Kindle Edition Download to your Nook (eBook) Download from Apple iTunes (eBook) Download from Smashwords (eBook) Amazon Robin Van Auken Books Amazon iTunes Category:  Romance Publisher: Robin Van Auken ISBN-10:  0615698042 Type: Fiction Pages: 244 Copyright: Jan 18, 2011 ISBN-13: 9780615698045 Price: $2.99 (eBook) When the “Sexiest Man Alive” reneges on his book contract, no-nonsense editor Erin Andersen is sent to rein in Stephen Spence. Disdain gives way to desire after a few weeks alone with Spence. And, to her dismay, Erin discovers that distraction is contagious. Before the book deal slips away, Erin has to decide between her career and her heart. Whatever she decides, she might lose both. When the “Sexiest Man Alive” reneges on his book contract, no-nonsense editor Erin Andersen is sent to rein him in. She heads to the Outerbanks to confront Stephen Spence. Spence doesn’t have writer’s block. His problem is something worse. He enjoys life too much to slow down and work on a book whenever wanted. Erin tags along on his adventures to avoid losing the assignment. Disdain gives way to desire after a few weeks alone with Spence. And, to her dismay, Erin discovers that distraction is contagious.  Before the book deal slips away, Erin has to decide between her career and her heart. Whatever she decides, she might lose both.        Excerpt Erin fidgeted in the pin-striped chair. The "two-minute" wait promised by the receptionist stretched into ten. She glanced at the magazines spread on the side table. Shuffling through the pile, she found a new copy of "Them" magazine, a slick tabloid specializing in the latest scandals and love interests of the stars. The headlines hyped the latest gossip about feuding politicians and love-struck actors. In the feature photo, a man and woman ducked their heads to avoid the paparazzi as they walked on a pier in a tropical locale. The man wore sunglasses, a pair of baggy shorts and sandals. Hmmm, nice abs, she thought. The woman looked familiar. An actress, maybe? She wore a pink bikini with a black sarong knotted at her slim, tanned hip. Erin glanced out the large window at Washington's overcast skyline and shivered. Smog and low clouds obscured the Capitol dome. Spring and the Cherry Blossom Festival couldn't come soon enough. She flipped through the magazine. Advertisements dominated the first ten pages, and then she came to the cover feature: The Island Couple. Most of the photos showed only the hunk. In one, he stood at the wheel of speed boat, shirtless, sunglasses on again, his dark wavy hair whipping in the wind. In another, he strummed a guitar at a beach bonfire. "Like what you see?" Erin dropped the magazine and stood. "Patricia. How are you?" "Fine. Have a seat, Erin." Patricia McDowell slid behind her massive desk. An imperious veteran of the publishing trenches for more than thirty years, Patricia operated a company that churned out quality non-fiction. Her keen business sense resulted in books that dominated the top of the New York Times bestselling list. Patricia valued Erin’s efficiency, which paled in comparison to her charm and persistence. She discovered Erin succeeded in moving manuscripts through the system, from stalled authors’ desks to the production department, more often through guile and wile, when experienced editors failed. Erin's easy-going personality put many shy and introverted scholars at ease as she helped them complete their books on schedule. Patricia couldn't care less if the girl recognized a split infinitive or a dangling participle. She employed plenty of grammarians. She wanted results and Erin delivered. "Nice-looking man, isn't he?" Patricia lifted her chin towards the discarded tabloid. "George Clooney? He's still yummy." "No. The man on the cover." "I didn't notice," Erin said. She picked up the magazine, thumbing through the pages until she found the beach photo spread again. "He's okay, I guess. Who wouldn't be with that kind of money? How much do you think that speedboat cost?" "I'm not sure, but the sailboat cost at least half a million. I know. I bought it for him." "What? You're kidding me. You know this guy?" The magazine slipped through her fingers. "That, my dear, is your next assignment. The boat was an advance on his forthcoming book." Patricia smiled at Erin's disbelief. "Yes, he's that important, but he's a bit lackadaisical. He's missed several deadlines and his first chapter was due last month." Patricia leaned back into her leather chair and arched a silver eyebrow. "I cannot tolerate that. I need you on the project immediately." "Is he local?" Erin picked up the magazine, flipped to the feature article and this time looked closer at the photographs. "No. You'll have to travel for this one," Patricia said. Noting Erin's frown, she added, "He lives in North Carolina. Just a few hours away." Erin chewed her lip. She preferred to work with professors, not playboys, especially those living near the Washington Beltway. She lived in Dupont Circle, near the fashionable northwest section of the city, but not as costly. Still, living in the capital was expensive and she could not afford to turn down a job. "Can you leave right away?" Erin fumbled through her jacket pocket and pulled out her mobile phone. Flipping through its digital calendar, she scanned the months of April and May. Nothing she couldn't reschedule. "Yes. Do you have a dossier on this guy? What does he do?" Patricia paused. "I'm sorry, no bio unless you count the 'Sexiest Man in America' feature in 'Them.' He's an artist and you won't believe what they're paying for his paintings. Your job is to make sure he finishes this book. Hell, I need you to make sure he begins it. I envision a book that can be used in a university setting by art students, and still entertain the layperson. He's an exciting talent. It's imperative we publish the book while he's still on top. An illustrated autobiography by Stephen Spence will sell very well." "What's his name? Stephen Spence?" Erin echoed. "Have you heard of him?" "I'm not sure. I'll have to do some research. I guess these magazines are the best place to begin," Erin said, dropping the tabloid on the table. "The paparazzi like to follow him. Who are the women?" "Who knows? He's seldom seen with the same one twice. He doesn't appear to be lonely, does he?" Erin heaved a sigh. "Men like him seldom are." * * * Not sure how long the project would last, Erin over packed. She decided to keep her appearance professional and maintain a dressy-casual style for work. To her traditional "librarian garb," she added a new cocktail dress. She also packed cotton tops and shorts since spring came earlier in the Carolinas. Stephen Spence lived by the Atlantic Ocean, so she could beach comb, maybe swim during her free time. She tossed an assortment of undergarments, and her bathing suit into the mix. Next, she went through the medicine cabinet and the shower, dumping products into a water-proof tote. Aidan leaned against the bathroom door, eating a protein bar. "Hey, what's going on?" Erin's ex-husband, Aidan Carter, was a full-time university student, working on his Ph.D. Their marriage ended when she discovered his love affair with another student. During the year it took for their divorce to finalize, her rage and anguish at his betrayal faded. Erin allowed him back into her life, but as her childhood friend, not a husband. Erin agreed to be roommates, at least while Aidan finished his doctoral degree. A poor college student, he couldn’t afford his own apartment in D.C., so he used the spare bedroom. He paid rent, when he could, and bartered cleaning and cooking services when he couldn’t. Sometimes, though, Aidan forgot they were "roommates" and poked his nose into her business. "I have an assignment. I'll be gone for at least a month, I imagine," Erin said. "What's the assignment?" "I'm going to North Carolina. Patricia has a client who can't meet his deadlines. I have to go down there and crack the whip." "Who is this client and how old is he?" "Jealous?" she asked. "Maybe," he said. "Well, don't be. It's work," Erin said, relieved she hadn't brought home the magazine with photos of Stephen Spence. "Besides, you have your life and I have mine. Remember?" "I remember, but I care about you," he said. Then he glanced into her suitcase and noticed the mass of frilly underwear and the bathing suit. "Looks more like a vacation to me," he said, a frown creasing his forehead. Erin closed her suitcase and zipped the flap, suppressing a grin. What would Aidan say about her spending the next month at the beach with a handsome and rich playboy? "Well, it's not."

