Hey there
I’m guessing if you’re reading this post you’re stopping by as part of the Aspen Mountain Press celebratory tour. WELCOME!
AMP is celebrating it’s 5th birthday – with some awesome prizes. One of those prizes… *ahem*… a Kindle. Another? An e-copy of my AMP book, Visiting Paradise.
Winning is real easy. Just read the blog, post your comment and move on to the next blog. Oh, and there is one essential other ingredient: HAVE FUN!
Remember, the blog tour officially starts on the 1st of Aug!
Visiting Paradise is a short story, set in the gorgeous Whitsunday Islands in Queensland, Australia. It’s no coincidence the book was set there. It was written a couple years after we holidayed on one of the islands, and had an absolutely amazing time! The Whitsundays are made up of 74 tropical islands, and each one is more beautiful than the next. Some are completely uninhabited, some have only one hotel on them, and some are more built up with several hotels and shops, private homes, etc.
The above images are of (from left to right) Daydream Island, Hayman Island and Whitehaven Beach. Look out for some of these in the book!
When we first planned the holiday, we had decided to rent a boat and cruise around the islands for a week. We’d been told that was the best way to see the whole area. There are several places were you can rent 4 or 6 sleepers (or larger boats), which gives you the ability to make your own way around the islands. But then real life happened and got in the way, and well, that never trip never took place. I never got over that disappointment. I decided then and there that if I couldn’t do the trip myself, I’d have to have a couple of my characters undertake it. And thus Joe and Beth were born…
Visiting Paradise: The Blurb
Beth Brown needs a holiday. She?s burnt out, single and madly in love with the man who pays her salary, Joe Bastion. Much as she?d like to act on her feelings, Beth?s learned the hard way not to sleep with the men she works for.? As far as she is concerned, Joe is off limits.
Sometimes, to get what you want, you have to chase hard. And? Joe wants Beth? He?s organized the trip of a lifetime for her. Beth?s about to set sail into paradise, and she has no idea Joe?s the one who?ll be taking her there.
Visiting Paradise: An Excerpt
He braced himself to catch her weight and she landed with a gentle thud against his chest.
She gaped at him.? ?Joe-?
There was no time for explanation.? Her breasts cushioned his ribs, her legs were pressed against his and her mouth was open, exposing flashes of pearly-white teeth and the tip of her pink tongue.? For the life of him, he couldn?t answer.? He lowered his head to hers.
?Joe,? she gasped again, just before their lips met, and it did him in.? She said his name in the same breathless, fuck-me voice she?d used the night before.? He molded his lips to hers and slid his tongue into the hot, wet cavern of her mouth, taking full advantage of her open-mouthed astonishment.
The shockwave of awareness that jolted between them almost bloody electrocuted him.? The instant his tongue touched hers, she melted. Collapsed against him.? Tiny purring sounds escaped her as her body relaxed.? Her lips softened and she responded to his kiss with a hungry acceptance of inevitability.
This was where their relationship had been heading from day one.
Her kiss reverberated through him.? Heat curled through his stomach and inched lower, its fire consuming his oxygen.? He couldn?t breathe.? It wasn?t just his physical response to her.? Something else was at play here, something deeper, something more personal.? Much more personal.
The loneliness that had been his lifelong companion began to crumble and Joe, unused to experiencing anything beside the dull hollow in his heart, registered surprise as emotion began to churn in his chest.
This was right.? This was meant to be.
He pulled back, needing to look at her, to see if she felt the same way.
Her eyes were dazed; her chest rose and fell unevenly.? ?Joseph?? ?She breathed his name.
?Jesus, Beth.? You have no idea how long I?ve wanted to do that.?
?You shouldn?t have.?? Had she not been so languid in his arms, he might almost have believed she meant it.? But her fingers toyed with the nape of his neck and her nipples had pebbled into tight beads beneath her damp top, her response at odds with her words.
?I can stop.? ?His offer was reluctant, especially so as her luscious lips parted and her eyelids drift shut.
?You should.?? There was ambivalence in her voice.? She took a deep breath.? ?Please?don?t.?
She reached blindly for his mouth and pulled herself into him.? As their lips touched, he groaned.? Why had it taken so long to reach this point?? All that wasted time.? He?d waited his whole life to meet the woman who could end his solitude, and when he finally did?she made him wait some more.? Made him suffer under the assumption she didn?t care, didn?t want him.? But she did.
