Spotlight & Giveaway: Not Betting on Forever by Natasha Moore

Today it is my pleasure to Welcome author Natasha Moore to HJ!

Hi Natasha Moore and welcome to HJ! We’re so excited to chat with you about your new release, Not Betting on Forever!

 
Hi! Thanks so much! I’m excited to be here.
 

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

Nick was married to Melanie’s older sister years ago, now they’re both single, back in town, competitors in the local Battle of the Businesses, and fighting an attraction neither one wants.
 

Please share the opening lines of this book:

She wasn’t actually spying.
Melanie Hayes had noticed her not-quite-new next door neighbor striding toward the sprawling house behind theirs, carrying a case of beer like it was a six-pack. And she’d been suspicious. So she’d headed for the tree that sat on the vacant land between their two properties to keep her eye on him. Things. To keep her eye on things. She wasn’t able to clamber up the trunk as quickly as she used to, but she did pretty damn good for forty-two.

Please share a few Fun facts about this book…

• Nick was Melanie’s first crush.
• It’s wet T-shirt time when Nick and Melanie cool off after yard work.
• They can’t stop betting with each other.
• There may be a game of strip poker.
• Opposites attract – she owns a beauty salon, he runs the family gym,

What first attracts your main characters to each other?

They grew up next door to each other, and when they see each other again after more than twenty years, they’re attracted not only to how their appearances have changed over the years (very well!), but their easy banter brings the memories of their old friendship rushing back.
 

Using just 5 words, how would you describe your main characters”love affair?

Forbidden
Secret
Fling
Tempting
Irresistible
 

The First Kiss…

She hadn’t been wearing any makeup the day she’d fallen out of the tree and into his arms. “You’re beautiful without the makeup and polish.”
Her cheeks turned pink. “Thanks, but it’s not as much fun.”
“It’s fun to spend all that time painting your face and nails?”
“My job is all about helping women feel great about themselves. What’s the point of living if you can’t enjoy it?”
He caught her eye. “Enjoying your life, Brat?”
She kept eye contact for a brief moment, before she looked away. “I am right now.”
He slowed his steps. “Right now? This minute?”
She shrugged, but the corner of her lips lifted. “I guess I’m enjoying the company.”
They had only one more block. He could have walked beside her all night long. At least until midnight. “Me too.”
They didn’t speak again until they were home, but he’d come to appreciate their comfortable silence. The moon shone bright tonight, giving her a soft glow.
When was the last time he’d noticed the moon? Or a fucking glow?
This time he walked her up onto the porch, rather than waiting on the sidewalk for her to go inside. The voice in his head telling him to walk away had been drowned out by the one urging him to stay. Reminding him he’d get a kiss if he were lucky.
He could see her even better with the light from her porch. Her bright eyes, soft skin, the shadow of cleavage at the base of her V-neck. She turned to face him at the door. “Good night, Nick.”
“Don’t suppose you want to hang around together until midnight—”
She laughed, grabbed his face and planted that kiss he’d been hoping for. This wasn’t some soft, hesitant brush of lips. It was a crush of mouths, made hotter by hungry moans, teased further by the slip of tongues. He actually groaned when she slowly pulled away.
She chuckled softly. “Good night, Nick,” she repeated and disappeared through the door.

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

Actually, the last scene in the book is my favorite, but I can’t give you a snippet of that! But another one I absolutely love is the bowling alley scene – the banter between these two…

