Micalea Smeltzer's Blog, page 6

Countdown to Love Anthology Cover Reveal

I’m so honored Two Daisy Media asked me to be a part of their anthology with all these fellow amazing authors. *fangirls hard* I hope you’ll preorder a copy and help support this amazing charity.

 

Ring in your New Year with ten heart-clenching, sexy stories across multiple genres, that will keep you wanting more. 

*All proceeds will be donated to Alex’s Lemonade Stand to help fight childhood cancer.* 

PreOrder your .99 copy today!  

Releases 12/28/2018

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2Qbz43d

iBooks: https://tinyurl.com/y7zvawbe

Nook: https://tinyurl.com/yd8puzhc

KOBO: https://tinyurl.com/y8zxn8bn

COUNTDOWN TO LOVE 

10. Kimberly Knight – By Invitation Only 

9. Melissa Toppen – Crazy Stupid Love 

8. Regina Bartley – Dirty Nails 

7. Lucia Franco – Hold on to Me 

6. Savannah Stewart – If Love was Fair 

5. Mila Cole – Lighter 

4. Barbara C. Doyle – The Choices We Make 

3. Micalea Smeltzer – The Game that Breaks Us 

2. Bayli Lane – What If 

1. Fabiola Francisco – Whiskey Nights 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!  

 

 

The post Countdown to Love Anthology Cover Reveal appeared first on Author Micalea Smeltzer.

Wild Collision is LIVE EARLY!

He was a beautiful nightmare.

Mia Hayes is comfortable with her life as it is.

Boring is good.

Boring is normal.

Boring is safe.

But the thing with boring is it makes temptation all the sweeter.

She was a sweet dream.

Hollis Wilder goes a hundred miles an hour after everything he wants.

Fast is fun.

Fast is crazy.

Fast is dangerous.

But the thing with fast is it keeps you from thinking before you act.

Together they were the notes in their favorite song.

When Mia and Hollis collide—literally—music’s new bad boy can’t help but notice the beautiful red-haired woman with soft curves. She calls to him like a siren, and since the word no isn’t in his vocabulary he’s determined to get what he wants.The problem is, one night won’t be enough, and the fact that Mia is his mentor’s daughter complicates things royally.

Mia’s the one girl that’s off limits, but she might be the only one he wants for real.

 

 

 

Run forth and enjoy guys! I can’t wait to hear what you think.

Amazon/Kindle Unlimited: http://hyperurl.co/xlds6t

Paperback: http://hyperurl.co/g5yydi

The post Wild Collision is LIVE EARLY! appeared first on Author Micalea Smeltzer.

Wild Collision Excerpt

MIA’S POV

I don’t know how long we’re in the alley kissing, but finally he releases me. We’re both breathless. My lips feel swollen and bruised. I don’t mind one bit.

“Do you have to go home yet?” he asks, his voice low and husky. His eyes fall to my lips and he rubs his thumb against them. They’re tender, but I don’t mind his touch.

I shake my head.

He cracks a small smile. “Come to the hotel with me.”

“But the guys…” I hesitate.

“They already know about you. The nosy bastards figured it out without me saying a word.” I can tell he’s irritated by this fact, but they’re also his best friends so he can laugh about it.

“I don’t know…”

“We can watch a movie or something. Nothing more,” he explains, seeing where my mind is going. “We can order a pizza too—or whatever you want from room service.”

I think a moment longer before nodding. I’m not ready to go home yet. Spending more time with Hollis sounds nice. As much as I love kissing him, I enjoy hanging out with him even more, which shocks me. I never expected to like him. From the moment he walked out of my bathroom in nothing but a towel I’d made up my mind to hate him.

But hating Hollis is impossible.

We walk back to the hotel, too worried to hold hands, but close enough our fingers graze often. Some people, mostly college girls, eye him up and down. He’s hot, so it’s expected, but word has also gotten around about the new band in town recording their album. While most people in this town are over it and don’t care, The Wild is like a new shiny toy to be played with and admired.

