Forbidden Rose by Vivian Winslow
Rosa Cruz, the fiery and ultra-sexy heiress of the Mama Linda Latin foods empire, is determined to create something on her own and not rely solely on her family’s name and legacy. For her new upscale restaurant in the trendy Wynwood neighborhood of Miami, she enlists the help of her childhood friend, the hot, young Cuban-American chef, Eliseo Perez, who’s already made a name for himself on the New York culinary scene. Despite Rosa’s reservations about a forbidden workplace romance with her new employee, not to mention longtime friend, the chemistry between them is undeniable. When the cooking starts, things quickly heat up in the kitchen and the bedroom. But with Eliseo’s troubled past coming back to haunt him, can Rosa and Eliseo hold onto love and keep the restaurant from going up in flames?
Description
Find more from this author on:
About the author:
Vivian was born in San Diego, California but has spent most of her adult life as the consummate wanderer. Her nomadic life took her abroad to Paris, Madrid, London, Hong Kong, Los Angeles, and São Paulo. After eleven moves across four continents over a span of seventeen years, her journey brought her back to New York City in 2011 where, despite the chaotic pace, she’s managed to make it home for herself and her family.
What inspired you to write your book?
The inspiration for my books comes from a strong desire to break the mold in the genre, which largely portrays women as weak, subservient and having low self-esteem. Believing that stories have the power to influence attitudes and shift perspectives, I write in order to challenge this paradigm. I don’t mind being considered a feminist although I believe balancing the roles of men and women in literature honors both the masculine and feminine in everyone. But more than anything, my sincere hope is that my books foster the reader’s connection to their unique strengths, gifts and desires.
Here is a short sample from the book:
“Soooo, the host,” he says. “Obviously single, no kids . . . .”
Camila shrugs. “Someone new to the school. I’m not in any of his classes, so I don’t know much about him.”
“You’re being weird. You’re always about extraneous details, and now you can’t say the man’s name or look at me.”
“What? I’m making you a cocktail.” Camila forces herself to look at Jared.
He regards her suspiciously. “You’re a terrible liar, my friend. I’ll figure out what you’re hiding.”
It takes all of one second when he sees Marshall walk into the apartment.
“Oh my God, it’s Mr. Gucci,” he whispers into Camila’s ear.
“Shut up. This isn’t the time.”
“Oh, it totally is,” he replies and heads into the adjacent kitchen to introduce himself to Marshall.
“Good evening. I’m Jared. I work with Camila over at L,” he says, hinting he recognizes Marshall from the bar that night.
“It’s great of you to come.” Marshall casually extends a hand.
“Remind me of your drink of choice, and I’ll be sure to keep your glass full tonight.”
“Yeah, that’d be great. You know how to mix a Metropolitan?”
The bartender suppresses a smile. “Funny. Camila really enjoys those too. I’ll be right back.”
“You fucked him didn’t you?” Jared wags a finger at his friend.
“How can you tell? You spoke to him all of two minutes.”
“While you hid in here like a scaredy cat. What happened? Buyer’s remorse? Hard to imagine though.” He turns in the direction of the kitchen and shakes his head. “No way. With that mouth, the way he stands, and his posture. He’s definitely good in the sack.”
Camila makes a face. “I didn’t realize he was my Professor.”
“I thought you said you weren’t in any of his classes.”
“I dropped it on the first day when I saw him. But what’s worse. He’s my faculty advisor for Law Review.”
“That’s classic,” Jared laughs out loud. So loud it gets Marshall’s attention. He spots Camila standing by the bar. “Oh, hey C.,” he begins to say then clears his throat. “Camila, I didn’t realize you were here.”
“I came early to help Jared set up,” she says, finishing her drink in one gulp.
“This is worse than my cousin’s bar mitzvah down in Palm Springs,” Jared groans to Camila when she approaches him for another drink.
“It may kill you to hear this, but this is one of the better networking parties I’ve been to,” she replies.
“That guy in the corner talking to your boyfriend looks like my Uncle Mordy.”
Camila slaps his arm. “Shut up already. And that man happens to be the foremost expert in Trusts and Estates in the country. I think Oprah is his client.”
“Seriously, honey. You do not belong with this crowd. You are so downtown cool, and they’re uptown uptight.”
“For your information, I just spoke with a woman who runs a legal aid office in the Bronx. She said her work was ‘rewarding’. How many people ever say that about their jobs?”
“Most teachers, except middle school ones, and saints.” Jared leans on his elbow. “So fine, not all lawyers are like my Uncle Mordy. But most of them are.” He checks his watch. “Cover for me a minute. I’m going to the bathroom.”
“I thought I was paying Jared to work, not you.” Marshall says.
“He’s taking his Union fifteen,” Camila answers wryly.
“I guess I can’t interfere with that. I would hate to get a letter from a union lawyer.” He holds up his glass. “Would you mind? I think I prefer your Metropolitans to his anyway.”
