Excerpt

BOOK FEATURE: “The Truth About Ellen”

May 27, 2015 Leave a Comment

“The Truth About Ellen” by Sarah Louise Smith

Blurb: It’s every girl’s dream to date a pop star…

When Ellen starts dating Tom, a member of the band she adored as a teenager, she can’t believe how lucky she is.

She neglects to mention that she’s a huge fan because that just wouldn’t be cool, would it?

Ellen also keeps quiet about how she once spent an evening with Tom’s ex-bandmate/ex-best friend Jasper, her long-term celebrity crush. Tom doesn’t need to know about that, it’s all in the past.

That is until Tom and Jasper get back in touch… and the truth threatens to ruin everything Ellen has ever dreamed of…

* * * * *

Hello! Thanks so much to Isabella for letting me guest on her blog today. If you haven’t heard of me before, I’m Sarah Louise Smith, a British chick-lit author with a passion for the colour yellow, eating lobster and watching romantic comedies.

Read on for a sneak preview of the first chapter in my new novel, “The Truth About Ellen”

EXCERPT

I’ve always been the clumsiest person in any given room. When I was 16, I was at a Four Ape concert (my favourite band) and I actually fell down the stairs on the way out of the arena and broke my wrist. Another time, when I was 24, I was out shopping with my mum and I tripped, sprained an ankle and broke two ribs.

I’m always tripping, falling, slipping, dropping, breaking and losing things. The fact that I’d made it to 28 with a mostly intact body, still functioning and breathing and going about a fairly normal existence, was a miracle of epic proportions.

So, it was no surprise to me that as I peeled the foil off my mini Easter egg and took a small bite that the whole thing crumbled in my hands, leaving my chin, work desk and lap covered in rapidly melting shards of chocolate.

“Yummy aren’t they?” said my co-worker, Darby, taking a dainty bite of hers without creating any mess whatsoever.

Darby was pretty much the opposite of me. I couldn’t imagine that she’d ever tripped up the stairs, lost her mother’s favourite necklace, forgotten her best friend’s birthday, or even had a single hair out of place her entire life. She always came into the office looking like she’d just stepped out of a glossy magazine. Her face was made up with just the right amount of make-up to give her that naturally stunning look, and her clothes always fit beautifully as if designed and made to measure (which they probably were). And her sing-song voice never uttered a word that wasn’t worth the whole office hearing. I hated her. I wasn’t jealous … honest. I just didn’t need someone that perfect in my life, thank you very much.

Oscar, our boss, had left a small egg on each of our desks as a token thanks for our ‘hard work’. As I’d only been with the company for five months, and my last boss had barely muttered ‘good morning’ to me when she arrived each day, I thought this was pretty generous.

My co-workers had, however, complained that he’d given them much larger eggs the year before.

I sat in a pod of four desks with Darby, plus another two girls – Margot and Tammy. Margot was nearing retirement and kept quiet most of the day, until anyone started talking about television and then she piped up and gave her opinion on what had been on the night before. Darby and Tammy were close friends who talked all day about their love-lives, gossiped about their mutual chums and other col- leagues, or debated fashion and celebrities. In fact they chatted all day about anything they could think of. I mostly kept myself to myself and tried to work hard; I was still on probation and I needed this job. I had rent and bills to pay, a car to run, and a cat to feed. Plus there was always shed-loads of work to be getting on with.

Today was no exception; I had a report to prepare for Oscar, and as it was the last day before the East- er break we were all leaving after lunch. I blocked out the others’ chitter-chatter, trying to concentrate on what I was working on, but then something Darby said caught my attention and I couldn’t ignore it.

“I hear Four Ape are rumoured to be getting back together.”

Four Ape. My favourite band. Ever. I was 13 when they burst onto the music scene with a cool blend of indie-rock. I was at just the right age to develop a huge celebrity crush and Four Ape were the perfect band for me to become fanatical about.

I went to their concerts, I donned their t-shirts, and I wore out lots of VHS cassette tapes by recording all their television appearances. Every square inch of my bedroom walls and ceiling was covered in posters and magazine cut-outs. I doodled their logo every time a pen and slip of paper presented itself.

Laura, my best friend back then, was also a huge fan. Her favourite was George, who was the eldest and the drummer. Then there was Alex who played the keyboard; Tom the bass guitarist, who wrote most of the songs. But while I loved them all, I was totally in love with Jasper, the bad boy and lead singer. I would scowl each time I saw paparazzi shots of him coming out of a bar with his arm around a stunning skinny girl, who no doubt didn’t realise just how wonderful he was. That should’ve been me.

Then one day, when I was about 18, the band split up and went their separate ways. Jasper launched a huge solo career, which I’d also followed closely, buying every album and seeing him live every time he went on tour. I even met him once. My heart fluttered at the memory.

The rest of Four Ape hadn’t really been heard of much since; they’d just faded into obscurity. Until now. “Did you just say Four Ape are getting back together?” I asked Darby, hoping I’d be able to hide my over-excitement. “Well, that’s what I read. I don’t know if it’s true.” I turned back to my computer screen and wondered if the world would be graced with another amazing album. I hadn’t been in touch with Laura for years; we were friends on Facebook but we’d drifted apart. She had a husband and two kids now, and I was still a kid myself, so our lives were very different. I wondered if she’d heard this gossip and thought of me, too. How crazy we were for those four boys back then, although of course they were men now.

“Ellen, can I see you for a moment?” Oscar called from his office. I took another bite of chocolate – more carefully this time – and made my way to his little room. It was bright and clean, not a pencil out of place. I glanced at the framed photo of his wife and children, and smiled. They always looked like such a cute little family.

“So, you’ve been here five months now, yes?”

Oh. I’d thought this was about some work I’d been doing for him. Didn’t he like me? Was my probation over already? What would I do if he let me go? Would my parents be able to help me pay the bills?

“Yes,” I said, working out how much of a parental loan I’d need to request. Maybe I could get a temp job. If I went to an agency right now, how soon could they get me some contract work?

“And do you like it?”

“Yes,” I said, feeling my hands turn sweaty. Why does that always happen to me? Wet hands are not what I need in times of crisis. Stupid body.

“Good, because I’ve been really impressed with you so far.” What? Oh. I relaxed into my seat a little more and tried to subtly rub my sticky hands on my skirt. “Thank you.” “So we’d like to offer you a permanent contract now. And assuming you want to accept, there’s an induction training course every permanent employee has to go on, so we’ll get you booked on that.” I’d heard about these training courses from the others; they usually put you in some hellish hotel and you spent five days watching lifeless colleagues tell you about the business you’d already been working in for several months, staring at presentation slides and wishing you’d turned the offer down. But it was a week away from home; maybe it’d be good for me. Anyway, I needed the job. A permanent contract – yay! “That’s great. Thank you so much Oscar.” “No, thank you. You’ve fitted in well and worked hard. I’m really impressed.” I smiled and felt myself blush. “Thank you.”

