Jennifer Theriot's Blog
August 17, 2016
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April 2, 2015
Fortune Brawling (The Fortune Series Book 2)
Two guitars. Two wild women. One crazy honky tonking night in Georgia. The Ace is high and the Joker is always wild.
When Texas meets Tennessee, the end result spells T.R.O.U.B.L.E
In Story Two of The Fortune Series, we find country musician Dallas Fortune in a tight spot. Guitar God Billie Joe McAllister has betrayed her once again. As if by magic, her BFF from Ft. Worth Texas, guitarist Jodie Marie Jennings, drives all night to come to her aid in a time of need.
What happens at Bud’s honky tonk in Trenton, Georgia should stay at Bud’s, but it doesn’t. What went wrong? Who gets in trouble and who gets revenge? Who are JD Fowler and Tom Vanderfleet? What does the best fairy godmother in Country Music history do to save the day this time around? These questions and more secrets are revealed in this adventurous, lighthearted and fun contemporary novelette.
Fortune Brawling is the second story in The Fortune Series. Set in contemporary Nashville and the surrounding rural areas. The series chronicles the life and loves of Dallas Fortune.
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Toccata Obbligato ~ Serenading Kyra
Todd O’Malley has been called many things, from filthy mouthed jerk to legendary Rock God. With his outlandish cocky demeanor – tatted up and pierced, compared in looks to Adam Levine – his constant use of the F-bomb, and the seductive gyrations he performs for the ladies on stage, affirm he is a man every woman craves. But there is only one woman who is able to capture his heart, Kyra Edwards.
That chance meeting at a little coffee shop in Evanston began their journey of compromise, pain, dedication and love.
From the night he took her virginity to Todd’s past sex-capades and consequences threatening their relationship, will Kyra be able to deal with it? With Todd and his band Avenue touring on the road, can he prove to Kyra that he is a changed man? Can he be faithful and avoid temptation?
Jennifer Theriot brings us yet another love story that will capture our hearts. This is truly a story of Beauty and the Beast, where we admire the beauty that is Kyra and adore the beast known as Todd.
You loved him in Out of the Box Awakening and Out of the Box Regifted. In the pages of Toccata Obbligato ~Serenading Kyra, you’ll get inside his head – see what makes him tick and get to know the woman who captured his heart……
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Out Of The Box Regifted
When Life Gives You a Second Chance, Embrace it Like There’s No Tomorrow!
Out of the Box Regifted is the 2nd book in the highly rated Out of the Box series, which focuses on second chances and romance from the other side…..of 30.
The main characters are older, but there is a tatted up rock band thrown into the mix. Each character will win your heart and take you on one helluva ride.
Out of the Box Regifted starts with a new beginning for Olivia and Ash. What could possibly stop them from finding their happily ever after?
In order to move on, Olivia must face the haunting demons from her past life with Alan, her ex husband. Demands and more betrayals will force her to come to grips with things she can’t change and practice forgiveness not only for those in her past, but for herself as well.
Faced with his own hidden secrets, will Ash allow Olivia to stand by him? In the midst of happiness, this blended family will find they will also have to trust in the love and family bonds to get them through what is coming next or they will self-destruct. How long can Ash keep parts of his life hidden from those who love him?
Will Olivia be able to gain the confidence she needs to explore the new life Ash is offering while staying true to herself? Can she let go of the need to know the whole truth and be willing to trust what she’s building with Ash?
Follow Olivia Petersen on this next chapter of her journey as she discards the meek, obedient wife role and morphs into the free spirited, determined woman who not only deserves to be loved, but commands respect from those in her life. Can she maintain her courage to seek what she needs to be free from the past, while clinging on to what Ash offered her as a future?
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Out Of The Box Awakening
Olivia is a good woman, a good mother, a good wife. She’s got it made. She doesn’t want anything to change.
Of course, it does…
Swept from her perfect paper-doll life in Houston, Olivia finds herself in Chicago, alone, betrayed, and far from home. Soon everything she thought she knew about herself and her life will be challenged. She has only courage, love, and her passion for music to carry her through the maelstrom—or draw her further in.
Ash is the man who has everything—everything except healing from the losses of a lifetime. His only peace lies in the sweet flow of music pouring from his guitar.
What happens when the married woman and the sexy handsome widower are thrown together by fate?
Out of the Box Awakening is a story about second chances, shared passion and shared joy. Jennifer Theriot has written a compelling book about what happens when two people find new life and new love for themselves and for those around them.
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February 15, 2015
Surrender to Angela Ford and her NEW RELEASE!
I’m so proud to post about this new release by my dear friend and fellow author, Angela Ford. Surrender to her and One Click this baby NOW!
Surrender by Angela Ford
Buy Now at Amazon! Surrender by Angela Ford
A sexy narcotics agent and a rich suburban widow are weaved into a tangled mess…one hot steamy night weaves them into tangled sheets.
SURRENDER…
Lauren Reynolds is widowed after an explosion in her husband’s warehouse. She believed he ran a legitimate business. The local police told her it was an accident. On the day of his funeral, there is a knock at her door to tell her different.
Narcotics Agent Brett Donovan has been investigating John Reynolds for the past several months. A drug cartel operation has been tracked out of John’s warehouse. As if that information wasn’t enough to digest, Agent Donovan warns her there was a hit assigned for both Mr. & Mrs. Reynolds.
Brett is assigned to protect the suburban widow. She may be gorgeous but his first impression of her tells him she’s a rich spoiled snob and he has to put up with her. Brett is good at his job. The first attempt on her life fails but Brett knows it’s only the beginning. He takes her into hiding. There’s definite attraction but there’s also secrets that surface as they continue to escape danger.
He lives for danger. She lives for new shoes at Saks. One night in a motel room with no-air-conditioning and a sexy naked agent captures their desire for one another. Will the tangled mess they’re weaved into and their secrets lead them back into tangled sheets?
Is desire enough when they are from two different worlds? Or are they?
Click Here to Buy Surrender by Angela Ford in Paperback
Excerpt from Surrender
“You need to relax. Don’t take this the wrong way, but you’re very uptight,” Brett informed her.
“I have every right to be uptight. My husband just died. Someone wants me dead. You’re parading around naked. I’m stuck in a dingy motel room—with no air conditioning I might add.”
“There’s only one way to shut you up.” Brett smiled and took her in his arms quickly and kissed her.
Lauren took a step back and looked at him. She wasn’t sure whether to slap him or kiss him. An inevitable desire to kiss him answered for her. Her hands touched his chest. She felt his heart pound. He hadn’t yet dressed. She felt his arousal against her. His lips parted. His fresh-showered scent drove her senses wild. Nothing else mattered at this moment. Desire overcame her as she met his inviting kiss. His lips brushed against hers as the thought of danger left her thoughts. The fact she’d just buried her husband no longer registered. She opened her mouth to deepen his kiss and the outside world disappeared. She stepped back toward the bed. He followed her lead without letting go of the kiss. A tangled mess led to tangled sheets as they devoured every inch of each other’s bodies.
Surrender can also be found in the Valentine Romance collection. Four Best-Selling Authors come together in a Valentine Anthology!
Valentine Romance by Angela Ford, Jennifer Conner, Sharon Kleve, and Natalie-Nicole Bates
http://www.amazon.com/Valentine-Romance-Short-Story-Romances-ebook/dp/B00SZ9617Y/
Angela Ford originates from Nova Scotia…Canada’s Ocean Playground! Her love of the ocean and sunsets are always in her heart and give her inspiration. Her love for words keeps her turning the page. She is never without a book, whether she’s reading or writing. Now residing in Ontario, Angela works in Finance – numbers by day – words by night. Her dedication to volunteer and involvement with cyber safety seminars gave her an Award of Distinction and sparked the idea for her first book Closure – suspense with a dash of romance that hit the best- selling Action/Adventure. Her next release, Unforgettable Kiss, delivers a romance with a dash of suspense. Forbidden released in June 2014…Closure’s sequel. September 2014 releases Blind Tasting of The Love List series. 2014 ended with a Christmas romance The Christmas Wreath of the Forever Christmas series. Between two jobs, being a mom with a home always young adults and rather interesting stories; she is lucky to have one very patient and understanding man. But it is the furry family members who rule the house – a Puggle, Pughuahua and two loveable cats. Every possible quiet moment she finds, she treasures and just writes about the moments to come. Angela is an avid reader of romance, a member of the RWA and Mississauga Writers Group. You can follow her at BTGN www.bookstogonow.com or visit her website/blog Romantic Escapes at http://www.angelafordauthor.com to connect with her on her social network sites. She loves to hear from her readers – they keep her smiling!
Click here to find all Angela’s books on Amazon
Author Links
Romantic Escapes – Angela Ford – Website
Facebook – Angela Ford Twitter – Angela Ford Goodreads – Angela Ford
Amazon – Angela Ford LinkedIn – Angela Ford Pinterest – Angela Ford Books to Go Now
Surrender’s Book Trailer on Youtube
A big thank you to the bloggers involved in Surrender’s Blog Tour!
Amanda Miller
Jennifer Theriot
Mikky’s World Of Books
Jennifer Conner
Once Upon An Alpha
Read Our Thoughts Book Blog
Willow’s Author Love
Amber Daulton
Vision And Verse
Snuggle Books
Carol Ann Kauffman
Mary B.
Jackie Marilla
Fictional Rendezvous Book Blog
Readers Heaven
Diary Of A Book Addict
Joanne Jaytanie
Stephanie Stovall
Padme’s Library
Serenity Author Promotions (Blogger)
Jess Clarke
Sharon Kleve
Sweet And Sassy Bookaholics
Quilton’s Blog
Crazy Lady’s Book Blog
Iyana Jenna
Carol Ann Kauffman
Serenity Author Promotions (Website)
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February 10, 2015
Yeah, HELL Yeah! Here comes T.R.O.U.B.L.E.
Two Wild Women. One Crazy Honky Tonking Night.
FORTUNE BRAWLING The Story of Dallas Fortune.
(The Fortune Series, Story 2)
By
Hunter S. Jones & Jennifer Theriot
Two guitars. Two wild women. One crazy honky tonking night in Georgia. The Ace is high and the Joker is always wild.
When Texas meets Tennessee the end result spells T.R.O.U.B.L.E
In story two of The Fortune Series, we find country musician Dallas Fortune in a tight spot. Guitar God, Billie Joe McAllister, has betrayed her once again. As if by magic, her BFF from Ft. Worth Texas, guitarist Jodie Marie Jennings, drives all night to come to her aid in a time of need.
What happens at Bud’s honky tonk in Trenton, Georgia should stay at Bud’s, but it doesn’t. What went wrong? Who gets in trouble and who gets revenge? Who are JD Fowler and Tom Vanderfleet? What does the best fairy godmother in Country Music history do to save the day this time around? These questions and more secrets are revealed in this adventurous, light hearted and fun contemporary novelette.
Guitars. Hillbilly Music. Nashville, Tennessee. Fortune Brawling is the second story in The Fortune Series. Set in contemporary Nashville and the surrounding rural areas. The series chronicles the life and loves of Dallas Fortune.
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February 8, 2015
Fortune Brawling: Where Texas Meets Tennessee & the End Result Spells T.R.O.U.B.L.E.
FORTUNE BRAWLING #Excerpt T-R-O-U-B-L-E
Today, I am super>uber excited to feature the soon to be released novellette, FORTUNE BRAWLING. This is story 2 in The Fortune Series, the life and loves of country musician Dallas Fortune. This story is co-written by best selling authors Hunter S. Jones and Jennifer Theriot.
When Texas meets Tennessee, the end result spells T-R-O-U-B-L-E.
Fortune Brawling: The Story of Dallas Fortune . (The Fortune Series Story 2.) is set to be released very soon. Best selling author Jennifer Theriot has contributed to the novelette and introduces us to Dallas Fortune’s BFF, musician Jodie Marie Jennings from Ft. Worth, Texas. You will also meet a new character named Tom Vanderfleet who recalls a quote from a guitar man long ago…Love wears a white Stetson. Here’s an excerpt from Fortune Brawling, where we meet Tom Vanderfleet.
~~~
THE BARTENDER
The cell phone rang at the exact time the email had stated. Nervously, I punched accept and answered.
“Hello?”
“Hello, please hold the line for Mr. Jordan Simmons.” With a click I was placed into a world of elevator music, wondering if this would be a good call or a bad call. Dallas won’t accept any calls from me or answer my emails. If I could talk to her, we could get this all going the right way. We don’t need lawyers or receptionists or elevator music. All we need is to see each other one more time. I will let her know the truth and we can have a real chance at happiness. If she will just give me that one chance I can explain everything.
A man’s voice brought me to reality. “This is Jordan Simmons calling you from Nashville, Tennessee. Our call will be recorded, as part of the legal procedure we are pursuing. In order to keep our discussion brief, please only answer the question you are asked. Do you understand?”
“Yessir.”
“Your full legal name please?”
Thomas Garrett Vanderfleet IV”
“Address?”
“238 Lookout Lane, Sand Mountain, Alabama 35951.”
“Occupation?”
“Currrently unemployed but…”
Please, only answer the question you are asked, Mr. Vanderfleet. Understood?”
“Yessir, I do.”
“Where you at Bud’s, located at 13786 Ringgold Road, Trenton Georgia 30752 on the night of March 31 of this year?”
