It’s here – release day for Surrender, Violetta Rand’s (author of the best-selling Viking romance, The Blind Series) first contemporary with LoveSwept. Here’s a little blurb and an excerpt. And I’ll throw in a free Kindle copy to one lucky commenter!
Welcome to the Devil’s Den, a Texas strip club where the air is heavy with desire . . . and sometimes dreams come true.
Ever since her mother kicked her out, twenty-year-old Robyn Gonzalez has been working the poles at the Devil’s Den, saving up to finish college and travel the world. With only her wits and her gorgeous body to rely on, Robyn has learned to be independent—fiercely independent. She’s never been tempted to let a man distract her from her dreams . . . until she meets the dead-sexy Garrick Dempsey.
The club’s new head of security, Garrick had walked away from a career as a mechanical engineer to return to his roots in Corpus Christi. He hadn’t planned on getting to know someone like Robyn, with her sinfully sweet combination of vulnerability and strength, at the Devil’s Den. She acts tough, but only because she’s been hurt. Soon Garrick knows he will do anything to win Robyn’s trust. And if that means surrendering to the red-hot chemistry between them, all the better.
Excerpt…
A customer summons me from the corner and I dance for him. He’s a happy drunk and does a shot of tequila between tips. He offers me a shooter, but I say no. I’m underage. If I do drink, it’s usually not at work. That Corona I had with Garrick was an excuse to stay with him a few minutes longer. I felt safe with him nearby.
“Hey . . .” I hear someone call.
I look up, not sure if it’s meant for me. Standing a few feet away is Garrick. Oh. My. God. He’s dressed in a tight black T-shirt and black slacks. My gaze drops lower. He’s wearing dark Lucchese boots.
“Up here,” he says, pointing to his eyes.
I giggle uncontrollably, stupidly, almost losing my cool. I’d sooner run away than let him see me naked. The song ends and I cover my breasts before I speak.
“What are you doing here?” I ask, sidling up to him.
“Is that the way to greet an old friend?” There’s that lopsided smile again.
“I’m sorry,” I say, giving him my best pout. “Can I buy you a drink?”
“You can buy me anything you want.”
My heart somersaults. This guy makes my head spin.
“Robyn . . .” It’s Adriana’s whiny voice.
I’m supposed to scoot down a slot. “Follow me.” I motion downstage.
Garrick nods and finds an empty chair. The DJ mumbles something over the microphone and then the music starts again. I’m kneeling in front of Garrick, doing my best to hide my exposed skin from his wandering gaze. I think he’s surveying my body on purpose to make me squirm. Payback for jumping out of his truck after we kissed. It’s working. I’m officially a schoolgirl again who can’t control herself in front of a hot guy.
“Are you shy, Robyn?” he asks.
What the hell? Those dark eyes pierce me like an arrow. I’m shocked and disappointed he’s here. I’m not proud of what I do for a living, but I’ve never been ashamed until now. “N-no.” I catch myself stuttering. “How did you find me?”
He leans back in his chair and plops a boot down on the stage railing. I roll my eyes and slap his foot away. “Keep your feet off the stage. Be nice,” I reprimand, wagging a finger at him.
He laughs and digs in his front pocket. His eyes grow darker, his gaze more intense as he stares at me again. He slaps a hundred-dollar bill on the ledge. “Dance for me, Robyn.”
I shake my head. Absolutely not. “No.”
“What’s wrong with you?”
I draw in a shaky breath. That’s a question I’d like to know the answer to. “Nothing,” I fib. Everything.
The song ends, and a couple of rowdy customers start complaining that I’m spending too much time with Garrick.
“Find another dancer.” I turn them away.
They stomp off.
“That’s not very businesslike,” he says mildly.
“What are you doing here, Garrick?” I’m determined to resist this guy. Maybe a string of Hail Mary’s would do the trick.
“Homework.”
“Come again?” What’s he talking about?
“I accepted a job here two weeks ago. I’m the new head of security.”
It’s a one-in-a-million coincidence. One I don’t appreciate. I wanted to remember this guy the way I saw him in his pickup truck—staring at me after I kissed him, his blood running as hot as mine. Not here. Not as a customer. It changes everything.
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About the Author:
Raised in Corpus Christi, Texas, Violetta Rand spent her childhood reading, writing, and playing soccer. After meeting her husband in New England, they moved to Alaska where she studied environmental science and policy as an undergraduate before attending graduate school. Violetta then spent nearly a decade working as an environmental scientist, specializing in soil and water contamination and environmental assessments.
Violetta still lives in Anchorage, Alaska and spends her days writing evocative New Adult romance and historical romance. When she’s not reading, writing, or editing, she enjoys time with her husband, pets, and friends. In her free time, she loves to hike, fish, and ride motorcycles and 4-wheelers.
Visit her on her website (click here) or at the blog site Embracing Romance (click here)!
Jessica Jefferson, Romance Author 