“Right, okay, I’ll sort the paperwork.” I wondered how I’d managed to work hard and do well at a career I’d never planned, wanted, or dreamt about. I was proud of myself. Bergman and Strauss was a large company with a great reputation and I’d worked hard to get the job I was in. Yet I was kind of disappointed that this had become my life. Surely no one ever dreamt of working in an office all day long as a kid? But then again, my dream of be- coming a tooth fairy had been just a tad unrealistic. And I had no idea what I’d do instead.

I went back to my desk and told the others my news.

“Oh, my induction was in a dingy hotel in Birmingham,” Darby told me, repeating what she’d said on my first day. “It was totes boring.”

“I went to the Dublin office for mine,” Margot told us. She mustn’t have been around on my first day because I’d have remembered that. Dublin wouldn’t be so bad.

“Mine was in the German office in Frankfurt,” Tammy told me for the second time. “They rotate it every time.”

“Well, let’s hope there’s an office right next to a sandy beach in Greece,” I said, sitting down at my desk and thinking that it was probably this office and I’d not get to go anywhere, not even Birmingham.

“There’s no Greek office,” Darby told me solemnly. I knew that already but didn’t bother to point it out. “There’s one in Spain though, so you might get lucky. Or California!”

“Henry in sales got to go to the LA office last time,” Tammy chipped in. “But he said there wasn’t much time for sightseeing with all the boring stuff they make you do.” Wow, now I really couldn’t wait to go. It sounded worse than being at my desk.

**Buy “The Truth About Ellen” now: Amazon – UK Amazon – US

* * * * *

**About author, Sarah Louise Smith:

Sarah Louise Smith lives in Milton Keynes, England with her husband, step-daughter, loopy golden retriever and cheeky tortie cat.

Sarah has been writing stories since she can remember and has so far completed four chick-lit novels, all published by Crooked Cat: Amy & Zach, Izzy’s Cold Feet, Independent Jenny, and The Truth About Ellen.

**Contact Sarah: Website Facebook Twitter

A Thirty-Something Girl

May 26, 2015 3 Comments

“A Thirty-Something Girl” by Lisa M. Gott

Blurb: A Thirty-Something Girl follows the story of Hope. At the age of 30, she finds her life in utter shambles. Everything that could go wrong has – divorce, loss of a child, financial struggles. It is the love and unfettered support of her close friends who keep her from being lost in the quicksand of utter despair. As she slowly begins to wrap her head around who she is and what it means to be happy, she meets a man, Sam. Sam is also not a stranger to hardship and finds himself at his own crossroads. Together they find comfort and peace in one another; a soft, quiet place to fall, when the rest of the world is too hard and too noisy to inhabit. A Thirty-Something Girl is a story about the power of human resilience, the importance of friendships, and the magic of true love. It is a story that teaches us (and reminds us) that happiness is actually a very simple concept: it is a choice. A choice we must remember to make each and every day.

EXCERPT

“Ma’am?”

Ugh. Lucky for him, I don’t have a gun.

I finish off the cup of coffee and yell back, “Coming!”

I find the young man leaning up against the doorjamb, a cigarette dangling from his thin lips.

“That was quick,” I say, eying his smoke.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I’m not supposed to smoke on the job. Just have a lot on my mind lately. Helps me clear it sometimes. Um, do you want one?” He reaches into his shirt and retrieves a box of Marlboro Lights.

I instantly feel sorry for him. I’d misjudged him. “I’d love one. Want a cup of coffee?”

“That would be amazing, ma’am.”

“For the love of God, please stop calling me that. Just call me Hope.”

“Right, ma . . . , err, Hope.” He looks away from me and smiles, a deep dimple forming at the corner of his mouth.

He follows me inside and takes a seat on a barstool in the kitchen. I slide a cup of coffee his way, before taking a seat beside him.

“You’re not going to get into trouble for taking a little break, right?”

“No. I’m allowed.”

I nod and take a drag off the cigarette. Clara would kill me if she knew we were smoking inside, but I can’t bring myself to care.

“Err, Hope?”

“Yes?”

“Does it get easier?”

I tilt my head and look at him. His face is blank, and he’s not making eye contact with me. “How do you mean?”

“Life. Does it get easier when you get older?”

Seriously. How old does he think I am?

“Well, do you want me to tell you what you want to hear or the truth?”

He looks at me with his beautiful green eyes. “The truth.”

“Well, no. It gets harder. Sure, some things get easier. You can stay up as late as you want without your parents yelling at you, and you can eat pizza for breakfast every day. But . . . there’s so much more. It’s hard to describe, really. When you’re younger, there are only a few paths to choose from. Then, with each passing year, more pop up. Finally, you realize you’re lost. You have no idea what path you are even on, where any of them lead to, or if any of them really suit you. Basically, your youth deceives you into thinking your special: That you can change the world and have anything you desire. All you have to do is work for it. Then, one day, you wake up, and you’re not only old, but you realize nothing about you is special.”

“Sounds deep. And . . . really depressing.” He slumps down and lets out a sigh.

“It sucks. But you have to keep forging ahead. You just have to.”

“But why? What’s the point? If it all just sucks, why keep doing it?”

“Good question.” I am at a loss for words. “My friends, they’d have an inspirational answer for you, but me? I’ve got nothing. Sorry, kid.”

“Well, what keeps you going?”

“I’m not sure. I just keep waking up and repeating the whole sad process over and over again, hoping that one day it will all make sense. That I’ll have the answers.”

He shrugs his shoulders and nods. And I can tell he’s still trying to swallow what I’ve told him. “I’m sorry. I should probably go. I didn’t mean to get all mopey. It’s just my girlfriend. She’s pregnant. She’s only fifteen. I’m nineteen. We were gonna go to school, have a future. Do it right, you know? I mean. I like kids, but . . .” He stops and looks away.

“You still feel like a kid yourself?” I lean closer and place my hand on his, squeezing it lightly. “Life never happens the way we plan. Not for most of us, at least.”

He turns back to me, and his eyes are red and full of sadness. “I know. It’s just hard. My parents, they’re really religious. Like, they think we should keep the baby and get married. But I dunno what to do. I don’t want to drive a truck the rest of my life. I want to travel and do stuff.” He hops off the stool and stares at me. “Sorry, didn’t mean to word vomit my entire life to you.”

