Monday, August 1, 2016

Close to You by Kristen Proby - Excerpt and Review

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Kristen Proby is known for writing heartfelt characters with deep connections and sizzling passion. In her brand new Fusion Series from William Morrow, she seduces readers’ senses with the sexy, contemporary romance in which five best friends open a hot new restaurant together. Today, we are thrilled to bring you CLOSE TO YOU, the second book in the Fusion Series! CLOSE TO YOU brings readers the next story in this amazing cast of characters. Pre-order your copy of CLOSE TO YOU today and check out the special offer below!

 
CLOSE TO YOU - Tour teaser 2
Kristen Proby’s CLOSE TO YOU Tour Schedule
August 1
August 2
August 3
August 4
Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews-Review & Excerpt Krista's Dust Jacket-Review & Excerpt Oh My Growing TBR-Review & Excerpt She Hearts Books-Review V's Reads-Review Nose Stuck in a Book-Review & Excerpt
August 5
My Girlfriend's Couch-Review & Excerpt Renee Entress's Blog-Review & Excerpt Reviews by Tammy and Kim-Review & Excerpt Sizzling Pages Romance Reviews-Review & Excerpt The Smut-Brarians-Review & Excerpt What Is That Book About-Excerpt
August 6
As You Wish Reviews-Review & Excerpt BFD Book Blog-Review & Excerpt Smut Book Junkie Reviews-Review & Excerpt Scandalous Book Blog-Review & Excerpt Cocktails and Books-Except Reese's Reviews-Excerpt
August 7
August 8

    
EXCERPT

 ~Cami~
“I can’t believe that we’re expanding already,” Riley says, eyeing Mia’s wine. “We’ve been open less than a year.”

“And we’re bursting at the seams,” I reply. “With Jake packing in crowds every weekend, and word spreading of what a fun, sexy place this is, our wait times are too long. I’ve made graphs and spreadsheets. Needing to expand isn’t a bad thing.”

“I agree,” Addie says with a nod. “And I think we’d be packing in people with or without Jake. Just don’t tell him I said that.”

Jake Knox is Addie’s husband, and a former rock star who’s been playing at Seduction on the weekends. His voice is pure sex, and is perfect for the atmosphere of our place.

“Oh God, she brought graphs,” Mia says, hanging her head in her hand. “This is all a foreign language to me.”

“I was able to talk the former owners next door down far enough that we can pay cash for the space,” I say, ignoring Mia, and pass around the report I typed up last night after Riley left and I couldn’t sleep. I’ve attached the graphs and spreadsheets to the back.

“We don’t have to take out a loan?” Kat asks, surprised. “That’s awesome.”

“You are such a great financial officer, Cami,” Mia says with a smile. “I used to hate your budgets, but it’s exactly what we needed.”

I grin. Mia’s disgust over my budgets was never a secret. The passionate chef has thrown many a spatula at my head when I told her she couldn’t have more money for extra truffles.

“Honestly, my only concern is time,” Addie says. “I don’t have time to oversee construction. I know that Mia practically lives in the kitchen, and with Kat running the bar and Riley dealing with marketing, who’s going to take the lead on this?”

“I agree, and honestly, now that Seduction is my only client, I have the time to take on the project.” I fold my hands over the folder and take a deep breath. As of two months ago, I closed my other CPA business and am now exclusively devoted to Seduction. Not that I wasn’t before, but a girl can handle working sixteen- hour days for only so long before she starts to go a little nutty.

“Are you sure?” Riley asks. “It’s going to be a busy few months.”

“I’m sure.”

“Awesome,” Mia says. “You and Landon will do a great job.”

“Excuse me?”

“Landon.” Mia grins and nods toward the entrance, where Landon is walking our way. “He’s taking the lead on the construction side.”

“Hi, ladies,” Landon says as he joins us. “I hear you have a project for me.”

“We have a construction crew we work with,” I sputter, but Mia just grins knowingly.

“Dad’s thinking of retiring, and Landon’s taking up some of the slack,” she says. “We’ll have the same crew, but Landon will be in charge of it.”

