Pretty Sassy Cool All Things Pretty, Sassy, and Cool.
You know how much we the entire Brazen line from Entangled, so we jumped at the chance to snag an early copy of Tell Me You Need Me by Joya Ryan. After reading, we were hooked and so excited when Joya agreed to stop by and chat with her about these fabulous characters. We’ve got a fun excerpt to share with you, along with our thoughts on the book. First, let’s see what Joya had to say when we got to interview her:
***INTERVIEW***
Thank you so much for having me! I love, love, love your site!
I really liked writing the characters in this book. Their roles were reversed because it was the woman who didn’t want commitment and the man chasing after her wanting a relationship. It was a really fun dynamic to write.
I just think about what I would want to write. If it grosses me out, I wouldn’t write or want to read it. So basically it all comes down to my own personal “Gross-O-Meter.” Usually I stay a ways on THIS side of icky.
The approach for TMYNM was more structured from start to finish. Mostly because the elements of this book and the concept was discussed with my editor beforehand. There were specific things she wanted to see in this book so I took those ideas and created the scenes around that.
I usually see a scene first. A line of dialogue or a certain small moment that everything else is built around. For Chloe, I saw her walking tall, with confidence, yet only one thing shook that tough façade and that was Gage. I saw Gage’s reassuring smile and steely eyes that fixated on her and just started to imagine how these two would interact. Two strong characters would play a game, circle each other and wait for the perfect moment to strike, because they both have a lot at stake. And that’s how I came up with the first meet in chapter one.
Strong, but scared. She’s lost people she loves and learned to count on no one. But she wants to be a part of the town and people she loves. So it’s a constant battle for her. This all has to be seen right away with Chloe for her actions to make sense.
Because he’s this big alpha sexy guy that can MacGyver you out of your panties, but he’s a protector. He wants love and works hard to be the man that Chloe can trust. It’s that kind of emotion tied with the sexy that really makes him swoonable.
Oooh! I’ve never been asked this question and it’s a good one! Hmmm…I kind of want to introduce Colt from Chasing Trouble to Paige from Only You. She’s a bit uptight and he’s all country boy swagger. They’d be good for each other.
Exhausted. Responsible. Gypsy.
I’m color blind.
NEVER give up. If you want it, you CAN do it. Just stick with it. Even through the bad days. Just keep moving forward.
Marco DeLuca from Marina Adair’s Vineyard Series.
Yeah, I have a bunch of Brazen’s on the docket and East and Natalie’s book is currently underway and coming out as Search and Seduce book #3 soon!
Haha, not really. I guess if someone asked me, “What’s my worst talent that I’m so proud of?” I’d be happy to answer! (It’s rollerblading by the way. I’m AWFUL at rollerblading and looked like a drunk giraffe dodging phantom traffic. But I’m SO proud of my ridiculousness because I love it)
Thank you so much for having me!
***About Joya Ryan***
National and international bestselling author Joya Ryan is the author of the Shattered series, which includes Break Me Slowly, Possess Me Slowly, and Capture Me Slowly. She has also written the Sweet Torment series, which includes Breathe You In and Only You. Passionate about both cooking and dancing (despite not being too skilled at the latter), she loves spending time at home. Along with her husband and her two sons, she resides in California.
***About the Book***
Tell Me You Need Me by Joya Ryan Also by this author: Tell Me You Want Me
Series: Search and Seduce #1
Also in this series: Tell Me You Want Me
Published by Entangled: Brazen on November 16, 2015
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Character(s): Heroes in Uniform
Pages: 126
Goodreads Buy the Book
Playing dirty can be the best kind of fun…
Chloe Franklin wouldn't call herself a commitment-phobe, so much as she's allergic to anything long term. She loves the sexy, sweaty and intensely hot hours of the night that come before the sun rises, though. Especially when those nights are spent with Search-and-Rescuer Gage McGraw...
Gage loves his job, but there is one thing he's starting to like more than the rush of a mission--a stacked blonde with a mouth that haunts his dreams. Every time he steps foot in the sleepy town of Beaufort, he hooks up with Chloe. But he's tired of hooks-ups. He wants more.
Just the sight of Gage gets Chloe's blood going. Hot, bothered, and finally naked, she's ready for their night to start. But before he takes her, he whispers what his intentions really are…and then the games really begin.
***EXCERPT***
Chloe had no idea what she was doing. It’d taken her all day and more research than she’d care to admit to prepare for tonight’s date. The cute little restaurant was on the waterfront, and Gage sat at a table nestled in the corner with a single candle in the middle. She hadn’t meant to be late, but she was.
Now he probably thought she was standing him up. Well, maybe that’d make him all the more eager when she finally went over. Assuming he didn’t walk out.
She shook her head and banished the thought. He wouldn’t walk out. And she shouldn’t care if he did.
She stood near the bar and watched the strong, capable search and rescuer sitting alone. Waiting for her.
