Chelsea O'Neal's Blog, page 20

Inevitable Detour by S.R. Grey + Giveaway

Inevitable Detour by S.R. Grey
(Inevitability #1)
Publication date: September 7th 2014
Genres: New Adult, Romance, Suspense


Synopsis:
The day my life took an inevitable detour things got a little crazy.

My name is Essalin Brant, but everyone calls me Essa. I attend a small college in a tiny town, and in my twenty-two years of life I’ve never even traveled outside the state of Pennsylvania. You could say my life is pretty boring. I live by the rules. I’m a good girl and nothing exciting ever happens.

But that’s all about to change.

Enter Farren Shaw. Not only is he older and intimidating, but he’s more sure of himself than any 29-year-old man has a right to be. Did I mention that he’s drop-dead gorgeous? Well, he is. He also happens to be my best friend Haven’s brother. And I would be content with just fantasizing about Farren from afar, but when Haven suddenly goes missing, her gorgeous brother is the only one who believes me when I say she was abducted, even though all signs seem to suggest Haven left town willingly.

I know better, though. As does Farren. So when he asks me to accompany him to search for his sister, I accept.

That’s when the real adventure begins.

Our quest to find Haven takes us across the country. And throughout the time we spend together, I find myself falling for Farren . . . falling hard. He's everything I’ve ever wanted. But is he really someone I should fear?

Because aside from making me feel things I’ve never felt before, Farren is hiding something. Something big. What could this stunning man be keeping from me? And why? Is Haven’s disappearance somehow connected to his mysterious job?

All I know is that things are about to get real.

Welcome to the Inevitable Detour that has become my life.

**mature themes**


Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6433082.S_R_Grey
Purchase: http://www.amazon.com/Inevitable-Detour-Inevitability-S-R-Grey/dp/0692222170/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1409848858&sr=8-1&keywords=Inevitable+Detour+by+S.R.+Grey
~*EXCERPT*~ When the door swings open, I am graced by the presence of one damn fine-looking man. I forget about bugs; I forget about my skimpy outfit. All I can do is mouth, “Wow,” while I peruse Farren from head to toe.
He’s sporting just the right amount of sexy scruff, darkening his strong jaw. The top half of his body is bare, his shoulders appearing wider and stronger than when he’s clothed. Perhaps it’s due to all the muscles. Damn, he’s cut. My eyes travel down Farren’s smooth chest to his washboard abs, and then to the fine trail of dark hair that disappears just under the band of dark boxer briefs. Black boxers, I take note. I had a feeling.
“Essa?” Farren rasps in a sleep-thick but utterly sexy voice. He crosses his arms, muscles bunching, and leans against the frame of the door.
His green eyes meet mine. And, oh, that look. I know that look; I probably have it, too. I have two choices here: jump the man or make a joke and dispel the almost-combustible sexual tension between us.
I choose to joke.



AUTHOR BIO
S.R. Grey is an Amazon and Barnes & Noble Top 100 Bestselling author. She is the author of the popular New Adult novels I Stand Before You (Judge Me Not #1) and Never Doubt Me (Judge Me Not #2). Her newest novel, Inevitable Detour (Inevitability #1), is a wild ride combining the New Adult genre with elements of Romantic Suspense. She is also the author of the Harbour Falls Mystery trilogy. Ms. Grey's novels have appeared on Amazon and Barnes & Noble bestseller lists in multiple categories, including Amazon Top 30 and Barnes & Noble Top 5.

New novels slated for 2015 release dates are Just Let Me Love You (Judge Me Not #3), Inevitable Circumstances (Inevitability #2), and a New Adult novel to be revealed in the future.

Ms. Grey resides in Pennsylvania. She has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree, as well as an MBA. Her background is in business, but her true passion lies in writing. When not writing, Ms. Grey can be found reading, traveling, running, or cheering for her hometown sports teams.

Author’s Social Media Links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/SR-Grey/361159217278943
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorSRGrey
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6433082.S_R_Grey
Website: http://srgrey.webs.com/
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/srgrey/
Instagram: http://instagram.com/authorsrgrey#
Amazon Author page: http://www.amazon.com/S.R.-Grey/e/B00A1ACRBE/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1401638256&sr=1-1
Newsletter sign-up link (exclusive excerpts, specials, writing tips, and more):http://mad.ly/signups/106801/join

Other buy links:
Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Inevitable-Detour-Inevitability-Book-1-ebook/dp/B00NB4CLE0/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=8-1&qid=1409848858

Paperback: http://www.amazon.com/Inevitable-Detour-Inevitability-S-R-Grey/dp/0692222170/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1409859095&sr=8-1&keywords=inevitable+detour
UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Inevitable-Detour-Inevitability-Book-1-ebook/dp/B00NB4CLE0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1409855802&sr=8-1&keywords=inevitable+detour

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/inevitable-detour-sr-grey/1120313236?ean=2940150485433
~*GIVEAWAY*~

Blitz-wide giveaway Open INTL - Ends September 22nd--$25 Amazon gift card --5x eBook copy of Inevitable Detoura Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Play of Light by Debra Doxer Cover Reveal + Giveaway

Play of Light by Debra Doxer
Publication date: December 8th 2014
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

Synopsis:
I lived in paradise, and I loved Spencer Pierce.

At fourteen, my life was perfect. The beach was my playground, and the boy who stole my heart lived just around the corner. But perfect never lasts. In one horrifying moment, I lost it all. My family was destroyed, and the boy I believed in turned his back on me. Paradise became a nightmare.

That was five years ago. Everything changed when we moved from our home by the sea. I’ve changed, and I don’t like who I’ve become. I miss the smiling, carefree beach girl who disappeared that terrible night. I want to find her again. I want to face the people we ran from so long ago. Most of all, I have to face Spencer. So I can prove that when he broke my heart, he didn’t break me.

But when I see him again, Spencer Pierce is no longer the boy from my memories. He’s now a man who could devastate me if I let him. He watches me when he thinks I’m not looking. There’s regret written on his face when he’s near. Each time I see him, my heart aches for what might have been, and I think his does too. How can I convince myself I’m over him when I suspect he never got over me?

~ This is a standalone story. ~


Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22881797-play-of-light


AUTHOR BIO:
Debra Doxer was born in Boston, and other than a few lost years in the California sunshine, she has always resided in the Boston area. She writes fiction, technical software documents, illegible scribbles on sticky notes, and texts that get mangled by AutoCorrect. She writes for a living, and she writes for fun. When her daughter asks when she'll run out of words, her response always is, "When I run out of time."

