Latest On The Nocturnal Nina Blog
FIGHT FOR YOU in 5 Photos
I adore pictures as much as I love words. Here’s my steamy contemporary tale of FIGHT FOR YOU in five photos.
Mountains
Sun, lush green trees, mountain peaks rising into a clear blue sky. Can you see it? Delanie grew up and worked at a mountain retreat surrounded by beauty. It’s also where she first met Aiden. I grew up near the mountains. Writing this story took me back to good memories.
Hot Tub Romance
Moonlight, steam, and the gentle glide of water on skin. Who can resist? My favorite couple certainly couldn’t. They enjoyed many clandestine moments together in a hot tub. Here’s one of my favorite places: https://tenthousandwaves.com/about/history.
Stiletto Heel Boots
The perfect footwear for when you need to walk in like a boss, own the moment, and leave on your terms. That’s what Delanie did.
Reunion of the Heart
Sensual sexy payback, owning up to choices, fighting for a second chance, it’s all there in Aiden and Delanie’s story.
Cookies
Fulfill my favorite cookie crush (currently a toss-up between Oreos and chocolate chip), and you’ll win me over every time. Aiden needed to find a way back into Delanie’s heart and a sweet peace offering helped pave the way.
How does their story end? Pick up a copy of FIGHT FOR YOU and find out.
xoxo
Nina
First Look Celebration is here!
http://www.barclaypublicity.com/book-scoop-blog/first-look-fight-for-you-by-nina-crespo
Sizzling New Reads
Hi Everyone,
This was one of the views from my hotel at the RT Convention in Reno. I had a great time meeting up with readers like you and fellow authors Kimberly Kincaid, Xio Axelrod, Jasmine Guillory, Rebecca Brooks and others. Did I mention I also met a few cover models? Check out my pictures on Instagram!
The release of FIGHT FOR YOU, The Kingman Brothers, Book 2 is right around the corner on 9 July, but I’m ramping up for Aiden and Delanie’s book with a pre-release First Look Celebration on 14 June! A sneak peek and giveaway are on the agenda. Stay connected with me on Twitter, FB and Instagram for the highlights.
I’ve also got another special reader treat for you. I’m one of the sponsors of The Romance Reviews’ Sizzling Summer Reads Event! During this event you’ll find more great new books to spice up your days and nights. Make sure to check my featured title out, FIGHT FOR YOU, along the way.
Join the fun at: http://www.theromancereviews.com/
*Lastly, please note the updated Privacy Policy and Terms of Use for this website in the footer section.
Stay connected! I’ll see you at the Sizzling Summer Reads Event and the First Look Celebration for FIGHT FOR YOU on 14 June.
Enjoy your weekend!
Nina
Nina Crespo Presents Binging on Books with Priscilla Oliveras
Nina: I met Priscilla when we were both guests on a panel. Since then, we’ve had a few interesting conversations about the writer’s life. She’s constantly on the move and full of good energy, just like her books.
Nina: If you were on a restricted diet of romance, what would be your main course (genre or trope) and why?
Priscilla: I’m a big fan of the friends to lovers trope. It adds another dynamic to the will they-won’t they anxiety, for the reader and the characters. Do they really wanna mess up the good thing they have as friends, but what if as lovers it could be oh so much better…? That’s definitely what kept Jeremy from moving faster with Rosa in Her Perfect Affair.
Nina: What’s your favorite dessert—an alpha or a beta hero?
Priscilla: Oh, I’m definitely a cinnamon roll hero fan! Someone who’s not afraid to show his softer side, especially with the right woman. Even my streetsmart cop, Diego Reyes, Lilí’s hero in book #3 of my MATCHED TO PERFECTION series, Their Perfect Melody, has a softer side. Lilí sees it in his work with kids at the youth center and when he picks up his guitar. ~~~sigh~~~
There’s also Nate Hamilton, Sofía’s hero in Resort to Love, who knows exactly how to make a lady feel special. He’s smart, caring, and humble enough to admit his past mistakes. Again ~~~sigh~~~
So, yeah, these are the types of heroes that satisfy my sweet tooth.
Nina: What’s your after dinner drink? Coffee, tea, wine champagne, brandy (or your choice:).
Priscilla: If I’m feeling decadent, maybe a latte with a splash of Tia Maria. Although, I’m good with a glass of a red blend wine or a sweeter chardonnay. And, to be honest, I’ve rarely turned down a glass of champagne, especially if it’s a cava.
About Priscilla’s Book
The Fer
nandez sisters have always had big dreams, and the talent and drive to pursue them. And in this sunny, spicy new series, each one will discover that success is that much sweeter when love follows . . .
Rosa Fernandez doesn’t act on impulse—she’s the responsible one, planning her career with precision, finally landing a job as the librarian at conservative Queen of Peace Academy, confining her strongest emotions to her secret poetry journal. But she’s been harboring a secret crush on dreamy Jeremy Taylor, and after one dance with him at her sister’s wedding, Rosa longs to let loose for the first time. She deserves some fun, after all. So what if she doesn’t have a shot with Jeremy, not with his wealthy pedigree and high profile lifestyle. But one dance leads to one kiss, and soon Rosa is head-over-heels . . .
