Cissy Mecca's Blog, page 3

What to Read After Vi Keeland’s Inappropiate

You just finished an amazing book, turned the last page. . . and now what?

There’s nothing worse than being immersed in a world only to be jolted back to reality with nothing on your TBR. Or maybe you have LOTS of books on your to-be-read list, but none you’re in the mood for. None quite like the one you just finished. And that’s what you’re in the mood for.

Sure you could spend countless hours scanning Amazon or Barnes & Noble virtual bookshelves, jumping into Facebook groups and looking for that perfect next book. But none are just like the one you finished, and that’s the book you want.

I give you, “What to Read After,” a new blog series that will tackle this very problem. From my own personal reading library, to favorite books from my own readers, we’ll pair books to help you find your next perfect read.

 

I’ve asked by readers which books they are loving. And since one of my first three contemporary romance novels happens to be a sexy office romance, when they mentioned Inappropiate by Vi Keeland of course I thought to mention my own Last Call. It’s the first in a billionaire, small town series Boys of Bridgewater (yes, both billionaire AND small town) although I do offer a free prequel called Overruled by Love. Another office romance I’ve personally read and enjoyed was King of Wall Street by Louise Bay.

Did you read a book after Inappropriate you loved? Would you like to submit a book for “What to read after” or a recommendation for one of your favorite books of all time?

 

Comment with answers to any of those questions below!

Love Through the Ages

“It must be strange, writing a story set medieval England and Scotland one month and then hopping to contemporary times? They are so different.”

 

I get this question a lot. And yes, my home state of Pennsylvania, the setting of Bridgewater in Boys of Bridgewater, is quite different than the places I write about in my books. Of course, I’ve never been to the Anglo-Scottish border in the 13th century, although I did visit it a few years ago for book research purposes (see left).

On the other hand, as an author of Scottish and medieval romance novels, as well as contemporary romance under the pen name of Bella Michaels, I can attest to one thing that stays very much the same. Love.

But wait? It did not! Nobles married for advantage, not love, in the middle ages. Right?

“I think the most widespread impression of medieval marriage is that of a cold, loveless, and practical union, made simply for the purpose of transferring real estate. This could certainly be a frequent occurrence, especially among the elite, but was not always the case,” says Danièle Cybulskie of Medievalists.net.

Years after the setting of my book, William Shakespeare wrote a prologue to a little play called Romeo & Juliet. In it, he sets the stage for a story of love, betrayal, sex and tragedy. Do those themes sound familiar? If so, it’s probably because you just watched a Netflix show with some or all of them, just as the hero and heroines of my novels would be familiar in their time with the ideas lust or love.

If I’m able to seamlessly navigate between a medieval woman who feels jealousy at the prospect of her intended being in love with another woman and a book heroine who feels stuck in her career it’s because the human condition is timeless, as evidenced by a study of literature. Take Lays by Marie de France (yes, a medieval woman writer!) which offers readers stories of love won and lost by knights and ladies. Cool, right?

 

Looking to read a bit of love through the ages? 

Since it’s nearly Valentine’s Day, check out The Chief to wet your palate. It’s a novella, so a quick read, with a fun Valentine’s Day theme. Although it is the final book in my Order of the Broken Blade series, it’s a standalone HEA. Or, if modern day love is more for you, jump into the world of big city billionaire Enzo DeLuca, a sexy small town romance (yes, it’s both!) with a best friend’s little sister twist.

Download The Chief on Amazon or read in Kindle Unlimited

Download Billion Dollar Date on Amazon or read in Kindle Unlimited

 

Brand new to me? Start here with free stories!

Get a free medieval romance prequel or a free contemporary romance prequel

 

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What’s Coming in 2021

It’s been one hell of a year, and I can honestly say I’m looking forward to 2021 more than most new years. I’ve got lots of exciting projects in the pipeline and am excited to share some of them, so here goes:

Boys of Bridgewater

In 2020 I launched this series as Angel Inc. and changed it just recently to reflect the small town romance vibe coming your way as we head back to Bridgewater for the remainder of the series. Although the first two books, Last Call and Billion Dollar Date, mix small town sexy with billionare romance as our two heros struck it big with their synthetic alcohol brand, the remainder of the series will follow characters such as Enzo’s brothers– Tristano and Gian– as well as his sister Lusanne and his friend Devon.

