Spotlight & Giveaway: Forbidden to Touch by JC Harroway

Today it is my pleasure to Welcome author JC Harroway to HJ!

Hi JC Harroway and welcome to HJ! We’re so excited to chat with you about your new release, Forbidden to Touch!

 
Hello HJ fans!
 

Tell us about the book with this fun little challenge using the title of the book:

F(orbidden) is for FEELS

T is for TRUST ISSUES
O is for OLDER HERO

T is for TENDER TOUCHES
O is for OMG ORGASMS
U is for UMMM… PASS
C is for CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS
H is for HAPPY ENDING, because I don’t write anything else!

Please share the opening lines of this book:

“THE WORRY ON my brothers’ faces tightens the shackles of my role as eldest and head of the Faulkner Group, but it’s a role I was practically born to, so I hide the concern from my own expression and layer my voice with reassurance.
‘The doctor said the best thing for Dad is to maintain his current routine. Let’s keep him on the golf course or at his club until we know more about his prognosis.”

Please tell us a little about the characters in your book.

Reid is the eldest of three brothers. He’s always carried more than his share of responsibility for his brothers, the family business and now, is ageing father. He’s a cynical control freak who has had his fingers burned with love and marriage in the past, so when family friend, Blair arrives to renovate his hotel, he’s blown away.
Blair once had a teenaged crush on Reid, ten years her senior, so working with him opens up delicious possibilities to live out her fantasies. And of course there are sparks! Reid was unaware of Blairs contract to renovate his beloved hotel and Blair, reeling from having her business stolen by her ex, is determined to relaunch her company with the Faulkner renovations.

Please share a few Fun facts about this book…

• The naughty negotiations between Blair and Reid in the boardroom were so fun to write!
• Shakespeare features in the book at an…intimate moment.
• I love the way Blair teases Reid about their age gap.

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

Well Blair and Reid’s families are friends, so despite their ten year age gap, Blair had a teenaged crush on Reid. When she sees him again after a few years, he’s still thigh-clenchingly hot, and all her fantasies roar back to life.
Reid is at first surprised by his attraction to a woman he’s never thought of that way, until now! And he’s thrown that his attraction seems to be reciprocated, despite their age gap. But it’s her passion for her work, her drive and professionalism and her empathy towards his father that sees him acting on that attraction.
Let the games begin!

The First Kiss…

“She looks up with the need which is mirrored in me burning in her beautiful eyes. ‘Kiss me.’
It’s what I want to hear, the exact invitation I need.
I cup her face, holding her stare and tilting her head to the desired angle, but taking my sweet time even though I want to taste the lush lips only millimetres from mine with a ferocity I’m struggling to control.
‘Just so you know, I’ve wanted to kiss you since I walked into the waiting area and saw you yesterday.’ I give her no time to absorb my words, her tiny gasp signal enough that she’s registered them. I slide my mouth over her parted lips and drag her body to mine so every soft inch of her is pressed up against the hardness she inspires.
One swipe, two, three… Who’s counting?
She parts her lips further, accepting the push of my tongue inside. My fingers tangle in that swath of blonde silk and she whimpers under me, her whole body slack and her eyes, which have remained open throughout, glazing over.
I pull back, foolishly thinking I’m done with the kiss, only to tilt my head sideways and enjoy it from the opposite angle—an experience that’s as good as the first time, because now she’s practically writhing all over me and clutching at my hair with her free hand as she kisses me back.
Just one more taste. Just one more minute, then I’ll put a stop to this and walk away.
Energy pours through me, electrifying every cell in my body. The reality of Blair Cameron has blown my mind. This room has never hosted such agreeable negotiations. I feel a new shiny brass plaque is in order to commemorate the great contract agreement of the Faulkner Group and Cameron Interiors.

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

This scene between Reid and Blair is the first bump in the road since they start their relationship. I’d use this scene because both Reid and Blair are exposed, their emotions vulnerable, so it’s perfect to show the chemistry between the characters.

