Apr 26, 2020 | April 2020, Blog, Coffee With, Katee Robert
Rae: Welcome to the blog. I’ve got a Dalgona Whipped Coffee in a fancy mason jar. It’s my new must have thanks to my teenager daughter who insisted we make one.
What’s in your cuppa or glass ;)?
Katee: When I drink, I usually prefer an Old Fashioned, but we’re out of most of the stuff so these days when I drink, it’s just straight up bourbon!
Rae: For those not familiar with your writing, how would you describe your books and where would you suggest they start if selecting from your backlist for the first time?
Katee: My books are bonkers sexy romps. My backlist can fall into basically 3 categories—saucy cotton candy types of stories (start with Wrong Bed, Right Guy), small town murder mysteries (start with The Devil’s Daughter), and mob-type really sexy dark romance (start with either The Marriage Contract, or deep dive into the bonkers WTF with Desperate Measures).
Rae: Congratulations on your surprise release this week. What was the inspiration for this story and will there be more unexpected books while we are navigating social distancing? Has that helped your creative writing process and do you think you’ll change the way you write moving forward?
Katee: Thank you so much! This book surprised me as much as everyone else. Like everyone else, I’ve been hit hard with the pandemic funk and completely fell out of reading because I couldn’t concentrate. Nikki Sloane’s Filthy Rich American series broke that for me. I inhaled it, and it convinced me that I might be into father-in-law stuff. Once I finished the books, I couldn’t get the idea of it out of my head and it just morphed into this whirlwind drafting of a book in a week. It was like having an out of body experience, but it brought me an absurd amount of joy.
I don’t know that this will change my creative process overall, but it was so fun, I expect I’ll be diverting my schedule for another pseudo taboo book before the end of the year!
Thank you so much for hanging out. It’s time for a round of dirty dozen…
1. What is your must read book and why?
The book that I reread every single year is Anne Bishop’s fantasy series, the Black Jewels trilogy (it’s an omnibus. Totally counts!). It’s one of those that you either love or hate, and it imprinted on me hard when I first read it because of the world-building and characters just jump off the page. It does come with heavy trigger warnings, though, so be warned before you dive in.
2. If I visit your hometown, where am I going and what’s the best place to grab a bite?
This little hole-in-the-wall place called Dick’s that has the best burgers on this side of the state!
3. What is one thing readers would be surprised to know about you?
I’m never quite sure how to answer this question because I’m a bit of an over-sharer. Maybe that I’m really into YA horror, even though I can’t stand most other horror except slashers.
4. What is your guilty pleasure?
My favorite thing in the world is seeing movies by myself. Just going in and enjoying the whole experience alone. It recharges my introvert soul.
5. What are you afraid of?
Ghosts, spiders, serial killers. Maybe in that order.
6. Tats or No Tats? If tats, how many and what did you choose for your first one?
Tats all the way. I am covered. I have a full sleeve, both my ribs done up, and a bunch on my back. They’re all literary and heavy into fairy tales.
7. Binge watcher or weekly viewer? Which show(s)?
I’ve a binge watcher, but I’m not a very good one. The only seasons I seem to finish these days are cooking shows.
8. If you could pick a book you’ve read and make it into a movie, which book would it be (besides yours 🙂 )?
I would love, love, love to see Kresley Cole’s contemporary trilogy made into movies that do them justice, dark and seriously sexy.
9. What is the one thing you can’t live without?
Coffee. It’s my life.
10. What’s the one career gives you the shudders?
Teaching middle schoolers. Which is kind of hilarious because for like half a year, I thought that’s what I wanted to do.
11. If I opened up your handbag/bag/briefcase, what item would I be shocked to see?
Not sure about shocked, but there are an absurd number of protein bars in my purse at any given time. I’m the Snack Mom.
12. What app on your phone/ipad gets the most use?
Instagram. It’s my happy place.
Rae: Thank you for hanging out today.
Katee: Thank you so much for inviting me!
Katee Robert is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romance and romantic suspense. Entertainment Weekly calls her writing “unspeakably hot.” Her books have sold over a million copies. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, children, a cat who thinks he’s a dog, and two Great Danes who think they’re lap dogs.
Website: www.kateerobert.com
FB: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKateeRobert
Twitter: https://twitter.com/katee_robert
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5398028.Katee_Robert
Instagram: http://instagram.com/katee_robert/
Apr 25, 2020 | April 2020, Blog, Katee Robert, The Extra Shot
Welcome to The Extra Shot where you’ll find an exclusive excerpt from the new release Your Dad Will Do (A Touch of Taboo Book 1) by Katee Robert.