Look for Tristano’s story next and follow its progress on my Instagram account. Books three and four will be release July and November 2020.

But first, starting January 2nd, Overruled by Love, a sexy lawyer prequel novella, will be released FREE exclusively to newsletter subscribers ahead of its January 27th release. This page will update with each weekly newsletter giving out the entire story one day pre-release. Although starting in January, it will be password protected, so be sure to sign up for the Bella Michael’s Insider here.

You may notice one other change as well in the Boys of Bridgewater series. The Billion Dollar Date cover has also been re-designed to match the others. Miss the old dark cover? (Me too, loved that one!) No worries.  A limited edition paperback of the original, as well as a Last Call dark version, will soon be available.

 

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In other news. . .

If you’ve never read a historical or medieval romance before, give it a try! The first book on my brand new series Kingdoms of Meria is available on Amazon and in Kindle Unlimited, and book two, My Highland Bride, is coming January 7th.  Like the Bridgewater series, both books are rich in world-building with plenty of sexy bits, albiet between a knight and his lady instead of a billionaire bad boy and the woman strong enough to tame him. They are also set in the Kingdom of Meria, so if you’re a fantasy lover, this might be the perfect series for you!

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I think that about does it. What are you most excited about for 2021? Leave a comment below and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Overruled by Love: A Newsletter Exclusive Novella

Starting January 4, 2021, this page will be updated with a portion of the Boys of Bridgewater prequel novella, Overruled by Love, concluding on January 26th, one day before it’s released on Amazon and in Kindle Unlimited. In the meantime, be sure to add Overruled by Love to your Goodreads want-to-read list and watch your email in January.

 

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Sexy, Swoonworthy Holiday Romance Novels

Last week I shared some of my favorite holiday romance movies. This week, it’s all about the sexy holiday romance novels topping the bestseller charts. And though I haven’t made my way through all of there just yet, these Christmas romance reads are all on my TBR list. Let’s dive in…

 

Title: The Mistletoe Kisser

Author: Lucy Score

Also in Kindle Unlimited

 

Title: A Very Bossy Christmas

Author: Kayley Loring

Also in Kindle Unlimited

Title: Naughty or Nice

Author: Alexis Winter

Also in Kindle Unlimited

 

Title: My Fake Christmas Fiance

Author: Julie Kriss

Also in Kindle Unlimited

 

Love both small town and sexy romance novels? Sign up to receive Boys of Bridgewater book news, along with my posts like this one, here.

5 Romantic Christmas Movies in 2020 (and One to Avoid)

I’m a sucker for Christmas-themed books and movies, as long as there’s a bit of romance involved. So of course I’ve been binging them since mid-Novemeber, and I wanted to share my favorites so far, and one I wouldn’t bother with at all.

Let’s get to it!

 

Operation Christmas Drop

Netflix Stream Here

“Congressional aide Erica (Graham) forgoes family Christmas to travel at her boss’s behest. At a beachside Air Force base, she clashes with Capt. Andrew Jantz (Ludwig), who knows her assignment is finding reasons to defund the facility.”

This is the exact kind of cute holiday romance than makes me steer clear of professional reviews. It was cute, and Bonnie from Vampire Diaries is the star, so that’s enough for me.

 

The Princess Switch: Switched Again

Netflix Stream Here

“When Duchess Margaret unexpectedly inherits the throne to Montenaro and hits a rough patch with Kevin, it’s up to her double Stacy to save the day before a new lookalike, party girl Fiona foils their plans.”

As fun as the first, but speaking of The Princess Switch, be sure to watch that one before diving into this second installment.

 

Holiday in the Wild

Netflix Stream Here

“After getting dumped by her husband, Kate takes their planned second honeymoon by herself — finding a newfound love for life (and a handsome pilot) on her way.”

