Sandra Bunino's Blog, page 6

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline (You don’t have to be a gamer to love this book)

First, I have to say, you don’t have to be a gamer to love this book.

I’m basically an anti-gamer. I have nothing against games, or gamers, games just make me nervous. I’ve never been a fan. Weird, right?

So why did I pick up this book? READ PLAYER ONE by Ernest Cline was required reading for my son’s freshman class in college. I figured if the university wanted every entering freshman to read this book, it must be special.

READY PLAYER ONE was so much more than a book about a video game (however, the OASIS was really cool. It made this anti-gamer want to strap on a visor and take a tour). Woven between apocalyptic 2044 and fantastic 80s music/movie references, a story of friendship, comradery, teamwork, and acceptance shines through that warmed this romance writer’s heart.

I’m also happy I saw the movie before reading the book. The movie was well done but the book was so much richer (that’s always the case with movie adaptions, isn’t it?). Definitely worth the read for gamers, anti-gamers, and everyone in between.

Next on my TBR list: SOULMATE by Erin M. Leaf

What are you reading?

Fill Your Bucket

Hey there! Welcome to my new website and blog.

After a long hiatus I’m back to blogging with renewed energy. It’s good to take a break and “stop doing” for a while, whatever that “doing” may be. This is even more important when the “doing” is creative. Creativity  isn’t a free flowing resource that you can turn on and off with a flip of the switch.

Creating, at least the brilliant kind, can’t be forced. Sure you can write, paint, draw, sing on command. But that’s not the stuff you’re proud to produce. To uncover the raw organic beauty of your craft, you must be in your creative zone, and those creative zone times can be quite fleeting (which is quite frustrating).

The best way to spark those creative zones is to fill your bucket. Everyone has a bucket, but everyone has a different way of filling it. It may be reading, exercise, meditation, traveling, hanging out with friends, or just being for a short time without actually doing anything.

Just like you make time to work and play, you need to make bucket time too.

So what fills your bucket?

Hot of the Press: Addicted to Romance

Check out my new column, Addicted to Romance, in the March/April Edition of BTS Book Reviews eMag!

This month's theme is Contemporary Western Romances and I lassoed three cowboys for your reading pleasure.

Click here to be directed to this month's column. There's a great giveaway too!

MID WEEK TEASE: BFFs and Flowers #MWTease

Howdy Teasers and Tease-lovers! It's MID WEEK TEASE day! If it's your first time here, the MID WEEK TEASE is a chance to read a tease from participating authors' new releases, works in progress, backlisted titles, or even flash fiction. 
Welcome to the last tease of the year! I'll be taking a break from the blog for the rest of the month to focus on my current project goals. 
For today's tease I'm sharing an outtake from my finished manuscript, FIRE AND MIDNIGHT, written as Sandra Renee Pesso. This scene didn't make it to the book but I love the BFF interaction between Jane and Charlotte. I hope to share more from FIRE AND MIDNIGHT and my move into contemporary women's lit in 2016.
Happy Holidays!
The tease~
Jane turned to Charlotte, sitting beside her. "You're quiet. I thought you weren't done saying ‘I told you so’ yet." Charlotte had been a whirlwind of help over the past few days. Their shopping spree had borne fruit in the form of dresses, shoes, and flowers. Charlotte organized the wedding official, a three-piece blues band, and a photographer, all while chanting “I told you so,” every step along the way, or so it had seemed to Jane. Charlotte championed herself sole credit for Jane and Ryan’s paths meeting almost a year ago from that exact day.Charlotte offered her a smile, with tears shining in her eyes. "I was trying to distract myself so that I wouldn’t cry, but then I stopped myself and my thoughts moved on to wondering what would happen if Pascal flipped the boat. What would we do? I swim for shit, you know."Jane peeked over the side of the gondola and spotted the floor of the riverbed. "Don’t think you have to worry about that, Char. I’m pretty sure you could just stand up, here.""Well, that's a relief. Seriously, though, I was thinking about how happy I am about how happy you are. I was kidding around with you, saying I was the one who got you back in the saddle, but the truth is that you did this all on your own. You took control of your life at a really tough time, and you made something beautiful out of it. You deserve all the happiness in the world, my friend." She wiped her eyes and shrugged. “You are my hero.”Jane blinked back a tear of her own. "Thank you. You’re always there for me when I need it most, Char. I only hope I can return the favor, one day."Charlotte squeezed Jane’s hand as the hypnotic whoosh of the water pushed by Uncle Pascal’s paddle propelled them ever closer to everyone Jane held dear. Soon, he began to sing. It was soft, at first, but his rich voice grew louder as they approached Marriage Island. His song was slow and filled with emotion. Jane understood bits and pieces of it, because he sang in Spanish. It had something to do with family, love…and maybe a cow, but it sounded lovely. Her glance moved beyond Pascal to focus on the old cypress. The island, she saw, had been decorated with yellow and purple flowers. She pointed and turned to Charlotte. “The flowers…”“I can’t tell you how hard it was to find them on short notice, but I wanted them to match the painting on your patio fireplace.” Jane smiled. “You are the best friend ever.”
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Mid Week Tease: Espresso and Scones #MWTease #NaNoWriMo #WIP

