Aloha to Jamie Beck and SECRETLY HERS (Sterling Canyon Book 2)

Reminder: I have a special giveaway to celebrate June at this link.

Jamie Beck stops by for a cozy interview to celebrate SECRETLY HERS ...

But a creative writing career seemed like a pipedream, so I went to Tulane University assuming I'd figure out what to do with the rest of my life by graduation day. While attending school in the Big Easy, I fell in love with psychology. But psychiatrists go to medical school, and subjects such as biology and chemistry weren't my forte. Alas, another career eliminated.

Ultimately, I earned a joint law/M.B.A. degree and practiced commercial real estate and lending law for a decade in my hometown of Pittsburgh (Go Steelers!). I learned a ton and met great people, but was never passionate about the work. When my husband's career took us to Connecticut, I opted to stay at home to raise our two young children. That decision presented a second-chance to revisit the idea of writing romance novels.

Kim: Connecticut: What is your favorite sight, sound, and smell of the Constitution State?

Jamie: One of my favorite things about Connecticut is the number of trees and stone fences you see everywhere. The state is densely forested, and some of the stone walls must date back a hundred years or more. It’s all very quaint and different from my hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Also, if you live near the coast, you can enjoy the gentle lapping of Long Island Sound as it meets the shore. Finally, the best smell (in my opinion) is the crisp scent of autumn leaves. It doesn’t hurt that they are also spectacularly colorful in October!

Kim: What did you learn from psychology and the law that you could apply to your writing career?

Jamie: I could probably write several pages about this one question, but I won’t bore you. Basically, the law taught me how to research, which comes in handy when trying to make my stories authentic to places or professions I don’t have personal experience with. Also, I’ve used legal concepts to create conflict in my stories. In fact, I’ll be giving a workshop on how to do that at the Connecticut Romance Writers or America’s Fiction Fest conference on September 10th.

As for psychology, that helps me with character development. Specifically, it ensures that my characters’ motivations are well-founded and logical, and spring from their backgrounds and the events occurring in the story. There is nothing I dislike more than reading a story and finding a main character to be inconsistent, clichéd, or simply unbelievable.

Kim: What inspired the Sterling Canyon series and SECRETLY HERS?

Jamie: I’m an avid skier and absolutely love the Rocky Mountains, so I wanted to write a series based on the fantasy of living in a small ski town surrounded by athletic men. Readers love sports heroes, but most popular series involve football, baseball, or hockey. There aren’t that many skiers in romantic fiction, so I thought it would be a fresh twist on an old favorite.

Sterling Canyon is loosely based on Telluride, Colorado. It’s such a quaint, “old West” kind of town, I couldn’t resist.

As for SECRETLY HERS specifically, Trip stole the show in ACCIDENTALLY HERS. He just jumped off the page (at least, for me he did). He basically wrote his own story. Honestly, this was the easiest book I’ve written, because I am so in love with him, I couldn’t get the words down fast enough!

Kim: What's next for Jamie Beck?

Jamie: A lot! Later this year, the final book of my St. James Novels comes out (Worth the Risk, November 1st). In early 2017, we’ll release the third Sterling Canyon book, and then I’ll be rolling out a new series (The Cabot Novels), which will be set in the Pacific Northwest and follow the lives of the Cabot family siblings. I’m working on the first book now, and so far, I’m really happy with the shape it’s taking. These will be highly emotional books with heavier women’s fiction notes.

Bridal Veil Falls in Telluride

Image by Terry Foote (link)

Mahalo, Jamie, for sharing Sterling Canyon with us! SECRETLY YOURS releases today!

On her thirty-first birthday, hopeless romantic Kelsey Callihan has all but given up on happily ever afters, which is why she agrees to a risqué proposition from Sterling Canyon’s notorious playboy, backcountry skier Trip Lexington. After all, every girl needs a little fun, and with Trip, there are no mixed signals or risks of a broken heart. And if his tips can help her land a husband in the process, all the better.

Trip couldn’t be happier with his secret, no-strings fling with sweet and sexy Kelsey until she calls it quits after meeting a man she believes could share her dream of marriage and family. His jealousy turns to outrage when he discovers that the man is his estranged half brother and lifelong rival.

