Lori L. Clark's Blog, page 77
March 24, 2015
Cover Reveal: Truth in Watercolors
Look at this gorgeous cover for TRUTH IN WATERCOLORS by Kimberly Rose! Check out the excerpt below and don't forget to add it to your TBR!
Title: Truth in Watercolors (Truth #2)Author: Kimberly RoseAge: NAGenre: Contemporary RomanceRelease date: May 2015Designer by: Amber Shaw at Book BeautifulGoodreads
Blurb:Truth, I hide.
Truth, you seek.
Truth, I confess.
Truth, you leave.
She never meant to let anyone in, least of all him. Now that she has, she is forever changed. Capri sees her life one way. Dull. She’s learned to dim and fade into the world around her. Until the day she agreed to more time with him.
Shrouding himself in a carefully constructed shield of humor and vibrant charm, Wes has effectively kept everyone out for most of his life. He’s successfully hidden the truth about who he really is, but then she agreed to more time with him.
Lines become crossed and reconstructed. Secrets are revealed, and infatuation is born. Will their connection be enough to paint themselves new, or will the truths of their lives be too stained to overcome.
EXCERPT:“What are you doing?” I asked him, embarrassingly close to a pant.
“I’m giving you your first tattoo.” He smirked up at me. “If you're down?”
“Yes.” I immediately replied. So, way, way down.
Wes laughed easily. “Okay. Hold still.” My eyes followed the dip of two of his fingers into the rich texture of the paint. The drag of the liquid clinging to his fingers when he pulled them out kept him connected to the pigment.
“You’re using your fingers?” I squeaked.
Wes gulped heavily and nodded his answer.
I looked up towards the ceiling of the gym focusing on the inhale and exhale of my breath. The nerves within me flickered irregularly and buzzed with the lights above me. I tugged my eyes closed, too overwhelmed to see.
Cold fingers met my bare hip bringing an instant stillness to my breath. They smeared in soft delicate circles across my waist gently kneading into my skin. My whole body tightened grasping onto itself.
“I’ll never forget,” The rumble of Wes’ voice brought me back. “That day you came in from painting out in the rain.” He looked at me from under his thick lashes. He took his fingers from my skin to dip them into another can of paint. I missed his touch immediately. “Do you remember that?”
“Yeah.” I whispered, shocked that he did too. I’ve never forgotten that night, and I imagine I never will...
After the ceremony I sat in my room at my easel attempting to release my revulsion of life’s cruelty. Only, the amount of water I kept adding to the paint wasn’t enough. The pigment didn’t bleed with the same ruthlessness it did within me. When the thunder sounded from outside my window, I’d grabbed my easel, brush, and paints, and fled to the back yard to drown in the freak thunderstorm.
“I needed more water.”
Wes’ cool touch melted into my warm skin again. My breath shuttered and the sensitivity of the place he grazed just inside my hipbone. “You were so beautiful that night.” His fingers moved in a patting rhythm back towards my side. “Your shirt was so soaked it clung to you. Especially this spot right here.” His fingers were replaced with his entire hand in one smooth motion. With my hip cradled in his hand, his fingers curled into me. I instinctively arched into his touch.
“I was a mess.” I breathed out in between obvious panting. So freakin’ obvious.
“You were so fuckin’ sexy. With paint smeared up here.” Wes touched me under my shoulder and ran a thick bead of paint up my shoulder blade to the base of my neck. My head fell to the side allowing his caress.
“And your hair was stuck across your face.” Wes hand moved up my neck until my jaw was cradled in it. I turned my head to look into his eyes. I saw the heat in them fall beneath his eyelids when they closed.
“You wanted me?” I whispered.
“Fuck, I’ve always wanted you Capri.” With his confession my eyes closed tightly, relishing his words.
Also check out:
Title: Truth in Wildflowers (Truth #1)Author: Kimberly RoseAge: NAGenre: Contemporary RomanceRelease date: October 2014GoodreadsAmazon | BN | Kobo | iTunes
Blurb:Truth, love finds you.
