Still Counting
by Phil Fragasso
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GENRE: Chick-lit, bittersweet romance
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BLURB:
Adam
Donatello and Nina Morales share an immediate and powerful attraction, and
their future together seems assured. But love is difficult enough without
adding complications – real or imagined – to the mix. Nina sees life as a
thousand shades of gray, while Adam tends towards black-and-white. He wants to
move fast; she needs time. Nina sees her past liaisons with women as immaterial
to their relationship, while her disclosure drives Adam to a state of
irrational jealousy. He doesn't know how he could compete with a woman; and his
suspicions – which Nina views as hypocritical – lead them both to make
decisions they may live to regret.
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EXCERPT:
“So where are you taking me?” Nina asked. “I bet you’ve been
planning and sweating about it all day. Right? Am I right? Am I, am I?”
I tapped my fingers on the steering wheel and kept my eyes
on the road. “I thought I’d play it by ear. Maybe start off with a game of
glow-in-the-dark miniature golf at the mall, followed by dinner at KFC in the
food court, get falling down drunk at a biker bar, and then get matching
tattoos.”
“What more could a girl ask for?”
“Or on the other hand. I could go all traditional on you.” I
reached to the floor behind the passenger seat and retrieved the small bouquet
of daisies I’d bought on the way to her place. “For you, my dear.”
Prior to that moment I would have bet the house that I could
never do or say anything that would surprise or truly rattle Nina, but I was
wrong. She did several double-takes before accepting the flowers and a deep
flush crept across her cheeks. She smelled the flowers and I would swear on my
grandmother’s grave that her eyes fluttered and her lips quivered.
“You’re a regular Prince Charming,” she said softly. She
placed a hand on my forearm and gently squeezed.
I was on Memorial
Drive Boston
“So you’re taking me to the big city?” Nina asked.
“Perhaps.”
“Come on, Adam. Tell me where we’re going.”
“Why, you getting worried?”
“Not at all. I just have a lot of allergies and I don’t want
it to be embarrassing for you if I puke at the dinner table.”
“Shit. I never even thought of that.” My chest tightened and
I turned toward Nina with narrowed eyes. “What kind of allergies do you have?”
“Well for starters,” she said, “red meat gives me the runs.
Chicken makes my tongue swell up like a python that’s just swallowed a piglet.
Which reminds me—pork makes me gassier than the farting scene in Blazing
Saddles. I’m okay with most seafood as long as it’s from the Mediterranean
or Indian Ocean. The doctors aren’t quite sure why that is. Vegetables are okay
but they have to be grown hydroponically. I also get severe cramps from dairy
products. But, oddly enough, I’m fine with gluten and peanuts. Go figure.”
“Holy shit. How long have you been living like this?”
“For never.” Nina tossed her hair back and filled the car
with a cackle of unabashed joy. “I just like messing with you. You’re always so
serious looking.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Phil Fragasso sold his first article at
the age of 16. Since then he has written and published a wide variety of books,
articles and essays. After many years as a corporate marketer, he left to
pursue endeavors that were more fulfilling personally and more contributory on
a societal level. Today he focuses his time on writing and teaching.
Buy links:
Amazon:
iBook:
B&N:
Kobo
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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE
Phil will be awarding a $25 Amazon or B/N GC to a
randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
such a beautiful cover!
RispondiEliminaI think its amazing that your first article was published at 16.
Silvia, thank you for stopping by. The publisher did a great job with the cover. They look just like I imagined them.
EliminaThanks for hosting!
RispondiEliminaDo you write books in different genres? Or what types of books do you enjoy writing?
RispondiEliminaMy first book was a YA novel. I had had three books of humor published, and two nonfiction books that related to my professional career in marketing & investments. I'm now focused on writing fiction -- and have another novel coming out in March.
EliminaBeautiful cover. Did you have to do a lot of research?
RispondiEliminaOther than being an observer of life around me, I did do research regarding bisexuality. I have a number of friends who are gay, but none that identified as bisexual. Through a gay friend I meet a bisexual woman who explained that bisexuals tend to be misunderstood by both the gay and straight communities. That idea became a major theme in the book. Thanks - Phil
EliminaInteresting excerpt. I really liked it.
RispondiEliminaCongratulations on your new release-love the title, thank you for the contest!
RispondiEliminaLoved the blurb and excerpt.
RispondiEliminaJennifer Rote
Great excerpt, sounds like a terrific read, thanks for sharing!
RispondiEliminaAwesome excerpt!! Can't wait to grab a copy and read it myself :)
RispondiEliminaThank you all for stopping by and getting a feel for "Still Counting." - Phil
RispondiEliminaSounds great
RispondiEliminaLove the cover,and what a great review......
RispondiEliminaGreat excerpt! Thank you.
RispondiEliminaGreat excerpt and cute cover! :)
RispondiEliminaI enjoyed reading the excerpt. This book sounds like such an interesting and intriguing read. Also, I really like the book cover. Looking forward to reading this book!
RispondiEliminaHaha, I love the excerpt! I'm gonna read this book asap!
RispondiElimina~ KateS