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Monday, November 26, 2012

Not Quite Dating by Catherine Bybee





Not Quite Dating
By Catherine Bybee
Not Quite Series Book One

Publisher Montlake
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Book Description:

Waitress and single mom Jessica “Jessie” Mann is practical to a fault. Even if she had time to date, which she doesn’t, she’d be determined to provide her son with a more secure upbringing than the one she had—and that would mean a husband with big bucks. When Jack Morrison—a sexy-as-sin, seemingly broke customer with a cowboy hat and a seductive grin—tries to flirt with her, she shoots him down. She doubts a carefree dreamer like Jack can provide the financial stability she needs. Yet with Christmas just weeks away, and Jessie not wanting to spend it alone, the charming Texan is proving hard to resist.

As the heir to the Morrison luxury hotel empire, Jack is used to being fawned over. But Jack needs someone who will fall in love with him—not his wealth. He’s set his sights on Jessie, though her hardened heart just might get in the way…To be sure, he conceals his true identity and offers to help Jessie find the rich husband she seeks. But Jack’s daring charade may rob him of the holiday wish he wants most of all…



About the Author:
New York Times bestselling author Catherine Bybee was raised in Washington State, but after graduating high school, she moved to Southern California in hopes of becoming a movie star. After growing bored with waiting tables, she returned to school and became a registered nurse, spending most of her career in urban emergency rooms. She now writes full-time and has penned the novels Wife by Wednesday and Married by Monday. Bybee lives with her husband and two teenage sons in Southern California.


Interview:

I love the idea of Not Quite Dating, how did you come up with the idea?

How many songs are there about couples who are friends and not lovers? I thought it would be a nice change to have one party (Jack) pursue a woman (Jessie) who made it perfectly clear that she wanted nothing to do with dating him. 

The Not Quite series is all about the image of what isn't Quite as it seams. 

How did you know you would become a writer? 

I had to write. It really wasn't a choice... I'd come home from long 12 hour shifts in the ER and need to decompress. I'd think of the happiest things there were in life and start to write. Funny... it wasn't until my ER career was behind me that I worked hard to finish that first book. Then it was all over. I finish nearly every story I start.  


I see you once worked as a waitress, did you use any of your own experiences as a waitress in the story?

Oh, that's a funny question considering Jessie is a waitress at Denny's. And yeah, I worked as a waitress at Denny's. Graveyard shift. I can't tell you how much that sucked. But you do what you have to do to pay the bills sometimes. 
My readers will find waitresses and nurses in my stories. Mother's and sisters... all of which I am. There are plenty of my books that have heroines who are nothing like me, but why re-invent the wheel? I write about what I know... and I write what about I want to learn. 

In my paranormal werewolf story, Embracing the Wolf... the heroine starts working in a Denny's where a hold up occurs.  I remember one night when a masked man walked into our restaurant and pulled the register off the counter and ran out the door. Yeah... I use my own experiences in my stories. I have a lot to share. 


Review:

4 Stars

No matter how hard she tries Jessica “Jessie” Mann can’t quite get ahead, with her young son at home it seems every dollar she makes comes with another debt owed or something needing repaired.  Jack Morrison is on a weekend long bachelor party when he meets his waitress Jessie at the Denny’s they are eating at.  Although Jack turns on the charm, Jessie makes her intentions clear, not going to happen. 

Jack is not used to a woman fawning all over him, but Jessie thinks he is a dreamer scratching two pennies together like herself.  Jessie is not looking for love, she is looking for stability and the persona Jack is pretending to be has her conflicted.  She is falling for Jack, but she doesn’t want to be his regret in the future.  The problem is Jack is a billionaire and kept his wealth and stability hidden from Jessie hoping for a chance of her falling in love with him as the man he is, not what he has.

Wonderful story, Jack regrets starting with the little white lies and plans to come clean but every time he is in Jessie’s company he finds himself falling harder and unable to resist her simplest touches.  Reminded me of a modern day Cinderella story but with a twist. Excellent read.


Tour wide giveaway
Amazon Gift Card $20.00
2 Amazon Gift Cards $10.00
2 Amazon Gift Cards $5.00



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