Life's a Beach

Book 1: Hawaii Heat

by Jamie K. Schmidt

Genres: Women's Fiction; Contemporary Romance; Romantic Comedy

Synopsis

USA TODAY BESTSELLER • Sex on the beach has never been so much fun! Jamie K. Schmidt delivers an irresistible tale of second chances, secret identities—and a connection that’s too sweet to miss.
 
When Amelia Parker arrives in Maui, newly single and unemployed, she’s shocked to discover the resort she booked is actually a ramshackle little beachside hotel. At least the scenery is easy on the eyes—as is the toned, laid-back snorkel instructor, “Dude.” After two weeks of sun, serenity, and mind-blowing sex, she even accepts a job as the hotel’s concierge. But what Amelia really wants is to relaunch the place completely. And that means convincing the absentee Wall Street billionaire owner, Samuel Kincaide, to take a chance on her.
 
Samuel has a plan, too: selling off every last reminder of his former life and chilling all day, every day as his slacker altar ego . . . Dude. He loves his romps in the ocean, and under the sheets, with the feisty Amelia. If she discovers his true identity, her boundless enthusiasm and innovative business plan will seriously diminish his hammock time. But when Amelia runs into real trouble on the island, he’ll put everything on the line to keep her safe. He just hopes that the woman who’s falling for Dude will feel the same about Samuel.

Praise for Life’s a Beach
 
“Life’s a Beach will sweep you away on a fun and sassy romance you’ll want to last forever.”—New York Times bestselling author Claudia Connor

“An unputdownable, laugh-out-loud read, Life’s a Beach is filled with humor and heart.”—New York Times bestselling author Cherry Adair
 
“I can’t remember the last book that made me smile this much. Jamie Schmidt is ridiculously talented—she does fun and flirty every bit as well as she does hot and sexy, with just the right amount of emotional punch.”—USA Today bestselling author Lauren Layne
 
“Life’s a Beach is the perfect sand-between-your-toes, sun-on-your-face, sexy, island escape. Such a great read!”—USA Today bestselling author Mira Lyn Kelly

“I highly recommend this hilarious and exciting read. Jamie K. Schmidt is a master at creating the perfect romantic scenes and believable characters. Readers will fall in love with this beautiful Hawaii beach tale.”—Romancing the Book
 
“I really didn’t want to put it down. If you’re looking for a beach read this winter, check this book out.”—Obsessive Book Nerd
 
“Exactly what I needed for a quick weekend read.”—The Romance Factor
 
“[Life’s a Beach] ended on a perfect note for this reader.”—Books of Love
 
“[A] great, sexy novel sure to get your mind off the snow outside your window!”—It’s About the Book
 
“A cute read with some yummy steamy moments along the way.”—Oh My Growing TBR
 
“Filled with enjoyable characters and smexy moments with a happy ending. It can be read as a standalone.”—TJ Loves to Read
 
“Life’s a Beach kept me entertained and I enjoyed the story.”—Little Miss Bookmark

Includes a special message from the editor, as well as an excerpt from another Loveswept title.

Release date: January 5, 2016

Publisher: Loveswept

Print pages: 223

Sample

Amelia’s foot sank to the ankle in the lush sand. Unlike Jones Beach on Long Island or Hammonasset Beach in Connecticut, there weren’t any shells or debris on the walk to the water. She couldn’t find an unoccupied beach chair, so she walked closer to the water before dropping her towel and flip-flops to the sand.

Lying down on the towel, which was too small to be comfortable, Amelia tried to relax, but she was afraid she was going to fall asleep and wake up looking like a lobster. Besides, without the shade of an umbrella or one of those teak wood loungers, it wasn’t that comfortable.

She sat up and watched the guests walk up and down the beach. A pang of loneliness flitted through her. If Jay was here, he’d be bitching about the lack of Wi-Fi or would be trying to get a drink. But at least she’d have someone to hold her hand.

Shaking off those feelings, she stood up and dusted the sand off the back of her legs. If Jay was here, he’d be wishing he was porking Quinn. Damn it all. What was she going to do about her morning coffee? Well, she didn’t have to decide for another two weeks, and she hadn’t come all this way to sit and brood.