Tomorrow be sure to stop by as Romance Author Katee Robert joins me here on the blog for Coffee With. Grab a cuppa and discover a few fun and tasty tidbits.
How does one go about seducing their almost-father-in-law? I really, truly do not recommend doing an internet search. The results are heavy on porn and light on answers. In the end, I’m left to my own devices.
That’s how I end up on his front porch in a short black dress and thigh-highs in the middle of January, well after the polite hours of visiting. I’m shaking as I knock on the door, and it’s not purely because the icy wind makes my clothing feel like a laughable barrier.
Despite the late hour, he’s awake. My breath catches in my throat as the door opens to reveal him. Shane. The man who, up until a few days ago, was supposed to be my father-in-law. Funny how quickly things change when you least expect it. Or not so funny at all. I sure as hell don’t feel like laughing.
He fills the doorway, a large man with broad shoulders, big hands, and a smattering of salt and pepper in his hair. He’s in his late forties, some twenty-ish years older than me. Shane frowns as recognition slips over his handsome face. “Lily? What are you doing here?”
“I was hoping we could talk.” I have to clench my jaw to keep my teeth from chattering. Maybe I should have gone with the trench coat route. At least then I’d have a coat.
To his credit, Shane doesn’t make me wait. He moves out of the way and holds the door open so I can walk past him. The first blast of warmth makes me shiver again. Maybe if I hadn’t stood out there for so long, gathering my courage, I wouldn’t be so cold now.
“What did he do?”
I blink and stop trying to rub feeling back into my fingertips. “Excuse me?”
“My asshole son. What’s he done now?” He catches my hand and lifts it between us. My ring finger is markedly empty. Shane skates his thumb across the bare skin, still frowning. Now my shivers have very little to do with temperature and everything to do with desire.
It’s yet another indication of the many ways that my relationship with Max wasn’t operating on all cylinders. His freaking father can do more with a single swipe of his thumb than Max was ever interested in doing with his entire body. Then again, Max and I only ever had polite, friendly sex—which was not what I found him doing with his secretary when I showed up unexpectedly at his office. It’s not what I suspect he was doing with the others I suspect came before her.
I don’t want to get into it right now. I’ve already had four days of tears and raging with my girlfriends, but if I start talking about how I found Max f&*king his secretary like the biggest goddamn cliché in existence, I’m going to start crying again.
That’s not why I’m here.
I’m here for revenge—and maybe a little pleasure, too, though the pleasure rates a distant second in priorities.
“Shane.” I say his name slowly. In all the time I dated Max, I called him Mr. Alby. A necessary distance between us, a reminder of what he was to me—only ever my boyfriend’s father. I rip down that distance now and stare up at him, letting him see the pent up emotions I’ve spent two long years ignoring and denying.
I’ve spent two long years ignoring a whole lot.
Shane’s dark eyes go wide and then hot before he shutters his response, locking himself up tight. But, almost as if he can’t resist, he swipes the pad of his thumb over my bare ring finger again. “Tell me what happened.”
“We’re over.” My voice catches, and I hate that it catches. “No going back, no crossing Go, no collecting two hundred dollars. Really, really over.”
He nods slowly and then gives my hand a squeeze. “Sounds like you could use a drink.”
“I could use about ten, but one’s a good place to start.” At least he isn’t kicking me out. That’s a good sign, right? I follow him to the kitchen and watch as he opens the liquor cabinet and picks through the bottles.
He barely glances at me. “Vodka, right?”
“Yes.” Of course he remembers my drink. I bet, if pressed, he also remembers my birthday and a whole host of other details that slip past most people, including my ex.
But then, Shane isn’t most people.
Heat melts into my bones as he methodically puts together a drink for each of us. I don’t know what to do with my hands once I don’t need them for warmth, and the coziness of the temperature is a vivid reminder of just how little I’m wearing. My dress is barely long enough to cover the tops of my thigh-highs and while I’m wearing a garter belt, I have nothing else on beneath the thin fabric of the dress. I’m dressed slutty and downright scandalous and Shane has barely looked at me since I walked through the door.
That won’t do. That won’t do at all.
He finishes with the drinks and I gather what’s left of my courage and close the distance between us, sliding between him and the counter to reach for the glass. Just like that, he’s at my back, his hips against my ass. “Thank you,” I say over my shoulder.
He inhales sharply, but doesn’t move back. “What are you doing, Lily?”
