BOOK BLAST: When Ice Melts by Altonya Washington

Paperback: 294 pages
Publisher: Al Tonya Washington (January 3, 2014)
ISBN-10: 0989145557
ISBN-13: 978-0989145558
Genre: Romantic Suspense/ Women Fiction

Age group: Adult 18+

Icia Graham’s love affair with Rakim Transou had the makings of a fairy tale romance with the happily ever after ending, until the night of Rakim’s college graduation party. For Icia, it was the night her life was forever changed. So desperate to escape the horrific memories she’d suddenly been saddled with, Icia left school and the man she loved. The years passed and; in that time, both Rakim and Icia reached goals that carried them to the heights of success. For Rakim it was a powerful advertising agency that brought him a respected and revered name in the business. Icia’s accomplishment was a bit darker, but no less revered and she had no desire to revisit the past and be tortured by thoughts of love lost with the only man she’d ever wanted.
A series of events however, would bring Icia right back to where she swore she’d never return. Once more Rakim Transou was back in her life and she was simultaneously overjoyed and distraught. How could she start anew with the man who still meant everything to her, when there were so many secrets between them? When the need for vengeance on those; who were still very much a part of Rakim’s life, still raged so viciously inside her?

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About the Author













AlTonya Washington has been a published romance novelist for 10 years. In 2013, her Harlequin Kimani novel "His Texas Touch" won the Romantic Times Magazine Reviewer's Choice Award for Best Series Romance of 2012. In addition to being an author, AlTonya also works as a college Reference Librarian. Writing as T. Onyx, AlTonya released her latest erotica "Ravenous: Ruler of Perfection II" in 2013. Her newest title with Harlequin Kimani is "Provocative Passion" nominated for an AMB Ovation Award for Outstanding Interracial Romance and the sequel to the January 2013 release "Provocative Territory". In November she will release "A Lover's Debt", the 17th title in the Ramsey Tesano saga.

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Author Tour Schedule: http://wnlbooktours.com/altonya-washington-when-ice-melts/

Houston, Texas~

"Here you go, Val," Rakim Transou was saying to his assistant as he signed the last of the three contracts on his desk. "I don't have time, man," he grumbled to his Vice President.

Charles 'Cory" Henderson shook his head at his boss and best friend, before perching his lean body on the edge of the desk. "You need to think about this, Kimm."

"Is that it, Valerie?" Rakim sighed, pleased to see his mound of work slowly dissolving.

Val scanned the documents and smiled. "That's it," she sang and headed out of the office.

"Kimm, what's the point of owning this place if you're not gonna have fun runnin' it?" Cory asked, once Val was gone.

Rakim ran both hands over his soft, close-cut hair. "The last thing I need to do is waste my day looking at pictures."

"Of models," Cory pointed out, smiling devilishly. "Do you know how stress-relieving that can be?"

Rakim groaned. "Here we go," he said, leaning back in his leather swivel chair. "You know I get tired of you telling me how sad my life is. If I hadn't been focused on business all these years, you wouldn't be working for one of the most successful ad agencies in the country."

Cory nodded, familiar with the speech. He cleared his throat and braced his hands on top of the polished cherry wood desk. "And given that you own one of the most successful agencies in the country, why can't you have some fun?"

Rakim leaned forward to pin Cory with his deep, obsidian stare. "I don't want one of the most successful agencies. I want the most successful agency, period."

Cory slapped a hand against his bald head. "Man, thinking like that'll never get you a steady woman."

"I can live with that," Rakim easily replied, focusing his attention on the appointment book lying open on the desk.

"I give up," Cory mumbled and walked out of the plush, twentieth floor office.

Alone, Rakim allowed the facade to fade. He massaged the bridge of his nose, then opened the bottom desk drawer and pulled a tattered envelope from the back. The expression was fixed, intense on his handsome, dark-chocolate face. His midnight gaze was riveted on the contents of the note he knew by heart.

Rakim,

I'm so sorry I couldn’t be there today. Something's happened and I have to leave. I'll be changing schools. Don't try to find me. My parents won't tell you anything. I hate doing this to you, but I can't see you again.  I just can't. I do love you-so much. It's really better like this. I love you, but if you hate me now, I understand.  Coco.

           As usual, once Rakim finished reading the letter, he pressed the page to his nose. He swore he could still smell her perfume clinging to it.

The relationship they shared had been so right. She was everything to him and he trusted her with his life. When he walked into his bedroom the afternoon of the graduation, his entire world changed. He found the note lying in the center of the bed. Icia Graham had taken anything else that would have reminded him of her-including all the pictures. The brief letter provided no answers. It was most effective; however, in helping him lose his temper. Rakim grunted as he remembered the way he demolished the house. Cory and Fred had been so spooked by his mood that they left him alone for a week.

Just then, Cory's earlier comments filtered his mind. He had completely buried himself in work after Icia left. He took the job he'd been offered in Richmond and worked there while obtaining his Masters degree. Afterwards, he went back home to Houston and put everything he had into building his company. Now, The Transou Agency was respected by its competitors and clients alike.

