Amy Reece's Blog, page 16

COVER REVEAL! KEEP IT SEXY by Olivia Snow

Chaos follows Billie McAllister wherever she goes…

When Billie catches yet another boyfriend cheating on her, it’s the last straw. She retreats home to Colorado, determined to rebuild her life and stay far away from her unsavory family of con men and criminals. But her plans are derailed when she meets her disarmingly charming, tattooed new boss.

Christian Rodriguez has left his own tainted past behind to achieve his dream…

All Christian ever wanted was to own a bar. Now he does, but his dedication to living life on the straight and narrow is threatened with the arrival of his feisty, brown-eyed new waitress, Billie. Their powerful attraction should bring light to their previously dark lives, but also has the potential to pull both of them back into the criminal lifestyles they’ve vowed to leave behind.

Family ties are hard to break, and Billie’s family isn’t about to let her go…

When her father, brothers, and ex-boyfriend Connor show up, they make it clear they all want her back, even if they have to destroy Christian in the process.

Billie and Christian are caught in a tangled web of family loyalties, greed, betrayal, and hidden agendas as they struggle to uncover others’ secrets while keeping their own.

Can they best protect each other by staying together, or by walking away and continuing to play a very dangerous game?

IN AN INSTANT by Janae Mitchell Release Day Blitz!!!

Sixteen year old Emersyn Moore spends her summer days working part-time in a book store, enjoying her next read, and hanging out with her best friend, Brianna. She also spends a lot of time admiring Brianna’s older brother, Kaden, who has made it clear that he sees Emersyn as nothing more than a sister. Emersyn concedes to her sisterly role, keeping her feelings to herself, as well as the fantasies she knows will never become reality. However, when Kaden is involved in a disabling accident, everything changes, including their relationship.

Will it tear them apart, making her long for the sisterly role she’d always despised, or will this life-altering experience bring them closer together, forcing Kaden to see her in a new light? Only time will tell.

Time.

They say it will heal all wounds, but Emersyn knows that’s a lie. Some wounds never heal, which is evident every time she looks at Kaden. 

 

“In An Instant is the one story that has come from my heart more than any other book I’ve written. Kaden, one of the main characters, suffers injuries that most would think would make life unlivable, at least to the point where a normal life would never be accomplished. However, my nephew suffered the same fate in a similar accident, and even though his life’s story is totally different than Kaden’s, both lives give me hope. Every time I see my nephew smile, it’s like a rainbow, letting me know that the storms of life, as severe as they may seem, are only temporary. The sun will always return, and it’s up to us as to how we’re going to enjoy it.“

About the Author

“First & foremost, I’m a country girl. I’m no different than most, I just happen to write… a lot. If I’m not writing books, I’m reading them. I live for the HEA! I’m a huge fan of readers! They breathe life into the books we give birth to. Thank you, fellow readers, for making books come alive.” ☺

Janae was born and raised in East Tennessee, where she currently resides with her husband, two children, and their hairless dog, Dobby. In her spare time, she likes to read, play tennis, and spend time with her family on the lake.

Online Release Event
To celebrate her most recent release, Janae is hosting an IN AN INSTANT Release Event! There will be several other authors there throughout the day celebrating with her and doing giveaways for all the loyal readers who attend, so make sure you join! (Click on event photo below to join!)

Amy Reece: I’m one of the authors participating, so be sure to swing by 12 noon (EST) to win one of my books and have some fun!





Giveaway!

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☺

BROKEN SURVIVOR by Jennifer Labelle

Broken Survivor
by
Jennifer Labelle
 

 

Holly Hewitt is a survivor…
After witnessing her mother’s murder, Holly was returned to her abusive father. Resorting to drugs and alcohol, she ends up landing herself in foster care, where she is separated from her sister and utterly alone.
Zander Harrison is the light to her darkness…
Zander is young, athletic, and carefree, withthe support of a loving family. But when Holly is placed in foster care withhis brother’s in-laws, she turns his world upside down.
He’s driven to protect her, and to show her the past has made her strong, life is worth living, and love is worth fighting for. If only he can convince her to trust him and stop resisting their mutual attraction.
But sometimes even love isn’t enough to heal a shattered soul.
And all the hard work in the world can’t save…
A broken survivor.