Keep Reading the Excerpt for Tell Me You Need Me
Keep Reading the Excerpt for Tell Me You Need Me
She’d give him what he wanted just this once. This one night, one date, one act of romance, she could handle that much. At least, that was the pep talk she’d been dishing to herself since the almost sex they’d had in the woods.
He’d asked her questions as though he really did want to know her more. Know about her mother. Her past. And that scared her. Because deep down, she wanted to open up to him. She trusted him. Which was why she’d shown up at all tonight. But if she thought too long about it, she might back out.
Instead, she took a step forward.
She adjusted her purse—which felt heavier than normal—and then smoothed one hand down her dress and walked to her…date.
When he caught her walking toward him, those incredible eyes of his lit up. A man looking at her like that did weird things to her chest. Then again, it wasn’t any man who could do this to her with a look; only the man she wanted.
Heat rushed to her cheeks, and she suppressed a nervous giggle.
Gage stood, walked around the table, and pulled her chair out for her. “You look beautiful.”
Oh, he was good. His simple gesture and smooth words coated her skin like rich honey.
“So do you.” She took in his pressed shirt and black pants. He smelled like leather, spice, and all man—she could get lost in his scent.
“Before I sit, I have some stuff for you,” she said.
Gage raised a brow as she fished through her purse.
“Here.” She handed him a mini bouquet of roses. Actually, now that she looked at the semi-smooshed flowers, maybe it hadn’t been the wisest idea to carry them in her purse.
He laughed and took them anyway. “Nice touch.”
She handed him a note. “And this is for you, too.”
He unfolded it. His soothing laugh came back, and her face warmed.
“You’re hot?” he asked, reading the two words she’d scribbled on the paper.
“It’s true.” She shrugged. “And here’s one more thing.” She grabbed the last present and handed it to him.
“Edible panties?” He grinned at the packaged strawberry thong. “I like where your mind is at, sweetheart, but I don’t think these will fit me.”
“These are romantic,” she declared proudly. “I googled it.”
He took a step closer, and his smile turned into something more serious. “What do you mean?”
She shrugged, trying really hard not to feel like an idiot. But tonight was important to him, and she was actually trying. Even if, judging by his reaction, she was doing pretty terribly. Nothing to do but admit how much she was lacking in this department.
“I read up on romance.” She stared at her feet. “The top romantic suggestions included surprise your date with flowers…” She glanced at the ceiling, concentrating on recalling every pointer from the website. “Write your date a sweet note.”
Granted, all she’d come up with was You’re hot, but she was still a novice at the romance stuff.
He took a step closer and cupped her hip, silently asking her to go on.
She finally met his gaze. “And prepare your date’s favorite dessert.”
“That’s why you asked earlier?” he said.
She nodded. “And since you said your favorite dessert was me…” She leaned in a little, and the wrapper of the edible panties crinkled a bit in his tight grip.
“You’re very clever. And I love all of it.” He gently kissed her lips, soft but thorough, stealing her breath and thoughts.
This was so out of her element. “You don’t think it’s stupid?” She wasn’t good with romance, but she wanted to make Gage feel all the things he made her feel. Wanted. Special. Seen.
“You’re incredible, sweetheart,” he whispered against her lips. “Thank you.”
Chloe smiled—she’d won a small victory here. Maybe he was right. Maybe this romance thing wasn’t so bad. Granted, she’d given her date a fruit-flavored thong in the middle of a five star restaurant, but whatever.
She gave him a final kiss, then took her seat. Gage set his gifts on the edge of the table and sat, too.
Across the white linen and flickering candle, his eyes sparkled. Looking at this man made her melt. Just being across from him was its own delicious kind of foreplay hinting at what the night would bring when they finally made it to the bedroom. Why hadn’t she agreed to this sooner?
Oh, right. Because she was feeling something for him. A lot of something.
But she wouldn’t get caught up in those thoughts and fears. Not with so much riding on tonight.
Tonight, she wouldn’t overthink it. She’d just enjoy dinner.
And later, she’d enjoy him.
***Our Thoughts***
Kassiah: I love Brazen books. There are very few that I don’t at least really like. They’re always hot and usually a quick read that’s just what I need. I also love books where the guy wants more. So, this book was pretty much exactly what I wanted, right when I needed it.
Chloe and Gage have had a sort of FWB relationship for the past couple of years, where they hook up whenever he rolls into town for Search and Rescue missions. He wants that to be a more regular occurrence, but Chloe is definitely not down for that. She’s all about the sex but wants no part in anything resembling a commitment. Who will give in?
Like I said, this was a super quick read and it was hot, right from the beginning. I liked these characters, especially Gage (no surprise there). He’s a stand-up guy, and I really liked his personality. Chloe annoyed me that she kept pushing him away with her flip-floppyness. I thought the ending was a bit rushed, and for sure the storyline was predictable. No complaints about the predictablilty from me, though.
I haven’t read anything by Joya Ryan before, but she’s definitely on my radar now.
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| Overall: | 3.5 |