The adopted son of a prominent Chicago lawyer, Jeremy has a lot to live up to—especially with his birth father in prison—the perfect example of a bad example. With a big promotion and a move to Japan in the works, Jeremy is worlds away from settling down. But sweet, steady Rosa is a temptation he doesn’t want to deny himself, at least for now. Yet when their simple fling turns complicated, everything they’ve both worked for is threatened—except the red-hot intimacy they’ve found together. Can forever really grow from just-for-now?
Excerpt
“Mis amigos, it’s almost closing time.” The DJ’s rich baritone elicited a groan of disapproval from the partiers. “We’ll play our last slow song, then finish the night with a bang. Gracias por venir esta noche! For you gringos, that means ‘thanks for coming tonight’ to celebrate Yazmine and Tomás’s wedding! Now, here’s one for all you couples out there.”
The beginning strains of an old Spanish love song drifted from the speakers. Regret and loss tightened Rosa’s throat when she recognized the tune as one Papi and his trío had often played at their gigs throughout the years.
Around the ballroom, dancers quickly paired up. Rosa watched a young teen work up the nerve to ask a pretty girl from their church to join him. The girl hesitated, hands clasped behind her back. Rosa waited, anxiously hoping the poor boy’s spirits weren’t about to be crushed.
Dios, her adolescent memories were pockmarked with similar self-esteem-diminishing moments. Waiting for this cute boy or that smart one to invite her to a school dance, or out for ice cream. Or even for a library study date. The one time she’d tried taking the initiative, she’d bungled it. Badly. Eventually, she’d given up wishing for a date. Books were far safer companions.
Finally, the girl gave a shy nod and the young couple moved to join the others. Out of the corner of her eye, Rosa noticed Jeremy pushing his seat back. She turned to say good-bye, only to find him holding out a hand to her.
“You’re not going to let the night end without allowing me one dance, are you?” His blue eyes warmed with a plea for her to say yes.
Surprised anticipation hummed in her chest.
She’d wanted an invite from him all night, but figured his date wouldn’t appreciate it. Now that the statuesque socialite was out of the picture. . . .
Behind him, Rosa caught Lilí laughing with her partner, enjoying herself, having done very little tonight to help behind the scenes.
Diviértete, Lilí had chided her earlier during the wedding party dance.
Her little sister was right. It was time for her to have a little fun. The thought had Rosa’s pulse pounding like she’d already started dancing a salsa.
Rising to her feet, she set her hand in Jeremy’s larger one.
His fingers closed around hers, the tight grip welcome, reassuring. He led the way to the edge of the dance floor, where he pulled her close to him.
Amazon | Nook | iBooks | Kobo | Google Play
About Priscilla Oliveras
Priscilla Oliveras is a 2018 RWA® RITA® double finalist who writes sweet contemporary romance with a Latinx flavor. Proud of her Puerto Rican-Mexican heritage, she strives to bring authenticity to her novels by sharing her Latinx culture with readers. Her debut release, His Perfect Partner, and the second book in her Matched to Perfection series, Her Perfect Affair, both earned Starred Reviews from Publishers Weekly and Booklist. Since earning an MFA in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University, she serves as English adjunct faculty at her local college and teaches an on-line course titled “Romance Writing” for ed2go. Priscilla is a sports fan, a beach lover, a half-marathon runner and a consummate traveler who often practices the art of napping in her backyard hammock.
The Kingman Brothers
It’s here! FORGET YOU, The Kingman Brothers, Book 1 arrived last week. I enjoyed introducing King and Sophie to the world. Here are a few things that have been said about the book and this sexy, passionate couple:
“FORGET YOU is a sexy and entertaining workplace romance.” Harlequin Junkie
“FORGET YOU, the first book in THE KINGMAN BROTHERS series, sucked me in from the first page to the last.” Romance Junkies
“FORGET YOU takes a walk down memory lane with the heart as it’s guide, to remind us… the fight is worth the fall.” Isha Coleman – New & Upcoming Releases
“[FORGET YOU]…a rich story in a short timeframe, with corporate intrigue, parental issues and true ambition figuring in beautifully alongside a really good, complicated romance and a champion of a heroine.” All About Romance
You can find the links to pick up a copy here or click here to read an excerpt. 
Make sure you stay connected with me. I’m putting the finishing touches on FIGHT FOR YOU, The Kingman Brothers, Book 2. I’ll also have an update on the first book in a brand new series releasing in October 2018.
Happy reading!
Nina
Nina Crespo Presents: Binging on Books with Mia Sosa
Nina: I was introduced to Mia Sosa by a fellow author. We had lunch together and enjoyed great burgers. laughter, and conversation. In the short time I’ve known Mia, I’ve learned a lot from her on so many topics. I invite you to take a moment to find out more about Mia and her wonderful books.
