Collector Of Book Boyfriends
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Daily Archives: January 23, 2015
RELEASE DAY & GUEST POST: On the Dotted Line by Kim Carmichael
Posted by on January 23, 2015
A signature can change everything…
Rather than silver, Randolph Van Ayers III was born with a platinum spoon in his mouth and plenty of strings attached. Faced with a list of specific goals he must achieve in order to earn control of his family’s banking empire, he’s accomplished each task and triumphed. One item remains on his list. He must marry by his thirty-third birthday and stay married for one year. However, when his so-called fiancée leaves him on the courtroom steps only hours before his deadline, he realizes he might lose for the first time in his life, and a Van Ayers never fails.
Taught to rely on the universe for answers, Willow Day has always struggled in the material world, specifically her lack of material. With her small holistic store near foreclosure and without a home, she must do anything within her power to make the business work and take care of the woman who raised her. When the rude, yet gorgeous, Randolph the Third offers to fix all her troubles in exchange for one year of her life, she opens her mind and takes a chance.
It’s the battle of the mystical over the money. Between a hidden pet who looks more like a cotton ball, performance artists with wings, and a woman who spouts advice like a living fortune cookie, everything from restaurant reservations to a trip to celebrate the winter solstice create clashes for the couple as they learn how to fit into each other’s worlds.
With both their futures at stake, they must learn to accept reality, what the fates have dealt them and the consequences of falling in love from the moment they decided to sign on the dotted line
The Top Five Reasons Randolph Van Ayers III Would Make An Awesome Book Boyfriend:
A Signature Can Change Everything…
- He makes sure he’s connected – From planes chartered at a moments notice to having a hook up to some of the best art galleries in Los Angeles, restaurant reservations, and being next in line to take over his family’s banking empire, Randolph has connections in all the right places. With the simple raise of an eyebrow thing simply happen for him. Plus, he’s going to own a bank, he’ll be able to make change for anything.
- He offers to take you shopping on Rodeo Drive – The son of a Beverly Hills socialite, Randolph understands the importance of shopping and shopping well. If you ask him nicely he may even hold the bags or hire someone to do it for you.
- He will let your dog sleep on the bed – No matter the thread count of the sheets and although he never had a pet, he will cave and let your dog sleep on the bed with you. In fact, though he may not admit it, he will actually love the dog and go to great lengths to keep the dog happy.
- He will help you clean out your purse – A man obsessed with being organized and prepared for anything, if you dump out your purse in front of him, he will clean it up and make sure everything is perfectly put away. If you’re lucky he may even give you a new purse.
- He will literally put a ring on it – Having to get married by his 33rd birthday does come with some advantages, including a man who totes around a very large diamond ring in his pocket, and is willing to give you anything to make your wedding night special. Hey, if you don’t like him after he makes a legal woman out of you, you only have stick around for 365 days.
One (1) Signed book of the author
(US Only)
Kim Carmichael began writing eight years ago when her need for graphic sex scenes and love of happy endings inspired her to create her own. She has a weakness for bad boys and techno geeks, and married her own computer whiz after he proved he could keep her all her gadgets running. When not writing, she can usually be found slathered in sunscreen trolling Los Angeles and helping top doctors build their practices.
BLOG TOUR & BOOK REVIEW: The Vigilante’s Lover (The Vigilantes #1) by Annie Winters, Tony West
Posted by on January 23, 2015
Spies, vengeance, and one seriously well-dressed man
“If Bourne dressed like Bond and acted like Grey, you’d have Jax De Luca.” An addictive new romantic suspense series from the desk of USA Today bestselling author Deanna Roy/JJ Knight Mia trembles as she reads the letter that arrives from Ridley Prison. Seduction. Bondage ropes. Descriptions of things Mia has never experienced or known. The man’s words are desperately passionate. He longs for a woman who must have given him a fake address. Mia’s address. She plans to send the letter back. He’s a convicted felon. But his words gnaw at her. She’s never done anything dangerous. And no man has ever talked to her like this. So Mia writes him, pretending to be the woman he desires. It’s her one dark thrill in her dull, solitary small-town life. The man is in prison for another fifteen years. It’s harmless. She is safe enough. Until he escapes.
VIVIAN’S BOOK REVIEW: 5 STARS!