Follow Tricia:https://twitter.com/DebraDoxer
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorDebraDoxer


~*Giveaway*~
The author is hosting a giveaway for a 
$25 Amazon gift Card 
to celebrate the reveala Rafflecopter giveaway
 

Too Much To Lose by Samantha Holt + Giveaway

BOOK INFORMATIONTITLE – Too Much to Lose SERIES – Dirty Little Secrets AUTHOR – Samantha Holt GENRE – Contemporary Romance PUBLICATION DATE – 5th September LENGTH (Pages/# Words) - 75000
BOOK BLURB / SYNOPSISHave you ever been so desperate you made a decision that would haunt you forever? Jess has. She became a porn star. Jess is on the run from her past. She has no friends, no life. She tries to forget everything that happened to her all those years ago. After changing her image, leaving her home and getting a new job, she’s determined it won’t happen again. If that means never being close to anyone ever again, then so be it. If only Hunter O’Reilly didn’t make her wish things could be different. Hunter needs this job. After being screwed over by his partner—make that ex-partner—his investigation business is on the line. Already in debt, he eagerly takes on the job of finding some stolen money at triple his going rate and all leads point in Jess’s direction. He expects problems at that price. But he doesn’t expect to fall for her. However, no job is ever that simple. When he’s forced to spend more time with her, the lines between business and pleasure are blurred. And once Jess’s life comes under threat, they have to make a decision, can they both overcome Jess’s past?
BUY & TBR LINKSAMAZON KINDLE US – GOODREADS
EXCERPTExcerpt 1 PG

“If you’re in trouble, I know some people who can help.” “I’m not in trouble. Really, I’m not. I mean who would want to kill me? I know bankers aren’t exactly popular—” she lets loose a shaky laugh “—but I’m harmless.” Harmless? Not sure about that. Jess sends my heart racing, makes my skin clammy. She’s driving me insane. Harmless? No way. “What do you want me to do?” I ask. “Do?” “Shall I stick around?” “Oh. No, you don’t need to do that.” “I don’t mind.” “I’m fine. Seriously. Thank you for today. You must be tired and I bet your side hurts.” It does, but I’m not going to admit to that. “It’s fine.” “Look about that kiss….” “That was my fault.” “I kissed you.” “You did.” I can’t resist letting my mouth curve upwards. She kissed me, but I don’t know if that’s a bad or a good thing. While my pride basks in it, the voice inside that keeps pulling at my gut wants to scream at her to run while she still can. I’m no good for her. “But I kissed you back,” I point out. “And I should not have been… er… touching you out there.” She draws her bottom lip between her teeth. “It’s okay.” Hell, how do those two tiny words send an arrow of need straight to my cock? It’s okay that I was kissing her? Or touching her up? It’s okay that I want her so badly I nearly bent her over my bike to fuck her? Before I can dwell on it anymore and make an even bigger fool of myself, I get to my feet. “Will you let me stay?” “I don’t think so. It’s too risky.” A hard knot forms in my throat. I’m more dangerous to her than a crazed gunman it seems. She might be right. If—when—I find that money, her whole life is going to come crashing down. “Don’t answer the door to anyone. Be careful. Call me if you need me. In fact, call me tomorrow.” She follows me to the door. “Please?” I add as uncertainty dashes across her face. Jess opens the door and I step out. “I’ll call you,” she says when I turn to face her. “Promise?” She rolls her eyes and her mouth curves. “I promise.” Those lush lips snare my attention and my own smile drops. My skin feels hot and itchy, my pulse urgent. This is insane. I rest an arm against the door frame, my feet still firmly planted on the other side of the threshold and bring my mouth slowly down on hers. She softens but doesn’t touch me. We’re divided by the invisible line between the corridor and her room. I can’t help thinking of it as symbolic. We’re divided by secrets and lies. Not that any of that matters once our lips connect. I swear I’ve never wanted to kiss a woman so much. Kisses are about the end game. But not with Jess. I want to drown in her kisses, to kiss her all day and see if I ever tire of them. I suspect it’s unlikely.

AUTHOR BIOSamantha lives in a small village in England with her gorgeous twin girls and husband who is a trained bodyguard and ex-soldier. She traditionally writes historical romances involving chivalrous knights and hot highlanders, but occasionally dabbles in contemporary romance.
AUTHOR FOLLOW LINKSAMAZON AUTHOR PAGE – WEBSITE / BLOG – FACEBOOK 
GIVEAWAY PRIZES1 x $25 Amazon Gift Card 2 x ecopies of Not Another Soldier a Rafflecopter giveaway   This tour was proudly organized by              

Wrong Place, Right Time by Brooke Williams Cover Reveal

 
PRESENTS. . .A Cover Revealfor Wrong Place, Right Time by Brooke Williams Release Date: December 9 , 2014Published by The Writers Coffee Shop As the bumbling town TV traffic reporter, Kate Covington is a constant source of entertainment, but Kate sticks with her dead end job because of her love for news anchor Brian Schaffer. When Brian spontaneously runs off to marry his high school sweetheart, Kate panics and quickly follows. She finds herself in a Las Vegas wedding chapel, desperate to tell her best friend how she feels before he makes a huge mistake and marries the wrong person. The mistake, however, is all Kate’s. As the scorned bride runs back down the short aisle, Kate quickly realizes she just interrupted the wrong wedding. The would-be groom, Chad Leida, explains the predicament Kate has caused him…he needs to marry before turning 30 in order to inherit his family fortune…and he no longer has a bride. When Chad asks Kate to marry him and promises her a million dollars for a year of her time, Kate isn’t sure what to do. She has a great deal of debt to her name due to caring for her ailing grandmother, but she also doesn’t want to let go of the idea of love and marriage going together. Kate’s impulsive decision changes her entire lifestyle…and her ideas about love. From Las Vegas to San Francisco and even to the Midwestern city of Omaha, Kate learns that even when she turns up in the Wrong Place, sometimes it is at just the Right Time.  
Goodreads * Add to Want To Read List
Brooke Williams is an award-winning author and freelance writer. She has written hundreds of articles as well as several novels, including Someone Always Loved You and Beyond the Bars. Brooke has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Morningside College, with a double major in Mass Communications and Religious Studies. She has twelve years of experience in radio broadcasting, both behind the scenes and on-air. She was also a television traffic reporter for a brief time. Brooke and her husband Sean married in 2002 and have two daughters, Kaelyn and Sadie.  
Facebook * Blog 

Just Desserts by Tricia Quinnies Cover Reveal

~*COVER REVEAL*~
Just Desserts by Tricia Quinnies Published by: Swoon Romance
Publication date: October 7th 2014
Genres: Adult, Romance 

Synopsis:
Sadie Maxon’s almost done baking desserts and waitressing at her father’s trendy diner in Lake Geneva. She’s anxious to get back to Chicago and finish grad school. When Quinn Laughton, a contractor renovating the Wrigley mansion on the lake, offers to buy the crumbling diner, she can’t resist his deal or his sexy down-to-earth sweetness. But Sadie discovers Quinn is a member of the prestigious Wrigley family and is unsure if it was her or her family’s legendary diner that attracted Quinn. To convince Sadie of his intentions, Quinn mixes up a batch of passion and romance for her. But will Sadie’s small town sensibilities be swayed by Quinn’s big city charm?

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20562725-just-desserts?from_search=true


AUTHOR BIO:
Tricia Quinnies knew, when she finished reading PERFECT by Judith McNaught, she wanted to write a romance. But, her three young sons kept her happily busy. In 2009, she carved out time for herself, usually at four in morning, and set about writing her first romance. It was a love story inspired by her college time in London, England. At last check it's under the bed waiting for a rewrite. A few stories later she found writing contemporary romances and setting them closer to home on the shores of Lake Michigan much easier. While not writing Tricia tries to keep up with her very social teenagers, two Doxies and one husband. JUST DESSERTS is her debut novel.

Follow Tricia:
twitter.com/TriciaQuinnies
tumblr: triciaq.tumblr.com
pinterest.com/quinnies/
www.facebook.com/triciaq   

Renaissance of the Heart by Lori M Jones Review

RENAISSANCE OF THE HEARTBY LORI M JONES
After her husband of fifteen years comes out of the closet, a blindsided, forty-year-old Amanda Lewis is forced to salvage what remains of her shattered heart and navigate a new life for herself and her teenage daughter. But will a sizzling secret romance with a famous young NFL quarterback lead her to winning the life she deserves or set her up for her biggest loss yet?

As she embarks on the journey of rebuilding her home, Amanda discovers that finding forgiveness and repairing her damaged self-worth are her biggest challenges of all. While searching her soul–and even searching inside her city's history–she finds answers. But will answers come too late and can a broken heart ever be truly fixed?
 