“Yessir, I was there.”
“Did you meet a female by the name of Dallas Fortune?”
“Meet her? I married her!”
“Mr. Vanderfleet, may I call you Tom?”
“Yessir.”
“We’re going to follow a logical process of questioning here. Got it Tom? I ask the question you in turn will answer the question and nothing more. Do I make myself clear? Do you understand?”
“Got it, Mr. Simmons. I’m just all emotional like over this.”
“A completely human emotion, Tom. You’ve had a bit of excitement in a short amount of time. I’m here to help you get it all unraveled so that you can get on with your life.”
“What if I don’t want to get on with my life? At least not without her.”
A pen tapped on the table, with the tapping mirroring my heartbeat. After a pause, Jordan Simmons said, “Look Tom, Dallas is something else and one helluva woman, but I assure you, man-to-man, there is not a force on the planet that will make a woman stay with a man once she’s made up her mind to go. Now, I know that from personal experience. Once they’re ready to go, there is no way on earth to make them stay. This is off the record, by the way. No amount of money, flowers or gifts will do it. I know. Hell, I’ll be working til I’m eighty years old. I’ve got two ex-wives, three kids, a 28 year old girlfriend, well actually two 28 year old girlfriends, and I will never make any of these women happy. Look what Liz Taylor did to Richard Burton. He gave her the biggest diamond in the world. Didn’t work. She keeps the diamond. They’ve got what we want. If you get in too deep, you get addicted not only to IT, but to her. Those smart ones work on a man just like heroin or whiskey. You can’t get over IT and you can never get enough of IT. Sounds as if Dallas gave you a big dose of IT. Maybe more IT than you have ever had. Probably the best IT you have ever had. But, I guarantee you, once they decide they are over you, it’s done, it’s over, it’s like Rover and it’s dead all over. Now, can we get on with this? I ain’t got all day.”
“All right Mr. Simmons. You’re a little high strung, but I get your drift. Let’s get on with the questions.”
“To recap; you were at Bud’s on Friday night, March 31, earlier this year. While you were at Bud’s you met a female named Dallas Fortune. You can call me Jordan, if you’d like.”
“Yessir, I did. Thank you Jordan.”
“If you will Tom, please state what type of establishment Bud’s is.”
“Bud’s is what we call here a honky tonk. It has music, alcohol and Bud’s has the best fried boloney sandwiches in the Chattanooga area. On Tuesday’s and Thursday’s there’s dollar beer night from 6:00 to 8:00pm. Wednesday is Ladies Night. All women get in free.”
“Sounds like my kinda place, Tom. Now, tell me what you believe happened that night.”
(C) 2015 Ra Jones Publishing
~~~~
Here’s the international link to Fortune Calling, Story 1, The Story of Dallas Fortune.
myBook.to/Fortune
This short story is currently available for only 99c so get a copy today. It’s been the #1 Historical Fiction short story on Amazon and ranked at #8 Cultural Heritage in 2014.
You can follow the Pinterest board for TheFortuneSeries here:
https://www.pinterest.com/huntersjone.... Look for the cover of Fortune Brawling on February 21. This is one fun read. It will have you laughing, crying and wondering…what was she thinking?… #CantWait
Fortune Sml
Listen to the playlist
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Rating: 10.0/10 (1 vote cast)
FORTUNE BRAWLING #Excerpt T-R-O-U-B-L-E, 10.0 out of 10 based on 1 rating
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January 25, 2015
Diane Rinella Nails it with Something to Dream On…..
If a painting in the home of your perfect man reflects your dreams of doom, do you run, or do you dare to embrace love?
While Lizetta lives a life of compassion, childhood bullying over a few extra pounds have caused this sparky woman to lose sight of the beauty of her soul. Jensen’s recent past is filled with substance abuse, shady morals, and loose women. A brutal wake up call forced him to find his way back to the gentle soul he once was; however, there are some whose futures depend on the return of the demon.
Souls can heal, but how long can they fight the forces that seek to destroy them? If one of those forces is the person who shattered your self-image, and she is determined to take down the one you love, could you still believe that everyone deserves a second chance?
Currently on sale of 99 cents, or free with Kindle Unlimited.
Why I Wrote Something To Dream On
By Diane Rinella
Someone once told me that there is truth tucked into every joke, every comment, and every piece of fiction. Thus, fiction and reality go hand in hand.
After releasing Scary Modsters … and Creepy Freaks, I had a hard time getting traction on a new story. I strive to be original, which is in no way easy, and it felt like every time I sat at my computer the same old love story popped out. Maybe I just wasn’t inspired, or maybe the universe had not yet spoken. Then one day the universe screamed.
I was chatting with a friend online—a grown woman—who was being bullied over her physical attributes—by a grown man. Worse, the guy thought he was being clever, or maybe he wanted to be indiscreet, and did it in code—on Facebook, right on his wall, using the public setting—for her and the rest of the world to see. He spoke of a group she was a part of and the friends she had. He even directly spoke of our activities. His friends joined in—friends who were also grown men and women. Their childish behavior, and who it was aimed at, could not have been more obvious.
Fortunately, my friend is a survivor who knows how to roll with the punches. She could have fought back, and while I do feel there is a time and a place for it, it was clear that these people just wanted someone to pick on—someone to make them feel superior. In the end, she felt it best to ignore the idiots. Naturally, when she failed to fight back, they called it quits. After all, what fun is it for a bully when his victim doesn’t play along?
That incident drove me to start writing, and while it took a lot of other elements to make Something To Dream On something other than an average story about bullying, the fire had been lit. Something To Dream On is my way to show people that they can be stronger—be they victims or bullies. We can all overcome our insecurities and use our passions to make the world a better place.
So in getting back to the truth in fiction, Something To Dream On came out of a real event that was brought on by someone being a real jerk and a friend who took the high road, thus making the world better by not feeding the bully machine. Sadly, the guy who did the teasing still seems to be an ass; however, the person he attacked taught me how to be a better person. For that, I will always be grateful.
Want to read some Excerpts from the book?
EXCERPT 1
Tingles blanket my skin, bringing about peace to my soul. At last, redemption is upon me. Her words paint my soul with a comfort that no drug could ever match. “I am so grateful for you and Etta. This sounds crazy, but I swear that right after he died, I heard Eddie’s voice saying to let the universe be my guide. I tried to understand, but I couldn’t get it until I saw Etta on the side of the road. I thought I was living my nightmare all over again, but an angel in scrubs appeared and gave me hope.”
“I looked such a mess that day,” she chokes out.
My hands cup her cheeks so I can capture her gaze. New tears form because more than ever I see what a gift she was. “You looked like a savior whose only concern wasn’t her own. You were the beacon of light that showed me I would be okay. I was so afraid that seeing Etta would send me begging for a needle and a spoon, but instead you both brought me deeper into salvation.” I squeeze her hands again to emphasize my plea. “You ground me. For months I have stayed on track because I had this dream that there was something better for me, something that could make me feel rooted. That dream is you.”
Lizetta’s tears mirror my own. Her eyes are so puffy and red that I worry for her all over again. When she grips my hand, both fear and anticipation fill me over her upcoming words. “Time and again, my father hurt me. When you first said that you were fighting an addiction, my mind went to the time he smacked Jimmy across the face so hard that blood sprayed. After that, every time Mom and Dad fought, Jimmy and I cowered together. I’ll also never shake Mom’s expression while trying to hide why the cops had come to the door on the day Dad died.
“My dad was a shameless bastard whose womanizing gave Mom Gonorrhea. Thank God she cut him off for good then and there, because eventually a hooker, a fling, or a needle infected him with HIV. The killing blow to our hearts came when Dad’s last day was spent in a motel room, dying alone with a needle in his arm. For years I have carried those images of my father, a man who couldn’t be bothered to shake a habit—not for his wife and certainly not for his kids. I grew to love Paul because he showed my family that we were worthy of happiness. Now you have basically told me that you got clean for yourself, but are willing to fight even harder for my sake. Do you have any idea how that sounds to a little girl who was hurt by her father, only to go to school each day and be ridiculed about her body? You too, Jensen, are a savior.”
EXCERPT 2
“Hi,” the flirty guy says. I return the greeting and smile. He is kind of cute, despite being wasted. Tipsy I can handle, but I really dislike being around anyone who is hardcore wasted.
He nods. “What’s your name?”
“Lizetta.”
“Hi, um, Liz. I’m Denny. This is Jerry.”
Jerry steps forward so that he is now by my side. Once I get the up/down full body glance from him, I accept what the game is. It’s proven when Jerry snickers. Even if I do stand a chance with Denny, Jerry’s judgment will likely convince his friend that I am not worth it.
Jerry motions to Denny not to bother and says he wants to go for another drink elsewhere. Denny steps up to shake my hand. He takes a good look at my body before saying it was nice to meet me and then makes his way back to his friends.
My eyes close off the scene. You’d think I’d be used to this by now. You’d think it would no longer rape my self-esteem, yet it does. This is so unfair. I have so much to offer. There is so much inside me that I long to share. My shell may not be perfect, but is it really all that bad? Doesn’t my heart matter? What about my soul?