“Best advice I can give you is to do what you think is right. Don’t worry so much about everyone else. When people love you, they’ll stick by you no matter what. And if they don’t stay around, then they don’t really love you. Look to your heart. Your heart never lies.” I feel myself getting caught up in the emotion of our conversation and have to look away before I too get upset.

“Thanks, Hope. That’s real sound advice. I better get going.” He wipes his eyes with his shirt and turns to leave, pausing briefly. “My name’s Jason, by the way.” He smiles and disappears.

For a moment, I sit there in a daze from our conversation. Thinking about his girlfriend and his life. Comparing it to mine. I hop off the stool and run outside, and catch him right before he closes the door to the cab of his truck. “Jason!”

“Yes?”

“I know this sounds stupid, but how old do you think I am? Be honest.”

He shakes his head and chuckles. “I have no idea how old you are, Hope, but

I think you’re beautiful and really sweet. And in a different life, I would have liked to get to know you better.”

That isn’t the answer I am expecting, especially from such a young guy, but I smile bigger than I have in years. “Thank you for that. Take care of yourself.”

He nods, closes the door, and pulls out of the driveway, leaving me alone with a garage full of stuff.

* * * * *

**About author, Lisa M. Gott: Lisa M. Gott is a contemporary literary fiction author. Her stories tell of the human spirit – sometimes sad, sometimes not – most can relate to them on some level or another. When she’s not feverishly weaving words, you can find her enjoying nature, spending time with her incredible husband, and sometimes sipping a latte. Okay, maybe more than sometimes.

**Contact Lisa M. Gott: Blog Amazon Facebook Goodreads Twitter

Rock Star’s Girl

May 14, 2015 1 Comment

“Rock Star’s Girl” by Jennifer Farwell

Blurb: Emily Watts just wants a weekend break from the workaholic hours she’s taken on to keep her business—a popular fashion-snark website—up and running. What she gets is overnight celebrity and a career-killing media scandal.

While taking time out to attend a concert in support of friend Jesse Cinder, a struggling musician, Emily meets Cory Sampson, the lead singer of a chart-topping rock band. When she agrees to a date with Cory, making entertainment headlines is the last thing she expects. Even so, it’s a minor surprise by comparison to her discovery that in the music world, media notoriety trumps all. Tabloid allegations erupt when Cory and fame-hungry Jesse use Emily for personal gain, and her tarnished image spells disaster—personally and professionally. To save the website and writing career she’s made her life and dream, Emily must go from being a pawn in the Hollywood headline game to becoming the media mastermind.

EXCERPT

“I wouldn’t want to be that guy,” Cory commented, sitting down.

“That was fast,” she said, trying not to look startled. “What guy?”

“The guy who invited us here. You were just giving him the death stare.”

“Did it look like a death stare?” She fought to keep her tone light. “My mind must have just drifted off.”

“Whatever you were thinking about, it couldn’t have been good.”

“It was about the piles of work waiting for me to tackle at home,” she said, offering him the first explanation she could think of.

“On a Friday?” he asked. She nodded, scrunching her face into what she hoped passed for an exasperated look. “What do you do?”

“I’m a writer, and I run my own website.” She tried to guess what his reaction would be before he spoke. Most of the people she met in L.A. first assumed she was an actress or a singer. She was never quite sure if her lack of being part of the entertainment world worked for her or against her in a city where make-believe was the main industry.

“A writer and a website,” he repeated. “Anything I know?”

“Maybe,” she answered. “I run Zeeked. It’s a fashion website. I do a regular column for Sweltry, too.”

“Oh, nice. That’s definitely different for this town.” To his credit, he looked impressed. “Sweltry does music reviews, right?”

She nodded again, wondering if he was genuinely interested in what she did or if he was simply being polite. “Among other things. I don’t write the reviews, but I know the guy who does.”

“Next time you talk to him, please thank him for me. Sweltry gave my band’s last album a great review.”

Great. He was a musician. If Wednesday night had taught her anything, the last thing she needed was to get involved with another boy in a band.

“So, you’re a musician, then?” She struggled to keep the disappointment from flooding her voice.

“I’m a singer.” She may have imagined it, but the look on his face seemed expectant of something.

“Huh,” she mused, trying hard to sound indifferent.

“What?” he asked. She could tell that wasn’t the reaction he’d been hoping for.

“What, ‘what?’” she answered, feigning ignorance.

“Is there something wrong with me being a singer?” he asked.

“Not if it makes you happy,” she said. “Just so you know, though, I’m not.”

“Not what? Happy?” He looked slightly confused, and, she had to admit, absolutely adorable.

“A singer.”

He gave her a curious look. “I know that. You just said you were a writer.”

“Yeah, I know. It’s just that if you’re a musician, and especially if you’re a singer, you should probably be flirting with another singer right now, or an actress. Maybe a model.” She paused when their margarita and chips appeared in front of them, and leaned in to sip from one of the two straws that peeked out of the giant glass.

“What makes you say that?” he asked, not making a move for the food or their drink.

“Experience.” She took another sip and looked him squarely in the eyes, silently daring him to tell her she was wrong.

He leaned back in his chair, laughing. “You’re probably right, but I’m not flirting with a singer, actress, or model right now, or sharing a drink with one. Does that count for anything?” He held her eyes with his, taking a drink from the other straw.

“Not really.” She watched him try to contain another laugh while swallowing.

“You have something against singers, I take it?” he asked, once he’d recovered.

“Well, singers, guitarists, bass players, drummers, keyboardists, and possibly cellists, so I wouldn’t take it personally.”

“Drummers, huh?” He raised an eyebrow. “Even bongo players?”

“Especially bongo players.” She picked up a chip from the platter in front of her and dipped it in the small bowl of guacamole.

“Well, while you’re at it, don’t forget about anyone who plays an accordion.”

She swallowed the chip she was chewing. “Why’s that?”

“Equal opportunity. If you’re going to slam us, don’t limit yourself to alt, rock, and country. Polka’s pretty badass too.” He took another sip from their glass.

She knew he was teasing her and could tell that her wariness amused him. Finally, she could only shrug. “No offense,” she said, looking down at their margarita and stirring its melting ice cubes with her straw. “I’m not a big fan of musicians.”

“I’m getting that,” he replied. “Why is that, anyway?”

She kept her eyes down. “I know too many of them,” she offered.

“Me too. Funny.”

Emily could feel the corners of her lips move while she fought a smile. She knew Cory had seen the change in her expression when, appearing encouraged, he stretched out one of his arms and laid it to rest on her shoulder. She didn’t move away.

“I thought maybe I’d switch it up a bit and hang out with a stunning writer,” he said. “Is that okay by you?”

