She Thought What?!?! Rants, Raves, and In-Betweens

I am always reading something. I just love it. So here's what I thought...

 

You've been warned, I have no inner filter, so ranting, raving, rambling, babbling, hissy fits, tantrums, and full blow tirades, can and should be expected, sometime in the near future! I'm just sayin.

WHY?!?!?!?

Beck - Harper Sloan


Seriously heartbroken. WHY?!?!?!?!? FUCK!!!!

**RELEASE BLITZ** Keeley's Fight by K.L. Donn

 

 

 

(´¨*•.¸´•.¸ ☆★*¨*•.¸☆ RELEASE BLITZ ☆¸.•*¨*★☆ ¸.•´¸.•*¨´)

 

 


(´¨*•.¸´•.¸ ☆★*¨*•.¸☆  NEW ‪#‎MFMRomance‬ ☆¸.•*¨*★☆ ¸.•´¸.•*¨´)

 

TITLE: Keeley’s Fight

SERIES: The Protector’s Series book 1

AUTHOR: KL Donn

COVER DESIGN: Tammie Smith

BUY LINKS:
 

  
 


BLURB:


 Heartache and betrayal are two things Keeley Stone is very familiar with. Born into a life she never wanted, betrayed by her own parents, she never saw a way out. Until one day, two men who know nothing of her or her life step up and protect her when she’s in need of a savior. Loyalty and respect are not just something earned for brothers Nathaniel and Tyler Maxwell, but a code they live by. A chance encounter with a gorgeous young woman has left them enthralled with her. Can they convince her they’re worth fighting for? Or will she let demons of her past control her future?
 Note: This is a stand alone HEA M/F/M contemporary romance novel. There is no touching for titillation between brothers.

 


EXCERPT:


 “I can see the wheels turning in that beautiful head of yours. Let us take you to breakfast or lunch, or maybe dinner? Your choice. Of course, we could always take you to all three. Yep, I think that one works best for us,” Tyler said to her with a wink at the end. “Dammit Ty, you're gonna overwhelm the poor girl. Back off,” Nathaniel told him with a frown, marring his beautiful brown eyes. “Thank you for the kind offer but I can’t,” she declined and turned to put their order in for their meals. “Why not?” asked Nathaniel as she was half way across the room. She stopped dead in her tracks, feeling the blush working its way up her face, which, of course, made her cheeks throb. Damn pale skin was all she could think as she turned around, and knew that not only could they see her embarrassment, but so could everyone else as they all waited for her to answer him. She stood there for a full minute staring at them, until she heard him... “Because this ain’t no fucking dating service, that’s why,” Fred said as he walked up behind her and put his meaty arm around her shoulders, and cupped her tightly. She could see the anger in Tyler and Nathaniel’s faces as they stared at where Fred’s hand was. They both stood up and Tyler shot a small smile her way, and that wink she was coming to love, before refocusing his attention on Fred. Nathaniel just looked pissed off and she knew she was about to get hurt again. That was all men did. Good God, was he freaking huge; bigger than she originally thought.  “Come here, Butterfly,” Nathaniel told her. She started to move, thinking whatever he was about to do would be better than having Fred’s stinky self glued to her the way he was. As she took her first step, Fred held onto her arm so tightly that she whimpered. Tyler and Nathaniel growled at that. Actually growled. Glaring daggers at Fred, Nathaniel walked closer, grabbed her hand so gently she thought she was dreaming, and gave one small tug so she practically flew into his chest. The strange thing for her was that the entire time, he made sure she was protected. When she hit his chest, he put one hand to the small of her back and one to the back of her neck. It was very proprietary. His large arms engulfed her, completely surrounding her. Strangely, she felt safe, and she found she really liked the way he was caressing the back of her neck with his thumb. Turning her head with a small smile on her face, she saw Tyler looking at her with this big wolf-like grin on his, it gave her a moment of peace. She closed her eyes, just wanting to enjoy this feeling of safety that she had never felt before. She wanted to embrace it before it was gone. “Don’t ever put your dirty fucking hands on our woman again. Are we clear? Don’t even look at her for that matter. If I ever find out that you have done anything to make Keeley uncomfortable or feel less than safe, I will come in here and personally kick your ass before having this place shut down. And then just for kicks, I’ll make you lick the dirt off my shoes. We clear?” Nathaniel said all of this to Fred with such menace in his voice that Keeley couldn’t help but start to shake in fear, and grip his shirt tighter. She had a hold of it just above his abs, and feeling him tighten his grip on her calmed her nerves just a little bit. For the first time ever, she actually heard a note of fear creep into Fred’s voice when he said, “Ya man, ok. I didn’t know she was yours, she never said anything.” That’s when Tyler got involved and admonished him. “You think that gives you the right to touch her or speak for her anytime you like?” She tried to burrow right into Nathaniel at that, because even though his voice held a note of steel in it, Tyler’s had such a fierce growl that she wanted to weep from the fear this confrontation was causing in her. “Look guys, I’m sorry, ok. Keeley, I need you here now, but tomorrow night you can have off with pay, ok? Sound fair?” She simply nodded her head, because she just knew her voice would shake if she dared try to speak. Just then she heard the ding from the kitchen bell, signaling her other table’s orders were ready. Reluctantly she left the safety of Nathaniel’s arms, not looking at anyone for fear that they would see just how this encounter left her. Aroused from being so close to Nathaniel, and fearful that this would only make things worse with Fred and Eleanor.

