TITLE – Almost Matched (book #1)
SERIES – Almost Bad Boys
AUTHOR – A.O. Peart
GENRE – New Adult Romantic Comedy novella
PUBLICATION DATE – November 8, 2013
PUBLISHER – Three Graces Publishing
COVER ARTIST – Regina Wamba
Would you take another shot at love? Or just settle on a friend with benefits?
TEASER LINE:
Their heartbreaking past will move you. Their passion will make you blush. Their antics will make you laugh out loud.
BLURB:
Twenty-five-year-old Natalie Davenport lugs substantial baggage. One boyfriend after the next has been a total disaster, leaving Natalie distrustful toward the male population in general. So when Colin Hampton crosses her path, she’s cautious. Her heart (and some other body parts!) nudges her to go for it, while her head wants her to run for the hills.
Colin is one of those gorgeous guys who attract women, no matter the age or marital status. With a successful career at a popular Seattle radio station, hard body, and charming personality, he is the complete package. But something dark lurks in the corners of his soul; some murky experience that has changed him—maybe for the better, but maybe for the worse.
Will he steal her heart and stomp over it like other guys did?
Will she let him into her heavily fortified world despite herself?
Or will they settle somewhere in the middle—establishing the emotional boundaries to protect them from falling in love?
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Disclaimer
This contemporary romantic comedy blends humor, sensuality, and angst, with zany characters and witty dialogue. You will laugh out loud while blushing in embarrassment.
**Warning: contains sexual situations (some quite vivid!), profanity, and a high dose of sarcasm. Oh, and there is a lot of appletini and beer drinking.
May not be appropriate for readers under 18 years old. Not intended for prudes and killjoys with no sense of humor**
THE SERIES:
The Almost Bad Boys series are the stories of four feisty twenty-something women who refuse to let their past drag them down.
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EXCERPT:
I enter and apologize for being late. Both Melinda and Sabrina greet me with big smiles on their faces. Ali asks me if I want coffee, pointing to the stainless steel carafe on the table. I wish she would offer me a shot of vodka. Or two. The door opens, and the guy walks in.
This time he smiles widely and winks at me. My heart does a little flip, and I almost spew the water out. He has a gorgeous smile. I bet he’s one of those guys that women are obsessed with. And I’m sure he knows it. Okay, it’s time to discuss business before my own mind spins out of control. For all I know he’s married—wait, no wedding ring—or has a girlfriend. Or a boyfriend. Although he doesn’t strike me as gay. For heaven’s sake, enough of that, Natalie. What the hell is happening to me?
“What did I miss?” One corner of his mouth lifts in a crooked smile, and his eyes find mine.
Gulp.
“Natalie, this is Colin Hampton, our boss,” Sabrina announces, gesturing to him. “Colin, meet Natalie Davenport, Allison’s business partner.”
He walks around the table, slowly like a predator stalking his prey. His mischievous eyes never leave mine, and he stretches his hand out to me. “Pleasure to meet you, Ms. Davenport.” His tone is low and polite, and his handshake firm but gentle. That paired with the humorous glint in his eyes and the little secretive smile makes me want to run out of the room, screaming. Declaring that I’m embarrassed is an understatement of massive proportion.
“Likewise,” I manage to choke out.
He holds my hand a second too long, and I jerk it back. I pour myself a glass of water and gingerly lower my butt onto a chair. Colin sits across from me, smiling slightly. Ali and the radio station girls are chatting and laughing, apparently—thank heavens—unaware of anything weird going on between Colin and me. He remarks on something that Sabrina says, and all three women burst out laughing. I have no clue what’s even said. My heart finally stops racing.
I steal a quick glance at Colin. He catches my eye again, and I promptly look away. But I can see in my peripheral vision that he cocks his head to one side and watches me with that lazy, crooked smile.
He is a handsome bastard, tall and broad-shouldered, with bright-blue eyes framed in thick, dark eyelashes. His face has this chiseled-like quality to it. Black hair and eyebrows are a perfect combination with his honey-colored skin. He sports a two-day stubble, carefully groomed into precise lines. There is a small jagged scar on his forehead close to his hairline, and I fleetingly wonder how he got it.
I take a sip of water. My hands are shaking, and I try not to spill. That would be the last straw, so I make an extra effort into preventing such disaster. It feels like a small victory when I manage to set down my glass on the table without creating a pool around it. I think I actually exhale with a sigh of relief. Colin raises one eyebrow at me. He watches my every move. This is getting unbearable. I take a few more mouthfuls of water, and he refills my glass from the colorful ceramic pitcher my parents brought last summer from their vacation in Sicily.
This time he smiles widely and winks at me. My heart does a little flip, and I almost spew the water out. He has a gorgeous smile. I bet he’s one of those guys that women are obsessed with. And I’m sure he knows it. Okay, it’s time to discuss business before my own mind spins out of control. For all I know he’s married—wait, no wedding ring—or has a girlfriend. Or a boyfriend. Although he doesn’t strike me as gay. For heaven’s sake, enough of that, Natalie. What the hell is happening to me?
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SOUNDTRACK:
Aretha Franklin “You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman”
Three Days Grace “Riot”
Pink Floyd “Goodbye” (The Wall)
Awolnation “Sail”
Evanescence “Bring Me To Life”
Family of the Year “Hero”
Brandi Carlile “Hallelujah”
Imagine Dragons “It’s Time”
Israel Kamakawiwo’ole “Over the Rainbow”
Anberlin “Innocent”
Sara Bareilles “Gonna Get Over You”
Angela Orlowski-Peart was born and raised in Poland. She describes herself as European born, American by choice. She was just seven-years-old when she decided to learn English and translate her favorite Polish fairytales.
Angela is the author of the Young Adult and New Adult fiction novels. She writes in multiple genres, including paranormal, fantasy, urban fantasy, contemporary, sci-fi, and short stories. She is a member of Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, Western Washington Chapter (http://www.scbwi.org), and several authors' and readers' networking groups on Facebook, Linkedin, and Goodreads.
Angela speaks with Polish accent, and loves listening to the Southern drawl. She is passionate about watercolor painting, fashion—especially stilettos, rock climbing, environment, and organic food and gardening. She lives in the Seattle area with her family and a chronically curious cat.
STALKER LINKS:
Amazon Author Page | Website | Newsletter Signup | Facebook | Twitter | Google+ | Pinterest | Goodreads | NetGalley
GIVEAWAY - This is within the continental US only:
1 copy signed Almost Matched paper back. This prize will be mailed within one week from the publishing date. Winner must provide valid mailing address.
2 copies of Almost Matched ebook. These prizes will be emailed within two days from the publishing date. The winner must provide valid email address and specify the format (mobi, ePub, or PDF).
5 signed Almost Matched postcards. These prizes will be mailed by November 11th.
1 Almost Matched wine bottle charm and wine bottle stopper (wine and wine bottles not included, hehe). This prize will be mailed by November 11th.
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