Book Blitz: Picture Perfect by Camille Dixon

 Picture Perfect by Camille Dixon
Publication date: March 26th 2013
Genre:New Adult Contemporary Romance

On the outside, Devin Thompson looks like he has it all - charm, good looks, and a scholarship every art major at Sanhope would kill for. But on the inside, he’s dying. His family is falling apart, his grades are dropping, and his girlfriend just dumped him for his hockey team rival, who also happens to be his younger brother. Not to mention he hasn’t been able to snap a decent picture for his senior portfolio in weeks. But when a sultry redhead with fire burning in her eyes struts across his path, he thinks he may have finally found his muse…

Angela “Angel” Davis learned early on that life never offers any hand-outs. And she’s getting burned out. Between juggling her nights as an exotic dancer at a men’s private club and struggling to keep up with her elementary education courses during the day, she barely has time to think of the future. Not that she wants to. The future implies planning, and Angel is no stranger to broken dreams. Then she meets Devin, a man who’s so wrong for her, yet she can’t seem to stay away from.

When Devin offers to take her on as his private model, Angel finds the cash hard to refuse. Each has something the other desperately needs, and neither one is willing to walk away. As their professional relationship spirals out of control into something more, they learn sometimes the wrong person can be the only right person, and that life - and people - are rarely picture perfect.

About the Author:

I'm a Southern girl who's spent the last few years freezing my toosh off up north. Except for the snow, things are pretty good. I love sunshine, sweet tea, and romances that touch my heart. A lifelong romantic, I found my own prince charming at an online dating site. Six months later, he asked me to marry him. Picture Perfect is my debut novel.

Author Links:Website / Goodreads / Twitter

          

EXCERPTS:

His brows furrowed. “Is something the matter?”

You.

I choked out a fake laugh. “Just nervous, I guess.”

His expression relaxed, his eyes softening as the smile reached them. “You shouldn’t be. You’re perfect.”

I stared at him, struck speechless for the second time tonight.

Hot. Damn.

“Perfect for the camera, I mean,” he added, shifting his weight. A light blush crept to his face, making his rugged looks turn boyishly cute.

And making me want him all the more.

***

The Fox Hunt had several private viewing rooms for one-on-one’s and VIP parties, all coordinated with a different color scheme. Blue was close by, so it didn’t take long for me to get there. After readjusting my bustier, I applied a sultry smile and slinked past the curtain.

Soft golden lights dotted the room, the walls of which were hidden by dark blue silk curtains. Non-scented candles burned on the two onyx tables in the room, highlighting the sensual, relaxed atmosphere. Beneath the curtains, the walls were padded, making them all but completely soundproof from the noise out on the main floor. Plush satin pillows dripping in tassels lay strewn about the floor, gathering next to the centerpiece of the room - a massive throne carved with the same embellishments as the tables.

Spying the figure lounged in the chair, my ruby lips pursed then twisted into a sly smile. “Huh. What do you know. You did have the cash after all,” I said as I sauntered forward.

The stranger from earlier never flinched. One dark brow rose in a comical arc. “Do you always start these things by insulting your clients?”

“Depends. Do insults and word play turn you on, or are you a more of a physical kind of guy?” I grabbed a sash from atop the pillows, grasping both ends before hooking it around the stranger’s neck and climbing onto his lap. Most men shivered or showed some semblance of intimidation when I came close, but not this guy. He held himself like a man who was comfortable around women. Something dark and hot stirred deep inside me, shooting adrenaline into my veins.

Challenge accepted.

***

I looked back at Erik, who seemed totally clueless. Glancing at my watch for the umpteenth time, I polished off my Jack-and-Coke, nearly gagging at the watered-down coke, and started to get up. “I’m going to find a restroom.”

“Wait!” Erik frantically motioned for me to sit. “You haven’t seen the best part.”

“Oh, I think I have,” I grumbled, pushing up out of my seat anyway when the music abruptly died and the lights dimmed to barely nothing. Cursing, I hesitated, unable to see much until my eyes adjusted to the sudden darkness. A smoky blue light was growing beneath the curtain, at the center of the stage, illuminating the silhouette of yet another girl. Tired of the same old shit, I was about to turn my back in search of a bathroom when the first strands of a classic jazz tune came through the speakers, a welcome contrast to the mindless drone of the past half hour that left my ears ringing.

As the vocals began, the light intensified, revealing a woman with naturally colored skin and long curling hair that looked like fire. The dark auburn hue was brought out by the complimentary green of the stage lights - probably on purpose, I noted to my inner artist’s satisfaction - and when the girl turned to look at the audience, I froze where I was, halfway risen from my seat.

Where was all the overdone makeup? She had cosmetics on, but it was natural-looking, enhancing her features and her fiery beauty rather than detracting from it. She was elegant and beautiful, in an old Hollywood pinup girl kind of way, just like Marilyn Monroe. I couldn’t take my eyes off her. I didn’t want to.

Erik grinned as I plopped back down in my seat, a little stunned. “Worth the wait, huh?” Erik yelled.

“Who is she?”

“They always save her for last. She’s a house favorite. Her stage name is Angel."

Angel. It sounded too sweet for the sultry goddess lighting up the whole stage - hell, the whole room - with her sensual moves that while conservative, seemed twice as erotic as what the girls who had come before her had done. They were smoother, like what you’d see when watching a trained dancer, like a ballerina or a ballroom dancer. I’d expected a name like Venus or Hera or something worthy of this goddess’s undeniable power over men.

INTERVIEW:

1. How long have you been writing?  

I've been writing my whole life, but I've been actively writing for the past three years. (Yes, I had my fair share of fan fiction days when I was in grade school.)

2. Have you always wanted to be a writer?

I’ve always loved to write, but for some reason I never considered writing as a profession until later in my life. I think it comes to you when you’re ready for it. 

3. Tell us about your book.

Picture Perfect is a sweet and spicy new adult romance about these people with damaged pasts – and hearts – who find redemption through their love.

4. How did you come up with the idea for Picture Perfect?

Like most of my ideas, it just kind of hit me one day. I knew I wanted a story about a dancer and a photographer, and I knew what Angel would look like. Then it was just a matter of figuring out the rest and letting it come to me. 

5. Will Picture Perfect have a sequel, or will other characters get a book?

No, it’s a stand alone story. There isn’t enough conflict in the background characters’ lives to drive future stories, and I have other books I want to focus on.

6.  What’s your favorite love story?

Hard to say! I’m a big fan of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility. I also love the film Ever After with Drew Barrymore.

7. Do you think you’ll ever pursue traditional publishing?

Yes! I want to be a hybrid author, and I make no secret of it. While I like having total creative control, it can also be draining. I wouldn’t mind if someone else did some of the work.

8. Are you writing any other books at the moment?

I’m outlining a new adult series called New Haven Hope that I hope to start releasing by the end of the year. It’ll have a similar vibe to Picture Perfect.

9. What other genres do you write?

Currently, I write high fantasy, urban fantasy, and paranormal romance under other pen names. I’m also interested in horror, erotica, and sci-fi. I’d like to eventually try them all, just to see what I can learn from them.

10. What do you like to do for fun?

Aside from reading, I like to play around in Photoshop and draw. I also enjoy watching movies and hanging out with my husband.

11. Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?

Read a lot and write a lot. Read outside of your genre and read as many books inside your genre as you can. Look at the New York Times and USA Today Bestsellers Lists. Those books got on there for a reason. Read as many creditble "how-to" books as you can, critique others' works, and have your own critiqued. Don't half-ass it. Put everything you have into it.

Thank you for having me!

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