First, and foremost, thank you to Annie Winters and Tony West for providing Collector of Book Boyfriends book blog with this arc!!
This is Sci-Fi meets BDSM ;) Adrenaline pumping! The Vigilante’s Lover starts out with a BANG! It jumps right into the plot and doesn’t allow you to put it down!
Mia Morrow is this 20 year old, shy, naïve country girl that has lost everyone she loves. She recently lost her aunt to a stroke and is living in the home that her aunt left to her. “I felt adrift, unmoored, like a boat some sailor accidently freed by tying a shoddy timber hitch.”Mia doesn’t know what direction her life should go in and the only thing that keeps her entertained, as of late, is these mysterious letters she started receiving in the mail from an inmate named Jax De Luca.
For the average onlooker that could read these letters, they would assume they are letters to a lover from a man that is stuck in prison. The letters go into great details of accounts of bondage and sexual innuendos. “Knots are useful. Everything about this language appeals to my sensibilities. Beauty. Power. Bondage. I enjoy all three.” Mia finds herself intoxicated and obsessed with the words in the letters. Her need to respond is too great to resist, so she starts sending letters back. Little to her knowledge, these letters are Jax’s way of communicating with his friend Klaus in the outside world, arranging for his prison break. As Jax starts receiving her letters, he can only assume his friends identity and his escape plan, has been compromised. Mia, in her innocents, never thought responding to these highly titillating letters would bring the man on the other end to her doorstep…well she was VERY WRONG!
Jax is determined to find out what happened to his friend, which whom he was sending the coded letters to and first on his agenda once her gets out of prison, is to give the person whom is sending him letters now, a visit. But finding a beautiful tempting girl like Mia at the safe house where his friend is supposed to be at is very unexpected. He can only assume that she is part of “The Vigilante”, so he takes her hostage in hopes to break her down until she gives up the whereabouts of his friend. “I don’t think I’ve captured a Phase One Trainee quite as beautiful as you before.” Is Mia really this naive country girl that is in the wrong place at the wrong time or is she something “special” that was hidden away in a safe house by “The Vigilante” to protect her? “There is a lot more to this girl than meets the eye. TheVigilante’s are protecting her identity from one of their own.” For some reason, the Identipad indicates that she has no record…this throws up red flags for Jax. Who is Mia?
I was completely absorbed in this book! Like shut out the world, have to get to the bottom of what is going on. The Vigilante’s Lover has everything from suspense to action to that underlying sexual tension that we readers love! Be warned, this volume leaves you on a major CLIFFHANGER! BUT…THANKFULLY volume 2 comes out Jan.27, 2015! So we don’t have to wait forever! I am going to be patiently…not so patiently…waiting for volume 2! LOL
**There’s futuristic aspects in this book, such as: mood detector sensors (a computer system that can monitor your mood changes), high-tech gadgets like bracelets and watches that can unlock doors by just swiping your finger over it, and there’s also use of holograms in vehicles (kind of like in the movie, Ironman) and vehicles can drive by themselves (kind of like in the movie i, robot). There’s also phrases thrown around like: off the grid, the syndicate, “Identipad” (a system that identifies any and all persons and shows their history from conception to death). There is no specific date or year noted in The Vigilante’s Lover, so I don’t know exactly when this takes place.**
Annie Winters is the new romantic suspense pen name for Deanna Roy/JJ Knight, the USA Today bestselling author of romances and serials. She teamed up with thriller writer Tony West for a new series that combines the best of romance and a heart-stopping action.
CHARACTER BLITZ: Mad Love by Colet Abedi
Posted by on January 23, 2015
![MadLove__Final_Cover_CUT[4]](https://collectorofbookboyfriends.files.wordpress.com/2015/01/madlove__final_cover_cut4.jpg)
23-year-old aspiring artist Sophie Walker can think of no better place than the exotic paradise of the Maldives Islands to escape the wrath of her controlling parents, the monotony of her boring legal work and her passionless boyfriend. With her two best friends along for the ride and to help her find herself again, Sophie is not prepared for the enigmatic Clayton Sinclair. Clayton comes from another world of privilege that seems like a fantasy to Sophie. Can this man introduce her to the passion & seduction she never realized she was desperately searching for? Sophie quickly becomes ensnared in Clayton’s seductive web until a shocking treachery makes her question her judgment and actions…
“I told you, Sophie. I don’t share. And I don’t do games. And I especially don’t do jealousy.”
