I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the TILLBRIDGE STABLES SCAVENGER HUNT by Nina Crespo Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and find the secret word (it's purple) and make sure to enter the giveaway! Make sure to follow the tour schedule at the bottom of the page for all the stops! Each word you enter is another entry for the giveaway!
Series: Tillbridge Stables #3
Publication date: January 26th, 2021 (Paperback); February 1st, 2021 (eBook)
Publisher: Harlequin Special Edition
Pages: 288
Free Preview: https://preview.aer.io/9781488070143
Synopsis:
Grab the paperback on January 26th before the eBook! It's only $4.99!
A sweet charade takes an unexpected turn!
Dearly beloved, we are (not) gathered together...
Maid of honor Zurie Tillbridge has been working secretly with best man Mace Calderone to plan her cousin Tristan's wedding to a well-known actress. To keep their wedding plans from leaking to the press, Zurie and Mace must pretend they are the ones getting married. Cake tasting and flower arranging seem like harmless fun... until wary workaholic Zurie realizes she's feeling something real for her fake fiancé...
Her Sweet Temptation by Nina Crespo
Series: Tillbridge Stables #2
Publication date: October 1st, 2020
Publisher: Harlequin Special Edition
Pages: 207
Free Preview: https://preview.aer.io/9781488070143
Synopsis:
When good things come in bad-boy packages.
She vows to find the right kind of guy but a tempting stranger challenges everything...
"Bad Choices" should have been Rina Tillbridge's middle name and it's time to turn over a new leaf. But when stuntman Scott Halsey struts onto her property for his latest film, her impulsive alter ego threatens to make a comeback. The quintessential thrill-seeking stuntman has no designs on commitment. So why are all his red flags igniting white-hot passion... and inspiring dreams of a Hollywood ending?
The Cowboy's Claim by Nina Crespo
Series: Tillbridge Stables #1
Publication date: February 1st, 2021
Publisher: Harlequin Special Edition
Pages: 209
Free Preview: https://preview.aer.io/The_Cowboys_Claim-MjUzMTg3-1921
Synopsis:
He's discovered his leading lady.
The role of her dreams: in his arms.
Chloe Daniels is determined to land the role of a lifetime. Even if she's terrified to get on a horse! And the last thing her reluctant teacher, Tristan Tillbridge, wants is to entertain a pampered actress. But the enigmatic cowboy soon discovers that Chloe is as genuine as she is gorgeous, and he's determined to make her his. Will this unlikely pair discover that the sparks between them are anything but an act?
Available at:
"Rina and Scott's slow burn romance is emotional, lighthearted, cute, is very entertaining and addictively different." -- Shaka, Bookbub
"Fun flirty and super cute." -- Joelle, Goodreads
"If you need an escape, a distraction or if you want to have a good time, pick this romance between a cafe owner/baker and a movie stuntman." -- Aly, Goodreads
"Smooth pacing, likable characters (along with Chloe and Tristan, there is Rina and Mace), and a compelling plot make THE COMBOY'S CLAIM a solid read." -- Romance in Color
"I loved these two together. I cannot wait to read more in this series!" -- Crystal, Goodreads
"If you love a series about tight-knit families, family-run businesses with lots of drama, and an opposites attract type of romance, you'll love this new series by Nina Crespo!" -- Katie, Goodreads
"Watching the budding romance that happened in this story was that perfect combination of the slow burn and steaminess you could equate with a romance that will keep you reading..." -- Danaburk, Bookbub
Scavenger Hunt
He'd noticed her yesterday morning near the stable where the restaurant food van was parked. Kyle had asked him to meet him there for breakfast so they could talk about the rigging for the barn stunt.
She's been talking to Tristan, the stable manager and one of the owners of Tillbridge. He'd assumed they were related because she resembled the tall man with low-cut dark hair, and it was easy to see that they shared a close bond. Every time she'd laughed, she'd radiated happiness, and he'd had to force himself not to stare at her.
