original Prince Charming.

What is the name of today's Valentine?

Jake Dalton

How old is he when we meet him?

Mid-twenties.

What stands out most about him?

He's an old soul. He sees world in a deeper way than most.

Nice guy or douche?

One of the nicest guys I've had the pleasure of writing. He was the first of my romantic heroes that broke through the traditional romance standard and fell for the Rubenesque heroine, even when he had a whole field of more socially acceptable beauties to choose from. He had to be the best of the best.

Favorite moment with him?

Jake and Shannon were the best of friends. They had a certain intimacy between them that only best friends can. It's a safe place where you know what the other person is thinking or feeling, you don't even have to question. See, that's what is missing out of a romantic relationship in the beginning. There's always will they or won't they? Do they or don't they? That's where the butterflies come in, when you have that glimmer of hope they feel about you the way you feel about them, but you don't really know for sure. Every now and then, though, there's this spark of something more as the friendship tries to catch fire. This was the first real moment I truly felt Jake go from her best friend to something more, because he gave ME the butterflies. It was only a split second, but it resounded inside of me like a thousand bells. Kind of like any other "first spark" moment I've ever had in real life...

They ducked inside the limo and were alone at last.

Except for the camera, but Shannon was quickly learning how easy that was to forget.

They sat close together, comfortable old friends.

“I’ve missed you,” he said. “I don’t know what to do with my nights without my favorite IM buddy.”

She laughed. “I’ve seen the video. You have plenty to keep you busy.”

He chewed the corner of his mouth to conceal his embarrassed grin. “Well, you know.”

She nodded. She knew. As much as he’d begun this journey to help her reclaim what Rex stole, he was still human.

“So what’s it like for you? I don’t get to see any tapes,” he reminded her.

Purple feathers and misplaced underwear flashed in her mind. “Thank God.”

That got his attention. “Okay. Now you have to tell me.”

Her entire face turned red as she shook her head. “No way, buster. That’s not how this game is played.”

“You know,” he said, donning his best German accent, “ve have vays of making you talk.” He held up two hands in prime tickle position, which made her giggle before he even touched her.

“You wouldn’t dare!”

He dared. He dove right in and tickled her until she was laughing so hard she could barely breathe. “Okay, okay!” she gasped. “Uncle!”

Mercifully he stopped, but he didn’t move. As she caught her breath she realized that he had her pinned against the seat, their faces mere inches apart. Time stood still as she stared into those baby blues up close. She had dreamed of being in his arms like this, but nothing compared to actually being there. She could feel every muscle as his warm, hard body pressed against her.

“Well?” he whispered with a crooked grin.

“Well what?” she whispered back, having completely forgotten the original line of questioning.

Jake seemed extremely amused. He didn’t move an inch. “What goes on at the Bachelorette Pad when I’m not around?”

“Oh,” she said. She licked her lips which drew his gaze that direction. The butterflies in her stomach clog danced their way to her feet when his eyes briefly glanced down at her mouth.

“Gossiping. Grooming. Sacred shaving rituals. You know. Girl stuff.”

He nodded, but he didn’t look as if he believed her.

And he also didn’t look like he had any intention to let her go. He held her so close she knew he could feel her tremble. Minute by minute, she grew more and more visible, not only as a woman, but as a woman who was developing feelings for a man.

“Jake,” she said softly, almost pleadingly.

His gaze drifted to her mouth and voice was warm like butter when he said, “Shannon.” She had never heard her name said like that before, from anyone, especially her best friend. It promptly turned her insides into goo.

Shannon couldn’t take it anymore, even if it had been part of their overall plan. She scooted out from underneath him to open the tiny refrigerator. “Soda?” she asked without looking him in the eye.

What do you love about him?

He's completely swoon-worthy. An homage of every romantic hero I'd ever read about or watched in a movie.

What do you hate about him?

Like many men, he's thick as a post. He's not stupid, he just has a problem getting a clue. But he has his reasons. We see what we need to see to protect ourselves.

If you went on a date, where would you go?

The great thing about this book was that we got to go on a lot of dates together, and one thing always proved true: No matter where you went or what you did, it was better because he was completely present in the moment.

Who inspired him?

My husband mostly, because I consider him one of my best friends. He brings that humor to my life and he also never lets me get away with the bullshit, like any great friend. And, like Jake and Shannon, my relationship with Steven took me by surprise. I wasn't looking for forever when I met him, but somehow forever found me.

But there were some other influences written in. Hal inspired a lot of Jake's "zen" side. That completely in the moment thing is totally Hal.

Who might play him in a movie?

Hum, good question. How about...?

Do you have a special song that reminds you of him?

I have a song that reminds me of them.



Any "Easter Eggs" planted with this book boyfriend?

One of my favorite scenes in the book is when they head to Vegas for one of their dates, and stand out in front of the Bellagio Fountains. They are at a point where neither can tell the other how they really feel, so they think they need to be apart because that's what the other wants. I deliberately set the scene in this exact spot because standing in front of the Bellagio and hearing this song touched me so much it made me cry. The longing and agony of unrequited love.



Where can we find him?

