When Completely Yours was finished, edited and proofread, the next step I had to consider was the cover. I had created covers before, using stock images from Adobe or other sites, but I had a really hard time trying to find the perfect image for this novel. One of the problems was that my characters are Black and there were shockingly few sexy images out there featuring Black characters.
So I decided to hire a photographer to do a photoshoot for the cover. I didn’t have a a huge budget, but luckily I was able to find a photographer (Leslie Pitt https://www.instagram.com/afrofilmviewer/) who was willing to give me a great price for the shoot. Of course, it’s still more expensive than buying a stock photo, but the result is a unique cover with a gorgeous picture.
Getting a photo shoot done isn’t easy. I had to give Leslie my vision for the book cover. I scoured Amazon for book covers which had images similar to what I had in mind. I reminded Leslie to make sure that the picture had enough “dead space” for a title and my name as well. Leslie asked a lot of questions, which was great, because it ensured that his vision of the photo shoot was aligned with mine.Sadly, due to COVID, I wasn’t able to attend the photo shoot, but the result of it was stunning! I was presented with over 400 photos to pick from, which wasn’t an easy task at all! Luckily Leslie also gave me a few pictures I could use in my marketing material, so I didn’t have to completely narrow it down to only one picture.
I couldn’t afford a professional photo shoot for every book I write, but in this case, I am so happy I paid the extra money. The cover is exactly the way I had envisioned it. The expression of Rie, the model Leslie hired, is so gorgeous in this particular photo. It’s perfect and I am grateful I was able to get this done despite the COVID restrictions we had.
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Blurb
Caroline is on top of her game. Black Goddess, her company, is opening a store in New York, and a week away from the office is just what Caroline needs. In Toronto, she has to play the role of the prim, successful business woman, romantically linked with her business partner Daniel. But in New York she can be sexually free. It doesn’t hurt that this time, her attractive project manager Alisha is coming with them.
Alisha is attracted to both her bosses, but she is determined not to jeopardise her career. This determination is shaken when Caroline proposes a no-strings attached sexual relationship for the duration of the business trip. Unable to deny her feelings Alisha embarks upon a scorching sexual journey with Caroline.
Daniel is in love with Caroline. Knowing that their romantic relationship is nothing more than a facade with no chance of ever becoming a reality, Daniel decides to quit his job as Caroline’s business partner in an effort to protect his heart. All he has to do is survive the week in New York. But can he continue to deny his feelings, especially when Caroline needs him?
When the media makes details of Caroline’s sexual excesses public, Caroline, Alisha and Daniel must work together to save the future of Black Goddess—and their hearts.
Buy links:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Completely-Yours-Isabelle-Lauren-ebook/dp/B08L17BMQY/
Nook: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/completely-yours-isabelle-lauren/1138272680
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/completely-yours-8
Apple: https://books.apple.com/gb/book/completely-yours/id1541531014?
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Excerpt
There was a knock on the door. Caroline frowned. If that was Daniel, she’d tell him to go away. She didn’t need any sympathy from him.
It wasn’t Daniel. It was Alisha, looking sexy—and upset.
“Hey, come in.” She stood aside to let Alisha in, inhaling her fresh scent. Her body flushed with heat, but she pushed her feelings away. She didn’t know why Alisha had come, but she needed to apologize to her employee first.
She turned to face her. “I need to say something.”
Alisha held up her hand. “Please, I’d like to say something first.”
“Okay.”
Alisha bit her lip. “I’m sorry I rejected your proposal.”
Caroline gaped at her. That was the last thing she’d expected. She didn’t know what to say.
Alisha cleared her throat. “There was something you needed to say?”
She looked so anxious, Caroline wanted to comfort her. In two steps she was with Alisha and pulled her into her arms. As her lips found Alisha’s, Alisha sighed and melted into her.
The kiss was just as intense as the one they’d shared in the shop. Caroline wanted to explore every inch of Alisha’s skin, tracing her beautiful body with her tongue. It had been too long since she’d been with someone—and the weeks of working closely with this gorgeous woman had taken their toll. She marveled at how well Alisha’s body fit against hers, how right it felt to have her in her arms.
Alisha’s hands caressed Caroline’s back, and she moaned with delight. The prospect of a week of delight with this incredible woman flooded her with joy. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d spent an extended period with another person. Not wanting commitment would do that. Not that she actively sought one-night stands, but they were easier to deal with. But Alisha would be different. They’d be able to spend each night together, feasting on each other’s bodies, pushing each other over the edge time and time again.
Heat pooled at Caroline’s core. Overwhelmed with the strength of her feelings for Alisha, she broke her embrace and took a step back.
