Genre: Erotic Romance
Release Date: December 1, 2014
~Synopsis~
One feud.
Two families.
One secret.
What happens when you fall for the enemy?
Thanks to their fathers' feud, Nicole and Craig have been enemies since the moment they were born. But six years ago they fell in love... They just never told each other.
Motivated by their grandparents' money, they agree to a simple deal: Stay married for a year and unravel the secrets and lies surrounding their fathers. Bound together, they must figure out why the two former best friends have spent the last thirty years ignoring one another and prohibited any contact between Nicole and Craig.
Craig is more than happy to uncover their fathers' past if it means he gets Nicole for real.
Nicole wants to keep the past exactly where it is and she will fight Craig every step of the way.
With only limited time together, delving into their family history could be the mistake that will break both their hearts.
What happens when secrets and lies are revealed? Can Nicole and Craig live their Happily Ever After after waiting six long years to be together? Or will one secret be enough to break them apart, just like their fathers?
'I'm doing this for us, Nic'
*THE DEAL is suitable for 17+ due to graphic sex scenes and language*
*This is a STANDALONE novel. Book two is a companion novel.
~Character Interview~
The Newlywed Game
Featuring Nic and Craig Thomas of The Deal
For this stop on the blog tour, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas have agreed to be good sports and have a little fun taking part in a version of The Newlywed Game just for them! After one year of marriage, let’s see how well they know each other.
Craig is up first.
Craig, Nic has already been asked these questions and written down how she thinks you’ll respond. So after you give your answer, she’ll tell us if it’s correct.
Round 1
Craig—what does Nic have on her Honey-Do list for you?
*Googles Honey-Do List on phone* Ohhh so it's a list that your 'honey' makes for you? Hmm to be honest, Nic hasn't given me a list of chores to do, we just set a day to clean the flat every week and go food shopping etc and get on with it together. Of course, it helps to get dirty and then even dirtier in the shower afterward *smirks*
Nic—did he correctly detail your list?
*laughs* He did! I don't give him a list of chores to do, if I did then he would never do them! It's simpler to do them together then I can keep an eye on him!
Round 2
Craig—what does Nic have too much of?
Seashells! They are EVERYWHERE! In the kitchen, in the living room, in the bedroom, even in the bloody bathroom! I understand her love for them, I really really do but do we really need them all over the bleeding flat?! I mean, come on, no we don't.
Nic—what did you think Craig would say you have too much of?
Are you shitting me? Babe, we are having words when we get home after that answer....arse....
Round 3
Craig—If you land yourself in the doghouse with Nic (perhaps even after that last question), what are you bringing home to appease her: flowers, chocolate, or jewelry?
Oh I am definitely in the doghouse after that question now! I don't bring home the conventional things, I like to keep her on her feet. The last time I was in the doghouse, I brought home some handcuffs and a blindfold...that was a verrrrry good night, if memory serves me correctly.
Nic—Did Craig choose the correct answer or is he in the doghouse for this question?
OH Jesus, everyone is going to think we are sex mad! But yeah, I don't care for the chocolates or flowers! He brings me toys or seashells; things that mean something to me.
Round 4
Craig—What is Nic’s best asset?
Her eyes and her arse. I love the green, especially the glassy green they go when she's turned on and her arse is just the most perfect arse I have ever laid hands on. I can't keep my hands off it.
Nic—How did he do?
I thought he would say my bum, he can't stay away from it!
Round 5
Craig—since she can’t hide those Kindle purchases from you anymore, who is Nic’s current favorite book boyfriend?
If I remember correctly, and from the scene we only just reenacted last night, her current obsession is Zach from Uncivilized. She loves the primal, alpha male and the sex scenes that book has has her dripping and you won't see me complaining about having amazing rough sex with my wife.
Nic—Is he correct?
Craig, can you please just keep the answer simple? No one needs to know about my 'dripping' and things like that! But yes, he's correct. Zach can be my uncivilized guy any time he wants to be. Holy shit, he had my heart in a flutter.
Okay, now it’s Nic’s turn to see how well she knows her husband. Nic, Craig has his answers to these questions already written down, let’ see how well you do.
Round 1
Nic—What is Craig’s most annoying habit?
Not setting his own damn alarm clock! You all know how I have to get him up or he never will. Yeah...he still hasn't really set one.
Craig—is that what you thought she’d say?
HAHA yeah I knew she would say the alarm clock. I haven't changed. It's set but snooze is on for ages and it pisses Nic off to no end. She's even resorted to throwing water over me a few times.
Round 2
Nic—The color of lingerie that Craig enjoys you in the most?
