JC Harroway - Talking About DARE-ing Heroes and Heroines!

Ready for a little more Harlequin DARE? I’m so happy to have my fellow DARE author and all round fabulous New Zealander, JC Harroway with me to talk about her latest DARE, One Night Only!

About JC Harroway

Lifelong romance addict JC Harroway lives in New Zealand. Writing her very real obsession with happy endings and the endorphin rush they create. You can follow her via her website, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

The romantic vs the cynic. 

Chemistry is all they have in common!

New York lawyer Ash has moved to London to escape his demons – and one red–hot night with gorgeous stranger Essie is the perfect distraction! He's ready to forget about her entirely...until she walks into his office for her first day at work. She's a romantic, seeking her happily–ever–after – he's a distrustful cynic who can't commit. Could a sexy fling be the best mistake of their lives?

 

Read a little…

Essie slipped her hand into the back pocket of his jeans, her fingers pressing into his tightly toned backside. Where had her uncharacteristic bravery come from? The desire for something more than the dribs and drabs she’d tolerated from her no-good ex?

Her ex’s idea of foreplay had been a mandatory squeeze of the boob. And to her shame, she’d accepted such lazy, shoddy attention.

All the more reason to explore a one-night stand with the drool-worthy, confident American. She’d gain some much-needed experience in the one-night-stand stakes, and hopefully score herself the kind of orgasm that only existed in her world as a mythical will-o’-the-wisp, and afterwards they’d move on having both had a good time. Unless Ash was a serial killer, it was a win-win situation. She absorbed the foreign, heady thrill of his big warm body next to hers. Not that it was cold—her shivers originated purely from anticipation.

The best kind of shivers.

She sucked in a stuttering breath—she’d never felt more reckless. And, if she was honest, she also felt a little embarrassed. There was no law that stated that, before her twenty-fifth birthday, she should have experienced at least one night of no-strings sex, but, as she touted herself as something of a relationship expert, didn’t she owe it to the readers of her relationship psychology blog to experience what all the fuss was about?

Ash’s hand looped around her shoulder. She reached up and clasped his fingers. They grinned at each other, Essie’s belly jolting in time with her excitable pulse.

No serious scientist could rely solely on academic theory. She could finally verify her years of extensive research with some cold, hard, scientific data.

Surely he must be able to hear the blood whooshing through her head?

Because in practical terms, what did she really know about relationships, especially the functional kind?

Her face fell at the momentary wobble. Her one serious boyfriend during uni had left her practically swearing off the opposite sex for good on the grounds she clearly couldn’t spot a decent relationship candidate if he was stark naked in front of her wearing a pick me, I’m a safer than houses bet hat.

A trait she’d inherited from her mother perhaps… The woman had, after all, procreated with Essie’s lying, cheating, deserting father and spent many years playing second fiddle to his actual wife, his real family.

Not that Essie had known all that back then. She’d simply been a girl who desperately missed her beloved father while he’d worked overseas for long stretches of time. Clearly she and her mother shared a desperate-for-love vibe that usually sent men running.

But Ash wasn’t running.

And she wasn’t looking for a relationship. Just sex. She’d gleaned from Ash’s subtext that, like her, he was only interested in a one-night thing. She shoved the buzzkill thoughts from her mind, focussing on the specimen of manly perfection beside her. Exotic Ash. A gentleman. Funny, intelligent, and interested in what she had to say.

So different from her ex, and she’d wasted two years in that flawed relationship.

Her throat tightened.

Perhaps she was ready for a change. It was, after all, the eve of a brand-new chapter of her life—her new job working for her until recently estranged half-brother began tomorrow. Or perhaps it was just charming, sophisticated, sexy-as-sin Ash with his crinkle-eyed smile, his quick wit and his tales of New York that earned him a place at the top of Essie’s bucket list.

Nothing at all to do with his muscular physique and his dark good looks, which were enough to attract smiles and stares everywhere they’d gone today. And she instinctively knew, as if it were stamped on her overworked ovaries, that Ash would be phenomenal between the sheets. High-calibre screaming orgasms—another experience sadly lacking from her rather pathetic repertoire.