You get to know Jake in LOVE PLUS ONE, which is free today only. He has also cameoed in the FIERCE
trilogy and in ENTANGLED
. Since he is Alex Fullerton's best friend and Shannon went on to produce a reality TV show with Graham, he's bound to show up anywhere, like any of my best characters.

Enjoy getting to know Jake. (I know I did.)

Valentine #5 - Graham Baxter, my ultimate White Knight

What is the name of today's Valentine?

Graham Baxter

How old is he when we meet him?

He's in his 40s.

What stands out most about him?

He's a major music mogul, powerful and affluent.

Nice guy or douche?

He's one of my nice guys, but man does he have his moments. Going forward... he's definitely one of the wounded douches that my readers seem to love.

Favorite moment with him?

Many of my favorite moments include spoilers, so I can't use those. Instead, I'll take it back to the beginning with him as well. When I first wrote this scene, I had NO idea that Graham was going to be such a key player in my universe. Andy and Vanni were in Las Vegas, where she was working with the band. She wanted him. He wanted her. But he was there with his then girlfriend Lourdes. Vanni tried to convince Andy it wasn't what it seemed, but it was a major thing keeping them apart, because duh. Anyway so my poor Andy was all by herself during one of the parties and I decided SHE needed someone to come along and pick HER first. Andy Foster is no sad sack, following the Great Vanni Carnevale around like a puppy. She was amazing and deserved to be recognized for it. So I wrote in this temporary character, someone completely situational, who would give her a boost to her ego because she needed it. Well, Graham Baxter decided to set up camp to stay and changed the whole story around on its ear. In fact, he was the one who rewrote the original ending for Groupie.

My love for him knows absolutely no bounds.

I quietly exited the balcony area after they left the stage, heading back downstairs to the club that hosted the huge after-party celebrating the first night of the concert series. At first I didn’t see any of the guys, and I felt a little awkward standing there by myself looking like a lost rabbit.

“I hate these things,” I heard a male voice say from behind. I turned to see the manager I sat next to during the first couple of acts. His name was Graham something-or-another, and he had flown in from L.A. to support the opening act.

We had only shared insignificant small talk during the concert, but he was a familiar face at least. “Me too,” I said. “Someone needs to tell famous people not everything is cause for celebration.”

He laughed and then looked down at the empty glass in my hand. “Can I get you another?”

“Sure,” I said, and followed him over to the bar.

He ordered my drink and then turned to me. “Andrea, right?”

“Andy,” I corrected. “And you’re Graham…?”

“Baxter,” he supplied in good humor, then handed me my drink. “So do you work at a firm in Los Angeles?”

I shook my head. “I’m actually just a writer from Nashville, doing a favor for a friend.”

He laughed. “I guess that’s not so bad then. You can come out here, have fun, then go back to the real world on Monday.”

I smiled. “That’s the idea.”

“In that case,” he said as he put his glass on the bar, “Allow me to contribute slightly to the debauchery. Dance with me.”

I started to shake my head but out of the corner of my eye I saw Vanni walk into the room with Lourdes on his arm. I swallowed down the handful of rocks that had mysteriously appeared in my throat, smiled at Graham and said, “Sure.”

He walked me to the center of the floor, and of course the minute we get out there one of DIB’s more suggestive tunes played overhead. Graham rested his arm around my waist and casually pulled me close. “They’re really good,” he said near my ear, referring to the band. “It kills me Jasper Carrington got to them first.”

“Timing is everything,” I remarked as I tried not to look at Vanni, where he stood now with Lourdes at the bar.

“If they ever want a change in management, give them my number,” he said.

I chuckled. “I will.”

He looked down at me with a devilish grin. “And you can have it too. You know, in case things get too boring in Nashville.”

I laughed. He had to be at least forty-five years old, with short, dark hair and a touch of silver at the temples. But he had the warmest brown eyes I had ever seen and a nice smile. There were worse ways to spend an evening in Las Vegas than flirting with a harmless stranger.

I glanced back over at the bar only to spy Vanni and Lourdes dancing close in the corner. This caused me to grip Graham’s shoulders a little tighter, which he seemed to take as a green light to pull me even closer.

The beat of the song was sensual and intense, like a quickening heartbeat. “Say my name,” Vanni crooned from every speaker overhead. “I’ve got what you’ve been waiting for.” I closed my eyes and allowed Graham to swing me around the floor with some fancier footwork. I followed where he guided, surprised my feet even knew what to do to keep up. It didn’t take long for me to realize some other dancers had moved out of our way to watch us dance.

Some of the other guys in the band had come into the club and set up a table in the back with Jasper, who had now arrived. Felix watched me curiously as my dance partner led me into a sexier move in time to the beat. As the song ended Graham dipped me backward with a playful grin and I giggled in spite of myself.

We walked back to the bar. “Not bad for a guy who hates these things.”

“Necessary evil,” he informed. “Besides, my wife insisted we take dance lessons for our wedding.”

I glanced down at his hand. I hadn’t noticed a ring. “You’re married?”

“Occasionally,” he responded in good humor. “It’s an expensive hobby, I’m afraid.”

He perched on the barstool next to mine. “How about you, Andy? Anyone special waiting for you in Nashville?”

