#Maida Malby

[cathygeha]

REVIEW

Forevermore ~ A Romance Anthology

Ten wonderful romances with a wedding central to the story. The book begins with the matriarch, Naty Moore, reminiscing about her first visit to her husband’s vineyard that is now also the Hacienda Luz. It was marvelous returning to see how this loving extended family is doing and see which members of the family and some of their friends will find their happily ever after at the autumn wedding.

Each story provides a description of the story along with triggers and heat level. There are stories for everyone with many romance genres provided. I loved hearing how Natividad “Naty” and Robert met, married and ended up in Napa. This historical portion was a treat and I love Mia Hopkins writing. I ended up reading two stories featuring older women with younger men and the couples were perfect for one another. The Second chance for Gabriella “Bri” and Cole was a delight as was good girl Viola and bad boy Toby’s stories. The fifth story was that of Rafa and Vida as they became engaged and then prepared for the big family event of their wedding. The other five stories are waiting for me and will be read but not by publication date and I do want to get this review posted.

Thank you to the authors for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars

BLURB

You are cordially invited. The Moore family requests the pleasure of your company on a starry harvest night, rich with tales of passion, magic, and love. Our beloved Filipino American family hosts a gathering at Hacienda Luz this autumn for another grand celebration – Vida and Rafa's long-anticipated wedding. As promises of fidelity and infinity fill the air, ten couples live and relive intimate stories that attest to the true meaning of happily ever after. Acclaimed and bestselling Filipino American authors – Aurora Paige, Elle Cruz, June Gray, Kaye Rockwell, Liz Durano, Maan Gabriel, Maida Malby, Mia Hopkins, Sarah Smith, and Tif Marcelo – bring you Forevermore, a romance collection celebrating love everlasting. ~ * ~ Forevermore, A Romance Anthology is a collection of new and never-been-published stories by the authors that brought you Pasko Na, My Love, A Holiday Romance Anthology, and from exciting voices in Filipino American Romantic Fiction. Lola Naty is back along with her sprawling multicultural family, friends from all over the world, and a gatecrasher or two. - Moments In The Vineyard by Aurora Paige - The Memory of You by Elle Cruz - Double Exposure by June Gray - Maybe This Time by Kaye Rockwell - Stay With Me by Liz Durano -Someone's Always Saying Goodbye by Maan Gabriel - Now That I Have You by Maida Malby - Moonlight Serenade by Mia Hopkins - The Stand-In by Sarah Smith - Win Your Love by Tif Marcelo

[siobhanmuirromance]

Look, look, look! RUNNING FROM THE TEXAS MILLIONAIRE is being shared by Lone Star Lit. Preorder it today!

[clinchcoverenthusiast]

Another meh reading month.  Some books started and rejected, others added to the list of started and abandoned for whenever.  I began the month with Unmask Alice, which was a compellingly wild read (shoutout to the homie for the rec-you know who you are :D), and ended with Loving the Mountain Man by Adriana Anders, who never lets me down.  I got Loving the Mountain Man by subscribing to Adriana’s newsletter and purchased Three Kings.  Unmask Alice and Pasko Na, My Love were from Libby.

Three Kings - Freydís Moon* **

Unmask Alice: LSD, Satanic Panic, and the Imposter Behind the Worlds Most Notorious Diaries - Rick Emerson

Pasko Na, My Love - Maida Malby, Elle Cruz, Mia Hopkins, Maan Gabriel, Tif Marcelo, Sarah Smith, Preslaysa Williams* **

Loving the Mountain Man (Love at Last #3) - Adriana Anders

* = author(s) of color

** = main character(s) of color

[cocktailsfairytales]

✩✩ RELEASE TOUR ✩✩

Well Played

A Sports Romance Anthology

Romance Café Publishing

Collection Book 36

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/202118717/

Genre: Sports Romance

1-Click on AMAZON

https://books2read.com/tnrc2024wellplayed

Read on #KindleUnlimited

Description:

True love often isn’t a slam dunk.

No matter how hard you try, sometimes you fumble.

You want to get to loving strokes and fore play but there may be hurdles to overcome.

If a happily ever after is your goal, step up to the plate and hope you don’t strike out.

