Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Giveaway: The Arotas Trilogy by Amy Miles

Roseline Enescue didn't ask to become an Immortal, to have all of the guests at her wedding slaughtered, or be forced into marriage with a man whose lust for blood would one day ignite the vampire legend.

Willing to risk everything for a chance at a normal life, Roseline escapes to America. Terrified her husband Vladimir will find her, Roseline enrolls as a senior in Chicago's elite Rosewood Prep school. Mingling with humans is the last place he would look for her.

But her transition into the human world isn't easy. Mortal men flock after her while cutthroat girls plot her demise. Yet Roseline remains relatively unfazed by the petty hysteria until she falters into the arms of Gabriel Marston, reluctant MVP quarterback, unwilling ladies man, sensitive artist in hiding, and blah, blah, blah.

Troubled by the bond that pulls her towards the mortal boy, Roseline tries to ignore him, but Gabriel is persistent. As their lives entwine, Roseline begins to realize that Gabriel is much more than he appears. His ability to toss a football the entire length of the field and grind concrete into dust pales in comparison to the glowing blue cross tattoo that mysteriously appears on his forearms.

Despite the forbidden bond between them, Roseline can't help wondering what Gabriel is: He's not human. He's not Immortal. So just what is he?




Gabriel is gone.

Roseline is left with questions that refuse answers and only the memory of a man she vows to hunt and kill. But to do so, she must call a truce with her sworn enemy.

Together, Roseline and Nicolae track Fane to the underbelly of London, in search of Gabriel’s kidnappers. But when Malachi- an Immortal with mystifying origin- presents himself as their guide, Roseline discovers she is not the only one looking for Gabriel.

Buried within the secret chambers of the infamous Hellfire Club, Roseline discovers a grim truth: Gabriel isn’t just a pawn being used by the Arotas prophecy, and those who seek to control its power. He is Arotas.

Everything Roseline has ever known about her brethren is about to change. Emotions flare, friendships sever and the newly formed bonds between enemies are tested as she delves into realms hardly conceived. They are trapped in the midst of a battle that has been waging since the beginning of time.

The prophecy binds them all together. But will they break before the end?


Roseline teeters on the brink of insanity.
A string of gruesome murders
A tremulous pact.
Lives hang in the balance.
Two deadly tasks.
An epic battle.
Redemption is coming…


Roseline Enescue has always been a warrior, the fiercest of her kind, but when she is stripped of her strength and left teetering on the edge of insanity, she is forced to rely on the one person she trusts the least.
As Fane and Nicolae fight to save Sadie’s life, they find themselves pulled into a tremulous truce between hunter and immortal when a string of gruesome murders break out.
The lines have been drawn and the battle preparations have begun, but only Gabriel can save them all…if he can survive the final two tasks.
The first battle may be over, but the war has only just begun. Redemption is coming…
 
 
 

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Blog tour: The Marriage Merger by Jennifer Probst


Synopsis

Her sisters have found wedded bliss with their wealthy,wonderful dream men, but not Julietta Conte. She’s stayed on terra firma as top executive of the family’s corporation, La Dolce Famiglia bakery. Work is her passion, and her trendy Milan apartment her sanctuary . . . until Sawyer Wells, a masculine masterpiece in a suit, lures her out of hiding with an irresistible offer: an exclusive partnership with his international chain of boutique hotels.

Julietta’s been burned before—and trusting her brother-in-law’s friend, whose powerful gaze alone has her rethinking the best use of a conference room, is the riskiest proposition. But with a once-in-a-career chance to take the bakery global, will she mix stone-cold business with red-hot seduction?






4 star review by Kristie Wittenberg

Julietta Conte has watched her sister find love, as well as her overbearing brother Michael. She has managed to stay top dog for La Dolce Famiglia Bakery, which also happens to be her family’s corporation. She loves to work, it is her passion and it doesn’t give her much of a social life, which is good since the men she has been involved with have let her down, especially in the sex department. That is until the successful Sawyer Wells offers her an exclusive partnership she can’t refuse. There is something about this man that brings Julietta’s body to life. He is gorgeous, controlling, and smart and did I mention determined? He is also a bit mysterious, as is his assistant Wolfe, whom Sawyer trusts to work with Julietta. Being the professional business woman she is, she refuses to mix business with pleasure, plus he is her brother-in-laws friend.
Sawyer Wells is a successful business man. He is working on opening a chain of boutique hotels and wants Juliette’s family bakery involved. He is intrigued by Julietta, she is beautiful, gorgeous and stubborn. What he wasn’t expecting was for Julietta to get under his skin. He wants more than her business, he wants HER and Sawyer always gets what he wants. He makes her a proposition she can’t refuse.

While working close together Julietta finds it harder and harder to resist Sawyers charms. He is a bit of a mystery too. Slowly they get to know each other and the chemistry between them is earth shattering. When you add Mama Conte to the mix, things get downright hilarious.

Sawyer and Julietta have to decide if following their hearts is worth the risk or if it will end up being a catastrophic business decision.

My heart broke for Sawyer. He definitely has demons from his past to battle. As tough and strong he appears to be on the outside, he is broken on the inside. Julietta gets him like no other woman has and it scares him.

Julietta has been let down by the men of her past. She has shut down feeling with her body. She honestly believe that no man she meets will ever be able to give her the release her body desires and craves. Longing to be loved but afraid, Julietta is reluctant to be with Sawyer. He craves prower both in and out of the bedroom. The problem is, she needs to be in control as well but is afraid to admit what she truly craves in the bedroom.

Together Julietta and Sawyer figure things out. Thanks to good ol’ Mama Conte, Julietta and Sawyer end up in a situation they never expected to find themselves in.
I found myself, laughing, cursing and a tad bit sad. I loved being able to see the gang again and how their lives are progressing.

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August Releases





What to look for in the month of August.  Click the Goodreads link to put on your TBR list or pre-order any book with a pre-order link. 