Now Trip must decide whether the fire in his gut is due to sibling rivalry or something much more dangerous…like love.

jamiebeck.com
facebook.com/JamieBeckBooks

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Jamie is hosting a giveaway at this link.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Sterling Canyon Book 1

Aloha to Jamie Beck, WORTH THE WAIT, and WORTH THE TROUBLE

In author Jamie Beck's contemporary romance series, the St. James siblings—Catalina, David, and Jackson—have everything going for them: looks, successful careers, and status. Under that veneer of perfection, however, lurk secrets, guilt, self-doubt, and resentment. But luckily, they’re not alone. As they navigate the highs—and devastating lows—of their personal and professional lives, they discover the redemptive power of love and realize one universal truth: family matters. And all we really need is somebody to lean on.

WORTH THE WAIT, St. James Book 1

Thirteen years ago, Vivi LeBrun was sketching a rooster and eating Oreos when she first met—and fell for—her friend’s brother, David St. James. Since then, her love for David has only intensified thanks to years of friendship with his family, who rescued her from a lonely, tumultuous childhood. As she travels to Block Island to vacation with the St. James siblings, Vivi daydreams about reuniting with David, hoping he’ll finally see her as his soul mate.

After his mother’s death, David distanced himself from his siblings, determined to hide a devastating family secret. Now, he’s brought a new girlfriend along to his homecoming—one who’s pushing for a serious commitment. The last thing he needs on his growing list of problems is his budding attraction to Vivi.

With tensions running high, David’s behavior triggers a series of events that might cost him the love he’s always taken for granted and Vivi the only real family she’s ever known.

Buy Link

WORTH THE TROUBLE, St. James Book 2 

Cover girl Cat St. James’s picture-perfect life is anything but flawless. Luckily, she’s a master of hiding the truth from the camera. Relying on that skill, she conceals her latest secret from her family while attending her brother’s wedding. Her only trouble now is Hank Mitchell—the soft-spoken carpenter she’d once brushed aside. Seeing him at the reception underscores her private heartache and ignites unwelcome longing, which she promptly drowns in champagne.

Hank is no stranger to sacrifice, having set aside his own ambitions to take care of his family. One thing he won’t forsake is his pride, which Cat already wounded once. But when the maddening beauty’s reckless behavior forces him to rush to her rescue, he sets in motion a series of events that leads Cat to make a business proposal granting him his dream job.

When Cat and Hank mix business with pleasure, promises and secrets unravel, and each must decide if and what they’ll surrender for love.

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Jamie Beck is a former attorney with a passion for inventing realistic and heartwarming stories about love and redemption, including her popular St. James and Sterling Canyon series. In addition to writing novels, she also enjoys dancing around the kitchen while cooking, and hitting the slopes in Vermont and Utah. Above all, she is a grateful wife and mother to a very patient, supportive family.

jamiebeck.com
facebook.com/JamieBeckBooks
twitter.com/writerjamiebeck
Goodreads

Jamie is hosting a giveaway at this link ... and offers an excerpt from WORTH THE TROUBLE:

As soon as Cat answered her door, Hank noticed her fidgety hands and caffeinated gaze.

“Sorry I’m late.” He stepped inside.

“That’s fine.” A tentative smile spread across her face.

“Mind if I grab some bottled water?”

She gestured toward the kitchen and then followed closely behind him, practically skipping. He unscrewed the cap and took a swig, squinting at her. “What’s up? You’re a bundle of energy today.”

Clasping her hands in front of her body, she swayed side to side. “I’ve been considering your conditions.”

“Have you?” His body flushed with prickly heat. He set the bottle on the counter. “Are you about to dazzle me with facts and figures already?”

“No.”

Deep disappointment pierced his heart, like a pin to a balloon. Foolishly, he’d dared to hope she’d agree—that like him, she’d been overcome with longing. “Well, it’s probably for the best. Maybe in a few years the timing will be better for this business idea.”

“Oh, you misunderstand.” She wet her lips and stepped closer. “I’m accepting your terms, but I’m not nearly done researching. I am, however, prepared to ‘dazzle you’ with that second condition.”

“You are?”

“I am.”

He blinked in disbelief, even as his heart galloped in anticipation. “But what if we can’t agree about the business risks? Maybe we should wait . . .”

Absolutely not what he wanted, yet he had to make sure she was ready to take this step.

“I don’t want to wait.” She boldly met his stunned gaze.

His feet wouldn’t move. In fact, his whole system seemed to be shutting down from shock.

