BeanieBrain Reader: Unlikely Venture

Book Title: Unlikely Venture

Author: Kristen Luciani

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Hosted by: Book Enthusiast Promotions

Here’s the thing about keeping secrets… After learning Jessica's been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, her fiancé bolted out of her life as if he was on fire. She finds solace in her career--no distractions or romantic entanglements there! But the universe has its own agenda. Three thousand miles away from home and in the most unlikely of circumstances, Jessica meets Silicon Valley rising star James Callahan and her world is instantly turned upside down. Things go further awry when she encounters a ghost from the past. That one night of reckless abandon is back to haunt her and the control she fought so hard to regain is now in the hands of another. Plagued by betrayal and guilt over his dad’s untimely death, James left Cambridge in search of a new beginning. With laser-focus, he built a cutting edge technology company now on the brink of financial success. Romance is the last thing on his mind…until he meets Jessica. Fate brought them together, awakening their dormant emotions. But Jessica’s scandalous secret consumes her and threatens the very happiness she feared she’d never find with another man. Can James handle the truth about her past? Or did she pick the wrong guy yet again?

JESSICA’S IPHONE CHIRPED with the dreaded fifteen-minute warning. She groaned, berating herself for stopping at Starbucks with so little time to spare. But a double shot of something caffeinated was an absolute must for this meeting.

The all-too-perky barista called her name and she grabbed the cup, hoping to find a taxi outside the café. It was an optimistic yet unrealistic expectation since she was in Palo Alto, not Manhattan.

Cars raced up and down El Camino Real and Jessica released an impatient sigh. Not one taxi in sight. Seriously? She headed toward the intersection, just in case one magically materialized out of thin air.

Her heart pounded as she concocted potential excuses for her jackass boss Charlie. If she missed the meeting—No, it just wasn’t an option. This client was too important to their consulting practice and she was a key presenter. This is my big chance. If I land the client, he’ll have to put me up for that promotion.I need to get there in time. Dammit, are there any taxis in this town?

Jessica sprinted to the corner in five-inch Louboutins, wincing at the uncomfortable tingling sensation in her toes. Just ignore the pain, Jess. It became her mantra over the past several months but she was only resisting the inevitable. Sure, they’re manageable now butwho knows how much worse these symptoms will get? It was a question that plagued her every day since she received the diagnosis. My career is all I have left and this promotion represents everything I’ve been working toward. I refuse to let this disease derail me.

Walking across town to the client site was out of the question. In fact, surviving another few blocks would be nothing short of a miracle. A taxi rolled up to the red traffic light and she waved her arms to get the cabbie’s attention. The timing was perfect; it would only take about ten minutes to get down to—

“Aahhhh!” Jessica lurched forward as the unexpected impact sent her phone flying into the air. Searing coffee splashed over the side of the cup, soaking her blouse and pants. She recoiled, her hand bright red and throbbing. “What the fu—?”

A strong hand gripped her shoulder and she snapped her head around to get a good look at her assailant.

“Are you okay?”

Kristen Luciani is a self-proclaimed momtrepreneur with a penchant for Christian Louboutins, Silicon Valley (the place and the show), plunging necklines and grapefruit martinis. As a deep-rooted romantic who prefers juicy drama to fill the lives of anyone other than her, she tried her hand at creating a world of enchantment, sensuality, and intrigue, finally uncovering her true passion. No pun intended…