By
Kimberly Quinton
Cupid’s
Promise
Holiday Hearts – Book 2
What
images do you see when you think of Valentine’s Day? I see chocolate and
hearts—first thing. And then red roses, pink carnations, and cute crafts (I
have kids…) but I don’t think jewelry. *Note-to-self, need to speak to the DH
about that!
Lena
Ridgeway, the romance-crazed heroine of Cupid’s Promise is on a mission to
remind the people of Laurel Cove that Valentine’s is not about chocolate and
teddy bears, but about romance.
Lena’s
going to have a hard time convincing Marcus Blackwell, the no-nonsense, co-owner
of Cupid’s Secret, that there can be more to Valentine’s than a bump in retail
income from pushing hearts and roses. But, challenging him to participate in the
store’s week of activities guaranteed to help customer’s enhance the romance in
their lives, gives her more than she bargained for.
With
the help of her grandmother’s spirit pushing her to listen to her heart, Lena
goes all out to show Marcus that she’s his Valentine, but will his cynical view
of romance and love cause him to break her heart instead?
It’s
no secret that I love holidays like Christmas and Valentine’s Day—I have so
many special memories from celebrating them as a child and just had to write
stories around them.
Do
you have a favorite Valentine memory or tradition? Perhaps a special gift from
the love or you life?
Blurb:
Shot through the heart...
Cupid's Secret promises to set Laurel Cove on its ear with a sexy new boutique
that answers what a woman desires. When the owner ends up in the hospital it's
up to Lena Ridgeway to make sure this heart-stopping opening goes off without a
hitch, but she finds her every idea challenged by a no-nonsense businessman.
Capitalizing on a feeling...
Marcus Blackwell is a bottom-line kind of guy and he knows that sex and hearts
sell. When he arrives to find his latest venture in chaos, his partner injured,
and a model-turned-manager in charge, he rolls up his sleeves and dives in. If
only he could keep his mind-and hands - off the sultry model with her whimsical
faith in a fake holiday.
Can't fight this fortune...
Lena can't help teasing the straight-laced, business-only boss who keeps
sneaking into her dreams. One passionate kiss has her believing he may be the
one she's waited for all her life, but she'll need every arrow in Cupid's
arsenal to prove she is his true Valentine....
Excerpt:
“You’re firing me because I didn’t sell enough chocolate?” Lena had never
been fired before. She shouldn’t be so pissed. It wasn’t like she had wanted to
be a clerk in the first place.
“No. I’m letting you know your obligation to your friend is fulfilled. We
have a manager who can take over—one who’s interested in the bottom line and
ready to do what it takes to make this store a success—therefore, you no longer
need to inconvenience yourself with filling in.” If he could have been more
condescending, she wasn’t sure how.
“But who will coordinate the seminars and special guests we have coming
in next week? Julie can’t run the store and do that, too.” Why was she arguing?
If the part owner said he didn’t need her, then he didn’t need her. She could
get to her planned reunion with James.
“I’ll be coordinating the week of activities and specials. Like I said,
everything is under control and you are free to go.” He began the closing
routine as if there was no need for further discussion. She was, for the first
time she could remember, speechless.
Lena paced through the shop to the florist counter where her purse was
secured in a cabinet. Pulling the over-sized boho bag out, she bit her tongue
before saying anything else. She had known her time there was temporary while
they found other staff, but she had enjoyed the work and done well, despite
what Marcus thought. Maybe she should take his dismissal as a sign to move on.
Turning, she almost swallowed her sore tongue. Holy heck. Boss from hell had loosened his tie
and unbuttoned his collar. Suddenly Mr. Tight Ass looked more bedroom than
boardroom. He ran a hand over his face, pinched the bridge of his nose for a
breath, then smoothed through his just-longer-than-short locks. The natural
wave kept the tousled-yet-put-together style with ease. Transfixed, she
couldn’t look away as his long fingers deftly and purposefully unbuttoned one
sleeve and then the other before rolling them up to reveal the sun-kissed color
of his hands also extended up strong forearms. Her lips closed around the soft
pant of her breath. Her thoughts really needed to start flowing in a different
direction.
His gaze caught hers and heat singed her cheeks at his cocky half-grin.
“You don’t need to help close up. I can manage.”
Clearing her throat, she wiped at the handprint her heated skin had left
on the glass counter. “Sure thing.” I
need to get out of here before I do something stupid.
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