Spotlight & Giveaway: Betting on Love by Jennifer Hoopes

Posted April 13th, 2020 by in Blog, Spotlight / 40 comments

Today it is my pleasure to Welcome author Jennifer Hoopes to HJ!
Spotlight&Giveaway

Hi Jennifer and welcome to HJ! We’re so excited to chat with you about your new release, Betting on Love!

 
A big hello to everyone! Thank you so much for having me and giving me the opportunity to share a little about Sam and Whitney.
 

Please summarize the book a la Twitter style for the readers here:

A bet has two co-workers faking a relationship for thirty days, but winning might not be worth it in the end.
 

Please share the opening lines of this book:

Samuel Ellis settled into the rocking chair and stared out into the inky black woods. With summer more than a month away, the evenings still held a coolness to them.
He set his tumbler of whiskey down and closed his eyes. Twelve months of running a company he was never supposed to run weighed on his limbs and his heart. Even with the help of his three brothers and baby sister, things seemed impossible to conquer.

 

Please share a few Fun facts about this book…

  • Cape Stars is modeled after Cedar Point, my favorite amusement park.
  • Whitney’s college degree is the same as mine.
  • The original plot of this story was scrapped (bye-bye half-sibling) and the bet was born.
  • The book is full of personal easter eggs, as I have always wanted to write scenes in an amusement park.
  • It’s my shortest Entangled book but took me the longest to write.

 

What first attracts your Hero to the Heroine and vice versa?

Sam recognizes Whitney’s desire to be anywhere but at the bar that night. The same way he feels. Whitney is attracted to the fact that Sam tries to rescue her (although not needed.) That he saw a need in a stranger and tried to fulfill it.
 

Using just 5 words, how would you describe Hero and Heroine’s love affair?

It’s fake until it’s not.
 

The First Kiss…

He didn’t want her examining his faults, examining him. And yet he had no choice but to cut the excursion short. Things were already blurring and it had been less than a week since they’d met. Being “on” in front of his family was one thing, but just the two of them? That was supposed to be nothing. They didn’t need to act then.
I wasn’t acting.
And that was the problem.
He came through the tree edge onto the lawn and stepped to the side, looking back at Whitney. She smiled at him. Her hand cupped his cheek and she stepped in to his body and placed her lips on his. Shock held him immobile for a split second until the warmth and softness of her lips registered. He slid his arms around her and angled his head, sipping at lips that were made for endless hours of kissing.
Whitney slid her free hand between them and pushed slightly. He pulled back and stared. Her eyes were glassy, and her chest rose and fell at a rapid pace.
“That was…”

 

Without revealing too much, what is your favorite scene in the book?

The skee-ball scene. It’s fun, but also a crucial piece of Sam is revealed to Whitney, making everything about the bet make more sense.

Whitney crushed him. She might have thought he threw the match on purpose if she hadn’t seen the mounting frustration in his face with each ball that dropped into the front gutter.
“Wow, Ellis. It was like you didn’t even try.”
He grimaced and crossed his arms. “We all have a bad roll.”
“Try nine.” She pointed to his score.
“Ouch, you’re a trash talker, aren’t you?”
“Only when warranted.” She tapped her finger against her lips. “Okay, my turn. Why do you want to win this bet so badly?”

 

If your book was optioned for a movie, what scene would be absolutely crucial to include?

The bar scene. It puts in motion the entire book and gives us a glimpse of how far these characters are going to have to go to potentially get their happy ever after.

“I have a proposition for you.”
Shit, at least this one was being honest. “Mr. Ellis, I’m not looking for any propositions tonight.”
“Man, I’m so sorry. That came out wrong and insulting.” He ran a hand down the back of his neck. “I’m really rusty at this.” He ducked his head. “I was proposing we have a chat. You know, as two people who really would rather not be here.”

 

Readers should read this book …

If they’re looking for a quick, sweet, and lighthearted read.

 

What are you currently working on? What other releases do you have planned?

I’m plotting stories for the other Ellis siblings and also working on a cozy mystery.

 

Thanks for blogging at HJ!

 

Giveaway: Signed copy of His Reason to Stay.

 

To enter Giveaway: Please complete the Rafflecopter form and Post a comment to this Q: The Ellis family owns amusement parks all over the world. Do you like amusement parks, and if so, what is your favorite?

 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

 
 

Excerpt from Betting on Love:

Someone who spoke to him.
Someone like Whitney.
Could he?
He dropped the list on the desk. No he couldn’t. It was wrong. Only…
If he asked her, was it wrong? After all, they would be spending plenty of time together on this project anyway. Pretending to be in a relationship couldn’t be that bad if she was in on it. It was just a bet.
“Excuse me?”
Sam’s face flushed with heat. Had he said something?
“What?”
“You said bet.”
He closed his eyes and groaned.
“Is this a bet? This job offer?”
“What? No. Of course not. I didn’t even know you were coming; how could it be a bet?”
She crossed her arms, not convinced. If he didn’t want her to walk now, and he most certainly didn’t, then he needed to come clean.
“I’m sorry. This”—he motioned between them—“is not a bet. This is me hiring you because you are the best person for the job.”
“Why do I feel there’s a rather large but coming?”
“But there is a bet.”
“About me?”
“No. I mean. Lord, I am screwing this three sides to Sunday. My siblings have made a bet with me. A bet I really want to win. A bet I need to win and well…”
She stared, her eyes the size of saucers. He really did not want to say the words that were about to come out of his mouth, but if he didn’t, she would leave. He could practically see her sensible flats headed in that direction.
“What’s the bet, Sam?”
He closed his eyes, unable to look at her when he confessed. “To keep a relationship going for thirty days. A good, solid, spend-time-with-a-person relationship.”
The silence spoke volumes. He peeked to find her mouth open and her gaze darting about the room.
“Why?”
“Why what?” Really she could be asking numerous questions with that one word.
“Why did they come up with the bet?”
“Ahh…my siblings think I’m overworked and underplayed.”
“Are you?”
“Yes.”
“And how do I figure in?”
“You don’t.”
“Oh?”
“I mean you are not part of it, but I was thinking you might want to be—all fake of course—and then I realized that was stupid. None of that thought process was meant to leave my mind.”
“And yet here we are.”
“Yeah. Here we are.”
“A bet to have a relationship for thirty days that you want to win, so you’re looking for someone to fake it with you.”
“Ummm, yeah…that sounds really bad, but the alternative is not good.”
“It clearly must not be, since you’re making an utter fool of yourself.”
“Yes. Yes, I am and for that I am sorry. Let’s forget I ever mentioned it. Now how about the contract? Have any questions?”

Excerpts. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
 
 

Book Info:

Whitney Carroll is back home in Gatlinburg, Tennessee after divorcing her low-down, cheating husband. First thing on the to-do list: Get a job. Second thing: Just say no to men. Third thing: Don’t fall for the boss. One out of three’s not too bad, right?

For Sam Ellis, his to-do list is always work, work, work, trying to keep his family’s legacy alive. Now, out of concern, his siblings bet he can’t keep a girl happy for thirty days, and if he loses he’s out as CEO. No problem, he can fake a relationship. And he knows just who to ask…his new man-vegan assistant.

Yet Whitney’s sexy boss—secret singer and Skee-Ball champion—is definitely NOT boring, and their connection is undeniable. But when a disaster strikes at work, Sam will have to decide if he’s willing to trade in his job for his hea
Book Links: Amazon | B&N | iTunes | Goodreads |
 
 

Meet the Author:

Contemporary romance author, Jennifer Hoopes, lives in a small town in Pennsylvania with her husband, and two daughters. Add two cats and a dog and the fur flies sometimes. Stories have been in her head for as long as she recognized every person had one and figuring out how two people meet and fall in love makes for a rewarding dream job.
When not writing she wears the many mom hats of PTO, dance, and music, all while driving a mean, mom-taxi. She loves caramel and roller coasters, plays a solo version of Carpool Karaoke, and cannot live without coffee and Jane Austen adaptations
Website | Facebook | Twitter | | Instagram |

 
 
 

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40 Responses to “Spotlight & Giveaway: Betting on Love by Jennifer Hoopes”

  3. Charlotte Litton

    Since I’ve gotten older, I can’t ride much. But I still love to go to amusement parks.

  5. Pamela Conway

    Don’t think about them much but it makes a fun day. No scary rides though!

  6. Janine

    I haven’t been to an amusement park in a long time. I like the excitement of them, but don’t trust rides.

  8. Lori R

    I don’t really like amusement parks although Dollywood was fun and so was Kings Island.

  11. Amy R

    Do you like amusement parks, and if so, what is your favorite? Yes and Universal Studios Orlando, FL

  13. Kim

    No. I’m not a fan of amusement parks. Well, I tend to like the food not the rides. Unless it’s a Disney park, then I’m cool with it.

  15. Kathleen Bylsma

    I love sucker’s alley…the dartboards, the coin tosses, the ball throwing etc…

  19. Lilah Chavez

    Of course! The funnel cakes, rides, the games,

    Definitely ..
    Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk!
    Great America
    Raging waters (actually I don’t think it’s called that anymore)

  22. dbranigan

    I love amusement parks, however my health has gotten a bit more fragile so I don’t really go anymore.

  23. BookLady

    I am not a big fan of amusement parks. I prefer going to a zoo or aquarium.

  24. Patricia B.

    Amusement parks are OK, but we tend to go to them only when we are taking children. The exception is the big parks – Disney, Universal, Sea World, Busch Gardens, and even Dollywood. I don’t really go for the rides. The park needs to have some other interesting and hopefully educational aspects to it. We have one daughter who is a serious rollercoaster junky.

  25. Nicole (Nicky) Ortiz

    Amusement parks are ok. I’m a fan of the food especially the funnel cake
    Thanks for the chance!

  26. Glenda M

    I used to totally love them! I worked 4 seasons at Six Flags Over Georgia and even that didn’t totally break me of my love I haven’t been to any for many years and wouldn’t say I love them anymore but I do enjoy them. Disney World and Epcot are my favorite parks.

  32. Texas Book Lover

    I’ve only ever been to Six Flags over Texas-Arlington and I really enjoyed it everytime.

  34. laurieg72

    I’m not a fan. Too many people and my stomach can’t handle the rollercoaster rides. I’ve only been to 6 Flags in Gurnee, IL , when I was in college. My 3 boys loved all the rides in Orlando at the various parks near Disney World.

  38. Ellen C.

    Enjoyed them when I was younger. Haven’t been to one in ages. Favorites include Disney, Dorney Park, Hershey Park, and Knoebels.