Karen Cimms's Blog
May 30, 2023
Love, Lies, and Lattes is live!
Today is release day for Love, Lies, and Lattes (formerly Broadway Beans), and I couldn't be more excited. This is probably my favorite book out of all that I've written.
Franky Marchesi is a city girl, born and raised in the Bensonhurst section of Brooklyn to Italian immigrant parents. She's sassy, sarcastic, and a beautiful grump.
Aiden Winchester is a bona fide Hollywood heartthrob, born and raised in Malibu to Oscar-winning parents.
Sparks fly when these two meet over a potentially deadly latte. Talk about a meet cute!
Here's a snippet from early in the book:
“I may not need another dose of caffeine for a week, based on the contact high I got walking into the house just now,” Erika said. “It smells like Starbucks in here.”
Unwilling to break my concentration, I swirled the small pot of steamed milk and slowly poured it into the espresso shot, then lowered it and attempted yet another fern, stopping only when the contents reached the top of the cup.
“There.” I set the cup down with a flourish next to the other eight, all with different variations of the same design, all of them looking like—
“Penises?” Erika choked out a laugh. “You’re practicing how to make latte art penises?”
“Fuck.”
They did look like penises. All nine of them. I studied the YouTube video playing on a loop on my laptop, which sat on the counter next to the overpriced espresso machine I’d bought on my way home.
“That looks fancy.” She pointed at the new stainless-steel coffee maker.
“It is. It cost me half my paycheck.”
“Ouch. Why’d you buy it? You’re a boring black coffee kinda girl.”
“True, but if I don’t get a handle on making these dumb drinks, I’m headed back to Bensonhurst.”
I debated confessing how I’d humiliated myself—again—by presenting that cute customer with one of my phallic ferns. I didn't want to admit it, but There was a good chance I’d bought the espresso machine strictly to impress him.
Maybe all the extra caffeine I’d been drinking had seeped into my brain.
I picked up one of my early designs and pushed one of the least offensive examples toward Erika.
“Drink up.” I clicked the rim of my cup with the one in her hand. “I can’t afford to let all this practice go to waste.”
“You expect me to drink four lattes? I won’t be able to sleep tonight.”
I handed her a banana. “Not to worry. I read online that eating foods high in potassium and magnesium counteracts the effects of caffeine.”
“What about you? Aren’t you going to eat a banana?”
“Nope, need the caffeine. After dinner, I’m starting on cappuccinos. I’m not stopping until I can make a tulip that looks like a tulip.”
🍮🍮🍮
Love, Lies, and Lattes is available on Amazon and FREE in Kindle Unlimited.
Franky Marchesi is a city girl, born and raised in the Bensonhurst section of Brooklyn to Italian immigrant parents. She's sassy, sarcastic, and a beautiful grump.
Aiden Winchester is a bona fide Hollywood heartthrob, born and raised in Malibu to Oscar-winning parents.
Sparks fly when these two meet over a potentially deadly latte. Talk about a meet cute!
Here's a snippet from early in the book:
“I may not need another dose of caffeine for a week, based on the contact high I got walking into the house just now,” Erika said. “It smells like Starbucks in here.”
Unwilling to break my concentration, I swirled the small pot of steamed milk and slowly poured it into the espresso shot, then lowered it and attempted yet another fern, stopping only when the contents reached the top of the cup.
“There.” I set the cup down with a flourish next to the other eight, all with different variations of the same design, all of them looking like—
“Penises?” Erika choked out a laugh. “You’re practicing how to make latte art penises?”
“Fuck.”
They did look like penises. All nine of them. I studied the YouTube video playing on a loop on my laptop, which sat on the counter next to the overpriced espresso machine I’d bought on my way home.
“That looks fancy.” She pointed at the new stainless-steel coffee maker.
“It is. It cost me half my paycheck.”
“Ouch. Why’d you buy it? You’re a boring black coffee kinda girl.”
“True, but if I don’t get a handle on making these dumb drinks, I’m headed back to Bensonhurst.”
