Thursday 31 October 2013

Howling Dawn Part Two


Thank you once again for reading my series and now for what you've all been waiting for - part two of Howling Dawn.

Happy reading everyone!



Megan and Juliet
8 p.m.

“Don’t you think you’ve put up enough decorations?” I glared at Megan balancing on step ladders.  She was trying desperately to fix a fake cobweb in the corner of the library and was about to fall off.  It was covered in Halloween decorations.  Pumpkins, skulls, coffins, a barrel full of apples, cobwebs everywhere and a very fake Vampire cackling away.
“Just one more please Jules?”  I had to dive to catch her before her tutued ass hit the floor.
“You’re going to kill yourself one of these days!” I hissed,
“Think I might see it coming!” she mocked.  She would be the death of me at least!
“I think there’s enough decorations for the party now.”

“You get really grumpy on Halloween.  All I want is for everyone to enjoy themselves.  I could’ve easily gone and watched the Halloween film marathon at the cinema, but oh no, I stay and look after all you weirdo’s because you have a freak out on Halloween, like a heard of hormonal teenagers…” she frowned at me and took another deep breath, “…and you…you Jules, need to sort your shit out.  Every Halloween you ignore her.  Don’t you think it’s time you spoke to her?” Megan huffed and shuffled to her feet. 
“It’s only an echo Megan.  There’s nothing to say to something that isn’t real!”  That’s the thing about ghosts, very few were coherent.  All they did was follow you, like a memory, until tonight when the veil was thin enough for them to be visible.
“You’ve ignored her for decades now!  Just talk to her.  I need to make these grapes look like eyeballs anyway…I think it’s time Juliet?”  Megan only called me Juliet when she was trying to have a serious conversation with me.  Maybe she was right?  Every year at this time she appeared.  Not for long but it was long enough to make me feel broken inside.  Megan looked up at me and nodded to what was stood behind me.  I took a deep breath and turned around,
“Meredith!”  The apparition looked at me and tilted her head. “It’s been a long time…” I sighed.  She always looked the same.  Her hair was loose to her waist and she was wearing her favourite gown, although she was all white.  I felt stupid talking to something I knew couldn’t speak back.  I turned back around to see Megan glaring at me,
“I mean it Jules!” she said peeling the skin from a grape.  I closed my eyes and turned back to Meredith.  I told Megan everything about her when I married Troy and I thought I had let go but here she was.
“You know you’ll always have a place in my heart but I’m with Troy now.  I love him more than anything in this world and it’s not fair that you return like this.  I miss you so much but I’ve moved on.  You were my first love and opened my heart.  I can’t keep ignoring you and I think it’s time.  I release you from any guilt you felt from that night.  What happened was neither of our fault and the actions of single minded men.  I would do anything to go back and save you from those flames but what is done, is done.  I’m sorry and I release you!”  I felt a tear trickle down my cheek and was shocked when Meredith floated closer.  She looked at me and smiled,
Thank you…”  She closed her eyes and then she faded away.  I crumbled to the floor sobbing.  This was the reason I ignored her for so long.  I had a reputation to up-keep and breaking down like this was not part of it.  I opened my eyes and Megan was sat in front of me stuffing chocolate in her mouth,
“You needed to say it Jules, not matter how much it hurt!” she frowned handing me a red lolly,
“I know…” I said wiping the tears from my face, “…what’s this?  You know I can’t eat normal food!”
“Just suck on it will you.  Geeze, why’s everything so difficult with you?  I made them ‘specially because I knew that!” she huffed.  I looked at it and sniffed. “It’s not bloody poison!” she huffed.  I licked at it and smiled,
“Blood?” I said raising an eyebrow,
“Of course!  Now shall we get this party started?”  Megan hopped up and turned on the music.  I could hear roars and screaming in the background,
“Cool sound effect Megs!” I smiled,
“What sound effects?”



Jess
8:10 p.m.

