Bella Andre Wants To Know…do you have THE LOOK OF LOVE? Back to Blog
Update: The winner of GAME FOR LOVE is…Maria (pronounced Mariah) and the winner of CANDY STORE is Khelsey. Congrats!
Author extraordinaire Bella Andre is my next guest–Bella is one busy woman who as written some fabulous books! She’s here to introduce you to a great new family…one that you will find in the pages of her books. Bella is also offering 2 giveaways, so read on for more information! Welcome, Bella!
***
Meet the Sullivans!
I’m so thrilled to be introducing you to the fun, sexy siblings in my new contemporary romance series with Chase Sullivan, the hero from The Look of Love. A successful photographer who travels the world and has his pick of beautiful women, Chase thinks life is great just as it is – until he finds Chloe and her totaled car in a ditch on the side of the road in Napa Valley. She’s utterly lovely, both inside and out, and he’s soon willing to move mountains to love – and protect – her. But will she let him?
Unfortunately, a wrecked car is not the worst thing to happen to Chloe that day. The bruise on her cheek can attest to that. She’s vowed never to make the mistake of trusting a man again. Surely, the gorgeous guy who rescues her in the middle of a rain storm is too good to be true. Or is he? Because with every loving look Chase gives her – and every sinfully sweet caress – as the attraction between them sparks and sizzles, she can’t help but wonder if she’s met the only exception.
And although Chase didn’t realize his life was going to change forever in an instant, amazingly, he isn’t the least bit interested in fighting that change. Instead, he’s gearing up for a different fight altogether…for Chloe’s heart.
What was your favorite scene to write in The Look of Love?
I had so much fun writing this story, so it’s really hard for me to choose, but if I had to pick one, I’d probably choose the scene at the restaurant in the Napa Valley hills where Chase shows Chloe the pictures he’s taken of her. I sniffled – okay, you got me, I cried – all the way through writing it, then choked up every time I read through it after that. Of course, another favorite would have to be that scene in the bathtub where…well, perhaps I’ll just let that scene speak for itself!
Who are the other Sullivans?
The next book, From This Moment On – coming September 2011 – features Chase’s brother, Marcus, and his very unexpected love story. Nicola is the last woman he would have ever expected to fall for…but after one surprisingly sweet night together, he quickly realizes he can’t live without her.
There will also be books for Gabe, the daring firefighter, Zach, the sexy mechanic, Ryan, the pro baseball player, and Smith, the movie star. In these fun and emotional romances, when a Sullivan bad boy falls…he falls hard. And it’s forever.
Twin sisters Lori and Sophie (aka Naughty and Nice) round out the family – and definitely bring out the protector in each of their six big brothers!
What are people saying about The Look of Love and the Sullivans?
“The Look of Love is an emotionally compelling, thoroughly sexy, lovely read. I can’t wait for more brothers!” Carly Phillips, NY Times Bestselling Author
“The Look of Love is the perfect combination of sexy heat and tender heart. This character driven romance has brains, brawn and the perfect bad boy to launch a whole family’s worth of fun.” Barbara Freethy, #1 NY Times Bestselling Author
“Pure sensual fun! I couldn’t read fast enough. I loved everything about Chase and Chloe’s story. I’m hooked on the Sullivans!” Marie Force, Bestselling Author
“No one does sexy like Bella Andre.” Sarah MacLean, NY Times Bestselling Author
* * * *
I hope you all enjoy reading Chase and Chloe’s love story as much as I enjoyed writing it! Please visit my web site at www.BellaAndre.com and come say hello on facebook (www.facebook.com/bellaandrefans) or twitter (www.twitter.com/bellaandre).
May your summer be filled with many hot beach reads!
Happy reading,
Bella Andre
***
Want to learn more about THE LOOK OF LOVE? Then here’s an excerpt for you:
Chase almost missed the flickering light off on the right side of the two-lane country road. In the past thirty minutes, he hadn’t passed one car, because on a night like this, most sane Californians—who didn’t know the first thing about driving safely in inclement weather—stayed home.
Knowing better than to slam on the brakes—he wouldn’t be able to help whomever was stranded on the side of the road if he ended up stuck in the muddy ditch right next to them—Chase slowed down enough to see that there was definitely a vehicle stuck in the ditch.
He turned his brights on to see better in the pouring rain and realized there was a person walking along the edge of the road about a hundred yards up ahead. Obviously hearing his car approach, she turned to face him and he could see her long wet hair whipping around her shoulders in his headlights.
Wondering why she wasn’t just sitting in her car, dry and warm, calling Triple A and waiting for them to come save her, he pulled over to the edge of his lane and got out to try and help her. She was shivering as she watched him approach.
“Are you hurt?”
She covered her cheek with one hand, but shook her head. “No.”
He had to move closer to hear her over the sound of the water hitting the pavement in what were rapidly becoming hailstones. Even though he’d turned his headlights off, as his eyes quickly adjusted to the darkness, he was able to get a better look at her face.