Excerpt
 Chapter 1 "If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant. If we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome." -Anne Bradstreet 
JANUARY Six days of relentless self-pity mingled with bouts of guttural sobbing. Pain so persistent her hair hurt. The raw grief now behind her, Amanda recognized the brilliant face of hope poking through her dank mood, offering a piece of relief from the misery. Although an unshowered, disheveled mess, she intended to celebrate hope. The sunshiny face of hope. Her focus now, along with surviving a Saturday night alone, would be getting to the root of why he left, and then fixing the problem. Three drops of red wine cascaded from the glass's rim, adding another stain to Amanda's sweatpants. Making her way to the sofa, her comforting friend, she tugged at the drooping waistband. One benefit to Derrick announcing the end to their fifteen year marriage one week ago, she mused, was the loss of a few pounds. What a cruel diet plan. She flipped through the movie channels unable to find one she hadn't already seen this week. Enough with the nauseating love stories. The remote hit the floor as she reached for her cell phone, which alerted her to a new text. Probably another friend checking in or a family member inviting her to a sympathy dinner, she thought. It was Derrick. His name on the phone screen shot a ball of sickness into her gut. After a quick response, she bolted up the steps to her bedroom, hitting her sister's number on her speed dial on the way. "Deb, Derrick wants to meet me for a drink tonight. What do you think?" Amanda asked, yanking her pink sweater from the hamper, Derrick's favorite. "I think maybe he finally got his head out of his ass and wants his perfect life back." Her sister's irritated tone evident and expected. But his life obviously hadn't been perfect here, and Amanda had to know what she did to cause his departure. With another sigh, Amanda spoke, not really wanting advice or comfort, but just needing her sister's reassuring company. "I'm not sure what's gonna happen, but I'm nervous, really nervous." "Text me if things aren't going well and I'll come over and key his precious Beamer in the parking lot." Amanda laughed—a laugh only her sister could create. "That would be wonderful. Thank you!" "You got it. Hey, because of this snowstorm coming in, Lilly's going to just sleep over. Don will bring her home in the morning if the roads are clear, okay? It's teen horror movie night at the Pucharelli household!" "Sounds great. Lilly deserves a fun distraction. Thanks again!" Although the thought of her daughter not sleeping in the next room tonight caused a wave of sadness to wash across her heart, she knew she needed to focus on Derrick. "Good luck tonight, Mand. Be tough." After dressing, she peered into Lilly's room. What would life be like for Lilly if Derrick stayed away for good? How many other nights would Amanda spend alone in this house? With a hard sigh, she headed to the garage. In typical Pittsburgh fashion, the gray January sky hung low, the snowflakes increasing in volume. Amanda's impractical choice of pumps over snowboots screamed vanity, but her attempt to look attractive for her husband reflected her desperation and her hope he would come home to her. Praying out loud in her SUV over the blaring courage-building music, she pleaded with God to end this nightmare. With a glance upward into the grayness, she petitioned for her greatest fear to be dispelled; Derrick had found another woman. Since his departure, her imagination had played out the possibility of infidelity. Pulling into the restaurant's parking lot, her mind traveled there one final time. Perhaps their basically sexless marriage had been a warning of his unhappiness. He had been visiting the gym more often and wearing cologne at odd times. Could those be signs of a new love?
She forced the gear shift into park while sucking in one more breath. She entered the snowy night. Her eyes, sore from crying the night before, scanned through the trendy restaurant. She moved through the irritating noise of people engaged in conversations and followed the sounds of the Saturday night crowd into the bar. A pungent waft of heavy garlic turned her stomach. She instantly recognized the back of his dirty blonde hair, shiny with hair products. Derrick turned in his barstool. Dressed as if he had just walked from a Banana Republic ad in his dry-cleaner pressed khakis and lime green oxford, he faced her, looking as handsome as the day they had met in college. She thought it unfair his graying temples only added to his good looks. Locking eyes, she felt the same excited flutter she had when she spotted him in their Greek Mythology class nineteen years ago. Her mind knew his scent before she was close enough for her nose to detect it. Standing with an exaggerated eagerness, he pulled out a barstool and slid it toward her. She interpreted this as his attempt to avoid hugging her. "Hey…hi there, Amanda." "Hi...Hey, Derrick, how are you?" Their words stumbled over each other's like two people on a blind date attempting small talk, weighted with awkwardness. Keeping the discussion to the topic of Lilly, their only child, they finished half of their beers. Although not typically affectionate with each other in public, she touched his thigh twice during their conversation, reminding him she had been his wife for a long time. "Look," he said, redirecting his eyes to the dwindling foam on top of his beer. She tensed. Pushing her long auburn hair over her shoulder, she knew conversations starting with "look" are typically not good. "I have something difficult to tell you but I think it's something you've known all along." "What?" Her eyes hit his, and then fell to her glass. Her heart pounded. "Will you look at me, please?"
She did. In the moment of silence, she studied his flawless face and remembered the times she would joke he had a prettier face than she had. His tired eyes, she thought, seemed to be straining, perhaps trying to tell her his news without having to speak. He blew a long breath through his lips, proclaiming, "I'm seeing someone." She knew it. With three words, her fear turned reality. "Who? What… who?" "It's not important--" "Not important? Who is she? How long, Derrick, has this been going on?" His secretary? A woman at the gym? "It's a man, Amanda. I'm seeing a man. I'm gay. I'm so sorry. I've known for long time--" "No. No. You're joking…" Her head shook as if it could knock out his words. "Amanda, I'm sorry. I need to end the lying." Her breathing paralyzed; her body wanted to faint, to shut down. The blood left her head and her limbs. From deep within her gut, she forced out, "You bastard." A week ago when Derrick walked out of the house with a suitcase he had packed without her knowledge, she thought there could never be a greater feeling of shock than at that moment. But, she had been wrong. Caught in a nightmare, she needed to escape. She wanted to run, to scream, to grab a vodka bottle from behind the bar and smash it across his beautiful face. Jolted by laughter from a group of men watching the NFC Wild Card playoff game next to her, she started to breathe again. Questions rattled in her mind like coins loose in a spinning dryer. Voice quivering, she asked, "Why? Why all these years of lying? Why now? Why cheat on me and not be honest? Do I deserve that?" His face twisted in anguish as he attempted to explain, "It never seemed like the right time to hurt you or Lilly. I was happy, most of the time. You are… my best friend. I do love you, Amanda." His patronizing touch on her arm burned. "I pushed it away. I tried every day to push who I was away so we could have our life. Then I met Jake and I knew I couldn't live this lie any longer. I couldn't face you and Lilly anymore." Since his words weren't diminishing the sting, she attacked, "I hate you. I hate you so much." The polished young couple next to them halted their possibly first or second date conversation to look her way in stunned curiosity, causing Amanda to swallow her words. She cursed him internally for doing this to her in public. Looking away from all eyes, pretending to watch the football game, something she would ordinarily enjoy, she continued in a weak whisper, "You are nothing but a coward and a liar. You stood in a church and promised to love me forever and honor me. You're a liar. Oh my God, you're definitely leaving me. You have a boyfriend! Oh my God…" Unlike a week ago when his announcement left her frozen, staring at him unable to cry, the tears came easily now. She buried her face into a napkin and watched a mental video of their life together. Then flashed the signs. Signs that should have told her he was gay. He had loved cooking and shopping. Were those signs? Of course not, her mind yelled as she pressed her fingers into her temples. What about a voice inside her whispering that something was not quite right? Though what he told her clearly ended their marriage, her mind searched for ways to fix the situation. Her heart naively searched for hope. Maybe this was a temporary mid-life crisis? He touched her shoulder. Pulling her posture upright, she inhaled causing the anger to devour the sadness, creating a strength needed to continue. "Why not do this before we walked down the aisle? You robbed me of fifteen years of my life." Then she saw Lilly's face. If they had not walked down that aisle, there would be no Lilly, no beautiful Lilly. "I wish I had been brave enough to face who I was back then. I'm so sorry. I loved you and I chose you, Mand. I know I was a coward. I suppose I let society's expectations of me decide my fate. But I'm ready now to start my life over." Start his life over? So, he rewound the video of his life so he could record a new one, erasing her. Her thoughts froze and she ended the questioning. Outwardly, anyway.
They discussed the cold details of divorce: lawyers, living arrangements and Lilly. Gracious and giving at this point due to his guilt, Amanda doubted he could remain agreeable throughout a divorce process. The Derrick she knew loved a good argument.
*~* My Review*~*
 The idea of this book is interesting and intriguing.  I am divorced, and even though my ex didn't come out of the closet he had been cheating.  So I was like give me this book!  So starting it I completely understood the breakup and the questions and the hurt, though my ex isn't gay, it may have been easier? The main heroine is much older than me, not that it is a problem, but she definitely had different worried than I had during and after the divorce.  However I LOVE Bradley.  Does anyone know a sexy football player that can have my heart?  He is amazing, truly amazing, he is sweet and kind and talented, and perfect for the neurotic mess that is Amanda.
I felt a bit of a mess reading some parts because Amanda was so much in her head, but Bradley always seemed to even her out and made getting to those parts so much sweeter!  The only real complaint I have is that there were multiple times I didn't know who was talking, tag lines are helpful sometimes so that confusion doesn't force me to stop, go back, and figure out what exactly is happening.  
I also loved the quotes in the story some of them really touched my heart when I read them.  I love how authors can intertwine things like that into their stories. The ending though intense and slightly tragic at times, was perfect.  This book could not have ended any better.
I give this book 4 stars.