Howdy Teasers and Tease-lovers! It's MID WEEK TEASE day! If it's your first time here, the MID WEEK TEASE is a chance to read a tease from participating authors' new releases, works in progress, backlisted titles, or even flash fiction. 
It's Thanksgiving Eve in the US. As everyone prepares to stick large stuffed birds in the oven and welcome throngs of relatives and friends into their homes, Charlotte and Jacques are enjoying a NYC scone. Here's more unedited words from my NaNoWriMo project... Image courtesy of National Novel Writing Month.
As much as she tried to focus on her run, she bypassed her usual route of winding paths and found herself heading down Sixty-ninth Street. She glanced at her watch. Damn, she was early. She hated to be early. In fact, she was never early. She pulled open the door and stepped inside promising herself if he wasn’t there yet, she’d turn around and leave. Scanning the small shop, her gaze landed on a dark mop of wind-blown curls. He occupied a table for two in the corner with one leg casually slung over the other, his attention on the newspaper he held in one hand while sipping a small demitasse cup in the other. 
She strode to the table. “You know no one reads a newspaper anymore.”
He lifted his face and his gaze met hers as he shot her a crooked smirk. “I read the newspaper.” He moved the slid the stack of papers to the side and gestured for her to sit. 
“Well, you should get used to reading it off your tablet. I hear newspapers will be obsolete in a couple years.”“And what a shame that will be. There are some things that should remain as they are. Newspapers are one of them and proper manners are another. May I get you an espresso? Or would you prefer one of those trendy mocha-choka lattes?”
“Espresso, please.”
“I’ll be right back.” He left the table and she flipped through the newspaper on the table. It reminded her of Sunday mornings when she was a girl. Her father would spread the paper over the kitchen table. He started with the sports section first, rattling off the most recent Yankee player statistics and checking on the results of his favorite Nascar drivers. 
Jacques returned with a tiny cup identical to his and a plate with two scones. 
“I’ll vouch for Beatnick's espresso but you’re on your own with the scones,” she said before taking a sip from her cup.
He took a bite and shrugged. Not bad for a New York scone.” He leaned back in his chair. “This is a pleasant surprise.”
“You invited me.”
“I did, but you didn’t respond.”
“I don’t recall you asking for a response,” she snapped back. 
“I didn’t know I had to. I guess I’m new to casual email communication. I much prefer speaking to writing.”
She smiled. “Considering I went into broadcasting instead of journalism, I guess you can say the same thing about me. I believe you had a question for me. Now that you found the best espresso in town, do you want to know where to get the best bagel because that would be in Seymour’s in Brooklyn.”
“Good to know. I wanted to ask you to be my date for the opening of Robbie Hushe’s new restaurant Saturday.”
“Chef’s Table East? I thought that wasn’t opening for a couple months.”
“Officially it’s not opening for a while. Robbie always does a soft open before the official opening so he can show off his new place to the who’s who in New York.”
“And I suppose you’re a who.”
“Me? No but I get invited since I trained his staff. You on the other hand are a who. Robbie asked me to extend you an invitation.” 
“You could’ve asked me in an email.”
“And what fun would that be, Charlotte?”

