Nicole Flockton on Blind Dates, Puppy Love and Happy-Ever-Afters

Nicole Flockton’s new novel, Blind Date Bet, has so much going for it I’m jealous I didn’t write it! Blind date (hell-o, yes please!) – military hero with an uphill battle ahead of him to woo the woman of his dreams – plus a hot guy with dog on the cover! Since I didn’t write it, however, I’m delighted to welcome Nicole to Get Lost in a Story to tell us all about it.

About Nicole...

USA Today Bestselling author Nicole Flockton writes sexy contemporary romances, seducing you one kiss at a time as you turn the pages. Nicole likes nothing better than taking characters and creating unique situations where they fight to find their true love. 

Apart from writing Nicole is busy looking after her very own hero – her wonderfully supportive husband, and two fabulous kids. She also enjoys watching sports and, of course, reading. You can visit Nicole at her website or follow her on Twitter, Facebook, Amazon and Bookbub, and sign-up for her newsletter HERE.

Never say never… 

After loving and losing a soldier once, Isabella Knowles made a vow: No more military men. She’s rebuilt her life and has a classroom full of fifth graders to love, which is more than enough even though her father doesn’t agree. When he sets her up on a blind date, she only goes to humor him — never dreaming that the man she meets will tempt her to break her one rule.

In theory, Ethan Masters is not opposed to the wife, kids and house with a white picket fence. But he loves his career as a K-9 handler in the Air Force, and a dream promotion dangles before him like dog tags. While contemplating his future, he accepts a drunken bet for a blind date, never dreaming that the captivating woman fits perfectly into his ideal, all-American dream.

Only one problem. She’s gun-shy about all things military.

Can Ethan prove to Isabella love is worth the risk?

Read a little…

Ethan needed his head examined.

There was no other explanation as to why he was standing in front of a coffee shop, under the simmering Texas summer sun, wearing a bright red fedora. Never, on his grandfather’s grave would he partake in a slam-dunk shots contest with his buddy, Lincoln Forrest, who was in the army, ever again.

Sober, he never would’ve agreed to a blind date, not after the time Linc had talked him into meeting Kathy Birdland. Talk about disaster from the moment she opened her mouth. He shuddered now remembering the high-pitched twang she emitted and the tobacco-stained teeth that had greeted him when she smiled. He was surprised he hadn’t landed in the Guinness Book of World Records under the shortest date category. Later, he’d found out the real Kathy Birdland had chickened out and paid some random woman fifty bucks to go on the date with him.

And yet, here he waited, on the sidewalk in downtown San Antonio, about to repeat the same mistake.

What he needed to do was swear off tequila shots.

Tequila had led him to wearing a red fedora so school teacher Isabella Knowles would recognize him. He should’ve gone with the more obvious I’m-holding-a-red-rose-because-I’m-a-sucker-on-a-blind-date look. As it was, people were glancing warily at him as they passed, no doubt wondering if he was a pimp or a wannabe drug dealer. Ethan glanced at his watch again. Still another five minutes until his supposed date was due to turn up.

Linc had assured Ethan Isabella was hot. As in H-O-T, hot. She didn’t wear glasses. Wasn’t a spinster with fifty cats. Had all her teeth, which weren’t stained yellow. Didn’t need to dye the gray out of her hair.

He automatically reached down to scratch the back of Sam’s head, but he met fresh air. Of course, his dog wasn’t on this date. He’d left Sam at the base to enjoy her weekend. Although having his K-9 partner standing beside him would distract him from waiting to see if Isabella resembled the bride of Chucky or a Victoria Secret’s runway angel.

“Umm, I know this is going to sound really weird, but are you Ethan Masters?”

Buy the book HERE!

Let’s talk…

Avril: Where did you get the idea for Blind Date Bet?

Nicole: I met my husband on a blind date and I was trying to come up with a fun meet-cute for a new series, so I thought why not visit how I met my own hero. Ethan and Isabella are both wearing red fedoras to recognise each other. My husband and I didn’t wear hats or carry a rose when we first met, he arrived with the friends who set us up. I said I’d meet him if it they came along.

