Spotlight & Giveaway: Royal Trouble 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, Royal Trouble!

 
Hi, fellow Harlequin Junkies!
 

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

When the bad boy of the royal family falls arse over elbow for a celebrity dirt reporter, only one thing is certain. He’s in Royal Trouble.
 

Please share the opening lines of this book:

Royal Spare Racks ’em Up

For years we’ve heard rumors about HRH Prince Alexander’s royal endowment, and now, thanks to one seriously scandalous game of strip billiards, we can officially confirm that everything you’ve heard is true! Sources close to the prince say he hosted the high-stakes game for a few of his dearest female friends (read: royal stans) during a recent trip to Amsterdam. It’s no secret the bad boy of the royal family likes action, but from the looks of it, HRH lost more than his bankroll during the friendly game.

That’s right, ladies. Hold on to your ovaries, because we’ve got the never-before-seen Holy Grail of Hotness: HRH Prince Alexander—au naturel.

Please share a few Fun facts about this book…

• Royal Trouble is the second book in the Royally Engaged series.
• The hero, Xander, is a reformed royal bad boy on the path to recovery.
• The heroine, Everly, is a former Gossip Girl with a heart of gold⁠.
• Royal Trouble features one seriously steamy wine cellar hookup⁠.
• Don’t let the pretty cover fool you, this book is hot, hot, hot!

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

Xander is immediately drawn to Everly because she’s not impressed with his royal title and isn’t afraid to call him on his BS. They’ve both had a rough go of it growing up, and for the first time in his life, he’s found someone who sees the man behind the title.

For her part, Everly is charmed by Xander’s self-deprecating humor, the vulnerable side he rarely shows the world, and his oddly endearing persistence. Plus, who could resist those gorgeous blue eyes?
 

Using just 5 words, how would you describe Hero and Heroine’s love affair?

Hilarious, passionate, unexpected, swoonworthy, real.

The First Kiss…

Xander’s doing his best to stay out of the papers and live a more disciplined life, but when Everly crosses his path, all bets are off.

In a breath, he closed the distance between them, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her close. Despite the snarky façade she showed the world, Everly was soft and warm in his arms, and he could feel her heart racing, matching the reckless beat of his own. He lowered his mouth to hers, brushing her lips gently at first, determined to explore every curve and seam. When she gasped, instinct took over, and he hoisted her onto the counter, wedging himself between her bare thighs.

So much for discipline.

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

When Xander and Everly are reunited at a friend’s wedding, an unfortunate wardrobe malfunction not only brings them together, but also sparks a media frenzy neither is prepared to face.

“Why don’t I lend you my jacket?” He had at least eight inches on her. It would probably do the trick, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t have a little fun with her first.
Everly sagged with relief. “That would be great, actually. Thank you.”
“Just one condition.”
She crossed her arms over her chest and took a step toward him, forgetting all about the gaping hole in the back of her dress. “Seriously?”
He laughed, his gaze darting to the mirror where the firm globes of her arse were now on full display then quickly averted his eyes. But it was too late. His cock stirred with desire, not understanding that her arse was off-limits.
Sweet Jesus.
This was a terrible idea.

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

When Xander unexpectedly arrives at Everly’s door, determined to tip the scale from friends to lovers, things don’t exactly go as planned.

“What are you doing here? It’s not a good time.”
Understatement of the century. She needed to be alone so she could feel sorry for herself and attempt to strategize her next move. Shit was getting real.
And not in the fun way.
“Sorry.” His lips quirked, and she just knew he was going to give her that irritating smirk before he even did it. “Everything okay?”
She peeked over his shoulder to where his protection officers stood scanning the street.
“Everything’s fine,” she lied, giving herself a mental high five for sounding convincing.
Xander gave her another slow perusal.
“Are you quite finished?”
Shit. Had there been enough indignation to mask the breathy quality of her voice?
“Not even close.” He stared at her mouth the way she imagined a dying man might look upon the pearly gates. He took a step forward. “Invite me in, Evie.”

Readers should read this book …

If you love sexy romcoms with witty banter, sizzling chemistry, and laugh-out-loud shenanigans sure to bring a smile to your face!

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

I’m currently working on edits for the third and final book in the Royally Engaged series, tentatively titled Courting Trouble, which features Xander’s younger sister Pippa.

I’m also writing the second book of the Waverly Wildcats series, Catching Quinn, which is a delicious new adult sports romance.

