I’m so excited to be hosting Juliana Stone on the blog today! Juliana writes fantastically sexy and emotional contemporary romance, and also paranomal romance and YA fiction. She’s just an enormously talented and cool person. And it’s even more exciting that she has a new book out in a brand new series! The book is called Tucker, and it kicks of The Family Simon Series.
Here’s the blurb for Tucker:
When all hope is gone, can love still will find a way?
Tucker Simon has given up on love. After a tragedy, it’s just not in the cards for him, and he wishes his family would get off his back. He’s fine—or at least he thought he was–until a family wedding forces him to address a few things, namely his date, Abby Mathews. She’s been put in the ‘friend’ category, mostly because she deserves so much more than what he can give. But the more time that he spends with her, Tucker begins to think that maybe there is a chance for love after all…
Abby Mathews has been in love with Tucker Simon since he walked into her family’s bar nearly a year ago. But he’s got baggage and heartache a plenty. His one-night-stands isn’t going to lessen that no matter what he thinks. Tucker needs a friend, but Abby wants to give him more, and as they navigate their way through a weekend in Florida, their attraction can’t be ignored. Abby has to make a choice. Does she cherish their friendship and take what she can get? Or does she go after what she really wants, which is Tucker’s heart…
And here’s an exclusive excerpt from the book:
The smell of coffee woke Abby. A roasted blend and something else…caramel?
Or was it the smell of clean, fresh soap?
Whatever it was, it was nice, and she sighed, sinking deeper into the mattress. Inhaling that lovely scent once more, she relaxed for a moment as whatever the heck smelled so good infiltrated her nose and wove its way through her body. She was warm, heavy from sleep and content.
A noise sounded, something that didn’t belong—waves?—and she rolled over, nearly falling out of bed. For a moment, she had no idea where she was.
Pushing a tangle of hair from her eyes, her vision slowly came into focus, and when it did, her mouth went dry. It went so dry that she couldn’t swallow. Her insides quaked and fire raced across her skin.
She’d been right about the coffee. Yep. There it was, right in front of her. Great big honkin’ mug of java.
But it was attached to a hand, and that hand was attached to a muscular arm that glistened with drops of water as if fresh from the shower. Of course, there was an accompanying wide expanse of flesh and since she was weak—and let’s not forget confused—it drew her eye.
And—holy hell—suddenly, she was wide awake.
A hot thrust of lust (sheesh, was she a poet now?) had her girlie parts singing Hallelujah—shouting, praise the Lord and whispering God bless Tucker Simon.
Hot Damn, she had a freaking Baptist Choir going crazy inside her body, and Abby glanced away from his bare chest—from all that hard, damp, and defined muscle—pushing away the image of her tongue on those picture-perfect abs.
Squeezing her eyes shut, she held her breath as her mind scrambled to catch up to what her eyes had just seen. Sure, she was used to waking up with Tucker on the brain but never…never so up close and personal.
She froze. Wait. Was she still dreaming?
Cracking an eye open a smidge, Abby angled a peek and everything inside her went squirrely.
Nope. That there was one hundred percent, tanned, toned, and freaking hot Tucker Simon—prime, USA Grade Tucker Simon—and he was looking down at her with an amused look on his face.
“Morning sunshine. I’m done in the shower if you want to take a turn.”
God, he was only wearing a towel.
Slowly reality sank in, and she remembered where she was. Why she was here.
Tucker wasn’t all naked and wet and yummy because they’d spend a hot, passionate night together. Nope. That so didn’t happen. (At least not outside of her head).
Tucker was up and at ‘em because—
“We tee off in an hour so you better get your butt in gear.”
Wait. What?
“Tee off?” She sat up fully and accepted the cup of coffee, hoping the scowl she felt didn’t show. If she had her choice, she’d bury herself beneath the covers and drift off into a world of Tucker Simon dreams.
She watched him warily. Guess that wasn’t going to happen.
He leaned his hip against the table beside the bed, long wisps of gauzy material floating around him as a fresh breeze rolled in from outside. Any other guy would look like an idiot but he didn’t. If anything, the soft white texture of the material that fell from the ceiling only helped to showcase just how hard and masculine Tucker was.
