Nona Raines became hooked on romances when she first picked up "The Flame and the Flower" by Kathleen Woodiwiss (and she's not telling how long ago that was). Romances may have changed since then, but her love for a good love story has not. She's been writing off and on for years, but it was only when she joined the Central New York Romance Writers Association that she finally gained the support and confidence she needed to complete a manuscript.
Nona lives in upstate New York with her many pets and is currently working on her next novel. A former librarian, she enjoys reading books of all genres and discussing them with others. She is thrilled to finally be able to call herself an author and looks forward to hearing from readers.
Places to find Nona:
And He Cooks, Too
I'm very excited to be at Ramblings From This Chick today! Thanks so much!
There's something very romantic about a man who cooks. I'm not talking about someone who knocks together a sandwich or grills a couple of hot dogs. I mean a guy who's comfortable in the kitchen. He doesn't have to be Bobby Flay, but he can deliver a yummy meal without leaving the kitchen in a shambles.
The hero of my erotic romance Take This Man is such a guy. Adam Vostek learned to cook when he was a kid. His mother worked long hours as the sole support of the family and cooking supper was his job, just as picking up was his brother's. As an adult, he doesn't have much opportunity to use his talents until his former lover Elyse comes back to town.
Let me tell you a little bit about Take This Man.
The biggest mistake of Elyse Zemanski's life was falling in love with Adam. When a night of sexual fantasy went too far, she was crushed and couldn't leave town fast enough.
The biggest mistake of Adam Vostek's life was letting Elyse go. He'd been afraid of the love she promised and pushed her away—into another man's arms...and bed.
When Elyse returns to Summit to help a friend, Adam wants a second chance to prove he’s worthy—in and out of the bedroom. She claims she's over him, but one look from those smoldering dark eyes, and she throws caution to the wind. Elyse offers him seven days of wild sex, hoping to get him out of her system. Adam's good to go on the sex. But will a week be enough to win back Elyse's love and trust?
Actions speak louder than words, and the truth is some men find the words "I love you" extremely hard to say. Adam's inability to say them helped destroy what he and Elyse once had. Now he wants her back but she's not ready to hear them. One of the ways he tries to win her over (outside of the bedroom, that is) is by preparing some tasty meals. They say the way to a man's heart is through his stomach, but Adam hopes he'll be able to reach Elyse by making this special effort for her.
Today I'm offering a giveaway of the ebook novella Take This Man. Please leave a comment. Has anyone ever cooked a romantic meal for you? Or have you done that for someone else? What was the most romantic meal you ever had? I look forward to your responses.
Thanks again for having me here today!
The biggest mistake of Elyse Zemanski's life was falling in love with Adam. When a night of sexual fantasy went too far, she was crushed and couldn't leave town fast enough.
The biggest mistake of Adam Vostek's life was letting Elyse go. He'd been afraid of the love she promised and pushed her away—into another man's arms...and bed.
When Elyse returns to Summit to help a friend, Adam wants a second chance to prove he’s worthy—in and out of the bedroom. She claims she's over him, but one look from those smoldering dark eyes, and she throws caution to the wind. Elyse offers him seven days of wild sex, hoping to get him out of her system. Adam's good to go on the sex. But will a week be enough to win back Elyse's love and trust?
Purchase: | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | All Romance | Wild Rose Press |
His velvety tongue stroked hers—he tasted sweet and minty. Her own tongue played inside his mouth to catch more of the flavor. In a fog of lust, she rocked her body against his cock, teasing him. The heat in her belly was now a bonfire showering her with sparks. Her lips, breasts, and pussy were all aflame.
Someone cleared his throat nearby, and Elyse fell back to reality with a thump. An older couple passed nearby, the man glaring at them with disapproval, the woman trying to hide a smile. She flashed Elyse a wink over Adam's shoulder.
Adam pulled away with a groan. He opened her door and practically tossed her inside. In a blink, he was in his seat, giving her a searing look. Then his shoulders shook with laughter. “You're always getting me in trouble in public.”
“It's your fault,” she told him, her hand creeping to his thigh.
“Oh, right. My fault.” His large hand mimicked hers, resting on her thigh and gliding under her dress. She purred and adjusted her legs, opening to give him better access. His fingers skimmed lightly along her skin—now prickling with goosebumps. Meanwhile, Elyse stroked the bulge in his pants lightly, teasing him with her thumb.
Her breath slowed as he played at the juncture of her thighs, toying with the elastic of her panties. Her clit tingled, she was so close. She grasped Adam's fullness in her hand and he hissed. Then he snatched his hand away and removed hers, placing it safely on her seat.
Elyse moaned in frustration. “No fair.”
“Too many people here.” He spoke through gritted teeth. He turned the key, started the ignition. “My place.”
She pouted, even though she knew he was right. Shifting on her seat, she suppressed a groan. Her pussy was so wet and her clit so tender, it was agony to move.
He glanced at her as they pulled out of the lot. “You all right?”
“No,” she muttered. “I'm dying. Hurry, get us there.” She pressed her thighs together, but that just made her more aware of the throbbing.
“Just hang on.”
Pulling her dress to her the tops of her thighs, she gave him a sultry look. She needed to torture him a little. “I could play with myself, take the edge off.”
