Thursday, October 8, 2015

Angel of the Centerfold Blog Tour ~ Excerpt & GIVEAWAY

Hey, Everyone! I'm happy to be part of the Angel of the Centerfold Blog Tour. At my stop, I have an excerpt for you to enjoy, and you have a chance to win a copy of the book! Meryton Press is giving away a paperback to one lucky winner! Giveaway details are at the bottom of the page. 



Excerpt: 


Callie throws a dinner party

Charles was having a pleasant dream of mermaids when suddenly the hair on the back of his neck stood up and he had a feeling somebody was watching him. He awoke with a start to find Callie sitting in her nightgown staring at him. Her face was less than six inches from his and wore an unpleasant expression.

Abruptly, Charles realized that the effects of his dreams were showing. Grabbing the sheet, he wrapped it around his torso and pulled back from his sister. “What in hell are you doing in here, Callie?”

“I was waiting for you to wake up. I want your promise to be home next Saturday night. I’m going to have a dinner party—a special dinner party. Molly Walker-Pine sent me an e-mail last night about the chef who helped her get that eight-carat ring she has on her finger. You did hear that she’s going to wed into the Vanderbilt family, didn’t you? Anyway, she swears the secret to her success is this chef—”

Grabbing her arm, Charles interrupted, “Callie, none of your schemes are going to work. He’s not interested in you. You need to accept that and move on.”

She continued as though he hadn’t spoken, “—who specializes in meals made with aphrodisiacs: truffles, asparagus, avocados, basil, all natural ingredients. At Molly’s dinner, he made Oyster and Brie Champagne Soup and Garlic Chicken Parmesan with “opulent” asparagus. Molly swears that this dinner, coupled with the mind-blowing sex afterwards, was what sealed the deal.”

As Callie continued droning on about the proposed dinner party, Charles thought of Lliam’s phone message. Maybe Lliam was right; Callie did need professional help. As his attention returned to his sister, the fact that she was planning a rather large guest list with this particular menu struck his funny bone.

His laughter caused his sister to pause. “Callie, you do realize, if this meal does what you believe it will, then we’re not hosting a dinner party, we’re hosting an orgy.”

“Charles, don’t be silly. I’ll make sure everyone has their own desirable partner. You could even bring a girl, or better yet, I’ll choose one for you. The last time you dated was two years ago. If you insist on taking each debutante out only once, you’re going to run out of acceptable mothers for your children. You do know you need an heir—a boy of course—to carry on the family name. I’d give one of mine the Bampfjord name, but I’m certain Lliam wouldn’t have it.”

“Callie, you are not going to have children with Lliam. He can’t stand you!”

“What’s that got to do with anything? Our kind don’t marry people we like; we marry for prestige and money. I’ve got the right connections, and he’s been like part of the family for ten years. I won’t change his life much. Redecorate the townhouse maybe, give him an heir or two, spend his money, but he won’t have to spend time with me. I’d even let him keep a mistress as long as he takes me to all the best social events.”

“What part of never don’t you understand?”

“Do you even know where babies come from? You do know that you have to sleep with someone to have an heir, don’t you? Dad gave you the birds and bees talk, didn’t he? Just think: if I choose a woman for you with the right background, connections, and genes, the next Bampfjord could be on his way by next Sunday. Once we’re sure he is, you can marry the girl. I’ve got to call around and see who’s available, someone who finds you attractive enough to sleep with. That could be a challenge.”

Charles couldn’t stand it any longer. When he spoke, it was harsher than he intended, but in his current state of agitation, he had no control. “Stop! Stop talking right now! We are not hosting this party, I forbid it.”

Callie was surprised at the vehemence in his voice. “But—”

“No, Callie, no buts. You will stay out of my love life, and you will leave Lliam alone. I am serious about this. If you continue, there will be serious consequences.”

As he looked past Callie to the alarm clock on the nightstand, his ire erupted once more. “Did you turn off my alarm? I have a meeting this morning, an important meeting, and now I’m going to be late. Dammit! Get the hell out of my room and go do whatever you normally do at this time of the morning. Remember, no dinner party!”

“Whatever.”

Charles took another look at the clock before entering the en suite bathroom. I’m going to be really late, and both Lliam and Ric told me not to be. This is shaping up to be one of the worst days ever.


He hurried into the shower where he thought about the more humorous aspects of their conversation. Callie clearly had no idea what kind of sensation she would cause amongst the New York elite by having this chef cook a meal for twenty people. He could just see it now. The society page of the New York Reporter would look like a gossip rag with headlines such as, “Bampfjord Heiress seduces Party” or “Skin, the new Gucci, says Bampfjord Heiress.”