I was pounding down the corridor.  I knew Reuban said he would freak out because it was Halloween but I never expected this!  I was looking over my shoulder as I ran. I could hear Reuban’s claws scratching at the floor as he was trying to catch me.  Shit!  I was too busy to notice Maria running down the other corridor when she crashed into me,
“Shit!” I said as our bodies collided, knocking us both to the floor,
“We have to move…now!” she yelled.  We scrambled to our feet and started to run together,
“What are you running from?” I panted,
“Kroll.  I take it Reuban’s out as well?” she smiled quickly,
“He said his wolf wanted me to be there.  He never said I had to lock him up!  What’s up with Kroll?”  I saw smoke coming from behind us and winced,
“Yeah well…we got a bit stoned and I forgot to chain him and now…well…”  A fireball shot over our heads down the corridor.
“Shit!  Where the hell are we running to?”  It seemed a good idea to start running.  After all there were so many corridors down here, I hoped I could tire Reuban out.  How wrong I was!
“I was following you!” she said looking worried.
“DOUBLE SHIT!”  We skidded and turned down the corridor. Shit!  It was literally a dead end.
“Quick, the library!”  We burst through the double doors to see Megan twirling about to Michael Jackson’s Thriller as Juliet sucked on a lolly.
We shut the doors, locking them behind us and pushed our backs into them.
“Am I missing something?” Juliet hissed.  I felt Reuban hit the doors and then it started to get hot.  It was about to come off its hinges and I couldn’t stop it.
“Is that Reuban?” Megan said shocked,
“And Kroll!” Maria yelled.  The doors buckled again at the force of Reuban and Kroll thundering into them,
“We can’t hold them back for much longer.  Megan go hide…NOW!”  I bellowed.  Megan run behind the sofa and Juliet stood next to us.
“We’re going to have to let them in so we can contain them!”
“Like shit we are!” Maria shouted at Juliet,
“She’s right Maria…on the count of three…”  Maria glared at me and then I counted,
“Three…two…one…”  We dived from the door and Reuban broke through, sliding along the floor.  I had to do a double take because I didn’t know whether to scream or laugh.  I expected Kroll to be pounding in after him, not riding on his back! What the hell?
“Why’s Kroll six inches and riding Reuban like a horse?” I said turning to Maria on the floor next me,
“He gets a bit freaky on Halloween and doesn’t like anyone to see him like this…” she laughed.  Megan popped her head up above the sofa,
“He looks like Gizmo or rather a Gremlin…I mean a proper Warner Brothers’ Gremlin!” she laughed and ducked at Kroll spitting a fireball in her direction,
“He hates being called Gizmo…” Maria laughed.  Kroll jumped off Reuban’s back and ran up Maria’s jumper,
“So why where you running away from him?” I smirked.  Kroll coughed and singed her hair,
“He gets frisky and he burns stuff!  He can’t remember what he does when he’s like this and all Gremlins lock themselves away tonight.  It’s embarrassing for them.”  I could see Maria’s jumper moving and then Kroll’s head poked up through her breasts, making himself comfortable.  Then I remembered Reuben who was looking at me tilting his head,
“And why where you running form Reuban?”  Maria mocked raising her eyebrow,
“Shit!”  I was about to get up but it was too late.  Reuban pounded towards me.  Maria and Juliet rolled out of the way when he jumped onto of me.  I could hear laughter, uncontrollable, tear-jerking laughter,
“Will someone please get him off me?”  Reuban was humping me like a dog.  This was ridiculous!
“He’s going to have to finish before I’m getting anywhere near!” Juliet laughed.  He was panting as he humped me.  Dear God this was embarrassing!  I pushed him off me, managing to get to my feet.  Before I could move he was humping my leg,
“I think he likes you?” Maria laughed.  Kroll was now fast asleep in between her breasts and was bobbing about as she laughed.  I fell onto the sofa and rolled my eyes.
“I thought he got violent?” I said turning to Juliet,
“He usually does but it seems his wolf’s a bit horny…” she started to chuckle, “…oh this is so funny!”
“So, I have to stay like this with him humping my leg?”  I tried to kick him away but he was held tight as he thrust into my shin.  He was really going for it now as his furry ass bobbed up and down.
“Yep!”  Juliet said biting her lip to stop herself from laughing.
It took Reuban thirty minutes to stop and finally depart from my leg.  He was now curled up in the corner fast asleep with Kroll passed out next to him.  Didn’t they look cute?
“What have we let ourselves into with these men of ours?” I said while Megan pushed my head into a barrel full of water as I tried to bob for apples,
“They need us I suppose.  Kroll’s at his most vulnerable tonight and I suppose Reuban is as well?” Maria groaned as she looked at a bowl of eyeballs,
“I think we’re all vulnerable tonight but we have each other.” Juliet smiled.  I had no idea what had been wrong with her earlier but she seemed like a massive weight had lifted from her shoulders now,
“And you all have me!”  Megan smiled cranking up the music,
“And us…”  The doors opened and there stood everyone else.  Brigate, Diana, Angie, Troy and my father.  This was my family,
“Well, we better get this party started then!” I smiled, “Happy Halloween everyone…”



