Spotlight & Giveaway: Sweet Spot for Love by Aliyah Burke

Posted March 31st, 2023 by in Blog, Spotlight / 50 comments

Today it is my pleasure to Welcome author Aliyah Burke to HJ!
Spotlight&Giveaway

Hi Aliyah and welcome to HJ! We’re so excited to chat with you about your new release, Sweet Spot for Love!

 
Thank you! I’m thrilled and honored to be here. Thanks for hanging out with me.
 

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

Single Mom. Ex-pro baseball player.
Small town antics, nosy neighbors and friends who think they know what’s best.
He uses her as his fake fiancée but it is all to real for them both.
Can they admit the truth to one another?
 

Please share the opening lines of this book:

The noise from Rock in the Green echoed louder than normal in his head. Linc blew out a breath. He had other things on his mind right now, but Tully needed him. Hell, he needed Tully and Mitchell as well. His best friends.
Demons nipped at the recesses of his mind, clamoring like a pack of wolves to be free. He shoved them down. This was about helping Tully get out of the mood that had swamped him since the blowup between him and Dawson Shay, the woman Tully had fallen in love with.

 

Please share a few Fun facts about this book…

  • The bar is based on a true place in Vermont where…well, let’s just say I made a name for myself.
  • My hero played 3rd base after my very own favorite baseball player.
  • I did all the things (fun things) they did in San Antonio.
  • I almost researched bowling for this, but just went and watched my husband bowl. I can’t even contemplate putting my fingers in the holes or my feet in shoes others use. I’m a bit of a germaphobe.
  • I’m like the heroine in that I tend to blurt out things I wish I had kept as an internal thought.

 

What first attracts your main characters to each other?

He’s attracted when he hears her comment about vibrators.
She’s been in love with him since they were in school.
 

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

Flirtatious, passionate, trusting, honest, sensual.
 

The First Kiss…

This happens shortly after he tells an investor she is his fiancée.

When he placed the cap on her head, her insides did a few flips. Linc leaned down and brushed their lips together. It wasn’t long, nor anything more than a quick skim against her own, but her chest thundered like a bass drum from the way her heart pumped and her lungs fought for air.

 

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

Ohh…unfair question.
I think it would be where they’ve had the black moment and aren’t together currently. He’s in the dugout and is approached by Emma’s daughter.

In the dugout, he began stuffing gear into the bags. Normally, he would insist the children do this but they were enjoying a celebration. A small hand pushed a helmet into the bag by his left leg.
“Greer? Everything okay? Why aren’t you out with your friends?”
“Mama said I have to help clean up after every game.”
“I think your mama would be okay if you skipped this once.”
She dragged over two bats and placed them in the designated bag. “Do you not like her anymore? Is that why you’re not marrying her? Was it me?”
He winced as her words gutted him. He never wanted to make her feel that way. Linc dropped the helmet and reached for Greer, tugging her closer to him. Once she sat on the bench he crouched before her.
“Kid, this has nothing to do with you. Or anything your mom did. It’s all about me and the fact I made a mistake.”
“So you still like her.”
He nudged up her chin. “I love both of you, Greer. I was so proud watching you play today and I want to be at your mom’s side when you win, to lift you on my shoulders and let everyone know how full of pride I am. I want to be there when you lose to offer comfort.”
She blinked and he waited, knowing that she moved at her own speed with words.
“Why don’t you apologize? Mama says when we do something wrong we have to apologize.”
“She’s right. And so are you. I’m working on it.”
“Work faster. Mama is talking about moving and I don’t want to go.” She flattened her lips, a move so much like her mother, Linc smiled.
“Greer,” Emma called out. “We have to get going.”
He lifted his gaze to find Emma at the edge of the dugout. “I got this, kid. Go on.”
A soft brush on his arm had him glancing down to Greer. “I was excited to get to call you my dad.”

 

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

The batting cages at night after their dinner out with the potential investor.

