I’ve got an oldie but a goodie here today, peeps. My first book for Kensignton/Lyrical Shine and my first book in the WILL COOK FOR LOVE series, COOKING WITH KANDY. I chose this book for today because it’s currently on sale – the ecopy – for 99 cents and I thought to myself, “self, what a great way to promo the book so people can learn about it and buy it for the romance readers on their holiday lists.”
Shameless self promotion, thy name is Peggy.
Also, after this post was already in production, I found out that COOKING WITH KANDY won first place in the Contemporary Novel category in the OKRWA IDA contest! So YAY for me! Here’s the link to the winners; OKRWA IDA My name and the book are listed first – and yes, that makes me very conceited to mention it, but happy too!
Here are Josh and Kandy…..
Josh returned to the filled room and scanned it for Kandy.
“She’s in the ladies’ room with Gemma,” Cort said, coming up and handing him a drink. “Here. Give her this. She’ll need it. And by the way, good move with Chandler. I never liked him.”
“Seems to be the general consensus.” He took the proffered glass.
He made his way to the other side of the room, ignoring the stares and whispers of the crowd, found the lounge, and knocked. “Kandy? It’s Josh. Can I come in?”
It was Gemma who answered. “Yes.”
The sisters were seated in twin floral Queen Anne chairs, Gemma reclining back into hers, arms crossed over her chest. Kandy was opposite, head wrung in her hands.
“Cort thought you could use this,” he said, handing her the champagne flute.
He’d expected tears, but was surprised to see Kandy’s beautiful face pinch in a scowl, her eyes flaring with sweltering anger and venom when she looked up at him.
“Thanks.” Kandy took the drink and downed half of it in one gulp.
When she wiped her lips with the back of her hand, the corners of Gemma’s mouth lifted and she asked Josh, “What did you do to the turd?”
“Explained he needed to leave, put him in the elevator, and made sure he went down in it.”
“Made him how?” Kandy asked.
“Little persuasion trick I know. His wrist’s gonna be sore tomorrow. Maybe for the next few days.”
“You physically removed him?” Gemma asked. Josh almost laughed at the excitement in her voice. He shrugged.
“Yeah. He was going to follow Kandy if I didn’t.”
“Please tell me you have unmarried, available brothers at home,” Gemma said.
It hurt to keep the smile from his face, but he did. “Three, in fact.”
“Are they all like you? No, scratch that.” She sighed, the sound wistful. “I doubt there’s anyone like you.”
“If you mean are they all workaholics and career-driven, then no. They’re not like me. But they are available.”
“I’ll keep it in mind.” She glanced at her sister and said, “Well, looks like my work here is done. She’s all yours now.”
She stood and kissed the top of Kandy’s head. “Evan Chandler is an egotistical, phony prick. Remember that.”
“How could I forget it?” Kandy grabbed her sister’s hand and kissed the back of it. “Thanks.”
When Gemma left, Josh took her empty chair. “You okay?”
She took a deep breath before saying, “Mad, but okay. I underestimated him.”
“How so?”
“I didn’t think he’d have the guts to crash my party. I thought he was too much of a wimp to risk it after our last encounter. Guess I was wrong.” She stood and crossed to the vanity. Peering at her reflection, she ran a lazy hand through her hair, fluffing the curls. She caught his gaze, watching her, in the mirror. “Aren’t you going to ask me about it?”
He’d considered it. But the weary look in her eyes told him he was better off asking Stacy or Gemma.
“No. If you want to talk, I’ll listen. Otherwise, you’ve got a pretty fancy shindig going on out there.” He cocked his thumb in the direction of the ballroom. “Maybe you want to get back and enjoy it. Bask in the adulation,” he said with a good-natured grin.
She turned to him and her eyes softened. When her lips moved upward into a small, lazy smile, the dimples dancing, his legs went a little soft and he was thankful he was seated.
“Yeah,” she said, moving to him. When he stood, she linked her arm in his. “Thanks. You’re right. Let’s go have a party.”
He returned her smile, glad he could help.
“You’re not so bad, Keane. This bodyguard thing might be fun after all.”
It was a moment before he trusted himself to speak.
“I aim to please.”
Buy Links: Kobo// Apple // Amazon // B&N // Google play // Books a Million // Walmart
And remember – all the Will Cook For Love books are on sale right now – just in time for the holidays! Put a little romance under your tree this year….
Peggy Jaeger, Author 