A SUMMER LOVIN’ Blog Hop

* * Winner of the Audio book is Joye - thank you to everyone who visited! * *

I was having some trouble with the idea of summer romance and a post that would be fun, then it occurred to me that maybe it was staring me in the face. Movies. Not only a summer favourite with everyone, but often the best time of year for the romance movie! Like most things, the movies and stories we each find romantic and unforgettable are as diverse as we are as individuals. I had to really think about what my top five movies would be in this category–well, somewhat. The first two are no-brainers for me, and they’re movies that I have watched many times over the years.

There is something about the sheer scope of the love affairs in all these movies that makes them part of your heart once you’ve seen them. Whether it's the utter magic and sacrifice of Casablanca, the sweeping epic grandeur of Gone With The Wind, or the fantasy of LadyHawke - all of these films have enchanted the world in one way or another. I don't personally find Titanic all that engaging, but I know for many people it's a pretty awesome movie.

My top five are these:

Casablanca

Gone With The Wind

LadyHawke

(Art created by fanpop.com)

The Notebook

Titanic

In the spirit of romance, I wrote Bella Signorina a few years ago. It’s been called lyrical, sensual, and gotten five star reviews. One of the real strengths in the story is the intelligent banter between the two main characters, their dance is verbal as well as physical.

This is the third time BELLA SIGNORINA has been released, and I'm hoping the last time as it finds a home at Eirelander Publishing in both eBook and Audio. This is the first time, though, that my original manuscript is what you will read. Edited, polished, and breathlessly romantic! Set in the Eternal City of Rome, Italy - the night just got a little bit steamier when two people finally give in to their attraction for each other and take a leap that might change their lives forever.... A best-seller for six months when it was released a few years ago, this version is a little sexier, a little hotter, and whole lot more sensual -- take a look and fall in love....

BELLA SIGNORINA

In its original format for the first time!

Sweetly sensual contemporary romance

Available at Amazon  •  Barnes & Noble  •  Amazon AUDIO  •  iTunes  •  Audible

Set in Rome, Bella Signorina is a sweet, romantic story of two people who meet in a trendy caffè, and through the magic of dance and music discover they have many things in common. Bianca comes to Caffè Rosati every week, and for many weeks she's been watching a special man, a handsome, charming stranger who dances, flirts, and leaves alone each week. Bianca is a woman who enjoys her freedom, and has been hurt before, so she's not anxious to fall in love again. Something about the enigmatic Stefano has captivated her heart, though, and she is drawn to him in spite of herself. When she finally gathers her courage to approach him, and ask him to dance, little does she know that her entire world is about to change.

Stefano Esposito is a man who's past relationships have not left him much in the way of ideals about women. Many have claimed to love him, none have understood him. Stefano is a rare breed in today's world of fast-paced life and love. He is a gentleman, a man who many consider a little out of step with the times. For Stefano, falling in love is the completion of a soul, not the consummation of a sexual itch. He wants the woman in his life to respect, understand, and adore him, as he will her. When he meets Bianca, he wonders if he's finally found the one he's waited a lifetime for? She understands his internal conflicts, his desires, and his dreams, after only hours together.

When their attraction to each other flares too quickly and too intently, Stefano pulls back. Confused and uncertain, Bianca flees his beautiful home and business, and goes back to her busy life. But, once the dance has begun, is there a way to go back to what you knew before, or is it just a matter of time before the music lures you back to your dreams and, perhaps, makes them reality?

Read an excerpt:

I simply smiled and raised a glass when she walked over

Then love began, she took my hand, and said let’s dance…

Bianca allowed the music to surge into her being, until the only thing real was the easy rhythm of motion that had her spinning into the pulsing sounds of the catchy song. She’d danced with Gianni many times, and no thought was involved, only the perfect movement and the music. He was an excellent partner, and as always, the song ended too soon. Tonight, as often happened, there was a small burst of applause for the performance they’d given.

She smiled and turned to go back to her table when the handsome stranger at the bar lifted his glass and saluted her. For just an instant, the cafe and its patrons vanished, and there was only his sparkling eyes and the humor that emanated from him. Excitement surged into her veins, making her reckless and determined. Bianca murmured an excuse to Gianni, then changed direction and headed directly for the beautiful man she’d been wanting to meet.

When she stood in front of him, she offered her hand.

He took it, kissed it, and waited, faint challenge in his eyes.

She ignored the tremor working its way into her knees and making them wobbly.

“Let’s dance,” she invited.

Laughter accompanied the shake of his head.

Bianca eyed him with amusement.

“Why?”

“I don’t dance, bella.”

His voice was soft, richly modulated, and layered with too many subtleties to readily define them all.

“Of course you do,” she countered, her head tilting to one side. “I’ve seen you dance here.”

“Not like you do,” he replied.

He reached for his wine, and she caught his hand and tugged, gently but insistently drawing him with her as she walked back to the dance floor, her gaze locked with his startled look. The four piece band was just beginning a lively number when Bianca struck a pose and waited for him to take the lead. He did, and she was totally unprepared for the shock of awareness that went through her when he pulled her to him and they started to move like one person…

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