Today is
the release day launch for Lessons in Pure Life by Audrey
O’Conner!! We’ve got a fantastic excerpt and giveaway, so check it all out!!
Blogs Taking Part in
the Release Day Launch:
Lessons in Pure Life Synopsis:
Freshly minted grad Emilia
Noble arrives in Costa Rica to teach English in the tropical community of
Pacifica. Its carefree, pura vida lifestyle is a welcome contrast to her dark
and wintry origins. Tossing caution aside like an old winter coat, she plunges
headfirst into an exotic cocktail of sensory pleasure.
Diego is a local whose
surfer body and cool detachment make Lia buzz with a long-lost thrill.
Fascinated by her new environment, she can’t help but wonder about the moody
inner workings of the boy with triceps like Wolverine and a grimace to match.
Diego seems to have no
problem ignoring Lia, though. Caught up in his family’s conflicted attitude
toward foreigners, he notices her only when it’s convenient. But as Lia thrives
in her new surroundings, Diego might just find reason enough to defy his
embattled, insular father. When north and south are mixed together, the results
are intoxicating.
Ebooks:
Print Copies:
Exclusive Excerpt:
Diego approaches at last.
Dead serious.
Christ, that’s a big man.
He’s next to me, standing
so close I feel the heat of his body. His body. I don’t dare look directly at
it or my head will turn into a big, red factory whistle with steam shooting
out, like in a Bugs Bunny cartoon.
“Emilia Noble, this is
Diego Valverde.” Jose’s accent slurs a little, the hard edges of the English
words sticking together in the tropical heat. Funny to have such a formal
introduction in such a leisurely setting. I picture us all wearing striped ties
with our swimwear.
My heartbeat pulses in my
throat, an invisible necklace with a throbbing pendant. I smile tentatively,
craning my neck because he is almost a foot taller than I am. Don’t
be intimidated.
I want to be as lucid as
possible, considering at least sixty percent of my brainpower is devoted to not mounting him like an overzealous
cowgirl. “Lia,” I say too loudly.
Me Lia. You Diego. I can
has your biceps?
My hand goes out
automatically. We both look down at it like it’s a curious urchin, coral nails
like anemone. Finally he takes it. Between us for those few seconds it’s
comfortable, warm, and strong. Our palms touch, and in a way we’re holding
hands. Mano en mano.
And that’s it. We are officially
People Who Know Each Other.
But it’s going downhill.
His expression is irritated and distracted, like I’m inconveniencing him with
my presence. When he finally, really looks me in the eyes, I’m startled by how
loveless his gaze is, cool hostility sharpened by pale gray irises. Like the
sky when you’ve stayed up until daybreak.
He’s covered in smooth,
youthful skin, but his muscular system is a man’s, with a wide, toned chest and
broad shoulders that slope down and then curve back up at the ends like a
hockey player’s.
His skin glints. Flecks of
quartz sand.
Good god. It’s all a bit much, so I pull my hand away. I have to think of
something to say to this stud in case this is a lucid dream.
“How’s it going?” I manage.
I’ve forgotten all my Spanish. Classic.
I’m hyper-aware of the tone
of my voice, how my lips move over my teeth when I speak. I’m not wearing a
spot of makeup; I wasn’t planning on running into a dreamboat-surfer Valverde.
And makeup at the beach is bullshit, anyway.
“Pura vida,” he says without much life at all. …
He shifts his weight
uncomfortably, looks into the distance, and runs his fingers through his
grown-out surfer hair. One forearm is covered in black ink, a tattoo of moons
or planets in orbit, looks like. I want to ask him about it, but I don’t. I’ve
already looked for too long.
Barely nodding at us, he
walks off toward the bathroom facilities without another word. I may have
scared him off, but I can’t help but feel confused and hurt. Is that it?
Audrey O’Conner Bio:
Audrey O’Connor can’t help
but color outside the lines with big, bright markers. She’s fascinated by the
influence of popular culture on the female experience and inspired by creative
boldness and the breaking of the dumb rules women are supposed to follow.
Audrey lives in Chelsea, Quebec, where she can be found DJ-ing at local events
or scanning a cafe for outlets for her laptop.
Enter Audrey’s Giveaway!!
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