Book Blurb
Disguise of every sort creates difficulties for
recent Yale grads Elizabeth and Jennie Blackwell, who are eager to begin the
next chapter of their lives.
Elizabeth hopes her remarkable voice and
academic training will help crown her the new darling of the Met. But will her
burgeoning romance with world-renowned philanthropist Lliam Dafydd benefit her
career or derail it before it begins?
Elizabeth’s minutes-older twin, Jennie, plans to
translate her impressive résumé into a successful medical research program, but
her demanding academic pursuits leave little time for romance.
Feeling trapped by her girl-next-door image,
Jennie adopts a daring alter ego who behaves as she never would. As “Ariel De
Mer,” Jennie becomes captivated by mysterious photographer, Chance Bly.
Handsome and suave, he smoothly awakens her desires, while Ariel’s sexiness and
sassiness mesmerize her smitten lover.
But Jennie’s innocent charade has a powerful
impact on the lives of those she loves, and she is not the only one playing
games.
Read an excerpt
Chance & Ariel meet
Chance
moved to a spot directly across the bar from where the group now sat.
Contemplating his next move, he saw the blonde accept a glass of wine from a
passing waitress. Watching her interactions with her friends and the other club
patrons, he formulated a plan. She wasn’t lacking in male attention, but she
didn’t seem to want any of it. He needed a hook to get inside her shell.
Chance
approached the barmaid. “Hello, Astrid. You’re looking lovely tonight.”
“What
can I get for you, hon?”
“A
bottle of your best white wine—chilled of course—one of those white roses from
behind the bar, and a glass, all on a tray with one of the linen napkins I know
you keep hidden back there.” He pulled out a stack of business cards, and after
looking them over, chose one in elegant text:
Chance
Bly, Esq.
Fashion Photographer
Fashion Photographer
On the
back of the card, he wrote, “Ariel, Take a Chance on Me.”
“So
who’s the lucky lady tonight?”
“Pretty
blonde on your left, sitting on the settee.”
“Oh,
that one. She’s shot down every man who has approached her. A Jackson says you
get shot down too.”
“You’re
on. I think I’ve got her figured out.”
“I’d
wish you good luck, but I really like to win!”
Taking
the tray from Astrid, he flashed one of his trademark smiles. “Thanks and get
the twenty dollars ready.”
Moving
from the bar, he caught a passing waiter. “Pablo, would you make a special
delivery for me? See the blonde over there; would you take this tray to her?”
Along with the tray, Chance handed over a hundred-dollar tip. “Don’t point me
out, and don’t open the bottle for her. I want to do that myself.”
“Sure
thing, Chance.” With tray in hand, he walked away from Chance and toward the
blonde.
~~~~
On the
tray in front of Jennie was the most perfect rose. She picked it up and gently
inhaled the scent. Lovely. She reached for the business card, and after reading
both sides, she chuckled. Whoever this was, he had a unique approach. Since
moving to Connecticut, she’d been subjected to a wide range of come-ons, but
this was certainly different. She picked up the wine bottle, inspecting it. French wine—he’s not cheap either.
As she
set the bottle back on the tray, she heard a soft tenor voice from behind her,
close enough for his breath to touch her exposed neck. “Perhaps I could help
you with that.” He reached over, slightly brushing his forearm against hers,
causing a shudder to run through her body. Removing the cork, he filled her
glass on the tray and the one he carried. “Chance Bly at your service, and you
are…?”
Smiling,
she looked up into his green eyes. “Ariel.”
About the Author
Michaela
Robertson has dabbled in writing since her teenage years. In college, she
initially majored in music until deciding she'd rather eat than enrich the
world with her talent. A few years later, with a still-damp business degree in
hand, Michaela entered the world of statistics. As the author of many dry
technical documents, her artistic side was hidden from the world. Only her
husband and daughter were aware of the musical talent hidden beneath the
surface.
Music continues to
be Michaela’s muse and has inspired her writing. Now a widow, she lives on a
couple of acres on the edge of the world in the Pacific Northwest with the
current love of her life, a border collie.
10/16: Excerpt & Giveaway at Best Sellers and Best Stellars
10:18: Excerpt & Giveaway at Margie’s Must Reads
10/19: Review at Warmisunqu’s Austen
Thank you Maria, for hosting me!
ReplyDeletePleasure, Michaela :-)
DeleteThanks for hosting the giveaway, Maria. It's lovely to read of a new author making their debut. The extract was intriguing. I want to read more!t
ReplyDeleteSounds delish!
ReplyDelete