Review Post: Unexpected Fate by Harper Sloan

Posted in Books I love, Releasing Now Book Addicts, Review Post by mkcooke

Meet Cohen & Danielle in the newest stand alone

in the Hope Town Series by Harper Sloan!

(Stand alone)

Have you ever felt like you were living your life for a future that was predetermined? Like there was some bigger picture you just prayed you would someday see clearly? That picture has been crystal clear to me since I was old enough to recognize it for just what it was.

Or I should say recognize him for who he was.

I’ve loved Cohen Cage since I was a small child. He’s been my everything for the last twenty-two years. I’ve loved him through every girlfriend he’s ever brought home. Through his college years and then mine. I’ve loved him through two deployments. And ever since the day I told him how I felt, he’s acted like I’m a stranger.

My name is Danielle Reid, and it’s time for me to get my man.

Our future is an unexpected fate, and no matter what our parents, siblings, and friends say…it’s going to be worth every second of the fight to make it happen.

5 Amazing Stars

Cohen Cage was probably my favorite character from Harper Sloan’s Corps Security Series, behind Maddox Locke of course. The moment I met his spunky little 4 year old self in Cage, I adored him. He had vibrant personality out the yin yang, so it was no surprise at all that I could not wait to get my hands on his book.

I had no doubt going into this that I was going to be captivated by him and his story now that he was all grown up. (And boy has he grown up, by the way!)

What I didn’t know was that I was going to be just as enraptured by one Dani Reid. That girl is the epitome of what a strong independent female character looks and acts like, and I was just blown away by her character.

Unexpected Fate tells Dani and Cohen’s heart racing story. They’ve known each other their entire lives and their relationship together has changed and evolved over the years, but the events of Unexpected Fate are forcing them to face some hard and heated truths about what they share. Or what they hope to share.

Their story is passionate, and heart pulling, and feeling as all get out, and it will have you enamored by the amazingness that is Cohen and Dani the instant you start it.

What I loved about Unexpected Fate:

All the good just keeps getting better! It’s no secret that I effing loved every book in Harper Sloan’s Corps Security Series. This new series follows the many children of those characters. I loved that this story had all the feelings and everything I loved about the Corps Security series, but it was different enough to feel like it was setting its own path. It had a different kind of feeling to it, which worked for this book. It still had the alpha male and the sassy female that was the best kind of counterpart, but there was a different intensity level. Harper Sloan built upon the amazingness of her former series and pushed it even further with the start of this one.
Cohen Cage come on down. I simply can’t get enough of Cohen’s unforgettable character. I adored him a precocious 4 year old, and 20 years later I loved him as a grown up, tough as all get out, passionate man. He still had the many aspects that made my heart melt, and the intensity of that man is nothing short of firework level. Cohen Cage is a force to be reckoned with, and seeing his evolution from the character I knew and adored, to the one I know now and am enamored by, is just magnificent. After reading this book I have no doubt whatsoever that Cohen Cage has permanently stolen a little pieces of my heart.
Dani Reid is in the building. Dani is one strong and sassy female. She is just a gem of a female character. She’s feisty, and strong willed, and charming as all get out, and there is no way that you won’t be pulled in by that girl. Reading her character was kind of like reading the best of both worlds from Axel and Izzy’s characters from the previous series. You see so much of them in her, but she’s also just got this dynamic of a personality that’s all her, that just shines through. The strength and determination of Dani defines her in the best way, and you’ll have mad respect for that girl and all she is when you’re reading her story.
A connection years in the making. Even if you’ve never read any of the other books that come before this one, Harper Sloan does a fantastic job of showing how much Dani and Cohen mean to one another. Throughout this book Dani and Cohen explore how their feelings for one another have changed over the course of their shared pasts, and you will see some serious evolution with them and their connection over this book. The way their deep and intense connection changes will have your heart bursting and will have you believing and feeling in everything you experience while reading.
Holy hot fireworks. I will tell you that Harper Sloan knows how to write some intensity and passionate togetherness. The sparkle, the heat, the wham bam thank you ma’am, or whatever else you want to call it is searing hot. Like I need a fan or I’m going to pass out from this level of heat, kind of hot. It sparks off the page like the biggest Fourth of July fireworks show you’ve ever seen. It’s going to bring a certain blush to your face and all that heat, intensity, and passion will just bring Dani and Cohen’s relationship and desires to life.
Dani and Axel’s relationship. I loved seeing Dani and Axel’s father daughter relationship. Seeing characters who I already loved wholeheartedly become parents with adult children was phenomenal. You can just tell how much Dani values her relationship with her father, and how much Axel would walk through fire for his little girl, and it kind of just left me speechless at how much I loved that. Reading their relationship and bond brought some tears to my eyes because it made me beyond thrilled to get to experience that. I can’t say enough how much Harper Sloan captured the dynamics of their bond, and there’s no way you won’t feel that.
The events of the book. I ain’t telling you crap about what happens in this book because need to read this book and experience the magnificence that it is on your own. But let me tell you, the fast paced of it works well, and it keeps you hooked in like nobody’s business from beginning to end. The events of this book will have your heart racing, your adrenaline pumping, all while you’re just experiencing the outstanding possibilities that are Dani and Cohen.
The feeling of family. One of my favorite aspects of this book was getting to spend time with the characters I already love, while also getting to know a whole new set of characters that I’ve come to love immensely. I was beyond thrilled to get to know the children of characters I’ve already been enraptured by, and they each have such unique personalities that burst through this book in the best way. I know that each and every one of them has a story to tell, and I’ve got my fingers crossed that I’ll get them all someday! When you’re reading this book you feel like you’re part of the crazy family that makes up this series. They’re going to leave you feeling whole and protected and welcomed into that amazing family, and you will just bask in that.
Balancing it all. Harper Sloan knows how to balance a book to give you every little thing you need. She gives you a relationship and all the possibilities along with that, more emotion and feeling than you can shake a stick at, tons of heat and unending sparks, and enough drama to just keep you enthralled in it all. Everything balances seamlessly, and you get just enough of everything to satisfy every want and desire you have of this book and Dani and Cohen’s story.
The theme of fate. This book explores the theme of fate. That theme weaves its way perfectly into the story, and it’s the breathing force and fire behind what happens. That idea is what guides Dani and Cohen to decide if what they’re feeling is fated, and if it’s worth risking everything for. That theme just makes this book, and the way it’s in the story is just extraordinary because of what it makes you feel and how it fully envelops you with all that is encompassed by that unexpected fate.

This book is all about the unexpected, fate, love, pain, and every little thing that comes in between. It explores so much, and gives you so much amazingness. Dani and Cohen’s relationship and their attempt at seeing where things could go is nothing short of wonderful, and you are going to love all the moments they give you.

There are moments that’ll make you blush, and others that will have you bursting with what you’re reading. Some moments will try to break your heart, while others will attempt to seal those cracks. There are plenty of moments that will have you laughing at the humor and personality of this book and its characters. It all just balances flawlessly and gives you the whole dang package.

Unexpected Fate will take you on one helluva journey that will lead you and them to some pretty unexpected places, but I am promising you that you will love every second you get to spend in this superb book with them.

I for one am sold on this new series, and I cannot wait to see what’s next for the exceptional group of characters brought to life in this utterly outstanding book, this phenomenal series, and this unforgettable world.

“Dani-girl.” His voice, that rich rumble of masculine excellence, washes over me and I shiver again before cursing under my breath. The rumble of his low laughter tells me that he definitely didn’t miss that little move.

Kill me now.

“Hey, Coh,” I say with a smile. “What brings you in? Last minute, I might add.” I pat the chair before walking around and holding the back while he sits down.

When his scent hits my nose, I almost come on the spot. Lord, he smells good. I wonder what he would smell like while his body covered mine, all sweaty from hours of good lovemaking. I run my fingers through the longer lengths on the top and feel my cheeks heat slightly, thinking about doing the same when his face is buried between my legs.

“…needed a trim.”

Shit. I missed what he said because, naturally, I was thinking about him naked. Naked and thrusting into my body. Naked and feasting between my spread thighs.

“You feeling okay? I thought Nate said you were better?”

“Uh, I’m fine. Just—is it hot in here?” I fan my face and avoid his eyes.

He’s silent, so I take that as a sign that it’s safe to bring my attention back to him.

Big mistake there. His knowing eyes are boring right into mine. The chocolate depths sparkling in a way that makes it clear he has a good idea about where my mind was going.

“Did you hear what I said, Dani-girl?”

“Of course I did, Cohen. What, did you think I was standing here daydreaming?” I joke.

“Well, yeah, that’s exactly what I think.” His eyes darken and he smirks a devilish grin. “Did you know you talk in your sleep, Dani?” he asks, and I drop my comb.

Oh, God. Shut up, shut up, shut up. This is not happening. No way.

“No, I don’t,” I childishly snap.

“Dani, you do. So, yeah, I do think you were standing there daydreaming. Want to know why?” He uses his booted foot to move his chair so that he’s facing me, and then he leans in so that his face is dangerously close to mine. Even when he’s seated, his head is almost level with my own. Curse my horizontally challenged self. “While you were zoning off into space with your fingers running through my hair, you had this smile on your lips. The same smile you had the other day when you were dreaming. About me, Dani. And don’t deny it, because you don’t moan my name if you’re dreaming about another man. Yes, Dani, you very much do talk in your sleep.” He smiles again before leaning back and looking down to his phone. “Clean up my neck please, cut the length off the top, and give me a buzz on the sides. Other than that, you’re clear to continue with your thoughts.”

I must have been standing there like an idiot because he looks up from his phone, laughs to himself, and, with one tan hand, reaches out and pushes my mouth closed.

“You’re going to catch flies that way, Dani-girl. One day, maybe you can clue me in on what those dreams are about.”

Drives me insane, the control he has over me. There isn’t a single person in the world, other than Cohen, who can turn me into a ridiculously stupid, sputtering fool. My normal confidence disappears. And clearly, he isn’t as oblivious to my feelings as I originally thought.

How in the hell am I supposed to handle this?

Wait a minute. Cohen or not, I’m not going to let him pull my strings when I know he is just doing this to make me feel uncomfortable.

So, time to call his bluff.

“Why? You planning on doing something about it?”

He looks up sharply, clearly not having expected me to actually say something in return since he was going for shock value.

“Try me,” he demands, his voice thick and even deeper than normal.

I throw my head back and reach out to run my fingers thought his hair again, just barely suppressing the shivers. Curling my fingers slightly so that I can grab a good hold, I lean in and pull his head back at the same time. With my nose just a hair away from his and our breaths mingling together, I say, “Cohen, you couldn’t handle the truth of my thoughts when it comes to you and we both know it. So how about you let me know when you’re ready for me to clue you in.” I give his hair a light tug and smile when he swallows loudly and shifts in his seat. “Ready for that trim?” I ask with a wink, and I’m rewarded with his groan.

