Maggie Blackbird

Today, award-winning author Susan Zoe Bella is guesting. She’s talking about her latest release High Point, a contemporary romance. Be sure to read my review. And don’t forget to enter the Rafflecopter giveaway.

****

Susan’s favourite scene in the book:

There are so many favorite scenes in this book! It would be hard to choose only one. But here is one of the many. Midway through the story, after the breakup, Mia has started her new career. The first chapter after the ten-year-later break is funny and emotional. Mia is assigned to fill in for a field reporter who is detained in Europe. She has never covered a Motocross event before but her boss, who has his eye on her, assigns her to take the assignment on short notice. She heads down to Pala, California with her cameraman. But she falls asleep while trying to memorize all the rider’s names and stats. Raceday is fun and sad, and a pinnacle moment in the story. She is very real on the job, anxiety and all. She blunders her way through the interviews and ends up making friends with one of the riders, who becomes a new main character. I love her authenticity and how she champions through a hard day. When she and Jett cross paths after a decade, the scene is surprising, suspenseful, and emotional.

I have to say another favorite scene is the cave and the tornado. The cave is hilarious, and the tornado shows Jett that Mia is more than a pretty, quirky farm girl. He sees a side of her that surprises and impresses him. And of course, there are humorous lines. And another favorite is with Kat and Mia then with Mackie as the tension between the three builds. The dialogue is realistic and witty. Despite her situation, Mia stands up to them with some sharp retorts.

The book is full of favorite scenes! I proofread it four times with read aloud, hoping I caught everything after edits. And I never got bored with the story. Usually by the final reading, I’m nodding off. After writing and editing for months, those final reads can be tiresome. But I can honestly say I never get tired of reading this book, which is why I decided to do a tour.

****

Title: High Point
Series: N/A
Author: Susan Zoe Bella
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: July 1, 2023
Length: 490 pages
Publisher: Densue Publishing

It’s only rock and roll but I hate it. Groupies, parties, a cheating ex, and a dark night spawned a wake-up call. I’d shifted my focus to work and avoiding social media. Singing lead for a famous band had become nothing more than a steppingstone to my true dream of racing Pro Motocross. I hadn’t dated in years. Then ‘she’ showed up and everything in me longed to be with her. I was stoked she’d agreed to join me at High Point Raceway for the weekend, even if it meant putting up with Mack. Better still, Mia wasn’t a groupie, not even close. She wasn’t even a fan of our music. If love at first sight had a name, it would be Mia Fringe and I had to make her mine. ~ Jett

I’d seen him in passing over the years. He was the neighbor of my best friend. But we’d never officially been introduced until the night Mackie badgered me into meeting him after attending his band’s concert. I tried not to look awestruck, stunned that someone this gorgeous had been within my scope for years but had not caught my attention. He had success written all over him. Girls like me didn’t end up with guys like him. Recently unemployed, still living on the family farm, and recovering from a nervous breakdown, I was a mess. But Jett saw something in me that nobody else ever had…worth. ~ Mia

Action, drama, and chaos kick off right from the start at High Point Raceway when Mackie has second thoughts about playing matchmaker between Mia and Jett. However, when the week of bliss comes to an end, Mia is heartbroken and confused as to why Jett doesn’t keep his promise. She accepts a job as a reporter three thousand miles away to escape the pain.

Ten years later, Mia and Jett cross paths in the most startling way. She’s about to discover the truth of what really happened so long ago. Will she be able to trust Jett again when he pleads for a second chance? Can love and forgiveness conquer a decade of hurt? It all goes down in the dirt during the last race of the season.

Add to Goodreads

Purchase at:

Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Apple | Smashwords | Books2Read

“Cozy,” I said. “Love the sound of rain. Not fond of storms so much, though.”

“I’ll protect you,” he proudly declared.

I giggled. “Like you did in the cave? Will you chase them away with a tiny twig?”

He tackled me to a nearby sofa and tickled me into fits of laughter. His reflexes were incredibly fast. I giggled and coiled against him and pretended I wanted him to stop.

Then he thoroughly kissed me, sweeping his tongue through my mouth. He tasted fresh as always and his kiss was laden with hot desire. I sighed and relaxed against him, relishing his touch, his scent, the sound of his breathing. Nothing else mattered right then except being with him.

His lips eased their way to my neck, leaving a trail of warmth in their wake as they drifted lower—and lower still. I wound my fingers into his soft, thick hair and took hold.

He slid the zipper of my top halfway down with one hand while keeping the fingers of his other laced with mine above my head. He caressed my midriff then inched higher. I curled around him, wanting him, basking in the closeness. He lifted his head, unlocked our fingers, and let his hand glide down the underside of my extended arm while simply gazing at me.

I wanted him so much it scared me.

“I’m falling for you, darlin,” he whispered soft and low. Emotion drenched his voice.

I stared up into his ‘make love to me’ eyes. And in that moment, I knew the truth must be told.

