A sexy and swoony new adult romance…Celebrity photographer and college senior Jess Leighton desperately needs to crash the wedding of the year. Snapping just one pic of the A-list Hollywood couple tying the knot will pay her way through grad school. But with security tighter than the bride-to-be’s corset, she’ll need more than her camera and smarts, she’ll need help from her biggest rival–hot, British, motorcycle-riding William Harrigan, whose sexy accent can melt the panties off any woman. He’s the last person Jess should trust, but he’s her only ticket in.
William Harrigan wants one thing – to stay in L.A. past college graduation. With a student visa set to expire, the clock is ticking. When he lands a gig that pairs him with the beautiful blond spitfire Jess, he’s scored his best shot at living out the American dream. Winning her trust would be a whole lot easier, however, if he didn’t have ulterior motives…
But there’s no faking the intense attraction between them. Try as they might to resist each other, soon sparks are flying, as they devise a plan to sneak into the ceremony. But when Jess’ new celebrity client raises the stakes, she starts to smell blackmail, and soon she and Will are chasing down cheating directors, staking out clandestine trysts, and making fake IDs, all while sneaking scene-stealing kisses and hot nights together.
The audience loves a happy ending, but in a town where everyone’s acting and no one’s playing by the rules, can Jess and William find their own ever after in time?
**STARS IN THEIR EYES is a spin-off of the New York Times & USA Today Bestselling CAUGHT UP IN LOVE series. It is the start of the new adult series WRAPPED UP IN LOVE.**
Stars in Their Eyes is the second book in the Wrapped Up In Love series – make sure you read the first part to Jess and William’s story!
A sexy and swoony new adult romance…There are no two ways about it — William Harrigan is a certified babe. He’s sexy, smart, and British, and he wants nothing more than to charm the pants off fellow college senior Jess Leighton. Well, he does want other things; he just can’t tell her about the job he’s working on since it maybe, possibly involves her. Jess, who moonlights as a celebrity photographer, is laser-focused on earning enough money snapping pics to pay her way through grad school, but when the criminally handsome William starts moving in on her turf, she’s got to fend off the competition from him as well as resist her desire to smother him in kisses because William makes her heart race and her skin sizzle.Too bad this man is not to be trusted.
Right? Except if Jess wants to snag the million-dollar picture she desperately needs, she’ll have no choice but to trust Will, and he’ll have to come clean about everything he wants from Jess. Including her.
*A STARSTRUCK KISS is book 1 in WRAPPED UP IN LOVE, a spin-off series of the NYT Bestselling CAUGHT UP IN LOVE series.*
This is the second excerpt in the reveal, did you see the one on Schmexy Girl Book Blog yesterday? And make sure you tune into Love between the Sheets tomorrow for the next one!
My excerpt is from the first book in the series, A Starstruck Kiss – are you ready for a taste of Jess and Will?
I walked in as he stood up.
Damn. He wasn’t ugly from behind. He had a fantastic ass, and the perfect kind of jeans to show it off. Nice back too, firm shoulders, and hair that clearly needed to be touched.
I took a deep breath to steel myself. I prayed that he had bad teeth. Crooked, yellow, snaggly teeth that would make me run for cover.
But when he turned around I was greeted by one of my favorite, and most frustrating, sights on the planet–a hot guy about my age. He wore jeans that hung nice and low on the hips, scuffed-up black boots, and a blue T-shirt that showed off toned arms. A pair of gold-rimmed aviator sunglasses hung on the neck of his shirt. He had dark hair, a whole mess of it, and eyes like a very angry sky.
Eyes that caught me surveying him from top to bottom.
If I were a blusher, I’d be beet red. Fortunately, the blushing gene skipped me, so no one ever knew when I was embarrassed.
He tipped his forehead to me. “Hey.” Then he gave me a quick once-over, and a small grin.
Thank God I wore my best jeans and had a touch of that casual, wind-blown look from my scooter ride over here. Plus, I was thin and trim–something I’d always worked hard at being. Whether through exercise or other means.
Wait.