Author Bio
Lori lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where she writes women's and children's fiction. RENAISSANCE OF THE HEART is her debut novel. She's also the author of children's books, RILEY'S HEART MACHINE and CONFETTI THE CROC, both written with the hope that children will celebrate what make them unique. She's also written award-winning flash fiction pieces and her articles have been featured in various publications.Lori serves on the Board of Directors for the Children's Heart Foundation and is the president of their Pennsylvania chapter. She visits schools to speak about writing, about the human heart and about embracing what makes you special. Besides writing and spreading awareness about Congenital Heart Defects, her passions include her two daughters, her husband, Mark, her Pittsburgh sports teams and running in 5Ks. Lori is a member of Pennwriters and she loves her local writing groups! She is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown with a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication and journalism. She also holds a paralegal certificate from Duquesne University and is a former Washington, D.C. paralegal. Visit her website at www.lorimjones.com.
*RILEY'S HEART MACHINE (Guardian Angel Publishing)*RENAISSANCE OF THE HEART(Soul Mate Publishing, Spring 2014)*CONFETTI THE CROC (Winter 2014)www.facebook.com/LoriMJonesAuthor
~* Giveaway*~
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Our Second Chance by C.D. Taylor

Our Second Chance by C.D. Taylor
(Come Back to Me #1)
Published by: Booktrope Publishing
Publication date: February 16th 2013
Genres: Erotica, Romance

Synopsis:Our Second Chance by Author C.D. Taylor is a tale of forgiveness, redemption, and love. It demonstrates how the power of healing can strengthen the bond between family, friends, and lovers.

Emily Mills lives a life of opulence and luxury in Los Angeles but can’t shake the feeling that there is something more out there for her. It isn’t the picture perfect life her social circles expect and she knows something is missing. Unwilling to let happiness be a distant wish, she boards a plane to chase her dreams of becoming a lawyer in New York City. It doesn’t take long for her past to reappear with her former best friend from college, Jake Bradford. Knowing the feelings she’s held for Jake all these years, she still tries to convince herself that she isn’t worthy of any sort of love from him. Conceding to a fraction of her desire, Emily strikes a deal with Jake to become steamy friends with benefits. Soon her passionate bond with him turns out to be way more intense than she expects and she finds herself wishing her emotional scars didn’t rear their ugly head and destroy everything she’s worked for.

Can Emily forgive herself and those who have hurt her in the past to become the person she knows she can be? Or will the roadblocks in front of her cause her to make the decision to run like she’s been doing most of her life? Book 1 of this thrilling new 3-book series will leave you panting for more and cheering for second chances.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17403237-our-second-chance?ac=1
Purchase:--Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Our-Second-Chance-Chances-Are/dp/1620155028/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1409326269&sr=8-1&keywords=Our+Second+Chance--B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/our-second-chance-cd-taylor/1120027014?ean=9781620155028
Excerpt “Hey babe, sorry I didn’t tell you I’d be here today. After you told me you were working here, I knew you’d put an end to our date.”“You were right on that assumption.” I continued walking.“So how about a drink after work to apologize, my treat?”“Thanks for the offer but that’s not a good idea.”“And why not?” he ran his hand over my backside causing a flutter of excitement and apprehension to run through me.“Well for starters, you’re a client. That’s a huge conflict of interest Grant. I really wish you would’ve told me last night.”“I said I was sorry Emily.” He gave me a sad face. “Well like I said, this isn’t a good idea. We can’t continue to see each other. I know it was only one date but if you could please not say anything I’d appreciate it. I could lose my job over this.” I pleaded with him.“I understand your point, but I still see the way you look at me. And the way you were squirming in your seat in there. Tell me you don’t want me. Tell me that you wouldn’t like to have my hands all over you right now.”Oh my god. He was turning me on even more with his low seductive voice. I shouldn’t have been aroused by his forwardness. I should have been appalled and ran away. Why wasn’t I running away from him? I sped away from Jake and Jake didn’t even talk like Grant was. He was slow and sensual not crude and crass. “Grant it’s just not the best idea…”He suddenly grabbed my arm and yanked me into a vacant office, then shut and locked the door.“What are you do…?”I felt his lips crash onto mine in a bone melting kiss. The tango of our tongues felt so wrong but also so damn right. I mentally compared the kiss to Jakes. It wasn’t the same at all, no, Grant took what he wanted and didn’t apologize for it.  He reached around me and grabbed my ass with is large hands, and squeezed hard. He pulled me into his front and I could feel the hard press of his hardness against me. I closed my eyes and let the sensations overwhelm me. I shouldn’t have been there, doing that. I knew better. But for some ignorant reason, I didn’t care. I wanted to get lost in the arms of someone. I didn’t want to be the good girl right then, I wanted to do something reckless and irresponsible, and not give a damn about the consequences. I had to prove to myself that I wasn’t that scared little canary in a cage anymore, no, I was a bird of prey, going after what I wanted. And dammit, I would have it.  
AUTHOR BIO C.D. Taylor began writing as an item to check off her bucket list. She resides in the southernmost part of Illinois, right on the mighty Mississippi river. She enjoys the quiet country life with her husband, son and the many farm animals that make up the rest of the family. C.D. decided that farm life was just a little too mundane, so she started writing erotica to spice things up, so far so good. C.D. entered cosmetology school right out of High School and practiced the art of hair styling for 12 years. When she isn’t writing, she can usually be found sitting around a table making people laugh. She has always wanted to be a standup comic. She loves pulling practical jokes, dresses up in a costume every Halloween and believes that dancing is the key to a happy life (even if you aren’t a good dancer). She believes that life shouldn’t be taken too seriously, we will never get out alive anyway. More than anything, C.D. is a kid at heart, she doesn’t believe in bedtimes, eating everything on her plate, or having ice cream only for dessert. Her favorite quote is by Dr. Seuss…”Why fit in, when you were born to stand out.”
Author links:https://twitter.com/CDTaylor_Authorhttp://authorcdtaylor.com/https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4908299.C_D_Taylor
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Constructing Us by C.J. Lake Book Blitz + Giveaway

