Shaken or Stirred Read online

  Shaken or Stirred

  Synopsis

  The only girl in a house of boys, Julia Martini worked extra hard to get noticed. That has made her business-minded and driven, and she’s determined to turn her family’s struggling bar around. Simple. All she has to do is remodel, re-staff, and rebrand the place, work insane hours and ignore the sexy blonde who comes in to...she’s flirting, right? ’Cause Julia’s rusty and has zero time for dating, even if their chemistry is off-the-charts steamy.

  Savannah McNally’s needs always come last. A caretaker by trade, she also takes care of her widowed dad, her brother, her sister, and everybody else on the planet, it seems. When her dad finally starts dating, Savannah can focus on her own life for once—her career, her house, maybe even that super-hot bartender at Martini’s who has her thinking naughty thoughts.

  When family feuds are exposed and a popular blog trashes the bar, the weight of business decisions, family loyalty, and life in general may outweigh their attraction that could lead to more.

  What Reviewers Say About Georgia Beers’s Work

  The Secret Poet

  “Georgia Beers is one of the best at writing and provoking feelings and she’s one of my must-read authors. In this novel as in most of her previous ones…the characters are relatable and lovely. They’re not perfect, they make mistakes, they overreact, but they’re good people and I want them to be happy.”—Jude in the Stars

  Hopeless Romantic

  “Thank you, Georgia Beers, for this unabashed paean to the pleasure of escaping into romantic comedies. …If you want to have a big smile plastered on your face as you read a romance novel, do not hesitate to pick up this one!”—The Rainbow Bookworm

  Flavor of the Month

  “Beers whips up a sweet lesbian romance…brimming with mouthwatering descriptions of foodie indulgences. …Both women are well-intentioned and endearing, and it’s easy to root for their inevitable reconciliation. But once the couple rediscover their natural ease with one another, Beers throws a challenging emotional hurdle in their path, forcing them to fight through tragedy to earn their happy ending.”—Publishers Weekly

  “The heartbreak, beauty, and wondrous joy of love are on full display in Flavor of the Month. This second chance romance is exceptional. Georgia Beers has outdone herself with this one.”—The Lesbian Book Blog

  “[D]elightful leading ladies, witty dialogue and a story that keeps us invested till the last page. Really what more could you ask for? Beers delivers every time and I love to settle in with one of her books for a relaxing evening of fun and damn good storytelling.”—Romantic Reader Blog

  One Walk in Winter

  “A sweet story to pair with the holidays. There are plenty of moments in this book that make the heart soar. Just what I like in a romance. Situations where sparks fly, hearts fill, and tears fall. This book shined with cute fairy trails and swoon worthy Christmas gifts. …REALLY nice and cozy if read in between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Covered in blankets. By a fire.”—Bookvark

  Fear of Falling

  “Enough tension and drama for us to wonder if this can work out—and enough heat to keep the pages turning. I will definitely recommend this to others—Georgia Beers continues to go from strength to strength.”—Evan Blood, Bookseller (Angus & Robertson, Australia)

  “In Fear of Falling Georgia Beers doesn’t take the obvious, easy way…romantic, feel-good and beautifully told.”—Kitty Kat’s Book Review Blog

  “I was completely invested from the very first chapter, loving the premise and the way the story was written with such vulnerability from both characters’ points of view. It was truly beautiful, engaging, and just a lovely story to read.”—LesBIreviewed

  The Do-Over

  “You can count on Beers to give you a quality well-paced book each and every time.”—Romantic Reader Blog

  “The Do-Over is a shining example of the brilliance of Georgia Beers as a contemporary romance author.”—Rainbow Reflections

  “[T]he two leads are genuine and likable, their chemistry is palpable. …The romance builds up slowly and naturally, and the angst level is just right. The supporting characters are equally well developed. Don’t miss this one!”—Melina Bickard, Librarian, Waterloo Library (UK)

  Calendar Girl

  “[Calendar Girl] is quality stuff that every romance junkie will love. …The two mains were written beautifully and the whole opposites attracts thing is always a winner in my book. Loved the amped up tension with some angst!”—Romantic Reader Blog

  “A good emotional romantic story with well developed characters that have depth.”—Kat Adams, Bookseller (QBD Books, Australia)

  “Calendar Girl is a contemporary romance perfect for those who love a good opposites attract story, office romances, or ice queens who actually try really hard not to melt all over the place.”—Elley the Book Otter

  The Shape of You

  “I know I always say this about Georgia Beers’s books, but there is no one that writes first kisses like her. They are hot, steamy and all too much!”—Les Rêveur

  “[The Shape of You] catches you right in the feels and does not let go. It is a must for every person out there who has struggled with self-esteem, questioned their judgment and settled for a less than perfect but safe lover. If you’ve ever been convinced you have to trade passion for emotional safety this book is for you.”—Writing While Distracted

  Blend

  “Blend is a fantastic book with lovable but realistic characters, slow build-up sizzling romance and an expertly crafted plot. The book is a perfect blend (pun intended) of wit, humour, romance and conflict that keeps the reader turning pages and wanting more.”—Lez Review Books

