Spotlight & Giveaway: Not Today, Cupid by Jennifer Bonds

Today it is my pleasure to Welcome author Jennifer Bonds to HJ!

Hi Jennifer and welcome to HJ! We’re so excited to chat with you about your new release, Not Today, Cupid!

 
Hello! Thank you for having me.
 

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

Tech billionaire Nick Hart has sworn off love and romance, so when his brothers challenge him to plan a Valentine’s social with the sweet, quirky assistant who’s been secretly stuffing the corporate suggestion box, Cupid’s arrows won’t be the only thing flying!
 

Please share the opening lines of this book:

Choose your battles, Hart. Easier said than done when Triada Tech’s key investors, a group of high-powered men and women in designer suits, are seated across the table from my executive leadership team, all of whom look like they just rolled out of bed for an eight a.m. class.
If I didn’t know better, I’d think I was being pranked.
Fortunately, what the Triada team lacks in professional attire, they make up for in brainpower.
Thank Christ for small favors.

Please share a few Fun facts about this book…

• The MCs were inspired by Kathryn Newton and Nick Bateman.
• The heroine (like the author) is obsessed with tacos.
• The office pet *might* steal the show (and is based on my own sassy cockapoo.)
• The bromance between the Hart brothers is inspired by my relationship with my four siblings and our constant ribbing.
• Prickly pear margaritas, which Scarlett makes early in the book, is the only mixed drink I know how to make.

What first attracts your main characters to each other?

When Nick and Scarlett realize they’ve each made assumptions about the other based on appearance and rumors, they’re inspired to look beyond the surface to discover the truth and the simmering attraction is *chef’s kiss.*
 

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

A hilarious, emotional whirlwind affair.
 

The First Kiss…

Adrenaline courses through my veins like a battering ram, and my pulse thrums as I drop my gaze to her lips. They’re full and pink, and if I could just touch them, I know they’ll be as soft as rose petals.
She licks her lower lip, dragging her tongue over the tender flesh, and I’m a goner.
I’ve never been so desperate to kiss a woman in my life.
To touch her. Taste her. Devour her.
“I’m going to kiss you, Scarlett. The way you deserve to be kissed. Slowly. Deeply. Thoroughly.” Her breath hitches, and fuck if that doesn’t just stoke my fire. “If you don’t want that, walk out the door right now.”
I count to three in my head. It’s the longest three seconds of my life.
Scarlett meets my stare but makes no move to leave.
Because this was always going to happen.
We’ve been on a collision course from the moment she marched into my boardroom.
I cup her cheek, relishing the feel of her soft, supple skin as I pull her in, closing the distance between us. Her eyes drift shut, and she shivers when I tangle my fingers in her hair, gripping those golden strands possessively. I tilt her head as I lower my mouth to hers, and when our lips brush, a jolt of electricity blazes up my spine.

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

One of my favorite scenes is when Scarlett surprises Nick with an office pet…

“I don’t have time for a pet.” There might be a note of panic in my voice, but who could blame me? “And I don’t have the first idea how to take care of a dog.”
“I had a feeling you might say that, so I got you a book.” She holds up a copy of Puppies for Dummies. Nice. “You’ll be an expert in no time,” she says, sounding far too pleased with herself. “While you’re at it, put a few pics of you and Oreo on your social media. It’ll be good press. And don’t forget to use the hashtag Frenchies of Instagram.”
Frenchies of Instagram? Is she serious?
As a heart attack, judging by the self-satisfied look on her face. Is this really happening? And why am I taking orders when I should be the one giving them?

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

There’s a hilarious scene where Nick and Scarlett are planning the Valentine’s social and they get roped into taking some pics in a photobooth, much to his chagrin.

“What is this?” Nick asks, accepting the props.
Kylie grins. “See for yourself.”
She dives back into the box as Nick rejoins me, a look of utter terror on his face.
He tucks the wings under his arm and shakes out the ball of fabric. A small golden bow and matching quiver tumble to the floor and his eyes go wide. “Oh, fuck no.”
“Oh, fuck yes.” The words are out before I can think better of them. His brows shoot up and heat floods my cheeks, but it’s too late to turn back now. “You said you were in. This is what it takes.”
He opens his mouth to protest, but nothing comes out.
Because he knows you’re right.
Satisfaction courses through my veins and I’m not sure what it says about me that I enjoy seeing the stalwart CEO thrown completely off his game.
Being forced to dress up like Cupid will do that to a person.

Readers should read this book …

If they love stories with…
-Grumpy/Sunshine characters
-Office flings
-Forced proximity
-Billionaire/Assistant
-Sassy animal sidekicks
-Found family/epic bromance

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

I just released the third book in my Waverly Wildcats series, Scoring Sutton, and I’m hard at work on book four, Protecting Piper!

Thanks for blogging at HJ!

Giveaway: One signed paperback copy of Not Today, Cupid. (US only. An ebook will be substituted for an international winner.)

