Tamsyn Bester's Blog, page 22
April 30, 2013
*How to write a review of a book you didn't like...Without causing a s***storm*
Hi Brats :)
I decided to take some time & write a post I wouldn't normally do but I hope it will help all of you in some way :)
Discovering bad reviews isn't anything new but I feel like it's getting worse - it's shocking to see how many people would take the time to openly castigate an author & their work, rather than taking the same amount of time to write something that will help them improve their shortcomings.
Not too long ago, I recieved an ARC for a book (the title & author of will remain nameless) & for the first time since I started blogging about books, I actually didn't finish it. You may ask "How's it possible to review a book you've never finished?" & to be honest I asked myself that exact question when it was time to write my review, but I realised it was important for me to say what needed saying. This brought me to the point where I had no idea how to write a review for a book I didn't enjoy, let alone finish. I have read a lot of reviews of books that people didn't like & I was afraid that I would be just like most of those reviewers - snarky, mean & just plain nasty! There have been times where I've read a bad review of books written by my friends & it took every bit of self-restraint NOT to openly declare war.
So I've compiled a list of tips to help you write a positive review for a book you particularly didn't like... without getting yourself caught in a s***storm with other people who disagree with you.
1. Provide Context - Give a reason for why didn't enjoy the book. Have enough reasoning to help people understand your perspective & respect your opinion. At the same time, use reassuring words like 'I really wanted to enjoy this book but it just didn't meet my personal expectations.' When I write a review, I substantiate why I loved it or why I didn't enjoy it. The point isn't to get people to NOT buy the book, but at the same time it's important to be honest.
2. Cut the writer some slack - Especially if it's their debut novel or if they only have 2 or 3 books published. You do not determine whether their careers will be successful or not & the book you give a bad review may become #1 on the New York Times Bestseller List. You'll never know what it took for the author to write their story & fiction or not, writing a story you love is emotionally, physically & mentally exhausting. All the best authors will tell you what it takes from you to be so completely invested in their projects & characters.
3. Don't EVER review a book of an enemy - The writing world has become competitive, more so with the introduction & development of self-publishing, and there is no guarantee that you will be friends with EVERYONE. More importantly, if you think you'll be objective when reviewing the book of someone you don't like, THINK AGAIN. Objectivity flies out the window & then all bets are off. SAY NO... There's no need to bash the book just because you dislike the author. (I've been tempted many times but in the end it's a bad reflection on MY character, not that of the author)
4. Don't be an a**hole - Yes, I said don't be an a**hole. Have the maturity to have perspective & remember that it's not about YOU. Besides, do you think its a reflection on the author when you're a douche or a reflection on YOU? Exactly. I'm sure your parents have used the term 'If you don't have anyhting nice to say, then don't say anything at all.' There is no need to publicaly humiliate or belittle an author or their work. THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO SAY BEFORE YOU SAY IT.
5. Be HUMBLE about your opinion - If you don't like the author or their work then mention what it is that other people may like about it. Preferences in books is subjective & while you may think a book stinks worse than a horse with diarrhoea, someone else might think it's the greatest thing since Peanut butter!
6. Have balance - If the book was bad, don't use your entire review to talk about ONLY the bad points, balance it out by mentioning some redeeming qualities in equal measure. That way you don't look like an idiot & the author can still use your review to improve their work.
7. Add something you DID like - If you loved the characters or thought the writing was great then SAY THAT. Something small like that can make a big difference to a review, regardless of how much you disliked it.
8. Lastly, to the authors who have recieved a bad review - sit down, drink a beer & say "So what?'".. E.L James recieved some pretty shocking reviews for Fifty Shades but those didn't stop the rest of the world from falling in love with Christian & Ana. Don't allow a few sucky people & their sucky reviews to stop you from doing what you love. It's possible that the person reviewing your book can't do a better job than you can! And remember, not everyone will love your work, but as long as you ALWAYS disagree with the bad reviews then you have no reason to ever put your pen down.
In the end, we're all part of a global village of authors, striving for the same goals. It is because of this that we should support each other & offer constructive criticism respectfully. As bloggers & reviewers, we also have a reputation - authors trust us to give open & honest critique of their work, not show them what it looks like after being shoved through a mincer.
I hope this was helpful in some way & that writing a review for a book you didn't like will be less daunting after reading these tips :)
Tamsyn
xxx
I decided to take some time & write a post I wouldn't normally do but I hope it will help all of you in some way :)
Discovering bad reviews isn't anything new but I feel like it's getting worse - it's shocking to see how many people would take the time to openly castigate an author & their work, rather than taking the same amount of time to write something that will help them improve their shortcomings.
Not too long ago, I recieved an ARC for a book (the title & author of will remain nameless) & for the first time since I started blogging about books, I actually didn't finish it. You may ask "How's it possible to review a book you've never finished?" & to be honest I asked myself that exact question when it was time to write my review, but I realised it was important for me to say what needed saying. This brought me to the point where I had no idea how to write a review for a book I didn't enjoy, let alone finish. I have read a lot of reviews of books that people didn't like & I was afraid that I would be just like most of those reviewers - snarky, mean & just plain nasty! There have been times where I've read a bad review of books written by my friends & it took every bit of self-restraint NOT to openly declare war.
So I've compiled a list of tips to help you write a positive review for a book you particularly didn't like... without getting yourself caught in a s***storm with other people who disagree with you.
1. Provide Context - Give a reason for why didn't enjoy the book. Have enough reasoning to help people understand your perspective & respect your opinion. At the same time, use reassuring words like 'I really wanted to enjoy this book but it just didn't meet my personal expectations.' When I write a review, I substantiate why I loved it or why I didn't enjoy it. The point isn't to get people to NOT buy the book, but at the same time it's important to be honest.
2. Cut the writer some slack - Especially if it's their debut novel or if they only have 2 or 3 books published. You do not determine whether their careers will be successful or not & the book you give a bad review may become #1 on the New York Times Bestseller List. You'll never know what it took for the author to write their story & fiction or not, writing a story you love is emotionally, physically & mentally exhausting. All the best authors will tell you what it takes from you to be so completely invested in their projects & characters.
3. Don't EVER review a book of an enemy - The writing world has become competitive, more so with the introduction & development of self-publishing, and there is no guarantee that you will be friends with EVERYONE. More importantly, if you think you'll be objective when reviewing the book of someone you don't like, THINK AGAIN. Objectivity flies out the window & then all bets are off. SAY NO... There's no need to bash the book just because you dislike the author. (I've been tempted many times but in the end it's a bad reflection on MY character, not that of the author)
4. Don't be an a**hole - Yes, I said don't be an a**hole. Have the maturity to have perspective & remember that it's not about YOU. Besides, do you think its a reflection on the author when you're a douche or a reflection on YOU? Exactly. I'm sure your parents have used the term 'If you don't have anyhting nice to say, then don't say anything at all.' There is no need to publicaly humiliate or belittle an author or their work. THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO SAY BEFORE YOU SAY IT.
5. Be HUMBLE about your opinion - If you don't like the author or their work then mention what it is that other people may like about it. Preferences in books is subjective & while you may think a book stinks worse than a horse with diarrhoea, someone else might think it's the greatest thing since Peanut butter!
6. Have balance - If the book was bad, don't use your entire review to talk about ONLY the bad points, balance it out by mentioning some redeeming qualities in equal measure. That way you don't look like an idiot & the author can still use your review to improve their work.
7. Add something you DID like - If you loved the characters or thought the writing was great then SAY THAT. Something small like that can make a big difference to a review, regardless of how much you disliked it.
8. Lastly, to the authors who have recieved a bad review - sit down, drink a beer & say "So what?'".. E.L James recieved some pretty shocking reviews for Fifty Shades but those didn't stop the rest of the world from falling in love with Christian & Ana. Don't allow a few sucky people & their sucky reviews to stop you from doing what you love. It's possible that the person reviewing your book can't do a better job than you can! And remember, not everyone will love your work, but as long as you ALWAYS disagree with the bad reviews then you have no reason to ever put your pen down.
In the end, we're all part of a global village of authors, striving for the same goals. It is because of this that we should support each other & offer constructive criticism respectfully. As bloggers & reviewers, we also have a reputation - authors trust us to give open & honest critique of their work, not show them what it looks like after being shoved through a mincer. I hope this was helpful in some way & that writing a review for a book you didn't like will be less daunting after reading these tips :)
Tamsyn
xxx
April 29, 2013
*Author Spotlight: Melissa Collins*
Hi Brats :)
In the spotlight today here at TheSecretBookBrat HQ, is new indie author Melissa Collins, whose debut Novel, Let Love In, will be releasing in May :)
About Let Love In
What would happen if you lost everything? If the people who were supposed to love you unconditionally were no longer there for you, how would your world change?
Madeleine Becker lost everything when her parents died when she was ten years old. Ripped from her home and everything that she has ever loved, she is forced to start all over again. The only way for her to move on is to build walls around her heart and keep everyone at a safe distance. Her logic: she can't get hurt if she doesn't fall in love.
That theory is blown to pieces when she meets Reid Connely during her freshman year at college. He is gorgeous and darkly mysterious. He understands Maddy's pain all too well, but sharing his pain would mean breaking down the walls he put up around his own heart. Conflicted between loving Maddy and hiding his dark past, Reid starts to reevaluate his world. Maddy's inner strength, snarky personality and breath taking beauty help Reid to make peace with his past.
Together they find out what happens when they let love in.
Melissa was kind enough to answer a few questions, giving us the opportunity to get to know just a little better :)
Hi Melissa JThank you for joining me, I’m excited to have you here at TheSecretBookBrat HQ J
We are days away from the release of your debut novel, Let Love In… HOW DO YOU FEEL?· Nervous, excited, anxious – pick one! Mostly I feel really good about my work and I’m proud that I wrote a book. I wrote a freaking book – that’s awesome, if you ask me! That is pretty awesome *giggles* You majored in English Lit and you’re a school teacher with a passion for reading. What made you finally sit down and write a novel?
· When I was home on maternity leave last year, I fell in love with the New Adult and Contemporary Romance genres. After devouring more books than I care to admit, my creativity got the best of me and Maddy and Reid’s story starting brewing in my head. When I thought I had something good enough to carry on a full length novel, I just sat down and started writing. The end result was Let Love In.
