Review & Interview: Marooned in Miami by Sandra Buninno

4 Stars

Amazon link- Marooned in Miami by Sandra Bunino

Stephanie Thomas is a Pharmaceutical Rep in Miami on a business trip. She just went through an emotionally draining divorce. For her, this business trip is more about relaxation than business.  A normally feared and unwanted hurricane decides to hit the city while she is in Miami.  The hurricane traps her in an elevator with the very handsome and very wealthy builder, Jason Royce. Her friends have been telling her to she needs to let loose and have fun...maybe even have a smoking hot one night stand, and the hurricane just may be responsible for spinning the perfect man into the equation.

However, Jason is not so easily wooed.  He promised himself not to let another woman enter his life and get under his skin after some recent girl problems.  He was burned one too many times. But the site of Stephanie and her legs in those stiletto heals heated him up almost to the point of no return. They shared a few drinks and Jason's temptations take over as he gives in to the smart and sexy acquaintance.

Marooned in Miami was a surprise in many ways. First, this is a novella. I'm normally not a fan of them but this one I liked a lot! Second, the story was very well developed for such a short amount of time allowed. I was able to get a general feel for the characters and found them and the story to be a very pleasant and enjoyable to read. Lastly, the hot and steamy romance between the Stephanie and Jason was believable and left me wanting more. I'm surprised how much I liked this novella. The only problem is that the author left me hanging at the end. Ms. Buninno is such a tease! I want more...and fast!

Marooned in Miami is a sexy sultry read that heats up in the very first pages until the end.  Sandra Buninno is a new to me author that was quick to add to my auto-buy list. 

Interview with Sandra!

Being born and raised in South Florida, I loved that this book took place in Miami. You really nailed it with the descriptions and feel of Miami. Tell me, why choose 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.

What inspired you to write this book?

In the case of Marooned in Miami, the story came to me while I was traveling down south on business. A raging storm just hit the area when I finally reached 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.

Your next book in this series is called, Lusted in Las Vegas, which I'm eagerly anticipating because you left me hanging with Marooned in Miami! LOL Is this series going to have different destinations with each book?

Plans are in the works to write at least one more novella in a sexy location, entitled Captured in Cozumel. Here’s the beginning of the blurb: What does a kidnapped beauty have in common with a sexy modern day pirate? Find out as their love/hate relationship takes to the high seas.

Will there be more? There’s a good possibility that there will be more destination stories!

  

When will Lusted in Las Vegas be released? Can you give us a little snippet of it?

Lusted in Las Vegas will be released sometime this summer. Here’s a little sneak peek at Stephanie and Jason during some private pool time (yes, there is a cozy grotto in the swimming pool!):

[Stephanie speaks first]

"This feels wonderful."

"The water?"

Stephanie smiled up at him and skimmed her fingers across the back of his neck, which spread a ripple of shivers down his spine. "Everything."

She pulled away from his kiss and dove into the pool. Jason could tell she was a natural swimmer as she swam underwater without taking a breath until she reached the other end. She resurfaced at the pool wall and turned around placing her elbows on the pool’s edge. Jason admired how her breasts looked soaked through her bikini top. Her nipples pebbled through the fabric. He licked his lips as he watched beads of water run down her chest and pool in the area between her breasts.

"Do you swim, Jay? she teased.

He gave her an evil smile, slowly sank into the water and swam toward her at the bottom of the pool. When he reached her he circled his hands around her waist and gave the little bows tied at her hips a gentle tug. Her black bikini bottoms slipped off as his head broke the surface and he was suddenly face to face with her.

"You won't be needing these where we're going. Oh, and this either." He reached behind and pulled the string tied around her back. In a split second she was nude in his swimming pool.

"Well, if my bathing suit is not required than neither is yours."

She placed her hands on his chest and lowered herself down until her head was under the water. Her hands traveled down his chest to the waistband of his trunks. She swiftly pulled them off and dropped his suit next to Stephanie’s discarded bathing suit on the pool deck. Wrapping her hands around his neck, he grabbed her ass with both hands and guided her long legs to encircle his body. Stephanie’s kiss heated his mouth and traveled to his groin. The sweet taste of pineapple lingered on her lips as her tongue entangled with his.

"To your grotto, madam."

How many books do you have planned for Stephanie and Jason?

Lusted in Las Vegas will be the last story of Stephanie and Jason.

Do you have an other works in progress at the moment? If so, when will they be released?

I’m glad you asked because I’m so excited about my 2012 releases! Beside Lusted in Las Vegas and Captured in Cozumel, I have a new release entitled Sara’s Smile that will be available in May. Here is the blurb:

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.

I also have a short story entitled The Fountain Pen that will be published sometime next winter in the Felt Tips anthology. I’m currently working on another short story, The Satin Rose Experience, which I plan to submit to another anthology.

Why go the erotic romance way instead of mainstream romance? For the record, I love erotic novels!

I love them too, which is one of the reasons I decided to write in the erotic romance genre. I started writing the type of story I wanted to read. I felt somewhat unfulfilled by some of the romance books I read because I wanted to know what happened when the bedroom door closed or the scene faded to black.

Because this is an erotic book, were you nervous at first as to what your family would say to your hot and steamy sex scenes?

Absolutely. The key to writing an erotic book is to not focus on who will be reading the scene. Once you start thinking about what your family, friends, or even co-workers would think about the scene you hold back and it doesn’t unfold and flow. I try to remember that every time I sit down to write. It also helps that I have a fantastic husband who is very supportive of my writing.

  

What is the day like for you? Do you have a full time job on top of writing too?

I currently have a full time job in Corporate America. I write for a few hours after work each day and try to devote one day each weekend to writing or promoting my book.

Who are some of your favorite authors/books? Are you currently reading anything at the moment?

I don’t have a favorite author but the one that comes to mind is Diana Gabaldon. I am currently on book 5 of her Outlander series. My favorite is still the first - it’s a time travel love story about modern day Claire and her 18^th-Century Scottish lover, Jamie. Their love is hardly conventional, always controversial and forever sizzling. Reading this series is a commitment because each book is long and detailed. I do take a break from them once in a while and change it up with a hot, sexy short novella but I always look forward to the continuation of Claire and Jamie’s love story.

Anything else you would like to share with us?

I would like to thank everyone who has read Marooned in Miami! I’ve received so many lovely emails, kind messages on Goodreads and fantastic reviews. The author/reader community is wonderfully supportive and I’m overwhelmed with the well wishes I’ve received.



Sandra has offered to graciously giveaway one commenter with her book Marooned in Miami. All you have to do is leave a comment for Sandra and answer the question. Thanks!


Question- If you were on a business trip and stuck in a storm with a sexy stranger that would rock your world, where would you want your business trip to be?