She stared into his electric blue eyes. What fun would it be, indeed.
What do you think about Char and Jacques? 
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MID WEEK TEASE: “I’m always up for a challenge.” #NaNoWriMo

Howdy Teasers and Tease-lovers! It's MID WEEK TEASE day! If it's your first time here, the MID WEEK TEASE is a chance to read a tease from participating authors' new releases, works in progress, backlisted titles, or even flash fiction. 
It's week two of #NaNoWriMo! This week's tease takes place after Jacques wines and dines Charlotte at one of New York City's hottest restaurants. He believes he's a shoe-in for a second date. Little does he know, it's not easy to step into Char's inner circle. Image courtesy of National Novel Writing Month.



Jacques pulled alongside the curb and shifted the car into park before turning to her. “I’d like to see you again.”
“I’d like that, too.” She smiled.
“This is the place where you give me your phone number.”
“You have my number.”
“I believe I have the network’s number where the receptionist gives me the third degree before transferring my call.”
“I’m selective about giving my number out. Nothing personal. I’m sure you can understand.”
He paused and blinked a few times. “How do you communicate to those who are in you're un-selective group?”
“Email usually,” she replied.
“Email?”
“Uh-huh. Here's my personal email. Take it or leave it.” She offered him a card.
His gaze followed hers to a plain white card adorned with only an email address printed in plain black letters. Another card.
A long moment hung in the air before she pulled it back. "It was nice meeting you, Jacques.” She reached for the door handle.
His hand covered her shoulder. "Okay. I'll email you, Miss Snow. That is until you invite me into your inner circle.”
An ounce of relief floated through her but she squared her shoulders and met his gaze. "Fine." She waved the card at him with a flourish. “Just to warn you, I don’t let many inside.”
He plucked the card from her fingers. “I’m always up for a challenge.” 
She watched him cross in front of the car, the headlights showcasing strong thighs as he moved to her side. He opened her door and she accepted his hand as she stood.
"You certainly are an interesting woman, Miss Snow." He pulled her hand to his lips. A shiver crawled up her arm as his warm breath caressed the top of her hand.
There will be more from Char and Jacques over the next few weeks. In the meantime more teases this way...Visit my teasing friends here:


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MID WEEK TEASE: He was good. And dangerous. A dangerous kind of good. #NaNoWriMo

Howdy Teasers and Tease-lovers! It's MID WEEK TEASE day! If it's your first time here, the MID WEEK TEASE is a chance to read a tease from participating authors' new releases, works in progress, backlisted titles, or even flash fiction. 
As first week of National Novel Writing Month concludes, you can almost hear keyboards tapping feverishly. NaNoWriMo is an electrifying month when writers from all over the world commit to writing 50,000 words in just 30 days. Last year over 300,000 people participated. Not everyone flipped the calendar page to December with a shiny new novel sitting pretty on their laptop. However, I'd bet tomorrow's latte most, if not all, participants wrote more than they would've without the motivation of NaNoWriMo.  Image courtesy of National Novel Writing Month.

I've had a slow start but my WIP is heating up! I'm sharing the scene where Charlotte and Jacques first meet... 
Charlotte’s phone buzzed in her pocket alerting her to the completion of her fifth mile. Sheslowed her pace to a fast walk as she caught her breath. She headed to a a row of benches shaded by a tall willow and lifted her foot to one of the seat’s wood planks and stretched her hamstrings. She stepped behind the bench and held the back as she grabbed her right foot behind her and pulled it to her butt.