I have no idea how I do it, but I manage to get through his cut without coming unglued. I can see Lyn trying to get my attention from across the room. Stella had to leave after she overheard my words to Cohen because her giggles were getting the best of her. Cohen has remained silent the whole time. His eyes though… They’re speaking louder than his words ever could.

They haven’t left my reflection in the mirror since I started. I can feel them every time I shift. When I stopped to go grab another comb after I dropped my fourth one, I felt his gaze follow me across the room to Stella’s station. The few times I stopped cutting to meet his eyes, the heated promise written all over his face almost did me in. I almost just said ‘fuck it’ and climbed on his lap to have a go regardless of the people watching our every move.

I finish the last buzz of my clippers around his right ear and move to brush all the stray hair off. “All done,” I say softly and unclip his cape.

He stands, shoving his phone in the back pocket of his jeans, and walks over to stand in front of me. I continue to pretend I’m busy with the cape I just removed, brushing stray hairs off here and there, when his hand comes up, his finger and thumb hitting my chin, and my face is lifted until I have no choice but to look in his eyes.

“Do not tease me, Dani. It’s not a game you want to play if you don’t intend to follow through.”

“I-I wasn’t… I wouldn’t,” I stammer.

“You did, and I have no doubt you’ll have the brilliant idea to do it again. The next time you allude to those dirty thoughts I know you have about me, don’t think for a second that I won’t drag you to the closest bed to show you just how fucking dirty they’ll get.” He leans close, his scent hitting my nostrils, and I involuntarily inhale deeply, earning me a rumbled chuckle. “What you don’t know, Dani—because contrary to what you think, you don’t know me well enough to assume what having me would really be like. But I promise you this: every little thought that you have had that causes you to moan my name while scissoring those perfect legs back and forth, praying for completion—it would be so much hotter than you could ever imagine.” He gives me a soft, sweet kiss against my temple that has fire racing from that spot all over my body until it ends in the awareness that I’m pretty sure I just came in my pants.

Harper lives in small town Georgia just a short drive from her hometown of Peachtree City. She (and her 3 daughters) enjoy ruling the house they dubbed ‘Estrogen Ocean’, much to her husband’s chagrin. Harper has a borderline unhealthy obsession with books; you can almost ALWAYS find her with her eReader attached. She enjoys bad reality TV and cheesy romantic flicks. Her favorite kind of hero–the super alpha kind!

Harper started using writing as a way to unwind when the house went to sleep at night; and with a house full of crazy it was the perfect way to just relax. It didn’t take long before a head full of very demanding alphas would stop at nothing to have their story told.

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22Feb2015

Releasing Now: Sing Like Nobody’s Listening by SJ McCoy

Posted in Releasing Now Book Addicts by mkcooke

Sing Like Nobody’s Listening Release Day Blitz

Title : Sing Like Nobody’s Listening

Author : SJ McCoy

Release date : February 22nd

Kenzie Reid is a survivor. She’s been out on her own since she was seventeen years old. She may not have much to show for it, but she’s made her own way in the world. Other than her sister, Megan, no one has ever cared whether she lived or died—not even her own parents.

When Kenzie visits Summer Lake to make sure Megan is okay there, the quaint little town threatens to cast its spell over her, too. The place has its attractions, not the least of which is Chase, the lead singer with the local band. Kenzie knows attraction doesn’t last though and besides, she’s not cut out for small town life.

Chase Harper lives a life many guys would envy. He sings in a band, hangs with his guys, can have any woman he wants—and usually does. When he meets Kenzie, he soon realizes he’d gladly give it all up. He believes what they have could be a one-of-a-kind, but first he’ll have to convince her that it’s more than just a one-off.

Will two people who weren’t looking for a relationship learn to trust one another enough to make it work?

Buy Links:

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Kenzie was stunned by the effect he had on her. He took his time looking her over. She felt powerless as her body responded to him. She was used to men checking her out, but usually she was more aware of the effect she had on them than they had on her. Men were simple creatures. They were aroused by what they saw, and they only saw the facade. They saw the short skirts, the clingy tops, the brash blonde who gave as good as she got—usually better. As Chase’s gaze took her in, it felt like he was seeing past all of that, seeing her naked, in every respect. She’d have to be careful with this one. He was a pro.

He slowly lifted his gaze to meet hers. His lips curled up into a satisfied smile, knowing the effect he’d had on her. “Yeah. I was wondering where you’d gotten to, lover.” He narrowed his eyes, his smile sending shivers down Kenzie’s back. “I told you earlier. You’ll be coming with me tonight.”

Kenzie barely registered the girl walking away. She was too busy trying to catch her breath, attempting to ignore the butterflies in her stomach, and the heat starting to build between her legs. Damn him he was hot! For the first time she could remember, she wanted to back off. This guy was dangerous. “Don’t you think that’s a little presumptuous?” She arched an eyebrow at him.

As he grinned at her, his eyes told her he knew, knew that she was backpedaling. “Not at all. I think our earlier conversation was quite explicit about what we both want.” As he spoke, he reached out and placed his hand on her hip, his fingertips tracing the small of her back while his thumb circled her hip bone.

Smooth move! She had to give him that—and if he didn’t stop it soon, she’d give him anything he wanted and more. The heat between her legs was spreading through her as a deep desire for him while he held her gaze.

“Unless I misunderstood?” He drew her a little closer. “I know what I want.” His eyes were mesmerizing, a gorgeous hazel color not unlike her own. They were laughing down at her as he asked, “You’re not really going to tell me you don’t want me, are you?”

Kenzie shook her head. She wasn’t about to admit how badly she wanted him either or that she might have finally met her match. She took a deep breath and smiled back at him. “I wouldn’t lie to you, Chase. We both know I want you.” She gave a little chuckle. “Almost as much you want me, but I can’t tonight.”

She was relieved to see the disappointment, quickly followed by determination, cross his face. She was back in the driver’s seat. “Why not, darlin’? What could be more important than taking this back to my place?”

“My little sister is much more important. I’m only here for the weekend. I can’t just abandon her because some guy wants to sleep with me.” It was true. No matter how much she wanted Chase, she needed to figure out what Megan was getting herself into. Her first impression of Michael hadn’t done much to reassure her. She really shouldn’t go home with this guy tonight. She needed to stay with Megan.

Chase laughed. The sound of it, so deep and genuine, made her smile. “I wasn’t planning on letting you sleep.”

She grinned back at him. “Figure of speech. I wouldn’t let you get any rest either.”

“So why are you playing with me if we’re not going to do this?”

“I didn’t say we’re not going to do this, did I? I said I can’t tonight.”

His grin was so sexy! “So are you saying you can tomorrow night?”

“Maybe.”

He shook his head at her and caught her hand. “Come with me a minute? I want to show you something.”

She nodded and let him lead her away from the crowd. They walked all the way to the end of the deck and down the steps onto the beach. It was dark down here, the noise from the Boathouse was dulled by the steady lapping of the water against the stones on the shore.

Kenzie had to catch her breath again when he came to a stop and she looked up at him. He was gorgeous! The moonlight shone on his face as he pulled her towards him. He was smiling down at her.

“So what did you want to show me?”

“What you’re going to be missing.” As he spoke, he closed his arms around her, crushing her to his hard chest. His lips came down on hers as one hand slid down to clasp her ass and hold her against another hard part of him.

Kenzie’s mind spun away as her hands came up to tangle in his hair. He was biting her lips, demanding entry. She bit back, nibbling his lower lip. He closed both hands around her ass while he walked her backward until he had her up against one of the concrete blocks that supported the deck. Caught between his hands and thrusting hips, she moaned. Chase took advantage of her parted lips and claimed her mouth, his tongue sliding inside exploring, demanding. She moved her hips with his as she kissed him back, grasping his ass, moving him in her time. She parted her legs a little, needing to feel his hard cock pressing into her. God she wanted him! She wanted him out of his jeans and inside her panties. Why the hell had she chickened out? His fingers were teasing her nipple through her dress, driving her crazy. She couldn’t remember ever wanting a man like she wanted Chase right now.

Footsteps came thundering down the steps from the deck, laughter and voices brought her back to her senses. She broke away from him. At least she broke away from his lips. His arms tightened around her middle, his cock pressed deeper between her legs, making her hang on to his shoulders. The look in his eyes took her breath away when he spoke. “Come with me? We can’t stop this now.”

If it weren’t for the look in his eyes, she would have agreed with him. But his eyes were talking about a whole lot more than just the amazing sex they could be having. He looked confused, dazed, and desperate not to let go. Perhaps she could have ignored that. Her own desire might have been enough to override what she saw in his eyes—if it weren’t for the fact that it mirrored what she felt. A kiss had never made her feel this mixed up before. She wanted to explore it, explore him, his mind as well as his body. But that was far too scary. She’d been right from the beginning. This man was dangerous!

“We have to stop this now!” She pushed him off her, a little disappointed that he made no attempt to pin her there and convince her. She started to walk away from him, back towards the steps up to the deck.

“Are you even going to tell me your name?”

She turned back and smiled at him. “Kenzie.”

He caught up with her and closed his arms around her waist. Again she was powerless to stop him. Truth be told, she didn’t want him to stop. Seeming to sense that, he drew her closer with a smile.

“I like it. I never heard that name before.”

She smiled back. “That’s because I’m one of a kind.”

I write ‘Sweet N Steamy’ stories because to me there is enough angst and darkness in real life. My favorite romances are happy escapes with a focus on fun, friendships and happily-ever-afters, just like the ones I write.

These days I live in beautiful Montana, the last best place. If I’m not reading or writing you’ll find me just down the road in the park – Yellowstone. I have deer, eagles and the occasional bear for company, and I like it that way :0)

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20Feb2015

Excerpt Reveal: Fighting Silence by Aly Martinez

Posted in Books I love by mkcooke

Fighting Silence

Excerpt

“I swear to fucking God,” I snarled as I stomped a pattern around Eliza’s hospital room. She had just been wheeled out, but my anger and anxiety filled the room in her absence.

“Calm. Down,” Slate said from the doorway. “It’s no big deal. I’ll get it back.”

“Fuck you.”

“You’re welcome. Now, get your shit together and remember who the hell you are talking to.”

Eliza didn’t have insurance, and she had freaked when the doctor told her that he wanted to run a CAT scan because of the trauma to her face and head. She’d flat-out refused, spouting off some crap about not going into debt by racking up a huge hospital bill she’d eventually have to pay. She’d sworn she was okay, but I’d absolutely not been anything even resembling okay.

So I’d lost it. I’d snapped at her like a fucking asshole. Then I’d shouted at the doctor for reasons that didn’t even make sense. In turn, he threatened to call security, which only pissed me off more. It was a clusterfuck in that room until Slate came in and physically pinned me against the wall. While I was trying to get my shit under control, Erica was apparently informing administration that she and Slate would be financially responsible for Eliza’s hospital visit. While I was relieved as they wheeled her out of the room, I was sick and fucking tired of feeling like a broke-ass, worthless dick all the time. As it often was, my anger was aimed in the wrong place, and Slate was the only man in the room.