Was the transition from reading to writing easy for you?
· I always enjoyed writing – yes, even in the nerdiest sense, I actually did enjoy writing papers when I was in college. Writing fiction actually came fairly easy to me - that’s not to say that there were days that I didn’t curse at the computer screen and struggle to get a few hundred words out.
Who are the authors who have had the greatest influence on your work? Are there specific books that have also had an influence and what you enjoy writing?
· Asking a bookworm to pick their favorite book, is like asking a mom to pick her favorite kid (I think I saw that on an ecard somewhere). That being said, I love anything by Jasinda Wilder and Colleen Hoover. I only recently read Slammed and Point of Retreat (months after I read Hopeless) and they had a serious effect on me emotionally. I also loved Ella Fox’s Hart Family Series and Bella Andre’s Sullivan Family series. How did Maddy & Reid’s story come to you? What is it about their story that YOU have fallen in love with?
· There are so many stories out there about characters with emotional baggage and damaged pasts and while some of them are amazing, I thought some of them are a bit far-fetched. I came up with a simple plan – create two characters who help each other realize what they have, who help each other realize that they are deserving of love. I have fallen in love with them as a couple – they’re sweet and funny with each other and extremely passionate. Mostly, I have fallen in love with how strong Maddy is. I don’t want to bash any author’s decision, but I can’t stand a whiny, wishy-washy heroine. Maddy’s strong and intelligent, but she still makes bad choices. She’s human and so is Reid and that’s why I love them.
What did you enjoy most about writing their story? Did you have a favourite moment/chapter in the book?
· Some of my favorite scenes are the playful, flirty ones. Oh and there’s one when Maddy tears Reid to shreds after he’s been an ass to her for weeks – that one was fun. There were some scenes that had me in tears, but I can’t share those with you just yet; you’ll have to read the book first.
I have to ask, since I’m a sucker for happy end….Does Reid & Maddy’s story have a happy ending?
· One of my friends who read the book for me, told me that “Reid is sex on a bad boy stick.” I think I created a sexy book boyfriend and I hope that my readers will fall in love with him. But I really hope they fall in love with my characters because they’re real.
· Maddy and Reid’s story does end happily, but not in this book. I wanted to make it a standalone, but once I started writing, I knew their story wasn’t going to end all neatly tied in a pretty little bow in 300 pages. The second book, Let Love Stay, will be out this summer and it will wrap up Maddy and Reid’s story. There will be a book three for Melanie, Maddy’s best friend. That should hopefully be out in the winter.
I’m dying to know…who are your top 5 favourite book boyfriends at the moment?
· I will always carry a torch for Christian – who doesn’t? In no particular order, the others are:
o Will – Hoover’s Slammed and Point of Retreat
o Riff – Valentine’s Rock My Bed
o Flynn – Fox’s Picture Perfect
o Ian – Aster’s True Love Story
If I were to stumble across your Kindle right now, what am I most likely to find? What do you like reading? Are you reading anything at the moment?
· My kindle collection rivals that of a porn collection that you’d find stashed away at a college frat house! I love my smut and romance stories and I’m in no way ashamed of what I enjoy reading. Since I started writing, I haven’t had as much time to read as I’d like, but I’m currently reading Going Under by S. Walden and I’m really enjoying it.
Any advice for aspiring writers out there like yourself?
· Write, then write some more and when you think you’re done, write more. Don’t be afraid to share your work. It’s scary and gut wrenching to know that someone is reading your ‘baby’ but it’s so worth it in the end to share what you’re passionate about.
Thank you again for taking the time to chat with me! I can’t wait to read and review Maddy & Reid’s story JJ
Teaser
“Hey, I thought I was supposed to meet you at your place? Did I miss something?” I ask. He really did distract me before with his utter delectableness. Before he can answer, we reach his car and he walks me to the passenger side. He presses me against the door so that every inch of our bodies are touching. He puts his fingers under my chin to tip my head back so that I can gaze into his stunning sapphire eyes. With his other hand, he runs his knuckles gently across my cheek before saying, “Now what fun would it have been if I did what you expected? It’s our first date and I want to do it right, so that means I get to chauffeur you around and buy you pretty flowers and tell you how damn sexy you look.” He leans his face into mine and lightly brushes his lips against mine. His tongue flicks out and licks my lips, begging for entrance. He bites my lower lip and sucks on it almost to the point of being painful and I open to him immediately. I reach my arms around his neck and twist my fingers into his silky, chocolate brown hair. He moves his hands so that one is around my waist and the other is fisted at the nape of my neck. We kiss wildly and passionately for what seems like forever. Our hands are roaming and exploring. His hand at my waist spans my entire rib cage and grazes dangerously close to the underside of my breast. When we hear the group of rowdy, drunken party goers yell, “Dude, get a room” we break the kiss. Reid stares at me from under his lustfully lowered lids. “Beautiful, Maddy. You are so damn beautiful and one fucking outrageously good kisser.” He winks and then opens my door for me. I see him try to readjust himself as he walks in front of the car.Probably wishes he could take another cold shower right about now. When he takes his seat, he reaches across the center console and gear shift to hold my hand. Once our fingers are intertwined, he raises my hand up to his lips and sweetly kisses it. “So Maddy, are you ready for the best date ever?” he asks smiling a ridiculously goofy grin. It’s a grin that I can’t help but send back his way. “Yes, Reid, I’m ready. I’m ready for whatever you’ve got up those sexy sleeves of yours.”
Facebook -
http://www.facebook.com/MelissaCollins.Author
Goodreads –
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17684880-let-love-in
Twitter - @mcollinsauthor Web –
www.melissacollinsauthor.com
Hmmmmmm..... I definitely can't wait to read this... :) More Soon My Brats :) Love Ya Tam xxx
In the spotlight today here at TheSecretBookBrat HQ, is new indie author Melissa Collins, whose debut Novel, Let Love In, will be releasing in May :)
About Let Love In
What would happen if you lost everything? If the people who were supposed to love you unconditionally were no longer there for you, how would your world change?
Madeleine Becker lost everything when her parents died when she was ten years old. Ripped from her home and everything that she has ever loved, she is forced to start all over again. The only way for her to move on is to build walls around her heart and keep everyone at a safe distance. Her logic: she can't get hurt if she doesn't fall in love.
That theory is blown to pieces when she meets Reid Connely during her freshman year at college. He is gorgeous and darkly mysterious. He understands Maddy's pain all too well, but sharing his pain would mean breaking down the walls he put up around his own heart. Conflicted between loving Maddy and hiding his dark past, Reid starts to reevaluate his world. Maddy's inner strength, snarky personality and breath taking beauty help Reid to make peace with his past.
Together they find out what happens when they let love in.
Melissa was kind enough to answer a few questions, giving us the opportunity to get to know just a little better :)
Hi Melissa JThank you for joining me, I’m excited to have you here at TheSecretBookBrat HQ J
We are days away from the release of your debut novel, Let Love In… HOW DO YOU FEEL?· Nervous, excited, anxious – pick one! Mostly I feel really good about my work and I’m proud that I wrote a book. I wrote a freaking book – that’s awesome, if you ask me! That is pretty awesome *giggles* You majored in English Lit and you’re a school teacher with a passion for reading. What made you finally sit down and write a novel?
· When I was home on maternity leave last year, I fell in love with the New Adult and Contemporary Romance genres. After devouring more books than I care to admit, my creativity got the best of me and Maddy and Reid’s story starting brewing in my head. When I thought I had something good enough to carry on a full length novel, I just sat down and started writing. The end result was Let Love In.
Was the transition from reading to writing easy for you?
· I always enjoyed writing – yes, even in the nerdiest sense, I actually did enjoy writing papers when I was in college. Writing fiction actually came fairly easy to me - that’s not to say that there were days that I didn’t curse at the computer screen and struggle to get a few hundred words out.
Who are the authors who have had the greatest influence on your work? Are there specific books that have also had an influence and what you enjoy writing?
· Asking a bookworm to pick their favorite book, is like asking a mom to pick her favorite kid (I think I saw that on an ecard somewhere). That being said, I love anything by Jasinda Wilder and Colleen Hoover. I only recently read Slammed and Point of Retreat (months after I read Hopeless) and they had a serious effect on me emotionally. I also loved Ella Fox’s Hart Family Series and Bella Andre’s Sullivan Family series. How did Maddy & Reid’s story come to you? What is it about their story that YOU have fallen in love with?
· There are so many stories out there about characters with emotional baggage and damaged pasts and while some of them are amazing, I thought some of them are a bit far-fetched. I came up with a simple plan – create two characters who help each other realize what they have, who help each other realize that they are deserving of love. I have fallen in love with them as a couple – they’re sweet and funny with each other and extremely passionate. Mostly, I have fallen in love with how strong Maddy is. I don’t want to bash any author’s decision, but I can’t stand a whiny, wishy-washy heroine. Maddy’s strong and intelligent, but she still makes bad choices. She’s human and so is Reid and that’s why I love them.
What did you enjoy most about writing their story? Did you have a favourite moment/chapter in the book?
· Some of my favorite scenes are the playful, flirty ones. Oh and there’s one when Maddy tears Reid to shreds after he’s been an ass to her for weeks – that one was fun. There were some scenes that had me in tears, but I can’t share those with you just yet; you’ll have to read the book first.
I have to ask, since I’m a sucker for happy end….Does Reid & Maddy’s story have a happy ending?
· One of my friends who read the book for me, told me that “Reid is sex on a bad boy stick.” I think I created a sexy book boyfriend and I hope that my readers will fall in love with him. But I really hope they fall in love with my characters because they’re real.
· Maddy and Reid’s story does end happily, but not in this book. I wanted to make it a standalone, but once I started writing, I knew their story wasn’t going to end all neatly tied in a pretty little bow in 300 pages. The second book, Let Love Stay, will be out this summer and it will wrap up Maddy and Reid’s story. There will be a book three for Melanie, Maddy’s best friend. That should hopefully be out in the winter.
I’m dying to know…who are your top 5 favourite book boyfriends at the moment?
