Spotlight & Giveaway: One Perfect Kiss by Jaci Burton

Posted September 6th, 2018 by in Blog, Spotlight / 43 comments

Today, HJ is pleased to share with you Jaci Burton’s new release: One Perfect Kiss

 

Spotlight&Giveaway

 

The New York Times bestselling author of Love Me Again returns to the town of Hope, Oklahoma where school is in session and love rules the playbook.

Josie Barnes has always craved a sense of home. She’s found that in Hope, Oklahoma–she bought a house, has a new job as an English teacher at Hope High, she’s made wonderful friends, and she’s taking in stray animals that no one else wants.
 
Now she’s flirting with fellow teacher and hot high school football coach Zach Powers. But he’s almost too good to be true, and Josie learned long ago not to trust in the too-good-to-be-true, because it has always let her down.
 
A former pro football player, Zach had to pull back when a career-ending knee injury forced him to rethink his future. Now he’s happy calling plays as Coach. If he could just get Josie Barnes to stop benching his players for their poor grades, life would be perfect. Instead, she drives him crazy as the stern teacher at school and the sexy woman of his dreams outside of the classroom. He knows she’s been hurt in the past, but he wants to be that guy she can trust.
 
The one thing Josie has never been able to count on is the people closest to her. But Zach intends to show her that what they have between them is a textbook case of love.

 

Enjoy an exclusive excerpt from One Perfect Kiss 

Zach picked up the remote and flipped through channels until he found a football game.
“Oh, my favorite team,” Josie said.
Zach arched a brow. “Yeah? Which team?”
“San Francisco, of course. Mick Riley was the quarterback until two seasons ago. Now his son, Nathan, has taken over at quarterback. He put up amazing stats last year and the team finished thirteen and three and they made the playoffs, only to fall in the second round. This year they’re unbeaten through four games. I think they’re going all the way. They’ve shored up some holes they had in their secondary, and added some key players on the offensive line. They’re tough.”
Zach leaned back and stared at her. “I’m impressed.”
Josie popped a grape into her mouth, then took a sip of wine and smiled at Zach. “You thought I was just pretty, but a woman. And like most guys, you think we’re out shopping when football’s on or watching something else on TV. Women enjoy sports, too, Zach.”
And like a lot of women, he was often misjudged, too. “Yes, you are pretty. And you are definitely a woman. And I don’t judge the sexes and their knowledge and enjoyment of sports, or lack thereof. I never assume anything about anyone, especially women. I don’t judge you and I’d appreciate if you don’t judge me.”
Now it was her turn to give him the once over. “Sorry, you’re right. I assumed. Oh, please forgive me, Zach.”
She batted her lashes at him in a way he found charming and utterly insincere.
“I think you’re giving me shit.”
“Good to know you’re so smart.”
“And you’re a smart ass.”
“See, now we’re getting to know each other.” She laughed and handed him a cracker with some cheese. He popped it into his mouth and washed it down with some wine.
“You make good snacks, Josie.”
“Thanks. And your taste in wine is excellent, Zach.”
“Thanks.”
She swirled the liquid around in her glass. “This one is an Oklahoma brand I’d never heard of.”
“Yeah, there are some great wineries in Oklahoma. We should hit a couple of them some weekend. There’s an amazing winery in the central part of the state that grows some incredible grapes. They even do weddings.”
“Really?”
“Yup. I took a tour there over the summer. Great family-run business. I met all three of the sisters who were involved in the operation.”
Josie arched a brow. “Three sisters, huh?”
“Yeah. Real pretty sisters, too.”
“You trying to make me jealous, Zach Powers?”
“I wasn’t, but are you?”
“Maybe.” She leaned forward. “But you know what really, really interests me right now?”
She was close enough now for him to breathe her in. She smelled clean and a little bit citrusy. He wanted to take a swipe of her neck with his tongue.
“What interests you?”
She lifted long lashes and gazed at him with those amazing eyes of hers.
“This football game.”
He laughed. “Are you sure you’re not a guy?”
She leaned back. “Positive.”
At halftime of the game he grilled some chicken tenderloins outside while Josie fixed them a salad and made some incredible vinaigrette to go over it. He chopped up the chicken and Josie added it to the salad.
“This is really good,” he said as they ate. “I like the fennel in here.”
“Thanks. I like it, too. As well as your fully stocked fridge.”
“Hey, you’re welcome to come over here and cook anytime.”
“I might hold you to that, because I like to eat.”
She ate with enthusiasm, something he enjoyed watching.
“What’s your favorite food?” he asked.
She paused, thinking, then said, “Spaghetti and meatballs.”
He nodded. “Good call.”
“Yours?”
“Easy. A nice, juicy steak.”
She nodded. “I like a good steak as well.”
“Come over sometime and I’ll grill one for you.”
She shook her head and smiled, then mumbled, “Like a dream come true” as she went back to eating.
“What does that mean?”
“Oh. This place. This food.” She looked around, pointing to his kitchen with her fork. “If you’d seen where I grew up…”
He cocked his head to the side. “Tell me about it.”
She shook her head. “Some other time, maybe.”
“That bad?”
“Let’s just say it wasn’t like this.”
He looked around at the fancy appliances and spacious kitchen and shrugged. “Josie, this is just stuff. It’s meaningless without…”
He trailed off. No point in going down that road.
“Without what?” she asked.
“Nothing.”
“You started the conversation, Zach. Finish it.”
“Warmth, A sense of belonging. Of family.”
She sighed. “Okay, I understand that. But you had everything, didn’t you?”
“You’d like to think that. But let’s just say I didn’t have the warmest family. You don’t have to come from a poor family to have a shit upbringing. My father’s disapproval over my life choices still echo in my head all these years later. “
She laid her hand on his arm, sympathy written all over her face. “I’m sorry. I know what that’s like. I mean, not the same situation, but…same, you know? Pain is pain, Zach, no matter the circumstances.”
“Yeah.”
They looked at each other, and Zach could tell Josie was as uncomfortable about the topic as he was. So they both turned and focused on the TV. He knew he was glad to get off the topic of his family. Josie probably was, too.