“Get my shit together?” My heart pounded in my chest, and every muscle in my body strained under the mounting stress. “I’d like to see how the hell you’d react if Erica looked like that and there wasn’t a fucking thing in the world you could do to help her.”

Slate’s eyes turned dark as his jaw clenched. “It was different. But I’ve been there,” he stated matter-of-factly. “It was the worst day of my life. I wasn’t even the one who got to make the piece of shit pay either. But honestly, Till, sometimes you have to accept that it’s not the way things get done or who does them. As long as, in the end, they are done. She’s getting that CAT scan right now, and you can sleep easy tonight knowing that she’s okay. It doesn’t matter one bit who signs the check that pays for that kind of peace of mind.”

“It matters to me. You have no fucking idea how it feels to be so goddamn helpless all the time. I can’t do this anymore. I’ve only truly had her for less then twenty-four hours and I’ve already failed to fucking protecting her and provide for her. My boxing trainer had to pay for her medical bills. It’s embarrassing!”

“It’s only embarrassing if you let it be.” He shrugged and settled into the chair next to the door.

I continued to pace. I couldn’t get over the heavy weight of failure compressing my chest. “Why the fuck would she want to settle for someone like me? I failed out of high school. I work sixty-three hours a week for minimum wage so that I can barely pay the bills on a shithole apartment. For fuck’s sake, I have two brothers I want to give the world, but last week, she had to buy us groceries. Oh, and there is always that fun fact that I’m going deaf. One day, she really will have to take care of me! I can’t handle knowing that she has to settle for a future filled with struggles just to be with me. I love her. I really fucking do. But at what point do I let her go because I know she’d have a better life with someone else?” I finished my rant on a yell.

“Wow. You have a really gone off the deep end. She’s not some puppy you can find a better home for.” He stretched his legs out and crossed them at his ankles.

If possible, it managed to piss me off more. I was in emotional upheaval and he was getting comfortable.

“Just leave me alone. I can’t deal with your shit right now.”

“You want to go pro?” he asked randomly.

“What I want is for you to leave.”

“Is that a no?” He crossed his arms over his chest.

“What the fuck are you talking about? Nothing has changed. I still don’t have the time. Honestly, I think I need to give up boxing altogether. Maybe try to find another job or something.”

“I’ll bankroll eight hundred a week. Quit your jobs and come work for me in the ring. It comes with health insurance for you and the boys too.”

I stared at him, awestruck. That was double what I was bringing home each week.

I’d always heard that you couldn’t judge a man’s character by the balance in his bank account. Thank fuck for that because character might be the only place I wasn’t overdrawn. And right then, Slate’s offer sounded a whole lot like pity. No matter how appealing it sounded, I wanted to make it without having to rely on anyone else. I couldn’t afford to sacrifice character.

“Why are you doing this right now? What part of that conversation confused you? I don’t want your charity.”

“It’s not charity. I’m gonna make a shit-ton of money off your ass. This isn’t a free ride. I’ll get all of your winnings until you’ve paid me back. Then anything you make over that, I get thirty-three percent. Erica’s been eyeing this condo on the beach in Florida. I’m hoping you can help me out and buy that for her.”

Outstanding. Slate wants to buy a condo on the beach and I just want to keep the electricity on.

“It has to be hard being you.” My voice dripped with sarcasm, but it only made Slate smile.

“I guess you won’t know until you try. I made every single penny I have from boxing. If you think money will solve all your problems, then put whatever preconceived notions you have about my motives aside and take my offer. But if you decide to refuse, you should know I won’t make it again.”

“Why now? Less than a month ago, you told me I wasn’t ready. Where was your offer to bankroll me then?”

“I’m not going to lie to you. You’re not ready. Not if you want to be great. But with enough time, I can get you there. You’re raw right now, and despite whatever you think, you’re driven by something greater than the almighty dollar or dreams of stardom.” He stood up and walked over to me. “To answer your question about why now, I was wrong. You’re not hungry for more in life. You’re fucking starving. I can work with that.

“Did you even listen to yourself while you were talking? Not one single thing you said was because Till Page wanted more money or a nicer car. You were concerned about Eliza and the boys…but never Till.” He poked my chest right over my heart. “I’m making an investment in you, Till. It’s no handout. I believe you’re going to set the boxing world on fire, because every time you put on those gloves, you’re doing it for them. Say yes. Accept the offer. Quit your jobs. Take a week off to take care of her. Then get your ass in my ring.”

I had no words. If I spoke, I was going to look like a sniffling little bitch. So I nodded instead.

“Good. I’m going to find Erica and get some coffee. I’ll send over the contracts and your first paycheck in the morning.” He turned and headed for the door.

I stood in the middle of an empty hospital room where my fantasy and reality had collided. Finally, I had the break I had dreamed of, but it had taken almost losing Eliza to get it. I would forever remember the way I felt in that moment. Cracking my neck and shaking out my arms, I decided I was done letting the world run over me.

Slate had just handed me my one chance to make a better life, and I was going in with gloves blazing. For the first time in my fucking life, I was climbing through the ropes.

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RELEASE DATE: February 23rd, 2015

Sound is an abstract concept for most people. We spend our lives blocking out the static in order to focus on what we believe is important. But what if, when the clarity fades into silence, it’s the obscure background noise that you would give anything to hold on to?

I’ve always been a fighter. With parents who barely managed to stay out of jail and two little brothers who narrowly avoided foster care, I became skilled at dodging the punches life threw at me. Growing up, I didn’t have anything I could call my own, but from the moment I met Eliza Reynolds, she was always mine. I became utterly addicted to her and the escape from reality we provided each other. Throughout the years, she had boyfriends and I had girlfriends, but there wasn’t a single night that I didn’t hear her voice.

You see, meeting the love of my life at age thirteen was never part of my plan. However, neither was gradually going deaf at the age of twenty-one.

They both happened anyway.

Now, I’m on the ropes during the toughest battles of my life.

Fighting for my career.

Fighting the impending silence.

Fighting for her.

Every night, just before falling asleep, she sighs as a final conscious breath leaves her.

I think that’s the sound I’ll miss the most.

Aly Martinez

Born and raised in Savannah, Georgia, Aly Martinez is a stay-at-home mom to four crazy kids under the age of five, including a set of twins. Currently living in South Carolina, she passes what little free time she has reading anything and everything she can get her hands on, preferably with a glass of wine at her side.

After some encouragement from her friends, Aly decided to add “Author” to her ever-growing list of job titles. Five books later, she shows no signs of slowing. So grab a glass of Chardonnay, or a bottle if you’re hanging out with Aly, and join her aboard the crazy train she calls life.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

20Feb2015

It’s a Cover Reveal: Ethan Walker’s Road to Wonderland

Posted in Cover Reveal by mkcooke

Book: Ethan Walker’s Road to Wonderland
(Road to Wonderland Series #3)
by L.J. Stock
Genre: New Adult

Goodreads

At nineteen, the world has so many possibilities.

Ethan Walker was a typical teenager in that respect. He was happy, living at home with his family and partying when the mood struck. He was in no rush to grow up. His life was a blank page just waiting to be written, but that couldn’t last forever.

Unfortunately, reality came knocking at Ethan’s door, forcing him to face truths he’d never allowed himself to see in the past – truths that soon robbed him of his innocence and youth. With the life he’d always known gone forever, Ethan found himself battling demons in disguise, only to find his own weakness was his worst enemy.

When temptation turned to indulgence, and the ghosts of his past encouraged him to dig deeper, Ethan sought salvation in the form of violence. His fists and fortitude became his bread and butter, but the new turn in his life rejected the familiar and opened the door to more evil.

Inevitably, the darkness tried to sink him, and there was only one constant light that somehow seemed to shine brighter than the promise of escape: the mystery girl with the golden hair.

In order to survive, Ethan had to dig deep and find a strength in himself not even he was sure existed. Only when he found himself on a path to Wonderland did he start to see a future beyond his past. All he had to do to get there was learn to breathe and not get himself killed in the process.

**Book 3 in the Road to Wonderland Series, Ethan Walker can be read in conjunction with Izzy Moffit’s Road to Wonderland by Victoria L. James and Paris Hemsworth’s Road to Wonderland by Francesca Marlow or standalone.

From a young age L.J. Stock was led by her imagination. From the moment she could read she fell into worlds where trees could talk and little girls could move things with their minds.
In no hurry to grow up, she found stories all around her, in the forests of Plym Bridge, the moss covered hills of Dartmoor, then, as she grew older, the wide spread city of Houston, where she currently resides and works. A constant daydreamer, she hopes that one day, her passion can become something more than just a hobby for her.

Still led by her imagination, the worlds have slowly grown from childish adventures to urban fantasies and romances. With inspirational authors such as Enid Blyton, Roald Dahl, Judy Blume, John Grisham and Stephen King guiding her through her life so far, L.J. Stock has finally decided that it is time for her to go for gold and try land herself on someone else’s future list of favorites.

Putting words on paper is as essential as breathing to her, but on the rare occasions that she isn’t writing, she can be found with a video game remote in hand or curled up on the couch with her pup and a good book. Music is also such an important part of her life, it’s a wonder there isn’t a background soundtrack playing wherever she goes. A good girl to most, a bad girl to a few, L.J. believes that every genre should be attempted and is more than likely to have tried to release three hundred series’ ranging from vampires and werewolves, to dystopian and even classic romance, before she reaches even middle age. At least, that’s the plan for now.

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The Road to Wonderland Series:

Izzy @ Amazon US Paris @ Amazon US

Izzy @ Amazon UK Paris @ Amazon UK

19Feb2015

It’s a Cover Reveal: One to Save by Tia Louise

Posted in Cover Reveal by mkcooke

ONE TO SAVE (One to Hold, #6)

(Derek & Melissa)

By Tia Louise

Coming March 26, 2015! #SaveDerek

Cover Design by Steven Novak

Photography by Lauren Perry, Perrywinkle Photography

Some threats come at you as friendly fire.

Some threats take away everything.

Family won’t let you go down without a fight.

The Secret isn’t as secure as Derek’s team originally thought it was, and a person on the inside of Alexander-Knight is set on exposing him, breaking him, and taking away all he holds dear.

Refusing to let anyone suffer for his crimes, Derek takes matters into his own hands. He’s exposed, he’s defenseless, but his friends are determined to save him.

A STAND-ALONE, ONE TO HOLD NOVEL. Adult Contemporary Romance: Due to strong language and sexual content, this book is not intended for readers under the age of 18.

Pre-Order ONE TO SAVE Today!

Exclusive Excerpt

One to Save

©Tia Louise

*unedited draft, subject to change*

Chapter 1: Secrets

Melissa

In the cool darkness of the semi-crowded bar, I study the glass in front of me and consider my journey, how many steps I’ve taken in the last two years, how far I’ve come. Memories of my old life fade like smoke in a glass. The shame that held me so tightly now dances at the edges of my mind like the whisper of a bad dream, a flicker of shadows that no longer make sense in my world.