Although it’s from 2019, this is a super fun holiday romance which stars, as you can see, Rob Lowe. Enough said.

 

Knight Before Christmas

Netflix Stream Here

“A medieval English knight is magically transported to present-day America where he falls for a high school science teacher who is disillusioned by love.”

The reviews aren’t great. Ignore them. If you love all things medieval, like me, and/or time travel with a splash of romance, try this one from 2019. I found it thoroughly enjoyable.

 

Holidate

Netflix Stream Here

“Fed up with being single on holidays, two strangers agree to be each other’s platonic plus-ones all year long, only to catch real feelings along the way.”

Not my cup of tea. I’m all for sexying up our romantic Christmas movies, but this one felt flat to me.

 

 

Sign up for my newsletter for more blog posts and updates on my own romance novels which can be found here as well and also in Kindle Unlimited.

Last Call is LIVE!

 

I’ve made a lifetime of bad decisions, but I always land on my feet.

Every damn time.

My father says that’s the problem. But he says a lot of things about me, none of them very nice.

I finally have a chance to show him, to show everyone, I’m more than a pretty boy who parties hard with his parents’ money. My business partner Enzo and I have developed a product that will change the world.

There’s just one snag.

Ada Flemming, the FDA official who controls our company’s fate, is the most compelling woman I’ve ever met. Even though it could cost me everything—my friendship with Enzo, my business, and my one chance at redemption—I can’t seem to stay away from her.

Pursuing Ada might be the biggest screwup of all—the only bad decision I don’t bounce back from.

But it’s too late to start making safe decisions now.

Last Call is a forbidden, office romance and standalone novel in the Billion Dollar Date world.

 

Available on Amazon and in Kindle Unlimited. Enjoy!

Nine Days to Release- Office Romance Fans, Buckle up!

Just nine days away to the release of Last Call!

 

Let’s go backwards a bit.

If you’ve read Billion Dollar Date, then you met Hayden already. You may think you know Enzo’s cocky (albeit endearing) business partner, but his story will throw you for a loop. A standalone office/forbidden romance in the BDD world, this book goes back in time to just before Angel Inc. got its wings.

But even though they’re out of order, you’ll want to read Enzo’s story for a sneak peek of Hayden Tanner before Last Call releases on September 17th.

All caught up with Enzo? Enter to win a signed paperback of his story AND Last Call on Goodreads.

LAST CALL: Exclusive Sneak Peek

Chapter 1: Hayden

“Should I let you out here, sir?”

I open my eyes and shove a curtain aside, looking out the car window. Traffic’s at a standstill. I have no idea how long we’ve been sitting here because I kind of, sort of dozed off. I glance at my watch.

“Shit.” Enzo is going to kill me. I’m supposed to meet our new project manager from the FDA with him . . . several minutes ago. I’d run through a burning building for my friend and business partner, but apparently getting to bed at a reasonable time the night before a big meeting is too big of an ask for me. I really, really did not plan to be out so late, or to wake up with company this morning, but a series of rather fortunate events . . .

Focus, Hayden.

I press a button in front of me just below the privacy screen. “Are we going to get moving any time this century, Henry?”

His gravelly voice comes through the speaker, loud and clear. “Doesn’t look good. I think you’d get there faster walking.”

Yup, Enzo is going to kill me.

“Sir?”

I glance out a window, find a landmark, and calculate the remaining distance. As much as I’d prefer not to show up dripping sweat, walking is a better call than making them wait. Or wait longer, as the case may be.

A quick look down at my cell confirms the worst. Two missed calls and even more text messages.

With another touch of a button, the privacy screen slides down between Henry and me. His judgy gaze peers at me from the rearview mirror. He doesn’t mean to come off that way, but a lifetime of working for my father has ingrained an ironclad sense of duty in the man. Even if he is my driver now, not my father’s.

“I’ll be at least two hours.”

Henry blinks. The only sign he’s actually heard me. When I was young I used to think he either couldn’t stand me or was being deliberately disrespectful. But now I know better.

