Sun, Sea, and Sangria by Victoria Cooke - Book Blitz
Sun, Sea and Sangria
Kat swore off dating many years ago, after
her marriage ended in a catastrophic mess. Having moved to the Canary Islands
for a fresh start, she has never had much time for romance, channelling all her
energy into managing all-male dance troupe – the Heavenly Hunks.
With golden beaches, sparkling blue water
and relaxing after work with a glass of sangria – or three – for Kat, it’s
summer all year round. But despite life being postcard perfect, Kat can’t help
but wonder if she is missing out on the most important thing of all… love.
The dancers are all well-known for their
flirtatious antics and aren’t looking for anything serious… except Jay. Sitting
by the pool, watching the sun reflecting in the water, Kat feels like she can
tell him anything.
Handsome, caring and a good listener, he
ignites a fire in Kat’s heart that scares her witless. But her relationship
with Jay should stay strictly professional… right? There is absolutely no way
that she can be his boss and his date.
As the temperature rises, will Kat be able
to take the plunge, let go of her past and find romance in paradise?
Purchase Link - http://getbook.at/SunSeaAndSangria
Excerpt
This is the opening scene for the book and gives an insight into Kat’s
life as the manager of the Heavenly Hunks.
‘Where the hell is the dry oil
spray?’ My chest is tightening. ‘We’re on in ten and Sammy needs to be
glistening like an Adonis and smelling of coconut in five.’
‘I’ve got some olive oil from the
restaurant,’ Ant pipes up. ‘That’s what I’ve used.’
‘Yes, well you look like a deep-fried
sausage and don’t smell much better. Grab a towel and rub it off. It’s the
twenty-first century, for goodness’ sake, and nobody here is auditioning for The
Full Monty.’
‘Yes, Kat,’ a few voices mumble. I don’t
have the time to think about who they belong to, but I do spot one or two other
super-greasy torsos.
‘Seven minutes to go. Come on!’ I’m rummaging
through my bag, throwing things left and right in a fit of panic. ‘Here.’ I
produce an old bottle of Skin So Soft from Avon, which I’ve been using as a
mozzie repellent since my mum gave me a bottle in 1997.
‘I want you all shimmering seductively and
smelling nose-twitchingly floral in three minutes tops.’ I toss the spray to my
lead dancer, Marcus. ‘Go!’
Through the fog and nose-tingling scent of
dry oil mist, I check myself in the mirror. My stage make-up looks like Mary
Berry has daubed it on with a silicone spatula, but this glam look is for my
bold stage persona. It helps me get into the character of a strong, confident
woman who knows what she wants. It should look natural under the lights.
Anyway, it’s the guys who need to look good out there, not me.
‘Okay, huddle up.’ The guys gather
dutifully around me. ‘Right, remember that Sammy has pulled his shoulder, so
when you all go into the backflips segment, he will be stage left, grinding.
Don’t wait for him. Also, Marcus, that thing you did with the eye contact and
the winking last night – the audience loved it. I want to see more. Remember,
the crowd loves you. Do your best and let’s blow this thing up.’
There are some whoops from the audience as
the amplified beats of 50 Cent’s ‘Candy Shop’ start. I’m up. I wiggle my curvy
hips as I saunter onto the stage and pump the mic above my head in time to the
music. The crowd whoop and cheer and the excitement is tangible. Under the
glare of the bright white spotlights, I can barely make out the hundreds of people
who’ve come to see the show but the energy is electric.
‘Ladies . . . and
gentlemen’—because there are always a few blokes in the crowd—‘welcome to the
Grand Canarian Resort Complex where we are going to Blow. Your. Mind! There
won’t be a fire hose or PVC thong in sight, because tonight we’re giving you
your dream man. Think gorgeous Adonises who can satisfy your deepest desires.
Think dreamboat pick-and-mix. Ladies and gents, think the Heavenly
Hunks . . .’
As the crowd goes wild, my five men come out
dressed in distressed blue jeans and T-shirts that struggle to contain their
abs. Marcus and Ant lift me into the air and turn me around as ‘I Want It That
Way’ by the Backstreet Boys kicks in and the boys start to dance. It’s the same
routine we do every night, but each show feels a little different depending on
where we’re performing. As the boys move to the front, I slip back into the
shadows.
Author Bio –
Victoria Cooke grew up in the city of Manchester
before crossing the Pennines in pursuit of a career in education. She now lives
in Huddersfield with her husband and two young daughters and when she's not at
home writing by the fire with a cup of coffee in hand, she loves working out in
the gym and travelling. Victoria was first published at the tender age of eight
by her classroom teacher who saw potential in a six-page story about an
invisible man. Since then she's always had a passion for reading and writing,
undertaking several writers' courses before completing her first novel, 'The
Secret to Falling in Love,' in 2016 which was selected for onscreen adaptation
in April 2020.
Her third novel, Who Needs Men Anyway? became a digital bestseller in 2018.
Social Media Links –
Twitter @Victoriacooke10
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/victoriacookeauthor
Instagram:
www.instagram.com/victoriacookewriter
TikTok:
@victoriacookewriter
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