Spotlight & Giveaway: Blind Date Bet by Nicole Flockton

Posted January 21st, 2019 by in Blog, Spotlight / 43 comments

Today it is my pleasure to Welcome author Nicole Flockton to HJ!
Spotlight&Giveaway

 

Hi Nicole and welcome to HJ! We’re so excited to chat with you about your new release, Blind Date Bet!

 

Please summarize the book for the readers here:

Blind Date Bet is about second chances and breaking the bonds of fear that are holding you back from living your life. It’s also about patience and fighting for what you want. Ethan knows what he wants, he just has to break down Isabella’s prickly barriers and her doubts and prove to her that she deserves her second chance at love.
 

Please share the opening lines of this book:

An alarm blared, loud and obnoxious, the second Isabella Knowles walked out of the clothes shop. She froze, glanced over her shoulder, and saw the store assistant marching toward her.
What the hell?

 

Please share a few Fun facts about this book…

  • I’m an expat Aussie living in Houston and when we visited San Antonio, our first stop was the Alamo. I was blown away that in this little building men and women fought bravely for Texas’s freedom, that what I’d seen in the movie and the legends I’d heard was right in front of me and those men stood in the rooms I was standing in. As I wrote the scene when Isabella and Ethan visited the building, I tried to convey those feelings.
  • I have a wonderful friend whose husband retired from the Air Force a couple of years ago. Both Shey and her husband Shawn answered my many questions and so I named Ethan’s commanding officer in the book after Shawn.
  • When I was struggling for a title my bestie Abigail Owen came to the rescue and suggested Blind Date Bet. The second I read it (we chat every day through FB messenger) I fell in love with it.

 

Please tell us a little about the characters in your book. As you wrote your protagonist was there anything about them that surprised you?

Ethan’s character was easy to write. For some reason I have a much better handle on my heroes than my heroines. To me he has a heart of gold and the patience of a saint.

Isabella was my prickly pear heroine, she was tough to get a handle on and changing her backstory layered in more prickles.

Linc, the mastermind of the Bet was a fun character who only appears briefly in this book, but things happen to him which changes his direction in life.

 

If your book was optioned for a movie, what scene would you use for the audition of the main characters and why?

Probably when Isabella and Ethan meet on their blind date. They’d already met but didn’t know it so finding out they’ve been set up would be a great way to introduce the characters.

She turned and her skirt lifted, giving him a teasing look at her long, golden legs before it settled down. Her hips swayed as she walked to a vacant table in the corner.
Oh no, it couldn’t be, could it?
The way Isabella’s skirt floated around her legs unlocked the memory. The movement, then and just now, reminded him of leaves swirling on a gust of wind in the dessert, fierce and free.
Was Isabella Knowles the woman from the mall the other week? The day when one of the largest shopping centers in San Antonio had been evacuated due to a bomb scare. The same woman who’d argued with him about leaving the center because of a small child.
No, it couldn’t be. With her hat on, as well as her sunglasses, she looked nothing like the woman who’d argued with him. And it was clear she didn’t recognize him either. Guess the Hollywood stars knew something when they donned baseball caps and sunglasses to be incognito.

 

What do you want people to take away from reading this book?

Second chances are worth taking a leap of faith on, no matter how scary it may seem. Sometimes it may not work out but when it does it’s totally the best thing that can happen to you.

 

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

I’m currently working on the third book in the series tentatively titled “The Matchmaker’s Match” this is Linc’s story. Book 2 in the series, Next Door Knight, will be releasing on 28th March 2019. This is Caleb’s book, you got a glimpse of Caleb in this story.

The sixth book in my Guardian Seals series, Guarding Antonia, released on the 8th January 2019. This book is part of Susan Stoker’s Special Forces: Operation Alpha world.
 

Thanks for blogging at HJ!

 

Giveaway: Tule tote, e-copy of the book and Tule swag

 

To enter Giveaway: Please complete the Rafflecopter form and Post a comment to this Q: Have you been to a historic site and if so, how did it make you feel?