Why did it matter if I looked good? I definitely didn’t care if he was checking me out. I didn’t have the time to admire the opposite-sex scenery these days. I had loads of work and school and bills begging for attention, so I issued myself a few firm and sharp instructions: His accent will not melt you. His eyes will not hook you.
“I’m William,” he offered, and I forced myself to barely acknowledge him, instead silently cursing the universe for dropping a too-fine specimen into my day.
“Hey,” I muttered, brushing past him into the office.
“Thanks for the biscuit, J.P.,” he said, and I stole a quick look as William held up a half-eaten chocolate-covered biscuit that would ordinarily be served with tea. He took one more bite, and rolled his eyes to indicate it was scrumptious. My mouth watered slightly; it was probably a delicious biscuit indeed. It was also an indignity, as far as I was concerned, that guys could eat treats with such careless abandon. I wanted to eat with that kind of attitude. I longed not to be tempted by food.
He finished, then flashed me an irresistible grin that was one part cocky, one part lopsided and one part devil-may-care insouciance. “You should try the biscuits. They’re fantastic,” he said to me as he picked up his backpack, and slung it over his shoulder.
“Thanks for the tip,” I said dryly, because wouldn’t it be nice if I could just try the biscuits and eat only one? Alas, that was not my strong suit, so I practiced abstinence with sweets. And other things.
He left, and I turned around to shut the door, hoping that it would shut him out of my head too.
But as I was closing it, he stuck his boot in the door.
“I can recommend cookies too, if you’d like. Chocolate cake. Brownies. Tarts. Pies,” he offered, rattling off all sorts of sugary concoctions, each word playing on his lips like a tantalizing treat, as if he were trying to win me over. Or, perhaps, gain the upper hand. But upper hands were my stock in trade, so I turned things around on him.
“When I’m in the mood for a huckleberry pie, I’ll track you down,” I said, giving him my best red-carpet smile. “Now, if you’ll excuse me.”
As he walked down the hall, I spotted a strong and sturdy motorcycle helmet strapped to his backpack. He must be the owner of the scratched-up silver motorcycle.
Hot. British. Rides a motorcycle.
If he turned out to be a smart one, he’d be all my weaknesses.
An errant butterfly bounded through my chest. Damn fluttery thing.
But I had no time for weaknesses, or butterflies, in my life. I pulled hard on the door, snapping it shut and leaving him behind.
William
As I elbowed open the door, I tapped the search bar on my mobile phone. Dropping my sunglasses over my eyes, I keyed in the name “Riley Belle,” then waited as the beach ball made its rounds. Someday, somewhere–I was convinced of this eventual possibility–we’d live in a world where cell phone searching wouldn’t be the equivalent of staring at a watched pot that never boiled. But for now, I heaved a sigh as I mounted my bike and kept my vigil on the screen. The sun blasted high above, a perfect yellow orb that delivered rays of happiness as far as I was concerned. I didn’t miss the English weather one bit. Not even a single iota, and hadn’t since I flew across the pond for my junior year abroad that turned into staying my senior year too. Some people say they want four seasons; I was not one of those people. I say give me perfect day after perfect day, so I suppose that’s why Los Angeles suited me quite well.
Quite well indeed, and so much better than the homeland.
As the phone chugged along, a text message dinged from the name Hack.
I thumbed it open and read. So what’s the story with the new gig? Think you can keep this one for longer than a weekend? – Your big brother. (Don’t forget–I’ll always be older and wiser and better looking)
I typed a quick reply. Don’t worry. I won’t embarrass the family in front of good old Uncle James. (And you will always be older, which means you’ll be grayer and fatter).
Lauren Blakely writes sexy contemporary romance novels with heat, heart, and humor, and her books have appeared on the New York Times, USA Today, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and iBooks bestseller lists. Like the heroine in FAR TOO TEMPTING, she thinks life should be filled with family, laughter, and the kind of love that love songs promise. Lauren lives in California with her husband, children, and dogs. Her novels include Caught Up In Us, Pretending He’s Mine, Playing With Her Heart, and Trophy Husband. She also writes for young adults under the name Daisy Whitney.
Maari says
I haven’t read any of her books (yet!), but do have a few on my W/L 🙂 Thank You for the chance!!