His lack of retreat gives me a little more strength. Just enough to sip the drink and then turn slowly to face him. I have to lean back over the counter to meet his gaze, and a thrill goes through me as he forces me to make the adjustments. He might as well be made from stone. I tip my chin up. “I have a question.”
“Ask it.”
“Last summer, you and Max were supposed to be working, so I was here at the pool.” I can barely catch my breath. “No one was around so I didn’t bother with a suit.”
“Mmm.” The barely banked heat in his gaze is back, flaring hotter by the second. He still hasn’t moved, either to press against me or to retreat. “That’s not a question.”
I lick my lips. “It felt wicked to be out there naked, knowing I was in your house even if you weren’t here. I…” This part’s harder, but his nearness gives me a boost of bravado. “I started touching myself. I felt like such a little slut, but that made it hotter.”
He’s breathing harder now, and he reaches around me to grasp the counter on either side of my hips. “Why are you telling me this?”
“Because it’s not anything you don’t already know,” I whisper. “You were upstairs. I saw you watch me through the master window.”
Books I Love A Latte participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchase. If you click on the link and purchase the featured book and/or anything else during that shopping session, Books I Love A Latte will receive a small percentage between 2-6%. Any profit earned from this transaction is given directly back to readers via giveaways (gift cards, books, etc.) Thank you in advance.
Thank you in advance for your continued support.
Katee Robert is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romance and romantic suspense. Entertainment Weekly calls her writing “unspeakably hot.” Her books have sold over a million copies. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, children, a cat who thinks he’s a dog, and two Great Danes who think they’re lap dogs.
Website: www.kateerobert.com
Stay connected with Rae Latte and Books I Love A Latte for Book Reviews, Excerpts, Teasers, Coffee With (Interviews), Giveaways, Authors Dish, Book Sales, and other Tasty Tidbits.
Apr 11, 2020 | April 2020, Blog, Samantha Chase
Drive Me Crazy (Road Tripping) by Samantha Chase is fun and full of adventure. Two unlikely strangers. One car. A trip they will never forget.
Samantha Chase writes sweet and sexy romance and this series is a bit sexier than some of her more traditionally published books. I loved it and enjoyed the intimacy of the characters. To those who really enjoy her behind the doors romance, this is a tad more and flows perfectly. If you don’t mind a little spice, this isn’t over the top and it adds to the story pace flow and character development.
Throughout this story the character arcs are real, layered, and the story is full of that signature Chase trademark that makes her books must read romance.
From the color popping cover you are immediately drawn in, you can feel the connection. Something amazing is about to happen. I’m a huge fan of road trips and a romance series that is set in a car, driving cross country, count me in!
Grace knows what she wants, too bad her soon to be husband doesn’t fully appreciate her. When she discovers the truth she will take a leap of faith and trust her gut. What transpires is a journey of self discovery, acceptance and a willingness to find happiness.
Finn is convinced he can teach his brother a thing or two. Little does he know he’s about to be played. When he sorts things out he will make a plan that now includes a woman escaping and needs a ride.
Sometimes we need to step outside our comfort zone to discover the things we need and the things we can work on to make our lives better. The chemistry between Grace and Finn is electric, their journey is full of twists and turns, and the adventure they embark has all the things. I can’t wait to read the next installment.
If you’re looking for a sinfully sweet, hotter than sweet with bedroom romance that tingles in all the right places, and a dash of spice to satisfy that slightly spicy craving.The story is fresh, creative, and full of romance.
I received a free copy from Inkslinger PR for a fair and honest review.
Get your copy here:
Books I Love A Latte participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchase. If you click on the link and purchase the featured book and/or anything else during that shopping session, Books I Love A Latte will receive a small percentage between 2-6%. Any profit earned from this transaction is given directly back to readers via giveaways (gift cards, books, etc.) Thank you in advance.
Thank you in advance for your continued support.
Excerpt
“Why do I have to shop for you? I’ve got my own shopping to do. And we agreed–just minutes ago, mind you–how we were responsible for ourselves. I’m not shopping for you, Grace.”
Her shoulders sagged. “Oh, come on! Seriously? Look at me, Finn! Haven’t I been humiliated enough today? Now you expect me to go inside and shop looking like this?”
“Trust me, Grace, no one is going to judge you in there. If anything, I’m pretty sure you wouldn’t even be in the top ten of weird dressers in there.” He paused and grinned. “I believe there’s an entire website dedicated to the crazy way people dress to shop at Walmart. You’ll be fine.”
She wanted to argue because the thought of facing any more people while wearing her wedding dress was beyond unappealing, but she knew the quickest way to get out of the damn dress was to go inside for herself and shop.
