Alice Ward's Blog, page 7

Take a Sneak Peek at My Next Release Ace’s Wild

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Chapter OneAce

It was a new season, guaranteed to be better than the last. I was still reeling over losing our chance at the World Series. One fucking game — just one fucking game — and we could have had our chance at being champs. I knew some of the guys choked, never having been so close before, but I was used to winning, and after being in the series four times without clinching the victory, I was ready and thought the Beasts were my ticket.

Coach had given me hell, trying to throw blame on me for losing. Seriously, me? I was the best player on the team. Hell, nearly the best in the entire league with a batting average of .348 and more putouts than anyone else on the field last season.

So how the fuck was that lose mine?

The coach had called me late the night before and asked me to come in early, to talk. Yeah, fucking right! I was late, almost by an hour from the time he wanted me here, but still a few minutes early for practice.

Coach Griffin’s face was bright red, and sweat was beginning to bead up on his forehead as he leaned over his desk to spew his anger onto me. It had been awhile since I was called into his office, so I guess he’d been waiting awhile to unload onto me. I tried to listen, I truly did, but watching his dark skin turn nearly purple was distracting, and the spit that sprayed from his lips wasn’t helping me to focus.

“I get it,” I said, hoping to calm him down.

“You don’t fucking get shit!”

“Yeah, I’m late for our meeting, got it.” I clarified and offered up what I thought was a charming smirk. The look in the coach’s eyes told me he didn’t find me charismatic.

“This is serious, Ace.” His tone was finally lowering, but his breathing still rapid. Man, he was really out of shape.

“You need a glass of water?” I asked with sarcastic concern. “You’re no spring chicken anymore. You need to take it easy.”

“No, I don’t need any fucking water, and that’s something you need to understand too, Ace. You aren’t so young anymore either.”

His words cut through me like a knife. The last thing I wanted to hear or even needed to hear was that I was getting old, especially for major league baseball. I was Ace motherfuckin’ Newman, bad ass of baseball, one of the best in the league. I was the guy who could hit any pitch, catch any ball that flew even remotely near me, the one others feared on the field.

I cursed under my breath, keeping my face neutral, forcing myself to stand there and deal with this shit.

This out of shape motherfucker should be kneeling in front of me, not screaming in my face. This old fool was spouting out nonsense now, just plain nonsense.

Coach’s voice got even softer, which was more deadly than any scream. “There are plenty of guys out there faster, smarter, and younger that would love to take your place.” He looked me dead in the eye when he said it.

Nice motivation, Coach. Appreciate it.

Want the full sneak peek? CLICK HERE to download the full excerpt!

The post Take a Sneak Peek at My Next Release Ace’s Wild appeared first on Alice Ward.

Ready For Some More Ace?

If you’ve read my last release, Rookie Mistake, you’ll probably agree that Ace Newman was one of the more…uh…colorful characters in the book.

Whether you loved him or hated him, you had to admit, he was at least interesting to watch.

Well, get ready for some more of Ace’s antics because he’s next up to bat.

The second book in The Beasts of Baseball series features Ace, and –you guessed it – Holly. They definitely had a thing in the last book, and that thing continues.

Will she be able to tame the beast that is Ace Newman?

You can find out on November 1st when Ace’s Wild comes out. Until then, stay tuned for more details.

The post Ready For Some More Ace? appeared first on Alice Ward.

Rookie Mistake Is Getting Some Rave Reviews

Thank you all so much for all the great feedback you’ve given me about Rookie Mistake! I’m always just a tad nervous when I’m starting a new series and your comments have definitely been encouraging.

Here are my current favorites:

“Action packed, intriguing, and hot steamy sexual chemistry made this page turner one hell of a great read and I couldn’t put it down! Real life like characters that made you feel every emotion and shed tears of sorrow and joy! A story right out of the front pages and so very relatable and a joy to read. I can’t wait for the next installment in this series that read like a mini tv show!”

“Alice Ward has once again reaffirmed her talent!!! In my opinion books (or even movies), should bring out emotions in you. Whether they piss you off, have you laughing so hard that you wet your pants, or that you cry your heart out. Personally this is what makes a book just another book or cream of the crop!!! Alice Ward I believe you have accomplished this feat!”