Avril: Blind Date Bet is book 1 in a series – what can we expect of the books yet to come?

Nicole: All the books have a matchmaker, dog, military theme to them. The second book has a cheeky Corgi who does her own little bit of matchmaking while healing the hero. The book is titled Next Door Knight and comes out in March. I swear when I wrote Willow the Corgi, she stole the scenes and I had so much fun writing it. I’m currently working on the third book in the series and the hero is Linc, the guy who bet Ethan to go on a blind date with Isabella. Linc’s life is up in the air after he makes a rash decision at the end of book two.

Avril: I know you have another book out this month – give us the lowdown on Guarding Antonia.

Nicole: Guarding Antonia is the sixth book in my Guardian Seals series. This series started out in Susan Stoker’s Special Forces: Operation Alpha kindle world, so a few of her characters have guest spots in my books. When Amazon closed Kindle Worlds, Susan opened her own press so I was able to continue my series. This book features Brendan “Robot” Dean and Antonia Rocca. These two have been sparking off each other since they re-connected in Guarding Erin. A Vegas marriage they thought was over isn’t. Throw in witnessing a murder and Robot gets the second chance he’s been hoping for.

Avril: What’s the attraction of military heroes?

Nicole: Well it really all started when I started to write in Susan’s world. I read her books to familiarise myself with her characters, fell in love with sexy Navy SEALs and Deltas and I wanted to write my own team.

Avril: As a reader, what do you look for in a romance?

Nicole: A happy ever after ending – that’s a must for me. I want to finish the book and sigh with happiness. I want strong characters but not a-holey heroes. I love a good Alpha and to me a true Alpha is an immovable block when it comes to business but when it comes to his personal life, when he meets his match, he’s putty in her hands.

Nicole is giving away an e-book of her novel Guarding Antonia. To go into the draw, let us know if you prefer standalone or series books, and enter the Rafflecopter giveaway!

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Romance and Danger in the French Alps with Laura Boon

A book set in France, a dash of Alpine danger, and snow on the cover? I am so there! Welcome Laura Boon – whose debut novel The Millionaire Mountain Climber, out now, is clearly tailor-made for me.

About Laura...

Laura Boon stole her first romance from her father’s bookshelves as a teenager, The Flame and the Flower by Kathleen Woodiwiss, and was immediately captivated. After holding a variety of positions in publishing, from bookseller to sales rep and publicist, she eventually found the courage to write her own stories. She was born in Zambia, grew up in South Africa, and went to university in America. She now lives in Australia with her husband and their adorable Pekingese Beau. When she is not reading or writing, she enjoys sleuthing for artisan chocolate and beautiful stationery, watching tennis, and walking alongside Sydney’s beautiful harbor. 

Connect with Laura via her website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Goodreads.

 When danger threatens a bona fide city girl, an adventurer is her only hope of rescue 

Mountain climber Matt Hanley is a former investment manager whose lean body and rugged good looks epitomize an outdoor adrenaline junky. When his business partner in their country hotel is injured, he needs an efficient replacement in a hurry.

Hailey Gordon lives a chic city life free of adventures and daredevils. She craves stability and security but loses her job and boyfriend on the same day. A holiday job in France is the perfect escape from her troubles.

Sparks ignite when Matt and Hailey meet, but she resolves to ignore the flame flickering between them. Aside from the fact Matt is her boss, she's convinced he is not her type. Matt is determined to teach Hailey to look beyond appearances. He needs to show her how good they are together, even if he must risk life and limb to do so.

Read a little...

Hailey drank in the landscape, noticing the clarity of the late afternoon sky and the way the snow-capped peaks glistened despite the fading light.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?” said Matt.  “Trending down the valley, you have the villages of Argentiere and Les Praz and the town of Chamonix. Behind Chamonix you can see the Grand Mama of all the peaks, Mont Blanc.”

“Yes, the pens––and the chocolates.” She shook her head. What hubris to name a pen after the magnificent towering peak, but what marketing genius.

Matt grinned. “Ah, you know the chocolates, do you? We’ll have to buy you some.”

“From the lips to the hips,” she murmured, “and I am sure they don’t do the mountain justice.”