Well Played, the first Sports Romance collection from The Romance Cafe is coming in October.

Participating Authors:

Kenna Shaw Reed

Cecelia Conway

TL Hamilton

Sharon Michalove

Kalli Dean

Katherine Isaac

Wynter Ryan

Kristine Charles

Maida Malby

J.T. Silver

Katharine O'Neill

Danielle Sibarium

Ariana St. Claire

JCC Downing

Emmy Dee

Juliet Martini

Gabbi Black

Ellis Worth

Harper Michaels

Sofia Aves

S L Hollister

Amy Stephens

Toni Denise

Belinda E Edwards

Minda Knight

About The New Romance Cafe

The New Romance Café is the place to get your daily dose of romance books.

Hang out with like-minded readers and authors at different stages of their writing journey, in a diverse and inclusive group.

Find out about new releases, take part in fun discussions, and recommend your favourite reads in the safe space of the Café.

The New Romance Cafe Links

Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thenewromancecafe

Website: https://thenewromancecafe.com/

Romance Cafe Publishing: https://romancecafepublishing.com/

Hosted by DS_Promotions

#booktour #wellplayed #sportsromance #romancereaders #romancecollection #anthology #romancereads #foryou #fyp #TheNewRomanceCafe #bookish #booklovers #TNRC #dsbookpromotions

@Romance Café Publishing @DS Book Promotions

[allthingsdarkanddirty]

✩✩ RELEASE TOUR ✩✩

Well Played

A Sports Romance Anthology

Romance Café Publishing

Collection Book 36

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/202118717/

Genre: Sports Romance

1-Click on AMAZON

Read on #KindleUnlimited

Description:

True love often isn’t a slam dunk.

No matter how hard you try, sometimes you fumble.

You want to get to loving strokes and fore play but there may be hurdles to overcome.

If a happily ever after is your goal, step up to the plate and hope you don’t strike out.

Well Played, the first Sports Romance collection from The Romance Cafe is coming in October.

Participating Authors:

Kenna Shaw Reed

Cecelia Conway

TL Hamilton

Sharon Michalove

Kalli Dean

Katherine Isaac

Wynter Ryan

Kristine Charles

Maida Malby

J.T. Silver

Katharine O'Neill

Danielle Sibarium

Ariana St. Claire

JCC Downing

Emmy Dee

Juliet Martini

Gabbi Black

Ellis Worth

Harper Michaels

Sofia Aves

S L Hollister

Amy Stephens

Toni Denise

Belinda E Edwards

Minda Knight

About The New Romance Cafe

The New Romance Café is the place to get your daily dose of romance books.

Hang out with like-minded readers and authors at different stages of their writing journey, in a diverse and inclusive group.

Find out about new releases, take part in fun discussions, and recommend your favourite reads in the safe space of the Café.

The New Romance Cafe Links

Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thenewromancecafe

Website: https://thenewromancecafe.com/

Romance Cafe Publishing: https://romancecafepublishing.com/

Hosted by DS_Promotions

@Romance Café Publishing @DS Book Promotions

[veroticker]

Boracay vows - Maida Malby

Summary (from Maida Malby’s website)

To fulfill one vow she has to break another

Krista Lopez has five days to fulfill her Turning-Thirty Vow—the promise to do something life-changing in celebration of this milestone birthday. Her plan: give in to her attraction to her boss Mr. Blake Ryan.

Krista’s Irish-American hunk of a boss is conveniently vacationing in the same posh resort in Boracay. When he proposes a one-week affair while they’re on vacation, she accepts. It’s only a fling, after all. Krista will not fall for an American. She can’t. She promised her mother.

Promises are made to be broken

Krista and Blake hope what happens in Boracay stays in Boracay. They want to keep their affair a secret from their colleagues, from her family. But, secrets have a way of coming out. When they’re found out, will Krista and Blake end their affair or will they say Carpe Diem to the promise of a love of a lifetime?

Blurb

“I’m going to kill my friends! Krista fumed as she threw garment after garment onto the bed. She had planned to put her clothes into the wardrobe but stopped when she saw the contents of her suitcase.