Alisha looked flushed and dazed—a gorgeous combination. “Wow.”
Caroline felt breathless. She took Alisha’s hand, and they sat down on the edge of the bed. “Are you sure about this?”
“Do you still need to ask after that kiss?”
Caroline chuckled. “No, I guess not. What made you change your mind?”
Alisha played with the hem of her skirt. “I regretted saying no almost right away. I’m sorry, I guess I just panicked. I didn’t want to be a bad employee.”
“Then that would mean I’m a terrible boss, as I was the one who suggested it.”
“I know. I feel silly.”
Caroline took Alisha’s hand. “Don’t feel silly. I’m glad you changed your mind.”
“It was actually Daniel who pushed me to come talk to you.”
“Daniel?” Why had he felt the need to meddle?
“I think he worried about tension between us. He didn’t want that to get in the way of everything we have to do this week.”
Yes, that made more sense. For Daniel, the company always came first. Still, she was surprised he actively encouraged Alisha to change her mind.
“He’s right.” Caroline kissed Alisha. “We don’t want any unresolved sexual tension.” She trailed kisses along Alisha’s neck down to the V of her shirt. Alisha gasped when Caroline kissed the tops of her breasts.
“So, just sex this week?” Alisha sounded like she was out of breath.
With difficulty, Caroline sat up. “Yes. Whatever this is—” she gestured between her and Alisha “—we need to get it out of our system. This week is the perfect opportunity.”
Alisha clamped her hands in her lap. “I just want to make it clear that I’m not looking for a relationship.”
Caroline smiled. “Neither am I. In case you hadn’t noticed, I’m not exactly relationship material myself.”
“Well, in that case, we should have a lot of fun.”
“Exactly.” With a grin, Caroline claimed Alisha’s mouth again. This time, she gently pushed Alisha down onto the bed. Alisha’s breath hitched when Caroline slipped her hand underneath her shirt and cupped her breast. Caroline undid Alisha’s bra and freed her breasts from their confines. Breaking their kiss, she moved down to take the pebbled nipples into her mouth, first sucking one, then the other between her lips.
Alisha’s gasps of delight fueled Caroline’s desire. She’d forgotten how amazing it was to hear a lover react to the things she did to them. It was almost better to give pleasure than to receive it. She loved the power she had over Alisha—seeing her squirm under her hands and tongue, hearing her whiny gasps of need. It flooded her with desire, making her ache deep in her core.
Alisha grabbed the back of Caroline’s head, trying to guide her lower. Caroline chuckled and stopped her licking. “You want more?”
“Please.” It was more a gasp than a question.
“Very well.” Caroline unzipped Alisha’s skirt and pulled it down. She pushed Alisha’s legs apart. The delicate lace of her panties were completely soaked, and Caroline gasped at the evidence of Alisha’s arousal. “Oh, you’re ready for this, aren’t you?”
In response, Alisha moaned. She lifted her hips in an obvious invitation for Caroline to get started. Caroline chuckled and kissed the inside of Alisha’s thigh. Alisha’s moans became needier, flooding Caroline’s panties with desire. She loved this.
The urgent ring of her mobile phone tore through the mood. Alisha groaned as Caroline moved off the bed to check the display. She was expecting a call, but fervently hoped this wasn’t it. She didn’t want to stop her delicious game with Alisha.
Unfortunately, the caller ID showed that it was her supplier calling her back. She turned to Alisha. “I’m so sorry. I need to get this. Shall we continue this tonight?”
Alisha’s face fell and for a moment, Caroline was tempted to let the call go to voicemail. But the company came first, and sex during the day was the height of decadence. She wanted to take her time with Alisha, and tonight was their best chance of carrying on uninterrupted.
She turned her back to Alisha and connected the call. “Tom, so nice of you to call me back.”
Behind her, she could hear Alisha get off the bed and get dressed. Her pulse raced from the interaction and her body screamed at her to continue playing with Alisha, but she fought her impulses. The wait would make tonight far more spectacular.
As she started discussing the supplies with Tom, she could hear the door lock click behind her. Ignoring the throb between her legs, she focused her mind on business.
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About the author
Isabelle has been writing ever since she can remember. She’s tried her hand at pretty much any genre, but being an incurable romantic with a filthy mind, she made erotic romance her genre. Her books combine searing sex scenes with deep emotional connections. She loves making her readers hot with her words and is always happy to hear how her books have affected them.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RomanticIsa
Website: https://isabellelauren.com
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GIVEAWAY
Thank you so much for having me on your blog. I loved talking about how I got the perfect cover for my novel.
Thank you for the excerpt. it sounds interesting.