“Alice Ward has done it again. She hit it out of the ball park with Rookie Mistake.”

“This book pulls you in from the start and if you weren’t addicted to this author yet..you soon will be!”

“Written beautifully as always, the author takes us on a whirlwind ride from innocence to fame and fortune. The pitfalls of jealousy and greed soon take hold, hard lessons are to be learned and sacrifices will have to be made.”

“Really good easy read. Alice has a writing style that draws me in. I don’t really like sports, but it didn’t matter. I was still able to enjoy this book.”

“I loved how it showed the struggles of trying to follow your dreams but staying true to who you are no matter how successful you become.”

Keep the comments coming!

And this surely isn’t the last ball game for The Beasts. Stay tuned to see who’s next up to bat!

Haven’t gotten your copy yet? Grab it HERE while it’s still on sale!

The post Rookie Mistake Is Getting Some Rave Reviews appeared first on Alice Ward.

Get My New Book Rookie Mistake Today

Can Calvin pitch his way out of trouble … on and off the field?

Romance lovers, my newest release, Rookie Mistake, is now LIVE and available on Amazon!

Rookie Mistake, is the very first book in my new sports-themed romance series, The Beasts of Baseball. It’s the story of Calvin Malone, a hunky pitcher who’s just made it to the major leagues. But being in the majors turns out to be a lot more than Calvin expected, however, and now he’s trying to navigate this crazy new world while struggling to hold on to the love of his life, Whitney.

Will they make it?

You’ll have to read the book to find out what happens next…

You can read the first few chapters for free HERE.

Rookie Mistake will be on sale for .99 cents during launch week so be sure to grab your copy early.

Calvin and Whitney forever!

Amazon US

Amazon UK

I thought I’d achieved everything I ever wanted. Then I lost her…

Standing on the pitcher’s mound for a professional baseball team has been my dream since I was a small boy. Now I’m here, pitching for the newest team in the league — the New York Beasts — with the woman I’ve loved since high school by my side.

Calvin and Whitney forever! Wow, we made it.

But there’s a downside to instant fame and fortune, a trap that unleashes self-control and morals. A gilded cage that separates us from the real world. This is the big city, the major leagues — the big time. And temptation is around every corner. People change. We changed. Neither for the better. I don’t even recognize us anymore.

Calvin and Whitney forever? I used to think so, but the beasts that had been hibernating in both of us have taken control, and now I’m not so sure. The dream has become a nightmare. Can we wake and find our way back to each other?

NOTE: Although this is the first book in the series, it has an emotionally charged HEA you won’t soon forget, and no cliffhanger.

The post Get My New Book Rookie Mistake Today appeared first on Alice Ward.

Take A Peek At My Upcoming Release Rookie Mistake

Chapter One

I’d dreamed of this day, for how long I couldn’t even remember. I knew I was a boy, maybe seven, watching the New York Yankees play against… who was it? I couldn’t recall, but I remembered the excitement that soared through my grandfather’s living room that afternoon.

My pops, grandfather, and I were all rooting them on. The way my pops screamed at the TV, you would have thought he was right there in the action, hoping to get their attention as he yelled for them to run! When they won, he grabbed me by the waist and lifted me high in the air.

“You’re a man now, my boy!” he shouted, then gave me a sip of his beer. It was bitter and almost made me sick to swallow, but I did, because I was a man. After that day, I knew I would one day be a man like the ones wearing the blue striped uniforms. I was going to be a major league baseball player. I was certain of it.

Right now, I felt more like a pussy because my damn hands trembled as I took my first steps towards the pitching mound of the gleaming new stadium, sweat streaming down my face in rivers.

That was okay. Rookie nerves. That was me — a rookie. For the newest and most badass team in the Majors.

I made it!

“Welcome to the New York Beasts,” a man with a sun-crinkled face and large potbelly greeted me. “I’m Coach Griffin.” I extended my hand, hoping that it wasn’t covered in sweat from my anxiety and greeted my new coach. “I’ve heard great things about you.”

“Thank you, sir, it’s a pleasure to be here,” I said, trying to keep the awe from my voice.