  “[Georgia Beers] develops characters that are interesting, dynamic, and, well, hot. …You know a book is good, first, when you don’t want to put it down. Second, you know it’s damn good, when you’re reading it and thinking, I’m totally going to read this one again. Great read and absolutely a 5-star romance.”—Romantic Reader Blog

  “Author Georgia Beers delivers another satisfying contemporary romance, full of humor, delicious aggravation, and a home for the heart at the end of the emotional journey.”—Omnivore Bibliosaur

  Right Here, Right Now

  “[T]he sweet and adorable relationship was the highlight of this book for me. I’m definitely glad I chose this as my first foray into lesfic!”—Llama Reads Books

  “[A] successful and entertaining queer romance novel. The main characters are appealing, and the situations they deal with are realistic and well-managed. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good queer romance novel, and particularly one grounded in real world situations.”—Books at the End of the Alphabet

  “Right Here Right Now is a slow-burning sweet romance between two very different women. Lacey is an accountant who lives her life to a plan, is predictable and does not like change. Enter Lacey, a marketing and design executive who is the complete opposite. Nevertheless they click. …The connection is sexy, emotional and very hot.”—Kitty Kat’s Book Review Blog

  Finding Home

  “Georgia Beers has proven in her popular novels such as Too Close to Touch and Fresh Tracks that she has a special way of building romance with suspense that puts the reader on the edge of their seat. Finding Home, though more character driven than suspense, will equally keep the reader engaged at each page turn with its sweet romance.”—Lambda Literary Review

  Mine

  “From the eye-catching cover, appropriately named title, to the last word, Georgia Beers’s Mine is captivating, thought-provoking, and satisfying. Like a deep red, smooth-tasting, and expensive merlot, Mine go
es down easy even though Beers explores tough topics.”—Story Circle Book Reviews

  “Beers does a fine job of capturing the essence of grief in an authentic way. Mine is touching, life-affirming, and sweet.”—Lesbian News Book Review

  Fresh Tracks—Lambda Literary Award Winner

  “Georgia Beers pens romances with sparks.”—Just About Write

  “The focus switches each chapter to a different character, allowing for a measured pace and deep, sincere exploration of each protagonist’s thoughts. Beers gives a welcome expansion to the romance genre with her clear, sympathetic writing.”—Curve

  Too Close to Touch

  “This is such a well-written book. The pacing is perfect, the romance is great, the character work strong, and damn but is the sex writing ever fantastic.”—Lesbian Review

  “In her third novel, Georgia Beers delivers an immensely satisfying story. Beers knows how to generate sexual tension so taut it could be cut with a knife. …Beers weaves a tale of yearning, love, lust, and conflict resolution. She has constructed a believable plot, with strong characters in a charming setting.”—Just About Write

  Shaken or Stirred

  Brought to you by

  eBooks from Bold Strokes Books, Inc.

  http://www.boldstrokesbooks.com

  eBooks are not transferable. They cannot be sold, shared or given away as it is an infringement on the copyright of this work.

  Please respect the rights of the author and do not file share.

  By the Author

  Turning the Page

  Thy Neighbor’s Wife

  Too Close to Touch

  Fresh Tracks

  Mine

  Finding Home

  Starting from Scratch

  96 Hours

  Slices of Life

  Snow Globe

  Olive Oil & White Bread

  Zero Visibility

  A Little Bit of Spice

  Rescued Heart

  Run to You

  Dare to Stay

  What Matters Most

  Right Here, Right Now

  Blend

  The Shape of You

  Calendar Girl

  The Do-Over

  Fear of Falling

  One Walk in Winter

  Flavor of the Month

  Hopeless Romantic

  16 Steps to Forever

  The Secret Poet

  Shaken or Stirred

  Shaken or Stirred

  © 2021 By Georgia Beers. All Rights Reserved.

  ISBN 13: 978-1-63555-929-3

  This Electronic Original Is Published By

  Bold Strokes Books, Inc.

  P.O. Box 249

  Valley Falls, NY 12185

  First Edition: August 2021

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form without permission.

  Credits

  Editor: Ruth Sternglantz

  Production Design: Susan Ramundo

  Cover Design By Ann McMan

  eBook Design By Toni Whitaker

  Acknowledgments

  I’ve been wanting to write another series for a while now, and I have always loved how the Nora Robertses and Jill Shalvises of the world write them based around a family and how each entry in the series is the love story of one of the siblings. Unfortunately, that’s a bit harder when you’re dealing with LGBTQ characters…kinda rare for all the siblings to be queer in one way or another. BUT. What about cousins? In a large Italian family? Listen, there are eight cousins in my immediate family and four of us are gay. So, that works!

  As a result, I give you Julia, Vanessa, and Amelia. The Martini cousins.

  I wanted a place for the three of them to hang out. To talk and eat and help each other navigate life and love. I’ve always been kind of fascinated by mixology and the creation of new cocktails, and with a last name like Martini, it seemed kind of a given to put the cousins in a bar. So, welcome to Martini’s. Pull up a stool, order a drink, and come along on the journey with us. I hope you enjoy the ride.