Pic Credit: S. Pesso / Central Park, NYC“Forgive the interruption but you look like you know where I can get a great espresso.” A deep voice rumbled to her left. 
Her gaze followed the voice and landed on a pair of dark sunglasses below dark hair with traces of gray at the temples. Her eyes traveled to chiseled cheekbones and full lips which curled showcasing a single dimple. He was good-looking and by the smirk on his face, he damn well knew it. “You’re in New York. There’s a coffee shop on every corner,” Charlotte said and tugged the brim of her Yankees cap down so that it almost touched her oversized sport sunglasses before she continued her stretching. 
“I can get an espresso on every street corner. In fact, during the two weeks I’ve been in town, I’ve had many. My question is where can I get a great one?” Charlotte noted a slight accent. Her eyes flicked back to the increasingly interesting man and leisurely traveled to his broad shoulders in a white button-down shirt tucked causally in a pair of jeans. She spotted a copy of NYC Food & Wine Magazine curled in his right fist. 
“I suggest finding a Beatniks Cafe. It’s the only coffee I drink.”
He took a step closer. “Beatniks.” He nodded his head as if to commit it to memory. “Thank you for the recommendation. I’m Jacques.” He tucked the magazine under his left arm and extended his right hand. 
“Charlotte.” She slipped her hand into his and was surprised by the roughness of his palm. His appearance signaled white collar. Food critic, chef, maybe an exec. But his hands and sun-kissed complexion held a glimpse of something more.
“Perhaps you’d like to help me find one and join me for a cup, Charlotte?” 
She gulped a sigh as her body reacted to the way her name rolled from his mouth with an audible breath after the ’t’. Holy fuck. She shook her head slightly. He was good. And dangerous. A dangerous kind of good. 
There will be more from Char and Jacques over the next few weeks. In the meantime more teases this way...Visit my teasing friends here:


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MID WEEK TEASE: Celebrate #NationalChocolateDay with HER SWEET SEDUCTION by Sabrina Sol #MWTease

Happy MID WEEK TEASE & National Chocolate Day! If it's your first time here, the MID WEEK TEASE is a chance to read a tease from participating authors' new releases, works in progress, backlisted titles, or even flash fiction. 
This week I'm featuring my sweet writerly friend, Sabrina Sol, and her new release, Her Sweet Seduction.  Today's the perfect day to indulge in this short and sexy read because the hero is a melt-in-your-mouth hot chocolatier. Is there better way to celebrate National Chocolate Day?

Her Sweet Seduction
by Sabrina Sol

~Editor's Pick~


When romance novelist and single mom Celina Preciado writes a near tell-all about her former lover, he’s the last person she expects to see at her book signing. But not only does Luke Anderssen tell her that he enjoyed her book, the stockbroker-turned-chocolatier let’s her know in no uncertain terms that he wants her back. 