· I will always carry a torch for Christian – who doesn’t? In no particular order, the others are:
o Will – Hoover’s Slammed and Point of Retreat
o Riff – Valentine’s Rock My Bed
o Flynn – Fox’s Picture Perfect
o Ian – Aster’s True Love Story
If I were to stumble across your Kindle right now, what am I most likely to find? What do you like reading? Are you reading anything at the moment?
· My kindle collection rivals that of a porn collection that you’d find stashed away at a college frat house! I love my smut and romance stories and I’m in no way ashamed of what I enjoy reading. Since I started writing, I haven’t had as much time to read as I’d like, but I’m currently reading Going Under by S. Walden and I’m really enjoying it.
Any advice for aspiring writers out there like yourself?
· Write, then write some more and when you think you’re done, write more. Don’t be afraid to share your work. It’s scary and gut wrenching to know that someone is reading your ‘baby’ but it’s so worth it in the end to share what you’re passionate about.
Thank you again for taking the time to chat with me! I can’t wait to read and review Maddy & Reid’s story JJ
Teaser
“Hey, I thought I was supposed to meet you at your place? Did I miss something?” I ask. He really did distract me before with his utter delectableness. Before he can answer, we reach his car and he walks me to the passenger side. He presses me against the door so that every inch of our bodies are touching. He puts his fingers under my chin to tip my head back so that I can gaze into his stunning sapphire eyes. With his other hand, he runs his knuckles gently across my cheek before saying, “Now what fun would it have been if I did what you expected? It’s our first date and I want to do it right, so that means I get to chauffeur you around and buy you pretty flowers and tell you how damn sexy you look.” He leans his face into mine and lightly brushes his lips against mine. His tongue flicks out and licks my lips, begging for entrance. He bites my lower lip and sucks on it almost to the point of being painful and I open to him immediately. I reach my arms around his neck and twist my fingers into his silky, chocolate brown hair. He moves his hands so that one is around my waist and the other is fisted at the nape of my neck. We kiss wildly and passionately for what seems like forever. Our hands are roaming and exploring. His hand at my waist spans my entire rib cage and grazes dangerously close to the underside of my breast. When we hear the group of rowdy, drunken party goers yell, “Dude, get a room” we break the kiss. Reid stares at me from under his lustfully lowered lids. “Beautiful, Maddy. You are so damn beautiful and one fucking outrageously good kisser.” He winks and then opens my door for me. I see him try to readjust himself as he walks in front of the car.Probably wishes he could take another cold shower right about now. When he takes his seat, he reaches across the center console and gear shift to hold my hand. Once our fingers are intertwined, he raises my hand up to his lips and sweetly kisses it. “So Maddy, are you ready for the best date ever?” he asks smiling a ridiculously goofy grin. It’s a grin that I can’t help but send back his way. “Yes, Reid, I’m ready. I’m ready for whatever you’ve got up those sexy sleeves of yours.” 
Facebook -
http://www.facebook.com/MelissaCollins.Author
Goodreads –
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17684880-let-love-in
Twitter - @mcollinsauthor Web –
www.melissacollinsauthor.com
Hmmmmmm..... I definitely can't wait to read this... :) More Soon My Brats :) Love Ya Tam xxx
April 28, 2013
*Teaser #2 Beneath Your Beautful*
HI Brats :)
So yes, I promised another Teaser from Beneath Your Beautiful if TheSecretBookBrat's facebook page reached 200 likes... Well it's almost at 250 already!! :):)
As promised... This one is from Graysons' point of view :)
*Subject to change*
*Not recommended for Diabetics... May cause ridiculous cravings for Cupcakes*
~ My eyes flutter open and I turn expecting to find Huntley lying next to me. Naked. But the bed’s empty.
Her vanilla scent is on the sheets and it brings back memories of last night. God, it was the most perfect night of my life. The feel of her skin on mine, chest to chest, nose to nose… It sends a shiver down my spine. If I thought she was beautiful in every way possible seeing her beneath me, coming and screaming my name is… indescribable. Sex has always been just sex to me, but after last night with Huntley is was so much more.
I jump out of bed, pull my jeans on and pad down the hallway in search of her, stopping dead when I find her standing in the kitchen. She has my shirt on, with her earphones tucked in her ears and she’s singing along to Jana Kramer’s ‘Why Ya Wanna’. She bends to slip a tray of some kind into the oven and I see her black lace underwear peeking out from under my shirt. God have mercy… It’s black lace with a pink bow just above her ass.
I walk into the kitchen as quietly as I can and wrap my arms around her waist, making her jump a little. I smell her hair and trail lazy kisses down her throat, stopping just as I reach the soft skin below her ear. I feel her quiver and push my hips into her back so she knows I’m driving myself crazy like I am her. She turns in my arms and stares at me with her baby blues, sporting a smile from ear to ear. God she’s beautiful. Especially when her hair is messy and she’s got that ‘just f**ed’ look on her face. “Well good morning to you too sleepy head,” she whispers. “Good morning beautiful,” I reply, grinning like a Cheshire cat who got the cream. “Did you sleep well?”she asks, trying and failing to look innocent. Her blush gives her away and I decide I want to be the only man to make her cheeks glow like that. “I was sleeping great until I woke up alone,” I pout. She giggles and the sound travels through me, settling in the centre of my soul like it belongs there. “I’m sorry baby, I couldn’t sleep so I decided to come make some cupcakes.”
“Are you saying I didn’t tire you out? Should I try again?” I whisper, laying a single kiss at the base of her throat. She moans and my hands tighten around her waist. I’m going to drive us both up the damn wall if I’m not careful but I want to take advantage of how easily she opens up to me when we’re like this. Just us.
“Don’t make promises you can’t keep,” she barely gets the words out between her moans. I lean around her, sticking my finger in the vanilla cupcake batter, and trail my sticky finger from her ear to where my lips met her soft skin. “I never promise something I can’t deliver,” I growl.
“Oh yeah?” Her voice is husky, like she's been screaming. A lot. Yeah, I'll have her screaming soon.“Are you challenging me baby?” I meet her eyes and I see the excitement spark in their immeasurable depths.
“Maybe I am,” she smirks. Before I can reply she sticks her fingers in the same cupcake batter and smears it across my face. She looks at me, waiting for my reaction. “Really?” I ask. If she wants to play I have no problem with that.
She ducks under my arm and makes a beeline for the bedroom. I grab the cupcake butter and chase after her. She squeals as I grab her and freezes when she sees what’s in my hand. “Oh no,” she whispers. ‘Oh no’is right, things are about to get messy.
We make quick work of getting each other covered in the sticky vanilla goop, lying on her hardwood floor. It’s all hands and legs and soon we’re pulling at the little bit of clothing we have on. Her lips meet mine and I return the hunger I feel pulsing between our bodies. The kiss starts off innocently but soon it feels like we’re trying to climb into each other. My body hums with a craving for hers, like a starved, deprived man in the desert. Her legs wrap around my waist and I slide my hand down until I reach her sexy black panties, pulling them off as I go ~
Ofcourse thats only half of it, I could't reveal EVERYTHING ;) Ya'll will have no choice but to buy the book & see what kind of 'sticky situation' Huntley & Grayson get themselves into...*smirks*
More soon Brats :)
Love Ya <3
Tam
So yes, I promised another Teaser from Beneath Your Beautiful if TheSecretBookBrat's facebook page reached 200 likes... Well it's almost at 250 already!! :):)
As promised... This one is from Graysons' point of view :)
*Subject to change*
*Not recommended for Diabetics... May cause ridiculous cravings for Cupcakes*
~ My eyes flutter open and I turn expecting to find Huntley lying next to me. Naked. But the bed’s empty.
Her vanilla scent is on the sheets and it brings back memories of last night. God, it was the most perfect night of my life. The feel of her skin on mine, chest to chest, nose to nose… It sends a shiver down my spine. If I thought she was beautiful in every way possible seeing her beneath me, coming and screaming my name is… indescribable. Sex has always been just sex to me, but after last night with Huntley is was so much more.
I jump out of bed, pull my jeans on and pad down the hallway in search of her, stopping dead when I find her standing in the kitchen. She has my shirt on, with her earphones tucked in her ears and she’s singing along to Jana Kramer’s ‘Why Ya Wanna’. She bends to slip a tray of some kind into the oven and I see her black lace underwear peeking out from under my shirt. God have mercy… It’s black lace with a pink bow just above her ass.
I walk into the kitchen as quietly as I can and wrap my arms around her waist, making her jump a little. I smell her hair and trail lazy kisses down her throat, stopping just as I reach the soft skin below her ear. I feel her quiver and push my hips into her back so she knows I’m driving myself crazy like I am her. She turns in my arms and stares at me with her baby blues, sporting a smile from ear to ear. God she’s beautiful. Especially when her hair is messy and she’s got that ‘just f**ed’ look on her face. “Well good morning to you too sleepy head,” she whispers. “Good morning beautiful,” I reply, grinning like a Cheshire cat who got the cream. “Did you sleep well?”she asks, trying and failing to look innocent. Her blush gives her away and I decide I want to be the only man to make her cheeks glow like that. “I was sleeping great until I woke up alone,” I pout. She giggles and the sound travels through me, settling in the centre of my soul like it belongs there. “I’m sorry baby, I couldn’t sleep so I decided to come make some cupcakes.”
“Are you saying I didn’t tire you out? Should I try again?” I whisper, laying a single kiss at the base of her throat. She moans and my hands tighten around her waist. I’m going to drive us both up the damn wall if I’m not careful but I want to take advantage of how easily she opens up to me when we’re like this. Just us.
“Don’t make promises you can’t keep,” she barely gets the words out between her moans. I lean around her, sticking my finger in the vanilla cupcake batter, and trail my sticky finger from her ear to where my lips met her soft skin. “I never promise something I can’t deliver,” I growl.
“Oh yeah?” Her voice is husky, like she's been screaming. A lot. Yeah, I'll have her screaming soon.“Are you challenging me baby?” I meet her eyes and I see the excitement spark in their immeasurable depths.
“Maybe I am,” she smirks. Before I can reply she sticks her fingers in the same cupcake batter and smears it across my face. She looks at me, waiting for my reaction. “Really?” I ask. If she wants to play I have no problem with that.
