Jade C. Jamison's Blog, page 10

OMG! OMG! OMG! I can’t wait for you to read this!

Okay, first…the end of the Nicki Sosebee series is still on track. But here’s another story that’ll be coming out from me soon, and I cannot wait for you to read it. The working title is Diazepam Haze…and here’s the first few paragraphs. Let me know what you think!

~ ~ ~

You know how sometimes you’ll wake up slowly, the edges of a dream persisting in the corners of your mind?  Not the actual complete dream, but the fuzzy edges, like the wisps of a cloud?  It’s a feeling, an emotion, and sometimes that damn dream will hang on well until you’re halfway through a pot of coffee.

That happened to me this morning.

You might be thinking, big deal.  Happens to everyone.  Sure, it does, but I don’t remember the last time it happened to me.

I literally cannot remember.

And, before I even open my eyes, the dream is gone, merely poking at my consciousness now.  It wasn’t a good dream overall, but there was a little girl in it.  Shiny dark brown hair cut in the cutest bob, doe-brown eyes, dimples in those chubby little cheeks.

The dream was a fucking nightmare, but that little girl—she was like a beacon shining in the darkness.

As I force my eyes open, though, even her face begins to fade.

But that feeling—that feeling won’t let go.  It’s a bag of mixed emotions—warmth for that sweet little girl but something sinister behind it, something I can’t shake.

Getting up will help.

As I sit fully up, I glance around the room.  It’s pretty plain.  And small.  Off-white walls, no artwork.  I’m in a twin bed—and there’s nothing else in this room.  Not a chair, a desk, nothing.  Behind me are some windows and in front of me is a door with a small window.  I can tell from here that it has that crisscross wire in it.  You know, the kind that stays in place, even if you break the glass?

I pause now, feeling really out of sorts.  Groggy.  I search my brain, scour it.  Why the hell can I remember the function of that wire, but I can’t remember my name?

I can’t even remember yesterday—or the day before.  I feel like I should panic but something I do know about myself is that I don’t panic.  I’m calm, a port in a storm.  Someone told me that once.  As I sit in bed, my arms wrapped around my knees that I’ve brought up to my chest, I try again really hard to try to make my brain work the way it’s supposed to, fire up those memory centers.  But nothing.  About the only thing I can touch—and it’s elusive, mind you—is a shaky memory of fishing with my dad by the banks of a creek.  I can see the glint of the sunlight on the trickling water.  I can hear the gurgle it makes as it winds down the rocks.  I can feel the cool air on my bare arms, my dad’s warm hand on my shoulder.  I can feel that slippery trout as I finally give up and let my dad take it off the hook, and I can smell its fishiness.  I can feel the palpable relief as my dad tells me it’s not big enough to keep and releases it back into the water.

