Idle Hands

7 Deadly Sins

by Barbra Campbell

There's more than one way to keep your hands from being idle!
—Amelia—
After getting burned by rich jerks who wanted nothing more than a gorgeous woman to claim as their property, I turned it into a game.
As a bartender at a high-end nightclub, I capitalized on being able to help fools part with their money by simply turning on the charm. The best part…I went home at the end of the night with a pocket full of tips and without falling prey to empty promises.
But if I didn’t learn to trust a man’s intentions, would I ruin my chances at finding love?
When a flood stranded me at work with a man that threatened to break down the walls I’d protected myself with, I was tempted to let him strip away more than my clothes.
Could I stay on top of my game while enjoying a fling?

Opposites attract in this dirty-sweet, insta-love romance! Safe, no cheating, and always a Happily Ever After!

Claire Ashlynn, Barbra Campbell, Elisa Leigh, M.K. Moore, Rachelle Stevensen, Andi Lynn, & Chelle C. Craze are pleased to present: 7 Deadly Sins, a nightclub where bad deeds are done in the dark... Sloth, Pride, Envy, Lust, Greed, Wrath, & Gluttony never looked so good. Come sin with us!

40 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 30, 2021

About the author

Barbra Campbell writes dirty-sweet romance because she gets a kick out of helping couples overcome problems as they fall in love, even if it’s her fault they have problems in the first place.
After pursuing degrees in Genetics for nearly a decade, she realized the ‘chemistry’ of romance was a lot more fun to write about than the biochemistry of how our bodies work. She shared her stories with the world, was a finalist in a bunch of romance contests, and traded her lab coat for a laptop.
All of this was done with her college sweetheart by her side. He helps her pursue the HEA on a daily basis, even when she has her mind on sexy book boyfriends and cover models.
When Barbra’s not writing, she’s likely to be taking a walk, petting one or more of her many animals, or playing the cello! Visit BarbraCampbell.com for more.

Golden Heart Finalist
Sexy Scribbles Finalist
Hook, Line, & Sinker Finalist

Reviews

[QuinnReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everyone Wins This Game

A sinful read, to be sure! It was my favorite from the collection. Stewart may start with a couple of strikes against him, but he manages to get past Amelia's defenses. I love the flirty, dirty game the play. 🔥🔥🔥

'I was transformed from an alpha male ready to claim her, into a horny teenage boy worried I'd jizz in my pants.'
-- Stewart Battle

I read this as part of the Cupid Knows Best collection.

[lf · Rating 4 out of 5]

He knows exactly what to do with those idle hands

Idle Hands by Barbra Campbell is the first book in the first book in the 7 Deadly Sins series. I actually read this book when it first came out but somehow forgot to leave a review.....so here it is now.
This story Amelia and Stewart and introduces the reader to the world of the 7 Deadly Sins nightclub. Amelia is a bartender who has a closed heart and does not trust men. Stewart has been hired to update the marketing of the club. One night when Stewart goes to the club he meets the beauty behind the bar, Amelia. Thunderbolt city baby!!! The only problem is that he has to convince her that they are meant to be together. He needs to thank Mother Nature for helping him out with a storm, flooding and being stuck together. Now he just needs to approach her carefully so he does not spook her and she runs on him.

This is a fast-paced, insta-love, fun, witty and super hot short story. I liked the story-line and the characters, along with their fun banter that made me laugh at times.

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

The addition starts with the book cover….yeah…yeah…yeah don’t judge a book by its cover they say ….well we all do it and this one here it is the scratch to your itch or better yet the filling to your oreos! Speaking of filling…..wait, that’s for later. Within the first chapters you get the panoramic view of whom you’re dealing with!
By the time you’ve figured out who is who and how deep hate can run, you’re already hooked, and you may as well give up the fight and prepare yourself for an all-nighter!
Can’t say I didn’t warn you.
Amelia is a bar tender at a high-end bar where if she flirts just enough, they pay enough tips to take care of her. She is sweet, kind but have been burned by a rich guy in the past so she wasn’t wasting her time again or any man for that matter. Stewart was contracted to do marketing for the 7 deadly sins club and from the moment they meet chemistry is intense and the magnetic pull is so intense fate decides to step in a flood causes them to be stuck together alone forcing them to get to know each other. Once they do it has Amelia rethinking her idea to stay away from guys, but will she give him a chance and can they find happiness?

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

First things first; I like the cover of this book!
Idle hands is a novella in the ‘’7 deadly sins’’ collection. This story is short, fast paced and an enjoyable read. I read this book in one sitting and was satisfied throughout. I found the writing style easy to follow, the characters likeable and the storyline enjoyable. Stewart is the new marketing manager for a night club. When he meets a bartender he never expects to want her. Amelia doesn’t want to give Stewart a chance but will she give in?
The chemistry between Amelia and Stewart is clear to see and I liked them together.
I really liked the ending and the epilogue for this story.
The storyline for this book is easy to follow and it is an enjoyable read.

