He could be her best worst decision…
With a glass of wine in hand, Jane Keegan’s finger is poised to delete the account her pushy BFF created for her on “The Cowboys” escort service website. Sure, she’s lonely, but not desperate. Then an image of sky-blue eyes and warm, tanned muscles jumps off the screen. And she finds herself hitting the “Book Now” button.
After all, why not? She’s a free, divorced woman on business in San Antonio. There’s nothing to lose…except her nerve. Especially when Mr. Tall Dark And Incredibly Sexy meets her at a River Walk bar—and his only-for-you smile turns her insides into a quivering mass of second thoughts.
Ryan Zeigler is enduring one last escort assignment as a favor before hanging up his Cowboys hat to run his own restaurant. Yet there’s something about the pretty New Yorker’s vulnerable grin and I’ve-got-baggage eyes that halts his usual dating M.O. in its tracks.
When Ryan sweetens the deal—no strings, no payment expected—Jane the good girl takes the bold step of letting her vixen out to play. But when it’s time to go home, her heart is at a crossroads. Is Ryan the real deal? Or is she letting yet another man take her heart for a ride?
Excerpt:
Ryan eased her body against his car. Warmth from the metal of the door seeped through her thin skirt, doing nothing to cool down her heated skin. “You’re sexy, intelligent, and a hell of a lot of fun, and it’s taking every ounce of self-control for me to not kiss you, right here and now,” he said, his voice low and silky.
The air slipped from Jane’s lungs. She searched his face, wondering if he meant the words as a joke. She tried to look away, but his body was so close to hers that he dominated her field of vision, from the white shirt stretched over his broad shoulder, with a smattering of dark hair peeking from his unbuttoned collar, to his stubbled jaw and his full lips.
God, those lips. She needed him to kiss her more than she needed to draw a fresh breath of air into her lungs. But what if she wasn’t good at it? She hadn’t kissed any man other than Nick in … how long? Almost twenty years?
“Querida.” He hooked his thumb under her chin, challenging her to meet his gaze.
“I love when you say that,” she whispered.
“Querida,” he repeated slower and trailed his fingers up her cheek and threaded them through her hair to the nape of her neck, pulling her closer.
She froze.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, capturing her stare.
“It’s just…” Truth seemed to be her only option. “This is embarrassing to admit, but I haven’t kissed anyone else in a very long time.”
“It’s just like riding a bicycle.”
“That’s easy for you to say.”
“And it’ll be easy for you to do, especially with those lips.” The palm of his free hand cupped her face, and he traced her bottom lip with his thumb. “Like I said, I’ve wanted to kiss you all night. Actually, all day and all night.”
Everything became dark as Ryan leaned in closer. His intoxicating scent overpowered Jane’s senses as his lips brushed hers, feather-soft, as if he was testing her. She opened her mouth just a little as a slow heat blanketed her body.
“Just like a bicycle,” he repeated and reclaimed her lips.
As if they knew exactly where to go, her hands snaked around his back, locking her body into his embrace. She whimpered into his mouth as his tongue began a leisurely exploration of her mouth.
Holy crap. Not only had it been a long time since she kissed someone else, it had been a very long time, maybe never, since someone had kissed her like that.
After a minute, Ryan pulled away but kept his hand on her chin. “Well, was it?” he murmured.
Jane’s eyes were still closed as she savored the kiss. “Was it what?” she asked, wishing time would stop so that they could remain leaning against his car on this quiet street forever.
“Was it just like riding a bike?”
She smiled. “I’m not sure. I think you’d better try it again so I can take off the training wheels.”
Fire and Midnight is a romantic and sweet story, this is what a love story is about. I love Jane and Ryan together. It was hard to put the book down, I highly recommend this book. I look forward to more books by Ms. Appet. Review copy was received for an honest opinion.
Appet has written a gem of a novel with wonderful plotting and well rounded characters. I enjoyed the interesting trope and the genuine characters. I highly recommend this book to fans of the contemporary romance genre. I voluntarily read and reviewed a complementary copy of this book.