Thank you all for reading the Jessica Dawn Series.  It means so much that you share these stories and I hope you will continue this journey with me.
Happy Halloween everyone!!

Xxx E.I Jennings xxX





Eighth Note by Kimberly Stedronsky Release Day

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Book: Eighth Note (Fire Ballad One) Author: Kimberly Stedronsky Genre: Paranormal Horror Romance Release Date: October 31, 2013 Hosted by: Book Enthusiast Promotions

Synopsis 

 Eva Reed saved the world. Actually, she saved two worlds, but who’s counting? Finding herself in the middle of present day suburbia, married and a mom at only twenty years old, she’s beyond bored. Even with her popular music blog and her handsome husband Will catering to her every impulse, she longs to use the incredible powers that she possesses. But Earth is no place for magic. When Cole Mathison arrives, asking for Eva’s help in solving the death of a famous pop star, she cannot resist the overwhelming pull to use her abilities again. Eva finds that there is more to the sinister murder than what the evidence shows. People who listencontinue to die, and she must rely on her immortality to protect her from a frequency that is shattering minds and stopping hearts. There are forces at work that she could never have imagined... And evil will be heard.

  Meet the Author 

 Kimberly Stedronsky is an Ohio author who prefers an epic love story. She has a degree in Early Childhood Education, which she uses as an excuse to be as immature as possible on a daily basis. She is married to a stand-up comedian Marine veteran, and their three children are appropriately sarcastic.

  Excerpt 

 “I’ve spent the last thirty years proving to myself that I wasn’t crazy. I’ve… helped… people with paranormal activity.” “You’re a ghost hunter?” I snorted, listening to the monitor crackle and Perry cry out softly. Will gave a deep, amused sigh, gesturing to the house. “I am going to bed. Ten minutes, Eva.” I automatically scowled at his order. “I’ll be up in a little while,” I countered, using all of my self control not to tell him off for treating me like a kid. “Yes, love.” He bent to me, practically lifting me off the ground to catch me off guard with a possessive kiss. I could only hold on to his shoulders as his mouth moved over mine, and it took me five witless seconds to realize that the display was completely for Cole. Men, marking their territory. Please. “I won’t keep her long,” Cole promised, and Will responded with a quick nod before heading for the house. “All happily ever after here, I take it?” I turned to him, tucking my hands under the sleeves of my hoodie. “Obviously. Now tell me what’s going on.” He scratched his chin. “No, I’m not a ghost hunter. I just… lend a hand. When crazy, unexplainable shit happens.” “I hate to tell you this, but people die. Every day. I’m sure the toxicology reports will come back with some fun party results.” He stared at me, contemplating. I returned his look, waiting impatiently. Finally, he pulled his phone out of his pocket, handing it over to me. “The security cameras caught her death. There’s no sound. Eva honey, are you sure you can handle this?” I accepted his iPhone, shrugging. “Um, I set my father-in-law on fire from the inside out. I think I can handle watching someone die.” His palm covered my hand, and his fingertip swept the screen open. His nails weren’t nearly as manicured as Will’s, and his calloused skin felt rough on mine. “No sound,” he repeated, and I nodded, trying not to appear as confused as I felt. The street lamp flickered over our heads, and I waved my hand to turn the bulb completely off, leaving us in darkness. The video began with an aerial view of Nina, black and white, in the studio. I could hear that the sound had been wiped from the video, and the continuous, looping whisper kept time with my heartbeat as my pulse began to pound in my ears. Nina was tall and blonde, with adorable dimples that kept her looking years younger than her actual age. She had two fingers over her earpiece as she sang, and I watched her drag the back of her other hand over her brow in mid-verse. She stopped singing, and the rushing sound intensified. She was coughing; I watched her reach for something, and then tip her head back and take a long drink from a bottle of water. Cole’s hand slid around my waist, and I almost screamed. I’d been so involved in the video, waiting, holding my breath, I’d almost forgotten he was next to me. “Eva.” He warned. I ignored him, narrowing my eyes and focusing on the iPhone screen. Nina stilled suddenly, and the water bottle slipped from her hand. Long seconds passed as she stood there, frozen, still, and I started to lift my finger to touch the screen, checking to see if the video paused. Her head jerked down violently, chin to chest. All of her hair surrounded her face. When her head snapped upward to meet the camera face-on, my hand clamped over Cole’s arm. Her mouth was a wide, dark O, no teeth, no sound… no pupils. Blackness seeped from the corners of her eyes, and she began to bend backward, further, further still, until her entire body was folded- backwards- at the waist. Text copyright © 2013 Kimberly Stedronsky