He wore a sleeveless black tank and khaki shorts, so she was able to enjoy certain elements of his physique. His biceps and triceps bunched in his arm as he hefted the ball, and she wondered how that strong arm would feel if he dragged her close. His calves looked like steel as he approached the line, swinging the ball in sync with his movements. His strong shoulders straightened as he stopped and watched his ball attack the pins. More often than not, he knocked them all down.
She sauntered up to him. “I see you’ve done this before.” She kept her voice light, and sipped her drink.
“Dad and Grandpa were both bowlers. Spent much of my early childhood in this place.”
There was so much she wasn’t aware about this man. “I never knew that.”
“You were pretty young then.”
Another reminder of the years between them. “I’ve been admiring your form.”
His eyes lit up. “You have?”
She glanced around but the crashing of the bowling pins would block out any words between them. “Mmm hmm. Impressive.”
He chuckled and flexed his bicep. “Thank you.”
“Don’t get a swollen head. Just saying I concede you know how to bowl.”
“Haven’t done this in years. Glad the muscle memory kicked in.”
“Too bad you aren’t a little rusty.”
He chuckled. “Isn’t it lucky this is the last event in our side bet?”
“Yeah. Yeah.” Lucky for him.
He leaned closer. “Do you concede? Need to set up a time for that haircut.” He ran a hand through his thick mane of hair. “Looking forward to relaxing in that barber chair of yours, and getting the full treatment.”
“Don’t get greedy. The bet was only for a haircut.” She couldn’t be sorry about losing this bet. She couldn’t wait to get him in her chair. Get her hands on him. She swallowed until she could deliver a comeback that sounded snappy instead of sexy. “And I’m not conceding until the final frame.”
“Hopeless.”
“Hopeful. It’s not over till—”
“Yeah, I know,” he interrupted. “Till it’s over.” He’d lowered his voice, leaning even closer until they were face to face.
Kissing distance.

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

The scene after the Battle of the Businesses team leader meeting – when Nick and Melanie make their side bet and Herb (the owner of the contested land between theirs) tells them the terms for one of them getting the land.

“Good, you’re still here.” Herb approached them and they jerked their hands apart. “Glad I caught you.”
Nick cleared his throat. “What’s up?”
“I want to talk to you both.”
Melanie’s stomach twisted uneasily. Had he heard them making the bet? “I know it’s probably not proper for us to be betting on our events.” Was that one of the rules? Herb didn’t mention it tonight.
“Is that what you were doing?” Herb’s chuckle sounded like dry leaves rustling over the sidewalk. He lowered himself into the black chair with the high back he’d sat in earlier. “Have a seat you two. I’ve come to a decision.”
Melanie glanced at Nick and he shrugged to say he had no idea what Herb was getting at, either. They took two folding chairs on the other side of the long table. “What’s up?” Nick asked. “You need help with something?”
Herb glared at him. “I don’t need any damned help. Pay attention for a minute.” He paused and gave them each a steady stare before a slow smile stretched over his weathered face. “Now I can’t deny I have enjoyed those bribes of baked goods and beer that I’ve been getting, but I want to make it clear that I’m not going to sell that plot of land to either one of you.”
“But, Herb…” Melanie cried.
“Come on, Herb,” Nick complained at the same time.
Herb raised his hand, the long fingers thin and gnarled. “I’m going to pass it on the same way it has changed hands for the past fifty years.”

Readers should read this book …

if they love small town romance, banter, humor, emotion, and characters in their 40s.
 

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

I’m currently working on the third book in this series, tentatively titled Not Falling for Perfect. I also have a novella included in an indie anthology titled Strip Tease, that will be released Oct 4th. Plus I have several titles that the rights have been reverted to me, and I’m planning to re-release them within the next few months.
 

Thanks for blogging at HJ!

Giveaway: I’ll choose one lucky commenter to win digital copies of both NOT BETTING ON FOREVER, and the first book in this series, NOT SEEKING MR. RIGHT.

To enter Giveaway: Please complete the Rafflecopter form and Post a comment to this Q: I love forbidden romance but it’s not so easy to come up with believable situations in contemporary romances. Besides the ex-wife’s little sister, etc., as in this book, there are the work relationships (boss, co-worker, etc.) but I don’t see many others in the contemporary genre. How about you? Do you like romances with forbidden relationships? Are there any other forbidden situations you’d like to see in a contemporary romance? Put your answer in the comment section below. I’d love to hear your suggestions. I might be able to use one in a new book.

