Romero Is Live!

Okay it's out of my hands now! But I did my part! Romero is now uploaded to both Amazon and Nook. As soon as it goes live on either site it's available for you readers. I've posted this very short bonus while you wait on my fanpage and GoodReads so I'll post here too!

 Now live on Amazon  B&N

And Smashwords!

She squeezed her eyes shut just before she turned the corner to walk back into the front room. “I wasn’t alone.”

He looked up from the box and their eyes met. The easygoing expression faded slowly. “Oh yeah? Who went with you?”

Hint: He is not going to like the answer to this question.

Edited to add: Every time I upload a new book no matter how many times I go over my check list before hitting publish then not being able to change anything for days I ALWAYS forget at least one thing. This time I forgot to clarify in the product description that Romero is Adult Contemporary romance. NOT YA. Remember guys he has a mouth on him so there will be adult language and of course sexual content. Just so you are all aware.

Making You Mine - Is now live on Amazon!

 

UPDATE 1/5/26 Now available on Smashwords! 

UPDATE  12/26/11 Now available on B&N! 

 

For those of you who haven't read MYM yet and for my Barnes and Noble readers. There is a brand new excerpt never before posted anywhere being featured today on Tamara Blodgetts Blog! 

 

Thanks to you guys guess who is #1 Hot New Releases? =D

Get your copy now on Amazon! Happy Holidays everyone! I will update when it goes live on Barnes & Noble. =)

Always in control, the meticulous and professional Salvador Moreno is thrown for a loop when the newly hired bartender Grace Zendejas suddenly invades his family’s restaurant, and infuriatingly, his every thought. For the first time in his life, Sal is fumbling. But after recovering from a few blunders he discovers his feelings for Grace run much deeper.

Things begin to heat up between him and Grace, but then the ever-perfect Sal does something even his brothers never did—screws up royally. Now he’s scrambling to cover up a mistake he knows could cost him dearly. As his relationship with Grace grows even more serious, Sal's secret is a ticking bomb, threatening to destroy the one thing he now lives and breathes for—his relationship with the love of his life—Grace.

3 Teasers of Making You Mine:

#1

Sal rushed to the restroom and threw up. With the water running while he rinsed his face, he hadn’t heard the door open.
“How you feeling?” He spun around, and the room spun with him, causing him to nearly lose his balance. It was a good thing he held on to the vanity for support, because his legs almost gave out on him when he saw her. This was even worse than what he’d imagined.

#2

“Have you ever been to Juarez, Mr. Moreno?” She spoke almost through her teeth. Sal wondered if she’d ever looked into interview etiquette. Did she really think her constant interruptions were going to buy her points?
“Yes, I have, actually.”
“It doesn’t get more fast paced than that, when it comes to preparing Mexican cuisine, Mr. Moreno.”
“Can you stop calling me that?” Unlike his brothers, Sal had never been short on patience, but something about her refusing to call him by his first name had begun to get to him.
Graciela slid out of the booth. Sal hurried to slide out of his side and stood up ready to face off with her.
“Will you be considering me for the position?”
“As a head chef? No. But I do need a bartender.”
If looks could kill, he’d be a stinking corpse. “When can I expect an answer?”
“Well, I’ll have to discuss it with my brother but I’ll get back to you.”
“Thank you.” With that, she spun around and walked away. 

#3

Sal bolted out of his chair in reaction to that news. The guy was there all fucking weekend and he’d spent the night at her place? He ran his hand roughly through his hair. “And you’re sure it was Nevada plates?”
“Yep, I mean it could be a coincidence but—”
“Nah, it’s no coincidence that’s his car.” He couldn’t believe he could be so wrong about her.
“Yeah, I didn’t think so either. So whatta ya want me to do? I could still look into it but I mean… this pretty much says it all.”
He stopped pacing and shook his head. “No. Don’t waste anymore time on her. I don’t need to know anything else. But thanks.”
The second he hung up he picked up the coffee mug on his desk and flung it across the room. Hearing it smash into a million pieces was what he needed at that moment. But it did little more to calm him.
Oscar rushed in the room. “You okay in here?”
Sal could barely control his breathing much less talk. He nodded and pointed at the door. “Just close the door will you? I need a minute.”
Oscar stared at him for a moment without moving.
“Close the fucking door!”
Oscar flinched at his booming voice but reached for the knob and walked out closing the door behind him.

