Tuesday 24 June 2014

Kristi Ahlers: The Trouble with Sailors

We just love The Trouble Series by Kristi Ahlers. Not only are these great reads, but it also brings Kristi back to chat with us on Heart of Fiction.

Would you believe Kristi's newest publication is the ELEVENTH book in The Trouble Series? Really! And there are more to come. The trouble is, trouble can be found just about everywhere . . . if you know where to look!

Currently, Kristi has two dedicated series with Tirgearr, and soon, a standalone novel in the company's new City Nights series --

Clan Ross Series -- His Heart's Desire and Her Highland Rogue (rumor has it, book three is on the way!)

The Trouble Series -- French Kisses, Pilots, Voodoo, Cupcakes, Mistletoe, Beaches, Vineyards, Halloween, Holly, Surfer, and now, of course, Sailors. (rumor also has it, three more are due before the years' end)

City Nights is a unique erotic romance series from Tirgearr Publishing, with authors contributing to the collection. Each book title starts One Night in . . . and takes place within a 24 hour time frame in a city somewhere in the world. It should come as no surprise that when this series was first launched amongst the Tirgearr authors that Kristi leapt up to claim New Orleans as her city for the series -- One Night in New Orleans. We've already seen two Trouble books set in NOLA (Voodoo and Cupcakes), and anyone who knows Kristi knows it doesn't take much arm-twisting to get her down to Bourbon Street.

So let's talk about Sailors --

Aspyn Cartwright and her fiancé, Martin, just broke up after being together for a long time. Just, as in twelve hours ago . . . that morning. Seeing her devastation, her BFFs take her on a girl's night out, to help her forget her troubles for a few hours. But when Aspyn sees Martin, her heart is torn out all over again. Not only does he not seem phased by their break-up, he's got another woman on his arm--and he's kissing her in a way that tells Aspyn he knows this woman intimately. Very intimately.

Being the BFFs they are, Aspyn's friends arrange for her to take a vacation. Normally a woman who prefers to plan everything out in her life, Aspyn let's her friends plan her trip. She's going to Hawaii!

Jesse Spencer is ready for some down time after many long days on-board his naval ship, which is based out of Pearl Harbor. He's not going far though--no better place for R&R than the exotic Hawaiian Islands--surf, sand, sea, and sexy Polynesian girls. But no sooner does he get settled, friends ask him to pick up someone at the airport. When he first sees Aspyn, he's sure his vacation has just gotten interesting.

A woman recovering from a bad relationship. A man looking for a bit of fun on shore leave. Neither looking for a relationship. Can Jesse help Aspyn learn to get over Martin? Will he be able to handle the consequences if she does and turns her sights on him?

In typical Ahlers fashion, The Trouble with Sailors is a wonderful love story. She packs in a lot within a short space of time. Her characters are fun and believable. The plot has some fun twists, all of which includes some laughs and lots of loving. And we get a great little visit to Hawaii at the same time. We're all busy these days, and The Trouble Series is perfect for those who love a shorter read which compacts a full-length novel into something that can be read in one short sitting. The Trouble with Sailors won't disappoint. Awesome stuff!

Before we get to the blurb and excerpt, remember that we're giving away a copy of this book to one lucky commenter. Be sure to leave your email address for contact.

• • •

When Aspyn Cartwright has been dumped by her fiancé, her friends decide what Aspyn needs is a vacation away from all the drama and pitiful society looks. Normally, one to plan everything down to the minutest detail, Aspyn throws caution to the wind and boards a plane heading for Hawaii. She has no idea this trip is going to change her life in a big way. Who knew that trouble with start with a lei?

Jesse Spencer is a smoke jumper in Colorado and after a long, hard season, he’s ready for a little detox time and a whole lot of time spent on the beach in  Hawaii. No sooner than getting to the islands, he meets beautiful Aspyn. And not in a normal way of meeting, but in a comical sketch involving flying lingerie, a cranky Pomeranian, and an overzealous lei vendor.