Last year, I’d been thrilled to find myself in the minors straight out of college and had worked my ass off to deserve a spot on a team. Then, out of nowhere, I got the call that I’d be a replacement pitcher for the Beasts. One of their starters was in an accident that ended his career, and they wanted me to replace him.

Me.

And now I was standing on the mound where I would pitch for New York’s newest team. It wasn’t the Yankees, but I knew my pops would be proud nonetheless.

“Let’s introduce you to your team,” Coach Griffin suggested with a pat on my back and a nod towards the dugout and the locker room beyond.

“Listen up, fellas!” Coach Griffin yelled into the chaotic locker room that was larger than most people’s entire home. The main portion was a gigantic oval featuring six-feet wide lockers surrounding the perimeter. Each locker boasted a massaging leather chair and recessed television and sound system with personal headphones to keep the noise to a minimum. There were doors leading to bathrooms, a state-of-the-art weight room, as well as areas for physical therapy and recovery. The clubhouse also featured a high-tech theater with enough seating for the entire team to review post-game analysis. I’d never seen anything like it.

The men didn’t seem to notice or pay attention, so Coach pulled out his whistle and gave it a long, hard blow. “I want you to meet your new starting pitcher.”

The men calmed, and the room became eerily quiet as their eyes fell upon me. They all began walking toward the central meeting area. I looked around, somewhat intimidated to meet the group directly in the eye, but with so many in various stages of undress, looking down put me in a very uncomfortable position as well.

“This is Calvin Malone,” Coach announced, again patting me on the back.

There was a round of handshakes and head nods, then the men went back to their lockers, getting ready for practice. Coach led me to the locker with Calvin Malone engraved at the top, pointing out the stacks of practice gear and cleats. My days of washing my own uniform were over.

“You’re gonna do fine, Calvin. Just keep your chin up, your nose clean, and your eye on the ball, kid,” Coach Griffin said with encouragement. “Practice starts in twenty minutes!” I watched as he exited the locker room.

“So, you’re the new star pitcher?” a voice sounded from behind me. I turned, instantly recognizing Ace Newman, star shortstop and power hitter. His leathered skin didn’t take away from his rugged good looks, and the small goatee that dangled from his chin as he chomped on his gum only seemed to add to his powerful presence.

“Yep, I’m Calvin Malone,” I introduced myself, extending my hand to shake his.

“I got that, kid,” he said as he glanced down at my hand that now was left awkwardly extended between us. “Where’d ya come from?”

“Indiana,” I replied, yanking my hand back and shoving my fists into my pockets.

“No shit, that’s written all over your corn-fed face,” he said, half-laughing as he spoke. “I meant what team?”

“Well, I graduated from the Red Hawks last year and was all set to play triple A for the Beasts, but got the call to come here before I even played my first game.”

“Whooweeee, so you’re practically a college drafted starting pitcher, you must have one helluva arm on ya.” Sarcasm oozed from Ace’s lips as easily as his drawl. He leaned over, spit his gum into the trash can by my feet and then grinned. “Stick with me, kid. I’ll show ya the ropes around here.”

I was psyched that Ace Newman was a fellow Beast. A notorious player, he had a short fuse and loud temper. He spent plenty of time screaming in the umpires’ face, throwing bats against the fence, and even threatening other players. He was a wild card, but one of the best players in the league. I knew very little about the owner, Rhett Hamilton, and had yet to meet him, but if he had the money to score Ace Newman, and the balls to try and control him, then he must be a pretty powerful player himself.

The whistle sounded from outside the locker room door, and Coach poked his head inside just long enough to yell, “Let’s go!”

“Good to have you on the team,” Marty Peters said as he walked by. He was a first baseman from Atlanta. Not the most impressive player, but there were rumors of a bad breakup that led to his falling stats last season.

“Thank you, glad to be here,” I replied and then followed the rest of the team — my team — onto the field.

It was surreal walking back to the mound, this time with players I’d watched for years. Ace picked up a bat and headed to home plate. “Show me what you got, kid,” he shouted.

My palms were sweating as I picked up the ball next to my feet, then stretched out my arm and shoulder, loosening up the tight muscles. I continued to stretch as I waited for the catcher to suit up. Ace pounded his bat into the dirt, kicked a clearing for his feet and pushed dust over the plate as he waited for me to wind up my pitch.