 

(´¨*•.¸´•.¸ ☆★*¨*•.¸☆ MY REVIEW ☆¸.•*¨*★☆ ¸.•´¸.•*¨´)

 


STALKER LINKS:
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Keeley's Fight by K.L. Donn

Keeley's Fight (The Protectors Series) - KL Donn, KA Matthews

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OH NO, OH NO, OH NO, TABOO, WHATEVER WILL WE DO?!?!? What happens when one completely broken girl with an absolutely terrible background run into two sexy brothers??? A great idea for a story. This was good, but could have been better if it was longer.

*ARC provided for an honest opinion*

Until Series: Box set - Aurora Rose Reynolds

Reading Order

Until November (Until book 1)

Until Trevor (Until book 2)

Until Lilly (Until book 3)

Until Nico (Until book 4)

I want MORE CASH!!!

Until Lilly - Aurora Rose Reynolds

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I am absolutely loving this series.

 

Reading Order

Until November (Until book 1)

Until Trevor (Until book 2)

Until Lilly (Until book 3)

Until Nico (Until book 4)

I wanna LICK HIM!!!

Until Trevor - Aurora Rose Reynolds

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Trevor, I just wanna
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Love it.

 

Reading Order

Until November (Until book 1)

Until Trevor (Until book 2)

Until Lilly (Until book 3)

Until Nico (Until book 4)

Nico, why did I wait for you???

Until Nico - Aurora Rose Reynolds

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MORE, MORE, MORE, I NEED MORE OF THIS!!! WHY DID I WAIT SO LONG TO READ THIS???

 

Reading Order

Until November (Until book 1)

Until Trevor (Until book 2)

Until Lilly (Until book 3)

Until Nico (Until book 4)

Until November, why did I wait Until Now???

Until November - Aurora Rose Reynolds

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Why haven't I read these??? I loved it. Yes it was INSTA-LOVE, like from the first 5 mins, but Asher was hot. And I didn't mind November, either. on to book 2.

 

Reading Order

Until November (Until book 1)

Until Trevor (Until book 2)

Until Lilly (Until book 3)

Until Nico (Until book 4)

Love finding new authors to love

Beautiful Broken Rules (Broken Series Book 1) - Kimberly Lauren

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She had three simple rules:
*Never sleep with someone that a friend has feelings for
*Never sleep with someone who is in a known relationship.
*Never sleep with someone more than three times.

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I love a badass, fiesty bitch, and Emerson delivered. She was herself and owned it.
And Jaxon makes me think
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But really, I like his twin better.

I needed this. I have not been thrilled with my last few books, so this was great. First time reading Kimberly Lauren, and I have no plans of stopping.