During his meeting with Kyle, his mind had kept wandering back to her, wondering who she was. By the time they'd finished, she was gone.
Feet away, Kyle's face was red with frustration as he bellowed at the interns. "What the heck happened? You were supposed to make sure no one wandered through the area."
Scott took off his hat. He still didn't know her name. Would a second apology give him a chance to find out who she was? Maybe he could use it as an excuse to start a conversation with her.
Kyle intersected his path, stopping him from following her. "Things looked great up until the landing, but good job on the recovery. That could have been a real disaster. Is she okay?"
Scott reluctantly took his gaze away from her and focused on Kyle.
"I think so." He released a wry laugh. "But she's not happy. I'm lucky she didn't bite my head off."
"The quick thinking you just did is the prime reason I don't want Nash doing his own stunts. The ability to adjust like that at the last minute is all about instinct and experience. He just won't accept that he's not there yet."
"You're still getting pressure from him?"
"Yeah. Now that he's gone through some stunt training, he thinks he's a professional. And it doesn't help that he's the lead actor for this movie, but as easy as this stunt looks to Nash, if I let him do it and he gets hurt, the director, the insurance company and the rest of the film backers will have my ass. That's why this rehearsal is off the grid with just the four of us. I didn't want him butting in about what he thinks he can do. As far as I'm concerned, if Nash hasn't rehearsed it, he won't do it. Period."
Scott understood Kyle's pain. There were actors that wouldn't risk getting a scratch, and then there were those like Nash Moreland who believed doing their own stunts brought authenticity to their action scenes or, sometimes, it was about the bragging rights to impress their fans.
Scott tipped his head toward the barn. "If we rig a harness to the beam, I'm ninety-five percent sure he can do this one without a problem."
Kyle released a gruff chuckle. "Harness or not, I need ninety-nine point nine percent certainty before I make that decision. Right now, my main concern is you nailing this without any problems. We need to get this done before lunch starts and the cast and crew show up.
You ready to try it again, this time without interference?"
"Let's do it." As Scott lifted his hand to wipe sweat from his brow, a streak of what looked to be fruit filling and pie crust on the back of his fingers stopped him. He licked over it and sweetness perked up his taste buds.
Blueberries. Not bad. Scott's gaze strayed over to the woman he had yet to meet standing under the tent. Not bad at all.
Chapter Three
"Are you okay?" Philippa took the peach and apple pies from the sheet pan Rina was holding and arranged them on the buffet table.
"Yes. But what am I going to do with these?" Rina tipped her head toward the two ruined blueberry pies.
"Just stick a spoon in them instead of a spatula. There's space for them right now." Philippa put them next to the other pies.
"But they look terrible. They're supposed to be round not smashed."
"Relax, Ms. Patty Perfect." Humor shown in Philippa's coppery-brown eyes bringing out the youthful glow in her light brown face that had a smattering of freckles. "They're still good. Trust me. If this past weekend is an indication of how this crowd eats, the only thing left will be crumbs."
"They're lucky to have pies at all." Rina couldn't stop herself from glancing toward the guy who'd practically mowed her over and ruined her desserts. He was talking with the balding middle-aged man who'd come out of the barn after their run-in. Philippa had said they were rehearsing a stunt for the movie.
Philippa nudged her. "Stop glaring at the poor guy. I tried to warn you the area was blocked off. How did you miss the big orange cone?"
"I was distracted."
"By what?"
She and Philippa had both been so busy lately they hadn't had a moment to catch up. "Dennis handed in his resignation a little over a week ago."
Philippa turned towards her. "Dennis, the fixer of all things, resigned? You're joking."
That had been her response when the sixty-two-year-old who'd been with her from the beginning, and had served as the maintenance man for the bakery that had resided in the space before the cafe, had told her that he was leaving. "No, it's not a joke.
He said he needed an adventure."
"An adventure? What exactly is he planning to do for excitement in Bolan?"