Caught in a Jam (Love and Skate #4) by Lila Felix ~ 8/1/13
Goodreads

Easy to Love by Megan Smith ~ 8/2/13
Goodreads

Ending a Broken Journey by


Off Course by Sawyer Bennett ~ 8/4/13
Goodreads 

Indestructible Desire by Danielle Jamie ~ 8/5/13
Goodreads

Letters to Luca by M.R. Joseph 8/6/13

Bring Me Home by Cassia Leo ~ 8/6/13
Goodreads 

Never Ending (Never Knights Trilogy #3) by Kailin Gow ~ 8/6/13
Goodreads 

Burn by Maya Banks ~ 8/6/13
Goodreads 
Amazon Pre-order

If You Leave by Courtney Cole ~ 8/6/13
Goodreads 
Amazon Pre-order 

Crave by Monica Murphy ~ 8/6/13
Goodreads 
Amazon Pre-order

Blood Rule by Heather Hildenbrand ~ 8/6/13
Goodreads 

A Changed Life by Mary Wasowski ~ 8/7/13
Goodreads

The Dominant by Tara Sue Me ~ 8/6/13
Goodreads 
Amazon Pre-order 

Here Without You by Tammara Webber ~ 8/6/13
Goodreads
Amazon Pre-order

Cake by Nicole Reed ~ 8/6/13
Goodreads

Wicked Beat by Olivia Cunning ~ 8/6/13
Goodreads
Amazon Pre-order

Present Perfect by Alison G. Bailey ~ 8/6/13
Goodreads 

Pitch Perfect by Sierra Dean ~ 8/6/13
Goodreads 
Amazon Pre-order 

A Changed Life by Mary Wasowski ~ 8/7/13
Goodreads 

Resist by C.D. Reiss 8/9/13
Goodreads 

Love Me by Jillian Dodd ~ 8/11/13
Goodreads 
Amazon Pre-Order 

No Romance required by Cari Quinn ~ 8/12/13
Goodreads
Amazon Pre-order

Faithful by Kelly Elliott ~ 8/13/13
Goodreads 

Rock Chick Revolution by Kristen Ashley ~ 8/13/13
Goodreads 
Amazon Pre-order 

Into the Deep by Samantha Young ~ 8/13/13
Goodreads

Smash Into you by Shelly Crane ~ 8/13/13
Goodreads 

Vixen in Vegas by Emma Nichols ~ 8/13/13
Goodreads 

Freeing Asia by E.M. Abel ~ 8/13/13
Goodreads 

Solitude of Passion by Addison Moore ~ 8/13/13
Goodreads 

Afterburn by Sylvia Day ~ 8/15/13 
Goodreads
Amazon Pre-order 

Stripped by Jasinda Wilder ~ 8/16/13
Goodreads

Jordyn and the Caverns of Gloom by Tiffany King ~ 8/15/13
Amazon Pre-order 

Wethering the Storm by Samantha Towle ~ 8/20/13
Goodreads 
Amazon Pre-order

Shooting Scars by Karina Halle ~ 8/20/13
Goodreads 
Amazon Pre-Order 

Feel the Rush by Kelsie Leverich ~ 8/20/13
Goodreads 
Amazon Pre-order 

Playing With Her Heart by Lauren Blakely ~ 8/20/13
Goodreads 

Enduring Light by Alyssa Rose Ivy ~ 8/20/13
Goodreads

Taming Cross by Ella James ~ 8/20/13
Goodreads

Hell's Knights by Bella Jewel ~ 8/20/13
Goodreads

Two Roads by L.M. Augustine ~ 8/26/13
Goodreads 

Ties by Steph Campbell and Liz Reinhardt ~ 8/26/13
Goodreads 
Amazon Pre-order 

Jace by T.A. Grey ~ 8/27/13
Goodreads
Amazon Pre-order

Unafraid by Melody Grace ~ 8/27/13
Goodreads

Every Shattered Thing by Elora Ramirez ~ 8/27/13
Goodreads

Time Spell by T.A. Foster ~ 8/27/13
Goodreads

Accidental Mistress by Portia Da Costa ~ 8/29/13
Goodreads
Amazon Pre-order

James (Resisting Love #3) ~ 8/31/13
Goodreads

Taunting Destiny by Amelia Hutchins ~ August 2013
Goodreads 

All Grown Up by Sadie Grubor ~ August 2013
Goodreads 















Cover Reveal: Derek by Dawn Martens



Title: Derek (Resisting Love 4)
Author: Dawn Martens
Expected Release:  Fall 2013



Synopsis

Rylie Sullivan hasn’t had an easy life. She is broken, so broken she doesn’t think she will ever be fixed. When she meets Derek, he barges into her life and tries to break down the walls she has so carefully construed to keep what’s left of her safe. When Rylie’s past mixes with her present, will Derek stand by her and help her survive? Or will he bail for the next pretty thing?

Derek Tremaine has had it easy. Coming from a wealthy family and blessed with good looks, Derek has breezed through life. After years of one night stands, and a few half ass attempts at relationships, Derek has almost given up on ever finding the woman for him. When he sees Rylie however, he can’t help but be drawn to her. Rylie is different, more so than any other person Derek has met. Rylie’s beauty- her tattoos, piercings and beautiful blonde dreads drew him in, but it’s her sweet, kind nature that makes him want to stay around and protect her. Winning Rylie’s heart will be his greatest challenge yet, but Derek knows the reward will be more than worth it. Which is why Derek has no intentions of letting her go.

About the author

I'm Dawn. I co-wrote a two books(Chase and Kade) with fellow author Chantal Fernando, in the Resisting Love. We went solo on three of the books, she wrote Ryder, and she is writing James, and I'm writing Derek.

Also working on a book currently with my friend Isabella Bearden, called A Second Chance! AND I'm currently writing a book with good friend Emily Minton called Whiskey Lullaby. I drink too much, Swear too much, and Read too much. Yes I read too much. I don't have a filter, and I tend to speak before I think.

I'm a beta reader for many authors, I'm on a few authors ARC list, because apparently I'm THAT awesome. ;) And I also Edit. Not a professional, but I do help a few with that. I have two children, 5&2, and have another on the way. They bug the shit outta me, but hey, that's what kids are supposed to do. ;) Married since 2007. He's amazing, but he's also a bigger pain in my ass than my kids are.

I love to read. and I love being able to write stories that *I* want to read!

I couldn't do this without the help of some very special friends!

Author Social Media Links:

https://www.facebook.com/martens.dawn

http://www.goodreads.com/Dawn_Martens

http://dawnmartens.blogspot.ca/?zx=b52a169373dab8c2 







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Review and Giveaway: Reverse Cowgirl and Like Falling by Jaden Wilkes

** 18+ for adult situations and language. Ok, let's face it, this book is chock full of dirty sex! If you don't like hot scenes, wild humping action and sexy descriptions that will make your nether regions tingle, then this isn't the book for you! If you happen to love a great story with just enough filth to get you off, then this is the one handed read you've been looking for!

Danny and Jake were high school sweethearts with the perfect relationship. Everyone knew they were destined to marry, have babies, and take over Jake's family ranch. Everyone but Danny.