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Wednesday 30 October 2013

Ignite by Tessa Teevan Release

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Title: Ignite (#1, Explosive Series)
Author: Tessa Teevan
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: October 30, 2013
 
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Synopsis
After nearly a year and a half of grieving the loss of her husband, twenty-seven year old Alexa Sullivan Tate is headed back to her hometown after a decade of being away. She has no idea her high school crush, Jace McAllister, the guy who stole her heart the same night that he broke it, is more than ready to pick up the pieces. Jace has spent the last ten years in the Army defusing bomb after bomb, trying to forget the girl who ignited all his passions. Little does he know that the spark still exists. Ten years ago they had smoldering chemistry, but the spark between them now might light a fuse that leads to an explosion even Jace can't stop. Not that he wants to. If only Alexa can get past her guilt and trust her heart again. But how do you put it all on the line when you've already lost everything once before? *While this is a series, each book will be standalone with spinoff characters.
 
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Excerpt
I nod, and she makes her way down the hall that I now see is lined with photographs. My stomach tightens, but I figure that I need to get this over with if I’m going to be staying here. I walk towards them, stopping at the first picture. I’m guessing it’s from the day they first met, the time she told me about, because she’s giving him a playful frown while he’s grinning at her like he’s already half in love with her, which, to be honest, he probably was. I feel a slight twinge as I take in the picture, knowing that at that moment he had no idea how short of a life he was going to have with her. Hell, he probably wouldn’t have even cared, as long as he had her while he could. Shaking the thought out of my head, I browse each one. There are candid shots of them mixed throughout professional ones from events such as her graduation, Sierra and Jeremy’s wedding, and what looks like an engagement party. As I pass each picture, it’s becoming more real to me that she had a whole separate life before we reconnected. Strangely, I’m not bothered by it, seeing how happy she looks in these pictures, even though it was with another man and not me. I’ll admit that I was a little worried when she told me about their fighting, but looking at these pictures? I know Ty made her a happy woman, and I’m grateful that she had that while she could. Do I wish it had been me? Fuck yes, but what can you do? Coming to the last picture, I’m breathless as the image of Alexa in a wedding dress enters my vision. I’m moving in for closer inspection when she comes out of her room, stopping when she catches me. Her hand covers her mouth as she closes her eyes for a split second. She swallows hard before walking towards me. She reaches out her hand as if to touch my arm before pulling it back, obviously thinking better of it. “Jace, I… This is probably awkward, I’m sorry. I just… I wasn’t expecting you, and I don’t…” She trails off as she stares at the wall, glancing at the picture before turning her eyes towards the floor.
 
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About the Author
I'm a twenty six year old book junkie who is also obsessed with sports. Bengals, Buckeyes, Reds are my teams! I work for the government during the day, hang out with Air National Guard on the weekends, and am married to a guy 15 inches taller than me. We're quite the pair! We currently live right outside of Dayton, OH with our two cats. I've been reading since I was a kid. My mom was a librarian, so it was a given. Heck, she even made sure we watched Wishbone instead of the Smurfs. In 2011 when I graduated from college, my mom bought me a Nook, and then in the summer of 2012 I found this amazing site called Goodreads. I was introduced to so many amazing indie/self-published authors. After reading almost 400 books that year, my husband gave me the push to finally sit down and write my own. It was a rocky start, but over time the words started flowing and I couldn't get Jace and Lexi out of my head. If I’m not writing or looking through tons of photos of hot men, all in the name of research, then you can probably find me curled up with my Kindle, ignoring the rest of the world. I love my sports almost as much as I love my books. My other obsessions include red wine, hot men, country music, and all things Grace Potter. I LOVE to hear from readers, so please feel free to contact via any social media site listed below.  
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Website | Facebook | Twitter | Email | Goodreads

