Exclusive Excerpt + Giveaway: A Promise Kept by Anissa Garcia

Anissa Garcia’s debut novel hits ereaders today! A Promise Kept delivers a sweet, heartfelt romance with a Hollywood twist. I’m thrilled to be able to share with you an excerpt from the book, plus an awesome giveaway at the bottom of this post! And lucky for you, because the book is out today, you can keep reading after you get a taste of this addictive love story!

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Synopsis

Closing her heart a long time ago, Grace Clark made a promise she’s vowed to keep. Having Hollywood heartthrob Evan Matthews move in next door with his alluring good looks, charisma, wit, and sexy smile is a temptation that runs the risk of compromising the importance of that promise.
Evan is drawn to his new neighbor. Grace is the exact opposite of the women he normally encounters. Enticing, down-to-earth, and confident, she captivates him. She has no problems facing off with Evan, and he soon realizes Grace is much more than just a challenge. He wants to prove himself to her.

Grace can see the man beyond the actor, and with more than just her pride at stake, she needs to hold tight to her promise before Evan breaks through all her walls, exposing her heart.

Excerpt

Grace moved over to the grass and began to play fetch with Hank.  She glanced to Evan who was surrounded by rambunctious children who were fighting for his attention.  They asked him questions and he raptly answered.  They asked to see his blaster and they took turns passing it around.  He was so comfortable and at ease with them, as if they made his job seem completely worth it.  She hadn’t thought it of him, but Evan Matthews loved being around kids.

Jake opened his gift from Evan with permission from his mom and everyone was in admiration as he received his own replica blaster from the set.  There was also an autographed photo of the entire cast included.  Grace beamed and when their eyes locked, she felt her nerves shoot all through her body and straight to her core.

When Evan’s attention was dragged away by Jake, Grace felt a whoosh of relief.  His gazes on her were getting way too intense.  They were the type of stare a girl dreamed of being on the receiving end of.   The type of look that only happened in romantic novels adapted into films.  The way Mr. Darcy looked at Elizabeth Bennet, Colonel Brandon’s want of Marianne Dashwood, or Mr. Rochester’s powerful need for Jane Eyre.  It wasn’t a good thing that she was comparing those gazes at all.  It meant she was liking it way too much.  She was beginning to like Evan too much.

She went inside to wash her hands before cake would be served.  She observed herself in the mirror and saw her cheeks blushing just by thinking about the man outside who was making twenty kids extremely happy.  He was great with kids.  So what?  Lots of guys were great with kids.  So what that he was funny and romance novel handsome?  Grace had met plenty of men who fit the criteria of perfection before.  It didn’t mean that they were the right guy for her.  And she wasn’t sure Evan was either.  Get yourself together, Grace.  She exited the restroom and yelped as two hands yanked her aside, enclosing her against the wall.

“Hi, Gracie.”  Evan grinned with a playful mischief that made her belly flutter.

“Hello, Captain.”  She placed her hands on his chest and played with the gear on his uniform.  “You’re looking like you’re ready to save the world.”  She gazed at his full lips and licked hers out of reflex.

A small groan escaped from his throat as he roamed her face.  “So you met Hank, I see.  He really likes you, Grace.”  He cupped the back of her neck, staring at her with a need so passionate she couldn’t breathe.

“I…” She gulped, feeling the electricity tingle in her stomach all the way down between her legs.  “I like him too.”

“Do you?”  His eyebrow raised in a lively gesture.  “Do you like me?”

“That’s still under review.”

Her breathing elevated as his thumb ran over her mouth.  She felt her body responding to his as he pressed up against her.  An uncontrollable whimper exited her and she couldn’t stop what was already in motion.  Even if she wanted to, the pull was too strong, his masculine hands touching her was earth-shattering.  Every caress from him felt like she was an instrument he knew how to play with expertise.

“Let me help you decide then.”

She tipped her chin up to stare into his eyes.  The blue from them had disappeared with his dilated pupils taking over and drinking her in, as if he needed to be sated.  His stunning face, and those lips, she remembered how soft and welcoming they had been.  He confidently placed them on hers, his tongue slipping inside ever so slightly as she opened up to him.  Instead of telling him to back away or stop, she let her hands wrap around his shoulders, feeling the hard structure of his costume under her fingers.

A moan broke from her mouth and she unexpectedly asked for more as she sped the kiss, relishing every soft thrust of his tongue.  His fingers moved to the clip in her hair and pulled it open allowing the soft waves to fall over her shoulders.  He took his time tangling his hands in the thick locks and pulled her head back demanding to taste more of her.  She felt her knees weaken and was indebted to the wall behind her for holding her up as her mind tried to grasp exactly what was happening.

“Ew!  Gross!  Cooties!”  Jake yelled pulling them both back to reality.

Grace gripped onto Evan’s arms to steady her body as he began to laugh.  “Jake, your Aunt Gracie needed a little CPR is all.  I’m saving her.”

“I’m telling!”  Grace couldn’t stop him as he ran out the door.  “Mommy, Aunt Grace and Uncle Evan are kissing!”

“Tell them it’s about time!”  Jaime yelled.

“Shit,” Grace whispered under her breath and looked down at her feet.  She was trying to get herself together as Evan pulled away from her slowly.  “So much for discretion.”

“You’re flushed.”  He smiled at her and cupped her cheek.  “Let’s go out on a date.  A real date, Grace.”

“I think we’ve met our quota for the bet, Evan.”

“Monday after I get out of work.”

“I have plans with Marla on Monday night.”

“Wednesday then.  I’ll get out of filming at around six.”  He kept his eyes focused on hers as she nodded.  “It’s a date.”  He leaned toward her again and gave a small peck on her lips.  “I plan on kissing you a hell of a lot more, Gracie Lynn.  You’d better get used to it, sweetheart.”  He held out her clip and winked before sauntering away from her.

A shiver trailed through her body, the warmth she felt from Evan having vanished the moment he had walked outside.  She let herself lean against the wall a moment longer, and needed to truly consider what was happening between her and this man.  This beautiful man who could gloriously break her heart.

Giveaway

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