Well shit, he certainly seems jealous to me. Right?
“You could have fooled me.”
I can’t believe I just said that. Talk about uttering some bold shit. Even Clayton seems surprised by my words. I see it for a split second before his eyes turn cloudy and guarded. I’ve managed to pull my hand from his and back a bit away from him, hoping to gain some distance from the towering god. The angry, towering god, I might add.
“You’re right.”
At first I don’t think I’ve heard him correctly because honestly, it’s the last thing in the world I’d expect him to admit to me, but he does. Before I can even have a second to be happy about that revelation, he starts to stalk me. I back away from him until I’m cornered against a wall with nowhere to go. He leans into me, hands on both sides of my head, trapping any possible exit I could make.
“You’re absolutely right, Sophie. And it’s a first for me. A fucking first. And I’ve decided I don’t like the feeling at all.”
I lose my stomach. I feel a rush of excitement move through my body. I can barely breathe. He’s never been jealous before? I try not to smile in giddy pleasure.
“So what now?” I whisper. He smiles darkly at my innocent question.
“So now I’m going to find out why the hell I’m so drawn to you. I’m going to see if you taste as good as you look.”
Clayton
CEO
Oil, deep water drilling, and maritime transportation
Cool, confident, intelligent, successful, and always the center of attention- and not to mention extremely attractive. He knows exactly what he wants out of life and how he’s going to get it and others can’t help but be drawn by his boldness and charisma. His good looks and charm makes him a highly sought after lover and he knows it. However, he can be controlling and demanding at times which can be hard on relationships.
DAVID GANDY
Colet Abedi has been an entertainment industry executive for over ten years. In addition to working on many television programs for NBC, ABC, FOX, and most cable networks, she is best known for her work as head writer for the telenovela serials American Heiress and Fashion House, the latter of which starred Bo Derek and Morgan Fairchild, on the FOX-owned MyNetworkTV. Abedi currently has one television series in syndication, Unsealed: Alien Files, and has completed Five Souls, her first feature film. She is also the co-author of young adult fiction novel, FAE. Book one was released July 2013 by Diversion Publishing Group and was an instant online bestseller. The Dark King, the second in the planned FAE trilogy, was released May 2014. FAE was recently optioned by Ridley Scott. Colet is a native of California, graduated with a B.A. in English literature from the University of California at Irvine, and currently lives in Los Angeles with her husband and three dogs.
Announcement from Carly Phillips – Dare to Love Kindle Worlds Release
Posted by on January 23, 2015
New York Times bestselling author, Carly Phillips has licensed her Dare to Love world to Amazon so that other authors can bring you stories that are extensions of her DARE TO LOVE world. You’ll see familiar faces, maybe even characters you met on my pages and wondered what happened to them.
As the world is licensed to Amazon, the books are available on Amazon only. If you aren’t a Kindle user, no worries! You can still read the stories on the FREE Kindle APP that you can download on your computer, smart phone or tablet. Check out the 9 books releasing today below!
Hot Dare – Avery Flynn
He shows some of his best moves off the field.
Hell is a Miami Thunder fan cruise to the Bahamas—at least, that’s how Colt “45” Butler sees it. But with his job as the team’s starting linebacker in question, he’s willing to do whatever it takes to prove he’s a team player. Plus, the prospect of having his one-night Vegas fling, Angie Diaz, as his VIP liaison for the cruise just might make the whole ordeal tolerable. All he needs it to get her back in his bed for some Vegas-rules fun on the high seas.
Cheap wine and expensive ice cream, that’s how anyone fool enough to get involved with a Thunder football player always drowns their sorrows after getting dumped. Angie Diaz isn’t about to become one of the many—no matter how close she got to the look-but-don’t-touch line with the hot linebacker. Mixing business and pleasure with Colt is one dare her heart can’t afford to take…but being with him day and night is making is a dare she can’t resist.
