Casting Calls are so much fun. I love showing you who played in the in-my-head movie versions of stories while I wrote.
This one's short but sweet. Only two characters - the heroine and the hero.
First, Zoe Golden. The 'Golden Girl' in high school, always in with the popular cliques, a little too much of a party girl. Back then, she began to have glimpses that her life was too shallow, glimpses afforded her by one guy. Not one of the popular kids, and a bit overweight, but he teased her like he saw right through her. To the real Zoe.
Zoe herself wouldn't find her true self until life dealt her some harsh lessons. But she could never forget the boy who first magnetized her moral compass.
Natalie Goldman's beautiful, talented, intelligent and certainly able to portray a multilayered character like Zoe.
Ty Hardin built a successful chain of fitness centers fed by one burning desire: revenge. Years ago, he'd fallen for a cheerleader, a girl who had much potential but squandered it. Despite being overweight, he took a chance - and she betrayed him.
After that night, he no longer made excuses for himself. He made fitness a priority, and now in his gyms, he tolerates no negativity among clients. So when Zoe applies for an opening as a yoga instructor, he sees his chance to finally get payback.
Madame Eve sets them up on a 1Night Stand date, and the games begin. :)
Chris Hemsworth is Ty. (They made a cute couple in Thor, and seemed a natural fit here.)
The only thing that makes Friday even sweeter is when it's a release day. Sweet Revenge releases today from Decadent Publishing as part of its 1Night Stand series! Let the happy dance begin...
From cheerleader to news anchor to…yoga instructor? After
Zoe Golden lost everything she thought was important, she found the inner
strength to pursue real happiness. The simple life provides everything she
needs—except love. Once, long ago, she met a real man, but her insecurities
made her deny her heart’s desires. Can Madame Eve find her a guy like the one
who got away?
Bruised by rejection
and determined to exact revenge…
The sculpted, successful owner of a chain of fitness
studios, Ty Hardin can have any woman he wants. Fifteen years and 150 pound
weight loss, has changed him beyond recognition. Now the girl who crushed his
heart teaches yoga in one of his facilities. Not for long. Before he fires her,
he wants one night with her. Wants her to know what she missed out on. But will
revenge still be as sweet the morning after, or will it leave a bitter
aftertaste?
Zoe and Ty might just
be the best thing that ever happened to each other—if they can avoid doing
their worst…
“Anything look good to you?” He winked and signaled the server.
Seriously? Did his ego know no bounds? She fought a laugh. Oh yeah, you
look good enough to eat, Ty. And waitress, could you ask the manager to widen
the exit to accommodate Mr. Hardin’s extraordinarily large head?
He glanced over as if he’d rehearsed the move. “I meant on the menu.”
She froze. Of course, you idiot. She fingered her hair, and then folded
her arms and rested her elbows on the table to force herself to stop fidgeting.
“I, uh, haven’t seen one yet.”
“I thought maybe you’d eaten here before.”
“No.” At this rate, she might not eat here tonight, either. Her insides
had twisted into a knot, killing her appetite.
As if on cue, the waitress carried two menus to their table. “Can I get
you two something to drink?”
“White wine,” he said. “Bring your best bottle.”
Um, I’d looked forward to a margarita—or five, to get through this
night.
When he turned his calculating smile on her, it sent ice down her
spine. God, had she ever bashed him on the evening news? If so, her story
hadn’t hurt his business. So what was the deal with the attitude? Why did she
feel like a mouse in a hawk’s predatorial sights?
He closed the menu with a slap. “Might I recommend the crab special?”
Her stomach clenched tighter. Did it mean something? He made everything
sound a tad sinister. Or was this just his normal sunny disposition? If so,
she’d stick to being his employee. “It does sound good.”
The waitress returned as if he’d summoned her.
He said, “Two crab specials please.”
What the hell, she hadn’t even scanned the menu. “But—”
He held up a finger. “And some garlic sticks. They’re so tasty.”
Quickly gathering the menus, the waitress disappeared.
Zoe closed her gaping mouth. So rude. Was he testing her? Or just
throwing his perfect weight around? Playing more games, perhaps?
Something told her the latter—like his smug smile. The way he poured
wine into her glass like he wished it were poison.
Fine. If that’s the way tonight had to go, bring it on.
“Thank you.” Keeping him in her sights, she drained half the glass and
set it down. Let the games begin.
I had the best surprise last night! Not only a new cover for my contemporary 1Night Stand story, Sweet Revenge, but a release date too. This Friday!
Um, yeah - that cover's a grabber! If you're familiar with the 1NS series, you know they're always short, usually a lot of fun and generally range from hot to incendiary. Hotter than what I usually write, and often the editors have to prod me to add more.
My nephew actually inspired this story. I was so proud of him for working hard to lose 150 pounds and get in great shape, it seemed like a perfect complement to the topic of bullying. Long-ago bullying, yes, but that type of antagonism stays with a person. And I found it interesting to explore a mature person's view of it, if not an active part, then someone who failed to stand up for another. So Sweet Revenge came together.
Here's the blurb:
Humbled by life and
hungry for love…
From cheerleader to news anchor to…yoga instructor? After
Zoe Golden lost everything she thought was important, she found the inner
strength to pursue real happiness. The simple life provides everything she
needs—except love. Once, long ago, she met a real man, but her insecurities
made her deny her heart’s desires. Can Madame Eve find her a guy like the one
who got away?
Bruised by rejection
and determined to exact revenge…
The sculpted, successful owner of a chain of fitness
studios, Ty Hardin can have any woman he wants. Fifteen years and 150 pound
weight loss, has changed him beyond recognition. Now the girl who crushed his
heart teaches yoga in one of his facilities. Not for long. Before he fires her,
he wants one night with her. Wants her to know what she missed out on. But will
revenge still be as sweet the morning after, or will it leave a bitter
aftertaste?
Zoe and Ty might just
be the best thing that ever happened to each other—if they can avoid doing
their worst…