Constructing Us by C.J. Lake
Publication date: July 18th 2014
Genres: New Adult, Romance
Synopsis:*Contains explicit/steamy scenes that are intended for mature readers.
When Andy takes over the lease on her friend Ethan’s apartment, he warns her about his roommate, Tragan. According to Ethan, Tragan Barrett is self-centered and often inconsiderate, caring more about hanging out with his friends and hitting the local casino than straightening the living room or keeping up with his laundry. Andy isn’t too concerned, though, because she isn’t moving in to make a friend.
Intended as a short-term living arrangement, the apartment is close to the hospital where Andy is participating in a drug study for a rare disorder she was diagnosed with when she was twenty. Now, fresh out of college, she is trying to figure out her life–and also how to live with the uncertainty of her condition. Figuring she’ll go one way and he’ll go another, Andy is surprised to learn that Tragan is not exactly the way Ethan painted him. In fact, there’s a whole other side to the darkly sexy construction worker…especially when it comes to Andy.
Can an unlikely friendship turn into something much more?

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22755891-constructing-us
Purchase:--Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Constructing-Us-C-J-Lake/dp/1500518409/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1409679956&sr=8-1&keywords=Constructing+Us
~*Excerpt*~
After his parents left, Tragan found Andy at the kitchen sink.  She was pulling her hair up into a messy knot at the back of her head, which exposed more of her neck.  He stepped closer, leaned on the counter beside the sink.  “Well, the good news is that my parents had an awesome time.  They absolutely love you.”
“Oh, good…” Andy said, reaching for the dishwashing soap.
“The bad news is that for the rest of her days my mother will now be saying: ‘Why can’t you meet a girl like Andy’?
She gave a laugh at that.  “Technically you did meet me,” she pointed out.
“You know what I mean,” Tragan said.  “Seriously, I can see it now.  ‘Tragan, that stripper you brought home for Thanksgiving?  Why can’t she be more like Andy?’”
Andy shot him a look.  “Stripper?  Really?”
He shrugged.  “You never know,” he said, grinning.
“Personally, I think you should set your sights a little higher,” Andy remarked, tilting her head at him--then corrected herself.  “I shouldn’t say that, because I don’t actually know… Tragan, are you seeing anyone now?”
He shook his head.  “Nope, no,” he said, straightening up a little.  “I’m keeping my options open,” he added for some unknown reason.  He felt like an idiot as soon as he’d said it.
“That’s good,” she said generically and set more plates into the sink.  As she swished them with soapy water, Tragan found himself thinking about what his mom had said at the door.
“So are you always this great to people’s parents?” he fished.  “Or…”
“Or what?”
When she blinked at him, waiting, he lightened his tone, made it more joking.  “Or is there just something special about Mari and Jack Barrett?”
Her gaze returned to the dishes in the sink as she proclaimed, “They’re very easy to talk to, for real.  I don’t know why you were worried.”
“I wasn’t worried.”
“Sure,” she said, teasing him.  “You know, you’re lucky your parents are still together.  When my dad moved to Switzerland, it was supposed to be a year or so.  We didn’t know he’d end up staying forever.”
When her voice trailed off, Tragan probed, “Do you ever see him?”
Andy nodded.  “Oh, sure, on Skype.  Emma and I visited him in Zurich about two years ago, and he came to the hospital in Chicago when I was sick.  Plus, we talk on the phone and email a lot.”
“That’s cool.”
“Yeah, he’s a good dad.  But it’s still not the same as having my mom and him still together, like yours.”
Selfishly, Tragan was impatient to switch topics.  He loved his parents to death but he didn’t want to talk about them right now.  And he didn’t want to talk about Andy’s parents, either.  “Hey--are you and Brad serious?” he blurted.
Andy appeared startled by the shift in subject.  At first she hesitated, without replying.  But Tragan held her gaze anyway, determined to learn the answer.
Finally, she shrugged.  “Yeah, I mean, maybe, sure, could be,” she floundered, breaking their eye contact to reach for a towel.  Rubbing it over a wet plate, she babbled on, “He’s a great guy and, you know, I’ve known him for a couple years now, um…plus, we’re still young, it’s not like we have to make any decisions right now…but…my mother likes him and…enh.”
“Enh?” Tragan repeated skeptically.  “That doesn’t sound good.”
“No, no,” she backpedaled, “I mean…Brad’s great.”
“Right, you said that.”
“And he’s very smart--extremely smart.”
“I’m sure he is,” Tragan agreed (since the guy was a doctor, after all).
“Above all, though, Brad’s aware of my whole situation and is understanding about it.”  Half-heartedly, Tragan gave a nod, although he really didn’t want to validate that.  Andy seemed healthy to him, and besides that, he didn’t want to act like she had such a bad situation.  “Who knows, we’ll see.”  She let the dishtowel drop on the counter.  “Wow, I’ve been rambling.  You know what?  I’m just gonna finish up these dishes tomorrow.  I’m tired,” she insisted a little too abruptly.
“Okay.”  He had to assume that his seemingly simple question had hit a nerve.  As she headed to her room, Tragan called after her.  “Listen--you really helped me out tonight.  If there’s ever anything I can do for you, just let me know okay?  So we can call it even.”
There was a momentary pause.  “You know what?  There is something,” Andy told him as she walked back to him.
Tragan’s heart rate kicked up, having the sudden notion that Andy might slide her hands up his chest and press her supple, sexy body into his.  If she did, he would unleash such heat on her, he couldn’t guarantee they’d even make it to the bedroom before they were both going at it like animals.
“You know how you tend to pile your dirty, sweaty clothes on the floor--in a, sort of, inconvenient heap that’s blocking the dryer?” Andy said.  “Which is charming, by the way.”
Inwardly, Tragan sighed, disappointed.  So much for hot, relentless sex in the kitchen.  “Yes…?”
“I was thinking that maybe you could use a hamper instead?”
Tragan’s eyes dropped down for a second, before returning to hers.  “So that’s all you want from me?  My disgusting laundry out of your way.”
“Well, I wouldn’t call it ‘disgusting.’”
“Fine, I’ll get a hamper.”
“Specifically I was hoping you could use one with a lid--like I have?  I’ll pick you up one.”
“Andy, I think I can buy my own hamper,” Tragan said, trying not to sound churlish.
“If you’re sure.  I have no problem treating you; it could be, like, an early Arbor Day present.”
So she wanted to be a smartass.  “Hamper with a lid,” he bit out, glaring at her--and fighting a grin.  “Got it.  Anything else?”
“No, that’s it.  For now.”  She gave him a sweet little wave that exuded sarcasm.  “’Night, roomie!”
Watching her go, he blew out a breath of laughter, in spite of himself.  He shook his head as he heard her bedroom door close.  Now that he was alone in the kitchen, there seemed only one logical thing for him to do.  In fact, he wasn’t clear on anything else at that moment except for this.
He stepped up to the sink and did the rest of the dishes.  ~

AUTHOR BIOC.J. Lake is a storyteller who is passionate about art, surfing, and skiing/snowboarding. Residing near the coast of Massachusetts, C.J. is working on a new book that will feature Tragan Barrett's friend, Matt Winter. Readers can get in touch via email (writercjlake@gmail.com), or follow C.J. on Twitter @brightbluesurf.
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For the Love of Death by Tamara Rose Blodgett Book Blitz + Giveaway

For the Love of Death by Tamara Rose Blodgett
(Death #7)
Publication date: September 5th 2014
Genres: Adult, Dystopia 
Synopsis:The year is 2049 and in the new dystopian order, the Randoms have risen to the top like cream. Earth faces dire consequences because of the Helix Complex and their illicit use of mass-sterilization. Many who could have children, were made into mules from the virulent Zondorae concoction of 2030.
Now middle-aged, Death’s children do their best to move forward in a world where technology and paranormal powers collide in a mix of tragedy and circumstance. Zombies have been raised for the slave trade by those Randoms in power.
Paxton Hart and Parker’s twin girls are grown and on the radar for those that understand how critical they are for the future. The tight-knit circle of friends continues to network for solutions to the depravity that has taken hold.
Can the original group right a tremendous wrong? Will the new generation of Randoms find a solution for propagation, or will their power base cannibalize those who choose harmony instead of greed?

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21465725-for-the-love-of-death
Purchase:--Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Love-Death-Tamara-Rose-Blodgett/dp/1496053613/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1409680903&sr=8-1&keywords=For+the+Love+of+Death--B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/tamara-rose-blodgett


AUTHOR BIO Tamara Rose Blodgett is the author of forty titles, including her NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY bestselling novel, A Terrible Love. Tamara writes a variety of dark fiction in the genres of fantasy, science fiction, romance and erotica. She lives in South Dakota with her family and is an ardent reader who enjoys interacting with her readers.
Author links: http://tamararoseblodgett.blogspot.mx/https://www.facebook.com/AuthorTamaraRoseBlodgetthttps://twitter.com/TRoseBlodgetthttps://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4755913.Tamara_Rose_Blodgett



~* Excerpt*~  “Mom—no. Brother,” I rake a hand through my hair, on the look out for the BS bots.
They swarm inside the toxic fog of smoke, everything all screwed up by noise and odd pulse tech gone haywire.
Two ram together, fall on their mechanical asses and stumble to get up. They knock heads and fall again.
The parents watch them crash into each other.
“Not very bright,” Dad remarks.
God, Dad.
“Right, listen... you guys we need to get to Pax. He's taken off to find Deegan and he's the blinker in the group and we don't want to be stuck with them.” I sweep my hand out and they take in the idiot bots.
“They appear to ignore mundanes and focus on the paranormal.” Dad is sliding into the default Scientific Observation Mode.
Great.
“Yeah, they're juiced about everyone but Organics.”
“Caleb,” Mom says, her voice a shadow of the strident Nazi-word queen of my youth, “I think we need to go wherever we're going—right now.”
A bot advances, its circuitry is buzzing, some of the lightweight flesh of whatever alloy they've used in the manufacture torn away like a flap of scalped skin.
Instantly, I think of the Skopamish.
I repress a hysterical chuckle, the crooked mouth rising like a Phoenix. Don't think the parents will dig the humor.
“I think this one is a little brighter than the rest, son.”
It shambles forward like a metal zombie. I notice it has been soundly torched but whatever covers its body has shielded it from the blanket of my bungled torch episode.
Cripes.

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Charming the Outback by Leesa Bow

Charming the Outback by Leesa Bow
Published by: Destiny Romance
Publication date: September 2nd 2014
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance
Synopsis:When jaded city girl Maddy McIntyre packs up and leaves Adelaide for a new job in the country, it’s not only a chance at a fresh start. Six months ago, the first guy she’d ever loved shattered her heart before moving home to Broken Hill. Deep down inside, Maddy is hoping that living in the same town will give her an opportunity to prove to Luke that she’s one temptation he can’t resist.
But when she arrives in Broken Hill, Luke White is not the same guy she knew in the city. And it soon seems very clear that he doesn’t want her there. Although Maddy settles in quickly, excelling at work and partying with her new friends, she can’t understand why Luke is remaining so distant. Particularly when all her instincts are telling her that they’re meant to be together – and that he feels the same burning attraction.
As Maddy learns more about Luke’s family and background, she begins to understand that his mixed messages are caused by balancing what’s expected of him with what he really wants. Maddy gave Luke her heart long ago and, despite their differences, she knows she’ll only ever be happy with her hot country boy. But how can she convince him that she’s the risk he needs to take?

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22737667-charming-the-outback
Purchase:--Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Charming-Outback-Destiny-Bow-Leesa-ebook/dp/B00M3UUY9M/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1409327567&sr=1-1&keywords=Charming+the+Outback--iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/au/book/charming-the-outback/id897765202?mt=11
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3cV_bRImpw
~*Facebook party*~The author is having a Facebook Release party on Friday 5th September 4.45pm PDT and everyone is invited. There will be 20 authors giving away books as prizes~here’s the link if anyone wants to attend:https://www.facebook.com/events/260790934109846/?ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming
Excerpt*~ Charming the Outback Blurb and Excerpt- First Chapter
When jaded city girl Maddy McIntyre packs up and leaves Adelaide for a new job in the country, it's not only a chance at a fresh start.  Six months ago, the first guy she'd ever loved shattered her heart before moving home to Broken Hill. Deep down inside, Maddy is hoping that living in the same town will give her an opportunity to prove to Luke that she's one temptation he can't resist.But when she arrives in Broken Hill, Luke White is not the same guy she knew in the city.  And it soon seems very clear that he doesn't want her there. Although Maddy settles in quickly, excelling at work and partying with her new friends, she can't understand why Luke is remaining so distant. Particularly when all her instincts are telling her that they're meant to be together –  and that he feels the same burning attraction.As Maddy learns more about Luke's family and background, she begins to understand that his mixed messages are caused by balancing what's expected of him with what he really wants. Maddy gave Luke her heart long ago and, despite their differences, she knows she'll only ever be happy with her hot country boy. But how can she convince him that she's the risk he needs to take?

