We have Kelly Jamieson with us today chatting about her release, HOW TO LOVE. Help me in welcoming Kelly to Cocktails and Books.
Tell us about HOW TO LOVE.
How to Love is the second book in my San Amaro Singles series. Each book stands alone and characters make appearances in subsequent stories, but what really links the books together is the setting— the sexy beach town of San Amaro, California, where the locals spend their leisure time enjoying surf, sun and sand. In How to Love, photographer Jules is feeling a lack of creativity in her artistic photographs and is inspired by her new neighbors, Mike and Carlos. Mike and Carlos are inspired by Jules, but for different reasons. They’re in a committed relationship but have always felt something is missing—a woman. And they think Jules could be the woman.
Where did the idea for the storyline come from?
I enjoy writing ménage stories and there’s such a range of possibilities for how a relationship between three people comes about. In my last two ménage books, the books begin with a couple. In Rule of Three, the couple is a man and a woman. In One Wicked Night, the two men have a complicated relationship at the start of the book. So I wanted to explore a different dynamic, and in How to Love, I started with two men who were already in a loving, committed relationship, but wanted more.
What do you think readers will like/love about Jules and Mike?
Oh — I *hope* they will love Jules and Mike (and Carlos!). The two guys are different from each other and have grown and learned from each other — Mike likes to plan and be cautious, Carlos is adventurous and risk-taking. And Jules learns from both of them—how to be brave, how to be vulnerable, how to take risks, and how to love.
What was your favorite scene from the book?
It’s hard to pick a favorite, but…I love happy endings when the characters finally figure things out. Here’s snippet from the ending of How to Love:
“But I’m trying to be brave,” she continued, lifting her chin. “I learned that from you.”
“Huh?”
She nodded, looking down at her hands again, then back up. “I learned about being brave from you. And about taking risks. And about being…naked.”
Mike choked a little, but smiled. “Naked?”
Carlos too gave a chuckle.
“Literally naked. You were brave enough to take off your clothes and expose your body to me and my camera. And the whole world. That is freakin’ brave.” She smiled. “But also figuratively. Exposing yourselves, your real selves, your feelings. Jeez, Mike, you told me you love me. That’s the scariest thing in the world to do, I think.”
Mike closed his eyes, his chest going hot and soft. “It can be.”
“And Carlos—climbing those cliffs. Holy hell, that terrified me, and you do it like it’s nothing. That’s brave too. When you made me do that, though, you made me feel so powerful, like I could do anything. I had to remember that when I went to see my dad. That I’m strong enough and brave enough. And same when I came here to see you. Because…I’m really, really scared, you guys.”
“We’re all scared, Jules,” Carlos said, leaning forward. “Love is scary. But it’s love that makes us strong.”
If you had to pick a favorite cocktail of choice, what would it be? (It can be non-alcoholic too)
I’m generally a wine drinker, but my favorite cocktail is a margarita! (Gold tequila, on the rocks, salted rim. )
Kelly is giving away a tour grand prize of a $50 Amazon/B&N/Kobo gift card (winner’s choice) to one winner from all the different tour stops. To enter, complete the Rafflecopter form below (if the form doesn’t appear, click the link to be taken to it).
For more chances to win, follow the tour.
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Relationship, no…but threesome, hell yes!
Ever since Jules’s new neighbor moved in, she’s been undressing him in her mind. Mike is the fresh inspiration she needs to make her erotic photography studio a success, if she can convince him and his equally buff roommate, Carlos, to strip for her lens. And maybe indulge in a little off-camera fun as well.
But Jules isn’t too worried. She doesn’t do relationships, but she loves men and sex—and in her experience, most men are okay with that.
Judging from the raw emotions leaping from the images in Jules’s gallery, Mike senses there’s a lot going on beneath her flirtatious, slightly cynical exterior. He and Carlos are happy in their committed relationship, but they’ve always felt there’s a piece missing. They want a woman. Jules could be that woman.
