Here is a recap of new releases for October 1st
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
Blog Tour" Moore to Loose by Julie A. Richman
Release Date: September 30th 2013.
Adult Contemporary Romance
Synopsis
Book Two in the Needing Moore Series. Adult Contemporary Romance
Continuing the fight for their happily ever after that began in Searching for Moore, Schooner Moore and Mia Silver struggle to overcome the ghosts and baggage they accumulated during their time apart.
Exploring the missing 24 years when they were separated, Moore to Lose follows Mia's journey from heartbroken teen to kickass businesswoman to her emotional reunion with Schooner and the exploration of the love that was ripped from them.
But is their love really strong enough to overcome the damage of those missing 24 years or will they continue to be ripped apart by pasts that can't be changed?
This is Book 2 in the Needing Moore Series. This is not a stand alone book. It is meant to be read after Searching for Moore.
TEASER
As he hardened beneath her fingers, Mia's devil smile grew wider and wider.
"You're incorrigible."
Mia looked at him with her "You didn't just figure that out now, did you?" look and he laughed.
She could feel his erection straining against his jeans and she wanted to take it out probably as much as he did. With a quick kiss on the lips, she ducked her head down the bed.
He started to protest and Mia looked up at him and put her finger to her lips, "Shhhh."
And then she did what he did not expect. She did not undo the top button of his jeans, she did not unzip his fly, she did not reach inside his jeans to pull him out and fondle him (even though she was dying to). With her teeth, Mia outlined his cock through his jeans. As she moved from base to tip at an excruciatingly slow pace, she opened her mouth so that her top teeth were on one side of his cock, her bottom teeth on the other.
The sound of his moan and the feel of his fingers in her hair, made Mia ache to have him inside of her. She nibbled the soft head of his cock through the rough fabric.
"Oh God, Mia." He reached down and pulled her on top of him so that they were laying face to face. Both panting, he took her face in his hands and pulled her lips down to his, kissing her roughly.
She could feel his cock between her legs and pressed down, "I want you," she said into his mouth, rubbing along the length of him slowly clockwise, and then lifting her mouth off of his slightly to smile, she changed the direction of her grinding to counterclockwise.
Searching for Moore (Book One) in The Needing Moore Series
Currently ON SALE for ONLY $0.99
B&N Link: http://tinyurl.com/m759kds
Smashword: http://tinyurl.com/n86r64u
Goodreads Link: http://tinyurl.com/knfk4rb
Attended by reality TV star wannabes and Southern California social climbers, Schooner Moore knows the party his wife is throwing for his forty-third birthday has little to do with him and everything to do with her social standing in Orange County. The evening turns out to hold more surprises than just his wife's Botoxed friends groping at his privates, when a conversation with his old college roommate, Beau, reveals the biggest surprise of the night.
Beau has had contact on Facebook with Mia Silver. Just hearing her name sends Schooner into a tailspin, as he is now just a Friend Request away from the one who got away when she disappeared without a goodbye, leaving him wondering why she left.
A serial failure at romance, Manhattan boutique ad agency owner, Mia, gets a blindside of her own when a Facebook Friend Request from first love, Schooner, appears in her email. Going with her gut reaction, Mia hits accept, propelling her past to catch up with her in a New York minute, as a forceful Schooner is determined to understand what tore them apart and to explore the possibility of a second chance at love.
From a 1980's Southern California college campus and a devastating first love to present day New York City, Searching for Moore explores how technology has eradicated the divide between our past and our present, and asks whether you would give up everything to reconnect with The One in a single keystroke?
About the author
Author Julie A. Richman is a native New Yorker living deep in the heart of Texas. A creative writing major in college, reading and writing fiction has always been a passion. Julie began her corporate career in publishing in NYC and writing played a major role throughout her career as she created and wrote marketing, advertising, direct mail and fundraising materials for Fortune 500 corporations, advertising agencies and non-profit organizations. She is an award winning nature photographer plagued with insatiable wanderlust. Julie and her husband have one son and a white German Shepherd named Juneau.
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Blog Tour: Skipping Stones by J.B. McGee
Blurb:
They say there are five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.
Not everyone will grieve in this order, nor will everyone go through every stage. It’s during the stage of denial when Alex Hart meets Andrew Foster. He takes her one-step closer to acceptance: the stage when new, meaningful relationships are formed. The stage when the realization occurs that this is now the new state of normal.
Just when Alex thinks she is on her way to healing, she enters the bargaining phase. That’s the phase where you wonder what you could have done differently. You wonder “what if?” Specifically, what if the ones you loved hadn’t left you?
Leaving…this is what makes heading off to war so difficult and frightening for Alex. She knows all too well what it’s like to be the one on the losing end of life, which is why she’s made it her personal mission in life to save as many lives as possible. The extreme high she gets from treating trauma victims turns into Alex’s own form of therapy, or so she thinks.
Not everyone will grieve in this order, nor will everyone go through every stage. It’s during the stage of denial when Alex Hart meets Andrew Foster. He takes her one-step closer to acceptance: the stage when new, meaningful relationships are formed. The stage when the realization occurs that this is now the new state of normal.
Just when Alex thinks she is on her way to healing, she enters the bargaining phase. That’s the phase where you wonder what you could have done differently. You wonder “what if?” Specifically, what if the ones you loved hadn’t left you?
Leaving…this is what makes heading off to war so difficult and frightening for Alex. She knows all too well what it’s like to be the one on the losing end of life, which is why she’s made it her personal mission in life to save as many lives as possible. The extreme high she gets from treating trauma victims turns into Alex’s own form of therapy, or so she thinks.
When faced with her world being turned upside down, Alex may just find that her true therapy is in the one who has always saved her.
4 star review by Jen Skewes
When I read the synopsis for Skipping Stones I knew it was something that I just had to read, but I also knew that it was going to be an emotional one. I just wasn't ready for how emotional it really was. Don't let that scare you because it was a beautiful story of love, loss, promises and second chances. You will need tissues but it was worth every tear.
Alex was only 15 years old when her world was completely shattered. She experienced loss in a way that no child her age, or any age for that matter, should have to experience. She wasn't sure how to move on , or how to survive and get past the big whole in heart. That's when she met 17 year old Drew Foster. Drew came into her life at a time when she needed him the most. He made her feel alive again, taught her how to live and all though the sadness was still there, being with Drew just made it all better. But at some point she comes home and finds that Drew has left with no explanation. She's left wondering why he left, was he even real, and how is she supposed to get by without him. Life eventually goes on for Alex and she learns to move on from her pain and grief and Drew. And even though all this time went by without seeing him, he still held a special place in her heart and always would.
I can't say too much about this story without giving it all away. I will say that Drew Foster was the most amazing 17 year old boy. The moments that he had with Alex were so sweet and tender and adorable. You just fell in love with the both of them. What Alex and Drew had was an amazing bond that stayed with the both of them. Alex could never forget Drew or what he did for her and how much he meant to her. Will she ever get the chance to see him again and tell him what he really meant to her?
I loved this book and loved what Drew and Alex had together even if they only knew each other for a short period of time. Sometimes in life there are people that you meet who touch your soul and leave an imprint on your heart that will always be there. For Alex that person was Drew. They only knew each other for a month and they were young but that never stopped the feelings she had for him, she never forget how much he made her feel alive again when she wasn't sure how to. And while him leaving broke her heart all over again she never let go of the love she had for him. What they had was special and unforgettable.
Skipping Stones was an extremely emotional read but one that I absolutely loved. My heart broke for all the loss and pain that Alex suffered through. J.B. McGee really knows how to bring out your emotions. Because it wasn't just Alex who was going through the heartbreak, I found myself going through it with her. Drew will also capture and touch your heart just as he did with Alex. I think my only issue with the story was wanting to know more about Drew and wanting to see more of the connection between him and Alex 15 years later. But aside from that Skipping Stones was an amazing and beautiful story that will break your heart at times, make you cry and I mean ugly cry but in the end will piece it all back together and leave you smiling. And the epilogue was amazing. Skipping Stones is a must read! Wonderful job by Ms. McGee
Author Links
A Note from J.B. McGee
Bio:
In 2005, the couple welcomed their first son, Noah. J.B. finished her Bachelor of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education at the University of South Carolina-Aiken in 2006. During her time studying children's literature, a professor had encouraged her to become a writer.
In 2007, she welcomed their second child, Jonah, and she became a stay at home mom/entrepreneur. In 2009, the found out their two children and J.B. have Mitochondrial Disease. In 2011, a diagnosis also was given to Chad. Please take a moment and learn more about Mitochondrial Disease. Awareness is key to this disease that has no cure or treatments.
J.B. McGee and her family now reside in Buford, Georgia, to be closer to their children's medical team. After a passion for reading had been re-ignited, J.B. decided to finally give writing a shot. Broken (This Series), is her first book and first series.
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Cover Reveal: His Ever After by Jessica Ingro
Title: His Ever After (Love Square #2)
Author: Jessica Ingro
Tentative Release Date: October 29, 2013
Cover Designer: Cover It! Designs
Synopsis:
All is fair in love and war.
Jacob Matthews learned that lesson the hard way when he discovered just how far some people will go to win someone’s heart.
When fate brought Samantha Monroe back into Jacob’s life, he finally started to believe that his world was going to be complete. He loves Sam with the kind of intensity that burns deep and scalds your very soul. But fate had other ideas in mind, forcing him into a life filled with cold touches, long silences and complete misery.
Brooke Dugan had to have Jacob Matthews. It didn’t matter that he was in love with someone else, she always got what she wanted. And what she wanted was Jacob. Brooke vowed that she would stop at nothing until Jacob was tied to her forever… in both life and death.
Find out what happens when lies are revealed and the bitter truth comes out. Hearts will be broken and bonds will be tested.
Everyone is worthy of love -- even Jacob, but can he find his happily ever after?
Prepare yourself for the emotional follow up to Love Square…
Excerpt:
**Disclaimer: This content is unedited and subject to change**
Copyright © Jessica Ingro
My heart is thudding in my chest and my palms feel sweaty. I don’t think I’ve ever been this nervous.
“Jacob. What are you doing here?” Sam asks. I come to a stop in front of her and my smile drops at the
tone of her voice.
“I just happened to be on my way to your house, when I spotted you sitting here.” I notice Lily’s body
visibly relax out of the corner of my eye. Poor thing thought I would sell her out. No way in hell would I
do that, not when I owe her the world for telling me where to find Sam.
“Why were you on your way to my house?” Sam cocks her head to the side in confusion.
“I needed to talk to you after everything that’s happened. Can I just have a few minutes?” I plead with
her. I don’t care if it makes me look pathetic. It’s do or die at this moment.
Sam looks unsure and nervous for a few seconds. I release the breath I didn’t realize I was holding when
she nods her assent and hands the baby to Lily.
“I’ll only be a minute, Lily. Can you just watch Tessa for me?”
“Take your time.” Lily stands holding Tessa and murmurs low to the baby, walking over to the swings.
I sit next to Sam on the bench and angle my body towards her. I catch her scent on a light breeze and it
brings back so many memories.
Sam stares at me silently, waiting for me to speak. She seems weary of my presence. We never used to
be this way around one another. I guess it’s all the cheap shots and low blows we’ve dealt out over the
last year, making her react to me this way.
“Did you hear about Brooke and Aiden?” I ask right off the bat. No sense in beating around the bush.
Besides, I don’t want to let on that Lily overheard them fighting and spilled the beans to me about it.
“I did,” she says quietly and gives me a sad half smile. “I’m really sorry about what happened. Aiden told
me the hell Brooke put you through. I can’t even imagine what it must have been like for you to discover
the depth of her deception.”
Sam’s hands start to fidget with the baby blanket resting partially on her leg. I reach over and cover
them with my own, squeezing them gently.
“Thank you. But I should be apologizing to you for allowing her to come between us.”
She glances down at our hands and looks up with tear filled eyes and shakes her head. When she
doesn’t say anything I decide to continue with my plan.
“I still love you Sam.” At my words her eyes close, her face looks as if she’s in tremendous pain. “Do
you… do you think we could try? I’ve gone over it a million times. If Brooke and Aiden hadn’t conspired
to keep us apart, when you left Aiden and came to me, we could have been together. We could still be
together.”
“I -” she starts and then stops. She looks down again and stares at our hands again for so long, I’m afraid
she isn’t going to answer. Why isn’t she answering? Please God, let her answer!
“Jake. I’ll always love you.” Her words make my heart soar.
“Then say you’ll be with me. Say you’ll let me love you forever. Say you’ll make me whole again,” I beg
her, while inching my way closer to her on the bench.
I raise my arm and rest my hand on the side of her neck, tilting her head up towards me. My thumb
sweeps across her jaw while I search her eyes for consent. When her face turns up slightly and her lips
part just a touch, I decide to take that as my green light. I lean forward and brush my lips gently against
hers. I instantly feel the sensation that I always feel when I’m with her. The one that has my stomach
dropping and my dick stirring.
Lost in the moment, my lips find hers again. This time I put more pressure on her mouth. My tongue
slowly glides along her bottom lip, remembering the taste of her. Her lips part and my tongue slides
inside alongside hers. My other hand leaves her hands and cradles the opposite side of her face, so that
both my hands are now holding on to her for dear life. I tilt her head and deepen the kiss. My tongue
explores every inch of her mouth, seeking, tasting, memorizing the feel of it.
The rest of the world melts away. It’s just her and me. The sounds of kids playing and birds chirping
fade. All I can hear is the light rasps of our breathing and the small little moan that she’s making. Finding
the willpower, I pull away from her delicious mouth and rest my forehead against hers. My hands tense
on her face while I try to find my composure. That kiss has just turned me inside out.
All is fair in love and war.
Jacob Matthews learned that lesson the hard way when he discovered just how far some people will go to win someone’s heart.
When fate brought Samantha Monroe back into Jacob’s life, he finally started to believe that his world was going to be complete. He loves Sam with the kind of intensity that burns deep and scalds your very soul. But fate had other ideas in mind, forcing him into a life filled with cold touches, long silences and complete misery.
Brooke Dugan had to have Jacob Matthews. It didn’t matter that he was in love with someone else, she always got what she wanted. And what she wanted was Jacob. Brooke vowed that she would stop at nothing until Jacob was tied to her forever… in both life and death.
Find out what happens when lies are revealed and the bitter truth comes out. Hearts will be broken and bonds will be tested.
Everyone is worthy of love -- even Jacob, but can he find his happily ever after?
Prepare yourself for the emotional follow up to Love Square…
Excerpt:
**Disclaimer: This content is unedited and subject to change**
Copyright © Jessica Ingro
My heart is thudding in my chest and my palms feel sweaty. I don’t think I’ve ever been this nervous.
“Jacob. What are you doing here?” Sam asks. I come to a stop in front of her and my smile drops at the
tone of her voice.
“I just happened to be on my way to your house, when I spotted you sitting here.” I notice Lily’s body
visibly relax out of the corner of my eye. Poor thing thought I would sell her out. No way in hell would I
do that, not when I owe her the world for telling me where to find Sam.
“Why were you on your way to my house?” Sam cocks her head to the side in confusion.
“I needed to talk to you after everything that’s happened. Can I just have a few minutes?” I plead with
her. I don’t care if it makes me look pathetic. It’s do or die at this moment.
Sam looks unsure and nervous for a few seconds. I release the breath I didn’t realize I was holding when
she nods her assent and hands the baby to Lily.
“I’ll only be a minute, Lily. Can you just watch Tessa for me?”
“Take your time.” Lily stands holding Tessa and murmurs low to the baby, walking over to the swings.
I sit next to Sam on the bench and angle my body towards her. I catch her scent on a light breeze and it
brings back so many memories.
Sam stares at me silently, waiting for me to speak. She seems weary of my presence. We never used to
be this way around one another. I guess it’s all the cheap shots and low blows we’ve dealt out over the
last year, making her react to me this way.
“Did you hear about Brooke and Aiden?” I ask right off the bat. No sense in beating around the bush.
Besides, I don’t want to let on that Lily overheard them fighting and spilled the beans to me about it.
“I did,” she says quietly and gives me a sad half smile. “I’m really sorry about what happened. Aiden told
me the hell Brooke put you through. I can’t even imagine what it must have been like for you to discover
the depth of her deception.”
Sam’s hands start to fidget with the baby blanket resting partially on her leg. I reach over and cover
them with my own, squeezing them gently.
“Thank you. But I should be apologizing to you for allowing her to come between us.”
She glances down at our hands and looks up with tear filled eyes and shakes her head. When she
doesn’t say anything I decide to continue with my plan.
“I still love you Sam.” At my words her eyes close, her face looks as if she’s in tremendous pain. “Do
you… do you think we could try? I’ve gone over it a million times. If Brooke and Aiden hadn’t conspired
to keep us apart, when you left Aiden and came to me, we could have been together. We could still be
together.”
“I -” she starts and then stops. She looks down again and stares at our hands again for so long, I’m afraid
she isn’t going to answer. Why isn’t she answering? Please God, let her answer!
“Jake. I’ll always love you.” Her words make my heart soar.
“Then say you’ll be with me. Say you’ll let me love you forever. Say you’ll make me whole again,” I beg
her, while inching my way closer to her on the bench.
I raise my arm and rest my hand on the side of her neck, tilting her head up towards me. My thumb
sweeps across her jaw while I search her eyes for consent. When her face turns up slightly and her lips
part just a touch, I decide to take that as my green light. I lean forward and brush my lips gently against
hers. I instantly feel the sensation that I always feel when I’m with her. The one that has my stomach
dropping and my dick stirring.
Lost in the moment, my lips find hers again. This time I put more pressure on her mouth. My tongue
slowly glides along her bottom lip, remembering the taste of her. Her lips part and my tongue slides
inside alongside hers. My other hand leaves her hands and cradles the opposite side of her face, so that
both my hands are now holding on to her for dear life. I tilt her head and deepen the kiss. My tongue
explores every inch of her mouth, seeking, tasting, memorizing the feel of it.
The rest of the world melts away. It’s just her and me. The sounds of kids playing and birds chirping
fade. All I can hear is the light rasps of our breathing and the small little moan that she’s making. Finding
the willpower, I pull away from her delicious mouth and rest my forehead against hers. My hands tense
on her face while I try to find my composure. That kiss has just turned me inside out.
Author Bio:
Jessica grew up in Central New York. She spends her days as a Security Analyst at an IT consulting company. She spends her free time reading books and developing ideas for her own stories. Writing is her secret passion that she’s been fostering since elementary school, when she wrote her first book about a puppy. Writing has always been one of her secret dreams and she can't wait to share her stories with the world.
She currently lives in New York with her husband and three dogs.
Author contact information:
Web – www.jessicaingro.com
Email – jessicaingrobooks@gmail.com
Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/JessicaIngroBooks
Twitter – http://twitter.com/uvrays1997
Jessica grew up in Central New York. She spends her days as a Security Analyst at an IT consulting company. She spends her free time reading books and developing ideas for her own stories. Writing is her secret passion that she’s been fostering since elementary school, when she wrote her first book about a puppy. Writing has always been one of her secret dreams and she can't wait to share her stories with the world.
She currently lives in New York with her husband and three dogs.
Author contact information:
Web – www.jessicaingro.com
Email – jessicaingrobooks@gmail.com
Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/JessicaIngroBooks
Twitter – http://twitter.com/uvrays1997
Goodreads – http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7010240.Jessica_Ingro
Love Square (Book #1) Information
Goodreads
Love Square (Book #1) Information
Goodreads
Cover Reveal: Her by Carey Heywood
Title: Her
Author: Carey Heywood
Release Date: October, 26th
Synopsis
You know her side of the story, now learn his.
"It was useless. I felt branded beneath my skin by a girl who left without
even saying goodbye."
When Will Price was assigned a partner for a sixth grade class project he had no idea she would become his best friend. After years of friendship, she eventually became so much more. Then, one day she left with no explanation.
Will’s life shattered right before his eyes and he was left alone to pick up the pieces. Floundering, Will must figure out a way to carry on, to find a way to exist without her.
Seven years later, a chance encounter leaves him desperate to get her back. He has one week to make her his again. Not everyone gets a second chance with the love of their life and Will is determined to never lose her again.
Author Bio:
New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author. I make up stuff and write it down. Here are some things that make up who I am, in no particular order; Books, Swedish Fish, Rivers, Kids (I have some), Husband (I have 1), Dog, Wuss, Reader, Elephants, Mermaid Shows, Belgian Chocolate, Plastic Rings, Fizzy Water, Abs (I don't have them...well yes, I have them but they're nothing to look at I meant Abs that I like to look at), Twitter (@careylolo), Making up Words, Chair Dancing, Old Movies, Cartoons, Belgian Waffles, Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream, People, Kayaks, Screen Porches, Laughing, Colored Paperclips, Junky Green Laptop, Golden Rule, Falling in Love, Jumping in Puddles, Spellcheck, Windy Days.
Social Media Links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CareyHeywoodAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Careylolo
"It was useless. I felt branded beneath my skin by a girl who left without
even saying goodbye."
When Will Price was assigned a partner for a sixth grade class project he had no idea she would become his best friend. After years of friendship, she eventually became so much more. Then, one day she left with no explanation.
Will’s life shattered right before his eyes and he was left alone to pick up the pieces. Floundering, Will must figure out a way to carry on, to find a way to exist without her.
Seven years later, a chance encounter leaves him desperate to get her back. He has one week to make her his again. Not everyone gets a second chance with the love of their life and Will is determined to never lose her again.
Author Bio:
New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author. I make up stuff and write it down. Here are some things that make up who I am, in no particular order; Books, Swedish Fish, Rivers, Kids (I have some), Husband (I have 1), Dog, Wuss, Reader, Elephants, Mermaid Shows, Belgian Chocolate, Plastic Rings, Fizzy Water, Abs (I don't have them...well yes, I have them but they're nothing to look at I meant Abs that I like to look at), Twitter (@careylolo), Making up Words, Chair Dancing, Old Movies, Cartoons, Belgian Waffles, Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream, People, Kayaks, Screen Porches, Laughing, Colored Paperclips, Junky Green Laptop, Golden Rule, Falling in Love, Jumping in Puddles, Spellcheck, Windy Days.
Social Media Links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CareyHeywoodAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Careylolo
Goodreads Author: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6535777.Carey_Heywood
Goodreads Book Link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17882781-her
Release Day Blitz: The Wager by Rachel Vany Dyken
Summary
Lose a bet, lose your heart...
What is it about a junior-high crush that can send an otherwise intelligent woman into a tailspin? TV reporter Char Lynn wishes she knew. Jake Titus is too rich, too handsome, too arrogant: a trifecta that once lured Char into the best night-and worst morning-after-of her life. Now they've been thrown together in a wedding party. It's awkward, but survivable . . . until Jake stops acting like a jerk, and starts acting like the man she'd always hoped he could be.
If watching your brother marry your best friend is weird, being attracted to your best friend's other best friend is downright bizarre. Unfortunately for Jake, Char hasn't forgotten how he once tossed her aside. Worse still, Jake's already-nutty grandma is even crazier about Char. Cue meet-cute shenanigans and all manner of meddling, and somehow, Jake's falling. For Char. Now all he has to do is make her believe it . . .
What is it about a junior-high crush that can send an otherwise intelligent woman into a tailspin? TV reporter Char Lynn wishes she knew. Jake Titus is too rich, too handsome, too arrogant: a trifecta that once lured Char into the best night-and worst morning-after-of her life. Now they've been thrown together in a wedding party. It's awkward, but survivable . . . until Jake stops acting like a jerk, and starts acting like the man she'd always hoped he could be.
If watching your brother marry your best friend is weird, being attracted to your best friend's other best friend is downright bizarre. Unfortunately for Jake, Char hasn't forgotten how he once tossed her aside. Worse still, Jake's already-nutty grandma is even crazier about Char. Cue meet-cute shenanigans and all manner of meddling, and somehow, Jake's falling. For Char. Now all he has to do is make her believe it . . .
Teaser
“Jake!” Grandma peered around the mannequin and yelled. “Help her out of that dress! We have a wedding emergency! Hurry!”
“Right.” Jake released Char’s hand and shook his head as he took a step away. “Wouldn’t be the first time I’ve helped you out of your clothes, huh, Char?”
And special moment gone.
Ignoring the burning sensation on her face, Char walked into the dressing room and pulled the curtain.
“Don’t you need help?” came Jake’s voice.
“I think I know how to undress myself, Jake.”
“Yes.” His warm chuckle made Char want to smack him. Shivering, she reached for the zipper. “But when I do it, it’s unforgettable. That’s all I’m saying.”
Fine. She’d had enough. Refusing to let him think she was afraid of him touching her, she took his challenge. With a huff Char pulled open the curtain. “Prove it.”
His eyes widened and then a wicked smile curved his lips. “My pleasure.”
The way the man said “pleasure” did really unfortunate things to Char’s body, things that made her re-think her rash decision.
“Where’s the zipper?”
“Aww… can’t find it? That happen to you often, Jake? Can’t find the zipper, where does my equipment go…”
“Oh that, I never have problems with. You should know.”
Her eyes narrowed into slits as she watched him close the curtain and then do a turning motion with his finger.