Skimpy two-piece bathing suits with matching sarongs were in one mesh laundry bag. Tank tops, tiny shorts, bikini panties, and thin summer dresses were folded neatly inside another. I don’t own these sexy things.

Her gaze darted to the suitcase as another possibility occurred to her. “All the luggage on the carousel at the air strip looked alike. What if …”

She grabbed the tag to check if her bag was switched with someone else’s and groaned to see the name written there was her own. Her head dropped in resignation.

“Yep, they’re mine all right.” The two other women on the flight with her couldn’t have fit into these outfits. One was a matronly German lady, and the other was a tiny young Korean woman. Although these clothes were not Krista’s style at all, they were exactly her size.

This was what she got for giving her four know-it-all friends carte blanche regarding this trip. She didn’t have time to attend to things, so she told her friends to go ahead and do what they wanted. Which they obviously did.

Throwing her hands in the air in surrender, Krista flopped down on the bed. “Scheming witches,�� she bit out without much heat. Her barkada really planned this to the last detail.

Maddie, Angela, Jenny, and Lisa took care of the flight, all the arrangements for her vacation, and even the packing of her suitcase. It was their gift for her thirtieth birthday—an all-inclusive eight-day, seven-night stay at a luxurious resort on the quieter side of Boracay, one of the most popular islands in the Philippine archipelago.

Her friends purposely ignored Krista’s request not to send her somewhere expensive. Their choice was so posh, the place owned an air-taxi service to ferry its elite clientele from the city of Makati directly to and from the resort’s air strip.

The original plan was to go home to her parents’ province for the three-day All Saints’ Day break, but the girls strong-armed her into making it a full week vacation somewhere else. Going to Quezon was too boring, in her friends’ opinions. Since she had never been to Boracay, this was where they sent her. “Never mind that I don’t like the beach, not to mention I hate getting tanned,” she grumbled out loud.”

(review under the cut)

Review

I was a bit afraid at first because of the mixed raced main female character. I have sometimes trouble to relate to characters too different than me--like younger characters, or characters of another cultural heritage. But here, I had no trouble, because the author helped me get inside her head. What it is to be a Filipina, how you’re supposed to behave, what you’re supposed to think and do, what the world looks like to you... everything is explained, and it helped me connect with Krista.

Hence I had no trouble either to fall for the handsome american she has feelings for. Who am I kidding? I’d have fallen anyway, because he’s the perfect boyfriend--handsome and rich, but also kind and considerate, and sweet and sexy too. No wonder Krista has a crush on him and... drumrolls... offers him her virginity! Because carpe diem and all that jazz.

That’s the starting point of the story: Krista is about to celebrate her 30th birthday, and she’s promised herself and her friends that she would accomplish something important before that day. On vacation in a resort in Boracay with her sexy boss, she decides to seduce him and convince him to pop her cheery. Let’s just say that he doesn’t need a lot of convincing.

If you’re a foodie, you’ll enjoy that book. The author loves to explain and describe the various typical dishes that her characters eat, as well as the places they visit and the things they do. You literally go on vacation with them--that’s how powerful the descriptions are.

It’s also a sweet and sexy romance. There’s not much tension in the relationship, and when there’s a bit, it’s quickly resolved. Don’t expect angst.

This book is like a juicy exotic fruit: tender and sweet, with a little tingling for your tongue.

Quickie

Series: Carpe diem chronicles #1 (besides New York engagement, which is a direct follow up to Boracay vows, they can be read as standalone)

Hashtags: #multicultural romance #billionaire romance #mixed race #virgin

Main couple: Krista Lopez & Blake Ryan

Hotness: 4/5

Romance: 5/5

+ I went on vacation without leaving my couch

- sometimes the words are a bit stilted

  Stalker mode

You can suscribe to Maida Malby’s newsletter on her website.

You can also follow her on Facebook

[clarounette]

Boracay vows, by Maida Malby

Boracay vows, by Maida Malby

Click the image to buy on Amazon

Summary

To fulfill one vow she has to break another

Krista Lopez has five days to fulfill her Turning-Thirty Vow—the promise to do something life-changing in celebration of this milestone birthday. Her plan: give in to her attraction to her boss Mr. Blake Ryan.