Young women in shiny slip dresses twist and laugh on the dance floor, but instead of resentment, my lips curl into a smile. My old self—cynical, bitter, defeated—is a memory I have to work hard to recall. These days I could dance all night with them, but I’d rather spend my energy engaged in other activities.

The slim glass holds a pale amber liquid, and I can’t resist taking a sip. An involuntary wince pinches my eyes as I put it down. Seven and seven. Refreshing citrus dragged down by the heavy undertone of whiskey. So gross.

Sliding my palms over my thighs, I realize my outfit isn’t much different from those of the girls on the dance floor. The deep red silk is fitted at my waist, and drapes loosely over my torso. My long dark hair is swept over one shoulder revealing a thin spaghetti strap. I lightly touch the delicate gold chain around my neck leading to the floating heart pendant that sits between my collarbones, and light glances off the thick gold cuff on my wrist.

Unlike that night, I’m alone. My best friend Elaine is miles away with her new husband, most likely indulging in that blissful honeymoon period of early marriage. Make that, most certainly indulging. I know those two well.

No, I came by myself to the bar in Princeton after finishing my business with a client in town. My infant son is in Wilmington, spending the weekend with his grandmother. Studying my hands, I admire the deep blue sapphire ring on my finger, but I have no wedding band.

At thirty-two, I’m an unmarried mother of a beautiful little boy, and I wouldn’t change a thing… Yet. The tiny silver scar at my hairline reminds me of what a bad marriage looks like, and with my successful marketing business and the gorgeous cottage at the beach I own, I’m satisfied with my life. Calm, not desperate. I’ll take my next steps deliberately, with confidence.

All these thoughts preoccupy my mind when I blink up and catch him watching me from across the square-shaped bar. Blue eyes, strikingly blue because of the way they stand out beneath his dark brow, coupled with collar-length thick dark hair.

He’s massive, at least six-two, and elegantly dressed with a thick stainless watch on his wrist. I can spot his type a mile away—rich, powerful, accustomed to getting what he wants. I can’t deny the hum his gaze sets off under my skin. I know what he wants.

Catching my lip in my teeth to stop my grin, I also know what I want, and it’s no coincidence I happened to look up at that exact moment to meet his stare. Still, I’ll make him work for it.

He starts to move, his eyes never leaving mine. I don’t look away either. Thick cords of muscle ripple beneath the thin black sweater he wears as he glides past the oblivious patrons talking and laughing. Some are more animated than others, waving their arms and putting their drinks in peril.

Yellow lights hidden in the recesses above the bar illuminate rows of liquor bottles in all colors and shapes. Glasses hanging upside down above also catch the flickering light. It’s a raucous atmosphere, but this man and I are in our own secret place of longing and desire.

As he rounds the final corner, and I see him in full, my breath quickens. My eyes drift from his broad shoulders to his narrow waist, grey slacks and black shoes, then back up just as he reaches me. A close beard shadows his face, and the muscles low in my pelvis tighten at the thought of how it feels brushing the soft skin of my inner thighs…

#SaveDerek #March26

Books by Tia Louise

One to Hold (Derek & Melissa), 2013

Amazon | B&N

One to Keep (Patrick & Elaine), 2014

Amazon | B&N

One to Protect (Derek & Melissa), 2014

Amazon | B&N

One to Love (Kenny & Slayde), 2014

Amazon | B&N

One to Leave (Stuart & Mariska), Dec. 29, 2014

Amazon | B&N

One to Save (Derek & Melissa), coming March 26, 2015!

One to Chase (Amy & Marcus), coming May 2015!

SIGNED COPIES: http://smarturl.it/SignedPBs

Tia Louise is the Amazon and International Bestselling author of the ONE TO HOLD series.

From “Readers’ Choice” nominations, to picking up USA Today “Happily Ever After” nods, to winning a 2014 “Lady Boner Award” (LOL!), nothing makes her happier than communicating with fans and weaving new tales into the Alexander-Knight world of stories.

A former journalist, Louise lives in the center of the USA with her lovely family and one grumpy cat. There, she dreams up stories she hopes are engaging, hot, and sexy, and that cause readers rethink common public locations…

Connect with Tia

Get Exclusive Sale and New Release text alerts straight to your device: Text “TiaLouise” to 77948*

*Max 6 messages per month; HELP for help; STOP to cancel; Text and Data rates may apply. Privacy policy available, allnightreads@gmail.com.

19Feb2015

Releasing Now: Where We Belong by Eve Connell

Posted in Books I love, Releasing Now Book Addicts, Review Post by mkcooke

Title: Where We Belong

Author: Eve Connell

Release Date: February 19, 2015

One man diving into the past.

One woman emerging from the depths.

At the age of seventeen, Amelia Baide won silver at the Olympic Games and was the second-fastest woman in the pool. Then one tragic night she crashed into a lake and was dragged out without a pulse. Now twenty-four, she is still haunted by it and hasn’t swum again. Until this year’s anniversary of the accident. It is a day unlike any other and a strange turn of events finds Amelia back at a swimming pool.

Harry Jamieson had eyes for one girl, while women and the media had eyes for him. As a trainer of Olympic athletes, he was an in-demand man. Until one boozy morning after … But from bad luck to pure chance he runs into his old flame, Amelia, at a swimming pool no less. She doesn’t remember a thing from the night of the crash.

And Harry knows every single secret.

The pair joins forces—a comeback for Amelia and Harry’s ultimate coaching opportunity. But dodging waves is hard to do; and even the strongest swimmer may sink.

Where We Belong is a second-chance love story for young and old, for swimming enthusiasts and romantics at heart.

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4 Stars

Where We Belong by Eve Connell tells the story of Amelia and Harry, and their bumpy path back to one another. Amelia is a former Olympic swimmer who left the pool after a horrific accident that she doesn’t remember. Harry is someone from the life Amelia had before the accident, and he’s tied into her past and present life in more ways than one.

This book initially drew me in because it’s a second chance romance. I love me a second chance romance because I love all that they’re about: second chances, trying to redo what went wrong, and fighting like crazy for everything they want.

What also drew me to Where We Belong was the aspect of swimming. Having swum competitively myself for over half my life, I was more than ready to read a book that captured the specific nuances of swimming. And let me tell you, Where We Belong delivered on that aspect and more.

What I loved about Where We Belong:

Amelia’s faithfully strong and determined self. Amelia is a strong and determined as all get out character. You feel that through how much she fights for what she wants, and you see it immensely with her swimming, and her fight to move forward with her life. Sure she has her vulnerable moments which make her very authentic, but at her core, her strength and determination through everything she faces defines her. It just shows the level of fight she has, and it had me having mad respect for her character.
The enigma that is Harry. Harry begins this book as a mystery of sorts. When I first read his character, I found myself wondering what he was really about and what he was really after. I wanted to know what got him to where he was, and over the course of the story I understood more and more of him, and as I got to know him I loved him more. With each piece I got of him I understood his motives more and why he did the things he did, and it showed me what he was truly about. Getting to know the real Harry was simply wonderful.
Figuring out the whats of the past. Throughout this book you know that Amelia and Harry’s lives were both drastically changed because of the accident. But slowly and strategically over the book you learn what actually happened, and you get more and more pieces to the puzzle. The way you find out more of the what adds to the story itself, and has your mind reeling to try and figure it out. And believe me, you may think you know what happened, but trust me, you don’t.
How taken Amelia and Harry are with one another. You can feel the connection that Harry and Amelia share with one another. You can just tell how profoundly they care for one another, and that just brings their relationship to life. You will feel how taken they are with one another in how much they fight for their shared goals, their individual ones, and in all the things they say and do. Reading their story will just show you over and over how taken they are with one another, and how far their willing to go to explore how deep their connection truly is.
Capturing the life of a swimmer. I can’t say enough how much this author completely captured what it’s like to be a competitive swimmer. What it feels like to be in that water, what it’s like to compete, and what it’s like to strive for something you want so badly. She captures it all fantastically, and even if you’ve never swum a day in your life, you feel like you’re with Amelia on that block and swimming in that water towards the finish line. This author captured every single little nuance of swimming, and that just adds a magnificent and wholly authentic layer to this story.
The emotional pull. This is a very emotional story because of the nature of what is told, and the author does a great job of puling you into those emotions. All those emotions thrust you into what you’re reading in such a wonderful way that allows you to experience the story that all of these characters go through. That level of connection and emotional pull will just pull you more into the story and to these fabulous characters.
All the resiliency. These two characters are very resilient. It’s a characteristic that defines them both in a way. They’ve both gone through so much from their shared and individual pasts, and the resiliency that they have to try to overcome their pasts will just have you loving them. Their resiliency and their desire to fight to get over the darkness of their pasts will make you want to fight right along with them to get them right to where they want to be. That level of resiliency and how it takes shape in these characters will honestly just make your heart happy.
The writing. This is this author’s debut novel, and I have to say that her writing was fantastic. She captured both points of views wonderfully, and allows you to really step into their minds. She also writes a very intricately developed story, and her writing style just captures everything surrounding the events of this book. The writing of this book just envelops you into it all and allows you the chance to experience the competitiveness with swimming, the trauma of Amelia and Harry’s past, and the many heart racing and pulling events that make this book what it is.

Where We Belong was an overall fantastic book that tells the story of two characters fighting their pasts in order to find a future together. There are many twists and turns on their journey forcing them to give it all they got, but I promise you’re going to love seeing them attempt to figure it all out.

Amelia and Harry’s story is emotional and it’s going to pull at your heart like crazy, but you’re going to love what you experience with these two. You’re going to love seeing them attempt to navigate the bumpy waters of their past, present, and future, and you’ll be rooting with all you’ve got that they can figure out what it is that’s going on between them.

This story is about second chances, fighting for what you truly desire, and giving it all you’ve got until the very last second because in that last second, in that last fight of umph is when magic can really happen.

AMAZON US / UK / AU / CA

B&N / KOBO / iBOOKS / GOOGLE PLAY

Writer, kid-at-heart, awesome partner, graphic design dabbler, book lover.

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17Feb2015

Review Post: Obligation by Aurora Rose Reynolds

Posted in Books I love, Releasing Now Book Addicts, Review Post by mkcooke

NOW AVAILABLE

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1EWf7QW

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1DfD2sz

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1y2bxMH

iTunes: http://bit.ly/1DVAfDi

[ob-li-gey-shuh n]

An obligation is a course of action that someone is required to take, whether legal or moral.

At six years old, Myla was sent to a family her father and mother had chosen for her when they knew their time on earth was almost up. What they were unaware of was what they thought would be her safe haven would become her living hell.

Kai has been watching Myla from afar since he took over the family business from his father and inherited the responsibility of keeping her safe. When word gets back to Kai that Myla is not only in danger, but that his assets are being compromised, he immediately jumps into action and does the only thing that can be done at the time by marrying her.

