Best Fake Day by Tracey Rogers

 

Blurb

Faking it never felt so good.
Wedding photographer and romance lover Izzy Latham dreams of finding her own happily-ever-after. When her former teenage crush arrives at her doorstep, looking sexier than ever, and asks to marry her, it should be her dream come true, right? Wrong. It turns out he doesn't want to actually marry her—he only wants to pretend to marry her.

Marriage hater Jack Carter will do anything to close his latest business deal, including finding a wife. The only person who can help him is his childhood friend, Izzy. Except Izzy isn't a little girl anymore. She's definitely all woman, and there's an attraction between them that's hard to ignore.

Jack has to convince Izzy to fake it, but the problem is that she hates to lie. However, she can't deny her feelings for him either. So when Jack makes her an offer she can't refuse, she reluctantly agrees to help him out.

Faking it is the easy part. But what happens when fake starts to feel so real?

Content Warning: contains sensual sex and occasional strong language

　

Excerpt

"Let me work off the money," Izzy said.

She felt Jack's gaze rake over her body, watched the clench of his jaw. "And how are you planning to work it off, Isabel?" he almost growled. "Is that what all of this is about?" he asked as his hand made an indicating sweep over her body. "Dress to impress so you can pay me in kind?"

"Oh God, no," she spluttered. "This is me showing you I'm not the weak, naïve girl I used to be and I won't be pushed around!"

The hard glint in his eyes softened slightly. "You were never weak. Naïve…" He trailed off. "So how exactly were you planning to pay me back?"

"Working here for you for free until I pay you back. I could collect glasses, work the bar, or clean."

"And you have experience in any of those roles?"

"No. But I could learn."

"But what about the house repairs?"

She shrugged. "I could do that during the daytime and work here at night. Then when I'm earning again from my day job I'll pay you back."

"And what exactly is your day job?"

"I'm a photographer. I could even do that here. Take photographs of the patrons and sell them for you."

"You work freelance?"

"I have my own business." She hesitated before elaborating. "As a wedding photographer," she said quickly, hoping he wouldn't snag the teasing opportunity.

Too late. The corner of his mouth quirked until it bloomed until a grin. "A wedding photographer. How appropriate. I knew playing dress-up with your mother's veil and having teddy bears as your guests would have an influence on you one day."

"You mean like wanting to have a traditional wedding where the groom doesn't have to bribe the bride? Yeah, my childhood messed me up real bad," she said with sarcasm.

"You're not working here, Izzy. And this conversation is over."

"No, it's not. I'm giving you a solution to paying off what I owe. I'll work off the amount Ellie paid for our debts and the rest you get from her. So when do I start?"

"You are not working here."

"Why?"

"Do you really want to have some guy groping you as you serve drinks? Or a group of guys? I run a tight ship and look out for my staff, but sometimes it happens."

"I can look after myself. I have been groped before, you know. I can deal with it."

He slid his chair closer, bending his legs so hers surrounded him without touching, but close, very close. He looked up at her under dark lashes. "So if some guy puts a hand on your leg you wouldn’t mind?"

She shook her head.

"And if that hand strayed beneath your dress?" he asked as his hand reached out to graze the sensitive skin of her inner thigh, making her shudder.

She shook her head slowly, earning a dark look. Of course she would mind. But this was Jack.

He stood abruptly, stepping into the v of her thighs. "And if a guy tried to kiss you?"

"I have been kissed before, remember?" she said, inwardly cringing at how breathless she sounded.

"I remember being a boy kissing you as a girl. If I were to kiss you now I wouldn’t be holding back and I wouldn’t be kissing you as a boy—I’d be kissing you as a man."

"Then do it," she demanded.


　
　

　

Author bio

A devourer of books from an early age, I spent much of my childhood stepping into wardrobes, searching for that magical snowy world where conversing with animals would be expected. When I wasn't searching for those worlds, I wrote about them instead. My first step into the world of romance was when I stole sneak peeks into my nana's books. I'm still in that world and refuse to leave.

