Serena Akeroyd's Blog: All Things Serena! , page 257
March 6, 2014
Title: Against All Odds (Standalone)
Author: Angie...
Title: Against All Odds (Standalone)
Author: Angie McKeon
Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance
Release Date: Early April, 2014
GOODREADS LINK
BLURB:
Our lives shattered… Our hearts broken… Our souls torn to pieces…
He was my world, my whole life. My reason for breathing. I had a perfect marriage, a baby on the way, and I felt fulfilled—almost invincible.
Until the day life hit, leaving me broken, vulnerable, and alone.
She was my life. My ray of hope on the cloudiest day. With her, I thought I had the ultimate safety. A love that would never hurt or betray me. I gave her my heart, my body, and my soul.
Until she broke me, destroying every dream and illusion I had about life, love, and marriage.
In our grief, we made a mistake. A mistake I’m not sure we can come back from.
EXCLUSIVE EXCERPT!
PROLOGUE
I’m so cold. It’s the kind of cold that seeps into my bones and makes me feel as though I’m going to die. My body trembles from the drugs and sheer terror coursing through my veins.
Why is this happening to me?
What did I do to deserve this?
Please, God! I can’t handle it.
I open my mouth to scream, to cry, to do something, but nothing comes out. I’m aware of doctors and nurses surrounding me. They’ve placed Kayla on my chest. She’s still warm from being pulled from my body, but she’s not moving.
She’s lying there … lifeless.
I’m in a state of disbelief as tears slide down my face. My world shatters when I look at my precious baby girl. She’s everything I’ve always wanted, always dreamed of.
Slowly, I run my fingers over her delicate lips; they’re so soft and small. An instant reminder of Cooper’s lips. He doesn’t have full and luscious lips like mine but small ones that almost disappear when he smiles. As I run the tips of my fingers across her puffy cheeks and closed eyes, I try to memorize every last detail of her dainty face. She’s so beautiful it takes my breath away. Her hair reminds me of caramel; it’s light brown and silky to the touch. It looks like mine did when I was a baby. Her face is peaceful, and for a single moment, I’m so thankful she’s not in pain.
Looking at my little girl is a moment I’ve always dreamed of. I love her instantly, and I want to hold her forever. To breathe her into me. To never let her go. The realization that I’ll never hold my precious baby again sinks in, and I feel my stomach clench as pain rips through me. I’ll never get to see her smile, laugh, roll over, or take her first steps. I’ll miss it all.
How do I move past this?
Can I move past this?
As grief consumes me, my sobs become brutal. I feel as though I’m dying. Like my heart is burning up and turning to ash. I’ll never ever be whole again.
I pick her up and cradle her against my body, wanting to feel her skin against mine. She feels warm—soft and smooth, like velvet. As I curl my arms around her, my tears drip onto her perfect head. I feel an overwhelming urge to fix this, to bring her back. I don’t want to lose my sweet baby. Everything in my body, my soul is screaming to bring her back.
Desperately looking up at Cooper’s green eyes, I will him to fix this, to make it better and help me. Help her. He’s always been my rock, my glue, the person who makes everything better. But all I see in his eyes is sadness, desperation, and helplessness that I know is killing him as much as it is me. He rubs his big, shaking hand gently over her tiny head. He looks as though he’s being tortured. Sobs rip through his body as he wraps his arms around me and our precious bundle while climbing into bed with us. I feel myself collapse against his chest as we sob over our loss.
There’s nothing we can do.
This is the end of a shattered dream.
Our spirits are slowly dying, and I’m not sure we’ll ever be able to heal.
All rights reserved. Against All Odds © 2014 Copyright, Angie McKeon.
AUTHOR INFO:
A multi-tasker from birth—and now proudly able to add ‘writer’ to my resume—I’m a mother, wife and blogger. I love to read, write and drink copious amounts of iced coffee.
All three aforementioned addictions are detrimental to my sanity
I have a voracious appetite for dark, painful and twisted reads. I’m enamored with the concept of love and heart break. I believe life is a journey, a tale in its own for each of us. The road to happiness is sometimes paved with stones from hell, or glitters of satisfaction graced from the heavens above.
In my upcoming debut novel, ‘Against All Odds,’ I strive to make you feel. I believe any emotion—whether painful or happy—is good. To me, the key to living is to go through life feeling it’s ups and downs. Love is dark and it can be painful but, at the end of the day, it can save the most lost of souls and the most broken of hearts.
AUTHOR LINKS:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/angiemckeonauthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Angie_McKeon
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7389718.Angie_McKeon
Website: http://angiemckeon.blogspot.com/
GIVEAWAY (3 $50 AMAZON GIFTCARDS):
I could just be on that boat! Although, only if it was heading...
I could just be on that boat! Although, only if it was heading somewhere warm :D
Summer Holidays
Tough times don't last, tough people do.
Sock it to’em. Every damned day of the week! :D
This is very true. One word from someone you love is capable of...
This is very true. One word from someone you love is capable of undoing all you kept locked up tight.
That’s why loving someone is scary. You’re inviting that into your life.
KNOCKOUT by J C VALENTINE!
Book Title:Knockout - A Wayward Fighters Novel
Author: J.C. Valentine
Genre: New Adult Romance
Release Date:April 8, 2014
Hosted by: Book Enthusiast Promotions
From the wrong side of the tracks…
Alyson Blake had learned early on that the only one she could depend on was herself. The only light in her life was a boy whom everyone agreed was destined for prison; but with his first kiss, he had set her soul on fire. Since the day the police dragged him away in handcuffs, she had managed to lead a quiet life, but when she attends an event fraught with mayhem, trouble resurfaces.
The one person she can’t forget…
Jamison Weston is the kind of guy dads load their shotguns for; endowed with a hot temper and a rap sheet as long as both tattooed arms. Known as “The Judge,” Jami’s hot temper, lethal fists, and cocky attitude have earned him respect and admiration both in and out of the ring. But just when he thinks he’s pummeled his past to death, Alyson Blake reenters his life.
Two paths collide…
After years of separation, Alyson is eager to reexplore the man who’s never left her thoughts, but for Jamison, she’s both the distraction he wants, but doesn’t need. As the two embark on a relationship that neither of them expected or bargained for, an outside threat closes in. When Alyson crosses the line of professionalism and takes her work home with her, her life is put in danger, leaving Jamison with no choice but to once again step in and become her protector
When the arena was filled once again, Alyson settled in for the—blessedly—final fight of the night. She was kind of disappointed that the evening hadn’t turned out as she’d expected, but she had to admit, it was a nice change of pace. Different for sure. Not that she’d ever come back. Fighting just wasn’t her thing.
The room was plunged into darkness and “Bodies” by Drowning Pool poured out of the speakers. A chorus of booing and cheers charged the air, and Alyson’s interest piqued. She stood up with the rest of the crowd, her gaze riveted on the corner where spotlights had been trained. Out of the darkness a figure emerged surrounded by a group of equally tall and burly men actively pushing grasping hands away from the man in the middle.
Her blood raced a little faster in her veins, the frenetic energy surrounding her making her insides come alive. This had to be what was referred to as pack mentality, she mused. She craned her neck to glimpse another peek as the audience gave way to the fighter and his entourage.
Glancing at Olivia, she grinned at her friend, who was jumping up and down. Her hands were cupped around her mouth as she shouted words that were immediately eaten up by the blaring music and hundreds of ravenous women clamoring for attention. Turning her attention back to the fighter, Alyson saw that he was coming around to her side of the ring where a group of men stood waiting for him.
As he approached, his head lowered, she felt her excitement ratchet higher, and her gaze turned piercing as she waited for his face to be revealed. His bodyguards circled around him, creating a barrier between the fighter and an unknown number of grasping hands, forcing Alyson to stand on her toes and lean precariously to see what was happening. A few short steps away from her, the fighter finally looked up, only to turn swiftly and hug each of the men on his crew. She caught only a glimpse of him, but it was all that she needed. Alyson’s breath froze in her chest, and she felt her eyes bug out.
Holy crap, it couldn’t be.
Considering the brevity of the moment, she couldn’t say with absolute conviction that she knew the man, but something about him struck a chord inside of her, telling her she did even though she knew it was impossible. When he turned back around, he stripped his shirt off, revealing broad shoulders and the most defined set of pecks and abs she’d ever laid eyes on. Mouthwatering didn’t even begin to describe the man before her, and whether or not she knew a single thing about him didn’t matter, because she was in love.
J.C. Valentine is the alter-ego of Brandi Salazar, whose enjoyment of erotic tales of romance spurred her to branch out and create her own. Brandi Salazar lives in the Northwest with her husband, their wild children, and far too many pets. As a university student, she studies literature, which goes well with her dream of becoming an editor. Brandi entertains a number of hobbies including reading and photography, but her first love is writing fiction-in all its forms. 
March 5, 2014
kushandwizdom:
Good Vibes here
So true. In fact, frighteningly...
Good Vibes here
So true.
In fact, frighteningly true!
Be good to people either way, and you’re set. Lol.
I don’t think it’s too difficult to live by the old adage, “Treat people how you yourself wish to be treated.” Simples!
The Simone of old no longer exists. She’s transmogrified into a...
The Simone of old no longer exists. She’s transmogrified into a woman with whom she can’t reconcile but who she must eventually come to accept. This new Mona is stronger, sexier and with an innate power that she’s only just coming to understand.
For Zane, she’s put her very soul on the line. She’s dragged herself to the outer limits of her principles and has entered uncharted territory. All for the man who helped form this new creature that calls herself Simone Barranquet.
But was it worth it? Is he worthy of her sacrifice?
And what of Jake? Is he manipulating her or does he really share the same aspirations?
When two enemies unite and become allies, the man at the center of the battle is key.
But will Zane concur? Is he strong enough to accept them both, to have what he’s never known he’s always wanted?
Find out in …Can Be Gold
NAUGHTY NOOKIE SERIES ON:
Free Christmas Short - Mona - Deck The Halls With Handsome Hunks
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Serena Akeroyd - Facebook Page
"What we wear affects how we behave."
- (via psych-facts)
Actually, I can believe this. I guess, when we get dressed, it’s akin to putting on warpaint. A certain suit means you’re going out determined, a particular pair of jeans means you want to get laid.
Makes sense. Or, to my skewed mind, it does! Lol.
mintparades:
sure, money can’t buy you “happiness” but it can buy you a sense of financial...
sure, money can’t buy you “happiness” but it can buy you a sense of financial security, remove the worry of not being able to feed yourself, remove the fear of losing your house, remove the discomfort of not being able to socialize because you don’t have the money to go out, and also it can buy you the new pokemon game and that’s pretty fucking close
All very true, but at the end of the day, does money provide you with friends and love? Does it keep you warm at night-and I don’t mean does it pay for central heating?
You can be the richest man in the world and still be lonely. Just my two cents.
Release Day Event: The Cowboy's Runaway Bride by Jenn Roseton
Book Title: The Cowboy’s Runaway Bride
Author: Jenn Roseton
Genre: Sexy Contemporary Romance Novella
Release Date: March 5, 2014
Hosted by: Book Enthusiast Promotions
What happens when a runaway bride meets a wealthy cowboy? Realizing her wedding is a sham, curvy Maddie Stanton takes to her kitten heels and escapes the ceremony - still dressed in her bridal gown! Stranded on the Wyoming highway with a flat tire, rescue appears in the form of Garrett Trask. When the handsome cowboy hires her to work on his ranch, Maddie jumps at the offer, grateful to leave her past behind her. She never counted on falling in love… But when she discovers a secret from Garrett’s past, her newfound happiness is shattered. Can this sexy cowboy convince Maddie he loves her, and her curves? Or will she forever remain the runaway bride?
This is a sexy contemporary romance novella of approximately 25,000 words. Jenn Roseton believes that romance and happy endings go together. When she’s not writing, she indulges in delicious gourmet chocolate. Although she’s spent time in Wyoming, unfortunately she didn’t meet a sexy cowboy of her own.
Half an hour later, they rode back to the barn. “You don’t want to overdo it for your first time.” Garrett dismounted easily and tethered the horses to the post, then came to help her down. “Take your right foot out of the stirrup, swing your leg over, then place your right foot on the ground.”
She tried to obey his instructions, kicking her right foot out of the stirrup before swinging it backward. Clenching the horn with a death-grip, she hovered in the air, her left foot still in the stirrup and her right hand grasping the back of the saddle. She didn’t think she could do it. Wobbling slightly, she sighed in relief when Garrett’s strong arms wrapped around her waist.
“I’ve got you,” he murmured, his warm breath brushing her neck. A shiver raced down her spine. He helped her off Prince, untangling her left foot from the stirrup. She turned to him, a little dizzy.
“Thank you.” She looked into his dark brown eyes, wanting to melt into their depths. Despite her best intentions, she was definitely attracted to this man. But what did he feel about her?
“You’re welcome.” He gently smoothed her hair back from her face. “You might want to take a bath tonight, since you’re not used to horse riding.”
She gave the briefest of nods. Her eyes remained locked on his. She didn’t want to do anything to break the sensual spell.
Garrett’s hand touched the small of her back, his thumb caressing her spine, urging her to take a couple of steps closer to him. She obeyed willingly, her heart thudding with anticipation.
He gazed down at her, threading his fingers through her hair. She held her breath as his lips descended, until they were only a heartbeat away from hers. “Maddie,” he murmured.
She waited for the touch of his lips.
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