Faith Andrews's Blog, page 7

Cover Reveal for Keep Me!

The day is finally here! I am so excited to share the cover for Keep Me, being released in only 20 short days!

I want to thank Regina Wamba of Mae I Design and Photography for being an absolute GEM to work with! I was so indecisive on this one, but I KNEW this was Marcus and Tessa as soon as I saw the first mock up! Thank you for always getting me and for bringing my characters to life visually!

I also want to thank Amy and Lisa of Truly Schmexy Promotions for putting together one hell of a cover reveal day with all the kick-ass blogs that are helping to spread the word about Keep Me.

Enter the giveaway for your chance to win 1 of 5 ebooks of Man of My Dreams, 1 of 5 ARCs of Keep Me, or a $25 Amazon gift card: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/1eeafd95/

And without further ado…here it is…

SYNOPSIS

Sexy, tatted up, underwear model Marcus Grayson is every girl’s dream—or more likely worst nightmare. He’s a player, a self-proclaimed bachelor for life, and he’s got no problem living up to his man-whore status. But when his older sister’s friend comes back from the past, he may just have the chance to turn some of his adolescent fantasies into reality.

Tessa Bradley is a self-sufficient, take-no-bull, single mother—well, now she is. Finally rid of her abusive, alcoholic ex, she’s making a new life for herself and catching up with old friends; the ones she was forced to break ties with because of her controlling husband. When she runs into Marcus, her friend Riley’s once-adorable turned smoking-hot little brother, she has no idea how he’s about to rock her world.

Add to your Goodreads TBR here: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18739523-keep-me

PLAYLIST

Love Somebody – Maroon 5
Blurred Lines – Robin Thicke
Crash Into Me – Dave Matthews
Empty Promises – Hollywood Hangover
Everything Has Changed – Taylor Swift
Run – Matt Nathanson
Laid – James
Classy Girls -  The Lumineers
So Easy – Phillip Phillips
All I Ever Wanted – Airborne Toxic Event
Sometime Around Midnight – Airborne Toxic Event
Bride & Groom – Airborne Toxic Event
Bonfire Heart – James Blunt
Come to Me – Goo Goo Dolls
Still Into You – Paramore

Total Fan Girl Moment…

Before I was a writer I was an avid up all night, fly through the pages reader. It was my love of reading that inspired me to write my own stories and as I’m sure any writer will tell you it is that enjoyment of a great book, an attention consuming story and a talented author that inspires us to put our own words down on paper.

Before Fifty Shades of Grey I read a lot of different genres outside of romance. But now that’s a phrase I use a lot “After Fifty Shades…” you fill in the blank. There are so many ways that book changed our lives and the reading world, but for me it opened my eyes up to the wonderful genre of romance, smut and new adult.

After Fifty (see) I would get recommendations to read things and my first question would always be “Is there sex? If there isn’t I’m not reading it.” And for the most part I followed my rules of only reading smut. (No offense, but thank GOD I read the Hunger Games Trilogy BEFORE I read Fifty…I would have never gotten through it). My best friend told me about an erotic romance that was ONLY about sex…this main character was such a whore that I actually found it to be turn off and was like, um…okay maybe I need a breather from all this steaminess because in all honesty, I’m all for sex, but there has to be a story to go along with it. And this particular book fell…limp (pun intended) when it came to that. I dropped that book (finished it later on when I was in the mood for all that in your face sex) and started Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire. Wow…all I can remember is being hooked from page two and the biggest surprise…there really was no sex! I found myself more amped up by the build up and the sexual tension than the actual act. I devoured that book, ate it up and then went back for seconds and thus began my love for YA/NA romance.

Jamie led me to Colleen…and this is where the title for this rambling comes in. I have read every single one of Colleen Hoover’s books (excluding the new novella which is next on my TBR list) and OMG can I just say that hands down this woman is my ALL TIME FAVORITE author. I’ve said it a million times…she can put out a four page book about painting your toenails and I would scoop it up for whatever price she listed it at. I LOVE HER. I love her writing style. I love her creativity and imagination. And I love how I can get totally LOST in the worlds she creates with her characters. Sky and Holder, Will and Lake…they are a part of my EVERYDAY life. Swear to it. I carry a piece of them with me in my heart because I was that moved by their stories and the way Colleen wrote them.

Today I get to meet my idol. I’ve stacked up my books, remembered to pack my garden gnome (those of you who read Slammed will understand this) and I am ready for the drive to Connecticut…like I wanna leave NOW!!! I might even cry when I get up to that table and hand her my books to sign. I am that moved by this woman…inspired, touched, star struck and mesmerized by her mind. I just hope I can summon up some words other than “Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god!”

New Cover, New Price, and New POV

YAY! It’s here and I want to thank everyone, especially my girls at Truly Schmexy PR for making this re-reveal so exciting and successful!

Without further ado…here is the new cover for Man of My Dreams, created by the amazing Regina Wamba at Mae I Designs.