Reading Order
Beautiful Broken Rules (Broken Series book 1)
Beautifully Broken Mess (Broken Series book 2)
Beautifully Broken Promises (Broken Series book 3)
(less)

Even better than the first

Beautiful Broken Mess (Broken Series Book 2) - Kimberly Lauren

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Ok, not going to lie, the first hour or so,
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Really, I couldn't decide if I listened in the wrong order, if I missed something in the first book, or if I flat out need to be pissed at the twins. Then when I realized it was a flash back, I was still pissed at the twins.
And then a whole lot of
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I wasn't sure how this one could get better than the last, but it was. I loved it. Jace did not disappoint. He was hot as hell. Audrey, is a bad ass chick. I loved it all.

Reading Order
Beautiful Broken Rules (Broken Series book 1)
Beautifully Broken Mess (Broken Series book 2)
Beautifully Broken Promises (Broken Series book 3)
(less)

WOW, JUST FUCKIN' WOW!!!

Beautiful Broken Promises (Broken Series Book 3) - Kimberly Lauren

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She did it again.
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And as if Lane and Raegan weren't hot enough, Emerson is back to teach a lesson.
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What's hotter than your girl dancing all sexy on the dance floor?
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Two girls dancing all Eexy with each other. But you must remember, SEX IN PUBLIC IS STILL ILLEGAL.
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PERFECTION!!! I LOVE IT!!! Tell me there will be more.

Reading Order
Beautiful Broken Rules (Broken Series book 1)
Beautifully Broken Mess (Broken Series book 2)
Beautifully Broken Promises (Broken Series book 3)

An Act of Redemption by K.C. Lynn

An Act Of Redemption (Acts Of Honor Series Book 1) - K.C. LYNN

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Seriously, I hate it when I don't fully pay attention. I got all excited, seeing it was a new series and was like YES, this will be a great introduction to K.C. Lynn. Not until after I started did I realize this was a spin-off of the Men of Honor Series. SHIT, FUCK, DAMN!!! It can be read as a standalone, but it is suggested to be read afterwards.
This hit me right in the fucking feels. And HOLY SHIT was that HOT AS HELL!!!
Was this enjoyable as a standalone??? Yes, but I am also really glad I was in a sun stupor when reading it, so when I get to the Men of Honor Series, I can re-read this and enjoy it with all the back stories, too.

*ARC provided in exchange for an honest opinion*

 

Liam & Tria’s story continues in Trapped!

 

AVAILABLE NOW

 

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1Sghf8B

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

iBooks: http://apple.co/1IfgJ8p

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

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1DlDEjw





Blurb

Bizarre rituals on a remote island in Maine.

My crazy neighbor lying naked in the produce section of a grocery store.

The sting of a knife as it slices through my flesh.

Now I know why they say life is never easy.

The soft touch of Tria’s hand against my chest is the only thing that keeps me going, but there are consequences. As a fighter, I should be able to deal with anything life throws at me, but there is one circumstance I simply can’t handle.

I only have one coping mechanism: a tube around my arm and a needle in my vein.

 

 

Excerpt

I felt my body tighten at her touch, and my skin tingled as her fingers moved over my chest and down to my abs.  She took one finger and slid it over the ridge of each muscle.  I caught her under her chin with my fingers and brought her mouth back to mine.

Open mouthed, I moved from her lips, up the line of her jaw, to her ear, and back again.  With my free hand, I crept from her hip up her side, and my thumb stroked the skin of her stomach.  I felt her hand over mine.

I started to pull away, assuming her intent was to tell me to stop, but her grip on my fingers tightened.  Opening my eyes, I looked down at her and watched her tongue dart out over her lips before she slowly pushed my hand upwards.

“You sure?” I breathed, hating myself for even asking the question instead of jumping on the opportunity.  In response, Tria rose up just enough to pull her shirt up over her head.

My cock tried to jump right through the material of my jeans to tit fuck her right there in her bra.

I had to physically restrain myself from the action as she settled back above me on her knees.  The bra itself wasn’t unfamiliar—I’d seen all of her clothes in the drawers before—but having the lacy white material wrapped around her smooth breasts laid out before me was completely different.

I sat up and moved her with me until she was flat on her back on the couch, and I was hovering over her.  I moistened my lips as I gazed down at the pale flesh before me with only a slight curve visible at the top of the lacy front.

As slowly as I could endure, I traced her skin from the edge of the thin strap around her shoulder and down to the mound of flesh against the lace edge.  Barely touching her, I outlined from one edge over the curve, down into the slight dip, and back over again.  My fingertip completed the trek back up to her other shoulder, and then began to make its way down again.

