Dare Me

by Debra Druzy

For wedding stylist Misty Morningside, mixing business with pleasure is a professional no-no. That is, until she runs into wedding photographer Adam Wright at a Valentine’s Day event. Dare they set aside business for one night of pleasure?

Contemporary Romance
Valentine's Day Romance
Reunion Romance

Genres: Novella, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary

66 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 1, 2016

About the author

Contemporary Romance Author of Sweet 'n Spicy Happily-Ever-Afters

Reviews

[Laurie Prim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dare Me is author Debra Druzy’s second book, and I had just as much fun reading it as her first one, Sleeping With Santa. In Dare Me, Misty Morningside and Adam Wright—elementary school crushes—haven’t seen each other in years when they end up working the same wedding, Adam the photographer and Misty the wedding stylist. Sparks fly as though a day has never passed for either of them, but it would be too daring for professionals to act on sparks…wouldn’t it?

There’s a luxurious hotel, there’s champagne, there are sexy poses to be struck. And that’s before the Surprise Fantasy Package from Violet’s Valise arrives. Adam and Misty aren’t school kids anymore, and this is no crush. This time they make it a Valentine’s Day to remember.

Everyone remembers their first crush. What would it be like to re-connect as adults? For Adam and Misty it feels a bit wrong. And all right.

I love the holiday themes of Debbie Druzy’s books. Sleeping With Santa, a full length, fiery novel (I mean, Nick was a firefighter after all) holds all the magic of Christmas. Dare Me, has a lot of the same flame but, a shorter Candy Hearts Romance Series book, also feels like a sweet treat, perfect for Valentine’s Day or anytime you want to pop a little romance!

[Debra Druzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I write stories I want to read -- and I loved reading Dare Me as much as I loved writing it. My favorite part of writing romance is crafting that simultaneous a-ha moment when each person realizes the other one is their perfect match.

I created this story specifically for The Wild Rose Press' call for submission last Valentine's Day for the Candy Hearts Romance series. Before coming up with Dare Me, I had two characters in mind for a full-length story, so if all goes as planned Dare Me will be the prequel.

I hope you enjoy it.
xo Deb

[Katie O'Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dare Me is a sizzling tale of second chances and fantasy fulfillment between two twentysomethings who went to school together but lost touch ten years prior. Each one harbored a secret crush on the other but never acted on their myriad fantasies, until one fateful day when they both end up working at the same Valentine event.

Misty attends the annual wedding showcase to represent her family bridal shop, not realizing the photographer is Adam Wright, the boy who secretly starred in all her high school fantasies. She also has no idea he's been carrying a picture of her in his wallet from kindergarten until now. One thing leads to another and they both end up confessing this mutual crush, and deciding to do something about it.

I enjoyed most of this story, and the author does a wonderful job of drawing out the sexual tension. However, the whole photography aspect made me more than a little uncomfortable, especially when Adam is filming Misty without her knowledge. He seemed a little too premeditated about the whole thing, which took away from my enjoyment of this otherwise fast paced and fun tale of finally getting the guy of your fantasies right where you want him. I can only give it 4 candy hearts because of that, but other people might enjoy that aspect of this steamy story.

[Laura Strickland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Smoothly written, this story proves the adage of “different strokes for different folks” and illustrates the fact that one woman’s creep-out might be another woman’s turn-on. Misty Morningstar, representing her family’s bridal boutique at a Valentine’s Day mass-wedding, bumps into the Adam Wright—the boy she’s wanted since way back in school—now all grown up and working as a photographer. It turns out Adam has long desired Misty from afar also, and even carries a faded photo from when they were in kindergarten together. When a snowstorm strikes, Misty is forced to accept refuge in Adam’s hotel suite where a liberal application of champagne lowers her inhibitions enough to let him take pictures of her. But when she notices the little red light blinking on his video camera at a particularly steamy moment, will she be outraged that he didn’t tell her he was recording their activities? Or inflamed with desire?
The slightly snarky, tongue-in-cheek tone of this book suits the subject. While I’m not sure I would have reacted as Misty does, it makes for a titillating read.

[April Hollingworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review Courtesy of April Hollingworth

So this was a seriously sweet book that will send you back to your first high school crush and all those emotions and triggers to go with it. Misty is determined to only think about her work, no romance for her even though she works in the wedding business. Well that is until she sees the photographer Adam Wright, who she not only went to school with but was the one boy she always sore herself having a happily ever after with, even though he didn't notice her. Throw in a 'dare you' from her friend and this Valentine's multi wedding event could spark love in her heart once again. Truly this was a wonderful fun book that kinda makes you wish someone would dare you to take a chance.

The Review:

For wedding stylist Misty Morningside, mixing business with pleasure is a professional no-no. That is, until she runs into wedding photographer Adam Wright at a Valentine’s Day event. Dare they set aside business for one night of pleasure?

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dare Me is a short but sassy read, just the way a Valentine love story should be. Champagne, a glorious suite in a luxury hotel, a little more champagne and a man you've dreamed of your entire life…who has been dreaming about you as well. What more could you ask for? I enjoy reunion stories and have read many, but this one was different because Misty and Adam had known each other –and had fallen in love - at the age of 5. Now, all these years later, the romance is new for them, so they’re adorably awkward with each other yet so familiar that their tryst and trust feels right – even with a camera set up to capture it all. A sweet and satisfying quickie.

I had the pleasure of reading an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Mary Ann Clarkson · Rating 4 out of 5]

These two characters have liked each other ever since high school. Misty always saw Adam taking girls under the bleachers and she wished it was her in a small way. She thought he never even noticed her. Adam always liked Misty ever since kindergarten.

They meet at a bridal show and things start to heat up between them. They decide to risk one night of pleasure but Adam vows not to let her go.

I liked this story of second chances at love from the past. They were perfect for each other but afraid to go to fast. They didn’t want to mess their big chance up. They do get a wonderful night together and have their happy ending for now.

I recommend this book.

[Ally · Rating 5 out of 5]

Misty thinks she’s just at the wedding to appease the brides, but when she runs into Adam – a hottie from back in high school – it may just be she that gets the pleasing.
He’s now a photographer, and has had his eye on Misty since they were kids. She’s a wedding dress stylist, but hasn’t donned her own yet. With a dare from her assistant to approach Adam, Misty finds Adam willing to make more than just her Valentine’s Day dream come true.
A fun read that I hope has more in store.

[Cathrine Goldstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Debra Druzy’s Dare Me, is a fun, light-hearted, and wonderful romance! Fate puts Misty in the position to reconnect with her dream man—a man she has known since childhood—and happily, she discovers he feels similarly. Misunderstanding nearly ruins their Valentine’s Day reunion, until desire (fueled by champagne!), and love, sets them on their course.
You’ll find yourself smiling from page one!

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Will old friends, aka grade school crushes, become something more now that both parties have grown up?

When wedding planner, Misty Morningside, runs into grade school crush, Adam Wright, sparks fly. Aided and abetted by a luxury hotel suite and a lot of expensive champagne. Author Debra Druzy spins a sexy tale of reconnection and desire.

Is this love or just a camera-flash in the pan!

[OTMM · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lighthearted, sweet-n-spicy Valentine's Day novella for women who enjoy contemporary romance on their e-reader.

[Annette Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a quick fun read to put you in the mood for
Valentine's Day. A sweet hero and a sassy heroine makes for a fun story

[Susan Iris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. Short, sweet, spicy. Everything you need for a Valentine's Day quickie with an old flame.