 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Excerpt from Blind Date Bet:

Isabella rushed through the glass door, bumping into someone walking in the coffee shop.
“Sorry,” she mumbled as she scrunched her red fedora between her fingers before putting it on her head. So what if she looked stupid, at least it provided some protection from the hot, Texas sun.
Military.
It all made sense. The autocratic tone he used at the mall. His comment about seeing what happened when no one followed instructions. Ethan Masters was in the military.
His hair had been slightly longer when he’d confronted her in the mall, but now she’d recognize the buzz cut he sported anywhere. In fact, she’d seen it on her dad his whole life. The style brought back so many painful memories. It had taken her years to be able to look at her dad without remembering the loss in her life that haircut represented.
What a dumb idea it was to agree to a blind date her dad set up for her. There was a reason she spaced out her visits with him. She should’ve worked out it had disaster written all over it when he handed her the red fedora. Never had she expected Ethan to be wearing the hat as well; she’d figured he’d hold it. If he had, she would’ve done a quick about-face and walked away from him before he even saw her. Not just because of the hair, but because of their earlier encounter. She didn’t need a bossy man in her life.
The worst thing about the whole situation was, she’d been attracted to Ethan the second she’d clapped eyes on his tall form as he waited out front of the café. For a few heart- beats she’d been looking forward to getting to know him better. It had been so long since she’d been on a date, and the fact her dad had set her up with a guy who was good- looking—well, she thought things in her life were beginning to shift. The last thing on her mind had been checking out what his hair looked like under the hat. In hindsight, it should’ve been the first thing.
Someone tapped on her shoulder; she screamed at the sudden contact. If Dad could see her, he’d berate her for not being aware of her surroundings.
“Hey, it’s me, Ethan. I’m not going to hurt you.”
He got that right. No way was she going to give him the opportunity to hurt her physically or emotionally.
“If this is how you act around women, it’s no wonder you have to be set up on blind dates.”
He flinched, but all she wanted was to get away. Away from the memories that threatened to overwhelm her being around him.
“Our date is the result of one too many tequila shots with a whiskey chaser and a bet I should’ve ignored. I can assure you I don’t need any help getting my own dates.” He took a step back, oblivious to the people walking past them, some trying hard not to stare.
She wanted to shout out, “It’s okay, go about your busi- ness and ignore us.”
“Why did you follow me?” she asked.
“You rushed out so quickly, I wanted to make sure you weren’t sick or something.”
Okay, so maybe she was being over the top, but the sec- ond he’d revealed his GI Joeness, she couldn’t be near him. “There’s no need. As you can see, I’m fine.”
“Something spooked you though. I mean, I know we weren’t having the most auspicious of discussions, but you didn’t have to run out.”
Ethan’s sincerity wrapped around her. He was a nice, albeit bossy, guy. He just wasn’t for her, even if her heart had started beating in a way it hadn’t done for a decade.
“I’m sorry, Ethan, you’re right, I shouldn’t have run out. You seem like a nice guy. But I made a promise to myself that I’d never get involved with someone who was in the military.” She stuck out her hand. “Thanks for not standing me up. Good luck with your future.”
Oh, my God, could she sound any more formal?
“How do you know I’m in the military?”
His question surprised her. “Um, well, you know, because of your haircut.”
He ran his hand through his short, spiky hair. Tall, dark,
and handsome. The description was cliché, but it fit Ethan Masters to a T. His gray T-shirt hugged his muscles. The faded blue jeans he wore clung to his hips.
“Who’s to say I don’t like getting my hair cut this way? Maybe I happen to like really short hair.”
Had she jumped to conclusions? Sweat beaded her fore- head behind the band of the silly hat she still wore, and she gripped her handbag a little tighter.
“Are you telling me that you’re not in the armed forces? That I’ve made a mistake?”
Ethan closed his eyes and his chest rose and fell as he took a deep breath. Her hopes whooshed out of her at the same time. “No, you’re right. I’m in the air force.”
Disappointment slammed into her gut with the accuracy of a heat-seeking missile. Memories she’d buried roared to the surface. Memories of another time and another military person who had brought her happiness. Memories of when that happiness was ripped away from her and she was left adrift, lost in her pain. She couldn’t do that again, no matter how alive she’d felt for a few moments.
“I’m sorry, I can’t. Goodbye, Ethan.”
Without waiting for a response, she turned her back on him and continued down the sidewalk.
Don’t look back. Don’t look back.
Isabella looked back. Ethan stood where she’d left him, his gorgeous mouth twisted in a look of confusion.
Damn, fate was wearing her bitchy pants today.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
 

Book Info:

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?

Book Links: Amazon | B&N | iTunes | Kobo | Google |
 
 

Meet the Author:

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.

On her first school report her teacher noted “Nicole likes to tell her own stories”. It wasn’t until after the birth of her first child and after having fun on a romance community forum that she finally decided to take the plunge and write a book. Now with over 20 books published she hasn’t looked back.

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.
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | GoodReads |
 
 
 

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43 Responses to “Spotlight & Giveaway: Blind Date Bet by Nicole Flockton”

  2. Jeanna Massman

    Our family is really into history. My husband and daughter both have undergraduate degrees in history so we have been to many historical sites. We always connect to the people whose lives we are studying.