Excerpt. ©Jaci Burton. Posted by arrangement with the publisher. All rights reserved.
 

Giveaway: Print copy of ONE PERFECT KISS (A Hope Novel) by Jaci Burton

 

To enter Giveaway: Please complete the Rafflecopter form and post a comment to this Q: What did you think of the excerpt spotlighted here? Leave a comment with your thoughts on the book…

 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

 
 

Meet the Author:

Jaci Burton is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling, award-winning author of over seventy books, including the Play-by-Play series and the Hope series. She was awarded the RT Book Reviews Career Achievement Award in 2012. Jaci lives in Oklahoma with her husband and dogs. Visit her at jaciburton.com.
 
 

 

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43 Responses to “Spotlight & Giveaway: One Perfect Kiss by Jaci Burton”

  7. Judy S

    I can’t wait to read this. I’ve been looking forward to their story!

  14. Joye I

    I have read all of your books so far. I really enjoy your characters and story lines.
    Have added this one to my TBR list.

  15. Joanne B

    Sounds like a wonderful addition to a fantastic series. Great excerpt. Can’t wait to read more about Zach and Josie.

  16. Angel

    Love Jaci’s book!! And the excerpt is awesome, love their banter between the two of them

  19. laurieg72

    I like athletic sport’s heroes. I think Josie will make some waves on the sea of love. Zach will have to work to get Josie to fall in love with him and change a few of his beliefs along the way.

  26. Shannon Capelle

    Love the blurb! Sounds like another one of her great books! They are always so good!

  27. Lynne Brigman

    I need more!!!! Love the excerpt!!

    Thank you for the awesome giveaway ❤

  30. Jana Leah

    I love Ms Burton’s books & know this one won’t be any different.

  34. Patricia B.

    A good excerpt. It gives you a good look at these two and a peek at their relationship at that point. The hints at their background with family seems to indicate it will be of import later in the story. They both are a surprise with their likes and personalities.

  37. Anita H.

    Thanks for sharing the excerpt, can’t wait to read this one. I quite enjoy this series so far!