Truth, love leads you.
Truth, love heals you.
Truth, love breaks you.
For college student Kensie, finding love hasn’t been easy. With a father she’s estranged from she finds it difficult to trust men, and with a past she’s ashamed of she is unable to trust herself. Kensie feels irrevocably stagnant with an unending desire to move. That is, until she meets August, and her life is set into motion.
After a tragic accident, August gave up on living. A captive to his guilt, he is unable to move on from his past. Then he finds a reason in Kensie. She awakes every dormant fiber of his being, but will she want him once she discovers he is everything she fears most?
Can Kensie let herself love August, or will the truth destroy her?
About the Author:

Kimberly Rose is a wife, mom, and writer. She found her love of writing in her teens pouring out an angst-ridden heart into journals. Kimberly self published her first book, Truth in Wildflowers, in 2014. She currently lives in Honolulu, Hawaii with her husband and daughter.
Kimberly loves connecting with other authors, readers, and bloggers. You can find her at authorkimberlyrose.wordpress.com, Facebook, authorkrose@yahoo.com, or a Starbucks.
Published on March 24, 2015 22:00
March 23, 2015
Cover Reveal & Giveaway: The Traveling Woman
Title: The Traveling Woman (The Traveling Duet, #2)Author: Jane Harvey – BerrickRelease Date: April 7, 2015Genre: Contemporary Romance
Blurb
THE CONCLUDING STORY of Aimee and Kestrel, begun in THE TRAVELING MAN ……
How many times do you gamble on love? When love has knocked you down, should you give it another chance? When does optimism become stupidity?
And what happens when the man you’re in love with is never still, always moving, always traveling? Do you say goodbye, or do you leave behind everything that you’ve worked for, everything that you’ve ever known? Can a traveling carnival be my home
Oh. You thought I had the answers. No, sorry. No answers, just a lot of questions—and a heart that wants to rule my head.
Can one person be my home?
Pre Order The Traveling Woman today!Amazon US | Amazon UK
The Traveling Man (The Traveling Duet, #2)
Now Available - Amazon US | Amazon UK | B&N
I was ordinary. Nice. He was extraordinary. And he wasn’t always nice.
Moody and difficult, brilliant and beautiful, Kes scared me and he protected me. He could be incredibly hurtful and incredibly thoughtful. He wasn’t perfect, but he was perfect for me. He challenged me, he took me out of my safe little box and showed me the world could be magnificent. He was everything I wasn’t.
Aimee Anderson is ten when the traveling carnival first comes to her nice little town. She doesn’t expect her world to change so completely. But meeting Kestrel Donohue puts her life on a different path.
Even though she only sees him for the two weeks of the year when he passes through her home town, his friendship is the most important of her life. As a child’s friendship grows to adult love, the choices become harder, and both Kes and Aimee realize that two weeks a year will never be enough.
About the Author
I lived in London for over 10 years and have a love affair with New York. It's only since I have moved to the countryside, that the words have really begun to flow.
I live in a small village by the ocean and walk my little dog, Pip, every day. It’s on those beachside walks that I have all my best ideas.
Writing has become a way of life – and one that I love to share.
Website | Facebook | Goodreads | Amazon Author Page | Twitter
Giveaway!a Rafflecopter giveaway
Published on March 23, 2015 22:00
RDL & Giveaway: The Salvation of Vengeance
The Salvation of Vengeance
by: Nancy Haviland
Wanted Men #2
Publication Date: March 24, 2015
Genres: Contemporary, Organized Crime, Romance
Amazon - Nook
Synopsis: Only something as important as her best friend’s wedding to mob boss Gabriel Moretti could allow Nika Paynne a reprieve from captivity. Her abusive husband has kept her under his thumb with footage of her beloved brother, Caleb, killing another man. But the respite from her violent life isn’t the only draw. Vincente Romani—Gabriel’s deadliest guardian—will be one of the best men at the wedding, and Nika has lingering thoughts about the fascinating mobster…covetous thoughts that may put her life in danger.