But that’s it.  That’s my whole damn life.  One paragraph. And where is this? 

~~~

So…what’d ya think? Let me know!

New prologue for On the Run (Vagabonds #1)

The Vagabonds trilogy was never read like I wanted it to and, over the years, I’ve been making changes to it, hoping to find a wider audience.  The changes were mostly small, although the cover change was pretty big.  My hubby designs my covers, and he was inspired to create really artistic ones.  I loved them and so did my faithful readers—but I learned a great lesson:  your cover communicates genre, and if a reader doesn’t get that in the few seconds she skims it, you won’t get a second chance.

About a year ago, I made another change.  Years ago, I went through a phase where I wrote long intros to stories, something I know better than to do.  It’s a rookie mistake!  So I chopped that sucker out and asked readers of the series if they would mind reading the first couple of chapters again just to make sure the flow was okay.

Recently, I had one more inspiration, though—and it centered around the prologue.  When I’d initially written the book, I wanted it to read like a memoir, like a real rock star was reflecting back on her life, sharing her story, and that was why I wrote the prologue I did.  Now, though, I can see how maybe it wouldn’t be a turn off, but it certainly wouldn’t pull in your average romance reader.  So I changed that, too, letting the reader know the main gist right off the bat—which, as a romance, I should have done anyway. 

So, for posterity, I’m saving the old prologue here, just in case any new reader is interested in how it changed—and I’m including the new prologue here as well so old readers can let me know what they think of that change!  Kyle and CJ (and crew) are still some of my most favorite characters I’ve ever written and that I was able to include them in the Bullet/Feverish universe only made it all the better—so I really want folks to enjoy this series.

Anyway, without further ado, here they are.

OLD PROLOGUE:

I heard some DJ on the radio the other day introducing my song—you know, my new single, the one I call “Ecstatic”?  Yeah, that song.  I laughed so hard when he said this album was a strong debut from me.  I suppose I shouldn’t be amused, because at least he knew I was one of the former guitarists from the Vagabonds.  But as my damn song has climbed up the Billboard charts, I’m shocked and surprised that so many people have never heard of me.  It’s not like I’ve been languishing in obscurity or hiding from the press.  I’ve been here, people, been working my ass off.  You just haven’t been watching.

I can’t be angry, though, because part of me feels like it’s about goddamn time.  I’ve been out here, playing my ass off, writing some killer music and sick lyrics, and I haven’t had many people listening since I parted ways with the Vagabonds.  Huge thanks to my hardcore fans, though, for buying the last two solo albums.  I don’t know where I’d be without you, but it looks like the rest of the world finally got on board and caught up with you.

This book is for them.  Sorry, fans—you already know my story.  You know how I started out.  You know my whole story with the Vagabonds as well as my struggles since.  You know where I came from.  You know about my friends and enemies.  You know about CJ, the love of my life—in fact, you’re the ones who keep asking if we’ll get back together.  You guys are the ones who’ve kept me rockin’.  No…this is for all the newbies, all the people who think this album that’s selling like there’s no tomorrow is my first one, all the people who think I’m “a find,” like I just got here.

This is your wake-up call.  Wanna take a ride?

NEW PROLOGUE:

CJ Slavin was the only man for me, and I knew it from the first moment I met him.  Over the years, he and I had been through a lot together—and apart—and so I wondered now if this would be as good as it could ever get.

As I lay on the carpet in CJ’s arms, I watched through the glass door as a storm rolled in.  By the time he stirred and kissed the back of my head, a downpour had started and was coming down so hard, I could hardly see the trees just yards away through the windows.

There was a feeling inside me, one like I’d come home, but it was interwoven with a touch of wistfulness.  Actually, deep down sadness.  I couldn’t shake the feeling of guilt buried deep within, and it cast a cloud over anything else that was trying to well up in my heart.

CJ pulled me even closer, tight up against his body.  God, I loved this man, and it was killing me that this was probably the only time I’d be able to be with him until I didn’t know when—maybe never again.  I had no idea how close he and his girlfriend were, how serious, but I did know that what I’d done was wrong.  I had no business sleeping with him now.

Looking back over the past hour, though, I didn’t know how I could have prevented it.  While I’d tipped the scales in my favor, it would have been all but impossible anyway.  CJ was the only man I’d ever loved.  I knew he didn’t love me back but I did know that it had been hard for him to resist making love with me.

We were just kind of compatible that way.

But as I lay there, I knew I needed to get my ass up and get that goddamned song done so I could get the hell out of there.  This was a bad scene, and I was at risk of making a complete fool out of myself.  I was damn close to confessing my undying love to him—and that would have been a mistake.  It would have made our working relationship difficult and awkward, and I couldn’t afford that, especially not right now.

His voice was soft, almost imperceptible, but I could still hear him over the pelting rain outside.  “God, Kyle, I missed this.”

As I processed his statement, I tried to figure out what that meant.  Was he missing having sex with his favorite fuck buddy?  Or was there something else there?  I had a hard time believing the latter, because the man had never committed to me, not once over all these years.

But I could play along.  “Me, too.”  I wasn’t going to turn around to face him, though, because I felt fresh tears welling up.

Holding me tighter, CJ kissed the back of my head once more.  He felt so right—but it all felt so fucking wrong.  I had to get up.  Before I could move, though, he said, “Shit, babe.  Let’s do that again.”  When he started kissing my shoulder, my body begged me to obey.

“I can’t, CJ.”  I started to sit up.  “I have stuff to do later.  We need to get this song done.”

“Something wrong?”

“No.”  I sat up, full of the stupidest, craziest mix of emotions that threatened to spill out every facial orifice I had.  My heart was singing a melancholy song, wanting to be happy but miserable, bittersweet.  Full of love for CJ but brimming over with self-loathing at my lack of willpower.  Jesus, as famous as I was, I probably could have had any man I wanted, and instead I pursued this guy who was attached to someone else—and he’d communicated over and over that he wasn’t interested in anything long-term.

We’d been here before.

He said, “Okay.  Maybe later.”

No way.  Not if I could help it.  I had to protect my heart.  I’d already damaged it way too much with my foolishness.

Why was CJ Slavin so hard to walk away from?  Would I ever be able to save myself from this man?

For you to understand, maybe I need to start my story at the beginning…

~ ~ ~

Though the old prologue really captured Kyle’s essence as well as her fire and feistiness at the beginning of On the Rocks, it didn’t effectively communicate the romance or the struggle towards a HEA.  There was conflict, but it was more about her personal situation rather than what was (or wasn’t) going on with CJ.  The new prologue, I think, makes it very clear that this story is a romance but, more than that (I hope!), makes readers want to find out why Kyle wound up in that place with the man she has loved for a very long time and why they can probably never be together.  I hope that the prologue drives them to want to find out how they met, how they fell for each other, and all that good stuff.  I suppose we shall see, but this new prologue can’t hurt!

What do you think?  Do you prefer the old prologue or the new?

Black Lives Matter

Last week, I posted a simple graphic on social media in support of the #BLM movement–and I experienced some backlash. This is my response.