Something inside of Chase’s chest clenched tight.
Despite the long, dark hair plastered to her head and chest, regardless of the fact that looking like a drowned rat wasn’t too far off the descriptive mark, her beauty stunned him.
In an instant, his photographer’s eye cataloged her features. Her mouth was a little too big, her eyes a little too wide-set on her face. She wasn’t even close to model thin, but given the way her T-shirt and jeans stuck to her skin, he could see that she wore her lush curves well. In the dark he couldn’t judge the exact color of her hair, but it looked like silk, perfectly smooth and straight where it lay over her breasts.
It wasn’t until Chase heard her say, “My car is definitely hurt, though,” that he realized he had completely lost the thread of what he’d come out here to do.
Knowing he’d been drinking her in like he was dying of thirst, he worked to recover his balance. He could already see he’d been right about her car. It didn’t take a mechanic like his brother, Zach, who owned an auto shop—more like forty, but Chase had stopped counting years ago—to see that her shitty hatchback was borderline totaled. Even if the front bumper wasn’t half smashed to pieces by the white farm fence she’d slid into, her bald tires weren’t going to get any traction on the mud. Not tonight, anyway.
If her car had been in a less precarious situation, he probably would have sent her to hang out in her car while he took care of getting it unstuck. But one of her back tires was hanging precariously over the edge of the ditch.
He jerked his thumb over his shoulder. “Get in my car. We can wait there for a tow truck.” He was vaguely aware of his words coming out like an order, but the hail was starting to sting, damn it. Both of them needed to get out of the rain before they froze. But the woman didn’t move. Instead, she gave him a look that said he was a complete and utter nut-job.
“I’m not getting into your car.”
Realizing just how frightening it must be for a lone woman to end up stuck and alone in the middle of a dark road, Chase took a step back from her. He had to speak loudly enough for her to hear him over the hail.
“I’m not going to attack you. I swear I won’t do anything to hurt you.”
She all but flinched at the word attack and Chase’s radar started buzzing. He’d never been a magnet for troubled women, wasn’t the kind of guy who thrived on fixing wounded birds. But living with two sisters for so many years meant he could always tell when something was up.
And something was definitely up with this woman, beyond the fact that her car was half-stuck in a muddy ditch.
Wanting to make her feel safe, he held his hands up. “I swear on my father’s grave, I’m not going to hurt you. It’s okay to get into my car.” When she didn’t immediately say no again, he pressed his advantage with, “I just want to help you.” And he did. More than it made sense to want to help a stranger. “Please,” he said. “Let me help you.”
She stared at him for a long moment, hail hammering between them, around them, onto them. Chase found himself holding his breath, waiting for her decision. It shouldn’t matter to him what she decided.
But, for some strange reason, it did.
***
Thanks, Bella, for sharing your THE LOOK OF LOVE excerpt with us! Bella has generously offered to giveaway GAME FOR LOVE and CANDY STORE (both in ebook version) for the release party.
The books are hot and fun and will make for great summer reading! Want to win? Tell us your favorite way to spend a summer day or leave a question for Bella. 🙂 Either entry way will work! And, hey, don’t have an ereader but still want to check out these great books? No problem…you can download free programs like Kindle for PC or Nook for PC and read right on your computer instantly. (As with all the giveaways, the contest will run until noon on 6/29/11. )
Tweet It
My favorite way to spend a summer ay is with my little girl in the pool. She loves the water and is fearless, so much fun. Also have to get the grill going cause food is much better when you grill it. To make a summer day even better you have to throw in some fireworks
Hilleary, your little girl sounds like my son! After swim lessons at the start of the summer, he thinks he is a fish!
Everyone likes to comment about how fearless she is. She is definately independent. Swim lessons will come in a few years. But everybody says she will be a little fish
My perfect summer day consists of me sitting by the pool with a good book!
I like to spend a summer day sitting out in the sun reading while getting some rays. Very relaxing.
My perfect summer day would be sitting outside in the shade reading a really good book
i enjoy getting the lawn chair out and laying down with a good book and and a lemonade. perfect
My favorite way to spend a summer day is either swimming or using my roller blades.
I am jealous! I’ve never been able to master roller blades. They master me. 🙁
My favorite way to spend a summer day is reading…and usually indoors because it gets hot and muggy where I live but if it’s really nice out – I do like to sit out on the back patio under the table umbrella with a cool drink and read. Reading is pretty much my go to thing to do anyday regardless of the weather…
I have a question for Bella. Do you characters come to you fully formed or do you start with the basic type of character and build on it?
This series looks fantastic 🙂
For me it is putting up the umbrella, sitting on the chaise lounge, with a good book and a cold drink.
Love that excerpt, Bella!
Hi Bella. I would like to know: when you write a set of books that center around a family, is it hard to let them go? I know when I read a series like that and finish, I feel like I have moved away from a wonderful set of people.
