T.K. Rapp's Blog, page 4
January 9, 2015
Come Get it Bae…
^^^ Yeah…that’s what I said. LOL…it’s my birthday, I’m allowed to dork it up a little, right?! There is a ton of things in this post, so please take a minute to look it over, I would so greatly appreciate it!!
First off, I wanted to share a few of the kind things those who have ARCs of Finding Laila have said (click any name below to read their full review):
“This book is a great coming of age book.” ~��We Like it��Big Book Blog
“Every single character in this book is unique and awesome in their own right, but the sum of their personalities combined is what makes the story truly remarkable.” ~��Jaime, Fiction Fangirls Book Reviews
“This beautifully crafted story is one that will stay with me for a long time and will bring smiles and tears when I reflect back on it.” ~��Lisa, Penny for My Thoughts Book Blog
“You can’t help but get sucked into the story and want to be part of it.” ~��Charity, Saucy Books
“This story pulled out so many different emotions that one minute I was laughing and the next I was crying.” ~��Susan, Wicked Women Book Blog
“The characters were likeable, the story was beautiful, and the journey touched my heart.” ~��Patricia, A Literary Perusal
Second, Finding Laila comes out in 4 days!
Count them – 4!!!
Preorder is available and Laila is listed for $2.99!!
After release, the price will go to regular price of $3.99, so get your copy here
—-> HERE
before it’s too late.
Oh….and check out the book trailer featuring music from the awesome Matt Haeck (who has a new album coming out soon!!!)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uq63R6_ZJ74
Third, I wanted to share links for ways you can follow/connect with me online:
WEBSITE
TS��
TUMBLR
ELLO
GOOGLE+
AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE
GOODREADS
NEWSLETTER
Fourth, if you’ve been on the fence about whether or not #FindingLaila is the read for you, I wanted to share an excerpt. Maybe this will sway you toward reading ;) :
Excerpt from Chapter 1 ���I guess we know the flavor of the week,��� a female voice says from behind me, causing several others with her to laugh.I know they���re talking about me. They���re always talking about me. It���s been this way since I was in seventh grade, but I���ve made it my mission to ignore it.
���She certainly gets around,��� another voice chimes in.
Cole is sitting to my left, Haden to my right and both guys are staring at the field, but neither is paying attention to the game. I watch out of my peripheral as Haden���s forearm muscles tense and relax while Cole bites his lip. They are intently focused on the words being thrown at me, but keep quiet for the time being.
���She must be good because they all stick around,��� a guy���s voice states in salacious tone that makes me nauseous.
I don���t wait for another barb to be hurled my way, even though I know it���s coming. I throw my arm around Haden and whisper something in his ear before kissing his cheek then turning to do the same to Cole. I lean forward to see Joey, who is next to Cole and give him a wink, ���I���ll get you later, Baby.���
He shakes his head and laughs, ���Why must you stir the pot?���
Haden smiles – proud of my display – and it pushes me on.
I turn to look at the three classmates who have stopped chattering long enough to watch my little show, jaws hanging open. I shrug my shoulders, and answer Joey, ���I���m just giving them what they want.���
One of the girls, Kasey, looks at me and raises a brow, ���And what about Braxton?���
I glance over to Cole who���s listening to everything, but is still watching the game. He smirks, as if he knows what���s coming and a smile of my own begins to break.
They are gawking at me when I turn and wet my lips before winking at the girls.
���If he wins, we all win,��� I say huskily.
���Touchdown!��� The announcer yells and the crowd jumps to their feet to celebrate. All but the three jerks behind me.
Thank you so much for all the kind birthday wishes and reading this thing all the way to this point! I love you all so much and thank you for your support and encouragement. I’m still nervous about release day, but for some reason, not as scared as the other times. I absolutely love this book and it feels weird to admit that because I don’t want to sound obnoxious. I just truly loved writing it and fell in love with every character. So much that I wanted to live in my head and experience life WITH them. If you honor me with reading it for yourself, I hope that it touches you the way it did for me when I wrote it. And if it does, I would love to hear your thoughts if you review, so share with me. Please?��
I hope you have a fabulous weekend and you’ll be seeing me again…soon!!
