Arctic Sun by Annabeth Albert
Series (name + # in series):
Frozen Hearts, #1
Publisher:
Carina Press (Harlequin)
Release Date (Print & Ebook):
eBook: Monday, April 1, 2019
Print (mmp): Tuesday, April 30, 2019
Length (Print & Ebook):
eBook: approx. 95,000 words
Print: 384 pages
Subgenre:
Contemporary Romance, Military Romance, Male/Male Romance
Warnings:
Publisher’s Note: Arctic Sun deals with topics some readers may find difficult, including sobriety and eating disorders.
All buy links or pre-order links:
● Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Annabeth_Albert_Arctic_Sun?id=G55zDwAAQBAJ
Book synopsis:
Everything’s bigger in Alaska, especially the HEAs. Annabeth Albert kicks off the brand-new Frozen Hearts series with Arctic Sun, an opposites-attract romance between a rugged outdoorsman and a smoking hot former male model.
He’s built a quiet life for himself in Alaska. But it doesn’t stand a chance against the unrelenting pull of a man who’s everything he shouldn’t want.
Ex-military mountain man Griffin Barrett likes his solitude. It keeps him from falling back into old habits. Bad habits. He’s fought too hard for his sobriety to lose control now. However, his gig as a wildlife guide presents a new kind of temptation in superhot supermodel River Vale. Nothing the Alaskan wilderness has to offer has ever called to Griffin so badly. And that can only lead to trouble…
River has his own methods for coping. Chasing adventure means always moving forward. Nobody’s ever made him want to stand still—until Griffin. The rugged bush pilot is the very best kind of distraction, but the emotions he stirs up in River feel anything but casual, and he’s in no position to stay put.
With temptation lurking in close quarters, keeping even a shred of distance is a challenge neither’s willing to meet. And the closer Griffin gets to River, the easier it is to ignore every last reason he should run.
One-click with confidence. This title is part of the Carina Press Romance Promise: all the romance you’re looking for with an HEA/HFN. It’s a promise!
Publisher’s Note: Arctic Sun deals with topics some readers may find difficult, including sobriety and eating disorders.
This book is approximately 95,000 words
He’s built a quiet life for himself in Alaska. But it doesn’t stand a chance against the unrelenting pull of a man who’s everything he shouldn’t want.
Ex-military mountain man Griffin Barrett likes his solitude. It keeps him from falling back into old habits. Bad habits. He’s fought too hard for his sobriety to lose control now. However, his gig as a wildlife guide presents a new kind of temptation in superhot supermodel River Vale. Nothing the Alaskan wilderness has to offer has ever called to Griffin so badly. And that can only lead to trouble…
River has his own methods for coping. Chasing adventure means always moving forward. Nobody’s ever made him want to stand still—until Griffin. The rugged bush pilot is the very best kind of distraction, but the emotions he stirs up in River feel anything but casual, and he’s in no position to stay put.
With temptation lurking in close quarters, keeping even a shred of distance is a challenge neither’s willing to meet. And the closer Griffin gets to River, the easier it is to ignore every last reason he should run.
One-click with confidence. This title is part of the Carina Press Romance Promise: all the romance you’re looking for with an HEA/HFN. It’s a promise!
Publisher’s Note: Arctic Sun deals with topics some readers may find difficult, including sobriety and eating disorders.
This book is approximately 95,000 words
Author Bio (include photo):
Annabeth Albert grew up sneaking romance novels under the bed covers. Now, she devours all subgenres of romance out in the open—no flashlights required! When she’s not adding to her keeper shelf, she’s a multi-published Pacific Northwest romance writer. Emotionally complex, sexy, and funny stories are her favorites both to read and to write. Her critically acclaimed and fan-favorite LGBTQ romance series include the #OutOfUniform, #Gaymers, #PortlandHeat, #RainbowCove and #PerfectHarmony series.
To find out what she’s working on next and other fun extras, check out her website: annabethalbert.com or connect with Annabeth on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Spotify! Also, be sure to sign up for her newsletter for free ficlets, bonus reads, and contests. The fan group, Annabeth’s Angels, on Facebook is also a great place for bonus content and exclusive contests.