To celebrate, Man of My Dreams will be 99 cents for ONE DAY ONLY…so if you haven’t already picked it up, now’s your chance.

http://amzn.to/1aL85NQ

And as if this isn’t exciting enough…THESUBCLUBbooks has posted their awesome review as well as an EXCLUSIVE Declan POV. Ever wonder what Declan was thinking when he got that message from Mia while he was in Hong Kong? Well, wait no more. Find out below:

“Hi, Dec. It’s me…Mia. Um…I was hoping to catch you, but I guess you’re working or just…busy. Um…I don’t know how to say this, but…Dec, baby, this space is killing me. The time alone has made me think about a lot. And the distance…well, maybe the distance has forced me to realize things that weren’t clear to me before. What am I getting at? Ahhh! Why is this so hard? Dec, I need space. Even though all we have lately is space between us. But I’m drowning in what ifs and regrets and uncertainty. I need time. Time for me, time to be free, time to…Dec…I need time for me. Time as a woman, not just a wife and mother. I’m sorry I gave you shit for wanting the exact same thing, but…please don’t hate me.”

Don’t hate me? How could ever I hate her? Then again, right now how can I not?

She just fucking Dear-Johned me in a voicemail from the other side of the world!

“Damn it, Mia!” I scream, gripping the cell phone until my knuckles go white. The stranger seated next to me just stares, expressionless. He has no idea what I’m saying, but do you have to speak the same language to know when someone’s been fucked over by the woman you love? I don’t think so. This look of desperation and humiliation is the same all across the board.

I pace back and forth, my finger hovering over the number keys. I’m warring with myself to call her back. I should just call her back. I only missed her by five damn minutes. Five fucking minutes and I may have lost it all for good.

“Fuck!” I rake my hands through my hair, tugging ‘til I actually feel the sting at my scalp.

I know why she did this. I know where she is tonight. Nostalgia and memories and the fact that I was a fucking moron are bombarding her right now while she’s probably making all those dreams of hers come true.

I’ve heard her call out his name. The first time, I ignored it—thought it was a guy from one of her TV shows. But when it started to get more frequent, I actually started to snoop. Noah Matheson. Her high school crush. When I saw his name in a text to Grace, I found Mia’s yearbook and looked him up. Typical All-American jock. Never pictured that to be Mia’s type—I was Mia’s type. And if that fucker is convincing my wife that ‘it’s never too late’—is it too fucking late? Is the damage that irreprehensible?

Think Declan, think. My brain actually throbs from trying to come up with a logical next step. I can’t just act on impulse—rage won’t solve this and if I call her, I’m bound to flip out on her for leaving me so fucking helpless. And then there’s begging. But if I call her back and beg her not to do this will that make it all okay or will it just push her further away? I know where her head is at—regrets, and resentments, and what ifs. I was there not too long ago. What if I never did what I did? Would we be in this predicament anyway?

I need to talk to someone. Battling my own inner demons isn’t the way to fix this shit. But who? My asshole boss who got me this far from my wife during the worst possible time ever? Or maybe the tech guy sitting next to me in this otherwise desolate conference room. I don’t give a shit that he’s a stranger—I might just solicit some advice from him, if he spoke a word of English.

I glance at my watch, mentally calculating the time difference. It’s not even midnight back home. This is doable.

I dial the number frantically, leaving the conference room, unloosening my tie and taking my frustration out on the button for the elevator. By the time the doors slide open, the phone stops ringing and she answers. “Hello?”

“Grace. It’s me, Declan. Did I wake you?”

“No! You didn’t wake me, but I might have just shit myself. Why are you calling me from Hong Kong? What the hell is going on?”

How do I answer her when I don’t have a clue myself? “Grace, did she go to that reunion to hook up with him? With…Noah? Did she go just to get revenge? Please I need to know.”

“Wait a minute. What the—what did she do? Why are you asking me this…now? I thought you guys were fine. You two were in a good place when you left. Where is this coming from, Dec?”

She’s right. We were in a good place. She took me back. She let me back into her life, our home, our bed. Why the sudden change of heart? It has to be revenge. Or worse, my doubts drove her into the arms of a man she dreams about almost every fucking night. Way to go, asshole. You deserve every second of it.

“Hello? Are you there? I need to know what the hell is going on!” Grace interrupts me from my musings with a Grace-like shriek.

“Yes, I’m here. Grace, I’m just trying to understand…to make sense of…I can’t wrap my fucking head around this.” I punch the wall of the elevator before I exit the car and walk toward the fresh air beckoning me. My world is slipping out from under me and I’m here! Too far out of reach to rein it all back in. Where it belongs.

“Around what? Stop speaking in code and spit it the fuck out.”

I feel like less of a man having to admit it to her. Saying the words makes me seem inadequate. “Mia called me and told me she needed a break. Time…” I can’t even say the words, but I fight through the pain that threatens to break me, because I need to explain this to her. Grace knows her better than anyone else. She’ll know what to do. “She said she needs time to be a woman, not just a wife and mother.” That wasn’t emasculating at all.