 

Bonus Teaser of Making You Mine posted exclusively on Tamara Blodchett's blog! 

Read an interview with Alex, Angel, Romero and Eric answering questions about Sal on A Book Lovers Review blog.  

3 Short Teasers of Sarah & Angels short story "Only Eight Days" included in Making You Mine

 #1

"I’ll need you to bar tend today but not until Sarah gets here. I’ll have her take over your section.”

“Isn’t she here already?” Raul asked.

“No,” Angel wiped down the bar. “She was having breakfast with her mom this morning.”

“She was out in the parking lot when I drove in. I thought she’d be in here by now. Unless,” Raul smirked. “That guy whose arms she flew into stole her away.”

Angel turned and peered at Raul not sure if he was serious. He had the stupidest sense of humor sometimes. But apparently he was serious. “What are you talking about?”

 

 #2

That was strange. Who would be visiting Sarah in a cab? Then it hit him. Something began to warm his insides just as he saw her walk in. He fully expected to see Sydney walk in behind her but she was alone. He met her by the hallway leading to the back room. As soon as their eyes met he knew something was wrong. “You okay?”

 

#3

Even after Angel knew Sarah was home and safe in bed he couldn’t shake that feeling that something was wrong. Then he got the call.

Sarah was crying. “Please don’t be mad at me!”

His heart began to race. “About what?”

 

Another Short excerpt of Romero... release date is just around the corner!

Lets get you all warmed up for Romero. If you've read Always Been Mine this scene will be very familiar to you. Only now you get to be in Romero's head and see what he was really thinking when this happened. If you haven't, the scene is pretty self explanatory. Only thing you need to know is, even though this is pretty early on in their relationship, it's been firmly established that they are exclusive.

Waking up next to Isabel was a mixed feeling for Romero. On the one hand, he loved seeing her first thing when he woke up. On the other, he was afraid if he got too used to it he’d never want to wake without her again. He wasn’t sure if she was ready for that. His feelings for her had taken him by storm. He was afraid of freaking her out. 

Hearing something in the front room, he sat up. He frowned when he realized he woke Isabel, but then smiled at her perfectly naked body. “That’s probably Valerie. What time is it?”

“Nine.”

“Really?” She sat up. “Already? I never sleep that late.”

Romero smiled, remembering why. “We had a long night.”

Isabel got out of bed and searched her closet. “What are you looking for?”

“My robe. It’s in here somewhere.”

She found it, flung it on and hurried out the room. Romero sat up and pulled his jeans on. He walked out into the restroom. When he walked out of the restroom, he saw Isabel hurry back into the room. The phone in the kitchen rang.

“I got it!” Valerie yelled from the front room.

It kept ringing so Romero walked out into the kitchen. He froze when he came face to face with Valerie. She seemed surprised to see him, especially since he was still shirtless and barefoot. Her expression amused him. “You gonna get that?”

“No,” she said, her eyes obviously trying to avoid his bare chest. “The answering machine can pick it up.”

The machine went off just as Isabel came out of the room, now dressed in shorts and a blouse. Romero turned back to Isabel when the machine beeped.

“Isabel this is Michael. I just wanted to tell you I had a fantastic time with you Friday night…”

Isabel took a step toward the machine, but stopped when Romero stepped in front of her. The heat inside him, already on the rise. The kind of heat that made him do things he never wanted Isabel to be witness to.  He swallowed hard, trying to understand what he was hearing. She’d said she was with her sister Friday night. He listened as the message went on.

“… I’ll be here a little longer than I thought, so I was hoping I could see you again before I leave…” 

He couldn’t take his eyes off Isabel, feeling his heart beat pick up with every word the fucker on the machine said.

“… I hope we can make this happen.” He left his number for her, then hung up.

“Funny story,” Isabel said, attempting to make light of it, but Romero felt on the verge of exploding.

He tried to stay calm, hoping she did have a reasonable explanation. “Yeah, Isabel?  Tell me about it.”

“My sister set this up before we even started going out.”

Instantly Romero saw red. “You were on a date with this guy Friday?”

“No, we just had dinner—”

“That’s a date! What else did you just do with him?” Vision of her with another guy assaulted him and the guys words slammed into him. “You know what? I don’t wanna know.” The urgency to get out before he snapped had reached a disastrous stage. He rushed to the room. “Whatever you did, it was fucking fantastic!”