 
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Excerpt from Not Betting on Forever:

“Why do you keep looking at the clock?” Joanie asked Nick.
He didn’t realize it was obvious. “No reason.”
“Like I believe that.” She studied him. “It’s not like you, boss. You’re always doing something, checking something, cleaning something, spotting someone. But you’re not doing anything but pace. What’s up?”
Was it real concern or was she keeping tabs on him? “Nothing to worry about. I have an appointment at five. Don’t mention it to anyone.”
Her blue eyes widened. “Are you sick?”
“I’m not sick.”
“Legal problems?”
Was she trying to dig up dirt on him? He trusted Joanie but he didn’t know what happened at the gym when he was gone. He stared at her and her cheeks turned pink.
“Sorry. Sorry. None of my business.”
He gave her a quick nod, glanced at the clock again. Anticipation made his nerves dance.
“You have a date?” She wasn’t giving up.
“Joanie…” It wasn’t a date. He was only collecting payment for a bet. The thought made him frown. Did he want it to be a date? Of course, not.
Her eyes narrowed suspiciously. “Okay. Now I’m worried.”
Joanie was fifteen years younger than him, but she was the mother hen of the gym. “Nothing to worry about. Just don’t want to be late.” He wanted to be with Melanie right now.
“When Joe calls, I’ll tell him you’re done for the day, okay? I won’t mention an appointment.”
Nick turned on her. “Does my father often call to check up on me?”
Joanie’s eyes grew wide. “Um…sometimes? I don’t say anything bad. I mean, there’s nothing bad to say. Like I said, you’re always doing something and no one expects you to be here every minute.”
He was sorry he’d made her feel so defensive. “No problem, Joanie. I didn’t know he was calling you.” He still called Nick every morning. “I’ll have a talk with him.”
“Please don’t. I don’t want him to think I complained about him.”
“Joanie,” Nick said softly. “Joe is retired. Apparently he can’t seem to keep his nose out of the business, but it’s not his place to be interrogating you.”
“It’s okay. Really. I always liked Joe.” She smiled. “I think he really misses the place. Probably didn’t realize he would until he was gone. It’s really okay.”
He’d let it go for now. He glanced at his watch. Five minutes.
Luckily, Joanie wouldn’t be able to see him cross the street and enter the colorful door for Mel’s Beauty Divas. There weren’t any windows out the front of the gym’s brick building. Big windows spread out the back, overlooking a stand of trees and a wildflower garden his mother had put in years ago. Nick remembered helping her plant the first flower beds—though heaven knows, he probably was more trouble than help. That was back over forty years ago when it was only men coming to Campagna’s, mostly to hit the punching bags, the free weights, and the sparring ring. She said even big, strong men needed something beautiful to look at.
He planned on looking at something beautiful in… He couldn’t wait in here any longer. “I’m off. See you tomorrow.”
“Be careful.”
He huffed. “Not doing anything dangerous.”
“Anything that makes you that nervous must be dangerous.”
Nick waved her off and pushed through the heavy door and into the sunshine. His heart pounded as he strode across the street and pushed through the bright-pink and white door.
He didn’t know what he’d expected, but it wasn’t a room full of women turning their heads in unison and staring at him. The force of their wide-eyed stares actually made him take a step back. He felt bulky and out of place in the pink and white space.
Melanie looked up from where she was covering an elderly woman’s head with hairspray. He recognized Mary Wilson, one of his high school teachers. Her tight white curls weren’t going anywhere.
Melanie’s cheeks turned pink, coordinating her with the rest of the room. “Is it five already?”
He glanced at his watch as if he didn’t know how long it took him to cross the street. Was she as nervous as he was? And why was he nervous, anyway? “In a couple of minutes.”
A young woman with brown hair and freckles looked up from the reception desk. “Do you have an appointment?” she asked, when she obviously knew he didn’t.
“I asked Nick to stop by after we closed,” Melanie said
“Oh, okay.” She smiled at Nick. “I can make you some coffee while you wait. Or I can get you a bottle of water?”
“Thanks, but I’m fine.” He perched on a delicate chair with pink cushions and white curved legs and arms. Glass shelves held bottles with fancy labels. Colorful stones and flower petals were scattered around the bottles and jars. Flowery scents surrounded him. He knew where the bull in the china shop saying came from. He didn’t dare start pacing. He kept his hands clasped in his lap before he broke something.
The other women gave him speculative glances, but seemed to hurry to finish their tasks, sweeping the floor, cleaning the counters. One by one they said goodbye and headed out. Melanie wiped down her station while the receptionist took care of the payment before leaving herself.
Mary Wilson stopped in front of him on her way out. “It’s been a long time, Nick. How are your parents doing? Arizona, wasn’t it? Near where Melanie’s parents settled?”
“Hello, Miss Wilson.” He rose to his feet, then stumbled as he caught the toe of his shoe on the dainty leg of the side table. He steadied himself and cleared his threat to get rid of the unspoken curse word stuck there. “Yes, they love it out there.”
“That’s so good to hear. You and Melanie will have to go out there and visit them.” Then she laughed. “Oh, what am I saying? You married Shelby, didn’t you? How is she?”
What the hell? He knew beauty shops were known for gossip, but he never thought to be caught up in it personally. All eyes were on him and the chatting had cut off the moment Miss Wilson began to speak. He reminded himself that no one knew about his inappropriate attraction to Melanie.
Just stay cool.
“Shelby and I haven’t been married for a long time,” Nick reminded her, trying to keep his voice light. Small town gossip was one thing he didn’t have to worry about in Albany.
She scrunched up her wrinkled face. “Are you sure?”
Melanie caught his gaze and rolled her eyes behind Miss Wilson’s back. He nodded. “Yes, Ma’am.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” she said, shaking a finger at him as if he were still one of her students. “I remember that day. You looked so happy.” She turned to Melanie before he had time to respond. “Thank you, dear.”
“Have a good evening, Mary.”
The door closed behind the spry woman and Nick glanced around him. It was just the two of them.

