She's Got Dibs is FREE thru June 29th

I'm thrilled to have one of my critique partners and dear friend, AJ Nuest, at Vintage Vonnie today. And, as you can see, I did a little redecorating on my blog to celebrate having her as a guest. She's got a fabulous summer read out. Let me tell you girls, it's hawt enough to melt your sun screen!  AJ, you take over while I read that scene you wrote again. You know the one, darlin'...

AJ’s “Musts” for a Great Beach Read

 

Hi all and a great big THANK YOU to Vonnie for hosting me on the very first FREE DAY of She’s Got Dibs!! Whoo Hoo!! I am thrilled beyond thrilled to be here!! Yay! Yay!

Well, summer has officially begun. Not sure about you, but over at the Nuest household this means several things—open the pool, clean and pack the camper, keep the freezer stocked with burgers and dogs, and get those beach supplies prepped and ready to go. Sunscreen, bug spray, picnic basket, beach towels, water toys, hair brush, dry undies…I got a whole roll call of summer necessities. But the one item that makes the top of the list? A great beach read.

Ahhh… Nothing says summer to me like lying in the sun with a good book. The kids are busy playing in the water, hubs is busy napping at my side, the chatter and constant roll of the waves in the background…it’s pure bliss. Escapism on so many levels. A moment of total relaxation I get to enjoy maybe once or twice a year. So, admittedly, I’m a bit choosy about my beach reading material. Certain criteria apply.

 

For example, the book… 

Must be contemporary. Ipods, Iphones, laptops and MP3 players are now standard accessories for the beach. For some reason, I have a hard time submersing myself in historical while sitting amongst all that gadgetry. I vote modern-day reads at the beach.

 

Must be a romance. Or at the very least contain strong romantic elements. There’s lots of skin at the beach. Romance fits better with all that nakedness.

 

Must contain humor. Don’t get me wrong. I love an intense, emotionally fraught story as much as the next gal. Heck, I’ve even written a few. However, I keep those reads for dark stormy nights when I get to cuddle under a blanket. Yummy. At the beach, I like to laugh my way through the story, have some fun.

 

Must contain travel. I’m a mom of two kids. I haven’t been anywhere truly exciting in over ten years. Sitting at the beach allows me to imagine I’m someplace different, someplace exotic even. I like my summer reading material to take me there.

 

Must be easily bookmarked. “Mom, where’s…my towel, the sandwiches, the sunscreen, my goggles, my wallet, a bottle of water, etc., etc.?” I gotta be able to stop and start without too much fuss or going back several pages to recapture the story, otherwise I end up reading the same passage over and over again and that’s no fun.

 

Must be easy to follow. I may decide to have a cocktail at the beach. Hey, it’s been known to happen. I’m not about to turn the cabana boy away. Hence, I prefer something that contains details which are easy to recall. Besides, I’m too busy holding a fruity umbrella drink to take notes.

 

Must be something I would recommend to my girlfriends. A good chance exists I will be at the beach with another mom. An even better chance exists she will ask what I’m reading. I prefer to answer enthusiastically vs. a shrug and tossing the book aside.

 

Must have an antagonist I love to hate. I’m already sorta pissed there’s so much sand in my ass, the book might as well give me someone to rail at. A strong antagonist fits the bill…like someone I can really stew about while I’m packing all the wet gear (and about six pounds of beach sand) into my vehicle. Bring it!

 

Must contain a fairish to goodly amount of steam. It’s summer, after all. The sun is out, the mercury is high… What better way to celebrate than to read something which reflects the long sultry nights and optional sleepwear? Call me a clam and steam me, baby! Whoot!

 

There you have it. Those are my “musts” for a great summer read. What are yours? Perhaps you’ve already found the perfect book and, to make matters even better, it’s FREE! Check out She’s Got Dibs available FREE at Amazon through June 29^th. Just so happens this story contains all of the above. J

  

Book blurb: 

True love does not exist…or so event planner Tessa Adams learns the day she gets jilted—twenty-four hours prior to walking down the aisle. One-night stands are much easier, and with sexy philanthropists like David Brenner, how can she resist? Now if she could just get rid of him. Had she known the biggest event of her career would be working for David’s father, she would have cut and run. Instead, she’s unwittingly become a part of his parents' plan to destroy his life-long dreams. Will sacrificing her love protect him or be the ultimate betrayal?

 

Wealthy and gorgeous, David Brenner seemingly holds the world in the palm of his hand—his generous heart and infectious smile are just two in an endless stream of attractive qualities. But the one thing he wants, he can’t have—a repeat of the passionate night he spent in the arms of a skittish Tessa Adams. His family’s far-reaching power threatens to crush their dreams. To prove his love, he would risk everything…but will the return of her ex-fiancé be their final undoing? 

Excerpt:

“Dibs.” He extended his hand.

Frowning, she accepted his greeting. “Dibs on what?

“No.” He chuckled. “That's my name. Or well, actually, my nickname. Either way, it's what everyone calls me.”

“O-o-okay...” The guy definitely had the smolder covered...and those incredible ice-blue eyes. Yikes!

“And you are?”

“Oh, Tessa Adams.” She laughed.

“And everyone calls you...?”

Her frown returned. “Tessa.”

“Oh.” He scanned her face. “No nickname, huh?”

“Not that I recall at the moment.”

He pressed his full lips together as if restraining a smile, eyes twinkling with merriment, and handed her the notepad. “Here's your confirmation number. The room's at the Waldorf Towers over on Park.”

Two suites at the Waldorf? In this mess? What was he, a wizard? “Wow, great. Thanks so much for the help.”

“Glad to be of service.” He retrieved his briefcase and started down the corridor, abruptly stopped, and peered at her over the perfect slant of his shoulder. “And don't worry, Tessa, I'll think of a good nickname for you.”

She offered him a blank stare. “Hey, knock yourself out.”

Mischief danced along his lips before a grin broke free and he continued down the hallway.

“What a whack job,” she muttered.

 

Multi-published, award-winning author and editor, AJ Nuest, lives in a small farming community in NW Indiana with her loving husband, two beautiful children and a bevy of spoiled pets. She and the cat are currently vying for dictatorship. The cat is winning.

Author links, web pages, fan pages and book trailers:

She’s Got Dibs, won 1^st Place in the Contemporary Category, Heartland Romance Authors, Show Me the Spark! Contest, 2010

Website:  http://ajnuest.com

 

Blog:  http://ajbooks.blogspot.com

 

Email:  ajnuest@yahoo.com

 

FaceBook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/amyjo.nuest

 

Author FB Page:  https://www.facebook.com/amyjo.nuest#!/pages/Tattered-Pages/259835887466

 

Twitter:  @AJNuest

 

She’s Got Dibs Pinterest Page:  http://pinterest.com/ajnuest/shes-got-dibs/

Obnoxiously long buy link that should probably be shortened: 

She’s Got Dibs is currently available at Amazon through the Kindle Select program here:  http://www.amazon.com/Shes-Got-Dibs-ebook/dp/B00CGLZGP0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1367246775&sr=8-1&keywords=she%27s+got+dibs