Born white, I will never have the opportunity to experience what it’s like to be a person of color in the United States—and, due to that perspective, it took me decades to even begin to understand their plight, particularly because I didn’t grow up in a diverse environment.  It wasn’t until I was much older and wiser (thanks to lots of amazing books coupled with great relationships and varied experiences) that I realized I hadn’t had a clue.

I’ve had friends debate me about “Black Lives Matter,” countering that “ALL lives matter” or “Blue Lives matter” and that sort of rhetoric.  Unfortunately, those statements are missing the point.  The Black Lives Matter movement is not about devaluing other lives but about drawing attention to a serious problem in our country that stems from systemic racism—and a good many of us don’t see it.  I’m not pointing any fingers, because for the first half of my life, I didn’t, either.

I’ve heard some great analogies for Black Lives Matter versus the “All Lives Matter” counterpoint, and it goes something like this.  Let’s say that Burning Houses Matter, and someone at the end of my block says, “No, ALL Houses Matter.”  Well…that may be fine, but my f*cking house is burning and I need the Fire Department to come put out the fire.  If they stop and spray water on every house that’s not burning before they get to mine, well…I’m sure you get the point.  My house will burn to the ground while the houses that didn’t need attention got something they didn’t need.  That’s the idea behind Black Lives Matter—it’s not saying that all lives don’t matter.  Instead, it’s saying, “Look.  Here’s a big problem that we need to fix.  Please help us fix it.”

So why did I make this image my profile pic and banner now?

#BLM

I’ve kept my mouth shut for years, wanting to keep politics and personal beliefs out of my writing business, mostly because I never want to alienate any of my readers, many of whom have become friends over the years.  Besides, lots of times, you believe what you believe; I believe what I believe; and there will be no changing of opinion, no matter what the exchange.  So let’s keep it light and friendly.  But the past few years have been particularly dark from where I stand and I’ve bit my tongue more than I’ve spoken.  At last, though, I can no longer in good conscience not say anything.  I will not get up in your face about it, but I want there to be no question about where I stand.  If that means you must unfollow me or stop reading my books, that’s fine.  But don’t try to change my mind.  I already changed it half my life ago.  If one of my friends is bleeding, I’m going to tend to her first, and my other friends are just going to have to understand.  They, too, are important and I also love them dearly—but I need to care for the one being harmed first.

The key to book sales

By way of introduction…I became an indie author back in 2011.  I didn’t realize that visibility was fairly easy at the time to come by for lots of reasons.  When I started publishing, I just wanted to be read—and I believed back then that readers would magically find me.   I did slowly gather an amazing group of readers but, without experience or education in marketing, I wasn’t sure what I was “doing wrong” when my sales slumped.

So I followed a lot of bad advice, tried lots of crappy ideas.  I took a lot of ridiculously expensive courses.  The books I bought weren’t so bad.  I did get a few tidbits along the way, but none of these people taking my thousands of dollars told me the most important thing I needed to know—something I should have known.

To sell books, your book needs to be seen.  And you usually have to either give your time or your money to get visible.  Time…even if you can spend a lot of time to get visible, it’s hard to get traction that way.  You can spend your time posting your book in different Facebook groups, tweeting constantly, and posting images on Instagram.  You can spend time asking people to sign up for your Thunderclap campaign.  You can spend more time getting to meet bloggers and asking them to pimp you out.  You can ask friends to pimp out your book as well.

But it’s exhausting and not so fun.  You feel desperate—and a bit like a sales person. I know, because I’ve been there.  No one likes that feeling.

Or you can spend money.  There are a few ways to do that.  One is advertising—Facebook, Amazon, BookBub.  The other is by running a promotion and then paying promotion sites to share your book with their audiences (like BookBub, the Fussy Librarian, Love Kissed Book Bargains, etc.).  Both can work.  Both require practice to figure out what works for YOU.

Lots of these courses I took and the books I read they had the answers.  They might have had an answer, but they usually failed to be blunt. Most of the time, they didn’t actually know.  And that’s why I’m writing this post right now.  I want to stress to you that it all comes down to visibility.  Yes, there are lots of things to know around visibility (like the “rule of seven”), but just know that there is no magical formula.  You have to be seen.  Your own newsletter helps, yes, but it’s not the be all-end all a lot of authors make it out to be.  On average, I have an open rate of 30-40%–and that’s considered excellent.  And, of those folks who open, they don’t all click.  You can do the math.  A newsletter’s great, but unless you have TONS of subscribers, it’s not going to be everything you need it to be.

I did take one course that I found extremely helpful.  If you’re a romance author and you want to learn how to advertise on Facebook, I recommend Skye Warren’s Facebook Ads Intensive.  She teaches not just how to advertise on Facebook and make it profitable but she also covers basic marketing essentials.  I also bought some books that I’d recommend (Robert J. Ryan’s four-book Self-publishing Guide series is worth the money).

One other thing—yes, it’s true that you have to start with the basics.  You have to have a great cover and amazing description but when you’re not sure why your books aren’t selling, you question everything and tend to believe whatever advice is thrown at you. I’m here to tell you to not believe everything you read.

Have I found my way back to the proverbial top?  Nope.  Not even close.  But after six years of trying to figure out how to sell my books (when they used to sell themselves), I think I’ve figured it out.  When I’m able to make my book visible (through Facebook ads or stacked promotions), I sell more.  And I think you will, too!

What about you?  What’s your secret to selling more books?

Bonus scene for “Quarantined with the Billionaire”

****SPOILER ALERT****

Please know that if you haven’t read the book yet, this has major spoilers!!! If you want to snag it and then come back, you can get details here: Quarantined with the Billionaire. Also, this scene–as of May 10, 2020–will be included in the book. But, for folks who got the book before then, this is a bonus scene!

So why a bonus scene? Well…one of my awesome readers, Doreen F., sent me a message on Facebook, asking me to add just one more scene. She’d said the ending felt a little abrupt (I don’t deny that) and she said she would absolutely love to read Maddox’s proposal to Bailey. She wanted to understand how they got to that point. I loved that idea. Thank you for the suggestion, Doreen! This is for you!

Just to situate you in the book…this scene takes place in the last chapter. Bailey is talking on the phone to her best friend, Elise. I have expanded that scene in the book and including it in its entirety here for context. And so, without further ado, please enjoy this bonus scene from Quarantined with the Billionaire:

The sun’s rays lapping at the deck were warm on my bare legs.  I’d stretched out to enjoy the slightly warm air in between the clouds and sprinkles we’d been dealing with all day.  “So what the heck did you need to talk to me about?” Elise asked.  “And make it fast, sister.  I’ve only got ten minutes before the rest of my shift.”

Elise continued working at home, but she still had to clock in and out on her computer, logging her time.  People were no longer in full-on panic mode.  The stock market had done some rebounding, but it would probably take a long while before it got back to where it had been at the beginning of the year.  Fortunately, our jobs weren’t as crazy feeling as they had been the month before.

“Well…I’m going back to school.”

“What the heck?  The promotion Mr. Steel gave you wasn’t good enough?”

“It’s not that, Elise.  I’m going to be doing even more—but Maddox said I would do better if I got a degree in finance.  Besides, he’s paying for it.”

“He’s paying for it?  Through the Employee Assistance Program?”

“No, he’s paying for it.”

“Wow.”  I knew what she was thinking.