“You ready, hot stuff?” he yelled.

I nodded. “Ready.”

Shit.

Was I ready?

 

Want the full sneak peek? CLICK HERE  to download the excerpt.

The post Take A Peek At My Upcoming Release Rookie Mistake appeared first on Alice Ward.

Get A Look At The Cover For Rookie Mistake

Exciting news!

I’ve started working on a brand new series called The Beasts of Baseball, and the first book in the series, my next upcoming release, is called Rookie Mistake.

Rookie Mistake tells the story of Calvin Malone, who pitches for his small-town minor league baseball team. Calvin is a simple man with simple dreams. He wants to make it to the majors one day and he wants to marry his high school sweetheart, Whitney.

Then one of Calvin’s dreams comes true, and he gets drafted by a major league team.

Here are Calvin’s thoughts from the opening paragraphs:

I’d dreamed of this day, for how long I couldn’t even remember. I knew I was a boy, maybe seven, watching the New York Yankees play against… who was it? I couldn’t recall, but I remembered the excitement that soared through my grandfather’s living room that afternoon.

My pops, grandfather, and I were all rooting them on. The way my pops screamed at the TV, you would have thought he was right there in the action, hoping to get their attention as he yelled for them to run! When they won, he grabbed me by the waist and lifted me high in the air.

“You’re a man now, my boy!” he shouted, then gave me a sip of his beer. It was bitter and almost made me sick to swallow, but I did, because I was a man. After that day, I knew I would one day be a man like the ones wearing the blue striped uniforms. I was going to be a major league baseball player. I was certain of it.

 

But Calvin quickly realizes that what started as a dream ends up being more of a nightmare. A nightmare that threatens everything he has, including his future with Whitney.

I’ll stop there. I don’t want to give too much away just yet.

But here’s a peek at the cover. What do you think? I don’t know about you, but I have always loved watching baseball players in action.

Rookie Mistake will be released at the very beginning of October. But don’t worry, you’ll hear much more about it between now and then.

The post Get A Look At The Cover For Rookie Mistake appeared first on Alice Ward.

What People Are Saying About Secrets

I just wanted to reach out and say thank you for all the great feedback I’ve been getting about Secrets!

Here are some of my favorite comments so far:

“Talk about an amazing story and hope that there’s a continuation of this one. Would love to know more about their future.”

“You will be drawn into the story. It is so full of suspense, twist and turns it has you wondering what is going to happen next. Alice did a great job on this book.”

“I love Cristiano! This story took twists and turns I wasn’t prepared for, but it was juicy!”

“Alice Ward writes a beautiful story of unconditional love and self-sacrifice…The plot was exceptionally well thought out and although there was a certain amount of turmoil, I…remained totally immersed in their romance throughout the book.”

“Loved this book. Couldn’t put it down. I had to know the ending.”

“I loved the storyline & the characters. It kept my attention from the beginning till the end.”

It’s no secret (no pun intended!) that I love t hear from you guys. So if you’ve read Secrets, reach out and let me know what you thought of it.

Haven’t gotten your copy yet? Grab it HERE while it’s still on sale!

The post What People Are Saying About Secrets appeared first on Alice Ward.

The Secret Is Finally Out!

Is Blaire falling in love with the wrong Mr. Right?

Well…the cat is finally out of the bag!

My newest release, Secrets, is now LIVE and available on Amazon!

Secrets, the second book in my Lords of the City series, tells the story of Blaire, who falls in love with a dark and mysterious man, Cristiano. But in addition to falling prey to Cristiano’s dangerously good looks, Blaire realizes that being with Cristiano might be putting her in actual physical danger.

You’ll have to read it to find out what happens next, but if you want to take a quick peek, you can read the first chapter for free HERE.

Secrets will be on sale for .99 cents during launch week so if you want to find out what Blaire and Cristiano are hiding, get it now before the price goes up.

Amazon US

Amazon UK

Who is stalking Blaire and is her new love, Cristiano, involved?

After following other people’s orders my entire life, I’ve finally struck out on my own. I realize that I don’t even know who I am. It’s time I found out who Blaire Daniels really is. I need to discover myself… reinvent myself.