XO
~T
8-) And duh, Come Get it Bae by Pharrell
Filed under: 2015, Book Review, Books, Exciting, Friends, Insight, Nervous, New Books, Price Drop, Ramblings, Teaser, Thoughts Tagged: 2015, Barmy, Book Reviews, Book Trailer, Braxton, Cole, Coming of Age, Excerpt, Finding Laila, Haden, Joey, Laila, Matt Haeck, music, New Release, On Sale, Price Drop, Social Media, YA, Young Adult
January 8, 2015
Meet Laila…
When Laila called and asked me for a favor, the first thing I asked, “What’s in it for me?”
Of course she laughed, as only Lai does, because she knows how much I like attention. She said that she was having a hard time because T.K. Rapp asked her to take over her��blog page and tell people about us. Not sure what people want to know, but I do love talking (not so much typing) – so yeah, here I am (and she’s reading over my shoulder…she knows how much I hate that.)
*Ow!* she hit me for that one. It didn’t really hurt and now she’s glaring at me.
Anyway, my name is Cole Cameron, and I’ve known Lai for a long time. We might not have gotten along at first, but now she’s like that annoying little stray you find that won’t go away.
Ha! She missed me that time.
But seriously, Lai moved to Cedar Lane a long time ago and became one of the guys.
Hold on, let me send her away, I can’t do this��with her��breathing down my neck….
Okay, I can type a little more freely now, as I was saying…when she moved here, we were about five, I guess. I’ve lived here since the day I was born and grew up with Braxton, Joey and Haden. The four of us played together all the time and then she came into the picture. I wasn’t a fan at first, but then she grew on me – like fungus. (Kidding, Lai…because I know she’ll read this later.)
The five of us have always been together and our families get along well, too. Fourth of July picnics, weekend BBQs, Sunday football – you name it, we’re all together. It’s not as creepy as it sounds. Sometimes it would get to be a little too much, but the five of us have always hung out. (Like your favorite pair of worn out boxers.)
So, Lai asked me to tell you a little bit about everyone. I suppose by now, you’ve heard about her “barmy.” (I hate that name, but if I tell her, she’ll only use it more.) She says we’re her boy-army and she did that stupid thing where she smushed it together to get one lazy name. Barmy.
So let’s start with me. I’m the cool one of the group. Kidding. I’ll say I’m probably the cut-up, the one everyone thinks plays hard and studies less. But I do study…they just don’t see it. I’ve played soccer since I was a kid and I’m pretty good at it – played for the Varsity team since sophomore year. I do all right with the chicks. (Lai hates when I call girls that.) I’m always pushing to get her to set me up with someone, but she’s yet to take me up on that.
Moving on, we have Haden Searle. Haden is definitely the quiet one of the group. It’s a little creepy at times because he’s always watching and waiting. When he does speak, it almost seems as if he’s just woken up because you think he doesn’t notice things, but he does. Haden’s an artist – and damn good at it. His parents put him in art classes when he was a kid because they saw a natural talent in him and he’s been doing it ever since. It’s funny that people are afraid of him because I don’t think I’ve ever seen him hurt a fly.
Next, we have Braxton Jameson. If we were a gang, people would assume he’s the leader. Why? I have no idea. Probably because he plays every sport, all the girls want to date him and he’s pretty popular. He’s the oldest and when we were kids, I guess it was Brax who ran the show. But these days, he’s just one of us. He doesn’t let his popularity go to his head, but then again, I don’t think Lai, or the rest of us for that matter, would let it. Brax is a good guy, hell, I’m friends with him for the girls. Kidding, Brax.
Alright, next is Joey Parker, resident nerd, but good guy. He is a nerd, and he knows it, I’m not being mean when I call him that. Joe will be the next Bill Gates – or someone else wicked��smart. He and Lai are probably the closest of all of us. I talk to Lai or text once a day, unless I need something. They talk all the time. When we’re in a group, sometimes it looks they’re having their own conversation, without saying anything at all.