I don’t know how famous people do it—enjoy being gawked at like a specimen under a microscope. Heck, even I’ve been gawked at and had paparazzi follow me even though I’m literally the most boring person on the planet. I don’t understand the obsession people have with celebrities, wanting to know every single detail about their lives, where they go, who their friends are, what they eat—give them a break and room to breathe. I saw a pap follow my dad into a public restroom once—he stormed out a second later and gave management a mouthful.

Hollis and I reach the hotel and ride up in the elevator together careful to stand apart and not say a word.

When he opens the door to their suite my mouth falls open.

“Whoa, this place is cool.”

Fox’s head whips over in our direction from the couch when he hears my voice.

“Yo, Mia, what are you doing here?”

“Hollis invited me for pizza and a movie.”

“Sweet—as long as it’s not a chick flick.”

I fake a yawn. “Pass.”

“Can I keep you?” Fox jokes making a kissy face at me.

Rush strides out of a room then in only a towel. As he passes Fox he whips it off and smacks him with it.

Hollis slaps his hands over my eyes, but it’s too late, I already got an eyeful.

“Pretty sure she’s already taken dude.”

“Rush,” Hollis hisses, “cover up, man.”

“What? Afraid she’ll see what I’m packing and come running?”

“It was impressive,” I admit with a laugh.

Hollis growls and mutters, “Don’t make me remind you what’s really impressive.”

I give him a sly smile as he lowers his hands. “I don’t know, sounds enjoyable.”

His eyes darken with desire.

“Not here,” Cannon warns coming into the room.

“Yeah, down boy,” I tell Hollis. “I’m here for pizza and a movie. If you don’t feed me I might bite.”

He lowers his head and whispers in my ear, “I wouldn’t mind.”

I can’t help but smile. Patting him on the chest, I say, “Now go order my pizza, peasant.”

All three of the other guys bust out laughing. “Peasant? More like he’s your bitch,” Fox chortles.

Hollis shakes his head, but his lips quirk in amusement. “What kind of pizza do you want?”

“Pepperoni.”

“A pepperoni pizza for milady coming right up,” he says bowing theatrically before slipping away.

I sit down on the couch beside Fox and swipe the remote from him.

“No chick flicks,” Rush warns coming out of his room to join us. At least he’s wearing pants now.

“What is it with you guys and chick flicks?” I mutter. “Afraid a little kissing and romance will make your dick shrivel up and die?”

“They’re boring,” Rush defends.

“Mhmm,” I hum. “Keep telling yourself that.”

“Don’t listen to him,” Cannon speaks up. “He’s bitching because he cried at Titanic.”

“It was one tear,” Rush defends in mock anger. “And Jack shouldn’t have died. He was the best character in the whole damn movie.”

Cannon smirks at him as Rush sits on my other side.

I log into my Netflix account. “We’re going to watch my favorite movie of all time,” I warn them.

“If Reese Witherspoon is in it giving legal advice I’m out,” Rush warns, raising his hands.

I snort. “Nope.”

I click the movie and the guys all breathe a collective sigh of relief. Pussies.

“Jurassic Park is your favorite movie?” Fox asks, sounding surprised.

“Dinosaurs and Jeff Goldblum … um yeah, it’s my favorite movie.”

“You have a crush on Jeff Goldblum?” Rush asks with amusement.

“Duh, have you seen him? Or listened to him speak? He could read me the dictionary and I’d happily sit there and listen.”

Rush chuckles. “How does Hollis feel about that?”

“How do I feel about what?” Hollis asks, stepping back into the room. He gets a disgruntled look when he sees Fox and Rush beside me, but then shakes his head as a determined smile takes over his face.

He strides over to me and I squeal as he picks me up and sits down with me in his lap.

“Mia, here, has a crush on Jeff Goldblum,” Fox explains.

“Really?” he asks, eyeing me with surprise.

“Why is this shocking?”

“I don’t know,” Hollis admits. “I guess it’s unexpected is all.”

“Can we watch the movie now?” I ask.

“Wait, we need popcorn,” Cannon says in his gruff voice, hopping up.

I don’t know why but I’m still always surprised when he opens his mouth. He’s broody and quiet all the time. When he shows any bit of enthusiasm for something it takes me by surprise.

As the movie begins Cannon pops popcorn in the suite’s kitchen making the room smell like buttery goodness and causing my mouth to water.

“I can’t believe you guys have popcorn here,” I mutter to Hollis.

He chuckles, the sound rumbling against my back as he holds me tight. “Only because Cannon is a mother hen and went to the grocery store the day after we got here to make sure we had everything we needed.”

“Better to be a mother hen than to starve,” Cannon defends from the kitchen.

“Shh, I want to watch the movie.”

Hollis pinches my side and whispers in my ear, “You started it.”

Preorder exclusively available at these three websites. It’s .99 cents and releases early on the 19th! But it’s ONLY available for preorder for them so snag it now before it goes into Kindle Unlimited. I did it this way so other readers would have a chance to get it.

Nook: http://hyperurl.co/arcf1k

iBooks: http://hyperurl.co/ncvpnx

Kobo: http://hyperurl.co/syunh1

Add on Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36442902-wild-collision-the-wild-1

The post Wild Collision Excerpt appeared first on Author Micalea Smeltzer.

Wild Collision Teaser Tuesday #2

Ahhhh we’re nearly one week away from the Amazon release of Wild Collision! But if you read on iBooks, Nook, or Kobo you can preorder it now for .99 cents and get it early on the 19th instead of the 23rd! But you HAVE to preorder. It’ll be unpublished from those retailers after it goes live so I can release it on Kindle and Kindle Unlimited.

Nook: http://hyperurl.co/arcf1k

iBooks: http://hyperurl.co/ncvpnx

Kobo: http://hyperurl.co/syunh1

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36442902-wild-collision-the-wild-1

I have t-shirts and sweatshirts available now with the logo for The Wild so if you’d like to check those out click here.

The post Wild Collision Teaser Tuesday #2 appeared first on Author Micalea Smeltzer.

Wild Collision Teaser Tuesday #1

*slides into room* It’s #TEASERTUESDAY! You know what that means …. I finally get to start publicly teasing my next release Wild Collision. If you’re in my facebook group Micalea’s Minions then you’ve already had a few bites of it.

Wild Collision Cover Reveal!

*runs into room screaming* *jumps up and down*

Guys! Guys! GUUUUUYS! It’s cover reveal day! OMG! I cannot handle my excitement! I know I’ve had releases since I got sick, but because I was sick and so tired I could never feel that excited about it, if that makes sense. I didn’t feel like jumping for joy or screaming from the rooftops about them. But post-transplant I AM BACK and I’m ready to talk all things books with you guys starting with this epic cover reveal. I AM OBSESSED with this cover. I think it’s tied with Dark Hearts as my fave ever. It’s so different for me, sexy and mysterious, and just … perfect. This book is definitely different for me too. It’s very sexy. Very dirty. And who doesn’t love dirty sexy things amiright?

Let’s get on to what you really want. THE COVER.

Cover design: Regina Wamba

Cover Photo: Wander Aguiar 

 

He was a beautiful nightmare.  

 

Mia Hayes is comfortable with her life as it is.

Boring is good.

Boring is normal.

Boring is safe.

But the thing with boring is it makes temptation all the sweeter.

 

She was a sweet dream.

 

Hollis Wilder goes a hundred miles an hour after everything he wants.

Fast is fun.

Fast is crazy.

Fast is dangerous.

But the thing with fast is it keeps you from thinking before you act.

 

Together they were the notes in their favorite song.

 

When Mia and Hollis collide—literally—music’s new bad boy can’t help but notice the beautiful red-haired woman with soft curves. She calls to him like a siren, and since the word no isn’t in his vocabulary he’s determined to get what he wants.

 

The problem is, one night won’t be enough, and the fact that Mia is his mentor’s daughter complicates things royally.

 

Mia’s the one girl that’s off limits, but she might be the only one he wants for real.

 

 

Isn’t it gorgeous?! It’s so perfect for Mia and Hollis. The models. The colors. The glitch. THE FEELS. Not only am I obsessed with this cover, but I LOVE this book. I was so nervous to another rock star series, because I didn’t want it to be the same as Willow Creek, and I definitely think from this cover alone you can tell it’s NOT Willow Creek. (Though the Willow Creek guys make some appearances! And the band is working with Hayes so you see him a lot!) This book poured out of me and it felt so good for writing to be easy again. The brain fog from my kidney failure made it feel impossible at times to write and I missed my happy place.

Anyway, I hope you guys love the cover and share, share, SHARE the crap out of it.

Add on Goodreads

Preorder on these retailers for .99 cents! Early release on these retailers as well!

November 19th release 

B & N

iBooks Link coming soon

Kobo Link coming soon

 

Releasing November 23rd LIVE on Amazon and in Kindle Unlimited. (Will release sooner if it comes down from the above retailers quickly! Fingers crossed!)

 

Bloggers can sign up for the excerpt reveal and release blitz here.

The post Wild Collision Cover Reveal! appeared first on Author Micalea Smeltzer.

Chronic Kidney Disease and the effects of brain fog

You’re probably scratching your head and wondering why on Earth I’m talking about CKD on my author blog–but this is my platform so here I am. For those of you who don’t know I was diagnosed with CKD in May 2017. I was 23 at the time (25 now) and it changed a lot for me, but that’s something I’ll talk about in a future post. For now, I want to focus on brain fog and how it effects people with kidney failure. There’s not a lot out there about CKD and the symptoms/effects of it from the POV of a patient. I want to change that.

When my kidneys failed in 2017 I was at death’s door and had been experiencing symptoms for a long time, always making excuses and never thinking it was anything serious.

In fact I started experiencing the brain fog as early as 2012. I’d had sepsis in 2011 and blamed my short term memory loss on that. I’ve always had a really good memory–frustratingly so to those around me. Suddenly I couldn’t even remember what I ate for breakfast. Sometimes I’d forget complete conversations as soon as they happened. It was annoying, but at the time I didn’t think much about it thinking it was easily explained.

Then I started struggling to read.

I’ve always been a reader. I’d rather read than watch TV most of the time. But suddenly I couldn’t finish a single book. “I’m in a book funk,” I declared again, and again, and again. Sometimes I wish I could go back and shake myself for being dense. I went from reading over 100 books a year easily to struggling to read 40. Again, I blamed it on being in a funk, or picking the wrong books, or just not being in the mood. I had an explanation for everything and it made sense in my mind. It sucked not being able to read, though. It had always been a form of escape and now I found myself repulsed by books. Since I wasn’t able to get into anything I found myself avoiding books all together. Every now and then I’d stumble across something that captured my attention and sucked me in, but then it was right back to my funk. This started in 2013 for me and continued until I got a transplant August 2018.

In 2016 I began having trouble writing. Now, for me, writing has always been second nature. As easy as breathing. The words flow from me like my fingers know the words before my brain does. I don’t plan, I’m a pantster. I start with a general idea and the whole thing spirals into a book from there. But the words weren’t pouring from me like they once did. AGAIN, I made excuses–logical ones. “I’ve been putting out 6 books a year. I’m just tired.” “I need a break. I’m working too much.” “I’m not getting enough sleep.” On, and on, I went with these “logical” explanation. And they DID make sense–to me and even my family. We all dismissed the brain fog as easily as swiping a fly away. I went from writing a book in 4-6 weeks to at least 8 weeks. Then it started stretching longer. Then I started getting angry, with myself and my characters, that it was taking me so long. I’ve always naturally written fast. I’m so excited to write what I’m writing that I fly through it–then I’m so excited to move on to the next book that I start it without a breath in between. Writing lights my soul on fire and suddenly I felt like it was killing me. The most infuriating part came in 2017-2018 even after I started dialysis. The ideas would be there and I’d sit down to write, but they didn’t pour out of me like they used to. I’d write 50 words and stop. It’s like my brain would hit a wall, and where normally my fingers would keep moving, writing the story faster than my brain could keep up, I just … couldn’t remember, couldn’t get the words to come out that had been there a moment before. They were gone, like smoke in the air. For the first time writing started feeling like a JOB. Something I had to do to make money (since this is what I do full time) instead of what makes me happy with the money being a very nice bonus. Don’t get me wrong, I still wanted to write, but with it being so difficult it was a struggle and worked on me mentally and emotionally because I worried maybe it wasn’t making me happy anymore. Maybe this wasn’t my future like I always thought. Getting a transplant completely erased those worries but I’ll expand on that in a moment.

To back track a bit, before I got my diagnosis, but closer to that time I started doing REALLY stupid things. Not on purpose, but stuff that made no sense and I’d ask myself, “Micalea why’d you do that?” Some of the details are fuzzy now, either from the brain fog at the time or my own defense mechanism of blocking it, but I remember in late 2016 getting lost. I don’t even know where I was, just that I was in my car, and suddenly I couldn’t remember how to get somewhere. I wasn’t in an unfamiliar place either–I was in my home town. That was the first time I remember feeling SCARED and knowing in my gut something more must be going on. (And yet I continued to deny it out of pure stubbornness) I started making excuses to not drive, terrified it would happen again and I’d have to explain to someone what was happening. The last thing I wanted to admit was I thought I was losing my mind. After all I was 23 and I was getting LOST. That shouldn’t be happening. I also noticed when I did drive my mind would drift of its own accord and I just felt shakey driving. I knew I wasn’t safe on the road for myself or other people, so at some point I stopped driving all together. If I went somewhere someone had to drive me.

I can’t even begin to tell you how scary it is to feel like you’re losing your mind–and being too terrified to tell anyone. How do you possibly explain something like that without sounding like … well, like you’ve lost your mind.

So here I was struggling to write, to read, to drive, to basically function through the day. I felt like I was living a lie, pretending to be okay when I definitely wasn’t.

When I ended up in the ER and the nephrologist asked me if I was having trouble remembering things I gasped and said yes. She explained about the brain fog and I nearly cried with relief because I WASN’T crazy. It was this disease wreaking havoc on my body, filling my body with so many toxins my brain couldn’t even function. In fact, when she learned I’d still been writing and was an author she couldn’t get over how I’d done it. Looking back, I don’t know how I did ANY of it. Sheer force of will, I guess. I’ve always been too stubborn for my own good.

I’ll admit, after I started dialysis the brain fog got better, but I knew I still wasn’t functioning like normal. Reading was easier, but not like before, writing was still off, and I still occasionally couldn’t remember things. But it truly was nowhere near as bad.

Then I got a kidney–and I feel like crying as I write this and I felt like ME again. The ME I haven’t felt like since probably 2009-2010. That’s nearly TEN years ago. I can remember things again and not struggle to recall things. I’m reading like crazy (making up for lost time actually it seems like, lol) and writing … I planned on waiting a month or so after surgery to start writing again to give myself time to heal. But pretty immediate after surgery the book I knew I wanted to write next started screaming at me, demanding I write it, just like all my stories once did. I can’t tell you how amazing it’s felt to have the words stream onto the page and I don’t have to fight to get them out of my brain on paper. It’s beautiful. It’s a gift. A precious gift to get this kidney and be ME again.

I remember not too long ago my grandma asking me to try to explain how the brain fog feels and the only way I can accurately describe it (which I touched on above) is say you’re walking along, you’re going in one direction and know your destination, then suddenly there’s a wall in front of you and you don’t know how you got there or which way to go. It’s like you’re stuck. You stand there, trying to figure out where to go, what to do, but there are no thoughts. Just quiet. It’s like your brain is too tired to even form thought. So there’s nothing but emptiness and silence–and man I didn’t know silence could be so loud. Maybe brain fog isn’t like this for everyone but that’s how I felt.

Brain fog is a serious issue for CKD patients. We’re real people, with real lives, with jobs, and tasks to complete and the brain fog can make you do the most illogical things. I thanked my lucky stars every day I worked from home, could make my own hours, and didn’t have to work somewhere outside the home.

It’s yet another hurdle CKD patients have to push past, because you CAN’T let this disease take any more from you than it already does. The best you can do is make your own new kind of normal.

 

The post Chronic Kidney Disease and the effects of brain fog appeared first on Author Micalea Smeltzer.

Temptation Cover Reveal

It’s here! It’s here! The cover reveal for Temptation!

After the death of my boyfriend, my whole world is tossed upside down. I lose not only him but my home and, suddenly, nothing is the same.

Then I meet him.

Siva.

My savior.

He’s dark and brooding, the complete opposite of everything I’ve ever known. Somehow, though, I’m able to see the light in him that no one else can. He tempts me ever closer, my heart reaching out to him, even while my mind shouts out me to stay away.

That it’s too soon.

That it’s wrong.

But when temptation becomes too strong, who am I too resist?

Add on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41013850-temp-ta-tion

The post Temptation Cover Reveal appeared first on Author Micalea Smeltzer.

Temptation Prologue

Temptation is my next release and today I’m so excited to bring the prologue to you! Hope you guys enjoy!

Blurb

After the death of my boyfriend, my whole world is tossed upside down. I lose not only him but my home and, suddenly, nothing is the same.

Then I meet him.

Siva.

My savior.

He’s dark and brooding, the complete opposite of everything I’ve ever known. Somehow, though, I’m able to see the light in him that no one else can. He tempts me ever closer, my heart reaching out to him, even while my mind shouts at me to stay away.

That it’s too soon.

That it’s wrong.

But when temptation becomes too strong, who am I too resist?

 

 

PROLOGUE

I always knew death would touch my life at some point.

It’s inevitable, really.

We all die after all.

I guess I never expected it to be the man I loved—or if it was, I expected us to be old and gray in our beds.

But life had other plans, and now Devak is gone, and I’m … I’m numb.

I wiggle around on the hard pew, trying to get more comfortable. It doesn’t work.

The man at the podium drones on and on.

About nothing.

About everything.

About life.

About death.

Devak wouldn’t have liked this. He was a simple man. He wouldn’t appreciate so much fussing over him, and he definitely wouldn’t appreciate his step-mother blubbering her eyes out in the front pew.

His father, Rajas, pats his wife’s back in comfort.

It takes all my energy not to roll my eyes.

Although, I guess I’m bitter since they stuck me in the back like I’m unimportant. Since Devak and I weren’t married, Rajas and his wife, Lila, consider me null and void now. They never liked me. They thought me to only be a thieving American, after his money and name. They couldn’t be more wrong. I truly love Devak. Loved. I loved him. Past tense. I nearly choked. It didn’t seem right to be thinking of him in the past tense.

The man speaking finishes and everyone stands.

Everyone except me, that is. My legs feel like they weigh five-hundred pounds.

Probably five-hundred pounds of tears.

I haven’t cried, not once, since I got the news Devak was killed in the car accident. I don’t know what’s wrong with me.

I will the tears to come now, as Lila and Rajas take one last look at Devak, but nothing happens.

All that exists is the numbness.

Rajas looks sadly at his youngest and favorite son, gone from this world too soon. Dev has—had—an older brother, but I’ve never met him. I’ve never even seen a photo of him. He’s something of a pariah.

Although, if Rajas were my father maybe I’d be the same way. The man takes the word overbearing to another level.