“It’s not just a perk of sleeping with the boss.”  No one else was outside with me, but I still felt the need to whisper.  “Speaking of…how are you and Jack?”

“Still amazing!  I finally canceled my subscriptions to the dating sites I was on.”

“All of them?”

“Yep.”

Holy crap.  For Elise to not have a few irons in the fire…  “Sounds pretty serious.”

“It’s kind of getting there.”

“Speaking of which…I need to tell you something.”

“I knew it!  You’re officially moving in with Mr. Steel, aren’t you?”

“Actually…I already did that last weekend.  I just finished unpacking last night.”

“What.  The.  Hell?”

“I know it seems fast…but he’s the one.  I know it.”

“Wow.  I’m happy for you, Bailey.”

“It’s what I wish for you.  If Jack is the right guy for you, I hope you guys don’t drag your feet.”

“I don’t care.  I’m the happiest I’ve been in forever.  Maybe my whole damn life.”

“You deserve it.”

“And so do you.”

I took a deep breath, trying to figure out how to phrase the question I needed to ask—the one I’d wanted to chat about in the first place.  “Feeling that way, I hope you’ll understand where I’m going with this question.”

“Shit.  What?”

“Would you be my maid of honor?”

“What?”

“You heard me.  Maddox proposed to me on Friday.  And we picked out a ring last night.”

“Are there even jewelers open?”

“No, not now, but he has friends.  He had pictures emailed to him and I got to choose.  Tonight, someone is coming by with it and some selections of wedding bands that match the engagement ring.”

“Holy shit!  What’s the date?”

“About that…  Did you catch the governor’s announcement?”

“No.  Jack told me that it’s not going to look much different.  Except for he might be able to get his tattoo done now.”

“Tattoo?  Ooh.”  It reminded me of the one on Maddox’s back.  And maybe, after I got my degree in finance, we could fill that empty pink room with a real baby.  Things had been moving quickly enough, though.  I didn’t need to get that far ahead of myself.

“So what date, Bailey?”

“We’re wanting to do it in May.  We don’t have any idea when the restrictions are going to be completely lifted, but we already ordered the license and Maddox has a friend willing to officiate.  We’re going to do it here in the backyard, and we just need a couple of witnesses.  You, of course, would be my maid of honor and witness.”

“So no huge dream wedding?  What good is it marrying a billionaire if you can’t even have that?”

“No one said I can’t.  I can do that later.  But I want to marry him now.  The time is right.  I don’t know how to explain it, Elise, but he’s the one, and I don’t want to wait.”

“Who am I to argue?”  I could hear her let out a long breath on the other end.  “So what should I wear?”

“This is the best part!  Get on your laptop.”

Elise completely thawed when I sent her to a website where she got to choose her outfit—with all expenses on Maddox.  “But…Bailey.  Talk to me, girlfriend.  When we left the office back in March, you…you still hated him.  At least, that’s how I remember it.  And I knew you were starting to fall for him, but don’t you think maybe it’s just because you guys are kind of trapped together?  And you’ve been sleeping together, which doesn’t help.  Walk me through this.”

I laughed hard then and stretched my legs out, appreciating the sun’s kiss on my skin.  “I thought you only had a few minutes before you had to get back to work.”

“Work can wait.  I’m the maid of honor in the CEO’s wedding, so I think I can get away with logging back in a few minutes late.”

“If you’re sure.”

“Spill!”

I almost giggled thinking back to that night.  After all, Elise was right.  It seemed so sudden—but Maddox was unlike any man I’d ever known, and he’d said the same about me.  And under fire in the crucible shaped by the pandemic, we found each other’s souls in the dark.

Deciding to marry?  It had seemed so natural—but it had been a topic we’d skirted around until last night.  Maddox had told me he wanted us to enjoy a special candlelit dinner, but he didn’t want either of us cooking, so he pulled up a menu from a downtown restaurant I’d never been to and we went a little crazy eyeing the menu—until we finally settled on shrimp cocktail and a salad for starters.  We both decided to have a ribeye steak as an entrée, and I tried not to let my jaw drop at the prices, reminding myself this meal wasn’t coming out of my bank account.

Maddox clicked on the desserts link.  “Chocolate chip cookies?  That’s it?  These guys usually have amazing desserts.”

“Maybe because they’re delivering nowadays?”

“No doubt.”  He opened another tab, pulling up another restaurant—and then another and another.  A lot of them were temporarily closed and still others were takeout only—and most of the ones bringing the food to people’s houses offered cookies as the only after-dinner treat.  Finally, though, he managed to find an Italian restaurant with a few options that was also delivering.  “We’ll just get dessert here.”

My mind still struggled with how money was often no object for this man.

“What sounds good to you?”

At first, it didn’t look like there were many choices until he started scrolling.  The first option was tiramisu but, having eaten Simon’s, I didn’t want to take any chances.  Hoping I didn’t slaughter the pronunciation of the next item, I asked, “What’s zuccotto?”

Grinning, Maddox took his hand off the laptop.  “If you have to ask, then you have to try it.  Executive decision.”

“In that case, I haven’t had that, uh, spumoni before, either.”

“Then we’ll get that, too.”

My eyes grew wide.  “We’ll have to run an extra mile on the treadmill tomorrow.”

Turning his head to the side, he gave me a look that made my insides quiver.  “I plan to work those calories off you tonight, Bailey.”  My cheeks turned a little pink but a grin covered my face.  Patting my thigh, he said, “Go get dressed.  I don’t care if I can’t take you to a nice restaurant.  We’re going to celebrate here.”

“Celebrate what?”

His lips curled in a way that told me he had a tiny secret.  “Guess you’ll just have to wait to find out.”

Maddox had yet to disappoint me, so I gave him a peck on the cheek and bounced up off the loveseat before he could drown me in a kiss—and then we’d never eat.

Almost skipping up the stairs, I made my way toward the bedroom I now shared with this amazing man, still amazed at how my life had changed so drastically in the space of a month.  Our world was still altered in a lot of ways.  The governor was working on a new phase of people staying at home combined with partially reopening some businesses with restrictions, but it wasn’t the world I’d known earlier in the year.  More than that, though, had COVID-19 not ravaged our planet, Maddox and I would have never gotten to know each other like we had.  I never would have given the man a chance—and he would probably say the same about me.  I couldn’t say we were from two entirely different worlds but, as adults, our paths had definitely gone in different directions.

Until now.

Maddox had more than enough room in his walk-in closet for any and all of my clothing.  In fact, he’d said I didn’t have everything I’d need.  “If you’re moving in with me, Bailey,” he’d said, “you’ll be my date on many occasions.  You have plenty of business attire, but not much in the way of evening wear.”  That was his way of letting me know he was getting ready to send me on a shopping spree.

Online, of course.

But not online in the way the old Bailey would have done—scanning and browsing sites before settling on a few items within my budget, hoping they’d fit properly when they arrived.  Instead, Maddox had a personal seamstress at his beck and call, and she showed me multiple designs over Skype one day and had me send her my measurements.  If they didn’t fit properly, she said, she’d come over to Maddox’s house (probably wearing personal protective equipment) for alterations.

In the meantime, though, she had a beautiful off-white form-fitting lace dress that she’d designed for a client who decided she didn’t want it after all.  She told me I had the perfect figure for it—and I didn’t learn until after I’d tried it on and Maddox nodded his head in approval that the damn thing cost well over a thousand dollars.

How could I ever grow used to that?  A dress that cost more than my rent, more than several car payments, a nice chunk of my student loans.

But, looking in the full-length mirror at how it hugged my curves, I couldn’t resist.  After all, it wasn’t my money.

