Hot Hunks:
Jack’s Blind Date Debacle
Hot Hunks-Steamy Romance Collection
By Tamara Ferguson
Praise and Awards
#1 INTERNATIONAL &
USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR
TAMARA FERGUSON
6 Time Readers’ Favorite International Book Awards Winner
Short Story Fiction, Romance Suspense & the Bronze, Silver & Gold Medal Winner for Military Fiction (2018, 2016, 2015)
2018 New Apple Solo Romance Medalist (Two Hearts Find Christmas)
2018 Top Shelf Finalist (Two Hearts Surrendered, Two Hearts Unbroken)
9 Time Independent Authors Network Book of the Year Finalist (2018, 2017, 2016)
Romance, Mystery, Women’s Fiction and Novellas
#13 Best Indie Book of 2017
(Two Hearts’ Christmas Wish)
2 Time Romance Reviews Reader’s Choice Award Winner
New Adult Romance & Anthology Romance (2016 & 2015)
New Apple Romance Selection for Literary Excellence (2016)
National Indie Excellence Awards Romance Finalist (2015)
4 Time Pinnacle Book Achievement Award Winner
Tamara creates stories that are so enchanting, they will make your heart stop-
Faridah Nassozi For Reader's Favorite
Tamara Ferguson has a deft hand when it comes to writing romance. She chooses her words and scenes carefully so that the reader never forgets that romance doesn't always come easy in the real world. Sometimes it may need a little help from a magical setting, a good friend, or an innocent child-
Ray Simmons for Readers’ Favorite
The exciting and heart-warming romantic novel Two Hearts Find Christmas by Tamara Ferguson has an unexpected military aspect that is enlightening as well as entrancing. As the story unfolds, some of the dilemmas the soldiers have to face when they return is brought to the surface and lightly addressed. It is a touching and unforgettable tale of a damaged body and soul learning to thrive and love. The romantic facet of the plot is delicately woven into a web of suspense tinged with a sense of danger, giving the reader a feeling of excitement and mystery. Love and suspense are combined with the menace of an unknown threat, making this novel a gripping and spectacular read for those who are romance fans~
5★~Susan Sewell for Readers' Favorite
Two Hearts Find Christmas is a well-written and engrossing story that combines romance and the holidays with some serious issues including PTSD, war injuries and child abuse. I've enjoyed every one of the Two Hearts Wounded Warrior books and was pleased to have the opportunity to read and review this one. As with the others, I soon found myself happily involved with life in Crystal Rock and Dragonfly Pointe, and the remarkable people who live there and work to help returning veterans heal and start new lives. Josh, his brother, Luke, and Nina are marvelous main characters and learning of their early struggles and challenges gets the reader deeply involved in their present day lives and aware of the problems adults, who still bear the scars of abuse, face in living fully. I also loved seeing how Josh finds his dog, Ralph, who, while not entirely suitable as a service dog, seems to succeed quite well in making his new human companion smile. I'm looking forward to the next Wounded Warrior military romance book. Two Hearts Find Christmas is most highly recommended~
5★~Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite
Josh and Nina, as characters, were easy to identify with and to root for. Both had had difficult, traumatic childhoods and Ferguson dealt with some potentially horrific subject matter with sensitivity and grace. Some might argue the romance plot is fairly formulaic, but Ferguson gives much more depth to the stories with her complicated backstory and continuity of history through the years. Definitely Two Hearts Find Christmas is a chilling reminder of the evil that does exist out there among us, but also a sweet reminder of the sanctity and power of true love, plus the indomitable human spirit that triumphs over adversity and works for good.~
5★~Grant Leishman for Readers' Favorite
Wow. Just wow! How’s that for a review? Author Tamara Ferguson has done an absolutely wonderful job in creating characters that her readers will relate to, care about and continue to think of long after the novella is done, and if that isn’t the hallmark of a great author, I don’t know what is—
Tracy Slowiak for Readers' Favorite
Also By Tamara Ferguson
TALES OF THE DRAGONFLY
ROMANTIC SUSPENSE
In Tandem
In Flight
Extended Flight
Emergence
KISSED BY FATE
NEW ADULT ROMANCE
That Unforgettable Kiss
That Unexpected Kiss
That Unbelievable Kiss
TWO HEARTS
WOUNDED WARRIOR ROMANCE
Two Hearts Surrendered
Two Hearts Unspoken
Two Hearts Undone
Two Hearts’ Christmas Wish
Two Hearts Find Christmas
Two Hearts Unbroken
Two Hearts In Accord
Two Hearts Under Fire
Two Hearts Unlikely Heroes
Two Hearts Home For Christmas
Two Hearts’ Christmas Promise
Mistletoe Kisses & Christmas Wishes Set
(Includes Two Hearts Christmas Wish)
DAYDREAMS & DRAGONFLIES
SWEET ROMANCE