With the heartbreak he’s suffered and the brutality he effortlessly delivers, Vincente knows he’s the last person who can offer Nika a happily-ever-after. But his vow remains. He will do everything in his power to free his redhead from her violent prison—even if that means losing her forever.
In the second thrilling and passionate Wanted Men book, a dangerous line is drawn between loyalty to the mob and loyalty to one’s heart.
About Nancy Haviland
Nancy Haviland writes about her alpha mobsters and their ladies from her home near Toronto, Ontario. She has three children, an arrogant but playful kitty named Talbot, and she adores her Tim Horton's coffee, as any self-respecting Canadian would. She writes contemporary romantic suspense but will happily read anything that involves two people smooching.Website • Twitter • Facebook • Goodreads
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Published on March 23, 2015 22:00
March 22, 2015
Cover Reveal & Giveaway: Warrior
Warrior
by Nicole Blanchard
First to Fight #1
Publication Date: June 9, 2015
Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Suspense
I thought it was just one night.I knew he was about to leave for a year – no chance for a future.
But our one night together would create memories for a lifetime.
Our paths crossed again, but I ad lied, kept a secret from him, one he would never forgive me for.
But my secret was about to be ripped open. Displayed for the world on national news. And I had only one way to repair the damage.
I had to trust the man I lied to.
The man I never got the chance to make a life for.
The only man who could save what we had created together.
Also in the Series

About Nicole Blanchard
Nicole Blanchard lives in Florida with her daughter, and their menagerie of animals. She quit college to chase her own fairy tale that spanned the course of three continents and contained it’s fair share of dragons. Now, she owns her own business and pretends to be an adult.She survives on a diet of too many books and substantial amounts of root beer and slim jims. When not reading, she’s lavishing attention on her family or inhaling every episode of Charmed and Sex in the City.
Website • Blog • Twitter • Facebook • Goodreads
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Published on March 22, 2015 22:00
Hot New Releases in Women's New Adult & College Fiction March 22, 2015 (Amazon Kindle)
Amazon Kindle Hot New Releases in Women's New Adult & College Fiction
March 22, 2015
1. My Stepbrother the Dom (Stepbrother Romance) by Arabella Quinn
4.6 out of 5 stars
2. NEVER KISS A STRANGER (A Stepbrother Romance) by Winter Renshaw, Louisa Maggio LM Creations
4.8 out of 5 stars
3. Crashing into Love (Love in Bloom: The Bradens) by Melissa Foster
4.9 out of 5 stars
4. Shadows of the Past by H.M. Ward, Stacey Mosteller
4.6 out of 5 stars
5. A Family Affair: My Bad Boy Foster Brother by Abriella Blake
3.6 out of 5 stars
6. Damaged In-Law by Colleen Masters
4.3 out of 5 stars
7. Beloved: Billionaire Menage Romance Serial (Billionaire Brothers Book 4) by Meg Watson
3.9 out of 5 stars
8. Twisted Affair Vol. 4 (An Erotic Romance) by M. S. Parker
4.9 out of 5 stars
9. A Baby for My Billionaire Stepbrother 4 by Cassandra Zara
4.6 out of 5 stars
10. Undercover Love: A Billionaire Romance by Lucy Score
4.8 out of 5 stars
Published on March 22, 2015 07:47
March 20, 2015
Book Review: Hard
Lori's thoughts: I wasn't sure what to expect when I asked to read this in exchange for an honest review. All I can say is holy wow! I thought I'd read a chapter or so, and put it down. Yeah. That didn't work. I started reading it and couldn't stop! It was smoking hot and it was very well written. I was disappointed when the book ended! The pain that Holland went through, bringing her to where she is when she meets Jensen is palpable. The reasons behind why Jensen is the way he is is unique and different. It can be hard to find books that aren't a rehashing of the same old worn out story line. But this book is different and I really enjoyed every bit of it! I whole-heartedly recommend you read this book! Five very well deserved hearts to Cheryl McIntyre!
