Author: Jane
Matisse
Title: Belleza and the
Brute
Release Date: April 28,
2018
Publisher: Hot Tree Publishing
Cover
Designer: Soxsational Cover Art
Available
now!
Amazon
US: https://amzn.to/2qi0mWM
All other
links: books2read.com/belleza
When two lost souls are
brought together in an unlikely circumstance, it’ll take more to scare this
feisty beauty away from a domineering beast. A story of love, loss, and
learning to accept when life gives you a second
chance.
Elena Salazar has taken care of her
gambling-addicted brother since her parents’ death. When he calls her late one
night asking for help, she’s thrown into Tristan Mercier’s life and is at his
mercy. Unable to pay her brother’s debt, a contract is signed: she will live
and work for Tristan for six months while her brother is sent to
rehab.
Tristan Mercier is scarred, both physically
and emotionally. He lost his happily ever after five years earlier in a fire
that nearly took his life. He’s broken and bitter, but with Elena’s arrival,
things are changing, and the feelings he thought long buried begin to
resurface.
Can this brute open his heart to give his
belleza a chance?
Something about the way her plump lips stayed open in wonder
held him mesmerized. He cleared his throat. “Yes, it is. You know John William
Waterhouse’s work?”
Elena answered without taking her eyes off the painting.
“Not really. It’s just his rendition of La Belle Dame
Sans Merci is my favorite.”
“So, you’re an art
aficionado?”
“No, I just like to read. A lot. Keats is my favorite poet,
and La Belle is my favorite poem of his. The paintings are just a
plus.”
Tristan nodded. If he thought he was a little curious about
Elena before, now he wanted to know her life story. Clearing his throat, he
pushed a packet before her.
The
contract.
“This contract pretty much states that while your brother is
off in rehab, you will be living and working with me. Now, this is only temporary,
but if after the time frame you would like to continue to work for me, it could
be arranged. Six months is the initial requirement. This work doesn’t in any
way, shape, or form signify… sexual services.” Heat rose to his face. Why he
felt like a green boy, he didn’t know. It wasn’t like he was a monk for
Christ’s sake. When he was in the mood, there was always a woman available for
his pleasure. Did he feel empty afterward? Yes, but that didn’t stop him. He
was a red-blooded man after all.
“This says a period of six months,” Elena replied, her face
slightly flushed.
“Yes.
Six months, granted that your brother recuperates within that time
frame.”
“That
seems a bit long doesn’t it?”
“It gives both you and Adam time to get your life on track.”
There was a silence long enough that Tristan began to think
she would reject the offer. And there was a little part of him that wished she
wouldn’t. “I accept.”
Tristan handed her a pen, and she tentatively reached for it,
her hand brushing against his in the process. He found himself marveling at the
electric current running through his veins in response to the touch. She signed
her name on the dotted line. “Very well, then. We are in agreement. Now, you
may go get yourself comfortable in your new bedroom. Paola will show you,” he
said, standing from his chair and walking toward the
door.
“When will I start working?” Elena asked as she followed
him.
“Monday. In the meantime, get settled in, take a couple days
to familiarize yourself with the house. You will be here for six months.”
Tristan waited next to the entrance as Elena took her leave.
He caught the scent of lavender as she passed him, and it took all his
willpower not to plant his nose in her hair and inhale her
scent.
He swallowed a few times before speaking. “Breakfast will be
served in the dining room within the hour if you care to eat,” he said gruffly.
“If you need anything from me, I’ll be here in the
office.”
“You’re not eating?” she asked, turning to look at
him.
He shook his head. “Too much work I need to take care of. You
enjoy.”
Elena nodded and left without another
word.
Tristan watched her as she climbed up the steps with Paola
following right behind. Her beautiful long brown hair swayed with each step she
took. He was planted in one spot, unable to tear his eyes away. Then Paola
turned to look at him and winked!
Available
now!
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2qi0mWM
All other links: books2read.com/belleza
Jane Matisse is a professional introvert
who began reading romance novels at the age of thirteen. She graduated with a
BA in English Literature in 2014 and has been working hard ever since to put
her degree to good use. Although it took her two years to finally finish her
very first rough draft, she is thrilled to be releasing her debut The Blogger
and the Hunk soon.
Matisse loves all things Jane Austen, will
choose tea over coffee any day, is a Phantom of the Opera aficionado, and has
been an avid book blogger since 2013. She currently lives in SoCal with her
family and three fur babies: Max, Thumper, and Percy.
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