Seduced by the Handyman
by Nancy Fraser
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GENRE: Steamy Contemporary Romance
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BLURB:
After a prolonged and messy divorce, 42-year-old Cate Matthews uses her financial settlement to purchase a condo in a regentrified warehouse. The only problem with her new home is the plumbing. It doesn’t take her long to realize she needs an expert to fix the rusty pipes—both the building’s and her own.
Mitch Taylor, a 27-year-old former Army Ranger and now full-time student, is working hard toward earning his engineering degree while balancing his education with part-time work doing household repairs.
When Mitch shows up in Cate’s lecture hall, she’s immediately impressed with his knowledge of U.S. history, a subject to which she’s devoted her academic career. However, as impressed as she is with his historical acumen when he lands on her doorstep with an impressively large bag of tools in hand, history is the last thing on her mind.
Perhaps this much younger and infinitely sexy man is just what she needs to get her dormant sex life back on track. Given the huge difference in their ages, Cate assumes the relationship will fizzle out after a few—albeit perfect—trips around the bedroom.
Much to her surprise and delight, Mitch seems to be in it for the long haul. Their 15 year age difference is the least of her worries when she realizes how quickly she’s been seduced by the handyman.
Warning: Contains language and love scenes some readers may find HOT!
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Excerpt One:
“Dammit!” Cate Matthews shut the kitchen tap off quickly, but not before water sprayed everywhere, drenching the countertop, the china she’d placed on top of the dishwasher, and a good portion of her brand-new hardwood floor.
“Let me guess,” Sela shouted from the living room where she worked unpacking boxes.
“The half-assed patch job you attempted on your faucet didn’t take.”
“Shut up,” Cate groused. “I never claimed to have plumbing skills, and that Plumbing for Dummies book was less than helpful.”
Her best friend laughed heartily, arriving in the kitchen with an armful of towels. “Need these?” Sela asked.
“No. Thank you. I got most of it with half a roll of paper towel.”
Sela shot her a grin. “Are you ready to concede you need to call a real plumber?”
“I’m ready to concede this condo hasn’t turned out to be as perfect as I’d thought,” Cate admitted.
Sela pulled a bottle of wine from the fridge and took two glasses out of the cupboard.
“Perhaps you should have held out for more in the divorce. You could have been the one to keep the house, not that asshat ex of yours.”
Cate shook her head and gladly accepted the offered glass of wine, plunking herself down onto the closest chair. “It took four long years to finally come to an agreement. I was just glad to have it over and done with it.” She paused, taking a long drink of Cakebread Chardonnay. “Besides, after I found out he’d screwed his last fling-of-the-month in our bed, I lost all interest in the house, and everything in it.”
“I can’t believe he admitted it,” Sela said, shaking her head, her short brown curls bouncing around her full face.
“I think it was his plan all along. He knew I’d cave and give him the house, and he was willing to pony up an extra cash settlement in exchange.”
Sela turned in her chair, scanning the open concept living area. “This is a great condo,” she admitted, “and within walking distance of the university.”
“I do love it—except for the wretched plumbing.” Setting her empty glass aside, Cate returned to organizing her kitchen. “I’ll give in and call a plumber in the morning.”
Sela stood and reached for her lightweight jacket. “I’d better get going. Ted’s due back from Boston on the eight-thirty flight and I told him I’d pick him up.”
“Thanks for the help, Sel.” Leaning forward, she gave Sela a hug. “Give Ted a kiss for me. I really appreciated his help finding this place.”
“Even with the plumbing?” Sela teased.
Cate nodded. “There’s something ironic about a forty-two-year-old divorcee who’s not had sex in nearly five years moving into this renovated warehouse.”
“How so?”
Cate grinned, a short laugh escaped. “Simple. Just like this old building, my pipes are definitely rusty.”
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I have to admit that I’m somewhat of a cougar myself. Yes, my husband is 7 years younger than me and the joke is that he robbed the grave and I robbed the cradle. Ha Ha!!! I love him and age is just a number. With Cate and Mitch, it really didn’t matter to them either. Well…Cate kinda was hung up on it for a bit but Mitch just wasn’t going to let her go.
I really enjoyed getting to know Cate and Mitch. They were well matched in all aspects of their lives and especially Mitch to Cate. Mitch was an old soul to me and I found that endearing. In so many older woman/younger man stories, the man is normally the one that gets hits over the head when he finally figures out that he loves the woman. This is not the case with Mitch. He knew exactly what he wanted and made no bones about it.
Cate was great. LOL! No truly, she was. Cate was like me at the beginning of my relationship with my now-husband. I was too hung up on the age difference but in the end, I loved him and it didn’t matter what our ages were. In fact, some days, he can’t keep up. Sela is a total hoot. Every woman needs a friend like her. Trace, Mitch’s roommate/co-worker/friend is hilarious. I can’t wait to read his story next. He will definitely be a handful and will need to be put down a peg or two.
Overall, the story is just flat-out funny, way sexy (be warned, it borders on erotic), charming, and completely relevant. I’ve lived it, still live it, and love it. Ms. Fraser knows how to spice up a relatively easy trope to read and fall in love again. But then again, Ms. Fraser is one of my favorite authors, too.
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
NANCY FRASER—Jumping Across Romance Genres with Gleeful Abandon—is an Amazon Top 100 and Award-Winning author who can’t seem to decide which romance genre suits her best. So, she writes them all.
Like most authors, Nancy began writing at an early age, usually on the walls and with crayons or, heaven forbid permanent markers. Her love of writing often made her the English teacher’s pet which, of course, resulted in a whole lot of teasing. Still, it was worth it.
Nancy has published over thirty-five books in full-length, novella, and short format. When not writing (which is almost never), Nancy dotes on her five wonderful grandchildren and looks forward to traveling and reading when time permits. Nancy lives in Atlantic Canada where she enjoys the relaxed pace and colorful people.
Website: www.nancyfraser.ca
Facebook: http://facebook.com/nancyfraserauthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/nfraserauthor @nfraserauthor
Bookbub: http://bookbub.com/profile/nancy-fraser
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Nancy-Fraser/e/B004AOL61Y/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7206382.Nancy_Fraser
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3gC68iMStwKCr4v_S6fMIA
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Purchase Links:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08XQWTXHD
Apple: https://books.apple.com/ca/book/seduced-by-the-handyman/id1556055163
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/seduced-by-the-handyman
Nook: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/seduced-by-the-handyman-nancy-fraser/1138917265
Universal: http://books2read.com/handyman
The book will be $0.99.
Trailer Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5nZoh2qSPc
Jigsaw Puzzle Link:
https://bit.ly/3jqVDMK
Seduced by the Handyman Puzzle
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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE:
Nancy Fraser will be awarding a $15 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
This is on my list! I love the idea of the age difference going the other direction!
15 years is a very big gap, especially as he is the younger.
Fun excerpt! I hate whenever we have plumbing problems. It always ends up worse then when it started!
Thank you so much for featuring Seduced by the Handyman. And, of course, for the lovely review. I look forward to checking back later today for more comments.
Thanks for hosting!