Tears stung my eyes. “We should have that talk now.”

“Now? I want you, baby. I’m on fire here. Can we do it later? Whatever is going on won’t change how I feel about you.”

Wow. He’d made up his mind. Fringe had won him over. There we lay, alone and tangled around each other. He was mine for the taking. Strikingly handsome Jett Castle, dream guy, falling for me.

I wrestled with my conscience. He was ready to take our relationship to the next level. Everything I wanted was right within my grasp.

“It’s the leather,” I refuted. “Your judgment is clouded.”

He smiled with a light scoff. “No, well maybe, but we came close earlier. Here we are back in each other’s arms fighting our feelings for one another again.” He lowered his head and resumed kissing a delectable trail down my neck.

“You’re right,” I said on an airy breath and wrapped myself around him as he lowered his hard body against my soft curves.

“Mia…” he purred out my name in that velvety smooth tone.

No, no, no. Not her. My thoughts scrambled. But it was too late. He was falling for Mia—honest, loyal, kindhearted Mia. He deserved to know who he was dealing with. I’d never forgive myself if I lost him by deception.

I flattened my palms against his chest and gently pushed him back. “We can’t. Not yet. I’m sorry.”

He stared at me with brows knitted in utter disappointment. “Having second thoughts?”

“Absolutely not. I want you more than anything.”

“But?” He tilted his head. “There is a but…right?”

“Kind of. I don’t want you to get blindsided. I don’t know where to begin.”

He sighed and dropped his head on my chest. “Let me guess, Kat?”

“You felt a wall between us. As much as I want this with you right now, I can’t until—” I stopped short when a sudden roar came from outside. “Tornado!” I’d recognize that sound anywhere, anytime.

His head jerked up. Our eyes met as we froze and listened.

****

I enjoyed the blurb, and adore rock star romance, so when this book came up to read and review, I was in.

First off, I adored the heroine Mia Fringe.  She’s not your ordinary young lady.  She has ambition.  She is strong.  And she is very independent.  More than she thinks so.  Mia suffers from extreme anxiety, and in the past, it took its toll on her.  But she’s determined to make something of herself.  So she is blown off course when she’s set up with rocker Jett.

Jett is a rock star, but he’s hiding something why he shuns the cliché sex, drugs, and rock ‘n’ roll.  Coming off of a break-up when he was betrayed by his fiancée, he’s not going to let a kick to his nuts keep him down.  This is a guy who goes for what he wants.  And he wants Mia.

Then there are villains in Jett’s sister, Mia’s so-called friend Mack, and a host of other people determined to keep them apart.

I must say I loved Mia’s growth through the novel.  It spans ten years and the reader gets a great glimpse of her determination to succeed.  Yes, it uses the trope of “the big misunderstanding,” but the author made this fresh since a stalker and some controlling people are determined to steal Mia and Jett’s HEA.

I liked the fact that Mia and Jett talked, even during rough times and the misunderstanding.  This was a win for me, because communication and trust are important when building a relationship.

I also enjoyed the glimpse into the life of motocross.  The author did her research, or she’s a big motocross enthusiast.

I felt for the duo and all that they endured to claim a HEA.

The main characters are very likable, the antagonists are horrible, and there is plenty of action involved.  Do yourself a favour and get a copy.

****

“I am a fan of happily ever after. My novels are too!”

Susan Zoe enjoys creating contemporary, paranormal, fantasy and romantic suspense stories with a gritty flair. Her stories are her own, and she typically writes outside the box. She’s always been a leader not a follower. Writing is her mental filter and how she processes the world around her, a fictional place where she can control the outcome at her comfort level with justice and happy endings. Her imagination is her greatest strength as it carries her away from daily stress.

As a survivor of hardship and chronic disease, she takes one day at a time and treasures the simple things in life. Susan Zoe is a Christian, loves animals, and practices being kind and generous every day. When not immersed in new stories, she enjoys watching movies, Motocross and Supercross, playing Yahtzee with her fiancé, and hanging out with her loyal 24/7 companion and trained service dog. She’s not a fan of sitcoms as they don’t offer enough mental stimulation. Losing herself in an intense story gives her brain the workout it needs to manage OCD, anxiety, depression, and stress.

Her achievements thus far include The Golden Wings Award for her debut novel The Satellite, the UK Nobel Pin and Editor’s Choice Award for her poem The Lonely Man, numerous 5 Star Reviews from Fallen Angels Reviews, Coffee Time Romance, InD’tale Magazine, Goodreads and more for current and retired novels. She was also a RONE Awards Finalist in 2017.

She loves to hear from readers and chat!

In her words, “Writing is the only time I’m truly free.” She’s happiest when her intriguing characters come to life and steal her away into their worlds where anything is possible.

Follow Susan: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Linked In

****

Enter for a chance to win a $20.00 Amazon or B&N Gift Card.
a Rafflecopter giveaway