I nodded. “His name is Simon.” Graham’s grin faltered just a tad. So I went on. “He’s extremely jealous. And a cover hog. And can unravel a roll of toilet paper in ten seconds flat.”

His eyebrow rose, then together we said, “He’s a cat.” He laughed and then leaned closer to me. “So it wouldn’t be extremely inappropriate then if I gave you my phone number?”

“I suppose not,” I said with a slight blush. “After all that’s information I need if the band ever decides to make a change in management, right?”

He glanced over to where Jasper sat with the band, along with Vanni and Lourdes. Then he looked back with a serious expression. “It may be in poor taste and completely self-serving for me to say so, but I hope that they do. Jasper knows how to make people but he also knows how to break them, too. It can be a toxic environment. He’s going to offer the sun and the moon but God help the person who crosses him. And sometimes that just means standing up for yourself or your principles.”

I looked back at their table. Graham’s warning echoed what Vanni had said back in Brooklyn. His life was not his own, and he felt powerless to change it. Graham dug a card out of his coat pocket, pausing only briefly to write something on the back.

He slipped the card across the bar toward me. I reached for it and he placed his hand on mine. “That warning goes for you too,” he added. “In case you need it.”

His eyes were kind and sincere. Almost fatherly. “Thanks,” I said.

He motioned for the check. “And on that note, I think it’s time I return to the normal, quiet world of my hotel room.” He took my hand in his and brought it to his lips. “But thank you for a lovely dance, Andy from Nashville.”

He graciously paid for both of our tabs, and my eyes lingered after him as he departed. He stopped only momentarily at DIB’s table to say congratulations to the band and to Jasper, who didn’t seem all that pleased to see him. I used the distraction to look down at the business card. My eyes widened when I caught the name of his company. This wasn’t some mid-tier manager. This was Graham Baxter of Baxter Mega-Worldwide Media Corporation… the only record label in the country that could stand toe to toe with Jasper Carrington.

More curious I flipped the card over. The message he had written: Room #1225.

It was a gentlemanly way of orchestrating a booty call, I supposed. But I put the card in my purse anyway. I had no intention of going to his room, but the business information might come in handy someday.

What do you love about him?

This is a solid, solid man. He knows what he wants. He knows how to get it without hurting anyone. He knows how to make things happen. He's kind. He's respectful. He's a grown-up. While Vanni was all fireworks and goosebumps, Graham was as steady as a rock. He provides foundation and security. And if you're the lucky woman who can recognize it, he will give you the whole fucking world.

What do you hate about him?

Because he's a powerful man, he doesn't like it AT all whenever he's not in control. (I relate to this SO much.) He becomes the worst part of himself, and I had to break him down quite a bit, particularly in Rock Star - where I put both him and Vanni through the ringer. He was so fixated on what HE wanted that he became manipulative and quite unkind. It wasn't pretty. And due to events that happened in Masked in the Music/Full-Figured Floozies, it's only going to get MUCH worse from here.

If you went on a date, where would you go?

Los Angeles is Graham's town and he rules over it like a king. We'd likely end up at one of his favorite restaurants or perhaps some red carpet movie/music events, where he'd introduce me to all of the beautiful people who sit atop the charts or rule the box office.

Who inspired him?

My pat answer to this has always been my husband, Steven. Steven's that steady guy, the good guy, the rock. He's the one who took one look at me when I looked like this

... and saw something of value. To me, these are the sexiest guys. When he was with me, he didn't see what other guys saw. He saw my talent, my brain, my sense of humor. Whereas far too many men find those qualities the *bonus* on top of sexual attraction, those things WERE what attracted him. He always treated me like a queen. I was floored when, on our first date, he kissed me - deeply - for the rest of a crowded restaurant to see. By then I was pretty beat up by the world, believing the lie that if I didn't lose the weight or make myself perfect like all the magazine covers said I should, I'd never be worthy of love. I was on the outside looking in to the world around me, even in my most intimate relationships. I was still that fat girl who was good enough to romance on the down low, but nothing you'd ever show the world you'd chosen. But Steven never cared what other people thought. He found me sexy and decided to show me. It was revolutionary. He's the kind of guy that, when we go to events with other women, he will go out of his way to make sure THEY feel special too. One memorable moment was when we went to Hal's Charmageddon party and he was the lone guy at a table with mostly single women, and made sure to buy each one of them a rose so they wouldn't feel left out. Like Graham, he is the ultimate White Knight.

But now I kinda see that Graham was *me* in a lot of ways in that story. Due to the personal nature of the events that inspired Groupie, I was also the lone woman out much of the time, the steady rock people could depend on, but one ultimately discarded because there was no fireworks and goosebumps.

Quite an epiphany for a Sunday morning. O_O I guess this is why I'm not done with Graham yet...

Who might play him in a movie?

Like Vanni, I cast this guy from the start, too. With another member of my elite Laminated List...

Do you have a special song that reminds you of him?

Oddly enough, I don't. Will have to think on this one...

Any "Easter Eggs" planted with this book boyfriend?

Apparently a big one, considering the epiphany above!

Where can we find him?

Where CAN'T you find my beloved Graham? You first meet Graham in GROUPIE. His story, however, really picks up in ROCK STAR, which is FREE today only. I try to give him some closure at least with MOGUL. But he's a major player in SO many of my books, my ultimate White Knight who comes in right when my characters need him to work his magic.