RELEASE DAY BLITZ & BLOG TOURTitle: HARDAuthor: Cheryl McIntyreRelease Date: March 20, 2015
HARD Synopsis:
I have been staring at her for three months. Watching her. Memorizing her.For ninety-two days, I’ve looked into those lifeless green eyes.And for ninety-two days she has inspired me in ways I never knew possible. A muse, unbeknownst to her. Motivating me. Encouraging my darkest desires.I’m a man who knows what he wants. And what I want is the beautiful and broken Holland Howard.My name is Jensen Payne—photographer, autocrat, lecher, Scopophiliac. I am who I am and I will not—cannot—change.
*This is an Erotic Romance. Recommended for readers 18+ ONLY.
WARNING: This book contains possible emotional triggers.
HARD is a full-length stand-alone erotic romance novel (approximately 50,000 words).
GOODREADS LINK: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25056405-hard
HARD Purchase Links:
Amazon US:http://amzn.com/B00UW0GTSK
Amazon UK:http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00UW0GTSK
Amazon AU:http://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B00UW0GTSK
Amazon CA:http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00UW0GTSK
iBooks:http://apple.co/1BF2FD3
Barnes & Noble:http://bit.ly/1NVHaD9
Kobo:https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/hard-8
Smashwords:https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/526908
AUTHOR BIO:
Cheryl McIntyre is the author of the bestselling Sometimes Never series, as well as the Dirty series, Infinitely, and Dark Calling. She calls Ohio home, though she secretly dreams of living somewhere much warmer--preferably near a beach. She is a mother, author, and insomniac, as well as a reader, self-proclaimed movie critic, and incredibly bad singer. Her life revolves around four things: family, music, books, and really bad scary movies.You can follow her author page on Facebook where she lives part time. On Goodreads—which is like crack for avid readers. On Twitter, though she has still not yet mastered the art of tweeting. On tsū. Or on her website.
AUTHOR LINKS:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CherylMcIntyreauthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CherylHMcIntyre
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6431156.Cheryl_McIntyre
Tsū: https://www.tsu.co/CherylMcIntyreAuthor
Amazon Author Page: http://amzn.to/1CjEeLT
Website: http://cherylmcintyrebooks.com/
Stay up to date on all of Cheryl's new releases by joining her newsletter here: http://bit.ly/1C2azm3
HARD by Cheryl McIntyre Excerpts:
I have been watching her for three months.
For ninety-two days, I’ve looked into those lifeless green eyes. Let my gaze slide over her flawless, pale skin. Fantasized about her luscious lips.
For ninety-two days she has inspired me in ways I never knew possible. A muse, unbeknownst to her. Motivating me. Encouraging my darkest desires to life through my work. Just when I was so close to giving up, surrendering to my unchangeable fate, I spotted her, and haven’t been able to look away since.
I don’t think she has a clue that my eyes find her the moment I step into this establishment. She’s oblivious to the way I always sit at the same table—the one with the best view of the bar. Of her. Unaware I spend my evenings watching her.
Memorizing her. Inch by exquisite inch.
Her soft beauty and innocent naivety keeps me coming back. Over and over, since the day she first served me. My cock grows hard beneath the shelter of the table as she strides toward me, her breasts bouncing lightly with each step. My arousal has nothing to do with sexual gratification. Though she has a beautiful body, curvy in all the places a man’s hands like to grip, and hold, and conquer, I’m turned on by the way she makes me feel inside. By the strength and craving and ambition she has unknowingly restored in me.
A man’s wet fantasy. A woman’s aspiration. My divine intervention.
“Take off your clothes.” My voice is gravelly and I hardly recognize it. I’ve imagined how she looks naked a million different times. Dreamt of this moment more than I can count. My hands circle around the device clutched in my grip, squeezing firmly.
One auburn brow arches as if in challenge, a silent remark to my lack of polite request. I mimic her, cocking my own brow, but give her nothing else. Manners don’t belong in the bedroom. This is who I am and I do not apologize for it.
I ask once—and only once. I offer a choice and they make their decision. After that, it’s my way. Anybody who doesn’t agree is free to leave. I don’t want her to go—I’ve waited far too long for this—but I am who I am and I will not—cannot—change.
She threw me off with the striptease and the drink. And that kiss. That hot as hell, fucking kiss. But I’ve had enough questions and more than enough storytelling for one night. Talking like this, sharing my personal shit—I don’t do it. I bind. I photograph. And I fuck. There’s no point in anything else.
Published on March 20, 2015 05:00
March 19, 2015
Cover Reveal: King of Hearts
I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to the release of this one! King of Hearts by LH Cosway!
Welcome to the City, London’s most prestigious square mile, where finance reigns and Oliver King is a rising prince.
I used to rule the world.
There might be wolves on Wall Street, but there were crocodiles in Canary Wharf. Some of us craved money. Some of us craved power.
I liked money, and power had its advantages, but what I really wanted was to excel, to surpass the men who came before me. I never cared much for love and romance until I met Alexis.
I could feel it the very moment she walked into the interview, with her outspoken charm and vivacious personality. She cast all the others in shadow, made me laugh when life held no humour. Our friendship should have remained professional, but it wasn’t long before the lines started to blur.
You know what they say about the best laid plans of mice and men? Well, I never foresaw where my plans would lead, and only in my darkest hour did I finally see the light…
You can have all the money and prestige in the world and still be the poorest man alive. And love, well, I hate to use a tired old cliché, but love can be the thing that truly sets you free.
Published on March 19, 2015 17:32
March 18, 2015
Cover Reveal: 21 Stolen Kisses
We are seriously swooning over the cover for Lauren Blakely's 21 STOLEN KISSES!! 21 STOLEN KISSES is a New Adult Forbidden Romance being published by Bloomsbury Spark and will be available May 5th! Pre-order your copy now and your future self will be sure to thank you when you wake up to this amazing read on May 5th!
Amazon ** Barnes & Noble ** Bloomsbury ** Others
ABOUT 21 STOLEN KISSES:
When I first met him I resisted.
Like any forbidden love, I told myself he was a crush, and it would pass.
That was a lie. It never faded.
And I never expected he would fall for me just as hard.
There were so many reasons that should have kept us apart, least of all, the decade that separated us.
Growing up in New York City, I learned early on that love is a double-edged sword.
Love broke up my parents, love took away my friends, and love -- the big, intense, never-been-like-this-beforelove -- landed me in therapy.
Now I'm heading to college, and it's time to give love a clean slate again. But, can I really start over when he's still in my life?
Because the one man I've always wanted, is also the only guy I absolutely can't have…
And he wants me just as fiercely.
Can I settle for anything less than the love of my life?
About Lauren Blakely:Lauren Blakely writes sexy contemporary romance novels with heat, heart, and humor, and her books have appeared multiple times on the New York Times, USA Today, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and iBooks bestseller lists. Like the heroine in her novel, FAR TOO TEMPTING, she thinks life should be filled with family, laughter, and the kind of love that love songs promise. Lauren lives in California with her husband, children, and dogs. She loves hearing from readers! Her bestselling series include Caught Up in Love, Seductive Nights, and Fighting Fire. She recently released Nights With Him, a standalone novel in her New York Times Bestselling Seductive Nights series that became an instant New York Times Bestseller. Her next book in that series is Forbidden Nights, releasing in early 2015. She also writes for young adults under the name Daisy Whitney. To receive an email when Lauren releases a new book, text BLAKELY + your email address to 678-249-3375 (please use the actual + sign).
Website ** Facebook ** Twitter ** Pinterest ** Instagram21 STOLEN KISSES Goodreads ** Lauren Blakely Goodreads
Published on March 18, 2015 06:30
March 16, 2015
RDL & Giveaway: Wild Reckless
Join us in celebrating the release of WILD RECKLESS by Ginger Scott!