He kissed her harder, crushed his mouth against hers, allowing all his suppressed passion to surface in his kiss.? She whimpered in response and before he realized it, he?d untied the straps of her bikini top.? It dropped to the ground between them and Joe pulled her closer, relishing her naked flesh against his, the soft, round breasts squashed against his chest.
The kiss was so sweet and so hot, it twisted his gut and played havoc with his balls.? He groaned out loud.? ?You?re tormenting me, Bethy.?
————————–
So…interested in winning a copy of Visiting Paradise?
All you need to do is comment on which island you’d love to holiday on, or have already holidayed on. Or, if you’re not an island person, just lemme know what your dream holiday would be. It’s that simple.
🙂
Wondering where to go next? Check out MT Albright. You can find his blog here.
Good luck!
Jess
Tour Rules:
1) Tour Starts: Monday, August 1, 2011 at Midnight (EST)
Tour Ends: August 7, 2011 at Midnight (EST)
Final Celebration is August 7th from 6pm-11pm (EST) at the?AMP Community Loop.
Grand Prize: a Kindle (Wi-Fi, Graphite, 6? Display with New E-Ink Pearl Technology) is the Grand Prize. Drawing will take place and be announced on August 7, 2011 on the AMP Community Loop at 11pm (EST). Only comments posted before 10pm (EST) on August 7, 2011 are eligible to win the Kindle. Winner will be notified by email on August 8, 2011 if they are not present on the Loop for the announcement.
***Individual winners from author contests will be drawn and posted August 8, 2011 on their individual sites.***
2) Participation at every blog on the tour is not required but the more blogs a person comments on, the more chances they have to win. If a person comments on one blog, they are entered into the Grand Prize Drawing once. If they comment on ten different blogs, they will be entered into the Grand Prize drawing ten times. Only one comment per blog per person will be entered to win the Grand Prize.
3) The winner of the Grand Prize must be a resident of the United States with a US mailing address. Non-US winners will be eligible for $50 US in Aspen Mountain Press books from the?AMP Website.
4) Prizes at individual author blogs are completely at the discretion of the individual authors and are not in association with Aspen Mountain Press and its prize system. To enter the contest on any given blog, you must follow their contest rules and objectives.
5) By commenting on any blog in the tour, the participant is agreeing to these rules and policies.
6) All prize winners will be chosen randomly by using Random Line Picker.
I’ve never been to Australia, so I’m not familiar with those islands, but the Society Islands in French Polynesia (Tahiti) are fabulous! I’m actually a sucker for any kind of island vacation.
Oooh, always wanted to go to Tahiti, but the cost from South Africa and Australia is prohibitive.
Hi its me, Marika. I bet you didn’t think I’d see you over here. I love Aspen books. The paper series are great little shorts.
Any where in Australia. Its on my bucket list. The only island I’ve been to is Galveston Island in Texas where I live.
maw1725@gmail.com
LOL, it’s wonderful seeing you here, Marika.
And I highly recommend Australia and it’s islands as a holiday destination.
This is a great Novella, And I agree with Marika Australia is on my bucket list. The only Island I have been to would be the bahama;s 🙂
Aw, Thanx Dominique. 🙂
The only island? The only one? You say that as if it’s a bad thing.
Ive only dreamed about going to the Bahamas.
Congrat on your “Visiting Paradise” Jess. I’ve so enjoyed your menage stories, and have them in my forever keepers to read again many times.
My H and iI have always wanted to go to Australia, and perhaps one day we will….*S*
But You really should go on your trip and fulfill your dream to travel the islands. Life happens, and I never thought I’d ever get to see Alaska, and here I am living here…*S*
Thank you for being a part of the blog tour and celebration for Aspen…..*S*
Darcy
pommawolf @hotmail.com
Thanx Darcy.
😀 And you know I love that you love my menages.
Alaska is my dream destination. Tried to organize a cruise there this September in fact, but apparently it’s already to cold by that time of year. All Alaskan cruises are finished for the year.
Hmmm, a holiday there sounds wonderful. Living in the cold? Not so much. Well you have my admiration.