Excerpts. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
 
 

Book Info:

What’s the fun when you don’t bet to win?

Single mom Melanie Hayes should absolutely, completely, and totally not be attracted to her next door neighbor. Nick Campagna can be her friend, her secret crush, or just the arrogant —and unavoidably handsome—jerk next door, but nothing more. Because, even though it was a million years ago, he’s also her sister’s ex. And now, with Lakeside’s Battle of the Businesses in full swing, Nick’s also Melanie’s competition.

Their families have always been competitive, so it’s no surprise to anyone that Nick and Melanie are playing for more than just bragging rights. With a coveted piece of land on the line, Nick isn’t backing down. Maybe he can’t help noticing that the tomboy he knew as a kid has turned into a stunning redhead. Maybe he is attracted to Melanie. Ridiculously so. But as real as this feels, Nick knows this is one game he definitely can’t win.

They’ve known each other long enough that it’s definitely not love at first sight. But attraction can happen in an instant. And this is one wager where winning is nowhere near as fun as playing the game…
Book Links: Amazon | B&N | iTunes | Goodreads |
 

Meet the Author:

Natasha Moore fell in love with the written word as soon as she could read. She started writing her own stories back in grade school and hasn’t stopped since. After suffering through too many books with not enough kissing scenes, she discovered romance, and her addiction to happy endings was born. She’s the author of more than thirty novels, novellas, and short stories, and believes that stories of love and hope are important. Love can happen at any age and she often writes about vibrant and passionate characters finding love later in life. She’s a snowbird and spends the winters in sunny Florida, missing her grandchildren but not the snow. The rest of the year she lives in beautiful western New York with her real life hero who is happy to tell everyone that he’s her inspiration.
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