Then there’s the princess of the group. (I called her that because I know she’d hate it.) Laila Nixon. To say that people don’t like her is an understatement. I’m not completely self-absorbed. I’ve seen the way other girls at school look at her, like she’s wearing a scarlet letter or something like that. That sucks for me, because if she had actual girl-friends, maybe she’d have someone to set me up with. Laila is protective of us guys, not that we need it, but I think we like the attention. She’s not like your typical high school girl. She’s pretty, don’t get me wrong, but she’s not hung up on name brands, the latest styles or wearing a lot of makeup. She doesn’t try too hard, and if Lai thinks you’re a good person, you’re in for life. I guess that’s why we’ve always looked after her and want to be there for her.
I know she’s nervous about this story coming out, but she has nothing to worry about. In fact, I read it (but don’t tell Lai.)It was pretty damn good. I’m not much of a reader, especially��chick books, but it’s worth the read.
Oh yeah, she also asked me to mention that T.K. Rapp has Finding Laila on preorder for $2.99 and then after it comes out, it’ll be $3.99. I’ll add the link, in case you want to buy it. Let me say this…you’ll want to read it. Hell, you SHOULD read it, because I’M in it. Just sayin’. ;)
Anyway, the book comes out on January 13th – Buy it. Read it. Love it. Review it.
Click the picture above to PREORDER.
Peace,
Cole
Filed under: 2015, Author Spotlight, Books, Exciting, Friends, Insight, Nervous, New Books, Thoughts Tagged: Barmy, Braxton, Character Profile, Cole, Coming of Age, Finding Laila, Haden, Introductions, Joey, Laila, New Release, Preorder, Young Adult
December 30, 2014
2014 TK Rapp Year in Review
2014 has been an absolutely fantastic year! It truly seems to have gone past in a blur and as I sit here, I can’t help but wonder if I missed something. Some parts of it seem to have happened years ago, not just eleven short months ago.
My second book, Mine to Lose, came out and so January started with a bang. I had so much support and love from bloggers, authors and readers and before I knew it, I was working on book #2 in the Mine to Love Series, Mine to Steal. There is another story there – Jett’s – but it’s on the back burner for a little while.
Amidst the book releases, there were the book signings. In February, I attended my first as an author and shared a table with R.S. Grey and sat next to PEN-NNNNNAAAAAYYYY Reid. (I love yelling that at her!) It was a first for all three of us, and I was lucky enough to have dinner with Penny and her assistant, Angie, the night before the signing. I was terribly nervous about meeting her…what if she doesn’t like me? What if she thinks I’m weird? What if I have nothing cool to say? Okay, none of that mattered because we hit it off and I enjoyed her so much.
Then came the Houston Indie Mashup and again I shared a table with R.S. Grey who – by this time – hit the USA Today Best Seller list! I was so excited that I got to congratulate her in person. She, her Lance, my hubs, and a few other writers went out to dinner at a local restaurant. Gabby organized the get together and everyone had a great time. It was a long day filled with smiles, drinks, friends and hugs from Sunshine via Charity. (My Candybabies!)
It was at the Mashup that so much changed with I met Kathryn Falk….THE Kathryn Falk. We started chatting and exchanged phone numbers with plans to talk after the event. And we did. After a visit to her farm, I began working with her and 3 other amazing ladies on her Houston Readers and Writers Roundup – an event that is going to take place in Houston October of next year. (More on this later.)
The pinnacle of the signing year for me came when I attended Penned Con in St. Louis. I signed up for this event a year earlier and I was beyond scared. I mean, I was going to be at an event with the likes of Colleen Hoover, Jasinda Wilder, Abby Glines, Tara Sivec and so many more! Okay, yes, these names terrified me! But what intimidated me even more was meeting the people I had become close with over the last year and a half. People like my wifey, author of the Roam Series – Kimberly Stedronsky, Lisa Karafa of Penny for My Thoughts Book Blog, Word Play author Amalie Silver, Jenn Beach of B.O.M.B., Kahlen Aymes – author of The Remembrance Trilogy. But meeting them all in person felt as if I knew them for years and we hung out like we were old friends. Of course, I got to see PEN-NAAAAYYYY again and flew out with Angie…best flying partner! And I found new friends, too, like the lovely DL Kane, Susan Garwood of Wicked Women Book Blog, Lori Otto – author of the book that has me wrecked in the best possible way – The Emi Lost & Found Series, Simone Chavous – author of the Fate Series Books, Amy Jackson – editor fabuloso and so many more!! The icing on the cake was being joined by my best friend who promoted herself to my Midwest Selling something or another….it was a long title and it fit. ;) LOL!
