Passion in the cards, p.11
Passion in the Cards, page 11
“C’mon, Jesse.” She beckoned, a wicked twinkle in her eye. “Put those big, strong hands to use.” She handed him a bottle of massage oil, then tilted her head toward a pair of women eyeing the merchandise.
Did she really mean…?
“I dare you,” she whispered.
Okay then. If she wanted a show, he’d give her one.
He pitched his voice low and seductive. “Hello, ladies. Care to sample our organically sourced herbal massage oil? I grow the herbs with these very hands.” He squirted some into his palm. “If you roll up your sleeve, ma’am, I’ll show you how it tingles.”
Mesmerized, both women thrust their arms forward.
Gemma elbowed him and shot him a smile brimming with sexy mischief. New experiences, huh? He had a feeling this woo-woo stuff could be fun.
As he massaged the customers’ wrists, Zora’s voice carried from her fortune-telling tent. “I understand your trepidations. Normally, your zodiac signs aren’t the most auspicious combination. But, my darlings, love can be stronger than the stars. If you respect each other’s individuality, I see a bright future ahead of you.”
Thanks for reading Passion in the Cards! If you enjoyed Jesse and Gemma’s story, please leave a review on Goodreads, Bookbub, and/or your favorite ebook seller's site.
Don’t miss the next steamy story in the Trappers Cove series. Check out Ryan and Lilo’s story, Passionate Brew: An Enemies-to-Lovers Beach Town Brewery Romance. When a control-freak brewery owner is forced to partner with a prickly, seductive master brewer, their business and their hearts will never be the same.
Author’s Note and Acknowledgments
One of the many things I love about writing fiction is the chance to explore all the careers I might have pursued if my life had taken a different turn. So far, I’ve written about running a bookshop ( Through the Red Door), an ice cream shop (Gelato Surprise), an art/photography studio (Runaway Love Story, Love, Art, and Other Obstacles), a tattoo studio (Opposites Ignite) a neighborhood bar (Bangers Tavern Romance series), a food-truck (Delicious Heat), and now a hippie-dippy shop and an herb farm!
I owe a huge thanks to the many professionals who answer my pesky questions, and to all the YouTubers who provide virtual tours of their businesses and passions.
Thanks to Dar Albert of Wicked Smart Designs for her inspired book covers, and to my oh-so-patient husband for supporting me in my writing journey. He says I’m the only wife he knows who encourages her husband to go play golf so she can write uninterrupted. You’re the BHE, Babes!
Books by Sadira Stone
The Bangers Tavern Romance Series
Sizzling contemporary romance set in a neighborhood bar in Tacoma, Washington. Found family, all the feels, and the best tater tots in town!
Christmas Rekindled: Bangers Tavern Romance One Bangers’ bartender River has a damn good reason for hating Christmas, and an equally good reason for resenting new server Charlie—until a kiss under the mistletoe flares hot enough to melt the North Pole. To save the bar they love, these two Scrooges must put aside their enmity and find the good in each other. Enemies to lovers, fake dating, workplace romance
Opposites Ignite: Bangers Tavern Romance Two
A mismatch sparks the hottest flames! Bodacious, curvy, blue-haired, aspiring tattoo artist Rosie is too smart to fall for her strait-laced coworker at Bangers Tavern. But his shy smile and quiet charm disarm her defenses just when she needs them most. Curvy heroine, shy hero, opposites attract, workplace romance
Delicious Heat: Bangers Tavern Romance Three
Bangers Tavern chef Diego meets a woman who makes his heart sing. Trouble is, she’s pregnant with another man’s child. To win her, he’ll have to convince her and both their interfering families that he’s in it for keeps. Foodie romance, pregnant heroine, chef hero, forbidden love, sassy abuela
Sweet Slow Sizzle: Bangers Tavern Romance Four
Bangers Tavern's hunky bouncer Jojo has been crushing on server Lana for years, but her sole focus is keeping her orphaned teen brothers together in the only home they've ever known. When their teen shenanigans land them in trouble, Jojo may be the only person who can save them. Friends to lovers, slow burn, single "mom," workplace romance.
Cupid's Silver Spark: A Bangers Tavern Romance Novella
Will Cupid’s misfire cost her everything? Still stinging from a breakup, Carla Portofino reluctantly lets her bestie drags her to Bangers Tavern’s Anti-Valentine’s Bash, Cupid gifts her a swoonworthy silver fox. Maybe a no-strings fling is the remedy for her tattered heart? He seems perfect, until a greedy real estate development scheme tangles them in more string than either can handle. Over-40 romance, Valentine’s Day, lovers to enemies to lovers
The Book Nirvana Series
Steamy contemporary romance set in a quirky bookshop in Eugene, Oregon—because bookshops are sexy!
Through the Red Door: Book Nirvana One
Widow Clara struggles to keep her indie bookshop afloat. Professor Nick comes in search of historical erotica from her famed collection but stays for the lovely bookseller--until a scandal from his past shatters her trust. Love triangle, widowed heroine and hero, second chance at love.
Runaway Love Story: Book Nirvana Two
Fierce passion or long-cherished dreams—she can't hang onto both. An ambitious artist and a sweet, hunky beta hero face family secrets, clashing dreams, and a social media storm, armed only with sizzling chemistry and a strange feeling each might be The One. City Mouse/Country Mouse, athletes, cinnamon roll hero.
Love, Art, and Other Obstacles: Book Nirvana Three
Two young artists—one prickly and independent, one cocky and flirtatious—compete for a prize that could jump-start their careers. Their surprise connection sizzles, but can he battle past her defenses and prove he loves her as she is? Rivals to lovers, bisexual heroine, grumpy/sunshine.
***
Gelato Surprise, a standalone beach romance novella
When her dastardly ex spoils their family vacation, Danielle heads to the beach alone to lick her wounds. Dashing young gelato vendor Matteo is too delicious to resist. He’s determined to make their vacation fling last beyond summer, but convincing her he can fit into her life will take much more than sweet treats and summer kisses. Older woman/younger man, divorced heroine, summer fling.
About the Author
Award-winning contemporary romance author Sadira Stone spins steamy, smoochy tales set in small businesses—a quirky bookstore, a neighborhood bar, a vintage boutique... Her stories highlight found family, friendship, and the sizzling chemistry that pulls unlikely partners together. When she emerges from her writing cave in Las Vegas, Nevada, which she seldom does, she enjoys dance classes, strumming her ukulele, exploring the West with her charming husband, cooking up a storm, and gobbling all the romance books. For a guaranteed HEA (and no cliffhangers!) visit Sadira at .
Visit Sadira on All the Socials!
https://linktr.ee/SadiraStone
Sadira Stone, Passion in the Cards