“Fine,” she said with a dramatic sigh. “Let’s get this over with.”
“Thirty minutes,” he stated firmly as they climbed from the truck. “Let’s give ourselves thirty minutes to get in and done so we can get on the road.”
Grace nodded because it all sounded good to her. The sooner they got what they needed and moved on, the happier she’d be.
Once they stepped inside the store and grabbed their own shopping carts, Grace was amazed at how the majority of the people simply glanced at her and kept on walking.
Thank God.
Finn reminded her of the time and walked away. Part of her had hoped they’d shop together because it would make her look a little less pathetic, but…with no other choice, she embraced the spectacle that she was and began shopping.
The basic toiletries were first–shampoo, conditioner, soap, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, and a razor. Her makeup was in her satchel, so she was good there. Thinking quick, she grabbed a brush and a couple of bands for her hair. Next, she walked over to the women’s department and grabbed a couple of pairs of yoga pants, a couple of pairs of jeans, and a handful of t-shirts. Next came tennis shoes, socks, and underwear. The cart was filling up, but she still had a few more things to grab. Two nightshirts and a robe were thrown in before she walked over to the travel section and found a suitcase and travel pillow.
Standing back, she examined everything she had picked and knew it would have to do. If she forgot anything, no doubt she and Finn could stop along the way. Deciding she could go and check out, Grace had gone all of five steps when her stomach started to grumble. In all the wedding preparation hoopla earlier, she hadn’t eaten. The plan had been to enjoy a big dinner after the ceremony, and with everything she had to do to get ready, she had skipped lunch.
“Snacks,” she muttered. “Better grab some snacks.” What followed could best be described as a hungry child left unsupervised in a candy store. The top of her shopping cart was covered in every variety of candy bar topped with several bags of chips, some snack cakes, and a six-pack of soda. Smiling with satisfaction, she said, “That should do it.”
She spotted Finn on one of the checkout lines and walked over and moved in behind him. He took one glance at her cart and then at her.
“Is this your passive-aggressive way of saying you’re hungry?” he asked, one dark brow arched.
“Right now, I should be cutting my wedding cake,” she replied sarcastically. “After enjoying a three-course meal that included chateaubriand, grilled scallops, baby asparagus, and a Caesar salad.”
“Oh.”
“And…I skipped lunch!” She crossed her arms over her chest and gave him a ‘take that!’ look.
He stepped closer and examined the contents of her cart and Grace looked around him toward his.
It was way more organized.
And contained a lot less stuff.
“Are you sure you got everything?” she asked. “It doesn’t look like you have enough.”
Shrugging, Finn began unloading his purchases onto the belt. Grace watched and counted three pairs of jeans, a package of t-shirts, a package of socks, a package of boxers, some kit that contained all the male-essential toiletries, a brush, and a duffle bag.
Clearly, Finn was an efficient shopper.
He shrugged. “Don’t need much. This isn’t a vacation; it’s just so I don’t smell while we’re driving.”
Um…okay, she thought. Most men she knew would be a little more eloquent in describing this sort of thing but whatever. Jared would have insisted they go to a mall to shop and then…nope. She was not going to go there. For starters, Jared would never do a road trip, and second, she didn’t want to even think about him right now.
The bastard.
Finn bagged up his stuff and paid while Grace loaded her stuff on the belt. The cashier looked at her and then at Finn and smiled broadly. “Honeymoon off to a rough start?” she asked. “What happened? The airline lose your luggage?”
Grace could feel her cheeks heating and didn’t know how to respond because, really, did this cashier need to be on the receiving end of all the sarcasm, anger, and snark that was just dying to be released?
Before she could do or say anything, Finn leaned in and laughed. “They sure did! It’s been a wild day, and we’re anxious just to have some necessities until the whole mess gets cleared up, aren’t we, honey?”
She looked at him like he was crazy, but when she realized what he was doing, she began to laugh along with him. “You know it, sweetie pie!” She turned to the cashier. “We know this is just a little bump in the road, and it will give us something to laugh about and tell our grandkids one day!”
Soon the cashier was laughing with them. “You two are adorable!” Then she started ringing up Grace’s things. “Although, just a bit of marriage advice for you…don’t pay for things separately! You are one now! Embrace it!”
Grace looked nervously at Finn, who looked away, and she knew he was snickering. She just knew it! Keeping her smile in place, she said, “This will be our last separate purchase, right, baby?”
Grinning, Finn nodded. “Of course, snookums. Now, why don’t we let this lovely lady finish ringing you up so you can get changed and we can get going?”