Once it hit the center of the dip again, I fanned out my fingers—still keeping my touch ultra-light—and stroked slowly toward the outside of her breast.  I could feel my own breathing increasing in tempo with hers as I touched her through the thin material.  I mimicked the motion with my other hand and the other breast, leaning in to kiss her shoulder as I moved.




CAGED Series Reading Order

 

 

Takedown (Book One) Caged Series

 

Amazon US:  http://amzn.to/1HvHfGR

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

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1HnHZ3T

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1CxUCKS

iBooks: http://apple.co/1TszIkO

 

Trapped (Book Two) Caged Series

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1Sghf8B

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

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

 

Released (Book Three) Caged Series

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1SCMct7

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

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1D2xeFY

 

About the Author:

Shay Savage lives in Cincinnati, Ohio with her family and a variety of household pets. She is an accomplished public speaker, and holds the rank of Distinguished Toastmaster from Toastmasters International. When not writing, she enjoys science fiction movies, masquerading as a zombie, is a HUGE Star Wars fan, and member of the 501st Legion of Stormtroopers. When the geek fun runs out, she also loves soccer in any and all forms - especially the Columbus Crew, Arsenal and Bayern Munich - and anxiously awaits the 2014 World Cup. Savage holds a degree in psychology, and she brings a lot of that knowledge into the characters within her stories.


Stalk Shay Here: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

**RELEASE BOOST** Trace + Olivia Series Box Set by Micalea Smeltzer

 

 
 
 
Title: Trace + Olivia Series Boxed Set
Series: Trace + Olivia #1-4
Author: Micalea Smeltzer
Genre: New Adult
 
  
 Release Date: July 30, 2015
 
Blurb

Finding Olivia: How far would you go to find yourself? That’s the question that’s been haunting Olivia Owens for years.

Chasing Olivia: How far would you go to reignite the spark you once had? Two years later, Trace and Olivia are as much in love as they’ve always been. But the spark they once had for life is waning and Trace is determined that they find it again. His solution? A road trip. But he doesn’t tell Olivia the real reason they’re heading north.

Tempting Rowan: I’m drowning in the numbness. It’s pulling me under and I can’t see the surface. It’s easier to pretend I can’t feel. And the longer you pretend, the easier it is to believe. But he wants to save me. Only he can’t. I have to save myself…and I don’t know if I want to.

Saving Tatum: Even tough girls need saving. Jude Brooks is bad news. He’s the kind of guy that leaves behind a string of broken hearts and Tatum O’Connor is not about to be one of those girls, despite all of Jude’s advances. They have a past, and Tatum’s determined to make sure they don’t have a future.
 
 
Links to Buy
 
Only 99c for a limited time
 
AMAZON US / UK
 
 
 