Celina’s been burned before and she’s hesitant to let him into the life she now shares with her young daughter. So Luke embarks on the sweetest of seductions to prove once and for all that he’s not the man he used to be and he’s ready to give her the happily ever after she deserves. The tease... 
She so couldn’t handle being alone with him. They’d spent a few minutes picking out strawberries for Zoey from the front counter case. Then he’d convinced her to go in the back kitchen to taste test some of his newer creations. But the more he talked about  “simmering” and “hardening” and “creaming,” the more turned on she became. As Luke showed her a selection of salted caramel truffles, she drifted between wanting to lick the candies to wanting to lick him. All of him.“We use French fleur-de-sel sea salt,” he said, while handing her one of the small rounded chocolates. Celina bit into it and closed her eyes. The stunning mix of sweet and salty, combined with the smooth, milky caramel … well, it was nothing short of glorious.“Oh. My. God.” She groaned. “That’s… Oh my God.” She finished the piece off with one more bite and a few more groans. “You made these? Damn, Luke. I think you just gave me my first T. B. O. You know? Taste Bud Orgasm.”He only nodded in response. At first, she thought she’d embarrassed him. Then she saw it. The way his jaw hardened. The way his lip curled into a hint of a smile. The way his nostrils flared. She recognized that darkening swirl in his eyes. A penetrating gaze that emanated raw lust and had been known to burn right through her shields of reason and sanity. It was a devastating look. Simply devastating. And now it was slowly zeroing in on her mouth.  He took a step toward her and although her instincts told her to take a step backward, she couldn’t move. Her body tingled with panic, or was it desire? Maybe it was a combination of both. Either way, she was flushed and lightheaded. And when he raised his hand and touched the corner of her mouth with his thumb, a longing she hadn’t felt in years raged in her soul.“You have some salt flakes here,” he said in a thick, low voice. But he didn’t brush them away. Still staring intently at her mouth, he instead moved the pad of his thumb slowly over her bottom lip. Finally, he met her eyes with an unspoken question.She gave him the smallest of nods, yet she unleashed a tidal wave. He surged toward her and grabbed her head with both of his hands. Their lips crashed together, roughly and furiously. And when he slid his tongue inside to claim hers, she welcomed the invasion with a moan. He tasted like coffee and chocolate—two of her vices wrapped into one sinfully sexy body. Like a dream she didn’t want to wake from, she pushed every other complicated thought aside. All she wanted to think about—all she wanted to feel—was this moment with Luke. Old, familiar sensations and new, thrilling ones surged within her all at the same time. And she couldn’t get enough.He moved his hands down and cupped her ass through the thin fabric of her short dress, grinding her against the growing hardness in his jeans. She swung one arm around his neck, while the other twisted the back of his shirt. “God, you taste good,” he murmured into her mouth. They’d managed to maneuver themselves against the kitchen’s stainless steel island and she braced herself by gripping its rounded edge. The arch of her body gave him full access to her neck and he quickly moved his mouth there while bringing his hands back up to engulf her breasts. Her nipples, desperate for his touch, strained against her bra. As if they’d called to him on their own, he tugged the top of her dress down over one shoulder and freed one breast from its enclosure. He laved one long, delicious lick over the engorged nipple. Her breath caught and her knees buckled. “Oh, dear,” she said with a gasp.

Her Sweet Seduction is available here:Evernight Publishing / AmazonMore teases this way...Visit my teasing friends here: Have a tease to share! Everyone is welcome. Sign up here for next week's tease:

MID WEEK TEASE: "A car like this is meant to be driven." A Peek at My #NaNoWriMo Project #MWTease

Howdy Teasers and Tease-lovers! It's MID WEEK TEASE day! If it's your first time here, the MID WEEK TEASE is a chance to read a tease from participating authors' new releases, works in progress, backlisted titles, or even flash fiction. 
It's almost November, also known as National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo or NaNo for short). It's an electrifying month when writers from all over the world commit to writing 50,000 words in just 30 days. Last year over 300,000 people participated. Not everyone flipped the calendar page to December with a shiny new novel sitting pretty on their laptop. However, I'd bet tomorrow's latte most, if not all, participants wrote more than they would've without the motivation of NaNoWriMo.  Image courtesy of National Novel Writing Month.

