I’m back with another highlight from The Wild Rose Press Deerbourne Inn Series. This time, it’s Love Proof by Luanna Stewart. I am in the middle of reading this sweet (literally…a bakery owner!) and sexy contemporary novella. Stay tuned for my review!
Let’s jump right in. What’s Love Proof about?
Unemployed photojournalist Raynor Elliot stops at a bakery near the famous Deerbourne Inn. Not only does he get a lead on a job but the bakery’s owner is that awkward kid he knew in high school, only now she has fabulous curves and an irreverent sense of humor. The cozy bakery, with its aroma of sugar, vanilla and spice, has more to offer than tasty cookies.
Fiona MacLeod has been plagued for years by the need to make amends for telling The Big Lie. When the lie’s victim strolls into her bakery with his icy blue stare and killer charm, she feels like she’s standing too close to a hot oven.
Between running her bakery and frosting cupcakes for the Mad River Garden Party, she's pretty sure she's falling in love with this infuriating, sexy man. Can Fiona dredge up the courage to confess, face the consequences, and hope for forgiveness?
Welcome, Luanna!
What inspired this (specific) story?
When I discovered the town of Willow Springs didn’t have a bakery, I knew I’d found the perfect occupation for my heroine. Fiona runs a small bakery, Love Sprinkles, that specializes in cupcakes and bar cookies. I was constantly hungry whilst writing because a lot of sweets are discussed and described in the story. Since I enjoy baking, I decided to include a couple recipes in the book in case readers got hungry, too.
What did you discover while writing this story?
I discovered I enjoy writing in an established story world. Most of the world building was already done, saving me from having to create neighbourhoods, streets, and landmarks. I just needed to incorporate the details into my book. Not being able to control ALL the characters in town, because they belonged to other authors, was a bit of a challenge but it was fun none the less.
Tell us one unique thing about you many might not know.
Since I’m published in only contemporary and historical romance, many people don’t know I also write paranormal romance. I’ve always been fascinated by Wicca and paganism, and I have a few books waiting in the wings. As soon as I have a spare minute…ha!
Time for an EXCERPT from Love Proof:
“I remember those days.” She pushed the calculator to the side, too tired to worry about planning the week’s baking schedule. “Why’d you study journalism?
“Truth is important to me. I was tired of all the lies in government, at every level. I wanted to change that. Ultimately make the world a better place. Easy peasy, right?” His lips quirked and he shook his head.
“That’s why I decided to be a baker. Brighten someone’s day with a special treat.”
He scooted his chair closer and pointed at the column of numbers on the page. “You want me to do the rest?” His arm, bare to the bicep, lightly tanned, dusted with blond hair, a little lighter than on his head, rested less than an inch from her own spindly pale arm. Not spindly compared to other women, hefting bags of flour and moving trays of baked goods did take some muscle power. But spindly compared to his manly toned muscles flexing under skin that she’d bet her last jar of sprinkles was smooth and warm. She clenched her hand.
No touching allowed.
“We have cupcakes to frost.” She bounded from the chair and rushed into the kitchen.
Holy moly, the guy oozed sex. In a good way. A very good way. She pulled a clean apron off the shelf and cinched it around her waist. An extra layer of armor between her and temptation in the form of Raynor. The seeker of truth. The man whose mission in life was to expose lies. The reporter who thought liars were not decent human beings.
FIND LOVE PROOF:
Amazon US ~ Amazon CA ~ Amazon UK ~ Amazon AU ~ Kobo ~ Nook
About Luanna…
Luanna Stewart has been creating adventures for her imaginary friends since childhood. At the tender age of twelve she discovered her grandmother's stash of romance novels, after which all plots had to lead to a happily-ever-after.
Luanna spends her days writing sexy romantic suspense, steamy paranormal romance, and spicy historical romance. When she's not torturing her heroes and heroines, she’s either in her kitchen baking something delicious, or protecting her garden from the chickens. She lives in Nova Scotia with her incredibly patient husband and two spoiled cats.
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