Thanks for blogging at HJ!

Giveaway: I’ve got a signed paperback copy of A Royal Disaster for one lucky reader! US only due to shipping costs, but I’m happy to substitute a digital copy for an international reader. 🙂

To enter Giveaway: Please complete the Rafflecopter form and Post a comment to this Q: Everly’s never had royal aspirations and dating a prince comes with certain non-negotiable strings, including media attention. Given the opportunity, would you trade everyday life for royal digs, and if so, why or why not?

 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

 
 

Excerpt from Royal Trouble:

Xander grinned. “I have many talents you’ve yet to experience. Play your cards right and perhaps you’ll discover one or two new ones tonight.”
“Promises, promises,” she teased, grabbing her wineglass and taking a long sip. The glass was nearly empty when she returned it to the counter, a warm glow heating her skin.
So much for pacing herself.
“Would you mind lighting the candles in the dining room?” He pulled a box of matches from a nearby drawer and offered it to her. “It’s just through there.”
He pointed to a doorway on the opposite side of the kitchen as Everly grabbed the box of matches from his hand.
“On it,” she said, more than happy to explore the cottage a bit more.
The dining room was dark when she entered, but even with the scant light filtering through the heavy curtains, she could tell Xander had gone all out. The table was set with fine china and there was a bouquet of fresh peonies on the table. Everly brushed the tip of her fingers over the pink blossoms, inhaling their sweet scent. She’d never been big on flowers—it seemed a shame to spend so much money on something that would just die in a few days anyway—but she was quickly becoming a fan of the fragrant pink peonies that grew on the palace grounds.
“Everything okay in there?” Xander called.
Shit. How long had she been hovering over the table, sniffing the flowers?
“Yeah, I’m good.” She opened the box of matches and struck one against the side. It took two tries for it to catch, but once the match flared to life she quickly lit the candles. The soft glow of candlelight warmed the room, softening the harsh edges of the contemporary furniture and creating a cozy escape for two.
She bit her lip and smiled. She’d had no idea the prince was such a romantic. No one had ever gone to so much trouble for her and the realization made her want to skip dinner and head right to dessert.
When she returned to the kitchen, Xander was refilling their wineglasses. “Dinner should be ready in a few minutes.”
“You did all of this yourself?” she asked.
He quirked a brow and gestured to the mess piled up around him. If she didn’t know better, she would’ve sworn it had grown since her arrival. “Is that so hard to believe?”
Everly winked—actually freaking winked—at Xander. Why had she done that? It was something the cocky royal would do, not her.
Who am I anymore?
“I was being gracious,” she said with a laugh. “You should try it sometime.”
“Is that right?” He crossed the kitchen in two long strides, backing her up against the island. Before she could protest, he lifted her onto the counter and wedged himself between her thighs. Then, gripping her ass, he pulled her to him, letting her feel the hard ridge of his erection. “We’ve got a few minutes before dinner. How about I show you just how gracious I can be when properly motivated?”

Excerpts. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
 
 

Book Info:

It’s time for everyone’s favorite bad boy, Prince Alexander Stanley, to clean up his act. Given the rare opportunity to lead a new royal program that aids veterans and their families, Xander can’t afford to be making scandalous headlines anymore. He has only two months until the program launches. No more overindulging. And definitely no more women.

Then halfway into it, his good behavior streak is threatened by a devil in a fuchsia dress.

Everly Wilson has kept a secret for years. She was the mastermind behind the celebrity dirt website Royals Gone Wild, which exposed some of her home country of Valeria’s juiciest secrets. But once she was out of school, she left the website and her past behind, moved to New York, and became a serious writer.

A seriously broke writer. If she doesn’t find a fresh story to earn her top dollar, she’ll be out on the street, with nothing but her laptop and a stack of unpaid medical bills to keep her warm at night.

But when a friend’s wedding brings her back home, it seems like the fates have aligned to deliver her the scoop of the year. Prince Alexander is suddenly on a mission to clean up his act, avoiding the escapades he once embraced—and she’s determined to be the one to catch his inevitable screwup. So when things between them start to heat up, and Xander’s walls start coming down, Everly might be the one royally in trouble this time…
Book Links: Amazon | B&N | iTunes | Goodreads |
 
 

Meet the Author:

Jennifer Bonds writes sizzling contemporary romance with sassy heroines, sexy heroes, 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. Jen 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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