She smiled in spite of herself. “I guess mass amounts of tequila must work in your favor. So what’s your band’s name?”

“Blistering Twilight.” He watched her while he answered.

She nodded and took a sip of their drink, aware that he was waiting for her reaction. From what she knew of Blistering Twilight, they had at least one album that had made it to the number one spot on Billboard and a few singles that had hit the top of the American Top 40 charts. She wondered if he expected those two words to be the magical key to getting her to retract everything she’d just said about musicians.

A long silence followed while she pretended to be incredibly thirsty. Finally, he spoke. “You don’t look impressed.”

She released the straw from her lips. “Are you used to girls looking impressed when you tell them what band you’re in?” she asked.

“I’m actually used to girls knowing what band I’m in before they meet me.” For a split second, he looked the slightest bit sheepish.

“I guess I’m not your typical girl.”

“I’ll drink to that.” He took a sip from their glass, moving the hand that was on her shoulder to play with a strand of her hair. “So now that my occupation is out of the way, can I go back to hitting on you?”

“Is that what you were doing?” she asked, unwinding her hair from his finger.

He put his hand back on her shoulder. “Before I realized telling you what I do for a living would be a turn-off, that’s absolutely what I was going for.”

“Hmm. What other lines have you got?”

“I’m afraid to try, given how badly that one bombed. It’s usually foolproof.”

**Find “Rock Star’s Gir”: Amazon Barnes & Noble Goodreads

* * * * *

**About author, Jennifer Farwell:

Jennifer Farwell has been writing since the day she picked up a navy blue Crayola as a toddler and began scribbling on her parents’ freshly painted white walls. She’s the author of SEVEN WEEKS TO FOREVER and ROCK STAR’S GIRL. When not writing novels, she can often be found at a Kundalini yoga class, cheering on the L.A. Kings during hockey season, or curled up with a good book. Her love of storytelling led to completing a Bachelor of Journalism degree and a Master of Arts degree in English, both from Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada. She grew up in Thunder Bay, Canada, and now lives in Los Angeles with her dog, Pico.

**Find Jennifer: Website Facebook Twitter Snapchat: jennfarwell Pinterest Instagram Tsu Tumblr Goodreads

* * * * *

**GIVEAWAY**

Click HERE to be entered the in Rafflecopter giveaway!

* * * * *

**Click HERE to see other stops on Jennifer’s Chick Lit Plus Blog Tour!

Playing All the Angles

April 16, 2015 3 Comments

“Playing All the Angles” by Nicole Lane

Blurb: Dominic Phillips is an enjoyable distraction from fashion designer Eve D’Amico’s loneliness, but there’s never been anything more between them than hot sex. Since he desires no commitment from her either, it’s pretty much the perfect arrangement…except for the fact that he’s dating her sister Isabelle.Eve’s grown used to being the promiscuous black sheep of her family ever since an unplanned pregnancy at age fourteen, and Isabelle is the only one in the D’Amico clan who doesn’t treat her like a second class citizen. Eve doesn’t exactly revel in the idea of hurting her sister if the truth ever comes out.Just when she starts hitting it off with the sexy new neighbor next door, her world is turned upside-down when Dominic reveals his plans to marry Isabelle. As if things weren’t complicated enough, life decides to throw another surprise her way, and Eve is suddenly trapped with another secret to add to a much more shocking one from her past, both of which threaten to destroy every relationship she’s ever hoped to have. She must soon decide whether to reveal the truth and save her sister from a man who’s incapable of commitment, or to keep her lips sealed and secure her own place in the family. For now, though, she will dance around that decision for as long as she can, keeping everyone in check by Playing All the Angles.

* * * * *

Excerpt:

“Your sister is a right piece of work, you know that?” Dominic said, looking up from the paper to watch Isabelle at the stove as she made breakfast.

“Which one?”

“You know which. The one who hates me.”

Isabelle turned to look at him. “Eve doesn’t hate you.”

“She doesn’t much like me, either,” he said, folding the paper. “Of course, she’s not fond of her own family, so I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised.”

She frowned. “They’re too hard on her. She’s living her life the way she wants to. There’s nothing wrong with that.”

“She’s living life to spite them, more like. Doing whatever she can to piss them off.”

“If she wanted to do that, she’d flirt with Doyle. That’s the one thing that would send Alora over the edge.”

“You think?” Dominic laughed. “I think her ignoring him sets Lora off. If she gave him attention, it would validate Alora’s taste, especially since she’s always on about what a slag Eve is. Ignoring Doyle makes Alora look like a fool.”

Isabelle put her hands on her hips. “You’ve thought a lot about this.”

“I’ve been watching, yeah.”

“She ignores you, too. I don’t feel any less validated.”

“Well, look at me. Then look at Doyle. Of course you feel validated.”

She snorted a laugh. “Is that what all this was leading up to? You want me to tell you how handsome and wonderful you are?”

“Maybe.”

“You don’t have to ask, you know. Didn’t I make it clear last night…and this morning?”

“Hmm, I dunno. It’s still a bit fuzzy. I think you might need another demonstration for it to really stick.”

She leaned over and kissed him. “After breakfast.”

“Now.” He pulled her over by the ties on her robe, then dug his hands into her hair as he kissed her. He had managed to get the robe off and had her on his lap when the smell of burning bacon interrupted, and Isabelle leaped away to move the frying pan from the stove. He followed, flicking off the burners before grabbing her and carrying her back into the bedroom.

From the bed, Isabelle watched their reflections in the mirror above the dresser as Dominic drove himself into her, his face buried in the curve of her neck. Her eyes traced the lines of his body from his muscular shoulders, down his back, to his thrusting hips, and she marveled that this man was in love with her.

A glint from the stone in her engagement ring caught her attention, and she slid her left hand down his bicep, watching the diamond solitaire glitter. Her hand looked so small on his arm. He was cut out of marble, tall and broad, making her long angles soft by comparison. Everything about him made her soft, she thought as she wound her arms and legs around him, pulling him closer, wanting more. She could never get enough of the feel of his skin, his body rocking against hers.

Dominic lifted his face to look into her eyes, tender and warm, before dropping his mouth to hers. For a few seconds, Isabelle lost track of everything but her building tension and the sound of her own breath. He made her feel things she hadn’t felt before. He made her forget there had ever been anyone else.

**Buy “Playing All the Angles” now!: Amazon Barnes & Noble

* * * * *

**About author, Nicole Lane:

Nicole Lane is a graduate of the Danielle Steel and Judith Krantz school of romance. The grander the drama, the higher the stakes, the better! This balances out the fact that her everyday life with her little family in North Texas is extremely mundane and quite contented.