Neither Myla nor Kai would have thought that something that started off as a farce would become the most important thing either of them could’ve ever done.

Excerpt #1

“Everyone is looking for you.”

I turn my head, pulling my hair out of my face as I watch a boy I’ve never seen before climb up the stairs and into my tree house.

“Who are you?” I ask him as he sits across from me.

“Kai,” he smiles, looking around. He looks a lot different than the other kids I know. His hair is long, and his skin is a lot darker than mine. “Why are you hiding?”

I shrug and look away from him. Daddy was yelling earlier; he was so mad that he was turning red. Then Mommy started crying, and Daddy started yelling louder. I heard Mommy telling Daddy that he had to send me away. I don’t want to go away. I try to be good, but sometimes, I forget to listen.

“Why are you crying?”

I look up at him and wipe my face. “I’m scared,” I whisper, wiping my nose.

“Come on. I’ll protect you,” he says, holding his hand out to me.

Then my mommy calls my name again. I look at his hand, move Mr. Bear under my arm, and put my hand in his.

“Myla!” Mommy yells, running towards me.

I can tell she has been crying again.

“Where did you go?” Her hands grab my shoulders and she shakes me hard.

“It’s my fault. I asked her to show me the tree house,” Kai tells her.

She stops shaking me then looks at him. “You shouldn’t have done that. You knew we were looking for her,” she says angrily her head.

“I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking,” Kai says softly, putting his hands in his pockets and looking at the ground.

I look back at Mommy, and she shakes her head before grabbing my hand and pulling me with her. When I look over my shoulder at Kai, he smiles, making me smile back.

Excerpt 2

I feel the sun on my closed eyelids and something sharp poking me in the face. Moving my hand, trying to get away from the pain, I whimper when it scrapes against my cheek. I lift my head and run my fingers along the side of my face, feeling wetness. Opening my eyes to see a light smear of blood on my fingers. I flip my hand over, and then I see the gaudy ring that is now taking up residence on my ring finger.

“Great,” I whisper, closing my eyes and laying my head down again.

I prayed earlier, before I went to sleep, that when I woke up, the ring I’m wearing now and the man who put it there would be nothing but a bad dream. No such luck. I roll over and take a shaky breath, wanting to close my eyes for a few more seconds, wishing I could just sleep until everything was back to normal.

5 Huge Stars

Obligation is the next installment in Aurora Rose Reynolds utterly fantastic Underground Kings Series. Each of Aurora Rose Reynold’s books have been absolute must reads for me because boy does she know how to write one heck of a story, with an absolute gem of an alpha male, and the perfect female counterpart with her own wonderfully distinctive personality.

Obligation is no different. It has every aspect and more that makes me love a book, and the reading experience it gives me.

I’ve loved all of her books, but there’s just something about this series that just gets me. Something that just hooks me into it all that much more. The darker and more intense feelings because of the nature and premise of this series has me beyond enthralled. I also seriously love how much these characters and their storylines just push the boundaries a bit more.

It just works, and I can’t get enough.

Obligation, and Kai and Myla’s story was one I absolutely loved for what it gave me as a reader. I honestly wish I could spend more time in their book, because I loved both of those passionate people immensely. Their story in Obligation is one that will just have you realizing once again what it means to read and experience a truly fantastic book.

What I loved about Obligation:

The softness and strength of Myla. Myla had such a grace and softness to her. I was kind of taken aback by how beautiful her character was, and I don’t just mean physically. Her emotions and the things she felt, the essence that was her, her spirit, and just the things she said and did over the course of the book were just beautiful and showed a real sense of strength from within her. After all that she went through and overcame in her life, to have that perfect blend of softness and strength just kind of left me in awe of her character.
Kai’s unyielding self. Kai was a character I was sold on the instant I met him. He is a protector, someone who will go to the ends of the earth to do what needs to be done for all those he cares about, and it just so happens one of those people is Myla. What Kai embodied in this book with just the general magnificence that was him melted my heart because of the fierceness of what he felt, the passion behind it, and all the meaning and reasoning for his actions. Kai is the ultimate protector, and you feel that as the reader. It’s also going to have you wishing that you had your own Kai in your life because of what that man makes you feel.
That wonderful push and pull. There is a lot of will they or won’t they in this book. Aurora Rose Reynolds creates the perfect amount of push and pull between Myla and Kai, and that will just have you clawing at what these two could share together. Fighting and praying that they’ll get it together. All that push and pull and back and forth will have you feeling as if you’re building towards something pretty spectacular, and let me tell you that that push and pull will just have you soaring with love for Myla and Kai, and what they experience as a result of that push and pull.
The perfect amount of counterbalance. Where Myla is soft and sweet, Kai is that perfect counterpart of hard and not so sweet. They balance each other out phenomenally, and I couldn’t get enough of seeing that balance attempt to come together. I also effing loved what these two brought out in one another. In a way Kai makes Myla stronger, and in another way Myla makes Kai softer. They make each other better, and they make each other whole, and getting to see how all that balance tries to unfold is just outstanding.
All the feeling. I can’t say enough how much I felt this book in every way, shape, and form. All the passion, all the want and desire, all the doubts and questions, and all the possibilities. You feel it in your bones because of the outstanding way Aurora Rose Reynolds writes this book. You’re experiencing and feeling it all as you read this book. Those feelings just amplify everything from the page, and connect you more and more into what you’re reading.
Twists and turns galore. One of my favorite aspects of this series is the nonstop action. I never know what or where the story will take the characters in, and what twists and turns are around the corner. I love the excitement that that brings, and how much that just engages me in the story. Aurora Rose Reynolds adds in just enough drama and excitement to keep you more than interested, but more importantly it all makes sense for the story and the characters. It flows extremely well, and all those twists and turns have you dying to know what will happen next.
How it all unfolds. Myla and Kai have an unusual beginning to their story. It’s not typical, but that’s what makes the difference. Getting to know these characters and their story the way that it’s developed with all its intricate and detailed layers is fantastic. It all just works together so well, and slowly but surely you get more pieces to the puzzle that is Kai and Myla’s extraordinary story. And the more you see the more you love it, and the more you live it, the more you will be praying with all you’ve got that everything will work out for these two.
Underground Kings all the way. This series has the title Underground Kings for a reason, and the way the author brings the theme of this series into the individual stories is exceptional. There is almost a tangible level of excitement and danger, but at its core it shows that these men and these characters are willing to give every ounce of their being to do what they know is right for the people they love and care for. Feeling and experiencing that kind of theme, that kind of devotion, that level of protectiveness, and just meeting characters that fully embody that sentiment is just effing spectacular. It also exemplifies the absolute best things from the characters and stories in this fantastic series.

Obligation was another must read for me by Aurora Rose Reynolds. It had so many aspects to it that I just loved, and I simply couldn’t get enough of spending time with Kai and Myla’s phenomenal characters. They were just kind of the bees’ knees because of all they were and had to offer, and this author’s fantastic and well-crafted writing just brought them and their story to life.

Myla and Kai and their fantastic story will have you feeling it all right along with them, and will have you fighting like crazy that these two fiercely passionate people can find a way to make it all work. Their story is going to take you on one helluva ride that is full of so much amazingness, and in the end you’ll be very sad to say goodbye, but at the same time you’ll just be ecstatic that you got to experience it all.

Trust me. I have one heck of a book hangover because of that.

Obligation is just another magnificent addition to Aurora Rose Reynolds’ Underground Kings series, and I for one cannot wait for more. Like I might be needing that tomorrow, because I am dying to jump back into the spectacular world this author created with this book and this series. Fingers crossed the next book is out very very soon!!

Assumption (Underground Kings #1)

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1onxQI0

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1qaNWJ3

iTunes: http://bit.ly/1pdSccC

Goodreads Link: http://bit.ly/1olp5C0

Blurb

as·sump·tion:

a thing that is accepted as true or as certain to happen, without proof

They say when you assume that you make an ass out of you and me. Kenton Mayson learned this lesson firsthand when he made assumptions about Autumn Freeman and the kind of woman she is based on what little information he had. What he finds out is she’s not only beautiful, but also smart, funny, a fighter, and exactly the kind of woman he wants to share his life with. Autumn made assumptions of her own about Kenton, and now he needs to prove her wrong in order to protect her and their future.

Aurora Rose Reynolds is a navy brat who’s husband served in the United States Navy. She has lived all over the country but now resides in New York City with her Husband and pet fish. She’s married to an alpha male that loves her as much as the men in her books love their women. He gives her over the top inspiration everyday. In her free time she reads, writes and enjoys going to the movies with her husband and cookie. She also enjoys taking mini weekend vacations to nowhere, or spends time at home with friends and family. Last but not least she appreciates everyday and admires it’s beauty.

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17Feb2015

Releasing Now: Reclaimed by River Savage

Posted in Books I love, Releasing Now Book Addicts, Review Post by mkcooke

Title: Reclaimed (A Knights Rebels MC Novella 2.5)

Author: River Savage

Publication Date: February 17, 2015

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Add to your TBR: Goodreads

Purchase Links:

Amazon US / Amazon UK / Amazon CA / Amazon AU / B&N / Kobo / iTunes

When the woman you love is lost, how hard will you fight to get her back?

Following the birth of her daughter, Kadence Knight finds herself in a battle she never prepared for. With desperation and unhappiness threatening to overwhelm her, a sense of hopelessness pulls her away from the one thing she has always longed for: a family.

As Nix watches his wife struggle with something he doesn’t understand, he can’t help but feel disconnected to his woman. The Kadence he once knew has drifted into the darkness. In her place is a shadow of the woman she once was, one who is fearful of the impossible…failing their daughter.

This Valentine’s Day, Nix has one goal — to reclaim the woman who gave him everything.

*Please note this is a novella and features the characters from the previous storyline.

The events of Reclaimed take place after Incandescent and Affliction. Book one and two in the Knights Rebels MC.

To get the full advantage of the story, and character development, I strongly suggest you read in order.

“I don’t know what you want from me,” I whisper. Communication was never this hard. The distance growing further between us as each day passes makes me afraid that this is what we’ve become.

“I just want to bring you happiness, baby,” he sighs, but before I can tell him I don’t think he can, Harlow’s cries come through the monitor. I move off the bed to go to her, knowing she will need to be fed.

“You walk out of this room, Kadence, you walk out on me.” His cold tone stops me from moving any further. It’s the same tone he used in the bathroom. “Leave her,” he commands, but the thought of continuing this conversation, where we tear each other down, has me fighting him.

“Nix, I have to check on her.” I continue to the door.

“Don’t you dare leave this fuckin’ room. I’m important too. I’m your fuckin’ husband. Do you hear me? We are important.” His hand sweeps across his nightstand, causing one big crash that sends everything tumbling to the floor. I’m frozen in place, my hand resting on the door handle. The room is silent. The shock of what has gone on tonight so raw I don’t think either of us knows how to process it.

“I don’t know what you want from me,” I repeat, closing my eyes when Harlow’s cries grow louder, sending my anxiety rising. Doesn’t he know he’s only making it worse?