Book Blurb: 

Disguise of every sort creates difficulties for recent Yale grads Elizabeth and Jennie Blackwell, who are eager to begin the next chapter of their lives. 

Elizabeth hopes her remarkable voice and academic training will help crown her the new darling of the Met. But will her burgeoning romance with world-renowned philanthropist Lliam Dafydd benefit her career or derail it before it begins? 

Elizabeth’s minutes-older twin, Jennie, plans to translate her impressive résumé into a successful medical research program, but her demanding academic pursuits leave little time for romance. Feeling trapped by her girl-next-door image, Jennie adopts a daring alter ego who behaves as she never would. As “Ariel De Mer,” Jennie becomes captivated by a mysterious photographer, Chance Bly. Handsome and suave, he smoothly awakens her desires, while Ariel’s sexiness and sassiness mesmerize her smitten lover. 

But Jennie’s innocent charade has a powerful impact on the lives of those she loves, and she is not the only one playing games.


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 Connect with Michaela Robertson




Angel of the Centerfold blog tour schedule


10/6: Excerpt & Giveaway at Fly High
10/7: Guest Post & Giveaway at Romance Novels Giveaways
10/8: Excerpt & Giveaway at So Little Time…
10/10: Guest Post & Giveaway at My Love for Jane Austen
10/11: Guest Post & Giveaway at Liz’s Reading Life
10/13: Excerpt & Giveaway at Babblings of a Bookworm
10/15: Character Interview at Leatherbound Reviews
10/16: Excerpt & Giveaway at Best Sellers and Best Stellars
10/17: Excerpt & Giveaway at More Agreeably Engaged
10:18: Excerpt & Giveaway at Margie’s Must Reads
10/19: Review at Warmisunqu’s Austen

Many thanks to Jakki at Leatherbound Reviews for organizing this Blog Tour and to Meryton Press for the giveaway below!

Congratulations to Michaela Robertson on the release of her new book! 

* * * GIVEAWAY * * *

It's giveaway time!! Meryton Press is giving away a paperback  copy of Angel of the Centerfold to one lucky winner! To enter, just fill in the Rafflecopter below and leave a comment! 

  • One person will win a paperback of Angel of the Centerfold.
  • Open Internationally.
  • Last day to enter: October 15, 2015, midnight PST

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Remember, to enter the giveaway you MUST fill out the Rafflecopter (shown above) and leave a comment below. If you need help entering, email me by clicking on the email icon at the top of the sidebar. Thanks and good luck! :)

15 comments:

  1. "we’re not hosting a dinner party, we’re hosting an orgy.” That me me chuckle! This modern Caroline is truly a piece of work, isn't she? Obviously the word "never" was one that passed her by when she learned to speak.

    Lovely to hear about a new modern JAFF and a new author. Looking forward to stopping by on more of the blog tour.

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    Replies
    1. Even Austen's Caroline had issues letting go. All the way to Derbyshire she was convinced that she could manipulate not only her brother but Darcy. Whilst in Derbyshire after Elizabeth and her family visit Pemberley, Caroline says, "I remember, when we first knew her in Hertfordshire, how amazed we all were to find that she was a reputed beauty; and I particularly recollect your saying one night, after they had been dining at Netherfield, 'She a beauty!—I should as soon call her mother a wit.' But afterwards she seemed to improve on you, and I believe you thought her rather pretty at one time."

      No one ever told this Caroline NEVER, but no doubt she wouldn't have listened well either. :)

      I'm glad that you chuckled! I sometimes wonder if I'm the only one amused.

      ~Michaela

      Delete
  2. In my opinion, modern Caroline's do have more opportunity to behave badly. Austen's Caroline would have had a governess until she was of age and then would have always been chaperoned until she married. Today, women behaving badly are all over social media and even Reality TV. Think Snookie or Miley Cyrus or any number of others.

    ~Michaela

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  3. Yes, Arjanne! I think without the restraints of the Regency period, Caroline would be a little on the wild side! Lol! More like a lot!!

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  4. I really enjoyed this excerpt, thank you for sharing with us.

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  5. Modern Caroline is a real piece of work. I'm intrigued. The orgy line is hilarious!

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  6. This is such a unique modern telling of P&P. Looking forward to reading it!

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  7. I have read a great deal of JAFF and this, I must say, sounds totally intriguing!

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