Though, I never really understood why Dev didn’t talk about his brother.

He didn’t talk about his mother much either except to say she left shortly after his brother stopped coming around.

I look around the people still gathered in the church, and no one looks like they could be his mother or brother.

They probably don’t even know Dev’s gone, and it makes me sad. They deserve to know, though I’m sure Rajas would disagree.

Several people eye me, and I see Rajas say something to one of them. I’m sure it isn’t anything nice. If he’d ever actually bothered to get to know me he would’ve seen how much I loved his son.

They could think what they wanted, though, since I knew my love for him was true.

I wasn’t in the habit of caring what people thought of me. I learned a long time ago the opinion of others was useless.

The church emptied, and I was left alone with a somber Rajas and Lila, both of them looking at me like I was a speck of dirt they wanted to wipe off their designer shoes.

Rajas is tall and handsome like Devak. He’s full Indian with dark caramel skin and inky black hair. His eyes are as dark as his hair, and his mouth is almost always set in a frown. He has a regal air about him, like royalty, though he’s not.

Lila has pale skin, light blond hair, and lifeless blue eyes. She’s the complete opposite of his first wife, Isla. I’d only ever seen a picture of the woman, but she was beautiful, with black hair, olive skin, and violet colored eyes.

“Sloane,” Rajas says sternly.

“Sir,” I address him. I’m not allowed to call him Rajas, or even Mr. Kapur.

“What are you doing?” he asks, his eyes raking over me where I sit, picking apart my black dress and shoes I’m sure.

“Sitting,” I say sarcastically, since it’s pretty obvious what I’m doing.

I’m not normally so short with him, since I usually want to impress him, but with Devak gone I can’t bring myself to care. What’s the point anymore?

He starts to smile but it quickly disappears when he catches himself. He clears his throat. “Aren’t you leaving?”

I resist the urge to roll my eyes. “Not yet. I’m not ready to leave,” I answer honestly. I need another moment with Dev. This is my last chance with him.

Lila stands slightly behind her husband, peering over his shoulder at me.

Rajas clears his throat. “Don’t be too long.”

I nod as he straightens his suit jacket.

“I won’t be much longer.”

Stiffly, he takes Lila’s hand and starts for the doors. I watch them leave. Rajas pauses at the door and looks back for one last look at his son. He looks heartbroken, and while he might be a raging asshole to me, I think he truly loved his son—well, at least the one.

He shakes his head and places his hand on Lila’s waist, ushering her out the door.

The heavy doors bang closed and I’m finally alone with Dev.

I lean forward with my elbows on my knees and bury my face in my hands.

One tear.

All I ask is for one tear.

One tear for the man I love.

I get nothing.

“Oh, Dev,” I whisper into the empty church. “Why has this happened?”

Of course no one answers.

Time passes slowly as I sit, and still no tears come even as I beg—beg to feel something besides this emptiness now residing in my chest.

The doors behind me open, and I jump to a standing position, thinking it’s Rajas come to tell me my time is up.

“Sorry, I’m sorry,” I stammer, my head bowed as I grab my coat. “I was going.”

“Oh?” responds a voice I don’t recognize but feels entirely familiar at the same time.

“What the—?” My head shoots up and my eyes connect with violet ones. I nearly choke on my tongue because the guy is gorgeous.

He narrows his eyes on me, his two dark brows drawing together. He’s handsome, it’s undeniable. His black hair is brushed away from his face and his skin is a beautiful honey color, and I wonder if it’s as soft as it looks. His face is chiseled, with full lips, and a dimple in his chin. He’s tall, easily six-feet, but I’d say taller, and lean but still well built so it’s clear he works out. His dress shirt clings to his chest and his gray dress pants hang delectably on his hips.

And I’m checking out a guy at my boyfriend’s funeral. Just fucking great.

The man stalks toward me slowly, his brows still drawn together, giving him an angry look. Each step is slow and deliberate like he’s stalking a frightened deer.

I probably do look like a deer caught in headlights.

“You are?” he asks in a British accent.

My hands wring together. His intensity has me unnerved. “Sloane,” I reply.

“Sloane,” he repeats, testing out my name on my tongue. He makes a face, and I’m not sure he likes the flavor. His unusual violet eyes narrow on me. “What are you doing here?”

I swallow thickly. “I’m attending my boyfriend’s funeral.”

He looks around at the empty room and then back at me, as if to make a point.

I clear my throat. “Everyone … uh … left.”

“But not you?” He stares at me like I’m some fascinating exotic bird he’s just discovered. I have news for him—I’m not interesting.

I look to the floor, my shoes, anything but his inquisitive violet eyes that seem to see too much. “They don’t like me,” I finally respond. “I wanted a moment alone.”

His laugh fills the air, and it surprises me. I get the impression this isn’t a man who laughs a lot. “We have that in common, Sloane.”

“What?” I asked stupidly.

“They don’t like me either,” he whispers conspiratorially, like he’s letting me in on some sort of secret.

“Why?” I ask, my eyes roaming over him. He looks familiar, so much like Dev, but I know I’ve never met him before.

He shrugs. “Because I dare to go against the grain. I find rules are meant for breaking.”

“Who are you?” I finally ask, in awe of him.

I feel like he’s put a spell on me or something.

“Siva,” he answers.

My eyes narrow in thought. I know his name—but how?

My mouth pops open as clarity hits me.

Oh.

Siva … as in Siva Kapur.

Dev’s brother is back.

The post Temptation Prologue appeared first on Author Micalea Smeltzer.

What’s Coming Next

I know I’ve been MIA for practically two years now. With my health issues keeping up with things hasn’t been easy, which was hard for me since I pride myself on being on top of things. Writing had to take a back burner, practically everything did, but not being able to write like usual was perhaps the hardest. I need to write like I need to breathe. It’s a vital part of me. Not having my happy place to go to while going through such hard trials sucked majorly. But I got a transplant last month (six weeks ago to be exact!) thanks to my lovely, wonderful, beautiful, amazing, one of a kind aunt who donated her kidney to me–a perfect match at that! Since surgery things have been crazy still–adjusting to the meds, constant blood work and doctor’s appts, etc. But that’s not what this post is about. (I do plan to write something more in depth on transplant later on)

My next release is going to be Temptation. A rewrite of one of my early novels Hush. The cover reveal is coming sooooooon! And yes this is a REWRITE not just a new cover. I’m so excited about the new breath that this book has. Cover reveal is October 9th and the release is the 19th so mark your calendars and get ready!

 

Here’s a teaser

 

After Temptation a brand new novel Wild Collision is coming. This is the first book in my new rock star series. The Hero ….. guys you are going to LOVE him. And the heroine? It’s Mia–Hayes and Arden’s daughter from Take A Chance so you’ll get to see plenty of old and new faces! I’m already so in love with this book. I didn’t intend to start it so soon after transplant but I couldn’t help myself and it’s been pouring out of me. I’m absolutely giddy for you guys to read it and it’s not even done yet, lol.

I also released Covet earlier this month if you missed it! It’s the sequel to Enchant.

After Wild Collision I’m not sure what’s next but I’m thinking Possess the final book in The Enchanted series. I just wish I could get more people reading The Enchanted series. I’ll be honest it hasn’t done as well as I hoped and it makes me sad, because I love it so freaking much. Fantasy/paranormal is my first love and I’m dying to do more in the future but it feels like no one is reading the genre right now–so let me know what you think. Are people just not interested or prefer for all the books to be out before starting? (I’m starting to think I’m the only freak who loves cliff hangers, lol. I love the breathless anticipation of waiting for the next release)

That’s all I have for now but stay tuned for the cover reveal of Temptation. Emily Wittig designs knocked it out of the park.

The post What’s Coming Next appeared first on Author Micalea Smeltzer.