So, for our candlelit dinner, I wanted to look stunning for Maddox—and the money he’d be spending on dinner should be reflected by what I wore.  When I slipped the dress on and gazed at myself in the mirror again, I brought my hand to the sculpted neckline that plunged in a V, accentuating my breasts.  My collarbone was also highlighted as the neckline swooped out to the edge of my shoulders, and the long sleeves with scalloped edges made my hands look dainty and fragile.  The skirt, though, was the hallmark of this elegant gown.  It flared at the bottom, grazing the floor, pooling around my feet.  Maddox had promised me dance lessons, because he wanted to tango and salsa with me, and I knew if he twirled me around in this dress, it would swell like my heart.

Even with heels, the skirt’s length skimmed the floor.

I loved it even more now.

When I left the closet, Maddox was entering the bedroom.  “I wish I hadn’t seen you.”

“Why?”

“Because,” he all but growled, “seeing you in that thing makes me want to rip it off you and throw you on the bed.  I don’t have any appetite for food anymore.”  Pulling me into his embrace, he brushed my neck with his lips.  “But I’ll behave myself.”  As he brought his lips to my ear, his warm breath made me shiver.  “Looking at you in this all night will make it so much better.”

I held him close as I felt my entire body clench with desire—but I knew having him remove the gown from my frame would be amazing foreplay.  So I brought my lips to his cheek again and placed a soft kiss there.  “I guess I should wait for you downstairs?”

He nodded, letting me go before disappearing into the closet.  When I went to the dining room, I felt a little disappointed, because he hadn’t even set the table—but then I wondered if maybe he’d decided to eat somewhere else.  Maybe the breakfast nook?  Something I hadn’t realized until I’d been here a few weeks was that he had little twinkling lights on the deck that lit up the space in the evening hours—but he didn’t have them on year-round.  Now that the weather was getting a little warmer, we’d spent one early evening out there just as the sun set, and I’d marveled at how something simple like tiny lights merely enhanced the beauty all around me.  The plants were getting greener every day, reminding me that Maddox had his own private slice of nature in his backyard

So I went through the swinging door to the kitchen and stopped in my tracks.  There at the small table Maddox had created our dining space.  All but one small light over the sink area shown and the area was instead lit up with several white taper candles.  The flames gently flickered and, as I approached the table, I was able to admire Maddox’s handiwork.  The linens were burgundy, but the dinnerware was artistic.  The plates were black with what would be best described as a bubble pattern.  They were as unique as the artwork upstairs in the gallery.  And the flatware was polished gold.  Next to the table stood an ice bucket with a bottle of red wine chilling.  And it wasn’t long before I heard soft music overhead, the sounds of a piano gently raining over the room.

I felt so spoiled, so adored.  God, I loved this man.

Soon, Maddox joined me, wearing a black-and-white tuxedo, but I wasn’t sure if it was the same one he’d worn the night we’d danced upstairs.  He held out a hand and I wondered if he’d read my mind.  “I think we need to dance in the great room until the food arrives.”

And so we did.  But Maddox didn’t make me concentrate on waltzing.  Instead, he held me close and we swayed to the music until the food arrived.

Maddox’s money ensured that our meal, dessert included, arrived together.  After slipping our desserts in the refrigerator, he placed our entrées in the oven to stay warm while we enjoyed the appetizers.  Dipping a shrimp in cocktail sauce, he held it up to my mouth before taking a sip of wine.

And then he got up, pushing his chair back before getting down on one knee.

“What are you doing, Maddox?”

“Something I should have done yesterday.  Or the day before.  Something I should have done the night I showed you Madeline’s room.  I knew then that you were the one, Bailey.  You understand me—on a level I don’t think anyone else ever has.  You never questioned why I still think of that baby girl as someone I’ve lost.  You never asked why I kept her room untouched all these years.  You accepted—no, you loved—me for who I am, the good and the bad…and I will never be able to repay you.”  He opened a small black box to reveal a stunning, sparkly ring with one large diamond surrounded by lots of tiny ones—and the flickering candle flames made it look all the more impressive.

“Oh, Maddox, I feel the same way about you.  Only…I…”  My eyes searched his blue ones, never wanting to look anywhere else.  “You make me feel safe in a way I’ve never known before.  And loved.  And pampered.”

“And I always will.  Give me your hand in marriage, Bailey, and you will never want for anything.”  He acted like he wanted to say more, but instead he removed the ring from the box and took my left hand.  When he slid it on my finger, I once more marveled at how perfectly it fit.

Like Maddox.

“Yes.  Oh, yes!”  Leaning over, I kissed that man like it was the last time I’d ever see him.

As I told Elise my fairytale engagement story, she squealed.  “I think I’m gonna cry!”

“Just promise me you’ll be my maid of honor.”

“I already said yes.”

“You can bring Jack, too.”

I smiled, thinking we might give them a few ideas.  Even with Elise’s plus-one, we wouldn’t be over capacity for our intimate gathering in these crazy, crazy times.

Still…life was good.

I was happy and safe.  I couldn’t ask for more than that.

I hope you loved this bonus scene! If you have a second, please drop me a comment below and let me know how you’re doing during these “crazy, crazy times.” I hope you and your family are safe and well.

New release!

Yup! Another new release. Actually, a new series (but based on older books). The series is Small Town Secrets and if you’re a faithful reader, the town of Winchester won’t be foreign to you.

Each book in the series is an older book I’ve rewritten. If you’ve read these books before, I hope you’re pleasantly surprised at what’s been added (and taken away).

One other (IMPORTANT!) fact…book #1 is free now through the end of Saturday, 5/9/20. Book #2 is 99 cents through release day, Tuesday, 5/12/20.

Without further ado, let me hook you up!

Love and Lies (Small Town Secrets #1)

Coming home might have been stupid but it was so worth it.

Casey never wanted to get divorced—and she definitely didn’t plan to go home again. But she needed a place to lick her wounds, so she headed back to Winchester, Colorado, her hometown, the one place on earth she swore she’d never return to. Spending time with her hypercritical mother spurs Casey to find a job quickly so she can get back on her feet—and that’s where she meets sexy Scott Wardell, a man who makes her heart beat faster even while stirring her anger.

As she gets to know Scott better, she discovers that he plays drums for a local rock band. He seems perfect for her…except maybe he hasn’t told her everything about the ex. And his creepy best friend isn’t doing him any favors, either. But even if Casey could handle those problems, she’s got her own ex and cold feet she needs to grapple with…

Curl up by the fire with a glass of wine or a mug of hot chocolate and settle into Winchester, Colorado—where the nights are cold…but steamy!

NOTE: Portions of this novel were previously published in the book THEN KISS ME.

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0881FHGQH
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0881FHGQH
Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0881FHGQH
Amazon AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0881FHGQH
Non-Kindle copy: https://forms.gle/DqAgizfwKkUwpHGj7 (I’ll honor requests through Sunday, 5/10/20)

Love and Lust (Small Town Secrets #2)

Would your inability to walk away be worth losing everything?

Samantha has never quite had a man as irresistible as tattooed bad boy Ryan across her desk, and she’s been practicing law for a few years now. What the hell has gotten into her? She can barely concentrate as his quiet yet sexy charm oozes across the space, igniting her imagination.

He needs her legal assistance—but she needs something else from him: just one night between the sheets to get him out of her head.

If he says yes, she’s racing down a dangerous path, because crossing that line could cause her to be disbarred, lose her business, her friends, everything she’s worked so hard for.

So why the hell can’t she stop obsessing over him? Will she throw it all away for one night of pleasure?