And, if the breathtakingly sexy and handsome, not to mention super rich, Cristiano Leventis is a part of that equation, who am I to complain?

But, is it just coincidence that I meet him now? When I think someone is following me? Or is something more sinister going on? Please don’t let me be falling in love with the wrong man. He seems like such a perfect Mr. Right…

Although this novel is part of the Lords of the City series, it is a full-sized STANDALONE novel with an HEA and NO CLIFFHANGERS.

The post The Secret Is Finally Out! appeared first on Alice Ward.

Read An Excerpt From My Upcoming Release Secrets

Chapter One

A breeze wafted in through my bedroom window, lifting the lace curtains. Down on the street two floors below, a car honked and someone shouted in Spanish. Women chattered and birds chirped. Spring. It had arrived just as gloriously as it always did.

I took a deep breath and gazed at myself in the floor-length mirror leaning against the wall. I meant to hang it weeks ago, but like so much else in the apartment, I just hadn’t gotten around to it. Nearly six months into the lease and I still wasn’t sure how I felt about living alone. It was weird, waking up in the middle of the night and being able to do whatever I wanted. I knew it was good… well, hopefully I would one day see it as good. Besides, it was past time to cross living alone off the bucket list. But it was still odd, just like almost everything else that had happened in my life this past year.

I brushed some of my blonde hair from my eyes and twisted my lips, making a funny face at myself.

“Don’t be nervous,” I said out loud. “You got this.”

I scrunched up my nose, Mirror Me not believing Right Side Me.

“Really,” I stressed to my reflection, giving myself an encouraging fist pump. “Really.”

The one seriously fantastic bonus about living alone that I had discovered? You could talk to yourself twenty-four-seven, and no one else was around to look at you funny.

With a confident nod at myself, I turned from the mirror to rifle through one of my jewelry boxes. My recent visit to the Swap-O-Rama flea market had turned into something akin to hitting a gold mine. Brightly colored chunky bracelets now filled one side of my blue velvet jewelry box. I selected a coral one and an orange one, slipping them both on my left wrist, the blend the perfect complement to my reddish-orange and white romper. Just being fully accessorized had a way of making me feel better.

Snatching up my leather fringed purse from the bed, I left the bedroom and crossed the tiny living room.

“Phone,” I murmured to myself, feeling in the bag for it. “Keys… check.”

I unlocked the front door and yanked it open… then let out a yelp.

“Sorry.” Derek grinned, gazing down at me. His unruly brown hair fell down over one side of his face, nearly hiding one of his eyes. He looked like a college kid trying to be goth. When I first met him, I thought he was actually younger than he was, mostly because of the hair.

I exhaled loudly. “It’s all right. I was just… lost in my head. How are you?”

“Good.”

I rolled up onto my tiptoes so I could reach his face and give him a quick peck on the lips.

“Were you leaving?” He shifted his weight and rested an arm against the doorway. “Yeah, I’m going to the orphanage today. Remember?”“Oh, yeah. That’s right.” He straightened up. “Well, let me walk you to your car.” “Sure.”

“Oh, yeah. That’s right.” He straightened up. “Well, let me walk you to your car.” “Sure.”

Derek stepped out of the way and waited silently while I pulled the door to my apartment closed and locked it up.

“How’s it going over there?” he asked as we clomped down the stairs.

“Good.” I smiled just thinking of their faces. “The kids at Hampton Road are great.”

He pushed the building’s front door open and held it for me as I hurried through and out onto the bright sidewalk. “I parked on the street last night,” I explained. “Just down a bit. I’m sorry you stopped by for nothing. I thought you knew Saturday was going to be my regular day there.”

He shrugged before looping an arm around my shoulder. I pressed up against him, the crook of his arm warm and familiar. Derek and I had been dating for about four months, ever since we met through mutual friends at a concert. He was the only man I’d been with in the whole last year and the relationship sometimes seemed too good to be true. It was smooth, easy. We had our own things that we did separately, and we had our things that we did together. It was my life and his life, the two existing independently but meeting in the middle like one of those bubble graphs showing what two variables had in common. It was a simple and well-defined formula. It worked for us.

Wait. Was that called a bubble chart? Or was there another name for it?

“It’s all right,” Derek replied, jarring me out of my head. “I have a few hours to kill before work.”