Romero pushed the door to her room open, slamming it against the wall. There were only a handful of times he’s felt this way in his life and each time he’d exploded beyond his control. He didn’t want that to happen now. That side of him was off limits to most people he knew, but especially, Izzy.  He grabbed his shoes and slipped one on as she walked into the room, closing the door behind her. He couldn’t even look at her.

“I’m sorry. She’d set this up a long time ago.”

With his heart already pounding away, he attempted to speak.  “Why would she still expect you to go if you’re with me now?”

She didn’t say anything. He stopped what he was doing and stared, feeling the hurt pummel through him. She still hadn’t told her sister.    

 “I just didn’t think it was a big deal to get—”

“Not a big deal? You lied to me!” She flinched when he yelled and he immediately regretted it. That was it, if he didn’t get out of there now, he might do or say something worse he’d regret.

Feeling his temper reach a level where there was no turning back from, he slipped on his other shoe and grabbed his shirt, rushing past her and out the bedroom door.

“I’m sorry, Romero,” she said,  as he walked past a very stunned looking Valerie.

“I’m sorry, too. Go call him back, Isabel. Make it happen.”  He grabbed his keys and wallet and rushed out. 

He fought the incredible urge to go back and demand to know what the fuck was so fantastic about Friday night. No guy would call a date fantastic if nothing had happened. That’s the reason why he stopped her before she answered. If she so much as admitted to kissing the guy, Romero would’ve gone off the deep end for sure. 

Coming very soon...

Romero Teaser/Excerpt! WIP - unedited.

TGIF everyone! So here's a first sneak peek to Romero -- next up in the Moreno Brothers series!

Set up: So they've met at a wedding shower a couple of weeks prior. Romero was amused by Isabel, but initially had determined she wasn't his type--too uptight. Isabel knows he's definitely not her type  but when she unexpectedly runs into him at the mall, they share a meal that turns out to be more fun than she would have every imagined. Here they sit having after dinner drinks as she fills him in about her sister.   

The waitress put the bill down on the table and Romero took it. Isabel reached for her purse. “How much is it?”

“Get out of here. I got this.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yep, plus I’m not done yet. When she comes by again, I’m gonna order a beer. You want one?” Then he rolled his eyes. “That’s right you drink wine. I don’t know if they have any here.” He reached for the drink menu, “I’ve never—”

“I drink beer.”

“You do?” He asked, bringing his attention back to her.

“Yeah, just ‘cause I didn’t have any at the shower. But I’ve been known to throw a few back here and there.”

Romero smiled and flagged the waitress down. After several rounds, Isabel said she had to drive, but she asked for water and they continued to talk. She’d never felt as witty as he made her feel, because he laughed so much at some of the things she said. Though the majority of the time she wasn’t trying to be funny. 

“So you said your sister sets you up a lot. Obviously, these guys she’s picking are not the winners she thinks they are, if you’re still single.”

Isabel lifted a shoulder stirring the ice in her water with the straw. “They’ve all been nice. But there has to be more than just what she thinks is perfect. There has to be chemistry.”

“And what is perfect to her?” He swallowed the last of his beer and set the bottle on the end of the table.

“Respectable, good career, good place in society, someone she thinks will take good care of her little sister.”

His expression went serious for a moment. “Good place in society. What the hell does that mean?” The waitress came by and took the bottle. Romero held up a finger for another beer.

Isabel took a deep breath. Normally she wouldn’t get so personal, but over the course of the evening she’d begun to feel more and more comfortable talking to him. She found him to be a breath of fresh air, especially compared to all the uptight guys she usually dated. Not that she’d consider this a date, but even having someone like Romero as a friend could be a fun—different. “Everyone in my family, with the exception of me and my mother, has at least one masters degree. My sister’s married to a Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy. Most of the men she sets me up with, are up there in rank, either that or someone she met in graduate school.” Isabel sipped her straw. When she looked up it was strange to see not even a trace of a smirk on Romero’s face. “That’s the way she’s always been,” she shrugged. “She just wants the best for me.”

Halfway through her explanation she’d begun to rethink telling Romero all this, especially since she still wasn’t sure what exactly he did for a living. He might take offense.   

The waitress set the new beer in front of Romero and he took a swig. “Well, good luck finding Mr. Perfect based on a fucking rank or degree.”