FIERCE
UNSTOPPABLE
EPIC
ENTANGLED
THE UNDISCIPLINED BRIDE
SOUTHERN ROCKER BOY
SOUTHERN ROCKER GIRL
SOUTHERN ROCKER SHOWDOWN
MASTERS FOR LIFE
MASTERS FOREVER
MASKED IN THE MUSIC
FULL-FIGURED FLOOZIES

It is in Full-Figured Floozies, in fact, that Graham's perfect world comes crashing down (again.) My favorite guy will soon need a White Knight himself, which means another book with Graham, with Andy, with Vanni...

Like in almost every single one of my books, there's so much more story beyond the HEA, including a MAJOR war between Graham and his nemesis Jasper Carrington.

It's gonna be so good, you guys. And it's coming by 2018.

(But don't worry, there's PLENTY to read in the meantime...)

Valentine #4 - The one... the only... Vanni

What is the name of today's Valentine?

Giovanni Carnevale - otherwise known as Vanni.

How old is he when we meet him?

Pushing 30, which is kinda old for an emerging rock star but he had quite a few reasons to put off his dream. You can learn about those reasons in his prequel, "Vanni."

What stands out most about him?

He's walking sex and he knows it. Voice. Presence. He was born to be a star.

Nice guy or douche?

"Or"?

Favorite moment with him?

How can I pick just one? I guess we'll just have to start at the beginning...

I was still smiling when the bartender slid a beer my way. Before I could dig any money out of my wallet, a strong hand cut across my chest to lay a few bills on the bar. “It’s on me.”

I turned right into the glistening, naked chest of Giovanni. My eyes shot up to his, and he hovered over my 5’5 frame with lanky grace.

“Thanks,” I offered as I hid behind the long neck bottle.

“Thank you,” he said.

“For what?”

He leaned down toward me and whispered in my ear, “Great scenery during the show.”

I caught his lopsided grin as he glanced down at my expanse of cleavage. From the heat in my face, I knew I must have blushed at least two shades of red. “I didn’t think you noticed,” I replied as I looked away.

“I notice everything,” he assured me. “Especially when it’s put there for me to notice.”

I wanted to deny it but I couldn’t. “You know what they say,” I quipped. “Play the hand you’re dealt.”

He just laughed. “That wasn’t a complaint. I quite enjoyed the view. I wanted to see more but it was a bit like looking into the sun during an eclipse.” He leaned on the bar. “Be careful how you wield that weapon.”

I tipped my beer toward his chest, which was now dangerously close to my own. “Ditto.”

This made him laugh even more. “I guess we’re even then.”

“Not really,” I answered.

His eyebrow rose. “No?”

I took another sip of liquid courage. “To be even I’d have to take my shirt off.”

It was a brazen thing for someone like me to say. Not that I didn’t know how to flirt, or even be sexy, it was just never something I’d say to a half-naked man I didn’t even know.

But if he could play havoc with my senses by being on sex overload, I could return at least some of the favor.

His eyes deepened as he leaned toward me. “You have a point. Maybe we should go somewhere and rectify this grievous injustice.”

This was where I should have handed him my hotel key, but I wasn’t that far out of Tennessee. I cocked my own eyebrow. “Or you could just put your shirt on.”

He tipped me a mock salute. “Well played.” He made no move to put a shirt on, mind you. If I wasn’t imagining things, he actually scooted a little closer to me. I could barely see past those incredible eyes that were doing wonderfully sexy things to me without having to leave the room at all.

I cleared my throat. “Shouldn’t you hang around to see what Jasper Carrington has to say?”

He bestowed a sexy smirk. “Iris tells me I should always leave them wanting more. What’s more attractive than a star you can’t quite catch?”

Indeed.

He motioned to the gyrating crowd in the center of the bar. “Care to dance?”

“I don’t really…,” I started, my standard protest cocked and ready to fire. But he wasn’t listening. He grabbed my hand in his and was already leading me through the crowd onto the tiny dance floor. It was so crowded and so tiny that we ended up plastered together, as if the glistening sweat from his earlier performance bound us together like some sort of sensual adhesive.

I didn’t even really know how to dance, so I let him lead the motions from the moment his arms locked around my waist. My breath caught when his fingertips pressed into the soft, generous curves of my backside. He ground against me in time to the music, a primal thundering beat that pulsated between the sexually charged lyrics. When he started to sing directly into my ear, I nearly melted right to the floor. His breath was warm against my neck and I felt his open mouth against my skin. In that moment the world disappeared. I was faced with one inescapable truth.

I had just been hit by lightning—and his name was Giovanni Carnevale.

What do you love about him?

Those eyes. That hair. That *voice.* He oozes sex and you can't help indulging just a little taste. He's charming. Romantic. Talented. Wounded. Lost. Fearless. You could easily lose yourself in him forever just trying to figure him out, yet he'll always surprise you.

What do you hate about him?

That ego, man. He needs more attention and more love than you could ever give him, though you will want to try until you can't try anymore. He'll pull you in with surprising vulnerability, which will make you want to save him almost as much as you want to strangle him when he self-destructs and breaks your heart all over again.