“Enjoy your morning,” I call as I gather my briefcase and jump out of the car. How is it already so damn hot at nine in the morning?

Okay, nine fifteen.

Making my way through the rush-hour crowd, I voice-text Enzo.

Sorry. On my way. Standstill traffic, and I fell asleep in the car.

Just as I’m about to shove my phone back into my pocket, it vibrates. A quick glance tells me what I’ve already guessed: it’s my father. I’m tempted to ignore him, but he’ll only call back until he reaches me.

“Good morning, Father.”

“I thought you had a meeting with the new project manager this morning?”

Hello to you too.

I’m tempted to ask why he’s calling if he knew I had a meeting, but I have too much of a headache to fight with him at the moment. That won’t be a problem anymore once this whole tiresome approval process is over and Enzo and I are able to bring our product to market.

“I’m on my way there now.”

“We can’t afford delays, Hayden.”

I’m not in the mood. It’s hot. My head is pounding. I nearly crashed into a tourist who stopped in the middle of the damn sidewalk to take a picture, and Enzo is texting me as we speak.

“Dad”—he hates when I call him that—“I’m fully aware. We had no control over the last person being transferred, but there’s no reason to think a new project manager will cause any problems.”

“When is the last time you’ve looked at the supplier statements?”

“I talked to P&R last week.”

“I didn’t ask when you talked to the accounting firm. When did you look at the statements yourself?”

I turn the corner, walking as quickly as possible.

“I really have to go,” I try, knowing it’s futile. When my father is finished with me, he’ll let me know, and I won’t be getting off this call three seconds sooner.

“When?”

I grind my back teeth, trying not to say something I’ll regret. “End of June.”

“Two weeks ago?”

If he hadn’t lent Enzo and me eight million dollars last year, I might comment on his superior ability to calculate days of the week. But that qualifies for the something I’ll regret list, or at least the something I’ll be made to regret list, so I hold my tongue. Two more blocks.

“Yes.”

“I spoke with Paul this weekend. He mentioned an increased cost of stabling agents.”

In other words, Since Angel’s accounting firm answers to you, I called your plant manager and talked with him about expenses to circumnavigate the communication chain.

There are so many things I despise about my father. The constant criticism. The fact that he can hardly tolerate me. But most of all, I hate the way he manipulates me. For the thousandth time, I remind myself Angel, Inc. would not be possible without this man who is convinced I am a total fuck up. So instead of asking why he even bothered to lend me start-up money in the first place, I play nice.

“I’ll take a look at them. And we’ll let you know how it goes today.”

There’s my building.

“I’m expecting an uneventful transition.”

The FDA doesn’t care what you expect.

But I keep that one to myself too.

“Yes, Father.”

Click.

Would it kill the man to say goodbye once in a while? Probably, yes.

I remind myself that his opinion doesn’t matter to me, but it still slides under my skin, if only a little. My phone vibrates again before I can put it away. Enzo.

“Hi,” I answer, anticipating another tongue-lashing.

“Where the hell are you?”

“Sorry,” I say sincerely. “I’m just coming into the building now.”

“I don’t even want to know.”

I silently agree.

“Take your time. We already ran through introductions, and I convinced them to take a ten-minute coffee break, assuring them you’d be here by then.”

“I will be. Just have to run into the men’s room. Traffic was horrific, had to walk the last four blocks.”

I can see Enzo’s eyes rolling through the phone.

“Poor baby. Get your ass up here.”

My ass is what got me into this situation. I went to my neighborhood bar, intending to have a drink or two and head home at a reasonable hour, but a fiery redhead groped me on the way out. Admittedly, I’d been checking her out from across the bar, my interest not the least bit subtle.

Welcome to my life. A series of bad decisions, one after the other, with one glaring exception. The one that was poised to make me a billionaire in my own right, my parents’ money be damned.

Just one FDA approval, three more months of pleasing them and my father, and then . . . let the games begin.

 

Keep reading on September 17th when LAST CALL hits Amazon for a special $2.99 release price. Subscribe to chat with Hayden for a new release notice here.