Thursday, April 10, 2014

Book Blast: When Ice Melts by Al Tonya Washington


Paperback: 294 pages
Publisher: Al Tonya Washington (January 3, 2014)
ISBN-10: 0989145557
ISBN-13: 978-0989145558
Genre: Romantic Suspense/ Women Fiction
Age group: Adult 18+

About The Book 

Icia Graham’s love affair with Rakim Transou had the makings of a fairy 
tale romance with the happily ever after ending, until the night of Rakim’s 
college graduation party. For Icia, it was the night her life was forever 
changed. So desperate to escape the horrific memories she’d suddenly 
been saddled with, Icia left school and the man she loved. The years 
passed and; in that time, both Rakim and Icia reached goals that carried 
them to the heights of success. For Rakim it was a powerful advertising 
agency that brought him a respected and revered name in the business. 
Icia’s accomplishment was a bit darker, but no less revered and she 
had no desire to revisit the past and be tortured by thoughts of love lost 
with the only man she’d ever wanted. A series of events however, would 
bring Icia right back to where she swore she’d never return. Once more 
Rakim Transou was back in her life and she was simultaneously overjoyed 
and distraught. How could she start anew with the man who still meant 
everything to her, when there were so many secrets between them? 
When the need for vengeance on those; who were still very much a part of 
Rakim’s life, still raged so viciously inside her?


About the Author
AlTonya Washington has been a published romance novelist for 10 years. 
In 2013, her Harlequin Kimani novel "His Texas Touch" won the Romantic 
Times Magazine Reviewer's Choice Award for Best Series Romance of 
2012. In addition to being an author, AlTonya also works as a college 
Reference Librarian. Writing as T. Onyx, AlTonya released her latest 
erotica "Ravenous: Ruler of Perfection II" in 2013.
Her newest title with Harlequin Kimani is "Provocative Passion" nominated 
for an AMB Ovation Award for Outstanding Interracial Romance and the 
sequel to the January 2013 release "Provocative Territory". In November 
she will release "A Lover's Debt", the 17th title in the Ramsey Tesano saga.

Buy Links

Amazon ebook: http://amzn.to/1luSPdn

Amazon paperback: http://amzn.to/1i7KQ1z

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1dUKRdK

Social Links:

Email: altonya@lovealtonya.com

Website: http://www.lovealtonya.com

Website: www.alsreaders.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/altonyaw

Twitter: www.twitter.com/Ramseysgirl

Tour Hosted by WNL Book Tour www.wnlbooktours.com

AlTonya Washington has been a published romance novelist for 10 years. 



EXCERPT:

Houston, Texas~

"Here you go, Val," Rakim Transou was saying to his assistant as he 
signed the last of the three contracts on his desk. "I don't have time, man," 
he grumbled to his Vice President.
Charles 'Cory" Henderson shook his head at his boss and best friend, 
before perching his lean body on the edge of the desk. "You need to think 
about this, Kimm."
"Is that it, Valerie?" Rakim sighed, pleased to see his mound of work slowly 
dissolving.
Val scanned the documents and smiled. "That's it," she sang and headed 
out of the office.
"Kimm, what's the point of owning this place if you're not gonna have fun 
runnin' it?" Cory asked, once Val was gone.
Rakim ran both hands over his soft, close-cut hair. "The last thing I need to 
do is waste my day looking at pictures."
"Of models," Cory pointed out, smiling devilishly. "Do you know how stress-
relieving that can be?"
Rakim groaned. "Here we go," he said, leaning back in his leather swivel 
chair. "You know I get tired of you telling me how sad my life is. If I hadn't 
been focused on business all these years, you wouldn't be working for one 
of the most successful ad agencies in the country."
Cory nodded, familiar with the speech. He cleared his throat and braced his 
hands on top of the polished cherry wood desk. "And given that you own 
one of the most successful agencies in the country, why can't you have 
some fun?"
Rakim leaned forward to pin Cory with his deep, obsidian stare. "I don't 
want one of the most successful agencies. I want the most successful 
agency, period."
Cory slapped a hand against his bald head. "Man, thinking like that'll never 
get you a steady woman."
"I can live with that," Rakim easily replied, focusing his attention on the 
appointment book lying open on the desk.
"I give up," Cory mumbled and walked out of the plush, twentieth floor 
office.
Alone, Rakim allowed the facade to fade. He massaged the bridge of his 
nose, then opened the bottom desk drawer and pulled a tattered envelope 
from the back. The expression was fixed, intense on his handsome, dark-
chocolate face. His midnight gaze was riveted on the contents of the note 
he knew by heart.

Rakim,

I'm so sorry I couldn’t be there today. Something's happened and I have to 
leave. I'll be changing schools. Don't try to find me. My parents won't tell 
you anything. I hate doing this to you, but I can't see you again. I just can't. 
I do love you-so much. It's really better like this. I love you, but if you hate 
me now, I understand. Coco.
 As usual, once Rakim finished reading the letter, he pressed the 
page to his nose. He swore he could still smell her perfume clinging to it.
The relationship they shared had been so right. She was everything to 
him and he trusted her with his life. When he walked into his bedroom the 
afternoon of the graduation, his entire world changed. He found the note 
lying in the center of the bed. Icia Graham had taken anything else that 
would have reminded him of her-including all the pictures. The brief letter 
provided no answers. It was most effective; however, in helping him lose 
his temper. Rakim grunted as he remembered the way he demolished the 
house. Cory and Fred had been so spooked by his mood that they left him 
alone for a week.
Just then, Cory's earlier comments filtered his mind. He had completely 
buried himself in work after Icia left. He took the job he'd been offered 
in Richmond and worked there while obtaining his Masters degree. 
Afterwards, he went back home to Houston and put everything he had into 
building his company. Now, The Transou Agency was respected by its 
competitors and clients alike.
Of course, Rakim acknowledged that his private life may have suffered. 
Not that there weren't women. There had been several. Unfortunately, 
he only had to be in the relationship for a matter of months, before he 
began to compare his companion to Icia. Not even that flaw could keep 
the women away, though. Rakim Transou's good looks seem to intensify 
with age. He stood well over six feet and had been blessed with a flawless 
deep chocolate complexion and the type of lean, muscular frame that 
flattered everything he wore. The thick, curly afro he used to sport had 
been trimmed to a close-cut fade. The style only enhanced his pitch, deep-
set eyes and sleek brows. His wide mouth was made more enticing by the 
set of double dimples which appeared whenever he spoke or smiled.


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