Author links (include author site, GR, Twitter, FB, FB Group, Newsletter, Pinterest, Instagram, Tumblr, etc. The ones you are the most active on should be first):
Exclusive teasers:
#1
The mountain man scowled at River. The older guy next to him was the one splashed all over the website— well-known photographer Roger Barrett—with the sort of craggy features that suggested a long life lived in the sun. He smiled at River, shaking his hand, and telling him what a fan his sister-in-law and nieces were of his book. But it wasn’t the old guy who held River’s attention at all. No, that was all reserved for Mr. Tall, Dark, and Cranky, who clearly didn’t share Roger’s good opinion of River, but good heavens, the man certainly made all those rumors about mountains and fresh air resulting in larger-than-average humans seem true.
He totally looked the mountain man part too— shaggy brown hair, the sort of tan that River’s friends would pay good money to emulate, hazel eyes that re- minded River of the greenish brown stone of a mosque he’d visited in Istanbul. And muscles for days. Big, broad shoulders stretching the fabric of a denim shirt, thighs like tree trunks, and that scowl. This was a guy who would be at home playing the sheriff in some old west drama. Or maybe a gunslinger...
#2
Griffin gave what he hoped passed for a smile. “Someone else’s turn?”
“I’ll go.” River offered another of those supernova smiles. “I’ve ridden an elephant, I once had to wear a live cactus on my head, I’ve got six piercings, and I love my unicorn tattoo.”
“No way on the tattoo,” Griffin growled, forgetting to let one of the customers go first. “Pretty sure that’s not allowed in modeling, right?”
“I’m a rebel.” River waggled his eyebrows at him. Judging by their shade, his natural hair color was brown, a bit lighter than Griffin’s own hair, in keeping with River’s pale coloring.
“Live cactus?” Dan snorted. “That sounds painful.” “It was.” River gave another of those musical laughs. “Then it must be the piercings. I remember the elephant riding from your book.” Melanie beamed at River like a kid expecting a good grade.
“Yup. Only got four.” River looked right at Griffin as he delivered this bit of news. Griffin tightened his jaw. Now he was going to wonder about the location of those piercings and that tattoo all night, and he had a feeling that might have been River’s goal. His ears were the obvious choice for two piercings, but where else? Nipples? Tongue? He did not need to let his thoughts wander down this path.
#3
They headed back to the van, most of the group more cheerful than they’d been prior to Griffin’s big idea, but River’s stooped shoulders and heavy sighs said he was sulking. Fine. He’d just have to deal. Griffin had a dual responsibility to show him a good time but also keep him alive. Before he got in the van, River took a long drink from his water bottle, and Griffin didn’t look away fast enough, instead finding himself mesmerized by the long line of River’s neck. Forget the wildlife. Griffin wanted a picture of that, those full lips wrapped around the bottle’s spout, head tipped back, eyes half shut...
Shaking his head, he forced himself to walk around to the driver’s side. He could not let himself get caught up in River’s spell for so many reasons including that the guy clearly wanted to court disaster. There was no sense in getting wrapped up in wanting someone who was a walking danger sign. Griffin had had enough risk and danger to last a lifetime. Wasn’t going there again.
#4
Griffin was not going to be done in by a simple smile. He just wasn’t. He was thirty-six years old, not sixteen. And it didn’t matter that River’s floodlight-bright grin revealed gleaming white teeth and two shallow dimples on either side of a full, lush mouth that had to be a big part of what had made him such a hit modeling. Griffin looked away because he wasn’t going to get pulled under River’s spell. He had a job to do, and he was going to do it, but he wasn’t going to make the mistake of liking it.
#5
Again, Griffin seemed sheepish to be sharing something more than just the schedule. River found his discomfort adorable. Big gruff mountain man had a mushy streak, and River wanted to see more of it.
He also wouldn’t mind seeing more of the muscles Griffin displayed as he loaded the van after they were all done eating, expertly stowing luggage in the rear and roof storage compartments, turning down all offers of help.