“Jesus, I don’t know. Give me a look, smile at me…fuckin’ touch me. Give me a connection that says we’re on the same fuckin’ side. I can’t continue to stay in this place we are in. I’m drowning here, Kadence. We both are, and I just don’t know if I can keep treading water for both of us. You have to help me, baby. You have to want us to survive.” He falls to the bed, his head dropping to his hands. Seeing him like this, in this state makes me realize that our situation is bigger than me, than him. It’s bigger than either one of us realize.

“That’s not fair.” I release the handle and turn, collapsing against the wall. The wind knocks out of me as his words resonate within me. We are drowning and I have to stop fighting. At this realization, my knees become weak. Standing becomes too hard. I slide down the wall, dropping my ass to the carpet.

“Life isn’t fair, Kadence. I wish it was, but it just isn’t. Look where we both have come from; look where life has taken us. We won’t survive if you won’t talk to me, Kadence. Talk to someone.” He stands to come to me, but having him in my space only makes things worse.

“Please don’t.” I draw in a breath, defeated. His frustration and concerns only prove what a bad mother I’ve been, what a bad wife I’ve become.

“Don’t what, Kadence? Don’t make me walk away. I want my wife back. I don’t know what’s happened, but I don’t like who you’ve become.” His voice is pained, as broken as my soul feels. His confession doesn’t surprise me, but it still burns. I know I don’t like who I’ve become. How do I expect Nix to like me?

“You don’t think I ask myself that question every day? That I don’t look at myself and ask what is wrong with me? I don’t know who I’ve become, Nix. All I know is I should. I should know who I am.” My head thuds against the wall in defeat. I can’t keep going on like this. I can hear Harlow’s cries quietening, as she resettles herself, but that doesn’t stop me from wanting out of this room.

“I know who you are, Kadence. You’re the woman I love. The most amazin’ mother to our daughter, our son.” Saying Z is my son pulls at me harder. The fact that he, too, is affected by what is happening hurts even more. Nix walks over and squats to my level, careful not to get into my space, but close enough for me to reach out and touch him if I wanted to.

“Why don’t I know that? I should know that Nix.”

“You don’t have to know. I know, the kids know and that’s enough.”

“It’s not enough for me.” My hand itches to touch him, to feel his hardness under my fingers, but sitting broken on the floor of our bedroom, I know I can’t. I can’t touch the man who means everything to me and I hate myself for it.

“When did you stop trustin’ yourself?”

“I don’t know. When did I stop being myself?” I counter, and my admission halts him for a moment. He crawls forward, coming closer into my space. His warmth, his calming presence wraps itself all over me.

“The first step is askin’ for help, baby. Let me help you. You don’t have to be alone. Let me learn to breathe the ugliness you see. Let me share the darkness, Kadence. Just don’t push me away.” His pleading pulls at me, pulls at the hatred that has settled inside.

“I’m not doing good, Nix,” I say, looking up and giving him what he needs. What I need. “Somewhere along the way, I woke completely lost and overwhelmed. And every day, it gets harder and harder to deal.” A sob tears from deep within me, and walls I’ve been hiding behind crumble down.

“I know, baby.” He pulls me into the hardness of his chest. “We’re gonna be okay,” he promises, and everything in me wants to believe him. Everything in me wants to trust he has me. That he has us. But the truth is, I’ve drowned in so much self-doubt and uneasiness, that trust seems so far away.

5 AMAZING Stars

The instant I met Nix and Kaydence in Incandescent, I was just enraptured in the fierceness that is them. I effing love their characters. Their passion, their love, the dynamic of the connection they share, everything.

Going into this novella, I knew I would get more Nix and Kaydence, but I didn’t know how much emotion, pain, and vulnerability I was going to find with them in Reclaimed. This story pulled at every single emotion I had, and at times it hurt my heart so much to read what Nix and Kaydence were going through, but I cannot tell you enough how utterly phenomenal this novella was.

What River Savage creates in this story will pull at your heart again and again. She created a chapter in Nix and Kaydence’s story that packs one serious emotional punch. She tackles a subject that is very very real, and very very raw, and she does that with such a magnificent level of authenticity.

Bottom line: she does it justice.

That’s probably the aspect I took away most from this novella. I love me some Nix and Kaydence something fierce, and will never tire of reading a story filled with their amazing selves, but what River Savage creates and takes on in this novella is something else. Something more. She tackles a real live struggle that many women face, and does so with an immense amount thought and care.

I myself am not a mother yet. I’ve never personally experienced the things that Kaydence goes through with creating the most extraordinary thing, a new life, to then being thrust into something you were never prepared for. Something you never expected to have happen, feeling things you never wished to feel. I’ve never felt what Nix experiences when he watches someone he loves fade away into a pain filled numbness, all while losing a parts of himself in the process.

I’ve never experienced that kind of pain or felt that level of internal and external struggle, but after Reclaimed I feel like I have such a better understanding of it all, because of what River Savage created. The writing and development of this story and its characters makes it so easy to connect into all that is going on and all they go through, which makes for an unforgettable reading experience.

Nix, Kaydence, Z, and Low’s story is brought to life, and within all of their pain and struggle is so much breathtaking strength at what they fight through and attempt to overcome together.

My heart still aches from the full on emotional and pain filled story within Reclaimed. But at the same time my heart also soars after reading this story because of what River Savage wrote, created, and brought to the page. While this story pulled at my heart more times than I can remember, it also tried to heal it over and over again with the continuation of Nix and Kaydence’s spectacular story.

Reclaimed takes Nix and Kaydence to their most vulnerable. It pushes them to places they never expected to be, but it also brings them to an extraordinary place. All that struggle, all that pain, all that fight comes out in Reclaimed, and I guarantee you’re going to be blown away from it all.

While Reclaimed is definitely a heavier emotional read, it also has everything else that I’ve come to effing love from this author and this series. All of the outstanding characters from this series are back, and just add to the entire extraordinary picture that is Reclaimed. Jesse, Sy, Holly, Beau, Brooks, Z, and everyone else come back to wow you. Their wonderful and distinctive personalities continue to shine through, and I love them all the more. And Jesse’s book needs to get here like yesterday. Just saying.

This book also packs some serious heat and heart. You feel the love and you feel that connection Nix and Kaydence share, and the passion they have for one another that you’ve come to know from the other books just catapults off of the page. All those moments of searing heat and passion, and all those moments of heart melting love, fit into this story seamlessly and will just make you whole heartedly believe again that what they share is worth fighting for with all you’ve got.

What can I say? I heart me some Nix and Kaydence. River Savage writes a well-developed and thoughtfully crafted story within this novella, and she does these characters and their emotional story the justice they warrant. The events of this novella make them fight like crazy to reclaim what they once had, but let me tell you: it’s one helluva fight that shows the true power and breathtaking beauty of love.

I’m just blown away yet again by everything this story had. All that pain, all that vulnerability, all that emotion, all that enrapturing passion and love. It all just fit together like the pieces of a well-made puzzle, and it’s just going to knock your darn socks off.

Reclaimed was just so much of everything, and I loved every little thing about it. Even those heartbreaking moments, because they were real and raw, and they were a part of Nix and Kaydence’s story that needed to be told.

This is a phenomenal addition to this series, amplifying all that makes these books and characters exceptional, and I for one cannot wait for more.

Purchase Links:

Amazon US / Amazon UK / Amazon CA / Amazon AU / B&N / Kobo / iTunes

______________________________________________________________________________Series Reading Order

Incandescent (Knights Rebels MC #1)

Amazon US / Amazon UK / Amazon CA

Amazon AU / B&N / Kobo / ibooks

Phoenix ‘Nix’ Knight thought pulling his club out of the illegal shit his Pops got them into was difficult.
Until he meets Kadence.
Kadence Turner has no business lusting over a student’s father, especially the president of the Knights Rebels MC. Nix is crass, obnoxious and dangerously sexy and for some reason, Kadence can’t seem to hate him for it. The bossy biker breaks down her defenses, but unlike the old Kadence, the woman she is today won’t give in without a fight.
The tension is undeniable, the attraction fierce. A man that wants what he wants and a woman that will fight him every step of the way.

Add to your TBR Today: Goodreads

****

Affliction (Knights Rebels MC #2)

Amazon US / Amazon UK / Amazon CAAmazon AU / B&N / Kobo / itunes

Three little words are all it takes to rip his world apart. Lost in his own affliction, Sy has been living in a darkness that he doesn’t ever want to let go of.
Until she arrives and shines her light so bright that nothing else mattered.
She was only in it for the chase, for the thrill of capturing the unattainable.
But what happens when her world shatters around her, spiraling her into the darkness beside him?
Can his affliction be her resurrection?
Or will two lost souls living in the depths of deception let it destroy them?

Add to your TBR Today: Goodreads

______________________________________________________________________________

River Savage is the author of the Knights Rebels MC Series.

An avid reader of romance and erotic novels, her love for books and reading fueled her passion for writing. Reading no longer sated her addiction, so she started writing in secret. She never imagined that her dream of publishing a novel would ever be achievable.

With a soft spot for an alpha male and a snarky sassy woman, Kadence and Nix were born.

River would love to hear from you. You can contact and/or follow her via…

Facebook / Twitter ( @RiverS_Author ) / Pinterest / Website / TSU / Youtube

Email: riversavageauthor@gmail.com

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16Feb2015

It’s a Cover Reveal: Sing Like Nobody’s Listening by SJ McCoy

Posted in Cover Reveal by mkcooke

Sing Like Nobody’s Listening
Cover Reveal

Release Date: February 22nd

Sing Like Nobody’s Listening is book 6 in the Summer Lake Romance series but can be read as a

stand alone.

Hi, I’m SJ. A coffee addict, lover of chocolate and drinker of good red wines. I’m a lost soul and a hopeless romantic. Reading and writing are necessary parts of who I am. Though perhaps not as necessary as coffee! I can drink coffee without writing, but I can’t write without coffee.
I grew up loving romance novels, my first boyfriends were book boyfriends, but life intervened, as it tends to do, and I wandered down the paths of non fiction for many years. My life changed completely a couple of years ago and I returned to Romance to find my escape.
I write ‘Sweet N Steamy’ stories because to me there is enough angst and darkness in real life. My favorite romances are happy escapes with a focus on fun, friendships and happily-ever-afters, just like the ones I write.
These days I live in beautiful Montana, the last best place. If I’m not reading or writing you’ll find me just down the road in the park – Yellowstone. I have deer, eagles and the occasional bear for company, and I like it that way :0)

Facebook / Twitter / Website

Purchase the other books in the series today!

Love Like You’ve Never Been Hurt – FREEBIE!

Work Like You Don’t Need The Money

Dance Like Nobody’s Watching

Fly Like You’ve Never Been Grounded

Laugh Like You’ve Never Cried

16Feb2015

It’s a Cover Reveal: Pretty Pink Ribbons by KL Grayson

Posted in Cover Reveal by mkcooke

Title: Pretty Pink Ribbons

Author: K.L. Grayson

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: March 24, 2015

Cover Design: Perfect Pear Creative Covers

Photographer: Tomasz Zienkiewicz Photography

Dying . . .
Dead . . .
Deceased . . .