“Cami’s going to be in charge,” Addie informs him. “So anything you need, you just call her.”
“Great,” he replies, and I finally glance up at him only to find him watching me with those shining blue eyes. “I promise to go easy on you.”

CLOSE TO YOU - cover

From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Kristen Proby comes the second novel in her sizzling Fusion series.

Camilla, “Cami,” LaRue was five-years-old when she first fell in love with Landon Palazzo. Everyone told her the puppy love would fade—they clearly never met Landon. When he left after graduation without a backward glance, she was heartbroken. But Cami grew up, moved on, and became part-owner of wildly popular restaurant Seduction. She has everything she could want...or so she thinks.

After spending the last twelve years as a Navy fighter pilot, Landon returns to Portland to take over the family construction business. When he catches a glimpse of little Cami LaRue, he realizes she’s not so little any more. He always had a soft spot for his little sister’s best friend, but nothing is soft now when he’s around the gorgeous restauranteur.

Landon isn’t going to pass up the chance to make the girl-next-door his. She’s never been one for romance, but he’s just the one to change her mind. Will seduction be just the name of her restaurant or will Cami let him get close enough to fulfill all her fantasies?

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REVIEW (by Cindy)

Close to You is the standalone second book in the Fusion Series by Kristen Proby, and it’s Cami’s story. Can I just say, I am absolutely LOVING this series! The fun thing about a Kristen Proby series is that the characters from past books make return appearances, so it’s like catching up with old friends. I love that about this author.

Best friends Addie, Cami, Mia, Riley and Kat own Seduction, the trendiest new restaurant in Portland. These are some of the strongest female characters I’ve read from this author. Each woman brings her own kind of intelligence and determination to the table. Every one of them has her own distinct disposition, but it’s the unique personalities that make them so fascinating.  I love the fact that they aren’t afraid to tell it like it is. It’s also no secret that they love and care for one another deeply, and are willing to do whatever it takes when it comes to having the others’ back. I think it’s the kind of friendship every woman wishes for.

Landon is Mia’s brother. Recently discharged from the Navy after an airplane injury that left him unable to fly, Landon has come comes home to Portland to mend - physically and emotionally. When Cami pays him a welcome home visit, Landon is quickly reminded why he left in the first place. Cami has had a schoolgirl crush on her friend’s older brother since forever, and the attraction was definitely mutual. Except Cami is no longer a schoolgirl – a fact that comes immediately front and center the minute they lay eyes on one another.

The roles of Cami and Landon were somewhat different than other contemporary romance stories.  Landon didn’t come across as the usual alpha male character I generally expect to find. Oh, he definitely has confidence, and there are certainly times when his Naval Pilot instincts kick in, but Landon has a soft, amenable side – a quality that definitely shines through when it comes to Cami.

Cami, on the other hand, is assertive and headstrong. She’s smart, and definitely full of sass. She knows what she wants, and she goes for it. Except, of course, when it comes to Landon. In that department, she’s clearly allowing her head to guard her heart.

At the risk of spoiling the ending, Cami and Landon eventually find their way. And that’s the thing I can always count on from Kristen Proby. Her characters struggle – even argue – but they always find their way, growing in the process. There was a little less predictably this time, though. And, yes, there were tears, both sad and happy. In the end, though, Landon and Cami got their HEA, and I got mine. 


Five <sigh> stars.

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Preorder CLOSE TO YOU, fill out this form, and receive an email with the Exclusive Short Story, GROW WITH ME, featuring Will and Meg from Kristen Proby's PLAY WITH ME in the With Me in Seattle Series after Release Week!

   

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And Don’t Miss the First Novel in the Fusion Series, LISTEN TO ME!

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CLOSE TO YOU - Tour teaser 1
 
  Author Pic - Kristen ProbyAbout Kristen Proby: New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Kristen Proby is the author of the bestselling With Me In Seattle and Love Under the Big Sky series. She has a passion for a good love story and strong, humorous characters with a strong sense of loyalty and family. Her men are the alpha type; fiercely protective and a bit bossy, and her ladies are fun, strong, and not afraid to stand up for themselves. Kristen lives in Montana, where she enjoys coffee, chocolate and sunshine. And naps.      

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