Looking for your next guilty pleasure read? Then #1-click Sweet Reality by Author Laura Heffernan.
If you love reality TV, then meet Jen Reid, the book world's newest reality star in a SNEAK PEEK of this NEW RELEASE!
If you love reality TV, then meet Jen Reid, the book world's newest reality star in a SNEAK PEEK of this NEW RELEASE!
Sneaking around for a quickie might be just what the doctor ordered.
SNEAK PEEK
On the show, we’d been so concerned about keeping our relationship private, about not having our first kiss on camera, and it turned out to all be for nothing. At the airport on the way home, every newsstand offered a wall of newspapers and magazines plastered with a picture of us, taken in the driveway of the Fishbowl, bodies locked together.
After getting over my embarrassment, I’d bought three. Then I signed a fourth for the cashier.
How many people are lucky enough to have their first kiss with their true love caught on camera? I’d also asked the show for a larger copy and framed it, before Sarah got the idea for the bakery.
After doing our best to give America a good show, Justin and I stared out over the glittering blue water, watching the shoreline get further and further away. Despite my earlier concerns, the motion of the ship didn’t bother me one bit. Either the pills they gave me helped, or my nervous stomach related more to fear of seeing Ariana than any motion the ship might make.
After our rough morning, Justin and I decided to eat in relative privacy up on deck rather than joining the others in the dining room. When we finished, the producers had scheduled us for a Q&A session with fans of the show. We separated briefly to shower, change into regular clothes, and for me to reapply my makeup, then met again in the auditorium.
The enormous room sat mostly empty, leaving me both nervous about speaking in front of a large audience and concerned that no one would show up. Sure, I’d done television, but in TV, if no one watches, you read about it later. We couldn’t see out through the cameras to the empty living rooms. Heckling also was never an issue on the first show. What if the “fans” secretly hated us? What if everyone who showed up wanted Justin to pick Ariana? My palms sweat.
Bright lights already pointed at the raised stage, which held a long conference table. With those shining in my eyes, at least I’d never know if no one else showed up. A quick scan showed Rachel, Ed, and Ariana already sitting on the stage. Danielle was nowhere to be found, which meant Dominic might wander in at any second.
That kind of thinking wouldn’t get me anywhere. The only way to enjoy the week was to stop glancing over my shoulder every five seconds. Dominic would show, or he wouldn’t, and Justin and I would enjoy ourselves either way. I straightened my shoulders, took a deep breath, and plastered a smile on my face.
“Are you okay?” Justin asked. “You’re a bit green.”
“Sorry,” I said. “These events make me nervous. I’m glad I have you by my side.”
Hand-in-hand, we approached the stage and settled into the two open seats on the far end, next to Ariana. A glossy stack of my favorite photograph sat between two pens, one green and the other blue. We were apparently signing joint autographs.
“Look at that,” Justin said, pointing. “Jen and Justin. Justin and Jen. Always together. If I hadn’t chased after you, no one would remember my name.”
“That’s not true!” I said. “Plenty of people cheered you on. Most of them fifteen to forty-year-old women. You had lots of fans.”
“No, I didn’t,” he said. “Not like Rachel or Ariana or Ed. People watched to see who I’d pick.”
“Well, people only watched me because they thought I was a home-wrecking liar. At least you had more fans than I did.”
He laughed. “When you put it that way, I’m surprised anyone wanted to watch either of us.”
“We’re like Nutella. Better combined than chocolate or hazelnuts on their own.”
“Mmmm, Nutella.” Leaning over, he kissed my cheek. “Thanks. Things are always better when I’m with you.”
After getting over my embarrassment, I’d bought three. Then I signed a fourth for the cashier.
How many people are lucky enough to have their first kiss with their true love caught on camera? I’d also asked the show for a larger copy and framed it, before Sarah got the idea for the bakery.
After doing our best to give America a good show, Justin and I stared out over the glittering blue water, watching the shoreline get further and further away. Despite my earlier concerns, the motion of the ship didn’t bother me one bit. Either the pills they gave me helped, or my nervous stomach related more to fear of seeing Ariana than any motion the ship might make.
After our rough morning, Justin and I decided to eat in relative privacy up on deck rather than joining the others in the dining room. When we finished, the producers had scheduled us for a Q&A session with fans of the show. We separated briefly to shower, change into regular clothes, and for me to reapply my makeup, then met again in the auditorium.