Please note that portions of this novel were previously published in 2011 as the book STATING HIS CASE and in 2016 as CROSSING THE LINE.

US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0881G8GPJ
UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0881G8GPJ
CA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0881G8GPJ
AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0881G8GPJ

Love and Music (Small Town Secrets #3)

Years later, he still takes her breath away. Does that mean he’s the one?

Time has not changed the way Megan feels about her ex Tyler Green, now a famous rock star. It’s pathetic, and that’s why she absolutely will not—WILL NOT—attend her ten-year high school reunion. But her bestie convinces her that there’s no way a guy like Tyler would ever attend their reunion anyway. He’s got better things to do with his time.

Megan feels like a complete idiot when he shows, but she feels even more foolish when she confirms she’s still head-over-heels in love with him. It’s doomed to fail: their worlds are now completely different, urban rocker and country mouse. But how will she ever be able to let him go again?

Portions of this novel were previously published in 2012 as the book Madversary.

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0881J7YWG

Release date May 19, 2020

Love and Deceit (Small Town Secrets #4)

He looks picture perfect…but is he too good to be true?

Ivy is modeling to pay the bills as she finishes up grad school, Shane because he’s looking for a new career. What should have been just another photo shoot leaves both wanting more, and a cup of coffee leads to a steamy encounter.

Despite a rocky start, Shane and Ivy remain inexplicably linked. When her future is jeopardized due to compromising photos, will Shane come to her rescue or save himself?

Will Shane play her knight in shining armor…or walk away?

Portions of this novel were previously published in 2017 as the book Picture Perfect.

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0881GQXQX

Release date: August 4, 2020

These books aren’t on Amazon right now. If you don’t do Amazon, please let me know in the comments! Hugs!!! ~ Jade

My first new release of 2020 is FREE for limited time

Life has become so strange. Of all the things in my life that I’ve lived through, the Coronavirus has to be one of the weirdest things.

When we started sheltering in place here in Colorado, my husband challenged me to write a book about COVID-19. Well…I can’t ignore a challenge, so I did it. I have some other projects I’m working on, but I wanted to give this book as a gift to you, my readers, and other romance readers who are filling a lot of that extra time with books.

And guess what? It’s my first billionaire romance!

You can pick up a copy on Amazon. If Amazon’s not your thing, see below!

US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B087P7GTJ3
UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B087P7GTJ3
AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B087P7GTJ3
CA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B087P7GTJ3

No Kindle? No problem! Sign up here and I’ll hook you up: https://forms.gle/iA3d9rKdtvSjsZh56 Hope you love it!

#StayHomeAndRead!!!

An awesome children’s book just in time for the holidays!

My lovely friend M.M. Crumley recently finished writing and editing her book series The Legend of Andrew Rufus.  I’d been awaiting the first book for quite some time and I wanted to review it. Friends, you probably already know that I’ve never reviewed books on the Almighty ‘Zon.  For years, I chose not to because I’ve seen lots of my friends banned from reviewing on the site for the lamest of reasons.  (I’ll whine about that later if you’re interested.)  Anyway, in case you hadn’t figured it out yet, I tried to review Dark Awakening, book one in the Andrew Rufus series—and my worst fear was realized.  I was banned out of the gate, despite never posting a book review in the past!

I did post a review on Goodreads (because, even though that site is also owned by the Zon, they aren’t as restrictive.  Yet). 

But enough complaining.  I really just want people to know about this amazing book.  Now, if you’re one of my regular romance readers, Crumley’s book won’t necessarily be for you—but if you have kids (or a special niece or nephew or grandchild), you might be happy to get them hooked on this fantastic debut.  I loved the book!  I think of it as Harry Potter meets Hunger Games—wrapped up in a Mark Twain tortilla.  Goofy…but you get the idea.  Here is the official review I tried posting on the Zon but wound up only posting on Goodreads:

What if Harry Potter met Katniss Everdeen and Mark Twain told the story? Well…you’d still have a long way to go to describe this unique yet charming story. Crumley’s debut is nothing short of genius. Andrew Rufus is too young and too inexperienced to save the world, and yet he’s been put in the position to do just that–so, needless to say, he has to grow up rather quickly. All of Crumley’s characters, from Andrew to rough-and-gruff Pecos Bill and his sidekicks, are well-drawn and relatable in their own way. Andrew and Pecos are tied together inextricably for some unknown purpose, and neither knows how to remedy the situation. It’s this (along with the inevitable destruction of the world by a gigantic snake) that keeps me turning pages. I can’t wait to read book 2!

Right now, the books are only available on Amazon.  You can check out book #1 here:  https://amzn.to/2ZkRYGj

By the way…it looks like the Kindle edition of the book is
on sale for 99 cents for the next five days, so snag it now!!!

Thanks, my friends, and happy holidays!

P.S.  Mini rant:  I really hate monopolies.  And most of us should.  One of the reasons I abhor them is because those companies wind up making the rules—and we have to follow them whether we agree or not…and this rule of not reviewing another author’s books or not reviewing a friend’s book?  It’s just ridiculous.  I bought the book and read it and was leaving an honest review.  And that’s how lots of people figure out what they want to buy—reading reviews from people they trust! 

So…How do you feel about that review policy? Let me know!

Prepare to be SEDUCED!

EIGHT STEAMY ROMANCE READS.

ONE ANTHOLOGY YOU WON’T WANT TO MISS.

Pure Textuality PR is proud to present SEDUCTIVE, an anthology which speaks directly to the romance lover in all of us. Featuring eight of today’s best romantic storytellers, this anthology promises to deliver the love stories you crave.

FEATURED AUTHORS
Brea Viragh, Donna Mercer, Jade C. Jamison, Krista Ames, M.C. Cerny, Marlow Kelly, Michelle De Leon, RaeAnne Hadley

 

 

 

About the Book

SEDUCTIVE Anthology
by Various Authors

Series
n/a; anthology

Genre
Adult
Contemporary Romance

Publisher
Pure Textuality PR

Publication Date
February 12, 2019

Purchase Your Copy Today For Just $0.99!
Amazon

Also Available On

 

 

Blitz Wide Giveaway

To celebrate the release of the SEDUCTIVE anthology, we’re giving away one $100 Amazon gift card and five paperback copies of the anthology!

GIVEAWAY TERMS & CONDITIONS:  Open to internationally. One winner will receive a $100 Amazon gift card. Five winners will each be chosen to win a paperback copy of the anthology. This giveaway is administered by Pure Textuality PR.  Giveaway ends 3/31/2019 @ 11:59pm EST. Limit one entry per reader. Duplicates will be deleted. By entering, you agree to sign up for the newsletters of the eight participating authors and Pure Textuality PR’s reader newsletter.  CLICK HERE TO ENTER!

 

 

About the Authors
Brea Viragh

SEDUCTIVE Story: Hold My Heart

BREA VIRAGH is a contemporary and paranormal romance writer based in the Blue Ridge Mountains. She is a proud Gryffindor, a graduate of Brakebills, and a member of Fairy Tail. When she isn’t writing and daydreaming about her newest project, her hobbies include binge-watching HGTV, scouring thrift shops for goodies, and maintaining her alpha status among her puppy and three cats.

WEBSITE  | AMAZON  | NEWSLETTER

 

 

Donna Mercer

SEDUCTIVE Story: Watermelon Spice
Editor’s Note: This story is not featured in the paperback version of the anthology.

DONNA R. MERCER writes romances that she doesn’t like to label but contains bold characters that are not afraid to push the boundaries. She brings her own unique outlook on life to her writing which she shares with her readers. It’s cheaper than therapy. Join her on a journey into the unknown wonders of her mind. Seatbelts are optional.

WEBSITE  | AMAZON  | NEWSLETTER

 

 

Jade C. Jamison

SEDUCTIVE Story: My Boyfriend’s Dad

“Nobody puts Baby in a corner.” While you’re more likely to see JADE C. JAMISON headbanging than Dirty Dancing, she—like Baby—won’t be put in a corner…or a box. So even though you can’t really stick her books in one genre, you could say she mostly writes steamy Contemporary Romance—and, while you’re at it, you’ll notice in her stories that Jade freaking loves Colorado, hard music, coffee, bad words, and CHOCOLATE!!! And so do her characters.

Oh, and there’s always a glimmer of hope…because if life doesn’t have that, what’s the damn point?

WEBSITE  | AMAZON

 

 

Krista Ames

SEDUCTIVE Story: Playing With His Heart, a Breaking the Billionaire Novella

KRISTA AMES is an International #1 best-selling author of contemporary romance, including several sub genres. Western Romance is her failsafe and she loves a man in uniform but Paranormal is starting to be her new go-to.

Born and raised in Indiana, she is now a Northern Lower Michigan transplant and married to the love of her life. They have 4 children and a few fur babies. She is a full time stay-at-home mom and pursues her writing career when she’s not running her kids every which way.She finds her inspiration in the love of her family and binge watches romantic andscary movies.

WEBSITE  | AMAZON  | NEWSLETTER

 

 

M.C. Cerny

SEDUCTIVE Story: Love, Doctor, an Inner Harbor Novella

M.C. CERNY fell in love with books after experiencing her first real ugly cry reading, Where The Red Fern Grows. Her debut romantic suspense novel, Flashpoint was written in a series of post-it-note ramblings that would likely make her idol Tom Clancy and her mother blush. She is a post graduate of NYU, and calls rural NJ home with her menagerie of human and fur-babies. When M.C. is not writing, you’ll find her lurking in Starbucks, running stupid marathon, singing Disney show tunes, and searching out the perfect shade of pink nail polish. xoxo

WEBSITE  | AMAZON  | NEWSLETTER

 

 

Marlow Kelly

SEDUCTIVE Story: Disturbance, a Gathering Storm Novella
Editor’s Note: This story is not featured in the paperback version of the anthology.

After being thrown out of England for refusing to drink tea, MARLOW KELLY made her way to Canada where she found love, a home, and a pug named Max. She also discovered her love of storytelling. Encouraged by her husband, children, and let’s not forget Max, she started putting her ideas to paper. She enjoys writing suspenseful, fast-pace romance stories that always feature strong women.  

Marlow is an award-winning author, and a member of the Romance Writers of America.

WEBSITE  | AMAZON

 

 

Michelle De Leon

SEDUCTIVE Story: A Couple of Forevers

MICHELLE DE LEON is a native New Yorker living in Metro Atlanta. Her first three novels were published by author Zane’s Strebor Books International/Simon and Schuster. Independently, she released three Inspirational books and published a Christian stage play via JAC Publishing. Currently she is writing a diverse superhero series for Nuff Said Publishing and working on a series of crime and romance stories

WEBSITE  | AMAZON

 

 

RaeAnne Hadley

SEDUCTIVE Story: Love’s Everlasting Song

I’m an accidental author as I began writing my first story, Mechanics of Murder, after I had been fired for taking maternity leave. I took a 3rd shift job and trying to keep myself awake, I used my imagination and started creating a story of a female mechanic, which I was, finding a dead body underneath the truck she was working on. My father absolutely loved the story and encouraged me to complete it and get it published. I was almost finished with the first draft when my father had a stroke. Encouraging him to get better, I rushed the book to Lulu Publishing without it being edited. My father was able to hold my first novel but was never able to read it, he passed away 2 days later. But it began a passion for me that has not dwindled!

I have continued writing and my list has now grown. With Love; Now & Forever and Shadows, both paranormal romances though with different personalities and twists. The sequel to Mechanics of Murder, A Wrench in the Plan, was completed in January of 2011 and was released in the spring of 2012.I know my Dad would be proud. My contemporary romance, Love’s Everlasting Song, is a sweet tale where hopes,dreams and occasionally fairy tales do come true.

I usually have 5-7 novels in the works and plan on writing for many more years! My stories are not sexually graphic because I believe each readers experience and imagination are usually more erotic and more sensual than what I will put into words and I ALWAYS have to have a happy ending! Life is meant to be fun, enjoy the journey!!!

WEBSITE  | AMAZON

 

 

 

This promotion is brought to you by Pure Textuality PR.

 

 

 

 

 

Teaser chapter from my next rock star romance book!

Hey, my friends! My apologies, as I haven’t posted in a while.  Life’s gotten in the way, but so has my computer (died) and my phone (also died).  I’m managing and have worked my way around those issues, but let’s just say it’s been a tough few months.

Did you think that meant I hadn’t been writing? NO WAY!

For instance, the rest of the Matchmaker series will be coming in early 2019 as well as the rest of Nicki Sosebee.  And I also have a couple secrets up my sleeve. All kinds of fun coming in 2019!!!

But…I’ve also been working on my next rock star romance book (which is the first in a trilogy).  Book one will be in the upcoming SEDUCTIVE Anthology Series: Volume 1 (which comes out February 12).  If you liked Bullet, I’m predicting right now that you will freaking LOVE the Rock Stars on the Rise series. Seriously.  I know this!

To whet your appetite, I’m sharing the epilogue from Shake Me, book one of this series.  Enjoy!

Sham.

Fraud.

Liar.

My eyes were riveted on the full-length mirror just two feet in front of me, ignoring the torrent of words rushing through my brain.  Was that really me I was looking at?  My breathtaking makeup was light and fresh, giving me the appearance of youth and innocence.  The dress on my body, white lace and tulle, hugged my frame, and even though the style flattered my curves, it felt as though I were being embraced by a python.

I took as deep a breath as I could, feeling an underlying shake quivering the air exiting my body, thanks to the adrenaline coursing through my veins.

God, this was stupid…but I didn’t know if I felt dumb because I was making too big a deal out of this—or not big enough.

The knock on the door pulled me out of my musing.  “Come in.”

I’d halfway expected mom on the other side, even though I’d already seen her a few minutes ago.  But it was Roxy, grinning ear to ear as she peeked in the crack.  “Are you ready, Dani?”

Swallowing, I forced the lie out of my lips.  “Yep.”

“Don’t you look beautiful?”  Roxy flew into the room then.  Before she closed the door, the combined conversations of the crowd not far away hit me like a wave.

All those people were here to see me.

Well, not just me.

“You look pretty damn beautiful yourself,” I said.  What I didn’t say was that the woman cleaned up well.  She still had the purple streaks in her lovely black locks, but her makeup was toned down, soft and clean, much like mine this day, her hair loosely piled on the back of her head with wisps falling alongside her face.  The two of us could have been in a shampoo commercial, running through green fields, a breeze blowing back the loose strands of hair as we smiled and reveled in the warm sun—or maybe a douche commercial.

Probably more appropriate.

Roxy’s sleeve tattoos might have felt incongruous against the mauve fabric of her dress but, instead, the ink felt like an adornment chosen to go with the outfit.  Her simple silver jewelry—earrings, necklace, and rings—accented her pale skin and, even though it seemed as if she’d chosen them for their simplicity, they merely showed off just how gorgeous the woman really was.

I found that comforting in a way, because maybe all eyes wouldn’t be on me.

“Are you nervous?”

I tried to laugh but instead it seemed more like a pathetic stutter.  “What do you think?”

She nodded and pulled me into a hug before I could protest.  “Yeah, I would be, too.  But if it’s any consolation, you look like you were destined for this.”

Oh, God, no, that was no consolation at all.  In fact, I hadn’t known till she’d said it that anything could have made me feel worse than I already did.  While I kept choking it down, I knew.  Yes, in the back of my mind, I knew this was all a show.  I was faking it, going through the motions, and to what end?

A stupid fear of someday dying alone?  Of spending life by myself?

Would that really be so bad?

Digging deeper, though, I knew even that was a fucking lie I was telling myself, because I didn’t want to face the ugly truth.

If I couldn’t have the man I really wanted, I would settle for the man who really wanted me.

My throat constricted as if it wasn’t going to allow me to tell one more falsehood today but, as Roxy pulled away, she examined me again.  “You look perfect, doll.  Can I get you anything else before we do this?”

I shook my head, hoping the adrenaline would wear off before the urge to puke overtook me.  “No, but thanks.”

Roxy’s striking blue eyes searched mine one last time.  “Okay.  Well, I’ll see you out there.  I have to get my bouquet and then go wait with Dean.”  She grinned, her white teeth glaring at me like headlamps, her raised eyebrows communicating a giddiness I should have felt.  After all, it was my wedding day.

I forced a plastic smile on my face and hoped Roxy couldn’t tell.  If she thought my odd behavior was due to nerves, she wouldn’t question me.  She giggled as she left the room—actually giggled, strange because the woman surrounded herself with awe-filled moments day by day, interviewing celebrities, visiting new cities constantly, thanks to her work.  But here she was, flooded with that Cinderella fantasy, turned into a silly girl just by the thought of true love forever.

And here I was, making a sham of the entire dream.

“You’ll be great,” she said, almost as an afterthought as she began walking out the door again.  “Next time I talk to you, you’ll be a missus!”

I fought like hell to keep my stomach contents down as the click of the door felt like the bars of a cell locking me in.

I turned back to the mirror, glaring at my reflection.  Hadn’t I chosen this?  I’d willingly said yes to sweet Braden, the man who worshipped me as if I were the only woman on the planet.  I knew there were thousands of women who’d kill to kiss the guy’s feet, and here I was thinking of him as second best.

Even though I was marrying him, he didn’t occupy my entire heart.

Fraud.

Oh, I looked the part.  My light brown hair had been styled by the artist we’d employed to make me look like a dream, piled on the back of my head, crowned with a veil, but my makeup, though stunning, created my face into someone I wasn’t.  Maybe it was better that way.  Then people wouldn’t know the lie I continued to create and reinforce with every action.

If they knew—my friends, my loved ones—what would they think?  More importantly, what would my future husband think?

The dress, purchased by said fiancée, would have been the envy of wealthy and poor alike, celebrity or fan—because it was elegant without being too much.  In traditional white, the skirt was overlaid with cascading ruffles, the top embellished with diamond-like jewels.  The back laced up and between it and the halter on the front, I showed a lot of skin.  Like Roxy, I was fortunate that my friends and loved ones already knew I was adorned in tattoos.  While the color popped more because the dress was stark and devoid of such, I wouldn’t have chosen a different dress in another hue.  I’d fallen in love with this one and had committed to it from the moment I’d decided.

My future husband hadn’t been afforded that same sort of loyalty, and if he’d only known…

Snap out of it, Danielle.  I’d already made this commitment.  Made my bed, so to speak.  It was too late to back out, not with all the guests having arrived, all the money we’d sunk into the ceremony, all the time and effort I’d made to convince myself.  Braden was a nice guy, a good guy, one who would always love me and take care of me.  He’d have my best interests at heart every time.  If I asked him to jump off a cliff for me, he’d do it.  From what I knew of him, he’d be an amazing father and giving husband.  Who cared if I thought he wasn’t perfect?  I could think of this as if it were an arranged marriage.

I’d have to make it work.

My head was there.  Logically, I knew Braden was good for me, and I’d be a fool to run from him.  It was my damn heart causing all the problems.  But I knew from past experience that my heart was often wrong.  Making decisions based on my emotions was one of the worst things I could do.

When I heard the knock on the door, I knew it must be time.  The piano continued to play, and there was no gearing up for the bridal chorus, but that didn’t mean a thing.  If I recalled correctly, they’d only start playing that when they saw me in place.  I knew it was probably my grandpa outside the door, ready to walk me down the aisle.

Which meant I needed to wipe the look off my face, the one that gave away the doubt and hesitation swirling inside.  Grandpa would expect me to look as young and innocent as my makeup did, as elegant as my dress appeared, and as happy as the occasion called for.  Just thinking about my grandfather made it easier to smile as my hand touched the cool brass knob before opening the door.

But it wasn’t grandpa.

It was Zack.

“What the hell are you doing here?” I hissed, ready to slam the door in his face.  As if I wasn’t struggling enough.

“Five minutes, Dani.  That’s all I want.”

“It’s time for me to walk down the aisle.  You’re too late.”

“Bullshit.  We have time.  Three minutes.”

As usual, I couldn’t say no to Zachary Ryan.  Sighing, I opened the door farther, indicating I would let him in for a bit.  I closed the door slowly, afraid to turn around, afraid to look him in his green eyes, to take in his towering frame, to feel the energy oozing off his body.

To hear his thoughts.

Zack coming to my door couldn’t mean anything good.  And he knew I knew that.  So the clock was ticking, and I gave my best impression of impatience.

I crossed my arms over my chest, but I held out hope that he was either going to wish Braden and me luck or he was going to apologize for his behavior last night—although I was as guilty a party to last night’s proceedings as he was.

Another sign that this was a bad idea.

But I knew he might be there for good rather than evil, because he was wearing the tux tradition required.  After all, he was the best man, so he might have come to wish me the best in my new life.

“So what do you want, Zack?”

“Tell me what last night was all about.”

“I need to ask you that.”  I wanted to slap his face until the smirk fell off it.

He arched an eyebrow and half sat on the table.  “I’m not the one getting married today.”

“No, but you have claimed to be the groom’s best friend.”

“I’m your friend, too.”

“I’m starting to doubt that.  In fact, I think you need to leave.  All you’re doing is upsetting me, and I need to focus on being calm and happy.”

“You’re missing the point, Dani.”  He stood and walked over to me, enough that I could feel the electricity between us once more.  “If you really love Braden, why were you in my bed last night?”

He wasn’t going to let it go—so I had to hit him with every weapon I had.  “It was a last hurrah, Zack—so I hope you enjoyed it.  It’ll never happen again.”

His eyes narrowed but his breathing remained steady.  “How can you be so sure?”  As he took another step toward me, I could feel the heat radiating off his body.

It was almost like last night.

“Because I said so.  You and me?  We’re done.  This is it.”

But then, as if my body would betray me forever, I froze at the key moment.  Zack touched my cheek with the back of his fingers, the ones with RIOT tattooed on the knuckles, and my eyes closed, taking me back to last night, remembering how he’d touched me both with gentleness and passion, taking me to places I knew Braden never could, even if we lived to be one-hundred.  There had always been something between Zack and me, something I couldn’t deny.

But how could I be so sure that things would be different now?  I loved Zack with everything in me, everything I was, but I also knew, had known even when we were younger, that people don’t change.  Leopards don’t lose their spots; zebras’ stripes don’t disappear; the sun never comes up in the west; and the tides never stop rising and falling.

So how could Zack evolve from being the bastard to me he always reverted to when we pursued romance?  Because even though I had no doubt that he loved me, I also had every reason to believe he couldn’t change—and there was too much evidence to support my theory.

He called my bluff.  “I don’t believe that.  Not for a second.”

And neither did I.

So what do you think?  Are you as freaking excited about February 12 as I am?