To enter Giveaway: Please complete the Rafflecopter form and Post a comment to this Q: Scarlett sees Valentine’s Day as a celebration of love in all its forms while Nick views it as a commercial holiday created by card companies and chocolatiers, so today I want to know are you Team Scarlett or Team Nick?

 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

 
 

Excerpt from Not Today, Cupid:

Scarlett pulls a cardboard box from under her desk and begins unpacking supplies. Food. Toys. An offensively bright pink pillow the same shade as the dog’s collar. “Oreo is a French bulldog, in case you were wondering.”
I wasn’t.
“She likes to eat twice a day, so you’ll want to set a timer to make sure you don’t forget—”
My spine stiffens, and I damn near drop the dog. “No way. Miles approved this harebrained scheme. The dog can live with him.”
Scarlett sighs and plants a hand on her hip. “His social calendar is too busy to care for a puppy. Oreo would be lonely. And he said you’ve always wanted a dog.”
“I was twelve when I said that!”
Christ. How has my life come to this? My inbox is overflowing and I’ve got a long day of meetings scheduled, and now I’m supposed to be worried about Oreo’s feelings?
“Fine. Then she can stay in the office.” Because no way in hell is she coming home with me.
“You’re kidding, right?” Scarlett rolls her eyes. “She can’t live in the office. Who would take her out at night?”
Oh, for fuck’s sake.
“Fine. Then take her home with you.” I hold the dog out to her, and it’s like a bad game of hot potato. Only in this game the loser is saddled with a four-legged friend.
“I— I can’t do that.” She crosses her arms over her chest, making no move to take the puppy, and shakes her head.
“Why not? This was your idea.”
“Because…” She shifts her weight from one foot to the other, her lower lip pinched between her teeth. “My apartment doesn’t allow pets.”
Finally, something I can work with. I place the dog on the floor and grab the phone from her desk, punching nine for an outside line. “What’s the number for your property manager? I’m sure we can work something out.”
“No!” She dives for the phone and snatches it from my hand before slamming it back into the cradle. “My roommate is allergic. Like, really allergic. She gets hives. And her nose runs and her eyes get all puffy. Sorry, but Oreo is all yours.”
The dog yips, and it sounds disturbingly like approval.
Scarlett must agree, because she grins and returns to her desk, plopping down in her seat like it’s a done deal.
“I don’t have time for a pet.” There might be a note of panic in my voice, but who could blame me? “And I don’t have the first idea how to take care of a dog.”
“I had a feeling you might say that, so I got you a book.” She holds up a copy of Puppies for Dummies. Nice. “You’ll be an expert in no time,” she says, sounding far too pleased with herself. “While you’re at it, put a few pics of you and Oreo on your social media. It’ll be good press. And don’t forget to use the hashtag Frenchies of Instagram.”
Frenchies of Instagram? Is she serious?
As a heart attack, judging by the self-satisfied look on her face. Is this really happening? And why am I taking orders when I should be the one giving them?
Because you’ve finally met your match, Hart.
No. No way in hell am I going to let Scarlett Evans get the best of me. She wants a picture? I’ll give her a picture.

Excerpts. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
 
 

Book Info:

Notes from Triada Investment Meeting:

As compiled by Scarlett Evans—executive assistant, grad student, and reluctant admirer of CEO Nick Hart’s snacktastic abs

Well, my fellow corporate drones, it’s another less-than-exciting investor meeting with the executives (Loud Talker, Human Buzzword, Master Delegator). And at the front, CEO Nick Hart, the world’s coldest—and ok, unbelievably sexy—tech badass. The man hasn’t smiled in the history of ever, he runs a tight ship filled with miserable employees, and gosh, he just really does not love feedback. Especially from me.

Development updates, acquisition delays, and…holy hell, why does he keep looking at me? I don’t work for him. I work for his brother. Which is good, because otherwise I’d spend every meeting secretly wondering what actually lies beneath that cool, aloof demeanor. Like, is he an uptight geek in the boardroom…and a sexy-assed freak in the bedroom?

He’d better not find out I’m the one stuffing the company suggestion box. What’s so wrong with a Valentine’s Day Social, anyway? But the fact that my notes are less professional and more entertainment is one seriously dangerous game. Because if he ever found out what I really thought of him, there’d be all kinds of sweet, delicious hell to pay…
Book Links: Amazon | B&N | iTunes | Goodreads |
 
 

Meet the Author:

Jennifer Bonds is the USA Today bestselling author of sizzling contemporary romance with sassy heroines, sexy alphas, and a whole lot of mischief. She’s a sucker for enemies-to-lovers stories, laugh-out-loud banter, and over-the-top grand gestures. Jennifer lives in Pennsylvania, where her overactive imagination and weakness for reality TV keep life interesting. She’s lucky enough to live with her own real-life hero, two adorable (and sometimes crazy) children, and one rambunctious K9. Loves Buffy, Mexican food, a solid Netflix binge, the Winchester brothers, cupcakes, and all things zombie. Sings off-key.
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