I nodded, trying to act like I totally hadn’t spaced out for a few seconds. “How’s it going at the shop?”

“Pretty good. Lots of people bringing in their cars to get checked out before they go on vacation.”

We stopped next to my silver Honda. “I can hang out later,” I told him. “When do you get off work?”

He shrugged. “Depends on what time Rodney leaves. I’ll text you.”

“Okay.” I smiled up at him. “Maybe we can catch a movie or something if you’re not too tired.”

“Yeah, there’s that new James Bond.”

I wrinkled my nose slightly.

Derek laughed, the smile transforming his face. “Come on. You’re the last person who should hate James Bond.”

I snorted. “It’s so fake.”

“Every movie is fake. Those romances you love, especially. People don’t just meet and fall in love then get married all in one week.”

I gently swatted his arm. “That’s not how they go!”

“Close enough.”

“Yeah, yeah,” I said, knowing he was right. “Whatever. Well, either way, have a good day.”

“You too, babe.” Derek bent down to kiss me, then turned with a wave before striding off down the street.

Realizing that I had no clue as to what the exact time was, I quickly pulled my keys from my purse and hopped into the car. Being late on my third day of volunteering would not be good. The staff there was friendly and understanding, but I’d been raised to never make people wait. Any time I did it, I ended up feeling awful about myself.

On the first day to Hampton Road Orphanage, I used GPS to take me there. On the second day, I used my memory but then ended up taking the wrong road once or twice. Surely by my third day, I would finally have it down.

Heading out of Chicago after the weekend rush hour meant traffic was fairly light, and I made it to the three-story brownstone in great time. Tall oak trees dappled the small gravel parking lot with shade, making it the perfect temperature. Built decades before as a summer home for some rich scholarly family, a full wraparound porch hugged the building. Lush green grass stretched out all around the property, giving it an impressive amount of land when compared to the lower middle-class houses clumped together on the rest of the street.

I tossed my sunglasses on the passenger seat next to my purse, then locked the car and left everything behind. The upcoming day’s activities were still a mystery, but since my other volunteer hours had involved cleaning the kitchen and taking a group to the park to play basketball, this third one would likely be just as physically involved. I didn’t want to be encumbered by a bag hanging off my shoulder or a ringing cell phone.

I took the front porch steps two at a time, escaping into the cooler air of the awning. Before I could open the door, it flew open, a little face appearing only inches above the door knob.

“Blaire!” Jenny yelled up at me, her strawberry blonde pigtails bouncing along with her feet. “Blaire!”

Though there were a couple dozen kids in the orphanage and I wasn’t even close to remembering half of their names, Jenny would be the hardest to forget. At six, she was one of the most precocious and social kids I’d ever run into. She was also a master manipulator as the orphanage’s director quietly told me on the first day. Jenny could design excuses to get what she wanted like a spider weaves webs.

“Hi Jenny,” I said, stepping inside. “You answer the door now?”

“Jenny!” a woman’s voice called from somewhere down the long hallway.

Jenny ignored the call, instead keeping her pale blue eyes trained on me. “Cris… Cris… on is here.”

“Oh.” I paused, not having even the tiniest idea what the child was talking about. “Okay…well, that’s nice.”

Teresa, the home’s director, popped her head out of the doorway leading to the kitchen. “Jenny! Aren’t you going to go play Red Rover? They’re out there waiting for you.”

“Okay!” the little girl yelled, turning and barreling down the hallway. The back screen door gave under her palms, and a second later, she vanished into the back yard. Realizing the front door was still left hanging wide open, I turned around and gently shut it.

Teresa came out into the hallway, the dozens of gold bangles she always wore clinking together musically as she lifted a hand to brush some silver and black streaked hair from her brow.

“Blaire,” she sighed. “You’re looking good. I love those bracelets. How are you?”

I smiled wide. “Great! How are you?”

“Just fine,” she said with a bright smile of her own. Though Teresa easily had one of the craziest jobs in the whole city, she always moved with grace, constantly wearing a smile and giving her full attention to whoever was in front of her. She reminded me of my mother in a way, although a much calmer version of the woman who raised me. Maybe it was her warmth. She had told me she’d never had any children of her own, but to see her with the twenty kids who lived at Hampton Road, it was clear she felt very motherly towards each and every one of them.

