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We love Entangled and were so excited to jump on this tour for Ten Days in Tuscany by Annie Seaton, the fourth book in the Men of the Zodiac Series. We’ve got an excerpt to share with you as well as our thoughts on the book. First, here’s the 411 on Ten Days in Tuscany by Annie Seaton:
Ten Days in Tuscany by Annie Seaton Also by this author: Tangling with the CEO, Brushing Off the Boss, Guarding His Heart
Series: Men of the Zodiac #4
Also in this series: Impulse Control, The Millionaire's Deception, The Millionaire's Forever
Published by Entangled: Indulgence on April 14, 2015
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 219
Goodreads Buy the Book
One lie will ruin everything…
Gia Carelli waits tables in her small Tuscan village, dreaming of a life in which her overbearing family allows her to move to Florence to pursue art. Everyone expects her to marry a nice local boy and raise a horde of bambini, but when a gorgeous, wealthy stranger visits, Gia wonders if maybe her stars are about to change.
Nic Baldini has returned to his Tuscan Villa for a much-needed break from the responsibilities of his powerful family. Struck by local artist Gia Carelli's raw talent and passion, he finds himself wanting to help her...and lies about his identity in order to gain her trust. But as their patron-protegée relationship is quickly eclipsed by desire, Nic realizes that one tiny lie could cost him the woman he's falling for.
Kassiah: I don’t think I’ve read the other books in the Men of the Zodiac series, but I’m definitely going to check them out. You already know I love Entangled Publishing, especially the Indulgence line, so I’ll be all over them.
Entrepreneur Nic Baldini is back in Florence seeking a position on a Board and set on proving to his father that he can make it on his own. He’s a shoe-in for the position, but the committee that decides wants assurance that he will continue to sponsor local artists rather than shifting his focus to charities.
Babied by her entire family, Gia Carelli wants to pursue a career as an artist instead of the plan her family has in mind for her. It’s instant sparks when Gia runs into Nic–and the pair can’t keep away from each other. As they share some combustible moments together, Nic wants to protect himself from getting too close.
In less than two days, Gia had breached his defenses, and she hadn’t even tried to. She seemed to want nothing from him, but the power that she could have over him if he let her frightened the hell out of him. I have control, and that isn’t going to change.
He plans to be ther for only ten days. When he sees Gia’s art, he can’t help the reaction it stirs in him and he plans an exhibition for her work without revealing who he really is. He struggles with direction in life and not getting close enough to be burned. She doesn’t know who he really is? When everything’s out in the open, will they give in to each other and find their happily ever after?
I loved the setting of this book and definitely think Annie Seaton captured the feel and flair of Florence. I want to go back! I also really liked Gia, which surprised me. She was oppressed by her family for sure, but she definitely had something going on. Nic was sweet and tender with her, and I liked his dedication to his mother’s memory and the promises he made her. He wanted to be so much more, and I can relate to that. And the two of them together–pretty hot.
Five minutes ago, he’d had every intention of dropping her off and going back to the villa. now here he was inside her, with her hard against the door.
I also enjoyed the family dynamics of both families, though I wanted to smack Gia’s dad a few times.
There were some things that I didn’t like. Though this couple was a perfectly imperfect match, I felt like Gia didn’t assert herself enough. The pacing was a little slow and though they’re on a time table, I felt like I skimmed parts. There was also an overuse of the words “moist” and “moisture”–you know how I feel about that.
With likable characters and an idealistic setting, check out Ten Days in Tuscany by Annie Seaton if you’re looking for a fast, fun read.
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***EXCERPT***
“Hmm. Let me see. Can I find a spot that needs attention?” Nic’s voice was low, and he was so close to her it vibrated through her skin. Gia looked down at his chest and her eyes lingered on the beautiful script that was embedded into his skin.
Coraggio.
“So that is the tattoo. Courage, Nic?” She grinned up at him as she placed both of her hands on the word that was inked on his skin. “I have no doubt you have plenty of that.”
Slowly he lowered the brush, and for a moment, Gia thought she’d escaped retaliation for daubing his cheek with paint.
“Maybe you need a little courage. Do you think, bella?”
He grabbed both of her hands with one of his and held the brush high with the other. Her breath caught as Nic used his body to gently push her back against the wall. She watched fascinated as he lowered his head and caught the thin straps of her singlet top in his teeth, and the stubble of his chin brushed her shoulder as he slid the strap down with his teeth. A shaft of pure desire ran from her shoulder and honed straight between her legs. If Nic hadn’t been supporting her with his body, Gia would have slid down the wall into a useless heap; her legs were trembling with anticipation.
She swallowed and lowered her voice. “Courage for what?”
Nic lifted his head and held her gaze. “Coraggio. To have faith in yourself and your exhibition.” His eyes were half-closed, but Gia watched with fascination as he leaned back and lowered the brush. The first strokes on the top of her breast were feather soft, and she tipped her head back and closed her eyes. A half swirl for the C and her fingers tingled with the need to touch Nic, but he still held her hands firmly in his. His brow was creased with concentration as his eyes remained firmly fixed on her breasts as the brush tickled her. The circle for the O was painstakingly slow, and she was sure he was deliberately taking his time to complete each letter. The R was completed just as slowly, and Gia closed her eyes when Nic began the next letter. The paint was cool on her skin, and the sensation of the tip of the fine brush was sending quivers to her belly.
“Hmmm. We have a problem.”
***About Annie Seaton***
Annie Seaton lives on the edge of the South Pacific Ocean on the east coast of Australia and she is fulfilling her lifelong dream of writing. She has been delighted to discover that readers love reading her stories as much as she loves writing them. Annie lives with her own hero of many years. Their two children are now grown up and married, and two beautiful grandchildren have arrived. Now they share their home with “Bob” the dog and two white cats. When she is not writing she can be found in her garden or walking on the beach… or most likely on her deck overlooking the ocean, a chilled glass of wine in hand as the sun sets.