Check out One Night Only on Goodreads, and buy it HERE!

Let’s talk… 

Avril: Can you share with us how the story of One Night Only unfolded for you?

JC: Believe it or not, this story originated from a seed of true events. Last year I visited London and not only did I see a sexy stranger sitting in the sun with his eyes closed, my phone also died while I was trying to take a photo, and someone else kindly offered to take a photo for me. Put those two together and I had the seed for the meeting between Ash and Essie. Of course, this is also the third book of three linked books, so the story had to evolve from there. Ash is Harley from Her Dirty Little Secret's sister.

Avril: What’s the one standout JC Harroway trademark? 
JC: I'm not really sure I have one! I am passionate about promoting consent in a positive way in my books, so I consciously try to make the sexy times full of Yes, yes, yesses! And with my medical background, I'm all about safe sex, even when it's fictional! So My heroes and heroines always look out for each other.

Avril: What do you look for in a romance heroine?

JC: I love my heroine in One Night Only, Essie. She's such a fun character—bubbly and smart—and she doesn't take herself too seriously! Also she's not afraid to encourage Ash, our hero to laugh at himself either, probably what makes him fall for her! As a general rule, for me, heroines need to know what they want and not be afraid to go out and get it. When I'm creating my heroines, I think of the type of woman I would have as a friend— someone to have a glass of wine and a laugh with.

Avril: What’s coming up next?

JC: I have three DAREs out in 2019. My Faulkner Brothers series, which is set in Chelsea, London and based on three single brothers who run a hotel empire. Lots more yummy, suited, sexy heroes…

Avril: Can you give us five books in your TBR pile?

JC: The most recent five books on my kindle are….

Destroyed, Jackie Ashenden

Under Pressure, Lori Foster

Sinfully Mine, Kendall Ryan

True Refuge, Annabelle McInnes

Getting Lucky, Avril Tremayne

So romance, romance and a bit more romance!

JC is giving away a copy of One Night Only - print or e-book, your preference. To go into the draw, tell us your favourite type of heroine and enter the Rafflecopter giveaway!

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Introducing Harlequin DARE ... Part 1

As a DARE author myself, I’m thrilled to be previewing the first-ever Harlequin DARE novels today and tomorrow! DARE is Harlequin’s newest line – a super-hot-hot-hot series, bringing readers Harlequin’s most explicitly sexual stories, so expect your reading experience to be a steamy one! Alpha men – bad boys, gritty antiheroes, billionaires. Empowered, independent, fearless heroines. Destinations from all over the world – a mix of glamorous cities and exotic holiday locations. 

 Avril Tremayne

Here's a little something to set the mood...

And now take a look at two DARE authors whose books are launching the new line - and make sure you come back tomorrow to check out the other two February reads!

 

JC Harroway * A Week to be Wild

Lifelong romance addict JC Harroway lives in New Zealand. Writing her very real obsession with happy endings and the endorphin rush they create. 

You can follow her via her website, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. at website, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter

A daring game of temptation

She’ll play his game-but only by her rules!

Alex Lancaster is an adrenaline junkie. He’s also a sexy British billionaire who should come with his own warning signs. When Libby insists she is done with men who live on the edge, Alex coaxes her out of her comfort zone-professionally and very, very personally. Libby’s taking a high-stakes gamble, but the pay-off could win her everything...





Read a little...

‘You feel this insane chemistry too.’ His stare smouldered, his breath tickling her neck.

She practically sagged into him. She wasn’t alone. Wasn’t imagining this. But should she act on it? Did she dare?

‘I want you.’ He held eye contact, his stark statement hanging in the crackling air between them. ‘Physically, professionally.’

He spoke as if he was negotiating a business deal. Calm, collected, poker-faced.

A tiny shrug of one shoulder. ‘Stay.’

He made it sound so easy—a foregone conclusion. And she was sorely tempted.