She blogs intermittently at www.nicolelaneromance.com.

Find her on Facebook at TheOutsideLane!

* * * * *

**Click HERE to check out Nicole Lane’s other stops on her Chick Lit Plus Blog Tours!

Give Your Heart a Break

February 2, 2015 2 Comments

“Give Your Heart a Break” by Helen Peterson

Blurb:

Gorgeous? Check.

Wealthy? Check.

Sweet? Double check.

When Rachel Thomas meets Mason Conner, it seems she has found a man who is everything she’s ever wanted. After years of the single girl life in New York City, she’s due for some luck in the romance department. But with her less than stellar track record, Rachel can’t seem to let go of her past failures to fall too hard.

That is until Mason’s ex-fiancé reappears, determined to steal him back. With more than winning Mr. Perfect’s heart on the line, is Rachel finally ready to give her heart a break?

Excerpt:

I was opening up portfolios when Sydney appeared by my side. “There you are! Where have you been hiding all morning?” Her sugary sweet voice made my skin crawl. Why today?

“I’ve been here all day, Sydney. At my desk. You saw me this morning.” And gave a weirdly enthusiastic wave at me, which freaked me out. I was just waiting for this moment all day. She probably wanted to brag about her new boyfriend or some other mundane thing that I didn’t give a hoot about.

“Right, right. Anywho, I wanted to ask you something.”

She paused, just smiling and blinking at me. “Okay. What?” Was I walking into a trap? Should I run away?

“How is your relationship with Mason going?”

I forced a smile on my face, surely fake, and said, “None of your business. Do you have something important to talk to me about?” My patience was waning.

“Oh, I do,” she said, looking down at her fresh manicure, then back at me. “But it’s none of my business, right?”

“If you have something to tell me, please just spit out. I’m busy and tired and need to get this done before—”

“You’ll want to make time for this,” she said, cutting me off. I noticed then the devilish spark in her eyes. Oh, fuck. I started to get concerned at that moment.

“Fine. Tell me.”

“So, I was at Kittachai in Soho last night. Do you know where that is?” she asked.

I was familiar with the restaurant but had never eaten there. “I’ve heard of it.”

“Well, it’s a super fancy restaurant in the Thompson Hotel. Quite expensive. Anyway, I went with some guy who wanted to take me out. I didn’t really care for him much and I wasn’t going to go, but I am so glad I did.”

“Okay, and?”

“I saw your little hot stud dining with some supermodel hot blonde,” she said smugly. “And to tell you the truth, he seemed smitten with her.”

Before I panicked at what Sydney was telling me, I remembered Mason did a lot of dinners with clients. And since Bradley had called him on our drive back to the city, I assumed he was working through dinner when he didn’t respond to my dinner invite text last night.

“Yeah, so Mason has lots of dinners with his clients. So nice of you to drop by and . . .”

She cut me off again. “I thought that may be the case as well. But you might want to stick around and here this.”

Goosebumps rose on my arms. Where the hell was she going with this? My fingers itched to check my cell phone to see if Mason had sent me a text yet.

“I just happened to run into the girl in the bathroom. Crazy, huh?” So she ran into Mason in the huge city of New York and managed to be in the bathroom with this chick at the same time? A paranoid part of my brain was sending out warning signals. Was Sydney a stalker? What was going on here? “I started making light chit-chat, talking about my boring date, and yadda, yadda. I asked if she was out on a date and guess what she said?”

“What?” I dreaded her answer.

“She said she was!” Sydney practically crowed, her eyes sparkling with happiness. “What’s even crazier—she said her date was actually her ex-fiancé. Wow. Crazy, huh?”

I didn’t say anything, just sat there and felt sick as she continued on. “It was great talking to her. Her name is Emily and she just moved back from Washington, where she moved for a work thing, and now work has moved her back. So, she’s back and here and her and her ex—Mason—are giving it another shot. Isn’t that a special story? She’s beautiful, too. And funny and smart and really personable.”

My heart was breaking listening to Sydney talk. What the hell? His ex-fiancée was back in New York and he hadn’t told me? He was—seeing her again? Was the wedding back on? Why would he take me and my friends to his house in the Hamptons if he was dating Emily? And why was Sydney talking this girl up like she was the next Miss America? My head throbbed, but I forced the tears to stay in my eyes. I couldn’t show weakness in front of Sydney.

“Sorry, Sydney,” I said. “Mason’s told me all about his ex.” I stressed the word, trying to keep my voice calm. “So, you can move along now.”

“So you know all about her, huh?” Sydney was challenging me. “You know that they are getting back together then? Emily told me about how Mason is the love of her life and they’re working on their relationship. Funny, she didn’t mention anything about him having a girlfriend that was in her way.”

With that, she turned on her heel and flounced away. My fears were full blown. Mason having dinner with his ex. Her being back in town, period. Him seemingly not mentioning the fact he was seeing someone. Her wanting him back. A tear slipped down my cheek then, and I was grateful Sydney was long gone at that point. Off to torture another co-worker no doubt.

**Find “Give Your Heart a Break”: Amazon Barnes & Noble GoodReads Kobo

* * * * *

**Helen Peterson:

Helen is a native of Toronto Canada who went to college to pursue Marketing . She currently works at a bank as an administrative assistant but her love of writing and telling stories that others can relate to has helped her complete her first manuscript Give Your Heart a Break. Helen has always loved telling a story especially through song, Staring in all her high school musical theatre productions Like Oliver! And Anything Goes. Helen currently resides in Markham Ontario.

**Contact Helen: Facebook Twitter

* * * * *

**Click HERE to see other stops on Helen’s Chick Lit Plus Blog Tours and to enter to win a $30.00 Amazon Gift Card!

One Day This Will All Make Sense

December 9, 2014 Leave a Comment

“One Day This Will All Make Sense” by Katie Jansson Shahin

Blurb: In the three years since Emma, Human Resource professional by trade and writer at heart, moved to Los Angeles from Sweden it has been anything but smooth sailing. When she was offered a new job Emma thought she had finally found the security she’d been looking for since moving to the city of her dreams.

The bliss is short-lived as Emma struggles to adjust in her new role and environment. She fails to learn how to play by the unwritten rules and office politics of corporate America, leaving her defenseless against a new boss who soon makes it clear that he wants her gone. After having put her writing before her HR career for so long, Emma knows it was just a fluke when she was hired and is determined not to let it slip away. But she cracks under the pressure and is ultimately fired. Will she be able to dig herself out again? Or has she peaked at 27? More importantly, will she survive in the city that represents everything she has dreamt of becoming?