Dare Me – Kelly Jamieson
Love hurts…even when you don’t believe in it…
Interior designer Micki Arnott is anticipating her boyfriend’s marriage proposal with excitement. She and prominent businessman Garrett Caulfield have been seeing each other for over a year and they’re in love. Okay, maybe Garrett hasn’t actually said those three little words, but Micki knows he feels them. But instead of a diamond ring, Garrett hands her a contract…
Garrett wants Micki to move in with him, to commit to him and only him, but he doesn’t believe in love and marriage. After watching his parents cheat and hurt each other all while proclaiming their love, that’s not what he wants his life to be. A contract seems like the perfect way to make sure he and Micki both understand the parameters of their relationship.
When Micki throws Garrett’s contract in his face and tells him to never call her again, he’s shocked and confused. He’s not a quitter, but he’s not going to fight with Micki like his parents did. Micki knows she’s doing the right thing—she deserves to be loved and isn’t going to waste her life on a man who doesn’t even believe in love. Garrett blames his misery on too much scotch…but what if that pain isn’t really the mother of all hangovers…what if it’s…love?
Truth or Dare – Allie K Adams
From the USA Today bestselling author of the Roadhouse series…
He truthfully believes he’s better off alone. She challenges him to live up to the Dare family name.
Adam Dare has never asked for anything from his biological father. Robert Dare lives in Florida with not one but two families. While the rest of his half brothers and sisters grew up surrounded by family and eating from a silver spoon, Adam was an only child in Montana, living off the land and struggling to survive. Now a respected vet with his own practice, he’s facing an insurmountable task, one where he needs all the help he can get. Discovering a pretty, yet troublesome stowaway in the bed of his truck only adds to the mounting chaos. Adam doesn’t have time to deal with her during branding season, yet can’t deny the overwhelming draw to her. A litter of Dares are on their way to the luxury ranch he’s working at, and he can’t afford any distractions—especially one with golden blonde hair and pretty cornflower blue eyes.
Amber Bigsby has lived on her own since the day after graduating from high school. After a disastrous date takes a dangerous turn, she hides in a pile of hay in the back of a truck, only to awaken to find herself at a ranch in Montana, searching for the cowboy who saved her. When she spots Adam, she’s drawn to him to like a moth to a flame. Discovering he’s a Dare has her torn between running away and giving in to temptation. Maybe it’s time to play a little truth or dare…
If she wins, he’s forced to face what it means to be a Dare. If he wins, the truth comes out. The two may not be exclusive. All bets are off when love is on the line, especially when playing…
TRUTH OR DARE
This story can be enjoyed without prior knowledge of the “Dare to Love” world created by Carly Phillips. However, it’s best served with a healthy dose of the other Dare stories on sale now.
I Dare You – Leslie Kelly
A Leslie Kelly story set in New York Times Bestselling Author Carly Phillips’ “Dare To Love” Kindle World!
Marcus “Big” Bigsby is retiring after a successful NFL career, ready for a quiet, simple life on a ranch in Oklahoma. But his plan to forget the past is rocked when he comes face-to-face with his high school dreamgirl, the one who got away…the one he never forgot.
Blair Tremaine has heard Marcus is living in tiny little Caribou, but she’s done her best to avoid him. She’d been crazy about him in high school, but they’d always seemed miles apart–her the bookish rich girl, him the football-playing farmboy.
Now they’re thrown together again, and this time nothing will stop them from finally getting what they’ve always wanted: each other!
Daring Masquerade – Alannah Lynne
When a hired heartbreaker falls for her target, both their hearts are at risk…
For the past five years, Becca Irving (aka Carmella Jones, aka Karma) has worked as a
hired heartbreaker, seeking revenge and justice against men who thoughtlessly hurt the
women who love them. She expects her next mark to be just as callous, but Jon isn’t
her typical target. He’s a good man with a loving nature and dominant streak that
crushes her walls and tempts her into believing love can be real and lasting.
From the moment he lays eyes on the beguiling redhead, Jonathon Ridgeway is
hooked. When a sensuous dance leads to an erotic weekend aboard his boat, he
realizes he needs more than a brief affair with the complex and tantalizing woman.
But neither Jon nor Becca are who—or what—they seem. Will he be able to forgive her
past actions? Can she overlook his? Or will they both be left brokenhearted by the
secrets of their past?