 
Excerpt

“No, no, no, no!” I beat my steering wheel with the heel of my hand. “No! You’ve got to be kidding me!” I pulled off the road, my tire bumping along.
I put my car in park and climbed out to assess the damage.
My feet crunched on the gravel scattered alongside the road.
Immediately, the oily burnt smell of my peeling tire met me.
Calling this a flat tire didn’t do it justice. This was complete and utter carnage.
I looked behind me, at the trail of tire pieces leading straight to my car, like a path of breadcrumbs.
It was starting to get dark and this wasn’t exactly the safest road.
I was also a twenty-year-old girl, ripe for the picking.
I kicked the side of my car. “I don’t have time for this!”
I stalked around the back, to the trunk, lifting it and looking for the necessary tools to change a tire.
Which was pointless because, unfortunately, I didn’t know the first thing about changing a tire. My father had made sure that I only knew how to do a woman’s work.
I slammed the trunk closed and stalked back to the driver’s side, pulling at the ends of my hair. I glared at the offending nail, that had to be four inches long, sticking out of the tire. How many nails did people drive over a day and I was the one to get a flat freakin’ tire?
Not cool.
Not at all.
I opened the door and reached for my phone to call my roommate to come pick me up.
The sky was darkening and I didn’t want to be stranded here.
I wrapped my lightweight jacket tighter around my body, as the wind gusted around me, blowing leaves off of the nearby trees. I watched the red, yellow, and orange leaves fall down and scatter over my car. One, unfortunately, got caught in my hair. I reached up and pulled it out before letting it drift to the ground.
Gravel crunched behind me. I turned quickly, to see a guy getting out of a black car that looked like something old, but classic.
I hadn’t even heard him pullover.
I backed a step away, thinking he might be a murderer, or a rapist.
But when I got a look at his face I was stunned.
He was tall, with a lean body, but muscular. He had short, dark brown, almost black, hair and the greenest eyes I had ever seen. Five o’ clock shadow covered his cheeks and chin. My eyes trailed down, over the white t-shirt glued to his chest, and stopped there. I could see black ink underneath the white shirt and licked my lips. The fact that he had tattoos only made him hotter. To protect against the cold, he was wearing a long-sleeved plaid shirt.
“Uh—can I help you?” He asked, smiling pleasantly at me, and putting my earlier fears about him being a murderer or rapist completely to rest.
Help? With what? I needed help?
“Huh?”
He grinned crookedly, tilting his head. “With your tire. Do you need some help?”
He had the deepest, huskiest, voice I had ever heard. I shivered at the sound. I was pretty sure I’d be happy for him to help me with a lot of things, and none of them included my tire.
“Help would be great,” I blushed, ducking my head.
He chuckled. “You do have a spare, right?”
“Yeah, it’s in the trunk,” I pointed, like he didn’t know where the trunk was.
He grabbed the spare, and all the necessary tools and sat down, next to the ruined tire.
“I—uh—would’ve changed it myself, but—uh—my dad never taught me,” I ran my fingers nervously through my wavy brown hair. “He said something about it not being appropriate for a girl to do and if I ever got a flat tire, I better hope Prince Charming came along. My dad’s very—uh—old fashioned,” I stammered.
He looked up at me. “Does that make me Prince Charming?” He grinned.
“Oh—uhm—Prince Charming is fictional, so I guess not, and he-uh-usually rides a white horse or something… I think.”
Somebody, stamp AWKWARD across my forehead already.
The guy threw his head back and laughed. “I guess a shiny black '69 Camaro doesn’t count as a white horse. You watch a lot of Disney movies or something?”
“No,” I blushed tomato red. “At least not anymore.”
“You’re funny,” he squinted up at me, shielding his eyes from the orange glow of the setting sun.
“I hope that’s a good thing,” I muttered. Unfortunately, I wasn’t trying to be funny.
“It’s a very good thing-” He paused, waiting for my name.
“Oh—uh—Olivia. Olivia Owens.”
“I’m Trace,” he reached a hand up to me and I took it. It was warm and calloused, swallowing mine whole. “Trace Wentworth,” he grinned when my hand jerked at his touch.
 


 
Author Bio

 

Micalea Smeltzer is a bestselling Young and New Adult author from Winchester, Virginia. She’s always working on her next book, and when she has spare time she loves to read and spend time with her family.
 
Author Links
 

**COVER REVEAL** Gold Shimmer by P.T. Michelle

 

  

 

 
 
Title: Gold Shimmer
Series: In the Shadows #4
Author: P.T. Michelle
 
 Release Date: August 4, 2015
 
Blurb

Want more of your favorite characters from the The New York Times & USA Today bestselling IN THE SHADOWS series? GOLD SHIMMER is Cass and Calder's story.

I never thought that my plan to crash a masked party to exact a bit of revenge would fall apart so easily. It was a foolproof plan. The absolute best scenario. Moon-and-stars-aligned worthy. No one would suspect I was anyone other than the wealthy, self-absorbed girl I pretended to be. The one who would wreak havoc that night.

Then again, I also didn't plan on running into a wall of sharp wit and steely determination named Calder. The captivating Navy SEAL might've called me by Celeste's name, but he refused to let me hide my true self from him. His special brand of honest, seductive charm was impossible to resist. He was confident and demanding...and everything I wanted. But the deeper I fell, the higher the stakes rose while playing a role. So I held onto our intense connection for as long as I could, knowing that he would never know me as Cass.

When an unexpected turn of events gives me a second chance to see Calder again, of course the opportunity comes with strings attached. I had no idea how dangerously tangled and deeply knotted those strings would become, but for the one man who gave me the courage to live my life for me again, I'd do just about anything.

