Book Information
Title: Accidental Makeovers
Author: Carol Maloney Scott
Series: Rom Com on the Edge #4
Standalone?: Yes
Release Date: March 31, 2016
Genres: Romantic Comedy
Publisher: Carol Maloney Scott
Book Links
Amazon US: http://amzn.com/B01DPP0JLQ
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01DPP0JLQ
Summary
Twenty-something, single mom Bianca yearns for more. The cosmetology license she worked so hard to get is collecting dust while she waitresses for her mother’s catering business, but she has no clue how to turn her dreams of being a makeup artist into reality. Adding to her unhappiness is her dead-end relationship with her immature, video game-obsessed baby daddy, Max. Although he runs a successful business and Bianca still gets a thrill whenever she sees him play the drums in his cover band, Chain, she can’t deny that he’s starting to feel like her big, tattooed second child.
In desperate need of a life makeover, her fortune takes a positive turn when she crosses paths with an impulsive, runaway bride who has the connections to help Bianca achieve her goals. Suddenly, doors are being opened for her and she has a fabulous, new job that’s reigniting her zest for life. Too bad Max isn’t on board with these changes, and he starts acting like a jealous jerk, which brings their faltering relationship to a boiling point just about the time Bianca meets Eric, a sexy and charming financial manager. Eric comes from a different world, but one Bianca is increasingly eager to join.
Bianca expects her friends and family to be supportive of her budding romance with Eric, but to her surprise, they’re all on Team Max and they rally behind him when he launches a campaign to win her back. Nothing wrong with bar fights, fake girlfriends, and strategically placed rodents when they're all in the name of true love, right?
Will she be lured back to her familiar life, or will a successful career makeover beautify her love life?
EXCERPT
Bianca
“Serving Girl, have you seen my granddaughter?”
The grandmother of the bride looks at me, and through me, at the same time. She needs me, but she’s not sure if I qualify as an actual person.
I take in the pearls and the smeared red lipstick on her geriatric lips, and I want to scream. I would like to be rude to the snobby old bitch, but my mother will kill me. Her catering business is everything to her.
Instead I smile and reply, “Well, no Ma’am, I haven’t seen her lately. Not since the toast. Perhaps she’s with the groom.”
She says gruffly, “No, that asshole ran off after the cake cutting.”
“Mother, please. What seems to be the problem? Wait, are you saying Corey ran off and Raven is missing?” The bride’s mother, Penny Alexander, places her champagne glass on the bridal party’s enormous table and covers her mouth with her hand, blinding me with her diamonds. “I was so busy schmoozing with all of the guests from Harold’s club I didn’t even notice.”
The Alexanders are a wealthy family with old money roots in Richmond. But to their credit, they have taken their inherited wealth and invested in their own business ventures. Harold is a local real estate big shot, and Penny owns a line of high end salons, which Raven manages. Raven is their only daughter, and her wedding is by far the most opulent event my mother’s catering firm has worked…ever.
Mother and daughter continue to debate the bride’s possible whereabouts, while I stand here like a dork. I should be canvassing the room, looking for more ways to serve the three hundred guests in the cavernous ballroom of the Madison Hotel. But frankly, I actually like Raven and I’m a bit worried about her. She was nice to me at the rehearsal dinner, the engagement party and the bridal shower. Yes, this wedding has been celebrated for many months.
“What the hell is going on?” Violet grabs my arm and smiles at the Alexander women, as she pulls me aside. “I just heard someone say the bride and groom are both missing. Please tell me they’re together? They ran off for an early honeymoon?”
Violet is the wedding planner. She organized my friend Claire’s wedding, and my mom frequently works with her on catering jobs. Normally the epitome of calm, a sheen of sweat is forming on her forehead, and her blond hair is frizzing up at the mere mention of disaster at her most important event of the year.
“I don’t think so. Grandma said she saw the groom run off after the cake cutting. Maybe they’re outside fighting about something? Or having sex in the dressing room?” Violet does not seem to be appeased by my suggestions. “Does it really matter at this point? The reception is almost over. All of the things that require the bride and groom to be in the spotlight are over…except…”
“The damn bouquet toss. Shit. Okay, try to act natural. If anything, bring more drinks. If everyone is drunk, they may not notice…oh hello, Mrs. Alexander. How can I help?”
Violet’s expression switches back to ‘happy hostess,’ and she engages in conversation with Raven’s family. There’s nothing more I can do, so I begin to gather the empty glasses on the table…what the hell? Something just grabbed my ankle.
I shake my foot and chastise myself for losing it. I was out late last night with my girlfriends. My boyfriend, Max stayed home with our toddler, Mick. Since he’s not one to volunteer to help out very often, I jumped at the chance to get out on a rare Friday night off.
Hopefully this wedding will end soon and I can go home and…there it is again. Now I’m almost falling over, and I steady the tray. That’s just what I need is to drop a whole tray of expensive stemware while everyone is freaking…okay, that’s it. What the fuck is under this table?
I lay the tray down, glance back at the search party still forming, and lean down to peek under the pale pink taffeta tablecloth. Oh my God…
Author Biography
Carol Maloney Scott, author of the Rom-Com on the Edge series, is a frazzled new bride and wiener dog fanatic. She is a lover of donuts, and a hater mornings. Recently unearthing a childhood passion for writing, she can once again be seen carrying around a notebook and staring into space. Her stories are witty, fresh and real, just like life.
Join her on “The Edge” for giveaways, cover reveals, excerpts, contests and members-only content at https://carolmaloneyscott.com.
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9 May 2016 - Novel Escapes – Interview
10 May 2016 - Book Babble – Review
11 May 2016 - Karan Eleni – Interview
12 May 2016 - Living Life With Joy – Excerpt
13 May 2016 - Book Lover in Florida – Review/Excerpt
16 May 2016 - Hey Said Renee – Review
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