With: Maria K. Alexander
Congratulations to "Maureen C.", the winner in Maria's giveaway. Thank you to all who participated!

Vicky DiFrancesco owns the hot new café
in town, and she’s up before the sun early each day to start baking
mouthwatering desserts that will remind you of your grandmother’s kitchen. Desserts
that have been known to bring even the strongest men to their knees. Case in
point is Jamie DiSilva, the hero from Forever in My Heart. He’ll do about
anything for them, including face the woman he hurt nine years ago.
What’s your secret indulgence? Your
“go-to” dessert when you want to reward yourself for something, celebrate an
event, or even just wallow for an afternoon?
I thought it would be fun to explore
the main characters from Forever in My Heart based on their
favorite dessert and to share what it says about their personality.
Vicky
DiFrancesco– Heroine and owner of Decadent DeLites
café and bakery
Italian
Cream Cake – she has layers and doesn’t want to
be defined by one thing. And with this tasty treat, she gets the best of both
worlds with vanilla and chocolate filling. Don’t mess with her because like the
rum in the spongy yellow cake, she has a little kick in her and can take care
of herself. Especially when faced with a trio of goons on the trail for
something they think is hidden in her café. Topped with whipped cream or
buttercream icing, it’s a decadent combination that shouts out there’s more to
this sassy café owner than meets the eye.
Jamie
DiSilva – Hero and recently retired U.S. Army
Sergeant and co-owner of Two Guys Home Improvement
Cannoli
– he has a tough guy exterior that can be easily broken
(read about Jamie’s tragic cannoli encounters in Forever in My Heart).
Like the sweet ricotta filling, he has a sensitive side and is always willing
to lend a hand to friends and family. Despite the horror he’s seen while
deployed, he’s a romantic at heart and works hard to redeem the family name and
prove himself to Vicky.
Lucy Delvecchio –
Vicky’s BFF and right hand at Decadent DeLites
Strawberry
Shortcake – friendly and warm to others. Fun-loving. Lucy has Vicky’s back
and stands beside her friend, even when they’re both caught up in something
dangerous. She’ll also support Vicky when Jamie returns to town and she kicks
him to the curb. She’s logical and dependable. She also happens to be wildly
attracted to Jamie’s business partner.
Tristan Connelly
– Jamie’s best friend and co-owner of Two Guys Home Improvement
Apple
pie – hometown goodness is perfection in this sinful dessert. The slightly
flaky crust and warm apple concoction is even more divine with scoop of vanilla
ice cream or topped with whipped cream. This dessert says reliable, just like
Tristan. He stood by Jamie during three tours of duty and helps his friend in
his quest for redemption and winning over Vicky. Is it any wonder he’s a
perfect match for Lucy?
Kate DiFrancesco Weston– Vicky’s older sister and
heroine from Untangle My Heart (Tangled Hearts Book 1)
Tiramisu
– this dessert has it all! Ladyfingers, espresso, chocolate, mascarpone cheese.
Some would say this can be a little complicated of a dessert to make and suits
Kate since she is a complex character. Her tough girl attitude comes out as a
defense mechanism when she’s hurting. Her intentions are good but she speaks
before she thinks, which gets her into trouble. Underneath all those layers and
feisty personality, she’s all sweetness once you get to know her.
Edward Weston – Kate’s
husband and hero from Untangle My Heart (Tangled Hearts
Book 1)
NY
Cheesecake – this rich and sophisticated dessert suits the devilishly sexy
British architect to perfection. He’s refined and classy but likes a little
excitement in life and enjoys a variety of toppings. But his favorite is topped
with cherries and a dollop of whipped cream.
Lucas Black Weston
– Kate & Edward’s adopted son (introduced in Untangle My Heart)
Chocolate
cake with vanilla buttercream icing – this seven year old loves his dessert
and can take up to fifteen minutes to make a selection at Aunt Vicky’s café.
He’s had a rough life, having lost his birth parents and sister in a car
accident years ago. Since having met the DiFrancesco family, he’s learned to
savor every moment, including his tasty treats!
Nick DiFrancesco–
Vicky’s oldest brother
Cream
Puff– don’t let the name of this dessert make you think Nick is soft. He’s a
Northeast Philly police detective and tough as nails on the outside. His
siblings see him as unbending but he has a high sense of what’s right versus
wrong. Due to his police training he’s used to hiding his feelings. But similar
to the inside of the cream puff, Nick is sweet and utterly divine. You can read
Nick’s happy-ever-after in Awaken My Heart, which will be
releasing on May 10, 2017.
Forever in My Heart is a sexy contemporary romance set in the
backdrop of Philadelphia. The story has a sprinkle of comedy, a dash of
suspense, Italian traditions, and enough decadent desserts to tempt you to head
to the nearest bakery!
***
Excerpt:
The impact of seeing Vicky DiFrancesco after all this time
slammed into him like a bullet in a flak jacket—hard enough impact to knock you
down, but not kill you. She must think him an idiot, staring, but the nine
years since he’d seen her had transformed her from a young and innocent girl to
a hot and sexy woman.
Despite her quick recovery, Jamie had seen the flash of hurt
before she glared at him with an air of indifference that was all Vicky…and
still sexy after all these years.
“Hi, Vicky. It’s been a while.”
“What the hell are you doing here?” she demanded, banging
the tray of muffins she’d been carrying on the counter so hard one of them
flipped off and onto the floor.