WILD RECKLESSVery Mature YA Contemporary RomanceScheduled to release: March 17, 2015GoodreadsAmazon : Google Play : iBooks
BLURB:Kensington Worth had a vision for her senior year. It involved her best friends, her posh private school in downtown Chicago and time alone with her piano until her audition was perfected, a guaranteed ticket into the best music programs in the world.
Instead, a nightmare took over.
It didn’t happen all at once, but her life unraveled quickly—a tiny thread that evil somehow kept pulling until everything precious was taken from her. She was suddenly living miles away from her old life, trapped in an existence she didn’t choose—one determined to destroy her from the inside, leaving only hate and anger behind. It didn’t help that her neighbor, the one whose eyes held danger, was enjoying every second of her fall.
Owen Harper was trouble, his heart wild and his past the kind that’s spoken about in whispers. And somehow, his path was always intertwined with Kensington’s, every interaction crushing her, ruining her hope for any future better than her now. Sometimes, though, what everyone warns is trouble, is exactly what the heart needs. Owen Harper was consumed with darkness, and it held onto his soul for years. When Kensington looked at him, she saw a boy who’d gotten good at taking others down when they threatened his carefully balanced life. But the more she looked, the more she saw other things too—good things…things to admire.
Things…to love. Things that made her want to be reckless.
And those things…they were the scariest of all.
Excerpt:
I dodge backpacks and elbows through the busy hallway until I see the glass door of the principal’s office swing open, Owen stepping through, his own pink slip crumpled in his hand, his eyes still dark, angry.
“Are you okay?” I ask, walking up to him, my steps coming quicker. He grabs my hand fast, his grip on my fingers tight, almost painful, and pulls me behind him through the thick crowd in the hall until we reach the back door, near the loading zone for the cafeteria. He pushes down hard, forcing the door open, then pulls my arm, leading me around a corner to a line of recycling bins.
“I’m so sorry…” I start, but Owen’s hands find me fast, his fingers wrapping around my shoulders, his force moving me back until I’m flush with the wall, and then his lips crash down on me.
His hands slide from my shoulders to my neck and into my hair, his mouth covering mine as if he needs my air to breathe, and he closes the small distance between us, the warmth and hardness of him pressing into my body, my hands operating on their own instinct, finding his sides and back until I’m clinging to him, grabbing bunches of his black sweatshirt all at once.
Owen’s hand moves to his head while he’s kissing me, and he tosses his hat to the ground to the side of us, and I let my fingers move to his hair, weaving the strands in and out, letting the softness of them curl around me.
This is the best kiss of my life. Every kiss with Owen has been the best kiss of my life. But this one—it’s full of something more. His lips work mine for long seconds, his tongue passing over mine slowly, his teeth dragging over my bottom lip, my top lip, tugging on me and pulling me into him even deeper. I can feel his heartbeat through his shirt, and I let my hands roam over his chest and around his back again, the feel of him exactly as it is every time I dream.
Book Trailer:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQNbFg8rjCE
Giveaway:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/disp...?
About the Author:
Ginger Scott is an Amazon-bestselling author of six young and new adult romances, including Waiting on the Sidelines, Going Long, Blindness, How We Deal With Gravity, This Is Falling and You and Everything After.
A sucker for a good romance, Ginger’s other passion is sports, and she often blends the two in her stories. (She’s also a sucker for a hot quarterback, catcher, pitcher, point guard…the list goes on.) Ginger has been writing and editing for newspapers, magazines and blogs for more than 15 years. She has told the stories of Olympians, politicians, actors, scientists, cowboys, criminals and towns. For more on her and her work, visit her website at http://www.littlemisswrite.com.
When she's not writing, the odds are high that she's somewhere near a baseball diamond, either watching her son field pop flies like Bryce Harper or cheering on her favorite baseball team, the Arizona Diamondbacks. Ginger lives in Arizona and is married to her college sweetheart whom she met at ASU (fork 'em, Devils).