Of course, Rakim acknowledged that his private life may have suffered. Not that there weren't women. There had been several. Unfortunately, he only had to be in the relationship for a matter of months, before he began to compare his companion to Icia. Not even that flaw could keep the women away, though. Rakim Transou's good looks seem to intensify with age. He stood well over six feet and had been blessed with a flawless deep chocolate complexion and the type of lean, muscular frame that flattered everything he wore. The thick, curly afro he used to sport had been trimmed to a close-cut fade. The style only enhanced his pitch, deep-set eyes and sleek brows. His wide mouth was made more enticing by the set of double dimples which appeared whenever he spoke or smiled.

Book Blast and Giveaway. Author is giving away $10.00 Amazon Gift Card, One signed autograph copy and one ebook copy of When Ice Melts.

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Interview with Altonya Washington

1.  Can you please tell us a little about yourself.
 I've been a published romance author for 10years, but have actually been a romance writer for almost 20-yep I got the 'bug' the summer I graduated college. I found that the mainstream romances that I'd loved since I was 13 were missing something and I discovered that it was characters who looked like me. Now, I have the joy of creating, characters, worlds and situations that span as far as my mind allows. By day, I work as an academic reference librarian but being a mom is my favorite role.



2. What inspired you to write your first book?
As I stated above, the lack of African American characters in the stories I loved became a major issue for me and it intrigued me to discover stories out there featuring characters who looked like me. In mid-90s South Carolina I really didn't find many of those on my local bookstore shelves, so I took it upon myself to satisfy my craving.



3. What do you wish more people knew about the publishing side of things?
It's not as easy as it looks. There are so many details that must be satisfied before that book hits the shelves. It's also a job that very much requires passion, discipline and patience.



4. How did you come up with your titles?
Most often my titles are a reflection of my plot. There are times however that the titles are not my ideas at all. Many of my traditional works have been entitled by editors. I do enjoy being able to chime in with my suggestions but I most often have the opportunity to select my titles when it comes to my independent works.



5. What author(s) has influenced your writing style?
 So many! I'd say that my style was most greatly influenced by the writers I discovered during my early days of reading romance-authors like Kathleen Woodiwiss, Kay Hooper and Virginia Henley.



6. For your first book, how long did it take you to find an agent?
 I actually obtained my first writing contract on my own- a result of patience and persistence. I found that it was as difficult to find an agent as it was to find a publisher. I decided to cease agent hunting and focus on getting someone to publish my book. Once I had my first book deal, it didn't take long after that to find an agent.



7. How important was a "platform" in selling your books?
Very important, though as a new author I don't believe I recognized that then. Now, as an author who works on the independent as well as the traditional side of things, I have an entirely new appreciation for how and where my work is published. I believe that having a platform-an effective platform to market and produce ones work is as important for the unknown author as well as the established ones. 



8. Do you have book signings coming up where readers can meet you?
Currently, I'm working to organize a series of lunch events where I'll visit with readers in areas closest to them-give them the chance to come out and ask all those questions they have about my work and the writing life in general. I don't do a lot of booksigning events so I'm really looking forward to being able to connect with my readers at a gathering like this. There will be more details coming soon.



9. Can you tell us about your upcoming project(s)?
I've just released an independent project "When Ice Melts" it's the story of old flames torn apart by a traumatic event experienced by the heroine and unknown to the hero. Time passes and circumstances bring the couple together again along with many of the players responsible for what happened to the heroine- it's a story of enduring love, revenge, sacrifice and triumph.



10. What advice do you have to an aspiring author?
Be persistent in your endeavors and READ, READ, READ! Don't spend so much time creating your work that you don't take time to find nourishment in the joy of reading. Try reading material outside the genre you write- I write contemporary and historical romance but adore the Fantasy/Paranormal, Crime Fiction, Biographies, Horror-Stephen King is my favorite author- and the YA Fantasy Genres. You never know how your creative instincts will evolve as a result of expanding your reading interests. 

SYNOPSIS:

 

Icia Graham’s love affair with Rakim Transou had the makings of a fairy tale romance with the happily ever after ending, until the night of Rakim’s college graduation party. For Icia, it was the night her life was forever changed. So desperate to escape the horrific memories she’d suddenly been saddled with, Icia left school and the man she loved. 

The years passed and; in that time, both Rakim and Icia reached goals that carried them to the heights of success. For Rakim it was a powerful advertising agency that brought him a respected and revered name in the business. Icia’s accomplishment was a bit darker, but no less revered and she had no desire to revisit the past and be tortured by thoughts of love lost with the only man she’d ever wanted. 

A series of events however, would bring Icia right back to where she swore she’d never return. Once more Rakim Transou was back in her life and she was simultaneously overjoyed and distraught. How could she start anew with the man who still meant everything to her, when there were so many secrets between them? When the need for vengeance on those; who were still very much a part of Rakim’s life, still raged so viciously inside her?