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Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Featured Author: Kristen Luciani

Welcome Today's Featured Author  
Kristen Lucian!!!!

Unlikely Venture Cover

 

Synopsis

After learning Jessica's been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, her fiancé bolted out of her life as if he was on fire. She finds solace in her career--no distractions or romantic entanglements there!
But the universe has its own agenda.
Three thousand miles away from home and in the most unlikely of circumstances, Jessica meets Silicon Valley rising star James Callahan and her world is instantly turned upside down. Things go further awry when she encounters a ghost from the past. That one night of reckless abandon is back to haunt her and the control she fought so hard to regain is now in the hands of another.
Plagued by betrayal and guilt over his dad’s untimely death, James left Cambridge in search of a new beginning. With laser-focus, he built a cutting edge technology company now on the brink of financial success. Romance is the last thing on his mind…until he meets Jessica.
Fate brought them together, awakening their dormant emotions. But Jessica’s scandalous secret consumes her and threatens the very happiness she feared she’d never find with another man. Can James handle the truth about her past? Or did she pick the wrong guy yet again?


 EXCERPT

Excerpt 1:
JESSICA’S IPHONE CHIRPED with the dreaded fifteen-minute warning. She groaned, berating herself for stopping at Starbucks with so little time to spare. But a double shot of something caffeinated was an absolute must for this meeting.
The all-too-perky barista called her name and she grabbed the cup, hoping to find a taxi outside the café. It was an optimistic yet unrealistic expectation since she was in Palo Alto, not Manhattan.
Cars raced up and down El Camino Real and Jessica released an impatient sigh. Not one taxi in sight. Seriously? She headed toward the intersection, just in case one magically materialized out of thin air.
Her heart pounded as she concocted potential excuses for her jackass boss Charlie. If she missed the meeting—No, it just wasn’t an option. This client was too important to their consulting practice and she was a key presenter. This is my big chance. If I land the client, he’ll have to put me up for that promotion. I need to get there in time. Dammit, are there any taxis in this town?
Jessica sprinted to the corner in five-inch Louboutins, wincing at the uncomfortable tingling sensation in her toes. Just ignore the pain, Jess. It became her mantra over the past several months but she was only resisting the inevitable. Sure, they’re manageable now but who knows how much worse these symptoms will get? It was a question that plagued her every day since she received the diagnosis. My career is all I have left and this promotion represents everything I’ve been working toward. I refuse to let this disease derail me.
Walking across town to the client site was out of the question. In fact, surviving another few blocks would be nothing short of a miracle. A taxi rolled up to the red traffic light and she waved her arms to get the cabbie’s attention. The timing was perfect; it would only take about ten minutes to get down to—
“Aahhhh!” Jessica lurched forward as the unexpected impact sent her phone flying into the air. Searing coffee splashed over the side of the cup, soaking her blouse and pants. She recoiled, her hand bright red and throbbing. “What the fu—?”
A strong hand gripped her shoulder and she snapped her head around to get a good look at her assailant.
“Are you okay?”
Excerpt 2:
The enormous skybox spilled over with A-listers, and it was decorated with a glitzy Vegas lounge motif. Lisa was in her element, pointing out celebrity after celebrity, drooling over each and every one.
“Holy cow! Jessie, look at Ashley Marshall! Those boobs are totally fake—I don’t care what she said in that interview! Do you see Jordan Priestly over there? He is so much hotter in person, don’t you think? Should I go and talk to him? He just broke up with Melissa Travers, I read about it in US Weekly on the flight out here!”
Laughing, Jessica’s eyes traveled around the crowded skybox, marveling at how many stars showed up to Oak- land that night. I guess Dezzie is one hot ticket after all.
Her smile faded when her eyes locked on Paul Emerson. Oh please, not again ...
“Lisa!” She nudged her friend.
“What?” Lisa snapped to attention. “Do you see someone else? Is Dezzie in here?”
“No, not Dezzie. Paul Emerson.” Jessica nodded to where he stood.
“Whoa,” Lisa breathed. “He’s gorgeous, Jessie, you crazy ass fool. Remind me again why you’re not interested in bedding that perfect specimen of a man over and over and over?”
Jessica rolled her eyes. “That’s just the wrapping, Li. I'm much more into what’s inside the box, you know?”
“Look, sweetie, you’ve already unwrapped the pack- age and acknowledged how unbelievable it was. How much better do you think it’s going to get?”
“That’s not what I meant,” Jessica groaned. She was fighting a losing battle. Lisa didn’t care about substance.
“Uh, don’t look now, but I guess Emerson spotted you too, Jessie.” Lisa poked her with a long red fingernail.
“Whaa?” Jessica turned to see Paul walking towards them. Oh crap. “Don’t leave, okay, Li? I’m telling you, something makes me really uncom—”
Lisa snorted. “Spare me, Jess. If some rich foxy guy had me in his sights, uncomfortable is the last thing I’d feel. Loosen up a little and have some fun with it. You’re young, hot and based on that smoldering look he’s giving you, I’d say you’re pretty damn good in the sack.”
Excerpt 3:
“Life’s too short. I get it now, after all this time. I’ve done a lot of soul-searching lately and I don’t want to miss out on living anymore. I want to enjoy as much as I can without having to be bogged down with worries. You never know when your time’s up.” He snapped his fingers. “It can happen just like that.”
“You’re right, the small stuff really isn’t that important.” She hesitated, not knowing what to say next.
He stroked her hand. “I decided I’d rather take a chance on something ... or someone ... then wonder if things might have been different if I wasn’t afraid to try.”
Jessica’s heart pounded as he stared at her. She saw the hope alive in his eyes. He says that now. But will he still feel that strongly once he finds out I’m sick? Will he still want me then? I don’t want to find out, it’s better if we keep this light. But she couldn’t ignore the unmistakable connection between them. It was almost strong enough to trump her fears and insecurities, at least for the short-term.