Seven years ago she packed her bags and fled town in the middle of the night without saying goodbye. Jake was heartbroken and vowed to never fall in love again, leaving a string of broken hearts in his wake. Danny convinced herself that life in the city was all she ever needed, she almost convinced herself that Jake was out of her veins.

Now she's back, ready to rediscover her old life, setting her sights on the tall, handsome cowboy she left behind. Will she be able to convince him to forgive her? Can these two find their way back to each other and have a second chance? Will their exes ever leave them alone?



Lives will be changed, feelings reignited, and passions rekindled, but will it be enough? Miller is known as a dreamer in her stifling Mennonite community, but she's hiding something from them all. A simple wish to avoid the strictly enforced life path expected of her...early marriage, babies, and work on the farm. She wants more, so much more. Education, travel, love...sex... A chance at university hundreds of miles away is too much to pass up, so she follows her best friend Naomi and decides to take her future into her own hands. She had no idea this decision would change her in ways she never imagined, will the one person she falls in love with hold her back from everything she ever wanted? ***As with all my work, this novel is intended for those 18+. It is New Adult, but contains depictions of graphic sex, drug use and underage drinking. ****This is not a stand alone, it is a cliffhanger, the first of three books.





Reverse Cowgirl 4 Star Review by Jen Hagen

How hot do you like your cowboys?  If you like them sexy and steamy then proceed on.

Danny has returned home with her head hanging low.  She left home 7 years ago not wanting to be confined to the small town life and wanted bigger things than what her hometown had to offer.  In the process of leaving, she broke Jake’s heart as she left one night without even a goodbye.   Unfortunately she is now forced to return home after being let go from her job and breaking up with her boyfriend of  3 years. 

Jake was heartbroken over Danny’s departure and has not been the same since she left.   He has a plan now that she is back.  He is going to make her fall in love with him again and then break her heart, just as she did to him 7 years ago.


“He felt ridiculous suddenly, like he should be rubbing his hands together like a cartoon villain, but hoped he’d stay on course to gain her trust and not lose himself in the process.  Then again, even if he did lose himself, that might be a good thing, he didn’t much like the man he had become over the last few years.”

How is Jake different?  For starters his love life is nonexistent thanks to Danny breaking his heart.  He wanted to fill the void with anything and ended up marrying somebody who caught him up in her web of lies.  Now he is breaking girls’ hearts left and right.  He keeps himself distant and emotionally unattached from everybody.  Everybody warns Danny that she should stay away from Jake as he is not the same person she once fell in love with.

Jake works on his game plan, but sometimes the plan takes off in a different direction than what you have envisioned.  Jake is caught up in loving Danny again.

“I want to remember this moment, this exact moment.  I want to see your face as it is right now as my last memory on earth.  I love you Danny, I’ve always loved you.”

Sounds simple enough, right?  Of course there has to be some angst thrown in!  Somebody is out to sabotage them and Danny’s former lover wants Danny back.  Danny and Jake’s love for each other might not be enough to hold them together. 

“He would make it easy on her this time, he would cut her off and let her go.  Last time she’d snuck off and left him destroyed, this time he would be the one leaving.”

This story is told in alternating points of view.   If you want a quick, steamy read grab the reins and rope this one in. 

 
  

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Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Review and Giveaway: A Stolen Heart by Beverley Hollowed

A Stolen Heart

Emma Daniels had the perfect life. She had the perfect husband, a gorgeous little girl and a beautiful house in the suburbs of New York. What else could she ask for to make her life complete, except maybe a new baby they had both been longing for?
Just as Emma dreams comes true, tragedy strikes and Emma’s heart is broken for a second time in her life. Now she must pick up the pieces and face a future of a life raising two small children alone.
Finding it a little hard to cope, she returns home to Ireland, to the love and safety of her family. But soon, old ghosts from the past come back to haunt her.
Emma’s life is thrown into turmoil when she comes face to face with Zach Adams. A face from her past and the man who broke her heart the first time.
As old wounds are opened again and new ones rock her world, Emma feels that maybe she is being punish for things she has done in her past and secrets she has been carrying for five years.
Can she find happiness again and does the key to her future happiness lie in her past?



3.5 Star Review by Guest Reviewer Nicole Lorenzo

Emma Daniels has the perfect life.  A loving husband, a beautiful little girl Mia, the perfect job as a first grade teacher. The day she receives the news that she will be having another baby should be one of the happiest days of her life. Instead it turns into a day of tragedy when her husband Jonathan dies in a fatal car crash and her life is changed forever.  Now raising her two young daughters on her own, Emma decides to go home to Ireland for a long overdue visit. The last time Emma was home was for her wedding five years ago. Although you would think that was one of the happiest times in her life, it was also one of the saddest. The last time she was in Ireland she had her heart broken, and the secrets she has carried with her have haunted Emma ever since.

Home in Ireland surrounded by her family and friends is exactly what she needs to pick up the pieces of her life. When she is talked into going out for a night of fun and relaxation, Emma should of known better than to go to O’Grady’s. What are the chances of him being there? He should have been halfway across the world, where he went when he left her heart shattered on the pier, but yet there he was staring back at her in the place that started it all.

Zach Adams fell desperately and completely in love with Emma 5 years ago. He didn’t care that he only knew her three weeks or that she was about to be married. He loved her and he was determined to make her his. Just when things were going his way suddenly the unimaginable happened, Emma didn’t pick him. Now five years later Emma is back, but now a widow with two young daughters. The second he sees her again he can't stop the feelings from rushing back.  Tragedy strikes again and soon Emma needs Zach more now than ever. They learn that everything was not what is seemed all those years ago. Can Emma and Zach have another chance at love?


“Please give us a chance. This time pick me, Love me. There is no reason you can’t stay here and try to make this work, I love you. I never stopped loving you. So I am begging you. Please don’t do this, please don’t leave me again.”

 I really enjoyed A Stolen Heart by Beverley Hollowed.  It’s a sweet love story about a couple that find their way back to each other after lies, heartache and misunderstandings tear them apart. Emma is a very strong character, for she endures a lot of tragedy in this book, but she doesn’t give up. Zach truly loved Emma from the moment he saw her and I am truly happy that they got their happily ever after in the end!


 
 

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Review and Giveaway: Perfecting Patience by Tabatha Vargo

Sometimes happy endings are just the beginning of an even harder road.

Although her aunt and sister believe she should get help to deal with her past demons, Patience believes the only thing she needs is Zeke. When he comes back into her world, her life couldn’t be more perfect. Except old demons pick the worst time to surface, and once again their happiness is threatened. Help was never a necessity, but Patience finds out that love isn’t always all you need.