  As always, my heartfelt thanks to everybody at Bold Strokes Books for taking such good and easy care of me and my work. Thanks to Rad for being no-nonsense and thanks to Sandy for letting me vent or whine or ask a million questions or bounce ideas off her and for never once making me feel like a nuisance (which I am CERTAIN I am sometimes).

  Thank you to Ruth Sternglantz, my editor extraordinaire, for continually teaching me, answering my silly questions at all hours of the day, and reassuring me that I’m actually pretty good at my job on days when my confidence might be at the lower end of the scale.

  To my writer friends: thanks for being there, for making me laugh, for getting me. Not a lot of people can say that they have awesomely cool work colleagues, but I can. I hope you all feel as lucky as I do.

  And last, but never, ever least, thank you to my readers. As the craziness of a global pandemic starts to ease up, I want to thank you for showing up. For registering for readings and bookathons, for commenting on posts and videos, and for continuing to buy my work. It means more than you know. Please stay safe and take good care of you and yours as we take baby steps toward normal once again. We’re finally on our way.

  As always, I give you this promise: I will keep writing if you will keep reading.

  Chapter One

  Julia Martini felt like she was going to throw up.

  Which was silly. It was just Vanessa and Amelia coming. Her cousins. Her rocks. Her best friends. Not her dad. Not customers. Not bloggers or reviewers. Thank God, because she was not ready for those. Not yet.

  She juggled her bag and her coffee, then finally slid her key into the lock on the front door, but before she could turn it, a voice cut through the crisp late-winter air.

  “You look like you’re going to throw up.”

  Vanessa Martini was her usual adorable, exuberant self as she walked toward Julia dressed in a puffy red coat, white hat, and white mittens. Her blond hair was down, and her cornflower blue eyes were a bit watery, likely from the biting wind. She carried a bag from Circles, which—please, please, please—likely contained bagels that were still warm, as Julia could smell them even through the chill of the morning. Vanessa squinted at her. Julia tried not to grimace back.

  Just her cousins.

  There was no reason to be nervous.

  Still, that tickle stayed in Julia’s belly. That anticipation of Will they like it? That worry of What if they don’t?

  Well, if they don’t, there’s nothing I can do about it now.

  The bar had been closed to the public for nearly two weeks. A long time in bar years, frankly. Julia couldn’t dwell on the lost revenue, or she’d end up in a panic spiral. Ever since she’d taken over the bar, ever since her name was the only one on the paperwork, that panic spiral had seemed way too close, way too much of the time. The question What have I done? had taken up residence in her head and repeated at full volume every couple of hours, just to keep her on her toes. She took a sip of the coffee in her hand because March was freaking cold, and she didn’t want to go in until both Vanessa and Amelia arrived, and they could enter as a trio. A glance at her watch told her it was quarter after ten, and they were supposed to meet at ten.

  Catching her drift, Vanessa said, “Let’s just go in. We could freeze to death before—”

  “I’m here.” Amelia’s voice hit them as she came around the corner from the same direction Vanessa had. “Sorry.” She looked slightly beaten down, but that’s how she’d looked for the past year now. There was something more th
is morning, though. Julia could tell. She made a mental note to ask about it later.

  “I would wonder about the state of the world if you were actually on time,” Vanessa teased. The two of them turned to Julia. “So? Can we see before we all become ice sculpture versions of ourselves?”

  “Yeah, let’s do this,” Amelia chimed in, clearly doing her best to fake some enthusiasm.

  Julia inhaled slowly, took in a deep, deep breath, then let it out, the vapor in the cold air leaving a big cloud as she turned her key in the lock. Hand on the door handle, she turned to her cousins. “Welcome to the new Martini’s,” she said and opened the door with a bow and a flourish.

  The smell was always the first thing that hit Julia. Even now, even after all these years, after all the paint and new wood and floor sealer, she could still detect it. There was something comforting to her about the vague scents of beer, sliced fruit, and that pungent sweetness that came with wine and spirits. It had surrounded her since she was a kid, and now, it filled her with comfort and relaxed her shoulders, eased up the intensity of the nerves that were crackling just beneath her skin.

  As she followed Vanessa and Amelia inside, she did her best to see it through their eyes. Martini’s had been in their family for decades and had done very little changing over the years. Julia had had to jump through dozens of hoops to take over, but once she had, she knew she had to bring the bar into the present day.

  The bar itself had been the first update. She’d changed it from the typical, run-along-one-wall to a large rectangular unit that stood in the center of the room, seats on all sides. It was black with a light gray granite surface that had cost her a freaking fortune. Martini’s was on a corner, so it had two exterior walls, the front and one side, and lots of windows, while above and below them was exposed brick. While the black sleekness of the bar gave the place a modern feel, the brick kept it from getting too hoity-toity. The other two walls were painted a slate gray, which somehow managed to feel warm and inviting rather than cold and hard. Glasses hung from overhead racks above the bar. Rising like a phoenix in the center of the bar was the alcohol, the mirrored display lit up with blue lights from under and inside, giving the bottles an almost ethereal glow. Julia clicked the lights on so the cousins would get the full effect.