Hmmm he seems to be taken by my Emerald bra and knicker set. It's one of his favourite and it really turns him on when I wear it...
Craig—what color did you write down?
Duhhh the emerald set! Holy shit, whenever I strip her down and see she's wearing it I need to get it off her asap and be inside her. It turns me all upside down when I see her in it! Fuck, I hope she's wearing it today...Are you, babe?
Round 3
Nic—how many times in a week do you think Craig prefers to “make whoopee?”
HA, I love that term! 'Make Whoopee”. Even after a year of marriage, we still can't keep our hands off each other so really, say average every night, so seven times a week? Love the sexercise *winks*
Craig—What was your answer? Is Nic in the ballpark?
Oh my baby was! She's still my little temptress and I just can't keep away from her or her body.
Round 4
Nic—If you made a porn from your favorite sexual encounter with Craig, what would it be called: Waterworld, Taxi Driver, or Batteries Not Included?
Hahah I love these names! And it's really hard to choose but I have to say Batteries Not Included. There was just something so intense about that night, as well as the lovely vibrator that has become a firm fixture in our sex life. So yeah, i'm going to say, if we made a porno, it would have to be Batteries Not Included.
Craig—Which time did she enjoy the most?
She loved each time with me, didn't you see? *smirks and winks* but my kinky wife loved the vibrator too much so i'm saying Batteries Not Included. I definitely got her begging that night!
Round 5
Nic—While it will only take one to give Craig DILF status, how many kids does Craig ultimately want?
I'm going with two. Brother and sister.
Craig—While we’re sure you have lots of ‘practice sessions’ in the works, how many times do you ultimately want to be successful?
We are having a greaaaat time practicing 'making babies' but i'd love to have two. Boy and girl. Can you just imagine a mini-Nic and Craig running around? They would be the damn cutest kids imaginable!
Thanks Nic & Craig for playing! Happy Anniversary! And a big thanks to Z. Elizabeth for all the fun :)
~Excerpt~
I turn back to the waves, pick up my bag and grab my phone. John looks over my shoulder, wondering just what I am doing but I sit closer to him and lean in so my cheek is next to his. This feels totally weird but I am going to document this moment and remind him that I gained his trust, albeit, a little too fast, but we are now Father and Daughter-in-law and we haven’t had a picture together yet.
“Um, Nic, just what the hell are you doing?” John asks but I reply with my arm around his shoulder and my arm stretched upwards with my phone. I smile into it, catching John's expression. A mix of confusion, amusement and disbelief at what I am doing.
“Taking our first Father-in-law/Daughter-in-law photo, now smile, John!” I demand, smiling into the camera. John follows suit and I snap the image. I bring the phone so both of us can see the picture and I laugh. He certainly looks like an older version of Craig and he really is a DILF. I know for a fact when Craig and I have kids he is going to be the yummiest DILF imaginable and I cannot wait!
“Well, Papa Thomas, that is your birthday present sorted.” I giggle, locking the phone and throwing it to the bottom of my bag. John shakes his head and stares back out to the ocean.
“You know, Nic, I had you down all wrong. I thought you were a spoilt little girl who was exactly like her mother, but you are nothing like her. You're like your father; strong, determined, and loyal. I'm so lucky that in some backarse way you and Craig found each other and I'm proud to call you my Daughter-in-law.” John admits and I look to him, tears filling my eyes. It's hard to swallow but I push the lump down. I lean forward and wrap my arms around his neck, wanting a hug. John's arms wrap around my back and he laughs at my emotions, rubbing my back as I sniff the tears back.
“You have no idea how much that means, DILF.” I murmur, drawing back from him. I smile widely at him and gather up my belongings, ready to leave and dart to Kelsie's to pick up my suitcase. “I'll see you around, Papa Thomas. Don't be a stranger now we are BFF's” And with a wink I begin to walk away from him.
“What's a DILF?” He shouts after me and I let out a hearty laugh. I turn around and begin to walk backwards.
“Google it.”
~Deleted Scene~
I gingerly creep through the flat, hoping to god that Craig went out to clear his head too. I hear nothing. No TV, no snoring, nothing and I sigh in relief that I’m alone. That I don't have to face up to Craig and the running away part of the afternoon. Although him not being here makes me wonder what he is up to, whether he went over to Rob's to spill his guts too or he ignored me and is now delving into our parent's past. I really hope its the former. I have no idea what would happen if I found out Craig went behind my back, but I know for a fact I would be out of here with my heart breaking every step of the way.