There are a few other writers that I got to meet when I attended a pre-signing party in Houston. Hanging out with Stacey Lynn was the HIGHLIGHT….finally getting to meet and hug this woman made me smile. It was here I got to hang with Stacey, her husband, my husband, Erin Noelle, KD Robichaux, Jessica Prince and then I got to meet Jay Crownover…how cool is that?!
This leads us to the fourth book I have coming out – Finding Laila. I started work on it and kept much of it under wraps until it was almost complete. This book is my baby, my heart and soul. I’m so proud of it and can’t wait to release it on January 13. I only hope others love it as much as I do. It’s my first YA novel and I have a feeling it won’t be my last. These characters are a part of me and I can’t wait to share them with you.
Looking ahead at 2015, there is so much I’m excited about:
~Finding Laila
~Book Release Party with Erin Noelle, Sierra Cartwright and KD Robichaux
~HRWR in October
~RT Book Convention in May
And hopefully meeting some of these people:
~Kelsie Leverich
~Claire C. Riley
~Brittainy C. Cherry
~A. Meredith Walters
~Jean Haus
~Sarahbeth Caplin Stoneburner
~Kirsty-Anne Still
There’s more…I know there is…and I’m going to feel like a jerk for leaving them out. But trust me…I KNOW there is more. And I want to meet every-single-one!
Thank you so much for being a part of my 2014 and I hope you’ll stick around and be part of my 2015 as well. I want to be a part of yours. Happy New Year’s and I wish you so many wonderful things.
Until next year ;)
XO
~T
Filed under: Author Spotlight, Books, Dreams, Exciting, Girls Night Out, GNO, Goal Setting, Insight, Milestones, New Books, PennedCon2014, Ramblings, Signings, Thoughts, Writing Tagged: A. Meredith Walters, Amalie Silver, Brittainy C. Cherry, Claire C. Riley, Erin Noelle, HRWR, Jessica Prince, Kahlen Amyes, Kathryn Falk, KD Robichaux, Kelsie Leverich, Kimberly Stedronsky, Lori Otto, Penny Reid, RS Grey, RT Book Convention, Sierra Cartwright, Signing
December 19, 2014
Eric Asher ~ This Broken World
Vesik, Book 4 An ocean of darkness lives in the journal of Philip Pinkerton. Ancient things with no place in our world are rising from the Abyss. Ezekiel, the arrogant, mad god has called us into battle. Does he think we can’t touch him, or does he know we can’t? I wish I knew. The world’s only hope lies in a forgotten weapon, the strength of our allies, and one necromancer of questionable ancestry. Yeah, this is going to end well.
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1uoi5Yz
Nook: http://bit.ly/14fAxsP
iBooks: http://bit.ly/1xiWEKT
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1udNk9d
“When did you learn to
scale an incantation without a modifier?” the Old Man asked. His tone was full of humor.He wasn’t expecting an actual answer. He already knew the damned answer.
“I …” I stared at the frozen earth, speechless.
“You didn’t use a modifier, and yet you clearly used a minas art.”
I looked up at him with wide eyes. “I could have turned this entire field into an ice rink.”
“And yet, here we are.”
“Crazy old bastard,” Dell muttered as he stretched out on the rock again. “He could have killed us all.”
“Have you ever seen your master do that?” the Old Man asked.
“No,” I said. “You and Ezekiel and Edgar are the only people I’ve seen use non-verbal incantations.”
“You still spoke, but you internalized the modifier. Even that could be enough to give you an advantage in a close contest. And the sword.” He nodded at the blade.
I let it collapse in on itself and stared at the old hilt.
“Admittedly,” the Old Man said, “that is not likely to damage a demon to a significant degree. There are still times where a soulsword is your best bet. I would suggest using someone else’s soul for that.”
“That’s the path of a dark necromancer,” I said.
“That is the path of a man who survives.”
Eric is a former bookseller, guitarist, and comic seller currently living in Saint Louis, Missouri. A lifelong enthusiast of books, music, toys, and games, he discovered a love for the written word after being dragged to the library by his parents at a young age. When he is not writing, you can usually find him reading, gaming, or buried beneath a small avalanche of Transformers.