“Hank?” She tilted her head, peering curiously at his frozen body. “Please don’t tell me you’ve changed your mind. I really can’t start my day with a serving of humiliation.”

Without speaking, he reached for her face with both hands and then claimed her mouth with his own. Her hands caressed his shoulders before her fingers threaded into his hair. Every inch of his skin tingled in response to her touch.

The room around them fell away as he became absorbed by the citrusy taste of her mouth. Euphoria spread through him like helium, lifting his heart, making him weightless.

This woman he fiercely desired wanted him, too. This moment—the truth of it—seemed as beautiful yet fragile as porcelain. Something his calloused hands could easily break if mishandled. But the scent of her hair and soft skin beneath his fingers made him anything but careful.

A groan rumbled in his chest. Without breaking contact, he kissed her harder, his tongue engaged in heated dance with hers, his arms squeezing her tighter against his body. He acted on pure instinct, couldn’t think, didn’t really know what he was touching, but needed to feel every gorgeous inch of her body.

“Cat,” he growled as he tore his mouth away and dragged it down the length of her neck. Appreciative little noises coming from deep in her throat heightened his arousal. He slid his hands down to her waist and then cupped her bottom, tugging her against his raging erection. “I want you so much. So much.”

She inched her leg up his, wrapping it around his thigh. “No one’s stopping you.” 

Block Island

Chamber of Commerce (link)

12 Days of Christmas with Cindy Kirk, Tracy Brogan, and Jamie Beck

On the twelfth day of Christmas SOS Aloha gave to me...three excerpts from holiday novels and an Amazon giftcard giveaway. Read on for some Christmas cheer with romantic snippets from authors Cindy Kirk, Tracy Brogan and Jamie Beck. Happy Holidays!

CHRISTMAS IN GOOD HOPE by Cindy Kirk

Amaryllis “Ami” Bloom’s cheerful smile greets everyone in Good Hope, Wisconsin. But her merry facade hides a dark secret she won’t ever forget. Still, she throws herself into celebrating Christmas—and convinces her handsome, and stubborn, new neighbor to join her.

Beckett Cross, however, is determined not to celebrate the holidays. He moved to Good Hope to leave behind reminders of how he’d had it all…and lost everything. But it’s hard to resist adorable Ami, the designated keeper of the small town’s holiday traditions, when she asks for help with the Twelve Nights celebrations. And Ami has a hard time resisting Beck’s soft Southern drawl and gentle eyes. Will a Christmas miracle give them a second chance at love and the hope to heal both of their hearts for good?

“You’re an amazing woman, Ami Bloom.”

“You’re right.” Her bright smile flashed. “I am.”

He laughed.

Her laughter soon mingled with his.

Then their eyes met. The laughter died in his throat and his heart became a swift, hard beat.

He reached out for her and felt her arms encircle his neck. She was so lovely. Did she have any idea the power she had over him?

The feel of her soft curves had Beck forgetting his resolve to keep it all business between them. Just this once he would stop thinking and open himself to the moment, to her. He shifted, gathered her closer still, and kissed her temple.

When she gave a pleasure-filled sigh and lifted her face, he lowered his mouth to hers and found it as soft and sweet as he’d imagined.

The kiss started out gentle and tender but quickly morphed into something more, something that felt … life altering. When her fingers slid into his hair and she began to kiss him back with equal enthusiasm, Beck knew he was in over his head. 

JINGLE BELL HARBOR by Tracy Brogan

As assistant buyer for the world’s second-largest Christmas store, Kelsey Parker feels like a holiday harlot. She’s contractually obligated to promote the yuletide season. All. Year. Long. And it’s taking a toll on her spirit. But when her clueless, self-absorbed boyfriend goes on their long-anticipated romantic vacation—without her!—Kelsey is beyond disappointed to find herself tromping through the Bell Harbor snow instead of lounging on a tropical beach.

Drew Hampton is considered quite a catch among the Bell Harbor bachelorettes, but when his high school dream girl, Kelsey Parker, shows up at his grandfather’s Christmas tree lot complaining about her love life, he decides it’s long past time to get her under the mistletoe himself.

As things heat up between the two, a surprise visitor arrives, making Kelsey an offer she can’t quite believe. Now she must decide what matters most, and she just may discover the key to her happiness.

