April Book Club Biz
Mahalo,
I’m writing this edition of The Writer Gal Letter listening to Tempt Playlist’s Snow on The Beach by Taylor Swift and Lana Del Ray. And I just cannot begin to thank you for all the kindness and love you’ve shown Tempt, Nashit, Pehel, and Pathaan even before the book comes out in a few short days!! THANK YOU so much for it all.
The book is still on pre-order till the 30th of April when it releases and the price will go up. You can also read the Tempt Sampler with an extra chapter exclusively for you, Postmate by clicking the button below.
Now, imma jump onto this month’s novella installment and book club freebies.
No Other Love - Chapter 11
Now, without any more fuss, let me share the next chapter of my sweetly angsty, second chance, marriage in trouble, small-town romance novella starring a desperately nerdy doctor and his feisty surgeon wife!
Author’s Note: I’ll be writing down the English translations of the Indian words to this story, as I introduce you to Indian culture :) If you’d like to read the previous chapter, click here.
Fun fact: This novella is actually set in a town founded by one of my oldest friends. I’ve been fascinated with Aronda since I heard her talk about it back when we studied together and wanted to set a story here forever! Vikrant and Anika’s is the one finally. :D
Vikrant endured the longest three seconds of his life as he waited for her to refuse him.
She said nothing.
He leaned down and brushed his lips against hers, feeling their pillowy softness. Going hard at just that mere contact.
She reared up, winding her arms around his neck and kissed him back, opening her mouth and chasing his tongue. Making a slightly broken sound like she couldn’t breathe, like she didn’t want to. As long as they were kissing.
He held her closer, digging his fingertips into her skull, her waist – her skin, her scent – surrounding him in a cloud of perfume and womanly musk. And he willingly drowned in it.
Anika crawled into his lap, not letting go of his mouth and he groaned as their torsos brushed against each other.
He tumbled to place her against the wall of metal cupboards and crowded her, running his hands up and down her sides. Relearning the shape of her. She was firm and soft, giving and strong at the same time. When he squeezed her breast through the tunic she arched straight into him, her tongue doing its damndest to squeeze his breath, his very life away.
And he was not letting go of her lips. Nibbling at them, biting them, sucking at them and drinking as much of her in as he could in one kiss.
God, wanting her was his personal heaven and hell.
‘I don’t want to stop kissing you,’ she whispered against his lips, after blisteringly hot seconds of making out like they were horny teens.
‘Why?’
‘Because then I’d remember you’re not mine to kiss.’
The words killed his desire as surely as a bucket of ice-cold water would have.
####
He carefully unpeeled his fingers away from her body.
Vikrant thought he felt her body shudder as he withdrew from her. But it wasn’t her. She was cool and removed. He was the one messed up enough to want her even though they were done.
Fuck.
This.
‘Vik…’
He held up a hand. He was so grateful it didn’t tremble. Because his blood was still running hot. His vision misted with lust. ‘Don’t,’ he growled. ‘Don’t give me whatever speech you want to give.’
'I wasn’t going to give a speech.’ She sat cross-legged against the metal drawers. Her mutter was barely audible.
All of a sudden looking dwarf like against the wall. Even though she was not that small. He felt a spurt of protectiveness. And hardened his instincts. She didn’t need protection. Not when she was capable of destroying him with mere words.
‘Are you…?’ He cleared his throat, the words sticking in them. Afraid to come out. 'Are you seeing someone?’
Incredibly, she looked stunned. Hurt chasing across her delicate features, showcasing the slight downturn of her plump, just-kissed lips. ‘Why? Are you?’ she asked him quietly.
He hesitated. Then shook his head. ‘No, I haven’t had the time to look for anyone in that way. The clinic takes up all my time.’
‘Did you think I’d come here and pretend to be your loving wife if I was with someone? Is that what you think of me, Vikrant?’
He sighed and sat cross-legged opposite her. ‘No. I don’t think you’ll ever do that. Your honesty is troublesome but you are honest.’
Anika gave him a justifiably bitter look. ‘I don’t think this is a compliment.’
Vikrant checked his nails out. They’d grown a bit. Time for a simple manicure. ‘That is not what I meant.’
‘Then what? You were checking to make sure you didn’t trespass on some other dude’s property?’
Vikrant sighed. Loudly. Extremely suffering. ‘God, Ani. Give me a break,’ he tried again, ‘I just lost my freaking mind and kissed you when you are here as a favor to me.’