Zeke’s dealt with a lot in his life, but nothing could prepare him for watching the person he loves fall apart. Patience is different, she’s not the girl he came to love. He's willing to do whatever it takes to get her back, but a budding music career and his own demons seem to keep getting in the way. How can you help someone else when you can barely help yourself? Once again Zeke is faced with deciding between his future and the future of Patience.

***Warning: this book contains graphic language, sex, and violence. Mature readers only. Not intended for young adult readers.***



4.5 Star Review by Jen Hagen


Perfecting Patience fills the gap between the end of the first book Playing Patience and its epilogue.  If you recall, there was quite a large time frame between the last chapter and the epilogue that tells us that Zeke and Patience have 2 daughters.   Perfecting Patience tells the hardship and heartbreak that they endured to find their happily ever after in the epilogue.

“I couldn’t imagine the guy I met months ago whistling, but we were both different now.  We were better.”
 
Sadly the “better” part doesn’t hold true for Patience. Patience is still struggling with the past abuse from her father and the death of her mother.  She and her sister are now living with their aunt.  Patience hides from everybody the recent onset of panic attacks and terrible nightmares.  She wants everybody to believe that she is better and not suffering from the past.  She especially wants to hide it from Zeke.  She wants to be perfect for him, for him to love her without imperfections, and to be the girl that he deserves as he has suffered in the past at his father’s hands and she feels that he deserves the best to make up for his unhappy past.   

Zeke wouldn’t care if she told him what was bothering her.  He understands that they don’t need to be perfect in order to be happy. 
 That was our relationship from day one.  Perfectly imperfect, one big f*cked-up beautiful disaster, that’s what we were.  If it meant living on a rollercoaster of ups and downs for the rest of my life, then I’d do it to be with her.  I had no other choice.  She was the one I wanted.”

Zeke and his band “Blow Hole” have moved to California and are doing well with their music, recording an album and being played on the radio.  He has come a long way from not being able to have enough money for gas.  Patience is starting college and on the soccer team in Florida.  Soccer is a good outlet for her emotions, but eventually that isn’t enough.  Patience finds another way to deal with her anxiety.  Zeke questions her and puts her on the spot, but Patience is able to shoot out lies like they were the truth.  Zeke still has the fighting ability in him and his jealousy pushes him into the fight-or-flight response and he’s going to fight for Patience.  One night his rage places Patience into his path of destruction and things take a turn for the worse. 

“…I can’t be with you anymore.” – Patience 

“I’ll love you until I don’t exist anymore, and even after I die, if there’s any good left in me, the love I have for you will continue on in my soul.”  -- Zeke 

Oh.my.goodness.  Grab the tissues as this was a tough spot to read.  Even though we know how the story ends, it’s still rips through you to see them hurting so much.  Patience thinks she has her panic attacks under control, but one night her life is put into danger and the secret that she was trying so hard to keep hidden is forced out into the open for all to see. 

“But you are perfect, snowflake. It doesn’t matter what you go through or what you’re doing, you’ll always be perfect to me because I’m in love with you and when you love someone, nothing else matters.”

Zeke has to have one of the most sensitive souls in the category of bad boys.  He sheds a tear when he’s emotional and has the most amazing words to heal a battered heart.  He isn’t ashamed to voice his feelings.  And at the end (we all know it ends happily so I’m not spoiling anything…heehee) brace yourself for THE best marriage proposal in terms of words.  That boy can speak his thoughts well.  

Perfecting Patience carries the same written outline as Playing Patience with the story being told in alternating points of view.  The story being told from both points adds to their journey. 




Nook Playing Patience


Nook Perfecting Patience




 

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Blog tour: Who He Is by Shanora Williams


Synopsis

Eliza Smith has never been the one to seek a relationship. She’s never dated a guy in her life, never even hugged a man (outside of her father/manager of the hot and popular rock band, FireNine) but when she decides to spend her summer on tour with FireNine, it all changes. Eliza really gets to meet Gage Grendel - her former crush from high school and the lead singer of Fire Nine - and witness sides to him to which she’ll begin to truly despise.

She’ll ignore him, she’ll dislike his ways, she’ll do anything to try and stay away from him until Gage finally gets her to slip up and give in. She agrees on a casual fling with Gage, but soon they’ll both see how the fling will blur into something they can’t control and when it’s finally time for Eliza to go and accomplish her own dreams, she’ll know there’s more she took from Gage than she ever thought possible.





4 star review by Kristie Wittenberg

Eliza Smith has a rough childhood until she went to live with her father. She was never one to put herself out there. She has never even dated a guy before in her life. Her father is the manager for the popular group FireNine. When she decides to do on tour with the band for the summer, everything changes for her. Eliza gets to really know her former high school crush, Gage Grendel who also happens to be the lead singer for FireNine. She sees the good the bad and the ugly and really begins to despise the rocker lifestyle and starts to really dislike him and the front he puts on.

“You don’t seem too happy about it. I bet it’s every girl’s dream to be next to the lead singer of FireNine.” He nudged me gently on the ribcage with his elbow and I laughed dryly, taking another step away from him.
“I forgot how arrogant you are. I’m not every girl. I’m Eliza. I like your music...but that’s probably about it.”

Gage is intrigued by Eliza, whom he likes to call Ellie. He will do anything he can to get close to her. When he wants something, he gets it. Eliza is not impressed with Gage and his behavior. She does everything she can to avoid him. What she can’t seem to avoid is how he makes her body come alive every time he is near. Although she is inexperienced, she knows men like Gage are nothing but a heart ache waiting to happen. When she meets his girlfriend she knows that the chances of them being together just became more of a fantasy. She is confused about Gage and his motives. One minute he acts like a jealous boyfriend and the next minute he is dangerously flirting with her and then he acts like a friend.

“You’re funny, Ellie, Adorable. It’s part of the reason I shouldn’t mess around with you too much.”

After relentless flirting with Ellie, Gage finally gets her to drop her defenses and somehow manages to get her to agree to a casual fling. When the rules are laid out and the agreement is made, they become fast friends and lovers. They are comfortable with each other talking about what they want out of life but also sharing the not so pretty things they have hidden away. Ellie is focused and determined to finish school and make a name for herself as an artist. 

Things become a little more complicated for Gage and Ellie. When he agrees to end things with his girlfriend, the lines they have formed begin to blur and their feelings for each other reach a state that neither one of them was prepared for.

Shanora created two amazing characters. Both out going in many ways but both a little damaged from their pasts.

I loved how independent and smart Ellie is. I love her innocence. She may have had a rough beginning and is knowledgeable in an aspect of life that no-one should be familiar with, it is heart breaking. She is strong and beautiful inside and out. The fact that she doesn’t know just how beautiful she is makes her even more irresistible. 

Gage. OMG Gage, he is every woman’s fantasy. He is gorgeous, the lead singer of the band and a flirt. He has a soft side to him, a protective side as well. I love how determined he is when it comes to Ellie. They had immediate chemistry. 

I enjoyed all the band members. They each brought a different feeling out in Ellie and I just loved their interactions with her. It was very entertaining.

Like most “arrangements” neither party is able to leave without some type of damage being done. No matter how honest you have been about your plans from the get go. My heart broke for both of them and I found myself tearing up.

This is by far one of my top rock star books of 2013! A job well done by S.Q. Williams. I cannot wait to see what is in store for Ellie and Gage.

Excerpt

Grabbing the bar soap, I lathered it over me, my head tilted back in the running water until the bathroom door creaked open. My eyes widened, seeing Gage through the opaque glass door of the shower. His figure was solid, sexy. His strides toward the shower were cautious as he placed the towel on the rod.

He was about to turn around, but, surprisingly, I called his name and he stopped, taking a glance over his shoulder. A million thoughts were running through my drunken head. One of them was to tell him thanks… just because. Another was to ask for a kiss. It was odd, but I just wanted to feel him. The last was to tell him to come into the shower with me.

“Yeah?” Gage called, turning around.

I chewed on my bottom lip, the silence ringing between us. Finally, I asked, “Can you come in with me?”

He remained quiet for a few seconds. Through the opaque glass, he was perfectly still. Unmoving. Then, slowly and still quiet, he pulled his shirt over his head. He unbuttoned his jeans, kicked off his shoes, slid out of his boxers and jeans, and then walked toward the shower. My heart raced with each step closer. It raced even more as he grabbed the handle of the shower door and slid it open.

He stepped in without looking at me and I stepped beneath the water, as if it were going to hide my naked body. I held the bar of soap against my chest and as soon as Gage slid the shower door shut behind him, his heavy hazel eyes met mine.

For the most part, we were quiet. It wasn’t awkward to stare because he had more than enough to stare at and keep me quiet. Although the features of his face were hard, his eyes were tranquil, admiring the naked aspects of my body. My eyes traveled from his face to his broad chest. There was a tattoo of a woman’s name right below his left collarbone, almost where his heart would be. The name was Chloe and was in a flowing script.

The dragon on his ribs was defined; the blue and black stood out most. A splash of orange came out of its mouth and its head was tilted up, as if it were burning his armpit. My eyes continued traveling southward until they got to the main attraction. He wasn’t soft. He was hard, probably harder than a rock. I had the urge to grab him, stroke him… maybe even get a taste of him, but I held off, suddenly realizing I was the reason he was getting turned on.

Gage finally made the first move. His actions were deliberate, but he was going for it. He cupped my face, taking the soap out of my hand, placing it down, and then pulling my lips to his and kissing me fiercely.

I drowned in his touch, my body sinking against his firm upper half. He swallowed my moans and his tongue ran over and slipped beneath mine. His panting increased, his whole body turned rigid. He then picked me up and I had no problem wrapping my legs around him. My back pressed against the cool shower wall, but our lips never parted.

Groaning, his head moved down and he licked the droplets off my neck. He kissed and sucked on me tenderly, his arousal digging into me. He was so close to my entrance that it frightened me yet turned me on at the same time. I wanted it more than I realized. My body was yearning, craving for him to just take me there.

Author Bio:
S. Q. Williams was born and raised in Matthews, North Carolina. She's the author of the New Adult series, OBTAINED and the Best Selling New Adult novel, Hard to Resist. Her upcoming mature New-Adult/Adult novel, Who He Is, will be released in July of 2013.

When she's not writing, she's happily reading or watching cartoons like the big kid she is. She has a wonderful family that you will hear her brag and talk about all of the time. Whenever she just wants to get away from the words for a while, she'll spend some time with her loved ones, eat gummy bears, or drown in Coca-Cola and anything else caffeinated.

Author Contact Links: 

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Blog Tour: Sink or Swim by Jamie Canosa


Synopsis
There are some things you just can't walk away from.

When sleeping in vacant warehouses and dark alleys becomes preferable to living at home, something is seriously wrong. But when word reaches Allie that her mother is facing a life threatening illness, she has no choice but to return to the place of nightmares. Leaving wasn't a choice, it was a necessity, and if returning hadn't been equally necessary, Allie never would have set foot back inside that hell-hole.

Dean is no stranger to hardship, but the day Allie walked out of his life, taking his heart right along with her, was hands-down the most frustrating. Six months later, she's back and Dean refuses to rest until he figures out exactly what the hell happened.

Now, Allie's drowning. Drowning in lies. Drowning in the truth. Drowning in pain, and anger, and fear. But there comes a time when every drowning person must decide whether they will . . . Sink or Swim?


4 Star review by Jen Hagen

This is not a light easy read.  It contains explicit details of parent/child violence. 

Allie ran away from home 6 months ago and had been living on the streets until she received news that her mother was dying of stage four cancer.  Allie returns home to see her mother and face her father, the father that she fears.  Her father has been beating Allie since she was 12. 

Dean lives across the street from Allie and her family.  Dean hasn’t had it so easy in his life either.  His father died, leaving Dean the burden of being the “man” in the family and working harder than a high-school senior should in order to take care of his mother and two sisters.  Dean and Allie had dated off and on for 6 years.  The night before Allie ran away, Dean expressed his feelings for her and ever since then he has had the burden of his words making her run.  Dean doesn’t know the truth about Allie’s torturous home life and she intends to keep it that way in order to keep them all safe.

Allie is treated as an employee in her father’s home and as long as her dad is happy and sober, then everything is okay.  The minute he gets angry, Allie knows what’s going to happen and she grows weary of trying to protect herself.  She’s tired of fighting.  She’s tired from being on the streets.  She pushes Dean away when he gets too close to the truth in order to save him.  Her father will no doubt kill both of them if the truth is ever revealed.  Allie not only fears for her life, but also for Dean’s.  Dean is forced to watch from the sidelines.

“Were they really destined to spend their lives separated by only a street, watching each other suffer, but being unable to do a thing about it? Was their love story really destined to be a goddamn tragedy?”—Dean


Dean is a wonderful caring man who will stop at nothing to keep Allie safe.  Is he strong enough to fight for Allie?

“Time and time again, he’d failed her. But, not now. Not this time.”

Although this contains a character from the first novel, Fight or Flight, it has no connection to the original book and can be read as a stand alone.  For those of you wanting to read more about Jay and Em, their presence is not made.   Sink or Swim is told in alternating points of view between Allie and Dean.  There are times during this book that it becomes very intense and you may need to step away.  I blinked back a lot of tears while reading this book and I applaud the author for being able to bring out these emotions in the reader. 

Excerpt

Finally managing to pry away one of his hands, Allie rolled up onto her knees and took off, sprinting across the open field. She didn’t have to look back to know Dean was right behind her. She could feel him closing in.
Still, she was taken by surprise when he grabbed a hold of her arm, spun her around, and planted a shoulder in her stomach. It didn’t hurt, but it definitely knocked the wind out of her as he lifted her off her feet.
“Put me down, you caveman!” She hung nearly halfway down his back, pounding on him with her fists and laughing so hard tears formed in her eyes.
“Don’t make me tickle you up there,” Dean warned with a quick slap to her butt.
“Hey!”
Laughing, Dean lowered her slowly down the front of his body until she was standing on her own again. His arms encircled her waste, pressing them tightly together and Allie was so wrapped up in him that she didn’t even realize Sarah had been snapping away the whole time. Later on, she gave one of the pictures to Allie. The sun was starting to set and the image was over exposed, but—just like the entire day—it was absolutely perfect.


About the Author:



Jamie Canosa is a full time author of YA literature, which she absolutely loves. When she’s not writing or spending time with her family, she can usually be found with her nose in a book. She currently resides in Ravena, NY with her wonderful husband and three crazy kids . . . plus the dog, the bird and the rabbit.

Author links:
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Buy Links
Sink or Swim ~ Amazon 

Other Books by Jamie Canosa
Fight or Flight ~ Amazon
Dissidence ~ Amazon
Vengeance ~ Amazon


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Review: Twisted Perfection by Abbi Glines

Life outside of her house was a new experience for Della Sloane. The dark secrets of her past weren’t something she ever intended to share with anyone. They would never understand. No one would ever get close enough to find out. There was always a chance she’d go crazy sooner than they expected…

Woods Kerrington had never been one to be attracted to fragile females. They seemed like too much work. He wasn’t in it for the work just the pleasure. A night full of naughty fun had been exactly what was on his mind when he’d laid eyes on the hot little number that didn’t know how to pump gas and needed some help.

What he didn’t know was she was as fragile as they came.
The carefree girl who spoke her mind and didn’t care what the world thought of her was more breakable than he could ever imagine…




4 Star Review by Guest Reviewer Nicole Lorenzo


Della Sloane is haunted by her tragic past. She decides to take off on a journey of self-discovery, and learn how to live her life on her own. On her road trip to find herself Della stops for gas in a small coastal town in Florida. It’s there she realizes she doesn’t even know how to pump gas! Lucky for her Woods comes to her rescue. Tall, dark and sexy as hell Woods helps her with her gas and then invites her out to dinner. Unable to deny the chemistry between them Della accepts his invitation for dinner and they share an unbelievable night of explosive passion that neither of them will be able to forget anytime soon!! Della leaves the next morning to continue her road trip and finds herself in Dallas. Problems with her boss force Della to leave, and a co –worker helps her out by sending her to his condo back home and gets her a job in his friends county club. Coincidently, Della finds herself back in that same small coastal town in Florida and working for Woods Kerrington. The four months apart does nothing to lessen the memory of the night they shared together and Della finds herself under Woods spell again.


“The only thing you have to fear is fear itself” – Franklin D. Roosevelt


Woods Kerrington is smart, sexy, charismatic, rich and miserable as all hell. He works for his family’s country club, under his father’s rule and must bend to his every whim if he wants to make vice president. Wanting what is his birthright, Woods goes through the motions of a life he thinks he wants. This includes getting engaged to a woman he doesn’t love, so their families can come together and make more money. When Della appears back into his life he tries to keep his distance, and they have a failed attempt of being just friends. Woods just can’t stay away from her, and he finally decides to deal with all the consequences later, he just wants Della.


“You are mine. Do you hear me? You are mine, Della Sloane. I will take care of you. Nothing is taking you away from me. Nothing.”


The passion between Woods and Della is explosive, and they fall in love fast and fierce. But her mothers mental instabilities have scarred Della, and her horrific nightmares, and blackouts have her convinced she will destroy any chance she has at real happiness. Woods is convinced she will not fall in the tragic footsteps of her mother, and is determined to help her heal and move forward.


“I am in awe of the things you've been put through and the fact you can still light up a room when you walk in. When I look at you I see life. I see joy. I see my future.”


In my search to find myself, I’d found so much more. I knew now why I wanted to live. I understood love. I had found it.”


I absolutely love Abbi Glines! Her characters always feel so real to me and this was no different in Twisted Perfection.  Della is so broken, my heart hurt for her and all she had to suffer through. But she is very strong despite the anguish of her past, and Woods makes her stronger. Woods is actually one of my favorite secondary characters in the Too Far Series, so I was oh so happy when I heard he was getting his own book.!!! He is the perfect mixture of gentleman and bad boy. He has this naughty side to him that you really didn’t get to see in the previous series, and there are quite a few steamy sex scenes in here too!  Woods future is all planned out for him and I was so happy to see him break away from that and move forward with Della. Unfortunately, there is a small cliffhanger at the end of the book, and although I was happy with the way their relationship was headed at the end, I have a feeling there will be some rough waters still ahead for Della and Woods! I can’t wait for Simple Perfection, the continuation of this story due out in September!





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Cover Reveal: Until You by Penelope Douglas and Chapter One



**Contains explicit language **Not suited for anyone under the age of 18!

WARNING: This chapter will hit you hard. There will be a prologue before it in the book, so please keep that in mind.

Chapter 1


The blood spills over my lips and onto the floor like a long strip of red paint. I let it pool in my mouth until it dribbles out, since everything hurts too damn much to spit. It’s coming out of my gums and tongue, but I only hope it’s not coming up from my stomach, too.

“Dad, please.” My voice shakes as my body shivers from the fear. I haven’t called him “Dad” in weeks, but I’m so scared. If he can see me as his son, then maybe he won’t hurt us anymore. Maybe he’ll just go back to the couch, drink, and leave us alone.

I kneel on the kitchen floor, shaking, with my hands tied behind my back. The itchy rope bites into my skin, but it doesn’t hurt like everything else. 

“Are you begging, you little pussy?” And the strap whips my back again.

I squeeze my eyes shut, wincing, as fire spreads across my shoulder blades.  Closing my mouth, I will myself not to make any noise as I breathe through my nose until the burning fades away. I just have to keep my head up. Last time it dipped with the pain, and he kicked me in the face. The skin on my lips feels stretched and swollen, and the slippery metallic taste of blood fills my mouth.  

