The author of The Boyfriend Backtrack is back with a new adult, romance novel which she released last January 29.
Here's what it is all about:
Jules Coronado has been away from her hometown for almost a decade but when an intruder breaks in to her childhood home, she finds herself coming back. Changes evidently took place in her small town, including her childhood best friend’s younger brother, Kip – now tall, slightly scruffed, all grown up and caught climbing into their garden wall.
Kip Villamor has a mission and despite Jules’ doubts, they team up: going on fieldtrips, tackling unsuspecting men, and trespassing offices to dig up dirt. But Jules has secrets of her own, one that might be exposed – unless she keeps her walls up. But climbing walls are Kip’s forte, remember?
Will her secrets keep her on his side, or will it force her to disappear again?
To entice you more about this book, read an excerpt from the book!
I blinked when the lights in one of our rooms turned on. I can see the light peeking through the windows, even if it was covered by the curtains. I stood up and peeked inside, hearing the guests’ voices in the living room.
I could do a headcount of who’s missing right now, but I know who’s been loitering out of the group all night.
I went back inside quietly, closed the front door and eyed the room at the other end of the hall. The door is slightly open. The light is open. I took a quick look at the guests and confirmed my suspicion. A grin spread on my face for this, stalking toward the room.
When I reached the door, I lowered my eyes and stepped back. I can wait outside. Surely, he’ll get out of the room eventually, right? Closing my eyes, eager to hear anything that would give me a clue what’s going on in there, I leaned forward. It was dead silent. I eyed the knob, willing myself to grab it, and when I finally had the courage to do it, the door made a creaking sound.
“Shit,” I whispered, pulling my hand back.
Rusty door knobs, maybe. I looked if there was a sign of forced entry. None. But I knew for sure this door was locked.
Finally, I heard footsteps approaching the door. I felt a lump in my throat and chill bumps spread on my forearms. Should I just call out his name? Take the bull out of its horns? A part of me suspected something like this would happen but how did I ever not think about what’d I do when it did?
And then there was nothing. It was just quiet.
I took another step back. What the hell? I pressed my lips together until I decided to straighten my back and croak, “Kip?”
Two strong hands grabbed my wrists and pulled me in.
This is not your typical romance novel, it has an added hint of mystery by the way Dawn wrote it.
Want more? Read on!
Sweat trickled down from my forehead. I craned my neck to find a store so I could get myself a bottle of water, but when I turned around, I saw Kip standing nearby. He was leaning on to a bright red motorcycle, weight shifted on one side, the other knee bent. His black pants were torn too, partially exposing his left knee. Ripped piece of clothing apart, Kip still looked well, and seemed like he had just stepped out of the shower, even with this heat.
Our eyes met. Then he frowned.
“You’re everywhere,” Was my form of greeting, voice loud enough for him to hear me as I crossed the street to get to his side.
There’s a slight breeze that made me realize that he even smelled like he just got out of shower.
His eyes were focused on the dancers, but responded to me with, “How am I everywhere?”
“You’re here.”
“And what are you doing here?” Kip asked.
“Same thing you’re doing,” And with that, I meant snooping on the dancers.
He finally looked at me, eyes narrowing, “So you’re here to do something sneaky?”
“No.”
Kip straightened his back, licking his lower lip, “It’s because I live here, you know.”
I frowned, “Crispin, train of thought. I don’t follow.”
“I’m everywhere because I live here. You don’t.” I didn’t argue. He threw me a side glance, “Why? Does it bother you that I’m around?”
My mouth twitched. “Well, considering that I caught you doing things one shouldn’t be doing more than once since I got here and a part of you thinks my dad is a thief, yes. I don’t exactly find that cute.”
“Well, I wasn’t trying to be...” He crossed his arms over his chest, looking like he’s enjoying teasing me, “Do you think I’m trying to be cute?”
This book even has a playlist on Spotify.
https://open.spotify.com/user/dwnrnsfst/playlist/7pB7FQKx1n71Rn4CRCO7ea
But these are the top tracks and the author herself shares insights about how the songs relate to the book.
The Naked and the Famous – No Way (Quiet)
This is actually the first song that came to mind when I was writing the book. It’s a beautiful track and I think it matches a certain part of the book. If you read the book, I think you’d know where it fits.
Chicago – If You Leave Me Now
This song just reminds me of lazy Sunday mornings and I feel like that’s how Jules pictured her childhood home and her hometown.
Raleigh Ritchie – The Chased
Just because there’s a lot of running and chasing.