Krista’s Irish-American hunk of a boss is conveniently vacationing in the same posh resort…

[its-suanneschafer-author]

Interview: Maida Malby, author of multi-cultural romances

Interview: Maida Malby, author of multi-cultural romances

 Maida Malby, a fellow member of San Antonio Romance Authors, joins me today to talk about writing and her latest books.

SS: Maida, tell us how you came to be a writer. 

MM: My co-members of the Old School Romance Book Club encouraged me to try. We formed a group of those participating in the National Novel Writing Month in November 2016 and cheered each other on. I won NaNoWriMo that year…

[everlarkingjoshifer]

Representing WOC This Friday

Representing WOC This Friday #writerlift #writing community #FF #writinglife

Hello and welcome back you beautiful people!

I an back yet again for another chance to Fangirl like crazy. Now, I know I’ve been spotty with my presence lately but the Holiday season can and is insane but anyway, I’m back with a yet another amazing addition to my ever growing list of favorite authors/ people!

Of course, I am talking about the incredibly talented Maida Malby!

She is the…

[joyffree]

Stand for UkraineThe New Romance Cafe Collection (#13)

★✩★ RELEASE BOOST ★✩★

Stand for Ukraine

The New Romance Cafe Collection (#13)

A Multi-Author Anthology

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60546251/

Hosted by DS Book Promotions

AMAZON

https://books2read.com/u/47QGJq

Blurb:

Protect the innocent.

Provide for families.

We stand with Ukraine.

Across the globe authors have come together to provide stories filled with hope, heart and understanding, inspired by the events of February 2022.

STAND FOR UKRAINE is a collection of romance, women’s fiction and poetry. Proceeds go to Save the Children’s efforts to provide Ukrainian children with food, warmth, shelter and psychological support.

Participating Authors:

Aarti V Raman,Ally Vance, Amanda Cuff, A McCarty, Andie Bale, Pandora Snow, Anna Klein, Anna Volkin, Annee Jones, April A. Luna, April D. Berry, M.A. Lee, A.M. Roark, Sarah Stein, Riana Everly, Lesley Hoover, Bria James, C.A. Rene, Caraway Carter, Cassie Simon, Corinne M Knight, Dakota Willink, Danielle Pays, Dawn McGraw, D A Nelson, Debra Elise, Demelza Carlton, Diane Jones, Sharon A. Mitchell, Emily Rose, EmKay Connor,Eva Moore, Ginger Ring, Dylan Quinn, Gwen Dylan, Caia Daniels, Harlow Layne, Harper Michaels, Heather D’Agostino,Heather Scarlett, Helena Novak, Carol Van Den Hende,Iuliana Foos, Jakki Frances, Jane Suen, Jeanette Taylor Ford, Jen Stevens, Jennifer M. Miller, Jenny Fenshaw, JCC Downing, Tasha Blythe, J. P. Uvalle, K Leigh, Karigan Hale, Kasey Hill, Élodie Garroway, Katherine Moore, Katie Rae, Kimberly Halstead, Kristie Leigh, Olivia Rhymer, Kristin T. De La Garza, Dakota Star, Lisa Wells, M.Culler, S.C. Principale, Maida Malby, Mandy Bee, Margaret Madigan, Maria Macdonald, Megan Ryder, M Jameson, Melissa Riddell, Lissa Lynn Thomas, Merrie Destefano, Chele Maccabe, Michelle Iannarelli, Maya Lemaire, Leila Coltyn, Kathleen Ryder, N.J. Ember, A.R. Bell, Remy Reigns, Renee Dahlia, Leann Castellanos, RJ Gray, Robin Andrews, Cass K, Rosie Wylor-Owen, Rubi Jade, Liz Martinson, Candace Sams, Guinevere Jordan, Shannon O'Connor, Miranda Jameson, Simone Leigh, Skye MacKinnon, Skye Turner, Sofia Aves, Jo Seysener, J. T. Silver, Susan Horsnell, Suki McMinn, Tanya Dawson, Tanya Nellestein, Taya Rune, T.R. Weatherly, T Wells Brown, Tina Glasneck, Tracy Broemmer, Tracy Reed, Trinity Wood, Yolanda Olson, Zoey Indiana, Daniel Cade Quinn, Sabrina Silvers, Kari Ganske, Faith Justice, Nina Knight, Michelle L. De La Garza, Sloane Nicole

