Tour: Hot Summer by Judy Powell (Guest Post/Giveaway)

Please give a warm welcome to romance author, Judy Powell

Thank you so much for inviting me to do this guest post.  I'm honored to be in such great company. 


I'm happy to announce a giveaway for today's readers: a free copy of 'Hot Summer' - my contemporary romance novel - for the first person to post a comment.  You may choose the e-book version for download to your Kindle device or personal computer, or the print version which I'll mail to the address provided.  Happy reading!


With the arrival of spring things are warming up and that makes me a happy camper.  I love warm weather.  Give me shorts, sandals and a tank top over boots and winter coats any day.  Can you guess from my book title that I'm a warm weather lover? 


I'm in such a cheerful mood I thought I'd write some limericks about 'Hot Summer' for the readers of 'Reading Between the Wines' Book Club.  But before I launch into poetry here's a brief summary of the story:

After her first embarrassing encounter Summer Jones vows to stay away from suave record producer, Lance Munroe. But then she ends up working for the man. Her quick temper and sharp tongue keep landing her in hot water with him but no matter how hard she tries she can't deny her growing attraction for him. Then they go on a business trip to Jamaica - and that's when her world is turned upside down.
Lance is intrigued by the feisty woman who practically tells him off the first time they meet. When they begin working together he realizes how much he enjoys the challenge of taming the little tigress. But, before he knows it, he's the one caught in the snare of passion. The tables are turned - the tigress has tamed the lion.
If you love the sizzle of a romance between two strong-willed individuals, follow Summer and Lance from Chicago to Jamaica and be swept away in the thrill of their hot summer.

And now here are some limericks for you:


HOT SUMMER


There once was a girl who was hot.

A meek little lamb she was not.

Along came Sir Lance

Who got her to dance

And Summer was hooked on the spot.


Now Lance was intrigued by this girl.

How had she crashed into his world?

Her temper so quick

Gave him such a prick,

He kissed her and made her toes curl.


Then Summer was frozen in shock.

The man she had thought was a rock

Somehow  had a heart.

Would this be the start

Of life filled with love and good luck?


And so goes the story of life,

When kisses replace all the strife.

The tables are turned,

The lion has learned

He must have this girl for his wife.


So lion and tigress are wed,

And then, my dear readers, to bed.


Hope you liked it.  And here's an excerpt from 'Hot Summer':

As he spoke he leaned back into the couch and peered up at her through half-closed eyes. She turned away from his gaze and quickly opened the bottles and poured bubbling liquid into both glasses.

“Here you go,” she said with a smile and handed him the drink. She sat on the edge of the sofa beside him but as far away as was polite. She put the glass to her lips and sipped the sharp cold liquid, feeling the bubbles bursting in her mouth.

She felt his eyes on her and gulped more liquid, then opened her eyes wide as it flooded her throat. Her eyes burned and she struggled to swallow but it was no use. Before she could cover her mouth she coughed violently, spraying her lap and the coffee table with soda.

            Summer clapped her hands over her mouth, but too late. The damage was already done.  Her eyes grew huge with distress and she looked across at Lance, hot with embarrassment.

“Are you alright?” He’d quickly rested his glass on the table and was leaning towards her, a large white handkerchief in his hand. She took it gratefully, still coughing. Then the spasms gradually subsided and she was able to look at him again. Her eyes were brimming with tears.

“Are you crying?” He looked incredulous, almost out of his depth, as he raised his hand and wiped away a tear with his thumb.

Summer dabbed at her eyes, sniffed, then looked up at him again, her lips curling into a grin.  “Of course not, silly. I’m not crying. It’s the coughing that made my eyes fill up with tears.” Somehow, seeing him look so nonplussed had made her more at ease with him.

“Silly, huh?” He smiled back at her.  “You’re the one who gulped down a carbonated drink too fast and ended up losing the whole lot all over yourself. So, who’s silly?”

While he was speaking Lance had rested his arm at the back of the couch right behind her head and had begun to gently stroke her nape with his thumb. Summer swallowed hard but couldn’t get the lump out of her throat.

            “I guess…I am,” she said, her voice breathless.

“Yes,” he whispered as he leaned forward to press his warm lips against the side of her neck, “you are.”

Summer’s breath came in shallow gasps as she sat still, not feeling she could move even if she wanted to. She was like a bird frozen in the mesmerizing stare of a snake, knowing it was about to be eaten alive but not able to make a move to save its own life.

She moaned and closed her eyes as his lips stroked the sensitive skin then moved to the base of her throat where he licked softly and gently. She didn’t realize that she was still clutching the handkerchief tightly in her hand until she felt his strong fingers pry hers open to pull it away so that he could seduce her palm with his thumb.

“Relax, baby.” He moved his lips up her neck and to her ear.  “You’re so tense. Just relax.”

As he spoke he pushed her back gently into the plush pillows and began to nibble her ear lobe. He gave a lick just behind her ear and shock waves ran down her spine.

“Oh, God,” she breathed, “what are you doing to me?”

“What someone should have done to you a long time ago, Summer Jones,” he whispered.  “Teach you what it means to be a woman.”

He dipped his head and slid his lips back down her neck, over her collar bone and down to that oh, so sensitive place between the curves of her breasts. Here he paused and she held her breath, eyes shut tight, wondering if he was going to stop now. She prayed he wouldn’t.

She was not disappointed. An involuntary gasp escaped her lips as he slipped a warm tongue down her cleavage, sliding it between the orbs and teasing her soft flesh until her body screamed and she felt she would die from the sweet sensation. She grabbed the back of his head and pressed him into her, wanting more of the pleasure, more of the sweetness…

I look forward to hearing from readers and presenting the winner with  a copy of 'Hot Summer'.  For more information on 'Hot Summer and on the other books in my 'Hot' romance series please visit www.judypowell.com.  Readers may also email me at info@judypowell.com.

Have a great day, everyone!