She glared at him as the lights slowly came on around them. His long, dark fingers curved against the fencing and she couldn’t help but think of those same fingers stroking her pale skin, sending her to heights of pleasure she’d never known.
“Or help removing your dress?” Linc tipped his head and dragged his gaze over her before meeting her eyes once more.
Her core temperature rose and she squeezed her hand around the knob before she shifted down to hold the handle. “Not even in your dreams.”
“Freckles, in my dreams you’re not even allowed any clothing. So removing that dress wouldn’t be an issue. Personally, I think you’re going to be adorable naked with a batting helmet on your head.”
“Why am I here? Why aren’t you holding a bat?”
“I’ll be next door. I wanted to get you set up first.”
She faced away from him, digging her toes into the hard packed dirt. “I’m ready.”
“Sure you don’t want some hands-on instruction? I’ve done it once or twice and look how I helped with the bowling.”
“Helped me work through some batteries, more like…”
“F**k, Freckles. You can’t say things like that to me. I’m trying to be a gentleman.”
His breath fanned along the back of her neck as his chest pressed into her.
Knowing this man was attracted to her blew her mind. “To be fair, it was supposed to be an internal thought.”
“Wasn’t.”

 

Readers should read this book …

To get all the feels. It will make you sigh, laugh, yell in anger, and hopefully take you on an emotional rollercoaster.

 

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

We’re in edits for the third book in this series where Mitchell gets to meet his match.
I’ve got some paranormals planned for this year, a cozy, and some other contemporaries. Keeping busy to stay out of trouble…maybe. *grin*

 

Thanks for blogging at HJ!

 

Giveaway: An ebook from my backlist and an Amazon gift card of $15.

 

To enter Giveaway: Please complete the Rafflecopter form and Post a comment to this Q: Are you a sports fan? What sport and who is your favorite player?

 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

 
 

Excerpt from Sweet Spot for Love:

“Why are you laughing at me?”
“I’m laughing because you think you’re taking advantage of me and my good nature. It never occurred to you that I’m trying to give this to you. This is for you. I want you to wear my jersey.”
Her lips pursed and he wanted to lick along that plump lower one before slipping between them. “Why?”
He put them nose to nose. “It appeals to the chest-beating primitive male I really am. To see his woman wearing his clothing.” He stole a quick kiss. “Plus, I thought you might want to change out of the shirt you’re wearing since I pressed my sweaty body against it.”
Heat surged in her gaze but she didn’t back down. “Fine.”
He smiled even as he turned her in the direction of the bathroom. She walked in, only tossing him one curious glance. It didn’t take her long to swap out the pink top she’d had on and put on his jersey.
Holy shit. She looked perfect. It didn’t matter how big it was on her. He had a closet full of his clothes she could simply take, as long as he was allowed the pleasure of seeing her wear his shirts draped over her curves—and the honor of removing them.
Without a word, they headed up and outside.
He hadn’t done enough dumbbell rows. Hadn’t worked out enough, because all he wanted to do was toss this woman over his shoulder and take her inside his house and close out the rest of the world.
He helped Emma up into his truck and took the long way around to the driver’s side, needing to take a breather and get his emotions in check . This woman eroded his control with something as simple as a breath.
Linc loved seeing her in his clothing. After an argument about him driving her, she’d gotten her uniforms from her car and had them on her lap. In his truck. Wearing his jersey.
He hopped up into the cab and buckled his belt once the door latched.
“I could have taken my car.”
“And I could have put him in the hospital for how he spoke to you. Both of us have done some things we weren’t happy about.”
Her leg bounced as he maneuvered his truck around her car.
“Thank you.”
His heart thumped hard. “For?”
She angled toward him in the seat, her fingers with their pale pink shimmery nails tapping against the robin’s egg blue of her old uniforms. He gripped the wheel tighter as he struggled to remember that she wasn’t going back to work for that slimy bastard.
“Being you.”
He allowed her soft voice to tamp down the anger that had been building.
“Humph.”
She canted her head to the side. “What?”
“I must be slipping. Last time you thanked me, I got a kiss. Now, you’re all the way across the truck from me, pressed into the door like you think I’m going to eat you.”
She captured the corner of her lower lip in her teeth. “You do look like you want to.”
It took an act of God to keep his eyes on the road and not look at Emma. “I do.” A deep breath. “But that’s a discussion for later.”