She ducks under my arm and makes a beeline for the bedroom. I grab the cupcake butter and chase after her. She squeals as I grab her and freezes when she sees what’s in my hand. “Oh no,” she whispers. ‘Oh no’is right, things are about to get messy.
We make quick work of getting each other covered in the sticky vanilla goop, lying on her hardwood floor. It’s all hands and legs and soon we’re pulling at the little bit of clothing we have on. Her lips meet mine and I return the hunger I feel pulsing between our bodies. The kiss starts off innocently but soon it feels like we’re trying to climb into each other. My body hums with a craving for hers, like a starved, deprived man in the desert. Her legs wrap around my waist and I slide my hand down until I reach her sexy black panties, pulling them off as I go ~
Ofcourse thats only half of it, I could't reveal EVERYTHING ;) Ya'll will have no choice but to buy the book & see what kind of 'sticky situation' Huntley & Grayson get themselves into...*smirks*
More soon Brats :)
Love Ya <3
Tam
April 26, 2013
*Sneak Peak: Forever Too Far by Abbi Glines*
Hi Brats
I totally want to kick myself for doing this post but I caved... Everybody loves Abbi Glines & we nearly died when she announced a 3rd & final installment in Rush & Blaire's story. I desparately wanted to be a part of the Twisted Perfection blog tour but sadly, bloggers with floaties like me, do not qualify.... So we do the best we can with what we have & I am not above caving when there's a new sneak peak making the rounds.... So here it is, the first sneak peak of Forever Too Far <3
Rush’s mouth trailed kisses down my neck as the shower spray fell from above our heads like it was raining. I wanted one of these showerheads in our house. Both of Rush’s hands slipped around my waist and covered my stomach. He had a hard time keeping his hands off my belly these days. There was no mistaking that I was pregnant now. It was as if Rush needed to stake his claim regularly. If he wasn’t so dang cute when it came to protecting me it would get on my nerves.
Before I could completely enjoy having Rush’s body covering my backside and his hands on me, the high-pitched angry scream that I knew belonged to Nan stopped both of us. Rush’s body went rigid behind me.
“Nan?” I asked already knowing the answer.
“Yeah. Guess she found out I was here already,” he replied and pressed one more kiss to my neck. “You finish your shower. I need to go deal with this. She and my father do not get along.”
I nodded and stood under the warm water as he stepped out of the shower and grabbed one of the large white fluffy towels folded up on a marble pedestal table. I wanted to go with him but he hadn’t asked. But then he wouldn’t. He was so worried about anyone upsetting me.
A man’s deep voice began yelling in response to Nan’s screams. Who was that? I had only been around Dean a little but I didn’t think the man had ever gotten emotional about anything enough to raise his voice. I turned off the water and grabbed a towel then followed Rush into the bedroom.
“Who else is here?” I asked as he jerked on a pair of jeans over his naked ass and reached for a tee shirt.
“My guess would be Kiro. Apparently they’re having their father daughter bonding here,” he replied in a frustrated tone.
Kiro. I’d only ever seen pictures of the rock god. But he was here now. In this house…
“Just stay in here. This is why we came. So I could deal with her. She’s raising hell and Kiro can’t manage her. As soon as I get her calm and under control the sooner we can go back to Rosemary.”
I nodded and forced a smile. Rush started for the door then stopped and turned back around. A crooked grin tugged at his lips and he sauntered over to me. His hands slipped into my damp hair and he cupped my face as he gazed down at me. “I just want to stay here with you,” he whispered before lowering his mouth to mine.
I grabbed both his arms and held on to him as his mouth brushed gently against mine before he took a small lick at my bottom lip. I opened my mouth so he could taste more when another shrill scream came from downstairs. Rush pulled back and sighed. “Damn crazy family,” he muttered.
“Go deal with it. I’m okay here.”
A knock at the door surprised me and I pulled the towel tightly against me. Rush stepped in front of me to block anyone’s view.
“What?” he called out.
I peeked around his back as the door slowly opened. I was mentally preparing myself for Nan to come barging into the room. Instead, a girl about my age stood at the door. She didn’t look like anyone I would imagine belonged in this house. Her long brown hair brushed her waist in soft curls and was parted to the side. She had no bangs. It was all one length. Her sultry looking hazel eyes were framed with dark lashes but she wasn’t wearing any makeup. The straight legged shorts she had on hit just at her knee and she was wearing a pale pink blouse that buttoned up the front. It was simple and classy.
“Hello, Harlow,” Rush said surprising me even further. “I’m on my way down. I hear her.”
One of the girl’s perfectly sculpted eyebrows arched. “I was hoping I could hide up here with you. You’re really going down there to deal with that?” The southern twang to her voice startled me. Who was she and why did she have a southern accent? We were in Beverly Hills.
“That’s why I’m here. To help the situation,” Rush replied.
The girl nodded and then her eyes shifted from Rush to focus on me. “You must be Blaire.”
I just love Rush & Blaire <3 *swoooon*
But I love you Brats even more - you're the reason I love blogging <3 And you're all awesome!! :)
More Soon Brats :)
Tam
xxx
I totally want to kick myself for doing this post but I caved... Everybody loves Abbi Glines & we nearly died when she announced a 3rd & final installment in Rush & Blaire's story. I desparately wanted to be a part of the Twisted Perfection blog tour but sadly, bloggers with floaties like me, do not qualify.... So we do the best we can with what we have & I am not above caving when there's a new sneak peak making the rounds.... So here it is, the first sneak peak of Forever Too Far <3
Rush’s mouth trailed kisses down my neck as the shower spray fell from above our heads like it was raining. I wanted one of these showerheads in our house. Both of Rush’s hands slipped around my waist and covered my stomach. He had a hard time keeping his hands off my belly these days. There was no mistaking that I was pregnant now. It was as if Rush needed to stake his claim regularly. If he wasn’t so dang cute when it came to protecting me it would get on my nerves.
Before I could completely enjoy having Rush’s body covering my backside and his hands on me, the high-pitched angry scream that I knew belonged to Nan stopped both of us. Rush’s body went rigid behind me.
“Nan?” I asked already knowing the answer.
“Yeah. Guess she found out I was here already,” he replied and pressed one more kiss to my neck. “You finish your shower. I need to go deal with this. She and my father do not get along.”
I nodded and stood under the warm water as he stepped out of the shower and grabbed one of the large white fluffy towels folded up on a marble pedestal table. I wanted to go with him but he hadn’t asked. But then he wouldn’t. He was so worried about anyone upsetting me.
A man’s deep voice began yelling in response to Nan’s screams. Who was that? I had only been around Dean a little but I didn’t think the man had ever gotten emotional about anything enough to raise his voice. I turned off the water and grabbed a towel then followed Rush into the bedroom.
“Who else is here?” I asked as he jerked on a pair of jeans over his naked ass and reached for a tee shirt.
“My guess would be Kiro. Apparently they’re having their father daughter bonding here,” he replied in a frustrated tone.
Kiro. I’d only ever seen pictures of the rock god. But he was here now. In this house…
“Just stay in here. This is why we came. So I could deal with her. She’s raising hell and Kiro can’t manage her. As soon as I get her calm and under control the sooner we can go back to Rosemary.”
I nodded and forced a smile. Rush started for the door then stopped and turned back around. A crooked grin tugged at his lips and he sauntered over to me. His hands slipped into my damp hair and he cupped my face as he gazed down at me. “I just want to stay here with you,” he whispered before lowering his mouth to mine.
I grabbed both his arms and held on to him as his mouth brushed gently against mine before he took a small lick at my bottom lip. I opened my mouth so he could taste more when another shrill scream came from downstairs. Rush pulled back and sighed. “Damn crazy family,” he muttered.
“Go deal with it. I’m okay here.”
A knock at the door surprised me and I pulled the towel tightly against me. Rush stepped in front of me to block anyone’s view.
“What?” he called out.
I peeked around his back as the door slowly opened. I was mentally preparing myself for Nan to come barging into the room. Instead, a girl about my age stood at the door. She didn’t look like anyone I would imagine belonged in this house. Her long brown hair brushed her waist in soft curls and was parted to the side. She had no bangs. It was all one length. Her sultry looking hazel eyes were framed with dark lashes but she wasn’t wearing any makeup. The straight legged shorts she had on hit just at her knee and she was wearing a pale pink blouse that buttoned up the front. It was simple and classy.
“Hello, Harlow,” Rush said surprising me even further. “I’m on my way down. I hear her.”
One of the girl’s perfectly sculpted eyebrows arched. “I was hoping I could hide up here with you. You’re really going down there to deal with that?” The southern twang to her voice startled me. Who was she and why did she have a southern accent? We were in Beverly Hills.
“That’s why I’m here. To help the situation,” Rush replied.
The girl nodded and then her eyes shifted from Rush to focus on me. “You must be Blaire.”
I just love Rush & Blaire <3 *swoooon*
But I love you Brats even more - you're the reason I love blogging <3 And you're all awesome!! :)
More Soon Brats :)
Tam
xxx
April 25, 2013
*Cover Reveal: All My Life by Rucy Ban*
Hi Brats :)
The best part of being a blogger, is the opportunity to meet new people and interact with authors from all over :) That's why I'm *VERY* excited to introduce....
So what's the story?