Or so I'm told, anyway. ;)



If you went on a date, where would you go?

Knowing Vanni, he'd want to make it memorable. New York City is his town, so he'd probably encourage I enjoy every bite of the Big Apple, but I'm not sure we'd get too far away from his Brooklyn apartment...

Who inspired him?

That is the question, isn't it?







Who might play him in a movie?

I actually cast this character when I sat down to write, selecting a guy who sits securely and uncontested atop of my own personal laminated list. If you're going to indulge a life-long fantasy, you might as well, right? However, Vanni morphed into his own guy so I have NO idea who might play him. Still waiting on lightning to strike. Open to suggestions...

Do you have a special song that reminds you of him?

What song DON'T I have for Vanni?





But as far as a love theme... there was really only one.



Any "Easter Eggs" planted with this book boyfriend?

So many. So, so many. The places they traveled. The things they did. The people they met. The whole story itself was deeply rooted in my own personal fantasies, while working through my own personal experiences. I'll just say this, Andy's circle of friends was based on real people - Iris in particular.

Where can we find him?

You first meet Vanni in GROUPIE, which is free today only. The story continues in ROCK STAR, which we will talk more about tomorrow, and concludes with MOGUL. There's the prequel, VANNI, but if you would rather move forward than backward, pick up the following books:

FIERCE
UNSTOPPABLE
EPIC
ENTANGLED
SOUTHERN ROCKER BOY
SOUTHERN ROCKER GIRL
SOUTHERN ROCKER SHOWDOWN
MASKED IN THE MUSIC
FULL-FIGURED FLOOZIES

Do yourself a favor and indulge yourself in a little Vanni today. Unless, of course, you need your bad boys to be mostly good... in which case you might want to skip this Valentine and wait instead for who's coming tomorrow.

Valentine #3 - Mateo Bravo

What is the name of today's Valentine?

Mateo Bravo.

How old is he when we meet him?

Mid-to-late 20s.

What stands out most about him?

He has a very commanding presence considering his modest station in life. I had to meet those meager circumstances with a much stronger personality, and he definitely rose to every challenge.

Nice guy or douche?

He comes off as a douche, but it's really just a big chip on his shoulder. That's probably true of a lot of men, come to think about it.

Favorite moment with him?

When he puts Peyton in her place. She is a BIOTCH when we first start this story. And she's god-awful to him, proudly demonstrating every single hateful bigoted characteristic that Mateo has grown to despise from the rich and entitled over the years. She's used to running the show and thinks the world around her is there to do her bidding. When he realizes that she wants him, he takes *great* pleasure showing her that she can't snap her fingers and he'll come running. I think this is where I fell in love with him, actually.

“From the unused feel of your kitchen, I guess we’ll start with the basics. This,” he held up the pan, “is a pan. It is commonly used to heat food.”

She crossed her arms in front of her. “There’s no need to patronize me, Mr. Bravo.”

He grinned. “I like the sound of that coming from your lips, Miss Prescott.” He put the pan on the counter and walked over to where she stood. He grabbed her hands in his, turning them over to inspect their softness. “You’ve never even washed a dish, have you, Princess?”

Her eyebrow arched defiantly. “That’s what I pay other people to do.”

His dark eyes glittered as he stared down at her. She felt like she hit a nerve, but he was decidedly pokerfaced. “Better watch out,” he said in the same good humor. “You leave enough chores to the hired hand, and your husband may run off with a maid who isn’t too good to get her hands dirty.”

She snatched her hands back, which made Mateo smirk even more. He turned back to the sink, filling the pan with water. He placed it on the stove, turning the heat up to medium. He then leaned against the counter and crossed one foot over the other to watch her. Long moments passed without his saying a word. He just inspected her from where he stood. His eyes traveled over her face, down her exposed décolletage, and down toward her endless legs, shown off by the short hem of her skirt.

The longer he didn’t say anything, the antsier she got. She ended up crossing her arms across her chest, which she had originally bared for his benefit. To have him so brazenly inspect the goods without crossing the four feet between them made her feel cheap somehow. And she didn’t like it.

So she turned the tables on him and inspected his form as well. Every inch of clothing he wore clung to his body, which even in a relaxed state showed off the impressive cut of his muscular form. His thighs were powerful and strong, and his chest strained against the thin cotton fabric of his T-shirt. The bulge in his pants hinted at a promise not yet fulfilled, and the longer they stood there in that awkward silence made her fidget even more. Neither one seemed willing to be the first to close the gap between them and act on the undeniable chemistry that crackled in the air.

It was yet another battle of wills.

She could easily imagine walking over to him, or he to her, and stepping into that strong circle of his arms. He would lift her up on the counter and step easily between her legs, which would close behind him until her ankles locked. He’d dive into her neck, nuzzling against the graceful slope, nibbling at her lightly scented skin as her fingers crawled down his back and up again under his shirt.

She could practically feel his solid muscles under her fingers, which curled in a tight attempt not to rush over to where he stood and climb him like a jungle gym.

His eyes were dark and from the hint of a smirk he wore, she knew that he was following her thoughts exactly. The longer they stood there, the more they indulged this erotic game of chicken. Neither was ready to yield the power to the other by making the first move.