He nodded at his purchases on the counter. “Picking up a
late morning snack.”
She pointed to the door. “Get out of my store, Jamie. You’re
not welcome here.”
Her reaction didn’t surprise as much as disappoint him. This
would be easier if she didn’t look as though she wanted to clock him with the
tray of muffins.
“Nice place. Looks like you’re doing pretty well for
yourself.” He lowered his gaze to her chest, and his cock stirred at the full
mounds beneath the purple Tshirt. Someone had grown up since their teenage
years.
“What are you, deaf?” She leaned forward and slid the
cardboard takeout tray that held the bag and cups toward him. “I asked you to
leave.”
He shook his head and tossed a ten on the counter. “Not
until we talk.”
“You’re nine years too late for talking.”
Ouch. He wasn’t surprised she cut right to the chase. No
bullshit with Vicky. The sad part was he deserved it.
“Please, Vick. I’m asking for five minutes.” He lowered his
head and attempted what he hoped was a remorseful expression. “For old times’
sake.”
She glared at him with light brown eyes. Teddy bear eyes he
used to call them, and damn if they still didn’t turn him on.
“Five minutes.” Grabbing the tray with his food, she stomped
around the counter to a set of empty tables.
Grateful she hadn’t refused, he followed. Although she
dropped the tray on a table, she remained standing, feet firmly planted, hands
on her hips, and attitude rolling off her in waves.
Now that he had her attention, his mind blanked. Her dark
brown hair was pulled back in a high ponytail. She smelled like berries,
apples, and cinnamon, and he had to fight the urge to reach out and see if she
tasted as good.
***
Vicky DiFrancesco is ready to put the past behind her. After
a humiliating divorce, she’s determined to make her new café a success. The
last thing she needs is her first love around, reminding her of what they’d
lost. But when her life is threatened, could he be the very man she needs?
Jamie DiSilva’s homecoming after retiring from the army
isn’t the one he’d been hoping for. Now, he’s trying to start a home
improvement business in a town settled on holding him accountable for the sins
of his late brothers. Redeeming himself to the girl he never stopped loving and
her family is difficult when his brothers’ secrets come back to haunt him.
Untangling themselves from the past means righting several
wrongs and deciding if their love is meant to last forever.
For a limited time, Forever in My Heart is on sale for
only $1.99! You can pick it up at:
Amazon
~ Barnes
& Noble ~iBooks
~ Kobo ~ Google Play
GIVEAWAY:
What’s your go-to dessert, the one that’s your hands-down
favorite? Comment below to win a Kindle or Nook version of Untangle My Heart
(Tangled Hearts Book 1).
About the Author
Maria K. Alexander
is an award-winning author of contemporary romance. When not writing, Maria
loves to read, bake, downhill ski, visit the beach, and watch romantic
comedies. Maria lives in New Jersey with her husband and children, and writes
in her “spare” time between juggling a full-time job and her kids’ busy
schedules. You can keep in touch with Maria and read about her other works at http://mariakalexander.com.
Giveaway ends 11:59pm EST April 15th. Please supply your email in the post. You may use spaces or full text for security. (ex. jsmith at gmail dot com) If you do not wish to supply your email, or have trouble posting, please email maureen@JustContemporaryRomance.com with a subject title of JCR GIVEAWAY to be entered in the current giveaway.
Giveaway ends 11:59pm EST April 15th. Please supply your email in the post. You may use spaces or full text for security. (ex. jsmith at gmail dot com) If you do not wish to supply your email, or have trouble posting, please email maureen@JustContemporaryRomance.com with a subject title of JCR GIVEAWAY to be entered in the current giveaway.
Lemon Meringue Cheesecake
ReplyDeletejtcgc at yahoo dot com
Yum! Sounds delicious!
DeleteDepends on my mood... sometimes black & white cookies, sometimes boston cream pie, sometimes ice cream....
ReplyDeleteBoston cream pie or donuts are wonderful! Ice cream is always a fav!
Deletecheesecake
ReplyDeletebn100candg at hotmail dot com
This time of year my mom makes a sweet ricotta cheese cheesecake. It has a lemon zest flavor and is wonderful. I also like key lime cheesecake. Thanks for sharing.
DeleteChocolate ice cream. Hands down
ReplyDeleteamie_07(AT)yahoo(DOT)com
I could literally eat ice cream every day! Chocolate is always a favorite.
DeleteCheesecake is my favorite.
ReplyDeletemce1011 AT aol DOT com
Thanks for commenting!
DeleteButterscotch pudding.
ReplyDeleteOne day last week I made up a box of them (equaling three containers). My daughter stopped in, so I offered her one (since my son rarely eats it, and my husband and I would eat the remaining two). She gladly accepted. My son went to get them out of the fridge and brought one to her, one to their dad, and then he took the remainder for himself (sniff, sniff)! The next day I made sure to make it again - and tonight I got to finish the third container (after eating the first two earlier evenings). Delish!
Sounds yummy! It's nice to share with others and have some left for yourself.
DeleteCheesecake, just about any kind. I'm always kidding my daughter that when she takes her daughter for a check up at Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City that she needs to bring me a cheesecake from The Cheesecake Factory. That's my granddaughter's favorite place to eat up there. She loves their broccoli.
ReplyDeletelinda dot henderson70 at yahoo dot com