Daring Attraction – Melanie Shawn
When it came to star athletes, it didn’t get any hotter than Cole Carson. The starting quarterback for the Miami Thunder had game both on and off the field. But when he met Julianna, he knew that he’d have to bring more than just the status quo to the stunning, single mom’s already-hectic life if he had a chance of winning her heart.
Life had tackled Julianna Perez with some pretty harsh hits, but she’d take them and more if it meant providing her ten-year-old with a safe and stable environment. Living by her to-do lists and focusing on Anthony’s needs, the breathtakingly beautiful single mother never acknowledged her own until they were brought to the surface by a sexy football player.
A commanding captain on the football field, Cole knew how to take the lead in every situation and he wanted to be the solution and more for his newfound love. But will he be able to navigate through the complexities and realities of being with a single mom, no matter how badly he wants to right her world? Will Julianna trust Cole enough to let him into the stable life she created and protected for Anthony and for herself?
With love on the line, Cole and Julianna will both be forced out of their comfort zones in…Daring Attraction
Dare Me Once – Marquita Valentine
All police detective, Bryce Sinclair, wants is two weeks away from it all, and his grandparents’ cottage on the Chesapeake Bay shore fits the bill. A fridge full of beer and blue crabs is all he needs. Though, the hot, little waitress at the pier would be a welcome addition. He’s not looking for forever, just a good time.
Kayla White doesn’t have time for tourists who try to buy her personal time instead of her award winning crab cakes. She’s too busy trying to start over after the last man stole her heart…and cleaned out her bank account. But, when a sexy, smooth talking stranger catches her attention, will she dare take a chance on him?
The Billionaire’s Dare – Lauren Hawkeye
THIS IS A NEW STORY FROM CARLY PHILLIPS’ DARE TO LOVE SERIES VIA KINDLE WORLDS.
From New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Lauren Hawkeye/ Lauren Jameson…
What happens in New York…
Evangeline Wyatt, the brand new “team behaviour manager” for Miami Thunder, doesn’t have time for a relationship. At least, that’s what she’s told herself since being burned by one of the Thunder’s biggest playboys. It’s the height of humiliation when she finds herself stuck accompanying said ex to a New York kink club to keep him out of the tabloids. But when she meets a sexy, slightly familiar looking stranger with whom chemistry instantly sparks, she finds herself letting go… only to be reminded why her rules were there in the first place.
Nick Aitken is the star rookie of the New York Vikings, a team with a longstanding rivalry against Miami Thunder. At first he approaches the admittedly delectable woman only because she’s with one of his biggest opponents. But what ignites between them is more than he can resist…
Evangeline is certain that they’re all wrong for one another. Nick’s not so sure. But he’ll do anything for a second taste…
Anything. “Evangeline, I dare you…”
Daring the Player – Robin Covington
Raised by a pro football legend, Miami Thunder wide receiver Rep Grissom has a career most would envy. A toxic marriage with a party girl almost put him on the sidelines, but now he keeps his head down and makes the moves on the field that leave younger players in his dust. Now all he has to do is maintain the status quo and he’s guaranteed a lucrative new contract at an age when most guys are retiring.
Lola Corbin is used to leaving all the big boys in her rearview mirror. The lead singer in the worlds biggest rock band she fills up arenas and closes down the clubs but with the group on the brink of breaking apart her future is uncertain. Years spent on the road has left her with nothing at home except platinum records on the walls, an empty fridge and a cold bed. For the first time, she’s looking for something and someone beyond the spotlight.
When Lola’s first night in her condo ends with Rep breaking up a fight he realizes that temptation has moved in next door. Lola doesn’t usually go for the strong and serious type, but the more she sees of her neighbor, the more she wants. When a thank you dinner turns into dancing and a hot tryst in the back of the club their attraction cannot be denied. But when Lola-induced trouble results in a front-page-career-ending spectacle the player must decide if he’s going to be as daring with his heart as he is on the field.
COVER REVEAL: Vibrizzio by Nicki Elson
Posted by on January 23, 2015
Lyssa Bates doesn’t need a man. Not when the world is fully-stocked with double A batteries and a wide array of options in Amazon’s health and sexual wellness category. After yet another failed relationship, the twenty-six-year-old investment analyst is convinced that real guys aren’t ever going to live up to her expectations—so why should she bother with them? She’s determined to keep her dating life purely electronic…though she occasionally fantasizes about Hayden King, the delicious new associate she just got partnered with at work.