The rap of Griffin’s fingers on the table creates a roll of thunder. He’s tireder of this happening to me than I am. Still, he sits in the shadows with the light barely catching the skin on top of his head and lets me handle it. He may not allow that for much longer though.
“Bye.” I give a friendly wave while trying to hide that my ego has been stomped on and smeared like a spider.
“What did you expect?” Jerry says. “Fatties turn into hags because they can’t get anything else.”
Griffin slams his hands onto the table, commanding their attention. When he steps out of the booth, Denny and Jerry turn to face a monolith. It’s like the scene in 2001: A Space Odyssey where the apes worship a wall of onyx; only instead of caressing it in wonder, these monkeys freeze in fear. Griffin’s voice sounds like God’s vibrato is rippling through Heaven and he is challenging them to a smack down. “I believe you meant to say, ‘It was a pleasure to have met you.’” Despite Griffin having muscles the size of machine-guns, that voice may be his scariest weapon.
I’m wished a nice day before the jerks grab their friends and flee the bar. Griffin sits, and his voice goes back to the way I am used to hearing it in casual situations—moderately flaming and laced with hospitality that makes you expect him to have a Southern accent. “You okay there, Honey Boo?”
I look Griffin in the eyes and tell him in no uncertain terms that I am fine. We both know I am full of it, but it is either that or do what I really want—give Denny a piece of my mind and then feel like an even bigger fool as I break down in front of him. I shouldn’t have to get used to childish people who have issues with my body, but that is what it comes down to. I can tell myself that their opinions don’t matter, but that doesn’t stop incidents like these from happening. I don’t know how many more times I can pick my shattered self-esteem off of the ground before I vow to never leave the house again.
I have got to do something about my appearance. Sadly, every diet in the book leads me down the same road—an instant loss of five pounds, then weeks and weeks of painfully adjusted eating that amounts to maybe another two pounds before I hit a wall and can’t seem to lose another ounce. Then the initial five pops back on. How can I be motivated to exercise when I come home exhausted each day? If I could see progress, I could find motivation. But to have my body reject my efforts, time and again, leaving me as embarrassed over myself as Denny just did, makes me question the point of trying. Why not just surrender to the other gifts God gave me and enjoy my life?
Sometimes I try to accept that I am really not all that big, but then moments like these happen and …
What is it going to take for someone to see that I am worth loving? It’s such a painful road that sometimes I am left to question my own value.
EXCERPT 3
Ambushed.
The moment I get home from work and step inside my apartment there is company on my tail—company with sweet breath that tickles my ear and reminds my body that it is male. “There you are. I missed you.” Usually when Laura does this, it’s a seductive whisper. Now she sounds like the Grim Reaper who has come to stake claim.
I sigh. “We’ve been through this already.”
I knew by the tone of the text she sent this morning that she’d soon pop in for a romp. It ain’t gonna happen, which is why I responded with a firm, “No, we are done.”
Laura strolls her way into my apartment as if I have rolled out the red carpet. Etta immediately comes to attention. Why can’t I shove Laura out the door like an intelligent person would? There is a difference between being a gentleman and being a doormat. I don’t mind becoming a bit of a wuss when it comes to Lizetta, but with this girl? No way.
“You mean the same game you and I have played for the last year? Every time you stop taking my calls it’s only to build the tension. I don’t mind you toying with me, but this go around lasting two months is pretty ridiculous.”
I never should have slept with her after I bailed out. The brain inside my dick that overrules my sanity needs to be lobotomized. It took forever for her to give me a break after that. It finally seemed to be working, too. The last time Laura called was the same day her brother, Larry, tried to get me to come back to the band, again. Coincidence? Probably not. A few hours later I reached my ninetieth day of sobriety. With the exception of the text I got when Lizetta and I were on our first date two weeks ago, I took the few weeks of quiet that followed as congratulations from God for making it. It’s been insanity ever since.
Hey, God. Thanks for nothing.
Laura also makes me bitchy as hell.
“It’s not a game, Laura.” I was always serious when I said no. It’s just that she can be rather persuasive in changing my mind.
She leans back on the sofa with one boot resting on it. Combat boots? What happened to heels? Given what she had started experimenting with when I left, this is a bad sign. Her skirt exposes the fact that she’s not wearing any underwear. I hate when she does that.
Actually, I wouldn’t exactly call it hate.
Why does everything with this woman have to be so challenging? Can’t she just be normal?