Excerpt 4:
This was it. There was no turning back. Once we do this, everything changes ... but it feels so right with him. How did I go so long without this? I’ve never experienced anything like it before. Maybe I’ve never really been in love. Oh my God, am I now? Is it even possible?
Jessica fumbled with his belt buckle for what seemed like hours. It was dark and she couldn’t see well. Argh, why do they have to be button fly? She cringed and bit her lip. Pain shot through her finger as a corner of her nail tore off. Dammit! I’m really trying hard to be seductive here! Why am I so spastic? He’s going to think I’m a complete amateur! Squeezing her injured finger, she freed the last button without incident. Finally! She slid off his pants then reached into his boxer briefs, eager to find out what was waiting for her. A gasp escaped her lips before she could stop it. Irish curse? Um, that would be a big, fat swollen no. She wrapped her fingers around him, her pulse racing with delight. Oh. My. God.
“What’s wrong?” He looked down at her.
She grinned. “Absolutely nothing. Now kiss me.”
Excerpt 5:
“Maybe this will clear things up.” He thrust the phone at her. “If memory serves, I introduced you to Paul Emerson last night. This picture was taken two nights ago. Pretty cozy for two people who supposedly didn’t know each other less than twenty-four hours ago. Care to explain?”
She looked at the screen and gasped. “Where did this come from?”
“That’s all you can say? Really? You’ve got nothing else?”

Jessica’s eyes filled with tears. “Listen, I know it looks bad but—”

“Looks bad? Are you fucking kidding me? How long has this even been going on, Jessica? Is he the real reason why you’ve been trying to stay out here? You pretended not to know each other last night! What’s the end game here? You knew all along that we were working with his company and now ... I get this picture. Tell me, did you screw him after you blew me off? I didn’t get a picture of that, so I’m just curious if you were doing him when you told me you had to be up early for work. What an asshole I am!” James paused, his breathing heavy and fists clenched at his sides.
“James, you have to let me explain! It isn’t what you think at all. I mean, yes, I do know him and he’s the one who invited me to the cocktail party, but it was strictly professional—”
“Professional? Seriously? With his tongue down your throat and his hand on your ass? Is that the new definition of professional?”

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About Kristen Luciani:

Kristen Luciani is a self-proclaimed momtrepreneur with a penchant for Christian Louboutins, Silicon Valley (the place and the show), plunging necklines and grapefruit martinis.  As a deep-rooted romantic who prefers juicy drama to fill the lives of anyone other than her, she tried her hand at creating a world of enchantment, sensuality, and intrigue, finally uncovering her true passion. No pun intended…
Social Media Links:
Website: www.KristenLuciani.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kristen_luciani
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kristen-Luciani/613340008713414?ref=bookmarks
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8341231.Kristen_Luciani?from_search=true


Interview with Kristen Luciani:

  1. Can you tell us a little about your books? 
    I write contemporary romance novels, weaving in my passion for Silicon Valley, innovation and entrepreneurship. My heroes aren’t cowboys or firefighters; they’re startup CEOs and venture capitalists - professions with their own brand of intrigue and allure.  I applied my business experience and crafted a series of stories (Unlikely Venture being the first of The Venture Series) that will appeal to women who not only love romance and the pursuit of happily ever afters but also the depth and dimension of real life business world obstacles and challenges that permeate and shape the lives of the characters.
  1. What inspires you to write? 
    As a working mom of three, I wanted to set an example for my kids in writing and publishing this series of novels - to show them they can always achieve as long as they continue to persevere and believe in themselves.  In large part, they are the inspiration I need to continue realizing my own goals and dreams.
  1. Do you have a favorite spot to write?
     With three young kids, I’ve learned to write just about anything (wink, wink), anywhere in my house, amid all the insanity. But I love working in my office, sitting crisscross applesauce on a plush leather swivel chair. That’s my spot.
  1. Do you have any “odd” writing habits?
     I have to brush my teeth and wash my hands before I start writing. The ideas just flow better for some reason.
  1. Do you listen to music while you write? 
    No, I need quiet when I write but I get so many ideas when I listen to music. I have a pretty eclectic taste but my favorite genre is 90s grunge rock and tons of inspiration has come from bands like Fuel, Foo Fighters, Bush and Stone Temple Pilots.
  1. When did you know you wanted to write a book? 
    A few years ago, I formed a handbag design company with my best friend and wrote a nonfiction book on the trials and tribulations of being an entrepreneur. I enjoyed it so much I decided to write a novel incorporating a lot of the same business elements, spiked with seduction, sexy heroes, strong, sassy heroines, and steamy love scenes. One novel quickly transformed into a four-book series and now that I’ve finally uncovered my true passion, I can’t imagine ever stopping.
  1. What are writing projects are you currently working on? 
    I’m in the process of editing the third book in The Venture Series – Venture Forward. I’m also working on the fourth book in the series, Joint Venture, as well as a new romantic suspense series.
  1. Do you work with an outline, or just write? 
    I never outline. In fact, I usually don’t stop to try and figure out “the story” until around page 100. Things just come together as I type. Thankfully.
  1. What's the last book you read? 
    I actually just finished two books because I always read multiple at the same time - Tempting Her Best Friend by Gina Maxwell and Fake Boobs by Ryan Ringbloom.

10. What's one random fact about yourself that you can share? 
I have a green belt in karate.
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