Suzette Riddick is warming up those cold, winter nights with her newest novel, Caliente Nights. When an accident between two unsuspecting people turn into something more than either of them bargained for, the ice around their hearts will melt, and they're both in for more than they can imagine. Check out Suzette's 20 Days of Love post and leave a comment for a chance to be entered into her giveaway for a copy of her book, Baby Love... About Caliente Nights... Nursery school teacher Jeanette Adams is struggling to keep her family owned business afloat. Working days at the school and nights as a department store clerk is taking its toll physically on Jeanette. When things couldn’t get any worse, she finds herself in a situation that will further burden her financially after she crashes into a luxury vehicle. Romance is the last thing on her mind; that is until she comes face to face with the owner, undeniably sexy, Alonzo Castro. Professional athlete Alonzo Castro has had it with gold-digging women. All he wants is to meet a woman who isn’t interested in his status or bank account. Beautiful, car-wrecking, Jeanette Adams is the breath of fresh air he’s been craving. Determined to make Jeanette his, Alonzo pursues the sassy teacher despite his parent’s desire for him to marry within their nationality. As the couple’s relationship is thriving their love is tested when Alonzo doesn’t come clean about his past. When his secret is outed by a trusted friend will Jeanette be able to forgive him? Alonzo’s foul mood evaporated the moment his eyes locked with Jeanette’s. Beautiful was the first word that came rushing to his brain. She wasn’t the statuesque, leggy type he preferred to compliment his six-four height. Her petite stature, caramel complexion, hazel eyes, and full, kissable lips were magnetizing. He wanted to reach out and rub the shoulder-length two-strand twists between his fingers to see if they were as soft as they looked. His gaze continued to roam as he took in her small breasts outlined in a teal long-sleeve tee shirt, her tiny waist, and snug-fitting jeans showcasing curvy hips. Childbearing hips. He tossed that crazy thought out of his head. His mother’s nagging earlier this morning to settle down with a nice Cuban girl and start a family was messing with him. Alonzo suppressed the urge to lick his lips. Over sensitized by women throwing themselves at him, it had been forever since he desired a woman on sight. They all looked the same. Cosmetically enhanced breasts, fake eyelashes, caked on makeup, silicon-injected lips, and butts. This Jeanette Adams was on the other end of the spectrum. Her natural beauty was captivating. Oh…my… God… Breathe…Jeanette… Breathe… Who in the world is this Laz Alonso clone? Jeanette wondered. She’d seen just about every movie or television show the sexy, Afro-Latino played in. Jeanette was nervous as she approached the stranger who couldn’t seem to take his eyes off her. Gloria said he looked unhappy. Did something happen in such a short span of time? She had braced herself to deal with a grizzly bear of a man. Instead, his eyes were slowly taking her in as if he was interested in what he saw. Jeanette quickly shook off that foolishness. This man was here to squeeze money out of her that she didn’t have. “Hi, my aunt said you were here to see me?’ “Jeanette Adams?” Surely this angel couldn’t be responsible for the minor dent and scratches on his vehicle. “Yes,” Jeanette answered, trying to control the shaking in her voice. His penetrating gaze was setting off flutters in her belly. Alonzo reached into an inner pocket of the black, leather jacket he wore. Jeanette’s face flushed when he pulled out a recognizable piece of paper. “You left this note on my car?” “I’m … I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hit your car. It’s just that I was so tired after working my second job and I put the car in reverse instead of drive and—” As Jeanette floundered in a feeble attempt to explain her unintentional carelessness, three-year-old Mya entered the room whimpering. On impulse Jeanette went to the child thankful for the interruption. She didn’t know how much longer she would be able to take those sexy, dark eyes staring her down. “Another bad dream, sweetie?” Jeanette softly asked Mya as she stooped down to lift the child’s tiny body into her arms. Mya snuggled close, tucking her head in Jeanette’s bosom. Yes,” the child whimpered wiping at moist eyes. “It’s okay. You’re safe with me,” she whispered, reassuring the child as she made her way back to Alonzo. Alonzo’s heart melted as Jeanette approached him with the child on her left hip. His mother’s words came rushing back at the uncomfortable pulling in the center of his chest. He came there prepared to lash out at Jeanette for being so careless. After her honest confession and witnessing her tender interaction with the child, there was no way he could