GUEST POST: Sandra Bunino

Welcome Guest Author Sandra Bunino!

Sandra began a love of romance stories while penning a creative writing assignment in high school. The story ended with the heroine receiving a long stem red rose in her locker on Valentine’s Day. Since then, all of her stories feature the hero presenting the heroine with roses. Sandra is constantly searching for different ways to achieve a heart-pumping, stomach-flipping, breath-catching reaction from her readers.

Getting to know Sandra Bunino... 

What is your guilty indulgence?

That’s a toss up between Godiva pecan caramel clusters, Starbucks non-fat lattes and a cute pair of shoes.

What inspired you to write MAROONED IN MIAMI?

The story came to me while I was traveling in the south on business. A raging storm had hit the area. Wind blew debris into the path of traveling cars and rain pelted at my windshield. I was relieved to finally reach the hotel. As I walked into the lobby a calm serenity took over my senses. The story sparked and grew as I entered the inviting lounge for a drink.

Why Miami?

Miami is very near and dear to my heart. It was the location of one of the most romantic vacations I took with my husband. We stayed at a boutique hotel in the heart of Ocean Drive. I love the allure of South Beach with its perfect combination of old world elegance and trendy vibe.

Which was your favorite scene to write?

Oh, that would have to be the elevator scene. This was an added scene to the original story. At first Jason and Stephanie met in the hotel lounge because Stephanie didn’t want to chance an elevator ride during the vicious storm. Later I decided to have them take a chance on the elevator only to, you guessed it, get stuck between floors. We learn a great deal about both characters during this scene, which sets the mood for the rest of the book.

Will this become a series?

Yes, there will be a sequel to Marooned in Miami entitled Lusted in Las Vegas. Stephanie and Jason’s sexy tryst continues in Sin City! Their chemistry is undeniable and lust is taking a turn toward love when they return to each other’s arms. However, all is not perfect in paradise when Jason’s ex comes to town.

What part of the story do you think is your strength to write?

I’m big on scene set up. I like to describe the physical setting. For example, in MAROONED IN MIAMI, it was very important that the reader understand the romantic, old world charm of the hotel. Details such as marble floors, potted ferns, floor to ceiling windows, and crystal chandeliers are described so that the reader can lose himself or herself in the scene.

I also enjoy fashion and my heroines tend to be fashionistas. Stephanie is very stylish and rocks the “sexy woman climbing the corporate ladder” look. In fact, it’s the sound of her stilettos tapping through the marbled floor lobby that first grabs Jason’s attention. 

Here’s a sneak peek of Jason’s first impression of Stephanie: 

Jason decided to swear off women for a while, but he was always a sucker for heels. So he was easily distracted from his conversation with Carlos when he heard the low clicking of heels walking through the lobby. From his barstool, he first spotted those sexy black stilettos. His eyes wandered up her toned calves to her tight linen skirt. Since she was facing the elevator he leisurely admired the way her skirt hugged her tight ass. Did he just imagine the outline of thong panties through her skirt? He needed to know more.

            

   

Blurb:

Undeniable lust and a fierce Miami storm bring sexy strangers together at The Hotel Del Santos for a passion filled night.

Stephanie, still reeling from a failed marriage, needs a break from the past. She decides to take her friends’ advice and finds a perfect stranger for a night of no-strings-attached, smoking hot sex.

Jason, a wealthy Seattle builder has the worst luck with love. Swearing he would never allow another woman to get under his skin, Jason decides a life of casual sex is just fine with him. While watching Stephanie’s sexy stilettos click across the lobby floor he zeros in on his next conquest.

Cut off from the outside world, the lives of these two strangers collide and burn with desire when stranded in the perfect storm. Both are content with the idea of sharing a glorious one-night stand together, that is, until they go their separate ways.

Excerpt:

             Startled by an angry crack of thunder, she saw a flash of lightning through the lobby’s floor to ceiling glass window. The chandeliers all flickered in unison as the elevator doors opened. She swore under her breath, looked down at her three-inch heels and considered walking up the six flights of stairs to her room.             “Hey, is it okay to take the elevator in this storm?” she called to the front desk clerk who nodded and gave her a small wave.             A night stuck in the elevator was not in her plan. She debated for a moment about walking up barefoot when she heard a low voice to her right.          
            “How about we chance it together?”             She spun around to see the source of those words that washed over her like a slow moving current. Stephanie’s breath caught when she turned toward the source of the silky voice. His eyebrows raised and waited for an answer to his question. His lips curled to showcase his straight white teeth. He appeared out of nowhere; surely she would have noticed him in the lobby. A day’s growth of dark stubble covered his chiseled cheekbones below dangerous blue eyes. Stephanie’s heart raced, while she imagined her fingers combing through his dark wavy hair. Stop it, she thought as she shook her head slightly and hoped the action would rid her mind of these visions. One side of her said kick off those heels and walk up all of those damn flights of stairs, but the other told her to take him up on the offer. It was as if an angel and a devil sat on her shoulders. The devil was winning. The front desk didn’t foresee an issue with the elevator so why should she?             Stephanie’s eyes narrowed, careful not to give him any indication of the attraction she felt, even though his dark hair and tanned complexion made her insides turn to mush.   There was something about his presence that made her feel sexy. She couldn’t make sense of the feeling. Heat coursed through her veins and straight down to her core. How could a stranger have that effect on her? I’ve got to start dating. I’m turning into a horny mess. She stepped inside the elevator and pushed the button for the sixth floor. The man followed closely behind, slid his key into the PH slot at the top and pushed the button.

MAROONED IN MIAMI is available on 

Amazon, Barnes & Noble, AllRomance eBooks, and Bradley Publishing.

Sandra's next release is due out in May is entitled SARA'S SMILE. 

Have you ever wondered what happened to your first love? Sara has her dream job at a top architecture firm, a swanky New York City apartment and the interest of a sexy builder she just hired for her new project. However, her idyllic world comes to a screeching halt when her first love and the man who has been invading her dreams, Will, turns up where she least expects him.

From the innocence of young love found on the beaches of Martha’s Vineyard to the rekindling of love’s passion in New York City and Santa Monica, SARA’S SMILE will leave you breathless for more.

Then LUSTED IN LAS VEGAS will release during Summer 2012.

Stephanie and Jason’s sexy tryst continues in Sin City! Their chemistry is undeniable and lust is taking a turn toward love when they return to each other’s arms. However, all is not perfect in paradise when Jason’s ex comes to town.

Please visit Sandra on her website, Twitter (@sandrabunino) and Facebook. And keep watching... our next post is from Ndulgent Blogger Jenn with a review of Marooned in Miami.