It’s release day for Delicious Heat: Bangers Tavern Romance 3!

Part of being a writer is that feeling of homesickness you get after a story is published. I really miss hanging out with Anna, Diego, and their found family at Bangers Tavern. Sending this story out into the world hit me harder than the previous two books in the series because I no longer live just up the street from the quirky, funky neighborhood where the series is set. I miss Tacoma! But the series will continue with Jojo and Lana’s story, coming out this spring.

If you read Christmas Rekindled, first book in the Bangers Tavern series, you witnessed Anna and Diego’s Meet Cute scene. Readers asked for their story, and I was happy to oblige. Besides a juicy, steamy love story, this book is filled with so many of my favorite things, like flirting over scrumptious food, food trucks, a sassy abuela, family drama and reconciliation, holiday parties…

It wasn’t easy writing a love story where the heroine is pregnant with her lying, cheating, scum-sucking ex-husband’s child. It takes a special man to stick with a woman who’s lugging so much baggage–but Diego Vargas, Bangers’ chef, is determined to prove he’s up to the challenge.

Here’s a peek at an early scene when Anna and Diego find themselves beneath the mistletoe at Bangers Tavern.

“I’ll show you the way.” With a gentle touch on the small of her back, he guided her down the hallway.

Heading toward the bar with a brimming ice bucket, the skinny barback lifted his chin. “Look up, guys.” A sprig of mistletoe dangling above the restroom doors.

“For cripes’ sake, Eddie,” Diego grumbled, but he didn’t look at all displeased.

“It’s tradition, man.” Eddie waggled his eyebrows before continuing on his way.

Eyeing the greenery, Anna debated and dithered. What a perfect excuse to satisfy her curiosity and claim a no-strings kiss. But Charlie might see them, or someone might tell Charlie, or…

Diego gently gripped her elbows and pulled her closer. “Christmas is all about tradition, right?”

For a thrilling, breathless moment, he hovered there, his softly parted lips an inch from hers. Impossible to wrench her eyes from that luscious mouth, so tempting, so close. His breath fanned across her skin. Her heart hammered.

And then he pressed a tender kiss to her forehead. “Merry Christmas, Anna.”

Not enough. Throwing caution to the tater-tot scented wind, she tilted her head and brushed her lips against his.

Just the barest touch, soft and warm, just the tiniest moan rumbled from the broad, firm chest beneath her palm. And yet, that simple gesture lifted the lid from her tightly clamped control, letting in fresh air and sunshine and a rush of delicious possibility. Heady stuff.

She took a deep breath and stepped back. “Gotta go help Charlie. Merry Christmas, Diego.”

Grinning and flushed, he wobbled in place. “I’ll call you.”

“Please do.”

He pointed. “Break room’s that way.”

“Okay.”

Like teenagers reluctant to hang up the phone, they inched toward their respective destinations, holding eye contact as long as possible.

“Thanks for coming to see me.”

“Thanks for the tots.”

“I hope you have a great Christmas.”

“You too.”

Finally, Shelby’s arm shot through the swinging doors and yanked Diego into the kitchen. “Get your ass back to work, lover boy.”

Delicious Heat is available from all major online booksellers. Order your copy of Delicious Heat today!

P.S. Is there a bonus epilogue? Of course there is! Look for the link at the back of the book.

P.P.S. Is there an exclusive steamy romance novella in this series, available only to my newsletter subscribers? Of course there is! Sign up for my newsletter to claim your copy. Author Newsletter