I kiss the top of her head, and pull back a fraction so she can see the sincerity in my expression.
‘I don’t doubt you professionally and neither do Kit and Drake. They loved your plans for the renovations. Brothers just like to talk shit to wind each other up—it’s a trait we’ve carried from childhood, I’m afraid.’
She nods, but her eyes are still haunted, her voice when she speaks flatter than I’ve ever heard it. ‘They don’t approve of us fooling around.’
I wince. I’d seen the way Kit reacted to my obvious closeness to Blair, but then, like now, I considered it irrelevant. ‘I don’t care. Do you?’ The ugly swirls of fear return, my stomach twisting. If she says yes, that no-strings sex was fun, but family judgement is a distraction she doesn’t need, that I’m too old for her after all, that we don’t have enough in common or that’s it’s just not worth it… I grip her tighter. The reaction makes no sense—she’s right, all we’ve shared is a handful of orgasms, but already this feels like more, feels as if we’re heading into dangerous territory. Trouble is, I don’t want to retreat. I’m selfish. I want her for as long as it lasts.
When she shakes her head, her chin lifted in defiance, I practically growl and press my mouth hard to hers as euphoria pumps around my body. Without interference or my own stupidity, our connection is simple—A plus B equals… What? A good time? If I’m honest, we’ve already surpassed simple physical gratification. She makes me feel invincible, makes me feel the optimism I associate with the man I was in my early twenties.
‘Good. Come home with me.’ I clutch her closer.
She laughs, a delightful sound that restores my equilibrium more than her words of reassurance or the lust simmering in her eyes.
‘Just because I accept your apology doesn’t mean I’m ready to forgive all your transgressions.’

If your hero had a sexy-times play list, what song(s) would have to be on it?

For You, Liam Payne & Rita Ora
The Feeling, Justin Bieber, Halsey
Dancing with a Stranger, Sam Smith, Normani

If you could have given your characters one piece of advice before the opening pages of the book, what – would it be and why?

Follow your hearts! Ha! but of course if they did that on page one I’d be out of a job….

What are you currently working on? What are your up-coming releases?*

I’m currently Writing a new series for DARE, on holiday flings! It’s super fun to write and I can’t wait to share it with readers. My Next release, The Proposition is part of the Billionaires Club quartet, release October 2019.
 

Thanks for blogging at HJ!

Giveaway: A signed paperback or e-book copy of Forbidden to Touch, open internationally.

To enter Giveaway: Please complete the Rafflecopter form and Post a comment to this Q: Did you ever have the courage to confess your teenaged crush?

 
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Excerpt from Forbidden to Touch:

‘I’m happy to sign this revised contract.’ She slides the folder closer, lining it up parallel to the edge of the table before relaxing her hands on either side on the polished oak.
I breathe a sigh of relief. ‘Great. Then our business is concluded.’ This couldn’t go better from my point of view. Not only do I have a revised contract, but I’ve also cited myself as overseer to the work. She won’t be able to change a light bulb without my prior approval.
‘Perhaps.’ Her eyes settle on mine, the rise and fall of her chest telling me I’m in no way imagining her sexual interest. I’m certain we want the same thing. And by the way this satisfactory negotiation has panned out, we could have what we want.
I incline my head, gracious in victory.
‘Will I be required to act as if I’m… Sa…your ex again?’
Damn. How the hell am I supposed to answer that? I have no idea how my father will react from one day to the next. The doctors tell me a routine and a calm environment is the best medicine, but until I have that second opinion the last thing I want to do is upset Graham further, which is why I went along with the case of mistaken identity.
‘Would that be so terrible?’ I say. ‘You handled it perfectly last night—something I’m very grateful for, by the way.’
I sense her hesitation, although she’s doing a valiant job of trying to conceal it.
I add a layer of inducement. ‘Now we’ve agreed on the specifics of the contract, if there’s anything else I can do for you in return, just let me know.’ Everyone wants something.
What does Blair Cameron want if it isn’t to sabotage my hotel?
She nods, looks away and then turns back to face me with new resolve and a flash of excitement shining in her eyes. ‘Actually, I do.’
Well, this should be interesting. I smile, heat building in my chest with excitement for the demands she’s about to make.
‘Now I’m intrigued. Go on.’ My stare zeroes in on her full mouth, a mouth I’d like to feel on mine. The fire is there between us, a smoulder of embers waiting to be fanned to a blaze.
‘I’m willing to…play along should the need arise. I wouldn’t want to embarrass Graham or make things worse for him.’ Her eyes harden. ‘I prefer not to deceive him, believe me, but you’ve already put me in a difficult position.’
‘So what do you want?’
She pushes her hair back from her face. ‘If my work on the Faulkner meets your approval, you’ll write me a client testimonial I can use however I see fit.’
‘That’s easy enough.’ I’m failing to see where the rub is for me—she’s agreed to all my terms, above and beyond. ‘A glowing recommendation is something I’d do for any worthy contractor.’ I’m sensing there’s more. The second item, perhaps. ‘What else do you want?’ Everyone has a price, but can I afford hers? I hold myself still, certain her next demand will cost me one way or the other.
She hesitates, her lip caught under her top teeth, ‘I—it’s a little…unprofessional. Perhaps we should discuss it after hours.’
‘Now works just fine for me.’ I wait, curiosity a persistent drum sounding in my head. ‘Tell me, Blair.’
My hushed command does the trick in loosening her tongue.
‘Do you…find me attractive?’ she asks with a tilt of her chin.
I conceal my astonished reaction. ‘Attractive?’ My blood roars. Sexy as fuck, more like. Fascinating, whip-smart and ballsy. What is there to doubt?
She nods. ‘I could be wrong…about our…chemistry.’ Her eyes dip to the tabletop for a fraction but then they’re back, bolder than before.
I lean forward, place my arms on the table, my hands clasped together to stop myself reaching out and touching the strand of hair that has fallen over her cheek. “You’re not wrong. I’ve always thought you’re a beautiful woman.’ The heat in my chest slides below the belt. This is so inconvenient, but now she’s verbalised what I hoped to hear, I’m done for.
The breath she’s holding shudders out of her, the flutter of the pulse in her neck, the increased heat from her body, the subtle shift of her crossed legs all indicating she’s as turned on as me.
‘Ask your favour.’ My patience snaps. The sparks in her eyes deliver fresh blood to my groin. I’m either going to love what comes next out of those delicious lips, or my instincts are decidedly off…
‘Well… I used to have something of a teenage crush on you.’ She laughs then, despite the heightened colour in her cheeks. It’s a delightful sound—a little throaty, almost dirty and so unexpected I laugh too. I didn’t know about the crush. Yes, I recall for a while in my late twenties she blushed every time we crossed paths—which wasn’t that often—but I figured it was an awkward phase. A teenager thing.
Then I quirk one eyebrow, waiting while this new piece of information floods my body with testosterone. ‘Tell me what you want from me.’ If it’s what I’m thinking the answer is hell, yes. The fact that she knows what she wants and is negotiating it into our terms is the biggest turn-on so far. She’s accruing quite a list of attributes.
But surely it can’t be the same thing I want. The thing I’ve wanted since she looked up at me in the Faulkner Group waiting area with a flash of recognition and something else. Something bold“and demanding, as ruthless as any business stipulation. Now I want to hear those other demands, hear confirmation from her sensual mouth.
She picks at a speck on her dress, something so minute it’s invisible. ‘I’m correct in thinking you’re single, right?’
I nod, watching her with renewed fanaticism. ‘I’ve done the marriage thing—now I only do casual.’ I incline my head, waiting while my heart hammers—I’ve never been propositioned like this before and to say I like it would be an understatement.
I lean a fraction closer and toss her a lifeline. ‘We might be on the same page here.’
She nods, as if she’s worked that out long before me. ‘I’d like to propose a second contract. Just a verbal one will do.’ Her eyes shine as she taps the paperwork on the table. ‘Separate to the business one so no lines are blurred.’
‘Why?’ My interest peaks with the strengthening urge to taste her delicious-looking mouth.
‘I beg your pardon?’
‘Why do we need a second contract?’ I know enough about her by now to know she won’t fluster and dither at my direct question, but I need to know we’re negotiating the same thing.
Her response blows me away.
‘Because I have fantasies about you I’d like to play out.’

Excerpts. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
 
 

Book Info:

She made the rules. But he’s changing the game…

Within thirty seconds of meeting Reid Faulkner again, I’m reminded of exactly why I had a crush on him for so many years. That confidence, that effortless control, that thigh-clenching hotness… Only, this time I’m not little Blair Cameron, sexually frustrated teenager. No, now I am an adult woman reliving every filthy fantasy I’ve ever had about him…
His dark, sexy stare is filled with naughty promises. Promises of sex. Great sex.
But I’m here to work for him. I have a contract, and I won’t let any man—no matter how delicious—underestimate me again. So I am proposing a second contract. An unofficial one, where we explore my every desire. It’s the perfect no-strings arrangement—all sex, no emotions. The only problem is that I made a concession: to play by his rules.

Now we’ve crossed that line and tasted the forbidden. It started with only a touch. But will a man who controls everything protect his heart at all costs…even if it means breaking mine?
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Meet the Author:

Lifelong romance addict J.C. Harroway lives in New Zealand. Writing feeds her very real obsession with happy endings and the endorphin rush they create.You can follow her at www.jcharroway.com www.facebook.com/jcharroway, www.instagram.com/jcharroway and https://twitter.com/jcharroway
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