Virtual Book Tour - Smitten At First Sight by Marie Astor

Welcome to my stop on Marie Astor's Smitten At First Sight Virtual Excerpt Tour.  Please make sure to leave a comment or question below to let Marie know you stopped by.  You can follow Marie's tour here, the more often you comment the better your odds of winning Marie's terrific tour wide giveaway:

Marie will be awarding to five randomly drawn commenters at the end of the tour, one of the following five custom-designed jewelry prizes:

Prize 1: Blue quartz three strand necklace with sterling silver clasp
Prize 2: Jade and prehnite necklace
Prize 3:Green aventurine sterling silver earrings
Prize 4: Smoky quartz sterling silver earrings
Prize 5; Rose quartz sterling silver earrings

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Smitten At First Sight

by Marie Astor

Publisher:  Marie Astor

Release Date: October 7, 2011

ASIN: B005TOWI7K

Buy Link:           Amazon 

Book Description:  

Maggie Robin has been dating the irresistibly good-looking, successful Jeffrey Preston for two years. But when Jeffrey proposes marriage a week after Maggie’s college graduation, she is no longer sure if she wants to marry a workaholic TV producer.

Maggie’s doubts culminate when during a ski trip to British Columbia, she meets Taylor Denton, a handsome, free-spirited big mountain skier who is the complete opposite of Jeffrey. It does not take Maggie long to realize that she has fallen in love with Taylor and she decides to break off her engagement with Jeffrey. But just when she thinks she has found the love of her life, an ill-fated misunderstanding tears Maggie and Taylor apart. 

A week later, Maggie is told that Taylor has died in a tragic ski accident; yet, her heart refuses to believe in Taylor’s death. When Maggie returns to Taylor’s native town, she learns that Taylor is indeed alive, but has been seriously injured. Resolved to bring her lover back to life Maggie stands by Taylor’s side, convincing him to embrace life again.

Exclusive Excerpt:

Maggie’s gaze traveled to a small, low-slung wooden building a few steps away from the Owl Lodge. The weathered construction looked more like a shed than a house; the sign atop the entrance read: Millie’s Bakery. She could certainly use a cup of coffee and a snack –in her hurry to start on her photography expedition, she had neglected to have breakfast and now she was paying for it with a grumbling stomach.

Maggie was just about to walk up to the counter when she noticed the back of the neon ski jacket and the blond ponytail that could only belong to Taylor Denton. Instantly, she made the move for the front door – Taylor was standing with his back to her, and if she hurried, she just might escape unnoticed.

“Maggie?”

So recognized Taylor immediately; for a moment she contemplated fleeing, but abandoned the option immediately as being over-the-top. Let’s not get crazy here, she thought, there’s no reason why I can’t have a civil conversation with him - just a friendly hello and goodbye and then I’ll be on my way.

“Taylor! I didn’t expect to see you here,” Maggie stammered, immediately cursing her ineptness – she was not supposed to expect seeing him at all - not here, not anywhere.

“I was just grabbing a cup of hot chocolate – it’s freezing up there today.”

What do you know, she thought, Mr. Tough Guy has a weakness for hot chocolate. Yes, it was certainly a cool day out, and to her annoyance, Maggie had to admit that Taylor looked even more handsome with his face all flushed from the frost.

“But what brings you to this neck of the woods? I thought you were staying all the way on the other side of the resort,” pressed Taylor.

“I am. I was just taking a walk,” Maggie said curtly, not wanting to go into details.

“Listen, about yesterday, I’d like to apologize for losing my cool – I had no business telling you off like that.”

She remained silent, unwilling to lend him a hand.

“It was a close call and I blew a fuse - I’m sorry.”

“I understand. You were right - it was thoughtless of me to follow you when you told everyone to stay back. Thanks again for saving Jeffrey’s life.” Oh God that came out lame, Maggie thought - she had to get out of there before she made a complete fool of herself. “Well, it was nice seeing you, but I really have to get back…”

“Can I buy you a cup of hot chocolate?”

To refuse would be rude, and she agreed.

Maggie took a seat while Taylor walked over to the counter. Aside from her and Taylor, the place only had a couple of customers, and Maggie got the prime table by the window with a view on the mountain.