He cupped my face with both hands and traced one thumb over my bottom lip, a soft, slow motion as he stared at my mouth for an eternity. And then, at last, he leaned in and kissed me. Warm, delicious perfection. Pressure and insistence in just the right measure. I’d told Drew he’d been my first real kiss at fourteen. Now I realized I hadn’t truly had my first real kiss, because this was it. I felt it from my lips all the way down to my toes and past every detour in between.

I wound my hand around the back of his neck, needing him closer, and closer still. I hadn’t underestimated just how soft that hair of his was, but I had, remarkably, underestimated my body’s instantaneous reaction to his touch. It was electric. I gave myself up to the moment. I’d earned it, this indulgence. Because I was on vacation, and Drew Hampton just might have superpowers after all.

Arms tangling, heads tilting, pressure building. The kiss ended far too soon, but we stayed close, forehead to forehead. Breathy. Sizzling. Anticipating.

“I’ve waited a very long time for a chance to do that again,” he said, his breath a caress against my cheek.

I tugged off my scarf in a hasty motion. “In that case, we should make up for lost time,” I said. And then I kissed him again. And again, and again.

ACCIDENTALLY HERS by Jamie Beck

When ruggedly sexy backcountry guide Grey Lowell moves to Sterling Canyon, Colorado, after buying the ski-expedition company Backtrax, his plans don’t include romance. Still, it’s fun to look—especially across a crowded restaurant at a beauty he dubs “Bambi.” But all his plans change later that night when he’s injured by a drunk driver.

Physical therapist Avery Randall is shocked to learn that Grey’s the man her brother struck with his car, and even more stunned when he arrives at the clinic expecting her help. Despite her reservations and Grey’s silly new nickname for her, Avery agrees to work with him, and passion begins to simmer. Yet with his livelihood at stake, Grey must make tough decisions that could hurt Avery and her family. Before long, Avery’s loyalties are tested, and the choices she and Grey each make may cost them their chance at lasting love.

“I like you. I like you a lot.”

Heat shot up her arm and spread throughout her chest as his thumb brushed against the backof her hand. When she panicked and tried to pull away, he gripped her hand tighter. “Grey?”

He was staring at her as his other hand brushed back her hair. His touch set off a spark ofenergy that pulsed throughout the room. They both held their breath for a second, eyes locked on each other.

“Screw it,” he muttered before pulling her into a powerful kiss—one she felt down to her toes the instant his hot mouth claimed hers. A low rumble resonated in his chest as he tried to get closer to her despite their awkward positions in the chairs.

For several exhilarating seconds, she allowed herself to be swept away by the taste and smellof him. By the commanding way his tongue tangoed with hers. By the rising temperature in the room and shivery sensations overwhelming her entire body as he buried his hands in her hair.

Kissing Grey was every bit as hot as she’d imagined, and that heat shot straight through her abdomen and in between her legs.

One of his hands ran down her neck and back, pulling her closer. His chest heaved. Low sounds rumbled deep in the back of his throat as he got carried away and took her right along for the ride, crushing her to him.

Weeks and weeks of pent-up desire burst forth, causing her resolve to falter. She dug her hands into his thick, wavy hair, kissing him as she’d done so many times in her dreams. Then danger signs flashed in her mind, causing her to exert gentle pressure against his chest. “Wait.”

He kept his forehead pressed to hers, allowing his breathing to slow down. He held her there, cupping her neck, his thumbs gently rubbing her jaw. “Sorry. That wasn’t planned . . . or particularly gentle.”

When ruggedly sexy backcountry guide Grey Lowell moves to Sterling Canyon, Colorado, after buying the ski-expedition company Backtrax, his plans don’t include romance. Still, it’s fun to look—especially across a crowded restaurant at a beauty he dubs “Bambi.” But all his plans change later that night when he’s injured by a drunk driver.

Physical therapist Avery Randall is shocked to learn that Grey’s the man her brother struck with his car, and even more stunned when he arrives at the clinic expecting her help. Despite her reservations and Grey’s silly new nickname for her, Avery agrees to work with him, and passion begins to simmer. Yet with his livelihood at stake, Grey must make tough decisions that could hurt Avery and her family. Before long, Avery’s loyalties are tested, and the choices she and Grey each make may cost them their chance at lasting love.

Cindy, Tracy, and Jamie are hosting a special giveaway at this link.

Waiting for snow!