Nina: If you were on a restricted diet of romance, what would be your main course (genre or trope) and why?
Mia: Oh, I can binge on enemies-to-lovers stories forever and ever! I adore the idea of two people taking all that passionate hate and transforming it into passionate love. Like, I could roll around in that trope for days. But I wouldn’t want them to show their “hate” in a mean-spirited way; it has to be fun and flirty. So maybe what I’m really talking about are “frenemies-to-lovers” stories.
Nina: What’s your favorite dessert—an alpha or a beta hero?
Mia: A beta in alpha clothing.
Nina: What’s your after dinner drink? Coffee, tea, wine champagne, brandy (or your choice:).
Mia: Wine. Always wine.
About Mia’s Book
Mia Sosa returns with another fun, flirty romance in her critically-acclaimed Love on Cue series!
For Hollywood agent Julian Hart, representing his best friend—megastar Carter Williamson—means it’s nearly impossible to keep his personal life and career separate. To make matters worse, Carter’s younger sister has been starring in Julian’s wildest fantasies more often than he’d care to admit. He knows she’s off-limits, but when Ashley shows up on his doorstep, needing a place to crash… suddenly his greatest temptation is sleeping down the hall.
Free-spirited Ashley Williamson doesn’t do commitment. Jobs, apartments, men… why let herself be tied down? But she’s had a crush on her older brother’s best friend for years and she’s committed to making Julian want her, one towel-clad midnight encounter at a time. But just as things start heating up, their steamy flirtation is interrupted by Carter’s east coast wedding. Ashley has no desire to go home and face her reputation as the family disappointment. But living with—dare she say dating?—a successful, sexy film agent could give them something else to talk about.
Julian can’t believe he agreed to fake a relationship with the one woman he can never have. And it’s going to take more than a little willpower to remember it’s all pretend. Or is it?
Excerpt
A woman in my condo is experiencing a toe-curling orgasm—and to my knowledge, this is the first time I’m in no way responsible for it.
Because this dumpster fire needs more tinder, the person bringing herself pleasure within the confines of my not-so-humble abode is my best friend’s younger sister.
I’d prefer to sustain a thousand paper cuts than listen to her moans, the catch of her breath, the rustling of the sheets around her body. But she’s crashing at my place, and she left the door of the guest bedroom open—just a tiny, torturous crack. The sliver of soft light coming from the adjoining bathroom beckons like a portal to another world. Come, the deep, booming voice of James Earl Jones says. The embodiment of your hidden and fucked-up fantasies lies in this realm.
I squeeze my eyes shut. Dammit. This isn’t right. It’s a personal moment, and I shouldn’t be privy to it. Summoning what’s left of the self-control that’s served me well for more years than I’d care to admit, I turn away from the light and slink down the short hall to my kitchen. There, I refit my wireless headphones and find a tall glass for the water that brought me out of my room.
I’d resigned myself to remaining as far away from Ashley as possible while she stayed the night. Instead, an innocent trip to the fridge has left me thirsty for something else altogether. I’m not even sure why I took off my headphones as I passed her room. But I did. And now I know what she sounds like when she comes.
I need to shut down this line of thinking immediately. But hell, the portal is open, and despite my good intentions, I’m tempted to step through and explore this other world.
No. I shouldn’t. I really shouldn’t.
Picture her in pigtails and remember what it was like to help her stand after an epic fall on the bike she loved to ride.
Forget that she’s now a sexy woman, and banish any inappropriate thoughts about her to a parallel universe that will never intersect with this one.
Although temporary, the solution is simple. Fifty push-ups will round out my workout and help stifle my libido. With my get-over-my-lust-for-Ashley plan in place, I set the glass in the sink, cut the light switch, and spin around. A warm body skids into me, its owner’s soft mouth brushing against my bare shoulder.
She shrinks back and yelps.
Instinctively, I tug Ashley forward, steadying her and mentally unbalancing myself in the process. With my chest flush against hers, I try to memorize the way we fit together, greedy to gain something from this unexpected contact.
“Julian? Please tell me it’s you.”
The tremor in her voice pulls me out of my stupor. I breathe heavily through my nose as I drop my arms and step back slowly. Turning to the counter and grasping it for support, I eke out, “It’s me, Ashley.”
As she sighs in relief, the memory of her curves imprints itself in my brain like a freshly inked intricate tattoo, simultaneously mesmerizing and painful.
Fuck the fifty push-ups. I’m going to need a hundred.
Amazon | Nook | iBooks | Kobo | Google Play
About Mia Sosa
Mia Sosa is an award-winning contemporary romance writer and 2015 Romance Writers of America® Golden Heart® Finalist. Her books have received praise and recognition from Kirkus Reviews, Booklist, Library Journal, The Washington Post, Book Riot, Bustle, and more.
A former First Amendment and media lawyer, Mia practiced for more than a decade before trading her suits for loungewear (okay, okay, they’re sweatpants). Now she strives to write fun and flirty stories about imperfect characters finding their perfect match.
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Spring Fling Scavenger Hunt
Hi Everyone,