http://www.destinyromance.com/products/9781760140434/charming-outback/19286873/extract
Chapter One'It's like something out of Wolf Creek.' Aubree's brow furrowed as she gazed at the long, straight road ahead.My fingers tightened around the steering wheel as I squinted through the haze reflecting off the sizzling bitumen. 'Sure is,' I mumbled. 'Where the hell are we?' Saltbush dotted the landscape on either side of the road, and in the distance three rocky pinnacles broke through the flat, barren horizon. I swallowed, hoping we weren't lost.Aubree dropped her iPhone into her bag. 'No internet.' She pulled a map from the glove box and unfolded it. 'Have we passed through Yunta yet?''Yeah, you blinked,' I said and laughed. 'You dozed off for a few minutes.'Her finger trailed along the paper. 'Okay. So we should make it to Broken Hill in about an hour. Do you have another map of the town so I can work out how to get to your new home?'New home. My stomach rolled with excitement and nerves, hearing her say the words. Two months ago I signed a teaching contract, believing it to be an opportunity to prove myself, take responsibility for my future, even if it was 500 kilometres from home.'Nope, don't need one. The real estate agent said to follow the road into town, pass the cemetery, turn right before the school, travel a kilometre down the road and turn left into Cornish Street.'Aubree fetched her phone out of her bag for the zillionth time. 'I've got nothing. No mobile coverage, not even one bar. We're all alone out here.''Look.' I pointed to something red at the roadside ahead.'Oh God,' she said. 'Please don't tell me it's another kangaroo carcass. I feel sick thinking that a joey could be alive inside.' She turned her head to the window. 'Wait. Stop the car.''They're only wildflowers. What's your problem?' I veered to the left and slowed to a safe speed on loose gravel.'I've read about these wildflowers. The Sturt Desert Pea,' she said excitedly. 'They're exquisite.' Aubree jumped out of the car and walked to the plant growing alongside the gravel. She kneeled in a delicate manner so as not to dirty her lemon maxidress.I opened my door and followed. I gasped when she started picking handfuls of the red and black flower. 'What are you doing?''Collecting some for your house.'I flicked flies from my face before saying, 'It doesn't feel right. I mean, are you allowed?' We both jumped when a truck roared past on the opposite side of the road and sounded the horn. 'See?' I said.Aubree rolled her eyes. 'You're wearing tiny denim shorts, Mads. I think he's honking at you.'I ignored her comment. My shoulders burned under the midday sun, introducing me to the extreme weather of outback Australia. Flies hammered my face and had formed a polka-dot pattern on Aubree's back. Gross.Before climbing back into the car we flapped our arms as though we were about to take flight, ensuring no flies snuck inside. I turned the air con to max and glanced at Aubree, fiddling with the flowers.Oh shit. She wasn't wearing her ring. I clearly remembered Hunter – my cousin and superstar football player – telling her in no uncertain terms that she was to wear the pink diamond ring, a twenty-first birthday gift, on her wedding finger while accompanying me for the weekend. I cleared my throat.'Where's your ring?'Aubree pulled her hair-tie out of her long hair before looping it around the flower stems. 'Oh, I left it home in case I lost it.''What? You know Hunter will be pissed.''I hid it so he'll never find out,' she said, and waved her hand in a nonchalant manner.I groaned. 'You want to hope he doesn't. The last thing I need is Hunter showing up and ruining everything for me.' I gave her a look before turning my eyes back to the road.'First of all, I don't need a ring to protect me from guys wanting to talk with me. And second, I'm not sure how he'd ruin things for you. Unless . . .' I could feel her eyes on me, scrutinising. 'Be honest, does your decision to move to Broken Hill have anything to do with Luke?'I glanced at her. 'No, why would it?''Because you never really got over him. And now you're taking up this teaching position – and I get that it's a great opportunity – but it is in the same town he moved back to six months ago.'My heartbeat stuttered. 'It has nothing to do with Luke,' I said, louder than necessary. 'I was offered three teaching contracts: two were based in Adelaide working three days a week, and both an hour from my home. I needed full-time work and the only full-time contract was in the country. Plus there's isolation bonuses, so I thought if I stayed a couple of years, I'd return to Adelaide with savings.''So you don't ever think about him?''I didn't say I don't think about him but he's not the reason—''I knew it.' She folded her arms across her chest. 'He might not be the reason but he's the incentive.''Don't read into it, Aubs. I only think about the things he used to say, that's all.''Aw, that's sweet.''You're a drama queen,' I quipped in a deep voice, mimicking Luke. 'Can't you go anywhere without being the centre of attention?' I shook my head. 'When he said it, it didn't sound so sweet.''He really said that?'I nodded and pointed to the side of the road. 'Four,' I said, totalling the number of dead kangaroos I'd seen on the side of the road.Aubree groaned. 'Ew.'We sat quietly for a few minutes before she broke the silence. 'You know, you never told me the real reason why you two split. I thought after ten or so months you were both happy.'It pained me to reveal the details of our breakup even to my best friend. Irreconcilable differences, isn't that the term used? Except, in my mind, we were compatible and happy. It was Luke who – out of the blue – announced he no longer wanted to be part of a relationship, since he was returning home. He didn't see the point. Hell of a way to make me feel special! I coughed.'I was happy, but Luke . . . Before he left he'd said that he'd found work back home as a geologist and was also helping out his uncle with the family business. He emphasised that he didn't believe in long-distance relationships, plus he'd be too busy to worry about a girl.''That's rough.''Yep. I was stupid enough to even beg him to give us a chance.' I sighed, remembering the empty look on his face. 'He didn't hesitate, just said no.''Wow.''So I'm actually hoping not to see him, as I'm still embarrassed about the whole thing.' Truth was, I hadn't stopped thinking about Luke and deep down hoped to run into him – although not until I was settled, so he could see how well I'm doing.'Oh God,' Aubree murmured. 'It's not one of those look-at-what-you-could've-had plans is it? Where you go to extreme lengths to prove yourself?''Of course not. Why would you think that?' I cringed when Aubree said it out loud.'Because you and Hunter are exactly alike,' she admonished. She reached out and touched my hand. 'I love you both but . . . just be careful. No one knows you here.''That's my point,' I said quickly. 'It's a perfect scenario. I'm sick of being known as Hunter's cousin and getting attention for all the wrong reasons. I can actually meet new friends with a clean slate. It's like having a new identity. Luke thought I was an attention seeker and it bugged me. So, the last thing I want is Hunter showing up and causing a circus. And I hope there is no need for him to come here looking for you. So he better not find that ring.'My gaze remained fixed on the road, although I could feel Aubree staring at me.'I'm really proud of you and don't worry about Hunter, the ring is safe. Besides, he'll have his hands full looking after Honey. She's been naughty lately, ripping up his football socks and burying them in the backyard.'I laughed, and at the same time strained my eyes to the distance. 'Look.'Aubree turned to the road and we both stared in silence. The sun reflected off rooftops rising out of the red dirt in the middle of bloody nowhere.

We met with the real estate agent to pick up the keys to my new rental property and found the fully furnished house without much trouble. It had character, not the standard brick, rendered or Tudor-style home often seen in the city; at a guess, it looked over one hundred years old. A black, bull-nosed verandah ran the length of the cream single frontage. Inside, we found a long hallway with doors on the left leading to rooms. The first two doors were bedrooms and the third was the living room, featuring a red modular lounge. The hallway continued to the kitchen, where the house expanded: there was another bedroom, the bathroom, a laundry and the back door.Aubree helped me to unload the car. After carrying the luggage inside, we headed out to a shopping centre for essential groceries. We sorted and reorganised the kitchen, then I unpacked my suitcases. Next, Aubree suggested we check out the backyard. She opened the back door and my jaw dropped. A pergola overlooked an inground pool, with palms bordering the long fence line. The entertaining area included a pull-down screen attached to a beam for movies, for use, I imagined, while swimming in the pool or just lazing around. Images flashed into my head of pool parties with new friends.'This is pretty cool.'Not sure if the forty-five degree heat had affected my grey matter, I turned to Aubree and said, 'Last one in has to buy a bottle of Pinot.' I then sprinted to the pool and jumped in. Aubree made a splash behind me. When we surfaced, we erupted into giggles.We pulled ourselves out of the water and flopped onto the poolside lounges, not worrying about towels, knowing we'd dry quickly in the country heat. My drenched clothes didn't concern me but when I glanced at Aubree's yellow dress I momentarily panicked, thinking the chlorine would damage its delicate material.'Your dress?' I said in a high voice.She shrugged. 'Don't worry, I'll hand wash it later. I needed that dip.'I grinned at her. 'Doesn't change the fact you were last in, so you lose.'We sat back on the lounges, shaded by an umbrella, and gazed at the sunburnt sky as the sun set. It was pretty darn amazing and unlike my backyard at home, I could see a whole lot of sky. Orange shades drowned into pink, with a splash of brilliant yellow colouring the horizon.Aubree moaned. 'I love the relaxed feeling of sitting outside at twilight on a hot summer night. It reminds me of Hunter's holiday house in Victor.''Well, we're far from the beach here,' I added. 'But I heard there's a lake where the locals ski.'Aubree turned to me. 'I really think you're going to like it here. I have a lot of faith in you, Mads.'