“Come on, let’s get you inside before your face turns blue, and I earn a reprimand from Genie for chatting up scantily-clad women in sub-zero temperatures.”

“Really? You were chatting me up? I’m flattered.”

The smile turned wicked. “You’re welcome.” As he bent to pick up her suitcase, he dropped his head next to hers and murmured into her ear in a low, deep voice, sending shivers down her spine. “For the record, Hailey, your curves are perfect. A little chocolate won’t do them any harm.”

She blushed, and the fire of his words flickered all the way through her belly. When was the last time her ex had paid her a compliment? An appalling thought crossed her mind; she, the High Priestess of Order and Long-Term Planning, was ripe for the picking and contemplating a holiday romance.

Buy the book at Amazon, iBooks, Kobo, Google Play, or the Wild Rose Press

Let's Talk!

Avril: Tell us about your change from the business side of publishing to the author side. 
Laura: I loved working in publishing for two reasons. I got to meet many authors, most of whom are wonderful, inspiring, generous individuals. And I got to promote books, which I believe are a cornerstone of civilization. Since my early twenties I’ve wanted to write a book of my own, but always feared it would never be good enough. Then I had to learn how to do it. Working with my publisher was a wonderful experience. As an author, I couldn’t have asked for more. I do have this problem creature who followed me home from my day job, my publicity alter ego. She sits on my shoulders and nags me every day about what I haven’t done yet from a marketing, publicity and social media perspective – and no matter how much she whines, I just can’t get to everything! As an author, I’ve realized I have to set goals and then just try to get as close as possible. Being an author is still a surreal experience for me. I’m inspired and touched by the kindness of other authors and readers.

Avril: I love the idea of reading a romance set in the French Alps – what made you choose that setting?

Laura: I love to travel. These days I do it mostly from my armchair. I wanted that escape and thought other readers might enjoy it too. I chose the French Alps because I have been lucky enough to visit them, so I could picture the village where I set The Millionaire Mountain Climber. They’re beautiful, challenging, romantic. It’s also my experience that when you are off home ground, you are more open to new ideas and experiences, so it was a way to both test my characters and give them opportunity.

Avril: I understand your heroine is on the feisty side – are we going to see a few more feisty heroines from you in the future? 
Laura: Oh yes! Feistiness is an essential survival skill for a woman. My first romantic heroine was Jane Eyre and she was constantly called stubborn and sullen. I read into that ‘not a doormat’, opinionated, feisty and resilient.

Avril: What’s your favorite kind of hero?

Laura: I like an Alpha who is a Beta – or a Beta who is an Alpha – by which I mean a man who is confident, knows his own mind, and is good at what he does. He can sometimes be bossy, even arrogant, but he is never domineering and aggressive to those over whom he has power. And he has to have a sense of humor. If you can’t laugh at the world, days are dark indeed.

Avril: I know you’re a fellow Georgette Heyer fan – what made you choose contemporary over historical for your foray into fiction writing?

Laura: Ha! I was stupid enough to think a contemporary romance would be easier to write because I wouldn’t have to do research. Yes, I can hear all the contemporary romance writers in the universe doubling up in laughter. It didn’t take me long to work out how wrong I was, but by then I was committed, and my characters determined I would finish their journey. I’m still planning to write historical romance, but first I have a contemporary quartet to finish.

Avril: What’s your pet hate in romance novels?

Laura: First person heroes who describe their achievements in glowing terms. “I’m a ruthless, self-made multi-billionaire, the best in the business with the biggest dick that all the chicks love.” *Gags* I read one that was literally that bad, which is to say I started it, but when he answered the door to interview the heroine for a housekeeping job in nothing but a towel which he then dropped in the kitchen to display his ‘assets’, I fled through the front door alongside her, never to return. I think first person is hard to write for that exact reason; you’re permanently inside the characters’ heads but they absolutely can’t talk about themselves.

 Laura is giving away an eBook of The Millionaire Mountain Climber (open internationally). Comment on the blog to enter, and please include your email address either with your comment, or private message it to Avril Tremayne via Facebook.