Tender to His Touch

Hollington Homecoming #4

by Adrianne Byrd

Hollington Homecoming Queen Beverly Turner is pulling out all the stops for her ten-year reunion. The trendy designer's first order of business is to let loose and have some fun. And her wish just might come true when she meets Lucius Gray. The hunky, high-powered Atlanta attorney is looking for the same thing she is: a sexy fling with no strings.Lucius needs a time-out from his workaholic life, and the chic, sensual designer more than fits the bill. Like Beverly, the single father has been burned by love. But Beverly is arousing feelings that are making him long to turn their sizzling affair into a lifetime of passion. If she'll let him, he'll give her the happy ending she deserves and prove to this unforgettable woman that there is life—and love—after college….

Genres: Romance, African American Romance, African American

224 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

National Best-selling author Adrianne Byrd has always preferred to live within the realms of her imagination where all the men are gorgeous and the women are worth whatever trouble they manage to get into. As an army brat, she traveled throughout Europe and learned to appreciate and value different cultures. Now she calls Georgia home.

Looking back, Adrianne believes her passion for writing began at the ripe old age of thirteen. It was also the age when she was introduced to romance novels by a most unlikely source: her fifteen-year old brother. The book was probably given to keep her out her brother’s hair, but it was a gift that changed her life.

In books, Adrianne found a way out of her awkward teenage years and into a world of fictional friends that would stay with her for a lifetime. It wasn’t long before her imagination took flight and she was writing her own love stories. Within a year, she completed her first book, which she vowed would never see the light of day.

Writing remained a hobby until 1994 when a co-worker approached her with an article on Romance Writers of America. Who knew there was an organization of women just like her? By 1996 she sold her first novel, Defenseless, to Kensington Publishing.

Her first release received rave reviews by Romantic Times and fans. Her other novels were consistently selected as the Magazine’s Top Pick. In 2001 Slam Jam nominated, Say You Love Me, for best romance. Her 2003 release Comfort of a Man won Romantic Times Best Multicultural Romance, Romance in Color’s Readers Choice Awards for Favorite Book, Favorite Hero, and Favorite Heroine; Shades of Romance’s Best/Arabesque Romance Book; Slam Jams Emma Award for Favorite Traditional Romance; Romance in Color’s Reviewer’s Choice Award for Author of the Year, Book of the Year and Best BET/Arabesque Book. And lastly Comfort of a Man was a 2003 Georgia Romance Writers Maggie finalist for best Contemporary. In 2004 she released her first romantic suspense novel, If You Dare, with HarperCollins. In 2006 her novel Measure of a Man was nominated for Best Multicultural Romance while her Harper Torch novel Deadly Double was nominated for an Emma. In 2007 she won an eharlequin.com Joey Award.

In 2006 Adrianne along with fellow writer Niobia Bryant penned her first Urban Novel, DESPERATE HOODWIVES, writing as De'nesha Diamond. The book is set for release February 2008 from Simon and Schuster. For more information, visit http://www.deneshadiamond.com.

Ms. Byrd has been featured in many national publications, including Today’s Black Woman, Upscale, and Heart and Soul. She has also won local awards for screenwriting. For the future, she looks forward to continue creating characters that make people smile, laugh, and fall in love.

Reviews

[Ranie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a passionate, sweet and sexy love story... I was smiling throughout the entire book...I love Beverly and Luscious' love....their characters were created with an intense depth and compassion...(I also love Clearance and Ruby)...

I highly recommend reading this book and any other books by Ms. Byrd...her literatures are fun, fascinating, appealing and overall touching...

[Mary Calton Gerard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent homecoming!

The book is an exquisite culmination and an enjoyable and entertaining series. The four authors have become writers that I appreciate and celebrate their art. The is a pleasant series!

[Terrika Finnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tender to His Touch is a excellent book. l like how it kept you on your toes throughout reading this book.

[Beckey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the last book in the Worthington Homecoming series about 8 different people coming together for a 10y reunion for their college.
Each book in the series is written by a different author. This has been an interesting series to pick up and read.
Lucius is a work-aholic, has been divorced, & is father that has joint custody of his daughter. His ex-wife has put Lucius in bad frame of mind when it comes to relationships.
Beverly has also been burned when it comes to relationships.
Beverly and Lucius hook up but can these two change thier mentality and feelings for each other to make a promising and enjoyable relationship with each other?
Very interesting series that I came accross by reading one of Brenda Jackson's books..