~ Full length New Adult Contemporary Romance: HEA ending ~
Seventeen-year-old Kari meets Neil Mars. “Neil as in Armstrong and Mars…as in Bruno.” A boy who beats every vampire, werewolf, highlander fantasy Kari has ever had. But she knows she can’t get close to him. Not ever. Because that would mean telling him everything. Coming clean. And Kari can’t bear the idea of changing the way Neil looks at her. Like she’s the only girl in the world. His reverence is something too precious to lose. Perhaps even at the cost of losing him. But Kari doesn't know why Neil calls her his ‘Angel’ and when she finds out, she realizes what love is all about. Boundless joy, unending longing and a fuckload of heartache. Excerpts “I can take care of myself,” I tell him. His lips twitch in response. “Oh, I’m sure you can, little shrub.”“You are warned!” I take my voice down a notch and point my ring at him, “I’ll tunnel your leathery knighthood right out of this galaxy!” Neil suddenly halts in his tracks and pins me down with his eyes. “Batman vs. Green Lantern? Batman wins. Every. Single. Time.”“Ohmygod! So not true. In the…”He cuts me. “One word…yellow.” I stare at him with my mouth half-open. “‘Nuff said,” he says smugly and then tugs on my hand. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Maybe I’ll forget this feeling someday. Maybe it’ll just be reduced to a memory made up of a flickering gas heater, the salty dew of his skin and the love in his dark, inky eyes. This feeling of pure unadulterated joy. Of reaching a high so potent that your spirit feels like it’s soaring across the universe…and falling from that glorious peak only to find yourself enveloped in someone’s warm caring hands. When you feel like you’ve just died or been born, right at the same time. It could be that I’ll forget this feeling someday. But I’m sure it won’t be anytime soon. Maybe when I’m a hundred and looking forward to my lunch of mashed bread. Not one single day before. About Rucy Bane Rucy Ban was born in 1978 and still continues to thrive. Ever since she first met Francine (the protagonist of her favorite novel, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn), Rucy fell in love with the written word. Rucy has a B-school degree in Marketing which she now puts to good use teaching lovable rowdy rogues and negotiating with her equally belligerent adolescent. In her previous avatar, she handled corporate communications for companies. At present, Rucy lives in Sao Paulo, travels often, speaks decent, if not quite fluent, Portuguese and really hates talking about herself in third person. *Goodreads Author Page* I don't know about you guys but this is definitely on TheSecretBookBrats TBR list!! More soon Brats :) Tam xxx
The best part of being a blogger, is the opportunity to meet new people and interact with authors from all over :) That's why I'm *VERY* excited to introduce....
So what's the story?
~ Full length New Adult Contemporary Romance: HEA ending ~
Seventeen-year-old Kari meets Neil Mars. “Neil as in Armstrong and Mars…as in Bruno.” A boy who beats every vampire, werewolf, highlander fantasy Kari has ever had. But she knows she can’t get close to him. Not ever. Because that would mean telling him everything. Coming clean. And Kari can’t bear the idea of changing the way Neil looks at her. Like she’s the only girl in the world. His reverence is something too precious to lose. Perhaps even at the cost of losing him. But Kari doesn't know why Neil calls her his ‘Angel’ and when she finds out, she realizes what love is all about. Boundless joy, unending longing and a fuckload of heartache. Excerpts “I can take care of myself,” I tell him. His lips twitch in response. “Oh, I’m sure you can, little shrub.”“You are warned!” I take my voice down a notch and point my ring at him, “I’ll tunnel your leathery knighthood right out of this galaxy!” Neil suddenly halts in his tracks and pins me down with his eyes. “Batman vs. Green Lantern? Batman wins. Every. Single. Time.”“Ohmygod! So not true. In the…”He cuts me. “One word…yellow.” I stare at him with my mouth half-open. “‘Nuff said,” he says smugly and then tugs on my hand. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Maybe I’ll forget this feeling someday. Maybe it’ll just be reduced to a memory made up of a flickering gas heater, the salty dew of his skin and the love in his dark, inky eyes. This feeling of pure unadulterated joy. Of reaching a high so potent that your spirit feels like it’s soaring across the universe…and falling from that glorious peak only to find yourself enveloped in someone’s warm caring hands. When you feel like you’ve just died or been born, right at the same time. It could be that I’ll forget this feeling someday. But I’m sure it won’t be anytime soon. Maybe when I’m a hundred and looking forward to my lunch of mashed bread. Not one single day before. About Rucy Bane Rucy Ban was born in 1978 and still continues to thrive. Ever since she first met Francine (the protagonist of her favorite novel, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn), Rucy fell in love with the written word. Rucy has a B-school degree in Marketing which she now puts to good use teaching lovable rowdy rogues and negotiating with her equally belligerent adolescent. In her previous avatar, she handled corporate communications for companies. At present, Rucy lives in Sao Paulo, travels often, speaks decent, if not quite fluent, Portuguese and really hates talking about herself in third person. *Goodreads Author Page* I don't know about you guys but this is definitely on TheSecretBookBrats TBR list!! More soon Brats :) Tam xxx
*Blog Tour: For You by Mimi Strong*
Hi Brats :)
Today Mimi Strong's Blog Tout for her latest novel, For You, makes a stop over at TheSecretBookBrat HQ :)
The Story
There have been a number of mixed reviews about this book, some really great and some really not-so-great. I find myself *smack* *bang* in the middle of the 2. I felt like this story was very much like a rollercoaster - starting out really slowly, hoping to create a build up of anticipation and then as you hit the top you have the inevitable drop.
Aubrey is a young girl who's life has been riddled with struggle and a continuous fight for survival. After her mother leaves her, she is forced to take care of her younger sister and take on more responsibility than a 21 year old should have to. She is lucky when her mother's family, who had no idea she or her sister existed, willingly take her in and provide her with both a job and a place to stay.
While working at her uncle's bar, Aubrey meets Sawyer Jones - a tattood biker who has a talent for painting beautiful pieces of art. He isn't sure what he's doing with his life, which becomes more apparent the more time he spends with Aubrey. The 2 play this back-and-forth game - Sawyer tries to get Aubrey to open up and Aubrey tries to keep herself closed off. The last thing Aubrey wants is to get Sawyer mixed up in her dark past but soon finds him on the inside of her walls rather than on the outside.
Despite learning the truth, Sawyer stays with Aubrey and in the end, they both get their happy ending. Aubrey is free from her past and Sawyer decides its time to start building a life for himself with Aubrey at his side...
I had a hard time connecting with these characters because the only place I felt the chemistry was in the bedroom. Mimi Strong is a fantastic writer and the story flowed beautifully. Her writing is detailed and you are able to fully emerse yourself in the situations she creates.
**3.5 stars**
More soon my Brats :)
Tam
xxx
Today Mimi Strong's Blog Tout for her latest novel, For You, makes a stop over at TheSecretBookBrat HQ :)
The Story
There have been a number of mixed reviews about this book, some really great and some really not-so-great. I find myself *smack* *bang* in the middle of the 2. I felt like this story was very much like a rollercoaster - starting out really slowly, hoping to create a build up of anticipation and then as you hit the top you have the inevitable drop.
Aubrey is a young girl who's life has been riddled with struggle and a continuous fight for survival. After her mother leaves her, she is forced to take care of her younger sister and take on more responsibility than a 21 year old should have to. She is lucky when her mother's family, who had no idea she or her sister existed, willingly take her in and provide her with both a job and a place to stay.
While working at her uncle's bar, Aubrey meets Sawyer Jones - a tattood biker who has a talent for painting beautiful pieces of art. He isn't sure what he's doing with his life, which becomes more apparent the more time he spends with Aubrey. The 2 play this back-and-forth game - Sawyer tries to get Aubrey to open up and Aubrey tries to keep herself closed off. The last thing Aubrey wants is to get Sawyer mixed up in her dark past but soon finds him on the inside of her walls rather than on the outside.
Despite learning the truth, Sawyer stays with Aubrey and in the end, they both get their happy ending. Aubrey is free from her past and Sawyer decides its time to start building a life for himself with Aubrey at his side...
I had a hard time connecting with these characters because the only place I felt the chemistry was in the bedroom. Mimi Strong is a fantastic writer and the story flowed beautifully. Her writing is detailed and you are able to fully emerse yourself in the situations she creates.
**3.5 stars**
More soon my Brats :)
Tam
xxx
April 24, 2013
*Cover Reveal: Love Square by Jessica Ingro*
Hi Brats :)
Don't you just love Cover Reveals? :) I certainly do because it gives us more reading to look forward to ;) (Not that I need more to read when my TBR list has over 180 books on it! YIKES!)
Love Square, a new contemporary romance novel written by author Jessica Ingor, is about a woman who feels stuck in a 'safe' marriage. She feels empty, like something is missing. When she reconnects with an old flame, her situation quickly becomes a love square gone wrong & she has to decide what she is willing to do to be happy...
Synopsis:
A love triangle gone bad...
He was the one guy I couldn't get enough of. One look from him would make me melt. He was the one I always wanted to love me, but always seemed so far away. Now he stands before me and he's turning my world upside down.
At one time I would have done anything to be close to him. But will that anything include betraying the man I pledged myself to and that loves me faithfully?
Samantha Monroe had it all. Or at least everyone thought she did. A career on the rise, a gorgeous husband, great friends and a beautiful home. So why does she feel so alone and empty? When she reconnects with an old flame, lines are tested and compromises made in a quest for happiness.
Jacob Matthews always wondered what happened to Sam Monroe. When fate brings them together after all these years, he can't help but wonder if it’s meant to be. But when he meets his perfect woman, there is no doubt in his mind she's his soul mate.
