It's hard not to adore an author who openly admits to penning her novel's steamy sex scenes first. Such is the case with "Blue Bloods" scribe Melissa de la Cruz, whom—along with "Heist Society" writer Ally Carter—I had the pleasure of interviewing for a Meet the Authors event during Book Expo America (the literary world's equivalent of Fashion Week).
Though we touched on many topics during our nearly hour-long chat, the authors' hilarious insights into hot love interests and unforgettable romances were certainly highlights, and now you can enjoy the juicy fruits of Melissa's naughty writing strategy in her new adult novel, "Witches of East End," this week's Summer Beach Read.
A spin-off of her "Blue Bloods" series, "Witches of East End" follows the Beauchamp family of witches living in fictional North Hampton, Long Island. Except, after the events of the Salem Witch Trials, the family has been ordered to not use their powers, meaning they live as mere mortals.
There's Joanna, the long-suffering matriarch who hasn't seen her husband since the decree; eldest daughter Ingrid, a spinster sort who contents herself working in the local library; and youngest daughter Freya (my personal favorite), a feisty bartender betrothed to the handsome Bran Gardiner but inextricably attracted to his mysterious brother Killian.
After centuries of hiding their powers, the trio begin dabbling once again in the white arts, only to have a series of mysterious events unfold in their sleepy beach town. Are the Beauchamp women destined for a repeat of the events of 1692?
"Witches of East End" has all the ingredients you'd expect from one of Melissa's best-selling YA novels—intrigue, mystery and plenty of romance. But with the novel falling under the "adult" categorization, Melissa's able to make her love scenes even more...magical.
Have you read "Witches of East End"? What book will you be reading this summer?
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