I debated confessing how I’d humiliated myself—again—by presenting that cute customer with one of my phallic ferns. I didn't want to admit it, but There was a good chance I’d bought the espresso machine strictly to impress him.
Maybe all the extra caffeine I’d been drinking had seeped into my brain.
I picked up one of my early designs and pushed one of the least offensive examples toward Erika.
“Drink up.” I clicked the rim of my cup with the one in her hand. “I can’t afford to let all this practice go to waste.”
“You expect me to drink four lattes? I won’t be able to sleep tonight.”
I handed her a banana. “Not to worry. I read online that eating foods high in potassium and magnesium counteracts the effects of caffeine.”
“What about you? Aren’t you going to eat a banana?”
“Nope, need the caffeine. After dinner, I’m starting on cappuccinos. I’m not stopping until I can make a tulip that looks like a tulip.”
🍮🍮🍮
Love, Lies, and Lattes is available on Amazon and FREE in Kindle Unlimited.
November 13, 2022
Two more weeks!
FOREVER AND ALWAYS, Gravel Hill Boys Book 1 is just over two weeks away!
It's been a long time coming, and I'm really excited for you to finally meet Brooklynn and Beau and the rest of the Gravel Hill Boys.
If you haven't done so yet, make sure you enter to win a Kindle copy of this book. I'm giving away 50 here on Goodreads! Go click to enter now!
Forever and Always
It's been a long time coming, and I'm really excited for you to finally meet Brooklynn and Beau and the rest of the Gravel Hill Boys.
If you haven't done so yet, make sure you enter to win a Kindle copy of this book. I'm giving away 50 here on Goodreads! Go click to enter now!
Forever and Always
May 31, 2022
Teaser Tuesday!
Here's a little teaser from FOREVER AND ALWAYS, BOOK 1 IN THE SHOOTING STARS SERIES, which is due out late this summer.
Make sure to add FOREVER AND ALWAYS to your TBR on Goodreads!
“Maybe this isn’t such a good idea,” I said around a lump in my throat. “I forgive you for what happened. Okay? Let’s let it go and move on.” I tucked my arms around myself and focused on the dark road ahead of us. “Could you take me home?”
Beau slammed on the brakes, jerking me against the console as he swung the truck onto the shoulder. He flicked off the ignition, unbuckled his seat belt, and aimed himself in my direction.
“What’s not a good idea? Having dinner? Allowing me to explain what happened when you came to Savannah and the weeks and months before that day and after?” He swiped a thick shock of blond hair away from his eyes. “How can you forgive me when you don’t know what you’re forgiving me for? What if I don’t want your forgiveness? What if I don’t deserve it? What then?”
I must’ve looked like a fish the way my mouth was hanging open. “You don’t want me to forgive you?” I threw my arms open wide. “Then what’s the point of all this?”
He scrubbed a hand over his face and groaned. “I’m not saying I don’t want your forgiveness. I’m just saying you owe it to me to listen to what I have to say.”
“Owe it to you? Where the hell do you come off—”
Two fingers pressed against my lips, silencing me.
Beau moved until he was just inches away, his eyes locked with mine. “You agreed to have dinner with me. I have reservations at a restaurant you’re going to love. Let me feed you. I’ll talk. You listen. Then you can pass judgment.”
And then the bastard promised me tiramisu. His eyebrows waggled, and the corners of his mouth turned up.
Unable to verbalize a response, I rolled my eyes.
He pulled his fingers away slowly.
“Tiramisu?”
“The best in all of West Virginia.”
I let him suffer while I pretended to mull it over.
“Okay, but I want a piece for Daddy.”
He grinned. “You can have an entire cake, babe.”
“I’m not your babe.”
He settled back behind the wheel, buckled his seat belt, and pressed the ignition.
“Right,” he said.
And then the sonofabitch winked.
Make sure to add FOREVER AND ALWAYS to your TBR on Goodreads!
“Maybe this isn’t such a good idea,” I said around a lump in my throat. “I forgive you for what happened. Okay? Let’s let it go and move on.” I tucked my arms around myself and focused on the dark road ahead of us. “Could you take me home?”