Tate.

Her face flashes in my mind, and I crawl back into my head where she is. Where we are together. Her sunshine hair floats on the wind as we climb the rocks around the fish pond. I always climb behind her in case she stumbles. Her stormy blue eyes smile down at me.  

But my father breaks through. “You don’t beg! You don’t apologize! That’s what I get for letting that cunt raise you all these years. Nothing but a coward now.” 

My head jerks back and my scalp stings as he yanks me by my hair to meet his eyes. My stomach rolls when I smell the beer and cigarettes on his breath. I want to breathe though my mouth so I won’t have to smell him, but I am so afraid to open it. Any sound or movement and he might hurt us more.

“At least Jax listens,” he grits out, and my stomach shakes from the nausea.  “Isn’t that right, Jax?” he yells over his shoulder.

My father releases me and walks over to the deep freezer in the corner of the kitchen and pounds twice on the lid. “You still alive in there?”

Every nerve in my face fires with pain as I try to hold back tears. I don’t want to cry or scream, but Jax has been in the freezer for almost ten minutes. Ten whole minutes and not making a sound! 

Why was my father doing this? Why was he punishing Jax when he was mad at me?

But I stay quiet, because quiet is how he likes his kids. If he gets what he wants, maybe he’ll let my brother out. He has to be freezing in there, and I don’t know if he has enough air. How long can someone survive in a freezer? Maybe he’s already dead.

God, he’s just a little kid! I blink back the tears. Please, please, please…

“So…” My father walks over to his girlfriend Sherilynn, a wacko crack head, and his friend Gordon, a fucking creepy ass lowlife who looks at me weird.

Both sit at the kitchen table enjoying whatever drug is on the menu today, not paying any attention to what is going on with the two helpless kids in the room.

“What do ya’ll think?” He puts a hand on each of their shoulders. “How are we gonna teach my boy to be a man?”

I jerked awake, my pulse pounding in my neck and head. My eyelids were heavy as fuck as I tried to blink away the blur, but I sat up and hurriedly scanned the room anyway. The morning light blared through my window like an air horn, and I brought my hand up to shield my eyes from the painful rays. 

I knew my father wasn’t here. I knew Gordon and Sherilynn were long gone, but I could never ignore the nip in my head that told me to always make sure.

So I scanned the room.

The shit on my dresser had been shoved to the floor, but it wasn’t unusual for me to make a mess when I was wasted. Other than some disarray, the room was quiet and safe.

It wasn’t until I’d made a full circle that my eyes finally rested on the lump next to me under the covers. Ignoring the thumping in my chest from the dream, I peeled the blanket back to see who I was dumb enough—or drunk enough—to let spend the whole night at my house.

Great.

Another fucking blonde.

What the hell was I thinking?

Blondes weren’t my thing. They always looked like good girls. Not exotic or even remotely interesting. Too pure.

They looked like the girl-next-door type.

And who really wanted that?

But the last few days all I wanted were blondes. It was like I had some sick pull to self-destruct over the one blonde I loved to hate.  

But…I had to admit, the girl was hot. Her skin looked smooth, and she had nice tits. I think she said something about being home for the summer from Purdue. I don’t think I told her about me still being in high school. Maybe I’d spring that on her when she woke up. Just for kicks.       

I leaned my head back but jerked it up again at the knock on my bedroom door.

“Jared?” my mother called, and I cringed.

My head throbbed like someone had stuck a fork in it all night, and I didn’t want to deal with her right now. But I hopped off the bed anyway and headed for the door before the girl next to me stirred. Opening it just a little, I eyed my mother with as much patience as I could muster.

She was wearing pink sweatpants and a long sleeve fitted t-shirt—nice for a Sunday, actually—but from the neck up, it was a mess as usual. She had her hair stuffed into a bun, and her make-up from the day before was smudged under her eyes.

Her hangover probably rivaled mine. The only way she was up and moving around was because her body was a hell of a lot more used to it.

“What do you want?” I asked.

I think she was waiting for me to let her in, but that wasn’t going to happen.

“Tate’s leaving.”

My heart started thumping in my chest again. Shit, was that today?

“So?” I overloaded on attitude.

She rolled her eyes at me. “So I thought you might get off your ass and say goodbye. She’ll be gone for a whole year, Jared. You were friends once.”

I just shook my head before shutting the door in her face.

Yeah, like I was going to go outside and give Tate a hug goodbye. I didn’t care, and I was happy to be rid of her.

But a lump formed in my throat all the same.

I slumped back against the door, feeling the weight of a thousand bricks fall on my shoulders. I’d forgotten that she was leaving today. I’d been pretty much drunk non-stop since the Beckman party two days ago.   

Shit.

The air in the room got thick, and my chest felt tight. I could hear car doors slamming outside, and I told myself to stay where I was, because I did not need to see her.

“Jared!” I tensed up when my mother called from downstairs. “The dog got out. You better go get him.”

Great. Fucking great.

Wanna bet she let the damn dog out to begin with? And wanna bet she let him out the front door? I pinched my eyebrows so close together that it actually hurt.

Throwing on last night’s jeans, I jerked open the bedroom door, not caring if Purdue girl woke up, and stomped down the stairs.

My mother was waiting by the open front door, holding up the leash for me and smiling like she was so clever. Snatching it out of her hand, I walked outside and over to Tate’s yard.

Madman wouldn’t have gone anywhere else.

“Did you come to say goodbye to me?” Tate knelt on her front lawn near her dad’s Bronco, smiling like it was Christmas morning. Her eyes were squeezed shut as Madman nuzzled her neck, and I swallowed at the sound of her giggle, loving it more than I wanted to admit.

He was happy, too, wagging his tail with giddy delight, and I momentarily felt like I was intruding.

“Oh, well, I love you, too!” She sounded like she was speaking to a child, all sweet and shit, as Madman kept nudging and licking her face.

He shouldn’t love her this much. What had she done for him in the past two years?

“Madman, come,” I barked, not really to the dog.

Tate’s eyes shifted up to me. “You don’t have to be such a jerk.” She stood up, scowling, and it was then that I noticed what she was wearing.

The Nine Inch Nails t-shirt I’d given her when we were fourteen, and my chest swelled for some stupid unknown reason. 

I’d forgotten she had it. Okay, …not really. I guess I didn’t realize that she still had it.

She probably didn’t even remember that I’d given it to her, but I didn’t mind that she still wore it. She could definitely fill out now.

Kneeling down to hook Madman’s leash onto his collar, I fixed her with a very polished, bored expression. “You’re talking again.”

