Guest Post & Giveaway ~ HEATED by Naima Simone

Heated (Burned Inc., #1)
by: Naima Simone
Series: Burned Inc.
Genre: Contemporary Multicultural Interracial Romance
Release Date: July 5, 2022
Publisher: Montlake

From USA Today bestselling author Naima Simone comes Heated, a sizzling novel about a breakup professional who embarks on a fake relationship with a client’s ex—the one person she wasn’t supposed to fall for.

Zora

I’m Denver’s unmatchmaker. Every city needs one.

Why? Because people break up—and sometimes they should. But when I learn that entertainment attorney Cyrus Hart is someone else’s mistake, I can’t believe it. He’s smart, successful, and sexy as hell.

When a chance encounter with Cyrus turns into something more, I can’t help but fall for him. Our chemistry is undeniable. But his ex used my company to send him that letter—and that’s a problem. Especially since he doesn’t know I own the company.

How can this possibly work? I know from experience that the riskiest ventures are the worthiest ones…but falling for Cyrus Hart may be my biggest gamble yet.

Cyrus

I’m a man with a plan—college, law school, a great career. So far, so good.

Until a stranger shows up on my doorstep and reads me a breakup letter from my girlfriend. My carefully laid plans unravel.

But then I meet someone new. It’s spontaneous. It’s electric. And it’s not according to plan.

I was at a book signing very recently and a reader asked me, “Tell me, how did you come up with the idea for HEATED?” It’s kind of a twofold story. If you’re a Sex and the City fan, then you must remember that epic episode when Carrie’s boyfriend Berger broke up with her on a sticky note. A sticky note. I mean, even the cop didn’t believe her until she slapped it on the back window of his cruiser. LOL! With that episode fresh in my head, I came upon an article about a real breakup service. They called their clients’ significant others and canceled them over the phone or by voice mail. Between the two of those, plot bunnies started hopping. What about a series that surrounds a company that offers multiple breakup packages? Want to end the relationship over dinner? No problem. How about serenade? Got you covered? Or what about a personalized Dear John letter. Oh we got that, too. It’s all done with compassion, love and a check. ☺

BURNED, Inc.⎯Breaking Up, Reversing Nuptials & Evading Disasters—is owned and run by three siblings, of which Zora Nelson is the oldest. She, her twin brother and younger sister grew up in a war zone. Their parents’ marriage made the War of the Roses look like a playground skirmish. Zora, Levi and Miriam grew up praying their parents would divorce so they would have some peace. And quiet. As a result, Zora assumed the role of peacemaker in her house. And when the siblings decided to go into business together, Zora couldn’t think of a better service to give someone than that of getting out of a bad relationship before it turned toxic and ugly. Her belief is not everyone belongs together, and it’s her purpose to help them break up so they can go their separate ways and find their “person.” BURNED is her baby, and she’d never do anything to jeopardize it… Until she falls for the one person she shouldn’t. The ex of the client that she dumped. With a Dear John letter.

Enter Cyrus Hart.

After losing his parents at an early age and being shuffled from one check-seeking relative to the next with absolutely no control over his life, he vowed never again would anyone have that power over him. So he formed plans—five year plan, ten year plan, fifteen year plan. And he zealously stuck to them. And his well-connected girlfriend is part of that plan. When she breaks up with him, he’s left reeling because his life is starting to derail. Nothing is going according to plan. Including continuing to bump into the woman who read the Dear John letter that ended his relationship. But when an opportunity at work requires him to produce a girlfriend, he maaaybe coerces Zora into pretending to be his significant other.

HEATED isn’t just a mistaken identity, fake relationship romance. It’s about overcoming ingrained fears and insecurities to take a risk on love. It’s about family—both biological and found—and leaning on those who unconditionally accept and love you. It’s about believing in yourself, trusting who you’ve become and having faith in yourself. But most of all, HEATED is above the journey of two wounded souls finding their HEA together.

I hope you enjoy the journey with them!

Purchase Heated from:

Amazon | Paperback | Audible | Audio CD | Goodreads

(Affiliate Links Used)

The Burned Inc. Series:

You can read an excerpt of Heated here.

Ravaged releases November 15, 2022

Published since 2009, USA Today Bestselling author Naima Simone loves writing sizzling romances with heart, a touch of humor and snark. Her books have been featured in The Washington Post and Entertainment Weekly, and described as balancing “crackling, electric love scenes with exquisitely rendered characters caught in emotional turmoil.”

She is wife to Superman, or his non-Kryptonian, less bullet proof equivalent, and mother to the most awesome kids ever. They all live in perfect, sometimes domestically-challenged bliss in the southern United States.

Places to find Naima Simone:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Instagram | Amazon Author Page | Newsletter | Saints & Sinner Street Team

You can follow the Heated Blog Tour here.

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