Beau slammed on the brakes, jerking me against the console as he swung the truck onto the shoulder. He flicked off the ignition, unbuckled his seat belt, and aimed himself in my direction.
“What’s not a good idea? Having dinner? Allowing me to explain what happened when you came to Savannah and the weeks and months before that day and after?” He swiped a thick shock of blond hair away from his eyes. “How can you forgive me when you don’t know what you’re forgiving me for? What if I don’t want your forgiveness? What if I don’t deserve it? What then?”
I must’ve looked like a fish the way my mouth was hanging open. “You don’t want me to forgive you?” I threw my arms open wide. “Then what’s the point of all this?”
He scrubbed a hand over his face and groaned. “I’m not saying I don’t want your forgiveness. I’m just saying you owe it to me to listen to what I have to say.”
“Owe it to you? Where the hell do you come off—”
Two fingers pressed against my lips, silencing me.
Beau moved until he was just inches away, his eyes locked with mine. “You agreed to have dinner with me. I have reservations at a restaurant you’re going to love. Let me feed you. I’ll talk. You listen. Then you can pass judgment.”
And then the bastard promised me tiramisu. His eyebrows waggled, and the corners of his mouth turned up.
Unable to verbalize a response, I rolled my eyes.
He pulled his fingers away slowly.
“Tiramisu?”
“The best in all of West Virginia.”
I let him suffer while I pretended to mull it over.
“Okay, but I want a piece for Daddy.”
He grinned. “You can have an entire cake, babe.”
“I’m not your babe.”
He settled back behind the wheel, buckled his seat belt, and pressed the ignition.
“Right,” he said.
And then the sonofabitch winked.
August 7, 2020
Just four more days!
It seems like forever ago since I started BETTER MAN. I'm hoping these next four days just fly by.
BETTER MAN releases on Aug. 11. You can preorder it at https://amzn.to/2ZQWvSF.
I hope you're as excited as I am!
BETTER MAN releases on Aug. 11. You can preorder it at https://amzn.to/2ZQWvSF.
I hope you're as excited as I am!
July 29, 2020
Cover Reveal for Better Man!
Hey friend!
Great news!
I recently revealed the cover of my upcoming book, Better Man,
book four in the Of Love and Madness series.
Better Man will be released on Aug. 11.
(You can pre-order your copy here: https://amzn.to/2ZQWvSF)
Isn’t it gorgeous??
The cover model is Dylan Hocking.
The photographer is Michelle Lancaster,
who totally nailed the dark and brooding Billy McDonald.
Both Dylan and Michelle live in Australia.
The cover designer is again my son, Garrett Cimms.
Am I a lucky mama or what?
Check out the blurb here!
Whoever said change is good should have their head examined.
As far as Billy McDonald is concerned, he’s changed enough for one lifetime. He’s been clean and sober for two years, he’s learned to manage his anger, and he’s uprooted his life and relocated to Maine to reunite with his wife, Katie. He’s even helped Katie create a resource center for at-risk youth, where he teaches guitar to any kid who’s interested.
He’s paid his dues. He’s evolved. He’s a better man.
It was hard work, but his personal life is the best it’s ever been, and his music career is finally on track.
Life should be easier now. Smooth sailing. No surprises, right?
Yeah, well. Not so fast.
Katie wants him to become a father—again. As the saying goes, been there, done that. He sucked as a parent the first time around, and as far as he’s concerned, you don’t get a do-over. Too bad she doesn’t see it that way.
After everything they’ve been through and all they’ve fought to overcome, could this be the one thing they can’t get past?
Better Man is the fourth and final book in the Of Love and Madness series.
***
Let me tell you, this was a beast to write, but I’m excited how it all turned out. You’ll find the same angst, emotion, and humor as in the other books in the series, (yes, you’ll need some tissues), but there’s a new twist: this story is also a bit of a thriller.
Better Man will be the final book in the Of Love and Madness series; however, there’s a large part of the original manuscript that was deleted. Those sections will be compiled and will eventually be offered as bonus content, so make sure you join my reader group linked for you below, to find out first where
and when you can access it.