Social Media Links:
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/GingerScottAuthor
Twitter: @TheGingerScott
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/thegingerscott/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/GingerScottAuthor
Google: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+GingerScottAuthor/posts
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/GingerScott
Website: http://www.littlemisswrite.com
Published on March 16, 2015 22:00
March 15, 2015
Blog Tour: Losing Her
Title: Losing Her (His #2)Author: Mariah DietzRelease Date: March 1, 2015Find on Goodreads
Synopsis:“I loved her and she left. Maybe I wasn’t enough. Maybe I’ll never be enough.” I’ve been thinking these words since before we even got together.Everything is new. The old no longer has a place here. Physical items are easy to replace. I'm constantly battling the ones that aren't.Every thought and memory I have is stained.By you.You weren't even there for half of them.How is she still present even though she left?I can do this. I’m going to survive losing her.*** This is the second book of the His Series, and it DOES end with a cliffhanger. The final book of the His Series, Finding Me, will release June 1, 2015***
Buy Links:Amazon
Excerpt:“Dude, you’ve got to get up.” Jameson sighs as I pull the pillow back over my head. I don’t even know what day it is anymore. I don’t care.What adds salt to my wounds is the fact that the world keeps turning. People continue waking up and going about their day. The sun rises and sets. I hear kids laugh and play, neighbors greet one another, and birds sing, and all the while I wonder how? How does the entire world appear to be surviving this nightmare of losing her? ****Hank comes to visit in June. I still haven’t heard from Ace, and yet I’m still staying at my mom’s. I can’t leave. I can’t go back to that house. I’d moved rooms shortly after she left, and now reside in the guest room on the main floor. It’s better this way. There aren’t any pictures of her in here or random memories, like the one of her sitting on my bean bag chair when I was sick last summer. I also don’t have to face the window that looks out onto hers.Hank knows that I know mom sent for him, hoping that he’d be able to “help” me. She of all people should know that having Hank around isn’t going to help me. He’s fucking married to the love of his life; he doesn’t have a fucking clue about the shit that I’m going through.Of all things, Hank wants to go camping. I’m sure he thinks that getting away will help. He doesn’t understand that moving rooms has helped me realize I could go to Antarctica, and things wouldn’t change; the distance isn’t going to make the pain any less.When we get camp set up, Hank opens a cooler and passes me a beer with a giant, shit-eating grin, like we’ve just overcome a huge hurdle. Deciding that I shouldn’t rain on his little douchebag tea party quite yet, I accept the beer with merely a grimace before taking a long swig. Before long, that single swig becomes a chug, and then a guzzle as I consume more alcohol than what three people probably should.I sit by the fire and close my eyes. My mind automatically reaches back into that locked and forbidden drawer to pull out the image of Ace, striving to recall the sound of her laugh, the feel of her touch. It brings me back to our camping trip last September, when Jameson announced that was what he wanted to do for his birthday.
Book Trailer:
The His series by Mariah Dietz:Becoming His (#1) – Sometimes life's unforeseen paths lead us to discovering sides of ourselves we never knew existed. Ace Bosse has always found solace at home, but when she returns for the summer from college, she builds an unexpected relationship with the Reckless Max Miller.Three years ago, Max left for Alaska to find what he thought he'd lost, but now realizes just how much he left behind.Max teaches Ace that sometimes a little crazy is exactly what life needs while learning that some chances are worth taking, regardless of the risks.But how do you know when you've met the right person? And will they be prepared to experience one of life's biggest obstacles?Falling in love isn't easy--but holding on to it is where the real challenge lies.Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo
Author Info:Mariah Dietz lives in Eastern Washington with her husband and two sons that are the axis of her crazy and wonderful world.Mariah grew up in a tiny town outside of Portland, Oregon, where she spent the majority of her time immersed in the pages of books that she both read and created.She has a love for all things that include her sons, good coffee, books, travel, and dark chocolate. She also has a deep passion for the stories she writes, and hopes readers enjoy the journeys she takes them on, as much as she loves creating them.
Facebook | Twitter | Website | Goodreads
Published on March 15, 2015 22:00