A threesome with two committed men? Sounds like an emotionally risk-free dream come true for Jules. But when they make it clear they want more, her deepest fears push to the surface, straining bonds forged in incredible heat to the breaking point…
Warning: The book features two hot men brave enough to climb cliffs, strip naked for erotic photographs, have sex in a portrait studio and on a cliff, and who have the courage to teach a commitment-phobic woman how to love.
Excerpt
“Okay, Jules?” Mike moved up behind her and his body heat radiated through her T-shirt. He set his hands on her waist and rubbed his face on her hair. She nodded.
Carlos stepped in front of her, now wearing only a snug pair of black boxer briefs, and started to unbutton her jeans. Mike slid her T-shirt up over her ribcage, nudging her arms, and she raised them so he could lift the T-shirt over her head. A delicious warmth filled her, her limbs going heavy, her eyes falling closed as their hands brushed over her body, removing her clothes. Mike’s chest pressed up against her back, hot and hard, his hands sliding around over her stomach, holding her, so carefully.
Carlos helped her step out of her jeans, then stood before her. He lifted her chin with one hand and kissed her mouth, and she sank into the dream, into sensation, heat and touch, whispered sighs and soft breaths, the taste of Carlos on her tongue, her lips. His lips were fuller than Mike’s, his kisses different but both so sexy.
Mike’s hand slid lower down her belly, resting just above her panties, right where she ached deep inside, his mouth finding the side of her neck and laying hot, open-mouthed kisses there.
“Too much,” she moaned, almost overwhelmed by their two big bodies, all heat and muscle, their hands, their mouths.
“Oh baby,” whispered Carlos. “You ain’t seen nothin’ yet.”
“I think that’s a song.”
He smiled. “It is. A great song.”
Mike snorted behind her. “Bachman Turner Overdrive? Seriously? That is not a seductive bedroom song.”
“Sure it is. I’d sing it for you, but…”
“Christ, no.”
Jules let her head fall back on Mike’s shoulder, amusement filtering through her once again.
“I’m a good singer,” Carlos continued, bending to kiss her throat, then drag his tongue down her chest.
“I’m sure you are,” she murmured. Her breasts tightened and sensation cascaded over her.
“No, he isn’t.” Mike nibbled her ear lobe. “He’s a terrible singer. That never stops him, though.”
“Sssh,” Carlos said, nuzzling the inner curve of one breast, making her breath catch in her throat. “This is not the time to discuss my vocal abilities.” Her nipples tingled in anticipation of his touch, and she lifted heavy arms to slide her fingers into his short hair. “This is about Jules.”
“Oh.” That was so nice. So, so nice.
Between the two of them, every nerve ending in her body buzzed, Mike’s fingers playing with the edge of her panties, Carlos rubbing his beard against the skin between her breasts. She let her fingers slide through the roughness of Carlos’s short hair. He nibbled at the upper curves of her breasts above the edge of her bra and she arched her back in response. Mike lifted a hand to cup her chin, pulling her head back even farther so he could kiss her mouth, deeply, hungrily. She moaned.
So much sensation, everywhere, surrounding her, consuming her with almost unbearable sweetness, pressure and need building low inside her. Her knees were weakening again.
Carlos reached around behind her to unfasten her bra, releasing her swelling breasts from the cups. She dropped her arms to let it slide off, still leaning back into Mike’s embrace, her nipples tightening even more at the air brushing over them. “Oh, Jules,” Carlos whispered, cupping her breasts, rubbing his thumbs over her nipples. “You’re so beautiful.”
She couldn’t respond, blood pulsing hotly though her veins, her head spinning from it all. His gentle touches on her nipples, brushing his palms across them, had pleasure rippling through her, nipples so tight and aching she couldn’t stand it. She drifted in an erotic haze of mindless sensation. Her entire body quivered and she made a needy little sound into Mike’s mouth.
Kelly Jamieson is a best-selling author of over twenty-five romance novels and novellas. Her writing has been described as “emotionally complex”, “sweet and satisfying” and “blisteringly sexy”. Where you can find Kelly:
