Monday, September 15, 2014

Guest Blog: Colors of Us by Sandra Bunino

Colors of Us
McAvery Brothers
Book One
Sandra Bunino


Genre: Contemporary Romance/New Adult
Publisher: Evernight Publishing
Number of pages: 240
Cover Artist: Sour Cherry Designs

Book Description:

Everything she knew to be true fell apart. Then fell apart again…

Michelle Willis is running from her past. What better place to hide than in the anonymity of New York City. Finding refuge in a tiny SoHo art gallery, she rebuilds her life one painting at a time.

A wrong turn sends Hunter McAvery on a crash course with disaster. He fights his own demons by following his big brother’s lead - drinking and bed-hopping his way through Manhattan.

A glance at Michelle’s self-portrait triggers emotions Hunter can’t tamp down. Driven to meet the artist, he discovers a fiery chemistry as their lives collide. But when their past threatens to tear them apart, can their love survive?

Music Playlist

MRP would like to extend a very warm welcome to our guest blogger, Sandra Bunino, author of The Colors of Us.

The time dedicated to researching a book is almost as important as the time spent writing the story. Whenever possible, I try to experience first hand what my characters do, even if it takes me out of my comfort zone or is a little bit painful (case in point: Brazilian - ouch).

I’m not an exercise girl. In fact, I really dislike sweating, sneakers and sports bras. However, I braved all three in the name of research for my new release, Colors of Us. The hero and heroine of Colors of Us spend time together in the gym as Hunter teaches Michelle to kickbox. I not only wanted to learn the technical aspects of kickboxing (stance, kicks and punches) but I also had to know what it felt like inside, emotionally and physically. So I signed up for three months of kickboxing at a local gym. 

After the first session my only thought was: I just wasted my money because I am never going back. Not only did I sweat to the point it dripped from my hairline and into my eyes (not Brazilian wax ouch, but still, ouch), I had to fight very hard not to lost my lunch right there next to a bunch of veteran kickboxers (embarrassing).  Muscles I never even knew existed screamed in protest and I felt like as uncoordinated as Elaine in The Elaine Dance Seinfeld episode.

Kickboxing was not for me… No way, no how….until something happened inside. Doubts and insecurities egged me on for a match and I wasn’t about to walk away. I owed it to the heroine, Michelle, to go back. So I did…and then I went back again. Soon a new strength, confidence and empowerment coursed through my veins… and it felt flippin’ fantastic. Unfortunately, I became a little too enthusiastic with my newly found badassness and blew out my knee (Brazilian wax ouch), but not before my research was complete. BTW, that feeling achieved during my kickboxing stint never left me.

Just this week I heard about Under Armour’s multi-million dollar deal to seal model Gisele Bundchen as their spokesperson. The first commercial in their new “I Will What I Want” campaign features Giselle alone in a stark room with a single heavy bag. As she punches and kicks the heck out of it, Tweets appear on the walls around her. Condescending messages such as: Is modeling now a sport; Stick to modeling sweetie; She’s nothing special at all; Giselle is soooo fake; too old; and way too skinny appear on the wall as Giselle ignores the messages and focuses on the bag. Here’s a link to the ad if you’re interested in viewing it:


Kudos to Under Armour for thinking outside the box. The campaign can mean so many things but for me it’s about finding your own inner strength, confidence and empowerment. No one can give those traits to you or even take them away. No, inner strength, confidence and empowerment build, nurture and grow from within. If you like to read romance about fighting inner demons and coming out on top, check out Colors of Us. Oh, did I mention the hero, Hunter, is sexy as sin?

Thanks for having me as a guest today, More Romance Please. xoxo

Thank you so much for stopping by, Sandra! 


About the Author:


Sandra Bunino is a romance author of several novellas including The Satin Rose Experience series. Her first full-length novel, The Colors of Us from the McAvery’s series, released in August 2014. She makes her parents proud by putting her MBA degree to good use dreaming up heroes who resemble David Gandy whenever possible. When not staying up past her bedtime torturing her oh-so-sexy heroes, she can be found shopping for shoes or saving turtles.

As a social media junkie in need of a ten-step program, you can also follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and her new addiction, Pinterest. Sandra loves to read and chat with other readers, so she formed the Bunino’s Bookalicious Babes group on Facebook where they currently share their love of Jamie Fraser from Outlanders…and David Gandy, of course.


Author Links:
WebsiteGoodreads | Twitter | Facebook | 
Pinterest | Bookalicious Babes Facebook group |  
Bookalicious Babes mailing list


Tour Giveaway
$25 Amazon Gift Card and a Colors of Us Swag Pack 

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