Blog Tour: Romancing the Bookworm by Kate Evangelista (spotlight, excerpt, giveaway)

Romancing the Bookworm
written by Kate Evangelista
published by Omnific Publishing

find it here: Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Book Depository, Goodreads

About the book: Sometimes, even the best-laid plans can unravel.

It’s spring break, and Tamara Winters would rather stay on campus and read romance novels than flaunt her size-fourteen body on a beach. But her best friend, Rony, has other ideas. Against her wishes, Tamara is whisked away to picturesque Maverick Bay, where she’s wrangled into waiting tables with Rony at the Shore Shack for its busy week leading to Maverick’s Surf Invitational. There she meets fellow schoolmate Xavier Solomon, the Invitational’s organizer and campus womanizer by reputation. From the moment Tamara sees him emerging from the waves like a hero in of one of her romance novels, all she wants to do is run away from the feelings he inspires in her.

Little does she know Xavier has been watching her for weeks now. In fact, after failed attempts at asking her out on campus, he’s concocted a crazy plan: fabricating romantic situations straight out of her favorite books. Xavier quickly realizes that if Tamara gets a whiff of his designs, he might as well spell CREEPER across his forehead. Yet as they grow closer, he’s convinced it’s a risk worth taking. What he hasn’t planned on, of course, is his drug-addicted, alcoholic stepbrother, who decides to join the fun and put a wrench in Xavier’s scheme.

Spring break is proving hotter than Tamara expected. Will her romance novels be able to compete?

Book Trailer

Please enjoy the following excerpt from Romancing the Bookworm.

The stare down of the century lasted about ten seconds. Then Xavier tilted his head back and laughed like he’d never laughed before. The sound spread warmth in my chest and stomach like a good solid hug. His tension seemed to melt away. When he finished, he breathed a sigh of relief and bent down until his lips touched my forehead. For a second I wished his lips were a few inches lower, but I’d take what I could get. Then he did something I didn’t expect in a million years. He reached out and tucked me into his side.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve had a good tongue lashing,” he said, amusement in his tone. Then in a whisper that felt like an intimate touch he added, “Thank you. I needed that.”

“Anything to get you out of that funk.” I looked up at him and smiled. “I get that Zander bothers you. I don’t understand why, but don’t let him ruin your night. Poor old Melvin there is doing the best he can.”

Xavier smirked. “If I didn’t know better I’d think you’re worried about me.”

Of course, but I wasn’t about to admit to that. Instead I shrugged and forced myself to listen to the names being called out. A couple of pairs had already made their way inside. The screams that followed curdled my blood.

“I don’t think I can do this.” I burrowed deeper into Xavier’s side. “You didn’t say I had to walk through a freak show to get to the prize.”

Xavier winked. “You didn’t ask.”

“How was I supposed to know?”

Melvin pulled out another name from the bag. “Zander Fitzpatrick.”

At Zander’s name being called, Xavier tensed beside me. Of its own volition, my hand rubbed soothing circles on his back like he did for me in the kitchen this morning. Even Ronni got really quiet. We watched as Zander pushed his way to the entrance of the forbidden forest of death. The screaming continued within, chilling my spine despite Xavier’s warmth against my side.

“And Zander’s partner will be…” Melvin fished inside the sack again. He took out a small square and unfolded it. “Tamara Winters?” he sputtered.

“Son of a bitch,” Xavier hissed, his hold tightened around my shoulders like he wanted to fuse me to his side.

Zander’s gaze found me and he winked. That was the worst thing he could have done to amp up Xavier’s building anger. I used the open hand I had on Xavier’s back to grab a fistful of his shirt. I pulled down as hard as I could until he broke the death stare with his brother to look down at me.

“Xavier, chill,” I said again. “It’s fine.”

“To hell it is.” His nostrils flared.

About the author: When Kate Evangelista was told she had a knack for writing stories, she did the next best thing: entered medical school. After realizing she wasn’t going to be the next Doogie Howser, M.D., Kate wandered into the Literature department of her university and never looked back. Today, she is in possession of a piece of paper that says to the world she owns a Literature degree. To make matters worse, she took Master’s courses in creative writing. Ms. Evangelista lives in the Philippines.

Find Ms. Evangelista here: web, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, YouTube

And now for the GIVEAWAY!! Fill out the Rafflecopter form below for your chance to win:

(1)   Print copy of Romancing the Bookworm – international – value $18.99 USD
(1)   Book inspired necklace that says “Surf” (picture attached) – international – value $15.00 USD
(8) eBooks of Romancing the Bookworm – International – value $3.99/copy USD

a Rafflecopter giveaway

To see other stops on the tour for reviews, guest posts, and excerpt click here or the tour button below.

Happy reading wherever you are and whenever you get a free chance!!!