@horsnells @DS_Promotions1

[tmbacorbett]

Release Blitz: Stand for Ukraine

  Title: Stand for Ukraine Series: The New Romance Cafe Collection (#13) Genre: Women’s Fiction, Romance, Flash Fiction, Poetry Model: Kevin R Davis Photographer: Golden Czermak Cover Design: The Cover Fling Charity: Save the Children Ukraine Publication Date: March 25th, 2022 Hosted by: Lady Amber’s PR

Blurb:

Protect the innocent.

Provide for families.

We stand with Ukraine.

  Across the globe authors have come together to provide stories filled with hope, heart and understanding, inspired by the events of February 2022.

  STAND FOR UKRAINE is a collection of romance, women’s fiction and poetry. Proceeds go to Save the Children’s efforts to provide Ukrainian children with food, warmth, shelter and psychological support.

NOW LIVE!

Participating Authors: 

  Aarti V Raman,Ally Vance, Amanda Cuff, A McCarty, Andie Bale, Pandora Snow, Anna Klein, Anna Volkin, Annee Jones, April A. Luna, April D. Berry, M.A. Lee, A.M. Roark, Sarah Stein, Riana Everly, Lesley Hoover, Bria James, C.A. Rene, Caraway Carter, Cassie Simon, Corinne M Knight, Dakota Willink, Danielle Pays, Dawn McGraw, D A Nelson, Debra Elise, Demelza Carlton, Diane Jones, Sharon A. Mitchell, Emily Rose, EmKay Connor, Eva Moore, Ginger Ring, Dylan Quinn, Gwen Dylan, Caia Daniels, Harlow Layne, Harper Michaels, Heather D’Agostino,Heather Scarlett, Helena Novak, Carol Van Den Hende,Iuliana Foos, Jakki Frances, Jane Suen, Jeanette Taylor Ford, Jen Stevens, Jennifer M. Miller, Jenny Fenshaw, JCC Downing, Tasha Blythe, J. P. Uvalle, K Leigh, Karigan Hale, Kasey Hill, Élodie Garroway, Katherine Moore, Katie Rae, Kimberly Halstead, Kristie Leigh, Olivia Rhymer, Kristin T. De La Garza, Dakota Star, Lisa Wells, M.Culler, S.C. Principale, Maida Malby, Mandy Bee, Margaret Madigan, Maria Macdonald, Megan Ryder, M Jameson, Melissa Riddell, Lissa Lynn Thomas, Merrie Destefano, Chele Maccabe, Michelle Iannarelli, Maya Lemaire, Leila Coltyn, Kathleen Ryder, N.J. Ember, A.R. Bell, Remy Reigns, Renee Dahlia, Leann Castellanos, RJ Gray, Robin Andrews, Cass K, Rosie Wylor-Owen, Rubi Jade, Liz Martinson, Candace Sams, Guinevere Jordan, Shannon O’Connor, Miranda Jameson, Simone Leigh, Skye MacKinnon, Skye Turner, Sofia Aves, Jo Seysener, J. T. Silver, Susan Horsnell, Suki McMinn, Tanya Dawson, Tanya Nellestein, Taya Rune, T.R. Weatherly, T Wells Brown, Tina Glasneck, Tracy Broemmer, Tracy Reed, Trinity Wood, Yolanda Olson, Zoey Indiana, Daniel Cade Quinn, Sabrina Silvers, Kari Ganske, Faith Justice, Nina Knight, Michelle L. De La Garza, Sloane Nicole

NOW LIVE!

About The New Romance Cafe

The New Romance Café is the place to get your daily dose of romance books.

  Hang out with like-minded readers and authors at different stages of their writing journey, in a diverse and inclusive group.

  Find out about new releases, take part in fun discussions, and recommend your favourite reads in the safe space of the Café.

The post Release Blitz: Stand for Ukraine first appeared on TMBA Corbett Tries to Write.