I voluntarily reviewed a complementary copy from the author with no obligation. I haven't read any of this author's work before, but I loved this book. The story flowed nicely, and I was drawn to the characters from the word go. They were like real people facing real problems and real life situations. It was a really great read that had me not wanting to put the book down or for the story to end.
WOW! My new book boyfriend’s name is Ryan “Reyo” Zeigler. Half Mexican, half German, beautiful, sexy, smart and loving. This story has everything I want in a romance! FIRE AND MIDNIGHT by Sandra Renee Appet is a beautifully written contemporary romance about a divorcee who is all work now that she has an empty nest and she believes her time for love has passed her by and a gorgeous ex-escort who was very successful, but only did the job for the money to realize his dream of his own restaurant. Janes Keegan’s divorce is final and her son is off to college. When she has to take a trip to San Antonio from NY for business, her BFF informs her she set her up with an account on “The Cowboys”, an exclusive, high-end escort service. She is not comfortable with this idea and is about to delete her account when she views a blue-eyed, dark haired arresting man and she presses “Book”. Ryan “Reyo” Ziegler’s dream has always been to open his own restaurant on the San Antonio River Walk. He has stripped and then been an escort, always working towards his dream and now that Vine is open and doing well he is done with that empty life. He told his old boss he was done, but she left his profile up and she now asks him to do this one last job. He is intrigued by Jane’s picture and bio and agrees to this last escort. When Jane and Ryan meet in person, there is an instant attraction, but also the feeling of being comfortable with each other. Ryan doesn’t want Jane to think he is only interested in the money and makes a deal with her - no strings, a fun relaxing weekend and her payment refunded. When their weekend is up, Ryan wants to continue to see where their relationship will go. Jane has to decide if she truly believes Ryan wants her or if this is just a beautiful dream that has to end. This romance had my emotions all over the place. Ryan is a hot, sexy hero, who is everything a woman could want and Jane has all the insecurities and strengths of a middle aged divorcee trying to put herself first for a change. Ms. Appet brings this H/h to life with realistic situations, extended family and friends, and a love that survives and strengthens with every trial. This is a beautiful romance! Written for and posted first on The Romance Reviews.com.
Wow what a feel good story. Jane so to turn 40 recently divorced with a son in collage thought she would be alone for the rest of her life.She had her career to keep her busy. Then on business she takes a trip to Texas. Her best friend set her up with an escort service The Cowboys out of Texas. She doesn't want to go through with it but she thinks she will just meet him and cancel. Then She meets 31 year old Ryan with a hot bod and the bluest blue eyes. They have a connection, can they see where it will go. She lives in NY and he in Austin. Can they work it out?. This is a must read it pulls you in with it's story and won't let you go, it was a feel good, warm read. A true love story. I received this as an ARC and voluntarily reviewed it. I was pleasantly surprised.
"Come with me. Please." She stared into his blue eyes and forgot every reason why she should say no. She forgot that she was getting far too attached to the man before her, this sexy man with eyes the color of a calm Caribbean ocean." Not typically one to read a book in third person POV, this was surprisingly smooth in text. I found that it read more like a first person/dual POV and therefore giving a sense of self and realism as I turned each page. Truly, I got lost in this book. It was one of those stories where as soon as I started reading, the world around me just melted away and all that I pictured was the words unfolding into a beautiful second-chance love story where a woman who thought she had nothing left to give the world around her finds she's more than she ever imagined...to the right man. "She's not even in your league." And if taken at face value, Jane Keegan is in a league all her own. "Confidence radiated from the woman in the mirror. After years of feeling not quite good enough, it was a rush to know she was not only good enough but was also wanted by a sexy-as-sin man who was willing to wait all night for her." Now, I can't discount Ryan Zeigler either...that man is exactly what every woman would want in a man. Forget the past, and the entire reason they met in the first place...Ryan is genuinely amazing and despite the age gap, he's mature and knows exactly what he wants. Jane. "I want you, and I want to be tied down to you. God, that sounds sexy. I want to make this work." He tipped his forehead to hers. "Will you try?" Huge kudos to Appet for her beautiful style and ability to make a book I was worried about reading (because third-person POV is dreadful) into a story that I will recommend to my friends. I look forward to reading more from her.
