With: Cathy Perkins
Congratulations to "Laura", the winner in Cathy's giveaway. Thank you to all who participated!
Thanks so
much for joining me today on JRS while I share MALBEC MAYHEM’s release week. (And
thanks to Maureen for letting me visit!) I had so much fun writing this racy
novella and hope you enjoy reading it.
Alex
Montoya is a secondary character in So
About the Money, the first in the Holly Price/So About…series. Alex may have been a bit volatile in that
book, but he simply needs the right woman to help him become the adult he’s
capable of being. A bit of nagging from his character led me to write his
story—MALBEC MAYHEM.
The
“Malbec” in the title refers to the wonderful varietal grape that’s growing in
popularity as people discover this spicy, easy to enjoy, red wine. Sofia Pincelli’s family has turned Malbec
into the winery’s signature wine, and she needs Alex’s crop of Malbec grapes to
show her father she has what it takes to make award-winning wine—and save the
reputation and finances of the Pincelli winery. In the following excerpt, Sofia
has just confronted Alex about the missing grapes.
Excerpt
"If
that's how you feel about me." Alex stalked to a file cabinet, jerked open
the top drawer and grabbed a scrap of black lace. He threw the panties at
Sofia. "You might want these 'delivered' too. You left them here the other
night."
"Oh
for God's sake, be serious." She rolled her eyes and thrust her fingers
into her hair.
"Why?"
He tried to ignore the way her upraised arms pushed her chest forward.
"You're the one who wanted a 'fun' relationship."
"I'm
talking about business. Business is
serious."
"What?
You like the sex, but not me?" The file cabinet drawer slammed with a
satisfying whack. "What is it
with you women?"
"It
isn't 'us women'. It seems to me, it's you. You have a problem with intelligent
women."
"Bullshit.
I prefer intelligent women."
For
a long moment, she studied him. Then she plucked the panties off the floor and
stepped toward him. A smile hovered around the corners of her mouth.
"What?"
He narrowed his eyes, glaring, more to keep her on-guard than to warn her off.
Usually he liked not knowing what she'd pull next, but she loved a
challenge—and to win—as much as he did.
She
also liked make-up sex as much as he did.
"Nice
shirt." She trailed a finger inside his collar and paused at the first
button. "You should wear this color more often. It sets off those gorgeous
brown eyes of yours."
She
worked open the button. "Your olive skin..."
Desire
rippled down his spine. "Thanks," he managed. He eyed the open door
behind them. Not that he cared who walked in.
She
leaned closer. Her full breasts brushed his chest. Warm breath tickled his ear
and sent a message straight to his groin. A cool scrap of fabric slid into his
palm and her fingers closed his around the silk. "You might want to keep
these."
"Oh?"
He managed to keep his tone merely interested while heat flamed through his
body. If she kept this up, he could sweep all the papers off his desk. Or there
were the chairs. The floor. Up against the wall...
"You
keep up that crappy attitude though."
His
brain recalibrated. Problem, problem...
Soft
lips brushed a series of kisses against his jaw. "And it'll be a while
before you see a new pair."
Successful
restaurateur Alex Montoya’s charmed life has hit a snag. His trusted business
partner turned out to be not exactly trustworthy, and Alex could be facing jail
time over some of his partner’s shady financial deals. As if that weren’t bad
enough, creditors are calling in loans he didn’t know he had and he’s desperate
to prove his innocence before all his businesses are repossessed.
After a
career-building stint in Napa Valley, Sofia Pincelli has returned home to
eastern Washington to take over the family’s winery. Running the family
business, however, means dealing with her ailing father’s continued
micro-management—and his disapproval of Alex. Her father’s condemnation of
Alex’s rumored involvement in his business partner’s schemes runs so deep, it
threatens Alex and Sofia’s blossoming romance…along with the Pincelli family’s
signature red wine. Sofia needs Alex’s crop of Malbec grapes to show her father
she has what it takes to make award-winning wine—and save the reputation and
finances of the Pincelli winery.
When the
Malbec grapes go missing, Alex and Sofia must join forces to find the fruit
before it spoils—or risk destroying both of their businesses and their hearts.
Cathy Perkins
started writing when recurring characters and dialogue populated her day job
commuting daydreams. Fortunately, that first novel lives under the bed, but she
was hooked on the joy of creating stories. When not writing, she can be found
doing battle with the beavers over the pond height or setting off on another
travel adventure. Born and raised in South Carolina, she now lives in
Washington with her husband, children, several dogs and the resident deer herd.
Giveaway:
To celebrate the release of Malbec Mayhem, I’m giving away a copy of So About the Money to one of the JRS readers who comments
below. Since we were talking about wine, what’s your favorite
varietal?
Giveaway ends 11:59pm EST June 17th. Please supply your email in the post. You may use spaces or full text for security. (ex. jsmith at gmail dot com) If you do not wish to supply your email, or have trouble posting, please email maureen@justromanticsuspense.com with a subject title of JRS GIVEAWAY to be entered in the current giveaway.
I'm not much of a wine connoisseur but there's a late autumn Riesling that I really like. And I do enjoy a Malbec :)
ReplyDeleteMalbec Mayham sounds great...mystery, banter and wine!
Goldgirl149 at hotmail dot com
I'm a lightweight when it comes to wine, so I like to say, "Forgive me for I have Zinned." Malbec Mayhem sounds awesome. I certainly loved So About the Money. Best of luck with your new release!
ReplyDeleteI live in the wine country of Eastern Washington! I prefer Merlot or pinot noir. I'm going to have to check out your books!!
ReplyDeletevandine3atmsn.com
I live in the wine country of Eastern Washington! I prefer Merlot or pinot noir. I'm going to have to check out your books!!
ReplyDeletevandine3atmsn.com
none
ReplyDeletebn100candg at hotmail dot com
I like white wine best, no particular varietal. On the sweeter side is good.
ReplyDeletemarypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com