Welcome to EskieMama Reads Midweek Spotlight!
Today we are spotlight N.D. Jackson's
Mint Juleps & Moonlight Melodies
Enter to win e-copies of books 1& 2 in the Rebel Girlz series
Sweet Tea & Tattoo Ink Mint Juleps & Moonlight Melodies
Book 2 in the Rebel Girlz Romance
Mint Juleps & Moonlight Melodies
She was ready to become her own woman…
Passion. It’s the one thing Marilyn’s life has been missing all the years. After two years of mediocre sex, she gets up in the middle of the act and ends her relationship with the golden boy everyone thought she would marry. Now one year later she’s ready to pursue her own dreams. And her own passions.
When her cousin Dixie proposes a summer in New Orleans to work on their goals away from parental expectations, Marilyn eagerly agrees.
He wasn’t ready for the bombshell girl next door…
Zack likes his life just the way it is, especially now that his band books enough gigs to pay the bills. When he needs an itched scratched there’s no end to willing participants, but he hadn’t counted on the southern belle next door or those miles of smooth legs on display in the itty bitty shorts she favored.
When she approaches him in that shy way of hers asking for lessons on passions, he thought she was crazy. Then he thought she was the best damn thing that ever happened to him.
Neither of them were ready for what happens when they’re together.
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Q & A with N.D. Jackson about Mint Juleps & Moonlight Melodies!
It’s the second book in my Rebel Girlz series, about three cousins from Georgia who are striking out on their own for the summer, pursuing their art instead of the path their families set out. This is Marilyn’s story, she’s the shy peacemaking cousin who doesn’t know how beautiful or passionate she is, until a smokin’ hot musician shows her.
What initially inspired you to write Mint Juleps & Moonlight Melodies?
As soon as I introduced Zack in Sweet Tea & Tattoo Ink I knew he had to be the one to tear down Marilyn’s walls. He just exuded sex appeal but I wanted him to be a genuinely nice guy--not a bad boy or alpha--but not a boring pushover. Then as I got to know Marilyn, I just knew how the story would unfold.
Tell us little about the characters Mint Juleps & Moonlight Melodies.
Marilyn is an aspiring writer--romance of course!--only her scenes fall short. She thinks she’s passion-less and needs to find her passion to become a better writer. Her mother is an artist and the most supportive of the moms, but she’s a lot to live up to.
As soon as I introduced Zack in Sweet Tea & Tattoo Ink I knew he had to be the one to tear down Marilyn’s walls. He just exuded sex appeal but I wanted him to be a genuinely nice guy--not a bad boy or alpha--but not a boring pushover. Then as I got to know Marilyn, I just knew how the story would unfold.
Tell us little about the characters Mint Juleps & Moonlight Melodies.
Marilyn is an aspiring writer--romance of course!--only her scenes fall short. She thinks she’s passion-less and needs to find her passion to become a better writer. Her mother is an artist and the most supportive of the moms, but she’s a lot to live up to.
Zack is the super hot boy next door, New Orleans born and bred with a sexy accent. He’s a singer, songwriter and guitarist and his life is fine, except his band hasn’t hit it big yet. That’s his goal and he works hard at it.
What was the hardest part of writing Mint Juleps & Moonlight Melodies?
I’d have to say the length. I wanted this to be a fun summer series so I wanted it short and sweet, but this is my first novella series. Getting enough detail to tell the story without going overboard was hard...but I think I’ve got the swing of it now!
What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why?
I really enjoyed the scenes where they were out doing their activities so she could just enjoy being in the moment and experiencing different types of passion. I think my top pick though, is the dark restaurant. It laughed while I wrote it and maybe even dabbed my brow.
What are your future project(s)?
Right now I’m finishing up Rebel Girlz 3, which I still don’t have a title for yet. I am also working on my fourth Mustang Prairie novel, tentatively titled It Must Be Love. I’m gearing up to start a new series that takes place in a town close to Mustang Prairie. :)
Is there anything else you would like to tell the readers about this book/series?
I’m working on a playlist for this book, which I will post on my website, and if you love video games you’ll love Rebel Girls #3. Plus if you love cocktails check out all the cocktails found in each novel!
What was the hardest part of writing Mint Juleps & Moonlight Melodies?
I’d have to say the length. I wanted this to be a fun summer series so I wanted it short and sweet, but this is my first novella series. Getting enough detail to tell the story without going overboard was hard...but I think I’ve got the swing of it now!
What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why?
I really enjoyed the scenes where they were out doing their activities so she could just enjoy being in the moment and experiencing different types of passion. I think my top pick though, is the dark restaurant. It laughed while I wrote it and maybe even dabbed my brow.
What are your future project(s)?
Right now I’m finishing up Rebel Girlz 3, which I still don’t have a title for yet. I am also working on my fourth Mustang Prairie novel, tentatively titled It Must Be Love. I’m gearing up to start a new series that takes place in a town close to Mustang Prairie. :)
Is there anything else you would like to tell the readers about this book/series?
I’m working on a playlist for this book, which I will post on my website, and if you love video games you’ll love Rebel Girls #3. Plus if you love cocktails check out all the cocktails found in each novel!
Now an exciting excerpt from Mint Juleps & Moonlight Melodies!