Later that night we headed into town, starving and craving a cold white wine after a long, yet productive, day. We dined at a pub named the Cross, ordering the steak special.'It's crowded in there,' Aubree said and nodded towards a door that swung open and led to the front bar. 'We should go in and meet some of the locals.'I pushed my plate aside. It was silly to be nervous about meeting new people but I wanted to make a good first impression. At least I wouldn't look like a loner, having Aubree by my side.'Can I get you anything else?' the waitress asked after collecting our plates.'No, thanks,' I replied. 'Could you tell me what time the pub closes?''Midnight. Are you from outta town?' We both nodded. 'Well, there are clubs near the railway and some on the main street stay open till later. See Randy behind the bar,' she nodded in the direction of the front bar, 'and he'll give you the names and directions.'After paying the bill we headed to the front bar. I glanced at Aubree. 'Here goes.' I pushed through the adjoining door, and was stopped abruptly by the bodies filling the room.'Allow me,' Aubree insisted and stepped in front, leading the way. Being almost a foot taller, she made a path to the bar. My heart swelled, seeing her walk with confidence, and I knew Hunter was partially to thank for the change in her. It wasn't that long ago that she'd have cowered behind me, regardless of her height.The hum of chatter and laughter echoed off the walls, almost louder than the music piping through speakers at the back of the room. The centrally located bar allowed me to see to the other side, to a group of guys playing pool. I noticed there were more guys on that side of the room, with the women on this side, although a few men had infiltrated the girl groups. I glanced at my phone. Ten o'clock.Just as I ordered drinks, Aubree pulled her phone from her bag. 'Shit, it's Hunter. I better take this outside.'Now alone, I stepped sideways in an attempt to worm between bodies to the back of the room to remain inconspicuous. I bumped into a girl on my left and she swung around with an accusing expression.'I'm sorry,' I said quickly.'Hey, all good.' She eyed me curiously. 'You don't look familiar. Where you from?''Adelaide.' I smiled at her. 'I'm Maddy.''Hi, Maddy, I'm Kristen, and these are my friends Lauren, Olivia and Steph.''Hi,' they said together.My gaze wandered to the three girls' tanned faces. 'My friend Aubree has just stepped outside to take a call,' I added, wanting them to know I wasn't hanging out alone. 'Boyfriend troubles.' I rolled my eyes.'God, talk about it,' Kristen said, pushing long brown hair behind her ear. 'That's why we're out. Steph's ex-boyfriend is causing her grief so we thought we'd take her on a girls night. Only problem is, he's over there.' She jerked her finger to the group of guys playing pool.I looked where she pointed, and my gaze fell on each guy before stopping on the blond leaning on a pool cue in the corner. A shiver ran down my spine. My heart thumped before continuing at a quicker rate.Fuck.My eyes locked with Luke's. A number of emotions crossed his face and for a moment I recognised something we had once shared before it was replaced with something else. He looked so bloody hot. His hair looked blonder than I remembered. Maybe because of his tan, which made his white T-shirt appear even whiter. It only took a couple of moments for realisation to set in and then those brown eyes narrowed. Clearly, neither of us expected to see the other. Noticing I was holding my breath, I breathed out and forced my gaze away just as Aubree came striding through the door.'All sorted,' she said without giving me time to dwell on the Luke thing.'Good.' I downed my drink and resisted the urge to turn back to him. If I wanted to stick to my plan, then I needed to not mention him, especially in front of Aubree.'Hi, you must be Aubree,' Kristen said. 'Boyfriend troubles, eh?'Aubree shot me a confused look then smiled as I introduced Kristen and her friends. They stood shoulder to shoulder, and I realised how similar Kristen and Aubree looked. Both were tall with long brown hair and slim figures, only Kristen had blue eyes and Aubree green.'So, Hunter's okay?' I asked, making conversation so I wasn't tempted to look over my shoulder to Luke. But it was damn hard, knowing he stood only metres away. For months I had imagined what I would do, what I would say to him if I got the opportunity. And now, I had nothing.'Yeah, just asked where I was.'Before I had a chance to speak, the noise level in the room dropped to whispers and gasps, a reaction I was familiar with. I spun around to the front door and saw Hunter standing a good head above the tallest person in the room, his gaze scanning the crowd.Damn you, cuz, not tonight.'Oh fuck.' I grabbed Aubree's arm. 'Are you sure that's all he said? ʼCause he's here.'Aubree spun around and their eyes met. 'Shit.' She turned to me, her beautiful face lined. 'I'm sorry. I know this is not what you wanted.'Heads turned to Hunter like falling dominoes. Not only was Hunter a football star, he was gorgeous, and my heart swelled knowing I was related to him. With blue eyes fixed on Aubree, he made a beeline towards us, the crowd separating to let him pass.'Evening, ladies.' Hunter's smooth voice washed over our circle. 'I believe you forgot something, Aubree.' He pulled a ring from his jean pocket and slid it along her finger.'You didn't . . .' She shook her head in disbelief. Then Hunter pulled her close and kissed her.I glanced at my new friends, who were watching with mouths gaping. Standard. I elbowed Hunter and said, 'I'd like to introduce you to our friends. Kristen, Olivia, Lauren and Steph, this is my cousin—''Hunter Stone,' Kristen finished, wide-eyed.'What the hell just happened?' Steph asked. 'Am I at the Cross or have I died and gone to heaven?''Depends,' Hunter said. 'I'm thinking of stringing Aubree up on a cross.' Aubree covered his mouth with her hand and shook her head.'So Hunter's your cousin,' Kristen said. 'I can see the resemblance. You have the same blue eyes and black hair, but you're prettier.' She grinned. 'I'm not really a Blackbirds fan.' I laughed at her frankness, especially in front of Hunter. Although it fell on deaf ears, as his attention remained on Aubree.'How long are you staying?' Olivia directed her question to the three of us although when her eyes found Hunter, she twirled a strand of brown hair around her finger.'Hunter and Aubree are here for the weekend and I start a teaching contract next week.''Well, if you want to see any of the sights let me know.' Steph pulled a business card from her bag and handed it to me. 'I work at the tourist centre.' She smiled. With her slim frame and dark hair cut short, she reminded me of one of those vampires in Twilight.'Which school?' Kristen asked, turning her attention back to me while her friends swooned over Hunter.'The one near the cemetery. I'm teaching junior primary.'A smile spread across Kristen's face. 'You're not going to believe this, but I teach year two at the same school.''You do? That's awesome!'Suddenly I was shoved as the crowd surged forwards with people trying to get closer to Hunter. I turned away as phone cameras flashed in the air above the crowd.'I'll take him back to yours,' Aubree suggested. 'Give me your keys.'I shrugged. 'It's fine, don't bother. Tongues will be already wagging.'She gave me her I'm sorry look. I turned to the bar and peeped at the corner of the room. Luke was still there. This time when our eyes met, the raw emotion had disappeared. He shook his head and turned away.Yeah, I was already the centre of attention.

AUTHOR BIO Leesa Bow grew up in Broken Hill and later worked as a nurse at the local hospital before moving to Adelaide in her early twenties. Leesa began writing seriously when her second daughter became sick with cancer. Initially writing was therapeutic, but when her daughter got the all clear, she decided to continue writing seriously.

On weekends Leesa enjoys reading, watching basketball and football, having beach days with the family, catching up with girlfriends, and daydreaming about strong heroines for her next book.

You can find out more about Leesa at: http://www.leesabow.com
https://www.facebook.com/Leesabowromance
https://twitter.com/LeesaBow



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