SNIPPET SUNDAY: Fourth of July

SINGAPORE FLING
Carpe Diem Chronicles 2
Epilogue

“A captivating display like no other,” Aidan recited, looking in admiration at his girlfriend. Her back to him, Maddie’s jet-black hair styled in an elegant updo shone with a thousand little stars from the lights illuminating the hotel behind them. Sleek dress in traffic-stopping red lovingly caressed her returned curves. A long string of cultured pearls from her home country worn backwards around her throat aligned with the now completely healed “Carpe Diem” spine tattoo.

Spectra, the light and music show on the bay that would culminate the embassy’s advanced Fourth of July celebration might be captivating. Madeleine Duvall, French Filipina public relations and events management expert, his woman, was absolutely dazzling. No question about it.

. . .

Cheers went up as the colors of the rainbow lit up the night sky of Singapore, along with the soaring fountains that danced in time with instrumental music, fulfilling their promise to captivate. Aidan was enchanted, all right. Not by the show, but by the woman in his arms.

Singapore Fling is Book 2 of the fun and sexy multicultural contemporary romance series Carpe Diem Chronicles.

It’s now available from your favorite etailers in eBook and paperback.

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GLOBAL CITY TRYST Is Live!

My latest book Global City Tryst, a Carpe Diem Chronicles novelette, is now live!

This prequel to Singapore Fling is special to me because it’s the only work I was able to complete in 2020. While the pandemic didn’t affect me physically, it stifled my creativity severely. At the same time, the Romance writing world was in turmoil. With the additional responsibility of supervising my son’s virtual learning, my mental health suffered. The inspiration well dried out and all my progress on my ongoing project Samui Heat, Angela and Craig’s story, came to a full stop.

Thankfully, all was not lost. When an author-friend of mine invited me to participate in an anthology she was coordinating, I readily accepted. The theme of a contemporary romance set in a high-rise building lit a spark of inspiration within me. I already had the makings of this story. I already know the characters inside and out. I had sprinkled scenes all over Singapore Fling about Maddie and Aidan’s sexy weekend after they left Boracay.

When we were together at my condo in Makati, we …”

… subsisted on sex and kisses.”

It still took me a couple of weeks to flesh it out, but I managed to write a fun and sexy story detailing how Maddie and Aidan’s romance really started.

The Big City Heat anthology was published in October 2020 and sold well enough to be listed as no. 1 bestseller in a couple of categories and enabled us to donate to the Equal Justice Initiative. Now, the rights have been returned to me and I can re-release as a stand alone story.

I’m excited for y’all to read this (long) short story. It explains so much why Maddie and Aidan’s relationship progressed so quickly in Singapore Fling.

Check it out from these stores:

Universal Link Amazon Kobo Nook Google Play

I hope you’ll also review it on Goodreads or wherever you purchased it. Thank you!

SPECIAL BIRTHDAY SALE – Carpe Diem Chronicles Exclusive

I’m a Scorpio and so are three of the main characters in my books. Maddie’s birthday is October 26, which I mention in Global City Tryst. Aidan and Krista were born on November 2 six years apart. They celebrate together in Boracay Vows. Aidan talks about his and Maddie’s shared Scorpio characteristics in Singapore Fling.

To celebrate our birthdays, I’m placing Boracay Vows, New York Engagement, and Singapore Fling on a SPECIAL 50% SALE from Monday, October 26 to Saturday, November 21. EXCLUSIVE to Google Play worldwide. Click on the link or enter this code:

L8CJY4X4D9KUK

I hope y’all enjoy the books. Happy reading!

SNIPPET SUNDAY: Know

SINGAPORE FLING
Carpe Diem Chronicles 2
Chapter Twenty-Two

“Carpe diem,” he read out loud. His fingers traced the outer edges of each word, scratching at the leftover adhesive. He stretched out beside her, his hand continuing to caress, to build the fire. “When did you get it done? And why?”

Maddie shivered in delight. His touch provided both relief from the itch and the slow-burning heat. “Last Sunday, after my first time at paddling, I decided to get a tattoo. For me, this describes my attitude towards the future after I returned to you.” She turned to face him. “I don’t know if tomorrow will come, and if it does, what will happen. I only know I want to spend my todays with you from now on.”

Aidan scooted closer, placed an arm around her, and kissed her lightly. “I want that too. I want to be beside you in the present and in the future. I love you, Maddie-mine.”

Maddie kissed him right back. “And, I love you, Aidan-mine.”

Singapore Fling is Book 2 of Carpe Diem Chronicles, a series of multicultural contemporary romance novels. The stories celebrate the rich cultures of exotic Southeast Asian islands through languages, food, and festivals.

It’s now available from your favorite etailers in eBook and paperback.

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SNIPPET SUNDAY: Today

SINGAPORE FLING
Carpe Diem Chronicles 2
Chapter Fourteen

She loved Krista and Blake. She was happy for them. But seeing them together reminded her of what she wanted but didn’t have. Yet.