  3. Donna Ariola

    It’s fun to go to these places and see how history unfolded. I pretend I was there sometimes. I can see how some of these places are painful but it’s part of all of our histories.

  4. Mary Preston

    I love history, so I have been to quite a few historical sites. It’s amazing to think of those who came before you.

  8. Amy Donahue

    I’ve been to a number of them. When I was at Gettysburg I felt very sad.

  9. Kathleen O

    I have been to many historical places. But two I was in awe of was when we went to DC and visited the Lincoln Memorial and in Ireland where they crowned this Kings of Donegal. The latter being where many of my ancestors were crowned. There were many O’Donnell clan Kings.

  14. isisthe12th

    I have and I’m always in awe of our great history and all the things I’ve learned. Thank you

  16. Joy Tetterton Avery

    To be completely honest, I tend to get bored. I did like seeing a replica of the Queen Mary ship.

  17. Sonia

    I haven’t but I think it’s crazy to know that something big happened in that place in which i could be standing:)

  20. Amy R

    Have you been to a historic site and if so, how did it make you feel? Yes, and it was amazing seeing things from the past and reading about the history.

  21. Joanne B

    I’ve been to Gettysburg and it made me feel small in comparison and grateful that I was standing there.

  23. Mary C.

    I visited the USS Arizona Memorial – it was a solemn and sobering experience,

  24. rkcjmomma

    Yes I have! The Fort in Saint Augustine Florida, I was in aw of the history and all that went on there

  25. BookLady

    Yes, I have been to a historic site and it made me feel a connection to the past.

  26. Glenda M

    Luckily my husband and I raised children who are also interested in history – so we’ve been quite a few historical sites. Soome are more awe inspiring than others, but there has always been a definite connection to the past.

  28. Angel

    Love historic sites! I have been to many because I grew up in Virginia and there are lots, and I am in awe of the men and women of history because life was never easy

  29. eawells

    I have visited a number of historic sites and it I am in awe of the history that occurred there, amazed that it is still standing.

  30. Nicole (Nicky) Ortiz

    No. But there are a few places I would love to visit.
    Thanks for the chance!

  31. Patricia B.

    We visit historic sites every chance we get. We did visit the Alamo several years ago. It was a surprise to see how small it was and how it was surrounded by large buildings. Two evening events at Fort Ticonderoga, New York really did take us back in time. The first many years ago (about 40) was an evening concert under the stars on the parade grounds inside the fort. It was by the Canadian National Pipe and Drum Corp (I think). The fort was lit only by torchlight and you could hear them echo off the surrounding hills and the tunnel as they marched up the hill and through the tunnel playing. With a cloudless, starry sky, bats flying around, bagpipes and drums echoing off the stone walls, torch light, , and the smell of the leather in the bagpipes, it was easy to believe time had been turned back over 200 years. On another trip there about 12 years ago, we attended a French and Indian War anniversary reenactment event. There were battles during the day with lines and battlements set up as they had been. The most impressive part was another evening event. They had 6 to 8 full sized cannons and were doing different types of cannon fire volleys. Deafening. There were three encampments (French, British & colonists, and indians) set up. Walking through tents lit only by lantern or candlelight, small cooking fires out front, reenacts sitting around visiting, and listening to the singing and drumming from the indian encampment down the hill, again turned the clock back. At this visit they also took groups out into the field where sentries were set up to witness what would happen with a challenge and fire fight at night. It was so dark, You couldn’t see who was coming or who you were shooting at. It would have been very easy to sneak up on a guard or sneak into a camp at night.

  32. Anna Nguyen

    i have been to the great wall of china, its amazing to stand on the wall and see how far it stretches across the land

  34. Colleen C.

    Yes I have… made me wonder about the people who built it, lived there, touched the items that were in front of me….

  35. Christina Anderson

    I’ve been to many historical sites, but my favorite experience is the Memorial at Pearl Harbor. Knowing the stories of the people from that war, makes my heart ache!

  37. girlfromwva

    i have been to quite a few. nothing has affected me more, though, than visiting the reflecting pools where the twin towers once stood. i felt the energy in the city how it must have been that day before the attack began. you look around at all the names engraved onto the barriers. you realize from the new tower how tall the buildings once where. you just think for a moment about all those people whose lives were lost & how everyone has been affected.

  40. HiDee Ekstrom

    This sounds like an adorable read! We visited the Scotts Bluff National Monument and walked the wagon ruts that were part of the Oregon Trail. I love reading about the old west, so imagining what it was like to travel that way … it was just really neat!

  43. Katie Slagle

    When I was younger, my parents took my sister’s and I to Williamsburg. I honestly don’t remember much about it except that it was a really neat place.