“Are you fucking kidding me? She said that? And you just said, ‘okay, sure, go do your thing’? Please tell me you put up a fight and didn’t just hang up.” She’s angry, but she has no right to be pissed at me.

“Yeah, Grace that’s what I fucking did. Do you think I’m a complete asshole? I lost her once and I don’t want to lose her again, but this time—she didn’t give me a choice, Grace. I missed the call and she just left me a voicemail.”

“A FUCKING VOICEMAIL!!! Oh my God, I’m going to kill her! I’m going to march myself right down to that reunion and knock some sense into her. Is she out of her mind? A voicemail?” Grace rants incoherently for two straight minutes, mumbling and cursing, never coming up for air. If she was mad at me before, the anger has totally shifted to her best friend.

“Are you done yet?” I finally huff out, my insides still tangled in knots. I’m getting nowhere with this. Having Grace pull her out of that party and drag her home until I get back is not exactly the most noble thing to do. Although it’s the only thing that comes to mind. I can’t lose her, I just can’t go through with that all over again.

“What do I do, Grace? You’re not helping here. Do you think I can fix this or is it too late?” Floods of tourists and natives pass me by, herding the busy streets of the too crowded city. Life goes on as if I’m not going through the most heart wrenching moment of my life.

“No! It’s never too late. You’re Declan and Mia Murphy, everyone wants to be you—the perfect couple. And you know, Dec, you started this shit. I know you fucked up, and I still think you’re a piece of shit for messing her up like that. I almost understand her wanting to get revenge, but that’s not her. We know that. She loves you—I think the distance is just getting to her—she misses you. That’s it. I think she needs you to come home. Get on the first plane out and I’ll talk some sense into her. I’m heading over there now to make it right.”

It sounds easy enough, but is that what I really want? To have things ‘taken care of.’ For Grace to make Mia do the right thing? If I learned one thing from our time apart it was that sometimes you have to let things go to realize how much you need them. I took my wife for granted because I thought with my dick instead of my head for one split second. No, I didn’t go through with it, but the offense had nothing to do with how physical I did or didn’t get with that girl. It went beyond that. I fucked up! I did this! I planted the doubt in Mia’s head. At least she had the balls to call me up, voicemail or not, and give me some warning. Who am I to judge right and wrong? As much as it kills me, I have to give this to her. I have to give her this time. Am I really doing this?

“Grace, don’t go anywhere.” I feel defeated. I can literally sense the color draining from my face, my heart slumping in my chest as if I’ve disappointed it. I could fight back. I know if I did Mia would surrender to the nagging feelings about her past and come back to me, contented. But I can’t live with content. I love her too much to bully or persuade her into thinking I am the end all and be all for her. Maybe I’m not enough. Maybe she needs more.

Grace barks back, “I’m leaving now, Dec. Just book your flight. She will—”

“No!” I shout. “Stay put. I’m not coming home and you will not call her and tell her we spoke! Let her go.” Let her go. Will I live to regret those words? “She needs time, Grace. I understand her. I really do.” I hold back the tears that sting the backs of my eyes, the lump forming in my throat. Maybe I’m weak for allowing it to get to me this way, but this is me—raw. This is me being a man and doing the right thing. “If you love something you have to let it go, Grace. She’ll come back to me if it’s meant to be.”

Grace starts to laugh. An uncontrollable, unrelenting ridiculous cackle of a laugh. “Now I know you’ve lost your mind. Have you gotten any sleep? They must be working you like a dog. You did not just quote that cheesy ass cliché. The Declan Murphy I know would never let his Mia slip through his fingers.”

“I did it once, didn’t I?” Even though it’s the truth it still hurts like a knee to the balls.

“How do you know she’ll come back this time, Declan? How can you take this chance?”

“I don’t. But I have to let her do this. I can’t let her lose more of herself because of me. I’d rather her not be mine that to have her be unhappy.” I’m not sure I mean that entirely. The idea of living without her…forever…it paralyzes me.

She lets out a long huff of air and I hear a door slam shut. “You’re playing with fire, Murphy.”

“I know I am, Grace.”

She’s right, but this isn’t a game. I know in my heart of hearts that she’ll come back to me. I know that our love is stronger than doubt, fear, mistrust and a fucking high school crush.

 

 

New news!

Phew…what a busy week. Preparing for Halloween with the kids and all that fun (exhausting) stuff, but also some new news for my books…yes, I said books, plural.

First of all, Man of My Dreams will officially be showing off it’s face lift tomorrow. The new cover will be live tomorrow as well as a sale price of .99 cents to celebrate its new look! I can’t wait to share it with everyone first thing in the morning!!!

Secondly, so, as I’ve already mentioned, I’ve finished working on what was once called “Little Brother.” After much deliberation from my friends, bloggers, and betas…Little Brother is now Keep Me. I think this new title rings so true to the story of Marcus and Tessa. All I can say is…you’ll see

I would love for you to add Keep Me to your Goodreads TBR list, and just for enticement purposes…here’s a drool-worthy teaser starring my muse, Mr. Micah Truitt.