A Kiss Upon A Star
A Kiss Beneath A Christmas Star
A Kiss Beneath A Strawberry Moon
A Kiss Under A Blue Christmas Moon
TALES FROM DRAGONFLY POINTE
SHORT STORIES
Revelations
ANTHOLOGY ROMANCE
Magical Weddings
A Touch of Passion
Mother’s Day Magic
Annie Acorn’s 2016 Romance Treasury
Love In Times of War
Hunks To The Rescue
Sweet and Sassy: The Best Kind of Romance
Hotshot Charmers: Men Women Love
Sweet Heat: Where Romance and Suspense Meet
A Christmas She’ll Remember
Sweet and Sassy Christmas: A Time for Romance
Sweet and Sassy Valentine
A Valentine She’ll Remember
Unforgettable Thrillers
Sweet and Sassy Weddings
A Wedding She’ll Remember
Sweet and Sassy At The Beach
Unforgettable Thrills – Passion & Power
Love, Christmas – The Movies You Love
2018 Pink Anthology (Benefits Breast Cancer Research)
Christmas Heartwarmers & Holiday Smiles (Benefits St, Jude Research)
Love Under Fire
Heart of A Hunk
Unforgettable Passion
A Romance She’ll Remember
After Hurricane Nina – Rand’s Resolution
Incredible Women’s Fiction
Irresistible Heroes
Do No Harm – 17 Medical Thrillers
FREE AUTHORS’ BILLBOARD BOOK BITES 9
FREE AUTHORS’ BILLBOARD BOOK BITES 10
FREE AUTHORS’ BILLBOARD BOOK BITES 11
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, organizations, places, events, and incidents are either products if the author’s imagination or used factiously.
Copyright © 2020 by Tamara Ferguson.
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced, stored or transmitted electronically, mechanically or recorded without express permission from the author.
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br /> Hot Hunks:
Jack’s Blind Date Debacle
CONTENTS
Title Page
Praise & Awards
Other Books By Tamara Ferguson
Copyright
CONTENTS
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
CHAPTER NINETEEN
CHAPTER TWENTY
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
EPILOGUE
A NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Excerpt Two Hearts Surrendered
Chapter One
Bali, Indonesia.
Jack Wellman and Nick Hanover had enjoyed themselves this week, visiting Rand McAllister here where he lived in Bali. It had been a long time since they’d all hung out together.
Giving Nick a side glance, Jack grinned, watching Rand get shut down by the beautiful redhead who was sitting with her friends at the bar across the room.
Rand blinked, when the woman turned away, reaching for her drink.
Rand stood there, looking dumbfounded for another couple minutes before apparently giving up.
The redhead had already returned to conversing with the woman sitting beside her at the bar, who was obviously a friend.
That’s when Jack became aware of the other pretty woman with the ash brown hair who was seated beside the blonde.
And when her eyes met his, there was an instant connection that he’d never felt before. Because of his looks, Jack was someone who’d always managed to attract women. But this felt different, and for a moment, it seemed like she could see into his soul.
Her ash brown hair hung loose around her face, which was classically lovely, with high cheekbones and beautiful eyes.
His heart began beating faster when she gave him a wry grin, and Jack was surprised at his response. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d been even remotely interested in really getting to know any woman.
But distracted, Jack started laughing loudly as Rand strolled back to their booth, settling in beside him. The look of discouragement on his face was priceless.
Nick, who was seated across from Rand, smiled widely before he spoke. “Watch the operator at work, huh?”
Rand shrugged but seemed oddly irritated.
Reaching for his beer mug laying on the table, Rand took a sip and quickly changed the subject.
“It’s nice that you guys finally made it back this year,” Rand muttered. “What’s it been—over two years since you were here last? I’ve made quite a few friends, but I still get treated a little differently.”
“It probably has something to do with the fact that you live in a mansion,” Nick answered dryly.
Rand rolled his eyes. “Yeah, but I worked side by side with everyone I hired when I had it built.”
“That was immediately after you moved here. Wasn’t it?” Jack leveled him with a stare. “The natives probably took offense to that and thought that you didn’t trust them to do a decent job.”
Rand grimaced. “I guess I never really thought about it like that.”
At that moment, a pretty Balinese girl appeared at the table. “Hi, Rand. Can I get you more to drink?”
“Hi, Ni Luh,” Rand answered, looking slightly uncomfortable.
“How about another pitcher?” Jack asked, sitting up straighter.
Ni Luh kept looking at Rand until he spoke.
“Sounds good,” Rand murmured, refusing to meet Ni Luh’s gaze.
“Alright,” she answered, her voice sounding flat.
After she scooted away with a tempting sway of her hips, Nick stared at Rand accusingly. “I thought you decided to play it safe by keeping your hands off the island girls?”