While Lyssa manages her romantic risks by deleting men from of the equation, the ever-charming Hayden protects his heart by diversifying his love life across multiple women. As the two young professionals travel together around the country for business, their flirty working relationship develops into a close friendship that hurtles toward something more. Between hot tub confessions in Baltimore, an accidental kiss in Dallas, and an all-nighter in Chicago, Hayden proves himself to be better than any fantasy.
Writing wasn’t something Nicki set out to do; it just sort of happened when she realized writing reports was by far her favorite part of her investment consulting position. She traded stock allocation and diversification for story arcs and dialogue and now weaves her creative writing time in with the other activities of her busy life with her family in the Chicago suburbs.
Nicki writes with two goals in mind: #1 to keep the characters realistic, even when their circumstances are anything but, and #2 to make the reader feel. Watch for her new title Vibrizzio, coming in 2015 from Swoon Romance. Her published works include Three Daves, a light-hearted romantic romp through a 1980s college campus, Divine Temptation, a romantic novel of angelic proportions, and Hans & Greta: a Twisted Fairy Tale Novella. Her published short stories include “Sway” (available as a single), “I Don’t Do Valentine’s Day” (part of A Valentine Anthology), and “Impressionism 101” (included in the debut issue of Insatiable: The Magazine of Paranormal Desire
COVER REVEAL: Finding Us (A Nucci Securities Novel) by Debra Presley
Posted by on January 23, 2015
Pop star Abby Murphy has fame and fortune and handsome boyfriend and guitarist, Sean. That changes the night she finds him in the arms of another woman. But Sean won’t accept the breakup, and she soon finds out he’s working with her mother, who’s also her manager, to keep him in her good graces.
As Sean ratchets up his threats against her, Abby turns to her bodyguard, Danny Nucci, who will do everything in his power to keep her safe.
But when Abby realizes her feelings for Danny run much deeper than she’d like, she pushes him away as much to keep her own independence as to protect him from Sean’s machinations.
When Abby finally finds the strength to confront all that is wrong with her life, she seeks refuge with Danny, but is it too late? Has she pushed him away one too many times for him to trust her now? Or can he put his own demons aside to help repair them both?
$10 Amazon Gift Card
Debra is a native New Yorker who made her escape to the suburbs. She often visits her hometown to enjoy a bagel with butter from her favorite deli, because there’s no better bagel than a New York bagel. When not in search of bagels, Debra spends her time running Book Enthusiast Promotions, an online promotions company that helps indie authors spread the word about their books. She’s also the owner of The Book Enthusiast blog.
She started writing lyrics in her wall-to-wall NKOTB bedroom at the tender age of thirteen while dreaming of the day she’d become Mrs. Jordan Knight. That dream never came to fruition, but she has continued to write. Now she’s working on her first novel.
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COVER REVEAL: The Way We Fall (The Story of Us #1) by Cassia Leo
Posted by on January 23, 2015
Today we have the cove reveal for Cassia Leo’s The Way We Fall! I love this cover, AND Cassia is sharing an excerpt, as well as the playlist for the book. Be sure to read all the way to the bottom for all the fantastic extras!!
Maybe we shouldn’t have fallen so fast and so willingly.
Maybe we shouldn’t have moved in together before we went on our first date.
Maybe we should have given our wounds time to heal before we tore each other to shreds.
Maybe we should have never been together.
Houston has kept a devastating secret from Rory since the day he asked her to move in with him. But the tragic circumstances that brought them together left wounds too deep to heal.
Five years after the breakup, Houston and Rory are thrust together by forces beyond their control. And all the resentments and passion return with more intensity than ever.
Once again, Houston is left with a choice between the truth and the only girl he’s ever loved.
From New York Times bestselling author Cassia Leo comes a passionate love story that pushes the boundaries of loyalty.
![Pageflex Persona [document: PRS0000038_00074]](https://collectorofbookboyfriends.files.wordpress.com/2015/01/thewaywefall-full_1.jpg)
“I need to talk to you about the work situation,” he says as he follows me out. “I got the contract, but I want to make sure you’re okay with this before I sign it.”
“You want to know if I’ll be okay working with you?”