The enormous room sat mostly empty, leaving me both nervous about speaking in front of a large audience and concerned that no one would show up. Sure, I’d done television, but in TV, if no one watches, you read about it later. We couldn’t see out through the cameras to the empty living rooms. Heckling also was never an issue on the first show. What if the “fans” secretly hated us? What if everyone who showed up wanted Justin to pick Ariana? My palms sweat.
Bright lights already pointed at the raised stage, which held a long conference table. With those shining in my eyes, at least I’d never know if no one else showed up. A quick scan showed Rachel, Ed, and Ariana already sitting on the stage. Danielle was nowhere to be found, which meant Dominic might wander in at any second.
That kind of thinking wouldn’t get me anywhere. The only way to enjoy the week was to stop glancing over my shoulder every five seconds. Dominic would show, or he wouldn’t, and Justin and I would enjoy ourselves either way. I straightened my shoulders, took a deep breath, and plastered a smile on my face.
“Are you okay?” Justin asked. “You’re a bit green.”
“Sorry,” I said. “These events make me nervous. I’m glad I have you by my side.”
Hand-in-hand, we approached the stage and settled into the two open seats on the far end, next to Ariana. A glossy stack of my favorite photograph sat between two pens, one green and the other blue. We were apparently signing joint autographs.
“Look at that,” Justin said, pointing. “Jen and Justin. Justin and Jen. Always together. If I hadn’t chased after you, no one would remember my name.”
“That’s not true!” I said. “Plenty of people cheered you on. Most of them fifteen to forty-year-old women. You had lots of fans.”
“No, I didn’t,” he said. “Not like Rachel or Ariana or Ed. People watched to see who I’d pick.”
“Well, people only watched me because they thought I was a home-wrecking liar. At least you had more fans than I did.”
He laughed. “When you put it that way, I’m surprised anyone wanted to watch either of us.”
“We’re like Nutella. Better combined than chocolate or hazelnuts on their own.”
“Mmmm, Nutella.” Leaning over, he kissed my cheek. “Thanks. Things are always better when I’m with you.”
☆☆☆☆☆☆
MORE ABOUT SWEET REALITY
SUGAR, SEA SALT, AND SHOW BIZ
Jen Reid's life after walking off a reality show has been great--she's gone from being a broke twenty-four-year-old Seattleite with no love life and no job to the twenty-five-year-old who got the guy, moved to Miami, and is starting a bakery with her best friend. She thinks her showmance love might be about to propose. And with mouthwatering goodies based on everyone's favorite shows, her business, Sweet Reality, is destined for success.
That is, until a killer competitor opens right across the street. If she's going to save Sweet Reality, Jen has to come up with a secret ingredient--like the recipe that won Totally 80s Bake-Off. Jen can get it--if she steps back into the spotlight. Soon she and her boyfriend are out to sea on a cruise ship full of reality stars, including her nemesis, Ariana; her lying, cheating ex; and some wicked producers looking to bring the drama. Separate cabins, "surprises" from her past, and scenarios tailor-made to spark fights are just the beginning. But with her self-respect, her business, and her future on the line, the fallout from this made-for-TV plotline will be all too real . . .
SUGAR, SEA SALT, AND SHOW BIZ
Jen Reid's life after walking off a reality show has been great--she's gone from being a broke twenty-four-year-old Seattleite with no love life and no job to the twenty-five-year-old who got the guy, moved to Miami, and is starting a bakery with her best friend. She thinks her showmance love might be about to propose. And with mouthwatering goodies based on everyone's favorite shows, her business, Sweet Reality, is destined for success.
That is, until a killer competitor opens right across the street. If she's going to save Sweet Reality, Jen has to come up with a secret ingredient--like the recipe that won Totally 80s Bake-Off. Jen can get it--if she steps back into the spotlight. Soon she and her boyfriend are out to sea on a cruise ship full of reality stars, including her nemesis, Ariana; her lying, cheating ex; and some wicked producers looking to bring the drama. Separate cabins, "surprises" from her past, and scenarios tailor-made to spark fights are just the beginning. But with her self-respect, her business, and her future on the line, the fallout from this made-for-TV plotline will be all too real . . .
MEET THE NEWEST REALITY STAR TODAY!
☆☆☆☆☆☆
Laura Heffernan is bringing geeky realness to a bookshelf near you. When not watching total strangers get married, drag racing queens, or cooking competitions, Laura enjoys board games, travel, board games, baking, and board games. She lives in the northeast with her husband and two furry little beasts.
Laura loves connecting with readers. Find her on her website, www.lauraheffernan.com
Laura loves connecting with readers. Find her on her website, www.lauraheffernan.com
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