Will the search for happiness cost them everything or will their love square show them what really matters? **EXPECTED PUBLICATION: JULY 2013**
Exclusive Excerpt: **Disclaimer: This content is unedited and subject to change** I awake and slowly blink the sleep out of my eyes. The sun is fading, casting dark shadows in the room. I turn my head to see I’m alone in the bed. Lying on my stomach, staring non-seeing into the room, I remember how exquisitely fucked I was just a few hours ago. The feel of his hard body over me and his cock moving in and out of me, the sweat dripping off him as we both came. I feel myself get turned on all over again, and he isn’t even here touching me. Then I remember his muted words spoken right before I fell asleep. “I want you to know I would have waited another sixteen years to be able to feel that with you again.” I’m finding it hard to believe that Jacob could rescue me from the prison I’ve put myself in over the years, living the life of someone other than whom I feel I should be. Even if that is my true wish, wishes don’t always come true. The hotel room door opens and Jacob walks in carrying a couple bottles of water from a vending machine, setting them on a side table. He looks yummy as he walks to the bed with a wide smile on his face. Sitting next to me on the edge of the bed, he bends down and kisses my shoulder and down my naked spine, stopping where the sheet lies just above my ass. “Hey, sleepyhead.” He murmurs in between those drugging kisses. My legs start to stir beneath the sheet and I’m tempted to take another ride before I have to leave. “Hi. If you keep doing that, you’re not going to be able to stop me from having my wicked way with you again and I need to leave soon.” I sigh with frustration. “Maybe that’s exactly what I want.” Running a finger up and down my spine, he stretches out next to me. “I’m sure it is, but I have stuff to get done before I’m back on the road in a few days. I warned you I didn’t have much time but I would do my best to make this work.” “It feels like I just got you back, and now you have to go away again. I’d much rather see your beautiful face, instead of dreaming of it. Will you have time to sneak away again before you fly out?” “I’m not sure. We’ll have to play it by ear. I don’t know how much I have to give you, Jacob. And I’m not just talking about my time either. I’ve been going down this lonely path for a while now and I’m not sure where it’s left me. Regardless of what we did today, I am still a married woman with commitments and responsibilities.” I hate bringing up this fact, but I need the reminder out there that this isn’t a fairytale. Its real life, and its messy. He leans over and thoroughly kisses me before murmuring, “I know. And I’ll take whatever I can get with you. It’s better than having none of you.” With that parting blow, he kisses me one last time, grabs his keys and heads out. “Text me later, baby. I’ll be waiting.” I sure hope I know what I’m doing, because it feels as though things are going to get extremely complicated. About Jessica Jessica grew up in Central New York. She spends her days as a Security Analyst at an IT consulting company. She spends her free time reading books and developing ideas for her own stories. Writing is her secret passion that she’s been fostering since elementary school, when she wrote her first book about a puppy. Writing has always been one of her secret dreams and she can't wait to share her stories with the world. She currently lives in New York with her husband and three dogs. Author contact information: Web – http://jessicaingro.blogspot.com/ Email – jessicaingrobooks@gmail.com Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/JessicaIngroBooks Twitter – http://twitter.com/uvrays1997 Goodreads – http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/8719144-jessica-ingro
More soon my Brats!! Tam loves ya xxx
Don't you just love Cover Reveals? :) I certainly do because it gives us more reading to look forward to ;) (Not that I need more to read when my TBR list has over 180 books on it! YIKES!)
Love Square, a new contemporary romance novel written by author Jessica Ingor, is about a woman who feels stuck in a 'safe' marriage. She feels empty, like something is missing. When she reconnects with an old flame, her situation quickly becomes a love square gone wrong & she has to decide what she is willing to do to be happy...
Synopsis:
A love triangle gone bad...
He was the one guy I couldn't get enough of. One look from him would make me melt. He was the one I always wanted to love me, but always seemed so far away. Now he stands before me and he's turning my world upside down.
At one time I would have done anything to be close to him. But will that anything include betraying the man I pledged myself to and that loves me faithfully?
Samantha Monroe had it all. Or at least everyone thought she did. A career on the rise, a gorgeous husband, great friends and a beautiful home. So why does she feel so alone and empty? When she reconnects with an old flame, lines are tested and compromises made in a quest for happiness.
Jacob Matthews always wondered what happened to Sam Monroe. When fate brings them together after all these years, he can't help but wonder if it’s meant to be. But when he meets his perfect woman, there is no doubt in his mind she's his soul mate.
Will the search for happiness cost them everything or will their love square show them what really matters? **EXPECTED PUBLICATION: JULY 2013**
Exclusive Excerpt: **Disclaimer: This content is unedited and subject to change** I awake and slowly blink the sleep out of my eyes. The sun is fading, casting dark shadows in the room. I turn my head to see I’m alone in the bed. Lying on my stomach, staring non-seeing into the room, I remember how exquisitely fucked I was just a few hours ago. The feel of his hard body over me and his cock moving in and out of me, the sweat dripping off him as we both came. I feel myself get turned on all over again, and he isn’t even here touching me. Then I remember his muted words spoken right before I fell asleep. “I want you to know I would have waited another sixteen years to be able to feel that with you again.” I’m finding it hard to believe that Jacob could rescue me from the prison I’ve put myself in over the years, living the life of someone other than whom I feel I should be. Even if that is my true wish, wishes don’t always come true. The hotel room door opens and Jacob walks in carrying a couple bottles of water from a vending machine, setting them on a side table. He looks yummy as he walks to the bed with a wide smile on his face. Sitting next to me on the edge of the bed, he bends down and kisses my shoulder and down my naked spine, stopping where the sheet lies just above my ass. “Hey, sleepyhead.” He murmurs in between those drugging kisses. My legs start to stir beneath the sheet and I’m tempted to take another ride before I have to leave. “Hi. If you keep doing that, you’re not going to be able to stop me from having my wicked way with you again and I need to leave soon.” I sigh with frustration. “Maybe that’s exactly what I want.” Running a finger up and down my spine, he stretches out next to me. “I’m sure it is, but I have stuff to get done before I’m back on the road in a few days. I warned you I didn’t have much time but I would do my best to make this work.” “It feels like I just got you back, and now you have to go away again. I’d much rather see your beautiful face, instead of dreaming of it. Will you have time to sneak away again before you fly out?” “I’m not sure. We’ll have to play it by ear. I don’t know how much I have to give you, Jacob. And I’m not just talking about my time either. I’ve been going down this lonely path for a while now and I’m not sure where it’s left me. Regardless of what we did today, I am still a married woman with commitments and responsibilities.” I hate bringing up this fact, but I need the reminder out there that this isn’t a fairytale. Its real life, and its messy. He leans over and thoroughly kisses me before murmuring, “I know. And I’ll take whatever I can get with you. It’s better than having none of you.” With that parting blow, he kisses me one last time, grabs his keys and heads out. “Text me later, baby. I’ll be waiting.” I sure hope I know what I’m doing, because it feels as though things are going to get extremely complicated. About Jessica Jessica grew up in Central New York. She spends her days as a Security Analyst at an IT consulting company. She spends her free time reading books and developing ideas for her own stories. Writing is her secret passion that she’s been fostering since elementary school, when she wrote her first book about a puppy. Writing has always been one of her secret dreams and she can't wait to share her stories with the world. She currently lives in New York with her husband and three dogs. Author contact information: Web – http://jessicaingro.blogspot.com/ Email – jessicaingrobooks@gmail.com Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/JessicaIngroBooks Twitter – http://twitter.com/uvrays1997 Goodreads – http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/8719144-jessica-ingro
More soon my Brats!! Tam loves ya xxx
*Author Spotlight: Tijan*
Hi Brats!
You will never guess who stopped by TheSecretBookBrat today... One of my absolute favourite writers, Tijan! Not only do I have an interview for all of you Tijan fans but I also have an exclusive teaser from her newest publication, Still Jaded.
As a writer, Tijan has been rather quiet about her work but has established a phenomenal following spanning a number of social networks! Her work is Young Adult, but a very different & maybe even darker perspective. This makes her writing addictive & once you read one of her novels, you have to read them all. I tried to figure out which of her books is the most popular & while the Fallen Crest Series is by far my personal fave, it was an impossible task to determine which books Tijan's fans loved more.
Tijan is fiercely private about her life but I was fortunate enough to be granted a sneak peak into her Writing World & what I found was nothing short of inspiring....
Does it surprise you that you have such a huge following spanning across your numerous social media sites?
YES! A part of me is waiting for the day when everyone will go away and stop reading my books, but until that day comes I am very very grateful, and even after that day I will still be writing.
What does writing mean to you?
Everything. I have to write to exist. That might sound weird, but writing is as essential to me as breathing. I grew up with storylines in my head from my imagination. Then one day I HAD to get them out of me. I sought the nearest computer, one of the oldest computers I’ve ever seen at my family’s cabin, and poured it all out. It was the best vacation I’ve ever had. I spent the next six days writing, running, and drinking coffee. J I think these elements are put into a lot of my stories.
Which of your novels, both published &WIP, is your favourite?
Sentiment Lost holds a special place in my heart. It’s very rough and hard to read, but I love the characters and I love the deeper meaning in that story. It’s my voice to the world, pleading with people to think deeper, push past wants and needs, and be challenged in a way that’ll help heal the world. Then, on the flip side, is the Fallen Crest Series. It’s dark, edgy, and carnal. I’m very excited to write the third in the series because I’m hoping to really get into the relationships between Mason, Logan, and Sam and how far each of them will go for each other. FCH was about how they got together. FCP is their fight to be together and the third (still unnamed) is actually about the relationships.
How do your characters make themselves known to you?
It’s not really the characters, but it’s a feeling I get for a story. As I write to get that feeling out, the characters are produced to me from thoughts or moments of inspiration (movies and music). They’re like tools to showcase what I’m trying to express to the readers. For example: I feel that there’s something dark and addicting about FCH. Home Torn was about family and healing. Sentiment Lost was about the deeper sense of humanity and how philosophical our world can be. Davy was about the battle between the conscious and unconscious. Although, after reading over my answers, I have to laugh about Brady Remington Landed Me in Jail because this was the opposite. Brady came to me when I was at my computer one day, bored, and I watched our neighbour leave his home. He struck me as odd and then Brady was born from him. I never saw the guy again. I think they moved out that weekend.
When you are working on more than one story, what is your writing process like?
It will depend. Each story is different. FCH came to me in bits and pieces until I sat down at my computer and wrote out the outline. That took me a weekend, and then I just started writing it. Carter Reed was the same, I planned the outline first. However, this hasn’t been the case with most of my other books. I’ll plan in stages so I can get everything wrapped up or had all the twists discovered. With other books, I let the characters write the story and I’m just the one with the fingers on the keyboard. I enjoy those the most because I’m enjoying the story as much as my readers who enjoy it.
How do you separate what you’re working on?
Again it depends. Each story takes different things from me: different thoughts, feelings, universes, traditions, etc. I try to immerse myself into each separate story, though, so sometimes it can be emotionally exhausting. When I need a break from one story, I’ll go to a different one that might be more ‘lighter’ (at that moment). They never stay ‘light’.
When you look at Characters like Sam, from FCH, is there are a part of you in her character? Or is there something about you in all your characters?
I am in every single character that I write, otherwise I couldn’t write them. If the character calls for something I wouldn’t do, then I’ll try to imagine someone in my real life and what they would say or do.
What advice do you have for aspiring writers?