I slide the key into the doorknob and Houston places his hand over mine to stop me from turning the knob. “I can’t go in there with you. Please stay out here until we’re done talking.”
I shake his hand off and turn around to face him. “There’s nothing to talk about. You have to sign the contract. The way I feel about working with you shouldn’t matter.”
“But it does matter. I don’t want to upset you. You were there first.”
I can’t help but laugh. “So this is a territorial thing? You think because I was there first that I have some sort of right to keep you out?” His left eyebrow shoots up the way it always does when he’s confused and it nearly renders me mute. “Houston, if I didn’t work there you wouldn’t think twice about signing that contract. So that’s what you should do. Just… please stop making this into something it isn’t. We hardly know each other anymore, and that’s the way it’s going to remain.”
He swallows hard as he lets this sink in. “I guess you’re right. I’m sorry I bothered you. I only wanted to… Never mind. I’ll get going. I have to get up early to go sign that contract. Not that you care.”
He shakes his head in disappointment as he walks away and I’m glad I don’t have anything solid in my hand other than Skippy’s leash or I might throw it at the back of his head. So I’m the one who doesn’t care? Ugh. Typical Houston and his endless psychological games.
Maybe I should have told him to walk away from the contract, but that would have meant admitting that he still has a strong hold over me. It also would have been the truth and the truth has never gotten me into trouble. In fact, the truth is something my previous relationship with Houston was sorely lacking.
Nevertheless, I don’t need to right the wrongs we made while we were together. I don’t need to tell Houston that the sight of him makes my throat dry and my stomach flutter. He doesn’t need to know that I still go to sleep with scenes from our life together playing on repeat in my mind. Or that sometimes I wake up with his name tumbling from my lips, the remnants of dreams where he never left and nightmares where he hovers just out of reach.
Before Wednesday, the last time I had seen Houston was the day after he met me at the Planned Parenthood clinic. I didn’t ask him to come, and I don’t know how he found the date and time of my appointment, but he was there when we pulled into the parking lot. Lisa, a girl from my Social Inequality class whom I’d had coffee with a couple of times, had graciously agreed to take me to the clinic. The moment I saw him leaning against his truck, I knew I had to send Lisa home. Houston would insist on taking me back to the apartment after the procedure, to watch over me.
It was the last thing I wanted, to have Houston doting over me after terminating the pregnancy. But it was also the only thing I wanted. It was as if he was performing the last rites on our dead relationship.
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Cassia Leo loves her coffee, chocolate, and margaritas with salt. When she’s not writing, she spends way too much time watching old reruns of Friends and Sex and the City. When she’s not watching reruns, she’s usually enjoying the California sunshine or reading – sometimes both.
COVER REVEAL: Gentle Chains by Nazarea Andrews
Posted by on January 23, 2015
When slavers steal Juhan and his twin sister Chosi from their home planet of psychics, their only comfort is in the fact that they’re together. When they are separated at auction, Juhan swears to find his sister, no matter the cost.
Juhan is bought by the spoiled daughter of a political scion. Caught in her glittering world of intrigue and politics, Juhan is startled to find Sadi playing a long game to change intergalactic politics and Juhan is merely a pawn in her game. But as his vow and Sadi’s lies takes them across galaxies, he begins to wonder if his young owner is more than an arrogant rich girl. And he has to consider the cost of his promise—especially when people they both care for begin to die.
A galaxy away, Chosi is sold into blood sport. With her psychic ability, she earns a precarious position of value within the gladiator school, training the draken—wild creatures of smoke and fire—for the arena. In the midst of that hell, she forges a friendship with the slave Jemes and the draken she cares for. But when her defiance comes with devastating results, Chosi contemplates suicide as an escape from her chains. Yet, she can’t forget the brother who promised to find her, and even as she welcomes the risk of death, she clings to that promise.
Spun across space and exotic worlds, Juhan and Chosi try to find each other, and home in a stunning story about the lengths love will take you.
Nazarea Andrews is an avid reader and tends to write the stories she wants to read. She loves chocolate and coffee almost as much as she loves books, but not quite as much as she loves her kids. She lives in south Georgia with her husband, daughters, and overgrown dog.
I add all the books I read–I’m a little obsessive. I don’t, however, rate or review all of them. I love talking about books, so feel free to say hi! :)
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