“Oh holy hell! That man is the most delicious thing I’ve ever laid eyes on,” she leaned over and whispered to Pepper after the quick meeting with the lead singer who oozed sex appeal. He was gorgeous with his shiny ebony hair that had grown so long it wisped out on the sides, framing his chiseled face. His smile was the perfect showcase for that wide mouth with thick lips that always seemed to be smiling, and violet eyes that dared you to resist his charm. His good looks.
“Yeah we could totally tell by the way you ogled him a few minutes ago,” Pepper deadpanned but was unable to hide the smirk she wore. “He is hot, but Marilyn I’ve never seen you so obvious in your appreciation before.”
She shrugged and sipped her Sex on the Beach. The cocktail was an attempt to infuse her life with passion at every turn. Even cocktails. “I’ve never seen a man that instantly made my thoughts turn to sex. Have you?”
Pepper sighed with a smile. “Not one I could have. But I’m not opposed.”
That brought a knowing smile to Marilyn’s face. The man was hotter than hot and charming enough for ten men. But now, as he took the stage, she knew he was so much more than a pretty face. This man was a panty dropper and she couldn’t take her eyes off him. Maybe it was the fact that it had been a year since she’d had sex with anyone other than her vibrator or maybe it was watching the way Dixie and Taz were going at it like teenagers on the dance floor. Maybe it was just him. Zack.
He took the stage in dark wash jeans that gripped his lean thighs like they couldn’t stand to be away from him and a white Ramones t-shirt that hugged his biceps and clung to the defined muscles of his abdomen. And then he began to sing. Sweet heavens that voice! Zack cradled the microphone and began to sing like the words were fighting to break free of his soul. When he sang, the muscles and chords in his throat pulsed in the way her mind imagined other things might pulse, and that forearm muscle that jumped every time he strummed that black and yellow guitar, well it brought to mind him strumming other, more feminine parts of her. Marilyn was literally enthralled by him, his voice. His performance. She heard nothing but him for thirty five, maybe forty, minutes straight as she swayed to the music with her eyes closed, feeling the visceral emotions of every line. Her only distraction the seemingly always full drink in front of her. The alcohol heated her blood and his lyrics and sultry voice began a slow simmering fire deep in her belly.
When the set was over she clapped wildly and send up what her mother would call a completely unladylike whistle. Drink finished, she requested a bottle of water with her next round and stood to stretch her legs.
“Don’t look now, but lover boy is coming this way and I’m off to the ladies’ room.” Pepper smiled and took off quickly as the gorgeous singer approached.
Before she could protest her desertion, Zack was there with a smile wiping sweat from his brow. “This seat taken?”
“It is now,” she gestured to the chair next to her and smiled. Tone it down girl. No use getting all hot and bothered over a man so hot. “So, you were pretty great up there.”
His mouth kicked up in that lazily seductive way charming men have. “Thank you, darlin’. That means a lot.”
When the waitress set her drinks down she took a sip of water and slid the bottle to Zack. “Did you write the songs?”
He nodded, lifting the bottle in thanks. “The music too. Are you a music fan or a…?”
“Groupie,” she finished for him. “Hardly. I am a writer and I appreciate the passion, the depth of emotion in your lyrics.” Goodness, sound a little more desperate why don’tcha? “You’re very talented.”
He smiled again but this smile was different, she thought watching him lick a stray drop of water off his bottom lip. “That means a lot, especially coming from a writer. Thanks for the water,” he stood and smiled before leaning down to whisper in her ear. “I just write what I feel.”
Then she watched the way those dark jeans cupped his perfect backside as hopped back up on the stage. I’ve got a lust crush. She could admit it to herself that she was seriously lusting after the man because there was no harm in it. But when Zack began to sing a sexy blues ballad about one hot night of hard drinking and more with a green eyed devil, Marilyn knew she was in a heap of trouble.
Nothing said bad decisions like lusting after a man with a golden voice, magic fingers and a heavenly body. The second set flew by and the next thing Marilyn knew, their tiny table was filled with people. “You totally ad-libbed that first song just to screw with me,” she whisper shouted into his ear.
Zack laughed and lifted one shoulder. “Maybe. Or maybe I just liked the new version better.” His gaze caressed her already overheated body, making her nipples pucker embarrassingly beneath the silk. “There’s a hidden depth to you Marilyn. Most people don’t see it, you’re probably not even aware of it, but I like it. And I’m intrigued.”
“Should I be flattered?”
“Darlin’ you should be terrified.”
EskieMama Reads was priviledged to receive a copy of Mint Juleps & Melodies by N.D. Jackson. Here is Jara's review of Mint Juleps & Moonlight Melodies! Thank you N.D for the opportunity to read & review Mint Juleps & Moonlight Melodies!
5 Stars
This was a story that drew my attention, a beautiful and well writen story. A woman leaving home to find herself, to find passion and adventure. Moving from her so so boyfriend against her Mother's wishes and leaving home to find herself. Moving to New Orleans after being basically disowned by her Mother.
Marilyn succeeded beyond her wildest dreams when she met Zack, both of them pushed their boundaries and ended up, well you will have to read it, can't say much more as I do not want to destroy anyones reading of the book.
Marilyn succeeded beyond her wildest dreams when she met Zack, both of them pushed their boundaries and ended up, well you will have to read it, can't say much more as I do not want to destroy anyones reading of the book.
Mint Julep & Moonlight Melodies Giveaway!
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