And while Better Man is the end of Billy and Kate’s epic story, there’s always the chance for a spin-off featuring Devin and/or Rhiannon, as well as a new character you’ve yet to meet.
Great news!
I recently revealed the cover of my upcoming book, Better Man,
book four in the Of Love and Madness series.
Better Man will be released on Aug. 11.
(You can pre-order your copy here: https://amzn.to/2ZQWvSF)
Isn’t it gorgeous??
The cover model is Dylan Hocking.
The photographer is Michelle Lancaster,
who totally nailed the dark and brooding Billy McDonald.
Both Dylan and Michelle live in Australia.
The cover designer is again my son, Garrett Cimms.
Am I a lucky mama or what?
Check out the blurb here!
Whoever said change is good should have their head examined.
As far as Billy McDonald is concerned, he’s changed enough for one lifetime. He’s been clean and sober for two years, he’s learned to manage his anger, and he’s uprooted his life and relocated to Maine to reunite with his wife, Katie. He’s even helped Katie create a resource center for at-risk youth, where he teaches guitar to any kid who’s interested.
He’s paid his dues. He’s evolved. He’s a better man.
It was hard work, but his personal life is the best it’s ever been, and his music career is finally on track.
Life should be easier now. Smooth sailing. No surprises, right?
Yeah, well. Not so fast.
Katie wants him to become a father—again. As the saying goes, been there, done that. He sucked as a parent the first time around, and as far as he’s concerned, you don’t get a do-over. Too bad she doesn’t see it that way.
After everything they’ve been through and all they’ve fought to overcome, could this be the one thing they can’t get past?
Better Man is the fourth and final book in the Of Love and Madness series.
***
Let me tell you, this was a beast to write, but I’m excited how it all turned out. You’ll find the same angst, emotion, and humor as in the other books in the series, (yes, you’ll need some tissues), but there’s a new twist: this story is also a bit of a thriller.
Better Man will be the final book in the Of Love and Madness series; however, there’s a large part of the original manuscript that was deleted. Those sections will be compiled and will eventually be offered as bonus content, so make sure you join my reader group linked for you below, to find out first where
and when you can access it.
And while Better Man is the end of Billy and Kate’s epic story, there’s always the chance for a spin-off featuring Devin and/or Rhiannon, as well as a new character you’ve yet to meet.
December 28, 2018
BROADWAY BEANS IS COMING SOON
Broadway Beans
My next book, "Broadway Beans," will release on Jan. 29. It's a rom-com about a Brooklyn-born barista and a Hollywood heartthrob trying to prove he's more than just a pretty face by tackling an important role on Broadway. It's a bit of a modern-day "Moonstruck."
Blogger and reader ARCs are going to be available soon. Sign up below:
BLOGGERS >>> http://bit.ly/BroadwayBeansEVENTS
READERS >>> http://bit.ly/2KS9J8t
My next book, "Broadway Beans," will release on Jan. 29. It's a rom-com about a Brooklyn-born barista and a Hollywood heartthrob trying to prove he's more than just a pretty face by tackling an important role on Broadway. It's a bit of a modern-day "Moonstruck."
Blogger and reader ARCs are going to be available soon. Sign up below:
BLOGGERS >>> http://bit.ly/BroadwayBeansEVENTS
READERS >>> http://bit.ly/2KS9J8t
June 26, 2018
FREE - TODAY ONLY
✽ 𝐓𝐎𝐃𝐀𝐘 𝐎𝐍𝐋𝐘 ✽
"Miss February", book one in the Calendar Girl duet, is available #FREE on Amazon.
>>> myBook.to/MissFebruary
May 19, 2018
SALE and RELEASE DAY!!
It seems like it's been a long, long time, but Mrs. February, the conclusion to the Calendar Girl duet releases on Monday.
In anticipation we've lowered the price of Miss February, the first book in the duet, to only 99 cents for a limited time. If you haven't met them yet, now's te chance to become familiar with Rain, Chase, and Preston.
I'm excited about the new release, and of course, nervous. I did a lot of revising and rewriting on this book, right up to the last minute. I made myself did a lot deeper, and I think it shows. Fingers crossed!