Jesse is all about striking when the moment is hot—his job as taught him that you can’t take your time with everything. If it feels right, go for it. When he meets uptight Aspyn, not only is he totally attracted to her, he wants to teach her that life is worth living, and it doesn’t need to be planned out months in advance. Before the end of the trip these two are going to learn that love can come out of nowhere.

“You know what you need, Aspyn?” Sarah looped her arm with her friend. “You need a vacation.”

“Yes! That’s a brilliant idea.” Ashley nodded her head emphatically. “Nothing like a change of scenery.”

Aspyn looked at her two friends—both happily married—which begged the question why they were here and not with their husbands.

“You know I can talk to Trey. He can get you a buddy pass and you could fly anywhere you want.” Sarah offered. “Oh, you should check out some tropical location, get a little sun, have some hot tropical guy on standby ready with the beverage and suntan oil.” Sarah nudged Aspyn. “Doesn’t that sound like fun?”

Aspyn stopped walking and stared at her two friends. “Have you both lost your minds?”

“No,” They said in unison and they moved forward toward a waiting taxi.

“Why would you think that?” Ashley ushered Aspyn into the car. “Haven’t you heard the saying the best way to get over a jerk is to get under another one?”

“That’s actually a saying?” Sarah slid into the middle of the backseat. “That really sounds like the wrong kind of advice.”

“I agree.” Aspyn rested her head against the back of the seat and sighed. “I’m not interested in getting under or over any idiot at this point.”

Ashley looked around Sarah. “That’s where you’re thinking wrong. Now is the best time to go and find yourself a little distraction. Get away from all the social drama, let your hair down, and get wild and crazy with some sexy new guy.”

“What is your deal?” Aspyn laughed.

“No deal.” Ashley smoothed her hands down her dress. “I just think you need to have a little fun. Martin was all wrong for you. An investment banker? Seriously? You’re fun, and pretty, and even I know you were with him only because it made mama happy.”

Aspyn sat back with a sigh. It was all true. Martin had been the perfect fit, if one wanted little to no excitement in their lives. Or so she’d thought. Given the eye-opening experience in the last hour, she really needed to reconsider. Had she kept him buttoned down and boring? After all, her replacement was not what most would consider a trade up, but what did she know?

“Stop it.” Sarah fluffed her hair. “I can tell by your expression what you’re thinking and you’re wrong. You’re awesome, sexy and Martin is an idiot.”

Leave it to her friend to come straight to the point and make Aspyn feel a hundred percent better.

“Where to ladies?” The cabbie asked as he met their gaze in the rearview mirror.

“To Miami International,” Sarah directed without a thought.

“No way.” I don’t have a bag packed, I don’t have a ticket. I’ll just go back to the hotel and fly home with you tomorrow.”

“Yeah, no,” Ashley chimed in and pulled out her smartphone. “You can pick something up where you’re going, and I’ll get the destination sorted out ASAP.”

Aspyn, who planned everything, made lists, checked them twice, and then three times before stepping out the door for any travel reason began to panic. “This is insane. I’m fine, really.”

“You’re not fine. You’re in need of some saltwater therapy.” Ashley frowned as she scrolled down a web page on her phone. “Here it is, perfect. You’re going to Oahu.”

“That’s Hawaii!”

• • •

Kristi Ahlers is a California girl! She grew up in Northern California in a small city called Yuba City. Since then she's lived in Brussels, Belgium, and England along with a myriad of other locations. A former flight attendant, she was able to continue to feed her love of travel. This has greatly influenced her writing, allowing her to pen stories about places she's managed to visit and things she's experienced.

Kristi loves to hear from her readers.

Find Kristi online --

Kristi Ahlers
Facebook
Kristi's Blog
Tirgearr Publishing

Grab your copy of The Trouble with Sailors at Tirgearr Publishing today for just $1.99.

While there, grab a copy of The Trouble with French Kisses for just 99c, on sale through July. This is book one in the Trouble Series.