Just the thought of getting out of the gown was enough to spur Grace into action. After she paid, she pulled a pair of yoga pants, a t-shirt, socks, and sneakers from the bags and walked over to the ladies’ room. Finn took the rest of the purchases and told her he’d meet her at the truck, and that was fine with her.
It didn’t take long, however, for her to realize that this wasn’t going to be a quick-change. It had taken the help of Tilly to get into her gown, and no matter how hard she tried, it was impossible to get out of it alone. She was practically sewn into it. She stepped out of the stall and caught her reflection in the mirror and wanted to cry. There was a time when she’d thought this was her dream gown. The salesgirl at the dress shop had said it was a fairytale fantasy kind of gown and had sold her with her whimsical description. The fitted bodice was adorned with exquisite lace appliques and accented with beads and rhinestones. The sheer off-the-shoulder neckline was exactly what she had wanted, and months of working out at the gym meant she could really show off her arms.
But the floor-length skirt had sealed the deal for her. The oversized skirt was embellished with delicate handmade flowers. The outer layer was made of tulle, the interlayer was made of silk net, and the lining was made of satin. The first time she had tried it on, she felt like a princess. And now look at her. She was muddy, the dress was ruined, her makeup was a smeared mess, and she was standing in a Walmart bathroom. Muttering a curse, Grace grabbed her new clothes and stormed out of the ladies’ room and out to the parking lot where she found Finn eating one of her candy bars.
“Hey!” she snapped. “What the hell, Finn? Those are mine!”
With a shrug, he laughed and looked her up and down. “Problem?”
“Yes, there’s a problem! Why wouldn’t there be a problem?” she asked sarcastically. “I can’t get out of this stupid gown. I can’t reach the damn buttons.” Turning her back to him, she motioned to them. “Can you…can you please just help me?”
He popped the last bite of candy into his mouth before reaching out and Grace could feel his knuckles gently caress her skin. Tingles of awareness ran down her spine, and she cursed herself for responding at all at a time like this.
“These buttons are ridiculously small,” he murmured as he leaned in close, and now she could feel his warm breath along her spine too.
“I’m in hell,” she muttered.
“Excuse me?”
“What? Oh…uh, nothing. Just commenting on how rotten my luck’s been today.”
She felt his hands down near her waist and quickly stepped aside. “I think that should do it. Thanks.” Glancing toward the massive store, Grace considered her options. The rain had stopped, and she was just so damn tired. “Hey, can you just…you know…turn around?”
Finn looked at her like she was crazy. “You’re not going to get changed right here, are you?”
“C’mon, Finn. I don’t want to hike back inside!” she whined. “My feet are killing me, this dress is wide open now in the back and…please? Just stand in front of me. I’ll open the truck door to shield me on one side and you can shield me on the other. I’ll be fast, I swear!”
“Grace, you can’t be serious…”
And that was it.
She’d hit her breaking point. Stepping in close, she poked him in the chest. “Do you think that maybe–just maybe–something can go my way tonight? Isn’t it bad enough that I’m standing here in a Walmart parking lot on what was supposed to be my wedding night? I’m tired, I’m hungry, and all I want is to take this damn dress off! You ate one of my candy bars, so you owe me! Now, are you going to help me or not? Because I’ve got to tell you, Finn, I’m not opposed to stripping down right here and just getting it over with!”
By the time she was done, she was breathless and shaking with rage, and Finn must have realized it because he turned around and gave her some room. “Wait,” he said. Stepping around her, he reached into the space behind the seats and pulled out all the shopping bags. Loading his hands with all of them, he stepped in front of her and turned his back to her. “Extra blockage.”
As crazy as it sounded, it was the nicest thing he could have done for her.
“Thank you,” she said softly, and then quickly stripped off her dress and pulled on her new comfy clothes.
About the Author
Samantha Chase is a New York Times and USA Today bestseller of contemporary romance. She released her debut novel in 2011 and currently has more than forty titles under her belt! When she’s not working on a new story, she spends her time reading romances, playing way too many games of Scrabble or Solitaire on Facebook, wearing a tiara while playing with her sassy pug Maylene…oh, and spending time with her husband of 25 years and their two sons in North Carolina.
Website: https://www.chasing-romance.com/
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SamanthaChaseFanClub/
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BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/samantha-chase
adventure. This spicy read is best enjoyed with your favorite iced-beverage, a cozy chair, and maybe a fan. I received an ARC from Wildfire marketing solutions for a fair and honest review.