All the time they’d talked he hadn’t touched her. His hands were still relaxed on the arms of the stool when all she wanted to do was slide her fingers through his silky dishevelled hair and angle his head until he kissed her. Kissed away the doubt. Kissed away the memories. Kissed away the loneliness.

She sat back, her hand slipping from the rock-hard muscles of his thigh. Time to wrestle this back under her command. Get a grip of herself and this situation. Give him a taste of his own medicine.

The trouble was, lust had robbed her brain of its usual quick wit and all the negotiating skills she’d bragged about. Every single comeback or demand had fled her mind like sand falling through the holes of a sieve.

Perhaps she’d transmitted her thoughts telepathically to him, because he said, ‘You need control?’

Could he see her that clearly? Were her fears, her hang-ups, so clearly displayed on her face?

He’d dropped the smile, his expression now serious, as if he understood the momentous battle raging inside her. She wanted him too—had spent the day thinking about him, about what it would be like to feel his touch, feel his mouth, feel him move inside her…

The urge to give in to that curiosity, that need, was overwhelming.

He dipped his chin, ensuring that she saw him—saw both the sincerity in his stare and the flare of the same battle inside him.

‘I’m man enough to concede it. What can I do to give you what you need so we can both win?’

A silent groan had Libby’s eyes drooping as she took in a long, ragged breath. What an intoxicating offer. Could she do this? Separate business from pleasure? Keep things casual between them? On her terms? Give him a concession or two and take what he was willing to concede?

She opened her eyes to his continued stare. The slight flare of his nostrils was the only sign that he too experienced the anticipation which fluttered in Libby’s belly, bringing her to life.

Until she spoke, she was clueless as to how she’d respond. ‘I’ll give you a week.’

Buy it HERE!

 

Anne Marsh * Ruled

NYT and USA Today bestselling author Anne Marsh began writing romance when she was laid off from her dream job at Pixar. In between sending out résumés, she entered an RWA chapter contest and subsequently sold that book to Alicia Condon at Dorchester. Since then, she’s written for Kensington and currently writes for Harlequin Dare and Berkley Intermix. She also indie-publishes smoking hot military and paranormal romance.

Sign up for Anne's newsletter, and connect with her via her website, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

The Rebel vs. The Princess

Complete opposites who share the same burning passion!

Jaxon Brady of the Hard Riders MC has sworn to protect Evie Kent from a rival gang. His hard muscles and black leather motorcycle boots are a sharp contrast to the girly dresses Evie wears for her successful party-planning business. Their instant attraction is magnetic, and their lust keeps them glued to each other’s side…but is it a dangerous distraction?



Read a little...

“I don’t do bikers.”

Something flashes across Rev’s face at my words. “You don’t get hurt on my watch. I promise.”

“You’re not an ax murderer?”

He reaches into his pocket and pulls out the wallet attached to his belt by a silver chain. Silently, he flips it open and holds it out so I can read his driver’s license. There’s a military ID underneath it, too, the kind of card that gets you into Nellis Air Force Base.

“Your name isn’t Rev.” According to the State of Nevada’s laminated plastic, he’s one Jaxon Brady.

“Road name,” he says tersely.

I examine the license again. He’s also turning thirty-three in four weeks. I bet he won’t be booking a celebratory princess party.

“Wow.” I hand back his wallet. “Former Navy?”

He nods, as if it’s no big deal. “SEAL. You’d be safe with me.”

He’s not big on talking. Or negotiating, asking, or sweet-talking. I’ve always trusted my instincts, though, and right now they’re on board with Rev Brady. Completely, totally, one hundred percent in favor of getting on this man’s bike and riding off with him.

Somewhere. Wherever he wants to go. He’s big and strong and tempting. He’s fought for our country and kept everyone safe.

How bad can he be?

The little voice in my head pipes right up. How bad do you want him to be?

That voice needs a gag.

Buy it HERE!

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To go into the draw to win your choice of one of the first four Harlequin DARE novels, let us know in the comments 
what you think  makes a hero sexy 
and enter the Rafflecopter giveaway!

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