“I told you it’s because I don’t sweeten it. Besides, I could use something to do.”
“You’re not giving up so quickly, I hope. There are plenty of attorneys I can introduce you to.”
“So this was a plan to get me to consider a different line of work.”
“Not a plan as much as a hope. But I know better than to interfere in your life. You know what you want.”
Camila looks up when she hears that last word. “Up until recently I would’ve agreed with you. But I realized that I’ve been confusing need with want. I need a job. I don’t know if I want the one I thought I did.”
Marshall furrows his brow. “That’s a tough one. You want to talk about it?” He looks around at the party. More people have arrived. Students are always game for free alcohol, as he knew they would be. However, if he could, he’d snap his fingers and make them all disappear so he could be alone with Camila.
“Maybe later,” she says vaguely, pouring his drink into a clean glass.
Marshall drops five dollars into a tip jar. “Later then.”
Related products
-
SUNRISE FROM AN ICY HEART: A MEMOIR by Claudette Alexander
Four years of daily passionate loving, near the ocean, in the car, during moonlight days and sunset horizons, coupled with glasses of rum punch, came to a halt when thick lipped, Linus Hyacinth, emigrated from St. Lucia to Canada in October 1972 in search of greener pastures.
In the midst of trying to adjust to the extreme changes in climate, he searches for work as an architectural draftsman. Miserable and missing his lover, he worries about her loyalty amidst a sea of man-peckers. He writes her weekly professing his love and his desire for her to join him.
Nine months later, June 1973, the naive Claudette Alexander, sets off on her journey in pursuit of love and prosperity. In Canada, love takes on a different direction as she tries to adjust to Linus’ broken promises, culture shock, racism and single parenting.
As she embarks on the sea of love, she encounters stormy weather and her heart gets as frigid as the North American winters. It will take a special man to crack through her icy heart.
After four failed relationships, she meets Malcolm James. He is quiet, patient and soft spoken and has loved her when he first met her as a teenager. He has yearned and longed for her. Crossed the ocean, and had his fair share of failed relationships.
But Malcolm needs to break down these walls and bore through her icy heart to rescue her from herself and get to the sunrise as she battles kidney failure.
Sadie’s Surrender by Afton Locke
After her husband leaves her for another woman, Sadie Johnson feels unattractive. Unable to face a dreary future of shucking oysters and living with her critical mother, she dreams of being a businesswoman. But in 1936, opportunities for women of color in Oyster Island are limited.
An oysterman at heart, Henry Rockfield would rather sail than run the local branch of his brother’s oyster company. He’s not happy about belonging to the town Klan either, but he’ll do anything to keep the peace and help his family.
When sassy Sadie proves she can run the plant, he can’t resist putting her secretly in charge so he can return to the sea. But when desire resurrects a tragic mistake from his past, he learns business and pleasure are a dangerous mix. When racial conflict hits home, forcing them to choose between love and duty, will Sadie surrender?
Love Song by Nakeesha Cluse
Lia Michels is an aspiring songwriter who is given a chance to pursue her dream. This opportunity of a lifetime comes with strings attached as Lia quickly learns that she will be working with Jordan Arlotti, a hot music producer who broke her heart fifteen years ago. Will Lia take a chance and follow her dream even if it leads her back into the arms of the man she swore she'd never love again?
Blackbird (an Online Romance) by Fran Seen
Fans of MTV’s Catfish will adore this sweeping romance about one girl’s journey to locate her favorite internet stranger.
The Billionaire’s Waitress 1 by Blue Davis
Will she be the next addition to the dynasty? Nia Jones, an independent black waitress meets Jake Carlton, a sexy, suave business man in a restaurant where she works as a waitress. Does Jake truly love her or is it just a game of lies?
When Jake introduces her to family and friends, she finds out how unwelcome she is. She must choose whether to stand and defend her love for Jake, or succumb to a life without him.
Warning: This is a fast-paced BWWM romance that contains elements of erotic sex and violence. Please be 18+.
Your Love Is King by Adrienne Thompson
Plus-sized divorced nurse and single mom, Marli Meadows, is tired of the monotonous rhythm of an unfulfilled life. She is seemingly stuck in a perpetual cycle of low self-esteem and bad decisions. With her daughter approaching adulthood, she decides to make a change and leaves her dysfunctional parental ties and going-nowhere relationship with an occasional boyfriend behind in exchange for a travel nursing job in another state. Enter the handsome Chris King, who oozes confidence and pursues Marli relentlessly. Chris is white. Marli is African American. And therein lies the first of her issues with him. Your Love Is King is an Edgy Inspirational Interracial Romance novel that chronicles one woman’s journey toward self-acceptance and love.
The Daily Hazards of a Middle Eastern Wife by Soad Nasr
From wedding night traditions to meeting the mother-in-law, this semi-autobiographical read takes an often fun and fascinating look at the issues Middle Eastern women face in married life…and beyond.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.