Best advice I can give: stop worrying about how to write and just write. Write, write, write, write, write, etc. Turn off the editor and proofreader in your head and get lost with your characters. I never thought I was a writer, not through elementary, high school, or even undergraduate college. Either I didn’t pay attention in those classes or my instructors didn’t teach it very well. (I think it was me since most of my attention was spent on the cute guy in the next seat or how to get out of school) JSo if you want to write, just write. I taught myself through internet, books, how-to articles, and feedback. I’m STILL learning how to do it.
And now Brats.... Time for a *TEASER* from Still Jaded, the highly anticipated sequel to Jaded....
With lust in his eyes, Bryce leaned back and grinned predatorily. He slid a hand across my stomach and fingered just inside my underwear. I sucked in my breath and caught his hand as I panted. "I want to know why you don't like my girlfriends."
Bryce groaned in protest and tried to kiss my collarbone. I dodged and grabbed his hands. Then I pinned them against the headboard.
"Bryce. Tell me."
"Because," he sighed, "when you have guys as friends, I know that they aren't going to screw you over. You handle guys better, and they know not to hurt you. But girls play by different rules. I knew Mena was mental, but I couldn't prove it, and you don't listen when someone's gotten past your walls."
I folded my arms over my chest and jutted my chin out. "Consider yourself included in that category."
"I know. I know. I get worried for you. I can hurt Corrigan. I can hurt any other guy, but girls are different. I can't hurt a girl if she hurts you. I don't like those rules."
I sighed as I understood his concerns. "Grace is not Mena."
"No, she's not, but she can't handle this life. And I'm worried for you because you're going to have to take care of her. You're going to get hurt because of her and because she won't be able to deal with things. We don't have an easy lifestyle. We fight. And it's not high school anymore. We've got the media. I've got a nation watching me, now watching you. Corrigan's got—hell, he's got that entire campus or so it seems. Grace isn't going to be able to handle what's coming at her."
I shifted even closer and slid until I felt him intimately between my legs. Bryce sucked in his breath and watched me, his eyes filled with desire. I grinned, one of those secretive smiles because I had the power in that moment. I arched my hips forward and nipped the corner of his mouth when he groaned.
Then I whispered against his lips, "She's my problem. Not yours. And Grace can handle a lot more than you give her credit for."
*Still Jaded is LIVE on Amazon*
Thanks for stopping by Brats, more soon :)
Tam
xxx
You will never guess who stopped by TheSecretBookBrat today... One of my absolute favourite writers, Tijan! Not only do I have an interview for all of you Tijan fans but I also have an exclusive teaser from her newest publication, Still Jaded.
As a writer, Tijan has been rather quiet about her work but has established a phenomenal following spanning a number of social networks! Her work is Young Adult, but a very different & maybe even darker perspective. This makes her writing addictive & once you read one of her novels, you have to read them all. I tried to figure out which of her books is the most popular & while the Fallen Crest Series is by far my personal fave, it was an impossible task to determine which books Tijan's fans loved more.
Tijan is fiercely private about her life but I was fortunate enough to be granted a sneak peak into her Writing World & what I found was nothing short of inspiring....
Does it surprise you that you have such a huge following spanning across your numerous social media sites?
YES! A part of me is waiting for the day when everyone will go away and stop reading my books, but until that day comes I am very very grateful, and even after that day I will still be writing.
What does writing mean to you?
Everything. I have to write to exist. That might sound weird, but writing is as essential to me as breathing. I grew up with storylines in my head from my imagination. Then one day I HAD to get them out of me. I sought the nearest computer, one of the oldest computers I’ve ever seen at my family’s cabin, and poured it all out. It was the best vacation I’ve ever had. I spent the next six days writing, running, and drinking coffee. J I think these elements are put into a lot of my stories.
Which of your novels, both published &WIP, is your favourite?
Sentiment Lost holds a special place in my heart. It’s very rough and hard to read, but I love the characters and I love the deeper meaning in that story. It’s my voice to the world, pleading with people to think deeper, push past wants and needs, and be challenged in a way that’ll help heal the world. Then, on the flip side, is the Fallen Crest Series. It’s dark, edgy, and carnal. I’m very excited to write the third in the series because I’m hoping to really get into the relationships between Mason, Logan, and Sam and how far each of them will go for each other. FCH was about how they got together. FCP is their fight to be together and the third (still unnamed) is actually about the relationships.
How do your characters make themselves known to you?
It’s not really the characters, but it’s a feeling I get for a story. As I write to get that feeling out, the characters are produced to me from thoughts or moments of inspiration (movies and music). They’re like tools to showcase what I’m trying to express to the readers. For example: I feel that there’s something dark and addicting about FCH. Home Torn was about family and healing. Sentiment Lost was about the deeper sense of humanity and how philosophical our world can be. Davy was about the battle between the conscious and unconscious. Although, after reading over my answers, I have to laugh about Brady Remington Landed Me in Jail because this was the opposite. Brady came to me when I was at my computer one day, bored, and I watched our neighbour leave his home. He struck me as odd and then Brady was born from him. I never saw the guy again. I think they moved out that weekend.
When you are working on more than one story, what is your writing process like?
It will depend. Each story is different. FCH came to me in bits and pieces until I sat down at my computer and wrote out the outline. That took me a weekend, and then I just started writing it. Carter Reed was the same, I planned the outline first. However, this hasn’t been the case with most of my other books. I’ll plan in stages so I can get everything wrapped up or had all the twists discovered. With other books, I let the characters write the story and I’m just the one with the fingers on the keyboard. I enjoy those the most because I’m enjoying the story as much as my readers who enjoy it.
How do you separate what you’re working on?
Again it depends. Each story takes different things from me: different thoughts, feelings, universes, traditions, etc. I try to immerse myself into each separate story, though, so sometimes it can be emotionally exhausting. When I need a break from one story, I’ll go to a different one that might be more ‘lighter’ (at that moment). They never stay ‘light’.
When you look at Characters like Sam, from FCH, is there are a part of you in her character? Or is there something about you in all your characters?
I am in every single character that I write, otherwise I couldn’t write them. If the character calls for something I wouldn’t do, then I’ll try to imagine someone in my real life and what they would say or do.
What advice do you have for aspiring writers?
Best advice I can give: stop worrying about how to write and just write. Write, write, write, write, write, etc. Turn off the editor and proofreader in your head and get lost with your characters. I never thought I was a writer, not through elementary, high school, or even undergraduate college. Either I didn’t pay attention in those classes or my instructors didn’t teach it very well. (I think it was me since most of my attention was spent on the cute guy in the next seat or how to get out of school) JSo if you want to write, just write. I taught myself through internet, books, how-to articles, and feedback. I’m STILL learning how to do it.
And now Brats.... Time for a *TEASER* from Still Jaded, the highly anticipated sequel to Jaded....
With lust in his eyes, Bryce leaned back and grinned predatorily. He slid a hand across my stomach and fingered just inside my underwear. I sucked in my breath and caught his hand as I panted. "I want to know why you don't like my girlfriends."
Bryce groaned in protest and tried to kiss my collarbone. I dodged and grabbed his hands. Then I pinned them against the headboard.
"Bryce. Tell me."
"Because," he sighed, "when you have guys as friends, I know that they aren't going to screw you over. You handle guys better, and they know not to hurt you. But girls play by different rules. I knew Mena was mental, but I couldn't prove it, and you don't listen when someone's gotten past your walls."
I folded my arms over my chest and jutted my chin out. "Consider yourself included in that category."
"I know. I know. I get worried for you. I can hurt Corrigan. I can hurt any other guy, but girls are different. I can't hurt a girl if she hurts you. I don't like those rules."
I sighed as I understood his concerns. "Grace is not Mena."
"No, she's not, but she can't handle this life. And I'm worried for you because you're going to have to take care of her. You're going to get hurt because of her and because she won't be able to deal with things. We don't have an easy lifestyle. We fight. And it's not high school anymore. We've got the media. I've got a nation watching me, now watching you. Corrigan's got—hell, he's got that entire campus or so it seems. Grace isn't going to be able to handle what's coming at her."
I shifted even closer and slid until I felt him intimately between my legs. Bryce sucked in his breath and watched me, his eyes filled with desire. I grinned, one of those secretive smiles because I had the power in that moment. I arched my hips forward and nipped the corner of his mouth when he groaned.
Then I whispered against his lips, "She's my problem. Not yours. And Grace can handle a lot more than you give her credit for."
*Still Jaded is LIVE on Amazon*
Thanks for stopping by Brats, more soon :)
Tam
xxx
April 23, 2013
*Cover Reveal: Choices by Sydney Lane*
HI Brats
It's time for another Cover Reveal & let me tell you, this is one book I'm eager to get my hands on! Who doesn't love a good love triangle? Especially between two different yet equally hot brothers.... Can you say "Yummmmmm".....
Here's Choices by Sydney Lane!
Choices Fate brought her here, but will her choices destroy her dreams? Quincy Priest made all the right choices in her small town, black-and-white life. But being perfect is tiring. So. Very. Tiring. Wanting desperately to step out of her sister's shadow, Quincy jumps at the opportunity to attend college with her best friend. The quiet bookworm with family secrets comes out of her shell. But when Quincymeets not one, but two perfect guys, she has to make a choice. In doing so, she might forfeit the relationship she secretly longed to find. Declan. Sweet, handsome, and perfect. He makes her feel cherished for the first time in her life. Brody. Sexy, hot, and irresistible. He could tear down her carefully built walls. Before she can become the woman she wants to be, Quincy will make mistakes. And suffer one unimaginable loss. When I turn to say goodbye, Brody is close to me. He puts his hands on my waist and walks me backward, pushing me against my car.His lips whisper across mine. “Quince, I meant what I said. I don’t share. I don’t know what’s going on with you and Declan, but when he looks at you, I can see his feelings written all over his face. Seeing him looking at you like that is driving me insane. If I didn’t love him so damn much, I would kick his ass.”His body is tense, and his eyes pierce right through me. “He’s my brother, Quince.”He takes a deep breath and backs away. *Add 'Choices' to your TBR list on Goodreads* ** ** ** ** ** ** More soon my Brats :) Tam xxx
It's time for another Cover Reveal & let me tell you, this is one book I'm eager to get my hands on! Who doesn't love a good love triangle? Especially between two different yet equally hot brothers.... Can you say "Yummmmmm".....