Even though next month is crazy busy for me, I can't let a NaNo pass without joining the party. It'll hopefully give me the motivation I need to finish my current WIP I've simply dubbed "Charlotte" for now after my heroine. I'll share snippets from Char throughout the rest of October and all through NaNoWriMo. Warning: Snippets may be written under the influence of not enough sleep and way too much coffee ~ but hey, that's the beauty of it all. Right?
Today's tease is from a scene shortly after Charlotte and Jacques met. Char's not sure what to make of Mr. de La Fontaine


"This is your car?" Her eyes glided over the pristine body of a vintage Aston Martin. 
Jacques nodded and opened the passenger door which Charlotte ignored while continuing her careful examination of the treasure before her eyes. "A sixty-five?" She guessed as her fingertips skimmed over the curve of the back taillight. 
"Close. It's a sixty-seven. Are you a car buff?"
She took her eyes off the car for a moment and met his gaze. "Not really but my father was. He used to take me to the New York car shows when I was little. His knowledge of cars rubbed off on me." Her attention returned to the gleaming icy grey paint job. "He would've loved this baby."
Jacques moved to Charlotte's side. "My father bought it for my mother for use when she was in town. It's spent most of its life in storage." 
"What a shame. A car like this is meant to be driven."
"My thoughts exactly." He waved his hand toward the opened passenger door. "How about we let her stretch her legs before heading to the restaurant?"
"What are we waiting for?" Charlotte slipped into the buttery leather seat and secured her seatbelt as he closed the door. The scent of rich leather floated up her nostrils evoking memories of times spent with her father. Her gaze traveled beyond the dimly lit dashboard to Jacques' well-dressed form as he strode to the drivers side. She smiled like a kid on Christmas in anticipation for the ride to come.
He slid in beside her, and the engine woke as he turned the key, rewarding them with the rumble of a low purr. He shifted into gear. "Where to?"
"How about cutting through the park then down to the FDR. Need directions?"

He chuckled. "I think I can find my way."

There will be more from Char and Jacques over the next few weeks. In the meantime more teases this way...Visit my teasing friends here:


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I Received My First Trunk from Trunk Club! #TrunkClub

A few weeks ago I posted my first Stitch Fix box. Since then I've received a second box which I was less than happy with the quality of the items and returned everything. I haven't given up on Stitch Fix yet but I have discovered another option - Trunk Club! Initially Trunk Club was a men's styling and shopping service but they're slowly expanding their services to women on a wait list basis.

I was only on the wait list for a couple of weeks before I received an email from my stylist, Kathleen. We communicated through email and Kathleen mentioned she liked to speak to her clients before putting a "trunk" together so we had a lovely conversation where she explained the service in more detail and answered a few of my questions. Less than a week later, my first trunk arrived! I also received emails along the way letting me know the status of my shipment. Kathleen knew my trunk was home waiting for me even before I did!

Now, to the clothes.... One word: Fabulous! Even though every piece wasn't completely my style, the quality was wonderful. I received a lot of basic wardrobe building pieces in this trunk.

Here are a few pics of what I received (my daughter's old bedroom is my new styling room :))...





Not pictured are a gorgous pair of skinny jeans. As you can see, many more pieces are in a Trunk Club shipment than a Stitch Fix box which are limited to five. Kathleen explained all of the pieces were pretty much interchangeable so I went to town and tried everything on. Here are some of the things I really liked..




Sorry, the lighting is not the best! So, what did I love? I really love the two dresses and I'm keeping the one in the last picture. It's the perfect piece to bring with me on my business trips next month. I love the first dress too, but it was too short and tight (hello, boobs) for work and I'm not sure where I'd wear it. I also love the blouse in the second picture. It's a black/purple print with a cute fringe detail down the front. It's great for work with black pants or skirt and can also be worn with jeans for a more casual look. The cardigan in the third picture felt beautiful on but it was the priciest item in the box and I couldn't justify the cost with how much I'd actually wear it. Now to the jeans...oh, the jeans...they felt beautiful on but they were REALLY skinny and even though they were ultra comfortable to wear, I didn't feel comfortable in them. I would love a pair in straight leg or even boot cut. 
I'm keeping just the beautiful plum dress and print blouse, but I'm looking forward to a great relationship with my stylist, Kathleen, and the awesomeness she's going to send me in future trunks. If you're interested in trying Trunk Club, send me a note and I'll give you Kathleen's info. I believe people who are referred do not have to be wait listed. 
Until next time, style on!