The first touch of the water against her feet made her giddy, the white spray lingering like an ankle bracelet. She twirled around, taking in the unending blue of the sky, the white sandy beach, and the powerful waves. As she stared out into the ocean, a restlessness she hadn’t known she had in her sprang to life. This was a new beginning for her. She could change her life, start over, and be whoever she wanted to be. It was a pretty heavy thought, and one she should revisit once she’d actually slept.

Sweat trickled down the back of her neck. The heat of the sun was making her eyes close. To wake up a bit, Amelia went out up to her knees. Splashing water over her arms and chest, she wondered if she should dunk under to get cool. It would mess up her hair. Ah, the heck with it, she decided. No one was admiring her hair anyway. Amelia watched the waves come in, and she jumped on one to ride it in. Instead of the rush of a quick body surf, it was as if the hand of Poseidon flung her ass over teakettle onto the beach. She front-skidded so hard, half the beach went down her bathing suit.

“Wonderful,” she thought, picking herself up. Luckily, her mouth had been closed; otherwise she would have swallowed the other half of the beach. She walked to chest-deep water so she could try to shake out the five pounds of sand clinging to her. As she was treading water and not making any headway in the sand removal, another wave, larger this time, caught her unaware. Though she managed to hold her breath, she was again spun head over heels. This time Amelia gained her footing only to have Poseidon pull the rug out from under her feet and drag her out to sea. She was a strong swimmer, from all the summers she’d spent at the Y. Both of her parents had been in the navy, for Pete’s sake, so instead of panicking, Amelia waited until the powerful pull subsided and then she kicked to the surface. It wasn’t as bad as she’d first thought. Sure, she was out farther than she wanted and quite possibly literally and figuratively over her head, but it was quiet and peaceful and she loved the way the warm water swayed around her.

Then the third wave hit her like Michael Jordan slam-dunking a basketball. Now she panicked. Not knowing which way was up, Amelia tried to touch the ocean floor with her feet. She couldn’t. Stretching as far as she could, she kicked with all of her might, and eventually her hands hit the sand. Running out of air, but at least knowing which way to go, Amelia pushed upward and crested.

“Help,” she coughed, waving her arms. But there wasn’t a lifeguard on duty, and only a few people in the water, and they, having more sense, were nearer the beach. She swam toward the shore. The waves helped push her in, but then that damn undertow or whatever it was dragged her back out again.

So yeah, the instructors at the Y had never talked about this situation. And Long Island Sound was a bathtub compared to these churning waters.

“Help,” she tried again.

Old Girl Scout rules flashed in her mind: Always swim with a buddy. Make sure there is a lifeguard on duty. She hadn’t meant to go for a swim, but the ocean had other ideas.

Another monster wave turned her around. If she’d been more awake and had had time to prepare for this, it might have been fun. Growing up near the beach in Connecticut, she’d been a fish; the water didn’t usually scare her. But at the moment it was frightening and exhausting. She was going to drown and no one would miss her.

On her next dunking, though, she saw an incredible sight. A sea turtle passed by her, so close she could touch it. She didn’t, but it didn’t seem to be affected by the tide. Swimming sideways, she followed it, and when she came up for air she noticed a man on the beach. He had his hands shielding his eyes and was looking right at her.

“Help!” Amelia shouted, waving her hands.

He came into the water at a dead run.

She tried to swim to him and meet him halfway, but the damn current pulled her back. However, this time when she went under she was staring at a golden-eyed man who grabbed her and pulled her against him.

It’s Aquaman, she thought hysterically as he powerfully kicked them toward shore. When his feet touched, he didn’t let go of her.

“You okay, wahine?”

“I’ve had better days.” She clung to his muscled shoulders as he walked them in. Just her luck to meet the sexiest man she’d ever seen while looking like a half-drowned rat.

A wave crashed into the back of his knees and he stumbled, but when the ocean attempted to take her back out, he tightened his grip until she was plastered against him. He held her firm against the pull of the tide.

Oh, my.