“Good, good.” She sighed lightly and rested her hands on her hips. “Thanks for coming on a Saturday. Amy is busy getting the last minute stuff together for her wedding, so she’s gone until tomorrow. Until then it’s just me.”

“Oh, no worries. It’s my pleasure. I can even stay longer today if you want me to. I have nothing going on.”

She bit her bottom lip, her eyebrows bunching together. “Let’s see… it seems to me I had something… hmm…” She ran her thumb over her lip, thinking hard. “There was something I had planned for you to do, but now I just don’t remember it. Oh well.” She threw her hands up in defeat.

“I can help clean,” I suggested. “Or take some kids to the park. You know, whatever you need.”

She smiled. “Oh, that’s all right. I don’t think any of them will want to leave. One of their favorite visitors is here. He’s out back playing with them.”

I cocked my head. “Really?”

“Mm-hmm. Cristiano Leventis.”

My heart flipped. “The Cristiano Leventis?”

“You’ve heard of him?”

I slowly nodded. “He was on the local news last month. I don’t remember which station, but he was in this segment about up and coming Chicago entrepreneurs.”

“I saw that!” she exclaimed, then wiggled her eyebrows. “He looked so good.”

Yes, he did. So good, in fact, that the sight of his face had bestowed me with my first real

insta-crush in years. I hadn’t gone so ga-ga for a guy I didn’t know since fourth grade and N’Sync’s first album cover. His raven black hair, olive toned skin and sparkling amber eyes had practically melted me to the couch cushion.

I swallowed hard. “C-cool.” So that was what Jenny had been trying to spit out. Cristiano was there, in the flesh.

Teresa smiled even wider. “Why don’t you go out and play with them? He’s a really wonderful young man.” She winked at me. “He’s single too… as far as I know.”

I nodded, blushed, and squirmed all at the same time, suddenly feeling put on the spot. Could Teresa read the effect the mention of Cristiano’s name had on me? “All right,” I said with a thick tongue.

Stay professional, I told myself. This isn’t about you getting kicks from the attention of some semi-famous hot guy.

Want the full sneak peek? CLICK HERE  to download the excerpt.
The full book releases on September 14th.

CLICK HERE to be notified as soon as the book is on Amazon and be the first to download it at the new release sale price. You’ll also join my VIP Readers’ Club and get a FREE BOOK as a welcome gift!

The post Read An Excerpt From My Upcoming Release Secrets appeared first on Alice Ward.

My Tasty New Release Recipe For Lust Is Live

Just how does a good girl from LA end up in the tabloids with a famous chef, surrounded by scandal and betrayal?

I’m excited to announce that my newest release, Recipe For Lust, is now LIVE and available on Amazon! It’s currently on sale for $0.99 during launch week.

I hope my sensual recipe series of posts has whet your appetite for this one. I can’t wait to hear what you think of it. You can let me know in the comments (and also on Amazon by leaving a review).

Amazon US

Amazon UK

Combine two hot guys and one lonely girl. Add a teaspoon of longing and a pinch of drama, and what do you get? The perfect recipe for lust.

My life had been one big comfort zone — long term boyfriend, long term friends, long term boring life. I wanted sizzle. Something new. Something different. When they say you better be careful what you wish for… believe me, you better.

I’m Claire Walker, and on a whim, I applied for the hot reality show, Extreme Cuisine, to launch my dream career as a chef. I soon found out I’d bit off more than I could chew when I was tossed into the pressure cooker of the show.

Over nine long weeks, I served up my best, even while cameras and everyone else watched my every move. So, how does a good girl from LA end up in the tabloids with a famous chef, surrounded by scandal and betrayal? Welcome to my life…

Remember Claire from Unraveling the Billionaire? If you loved Lauren and Asher, you’ll adore Claire and her journey to step out of her comfort zone, take a few risks, and discover love. Beware, it’s hot in the kitchen. 18+

This is a standalone book so even if you haven’t yet read Unraveling the Billionaire you can jump right into this one with no problems. HEA included.

The post My Tasty New Release Recipe For Lust Is Live appeared first on Alice Ward.