AUTHOR OF CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE NOVELS
arini vlotman
romance author
#alwaysbeyou
ABOUT
I'm a romance fanatic, book worm, book hoarder and writer. Writers are my superheroes; readers are my tribe. I’m a people’s person and a wordy nerd so I can find comfort in almost any space but there is nothing quite like being at home with my husband, son and fur babies.Living in Johannesburg, South Africa has given me a slightly quirky world view- we laugh at ourselves all the time here so sometimes my sense of humor doesn’t translate into my words. Be kind, I think I’m funny!One my favourite hobbies is Fangirling (is that a thing?). Musicians, books, movies or obscure characters, when I find something that I love I delve into that world like Harry Potter diving into the Whomping Willow.Catch me on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and Twitter so that we can share our journeys. Quirkiness unite!
updates on my writing journey
When I started writing Pretty Average in May 2023 I had no intention of diving into a series. At best, I hope you finish a novel and have put in the world. But once I got into writing and publishing, I was hooked! I've now added Pretty Unexpected, a Christmas romance novella on Kindle Unlimited, and I'm gearing up for the release of Pretty Bossy out on 18 February 2024.
I'm also writing the third full length novel in the series and honestly, it the sky is the limited. Seeing my books on the shelves of Exclusive Books, and going for book signings has been validating as a writer. We suffer from imposter syndrome almost every day. But, the readers have made all of this worth it.
My publisher, Conquest, has been behind me all the way, guiding me and putting my stories in the hands of readers. Has it been hard? Absolutely. It's worth it though.
I don't know what 2025 is going to bring me, but I have no doubt that I'm just starting this journey. Thank you for joining me, cheering me, and giving me your time and energy.
WANT A SIGNED COPY? I GOT YOU - FILL OUT THE FORM BELOW and I'll be in touch
SOUTH AFRICAN READERS ONLY
The Femme Facade sERIES
This universe is a contemporary world, stemming from the experiences and changes we see and feel everyday- with a twist. A romance twist of course. The women are dynamic, absurd, adventurous and trying to figure themselves out.And like the rest of us, they aren't alone. The side characters in this world often take over the page, as they prod our heroines along, helping, guiding and handing out hugs, drinks or advice.Our heroes are pulled along for the ride, and come with their own set of adventures. hijinks and depth.Together, the Femme Facades and their heroes, find what they need, whether they want it or not.Filled with diverse characters who represent the people we see, we are, in our everyday lives, this universe is packed with humor, suspense, drama and fun
BOOK 1: PRETTY AVERAGE
Pretty Average is a meet-cute, office romance about finding love in an existential crisis
TROPES
Meet-Cute * Office Romance *
Glamorous City Backdrop * Secrets & Intrigue *
Friendship Circle * Grand Gesture * Humor *Sweet Romance (no spice)
Book BlurbWhen Esha asks for excitement, getting thrown in the deep end of a corporate scandal is not what she meant. Esha More is celebrating her 35th birthday and her quick fix of hair dye and champagne only leaves her with a hangover and more problems.After a series of unfortunate decisions, Esha arrives at her office to discover she’s embroiled in an embezzlement scheme with all evidence pointing in her direction.Kane Mittal has been called in as a consultant to manage yet another crisis and finds himself both intrigued and suspicious of Esha’s More’s involvement. Kane has enough women making demands, but after Esha tumbles into his life he can't stop thinking about her.On a mission to save Esha's career and Kane's family business, together they navigate an inept flock of managers while faced with a mounting deadline, their powerful attraction, and a pandora's box of secrets.Join Esha and Kane in their adventurous meet-cute, a workplace romance filled with laughter, and a hefty dose of intrigue.
BOOK 1.5 :PRETTY UNEXPECTED
A CHRISTMAS ROMANCE NOVELLA
Pretty Unexpected is a Christmas romance novella weaved with drama, friendship and wrapped in a touch of holiday magic
TROPES
She's a Grinch * Second Chance *
Beach setting * Found Family * Friendship Circle *
Grand Gesture * Humor *Sweet Romance (no spice)
Book Blurb“"Twas not the season to be jolly and everyone could fa-la-la-la-la all the way to the north pole.”Thando Kunene has some hard decisions to make so getting wheedled into spending Christmas, the most nauseating holiday of the year, with her best friends and sizzling ex-flame, is not her idea of a merry time. Sipping cocktails on the beach is the only thing keeping all the fake cheer, plastic tinsel and over-played carols at bay.All he wants is for Christmas is a few beers and some coma-inducing food, but when Jimmy Warner is faced with the enticing and prickly Thando, he can think about only one thing: the fiery-hot weekend they spent together before parting ways. Could this be his second chance?When Thando and Jimmy discover their friends are having a less than a jolly time, they realise their holiday is on the brink of disaster. With the help of their sugary-sweet neighbour, Grandma Holly, the duo set about to save Christmas and begin to unwrap a serendipitous gift none of them expected.Forced to put aside her inner Grinch, can Thando learn to trust and love again? Will Jimmy get his Christmas miracle? And how many fires can the group endure before Christmas explodes?
Dropping straight to Amazon and Kindle Unlimited
Physical copies available in South Africa- Pop for R195.00 - email me to purchase a copy now
BOOK 2 :PRETTY BOSSY
South African Readers Pre-order special:
Order Pretty Bossy now, and get a copy of Pretty Average to tide you over till the release. Pay only R500 for a signed copy of Pretty Average which will be delivered to you immediately. Pretty Bossy will be delivered once released February 2025
Pretty Bossy is a fake engagement romance where he falls first but she keeps tripping, over herself and him.
TROPES
*Fake Engagement *Meet-cute
*He falls first *Cutesy Dog *Interfering aunties *Grand gesture
*Humor *Sweet romance (no spice)
Book BlurbAfter finding herself shoved down the rungs of the corporate ladder and weighed down by a mountain of debt, all Zarna wants is to fade into obscurity. When her boss convinces her to attend a company strategy session at a five-star nature reserve, she counts her lucky stars.Her fantasy holiday is abruptly disrupted when her smoking hot neighbour not only chops of her hair, but somehow convinces her to embark on a mad hatted scheme to pose as his fake fiancé. She needs the money though, so what could go wrong?MMA celebrity fighter Mayan Samar is back in the country and on a mission to make a name for himself as a businessman. He’s earned his titles from years of hard work in the octagon, but a shadow hangs over his reputation. The timid and mousy Zarna Rai is the answer to his problems, but once he gets her into his penthouse, he discovers there’s more to her than meets the eye.Between a barrage of publicity stunts, a host of interfering aunties and threats from a shady loan shark, the faux couple are forced on an undertaking neither one of them signed up for.
CHECK OUT MY PUBLISHER
Updates on Pretty Average
The past few months have been a world wind of activity. Not only is Pretty Average (a meet-cute office romance about finding love in an existential crisis) live on bookshelves but reviews have started coming in. As much as I'm dying to know what readers think I'm also a bit terrified.
I know that my book isn't for everyone so I'm hoping that it gets into the hands of readers who will love it.
A contemporary romance, set in Johannesburg, Pretty Average is a combination of humor and the hard hitting truths that we go through as adults. But it's also about love, find love, falling in love and being in love. I am a romantic at heart, and I wanted to give Esha and Kane a Great love story.
If you enjoy this book, please leave a review on Goodreads. Every review helps put the book into the hands of other readers.
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