Today we have a smooch from Annie West but first
... the winner of last week's Sunday Smooch Giveaway is Pam Swain!
Can you please contact Stefanie London at stefanie(at)stefanie-london.com to receive your copy of 'What She Wants'.
And now for today's Sunday Smooch from Annie West's THE GREEK'S FORBIDDEN PRINCESS.
Illicit nights
with the billionaire…
News of a tragic accident plunges Princess Amelie's life into turmoil. To escape the swarming press, she takes her newly orphaned nephew and runs, seeking the protection of one man.
Lambis Evangelos desires Amelie beyond all reckoning, but refuses to taint her radiant beauty with the guilt of his past. For years he's resisted his longing for her luscious body—until Amelie's arrival at his doorstep draws him too close to her forbidden temptation…
His secluded Greek island is a refuge from the world. There, Amelie and Lambis have no choice—they must yield to their fiery, uncontrollable passion!
News of a tragic accident plunges Princess Amelie's life into turmoil. To escape the swarming press, she takes her newly orphaned nephew and runs, seeking the protection of one man.
Lambis Evangelos desires Amelie beyond all reckoning, but refuses to taint her radiant beauty with the guilt of his past. For years he's resisted his longing for her luscious body—until Amelie's arrival at his doorstep draws him too close to her forbidden temptation…
His secluded Greek island is a refuge from the world. There, Amelie and Lambis have no choice—they must yield to their fiery, uncontrollable passion!
Scene set-up
Lambis and Amelie are together at his Greek villa, both trying to help her traumatised nephew. But despite their common purpose, they're at odds because both are fighting the attraction that has simmered between them for years.
Smooch -
She was on her feet and turning away when she heard
the scratch of his chair on the paving.
‘Wait, don’t go.’ A big hand closed around her upper
arm.
For a millisecond Amelie’s jagged nerves eased at
the reassurance of that touch. Till she heard Lambis’s hiss of indrawn breath
and his hand dropped away.
Amelie stood, blinking at the view of garden lights and
the dark bay beyond, telling herself it didn’t matter. Truly. She’d had plenty
of time to accept he didn’t want her.
But that instant reaction told her more. It told her
she actually repelled him.
What was wrong with her? Twice in her life she’d
reached out to a man, believing they shared something special. Twice she’d been
pushed away.
She blinked again, horrified by this curious stasis
gripping her. She couldn’t lift her feet. It was all she could do to repress
the wild tumble of emotions churning inside.
‘Why, Lambis? What is it about me?’
She hadn’t intended the words. Heaven knew she’d
worked for years to put on a bland, unconcerned face on the few occasions she
and Lambis had met since that fateful summer. Pride dictated she say nothing,
just accept she was flawed in some way that made her attractive from a
distance, to the adoring crowds and the press, but not up close. Not to a man
she cared about.
‘What do you mean?’
Amelie counted to five, telling herself to forget
this and walk away. She had enough to contend with without opening up this too.
Yet how could she fix whatever was wrong with her, if she didn’t know the
problem? Was she forever doomed to repel rather than attract?
On a spurt of defiant courage she spun on her heel.
He stood close behind her. So close she had to hike up her chin to meet his
unreadable gaze.
UK cover |
‘Why don’t you want to touch me? It’s not that
you’re afraid I’ll misinterpret and think you’ve changed your mind about…us.’
She swallowed hard but kept going, determined to have this out. ‘What is it
about me that’s so…’ she waved a hand, searching for the word, ‘wrong?’
‘Wrong?’ His brow wrinkled. ‘There’s nothing wrong
with you, Amelie.’
Yet she read strain in the tendons of his neck that
stood proud. In the flare of his nostrils and the pulse racing at his temple. Amelie
looked down and saw his hands bunched into fists.
‘Isn’t there?’ She lifted her hand and lightly
touched his cheek. Silky heat and just a touch of abrasiveness met the pads of
her fingertips.
She’d wondered how it would feel to touch him.
But his instant step back told her everything she
needed to know.
‘Actually, don’t bother answering.’ She’d been
wrong. She didn’t need to know the answer. Tonight, with so many other insurmountable
problems, she didn’t have strength to wrestle with another.
She was turning when his arm shot out, barring her
way. Again, he didn’t touch her, yet it felt as if the air between them snapped
and sizzled with electricity. How she deluded herself.
‘You want to know why I don’t touch you?’ His voice
sounded different, raw and hard. ‘It’s because I don’t dare.’
Amelie frowned. ‘What are you saying, Lambis? I
don’t understand.’