Happy Birthday Amp !!
Daydream Island looks Great !1
Daydream is lovely.
A family holiday lovely tho, not a romantic island getaway.
Do I really have to choose just one? (lol) This sounds like fun!!
Nope, I’d never restrict you to dreaming about just one. Choose as many as you like!
😉
Only islands have been is the Hawaiian Islands, definitely would love to visit Australia
Lovely pics of the islands.
Jean
skpetal at hotmail dot com
Hawaii?
That’s like the ultimate tropical island destination!
And as I said in a previous comment, Australia is a wonderful place to come for a holiday. (Or to live, like I did.)
Oh, wow! Jess, when are we going on that vacation, huh? LOL!
I have to say, my ultimate vacation has to be the Male/Maldives Islands. I’m dying to stay in one of those huts-on-the-water! 😀
Now,when I lived in South Africa, the Maldives was a big honeymoon destination. Lots of friends went there for their honeymoons, stayed in huts on the water, just like you’re describing…
Sounds stunning.
Great pictures on your blog!
Thanx, DezF
Wish I’d taken them, but , well, I’m just not that good a photographer.
I love the pictures! The first thing I thought when I saw the picture of Hayman Island is: I want to go there! So I guess that is my choice of which island I?d love to holiday on 🙂
Joe and Beth spend a night on Hayman Island. A very romantic, very sexy night…
Just saying.
Wow, I’ve been attempting to convince the family that we want to vacation to Australia for the last few years. With a child with lupus, the amount of sun makes it prohibitive, but here’s hoping that one day soon I’ll be able to enjoy things during the day. I live the little peek that you’ve shown.
Carla, I hope that day comes soon. For you and your whole family.
16.5 years ago my husband and I honeymooned in Kauaii. It was gorgeous and quiet and I would love to go back someday!
books4me67 at ymail.com
Oooh, maybe for a second honeymoon?
Oh I would take any where these is water and sand!
And sun? I’d need lots of sunshine.
OMG! Island books! Can’t wait to get my hands on them. Thanks to my friend who referred me here!
Yeah, I’m also a bit of a sucker for island books, Kathy.
(Oh, and thank your friend from me too please.)
Married 25 years this year and I would love to go to Fiji – Turtle Island. It looks so amazing. We would love to renew our vows with our girls who are 21 and 19. It’s a dream now and maybe one day a reality.
That sounds like a wonderful, wonderful dream!
And congrats on 25 years.
Ah… been to a couple of the Hawaiian islands, Taiwan, and Japan. Would LOVE to head down under!!
Well, Fedora, just do it! Just head down here!!!!!!!!!!
One of these days, Jess! DH has been before and is reluctant to make the long trip again. Will have to get the kids to sway him since they haven’t been yet and want to 🙂
I don’t know any of the islands in Australia, but I would love to visit them!
Beautiful pictures! Great excerpt!
robindpdx (at) yahoo (dot) com
Glad you liked the pics, but even more happy you like the excerpt.
😉
Hi there, a really great read. This Blog Tour is great for intruducing us to other authors, isn’t it!
Good luck, Gloria Burland
It sure is Gloria…seeing as I’ve just opened up your website and am about to go exploring…
Wowser, that’s a hot scene! Those islands are so beautiful, no wonder love is in the air for those two lovebirds! I love a good, believable seduction and this is a great one! As for islands, I would love to see the Whitsunday Islands, I’d never heard of them, thanks for the gorgeous pics! When I was growing up, my family spent a lot of time in the 1000 Islands in upstate New York on the St. Lawrence Seaway (river). It bordered Canada and we had so many good times and I had a few little teenage romances, too, so islands provide fun memories for me!
Well, now we’re even, coz I had never heard about the 1000 Islands in upstate NY. But now I wanna know all about them…and all about those teenage romances.
😉
I love your books Jess!!!! Ok Travel, I love to travel!! Been to Australia 4 times and will be going back again next year 🙂 but my favorite holiday was my trip to Western Samoa. I is so untouched and raw still. Samoa was the inspiration for the book Treasure Island by Robert Lewis Stevenson and he actually had a home there that has now been turned into a museum. anyway it’s incredible and the people are as well. Thanks for the contest Jess, xoxo
Ah, Dawn. Yep, if anyone is well traveled, it is you.
