Blog by VONNIE DAVIS -- International, Award-Winning Romance Author: Adventurous...Humorous...Amorous.

Monday, June 24, 2013

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 29th. 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-fiancĂ© 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 1st Place in the Contemporary Category, Heartland Romance Authors, Show Me the Spark! Contest, 2010

Website:  http://ajnuest.com
 
 
 
 
 
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  

12 comments:

AJ Nuest said...

Morning All! What a great day! Whoot! I'm here celebrating with Vonnie, She's Got Dibs is free...and I heard a rumor about another book contract. Hmmm...more on that later. Who is ready to par-tay?? Thanks for having me, V! I'm thrilled to be here!

AJ Nuest said...

Shoot! I forgot to tell you how much I LOVE what you've done with the place. Holy cow, it's lovely!! So pretty, V! Love it!

Rachel Brimble said...

Woohoo!! I'm here and ready to party, lovelies! So thrilled with your news and wishing you the best with your 'freebie' days!

Loving you new look blog, Von - gorgeous :)

Rachel x

Calisa Rhose said...

My first impression when the page opened was "I got the wrong link" but Holy-Moly, V! This place looks so amazing!!!

Hey, AJ! I'm with you on hot, fun reads for summer. I'm setting my summer list on the Kindle this week and can't wait to find a few days to read some. You can bet Dibs is (near) the top of that list! Love the girlfriend pic above. LOL

Vonnie Davis ~ Romance Author said...

AJ, I'm thrilled to have you!

Rachel, hon, glad you stopped in and also thrilled you like the changes. To me, lace and satin and pearls are vintage romance. That's why I searched a long time for the right pic.

Calisa, I was afraid my readers would think that when the gold came up instead of the red. I still have some tweaking to do to the color scheme, but I'm pleased with the change. Thanks for stopping by!

AJ Nuest said...

Thanks everyone for stopping in and being here today! I am sooo excited...and sorta buzzed out on coffee at the moment. LOL Wow. It's been an amazing few days. I just got my ranking and SGD broke through the top #100 in Women's Fiction and Contemporary Fiction!! Whoo Hoo! I know I couldn't have done it without the help and support of all my lovely Roses! Thank you!!

Jan Hougland said...

OMG, I can't believe how much I was snickering and guffawing at the things you said in your interview, AJ!!! And thanks to you, Vinnie, for having AJ on your blog...otherwise I might've missed this wonderful opportunity to get to know a new author that is now a MUST READ for me! You listed it all, AJ: humor, romance, contemporary, steam, cocktail... now excuse me while I go buy She's Got Dibs! :-) jdh2690@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

My aunt, Mac Crowne, sent me over and I can't wait to read She's Got Dibs. It sounds great!

Loved your post.

Amanda

Mackenzie Crowne said...

AJ,

We've got to do the beach, girlfriend. You have my list! LOL "Dibs" certainly fits. Congrats on your story. Can't wait for your next one.

AJ Nuest said...

Janice! How lovely to meet you! Thank you so much for stopping by. I'm glad my beach read list matched with yours! LOL Thank you so much for considering taking She's Got Dibs to the beach and you must let me know what you think once you're done! So nice to make new friends! Whoot!

AJ Nuest said...

Amanda! How lucky are YOU that Mac is your Aunt! I want her to be my sister. Seriously, I LOVE that woman to bits! Thank you so much for stopping by! Nice to meet you!

AJ Nuest said...

Mac, name the time and date and I am THERE! Oh my gosh, I'm betting my stomach would be so sore from all the laughing. LOL Thank you for being such a great friend and inspiration to me. Love ya, babe!