"That's the even bigger surprise. He's not staying in town. He bought a one-way ticket to Alaska. He even turned his house into an Airbnb and found someone to manage things while he's gone."
"Wow." Philippa shook her head. "I wonder what got into him? I hope he knows what he's doing."
"I do, too."
Eight years ago, when she was nineteen, she'd left town with her then boyfriend, Xavier, looking for the same thing. But instead of adventure, she'd encountered disappointment and heartache instead. Hopefully Dennis wouldn't experience the same.
Rina picked up a serving spoon from the table and stuck it in one of the blueberry pies. "Until I can find someone to replace him, the staff and I was taking care of deliveries and all of the tasks he used to do, but repairs are starting to pile up, and I'm behind in making the desserts for tomorrow's tasting with the buyer from Gwen's Garden."
The natural foods market chain was interested in offering her a wholesaler's contract to provide pies for their local stores. Weeks ago when the opportunity popped up, she'd been thrilled. But almost overnight, a windfall of opportunities had suddenly turned into an avalanche of worries. How was she supposed to get it all done?
Philippa patted her arm. "I know how much you counted on him.
No wonder you're stressed. I can check in with some of my people and see if they're interested in working for you on their days off or after their shifts. You could also talk to Tristan about sending a maintenance worker from here to help out with repairs."
"No, I don't want to overwork your staff. You need them for all the catering you're doing for this contract, and I don't want to bother Tristan either. He has his hands full trying to coordinate Tillbridge's work schedule with the filming of the movie."
Philippa arched her brow. "From the smile on his face these days, he's handling it just fine."
"I'm sure we have Chloe to thank for that."
"Definitely."
Nina Crespo lives in Florida where she indulges in her favorite passions -- the beach, a good glass of wine, date night with her own real-life hero and dancing.
Her lifelong addiction to romance began in her teens while on a "borrowing spree" in her older sister's bedroom where she discovered her first romance novel.
Let Nina's sensual contemporary stories and steamy paranormal tales feed your own addiction for love, romance, and happily ever after.
Stay connected with Nina on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest or through her newsletter.
Hosted by:
Scavenger Hunt Tour Schedule
Week One:
1/25/2021 Kickoff Post/Scavenger Hunt Clue 1 -- Rockstar Book Tours
1/25/2021 Scavenger Hunt Clue 2 -- Lisa Loves Literature
1/26/2021 Scavenger Hunt Clue 3 -- BookHounds
1/26/2021 Scavenger Hunt Clue 4 -- A Dream Within A Dream
1/27/2021 Scavenger Hunt Clue 5 -- Becky on Books
1/27/2021 Scavenger Hunt Clue 6 -- Pass Me That Book
1/28/2021 Scavenger Hunt Clue 7 -- Pine Enshrined Reviews
1/28/2021 Scavenger Hunt Clue 8 -- The Obsessed Reader
1/29/2021 Scavenger Hunt Clue 9 -- Books A-Brewin'
1/29/2021 Scavenger Hunt Clue 10 -- Fire and Ice
Week Two:
2/1/2021 Scavenger Hunt Clue 11 -- Two Chicks on Books
2/1/2021 Scavenger Hunt Clue 12 -- Wonder Struck
2/2/2021 Scavenger Hunt Clue 13 -- Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers
2/2/2021 Scavenger Hunt Clue 14 -- The Momma Spot
2/3/2021 Scavenger Hunt Clue 15 -- Jaime's World
2/3/2021 Scavenger Hunt Clue 16 -- The Phantom Paragrapher
2/4/2021 Scavenger Hunt Clue 17 -- Three Gals and Plenty of Books
2/4/2021 Scavenger Hunt Clue 18 -- Westveil Publishing
2/5/2021 Scavenger Hunt Clue 19 -- Books a Plenty Book Reviews
2/5/2021 Scavenger Hunt Clue 20 -- I'm Shelf-ish