And there it was. She definitely wasn’t asking him what he did for a living now. She didn’t want him to think she was judging him. “So what about you? You have any brothers or sisters?”

He shook his head. “Nope, just me and my uncles. Which reminds me.” He pulled out something from his back pocket and handed it to her. “I almost forgot why I came here.”

Her eyes went from the paper in her hand to his. “I thought you said you were here looking for tools?”

The smirk was back and now it was his turn to look a little embarrassed. Isabel felt a flutter in her belly and her face warm. “I uh, was hoping to run into you, actually. I was here last Friday, too. I remembered you saying you got your nails done here on Fridays.”

Isabel was floored, but at the same time filled with a strange excitement.

He ran his fingers through his hair. “My uncle gets tickets to the Padre games from some of his clients sometimes and I remembered you said you were a fan.” With the smirk gone, their eyes locked and Isabel felt her heart speed up. He pointed at the tickets but kept his eyes on hers. “I thought you might wanna go. It’s tomorrow night.”

“I… uh.” She gulped, still trying to get past the fact that he’d sought her out two weeks in a row.  “I have a lot of papers to grade this weekend.”

Why did she always do that? She saw the disappointment in his eyes. “You sure? Can’t you do that on Sunday?”

Yes, she could. She finally pulled her eyes away from his and looked down at the tickets. She hadn’t been to a game in a while.

“It’s a good one," he said. "Against the Dodgers. They’re both tied for second right now.”

She could do this. Romero was one-hundred percent the opposite of any guy she ever dated, but there was nothing wrong with going to a ballgame with a friend. She looked back at him. “Okay, I think I can work something out with those papers.” His face brightened immediately. That smile was beginning to do things to her.

Romero- Coming this fall!

Sweet Sofie NOW available on Amazon and B&N!!

The editing is coming along a lot faster than expected. Looks like I may not have to wait until Fall to release her story. YAY! Be on the look out it may be ready as soon as this weekend!

Update! Just went live on  AMAZON   & B&N Nook!


Here's another short teaser.

Age 13

Ever since the boys had moved on to high school, things had been different. Sofia finally had some freedom. A good thing too, because now that she’d lost a few pounds, boys were beginning to notice her. She could actually have a conversation with them during lunch, without worrying about one of her brothers breathing down their necks. Even Romero, but mostly Eric, had gotten in on the big brother act. As if three brothers weren’t enough.

Everything at home remained the same. Her brothers overbearing natures hadn’t changed at all. With them feeding off her dad’s old school mentality, about the importance of the older brother role, their interferences began to reach new heights

Sofia waited for Angel to leave the kitchen before asking her mom about the after-school dance that Friday. Her mom chopped onions while Sofia helped with the guacamole. She glanced back to make sure Angel had walked out.

“They’re having a Valentine’s dance this Friday after school. It’s just a two hour thing. I was thinking of going. Is that okay?”

Her mom turned to her and smiled. “Did someone ask you to the dance?”

Sofia shook her head. They weren’t noticing her that much yet, but someone had asked if she would be there. “No. It’s just going to be me and Tricia and some of the other girls from the running team.”

“I don’t see why not.” Her mom rinsed her hands in the sink.

Alex walked into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator. Sofia pressed her lips together, willing her mom not to say anything about the dance in front of him. But all her mental efforts were in vain.

“Are you going to wear anything special to the dance, or is it just casual?”

Sofia kept her eyes on the avocado she mashed in the bowl, but from the corner of her eye, she saw they had Alex’s attention. “What dance?”

“The Valentine’s dance at Sofia’s school,” her mother said, matter of factly.

Alex made a face. “You going to the dance, Sof? With who?”

Trying her hardest to hide the attitude, Sofia didn’t bother looking at him. “With my friends.”

“What friends?” Alex pressed.

She turned around, no longer able to conceal her agitation. “Tricia and some of the other girls, Alex.”

Alex frowned. “School dances are lame, Sof.”

Sofia rolled her eyes, adding salt to the guacamole. “Well, I’ve never been to one. I just want to try it. Do you mind?”

“Maybe I do.”  

“Alex, go throw the trash out and tell your brothers it’s time for dinner,” her mother said, dumping the onion she’d been chopping into the guacamole.

Alex grabbed the trashcan and headed out the kitchen door.

“Sofia, never mind your brother, let me know if we need to get you anything to wear. You go and have a good time.” She kissed Sofia on the head. “Just be sure you come straight home after.”