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[cathygeha]

REVIEW

Pasko Na, My Love

A Holiday Romance Anthology

 Stepping into Hacienda Luz, an elegant Napa hotel, and being able to attend not only the 100th birthday of amazing Lola Naty but the stories of six couples finding love during the holidays was a treat indeed. The Filipino culture was a character on its own and fun for me to learn a bit more about. This is a book that can be savored a story at a time making it last for a while or, if you find yourself with a day free and wish to step into the Hacienda Luz for the entire event, it can be devoured in a shorter time.

 Drawn to this book by my love of Mia Hopkins writing, I read her story first and ILLICIT was just as complex and edgy as I was expecting. It told of the closeness felt by two teens as they met the first time and how what seemed so right went so very wrong. As they meet again for the first time in fourteen years, they are given an opportunity and a second chance that might make that earlier potential come to fruition…loved reading Eden and Nick’s story.

 Second up was written by Maan Gabriel, MY ONLY LOVE. It is the story of two chefs with an issue from the past to overcome, if they can, and a huge event to cater. Ruby and Mason were classmates in culinary school, talented chefs in the making, doing well professionally…and yet…there is that thing in the past that really must be discussed before both can move on.

 And, as this review should go up NOW and not wait till I finish the rest of the book, I have to say this is a book that has opened my eyes in more ways than one and that more than one author in this anthology will be on my read-again list in the future.

 Thank you to Mia Hopkins for the ARC – this is my honest review.

 5 Stars

     BLURB

 Family, heart, and a Merry Christmas Happily Ever After. ‘Twas the night before Christmas, and all ‘round Hacienda Luz bustled in celebration of Natividad Luz Moore’s 100th birthday. A Filipino American woman of courage, strength, and heart, Lola Naty has touched the lives of many. Celebrities and politicians make merry, fine dresses and barong Tagalogs shimmer, and food and drink flow freely. And it’s all to honor family, tradition, and the very essence of that thing called love. While Filipino ballads fill the chilly Northern California air, hearts throb and passions ignite as six remarkable couples find love in all the right—or wrong—places. From acclaimed and bestselling Filipino American authors—Elle Cruz, Maan Gabriel, Maida Malby, Mia Hopkins, Sarah Smith, and Tif Marcelo—comes Pasko Na, My Love, a holiday romance collection that is sure to warm your heart and uplift your Christmas spirit.

[allthingsdarkanddirty]

✩✩ NEW RELEASE ✩✩

Well Played

A Sports Romance Anthology

Romance Café Publishing

Collection Book 36

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/202118717/

Genre: Sports Romance

1-Click on AMAZON

Read on #KindleUnlimited

Description:

True love often isn’t a slam dunk.

No matter how hard you try, sometimes you fumble.

You want to get to loving strokes and fore play but there may be hurdles to overcome.

If a happily ever after is your goal, step up to the plate and hope you don’t strike out.

Well Played, the first Sports Romance collection from The Romance Cafe is coming in October.

Participating Authors:

Kenna Shaw Reed

Cecelia Conway

TL Hamilton

Sharon Michalove

Kalli Dean

Katherine Isaac

Wynter Ryan

Kristine Charles

Maida Malby

J.T. Silver

Katharine O'Neill

Danielle Sibarium

Ariana St. Claire

JCC Downing

Emmy Dee

Juliet Martini

Gabbi Black

Ellis Worth

Harper Michaels

Sofia Aves

S L Hollister

Amy Stephens

Toni Denise

Belinda E Edwards

Minda Knight

Join the Tour here:

About The New Romance Cafe

The New Romance Café is the place to get your daily dose of romance books.

Hang out with like-minded readers and authors at different stages of their writing journey, in a diverse and inclusive group.

Find out about new releases, take part in fun discussions, and recommend your favourite reads in the safe space of the Café.