 
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(1) eBook copy of Picking up the Pieces by Jessica Prince
(1) eBook copy of Nightmares from Within by Jessica Prince
(1) eBook copy of Just Breathe by Rachel Brookes
(1) eBook copy of Keep Me Still by Caisey Quinn
(1) Signed Paperback of Click to Subscribe by L.M. Augustine
(1) Signed Paperback of Lost In You by Heidi McLaughlin
(1) Signed Paperback of Little Red Book of Romance by TH Dillon (US Only)
(1) Signed Set of There is No Light in Darkness and Darkness Before Dawn by Claire Contreras (US Only)
(1) Signed Paperback of Red Hill by Jamie McGuire (US Only)
(1) Signed Paperback of Losing Hope by Colleen Hoover (US Only)
(1) Signed paperback of Just Breathe by Abbi Glines (US Only)
(1) Signed Paperback of Because of Low by Abbi Glines (US Only)
(1) Signed paperback of Twisted Perfection by Abbi Glines (US Only)
$5 Amazon Gift Card from FairieChick's Fantasy
$10 Amazon Gift Card from Group Therapy
$5 Amazon Gift Card from White Zin Bookends

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Favorite Places Cover Reveal

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Book Title: Favorite Places (A Trouble Maker Novel) Author: Kelly Gendron Genre: Contemporary Adult Romance Release Date: December 2013 Hosted by: Book Enthusiast Promotions

Synopsis

A five-minute trolley ride, one troublemaking luggage, and two stolen identities. Six months later, two strangers discover they’re married. She wants an annulment. He has other plans. Being illegally hitched is about the only way Chase Lennox would ever be shackled to any woman. But when the multimillionaire playboy finds out he’s married to the woman who caused him to lose the biggest deal of his life, Chase decides before he gives his new wife an annulment, she’s going to help him close the deal he’d lost. Jessina Landi has a three-foot radius comfort zone. The last man she let into it cost her a lot more than a broken heart. And the huge debt she owes for that trust, well, it’s due. If she takes Chase Lennox's up on his offer, it’s sure to cover the bill. There’s an annulment waiting at the end of their rainbow… well, that’s if they can get through the next two weeks without consummating the marriage.

Meet the Author

Kelly Gendron

Kelly resides in a quiet suburb somewhere between Buffalo and Niagara Falls, NY. Her day job? Kelly works in health care representing a group of nursing facilities in the WNY area. She’s been faithfully writing for three years but did write her first book ten years ago. She put it down to raise her son as a single mom and then picked it back up when she and her son finally grew up. That's when she settled into her newly married adult life and started to seriously write again. She's dabbled with Romantic Suspense stories, but recently she's been on a contemporary kick. The recipe for the men in her stories: a dash of bad boy attitude, a cup of strong and confident and, of course, besides being packed with magnificent bodies, and doused with shameless aptitudes, they must have a tender heart you want to rip out of the pages (or your e-Reader) and take to bed with you at night.

