Try Something A Little Different

Hi everyone! I am YA author B A Binns , writer of contemporary and realistic fiction for teens. My tagline tells you what I am about - Stories of Real Boys Growing Into Real Men - and the people who love them. 

For this month the genre-istas are talking about books. I've decided to take a look at a couple of adult romantic reads.

If you're looking for a light, contemporary, fun-filled romantic comedy with just a hint of magic, take a look at Pumpkin, by Ines Johnson. Billed as a "Cindermama Story," Pumpkin does not disappoint. Malika "Pumpkin" Tavares is treated like the unwanted relation by her cousins--unwanted unless they need something from her, in which case they expect her to drop everything and attend to their needs. They laugh when she decides to work as a campaign volunteer for Armand "Manny" Charmayne (Mr. Charming according to her son). Then sparks begin to fly between Pumpkin and Manny, and her cousins start smelling money.

Pumpkin is a teacher, and a screenwriter whose story was stolen, badly mangled and made into a major film with her seeing not a penny because she never got a copyright on the script (Authors take heed). Her background helps her work on Manny's advertising campaign, and sets his poll numbers rising. But she thinks she makes sense as the sidekick in his life, not the A-list star types he surrounds himself with. Then comes the night of the ball when she wears a golden gown and, of course, looses a shoe. When Manny follows her home to return the errant footwear, well, lets just say they enjoy a sleep-over. Manny may not be the alpha hero, but he is respectful, classy, and oh-so sexy.

Unfortunately, Pumpkin forgot to tell Manny her divorce wasn't final, and her not-yet ex shows up once the news media gets wind of the golden couple. Readers get to laugh and cry and then laugh again as the two get over the rough patches and find their happily ever afters.  It's a real joy to see a single mother get Prince Charming, just by being herself.

The editing may be a little shaky at points, but this remains a fun, light-hearted book, especially if you think mothers deserve a little romance too.

Pumpkin is available from Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Pumpkin-Cindermama-Story-Ines-Johnson-ebook/dp/B00TKP8ZMQ/

 



I met the author, Ines Johnson, while in Detroit, Michigan at the 2016 Romance Slam Jam conference at the end of April. I also won a copy of the book in a raffle. Now I'm on my way to get her second Cindermama book, Rumpled, where biracial fashion designer Midori Miller meets music producer Guy Rumpel. I bet there will be lots of gold spinning in that story!

I found another book at the Romance Slam Jam conference, Counselor Undone by Lisa Rayne. This book won the Emma Award for Best Interracial Romance during the conference.  This one is for readers looking for a sizzling legal love story featuring workaholic attorney Michael Remington and "determined to make partner at (almost) any cost attorney Jardis Morgan.

This book also features a grand ball, a New Year's Eve costume ball where a studly Gladiator and a sexy Juliet share a passionate kiss at midnight.  It's so unforgettable that gladiator and attorney Michael Remington begins a search for his mysterious masked Juliet. What he doesn't know is that she is an associate at his own law firm.

Jardis is still recovering from a sex scandal at a previous law firm. Although she was vindicated, she can't forget the way people turned on her when a partner attacked her. She is now only months away from being promoted to partner at her new firm, with other associates jealous of her abilities eager to find an excuse to tear her down. A relationship with the future managing partner of her firm could derail her hopes forever.

Working as co-counsels on the biggest case in the firm's history enflames the passion begun with that kiss. This romance gets steamy! The veteran attorney and the associate  both fight the attraction that began with that anonymous encounter, almost as vigorously as they fight to win the high stakes case.
But after a snowstorm leaves them stranded together, that passion leads to an ethical dilemma where Michael must chose between being with the woman he can't live without, and working on the corporate case that will make a name for the law firm his father began.

Michael's solution is to ask Jardis to withdraw as co-counsel and transfer to a different division removing the ethical issues separating them. It will only add an additional year to her quest to become a partner, that's not that much for her to give up, he assures her.

In a beautiful response that befits a strong heroine, she asks him what he plans to give up for the relationship. He has no answer at the time, but by the end of the book, he realizes exactly how much the right woman is worth, and in an ending that will satisfy every reader, he literally gives up everything to be with Jardis.

You can find Counselor Undone at Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Counselor-Undone-Lisa-Rayne-ebook/dp/B011B7KE4C