The Temptation of Laura
by Rachel
Brimble
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BLURB:
Laura
Robinson has always been dazzled by the glamour of the stage. But perhaps
acting and selling one’s favors are not so different—for Laura must feign
pleasure with the men she beds to survive. Now, with her only friend at death’s
door and a ruthless pimp at her heels, escaping her occupation seems
impossible. Hoping to attract a gentleman, she attends the theater. Yet the man
Laura captivates is no customer, but a rising star and playwright…
Adam
Lacey has been driven to distraction since the moment he saw Laura. She is his
ideal leading lady come to irresistible life—and so much more. Certain they can
make the perfect team on and off stage, he is determined to win her heart—and
discover her story. But that is precisely what Laura fears. And she has no idea
that Adam harbors shameful secrets of his own. Will the truth free them to
love—or destroy all their dreams…?
Buy Link: Amazon
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Excerpt:
What was she doing inside Adam Lacey’s house, sitting upright
and rigid upon a settee she could never afford? Laura crossed and re-crossed
her ankles as she glanced around his drawing room. His home was masculine, bare
of trinket or flower, but compared to her and Bette’s place, it screamed of
achievement. He’d left her to go upstairs and change out of his wet clothes.
She glanced at the wall clock. The ten minutes she’d been alone could’ve been
an hour.
She needed to leave. Get out of there.
Standing, she stepped toward the door just as it swung open
and Adam entered. Her breath caught. The man was ridiculously handsome. His
dark blond hair was darker than usual, after his unplanned swim, and his face
scrubbed clean. Her gaze drifted, of its own accord, to the smattering of chest
hair just visible at the vee of his open-necked shirt. The man was unfairly
relaxed. Laura inhaled. Handsome—stupidly, stupidly handsome.
He halted, his smile dissolving. “You’re leaving?”
He moved to touch her, seemed to think better of it and
dropped his hand to his side. Their eyes locked and silence descended. Her
heart beat fast with the knowledge she would’ve given the world to stay there.
Eye to eye; toe to toe with a man who fascinated and intrigued her.
She stepped back. It was too dangerous. The atmosphere
between them too potent. Her attraction to him kicked and punched at her heart.
It was strong enough to make her want to kiss him, touch him and bring that
dazzling smile to the surface over and over. For little more than another
breath, she would risk everything to run her fingers over his biceps and up to
the plane of his wide shoulders…
Laura blinked as her mouth drained dry. What had she been
thinking by coming here? She hadn’t been thinking. In that moment when he asked
her to accompany him back to his home––nothing but desire had whipped through
her. Nothing but interest had leapt in her veins and obliterated her common
sense. The fervor and lust in his eyes bespoke of a man who clearly had an
agenda entirely different to hers.
Laura blinked and looked past him to the door. “I have a
friend. She’s sick. She needs me and the medicine I bought before I came upon
you at the park.” She brushed past him, through the door and into the hallway.
“I shouldn’t have come here. I’m sorry.”
“Laura, wait.”
Ignoring him, she hurried toward the closed front door. She
had to get out of there. If she looked at him again, she’d falter. Her
rationale already hung on a hair’s breadth. His footsteps sounded at lightning
speed behind her and when she clasped the door handle, his hand closed over
hers. She stared at their joined hands and her body heated.
“Laura. Please. I need to talk to you.”
Swallowing hard, she forced herself to meet his gaze. His
dark brown eyes shone with a pleading she hadn’t expected. How was she supposed
to refuse? He was the first man in forever to make her heart pick up speed and
flourish her hope for something more. She slowly pulled her hand from beneath
his.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Booklover Sue: What
is your writing environment?
I
am lucky enough to be a full-time author around caring for my two teenage
daughters, husband and black Lab. I tend to sit on the sofa while the kids are
at school…and when they’re home (and time allows) I move around the house to
wherever is the quietest!
Booklover Sue: Who
is your perfect hero? And why?
My
husband – he’s kind, funny, talented and a provider. All qualities I want and
sought in a man. He is my number one supporter with my career as well as being
a great dad to our children. We’ve been together 21 years and he still makes me
laugh every day. What’s not to love?
Booklover Sue: Which
authors have caught your interest lately? Why?
I am ashamed to say it is only recently that I discovered
the books of the fabulous Jill Shalvis – I am devouring her Lucky Harbor series
and plan to start on her Animal Magnetism series as soon as possible. Also, the
highly recommended Tudor books of Nancy Bilyeau – I adore the Tudor age as much
as the Victorian and these mystery novels are different and exciting.