I live in Staffordshire, UK, with my husband and three wonderful children. An avid reader and writer of romance, I strongly believe that words make the world go around.

You can find me here: http://traceyrogers.wordpress.com/

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On twitter

Or email me at: traceyrogersaut@gmail.com

 Interview

1. What was your inspiration for this story?
I hit the big 40 next year and I think because of that I’ve reached an age where I keep looking back at my teen years. So then came the idea of Izzy, who never got over her teen crush Jack. She always dreamed of the day he would ask her to marry him, so imagine her surprise when he does. If only it wasn’t fake!
2. Do you see a little bit of yourself in any of your characters?
In Best Fake Day, Izzy is a dreamer and a romantic. Jack remembers Izzy having pretend weddings with her toys. There is a possibility that I may have staged weddings with my Sindy dolls and my brother’s Action Man. Okay, make that a big possibility. My older brother wasn’t impressed by this at all.
3. About how long did it take you to write the story?
It took me about five months to write.
4. Did you have any trouble writing it at all?
I must admit I found it more difficult to write my second book. When I wrote Daring to Wish, my first book, I was much more relaxed because I had no expectations on myself. Book 2 and I felt I had that coveted author label to live up to and had many more doubt crows flying around. I shooed them away though ;-)
　
Tell me a little bit about you as a writer
5. Do you have any kind of writing schedule?
I wish I could stick to one! I usually have time to write during school hours, but I find inspiration strikes as soon as the PJ’s come on at night. I do aim for a daily word count and if I’m slacking 1k1hr’s on twitter are a much needed nudge.
6. What is your writing environment like?
I write on my sofa in the living room usually surrounded by tea and coffee cups.
7. And what would your ideal writing environment be like? 
Oh Emily, I would love a writing treehouse or a log cabin. Somewhere free from distraction. Except for the male inspiration posters on the walls of course. There would be a roof that slides back in the summer so I can have a nap in my hammock with the sun on my face. The housework fairies would keep it all tidy and write my synopsis for me too. Not that I’ve thought about this at all. ;-)
8. If you’re ever stuck for an idea, how do you go about finding inspiration?
One thing I’ve discovered as a writer is that forced ideas don’t work. If my mind is blank I usually take a step back and read books by my favourite authors. Then when I’m not looking for an idea, five suddenly come along. The one that nags the loudest is a keeper.
9. Did you always want to be a writer?
I did. I wanted to be many things over the years but writing always stayed with me.
10. What’s the first thing you can remember writing? (it doesn’t have to be published)
In primary school I wrote a story called The Mystery Key. I tried to write my first romance during my teens. The heroine for that one is still trapped beneath a hedge somewhere with the hero staring at her behind.
11. Do you have any advice for new writers?
Don’t write purely to become a published author, write because you love to write and enjoy every moment of it. If you love what you do, you won’t give up. The writing community is hugely supportive and there is always someone on social media who can offer advice, so soak it up like a sponge. Twitter writing sprints are fab for motivation.
Just a few days to go until Christmas! So tell me…

12.Will you be taking any time off over Christmas, or powering on through?
I have to admit I get twitchy if I haven’t written for a while so I may sneak some words in.        13. Who’s responsible for Christmas dinner in your house?
It’s my turn to have family over, so dinner will be cooked between hubby and me.
Don’t tell hubby, but his roast potatoes are better than mine!
                               
14. What will you be overindulging in this year?
I don’t drink alcohol but I’m sure there will be lots of chocolate passing my lips. Also
at Christmas I find it hard to stay away from pickled onions.
 
15. Is there a book you’re praying Santa will buy you?
Sadly there’s more than one! The only organised about me are my books. I really
want to finish off my series collection of Immortals After Dark by Kresley Cole.

16. If you could be stuck in the snow, in a cosy log cabin with any man, real or fictional, who would it be?
Brad Pitt! *checks weather forecast and crosses fingers*

17. If you were granted one Christmas wish, what would it be?
To have a nice, peaceful, family Christmas. You can’t beat happy family memories.
But if Santa wants to leave me a bestseller writing pen I wouldn’t mind at all!
Interview