She turned around and faced the mirror. Jake placed his hands on her shoulders then ran them down both of her arms. She would not shiver, she would not react!
He placed his hands on her hips, then unzipped the dress. Slowly he ran his hands back up the sides of her body, all the way until he hit just below her breasts. Her breath hitched as he winked at her in the mirror, bypassing her breasts and finding the fastener behind her neck.
Char chewed on her lower lip as she watched him delicately undo the fastener and then held the dress to her body so it wouldn’t fall.
“You have beautiful hair.” He ran a few pieces through his fingers and sighed, locking eyes with her in the mirror.
He wasn’t smiling. Was he seriously paying her a compliment? To her face? Or her reflection?
“I, uhh—”
“It’s just a compliment, Char. Not a proposal.”
She blushed profusely. “Thank you.”
The way he looked at her made her feel naked. And now she remembered why things had gone haywire in the first place. She never knew which Jake she was talking to. The one who had been her friend when she was little, or the millionaire playboy who had no soul.
Char doubted he even knew which one he was. She just needed to make sure she remembered, lest she end up with a broken heart again.
“Everyone decent?” Grandma called from the other side of the curtain.
Jake stepped back and winked. “Unfortunately.”
Char felt her face heat.
“Damn,” Grandma called. “You’ve lost your touch, son.”
“Don’t I know it.” He licked his lips and nodded one last time at Char before stepping on the other side of the curtain.
“Right.” Jake released Char’s hand and shook his head as he took a step away. “Wouldn’t be the first time I’ve helped you out of your clothes, huh, Char?”
And special moment gone.
Ignoring the burning sensation on her face, Char walked into the dressing room and pulled the curtain.
“Don’t you need help?” came Jake’s voice.
“I think I know how to undress myself, Jake.”
“Yes.” His warm chuckle made Char want to smack him. Shivering, she reached for the zipper. “But when I do it, it’s unforgettable. That’s all I’m saying.”
Fine. She’d had enough. Refusing to let him think she was afraid of him touching her, she took his challenge. With a huff Char pulled open the curtain. “Prove it.”
His eyes widened and then a wicked smile curved his lips. “My pleasure.”
The way the man said “pleasure” did really unfortunate things to Char’s body, things that made her re-think her rash decision.
“Where’s the zipper?”
“Aww… can’t find it? That happen to you often, Jake? Can’t find the zipper, where does my equipment go…”
“Oh that, I never have problems with. You should know.”
Her eyes narrowed into slits as she watched him close the curtain and then do a turning motion with his finger.
She turned around and faced the mirror. Jake placed his hands on her shoulders then ran them down both of her arms. She would not shiver, she would not react!
He placed his hands on her hips, then unzipped the dress. Slowly he ran his hands back up the sides of her body, all the way until he hit just below her breasts. Her breath hitched as he winked at her in the mirror, bypassing her breasts and finding the fastener behind her neck.
Char chewed on her lower lip as she watched him delicately undo the fastener and then held the dress to her body so it wouldn’t fall.
“You have beautiful hair.” He ran a few pieces through his fingers and sighed, locking eyes with her in the mirror.
He wasn’t smiling. Was he seriously paying her a compliment? To her face? Or her reflection?
“I, uhh—”
“It’s just a compliment, Char. Not a proposal.”
She blushed profusely. “Thank you.”
The way he looked at her made her feel naked. And now she remembered why things had gone haywire in the first place. She never knew which Jake she was talking to. The one who had been her friend when she was little, or the millionaire playboy who had no soul.
Char doubted he even knew which one he was. She just needed to make sure she remembered, lest she end up with a broken heart again.
“Everyone decent?” Grandma called from the other side of the curtain.
Jake stepped back and winked. “Unfortunately.”
Char felt her face heat.
“Damn,” Grandma called. “You’ve lost your touch, son.”
“Don’t I know it.” He licked his lips and nodded one last time at Char before stepping on the other side of the curtain.