Instead they stood four feet apart the entire ten minutes it took the water to boil. When he moved to turn off the burner, she actually took a breath in relief. He moved the pan onto another, cool burner, then he crossed over to where she stood. “Lesson one: how to boil water,” he said with a slight grin. Softly he added, “You just have to leave things alone until they get hot enough.”

She gulped. Just as she was about to respond, assuming that the seduction part of their evening had commenced, Mateo turned for the door. “Tomorrow night we’ll talk about something more advanced. Like melting butter.”

She was flabbergasted as she chased him to her front door. “Are you kidding me? An entire lesson on how to boil water?”

He shrugged as he tossed, “Like I said, we have to start with the basics,” over his shoulder. He didn’t stop until he got to the door, which is where Peyton finally cornered him.

“If you think I’m paying $1500 for a couple of ten minute lessons, you’re crazy.”

Another damnable shrug. “You agreed to two lessons per week at that rate. Nothing was ever said about their duration.” He paused as he looked down at her. “But you’re right. We haven’t taken care of everything.”

He shut the door and then turned to face her. As he advanced toward her, she unconsciously took steps backward until he had her pressed up against the wall. His head dipped toward hers until their mouths were a breath apart. She felt the hard lines of his body pressing into hers as he held back his kiss in sweet torture. Finally she gasped, “What do you want?”

He bent even closer until their lips nearly met. “The check,” he said with that evil grin.

With an angry snarl she pushed him away. “Fuck you,” she said again, and again he replied, “Maybe someday. But not today.”

What do you love about him?

He's a deeply layered guy. He'd be easy to dismiss on the face of it, and a lot of people would. I wanted a "regular" guy to get a shot at romance, so I turned the tables and made HER the rich one. But how he was able to stand on equal footing to her every step of the way, despite the labels that could have kept them separate, indicates a powerful confidence and strength that money simply can't buy.

What do you hate about him?

He's a deeply layered guy. For all he does, he shows very little. His true intentions haven't always been pure. His hatred is understandable, but it helps nothing if he perpetuates it.

If you went on a date, where would you go?

He's a cook, so I imagine a HELL of a home-cooked meal. But a glass elevator would be okay too. (Chapter 11. Woof.)

Who inspired him?

He was born in my imagination. The whole story took me by surprise, particularly the subplot.

Who might play him in a movie?

Do you have a special song that reminds you of him?

It'd have to be something sexy. Because, damn.



Any "Easter Eggs" planted with this book boyfriend?

The elevator scene was inspired by real life events. That is all I am at liberty to say.

Where can we find him?

You get to meet him in THE UNDISCIPLINED BRIDE, but my Bravo caterers show up in a TON of books, including FULL-FIGURED FLOOZIES.

Stay tuned for a hot new Valentine tomorrow.

Valentine #2 - Alex Fullerton

What is the name of today's Valentine?

Alex Fullerton.

How old is he when we meet him?

30-ish.

What stands out most about him?

The fact that he wants to stand apart from the grand lifestyle in which he was raised. He's more comfortable in flannel and denim than he'd ever been in a suit. He's a wise-ass, but the love for his family is matched only by how much he loathes his brother.

Nice guy or douche?

He's got a hard, douchey shell protecting a fiercely good center.

Favorite moment with him?

When, after a traumatic experience leaves Rachel phobic of water, he is right there beside her to help her overcome her fears.

Alex swam over to the side of the pool near the chaise chair in which I lounged. “Aren’t you lonely over there?” he asked softly.

I held up my book. “Never lonely, never bored.”

He smiled. “I guess it’s just me, then.” He reached out a hand but I shook my head.

“I can’t.”

“You did,” he pointed out. “Come on, Rachel. You’re not alone this time.”

I glanced over at Jonathan, who swam nearby. He nodded.

I sighed. It wasn’t fair to use my student against me, especially with this. But if I ever wanted to show Jonathan that any obstacle could be overcome, I could hardly sit idly on the sidelines, the only one who wasn’t in on the fun.

“I don’t have a suit,” I offered lamely.

Alex’s hand never faltered. “I happen to know the guy who owns the pool. He’s pretty chill on the rules.”

“Alex,” I tried again, but his eyes were sure as he sent me a strong silent message of encouragement with those amazing eyes. His hand never wavered.

With an unsteady sigh, I rose to my feet. My legs shook all the way over to the edge where he waited. I was so scared I could hardly breathe. I sat on the edge and put my legs in the water. The water wasn’t deep there, I would never sit or walk anywhere near the deep end, and theoretically I could slip right into the pool from this very spot and stand merely waist deep in the water.

But I already knew it didn’t take much depth to take a life. My throat closed up as I squeezed my eyes shut. “I’m afraid,” I whispered.

He put his hands on my legs. “No, Rachel. You’re fearless. I’ve seen it time and again.”

My eyes opened and met his steady gaze. Without another word he put his hands around my waist and guided me into the water. As I felt it creep up around my body, I felt my control slip. All I could think about was Jason, and what his last harrowing minutes must have been like. “Alex,” I breathed as panic overtook me.

“It’s okay,” he said softly. “I’ve got you.”