The clock breaks my thought process with its annoying chimes. I glance up to see its 7pm and wonder just where in the hell the day has gone. From amazing shower sex this morning, an afternoon of edginess with the parents, a fight with Craig, tears with Kelsie and now I am alone again. Jesus, I am exhausted. This day has really taken it out of me. Throwing my keys into the dish on the living room table, I make my way to the bedroom to change into a top and pyjama shorts but I stop dead at the end of the bed and stare down at the photograph laying in the middle. The very one I was staring at only a few hours ago.
A small smile graces my face as I remember the day so clearly; how rubbish I was at skating, yet how much fun I was having with Craig, Kelsie and Rob. How Craig would be there to pick me up every time I fell over and how I just couldn’t keep the smile off my face just watching Kelsie and Rob. It was such a fun-filled day, which ended in a sex filled evening when Craig and I returned back home – he was gleaming over how playful and amusing I was during the day, how he needed to have me that very moment. And of course, I let him. He definitely turned his cocky charm up that evening, and who was I to resist it?
It's hard to believe that was 3 months ago; a week after our wedding. It's hard to believe that I cried myself to sleep, that Craig and I now share a bed, that he's tone down his cockiness a hell of a lot and we actually are acting like a married couple – minus the 'real' love between us. I push these thoughts away and place the photo back on my side of the bed, before changing and sliding under the sheets. I need to forget about everything today and loose myself to another book boyfriend. Grabbing my kindle from under my pillow, I turn it on and begin to sink back into the story of a lost boy and girl who meet each other on a bus and end up travelling and falling in love with each other. I have read this book over and over, yet somehow I can relate to the girl, how lost she feels, how she just wants to get away, anywhere and find herself; never thinking of falling in love, yet she found her soul mate. I laugh sadly and continue their story, the clogs in my brain churning over wanting and needing their story, minus the absolute heartache near the end.
~Book Review~
3.5 Stars
Nicole Jones and Craig Thomas don’t have your ordinary marriage. They had a real wedding, they share a flat, and they even consummate the marriage, but their matrimony has a time limit—12 month and then the deal is up.
I liked the premise of this story—two people raised as enemies after a feud between their parents but secretly longing for each other, forced to marry to gain an inheritance. You could feel their tension in the opening pre-wedding scene where they prepare to seal the deal. It has a great set up. But then it felt as if some key scenes were skipped over—their wedding night for one. Some scenes are told in hindsight, some are more tell than show. As a result it felt like there could have been a little more build up that, if present, would have helped establish Nic and Craig’s characters a little better in the beginning and fueled their chemistry further.
Though not provided linearly, there still is no shortage of hot scenes! These two definitely behave like newlyweds. The erotic aspect is captured well. H-O-T :)
“‛You ready to tempt me, Nic? You ready to put that delicious body to use? Ready to put that gorgeous mouth to work and scream my name? Are you, baby?’”
I especially liked Craig. He's one sexy, cocky, teacher. I had a little hard time connecting with Nic though. It seemed like she had a tendency to over-react. Communication was definitely not either of their strong points. I’m not a fan of misunderstanding for misunderstanding sake. I like when couples work through things together, a type of ‘us against the world’ approach, and that’s not what happens here enough, though they do pull it together eventually. Based off the synopsis, I was hoping the plot would be them sleuthing to find out the secret together, not just reacting to what it was and who knew first.
Now their friends on the other hand, they were often the voice of reason and had much stronger heads on their shoulders. They are a nice addition to the story. I found myself cheering “Go Kelsie”quite a few times.
“…don’t even think about giving me f*cking ‘tude again, Nic. I will put a cap in your arse and kick it to the street.”
Overall, if you’re looking for a hot little erotic tale, The Deal definitely serves up plenty of sexy scenes and ends on a romantic note.
Z. Elizabeth is a debut author who grew up in Wales, UK and wishes she knew how to speak fluent Welsh. Bore da (Good morning), Wedi Bleno (tired) and Ydw (yes) just don't cut it.
Reading has always been a part of her life since she was a young kid and writing came quickly after she discovered her love for studying English Language and writing fiction. Since graduating with a degree in BA Journalism, writing is embedded into her everyday working and personal life. At 15, she finished a full length novel and thought nothing of it until now. The Deal is loosely based upon that story and it's one that she is hugely proud of writing and re-writing and re-writing...
When she isn't slaving away at her day job, you can find her daydreaming about her book boyfriends, reading the next hot book out or binge eating with her friends, continually shocking them with the filth that flies out of her mouth.
Z. Elizabeth hopes that her characters end up on your book boyfriend/girlfriend lists and her book ends up on your favourite list, maybe even your bookshelf.
Giveaway