EXCERPT

Not one day had passed since I had moved to LA two and half years earlier when I wasn’t grateful and aware of what city I was in. Not one morning had passed that I had driven to work, which was usually around six forty-five a.m., when my mind hadn’t gone completely quiet and at ease at the sight of Vine Street, coming off of the 101 South. I knew I was fortunate. Many young people in Sweden dreamed of moving to LA and tried so hard to find ways to stay once they made it here on a student visa. For the most part, people either got married or never found a way to stay. I, on the other hand, had been lucky. My dad had moved to the US almost twenty years earlier and since he’d become a naturalized citizen before I turned twenty-one, I had gotten a green card through him. I continued down Vine Street and saw the W Hotel sign up in the sky, and a few blocks farther down I passed the bright red building that housed The Redbury hotel, with the world famous Capitol Records Building on my right side.

As I got on to the 101 North, driving ten miles an hour in Friday traffic, I wondered to myself what it was about LA that had me so wrapped around its finger. The first time I fell in love with California was when I watched The O.C. Shortly thereafter my dad moved to Orange County from Wisconsin, and I was able to go visit the place I had only seen on TV. Of course, the entire show was filmed in LA, but I didn’t know that back then. I then discovered the show Entourage, and that’s when real things started to happen inside me. I couldn’t quite pinpoint what it was. Was it the beautiful weather and the smell of freshly-cut grass all year round? Was it the wide streets you could barely cross in time before the streetlight turned red for the pedestrians again? Was it the buildings that on the outside looked like nothing more than a chunk of cement, but on the inside were beautifully decorated lounges? Was it the powerful rush I had gotten the first time I went ninety on the empty freeway at three a.m.? Or was it simply the fact that I knew I was in the same city where all the Hollywood movies came from?

While I saw all the beauty that LA had to offer, I wasn’t oblivious to all the things that other people usually saw as the downside of moving to LA: the constant sound of traffic and honking; the fuel-filled air and the fog; the enormous city where everything was separated by insane distances; the huge freeways; the above-ground electrical lines; the cracks in the pavement left by earthquakes. I saw all those things too. But my love for this city was an unconditional kind of love—I didn’t love LA despite its flaws. I loved it even more for them. We could be flawed together.

**Buy “One Day This Will All Make Sense”: Amazon – US Amazon – UK

* * * * *

**About Katie Jansson Shahin:

Katie’s love for writing is versatile. Before taking the big leap into novel writing she focused mostly on screenwriting. In addition to that, she has a blog where she writes book reviews and articles on writing: An Authorista’s Blog.

Katie is originally from Sweden but moved to California summer 2010 and currently resides in the North Bay area just outside of San Francisco. When she’s not working on her writing, she is an HR and recruiting professional. Although her debut novel is not a biography, as you may have guessed, One Day This Will All Make Sense is heavily inspired by her own experience moving from Sweden to Los Angeles and her life there.

**Contact Katie: Blog Twitter

The Shadows Series

November 19, 2014 Leave a Comment

“The Shadows Series” by Marni Mann

Blurbs:

Reader’s Beware: This is not your mother’s romance, nor is there a rich, playboy millionaire seducing an innocent virgin. Charlie leads a passionate, controversial, and thought-provoking life – the sex scenes will make you blush, the twists will make you gasp in disbelief and the characters’ angst and pain will make your heart ache. Prepare to dive into a highly sensual, unique storyline with substance and a touch of darkness – as well as explicit language and descriptive sexual content. After all, real life is lived in the shadows, and Marni will take you there. But love can linger in the darkness….

Seductive Shadows (Book One)

Charlie is a sensually-inspired art student, desperately seeking an escape from the abusive past that haunts her and a tragic accident that emptied her heart. Scarred and unable to love, her yearning for physical pleasure leads her into a tantalizing, dangerous world of power and seduction. The anonymity of the deal offers security; the money brings financial freedom and the madam is the mother figure she longs for.

But the thrill of the mansion and its arousing dominance quickly fades when she meets renowned-yet-mysterious Cameron Hardy, whose intense baby blue eyes send a nervous flutter through her core. Cameron is sexy, and not in a subtle way. He stimulates Charlie’s art, her intellect and her desires. Just as he begins to break through her emotional boundaries, she discovers a devastating connection between her past and her scandalous work at the mansion, shattering everything she thought to be true.

Provocative, intoxicating and erotic, Seductive Shadows is the unforgettable tale of a young woman’s self-discovery as she learns to forgive, to love and be loved, and to find redemption amidst a remarkable journey that will captivate your mind and stimulate your soul.

Seductive Secrecy (Book Two)

“We were two broken souls who had found each other in a world of shadows. We were held together by a connection of secrets, dark and fearful and reluctant to leave. Their depth was seductive and overwhelming, an endless ocean of black that threatened to cover the brilliance we kept reaching for with each other.”

With her art career flourishing and the mansion predators no longer a threat, Charlie is creating a new life. Her desires have changed, and she has a chance at a healthy, loving relationship with Cameron–if they can bury the memories and doubts that plague them.

Can they overcome the destruction of their clouded pasts, or will the revelation of more painful, shocking secrets pull them back into the shadows?

These books are for mature audiences. They contain explicit language and sexual content.

* * * * *

Excerpt:

“It was well worth the wait to see you like this,” he said.

Keeping my eyes fixed on him, I turned on my heels so he could see both sides, and completed the full twist. “You have excellent taste.”

He shook his head. “You’d look good in anything.”

I could tell by the way he gripped the molding of the door that he was having a hard time keeping his hands off me. As much as I needed them on my body, the feeling of want that consumed me felt so good that I could tolerate it for a little longer.

“Sometimes I look at you and I’m amazed that you’re mine.”

I knew the words had come from his mouth, but it felt as if I had spoken them. It was exactly what I’d been thinking; that, after everything we had experienced together, everything he knew about me, he still treated me the way he did. He still wanted me as much as he had before he knew the truth. He showed me continuously that he wanted me even more. And I felt the same. Cameron made me insatiable; as much as he gave me, I wanted to be even closer than we were. I wanted his breath to come from my mouth every time I exhaled.

He didn’t take a step forward. He just reached out his hand and felt along the shrug, following the fabric until he arrived at the knot between my breasts. He untied both sides and pulled it off my shoulders. His fingers then circled around me, and without warning he yanked me toward him. My palms settled on his chest, my mouth moving closer to his as he had bent his neck to reach me. Our lips didn’t touch; they hovered, each waiting for the other to close the gap.

We simmered in the temptation.

He was the first one to move. His mouth finally crushed against mine, his tongue dipping inside with each kiss. After several, he pulled away. We were both left breathless, our chests rising and falling as we tried to calm ourselves.

“Walk to the bed,” he ordered.

* * * * *

**About author Marni Mann:

Best-selling author Marni Mann, knew she was going to be a writer since middle school. While other girls her age were daydreaming about teenage pop stars, Mann was fantasizing about penning her first novel. She crafts sexy, titillating stories that weave together her love of darkness, mystery, passion, and human emotion. A New Englander at heart, she now lives in Sarasota, Florida with her husband and their two dogs who subsequently have been characters in her books. When she’s not nose deep in her laptop working on her next novel, she’s scouring for chocolate, sipping wine, traveling to new locations, and devouring fabulous books.

**Contact Marni: Website Facebook Twitter

**Find the book: Amazon Barnes & Noble GoodReads

* * * * *

**Click HERE to see other stops on Marni’s Chick Lit Plus Blog Tour!

**GIVEAWAY**

Click HERE to enter to win a Victoria Secret Gift Card!

Tripping Through

November 10, 2014 1 Comment

TrippingThroughCover

“Tripping Through” by Michelle Morgan

Blurb:

How can one person attract so much disaster?

Quirky, clumsy, and eager-to-please Karly has more than her fair share of bad luck.

Waaaay more.

We first meet our 29-year-old accountant in her loud (the fire alarm is going off) and smoky (she’s trying to bake) kitchen. During the chaos, Karly is dumped because of misunderstandings over a divorce lawyer she didn’t hire and an affair she didn’t have. This comes just weeks after performing a very efficient audit on a company…that wasn’t actually a client.

Oops.

Single and unemployed, Karly continues tripping through life, both metaphorically and physically. She thinks her luck may be turning when she meets the perfect man but in true-to-Karly form, manages to scare him off. And he isn’t just “not returning her phone calls” scared but more “sprinting away across the parking lot screaming like a banshee” scared.

Crap.

Just as she thinks it can’t get any worse, it inevitably does. Is Karly destined to lead a life of loneliness and poverty or does fate have something else in mind?

Excerpt:

A tall man walked in and was standing there, watching me talk to the receptionist. He wasn’t model, chiselled face, fantasy cabana boy gorgeous, but the quiet kind of attractive you’d notice if you took the time to look past the somewhat old fashioned blue sweater and grandfather type reading glasses on a mid thirties face. The fact that I could make out at least three pens stuck in his chest pocket underneath his sweater made him more endearing. It sounds corny but I honestly thought we had one of those movie of the week, boy sees girl for the first time and birds chirp in the background moments. I got the most incredible feeling from him, like he was totally mesmerized and wanted to know all about me. It took my breath away. Until I noticed the receptionist staring down at my messenger bag. I looked down at it. No, there wasn’t anything unusual about my satchel. Oh. Well, except for the fact that the left side of my skirt had ridden up in between it and my hip and half my underwear was on display. Oh God. I quickly rearranged my clothing back to where it was supposed to be.

“Hi, I’m Dr. Weiss,” the man said once I’d sorted myself out.

I felt like such an idiot as he led me to a small office while making small talk. Sure I’d gotten the feeling that he was looking at me. Half my skirt had been hiked up the side of my body. And of course I’d gotten the feeling he was interested in me. He was, but just as a subject for his klutziness study.

“So, Karly, I’m doing a study on how certain people attract particular situations with the overall goal being to determine any common denominators. It’s my theory that certain people have a higher statistical average of physical disaster.”

“Well, I’m definitely your girl. I mean, I’m not your girl. Not that I wouldn’t want to be. I’m sure you’d be an amazing boyfriend. Not that I really know you. Yet. I mean, not that I’m looking. But if I was, I’m sure you’d be-” God, what was wrong with me? I remembered Nik’s advice when I started to babble: take a deep breath and get to the point. “I fall down a lot.”

“Uh, okay. Well, that’s great. I mean, that’s not great for you, but for me. I mean, it’s not great for me because I want you to fall down, but if you have to anyway, I’m glad that you’re here. I mean-”

He stopped talking, looking confused at what was coming out of his own mouth, as I had been earlier. We looked at each other, shocked, for a second. And then cracked up.

“Why don’t we rewind that bit,” he said with a smile on his face. Oh my God. He did the rewind thing. Just like I did.

“So,” he continued, “as part of the study I’d ask you to keep a journal and submit it for my review. I have a sample that you can pick up from the receptionist on the way out, if you’re still interested.” He smiled his dazzling smile that would have had me donating my organs if he’d asked, even the ones I was still using.

“We’ll also meet every two weeks as a group,” he went on. “I’m hoping to provide some insight on why these things happen more frequently to certain people and maybe even discover how to minimize accidents.”

He continued and I nodded my understanding while subtly checking out his athletic build underneath his loose fitting sweater and well-ironed khakis. He had long legs. They looked strong. I wondered if they were hairy. Gosh, what was wrong with me? I wasn’t normally like this. Less than a month of single-dom and here I was practically undressing this stranger with my eyes. Or at least picturing him in shorts. In his cramped office, our chairs were only two feet away from each other. We were so close. I could reach right out and touch his thigh if I wanted to. Hold on, was that a stain on the knee of his pants? And in his, uh, winkle zone? Could he also be a Strangeness Attracter? He stopped mid sentence and gave me an alarmed look when he caught me staring at his crotch.

“Oh. Um. Your knee?” I stuttered. “I was looking at your knee. I mean, not your actual knee because it’s hidden under your pants. Not hidden. I just mean your pants are there. As they should be. I mean…there’s a stain. That I was looking at. On er…your knee and maybe other places?”

* * * * *

MichelleMorganPic **About author, Michelle Morgan:

Michelle Morgan was born in Vancouver, Canada. She has years of experience falling down for no reason and may have left a wrap-around skirt or two caught in a date’s car door. She currently lives in the Caribbean with her husband, Peter, and their three children, Kiara, Leilani and Kai. Oh – and a three year old goldfish named Angel, who her kids haven’t noticed looks different every time they come back from visiting Nana and Grandpa in the summer.

Michelle is passionate about theatre – watching, writing for, and acting in. Although she enjoys it all, she favours comedy. She is a black belt in karate, a classical pianist, and is addicted to pilates and pad thai.

**Contact Michelle: Website Facebook Twitter

**Find the book: Amazon Goodreads

* * * * *

**GIVEAWAY**

Click HERE to enter to win a $60 Victoria’s Secret Gift Card!