Rand hung his head. “I have been, since I broke it off with Ni Luh. We didn’t do anything but go out for dinner a couple times. Everyone just assumed there was more going on than there was.”
“Why stop dating?” Nick asked. “I notice the islander families are incredibly close. Maybe her father expected you to do the honorable thing?”
“No,” Rand muttered. “She knew from the start that I wasn’t going to make any promises.”
Jack was relieved.
“But her brother got on my case anyway,” Rand answered, looking sheepish. “The island girls are very easily swayed. Apparently, some of them consider dating as a prelude to marriage, no matter how much you try to convince them that it doesn’t work that way in American culture, so I’ve only been dating tourists now. There are less complications that way.”
Nick continued his reprimand. “You know the womanizing was bad enough when we were back in school, Rand, but aren’t you getting a little old for one-night stands? I mean, don’t you want more out of your life? You seemed to be getting a lot out of the Air Force when you enlisted. I can’t figure why you decided to opt out after all that intense training you were telling us about, even though you turned twenty-five, and supposedly gained control of your inheritance. Sitting around on the beach and drinking the day away when you’re retired is one thing, but is that what you’re planning on doing for the rest of your life – squandering your great-grandmother’s inheritance? Do you actually even own the house you built? Won’t you forfeit it if you don’t live here on Bali year-round? It seems to me that building here was a really stupid idea if you’re planning on leaving eventually.”
Rand’s look was thoughtful when he answered, “What would you say if I told you I have been thinking about the future and actually planning ahead as well?”
Nick looked taken aback. He really had been getting on Rand’s case today, Jack realized.
“I can’t tell you much about it now, but I’ve been doing a lot of soul searching during the last three years. Just because Dad didn’t think enough of me to make room for me in the family business, doesn’t mean I can’t succeed on my own. Let’s just say, my inheritance is funding an excellent cause.”
“Sorry, man. I don’t know what’s gotten into me, lately.” Nick ran a hand over his face.
“Tell him,” Jack said softly, looking at Rand. “He’s not going to say I told you so.”
Nick sighed heavily, leveling Rand with a steely stare. “Marissa broke off our engagement.”
“Shit,” Rand answered. “You should have told me. I’ve been wondering what’s been going on with you this week.”
Nick shrugged. “That’s kind of why we’re here. Jack talked me in to taking a break and getting away from Virginia for a while.”
Rand nodded agreeably, reaching over and giving Nick a reassuring squeeze on the shoulder. “This is a great place for getting away, that’s for sure. And hey, I never said I didn’t like her. I just thought she was thinking too much about getting ahead and not enough about you.”
Plus, Marissa had been a player, Jack thought to himself. She’d come onto him multiple times, and undoubtedly, she’d tried to sleep with Rand too. But the two of them never discussed it. Jack and Nick would never fall into her trap, but trying to explain what was happening to Nick would be a huge mistake, and Nick had needed to discover what a money hungry cheat Marissa was on his own to believe it.
Jack grinned. “Being invited to stay in a luxury home built on the oceanfront is a pretty big incentive for taking some time away too.”
“I can’t believe you’ve added an infinity pool since the last time we were here,” Nick mumbled. “I love that.”
“I do too,” Rand admitted. “I use that pool every day.”
Jack stared across the Indian Ocean’s rollin
g waves, where they had a clear view of the beach from the Oceanfront Bar. Because of its location, as well as the delicious cuisine, Rand said it was one of his favorite hangouts. There were several luxurious restaurants and bars spread across Bali, along with some incredibly hot night spots, but there was something so relaxing about being able to sit outside while eating and drinking with friends, staring at the spectacular view of sand, surf and tropical landscape. This place had more of a down-home feel and was a favorite drinking hole for both Aussie and American tourists.
Rand slowly stood. “I’ll be back in a minute, guys. The food should be here shortly.”
“Alright,” Nick muttered, shaking his head.
What in the heck was going on with Rand, Jack wondered? Although it hadn’t seemed to interfere with their sightseeing, and everyone was having a great time, Rand was constantly disappearing, and Nick had noticed it too.
The redhead Rand had approached was now standing. Leaving her two friends at the bar sipping drinks, she headed outside through the same doors Rand had just walked through, exiting the restaurant onto the oceanfront patio.
As Jack sipped his beer, he watched as the pretty girl with the ash brown hair strolled with her friend toward a table that had just become available.
After the two of them sat at the table, he caught her looking his way.
Jack held his breath again, because she was even more appealing close up.
Something in the way she inhaled a deep breath made him wonder if she was checking him out too.
Although she avoided his eyes, Jack continued watching her while he rambled a few facts to Nick about some of the last few places they were planning on visiting today.
And then the food arrived, and the two of them began eating.
Jack's Blind Date Debacle (Hot Hunks Steamy Romance Book 8) Page 1