Blog Tour: A Touch of Chardonnay by Pamela Gibson

Book Title: A Touch of Chardonnay 
(Love in Wine Country Book 2) 
Author: Pamela Gibson 
Release Date: July 28, 2015 
Genre: Contemporary Category Romance 

Cultural archeologist Lindsay Reynoso is in a small seaside town in California to evaluate an old mansion. When the home's owner shows up to “help” the evaluation along, Lindsay is furious. Especially as the owner is former bad-boy tennis star Christopher Brandt…her one-time fling and the father of Lindsay's son. Only he doesn't know it. 

As far as Chris is concerned, the old mansion is tied to a past he's better off leaving behind. He'd rather bulldoze the thing and move on. If only his gorgeous consultant would let him. Even while fighting over the demolition, the chemistry that once brought them together is smoldering stronger than ever.  
But honesty is very important to Chris, and Lindsay has an eight-year-old secret… 

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Excerpt: As they strolled out to the walkway leading to the sea, he took her hand and pulled her along almost to the water’s edge. It was low tide and little waves lapped at the shore, leaving foam behind as the water ebbed and flowed in its endless cycle. It was chilly, but not cold, and a setting sun had colored the sky with an orange glow. “It’s so beautiful out here,” Lindsay said. “You’re beautiful.” Soft lips touched the back of her neck. She turned in his arms, soaking up his scent as her fingers threaded through his hair. He pulled her into him, their bodies fitting snugly together. As his lips covered hers, he moved against her, teasing all her sensitive parts. She closed her eyes and gave in to pure sensation as heat snaked down her body all the way to her toes. He was hard as hell and soft as sin and she wanted him badly. Too badly. She pulled away and kicked off her sandals. “Come on.” “Where?” “Into the water.” “Didn’t you get enough cold water when you fell overboard?” “That was different. I’m on firm ground here.” They’d been at odds for so long, it felt good to enjoy herself and give in to a bit of silliness. He took off his shoes, rolled up his pant legs, and joined her at the edge of the water. His gaze followed her as she inched up the hem of her skirt, trying to keep it from getting wet as she waded a bit deeper. “You’ll be sorry.” She headed back toward him as a wave with a little more water caught her from behind. Lindsay screeched and ran the rest of the way, giggling, her dress hiked up to her thighs. Chris caught her as she approached and held her at arm’s length, a dreamy look on his face. “You must be freezing. I can do something about that.” He placed his forehead against hers, his hands holding her face steady. She leaned into him and he took her mouth in a slow, drugging kiss, his tongue coaxing her lips open. She moaned, responding to the feel and taste of him, forgetting about her wet legs. “You taste good,” he said against her ear. “What do I taste like?” “Let me see.” He leaned down and ran his tongue along her lower lip. “Pure temptation with a touch of chardonnay.” She pressed her lips to his and deepened the kiss. Moving back barely an inch, she said, “Oak, butter, and vanilla with…hmm…more than a hint of spice. A perfect vintage.” “Are you sure? Try again.” She sighed and let desire wash over her as his lips covered hers and she opened to him, the kiss fueling all her pent-up longing. “Let’s get out of here,” he said against her ear. “I have a suite.” “For one-night stands?” She was feeling reckless. “No, second-night stands.” His words didn’t offer permanence, but Lindsay didn’t care. She’d tuck it away as a new memory, one that might have to sustain her for a long time. 

My Review: Lindsay is a single mom who is trying to manage a career along with being a parent. With the help of her parents and sisters, Lindsay is able to create a loving family for her son, but there's one thing missing: her son's father.

Chris is a successful developer. Making the career jump from talented, well known tennis player with a bad boy reputation to a career man, Chris has changed from the man he was and is a better man, a good man. When his new project needs to be looked over by a cultural archaeologist, he never dreamed that she would be someone he knew in his old life...or someone he would want to get to know again and possibly have a future with. But Lindsay holds a secret and will Chris ever be able to forgive her?

A Touch of Chardonnay is an easy and fun read. I loved the connection between Lindsay and Chris and despite the past, they were easily able to pick up again with a natural ease. I enjoyed the plot a lot and was kept on my toes wondering what would happen once Chris knew the truth - and also wondering what would come of the house. 

I really liked that although Gibson wrote of a serious secret that was eight years old, there wasn't a lot of angst in the book. No other woman, no big scandals, just a man and woman working together and sharing a son (even if one is unaware). While I occasionally enjoy a little tension and angst in my books, Gibson's writing style flowed easily and was such a breathe of fresh air.

I really enjoyed A Touch of Chardonnay. It's a great year round book, but I especially liked enjoying my book under a shade of a tree as a I laid and relaxed. All I would have needed was a glass of Chardonnay in my hand and it would have been perfect.

★★★★★

About the Author:  Pamela Gibson began making up stories as a small child, using her grandmother’s perfume bottles and spools of thread to create worlds for her characters. Growing up in San Juan Capistrano, California, she found a new source of story ideas while wandering through the ruins of the old Franciscan Mission in the center of town. It motivated her to write many history books under the name Pamela Hallan-Gibson before turning to her favorite genre…romance. Now she writes on a 32-foot Nordic Tug, a trawler called Sea Bear. Married to a man who has adopted the cruising lifestyle, they live aboard almost full time, getting off to fly home to the wine country for holidays and special family occasions. The Sonoma and Napa Valleys are her favorite settings, full of stories waiting to be told. But there will be others that will take her (this year) from Mobile, Al. to the East Coast, to the Great Lakes, and down the rivers of Middle America back to the Gulf. Pamela is the mother of two, grandmother to a yellow lab, three rescue cats, a lizard and a fish. She has a bachelor’s degree in history, a master’s in public administration, and was lucky enough to win or final in twelve contests while honing her craft. Her debut novel, A Kiss of Cabernet, was a finalist for best first book in Desert Rose RWA’s 2015 Golden Quill Contest. She’s addicted to chocolate, white sand beaches, and all the trappings of Christmas. She loves to hear from readers. Connect with her at pam@pamelagibsonwrites.com, Author Pamela Gibson on Facebook, or follow her on Twitter at @pamgibsonwrites.

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