Here's Choices by Sydney Lane!
Choices Fate brought her here, but will her choices destroy her dreams? Quincy Priest made all the right choices in her small town, black-and-white life. But being perfect is tiring. So. Very. Tiring. Wanting desperately to step out of her sister's shadow, Quincy jumps at the opportunity to attend college with her best friend. The quiet bookworm with family secrets comes out of her shell. But when Quincymeets not one, but two perfect guys, she has to make a choice. In doing so, she might forfeit the relationship she secretly longed to find. Declan. Sweet, handsome, and perfect. He makes her feel cherished for the first time in her life. Brody. Sexy, hot, and irresistible. He could tear down her carefully built walls. Before she can become the woman she wants to be, Quincy will make mistakes. And suffer one unimaginable loss. When I turn to say goodbye, Brody is close to me. He puts his hands on my waist and walks me backward, pushing me against my car.His lips whisper across mine. “Quince, I meant what I said. I don’t share. I don’t know what’s going on with you and Declan, but when he looks at you, I can see his feelings written all over his face. Seeing him looking at you like that is driving me insane. If I didn’t love him so damn much, I would kick his ass.”His body is tense, and his eyes pierce right through me. “He’s my brother, Quince.”He takes a deep breath and backs away. *Add 'Choices' to your TBR list on Goodreads* ** ** ** ** ** ** More soon my Brats :) Tam xxx
*Beneath Your Beautiful Teaser*
Hi Brats :)
I'm about to crawl into my writing cave but decided it was time to give you your first teaser from my novel, Beneath Your Beautiful :)
“Huntley?” I look up and stop dead when I see Grayson standing in front of me. In nothing but a towel. Oh God. His chest is wet, the water droplets sliding down between his abdominal muscles. He has that v muscle that girls go crazy for and I can see why. It leads straight to his… I shake my head.
“I…um…I….shit…sorry.” I slap my hand over my eyes. My brain has stopped functioning. I can’t even string a coherent sentence together.
“If you’re looking for Coach you’re a little late.”
“Yeah, I’ll..uh..just come back to see him tomorrow.” I keep my eyes closed and take a step back only to hit the wall. I need to leave but that means opening my eyes. I would rather fumble my way out of here than open my eyes and look at Grayson’s wet, naked chest. As long as he stays where he is, this won’t be a problem. I can leave and he can carry on doing whatever he was doing. Good plan.
I move to the left along the wall but stop when I feel an arm next to my face. I can smell him, feel him, standing in front of me. He smells like mint and soap and fresh apple pie.
Breathe I tell myself. Just breath.
“Open your eyes Huntley,” Grayson whispers. His warm breath caresses my throat.
“No.” My voice comes out all breathy and I curse myself for not sounding more confident. C’mon, pull it together girl…
“Please,” he pleads softly. “I want you to look at me.”
He trails his nose down my throat and back up, stopping at the soft piece of skin right under my earlobe. My breaths are coming in short erratic gasps and I can’t stop the involuntary shiver that travels down my spine and into the core of my stomach. I want him. Right now.
“Huntley,” he says again, growling softly. It’s a demand. One I wish I could ignore. My eyes flutter open and I look up into crystal pools of Jade with wet hair hanging just above arched brows. Grayson’s arms are next to my face, caging me in. He towers over me with his tall frame and his proximity should scare me. But it doesn’t. His arms are well-built, his muscles tense under his skin. I ache to reach out and touch the beautiful man staring so intently at me but I keep my hands firmly at my sides.
“Grayson,” I whisper. Now I’m the one pleading. He’s too close and he smells so good. This is bad. Very, very bad.
“Take a look, I know you want to.” His lips move but I hardly hear what he’s saying. I’m too focused on not kissing him when his lips are so close. I wonder idly what they feel like, what they taste like, what I would do if they grazed every part of my overexcited body.
“What?” I say, pulling my attention away from his mouth.
He chuckles and I watch his chest move with the sound. “I said,” his voice still a breathy whisper, “You can look. I know you want to.”
I swallow. Hard.
Of course he’s right. I want to look.
So I do.
His lips are parted, his breathing coming out in short wisps like mine. His chin is covered in light stubble and I have the sudden urge to lick it. The skin on his neck is smooth, still coated in droplets of water that skate over the light freckles on his shoulders. I know his shoulders are broad but I didn’t see how broad until now. My scrutiny stops at his pecs and spot the little silver bar sticking out of his nipple. Fuuuuck. That’s so sexy. I bite my tongue to prevent myself from pulling it into my mouth. His hand slips under my shirt and rests on my hip. His thumb traces lazy circles on my hip bone and my skin blazes from the fervour of that small stroke. Oh.My.God. He’s teasing me, tempting me. I rest my hands in his chest and gently graze my index fingers over his nipples. It makes me smile when I feel him shiver. He isn’t as unaffected as he’d have me think. I look back up and he’s staring at me, trying to see right into my soul. It’s unnerving, like the feel of his racing heartbeat under my palm. I like that it’s racing because of me.He moves his leg and pushes it up between the apex of my thighs. I bite my lip but it doesn’t stop a moan from escaping my mouth. He has me so tightly strung I’m afraid one more slight brush of his leg will set me off. “Do you know how crazy you make me?” he asks, his eyes never leaving mine. I nod and he gives me his lopsided grin. God I want to kiss him so badly. “Why have you been avoiding me?” I ask. I need to know. We can’t keep tip-toeing around each other like this. “Because this is a bad idea. You’re going to break me and I’m already damaged. I’m just not sure how much longer I can stay away from you.” His answer surprises me. I take a step forward, his bare chest only a sliver of space away from mine. “Then why don’t you stop trying?” I whisper, so close to his face that if he stuck out his tongue to lick his lips it would brush mine in the process.
I'm about to crawl into my writing cave but decided it was time to give you your first teaser from my novel, Beneath Your Beautiful :)
“Huntley?” I look up and stop dead when I see Grayson standing in front of me. In nothing but a towel. Oh God. His chest is wet, the water droplets sliding down between his abdominal muscles. He has that v muscle that girls go crazy for and I can see why. It leads straight to his… I shake my head.
“I…um…I….shit…sorry.” I slap my hand over my eyes. My brain has stopped functioning. I can’t even string a coherent sentence together.
“If you’re looking for Coach you’re a little late.”
“Yeah, I’ll..uh..just come back to see him tomorrow.” I keep my eyes closed and take a step back only to hit the wall. I need to leave but that means opening my eyes. I would rather fumble my way out of here than open my eyes and look at Grayson’s wet, naked chest. As long as he stays where he is, this won’t be a problem. I can leave and he can carry on doing whatever he was doing. Good plan.
I move to the left along the wall but stop when I feel an arm next to my face. I can smell him, feel him, standing in front of me. He smells like mint and soap and fresh apple pie.
Breathe I tell myself. Just breath.
“Open your eyes Huntley,” Grayson whispers. His warm breath caresses my throat.
“No.” My voice comes out all breathy and I curse myself for not sounding more confident. C’mon, pull it together girl…
“Please,” he pleads softly. “I want you to look at me.”
He trails his nose down my throat and back up, stopping at the soft piece of skin right under my earlobe. My breaths are coming in short erratic gasps and I can’t stop the involuntary shiver that travels down my spine and into the core of my stomach. I want him. Right now.
“Huntley,” he says again, growling softly. It’s a demand. One I wish I could ignore. My eyes flutter open and I look up into crystal pools of Jade with wet hair hanging just above arched brows. Grayson’s arms are next to my face, caging me in. He towers over me with his tall frame and his proximity should scare me. But it doesn’t. His arms are well-built, his muscles tense under his skin. I ache to reach out and touch the beautiful man staring so intently at me but I keep my hands firmly at my sides.
“Grayson,” I whisper. Now I’m the one pleading. He’s too close and he smells so good. This is bad. Very, very bad.
“Take a look, I know you want to.” His lips move but I hardly hear what he’s saying. I’m too focused on not kissing him when his lips are so close. I wonder idly what they feel like, what they taste like, what I would do if they grazed every part of my overexcited body.
“What?” I say, pulling my attention away from his mouth.
He chuckles and I watch his chest move with the sound. “I said,” his voice still a breathy whisper, “You can look. I know you want to.”
I swallow. Hard.
Of course he’s right. I want to look.
So I do.
His lips are parted, his breathing coming out in short wisps like mine. His chin is covered in light stubble and I have the sudden urge to lick it. The skin on his neck is smooth, still coated in droplets of water that skate over the light freckles on his shoulders. I know his shoulders are broad but I didn’t see how broad until now. My scrutiny stops at his pecs and spot the little silver bar sticking out of his nipple. Fuuuuck. That’s so sexy. I bite my tongue to prevent myself from pulling it into my mouth. His hand slips under my shirt and rests on my hip. His thumb traces lazy circles on my hip bone and my skin blazes from the fervour of that small stroke. Oh.My.God. He’s teasing me, tempting me. I rest my hands in his chest and gently graze my index fingers over his nipples. It makes me smile when I feel him shiver. He isn’t as unaffected as he’d have me think. I look back up and he’s staring at me, trying to see right into my soul. It’s unnerving, like the feel of his racing heartbeat under my palm. I like that it’s racing because of me.He moves his leg and pushes it up between the apex of my thighs. I bite my lip but it doesn’t stop a moan from escaping my mouth. He has me so tightly strung I’m afraid one more slight brush of his leg will set me off. “Do you know how crazy you make me?” he asks, his eyes never leaving mine. I nod and he gives me his lopsided grin. God I want to kiss him so badly. “Why have you been avoiding me?” I ask. I need to know. We can’t keep tip-toeing around each other like this. “Because this is a bad idea. You’re going to break me and I’m already damaged. I’m just not sure how much longer I can stay away from you.” His answer surprises me. I take a step forward, his bare chest only a sliver of space away from mine. “Then why don’t you stop trying?” I whisper, so close to his face that if he stuck out his tongue to lick his lips it would brush mine in the process.
