Welcome to my stop on the Reforming the Playboy by Inara Scott Blog Tour!
I have a fabulous guest post to share with all today as well as a guest post themed giveaway! Hoe fun!
Thanks to Inara from stopping by and enjoy!
Book links:
Synopsis:
Five years ago, she left without a word…
Internationally-renowned artist Max Estin is as well known for his million dollar commissions as he is his partying and clubbing. But Max is hiding a secret—for almost a year he’s been completely blocked. Unable to paint. And to unlock his art, and save his career, he’s going to need the one woman he never wanted to see again.
Now, he’s determined to make her pay…
Kira Estin never told Max exactly why she left, or what secrets forced her to return home to Passion Creek so abruptly. So when a chance reunion turns to seduction, Kira is more than a little suspicious. She knows better than to trust Max, but can’t fight the fire that he lights in her body—or her heart. But when everyone is hiding a secret, can even the hottest passion survive?
Guest post:
Visiting Passion Creek—Welcome to the Passion Creek Beanery!
As a writer and resident of the Pacific Northwest, it shouldn’t surprise you that I’ve got a passion for coffee. Seriously, I’ve tried giving up a lot of things to manage my migraines. I’ve given up wine, chocolate, cheese, avocados, bananas, black tea… Nothing, nothing was like giving up coffee. I love the aroma, the sound of the beans in the grinder, the foam in the French press, and of course, the taste. I don’t really need the caffeine—I’m actually a morning person. But the ritual of drinking coffee in the morning cannot be replaced.
And, let’s be honest, I love the other stuff, too. A dark, rich cup of coffee mixed with a healthy dose of cream and sugar? Yeah. Sign me up.
(In case you’re wondering, I brought back the coffee after a month of abstinence. Migraines be dammed!)
I’ve never been big on the Starbucks flavored lattes and mochas. I’m more of a purist. I’ll drink an occasional latte, but when I do it’s with whole milk, no flavors or syrup, and two packets of sugar. And can we be straight up here? Starbuck’s drip coffee sucks. It’s horribly bitter. Thank goodness for all of the other choices here in the Portland area.
Given my love of all things coffee, I’m sure you won’t be surprised to hear that Passion Creek, the fictional small town in the mountains of Colorado where Reforming the Playboy is set, has a great coffee shop. The Passion Creek Beanery. And as with all the best coffee shops, it’s not just about the coffee. It has great baristas, too. Here’s Kira, the heroine, chatting with her favorite barista at the Beanery the day after running into Max, her ex-boyfriend, after five years.
Kira handed the heavily pierced barista her oversize travel mug and a credit card. “Triple mocha, with whip, extra chocolate.”
“Seriously?” Errand, the morning barista at the Passion Creek Beanery, cocked her blond, dreadlocked head in surprise. “What the hell happened to you?”
“Nothing.” Kira scowled as she ran a hand through her hair. “I just happen to need an instant infusion of sugar, fat, chocolate, and caffeine. That okay with you?”
Errand held up her hands in submission. “I can totally respect that.”
Kira sighed. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be a jerk. I just didn’t sleep much last night.”
“Nothing serious, I hope?”
“Nah. Trouble left town early this morning.” Kira squinted at the pastry case. “In fact, you better add a pumpkin scone to that order. To celebrate.”
“Sounds like a good plan.” Errand said. She passed the mug to the tall, skinny guy making drinks at the espresso station. “Triple mocha, with whip, extra chocolate,” she bellowed.
He winced. “I’m standing right next to you. You don’t need to yell.”
Errand flashed him a reproving look. “Did you miss the training? We’re supposed to be practicing projecting our voices.”
“Not right in my ear you aren’t.” He bent down to retrieve a gallon of milk from the mini fridge under the bar.
Errand rolled her eyes. “Can’t get good help these days.”
he swiped the card and returned it to Kira. “You know you’re welcome to dump on me anytime you want. That’s what a barista is for.”
Do you have a favorite coffee shop or barista, or both? Tell me all about it! And to celebrate this stop on the Passion Creek tour, I’m giving away a ½ pound bag of my favorite coffee (from the Blue Kangaroo Coffee Roasters), a Passion Creek mug to drink it in, and a copy of Reforming the Playboy!
Giveaway:
About the author:
Inara grew up in winter wonderland of Buffalo, NY. Consequently, she spent much of her childhood complaining about being cold. To spare the world her whining, she fled the cold climate and eventually wound up in the Pacific NW, where she practiced law for ten years before getting up the courage to quit her day job and write full time. A proud author of fantasy and romance for adults and young adults, Inara firmly believes that great literature doesn’t have to be depressing, true love does exist, and everyone deserves a happily ever after. You can find her online at Twitter (@inarascott), on Facebook, and at her website:www.inarascott.com.