It doesn’t matter how many times I say it or how many different names I give it, it still means the same thing. One of these days I’ll be nothing but a passing memory, a familiar face in a forgotten photo. But there’s three things I need before this life of mine ends . . .

I need to tell him I love him more than life itself.
I need to feel the strength of his arms wrapped around me just one more night.
Most of all, I need him to forgive me.

Eight years ago I broke the heart of the only man I’ve ever loved and today I’m moving home in hopes that he’ll let me put it back together. I’m not sure how many breaths I have left, but I’ll use each and every last one fighting for what I destroyed.

My name is Laney Jacobs and this is my journey.

Prologue

“Levi?” Her soft voice rings through the bar, effectively kicking my heart rate up a couple hundred notches, and I take a deep breath. This is what she does to me. When she’s around, my entire universe shifts and I know—I know—that this woman is it for me.

“Coming.” I rush to light the last of the candles, taking a quick inventory to make sure I didn’t forget anything. I’ve known for several months that Laney is different … special. But the other night when her warm body was curled up in my arms, head tucked under my chin, I realized just how perfectly she fits. And not just with me, but into my life.

A loud thud followed by a faint “shit” catches my attention and I run across the patio, through the door, toward the dining room. “You okay in here?”

Laney is bent over, rubbing her knee. She lifts her head and her dark hair slides away from her face, putting her hazel eyes—the eyes that I love—on display. Her nose crinkles and she cocks her head. “Why is it so dark in here? You know I’m afraid of the dark.” I laugh, bending down to inspect her knee. “Are you laughing at me, Mr. Beckford?” I glance up in time to see a sly grin split her face and I return it before focusing my attention back on the bruise that is now marring her flawless skin. Leaning forward, my lips graze her knee and she sighs, threading her delicate fingers through my hair. “When you act all sweet like this, it’s hard to be mad at you for laughing at me.”

I look up and she places a soft kiss against my lips. “I have a surprise for you,” I whisper, pulling away, knowing good and well what her sweet innocent kisses can turn into. Sliding a hand along her back, the other under her knees, I lift her off the ground and she squeals, wrapping her arms around my shoulders. Burying her face in my neck, she starts peppering kisses along my jaw.

“I love surprises.” Her voice is low and sexy as shit, and if she says one more word, I’m certain we won’t make it out to the patio. Soft lips encircle my earlobe and she nips it playfully before sucking the sensitive flesh into her mouth. I swat her ass and she moans, the vibrations sending a rush of blood straight to my dick. Fuck … the things this woman does to me.

Stopping in front of the patio doors, I lower her to her feet. “Close your eyes.” Her gaze snaps to mine and her eyes widen with excitement before she slaps a hand over her eyes. Gripping her free hand in mine, I gently lead her across the threshold into the warm summer air.

I couldn’t have asked for a better night to do this. My dad closed Flame for the weekend to celebrate my cousin’s wedding so we have the entire restaurant to ourselves, and the weather is absolutely perfect. I blow out a slow breath, hoping that this perfect night gets a little bit more perfect when I tell Laney just how much she means to me. “Open your eyes.”

She smiles wide, her sparkling white teeth lighting up her face. Her hand remains locked across her eyes and I can’t help but laugh. “Laney.” I tug at her arm, but she doesn’t budge. “Open your eyes.”

“Wait,” she laughs, pushing me away with her free hand. “I’m prolonging the moment. I haven’t had a surprise since I was seven years old and my mom bought me a Cabbage Patch doll for my birthday.” Laney’s smile falters and something inside of me clenches. Laney doesn’t have a lot of memories of her mom, and she has even fewer good memories of her dad. “It wasn’t even new.” I stood there, my hands hovering at my sides, at a complete loss for words. “I think she got it from a garage sale, but I didn’t care … I loved that doll.”

Stepping toward her, I lace my fingers around the back of her neck, drawing her to me. “Laney, I didn’t—”

“No.” She buries her covered face in my chest and takes a deep breath. “It’s okay. I’m sorry I got carried away. I’m just really excited for your surprise, even if it’s nothing … I’m not saying it’s nothing, but if it was, I’d still be just as excited.” She pauses, pulling away from me. “Wait. That didn’t come out right.”

My hand glides down her back and I pull her to my chest. I want to spend the rest of my life making her happy. Logically, I know it’s way too early to talk about marriage, what with the both of us still in college, but the thought lingers in the back of my head. “I know what you meant.” She nods and I kiss the top of her head. “I’m going to give you lots of surprises, Laney.” She nods again. “I’m going to spoil you rotten. I promise, one of these days you’ll be sick of surprises.”

She lifts her face as though she is looking for a kiss, but her hand is still covering her eyes and she isn’t anywhere close to my mouth. I grin. She looks so damn cute with her pouty pink lips puckered and ready. “Where’s your mouth?” she huffs, lifting up on her toes. “Levi?” Slipping my arm under her butt, I lift her up and she instinctively wraps her legs around my waist. Gripping the back of her head in my palm, I guide her smiling face toward mine and her lips part, granting me access. Our tongues collide, sliding and pushing against one another. Kissing Laney is like getting a taste of heaven. If she’d let me, I’d probably spend most of my days walking around with my lips connected to her in some way, shape, or form.

“Can I have my surprise now?” she mumbles against my mouth, biting at my bottom lip. I groan and she smiles against my mouth, knowing good and well what she’s doing to me. “Did that turn you on?” She waggles her eyebrows above her hand, her knowing smile completely infectious. If her eyes were open, I’d adamantly deny any such thing. But they’re closed so I smile back, loving this playful side of her.

“Nope.”

“No?”

“Not even a little.”

She tries to pull back and my arms lock around her middle and she giggles. The most perfect sound in the entire world. “I don’t believe you.” She wiggles her free hand between us until she finds the swollen bulge busting at the zipper of my jeans, causing her to burst into full-on laughter. “I knew it. I knew it. Good God, you’re easy.” I have no comeback because she’s right. This girl can fucking breathe on me and I’ll get hard.

“What do you expect? You’re fucking gorgeous, Lane.” I run my nose up the side of her neck and back down. Her laughing morphs to giggling and she scrunches up her shoulders when I suck on the spot just below her ear. How easily she forgets that I know how to make her squirm too. “What’s a man supposed to do? You’ve got these perfect tits rubbing all up on me.” My hand roams up her side, my fingers grazing the outside of her breast. She’s no longer laughing … or giggling. I inch my hand up a little bit higher, tangling my fingers in her hair. Wrapping her dark waves around my hand, I give a firm tug and her head leans back, a small whimper falling from her lips. But I know my girl and that was not a whimper of pain. I just turned the fucking tables.

“Did you like that, Lane?”

“Mmm-hmm.” My cock throbs at the sight of her, skirt bunched up around her hips and neck stretched, begging for my mouth.

“You look turned on, Lane. How turned on are you?” My nose slides down her neck until my lips hit the swells of her breasts and her breath hitches.

“A five. I’m a five.” Bullshit, she’s a five. Letting go of her hair, I slip my fingers in the top of her shirt, yanking it down. Laney’s breast pops free, her nipple tightening when it meets the warm breeze. My mouth waters at the sight and I lean down to suck her sensitive bud into my mouth. My tongue swirls and my teeth nip, and within seconds she is writhing against me.

“A five, huh?” I blow on her wet nipple and she moans.

“I hate you,” she pants. “A ten. I’m a ten.” Her eyes flutter, but I’m not quite done with her yet.

“Did I tell you to open your eyes?” I swat her ass and she grinds into me, shaking her head furiously. “You haven’t seen your surprise yet. Do you want your surprise?” She squeezes her eyes shut and nods.

“Is it you? Can I have you?” Her words slam into me and suddenly our little game is so much more. “I just want you.” That last part sounded more like a plea and my throat constricts. I can’t wait any longer. I need to tell her … she needs to know.

I push down on her hip, and she reluctantly untangles her legs and slides to the ground. I fix her shirt and attempt to adjust her bra. She laughs at my awkward movements and reaches up with her free hand to help. When her clothes are righted, I entwine our fingers, bringing her hand up to my mouth.

“You have me, Lane.” I kiss her knuckles and she takes a step toward me. “I’m already yours.”

“Levi? There’s something—”

“Wait.” I press a finger to the center of her mouth. “Open your eyes first, Lane.” She obeys and I spin her around. Her mouth drops open on a gasp, her hand flying to her mouth.

“Oh my God.” She turns to look at me, and then back to the patio, then back to me. “Levi,” she sighs. “This is … it’s … you did all of this?” Her golden eyes glitter under the pale moonlight.

“I wanted to do something special for you. It’s not much, but—”

Laney turns, stepping into me. She grips the collar of my shirt with her manicured hands and pulls my face close to hers. “What do you mean not much?” She glances over her shoulder and my eyes follow, taking in what she’s seeing.

Flame sits on the banks of the Mississippi River and the patio overlooks a wide expanse of rippling water, providing a magnificent view of the Arch riverfront. Lanterns are strung along the railing, emitting a soft ethereal glow, and a round table is tucked in the corner adorned with her favorite flowers.

Laney’s grip loosens on my shirt and she twists around, taking off toward the table. “You made me dinner?” She lifts the silver cover that’s hiding one of the plates, then quickly replaces it. She turns to me with a brilliant smile. “My favorite.” I nod, watching her reach toward the bouquet of Calla lilies. She pulls one from the bunch and raises it to her nose. Her eyes close and she sniffs, her entire chest rising and falling on a slow inhale. Her face is the perfect picture of serenity.

This is it … here’s my cue.

“Laney?” I stand in front of her and she smiles, slowly peeling open her eyelids. My heart is pounding against my ribcage, and if my palms get any sweatier, I’ll be embarrassed to touch her. Come on, Levi, do it. The words are stuck in my throat, threatening to choke the shit out of me if they don’t come out. I rub my hands along my thighs and take a deep breath. “You like the lilies?”

What the hell was that? I was supposed to confess my love, not ask if she likes the damn flowers.

She stuffs the lily back in with the bunch and squeezes my hand. “I love them.” Damn it. I was really hoping she was going to say ‘I love you’ … then I wouldn’t have to be the first. Ever so gradually, she lifts herself up and when our lips meet, something stirs inside me. I feel like I’m home. She is my home. She kisses me softly several times, never deepening it. “This is beautiful. It’s wonderful.”

Now would probably be a good time to spit it out … get it off my chest. If only I could concentrate—or breathe. I should probably breathe first; that would be good. My lungs fill and I blow out a big breath.

“Are you okay? Do you want to sit down?” Laney pulls me to a chair and shoves me in it.

“I have to tell you something,” I blurt, catching her off-guard. She clears her throat and pulls out the chair next to me.