Super fun to read! I read it in one reading; I couldn't put it down.
Fire and Midnight is a story that draws the reader in from the moment the characters meet. Their chemistry is off the charts, and Ryan (aka Reyo) will leave you wishing he was actually real :)
Meddling best friends get their partners in crime into the most embarrassing and enjoyable situations. Copious glasses of wine, a pushy friend, and more than a bit of loneliness after her divorce, get Jane to try a Cowboy escort. Of course, she gets more than she bargained for from this unusual date and wraps up the year during the holiday season with more than one surprise! Ryan Zeigler is hot, mature, a successful businessman, and one of the most caring, family-loving men to come across many women’s path. With his Spanish background, he offers a charming mix of San Antonio to Jane’s palette, and her activities. The chemistry between him and Jane is sparking with electricity…and self-doubt. The sex scenes leave that doubt in the dirt 99% of the time to produce consensual, empowering scenes that feel intimate and personal rather than run of the mill. This partnership is made to last and its shown through each intentional, confidence-building move that Ryan makes. Jane, on the whole, is a woman who has seen better days in her personal life and her personal approach to life. She needs revitalising and to be shown how to enjoy life again. I love that Ryan is the man to electrify her into the woman she should be, but I hate that very often alcohol is behind her decisions. Often, she is very passive in the face of a fork in the road, and this smacks both of a lack of confidence, and of an old-fashioned approach to relationships. Of course, family and Jane’s pesky self-doubt as the older, divorced woman, puts a spanner in the works for the couple, which they must overcome long-distance. A tricky obstacle. This was where the book was lacking for me. The magical date scenes, the beauty of place and atmosphere in the getting-to-meet-you scenes were wonderful, truly immersive. The obstacles the couple must overcome are more run of the mill – predictable – and take a long time. The book could have been a good third shorter and still covered the ground it aimed to, while making the plot much more succinct and enjoyable. For me, the book wandered too much after the first major obstacle and became more of a tick the boxes approach to traditional romance: marriage, kids, family life, working life, and the white picket fence. I suspect much of my reluctance here is due to my experiences and age. I’m not an almost thirty woman looking to settle down and I’m not looking for that traditional passive, inexperienced female and super-experienced male sex king, relationship. That’s not my ideal and doesn’t chime with my values. For many others, Fire and Midnight will tick the boxes of their dream man and their dream life. Certainly, the locations of San Antonio and its River Walk are almost Venice-like in the beauty of the picture which is painted, and the loving relationship which is begun under its roofs. This place and lifestyle is what I fell in love with, and I’m sure many other readers will swoon at the chance to experience the lifestyle painted in the rivers, gondolas and eateries, all with splashes of Spanish charm.
