Please welcome Kaira Rouda, an Amazon #1 bestselling, multiple award-winning author of three women’s fiction novels including HERE, HOME, ![kaira]()
HOPE; ALL THE DIFFERENCE and IN THE MIRROR. Her bestselling short story is titled, A MOTHER’S DAY. Kaira’s work has won the Indie Excellence Award, USA Book Awards, the Reader’s Choice Awards and honorable mention in the Writer’s Digest International Book Awards. Her books have been widely reviewed and featured in leading magazines.
Laguna Nights is Kaira’s new release, and, personally, I can’t wait to read it.
Madison Alcott left her Laguna Beach childhood in the past as soon as she could, never imagining she’d be forced to return. Caring for her ill mother and holding down a high-pressure position at the best resort in town, Madison’s life is as good as it could ever be in Laguna Beach. And blissfully, nobody knows her as Holly anymore, the name she used on television. Everything changes when her high school boyfriend appears in the lobby. He was the reason she’d left Laguna in the first place when he humiliated her on national television.
Josh Welsh’s star has been dimming ever since he shot to fame as the high school heartthrob on the reality TV series Laguna Nights. Hoping to reignite his career, he agreed to host a travel show, with the first episode shooting in his old hometown of Laguna Beach. Of all the negative scenarios associated with filming in Laguna, Josh hadn’t calculated a run-in with Madison, or that the same deep connection he felt for her in high school would still be there.
Madison and Josh’s reality TV relationship exploded years ago but when the new series forces them together, they must face Laguna Nights past and present.
First Kiss:
Madison, who went by Holly in high school, and her high school boyfriend, Josh, were cast in one of the first ever reality TV shows, back when they attended Laguna Beach High School. But the pressures of the show caused a painful breakup, and they hadn’t seen each other for almost fifteen years….until a new reality TV show brings them together, back in Laguna Beach. When they see each other again, the attraction is instant, as is Madison’s anger at her past humiliation. She reluctantly agrees to have coffee with Josh – he’s staying at the resort where she works – and then this:
“I’ve got to go, Josh,” she said as he stood next to her. She could feel his breath on the side of her face as he wrapped his arms around her waist. She kept her own hands at her side even though she could feel her own heart melting, her resolve slipping.
“Come have dinner with me,” he said softly, whispering in her right ear as his hand brushed her hair away from her eyes. A chill ran down her spine and her heart was beating wildly. “I’m not who you think I am, Holls. I never was that guy. They made me him, for the show.” Josh pulled her closer, wrapping his strong arms around her. He stared into her eyes and said, “Kiss me.”
“Josh, no,” she said, struggling to pull free. “This is crazy.” But even as she was telling him no, she imagined doing just as he had asked. She licked her lips, her heart beating wildly.
“Kiss me,” he said again, and as the world fell away he brushed his lips against hers and she felt her knees sway.
“I’ve missed you,” Josh said, as he deepened the kiss in response to her rogue lips, lips that had parted welcoming his tongue as she heard herself sigh. Her senses were in overload, her center deep inside coming alive. She felt his hands moving up and down her spine, pushing their bodies together, a perfect fit. As his kiss dropped to her neck she felt herself arching her back and a moan escaped her lips. And they’d never had a chance to make love, her heart reminded her, as she felt his erection growing between them. It was going to be special, and then Laura. . . .
Finally her brain kicked in. She couldn’t believe how she’d responded to his touch, how much she wanted him to kiss her. She was losing her mind.
This is Josh Welsh you are kissing, her mind screamed. He humiliated you on national television. Stop this now.
“Josh, we can’t do this,” she said, breaking their kiss and touching her lips with her fingertips even as he still held her tight. He loosened his grip, his blue eyes were dark.
“Yes, we can. Because we’re right together, Holls, made for each other. Always have been. I know you feel what’s going on, too. God you’re beautiful,” he said.
Madison could feel his heart beating in his chest. She looked up into his eyes, wanting to believe in him again, enjoying the warmth of his arms around her, clouding the deeply held anger towards him. But, as much as her body wanted him, and she was still dizzy from their kiss, her mind was racing, playing back every image of Josh and Laura together.
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Happy reading!
XOXO,
Deb