My fingers wrapped around his strong biceps in a white-knuckle grip as he guided me away from the wall. I could barely breathe, so I focused instead on his eyes as he led us toward the center of the pool. I felt my body go buoyant, which caused me to panic even more, but he pulled me into the strong circle of his arms as he swam us toward the deeper end.

“I’m not ready,” I squeaked as I held him tighter.

“If not now, when?” he said gently. “This is all in your head, sweetheart. I know you have it in you to beat this thing.”

“You don’t know what it’s like,” I said tearfully.

“Who do you think pulled you out of the water?” he reminded. “I almost lost two people that day. And I’m never going to do that again.” My eyes searched his face as he went on. “What if there are other days, and other children,” his voice dropped, “other babies?”

My breath caught in my throat. What was he saying?

More importantly, what was he offering?

“Take a deep breath,” he instructed softly. “And believe.”

What do you love about him?

He's loyal. He's learned hard lessons in his life what happens when you're not. He's strong. He'd carry the world on his shoulders if he could make it right for someone he loves. He makes life fun. He makes life bigger than what it might have been otherwise. Unlike Drew, who could could give you the world with the snap of a finger, Alex is right there in the trenches beside you, helping you create one with nothing but hope.

What do you hate about him?

Like Drew, he's been hurt. A LOT. So he doesn't let people close. Also like Drew, he's jaded. He expects the worst from people. This makes him likely to bolt before someone could get a chance to hurt him.

If you went on a date, where would you go?

We'd ride horses to one of his orchards, where we'd stop for a picnic in the green sloping grass while we ate fresh fruit. Maybe he'd even play his guitar.

Who inspired him?

I think the reason I love him so much is because he, too, embodies my first husband. When you love someone with bipolar disorder, it can often feel like you're in love with two different people. You learn to love them both. You sometimes hate them both. But what you hate most is the war between them.

Who might play him in a movie?

Originally I saw the two Fullerton brothers as nearly identical, like twins. Drew was older, so he would be harder, but polished and refined. Alex was more devil-may-care, with longer hair and a beard. He is the "dark sheep" of the family, so he could be a little more roguish. I think an actor who may not have the same black hair/blue eyes of Drew, but captures that poetic ballet of going between asshole and hero, would be Ryan Gosling.

Do you have a special song that reminds you of him?

Alex, really, is one of my "rocker" boyfriends, in that he performs music for special audiences. He plays the guitar and, as a rancher/horseman, he really digs country music. Who else but Garth to encapsulate the rugged romantic?



The song that I refer to in the book, however, was "The Dance," so selected to honor my son Brandon.



Any "Easter Eggs" planted with this book boyfriend?

Like Rachel, I have a phobia of water. I guess that's why the scene above is so swoon-worthy to me. Like I said in the last answer, the reference to The Dance was a direct homage to my son.

Where can we find him?

You first meet him in Enticed, but you don't really get to know him until Book 2: Entangled, which is FREE today only. The trilogy ends with Enraptured, which is also on sale with a count-down deal. But get used to Alex, he pops up when you lease expect it, like my Masters series and most recently FULL-FIGURED FLOOZIES, where the Fullerton gang play key supporting characters because you know me. I can't let them go.

Enjoy getting to know Alex and tune in tomorrow for a brand new Valentine.

Fourteen Days of Valentines - it's another Book Boyfriend Extravaganza. (Oh yeah. And free books.)

This Valentine's Day, I'd like to share with you the many men who populate my fictional universe. Each day you'll get to learn a little bit about each of my book boyfriends, with freebies and discounts galore - plus a sweepstakes! (Click the link to enter.)

Let's kick it off with one of my most beloved characters.

What is the name of today's Valentine?

Andrew Fullerton, but people know him best as Drew.

How old is he when we meet him?

In his thirties.

What stands out most about him?

He's a powerful billionaire CEO who rules over a family empire... and all that entails. (Particularly when it comes to grooming his son - who is the softer, more innocent, more trusting version of himself.)

Nice guy or douche?

Big time douche. At least at the beginning. He's bitter about a divorce and very cynical about women in general.

Favorite moment with him?

When he meets our heroine for the first time. She's a thicker, Texas girl who takes absolutely no lip. When he tries to condescend, it doesn't go over very well. And then...

“I think you misunderstood exactly what kind of tutor I was seeking for my son. He is going to be a titan in business, following four generations of Fullertons before him. He needs to be prepared. You’ll forgive me if I don’t think measuring ingredients and shopping at the market qualify as the higher education for which I’m paying very good money.”

I placed the fork on the plate, my appetite totally obliterated. “You wanted me to teach your son, and I have done that. More importantly, I’ve reached him. He knows he can trust me, especially after I shielded him from that family debacle yesterday. This morning I gave Jonathan three different tests. In math, he was tested on fractions and word problems. The skills he learned with a simple cooking lesson or quick trip to the store helped him score in the 99th percentile testing at near seventh-grade levels. Likewise on the history essay, in which he researched and wrote a thousand-word document on the Greystone Mansion and Park where we walked and explored, which – if I’m not mistaken – qualifies under your physical fitness requirement. I also tested him on the book he’s been reading for pleasure, with a questionnaire that helped him think critically about the material he was reading simply for the joy of it, giving him several key vocabulary words to note as he read along. It is a book that has been in my own curriculum for years, and I’m confident at least one student who reads it will go on and get an Ivy League education.”