“I have to tell you something too.” She looks away and then down at her hands, which are fidgeting with the hem of her shirt. She’s nervous. What the hell is she nervous about? I’m the one about to lay my heart out on the line. Alas, my dad always told me ladies first.

“You go first.” I scoot my chair forward until our knees are touching and she glances up at me, blinking rapidly. She wrings her hands together, her eyes searching my face. “No.” She shakes her head adamantly. “You planned this amazing surprise. You go first.”

“No, really—” She shakes her head jerkily, dismissing me, and we both sit there … staring at each other. Neither one of says a word and the air grows thick with awkward tension.

Damn it.

This is not how I wanted this to go. I wanted to tell her I loved her, hear her say it back, eat dinner and then make love to her under the stars. But really, I just want to tell her I love her … and hear her say it back.

Both of us, obviously disturbed by our lack of communication, start talking at the same time.

“I love you.”

“I got in!”

“What?” she gasps, her face beaming. She moves closer, which is funny because suddenly I’m wanting to move away.

“What did you say?” My stomach hardens as a wave of nausea rolls through me. My mind is working desperately to try and figure out what she’s talking about, but I’ve got nothing.

“You got in?” I ask, brows furrowed. “You got in where?”

Her eyes sparkle with excitement. I want to be excited with her, but the pain I have gnawing inside my gut is telling me that this is going to change everything. Her knees are bouncing at a fast clip and she bites back a smile. “Do you remember when I applied to the CIA?”

I nod once, vaguely remembering her talking about some scholarship for the Culinary Institute of America. She never said anything else about it, so I just assumed it was a passing thought. I was wrong, obviously.

Laney loves to cook. In fact, that’s how we met. She started to waitress and hostess for my dad at Flame, and I bartend for him on the weekends and occasionally during the week. She told me once that she wanted to be a chef and working in a restaurant was her first step in that direction. I’m not going to lie, the girl can cook. There were a few times when my dad even pulled her back to the kitchen to help out if someone called out or left sick.

“I got accepted, Levi.” She catapults forward, throwing herself into my arms, but I can’t move. I’m in shock. What is this going to mean for us? Where is the school? I never once considered the fact that she may move. She can’t move, I love her. “Levi? Did you hear me? I got accepted!” Her eyes are gleaming, but for the life of me I can’t find the strength to smile back.

“So, what does that mean?” I manage to stutter out.

She sits up, her hands locking on mine. “It means I get to go to college. On a full scholarship. I don’t have to pay for anything, Levi.”

“But you’re in college.” I don’t see what the big deal is. What can she do there that she can’t do here? Her whole life is here. She can’t possibly think it’s a good idea to just pick up and leave. And what about Luke? She can’t leave Luke … she can’t leave me.

Her smile fades, the light in her eyes dulling a fraction, and she stares at me. “I’m going to a community college, Levi.”

“There’s nothing wrong with a community college,” I insist.

She shakes her head. “No, there’s not, but I’m not doing anything there. This isn’t where I want to be.” Her words are a punch to the fucking gut and I stand abruptly, sending my chair toppling backward. “Wait”—she reaches for me, but I pull away—“I didn’t mean it like that.” Slowly, she stands. “There is nothing for me here.” Another fucking punch. “My life is going nowhere, Levi … you know this.” Jesus Christ, screw the punch, she’s using a jagged-edge knife. I rear back at her harsh words and she hangs her head, a tear slipping down her flushed cheek.

Laney’s mother died of cancer when she was ten years old, and a few months after her passing, Laney’s dad became a raging alcoholic. Laney spent her entire childhood raising her brother. The only good thing her poor excuse for a dad ever did right was give Laney access to any money he ever had. I’m not sure where he got his money, considering he could never keep a job for longer than a few months at a time, from what Laney told me. But he got it from somewhere, and it kept food in her and Luke’s bellies and a roof over their heads.

“What about me, Laney?” I yell, jamming my finger into my chest. “What? I’m nothing to you? Your life with me won’t ever go anywhere?” My arms are held out to the sides, but she doesn’t answer. Her head snaps up and she moves forward.

“No.” Her voice is high and frantic. She looks bewildered at why I would say that. “That’s not it at all. You’re everything. You mean everything. This doesn’t mean we’re over, it just means I’m going away to school for a while.”

My eyes lock on a barge floating slowly down the river—what I wouldn’t give to drift away right along with it. “Where is it? Where is the school?”

“St. Helena … California.”

My eyes snap to hers. “California?” She nods and my stomach twists. “When would you leave?”

“The semester starts in six days. There was a last-minute cancellation … that’s how I got in. That’s why it’s so sudden.”

Tears are swimming in her eyes, but that does nothing to subdue the anger that is boiling up inside me. She bites down on her bottom lip, a small quiver taking root in her chin, and I grip my hair tightly, spinning away from her. “Christ, Laney,” I growl, my voice echoing into the empty night.

As hurt as I am by what she’s just told me, it’s what she didn’t say that’s bothering me the most. Those three little words that I was dying to tell her were not reciprocated and that slices right through me. Did she even hear me say it?

“This doesn’t have to change anything.” I can feel her body behind me, the familiar scent of her perfume wafting through the air. I hang my head in defeat. What am I going to do if I can’t see her every day? She has become my life. I go to bed thinking about her, I wake up thinking about her … hell, I probably even dream about her.

Not to mention, she’s bound to get noticed. A girl like her catches the eye of every hot-blooded male within a five-mile radius. I’m going to go insane not being able to be there, and it very well might kill me not knowing who she is talking to or what she’s doing at any given time. And when am I going to see her? It’s not like either one of us can afford to travel back and forth.

“This changes everything.” There has to be somewhere closer for her to go to culinary school. This can’t be the only option. “I don’t want you to go. I don’t want to be away from you.”

Her eyes soften, but something about that pisses me off. Reaching out, she grips my forearm and gives it a gentle squeeze. I don’t pull away, mostly because something inside of me is screaming that this may be the last time we touch. “It’s only for a couple of years. I have to do this, Levi.”

“I can’t do a couple of years.” My words come out surprisingly calm considering I’m about two seconds away from punching the goddamn wall.

Her hand falls from my arm as she takes a step back. “What do you mean you can’t do a couple of years?” Her words are slow and careful.

I need her to pick me. I need her to pick us. If she just gives us a chance—a real chance—one where she isn’t thousands of miles away, we can make this work. I just need to finish school, then we can work at getting her into culinary school and I’ll happily follow her wherever she wants to go. If she leaves now, we’ll never make it. I won’t survive it. Jesus, I probably sound like a fucking pussy, but I need her. When she’s not around, I feel like I can’t even breathe. Right now I need to know that she feels the same way about me. I close my eyes and take a deep breath.

When I look up, big doe eyes are watching me … waiting. As much as I want to pull her to me and tell her everything is going to be okay, I can’t. My stomach clenches hard and tight as rejection and a ton of other emotions that I can’t even name rip through my body. “If you leave” —I glance over her shoulder, unable to look her in the eye— “we’re over.”

“You don’t mean that?” She lunges toward me, but I step back. Tears streak down her face and my hands itch to make this right, to somehow make it work.

“But I do.”

She sobs, frantically wiping the tears from her face. “We can make this work. You’re making this into so much more than it is. Please, Levi, you have to understand that this is my chance to get out of this town and start a new life.”

“A life without me.”

“No,” she says, shaking her head vehemently.

“Really?” I yell, throwing my hands out to the side. “How do you suggest we make it work? You won’t be able to afford to fly home, and I can’t afford to fly to California.” Her mouth snaps shut. She knows I’m right. “What are we going to do, talk on the phone every night? Sure, that might work in the beginning, but what happens when school starts to get busy and those calls start getting missed? What happens when I start wondering where you are and who you’re spending time with? Or vice versa … what if you start wondering where I am or who I’m with?”

Laney crosses her arms over her chest. She’s frustrated. Good, so am I. “You don’t trust me?” she scoffs. “You think I’m going to go away to school and just forget about you … forget about us?”

“I don’t know, Laney, you tell me!” Adrenaline is coursing through my body. My lungs are heaving, my heart racing.

“I trust you, Levi.”

“Well, maybe you shouldn’t.” I don’t mean it. I don’t. But I’m hurt, and this is what fucking happens when I’m hurt. I’m stubborn as hell and I feel the need to hurt back, which judging by the look on her face, I hit my mark.

Her eyes are like daggers shooting straight through me, but I don’t budge. “So what’s it going to be, Laney?”

“You want me to choose? You want me to give up my dreams, my one chance to get out from under my dad?”

It kills me that I’m doing this to her. Lord knows I don’t want to give her an ultimatum, but I know me, and I know I can’t do long distance. I know that if she just chooses me, I’ll move heaven and earth to make every fucking dream of hers come true. “Yes. I’m asking you to choose.”

Laney’s hand covers her face. Her shoulders bob several times as soft cries float from her mouth. A few minutes pass and then she straightens her back, wipes the remaining tears from her face, and looks at me sadly. “I’m sorry.” She hiccups on another sob and her shoulders hunch forward. “I’m so sorry, but I have to do this, Levi.”

Her words slam into me like a freight train. My mind goes blank, everything around me dissipating into a mass of emptiness. Without thinking, I reach for the vase and hurl it across the patio. Hand-painted glass shatters against the wooden deck, sending two dozen Calla lilies into the air. A faint scream echoes through the air, but my mind blocks it out as I grab one plate and then the other, slamming them into the side of the restaurant. A loud roar rips from my lungs, echoing through the quiet summer night.

“Levi, please.” A shaky hand touches my arm and I whip around, wrenching free from her grip. The sight of her tear-streaked face rips open my heart and infiltrates my soul, a place that I will never allow another woman to ever go again. I can feel large steel walls slam down around my heart, effectively closing it off.

My eyes fall on hers, which are full of fear and anxiety. I don’t want to scare her. That wasn’t my intention, but she hurt me. And I’ve already been hurt by another woman, one who walked away from me without a second glance. Chose a different life … one I didn’t fit into. Unfortunately, I was only twelve and didn’t know not to trust and love another woman again. Well, this time I’m older, wiser, and I’ll learn from my mistakes.

Swallowing hard, I turn to look at the destruction my anger left behind. Closing my eyes, I grip my hands behind my neck, tilting my head up to the sky. “You need to leave.” My voice is soft … resigned.

“Levi, plea—”

“GO,” I snap, just wanting her gone. She doesn’t say another word. I’m not sure how much longer she stands there, but I know the minute she walks away because she takes my heart with her.

K.L. Grayson resides in a small town outside of St. Louis, MO. She is entertained daily by her extraordinary husband, who will forever inspire every good quality she writes in a man. Her entire life rests in the palms of six dirty little hands, and when the day is over and those pint-sized cherubs have been washed and tucked into bed, you can find her typing away furiously on her computer. She has a love for alpha-males, brownies, reading, tattoos, sunglasses, and happy endings…and not particularly in that order.

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