Excerpt 

 “Finish getting ready. We’re outta here in a few minutes,” he said, then turned his back to her. She struggled to retort from the total body meltdown. “Are we heading back to your apartment?” “Yes,” he said just as he disappeared from the doorway. “Good.” She raised her voice. “You can drop me off at the bus stop then.” Chase’s head swayed back in the doorway. “Come again?” “I’m going home, but I’ll be back in time for Caplin’s arrival on Thursday.” Chase stepped back into the room. “Why do you want to go home?” The question caught her off guard. She’d assumed he’d be pleased to be rid of her. Nonetheless, telling him the truth wasn’t an option. “As you said, the only reason we needed to spend time together was so I could get to know you, so we can convince Caplin we’re married.” His forehead wrinkled. “And you feel like you know me now?” “Well enough to pull off a bullshit marriage, yes.” “Hmm.” He rubbed his chin, then dropped his hand and took a step toward her. His intense regard held her captive. She clung to those dark eyes, waiting for him to say something. “I don’t want you to go.” His low, husky words resonated in her ears. Her body hesitated, her heart skipped, and her nerves stammered. She was convinced that all of her senses had failed her, because she was sure she hadn’t heard him right. “What?” “There’re a few more things you need to know about me in order to successfully pull this off, Jessina.” Every single one of her senses came back to life as he approached her. “Will you stay here with me just one more night?” he asked, stopping in front of her. “So I can show them to you?” “What?” Heat flushed through her body once more. “What sort of things?” Dark, ravishing eyes dropped to her mouth as he drew a finger down the side of her cheek. It trailed along her neck, gently grazing her shoulder and caressing the length of her arm. “The sort of things I would do with my real wife.” He looked back up at her, his hand now settled on her hip. The weight of his touch caused her stomach to clench with desire. His hand shifted to the small of her back, and her next breath got caught in her throat. “I want to show you how my wife would make me feel when I’m this close to her.” He applied light pressure with his hand to her back, and the space between them descended. Their bodies became one. “Chase…” His name fell from her lips in a near whisper when his hardness pressed into her tight-with-desire belly. “Jessina…” he hissed back in a throaty murmur…

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Tuesday 29 October 2013

Shattered by Alicia Rene Kline Release day

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Synopsis 

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With Eric’s proposal on the table and the memory of Matthew’s kiss on her lips, Lauren Jefferies has a decision to make. After months of praying that Eric would take their relationship to the next level and come clean with his true feelings for her, he shocks Lauren by doing just that. Suddenly, he’s offered her everything she’s ever dreamed of. He’s agreed to compromise, whispering words of love and forever amid his plans for their future. But his timing couldn’t be worse. While Eric was busy with his soul-searching, Lauren found a new kindred spirit in Matthew. Her roommate’s brother was happy to fill in when her boyfriend wasn’t willing or able to be there. Eventually the lines of their friendship blurred, giving way to a deep seated attraction. She thought the feeling was mutual, but now that Eric’s shown his hand, Matthew’s pushed her away. Matthew’s rejection stings more than it should. Eric’s waiting for a response. Ultimately, whatever she chooses to do will end up changing all three of them. Lauren’s happy ever after was never supposed to begin like this.

  Meet the Author 

 Alicia Renee Kline has been writing for as long as she can remember. Her work has evolved from scrawling story ideas in spiral notebooks in loopy, middle school handwriting (complete with scribbles) to more professional looking fare via her laptop. She is eternally grateful for the "delete" key, so that no one can tell that she doesn't get everything right the first time. She resides in Northeastern Indiana with her husband, two daughters, two cats and two hamsters. When she isn't being an author, she works full time in the insurance industry.

