Welcome to the HOT SUMMER ROMANCE Giveaway Hop

When I think of summer, I picture myself on the beach, sipping a whiskey sour, and reading a hot book with danger and a handsome,

mysterious hero. For this hop, I’m sharing with you a delicious drink recipe and for your reading pleasure, an excerpt from OUTMANEUVERED, nominated for the 2012 RONE Award for best suspense novel. Enjoy! 

Whiskey Sour with a Ginger Twist Recipe

  (makes one cocktail)

·  1 1/2 ounces whiskey (rye or bourbon)

·  1 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice

·  1/4 to 1/2 ounce ginger syrup (according to taste)

·  egg white

·  dash of bitters (to taste)

1. Pour ingredients (except for the egg white) into a cocktail shaker.

2. Shake for 10 seconds. When using an egg in a drink, shake the ingredients for five seconds before adding the ice to better incorporate the egg, then add the ice and shake like crazy for at least 20 seconds.

3. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass, or fill into an ice-filled glass

                    Now for the hot read!
 OUTMANEUVERED  by J.L. Hammer

A missing influential CEO—a handsome, ambitious FBI agent—and a smart-mouthed blonde bombshell—in the end, who will be outmaneuvered? 

To FBI Special Agent Cruz Romero the assignment seems cut and dry: shadow Amanda Price, the estranged daughter of a missing high-powered CEO, and find evidence linking her to his disappearance. The last thing Romero expects while on surveillance is for her to strut right up to him, insisting they've met before. Once he gets a good look at this familiar sassy blonde, he knows he’s in trouble. He must throw her off track before the entire investigation is jeopardized. As the evidence stacks against Amanda, Romero brings her in for a round of heated questioning and his suspicion of her guilt deepens with every evasive answer. When a sniper makes an attempt on her life, he is forced to protect her. Plunged into a maze of deceit, Romero fears that his blinding attraction for Amanda might be his fatal downfall.

EXCERPT:

Romero brushed his hand against her arm. “Amanda, are you okay?”

She swallowed the lump of emotions. Unable to speak, all she could do was shake her head.

“Come here, sugar. I know this is hard.” He wrapped his arms around her.

Amanda felt her breath hitch.

Romero lowered his head and said, “Don’t ever let anyone make you feel like you’re worthless.” The warmth of his breath against her ear sent her pulse hammering. He smelled so good—so male.

Before she realized what she was doing, Amanda laced her fingers through his jet-black hair and pulled his lips to hers. There was no delay, no shock. His response to her was instant and hungry. Her tongue glided across his. He tasted like wine and something peppery. The warmth of his hands cupping and tightening on her waist sent sparks of desire shooting across her skin. Amanda arched toward him, pressing herself against his solid body. He trailed his mouth along her jawline.

“How I want you,” Romero whispered.

Once again he returned to her lips. Every inch of her felt on fire. She deepened the kiss. She pulled him closer, wishing she could climb inside of him. Amanda slid her hands across his chest, down his flat stomach. His muscles flexed under her fingers. Slowly, she brushed her fingers lower…

Like a splash of ice water, he shoved her away. Cold swirled around her. Amanda lay half sprawled on the sofa, half on the floor. She realized he was no longer there, but standing, facing the window.

“What? —”

He drew in a labored breath. “This can’t happen. You are under FBI protection. This needs to stop.”

“But we’re two consenting adults.”

“It doesn’t matter. I’m here to protect you—not to mate.” His voice was strained.

Amanda bolted to her feet. Her spine snapped ramrod straight. “Excuse me—mate?”

“You know what I mean.”

“Screw you,” she hollered. All hot and bothered, she stalked out of the room, slamming the bedroom door in her rage.

OUTMANEUVERED is available on ebook and in paperback on Amazon and B&N.

*GIVEAWAY ALERT. One random commenter will win a signed copy of OUTMANEUVERED (US entries only for this contest).  Please be sure to leave your email address. Just to make things sweeter, one random reader will receive a $5 Starbucks' gift card just for becoming a follower of my blog. Winners will be announced July 22^nd.  Thanks and good luck!

Be sure to visit all the exciting authors participating in the HOT SUMMER ROMANCE Giveaway Hop. Also, click here to visit the host site where you can enter to win two grand prizes: a Kindle Fire and a $50 Amazon.com gift certificate.