A Cute Romance
A Cute Romance, January 28, 2011
By Ruth Ann Nordin "Historical Romance Author" (Springfield, NE USA)
This review is from: Distracted (Kindle Edition)

This was a cute romance. Erin is supposed to help Stephen hurry up and get his book done, which turns out to be an impossible task. Stephen's tendency to put things off and enjoy life is cute and funny, but in real life, this guy would annoy me to no end. (And I'm laughing as I write that.) He's hard to commit to anything. Now, like I said, in fiction, this is funny, and since it's fiction, it works. And Erin has to be relaxed enough to roll along with it.

So instead of doing the book he's supposed to, he talks her into traveling on his boat, eating out, and having sex. I didn't think there would be sex in this book because on Smashwords, it's not labeled as being for mature readers, though to be fair, 'sexy' is in the keywords. It's just that I've seen some clean romances labeled as sexy and assumed there was a lot of kissing and maybe some necking going on, which is what I'm used to finding. The only reason I bring this up in the review is to let the reader know I think this is a book for a mature audience. I don't have a problem with sex but I know some people would rather not read it.

Overall, it was a fun read with lots of great humor because Stephen has a certain charm about him that is hard to resist. And surprisingly, he is able to bring in a good income. I couldn't imagine how because of the way he procrastinates, but the author explains it so I won't give that one away.

Thoroughly enjoyable
Thoroughly enjoyable, January 22, 2011
By Lucinda J. Knier
This review is from: Distracted (Kindle Edition)

Madeline Sloane brings romance to the table with her first book! "Distracted" is cleverly written; the dialogue is well-delivered, easily readable and certainly enjoyable. I like how Ms. Sloane changed locales throughout the book as well, giving a diverse look into different regions of the eastern coast, including rural north central Pennsylvania. Additionally, the intimate knowledge of boats Ms. Sloane wrote about made it easy for me to envision being on board and watching the romance play out before my eyes.

I think what was most enjoyable was that Ms. Sloane didn't "dumb down" the story; her style is refreshing, tantalizing, and current. I'll be looking forward to her next release!

Loved it!!!!!
I loved it took me 2 days to read it and never put it down good chemestry between Erin and Spence!!!! It felt as if the romance never stopped between them and by the end Adin got in the way but Erin & Adin went there sepret ways. I had a feeling that when she git an R.S.V.P for the art show Spence had to be in it. I loved how the love between them grew at the middle and didn't stop. Just because he was a Playboy artist he didnt stop loving her and nither did she stop loving him.
(Anonymous, Posted December 11, 2011 on B&N)