‘No, you don’t, do you?’ His voice was husky. His
hands closed around her shoulders, turning her to face him, pulling her so
close she shivered as the heat of his big body encompassed her. ‘I’ve tried to
resist you, Amelie. I thought I’d succeeded, but I can’t do it anymore. Not
when you’re so close, so…’ He shook his head. ‘Every time I see you I want to
touch you, more than touch you.’
Amelie’s eyes widened. Her breath caught as he
lowered his head. His eyes, the colour of a storm cloud shot with lightning,
captured hers.
‘There’s absolutely nothing wrong with you, Amelie.’
His breath feathered her cheeks. ‘The problem is me. And the fact I want to do
this.’
He hauled her up on her toes, wrapping powerful arms
around her, then slanted his mouth over hers.
Amelie begins this story sure that Lambis doesn't care for her, more, that he doesn't like her. Boy, was she wrong!
Have you ever believed something and then found out you were completely wrong? Maybe it was a first impression of someone that proved false, or a discovery not about a person but a thing. How did you react?
Leave a comment and you'll go in the (international) draw to win a signed copy of 'The Greek's Forbidden Princess'.
Come back next Sunday, when the winner of today's giveaway will be announced and a smooch from Liz Fielding will be posted!
Smooch Graphic by WebWeaver
What?! This is amazing! I love Anna's books and I particulary love this uK cover. Thank you for this wonderful chance <3
ReplyDeleteHi Irma! I've had a few people mention that the UK cover is their favourite. You're in good company. Best of luck in the draw.
DeleteOh yes! Ive accused my kids of taking my stuff and then I would find it later and feel so guilty and have to apologise.
ReplyDeleteI love the cover!
Kimmy Lane
kac_030@yahoo.com
Kimmy, I'm so chuffed you like the cover. This one's received quite a bit of attention. Oh, yes, that would be tough!
DeleteI love the UK cover also, the US cover hero didn't live up to his description in the book. The book is great! Now I have to get the prequel!
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting seeing the different covers, isn't it? I just saw my March 18 UK cover and it's a completely new look. Hope you enjoy 'His Majesty's Temporary Bride', Laurie. I smiled all the way through writing that one.
DeleteHi Annie
ReplyDeleteOh this is a fabulous story one that should not be missed :)
I am sure that over the years I have judged people before getting to know them mostly thinking they are lovely then finding out they are not sadly and for me that is upsetting .
Have Fun
Helen
Aw, thanks, Helen. I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
DeleteIsn't it sad when that happens? I suppose I'd rather be pleasantly surprised than disappointed but I don't like the idea of going through life being suspicious.
Great smooch, Annie. I love the UK cover - gorgeous.
ReplyDeletePeople surprise me all the time, Annie.
I know the feeling, Jen!
DeleteIt's an eye catching cover, that's for sure.
Wow, sizzling scene, Annie! Love it! Don't worry about putting me in the draw. I've read and loved The Greek's Forbidden Princess already. One of your best, I think!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Anna! You've made me smile. I like the sound of that.
Deletehello Annie I have just read this book another great story to follow on from "his majesty's temporary bride" please don't put me in the draw as I have the book---------LynW
ReplyDeleteHi Lyn! Thanks for popping by to tell me that. I'm so pleased you enjoyed it!
DeleteSuper smouldering smooch, Annie! What a marvellous thing in a romance to think the man you fancy like crazy isn't attracted to you then discover in one heart-stopping moment that he wants you as much as you want him! Wow!
ReplyDeleteI'm also a fan of the cover!
Kandy, I'm so pleased you thought it smouldering! Yes, I enjoyed that aspect of the story too. :)
DeleteHa! The times I've had a misimpression... Not sure I'm up to confessing. I'm halfway through temporary bride so this is a must read, too.
ReplyDeleteLaura, I think we all do it, though we're not always willing to admit it. Oh, hope you enjoy the story! Happy reading.
DeleteMy first impressions are usually spot on. Time tend to confirm them. I must admit to not judging too quickly however.
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting how we do create an impression of someone, and often so quickly!
DeleteI really like the extract Annie. Beautiful covers. I love them both of you. I have never had such a thing,ever happened.
ReplyDeleteI'm so pleased you liked it, Franca. And that the covers appeal too. They're rather different but all fun, I think.
DeleteI thought (okay ... I hoped) that Donald Trump would rise to the occasion as president, surrounding himself with knowledgeable staff. Every single day I cringe now whenever they televise tweets or clips of him and his actions/words. Sure glad I don't live in the U.S....
ReplyDeleteAh, I think politicians can fall into a completely separate category, Laney!
Delete