* * * * *

**Click HERE to see other stops on Michelle’s Chick Lit Plus Blog Tour!

A Masterpiece Of Our Love

September 3, 2014 1 Comment

“A Masterpiece Of Our Love” by Nikki Lynn Barrett

Blurb: Two Lives Torn by tragedy. Eight-year-old Becca and twelve-year-old Hunter cling to each other and life after surviving a plane crash which stole their families. Two Souls Seeking Love. Each year, from the time she was old enough to travel on her own, Becca met up with Hunter on the island that altered their lives forever. Until he stopped showing. Her constant. Her link to the past. Gone in the blink of an eye. Two Lives Bound by Secret. Suffering more heartbreak, Hunter returns to the one place he’s always sought comfort, the island where he and Becca met. It was the place that stole from him, and in the same instance gave to him. He hasn’t been back or spoken to Becca in four years. Though he’s sure she must hate him for disappearing, Hunter discovers the girl gone, now a woman in her place. Hunter is determined to prove to Becca he isn’t the same twelve-year-old boy of yesteryear. But someone isn’t happy about their reunion…Strange things begin happening. Letters start showing up in their hotel rooms and at home with cryptic messages. Two Broken Hearts Heal as One. With the mystery unsolved, Hunter convinces Becca to spend the remainder of the summer back home with him, both for safety and to give them a chance to discover the adults they’ve now become. Will love get a chance to blossom, or will the past come back and tear the masterpiece of their love apart once and for all?

* * * * *

EXCERPT

“Guess what I found?” Hunter carried a sweater and a pair of sweatpants in his hands. “You’ll be nice and warm in no time.” He handed them to her.

Becca pointed to his head. She wished her words would just come out already.

“You don’t want to change into dry clothes first?” He raised a brow, then winced. “Damn that hurts. Okay fine, you win. I will probably curse and go stark crazy, so bear with me please?”

She may not have been able to find her voice to speak, but a quiet laugh escaped her throat. At least, that’s what she thought it was.

Hunter crossed his arms over his bare chest. “Are you laughing at me?” Amusement danced in his gorgeous eyes. “That’s so messed up! There is a little devilish side to you after all. I like it,” he teased.

Becca smirked and pointed at the first aid kit. She wondered if he remembered any of the sign language, back from when she’d been mute and unable to communicate all those years ago. But so far, he’d been able to understand what she needed. The very first time he came to visit her, he’d learned it so they could talk. She remembered that day well on her aunt’s back porch when Hunter sat beside her. He asked if she remembered him. She nearly cried that he’d taken the time to understand sign language for her.

“All right little devil, have at it. Just don’t get offended for any swear words I may use.” He cracked a smile. She loved that he could still have a sense of humor. It showed that even though he had some injuries, he was the same old silly Hunter she knew. She pointed down at the floor, wanting him to kneel before her. Again, he cued in right away and lowered to his knees.

Becca opened up the first aid kit and searched for what she needed. As she pulled out a large bandage, cotton swabs and the small bottle of peroxide to clean the wound, Hunter hissed. She flicked her gaze back to him.

“Call it psychological warfare. I’m anticipating that it’s going to sting like you wouldn’t believe. I know, I know, I’m being a baby and I should just shut up.” Hunter raised his hands. “Think you can do that one handed? I might need you to hold mine with the other.”

Becca grinned and held out her hand. She wished her voice would work with her so she could tell him how cute he was being. She couldn’t be too sure if he was putting on an act to make her laugh or if he really was bothered by what she had to do. Regardless, she felt needed. Important. Something she longed for. When his shaky fingers curled over hers, a ripple of electricity zipped through her.

Now those were strange, random thoughts.

“Your hand is so cold. Not that mine is any better,” Hunter said softly. “I know, I’m stalling. I should just man up and take it, huh? You won’t tell anyone about my weak side there, will you?” He chuckled.

She slid him a knowing grin and put a finger to her lips, then ran the finger across them as if to say ‘My lips are sealed’.

“I knew I could count on you.”

Becca opened the bottle and poured a little bit of the liquid on the cotton swab. She raised it and moved it closer to Hunter’s face. She dreaded doing this even more than he dreaded having it done. She didn’t want to cause him any discomfort and she knew this wasn’t going to feel good at all. He flinched as the swab barely touched his skin and let out another hiss. He also squeezed her hand.

She used a small handful of the cotton balls before she considered it clean. Hunter swore and growled like a wild animal, but had held still fairly well. Becca opened the package for the bandage and gently smoothed it over the wound.

“That is some mind-numbing pain right there,” Hunter grumbled. “Thanks Becca. Now do me a favor. Go and get yourself changed into warm clothes. I’d feel a lot better knowing that you’re warm when I leave. When I get back, if you’re hungry, we’ll eat. I think the rain has let up some, although it still sounds pretty ferocious out there.”

She nodded and stood, picking up the folded clothes he’d brought out earlier.

“Bathroom is down the hall and to the left. On a good note, we have working electricity in here. Want me to run out now or wait until you’ve changed?”

She shook her head no and signed ‘Go now’. She hoped he’d understand.

“I’m so glad you were taught sign language when you were younger. It helps a lot. I haven’t used it in years, but I remember it. I’ll go. I won’t take long, okay?”

She hated the idea of him having to go out there. She wished she could tell him to stay, but he had a point. Just because they had power didn’t mean they had food, and both of them could stand to eat.

Her expression must have given her away. Hunter rushed forward and gathered her in his arms. “I know it’s not ideal. I don’t want to leave you, but I don’t think bringing you back out in the storm with me is a good idea either. Just trust me. I’ll be okay, and I’ll be back so fast you won’t even realize I was gone. Okay?” He gently tipped up her face and his dark, concerned eyes bore into hers. “Go on, get warm.” He brushed a kiss on her forehead before releasing her.

* * * * *

**About author, Nikki Lynn Barrett:

I’m an avid lover of books. I’ve been writing as far back as I can remember, completing my first “book” by fifth grade in one of those one subject spiral notebooks. I have a passion for music, photography, jewelry and all things creative. I live in Arizona with my husband and son, but dream of being somewhere much colder and stormier. For now, I’ll have to live that life through my characters and stick it out with the summer heat.

**Contact Nikki:

Website: where you can subscribe to my newsletter.
wwww.nikkilynnbarrett.com

FaceBook
https://www.facebook.com/NikkiLynnBarrettauthor?ref_type=bookmark

Facebook Chat group: Nikki’s Book Nook:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/NikkisBookNook/

Nikki’s Book Stormers:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/NikkisBookStormers/

Twitter: @Stormgoddess925

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6583655.Nikki_Lynn_Barrett

Email: nikkilynnbarrett@yahoo.com, I love to hear from readers!

**Buy “A Masterpiece Of Our Love”: Amazon

* * * * *

**Click HERE to see other stops on Nikki’s Chick Lit Plus Blog Tour!

Excerpt

Footer

For inquiries

Follow Us