WOW! My new book boyfriend's name is Ryan "Reyo" Zeigler. Half Mexican, half German, beautiful, sexy, smart and loving. This story has everything I want in a romance! FIRE AND MIDNIGHT by Sandra Renee Appet is a beautifully written contemporary romance about a divorcee who is all work now that she has an empty nest and she believes her time for love has passed her by and a gorgeous ex-escort who was very successful, but only did the job for the money to realize his dream of his own restaurant. Jane Keegan's divorce is final and her son is off to college. When she has to take a trip to San Antonio from NY for business, her BFF informs her she set her up with an account on "The Cowboys", an exclusive, high-end escort service. She is not comfortable with this idea and is about to delete her account when she views a blue-eyed, dark-haired arresting man and she presses "Book". Ryan "Reyo" Ziegler's dream has always been to open his own restaurant on the San Antonio River Walk. He has stripped and then been an escort, always working towards his dream and now that Vine is open and doing well, he is done with that empty life. He told his old boss he was done, but she left his profile up and she now asks him to do this one last job. He is intrigued by Jane's picture and bio and agrees to this last escort. When Jane and Ryan meet in person, there is an instant attraction, but also the feeling of being comfortable with each other. Ryan doesn't want Jane to think he is only interested in the money and makes a deal with her - no strings, a fun relaxing weekend and her payment refunded. When their weekend is up, Ryan wants to continue to see where their relationship will go. Jane has to decide if she truly believes Ryan wants her or if this is just a beautiful dream that has to end. This romance had my emotions all over the place. Ryan is a hot, sexy hero, who is everything a woman could want and Jane has all the insecurities and strengths of a middle-aged divorcee trying to put herself first for a change. Ms. Appet brings this H/h to life with realistic situations, extended family and friends, and a love that survives and strengthens with every trial. This is a beautiful romance! - See more at: http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooksreview.php?bookid=24154#sthash.hHGPiSpY.dpuf
This was my introduction to this author's work. Discovered her because of a local launch event. SO glad I made the last minute decision to attend! I couldn't put the book down! It was a lovely story, the characters felt very real and honest, and the way the author writes, I could picture all the beautiful and historic San Antonio scenery as if I had been there. I love when a book plays out in my head so visually. I was more than impressed with the writing style, and especially grateful it was well edited! I look forward to reading more from her!
Fire and Midnight was a great 5 star read. I was pulled in right from the beginning and couldn’t put it down. This is Ryan and Jane’s story. They meet when Jane’s best friend pushes her to find a date on an escort site, Ryan is the one she chooses. Ryan is working for the escort service to earn money for his dream of a restaurant. After their first date, fate steps in and they end up seeing each other again. They eventually start seeing each other and we read about their struggles with their relationship. Ryan was perfect for Jane, so romantic, hot and sexy. I had a little frustration with Jane but she eventually won me over. Beware that when you start you will not want to put it down. I really enjoyed this romance, it had a different storyline than I’m used to and loved it. Sandra really pulls you in with her writing. 1-click and get started today. Thank you! I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. Reviewed by MAustin from Alpha Book Club
This was a wonderful, romantic and extremely well written love story. Jane Keegan does something completely out of her comfort zone and ends up meeting Ryan Zeigler. Jane is an amazing character but I’ve got to tell you, Ryan stole my heart. I laughed with them, I smiled with them, I cried with them, I loved with them and there were even a few awww moments. There were ups and downs for this couple but I couldn’t help but cheer them on with every single page I turned. If you love a really excellent love story, then you must pick up Fire and Midnight. You will not be disappointed.
This story is right off the pages of your romantic heart. Girl meets guy. They realize their circumstances just don't fit. They have heart-stopping chemistry. But it's just going to get harder. Jane is newly divorced, has an empty nest and is need for some fun in her boring life. Ryan has decided his restaurant is going to survive on it's own, and puts his spurs away. No longer the "man for hire" he's moving forward in his life. Although it seems he's caring for others way more than he is caring about his. In walks Jane, one last chance for him to wear his spurs, but those don't even get a dance. Jane & Ryan hit it off the way we all wish our "first dates" hit it off. They decide mutually to have a fun weekend together. In San Antonio. On the Riverwalk. Hearts fly.
If you love romance, then you have to read this book! Jane is lonely but meets a sexy man on an escort service site. Ryan, the escort, is on his last ‘meeting’ because he’s opening up his own restaurant. But when Ryan meets Jane, things take a turn no one expected. This is straight up, well written romance that makes you sigh and smile as you read it. I love Jane, her past of divorce and her busy job. How’s a woman supposed to find love in such a crazy world? Ryan is in the escort service, you’d think that’d interest you enough to pick up this book, but he’s also trying to save up money for his restaurant. He’s more than just sex and it makes me love his character even more. This book is so charming. I love the setting, the characters and the romantic plot. Fire and Midnight is a must read if you love happily ever after’s.
a good read
Sexy and captivating. Jane and Ryan will sweep you away with their sweet romance. I gobbled up this story in less than a day. I couldn't put it down. This contemporary romance triumphantly delivered with a real life happily ever after twist that tugged at my heart and made me tear up with joy. Highly recommend it if you're looking for a feel-good love story that will leave you craving for more.
