A Summer for Love Blog Hop #SummerForLove

The idea of a Summer for Love brings to mind many things. Foremost, it brings to mind a summer, almost 12 years ago that would forever change my life. You see, on June 15th, twelve years ago, I took a huge step and married my husband. We had known each other a long time at this point. We'd actually met in college while each of us was already involved with other people. Having the same major and similar interests and many friends in common, he and I became great friends. Nothing ever came of any attraction that either of us may have felt towards the other. Now fast forward 6 years. We've both graduated and started our post-college lives and careers. Through mutual friends we reconnected and you know what? That spark was still there and burning just as bright as it had when we met 6 years before. It didn't take him long to ask me out this time. I guess it was finally our time. Both of us single, both already started in our careers, or at least headed in that direction. It took him 6 years to ask me out and only 6 months to realize that I'm the person he wanted to spend the rest of his life with and propose.

In hindsight maybe that is why enjoyed CM Doporto's Opposing Sides so much. After all, it's about a couple who met in college and regardless of their attraction for each other, circumstances being what they are, the timing is all wrong for them. I can't tell you how things fared for CM Doporto's Lexi and Raven, but I can tell you that 12 Years and 2 children later, my husband and I are still going strong with no signs of stopping.

Read an excerpt from CM Doporto's Opposing Sides see how Raven and Lexi first meet:
(Be Sure to check out the giveaways below)

I stepped out of the director’s office and entered the main area. Standing in all his six foot two glory was the star quarterback of our universities’ football team. I had never seen him in person, and I felt like a midget looking up at him. Even though I didn’t know him personally, I’d heard and read enough about him to know he was a womanizer and had a drug problem.
Another reason why I shouldn’t help him.
“Hi, I’m Lexi Thompson and I’ve been asked to consult with you.” I made it clear that it wasn’t my choice to help him.
“Lexi. Hmm, I like that name.”
Uh, no you don’t.
His full lips spread, revealing the most charming smile, coupled with a deep dimple on the right. Now I knew why every girl fell for him. But I was smarter than that. “I’m Raven.” He stalled for a moment, his eyes giving me a thorough exam to the point that I bet he knew what color my panties were. “Raven Davenport.” He ran a hand over his short buzz cut, and he looked like the perfect model for an Abercrombie and Fitch ad. Minus his T-shirt.
He was toxic and smelled of sex and drugs. Well, not that I knew what all that smelled like, but his aura beamed bright red warning me to be careful.
“Are you ready to get started? Because we only have an hour.” I held out my hand, motioning to a small table in the corner.
“That’s plenty of time.” He raised his brows.
I rolled my eyes and walked to the table. Taking a seat, I took out the agreement that Dr. Philips prepared. I signed my name, and moved the papers in front of him. “Please sign this.”
Raven leaned over the table. “I was thinking you might want to do this somewhere private.” A seductive grin spread across his lips as he pressed his weight against it, as if testing the durability of the wood.
My jaw dropped. Was he serious? My fiancé didn’t even tease me that way. Although that would’ve been nice. Then again, we hadn’t even made out on a bed much less on a table. I had to restrain myself from slapping him.
“Excuse me, Mr. Davenport?”
He pulled out a chair and sat down. “You can call me Raven.” I guess by the tone in my voice he knew I meant business.
“Please read the agreement, and let me know if you have any questions. I indicated we would meet twice a week for an hour and more if a mutual agreement can be established.”
“Okay. Sounds fair. Do you have a pen?” He held out his hand. His long fingers curled up in a perfect cup. A hand that was made for a football and caressing various female parts.
Whoa! Where did that come from?
Extending my hand, I gave him my pen. He eased it from my fingertips in a gentle motion. “Thank you, Lexi.”
He signed the paper and handed it back to me.
“Aren’t you going to read it?”
Shaking his head, he said, “No, I trust you.”
“But you don’t even know me.”
“Not yet.” His green eyes sparkled. “But my gut tells me we’re going to get to know each other real well.”
It was obvious why Lisa didn’t want to work with him. I made a mental note to call her the second he left. I sucked in a quick breath and let it out to clear my head. “Whatever.” With haste I removed my Hodge’s Harbrace Handbook and another pen from my backpack. I opened the folder Dr. Philips gave me and took out his papers.
“I reviewed your file and—”
“You and everybody else.” His head lowered and his shoulders sunk.
I continued, unsure of how to handle the comment. “I have an idea of where you need the most help with your writing.”
His head popped up and a layer of relief removed the downward slope of his lips. “You do?”
“Yes. I think we should start with some grammar basics.” I opened the book to the first chapter and moved it between us. I placed one of his papers below the book, prepared to show him examples so he could relate easily to the concepts. “I’ll give you a quick and dirty overview of the parts of speech to start off.”
He moved his chair closer to me, and a fresh sent of juniper and bergamot swept over me. The guy smelled like a cologne insert from one of my magazines, and I tried hard not to breathe it in. But the more I tried not to, the more I loved the smell.
Darn, I wish Collin smelled that good.
He flashed me a grin. “I like it quick and dirty.”
I wanted to slap myself. Could I have used a poorer word choice? “I’m sure you do Raven. I mean, you’re a guy and a football player.”
“True,” a half smile formed, “but not every guy likes to do things quickly or get messy doing them.” 