What’s next and BONUS Man of My Dreams scenes

So, guess what? I typed the words “THE END” on Monday night and finally wrapped up the story of Marcus and Tessa (currently titled Little Brother–that will probably change). Want to meet Marcus Grayson? Go ahead…swoon!

And then I thought…ahh time to relax a little. Take a break from writing, catch up on some TV, finish reading that book that’s been stuck at 70% on the kindle for a week. And I did do that…for like 3 minutes. Last night my fingers were literally ITCHING to write something new. Well, kind of new. If you’re following the Facebook page then you may have heard the news that Man of My Dreams is getting a face lift. There will be a new cover and the reveal will be on November 1st. I put  a lot of thought into it and spent some well needed deliberation time with my cover snobs (you know who you are, girls) and the end product is something I am so excited to get out there! Regina Wamba from Mae I Design is just incredible! I’m pretty sure there isn’t anything she can’t do.

So why am I rambling today…I have plans…ideas…things I want to say. I’m planning on writing a sequel for the man Mia didn’t choose (no spoilers here!) and I want to work on a sweet novella, aiming to release for the day of love; Valentine’s Day, updating you on the happy couple (still no spoilers–hee hee). Thanks to the recent blog tour and the new one coming up in association with the new cover, I had to revisit Mia’s world–well, in this case I got to dabble with Noah and Declan again–it was fun! I’ll be sharing these extras and deleted scenes as they release with the new tour BUT I have one to share today! (This was featured on the True Story Book Blog on 10/17/13).

Ready #TeamNoah fans????

This scene comes from after the reunion…when Mia decides to attend the “after party” with Noah. Get inside his gorgeous head and see what he was thinking…right…now:

March 10, 2007

After Party

 

What the hell am I doing? She’s married for Christ’s sake! This is so not me—I’m not the bad guy, I’ve never been the bad guy, but around Mia all I can think about are bad thoughts. I should’ve kept my distance at the reunion—sat with the guys from the team. But no, instead of doing the right thing, I act like a cocky son of a bitch and park myself right down next to the one woman I should probably stay away from. The beautiful woman who is about to get into my car so I can take her out—yeah, like on a date.

What the fuck am I doing?

When she hops in I can barely control my breathing. I’ve wanted this for a long time, since that night back in college, hell, maybe even before. But these circumstances just aren’t right and as awesome as it is to have her next to me, I can’t shake the feeling that I’m stealing something that belongs to someone else.

I pull out of the driveway and onto her street, watching her out of the corner of my eye. She’s fidgeting with those damn rings again! As if I need another reminder that we can’t be together.

I break the silence, complimenting her. “Your home is beautiful, Mia. I bet your family is equally beautiful. Perfect…just like you.”

Her head falls back against the seat and she closes her eyes.  “Can you just drive?” she huffs.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to…” I didn’t mean to what? To flirt ruthlessly and get you alone? Um, yeah, I’m pretty sure that’s exactly what I meant to do.

“No, it’s not you. I’m stuck in my own head. Would you promise not to judge me if I told you something?”

“Of course not. Shoot.” I can’t imagine what she’s going to say, but whatever it is has her uneasy. She plays with her hands in her lap, biting the inside of her cheek. Poor girl is a bundle of nerves.

“This is all so…how is it possible that something so wrong can feel so right?”

Fuck! I’m gonna have to take her home. I don’t want her to do anything she’ll regret. I wouldn’t be able to live with myself for breaking up a happy marriage and a beautiful family.

Turning the corner, I pull over to the curb. Her eyes are brimming with tears. Shit, please don’t cry! “Mia, I would never make you do anything you didn’t want to do. I know I’ve been forward tonight and you…”

“I know,” she hides her eyes and takes a deep breath. “I’m sorry, Noah. I didn’t mean to lead you on. It’s just that my husband is away on business for a month. We were separated for a few months before that because of what he did. I’ve always had this crazy crush on you and seeing you, the whole reunion, the flirting…it all just came to a head.”

Hold the fuck up! Did she just say what I think she said? “Wait. Take a step back. What do mean ‘because of what he did’?”

I’m trying real hard not to see red as I listen to Mia tell me how her husband cheated on her. I’m not inside their marriage, and I know life isn’t some perfect fairytale, but how could someone cheat on Mia? And what a freaking game changer. I’m not saying this gives me permission to pounce on a vulnerable woman, but I can’t lie—the fact that they’re separated makes me feel a little less like the villain. You know what, screw the husband. She obviously needs to relax and unwind tonight. I can give her a good time—and it doesn’t have to be in that way. She’s a cool girl. We enjoy each other’s company, that’s what matters right now. Then again, it’s all sweet and innocent until someone mentions separation.

 “What an asshole! Seriously, Mia. I can’t believe anyone would be so stupid as to take you for granted. Although come to think of it, that’s exactly what I did ten years ago.”