go through with being outright mean. And there was no way this woman had purposely staged an accident to wiggle her way into his bed. Truthfully, with her incredibly sexy, petite body he wished that had been her intent. He would have been more than ready to indulge her. “I’m sorry for the interruption.” Jeanette apologized as she continued to cradle Mya. “It’s fine. Is she alright?” Alonzo queried with concern, nodding in Mya’s direction. Jeanette tightened her hold on the tiny body. If she hadn’t, she might have dropped the child. The man’s voice was sexy and deep with a hint of Latin flavor causing her knees to slightly buckle. “She’ll be fine in a few minutes. As I was saying, I’m sorry about hitting your car. I know what I did was stupid.” Jeanette’s face turned a tinge of pink. She couldn’t believe she called herself stupid in front of the sexiest man alive. What she was about to say next sent her into a panic thinking about the money she didn’t have for an increase in her premium rate. “I do have insurance. If you wait a minute I can go get my wallet and give you my information.” Jeannette didn’t wait for a response as she rushed out of the room through another doorway. Alonzo’s phone rang. Glancing at the name on the display he answered. “Hey, Julio. What’s up?” “Nothing much. Checking to see what time you’ll be by the restaurant. I have some numbers I want to run by you.” “I’m in the middle of something. When I’m done here, I’ll swing through.” “You caught up with the chick who hit your ride?” “Young lady,” Alonzo corrected. Julio chuckled. “That’s not what you were calling her last night.” Alonzo cringed. He had thought the worst of Jeanette before meeting her a few minutes ago, and his colorful name calling hadn’t been too gentlemanly. “Let’s just say she’s not what I expected her to be.” “Is she ugly?” his younger brother teased. This time Alonzo chuckled. “Far from it. Have everything ready for me when I get there.” “Alright bro. See you later.” “Later.” As Alonzo was sliding his phone inside his pocket, Jeanette returned to the room with Mya now on her right hip. She handed him a slip of paper. “I jotted down my information. I called my insurance company this morning to inform them I had an accident, so they’ll be expecting your call.” While she was speaking another toddler, this time a little boy, wandered into the room leaning against Jeanette’s left leg. He stared at Alonzo with wide curious eyes. An emptiness he couldn’t explain settled over him as he watched the children clinging to Jeanette for comfort. “I can see you’re busy. Why don’t I come back after you close this evening so we can talk?” What did they have to talk about? Everything he needed was on the paper she’d given him. Was he going to demand she pay out of pocket instead of going through the insurance company? She hoped not! She was dreading the five-hundred-dollar deductible she had to pay that was going to wipe her entire savings out. Reluctantly, she agreed with a nod. “Come back at seven.” When he smiled showing a straight row of white teeth, her knees did that buckling thing again. “Seven it is,” Alonzo said as he turned and headed toward the door. As he reached for the doorknob Jeanette called out, “Hey, what’s your name?” With his back to her an amused grin curved his lips. She doesn’t know who I am. This could be interesting. “Alonzo Castro.” About Suzette... Suzette Riddick is a wife, mother and nurse practitioner who enjoys writing romance novels with real life situations readers can relate to. Suzette is an Amazon bestselling author of African American Romance and was a featured author in USA Today ~ Happy Ever After. She is a native of Philadelphia, PA and enjoys spending time with her family and friends. To learn more about Suzette, her books, and to follow her on social media, visit her website at www.suzetteriddick.com. CONTACT SUZETTE & DOWNLOAD YOUR COPY OF CALIENTE NIGHTS: author@suzetteriddick.com and http://bit.ly/CalienteNights & http://bit.ly/suzettebooks Thanks for joining us for another 20 Days of Love! Please leave a comment below to be entered into the giveaway. Suzette would love to hear from you!
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6 Comments
Suzette Riddick
2/20/2018 08:29:33 am
Chelle, thanks so much for having me! 😊
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2/20/2018 04:27:59 pm
Thanks for sharing your latest novel with us, Suzette. All the best to you, love.
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2/20/2018 04:34:45 pm
This was a delightful treat. I enjoyed the excerpt, as well, and can't wait to get my copy.
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Suzette Riddick
2/22/2018 04:10:09 pm
Thanks Paulette for stopping by. Glad you're intrigued. 😊
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3/18/2018 12:01:38 pm
Hi Paulette,
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