A moment later, Taylor returned with two muffins and two steaming cups of hot chocolate.

“Cranberry muffins are my favorite,” said Maggie after she took a bite of her muffin.

“I can read minds.” Taylor grinned, taking a sip of his hot chocolate.

“You are good.”

“Actually, today is cranberry day – my grandmother owns the bakery, and she bakes most of the things on the menu. Every day is a different muffin day: blueberry on Mondays, orange on Tuesdays, then there’s raisin, apricot, cherry, poppy seed, and today is cranberry.”

“Your grandmother’s name is Millie?” asked Maggie in disbelief – Millie was an uncommon enough name, and in a small town like this…

“Yeah, why?”

“Is she a skier? I think I might have run into her several days ago on a ski lift.”

“She and grandpa did go over to ski the groomers over the weekend.”

“Is your grandfather’s name Phil?” asked Maggie, intrigued by the impossible coincidence.

Taylor nodded.

“It was them then – I chatted with your grandparents on a ski lift a few days back. They seemed like really nice people,” said Maggie, deciding to omit the fact that Millie had offered to introduce her to Taylor.

“They are, but of course I’m biased.” Taylor grinned. “And they are also great skiers. Back in the day my grandfather was a major big mountain skier, but now grandma insists that he is too old to risk skiing off-piste – he still sneaks in a run or two, though. He’s taught me everything I know. It’s because of him that I want to do the documentary…”

Maggie waited for Taylor to continue, but he halted, a surprised expression coming over his face.

“I think it’s your friend Bethany.” Taylor pointed to the window.

Maggie looked up and indeed it was Bethany standing next to the window, waving at them.

Bethany made her way inside. “Hello there! Fancy running into the two of you like this.”

“Hi, Bethany.” Taylor nodded.

“Maggie, what are you doing here?” Bethany took a seat next to Maggie.

“I was just taking a walk.” Maggie wracked her mind for an explanation, deciding that offense was the best defense. “What about yourself?”

Bethany’s eyes glinted, as though saying that the challenge was on. “Oh, I was on my way to book a ski lesson at the lodge, but now that I ran into you, Taylor, maybe you could help me out – would you be my guide?”

“I would, but I’ve cancelled all my tours until the documentary is completed. Yesterday was an exception as a personal favor to Jeffrey. There are plenty of experienced guides at the ski base. Now, ladies, if you’ll excuse me, there are a few things I have to check on at the lodge.” Taylor rose from his chair. “Have a good day. It’s been nice talking to you, Maggie.”

“Thanks for the muffin and the hot chocolate,” Maggie called over her shoulder as Taylor made his way to the exit. The guy sure was a roller coaster – one minute he was offering her a cup of hot chocolate and the next, he was taking off in a hurry.

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AUTHOR Bio and Links: 


Marie Astor is the author of contemporary romance novels Lucky Charm, Smitten at First Sight, This Tangled Thing Called Love, romantic suspense novel, To Catch a Bad Guy, and a short story collection, A Dress in a Window. If you would like to find out more about Marie’s books, please visit Marie at her website: www.marieastor.com. 
Amazon author page: http://www.amazon.com/Marie-Astor/e/B004EBDX9Q/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1 


Website: www.marieastor.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/marieastorcollection

Good Reads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4665230.Marie_Astor

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Additional Books by Marie

To Catch A Bad Guy                   Kindle

This Tangled Thing Called Love        Kindle 

Lucky Charm                                    Kindle 

A Dress In A Window (a collection of short stories about love, coincidences, and fate.)   Kindle 

Over The Mountain and Back (young adult fantasy adventure novel about a boy who takes his snowboard for a ride and finds himself in a magical, hidden world he never knew existed).  Kindle 

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Don't forget to leave a comment or question below to let Marie know you stopped by.  You can follow Marie's tour here, the more often you comment the better your odds of winning Marie's terrific tour wide giveaway:

Marie will be awarding to five randomly drawn commenters at the end of the tour, one of the following five custom-designed jewelry prizes:

Prize 1: Blue quartz three strand necklace with sterling silver clasp
Prize 2: Jade and prehnite necklace
Prize 3:Green aventurine sterling silver earrings
Prize 4: Smoky quartz sterling silver earrings
Prize 5; Rose quartz sterling silver earrings