KellyMae Helfrich says
Liked the ‘Seductive Nights’ series! Thanks for the giveaway 😀
Artemis says
I love her writing style too. My favorite is Seductive Nights series. Love Clay and Julia!
momofsteele says
I haven’t read any yet. But I liked this line from the excerpt on this post: (And you will always be older, which means you’ll be grayer and fatter).
Shani W says
love the way she writes! you feel like a part of the story 🙂 thank you for the chance! <3
kp says
Love all her books!
Debbie Jensen says
I haven’t read any of her books as yet, but want to.
Lori Moore says
Love her books
kgagnon2013 says
I love Playing With Her Heart and Davis Milo *sigh* and also his best friend Clay Nichols in Night After Night. =D Thanks for the post and the chance to win! I am a huge Lauren Blakely fan!
Robin B says
So hard to pick just one favorite… I think trophy husband IS TOP THOUGH.
Nurmawati Djuhawan says
i haven’t read yet any book by Lauren Blakely..
but i’m looking forward to read them..
thx u for the chance 🙂
Gina H says
I LOVED the No Regrets series! Thanks for the giveaway!
Leslie Serrano (@cheekychibi02) says
I really enjoyed Trophy Husband which was the first book from her that I read.
Lisa True Story Book Blog says
That was my first LB book too! Loved Chris!
Betul E. says
I love her No regrets series!!
DJ Sakata says
I haven’t read any of her work, but would like to
Whitney Danielle says
Trophy husband!!! Xoxo
Erin Kathleen says
Can’t pick one!!!
beanabeana says
Haven’t ready any of hers yet but want to
sonyakeith says
I have read only one book of hers and that it the first book of her seductive nights series. I loved it. Now I need to read the rest of them and they are on my TBR list. Thanks for the Give Away
Sue G. says
Seductive Nights series! I love Clay! 😉 Ooh that mouth!
Jennifer O'Connell says
I loved Melt for Him!
Joelle says
I haven’t ready any of her books yet . Thank you for the chance to win!!
lindamanns says
This is my kind of book. Thank you for sharing
geenakmom says
Love the Seductive Nights series.
Theresa Esterline (@T_Esterline) says
I haven’t had a chance to read all of Lauren’s books yet, just 7 so far, but the No Regrets series is my favorite so far!
kim thorne says
thanks for the giveaway i have not read her books yet.
Candi says
My favorite is Playing With Her Heart!
catlover415 says
I am hanging my head in embarrassment because I haven’t read any yet. I have some on my Kindle and really need to get to one of these, they all look GOOD!
Mary Preston says
Too hard to choose an absolute favorite.
Erika says
I don’t think I’ve read anything by this author but would love to! Looks like a great series! Thanks!
Yolanda says
love Seductive Nights Series
Heather says
I’m going to go with the No Regrets Trilogy. It’s hard enough to narrow it down to a favorite series by Lauren, let alone 1 book. 😀
mrsmac19 says
Caught Up in Us was my first Lauren Blakely book and it’s remained my favorite. Thanks for the giveaway! 🙂
kamclauc says
This looks like a great series!
Ashleigh Downes says
Sadly I haven’t read any yet. But I would love to.
Jenny Dauksa Schaber says
I can’t pick a favotie book, but I loved the Seductive Nights series.
Debbie Jensen says
I haven’t read any yet.
Maria Theresa Santos says
melt for him
Irma Jurejevčič says
I haven’r read any of her books yet, but would love to.
Shannon Cole says
I absolutely loved the No Regrets Trilogy! I haven’t had a chance to read any other books by Lauren Blakely but all of her books are on my TBR so I look forward to reading them all. 🙂
Felicia says
Definitely “Burn for Me”! 🙂
angelina says
love all of her books and her writing style 🙂
Amy says
I haven’t read anything by her YET. But I see a few books I’d like to read No Regrets series looks good.
krys m. says
I really liked Caught Up in Her!
Diana Doan says
I love her books too!! My favorite is the Seductive Nights series!
Oshin says
Lauren’s seriously one of the best authors I’ve read. I thoroughly enjoyed each book in the Tangled Up In Love/Caught Up In Love Series but my favorite, by far, is Burn For Me 😀