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Thursday, July 11, 2013

Guest Post with Author Naima Simone and Giveaway

Welcome author Naima Simone to RFTC. Naima is here to chat and share about her newest book, Secrets and Sins: Gabriel.

Naima Simone is a multi-published author in contemporary and erotic romance. She’s a member of RWA’s Southern Magic chapter, mother of the Dynamic Duo, lover of everything Vin Diesel and wife to the fabulous husband who tolerates this affair.

Places to find Naima:


We Were Meant for Each Other…You Just Don’t Know It

When I was younger, I wrote in my diary about how Eugene Dudley looked at me across a dinner of hamburger patties and corn at our after school program. And when he aimed the ball directly toward me during our evening kickball game just so I could catch it. Not Tammy Taylor. Me. Never mind that my sister would pick the lock on said diary and write her own opinions of my observations, I knew he had feelings for me. Or in the eighth grade when Michael Myler stole my language arts workbook and drew pictures of penises and “NKOTB Sucks!” in it. Sigh. It was just his singular way of articulating his love for me. Or in college when Tony Oh-My-God-You-Look-Just-Like-the-Guy-From-Bone-Thugs-‘n-Harmony asked me to braid his hair, I read between the lines. He wanted me…maybe not after he had to jump out of my dorm room window when the hair-braiding session ran a little long, and he landed face first in the mud… But before that? Oh yeah, we were meant for each other.

With some distance—and a degree in Psychology—I can tell these were definitely cases of grand, all-consuming love…on my part. But for Eugene, Michael and Tony? Hmmm. Not so much. Like me, I’m sure we have all experienced instances of unrequited love. In my new romantic suspense novel Secrets and Sins: Gabriel from Entangled Suspense, my heroine Leah Bannon has loved Gabriel Devlin since she was fifteen. She compares it to having “eaten too much cotton candy and discovered the perfect shade of nail polish at the same time—fluttery and delighted.” And even though he lost his wife in a tragic car accident, she knows he’s as married today as he was two years ago. She can never have him... Or can she? You’ll have to read to find out!

So here’re some famous couples who’ve bitten the bitter fruit of love unreciprocated. Well actually it tastes more like chicken…

Charlie Brown and that Little Redhead Girl – Apparently the Lil’ Redhead Girl doesn’t appreciate a man with a ginormous, uh, brain. Charlie Brown should just give it up and get with Peppermint Patty. Althooough, me thinks there’s a tad bit of ambiguity there…

Cyrano de Bergerac and Roxane – Cyrano should’ve went for it. He might’ve found Roxane would’ve loved him for his soul like she did Christian at the end. Worst case scenario, she rejected him, and he could’ve bopped her in the head with his nose.

The Little Mermaid and the Prince – Don’t get me started. She saved the prince’s life, was his dedicated companion, danced for him because it lightened his heart, even though every step was like daggers stabbing her feet. She gave up her family and voice. And this ingrate went and married some other chick who just showed up? I would’ve knifed him, got my tail back and hooked up with the first merman I swam into.

Jacob and Bella – Jacob loved Bella but she fell for Edward, the sensitive, I’ll-tear-that-headboard-up vampire. So instead of just hooking up with another werewolf he bonds himself to Bella and Edwards’s offspring…That’s just a little bit creepy, dude. It’s like he said, I’d rather have half of Bella than none of her. Thing is, the other half is Edward. So that’s like the weirdest ménage ever!

And last but not least…

Me and Vin Diesel – Although I wouldn’t really call this unrequited because Vin does love me, he just can’t afford to let the world know because of his situation and my situation… So it’s just best if we keep our relationship on the DL…

There you go! Thank you for letting me visit with you! I had a ball! Now I must go. For some reason there’s a sheriff with a restraining order at my door… I wonder whatever for…



Twenty years ago, Leah Bannon’s beloved Uncle Richard vanished without a trace. Leah, now a private investigator, begins to suspect it was murder. When she reopens the cold case, Gabriel Devlin—-the man she loves but can never have—-inexplicably stands in her way.

Only four people know the truth about Richard’s mysterious disappearance—-Gabriel and three childhood friends...who have all sworn to take that secret to the grave. But a hidden enemy wants those shocking secrets brought to light...even if he has to kill to make it happen.

After experiencing an unimaginable loss two years ago, Gabriel refuses to put himself through the pain of loving someone who could be gone in an instant. But as he thwarts Leah’s investigation at every turn—-both to keep his friends’ pact, and to keep her safe from danger—-the sexy PI makes it impossible for him to protect his secrets. Or his heart...

Purchase: | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo |

Check out what's up for grabs.
Up For Grabs:
  • 1 lucky person will win a Boston Strong + Gabriel swag

To Enter: 
  • Please leave a comment or question for Naima.
  • US/Canada Shipping ONLY.
  • Please fill out the Rafflecopter form.

Good Luck! 
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14 comments :

  1. LOL... thanks for the fun post!!! I was more the silent stalker type when I was younger... if a boy caught my fancy at school, I'd spend all of my time staring at them... methinks that's why they never asked me out... cuz I totally creeped them out lol!!! Congrats on the new release!

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    1. Erin, that was totally my MO in school, too! Well that and acting like a tongue-tied complete goof. LOL! I guess I have the stalker-goofiness to thank for becoming a romance writer. Since I was too shy to talk to boys in reality, I made up love stories where they chased ME! And I was this cool, suave, confident chick that had to be wooed and won. Hee-hee! Lemmee tell you, I spent a lot of time scratching in notebooks! :-D

      Thank you so much for stopping by, visiting and commenting, Erin! And thanks on the congrats, too!!

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  2. Thank you so much, RFTC, for having me at your blog today! Can I say "Ramblings From This Chick"--coolest blog name EVAH!! LOL! Love it, and this blog! I so appreciate you letting me hang out today and meet awesome new people as well as pimp--I mean, introduce myself to your readers. :-D
    Thank you!!

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  3. Poor Charlie Brown! So much abuse! I like Vin Diesel too!

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    1. LOL! Mary Jo, in the words of Charlie Brown.. RATS!! First that cagey Lucy with the football, then the rocks in his Trick or Treat bag and the whole disrespect-for-the-Christmas-pageant-director thing. And now he can't even get the Lil' Red-head Girl to pay him any attention! I have hope for them as a couple though. What can I say? I'm a hopeless romantic! LOL! And I luvs me some Vin! When I became pregnant with my daughter a few years ago I had to give up my office to turn into her bedroom. The one thing I REFUSED to sacrifice was the poster of Vin Diesel on the back of the closet door. For four years she stared at Riddick until I finally conceded and put up a Disney princesses poster. The things I do for motherhood! LOL!!!

      Thank you so much for coming by and commenting, Mary Jo! Have an awesome Thursday!

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  5. Such a great excerpt. :) Sounds like a terrific book!

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    1. Thank you, May! I could be a tad bit biased--just a tad bit, mind you!--but this is one of my favorite books so far. I love writing wounded characters, and in their own ways, both Gabriel and Leah are just that--hurt, broken. But always there is the healing power of love, and if I had to pick a them, that would be it. Did I just psychoanalyze my hero and heroine? I think I did! LOL!

      Thank you for stopping by, May! You rock!

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  6. They were some great examples. You have to feel sorry for a character who is hopelessly in love.

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  7. Hi, Maureen!
    Isn't it sad? I think that's why I like to write about friends-to-lovers and reunited lovers so much. Giving people who have been in seemingly hopeless love their happily-ever-afters. Like, when Ross ended up with Rachel after all those years of secretly--or not so secretly--being in love with her? I freakin' cheered! Yeah, jazz kicks and everything! LOL!

    Thank you for coming by and leaving a comment, Maureen! You've helped make this such an awesome day for me!

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  8. The book looks really good. Naima is a new author to me.

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    1. Hi, Lori!
      Thank you for stopping by and checking out "Gabriel"! Since I'm new to you, I hope the crazy theories about Charlie Brown and the Little Mermaid didn't scare you off. Hee-hee! Just remember, crazy is the flip side of creative! :-D
      Hope you're having a wonderful Thursday!!

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  9. Oh, the agonies of unrequited love from afar. I do so love to read about the crumbling walls of a closely guarded heart. This story sounds utterly delicious.

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  10. I do, too, Sebella! Unrequited love is one of my favorite tropes! That and friends-to-lovers, reunited lovers...oh, and the secret baby! LOL! I do love the secret baby. I think the running themes in all of them are agonies of the heart and tearing down the carefully erected barriers around a bruised heart. You are so right. Sigh.

    Thank you so much for stopping by and checking out "Gabriel"!

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