My disinterested tone, though, was a complete lie.

The truth was I lived to mess with her. Even now, knowing that she was leaving for a year, I had a tough time trying to convince myself that she didn’t matter.

I’d be happier without her around, I told myself. She was nothing.

And yet, I heard the little voice in the back of my head. She was everything.

As a childhood friend, she’d been my rock. But as my enemy she’d been my food. She’d been all of my nourishment to keep me strong.

She shook her head, the hurt in her eyes clear as she turned to walk away.

She wasn’t fighting back, I guess. Not today. The party on Friday night must have been a one-time deal. 

“Is that what you’re wearing on the plane?” I asked, sneering.

What the hell, dickhead? I should’ve just walked away, but hell, I couldn’t stop engaging her. It was an addiction.

She turned back to me, her fingers fisting up. “Why do you ask?” 

“Just looks a little sloppy is all.” But that was a bold-faced lie.

The black t-shirt was worn out, but it clung to her fit body like it was made just for her, and her dark jeans hugged her ass, telling me exactly what she would look like naked. She looked like fire and sugar, and I wanted to gorge and burn at the same time.

“But no worries,” I continued. “I get it.”

She narrowed her eyes. “Get what?”

Leaning in, I taunted her with a smug grin. “You always liked wearing my clothes.” My voice was almost a whisper.

Her eyes widened, and with as pale as her skin was, there was no mistake that she was pissed. It was raging all over her tough little face.

And I smiled to myself, because I fucking loved it.

She didn’t run away, though.

“Hold on.” She held up her pointer finger and turned to walk to the truck. 

 Digging under the front seat, in the emergency pack her dad kept there, she fished out something and slammed the car door shut. By the time she’d huffed back over to me, I saw that she had a lighter in her hand.

Before I could even register what was happening, she’d peeled off her shirt and exposed her perfect chest in a sexy ass sports bra.

My heart damn near shifted with the fucking pounding in my chest.

Holy shit.

I watched, not breathing, as she held up the shirt, flicked the lighter, and dipped the hem into the flame, bringing it to ash piece by piece.

Son of a bitch! What the hell was happening with her all of a sudden?

My gaze flashed to hers, and time stood still as we watched each other, forgetting the flaming material between us. Her hair danced around her body, and her storm-filled blue eyes pierced my skin, my brain, and my ability to move or speak.

Her arms shook a little, and her breaths, although steady, were deep and fueled by emotion. She was nervous as hell. 

Okay, so breaking Madoc’s nose the other night wasn’t a fluke. She was fighting back. Maybe she thought that since she was leaving town, she could throw caution to the wind.

But she wasn’t doing that exactly. No. She was just throwing caution away all together.

And my fists balled up with renewed energy.

It may have been a moment or an hour, but I was suddenly paralyzed by how much I would miss her. Not miss hating her or controlling her.

Just miss her.

And with that realization, I tightened my jaw so hard it ached.

Motherfucker.

She still owned me.      

“Tatum Nicole!”

Her dad yelled from the porch, and we both jumped back to reality. He raced over and grabbed the shirt out of her hand, stomping it out on the ground.

My eyes hadn’t left hers, but the trance was broken and I was finally able to let out a breath. “See you in a year, Tatum,” I bit out, hoping it sounded like a threat.   

She said nothing, only glared at me while her father ordered her inside for a shirt.

I walked back over to my house with Madman at my side and wiped the cool sweat off my forehead.  

Goddamn. I sucked in air like it was going out of style.

Why couldn’t I get that girl out from under my skin?! Her hot little pyrotechnics weren’t going to help flush her out, either.

Fear took root in my brain as I realized that she was really leaving. I wasn’t going to be in control of her anymore. She’d live every day not thinking of me. She’d go on dates with any asshole that showed interest. And what was worse was that I wouldn’t see her or hear of her. She’d have a life without me in it, and I was scared.

Everything, all of a sudden, felt foreign and uncomfortable. My house, my neighborhood, the idea of going back to school in a week.

“Fuck,” I growled under my breath.     

This shit had to end.

I needed a distraction. Lots of distractions.

Once inside, I released the dog and climbed the stairs to my bedroom, digging my phone out of my pocket on the way.

If it were anyone else calling, Madoc wouldn’t answer this early. But for his best friend, it only took two rings.

“I’m. Still. Sleeping,” he grumbled.  

“You still up for throwing a pool party before school starts?” I asked, switching on Buckcherry’s Crazy Bitch on the iPod dock on my dresser.

“We’re talking about this now? School isn’t for another week.” He sounded like half of his face was buried in a pillow, but it was how he talked these days. After Tate broke his nose the other night, he had trouble breathing out of one of his nostrils.  

“Today. This afternoon,” I said, walking over to my window.

“Dude,” he blurted out. “I’m still dead from last night.”

And in truth, so was I. My head was still swimming from the liquor I’d tried drowning in the night before, but there was no way I could sit around all day with nothing but my thoughts keeping me company.

Tate going to France for a year.

Standing in the front yard in her bra, lighting fires.  

I shook the images from my head.

“Then hit the gym and sweat out the hangover. I need a distraction,” I ordered.

Why did I just say that? Now he would know something was wrong, and I didn’t like people knowing my shit.

“Is Tate gone?” he asked, almost timidly.

My shoulders tensed, but I kept my tone even as I watched her come out of her house in a new shirt. “Who’s talking about her? You throwing a party or not?”

The line was quiet for a few seconds before he mumbled, “Uh, huh.” He sounded like he had more to say but wisely decided to shut his damn mouth. “Fine. I don’t want to see the same people we saw last night, though. Who are we inviting?”

Looking over at the Bronco pulling out of the driveway and the fucking blonde driver that didn’t once turn around to look back, I clenched the phone to my ear. “Blondes. Lots of blondes.”

Madoc exhaled a quiet laugh. “You hate blondes.”

Not all. Just one.

I sighed. “Right now, I want to drown in them.” I didn’t care whether Madoc connected the dots or not. He wouldn’t push, and that’s why he was my best friend. “Send out texts and get the drinks. I’ll grab some food and head over in a few hours.”

I twisted around when I heard the purest little moan coming from the bed. The Purdue girl—I forgot her name—was waking up.

“Why not come over now? We can head to the gym, and then gather supplies,” Madoc suggested, but my eyes were hot on the bare back of the girl in my bed. Her squirming had nudged the blanket down to the top of her ass, and her face was turned away from me. All I saw was the skin and her sunshine blonde hair.

And I hung up on Madoc, because my bed was the only place I wanted to be right then. 

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