Tom Waits – I Hope I Don’t Fall in Love with You
In the book, I made Kip and Jules dance to a James Taylor song but when I was writing it, I was imagining it with Tom Waits’ “I Hope I Don’t Fall in Love with You.”
Tegan and Sara – Drove Me Wild
This is my Kip song. I think about him when I listen to this song.
The Head and the Heart – Let’s Be Still
This is the song that’s playing in my head when I imagine the beach scene.
Colony House – Learning How to Love
I think this song’s lyrics is spot on with Jules.
Imogen Heap – Entanglement
Last scene. I’ll leave it with that. ☺
While listening to these songs, why don't you read another excerpt from the book just to give you the feels. Which one would be the perfect song for this scene? Read on.
A couple of minutes later, the crowd started to pour out. I watched them all walk out, reminding me of people after watching a movie or a concert. Excitement oozed out of it.
And while they all walked out, scattered as they go about their own ways, the crowd acted in uniform. Except for that one man who was running, pushing everyone aside to avoid whatever it was he was escaping.
The crowd noticed, and I found myself following the man as he ducked, avoiding two conversing men. Trailing behind him, eyes not letting the man out of his sight, is Kip Villamor. I followed them chase each other, wondering what the hell was going on.
Did the man steal anything from Kip? It seemed so. He was determined to get away as much as Kip was determined to catch him. From across the street, I saw the man head for us, barely checking the road when he crossed it. A couple of horns blazed, but he remained unscathed.
A car stopped in the middle of the road, and the driver yelled curses at the man, and that’s when I caught Kip’s eye from across the road. He looked surprised to find me there, but his eyes quickly searched for the man who has now disappeared from our sight.
He turned back to me, and something inside me wakes up, like being tagged in a game of catch. I straightened my back and ran to the direction where the man went. I assumed Kip followed me, because he was running behind me, yelling, “What are you doing here?”
I glanced at my shoulder, “What are you doing chasing after some guy?”
The man was already panting in the corner. When he saw us, he started to run again, but I got to him first and reached out to him by wrapping my arms around his waist, tackling him.
We fell on the ground and he started squirming.
“Don’t even think about it,” I sat up, holding him up.
“Jesus,” Kip reached us, placing his hands on his knees. He said, in between breaths, “I was just going to ask questions.”
Dawn Lanuza is also having a giveaway! Join and you might just win!
And because Dawn loves to tease, she wants us to read more from the book!
I sat next to him but kept a good distance between us. He studied me for a minute then sighed, “We’re on the same team, you know.”
I gave him a confused look.
“We’re after the same thing. So stop treating me like the enemy.”
A grimace formed on my face, “We are so not after the same thing.”
As if interrupting my thoughts, Kip interjected, “I’m rooting for your dad too. You’re protecting him. That’s why you found yourself looking for Elise Cabrera.” He paused for a minute before saying, “I’ve got a head start so you’re going to keep bumping next to me if you push through.”
I blinked, taking in what he said. He was right. He’s got a good head start. Whatever I find, he probably already knew.
“You know what they say, ‘if you can’t beat them, join them’?” Kip gave me a side glance.
Still not sure of what direction to take, I cupped my face and leaned my elbow on my lap. A part of me wants to say no right away because what he’s doing is bound to get him in trouble. But I was also getting curious. I wanted to know what this was about. Maybe my dad didn’t know about the whole thing. Maybe he ought to know.
I wrinkled my nose, “Fine.”
He paused for a minute then let out a laugh, “Wow. Did I just win my first argument?” I didn’t say anything back and just kept my face straight. “Do you know what this means?”
“It means less rash actions from you, more sensible ones from me,” I bit back. “And if we’re gonna do something wrong, we might as well do it right.”
Kip let out a snicker, eyes flicking back to me. “That’s…” He shook his head, smiling to himself.
“Less running too, I’m hoping,” I added.
He cleared his throat, “Just…one rule.”
“There are rules?” My voice hitched an octave higher.
“One,” He emphasized, like I haven’t been listening to him all along. “And you’re the one who’s all about the rules and the law and the plan. I thought you’d be psyched about this.”
Exasperated, I nodded, waving my hand as if saying, fine.
Kip shifted and caught my eye, lips tight, jaw clenching. “Don’t do anything behind my back. I’m going to have to trust you, okay? Maybe you should do the same for me too.”
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Dawn Lanuza started writing stories when she was just a kid (they weren’t good or even finished). She works for the music industry by day and writes meet cutes and snappy comebacks by night. ‘The Boyfriend Backtrack’ is her first book. She currently lives with her family and an adopted dog.
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