 “What do you mean?” It’s like she’s ten thousand miles away until she speaks those words. She’s staring into my eyes, hanging on to every word I say.

It’s truth time. I can’t hold back now, not when what I choose to say obviously has an effect on what happens next. Lay it all out there, Noah. This is your last chance. “If I would have made a move that night at The Room, the night we were both back from college, maybe you wouldn’t be going through all of this right now. Who knows? It could have been you and me living in that house, raising two kids. And I certainly wouldn’t need some chick at a bar to remind me of what I had.”

Shit! Did I really just say that? She looks dumbfounded, but in a good way.

 “Noah, I—I don’t even know what to say. This night has been…maybe you should just take me home?”

Okay, didn’t see that coming, but now’s not the time to be a pushy dick. “If that’s what you really want, just say the word.” I can’t hide my disappointment, but I have to give her the option because once we pull away from this curb there will be no turning back. I don’t want to take her to the after party at Tim Scotto’s house. I want to spend more time alone with her—this may be the only chance I’ll ever get.

 “No! I don’t want to go home.” When she says the words I almost want to pull my fist into my chest and hiss out a “YES!” But I remain as cool as one can be when they’ve just been given the green light to do something they’ve dreamed of for so long.

“Would I be a real cad if I didn’t take you to the after party? I’m kind of enjoying talking to just you. We can grab a few drinks, or coffee…whatever you’re comfortable with.” Cad? Who the hell uses that word anymore? This woman has me in knots. But when One Week by Bare Naked Ladies starts up on the radio, I lean over and adjust the knob to make it louder. Nice ice breaker.

“Drinks are good.” She finally agrees. “You pick the place. Sorry for all the drama. Weren’t things so much simpler back then?”

“Hells, yeah. Now let’s see if you remember all the words to this song… Chickity China the Chinese chicken…” Don’t ask me how, but I remember ever damn word to this song. I bop my head up and down, drumming my fingers on the steering wheel.

She giggles, a contagious, melodious sound, and just like that we are carefree teenagers again. For now.

***

I never—there are so many things I’ve never done. One: I’ve never loved a girl. Two: I’ve never been with a married woman. And Three: I’ve never given up on chasing something I want. Right now I want Mia—so that pretty much means that if this night goes the way I want it to, the other two things on my “I never” list will be shot to shit.

“Drink up, buddy. You’re guilty!”

I look at her in disbelief. Her latest accusation in this game is that I’m guilty of leading a girl on with my lucky eraser. “What are you talking about? I never…” Realization sets in. Duh! I did in fact allow Mia to borrow said eraser for that test that time. I remember it—she looked so adorable; all nervous and panicky. So I did what any guy in my position would do and flirted—with the help of my favorite lucky charm. “I nearly forgot about that. Mia Page, you have a memory like an elephant.”

“You have no idea how the mind of a teenage girl works, do you? When you handed me that eraser it was like handing me an invitation to prom. I thought for sure it meant you liked me, that it was the beginning to something. Maybe we’d hang out which would turn into a date which would turn into my first kiss. But, alas, you left me high and dry. And the eraser was the last thing you gave me, besides of course, a broken heart.”

The beer must be getting to her because she’s a lot freer with her words and emotions now. Did I really not have a clue she was that into me back then? She was a knock-out, all the guys talked about her, had I known she was interested—woulda, coulda, shoulda. “Wow,” is all I can say for a minute. I lean back in my stool, suddenly interested in a total recount of all four years of our time at Westmont High. “First of all, when was your first kiss?”

She arches an eyebrow, sipping her beer from the bottle. “Billy Denker. November 1993.”

“Denks got a piece of you and I didn’t? What the hell?”

“Hey, don’t be mad at me. I wanted you to be the first, but you never made your move and I didn’t even know how to make a move. Sorry you lost your shot, Noah Matheson, but it’s either shit or get off the pot. You never seemed to get off the pot.”

What? Somehow Mia makes talking about shitting on a pot not only hilarious, but fucking adorable. “Damn, I’ve never heard that expression before. I’m so stealing it. And I’m sorry about the whole pot thing. I was distracted in school. Too much going on—my parents on my back about making good grades and getting a scholarship. I didn’t even date much, never even went out with a girl for longer than a few weeks. I was too into the game to care. But it doesn’t mean I didn’t notice you. I always thought you were beautiful. I wanted to kiss you too, but the timing was never right and I didn’t think it was fair to make any girl second to baseball. Especially not a girl like you. But you can’t say I didn’t try that night—two years after high school?”

“You mean that night at The Room?”

Yes, that night at The Room. The night that haunts me for being such a dumbass. I should’ve been more persistent. You don’t let a girl like Mia Page—or whatever her last name is now—slip away. Twice.

“I was already with Declan, Noah. The opportunity was gone.”