GRAND PRIZES
(6) $50 Amazon or B&N Gift Cards

Comment with your name and email to be entered into the Grand Prize drawing. Comments without name and email will not be counted. Commenting on each and every stop will increase your chances of winning.
Winners for the (6) Grand Prizes will be drawn and announced on THE ROMANCE TROUPE blog by June 10th.



* * * * *

We're giving away some fantastic Smexy Swag as well. To be entered to win this gorgeous bookmark by Stone Soup Designs just comment below... What does Summer of Love bring to mind for you? 


Comments

  1. Quite nights after the kids are asleep, out in the country without a sound and sitting on the back porch watching the fireflies.

    ~Angela Christina Archer
    history (at) angelachristinaarcher (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  2. lisamarie romero.... lisamarie.romero@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. Summer of love reminds me of the song Cruel Summer by Bananarama. I don't even know why but that's the thought in my head every time I head that phrase.

    miztik_rose@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. Summer of love reminds me of the prime time of my love life when all was so magical. I could almost hear music in the air, and kept smiling and blushing the whole day long thinking about my man. Overall, it reminds me of the joys of my first love.

    ladyunwritten[AT]gmail[DOT]com

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love summer, it's my favorite season! Thank you for being part of this hop!
    VeronikaDream
    verusbognar (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  6. Loved the excerpt. It surprised me. At first I thought she was a therapist. As I read on, I decided she was a tutor for the football hunk. Lol. But what a handful! Your real life meet up 6 yrs later was most interesting as well.

    Liza O'Connor
    Liza2write@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. Summer of love reminds me of being 20, hot, young, gorgeous boyfriend, water skiing, horseback riding.....ah those were the days.

    I love hops! Get to meet so many new authors this way. Thanks for participating.

    Kris Linehan
    simondex68 (at) gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  8. Summer of love brings back memories of my honeymoon!
    Kelly Thompson
    kellberry@sbcglobal.net

    ReplyDelete
  9. Not a huge fan of summer so nothing really comes to mind. Sorry.
    Melissa Crisp
    leighannecrisp at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  10. The 60's (which I was too young to get into at the time).

    Thanks for participating.
    Anne M.
    acm05atjuno.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. Summer of love reminds me of 1993

    Tia Dalley
    videoclimber AT yahoo DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  12. Deborah Close
    dcpooh55 (at) cox (dot) net
    Summer of Love means a quiet walk along the beach hand in hand.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Not really an active person in the summer unfortunately...so I have no suggestions.

    H.B.
    humhumbum AT yahoo DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  14. Reading books while my boys play outside.
    Tobi
    forgethousework@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  15. Joy F
    magic5905 at embarqmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  16. it reminds me of being 15 again
    Stacey A Smith
    sasluvbooks at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  17. Couples walking hand in hand on the beach and barbecuing with the hubby on the back porch then sitting under the stars drinking a glass of wine.

    Stephanie Fredrick
    fsteph55(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  18. Summer of love brings to mind to me.... a time when i was young and carefree. Late nights in the dark, laying on a blanket in the grass in the park and looking up at the stars... making out under those star. =)

    The book sounds really good & im adding it to my tbr list.

    Thank you for the giveaway!

    I hope you have a great weekend!! =)

    Brandi
    BLeigh1130 at yahoo dot

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Just noticed i messed up my email, so im fixing it lol

      Brandi
      BLeigh1130 at yahoo dot com

      Delete
  19. Summer of Love: Holding hands, sweaty hugs, playing in the sand. :)
    Katrina
    oneagainst at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  20. Long lazy days on the beach with my Summer crush!

    Thanks for the amazing giveaway!
    Elizabeth
    elizabeth @ bookattict . com

    ReplyDelete
  21. Summer days has already meant catching up on reading. Thanks for the giveaway. Wanda Craighead wcraig5432@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  22. Alisha Sienkiel
    sienkiel1821 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete

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