HARD TO GET
HAVEN’S COVE SERIES, BOOK 2
JACLYN QUINN
M/M ROMANCE
RELEASE DATE: 04.19.18
COVER DESIGN by Cate Ashwood Designs
BLURB
Gabe D’Angelo has it all. Designer clothes, luxury cars, a cool confidence most would envy, and a never-ending supply of money—and men. When he arrived in Haven’s Cove to be there for his best friend, he never imagined he’d end up extending his stay indefinitely. Small town living isn’t so bad after all, and the views are magnificent—especially the view of a sexy, rugged blond. But when that mysterious, brooding man refuses all Gabe’s advances, he is forced to take a step back and truly look at the person he’s become.
Nate Black moved from Boston to Haven’s Cove for his family. He’s missed small town living and the simple, tranquil life that comes with it. What he doesn’t bargain for is the pushy, spoiled playboy who’s set his eyes on Nate as his next conquest. Knowing this man has the potential to crack the foundation of his quiet life, Nate will do everything he can to protect his safe, closed-off world.
Is one man worth loving? Is the other worth the sacrifice? Or is the love they’re searching for not just hard to get but completely out of reach?
Hey everyone! Thank you, Love Bytes, for having me here to celebrate my new release, Hard to Get.
Hard to Get is a story about a rich playboy, Gabe D’Angelo, and a hard-working, rough-around-the-edges man, Nate Black. Gabe is used to getting what he wants with very little effort. Haven’s Cove is not a place Gabe would usually find himself. He’s a city boy through and through. When he goes to Haven’s Cove, it’s to be there for his best friend, Brody, who is going through a family tragedy. The last thing he expects to find is the broody, sexy Nate Black. What he really isn’t prepared for, though, is that his charm and sexy exterior isn’t enough to win over this small-town man.
Rejection
Gabe isn’t used to rejection, and the challenge of winning over Nate is too enticing for Gabe to pass up. But when every attempt to get to know the man is thwarted, Gabe is forced to face the man he is inside—the man no one sees under his pretty-boy façade. He’s made some decisions in his life that he isn’t proud of. Surprisingly, he finds himself with a whole new challenge. It’s no longer about winning a game or the hunt. Now, Gabe not only has to prove to Nate that he’s worth it, but he also has to believe it himself.
Obstinance
Nate is a stubborn man who’s been hurt badly in the past. The last thing he needs is a man like Gabe pursuing him. There are many things he holds dear in his life, to a point of being a bit too over-protective. But the wall he’s built around himself and the people he loves, may be a bit too high for him to find the love he’s really yearning for. He’s not proud of the way he’s treated Gabe, but he’s also not ready to trust him. When Gabe proves himself to be a completely different man than Nate had him pegged for, Nate is forced to take a long, hard look at himself and the man he’s become. The challenge is to find a way to move on with his life and maybe even realize there is someone right in front of him that will be willing to take that journey with him.
The challenge as a writer with enemies-to-lovers
So, I’ve created these men. Their personalities clash, they’re from two different worlds, and they originally want different things. As the reader, you’re probably thinking, “She’s crazy. There’s no way these men should be together!” In theory, maybe they shouldn’t be. Yet, I know in my heart that these men belong together and now have to convince the readers that they do too. Not an easy task! One of the most important things for me is character building. If the reader knows the MCs as I know them, then maybe they’ll feel the connection between them as well. It’s so important for me to show every side to a person: the good, the bad, and the ugly. If, after all the cards are on the table and vulnerabilities are shown, the reader can feel…not just read, but feel how these men belong together, then I’ve truly done my job as a writer.
All I can do now is hope you love these men, as I do, and wish for them to get their HEA—together.
There was that huge heart again, trying to see something in Gabe that just wasn’t there. Gabe smiled. “Jonah Taylor, always trying to save the world from heartbreak and pain. You can’t solve everyone’s problems, Jonah.”
Jonah smirked and shrugged his shoulders. “I can try. Look, I think you need a distraction. Maybe even step away from the whole Nate situation a little.”
“Why, Jonah, you sly fox. Are you offering yourself as the commercial break from my regularly scheduled program?” Gabe said seductively, laughing as Jonah turned the color of a ripe tomato.
“Gabe…” Jonah squirmed in his chair, and Gabe couldn’t keep up the teasing.
Gabe patted Jonah’s hand and laughed. “I’m kidding, Jonah. Besides, I prefer devil’s food cake for dessert.” Gabe winked at him.
Jonah shook his head and chuckled, looking offended. “What are you trying to say? I’m vanilla?”
Gabe let his eyes roam over Jonah’s muscular body as he sat in the chair, making sure to take in every bulge. “Oh…no, sir. Not vanilla. Let’s just say, I enjoy something a little more sinful, and you definitely have angel’s food written all over you.”
Jonah’s skin was flushed from Gabe’s roaming eyes as he squirmed in his chair a little. “I’ll try to take that as a compliment.”
“Absolutely. You should.” Gabe smiled.
Jonah returned the smile, relaxing again, and said, “Why don’t you come to the gym with me? I can get you a pass. I know it’s not the fun you had in mind,” Jonah laughed, “but it could be a good distraction. Not to mention, the scenery isn’t all that bad.” Jonah wiggled his eyebrows up and down.
Gabe suddenly had visions of hot, sweaty bodies, muscles straining with exertion, grunts of men as they lifted. Why hadn’t he thought of it himself?
Jonah smirked. “By the look on your face, I’d say you’re interested.”
Gabe narrowed his eyes then grinned. “I have to say, Jonah, for someone who doesn’t know me all that well you seem to have read me correctly.”
“Remember you said that,” Jonah said. “Pretty sure it applies to everything I’ve said to you just now.”
Gabe hung his head and laughed. “Walked into that one, I suppose.”
“So, you’ll come?” Jonah asked.
“Maybe a little later. Right now, I think I’ll go to the gym with you,” Gabe said and watched as Jonah blushed once again.
“And I walked into that one.” Jonah chuckled.
Gabe stood up and walked Jonah to the door. “Shall I follow you, or do you want to just give me the address?”
Jonah reached his hand in his pocket and pulled out his car keys. “I’m on my way there now. If it won’t take you long to get ready, I’ll wait in my car.”
“I’ll only be five minutes. I may be high-maintenance, but believe it or not, I don’t wear my Armani suits to the gym.”
Jonah chuckled again and nodded his head. “Okay, I’ll be in my car. The gym’s in Maple Grove, the next town over, but still only takes ten minutes to get there. You can follow me.” Jonah opened the door then turned back around with a wicked smile. “Oh, and by the way, even angels fall every now and then, and it’s twice the ride. Scorching on the way down, but the best fucking ecstasy you’ve ever felt on the way back up.” It was Jonah who winked that time, and Gabe found himself with a shitload more respect for the guy.
I have been an artist from a very young age. From drawing cartoon characters and evolving into portraits, making jewelry, photography, and now writing. I have an amazing support system in my family and friends and couldn’t be more grateful.
I live in central New Jersey, love summers at the Jersey Shore, rock music, wine, sexy men, and laughing a lot with my amazing friends and family. Sunday dinners at my parents’ house are crazy, hysterical and you can count on a movie quote…or ten…being thrown out. Insults between siblings is how we show our love for each other!
When I’m not creating, you can find me reading books from my favorite authors. I’m a hopeless romantic, starving for passionate characters and always craving that happy ending, whether in reading or in writing my own books.
That is one attractive couple on this book cover!