“Seems like a reoccurring theme with us.” This blows. I don’t want this night to end in regrets. For neither of us. Memories come flooding in—songs about staying up all night and living out our youth; phrases about savoring carefree moments. I wish I could bottle this night up and hold on to it for a little longer. Not worry about husbands or kids or being responsible.

My hand brushes up against hers as I reach for my beer. The heat that radiates off her soft skin is undeniable. Sparks would fly between us if we could just get our chance to connect. “God, I wish we could just stay in this moment, Mia.”

 She lets her hand linger, but then quickly pulls it away, shaking her head. “This is bad—on so many levels—just so flipping bad.”

I swivel around in my chair, my hands aching to touch her. I rest them on her bare knees, so silky and smooth and—if she were mine, my hands would be inching higher, my intentions totally clear. But she’s not mine and I’m not even sure she ever can be. It’s so damn frustrating, but she needs to know. “Well to make bad worse, I have to admit this is the best date I’ve ever been on. Even if it’s technically not a date. And if it weren’t for your douche of a husband cheating on you and making one of the most beautiful girls I’ve ever known second guess her whole life…I would have dropped you at home because I’m not the type to go after what’s taken. But Mia, you are irresistible…you deserve better than a husband who takes you for granted because of his own insecurities.”

God, I wish she’d stop looking at me like that. Like she’s dying for me to kiss her. I want to—so damn bad my tongue is restless in my own mouth, wanting to lick her lips, taste her. Finally, it’s too much to bear and I need to clear my head. Raking my hands through my hair, I stand up and groan, “Ugh! This is nuts! I need to use the head. I’ll be right back.”

I stalk off, adjusting my junk and scolding myself. I am a noble human being! I’m doing the right thing! I have to walk away even if it’s going to kill me! I’m pretty sure it’ll haunt me until the day I die, but when I come back from the bathroom, I’m taking her home and we’ll go our separate ways. I told her once to call me if things didn’t work out with her man. Maybe this time, if they don’t, she’ll actually follow through. But it has to be her decision.

When I’m done using the bathroom, I zip up, wash up, and man up. Time to say goodbye to the only woman who’s ever made me feel so hopeful and hopeless all in the same moment.

I sit back down, hand her the rest of her beer, and ready myself to end the evening. But something’s changed. I can’t help notice that Mia seems different in the three minutes I was gone. “Everything okay?”

She tilts her head back and drains half the bottle. “I hope so.”

I reach over and grab the beer out of her hand, reaching up to cup her face. “Mia. What’s wrong? What’s changed?”

 “Can we go outside and get some fresh air?”

Time’s up. It’s all just too much for her. I can see it on her face. “Of course. You wanna go home? I’ll take you home.” I stand up from the stool and hand her her purse.

She pushes it into my chest, rejecting the offer. “No! This night isn’t over yet and I’m not nearly as drunk as I want to be. So we’re going out for fresh air and then we’re coming back in here and I’m ordering a round of shots.”

Huh? “Okay? Why shots? Shots are usually for celebrations.”

“Just take me outside. It’ll be easier to explain with a clear head.”

Explain what? I don’t ask; I’m not about to mess with a woman who’s probably as confused as I am right now so I just usher her outside, with my hand against the exposed skin on her back. I’ve been waiting for a reason to touch her there all night. I peek down lower, where her dress drapes open just above her perfect ass. Why do you have to be so gorgeous, Mia? I don’t want to say goodbye.

Once outside, she takes the lead, walking toward the parking lot. We find a quiet spot where we can be alone and lean up against the cold, brick wall. My thoughts are so scattered, my body so heated, that the chill of the cement is a refreshing distraction.

I lean my head back, staring up at the sky. I can’t look into her eyes again. I need to start distancing myself to get ready for the goodbye. Looking into those eyes will just make it that much harder. But I can sense how tense she is; it’s the first time all night that she’s this visibly jumpy. “What’s up, Mia? Why do things feel different all of a sudden?”

“Because they are.”

Without another word, she pushes off the wall, and her body falls against mine. Her hand pins my shoulder against the brick, her delicate hands caressing my face. No, Mia, please? I won’t be able to stop. Please don’t look at me like that. My thoughts have never been so conflicted before—wanting something and not wanting it all in the same breath. “Mia, please. Don’t. You’re drunk, you don’t want to do this.”

“I’m not drunk. And I do want this. I’ve wanted this for a long time and I can’t miss this chance again.” She inches closer staring at my lips. “I dream about you, Noah. A lot. That has to mean something. Maybe the dreams are there to remind me of what I felt. To encourage me not to give up on something I’ve always wanted.”

Jesus Christ. What man can resist that? She feels like she belongs in my arms and I don’t want to let her go. And now there’s no turning back. Her lips graze the skin on my neck, my pulse quickening and my dick hardening. She steps up on her tippy toes, resting her head on my shoulder. My fingers give in and tangle themselves in her long, blond hair. Do I do this?

“Mia?” My voice is so full of need, it drips with desire.

“Yes?” she whispers against my neck.