  Excerpt 

 The drive to Indianapolis had never felt longer. Of course, it didn’t help that I had been stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic for the last five miles. Everybody and their brother must have had the same idea as I had, at least in part. But I wasn’t starting the weekend early, heading down to the state capital on Friday night to party. I was about to start the rest of my life. With nothing better to do while I crept along, I turned the volume up on the radio only to immediately wish I hadn’t. I’d forgotten that I’d had Parabelle playing on my way to Matthew’s last night. After our fight and my hasty exit, I’d muted the volume and it had stayed that way until just now. Sitting here in traffic allowed me to focus on the lyrics; the feelings they evoked weren’t pretty. Tears clouded my vision as I related my own experiences to those in the songs. Perhaps I was reading too much into things, but it was like they had been written about me. I eventually conceded defeat and turned the stereo completely off. No, music wasn’t good for me right now. Maybe never again. It shouldn’t have been like this. I shouldn’t have been relating to sorrow and heartbreak and sacrifice. Just two days prior, my boyfriend of ten years had proposed. I should have been all rainbows and unicorns and happiness, not looking in my rearview mirror in hopes to find a black Camry behind me. Matthew had let me go. Part of me had wanted to see his car in the parking lot after I came out of work. I had wanted him to stop me; at least try to talk me out of going down to see Eric tonight. I wanted him to apologize even though he hadn’t really been in the wrong. He had a valid point. Kissing him, expecting anything more from him when I was a heartbeat away from becoming someone else’s wife was very stupid. But he hadn’t shown up. After all those weeks of tension between us, of second guessing every little thing he did and reading way more meaning into it than was necessary, he had thrown in the towel. Maybe he hadn’t even been interested in fighting for me in the first place. Maybe I had just believed the pictures that everyone around me had painted. My brief conversation with Blake had told me what I needed to know. Matthew hadn’t mentioned last night to her, and I wasn’t about to bring it up. Her brother could remain on the pedestal she had built for him and she would never be the wiser. I had respected her wishes and not hurt him. I had, however, impaled myself in the process. Come to think of it, Blake had given up rather easily as well. Granted I had packed up my entire room and stolen away practically in the middle of the night, but still. I had expected more from her. Sure she had texted, and even pretended to be an irate customer with a subpar credit score to reach me at work, but she had turned around and abruptly exited the arena with her tail between her legs when I mentioned Eric’s name. And so here I was, inching along in Indy’s rush hour traffic, momentarily homeless. All my worldly possessions fit in the trunk of my car, much the same as they had when I hauled them away from my studio apartment on the wrong side of town. The only thing that had changed was they were now stowed in a much larger, shinier vehicle. My adult life had always been largely transient. Leases could be broken – I had just proven that to be true this morning – and jobs didn’t really, truly, tie you down either. I could insert and remove myself from people’s lives on a whim and they barely noticed. No matter how badly I wanted them to. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a black Toyota change lanes. Instinctively, my breath caught and I turned slightly in its direction to look at the driver without full-on staring. My heart sunk when I realized it was a false alarm. I cursed him for having such a ubiquitous car. I had never really noticed how many people drove Camrys until I had a reason to look for one in particular. It was stupid of me to even imagine him rushing down here after me. I had told Blake I was going to Indy for goodness sakes. He didn’t know where Eric lived; he had never been down here with me before to see where my comfort zone was. He had no idea where my favorite local haunts were. It wasn’t as though he would blindly stumble upon me through sheer force of will. It would be like trying to find a needle in a haystack. And in order to be found, someone had to be looking. I swallowed down the bile in my throat that came with the realization that he had done just what I had asked. He had left me alone. That’s what I had screamed at him when I’d jerked away from his touch and stormed out his door. Except for a final text message which I’d handily ignored, that had been our final contact. Sort of like Blake and Chris and their whole “rot in hell” moment. Whatever good memories that I could take away from our brief friendship/massive crush would be clouded forever by the explosive ending. An ending that I had put into motion all on my own. As much as I wanted to blame him for the mess I had made, I knew I alone had created it. I had practically ambushed him last night. I’d conducted my own fishing expedition of sorts trying to gauge his interest in me. I couldn’t be upset that he had given me an answer I didn’t want to hear. We couldn’t be anything. The thought of us being together was stupid. It just wouldn’t work.

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Monday 28 October 2013

Let Love Heal Release Day

Let Love Heal Release Day Even Banner
Synopsis

Perfection. We all strive for it, but what happens when the desire to be perfect consumes you? What happens when the need to bury your mistakes blinds you? Melanie Crane has always been the perfect daughter, friend, student – she’s been perfect at everything, in fact. But when she lets her insecurities, the ones that she keeps hidden from everyone, get the best of her, she falters in her pursuit of perfection. Melanie crumples under the pressure and buries her pain. Numbed by sadness and guilt, she is determined never to let anyone find out how broken she really is. Bryan Mahoney may appear to have everything in order. He’s charming, witty and completely swoon-worthy. In short, Bryan has life all figured out, but appearances can be deceiving. When the landscape of Bryan’s family changes in an instant, he’s left to pick up the pieces. Not all bruises leave a mark. Now, weary and afraid, Melanie and Bryan must find a way to let love heal their broken and jaded hearts.

Meet the Author

Melissa Collins 2I

’ve always been an avid reader. Majoring in English Literature was a no brainer. Becoming a teacher and instilling my love for reading into my students was also a no brainer. I’ve spent the last ten years teaching and I’ve loved (mostly) every minute of it. When I was home on maternity leave for my third son, I discovered a new genre that sparked my creativity. My passion for writing sprang from my love of reading and once I knew I had a story to tell, I couldn’t wait to get it out there. I only hope that my readers enjoy reading my story as much as I enjoyed writing it.

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