No, with the hell she has been through I suppose this is normal enough. I can’t think about it, or I’ll want to help her. She turns my compassion around and makes me defenseless. She doesn’t want sobriety; she wants love. She wants someone to swoop her up in a grand gesture of devotion. I can’t give her that. I won’t risk my sobriety for her, no matter how much she is hurting my heart.
Etta snarls at Laura, reminding me that I’m not supposed to feel for the woman. The spitefulness Laura brings out in me nearly has me hoping that Etta’s raised ears and tail mean she will turn vicious. I don’t want Laura harmed, but she’s exasperating. My head feels like it is going to explode, so I rest it against the wall and point to the door. “Laura. Please.”
She slides down farther, thus sending her skirt up, just in case I missed the obvious. To ensure that her message is sent she tugs down her tank top. It’s not a display of modesty like it is with Lizetta, but more an act of exposure since the neckline stretches down past where her bra should be. Sweet Lord. She may not have any class, but memories of those boobs come rushing back. How I’d love to—
Man, I know Lizetta and I have only had a few dates, but even if Laura weren’t such a skank, I couldn’t go there. I’m just trying to do something right in my life. It seems to be working, because not long ago I would already have been down to business.
I toss my keys on the coffee table—despite knowing I should keep them at the ready to use as a weapon. I’m not getting my ass, or any other part of my body, near that sofa, so I squat beside her. Laura may have serious issues, but that doesn’t mean she can’t be reasonable and that I should not try to be decent to her.
“Look. That reply I sent was serious. We are done. Please respect that and wish me happiness, just like I wish you.”
She stands like she is going to leave. Instead, she tromps up to Etta and looks down on her. “Where did this come from?”
Scratch what I thought about being a decent human. I’ve always known that Laura is more of a bitch than I want to admit. She’s proving me right. “That’s Etta. I adopted her.”
She stares straight at Etta and snickers. “You? You adopted a dog?”
“Why are you so surprised?” Etta, honey, if you rip her a new one, I promise not to think ill of you.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Enjoying San Francisco as a backdrop, the ghosts in Diane’s 150-year old Victorian home augment the chorus in her head. With insomnia as their catalyst, these voices have become multifarious characters that haunt her well into the sun’s crowning hours, refusing to let go until they have manipulated her into succumbing to their whims. Her experiences as an actress, business owner, artisan cake designer, software project manager, Internet radio disc jockey, vintage rock n’ roll journalist/fan girl, and lover of dark and quirky personalities influence her idiosyncratic writing.
Website: www.dianerinellaauthor.com
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TSU: https://www.tsu.co/DianeRinella
Video URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjdT0zUuKYI
Goodreads profile: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6592108.Diane_Rinella
My FIVE STAR review of Something to Dream On:
In reading the reviews written by others on this book, I have to concur. I purposely read this book slowly because I did not want it to end. It did end and I had to take a day to digest and collect my thoughts. Where do I even begin?
The saying that beauty lies from within rings so true in Lizetta. Her soul was damaged by bullying in her school years and had it not been for her best friend Griffin, I think she may have taken a different path. Griffin was there for her – always by her side with an unconditional friendship that was so touching and unique.
Enter Jensen, the damaged rocker who had hit rock bottom and alienated those who cared about him. He was abusive, not only to himself but to the very woman who gave him life. This story takes us on a magical journey to finding one’s self worth, standing up to the demons that haunt us and above all redemption.
Whether you’ve ever been bullied, or God forbid have bullied someone, this book is a testament to the fact that you can heal – you can make amends and be that person who makes a difference in someone’s life.
Do opposites attract? Can a gorgeous man possibly see something in a girl who feels she is inferior – complete with self esteem and body image issues? Absolutely! Do animals really have insight into our lives? Can they feel what we feel? Absolutely! Can you hit rock bottom, pick yourself up and decide to get clean? Absolutely!
In this book, we meet three people all with different “issues” but yet they are the same in many facets. They are all afraid to trust, find it hard to believe in themselves, they’re scared and lack confidence.
The emotion that radiates throughout the pages of this book grabbed at my heart. This is a love story. It’s not about sex or lust, but rather about true romance – seeing the good in someone, finding your true soul mate and complete adoration of that person. I don’t believe I’ve ever, and I mean EVER read a book that made me look at myself as a person and realize that I too can be a better person. Lizetta showed me that compassion is the only way to true peace. I swear I’m still in awe of this piece of gold that my dear friend Diane Rinella has crafted. I love all of her work – she can write everything from quirky funny reads to the most poignant, self challenging novels and for that I have the utmost admiration.