Maybe Krista and Blake had it right, carpe diem-ing their decisions in life. There were no guarantees for their future. Today was the only day that mattered.

If she told Aidan she loved him, what was the worst thing that could happen? That he didn’t love her back. But, what if he did?

Aargh! She was going to give herself a headache with these thoughts, and that would make sleep difficult. She did need to be early at work in the morning, as she was leading a pitch. If tomorrow came, she’d seize the day. For now, it was time to hit her lonely bed.

It’s now available from your favorite etailers in eBook and paperback.

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SNIPPET SUNDAY: Hope

SINGAPORE FLING
Carpe Diem Chronicles 2
Chapter Nineteen

Dear Maddie,

I’m sorry. For stealing the privilege of using the name only your friends call you. You may no longer consider me your friend, but I will always think of you as mine.

I’m sorry for letting my job take precedence over you. It was never my intention to hurt you, yet my choices took away yours. I will give up my career if it means having you by my side and in my arms again.

I’m sorry for my selfishness in holding on to your things. As long as they remain with me, I have hope that you’ll return.

I’m sorry my words are inadequate to express my regret for hurting you. I will wait until you grant me the opportunity to say it in person and seek your forgiveness and love.

Always yours,

Aidan

It’s now available from your favorite etailers in eBook and paperback.

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SNIPPET SUNDAY: Crave

SINGAPORE FLING
Carpe Diem Chronicles 2
Chapter Twelve

The moment the heady scent of vanilla infused the air, she knew what he was going to do. Just like that, all tension left her.

“I bought this from your perfumer,” he said as he spread the fragrant oil on her shoulders and all over her back. “It promises to soothe tired and sore muscles, promote rest and relaxation, and nourish your skin.”

It was working. The soothing and relaxation part, at least. Maddie sank deeper on the bed as Aidan alternated the pressure and pace of his ministrations, digging hard and slow at the base of her neck and shoulder blades, while sweeping fast along the fleshy parts of her back and thighs.

He delivered on his promise to take care of her, sliding off the bed to better reach her entire body.

There was pain—was there ever. The tear-inducing force of the heel of his hand on her left calf, the jolt caused by his thumb on her right instep that had her gasping for breath, she’d expected all of that. It was part of the therapy.

She also anticipated the healing and the pleasure. Especially the pleasure. There was relief when he scratched the marks her tight bra had left on her flesh. Tingles fluttered on her skin from the glide of his palms on the sides of her breasts.

”’

Aidan’s voice was rough as he tipped the vial over his palm, catching the drops as they fell. “Did you know when you chose vanilla to be your signature scent that it’s a powerful aphrodisiac?” He rubbed his hands together, warming the oil.

“Yes,” she gasped as he brought his hands down to her chest, smoothing the oil in circular motions.

“That’s why I can’t keep my hands off you. The reason I can’t get enough of your scent,” he said, bending down, inhaling deeply. “Why I enjoy the feel of your skin, why I crave your special taste.”

It’s now available from your favorite etailers in eBook and paperback.

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SNIPPET SUNDAY: Please

SINGAPORE FLING
Carpe Diem Chronicles 2
Chapter Sixteen

… tonight was for giving, not taking. Tonight was for Maddie, not him.

He lowered her to her feet beside their bed and took the towel from her.

“I can dry myself,” she protested but released the fabric at his tug.

“I know you can. I want to do it for you. Will you let me?” When she sent him a questioning look, he said, “Please?”

Please forgive me for keeping secrets from you.

Please remember tonight.

Please know how much I love you.

Her nod of assent felt like an absolution that he didn’t deserve, but that he wanted more than anything else.

Soft pats burst the bubbles that still clung to her silky skin. Gentle swipes dried most of the moisture from her body.

He’d get her wet again, Aidan promised himself as he laid them both down on the bed.

He’d get her hot. It wouldn’t take much. It never had.

One kiss. All they needed to set fire to their passion for each other.

As if she’d read his mind, Maddie reached up to twine her arms around his shoulders and pulled him to her. “Kiss me, Aidan,” she murmured against his lips.

It’s now available from your favorite etailers in eBook and paperback.

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SNIPPET SUNDAY: Bathtub

SINGAPORE FLING
Carpe Diem Chronicles 2
Chapter Sixteen

A baby. An image of a black-haired, brown-eyed little girl flashed in his mind. She’d have her mother’s beauty and his height. Their child. His and Maddie’s. Without thinking, he dragged the sponge to Maddie’s flat stomach. “Do you want to have children?”

She stilled in his arms for a second before resting her head on his shoulder. “Yes. At least one.” She exhaled a soft whish of breath against his neck. “But not yet. Before I turn thirty-five for sure,” she said in a perkier voice, but he still heard the wistfulness she tried to hide.

Aidan, who’d never planned anything long term, was all of a sudden dreaming of babies with the woman in his arms. If this wasn’t love, he didn’t know what else it could be.

It’s now available from your favorite etailers in eBook and paperback.

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