The New Romance Cafe Links

Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thenewromancecafe

Website: https://thenewromancecafe.com/

Romance Cafe Publishing: https://romancecafepublishing.com/

Hosted by DS_Promotions

@Romance Café Publishing @DS Book Promotions

[veroticker]

New York engagement - Maida Malby

Summary (from Maida Malby’s website)

Love takes you to unexpected places

Krista Lopez has traveled from the white sands of Boracay Island to the bright lights of New York City for love. With Carpe diem as her motto and her boyfriend by her side, she is confident she can take on The Big Apple and the prospect of …

Meeting the Parents

Blake Ryan won the approval of his girlfriend’s conservative family when they met in the Philippines. Now, he’s eager to introduce the woman he loves to his Irish-American clan. To share his past with her as he prepares to ask her to be part of his future. But an urgent call in the middle of the night reminds him that things can change …

In a New York Minute

When a life-changing secret is revealed, will the ensuing fireworks blow up Krista and Blake’s romance? Or will they signal the celebration of a lasting commitment?

Blurb

“Deborah Kerr is right, Krista thought. The Empire State Building is the nearest thing to heaven in New York City. The bright lights of The City That Never Sleeps twinkled before her from the 86th-floor open-air observation deck of what was once the tallest building in the world. Snow blanketed the floor beneath her and the rooftops nearby, creating a winter wonderland of enchantment. Despite the bracing air, inside she felt warm, joyful.

Krista stepped away from the railing to rest her head on the hard chest of the man who was the primary reason for her contentment. Blake stood behind her, patiently allowing her to take in her fill of his birthplace. Her pulse skittered when he wrapped his arms around her and clasped both of her gloved hands in his.

“Cold?” he asked, his hold on her tightening when she shivered.

Krista shook her head. “No, I’m fine. I’m warm and toasty.” Between the protection of her coat and the heat from his big body, she spoke the truth. His nearness made her tingle, not the wind of the frosty night, four days before Christmas.

They’d been together for nearly two months, but she still marveled at her body’s reaction to him. At their office in Makati, she never had to turn around or look to check whether he was in the same room. She had developed a sixth sense when it came to Blake Ryan.

Before they found themselves falling in love in Boracay, she had avoided being close to him, had made it a point to keep her distance. He was her boss, a foreigner, an American: someone Krista knew her mother wouldn’t approve of. Marissa Lopez’s own experience with an American, who she’d only known by the name “John,” had left her alone, pregnant, and full of shame. She didn’t want the same for her eldest daughter. But Krista’s heart wanted Blake. His heart wanted her.”

(review under the cut)

Review

After Boracay vows, I was impatient to see how Blake and Krista’s relationship would evolve. Without much surprise, there isn’t any conflict between them. On the contrary, they’re ready to take the next step. The tension here comes from something else.

We discovered in the first book that Krista never knew her father, and since she’s of mixed race, it’s important for her to know her roots. By an amazing coincidence, she finds her biological father, and now she’s afraid of being rejected. THAT is this book’s conflict. And though the resolution comes quickly, it was nice to feel all the love those families have for each other, the bonds they share--and how easy it is for them to accept someone new.

It was a nice change from reality--where, we hear so often, The Other is an enemy. It’s so much easier to love, and to be loved in return. And so much more satisfying.

It was a nice little novella to end Blake and Krista’s story--before, hopefully, we see them again.

Quickie

Series: Carpe diem chronicles #1,5 (direct follow up of Boracay vows)

Hashtags: #multicultural romance #billionaire romance #mixed race #family

Main couple: Krista Lopez & Blake Ryan

Hotness: 2/5

Romance: 5/5

+ loved the acceptance

- major suspension of disbelief for the coincidence

  Stalker mode

You can suscribe to Maida Malby’s newsletter on her website.

You can also follow her on Facebook.

[clarounette]

New York engagement, by Maida Malby

New York engagement, by Maida Malby

Click the image to buy on Amazon

Summary

Love takes you to unexpected places

Krista Lopez has traveled from the white sands of Boracay Island to the bright lights of New York City for love. With Carpe diem as her motto and her boyfriend by her side, she is confident she can take on The Big Apple and the prospect of …

Meeting the Parents

Blake Ryan won the approval of his…

[its-suanneschafer-author]

My books on the shelf and me signing books with San Antonio Romance Authors Maida Malby, Gail Hart, and Janalyn Knight at the Barnes & Noble Bandera Pointe, San Antonio. Had a great time, lots of fun, and sold lots of books!