I smiled as I read all these comments b/c it seems like most of us enjoy the same thing–relaxing with a good book!
My favorite summer day is to walk on the beach (I live on the coast) and feed day old bread to the gulls. Try to beat the gulls to uninhabitated shells and looking in tide pools. Reading: I do every night.
Fav summer day is under a big tree with some good music and a good book.
My favorite way to spend a summer day is reading in front of the a/c or going to the movies.
I like a good paperback book or a good ebook on my kindle, my husband and the beach on a nice warm but breezy day. Something to eat or drink helps too.
Lisa B
I love to spend the day at the park with the kids, having a picnic and watching them play. We don’t get enough sunny days in Scotland so we try and make the most of them 🙂
I live in Houston, so for me a perfect summer day is
spent indoors, curled up on my big comfy couch, glass
of iced tea close at hand, and an armful of books next
to me! You’ve made me think of the days of my youth when
that perfect day included a quilt under the trees, a cold Grapette soda, and again that armful of books! Thanks for
the memory!
Pat Cochran
I like to stay inside with my beloved AC and READ! 🙂
I like to spend it in front of a fan with a good book and a tall, ice cold, diet coke. (Cookies or candy is nice too.)
(I’m with Chelsea on the A/C too when it’s 85 and above (or Humid).)
I love to spend a summer day lounging in the sun at a beach or on our boat floating in the lake with a good cold drink and my book 🙂 *sigh* sounds heavenly
I live in Las Vegas, so I love reading by the pool…unfortunately I left my Nook outside and it melted the cover! Nook’s okay (phew!) but my cover is trashed. That’ll teach me! lol, so now I have a super cool zip-lock bag to use so it won’t get wet, just til I find a new cover.
Relaxing with friends at an outside coffee shop, talking and laughing; or sitting in the shade with an iced tea and a good book!
As the other posts have already mentioned…sitting in the shade, cool drink, kids playing in the yard, and me with a great summer read. I absolutely love Bella’s books!! Currently trying to catch up on her backlist.
I’m with the majority! I love to find a shady spot, flip open a book and enjoy a nice cold pink lemonade.
Can’t wait to read about the Sullivan’s, Bella. There’s nothing I love more than a series about a big, obnoxious family – maybe because I come from one?!
Cindy, loving the party vibe here!
Tiffany
My favorite activity in summer is to lay by a pool with a good book.
Swim, go to sauna, sit in the shade and read a good book.
I like to take a walk by the pier or stay home and blast the A/C and watch TV or read a book.
Favorite way to spend a summer day? Sitting by the pool,sun tanning reading a great book.When it gets too hot just jump in the pool.And I have to have a nice fruity drink by my side all the time 🙂
My favorite way to spend the summer is reading books on my patio!
I love spending a Summer day out in the woods hiking, or at the lake crabbing or at the park barbequing, or indoors reading. So much do under the sun 🙂
My perfect summer day is staying on the club floor at the Ritz on Amelia Island FL. Coming and going to the beach all day long and not having to worry about the mess of sand or feeding the family :).
A friend of mine says GAME OVER is excellent. I haven’t read it yet but I value her opinion :).
I favorite way to spend a summer day would be at and then BQ!Bella you are in my top three favorite authors!
A favorite way to spend a summer day would be lounging on the beach with a good book and yummy fruity drinks.
Hanging out with friends on a rooftop bar or at a beach bonfire with some great music and a nice summer breeze.
Reading is my favorite way to spend a summer day. 🙂
My favorite way to spend a summer day is with a beach chair by the water reading a steamy book!!
hi bella! great books. do you plan on coming out with anymore game books? i love them. 🙂
My favorite way is to read books all day long. But alas, reality won’t let me do that all day, every day.
Other than reading, I love to spend a summer day in a pool. Can’t wait to get the home we live at now in our name so that in a few years we can get a nice pool!
I already own these books and they are both so great. I love Bella’s work so if you haven’t read her give her a shot and you won’t be disappointed!
I love laying outside in my hammock with a great book and a tall glass of iced tea.
This sounds like its going to be a great series. Ty for sharing the info and excerpt.
Preferably by the pool or on the beach with a good book at hand.
My favorite summer pasttime–reading with a drink in hand 🙂 Don’t include me–I have these titles by Bella already! Can’t wait to pick up her latest!
I love to be at the beach in the summertime; swimming, sunning and strolling-the whole family,and even our Lab, gets to join in on the fun 🙂
i like to go to my mom’s for swimming and lunch and good conversation
Going to the zoo with my family, or an amusement park. Something outdoors so we can enjoy the warm weather. While it lasts!!
The perfect way to enjoy the summer for me is at the beach. It where the fun are and you spent the time there with family or someone special. And where there are lot of laughter, excitement and fun 🙂
Books, lounge chair and a big pitcher of iced tea
My fav is to either go to a zoo, to go jetskiing for the day, or reading under the shade with a nice breeze.
Taylor Z
Lovemusicgirlx94@aol.com