‘And here I thought you were jealous.’
‘Very funny.’ Vikrant gave her a small smile.
And wished he could tell her the truth. Jealousy was a small emotion compared to how he felt when he thought of his Anika with some other man. Every cell in his body protesting at the idea, however sexist it was, of Anika belonging to some other man. Him kissing her, like this. Holding her as if she was his personal salvation.
God!
He needed help. He needed to stay the fuck away from her. It was the kindest thing to do, to both of them.
He stood up in a fluid motion and held his hand out. She took it and he pulled her up slowly.
‘Come on.’ He squeezed her fingers once and then stepped back, well back from her. ‘Let’s go home and grab some food. Clearly food deprivation is a real problem.’
He prayed she’d take the lifeline and not press him further. He could see the mark he’d left on her torso, the tunic had shifted so the seams were misaligned. And he had a sudden vision of tearing the damn thing off her and feasting on her like a man deprived.
She took the bait. ‘Clearly.’
And that was the end of that ill-fated interlude.
No Other Love will be back next month.
The Kissing 💋 Books Club April Offering
This month’s TKBC book is a hot instalove, opposites attract romance by Ellen Brooks. It’s called, haha, Tempted by the Scot. And it is every bit as fun and emotional as Tempt by yours truly. Plus, look at that COVER, Postmate.
So smash that pink button and get this month’s freebie, yeah?
Craig
A lass with ginger curls, as bonny as the one at the bar, draws me out of the kitchen in my chef’s whites for the first time—ever. But it’s her smart mouth and amusing pet peeve that has me craving more. When our night is cut short and she slips away, I learn the truth. I was only a means to an end. But I’m no stranger to hard work and convincing her otherwise is a job I’ll gladly take on. Especially when my heart is at stake.
Brie
Who does this hot Scot think he is, a knight in shining armour? I’m no damsel in distress, but when my blind date doesn’t show, this tempting chef is my best chance to rescue the evening. He’s only the first of ten dates, after all. When his hazel eyes, easygoing manner, and culinary chops leave me wanting more, I wonder if I’m crazy for trusting my instinct. Not that it's ever done me wrong before.
The Romantic Suspense Co-op April Offering
This month’s offering from the Romantic Suspense Co-op is Danielle Pay’s Chasing Her Trust. It’s a small town enemies to lovers with a lot of swoony thrills in forced proximity thrown in, cuz she is in danger. :P And can I just say that hot hero can have all of my trust :D
Check it out. Then hit the shiny pink button and grab the book, kay?
Lauren needs protection. Was she part of a holiday prank or something more sinister? As luck would have it, Detective Nick Moore answers her call. She'll take any other officer in his place. Dang small town. She might not want his support, but like it or not she needs him.
Don't fall for the woman you are protecting. Nick's mantra. From the moment he met Lauren, he knew she was different. Instead of falling for his charm, he was greeted with her middle finger when she flipped him the bird.
Then her ex shows up, she panics and says Nick is her boyfriend. Word spreads fast in a small town. Now they have to convince everyone they are together.
Nick can do that. As far as he's concerned, it's game on, princess.
With no obvious motives, everyone is a suspect, and he won't rest until she's safe.
New Release from Writer Pal
I have a FABULOUS new release from my pal, Fiona Murphy! It’s called His Vicious Vow and it is SO HOT from the few excerpts I read in her newsletter. You can check out the cover and blurb below and get this book baby for only 99c for 21, 22, and 23 of April!
The barely-old enough-to-drink girl I’m forced to marry is an anime-loving, manga-reading, selective mute brat who wears too much eyeliner that highlights the anger in her eyes. Neither of us want this marriage but it will happen. I’ve worked too hard for too long not to do whatever it takes to run Vegas on behalf of the Outfit.
I’m not surprised when Carina runs. What I wasn’t ready for is how much I want to catch her. Not because I have to marry her, because I want to—want her. I want her for her. Panic attacks, eyeliner, curvy gorgeous body, and all. The problem comes with convincing her.
Carina may take some to believe me, believe in me. I’m not worried. We have all the time in the world because she belongs to me and I’m never letting her go.
Alright, Postmate. That is all I have for this edition of The Writer Gal Letter. I will be back super soon with the next chapter of Tempt and *ahem* some release news which you will HOPEFULLY, love!
Till then stay hydrated and wear sunscreen!
Xx
Aarti