Buy
Links:
Amazon: http://amzn.to/14MXlwY
Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/1bMQisp
ibooks: http://bit.ly/1eNaknV
Author Bio:
Rachel Van Dyken is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author of
regency and contemporary romances. When she's not writing you can find her
drinking coffee at Starbucks and plotting her next book while watching The
Bachelor. She keeps her home in Idaho with her Husband and their snoring Boxer,
Sir Winston Churchill. She loves to hear from readers! You can follow her
writing journey at http://rachelvandykenauthor.com/
Monday, September 30, 2013
Review and Giveaway: Two Roads by L. M. Augustine
The only person poetry-loving Cali Monroe hates more than herself is Logan Waters, the geeky kid who lives in the dorm building next to hers.Ever since Cali's parents told her she would amount to nothing, she has felt entirely inadequate. Friendless and alone, she takes on the mean girl role in hopes it will make her feel better--and Logan serves as the perfect target. He infuriates her with his obnoxiously long lashes, his all too perfect dimpled smile, and his complete lack of personality outside of his intelligence. It doesn't hurt that he's part of the reason her brother is dead, either. So Cali hates him, and he returns the favor. Thus, their prank-filled, insult-driven rivalry is born, and torturing Logan quickly becomes the highlight of her life.
But when Cali's parents set them up on a blind date, she begins to realize Logan might not be as boring as she always thought. He shares her love of poetry, takes a sadistic pleasure in making fun of crepes, and he makes her blush when he calls her smile pretty.
And hey, maybe those long lashes of his aren't that obnoxious after all…
Two Roads is New Adult Romance about finding love, standing out, and learning to embrace who you are. It contains some language and mild sexual content.
4.5 Star Review by Nicole Lorenzo
Cali Monroe has a ton of friends; she gets invited to best
parties, hooks up with a different guy every night and….. it is all an act. She
plays the “mean girl” to cope with the death of her brother and to deal with
constantly feeling inadequate due to her parents. In reality Cali loves poetry
and hates most of the people she hangs out with. The one person she really does hate is Logan
Waters. He’s a math nerd who hates Crepes and loves wearing geeky t-shirts. He
was once her brother’s best friend, and Cali once had a crush on him, now he is
her nemesis. Cali partially blames Logan for her brother's death four years ago
and now she spends each and everyday of the last six months insulting and
pranking him.
“We make a game of
our rivalry, of our pranks, and it’s weirdly fun to see what each person does
to the other next. We’re almost on this whole new level with each other, like
we have our own little corner of the world reserved just for us and our mutual
red-hot-hatred, so I embrace it. I love it. I live it.”
Insulting and pranking Logan becomes the highlight of Cali’s
day. She never thought she would look forward to seeing someone she hated so
much. When Cali’s parents set her up on
a blind date and the date winds up being Logan, she learns that there is more
to him then she ever imagined. He shares her love of poetry and the more time
she spends with Logan the more she realizes that he is genuinely a good guy.
“I have no idea how
or when his smile and eyelashes went from totally annoying to incredibly
gorgeous, but apparently it happened because now, I cannot stop staring at him.”
Logan Waters has spent the last four years
overcome with grief and guilt over the death of his best friend. Six months ago
he transferred to the same college as his best friend's sister Cali. Not sure
how to respond to her he just pretends he is fine, that everything is fine, and
this starts the rivalry between him and Cali. Pranking and insulting Cali is
the only way he can communicate with her; he doesn’t think he can ever tell her
what he really means when he says ”I Hate You”! But as they spend more time
together, and he convinces her to come to the Poetry Convention with him all
his secrets will be revealed.
“My love for you can keep the stars apart, can take the seeds of the
tree of life, can do more wonders than I will ever know. I love you with every
part of me, and I need you because I love you."
When Logan invites Cali to attend a poetry convention, the
same one Cali has been dying to go to forever, she declines. Logan is
persistent though and soon enough she finds herself giving in and heading to
the poetry convention that she never thought she would attend. Alone with Logan
surrounded by poetry brings out feelings in Cali she’s not sure she is ready to
face. She finds herself with a decision to make, live forever with guilt and
loneliness or move on and let the past go. There are two roads for Cali to
choose from and only on one will she find true happiness.
”And that's the thing about love; no matter how
hard you search, no matter how hard you run, sometimes, just sometimes, true
love is right in front of you all along."
Two Roads is a love story about two people lost in grief and
guilt. They both masquerade their feelings and depend on this rivalry between
them to feel something, to feel anything. The unspoken attraction between Cali
and Logan crackled it was so tense. There were moments of sadness, humor and
joy and I loved how their mutual love of poetry helped bring them together. Two
Roads is the second novel by L.M. Augustine. I have to say from start to finish
I truly loved this book and look forward to reading other works by this author.
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