“Don't you dare.” His voice was thick. “I'm the only one who's gonna make you come tonight.”
1 lucky commenter will win a eBook copy of Take This Man
To Enter:
a Rafflecopter giveaway- Please answer Nona's question: Has anyone ever cooked a romantic meal for you? Or have you done that for someone else? What was the most romantic meal you ever had?
- Please fill out the Rafflecopter form.
Good Luck =)
What a great post! I think the most romantic thing my hubby has cooked for me was a meal I had wistfully asked for before leaving the house. It was a cold day, and I was spending the day outside coaching a horse show. I had said, "What I wouldn't give to come home to beef stew." Well, I came home to a pot of stew he'd simmered all day on the wood stove, complete with homemade biscuits. The kids were so excited to see what I thought! He got a nice reward for that meal!
ReplyDeleteMia, what a sweetie your husband is! And homemade biscuits, besides! What a thoughtful man. How cute that your kids were excited, too. Goes to show that beef stew can be just as romantic as pheasant under glass. Thanks so much for commenting.
DeleteMeals and my husband do not go well together. Our first date consisted of him cooking me the blandest, driest tuna salad known to mankind. Every time he made burgers, they came out overdone.
ReplyDeleteBut I didn't marry him for his skills in the kitchen. ;)
Hey, Abigail, its the thought that counts, right? He sounds like a great guy just for trying! Although tuna salad can be a little tricky--everybody seems to have their own way of doing it. I like mine with pickle relish. Congrats on your great guy and thanks for commenting.
DeleteI'm just the opposite of Abigail. Every meal my husband makes is romantic to me because I hate the kitchen. I think the most romantic meal took place when we first met. He made homemade Manicotti and we ate by candlelight.
ReplyDeleteLisa, you're a smarty to marry a guy with mad kitchen skills. I'm a sucker for Italian food, so I can understand you falling for him over homemade manicotti! Thanks a lot for stopping by and sharing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for a great post! I have zero kitchen skills and have been nicely asked not to cook :) But we love to go out for romantic dinners :)
ReplyDeleteI'm with you, Erin. Dinners out are very romantic, especially since there are no dishes to wash afterwards! I think you've worked out a great system, not being asked to cook. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteMy husband didn't know how to cook much, so when he did cook anything, I considered it a romantic gesture. I figure anything I didn't have to cook was great, even if it was just scrambled eggs and toast.
ReplyDeleteYou're right. Any meal we don't have to cook ourselves is a treat! It's the thought and effort that count, so your guy gets points for giving it a try. Thanks for commenting.
DeleteI love to cook and bake, so I'm usually the one plying the guy with chocolate desserts. No one's really cooked for me, though a guy once sent me cookies in college...
ReplyDeletevitajex(at)aol(dot)com
Well, vitajex, you'd know if the way to a man's heart is really through his stomach! I like to bake too, but my goodies usually end up in my stomach. Thanks a lot for stopping by.
DeleteOnce for me, when I was pregnant and on bed rest my husband made filet mignon and little bilinis some New Year's Gourmet menu that was fantastic and served me sparkling cider for New Years, it was quite special.
ReplyDeleteOh, wow, that is a very special menu, Em. Your husband sounds like such a thoughtful man. That must be a very special New Year's in your memory. Thanks so much for commenting.
DeleteI don't think I've ever had a man cook me a romantic meal. I have cooked "special" meals for someone before though. Usually a good steak, potato, and greens meal with a nice glass of wine. As far as the most romantic meal I've ever had, I would have to say I haven't had one. I need more romance in my life!
ReplyDeletePatricia, once guys find out what a good cook you are, you should have no problem getting more romance in your life! Steak and potatoes? That sounds like a meal most men would love. Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteThe book sounds great, I'm entering the giveaway :) My man cooks, much better than I do. On our first date he cooked us a wonderful Italian dinner, complete with candlelight.
ReplyDeleteMmm, another guy who cooks Italian food. Yummy! It's great that your man is so handy in the kitchen--then you don't have to do the cooking every night! Thanks for entering, Kathryn, and for commenting.
DeleteI usually make the romantic meals...Surf and Turf and chocolate covered strawberries.
ReplyDeleteYvette
yratpatrol@aol.com
Surf and turf is quite the meal to appeal to a hungry man and chocolate covered strawberries make a romantic and delicious dessert! Thanks for stopping by and entering the contest, Yvette!
DeleteThis sounds like a great book! Thanks for sharing and the chance to win! Ive just cooked my parents anniversary dinner. I made some of there favorites and escaped the house before anything happened. lol
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you made your parents a very romantic anniversary dinner, Shadow! And you gave them privacy, too. I'm sure you made it a very special evening for them. They're lucky to have a daughter like you. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteUnfortunately I haven't had either :( hopefully one day soon lol
ReplyDeleteThanks for the awesome giveaway!
cassandrahicks1989@yahoo.com
Don't give up hope, Cassandra! I'm sure there are lots of romantic dinners awaiting you in the future. Thanks for coming by to comment. Make sure you enter the rafflecopter thingie above!
DeleteI haven't yet.
ReplyDeletebn100, I like to make myself a beautiful meal sometimes or treat myself at a restaurant. It's not exactly "romantic", but it makes me feel special. Thanks for taking time to stop by!
Delete