[Mulan Book Princess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stewart walks into the nightclub and falls instantly for Amelia. Amelia thinks that Stewart is a rich jerk like most other guys who come in, and resists him, other than flirting enough to try to get a good tip. Then she finds out that she will be working with him, and gets stranded with him at work which leads to quite the night. This fast-paced romance is steamy hot and kind of sweet. I thought it was pretty entertaining to read.

I received a free advanced review copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my fair and honest opinion.

[Syd Springer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought that this was a good book. Amelia and Stewart were really good together. These two can't help but be drawn to each. Stewart is all in right off the back but Amelia has been hurt in the past and keeps trying to compare Stewart to the men in her past. But Stewart isn't going to let Amelia go and is willing to go at her past. There is a lot of tension between these two and a good HEA.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Charlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great concept. The Seven Deadly Sins. Amelia drove me a little nutty, but Stewart was so sweet with her. Cute.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Suzanne Houser · Rating 4 out of 5]

Barbra Campbell's Idle Hands kicks off the new multi-author series, 7 Deadly Sins. If this steamy instalove is any indication, this series is going to be highly entertaining. Marketing consultant Stewart arrives at the upscale 7 Deadly Sins to help the club increase its revenue. As he gets a lay of the land his first night, he meets the beautiful bartender in the VIP lounge, Amelia, and is instantly drawn to her. Amelia is used to being hit on by the rich clientele at the club and flaunts what she's got for the tips but refuses to get involved with customers or colleagues. However, in spite of herself, when the two find themselves alone with a rainstorm trapping them at the bar, Amelia can no longer deny that Stewart is not like all of the other men who have come and gone through her life. Stewart and Amelia have chemistry galore, their banter entertaining, and their instalove romance filthy-sweet. A fantastic way to start of new series!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Knight Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Little did Stewart know when he went to check his next job out that he would met the woman of his dreams. He was inspecting the club 7 Deadly Sins for ways to increase revenue. What he found was the most beautiful woman bartender, he ever set eyes on. He was struck speechless for a few moments, but she treated every customer accordingly to what would get her the best tip. Amelia had one set rule, she would dress and act the part for tips, but she would not date customers or co-workers, and she dressed very conservatively outside work. She hated the rich and entitled as she had already been hurt enough. Stewart left an impression on her but she still did not think he was different from other men she had met at the club. Stewart really had his work cut out for him, since he felt like she was the one. This was a fun story with some pretty unique twist and turns to the happily ever after.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kat4 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good quick story

I mostly liked this one. I really liked Stewart, he seemed like an actual nice guy. I didn't much care for Amelia. She came across very hypocritical and arrogant. I didn't see her as any better than the men she was putting down. She inner monologues repeatedly that she was with the rich guy to be a trophy, she wanted to be the arm candy and wanted the money and jewels...so she's upset that she didn't get any respect? She never says what she liked about the guy outside of money. I feel like she should've had an aha moment somewhere in there to show she had some redeeming qualities also outside of being genetically blessed. Towards the end of the story it turns out well. I like her much better once she and Spencer are together, but that's only a quick paragraph/epilogue. I think I would have liked them together even more if it had been a bit longer. Overall, I'd recommend this to others.

[Cherie Snyder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amelia is a bartender at the 7Deadly Sins nightclub. She makes wonderful tips flirting and showing skin to rich men. But she never lets it go passed the game that she plays every night. Amelia has been burned by rich guys in the passed and has learned her lesson to stir clear of them. Stewart's job is to help businesses bring in new clientele. He walks into 7 Deadly Sins the night before meeting the staff just to get a fill of the atmosphere. One look, one sound of her voice, and Stewart knows that Amelia is his soulmate. All it takes is one on one meeting and a massive rainstorm to bring these 2 together. This book was a great introduction into the 7 Deadly Sins book series. Loved it!!!!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Opasan Ouprie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book in the 7 deadly sins series. She has been burned by rich men in the past. She is a bartender at a high end bar where she flirts for tips. He is the new man to come up with marketing to get more people into the bar. She thinks he is just another rich man and a customer, so there is no way she will act on anything as she doesn't do that. Once he saw and heard her, that was it for him. He knew she was it for him. Thing is he going to get past her walls and break them down for her to see that he is not just another rich man that will hurt and burn her?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Auro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stewart was hired to revamp the marketing of the 7 Deadly Sins Nightclub. From the moment he sees the sexy bartender, Amelia, he´s absolutely lost to her. He knows, without a shadow of a doubt, that she`s meant to be his... but he senses that he must tread lightly to avoid spooking her. Amelia is confident, sexy, smart, sassy, and extremely guarded. She`s been fooled before, so she keeps her heart guarded. Their story is fast-paced, but with a great flow and great characters! It´s fun, witty, and extremely hot!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sabrina Flachsmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a good start to the 7 Deadly Sins series. Amelia works at the nightclub as a bartender. At the club, she is playing the part to earn more in tips. Stewart comes in to help with marketing and advertising for the bar and is instantly drawn to her. With being burned in the past, she pushes him away but Stewart keeps at her to prove he is not like the men from her past. I liked the concept of this book so much - it was fun, well written and I can't wait to see what the rest of the series and each sin is about!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jamie West · Rating 5 out of 5]

“This is more of a warning than a rule.” She lifted her coffee cup. “If you see this in my hand, it’s too early to talk to me. Attempting to do so should be considered the eighth deadly sin.”