If you’ve ever doubted that change and becoming a better person is possible, please read this jewel and find Something to Dream On.
Thank you Diane for this gift…it’s a true literary gem:)
http://www.amazon.com/review/R2E0203N...
GIVEAWAY!
January 10, 2015
Treasured Moments….A True Treasure!
TREASURED MOMENTS
Presented by the Crazy Lady Authors, a collection of the good, the bad, and the ugly side of relationships. Hold on to your seats. Some of our tales will
have you doubled over in laughter, bring tears to your eyes, and some will make you thankful for the place you call home.
Click on the book cover or author’s name to be taken to their profile.
A Moment in Time – Kelly Cozzone
Alexa Wright is a happily married mother. Her son, Eric, was born in a previous marriage and he struggles with his place in both families. She has vowed
to make the best decision for her son. Eric wants to live with his dad. How can she possibly figure out what the right decision is?
Haunted Raine – R.E. Hargrave
Lorraine Morrissey let life pass her by. Her wake up call comes when she realizes that her husband is rarely home, and she’s filling her days with trivial
tasks. A crazy idea to save her marriage leads to a summer vacation unlike any she’s ever taken; one that involves buying a haunted house.
Coming Home – Teri Riggs
Abby, a young Navy SEAL’s wife, must learn to cope after her husband dies in the line of duty. Hoping to learn how her husband spent his final days, she
heads to Bethesda to sit with her husband’s best friend, a soldier who remains in a coma caused by the same IED blast that killed her husband. But can
anything mend Abby’s broken heart?
15 W. Gibson – Aubree
Lane Knowing Uncle Sam is about to come knocking, Jimmy Franks enlists in the Navy. Leaving Suzy is the hardest thing he’s ever
had to do.
Left alone to deal with their feuding families, Suzy Franks is heartbroken when Jimmy ships out. Her husband’s letters of love brings comfort, but 15 W.
Gibson is a lonely place without him.
The Agent – Samantha Jacobey
An author of dark tales is looking for someone to represent her. An agent who thinks all writers are the same wants the job. Will one lunch date be
enough to convince him that she’s different, or will her clouded past continue to overshadow her future?
The Bench – Nikki Lynn Barrett
Ten years ago, Neil spent a summer with his grandparents when he couldn’t deal with problems at home. That one summer led him to his first love,
Amber, until a family crisis pulled him away. Now he’s back in town and face to face with the woman he never could forget.
Summer Song – Linda Lee Williams
June Gorman might be imprisoned in a nursing home, but her mind roams free. In her private world, memories and melodies go hand in hand. Every day
she embarks on a musical journey through her life, one filled with laughter, love, pain, and tears … her summer song.
Crazy Love – Jayne Hyatt Will Meg be forced to resort to using the crazy family tradition, which she has spent most of
her life avoiding, in order to win the man of her dreams?
The Treasured Legacy – Holly Barbo Leone uses the last of her strength to share important family history with her only relative: her
grandson David. Despite her final wish not to sell the family heirlooms, David and his wife, Anne, look into it because of their desperate need for money.
But the pieces have secrets and the young couple finds themselves in unexpected danger.
Ghost Connection: Lost – Jami Brumfield Ghost Connection is a series centered around Cassandra O’Grady and her unwanted ability
to see spirits. In episode one, Cassie and her ghostly best friend, Abel, help a girl save her family from a jealous boyfriend.
Poppy – Cherime MacFarlane
A teenage girl learns that the father she adores is not her real father. From her friend’s dad, Emma Kay learns her Poppy won her and her mother on the
turn of a card. Wrecking her mother’s car does not help.
Camael’s Gift – Michele E. Gwynn
In the heavenly realms, conflict and war are as routine as escorting souls to the other side. For Camael, his routine has just been disrupted as he finds
himself drawn to a human woman he encounters while comforting her dying child.
Life Storms – Terri Hubbard Carle
Throughout life, you face many types of storms. Learning to trust, believe, have faith and stand strong, will help Carley and her family, as well as Carley
and Chad grow closer and stronger.
The Tree House – J.B. Yarbrough
The day her brother is born, Izzy hears the words Down Syndrome for the first time. Frightened, she runs to the safety of her tree house.
On January 16 and 17, 2015, all 14 authors will be gathering at one huge Facebook Release Party. Questions answered, teasers of their upcoming books,
visits from special guests and huge prizes available to be won.
Come join the party…it’s a BYOBB (Bring Your Own Book
Boyfriend), but I’m sure these authors will have some available too.
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