His jaw clenched as he realized what I had done. I had taken Jonathan from a stale, unchallenging classroom environment with endless tests and bookwork, which had been crippling his curious and playful nature. By putting him in an entirely foreign setting, he learned how to do the things Drew wanted him to do, right down to the budgeting skills at the market, but in new ways that would naturally keep him more engaged than the boring ol’ status quo. And Jonathan had never even realized what I had done until I had quizzed him on it.

My green eyes glittered just as hard as Drew’s icy blue ones. “You may question my methods, Mr. Fullerton, but my results are indisputable. Considering I did all this in two days, even playing go-between between you and your ex-wife and your pain-in-the-ass brother, I’d say I’ve done a hell of a lot more than the previous tutors you have hired to do this job, with exceptional results.”

Normally I wouldn’t have cursed at an employer. But his elitist attitude really pissed me off. Did he really believe his son was too good to wash a dish or cook a meal, as if these mundane tasks held no value for such powerful, wealthy people? And if that was true, how did he regard anyone who had the misfortune of being born average? Did he think we were all beneath him, simply because we had no one to treat us like gods? The Texan was coming out, and he was either going to prove he could deal with that or he was going to send me home anyway. I had nothing to lose. In fact, the only one who had anything at all at stake was Jonathan.

“Now, if you don’t approve of my more unconventional methods, then you can gas up the jet and send me home tonight. But I’m willing to bet that you won’t find anyone else who can reach Jonathan the way that I have done. I have a connection with him. That was what you wanted. That is what you got.” I grabbed a glass of ice water and gulped it down. “Do with that what you will.”

Before he could reply, Jonathan raced back into the room, wearing a new jade green kimono, and holding the entire box set of his favorite Anime program. “Thanks, Dad!” he said as he rushed to hug his father. “Let’s watch it together,” he pleaded hopefully.

I used that opportunity to slide my chair back and rise from the table. “I think I’ll retire for the evening. Let you two catch up.”

Jonathan was crestfallen. “No, Rachel,” he said with a plaintive whine in his voice. “Please don’t go. You haven’t even had any pudding.”

“Pudding?” Drew echoed.

Jonathan nodded. “She made homemade Southern banana pudding.”

I shook my head. “You enjoy it. I’m stuffed,” I lied easily. “The dinner was excellent, Jonathan. You did a great job.” I turned to Drew. “It was very nice meeting you, Mr. Fullerton. I trust you’ll think about what I said and let me know if there has been any change in plans.”

Jonathan was panicked as he looked between his father and me. “Change of plans? You’re not leaving, are you, Rachel?”

“No decisions have been made,” Drew filled in before I could speak. “Why don’t you go get us some pudding, Jonathan? That sounds delicious.”

Jonathan nodded and disappeared into the kitchen. Drew rose to his feet and walked around the table to face me. “Obviously I’m not used to being spoken to in such a way in my own home,” he said, his voice hard but quiet. “But obviously I offended you. I apologize.” He offered his hand.

It was a gesture of civility, but his eyes were still lethal as they stared down at me. My hand shook as I placed it in his. His fingers closed around mine powerfully as he pulled me closer. I gasped as I stopped short mere inches from that massive chest. I hadn’t been this close to a man in many years, much less a man as intimidating. I was certain that he could feel the tremble in my grasp when my eyes shot to his. His face broke apart in a victorious smile. “Start over?” he asked softly. “Rachel?”

What do you love about him?

He's powerful. The world is his oyster and he knows it. He's got confidence, charisma. But the thing I like most about Drew is how much he loves his son. He would do literally anything for him. This can be both a good and bad thing.

What do you hate about him?

See above. At first he's very cold. He's been trained to be. He sees the world in a very black and white way. They say hurt people hurt people, and boy is that true with Drew.

If you went on a date, where would you go?

Knowing Drew, he'd probably fly us somewhere on his private jet. But those kinds of dates come later...

Who inspired him?

My first husband, actually. He had that sort of superhero quality that Drew possesses. But there was a cruel streak too. Both complicated men I couldn't help but love.

Who might play him in a movie?

I don't know that I've found him yet, but Henry Cavill comes pretty darn close. That dark hair/blue eye combo, strong bone structure, commanding presence is all needed for Drew.

Do you have a special song that reminds you of him?

Of Drew? No.

Any "Easter Eggs" planted with this book boyfriend?

It's no secret by now that my own personal story heavily influenced my heroine Rachel's backstory. I wrote it after my youngest son passed away, in those long months where I couldn't sleep at night. To keep my mind busy, I immersed myself in this fake, incredible world. All the emotions, though, were 100% real. I also shamelessly plug the book I wrote with my husband, Comic Squad, which was mentioned in the scene above.

Where can we find him?

You first meet him in Enticed, which is FREE today only. You also see him in Entangled as well as Enraptured, which is also on sale with a count-down deal. Get it now before the price goes up.

Thanks to Bookworm Betties for the meme!

Tune in tomorrow, when we get to chat about Drew's pain-in-the-ass brother Alex.