Website
Do you want to stay in the know with the goings on of the fabulous Eric Asher? Then be sure to sign up for his Newsletter.
——–>HERE
Catch up on the rest of the series!!
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1oGTj4Q
iBooks: http://bit.ly/1ptXQln
Smashwords: http://bit.ly/1vlP3qv
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1v3VSPj
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1pGxe5M
iBooks: http://bit.ly/1IL9a9U
Smashwords: http://bit.ly/1BFeOZb
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1w0XavR
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1p7mwC0
iBooks: http://bit.ly/1DpVxge
Smashwords: http://bit.ly/1qGLhKE
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1yIuRzo
Filed under: Author Spotlight, Blog Tour, New Books, PennedCon2014 Tagged: Eric Asher
December 16, 2014
Tuesday Teaser ~ Finding Laila
Good morning! (Or evening…wherever you are)
I’ve been working on finishing up the last of Finding Laila (like formatting and the like) before it comes out in FOUR weeks from today! I’m so excited and can’t wait to share this story with everyone!
Anyway, I’ve been delinquent on teasers here on my blog, though I’ve posted all over tsū and Facebook. Now it’s time to post some here. Hope you enjoy!
Click here for the preorder link. Finding Laila is $2.99 until release
and then it will be $3.99
TEASERS:
Filed under: Books, Exciting, New Books, Teaser, Writing Tagged: Barmy, Coming of Age, Finding Laila, New Book, New Release, Teaser Tuesday, Young Adult
December 13, 2014
Finding Laila by T.K. Rapp Review
Thank you so much to We Life if Big Book Blog for this WONDERFUL review!
Originally posted on welikeitbigbookblog:
Finding Laila
by T.K. Rapp
Stars: 5
Reviewed by:
Michelle
Synopsis:
Joey, Cole, Haden and Braxton have been a constant in my life since
I was five, and I have loved being one of the guys.
I’ve been cheerleader.
I’ve been study partner.
I’ve been listener.
When we’re young, we don’t realize the profound impact certain people will have on our lives. I had no idea twelve years ago I’d meet four boys who would turn out to be my best friends, my soul mates – my barmy.
Now school is almost done, our last summer together is drawing closer, and I’m trying to hold on to what we have while I still can. After this we’ll have to say goodbye to each other, as our choices will take our lives in different directions. But I don’t know if our friendship can survive once secrets and surprises begin revealing…
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December 11, 2014
Props to Authors, old and new…
Lori Otto is an amazing author and meeting her in person is icing on the cake. I’m so honored that she mentioned me here.
Originally posted on SensitiVitality:
This year… has been incredible. Incredible for many, many reasons. Today, I’m just going to mention some of the authors I’ve met (or seen) this year who have displayed some sort of kindness to me, or who I’ve met and just thought were really cool.
So… to the people listed below, and the others I’ve probably omitted on accident (and I’ll find some way to make it up to you), thank you for being a part of my journey this year.
Readers, please help me share the love by ordering and reading a book by an author you’ve never read on this list. Take a chance on someone new, or on a book you have yet to read. I’ve made it easy by adding a link to a book for each of them. There’s got to be something you’ll like!
Once you’ve found a book, share this post, and ask your friends to do…
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Filed under: Uncategorized
December 2, 2014
Tuesday Teaser ~ Finding Laila
Coming January 13
Pre-Order available NOW for $2.99.
After release, it will be $3.99
Click HERE to preorder
And don’t forget to enter the Paperback giveaway here:
Goodreads Book Giveaway
Finding Laila
by T.K. Rapp
Giveaway ends January 17, 2015.
See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.
Enter to win
Three paperback are up for grabs!! Enter for your chance to win and share with friends and family. More to come next week and be sure to follow me on any of the following social media:
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Twitter
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Ello
Amazon
Filed under: Books, Exciting, Giveaway, New Books, Price Drop, Teaser, Writing Tagged: Barmy, Coming of Age, Finding Laila, Goodreads, New Release, Rapp Giveaway, Teaser Tuesday, YA, Young Adult
November 25, 2014
It’s a COVER REVEAL!