I’m a terrible person, but I don’t care. You can’t fight something like this, it’s just damn impossible. “I’m going to kiss you. Please tell me you won’t hate me if I kiss you.”

She leans back and starts to answer, “I won’t hate…”

And that’s all I have to hear. My mouth crashes onto hers, so hungry to taste her after all these years. Unable to control my hands, I grip chunks of her hair with one, and paw at the slinky material of her dress with the other. Her body grinds against mine as my tongue explores her mouth, slow at first and then more frantic to match the yearning that’s built up inside.

I cup her face with both hands, kissing the sides of her lips, before parting them with my tongue again. I gently suck on her tongue and she lets out a moan that encourages me to delve deeper, our connection becoming more intense.

God, I want her. I need her. I have to be inside her, but I can’t push. It has to stop somewhere. We’ll have to take it slow if I want to be able to do this ever again. I break free, only because I know it’s my only redemption. “We have to stop. Oh my God, you’re a married woman and all I want to do is bring you to my bed. We can’t…we…Shots! Let’s go do those shots.”

***

Shot after shot, after shot, and I’m still sober. Yes, sober. Not even alcohol can compete with the high I’m on right now. But that’s me…I have a high tolerance and a new mission. I want this woman to be mine—I need her to forget her past and to prove to her that I can be her future. And allowing her to get drunk—not necessarily the way to prove I have her best interests at heart.

“Come on, Mia. You’re like way past tipsy. I think it’s time to go home.”

Her face lights up and she bites her lower lip, standing from the stool. “Oh, good! Take me home,” she stammers, her eyes glassy slits. Will she even remember everything that happened between us tonight?

“You got it, hun.” I leave another tip for the bartender and hook Mia’s limp arm around my neck, steadying her. “You’re gonna have one nasty hangover.”

She giggles, her head flying back, her high-heeled feet losing their footing. I catch her from tumbling and our bodies join again. When her eyes meet mine, she’s smiling. It’s so fucking sexy when she looks at me like that. “Well, then you’ll just have to stay the night to make sure I’m okay.” She reaches up to plant a soft kiss on my lips and then slides her body back down mine until her feet are flat on the ground again.

Does she have any idea what she’s doing to me? This is torture—hari fucking kari. She’s drunk, she’s drunk, she’s drunk. I chant it over and over again in my head, hoping it will penetrate, but it doesn’t change how much I want her. This can’t just be a one night thing. I want my shot, my chance to be her man. This is it, dude. Shit or get off the pot, already. I look into her big brown eyes and I see a glimpse into everything I’ve been missing out on. I will not allow her to slip through my fingers again. Tonight, ten years past due, marks the beginning for us. I won’t have it any other way.

“Let’s just get you home, sweetheart,” I say, hoping I can live with myself for what I’m about to do.

Cover Reveal for Away by B.A. Wolfe

Title: Away

Author: B.A. Wolfe

Release Date: November 20, 2013

Genres: Contemporary Romance, New Adult

Cover by: Cover to Cover Designs

AWAY Goodreads Link:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18273367-away

SYNOPSIS:

What good is running AWAY when you only end up lost?

Cassandra Pierce had her whole “perfect” life planned out by her parents. One night of pure weakness and lust has her running away from it all and seeking refuge in Alamosa with her best friend. But it seems life has other plans for her when she finds herself lost in the small town of Keaton.

Jason Bradley is a charming country guy. He lives a simple life that’s nothing like what Cassandra is used to. A single moment in life changed everything he thought he once knew, leaving him with a broken heart and an unplanned future.

What happens in Keaton is nothing Cassandra or her heart could have ever prepared for. The instant connection she shares with Jason is no secret, but what they’re keeping hidden from one another is. Will these two be able to find a way to trust each other or will their secrets tear them apart?

TEASER:

AUTHOR BIO:

B.A. Wolfe is a girl with a passion for reading and writing, and lives in the good ol’ state of Colorado with her husband (her biggest cheerleader), and her two crazy min pin fur babies. These days, her life is anything but calm, and there isn’t one thing she’d want to change. B.A. spends all her free time either furiously typing stories on her laptop or happily reading through her endless TBR on her Kindle. Her list of favorites would be long enough to fll a book, but most would likely fall under the romance category. She is a sucker for a good love story that makes her cry, and an amazing book boyfriend who will melt her heart. ‘Away’ is B.A. Wolfe’s debut novel.

AUTHOR LINKS:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-BA-Wolfe/407746989341904

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BAWolfe3

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7133885.B_A_Wolfe

GIVEAWAY:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Teaser Tuesday with Niecey Roy

My indie friend Niecey Roy has a new book releasing soon! Check out special teaser from Another Shot at Love and find out how to connect with Niecey.

Another Shot At Love

Series-What’s Love? 

Book #1

Author:  Niecey Roy

Genre:  New Adult Contemporary Romantic Comedy

Expected Publication Date- November 2013

 

 

 

~~ Teaser~~

“You really should

change that light bulb,” Matt said, glancing around us.

