by: Ophelia London
Series: Sugar City
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: November 9, 2015
Publisher: Entangled Bliss
He’s sweet trouble...
Natalie Holden wants three things: To be the best chocolate chemist in Hershey, Pennsylvania, to prove her chocolate recipe can help teenage depression, and to get over gorgeous Luke Elliott, the guy she’s had a crush on since birth. Unfortunately, he’s the microbiologist set to debunk her chocolate study. And, of course, he looks more delicious than ever!
Luke Elliott is still bitter over his divorce. Work is his passion now, and landing a huge promotion is just what he needs. What he doesn’t need is a crackpot trying to prove that chocolate cures depression. The last thing he expects is for the crackpot to be Natalie Holden—his “what if” girl from high school—or that she’d still tempt the hell out of him.
They may not see eye-to-eye on her project, but they can’t deny the explosive chemistry that keeps pulling them together. Even when it risks their jobs and the very different futures they both want…
Hi Ophelia. Welcome Read Your Writes Book Reviews. I haven't really spoken with you since Love Bites came out and I discovered they were real. How are you?
Hi Kim. I’m fabulous! Hahaha, I totally remember that about Love Bites. Heehee. (smiles) And thanks for having me on again!
Kissing Her Crush is the first full length novel in your Sugar City series. Natalie Holden made an appearance in the novella, Love Bites. What should readers know about Natalie and her leading man, Luke Elliott?
Well, when I decided to set a series in Hershey, PA, I knew I wanted to take advantage of the whole chocolate thing. I mean, how could I not? So I just went for it and Natalie actually works for Hershey, and gets to be around the chocolate all day. Dream job, right? But she’s also a bit of a research scientist and is working on a very special chocolate recipe to help with teenage depression. Nat’s totally jazzed about finally getting a grant so she can start her research project…until she finds out the feds are sending in a “Sugar Nazi” (Natalie’s words!) to proctor her trial. To make matters worse (or better?), the proctor is none other than dreeeeamy Luke, the guy she’s had a crush on since the womb. I love writing “opposites attract” characters. And with Luke and Natalie, let’s just say chocolate plays a pretty big part in how they, um, get together.
Natalie is a chocolate chemist (I had no idea that was a real job.) What sort of research did you do for the book?
Yes, it’s a real job. And I did do legitimate research—besides eating about 80 bags of Hershey’s miniature. Through family connections, and friends-of-friends, I was able to land a pretty amazing tour at Hershey Co’s Research & Development lab. It was pretty hardcore hush-hush. I wasn’t even allowed a camera in there. So most of the stuff I learned on that tour didn’t make it into the book, because who wants to be sued by Hershey? But I was incredibly fortunate to get a behind the scenes look at where the chocolaty-creative magic takes place.
Oh wow. Touring the Hershey Research & Development lab. Amazing!!! What part of a book is your favorite to write & why? (Beginning, the getting to know one and other stage, first kiss, big fight or declaration of love.)
I love writing about kissing. It’s just so fun! And with Luke and Natalie, their first kiss came pretty early. And they just kind of kept on kissing—they wouldn’t stop! But my favorite kiss in this book is their first kiss. They’re actually at Hersheypark on a fictional “tunnel of love” ride. Once the lights go out, things go from sweet to…well, you’ll have to read to find out!
Your bio says you were traveling through the Metroplex and your car broke down and you've been there ever since. Is this really a true story?
Yes, it’s true, though I took a bit of poetic license with that. When I was finishing grad school in California, I had every intention of moving to Tampa, things were already in the works. Well, as fate would have it, something kind of came up and I made a last minute decision to try Dallas first. (Big change, I know!) I’m really happy in Texas, aaaaaand it’s closer to Florida, so I take lots of vacations there.
What do you think Natalie and Luke would say about you as their author and possibly their tormentor?
I think they’re cool with it, because they both really like making out with each other, and I helped them out with that!
You're very busy writing contemporary romance and NA romance. You recently added cozy mystery author to your title. What appeals to you about these genres?
The cozy mystery was kind of an accident. I’d actually written it as straight chick lit, but as I went through the editing process, I discovered it had a lot of mystery elements, and that was really fun to play up. But, since it was me writing it, and I LOVE all the kissing, my cozy is pretty heavy on the romance, as well. You’re welcome!
Haha... I actually have Chalk Lines & Lipstick on my tablet, waiting for me to read. Thank you for adding all the kissing!!! Thank you so much for joining me and answering some questions. Is there anything you would like to add?
Just a huge thank you, Kim! These questions have been a lot of fun. But now I’m hungry for chocolate! Speaking of chocolate… I’m giving away a really fun prize pack from Hershey. We’re talking goodies fresh from the Hershey plant. Check out my rafflecopter for all the deets on how to enter!
Purchase Kissing Her Crush from:
The Sugar City Series:
(Click on the book covers for more information and/or to purchase from Amazon.)
Falling for Her Enemy (Still Harbor, #2)
by: Victoria James
Series: Still Harbor
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: November 9, 2015
Publisher: Entangled Bliss
She's falling for the one man who could destroy everything...
Alex McAllister always dreamed of a life filled with the laughter and love of a family, but being abandoned at a young age left her wary of letting anyone in. Now that she's settled in Still Harbor, Alex struggles between keeping her distance and the magnetic pull of the handsome stranger who claims he's the biological father of her adopted daughter.
Hayden Brooks never wanted to be a father. Long hours spent building his family's real estate empire suits him just fine. But when he discovers an ex put the baby he unknowingly fathered up for adoption, his world crumbles. He tracks the child to Still Harbor with the intention of bringing her home-and comes face to face with his daughter's stunning adoptive mother.
The paternity test is in. And Hayden's about to make the most shocking decision of his life, just in time for Christmas...
Purchase Falling for Her Enemy from:
The Still Harbor Series:
(Click on the book covers for more information and/or to purchase from Amazon.)
USA Today bestselling author Ophelia London was born and raised among the redwood trees in beautiful northern California. Once she was fully educated, she decided to settle in Florida, but her car broke down in Texas and she’s lived in Dallas ever since. A cupcake and treadmill aficionado (obviously those things are connected), she spends her time watching arthouse movies and impossibly trashy TV, while living vicariously through the characters she writes. Ophelia is the author of AIMEE & THE HEARTTHROB; DEFINITELY, MAYBE IN LOVE; the Abby Road series; Perfect Kisses series; Sugar City series; and the brand new cozy mystery CHALK LINES & LIPSTICK. Visit all her books HERE, but don’t call when The Vampire Diaries (or Dawson’s Creek) is on. #paceylove
Places to find Ophelia London:
Victoria James is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romance.
Victoria always knew she wanted to be a writer and in grade five, she penned her first story, bound it (with staples and a cardboard cover) and did all the illustrations herself. Luckily, this book will never see the light of day again.
In high school she fell in love with historical romance and then contemporary romance. After graduating University with an English Literature degree, Victoria pursued a degree in Interior Design and then opened her own business. After her first child, Victoria knew it was time to fulfill her dream of writing romantic fiction.
Victoria is a hopeless romantic who is living her dream, penning happily-ever-after's for her characters in between managing kids and the family business. Writing on a laptop in the middle of the country in a rambling old Victorian house would be ideal, but she's quite content living in suburbia with her husband, their two young children, and very bad cat.
Sign up for Victoria's Newsletter to stay up to date on upcoming releases and exclusive giveaways, follow her blog for daily antics and insight into her daily life, and get to know her on twitter and Facebook. She loves hearing from readers!
Places to find Victoria James:
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Great interview!
ReplyDeleteCrystal, Tasty Book Tours
Thanks Crystal.
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