BUY LINK
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Broken-Survivor-Jennifer-Labelle/dp/1680581406/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8


CHECK OUT MY REVIEW

AUTHOR BIO
Jennifer Labelle resides in Canada with her husband and three beautiful children. After her third child she became a stay at home mom. In her busy household Jennifer likes to spend her down time engrossed in the stories that she creates. She is an active reader of romance,mystery and anything paranormal. With an education in Addictions work she’s decided to take a less stressful approach in life and hopes that you enjoy, as she shares some of her imagination with all of you.




AUTHORLINKS

Website | Blog| Goodreads| Facebook| Twitter| TSU

Excerpt
Pink and orange hues filled the sky with a warm beauty while the sun set. Holly wrapped her arms around herself and liftedher face toward the sky to soak in the last few moments of the sun before the chill of the night descended upon them. This was definitely not going to be an easy talk to get through. She just hoped they’d both be okay when it was done.  Zander stepped up behind her, and she felt the heat of his body before he wrapped his arms around her from behind. The way she was drawn to him made her wonder if he had a magnetic pull,and it kind of scared her a little bit. Holly tried to enjoy the view as they were silent for a few moments.
“As much as I hate to let go, I think maybe we should sit so we can finally talk,” Zander said.
 She hesitated a moment before taking his hand while they walked back to his house and sat beside each other on the patio. This is it.
“First, I want to clear up earlier,” Zandersaid. “She was just a friend, nothing more. She has only ever been a friend.”He lifted their linked hands and kissed the top of hers.
“This isn’t any of my business, but does she realize that? I got the impression there was much more than a friendship there.” Holly held her breath and didn’t exhale until after he answered her.
“Not for a really long time, and we were never a couple.” His posture slumped. “Before today, I hadn’t heard from her in months. She just showed up out of the blue, but I swear nothing happened.”
“Why are you telling me this?” Holly shifted to face him. “So you and she were friends with benefits a while ago. I have to admit I didn’t like seeing you with her, but I don’t have any right to be mad.We’re taking things slow, remember?”
“That’s just the thing. I want to be with you,Hol. As in, I’d be staking my claim. You’d be my girlfriend, exclusive.”
“I’m actually kind of glad you said that. I’ve recently figured out that I’m not made for casual.” She bit her lip nervously.“I don’t even care about your friend anymore because I sort of have some huge news, which throws going slow out the window anyway. That is, if you don’t freak out and feel like you want nothing to do with me after this.”
“Okay, now you’re making me nervous,” he joked nervously and playfully nudged her with his shoulder. “What’s up?”
“You probably should be.” Holly smiled weakly and then exhaled long and hard. “I didn’t want a relationship when you came into the picture, and I didn’t want to care for someone so much. But then thereyou were all sweet, caring, and persistent and screwed up my original plans. So let’s get that out there.” She smiled and leaned into him. Her head lay on his shoulder and she looked up at him needing to be close. “That’s the best part bythe way because I’m glad I’ve let you in. I care for you a lot. I’ve messed up,though. We both have. Do you remember the night at my sister’s?”
“How could I forget?” His eyes lit up and shesnorted.
“It was a good night, huh?” She licked her lips just thinking about it. “Well, I haven’t been feeling like myself lately,so Lauren decided to take me to get a checkup…”
“O-okay, you were sick and…?” Zander’s brows scrunched together in confusion, but as if he sensed her discomfort, he gave her a quick reprieve to pull herself together before she had to spit out the big news. He captured her mouth. His soft, plump lips caressed hers, then he moved to nip and suck on her bottom lip. His tongue coaxed her mouth open farther, and she tasted his mutual arousal as he probed the slit of her mouth with his tongue. One of her hands fisted in his shirt and held him closer,while the other massaged his nape and into his hair. They both moaned in the heat of the moment, and she could feel his chest rise and fall more rapidly before he pulled away.
“God, I’ve missed this,” he said. “You get sick again and I’m coming over with some chicken soup and taking care of you.
“That sounds amazing.” She smirked. “I’ve missed you too.” Holly shifted so that she was facing him now and rested her forehead against his while they caught their breath.
“Don’t go home yet. Call Lauren and let’s recreate that night.” He wiggled his eyebrows up and down.
“You are such a goofball. As tempting as that sounds, I need to finish what I was saying before you distract me too much.”She gave him a quick peck on the lips and leaned back.
“But the distraction is so good. I can’t help myself.” He lifted a sexy, dark eyebrow in question. “Can we fool around a bit while you talk? I’m a great multitasker.”
“I’ll tell you what, if after I tell you everything I need to, you still want to fool around or more, then yes, we’ll go inside your place and I’ll make it worth your while.” She wiggled her browsback at him and smiled as she caressed the side of his face. I just hope I don’t ruin things first.
“Deal.”
“Lauren might not be too happy if she finds out the truth.”
“Really?” He looked at her in shock. “I find that hard to believe after her and Shelby practically pushed us together.” He smiled and kissed the back of her hand. “Remind me to thank them for that one day.”
 “I really hope you still feel that way after you hear what I have to say.”
“Quit stalling and just tell me already.”
“So you know I haven’t been feeling well lately, but what you don’t know is why she’s been on my case. She had some concerns that drove her to take me to the doctor in the first place.” She leaned way back in her chair and closed her eyes.
“Is she still hung up about the new apartment?”
“In a way, I guess, but right now what’s bothering her is her assumption that I might be pregnant.” She peeked in his direction to gauge his reaction.
He stiffened a bit on the seat next to her and sat straighter. “Wait, what?”

GIVEAWAY

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DREAMER RELEASE DAY!!!

I’m thrilled to announce the release of the second book in The Seeker Series!

Meet Ally Moran, a 17 year-old who also happens to be psychic. Oh, and she’s getting more psychic with every passing day, so much so that she’s been sent to Ireland to check in with the Seer Council to see what’s up with her freaky new powers.

Jack Ruiz is her 19 year-old boyfriend, a former troublemaker who’s back on track and trying desperately to graduate. His plans did not include falling in love with a psychic trouble-magnet.

Last month they worked together to save a friend in deep trouble and ended up solving a school-wide mystery. But now there’s a new guy at school, Remy Giles, and he seems just a little bit too interested in Ally for Jack’s liking. And why does Ally keep dreaming about a kidnapping? Last month seems like a cakewalk compared to this semester…

Ally’s trying to solve a mystery, but Jack is just trying to keep her alive.

You Might Be a Writer If…

areece:

This a really funny blog! Enjoy!

Originally posted on Kristen Lamb's Blog:

A lot of “stuff” has been going on in my life lately. Hard stuff. Heavy stuff. The kind of stuff that just makes me want to write massacre scenes….except I am so brain dead I had to google how to spell “massacre.”

Masicker? Missucker?

WHAT AM I DOING???? *breaks down sobbing*

I am supposed to be an adult an expert okay, maybe functionally literate. Fine, I give up! I have nothing left to saaaaayyyyyy. I am all out of woooords *builds pillow fort*.

I figured it’s time for a bit of levity. Heck, I need a good laugh. How about you guys?

We writers are different *eye twitches* for sure, but the world would be SO boring without us. Am I the only person who watches Discovery ID and critiques the killers?

You are putting the body THERE? Do you just WANT to go to prison? Why did you STAB…

View original 1,289 more words

DREAMER, Book 2 COMING June 9, 2015!!!

ENTER THE GOODREADS GIVEAWAY TO WIN 1 OF 2 SIGNED COPIES!!!

GIVEAWAY BLITZ!!! LOVE ALWAYS, DAMIAN by d. Nichole King

Love Always, Damian by D. Nichole King

(Love Always #2)

Published by: Limitless Publishing

Publication date: May 26th 2015

Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance


Giveaway:
One lucky reader of my blog will win an ebook of Love Always, Damian. What do you have to do to be eligible to win? Glad you asked! Here’s the 411:
–Sign up for my VIP Newsletter (it’s also in the sidebar). I won’t be spamming you or anything! You’ll just get the heads-up when I’ve got more giveaways, new books, etc.
-Comment below this post and let me know you signed up.
-That’s it! I’ll randomly draw 1 winner on June 28th and Xpresso Book Tours will send you the ebook.




Blog Tour Giveaway:
But wait, there’s more! XPresso Tours is giving away:




Blitz-wide giveaway (INTL)








Signed paperback from each book of the series (Love Always, Kate; Eight Days; Love Always, Damian)

 Click Here to Enter

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Synopsis:

They say time heals all wounds.

What a load of bull. It’s been four years, and Kate’s voice still echoes in my mind.

Every. Damn. Day.

I numb her memory when it taunts me. In college, I drown her out with booze and easy lays. I can’t do what she asked

I can’t let her go.

Not even when Lia shows up, freaking ripping what’s left of me to shreds. Caring about someone isn’t worth the deadness that follows after they’re gone. I didn’t ask for this. Didn’t ask for her.

And I sure as hell didn’t plan to miss her when she walked out of my front door.

Now, if I want to keep her, I have to straighten myself out and earn her. I can’t screw this up.

Because if I do, I’ll lose more than just Lia.

I’ll lose my life.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23691093-love-always-damian


Purchase:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Love-Always-Damian-Book-ebook/dp/B00XQGSRUK/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1433169225&sr=1-1&keywords=Love+Always%2C+Damian+by+D.+Nichole+King
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/love-always-damian-d-nichole-king/1121980410?ean=9781680581485




About the Author:

Born and raised in Iowa, d. Nichole King writes her stories close to home. There’s nothing like small-town Midwest scenery to create the perfect backdrop for an amazing tale.

She wrote her first book in junior high and loved every second of it. However, she couldn’t bring herself to share her passion with anyone. She packed it away until one day, with the encouragement of her husband, she sat down at the computer and began to type. Now, she can’t stop.

When not writing, d. is usually curled up with a book, scrapbooking, or doing yet another load of laundry.

Along with her incredible husband, she lives in small-town Iowa with her four adorable children and their dog, Peaches.

“A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. A man who never reads lives only one.” –George R. R. Martin, A Dance with Dragons

Author links:  

http://www.dnicholeking.com/
https://www.facebook.com/authordnicholeking?ref=hl
https://twitter.com/dNicholeKing
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7762889.D_Nichole_King

Here’s an excerpt to tempt you:

Damian

It takes me an hour to get to the cemetery. After Mom and Liam died, I never stepped foot here. Not until Kate convinced me to come. It had been one of her five wishes. One through three I’d done because she was with me. Because I loved her. I promised her number four, so I followed through. Number five, though?

Number five is impossible.

I come here often now—day, night, whenever I need to be close to her. Even in death, Kate draws me in. To this place where she’d only trodden once when she was alive.

I grab the three bouquets of flowers from the passenger seat and swing the door open. When Kate brought me here four years ago, I barely managed to get out of the car. Now it’s easy.

Too fucking easy.

I don’t even think about coming anymore. It’s automatic. Routine, like my nightly shots of whiskey.

It shouldn’t be like this. In three short years I lost the three people I loved most. Death sucks, and I’ve had my fill.

I slam the door closed and tread over the grass. The three identical stones jut up from the ground, and even when I’m here after dark, I don’t have a problem seeing them. They’re etched into my memory.

The idea to have Kate buried here beside my mother and brother was entirely mine and entirely selfish. The Browdys had asked me to help with her funeral arrangements, and other than the time of the graveside service, this had been my only request. This way she’d be close to me.

Shade from the elder tree casts a shadow over them. I stand inside its cover from the sun, facing the cold memorials. These pieces of granite have no real connection with the people they were.

Hell, they didn’t even pick them out. Didn’t see them, yet their names, dates of birth and death are etched into them as if they’d been owned by those they claim to represent.

Cemeteries—these stones—aren’t for the dead.

No, they’re for the living.

My gaze trails over the Celtic symbols engraved at the center of each one. Identical to the tattoos inked into my body. Faith. Brotherhood. Hope.

My eyes linger on Kate’s as they usually do, and the memory of when I’d given her the trinity heart necklace pours over me.

“It’s the Celtic symbol for hope. Now you’ll always know where to find it,” I’d told her.

Damn. I’d given it to her so she’d think of me whenever she needed me, but really, it was I who needed her.

I take a deep breath to hold myself together. I lost everything the day Kate died.

I rake a hand through my hair and shut my eyes. Out here, away from everyone, I don’t have to pretend that I have a fucking clue how to live without her.

Out here, it’s just me.

In front of Kate’s gravestone, I lower myself to the ground, dropping the flowers at my side. My chest is empty, yet somehow, it hurts. It’s the same damn thing year after year—aching to see her smile at me just one more time. One more and I’d be satisfied, I tell myself.

I know it’s a lie because one more smile from her would never be enough. I need to touch her, run my fingers over her warm skin and protect the hell out of her.

But I’m a failure. I had the power within me, in my blood, to save her, and I failed.

I can barely see the inches in front of me as I break down. Four years ago, my father sat here with me and told me the pain would never go away, but it would lessen over time.

What a load of bullshit; the pain has only grown.

“I miss you so damn much, Katie,” I say even though she can’t hear me. And that thought kicks me in the gut as much as anything. No matter what I say to her now, she’ll never know any of it.

I slide my fingertips over her name: Kathryn “Katie” Browdy. Seventeen short years on this earth and I only had her last months. They were the best months of my life.

I sit with her until the sun begins to send streaks of gold over the horizon. Even though Kate would be disappointed, I need to pick up more liquor before I head home. I have to have something to get me through this pain.

A gust of wind rustles the dead flowers I left on their graves last week. I scoop them up and replace them with the fresh ones I brought. Daisies for my mother, some generic flowers he wouldn’t give a shit about for Liam, and red roses for Kate.

Always red roses for my Katie.

“Love you, Mom,” I murmur, fanning out the daisies in the vase beside her headstone.

Then I move onto Liam’s. “Take care of my girl, man,” I tell him, then I remember how I’d taken care of his. “But if you touch her, I’ll fucking kill you.”

I squat down and lay Kate’s roses at the base of her stone. There’s nothing I could say to her that I haven’t already said a million times. So I settle for the words I couldn’t say until just before she died. “I love you, baby. I’ll always love you.”

Check out my 5 star review of Love Always, Damian

RELEASE DAY! CONNECTED by Kat Stiles

Title: Connected

Author: Kat Stiles

Publisher: Wild Child Publishing

ISBN: 978-1-61798-155-5—eBook, 978-1-61798-156-2—print

Genre(s): Young Adult Paranormal Romance

Heat Rating: NA

Length: 87,207

Page Count: 306

Price: $4.99, $12.99

Purchase page: N/A

Release date: 6/3/15

Author website: katstiles.com

Author blog: katstiles.com

Author contact email: kat@katstiles.com

Blurb:

High school is hard enough, Em knows. Her freshman year introduced her to all the cliques, annoying teachers, and tough homework assignments. But discovering you have super powers and not knowing how to control them is a whole new level of complicated.

Thankfully, Em isn’t alone. Her best friend Roz starts having unusual dreams that come true, and Tommy, Em’s secret crush, can hear the softest whispers in class.

A romance blossoms with Tommy. But just as things are looking up, people start dropping like flies. A telepathic serial killer is on the loose and only Em and her friends have a hope of stopping him.

Or do they? If they don’t figure out the killer’s identity soon, one of them could be next.

Purchase links:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00X4YEC9Y

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/connected/id991976828?ls=1&mt=11

Wild Child: http://www.wildchildpublishing.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=72&products_id=463

CONNECTED by Kat Stiles

Book Review

4/5 Stars

In this YA paranormal mystery, three friends discover they each have super-powers, which would be cool except for the psychic serial killer on the loose. Yeah, you had me at serial killer.

The story is told through Emily’s point of view and Stiles captures her voice very well. The high school scenes seem fairly authentic and the Texas setting is great. The budding relationship between Em and Tommy is sweet, yet intense, with all the yearning and emotions of first love. Tommy makes a great book boyfriend. The characters throughout the book are interesting and diverse. The mystery is well developed and Stiles keeps up the suspense right to the end.

I would have liked more back-story, both for the super-powers and what was going on with Em’s mom and sister. It would add a nice depth to the story.

I hope the sequel is in the works. I definitely recommend you grab a copy of Connected.

COVER REVEAL! FALLBACK by Lori Whitwam What began in the novella The Dead Survive continues in the full-length novel Fallback, coming June 30, 2015 from Limitless Publishing!

After being rescued from a brutal band of marauders, Ellen Hale rebuilt her life in the fortified neighborhood that became her home. A heartbreaking decision and devastating loss pushed her to become a fierce fighter, because weakness only got you and those you loved killed.

Now her community is facing a deadly threat, and Ellen has another choice to make.

Ellen volunteers as a member of fallback team three, tasked with establishing a temporary refuge for their citizens in the event their community is overrun by the enemy. As the danger intensifies, she and her adopted sister, Melissa, set off with the rest of their team on the road trip from hell.

Their mission is cloaked in secrecy, but suspicions of a traitor arise.

Something is affecting the zombies’ migration patterns, and when blacksmith Tyler Garrett is discovered trapped in a farmhouse, the team refuses to trust him. But Ellen believes his story, and it’s not just because of his rugged, blond good looks and soft-spoken manner—his skills can greatly benefit their team.

As the team struggles to reach the fallback, previously secure locations are overrun, and their chances of success seem remote. With the likelihood of a traitor nearly certain, and the lives of everyone she loves at risk, Ellen must figure out who to trust before the traitor—or the zombies—destroy them all.

Is there a spy among the fallback team,

or is there another threat lurking in the Kentucky hills?

Author Bio

Lori spent her early years reading books in a tree in northern West Virginia. The 1980s and 90s found her and her husband moving around the Midwest, mainly because it was easier to move than clean the apartment. After seventeen frigid years in Minnesota, she fled to coastal North Carolina in 2013. She will never leave, and if you try to make her, she will hurt you.

She has worked in public libraries, written advertising copy for wastewater treatment equipment, and managed a holistic veterinary clinic. Her current day job, conducted from her World Headquarters and Petting Zoo (her couch) is as Managing Editor for Limitless Publishing, as well as editing for a select list of indie author.

Her dogs are a big part of her life, and she has served or held offices in Golden Retriever and Great Pyrenees rescues, a humane society, a county kennel club, and her own chapter of Therapy Dogs International.

She has been a columnist and feature writer for auto racing and pet publications, and won the Dog Writers Association of America’s Maxwell Award for a series of humor essays.

Parents of a grown son, Lori and her husband were high school sweethearts, and he manages to love her in spite of herself. Some of his duties include making sure she always has fresh coffee and safe tires, trying to teach her to use coupons, and convincing the state police to spring her from house arrest in her hotel room in time for a very important concert. That last one only happened once—so far—but she still really, really appreciates it.

Links

Email: ripleygold@gmail.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/loriauthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ripleygold

Website: http://www.loriwhitwam.com

BOOK BLITZ! NOVEMBER SKY by Danielle Wicks

November Sky (Hardest Mistakes #2)













by Dannielle Wicks 




Release Date: 05/19/15




Limitless Publishing








Summary from Goodreads:

A heartbreaking loss.

A love that transcends mortality.

A struggle between holding on and letting go…

KRISTIAN REED is only seventeen years old when his girlfriend, JESSICA

SCOTT, dies in a tragic accident. Devastated and burdened with guilt, he finds it impossible to move on.
Six years later, he’s not doing any better. He’s accepted a prestigious

internship at a big city news station, but he’s still losing himself in alcohol

and women to numb his pain.

Jessica might be dead, but she’s not gone—at least not anymore…

She is pulled from Purgatory, and thanks to the presence of a personal memento, Kristian can see and feel her. But how can the ghost of his first love expect to be a part of his future?

BAILEY NICHOLS is assertive and annoying, but something draws her and Kristian together. Her brother hates him, but Bailey is used to getting what she wants. She knows the pain of losing people you love, and she’s determined to break through Kristian’s emotional wall and prove they belong together.
Jessica is caught between worlds. She can’t let go of Kristian, but she’s not meant to be here, and her lingering is threatening everyone and everything around her as she begins to lose herself to the darkness.

Buy Links:
Amazon│Barnes & Noble

Book One:

(linked to Goodreads)

Buy Links:
Amazon│Barnes

& Noble

About the Author

Dannielle Wicks currently lives in the town of Kingaroy, Queensland in Australia. She is a TV show nerd and lover of cars. She’s always had a love for writing, even in school. She used to hide her writing notebook inside her textbooks just so the teacher wouldn’t notice what she was up to. She loves reading, especially paranormal romance. When she’s not writing or working, she competes in Speedway Sedan Racing across the state.All of the books in the HARDEST MISTAKES series are based on a different main character, so you don’t really need to read them in order, although all the characters link back to each other in some way…

(P.S. if you ever reference any of my books or myself on a social media site, be sure to use the ‪#‎HardestMistakes‬ hashtag or @DWicksAuthor)

Author Links:

   GIVEAWAY:

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EXCERPTS

1-

A smile creeps into the corner of her mouth and she nods. “So, how was lunch?”

I exhale the breath I was holding and stretch out on the bed beside her. “It was hard. I’m not very good at being around people.”

She frowns. “But we had lots of friends and family back at home.”

Inhaling sharply, I turn my head and gaze at her. I know she can see the pain in my eyes, I can see it reflected back at me from her own. “Not anymore, Jess. Not since you.”

She leans in closer so we’re almost touching all the way down our bodies. She doesn’t say anything; just presses her lips to mine tenderly. I pull her closer, letting my need consume me. I need to touch her soft lips, I need to feel her skin under mine. I need her. I push her back and climb on top of her.

2-

“I’m not going out.”

She laughs; it’s the most beautiful noise I’ve ever heard. I don’t think I’ve ever heard her laugh properly like that. My mouth drops open slightly before I pull myself back together. She pretends to wipe her eyes and grabs hold of my hand again, pulling me through the open door. “It’s adorable you think you have a choice.”

I swipe my keys off the counter as the door slams shut behind us. “Where are we going?” I ask. She doesn’t answer, instead she keeps a hold of my hand as we jog down the staircase and once we reach the sidewalk outside, she turns to me with a smile.

“The stars are beautiful tonight, aren’t they?”

I frown in confusion, and then tilt my head back to look up at the sky. I didn’t realize you could still see the stars this close to the center of the city, but there they are, shining dimly amidst the light pollution. “I suppose.” She laughs again, shaking her head at me and dragging me down the street. “What’s so funny?” I nearly have to run to keep up. She pauses at the end of the block and lets go of my hand.

“You, Kristian. You’re funny. What have you been doing with your life? Why have you got such a bleak outlook on everything?” I open my mouth to answer, but she stops me with a finger on my lips. “No, don’t answer. When you’re ready to tell me the truth instead of the bullshit you were just about to make up, just remember, I’ll be here to listen.”

She looks up and down the street and then crosses the road without looking back. I stand frozen to the spot, staring after her. I don’t have any words to describe how I feel. Exhaling a heavy breath, I look both ways, then jog across the street to catch up.

3-

I narrow my eyes. “Stop calling me that.”

“Never.” She laughs, doing her best to sound evil. The wet strands of her hair flop in front of her face. Without thinking, I reach out and brush them off her cheek. She goes completely still, her eyes wide as she gazes up at me.

I only just stop myself from backing away like a coward.

Before I can over-think it, I lean in and kiss her. She’s stunned at first, and then her lips come to life under mine. She’s so soft and warm. Her arms wrap around my neck, bringing her closer.

I pull away slowly, holding her bright blue gaze. I feel as if I can’t breathe, my hands are shaking. I don’t know what I was expecting, but that definitely wasn’t it. The kiss was short and quick, but it was different. I swallow and take a step back, turning my face away from her.

“I…”

She presses her finger to my lips, silencing me.

“Don’t, Kristian. You’ll ruin it.” She watches me for a moment longer and then takes a slow step back before spinning around and dashing away into the dark rain.

4-

“Wh-what are you doing? Why are you getting naked?”

“Do I look naked to you?” she asks sarcastically, pulling her jeans off and walking to the edge of the pool in only her bra and underpants. What is she doing? She kneels down to touch the water, pulling her hand back quickly at the freezing temperature. Glancing back at me, she lifts the corner of her mouth in a dare.

Can I do this? Do I do this?

I suck in a deep breath, stand, and start undressing. When I’m left with just my boxers, I make my way to the pool to stand beside her. I look at her briefly, at the way her half naked body curves in all the right places, and I’m momentarily distracted. She arches a brow at my gaze.

Pulling my thoughts back together, I grasp her hand. “On the count of three?”

Her grin is wide as she nods, and on three we jump in.

The freezing cold water envelops us. I feel like I’ve been dropped into a bucket of ice. Somewhere under the water I lose my hold on Bailey’s hand. Kicking at the water, I sputter to the surface, shivering uncontrollably. Bailey surfaces near me, her lips tinged blue.

“Whose idea was this?” she asks, her teeth chattering.

I chuckle, gliding back to the edge of the deep pool. “I’m pretty sure this was your fault. What a stupid idea.”

“Yeah, weird,” she says, gliding up beside me. “Usually it’s you that makes the stupid decisions.” I narrow my eyes at her, and then lunge, dunking her head under the icy water. She screams when I let her up, but by the time she tries to reach me for payback, I’m already climbing out of the water.

I jitter my way back into my clothes, which takes twice as long as usual because of my shaking fingers, then lean over the edge of the pool and extend my hand to help her out.

She grasps my hand with a mischievous grin. “You know I could just yank on your hand and pull you back into the water. Your clothes would be soaked.”

“Yes, you could, but if you do I might catch a cold. Then it’ll be your turn to play the good friend and sit and watch girly movies with me while I sniffle away into a tissue.”

She considers this for a moment and then nods. “Touché.”

5-

I barely hear her words as her fingers trace the line of my lips and then down my chin. I’m holding my breath. She’s still speaking, but I’m not paying attention. I’m watching her soft, full lips as they move. Before I know what I’m doing, I dive forward and crush my lips against hers, cutting off whatever she was saying. She makes a small noise of surprise as my fingers weave into her hair, holding her face to mine. Her tongue runs along my bottom lip and I shiver.

I slide closer on the bed until our bodies are pressed up against each other all the way down. My hand leaves her hair and runs down her back to her waist. She presses closer and runs her fingers under my shirt and up my stomach. I can’t tell if I’m breathing, but I definitely feel alive. Her fingers are shooting tingles along my skin everywhere she touches me.

Somewhere deep down, I know what I’m doing, but I can’t seem to pull myself far enough out of the haze of my mind to stop.

Bailey pulls back, gasping for air. I take a deep, shuddering breath and run my hand over her hair, smoothing it with my fingers. She looks uncertain as she searches my face, like she’s waiting for me to explode.

“What?” I ask quietly.

“I’m trying to figure out if I brought my best friend home, or if I’ve accidently picked up someone else,” she breathes.

I huff out a short laugh and pull my hand back. “It’s me.”

She narrows her eyes. “I’m still not sure. The Kristian I know would have bolted by now.”

“Oh,” I say a little ashamed of my previous behavior. “Well, I’ll just go then.”

I move to get off the bed.

“No!” She grabs my arm in a panic and pulls me back down. “Please stay?” I grin and settle back onto the bed.

Book Playlist

Let Her Go – Jasmine Thompson

Until The End – Quitedrive

Ghost – Ella Henderson

Ever After – Marianas Trench

Uneven Odds – Sleeping At Last

Dead In The Water – Ellie Goulding

Sing It Out – Switchfoot

Latch – Kodaline

Ghost Lights – Woodkid

Forever and Always – Parachute

You and I – Paper Route

I Wont Give Up – Jason Mraz

The Memory – Mayday Parade

Not About Angels – Birdy

We Might Fall – Ryan Star

All Of Me – John Legend

Another Love – Tom Odell

Sunrise – Our Last Night

You Are Enough – Sleeping At Last

(All of the songs on my playlists are available on iTunes)