Dragging her eyes from his, she took a sip of coffee and nearly choked as she forced it down.
“You need to put some clothes on.”
Shit. Did she really say that out loud? What the hell is wrong with me?
“Sure thing, darlin’. Do I make you nervous?” His tone was light—teasing even—but Abby wasn’t in the mood for it. About one second after she’d caught sight of his nearly naked ass, she’d realized that this was a mistake. There was no way she should have come to Florida with Tucker, because she was going to make a fool out of herself.
She could feel it.
And that scared the crap out of her.
“It’s not you that makes me nervous,” she retorted, trying to get her shit together. “It’s that damn towel. In case you’re not aware, it’s loose and I sure as hell don’t want to catch sight of your…”
His eyebrow shot up.
She swallowed hard. And then cleared her throat.
“Your…thingy.”
Oh. My. God.
If the floor opened up and she fell through all the way to hell she wouldn’t care. In fact, she wished it would open up and suck her into another realm, because she did not just say–
“My thingy,” Tucker said, his grin huge, his eyes practically dancing.
Abby’s scowl deepened as she slipped off the bed and moved past him, careful to make sure she wasn’t anywhere near his—
“My thingy?” he repeated.
“Well, I don’t know you well enough to call it Hank.”
See what I mean? Juliana’s books are awesome! And for my readers today, she’s running a great giveaway. You could win either a kindle copy of her Barker Triplets 3 book boxed set, or print copies of off Offside, Collide, and Conceal. The Kindle anthology is open for international giveaway; the three print copies are US and Canada only. So everyone has a chance to win! To be eligible, just tell us what you think about the tortured hero–does this type of hero appeal to you? Who are some tortured heroes that you love? One person will win either the boxed set or the print books!
Love tortured hero. Love when they meet a good woman who decides to take them on and help them heal. Always makes me sigh at the end.
That’s the beauty of the trope, isn’t it, Debbie!
Tucker sounds like he’s going to be a handful for Abby! 🙂 but Abby can tame him! I read so many romances and have many favorite tortured heroes! Do we have to pick one?
You certainly don’t, Kelly!
Love Juliana’s books! She writes an excellent tortured hero. TUCKER is waiting for me on my Kindle. Can’t wait to meet him!
Vanessa, please don’t include me in the giveaway. I already have all of Juliana’s books.
I love them too, PJ! Jules is awesome!
The best thing about tortured heroes is when they resolve their issues usually by accepting love – such a nice moment – I often smile with a tear in my eye.
Very satisfying, Diane!
yes, Zsadist from the BDB series
Perfect choice, bn!!
I would love to read Tucker!
I do but it depends on what the authors does with him and the heroine of course lol Tucker seems like a fun guy and i think Abby can handle him…. maybe…
Lisa B
Please I would like to have Tucker! !! I have read the Barker Triplets and love them!!!
Please include me on the giveaway.
I meant don’t include me on the giveaway… typo*
I love tortured heroes – I like to see how they get saved.
I really loved the excerpt especially their banter. Thanks for the post.
Tortured heroes are extra yummy. Especially if they are of the Kresley Cole variety. :d
I love tortured heroes. It makes for a fascinating read to see what motivates him and how he moves on to his HEA. I can’t really say I have a favorite but I do enjoy reading about them! 🙂
The tortured hero will always appeal. We want to go on the healing journey with them, nurture them, love them.
I love to read about the hero an since I started using my kindle I have gotten to read much more. Tucker will fight his feelings but love will win in the end. One of my favorite heroes would be ( there are so many to choose from would be Cort from Diana Palmers The Rancher he had to almost lose his love to see she was the one for him.
You can’t go wrong with tortured heroes. They are just made to be loved. Can’t wait to read Tucker! Sounds like a fabulous book!!
I love the tortured heroes, they are my favorites! I also love the books by Laura Kinsale, unfortunately there just aren’t enough of them. She is a master of tortured heroes and her best is Allegretto from Shadowheart.
I am looking forward to reading Tucker! Sounds like a fabulous book!!
Juliana’s books is written absolute awesome. Whether yiu start in the middle of the Barker triplets, like I did, or from the beginning yiu catch up. The Bad Boys they just weaken my knees….
I like a well written tortured hero.