Who doesn’t love Valentine’s Day? Lots of people, actually. Book 2 in the Bangers Tavern Romance series centers around an Anti-Valentine’s Day bash in Tacoma’s favorite neighborhood bar. Check it out on your favorite online bookseller’s site: http://bit.ly/OppositesIgnite
In Opposites Ignite, I enjoyed subverting the usual romance stereotypes–you know, petite, slim heroine and big, hulking hero.
Rosie, Bangers’ server and aspiring tattoo artist, is based on a cocktail server I met in a real-life bar in Tacoma, Washington’s 6th Avenue District, home of my fictional bar. She had blue-tipped curls, a mega-watt smile, sexy swagger, a plush figure, and the most gorgeous rose-bouquet tattoo across her décolletage. I knew right away I had to work this flirtatious, confident woman into a story.
And who says the hero must tower over the heroine? We’ve all met smaller guys happily paired up with larger women. Eddie, Bangers’ barback and ambitious entrepreneur-in-training, is Rosie’s height, lean, fit, and adorably besotted with his blue-haired, curvy coworker.
Here’s an excerpt where Eddie’s physique comes into play. During the fake-dating part of their relationship, Rosie accepts a dinner invitation from Eddie’s Russian-American parents. Of course, proud Mama has to show off her son’s high school trophies, much to Eddie’s mortification.
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The stairway wall was a patchwork of family photos: a much younger Alina and Vadim on a dance floor, gazing raptly into each other’s eyes, stiff wedding photos, and shots of little Eddie, a solemn, skinny tot with huge brown eyes and unruly curls. Alina tapped a frame. “Always so serious, our Eddie. I expect great things from him.” She shot Rosie a sharp glance that melted into a smile when they reached the top. “And this is Eddie’s room.”
He wasn’t kidding—the room really was a shrine stuffed with trophies, framed certificates, photos, and ribbons. A twin bed with a faded Spider-Man comforter held well-loved cuddly toys, including a threadbare Incredible Hulk.
Footsteps pounded up the stairs. “Mama, wait.”
Puffing, Eddie burst into the room. “Do we really have to do this tonight?”
Alina lifted her chin. “Son, if you care about this girl enough to bring her to our family table, you care enough to show her your trophies.”
He slipped an arm around Rosie, buried his face in the crook of her neck, and murmured, “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be,” she whispered back and rubbed her cheek against his soft, soft hair. “Your mom’s adorable.”
“Which year was this, Eddie?” Alina pointed to a trophy depicting a snarling wrestler.
Eddie sighed. “Junior year.”
“State champion in his weight class.” Alina whacked his arm. “You didn’t tell her? His coach called him Volkov the Vicious. Look here.” She pulled a framed newspaper clipping from the kid-sized desk and pressed it into Rosie’s hands.
“Wow. Very impressive.” A teen Eddie growled at the camera, neck corded and biceps bulging. Skinny, yes, but muscly and fierce, and sexy as hell in a singlet that left nothing to the imagination. Even back then, he packed an impressive package. She read aloud, “Stadium High student brings home state championship again…” A hundred thirty-two pounds? Her stomach lurched. God help me.
Eddie pried the frame from her fingers and set it face-down on the desk. “Nothing like a photo of me looking like a plucked chicken to impress the ladies.”
“Baloney.” Alina waved off his objection with a flick of her fingers. “You were handsome then, and you’re handsomer now. Right, Rosie?”
“Absolutely.” She took his hand and wished she could drain away the embarrassment twisting his features.
“Okay, enough bragging. Let’s have dessert. I made your favorite, Eddie.” Alina left them alone to scrape their respective self-esteem off the floor.
Eddie raked his fingers into his hair and paced. She bit her lip, imagining him walking off a defeat in the wrestling ring, wearing that tight little leotard that cupped his butt like a second skin.
Finally, he flopped onto the bed. “Am I dead yet?”
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Lordy, I love these two! I hope you will too. Grab your copy of Opposites Ignite!
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