“I know.” I pushed

aside my wallet to dig to the bottom of my oversized purse. “I kind of take for

granted that this is supposed to be a safe neighborhood.”

“Until an alien

abducts you off your poorly lit porch.”

“Very funny.” I

glanced up from my purse with a smile. “But really, it’s late. You could have

been home by now.”

“Gen, I’m glad to

walk you to your door. I would have worried about you if I hadn’t.”

I considered him

as we stood there on my porch, the light flickering above us. I didn’t want him

to leave, but I didn’t know how to ask him to stay. Maybe I could ask him in for

a drink, though I’d already had enough.

But I have those cupcakes…

Yeah. I could

offer him cupcakes. They weren’t his favorite, chocolate with sprinkles, but yellow cake with

milk chocolate frosting had to be a close second, right? Hadn’t he said a cupcake will

fix everything?

“I’m really glad

we went out tonight.”

His voice made me

jump and I dropped the keys. We both bent to pick them up at the same time and

bumped foreheads.

“Sorry,” he said.

“It’s okay, I’m

fine.” I clasped my forehead and laughed. Probably, I sounded hysterical. Like

a rabid hyena. I couldn’t even look him in the eye when I took the keys from him.

“Thanks for inviting me. I had a lot of fun tonight.”

“Me too,” he said.

 

I put the key into

the lock, turning it slowly as I struggled with what to do about him and my out

of control libido. Unlocking my door hadn’t given me enough time to figure

things out, though, so I tried to prolong sliding the patio door open. That

didn’t take long either, and I hesitated in the doorway, still unsure. I opened

my mouth to ask him in, but nothing came out. So I stepped backward through the

doorway, my gaze glued to his. After a moment, he followed me inside, part of

his face lost in shadows.

Time stood still.

My tongue darted out to lick my lips, and I lifted up onto my toes as he

lowered his head to meet me halfway. The smell of his cologne surrounded me and

my eyes drifted shut. He grasped me loosely around my back, pulling me close,

sending shivers coursing through my body. His breath caressed my skin, his lips

just a whisper away from mine, and my lips parted.

 

~~ Blurb ~~

Imogen Gorecki has a problem—her twin sister just got engaged, and guess who’s the best man? That’s right, her scum-of-an-ex-boyfriend whom she caught cheating with a bottle-blonde, with fake breasts and a stripper’s flexibility. There’s a disturbing possibility her eyes will never recover.

 

 

Gen needs a date for the engagement party, but finding Mr. Perfect in a time crunch is proving impossible. Just when she’s about to give up, she face-plants into the crotch of the sexiest guy she’s ever met.

 

 

Matt Sesnick is everything Gen wants in a man —except he’s not interested in a relationship. Can she convince Matt to take another shot at love, or will Gen’s pregnant, hormonal older sister, her bridezilla twin, and all of her past Mr. Wrongs get in the way of their happily-ever-after?

 

 

~~ More about Niecey ~~

www.nieceyroy.com

   

 

 

***FREE STUFF*** Like that word? Come here, then.

Reblogged from Colleen Hoover:

Welcome to my blog.  If you're a first-timer, it's your lucky day because we don't sacrifice first-timers on Columbus Day eve.  We reward them!  (If you would have come on Labor Day, that would have been a different story.)

Announcing winners for some past giveaways first, then we get down to the next free stuff.

Winner of the Kindle Fire…

Read more… 927 more words

Free stuff from Colleen Hoover!

Man of my dreams

Reblogged from Booky Ramblings of a Neurotic Mom:

Title: Man of My Dreams

Author: Faith Andrews

Release Date: September 19, 2013

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Add to GoodReads:

http://tiny.cc/24p63w

Hosted by:

Love Between the Sheets

Synopsis

Mia Murphy may be married to the man of her dreams. But the man in her dreams is the one that got away—her high school crush.

Mia’s stuck in a rut, just like every other stay-at-home mom, and the only thing saving her from her monotonous routine is her perfect husband, Declan.

Read more… 2,899 more words

Day 2 of the Man of My Dreams starts today with Booky Ramblings of a Neurotic Mom!!
Take a look at the fun interview, enter the giveaway and remember that Man of My Dream is ON SALE for only $1.99 for the duration of the tour.

http://www.amazon.com/Man-of-My-Dream...

Blog Tour- Review: Man of My Dreams by Faith Andrews

Reblogged from Raw Books:

Title: Man of My Dreams

Author: Faith Andrews

Release Date: September 19, 2013

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Add to GoodReads:

http://tiny.cc/24p63w

Hosted by:

Love Between the Sheets

Synopsis

Mia Murphy may be married to the man of her dreams. But the man in her dreams is the one that got away—her high school crush.

Mia’s stuck in a rut, just like every other stay-at-home mom, and the only thing saving her from her monotonous routine is her perfect husband, Declan.

Read more… 1,744 more words

Day one of the blog tour and I'm stopping at Raw Books! Check out their awesome review of Man of My Dreams.

Thank you Lorraine and Mary!!