Even become someone else.

Note: GOLD SHIMMER is meant for readers 18+ due to mature content. This is the first book in the BLACK SHADOWS duet, Cass and Calder's story. The duet falls within the main IN THE SHADOWS series. To read the other books in the IN THE SHADOWS series, check out books 1-3: MISTER BLACK, SCARLETT RED, and BLACKEST RED, Talia and Sebastian's story.



  

  

Purchase Links

SPECIAL PRICE OF $2.99
The price will go up not long after GOLD SHIMMER releases

AMAZON US / UK
B&N / iBOOKS / KOBO



 


Gold Shimmer can be read without having first read the previous three books in the series, but if you would like to start from the beginning with Sebastian and Talia’s story, book 1, MISTER BLACK, is FREE
 
Also Available
 
 
 
#1 Mister Black

 

FREE
 
AMAZON US / UK

 

 
 
 
#2 Scarlett Red
 
AMAZON US / UK
 
 
#3 Blackest Red
 
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Author Bio

 
 

P.T. Michelle is the NEW YORK TIMES, USA TODAY and International Best Selling author of the Contemporary romance series IN THE SHADOWS, the YA/New Adult crossover series BRIGHTEST KIND OF DARKNESS, and the romance series: BAD IN BOOTS, KENDRIAN VAMPIRES and SCIONS (listed under Patrice Michelle). She keeps a spiral notepad with her at all times, even on her nightstand. When P.T. isn't writing, she can usually be found reading or taking pictures of landscapes, sunsets and anything beautiful or odd in nature.
 
 
 
 
 
Author Links
 
Giveaway
 

**RELEASE BLITZ** Reckless Surrender by R.C. Martin

 

 

 

 
 
Title: Reckless Surrender
Series: Made For Love #2 
Author: R.C. Martin
Genre: New Adult Romance
 
 
 Release Date: August 4, 2015
 

 

Blurb

[Reckless Surrender is book two in the Made for Love series but can be read as a STAND ALONE novel. Written for audiences 18+ years of age.]
 
Three and a half years ago, Daphne walked into my shop, kicked open the door to my soul, invited herself inside, and got comfortable. By the time I realized she’d made herself at home, it was too late to kick her out. Now, I’m in love with her. But I’m not her boyfriend. She’s not my lover. We’re just friends…

Trevor’s it for me. I love him so much it drives me crazy. But we’re broken—two battered people whose souls have been ravaged by the world. We decided a long time ago that we wanted to love each other but not attempt to fix one another. Instead, we give each other as much as we can. I’m beginning to wonder if that’s ever going to be enough…

I don’t want to be her bandaid.

I don’t want to be his addiction.

But if we never cross that line, will I lose her?

If I don’t tell him what I want, will I lose myself?
 
 
 
 
Purchase Links
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Available Now
 
 
AMAZON US / UK
B&N / KOBO
 

 

 
Excerpt
 
 
I twist my bangs back away from my face and pin them in place before washing off today’s makeup. I feel completely plain without it, but it’s also refreshing to be rinsed clean and I know present company doesn’t mind. Speaking of which, I’m glad I get to keep him for the night. I love it when that happens. We don’t exactly make a habit of it, but I always sleep better cocooned in his arms. It makes me feel like I’m his. I guess in some ways I am, even though I’m not. I certainly don’t belong to anyone else. I can’t imagine ever being with anyone else—even if being with Trevor without actually being with Trevor one day breaks my heart.
 
I shake the thought away, aware that I’m starting to think too much. He’s here, now, and that’s what he can give me. Besides that, it’s more than anyone else gets. This is how it is between us. It works.
 
I stop just inside the doorway of my bedroom, caught off guard by what awaits. Or should I say, who? I have to stifle a small gasp at the sight of him—not because I’m startled by his change in appearance, but because he leaves me breathless. He’s so damn mesmerizing I can’t help but stare. Every. Time.
 
At this point, I think it’s safe to assume I’ll never get used to the masterpiece that he is, and that’s more than fine.
 
It’s quite apparent that he has endured the confines of his dress attire for as long as he can stand it. I can’t mourn the lost image of him all spruced up, not when I have the image of him all stripped down to admire. All he has on is a pair of gym shorts. He keeps a pair stowed away in my dresser for nights like these. He’s sitting at the window, which he has opened, with one leg straddling the bench and the other bent in front of him so that he might rest his beer atop his knee.
 
