Hey, Readers – I’m thrilled to have Marianne Rice visiting me today for the Summer #RomanticIdea blogfest, and I’m equally excited about stopping by her blog next week.

Let’s take a look at Marianne’s idea and her new release!

I’m a romance author and am married to a man who is as romantic as…a doorknob. He likes to joke about his idea of romance, “You’re so beautiful. Did that turn you on? Want to get naked now?” After twenty-three years together (we met as freshman in college) I’ve learned to be thankful for what I have: a loyal, faithful, honest, hard working, and funny father and husband, who is not the least bit romantic.

My husband isn’t into dinner out; he’d rather cook up a feast at home (we both enjoy cooking). He’d rather do projects around the house or do something active/productive. So, the only way to get him out of the house is to go on little adventures. Sometimes we go four wheeling (there are trails all around our house), or go on hikes, big and small. A backpack full of food and cozy snack and lunch breaks along the way, these are the little adventures we enjoy doing that add fun, memorable moments in our relationship. Romance doesn’t have to be big and fancy. Flowers, chocolate and wine are absolutely lovely, but sometimes getting down and dirty can be pretty spectacular as well. #romanticidea

Sage Wilde’s idea of romance falls into the same category as my husband’s, but Luke Riley has other ideas. Here’s a peek at my latest release:

WILDE FOR YOU 

SYNOPSIS:

Event planner Sage Wilde has lots of lists and no time for a relationship…

Precise to a fault, Sage plans everything—meetings, meals, and sex. But when she learns her youngest sister can’t carry a child, she steps up and commits to the role of a surrogate mother. It’s not out of sentiment, because Sage doesn’t do love or touchy-feely, but out of practicality. She doesn’t plan on marrying or having children, so why not rent out her unused space, right?

Luke Riley is a sexy firefighter who’s looking for love in all the wrong places…

Luke’s morning gets a little brighter when he’s called to a clinic and spots a blonde beauty wearing killer red boots. Though she doesn’t seem interested, he manages to introduce himself. It’s unusual for a woman to push away his advances, but Luke is attracted to her confident nature and strong personality. It’s not long before he wears her down, and she finally agrees to a date.

Who says you can’t mix work with pleasure?

Sage blames her growing affections for Luke on pregnancy hormones. But one last hurrah before her belly swells sounds like a well-deserved thrill. After a few passionate nights, the line between love and lust begins to blur—leaving her more confused than ever.

Luke is mesmerized by her keen wit and social charm. She may claim not to want children, but when she befriends his troubled foster sister, it proves there’s a heart inside of Sage waiting to be loved.

Will Sage’s surrogacy unlock her willingness to commit? Or will Luke stand by as the woman he loves plans a future without him?

EXCERPT:

“I have a reservation. Sage Wilde. I’m a few minutes early. Should I wait at the bar?”

The hostess looked down at her podium. “Your dinner companion is already here, Miss Wilde. Please follow me.”

Punctual. She already liked Ms. Smith. Only the person sitting at her table wasn’t British. And wasn’t a woman.

“Seriously? You’re crashing my meetings again?”

Luke’s hair looked freshly cut, cropped close to his scalp and neat. His eyes brimming with laughter, not the least bit ashamed. “Hardly.” He picked up her hand and kissed her knuckles. “You look beautiful.”

She didn’t think her navy pantsuit was beautiful. Her silver Molono Bahiks with fuschia stilheto heels, however, were stunning. Luke’s eyes hadn’t left hers, so he surely hadn’t noticed them.

“Luke, it’s lovely running into you again, but I’m meeting a client in a few minutes. You’ll have to leave.”

The hostess stood awkwardly between them. Luke didn’t seem to be bothered by her. “Lucy couldn’t make it so I’m here in her place.”

“What? You…you sabotaged my meeting?”

“Thank you, Haley, we’ll let you know when we’re ready to order.” He dismissed the hostess and pulled out a chair for Sage. “Please, sit. I would have ordered you a drink but I wasn’t sure what you preferred.”

“Nothing. I prefer to meet with my client.”

Luke pulled out his chair and sat close to Sage, his knees casually bumping against hers. “I’m meeting in her place.”

“Really? And what will we be meeting about, Mr. Riley?”

“My mother’s sixtieth birthday party. I believe Lucy already told you that.”

So maybe this was for real. Since his brothers and sisters were all adopted, most likely they had different last names as well. “Why didn’t you call me instead?”

“I believe I did. Quite a few times. And you never returned any of my calls. Not a very effective way to run a business.”

“I…You never said you wanted to discuss business. You implied…I thought…”

“You assumed.”

“Yes, well.” Sage picked up her water and scowled. Once again Mr. Sex-on-a-Stick had the upper hand. Very well. She could be professional about it. Pulling out her iPad from her bag, she clicked on to her favorite app and started a new spreadsheet while she talked business.

PURCHASE LINKS: Available on Kindle Unlimited!

AMAZON US: http://amzn.to/1WOpcce
AMAZON UK: http://amzn.to/1XszP2T

THE WILDE SISTERS SERIES:

SWEET ON YOU, Book 1
AMAZON US: http://amzn.to/1RdPboe
AMAZON UK: http://amzn.to/1WnR6bA

THEN CAME YOU, Book 2
AMAZON US: http://amzn.to/1VwklKF
AMAZON UK: http://amzn.to/1Uz52kR

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Marianne Rice writes contemporary romances set in small New England towns. Her heroes are big and strong, yet value family and humor, while her heroines are smart, sexy, sometimes a little bit sassy, and are often battling a strong internal conflict. Together, they deal with real life issues and always, always, find everlasting love. When she’s not writing, Marianne spends her time buying shoes, eating chocolate, chauffeuring her herd of children to their varying sporting events, and when there’s time, cuddling with her husband, a drink in one hand, a romance book in the other.

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Social Media Links:

Limitless Publishing: http://www.limitlesspublishing.net/authors/marianne-rice/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarianneRiceaut

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mariannericeaut

Website: http://www.mariannerice.com/

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Marianne – thanks for blog-swapping with me, and best of luck with your new release.

Readers – feel free to leave a comment or question.

All my best,

Barbara