Hello readers and thank you for stopping by. I am a big fan of Helena Hunting and am so very excited to share her book birthday today for HOOKING UP. Praise Helena Hunting for all that is smutty and wonderful. I don’t think I can ever get enough of her deliciously raunchy romantic style that makes me laugh and go weak in the knees in equal measure.
Today, not only am I happy to celebrate the release of HOOKING UP (Hello, have you seen that cover!) but also have the pleasure of sharing an excerpt and also my interview with Helena, while giving away (1) copy of SHACKING UP & HOOKING UP. So, please check out the except, my interview and make sure to enter the giveaway at the end. Good Luck!!
The Ravenous Reader Interviews HELENA HUNTING
RR: For fans of SHACKING UP we all have been waiting for HOOKING UP. What can you tell us about this companion novel and how toe curling is it?
HH: I had such a blast writing Amalie’s story. The hotness factor is pretty high. Poor Amie spent a year with a guy who wasn’t right for her at all, so she has some serious missed orgasms to make up for when she goes away on her honeymoon, without her cheating groom.
RR: Ever since I read SHACKING UP I wanted to read Amelie’s story but I must admit that Armstrong was not who I wanted for her and was so happy that she found her very own smexy prince charming. What do you think creates the perfect male smexy lead.
HH: I think everyone’s ideal leading man is a little different. I try to find a balance between alpha possessive hot and sweetly endearing. It’s nice to have someone who will take charge when the situation calls for it, but steps back and lets the heroine lead when necessary. Amie spent a lot of time trying to be something she wasn’t to the wrong man, the hero in Hooking Up recognizes this, which to me, makes him sexy.
RR: Helena, you have an innate ability to create the perfect combination of romance & comedy infused with a good amount awesome sex. What inspires you to create the perfect smutty read.
HH: Wow. That’s an incredible compliment. I just try to write what I’d like to read. I’m a character driven reader and that often means getting inside characters heads and pulling them together emotionally, which inevitably leads to sexy times—because we all know sex isn’t just about the orgasms, but how two people connect in the most intimate of ways.
RR: What was your favorite scene in HOOKING UP and can you share a moment between Amelie and Lexington that is sure to make us swoon?
HH: Probably the night before Amalie leaves for NYC. There’s so much trust and connection there, and as sexy as is it, it’s also a little heartbreaking, because her life is so out of control at that moment.
RR: I know you have been working on a few fantastic novels, what are you the most excited for your fans to read?
HH: Right now? Hooking Up. But I have two that I’m editing that have allowed me to push a little beyond just the comedic side of my writing, and the one I’ll be writing next is as emotional as it is humorous, which is something I’m very excited about.
RR: You’ve proven time and time again that you can write a delightful comedic romance. Are there any other type of genre’s that you may be interested in delving into?
HH: Some of my current projects have a bit more emotional weight to them, with a bit more angst. I don’t think I can give up the comedy—I feel like it’s just part of my writing that I’m compelled to add humor to balance out the emotional parts, but I’m excited to be working on new stories with some emotional meat.
RR: When Hooking Up hits the shelves I know you will get more fans. What is the best way for them to find out more about you and your books?
HH: I have a fun reader group called The Beaver Den on Facebook, and I post a lot on Instagram. I also have a newsletter and all the social media accounts, so readers can sign up and follow me everywhere!
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NTY and USA Today Bestselling author of The PUCKED Series, Helena Hunting lives outside of Toronto with her amazing family and her two awesome cats, who think the best place to sleep is her keyboard. Helena writes everything from contemporary romance to romance comedy, sports romance and angsty new adult romance. 
HOOKING UP
by Helena Hunting
Amalie Whitfield is the picture of a blushing bride during her wedding reception–but for all the wrong reasons. Instead of proclaiming his undying love, her husband can be heard, by Amalie and their guests, getting off with someone else. She has every reason to freak out, and in a moment of insanity, she throws herself at the first hot-blooded male she sees. But he’s not interested in becoming her revenge screw.
Mortified and desperate to escape the post-wedding drama, Amalie decides to go on her honeymoon alone, only to find the man who rejected her also heading to the same tiny island for work. But this time he isn’t holding back. She should know better than to sleep with someone she knows, but she can’t seem to resist him.
They might agree that what happens on the island should stay on the island, but neither one can deny that their attraction is more than just physical.
Filled with hilariously scandalous situations and enough sexual chemistry to power an airplane from New York City to the South Pacific, Hooking Up is the next standalone, laugh-out-loud romantic comedy from Helena Hunting, the New York Times bestselling author of the Pucked series and Shacking Up.
Excerpt: Hooking Up by Helena Hunting
“Did you honestly think that coming here and telling me you let Brittany, of all people, blow you during our wedding reception for my benefit was going to win me back? How delusional are you?”
“Amalie, you know how this works. I love you. You’re my wife. I hold you to a higher standard. Everyone needs a mistress or two. They’re what deep throating is for, and maybe anal.”
My mouth opens and closes a few times. I can’t even process what he’s telling me. “A mistress or two?”
“For variety.”
“What about the sanctity of marriage?” I’m starting to feel ill as this new, horrifying reality sets in.
Armstrong shakes his head and purses his lips as he struggles to find the right words. “It’s really just a guideline.”
I sink into the chair, my knees weak. I thought I’d moved past all the anger and sadness into some level of acceptance, but I’ve just been slingshotted back to ground zero. My head is swimming, it feels like I’m drunk, even though I haven’t even had my morning mimosa yet. “Were you ever faithful to me? At all?”
“I’ve never had sex with anyone but you since we’ve been together.” He adds, “I’ve never kissed anyone, either.”
“I don’t understand what that means.”
“It’s just a blow job, Amalie. That’s all. Nothing more.”
“Nothing more?” I echo. “You let someone who is not me blow you at our wedding. That’s not nothing, Armstrong, that’s cheating.”
“I think you’re working under an antiquated view of what constitutes infidelity. A blow job doesn’t qualify as cheating.”
My shock seems to be boundless. “In what world?”
He rests his palm against his chest. “Amalie, you have my heart. That’s the only thing that matters here. We can work this out. It’s an excellent partnership.”
I can’t listen to any more of this. If I do, there’s a good chance I’ll end up committing murder. I don’t know what Bora Bora’s prison system is like but I’d prefer not to find out. I point to the door. “Get the fuck out.”
“Amalie, you need to be reasonable.” He’s standing right in front of me. His crotch level with my face.
“Or what?” I wonder how many times Brittany has gotten on her knees for him. I wonder if she’s the only one. It seems unlikely based on what he’s just said.
“I’m being nice right now, Amalie. You’ve had a week to adjust your expectations. And people are talking. I don’t think you really want to push my buttons any more than you already have, do you?” His eyes are dark and angry as his fingers wrap tightly around my bicep, squeezing.
“Get your hands off me!” I try to shake free of him, but his grip tightens.
My reaction is instinctual, my years of self-defense kicking in. I cock my fist and punch him square in the nuts, bringing him to his knees.
His mouth drops open in shock as he cups himself and falls to his side on the floor, curled up in the fetal position. “Why?” he gasps.
My chair tips back as I push up to stand. “Because you’re a pussy, and a cheater, and you tried to threaten me with force.” I grab my phone with shaking hands and pull up my contact list, stepping over Armstrong as I scroll to the one and only person who can help me right now.