Trevor isn’t built like an athlete. He isn’t bulky with muscle. He isn’t lanky, like me, either. He’s made up of lean, toned lines that whisper of the physical power that makes him all man. But his inner strength? All the vulnerable and fragile pieces of him that make him so strong, the pieces of him that I love so much, that’s what catches my eye.
 
He wears his heart on his sleeve. Literally. The world might not know it, but I do. I know that every inch of ink that covers his beautiful skin tells his story. The tattoo on his left arm stretches from his wrist all the way up to his shoulder and spills over his heart. I can’t see it now, because of the way he’s sitting, but I know he’s got script tattooed down his left side across his ribs. Finally, his right arm is adorned in a half sleeve. I say finally not as a way to express finality, but simply the end of his list for now. It wouldn’t surprise me at all to learn that he’s dreaming of more.
 
“Daph! Your beer’s getting warm!” he yells, his gaze still directed out the window.
 
I grin, partly because I love how he knows I hate it when my beer gets even the slightest bit warm; partly because he hasn’t noticed me standing here staring at him. “I’m right here,” I say as I continue to make my way into the room. I speak softly, but I startle him just the same.
 
“Shit, Wings—” he mutters, spitting out his nickname for me as he jumps. He has to snatch up his beer as his leg shoots out in front of him. I laugh and grab my half empty bottle from off of the edge of the bookshelf where he’s lined up our reserve. “How long were you standing there?”
 
“Not long,” I lie. I sit opposite of him, bending my knees and propping my feet up.
 
“Sure,” he murmurs, shaking his head at me in disbelief. I smirk in response.
 
Now this is one of those moments where, if we were in a movie or a romance novel, he’d crawl across the bench and kiss me. But this isn’t a fairy tale and he won’t kiss me because I won’t let him. We can’t go there. What he and I share, it works because we don’t go there. As crazy as it might sound, our restraint excites me. Simply knowing that he feels it, too, makes this moment more intimate than not.
 
He brings his beer up to his lips and tilts his head back as he empties the remaining contents into his mouth. As he sucks out every last drop, he watches me watch him and I get lost in his oval eyes. His irises are in a glorious state of confusion, unsure of whether or not they are blue or green. His hair struggles with the same color dilemma, his dark blonde locks sometimes appearing light brown, depending on how the light hits them.
 
For just a second, I imagine running my fingers through his soft, loose, curls. Or, at least, I consider them curls; or they would be—big, beautiful, silky curls—if he grew his hair out longer. I know he won’t. He likes to keep his slightly shaggy, fuck-me-now mane just long enough to entice you to do just that. Except, we won’t be doing that, either.
 
His gaze is still locked with mine. He’s teasing me. I know it. He knows it—but this is our game. I can’t look away first. If I do, he’s won. So instead, I bring my beer to my lips, tilt my head back, and drink, all the while watching him watch me.
 
When we’re both finished, he stands and takes my empty bottle before leaning down to kiss my neck, just below my ear. “You win, Wings,” he murmurs. I grin, feeling victorious. “But you left the bottle opener in the kitchen. I’ll be right back.” He kisses me once more as a reward and then turns to leave.



 
Author Bio
 
R.C. Martin finds it a bit awkward referring to herself in the third person, so she's only going to do it for this one sentence. (We all know who's writing this bio anyway!)

I'm a born and bred Coloradan. I will always claim that square state as my home! While I now reside in Virginia, the land of the Rocky Mountains is where I've left a piece of my heart and where my characters come to life. I'm a woman in love with love and filled to the brim with compassion for women like me, on a journey to find themselves in today's society. I aspire to inspire my readers to do more than settle. I hope that my writing will remind everyone that she (or he!) is valuable and worthy of the best kind of love--the kind that is gentle, patient, faithful, passionate, all consuming, never ending, and leaves you breathless.

When I'm not writing I'm reading; when I'm not reading I'm writing...you know how it goes! I also enjoy cooking, baking, crocheting, and jigsaw puzzles. Basically, I'm an old soul with a young heart, nonchalantly waiting for my prince to come.
 
 
 
 
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