So, that’s what you liked most about Samoa? It’s raw beauty? (Not a certain male…?)
That book sounds HAWT!!!
Ok…I honeymooned on Grand Bahama Island. It would have been great, but we went at the height of monsoon season!!!! LOL! It rained the whole time we were there, except for one day. My new hubby stayed out in the sun, stupidly NOT reapplying his sun screen. Yup, you guessed it. He was in a man’s bikini and was so sunburned, that it was a GOOD thing we had almost a week of indoor activities before then!!! LOL!!!! I have not had a need or want to go to an island since. Well, not quite true. I live in Georgia now, and on our coast we have a couple GREAT islands I would love to visit. But nothing international! LOL!
Stacy Wilson
dragn_lady at yahoo dot com
ROFL. There’s a honeymoon story to tell the grandkids.
At least when you’re on honeymoon, the weather outside isn’t all too important. (Altho severe sunburn is!)
I’ve always wanted to visit Australia. Pictures look so beautiful.
Sherry, it’s a beautiful country to visit.
Hi Jess,
Happy Anniversary to the authors and AMP. Your short sounds intriguing. Congrats on its release. Continued blessings.
Vanessa A Johnson, Red Rose Publishing Author
Uncommon Bond (2011)
Sacrifices In the Name of Love (2010)
Hi Vanessa, and thank you.
🙂
Great excerpt!! I have always wanted to go to Hawaii and Australia – though almost any island that is warm would do. The pictures you posted above are beautiful!
Thanks for the great contest!
susanmik AT gmail DOT com
Susan, I always felt the same about going to any island. The second one I visited was Mauritius, and OMG, it was PERFECT! Exactly how you would image a tropical island paradise to be.
Loved Hawaii and all the great hideaways to get lost in.
Congratulations AMP! Great looking Covers, Jess.
Emma Lane (A SCANDALOUS DESIGN-traditional regency.
All these comments about Hawaii are making me a bit edgy. Now I really wanna go there.
Interested…………..seriously??
**gimme hands** I want it…now!! 😉
I’d love to go to any of the islands you pictured!! So very lovely!!
Oh…or Aruba!!
thewildtwo [@] sbcglobal [dot] net
LOL, who knows, maybe you’ll win the contest…
And Aruba, sigh. That’s one of those Islands I can only dream about visiting.
I have always loved Australia, so any of the Whitsundays islands would be terrific for an island retreat. Visiting paradise souns excellent and has been added to my wish list.
Oooh, Michelle, that’s very nice to hear.
And yep, Aus is a very lovable place.
ive never been to any islands. ive always wouldnt to go to the bahamas. 🙂 your book sounds great! thanks for the chance to win!
shadow_kohler(at)att(dot)net
The Bahamas. That’s like the ultimate dream island destination.
Would love to go there too.
great excerpt! I definitely want to win a copy and by the number if comments here, I’m guessing alit I’d folks agree. at one point in my life, I worked at scuba shop in NYC of all places! I got to go to the Caribbean at least once a month: Aruba, Bonaire, cura?ao, the caymans, st. Martin & more. I also spent a few months after college windsurfing in Maui and fell in live with Hawaii. one day I plan to return to the Caribbean to live and to work & tho I’m a born and bred new yorker, I’m really an island girl in my heart!
Mara
marajbrandon AT earthlink DOT net
Mara, you are talking about every person’s dream job. It sounds idyllic!!
Ok, so now I confess to being just a leetle bit jealous.
😉
Love the picture had me wishing to be there.
Yeah, the pics are gorgeous, aren’t they?
Hawaii is it for me. I’ve visited before…spent 10 days in Honolulu with our hotel right on Waikiki Beach facing Diamond Head. It was amazing to be able to go swim in either the hotel pool or the Pacific Ocean with the sun beating down and staring at Diamond Head. Although I have to say that Daydream Island is running a very close second now that I’ve seen it here on your blog! Lol
Danielle
starshine31277@yahoo.com
Whitehaven beach has me hooked just from the picture! I would love love LOVE to go there with my husband and no children… and all the other guests should have earplugs… Just so you know, I love your books! Happy Birthday AMP
ChristiMcMillenBooks@gmail.com