Afternoon Delight 
ISBN 0-373-79251-4 April 2006
Internet Intimacy

A Bookscan Top 100 Romance 
for the weeks of 4/1 and 4/8
  

    

Order from eHarlequin Bookstore online

  
A Romantic Times 
Bookclub Top Pick!  

 A portion of my royalties from each book sold will be donated to 

Susan G. Komen
Breast Cancer
Foundation 

Superior Court Commissioner Rei Davis is a tough-minded judge who wishes someone could see her softer side. Dating service owner Chris London is a light-hearted matchmaker who wishes someone would take him seriously. 

A chance encounter at a nightclub awakens long-suppressed desires, so when Rei walks into Lunch Meetings, Chris is determined to show her they're a perfect match. With the help of email messages, fantasies brought to life and a leap of faith, maybe both of their wishes will come true. 

What Readers Have Said
click to read full comments

"This is not your typical Blaze! Of course the romance with the hero was hot, but it was the heroine's strength and courage that kept me turning the pages. Rei's story is definitely going on my keeper shelf!" - Carol P. in Baltimore

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"My eyes are still a little teary from happiness and my heart is fluttering with good will for the believable and heart-warming characters." - Anne B. in Australia

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"An excellent and meaningful story peopled with realistic and lifelike characters.  Beautifully handled with sensitivity and depth."  - Sharon in Albuquerque

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"A unique and enjoyable romance with beautifully portrayed characters whose lives and problems are handled with deft."  - Ellie in New Mexico

"... this is the BEST one she's done. Delicately layered and deeply emotional, vibrating with life and passion and possibility..." - Jenna in Oregon

What Reviewers Have Written

4 1/2 Stars! An April Romantic Times Bookclub Top Pick: "Afternoon Delight is a delight with real conflict, wonderful characters and life-affirming scenes. It's a joyful read." - Reviewed by Paige Traynor

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With steamy passion and high emotions, Mia Zachary tells the story of two people in need of love and support, something they can find with each other if they only let it happen. Afternoon Delight is one tale not to be missed. Ms. Zachary did an excellent job of bringing Rei and Chris to life. Being a part of their lives through the pages of Afternoon Delight is wonderful as they try to work out the chemistry between them that is so explosive. A beautiful realistic story, Afternoon Delight is pleasing to the senses and the heart. Kudos to Mia Zachary on a job well done. - Debby Guyette for CataRomance Reviews

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This terrific contemporary relationship drama stars two adults struggling with real problems that will hit home to the audience who will believe both of them are family or neighbors. Rei is terrific as she confronts family issues that could easily destroy the psyche of a person with its seeming hopelessness, while she also fantasizes that there is someone for her. Chris is her perfect partner, as he too seeks what he has begun to believe is myth, a woman to love forever. Mia Zachary provides a strong character driven tale that seems authentic and is well written that the audience will enjoy an AFTERNOON’S DELIGHT reading it. - Harriet Klausner for ReviewCentre

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I absolutely loved this story. Chris and Rei both learned something about forgiveness, trust, and second chances.  Mia Zachary not only wrote a hot story with an appealing plot and all-too-human characters, she also included serious undertones that will give readers plenty to think about long after the last page has been read.  I highly recommend this book! - Alane Coppinger for Romance Junkies

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"Totally seductive and impossible to resist! Both characters grow in leaps and bounds, learn to lean on one another while still being strong, and become a delightful match. As always, Ms. Zachary pens a blazing hot story that will keep the readers coming back for more." - Tracey West , Road to Romance reviewer 

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The issue of Breast Cancer and remission is serious enough. However, the issue of cancer possibly reoccurring is just amazingly difficult to read, for personal reasons. I admire Mia Zachary for writing this with sensitivity and enough research to make it seem like it was really happening to Rei. When Rei and Chris find their pace - what works for them, and face what has worked against them, it is beautiful to read. Along with that, the love scenes in this book are many for readers that enjoy passion while reading such a complicated romance. Mia Zachary is someone I think should be followed, as I feel her career is going to stay on the upswing if she keeps writing books like Afternoon Delight. - Robin Taylor, In the Library Reviews

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AFTERNOON DELIGHT is a steamy romance bursting with human emotion.  Rei and Chris are struggling with very real fears and doubts that are identifiable to anyone who has had to overcome obstacles.  I loved not only the honesty of hard hitting issues in this story but the sizzling passion that ignited the pages between Chris and Rei.  The love scenes are deliciously hot!  Miss Zachary definitely delivers a fire engine worthy Blaze plus so much more!  Be on the look out for the next page turner from this wonderful author. Rating: 4 and ½  - Elyssa Kyle, Romance Reader's Connection

2nd Place
SMRW Bookseller's Best Laurie Contest

WALK the WALK
AvonWalk.org

LifeTime's Commitment
(stories and information)

The Research Foundation
(.85 of every $ to research)

BC Bracelets and Jewelry

Read a sample chapter:

Loud, sensual music with a Latin overtone and a hard-driving bass spilled out into the night as the bouncer opened the front door to the club. Rei followed P.J. inside to pay the cover charge and get a bright red kiss stamp on the back of her hand before pressing through the crowd toward the bar. She looked around while they waited for one of the bartenders to take their orders.

“This place is awesome, isn’t it?” P.J. had to lean close to her ear to be heard as she handed over a shot glass of green liquid.

Rei eyed the drink suspiciously. “What’s that?”

“A melon ball shooter.” She raised her glass. “To you, my friend, and living to fight another day.”

“To survival.” Rei tilted her head back and swallowed the sweet cocktail. P.J. smacked her glass onto the bar and signaled for another round.

Just then two men sidled up next to them at the bar and tried to strike up a conversation. While P.J. seemed interested, their tired pickup lines and alpha male arrogance turned Rei off. Sure, she entertained a fantasy about sex with a stranger, but in reality she didn’t want to be viewed as an easy score. Finally the second round of shot glasses arrived. Rei accepted the drink, but decided it was already her last.

“What are we toasting this time?”

“To new adventures.” Her friend’s eyes covetously followed a hot guy walking past.

Rei touched her glass to P.J.’s then drained it. Almost immediately, she felt the alcohol’s fire spread through her, easing the tension in muscles she hadn’t realized were tight with stress. She felt light-headed, but in a good way, as if all the censuring voices in her mind had been momentarily silenced.

Rei closed her eyes, focusing on the music and chatter, the press of bodies, the faint odor of sweat and perfume. Her heart had taken on the rhythm of the music and, though the setting was incongruous for yoga, she allowed herself to be truly in the moment. Nothing mattered except being right here, right now.

“Let’s go dance!”

Laughing at the stunned expression on P.J.’s face- usually she had to be coaxed out to the floor- she began weaving her way toward the stage. Once she reached the orchestra pit, she created a space and made room for her friend. P.J. easily got into the groove, her curvy body wriggling to the up-tempo music. Rei wasn’t nearly as athletic, but quickly found her own shuffle-step-shimmy routine.

She became aware of men approaching from the sidelines and started to turn so that P.J. could shield her, then mentally shrugged. She didn’t know anyone here, would probably never be in this place again. Through the mega-watt sound system, Christina Aguilera invited her to get ‘Dirrty’. Rei gave herself over to the idea. The music was hot and so was she. Why not take a risk?

Continue

From the book AFTERNOON DELIGHT by Mia Zachary
Imprint and Series: Harlequin Blaze; Publication Date: April 2006
Copyright © 2005 by Mika Boblitz; ® and T are trademarks of the publisher.
 The edition will be published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
For more romance information surf to: http://www.eHarlequin.com