Last fall my publisher, The Wild Rose Press, put out a call for beachy summer reads involving ice cream. I immediately remembered a scene from Würzburg, Germany, where I lived from ’88 to ’05. There’s a lovely formal garden behind the Baroque palace, and in summer an older Italian gentleman sold gelato there. He’d always greet my daughter and me with a hearty “Ciao, bella!” 

That was the genesis for Gelato Surprise, a steamy contemporary romance novella set in a Washington State beach town. Forty-two-year-old divorcée Danielle Peters is determined to keep her kids’ lives as normal as possible. But her ex spoils their annual beach vacation by whisking the kids away for a surprise Disney trip, leaving her stuck with a two-week rental. Her friends convince her to take the trip solo, time to think about her next chapter. Skeptical and glum, Danielle heads for the beach alone—until she meets Matteo, a gorgeous young Italian gelato vendor and carpenter. She agrees to be his date to thwart the matchmaking nonna mafia, but their first kiss flares into something much hotter than make-believe.

Let’s peek inside!

Still holding her hands, Matteo drew her to a patch of shade beneath a cluster of anemic palm trees. He flashed an adorable, shy grin that crinkled the corners of his eyes. “Danielle, I really like you, but I don’t want you to feel like I’m pressuring you to do something you’re not ready for.”

I’m ready! Her id hollered and waved like an over-excited second grader.

He twined his fingers with hers and continued. “Unfortunately, Sal needs me this afternoon, and I’m driving him to Aberdeen tonight. How about tomorrow? We could do a picnic lunch on the beach. There’s a special spot I’d like to show you.” He dipped his head and nuzzled the sensitive crook of her neck. “Are you still up for it? Or have I scared you off with my grabby hands?”

The heat of his breath scrambled her brain. No doubt about it, he wanted her. And she wanted him so badly her teeth ached.

She sucked in a deep breath. “I’ll bet you get a lot of single women tourists throwing themselves at you.”

He shrugged. “A lot of women flirt. Doesn’t mean anything.” He rested his forehead against hers. “I collect drawer pulls, and doorknobs, and picture frames—not women.”

She pressed her lips together and dropped her gaze to their joined hands. This guy definitely earned an A-plus in handholding. Never had such a simple act felt so intimate, so sensual. The way his thumb traced arcs across her knuckles made her imagine what those hands could do on her bare body, stretched out on her king-size bed, the sea breeze lifting the curtains while his hands brushed over her breasts…

Her common sense made a last, futile stand. “Matteo, I’m old enough to be your—”

“No.” He squeezed her hand. “You’re not. Though you are old enough to be my sexy babysitter.” He quirked an eyebrow. “Every guy’s fantasy.”

5-star review!

I loved this book. Ms. Stone has a knack for describing scenes with a few words that creates a vivid picture without bogging down the story. I could smell the sea air and taste the tang of the gelato. Matteo is the perfect summer book boyfriend. He’s kind, loving and super sexy. Danielle is getting over a divorce and is willing to get to know him, even if it’s only for two weeks. The sex scenes are hot and Ms. Stone makes camping on the beach an intimate experience. If you want a great beach read that will singe your e-reader and has an HEA, pick up Gelato Surprise. — Bookstagrammer Pretty Book Whore

Gelato Surprise is available from all major ebook vendors. Get your copy today!

https://books2read.com/u/bzjeBZ