Booklover Sue: What
type of book have you always wanted to write?
I
am writing the books I have always wanted to write right now, but would love to
write a big, single title romantic suspense as well as a women’s fiction/moral
dilemma book one day. I have so many things I want to write, it often feel
endless!
Booklover Sue: What’s
the last movie you watched and loved?
I
watch a lot of movies but I still return to my favorites which are Notting Hill
and Four Weddings and A Funeral (both written by Richard Curtis) – I also
enjoyed his most recent movie, About Time starring Rachel Mcadams and Domhnall
Gleeson. Great, funny and romantic stories!
Booklover Sue: Top
three things on your bucket list
Caribbean
cruise
Write
a women’s fiction novel
Beat
my unending fear of public speaking!
Booklover Sue: How
did you get the idea for this particular novel?
The
Temptation of Laura is the sequel to my debut with eKensington, The Seduction
of Emily in which Laura was a secondary character. She took a hold of my
imagination with such force, I knew I had to write her a full novel-length
story. She is a prostitute fighting for a better life and a way out of her
struggling existence. In The Temptation of Laura, I gave her that chance and
loved watching her grow.
Booklover Sue: What
is your favorite scene in your new release?
There
are many, but I love the scene where Laura and Adam (the hero) first meet – the
attraction between them is instantaneous but Laura puts this handsome stage
star in his place from the very beginning. So much fun to write!
Booklover Sue: What’s
your idea of a perfect date?
A
movie or show, followed by a romantic candlelit dinner – I am a simple girl at
heart who believes in good old-fashioned values and courtship. I hate the way
our teenagers are communicating by email and text rather than face-to-face
nowadays—how in the world are they going to get to really know each other and
fall in love if they can’t hold a proper conversation? Only time will tell if
they figure it out, lol!
Booklover Sue: If
you could take a romantic trip, where would it be?
I love to visit Rome with my husband sometime soon – we planned
a trip to Barcelona for our 15th wedding anniversary last year but
while we were waiting in the departure lounge, the flight was cancelled due to
French air strikes. I literally burst into tears and vowed that Barcelona would
have to wait—Rome has taken precedence now.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Rachel lives with her husband and two young daughters in a small
town near Bath in the UK. After having
several novels published by small US presses, she secured agent representation
in 2011. In 2012, she sold two books to Harlequin Superromance and a further
three in 2013. She also writes Victorian romance for Kensington--her debut was
released in April 2013 and she has since signed for three more.
Rachel is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association and
Romance Writers of America. When she isn’t writing, you’ll find Rachel with her
head in a book or walking the beautiful English countryside with her family and
beloved black Lab, Max. Her dream place to live is Bourton-on-the-Water in
South West England.
She likes nothing more than connecting and chatting with her
readers and fellow romance writers. Rachel would love to hear from you!
Links:
Website:
http://rachelbrimble.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RachelBrimble
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rachel-Brimble/181873201887441?fref=ts
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Giveaway
Rachel, I love that your husband is your perfect hero.
ReplyDeletemarypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
He's one in a million - the more stories I hear from women, the more lucky I feel I met my boy when i did, lol!
DeleteRachel x
I very much enjoyed your interview, thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHi again, Elise-Maria!
DeleteGlad you enjoyed the interview and thanks for following me on my tour - nothing worse than feeling lonely! :)
Rachel x
Thanks for hosting me, Sue! :)
ReplyDeleteRachel x
You are so welcome!! I loved your interview and hope you will stop back again!
DeleteGreat husbands are indeed a rare find anymore. I got very lucky with mine. :)
ReplyDeletedavesmsperfect AT yahoo.com
Glad to hear it!! Hurrah for our real-life heroes :)
DeleteRachel x
I enjoyed the interview and learning more about you.
ReplyDeleteKit3247(at)aol(dot)com
Hi Rita, thanks for stopping by again - SO appreciate you being here!
ReplyDeleteRachel x
Loved your comments. I am happy for you that you have a hero for a husband. This was a very interesting excerpt I hope this story has a HEA.
ReplyDeleteI have enjoyed learning about your book. Thanks for sharing it.
ReplyDeletepsiu@ live.com
An "unending fear of public speaking"? I hear you! I feel the same way and my job thrusts me into presentations at times. I dread it.
ReplyDeletecatherinelee100 at gmail dot com