[SassyMama · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ms. Byrd wraps the Hollington Homecoming series up with a BIG BANG...the best book in this series...and Luscious Lucius Gray is sexy-as-all-get-out...this book is almost TOO HOT to HANDLE...WARNING: MUST have plenty ice water or man at the ready during and after reading this SPICY romantic treat...LOL...the instant attraction between Lucius and Beverly is SIZZLING...and little Miss Ruby is SIMPLY adorable...the secondary cast of characters is COLORFUL and memorable...and I love the way she catches us up on the happenings of the other couples from the previous novels...another HIT!

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, beautiful story. Though this was the last installment of the series, I can't help but say that it is also the "BEST." Unlike the remaining three Hollington books, Adrianne Byrd took it upon herself to make dialogue references from the previous books, and included a prologue and epilogue in "Tender to his touch." Lucius and Beverly's relationship was filled with passion and genuine love. I enjoyed the fact that Ms. Byrd tied every loose end of the Hollington couples and offered a sense of closure. Well done!!

[Pearl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I so enjoyed the romance between Beverly and Lucius. After much hesitation Beverly was talked into going to her tenth year College reunion, and what a treat she met the most handsome, sexy and very charming Lucius Gray. What started out with a "no strings" attached policy, just a fun filled weekend ended up with can't keep my hands to myself. A beautiful lover story. Although I don't understand why Beverly held her secret so long, but at least it made for a happy ending.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't to sure about this author after I read her two grooms and a wedding mess but since I had another one of her books I thought I would read it and pass it along to someone else but this one was soooo much better I really enjoyed it, so much so that I checked my Kimani stash to see if I had any others in that series.

Ms Adrianne Byrd has redeemed herself in my eyes lol very good book and the character Clarence was a mess he was just too funny.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG! No disrespect to the rest of the contributing authors in this series. Adrianne Byrd not only wrote "Tender To His Touch" full of juicy details, but she also included a prologue/epilogue to add the completeness to the series in which I felt like the previous stories did not. I was finally able to find out what happened to Kyra and Terrence, Chloe and Kevin, and Tamara and Micah. This was the best and an awesome read...Adrianne brought this on home.

[WANDA NASH · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book took to long to get to the story line. The sample talk about two people that I am to assume the story is going to be about. But it never told anything about them. The sample was not helpful in making me what to read the book. I really got lost in the story and the book description of the story. So if anyone has very read this book would you please tell me is this a book that I would what to read. Thank you

[Escense · Rating 4 out of 5]

A true romance story I enjoy reading Adrianne Byrd stories she gives life to her charter in “Tender to his touch” This romance story was a page turning for me couldn’t put it down just had to finish it in one day. I needed to know if the no strings attach school reunion weekend with Beverly and Lucius was all they needed to pull them away from their workaholic life style. I was not disappointed with the ending.

[Marilyn Diamond · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the Hollington College series because I could keep up and remember each story. Often times I keep asking myself did I read that book previously which series was that. I love Adrianne Byrd's work anyway and I recommend anyone that is a Kimani fan to read this book.

[Cheryl Dixon · Rating 4 out of 5]

good reading and it is the final book of the hollington homecoming mini series. It proves things aren't always what they seem.

[Elaine Tomlin]

Enjoyable read.

[Kyra Gates · Rating 4 out of 5]

Um well I felt cheated in the end

[Deena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the book! Both characters were in need of some sexual healing, and they sure got it.

Adrianne Byrd, you can write your butt off!

[Rochelle Brockenborough]

Second time reading

Wow what a great writer. Just waiting patiently for her new novel. This is one of the books in this series. Great read....

[Temptingat40 · Rating 5 out of 5]

i RECOMMOND THE WHOLE COLLECTION ITS 4 BOOKS VERY GOOD

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read first time reading a book by this author

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!!!!

[Darcia Scates · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is great. It holds your attention. It is believable. It is one of Kimani press's finest.