Sofia smiled. Finally, her chance to mingle with boys, and her brothers wouldn’t be anywhere around.

UPDATE! -Romero Adult contemporary romance - You asked for it so it's coming!

 Official Blurb updated 9-19-11!

Prim and proper middle school teacher Isabel Montenegro always runs the opposite direction from men like Ramon Romero. A foul-mouthed, uneducated, loose cannon has no place in her careful plans. But instead of running away, Isabel is completely captivated. The intensity of his nature, while a bit daunting, mesmerizes her in ways she can’t begin to understand. She’s unwilling to walk away—even when her instincts are screaming at her to run.

Romero has no idea what he's getting himself into when he first kisses Isabel. Shocked at the passion she invokes in him, he believes he can keep his usual short fuse under wraps. Falling fast and hard for someone so flawlessly sweet only makes him more aware that he’s far from perfect. If she is ever witness to his biggest imperfection, he’s sure she’ll bail. But when her meddling sister does the worst thing imaginable—bring other men between him and his Izzy—that fuse is lit and all bets are off.

Can two people who are worlds apart teach each other how to love, or will the reality of their differences drive them apart?  

Romero is coming an E-reader near you this fall!  

Updated 8/26/11 -- Read Teaser/Excerpt here !!

Teaser/Excerpt of Sweet Sofie (WIP unedited)

The set up: I had fun with Sweet Sofie. The book is broken up into years of her life,  here she is 15 and is paid a visit at the restaurant from by a boy from school but her brother Alex is there. WARNING: An older boy... coming on to Sofia.. and her older hot head brother is there. Expect the language to be harsh! 

    Things were different with Eric. She got to be around him all the time. Lately there’d been a change. Many times when they spoke, he gazed deep in her eyes no matter what the subject. Almost as if he was trying to tell her something without saying it. Her insides would always turn to mush around him now. She liked it. It was exciting. 

She walked into the main dining room, her mother was coming toward her. “Oh there you are. There’s a young man here to see you.”

Sofia pinched her brows. A young man? “Who?”

“I don’t know. But he’s out front by the entrance.” Her mom rushed into the kitchen.

Sofia walked through the restaurant wondering where Alex could be. Sal was away in college and Angel was home but Alex was here somewhere. She didn’t want him embarrassing her. When she turned the corner to the front entrance, she almost groaned.

Ronald, a senior on her track team stood at the front entrance. He was new to the school and apparently one of the few that hadn’t heard about the cavemen in her life. Alex spoke to him.

“You’re kidding right?” Alex sounded almost amused.

“No, why is that a problem?”

“Of course it is.” Alex said.

Ronald turned his attention to Sofia when he saw her. “Hey Ron.”

“Hey, Sof.”

He walked away from Alex coming over to where Sofia stood. He pulled something out of his pocket. “I went to Old Town this weekend. I saw this and thought of you.”

He handed her one of the little tiny turtle bobble heads she’d mentioned collecting to him. She smiled taking it from him. Alex came over and stood behind her.

“Let me see that?” He took it from Sofia examining it as if he hadn’t seen all the ones she had just like it in her room. Then he asked, “How old are you, Ron?”

Ron gave him a strange look. “Eighteen.”

With that, Alex snapped the head off the tiny turtle and handed it back to Ron.

“Alex!” Sofia said mortified.

“What’s your problem, man?” Ron asked.

Romero and Eric walked through the front door oblivious to what was going on.

Alex got in his face. “My problem, asshole, is my sister is fifteen. I could call the cop’s on you, for trying to mess with a minor, but I’d rather kick your ass myself.” 

A few customers walked in forcing Alex to refrain from doing anything. The only thing that would hold him back from hitting the guy, was his dad’s outrage if he made a scene in the restaurant. Still Sofia stepped in front of him to separate them. Alex didn’t make it easy. “Stop, Alex. We have customers.”

Ron held his hands up and looked at Sofia. “I didn’t know you were fifteen.” His eyes looked her up and down. “You sure don’t look fifteen.”

“Get out.” Alex said through his teeth.

Ronald smirked. “I’ll see you at school.”

He walked out, but of course Alex went after him. Eric and Romero followed. Sofia forced a smile and greeted the customers.

Sweet Sofie- A Moreno Brothers related YA novel. Coming this fall!