To celebrate the release of Mrs. February, I'll be dropping into various Facebook pages for takeovers and giveaways next week. To find out where I'll be, and to keep up with what's going on and what's coming up, I'd love for those who've enjoyed my books to join me at Karen Cimm's VIP Room on Facebook.
my link text
it's a fun group and with Mrs. February about to make her debut, I'll have more time to spend there. Hope you'll be there too!
In anticipation we've lowered the price of Miss February, the first book in the duet, to only 99 cents for a limited time. If you haven't met them yet, now's te chance to become familiar with Rain, Chase, and Preston.
I'm excited about the new release, and of course, nervous. I did a lot of revising and rewriting on this book, right up to the last minute. I made myself did a lot deeper, and I think it shows. Fingers crossed!
To celebrate the release of Mrs. February, I'll be dropping into various Facebook pages for takeovers and giveaways next week. To find out where I'll be, and to keep up with what's going on and what's coming up, I'd love for those who've enjoyed my books to join me at Karen Cimm's VIP Room on Facebook.
my link text
it's a fun group and with Mrs. February about to make her debut, I'll have more time to spend there. Hope you'll be there too!
May 3, 2018
Cover reveal for Mrs. February
Hey, friends!
I’m so excited to be able to share the cover of my next book, “Mrs. February,” which will be released on May 21. This is the second book in the Calendar Girl Duet, and it continues the story of Rain Storm and Chase Holgate that began in “Miss February.”
Be prepared for lots of angst, a few laughs, as well as a few surprises.
But today, I just want to brag about this cover and my cover designer.
Like all my previous books, the cover of “Mrs. February” was designed by Garrett Cimms, my son, who lucky for me, is a graphic designer. Garrett was also the cover model for my first book, “At This Moment,” as well as my second, “We All Fall Down.” His wife, Olka, lent us her hands for the cover of “All I Ever Wanted.” Olka, who was born and raised in Pabianice, Poland, also translated all of the Polish for Irena in both “Miss February” and “Mrs. February,” which makes these books a bit of a family affair.
Garrett has a degree in fine art from Lycoming College in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. He’s worked in advertising and as a graphic designer in the publishing industry. He and Olka live in Philadelphia, where they take full advantage of the lifestyle there. They love music and sports, but I think traveling is their number one hobby. They just returned from a trip to Germany, Austria, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Poland.
My next book, which is currently called “Broadway Beans,” will be out in the fall. I’ve already purchased the cover photo of Andrew Biernat, which was taken by the amazing Wander Aguiar.
You can bet Garrett will be designing that cover as well.
Have a great weekend!
Karen
I’m so excited to be able to share the cover of my next book, “Mrs. February,” which will be released on May 21. This is the second book in the Calendar Girl Duet, and it continues the story of Rain Storm and Chase Holgate that began in “Miss February.”
Be prepared for lots of angst, a few laughs, as well as a few surprises.
But today, I just want to brag about this cover and my cover designer.
Like all my previous books, the cover of “Mrs. February” was designed by Garrett Cimms, my son, who lucky for me, is a graphic designer. Garrett was also the cover model for my first book, “At This Moment,” as well as my second, “We All Fall Down.” His wife, Olka, lent us her hands for the cover of “All I Ever Wanted.” Olka, who was born and raised in Pabianice, Poland, also translated all of the Polish for Irena in both “Miss February” and “Mrs. February,” which makes these books a bit of a family affair.
Garrett has a degree in fine art from Lycoming College in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. He’s worked in advertising and as a graphic designer in the publishing industry. He and Olka live in Philadelphia, where they take full advantage of the lifestyle there. They love music and sports, but I think traveling is their number one hobby. They just returned from a trip to Germany, Austria, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Poland.
My next book, which is currently called “Broadway Beans,” will be out in the fall. I’ve already purchased the cover photo of Andrew Biernat, which was taken by the amazing Wander Aguiar.
You can bet Garrett will be designing that cover as well.
Have a great weekend!
Karen