Happy Tuesday everyone!!
It’s been a busy day, one filled with shares, likes, adds and plans. Lots of plans! But let’s get to the reason for this post, the cover reveal.
Finding Laila is set to release on January 13 and I’m so excited. I’ve been sitting on this cover for a couple of weeks and let me just say – I have a hard time holding back things like this. But, the day is finally here and I get to share the cover with the world.
Synopsis:
Cover Reveal
Joey, Cole, Haden and Braxton have been a constant in my life since I was five, and I have loved being one of the guys.
I’ve been cheerleader.
I’ve been study partner.
I’ve been listener.
When we’re young, we don’t realize the profound impact certain people will have on our lives. I had no idea twelve years ago I’d meet four boys who would turn out to be my best friends, my soul mates – my barmy.
Now school is almost done, our last summer together is drawing closer, and I’m trying to hold on to what we have while I still can. After this we’ll have to say goodbye to each other, as our choices will take our lives in different directions. But I don’t know if our friendship can survive once secrets and surprises begin revealing themselves to us at every turn.
When it’s all said and done, will our friendships remain unbreakable? Or will our once strong bond prove to be weaker than we anticipated?
Letting go is harder than I thought, but some changes are necessary.
And finding Laila…finding myself…may be the greatest journey of all.
So, there you have it, the synopsis and cover for my upcoming Young Adult novel, Finding Laila. This book means so much to me and I’m so excited to share this story with you. It has been in the hands of my trusted critique partners and is currently with the editor – she’s pretty special! I can’t wait to get her notes.
And before I go, I want to give a big HUGE thank you to my wonderful friend, Amy Queau, who helped me brainstorm this beauty. She’s amazing!
If you are interested in reading Finding Laila, or want to keep up with all things LAILA, add it to your TBR or follow me on any of the below social media.
I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving – or if you’re not in America – Happy Thursday. ;)
XO
~TK
Filed under: Exciting, Milestones, Nervous, New Books Tagged: Barmy, Braxton, Cole, Finding Laila, Haden, Joey, Laila, TKRapp, Tomboy
November 6, 2014
New Covers!!
Mine to Lose tells the story of Emogen and her fiancé, Ryan:
Mine to Lose Synopsis:
What happens when the fairy tale ends before it even begins?
Three years, two graduations, an engagement and a move to another, Emogen and Ryan are more in love than ever. He’s the one man she never expected to have and the only man she’s determined to keep. He’s her forever, and there’s nothing she wouldn’t do for him.
Almost, that is.
Ryan announces that he’s accepted a job offer that requires yet another move. Angry he didn’t discuss his decision with her first, Emogen refuses to pack up and follow. She has a career, too, and she’s
not ready to give it up.
Although determined to make the long distance thing work, their lives and careers begin to take a toll on the relationship, leaving them to wonder if they’re doing the right thing.
Sometimes love isn’t enough.
Mine to Lose ~ Teaser 1
Mine to Lose ~ Teaser 2
Available in Paperback and Ebook:
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Mine to Steal follows Trey Miller as he vies for a big account and possibly love:
Mine to Steal Synopsis:
In life and business, Trey Miller has always been the good guy. Nothing wrong with that, since it’s gotten him everywhere he has needed to be. His startup company is a success and growing so much that he is gaining the attention of larger corporations.
By all accounts, Trey has it all, but the one place he fails is love.
He thought he might have had something with Emogen Kane, but she was taken before he even had a chance. Now, he hides behind work, unwilling to take any risks in the love department.
When Trey finds himself vying for a huge account against Faith Young, he knows he’s going to have to play it tough to win. Faith is smart, attractive and rumor has it, she lands every account she goes after.
When Faith is thrown into his path at every turn, Trey starts to feel that it is more than a coincidence. Seeing Faith with her boyfriend douses the flame that he was starting to feel, until he realizes that the guy might not at all be what he seems.
Trey let go once, but he’s determined to win it all this time. Does he have it in him to roll up his sleeves and get dirty? And if he does, will he finally end up with the girl?
Mine to Steal ~ Teaser 1
Mine to Steal ~ Teaser 2
Available in Paperback and Ebook:
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
iBooks
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