Barbra Campbell’s Idle Hands is sinfully sexy from start to finish. I love the playful way Stewart and Amelia work through the sins together when they meet each other at the 7 Deadly Sins bar. Every page just sizzles!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Aliama · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amelia is a bartender at a high end club and Stewart has just been hired to come up with a new marketing plan. One look at Amelia and Stewart is a goner but Amelia doesn’t date customers and is definitely not looking for a relationship. Can Stewart convince Amelia that he’s more than what she thinks he is or will Amelia give up on finding love again? This as a fast paced sexy read. The characters had chemistry and a connection that leapt off the page. I received an arc copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amelia, bartender at 7 Deadly Sins, meets Stewart at the bar, not knowing he’s been hired to market the club. They have an instant attraction, but when Amelia discovers that Stewart works for her bosses, she tries her best to avoid him. Stewart works on cracking Amelia’s shell as she was badly burned by her previous relationship. I enjoyed their banter. It was a quick read, but enjoyable. I recommend this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Anna M_82 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this new book to kick off a series based on the seven deadly sins. The characters Stewart and Amelia experience most of the seven sins before it becomes obvious that Amelia is definitely keen on sloth. I really liked these two together. I especially loved Stewart and his persistence in convincing Amelia to give a relationship with him a chance. I would recommend reading this book and I look forward to reading more in this series.

I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[casvec · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stewart was hired to help with the marketing of the club. Amelia is a bartender who knows how to get the tip while at work, but at home wants to do nothing. Stewart and Amelia's story is a hot push and pull tale. Amelia's been burned so she does not want to give her heart, but Stewart is demanding and will not back down.

This is a fun fast read that will have you spinning with each turn of the pages.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Judy Gittleson Hendrickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story of Stewart and Amelia will have you hooked right from the start. The tease and the reward in this storyline, along with the intense emotions, can get you worked up. Loved the ideas they up with for the club becoming better and more enticing to visit. The levels were especially hilarious. The characters and their easing into a relationship and trust was terrific. Loved the ending at the beach. Well done.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[CJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author has given us a fast paced story that pulls us into the lives of Stewart and Amelia and never lets go. Stewart is contracted to do marketing for the 7 Deadly Sins club. Amelia is a bartender that uses a persona behind the bar that is totally unlike her true self. When they lock eyes they feel a connection but will he be able to break through her walls?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[adina willis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amelia has been burned in the past by rich men. She is a bartender and uses them to get tips. When she meets Stewart, he decides to play her game but the outcome is one Amelia doesn't want. Stewart is working on marketing for the bar. One night, they get stuck together and Stewart is bound and determined to show Amelia how she should be treated.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amelia has been hurt before so she has her bartender game down. She gets great tips and doesn't have to deal with the guys afterward. Until she meets Stewart. From the moment he sees Amelia he's instantly attracted to her. Who knew getting trapped in a flood would lead to finding love. This is a steamy, short story with likable characters and a great ending. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.

[Jenifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's about a man, Stewart, called into a bar to help them boost sales and turn around their profits. In scoping out the club before introductions to the staff, he meets Amelia and is instantly smitten with her. Her resistance to him only makes him want her more and then there is a storm that prevents them from leaving the bar and they are there all alone. And then insta-love sets in and it's happily ever after for them.

[Kirsten Pardini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love love love! This is so sweet and primal all at once! Funny and very low angst! I love how easy and relaxing of a read this was!
*Spoiler*
I love how he was like when did I begin being all alpha! It's amazing!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Debbie Benson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. Amelia knows how to play the bartender game to get the most tips but didn't realize she reeled in her future husband. A flood trapped Stewart and Amelia in the club while working on promotion ideas which flourish and a little hanky panky leads to much more for them.

[VR Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don't give up

I really enjoyed reading Stewart and Amelia's story. Stewart knew he needed Amelia from the moment he saw her. Amelia was jaded from a past bad relationship but Stewart wasn't giving up - he wanted to show Amelia that he wasn't like that other jerk. He wanted to love her forever.

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enjoyable read in the 7 Deadly Sins series! It is fast pace, engaging, funny, witty, emotionally deep, and well written with likeable characters, drama, push and pull, and instant chemistry. Definitely recommended!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mandy D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stewart is a marketing fixer of sorts. Amelia is a bartender at the business he’s been hired to help. Sparks fly when these two meet. Amelia is set on clashing with everything she thinks Stewart stands for. Stewart is set on making Amelia his future. I love the push and pull with these two!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I voluntarily reviewed an arc of this book.

This is a sweet and steamy instalove romance, Stewart immediately falls head over heels when he sees Amelia manning the bar he's been hired to work at. Sizzling chemistry between them, both likable characters.