#6
“Hey, I can be plenty sweet.” Griffin sounded a little offended, which River found funny, considering how standoffish the guy seemed determined to be.
“Barista certainly thought so.” River settled back into the passenger seat. “You should get her number.”
Griffin’s entire face shut down. “I don’t date.”
“Now isn’t that a darn shame.” River really wanted to ask a follow-up or ten, but Griffin’s expression didn’t invite further inquiry. But that didn’t stop River from trying to lighten the mood. “Thought I saw a sign back there for Virgin Creek…”
Griffin totally didn’t take the bait, didn’t even crack a smile as he navigated back toward the highway. River forced himself to focus on the scenery. Hell. One would think River was the one belonging at Virgin Creek the way he was all twisted up over his cranky guide. And the I don’t date comment had just made more questions buzz around in River’s brain. Like did he not date ever? Or not date women and didn’t want to put it like that? Or he was more of a hookup guy going between one-night stands? Or he’d taken some bizarre vow of chastity? Whatever his reasons, River dearly wanted to know them. And if there was one thing River was good at, it was finding out people’s stories. Griffin didn’t stand a chance.
#7
The company liked using this modern, high-rise hotel to start and end trips because customers always seemed surprised to find such luxury in Alaska, and it made a nice contrast to the more spartan accommodations that would follow. The huge multistory atrium lobby was tastefully appointed in greens and browns and was about as far from Griff’s vision of a perfect little cabin in the middle of nowhere as one could get. All the high ceilings and metal artwork made his eye twitch.
A concierge who knew Uncle Roger on sight from all their repeat business helped them to set up a welcome table with a sign with their company logo. Al- most immediately two middle-aged women came over to check in, and in Dutch accents, they fussed over Uncle Roger’s crutches and his injury. Griffin immediately gathered that they were a couple—the matching red sweaters were his first clue as were their hyphenated last names. But his attention was quickly diverted by a...creature unfolding itself from one of the over- sized leather chairs in the middle of the lobby.
It took a moment before he placed the gender as most likely male, distracted as he was by a pair of the longest legs he’d ever seen encased in dark purple, skintight jeans. Bright blue hair topped a surprisingly angelic and youthful face, with an equally unexpected square jaw with the barest hint of stubble. A leather jacket that probably cost more than the engine Griffin had been working on earlier topped a T-shirt that advertised some band that he’d never heard of. Please, don’t let this be...
Griffin didn’t even get the prayer out before the elegant person sauntered toward their table.
“River Vale,” a melodic voice announced. Hint of New York to it, with just enough of the sort of lilt that always did something to Griffin’s insides. He wasn’t sure why he’d always been so attracted to musical voices, and this was an incredibly bad time for the libido he’d put in deep freeze to remind him about what he liked. His turn-ons were irrelevant here—he needed to be focusing on how completely unsuited for their ten-day trek this River person was.
Designer clothes. Thin frame. Delicate leather shoes better suited for a night of clubbing than any outdoor activity. High maintenance hair. Rich, floral smelling aftershave. Pants so tight Griffin seriously worried about circulation on a long van ride. Everything about River screamed trouble, the sort of trouble Griffin absolutely did not need.
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Arctic Sun by Annabeth AlbertMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Griffin and River are super cute together. Imagine a mountain man, and a former supermodel. Both had baggage they're carried, and the meeting was not really a right time to build any kind of relationship. But River is a determine guy, I loved him! Griffin was just need more encouragement to step to another level.
You need more patient reading this book. Good thing is, I read this while I was in my vacation in Japan, climbed the Fuji Mountain, so, the book was perfect for me at the moment.
It took me a bit longer as usual (cue to my activity in the mountain), but reading something about the mountain while you're in the mountain, I'd got the feeling like what River felt.
Actually, I really wanted River and Griffin's relationship worked smoothly, but with baggage and all, it was only right that the author did what she did.
Arctic Sun was a fun, enjoyable read with two main characters that easy to like. Feel the mountain breeze while reading this, I couldn't recommend enough to take this book with you on your holiday.
I will definitely read the next boo of the series!
View all my reviews
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