Excerpts. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
 
 

Book Info:

Former pro baseball player Linc Conner knows exactly where his head’s at. Most of the time, he’s completely focused on running his community center and focusing on the kids. But when it comes to single mom Emma Henricksen, Linc can’t see straight. She’s driven, resourceful—not to mention that smart, extra-kissable mouth—and when she’s near, he gets lost in a fog of lust. But getting her he needs her help to convince an investor that they’re engaged.
Emma’s too busy raising her gifted little girl to have a sex life that’s not battery-operated. Still, how could she resist being engaged to a guy who’s the sexual equivalent of her favorite dessert topped with whipped cream and a cherry, even if it’s just pretend? Emma knows all too well that if something seems too good—or too tempting—to be true, it definitely is…
Now it’s a game of pretend with a whole lot of chemistry between the guy who’s used to playing the field—and the woman who opted out of the game long ago. All that’s missing is one helluva curveball…
Book Links: Amazon | B&N | iTunes | Goodreads |
 
 

Meet the Author:

Aliyah Burke is a USA Today Bestselling author who’s an avid reader and never far from pen and paper (or the computer). She is happily married to a career military man. They are owned by three Borzoi. She spends her days at the day-job, writing, and working with her dogs. She loves to hear from her readers and can be reached here.

If you would like to be kept abreast of what’s going on in the world of Aliyah, please join her newsletter: http://aliyah-burke.com/newsletter.htm and/or cozy newsletter: http://aliyah-burke.com/abnewsm.htm
Website | Facebook | Twitter | | Instagram |

 
 
 

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50 Responses to “Spotlight & Giveaway: Sweet Spot for Love by Aliyah Burke”

    • Dianne Casey

      I’m not a sports fan, but I do enjoy reading about sports in books.

  2. EC

    I’m not a sports fan, by but I do read sports romance books and support my local sports teams. No particular fave athlete though.

  3. Mary Preston

    I don’t follow sports, but I must say that when the Olympics are on I watch sports I normally would not.

    • Brandi Govia

      Not really a professional sports fan. But when my kids are playing their sports…I’m loud and proud!❤️

    • Nina Lewis

      Yes! I’m a HUGE sports fan. Football, hockey, american football, baseball, Formula 1, tenis… You name it, I love it! 🙂
      My favorites are Cristiano Ronaldo & Charles Leclerc ! ❤️

  7. Texas Book Lover

    I love pro football, no favorite player, just a favorite team. Love the Dallas Cowboys!

  9. Rita Wray

    I am a hockey fan. My favorite player is Patrick Marleau from the San Jose Sharks. He just retired.

  12. Kim

    I love watching the NFL. I have several players that I like. But I’m going to say Josh Allen.

  13. Sue G.

    Huge sports fan! I love watching just about everything. My favorite sport is baseball and my favorite player right now is Jose Ramirez on the Cleveland Guardians.

  15. Kathleen O

    I love baseball and am so happy the season has started with a win for my fav team The Toronto Blue Jays and sweetie Bo Bichette.

  23. Nicole (Nicky) Ortiz

    Not really, but I do enjoy reading sport romances.
    Patrick Sharp from The Chicago Blackhawks is one of my favorites
    Thanks for the chance!

  24. Debbie P

    I’m not a crazy huge sports fan. But I love my home town teams and watch especially football and basketball.

  25. Latesha B.

    Love sports. Favorite teams include Dallas Cowboys, NY Yankees and Penn State Nittany Lions.

  26. Marcy Meyer

    My favorite sport is Chiefs football, and my favorite players are Mahomes and Kelce. I also love the KC Royals and Salvy Perez.

  33. Patricia B.

    Sort of a medium sports fan. No real favorites. I have always enjoyed football but money has gotten to be too much a part of the game. We tend to watch more college football than the pros. We cheer for the Air Force Academy, Florida, and UNC. Most importantly, I want to see a game well played, no dirty playing , and good officiating. I enjoy watching golf, hockey, soccer, and the Olympics.

  38. Madonna

    I watch when the cowboys are playing in NFL and I used to watch when Jimmy Johnson was driving for Nascar.

  39. Laurie Gommermann

    I like NFL and college football and hockey.
    Favorite player JJ Watt who recently retired.

  40. Laurie Gommermann

    College ( Badgers and Gators) and NFL football ( Packers)
    Favorite player JJWatt who recently retired. Family man, compassionate and generous to charities and people in need
    My 1st comment disappeared sorry if this is a duplicate.

  43. Ellen C.

    I love sports. One of my favorite players is Aaron Judge. Yes, I’m a big Yankees fan.

  44. Ellen C.

    Yes, I’m a big sports fan. My favorite baseball player is Aaron Judge.

  45. Terrill R.

    I enjoy soccer, baseball, and football. My favorite athletes of all-time are Roberto Clemente, Edgar Martinez, and Russell Wilson.

  46. Terrill R.

    I enjoy baseball, soccer, and football. My favorite athletes of all-time are Edgar Martinez, Roberto Clemente, and Cal Ripken Jr.