Jane is at a crossroads: work is going well, her son is in university and her apartment is empty. With newly signed divorce papers and an ex-husband that lost her trust and shattered her confidence, only her best friend Charlotte would be bold enough to push her into the abyss. The dating abyss: building a profile and setting up her profile on a website featuring male escorts, Charlotte pushed Jane to make one date during her upcoming business trip. Spotting Ryan on the site was the bonus, and a few glasses (or bottle –who’s counting) of wine later, and the plans were set. Ryan worked for The Cowboys site to build his own slush fund for his dream of a restaurant. Now refusing to take calls from the owner, he’s made The Vine a success, and isn’t interested in the lifestyle of an escort, even for an unbelievable amount of money. But, he agrees after seeing Jane’s photo – and we are off. These two are adorable together: with a touch of miscommunication and a healthy dose of interference from his sister and her ex-husband, their paths mightn’t have crossed again but for Jane’s return to celebrate a national deal for her client in the city. What was thought (on both sides) to be simple infatuation soon had them facing the real truth of love and forever. With a few instances of revelations for themselves and others, the story works a gentle path to happy ever after. Using family dynamics, a bit of tequila and more than a few instant (and incorrect) assumptions, there is plenty of bite in the story to keep you engaged, al while rooting for Jane. While she is often a bit too willing to assume blame for my tastes, this is balanced with Ryan’s take charge and logical side that provides a version of herself she never does see. Reinforced by the mea culpa from her ex-husband, a heart-to-heart with Ryan’s sister Maya and one wonderful nurse in the NICU, the growth and development of the characters moves nicely from beginning to end. I received an eArc copy of the title from the author for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
What do you get when you cross a charming and sexy male escort with a beautiful, lonely and newly divorced female? An addicting love story where you find yourself rooting for the two main characters to overcome obstacles and find love with each other! The two main characters, Ryan and Jane, were so sweet and like-able that I found myself laughing with them, crying with them, and just cheering them on, which made the book difficult to put down! Fire and Midnight is a sweet and romantic love story. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I am glad that I was given the opportunity to read Fire and Midnight. I hope others enjoy Ryan and Jane’s story as much as I did!
"Fire and Midnight is a delightful story full of characters you won't soon forget. I didn't want it to end!" —New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Evanovich
Jane is divorced and has a account on a escort service she about to delete but sees Ryan.. What happens, you get a novel that was hard to put down, waiting to see what happens to these two. I loved Ryan's characters so much, I loved Jane too. But Ryan swoon. During this book I am rooting for them. Wanting a hea. No spoilers tho. You'll have to read to find out. But great read keeps you into the story. Looking forward from more from Sandra.
What do you get when you cross a charming and sexy male escort with a beautiful, lonely and newly divorced female? An addicting love story where you find yourself rooting for the two main characters to overcome obstacles and find love with each other! The two main characters, Ryan and Jane, were so sweet and like-able that I found myself laughing with them, crying with them, and just cheering them on, which made the book difficult to put down! Fire and Midnight is a sweet and romantic love story. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I am glad that I was given the opportunity to read Fire and Midnight. I hope others enjoy Ryan and Jane’s story as much as I did!
Wow! This book is one you can't put down! It's a must read. With curve balls in every direction. You start the book off wondering how Ryan and Jane could make their relationship work. Both are so busy with their jobs in different states. There are many ups and downs but it seems to only make their love stronger. Then you begin to root for their relationship, their love. Root for them to make it work, make their families combine, make their lives intertwine. This is literally the man of your dreams. He is full of romance. He's sweet and only had eyes for Jane. He pampers her and surprises you at every turn. He's also full of sex appeal and steams up the pages. I feel like this is your ideal dream man. There are moments you'll never expect in F&M. This is the most beautiful, sweet, romantic book I've ever read. It keeps you on the edge of your seat wanting more and it definitely keeps a smile on your face. Love, love, love!
