{Blog Tour & Giveaway} Hard Chrome by Vanessa North (@ByVanessaNorth @ANovelTakePR)

Hard Chrome 
by
​Vanessa North     
 
Series: American Heavy Metal #1
 
Publisher: Carina Press
​
Release Date: 
Ebook Oct. 21st, 2019
Print Oct. 29th, 2019
 
*Hard Chrome deals with subjects some readers may find difficult, including domestic violence, animal cruelty, drug use, and teen pregnancy.*
 
He’s tough. But she’s tougher.

Tanner Ellis left American Heavy Metal in her rearview mirror. She didn’t see the beauty behind the grease stains and the polished chrome until it was too late. Now she’s back, determined to save her father’s legacy—and bring the South’s premier classic-car shop into the new century. Nothing is going to stop her—especially not the sexy tech who refuses to follow her lead.

American Heavy Metal is the only home Duke Wilson’s ever known, and no high-heeled, sharp-tongued princess is going to take it away. He tolerates Tanner’s advice, and it’s fun to push her buttons, but she doesn’t belong in the shop—never has, never will. The sooner she realizes that, the sooner he can find his new normal.

When Tanner falters, revealing the pain beneath her bravado, Duke comforts her the only way he knows how. And when violence from his past threatens their future, she’ll be there for him, offering him the one thing he’s always wanted—a shot at a real family. He just has to convince himself to take it.

This book is approximately 49,000 words

One-click with confidence. This title is part of the Carina Press Romance Promise: all the romance you’re looking for with an HEA/HFN. It’s a promise!

An Excerpt from Hard Chrome ~

I cross the expanse of gravel making up our front lot and pull the key ring from my purse. Dad’s key ring, complete with the football-shaped tag reading Champion Dad. Tyler had given it to him for Christmas a decade ago. I swallow around the lump in my throat and find the door key.

It sticks in the lock.

Dammit. Of course it does. I try twisting it this way and that, and then a blare of country music sounds behind me as a truck pulls into the gravel lot. Is this guy trying to wake the whole town? A door slams, music and diesel engine still loud, and then a rough hand closes over mine. The awareness of a gigantic male body behind me and the touch of his hand make me jerk away like I’ve been burned.

Welp. So much for professional first impressions.

“Slow down, princess. You need an easy touch with this one.” He twists the key gently and the door pops open. “Now open the gate to the back lot so I can get to work.”

I bristle at the nickname, but I swallow my pride and face him, catching the barest impression of a stubbled jaw and flash of brown eyes before he turns his back.

The guy--my employee—strides to his truck, hips swaying in low-slung jeans, arm muscles on bulging display in a white tank top, straight out of the pages of a beefcake calendar. In my years post-college, running a day spa, I’ve never had to deal with an unfortunate attraction to an employee. Holy shit, I need to implement a dress code.

He climbs back into the truck and gestures at the gate, an insolent smile on his face. “Ain’t got all day, princess. I’m a flat-rate tech.”

Nodding, I bolt for the side of the building. Thankfully the padlock there opens easily, and I push the button on the wall to activate the automatic gate.

The tech tips his UGA cap at me and drives through, truck nuts swinging from his trailer hitch. Of course he has truck nuts. The big truck, the condescending nickname, the muscles, and the crude ornament all add up to one thing: a cocky asshole compensating for something.
​
At the front door, I rip down the sign that reads Closed for Funeral, and I start my new life.

About The Author ~ 

​Vanessa North is a romance novelist, a short fiction geek, and a knitter of strange and wonderful things. Her works have been shortlisted for both the Lambda Literary Award and the RITA© Award, and have garnered praise from The New York Times, The Washington Post, and Publisher’s Weekly. She lives in Northwest Georgia with her family: a Viking, twin boy-children, and two large dogs. 

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